The Red Mansions

Chapter 940

Chapter 940

Xuanfu, Zongbing Yamen

Jiang Yu, the chief soldier of the Xuan Mansion, sat in the study and looked at Kang Zexing. This was the third time Kang Zexing had come here within two days.

Kang Zexing said: "Uncle, my elder brother has sent news that the Qing Dynasty plans to lay siege to the Xuan Mansion with its all-powerful soldiers. The tens of thousands of people in the city alone will definitely not be able to resist."

In the Xuan Mansion, if it is said that Jiang Yu still maintains correspondence with the Hanchens and Han generals among the top Jurchen officials, then the merchants in the Xuan Mansion have already secretly communicated with the Jurchen.

Li Zan sent Wang Ziteng to assist him because he felt that the Xuan Mansion was unreliable, but after a game the day before yesterday, Wang Ziteng led the army to Dushikou.

Jiang Guan acted coldly, and said: "My Jiang family has suffered from the emperor's favor, nephew, if you say such rebellious words, don't blame me for not talking about old feelings."

Kang Zexing said, "Uncle, news just came from my father's side that the guards of the Jinyi Mansion have already begun to investigate the smuggling."

Just when Jia Heng went to Datong to reorganize the army, the guards of Jinyi Fu who stayed in Taiyuan Fucheng were not idle. In the name of investigating Jurchen spies, they began to investigate the smuggling clues of the Kang family and several other companies, such as some Jurchen traffickers in Taiyuan. Shops selling pearls, mink fur, and ginseng have arrested some people one after another to trace the origin of the goods.

For this reason, Shanxi merchants such as Kang Yisheng and Fan Hongqing have negotiated with Lin Ruhai, the minister of the household department, and Chen Cheng, the servant of the warehouse who came to escort the grain and grass, also complained for the Shanxi merchants.

Jiang Yu frowned, and said, "Didn't the Jinyi Mansion say they were investigating spies? It has nothing to do with the smuggling, right?"

"My Uncle Jiang Shi, do you have to let the imperial court sharpen their knives and sacrifice knives before Uncle Jiang wakes up?" Kang Zexing persuaded.

Jiang Guan's face was gloomy, and he said: "I know that the young master of your Kang family has taken the job of the Tartar household department, and fought fiercely with those surrendered officials, but Jiang went to the Jurchen, but he was driven by others to consume the army of servants of the Han army. That's all."

He will be squeezed out when he goes to Jurchen as a Han, so he might as well be free and easy for one of the princes now.

Seeing that Jiang Yu was still unwilling to let go, at this time Kang Zexing finally revealed his truth and said: "Jiang Shishu, Prince Su's army is only two days away from the Xuanfu, Jiang Zongbing, many people in the city are now dissatisfied with the imperial court's border control. With the strategy, the army will come, and once it responds, Datong will be at stake."

Hearing this, Jiang Guan's expression suddenly became solemn, and he said, "The soldiers and horses of the Eight Banners are now on the road to Datong?"

Kang Zexing said: "Jiang Shishu, when the court wins the war, it is bound to liquidate the smuggling of Liaodong. With the ruthlessness of the Marquis of Yongning who killed Wang Chengyin, the commander-in-chief of Taiyuan, does Uncle Shi think he can still keep his wealth? Sooner or later, the Xuanfu will have another Change the general."

Jiang Guan's eyes flickered, and his fist hidden under the table clenched unconsciously.

He admitted that what the second young master of the Kang family said was reasonable, but this was treason. Once the court found out, it would be the crime of destroying the nine clans. How can such a determination be made?

In fact, if Jia Heng had directly sent people to arrest Kang Yisheng and other Shanxi merchants and track down the smuggling of the Eastern captives, his determination towards Jiang Guan would have been firm to a certain extent.

But now it is precisely because the butcher's knife has not yet fallen, it is difficult for Jiang Guan to make this determination.

Kang Zexing said: "Uncle Jiang, the Han general defected to the past, and now he has entered the Eight Banners of the Han Army. His Majesty the Qing Emperor valued it very much. Uncle Jiang, Hauge said that if you can vote for the general, at least you must be named a marquis. If you donate the Xuan Mansion, even if you make him a Duke, it is not impossible to discuss."

Although Hauge has a bad temper and is even a little brainless, Yue Tuo beside him not only values ​​love and righteousness, but is also a resourceful man, who directly seduces him with honors.

In fact, there is one thing to say, Huang Taiji treated Hanchen really well, and the treatment was generous, which meant that he would buy a horse bone with a thousand dollars, because the Manchu Qing, who was starting a business, urgently needed Hanchen's help.

Jiang Tuan was a little moved by the talk, but still struggled in his heart, waved his hand, and said, "Go back first, this matter is of great importance, and I need to think carefully about it."

It can be said that the determination to sacrifice the city is not so easy to make, unless the matter is really urgent.

"This is a matter of family and life. Uncle Jiang should be more cautious." Kang Zexing said, arched his hands, and then left the study room, stood in the courtyard, looked at the white clouds above the sky, and let out a long mouthful gas.

The reason why his Kang family is actively seeking rebellion is naturally not because they are full, except that the arrow is on the string and they have to launch it.

Also because this is an opportunity to follow the dragon, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty has promised that as long as the Xuanfu and Datong are taken down, and the Central Plains can be glimpsed, the Kang family can be made the head of the imperial merchants and receive the title of servant of the household department, which is no better than that of the Han Dynasty. Is it better to be cautious when doing business?

After Kang Zexing left the Zongbing Yamen, a big man dressed as a woodcutter hiding in a noodle restaurant at the intersection also wiped his mouth, dropped a few copper coins, and then carried firewood towards the distance.

After passing two alleys, I saw an ordinary house.

He slammed the door three times quickly, and then slammed it three times slowly.

Then there was a "squeak" sound, and the red-lacquered wooden door opened.

"The firewood you want."

"Choose it and put it in the kitchen."

The two were talking, and then they led the big man wearing a bamboo hat into the backyard.

At this moment, Qu Lang was wearing short clothes, with a beard under his chin and under his nose, even if Jia Heng took a quick look, he couldn't recognize him, he was discussing with some young people in a low voice, when he saw someone coming, he asked, "How is it?"

The man cupped his hands and said: "Commander, the second young master of the Kang family has gone to the Zongbing Yamen again."

Qu Lang nodded, with a thoughtful look on his face, and said: "In the past few days, Kang Zexing and the young master of the Qiao family have frequently contacted Wang Dengku and Jin Liangyu's family in the city, and hosted a banquet for the generals of Xuanfu Town. I am afraid that there is already a rebellion."

Qu Lang immediately asked again: "Where is General Xie?"

At this moment, the young man on the side said: "General Xie has already led the troops and is on the way here. He should arrive at Dexuan Mansion tonight."

Qu Lang's face was slightly cold, and he said in a low voice: "Kang Zexing is closely monitored, and when General Xie arrives, he will be taken down immediately."

Several young Jinyi whispered yes.

Qu Lang said: "You guys wait here first, I'll go see Zhongshan Wolf."

At the beginning, Sun Shaozu was buried in Datong by the Jinyi Mansion in advance, not only found out the details of the smuggling by the generals of Datong, but also got on the line with the Qiao family of the Shanxi merchants, and then fought fiercely with Jiang Tuan, the general of the Xuanfu.

At this moment, the mansion where Sun Shaozu resides——

Sun Shaozu was talking to the coming matchmaker, an aunt of his own family.

The woman looked at Sun Shaozu and said, "Shaozu, the Qiao family has urged the marriage several times, saying that Miss Qiao's family is not young anymore, when will they get married? It's not a good idea to keep procrastinating."

Sun Shaozu said: "Auntie, this is not the critical time. Didn't it be agreed earlier that we will wait another two months."

The woman said with a smile: "You don't know how anxious Mr. Qiao is, he was so anxious before, and now that you get married earlier, you can have a son and a half daughter earlier in the future, so as to spread the branches and leaves for your grandson's family. "

When Sun Shaozu heard the words, he responded in a nonchalant manner, but secretly groaned in his heart.

How could this special woman marry the daughter of Mr. Qiao? When the court settles accounts after autumn, the Qiao family will definitely be ransacked.

"Then it will take another two months. Now the army is in turmoil, and the court is about to fight the Tartars, so it is not easy to arrange a marriage." Sun Shaozu delayed the time.

The woman said: "Then tonight, you can talk to the eldest young master of the Qiao family, he has been very urgent recently."

At the beginning, Sun Shaozu went to the grassland with the young master of the Qiao family, and encountered a group of horse bandits. Sun Shaozu led his servants to fight against the horse bandits with the Qiao family. Since then, he and the young master of the Qiao family have become brothers. His daughter promised to Sun Shaozu.

In fact, when it comes to looks, military officers like Sun Shaozu are almost handsome men in the north.

After the woman left, Sun Shaozu's majestic face gradually showed distress.

I have been doing this kind of deceit for almost a year, and I am always worried that I will see it through, and the daughter of the Qiao family is also handsome. In the future, I will have to ask for a reward and make myself a concubine.

At this moment, only a special bird song was heard from outside, like a harrier or an eagle, with a special rhythm.

Sun Shaozu's face changed slightly, and he cursed secretly, thinking, that conductor of the song came again, put down the tea cup, and hurried out of the mansion, not long after, he came to a tea house, went up to the second floor, and entered a tea room box.

"Here we come." Qu Lang poured a cup of tea, looked up at Sun Shaozu, pushed the teacup over, and said, "Drink tea."

Sun Shaozu sat down, lowered his voice and said: "Jiang Guan hasn't moved much these few days, but Bei Bian'er has already led troops over, and should attack Xuan Mansion in these two days."

Qu Lang said, "Jiang Guan is still undecided?"

"If there is news, he will definitely tell me that I have helped him with a lot of business." Sun Shaozu said in a low voice, a gleam flashed in his tiger's eyes, and asked, "When will the net be closed?" Sun Shaozu Said.

Qu Lang took a sip of tea and said, "It's almost two days away."

"Close the Internet cafe quickly." Sun Shaozu's eyes flashed, and he said in a low voice.

If he doesn't accept the net again, he is really worried that he can't stand the urging of the old man of the Qiao family, get married, and then vote for Jurchen?

Qu Lang glanced at Sun Shaozu, and said in a low voice: "The family asked me to tell you that after this incident, I will protect you as the commander of the hereditary Jinyi Mansion."

Sun Shaozu was overjoyed when he heard the words. Ever since he was imprisoned, he felt that all generals are bullshit, not as majestic as the officials in Jinyi Mansion.

Qu Lang said: "But the meaning of the family is to let you lead Qiao's family to Shengjing, where our people can take care of you."

Among the Han generals in Shengjing, it is not that there is no lack of admiration for the big man, especially after Jia Heng captured Duoduo alive in the south, and after beheading him, the Han general who had surrendered in the early years was also a little shaken.

Sun Shaozu: "???"

Still going to Shengjing?What if the Tartar emperor married the princess to him?

Of course, this is a trivial thought, and immediately laughed secretly at himself thinking about good things.

Qu Lang narrowed his eyes slightly under his sword eyebrows, stared at Sun Shaozu for a moment, and asked: "Of course, this matter depends on your decision. Didn't you fall in love with Qiao Yunfa's daughter? You never thought of making a fake show for real." , really voted for Jurchen?"

Facing the piercing gaze, Sun Shaozu's heart trembled, and he said with a sneer: "My lord is joking."

This Jinyi Mansion definitely has an informant by his side, no, it should be the Qiao family and the Jinyi Mansion's eyes and ears.

"I have to think about this matter." Sun Shaozu whispered under Qu Lang's cold gaze.

Qu Lang nodded, and said: "Don't worry, the family will not treat you badly. In the future, you may be awarded a knighthood when you return from meritorious service. These are the original words of that person."

Sun Shaozu's face paused, and the word title was undoubtedly touched.

Qu Lang said without saying much, and left the tea room, and the other plainclothes people who had been drinking tea in the two adjacent rooms also left with Qu Lang.

Sun Shaozu looked at the steaming teacup on the table, frowned, cursing inwardly.

Damn, this is on a pirate ship, going to Shengjing?Isn't Jin Yifu afraid that he really voted for Jurchen?Spreading disinformation?

Maybe there are other people in the imperial court in Shengjing, so they can keep an eye on him?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a sudden burst in my heart.

Not to mention Sun Shaozu was very anxious, as time passed, in the evening, when the twilight merged, three miles away from Xuanfu City, there was a chaotic sound of horses' hooves, and the galloping sound of nearly ten thousand cavalry marching was heard far away.

Seeing the faint outline of the city wall of the Xuanfu, especially the fiery red flag with the word "Han" waving in the wind, the leading general had a gentle expression on his face, and secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

The most worrying thing is that at the base of Xuanfu city, the king's banner will change at the top of the city.

As the sunset in the west dyed the sky red, and the dark night fell from the mountain peaks, nearly ten thousand cavalry troops approached Xuanfu City at a silent and fast speed.

At this moment, the generals sent by Xie Zaiyi had already arrived at the foot of Xuanfu City on fast horses, and after reporting to the generals guarding the city, they were led to the Zongbing Yamen.

In the official hall and festival hall, the tables and chairs are neat and spotless, and the oil lamps on the beams and pillars of the square ink paint are beating candles, and the orange candles are beating, dispelling the falling night.

"My lord, General Xie from the Beijing camp is here." A small school entered the hall and reported to Jiang Guan, the chief soldier of Xuanfu.

Because of the unreliability of the Xuanfu and the worry that it would be lost at any time, Xie Zaiyi only sent extra scouts and cavalry along the way, and did not write to the Xuanfu in advance, until the day before yesterday when he contacted the guards of the Jinyi Mansion in the city of Xuanfu.

After speaking, he entered the official hall, handed over the official document in his hand, and said, "The school sent by General Xie is right outside the door."

As soon as this remark came out, not only Jiang Yu, but even the five Xuanfu generals present were stunned and shocked.

Jiang Guan calmed down, took the official document, saw the seal of Guanfang on it, his face changed, and an inexplicable fear arose in his heart, he asked: "Where is the person sent by General Xie? Bring them here quickly?"

In a short time, the hundred household officials sent by Xie Zaiyi entered the hall, first saluted Jiang Yu who was seated behind the handsome table, and said: "General Jiang, my general has already left the city, and he is entering the city to assist in the defense of Xuanfu Guancheng. The Jurchen attack."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu's expression settled down, and he said, "I don't know when General Xie will come and how many soldiers and horses he brought with him, so I can prepare the barracks and provisions in advance."

"The general is already three li away from the city, so he should have arrived outside the city of Xuanfu by now." The hundred households in the capital camp said with their hands clasped.

Jiang Guan's complexion changed suddenly, his eyes dimmed a bit, and the uneasiness in his heart became more and more intense.

General Xiao Yao said: "My lord, the Beijing camp army is coming, I will wait until I go out of the city to meet it."

Several other generals also talked one after another, and now several generals in the city don't know that Jiang Guan has other thoughts.

Jiang Yuqiang smiled to himself, and said: "The generals will follow this general to meet General Xie."

He is not afraid of the prince Teng who led the army, but he is pushed out to guard the difficult Dushikou, a mere second-rank military general of the Beijing camp, what is he afraid of?

While everyone was talking, they went to Xuanfu City under the leadership of Jiang Guan.

Standing on top of the city gate tower, Jiang Yu looked at the army of the Beijing camp not far away, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he couldn't see clearly in the night, and asked: "Send someone to verify the Great Seal of Guanfang, and ask Identity, in extreme times, when Fangdong captives pretend to be the imperial army and earn the city."

Immediately, a general came out of the city with a rope, and went towards the cavalry led by Xie Zaiyi. After a while, he asked why and returned again.

Taking advantage of the moonlight, Jiang Guan looked at the forest of flags in the distance. For some reason, he felt uneasy in his heart, and said to the generals below: "It's getting late, tell them to camp outside first, and then go to the city tomorrow."

The face of the general at the side changed slightly, and he said: "My lord, this is the general's order to conquer the captives. In the future, if you ask someone for a crime, I'm afraid you will have to act according to military law."

In the past few days, the news that Wang Chengyin, the chief soldier of Taiyuan, was beheaded to enforce the military law gradually spread to the ears of the generals and school in Xuanfu Town, and they were somewhat afraid of the general who had never met before.

Hearing the words, Jiang Guan sighed secretly, and said loudly: "Ask the number of the cavalry, and welcome the army to enter the city."

Just like that, after a period of time that could be called dawdling, Xie Zaiyi finally entered Xuanfu City under the moonlight.

Xuanfu Zongbing Yamen

Xie Zaiyi showed no expression on his face, and led a group of generals from the Beijing camp into the hall. Standing in front of the commander-in-chief, he asked, "Why didn't General Jiang let him enter the city?"

Jiang Yu looked a little unnatural, and said with a smile: "General Xie, don't blame me. Recently, the Beiping camp sent people to the city to warn that the Jurchen might attack the Xuanfu. It was just dark and I couldn't identify the army, so I sent people to inquire. .”

Xie Zaiyi's face was indifferent, noncommittal, he just took out an official document from his pocket, and said: "General Jiang, the general sent his last general to help Fucheng, and he is also in command of the deputy general. I don't know where General Wang Ziteng is?"

As the general who conquered the captives, Jia Heng naturally had a clear picture of the deployment of troops in Xuanfu Town, and as for only sending Xie Zaiyi to lead the ten thousand riders, he also saw that the generals in Xuanfu had different attitudes.

Jiang Yu smiled and said: "Because the Jurchens are in a hurry to plunder, after I discussed with General Wang Ziteng, General Wang Ziteng has led the troops to Dushikou to guard."

There were Dushikou in several places that Jurchen used to enter the customs, so this heavy defense is reasonable.

Xie Zaiyi sat down and said: "Jiang Zongbing, according to the general's order, Wang Ziteng and Jiang Zongbing must sit in the Xuanfu side together. At this moment, we should inform General Wang Ziteng to lead the army back overnight."

Jiang Yan looked distressed, and said: "General Xie, now the Jurchens are not sure when they will send troops to attack, and they have to withdraw rashly. If the Jurchen invades, the Dushikou side may be hard to resist."

Xie Zaiyi said: "General Jiang, the general's words are clear and accurate. Tomorrow, five thousand soldiers and horses will be dispatched from Xuanhua City to support Dushikou. Wang Ziteng may not have enough troops."

Hearing this, Jiang Guan felt relieved, nodded and said, "Then I will follow General Xie's words."

Now that the imperial army is here, his thoughts are even more whimsical, and he has not seen Jurchen soldiers and horses, and the minds of these generals under him have not been ventilated in advance, so he is not sure how many people are willing to defect to Jurchen.

For those who treason and turn to the enemy, the first step is to unify their understanding, or the generals who do not want to follow will be cleaned first.

But Jiang Guan was indecisive, and he hadn't completed the first step until now, and when the Beijing camp came, he was even more cautious.

Xie Zaiyi took a look at Jiang Yu, and now he will stabilize Jiang Yu first, and news of the opportunity to seize his military power comes from Jinyi Mansion.

Jiang Yan smiled and said: "General Xie, the last general has prepared a small banquet. The general and all the generals from the Beijing camp have come all the way. They have been working hard, so it is better to have a meal first."

Xie Zaiyi cupped his hands in thanks, and said: "Then there will be Mr. Jiang."

If there is no accident, Jiang Yu and his men will be captured later, the military power of Datong will be gathered, Jiang Yu will be killed, and then the cavalry will be used to suppress the situation.

Jiang Guan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked the kitchen to prepare dinner, and at the same time talked with Xie Zaiyi, also using Xie Zaiyi's words.

When he learned that the imperial court sent 10,000+ soldiers and horses from the Beijing camp to fight, Jiang Guan's eyes were deep, his heart trembled, and he suppressed the strangeness in his heart.

Now that there is a Beijing cavalry army in the city, those ideas were too risky.

Moreover, the matter is not yet urgent.

As night fell, pine oil torches were lit in the courtyard. For a while, the lights were brightly lit, as bright as day. Just when the generals of the Xuanfu army and the generals of the Beijing camp were drinking and drinking, suddenly there was a burst of noise and noise from outside.

Jiang Yan, who was drinking with Xie Zaiyi and other Beijing camp generals, his complexion changed slightly, and he asked, "Go and ask what's going on."

Not long after, the general inspecting the situation came back, his face was filled with fear, and he said: "General, the guards of the Jinyi Mansion in the city arrested the members of the Kang family, saying that they were colluding with the Jurchens and spying on them."

As soon as these words came out, Jiang Guan's heart sank to the bottom of the valley like five thunders.

How did the Kang family get arrested?Is the smuggling incident going to be exposed?

(End of this chapter)