The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 546 The imperial commander’s personal expedition
Perhaps Xiong Tingbai really spent too much money, or perhaps he had a bad temper, which led to his poor popularity. At this time, no one in the court, whether civil or military, stood up to oppose it, so the resolution to dismiss Xiong Tingbai, the governor of Liaodong, was successfully passed.

However, this was not the climax of this court session. Next, Emperor Qiansheng announced in public that he would lead the army in person. He wanted to use his power as an emperor to boost morale on the Liaodong front and wipe out the Jurchens with lightning speed.

In an instant, the entire Wenhua Hall was in an uproar and split into two factions. One faction strongly opposed Emperor Qiansheng leading the army in person, with the reason being that the emperor is a precious person, the foundation of the country, and should not put himself in danger, but should stay at the center and stabilize the people's hearts. The other faction strongly advocated that Emperor Qiansheng lead the army in person, and cited the example of Taizu, the founder of the Jin Dynasty, who led the three expeditions to the northern desert. They tried to prove that if Emperor Qiansheng led the army in person to conquer Liao, it would surely boost the morale of the army on the front line, and everyone would fight to the death, and with the momentum of plowing the yard and sweeping the holes, they would wipe out the Jurchens in one fell swoop.

Just as the two factions were arguing fiercely, Emperor Qiansheng stood up and said calmly: "No need to argue, my nobles. I have made up my mind. The 20th of next month is an auspicious day. I will set out to Liaodong to lead the army in person and wipe out the Jiannu in one fell swoop. The crown prince will be the regent at that time. You may leave the court now!"

After Emperor Qiansheng finished speaking, he turned around and left, leaving the civil and military officials in the court looking at each other in bewilderment. Everyone suddenly realized that the current Emperor Qiansheng was no longer the humble and gentle emperor he used to be. Having completely freed himself from the constraints of the retired emperor, he had obviously changed. He had become more powerful, more unpredictable, more radical and more arbitrary.

This might be the real Emperor Qiansheng. In the past, he was just deliberately suppressing himself!
Liu Qing, a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, walked up to Zhao Mingcheng with a dark face, pointed his finger and cursed: "Zhao Dehui, you are a treacherous villain who abuses power. For your own selfish reasons, you instigated the emperor to put himself in danger. If the emperor makes a mistake, our Great Jin will be in an irreparable situation. You, the traitors of Donglin, cannot escape the blame. You should be cut into pieces and cursed by the people."

"Lord Liu scolded me well. Zhao Dehui is a traitor to the country!"

"Bah, you treacherous villain."

"The Donglin traitors shall not die a good death."

Just now, the Donglin faction headed by Zhao Mingcheng strongly supported Emperor Qiansheng's personal expedition, so the opposition now vented their anger on Zhao Mingcheng, the leader of the Donglin party.

"I am too lazy to waste words with you, you short-sighted fellows. I will deal with you again when His Majesty returns triumphantly after defeating the Jiannu!" Zhao Mingcheng said this before turning around and walking out of the Wenhua Hall, making Liu Qing, Qi Qin and others go crazy.

Jia Huan followed the crowd out of Wenhua Hall. He felt strange in his heart, as if something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.

At about four o'clock in the afternoon, the court was dismissed and Jia Huan returned to the Jia Mansion. As usual, he paid his respects to Grandmother Jia's room and then went back to the garden. As soon as he stepped into the gate of Yuewei Residence, he heard Jia Tanchun's voice. He went into the room and found that except Jia Tanchun, Daiyu and Xiangyun were all there.

All the girls looked at Jia Huan. Tanchun said with a smile, "Our number one scholar is back."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Sisters, please wait a moment. I will be away for a while." After that, he went into the inner room, changed into regular clothes with the help of Ping'er and others, washed his hands and face, and then returned to the outer room to pay his respects.

Since Lin Daiyu and Jia Huan confirmed their relationship that day, she has been in a sweet and passionate state of love. She wishes she could stick with Jia Huan all the time. Unfortunately, the latter has to go to court every day, so she is naturally worried about him all the time. When she sees Jia Huan coming back from the court, her eyes are full of joy, and she asks, "Did your court session go smoothly today, brother Huan?"

Jia Huan sat down and took the tea that Qingwen handed him. He took a sip and said with a smile, "It's the same as usual, but I went to attend the noon court to observe government affairs."

Jia Tanchun nodded and said, "This is a good thing. It's time to see it for yourself."

Shi Xiangyun asked curiously, "Is there any big event in the court?"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "There are indeed two major events. The Liaodong Governor Xiong Tingbai has been dismissed and questioned. This is the first. The second is that the emperor will personally lead the expedition to Liaodong on the 20th of next month."

The three girls were slightly surprised when they heard this. Daiyu frowned slightly and said, "It's strange. The emperor is leading the army in person, and he only has one month to prepare. It's too hasty."

A light bulb went off in Jia Huan's mind. He always felt something was wrong when he walked out of Wenhua Hall. At this moment, Lin Daiyu inadvertently reminded him that it was such an important event for a king to lead the army in person. He must have made careful preparations to take all precautions. However, Emperor Qiansheng would set off on the 20th of next month, which seemed a bit hasty.

Jia Tanchun nodded and said, "It is indeed hasty, but considering that the Liaodong front has already stationed 200,000 troops with sufficient food and resources, the emperor only needs to mobilize his personal troops to protect him, so a month is enough."

The three girls were all girls from the boudoir and naturally didn't care much about such military and national affairs, so after discussing for a few words, they turned to other topics, sat for a while, and then stood up and said goodbye.

Lin Daiyu didn't want to leave, but it was getting dark, and Xiangyun and Tanchun were both leaving. She felt embarrassed if she stayed behind, so she stood up as well.

"I'll go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to find you later." Jia Huan took the opportunity to see Lin Daiyu out and whispered in her ear. The latter's cheeks immediately blushed and she quickly caught up with Tanchun and Xiangyun.

Jia Yingchun is mediocre in talent and is nicknamed "wooden wood", while Jia Xichun is withdrawn and cold. They can't play with Shi Xiangyun, who is optimistic, generous and talented. Therefore, since Baochai and Baoqin moved out of the garden, Xiangyun has been playing with Tanchun and Daiyu more often, so the relationship between Yun and Daiyu is closer than before. After Jia Huan finished his dinner and bathed, he really went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to find Daiyu. It was already summer in late April, and the weather was getting hotter day by day. Lin Daiyu asked the servants to put a table in the yard, and prepared fruits and tea. Then she sat side by side with Jia Huan on the recliner, looking up at the stars and chatting about family matters.

"Brother Huan, stop making trouble. It's itchy!" Lin Daiyu pulled back her sleeves and said lightly.

It turned out that Jia Huan had just put her sleeve under his nose to inhale the faint fragrance, and the breath sprayed on his wrist, making him feel itchy.

"Good sister, let me smell it for a while longer." Jia Huan smiled and took Lin Daiyu's jade hand back.

Lin Daiyu couldn't resist and could only let him do it. She felt shy and sweet in her heart. She looked at the stars in the sky and asked worriedly, "Brother Huan, the emperor is going to the army in person. He won't let you accompany him, right?"

Jia Huan poked his head out from Lin Daiyu's fragrant sleeves and said with a smile, "What virtue and ability do I have to have?"

Lin Daiyu chuckled and said, "Although Huandi has just entered the official career, he should not underestimate himself."

Jia Huan exclaimed, "Could it be that Sister Lin wants me to accompany her to the battle?"

Lin Daiyu blushed and shook her head. Although there was no danger in following the emperor, the battlefield was dangerous and it would be better not to go if possible. Moreover, once she went to the battlefield, she didn't know how long it would take her to return home. It was not pleasant to be worried every day.

Jia Huan chuckled and said, "A girl in her boudoir knows no sorrow. She dresses up in the spring and goes up to the green tower. Suddenly she sees the willow trees on the street and regrets having asked her husband to seek a title."

Lin Daiyu was touched by what she had been thinking. She hit Jia Huan and spat softly, "Brother Huan, if you keep talking nonsense, I can kick you out."

Jia Huan sat up, took a piece of watermelon, and said with a smile, "Can you drive him away?" At the same time, he handed another piece to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took it, took a bite and put it down, thinking it was too sweet. Suddenly she remembered something and asked, "Brother Huan, do you know that Yun'er is promised to someone else?"

Jia Huan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I haven't heard about it yet. When did it happen?"

Lin Daiyu said: "I also heard about it from the maid today. The one promised is from the Wei family, and it seems to be called..."

"Wei Ruolan?" Jia Huan blurted out.

"It seems so. How did Brother Huan know about it?" Lin Daiyu asked curiously.

Jia Huan said, "I have met him once before. The Wei family was one of the twelve marquises who founded the Jin Dynasty."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Oh, they are a perfect match. I wonder what Wei Ruolan looks like? What's her character like?"

"He is quite handsome, but not as handsome as me. As for his character... we are not close friends, so I don't know." Jia Huan replied while eating watermelon.

Lin Daiyu burst out laughing, stretched out her slender index finger and poked Jia Huan's forehead, saying angrily, "Stop being so conceited."

Jia Huan said: "I am telling the truth."

Lin Daiyu said with a smile: "Forget it, Huandi, you are the most beautiful. Go home quickly. You have to get up early to attend court tomorrow."

After eating the watermelon, Jia Huan took the tea brought by Xueyan and rinsed his mouth. Then he said goodbye to Lin Daiyu and went back to rest.

(End of this chapter)