The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 555: Betting on Both Sides
Tie Niu is now the "technical director" of the honeycomb coal workshop. When Jia Lian broke in with three rebel soldiers, he was sampling a batch of newly produced honeycomb coal.

"Master Lian, what are you doing?" Tie Niu looked at Jia Lian in confusion and asked in a buzzing voice, then glanced at the three rebel soldiers behind Jia Lian.

Jia Lian gave him a veiled look and asked coldly, "Tie Niu, where is Jia Qiang?"

Tie Niu was a little confused and answered in a buzzing voice: "Second Master Qiang went out of town to discuss business at Coal Hill this morning. Why did Second Master Lian look for him?"

Jia Lian shouted, "It's none of your business. Now take us to find Jia Qiang." After saying that, he gave a secret look.

The three rebel soldiers behind Jia Lian were the ones sent by Jia She to capture Jia Qiang. At this moment, they were holding their sword handles and staring at Tie Niu with fierce eyes, which looked very threatening.

Tie Niu is tall and stronger than his brother Tiehu, like a black iron tower, but he has an honest and docile personality and is not willing to offend anyone easily. However, once he is forced into a corner, he can explode in a very terrifying way, with even greater destructive power than Tiehu.

Tie Niu was a little confused at this time, and seeing the three rebels holding weapons and firearms with ferocious expressions, he hurriedly said, "I'll take you there." After that, he patted the coal dust on his body and took Jia Lian and others out of the city.

At this time, all the gates of the capital were blocked by the rebels and no one could enter or exit at will, so when Jia Lian, Tie Niu and others arrived at Fucheng Gate, they were immediately stopped and questioned.

The three rebel soldiers came forward to negotiate. Jia Lian took advantage of this opportunity to approach Tie Niu and whispered, "The emperor has been restored to the throne and has taken control of the entire city. Jia Zhen has led his men to Tiewang Mountain to capture Jia Huan. When you leave the city, find a chance to escape. Hurry up and inform Jia Qiang to run for his life. Run as far as you can."

Tie Niu was shocked. Although he was honest, he was not stupid. He immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. He looked at Jia Lian deeply and nodded indifferently.

At this time, the three rebels had finished negotiating, and the city gate slowly opened. Tie Niu and Jia Lian followed the three rebels out of the city and headed towards Coal Hill. After walking for about a few miles, Tie Niu suddenly squatted down, holding his stomach, and said painfully: "I had a bowl of overnight rice this morning, and now my stomach hurts so much. I guess I ate something bad. I have to go to the bathroom. Second Master Lian and the other generals, please wait a moment. It's not good... I have to poop."

Jia Lian quickly covered his nose and cursed, "Get away from me!"

Tie Niu covered his butt and crawled into the bushes beside the road. The leading rebel frowned and shouted, "Don't go too far, just pull it there, and show your head. If you dare to play tricks, I'll shoot you." He raised the matchlock in his hand and aimed at Tie Niu.

Tie Niu's face changed slightly, and he had to take off his pants on the spot and pretend to take a shit, with half of his body exposed in the grass. He looked around and suddenly saw a fist-sized stone next to him, so he quietly picked it up.

Half an incense stick later, Tie Niu pretended to have finished taking a shit, tied his belt with a relaxed look on his face, and returned to the road.

"Sir, I accidentally got some diarrhea on my hands just now. Can I borrow some water to wash my hands?" Tie Niu stretched out his hand while staring at the water bag hanging on the waist of the leading rebel.

"You are looking for death, get out of here!" The leading rebel shouted loudly, and the other two rebels also covered their noses in disgust and took two steps back.

It happened so quickly that a gleam of light flashed in Tie Niu's eyes, and he hit the head of the rebel leader with a bang. The unlucky guy's head burst open on the spot, and he fell to the ground and died.

Before the other two rebels could react, they were hit by a punch and a kick in the abdomen respectively. Tsk tsk, Tie Niu's strength was even greater than Tie Hu's. The two rebels flew out on the spot and fell to the ground, vomiting blood and lumps of matter. It was estimated that their internal organs were shattered.

Jia Lian was so frightened that he stood there like a wooden chicken, and fell off the horse. He never expected that Tie Niu, who was usually so honest that he didn't even fart, could be so ferocious and kill three people with one move.

Tie Niu threw away the stone in his hand, picked up a matchlock gun from the rebel leader, took a sword and hung it around his waist, then led Jia Lian's mount and climbed up, clasping his fists and saying, "Second Master Lian, thank you."

Seeing that Tie Niu had no intention of hurting him, Jia Lian calmed down and waved his hand, saying, "Go!"

Tie Niu rode away quickly on his horse. Jia Lian got up from the ground, checked the three rebels, and found that the other two were still breathing. He picked up a stone and hit them on the head a few times. After confirming that the two rebels were dead, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason why Jia Lian let Tie Niu go was certainly because he still had a conscience, but in fact he was also leaving a way out for himself. The restoration of the retired emperor might not succeed, and once Emperor Qiansheng led his army back, it would be unknown who would win. It would be smart to bet on both sides at this time. Perhaps today's good deeds could save his life in the future.

So we have to say that although Jia Lian does not have great wisdom, he is definitely not lacking in cleverness. At least his vision is longer-term than that of his father Jia She.

Jia Lian hesitated for a moment, and finally, reluctantly hit himself on the forehead, causing his head to bleed profusely. Then, he covered the wound with a handkerchief and hurriedly ran towards Fucheng Gate.

Tie Niu returned home on his horse. His wife Hong Ling was shocked to see him holding a musket and a sword. She asked hurriedly, "Master, where did you get the musket?"

Tie Niu said solemnly, "The Grand Emperor has restored the throne and has sealed off the city gates. Master Huan San is in danger, and I have to go help him. You and mother should take Niuniu and leave quickly, and temporarily hide at a relative's house for a while."

Hongling was the maid who originally served Jia Huan. Later, she was sent out of the mansion and married Tie Niu. When she heard that Jia Huan was in danger, she did not ask any questions and hurriedly packed her luggage to hide at a relative's house.

After Tie Niu settled his family, he immediately rushed to Coal Hill. On the way, he happened to meet Jia Qiang who was about to return to the city. Jia Qiang was shocked to learn that the emperor had been restored to the throne and Jia She and Jia Zhen were looking for him everywhere.

"Master Qiang, you'd better leave quickly, go as far as possible, and make plans after the situation stabilizes." Tie Niu advised.

Jia Qiang asked hurriedly, "What are you going to do, Brother Tie Niu?"

Tie Niu said in a buzzing voice: "I killed three rebels. I had no choice. Besides, Third Master has been very kind to my family. How can I just ignore him when he is in trouble? If I only care about my own life at this time, not only will my conscience be guilty, but Hu Zi will not forgive me either." "Then is Brother Tie Niu going to Tiewang Mountain?" Jia Qiang asked.

Tie Niu nodded. Jia Qiang's blood boiled in his chest and he cursed loudly, "Damn it! Since this bastard Jia Zhen wants to kill me, I will fight him. Brother Tie Niu, I will go with you."

Tie Niu hesitated and said, "If Mr. Qiang really wants to go, he might lose his life."

Jia Qiang nodded firmly, pointed at the matchlock in Tie Niu's hand and said, "I've practiced with this thing before, and I know how to use it!"

Tie Niu didn't waste any words and handed the matchlock gun and the ammunition bag to Jia Qiang. The latter took it and put it on, and the two of them rode away in the direction of Huairou County.

After Jia Lian self-harmed, he "escaped" back to the city and found his father Jia She to report the "existence". After listening, the latter scolded: "Useless rubbish, you even let someone escape!"

Jia Lian said aggrievedly: "That Tie Niu looks honest, but he is actually treacherous. He is tall and strong, with amazing strength and skills. I am lucky to be able to escape alive."

Jia She said angrily: "A waste is a waste. There is no need to make so many excuses. I am busy now and I will deal with you later." After saying that, he turned away.

At this time in the city, the rebel soldiers were arresting people everywhere with lists. Any dignitaries and officials who did not go to Fengtian Gate to pay homage to the emperor would be arrested, including all members of the royal family.

"Reporting to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Qing Palace and the Dai Palace have been sealed off, and the princes of the two palaces have been controlled." Wei Ruolan, fully armed, walked into the Wenhua Palace in a heroic manner.

Crown Prince Xu Wenhong nodded and asked, "Where are Prince Xing and Prince Han?"

Prince Xing and Prince Han were the fifth and sixth sons of Emperor Qiansheng. They did not appear at Fengtian Gate to pay homage to the emperor, so they were ordered to be arrested.

Wei Ruolan replied, "Prince Xing and Prince Han disguised themselves and tried to escape from the city, but were discovered at the city gates. They have now been taken back to their original palaces and placed under house arrest."

Xu Wenhong's eyes flashed with a trace of murderous intent, and he nodded and said, "So, except for the Prince of Dai and the Prince of Qing who followed the emperor to the war, are all the other princes under control?"

Wei Ruolan shook her head and said, "Prince Min is not in the palace. It is said that he left the city early in the morning to go hunting in Tiewang Mountain. The newly crowned number one scholar Jia Huan accompanied him."

Xu Wenhong's face darkened when he heard this and he said, "You must take your men to Tiewang Mountain immediately and bring King Min back. There must be no mistakes."

Wei Ruolan hurriedly took the order and left.

Although Xu Wenhong looked down on the cowardly seventh brother Xu Wenhou, no matter how useless this guy was, he was still of royal blood, and his existence would more or less threaten his position.

Although the emperor had promised him that he would inherit the throne in the future, Xu Wenhong was still worried. If he was the only grandson left, the emperor would have no choice, and that would be the safest option.

A fierce light flashed in Xu Wenhong's eyes, and he suddenly remembered that there was a little one in Fengzao Palace. So he walked out of Wenhua Hall and went straight to Fengzao Palace with several guards.

Emperor Kangping was fishing under the shade of willow trees in the West Garden and North Sea. Wang Ziteng walked up to him and knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, your old minister, kowtows."

Emperor Kang Ping said calmly: "You should still call me the Supreme Emperor."

"Yes, I pay my respects to the Supreme Emperor!" Wang Ziteng quickly changed his words.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" Emperor Kangping said calmly.

Wang Ziteng said, "The situation in the city has been basically resolved, but the defenders outside the city are a bit tricky. I'm afraid the emperor will have to step in personally to suppress them."

Emperor Kangping raised his eyebrows, put away his fishing rod, stood up and said, "Let's go, I want to see who the troublemaker is."

Wang Ziteng did not stand up. Emperor Kang Ping frowned and asked, "Anything else?"

"The prince has already gone to Fengzao Palace." Prince Teng said with his head lowered.

Emperor Kangping showed a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and said calmly: "Your Highness follows me in this respect."

Wang Ziteng shook his head and said, "The Emperor is decisive in killing, but the Crown Prince is brave but lacks strategy. He is good at strategy but lacks decisiveness. He can only be regarded as cruel and ruthless. How can he compare with the Emperor's courage to decide the fate of the world in one fell swoop?"

Emperor Kang Ping said calmly: "Let's go. For your sake, I can protect Fengzao Palace once."

(End of this chapter)