The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 584: Outbound Investigation
"The reason why our army fell into such a passive situation is all due to Wang Huazhen, the governor of Liaodong. I have long ago advised the emperor that Wang Huazhen is just a boastful idiot. Unfortunately, the emperor did not listen to my advice at all. The officials in the court were also blind and believed Wang Huazhen's exaggerated lies, thinking that this man could really defeat the Jian Nu with only 60,000 troops. It is really a joke and a joke to the world!"

As soon as Xiong Tingbai opened his mouth, he pushed all the blame onto Wang Huazhen and directly expressed his dissatisfaction with Emperor Qiansheng and court officials. Apart from anything else, his emotional intelligence was indeed lacking.

At this time, Xiong Tingbai continued: "When Wang Huazhen was guarding Guangning City, he repeatedly violated the "three-pronged advance" strategy set by this official. He secretly mobilized troops to attack Haizhou six times, but each time he returned empty-handed. The enemy had long seen through his intentions. Not only did he alert the enemy, but he also damaged my reputation.

Most recently, Wang Huazhen believed Hutudun's (Mongol Khan Lindan) false words that he would send 400,000 troops to help him, and actually tried to attack Liaoyang with 60,000 troops. What's more, the Minister of War Zhang Heming supported him. As the governor of Liaodong, I was in name only and could not stop him from sending troops.

As expected, Wang Huazhen returned empty-handed, and the 400,000 reinforcements from Hutudun did not show up, resulting in the fall of Guangning City. Wang Huazhen made such a big mistake, but Zhang Heming actually protected him and continued to serve as the governor of Liaodong.

Wang Huazhen knew he was guilty and was eager to make a contribution, so he had a crazy idea and sent Sun Degong to instigate Li Yongfang to rebel. Unexpectedly, he was outwitted by Li Yongfang instead. 100,000 troops on the front line were wiped out, Jinzhou fell, and the King of Dai and the King of Qing suffered.

Wang Huazhen, the idiot, certainly deserves death, and the Minister of War Zhang Heming is also to blame. If Zhang Heming hadn't blindly protected Wang Huazhen, how could such a huge disaster have happened later? Therefore, I think that both Wang Huazhen and Zhang Heming should be beheaded. "

Jia Huan couldn't help but frown. If what Xiong Tingbai said was true, then the Minister of War Zhang Heming was indeed to blame.

"Although Wang Huazhen was guilty of death, why did Xiong Jinglie delay in rescuing Jinzhou, resulting in the fall of Jinzhou and the suffering of the two kings?" Sun Chengzong asked sternly.

Xiong Tingbai said coldly: "Nonsense, when I learned that Jinzhou was under siege, I immediately sent troops to rescue it, and I encountered Wang Huazhen who had abandoned his armor and weapons on the way."

Xiong Tingbai's answer was a bit vague, so Jia Huan immediately asked, "So did Xiong Jinglüe eventually reach the city of Jinzhou? Or did he retreat to Ningyuan after encountering Wang Huazhen's defeated army?"

Xiong Tingbai glared at Jia Huan, then said after a moment's silence, "According to the information gathered by my scouts, Jinzhou has been breached and there is no time to rescue them. That is why I am returning the same way I came."

"That doesn't mean that General Xiong has never reached Jinzhou City?" Jia Huan continued to ask.

Xiong Tingbai said angrily: "Are you deaf? Jinzhou has been breached, and I have no time to rescue it. I can only retreat to Ningyuan. Isn't it clear enough?"

Jia Huan said calmly: "Don't get excited, General Xiong. I am the imperial envoy who was ordered to investigate this matter, so I will naturally ask about every detail. Well, according to General Xiong's own admission, the reinforcements did not arrive, Jinzhou had already been destroyed, and he did not expect to ask for help, so he returned to Ningyuan..."

As Jia Huan spoke, he wrote down his notes carefully. Xiong Tingbai clenched his fists and stared at Jia Huan, as if he was going to bite him. Seeing this, Tie Niu and Xing Wei could not help but concentrate their attention and be on guard, really worried that this hot-tempered old man would suddenly bite the Third Master.

At this time, Sun Chengzong asked in a deep voice: "Why did General Xiong decide to abandon Ningyuan City shortly after he withdrew? And why did he abandon all the land in western Liaoning and withdraw his entire army to Shanhaiguan?"

Xiong Tingbai said coldly: "I have written it very clearly in the memorial. The front line was defeated, Jinzhou fell, and the King of Dai and the King of Qing suffered. The morale of our army has declined extremely. In contrast, the Jiannu are in high spirits with the power of a great victory. In addition, our army's logistical supply is insufficient. Ningyuan City cannot be defended at all. Instead of dividing the troops to guard the fortresses along the way and letting the enemy defeat them one by one, it is better to concentrate the troops to retreat to Shanhaiguan to ensure the safety of the capital. And now it seems that the strategy of fortifying the city and clearing the countryside adopted by this official is correct!"

Sun Chengzong stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I will report to the emperor what Xiong Jinglie said today. During this period, I hope Xiong Jinglie will be loyal to his duties and not feel resentful towards the court."

Xiong Tingbai said proudly: "I am loyal to the emperor and the Jin Dynasty. The heaven and earth, the sun and the moon can bear witness to this. I will do my duty faithfully without your reminder, Lord Sun. I will never let the Jiannu advance any further. I swear to live and die with Shanhaiguan."

Sun Chengzong nodded, stood up and clasped his fists to say goodbye. Jia Huan also stood up and asked casually, "Xiong Jinglie went out to inspect today. Did he find any trace of the enemy?"

Xiong Tingbai shook his head.

Sun Chengzong and Jia Huan left Xiong Tingbai's tent and climbed up to the top of Shanhaiguan again. Sun Chengzong put his hand on the wall and looked into the distance. The sun had already set, and the night was falling. The distant mountains and the nearby sea were dim. The arched ridges seemed like giant beasts lying dormant, ready to stand up and launch a fatal attack at any time.

"Ziming, do you think what Xiong Tingbai said is true?" Sun Chengzong suddenly asked.

Jia Huan hesitated for a moment and said, "Most of it should be true, but I doubt whether Xiong Tingbai's decision to abandon Ningyuan City is correct."

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "I think so too. The Liaoxi defense line has cost a lot of manpower and material resources. It is a pity to give it up like this."

Jia Huan suddenly whispered, "Xiong Jinglie came back from seclusion today, and he looked a little strange. I'm afraid he's hiding something."

Sun Chengzong's eyes flashed and he said, "So Ziming has noticed it too. I plan to go out of the pass to inspect it myself tomorrow. Ziming, you stay inside the pass."

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "The student will come out of seclusion with you, so that we can take care of each other. Don't worry, the student will not hold you back." Sun Chengzong pondered for a moment and nodded, "Ziming is also a veteran of many battles. That's good. Then come out of seclusion with me."

Early the next morning, Jia Huan and Sun Chengzong ignored the dissuasion of the military supervisor Xing Shenyan and rushed out of Shanhaiguan under the escort of 100 cavalrymen led by Wu Sangui.

On the city wall of Shanhaiguan, Xiong Tingbai looked at the galloping cavalry with a changing expression. He did not expect that Sun Chengzong and the boy surnamed Jia were so courageous as to dare to take the risk of going out of the pass for reconnaissance.

Jia Huan and his companions were very cautious along the way. In order to be absolutely sure, they sent out five waves of scouts to explore the way ahead. Each wave was three miles apart and carried signal fireworks so that they could quickly notify the rear once they discovered the enemy.

Fortunately, the whole morning was peaceful and sound. However, the further east we went, the fewer people there were. The fortresses built along the way were all destroyed, and all the houses in the villages were burned down. This should have been the work of Xiong Tingbai during his retreat.

"What a pity! These fortresses cost a lot of manpower and material resources to build." Sun Chengzong clenched his wrist and said with regret.

Jia Huan consoled him, "If we save the people but lose the land, then both the people and the land will be saved. If we save the land but lose the people, then both the people and the land will be lost. If it is proven that Xiong Tingbai's judgment is correct and Ningyuan City cannot be defended, then giving up these fortresses is also a helpless move."

Wu Sangui glanced at Jia Huan in surprise. Although he had heard some stories about Jia Huan, they were just hearsay. He always thought that others were exaggerating. Even if Jia Huan was really good at both civil and military affairs, he was still just a young boy. How could he be so powerful? But when he heard Jia Huan's concise and concise opinion, he was really insightful. It was obvious that he was not just an embroidered pillow.

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "Ziming, what you said makes sense. Let's take a rest and have some dry food before we go."

So they found a favorable location to stop and rest, eating dry food and resting their horses. Wu Sangui came forward and said, "My two imperial envoys, I'm afraid you have already penetrated a hundred miles this morning. For your safety, why don't you turn back now? We must enter the pass before dark."

Jia Huan and Sun Chengzong looked at each other, and the latter asked, "What do you think, Ziming?"

Jia Huan stood up, put his hands on the awning and looked to the northeast, and asked: "Wu Youji once accompanied the emperor to the war, do you know how far Ningyuan City is from here?"

"It's probably about 150 miles away!" Wu Sangui answered casually, but his expression suddenly changed slightly, and he asked nervously: "Master Jia is not thinking of Ningyuan City, right?"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Wu Youji doesn't dare to go?"

Wu Sangui's face flushed, and he said awkwardly, "It's not that I don't dare, but for the safety of the two imperial envoys, if we encounter a large group of Jurchen cavalry, I may not be able to guarantee your safety, and we can't get to Ningyuan City before dark."

Jia Huan and Sun Chengzong smiled at each other, and the latter stroked his beard and said, "It's safer when it's dark."

Wu Sangui looked embarrassed and felt a little ashamed. If two weak civil servants were not afraid, how could a brave warrior like him be afraid?

Thinking of this, Wu Sangui's blood boiled, so he clasped his fists and said, "It's up to the two imperial envoys to arrange."

Now, after resting, everyone continued to move towards the northeast, but they were more cautious and moved more slowly.

What Xiong Tingbai gave up was Ningyuan City. If he wanted to get the correct answer, he naturally had to go to Ningyuan City for an on-site inspection in person. After all, seeing is believing to see whether this city can be defended.

Jia Huan and his party advanced about a hundred miles and still did not encounter any enemies, not even a ghost. The local people had all moved inside the pass, leaving only burnt ruins.

"How strange! Could it be that Nurhaci just occupied Jinzhou and then stopped moving?" Jia Huan frowned and thought: "Then will Ningyuan City still be there? And not be occupied by the Jurchens?"

At this time, they were still about fifty miles away from Ningyuan City, or 25 kilometers, which was very close. Seeing that it was about to get dark, Sun Chengzong ordered to set up camp.

The group chose a destroyed fortress as their campsite, and with a little repair it would have a certain degree of defensive power.

When the cold moon rose in the sky, Jia Huan and Sun Chengzong took only twelve riders and sneaked towards Ningyuan City in the dark. At this time, the actions of a small force would naturally be more covert and less likely to be exposed.

(End of this chapter)