The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 589 Return in triumph
The sky was covered with leaden clouds, and the northwest wind was howling over the city walls of Ningyuan. Fine snowflakes were dancing in the sky, and the temperature dropped sharply.

That's right, it's snowing.

However, this is very normal in Liaodi. After the tenth month of the lunar calendar every year, it officially enters the snow season. This year's first snow can only be said to have arrived as expected.

The north wind was as sharp as a knife, corroding bones and invading flesh. The defenders in Ningyuan City were starving and cold, and their morale, which had just improved, dropped again in an instant.

It was already dark, and Jia Huan still hadn't returned to the city. Zu Tianshou stayed on the city wall, having hardly slept the entire night. He listened to the howling of the northwest wind all night, and fell into a drowsy sleep at almost dawn, when he was suddenly awakened by a burst of noise.

Zu Tianshou jumped up, quickly grabbed a knife, and shouted, "What happened? Are the Jiannu coming?"

A personal soldier rushed in and said joyfully, "General, Deputy Envoy Jia has returned. He has captured many cattle, sheep, and women!"

Zu Tianshou hurriedly ran out of the city wall, took two steps at a time and rushed towards the city wall, then looked outside the city.

Although the northwest wind last night sounded scary, the snow didn't fall heavily. As soon as the sun came out in the morning, it all melted away without a trace. Under the rising sun, a cavalry was seen driving hundreds of cattle and sheep slowly coming from the direction of Shoushan.

"Deputy Envoy Jia, Deputy Envoy Jia is back, with so many cattle and sheep!" The defenders on the top of the city cheered loudly. As the saying goes, if you have food in your hands, you won't be worried. There was no need for an exciting speech, and the morale of the entire army was rising.

Zu Tianshou was surprised and happy. This kid had succeeded and seemed to be unharmed. There were so many people when he left, and there were still so many people when he came back. No, there were many more people, including many more women and children. How did he do it?

In Zu Tianshou's impression, although the fighting power of the Tatars was not as good as that of the Jurchen cavalry, it was definitely not weak. Even if the number of people in that tribe was not large, it was unlikely that they could remain unscathed, right?
"Quick, open the city gate!" Zu Tianshou immediately ordered the city gate to be opened and led his military officers to rush out of the city to meet them.

Zu Tianshou led the military officers to greet Jia Huan's horse, bent his knees slightly, clasped his fists and saluted, and said respectfully: "I, General Zu Tianshou, will lead the generals under my seat to welcome Deputy Envoy Jia back in triumph."

All the military officers and soldiers saluted in unison, and the look they gave Jia Huan was obviously different from the previous day, with a more respectful look in their eyes.

The army is a place that advocates the use of force, and admiring the strong is also human instinct. Jia Huan is swift and decisive in his actions and has extraordinary courage. He will destroy the Hua tribe as soon as he says he will. This kind of decisive and tough style of killing naturally makes it easy for him to gain the recognition and trust of the soldiers. Moreover, this operation was clean and efficient. Not only did he capture nearly a thousand cattle and sheep, but he did not even lose a single soldier. It was undoubtedly a perfect victory.

Who wouldn't be happy to have a boss who is capable and tough, and can lead his subordinates to victory and glory?
At this moment, Jia Huan was sitting on the horse with his back straight. Except for his handsome face which was slightly reddened by the cold wind, he was as calm and composed as ever, as if he had just come back from hunting. This state of mind was even more impressive. He smiled and clasped his fists and said, "General Zu and all the brothers, there is no need to be polite. Let's go into the city and have meat today!"

In an instant, there was another round of thunderous cheers. The cavalrymen who participated in this action all puffed out their chests with pride, and under the envious gazes of their comrades, they proudly entered the city carrying the robbed women and driving the cattle and sheep.

As a time traveler, Jia Huan was opposed to the act of abducting women, but this was obviously a common practice of feudal armies in foreign wars. Women, as a kind of trophy, could be used to reward soldiers on one side, and on the other hand, it was an effective way to weaken the enemy's population. Famous generals such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, when they went north to fight against the Huns, always "captured all their cattle, sheep and women and returned south"!
After the quartermaster counted the cattle and sheep, he said to Zu Tianshou happily, "In this battle, we captured a total of 638 sheep, 156 cattle, and 65 horses. This is enough for us to eat for more than half a year."

Zu Tianshou felt relieved when he heard this, and laughed, "What are we waiting for? Kill the sheep and cattle right away and give the brothers a meal."

"Just kill the sheep, but don't slaughter the cows. Cows are for milking, but bulls have to be used to plow the fields." Jia Huan said.

Zu Tianshou smiled and said, "Then just kill the sheep and make mutton soup. It's freezing cold, just right for the brothers to replenish their bodies."

The quartermaster happily went to do it, and Zu Tianshou accompanied him and asked carefully: "Vice Envoy Jia kept those cattle to plow the fields? But are you planning to restore the military settlements around Ningyuan?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "It was a strategic mistake for General Xiong to abandon Ningyuan and the Liaoxi Corridor. As long as we hold on to Ningyuan City this time, the court will definitely order the restoration of military settlements. It's possible that General Zu will be ordered to guard this place."

Zu Tianshou was both surprised and happy. He was surprised because Ningyuan was now the front line against the Jin soldiers and was extremely dangerous; he was happy because a large city like Ningyuan was usually guarded by a general-level general. If the court asked him to be the one to calm the city, wouldn't he have to be given the title of general?

"Deputy Envoy Jia has a far-sighted vision and is prepared for a rainy day. I admire him!" Zu Tianshou flattered with admiration.

Jia Huan said calmly: "General Zu, don't be too happy too soon. The premise is that Ningyuan City can be defended." Zu Tianshou was seen through and couldn't help but smile awkwardly: "I understand. I will do my best to assist Deputy Envoy Jia in defending Ningyuan City."

Jia Huan nodded and said, "Now there is good news, but it may not be true. It still needs to be investigated and confirmed. If this news is true, Nurhaci should not invade Ningyuan in the short term."

Zu Tianshou was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly asked, "What good news?"

"The reason why my surprise attack on the Chaohua tribe was so successful this time is that most of the men in this tribe were recruited by Hutudun. It is said that Nurhaci suddenly attacked the Khalkha tribe." Jia Huan said.

Zu Tianshou's eyes flashed, and he immediately blurted out: "It is very likely."

"Why?" Jia Huan asked back.

Zu Tianshou replied: "I was under the command of Wang Futai and was stationed in Guangning City. I am quite familiar with the situation in Liaodong. The Khalkha tribe of the Tartars is the strongest among the three Wanhu of the Left Wing of Mongolia, and its territory borders Shenyang.

Since Nurhaci occupied Shenyang, the two sides have often had frictions. As the saying goes, how can you allow others to sleep soundly beside your bed? Nurhaci is a man of great talent and strategy, and he is very strong. Now that he has established his capital in Shenyang, how can he tolerate the existence of the Khalkha tribe? "

Jia Huan nodded and said, "General Zu's analysis is reasonable. In the past, we heavily guarded Guangning and Jinzhou, which posed a great threat to Shenyang and Liaoyang. Now Nurhaci has won a great victory and occupied Guangning and Jinzhou. The Liaoxi Plain is in his hands. Nurhaci can finally free up his time to deal with the Khalkha tribe in the north."

Zu Tianshou said happily: "That's right, so Nurhaci will definitely not invade Ningyuan before destroying the Khalkha tribe of the Tartars!"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "This is just our guess. It still needs further investigation to verify. Moreover, the Art of War says: Don't rely on the enemy not coming, but rely on what we have to wait for them; don't rely on the enemy not attacking, but rely on what we have that cannot be attacked. Therefore, the safest way now is to strengthen the city defense, and don't take it lightly!"

Zu Tianshou said sternly: "I understand!"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "We should send out more scouts these days, preferably deep into Jinzhou and Guangning, to thoroughly understand the movements of the Jiannu. Then we will have a clear idea in mind."

"Don't worry, Deputy Envoy Jia. The scouts have already been sent out and there should be news coming back within the next two days," Zu Tianshou replied.

"That's good. General Zu, you can go about your business. I will take a break." Jia Huan yawned. Although the trip was safe and sound, it was very tiring. It was windy and snowy last night, and it was so cold that he didn't sleep the whole night.

Zu Tianshou hurriedly said, "Deputy Envoy Jia, please take a good sleep. I will not disturb you any more." After saying that, he clasped his fists in salute, turned around and walked out.

Xing Wei glanced at Zu Tianshou's back and said, "Zu Tianshou's ability is not bad, but his name is a bit too grand. Tianshou, Tianshou, does he want to live longer than the sky?"

Jia Huan's heart moved, and he smiled and said, "Perhaps he should be called Zu Dashou."

Xing Wei smiled and said, "That's more like it. Hehe, Third Master, do you want a woman to warm your bed? The young woman we kidnapped is not bad. She should be fine after she's washed."

"Get lost!" Jia Huan kicked Shitou with his foot. Shitou didn't dodge and didn't move at all. He patted his butt and said with a smile, "Since Third Master doesn't like you, I won't be polite."

Jia Huan warned: "Don't use force, you must get the other party's consent."

Xing Wei laughed and said, "I've been with Third Master for so long, I didn't know the rules when I was young. Hehe, although my charm is not as good as Third Master's, I'm still very popular. Is it necessary to use force?" After saying that, he ran out confidently.

(End of this chapter)