The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 634 Goodbye King Min
After entering the winter month, the weather in Liao became even colder. The north wind was howling overhead, and dust was rolling on the ground. A thin layer of ice had already formed on the water in the moat. When the sun shone during the day, the thin ice layer was shattered by the flowing water. The broken ice flowed downstream and collided with each other, making a tinkling sound, which was even spectacular.

Guangning City was originally an important town in western Liaoning. Its scale was even larger than Jinzhou and Ningyuan. The previous Liaodong governor, Wang Huazhen, built his office here. From this place, he could eye Shenyang in the east and intimidate the Mongolian tribes in the north. Now Jia Huan sent Lieutenant General Wu Sangui to guard Guangning City. He has 20,000 soldiers under his command, which is equivalent to the configuration of a general.

Guangning City has an extremely important strategic location and dangerous terrain. It is backed by a rocky mountain, and the Erdao River that runs around the city from the east has become a natural moat. A few dozen miles to the east is the Liaohe River, and about 300 miles to the northeast of the Liaohe River is Shengjing Shenyang.

About thirty miles southeast of Guangning City are Xiping Fort, Zhenwu Fort and Zhenning Fort, standing in a triangular shape on the bank of the Liaohe River. Lieutenant General Tiehu led an army of 10,000 to station here. About fifty miles downstream of the Liaohe River is Sanchahe Fort, where guerrilla general Man Gui stationed an army of 5,000. Behind Sanchahe Fort is a large fertile Liaohe Plain. Lieutenant General Zhao Luejiao led 20,000 soldiers and civilians to station on the plain, which was called Youtun.

Yizhou is located in the upper reaches of the Xiaoling River west of Guangning City. Shitou Xingwei led 5,000 soldiers and horses to be stationed in Yizhou. In this way, the Jin army had about 60,000 troops, stationed from north to south in the area near the Liaohe River. There were 30,000 troops in Jinzhou in the rear, and 20,000 troops in Ningyuan further behind. Together, there were more than 100,000 troops. It was really well defended and impregnable. No wonder Nurhaci was afraid of peace talks.

At this time, the soldiers and civilians stationed in Guangning City were braving the severe cold and racing against time to reinforce the city's defenses. Lieutenant General Wu Sanjun, fully armed, personally stood on the top of the city wall to supervise the construction work and did not dare to slack off.

Midwinter has arrived. Once the twelfth lunar month arrives, the Liaohe River will be completely frozen. The natural barrier will then become a smooth road and horses can run on the river. Wu Sangui naturally worries that the Jin soldiers will take the opportunity to cross the river and counterattack.

At this time, a horse galloped from the official road west of the city. It was a messenger in the army. After entering the city, he immediately climbed up to the top of the city wall and found Wu Sangui who was supervising the construction. He reported: "Reporting to the lieutenant general, the governor has already set off for Beijing. The general (Zu Tianshou) has ordered that during the governor's absence, the vanguard soldiers are not allowed to cross the river without authorization. They must focus on defense. Those who violate the order will be punished by military law!"

Wu Sangui clasped his hands and said, "I obey your command!"

After the messenger retreated, Wu Sangui walked to the parapet on the top of the city wall, leaned on the battlements with both hands and gazed into the distance, with envy and excitement intertwined in his heart.

In the Battle of Ningyuan, Nurhaci was defeated, more than 80,000 enemies were killed, and 300 miles of Liaoxi territory were recovered. What a glorious achievement! Now that the governor has been ordered to come to Beijing to surrender the captives, rewards are inevitable. There are even rumors that he may be granted a title.

Being immediately granted a title of nobility, having a wife and children supported by a noble family, this is undoubtedly the dream of all soldiers fighting on the battlefield, and Wu Sangui is no exception. If Jia Huan was really granted a title as a civil official, then what kind of rewards would these capable generals under Jia Huan receive?
Although Tiehu and Xing Wei were Jia Huan's direct subordinates, Wu Sangui asked himself that apart from the general Zu Tianshou, he was the second person under Jia Huan's command. If rewards were to be given based on merit, apart from the general Zu Tianshou, it should be his turn.

Therefore, Wu Sangui felt that he would most likely be promoted to the deputy general of Liaodong this time. If he was lucky, he might even be directly appointed as the general of Liaodong. His biggest competitor was Tiehu, who was the bravest of the three armies and, most importantly, brave and resourceful. Although he appeared rough on the surface, he was actually very meticulous. He was far from comparable to Xing Wei. Xing Wei seemed smart, but in fact he was just clever and had many problems. He was prone to act impulsively and could not possibly compete with him.

Wu Sangui was a proud man. He was not convinced of Jia Huan at first, but now he only compared Jia Huan with Tiehu and Xing Wei. It was obvious that he had already acknowledged in his heart that he and Jia Huan were not of the same level of talent.

Just as Wu Sangui was standing on the top of the city wall, thinking and worrying about gains and losses, another horseman came galloping, this time from the east, so Wu Sangui immediately became alert and ordered to be on guard.

"——Report!" The scout crossed the suspension bridge and reported to the city: "A group of Jiannu crossed the river from upstream, claiming to be sent by Nurhaci to negotiate peace and to see the governor."

"Negotiation?" Wu Sangui was slightly stunned. A soldier beside him couldn't help but say, "The arrogant Nurhaci actually wants to negotiate peace. It's really a pity. Is he playing a trick?"

Wu Sangui's eyes flashed, and he couldn't help but think of the rumors that Nurhaci was injured by the Red Barbarian Cannon and was now seriously ill and dying. Could the rumors be true? Otherwise, how could a person like Nurhaci easily bow his head and negotiate peace?

Wu Sangui's mind raced, and he sneered, "No matter if he has any conspiracy or not, let's see him first. If he dares to play tricks, I will not be a pushover. There is no such thing as two countries fighting without killing envoys. I will make sure he has no chance of returning."

Wu Sangui immediately sent out two hundred light cavalry, who rushed out of the east gate at lightning speed and headed straight for the Liaohe River ferry upstream. About half an hour later, the two hundred light cavalry returned with a team of dozens of people. This team was flying the flag of the Jin envoys and looked very formal.

Wu Sangui ordered his men to lower the drawbridge and let the Jin envoys into the city. He then led his personal soldiers down the city walls with murderous intent and shouted, "Who are the Jiannu envoys?"

A Jin civil servant with a shaved head and a braid at the back of his head stepped out from the crowd and said, "I am Fan Wencheng, representing the wise Khan of the Great Jin Dynasty to negotiate peace with your country. This general is so heroic and must be the famous Lieutenant General Wu. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Wu Sangui frowned. The Jin civil servant in front of him spoke fluent Chinese, and his every move was calm and gentle. His temperament was quite similar to that of the governor.

"Are you Han Chinese?" Wu Sangui asked coldly. The Jin envoy Fan Wencheng nodded calmly and said, "My ancestor is the famous minister Fan Wenzheng (Fan Zhongyan, posthumous title Wenzheng) of the Song Dynasty!"

Wu Sangui sneered, "You are good at flattering yourself. Regardless of whether it is true or not, since you are a Han Chinese, why do you sell out your master and serve the Jiannu? Isn't this bringing shame to our ancestors?"

Fan Wencheng said calmly, "Although I am a Han Chinese, I was born and raised in Shenyang. I have studied for a few years, but I have no official title, nor have I ever been an official in Jin. How can I be said to be selling out my master for fame? Moreover, wise birds choose trees to roost in. The wise Khan is a wise ruler born of nature. Why shouldn't I serve him?"

Wu Sangui was speechless for a moment, and after a pause, he sneered, "What a sharp tongue you have! Unfortunately, no matter how sharp your mouth is, it is not as sharp as the sword of our Great Jin. In the Battle of Ningyuan, Nurhaci's entire army was annihilated. What qualifications do you have as a defeated general to negotiate peace with our Great Jin?"

Fan Wencheng said proudly: "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Has Admiral Wu forgotten the defeats at Sarhu and Jinzhou a few years ago? How did Liaodong fall into the hands of our Great Jin?"

Wu Sangui was choked and speechless and could only sneer.

Fan Wencheng added: "The reason why our Great Jin Yingming Khan is willing to negotiate peace is not because he is afraid of your Jin State, but because he does not want to see the people of both countries continue to suffer. In addition, Yingming Khan loves the Third Prince Manggurtai, so he plans to use your King Qing to exchange for the Third Prince."

Wu Sangui's heart moved, and he hurriedly asked, "Where is His Royal Highness Prince Qing?"

"Prince Qing is now a guest in Shengjing. Everything is fine. As long as the two countries reach a peace agreement, Prince Qing can return to your country safely."

Wu Sangui frowned and said, "How can I know that this is not just a lie?"

Fan Wencheng smiled and said, "I have a letter from His Royal Highness Prince Qing to the Emperor of your country. If Lieutenant General Wu still doesn't believe it, I have a witness."

Fan Wencheng clapped his hands, and the old eunuch Geng Bingzhong who served Prince Qing was brought up. He said in a sharp voice, "I am an old man who serves His Royal Highness Prince Qing. My name is Geng Bingzhong. His Royal Highness Prince Qing is doing well and is now living in the mansion in Shengjing. Lieutenant General Wu, stop talking nonsense and take me and Envoy Fan to see Jia Huan, the governor of Liaodong. If we delay important matters, you, a small lieutenant general, will not be able to bear the consequences."

Wu Sangui frowned secretly. Although he was a little unhappy, if the other party was really someone close to Prince Qing, it would be difficult to offend him. He cupped his hands and said, "It turned out to be Eunuch Geng. This matter is of great importance. I really cannot make the decision. Please ask you and the envoy to stay in the city temporarily. I will report this immediately."

Geng Bingzhong snorted coldly and said calmly, "Hurry up and report to Jia Huan. It's best to have him come in person. It's freezing cold and I'm afraid my old man can't travel any further."

Wu Sangui signaled to his men, arranged for Fan Wencheng and the old eunuch Geng Bingzhong to stay, and then immediately sent someone to report back to Jinzhou.

At this time, Jia Huan had already set out to enter the pass. General Zu Tianshou was stationed in Jinzhou, so he could not make the decision and could only send someone to report to the pass.

Coincidentally, just as Jia Huan was escorting Manggurtai and other captives into Shanhaiguan, the messenger sent by Zu Tianshou also caught up and told them the news that Nurhaci had sent envoys to Guangning City to negotiate peace. Jia Huan and Sun Chengzong were very surprised and immediately discussed the matter.

Finally, Sun Chengzong asked Jia Huan to continue to go to Beijing to offer captives, while he himself went to Guangning City to preside over the matter, to test Nurhaci's strength, and then make the next decision.

So, Jia Huan continued to escort the captives westward to the capital, and arrived at Tongzhou City five days later. Min Wang Xu Wenhou, the eunuch Shi Dayong, an official from the Ministry of Rites, and the Minister of the Honglu Temple came to greet them in person.

Jia Huan did not expect the welcoming standards to be so high, and was a little "flattered". Of course, Jia Huan also understood that Emperor Qiansheng sent such a high-level reception group, most likely just to show off to the envoys who came to Beijing to pay tribute, and not entirely to honor himself as a minister.

(End of this chapter)