The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 635 The streets are deserted
It has been almost two years since I last saw him. The 18-year-old King of Min, Xu Wenhou, seemed to have grown a little taller, but he still hadn't lost weight. He had a round face, a double chin, and a waist that looked like it was covered with a tire. When he rode on a horse, his fat was shaking all over.

Jia Huan was speechless upon seeing this. This kid's self-discipline is really hard to describe. It is estimated that he has already thrown the six-word mantra of "control your mouth and move your legs" to Java in the past two years, and his plan to lose weight has naturally come to nothing.

Xu Wenhou was obviously very happy to see Jia Huan. He waved from a distance and smiled. Jia Huan quickly dismounted, stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Jia Huan greets His Majesty the Prince of Min."

"No need for formalities!" Xu Wenhou waved his hand and got off his horse with the help of the guards. He walked forward with a smile and held Jia Huan's hand, acting very cordially.

Seeing this, Shi Dayong, the new celebrity and the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the governor of the Eastern Depot, frowned and thought, "I've heard that King Min and Jia Huan have a close relationship, so this is true. Jia Huan is now in charge of a large army and is a high-ranking official at a young age. If King Min ascends the throne in the future, won't he be able to control everything?"

Because Jia Huan used Prince Min's relationship to save the life of Jinyiwei commander Yi Hong, Shi Dayong had already held a grudge against Jia Huan. Now, seeing with his own eyes how close Prince Min and Jia Huan were, he naturally became even more wary.

After Jia Huan and Prince Min had finally finished their greetings, the head of the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of the Honglu Temple and other officials came forward to greet Jia Huan, and Shi Dayong also stepped forward and said with a smile: "It's been a long time since we last met. Do you recognize me, Mr. Jia?"

Jia Huan calmly bowed his hands and said, "How can I not recognize Lord Shi? I really don't deserve the honor of troubling His Royal Highness Prince Min and Lord Shi."

Xu Wenhou immediately shook his head like a rattle and said, "Well deserved, well deserved, how could it not be well deserved? Brother Jia defeated Nurhaci's 300,000-man army in the battle of Ningyuan, recovered all the lost territory in Liaoxi, dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Jiannu, and enhanced the prestige of our Great Jin. Even my father, when he heard the victory report, couldn't help but clapped his hands and praised, 'This battle is the greatest victory our Great Jin has had in recent decades. How great! We are very proud of our frontier.'"

Shi Dayong smiled and said, "Yes, I was there at the time and heard it with my own ears. Lord Jia played an indispensable role in the great victory of Ningyuan."

The other officials present echoed and flattered him to the utmost. After the greetings were finally completed, the envoys from Korea and Mongolia were arranged to come forward and pay their respects to Min King Xu Wenhou.

Then, Xu Wenhou and others, accompanied by Jia Huan, visited the Jurchen captives in the prison car.

"Brother Jia, is this guy Manggurtai?" Xu Wenhou asked, pointing at a listless man in the prison car.

Jia Huan nodded and replied, "This man is Nurhaci's fifth son, Manggurtai, one of the eight banners of the Jiannu."

Shi Dayong mocked: "It is said that the eight beiles under Nurhaci were all brave and good at fighting, but now in our eyes, they are just like this, just a dying dog."

All the accompanying officials burst into laughter.

Manggurtai in the prison car could understand Chinese. Hearing this, he became furious and stood up abruptly. The chains on his body rattled loudly. His tall figure and ferocious eyes looked like a beast that had suddenly bared its fangs.

Xu Wenhou and a group of officials were startled and stepped back subconsciously. Several palace guards hurriedly protected Xu Wenhou to prevent Manggurtai in the prison car from suddenly attacking and injuring people.

Manggurtai laughed loudly, his face full of disdain and contempt.

Xu Wenhou's white, fat, round face turned red. He probably felt so ashamed that he was actually tied up with chains at the hands and feet and was frightened by the prisoners in the prison van. So he shouted sternly: "Give me a good beating!"

Several palace guards immediately stepped forward, stretched out their swords and sheaths from the prison cart and smashed around, beating Manggurtai until his head was bleeding and he fell to the ground, unable to get up.

"You Jiannu villain, let's see if you dare to be so arrogant again!" Xu Wenhou left with satisfaction. He mounted his horse and rode side by side with Jia Huan, heading towards the capital.

…………

At the Jia Mansion on Rongning Street, everyone in the mansion was in a festive mood, because the news that Third Master Huan was about to return to Beijing to present his captives had spread half a month ago, so both the master and the servants were eagerly looking forward to it. A few days ago, there was news that Third Master Huan had already entered the pass and would probably arrive in the capital in the next few days, so the entire Jia family mobilized to clean the house, trim the flowers and trees, repaint the doors and windows, and clean the house inside and out. Then they slaughtered cattle and sheep to prepare to welcome Third Master Huan back to the mansion, making it even more lively than the Chinese New Year.

In the cold winter, all flowers withered, but the Xiangfei bamboos around Xiaoxiang Pavilion were still green. The macaw hanging under the eaves was fat and plump, with brilliant feathers. Lin Daiyu was teasing it with a bamboo stick.

Lin Daiyu is one year older than Jia Huan. She is seventeen years old this year. Her figure is still as slender as a willow swaying in the wind, but her features are fuller and her curves are more exquisite. Her fully grown beautiful face has a natural charm and elegance. Her every frown and smile is beautiful, moving and captivating.

Probably because she had heard the news that Jia Huan was about to arrive in Beijing, Lin Daiyu was in a very good mood these days. While teasing the macaw, she patiently taught it to recite a poem: "I pity the bird growing alone on the grass beside the stream, with the oriole singing in the deep tree above. The spring tide brings rain in the evening, and the boat drifts alone at the wild crossing."

The macaw jumped up and down but refused to speak. Lin Daiyu angrily hit it with a stick and said angrily, "What a lazy thing you are! The spring tide brings rain in the evening... Read the scriptures quickly, or I will roast you for wine!"

The macaw made a strange croak and shouted at the top of its voice: "Lazy thing, roast it and go with the wine!"

Then he tilted his head and sighed, "People will laugh at you for burying flowers today, but who will bury you next year?"

Zijuan, Xueyan, Chunxian and other maids couldn't help laughing and clapped their hands, saying, "This tone is just like the girl!"

Lin Daiyu's pretty face turned red, and she hit the parrot with a stick again, spitting, "You really deserve a beating. I taught you to read but you refused to read. Now you are so quick to learn this."

As soon as he finished speaking, several beauties walked in from the courtyard gate. They were Baochai, Baoqin, Tanchun and Xichun. Due to the cold weather, the girls were all wearing bright red gorilla blanket cloaks, as stunning as four plum blossoms blooming in the cold wind.

Baochai is nineteen years old this year, which is the most brilliant age of youth. She is as dignified, bright, gentle and elegant as ever. The youngest girl, Baoqin, has become even more charming, with eyes and eyebrows as pretty as a painting, and a beauty as delicate as jade.

"Sister Lin, what are you doing? We are just looking for you to start a club!" Xue Baoqin asked with a smile as she entered the yard.

The little girl Chunxian answered quickly: "My daughter is teaching the parrot to recite poems. It's very interesting!"

The macaw immediately raised its voice and sang triumphantly: "The young woman in the boudoir knows no sorrow, she dresses up in the green building in spring. Suddenly she sees the willow trees on the street, and she regrets having asked her husband and wife to seek a title."

Xue Baoqin chuckled and covered her mouth with her hands, and Baochai, Tanchun and Xichun almost couldn't help laughing.

Lin Daiyu's pretty face was burning with anger as she defended herself, "I didn't teach it that. I don't know which mischievous ghost taught it that."

Xue Baoqin said with a smile: "Sister Lin really misses Brother-in-law Lin. Don't worry, I'll be back home soon. Who knows, he might even be given a title of nobility or baron!"

Lin Daiyu's face turned red with anger, and she was so angry that she wanted to hit Xue Baoqin's hand with a bamboo stick. Xue Baoqin quickly retreated behind Baochai and cried out, "Sister Bao, save me!"

"No one can save you today. I must tear your little mouth that likes to hurt others apart." Lin Daiyu said angrily.

Xue Baoqin circled around the girls and dodged them, smiling as she said, "Sister Lin always insults others. You are the only one allowed to insult others, but others are not allowed to insult you. The governor can set fires, but the people can't light lamps?"

As they were playing around, a maid ran in happily and said, "Master Huan San has arrived at Chaoyang Gate and sent Lin Zhong and Lin Fu back home to report to the old lady and the mistress."

All the girls in the courtyard were slightly shocked. Lin Daiyu was so excited that she forgot about chasing Baoqin. Her heart seemed to fly to Chaoyang Gate.

Jia Tanchun asked excitedly, "Did anyone say when Brother Huan will return home?" "After entering the city, Third Master Huan has to meet the Emperor first. I'm afraid he won't be back until the evening," the old woman replied.

Although Xue Baochai was calm and reserved, she could not hide her excitement at this moment. Her heart beat faster. It had been almost two years since they last saw each other. How could she not miss him?

Xue Baoqin glanced at Baochai, then at Lin Daiyu, and suddenly smiled slyly. Both Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu felt their faces flushed, and they both said angrily, "Sister Qin, what are you laughing at?"

Xue Baoqin shook her head and said, "It's nothing. The man who sought the title of marquis is back. There's no one to worry about anymore." After saying that, she giggled and ran out.

…………

At this time, Chaoyangmen Street was crowded with people on both sides of the avenue. The streets were truly deserted. With sleeves raised and sweat pouring down, it felt like everyone in the capital had come. It was so crowded that no one could move. Even Jia Huan, who had been mentally prepared, was still shocked when he saw such a crazy scene.

In fact, when Jia Huan and others arrived ten miles outside Chaoyang Gate, a large number of people gathered to watch, and some even knelt down to worship. This is no wonder. In the past ten years, the Jin Dynasty has been almost always suppressed by the Jurchens. Its prestige has been destroyed, and the people can no longer hold it up. The national dignity and self-esteem have been greatly damaged.

The powerful rise of the Jurchens was like a sword hanging over the head of the Jin Dynasty, which could be cut down at any time. The people of the Jin Dynasty were both afraid and aggrieved. At this time, Jia Huan suddenly appeared and defeated the arrogant Nurhaci in the Battle of Ningyuan, annihilated more than 80,000 enemies, recovered 300 miles of lost territory in western Liaoning in one fell swoop, and captured one of Nurhaci's own sons, avenging the capture of Prince Qing. The whole country was jubilant and the people were proud.

This time when Jia Huan returned to Beijing to present the captives, naturally everyone wanted to see the demeanor of this great national hero.

"Look, that's Xiao Jia, the governor of Liaodong!"

"Tsk tsk, a true star general has descended to earth, the God of War of our Great Jin!"

"I, a commoner, kowtow to His Excellency the Governor!"

There was only one person taking the lead, and the people watching on both sides of the street all knelt down one after another, like dominoes being pushed down. There was an endless crowd as far as the eye could see, and the scene was extremely shocking.

"Brother Jia, look, these are the common people who have come here spontaneously to welcome your triumphant return. Wow, I am honored to see you too!" Xu Wenhou and Jia Huan walked into the city together, saying with emotion.

Even though Jia Huan was always calm and unperturbed by fame or disgrace, he couldn't help feeling a sense of pride when he saw such a scene. The border troops in charge of escorting the prisoners were even more proud. They puffed out their chests and looked full of energy.

Shi Dayong looked at the people kneeling on both sides of the street, and his face was shocked. Isn't Jia Huan too popular among the people? If he can defeat the Jian Nu and recover Liaodong in the future, it will be even more amazing!
When the team arrived at the imperial city, the envoys from various countries were arranged by the Honglu Temple to rest, while Manggurtai and more than a thousand other captives were detained in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, waiting for the court to choose a day to hold a ceremony to present the captives.

Jia Huan accompanied Min Wang Xu Wenhou and Shi Dayong into the palace to meet Emperor Qiansheng.

In the Wenhua Hall, Jia Huan met Emperor Qiansheng, whom he hadn't seen for almost two years. The latter's appearance had not changed much, but his temperament had become more gloomy and more unpredictable.

"Your servant Jia Huan pays homage to the emperor. Long live the emperor!" Jia Huan knelt down respectfully in front of the throne.

Emperor Qiansheng raised his hand and said, "Lord Jia, please stand up and raise your head so I can see."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jia Huan stood up and raised his head, but still kept his eyebrows down to avoid looking directly at Emperor Qiansheng on the throne.

Emperor Qiansheng looked Jia Huan up and down, then nodded amiably and said, "I haven't seen you for two years. You have grown taller and stronger. I am very pleased!"

Just like the CEO of a large company treats the top seller, even if he doesn't like him in his heart, he has to give him a good face on the surface. Although Emperor Qiansheng disliked Jia Huan, he couldn't help but be kind to him because of his strong "business ability" and outstanding "performance".

Jia Huan was flattered and knelt down to thank the emperor for his concern. Emperor Qiansheng smiled and said, "My dear Jia, please get up. You are tired from the journey. Go back to your house to rest first and come to court tomorrow."

Jia Huan thanked him again and then left Wenhua Hall. Xu Wenhou was still waiting outside the hall. When he saw Jia Huan coming out, he immediately said excitedly, "Brother Jia, it's still early. Why don't you come to my house for a small gathering? I have a lot to talk to you about."

Jia Huan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's do it another day. I'm a little tired today."

Xu Wenhou was a little disappointed and nodded, "Okay, let's do it another day. Well, let's go together."

So the two of them walked together towards the palace gate. Xu Wenhou was silent for a moment, and suddenly said, "Brother Jia, the king is getting married next month."

Jia Huan hurriedly said, "Congratulations, His Royal Highness Prince Min!"

Xu Wenhou remained silent, showing no sign of joy. Jia Huan was secretly surprised and asked in a low voice, "Prince Min doesn't seem very happy. Could it be that the woman is ugly?"

Xu Wenhou glared at her and said, "Bullshit, an ugly woman can be a princess? Do you think the Ministry of Rites is blind in selecting marriage partners?"

Jia Huan said with a smile: "Then why is His Royal Highness Prince Min so unhappy?"

Xu Wenhou glanced around and whispered, "Brother Jia, do you still remember Qing'er? She was the young lady we met in that village when we escaped from Tiewang Mountain."

Jia Huan was startled for a moment, then nodded and said, "Of course I remember. She's Granny Liu's granddaughter."

Xu Wenhou's fat face turned slightly red, and he coughed lightly and said, "She is Granny Liu's granddaughter. I wonder if she has married yet."

Jia Huan's heart moved. It was true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Wang Qing'er's appearance could only be described as pretty, but he didn't expect Xu Wenhou to be obsessed with her.

"I'll send someone to ask later. Miss Qing'er is only thirteen or fourteen years old now, and she is probably not married yet." Jia Huan said with a smile.

Xu Wenhou was overjoyed to see Jia Huan understood the meaning of the music. He was moved and took Jia Huan's hand and said, "Brother Jia is really my confidant. What more could one ask for in life!"

Jia Huan quickly pulled his hand back and said, "Seventh Master, please respect yourself. I don't like men!"

"Ugh!" Xu Wenhou made a retching expression, rubbed his hands on his clothes, and cursed with a smile: "I am really disgusted by you!"

Jia Huan couldn't help but laugh. Xu Wenhou also chuckled. Suddenly, he looked a little unnatural and said, "Brother Jia, I heard that Nurhaci wanted to negotiate peace with my Great Jin?"

Jia Huan nodded. Xu Wenhou hesitated for a moment before finally saying with a smile, "This is a good thing. If peace is reached, my brother will be able to return home soon."

Jia Huan did not respond. The two of them walked out of the palace silently, waved goodbye, and mounted their horses to leave.

(End of this chapter)