The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 658 Enemies meet on a narrow road
When people are extremely hungry, they are capable of anything. At this time, national laws and morality no longer have any binding force. If starving people lead the charge against the wedding procession, the situation will quickly get out of control, and the consequences will be quite terrible.

Jia Huan was well aware of this, so he decisively ordered Han Xin to leave two hundred guards behind to maintain order, while the rest of the caravan escorted the convoy to speed towards Luoyang.

However, the wedding procession carried over a hundred large carts, loaded with the dowry bestowed upon Princess Kangle by the imperial court, as well as dozens of carts of grain, which were the procession's reserve provisions. In addition, Ahemaiti's men also drove twenty large carts, all loaded with goods to be transported back to Hami, which were extremely heavy, so the procession could not move very fast at all.

Seeing that they couldn't shake off the starving people behind them, and that more and more were joining them along the way, forming a vast, endless horde, Han Xin, the head of the princess's guards, was sweating profusely with nervousness. Duan Yong was also clearly a bit flustered, constantly urging the coachman on. Jia Huan, on the other hand, was a veteran of many battles. Although he was equally nervous inside, he remained calm and composed on the surface.

Ahemaiti had been secretly observing Jia Huan, and upon seeing this, he was secretly surprised, thinking to himself, "This kid is indeed extraordinary; his composure in the face of adversity is remarkable."

Back when he was in the Ministry of Rites, when Minister Zhao Mingcheng introduced Jia Huan, he said that Jia Huan had served as the governor of Liaodong. Ahemaiti didn't quite believe it because Jia Huan looked too young, only fifteen or sixteen years old, and hadn't even grown a beard yet. He thought it was just empty talk. Now, however, he was starting to believe it, because without experiencing big occasions, one cannot cultivate such composure.

Ahemaiti was secretly observing Jia Huan when the latter suddenly turned his head as if he had eyes in the back of his head, his gaze as sharp as lightning. Ahemaiti felt a chill run down his spine and said with an awkward smile, "I always thought that the country was vast and rich, and that the people were prosperous and at peace. I never imagined that so many people would be displaced and starving!"

These words were quite sarcastic. Jia Huan raised his eyebrows slightly, but before he could answer, Duan Yong said unhappily, "Even a large tree has withered branches, and a large clan has beggars. My Great Jin has a population of over a hundred million. It's not surprising that a few lazy people can't afford to eat. Besides, this area is only suffering from a drought. I believe the court will soon open the granaries to provide disaster relief. I'm not bragging, but the grain stored in the Luoyang granary alone is no less than a million shi, enough to feed the entire population of your Hami Kingdom for several years."

Ahemaitigan laughed and said, "Our Hami Kingdom has less than 20,000 people. If there really is a million shi of grain in the Luoyang granary, it will be enough to feed our whole country for more than ten years."

Duan Yong snorted coldly and said arrogantly, "It's good that you know. My Great Jin is a celestial empire with a well-trained army and ample provisions, which is incomparable to your tiny little country. As the saying goes, even a hair on our leg is thicker than your waist. The reason why we sent our princess to marry you is because the Emperor is benevolent and compassionate, and he is reluctant to start another war. It is not because he is afraid of you. If you continue to harbor ulterior motives and fail to live up to the Emperor's grace, then you will soon be facing a sword to your neck!"

Ahemaiti's expression changed drastically, his eyes flashing with anger. He seemed to want to refute, but in the end he could only laugh awkwardly twice and say, "Duan Zhongshi is exaggerating. Our king has always been loyal to the superior country, as heaven and earth can attest."

"It is indeed the best!" Duan Yong said coldly.

Jia Huan glanced at Duan Yong in surprise, looking at him with new respect. He hadn't expected this eunuch without a penis to say such strong words, showing more courage than many spineless civil and military officials!

Ahemaiti sneered inwardly, made an excuse, and slunk away on horseback.

Man Gui immediately gave a thumbs up and praised, "Eunuch Duan is right, that's refreshing! I've long disliked Ahemaiti, what a piece of trash. Hami Kingdom is nothing but a piece of trash, with a population of less than 20,000. In my opinion, we should just send a large army to wipe it out. If they dare to disobey, we'll beat them until they submit. There's absolutely no need for a marriage alliance!"

Duan Yong glanced at Jia Huan and said indifferently, "I suppose your master thinks the same way?"

Although Man Gui was rough and boorish, he was not stupid. Hearing this, he felt a chill and deliberately scratched his head, saying, "I don't know what Third Master thinks, but what I said just now was from the bottom of my heart. To think that our great Celestial Empire is threatened by a small country like Hami, doesn't Eunuch Duan feel aggrieved?"

Duan Yong's face darkened, and he said sternly, "How dare you question the Emperor's decision?"

Jia Huan waved his hand and shouted, "Man Gui, stop talking nonsense and get out of here!"

Man Gui quickly apologized and stepped aside. Jia Huan cupped his hands and said, "Man Gui is a soldier by trade, and he is rough and clumsy with words. Please forgive him, Eunuch Duan!"

Duan Yong merely snorted coldly, showing no intention of pursuing the matter further, and spurred his horse to continue onward.

Jia Huan watched Duan Yong's retreating figure with a thoughtful look in his eyes. He naturally understood that Duan Yong was an informant sent by Emperor Qiansheng to monitor him, and that Han Xin, the head of the Princess's Palace Guard, clearly followed Duan Yong's lead. Therefore, if he wanted his plan to proceed smoothly, he had to deal with Duan Yong first.

After observing him secretly for some time, Jia Huan discovered that although Eunuch Duan was greedy, he wasn't excessive. He would accept bribes from local officials along the way, but he never asked for them. In addition, Duan Yong had another characteristic: he was fond of martial arts. He would often sit on horseback, shouting orders and directing the troops to march, scout, and set up camp. He would also do a roll call every morning and evening, acting like a general going into battle.

Once, while resting at a post station along the way, Jia Huan bumped into Duan Yong reading a military book. However, this eunuch Duan had a rudimentary understanding of literature, and probably couldn't read some of the words. He muttered to himself for a long time until Jia Huan coughed lightly and he noticed. He then hurriedly and embarrassedly hid the military book.

Jia Huan couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. It turned out that this guy was learning on the spot. No wonder the things he had been doing along the way were all absurd and incongruous. However, there was no denying that this Eunuch Duan was indeed different from others. While other eunuchs were single-mindedly focused on making money, or figuring out how to scheme against people and how to fight for power, this guy was studying military strategy and learning how to lead troops into battle.

Could it be that a eunuch without a penis really wants to achieve great things and be immediately ennobled? Of course, it's not unheard of for eunuchs to become generals; Zheng He, who led the invincible fleet on seven voyages to the Western Ocean, is a prime example!
Combining this with Duan Yong's tough words to Ahemaiti earlier, Jia Huan was even more convinced that this Eunuch Duan was a rather ambitious "tough guy." If that was the case, then things would be much easier. There was no need to physically eliminate him; on the contrary, perhaps this could be used to more smoothly advance his plan. As Jia Huan spurred his horse on, deep in thought, his servant Mu Ye suddenly called out alertly, "Third Master, it seems like a large army is approaching!"

Jia Huan hurriedly looked up and saw a large cloud of dust rising from the official road ahead, indicating that a large group of people and horses were approaching. He quickly took out his monocular telescope to observe, but soon calmed down.

It turned out that the approaching group was dressed in official robes and was probably a group of local officials who had come to welcome the princess.

Sure enough, after about half an incense stick's time, the Vice Prefect of Luoyang arrived with a thousand soldiers and yamen runners. He hurriedly dismounted and greeted them, saying, "This humble official, Liu Futong, Vice Prefect of Luoyang, is late in welcoming Your Highness. Please forgive me!"

Duan Yongzheng was furious. With a dark face, he berated Liu Tongpan, who blushed and sweated profusely, repeatedly apologizing.

"Duan Zhongshi, it's more important to get into the city first. Let him get up!" Lin Daiyu's voice came from inside the palanquin.

Duan Yong then shouted sternly, "Get up and escort the princess into the city! If anything goes wrong, you'll lose your head!"

Liu Tongpan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up, ordering his soldiers to clear the way while he led three shifts of constables to fiercely confront the starving people following behind.

When the starving people saw the constables wielding iron chains and fire-and-water sticks, they scattered like mice before a cat. It was truly a case of one thing subduing another.

These yamen runners were used to bullying ordinary people and were quite experienced. They rushed forward with bared teeth and claws, smashing them with water and fire sticks, putting iron chains around their necks, and immediately dragging several away like dead dogs. The remaining starving people were terrified and dared not follow any further.
As evening fell, the marriage procession finally arrived at the gates of Luoyang. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Luoyang had served as a capital city, hence the name Zhongdu Luoyang, and it was quite prosperous. However, at this time, the area outside Luoyang was filled with refugees, all fleeing famine, because everyone knew that there were granaries in Luoyang and were eagerly waiting for the imperial court to open the granaries to provide disaster relief.

"Get out of the way! If you dare to offend Her Highness the Princess's carriage, you'll be in for a world of hurt!"

The officials and yamen runners stood on both sides of the official road, driving away all the refugees who surrounded them from all directions.

"How come there are so many refugees? There must be tens of thousands!" The maid Xueyan muttered under her breath, pinching her nose.

Although the weather wasn't hot yet, the smell was still quite unpleasant because so many refugees were gathered together eating, drinking, and relieving themselves. It almost made the women in the imperial carriage vomit.

As Jia Huan rode on horseback, he looked around with a furrowed brow. It seemed that the disaster was more serious than he had imagined. Tens of thousands of starving people had gathered here. If the imperial court did not open the granaries to provide relief, there was bound to be a big mess. He wondered what the local officials in Luoyang were doing, not opening the granaries to distribute grain at this time!
Meanwhile, the marriage procession made its way through the sea of ​​people into Luoyang City, but Jia Huan did not notice that among the bustling refugees, a pair of eyes were staring at him fiercely.

This man was none other than Li Hongji, who had escaped with his life at Datongshan in Yizhen County, Yangzhou, and had now changed his name to Li Zicheng.

After Li Zicheng fled Yangzhou, he secretly returned to his hometown of Mizhi County, Shaanxi Province, with his cousin Li Hongyi and a dozen or so remaining pirates. They became bandits and made a living by robbing and pillaging. Over the years, they have accumulated a considerable force.

Li Zicheng came to Luoyang from Mizhi County because of an important matter. Unexpectedly, he encountered a marriage alliance procession when he was about to enter the city. As for his enemy Jia Huan, Li Zicheng would recognize him even if he were ashes.

Seeing Jia Huan, that pretty boy, sitting proudly on his horse, looking even taller and more handsome than he had in the past few years, Li Zicheng was so angry he almost ground his teeth to powder, wanting to rush forward and cut him off his horse.

"Brother, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. Don't delay the important matter!" Seeing the murderous intent in Li Zicheng's eyes, a man next to him quickly reached out and pressed his shoulder, advising him in a low voice.

This man was Li Zicheng's cousin, Li Hongyi, who had now changed his name to Li Meng and was the second-in-command of the mountain stronghold.

Li Zicheng glared hatefully at the back of Jia Huan's head before turning his gaze away and saying in a deep voice, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It's not too late to take this brat's head after we've accomplished this important task."

(End of this chapter)