The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 692: Keep a low profile and bide your time?

When the Jin army captured Hami City, they did indeed find a large amount of gold and silver treasures in the royal palace treasury. A rough estimate puts it at around two million taels of silver, which was a huge fortune.

While it's said that a gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it in a proper way, there's also a wise saying from our ancestors: "If Heaven bestows something and you don't take it, you'll suffer the consequences; if the time comes and you don't act, you'll suffer the calamity." With such a large sum of money right in front of us, it would be a disservice to the soldiers who fought so many bloody battles without taking it.

Therefore, Jia Huan and Duan Yong decided to keep the treasure for themselves. After all, these were spoils of war, and it was only natural to take them. However, given that Ayina was the legitimate heir to the Hami royal family, and that they needed to use her status to unite the local people and ease ethnic tensions, they could not openly break off relations. So they secretly moved the treasure from the warehouse.

With this huge sum of money, military expenses were covered, and rewards for the soldiers were also provided. In fact, the soldiers were now receiving twice the usual pay. In addition, Jia Huan's promise to exchange a head for two taels of silver had also been fulfilled.

Therefore, the soldiers of the three armies are now full of energy and high morale. "Money power" is the most useful in any era. As the saying goes, without a material foundation, any so-called "lofty ideals" that only demand selfless dedication are just playing around. If you want a horse to run fast, you must feed it well.

After Ayina angrily left the city wall, she found her teacher, Amulang, who was originally the chief clerk of the Hami royal palace and also Ayina's mentor. During the six years of exile, the two depended on each other for survival, and their relationship was like that of teacher and father, and like that of father and daughter.

"Teacher, is there really two million taels of treasure in the palace treasury? That guy won't admit he stole it!" Ayina said angrily as soon as they met.

Amu Lang frowned and asked, "What did he say to you?"

Ayina then recounted her conversation with Jia Huan. After listening, Amulang sighed, "Ayina, you're still too young. What thief in this world would admit to stealing something? Unless they're caught red-handed and forced into a corner!"

"Does the teacher mean that I was lied to?" Ayina frowned. "But he seemed very angry at the time, as if he had been greatly insulted, which didn't seem like he was lying."

Amu Lang smiled bitterly and said, "That's why you're still too young and naive. You don't know how treacherous people can be. Although Jia Huan is young, he's experienced and cunning. Even Baiwa and Amahei fell into his hands, let alone a little girl like you."

Ayina said somewhat unconvinced, "Teacher, you're giving him too much credit. I think he's just average. Baiwa and Amahei were only out of luck because they fell into his hands. I've heard that Amahei was recognized by a jade merchant, which is why Jia Huan saw through him. Otherwise, the outcome would have been uncertain. It's also Amahei's fault for being too arrogant. He dared to go to the capital of Jin to cheat and swindle without even disguising himself."

Amurang shook his head and said, "There was indeed an element of luck involved, but if Jia Huan didn't have some real skills, could he have defeated Amahei's 1,500 light cavalry with fewer troops? Remember, it was 1,500 cavalry, not 150!"

Ayina fell silent. She naturally knew what 1,500 cavalrymen meant. Such a cavalry force could easily roam the desert and wipe out a small country like Hami. Even if they had several times or even ten times the number of infantry, they might not be able to defeat this Turpan light cavalry. However, Jia Huan not only won with fewer troops, but also wiped out the entire 1,500 Turpan light cavalrymen with only infantry and a small number of cavalry.

This is something that not just anyone can do; it's a classic example of winning with fewer troops and defeating cavalry with infantry!

At this moment, Amulang said solemnly, "Recently, the soldiers of Jin have been spending lavishly, often buying cattle and sheep from the herdsmen. They are all vigorous and strong, and it is said that they have received a lot of military pay. In addition, Jia Huan has recently opened three schools in the city, teaching locals Chinese characters and etiquette. Not only does he not charge a penny, but he also provides free meals, attracting many children to enroll. All of this costs money. Where does his money come from?" Upon hearing this, Ayina suddenly realized and said angrily, "Damn it! It seems that I have really been deceived by that guy. He must have stolen the treasures from the royal treasury. No wonder there is a saying among the Han people: 'You can know a person's face but not their heart.' He has such a good appearance, but he is actually rotten inside. No, I will go and settle accounts with this greedy and cunning fellow right now."

Amu Lang quickly stopped him, advising, "Your Highness, please don't act impulsively. A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. We are still young and inexperienced. Even if the other party admits to stealing the treasures from the royal treasury, we can't do anything about it. Besides, we have no evidence at the moment."

Ayina said anxiously, "Are we just going to let it go like this? That's the wealth our family has accumulated over generations. Teacher, you also said that if I inherit the throne in the future, I will have to rely on this wealth to govern the country."

Amu Lang said in a deep voice, "Of course we can't just let it go like this. Jia Huan thinks he can assimilate our people by just setting up a few schools. It's not that easy. Princess, you might as well keep a low profile for now and wait for the right time. We'll see. The Jin people can't stay here for long, otherwise there would be no Hami Kingdom anymore."

Ayina asked reluctantly, "How long will we have to wait?"

Amu Lang shook his head: "It's hard to say, maybe it will take ten or eight years. But Your Highness, there's no need to rush. A fledgling eagle has to wait for its wings to grow fully before it can spread its wings and soar into the sky."

Jia Huan, that little rascal, is cunning and shrewd. He wants to use us to win people's hearts, but aren't we using him to strengthen our power? Next, Your Highness, you only need to slowly accumulate strength, just like we've done in the past few years. I believe that in the future we will definitely drive out the Jin people and completely restore our motherland, just like we defeated Baiwa, and we will defeat that little rascal Jia Huan.”

Ayina clenched her fist and said, "I understand!"

Amulang gently stroked Ayina's forehead and said, "Go, just like usual. Maintain a good relationship with Princess Kangle and don't let Jia Huan notice anything amiss."

"I understand!" Ayina nodded, then took her leave.

Amulang dismissed Ayina, his deep gaze falling on a plate of sliced ​​melon, lost in thought. At that moment, it seemed as if the wrinkles on his cheeks were filled with wisdom.

After a long while, Amu Lang stood up, slowly left his residence, and headed towards the market outside the city.

Hami City is not large and cannot accommodate many residents, so most of Hami's people live outside the city. The largest open-air market is located in the south of the city, where merchants and people can trade.

Amu Lang plans to buy more melons, dates, raisins, and the like to store for the winter, as the long and cold winter is fast approaching.

(End of this chapter)