The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 697
Under the bright autumn sun and the fierce west wind, three camels were seen struggling westward through the swirling yellow sand. Each camel carried a person, all dressed in long robes, their bodies completely covered except for their eyes.

The wind and sand were quite strong at this time, and the three people on the camels tried their best to keep their bodies low to reduce wind resistance and the invasion of sand and dust. They didn't know how long they had been traveling, but the wind finally stopped, and the yellowish sky gradually became clear. The undulating sand dunes in front of them were like a yellow curtain, stretching all the way to the horizon.

After traveling for an unknown amount of time, a large patch of green finally appeared amidst the endless yellow sand. It was an oasis called Liucheng. Of course, Liucheng was just the name given by the Great Jin Dynasty; the Turpan Khanate called it Bican (a transliteration).

During the Tang Dynasty, Liucheng was called Liuzhong and belonged to Xizhou under the jurisdiction of Anxi Protectorate. It was renamed Liucheng during the Yuan Dynasty. Located on the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains and at the eastern end of the Turpan Basin, about 600 li away from Hami City, it was an important node on the Silk Road in the Western Regions and a necessary passage from Hami to Turpan.

However, the so-called "must-pass place" only applies to normal merchants. If you are not afraid of death and have enough food and water, you can bypass Liucheng from the southern desert and go directly to the Turpan Basin. But normal people would not do this unless they are tired of living.

To the north of Liucheng lies the towering Tianshan Mountains, and to the south, the vast desert known as the Sea of ​​Death. Once lost, there is only death. Therefore, Liucheng is a necessary passage between Turpan and Hami. Today, Liucheng is occupied by the Turpan Khanate.

Getting back to the main point, the three people on the camels, upon seeing the oasis before them, urged their mounts on, quickening their pace. As they approached the edge of the oasis, a small group of Turpan riders came up to them and inquired.

"It's me!" The man on the leading camel took off his cloak, revealing a face with a hooked nose and deep-set eyes. He was none other than Amahei, who had escaped from Hami City.

"So it's His Highness Taiji!" The Turpan cavalrymen were both surprised and delighted to see Amahei return safely, and they quickly dismounted and paid their respects.

A relieved smile appeared on Amah's face. It was as if he had been through a lifetime. He never thought he would come back alive. Great God Allah, thank you for your protection!

Amah dismounted from the camel, prostrated himself, and devoutly kissed the ground beneath his feet. After a long while, he stood up, changed horses, and rushed to the capital of the Turpan Khanate under the cover of night to meet his father, Khan Sutan Ali.

Now, when the Khan of Turpan, Sutan Ali, saw that his son Amah had returned safely, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered a grand banquet to be held, summoning all his ministers to welcome Amah back.

However, at the banquet, Amah was sullen and unhappy. Sutan Ali asked curiously, "Your Highness, you have escaped death this time. Shouldn't you be happy? Why are you so depressed?"

Amah knelt down with a thud, his face full of shame, and said, "Your son went to Jin State this time, and was supposed to bring back beauties and treasures for Father Khan, and even take Jiayuguan. Unfortunately, just when the great cause was about to succeed, it all fell apart. That despicable villain named Jia Huan saw through our plan, and we not only lost 1,500 cavalrymen, but were also captured and suffered all kinds of humiliation. Your son is ashamed before Father Khan, and ashamed before the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the Khanate."

Sutan Ali helped Amahei up and comforted him, saying, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. The warriors who died in battle have returned to the embrace of God. My son, there is no need to blame yourself too much."

Ama said with red eyes, "But I almost succeeded, I'm really unwilling to give up. Besides, how can we not avenge the great loss of our warriors?"

Sutan Ali frowned and said, "My son, do you still want to go to war with Jin? With our strength, we are no match for Jin. Let's just give up."

Amah shook his head and said, "Father Khan, you are unaware that the Jin Kingdom is only strong on the surface. In fact, it is corrupt and rotten inside. It is nothing but a fake tiger with a show of strength."

Then, Amah recounted his experiences during his trip to the Great Jin Dynasty, embellishing the details. He then confidently declared, "The Great Jin is currently beset by internal and external troubles, with a corrupt court and widespread unrest. It is a dynasty on the verge of collapse. This is the perfect opportunity for us to expand eastward. If Father Khan gives me 30,000 troops, I guarantee I can take Hami, and even conquer the Hexi Corridor, bringing the prosperous Chang'an into the Khanate's territory."

Chang'an, that's where the Heavenly Khan of the Tang Dynasty lived! A fascinating name. Sutan Ali never dared to dream that he would one day rule that rich land!
“My son, is the Great Jin really as wretched as you say?” Sutan Ali asked hesitantly, clearly already somewhat swayed. Amahei nodded and said, “Your subject swears to Allah that there is not a single falsehood. The Great Jin is now in turmoil, its edifice about to collapse, like a fat lamb waiting to be slaughtered.”

Sutan Ali was a man with some ambition, but not much ambition. Under his son's instigation, greed finally overcame reason, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I will give you 10,000 troops. If you can take Hami, I will give you another 20,000 troops to attack Jiayuguan."

Amah was overjoyed and patted his chest, guaranteeing that he would capture Hami City within a month. Five days later, Amah indeed mobilized 10,000 troops, including 2,000 cavalry, and marched in a mighty force towards Hami City.

Three days before Amahei set out with his troops, Jia Huan saw Man Gui and Tie Niu off outside the east gate of Hami City, claiming they were returning to the interior to escort grain supplies. Whether this was true or not is unknown. In any case, Man Gui and Tie Niu took five hundred cavalrymen and some camels with them and soon disappeared into the vast Gobi Desert.

By the end of August, the autumn colors in Hami were even more intense. The maple trees under the snow-capped mountains were quietly tinged with a layer of red. This should have been the best time for travel, but war clouds inopportunely shrouded this oasis at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

When Turpan sent out troops, the Jin army scouts who had been keeping an eye on the direction of Liucheng immediately noticed and sent a military intelligence report back to Hami City.

"Just as Governor-General predicted, the people of Turpan have dispatched troops, numbering over ten thousand. They are expected to arrive at the city walls in five or six days." Chu Sheng, holding the intelligence delivered by the scout, hurriedly entered Jia Huan's temporary governor's office.

Now, Chu Sheng has been promoted from the garrison commander of Jiayuguan to the commander of Hami Guard, directly under the command of Jia Huan. In addition, Man Gui has been reinstated as a guerrilla general, and Lu Xiangjin has also been appointed as a guerrilla general by Jia Huan.

At this moment, Jia Huan took the intelligence from Chu Sheng, glanced at it briefly, and put it down, calmly saying, "I understand. General Chu, please go about your business. Everything will proceed as planned!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Seeing that Jia Huan was confident, Chu Sheng didn't say anything more, respectfully accepted the order, and withdrew from the main hall.

Amahei is an ambitious man who impersonated a wedding envoy to "scam a marriage" in the capital of the Great Jin Dynasty. His audacity is truly extraordinary. Given that such a person has suffered a great loss, how could he possibly let it go? Moreover, he is also aware of the current situation in the Great Jin Dynasty. Now that he has fled back to Turpan, Jia Huan is certain that he will incite his father, Sutan Ali, to attack the Great Jin Dynasty. Therefore, he has already made thorough preparations and is just waiting for him to fall into the trap.

Dong Dao, now the deputy captain of Jia Huan's personal guard, protecting him closely every step of the way, said with some concern, "Turpan has sent troops, but the traitor who let Amahei go has not yet been caught. Doesn't Third Master worry that the traitors in the city are colluding with the Turpan people? In my opinion, we should drive all the Yi people out of the city at this time, including Amulang and Princess Ayina."

Jia Huan smiled and asked in return, "Little Dong, are you feeling pressured?"

Dong Dao said awkwardly, "As the saying goes, it's hard to guard against a thief within your own family, so there is still some pressure. Brother Tie Niu is not here. If something really happens to Third Master, I will be unable to atone for it even if I die a hundred times."

Jia Huan calmly replied, "Don't worry, I have my own plans. However, we need to strengthen security at the Hami Royal Palace. From today onwards, the palace gates will be sealed off, and no outsider may enter without my permission."

Dong Dao nodded knowingly and said, "Your subordinate understands. Miss Lin and Miss Xue are safe and sound!"

(End of this chapter)