The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 708 Trading
Hami City. The north wind howled all night, and our governor was also on the go half the night, making the most of all the snow lotus tonic wine he had been drinking recently. The next morning, he went out feeling refreshed and comfortable. As for Xueyan, that ignorant and presumptuous maid, she was still catching up on sleep in bed. I guess she won't dare to give Third Master Huan snow lotus wine again.

The wind was strong last night, but the snow was light, only a thin layer covering the ground. Jia Huan felt a little relieved, hoping the sun would come out soon, otherwise Man Gui and Tie Niu would have a hard time.

When Jia Huan arrived at the south of the city and climbed to the top of the city wall, the gloomy sky seemed to clear up a little. After a while, several rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, and the sun really did show its face. It was truly a miracle!

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Governor." Chu Sheng, Lu Xiangjin, and a group of military officers stepped forward and bowed to Jia Huan.

Jia Huan nodded slightly and asked, "Is there any movement from the enemy camp?"

Chu Sheng shook his head and said, "Not for now. This snowstorm has probably left the people of Turpan dazed from the cold, so there's a high probability that we won't be attacking the city today."

"Haha, these bastards will freeze to death!" The military officers rubbed their hands together and laughed, their breath billowing out. Although the sun was out, the temperature was still very low, and it seemed as if everyone was exhaling clouds of smoke as they spoke.

Jia Huan reminded everyone: "There is a principle in military strategy: do not rely on the enemy not coming, but on our own preparedness. Regardless of whether the enemy attacks or not, everyone must not be careless. Only by doing everything we should can we ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"Yes!" The soldiers solemnly responded. Clearly, Jia Huan's prestige in the army had gradually taken shape, just like it had been in Liaodong. This was probably what was called leadership ability.

After Jia Huan finished his inspection of the city wall, Duan Yongcai arrived late, dressed in a fur coat and snow hat, looking as bulky as a ball. Wiping his nose, he said apologetically, "I'm late. I caught a cold last night and got up late. Lord Jia, has the enemy attacked the city yet?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "No, since Eunuch Duan is not feeling well, he should stay in the house and rest well. It's windy on the city wall, and his condition could worsen, which would be no joke."

Duan the eunuch listened to advice and, with the help of several junior eunuchs, descended from the city wall to return to his quarters to recuperate. Chu Sheng and the other military officers immediately felt much more relaxed. There was no other way; Duan Yong was the military supervisor, even Jia Huan was under his supervision, he held a high position and wielded great power, but he was all talk and no action, and liked to give reckless orders. Now that he was no longer on the city wall, it was for the best, and the officers could act freely.

After Duan Yong left, Jia Huan stayed on the city wall for half an hour. Seeing that the enemy had not launched an attack, he instructed Chu Sheng to stay on the city wall and notify him immediately if the enemy attacked. Then he went down from the city wall.

However, just as Jia Huan and his personal guards had retrieved their horses and were preparing to leave the city gate, they encountered Shan Ba, who was leading dozens of his clansmen, all burly young men, who seemed to be planning to climb onto the city wall.

When Shanba saw Jia Huan from afar, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He lowered his head, quickly stepped forward, and gave a gesture of respect, saying, "Shanba greets Lord Jia."

Jia Huan nodded and smiled, "Shaanxi native, where are you going?"

Shaanba lowered his head and replied respectfully, "My godfather asked me to bring my brothers from the clan to help defend the city. It concerns the survival of Hami City, and we all have a responsibility."

Jia Huan nodded calmly and said, "Very good. It's rare to find someone so loyal. Go, but you must obey your superior's arrangements."

"Yes!" Shanba bowed again with his hand on his chest and led his people up the city wall.

Fan Jian rubbed his nose and muttered, "The sun must have risen in the west. Why is this Shaanxi lad so polite today? He used to be so arrogant."

Jia Huan's mind raced. He beckoned a personal guard to his side, whispered a few words in his ear, and the guard returned to the city wall to whisper something to Chu Sheng. Jia Huan then mounted his horse and rode off nonchalantly toward the Hami Royal Palace.

Jia Huan's observation skills were extremely sharp. Although Shan Ba ​​had concealed it well, Jia Huan still caught the hint of murderous intent that flashed in his eyes at the beginning, which naturally aroused his vigilance.

That day, while admiring the snow lotus on the mountain, Shanba suddenly crept up behind Jia Huan and made a veiled threat. However, Jia Huan didn't take it seriously because he couldn't sense any murderous intent from Shanba at the time. He simply assumed that the boy was dissatisfied with his actions of emptying the Hami national treasury. But just now, it was different. Just now, he caught a real murderous intent in Shanba's eyes.

To be honest, Jia Huan couldn't understand why Shanba would suddenly harbor murderous intent towards him.

Hey, if Jia Huan knew the reason, he would probably complain. To be honest, he had no interest in that girl Ayina whatsoever. He wasn't like that lecherous old man Jia She, who would covet any of the maids in the mansion who were even remotely attractive.

Since transmigrating to the world of Dream of the Red Chamber, where beauties abound, Jia Huan has only actively pursued Daiyu and Baochai. Beauties like Ayina—no, I should say little maids like Ayina—are not enough to make him extend his covetous hand.

Getting back to the main point, when Jia Huan arrived at the Hami royal palace, he found that Ayina was also there, chatting happily with Daiyu and Baochai. No wonder he hadn't seen her on the city wall today.

"So Your Highness is here too. Jia Huan greets Princess Ayina!" Jia Huan bowed politely.

Ayina returned the greeting. Perhaps because of what happened last night, the girl was clearly very uncomfortable to see Jia Huan again. Her mind was filled with the harsh words that the Shaanxi people had said about her. After sitting for a while, she made an excuse to leave.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai were both very intelligent people, and they naturally noticed Ayina's unusual behavior. Their gazes turned to Jia Huan at the same time, and the latter touched his handsome face with some confusion and said, "Why are you two looking at me?"

Perhaps it was the result of the balance of Yin and Yang last night, but Jia looked even more handsome today, with rosy lips and white teeth, as gentle and refined as unpolished jade. Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai couldn't help but feel their pretty faces flush and their hearts race.

Lin Daiyu cursed under her breath, then whispered something in Baochai's ear, causing the latter to chuckle softly. Jia Huan, seeing this, was even more puzzled. Seeing Daiyu still whispering in Baochai's ear, he shamelessly leaned closer and said with a smile, "What are you talking about, dear sister? Let me hear it too."

Lin Daiyu playfully pushed Jia Huan's face away and laughed, "You're not allowed to listen! What's the point of listening to a young lady's private talk? Get out of the way!"

Xue Baochai smiled gently and changed the subject, saying, "Huan-di, what's the situation outside the city? We haven't heard any movement today, so the enemy probably hasn't attacked the city."

Jia Huan nodded: "Amahei suffered a loss yesterday, so he's probably become more cautious. But no matter what he does, I have my own way of dealing with it. You two sisters don't need to worry."

Jia Huan's calm tone exuded a powerful confidence that inexplicably reassured people. As for Daiyu and Baochai, they had always had unwavering faith in Jia Huan's abilities. Zijuan, Ying'er, and Xiangling all looked at him with admiration.

…………

Outside the city, in the central command tent of the Turpan camp, Amahei was convening a meeting of his generals. Just as Jia Huan had said, Amahei, who had suffered losses under the Jin army's artillery fire the previous day, was preparing to change his offensive strategy.

“Your Highness, the Jin army’s artillery is powerful. If we continue to attack, we will suffer heavy losses. It would be better if we besieged the city and wait until the food supplies in the city are almost depleted before taking it in one fell swoop,” a general suggested.

As the saying goes, "the longer the night, the more dreams arise." Amahei naturally wanted to take Hami City as soon as possible, but after yesterday's battle, he realized that Jia Huan was well prepared and that Hami City was a tough nut to crack. Even if they forced their way in, they would suffer heavy losses. At present, besieging without attacking was indeed the safest approach. Fortunately, given the current internal chaos in Jin, it was impossible for them to send a large army to help, so he had plenty of time.

With that in mind, Amahei nodded and said, "Alright!"

However, at that moment, a soldier entered the tent and reported: "Your Highness, a shepherd has come to the camp. He was spying on our camp and is suspected of being a spy. He has been captured, but this fellow claims to be a messenger and requests an audience with Your Highness."

Amahei's eyes flashed, and he waved his hand, saying, "Bring him in!"

Soon, a disheveled man wearing a felt hat and holding a sheep whip was brought in.

Ahmahei looked the man up and down and asked, "Who sent you?"

The shepherd replied, "Chief Secretary Amulang."

Amah frowned and said, "It was him. What did he send you here for?"

The shepherd laughed and said, "The Chief Secretary wants to make a deal with Taiji Ge."

Amahei's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What kind of deal?"

“We can help Your Excellency Taiji conquer Hami City, but after the success, Your Excellency Taiji must guarantee that Princess Ayina will inherit the throne of Hami.”

Amah's eyes flickered, and he said calmly, "How can I, a mere Taiji, trust you?"

The shepherd laughed and said, "Shaanba, the adopted son of Chief Amulang, is now leading dozens of his people to defend the city. Tomorrow, Your Excellency Taiji can attack the city as usual. Shaanba will seize the opportunity to kill Jia Huan, then open the city gates and lower the drawbridge. Your Excellency Taiji can then order your men to take advantage of the situation and storm the city."

Amah frowned and said, "Really? How do I know this isn't a trap?"

The shepherd laughed and said, "The city gates are open. Your Majesty's army can rush in and take the city. What traps could there be? If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, Shanba cut off Jia Huan's head and threw it out of the city. Your Majesty will surely recognize Jia Huan. You can attack after confirming it. However, the opportunity is fleeting, so I hope Your Majesty will not delay too long."

Amah was overjoyed upon hearing this. Even if Jia Huan had turned to ashes, he would still recognize him. If Shanba could really cut off Jia Huan's head and throw it out of the city, then there would be no trickery. So he nodded and said, "If that is really the case, after the city falls, I will immediately let Princess Ayina inherit the throne of Hami, as long as she submits to my Turpan from now on."

The shepherd said happily, "Then it's a deal. Hehe, there's one more thing that Your Excellency Taiji may not know yet."

"what's up?"

"His Excellency Taiji was able to escape from prison thanks to the help of our Chief Secretary and Shaanba."

Amahei's eyes flashed. It turned out that it was Amulang who had saved him back then. What a cunning old fox. He must have been leaving himself a way out for the future.

(End of this chapter)