Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 712 An Unexpected Help

Wang Ziteng's methods when suppressing the rebellion had a far-reaching impact. They were extremely simple and brutal: rebels were killed as soon as they were captured, and those who had not rebelled were forced to submit and asked if they were willing to submit. If they were not, they were killed.

Within a radius of several hundred kilometers, a vast uninhabited area was carved out; this is Wang Ziteng.

It's only because the Western Regions are large enough that those few people wouldn't be enough for Prince Teng to kill.

Although the White Lotus Sect is not led by Prince Teng, it is still a legitimate sect. So, do you believe it or not? If you don't, get out of here and don't stay in this area.

This approach will undoubtedly lead to resistance, but once you resist, the White Lotus sect will have something to say: Look, they're all saying they're not convinced, this is rebellion.

Then they rallied the Anxi army and killed any who led the resistance.

In the words of the White Lotus sect, this is called "not of our kind".

It can only be said that faith is a very special thing, and sometimes it really works.

The White Lotus sect was reborn in Anxi. The missionary model of the past underwent a fundamental change. In the past, when missionaries were preaching in the local area, they would engage in mutual assistance among the lower classes, hoping that there would be no hope in this life but only in the next.

In fact, most religions are the same: people feel that this life is too painful and they seek a better afterlife or a better future.

What's rather unique is Taoism. It doesn't care about the afterlife; it emphasizes living in the present, cultivating oneself, and striving for ascension.

If there are too many troubles in reality, then escape the world and retreat to the mountains to cultivate oneself.

This is probably why Taoism couldn't compete with Confucianism. Confucianism emphasizes engagement with the world, striving, and practice. It also advocates that when one achieves success, one should help others in the world.

Both schools of thought emphasize the importance of self-improvement. However, their approaches differ. Both share a common premise: personal cultivation.

The integration of Buddhism into Chinese culture is partly due to individual spiritual practice. However, Buddhism is also more deceptive and can easily be used as a tool for making money.

Upon learning that the rotating troops had arrived in Almaty, Commander Fang, from the Bishkek direction, immediately dropped everything and led his guard company on horseback for three days and three nights to reach Almaty.

After meeting Jia Shi, Commander Fang briefed him on the current situation in Anxi.

Following the previous round of imperial decrees, the Duke of Dushanbe, feeling a sense of crisis, launched a westward offensive and developed rapidly.

While it seemed to be developing rapidly, it actually left behind many hidden dangers, especially the forced promotion of the White Lotus sect, which led to widespread resistance.

Anxi Gong did not tolerate the local natives and cooperated with the White Lotus Sect to carry out brutal suppression. Over the past two years, he has been committing massacres everywhere to intimidate the local area.

This forced a large number of indigenous tribes to migrate; some went east to Astana, and others retreated west across the Caspian Sea. Only a small number of indigenous people complied and remained.

The various native groups that left gathered on the east and west sides, and eventually all of them broke out in rebellion. This is the version of events from the Anxi army, who themselves called it an uprising.

The main force of the Anxi army is currently tied up around the Caspian Sea. To clean up the mess left by the Anxi Marquis, the Independent Division in Bishkek also has to help keep an eye on the logistical supply lines. There is only one regiment left in Bishkek, and they are simply powerless to deal with the Astana rebellion. Therefore, everything depends on the newly formed division brought by Jia Shi.

Jia Shi was also very troubled. His newly formed division had more infantry than cavalry. After arriving in Almaty, they did manage to get a batch of horses, but it was barely enough to form a regular cavalry regiment and a mounted infantry regiment. It takes time for ordinary people to learn to ride horses, and it takes even more time to become proficient in riding for marching and fighting.

In the vast and sparsely populated land of Anxi, it was extremely difficult for infantrymen, who were no longer able to march on horseback, to wage a decisive battle. The local natives were all nomadic people, and they simply wouldn't engage in positional warfare.

They always run away when they can't win a fight, or they won't even fight you, they'll just run away and you can chase them.

Pursuit isn't impossible, but what about logistics? Once the supply lines are stretched out, the more mobile natives will frequently harass them, potentially causing your collapse.

This is also where Commander Fang's predicament lies.

After hearing the report, Jia Shi smiled and said, "General Dihua informed us that they are planning to build a railway connecting Dihua and Almaty. The outbreak of war in Anxi is likely related to this. The Russians will not sit idly by and let this railway be completed smoothly; otherwise, it will be too difficult for them to return later."

Commander Fang knew Jia Shi's background and naturally reminded him, "Right now, the Bishkek direction is too busy to take care of itself. You're just here for rotation, there's no need to take any risks."

Jia Shi smiled confidently and said, "Thank you, General Fang. I have confidence in my men. If we cannot quell the rebellion in Astana on this trip west, then the handover and rotation between our two divisions will be nothing but empty talk."

Commander Fang knew this was the truth and nodded: "That's right, we must suppress this wave of rebellion first. There's a phenomenon that's good news, I'm telling you in advance to cheer you up."

Jia Shi was amused by his words: "Is there any more good news? That's too rare."

Commander Fang said, "Two-thirds of the original garrison have settled down with local women, and all the cavalry from the southern steppes have chosen to stay. They came with 15,000 men, and if even 5,000 return, that's considered a stroke of good fortune. I'd like to discuss with you the possibility of establishing more agricultural settlements near Bishkek, allowing these voluntary soldiers to gather together, without taking back their weapons, so they have the ability to defend themselves. Back then, Grand Marshal Wang quelled the rebellion and left immediately. This area needs its own people to remain our territory for the long term."

Jia Shi was silent for a while. Were these soldiers' women really found locally? Or were they stolen? Don't think I'm ignorant. I was one of the first regular soldiers to arrive.

Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Most of them are young men, and before joining the army, most of them came from families so poor they didn't even have enough to eat.

After arriving in Anxi with the troops, and having eaten their fill, they naturally thought about finding wives. They remembered that when the first batch arrived, only about three thousand members of the independent mixed brigade chose to return; the rest chose to stay.

This is why when the imperial court conscripted soldiers, it first selected poor men from Shaanxi, Gansu, and southern Inner Mongolia. These men were the most willing to stay after completing their service.

The Central Plains are great, but what can I do back there? After retiring, will I go back to the countryside to continue being a tenant farmer? It's better to stay in the local area and cultivate the land. The money I save and the demobilization allowance can be sent home to help me out.

Some veterans from poor families, especially those with many sons, even wrote letters asking their families to come over. These spontaneous visits are exactly what the authorities want to see.

"I have no problem with that. I will definitely follow the previous approach and help the soldiers who are willing to stay settle down and cultivate the land locally." Jia Shi agreed readily, which was indeed a good thing.

Two batches of retired soldiers stayed to cultivate the land, totaling about 20,000 people and 20,000 families. This is a most reliable force.

“Since General Jia insists, the rebellion in the Astana direction will be left to you. I will return to Bishkek to oversee the situation and await good news from your unit. I will strive to quell the rebellion before winter and return home next spring.” Commander Fang was also very decisive, returning in just one day. He was an officer from Shenji Town and considered himself Jia Lian’s confidant. This Jia Shi was the second young master of the Ningguo Mansion in the modern era, one of their own.

After deciding to send troops to quell the rebellion, the most crucial thing was not a direct confrontation, but the hundreds of kilometers of logistical supply lines.

After discussing with the sons of the two former Kings of Anxi, Jia Shi decided that the supply corps would stay behind and maintain the transport line with the help of the Anxi army in Almaty.

The reason why they are not afraid of their supply lines being harassed, and even hope that the rebels will harass them, is very simple: their confidence comes from the electric guns.

It can only be said that Chief Minister Jia was quite capable of favoritism. For Jia Shi's safety, the newly formed division not only had a regiment of 75mm mortars, but each regiment was also equipped with a battalion of twelve 82mm mortars and a machine gun battalion equipped with eight mortars. They were truly armed to the teeth.

How did cavalry completely disappear from the front lines? Wasn't it because of the advent of machine guns?

With the stun gun in hand, they would love nothing more than for the enemy to launch a preemptive attack on their supply lines. A single battalion equipped with four vehicle-mounted stun guns could bring down thousands of cavalrymen.

The supply corps was fully equipped with eight machine guns and twelve mortars, boasting maximum firepower. Its only drawback was its high ammunition consumption. Fortunately, the road from Alimtu to Dihua was relatively easy to traverse, and the Dihua general was able to continuously send pre-stored ammunition over. Of course, Dihua itself couldn't produce ammunition; it had to be transported by train to Yumen Pass, and then by road and rail to Dihua.

The major logistical problem would only be solved when the railway could be built to Dihua. Many prisoners captured earlier were used for railway construction.

Jia Lian never imagined that the local natives of Anxi, whom he had assimilated, would one day rely on the White Lotus Sect.

While Jia Shi was making preparations in full swing, he wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he sent people back to Dihua to urge Dihua to transport all the stored ammunition over.

Since we are going to launch an attack, we must be fully prepared.

Just as Jia Shi was making final preparations for the expedition, his adjutant suddenly reported that the leader of the White Lotus Cult had come to visit.

Jia Shi wasn't particularly fond of these people, but there was nothing he could do about it. After all, that was the situation in Anxi, where the vast majority of immigrants believed in this.

You know what, with the help of the White Lotus sect, the Anxi immigrants from the mainland were very calm, which greatly accelerated the integration of the locals.

Considering that many prisoners would be captured after this battle, Jia Shi decided to meet her to give her face.

Since they've already given us face, let's give them the respect they deserve. They've already decided to stay in Anxi long-term, so there's no need to put on airs.

Jia Shi, dressed in military attire, went out to greet them. At the gate, he saw a luxurious carriage waiting in the open space outside the camp, guarded by hundreds of cavalrymen.

This is a grander spectacle than anything I've ever seen; no wonder he's a professional at playing the supernatural. With a show like this, who wouldn't be confused?

Jia Shi stood at the door, watching a group of girls wearing veils and holding flower baskets, scattering flower petals in front of them. A veiled woman gracefully got out of the car and walked over.

Jia Shi was embarrassed and speechless. They were already here, and there was still a whole ceremony going on. But Jia Shi quickly understood. He found the ceremony ridiculous, but they thought it was necessary.

Don't judge other people's seemingly strange behavior from a personal perspective. If they do it, there must be a reason for it. After all, they are involved in religion, so they have to maintain a certain air and be full of mystery.

Mystery is largely associated with the unknown, and the unknown often inspires awe.

Jia Shi was very grateful to his mother for giving him a practical education from a young age. After returning to Beijing last time, Jia Quan gave him another handwritten copy, from which he learned a lot of new knowledge.

It is said to be the unique skill of Uncle Lian, not a secret manual passed down from the Jia family ancestors. Any Jia family member willing to work outside the family could obtain a copy.

"The White Lotus Sect Leader greets the General!" The veiled woman who approached bowed, and Jia Shi returned the bow, saying, "You're too kind, please!"

After entering Jia Shi's office, the cult leader was accompanied only by a masked girl, while everyone else remained outside.

When there were only three of them, he gestured to the girl beside him to close the door. The leader then raised his hand and removed his veil, saying, "Since there are no outsiders, I won't stand on ceremony. I am an old friend of the Grand Secretary; he personally escorted me away from the capital. My name is Zhen Huan, and I come from the Zhen family of Jiangning. The Jia family and the Zhen family are old friends. If it weren't for Jia Lian's intervention, the Zhen family would have been wiped out. You can write back and ask Jia Lian; he will tell you that I am one of our own."

Uh, Jia Shi was stunned. He glanced at the woman in front of him, who looked to be around forty years old, and didn't know how to respond.

Zhen Huan wasn't in a hurry and smiled, "I can't make you believe just because of my one-sided story, and you shouldn't rush to make a decision. Speaking of which, Jia Lian and I are of equal social standing, so it's not unreasonable for you to call me Aunt Zhen."

Jia Shi was still annoyed. Why should I call you auntie? Who are you? Just because you say so doesn't mean I have to believe you.

All we can do is remain silent and watch the other person quietly.

Zhen Huan didn't care about Jia Shi's reaction. Instead, she raised her hand and beckoned the woman at the door to come forward: "Take off your veil and let General Jia see what you look like."

The veiled woman stepped forward, removed her veil, and Jia Shi was stunned at first glance; she was actually a stunningly beautiful woman from another ethnic group.

"Zhen Yaoyao greets the General!" the woman said, performing a curtsy.

Jia Shi dared not be negligent and politely returned the greeting: "Jia Shi is very polite!"

Zhen Huan then continued, "Yaoyao will stay by the general's side as a maid and liaison. If you need any help in the future, just have her pass on a message to me."

"Who exactly is this Miss Zhen Yaoyao? Please explain clearly, Master, otherwise it will be difficult for me to keep her by my side." Jia Shi made it very clear: no matter how beautiful a woman is, if she has ulterior motives, please take her away.

“Yaoyao is the daughter of my elder brother, who married a local woman after he was exiled to the Western Regions. After I arrived in the Western Regions and found the Zhen family, I have kept her by my side. She can speak Mandarin, write Chinese characters, and is good at serving people. Don’t worry, I taught her according to the etiquette of a wealthy family, so she won’t cause you any trouble. If you are still worried, you can write a letter back to ask Jia Lian first, and then you can decide after he replies.”

Having put Zhen Huan's words to this point, Jia Shi really couldn't refuse any longer, since he would definitely have to deal with the White Lotus Sect in the future.

This group was a professional rebel in the Central Plains, but they became a powerful ally in Anxi. Where can you reason with them?
(End of this chapter)