Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Datong, the residence of Sun Zhanying.

People outside did not notice this period, but a lot of changes happened quietly inside the Sun Mansion. Even the number of people coming and going on a daily basis decreased without anyone noticing.

Ever since Sun Zhanying received the message from the capital, he had sensed the critical situation with his gloomy and cunning mind, as well as his years of experience in officialdom.

These days he began to sort out the floating assets in his home, count the supplies and cash in the Sun family shops in the city, and made proper preparations for transportation by vehicles and horses.

Even the women of the Sun family and their underage relatives left Datong in batches in the past two days without making any noise. As for where they went, outsiders had no way of knowing.

The Sun family had been in Datong for three generations and had a deep foundation. Sun Zhanying was even better than his ancestor. In just ten years, he elevated the Sun family to one of the few local prominent families. His scheming and tactics were extremely powerful.

People like him always think before they make important decisions.

Having made all the preparations to withdraw in secret, the father and son had no worries anymore. They went in and out of the yamen and the camp every day in a very orderly manner, and there seemed to be nothing unusual.

Moreover, the father and son kept their actions inactive, thus avoiding suspicion from others to the greatest extent possible.
Sun Zhanying was waiting for the last chance. Even if there was still a glimmer of hope, he would not easily give up the Sun family's foundation in Datong.

On that day, when the moon was setting and the stars were dimming, Sun Zhanying returned from a banquet and saw his eldest son Sun Shaorong waiting in the study, looking anxious.

He met Sun Zhanying and said, "Father, you are finally back. Sun Dacheng from the third house, under your order, led thirty trusted elite cavalrymen to go fifty miles out of the city to investigate the news.

Last night, he found more than fifty Jinyiwei soldiers at the official post station in Hongfeng Town, eighty miles away from Datong, some of whom were carrying yellow silk packages.

Sun Dacheng sent people to the official post station to investigate and confirmed that this group of Jinyiwei came from the Shenjing Command Office and rushed to Datong to convey the imperial edict. There were also two officials from the Five Military Governor's Office with them. "

Sun Zhanying's face immediately turned serious when he heard this, and he said, "The Jinyiwei of the Capital has passed on the imperial edict, and there are also officials from the Five Military Governor's Office with them, so the person who received the imperial edict must be a general in the army!"

Sun Shaorong looked worried and said, "Could it be that the letter from the capital came true? The salt and iron business of the three noble families has been confirmed to be related to the Sun family, and the court is going to issue an imperial decree to attack my father!"

Sun Zhanying shook his head and said, "The hereditary commander of the Sun family is only of the fifth rank. If the court wants to order me to be arrested, the Jinyiwei can just pass on the order. There is no reason for the Five Military Commands to come together.

In the Datong Army, only the second-rank Datong General Qian Shaoyang could have such a grand ceremony. "

Sun Shaorong asked: "Aren't they targeting the Sun family? Instead, they are targeting Qian Shaoyang. He is the general of Datong, commanding 20,000 Datong border troops. How could the imperial court attack him?"

Sun Zhanying said: "The current emperor has made great use of firearms, using the power of firearms to pacify the Liaodong Jurchens and establish the Five Armies Divine Machine Camp. His power and authority in the army is no longer what it used to be.

The nine important border towns are related to the peace in the northwest of the Great Zhou. Now that the emperor has the strength and confidence, his tolerance for border army generals will naturally rise.

Qian Shaoyang has taken care of the Sun family over the years and has benefited a lot from our Sun family. Although these things are secret, they are not impenetrable as long as you investigate carefully.

I think that after the three nobles were imprisoned, they confessed something, and the Jinyiwei followed the clues and found out Qian Shaoyang's weaknesses. Once Qian Shaoyang is questioned by the court, my Sun family will have no way to escape."

……

The father and son were discussing when suddenly the housekeeper of the Sun Mansion came in and said, "Master, there are officials from the government office outside the door who want to see you. They say they have urgent business to discuss with you."

Sun Zhanying inherited the hereditary command in his family. There is only one word difference between commander and commander-in-chief, but the size of the official position and power is very different.

Sun Zhanying's hereditary commander title was transferred through various maneuvers and now he is in charge of the weapons of the Datong border army. Although he does not have to charge into the battlefield to kill the enemy, it is a lucrative and powerful position.

Sun Zhanying left the study and entered the main hall of the mansion. The person who came was a general flag officer from the Datong Border Army's Armament Department.

"Sir, the Arms Department just received an official document forwarded by the Liaodong General's Office. Liaodong Army Deputy General Deng Hui led 2,000 firearms battalion spearmen and arrived in Datong in two days to change guards under the orders of the Ministry of War and the Five Military Governor's Office."

"The Armament Department is required to prepare tents and food supplies for the replacement soldiers in advance. I have come to report this to you, sir."

Sun Zhanying's face changed when he heard the news. He asked, "Why are we suddenly sending troops from Liaodong to replace the troops? Has Lord Qian from the General's Mansion known about this?"

The general flag officer replied: "The official document was forwarded by the Datong General's Office. I heard that Lord Qian just received the news. The General's Office is in chaos now."

Sun Zhanying's face was solemn, and he said, "I understand. Open the military arsenal, count and prepare supplies according to the number of people changing guard, and do everything according to the regulations."

After the military officer left, Sun Shaorong came out from the back of the hall and asked, "There is no military situation outside the Great Wall at the moment, why do you suddenly need to transfer troops from Liaodong to replace the defense?"

Sun Zhanying's face was gloomy, and he said: "The Jinyiwei and the Five Military Commanders' Office are about to arrive in Datong to announce the imperial edict, and the Ministry of War suddenly transferred troops from Liaodong to replace them. The two phases are seamlessly connected, so there must be some plan!
Although I have never witnessed the power of the musketeers, I have heard many rumors about this as I am in charge of the Arms Department on a daily basis. At a distance of fifty steps, two thousand musketeers can still face six thousand swordsmen with sufficient strength.

The situation is now obvious. The Jinyiwei and the Five Military Commandery are heading north this time to target Qian Shaoyang. The two thousand firearms soldiers are the court's precautionary measures to suppress the Datong border troops.

The spearhead is directed at Qian Shaoyang, and my Sun family cannot escape the blame. Datong is about to change. Shaorong, this is no longer a place to stay for long. Once two thousand musketeers enter the city, it will be difficult to leave.

When did you and Deputy General Zhang Tianlin agree on the time for the goods to be cleared?"

Sun Shaorong felt a chill in his heart, knowing that the Sun family's life in Datong had finally come to an end, and now the only way left was to go north.

He replied in a low voice: "The goods will be cleared at sunset tomorrow, and I have already paid the 10% bonus in advance to Zhang Tianlin.

All the valuables in the house have been loaded onto the truck, and most of them have been shipped to various places for hiding in batches. The remaining ones can be cleared with the goods tomorrow.

My second brother went out of the customs to take care of all the matters outside the customs four days ago, and I think everything has been done by today... "

……

Ningrong Street, Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

The sun was shining brightly in the yard. Qingwen and Lingguan were playing shuttlecock, while Douguan was counting beside them. Her pretty figure was jumping around happily and her laughter was as sweet as silver bells.

In the study, Yinglian helped Jia Cong tidy up the study. Seeing the memorial he had written still on the table, she carefully put it away and put it in the storage drawer on the table to prevent it from being contaminated by the pen, ink and tea on the table.

Yinglian has always had a talent for literature. In the past two years, she has been in charge of Jia Cong's study, and has followed him in reading and writing every day, which has cultivated her into a literary talent.

Yinglian was quite fascinated by the book Romance of the West Chamber that she borrowed from Lingguan. The touching lyrics and poems in the book made her feel that every word was exquisite and left a lingering taste in her mouth.

That day in Fengjie's courtyard, many people heard the conversation between Wang Xifeng and Jia's mother. Within a day, the news spread throughout the West Mansion.

The next morning, the news was also heard in the East Palace, and Yinglian's name was mentioned in the conversation between Jia Mu and Wang Xifeng.

Early in the morning, Juan'er went to the well in the garden to fetch water and met Yingchun's maid Xiu Ju. She casually told her what happened that day.

Yinglian has a gentle personality and is very popular in Jia Cong's courtyard. Everyone likes to be close to her, so Juan'er naturally told her everything in her ear when she came back.

Yinglian was filled with worries when she heard the news. She threw aside the book The West Chamber, which she loved so much, with a dull look on her face. She felt that the stories in the book were just nonsense. The study was quiet, and she was the only one there. She sat in front of the desk, feeling a little bored, and was in a daze.

Suddenly I heard someone behind me saying, "What are you doing alone? Why are you daydreaming?"

When Yinglian turned around, she saw Jia Cong walking into the room, and her face blushed involuntarily.

He said, "I have put the memorial written by the young master in the drawer. Since it is already written, why don't you send it to the palace?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It was not the time to send them off yesterday. They were playing shuttlecock in the yard. Why didn't you go? I don't have to stay here, go and play."

Seeing Yinglian was still in a lingering state, Jia Cong blushed and said, "Master, I am already thirteen years old this year, only one year older than you..."

Jia Cong looked at Yinglian curiously, and felt a little surprised when he suddenly said something strange to her with a tone of dissatisfaction.

Yesterday, Yingchun came back to the East Mansion and naturally told him everything that happened in Fengjie's courtyard.

Thinking of Yinglian's abrupt words, which were not new to me, I could guess the meaning of them.
It must be what happened in Fengjie's courtyard yesterday that reached Yinglian's ears. Grandmother Jia's words that Yinglian was still young and needed to be raised for a few years hurt the little girl's face.

Jia Cong suppressed his laughter in his heart, gently pulled Yinglian's hand, which was soft and smooth to the touch, and said, "Let others say whatever they want."

Yinglian asked, "The old lady has said it several times, but it doesn't count?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "As for our East Palace affairs, my words count."

Yinglian's bright eyes flickered. She glanced at The West Chamber on the table, blushed and said nothing.

Jia Cong looked at her carefully. Yinglian had been in the mansion for more than two years.

Nowadays, the little girl has a good life and has reached the age of growth. She seems to be a little precocious. She has shed her childishness and has grown into a slender, graceful and charming girl.

Jia Cong adjusted the gold necklace she was wearing and said with a smile, "Don't take what others say to heart. I remember all your good points. Besides, you are not young at all."

He turned back and took out the memorial from the drawer, flipped through it, made a few corrections on it, and said, "Don't be in a daze here, go and play with them."

When Yinglian thought of Jia Cong's words, "I remember your kindness," she felt relieved. She smiled, picked up the book "Romance of the West Chamber" on the table, held it in her arms and walked out of the study.

When Yinglian joined the shuttlecock kicking game, they played for a while before seeing Jia Cong come out of the study, changed into formal clothes, and walked out of the yard with the memorial in his hand.
……

The palace city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Qianyang Palace.

Emperor Jiazhao sat on the throne and read the interrogation statements of Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang and others.

Standing before the imperial desk were the Minister of Rites Guo Youchang and Prince Zhongshun, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan Court.

The confession in the emperor's hand was based on the interrogation records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the review and investigation by the Dali Temple, and the signed confession of guilt by these three people. It was already irrefutable evidence.

The confession records that since last year, these three people have opened southern goods stores in Shenjing, colluded with the third son of the Sun family in Datong, traveled to the nine border areas, sold tea, salt and iron illegally, and made huge profits.

Emperor Jia Zhao's face darkened after reading the confessions. Not only had these three families been selling contraband earlier than Jia She, but the amount of silver involved was several times more. Their crimes were truly unforgivable.

Emperor Jia Zhao threw the confession in his hand on the imperial desk and asked: "My two beloved ministers, this major case of illegal sale of salt and iron in Datong involves four hereditary nobles in Shenjing. This matter is of great importance and has damaged the dignity of the country.

Do you have any strategies on how to punish the offender?"

Prince Zhongshun spoke first: "Your Majesty, Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang and the other three are all descendants of nobles who founded the country. They have been bathed in the emperor's grace for generations and have enjoyed wealth and glory.

However, these three people did not appreciate the royal favor, but colluded with border army generals to sell banned items such as salt and iron on a large scale, and could not escape the suspicion of aiding the enemy.

Now, according to the law, the Ministry of Clan Affairs and the Ministry of Rites have stripped the titles of these three people in accordance with the regulations and etiquette of the current dynasty.

In my opinion, please remove the hereditary honors of these three families, confiscate all their property, and do not allow their descendants to be employed for three generations, as a warning to others and to purify the reputation of the clan members!"

Emperor Jia Zhao listened to Prince Zhongshun's words and remained silent.

After hearing what Prince Zhongshun said, the Minister of Rites took a deep breath. It was said that this Grand Master had always been disgusted with the sons of old nobles who behaved like dandies. Today, he saw that his reputation was well-deserved.

Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, and Qiu Liang had already been stripped of their titles for their crimes, and this great clan leader wanted to strip their families of their titles, confiscate their property, and even ban them from employment for three generations.

This is not only about annihilating the entire family, but also ruining the future of several generations of their descendants. The means are too cruel.

Guo Youchang saw that Emperor Jiazhao did not make any judgment after hearing these words. Although it could not be considered as tacit agreement, his attitude was very intriguing.

He thought of the current emperor's always having a grudge and dislike for the old heroes of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, which seemed to be exactly the same as the Grand Master Zhongshun.

It’s just that His Majesty acts in a thoughtful and unobtrusive manner, unlike this Grand Master who is so reckless.

Perhaps only someone like Prince Zhongshun is suitable to be the Grand Chancellor that the emperor wants, to say things that cannot be said, to express what cannot be said, to plan actions and to achieve what the emperor wants.

Prince Zhongshun continued, "In recent years, the nobles of the imperial court have become increasingly extravagant and corrupt. The Ning and Rong branches of the Jia family have been favored by Emperor Taizu, and there are only two such families since the founding of the country.

As he was from a family of eight prominent figures, the appearance of his sons attracted the attention of the world. In the past, the Ningguo manor father and son committed countless evil deeds and harmed the people.

Although His Majesty stripped him of his title and confiscated his property, he still showed mercy and allowed the Ningguo youth to have his title restored if he made military achievements within three years.

However, the Jia family in the capital did not know how to repay Your Majesty's great grace. Jia Lian, the crown prince of Rongguo Mansion, was guilty of the illegal crime of selling salt and iron, and was listed with the same crime as Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang and three others.

I ask Your Majesty to remove the title of Rongguo, confiscate the imperially built Rongguo Mansion, rectify the state law, and show the will of the people! "

Prince Zhongshun's words were so menacing that Guo Youchang, who was present, and Guo Lin, who was accompanying the emperor, were all shocked.

When Jia Zhen and his son from the Ningguo Mansion committed a serious crime, the emperor stripped them of their titles and confiscated their property, causing a huge uproar. However, even so, he still took the public opinion into consideration and issued an edict to confer the title on them for three years as a means of easing the situation.

You should know that although there is only one word difference between demotion and removal of title, the former can be inherited by demotion, while the latter is a permanent removal of the title. There is a world of difference between the two.

Now, the Crown Prince of Rongguo has been implicated in a crime, and King Zhongshun actually wants His Majesty to remove the title of Rongguo and confiscate the Rongguo Mansion. Is he really going to risk the wrath of the whole world?

Emperor Jia Zhao, who was sitting behind the imperial desk, listened to Prince Zhongshun's words and remained silent, his eyes flickering, making it hard to tell whether he was happy or angry. (End of this chapter)