Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Eight hundred paces north of Xuanfu Town lies the camp of the remnant Meng and Tuman tribes.

On the watchtower of the gate stood a young general, with a vigorous figure, a straight nose and a wide mouth, piercing eyes, and a fierce aura.

He was dressed in a traditional Chinese robe, covered with fine soft armor, and over it wore a long black bear fur robe, a fox fur hat with a high brim, and a jeweled curved sword at his waist.

This man was dressed in fine clothes, had a dignified demeanor, and his every move was extraordinary; he looked like an important figure in the Mongol army.

Standing beside him was another general, wearing an iron helmet and fish-scale armor, with a burly build and a full beard, who was gazing towards Xuanfu Town.

He said, “Prince Badu, in this siege, only our Tuman tribe fought bravely, while the Ordos tribe on the left wing and the Yongxielun tribe on the right wing were somewhat lax in their military operations.”

They committed less than 30% of their estimated force to capture the city. The soldiers who scaled the walls refused to fight to the death and retreated after the first contact, disgracing the Mongol warriors.

Although they served the Great Khan as their master, they were two-faced and preserving their strength; they truly deserved to die. Most of those who died beneath the city walls were warriors from my Tuman tribe.

Prince Badu gave a cold laugh and said, "I often hear Noyan mention phrases from the Book of Han, including the line: 'Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts.'"

The Han people have some knowledge that makes a lot of sense. On the grasslands, the strong are respected. The two tribes submitted to their father Khan because the Tuman tribe was powerful and they had no choice but to submit.

They don't have the same ambition as my father, Khan. They only want to survive by cooperating with the Great Zhou. My father saw through their intentions long ago.

Therefore, this plan to head south was not revealed to them beforehand, lest they become disloyal, leak the information, and cause all our efforts to be in vain.

On New Year's Eve, we led our troops to sneak through the pass and seize the military granary in Donggang Town. This not only gave the Mongols a decisive advantage, but also caught the surrounding armies off guard.

The Ordos and Yongshelun tribes were also caught off guard and dragged into our conflict, forced to fight against the Great Zhou.

It is not surprising that they harbored resentment, acted with dissatisfaction, and deliberately slackened in their military campaigns.

As long as we capture Xuanfu Town, and Father Khan leads his troops to achieve great feats within the pass, the political landscape of the world will surely change dramatically.

Seeing that the Tuman tribe had the upper hand, they would surely change their stance, and they were not afraid that the Tuman tribe would not exert its full strength in its military campaign.

The Southern Dynasties had a rich and prosperous territory, with countless grains, gold, silver, and women. Do you think they didn't want to seize it?

……

The general said, "The prince's words make sense, but the great benefits obtained by sacrificing the blood of the Tuman warriors are immense."

It's not worth it to let these guys reap the benefits without contributing anything.

Prince Badu smiled grimly and said, "Mandujiang, your father Altan is exceptionally wise and is the most important strategist of Father Khan."

This surprise attack on the Great Zhou was a plan your father devised for your father, the Khan. You should be like your father, making good use of your wisdom and taking a long-term view.

Currently, our military campaign against the Great Zhou has caused the Ordos and Yongxielun tribes to waver and hesitate, resulting in the Tuman tribe paying an even greater price.

But as long as we capture Xuanfu Town and seize the grain routes along the Great Zhou's supply lines, the Mongol army's southward advance will be opened.
The Khan's army can advance unimpeded and directly threaten the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is a golden opportunity that has not been seen in nearly eighty years.

If he could successfully march south, his father's prestige among the Mongol tribes would be at its zenith, and the people would be united in his cause, making him unmatched by anyone else.

Then we can free up our resources to deal with the Ordos and Yongxielun tribes; it will be a piece of cake.

Yongxielun tribe's Gai'ertai was shrewd and cunning, a true old fox. He had many offspring, and his tribe was nomadic, making him difficult to control.

The Ordos tribe was different. Their tribe settled in the Hetao Grassland, the richest place among the Mongolian tribes, which was truly the envy of everyone.

Jirang Khan was a hero of the grasslands in his youth, but now he is old, has few children, and his succession is in jeopardy.

Noyan alone cannot amount to much. If I hadn't dissuaded Father Khan, Noyan wouldn't be alive today!
Jirang Khan regarded Noyan as a supreme treasure, but he did not know that Noyan was his greatest weakness.

"As long as we can completely control the Ordos tribe, the Yongxielun tribe will be helpless alone and will be easily captured in no time."

As Prince Badu finished speaking, he turned towards the left army camp, his gaze shifting uncertainly, his meaning unclear...

……

Upon hearing Prince Badu's words, Mandujiang's eyes lit up, and he said respectfully, "Prince Badu's strategies are truly remarkable, greatly broadening Mandujiang's horizons."

However, the walls of Xuanfu Town are high and sturdy. We have been attacking the city for two days, but have made no progress so far. We don't know when we will be able to capture it.

Prince Badu laughed and said, "You yourself said that the siege has only lasted two days, but Father Khan has been planning this for a long time. The real show is yet to come..."

……

The three major Mongol camps, including the camp of the Ordos Left Army.

Hundreds of elite Mongol cavalrymen stood guard in front of the gate, protecting a Mongol general.

The man was about fifty years old, with gray hair and a burly build. He wore a red-gold robe with dark patterns, covered with a gold chainmail, and draped with a black cloak embroidered with taotie beasts.

He rode a tall, sturdy horse, his expression stern and imposing, gazing intently towards Xuanfu Town. This man was none other than Jirang Khan of the Ordos tribe.

At this moment, the sound of the gong had been silenced in the central army camp, and the Mongol soldiers who had swarmed to attack the city were retreating from the city walls like a tide.

Many soldiers carried ladders and retreated hastily. The tall city walls of Xuanfu Town were like the gates of hell, swallowing thousands of lives in just two days of siege.

Although the Mongol infantry had retreated, the Zhou army defending the city was still in high spirits, unleashing arrows and stones at the city walls in an attempt to take as many lives as possible.

Before the tent of the Mongol Left Army, a young general stood beside Jirang Khan, riding a fine horse with grass-yellow hooves. He had long eyebrows, bright eyes, and a handsome appearance.

Holding an exquisite brass telescope, he was carefully gazing at Xuanfu Town, where Noyan Taiji had returned to the Left Army camp yesterday.

The long journey over the past few days, filled with anxiety and trepidation, had left him looking haggard, but he still stood tall, his eyes bright, and his spirit undiminished.

With a worried expression, he said, "Father Khan, the garrison of Xuanfu is in high spirits and full of fighting spirit. The Mongols are skilled in cavalry warfare and rapid raids, and are not good at attacking cities and breaching strongholds."

Given the Zhou army's defensive momentum, it's unknown how many Mongol lives would be lost in the attempt to capture Xuanfu Town..."

……

Jirang Khan said, "The garrison in Xuanfu is less than 20,000, of which only 3,000 are cavalry. Apart from the guards in various parts of the city, the city walls can hold 10,000 men in battle."

They currently have ample manpower and sufficient provisions, so their morale is naturally high, but this is merely an appearance.

Their military granaries in Donggang Town have been seized by the Tuman tribe, and Xuanfu Town has been cut off from food supplies.

The southeast gates of Xuanfu Town, leading to the interior of the pass, were surrounded by troops led by Aletang from Donggang Town, completely blocking their retreat to the south.

Yesterday, during a meeting at the central military camp, Aletang sent back a secret military intelligence report: the military rations in Xuanfu Town could only last until the fifteenth of the month, and they would have to rely on subsequent military ration transport.

Now that the Mongol army has sealed off the city, there are still tens of thousands of people inside who need to eat. The cost of military supplies during the war is far higher than usual.

The grain reserves originally intended for the fifteenth day of the month will only last until around the tenth day at most. Once the sixth day passes, chaos will likely break out in the city.

Xuanfu Town is now an isolated city, unable to send out military intelligence and battle reports. If the siege continues for another two days, the troops will be exhausted, the food supplies will be scarce, and there will be no way to turn the tide.

The towns of Datong and Jizhou, which are closest to Xuanfu Town, will also face food shortages due to the fall of their military granaries.

They were about 200 li away from Xuanfu Town, and it would take at least three days for news to travel back and forth. Even if they received the battle report, they would never dare to move out easily.

The three Mongol tribes have 150,000 troops stationed outside the Great Wall. They don't know if we will take advantage of their weakness to invade.

Moreover, the Great Zhou military regulations are strict. If any border garrison leads troops across the defense zone without the orders of the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commands, it is tantamount to treason!

For all these reasons, Xuanfu Town would definitely not receive any reinforcements before the tenth day of the month.

Anda Khan had been planning this for a long time, and his risky move of seizing the Great Zhou army's granary overnight is unknown whether he had also laid a backup plan in Xuanfu Town.

From the very beginning of the battle, Xuanfu Town had already lost; the fall of the city was only a matter of time.

……

Upon hearing his father's words, Noyan Taiji's face paled slightly. He stroked the brass telescope in his hand, his eyes filled with unreadable thoughts.

Jia Cong also had the same telescope. When the two first met in Hanzheng Street, Nuoyan personally gave it to him...

Jirang Khan said, "You have already gained something from this trip to Shenjing to negotiate peace, including getting to know someone like Earl Weiyuan, Jia Cong."

This person was friendly towards the Mongol tribes and even mediated for the Ordos tribe, securing opportunities for private trade along the border.

Originally, taking advantage of the peace negotiations between the two states, the Ordos tribe relied on pacification and border trade to replenish the tribe's scarce resources, recuperate, and live in peace and prosperity.

I never imagined that the so-called peace talks between the two states were just a ruse by Anda Khan to deceive people, and all your efforts have been wasted.

Once Xuanfu Town falls, the Mongol army's southward advance will be wide open, and Anda Khan will surely lead his army south, heading straight for Shenjing (Beijing).

From this point on, the Great Zhou and the Mongols would be locked in a life-or-death struggle until the conflict ended.

The Ordos tribe could not escape the war, and countless tribesmen would die on the battlefield.

If Anda Khan were to advance south and achieve great merit, his power and prestige would grow even stronger. He would then undoubtedly seek to consolidate the power of the various Mongol tribes, hoping to unite their military strength. This would bring disaster upon the Ordos tribe…

Noyan asked solemnly, "Father Khan, is there no way to resolve this matter?"

Jirang Khan shook his head and said, "The army attacking the city this time consists of 40,000 troops from the Tuman tribe in the center, and 10,000 troops each from the Ordos tribe and the Yongxielun tribe on the flanks."

We have no control over the overall situation, let alone Anda Khan leading his elite troops to storm the interior. The situation is already set, so how can we resolve it?

Emperor Jiazhao of the Great Zhou Dynasty was a wise and benevolent ruler, but his ascension to the throne was based on questionable legitimacy, which drew much criticism.

Therefore, those who have always sought to make a name for themselves through their achievements and to correct public opinion have found the sudden outbreak of the Mongol war to be nothing short of a national humiliation for the Great Zhou Emperor, causing turmoil to the imperial power.

He will surely mobilize the entire nation's army to fight to the death in order to appease the people.

Regardless of who wins or loses in the war between the two states, the Great Zhou and the Mongols will never be able to reconcile.

You are on good terms with the Marquis of Weiyuan of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although Jia Cong is young, he is considered a hero of the world.

He can handle one matter, and secure one city, but he can hardly unite the entire world, nor can he reverse the overall situation. He is simply too young and of no use..."

……

Noyan Taiji gripped the brass telescope in his hand, seemingly muttering to himself: "Father Khan is right, Jia Cong is outstanding, but he is still young."

With his talent and ability, given time, he would surely achieve great things, but now he's too late..."

Jirang Khan waved his hand, and the hundreds of elite iron guards accompanying him obeyed his orders and spurred their horses back several feet away.

In a gentle tone, she said, "Your mother told you about the Southern Dynasties from a young age, taught you Chinese characters, and had you read Han books."

I know you have long admired the customs and culture of the Southern Dynasties. This trip to the capital has broadened your horizons and fulfilled your wish.

Nuoyan's slightly weary face broke into a faint smile as she said, "The Southern Dynasty is different from the Great Desert; its clothing, food, and daily etiquette are much more refined."

The city is filled with lanterns at night, making it even more lively than during the day. Every year, various imperial examinations are held to select talented commoners to serve as officials in the court and govern the prefectures and counties.

While talents like Jia Cong are rare, there are many others of similar age and talent who possess exceptional abilities…

When Jirang Khan saw Noyan mention these things, a strange light appeared in his eyes, and he sighed inwardly.

Noyan continued, her voice filled with undisguised sadness: "Now all of this is irrelevant to me. The great war has begun, the two nations have severed diplomatic relations, and I have failed our friendship."

I am a descendant of my father, the Khan, and have the blood of the Golden Family. My duty is to help my father preserve our ancestral legacy, protect our people, and spare them from the ravages of war.

I will never go back to the South again…

……

On the fifth day of the first month of the sixteenth year of the Jiazhao reign, at the Rongguo Mansion, in the Rongqing Hall.

As soon as it was light that day, Grandmother Jia got up to wash and dress, and went to sit in the hall early.

Today marks the day Baoyu moves to the East Courtyard. His most beloved grandson, who has lived by his side for fifteen years, is now moving to a different residence.

This made Grandmother Jia uneasy, but she knew it was only a matter of time.

Outside, the sky was still dim, but inside, the candles burned brightly, casting a warm glow that carried the scent of a winter dawn.

Yuanyang lifted the warm curtain and came in, wearing a half-new lotus-root-colored silk jacket, a blue satin waist-cinching vest, and a light green embroidered skirt, carrying a black lacquered tray inlaid with mother-of-pearl in her hands.

On the tray is a white porcelain bowl with famille rose decoration from the imperial kiln, and a silver spoon with a carved curved handle, filled with bird's nest porridge. On another small dish of the same color is placed an eggplant dish to accompany the porridge.

Grandmother Jia picked up the bowl of porridge, ate a few mouthfuls, and asked, "Yuanyang, this time Baoyu moved to the East Courtyard, the matter was really too hasty."

Cong-ge'er remained calm and simply explained his reasoning. However, the Second Madam's expression was rather suspicious. "Have you heard anything?"

……

Wang Xifeng's interrogation of the maids and wives in the inner courtyard caused quite a commotion. Although Lin Zhixiao's wife issued a gag order, some information still leaked out.

Yuanyang was a favorite of Grandmother Jia and had excellent interpersonal relationships in the household, so naturally someone would pass on messages to her.

Fortunately, Wang Xifeng kept her questions to herself, and even if some information leaked out, Yuanyang didn't know the truth.

He simply stated the truth: "The other day, Aunt Lin summoned all the maids and wives from the inner courtyard to question the Second Mistress in her courtyard. There were quite a few of them, and they were all of decent appearance."

He picked up a found earring and asked who had lost it, and also asked them if they had ever bothered Baoyu.

I also overheard the old woman washing clothes in the back room gossiping that someone had found Master Bao's purse in the granary's side room.

But no one can explain why; it's all shrouded in mystery, a complete mess.

And on the day the banquet was held in the hall, the second wife was invited away by Aunt Lin halfway through, which the old lady also witnessed.

On the fourth day of the month, the second wife mentioned that Master Bao had moved out. I guessed that these things must be related.

The second wife has been in charge of the household for many years and is methodical in her work. She has her reasons for doing things this way.

The old lady should let them take care of things; she should worry less and focus on resting and recuperating…

……

Having spent her entire life working in the powerful and wealthy, Grandmother Jia was exceptionally shrewd in her youth, and she had seen all sorts of shady dealings and intrigues within the inner quarters of the household.

She heard about purses and earrings, and the maid and wife being questioned were both young and pretty.

The questions asked were even more taboo, including whether she had seduced Baoyu. Her daughter-in-law was summoned by Fengya, and then she hurriedly moved Baoyu away.

Without much thought, Grandmother Jia guessed the reason, and her old face turned somewhat ugly.

He said, "Baoyu has grown up, and there is a woman in his room. He will be getting married soon, so he should be more filial to his parents."

Although Yuanyang was unaware of the details, she was a clever woman. If Grandmother Jia could think of it, how could she not?

Wang Xifeng would make a huge fuss and investigate the matter everywhere, surely because Baoyu had done something shameful, and the Second Madam was worried that she couldn't cover it up, so she had no choice but to move Baoyu away...

Thinking about all this, she couldn't help but feel nauseous. Finally, they moved this treasure king away. If he were left in the inner courtyard, everyone's reputation would be tarnished.

……

The curtain at the entrance was lifted, and Wang Xifeng entered with her maid Feng'er. Grandmother Jia asked, "You've arrived early today."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Brother Bao is moving to the East Courtyard today. He has already chosen an auspicious time and will leave the mansion after 7:30 AM."

As the old lady wished, Caixia stayed in the West Mansion to rest and prepare for childbirth, while I chose a slightly smaller courtyard at the west end of Brother Bao's residence.

Inside was a main room and two side rooms, spacious and elegant, with a maidservant and a midwife, and daily cleaning of the courtyard by hired maids.

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt somewhat relieved and said, "This matter is important; it's Baoyu's first child, and you've handled it well."

Wang Xifeng knew that Grandmother Jia was uncomfortable, and she also knew that Baoyu would definitely come to say goodbye. If she went along with the old lady's pleading, she was afraid that something else would happen.

So she came early to keep things calm, and mentioning Caixia was just a pretext.

Wang Xifeng chatted with Grandmother Jia, and before long, as dawn broke, Baoyu was seen bringing Xiren into the hall to bid farewell to Grandmother Jia.

……

Baoyu couldn't sleep last night. Thinking about leaving the West Mansion, his innocent heart was filled with sorrow. He tossed and turned, unable to control himself.

Thinking of Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu, now so close yet so far, it's impossible to get close to them again. All my desires have been wasted, and my heart feels like it's being cut by a knife.

He came to say goodbye to Grandmother Jia early this morning, and he had a plan in mind: to show off his filial piety and sorrow, hoping to soften the old lady's heart and perhaps turn things around.

Xiren knew Baoyu's thoughts best. Seeing him clamoring to say goodbye to Grandmother Jia, his expression agitated, his eyes bright and his heart pounding, she knew he was up to something, so she followed him with trepidation.

As soon as Baoyu entered Rongqing Hall, a wave of sorrow washed over him. His lips trembled, and his eyes were filled with deep affection. He was about to whine and pour out his heart to Grandmother Jia.

Suddenly, he saw Wang Xifeng in the hall, dressed in a gorgeous gown, her phoenix hairpin gleaming, her eyes filled with a fierce look, looking at him with a half-smile.

Baoyu felt as if he had been doused with cold water; his frivolous and arrogant mood, as well as his vulgar and pretentious sentimentality, vanished in an instant.

The pleading words he had prepared, the grief and indignation that welled up inside him, were all stuck in his chest, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

But then Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Seeing Brother Bao come here reminds me of something. A few days ago in the granary's side room, Aunt Lin found your purse."

The things have been sitting in my room, and I haven't had time to ask someone to deliver them to you. I don't have them with me right now either.

"Since you're moving house today, let's not bother with these trivial matters. We'll have someone deliver the east courtyard to you tomorrow, which will be quite convenient..." (End of Chapter)