Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Shenjing Judefang, Ningrong Street.

Jia Cong and his entourage were riding towards the city gates. It was still dark when the six thousand soldiers of the Shenji Battalion left their camp and assembled in the northern suburbs of the city to await orders.

Before leading the army into battle, Jia Cong consulted with Gu Yankui and Shi Ding and arranged for two deputy generals to assist him in commanding the 6,000-strong battalion.

One was Lin Zhen, a former guerrilla commander of the Fifth Army's Shenji Battalion, and the other was his old subordinate, Wei Yongzhou, a battalion commander of the Liaodong Firearms Battalion, who was on his way to be transferred.

Lin Zhen was originally a guerrilla fighter in the Shenji Battalion and was familiar with its daily operations, but he lacked practical experience with firearms.

Wei Yongzhou, however, was the commander of the Liaodong Firearms Battalion. He had followed Jia Cong in pacifying the Jurchen Three Guards and had extensive practical experience with firearms.

Lin Zhen and Wei Yongzhou, one working inside and the other outside, complemented each other and balanced each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were the two deputies that Jia Cong carefully considered and selected.

The cavalry had just passed the main gate of the East Mansion when Jia Cong heard someone calling him. Without even looking, Jia Cong knew it was Cai Xiaoyu, whose voice was clearly that of someone going through puberty.

He recalled that Liu Xiaoping and Cui Anzhi had come together, but Cai Xiaoyu, who was also a close friend, was missing, and the reason he gave for declining seemed familiar.

Now that Fatty Cai had arrived late again, accompanied by a carriage, Jia Cong instantly understood and a strange feeling arose in his heart.

With a simple gesture, Jia Cong signaled Jiang Xiaoliu to halt the cavalry, and he rode off alone to meet them.

Cai Xiaoyu said lazily, "Yuzhang, I rushed out the door to see you off, thinking I wouldn't make it in time, but I actually made it."

"Yu Zhang, you're setting off for war today! The sun's already high in the sky, and you've only just arrived at the gate."

Hearing that he was being somewhat insincere, Jia Cong laughed and said, "Are you here to see me off, or are you just hoping I'll leave sooner?"

Suddenly, someone inside the carriage snorted coldly. Cai Xiaoyu's face stiffened, and he looked somewhat embarrassed. He naturally shut his mouth.

……

When Jia Cong saw the carriage curtain lifted, a handsome young man emerged, dressed in a moon-white satin robe with floral patterns, his hair as black as ink, adorned with a white jade hairpin, tall and slender, with an elegant demeanor.

In fact, Jia Cong had already guessed something when he saw the carriage next to Cai Yu. Miss Cai was eccentric and always acted unpredictably.

Since their first encounter on the Imperial Street, Jia Cong had witnessed it several times and was no longer surprised.

When Jia Cong saw her dismount, he was quite familiar with her and smiled without any surprise, saying, "So it's Third Brother. It's been a long time. How have you been?"

When Cai Xiaoyu heard Jia Cong address him as "Third Brother," he was caught off guard and almost fell off his horse. He was extremely annoyed, thinking that Yu Zhang was quite impolite.

Then look at the third sister, who was called the third brother and seemed quite happy, her smile blooming, charming and beautiful, quite pleasing to the eye.

She doesn't seem to care at all, going out dressed in men's clothing, laughing so freely, isn't she afraid of being exposed in front of others...

Cai Xiaoyu felt something was off. Looking at Jia Cong's smiling face and his warm and carefree demeanor, he seemed like a sly villain.

Miss Cai smiled and said, "Yesterday, my father went to the palace to discuss matters. I heard that Yu Zhang is setting off for war today, so I came to see you off."

I have never seen a general go to war before, so I came along to witness it. Please forgive any inconvenience caused.

……

Hearing this, Cai Xiaoyu couldn't help but roll his eyes. This third sister was spouting nonsense again.

Yesterday, Mingming's father mentioned Yuzhang's departure for war. After her father left, her third sister casually asked her if she should go to see Yuzhang off to fulfill her duty as a classmate.

When she said she was going to see him off, her third sister changed the subject, saying that she had gone to her room to look for books and found a pink handkerchief with mandarin ducks.

He also said that he couldn't afford to employ any maids at home, and asked if she was causing trouble outside, implying that she must be some young lady's possession, and that she wasn't afraid of being punished by her father's family rules.

Cai Xiaoyu would never admit that the pink mandarin duck handkerchief was a gift from Xiao Xiao, a top dancer on the sixteenth floor.

As a result, the siblings argued back and forth, and eventually, as if by some strange twist of fate, it turned into the siblings wanting to take their sister to see Jia Cong off.

Even now, Cai Xiaoyu still feels deeply humiliated when he thinks about it. He, a scholar who passed the imperial examinations twice, was actually manipulated by his third sister. It was a disgrace to his reputation.

……

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Third Brother, please don't speak such nonsense. Xiaoyu and I are classmates and close friends. Our families are of the same generation and we are like brothers. Thank you for your kind offer."

Upon hearing this, Miss Cai's expression brightened, her smile radiant, her elegance and grace enhanced, and she took out another item from her purse.

He said, "Yesterday afternoon I went to Huguo Temple to offer incense and asked for a peace talisman to keep with me. If Yuzhang doesn't mind, please take it with you for good luck."

May Yuzhang's journey be smooth sailing, just as it was in the past, when he rode his horse across Liaodong, sweeping through thousands of troops. May he achieve new merits and return victorious this time.

Jia Cong put the amulet into his pocket and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Third Brother. If you have time, please visit the mansion more often. Second Sister mentioned you last time."

Seeing that the two were chatting so amiably, Cai Xiaoyu couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. He changed the subject and said, "Yuzhang, when we set out for the expedition, we need to be careful not to miss the appointed time."

Upon hearing this, Miss Cai glared at her younger brother with displeasure, then turned to Jia Cong and said, "I won't delay Yu Zhang's journey. Have a safe trip."

Jia Cong smiled slightly, remounted his warhorse, and Jiang Xiaoliu followed with his personal guard cavalry.

Miss Cai stepped back to the side of the road, watching Jia Cong ride forward on his horse, his posture upright and heroic, his pretty face still smiling.

Cai Xiaoyu turned his horse around and said, "Yuzhang, be careful in everything you do when you go on a campaign. Take it easy and don't push yourself too hard. Leave some credit for others."

Jia Cong understood his meaning and said, "I remember what you said. Wait for me to come back, and I will invite you to a banquet at Chunhua Restaurant."

Cai Xiaoyu laughed and said, "I'll remember those words. After all, we're classmates, and you're the one who understands me best."

Jia Cong didn't turn around on his horse, but waved to him before leading his personal guards away.

……

Miss Cai watched the horse caravan disappear into the distance, but instead of getting into the carriage, she simply strolled along the road. It was a rare occasion for a young lady from a wealthy family to go out, so it was not appropriate to waste her time.

Cai Xiaoyu jumped off his horse, took the reins, and followed beside him, saying, "Third Sister, you went to Huguo Temple yesterday right on time. You're too efficient."

You asked for a peace charm for yourself, but you didn't ask for one for me. I'm your own brother, after all.

Miss Cai glanced at her younger brother and said, "You go to the yamen every day on your day off and leave at sunset, and everything is peaceful and uneventful."

He no longer reads books, spends his days either at parties with friends or inexplicably going to random places; he couldn't be safer. Why would he need a talisman? It's unnecessary.

Cai Xiaoyu suddenly realized and said, "Oh, I understand now. You didn't go to Huguo Temple to burn incense; you went specifically to ask Yuzhang for a peace charm!"

Miss Cai blushed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I go to Huguo Temple on the first and fifteenth of every month. This time I'm just going two days earlier."

Seeing his sister blush and look somewhat guilty, Cai Xiaoyu immediately seized the opportunity and laughed, "Don't try to fool me. I'll tell Father when we get back."

Tell your father all your schemes and see how he deals with you.

……

Upon hearing this, Miss Cai not only stopped feeling guilty, but her eyes lit up, and she laughed generously, "Go ahead and say it if you want, I don't care."

I'm an open and honest person, I never hide anything, no matter what you say to Dad, I'm not afraid.

I'm not like you, sneaking off to drink and carouse, afraid that Dad will find out and beat you half to death.

"Even if you go and speak ill of me to Dad, I won't get angry or retaliate. I won't reveal anything about the sixteenth floor or the erotic handkerchiefs."

Upon hearing this, Cai Xiaoyu was not pleased at all; instead, he felt a jolt of surprise.

Still shaken, she asked, "Third sister, are you plotting against me again?"

Miss Cai smiled mysteriously and said, "It's really hard to be a good person. It's better if you don't say anything, I'll be more at ease."

……

Cai Xiaoyu was confused by his sister's behavior and couldn't understand what the girl was thinking.

She said, "Third sister, I also know that Yuzhang is outstanding. He is exceptionally talented in literature, a master of poetry and calligraphy, and has passed the imperial examination with flying colors. He is a young man who is very successful and everyone is envious of him."

But he was no ordinary scholar-official; he was also the head of two noble families in the Jia family, carrying a hereditary honorary title.

He is very different from us civil servants.

He was the emperor's most valued young minister, and had the honor of being betrothed in the palace, although things changed later due to his father's death.

However, the Emperor's decree of marriage was absolute, and once the marriage was arranged, there was no turning back.

Although the Zhen family of Jinling has fallen on hard times, the matter of the arranged marriage will surely be brought up again, with so many noble ladies and high-ranking officials throughout the court..."

Miss Cai frowned and said impatiently, "Young man, what nonsense are you spouting? What are you thinking? I know what you're thinking."

Yu Zhang and I hit it off; we became friends. Do you even know what friendship means?

You keep bringing up these trivial matters about children; it's really unpleasant to listen to.

You must have been to too many bad places; all you can think about are messy, chaotic things.

You're not young anymore, all you do is fool around outside, you don't understand a woman's feelings at all, and you don't say anything that would make people like you.

"You're not after Xiu'e, the daughter of Vice Minister Huang, are you? Look at your careless attitude, you're bound to fail."

……

Cai Xiaoyu was also a man of exceptional talent, but when faced with his third sister's tricks, he would quickly become disoriented.

He didn't realize that Miss Cai was merely changing the subject to avoid him nagging about unpleasant things.

He said nonchalantly, "Third Sister said that Miss Huang, what's the big deal about success or failure? There are plenty of fish in the sea."

Then, beaming with excitement, she said, "Third Sister, I have some good news to tell you. Last time, several of my fellow graduates who had just entered the Hanlin Academy went together to pay a visit to Headmaster Ge."

That day, when I arrived at the side gate of the Ge family mansion, I happened to meet the fourth young lady of the Ge family returning home. I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of her, and she was truly stunning, with beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, and the moon hide its face in shame.

"Chief Ge is the head of the Hanlin Academy, and the Ge family is of noble lineage, ranking among the top in the capital..."

Miss Cai frowned deeply when she saw her younger brother looking so engrossed.

He said, "Since he was a fellow graduate of the Hanlin Academy, could it be that Yu Zhang went with him and also caught a glimpse of him?"

Cai Xiaoyu laughed and said, "Third sister, you don't know this, but Yu Zhang, this Hanlin scholar, is just a figurehead."

He would show his face in the courtyard early in the morning and then disappear immediately; Chief Ge never paid him any attention.

He didn't hang out with us, his peers, and spent his days fiddling with his firearms.

Therefore, he naturally wouldn't accompany us to these official visits. This is for the better; otherwise, given his appearance, if he were to go with us, what would become of us…”

Miss Cai smiled, then frowned and said, "Young man, how can you fall in love with every girl you see? It's utterly absurd."

……

Cai Xiaoyu's face turned bitter as he said, "Third sister, aren't you going too far with your words? I've only met Miss Huang a few times, as she usually goes about her private life."

"I've never even spoken to her, so how can this be considered love at first sight? Besides, it happened years ago, why are you bringing up the past?"

Seeing her younger brother starting to get confused, Miss Cai snorted and said, "Didn't you say back then that Sister Huang was so beautiful that fish would sink and geese would fall from the sky, and the moon would hide and flowers would blush?"

He even boasted that she was comparable to the daughter of Qin Yingshan, the Minister of Works, and that he would definitely choose such a person as his future wife.

There's a saying in the streets: "A man's word is his bond."

"How can you go back on your word? Isn't this just fickleness? Yu Zhang would never act so recklessly."

Cai Xiaoyu, bewildered by his sister's roundabout way of talking, completely forgot the reason for the conversation and said indignantly, "Third sister, how can you be so unreasonable?"

Do you think all of these things apply? Don't think that Yu Zhang is all good. These noble families are far more extravagant than us.

The children in their family could open a brothel at the age of fifteen. Without them even having to ask, their elders would put women in their rooms. It was simply outrageous.

Look at how alarmed our father is! It's true what they say, different people have different fates. What you're saying is utterly unreasonable. Who's being more absurd here?

Miss Cai blushed, covered her ears as she walked, muttering, "I don't want to listen, it's like a turtle chanting scriptures..."

……

Jia Cong and Ai Li, accompanied by their personal guards, rode to Hongde Gate, preparing to leave the city and head to the assembly point.

As soon as they rushed out of the city gate, a carriage stopped at the city gate. In front of the carriage stood a young man with a tall and straight figure, wearing a brown Shu brocade robe.

He wore a monochrome navy blue cloak, which billowed and rolled endlessly in the howling wind of the suburbs.

When Jia Cong saw this man, his eyes lit up slightly, and he quickly jumped off his saddle and walked towards him.

Yang Hongbin laughed and said, "I know that Yu Zhang is going to war today, and there will definitely be many guests coming to see him off."

I won't go and join the fun; it's much more pleasant to wait outside the city."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Yang."

Yang Hongbin said, "We met in Nanjing, and now several years have passed in a flash. Yu Zhang is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and his achievements are glorious. He is not the same as before."

Jia Cong said, "Fortune and misfortune are interdependent, victory and defeat, honor and disgrace are all just coincidences. It is all due to the times, and we just go with the flow."

Yang Hongbin sighed, “Although the Great Zhou Dynasty has established its rule, internal and external troubles have emerged from time to time. In the past, the Wei Army was corrupt and caused chaos, and now the remnants of the Mongols are raising troops to cause external troubles.”

Even under the emperor's rule, the dangers of military secrets being leaked are inevitable. When the country is in turmoil, you rush about both domestic and foreign affairs, hoping for a day when the seas are calm and the waves are still turbulent.

"Today, General, as you embark on your campaign, we must use wine to bolster your spirits!"

Yang Hongbin took out the prepared wine bowls and plates from the car, filled two bowls with wine, and the two drank them down in one gulp, smiling knowingly at each other, feeling a surge of pride in their hearts.

Yang Hongbin said, "I won't delay any longer. Please have Yuzhang mount his horse. When we return to the capital in triumph, we will have another feast together."

Jia Cong smiled, mounted his horse, bowed to Yang Hongbin, and led his cavalry away.

Yang Hongbin watched the dust billowing from the horses' hooves and sighed softly.

……

He seemed hesitant to speak earlier, but the investigation strategy for the military depot leak case was basically drafted by Jia Cong.

However, during the investigation, Xue Pan, a relative of the Jia family, became involved.

Between friendship and official business, Yang Hongbin was caught in a dilemma: should he inform Jia Cong about this matter?

However, based on the investigation of Xue Pan, he was found to be nothing more than a spoiled brat who had no premeditated actions and was not deeply involved in the case.

His only flaw was introducing Duan Chunjiang to Chen Ruichang, and now Duan Chunjiang's identity as a spies has been largely confirmed.

However, whether Chen Ruichang was the one who leaked the information has remained inconclusive through investigation.

If Chen Ruichang hadn't been the one who leaked the information, Xue Pan's introduction of him to Duan Chunjiang wouldn't have been considered a mistake.

At most, it was an act of ignorance and lack of awareness; even the harshest criminal law could not convict Xue Pan.

Since it is something that cannot be determined, it would be somewhat pointless to talk to Jia Cong about it at this juncture.

Moreover, he is about to embark on a campaign, so there is no need to create any more complications that would distract him from his important mission.

After making up his mind, Yang Hongbin rushed back to the Dali Temple to avoid missing important official business, as he had been consolidating his manpower over the past two days and had assigned most of it to Zhou Ping.

Zhou Ping kept a close eye on Duan Chunjiang and the woman in Huarong Lane, hoping to make a breakthrough as soon as possible...

……

The Dali Temple government office, Yang Hongbin's official residence.

Yang Hongbin had just returned to the yamen and sat down for a short while when Judge Zhou Ping rushed in, his face showing excitement. Hope immediately rose in Yang Hongbin's heart.

He quickly asked, "Did you find anything during the investigation?"

Zhou Ping said, "Sir, last night in Huarong Alley, it was past midnight and the sky was completely dark when our men spotted Chen Ruichang."

After entering the residence of Hui Niang, a woman from Datong, he never came out again. He spent the night there and only left at dawn this morning, after which he returned to the government office.

"My lord, I truly never imagined that Duan Chunjiang and Chen Ruichang were both Hui Niang's lovers. There must be something fishy going on here."

Yang Hongbin was also surprised to hear this. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Now I finally understand why Duan Chunjiang always acted so suspiciously when he went to see Hui Niang."

It turned out that the person he was wary of was Chen Ruichang. He knew about Chen Ruichang's affair with Huiniang, but Chen Ruichang was unaware of his involvement with Huiniang.

Zhou Ping said, "What you said is right, sir. Chen Ruichang is a son of a noble family, born into a wealthy and powerful clan. It would be very easy for him to find women."

These sons of noble families are extremely arrogant and would absolutely not tolerate their women having affairs with other men; they would even be murderous.

Yang Hongbin said with a disdainful expression, "Duan Chunjiang is also a man. Normally, he shouldn't tolerate this kind of thing, but he just lets it happen."

There is only one reason for this: he can gain greater benefits from such dirty deeds.

As I mentioned the other day, Duan Chunjiang is a very cautious person. We have been watching him for many days, and he has not revealed a single flaw.

If he were to steal military secrets, he would most likely not do it himself, but rather obtain the secrets through others, which would make the theft even more seamless.

After several days of investigation, we found that although Chen Ruichang was from a noble family, he was not an incompetent person. He was quite experienced in officialdom and was very tactful in his daily actions.

Having served in the Five Military Commands for many years, he must know the importance of this matter and would not easily reveal the secrets related to military stockpiles to a grain merchant.

But Hui Niang had sexual entanglements with all of them, a relationship that was far from ordinary, making her the perfect medium for Duan Chunjiang's actions!

……

Zhou Ping said, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. Chen Ruichang is a shrewd and experienced man. Perhaps he is wary and cautious about Duan Chunjiang, and his words are somewhat prudent."

But with the woman beside him, he naturally lets his guard down and isn't as cautious; any man would be like that.

Yang Hongbin said coldly, "This woman is a trap set by Duan Chunjiang."

He mostly learned about the military depot from Chen Ruichang through Hui Niang.

To know many confidential matters, you don't need to know everything. Even knowing just a small part, and making a little deduction, can give you a glimpse into the whole picture!

Zhou Ping looked excited and said, "My lord, now that we know the details, I will go and capture Hui Niang immediately."

"Once a woman is in the torture chamber, what words can she possibly keep to herself!"

……

Yang Hongbin shook his head and said, "If you want to boil a pot of water, even if the heat is slightly too low, it won't make a splash."

What we just said were all inferences. Although they are probably true in most cases, there is always a chance that we might be wrong.

Once Hui Niang disappears, Duan Chunjiang and Chen Ruichang will notice, and if they take any action, the consequences will be unpredictable.

We can catch a few prisoners, but that doesn't guarantee a complete victory. If any escape, they will cause future trouble.

Zhou Ping said, "Sir, should we just keep an eye on them and wait for them to make a mistake on their own?"

Yang Hongbin said, "Of course we can't just waste time like this. The army has already set out, but the nine gates of Shenjing are not yet locked. The danger of leaks could easily be repeated."

The group of criminals involved in the leak of secrets from the military depot must be eliminated as soon as possible. We can't touch Hui Niang right now, but there are other options.

I heard you mention before that Hui Niang has a maidservant who is very close to her and knows everything about her master's affairs.

What is this maid's name? Have you investigated her background?

Zhou Ping said, "I have been instructed by my superior to keep a close eye on the residences in Huarong Lane, so naturally I cannot overlook this girl."

Her name was Xiaoyun, a woman from a rural area near Shenjing. She had a sick mother at home.

Although she was Hui Niang's maid, she didn't sign a permanent contract, but rather a four-year flexible contract, after which she would be married off.

……

Yang Hongbin said in a deep voice, "It seems she is just a poor woman. Since she has a sick mother, you can use that as a pretext."

Take her to the Dali Temple's interrogation room. Don't let Hui Niang suspect anything. You interrogate this girl, and I'll listen in from outside. I'm sure I'll get some information.

Zhou Ping felt a chill run down his spine. Everyone in the Dali Temple knew that Yang Si was a first-class interrogation expert, and no one had ever heard of him making a mistake.

He always found a way to pry open the mouths of prisoners once they were in the torture chamber, let alone a poor, naive girl who had never seen the world...

Yang Hongbin continued, "Add more people to guard Duan's grain shop and Duan Chunjiang's residence so that we can arrest him at any time, but we must not alert him."

Now that the situation has changed, the Duke of Qi's mansion and the Pear Fragrance Courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion have also sent people to keep an eye on things, just in case, to prevent the suspect from escaping..." (End of this chapter)