Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 892 Merit Leads to Crime

The Earl's Mansion, Daiyu Courtyard.

The bedroom was fragrant and soft, the incense burner emitted a sweet aroma, and the charcoal fire glowed faintly red. Zijuan lay on the side couch, wrapped in a brocade quilt, her pretty face flushed, sleeping soundly.

Her left arm stretched out from under the covers, her purple floral dress brushed against the fabric, revealing a section of her smooth, jade-like arm, and a silver bracelet adorning her wrist.

Outside the window, it was pitch black, except for a faint ray of light in the far east, which would take some time to illuminate the sky.

A slender hand emerged from the embroidered bed, its delicate bones and fair skin, its five fingers glistening and smooth, appearing even more lustrous and jade-like against the darkness of the room, elegant and graceful, beyond compare.

The bed curtains had just been lifted when Zijuan woke up with a start from the side of the bed and said, "Miss, it's not even dawn yet, why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Daiyu rubbed her eyes and said, "I went to bed before 9 PM last night, but my shoulders are sore from sleeping, and I can't fall back asleep, so I might as well get up early."

Zijuan smiled and said, "Miss, you went to bed a little earlier last night, but you tossed and turned for a long time, and it took you half an hour to fall asleep. You can't say you overslept."

Zijuan lifted the embroidered bed curtains and hung them up with the old copper hooks on both sides. She saw that Daiyu had already sat up, her hair was fluffy and her beautiful eyes were like stars.

She wore a moon-white floral print cross-collar nightgown, the collar of which was slightly loose, revealing her smooth and flawless chest and neck, exuding a languid beauty that was charming and captivating.

Zijuan sat on the edge of the couch and considerately stretched out her hands to massage Daiyu's shoulders.

He tilted his head and smiled, "Miss, is it because Third Master has gone out? The garden is quite deserted, and you feel uneasy."

Daiyu laughed and said, "It's because you love to talk so much that I'm not uncomfortable. Third Brother's expedition this time won't be for ten days or half a month."

He's only been gone two days, and he's only just arrived. It's just that today is the Lantern Festival, and he's the only one missing from the house, so he's feeling a little bored.

……

After being massaged by Zijuan for a while, Daiyu felt her shoulders relax. She lifted the quilt and got out of bed, and Zijuan quickly took a coat and put it on her.

After the two went behind the screen for a while, Daiyu took off her sleeping jacket and came out wearing a white silk cross-collar jacket with peach-red trim, and an oil-green pleated skirt.

She sat down in front of the dressing table and said, "We should get up earlier today, even though both mansions have reduced theatrical performances and banquets because of Third Brother's expedition."

But the Lantern Festival will not be as peaceful as last year. Everyone knows that Third Brother is a military talent. Last time he went to Liaodong to fight, he was very successful.

This time, as we head north to fight against the Mongols, many people are watching closely, and there will surely be many visitors to the two prefectures today.

Third Sister will definitely be summoned to the West Mansion, and Sister Yun will not be left out either, to entertain those old female relatives.

I should get up early to greet my grandmother and then go back to help my second sister with the preparations.

Seeing that Daiyu was speaking seriously, Zijuan couldn't help but chuckle.

He said, "The young lady is becoming more and more virtuous and capable. Although the Third Master is away from home, the Second Young Lady and the Young Lady are managing the mansion."

"Everything is so meticulously arranged, inside and out. I always knew Third Master was a very lucky man."

Daiyu snorted, pinched Zijuan's hand, and said, "Third Brother has been good to me. He even arranged for a doctor to cure my serious illness."

He's away from home now, so it's only natural for me to help my second sister out. And why are you being so nosy?

Zijuan smiled and said, "What you said is all right. Paying respects to the old lady so early and then rushing back makes it seem like you don't want to stay in the West Mansion any longer."

Zijuan had been by Daiyu's side for many years. Although they were mistress and servant, they were as close as sisters and understood each other perfectly. Daiyu only said half a sentence, but Zijuan understood the meaning.

He continued, "I understand a young lady's thoughts best. Is there a reason for this?"

……

Daiyu smiled and said, "You are the smartest one. There must be a reason. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the old female relatives of each family will visit each other."

My maternal grandmother was the oldest relative, held a prestigious imperial title, and was also very old, so naturally she received the most visits from relatives.

This year is different from previous years. The second wife has just had a new addition to the family. Yesterday, I heard that Mrs. Xia and her daughter also came to give gifts to my maternal grandmother.

When they come over, Second Aunt and Baoyu will definitely come over too. You know Baoyu's personality, and now Third Brother isn't home.

I know Baoyu's temperament best. Without his third brother keeping him in check at home, he loses his inhibitions and will start to have frivolous thoughts again.

He might start acting strangely again, showing off in front of these women.

If we met him and he said something nonsensical, it would be too embarrassing in front of the women of the Xia family.

I'm not going to bother with this unlucky problem. Let's just stay in the East Mansion and tinker around. That's much more relaxed and carefree.

This time, since my third brother wasn't home, there were no male guests at the East Mansion; they were all female relatives of my third brother's classmates and colleagues.

For example, the wife of Chen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the daughter of Cai, the scholar, would often come to visit. These people were well-educated and refined, and their gossip about their private lives was quite interesting.

……

Zijuan laughed and said, "You are truly a female Zhuge Liang. You have planned everything out in advance and you can't afford to suffer any loss. You are really shrewd and capable."

"Young lady, I've heard from the elders that it's a custom for a man and woman to meet too many times before marriage, as it's believed to disrupt the feng shui. Why are you here again, Miss Xia?"

Daiyu casually said, "Baoyu and Miss Xia got married in three months, and it's only been one month now. They can avoid each other after the fifteenth day of the first month."

Besides, how to avoid it is best; my maternal grandmother and second aunt are more knowledgeable about etiquette, and it's none of our business.”

After Zijuan finished helping Daiyu with her makeup, she sent a maid to call for breakfast. After Daiyu had eaten breakfast, Yingchun's maid came to invite her.

The sisters gathered separately, chatting and laughing, before heading to the West Mansion to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia.

By the time they entered Rongqing Hall, it was already broad daylight.

The sisters chatted with Grandmother Jia for a while, and just then Aunt Xue and Baochai arrived, making the hall even more lively.

Then Lin Zhixiao's wife lifted the curtain and entered the hall, saying, "Grandma, the second mistress of the Shi family has come to pay her respects and has just entered the second gate."

Grandmother Jia was slightly puzzled. In previous years, her nephew and niece-in-law would come to pay their respects on the Lantern Festival. Why was only one of them here today?
……

Grandmother Jia asked Xiangyun to fetch her aunt. A short while later, Lady Li, the Marquis of Zhongjing, entered the hall and greeted Grandmother Jia with smiles and laughter.

Grandmother Jia asked, "You've come early today; it's barely dawn. Why hasn't Xiangyun's second uncle arrived?"

Marquis Zhongjing, Lady Li, said, "On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth of the lunar year, the master must come to visit his aunt."

Last night, a messenger suddenly arrived from the army, saying that Cong-ge'er's trusted personal guards wanted to see the master overnight.

The city gates were already closed at the time, but the guard showed his waist tag and a letter written by Cong Ge'er himself before he could open the city gates in the middle of the night.

After receiving the letter, the master's face turned very ugly. He originally wanted to go to the palace that very night, but the palace gates were already locked, so he could only wait until the next day to make his plans.

The master, however, did not stay idle at home. He went to inspect the nine gates overnight and did not return to the mansion until dawn.

Before the morning court session could even begin, a message arrived from the palace summoning the master to the palace.

"Because I was in such a hurry, I didn't come to pay my respects today."

……

When Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters heard about Jia Cong, they couldn't help but tremble. Hadn't he already led his troops to Tongzhou? Why was he suddenly sending his personal guards back to the city to deliver a message?

Moreover, the Marquis of Zhongjing's reaction to receiving the letter was quite solemn; he was even summoned to the palace early in the morning, as if something important had happened.

Grandmother Jia asked, "What urgent matter could it be that Cong-ge sent a message to Uncle Xiangyun in the middle of the night?"

Marquis Zhongjing, Lady Li, said, "Sending a letter overnight in such urgency must be a matter of great military merit. As a woman, how dare I ask too many questions?"

The master received the imperial edict and went to the palace early in the morning, and I've been on tenterhooks ever since.

That's why I came to the manor early this morning to inform my aunt, since it concerns Cong-ge'er.

Seeing that even Madam Li was unclear about the situation, Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters couldn't help but feel uneasy...

……

The Great Zhou Palace, Qianyang Palace, the rear hall and warm pavilion.
When Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding entered the warm pavilion, he saw Emperor Jiazhao browsing through memorials. His expression was one of shock, anger, and gloom, radiating an inexplicable murderous aura that sent chills down one's spine.

When Emperor Jiazhao saw Shi Ding enter the cabinet, he said, "I just received an urgent report from Jia Cong. His scouts and riders discovered remnants of Mongol troops in Wawu Town."

With no fewer than 15,000 cavalry, Wawu Town has fallen, and the townspeople may have been killed.

Jia Cong's personal guards entered the city last night, but because the palace gates were locked, the report was only sent to the palace this morning.

Wawu Town is only twenty miles from Shenjing, and the presence of such a large contingent of elite remnant Mongol troops is a major threat to Shenjing.

That's why I suspended the morning court session and urgently summoned you to the palace to discuss this matter.

"I have heard from the palace guards that you inspected the nine gates last night and have strengthened the city's defenses overnight. Have you also received this news?"

Shi Ding's expression hardened, and he said, "Last night, Jia Cong's personal guards entered the city and delivered a memorial to the palace. At the same time, they also sent a letter to me, which detailed the enemy's situation."

I originally intended to enter the palace to report this matter that very night, but the palace gates were already locked, making it impossible for me to do so.

I then inspected the nine gates overnight and strengthened the city's defenses to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

Fortunately, His Majesty issued an edict yesterday, ordering strict defenses during wartime, sealing off the nine gates, and deploying additional troops to them. Even if enemy soldiers covet the capital, the capital can rest easy.

Emperor Jiazhao breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "At least Jia Cong thought things through and wrote you a letter. Otherwise, if the palace gates were locked, the city's defenses would have been delayed by one night."

Tens of thousands of elite Mongol cavalrymen were spying on the city's defenses, catching the city's garrison off guard and potentially putting them in grave danger. Jia Cong submitted a memorial stating that the appearance of such a large force of Mongol cavalrymen in the heart of the capital was a surprise attack by Anda Khan.

He intended to raid the capital, disrupt the rear of the Great Zhou, and cause the army that was attacking the Mongols at the three northern passes to lose its bearings and fall into disarray, so that he could take advantage of the situation and win.

Because the enemy force at Wawu Town is overwhelming, Jia Cong has led 6,000 Shenji Battalion troops back to meet them. You are tasked with providing support from within the city. What is your strategy?

……

Shi Ding said, "Jia Cong said in his letter that this remnant Mongol cavalry would sneak into the pass and cut off the capital's grain supply and block the capital's external communications."

The capital city could send out scouts on horseback to send messages to the surrounding areas requesting assistance, or to the three passes to the north seeking help.

They would surely be intercepted by the remnant Mongol cavalry, and their efforts would likely be in vain.

Jia Cong said that the capital city was heavily fortified and heavily guarded, making it impregnable. Even if there were tens of thousands more elite cavalry, they would absolutely not be able to breach the city.

Therefore, it is better to remain still and wait for the enemy to move. As long as the nine gates are locked and the army guards the city, the remaining Mongol cavalry will have no opportunity to take advantage of the situation. This is the best and most appropriate strategy.

Jia Cong has led 6,000 Shenji Battalion soldiers to make various arrangements north of Shenjing City and has sent scouts to Wawu Town to look for an opportunity to fight.

In his letter, he stated that once a strategic opportunity was identified, he would send an urgent report to me, instructing the city's garrison to provide assistance.

Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes shone brightly as he asked, "You are also a veteran of the battlefield. Do you think Jia Cong's plan is appropriate?"

Shi Ding said, "Your Majesty, Jia Cong is a natural-born general. Back then, when he pacified the Jurchens in Liaodong, he came up with many ingenious strategies and won several great victories. His reputation is well-deserved."

Moreover, he was extremely skilled in firearms warfare, and could not be judged by conventional swords and spears.

Whether it was the red-coated cannon or the newly developed breech-loading gun, their power was astonishing and extraordinary.

Jia Cong is a thoughtful and cautious man. He must be certain of victory to dare to lead six thousand Shenji Battalion soldiers against several times their number of elite Mongol cavalry; otherwise, he wouldn't have acted rashly.

Emperor Jia Zhao nodded and said, "What you said makes a lot of sense. Although he is very young, he is meticulous and experienced, even more so than those veteran officials."

He is the kind of person who would not do anything that would put him at a disadvantage, nor would he do anything he was not confident about. I also expect him to achieve another great feat.

After you leave the palace, select 10,000 elite troops, prepare them for immediate deployment, and respond to any unrest outside the city.

Shi Ding said, "Your subject will respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree."

Emperor Jiazhao said in a deep voice: "Many of the sons of nobles in the court are dissolute and immoral. The trouble that will arise from the Mongol invasion of the south is precisely because of this!"
"If there were more sons of noble families like Jia Cong, I could save myself so much trouble..."

……

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding felt slightly puzzled. Why was the Emperor praising Jia Cong but scolding the other noble sons? What was the reason for this?

The major case of the leak of military supplies caused a stir in the capital, but the details of the investigation were kept secret, and only the Dali Temple and the Embroidered Uniform Guard knew the inside story.

Even though Shi Ding was a trusted minister of Emperor Jia Zhao, he was unaware that the dignified Commander-in-Chief of the Expedition against the Mongols, Duke Chen Yi of Qi, was also involved...

Although Shi Ding was puzzled, after the audience between the emperor and his ministers, he prepared to leave the palace and return to his camp to handle official business.

Suddenly, a palace attendant announced: "Your Majesty, Wei Guanyao, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, requests an audience outside the palace."

The case concerning the leak of secrets from the military stockpile has been solved, and I have come to the palace to report this.

Emperor Jia Zhao was invigorated and said, "Summon him to the palace for an audience immediately."

After a short while, Wei Guanyao entered the pavilion and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, after several days of investigation by the Court of Judicial Review, the case of the military depot leak has now been settled."

Yang Hongbin, the chief judge of the Dali Temple, obtained evidence and captured the main culprit, Duan Chunjiang, yesterday at sunset. Duan Chunjiang is a descendant of Han Chinese who fled north and is a Darughachi under the Anda Khan.

He was ordered by Anda Khan to infiltrate Shenjing. It was he who devised a plan to extract secrets about the northern military camp from Chen Ruichang, which led to the disaster of the Mongol army breaking through the pass and marching south.

After several rounds of interrogation planned by Yang Hongbin, Duan Chunjiang confessed everything. Last night, the Dali Temple mobilized its forces to apprehend the suspect in the city overnight.

By dawn today, all eleven spies and nineteen other suspects from the streets have been apprehended and brought to justice. The Dali Temple is currently conducting interrogations and verifying the evidence.

The two accomplices in this case, Chen Ruichang from the Duke of Qi's mansion and Xue Pan, a relative of the Rongguo mansion, have not been dealt with lightly because they involve two generals who were on a military expedition. This matter is of great importance.

However, the Duke of Qi's mansion and the Duke of Rong's mansion have already been guarded by the Dali Temple, which can enter the mansions at any time to arrest them..."

……

Upon hearing that Xue Pan of the Rongguo Mansion was involved, Shi Ding was greatly surprised. He never expected that the Rongguo Mansion would also be implicated in the leak of military supplies.

He and his wife regularly visited the Rongguo Mansion, and knew that the Xue family had been living in the Jia family's residence for many years. Naturally, he also knew Xue Pan, but they never spoke to each other.

He couldn't help but feel anxious. Cong-ge was away on a campaign, and judging from yesterday's letter, given his shrewdness and resourcefulness, he would most likely achieve military merit again.

He has another opportunity to make a name for himself and achieve great things. If he were to regain his official rank and honors, it would benefit both the Jia and Shi families. Moreover, both families already have children in mind.

Unexpectedly, at this crucial moment, trouble has struck at home. It's really bad luck.

Moreover, the Xue family's marital ties originally lay with the second branch of the Rongguo family, and had no connection with the first branch.

However, at this juncture, Shi Ding couldn't very well speak up for Jia Cong, otherwise it would be too obvious.

Emperor Jia Zhao suddenly glanced at Shi Ding, seemingly sensing the unease in his expression. He recalled what Shi Ding had said about Jia Cong returning to defend against the enemy...

…………

He said, "The major case of leaking secrets from military depots has led to the deterioration of the war, the loss of border towns, and its pernicious influence is widespread. Those involved, regardless of their status, must not be tolerated, so as to serve as a warning to others."

Chen Ruichang's leak of military secrets is an unforgivable dereliction of duty. The Dali Temple must immediately arrest him, interrogate him, and bring the case to a conclusion without fail!

That Xue Pan, a dissolute and dissolute young man, was involved in the case. Although it was unintentional, he cannot escape responsibility as an accomplice. He should be apprehended, imprisoned, and sentenced as appropriate.

Emperor Jiazhao did not care about Xue Pan's life or death. As the supreme ruler who controlled the vast country, he would not let personal grievances affect him because of one person or one matter.

Even without Xue Pan's introduction, Duan Chunjiang would have found other ways to get close to the sons of noble families and obtain military secrets.

To Emperor Jia Zhao, Xue Pan was nothing more than an insignificant ant, but he had connections with the Jia and Shi families, and Jia Cong and Shi Ding were his trusted ministers.

With the Mongol army now advancing south, and even launching surprise attacks, tens of thousands of elite troops are right beside us, and we desperately need our generals to serve us.

Emperor Jiazhao, pressured by the current situation, naturally had to consider the Buddha's feelings even if he didn't respect the monks. The meaning behind his words just now was that he would raise the issue high but then lower it gently.

……

Shi Ding, a veteran official of the court, understood the meaning behind the emperor's words and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He didn't care about Xue Pan's life or death, but the less severe the punishment Xue Pan received, the less impact it would have on the Jia family.

Lady Jia was his aunt, and Jia Cong was a junior he valued, and even a future son-in-law, so he naturally wanted to protect him wholeheartedly.

……

Wei Guanyao was also a seasoned and wise official who had spent half his life in the bureaucracy. If Shi Ding could understand the emperor's words, he could naturally understand them as well.

This put him in a difficult position, but after thinking for a moment, he still spoke up and said, "Your Majesty, during the investigation of this case, another matter has arisen."

Earlier, as the case was still under investigation, the Dali Temple conducted thorough investigations of all those involved.

Because the Xue family's ancestors came from Jinling, the Dali Temple sent a document to the three judicial departments in the secondary capital to investigate Xue Pan's background.

Unexpectedly, the three judicial departments of the capital replied that Xue Pan was involved in a case of causing death by assault three years ago and had died suddenly before the case was closed, so the victim, the Feng family of Nanjing, withdrew their lawsuit.

But Xue Pan is safe and sound, living peacefully in the capital. There must have been serious corruption among officials during the trial of the Jinling case back then.

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding's relaxed state of mind was immediately jolted back into focus...

Emperor Jia Zhao's face darkened as he asked, "Who presided over this case back then?"

Wei Guanyao replied, "Your Majesty, the person who approved this case is Jia Yucun, the prefect of Yingtian."

Emperor Jia Zhao said coldly, "The Prefect of Yingtian, a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, has the audacity to confuse life and death, and to pervert the law and commit malfeasance!"

Wei Guanyao said, "Your Majesty, this matter involves official corruption and should be investigated by the Ministry of Personnel, with the three judicial departments assisting. This is in accordance with the law."

Emperor Jia Zhao said in a deep voice: "The Ministry of Personnel has failed in its duty to select officials. This immoral person has usurped a position in the capital, which has led to the disaster of perverting the law. This matter cannot be let off lightly."

"Minister Wei, after you leave the palace, immediately convey my imperial edict: order the Ministry of Personnel to send personnel to investigate this matter, and have the Embroidered Uniform Guard issue a decree to the Jinling Thousand-Household Office to arrest Jia Yucun!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding was slightly shaken. He frequently visited the Rongguo Mansion, and his wife, Lady Li, visited even more often, so he knew more about the Jia family's internal affairs than others.

I vaguely overheard the lady mentioning that Jia Yucun was a relative of the Jia family, and that he was nothing more than an ordinary person currying favor with the powerful in order to gain benefits and power in the officialdom.

Niece Xiangyun often lived in the inner courtyard of the Jia family. The young girl was quick-witted and sharp-eared. The Jia family girls treated her like a sister, and they had the most gossip in the inner quarters.

Once, after returning home, they chatted casually about how Jia Yucun had a past relationship with Lin Ruhai and had once been the tutor of the Lin family's daughters.

He was able to become the Prefect of Yingtian in Jinling thanks to the recommendation of Lin Ruhai and the efforts of his cousin Cunzhou, which enabled him to obtain a fourth-rank position.

Jia Yucun admired the Jia family and thus sought to curry favor with them by forming a clan alliance.

Once His Majesty thoroughly investigates this matter, the Ministry of Personnel will inevitably shirk responsibility. Lin Ruhai's involvement is relatively minor and irrelevant to the main issue, so he can remain uninvolved.

However, his cousins ​​Cunjia and Cunzhou could not escape responsibility no matter what. A case of leaking secrets about military storage facilities had taken many twists and turns, leading to this disaster.

With Jia Cong away on campaign, the Jia family is left without anyone to manage things; this time, the trouble may be considerable...

(End of this chapter)