The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 304: Western Barbarians

The majestic and winding city walls are now in sight.

A huge official ship was sailing in the middle of the canal, and the big flag with the word "Wu" on the middle mast was rustling in the wind.

The deck was packed with blond-haired, blue-eyed Western barbarians, all of them staring with eyes wide open in disbelief, staring at the distant capital city in shock, their mouths opened into an O shape.

A young man walked out of the cabin, looked at them with an unsophisticated look, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes, and he thought: What a bunch of bumpkins!
At this time, an old man came over and said to the young man, "Lord Zhongyong will come to the dock to greet you personally. Young Master, go back and change into formal clothes."

The young man was none other than General Yuehai’s eldest son, Master Wu.

Master Wu nodded and turned to go into the cabin.

The dock was under strict martial law at this time. There were many carriages and sedan chairs parked on the avenue at the dock, and there were also more than a dozen large carts from the palace that were receiving the fresh goods presented by the Wu family.

At the top of the pier stood two eunuchs in red from the Imperial Household Department, whispering something and looking at Li Hu who was standing not far away.

Li Hu brought Wang Daniu and his personal soldiers to pick up the Western Yi technicians.

Looking at the official ship slowly approaching in the river, Wang Daniu said: "It's just a little brat and a few red-haired ghosts. Is it necessary for the general to come and greet them personally?"

Li Hu was too lazy to pay attention to him. If he didn't come to pick up the son of General Yuehai and the Western Yi technicians, he would have to go to Rongguo Mansion for a drink. As for Rongguo Mansion, two big gifts were given, and only one person had a feast, and the second house made a lot of money.

Wang Daniu looked around and whispered, "Finally someone over there contacted me."

Li Hu looked at him.

Wang Daniu: "They may suspect that Zhang Cheng is not dead, and they want me to pay attention to the people who deliver letters to the general, especially strangers."

Li Hu nodded.

Wang Daniu: "I heard from that person that the palace has dispatched a group of elite troops from the garrisons in various places to the capital. They still refuse to give up."

Li Hu: "Be careful."

As they were talking, the boat was approaching Chaoyangmen Pier.

Master Wu, who had changed into the uniform of a cavalry captain, stood on the deck at the bow and raised his hands to Li Hu and others who were visible from afar at the top of the dock.

Li Hu smiled and said, "This guy is interesting. You can introduce him to Kong Qingxiang."

Wang Daniu: "Kong Qingxiang is too cunning. It would be better to introduce him to Xue Dashazi, who is a playful and simple-minded person. Hey, I haven't seen Xue Dashazi for a long time."

Li Hu looked at him: "Why, do you miss his opera and wine?"

Wang Daniu smiled.

Li Hu glanced towards the eastern suburbs. After the news of Shui Rong's death came, Qi Guan began to build a house outside the city. Xue Pan contributed money, labor and manpower, and went to Qi Guan's farm every day, and ignored the family business.

Wang Daniu: “We’ve reached the shore.”

"Let's go greet them." Li Hu walked down the dock and went to greet them.

Wang Daniu and two senior eunuchs went to greet them.

The huge gangplank was set up. Li Hu, Wang Daniu and the two eunuchs looked at the gangplank on the official ship. A team of guards came out and stood in two rows on the shore.

"The hands of these Wu family guards are stained with blood." Wang Daniu whispered in Li Hu's ear.

Li Hu nodded. This kind of momentum cannot be cultivated simply by practicing martial arts, but is fed with human lives.

Master Wu walked down from the boat and two eunuchs came to greet him.

Li Hu walked forward only after they finished talking.

Master Wu bowed to Li Hu and said, "Master!"

Li Hu clasped his hands together: "Young Master."

After a few pleasantries, Master Wu said apologetically, "I have to go to the palace first. Excuse me."

Li Hu smiled and said, "The job is important. When the eldest master has time, I will host you at Taihe Tower."

Master Wu: “Okay.” After saying that, he followed a eunuch to the dock.

Li Hu smiled. This kid was indeed interesting.

"Here it comes!" Wang Daniu exclaimed.

An old man led a group of blond-haired and blue-eyed Western barbarians and walked quickly across the gangway towards Li Hu.

There were also several women wearing long skirts, with large areas of white skin exposed on their chests. Wang Daniu couldn't help but swallow his saliva: "So white, so big!"

Li Hu glared at him, but his eyes were indeed dazzled.

"Where is their country?" Wang Daniu's eyes widened.

Li Hu: “What do you mean?”

Wang Daniu's eyes sparkled: "How can this be allowed to corrupt morals in broad daylight! Such barbarians must be educated."

Li Hu almost laughed out of anger. He didn't expect this guy to be such a person.

Walking up to him, the old man bowed to Li Hu and said, "Master, these are the Western barbarians that our master selected for you. They are all French and can speak a little Chinese, so there won't be much problem in basic communication."

Can speak Chinese? Li Hu was quite surprised. This General Yue Hai is indeed reliable!

The old man stepped forward and lowered his voice: "The leader is called William, a descendant of a declining French noble family. The people behind him were brought up by him from the army. They know a lot, but you need to be on guard against them, my Lord."

Li Hu nodded and looked at Wang Daniu.

Wang Daniu understood and took out a silver note from his pocket and handed it to the old man.

Li Hu: "Don't think it's too little, take it and have a cup of tea."

The old man smiled and said, "Thank you, sir!" He took the banknote and walked away.

The Western barbarian named William then came over.

"Your Highness, the Earl, I am honored to serve you." William supported his chest with his left hand, took off his hat with his right hand, bent forward slightly and nodded, saluting Li Hu.

The men saluted one after another, and the women slightly bent their knees, lifted the sides of their skirts with their hands, and nodded in greeting.

Li Hu smiled and nodded.

Wang Daniu was a little unhappy. If Li Hu had not instructed him, he would have stepped forward and forced them to kneel and kowtow to teach them the rules.

At this time, a Western barbarian came forward holding a box.

William smiled and said, "This is a gift from me to His Royal Highness the Earl." He opened the lid of the box, and inside was a flintlock pistol, a brass powder box, and a bullet-making pliers that looked very much like later beer openers.

Li Hu picked up the flintlock pistol and took a look at it. The barrel was too short and had no rifling, so its accuracy was questionable.

Seeing that Li Hu was interested, William quickly introduced him in stiff Chinese.

Li Hu's eyes flashed. General Yuehai didn't tell them that he knew about firearms. How reliable!

After hearing his words, Li Hu nodded with satisfaction, and then spoke: "You have worked hard, follow me into the city to eat, and then rest for two days." At this point, he suddenly remembered, "Don't say these two words, Your Highness, in the future, it will kill people."

After seeing off Master Wu, Dai Quan returned to the upper study and saw Emperor Yongchang sitting there in a trance. He hurriedly stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Yongchang came back to his senses, adjusted his mood, and handed him the note on the imperial desk, "Take a look at it too."

Dai Quan took it with both hands and took a look at it, his eyes suddenly widened!

Emperor Yongchang leaned back in his chair and looked at Dai Quan: "Each family should send five thousand taels of silver. From now on, you must send silver from the inner treasury every year."

"Yes." Dai Quan came back to his senses. This was a secret report from Shengjing. It was confirmed that Fu Kang'an was forced to the edge of the cliff. If he did not take revenge on Qian Xiaosi's sons, he would lose the support of the Eight Banners nobles who had lost their sons.

At this time, a eunuch in red from the Imperial Household Department walked in.

The chief eunuch: "Your Majesty, there is news from the West Mountain Hunting Ground that they found two bodies that had been eaten by wolves."

Emperor Yongchang was startled: "Who is it?"

The chief eunuch: "I checked, and the people of His Highness Bu Er are not from the palace. But they look a bit like..."

Emperor Yongchang frowned and said, "Speak!"

The chief eunuch: "Looks like someone from the Imperial Household Department!"

Emperor Yongchang immediately looked at Dai Quan.

Dai Quan was stunned.

At this moment, a eunuch in charge hurried in and reported to Emperor Yongchang: "Your Majesty, the imperial concubine is about to give birth."

Emperor Yongchang looked at Dai Quan and said, "Investigate it carefully." Then he stood up and walked out.

(End of this chapter)