The Red Mansions Across the Four Seas

Chapter 517 Let him fend for himself

Wei Ruoshui didn't stay long in Yangming Castle, and set off on the second day to continue to the imperial capital.
This year's Chinese New Year is destined to be on the road.

However, in his opinion, these are all worth it.Arriving at the imperial capital earlier, taking advantage of the lax security during the first month, and taking actions to rescue Qin Keqing during the first month, there will be many favorable conditions.

Because of the enthusiasm of Sun's family, the whole family of Jia's family didn't start their journey again until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

In fact, since the fifth day of the first lunar month, the situation in the Northeast has become tense.

After passing Sanjiangkou, Jia's family began to hear some news.It turned out that Ningguta was ready to start a war against North Wendu.

Before they arrived here, the army from the Ningguta side began to drive towards Bukui continuously. It is said that there are a total of [-] troops, and they want to start a war with North Wendu.

When he was in the imperial capital before, Jia Lian heard that the emperor asked North Wendura to ask for tribute for 70 years, and if he didn't pay it, he would go to war.

Now the San Francisco family members have fled and escaped from the emperor's control.At this time, Ning Guta went to fight with North Wendu to ask for tribute, would he still give it to the emperor?
Anyone with a little knowledge would not have such illusions.

Therefore, Jia Lian concluded that Ningguta's war against North Wendu this time was actually fighting for themselves. Even if the tribute was returned, it was impossible to give it to the court again.

Although Ningguta's army is now considered a powerful force, it has also strengthened its training after the defeat in North Wendura a few years ago.

However, Jia Lian was not optimistic about whether they could defeat the Tatars.

After the establishment of prefectures and counties in South Wendura, it has been under the governance of the imperial court.

North Vendura is currently in a state of peaceful coexistence with Bukui, so the current northeast frontier is actually in a stable state.

This situation is beneficial to the court.

However, for San Francisco, it is not necessarily so.

Therefore, San Francisco still has the motivation to mess up the situation in the Northeast.

Once the San Francisco openly rebelled, Ningguta was almost doomed to send troops into the customs. Therefore, leaving a mess in the Northeast and depriving the court of a stable rear was a situation they were happy to see.

However, this is also a double-edged sword.

If San Francisco's ambition is to seize the world, then the mess in the Northeast will be left to them in the future.

If this is the case, San Francisco's vision is undoubtedly very short-sighted.

If the Ningguta side is defeated, it will not be a good thing for Jia's family.At that time, Bu Kui may also be in chaos.

If Ning Guta wins, it means that they have taken control of the northeast and cut off the passage to the North Sea.For the Jia family, it is even worse.

The best ending is to break away from Bu Kui's sphere of influence through Bu Kui before the two sides start a large-scale war.

So, after leaving the Sun's house, he quickened his pace.

Jia Lian's prediction was basically correct.Ningguta did start a war against North Wendura.

The pretext for the war was to ask for tribute for the court.

Of course, even if they want to return the tribute, they will not hand it over to the court.

Previously, Zhong Ding plundered money from Bukui, and sent it to Ninggu Pagoda, without handing over a single cent to the court.

Now, Han Tiankui's [-] troops have assembled in Bukui and are preparing to launch a war against Wendu.

At this time, Han Tiankui was with his nephew Zhong Ding.

"Uncle, the Tatars haven't replied yet, don't they want to hand in the tribute?"

"Wait another two days, and if they don't hand it in, start attacking."

"If the Tatars don't hand over, they must be prepared. The Tatars are still very brave and good at fighting. If they attack at this time, I'm afraid..."

"We can't wait any longer. Several of our family members have already fled the imperial capital. The south is about to raise troops openly. In the future, we will also send troops to enter the customs. Before entering the customs, we must solve the heartache of the Tatars, so as to ensure the stability of the rear."

"Otherwise, if we enter the customs and the Tatars attack the king in the rear, or Jia Min comes from the North Sea, we will face the enemy."

"Jia's mansion has now been raided. Although the emperor withdrew his order at the last moment, the Jia family has already broken face with the emperor. Jia Min will not help the royal family anymore."

"I hope so. However, Jia Min has gradually become popular in Beihai now, so it's better to take more precautions."

"Hmph, Jia Min's biography is amazing. If I have a chance, I'd like to compete with him."

"Jia Min still has his own merits, so don't underestimate him. If he prefers Beihai, it's best for us. The most fearful thing is that he also has wolfish ambitions."

The two were discussing, and General Chu came in.

"Report to the general, the envoy to North Wendura has returned."

"Well, call them in quickly."

"This……."

While talking, a person came in with a very embarrassed expression, his head was wrapped in a cloth, and he fell to his knees all at once.

"Master, something is wrong."

"Hugh panicked, what's the matter? What about the others?"

"The others were all killed by the Tatars, and the little one's ears were also cut off by them, so the little one was left to report the news."

"What do the Tartars say?"

"They said that the imperial court broke their promises. They originally agreed that they would not want money, but now they are asking for it again. No money will be given."

"Didn't you say that the army has arrived here?"

"That's right, they said that if they want to fight, they will fight. Whether they want money or not, they have a life."

"How dare a barbarian be so arrogant."

"They also said that they want to hit Bukui and release all the exiles here. They will cause trouble in the Northeast and disturb the peace here. They will continue to knock down Ningguta."

"These barbarians don't eat the toast and eat the fine wine. General Chu, pass on an order to set off at Maoshi tomorrow, march into North Wendura, and crusade against the Tatars."

"Yes, sir."

At Maoshi the next day, Han Tiankui led an army of [-] in his headquarters to attack the Tatars.

The 3000 people from Zhong Ding's department also went together.Only more than [-] people from the original Zhao Dahai Department were left behind in Bukui.

Looking at the back of the army going away, Zhao Dahai couldn't help shaking his head again and again.

"Hey, what are the chances of winning in such a hasty army?"

"What are the chances of winning? It won't take long before you have to return in a big defeat."

Feng Kui said contemptuously.

"That's fine, let the Tatars teach them a lesson again, it's best to drive them out of Pukwe, and it's also a disaster."

Xu Mingtao gloated a little.

"It's a good thing that they left, but it may not be a good thing that the Tatars came. It's a pity that a good Bukui will be destroyed by these people."

"If the Tatars really come and release the exiles, there will be chaos."

Several people discussed for a while, but in the end there was no good plan, so they had to go back disgruntled.

In panic and anxiety, the Bukui people spent five days in panic.

Zhao Dahai and others were ordered to stay behind at Bukui, and they dared not neglect to inspect the city walls and check the defenses every day.

At this time, his subordinates were no more than [-] people, and the number of people who could be used for city defense was only [-] people, excluding the heads of the official villages in various places.

In order to strengthen the city's defense force, some people from the official villages in various places were removed, and only one village head was left in each village.

Ever since Zhong Ding entered Bu Kui, Jia Min's original reform measures on exile affairs have all been abolished.

The standard of living of the exiles has been greatly reduced, especially the food expenses have been cut to a minimum.Even so, it is often skimped on.

Now, the escape rate and death rate of exiles have risen sharply. Last winter, more than ten people froze to death.

Such a thing has not happened for several years.

After the guard force in Guanzhuang is reduced, it is very likely that there will be incidents of people fleeing.

However, under the current situation, I can't take care of that much.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Zhao Dahai and others inspected the city gate of Bukuixi.As soon as I got here, I saw a cloud of dust rising from the west.

One look at the appearance of the dust, one can tell that it is not a small team.

Zhao Dahai's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition suddenly arose.

It's over, it seems that the battle is lost.Otherwise, they would not return to the teacher so soon.

Feng Kui and Xu Mingtao glanced at each other and understood the meaning.

Not long after, the team came over.

Seeing that the flags were chaotic and the formation was not neat.Zhao Dahai understood that his judgment was correct.

Sure enough, Han Tiankui arrived first.

Seeing Zhao Dahai and the others, Han Tiankui didn't even get off his horse.

"The commander-in-chief has returned from an expedition, and he has returned victorious. Please enter the city to rest."

Zhao Dahai and others went forward to meet him.

"There is no need to rest. Receive an urgent official document from the imperial court, asking the commander-in-chief to return to the ancient pagoda of Shining. You wait here and stick to Bu Kui, and there will be no mistakes."

After finishing speaking, Han Tiankui patted his horse and left, going into the city.

The team meandered past, and not long after, Zhong Ding came back.

"Received an urgent order from the imperial court, our troops and horses were transferred back to Ninggu Tower, and we have other military affairs. The few of you stay here and guard Bu Kui. There must be no mistakes."

After Zhong Ding finished speaking, he left in a hurry without waiting for Zhao Dahai and the others to say anything.

Two hours later, General Chu came back.

General Chu is Zhao Dahai's original hometown, and after arriving in Bukui, he got along well with Zhao Dahai, so he got off his horse and told Zhao Dahai the truth.

It turns out that Han Tiankui's army arrived at Qingshichuan in South Wendura after three days of marching.

When he was about to pass through the North Mountain Pass from here and head to North Vendura, he encountered the three major tribes of North Vendura Tatars who came to attack Bukui.

So the battle started at Qingshichuan.

After half a day of fighting, Han Tiankui was defeated, and the two sides temporarily suspended their troops.Two nights ago, Han Tiankui quietly pulled out his camp and withdrew his troops.

In order to preserve their strength, Ningguta soldiers and Zhong Ding's Bukui soldiers and horses will all withdraw to Ningguta.

"The Tatars are likely to chase Pukui. I'm leaving, so you can take care of yourself."

At six o'clock in the evening, all Han Tiankui and Zhong Ding's troops withdrew, and after Bu Kui replenished the food and grass, they passed through the city without leaving a single soldier.

"Bu Kui was abandoned, we were abandoned."

Feng Kui couldn't help sighing again and again.

"The Tatars are likely to come, how do we deal with it?"

Xu Mingtao stared straight at Zhao Dahai.

"Drop out strong men, recruit civilians, and prepare to defend the city. Others don't care about us, so we have to save ourselves."

"What about the exiles from Guanzhuang outside?"

"Let him fend for himself, the people in the city are important."

At two o'clock in the afternoon the next day, [-] prairie cavalry from the Tatars arrived at the city of Bukui and surrounded Bukui.

(End of this chapter)