The First Family of the Red Mansion

"Master Xu, what exactly did Liu Hu mean by that?"

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince frowned and pondered for a long time before finally understanding the hidden meaning in Liu Hu's words, which could make Emperor Anping show reluctance.

So he summoned his advisor, Master Xu, and recounted what had happened in the Imperial Study.

Master Xu stroked his long beard, closed his eyes and thought for a while, then his expression suddenly changed.

"Your Highness, let's try not to use Liu Hu as a pretext in the future."

"If this continues, His Highness's path to the throne will certainly be filled with many uncertainties."

"What does Master Xu mean?" The Crown Prince was still somewhat puzzled.

"This is probably a warning from Liu Hu to us."

"On the surface, it is said that His Majesty is bestowing winter clothing upon the Jianzhou Jurchens, but the malice behind it is very likely that the Jianzhou Jurchens, or even the entire Jurchen race, will be wiped out."

"Hiss..." Master Xu couldn't help but gasp. This was no Champion Marquis, but a spitting image of Jia Wenhe!

"Your Highness, please think about it. The Jurchens have lived in the mountains and forests for a long time, roaming freely between the Changbai Mountains and the Heilongjiang River. Their people are very fierce."

"But their medical skills are absolutely inferior to those of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Liu Hu asked His Majesty to bestow winter clothing as a reward to appease the Jianzhou Jurchens. If we tamper with these clothes, the entire Jianzhou Jurchen tribe will be struck by plague."

"for example……"

"For example, with smallpox, the Jurchens didn't know how to inoculate them. If there were even a few pieces of clothing infected with smallpox, then the Jianzhou Jurchens could only wait to die."

"Hiss... How vicious!"

The crown prince finally realized what had happened and immediately regretted offending Liu Hu so badly.

However, he wasn't particularly worried, after all, he was the crown prince and was born with the right to rule.

Unless Liu Hu wants to rebel, he wouldn't dare to do anything to me.

However, recalling the look Liu Hu had given him earlier, he couldn't help but feel a chill: "That was probably a warning to me!"

The crown prince shook his head and smiled, then seemed relieved.

Liu Hu had no grudge against me, and I even admired him quite a bit.

In order to dispel his father's suspicions, he repeatedly used others as targets.

If Liu Hu doesn't show any emotion, then he'll have to consider whether he should eliminate Liu Hu at all costs.

As expected of father and son, seeing Liu Hu's emotional state, Emperor Anping and the Crown Prince felt even more at ease with Liu Hu.

As for Liu Hu's current grievances, the Crown Prince doesn't care. Just as he said, unless Liu Hu wants to rebel, then after he ascends the throne, Liu Hu will be the sharpest knife in his hand.

On the surface, he favored the civil officials of the north, but how could a crown prince who was determined to become a wise ruler not like a military general who was good at fighting?

However, Emperor Anping held onto military power very tightly, which prevented him from having any designs on it.

But don't think that the Crown Prince has no influence in the army. Not to mention that most of his companions are the legitimate sons of Wu Xun, his maternal uncle also controls the Imperial Guard.

His martial arts teacher was none other than Jia Daishan, the Duke of Rongguo, who was currently the foremost martial arts master of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Moreover, his relationship with Jia Jing is just like the current relationship between Emperor Anping and Jia Daishan.

Although Jia Jing embarked on the path of becoming a civil official through the imperial examinations, the Jia family's influence in the military was undeniable.

……

Jia Daishan's memorial was rejected after discussions between Emperor Anping and the court officials.

Although everyone knew that Jia Daishan was right, the Great Zhou Dynasty really couldn't afford to delay any longer.

"...This time, your western expedition completely defeated the main force of the Oirat Mongols, captured their chieftain alive, and recovered the Western Regions. I am very pleased."

I hereby order the commander-in-chief of the western expedition, Duke Rongguo Jia Daishan, to lead the Lantian camp back to the capital before the spring planting season. I and the people of the world eagerly await the glorious triumphant return!

So be it!

"Your subject, Jia Daishan, obeys the imperial decree!"

Jia Daishan, dressed in military attire, respectfully accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude, showing no sign of slackening despite the victory in this western expedition.

Upon seeing this, the imperial envoy couldn't help but think, "No wonder His Majesty trusts the Duke of Rong so much?"

"Duke Rong, His Majesty instructed us before we came that the national treasury is currently empty, and the next few months are the maximum time His Majesty can buy for you."

"Going forward, the imperial court will not interfere with the western expeditionary army in any way; everything will be decided by the Duke of Rong."

Upon hearing the messenger's words, Jia Daishan was taken aback, and felt an urge to die for Emperor Anping.

Upon hearing the imperial edict ordering him to lead his troops back, he thought that His Majesty had completely given up on recovering the area north of the Tianshan Mountains.

But at this moment he understood that His Majesty did not lack the desire to defeat the Dzungar Khanate and recover the area north of the Tianshan Mountains, but rather that the court was truly unable to continue the war.

In the past few months, His Majesty has probably used his own private treasury to secure these gains for himself, hasn't he?

"To repay your kindness on the golden platform, I will wield the jade dragon and die for you."

At this moment, Jia Daishan made up his mind that even if he died in the Western Regions, he would completely eliminate the threat of the Dzungar Khanate for His Majesty.

"Guards, summon the Prince of Xining and the Earl of Zhongyong to their tents for a meeting!"

……

"It seems the western expeditionary force will be returning soon!"

With the Lunar New Year approaching, preparations for the festival have already begun in the palace.

Light snow began to fall again, and looking at the ground that resembled a layer of salt, Liu Hu couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Because once the western expeditionary army returns, his rewards can be bestowed.

During this time, he could only stay by Emperor Anping's side, and he couldn't even leave the palace. He was almost going crazy from being cooped up.

Since that little outburst, the Crown Prince has never bothered him again.

Looking at the busy palace maids and eunuchs, Liu Hu felt a pang of homesickness.

It's been almost a year since I came to the world of Dream of the Red Chamber, but I haven't forgotten any of my memories of my past life. On the contrary, as the Lunar New Year approaches, I miss my past life even more.

Although he was just an ordinary cow or horse in his previous life, that's how people are: when they get something, they're full of disdain, and when they lose it, they miss it terribly.

To put it bluntly, it's just being pretentious!

"What's wrong? Worried about home?"

Just as Liu Hu was lost in thought, Emperor Anping appeared behind him without him noticing.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects!" Liu Hu hurriedly bowed in response to Emperor Anping's inquiry.

"I am indeed a little homesick right now. I wonder how my mother and younger sister are doing?" Liu Hu replied honestly.

"No need!" Emperor Anping waved his hand, looked up at the snowflakes falling from the sky, and seemed to be thinking about something.

"It must be very cold in the Western Regions right now, right?"

After a long while, Emperor Anping suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty, the winters in the Western Regions are much colder than in the capital!"

Although he didn't know why Emperor Anping had asked such a question, Liu Hu answered honestly.

"Ugh!"

Upon hearing Liu Hu's reply, Emperor Anping sighed deeply, a hint of worry appearing on his face.

Because he didn't know whether the secret edict he gave to Jia Daishan was right or wrong!

Facing the Dzungar Khanate, whose weapons were no less advanced than those of the Great Zhou and who held the advantages of favorable weather and terrain, it was uncertain whether Jia Daishan could end the war before spring.

Although the Great Zhou had over 100,000 troops in the Western Regions, plus the newly recruited Western Regions troops, the total number was no less than 200,000.

However, this army of over 200,000 men was needed to ensure the stability of the entire Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor. The number of troops that could be used to attack the Dzungar tribe north of the Tianshan Mountains was about the same as the Dzungar army.

"I believe Daishan will not disappoint me, will he?" Emperor Anping thought to himself.

……

The Tianshan Mountains, covered in snow and ice year-round, stretch for five thousand miles from east to west, and together with the Altai Mountains, they surround the Dzungar Khanate.

Although the winters here are harsh, the grasslands are lush due to the influence of warm and humid air currents from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Dzungar tribe monopolized this area, and after decades of development, coupled with the large amount of wealth and people they plundered from the Central Plains, they have grown from a small tribe with fewer than 10,000 soldiers into a large tribe with hundreds of thousands of members and the ability to summon 80,000 cavalry.

Even though they had fought against the Rakshasa people to the north for many years, they had won more often than they had lost, forcing the Rakshasa people who were moving eastward to establish a demarcation between them and not invade each other's territory.

However, after the battle with the Great Zhou in the Hexi Corridor, nearly half of the main elite forces of the Dzungar Khanate were lost.

Upon returning to their base, in order to resist the subsequent attack by the Great Zhou, they had to mobilize the entire tribe and then seek help from the Rakshasa people. Only then were they able to reassemble an army of 50,000 and, with the help of favorable weather and terrain, block the Great Zhou's attack.

"Chief, why don't we migrate like the Torgut tribe? Whether we head west to the territory of the Semu people, north to the land of the Rakshasa people, or even cross the Altai Mountains to join Ligdan Khan, it's all better than staying here to resist the army of the Great Zhou!"

"We had previously gathered over 100,000 of our Oirat elite troops, but we were still defeated by the Great Zhou."

Now only our Dzungar tribe remains. Even if we temporarily hold off the Great Zhou's attack thanks to favorable weather and terrain, what will we rely on to resist their hundreds of thousands of troops when the weather warms up and they attack again?

The Dzungar Khanate's main camp was located in Yili City on the banks of the Ili River. At this time, almost all of the young and strong men of their tribe had gathered in the Tianshan Mountains to block the army of the Great Zhou. The entire territory of the tribe was left with only the elderly, women, children, and a few thousand households to maintain their rule.

It is currently the dead of winter, and judging from the recent weather, a white disaster is very likely to occur.

Without enough able-bodied men, even if they managed to hold off the Great Zhou's attack, they would starve to death the following year. As for the Han Chinese who were captured...

After the Great Zhou army entered the Western Regions, some of them fled, and those who remained were not killed.

If the Great Zhou army really attacks and they kill those Han people, the Great Zhou army will definitely not let them go; they won't even let them run away.

If a white disaster really occurs, they will have to use some of their grain to support the Han people.

"If we just run away like this, the Rakshasa will definitely not agree."

"The reason they were willing to provide us with firearms was that they wanted us to help them hold off the Great Zhou."

"If we dare to run now, they will definitely surround and kill us."

"If it's just a battle between two armies, we're not afraid of them, but what about our people?"

"Everyone knows how brutal those Rakshasa people are, right?"

Doesn't the leader of the Dzungar Khanate want to run away?

As soon as he returned, he wanted to lead his people away, but unfortunately, there were many Rakshasa merchants in their territory.

As soon as he returned, the Rakshasa people came to his door, asking them about the situation in the Great Zhou.

Hearing that the Great Zhou was so powerful that it had defeated an alliance of five "countries" as powerful as the Dzungars, the Rakshasa were terrified.

They couldn't even defeat the Dzungars and Torgut tribes, let alone the Great Zhou.

So they persuaded the Torghut tribe, which had no natural barriers, to migrate westward, while simultaneously stabilizing the Dzungar tribe and providing them with firearms to resist the Great Zhou.

Furthermore, the large-scale settlements of the Rakshasa people near the Dzungar Khanate also jointly blockaded the western and northern sides of the Dzungar Khanate, forcing them to either seek refuge with the Tatar Ligdan Khan or fight the Great Zhou to the death.

If they really can't hold them off, these Rakshasa people wouldn't mind using them as bargaining chips to gain the friendship of the Great Zhou.

As for suggesting they seek refuge with Ligdan Khan of the Tatars, it's best to think about it and forget it. After all, ever since Esen, the direct descendants of the Oirats and Tatars have been mortal enemies.

If they hadn't seen the hope of regaining control of the Central Plains back then, they wouldn't have chosen to unite.

If they dared to seek refuge with Ligdan Khan, what would happen to their people? But these leaders of the Oirat Mongols would likely be eliminated.

Once they lose their pastureland, they become nothing more than cattle and sheep on a chopping block.

……

Just as the leaders of the Dzungar tribe were filled with fear and unease, a troop of several thousand Great Zhou soldiers braved the swirling snow and traversed the endless Tian Shan mountain range.

"My lord, have a drink to warm yourself up!"

Zhang Wannian looked at Jia Daishan, who was leading his warhorse forward with difficulty, rubbed his hands together, and handed him a wine pouch.

what……

Jia Daishan took the drink, took a big gulp, and let out a long sigh of relief: "That feels so good!"

He then took out a piece of meat and put it in his mouth to chew: "In order to bypass the Dzungar outpost, we walked dozens of miles more."

"Let's all keep pushing forward. Once we get past the next mountain pass, we'll be out of this damn mountain range."

"General, you didn't have to come this time. Both the Prince of Xining and the Earl of Zhongyong could have led the raid. Why...?"

Jia Daishan glanced at Zhang Wannian, chuckled a few times, and then shook his head, saying, "You don't understand."

His Majesty entrusted him with an army of over 100,000 men and even opened his own treasury to support him.

I won't feel at ease unless I go there myself this time!

Furthermore, since there is already a Marquis of Champion, how can His Majesty feel at ease if a Duke of Wei does not emerge to rival him?

By personally making the trip, he not only repaid His Majesty's kindness in recognizing his talent but also balanced the power dynamics within the army.

Only by going through it yourself, and only by going through it yourself, can you achieve the best outcome.

After a long and arduous march of more than half a month, Jia Daishan finally led his troops around the outposts of the Dzungar Khanate and into their heartland.

"There are only five days left until the appointed time with the Prince of Xining. This place is 300 li away from Yili City. It is not time to rest now. We must mount our horses and set off immediately. The title of marquis and general is just around the corner."

Jia Daishan, mounted on his horse, brandished his sword and shouted to the soldiers behind him.

"kill!"

Despite being covered in snow, the soldiers were all staring intently at Jia Daishan, their eyes filled with excitement.

"Set off!"

"Boom boom boom..."

Horse hooves shattered the snowflakes on the ground, and thousands of Great Zhou soldiers, draped in white cloaks, blended into the white world like death itself.