Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

In Liaodong, a cold wind whips up snow.

While the capital was still embroiled in the endless turmoil of children's marriages, Jia Yi stood under the setting sun, taking stock of the remaining troops after the war.

Two thousand Xuanjia cavalry, their iron hooves undamaged; two thousand Mongol cavalry, their killing intent still lingering; ten thousand Tang Dynasty Mo Dao soldiers, their blades stained with blood, arrayed like a forest.

Of the 20,000 men who set out on the expedition, only 10,000 returned. Even with more than half lost, it was still considered a miracle.

In comparison, the situation of the Beijing garrison was simply appalling.

The army of 90,000 came in a grand procession, but after the battle, the battlefield was littered with corpses, and only 40,000 survivors remained.

Eighty thousand elite troops were wiped out by the Later Jin cavalry.

The Ministry of War originally reported a mighty army of 120,000! Now only 40,000 remnants have returned to the capital. Who will make up for the 80,000 lives lost on paper?

As Niu Jizong looked at the battle report, his scalp tingled, and cold sweat trickled down his spine.

If this blame is pinned on me, not only will I lose my title, but whether I can even keep my head is a question mark!

He never dreamed that he would return to the capital unscathed.

It was all thanks to the "strong support" of the nobles who were under his protection on a daily basis—they joined forces to push all the blame onto Prince Teng, who was the most vocal in his accusations.

At this moment, Prince Teng was sitting in his tent, writing furiously, sending messages by carrier pigeon to the nobles who had "once received my care":

"This hard-fought battle has benefited the nation. I hope you gentlemen in the capital will speak a few words of justice for me; promotion is within reach, and we can all work together to achieve this great success!"

The nobles who received the letter almost spat out their tea when they looked at the note.

"Holy crap? This guy's skin is thicker than a city wall at a bend!"

They entrusted him with their son's care, but he failed to save them; some even died on the battlefield. And now he has the nerve to ask for favors?

The group exchanged a cold, knowing glance.

Okay, we'll give you a "surprise".

After finishing the last letter, Wang Ziteng looked up at the sky and sighed, feeling utterly satisfied.

"Upon returning to the capital this time, I'll at least receive a higher rank and be allowed to participate in government affairs! The pinnacle of my life is right before my eyes!"

Three months later, the newly trained army of the imperial court took over the defense of Liaodong.

The army broke camp and returned south.

Jia Yi looked back and saw a vast expanse of land, covered in white snow, the smoke of war long gone.

He arrived alone, and no one paid him any attention.

As they departed, they were followed by loyal and courageous souls, and their shoulders bore the marks of their illustrious military exploits.

After several days of rapid travel, we arrived at Shanhaiguan.

The city gates were wide open, and Sun Hai was already waiting in front of the gates, still in his armor.

"Uncle Niu, Uncle Jia!"

His gaze toward Jia Yi was full of respect.

In this battle, Jia Yi defeated the enemy with ingenious strategies and led his army to reverse the tide of the war, leaving an indelible mark on his heart.

The army rested for a day.

On the eve of his departure, Sun Hai quietly came to find him.

After a conversation, Jia Yi learned that this man had fought alongside his grandfather Jia Daishan in the north and south in his early years and was a trusted confidant among his old subordinates.

This network of connections should have been in the hands of the Rongguo Mansion, but now... because no one bothered to maintain it back then, it has fallen into the hands of Jia Yi.

"A bunch of useless trash."

Jia Yi chuckled coldly in a low voice.

Despite possessing such a solid foundation, he lacked business acumen and ultimately suffered the fate of having his property confiscated and his entire family wiped out.

absurd!

After another half month of travel, the city walls of Shenjing finally came into view in the distance.

Outside the city gate, banners fluttered in the wind.

Crown Prince Chen Yuan of the Great Qian Dynasty personally led a hundred officials to welcome him, with civil and military officials lined up in an imposing manner.

"The Crown Prince is here! Yi-ge'er, quickly dismount with me!"

Niu Jizong's expression hardened, and he pulled Jia Yi to the ground.

The two men quickly stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

"Your subjects Niu Jizong and Jia Yi pay their respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Jia Yi's movements were crisp and clean, and he learned the technique quite well.

"My lords, please rise!"

Crown Prince Chen Yuan hurriedly reached out to help him up, but his gaze remained fixed on Jia Yi, unable to look away.

The young man in front of him was only in his early twenties, five years older than him.

Yet this very man, leading a remnant army, turned the tide in a desperate situation, killing 100,000 Later Jin cavalry and forcing their commander to flee north overnight, leaving his banners behind on the battlefield!

He simply couldn't understand how such a person could be cultivated.

A moment later, the Crown Prince suddenly smiled and said in a light tone, "Lord Jia, could you take me to see your Loyal and Brave Camp? I've heard that everyone is heavily armored and their swords flash like thunder. I long to go there."

Jia Yi looked up and said bluntly, "Your Highness, I'm tired. Maybe next time."

In short, it was decisive and straightforward, leaving no room for compromise.

Emperor Yuankang is currently in his prime, full of vigor and vitality, and has no desire to have too much involvement with Crown Prince Chen Yuan.

[Ding! Host has slapped the Crown Prince in the face and gained the Eighteen Riders of Yan Yun!]

The moment the system notification sounded, everyone present nearly threw out their backs.

Niu Jizong glanced sideways at Jia Yi beside him, his lips twitching.

Why did this kid have to jump out and sabotage us at this crucial moment?

That's like slapping the Crown Prince across the face! How will your Jia family survive in the capital when Chen Yuan ascends the throne?

"Your Highness, Jia Yi has been..."

Niu Jizong quickly raised his hand and gestured twice above his head, his eyes frantically implying: This kid is a bit dim-witted, don't bother with him!

"It's alright, it's alright."

Crown Prince Chen Yuan smiled gently and waved his hand, appearing magnanimous.

Before they arrived, Emperor Yuankang had already warned them – Jia Yi is a hothead, and his words and actions should not be taken seriously.

"Tsk, so Lord Jia really is a 'remarkable person'!"

"That's right. A single-minded person can make the Later Jin flee in terror, while some clever people suffer more than a dozen defeats in a row."

"Ha, who's the fool here?"

Officials in the court who sided with Vice Grand Secretary Wu Ci'en seized the opportunity to launch an attack, their words barbed and aimed at Grand Secretary Zhao Youting and former Liaodong Governor Zhao Lu.

Mark Chao's face was ashen, and he remained silent as a stone.

Zhao Lu wished there was a crack under his feet so he could disappear into it and never see the light of day again.

"Gentlemen, please follow me into the palace!"

"Father has already prepared a banquet in the palace to welcome your triumphant return today."

Seeing that the tension between the two sides was escalating, Crown Prince Chen Yuan immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, colleagues, let's go!"

Zhao Lu felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately ran away.

Before leaving, he turned back and grabbed Jia Yi, saying, "Yi-ge'er, when you walk alongside your uncle later, keep your mouth shut and don't say anything out of line!"

At this moment, Niu Jizong was just like a worried old father, nagging and giving instructions incessantly.

Wang Ziteng, who had just been saying "I watched Yi-ge grow up," immediately slipped away and disappeared to the back of the crowd after seeing Jia Yi publicly humiliate the Crown Prince.

Now he's associated with Jia Yi? Are you kidding me! What if the Crown Prince takes a grudge and comes after us later?

Xia Shouzhong had already relayed the scene outside the city back to the palace without missing a single word.

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuankang burst out laughing.

"I've never seen anyone dare to openly slap the Crown Prince in the face like this!"

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

Xia Shouzhong, observing the emperor's mood, smiled obsequiously and said, "This is truly the first time His Highness the Crown Prince has been so humiliated."

In the blink of an eye, everyone had arrived at the location of the imperial banquet.

Jia Yi and Niu Jizong sat at adjacent seats; one ate with gusto, while the other fidgeted.