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

The hall was filled with a murderous aura, like a thunderclap pressing down, and the chilling intent penetrated to the bone.

Su Xing and Luo Hong, how dare you stab me in the back!

Jia Yi already knew this, but his face remained calm and composed, without the slightest ripple.

"These two deserve to die," he said, his tone icy cold, "but not now."

"It's not too late to make a move after you return victorious from the Later Jin." The Emperor Emeritus's eyes darkened, and his killing intent was like a sharp blade being drawn. "By then, the external threat will be eliminated, and the court will be free to deal with internal strife."

Mark Chao and Cien Wu stepped forward in unison, their voices resolute: "Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor! If we are to wage war against the Later Jin, the army must set off immediately—not a moment can be wasted!"

"Furthermore, the Embroidered Uniform Guards must immediately keep a close watch on Su Xing and Luo Hong, and not let any clue slip by!"

The retired emperor and Emperor Yuankang exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.

The war machine of the Great Qian Dynasty has already roared into action, with ample provisions and complete weaponry. How could it be halted by two clowns?

"Jia Yi, Niu Jizong!" The Emperor Emeritus commanded, his voice echoing throughout the palace, "Lead the Loyal and Brave Camp to set off immediately!"

"Once we reach Liaodong, you will have command of all the garrison troops." He slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with fierce light. "I only need one word—to crush the Later Jin for me!"

"As you command!"

The two men clasped their hands in acceptance of the order, their armor clanging as they turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Mark Chao spoke again, his voice urgent: "Your Majesty, the Beijing Garrison must not be handed over to Su Xing and Luo Hong again."

With the departure of the Loyal and Brave Camp, only five thousand soldiers from the Five Cities Garrison remain around the capital, along with forty thousand soldiers from the Capital Garrison. If those two were to become desperate and rebel, who could withstand them?

The hall fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

"Bring Prince Teng back to temporarily serve as the military governor of the capital garrison," the retired emperor said slowly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Emperor Yuankang nodded slightly, understanding in his heart: Although Prince Teng was an opportunist and a fence-sitter, his roots were entirely tied to his father and himself—he would never dare to betray his country.

The imperial edict flew out of the capital city by fast horse. When Prince Teng, who was at home in retirement, received the edict, he was so excited that he trembled and his heart was filled with joy: Finally, it was my turn to be in power again!

The Emperor Emeritus immediately sent a message to Su Xing and Luo Hong: "Both of you are still seriously injured and need not attend to affairs for the time being. The Beijing Garrison will be temporarily managed by Prince Teng. Once you have recovered, you will naturally be reinstated to your original positions."

Upon hearing this, the two, though unwilling, could only reluctantly agree and obediently secluded themselves to recuperate.

On the other side, the Loyal and Brave Camp was already fully prepared. One hundred thousand soldiers, clad in armor, stood in formation, their banners blotting out the sky, their iron hooves thundering across the earth, marching majestically towards Liaodong.

"Lord Jia! Slaughter all the barbarians and avenge the deaths of our people!"

"Uphold our national prestige! We must ensure your safe return!"

Outside the capital city, the people lined the streets to see them off, their cheers like a tidal wave. Looking at this disciplined and menacing army, everyone felt certain that victory was assured.

"Third Brother...you must come back alive!"

The women stood outside the city gate, their eyes red-rimmed. The Third Brother Yi, who had been laughing and chatting with them just yesterday, had become their commander overnight. His figure receded into the distance, eventually merging into the vast dust and smoke.

Inside the Rongguo Mansion, however, the scene was quite different.

Jia Baoyu banged drums and gongs, grinning from ear to ear. His father was imprisoned, and Jia Yi had been sent to war—now, the Rongguo Mansion was completely under his control! He was utterly carefree and lawless!

Upon learning of Jia Yi's expedition, Su Xing and Luo Hong immediately ordered their trusted merchants to send the intelligence to the Later Jin dynasty as quickly as possible.

"Hahaha!" Su Xing laughed wildly, his eyes filled with glee. "This time, even if a god came, he couldn't save you, Jia Yi!"

Luo Hong clapped his hands in delight, as if he could already see the tragic scene of Jia Yi's blood staining Liaodong.

But they had no idea that the merchant, on whom such high hopes were placed, was dragged into a dark prison by the Embroidered Uniform Guards like a dog less than ten miles from the city gates of the capital.

Deep within the palace, the retired emperor unfolded a secret letter, his face suddenly turning ashen.

Those were letters written by Su Xing and Luo Hong to the Later Jin, letters of betrayal, every word of which was treasonous and every sentence a betrayal of their master.

"Dai Quan," he said coldly, "keep this letter safe."

"When Jia Yi returns to court victorious, it will be time for these two traitors to be beheaded."

He waved his sleeve to dismiss those around him, and sat alone on the dragon throne, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

His trusted confidant, who had served him for decades, had actually colluded with foreign enemies... This was undoubtedly a slap in the face to him!

Outside of Liaodong, a bloody storm was brewing in the Later Jin court.

After Nurhaci died at the hands of Jia Yi, the Eight Banners tribes were leaderless, and the struggle for the throne lasted for months, resulting in rivers of blood.

Now, finally someone has stood out—

Nurhaci's eighth son, Huang Taiji, ascended to the throne.

No one expected that this new Khan's rise to power would be thanks to one person.

It was Jia Yi.

If he hadn't beheaded the old Khan, how could Huang Taiji have had a chance to turn the tide in this game?

In the previous Liaodong battle, Nurhaci's sons were all slaughtered by Jia Yi, and his elite troops were almost completely wiped out.

Only Huang Taiji, who was guarding Shengjing, was completely unharmed, not even a hair on his head was lost.

More importantly, he stabilized the situation when the old Khan died in battle and the tribes were in turmoil. With swift and decisive action, he managed to straighten out the chaotic Later Jin dynasty.

Thus, the position of Great Khan naturally fell into his hands.

"Gentlemen," Huang Taiji said, standing in the tent, his voice deep and sharp like a drawn blade, "I, the Khan, will personally lead the expedition to Liaodong."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tent fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone knew perfectly well that to revive the glory of the Later Jin dynasty, Liaodong had to be conquered first. It was a thorn in their side, a nightmare weighing on their souls.

Dorgon narrowed his eyes, his fingertips lightly tapping the hilt of his sword. The others remained silent.

"Great Khan..." Degerai suddenly stepped forward, his voice tense, "Perhaps we should reconsider?"

He was Mangultai's younger brother, and he had personally witnessed Jia Yi decapitate his brother with a single stroke, blood splattering three steps away, his divine power like that of a prisoner. Ever since then, whenever he heard the name "Jia Yi," his knees would tremble uncontrollably.

Huang Taiji's eyes flickered slightly, and he sneered inwardly: "You really misjudged me by putting you in charge of the Plain Blue Banner."

How can someone who is afraid of even his own name command thousands of troops?

But he remained expressionless and simply said slowly, "There's no need to discuss this further."

"If we don't retake Liaodong—"

"Our generation, the next generation, and generations to come, will all be trapped and die in these black mountains and white waters!"

The tent fell silent once more.

Yes, without taking Liaodong, the Later Jin would forever remain a lone wolf huddled in the north, unable to see the light of day.

"Great Khan," Ajige finally spoke, his tone grave, "if we want to attack Liaodong, we must send out our entire force."

"That Jia Yi guy... is too strong."

Once upon a time, they thought the Eight Banners cavalry was invincible, until they ran into Jia Yi's army in Liaodong—that battle was like falling from myth to hell.

"There's no need to fear him." Huang Taiji's lips curled slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Jia Yi has been transferred back to the Great Qian Capital."

"Those guarding Liaodong now are all greenhorns who have never been on the battlefield."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

These days they're busy vying for power, who has time to pay attention to what's going on outside? They have no idea that Liaodong has already undergone a complete overhaul.

"What?!" Degerai looked up abruptly, his eyes lighting up like wildfire. "Jia Yi's gone?!"