Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Jia Jing frowned and said:

"It's pointless to say anything more now! The urgent petition from Yulin requesting aid from the imperial court is probably already on its way!"

"Yulin is a strategic location that is bordered by the Mu Us Desert to the north, the Guanzhong Plain to the south, the Yellow River to the east, and Ningxia Town to the west. It is a key area that shields Guanzhong, controls the Hetao region, and connects the east and west."

"If Yulin falls, the Northern Yuan can advance south along the Wuding River, directly threatening Yan'an and Xi'an. This place must not be lost!"

"It seems we must send troops immediately. We cannot wait for the cavalry's supplies and provisions any longer. We should first launch a light cavalry raid on Yulin."

Zhuque thought for a moment and comforted her:

"The walls of Yulin Garrison City are three zhang high. The imperial court has repaired them many times. The walls are thick and the city is high. There are also more than 10,000 troops stationed there."

"The city has ample granaries and enough grain to last a year, so holding out for a while shouldn't be a problem!"

Although Yulin Town had more than 70,000 troops, this number was inflated.

Furthermore, the troops were stationed in more than forty forts along the Yulin defense line, so only more than 10,000 people were stationed in Yulin Garrison City.

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"No one can say for sure! This battle is of great importance. We cannot gamble with the lives and fortunes of the millions of people in the four western towns. We must not take any chances."

Jia Jing glanced at the map, his gaze shifting back and forth between Yulin and Datong, before finally looking towards Ganzhou.

A resolute look appeared on his cold face, and his voice, as firm as metal, commanded:

"Immediately assemble the cavalry; 20,000 cavalry must set out by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"In addition, we will assemble two thousand elite light cavalry from the army as the vanguard."

"I will return to my residence and then go to the palace to bid farewell to His Majesty. Three hours later, I will lead a light cavalry directly from the camp to Yulin."

Zhuque cupped his hands and said:

"yes!"

…………

Jia Jing rode quickly back to the Jia Mansion and went straight to his own courtyard.

As Jia Jing walked through the covered corridor, he clearly sensed that the servants of the Rongguo Mansion were more solemn than before.

From the stewards to the servants, everyone was cautious and timid, with their heads bowed and eyes lowered, unlike their usual loud and boisterous behavior.

"Third Sister's management of the household is quite effective." Jia Jing felt somewhat gratified upon seeing this.

At this time, inside the Jingwu Academy, the personal guards were also packing their bags. Most of them were going to accompany Jia Jing on his expedition, leaving only fifty men to guard the mansion.

When Jia Jing entered the backyard, he saw Xiangling, Qingwen, Xiaohong, and Xiaojiao'er all there.

Each of them wore expressions of anxiety, worry, and reluctance.

Even though she had only spent a little over a month in Jia Jing's courtyard and hadn't spent much time with him, Qingwen's eyes were red, and Xiangling and Xiaojiao'er were wiping away tears.

That's just how people are; they forget people they didn't know in the first instant.

But once you get to know each other, especially if you live together in the same place, you will naturally get to know each other better and become closer.

Although Jia Jing hadn't spent much time with them, he had developed some affection for them.

"Third Master, you're back!"

Upon seeing Jia Jing enter, the group immediately came forward, looking at him expectantly.

They had all learned from the guards that Jia Jing was about to go on a campaign, so they were all waiting for him to return in the courtyard.

Jia Jing glanced around at the maids and said:

"We're going to war today. Be good at home. If you need anything, come to the Third Sister."

"Or you can have the guards in the front yard handle it for you. I will leave fifty guards at the mansion to protect you."

Upon hearing this, Xiangling, Qingwen, and the others looked even more reluctant to part.

I thought I could stay for another two or three days and have time to say goodbye, but I didn't expect to have to leave today.

The young actor, without any inhibitions, stepped forward, took Jia Jing's hand, looked at him with teary eyes, and said:

"Third Master, can you please not go? I don't want to go another two years without seeing you!"

Jia Jing picked her up, his gaze softening, and smiled:

"Silly girl! I am a general, it is my duty to fight for the country, and this is a good thing."

"Only if you, sir, achieve merit on the battlefield will our lives in the manor get better and better in the future, won't they?"

The young actor frowned, thought for a moment, and then choked up as he said:

"Then why don't I go with you, Third Master?"

"I'm all grown up now. Unlike two years ago when I could only lift curtains, I can now ride a horse. Even the Fourth Sister (a famous female horse expert) can't ride as well as I can!"

As he spoke, the little boy gestured with his arms to show how strong he was.

Jia Jing's gaze softened even more at this childish scene, and he said:

"That won't do. Even if you want to be a female general, you'll have to wait a few more years."

Having said that, he gently stroked her little nose with his finger, then said to Xiangling, Qingwen, and the others standing nearby:

"You don't need to worry about me. Just do what you're supposed to do at home and follow the usual routine."

"Xiangling, Qingwen, and Xiaohong, you three should discuss matters concerning the courtyard."

"Sir, how long will it take you to return from your trip to the Northwest?"

Xiangling stood to the side, her eyes a little sore, clutching a handkerchief in her hand, and after thinking for a long time, she finally asked this question.

The past few months she spent in Jia Jing's courtyard must have been the most comfortable days of her life since she was abducted.

As for the Marquis, there's no need to say more. Although we haven't spent much time together, he has an excellent temperament.

Not only did he let her study poetry and literature with Miss Lin, but he also never lost his temper with the maids.

Xiao Hong, Xiao Jiao'er, and Qing Wen in the courtyard were all easy to get along with, without any ulterior motives, and lived happily and freely every day.

I never expected that after only a few months of returning to Beijing, my father would be going on another long journey to fight in the Northwest.

"I estimate it will take anywhere from six months to a year. It won't be too long. The exact duration will depend on the situation on the front lines."

Jia Jing thought for a moment and then said.

The journey to the Northwest was long and arduous, and his trip was not merely to fight against the puppet Qing dynasty and the Northern Yuan.

If the war goes well, he will stay in the Northwest for a while to reorganize the border troops of the four Northwest Garrisons, which is what Emperor Jingsheng instructed him to do.

Some of the troops in the northwestern towns were under the control of the Jingnan Wuxun, and Emperor Jingsheng had long intended to reorganize them, but had been waiting for the right opportunity.

Xiangling's expression relaxed a little upon hearing this.

Six months to a year is not a long time. They originally thought that this separation would last at least two or three years!

"Will you be in danger during this battle, sir?"

Qingwen followed up with a question, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"I'm commanding hundreds of thousands of troops this time, what danger could I possibly face? If even I am in danger, then none of you will be safe in the capital!"

Jia Jing tried to keep his tone calm to give them some confidence.

"That's good. As long as there's no danger, it doesn't matter if it takes a little longer or shorter. There are no mercy on the battlefield, so please be careful, sir. We're all waiting for you to come home..."

Qingwen blushed and lowered her voice.

Isn't that a bit too intimate?

She has a straightforward personality, and although she was born slightly better than others, she is not frivolous!