The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

When the old concubine passed away, her body was kept in the side palace for 21 days before it was moved to the first mausoleum. The mausoleum was about 10 days away from the capital, and the body had to be kept there for several days before it could be moved to the underground palace after the Imperial Astronomical Observatory selected an auspicious time. The whole process took more than a month.

The Dashun Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety. Emperor Yongchang issued an edict that all noble families were not allowed to hold banquets or get married within a year, and common people were not allowed to get married for three months. He even went to the mausoleum in person and buried the old concubine's coffin in the underground palace before returning to the capital.

The day is bright.

The officials who stayed in the capital all went to Zhengyang Gate to welcome the emperor. Unlike the funeral procession, the procession was endless.

On both sides of the carriage road covered with a thin layer of yellow soil, the civil and military officials who stayed in the capital knelt down to welcome him.

In the distance, the tall chariot carrying Emperor Yongchang was slowly approaching.

In the chariot, Emperor Yongchang was leaning on the couch, reading an official document.

Emperor Yongchang had lost a lot of weight, and his eyes were bloodshot. He gently closed the document and then sighed deeply.

Dai Quan picked up the tea bowl on the low table and said softly, "Bad news always spreads faster than good news. There is no news, which means that the situation in Anhui has stabilized. Perhaps good news is on the way."

Emperor Yongchang glanced at him and said, "I hope so." Then he took the tea bowl and took a sip, then suddenly asked, "Could it be the third brother?"

Dai Quan didn't dare to answer and lowered his head.

Emperor Yongchang sighed again: "The spies from the Northern Pacification Office said that those people were planted by the third brother next to Prince Zhongshun. However, they all died in the battle and I was confused." As he spoke, he actually started coughing.

Dai Quan quickly knelt on the couch and gently massaged his back.

Emperor Yongchang: "This child is very smart. He sensed my displeasure and immediately began to keep a low profile. I know that he is behind many things. Even the two fires may be related to him. He is cruel and ruthless." He coughed twice as he spoke.

Dai Quan quickly picked up the spittoon beside him and handed it over.

Emperor Yongchang spat and continued, "Whether he did it or not, I will not consider him. From today on, the third son is forbidden to study in the mansion and cultivate his character. Without my order, he is not allowed to step out of the mansion."

Dai Quan was shocked.

Emperor Yongchang: "Deal with all the servants in the Third Prince's house. Send twenty eunuchs from the palace and tell them to serve the Third Prince well."

Dai Quan hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously, "This matter has a huge impact. If the court officials ask about it, I must give a reason."

Emperor Yongchang snorted, "I discipline my own son, what reason do I need?"

Dai Quan had no choice but to answer: "Yes"

Emperor Yongchang: "Draft two decrees: First, grant Zhen Yingjia the title of Earl of Changxing and allow him to wear a dragon robe. Second, promote Zhen Fu to the position of Commander of the Southern Pacification Division."

"Yes." Dai Quan answered, but he was shocked in his heart. Was he preparing to deal with the Zhen family?
Emperor Yongchang: "Dai Quan."

Dai Quan: "The old slave is here."

Emperor Yongchang was silent for a moment, then said, "Tell me, did I do something wrong?"

Dai Quan knelt down hurriedly.

Emperor Yongchang: "Is the emperor's grandson six years old this year?"

Dai Quan lowered his head and said, "Yes, after the first month of next year, I will be seven years old."

“Seven years old.”

Emperor Yongchang looked at Dai Quan and said, "What do you think of me appointing your grandson as the Crown Prince?"

Dai Quan's head buzzed, and blood immediately rushed to his face. He used his utmost willpower to suppress his emotions, but his heart was already beating wildly in panic, and his hands were trembling slightly. He swallowed hard, and then replied softly: "Your Majesty, this is not something I can or should say."

Emperor Yongchang looked at him.

Dai Quan knew that the emperor was looking at him, and he also knew that he should raise his head, but he didn't dare to, so he could only pretend not to know.

Emperor Yongchang stopped looking at him and picked up the official document on the table and started reading.

Dai Quan was still kneeling there. He took a deep breath and then let it out slowly to calm himself down. Then he glanced at Emperor Yongchang secretly to observe his reaction.

Emperor Yongchang also looked at him, and their eyes met.

Dai Quan's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't dare to avoid the gaze of Emperor Yongchang.

At this moment, the chariot slowly stopped. From outside the chariot came the voice of the cabinet ministers who stayed in the capital: "We respectfully welcome the emperor back to the capital. Long live the emperor!"

Then came the voices of the officials: "Long live! Long live! Long, long live!"

There was silence in the chariot.

Emperor Yongchang looked at Dai Quan, smiled and said, "I lost." Then he stood up, opened the car door and walked out.

Dai Quan’s heart skipped a beat. It was over!
Emperor Yongchang stood in front of the carriage door. His eyes first went to the empress's carriage at the back, and then to the prince's carriage.

The kneeling ministers were surprised. Why was there no call to "stand up"?

After a long time, Emperor Yongchang came back to his senses, and then whispered something to Shi Ding, Marquis Zhongjing, who was riding a horse and guarding the chariot.

Shi Ding was slightly startled, then he dismounted from his horse and strode towards the prince's carriage.

Emperor Yongchang then said to all the ministers, "Everyone, stand up."

Everyone got up in a hurry and looked at Emperor Yongchang together.

At this time, Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding came over with the emperor's grandson.

Approaching the sedan chair, the grandson knelt down, supported himself with his two little hands and kowtowed: "Long live Grandpa Emperor!"

Emperor Yongchang showed a rare kind smile: "Get up."

"Yes." The emperor's grandson kowtowed again and then climbed up.

Emperor Yongchang looked at him with a smile and asked, "Do you dare to come up?"

The emperor's grandson responded crisply, "I dare!"

Emperor Yongchang burst into laughter.

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

After laughing, Emperor Yongchang said: "Then come up."

The grandson blinked his eyes and said, "To answer Grandpa Huang's question, I am still young and need to step on a step stool to get on the sedan chair."

Emperor Yongchang laughed again: "My grandson is very smart. Dai Quan, move the step stool down and let your young master come up."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate commotion and discussion among the crowd.

Dai Quan jumped down from the sedan chair, took down the step stool and placed it beside the sedan chair, then reached out to support the emperor's grandson.

The emperor's grandson: "No need, I can get up by myself." As he said that, he stepped onto the steps and climbed onto the sedan chair, standing beside Emperor Yongchang.

The smile on Emperor Yongchang's face grew wider: "My grandson is more like me."

The ministers seemed to understand something and looked at Emperor Yongchang and his grandson beside him.

Just then, there was a commotion in the distance and everyone looked over.

A postman wearing a yellow flag ran over holding a bundle high and shouting, "Great victory in Anhui! Great victory in Anhui!"

Everyone showed a look of surprise.

Dai Quan ran over frantically: "Quick! Give it to me, give it to me!" He snatched the bundle and ran to the sedan chair, raised the bundle high above his head and presented it to Emperor Yongchang.

Emperor Yongchang untied the bundle, tore open the cover, and was stunned to find that there were three memorials inside.

Emperor Yongchang picked up the top memorial and began to read it. After reading only a few lines, his expression suddenly became solemn.

Everyone was shocked by his expression and their hearts were suddenly lifted.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Yongchang gently closed it and said after a while: "Marquis Zhongyong defeated the White Lotus rebels in Fengyang Prefecture, beheaded more than 10,000 people and captured thousands of prisoners." After that, he picked up the two memorials and looked through them.

Li Hu won another battle!
Zhongjing Hou Shi Ding immediately showed a complicated expression on his face, and then he was stunned for a moment. Isn't it Luzhou Prefecture? Why is it in Fengyang? What happened in Hefei? !
Some officials who knew the inside story also reacted and looked at each other in bewilderment.

After reading the two memorials, Emperor Yongchang said calmly, "Return to the palace." Then he led his grandson into the chariot. (End of this chapter)