The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

On the official road, there were endless horse-drawn carriages and mule-drawn carts loaded with military rations, weapons, gunpowder and fodder.

With the sound of horse hooves, a group of cavalrymen walked on the wasteland on both sides of the official road and ran to the front of the convoy.

The one riding on the front horse was the dusty Xue Pan, and following closely behind him was the leader of the White Tiger Hall, who was wearing the uniform of a thousand-general officer.

As the old saying goes, it is easy to be an official if you have someone in the court.

The leader of the White Tiger Hall originally thought that with Jia Zheng as his backer, he would be able to rise to the top quickly, but the reality was cruel. Jia Zheng was a good person, but he was unlucky, and he also suffered from bad luck, and now he has only risen to the rank of a thousand-man commander.

Li Hu's army swept across southern Henan like a whirlwind, wiping out the main force of the White Lotus Sect left by Bai Hongzhi, allowing him to see the powerful strength of the imperial court's elite. In addition to being shocked, the White Tiger Hall Master was also very lucky that he escaped. At the same time, he also understood that the rebellion that started in Kaifeng Prefecture and swept across Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei was about to end. This was the last battle, and it was also his last chance!

Thinking of this, the White Tiger Hall Master touched the letter in his arms. This was the letter of recommendation he had asked Jia Zheng for.

At this moment, he felt both anticipation and anxiety. He was looking forward to making achievements under Li Hu, but he was also anxious about whether he would be exposed. Although the court did not have his portrait, he had met Li Hu's men in Yanzhou Prefecture.

Thinking about this, he comforted himself in his heart that more than two years had passed and no one should remember it.

He suddenly thought of Shui Rong who was hiding in the deep mountains and old forests. He looked up at the gray sky and thought, "Let there be a heavy snow, freeze this bastard to death!" He didn't know if he would have a chance to kill him with his own hands and avenge himself.

"We're here!" Xue Pan's voice rang in his ears. The White Tiger Hall Master looked in the direction of the voice and saw a huge military camp standing in the wilderness in the distance.

The second prince finished the food in his bowl, then scooped half a bowl of soup from a bowl of clear soup with a few vegetable leaves floating in it, and said, "Three years have passed, and the food in Li Hu's army is still so bad." He smiled and gulped down the soup.

Huang Jinzhong, who was standing by, quickly handed over a face towel.

The second prince wiped his mouth and continued, "He killed the general of a province without asking for permission and seized the military power of two provinces. This is the first time in the more than 100 years since the founding of the Dashun Dynasty. He is too arrogant!" Then he looked at Huang Jinzhong, "As the military supervisor, don't you have anything to say?"

Huang Jinzhong smiled apologetically and said, "I have no right to interfere in military affairs."

The second prince stared at him: "This is a simple military matter! This concerns the foundation of our Li family. If Li Hu is not severely punished, other generals will dare to follow suit tomorrow. It doesn't matter if there are just three or two of them, the world will be in chaos!"

Huang Jinzhong smiled bitterly: "Li Hu's military rank is equal to that of the Jiangxi General, but he is also the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, the deputy director of the Ministry of War, in charge of the military and political affairs of the whole country. Besides, the Jiangxi General deserves to die."

With a "slap", the second prince slammed his palm on the table, "Don't talk nonsense! I just want to ask you one question, will you help me?"

Huang Jinzhong still had a smile on his face: "How can you say that? I am confused."

The second prince was so angry that his face turned blue.

Huang Jinzhong: "After leaving this tent, I know nothing and remember nothing. As for Li Hu's matter, I have already sent it out in an express mail of 800 miles."

He paused, "I understand your intentions, but the emperor wants to stabilize the government and no one can ruin the emperor's strategy." He straightened his back and shouted loudly, "Come on!"

A team of eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department came in in response.

Huang Jinzhong: "Serve your highness well."

The second prince's eyes sparkled: "You want to put me under house arrest!"

Huang Jinzhong: "Your Highness has wronged me. I am doing this for your safety."

The second prince laughed angrily.

Huang Jinzhong: "On the battlefield, swords and guns are blind. The 26th day of the twelfth lunar month is the ceremony for the enthronement of the crown prince. There is no better way to celebrate than this."

The second prince stood up suddenly and said, "He dares!" His voice trembled.

At this time, a soldier came in and reported to Huang Jinzhong: "Food and military supplies have arrived!"

Huang Jinzhong nodded slightly and bowed to the second prince: "I'm leaving now." After that, he bowed and walked out.

Those bandits all bowed and retreated.

The second prince was the only one left standing there in a daze.

In front of the central army tent, the big flag with the word "Li" fluttered in the cold wind.

Dozens of personal soldiers with swords in hand stood solemnly on both sides and around the big tent, each wearing a helmet and armor, looking extremely powerful.

In the distance, some men in patrol uniforms gathered together to watch and talk quietly.

Finally, the White Tiger Hall Master came out from the central army tent, his face expressionless, and walked straight towards the group of people. When they saw the White Tiger Hall Master coming out, the men hurriedly went to greet him.

Looking at the pairs of expectant eyes, the White Tiger Hall Master smiled and said, "It's done."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone cheered.

"What are you doing!"

The officer on duty came over, glanced at the White Tiger Hall Master, and then said to the men, "If you make a noise in front of the central army tent, you will be punished with twenty military sticks."

The White Tiger Hall Master and the other men took a deep breath. This was too harsh!
The officer on duty turned his gaze to the White Tiger Hall Master again and said, "You just arrived and no one has explained the discipline to you. The punishment will be halved. Go find your commander to get the military stick." After that, he turned around and stood in front of the central army tent.

The White Tiger Hall Master's eyes sparkled. He was indeed different from other government troops. He was strict in military discipline, but not without humanity.

He took a deep breath, then waved his hand and led everyone away.

In the central army tent, Li Hu drank tea while listening to Xue Pan bragging.

Seeing Xue Pan's words getting more and more outrageous, Wang Daniu couldn't help but said, "If the Guihua Xia family is really as good as you say, would they be interested in you?"

Li Hu spat a mouthful of tea onto the ground and then burst into laughter.

Xue Pan blushed: "You know shit!" Then he said to Li Hu: "The Xia family has only a widowed mother and her only daughter. The girl is as beautiful as a flower, a real beauty. The most amazing thing is that she can read."

Li Hu smiled: "Are you interested?"

Xue Pan chuckled and said, "I like it."

Wang Daniu smiled evilly: "You are not attracted by his wealth, are you?"

Xue Pan glared at him and said, "You know nothing!"

Wang Daniu: "I understand you."

Li Hu: "Why did you go to Xi'an?"

Xue Pan: "I heard that Xue Ke was in Xi'an, so I went there, but he went north from the ferry crossing inside the pass and returned to Beijing."

Li Hu nodded and asked, "Why did you want to escort military supplies for the Second Master?"

Xue Pan smiled and told Xue Baochai what she was planning.

Li Hu smiled, this was indeed Xue Baochai's style.

Xue Pan: "My uncle said that he would recommend me for the credit when the time comes."

Li Hu shook his head. Jia Zheng was still the same Jia Zheng, a goody-goody.

Thinking about it, he took out his pocket watch from his arms, took a look at it, then stood up and said to Xue Pan: "Okay, you go down and rest first."

Xue Pan also stood up: "No, I still have a lot to talk to you about."

Li Hu said unhappily: "Talk about your sister!"

Xue Pan didn't even think about it: "Okay."

Li Hu was stunned for a moment and said, "I have to go to the front to observe the terrain. I don't have time to talk nonsense with you!"

Xue Pan was unhappy: "How can this be nonsense! Let me tell you, my sister is very good, she is still good-looking and knowledgeable."

Li Hu: "Get out!" He was about to kick him, scaring Xue Pan so much that he ran out.

Wang Daniu: "Is he still the same fool? He can even scheme now."

Li Hu smiled secretly, walked forward a few steps, then stopped and said to Wang Daniu, "Watch your mouth and don't talk nonsense." After that, he strode out.

Wang Daniu blinked and chased after him. (End of this chapter)