The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 400: Only children who cry and make a fuss get candy

While the fierce fighting was going on in the front, the capital city was also in an uproar.

Huang Jinzhong's memorial reporting that Li Hu had killed the Jiangxi general was delivered to the Shangshufang in the afternoon via an express delivery of 800 miles. The express delivery from the Jiangxi deputy general soon followed and reported the matter to the Ministry of War.

The chief general, who was the commander-in-chief of a province, had to report to the Ministry of War both publicly and privately about the killing of the deputy commander of Jiangxi Guard.

Now not only the palace knew about it, but all the civil and military officials knew about it!
No one expected that Li Hu would be so bold as to chop off a provincial general on the spot. The Jiangxi general certainly deserved to die, but he was too bold to kill a second-rank official of the court without asking for permission, and he was also a general appointed by the emperor.

The imperial court had clear regulations that the appointment of provincial generals must be requested by the Ministry of War and approved by the emperor himself.

Li Hu not only killed the general of Jiangxi, but also seized the military power of Hubei and Jiangxi provinces. Those who knew him understood that he wanted to quell the rebellion as soon as possible, while those who didn't thought he was going to rebel!
Where there are smart people, there are naturally confused people, or people who pretend to be confused.

The clear streams gathered again.

The lobby of the Hanlin Academy was crowded with officials who had passed the imperial examinations and clean civil servants from the Censorate, Hanlin Academy, and Imperial College, some standing and some sitting.

An official who was a Jinshi in the imperial examination said loudly and passionately: "We have to submit a memorial and fight for it! Even if we don't want to be an official, we have to uphold the rules and regulations of the court!"

An official from the Imperial College interrupted, "There is a war going on at the frontline right now, and it has reached a critical stage. Should we wait until the battle is over before submitting a joint petition?"

The man waved his hand in disdain: "I don't believe it. If Zhang the Butcher dies, we will eat hairy pigs! The court has so many generals, just find someone to replace him. The battles are fought by the soldiers below. He is just a sitting commander, nothing special!"

After hearing what he said, many people shouted:
“That’s right!”

"That's right, are the other generals all useless?"

In the corner, Mei Hanlin sat there watching quietly. He had become much thinner and older now, and his whole body exuded an air of decadence that shouldn't belong to his age.

At this time, someone in the crowd said, "This reason cannot bring down Li Hu."

Everyone was stunned at first, then fell silent.

The man's eyes rolled around, and then he said loudly: "Everyone, it hasn't snowed since the beginning of winter this year. Do you know why?"

"What's the reason?" someone asked.

That person: "This is a warning from God. There is a traitor in the court. This traitor is Li Hu!"

The whole house was in an uproar!

Someone else spoke up: "Li Hu is the Crown Prince's confidant, right?"

The man looked confident: "This is a different time! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince used him because he was forced by the situation. Now it is different. The news of the crown prince's appointment has spread throughout the country. The overall situation has been decided, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has no worries. The rebellion in the Central Plains will also be quelled. This world still depends on us scholars to govern."

After a pause, he said, "Even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does not stand on our side, he will not protect Li Hu, an arrogant person who despises the imperial power!"

Hearing this, everyone became excited again!

Mei Hanlin's eyes flashed. It would be great if Li Hu could be overthrown. Without Li Hu, revenge would be much easier. He still had to think of some ways to deal with Prince Zhongshun. This was the only support he could find.

Thinking of this, he closed his eyes and said, "Just wait, your father will definitely avenge you!"
A rosewood banner door was installed between the western warm room and the main hall. Four large open fires were burned with sandalwood outside the banner door, making the main hall as warm as spring.

At this time, the banner door was gently pushed open a little, and Zhao Tong came out sideways with an empty bowl in his hand. The heat wave hit his face. He turned around to close the door and glanced subconsciously.

There were only the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess in the West Warm Pavilion. The Crown Prince was still sitting on the recliner, holding a book in his hand, reading it half-heartedly. The Crown Princess was sitting on a stool next to him, embroidering.

"I don't understand so many great principles. I only know that General Li won a great victory in the south and made great contributions to our Dashun. It's just killing a person who deserves to die. Why do those Qingliu people insist on impeaching General Li?"

The Crown Princess looked at the newly embroidered pattern and then said, "Should we say something for General Li?"

The prince stared at the book: "Don't make things complicated."

The Crown Princess was slightly startled: "I just said a few words to my father, how could such a thing happen?"

The prince put the book in his hand on the coffee table and said, "Women's opinions! The war in the Central Plains has reached a critical stage. Father will never punish Li Hu. At most, he will point it out to him in the secret decree. There is no need to make things worse."

After a pause, "Li Hu really went too far this time. He is the general of a province, not just any random person! The official violated the law. The power of life and death over officials is in the hands of the emperor, especially officials above the third rank. As a military commander, he should focus on military affairs and should not and cannot get involved in such sensitive matters. This is disrespect and interference with the imperial power, and it is a taboo for a minister!"

At this point, he sighed, "Li Hu has made many military achievements, and he is deeply appreciated and supported by his father, which makes his career smooth and he has not encountered any setbacks. However, he is also a person with a strong character and lacks tact and flexibility. If this continues, he will inevitably be suspected of being unruly and self-righteous."

The Crown Princess' heart skipped a beat. What did this mean?
At this moment, the banner door was pushed open with a "whoosh".

The prince and princess looked up in surprise.

The queen came in from outside.

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess stood up quickly: "Mother is here."

The Crown Princess hurried forward and helped the Queen sit down on the couch on the south side, and the Crown Prince personally brought over a bowl of tea.

The Queen looked at the Prince and did not take the tea. The Prince was stunned for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Does your mother have anything to tell me?"

The queen glanced at the poetry collection on the tea table and then spoke: "The prince is so elegant, hiding here to drink tea and recite poetry."

The prince sensed the displeasure in the queen's words, and after a moment of silence, he asked softly, "Is it because of Li Hu, mother?"

"Why did Li Hu want to kill the Jiangxi general?" the queen asked.

The prince was stunned for a moment, and replied: "Huang Jinzhong and the deputy general of Jiangxi Guards"

The Queen interrupted him directly: "Huang Jinzhong is your father's man, Li Hu has offended the entire Jiangxi government army, do you think there is any problem with their express delivery?"

When the prince heard this, his face suddenly became serious.

Queen: "Li Hu is not a bloodthirsty person. The main reason he killed the Jiangxi general was because he and Lao Er got involved. Because of you, he killed the Jiangxi general. Do you understand?"

The Crown Princess looked towards the Crown Prince.

The prince seemed to remember something and blushed.

"Do you know how many eyes are watching you outside? Not only your father, but all the civil and military officials in the court are watching you, waiting for your statement, especially the noble military lineage!"

The queen raised her voice: "How good are you? You are still here reading a book leisurely as if nothing happened!"

The prince lowered his head.

Queen: "I've told you so many times that even if you are crowned as the Crown Prince, you can't let your guard down! Why can't you remember? You disappoint me so much."

The prince knelt down and said, "My son is not doing well. Please punish me, mother!"

Seeing that he admitted his mistake, the queen immediately softened her tone: "Forget it this time, get up."

The prince kowtowed, stood up, and said, "Son, I will go to the Yangxin Palace now."

The emperor raised his hand and said, "Li Hu's mistake this time is not an ordinary one. You can't speak for him."

The prince was puzzled.

Queen: "The provinces have sent you many gifts. Let Zhao Tong deliver them to the Li family in person. Go through Gulou Street and walk around the west city. Walk slowly."

Looking at the boxes and cages filling the yard, the frightened Li family members finally had smiles on their faces.

Feng and the wives of the managers were counting things and chatting at the same time.

Amber, Zijuan and others surrounded Lin Daiyu.

Xueyan clenched her fists and said, "When Second Master comes home, I'll beat these bad guys to death!"

Xiangling: "Yes, kill them!"

At this time, Nanny Wang came in from the moon gate of the courtyard holding a letter.

Amber, Zijuan and others bowed.

Coming closer, Nanny Wang said softly, "Miss, this is from your third uncle." Then she handed the letter to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took the letter, opened the seal and looked at it. The letter paper was densely covered with the names and official titles of dozens of people, and Mei Hanlin's name was prominently listed.

After reading it, Lin Daiyu folded the list and put it into her sleeve.

Nanny Wang handed another wax ball to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu crushed the wax ball, took out the paper inside and read it.

Looking at the note in her hand, Lin Daiyu understood that if the Queen did not go, the Prince would hide in Yuqing Palace and pretend that he knew nothing.

With a snort, Lin Daiyu glanced at the boxes and thought for a moment before saying to Nanny Wang, "Let's do a careful calculation and convert them into cash and send it to the Ministry of Revenue. Let the Ministry of Revenue give porridge to the disaster victims in Henan in the name of the Crown Prince."

Nanny Wang was stunned for a moment and hesitated: "This, this is not good"

Lin Daiyu: "Only children who cry and make a fuss get candy."

"It's snowing!" Xueyan exclaimed.

Snowflakes fell from the sky.

Lin Daiyu stretched out a white and tender palm to catch the falling snowflakes, and looked up at the sky with shining eyes: "This is a good omen! With this snow, who dares to spread rumors?" Thinking of this, she turned her gaze to the south again, "When will you come back?"

(End of this chapter)