The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Li Hu was not at home at this time, but came to the teahouse next to Taihe Tower.

This is the deal between Jia Yucun and Heshen.

In the box, Li Hu sat down on a chair by the window and looked at He Shen: "What brings Lord He here?"

He Shen sat down at the side, picked up an ivory folding fan on the coffee table, unfolded it and waved it gently: "I heard that Duke Lu returned to Beijing in triumph, so I came all the way from Shengjing to congratulate you." As he spoke, he took out a bill from his sleeve and said with a smile: "One hundred thousand taels, a bill from Li's Bank, exchangeable immediately."

Li Hu took the bill and saw that it was indeed from his own bank. He folded it and put it into his sleeve. Suddenly he remembered something. After such a long time since he came back, Lin Daiyu still hadn't shown him the general ledger of the family. She really didn't take him, the head of the family, seriously. She was simply going against the will of heaven. He would punish her when he got back, severely!
At this time, Liu Quan called four waiters in.

The two waiters in front carried a small tea tray, walked lightly to the tea table, put down two tea bowls, and opened the tea lids.

The two waiters at the back each carried a shiny copper kettle. When the kettle was tilted, two lines of steaming water poured into the tea bowls at the same time.

The tea leaves that were originally curled up like snails are like flying snowflakes, slowly stretching out into a bud and a leaf, and the fragrance of tea is overflowing.

Li Hu took a deep breath of the tea aroma from the tea bowl and said, "This tea is good!"

He Shen laughed and said: "The Biluochun in the west mountain of Dongting Lake is all picked up by twelve or thirteen-year-old girls with their lips on the day before Grain Rain."

Li Hu was slightly stunned. Isn't this just drinking other people's saliva?
He Shen picked up the tea bowl and took a sip. He closed his eyes and tasted it, then shook his head: "It is top-quality tea, but it's a pity that it has been stored for a long time."

Li Hu looked at him and smiled. This guy is really good at pretending!

He Shen slowly opened his eyes and found that the tea in Li Hu's tea bowl was untouched: "You look down on it?"

Li Hu: "I don't like drinking other people's saliva."

Heshen was stunned at first, then he started laughing.

Li Hu said to Liu Quan: "Boiled water."

Liu Quan responded and retreated.

After laughing, He Shen took another sip and said, "The spies from the Sticking Rod Department sent back news from Luosha Country. The queen of Luosha Country suppressed the rebellious forces in the country. In order to divert domestic conflicts and regain the support of the nobles, she followed the advice of the Governor-General of East Siberia, pointed her sword to the east, and formed an army of more than 100,000 people."

Li Hu was about to speak when He Shen said, "This happened a year ago."

Li Hu was surprised, but asked calmly, "So?"

He Shen smiled and said, "Drag it."

Li Hu raised his eyebrows: "Drag?"

He Shen looked at him and said, "Fu Kang'an had signed an alliance with the Russians long before the rebellion."

Li Hu did not say anything, but was thinking in his mind that this was a good idea, but there were many uncertainties. No one could guarantee that the Russians would not join forces with the Jurchens to attack Dashun. They were a group of bandits without integrity.

He Shen put down the tea bowl and said, "Don't worry, Duke. As long as Fu Kang'an is strong enough, the Russians will follow his strategy, destroy the main force of the Eight Banners under Agui, and retake the Mongolian grasslands south of the desert. As for the rest, our two families will join forces to destroy them, divide up the Mongolian grasslands south and north of the desert, redefine the borders, and sign a contract!"

Li Hu smiled and said, what a waste of time! The emperor even dreamed of destroying the Jurchens. Besides, Fukangan was not a good guy either. He was also on guard against Dashun.

He Shen: "Qian Xiaosi hopes that Dashun can completely cut off its support for Fu Kang'an and put down this rebellion as soon as possible."

Li Hu: "So what do you mean?"

He Shen took a few sips of tea from the tea bowl, then smiled and said, "Almost every family in the inner city of Shengjing is in mourning. Once the main force of the Eight Banners under Agui is wiped out, several families will be extinct. This vacant position will always need someone to fill it."

Li Hu smiled and said, "Congratulations in advance."

The smile on He Shen's face became even wider: "Congratulations, congratulations."

There will be a time for you to cry. Li Hu smiled secretly and picked up the tea bowl brought by Liu Quan, "If you have anything to say, please tell me quickly. I still have to go home for dinner."

"Duke, there are not many good men like you." Heshen immediately flattered him.

Li Hu nodded and sighed, "That's right. Alas, it's lonely at the top!"

He Shen spat out a mouthful of tea on the ground and then burst into laughter. Wang Daniu and Liu Quan beside him couldn't help laughing too.

After laughing, He Shen said: "I just like talking to the Duke, it's honest."

Li Hu looked at him and smiled, then suddenly asked, "Is Jia Yucun also honest?"

He Shen coughed and said, "Well, we are just doing some small business together."

"Small business?" Li Hu patted the rosewood coffee table with marble surface, touched the rosewood carved armchair under him, and then swept his eyes to the ground, which was all marble, each piece inlaid with marble fragments.

Li Hu: "This teahouse is probably the most luxurious teahouse in the Gyeonggi area."

He Shen smiled apologetically: "Under the feet of the emperor."

Li Hu interrupted him directly: "Only the rich or noble can come here to drink tea and discuss things. Officials below the third rank dare not come in." At this point, he changed the subject, "If they are not of my race, their hearts must be different!"

With a "swish", Wang Daniu drew the sword from his waist.

The four personal soldiers standing outside the box door rushed in with knives in hand upon hearing the noise. Two of them put their knives on Heshen's neck, while the other two protected Li Hu.

Immediately afterwards, Heshen's guards also ran in. Seeing this, they were shocked and drew their knives together.

He Shen came back to his senses from the shock and shouted: "What are you doing? Put away the knife. Get out!"

The guards sheathed their swords and retreated.

He Shen turned his gaze to Li Hu again: "What does this mean, Lord?"

Li Hu looked at Wang Daniu: "What's wrong?"

Wang Daniu was also bewildered: "I am following the commander's instructions."

Li Hu: "When did I ask you to draw your sword?"

Wang Daniu: "Just now. The Marshal said that his heart must be different. Isn't this what he meant by taking action?"

Li Hu stroked his forehead and then waved his hand.

The four bodyguards then put away their swords and retreated.

He Shen felt relieved after knowing it was a misunderstanding, and a smile appeared on his face again: "No wonder General Wang was trusted by the Duke and appointed as the captain of the personal guard. He is loyal and brave, and this is the kind of person who can accomplish great things."

Wang Daniu smiled complacently.

Li Hu continued, "This is inside the Great Wall. You are a foreigner. Don't be so ostentatious and don't create unnecessary trouble."

"Your Majesty is right." Heshen replied, smiling inwardly. This was exactly the incident he wanted, otherwise how could he drag Jia Yucun and others into the water.

Li Hu: "Go on."

He Shen: "Yes. What I mean is that Dashun should not only continue to support Fu Kang'an, but also increase the intensity of support. I know that the Duke never gets involved in such matters. The Duke only needs to help play a supporting role."

Li Hu: "How do you knock?"

He Shen: "For this kind of thing, your emperor will definitely hold a meeting in front of the emperor and ask for the Duke's opinion. As long as the Duke nods at the meeting, the matter will basically be settled."

Li Hu didn't say anything.

He Shen: "I will tell Jia Yucun about the news of the Russians. He is a man with a quick mind, and he will definitely tell the emperor. Everyone knows what the emperor is thinking. Everything will come naturally."

Li Hu thought for a moment and said, "I'll think about this matter when I get back."

He Shen knew Li Hu's temper and replied with a smile: "I will wait for your good news."

Li Hu nodded, stood up and walked out. At the same time, he was thinking that he had to report this matter to the palace, so that no evidence could be left behind. Go to Yuqing Palace? Forget it, now the prince is surrounded by a group of corrupt scholars, which is annoying. Let's go to the study room. (End of this chapter)