The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Li Hu's guess was correct, the situation had indeed changed.

In the early morning, heavy snow fell inside and outside Shengjing City.

In the heavy snow, the Sixth Prince, accompanied by several military ministers, inspected everywhere and directed everyone to reinforce the wall of the pass. Many earth ridges were built behind the wall overnight to prevent the wall from being destroyed by artillery shells.

As he was walking, the Sixth Prince stopped and saw coffins everywhere on the snow.

The leading military minister said: "These coffins are filled with solid soil. If there are cracks in the city wall, we can wrap them with iron sheets, protect them with iron sheets, and then fill them with these coffins. Finally, we can cover the city wall with cotton wool soaked in water to prevent fire attacks. The city wall can be repaired quickly."

After a pause, he said, "Your servants have read in history books that when Prince Yu attacked Jiangyin City, the Han people defended the city in this way, with 100,000 people fighting against 240,000 people, and they held out for 81 days."

The Sixth Prince nodded first, then seemed to have thought of something, and his face suddenly turned pale.

The leading military minister: "Your Majesty."

The Sixth Prince's voice trembled: "Do you think the Han people will massacre the city?"

Several military ministers were all shocked.

The Sixth Prince swallowed his saliva and said, "We can't let the Han people break through Shengjing City."

The leading military minister came to his senses and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Han people only have three bronze cannons. As long as we focus on these three bronze cannons and focus on defense, we will definitely be able to defend the outer city."

Another military minister said: "Even if the outer city is lost, we still have the inner city. The inner city has high walls and thick moats, and there is sufficient food and grass. We will definitely be able to hold out until His Majesty returns to the capital."

Another military minister said: "Yes, Your Majesty will be able to return to Shengjing City to provide assistance in 20 days at most."

The Sixth Prince heaved a sigh of relief, and suddenly thought of something: "Why did the cannon fire stop?"

Several military ministers then realized that they hadn't heard the sound of cannon fire for a long time.

The Sixth Prince thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the city wall and take a look." After that, he turned and walked towards the city wall.

Li Hu was not in the main camp at this time, but came to Qian Xiaosi's imperial tomb, which was on a mountain thirty miles northeast of Shengjing City and less than twenty miles away from the main camp.

Li Hu pulled the reins and looked towards Qian Xiaosi's tomb.

The entire mausoleum complex was built on the foothills and hillsides according to the mountain terrain, forming a low front and high back, and narrow and long from north to south.

Li Hu dismounted from his horse and climbed to the top along the snow-covered stone steps.

There are 108 stone steps, and as you climb up, you will see a stone tablet in front of you. The inscription on the tablet records the merits of Qian Xiaosi, and is written in three languages: Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian.

After reading it, Li Hu laughed angrily. Such a flattering inscription must have been written by Heshen.

Wang Daniu spat: "How shameless!"

Li Hu waved his hand and said, "Smash it." Then he walked forward.

After the stele pavilion is a sacrificial palace, with east and west side halls on both sides, both of which are places for sacrificial offerings.

Li Hu took Wang Daniu for a walk, and just as they walked out of the hall, there was a loud noise behind them.

Wang Daniu looked back and said with a smile: "The stone tablet has fallen down."

Li Hu looked around and saw towering ancient trees, numerous palaces and pavilions, golden tiles and red walls. It was quite magnificent.

At this moment, a shocking explosion was heard in the distance, and the ground began to shake.

Then, cheers were heard.

Li Hu's eyes flashed: "We found the entrance to the underground palace." Then he was about to walk towards the underground palace.

Wang Daniu said hurriedly, "Your Highness, the underground palace has just been opened, so it must be dirty. Besides, digging up people's graves is detrimental to one's virtue. It won't be too late to go after they are done." After that, he swept the snow off the stone bench next to him, took off his cloak, folded it into several layers and put it on the bench, "Your Highness, please take a seat."

Li Hu looked at him: "Aren't you cold?"

Wang Daniu patted his chest and said, "I have thick skin and I am not afraid of the cold." "It's enough that you have this intention. Put it on and don't catch a cold."

Li Hu stretched his waist and said, "Sitting every day is not good for your waist."

Wang Daniu lifted up his cloak, shook it, and threw it over himself, saying with a smile, "It's been more than half a year, and your waist hasn't recovered yet, Your Majesty?"

Li Hu raised his foot and kicked: "I will kick you to death."

Wang Daniu smiled and dodged, looking around, and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I heard that the dragon throne is made of gold, is it true?"

Li Hu rolled his eyes: "I haven't sat on it, so how do I know if it's made of gold?"

Wang Daniu chuckled: "Isn't this almost time?"

Li Hu glared at him.

Wang Daniu coughed and said seriously, "Your Majesty, we also need to make preparations in advance in the capital."

Li Hu looked at him.

Wang Daniu: "Nan'an County Prince, no, now we should call him 'Datong Emperor'. It's a bit awkward, forget it, let's just continue to call him Nan'an County Prince. Although he was tricked by Zhang Cheng and Chen Qiang and lost some elite troops, the power in his hands is still very strong, especially the Shenji Battalion composed of Western Yi people.
Chen Qiang also said that except for those he promoted, most people are loyal and useful. Some of them are determined to follow the prince of Nan'an in rebellion. Once a conflict breaks out, we will not have the upper hand! "

Li Hu was silent. The generals who surrendered to the Prince of Nangan were unaware of Chen Qiang and Zhang Cheng's plan. Some of them must have been determined to rebel.

But how to transfer troops to the capital? It would be great if we could control Shanhaiguan.

Just as he was thinking about it, the personal soldiers who went to check the underground palace came back.

The guard said: "Your Highness, the Korean slaves are carrying out the burial objects."

Li Hu nodded, and seeing that he seemed to be hesitant to speak, he asked, "What's wrong?"

The personal soldier: "Heshen ordered his men to use an axe to split open Qian Xiaosi's coffin, drag out Qian Xiaosi's body and whip it."

Li Hu was surprised: "Whip the corpse?"

The soldier nodded.

Li Hu didn't have time to think about it and strode towards the underground palace.

In the distance, there were sounds of Heshen's roar and the cracking of a whip.

Li Hu was stunned.

Wang Daniu was also shocked.

Hatred can really drive a person crazy. Heshen cried, shouted, jumped, and whipped Qian Xiaosi's corpse, venting his grievance of losing his family and his deep hatred for the Aisin-Gioro family.

Only after he had smashed Qian Xiaosi's body to pieces did Heshen's legs go limp and he sat on the ground, crying.

Wang Daniu exclaimed: "How did Heshen become like this!"

Only then did Li Hu notice that Heshen's short hair had turned completely white.

Suddenly, Heshen stood up abruptly, roaring hysterically, venting the tremendous hatred in his heart.

Glancing at Qian Xiaosi's body from a distance, Li Hu shook his head slightly. His descendants were unfilial and would not be able to rest in peace even after death. Their graves would be dug up, their bodies whipped, and their bones crushed and scattered into ashes.

No wonder Qian Xiaosi didn’t pass the throne to the sixth brother. Such a bold move is really incomprehensible.

However, this is a good thing for Li Hu. He Shen is talented and skilled in government affairs, and is a good helper. After cutting off the braids and whipping Qian Xiaosi's body, he can only rely on Li Hu in the future.

At this moment, a personal soldier came hurriedly with a letter and reported to Li Hu: "Your Majesty, an urgent letter from the sentry camp."

Li Hu took the letter, tore it open and read it. As he read, he raised his eyebrows. There were only less than 30,000 people. Was Hong Zhou going to be reincarnated in a hurry? (End of this chapter)