The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

The Empress Dowager had almost finished taking the medicine prescribed by Li Yuanzheng, and the troops from the northwest were about to enter the capital. The Empress Dowager's tense heart relaxed a little. Today, the Empress Dowager looked particularly good. She got up early, walked around the yard, and summoned Jia Yuanchun, the little emperor, and the poor daughter-in-law to have breakfast together in the Cining Palace.

There were dozens of bowls of various dishes, large and small, on the long dining table.

The Grand Empress Dowager sat at the top with the little emperor, while Jia Yuanchun and the Empress Dowager sat on both sides.

While filling the little emperor's bowl with a spoonful of red rice porridge, the Empress Dowager said to Jia Yuanchun, "You have done a great job in taking care of the child!" At this point, she was slightly startled and then subconsciously glanced at her poor daughter-in-law. She had said the same thing to her in the past.

The Queen Mother seemed not to have heard it. She lowered her head and ate porridge, but her face became even paler.

The Empress Dowager sighed silently.

Jia Yuanchun suddenly felt that something was wrong in the atmosphere. She glanced at the Empress Dowager, then at her "cheap daughter-in-law", and lowered her head to eat.

The identities of these three people are quite embarrassing. Three emperors died in succession. The throne of Emperor Yongchang was passed to his son Emperor Yongxing, and the throne of Emperor Yongxing was passed to his son Emperor Tianyou. These three of them inherited their fathers' careers. But when it came to Jia Yuanchun's son, Prince An, things changed. It was passed from nephew to uncle.

Jia Yuanchun was the concubine of Emperor Yongchang, and was of the same generation as the Grand Empress Dowager. However, there was also a former Crown Princess in between. Her husband and son were both emperors, so it was impossible to depose her from her position as Empress Dowager, so she could only be called that in this confusing way.

At this moment, the eunuch in charge of the seal rushed in with a ragged eunuch in red clothes with blood on his body, looking terrified.

The Empress Dowager was shocked.

The eunuch in red knelt down at the door.

Walking to the side of the Empress Dowager, the eunuch in charge of the seal presented a blood-stained letter, "A letter requesting help from the generals of the three towns of Ningxia, Guyuan and Gansu!" His voice was trembling.

The Empress Dowager stood up suddenly, took the letter for help, tore open the seal and read it. Her eyes suddenly widened and her face turned as pale as paper!

The eunuch in charge of the seal was startled: "Grand Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager moved her lips for a long time before she spoke: "Is it God's will to destroy our Dashun?" As she spoke she lost her breath, her eyes went dark, and her body collapsed.

The eunuch in charge of the seal was well prepared. He grabbed the Empress Dowager from behind and shouted in panic, "Call the doctor! Call the doctor quickly!"

Chongwenmen Camp

In the central army camp, all of Niu Ben's trusted generals came and looked at him with heated eyes.

Wang Ren also came and sat in front of a low table beside him with a gloomy face.

In front of the sand table, Niu Ben walked back and forth somewhat impatiently, stopping from time to time to look at the tent door.

After a long time, the sound of horse hooves came to a stop outside the tent, and then the second master of the Niu family rushed in excitedly and said excitedly: "Brother, the Empress Dowager has passed out and has not woken up yet!"

"Great!"

Niu Ben clapped his hands, then turned his eyes and stared at the first trusted general.

The trusted general took a step forward and put his legs together.

Niu Ben shouted: "You must immediately lead your troops to surround Nanhaizi and seize the war horses there!"

The trusted general answered loudly, "Yes!" and turned around and strode out.

Niu Ben turned his attention to his second trusted general.

The trusted general also took a step forward and put his legs together.

Niu Ben: "You should immediately lead your troops to surround the Armory and seize the firearms, gunpowder and ammunition there."

The trusted general also answered, "Yes!" and turned around and strode out.

"You will lead your troops to Tongzhou immediately and seize the military grain depot."

"You guys lead the troops to surround the Shanhaiguan military camp. As long as they don't rush out, don't take any action."

". Seal off the city immediately. Civil and military officials in the city are not allowed to leave the city from now on. Say that the Empress Dowager is unconscious and impose martial law."

The only ones left here were the second master of the Niu family and Wang Ren who was still sitting there.

Niu Ben turned his gaze to Wang Ren again: "Brother Wang"

Wang Ren slowly stood up and looked at Niu Ben.

Niu Ben: "I have said everything I need to say. Whether our brothers can accomplish their great cause depends entirely on you!"

After these words, Wang Ren sat down again, holding his head in his hands, his heart was in turmoil. Niu Ben winked at the second master of the Niu family, and the second master of the Niu family understood and said to Wang Ren: "You went to Huazhi Lane, and you also saw that the child was Wang Ziteng who was unkind and unjust first, what are you still worried about?" Then he took out a small bottle, "This is Hedinghong, colorless and tasteless, drinking a drop can kill people."

Seeing Wang Ren remained silent, Niu Ben frowned and said, "As long as you get the seal of the governor of the Beijing camp, I will appoint you as the governor of the Beijing camp, commanding 50,000 troops outside the city, and also managing the Jinyiwei. If you don't believe me, we brothers are willing to drink blood wine with you!"

Wang Ren slowly raised his head and looked at Niu Ben.

Niu Ben walked over and slowly helped Wang Ren up.

The second master of the Niu family immediately poured three glasses of wine, and the three of them swore an oath of blood.

After seeing Wang Ren off, the second master of the Niu family came back and asked Niu Ben, "Is this possible?"

Niu Ben: "Wang Ziteng went to the camp outside the city early in the morning and had no idea what was going on in the palace. Besides, he wouldn't be on guard against Wang Ren."

The second master of the Niu family hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Wang Ren just said something, which means to send someone to throw the child to death."

Niu Ben was also shocked. He didn't expect Wang Ren to be so cruel!

The second master of the Niu family: "Should we save the child? After all, he is Wang Ren's."

Niu Ben suddenly laughed.

The second master of the Niu family looked at him in confusion.

Niu Ben: "Tell me, if Wang Ren knew the truth, would he be so angry that he would die?"

The second master of the Niu family was stunned for a moment, and walked back and forth a few steps, still a little reluctant: "The child is innocent."

Niu Ben raised his hand and said, "Do you really think I will share wealth and honor with Wang Ren? This kind of thing is worse than an animal. It will only bring disaster if I keep it!"

After hearing what he said, the second master of the Niu family could only sigh.

Niu Ben: "Go do something for me now."

Niu Family Second Master: "What's the matter?"

Niu Ben: "Seal off the imperial city and don't allow anyone to enter or leave."

The second master of the Niu family was stunned and said hesitantly: "King-killing is not a good reputation."

Niu Ben rolled his eyes. "I'm not a fool like the Sima family! If the little emperor dies, won't that give Li Hu an excuse? He can use the emperor to control the princes and defeat the rebels of the Prince of Nan'an. As for Li Hu, let him be his own emperor outside the Great Wall for now."

The second master of the Niu family: "Brother, do you mean that we should rescue the troops in the northwest?"

Niu Ben: "We need to save them, but not now. When they are both defeated, we can reap the benefits." At this point, he smiled, "But before that, there is one more thing to do."

Niu Family Second Master: "What's the matter?"

Niu Ben's eyes flashed: "Fake Huangyue, add nine gifts, and be crowned king!"

Niu Family Second Master: "Will the Empress Dowager agree?"

Niu Ben sneered: "The Northwest Border Army is an elite force, but they have been marching all the way and are exhausted. This is the time when their fighting power is at its weakest. In addition, the rebels are numerous and powerful, so they can't hold out for long. She has no choice but to agree!"

The second master of the Niu family nodded.

Niu Ben: "Go ahead."

The second master of the Niu family responded loudly, "Yes." He turned around and strode out.

Niu Ben walked to the door, took a deep breath, and said to himself: "You forced my father to death, and I took your kingdom away. This can be regarded as a tit-for-tat."

Outside Cining Palace
The chief minister of the cabinet walked out with a gloomy look on his face. He looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and thought: The Emperor Wushang, the Late Emperor, and the Empress Dowager really tried their best, but it is fate that cannot be defied. It is God who wants to destroy Dashun!

At this time, the eunuch on duty at the Meridian Gate ran over like a flash, crying, "Prime Minister, it's bad. The Niu family has rebelled! The second son of the Niu family has led his troops to blockade the imperial city."

The cabinet chief's face suddenly changed, and he strode towards the Meridian Gate.
The news soon reached the Li family.

Lin Daiyu was also surprised. She really underestimated the Empress Dowager.

If the vanguard troops of Prince Nan'an had not accidentally stopped the troops from the northwest, it would have been possible for the Empress Dowager to turn the tables.

Heaven is going to destroy Dashun! (End of this chapter)