The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

At this time, the Baoding Prefecture was filled with the sound of killing, and countless rebels were besieging the makeshift camps built by the border troops in the three northwestern towns.

In just a few months, Jia Zheng looked much older and thinner. His cheeks and eye sockets were sunken, and his eyes were bloodshot. He stood quietly outside an inconspicuous tent, staring in the direction of the capital city in a daze.

A gust of wind blew, making Jia Zheng's completely white hair flutter in disarray.

Zhou Rui walked out of the tent and said softly, "Master, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."

Jia Zheng's eyes were still looking into the distance.

A trace of discomfort flashed across Zhou Rui's eyes, and he sighed silently.

"Is there still hope for Dashun?" Jia Zheng suddenly asked.

Zhou Rui: "There is hope, there must be hope! Dashun will not perish."

Jia Zheng shook his head.

The wind was getting stronger and stronger, making Jia Zheng's robe rustle!
Zhou Rui advised: "Master, let's go back to the tent."

Jia Zheng: "It's not dark yet."

Zhou Rui understood that Jia Zheng was worried that the northwestern border army’s camp would be breached by the rebels.

Just then, the sound of a gong was heard in the wind!
Jia Zheng shuddered: "Withdrawal of troops?"

Zhou Rui began to answer softly, "The troops withdrew when the horn sounded." Then there was a cheer, "We have secured it!"

"It's good as long as you hold on! It's good as long as you hold on"

Jia Zheng slowly let out the breath he had been holding in for a long time, turned around and walked towards the tent, saying, "We can hold out for another two days, and the imperial reinforcements should be here. Ask them to send some wine and food. I want to drink tonight."

Not hearing a response, Jia Zheng stopped and turned around, only to see Zhou Rui staring blankly ahead.

Jia Zheng followed his gaze and saw a patrol of rebels passing by. He did not see anything and asked, "What happened?"

Zhou Rui came back to his senses, looked around, then walked to Jia Zheng and whispered, "Master, I think I saw Master Liu just now."

Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment: "Which Second Master Liu?"

Zhou Rui: "Liu Xianglian, Mr. Liu"

Jia Zheng: "Him? Didn't he die in the battle?!"

Zhou Rui was also stunned for a moment: "Could it be that I saw it wrong?"

Jia Zheng: "You must have seen it wrong." After saying that, he walked straight into the tent.

Zhou Rui turned his head and looked at the disappearing figures of the rebels, and said to himself: "Could it be that I really saw it wrong?"

Zhou Rui was not mistaken. The officer leading the rebel team on patrol was Liu Xianglian, but he had changed a lot and it was difficult to recognize him if you were not an acquaintance.

He had been in the rebel army for several months and successfully infiltrated the central army of Prince Nan'an and became a team officer.

But the Prince of Nan'an was too cautious, he only trusted the Southern Frontier Army. Not to mention approaching the Prince of Nan'an, he couldn't even get close to the Central Army's tent.

As he walked, Liu Xianglian looked back at Jia Zheng's tent, thinking that perhaps he could find a way to deal with Jia Zheng!
By this time, the sky was gradually getting dark.

Zhang Cheng, who had just returned from outside, lit the tinder, lit the lamp on the table, then picked up the lamp and walked to the sand table.

Putting down the lamp, he inserted a small flag on the sand table, where Chongwenmen was.

After Niu Ben left Beijing, he took Lin Daiyu's letter to the South Camp, met with Li Hu's old subordinates, and discussed everything.

As long as news came from Baoding confirming that Niu Ben's rebels and Prince Nan'an's rebels had started fighting, they could take action with the cooperation of the South Camp, seize the capital, and wait for Li Hu to enter the pass.

I wonder how Li Hu's troops are gathering? I hope that reckless man Niu Ben can consume more of the strength of the Prince of Nan'an.

Thinking of this, he smiled bitterly. The Prince of Nan'an was not a fool. After he proclaimed himself emperor, he reorganized his troops and stripped away all the surrendered government troops. He ordered his confidants to lead those surrendered government troops to attack Xuzhou, while he led the main force of the Southern Xinjiang Army, the Western Yi people and the newly recruited troops from Henan to the north.

The rebels in Baoding Prefecture who are now besieging the Northwest Army are the real rebels. Zhang Cheng's eyes fell on the imperial city again, and he was a little curious about how to take over the imperial city. Could it be that the prince still has some tricks up his sleeve?
At this moment, a strong man in civilian clothes hurried in and reported to Zhang Cheng: "General, the news just came that the Empress Dowager passed away."

The Empress Dowager passed away?
Zhang Cheng was stunned at first, then he felt relieved. It was better for him to die, so that everyone would not have a hard time in the future.

He knew Li Hu too well. He was not a cruel person. He would most likely promote her to the title of Grand Empress Dowager and then support her. The Grand Empress Dowager was not an easy person to deal with. If she was kept alive, she would be a disaster!
Zhang Cheng suddenly remembered something and asked anxiously, "Are you sure he died of illness?"

The strong man: "She died of illness. A normal person wouldn't be able to survive such a series of blows. The Empress Dowager was already ill."

Zhang Cheng nodded.

The troops from the three northwestern towns repelled the rebels' attack again. Jia Zheng was so happy that he soon drank until his face turned red and he was a little drunk.

Seeing Jia Zheng filling up another large glass of wine, Zhou Rui hurriedly advised: "Master, you have already drunk two pots of wine, you can't drink any more!"

Jia Zheng: "It's okay, just get drunk and go to sleep. There's nothing to do anyway." After saying that, he drank another gulp.

Zhou Rui wanted to say something when earth-shaking artillery fire suddenly sounded outside.

Jia Zheng's hand trembled as he picked up the wine jug, "Why set off a firecracker at this time?" When he said this, his face suddenly changed, he sobered up instantly, and ran out like a flash.

Zhou Rui's expression also changed and he followed him out.

At this time, the sound of heavy drums was heard, followed by roars of killing that shook the sky.

Flames shot up from the direction of the government army camp, lighting up half the sky red!
Jia Zheng knew exactly what was going on. The Prince of Nan'an did this on purpose to let the northwestern border troops let down their guard!

"Shameless villain!"

Jia Zheng's head buzzed, his eyes went dark, and the sky and the earth began to spin.
"If anyone asks again, just say that the Second Master drank too much. Don't say that he fainted from anger."

"Don't worry, Master. I understand."

Jia Zheng slowly opened his eyes. The sun shone in through the window. He vaguely saw Zhou Rui talking to someone. He opened his mouth and said in a hoarse voice: "Water..."

Zhou Rui was surprised and delighted. He hurriedly handed the tea to Jia Zheng and asked Jia Zheng to drink a few sips.

Only then did Jia Zheng feel better.

"Uncle." Liu Xianglian walked over and bowed to Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng then saw Liu Xianglian: "You, you didn't."

Liu Xianglian smiled: "I'm not dead."

Jia Zheng was startled for a moment, then asked, "Why are you here?"

Liu Xianglian was silent for a moment, then told Jia Zheng about his experiences and plans.

Jia Zheng was startled: "You want to assassinate the Prince of Nan'an?"

Liu Xianglian nodded.

Zhou Rui was also surprised and looked at Liu Xianglian with admiration.

Jia Zheng was silent for a moment. "The Prince of Nan'an is surrounded by his trusted guards. You can't get close to him at all. How can you assassinate him?"

Liu Xianglian fell to his knees and said, "Uncle, please give me a hand!"

"Me?!" Jia Zheng was startled again.

Liu Xianglian nodded: "Now, only my uncle can help me! I beg my uncle to help me for the sake of our friendship and the country of Dashun."

Jia Zheng was silent again, "How can I help you?"

Liu Xianglian: "I have heard everything clearly. The Prince of Nan'an is going to hold a celebration banquet." As he spoke, he leaned over to Jia Zheng's ear and whispered a few words. (End of this chapter)