The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 269 They're the Best

On the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head, a plate of pig's head meat was placed on Shen Ning's table early in the morning. It was said that she was picking the dragon's head, and as for supporting the dragon's whiskers...

Looking at the bowl of dragon beard noodles in front of her, she ate a bowl with great interest.

The 49-day vegetarian diet expires the day after tomorrow, and she has to stick to it no matter what.

"Grandmother, eat a dragon ear, and all diseases will flee from the dragon's body."

Rong-ge'er kindly picked up a vegetarian dumpling for her.

"My dear, today is also the 'Birthday of the Earth'."

Shen Ning also picked up a vegetarian dumpling for him, saying, "When you go to the Earth God Temple outside the city to burn incense later, burn an extra incense for your grandmother."

This is a custom from her maternal home.

The capital city is a melting pot of people from all over the country, and it has all sorts of customs.

Many people also go to the local temple to offer birthday wishes to the Earth God.

"Grandson knows."

Grandpa used to accompany Grandma, but Grandma's health is not good now, and it's windy and rainy today, so they definitely can't go.

"Father had it prepared early this morning."

To celebrate the birthday of the Earth God, one must not only burn incense and offer sacrifices, but also prepare gongs and drums and set off ten thousand firecrackers.

"Didn't they come to tell you?"

"said."

Shen Ning smiled.

Jia Zhen was originally going to come over and have breakfast with her, but You Shi was vomiting badly, so she sent him back. "It's just that Grandmother has had an unlucky start to the year, so it's always good to burn a few more incense sticks."

Shen Ning could clearly feel that her health had deteriorated significantly.

I felt very tired even though I hadn't walked more than a few steps.

Since transmigrating, she has tried her best to take care of herself, but she has still faced life-or-death situations several times.

For some reason, Shen Ning felt a little scared.

Although Confucius said not to speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits, she needs the protection of the local earth god right now!
So what's wrong with burning a few more incense sticks?
What if it works?

"Grandma, your grandson will cook lots of food for you."

Rong Ge felt bad after his grandmother's words, so he quickly gave her his full assurance.

The changes in their family over the past year were all thanks to the grandmother's life-risking efforts.

Rong Ge saw it all and kept it in mind.

Therefore, when offering incense to the land, they are especially devout.

As their firecrackers crackled and popped, a hundred revolvers simultaneously went off at the firing range in the distant Beijing garrison.

Chai Xuyao, the military governor of the capital, was pounding his heart.

With such a powerful weapon, he could lead his brothers from the Beijing Garrison to fight their way to Heihe and repel the Russians!

In the past, Chai Xuyao ​​would have volunteered to the emperor, who had come incognito, long ago, but now he dared not!

Last year, when a mutiny broke out before the New Year, he pretended not to know anything and did not support the emperor!
now……

Chai Xuyao ​​carefully examined the group of imperial guards firing their guns and discovered that they were all young officers who had come to the capital from the border city to receive rewards. His heart sank.

Did the emperor feel that these veteran officials were no longer worth winning over?

"Minister Chai!"

The smile in the emperor's eyes didn't reach his eyes. "You already know everything about the Rakshasa people?"

"Yes!"

Chai Xuyao ​​was extremely respectful.

"In that case, I will transfer 25,000 men from the Beijing Garrison."

Rather than waiting for the Russians to send out troops to plunder and then forcing them to fight back passively, it's better to take action now.

The Weaponry Bureau has now produced three hundred revolvers.

We can drive the Rakshasa people out of the Black River.

Who do you think would be a good team leader?

Ask for his opinion?

Chai Xuyao's heart skipped a beat again.

The Emperor has such a powerful weapon, yet he's still willing to give him face...

"The entire Beijing Garrison obeys His Majesty's decree," he said, bowing with his hands clasped. "Whoever His Majesty designates, we will serve with our lives."

"We will fight to the death!"

All the generals and officers of the Beijing garrison also bowed and waited quietly for the emperor to muster the troops.

……

Lan Zhi is about to go to war.

"Auntie, wait for my good news!"

"……it is good!"

But at this time, Heihe, even if it wasn't covered in ice and snow, was certainly still below freezing.

"This outfit is covered with waterproof tarpaulin because it is filled with goose down. Wearing it over military-grade cotton armor not only makes it warmer but also makes it very lightweight."

Shen Ning took out the new clothes she had made for her. "Look, here's a hat. You can pull the long drawstrings on both sides to tightly protect your head. And this scarf, if it's cold at night, just pull it up to your head and face, and if it's hot, just take it off and put it in your pocket."

The principle is similar to that of modern windbreakers, only the style is the current one.

"Auntie, let me give it a try!"

Lanzhi's eyes were bright.

Since her mother passed away, she has managed everything on her own.

She uses whatever others use, and her daily thoughts revolve around how to defeat those male colleagues who are dissatisfied with her and curious about her.

She never imagined that a piece of clothing could be done like this.

Her aunt really cared about her.

She went to the inner room to change her clothes, then put on the army's standard cotton armor. When she came out, she looked just as dashing as before.

"Auntie, it's warm and relaxing."

Heihe is much colder than Ningxiawei.

Normally, Lanzhi wouldn't care, but as a woman, there are always a few inconvenient days every month.

She was the only one left in the Lan family. Even if not for herself, she had to protect herself for her parents and brothers.

"nice! You love it."

Shen Ning suddenly wondered if Jia Lian could promote these clothes among the northern army.

Modern oilcloth has issues with breathability due to manufacturing processes, but it far surpasses other fabrics in terms of waterproofing, moisture resistance, and durability.

The South won't work, but the North is definitely no problem!

"The medicines and other herbs have all been prepared by the imperial physician, and each one has been checked."

She suffered greatly because of the medication issue, so she's much more careful about it now. "Take everything with you, your aunt is waiting for your triumphant return."

"Ok!"

Lan Zhi paused for a moment, then finally asked, "Aunt, where do you think would be a better place for us to fight?"

If possible, she hopes to help her aunt fulfill her wish.

She wouldn't have dared to say this before, but things are different now!
The Russians' firearms were nothing special.

It's nothing compared to their revolvers today.

New-generation officers like her all wanted to take a look at their old base.

Look at what they eat and drink, and how they grew up like that.

Of course, most importantly, they also wanted to be remembered in history, bring glory to their families, and secure titles and honors for their wives and children.

"Where to...?"

Shen Ning's eyes grew brighter and brighter. "If you ask my aunt, what I mean is, conquer all the places we can. Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever rivers flow, that is Han territory."

In short, it would be best to take over the entire Siberian region.

"If you really want to ask about the place name..."

Shen Ning smiled and said, "For now, I want to say that we should take back all the territories lost by the Jurchens. If the Rakshasa are scared and ask for negotiations, then we should move forward another 500 miles on their existing territory."

This was just her temporary thought; she was also worried that Lanzhi would be under too much pressure.

"...Auntie..."

Lan Zhi was convinced. "No wonder our General Xia said that you have a tiger in your heart."

She just asked out of curiosity.

When my aunt entered the Huitong Hall several times, and completely overwhelmed Suo Jin and Tie Bao, many of her colleagues in the army respected her much more than before.

They all said privately that if her aunt were a man, she would definitely be the commander-in-chief of this expedition.

"Hahaha~"

Shen Ning laughed, "That's just your General Xia being polite."

Every general in the border town has some skills.

She only benefited from the glory of later generations.

"Tell your aunt honestly, where do you want to fight to?" Shen Ning wanted to know how big the Emperor's ambitions were.

"As you said, we should take back all the territory that the Jurchens lost. Those places should have been ours to begin with."

Lan Zhi, fearing that her aunt would be dissatisfied with this answer, added, "I feel that as long as we recover the lost territory, the Emperor will take action against the Jurchens."

To repel external threats, one must first secure internal stability.

"And then there's the Tatar side."

Lan Zhi said, "They are also fighting against the Russians. Once we win, they will most likely ask us for help. At that time... peacefully transforming them into subjects of the Great Zhao will probably be the top priority."

"...This is the way of a seasoned strategist, very good indeed!"

Shen Ning was not disappointed. The emperor's steady progress might be even better for the future.

In short, as long as we keep our eyes open to the world, don't close ourselves off from the world, don't shut ourselves off from the world, and don't dream of being a superior nation, everything else is fine.

The people of this land will prove to the world that they are the best!
After seeing Lan Zhi off, Shen Ning's heart was still unable to calm down for a long time.

The world is finally getting better again.

There will be no more territorial concessions and indemnities, and there will be no more situations where defense against the Han people is prioritized over defense against the barbarians.

That century of humiliation and despair will never come again, will it?

Shen Ning climbed up to Tianxiang Tower and listened to the various sounds coming from the back street.

"Candied hawthorn berries!"

"Sesame paste~"

"Tofu, tofu~~~"

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares were mixed with children's laughter and women's shouts.

"Madam, it's getting windy, let's go downstairs!"

"Then close the window, I'll sit for a while."

For a moment, Shen Ning didn't want to leave. "I don't need you to stay with me. I want to sit here by myself."

No problems today, no worries tomorrow.

Life is full of small moments, and everything in it becomes poetry!
Being caught up in the situation, she only hoped to have a clear conscience and not betray the world.

……

February 8th is an auspicious day for all activities.

On the day the army set off, Jia Wen's second son, Na Man, and daughter, He Zhuo, also entered the capital by waterway.

By this point, everyone knew that withholding her child was not a threat, but an act of hatred.

As for why the eldest son didn't come, it's because Jia Wen said he wasn't needed.

Since he doesn't want her, then she doesn't want him either.

The bond between mother and child was actually severed the moment he was taken away immediately after birth.

She just refused to admit it.

Actually, she didn't want Er'er's son either.

But the daughter, He Zhuo, liked her brother and specially sent Hai Dongqing on her behalf to tell him that she and her second brother were coming together.

Come on then!

Jia Wen constantly reminded herself that even towards her daughter He Zhuo, she could not do anything that would harm the interests of the Great Zhao Dynasty because of her maternal love.

Recently, the Empress hired a tutor for her, who spoke of the Martyrs' Cemetery and the tragic events that occurred in various places when the Jurchens invaded.

Of course, when her sister-in-law was seriously ill, no one dared to tell her.

Now that my sister-in-law is better, no one can hide the danger of that night from her anymore.

Jia Wen is heartbroken.

Therefore, even though her son Naman and daughter Hezhuo moved into the Huitongguan, she did not summon them immediately.

She was waiting, waiting to see their reaction when they saw Voch.

Both children were shocked.

Is this sick man lying here their once mighty father?

He Zhuo hesitated to step forward.

In fact, if it weren't for her brother Naman, she might not see her father even twice a year.

"Father~"

Seven-year-old Naman was half a head taller than Zhuo. He clenched his fist and asked, "Was it really... Mother who hit you?"

"...Don't blame your mother, it's your father's fault."

Woch's main focus was on his daughter and Zhuo.

When the daughter saw him like this, she felt no pity, only fear, and she hid behind her son.

That's not good.

Woch softened his tone, his face showing as much kindness as possible, "It was because Father went too far before that your uncle's family attacked us. Naman, you must remember, if anyone bullies your sister in the future, you must stand up for your sister just like your uncle's family did to me."

“...But,” tears streamed down her face, “they beat us too badly.”

“Your father used to hit your mother like this too.”

Na Man didn't know about this, but He Zhuo did.

It would be a lie to say I don't regret it.

If I had known this would happen, I would have snatched it and cherished it.

Women, as long as her heart is with you, if you ask her to go east, she won't go west.

It was he who was careless.

It's the Great Zhao... suddenly so much stronger.

"Hezhuo, do you hate your father?"

"..."

He Zhuo quickly shook his head.

How could she dare to hate?
Her mother taught her that no matter what, even if she were beaten to death, she must not show the slightest resentment.

Because she was more attractive than her sisters, she was bullied several times, both openly and secretly. So her mother taught her to bow her head first when she saw someone.

Among Ama's many women, his mother had the lowest status.

Anyone can step on it.

If it weren't for Father's explicit order that no one was allowed to harm the face under any circumstances, not to mention Mother's face, even her face... would have been disfigured long ago.

"Come to your father, my dear."

Woch reached out to his daughter, "Let your father see if our Khoja has grown taller again?"

"Yes, she's grown."

Na Man pulled her younger sister to her father's bedside, saying, "Father, look, I've grown too."

"Good good!"

Woch was quite satisfied with his two children.

What does it matter how much Jia Wen hates him?

What does it matter how much the Jia family hates him?

He and Jia Wen have a child.

And his child is so good-looking.

When his daughter was born, he thought how wonderful it would be if she were like Jia Wen.

In this way, she could arrange a marriage with the Tatars to help him and his sons.

now……

Woh suddenly realized that it might be better to marry his daughter into the royal family of the Great Zhao.

The Jia family will be a natural ally of their daughter.

“Your eldest aunt from the Ningguo Mansion is a woman who loves children.”

Woch smiled at his two children, "Now that we're in Beijing, let's go to the Jia family first. You'll meet your maternal grandmother, then your aunt, uncle, cousins, and other relatives."

They liked the idea of ​​marriage alliances, and the Han people liked it too.

"now?"

Naman saw his father and didn't want to leave.

"Now!"

Woch said with certainty, "Your mother is angry with me, but as long as your maternal grandparents acknowledge you, your mother's anger... will almost subside."

As he spoke, he looked at Hezhuo and asked, "Hezhuo, can you help Father?"

"……able!"

My nanny specifically taught me this when we traveled by boat.

They taught her how to please her maternal grandparents.

She especially tried to please her maternal aunt from the Ningguo Mansion.

He Zhuo nodded.

Happy Women's Day! Wishing you beauty, happiness, and freedom! May everything go smoothly, may you be free from illness and disaster, have good fortune like a lucky koi fish, and a bright future!