Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 512 Praying for the Unborn Child

Outside the capital, in the Western Hills,

Pilgrims flocked to the mountain gate in an endless stream.

On the stone steps, there was a procession of sedan chairs with jeweled tassels and eight treasures, guarded by personal guards on all sides. They carried the banner of Dingguo Mansion and were quite conspicuous, causing passersby to stop and give them a wide berth.

"Madam, Qingxu Temple is just ahead."

Yuanyang stayed by Lin Daiyu's side, murmuring softly.

Lin Daiyu slowly woke up, pinched her brow, and saw Zijuan supporting Xueyan kneeling on a prayer mat in front of her. Zijuan lifted a corner of the sedan curtain and secretly peeked at the scenery in the mountains and forests outside, still acting like a young girl, which made Lin Daiyu shake her head helplessly.

"Zijuan, help her sit up properly. She's pregnant, and now that she's out of bed, she's acting strangely again."

The maids chuckled awkwardly, linked arms with each other, and obediently sat back down opposite. Lin Daiyu looked up and asked, "Do you know the Taoist priest here?"

Qingxu Temple was originally a place where the Jia family offered incense, sculpted clay statues, and built golden statues.

Lin Daiyu spoke first, giving Yuanyang a way out by asking her to take care of the ritual and prayer for blessings.

Yuanyang used to be Jia Mu's head maid, always by her side. She was familiar with the procedures when going out to perform the peace ritual, and since she was always by Jia Mu's side, she should know the people in charge here.

Yuanyang, quick-witted and clever, nodded in agreement. Once the sedan chair came to a stop, she stepped out first.

After the women of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion went out, Qingxu Temple naturally made preparations in advance, having already heard about it.

All the judges and Taoist priests, holding incense and wearing robes, stood by the roadside to greet them.

Once the sedan chair entered the mountain gate, they rushed to help it up, showing even greater respect than when they welcomed the Jia family members.

“Yuanyang, tell them that today’s ritual is to pray for the unborn child of the Dingguo Mansion and to renew the incense offerings for the late Duke Rong.”

Yuanyang lowered the sedan curtain and stepped forward to tell the Taoist priest her purpose. The leading Taoist priest became even more excited and bowed to greet her in front of the sedan.

"May Princess Xiaoxiang enjoy a long and healthy life. It is our great honor to have you grace Qingxu Temple with your presence today. We have heard that the ladies and young ladies wish to be our guests, so we have already changed everything inside and made it very clean."

"The ancestral hall of the late Duke Rong has not been visited for a long time. If you wish to pay your respects, please go upstairs."

The procession of sedan chairs stretched like a long snake. The young girls had been cooped up in the mansion for a long time. They had traveled all over the country with Yue Ling in the past and had long wanted to get out and get some fresh air.

Lin Daiyu, understanding their situation, took them all out of the mansion.

As soon as they landed, they started chattering excitedly.

"Sister, should we go to the Taoist temple first, or head straight to the back of the mountain?"

Xue Baoqin winked smugly and slowly put her hand on Xue Baochai's shoulder.

Xue Baochai frowned, her face showing displeasure.

A month ago, she was at home checking the accounts and sending messages to the managers of the Feng family businesses, asking them to explore the routes for Shanxi merchants to trade in the Nine Border Regions step by step.

As a result, Xue Baoqin arrived with great excitement.

She was helped there, and once she lay down on her bed, she wouldn't get up.

Her hair had just been washed and was left loose over her shoulders without being tied up in a bun. Xue Baochai thought she had finally encountered a stranger and had completely lost her mind.

But then she thought that even if she bumped into someone, she would bother her first, which made her even more depressed.

Unable to ignore her presence, Xue Baochai had no choice but to ask her maid, Xiaoluo, why Xue Baoqin was laughing so much today, and why her laughter was so eerie.

The shy little snail then hesitantly explained what had happened.

Then, a large stain of ink appeared on Xue Baochai's account book, and the brush fell from her hand to the ground.

Ying'er also knocked over the inkstone, staining her skirt with ink.

Xue Baochai never expected that Baoqin's words were not just empty talk; she was actually capable of secretly pledging her life to Baoqin and giving herself to her.

From Xue Baoqin's perspective, however, everything seemed to make perfect sense.

The two met on Shuangyu Island and reunited after many years. Yue Ling blocked the marriage arrangement for her, and she worked diligently in the mansion, immersing herself in organizing new science and knowledge.

Now, they are even more interested in the most sophisticated firearms, and if they want to ask Yue Ling for some benefits, they will go along with it.

Xue Baochai herself never left the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. From the very beginning, she revolved around Yue Ling, but only managed to have superficial physical contact with him, leaving Xue Baoqin far behind.

Xue Baochai was truly unable to accept it, and remained in a daze for several days.

As a result, Xue Baoqin's unruly nature led her to put on a fighting cock-like act in front of her every day. Even today, Xue Baoqin hasn't gotten tired of it and has started calling her "sister" again, contrary to her usual self.

"Enough! This isn't the manor, stop fooling around!"

Xue Baochai gritted her teeth and pinched Xue Baoqin's waist, then twisted her wrist hard, giving it a half-turn.

Xue Baoqin winced in pain and immediately jumped away, "You, you really don't understand the proper order of respect!"

Xue Baochai was so angry she was grinding her teeth. "You know, you know? Then go find the Marquis first... you shameless thing!"

It was a truly embarrassing topic. Xue Baochai glanced at it, spat heavily, and went to find Lin Daiyu.

Shi Xiangyun approached, looked at the two Xue sisters from both sides, and asked in confusion, "Sister Qin, shall we go to find the Marquis, or stay here with Sister Lin?"

Xue Baoqin rubbed her lower back and pouted, saying, "Then let's go find the Marquis and let Sister Lin know first."

……

The Duke of Dingguo's personal guards came out in full force, but the real purpose was to escort the female members of the family to the Taoist temple. Their true purpose was to find that, behind the West Mountain, in the desolate forest, squads of guards were surrounding Yue Ling.

Beside Yue Ling was an old man with sharp eyes and a robust physique beneath his scholar's robe, his hands covered in calluses, unlike the typical frail scholar.

"Mr. Bi, this place is secluded enough that outsiders won't notice us. How about we test the gun here?"

The old man cupped his hands and said, "I am unworthy of such a respectful title from the Duke. This place is not very open, but the shade of the trees blocks out the noise, making it an excellent location. I will follow the Duke's arrangements in all matters."

Having said that, he summoned his men and had a brocade box brought out.

Upon opening the brass lock, the contents inside were found to be wrapped in layers of brocade.

The old man regarded this item as a priceless treasure, as if it embodied his life's work. He carefully disassembled it layer by layer and presented the brand-new firearm to Yue Ling.

It was entirely black, with a barrel nearly four feet long and a slightly flared muzzle. The stock was made of dark brown rosewood, which was used by the gunner to counteract the recoil when firing.

The old man excitedly explained to Yue Ling, "This is the new type of firearm that was made to meet the needs of the Duke. It doesn't have a complicated match cord; it uses a horizontally bent flint to strike a flint to ignite it."

"The gun barrel has a powder bath at the back, and the bottom has the trigger spark spring that the Duke mentioned, which we have also replicated one-to-one."

Yue Ling took the firearm; it was quite heavy.

It was clear that this firearm was crafted with great care, possessing not only an industrial aesthetic but also an auspicious cloud pattern engraved on the stock. As Yue Ling raised the weapon and began loading ammunition, a guard behind him stepped closer and whispered, "My lord, perhaps I should try it first. What if it explodes..."

Yue Ling looked at Bi Maokang beside her and said with a smile, "I trust Elder Bi, especially since I know more about this than you do. I can handle any problems that may arise."

Bi Maokang was also greatly encouraged and swore, "Don't worry, Duke. We have tested it thousands of times. This firearm will definitely not explode. I guarantee it with my life."

Yue Ling nodded slightly, held the firearm level, aimed it at the thick tree stump thirty paces away, and slowly pulled the trigger.

Bang!
The bullet flew out with a thud, hitting the center of the tree stump. The lead bullet embedded itself several inches deep, and the entire tree stump exploded, with astonishing power.

Yue Ling reloaded and compacted the ammunition, a smooth operation that could be completed in fifteen seconds, dozens of times faster than a matchlock gun.

"Mr. Bi, what is the maximum number of consecutive shots a gun barrel can withstand?"

Bi Maokang carefully considered and said, "The problem of the barrel overheating is insurmountable. We have tried many times to forge the steel. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, we can only fire a maximum of fifteen rounds continuously, otherwise there is a risk of the barrel exploding."

"Fifteen rounds per unit..."

Yue Ling suddenly remembered that his history books mentioned that during the Napoleonic Wars, the British "Redcoats" could achieve a salvo rate of three rounds per minute through rigorous training, which was terrifyingly called "the fireplace wind of hell".

If the normal cooling time is five minutes, then this firearm can fire up to five rounds per minute, which is already a terrifying combat capability.

"Okay, not bad."

Changing the subject, Yue Ling asked again, "Besides this one, how many are in stock now?"

Bi Maokang shook his head sheepishly, "Since its successful development a few days ago, the workshop has been working around the clock to process it, but we only have ten left."

Yue Ling nodded, and couldn't help but pat Bi Maokang on the shoulder, saying, "Old Bi, I hope the workshop workers can work hard again. Within a month, at least four hundred guns and a certain amount of ammunition are needed..."

Bi Maokang was taken aback, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He said, "Lord Duke, to be honest, we have no shortage of ingredients and the earthen stoves are running non-stop. At most, we can only produce less than a hundred pieces a month. You've really put a lot of effort into making four hundred..."

"Especially for these delicate items, rushing the production will inevitably increase the number of defective products, and if the warhead explodes on the battlefield, it will be no small matter."

Yue Ling replied, "No need to worry, just do your best."

Aiming for the best and achieving the middle, Yue Ling only had eight hundred men in total. Even with two hundred flintlock muskets plus the four hundred matchlock muskets that could be allocated from the Ministry of Works' firearms camp, it would be enough to equip them.

The drill formations and volleys, with eight hundred men capable of inflicting terrifying casualties, especially within the confined space of a city.

With his weapon in hand, Yue Ling had nothing to worry about anymore.

"Return to the city!"

After hearing Yue Ling's words, Bi Maokang's originally excited face was now gloomy.

"Your Excellency, may I be so bold as to ask a question? The situation is so urgent, could it be that Your Excellency has some kind of plan?"

Seeing Yue Ling's sharp gaze, Bi Maokang fell silent again. "If the Duke is unwilling to tell us, we who are pragmatic will not ask."

Yue Ling smiled calmly, "It's not that I have any schemes, it's that others have schemes."

Just then, Shi Xiangyun and Xue Baoqin arrived together, only to be greatly disappointed to see that the line was already orderly.

"We heard some noise in the woods and rushed over as fast as we could, but we were still too late."

Shi Xiangyun was very discouraged and pouted.

Yue Ling smiled and pointed at her, saying, "If you have time, I would like to trouble Elder Bi to personally make a small one for her."

Shi Xiangyun's eyes immediately lit up. "Really? The Marquis really allows me to use this?"

Yue Ling shook his head and said, "Learn these things first. They're much safer than your crossbow."

"What if I can't learn it?" Shi Xiangyun clicked her tongue.

Yue Ling pointed to Xue Baoqin behind her, "Then give it to her."

"Ah, why is this like this?"

Shi Xiangyun quickly took Xue Baoqin's arm and said, "Baoqin, we are good sisters. You should be able to teach me Western languages, right?"

Xue Baoqin shook her arms and ran down the mountain laughing, "Hehehe, no way, I want one too!"

Shi Xiangyun then raised her hand and chased after him to hit him.

Upon seeing this, the boulder pressing on Bi Maokang's chest seemed to have sank.

Walking beside Yue Ling, Bi Maokang took a deep breath and said, "It was I who offended the Duke, thinking that the Duke had other plans. However, the concubines in the Duke's mansion are so romantic, so the Duke must not be like ordinary people who want to control everything and seize power."

Yue Ling's lips curled slightly, not wanting to pay any more attention, and she raised her head to continue walking down the mountain...

……

The Second Prince's Residence

There are less than two months left until the originally scheduled departure date.

After autumn arrives, the Jurchens often take advantage of the harvest season to cross the border one last time before the end of the year, plundering and hoarding money and grain in order to have a prosperous winter.

The Second Prince Liu Yi's original plan was to arrive at the important town in Liaodong with an army of 50,000 before this.

However, the long days of waiting and the fact that his elder brother had repeatedly acted as regent for court meetings had made Liu Yi increasingly uneasy.

If we don't achieve something soon, my brother's position will be unshakeable.

"Has Your Highness recently visited His Majesty in the palace?"

The Prince of Nan'an stood by his side, asking questions earnestly.

Liu Yi had just returned from the martial arts training room, the veins on his forehead still bulging. He was now using a cotton towel dampened with water to wipe away the fine sweat from his forehead.

"I have seen him." Liu Yi exhaled, his worry barely concealed. "Every time I go to see my father, my mother stands by his side. Both of them look unwell. I'm afraid my father's health is not good, which is very bad for me."

The Prince of Nan'an also sighed and fell into deep thought.

Liu Yi suddenly asked, "I wonder if you could lead your personal guard of 5,000 men as the vanguard, while our cavalry heads ahead to Liaodong to make initial plans and deployments?"

The Prince of Nan'an nodded. "It's not impossible. However, the Jurchens are skilled in using cavalry. If we only use five thousand light cavalry to fight against the Jurchens, we probably won't gain any advantage."

Liu Yi frowned and asked sternly, "How do you gain military merit? Didn't you say you had your own way? Now that we're about to leave the city, you're saying you won't get any benefits. Are you trying to play me for fools?!"

Being scolded by a teenager, the Prince of Nan'an was naturally indignant, but he dared not show it on his face and could only swallow his anger, thinking to himself, "You cowardly good-for-nothing, you'll have your day to cry later!"

"Your Highness, please calm down. We certainly have no shortage of ways to achieve merit, but military campaigns should not be rushed, especially when it comes to convincing military achievements, which cannot be achieved simply by speed..."

(End of this chapter)