The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 358 The Datong Rebellion
Ninety li north of Datong Town.

The desolation was boundless.

The soldiers, dressed in thin clothes, held pickaxes in the cold wind and dug out the buried stones.

The castle has been in disrepair for many years, and many parts have weathered away so much that they can be crushed into powder by hand. Although it is not heavy, it is still very impressive.

"Zhang Wenjin has been gone for almost a year, and Wubao still needs to be repaired?"

Some people couldn't stand it and came up to Wei Yi to complain, hoping that the general would change his mind.

Wei Yi was helpless.

The money has all been distributed. Whether Zhang Wenjin leaves or not, these five fortresses still need to be repaired.

On the contrary, because Zhang Wenjin left, the five fortresses need to be repaired even more. If the new superior exposes it and Zhang Wenjin leaves, those of them who remain will be in deep trouble.

"We've almost persevered for a year, let's just keep going a little longer."

Wei Yi said amiably.

"General, we haven't had a full meal in a year, and we haven't been paid a penny for our work. We can't take it anymore." The leading officer looked at Wei Yi in despair.

Wei Yi was speechless.

The castle needs to be repaired.

Although the threat from the barbarians has diminished considerably, the 500,000 taels of silver for repairing the castle have already been allocated. With the imperial court providing the funds, the fortress in Datong must be completed.

"The higher-ups mean that it's acceptable to build a decent fortress at the Fifth Bureau," Wei Yi reminded him.

"Ugh."

The sentry was at a loss for words.

Even just to fix the surface, you have to go into the mountains to cut wood and fire tiles.

Once you're moving timber out of the mountains, there's no way you can be lazy.

"Don't fix it."

The officer suggested.

“We have to fix it.” Wei Yi shook his head. “This isn’t a decision I can make. You should know that I’ve done my best.”

The sentry said weakly, "It's getting worse every year, not even as good as when Commander Feng was here."

"Yes."

Wei Yi did not deny it.

Although Feng Yong was greedy and regarded Datong Military Town as his own property, it was precisely because of this that he would show some compassion for the soldiers under his command.

Later, Zhang Wenjin came, packed his bags and left, treating Datong like dirt, only caring about getting as much money as he could.

Now he is gone.

The higher-ups want to arrange for their own people to replace him.

Everyone followed suit, wanting to make as much money as possible while they were still in power. Nobody cared about how people were doing below. If someone was slow, they would get less than the others.

"Boss, when will this ever end?"

Wei Yi was speechless.

He could only take good care of his own servants; as for the soldiers below him, he was willing but unable to do so, and could only offer his sympathy.

soon.

"what happened?"

Zhao Tao inspected the five inner forts, namely Hongsi Fort, Luquan Fort, Yaoshan Fort, Shuitou Fort, and Shahe Fort.

Seeing that the soldiers were slacking off and no one was working, he ordered the officer in charge of the area to be arrested.

"My brothers are starving, they're about to die, and they really can't work anymore. Please, sir, have mercy and give them a way to survive." The officer knelt on the ground and struggled to raise his head.

"That makes no sense."

Zhao Tao was furious. He paid no attention to the complaints from his subordinates. There were plenty of complaints from them, but they were none of his business. It was the problems at Wubao that would jeopardize his future.

"The higher-ups have issued strict orders. If you dare to delay the construction period, it will be a serious breach of military discipline. Come on!" Zhao Tao waved his hand and said, "Punish me severely as a warning to others."

Feng Yong is gone, and Zhang Wenjin is gone too.

Zhao Tao wanted to continue serving another term and was determined to perform well.

Zhao Tao was furious that the sentry in front of him dared to delay his important business, and he would show no mercy.

The officer was flogged one hundred times.

He was barely breathing, like a dead man, and Zhao Tao ordered him to be displayed in all the fortresses as a warning to others.

A minor official was striking a gong.

Several guards pushed a cart, on which were the sentries being paraded.

Datong has seventy-two fortresses.

There are more than a dozen territories within the territory of the Western Army of Datong, with the Yongxing Army having the most, no less than forty, followed by the territory of the Tiancheng Army.

They were displayed to the public for several days.

They are still in Yongxing Army's territory.

"Brother, your life has really been a waste."

A sentry, along with his men, disregarded the threats of several guards and publicly lowered the rope. They checked the sentry's breath and found he was already dead.

“I recognize him.”

The sentry with his men sighed, "I once killed five Hu people in a battle, and I treated my brothers very well. I never thought that I would die not at the hands of the enemy, but at the hands of the government officials who were guarding me."

"Who are you, and what do you want?"

Sensing danger, the minor official hid behind several guards, his face filled with fear.

"My name is Guo Jian, and I'm just a sentry in the Yongxing Army. As for what I'm supposed to do..." The sentry smiled, then glanced at his brothers, who remained silent.

More and more soldiers moved forward.

The officer was clearly highly respected; everyone was watching him.

"I'm going to kill someone."

“Kill Zhao Tao and tear his body apart.”

After the sentry finished speaking, he drew his sword from his waist. Before he could move, the soldiers behind him rushed forward and killed the clerk on the spot. The other guards were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

"I won't make things difficult for you."

The officer stopped his men, ordered them to clear the way, released a few guards, and then turned back to gather his troops.

One call and a hundred responses.

Day two.

Guo Jian led his cavalry to ambush and kill Zhao Tao, keeping his promise to dismember his body.

The day.

"it is good."

"If Brother Guo has rebelled, then I will rebel too."

Upon hearing the news, a military officer named Liu Zhong laughed and, without hesitation, led his men to join Guo Jian.

"Wow."

Yunchuan City.

A group of soldiers pushed aside those who tried to stop them and rushed into the woodshed without any politeness.

Tang Ping lay quietly in the haystack, his face covered in scabs.

Hearing the commotion outside, he didn't move, as if he couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

"Looks like you're not afraid at all."

Liu Tong walked in with a smile.

"With you in Zuoyun City, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Tang Ping then opened his eyes, and then couldn't help but sigh, "Now I understand why the General kept you in Zuoyun."

Liu Tong was not only capable himself, but he also personally led two thousand soldiers in Zuoyun.

So as long as he is in Zuoyun, he will be fine, and even Zhou Wen can't do anything to him.

Zhou Wen only has a few hundred men at the moment, which is not enough to defeat Liu Tong.

"Why did Zhou Wen treat you like this?"

Liu Tong asked curiously.

"I don't know who leaked the news, but Zhou Wen knows I lied to him." Tang Ping stood up. Liu Tong glanced at him a few times and breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Tang Ping was alright. Fortunately, he arrived in time.

"Who do you suspect?"

"do not know."

Tang Ping wasn't speaking carelessly; although he suspected Zhao Yong, the matter was of great importance.

Liu Tong was unwilling to elaborate. "Zhou Wen didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"He wouldn't dare to really do anything to me."

Liu Tong nodded, confirming that it was indeed the case. "Zhou Wen went to Tuanshankou, and it seems he intends to personally take over your men."

If Zhou Wen takes over Tang Ping's three thousand men, he will still have several hundred men under his command, which might actually make it possible for him to succeed, unless Tang Ping can control his own men, which depends on Tang Ping's prestige.

If Zhou Wen succeeds, he will have nearly four thousand men under his command, twice the number of his own.

Moreover, Zhou Wen was a general, so his position was perfectly legitimate.

Liu Tong quickly reminded Tang Ping.

Tang Ping laughed and scolded, "I don't have the confidence of a general. Hurry up and send me back to Tuanshankou."

Liu Tong hesitated for a moment.

"how?"

"If things get out of control, neither of us will have a way out."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

"Isn't Zhou Wen afraid? He's willing to go all out, so how could you and I be any less? Let's take it one step at a time. If things get out of hand, we'll see who can suppress whom." Tang Ping said dismissively.

Back when I was just a sentry, I was willing to risk everything, but the general didn't agree with that back then.

With the situation looking very promising, Tang Ping is even less afraid.

"Ok."

Without further hesitation, Liu Tong led his men to Tuanshankou.
-
What has Wang Xin been up to lately?

Wenhua Hall.

The emperor was pale and looked extremely haggard. His eyes were lifeless, and he seemed nervous, glancing towards the palace gates every now and then.

Prince Chungshun only met the emperor during the New Year's festival when he entered the palace.

There was also Liu Ru, the emperor's mentor.

Liu Ru was accompanying Prince Zhongshun in the Wenhua Hall, but Prince Zhongshun could not enter the palace at will. In a few words, Liu Ru mentioned a person, and this was the only person he could think of at the moment.

Prince Chungshun frowned.

Because of Wang Ziteng, it was difficult for him to get close to Wang Xin.

As if sensing Prince Zhongshun's hesitation, Liu Ru spoke up: "Prince Teng is unreliable. If he were reliable, things wouldn't have come to this. Right now, Wang Xin still has some hope."

“He is powerless and insignificant now, not even as powerful as Prince Teng,” Prince Zhongshun retorted.

As Wang Ziteng said, everything Wang Xin had was built on Zhang Jifu. Although the army was built by Wang Xin, Zhang Jifu could take it away at will, which was a predetermined fact. Otherwise, Zhang Jifu would not have supported Wang Xin, let alone given him the opportunity.

Such an opportunity was something that not only Prince Teng looked down upon, but even Prince Zhongshun found unbelievable.

There are still people in this world who work so hard only to benefit others.

“At least he still has two thousand soldiers, and” Liu Ru thought about Lin Ruhai’s letter and hesitated, “Wang Xin has a high reputation among the soldiers, and he can’t be relieved of his post with just a transfer order.”

Prince Chungshun disagreed.

Liu Ru and his group of scholars are always self-righteous, thinking they can understand people's hearts. If they really had such great abilities, why would they have gone to such lengths?

Moreover, if he had gone to great lengths and succeeded in securing his nephew's throne, would he really share the credit with Liu Ru? Liu Ru was his nephew's mentor, and their long-standing friendship could easily influence him.

Both logically and emotionally, Prince Zhongshun was not inclined to accept Liu Ru's suggestion.

Liu Ru could only sigh.

The retired emperor kept a close watch on him, and the emperor couldn't move an inch.

The same goes for myself.

Prince Chungshun was also being watched, but he had the support of princes, dukes, members of the imperial family, and nobles. In addition, due to the influence of the former Prince Yizhong's affair, the retired emperor could not act rashly. Prince Chungshun had not yet made any move to leave office, and many things did indeed depend on him.

However, Prince Chungshun was too self-serving.

They even suppressed Jia Zheng, who, along with Lin Ruhai, supported the emperor, though not outright.

"Beep, beep."

Footsteps could be heard outside.

The emperor was startled, his face turned ashen, and he trembled with fear.

Liu Ru reassured him, "Your Majesty, please do not be alarmed."

Prince Chungshun glanced over instinctively, curious about who was in such a hurry to come in, rather than thinking it was the retired emperor who wanted to deal with the emperor.

Xia Shouzhong ran in.

"Datong has rebelled."

"Your Majesty, Datong has rebelled."

"Who has rebelled?" Prince Zhongshun asked, speechless.

"They've all rebelled!" Xia Shouzhong rushed over immediately after hearing the news, panting heavily. "The Yongxing Army has rebelled, and the Datong Western Army has rebelled too."

"what happened."

"It's still unclear. I overheard the military intelligence sent by the Tiancheng Army and came to inform Your Majesty immediately."

Liu Ru sat back down.

Complex expression.

Lin Ruhai received the letter from the capital, and his expression was strange.

"Master Lin was not wrong either."

Jia Yucun laughed.

"It was still wrong."

Lin Ruhai shook his head and laughed, "I originally hoped it would be Shandong, but I didn't expect it to be Datong. Man proposes, God disposes."

"The logic is similar, but does Wang Xin have a chance?"

Jia Yucun asked curiously.

Lin Ruhai is about to return to the capital. It's time for him to go back. If he doesn't go back soon, he will have no chance with the emperor. Although he doesn't know how to salvage the situation, Jia Yucun has no other choice but to trust Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai put the letter back into his pocket.

"Man proposes, God disposes. In any case, I must return to the capital."

The emperor is in the most urgent situation right now.

Only by returning to the capital now can I become the emperor's reliance and reap the greatest rewards. If I return too early, there will be no place for me by the emperor's side; if I return too late, the outcome will likely be predetermined, and I will have no chance to do anything.

And it also requires setup.

The biggest surprise was Wang Xin; this piece was no longer just a piece, but began to play a crucial role.

"Then I wish Lord Lin a safe journey in advance."

Jia Yucun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

From a disgraced and dismissed county magistrate to the current Minister of War in Nanjing, ten years ago, he would never have dared to dream of such a thing. Although the four major powers are now divided, his path seems to be developing rapidly.

If Lin Ruhai can establish himself in the capital, with a concubine in the palace, Wang Xin in the army, and high-ranking officials like Wu Wenhua and himself in the provinces, and rising stars like Lu Zhongheng to take his place, then he will be fully established.

Jia Yucun was all smiles, wishing his own power would grow stronger.

Lin Ruhai looked out at the river outside the pavilion.

His original plan, without Wang Xin, was full of variables. Now that Wang Xin has been added, the plan has become more solid, taking one step at a time and becoming more substantial. However, Wang Xin is not a simple warrior.

Jia Zheng's decision to marry his daughter to Wang Xin was indeed a brilliant move.

Wang Xin was able to integrate better, and the interests of both sides were aligned. They would share both prosperity and adversity, and there was no better way to form an alliance.

just.

If they disagree in the future, will Wang Xin be able to compromise?
We still need to find a way to control Wang Xin.

This is not easy.

Although it has been a long time since Wang Xin was seen, when they think of Yangzhong Island, many veterans still regard Wang Xin as a god. His words and deeds have influenced many younger generations.

Although he had also helped, the kindness shown to Master Lin was clearly not as great as that shown to the General.

How did this kid do that?

Lin Ruhai didn't quite understand.

He also thought he had a good eye for people, having once taken a liking to Jia Yucun.

However, after many years of getting along, especially in order to curry favor with the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Yucun actually tried to please both sides, so he took the initiative to force the Shi family members to their deaths and obtained the famous fans that Jia She coveted, and gave them to Jia She.

Lin Ruhai still felt that Jia Yucun was not a trustworthy person, but he was not sure.

I once had great faith in Jia Yucun's character.

So how did Wang Xin manage to do it?

(End of this chapter)