The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 431 Daiyu's Return
Lin Daiyu arrived at the Jia Mansion in a sedan chair.

In fact, Lin Daiyu didn't like riding in a sedan chair either. When she was a child, she would come back to the capital with Wang Xin. Whenever they went on the way by boat, Wang Xin would hire a carriage and lead the horse himself, going wherever he wanted.

Where are there lively places or beautiful scenery?

Even if they encounter a child with a runny nose speaking innocently and naively, they will stop and say a few more words.

Wang Xin disliked riding in a sedan chair.

I never ride in a sedan chair.

However, coming to the Jia family mansion with his father was different. Before, they were in the Grand View Garden, where they couldn't go very far. But the Jia family mansion was so big that it took quite a while to walk from the main gate to the inner courtyard.

The rules are quite strict.

Two sedan chairs entered through the west side gate. The sedan chair bearers carried them in, and after walking a short distance, they stopped and exited when they were about to turn a corner.

"Yu'er."

Lin Ruhai got out of the sedan chair and came to the sedan chair his daughter was riding in. He instructed her, "Go see the old lady. She is old, so don't upset her. She has sent people to pick you up these past few days. You are only here today. When you see her, speak to her kindly. Don't let her love for you go to waste."

"It saves you money."

Daiyu's voice came from inside the sedan chair.

Lin Ruhai said no more and, led by the Jia family steward, went to Jia Zheng's study.

After Lin Ruhai left, the other old women came forward, and three or four well-dressed young servants of about seventeen or eighteen years old came up again. They lifted the sedan chair again, and the old women stepped down and followed to a hanging flower gate.

The servants withdrew, and the old women came forward to lift the sedan curtain and help Daiyu out of the sedan.

"There's no need for that."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I'm not a child who just arrived here."

“That’s true, but we’ve watched the young lady grow up. Now that she’s left the Jia family, we see her less often. Now that we’ve finally met, we want to spend more time with her.” The steward’s wife said with a smile.

Lin Daiyu didn't take it seriously, nor did she argue with it.

I used to care a lot about these things, but now I don't care anymore; I just let them be.

Led by the old women, we entered through the hanging flower gate. On both sides were covered corridors, and in the middle was a passageway with a large marble screen on a rosewood stand. Beyond the screen were three small inner halls, and behind them was the main courtyard.

The main building has five rooms, all with carved beams and painted rafters, and on both sides are covered corridors and side rooms, where various parrots, thrushes and other birds are hung.

I lived in those five superior rooms for more than a year.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but reminisce.

On the platform sat several maids dressed in red and green. As soon as they saw them arrive, they hurriedly greeted them with smiles, saying, "The old lady was just thinking about it, and you've just arrived."

So three or four people rushed to lift the curtain, and then they heard someone say, "Miss Lin has arrived."

"My Yu'er."

"Come here quickly."

Grandmother Jia asked Lin Daiyu to sit down next to her and carefully observed her.

Seeing that Grandmother Jia's energy was not as good as before, Lin Daiyu's eyes reddened without her noticing.

Grandmother Jia gently patted Daiyu's hand and deliberately said, "You heartless Yu'er, why didn't you come to pick me up? You've only come today."

"Grandma, I'm here now, and I've been thinking of you a lot too."

"Then why don't you come more often?"

Lin Daiyu lowered her head.

"Ugh."

Grandmother Jia sighed, and couldn't help but feel resentment towards her second daughter-in-law.

She had long been trying to match Baoyu and Daiyu together, but her second daughter-in-law was lukewarm and only wanted to benefit the Wang family by arranging a marriage between her own niece and Baoyu. Now, it turned out that Daiyu didn't like Baoyu anymore.

Even so, considering Baoyu's character and Daiyu's family background, this is the best way to treat Baoyu.

Madam Wang remained silent.

The old lady had been dissatisfied with herself for many years, so this one incident wouldn't make a difference.

Lin Ruhai has indeed risen in status, but the Xue family is not far behind. However, Lin Ruhai is still a level above them, so Madam Wang no longer objects. Her only concern is that her son has married Daiyu. Given her son's infatuation with Daiyu, she fears that her son will no longer be her own.

Lady Wang was depressed and impatient to see Daiyu.

After waiting a while, seeing that the time was right, Madam Wang got up and left.

"Sister Lin."

Before I saw the person, I heard his voice first.

When Baoyu learned that Daiyu had arrived, he immediately put down his book, forgetting even his fear of his father, and rushed over at the first opportunity.

After entering the house.

A room full of people, yet suddenly they saw the person they wanted to see.

It is often said that a girl changes drastically at eighteen.

There is an even more advanced saying that the most outstanding people are favored by Heaven.

For example, when people are studying, everyone encounters bad luck, such as spilling ink, tripping and falling, or accidentally tearing a corner of their textbook. But the most beautiful female student's textbook is always cleaner and tidier than everyone else's.

In the original text, Daiyu and Baoyu gradually grow up.

Daiyu was extremely beautiful from a young age, but her beauty diminished as she grew up. People thought that she was at her most beautiful as a child, and that if she could maintain seven or eight tenths of that beauty as an adult, she would be an unattainable fairy. But it turns out that people had never seen her like that before.

For example, when the servants of the Jia family saw the first-class beauties You Erjie and You Sanjie, they admired them in their hearts and praised them out loud. However, when they mentioned Daiyu, their words implied that she was an unspeakable fairy-like figure and they dared not disrespect her in the slightest.

And then there's Xue Pan.

Although he wasn't among the most outstanding sons of noble families, he had seen all sorts of things since childhood. Moreover, he came to the capital from the most prosperous part of the south, and he was the only one who had seen the whole country. Even the first-class sons of noble families probably hadn't seen as much as he had.

Upon seeing Daiyu, he was so shocked that he collapsed to the ground.

What kind of fairy could be so breathtaking?

Baoyu was like a fool, with only Lin Daiyu in his eyes.

The others were used to it and didn't think Baoyu had embarrassed himself. They just laughed and said, "Don't let Lin Daiyu laugh at you."

“My sister loves to laugh, and I wish I could make her laugh more,” Baoyu murmured.

Lin Daiyu lowered her head slightly.

She knew her cousin's thoughts. They had grown up together since childhood, and her cousin had been so good to her. But if she were to marry him, Lin Daiyu couldn't make up her mind. She didn't want to get married.

As for what I will do in the future.

Lin Daiyu didn't know either.

A sense of bewilderment crept into her heart, and a hint of sorrow appeared on her fair face.

"Don't be sad, Lin sister." Baoyu ignored everyone else, his eyes were only on Daiyu, and said with heartache, "If you are sad, it will break my heart."

"Nonsense."

Grandmother Jia couldn't stand it anymore and scolded.

Sometimes she could understand her second daughter-in-law; if it were her own son, she wouldn't be able to stand it either.

Lady Wang did not go to any other places, but instead went to the Grand View Garden.

The Grand View Garden became empty.

With Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai gone, the Convex Jade Mountain Villa has long since lost a familiar face.

We arrived at Qiushuangzhai step by step.

"Mrs."

The maids and nannies all stood up.

"You all get out."

Madam Wang spoke coldly, and no one dared to linger, leaving only Tan Chun. Tan Chun calmly stood up and quietly called out, "Madam."

In terms of looks.

No girl in the Jia family can compare to Daiyu. If it weren't for Daiyu, the girls in the family would dare to compete for first place, like Tanchun. However, we've forgotten about Baochai, who is no less than Tanchun.

However, while others were unaware, Madam Wang was well aware of the ruthlessness of this concubine's daughter.

She was, after all, a girl who grew up in an inner courtyard. Although she was intelligent, she didn't know much. She should have kept her talents hidden until the very end, instead of revealing them as soon as she saw a glimmer of hope.

Seeing Tan Chun's methods of managing the Grand View Garden, Lady Wang no longer had any doubts.

"The Princess Consort of Nan'an has returned to the capital and selected a family of girls to marry overseas," Madam Wang said.

"Yes, Madam, I have heard about this."

Tan Chun spoke in a soft voice, completely different from before.

Having already decided that Tan Chun was extraordinary, Madam Wang believed that the girl before her was becoming more mature, not timid. However, none of that mattered. Madam Wang said indifferently, "I intend to let you go."

Tan Chun lowered her head, but her bright eyes were trembling slightly.

"Later, the master spoke up, and your marriage to Wang Xin still stands." Madam Wang said coldly, "Now do you know what's most important to a woman?"

"I don't know."

Tan Chun answered softly.

“Wang Xin is becoming more and more remarkable. After you marry him, you will be the mistress of the house. When you reach my position, you will know why I am doing this. You will also become mine. Moreover,” Madam Wang hesitated for a moment, then said firmly, “you will be even more ruthless than me.”

Wang Xin already had a son.

Having passed the age of three, the risk of death is greatly reduced.

More importantly, it was Wang Xin's character.

Although wealthy families could take concubines, the wife's position was unshakeable. Therefore, even if Jia Zheng was very dissatisfied, he would not disregard the rules if he took a concubine.

Wang Xin was different. He would never allow such things.

So what's the difference between a principal wife and a concubine? It's just a difference in terminology.

Tan Chun roughly understood what Madam Wang meant, but after thinking it over, she realized that she would never be as cold-hearted as Madam Wang.

"Humph."

Madam Wang sneered, as if she had guessed Tan Chun's thoughts, "Let's talk about it when you have a son."

Self-interest is more important than anything else.

The higher Wang Xin's position, the greater his benefits.

Tan Chun will be the principal wife.

The harsh reality would teach her a lesson, and when the time came, as the legal wife, she would naturally uphold her position. Given her character and methods, Lady Wang believed that Tan Chun would understand her need for a powerful family backing.

Qingyuan County.

"kill!"

A unified shout rang out from outside the city.

Soldiers of the Datong Army are drilling outside the city.

It is both a drill and a demonstration.

Although it was only four thousand men, everyone could tell they were elite.

Not to mention the military governor's banner; Wang Xin's personal presence showed that he was determined to take Datong Prefecture.

Cao Zhen, standing atop the city wall, felt heavy-hearted.

"General, Wang Xin isn't leaving us any way out."

"I can't believe it," the officer beside him said in despair.

Officials travel thousands of miles just for money; officials try to make money, gentry try to seize land, and of course, they can't resist doing the same.

Allowing soldiers to plunder deserted villages was considered lenient.

This wasn't the first or second time they'd robbed passing caravans; everyone made a fortune, but no one expected things to turn out this way.

Life is at stake.

The inspection team, composed of people from Datong, never lets anything involving human life go unpunished.

Even if an ordinary citizen dies, the inspection team will investigate to the end, treating everyone equally regardless of their status.

Who can bear this.

"The military governor has ordered that only the ringleader be investigated, and the other soldiers must not act as accomplices to the tyrant, lest they be implicated." Several riders were riding around the county town below the city wall, shouting incessantly.

This small battalion of over three hundred men from the central army, led by the guerrilla general, broke out of Taiyuan City.

I originally planned to flee to Fenzhou and then figure out a way to escape.

Unexpectedly, the Datong army pursued them so quickly that the military governor himself led his cavalry in pursuit.

Now all we can do is hide in the city, but that's just waiting to die anyway.

Everyone was filled with despair.

"Damn it, we'll bring Wang Xin down even if it kills us!" a burly man cursed. "We're going to die anyway, so let's fight it out, brothers. We'll take Wang Xin's dog head, and even if we die, it won't be a loss."

He was, after all, a soldier in Taiyuan Town, who had served his entire life.

Forced into this situation, everyone knows there's no way out. The longer it drags on, the more likely the soldiers will mutini.

"Fight."

"Wang Xin wants us dead, but we can't die in vain. Before we die, let's show him how powerful our Taiyuan army is." Another officer was extremely fierce, showing no fear of death.

Cao Zhen no longer hesitated.

Since his brothers were willing to risk their lives, he naturally didn't object.

"Squeak."

The county town gates quietly opened.

A group of cavalrymen emerged from the city gate and then launched an attack on the Datong army.

To be honest, Datong Jun was clearly taken aback.

"Formation!"

Qi Shannian shouted and personally urged the officers on.

It's still too late. We have to keep these cavalrymen out. They actually dared to fight to the death, which surprised everyone.

Whether it was expected or not.

Even with the best precautions, what can hundreds of servants do if they fight desperately?

Qi Shannian's heart sank.

"Protect the commander!"

A general from the Imperial Guard discovered the enemy's target, which was heading towards the commander, and quickly stopped the troops.

"Alright."

Wu Liang sneered, "The Taiyuan army always complains that we win unfairly and always resort to underhanded tactics. Today, let's make them admit defeat and see what real elite troops are."

It's not that we can't defeat these servants, it's just that we don't want too many casualties.

soon.

The military town of Datong remained as secure as ever, just waiting for the enemy to come crashing down on it.

No soldiers yielded; they silently watched the approaching Taiyuan army's retainers and cavalry.

The force of over three hundred riders was astonishing.

Sudden.

Several cavalrymen left the column, skillfully turned around, and fled.

"Damn it."

Cao Zhen never expected that someone would be even more shameless than himself. Not daring to delay any longer, he hurriedly pulled on the reins and, relying on his skilled riding techniques, managed to turn around quickly even as the horse galloped away.

When they were about twenty paces away from Datong Military Town, less than thirty riders still charged forward.

"Pity."

Wang Xin shook his head.

These people knew they had been betrayed by their comrades, yet they still did not turn back, intending to buy their comrades time to escape.

He shouldn't have died here.

Not long after, more than twenty riders were killed in battle, but it did not cause much of a stir.

Because the coordination between the Datong Army and its garrisons was more mature.

"We can't let Cao Zhen escape." Wang Xin dispatched cavalry, determined to catch him even if it meant chasing him all the way to Fenzhou.

Besides making an example of Cao Zhen to deter others and intimidate the Taiyuan army, Cao Zhen's crimes were also heinous.

Kill these vicious people one by one.

Then society would be much quieter.

Some people are just born bad, there's nothing you can do about it.

After reforms, the Taiyuan Army selected more and more honest soldiers, even though very few of them were servants. On the contrary, many of the servants had picked up bad habits and even committed evil deeds.

Barring any major surprises.

The Taiyuan army will likely retain fewer than 30,000 men, which, together with the Datong army, will amount to 85,000.

Eighty-five thousand people.

Wang Xin was not very happy.

Although the territory has expanded and the population has increased many times over, he still has to support them all.

Of course, he could learn from the government and ignore it, treating people like slaves, letting them die as they were.

So how do we solve this?

Wang Xin frowned.

Conquering the world is easy, but governing it is difficult.

If this problem isn't solved, let alone whether the imperial court will deal with us, it's questionable whether we can even survive. The only solution is to abandon the Great Harmony model, only take from the people without giving back, and wait three to five years until we have the capacity to take on the responsibility.

Let some people get rich first.

In other words, most people will continue to suffer hardship, and the common people will endure more suffering.

If there's really no other way, then this is the only option.

Perhaps we can't think of a better way to solve this.

Wang Xin entered Qingyuan County.

Qingyuan County suffered natural disasters and now it has been hit by war, which has severely damaged its vitality. It will take three to five years to recover.

"Disaster relief should be provided first."

As long as a person is alive, there is still hope.

Wang Xin felt he could hold on a little longer; perhaps things would turn around eventually.

(End of this chapter)