Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

At a single command, 100,000 Later Jin cavalrymen, like dark clouds pressing down on the city, trampled through the snow-covered plains and rushed straight towards Liaodong.

The Imperial Guards of the Great Qian Dynasty, who were lurking in Shengjing, suddenly realized at this moment: They were wrong! They had completely misunderstood!

We originally thought they had assembled a large army to march north and subdue the various tribes of the grasslands, but it turns out... their target was Liaodong!

The undercover agent was startled and sneaked back to the base that very night, sending a message directly to the capital via carrier pigeon.

"Urgent report! The Later Jin army of 100,000 is marching south, aiming for Liaodong!"

At this time, in Jin County.

Wu Sheng worked non-stop for three days and nights and finally managed to gather 20,000 remnants of the army.

Without saying a word, Jia Yi personally began training. The sword was drawn, the drums roared, and the training ground was filled with a murderous aura, with dust swirling like a tornado.

Deep within the Zichen Palace in the capital city.

"Your Majesty, this is an urgent message from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, delivered over 800 li."

Dai Quan bowed and handed over the secret letter, his fingertips trembling slightly.

The retired emperor lazily opened the envelope, and with just one glance, his gaze turned icy.

"What the hell?... Damn it! These sons of bitches from the Later Jin!"

He clenched his fist, and the paper instantly turned to dust.

I thought that Jia Yi's battle had severely damaged them, leaving no trace of the Zhenghong Banner, so they should behave themselves this year.

Who would have thought that they would directly deploy an army of 100,000 fierce warriors, pointing their swords at Liaodong!

"Send the message to the emperor and let him decide what to do."

The retired emperor's tone was icy, devoid of any warmth.

"yes!"

Dai Quan dared not linger and turned to hurry toward the Imperial Study.

After reading the letter, Emperor Yuankang's face instantly turned ashen, his anger surging, yet his heart sank—

Could the small garrison in Liaodong withstand 100,000 elite Later Jin troops?

I'm afraid that before the city walls even warm up, they'll be trampled flat by iron hooves!

"Someone come here!"

"Summon Niu Jizong to the palace immediately!"

In the capital city today, the only veteran general who has truly held military power and fought in battles is Niu Jizong of the Zhenguo Mansion.

The other generals are either stationed far away on the border or guard key passes. By the time they turn back to reinforce, it'll be too late. Shanhaiguan Pass will probably be covered with the flags of the Later Jin!

It only takes the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The young eunuch led Niu Jizong into the palace in a hurry.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Niu Jizong looked up and saw Emperor Yuankang's face, and his heart sank – it's over, something terrible has happened.

"Get up." Emperor Yuankang handed over the letter. "Take a look at this first."

Niu Jizong took a look and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

A hundred thousand troops are pressing in? Liaodong is in imminent danger? Should we send him to rescue it?

May Buddha protect us... This isn't going to war, it's going to our deaths!

He wailed inwardly, his facial muscles twitching.

They're good at dealing with bandits and suppressing peasant uprisings, but what is the Later Jin? They're a ferocious god that can leave the Great Qian border army with psychological trauma!

"You will command the Beijing garrison in this battle and rush to Liaodong immediately."

Emperor Yuankang didn't give him a chance to speak and made the decision directly.

"I have already ordered that Marquis Zhongyong, Jia Yi, lead his troops to temporarily retreat to Shanhaiguan, and after joining forces with you, we will launch a counterattack to recover the lost territory."

Upon hearing this, Niu Jizong felt a wave of dizziness.

The Beijing Garrison? Those pampered soldiers? They need maids to help them mount their horses, and now you want them to lead this bunch of good-for-nothings to fight the Later Jin head-on?

This isn't war, it's delivering victory to our doorstep!

But as soon as he opened his mouth to plead for mercy, he looked up and met Emperor Yuankang's cold eyes—if he dared to say another "no," he would not be able to leave the imperial study alive today.

He could only grit his teeth and swallow all his bitterness, bowing his head and replying, "Your subject... obeys the decree."

"Go back and prepare." Emperor Yuankang waved his sleeve. "The army will set off tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

Niu Jizong staggered back, his back looking as desolate as a dog fleeing famine.

The imperial edict caused an uproar in the capital.

Is the Beijing garrison about to go on an expedition? Is there going to be war in Liaodong?

Which of those sons of noble families wasn't just holding a nominal position in the Beijing Garrison to gain seniority? Upon hearing that they were to go to the front lines, the entire family set off overnight, heading straight for the residence of Prince Teng, the military governor of the Beijing Garrison.

"Lord Wang! My son is young and frail, please have mercy!"

"Brother Wang! As long as my son returns safely, you can command everyone in the Marquis's mansion from now on!"

"Rest assured, Lord Wang, if you ever need the Zhang family's help in the future, we will go through fire and water for you!"

The threshold of the Prince's Mansion was almost worn down by the crowds.

The room was filled with powerful and wealthy people crying and begging for mercy, wishing they could kneel down and kowtow on the spot.

Wang Ziteng sat upright in the main seat, slowly sipped his tea, and smiled faintly:

"Please do not panic."

"Loyal and Brave Earl Jia Yi is my relative. He's invincible on the Liaodong battlefield. With him leading the charge, how could your young master possibly lack support?"

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Then, a glimmer of hope finally appeared on everyone's faces.

Sure enough, upon hearing the name Jia Yi, everyone felt much more at ease.

This guy has recently made the Later Jin people tremble with fear. He even beheaded Nurhaci's own son, and his blood splattered across three thousand miles of Liaodong. Who wouldn't tremble when they hear about it?

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Wang."

After a few words, the group took their leave, their steps light as if they were walking on clouds, as if Jia Yi were leading the way, and they could brave any danger.

After seeing the group off, Wang Ziteng didn't rush to rest. He turned around and headed straight for the Rongguo Mansion—he couldn't delay for even a moment.

Why? He'd just brought up Jia Yi's name to bolster his image; he couldn't really put himself on the spot. He needed to quickly get a letter from Grandmother Jia to reassure her. Otherwise, if that fool didn't listen to him when they got to Liaodong, leaving him exposed and exposed, he'd lose all face.

Before going to see Grandmother Jia, he first went to Rongxi Hall to ask his younger sister, Lady Wang, to make arrangements.

This was indeed a rather underhanded matter, and he himself felt guilty, fearing that Grandmother Jia would not give him face. Therefore, someone needed to speak up for him.

"Madam, Master Wang has arrived!"

Zhou Rui's wife practically ran into the Buddhist hall, still breathless.

"Brother? What are you doing here now?"

Madam Wang's brow furrowed. These gentlemen of the Rongguo Mansion were always oblivious to what was happening outside; even if the sky were falling and the earth were collapsing, they would still be drinking tea and listening to opera. For them to suddenly appear at this critical juncture… there must be something fishy going on.

She got up and went out to greet him. She immediately saw Wang Ziteng standing under the eaves, his face anxious and his forehead covered in sweat, looking like a gambler who had been chased down for debt.

"My sister's here! Quickly! Come with me to see the old lady!"

He grabbed Madam Wang's sleeve, his voice low but filled with anger: "Something terrible has happened. We need the old lady to write a letter asking Yi-ge to take care of my brother."

As he hurried toward Rongqing Hall, he embellished the story of the situation outside.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang felt a bitter taste in her mouth and her internal organs churn—so, she had someone plot to kill Jia Yi, and now she wants to climb the social ladder by clinging to his head? How can she do something so shameless so smoothly?

She almost raised her hand to slap him, but she managed to hold back.

"Once I return from Liaodong, I'll pull some strings, and a promotion is likely."

Wang Ziteng, observing his sister's pale face, immediately added, "In that case, it will naturally also secure a future for Baoyu."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's eyes lit up.

"good!"

She replied decisively, "Leave everything to me!"