The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

With the appointment of the garrison commander and governor of Datong, the grain and provisions from the imperial court gradually arrived.

Although there are still many gaps, the situation is gradually improving and trending towards stability.

That day, Jia Chen escorted Hu Youcai to the military commander's residence.

Liu Tianwang has moved to the military commander's residence. Hu Youcai does not live here, as he does not have a good impression of Liu Tianwang.

It was after this great achievement that the relationship between the two sides eased a little.

Hu Youcai's residence was not far from the military commander's mansion, since they were both located within Desheng Fort.

Jia Chen already knew that Liu Tianwang had just returned from the General's Office in Datong.

The fact that he invited Hu Youcai over upon his return suggests that there might be some military matters to discuss.

Upon arriving at the military commander's residence, Jia Chen and a group of Hu Youcai's guards were waiting outside.

Jia Chen is now the head of Hu Youcai's personal guards, in charge of more than a dozen people.

He was quite familiar with the guards and personal soldiers at the military commander's residence, and they had a pretty good relationship.

Because of the great victory at Qianshandun, Liu Tianwang was friendly towards Jia Chen, so Liu Tianwang's personal guards naturally followed their superior's preferences.

"It seems they're discussing the reconstruction of the external fire mound." Liu Tianwang's personal guard captain, Baihu Yang Xiong, chatted with Jia Chen.

Yang Xiong's ancestors had followed the Liu family for generations, and he could be said to be someone Liu Tianwang trusted very much.

Loyalty is of utmost importance to personal guards.

"We should take advantage of the fact that the Chahar tribe is unlikely to move south in the near future and rebuild the destroyed beacon towers as soon as possible," Jia Chen nodded.

"No, no, no, according to what you've said, several other military commanders in the General's Mansion don't really agree with rebuilding the outer beacon tower. It seems that in the end, they decided to keep only the front beacon tower," Yang Xiong said.

Jia Chen paused for a moment, then abandoned the fire-receiving mounds north of Qianshan Mound.

It's not surprising.

Those beacon towers located far from the Great Wall were unable to receive reinforcements.

Its only purpose was to provide a slight warning in advance, and the cost was the lives of those guards.

When the Great Hong Dynasty was still powerful, the northern barbarians dared not move south, but there were quite a few beacon towers outside its territory.

But now, these border towns have almost no beacon towers connecting the interior and exterior, and even if they do, there are only a few.

The situation in Datong Town will become unsustainable sooner or later.

"Could it be that the front beacon tower was preserved because it won a battle before?" Jia Chen said, somewhat speechless.

"It should be," Yang Xiong laughed. "Isn't this all thanks to you, little brother? But I'm not entirely sure of the specifics. Let's not worry about it."

They were personal guards, mostly stationed at Desheng Fort. Whether or not the front hill beacon tower was preserved was irrelevant to them.

Jia Chen suddenly remembered Wang Baisheng and the others.

Wang Baisheng and Ding Heihu were also unsure of what to do, whether to stay at Qianshandun or go to other beacon towers.

After all, he had rendered meritorious service, so it was possible that he would be assigned to a slightly safer watchtower inside the Great Wall.

A small hillside couldn't possibly accommodate so many of them.

Since arriving at Deshengbao, Jia Chen has kept up with little news from that area.

Just as Jia Chen and Yang Xiong were chatting, Liu Tianwang's voice rang out from inside the room.

"Brother, hurry up, the master is calling you." Yang Xiong's ears perked up as he heard Liu Tianwang's shout.

Jia Chen also heard it; Liu Tianwang had told him to go in.

So he hurriedly and carefully pushed open the door and went inside.

After respectfully bowing to the two people inside the room, Jia Chen stood waiting for Liu Tianwang to speak.

"Sit down!" Hu Youcai said casually.

"Yes, sit down. There's something that concerns you," Liu Tianwang said.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, eunuch!" Jia Chen said, then carefully placed half of his buttocks on the chair.

"Jia Chen, the General specifically requested your name," Liu Tianwang said, taking a sip of tea.

"Your humble servant is terrified!" Jia Chen hurriedly stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

I don't know why Chen Tai called my name.

However, Jia Chen thought that he hadn't done anything wrong these days, so it couldn't be anything bad, right?

"Sit down, sit down." Liu Tianwang gestured for Jia Chen to sit down. "This matter concerns Qianshandun, and I'm afraid it will have to be handled by you. The General's intention is to abandon the reconstruction of the outer beacon tower of the Northeast Route and instead expand Qianshandun into a fortified village, with you as its commander. The General hopes that Qianshan Fort can become a solid fortress for the Northeast Route outside the Great Wall, so that even if the Northern Barbarians invade from the south, it can stand firm. At that time, even if the Northern Barbarians raid Datong from the south, they will have more reason to be wary."

Jia Chen never expected things to turn out this way.

Yang Xiong just said that the front hill mound should be preserved, but it seems that there is still some discrepancy.

We've retained it, but we still need to upgrade it.

A Tunpu is a small castle that can house anywhere from dozens to hundreds of people.

Compared to Jiehuodun, Tunpu covers a larger area and has much better defensive measures.

"However, Qianshan Fort is ultimately outside the Great Wall. Once the northern barbarians invade from the south, it will be the first to be hit, and the danger is self-evident," Liu Tianwang sighed. "Jia Chen, if you are unwilling, I will choose someone else."

"This humble official is willing to go!" Jia Chen immediately shouted.

Are you kidding me? You're not going to pick someone else.

Didn't you hear what Liu Tianwang just said? This is the General's intention; he personally named me.

In fact, this matter is already a done deal.

If I really refuse, then I won't be able to stay here in the future.

He would inevitably be alienated by Liu Tianwang.

Because in their eyes, he was someone who couldn't handle things.

The danger at Qianshandun was something Jia Chen was well aware of.

Even if it were built into a fortified village, it would still only be a small town.

Outside the Great Wall, it was like a lone boat on a vast sea; once the northern barbarians marched south, they could easily annihilate it.

But Jia Chen had no choice; he couldn't simply refuse.

"Good, Jia Chen, I was right about you." Liu Tianwang laughed and said, "Eunuch Hu, you see, I told you Jia Chen is just like his father, brave and decisive."

Hu Youcai said with some emotion, "Jia Chen, we originally wanted you to stay in Desheng Fort, but Qianshan Fort is indeed the most suitable place for you."

Jia Chen understood that Hu Youcai had clearly been persuaded by Liu Tianwang.

Although having his personal guards made Hu Youcai feel secure.

However, when faced with certain interests, one is nothing more than a nobody, someone who can be used for transactions.

Just like this time, the reason why Liu Tianwang and Chen Tai sent him to Qianshandun was because of the great victory at Qianshandun, and they felt that he could still make contributions for them.

Jia Chen felt uncomfortable about these things, but he couldn't say he was particularly angry.

They are in positions of power; as a nobody, you should be prepared to be driven.

However, when being driven, one should try to gain some benefits for oneself.

Being able to be driven by those above you, from another perspective, means that your abilities have been recognized by them.

Countless thoughts flashed through Jia Chen's mind.

Being by Hu Youcai's side has its advantages, but being a garrison commander in Qianshanbao isn't entirely without its merits.

If handled properly, it can enable one to gain control of armed forces more quickly.

Danger and opportunity coexist.

"Jia Chen, whatever your request, please feel free to make it. As long as it's within my power, I will definitely fulfill it," Liu Tianwang said.

Jia Chen did not disappoint him. If he had more people like Jia Chen under his command, he believed he would soon be able to gain a foothold on Beidong Road.