The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

"Jia Chen, where's Abuna?" Feng Shan asked after regaining his senses.

He cared more about Abuna than these heads.

"Right, right, where is Abuna?" Chen Tai realized he was too excited and had almost forgotten that Abuna had been captured.

"Gentlemen, this way please," Jia Chen said with a smile.

After taking a few steps forward, everyone's eyes widened again.

"How many horses are there?" Chen Tai asked.

Their view was blocked by the earthen houses in front of them, so they couldn't see the warhorses behind them.

Now they were surrounded by a dense swarm of horses.

"There are over 800 horses, including more than 700 warhorses," Jia Chen said. "The city has limited space, so we'll have to squeeze in for now."

Chen Tai was speechless.

The army is short of horses, but at Qianshan Fort, there are so many horses that they can hardly stand.

Everyone looked at these warhorses, all fine horses from the Chahar tribe, and wished they could take them away immediately.

But they all knew in their hearts that Chen Tai was the one who had the final say on this matter.

This time, the words of Feng Shan, the eunuch in charge of the garrison, will likely carry much less weight.

After all, Jia Chen was originally under Chen Tai's command.

If Jia Chen's achievements are reported to the imperial court, Chen Tai will surely receive the emperor's reward.

In addition, the capture of Abunai and the fall of Zhenqiang Fort seem somewhat insignificant.

"Inside?" Chen Tai asked with some suspicion when Jia Chen stopped in front of a low mud house.

"My lord, the city is simple, and the houses are too small. I'm afraid we can't accommodate all of you," Jia Chen said. "Abunai is seriously injured and cannot be moved."

"Seriously injured? Don't let him die. Get a doctor here right away!" Chen Tai shouted, his expression changing.

Abuna is more valuable when she is alive.

It can be used to negotiate with the Chahar tribe in the future.

Moreover, if he were to die, it might provoke Lin Danhan, which wouldn't necessarily be a good thing.

"Don't worry, sir, he won't die," Jia Chen said.

Chen Tai's expression finally relaxed a bit.

"You all wait outside. Eunuch Feng, shall we go in and take a look?" Chen Tai said to Feng Shan.

"Alright, I'd like to meet this little prince of the Chahar tribe," Feng Shan nodded.

Chen Tai is probably going to steal the spotlight this time, and he feels a little depressed.

However, considering the merits he has made here, he, the eunuch in charge of guarding the town, should certainly be credited with one as well.

Thinking of this made him feel a little better.

Jia Chen led the two into the earthen house.

Abnai lay on the bed, coldly staring at the people who entered.

When faced with Chen Tai's question, Abunai remained silent.

Chen Tai didn't care; his main goal was to confirm Abuna's identity.

Now it seems certain that it is Abhunai.

After all, he had met Abunai before and recognized him.

Abunai was quickly carried away by Chen Tai's men and sent to Desheng Fort for treatment. Once his condition stabilized, he was then sent to Datong Prefecture.

The conditions at Qianshanbao were too poor, and Chen Tai was still afraid that Abunai would die.

"He Liding!" After seeing Abunai off, Chen Tai's face instantly darkened.

Upon hearing this voice, He Liding's heart skipped a beat.

He sensed that something was wrong.

However, he immediately ran to Chen Tai.

"General!"

"Take him down!" Chen Tai shouted.

Two guards immediately stepped forward and restrained He Liding.

"My lord, why is this happening?" He Liding hurriedly called out.

"As the garrison commander of Zhenqiang Fort, you fled without a fight, abandoning the city to survive, leaving the people to suffer, and utterly disgracing the Great Hong! Today, I, acting on behalf of Heaven, will send you on your way as a warning to the entire army!" Chen Tai said coldly.

He Liding's face was filled with terror.

His body trembled uncontrollably, and he hurriedly looked at Feng Shan beside Chen Tai: "Eunuch Feng, help! I am not guilty of a crime punishable by death. It was all because Jia Chen failed to warn us in time."

"Shut up!" Feng Shan snapped.

Jia Chen has made such a great contribution this time, so what if he failed to give a timely warning?

Not to mention that the Northern Barbarians mostly bypassed Qianshan Fort and launched a surprise attack on Zhenqiang Fort, which had nothing to do with Qianshan Fort.

"Father-in-law, I...I am willing to offer all the wealth in my home to you, just please spare my life," He Liding cried out again.

He felt like he was in deep trouble.

"Absurd, utterly absurd! Drag him away!" Feng Shan's face flushed red; he was truly enraged.

How dare you bring these things up at a time like this, in front of everyone?

He Liding now understood that he had been abandoned, and it was clear that Chen Tai and Feng Shan had reached some kind of agreement.

His face was ashen; he was surely dead.

"I...I refuse to accept this!" He Liding shouted loudly.

Unfortunately, he was soon dragged away and beheaded right outside the gates of Qianshan Fort in front of tens of thousands of border troops.

He Kun, the battalion commander who escaped from Zhenqiang Fort, was also killed along with him.

Jia Chen later learned that He Kun was a member of He Liding's clan.

Chen Tai did not mention He Liding's use of the Zhenqiang Fort garrison to protect the smuggling caravan.

Chen Tai knew about this matter, but he didn't say much about it.

This involves the interests of too many people.

Take Feng Shan, for example.

Over the years, He Liding has given Feng Shan a lot of filial piety.

For Chen Tai, killing He Liding was a way to establish his authority and make an example of him.

He has just been appointed as the commander-in-chief, but because he lacks connections, his position is not secure.

In Datong Town, the number of troops he could control was very limited.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, they forced Feng Shan to back down and hand over He Liding.

After today's events, Chen Tai believes that those below him should consider whether they should continue to outwardly comply with his wishes while inwardly defying him.

"Jia Chen, what do you plan to do with those heads and warhorses?" Chen Tai asked Jia Chen privately.

Jia Chen did not hesitate at all: "General, I do not know what to do, but I leave it to you to decide."

"Good, very good!" Chen Tai patted Jia Chen on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I won't forget the contributions of Qianshan Fort."

Chen Tai was extremely satisfied with Jia Chen.

Thinking about it, I feel quite emotional; it seems like I've been on a lucky streak lately.

It all started from the moment Jia Chen first distinguished himself in a meritorious service.

He is truly a lucky charm.

Jia Chen had already considered the distribution of these heads and warhorses.

All the credit goes to Qianshanbao; no one can rise to the top overnight.

In other words, giving all the credit to Qianshanbao is actually an overestimation.

It would be better to distribute the profits.

Only in this way can everyone's benefits be truly realized.

Previously, I had intended to give the main credit to Liu Tianwang, but now it has become Chen Tai's responsibility.

"And what about Abunai?" Chen Tai hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Eunuch Feng wants this credit, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Chen was taken aback: "Sir, you personally led the army to capture Abunai..."

Chen Tai raised his hand to interrupt Jia Chen, saying, "After all, Eunuch Feng has connections in the palace, so I can't refuse him. I understand your intentions. However, with these heads already taken, it's enough for me this time. Even if you were promoted three ranks, it would still be a loss for you, alas..."

Capturing a big shot like Abunai would be an extraordinary feat for Jia Chen, and the imperial court might even grant him a title.

But when Feng Shan tried to take credit, he couldn't refuse.

After all, Feng Shan had connections in the palace, so he couldn't afford to offend him.

Of course, he understood Jia Chen's meaning.

Jia Chen originally wanted to take credit for capturing Abunai, hoping to move him.

It's a pity that with Feng Shan around, he could only achieve minor merit.

In this way, even if Jia Chen is promoted to the third rank in the future, it will still be far from being granted a noble title.