PFC Chapter 64 Xiren: This is too much!
Chapter 64 Xiren: This is too much!
Liu Feng was unaware that Emperor Yankang had already received the news and devised a comprehensive plan.
On the brick floor of the West Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there was a huge silk military map that took up almost half of the room.
Emperor Yankang took off his shoes and walked slowly across the map with his hands behind his back. As he passed through various passes and fortresses such as Xuanfu, Juyongguan, Zijingguan, and Yansui, he reported a series of troop numbers.
Standing to the side, Dai Quan silently calculated that it was just over 150,000.
After surveying the area, Emperor Yankang walked to the couch and sat down. He picked up a cup of tea from the couch table, took a sip, and slowly said, "The Tartars wanted to besiege the city and attack reinforcements, so I decided to turn the tables and trap them like turtles in a jar!"
Dai Quan knelt on the ground and carefully smoothed out the wrinkles that the emperor had just stepped on.
Since the great defeat in the twenty-sixth year of the Longxing reign, the Eight Banners have not used the Mongol route to invade the Datong and Xuanfu areas for nearly twenty years.
The sudden attack on Datong by the Two White Banners was due to someone persuading the Mongol tribes and spending a large sum of money to purchase a large amount of grain, fodder, and military equipment from Shanxi merchants, thus completely eliminating their worries about the rear.
Although the mastermind behind this has not yet been identified, Dai Quan has a guess in his mind that it is most likely a former subordinate of the deposed crown prince who escaped from exile.
The Tartars originally planned to join forces to annihilate the main force of Xuanfu in mid-July after the arrival of the Plain Red Banner, and then besiege the reinforcements. However, Liu Feng unexpectedly discovered a secret letter, which disrupted the Tartars' plans and forced them to hastily send troops to annihilate the main force of Datong Guard instead.
Dai Quan raised his hand to wipe away the footprints on "Datong," and sighed silently. He wondered if Liu Feng's knife would break in Datong.
Emperor Yankang's gaze also fell on "Datong" at this moment. Just as he was about to say something, a red-clad eunuch hurriedly walked in.
"Your Majesty, we have just received an urgent report by carrier pigeon. Datong is surrounded by the Tartars, and the enemy forces number approximately 70,000 to 80,000."
Emperor Yankang immediately rose, strode to Datong, looked around, and suddenly smiled: "Datong is a good place! Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one official road connecting it to the interior, it is an excellent location for besieging a stronghold and attacking reinforcements, and it is also suitable for trapping the enemy like turtles in a jar... As long as we block all the passes and the troops from all directions join forces, we can completely cut off the Tartars' retreat!"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, "I hope Datong can hold out for a few more days, to buy enough time for the imperial court to mobilize troops to encircle and surround the city."
Just then, the chief eunuch on duty at the Meridian Gate rushed in, sweating profusely, and reported, "Your Majesty, an urgent military report from Liu Feng, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
Emperor Yankang strode forward, snatched it, and suddenly frowned: "Why isn't it sealed?"
The eunuch on duty said, "I asked, and the situation is urgent; there's no way to seal it."
Emperor Yankang remained silent, pulled out the confession inside, and read it. It contained intelligence already known to the court. He raised his eyes and asked, "Did the messenger mention anything else?"
The eunuch on duty said, "This old servant asked a few questions. There are still 8,000 garrison troops in Datong City, and the grain they have stockpiled is enough to hold the city for more than three months."
"Three months."
Emperor Yankang nodded in satisfaction, turned around and walked back to sit down by the couch, and said to Dai Quan: "Summon Prince Zhongshun, Duke Chengen, Marquis Zhongjing, General Shenwu Feng Tang, and Prince Teng to the palace for a meeting."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Let my four good sons enter the palace together to listen to the court discussions."
......................
After the Double Ninth Festival, the leaves on the trees in the capital city turn yellow.
There were many large trees planted in the Thousand Households Office. When a gust of wind blew, the fallen leaves fluttered down.
Li Shoutian stood under the tree, gazing blankly in the direction of Datong, lost in thought.
"Clang—"
When Li Shoutian came to his senses, he saw Wang Daniu return drunk again. He frowned slightly but didn't say anything.
Wang Daniu glanced at the wine jug that had fallen to the ground, then suddenly squatted down and started crying.
Li Shoutian sighed softly and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder.
Wang Daniu suddenly roared like a madman, "Three months! Three months have passed, why haven't they gone to rescue Datong yet! Why...?"
Li Shoutian sighed. More than three months had passed in the blink of an eye. The imperial army had won one battle after another, successfully besieging the Tartars and repelling Tartar reinforcements from outside the pass several times.
The army simply surrounded the city, delaying its attack and focusing on slowly depleting the enemy's supplies and morale. Meanwhile, Datong, besieged by the Tartars, seemed to have been forgotten by everyone.
The sudden sound of snoring pulled Li Shoutian back from his reverie.
He looked down and saw Wang Daniu asleep on the ground. He told someone to carry Wang Daniu into the house, then turned and walked towards the front yard. He hadn't gone far when he ran into his trusted confidant who had come to report.
"My lord, the Jia family's fleet has already entered the territory of Shuntian Prefecture."
Li Shoutian nodded. Before leaving, Liu Feng specifically instructed him to keep a close eye on the Jia family.
Ever since he learned that Miss Lin had traveled north by boat, he had people keep a close eye on her. Later, after hearing from Liu Quan that a maid in his household had eyes and mannerisms that resembled Miss Lin, he became even more concerned about the matter.
After several months, Li Shoutian had a thorough understanding of the Jia family's situation. He was very worried that the tactless Bao Er Ye of the Rongguo Mansion might do something disrespectful to Miss Lin.
Li Shoutian's eyes darted around, and he whispered a few words in his confidant's ear.
The trusted confidant responded and left.
Li Shoutian looked up towards Datong. Liu Feng had been kind to him, and now that Liu Feng was gone, he had to protect everything for him.
......................
Another piece of good news arrived at the Imperial Study.
"Well done!" Emperor Yankang clapped the victory report in his hand excitedly.
Dai Quan, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward with a smile to offer his congratulations: "This old servant congratulates Your Majesty! After winning one or two more battles like this, the army can launch a general offensive against the Tartars in the encirclement."
Emperor Yankang shook his head: "No rush. The Tartars' provisions can last at least another half a month."
Dai Quan looked worried: "But what about Datong..."
Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Yankang raised his hand to interrupt him: "Tell Prince Teng to surround them at all costs, and not let a single Tartar escape!"
"Yes." Dai Quan bowed in response, sighing inwardly. The emperor was far more ruthless than the retired emperor. There were still tens of thousands of people in Datong City!
Just then, Emperor Yankang suddenly changed the subject: "I'm thinking of sending the second prince and the others to the front-line military camps for some training."
Training? This is clearly letting the prince reap the rewards!
Dai Quan dared not speak openly: "A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof. The battlefield is ruthless and extremely dangerous, and princes are of noble status..."
Emperor Yankang interrupted him: "Our ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty conquered this land on horseback. How can their descendants live comfortably in the royal palace and indulge in pleasure? Besides, the soldiers on the front lines have fought valiantly and made great contributions. A prince visiting the military camp in person can not only understand the hardships of the soldiers, but also boost morale!"
After saying that, he said directly, "Let the second son and the others enter the palace."
Dai Quan dared not say anything more, and could only bow and accept the order, then retreat to convey the decree.
Just then, the old eunuch from the Empress Dowager's side arrived and knelt down outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."
Emperor Yankang turned his head: "What's wrong?"
The old eunuch hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "The Prince of Cheng'en has entered the palace."
Emperor Yankang snorted coldly: "I told you I didn't have time."
The old eunuch forced a smile and said, "The Empress Dowager said that we should have dinner together with the Emperor."
Emperor Yankang took a deep breath, suppressing his dissatisfaction: "I understand."
The old eunuch kowtowed, got up, and fled as if he were escaping.
Emperor Yankang flicked his sleeves, turned around, and sat down on the dragon throne.
He knew exactly what Cheng'en Gong was thinking; he also wanted to go to the front lines to reap the rewards and gain military merit.
According to the ancestral system of the Great Qian Dynasty, only titles earned through military merit could be inherited through generations.
Emperor Yankang initially wanted to refuse outright, but when he thought of the Empress Dowager... he suddenly heard Dai Quan's words, "Swords and spears have no eyes," and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
......................
Li Shoutian's eyes darted around, and someone was about to suffer.
Behind the Jia family lived a family surnamed Hua, who were so poor in their early years that they couldn't even afford to eat. But ever since they sold their daughter, Hua Xiren, into the Jia family, their lives improved day by day. They not only bought houses and land, but also became a force that no one in the neighborhood dared to mess with.
But no one expected that the once-glorious Hua family would suffer such a terrible misfortune today. A group of people barged into their home and, without saying a word, beat up the Hua family members.
A crowd of onlookers had gathered in front of the Hua family's house, when someone shouted, "The Hua family's daughter is back!"
A carriage slowly drove into the alley and stopped in front of the Hua family's house. A pretty girl lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage.
"Slow down, young lady!" An old woman chased after her.
Xi Ren didn't stop walking and hurriedly entered the house. Seeing that everything in the courtyard was as usual, she finally felt a little relieved.
"Mom? Big brother..."
Before she could finish speaking, a bruised and swollen face suddenly appeared in the room. Xi Ren was startled, but after regaining her composure, she recognized her elder brother.
"Big brother, what happened?"
Xi Ren was pulled into the house by Hua Zifang. She looked up and saw her mother's cheek was swollen high. She rushed forward, "Mom! How are you? Does it hurt?"
Hua's mother opened her mouth and looked at her son.
Xi Ren was so distressed that tears welled up in her eyes. She turned to Hua Zifang, both anxious and angry, and demanded, "Who did this? Why would someone hit someone for no reason?!"
Hua Zifang glanced quickly out the window and lowered her voice: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Xi Ren was stunned.
"It's because of you."
Xi Ren was even more confused.
"Those people said you have to keep an eye on Master Bao and not harass Miss Lin. Otherwise, they'll break my legs."
Xi Ren was taken aback at first, but then she understood why and burst into tears of anger: "This is too much!"