Chapter 1186
Princess Yongcheng's Invitation
Chapter 1186 Princess Yongcheng's Invitation
A place inside the entrance to the East Valley of Heilongjiang.
Duan Hong reined in his warhorse, his blood-stained longsword hanging slightly in his hand, his sharp gaze falling on the suddenly quiet area not far away.
The armored soldiers of the Bordered White Banner were like wolves and tigers, brutally suppressing the chaos, cutting down the fleeing soldiers who tried to continue their escape, and forcibly maintaining a strange order. Behind them were Prince Hauge and Commander Tongjiaqing, who dismounted solemnly with complex expressions.
After exchanging a glance, Tong Jiaqing's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible weariness as she cupped her hands and said;
"General Duan, report to Marquis Luoyun, we have surrendered."
Duan Hong's personal guards instinctively gripped their weapons, watching the scene ahead warily. Duan Hong himself narrowed his eyes, somewhat incredulous, his mind racing. These two men, one the youngest son of the Jurchen Khan Huang Jitai, the other the banner lord of the Bordered White Banner, had actually... surrendered? And in this way, by actively suppressing the fleeing soldiers as a pledge of allegiance?
"Chief Tong, is this true?"
Duan Hongyang asked in a deep, steady voice, with a scrutinizing tone.
Haug took a deep breath, as if to expel all the pent-up frustration and resentment in his chest, and stepped forward, proclaiming loudly:
"General Duan, a defeated general, dares not boast of bravery. Today's situation is not due to a lack of skill, but rather the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people. I, Hauge, am willing to lead the remaining troops of the Bordered Yellow and White Banner to surrender to Marquis Luoyun! I only ask that Your Excellency treat the lives of my men with kindness."
His words carried a hint of bitterness, yet also a sense of resolute determination.
Tong Jiaqing followed up by adding:
"General Duan, you are wise. We have restrained our troops and quelled the chaos. All the defeated soldiers here can be taken prisoner by the Marquis. Our sincerity is as clear as day. Please report to the Marquis immediately."
Looking at the scene before him, with tens of thousands of soldiers already surrendering, Duan Hong figured the Marquis might have other plans, so he nodded.
"Alright! Please wait a moment, I will immediately send someone to inform the Marquis! Please come back with me."
"Thank you for your trouble, General Duan!"
Tong and Hao bowed to each other.
Duan Hong left some of his troops to accept the surrender, while he himself, along with his personal guards, rode swiftly into the depths of the valley.
at this time,
Zhang Jinyu had led the main force of the central army, surrounded by Ningbian and the Imperial Guard, across the battlefield strewn with corpses, and slowly made his way to the center of the valley. The western entrance of the valley was now completely under their control. Guarjia had led 10,000 surrendered soldiers of the Bordered Blue Banner, carrying dry rations and water, and sped toward Jinzhou. Fucha Zhen was left behind to finish up.
suddenly.
Good news arrived.
"Report! My lord, my lord, we've won! We've won!"
The belated messenger rushed over and then shouted;
"My lord, General Duan sent someone to report that the two banner leaders of the Jurchen Bordered White Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner have surrendered with their troops. The rest of the Jurchens fled from the East Valley Pass, suffering heavy losses. The troops of various tribes were trapped in the valley and were completely wiped out."
Upon hearing this joyous news, it immediately spread among the surrounding army. Before Zhang Jinyu could even speak, someone took the lead and shouted...
"May Your Excellency be victorious! May ...!"
The continuous shouts echoed throughout the valley, deafeningly loud.
"Alright, now that we've won, Ningbian, leave Zhang Wenyuan to gather the defeated and surrendered troops, and let Wu Yayu take custody of the Jurchen surrendered soldiers. The rest of you, immediately organize your troops and march east, taking the necessary supplies with you on horse-drawn carts. Be quick."
"Yes, my lord."
Ningbian immediately accepted the order, and then left 30,000 infantrymen under the command of Zhang Wenyuan to gather the surrendered soldiers. The remaining troops had already begun to withdraw out of the valley.
Chaos reigned, especially among the vanguard troops, who were utterly exhausted. Duan Hong returned, his face covered in blood, followed by two Jurchen banner chiefs and numerous deputy commanders, looking somewhat dejected. Upon reaching them, Duan Hong grinned.
"My lord, your humble servant has returned."
"Good, General Duan is indeed brave. This victory is a great one. General Duan deserves the credit. You will lead the vanguard and join Chuanying. Let him leave the infantry behind and rest with you for a day before we continue eastward."
Zhang Jinyu didn't want to wait any longer, as victories are fleeting. Therefore, this eastward advance was to take all the cavalry with him.
"Uh, my lord, I am not tired at all. Wherever you go, I will go. The vanguard is just riding a horse, how can it be tiring?"
Duan Hong refused, and then pulled the two people behind him over, saying;
"My lord, these two are the banner lords of the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Bordered White Banner. It is thanks to them that we were able to block the entrance to the East Valley and intercept many troops from various tribes."
The two flag lords looked somewhat embarrassed. Seeing Luo Yunhou's heroic figure, they stepped forward, bowed, and knelt down on one knee.
"The guilty generals Tong Jiaqing and Hauge pay their respects to the Marquis."
With this remark,
The surrounding generals were all startled, then their faces lit up with joy. Ning Bian's eyes flashed, and he whispered:
"My lord, Hauge is Huang Jitai's youngest son, and his status is noble. If we can subdue him, it will be of great significance! Tong Jiaqing is also Hauge's confidant. If these two surrender, it will greatly benefit our army's eastward advance into Liaonan and undermine the morale of the Jurchens!"
Zhang Jinyu sat upright on his horse, his face showing little emotion, only a slight smile playing on his lips. He was extremely surprised. If someone like Fucha Zhen had surrendered, it would have been expected, but Hauge, Huang Jitai's youngest son, had been pampered since childhood. Seeing the Khan's throne slipping away, he too had surrendered. He wondered if it was true or not.
"Hauge, you are Huang Jitai's legitimate son, but now you have truly surrendered."
There is still some uncertainty. Although one has to bow one's head when under someone's roof, for a Jurchen prince, reputation is sometimes more important than life.
“My lord, I have already been punished. Now, the Jurchen tribes are all deserted. The breakout plan we made last night has been abandoned when we reached the pass. Everyone has their own plans. The people are completely lost. I can only blame myself for not being able to see through people’s hearts. How can I have the face to go back?”
Hauge looked somewhat bewildered. Not to mention Duomin and his group, he hadn't been unaware of Fucha Zhen's actions either. Even though he had seized the Khan's position yesterday, it wasn't entirely useless.
"Alright, get up. Since you have surrendered to me, I will not go back on my word. I will give you the treatment I promised Fucha Zhen and the others. Whether you continue to lead troops and make military achievements, or take a sinecure and live a carefree life, the choice is yours."
Zhang Jinyu didn't threaten or coerce. Even now, he still harbored the thought of buying their loyalty. Just as he finished speaking, the group of surrendered generals kneeling before him simultaneously rose from their knees, their faces filled with gratitude. Before Tong Jiaqing could speak, Hauge was the first to clasp his hands in a fist salute.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Marquis. My men are all Jurchen warriors, brave and fierce. If they were to return to their posts as minor officials, it would be a waste of their talents. It would be better for them to stay and serve as your foot soldiers, so that they can earn some fame and fortune. As for me, I am somewhat disheartened. I will stay under your jurisdiction and serve as a minor official."
Whether it was a sudden realization or not, Hauge simply laid down his hands and stated his demands. Tong Jiaqing was shocked. How could he give up military power so easily? But then she thought of Hauge's identity as the youngest son of the Great Khan. This choice was the best. So she stopped talking. Zhang Jinyu, on the other hand, had a look of appreciation in her eyes. He really knew when to advance and retreat.
"Alright, since Your Highness is willing to stay, let's not bother with the title of 'convicted subject' anymore. The trade markets of Pingliao City are spread across various tribes in the surrounding grasslands. Why don't you stay here and serve as a fifth-rank trade envoy? It would be good for you to rest."
"Yes, sir, I will follow your instructions."
Hauge accepted it readily, a huge weight lifted from his heart, and his expression became much more relaxed. At this moment, Zhang Jinyu looked at Tong Jiaqing, the banner chief of the Bordered White Banner, who immediately bowed.
"My lord, I will follow your orders."
He didn't refer to himself as a sinful subject or a sinful general. Since the prince had taken the lead, he should just follow suit. But Zhang Jinyu waved his hand, saying that the man in front of him was quite perceptive.
“Tongjia Qing Banner Master, you don’t need to go to Pingliao City. Take 20,000 men from your troops, including the Bordered Yellow Banner, and bring them dry rations and water. You will be the guide and follow Duomin to Yinzhou. Be quick.”
"Yes, my lord,"
Words of surprise immediately rang out, and Tong Jiaqing looked up in delight, responding emphatically.
that's it,
After a short rest,
The army set off, banners fluttering, an atmosphere of solemnity pervading the air.
Head east! Pursue Duomin!
The midday sun was strong.
In the early autumn in the capital, the weather is clear and crisp. Young men from aristocratic families and academies often travel together by carriage, sometimes with a few close friends. They would set up tables and chairs by the river outside the city, serve a few dishes, and drink together.
On the banks of Anhu River,
Princess Yongcheng's imperial estate was located here, on the lakeside. A simple palace was built there. Although it could not be as beautiful as those in the capital, it was more picturesque and picturesque against the backdrop of the mountains and waters in autumn.
Today, the once quiet manor has become somewhat noisy. Nobles from various mansions, scions of prominent families, and several heirs from royal residences have all come here to gather after receiving invitations from Princess Yongcheng, saying they want to enjoy the scenery together.
Even Jia Baoyu of the Rongguo Mansion received an invitation this time. This morning, after Jia Baoyu finished his meal, he received an invitation from the gatekeeper. As soon as Xiren took the invitation, she knew that it was from a noble person. She dared not be negligent and hurriedly entered the inner hall.
"Master Bao, Master Bao, the gatekeeper sent the invitation. I dared not neglect it, so I brought it to you."
Jia Baoyu had just changed his clothes and hadn't even gotten up from the soft couch when Mushe and the others rushed over, clamoring to see him. But Xiren wouldn't let them, and a commotion ensued. His clothes weren't fully on, and soon his fair and beautiful skin was revealed.
This erotic scene caught Baoyu's eye, and he immediately blushed, but his gaze remained fixed on the crowd, unable to look away.
After a while, Xiren angrily pushed Sheyue, closed her jacket, took the invitation card, walked to Baoyu's side, and handed it to him.
"Master Bao, quickly take a look at who handed it over. We can't delay the time."
With Xiren's reminder, everyone quieted down. Although Baoyu secretly felt a little regretful, business was more important. He took the invitation and examined it. Seeing the signature, he realized it was from Princess Yongcheng. The entire invitation was decorated with gold and phoenixes, exuding royal elegance. No wonder it was different from the other invitations.
"Let's go to the old lady's place and ask her."
Baoyu was also puzzled, after all, he was not familiar with this Princess Yongcheng. He had heard several friends at the Imperial Academy talk about her, and they said that this noble lady had an eccentric personality.
After arriving at Rongqing Hall,
Coincidentally,
Inside the room, the two ladies, along with Wang Xifeng, were discussing trivial matters of the household. They hadn't exchanged more than a few words when a servant announced their arrival.
"Grandma, Master Bao is here."
"Let him in quickly."
"Yes, old lady."
Seeing the old woman leave, the atmosphere in the room quieted down. Wang Xifeng glanced at her with curiosity in her eyes. It was still early, and she wondered what business Baoyu had with her.
Before anything could be thought of, the curtain moved, and Jia Baoyu and Xiren appeared, entering the room. Jia Baoyu approached and bowed.
"Greetings to the Ancestor, the First Madam, Mother, and Second Sister-in-law."
"Oh dear, what are you doing here? Come and sit down, what's the matter that you came in such a hurry?"
Grandmother Jia looked a little anxious. She pulled Baoyu over and made him sit beside her. She wanted to ask him more, but before she knew it, Jia Baoyu quickly took out the invitation from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Grandmother Jia was taken aback, then picked up the invitation and began to read it. After a moment, a smile spread across her face:
"As expected of a princess, she still remembers our household. It is a matter of honor for Baoyu to be invited by the princess."
The invitation was sent by Princess Yongcheng's residence. They were going to a gathering at a manor outside the city to enjoy the autumn scenery. In her heart, she thought that this might be a good opportunity for Baoyu to show his face in front of noble people and pave the way for his future.
Lady Wang was naturally delighted and hurriedly instructed the maids, including Xiren, to carefully prepare Baoyu's clothes and accessories for the banquet, ensuring that they reflected the wealth and grandeur of the Duke's mansion.
"Grandma, this is a good thing. Baoyu has now obtained an official position. He is just waiting for Eunuch Liu to give him the official documents and transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel so he can take up his post in the Military Affairs Department. This time, with the princess's invitation, he will be able to show his face in front of all the young men from noble families. If he is fortunate enough to speak with Her Highness the Princess, it will be an even greater blessing."
Although the invitation was signed by Princess Yongcheng, it also bore the seal of the Eldest Princess, indicating that the Eldest Princess was also attending.
Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "Be careful to keep to your place and don't be arrogant." Then she sent someone to make preparations so as not to delay. As soon as the person left, Wang Xifeng could no longer suppress the curiosity in her eyes. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt that the Second Madam had changed. However, after looking for a long time, she couldn't see anything. So she simply sat down and gave Ping'er a wink.
however,
Are there two other people in the household who have received invitations?
At the West Garden, Qingwen received the invitation from the gatekeeper at the courtyard gate, frowned, and turned to enter the study in the west wing.
"Miss Lin, Miss Lin, someone has delivered an invitation."
inside the house,
Lin Daiyu, dressed in a plain Taoist robe with a wooden hairpin in her hair and her long, beautiful hair reaching her waist, exuded an indescribable elegance. At this moment, she was sitting in the room, quietly writing with a brush in her hand. Beside her, Xueyan was holding a plate of cloud cakes, occasionally taking a bite or two.
Hearing the noise at the door,
Lin Daiyu did not put down her brush; instead, she continued writing the last stroke on the Xuan paper. Seeing Qingwen walk in, she asked;
"Qingwen, what happened?"
“Miss Lin, this invitation was delivered by the gatekeeper. I glanced at it and only recognized the words ‘Imperial Estate.’ I don’t recognize the rest.”
Qingwen carefully placed the invitation on a corner of the table, her eyes involuntarily falling on the calligraphy written by Miss Lin. It was beautiful and neat, showing the handwriting of a person of great talent.
Lin Daiyu put down her brush, reached out and took the exquisite invitation. She only glanced at the words "Princess Yongcheng cordially invites Miss Lin of Rongguo Mansion," and her face showed displeasure.
She has always disliked such noisy social gatherings, and she has always made excuses to avoid any lively events in the manor. Why would a princess invite her? If she were invited, it must be because of the Marquis's manor.
"Did the messenger say anything?"
"Miss Lin, this servant received it from the gatekeeper's servant. As for what the messenger said, this servant does not know."
Qingwen shook her head, knowing that Miss Lin was proud and aloof and almost oblivious to such commotion. She suggested that she go to the Marquis's residence to inquire.
Before she could even speak, Xueyan swallowed the cloud cake in her hand in one gulp, peeked over, and exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh dear, Miss, are you going to the outskirts of the city to enjoy the autumn scenery? I wonder how far it is."
An unintentional remark caused Lin Daiyu to close the invitation. With a flick of her slender hand, the valuable invitation fluttered lightly to a corner of the table, like an abandoned autumn leaf, and she didn't give it another glance.
"It's too far, I'm not going."
Zijuan knew her intentions, silently put the item away, and didn't try to persuade her further. The others in the room seemed to know as well, and no one mentioned it again.
It can be found in Pear Fragrance Garden.
Xue Baochai, who also received an invitation, silently entered the inner hall. Looking at the invitation in her hand, she had many guesses in her mind. Although Princess Yongcheng had not been back in the capital for long, her status was high and her invitation was by no means ordinary. Seeing that the Marquis had only been gone for a few days, the number of merchant caravans coming and going from the capital had increased significantly. Even the merchant guilds and aristocratic families heading south had shared some of their savings with Yunhai Bank.
Although she also preferred quiet, she understood the importance of decorum in social interactions. Since it was the princess's invitation, she couldn't refuse. After a moment's thought, she said to Ying'er:
"Ying'er, prepare that lotus-colored brocade dress for me, along with that kingfisher feather and pearl hairpin. The princess has invited me, so I cannot be negligent."
"Yes, Miss. When we leave the city this time, should we bring the guards from the Marquis's residence with us?"
Ying'er took out a silk skirt from the cabinet, preparing to help her mistress change.
"Of course we should bring them along. Taking more people with us when we go outside the city will reduce the trouble. I just don't know if the Marquis's mansion has any ladies going there."
Thinking of Madam Qin from the Marquis's mansion, I felt an indescribable envy. Thinking of this, I wondered if Miss Lin had also received an invitation. If not, I would send someone to inquire. I wanted to give Ying'er a word of advice, but when I thought of Lin Daiyu's aloof nature, I knew she would definitely not pay attention to this matter, so I suppressed the thought.
After changing her clothes, Wenxing rushed in from outside, her face flushed, clearly from her hurried journey.
"Miss, Miss, I inquired at the manor and found out that both Master Bao and Miss Lin received invitations, but only Master Bao changed his clothes and prepared a carriage in the central courtyard. As for Miss Lin, there has been no movement."
The princess's invitation had already spread far and wide among the servants of the mansion. After receiving the news, Wenxing went to the courtyard to inquire and then returned to report. Xue Baochai looked knowing; it was just as she had guessed. Since Second Master Bao was going, there was no need to worry about the journey.
"No rush. Prepare the carriage and inform the guards of the Marquis's residence. Once we leave the mansion, just follow Master Bao's carriage."
"Yes, Miss, I will go and tell them right away."
(End of this chapter)