Chapter 9

Ningrong Street, at the back alley of Liutiao Lane, Jia Heng, reeking of alcohol, held a lantern and walked through the alley entrance. He had just climbed the stone steps and was about to open the door when he heard some commotion from a nearby alley. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw several lanterns swaying towards him.

"Good brother, you've made your elder brother wait so long."

Jia Rong, accompanied by two servants, walked out from the corner, speaking with surprise.

In terms of seniority, Jia Heng belonged to the Wang generation, while Jia Rong belonged to the Cao generation. However, Jia Heng had long followed Jia Rong around, flattering him, so in private, there was no distinction of seniority.

As for why Jia Rong was here?

It turned out that after receiving the money, Jia Rong first went to Cuilou in the eastern street corner and asked the popular courtesan Ruyan to sing for him. He listened to the song until the hour of Shen. Seeing it was getting dark, he remembered the task his father had given him and started heading to Jia Heng's house.

But when he arrived at Jia Heng's house, he learned from Cai Shi that Jia Heng was not at home.

Jia Rong turned back to Cuilou and on the way, he met a servant sent by Jia Zhen to urge him.

Jia Rong was afraid that if he returned home, his father would question him and likely give him a good beating. So he told the servant that Jia Heng was not at home and then, with another servant, waited at the entrance of the Jia residence for Jia Heng to return.

He waited from the hour of Shen until the hour of You.

He had a simple dinner and continued waiting at the door.

Jia Heng looked up and saw a familiar young face, fair-skinned with delicate features, holding a lantern and smiling at him.

"It's you, Brother Rong," Jia Heng's gaze hardened, and he said coolly, "Why have you come to see me, Brother Rong?"

Since the incident where Jia Rong hit him, Jia Rong had not even come to visit, let alone offer any compensation. In short, Jia Rong had shown no kindness to him.

As for Jia Rong's purpose, Jia Heng could guess it to a large extent.

Most likely, Jia Zhen had sent his son to put pressure on him.

Jia Rong smiled, "Good brother, I heard you've recovered, so I came to see you. Yesterday, I asked Afu to invite you to Qingfang Garden for drinks and a play, why didn't you come?"

Jia Heng replied, "I was just recovering, still feeling dizzy and unwell, how could I drink?"

Smelling the alcohol on Jia Heng, Jia Rong laughed, "Judging by the smell of alcohol, you must be fully recovered. Why don't we go for a drink together?"

As he spoke, he tried to pull Jia Heng's clothes.

Jia Heng frowned and subtly pushed Jia Rong aside, saying, "Brother Rong, if you have something to say, say it quickly. It's getting late, and I need to rest."

"Good brother, I have a good thing for you," Jia Rong smiled.

Jia Heng said, "What is it, Brother Rong? Just say it here."

A flash of displeasure crossed Jia Rong's eyes. After all, as a member of the Ning family, Jia Heng had always flattered him, but now he wouldn't even let him into the house. What was the reason?

Jia Rong smiled, "I have a good thing to discuss with you. My father has arranged a marriage for me with the daughter of Qin Ye, a Langzhong in the Ministry of Works, but I heard that the Qin family's daughter is already engaged."

Jia Heng waved his hand, interrupting, "If she's already engaged, let Brother Zhen find another match for you. Why come to me?"

Perhaps hearing the tone in "Brother Zhen," Jia Rong's smile froze, and he said softly, "My father has already chosen the Qin family. If you agree to break the engagement, here is a hundred taels of silver as compensation."

As he spoke, he took out a hundred-tael silver note from his sleeve and handed it to Jia Heng.

Originally, Jia Rong only intended to offer fifty taels, but seeing Jia Heng's firm attitude, he had to take out a hundred-tael note.

Jia Heng's face darkened, and he suddenly reached out, patted Jia Rong's shoulder, and said coldly, "Brother Rong, keep the silver. Don't mention breaking the engagement again."

"Is it too little?" Jia Rong's face changed, and he said in a low voice.

Jia Heng replied, "Even if you offered ten thousand taels of gold, I, Jia Heng, would not break my word! It's getting late, Brother Rong, go back and rest."

Jia Heng gently pushed Jia Rong's shoulder.

Jia Rong let out a cry and stumbled backward, landing on his buttocks. The lantern in his hand fell to the ground, and the light reflected on his oiled and powdered face, showing disbelief.

"Master Rong," the servant quickly came to help him up.

Jia Heng entered the courtyard and closed the door.

Jia Rong picked up the lantern, his face changing, feeling angry. He spat at the door, "Poor wretch, you don't know what's good for you!"

He then left with the lantern and the servant.

Jia Heng entered the room, and the light suddenly turned on. He poured himself a cup of tea and stood by the window, looking at the bright moon, thinking about the matter with Jia Zhen and his son.

Cai Shi asked, "Heng, who were you talking to outside?"

Jia Heng replied, "Jia Rong from the Eastern Residence, sent by his father to ask me to break the engagement with the Qin family."

Cai Shi's face changed, and she exclaimed, "Heng, you didn't agree, did you?"

Jia Heng laughed lightly, "Aunt Cai, what are you talking about? How could I agree? They from the Eastern Residence are used to acting without restraint, thinking they can do whatever they want with a bit of silver. They are truly delusional."

A worried look appeared on Cai Shi's face, and she said, "The Eastern Residence is lawless. Heng, you must be careful."

Jia Heng nodded, "Yes, I'm thinking of a way."

Cai Shi thought for a moment and suggested, "If it doesn't work, should we ask the Old Lady from the Western Residence?"

Jia Heng looked at Cai Shi and nodded, "I had the same idea."

Cai Shi said, "I have some connection with Lady Yuan from the Old Lady's side. If it comes to that, Heng, you should go see the Old Lady. We can't let the Eastern Residence ruin this marriage."

Jia Heng nodded, "I suspect Jia Zhen will send someone to see me tomorrow."

He had just arrived in this world of the Red Mansion and hadn't had time to develop his own power. Facing Jia Zhen directly, he had few options.

"We need to find a way to establish ourselves quickly, whether through the imperial exams or military service. A man cannot be without power, or he will be at the mercy of others."

As the night deepened, the bright moon hung in the sky, illuminating the young man's clear and refined face, making his serious expression even more pronounced.

...

...

Imperial Palace, Daming Palace

The palace was brightly lit, with shadows moving about. On the clear, water-like floor, a shattered porcelain cup reflected the light of the palace lanterns.

Eunuchs stood respectfully behind the pillars, not daring to make a sound. The atmosphere in the hall was as tense as a battlefield, almost freezing.

Behind the imperial desk, Emperor Chongping, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was in his early forties, with a thin face and gray-streaked hair. His face was ashen, and he said coldly, "The Jizhen garrison has eighty thousand troops, strong and well-equipped, yet they cower in the city. The Donglu, with less than twenty thousand men, can slaughter our people and plunder our wealth right under our noses. Tang Kuan, who holds a high position, is incompetent and cowardly. He deserves to be executed!"

Below, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Chief Cabinet Minister, Yang Guochang, an elderly man with gray hair, said in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, since the fall of Liaodong, the Donglu have grown stronger and more difficult to control. The Jizhen garrison, being the first line of defense, is isolated and cannot easily engage the Donglu outside the city. Although Tang Kuan commands eighty thousand troops, most are infantry. The Donglu, though fewer in number, are elite cavalry. They move swiftly, appearing in the south and then the north. Even if Tang Kuan is brave, he can only rely on the city's fortifications for defense."

Originally, the Jizhen and Liaodong garrisons were under the command of a governor-general, but over twenty years ago, the Liaodong garrison fell to the enemy, and since then, the northern border of the Chen Han dynasty has been on the defensive.

This is the current situation between the Chen Han and the Later Jin.

Emperor Chongping snorted coldly, clearly aware of the situation, but his anger did not subside. This meant that the entire Han dynasty could only watch as the Donglu ravaged the Hebei region.

For Emperor Chongping, who had lofty ambitions, this was a great humiliation.