The Red Mansions

Chapter 744 Dodo: Cut off his head and hang it on the flagpole!

Yangzhou
Jia Heng talked with Ye Nuan for a while, and was about to get up, and went down the terrace of Huanhualou, when he saw Liu Jixian coming in a hurry, with a serious expression on his face.

"Captain, an urgent military report from Tongzhou Weigang." Liu Jixian stretched out the paper in his hand and handed it over.

As soon as these words came out, Ye Nuan, Zhen Lan, and Zhen Xi all looked at the young man with surprise and doubt in their eyes.

The emergency military report, or did it come from Tongzhou Weigang?

Jia Heng took the paper, read it with lowered eyes, his complexion gradually darkened.

Noticing the change in Jia Heng's face, Zhen Lan's clear phoenix eyes flashed, showing a touch of curiosity, she couldn't help turning her face to the side, and peeked at the note paper in Jia Heng's hand, what was written on it.

And Zhen Xi pinched the handkerchief, and also stared at the official document in Jia Heng's hand.

After reading the paper, Jia Heng's face was as heavy as iron, and he fell silent.

The bright eyes under Zhen Lan's beautiful eyebrows turned, and she boldly asked, "Brother Heng? What's wrong?"

Hearing this, Jia Heng turned to look at Zhen Lan, his calm eyes gradually changed a little, and said in a deep voice: "Just this morning, a large number of pirates came by boat from Haimen, and your fourth uncle led the navy to attack To meet the enemy, Feng Ji, the judge of Zhenhai Haijun, sent someone to ask for help."

Zhen Lan: "..."

Zhen Xi: "???"

help?Where is fourth uncle fighting pirates?

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Ye Nuan, who also showed surprise on his jade face, and said, "Mrs. Ye, I still have urgent military affairs, so I won't accompany you."

According to the time of the report, the distance from the news to the present, I am afraid that the two sides have already handed over their hands. As for whether Zhen Zhu can win, the situation is not optimistic in terms of the news of help from Zhen Haijun.

As for a small defeat, a medium defeat, or a big defeat, news will come soon.

Ye Nuanyu moved slightly, and hurriedly said: "It's good that Uncle Yongning is busy with military affairs."

Jia Heng didn't say much anymore, when he got up, he was ready to stride outside.

How could the pirates have the guts to go deep into the defense of the Dahan River and go straight to the Tongzhou Navy, I'm afraid there is something else involved.

Jia Heng couldn't help thinking back to Doduo, who had escaped earlier, so why did he secretly connect a navy to disrupt the south of the Yangtze River?
"Brother Heng." At this time, Zhen Lan called out to Jia Heng, and got up quickly, with a serious look on her white and greasy melon-seeded face, she took Zhen Xi's hand and said softly: "Brother Heng, We will go with you."

Jia Heng looked up at Zhen Lan, frowned and said, "I'm going to Jiangbei Daying to dispatch ships, what are you going to do? Go home and wait for the news."

Zhen Lan said softly: "My sister and I are a little worried about the matter of the fourth uncle. Don't worry about something. Brother Heng will take me and the fourth sister."

Zhen Xi also nodded, his eyes glowing with anticipation.

Jia Heng thought for a moment, looked at the two women disguised as men, and said in a deep voice: "After entering the barracks, you can't run around, just wait in the reception room."

If there is something wrong with Zhen Zhu, the two sisters-in-law will know it immediately.

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi hurriedly agreed.

When Jia Heng and the sisters of the Zhen family went down the stairs, Gu Ruoqing turned to look at Ye Nuan, and said in a concentrated voice, "Madam, what's going on with these pirates? With the strength of the suppressing navy, can they resist it?"

"The town's navy is newly built. I heard that there are more than 1 sailors in the economic system. The governor of Liangjiang intends to use it as a model for the entire army. I don't know which pirates dare to come and attack." Ye Nuan put down the wine cup, He smiled lightly, and said: "The current vice-envoy of Jiedu is the fourth master of the Zhen family. I heard that Shen Fang recommended him to the Ministry of War in Nanjing as the deputy envoy of Jiedu. We will wait for confirmation from the Ministry of War in Shenjing and the Military Aircraft Department. If so If he was able to defeat the invading pirates for the first time, with his meritorious service, the official position of Jiedushi will be secure."

Shen Fang rectified the Jiangnan camp and adjusted personnel, so the daughter of Marquis Annan knew everything about it.

Gu Ruoqing's face moved slightly, but his assessment of the situation was somewhat pessimistic. Since the pirates dared to attack deep into the hinterland of Haimen, they presumably came prepared.

Jia Heng came to the outside room, looked at Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi who were following Xiao Pao, and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"

Embarrassment appeared on Zhen Lan's face, and she suddenly remembered that she didn't seem to know how to ride a horse.

Jia Heng turned to look at Chen Xiao, and said, "You take care of the older ones, and I take care of the younger ones."

The older one has reached the age of Ji, men and women can't get married, so he can't take it with him on horseback, and the younger one is just a yellow-haired girl who hasn't grown up yet, so there is no hindrance since the Zhenjia family is a family friend.

Chen Xiao frowned, stared at Zhen Lan with clear eyes, stretched out a hand, and said, "Come up."

Zhen Lan glanced at the Jinyi mansion guard, and said hesitantly, "Brother Heng, I...how about you?"

"Forget you, me, and me, she is just like you, get on the horse." Jia Heng frowned, and said: "If you talk nonsense, stay here and don't pass by."

Hearing this, Zhen Lan's pink lips grew, her face was filled with sorrow, she could only respond, and got on the horse with Chen Xiao's hand, but sat on the horse, her narrow eyes under her beautiful eyebrows stared at the python suit The young man felt a little angry.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and pulled Zhen Xi, who had a pretty little face with a reddish face, got on the horse, passed the girl in front of her, pulled a rein, and started galloping towards Jiangbei Daying Fang.

Zhen Xi sat on the horse, listening to the wind and lightning in her ears, her heart was beating non-stop, almost jumping out of her throat, she couldn't help closing her eyes in fear, and could only shrink her petite body into the arms of the young man behind her. with.

And as Jia Heng led the guards to leave, the news of the pirates attacking Tongzhou from Haimen gradually spread.

When Xiao Zhiwen, the magistrate of Tongzhou, heard the news, he led several followers and left Slender West Lake in a hurry, and went to Jiangbei Camp to look for Jia Heng.

Yangzhou, in the manor where the Zhen family resides—

It was mid-afternoon, and in a room near the lake, Princess Chu Zhen Qing had just changed into a red dress with a slender waist and high girdle after taking a bath. And the full moon under the beautiful neck seems to be fuller because of someone.

Zhen Qing looked at herself in the mirror, turned her head slightly, facing the earlobe and comparing it to the earring.

"Do you think the red one looks better, or the blue one?" Zhen Qing asked the female officer next to her.

The female officer quickly replied: "The princess looks good in everything she wears."

Zhen Qing didn't take it seriously either, she just picked up a green earring and put it on, looking at the heart-shaped necklace in the bronze mirror, her beautiful eyes were a little dazed and distracted.

During this period of entanglement to death, the lingering and pathetic scenes are vivid in my heart,
In fact, she also found that she has become a little obsessed with that bastard recently. If this continues, I'm afraid it won't be good. What will I do when I return to the capital?
Zhen Qing pursed her cherry lips, sighed faintly, and said to herself, take a step, let's take a step.

Just as he was about to say something, he ordered the female officer to deliver a letter to Jia Heng and come over to discuss business matters.

At this moment, a female officer entered the hall and reported: "Princess, the guards of the third and fourth misses have sent news that the fourth master's Zhen Haijun is going to fight against the pirates, and Zhen Haijun will send a message to Yongning in Slender West Lake." Bo sent a plea for help."

Zhen Qing's face changed suddenly when she heard the words, and she said anxiously: "Come on, prepare the carriage and go to Jiangbei..."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered that he was not good enough to go to the barracks, so he called the female officer again, and ordered: "Send more people to the Jiangbei Camp to inquire about the news, send a letter to Uncle Yongning, and ask what's going on."

The pirates attacked, it's okay if the fourth uncle made contributions, but if the army was defeated, this is no joke.

Jiangbei Daying
Under the retinue of a large number of Jinyi Mansion Guards, Jia Heng rode a horse and quickly entered the Jiangbei Daying Camp, pulled the reins, and the horse under his seat "hissed", Zhen Xi's face turned pale, and he quickly grabbed the saddle.

Jia Heng said to Zhen Xi who had her eyes closed tightly: "Okay, come down, we're here."

Zhen Xi responded with an "um", and followed Jia Heng off the horse. Just as she landed, she almost fainted, but at this moment she was supported by a hand.

"Be careful." Jia Heng said softly, threw the rein in his hand to Jin Yi's personal guard, looked at Chen Xiao and said, "Lead the two of them over there and wait."

Chen Xiao nodded, turned around and looked at Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, with frosty faces, and said softly, "You two come with me."

Zhen Lan glanced at the resolute young man, curled her lips, took Zhen Xi's hand, and walked quickly towards the barracks.

Under Liu Jixian and other guards of the Jinyi Mansion, Jia Heng stepped into the barracks of the Chinese army. At this time, Qu Guang, Jiedu judge Peng Min and several subordinate officials came up to greet him, bowed their hands and said, "Jieshuai."

Seeing Jia Heng's solemn expression, various speculations arose in his mind.

Jia Heng didn't talk nonsense, he sat down behind Shuai's case, and said in a deep voice: "Judge Peng, immediately ask the Jiangbei Daying Navy to prepare warships and patrol boats, and immediately send reinforcements to Tongzhou."

If it was a little uncertain before, but now it is [-]% certain, it should be something that Duoduo fiddled with after he escaped from Yangzhou.

Doduo came to the south obviously not for that little sea trade business, but to disrupt the great Han Jiangnan, disturb the wealth of the Han, and realize the strategic purpose of the Jurchen.

Peng Min responded without asking why, and quickly took orders to leave.

Qu Guang asked worriedly, "Jie Shuai, but what happened?"

"This morning, the port of Tongzhou, where the Zhenhai Navy is located, reported that the pirates were attacking from Haimen County. Based on my speculation, there may be Jurchens. Let's take precautions as soon as possible and go to Weigang, Tongzhou for reinforcements." Jia Heng With a blank face, Xu said.

Once Tongzhou Weigang is destroyed, it will be a pity for those warships. Of course, the governor of Liangjiang and the Zhen family will be doomed forever, but as the minister of military aircraft, since he is here, how can he abolish state affairs because of personal hatred?

Now, if Zhen Zhu is defeated, the Zhen family, like Shen Fang, will bear the wrath of the emperor.

Qu Guang was shocked after hearing this, and hurried out of the barracks to order General Qi.

Jia Heng told the generals to dispatch troops and the personnel left behind, and sent someone to report to Jinling, then left the barracks, saw Chen Xiao approaching, and said in a low voice: "Where are the two of them?"

"Stay in the barracks." Chen Xiao asked with concern: "Once the Zhenhai Navy loses, will the Yangzhou navy be able to stop it?"

Jia Heng said: "Jiangbei Daying Navy is newly built, and there are [-] sailors. If they come to rescue in time, it shouldn't be a problem to fight the pirates."

The Qiqian navy is still based on his original Jiangbei camp, plus the recruited new braves, the combat power is not easy to evaluate.

Just after Jia Heng ordered all the boats and sailors, and was about to set off, at this time the personal guards came to report that Xiao Zhiwen, the magistrate of Tongzhou, led his staff to visit Jia Heng, obviously to inquire about the military situation of Weigang in Tongzhou.

In addition, Shui Yu also heard the news of Jiangbei Daying, and led several followers over to check the situation.

Xiao Zhiwen is a middle-aged official in his early thirties, fair-skinned and elegant, with a short beard under his chin. When he saw Jia Heng, he cupped his hands and said, "Master Jia, I heard that Tongzhou Weigang is here. Pirates? Did they disturb or plunder the people along the river in Haimen?"

Haimen County is under the jurisdiction of Tongzhou. If there is any problem in the local area, the county magistrate will also be held accountable.

Jia Heng handed over the paper and said: "This is the official request for help from Tongzhou Weigang this morning. I don't know the situation of the battle between the two armies yet. I have planned to personally lead the boats and sailors to help."

After Xiao Zhiwen finished reading the paper, his heart sank, and he asked, "Master Jia, can you bring the lower officials with you later? The lower officials want to go and have a look."

When Jia Heng heard this, he couldn't help but take another look at Xiao Zhiwen, and said: "It is certainly feasible for Xiao Zhizhou to return to Tongzhou to sit in town."

Xiao Zhiwen was still worried, and asked, "There are more than ten thousand sailors in Tongzhouwei Port, how many pirates are here?"

"I don't know yet, it's because Tongzhou Weigang was worried about something happening, so it was reported just now." Jia Heng said in a deep voice.

According to the established system, Tongzhou Weigang should send news to Jiangbei Daying, not to mention the issue of mutual aid or not, Chen and Han's old capital warned early.

While speaking, Shui Yu led a few followers over, looked at the boy in the python suit, and asked, "Uncle Yongning, Tongzhou Weigang..."

Before he finished speaking, a fast horse suddenly came from the gate of the camp, and was led to Jia Heng by a big-armed guard. He said anxiously: "My lord, Tongzhou Weigang is an urgent report! Eastern captives are engulfing Jiang and Zhejiang pirates When the attack came, the Zhen Navy was defeated, and the navy broke up and fled. The flagship of the new Jiedu Envoy Zhen Zhu fell into the enemy's line and was captured by the Donglu pirates. The Zhen Navy has fled to Weigang Water Village. Jiangbei camp sent troops to help."

Hearing this, Jia Heng's eyes darkened, and he secretly said that it was true.

The complexion of Xiao Zhiwen, magistrate of Tongzhou, changed suddenly, and he asked, "Lord Jia, the town's navy has been defeated, and Tongzhou Weigang is bound to be empty. What should we do?"

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Chen Ling, seeing the seriousness in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Prepare the boat and go to help."

But at this moment, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, who were in the barracks, heard the voice of the soldiers outside, their hearts "thumped", and they felt a thunderbolt in the clear sky, and the two of them were stunned.

Something happened to fourth uncle (father)?
Zhen Lan turned to look at Zhen Xi, with fear in her eyes, and asked, "Sister, Fourth Uncle...was captured by Donglu?"

Zhen Xi's pretty face was as pale as paper, and she said in a trembling voice, "Sister, what should I do?"

Zhen Lan was also a little anxious, and said in a low voice, "Let's go over and ask Brother Heng what's going on."

Once the fourth uncle is captured, it will be more dangerous than good, and what will be the impact on their Zhen family?

Zhen Xi was about to burst into tears right now, and said, "Sister, why don't we follow along to Tongzhou?"

"It's not easy for us to fight before the two armies." Zhen Lan took Zhen Xi's hand, got up, and said in relief: "Sister, don't worry, ask first."

At this moment, a series of chaotic footsteps came from the outside, but I saw the boy in the python suit, accompanied by several followers, step into the barracks of the Chinese army.

"Brother Heng." Zhen Xi raised her clear eyes and called softly.

Jia Heng nodded towards the two of them and said, "You and your sister will go to your elder sister first."

This time I want to fight against the pirates, so I can't bring my two sisters along with me.

Zhen Lan quickly asked: "Brother Heng, what happened to Fourth Uncle? How did he get captured by the villains?"

Jia Heng said: "The situation is unknown now, let's wait until Weigang, Tongzhou."

Following wave after wave of people from Tongzhou Weigang and Tongzhou who came to ask for help and report letters, the Zhenhai Navy was defeated, and the news that the main general Zhen Zhu had fallen into the enemy's line gradually spread and spread throughout Yangzhou.

For a while, following the arrest of Liu Shengzao, the transfer envoy of the two Huaihe Rivers, and the arrest of Yanguan, the public opinion in Yangzhou that had been detonated almost caused an earthquake.

If it is said that ordinary people still had the mentality of watching Yangzhou's salt officials fall one after another, then now the Eastern captives are coercing pirates and marching into Yangzhou, which has become a real threat to their own interests.

The pirates burned, killed and looted. Once they landed in Yangzhou, the bustling and noisy Jiangzuo would be burned to rubble by the flames of war.

……

……

On the Liaokuo River, [-] miles away from Tongzhou Weigang, in the field of vision, ships of all sizes were ablaze with flames and thick smoke billowing everywhere, and screams and howls of pain could be heard from the water on board the ships from time to time.

The [-] naval division of Weigang in Tongzhou went to battle, divided into five battalions, front and rear, left, middle and right. After fighting for two hours, after leaving behind thirteen warships and six patrol boats, the whole line collapsed, and the rear battalion became the front battalion. Tongzhou Weigang was defeated and fled.

And on a lucky boat with a dragon flag embroidered with gold on a white background and shining golden in the sun, Duoduo sat on a tiger-skin chair on the deck, surrounded by his servant Su Hetai and several guards. about.

"Bring the enemy general up!" Doduo's pale face was flushed with strange circles at the moment, and his eyes were radiant.

Zhen Zhu, the envoy of Zhenhai, who had just taken office, was tied up with a hemp rope the thickness of a finger, and his hands were cut behind the back by two Jurchens, so that he could not move.

At this moment, the fourth master of the Zhen family didn't look decent, with disheveled hair, blood gurgling from his shoulders and ribs, and bloodstains on his face.

Previously, after the frigate that accompanied Zhen Zhu's flagship had a barrage of guns and guns with the Donglu Haikou, the two sides broke out in a boarding battle. Can't help it, the ones who were killed were defeated and almost scattered with a bang.

Then, Su Hetai, the leader of the personal guards beside Duoduo, led fifty personal guards and the gang members of the Four Seas Gang, drove the warship, and boarded Zhen Zhu's flagship with a hook line. Zhen Zhu was outnumbered, and after a fierce fight, Zhen Zhu was captured by Su Hetai, Qin Dong, the leader of the Four Seas Gang, and others.

Duoduo looked at Zhen Zhu who was bound to the ground at this moment, and asked, "Are you Zhen Zhu, the envoy of Zhenhai Jiedu?"

Information from Deng Biao had been delivered earlier.

Zhen Zhu glared angrily, stared at Dodo coldly, and cursed: "You son of a bitch, your grandpa is here!"

"Slap!" A Jurchen big man raised his rough hand like a cattail fan, and slapped Zhen Zhu's face fiercely.

Immediately, blood and teeth spat out from Zhen Zhu's mouth, but Zhen Zhu still glared at Duo Duo with hatred, and kept yelling and cursing.

With cold eyes, Dodo pulled out the saber from Su Hetai's waist, but just this action made Dodo's forehead sweat and his whole body trembled.

Su Hetai quickly supported Duoduo, and said with concern, "Master."

"Chop off his head and hang it on the flagpole!" After all, it was the piercing pain that came from it, so Duoduo didn't chop it off himself, but ordered others.

Zhen Zhu was slightly startled, and a look of fear appeared in the depths of his eyes.

He Zhen Zhu, is he going to die today?No, he still has unpaid achievements, how can he die here?

At this time, Wei Guang, the little novice of the Calabash Temple, caught Zhen Zhu's frightened gaze and said in a low voice, "Master, this person is from the Zhen family. The Zhen family is very famous in the whole Jiangnan. It may be useful if it falls into your hands, and you can ask him about Yangzhou Jiangfang when you turn around."

When Zhen Zhu heard the words, he almost didn't say a word, and didn't dare to speak out for a while.

Su Hetai thought for a while, and then said in a low voice: "Master, that Tushan is still in the hands of the Jinyi Mansion in Yangzhou, let's see if this person can be exchanged for Tushan?"

Duoduo looked at Zhen Zhu, his face was gloomy for a moment, he couldn't help thinking of Tushan, and said in a deep voice, "Put this person down first."

Zhen Zhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but there was nothing on his face.

(End of this chapter)