When Nian Gengyao received his sister's reply, his brows furrowed and a shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes.
The letter was filled with anguish, accusing the Emperor of his infatuation with Lin Yun, even going so far as to elevate her status to a concubine, while he himself was punished and confined to his quarters.
He snorted coldly, crumpled the letter into a ball, and threw it into the brazier.
The flames instantly engulfed the paper, illuminating his gloomy face.
"A mere merchant's daughter dares to compete with the Imperial Concubine for favor?" Nian Gengyao muttered to himself, his tone revealing disdain and anger.
He originally thought that his sister's position in the palace was secure, and that the emperor would not go to such lengths for a Han woman.
But now it seems that the Emperor truly doesn't take the Nian family seriously.
He suddenly stood up, strode to his desk, picked up his pen and wrote a memorial requesting to return to the capital to report on his duties.
His pen was sharp and each word like a knife: "Your subject Nian Gengyao has long been stationed on the frontier, and his heart is with the court. He wishes to return to the capital to meet the Emperor, report on military affairs, and fulfill his duty as a subject."
After finishing writing, he slammed down his pen, a cold glint in his eyes.
He wanted to see just who this Lin Yun was, that she could make the Emperor so infatuated!
His family had risked their lives for the Emperor, achieving great military exploits, yet now even his sister was being humiliated in the harem! He snorted coldly and muttered to himself, "Your Majesty, since you disregard all sentiment, don't blame me for being presumptuous!"
Nian Gengyao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the swirling snowflakes outside the tent, his heart filled with barely suppressed anger.
He immediately summoned his deputy general to arrange military affairs, and then mustered five hundred elite cavalrymen, galloping straight to the capital.
The sound of horses' hooves thundered, kicking up a trail of dust and snow.
———
Qianqing Palace
Emperor Yongzheng casually tossed Nian Gengyao's memorial onto his desk, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Su Peisheng said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from the Northwest: General Nian set off three days ago, and he is probably... about to pass Baoding Prefecture." The charcoal fire crackled in the hall, but it could not dispel the suddenly stagnant air.
"That Nian Gengyao!" Yongzheng sneered. "I haven't even given my permission yet, and he's already acting first and reporting back later."
In his previous life, this man was arrogant, but he knew how to conceal it; in this life, he dared to leave his post without permission and lead troops to force the emperor to abdicate! He suddenly stood up: "Summon Prince Yi, Yue Zhongqi, and Zhang Tingyu to come to see me immediately!"
A quarter of an hour later, the three hurriedly entered the hall. After reading the memorial, they all fell silent. With the year-end approaching, in the strategically important northwest, did Nian Gengyao have a death wish? How dare he enter the capital without an imperial edict? What was he planning?
Zhang Tingyu said, "Nian Gengyao has made outstanding military achievements. If we suddenly punish him, it might discourage the soldiers. It would be better to appease him first by rewarding the troops..."
"Absolutely not!" Prince Yinxiang interrupted decisively. "He's leading five hundred cavalry straight towards the capital; how is that any different from treason?"
Yue Zhongqi also clasped his hands and said, "Your subject is willing to lead troops to intercept him and will not allow him to set foot in the Nine Gates!"
Yongzheng sneered, "Did he really think I didn't know that Nian Gengyao and the Eighth Prince were having an affair?"
The others nearby all knew perfectly well that Nian Gengyao was a wild beast, and now he was showing his fangs.
Emperor Yongzheng picked up his vermilion brush and wrote "Approved" on the memorial.
Then he walked to a map of the Northwest and pondered for a moment before asking, "How is the re-equipment of the firearms battalion progressing?"
Yue Zhongqi respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards in the capital have all been re-equipped with flintlock muskets, totaling 1,200. The equipment for the Northwest Camp is also ready and awaiting Your Majesty's decree for delivery."
Yongzheng shook his head: "No need to see me off."
Yue Zhongqi was taken aback: "Your Majesty?"
Yongzheng pointed his finger at Nian Gengyao's residence on the map and said coldly, "Nian Gengyao is colluding with the Eighth Prince. How can I hand over such a powerful weapon to him?"
"Take two hundred light cavalry and, under the pretext of welcoming the army, stop Nian Gengyao. If he is willing to disarm and enter the city, bring him to the palace; if he refuses…" He tossed out a token, "I have already ordered the artillery battalion to ambush along both sides of the official road; one hundred flintlock muskets are enough to subdue five hundred cavalry."
"Thirteenth Brother, take some men and replace the defenses at the Nine Gates to strengthen security."
"Your subject obeys the decree." The group acknowledged the order and departed.
Yongzheng looked out the window; the sky was darkening, as if a storm was brewing.
He sat alone under the lamp, stroking the firearms designs drawn by Lin Yun, his eyes growing darker.
--------
Shili Pavilion on the outskirts of Beijing
In the wind and snow, Nian Gengyao reined in his horse and stood still. He gazed at the faint outline of the city wall in the distance, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
Suddenly, dust billowed ahead, and Yue Zhongqi led his troops to block the road. He cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "General Nian, you must be tired from your journey! His Majesty has specially ordered me to greet you here."
Nian Gengyao narrowed his eyes: "This general requests an audience with the Emperor. What is the meaning of this, General Yue?"
Yue Zhongqi replied neither servilely nor arrogantly, "This is a strategically important area around the capital; the army cannot enter without permission. I request that the general order the soldiers to set up camp here."
"What if this general insists on entering the city?" Nian Gengyao suddenly cracked his whip, and the cavalry behind him drew their swords in unison.
Yue Zhongqi sighed and suddenly waved his command flag. Instantly, a hundred black-clad archers emerged from the hillsides on both sides, their dark gun barrels aimed at the cavalry.
"A flintlock musket?" Nian Gengyao's pupils constricted sharply.
He had long heard that the Emperor was improving military equipment, but he hadn't expected it to be this advanced! So why was there no news about his Northwest military equipment?
Just as the standoff was reaching its conclusion, a rider galloped in: "Imperial edict!" Su Peisheng unfurled a yellow silk scroll and proclaimed loudly: "Nian Gengyao has neglected his post and should be punished. However, considering his past merits, I hereby grant him special permission to enter the palace alone for an audience. So be it!"
As the wind and snow intensified, the veins on Nian Gengyao's hands, gripping the reins, bulged.
He stared intently at the dark muzzles of the guns, finally gritting his teeth and dismounting: "Your subject obeys the decree."
Nian Gengyao, dressed in military attire with a sword at his waist, strode into the Qianqing Palace with an imposing air, while Yue Zhongqi stopped outside the palace.
Inside the hall, Emperor Yongzheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression indifferent.
"Your subject Nian Gengyao pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Nian Gengyao knelt on one knee, his voice loud but lacking in respect.
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