[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-890":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311688,4515,"Chapter 890","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-890",890,"\u003Cp>In the sixteenth year of Jiazhao, the fourteenth day of the first month, as the sun set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty li northwest of Shenjing, a dense forest clinging to the mountain’s foot concealed a large cavalry force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All cavalrymen controlled their warhorses, soothing or feeding them, striving to prevent any sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a thousand warhorses gathered; save for occasional snorts, not a single other noise emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong saw Yu Xiuzhu riding through the ranks with his personal guards, enforcing silence among the cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier that day, Jia Cong had led two thousand cavalrymen out of camp, galloping sixty li before slowing their pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Jiang Xiao had encountered remnants of Mongol elite cavalry scouts a hundred li from camp, the entire force had to remain alert beyond sixty li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This forest was the only place within dozens of li capable of concealing two thousand cavalrymen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though firearms possessed unmatched lethality over cold weapons, to remain invincible, muskets must stay beyond safe firing range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without artillery suppression or cover, if outnumbered cavalry breached the safe range, even the most advanced breech-loading muskets would be powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong led two thousand musket cavalry whose mobility matched that of the Mongol elite, yet firing accuracy plummeted during galloping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To unleash the devastating power of musket formations, musketeers must dismount, reload, and fire—requiring careful weighing of pros and cons, and precise timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the forest’s edge, Jia Cong leaned against a large tree, using the telescope gifted by Nuoyan to gaze into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him stretched an endless plain, overgrown with withered grass, silent and empty, steeped in desolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li stood beside him, clad in armor, her snow-white skin and jade-like face radiating martial grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a polished bronze helmet, silver-lacquered mountain-pattern armor, and a crimson plume that fluttered faintly in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong’s many personal guards were deeply curious about this unnaturally handsome soldier who clung to the commander’s side, sharing his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Ai Li’s armor was heavy, yet she moved as if weightless, showing not a trace of feminine softness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carried a saber at her waist, rode like the wind, and displayed equestrian skill far superior to any man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he seemed effeminate, his combat prowess was undeniable—stronger than all the guards. The commander’s favor for him seemed justified…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they suspected something improper between him and the commander, none dared underestimate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever they whispered jokes behind his back, Jiang Xiao or Yu Xiuzhu would hiss a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This became a whispered curiosity among the guards, helping them endure the tedium of march.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong was naturally aware but paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li knew full well, yet dismissed it entirely, continuing to cling to Jia Cong’s side, utterly unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brazen disregard stirred a strange admiration among the guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To openly flaunt such a tender, male romance with such confidence—truly heroic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong lowered the telescope, sensed something, turned his head—and his personal guards instantly averted their eyes, in a strange, unspoken understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong whispered to Ai Li: “Ai Li, you’ve done me a great disservice. These guards are certain I favor male companionship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li couldn’t help but chuckle: “That’s a good thing. When we return to Shenjing, your reputation as the flamboyant Marquis of Wei Yuan will spread through the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I’ve decided: I’ll treat you even better, grow even closer to you, let these bastards see for themselves—make it undeniable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then those big-mouthed fools will boast about it upon returning. I truly want to see what spectacle unfolds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, which noble lady will dare approach you? You won’t even find a bride. How amusing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong, seeing her gleeful expression, suppressed the urge to pinch her, whispering with a laugh: “You’re the cruelest of women. Can’t you wish me well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li whispered with a smile: “Don’t worry. While other girls shun you, I’ll still pay attention to you—so you’ll know my worth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong raised the telescope again, muttering: “Your attention isn’t enough. If you really ruin me, I’ll make you pay—debt repaid with your body!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li’s face flushed crimson, her heart inexplicably sweet; she pinched him hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong suddenly thought of something and whispered: “Hey, how exactly do you plan to treat me better? Tell me—I want to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li’s cheeks turned pink; she seemed to imagine something, her ears glowing red, and turned her head away: “You want to know? I won’t tell you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, the guards, hearing their hushed exchange, wondered what they were saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only whispering and laughing, but touching each other—they all broke out in goosebumps, couldn’t bear to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging a few idle words, Ai Li asked: “Yu Zhang, the road ahead is clear, no Mongol scouts in sight—why are we hiding?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong replied: “Ahead is open plain, utterly exposed. Our two-thousand-cavalry force is too conspicuous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we form ranks and advance swiftly, anyone lying flat within ten li will hear us instantly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This terrain favors cavalry charges but hinders musket formations—reload speed still lags behind horse speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy has no fewer than fifteen thousand cavalry—many times our number. Even if our two thousand muskets can hold them off, we’ll suffer heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though every cavalryman carries porcelain grenades, if we reveal our position, Mongol cavalry will swarm us in overwhelming numbers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without artillery suppression, repelling such a massive elite cavalry charge will be extremely difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Li said: “I’ve seen the new breech-loading muskets—range and power are formidable. Isn’t that enough to suppress cavalry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong replied: “The breech-loaders are indeed powerful, but they’re newly developed. Production is still far too low—only eight hundred completed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s insufficient for overwhelming firepower. Though range and power have greatly improved, their rate of fire still lags behind galloping horses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we eventually produce better firearms, rate of fire will improve dramatically—enough to resist cavalry charges even without artillery support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, no matter how large the elite cavalry, they’ll have no fate but to become targets…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Jia Cong’s campaign began, Ai Li had witnessed test firings of the breech-loaders—swift reloading, devastating power—both left her awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply couldn’t imagine any firearm surpassing the new breech-loader in power or rate of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong said: “I’ve hidden the two-thousand-cavalry force to rest because I’m waiting for Lin Zhen to bring the infantry to my designated position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their artillery carts are extremely heavy, moving even slower than foot soldiers—they’ll likely arrive only after dark, thirty li west of Shenjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he sets up the artillery on that gentle slope, as instructed, we’ll have no rear worries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, based on scout reports, we can strike at the perfect moment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shenjing, Ministry of Justice, prison dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Three Judicial Offices’ dungeon, though less brutal than the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s or the Investigative Court’s, still radiated a chilling aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon had two levels, spacious and sturdy, with multiple locked gates and extreme security—once imprisoned, escape was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin and Wei Guanyao walked down a long corridor; oil lamps on the walls cast dim yellow light, stretching their shadows faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin reached a cell, opened the small window in the door, and Wei Guanyao leaned in to peer inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Duan Chunjiang lay slumped on straw, limbs bound, mouth gagged, ears plugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin said: “Your Excellency, Duan Chunjiang is meticulous. He infiltrated Shenjing as a spy, stole military supply secrets, and pulled off this major act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must be mentally resilient. We must cut off all escape routes first, then interrogate him—it will be more effective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we cannot delay past tomorrow’s sunset. I sent word to his shop: his store of Bijing rice is low—he must leave the city to procure more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, Shenjing’s nine gates are sealed, so he’s stranded outside for a day. If we wait too long, his accomplices will grow suspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Guanyao nodded slightly and asked: “You secretly arrested Duan Chunjiang and Hui Niang, yet left Chen Ruichang untouched—do you have a plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hongbin replied: “I do. Chen Ruichang is the main culprit, but he’s the Duke’s direct grandson, an officer of the Five Military Directorates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Duke Qi Chen Yi is away campaigning, his eldest grandson, Third-Rank General Chen Ruiwen, still manages the Duke’s household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He holds high rank, has a good reputation, and maintains ties with many noble families—he’s no easy man to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>",1404,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3585da48f9b44f3554b8258e5ea97c423ff4378e699ae06d6baf4368a47e9300","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-891","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-889",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]