The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 269 For Whom

"Brother She, it's been a long time."

Under the willow tree in the courtyard.

Prince Teng, sitting by the stone table, beamed with joy.

Upon hearing Wang Ziteng's greeting, Jia She, who had entered through the archway with Xie Jing, the grandson of the Marquis of Dingcheng, a hereditary second-class baron, and a guerrilla commander of the Beijing garrison, was taken aback for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "I never thought you'd have this day."

Xie Jing quickly pulled Jia She back, inwardly groaning, and tried to smooth things over.

“You two are in-laws, you should be close, why are you more distant than outsiders? Our families have been friends for generations, no matter what, even the biggest conflict should be resolved by talking it out.”

Xie Jing pulled Jia She over and sat down at the round table.

On the round table, Xie Jing took out a teacup from the tea tray and placed it in front of Jia She. Then, he picked up the teapot with both hands and poured a cup of tea for Jia She.

The steward of the manor has just changed the tea, and the tea is at the perfect temperature.

After pouring tea for Jia She, Xie Jing then refilled tea for Wang Ziteng, bustling about for a while before finally sitting down himself.

Jia She made a sarcastic remark about Wang Ziteng, but Wang Ziteng remained silent. At this moment, Jia She picked up his teacup and silently drank his tea, while Wang Ziteng also remained calm, showing no sign of anger.

Xie Jing breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Ziteng intended to ease relations with the Rongguo Mansion, and Xie Jing naturally offered his full support.

Whether it was when the old master of Ningguo Mansion served as the military governor of the Beijing Garrison, or later when Prince Teng took over as the military governor of the Beijing Garrison, the Xie family did well in the Beijing Garrison. They not only got the official positions, but also had many opportunities to make money.

Later, Prince Teng left the position of military governor of the capital.

The four major families were having a hard time, and the Xie family was no exception.

Especially after the reform of the Beijing Garrison, although he still held the position of guerrilla commander in the Beijing Garrison, he was a commander without troops, receiving only one salary. With this salary, he could not even support his family, let alone maintain the appearance of his mansion.

Since Prince Teng took the initiative to speak and Jia She agreed to come, the matter was already quite clear.

It's just that everyone can't get over their mental hurdle.

Xie Jing broke the silence and took the initiative to speak: "What happened in the past, whether right or wrong, is all in the past. Now, rebuilding the family business is the important thing."

Jia She's face was gloomy.

It was Wang Ziteng who broke his word back then; he was a complete scoundrel. We misjudged him. It wasn't his fault, otherwise things wouldn't have come to this.

Wang Ziteng calmly drank his tea, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Xie Jing forced himself to continue, "Brother Wang and Brother Jia have always been the eldest brothers. If the two eldest brothers are at odds, how are we, the younger brothers, supposed to conduct ourselves? The situation is difficult now, are we going to continue down the wrong path?"

Jia She remained silent.

Xie Jing looked at Wang Ziteng, seemingly wanting to say something but then hesitated. It was Wang Ziteng who had proposed this idea.

Since they took the initiative to back down, they should show their attitude. They've said all the nice things, so Wang Ziteng can't just stay silent.

Waited for a while.

"Humph!"

Jia She snorted coldly and got up to leave.

Xie Jing tried to stop him again.

Wang Ziteng finally spoke, a smile appearing on his face, showing no sign of difficulty. He laughed and said, "It seems that the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison is completely out of the question at present."

Since the position has been cancelled, of course there's no chance.

Jia She grew increasingly furious, but as long as there was any hope, he could still hold onto a glimmer of hope.

It's better now.

The Beijing Garrison was reorganized into four armies and changed to four commanders. The position of the Beijing Garrison Commander disappeared. Even if the Jia family rebuilt its family business, it would not be able to get back its ancestral position.

"How dare you bring that up?" Jia She said resentfully.

Xie Jing mediated, saying, "Does it matter whether things were right or wrong in the past?"

The fact that Wang Ziteng took the initiative to speak up is an admission of his mistake.

Since Jia She came, he must have known what was going on and wanted to see what Wang Ziteng had in mind. After all, the old nobles were in a bad situation, and even the Prince of Beijing was giving them a cold shoulder.

Jia She got angry as soon as he saw Wang Ziteng's face.

During the years when his daughter-in-law was in charge of the household, Jia She would get angry whenever he saw Wang Xifeng. For several years, he barely paid attention to the affairs of the mansion and rarely even went to his mother's courtyard, because he did not want to see the women of the Wang family.

Wang Ziteng sighed.

"Please put in a good word for me before Prince Zhongshun."

How could you possibly bring yourself to ask?

Jia She laughed in anger.

She had been curious about what Wang Ziteng's idea was, but instead, she asked him to help her.

Wang Ziteng was not surprised, as if he had guessed Jia She's attitude. He replied without hesitation, "Although you have won over the military governor of Ping'an Town, the military governor of Ping'an Town is not one of our nobles and has no old relationship with us. I'm afraid that this weight alone is not enough in front of Prince Zhongshun."

"Yes."

Xie Jing slapped his thigh, his expression excited.

“We used to be a close family, having grown up together. But some conflicts caused us to fall apart. The four of you families are now at odds, so of course outsiders look down on us.”

The "Four Great Families" are not just four families.

It also has many allies.

For example, the Zhen family of Jinling.

Xie Jing's ancestors were only barons and were not qualified to be on equal footing with the Jia family. In fact, they were people brought up by the Duke of Ningguo. Over the generations, the relationship was not as close as it used to be, but they still benefited from it.

Jia She stared at Wang Ziteng for a moment.

Both men waited for Jia She to speak, and the atmosphere quieted down.

at last.

Jia She's voice was cold, even somewhat fierce.

"Are you really willing to submit to me?"

These sons of noble families were often ranked according to the seniority of their ancestors.

Ningguo Prefecture has always been the most important.

Jia Jing, from the Ningguo Mansion, was implicated in the past affairs of Prince Yizhong and was confined to a temple to become a monk, thus escaping worldly affairs and thus surviving this ordeal.

Although Jia Zhen was the clan leader, he was still a junior member of the family.

That's why Wang Ziteng came out to compete.

Jia She had been unhappy for many years.

Since Jia Jing is no longer capable, it is only natural that the head of the Rongguo Mansion should step forward to take over the position.

Unexpectedly, Wang Ziteng not only suppressed his own power but also supported his brother-in-law Jia Zheng, making the second branch of the family surpass the first branch. What exactly does he want to do? Does he dare to let the second branch inherit the title of the first branch?

Having kept a low profile for so many years, and watching Wang Ziteng fall to the bottom, he managed to win over some military forces by relying on his family connections, and even gained the favor of Prince Zhongshun.

I'm finally going to be able to hold my head high.

Seeing Wang Ziteng take the initiative to yield to him, Jia She was extremely pleased, but he dared not show it, because Wang Ziteng was right, his strength was too weak and his weight was indeed insufficient.

If the four major families can reunite.

Jia, Shi, Wang, Xue.

Although each faction is not as strong as it used to be, they still have considerable influence when they band together. With their relatives, friends, and military connections that they have cultivated over the years, they are able to make their voices heard in the court.

However, I need to learn from Wang Ziteng's mistakes and learn from Lin Ruhai.

Even if you lean to one side, you can't go all the way to the end.

Wang Ziteng didn't know what Jia She was thinking, but he could guess. The two had known each other since childhood. Jia She had many ideas, but he was impatient and easily seen through.

"Now that things have come to this, the eldest son's branch of the Rongguo Mansion is naturally the most respected."

Wang Ziteng resolutely blocked the railway.

Xie Jing then added, "Brother Jing of Ningguo Prefecture is incapable of managing affairs, so it should be Brother She who should step in and take charge. It's not too late now."

Jia She's face twitched.

Finally, unable to suppress his smile, he said, "I can help you with Prince Zhongshun's matter, but I need to tell you something: we won't take sides until the situation becomes clear."

Wang Ziteng's face remained calm, but he inwardly despised him.

Jia She, that fellow, thinks he's so shrewd; he's truly laughable. Jia She revealed a few things, but finally held back and didn't say anything more.

Wang Ziteng is not credible.

Let's see how he performs first.

But even Wang Ziteng has to admit his own shortcomings, so who else can do it?

Jia Zheng is his own younger brother, and he wouldn't dare to oppose him. Jia Zhen is a junior, and he has the upper hand over him. Besides, he has a good relationship with Jia Zhen, so there won't be any conflict between the Rong and Ning mansions.

As for the historians, we can ask the mother to intervene.

Given her status as their mother, the Shi family couldn't refuse her request.

He has never forgotten to maintain relationships with the Zhen family and other old friends, no matter how difficult things have been over the years.

Wang Ziteng left the Xie residence and returned home in a sedan chair.

I just got home.

Wang Ren said in a low voice, "The Second Master of Rongguo Mansion has arrived. I've invited him to the living room."

"Why is he here?"

Wang Ziteng's heart sank. Could it be that the news of his meeting with Jia She had been leaked? He suspected that Jia She had leaked the information, as the man had always been unreliable.

Wang Ren said, "While I was having tea with the Second Master, judging from his tone, it seemed to be about Wang Xin."

Wang Ziteng breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned again.

Wang Ren had been worried all along. When his uncle returned and finished talking about Jia Zheng, he asked with concern, "What about the eldest master of the Rongguo Mansion?"

"Dealing with this person is not difficult."

Wang Ziteng shook his head and said disdainfully, "He's still thinking about selling at a high price to both sides. He doesn't even know what kind of person he is. He'd better not end up making both sides hate him. If we really rely on him, he'll probably be on his deathbed without even realizing it."

"No way?"

Wang Ren was surprised and suspicious.

Wang Ziteng sneered, "If he were really in charge, the Imperial Guards would probably be at his doorstep, and he'd still be completely oblivious."

Wang Ren said no more.

My uncle has a grudge against Jia She, so he said this most likely because of their conflict.

Over the years, the Wang family and the Jia family have had little contact.

They should be the closest of relatives, but they are quite distant. It's considered good if they can visit each other once a year.

Wang Ren was not very clear about Jia She's temperament.

However, Feng was completely under this man's control, and Second Master Lian dared not disobey his father in the slightest, which shows that this man was quite capable.

"What about the Second Master?"

"I'll change my clothes before I go see him."

soon.

Having changed his clothes, Wang Ziteng entered the living room as if he had just returned.

"Brother Wang."

Jia Zheng looked at his brother-in-law with a hint of fear on his face.

"You came."

Wang Ziteng looked indifferent.

This attitude made Jia Zheng even more embarrassed. If it weren't for Wang Xin, he really shouldn't have come.

Wang Ziteng sat down in the main seat, looked at his timid brother-in-law, and said impatiently, "What's wrong with Wang Xin?"

Jia Zheng told him all about the outcome of Wang Xin's meeting with Zhang Jifu.

After speaking, Jia Zheng looked at Wang Ziteng.

Wang Ziteng's expression was uncertain, and he remained silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

Jia Zheng was somewhat afraid of his brother-in-law.

Wang Ziteng remained silent, while Jia Zheng sat quietly in his seat, drinking several sips of tea to hide his guilty conscience.

"This person is so lucky, yet he can't think of his clansmen and takes advantage of his ancestors' good fortune. He is utterly despicable."

The Western Army of Datong.

It's finally going to happen, and Wang Ziteng felt a heavy weight on his heart.

I've only just made my move, and I'm still planning what to do next. This person is about to succeed.

Jia Zheng finally couldn't help but try to persuade him, saying, "Wang Xin is just a junior. Since he really doesn't listen to his elders and has his own ideas, we might as well let him be. We can't blame our elders for anything."

Talk about it.

Wang Xin was born an orphan and grew up in Jinling.

It's normal for someone who's grown up to have their own ideas; why force them to change? They're not your own child. If they don't listen, are you going to scold or beat them like you would your own child?

Wang Ziteng looked displeased and coldly said to Jia Zheng, "Isn't it all because of you and Lin Ruhai that you've spoiled the Wang clan? You've led them astray. It's truly despicable. What is Lin Ruhai up to?"

Jia Zheng was startled.

Upon hearing Wang Ziteng's words, he trembled with anger, but dared not speak loudly. He said in a trembling voice, "Ru Hai helped him because he was promising. How can you say he's leading people astray? At worst, Ru Hai and I will just ignore him."

Wang Ziteng was more than happy for Jia Zheng and his group to do this, and sneered, "It's good that you keep your word. If your own children are useless, don't always keep targeting other people's children."

Jia Zheng's face was flushed.

Many people may say that Jia Baoyu is a good-for-nothing, but behind his back, they all laugh at him for it.

He bowed his hand.

Jia Zheng dared not linger and hastily took his leave.

My brother-in-law is a bookworm. Even if I offend him, it won't matter. If I need his help later, I'll just call him over and say a few words to him. He won't dare to refuse; he's been timid since he was a child.

But I need to hurry.

I was originally thinking of playing it safe, but I didn't expect Wang Xin to act so quickly.

A 25- or 26-year-old brigade commander led a single route.

Although he was still far from becoming a military governor, Wang Ziteng couldn't suppress his jealousy and his hatred grew stronger.

"If only this person could consider the bigger picture, how wonderful it would be! How could the Wang family produce such a wicked person?"

He cursed fiercely in the hall.

Wang Ren walked in and sensed his uncle's anger.

Speaking of which, Wang Xin is the person my uncle hates the most. It's better to hate outsiders than to hate his own clansmen. As the head of the Wang clan, the Wang family has a number of members in the capital, which is not as large as the Jia family.

Wang Xin is the first one in all these years.

So you can't blame your uncle for being angry.

"Uncle, will it work?"

Wang Ren was more concerned about this.

Unlike Jia She, my uncle had pledged allegiance to the emperor long ago. However, due to the failure of Datong, the emperor was not in a position to privately summon his ministers, and Prince Zhongshun had returned to the capital, keeping him busy with many other matters.

The uncle was neglected and effectively became a discarded pawn.

Now that my uncle wants to make a comeback and regain the favor of the Emperor and Prince Zhongshun, he needs to demonstrate his worth.

If his uncle's method succeeded, it would undoubtedly benefit the emperor, but it would also anger the retired emperor once again. Wang Ren didn't know if it was safe or not; he only knew that success was not difficult, but the risks were considerable.

Although it was a hardship for Wang Xin, who would probably hate him to death, he had no choice but to accept it.

He was just a pawn in the end.

Wang Ziteng's expression was resolute.

“I’m getting old,” Wang Ziteng said slowly. “You are my own nephew, and I treat you as my own son. All I ask for is for the sake of the Wang family and for your sake.”

Wang Ren was deeply moved.

Although I know that my uncle is doing it mostly for his own sake.

If it were truly for the sake of his clan, why take such a great risk? If he had the choice, he would only want to smoothly inherit the title and the royal family's business, enough to make himself rich and allow his children and grandchildren to live a life of luxury.

(End of this chapter)