The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 290 Changes
There are only two main passages between Datong and the western part of the pass: one through Tuanshankou and the other through Weiyuanguan. There are no other roads to take.

As for individuals venturing alone over mountains and valleys, it doesn't have much of an impact overall.

From the under-construction Guihua City, through Yunchuan City and Zhenlu City, and even across the pass into the interior of the pass, through the entire Datong, and through Yanmen Pass into Shanxi, this long trade route was completely opened up, and there were no checkpoints or taxes along the entire route.

Individual vendors or itinerant merchants were allowed to trade freely.

In other words, as long as you have the courage and are willing to take risks, you can participate in business at the lowest cost.

On a larger scale...

The 20% tax that Juzhongchang paid to the army was, in its own design, a tax that was to be paid to the imperial court, but was instead paid to the army.

A 20% commercial tax rate is not low.

However, the business did not object to obtaining a regional monopoly.

Wang Xin needed a large-scale merchant firm like Juzhongchang to deal with some inevitable problems, such as the dissatisfaction of local county governments, the doubts of the imperial court, and the risks of doing business outside the Great Wall.

There were merchants outside the Great Wall before.

Although the emergence of Juzhongchang attracted many people, it still affected the interests of some.

However, in Wang Xin's view, the Juzhongchang model could enable trade between the interior and exterior of the pass to reach a level of action that far exceeded the scale of the past.

Just because I think this way doesn't mean others will believe me or accept my plans.

And the losses in the past two years.

Up to 200 herder households suffered direct losses, and another 400-500 herders were killed or injured.

The cost of these casualties was actually borne by Juzhongchang.

If it were a smaller business, it would have gone bankrupt and lost everything long ago.

Although new trading companies will take their place, the support from large trading companies is a positive factor, both for local stability and for providing renewed support to bankrupt herders.

There are also downsides.

monopoly.

However, for the time being, JUZHONGCHAN's model is advantageous to the current situation.

Therefore, we should be realistic and take into account the actual situation when looking at problems, rather than blindly applying rules.

Like the 20% commercial tax.

It wasn't that I didn't want to hand it over to the imperial court. Even if I did, it probably wouldn't end up in the imperial treasury, and it wouldn't solve the problem of the Datong Western Army's military expenses.

To be honest, this is the only thing I can do.

These 20% of the tax revenue must be used for the military.

Then there's the five cents that belong to me.

Xue Ke quickly calculated and gave his reply: "The five percent share belonging to the general, last year's income was about four thousand eight hundred taels."

The specific amount will be calculated by the trading company.

Four thousand eight hundred taels of silver is a considerable sum.

In other words, Juzhongchang's profit for the entire year was only a little over 100,000 taels of silver.

However, Juzhongchang has only been established for less than two years.

The reason they have so much money is mainly due to the large amount of funding they received in later rounds of financing.

Including the nearly three thousand herders who were distributed in the first year, although the cattle and horses had not yet had time to reproduce, there were some, mainly sheep. These livestock and sheep were not sold to the interior of the pass, but were consumed internally by Juzhongchang.

But this also represents a profit.

The profits are generated by using money from later shareholders to buy the land and then distributing it to new herders.

However, the stock price is very high.

If I were willing to sell my five percent share, and a merchant were to take it over, I could easily fetch thirty to forty thousand taels of silver at the current market price.

Only a fool would sell it.

We're currently in an expansion phase, so we're spending a lot of money. But in two or three years, we'll probably have a steady stream of revenue.

"The captain gets two taels of silver, the sentry officer gets five taels of silver, the garrison commander and the captain get thirty taels, the assistant commander and the captain get seventy taels, and the guerrilla commander gets three hundred taels." Wang Xin took out the distribution plan he had prepared in advance and converted it into four thousand eight hundred taels of silver.

Eight hundred taels, over six hundred taels, seven hundred and eighty taels, over eight hundred taels, nine hundred taels.

There are about 800 taels left.

Xue Ke and Zheng Hao were stunned and subconsciously looked at the general.

“The profits of the business haven’t materialized yet, so the share is small. But the profits of the business will grow larger and larger in the future, and the share will be larger and larger. My five percent share will be used to distribute to the officers.”

Wang Xin set the rules.

The 20% shareholding in the military ensured the military's funding. If the imperial court was short of funds, the profits from the shares would be used to make up for the arrears.

In other words, every soldier, including officers, will receive their full pay.

In addition to the extra benefits for officers.

In fact, this also deepens the bond between military officers and merchants.

Merchants wanted to expand, and military officers wanted to expand as well; profit was more reliable than anything else.

The Great Zhou Dynasty has a population of hundreds of millions.

What's the point of being restricted to land?
Including future herders.

The ranch can only be inherited by one son; it cannot be divided among the herders. What happens to the extra sons? They go out to make their own way in the world.

And what do your subordinates think about taking the 0.5% share for yourself?
Therefore, it needs to be divided.

Even if outsiders say that he has the Midas touch and that he is the one who has driven many things, even so, one should not be greedy and keep everything to himself. He has suddenly received eight hundred taels of silver, which is far more than he can spend.

After buying a house in the capital for only three or four hundred taels of silver, he had little money left.

Now there are eight hundred taels more than usual.

What is there to be dissatisfied with.

Of course, if it's for buying official positions, giving gifts, or exchanging favors, then eight hundred taels wouldn't be enough.

It's like having hundreds of thousands in hand in later generations, eating, drinking, playing, and having fun, living a carefree and easy life.

But if you buy a new house, it won't be enough, and you'll have to bear the debt that will take twenty or thirty years to pay off.

This is why the problems of the Great Zhou Dynasty deepened day by day and became so deeply entrenched that they were difficult to reverse.

The officialdom of the Great Zhou Dynasty was like a bottomless pit.

It has poured all of society's resources into it, but this bottomless pit has not only failed to satisfy itself, its appetite has only grown larger.

It was also because I didn't listen to Lin Ruhai's advice.

From the text.

They couldn't even make a ripple on the surface.

The only option is to join the army.

The creation of an army that operates within a semi-closed society, isolating it from the prevailing social atmosphere of the Great Zhou Dynasty and supporting a system, is how the Great Tong Western Army came to be today.

The cost was also very high.

Everyone sees themselves as an outsider, as someone to be devoured, waiting to be slapped with a knife and fork.

Even Zhang Jifu, who once valued him.
-
"Three hundred taels?"

When Zhao Yong heard that he would probably receive three hundred taels of silver this year, he didn't quite understand. But when he learned that the general was distributing his share to his brothers, he didn't refuse.

"The general still regarded money as dirt, and divided up nearly five thousand taels of silver without hesitation."

Zhao Yong sighed.

He himself was already a guerrilla general, with an annual salary of 180 taels of silver. His son could receive the status of a fifth-rank imperial attendant and an annual salary of 90 taels of silver. Together, the father and son received 270 taels of silver.

In the past few years when I followed General Luo Ming, I did manage to make some extra money.

Three hundred taels is a lot, but it's not something to be alarmed about.

However, while following General Luo Ming, although General Luo Ming mostly handled his official dealings, he still couldn't avoid them all, and in reality, he lived a rather frugal life.

Later he followed the general.

It was as if they were isolated from the outside world.

In the past, several hundred taels of silver wouldn't have been enough, but now I still have more than a hundred taels and can't even use it all, and I can still save twenty or thirty taels every year.

Now there are three hundred taels more.

My family is much better off now. Yanmen Pass is too desolate. Datong is a border town, so I need to buy a house. Taiyuan, Shanxi is the best place. But the general has bought a house in the capital. Should I become the general's neighbor?

This is a big deal. Where the house is bought will determine where we will retire in the future.

Tang Ping will definitely return to Yangzhong Island.

Not right either.

Tang Ping is no longer the same Tang Ping he used to be. He married the daughter of a wealthy family and might settle down in Datong.

Zhao Yong was lost in thought.

Zhuo Zhi laughed and said, "That's right."

Zhuo Zhi was still a battalion commander. It wasn't that he was promoted slowly; on the contrary, he was promoted very quickly. His previous status in the Beijing garrison was too low. The leap from squad leader to battalion commander was something that ordinary people could hardly achieve.

The total annual income is fifty taels of silver, and with the thirty taels to be distributed this time, the income has increased by more than half.

The people were used to the general's abilities and knew that he cared for them. Even if it was silver that was rightfully his, he would always share it with them. Although they did not pretend to refuse, they could not help but feel grateful.

After Weng Guanshan's story came to an end, Zhao Yong returned to Yanmen Pass.

There are also Zhuo Zhi and others.

The situation on Datong West Road is like an hourglass, large at both ends and small in the middle.

The military forces were mainly deployed outside, leaving the interior relatively hollow. Therefore, Weiyuan Pass and Tuanshan Pass in the north, and Yanmen Pass in the west were particularly important. These two passes could not be lost, and at the same time, they also opened up trade routes.

"General's return to the capital this time must be to prepare for dealing with Ou Yanhu in the future. When the general returns, we will probably all be reassigned."

Zhao Yong then began discussing serious matters.

Yanmen Pass is a complex system, consisting of not only the main gate city, but also various gate cities and important locations such as Guangwu City.

Zhuo Zhi is the most reliable person, and he has a stable personality. You can trust him with things.

Just then, someone came to announce their arrival.

"Boss, Wei Yizuo from the Yongxing Army has come knocking on our door."

"Why is he here?"

Zhao Yong was curious and quickly invited him in.

"Should I avoid this place, my subordinate?"

Zhuo Zhi is now considered Zhao Yong's subordinate, belonging to the Yanmen faction.

Zhao Yong shook his head.

Soon after Wei Yi entered, Zhao Yong introduced the two men to each other. It was the first time Wei Yi and Zhuo Zhi had met, but Wei Yi was of a higher rank, three ranks above Zhuo Zhi, so Zhuo Zhi was more polite.

"I haven't had a chance to congratulate Brother Zhao yet."

Wei Yi smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Zhao Yong smiled and said, "No need to be so polite."

Wei Yi and Zhao Yong used to be at the same rank. Seeing Zhao Yong promoted to guerrilla while he was still stuck in the same place, Wei Yi sighed, "Your Datong Western Army is indeed different."

"That's true."

Zhao Yong did not deny it.

Wei Yi is straightforward and unpretentious, which suits my taste perfectly. He's a good friend I made in Datong, so there's no need for me to hold back.

“If it were our Yongxing Army, you, as a guerrilla general, would definitely hold a promotion banquet for several days so that your subordinates would give you gifts. How could you recoup the money you spent to buy your position if you didn’t collect a large sum of money?”

Zhuo Zhi was surprised by how directly this person spoke and couldn't help but look at Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong's expression remained unchanged.

"We in the Datong Western Army are promoted based on our abilities."

"What are you saying? Does that mean everyone is incompetent? You're just lucky to have followed General Wang Xin; otherwise, how are you any different from me?" Wei Yi said dismissively.

Zhao Yong did not refute.

In fact, Wei Yi is indeed like myself.

I used to complain a lot and couldn't stand many things, but I could only go with the flow. Later, when I followed General Luo Ming, my life got much better, but I still couldn't avoid many things.

From Hexi Camp to Datong Western Army.

In fact, they have encountered the same problems that others have encountered.

If it weren't for the general, no one could solve these problems. Just the trouble with money and supplies alone, who could solve it?
The general is capable of generating wealth, and his methods are not underhanded or unethical.

Moreover, the general can lead his men to victory in battle.

They can always find the opponent's weakness, use their strength to fight the weak, and achieve the greatest victory at the lowest cost.

In addition, the general was able to endure.

In unfavorable situations, one can often swallow one's anger and eventually exchange various interests to obtain the conditions one needs, like walking on a thin rope, each step shaky, yet still managing to get through it all.

Seeing Zhao Yong's expression and noticing that Zhao Yong didn't speak, Zhuo Zhi took the initiative to speak.

“That’s true. Not only do we not charge our subordinates, but the generals above us also give us money,” Zhuo Zhi said proudly.

The general's practice of distributing money to officers included the captains.

Therefore, the entire army will soon find out, which shows that the general did not intend to keep it a secret, nor could he hide it, because too many people were sent out.

Wei Yi was stunned and subconsciously looked at Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong did not hide anything.

After listening, Wei Yi was speechless.

"Do you know why I'm going to Taiyuan on official business?"

"Say it directly."

Zhao Yong was too lazy to guess.

Wei Yi was not angry, but said helplessly, "The Yongxing Army is so poor that they can't even afford to eat. They need to go to Taiyuan to borrow some money and grain to tide them over."

Of the taxes that Taiyuan, Shanxi, paid to the imperial court each year, a portion was allocated to supply the military garrison of Datong.

To save costs, although the list still indicates that the goods are being transported to the capital, in reality, laborers from Shanxi are directly transporting them to Datong. The goods are currently being borrowed and will be used for deductions next year.

"How could anyone else agree?"

Zhao Yong did not believe that the officials in Taiyuan would lend it.

The imperial court is in debt, and so are the local governments. Lending money out would be like throwing good money after bad – it would be like throwing meat buns to a dog – gone forever.

"Yes, we all know we can't borrow it, but we still have to try."

Wei Yi's face was grim.

Zhao Yong was surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Is it that difficult?"

"So you don't know how good you are to have met a leader like General Wang. You think it's your own ability, but it's actually General Wang's ability. It's enviable."

Zhao Yong and Zhuo Zhi were both speechless.

The Western Army in Datong still relied somewhat on friendly forces.

Although Ou Yanhu lost the initiative and even his stronghold was occupied, he was indeed thriving in the desert and making a name for himself.

To avoid heavy casualties, the Datong Western Army would definitely want to bring in the Yongxing Army and the Tiancheng Army.

Even if I can't contribute much, I can still help restrain the Hu people.

Judging from Wei Yi's tone, it seems that out of nowhere, without any apparent cause, Yongxing Army is facing difficulties.

This is a big deal.

Feng Yongcai has been gone for less than two years, surely it shouldn't be like this?

Zhao Yong revealed a probing look.

Wei Yi nodded slightly.

He came here to inform on us.

Zhao Yong considered this matter to be of great importance and immediately sent someone to inform the general.

Yongxing Army may not be reliable, and may even become a burden.

It concerns the entire army's strategy. If it weren't for the fact that they had just returned to Yanmen Pass and had many things to deal with, Zhao Yong would have loved to personally tell the general.

The Western Army of Datong had only three thousand soldiers.

How many casualties would it take to defeat Ou Yanhu if the Western Army of Datong were to be defeated?

(End of this chapter)