The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 304 Revealed
Jia Mansion.

Jia Zheng's study.

Only Jia Zheng and Wang Xin were present; none of Jia Zheng's personal guests were there.

Wang Xin told Jia Zheng without hesitation, "Grand Secretary Zhang agrees to support me."

He recounted in detail to Jia Zheng what he had discussed with Zhang Jifu after their meeting, and also conveyed Zhang Jifu's attitude.

While at the Ministry of Works during the day, Jia Zheng was eagerly waiting to go home. Once home, he went to see Wang Xin as soon as possible.

After listening attentively, Jia Zheng couldn't help but feel a little envious.

That's Zhang Jifu.

I may not care about Zhang Jifu, and Zhang Jifu may not care about me either, but anyone who gets Zhang Jifu's support knows how powerful that is.

Jia Zheng said regretfully, "Is it worth paying such a high price for the affairs outside Datong Pass?"

Wang Xin's identity was still that of the Beijing Garrison.

In other words, Wang Xin was on an external assignment and could be recalled to the capital garrison at any time.

So wouldn't everything Wang Xin did in Datong be a boon to others? And the better Wang Xin did, the more likely he would be to be transferred away, because the more people would be eager for him to leave.

Wang Xin was not surprised by Jia Zheng's remarks.

Jia Zheng was unwilling to be flexible, not because he was stupid.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to raise an eldest son like Jia Zhu. If he only had one son, that would be one thing; perhaps Jia Zhu was just exceptionally talented.

However, his second son, Baoyu, and his grandson, Jialan, all passed the imperial examinations with flying colors. Even his illegitimate son, Jia Huan, was quite talented. Although he was impulsive, he was very diligent in his studies.

The original text states that it was around these two years.

The young men of the Jia family composed poems for a competition, and Jia Huan's poem was praised by Jia She in public, which shows Jia Huan's talent.

This was also a common problem for Jia Zheng, who came from a wealthy family.

Why would someone of their generation be willing to bother with trivial matters? Coupled with Jia Zheng's personality, he became increasingly out of touch with reality, which is only human nature.

Who doesn't understand the principles of unspoken rules?

Some of the children enjoy it, while others are unwilling to put in the effort.

Jia Zheng is clearly the latter.

Regardless of what his subordinates thought or whether they harbored resentment, Jia Zheng didn't care. He simply wouldn't allow his subordinates to embezzle, accept bribes, or engage in illegal or disorderly conduct.

Wang Xin felt he had to answer Jia Zheng's question carefully.

Because of my own advantages.

The subordinates I promote are all people I trust, and they have systematic proof of their loyalty. I'm not afraid of knowing someone's face but not their heart. Although I can't check their loyalty at all times, I can still get a general guarantee.

But Jia Zheng didn't know that.

He may not be particular about details, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about gains and losses. On the contrary, Jia Zheng is quite concerned about interests.

If not, he could generously give up the Rongguo Mansion.

If Jia Zheng does this, the relationship between the two brothers will surely become harmonious.

Wang Xin thought for a moment, and then, from a practical point of view, said seriously, "When I was in Yangzhou, with the support of Lord Lin, I formed a militia, namely the Yangzhou Camp. For various reasons, I eventually attracted people who were not afraid of death to join by offering high rewards."

Although Jia Zheng was not knowledgeable about military affairs, he was eager to hear Wang Xin's opinion.

Who can deny Wang Xin's talent in warfare?

“Jiangnan is a wealthy region where everyone seeks wealth and looks down on soldiers. There is a common saying that good men do not become soldiers. After joining the army, one will be discriminated against and will not be able to find a wife. No family would want to marry their daughter to a soldier.”

"The capital city too."

Jia Zheng interjected, "You've been in the Beijing garrison for several years, you should know."

Wang Xin nodded.

The North and the South are very different.

There are also significant differences between different parts of the South.

The political, cultural, and social customs of Britain and Italy are vastly different, and the Zhou Dynasty, with its expansive territory, was even more complex, with different accents every five miles and different customs every hundred miles.

Therefore, although Wang Xin despised Confucianism, he had to admit its inevitability, at least for the time being.

The Jiangnan region has an open social atmosphere, with fewer restrictions on its people, making it easier for them to leave the land. The economy is also active, and as long as people are lucky or encounter a good market, they can always find a job to support themselves.

They even had a chance to turn their lives around, while soldiers were poor and therefore looked down upon.

As for the Beijing garrison...

It was purely oppression, unlike the situation in Jiangnan where the main reasons were economic.

"So in order to recruit soldiers who were not afraid of death and to encourage them to fight, they spent a lot of money to buy horses' bones and used very high rewards to attract people. Although the effect was good, it could not be sustained in the long run."

Wang Xin laughed and said, "The imperial court suddenly ordered me to disband the Yangzhou Camp. Even if some people genuinely followed me, the Yangzhou Camp's foundation was not solid, so I readily let go."

"You can't say that."

Jia Zheng vaguely understood and retorted, "How much effort you put into settling them down."

Leaving aside the salt commissioner's office, if there's any dissatisfaction with the geographical environment of Yangzhong Island, it's a matter of people's hearts growing colder than before, not because Wang Xin did anything wrong. This is actually an important reason why Jia Zheng likes Wang Xin.

Wang Xin was truly loyal to his own people.

"Upon arriving at the Beijing Garrison, they adapted to local conditions. Moreover, the Beijing Garrison was ultimately a regular army with a solid foundation. It was based on the Hexi Garrison and its core members were inspired by the Yangzhou Garrison, which led to the formation of the Datong Western Army today."

To resolve the arrears owed by the Western Army of Datong, I encouraged them to engage in commerce. I wasn't the only one in the army to do this; even when Grand Secretary Zhang was in Nanjing, the Nanjing Army was already involved in commerce.

Within three years, the Jinling Army had fallen into disuse, and the Datong Western Army would face the same problem. To address this, the Datong Western Army must not be allowed to remain idle; otherwise, its fighting capacity would also decline drastically within three years.

Jia Zheng suddenly realized.

"It's somewhat similar to using war to sustain war? The similarity is that neither can stop."

"Master Jia is right."

Wang Xin laughed.

The actual situation is not that serious.

Others might do that, but I wouldn't.

For example, the soldiers in the Yangzhou camp earned a hundred taels of silver each in just one or two years, which is equivalent to earning hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in later generations. They did indeed pull out a fighting army from the brothel, but the price was too high.

Furthermore, there will be no increase in compensation or rewards.

At the time, I lacked time, and in order to get started as quickly as possible, I could only take shortcuts.

There are no shortcuts in this world; there are always corresponding costs.

It's just that I have my own system.

Thanks to the system, even at a huge cost, he managed to gather a group of generals who were loyal to him. When he returned to the south to fight against the Japanese pirates, they all abandoned their comfortable lives to follow him.

Soldiers cannot get rich.

Even officials cannot get rich.

Dignity, treatment, stability, and a comfortable life—these can all be provided.

It can satisfy most of the needs of humankind.

The only thing that can't be satisfied is the insatiable person.

If you want to get rich, you should go into business, not join the army or become an official. This is a basic principle.

After listening to Wang Xin's words, Jia Zheng felt that he understood military affairs. Wang Xin's words were so insightful that he sighed, "If you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet. What should we do?"

Wang Xin disagreed.

Everyone wants stability.

Who wouldn't want stability?

Emperors, officials, generals, gentry, and landlords all wanted stability, to live like this for generations to come.

Ordinary people also wanted to live a stable life like the local gentry.

But if things really stabilize and nothing changes, then we're doomed.

Therefore, Wang Xin didn't care much.

I'm afraid Jia Zheng and his ilk won't be able to accept this reasoning.

Wang Xin smiled and said, "It still depends on the source of soldiers."

Jia Zheng, now confident in his military skills, said knowingly, "I do know that. Elite soldiers come from poor and remote areas. Weren't the elite troops in your army originally volunteer miners?"

"That's true, but there's another type, which is the kind of recruit I really want." "Another type?"

Jia Zheng couldn't figure it out.

Wang Xin didn't keep them in suspense and continued, "The second generation from Yangzhou Island."

"what?"

Jia Zheng was stunned.

Wang Xin smiled with regret.

The land was divided up.

Each household owns dozens or hundreds of acres of land.

These sons of wealthy farmers are the soldiers they want most, but unfortunately, they can't solve the immediate problem. It will take another three to five years before a group of young men grow up.

During their first discussion on military matters, Jia Zheng gained a deeper understanding of Wang Xin.

The young man before us has achieved what he has today not by luck, but by his exceptional talent.

They are able to find solutions to various problems.

Jia Zheng knew he couldn't do that. Such a talented person, if he could become his son-in-law, why not? Jia Zheng no longer hesitated.

"You are already a deputy commander. After the Hu are pacified, you will be a garrison commander. Even if the Xiongnu are destroyed, you will still be of marriageable age. Do you have a family you like?"

Wang Xin breathed a sigh of relief.

Fearing that Jia Zheng would ask further questions.

If it were Lin Ruhai, given Lin Ruhai's meticulousness, he would surely think of the most fundamental things.

Zhang Jifu's support was so strong, but what price did he pay?

"I am an orphan, and I leave everything to Master Jia."

Jia Zheng then realized what was happening.

Wang Xin had already changed his address to "Master Jia," once again referring to himself as a junior.

"You boy."

Jia Zheng couldn't help but laugh, and happily pointed at Wang Xin.
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Not to mention that Jia Zheng happily went to find Aunt Zhao.

After leaving the study, Wang Xin returned to Tubi Manor, where most of his luggage had already been packed.

"Qingwen, go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to find Daiyu, and also invite Feng'er. Ask them to come over for lunch tomorrow, it's on me. The day after tomorrow morning, I'll have Shi Ping and the others come to help with the move."

"Oh, the date has been set?"

Qingwen paused for a moment, feeling somewhat emotional as the story drew to a close.

Wang Xin nodded.

"I've already spoken to Master Jia."

Qingwen didn't think much of it and quickly left to deliver the message.

Only Ping'er remained in the room.

Ping'er rolled her eyes at Wang Xin, thinking that he was coaxing Qingwen into doing something embarrassing.

Wang Xin smiled and stepped forward to touch Ping'er's tender face.

Ping'er did not avoid it, but obediently complied.

Wang Xin pulled Ping'er to the inner room and onto the couch, but Ping'er quickly dissuaded him, saying, "Master Xin, be careful Qingwen might come back and see us."

"What are you thinking? I'm here to talk to you."

Wang Xin deliberately teased Ping'er.

Ping'er knew she had misunderstood. She knew that Wang Xin had deliberately tricked her, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she lowered her head shyly, which only made her more alluring.

She wore a moon-white wide-sleeved ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with flowing cloud patterns, the light moon-colored satin fabric adorned with silver thread flowing cloud patterns, the cuffs layered like smoke, and a lotus-root-colored brocade ribbon tied at the waist.

Her eyes were like dewy peonies, and her eyelashes trembled like butterflies.

Wang Xin subconsciously reached out and stroked Ping'er's rosy cheeks for a moment. His fingertips brushed against the white magnolia hairpin in Ping'er's hair, and the tourmaline pendant by her ear tinkled softly. Ping'er smiled sweetly, as if a fairy from Mount Gu had descended to earth.

The room was quiet.

Wang Xin then picked up Ping'er and lay down. Ping'er cried out in pain, and soon the room returned to silence.

Ping'er lay on Wang Xin's chest.

Wang Xin held Ping'er in his arms, feeling the warmth of her embrace.

"I should be engaged to the third young lady of the manor, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

This matter is of great importance, and things are just beginning to look promising, so it's not appropriate to publicize it.

It wasn't that he doubted Qingwen, but rather that Qingwen was young and he was worried that she might blurt something out. However, he couldn't keep it from Ping'er, and given Ping'er's personality, Wang Xin felt more at ease with her.

Ping'er was stunned.

After realizing what had happened, Ping'er showed no sign of resentment. Given her easygoing nature, she had been prepared for this all along, but she never expected it to be a young lady from the manor.

After figuring it out, Ping'er became happy instead.

"The Third Miss is quite good. I used to admire her. Oh, what a coincidence! How could such a good thing happen?"

Ping'er became more and more excited as she spoke.

She was at most a concubine, but if the mistress was the third young lady of the mansion, it would be better than anyone outside. With her relationship with the third young lady, she felt more secure about the future. Ping'er couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Wang Xin was initially somewhat worried about Ping'er's thoughts.

Marrying Ping'er is not out of the question.

Rumors alone could cause a lot of trouble, especially given the political implications.

Not to mention future security, Jia Zheng is his spokesperson in the imperial court.

There were memorials impeaching him.

Officials protect each other.

When someone is dissatisfied with the things he does, Jia Zheng will say a few words to them, and they will give each other some concessions to save face, and then the matter will be over.

Emperor, prince, duke, noble, eunuch, civil official, censor, Hanlin scholar, military governor, governor. Jia Zheng's advantage was that he could talk to almost anyone.

"Don't worry, no matter what happens in the future, I will always be good to you."

Wang Xin directly made his promise.

Ping'er was his first woman.

While still thinking about how to get to know the Third Miss in the future, Ping'er suddenly heard Wang Xin's promise. She slowly stopped smiling and didn't say anything. Instead, she gently lay back down on Wang Xin's chest.

"Master Xin, following you is the thing I regret least in my life."

Ping'er's eyes were resolute.

"As long as you don't regret it, I'll be at ease."

Wang Xin hugged Ping'er tightly and suddenly said, "Give me a child."

"what."

Ping'er was stunned again.

"Master Xin, no."

Trying to avoid Wang Xin's hand, Ping'er was both anxious and happy. She was anxious because she realized her identity, but happy because Wang Xin could say such a thing. Ping'er was already very satisfied.

Wang Xin did not speak carelessly.

Although his own actions have changed many things, Wang Xin has no doubt about one thing: he and the four major families cannot go far, but they need each other.

Speak up.

Wang Xin was a member of one of the four great families.

The four families have prestige.

Face is the foundation of aristocratic families and nobles.

Wang Xin also needed to rely on the power of the four major families to meet his needs.

Regardless of Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai's status with the emperor, they were still members of the four great families.

(End of this chapter)