The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 346 Loyal

Before meeting the general, Tang Ping was always depressed.

Although I have a clear conscience.

Moreover, there are many things that Tang Ping knows he cannot do recklessly.

We need to seize the opportunity.

For example, on one's father-in-law's side, many brothers are dissatisfied with their father-in-law, which causes them to worry about themselves.

However, he could not deliberately distance himself from his brothers or even refuse the arrangements his father-in-law made for him, such as this opportunity to be promoted to brigadier general, just to gain their trust.

Some even tried to convince themselves to refuse, lest their brothers not believe them.

However, Tang Ping believed that if he could be promoted to the rank of brigadier general, it would be more helpful to both the general and his brothers.

This is the contradiction.

Can the general trust himself? Can the brothers trust themselves?

Tang Ping cut to the chase without hesitation, saying, "If the general and the brothers don't believe me, then I will refuse this opportunity. Right now, many brothers don't believe me. What does the general think?"

After the meal, the servants cleaned up and served the two of them tea.

After a while.

Zeng Zhi and Yan Zhongzheng finally arrived. Tang Ping spoke frankly in front of everyone. Zeng Zhi and Yan Zhongzheng exchanged glances, and finally both looked at Wang Xin.

To be honest, Zeng Zhi wasn't sure either.

The best thing would be for everyone to be happy, but since ancient times, people's hearts have been unpredictable, and many great things have been ruined by the instability of people's hearts.

The saying "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them" presupposes who is the person you doubt and who is not.

“When Master Zhou took a liking to you, although I didn’t say it outright, I did have the intention of using the Zhou family’s power. Even though you also had your eye on Miss Zhou, I actually supported you in my heart.”

Wang Xin did not shift the blame to Tang Ping, but instead frankly said, "The reason we used the Zhou family's power was precisely so that when we were powerless, such as in Datong now, could you still break through the predicament and emerge victorious?"

Zhou Wen was the newly appointed general, and he also had the support of Zhang Jifu.

No matter how united the Western Army of Datong is, even if Lu Zhongheng goes, they will all face enormous pressure when facing an opponent like Zhou Wen, and it will be difficult for them to even catch their breath.

Tang Ping's complexion improved considerably.

Zeng Zhi and Yan Zhongzheng also understood the General's thoughts; the General was not a hypocrite.

Wang Xin laughed and said, "When you go back, tell the brothers not to always doubt their own people. You have all followed me all the way to where you are now, and each of you is worthy of my trust. I don't believe anyone would betray me."

Tang Ping nodded heavily.

With the general's affirmation, he would have the confidence to face his brothers' gazes when he returned.

One was to gain the general's approval, and the other was to follow the proper procedures for promotion.

The former is key, the latter is done step by step.

Having resolved the crucial issue, Tang Ping breathed a sigh of relief and recounted the recent events involving the Western Army of Datong to everyone.

The crowd dispersed quite late.

Wang Xinzhen had no doubts about Tang Ping and slept soundly.

Zeng Zhi didn't sleep all night, and the next day he took the initiative to find Tang Ping.

"The General has re-established the Hexi Camp. I wonder if General Tang would be interested in taking a look?"

"Then I shall respectfully comply and trouble you, Zeng."

Tang Ping was certainly interested.

The Hexi Camp remains the same Hexi Camp, located at one end of the canal.

"The market here is much more prosperous than before."

Returning to the old place, Tang Ping couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion as he thought about the changes over the years.

Zeng Zhi also showed admiration.

It seemed that wherever the General Commander went, prosperity followed. This was true for Yangzhong Island, the Hexi market, and the area outside Datong Pass.

That's what's most admirable.

It wasn't just the strength of its military, but also its economic prosperity; Zeng Zhi seemed to see a golden road stretching to the horizon.

in the distance.

Zeng pointed directly to the Hexi Camp and introduced, "The new acting commander is named Wang Ying. He was originally a battalion commander, but was selected by the general to lead the new Hexi Camp. Most of the battalion commanders and sentry officers in the camp were personally inspected by the general before taking office. In just over half a year, he has already achieved a high level of proficiency."

The phrase "eight or nine out of ten" refers to the way the general led the Hexi Camp.

However, this 80 or 90 points refers to appearance.

Tang Ping nodded. "Without experiencing the flames of war and the tempering of blood, it will ultimately lack a certain something."

"One two one."

"One two one."

"one two three four."

A line of soldiers carrying brooms and sacks marched out of the camp, calling out bugles. The streets on both sides were no different. When they arrived at their destination, the soldiers began to sweep the streets, a basic task every morning.

After cleaning the streets, we went back to the camp, sang military songs, studied the military regulations, and then we could have breakfast.

Tang Ping seemed to see the process that would follow, his eyes becoming unfocused as he drifted into memories.

At that time, the general personally led them, and everything seemed natural and peaceful. There was no scheming or fighting for interests. Everyone was pure of heart and they were an extremely close-knit group.

The general once said...

Humans are not animals; humans prefer groups. Even if they enjoy solitude, it is solitude within a group, not solitude truly detached from the group.

The general is right.

The Western Army of Datong, the Right Route of the Beijing Garrison.

Given more time, Zeng Zhi had no doubt that the General would completely take control of the two armies. But could Tang Ping really be trusted?
My biggest worry is internal problems.

Zeng Zhi was worried.

"The commander-in-chief doesn't doubt you, and I trust his judgment. However, there are some things that the commander-in-chief can't do, and you are more suited to take the lead. After all, we are all in the same boat. As long as we do things well, everyone will naturally have no more doubts."

Tang Ping stared at Zeng Zhi with a displeased expression.

Zeng Zhi looked completely at ease.

What do I need to do?

"I know a little about the situation in Datong, and what you said last night confirmed it even more. There are indeed problems in Datong. If you go back to Datong this time, I hope you can..."

Tang Ping immediately understood and said incredulously, "If the general finds out, he probably won't let me off the hook. Don't try to harm me."

Zeng Zhi shook his head.

"It's not like I'm asking you to do it. At most, I won't stop you. Even if you're to take the blame, it won't be you. The commander-in-chief will just be dissatisfied. Don't you even have this much responsibility for the future of our brothers?"

Tang Ping did not reply, but instead frowned and pondered deeply.

After a moment, Tang Ping said with difficulty, "If my involvement was just to let me watch from the sidelines, what if things didn't escalate?"

"Things are accomplished because of people, and people are made because of things. If so many people are starving, the common people will protest. Do you think the soldiers won't protest? Unless they don't need to be full, and besides, many people are more than happy to be full."

Zeng Zhi was full of confidence.

Any reform will inevitably generate discontent; otherwise, it wouldn't be a reform.

If Zhang Jifu wants to reduce the army, there will be discontent among his subordinates.

More importantly, it's about money.

The imperial court had a shortfall of two million taels of silver, but as the money was added at each level below, no one knew how many taels of silver it would eventually become, but it certainly wouldn't be just two million taels.

"To have ever attempted this is a bit far-fetched; what if it doesn't work out?"

Tang Ping likes absolutes.

It's like having multiple plans laid out on a battlefield, culminating in a final, decisive strike.

I had been hoping that something would happen in Datong. Although it had happened before, it doesn't mean it will happen again now. Luck plays a huge role.

"There's fighting in Yunnan, and I heard they've suffered setbacks at the front. The two sides are at a stalemate. There's also the White Lotus Rebellion in Shandong, and the local authorities are suppressing it. The Donghu people outside Liaodong are unstable; the barbarians are out of control."

Zeng Zhi counted them off one by one on his fingers.

Tang Ping was stunned.

He knew nothing about what was happening in Yunnan.

I'd only heard of some refugees causing trouble in Shandong; I never imagined it would involve the White Lotus Sect. But it's not surprising, though—at least five out of ten disasters involve the White Lotus Sect. The White Lotus Sect certainly couldn't amount to anything, but it did bring the disaster victims to the attention of the imperial court.

As for Liaodong.

The Donghu and the barbarians didn't just start causing trouble now.

Many of these problems are old news, but given the current internal and external troubles facing the Great Zhou, many of these old problems have become critical.

Tang Ping grew increasingly suspicious as he scrutinized Zeng Zhi.

Zeng raised his eyebrows.

Tang Ping simply asked, "General, are you still able to return to Datong?"

"Do you hope the General will return to Datong?" Zeng Zhi asked rhetorically.

Tang Ping didn't bother with it. He trusted the general, and since the general said he didn't doubt him, he didn't bother with Zeng Zhi's deliberate questioning.

Zeng Zhi was not angry. He smiled and said, "General, you do not support bandits to enhance your own prestige. In fact, you have seen through the deep-seated problems of the court. Therefore, why do you need to support bandits to enhance your own prestige? The court will come out of retirement when it needs you."

Tang Ping looked at him with disdain.

Zeng Zhi asked curiously, "Does General Tang have a different opinion?"

Tang Ping sarcastically remarked, "General, you neither support bandits to maintain your own status nor expect the court to support bandits for you. You have always wanted to be a leisurely and wealthy man."

Tang Ping was one of the earliest Yiwu miners to join the army after Wang Xin joined.

Tang Ping believed that no one understood the general better than himself.

Zeng Zhi thought about it for a moment, then decided against arguing and instead focused on determining Tang Ping's next course of action.

Do you agree or not?

After a while.

Tang Ping looked dejected and listless: "I can't interfere in the affairs of our allies, even if I wanted to. There's no question of agreement or disagreement. Let's just take it one step at a time. As long as we've done our part, we can't afford to make a mistake."

This was all down to luck.

Zeng Zhi was satisfied, indeed it was due to luck, but with so many things going on, something was bound to happen eventually.

Otherwise, the imperial court would be too lucky.

Isn't this just as the general said, a time of peace and prosperity for the world?

Now that the world is at peace, it's time to put away weapons and let horses graze freely. Without a place to use his skills as a general, he should reconsider whether to return to his studies.

"If only the general would have a son this time."

Tang Ping seemed to have made up his mind.

Zeng Zhi was somewhat surprised.

The general's concubine is pregnant and about to give birth. Although it is a joyous occasion, what does it matter whether it is a son or a daughter? As long as she can give birth, it doesn't matter if it is a daughter. The general is young, so why worry about not having a son if he has a few more children?

However, Zeng Zhishun added, "That's true. If people can have a son early on, their minds will be at peace."

It's not uncommon for someone to be unlucky and only have daughters.

However, Zeng Zhi did not believe that the general would be so unlucky.

Tang Ping looked at Zeng Zhi again, confirming that this person shared the same thoughts as him. For such an important matter, it was better to have as few people involved as possible, since the timing needed to be considered. However, having a fellow traveler made Tang Ping feel much better.

Although Zeng Zhi found it inexplicable, Tang Ping's attitude indicated that he did not oppose his plan. If things in Datong could proceed as he wished, then many things would be more stable.

The two of them were in a better mood after coming out.

Wang Ying, the commander of the Hexi Camp, was not in the Hexi Camp.

He missed out on Tang Ping and Zeng Zhi.

"I think it would be better to have more elite troops."

Wang Ying insisted.

Although the general commander didn't value it much, but rather valued the soldiers' endurance and other qualities more, Wang Ying thought it would be even better if they were physically stronger.

Wang Xin did not demand perfection in his pursuit of things.

Nothing in this world is perfect.

Good enough is the best.

On the contrary, excessive perfection is more likely to create problems for the next stage.

When things reach their peak, they begin to decline.

When something is too powerful and glorious, many strange things will arise from within, and all sorts of monsters and demons will emerge.

There are examples from ancient times.

There are also examples from later generations.

Therefore, Wang Xin believed that the best era was actually one that was not perfect, but one in the midst of a beautiful process.

Therefore, we do not pursue perfection in recruiting soldiers.

However, not everyone can accept this attitude towards things. Wang Ying believes that if conditions allow, the more perfect the better.

"Now that Lieutenant General Li is winning over his subordinates and trusts them quite a bit, I'm confident that I can bring in more elite troops by taking advantage of this opportunity."

Wang Ying said with all her might.

Wang Xin hesitated, feeling a little reluctant.

"Isn't this going too far?"

"what?"

Wang Ying was stunned.

Li Wei's obsequious behavior was merely a ploy to use Wang Ying, intending to plant a double agent by his side.

As a result, he used this two-faced person to completely destroy Li Wei.

It feels like they're bullying me.

Wang Yingqi said, "I have taken a great risk. If the General had not never doubted me, I would not have dared to do this, nor would I have dared to mention it. Since I have taken such a great risk, of course there must be a great reward."

Wang Xin couldn't stop him, nor was he willing to dampen Wang Ying's enthusiasm.

With Wang Xin's permission, Wang Ying excitedly went to see Li Wei.

The right wing army has seven thousand men.

The 1,000 men who rebuilt the Hexi Camp consisted of a portion under Wang Ying's command, a group mobilized by Wang Xin from various places, and another third of them were elite troops that Wang Ying had been eyeing from other units.

Under normal circumstances, Wang Ying definitely wouldn't be able to get it.

Upon seeing Li Wei, Wang Ying said loyally, "General, please rest assured, I will always be your man."

After receiving reassurance again, Li Wei felt much better.

There was nothing he could do.

Wang Xin was a powerful figure and his superior. Even though he had served in the Right Route Army for many years, he could only manage to deal with him with difficulty, so he dared not offend Wang Xin.

In particular, Wang Xin's reforms in the right wing army.

Although the treatment of ordinary soldiers was improved, it aroused dissatisfaction among many servants. However, unexpectedly, some servants actually supported the general's actions, or at least did not resent them.

Not everyone wants to live a good life while their comrades suffer.

Some people also hope that everyone can have enough to eat.

Until Wang Xin re-established the Hexi Camp.

The Hexi Camp serves as a benchmark; the stronger the Hexi Camp becomes, the more indispensable the entire right flank is to Wang Xin.

Therefore, Wang Ying, who is standing before Li Wei, has become crucial.

In case Wang Xin turns against you one day, you still have an important bargaining chip in your hand, which you can use to deliver a fatal blow to Wang Xin at the crucial moment.

"I will persuade the generals to give you the elite troops you want, but don't be too greedy."

Li Wei was perplexed.

"Don't worry, General, I know what I'm doing."

Wang Ying said earnestly.

Everyone who entered the Hexi Camp, especially the officers, had their names reviewed by the General Commander. The General Commander would conduct a private assessment, and not everyone could be admitted. Wang Ying had no doubt about the General Commander's judgment.

Wang Ying, having received Li Wei's assurance, left happily and quickly went to select people from various departments.

Commander Wu Yi met with Li Wei in private.

"Wang Ying has taken many elite troops with him. Are you confident in your ability to deal with him, General?"

"rest assured."

Li Wei said confidently, "This man is absolutely loyal to me."

"That's good."

With Li Wei's assurance, Wu Yi felt relieved, and his tone became much more relaxed.

Li Wei is a cunning old fox; he won't be easily fooled.

If Wang Xin dared to trust Wang Ying so easily, and they were even more familiar with Wang Ying, why couldn't they be as confident as Wang Xin?

The pressure from the general manager was increasing, and everyone was having a hard time. Money that used to be easy to get was now something no one dared to take more of; they were paid exactly what they were entitled to.

His salary alone wasn't enough to support his family of about a hundred people in the capital, let alone his family of about a hundred people back in his hometown.

Besides, there's the filial piety shown to superiors on a regular basis.

Everyone is at their breaking point.

When that day comes, let the Hexi Camp turn against Wang Xin and deliver a fatal blow from behind.

(End of this chapter)