The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 109: Fighting against the Wang Family Army

The person opposite him took out his badge on his own initiative, and Wang Xin did not refuse.

These people have a military air about them, and they should be soldiers. Now they are wearing casual clothes. If my guess is correct, they are soldiers from the camp, just like the farmhands employed by landlords.

Landlords who hired farmhands would not only be paid, but also provided with food.

Soldiers in the camp received military pay, but whether the pay could be paid was the court's business. The nobles, officials, generals, and eunuchs used the soldiers with a clear conscience. Many families did not even provide food, and required the soldiers to bring their own rations, not to mention wages. This practice continued until the Republic of China period.

You can learn a lot through careful observation.

For example, Zhang Jifu, as the Minister of War in Yingtian, also employed soldiers. However, the clothes worn by these people in front of him were relatively clean and 70% new, and they were in good spirits.

It can be inferred that Zhang Jifu should have given these soldiers some benefits.

For example, monthly allowance.

This one thing alone seems to be a trivial matter, but Wang Xin truly realized that Zhang Jifu was not an ordinary person.

The power of a hundred years of peace is more terrifying than a nuclear bomb.

Many truths have become nonsense.

There has not been a war for a hundred years, and several generations have never seen a war since they were born. They do not understand the importance of war at all, and even think that soldiers are illiterate, rough, poor, lazy and useless men, and there is no need to reason with them.

Everyone else is using it, so it would be a waste not to use it.

Some military officers even sent their soldiers out to serve others in order to curry favor with the civil officials.

It’s public property, so you don’t feel bad about using it.

But you, Zhang Jifu, are different from others. You are nice to your soldiers. This is not something that can be achieved by just a casual thought in your mind.

Therefore, whether it is Lin Ruhai or Jia Yucun, it is reasonable for them to be wary of Zhang Jifu. This man is indeed very powerful. Just from his character, Wang Xin believes that this man is superior to many people.

Although many soldiers complain about unfair treatment, if they are eventually made military officers, they will do even more excessive things.

Such people can hold high positions not just by luck or connections.

Be careful next time.

Wang Xin warned himself.

After passing two streets, they arrived at an alley. The small gate of the courtyard opened, and the leading man invited Wang Xin and the others in. He did not stop Shi Ping and the other young guards, and did not even let them take down their weapons.

A butler-like figure led the way respectfully.

Arrived at the garden gate.

There were more followers around, and they were still dressed as soldiers.

Looking at it from another angle, in today's environment, since they can't escape being ordered around, staying in the camp is just a waste of time. I'm afraid more soldiers would want to work for someone like this.

This is the positive effect.

Do positive things, and this force will be powerful.

This was the first time Wang Xin really came into contact with this circle, and he was rarely serious. With a serious expression on his face, he looked inside the garden and saw a man fishing under the willow trees by the river.

That person must be Zhang Jifu.

"General Wang, please come in."

The housekeeper stood at the door and did not go in. The young soldier was also left behind. Wang Xin nodded and walked in alone.

Like a gentleman.

Every gesture reveals his elegance.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, the man didn't hesitate. He put away his fishing rod and stood up. He turned around and said with a smile: "General Wang is here. I have always wanted to meet you, the young hero, and finally I have seen you."

Make sufficient preparations yourself.

That's it?

Somewhat caught off guard, Wang Xin hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "General Wang Xin, I pay my respects to the Minister."

"Let's meet privately. No need to be so formal. Come sit over here."

Zhang Jifu pointed to the stone table and stone chairs not far away.

He did not put away the catch and fishing gear, but simply placed them on the shore. Before getting up, he washed his hands in the lake, then gave his instructions and led the way over there, followed by Wang Xin.

"sit down."

The spring day is warm and the sunshine is just right.

This kind of weather is most suitable for outdoor activities. Zhang Jifu is middle-aged, but his eyes are bright and his words are gentle but powerful, which is different from what he had imagined. He thought of the fear on the faces of Lin Ruhai and Jia Yucun.

Wang Xin didn't hesitate and sat down obediently.

This person may be right, but not right.

It's a bit like me.

Wang Xin could only guess this.

Lin Ruhai and Jia Yucun are qualified to be his opponents, so it is one attitude, but I am not qualified to be his opponent, I am considered his inferior, so it is another attitude.

The main thing is, what is this person's purpose in looking for you?
In the current situation, the gap between him and me is too big, and I am in a passive position.

"I've received many comments about General Wang, but there's one thing I particularly appreciate: when the country needs him for war, General Wang never shirks his responsibilities. He comes when called upon and goes away when dismissed. He's always victorious in battle, and he's neither arrogant nor impatient."

I didn't expect this person to think so highly of himself.

He should have said "but" later.

Wang Xin pricked up his ears and listened.

"So you should continue to do your job well in the future. There are some things that you should not be involved in, so you should not get involved. Just do your duty well." After Zhang Jifu finished speaking, he waited for Wang Xin's reply.

Wang Xin raised his head and looked at Zhang Jifu.

There was something unclear in his eyes.

Zhang Jifu saw this and didn't pretend to be profound. Fearing that Wang Xin didn't understand, he explained to Wang Xin seriously: "There are always disputes in the court. It's either the west wind or the east wind. You are a general below, the great wall of the country. It's not your place to meddle in the affairs of the higher-ups. So when it comes to your superiors, it's none of your business. Don't jump in. If you jump in, you will be beaten, and you can't bear it."

I am Lin Ruhai's man.

Generally speaking, it belongs to the Four Great Masters, and even Jia Yucun has to admit it.

Zhang Jifu's intention was that someone above him was about to suffer misfortune, and he wanted Wang Xin to stay out of the situation. Wang Xin asked curiously, "Why?"

"I admire you very much. The more generals like you there are, the more stable the country will be. As for me, I also hope to have more generals like you under my command." Zhang Jifu chanted, "I hope the seas will be calm. You have such a vision. As long as you don't act rashly, I can keep you safe."

I didn't expect that what I said casually would reach his ears.

Not only that.

If he wants to know many things about me, he can find out easily. There are no secrets around me.

Have a look.

This is differentiation.

Openly differentiate yourself from the four major families.

You feel comfortable listening to it, and don't even have the urge to refute. To be honest, you are a little touched. No wonder everyone is afraid of this person.

So sincerity is always the key.

This person was indeed trying to divide himself, but what he said was indeed what was in his heart. He really believed that the "soldiers" outside the garden had rosy faces, which meant they ate well, and they wore nice clothes, which meant they were treated well.

This one point alone is enough to explain a lot of things, not to mention that there are many things that you haven't seen.

"how?"

Zhang Jifu asked.

Wang Xin shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Don't blame me, Minister. I don't know, so I dare not promise."

Zhang Jifu was indeed very powerful, and he admitted it himself.

But if someone is unlucky, how unlucky will he be?

For example, Jia She?
He was about to be beheaded, and he wouldn't even blink an eye. But what if it was Lin Ruhai? People should know how to be grateful. If he doesn't know how to be grateful, but expects everyone around him to be grateful to him, how is that possible? So if it concerns Lin Ruhai, he will definitely take action.

What is the reason?

Repay the favor.

Since Zhang Jifu was so frank, I wouldn't hide anything from him.

The worst that can happen is a falling out.

Could he really attack me in broad daylight? I have soldiers at my disposal, so I'm not afraid of anyone doing anything wrong.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jifu not only did not blame him, but comforted him: "Maybe I was too serious and scared you. There are some things you are not qualified to participate in. I summoned you here to comfort you, but it seems that I miscalculated."

Zhang Jifu apologized instead.

This routine is so complicated that if it were someone else, he would have to slap himself twice if he didn't kneel down and submit wholeheartedly. It was only him, and Wang Xin had to submit.

Zhang Jifu finally looked at Wang Xin in surprise, but quickly regained his composure. He had finished speaking and the next step was to see the guest off.

The housekeeper personally escorted Wang Xin and his group out.

Zhang Jifu looked at Wang Xin's back and couldn't help but sigh.

This person is indeed good.

Content with the status quo, calm and reliable, good at leading troops and able to win battles, how could such a perfect subordinate end up in the hands of the Four Great Masters? Zhang Jifu showed an admiring look.

The person you have set your eyes on cannot escape from your grasp.

Next.

It’s time for me to join the cabinet.

I can't support myself by relying on Yingtian Camp alone, I need to control more generals. I originally had my eyes on this man, and now I admire him very much. If this boy can join me, many things will be much more stable.

As for Admiral Zhu Wei.

This man has great ambitions and can be cooperated with, but Zhang Jifu shook his head when expecting him to sincerely join the cabinet. He said that he must have a reliable army, and only the ones he trained himself would be reliable.

In order to stabilize the soldiers of Yingtian Camp and prevent them from continuing to escape, he thought of many ways, even letting the army do business. Jinling is so wealthy that there are plenty of business opportunities.

The soldiers stopped fleeing and instead focused on doing business, relying on their status as soldiers to bully others and dominate the market.

It’s so hard to do things.

Zhang Jifu sighed.

I heard that this guy also let the army do business in the capital. How did he maintain the morale of the soldiers?

It turns out that everyone has their own abilities.

Thinking of Yingtian Camp, Zhang Jifu's face turned ugly. This was a failure he had to admit, and failure itself was painful.

Yingtian Prefecture is the capital of the southeast.

Lian the prefect was one level higher than prefects in other places.

Therefore, there are many armies, but most of them are not worthy of their name. Only one Yingtian Battalion can be considered to have a large number of soldiers.

The Beijing camp returned to Yingtian, and together with the Yingtian camp, there were still tens of thousands of troops. They won another great victory and obtained some spoils. Soldiers could be seen everywhere in the city.

The storyteller in the teahouse told the story of Wang Jiajun.

The story was written by a county magistrate.

The Wang family army killed the enemy in the battlefield and pacified the people after retreating from the battlefield, and helped the people of Xianju rebuild their homes. The storyteller was very excited about the story, and the people drinking tea in the teahouse also loved to listen. However, a table of soldiers shouted from time to time, which made the storyteller unable to continue.

The tea shop owner saw that something was wrong and had no choice but to step forward to dissuade them.

"Gentlemen, please keep your voice down. I'm really sorry." The tea shop owner clasped his fists, forced a smile, and apologized while asking.

"Grandpa, why should I speak in a low voice?"

A military leader snorted coldly.

The tea shop owner was almost crying. He knew that today was not a good day, but he had to do business. One wave of customers came today, and another wave came tomorrow. His tea shop might not be able to open. If customers stopped coming once, they might not come again in the future.

To make ends meet for his family, the tea shop owner begged for mercy: "We are telling the story of Wang's army and praising the army. Soldiers, please be gentle and let me have some tea for free today."

The military leader smiled.

Seeing people laugh, the tea shop owner breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to speak, the military leader stood up, grabbed the tea shop owner by the collar, and cursed: "It's okay to cheer for the soldiers, but it's not okay to cheer for the Wang family army. I'm going to hit you, you blind bastard!"

"Brothers, smash it for me!"

The military leader knocked the tea shop owner to the ground with one punch, but he was still not satisfied and wanted to smash the tea shop. The seven or eight soldiers didn't care about anything and just wanted to show off their power.

"stop!"

A table in the corner.

Qi Shannian and two of his comrades stood up and shouted to stop them. Unlike the soldiers at the table who were wearing military uniforms, the three of them were wearing casual clothes. This was the rule in the camp.

"Who are you?"

The military leader glanced sideways and asked sarcastically.

"We are all comrades, please give me some respect and let's forget about what happened today."

"Which battalion are you from?"

Qi Shannian hesitated for a moment.

"Boss, they are from the Wang Camp." A man behind the military leader noticed it shrewdly and stepped forward to speak.

The military leader looked at the other party and sneered when he saw that there were only three of them.

"Keep smashing it!"

Qi Shannian was furious.

There is no doubt about this person. He came for Wang's army. Anyone who dares to say good things about Wang's army will be beaten. Since he has encountered them, it doesn't matter even if he has fewer people on his side.

Qi Shannian stepped forward to stop him.

"Okay, you dare to hit people. You were the first to start." The military leader deliberately waited for Qi Shannian to come forward. Before Qi Shannian got close, he put on his hat and walked over, calling on his brothers to take action.

Qi Shannian was anxious and angry.

He was anxious because he had violated military regulations by fighting outside, and he was angry because this person was slandering him.

Qi Shannian was beaten, and his comrades behind him were furious. Qi Shannian wanted to settle the matter peacefully, but the other party refused to give in and became more and more aggressive. Qi Shannian could no longer tolerate it.

Although his number was less than half of the enemy's, Qi Shannian was very ruthless, and the other two comrades also hugged each other tightly and advanced and retreated together.

At the beginning, the three of them were beaten more and rarely fought back. Later, they chased the opponents who had more people and beat them up. Not only did they beat them away, but they also beat them until they were bleeding and in a miserable state.

"You guys make the first move, wait for me."

The military leader covered his head and ran away, not forgetting to threaten before running away.

"it is good!"

"Good job!"

The people in the tea shop cheered, as they finally saw it with their own eyes today.

"How to do?"

"Go back. What else can you do? I'm afraid there will be more trouble. Tell the truth when you get back."

Qi Shannian smiled bitterly.

He didn't mean to cause trouble, and he didn't know what the general would think.

Mainly worried about military regulations.

There is a strict order not to fight outside. Military regulations do not allow soldiers to wear military uniforms outside. This means that soldiers are not allowed to break the law and discipline outside by relying on the name of Wang's Army. Although they are not wearing military uniforms today, everyone knows that they are Wang's Army.

As a school officer, Qi Shannian knew the meaning behind the military regulations, and his crime was even more serious.

(End of this chapter)