The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 122 Arrange the People Around You

Xue Baoqin did not return to Daoxiang Village, but instead followed her to Tuobi Villa. Wang Xin did not lecture her, but simply sent someone to tell Li Wan, "If my sister-in-law doesn't agree, I can't keep you."

"Although my sister-in-law is a stickler for rules, she won't offend anyone. My eldest brother has sent someone to talk to her, and she will definitely not say anything." Xue Baoqin is a smart and clever girl.

"Even if you don't say it, you're still saying it in your heart." Wang Xin said with a smile, "Otherwise, you'd better go back."

"I don't care. I can do whatever I want as long as it doesn't bother anyone else. Unless Big Brother is tired of me, or he's like those old masters outside, then I won't come."

Xue Baoqin tilted her head, looking serious.

Wang Xin shook his head. Xue Baoqin was a very smart girl. How could she not know her own temper?

It is indeed inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room, but in addition to Qingwen, there are many other maids and servants in Tuobi Villa, more people than last time, so there is no need to be so particular during the day.

Isn’t Jia Baoyu also in the garden? It’s just that Jia Baoyu is a relative and often visits Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu.

This is nothing.

But I am different. Although I am considered their own child, there is an extra layer of relationship. If it were someone who didn't care, I wouldn't care either. But if it were someone who cared, I would also avoid it.

Just like this Tuobi Villa, in a corner of the Grand View Garden, since the Jia family arranged for me to stay here temporarily, I also abide by the rules and do not go inside except to the vicinity of the villa.

In fact, I can’t go even if I want to.

According to the rules, there are maids guarding each gate of each garden.

As for whether the old women followed the rules, or got drunk and fell asleep, or went out to gamble and have fun, that is another matter.

If he were at the Lin Mansion, he could still see Lin Daiyu, but in this Jia Mansion, because the rules of the Jia Mansion are different, it would be difficult for him to see her. And Xue Baoqin is different. Her father and brothers are both here, and she has her own rules.

It's rare that she is happy, so just let her be. There's no need to spoil her fun.

Seeing that Wang Xin stopped talking, Xue Baoqin showed a look of victory.

The villa is located high on the mountain ridge. On the rocks more than ten meters high stands an open hall painted with oil and surrounded by vermilion lacquered carved beauty chairs.

Passing by Jiayin Hall, the residence at the foot of the mountain.

Wang Xinxin thought that Xue Baoqin was a girl after all, and she could still have a few more years of happy life. He didn't know whether her future husband would still be able to indulge her, so he took her to the mountains to see the scenery.

As long as it does not get in the way, it is better to help others than to torture them.

Wang Xin has always been like this.

Like openness.

What Xue Baoqin liked most was Wang Xin's character. She went up the mountain happily, chatting all the way, which made Wang Xin worried. He was afraid that Xue Baoqin would trip without paying attention to the road, and that she would be ten times more tired than usual when she went up the mountain.

Soon they arrived at the open hall. Xue Baoqin looked out into the distance and took in the entire garden.

In the near distance, ancient pines are winding with twisted branches, osmanthus trees are emitting a faint fragrance, and green grass covers the mountain path, which contrasts beautifully with the pavilions and towers with black tiles and white walls in the distance. The mountain breeze blows past, and the rustling leaves are mixed with the crisp fragrance.

Xue Baoqin clasped her hands against her chest, wearing a jadeite smoke silk cloud skirt, and a moon satin cloak embroidered with magnolia and flying butterflies, with delicate gold butterflies embroidered on the cuffs.

The little girl likes butterflies.

I remember seeing her in Yangzhou wearing a cape made of fine gauze and gold brocade, with butterflies embroidered on the cuffs.

She really looked like a butterfly, as if she was about to fly out at the next moment. Wang Xin was frightened, afraid that the little girl would fall, so he quickly took two steps forward, ready to reach out at any time.

Hearing the footsteps, Xue Baoqin took a deep breath, suddenly opened her eyes, turned around and saw Wang Xin standing close to her. She didn't know what she was thinking, but her face turned red and she became unnatural. She couldn't help but lower her head.

"When you're done, step back," Wang Xin instructed. "I'm not forbidding you to look, and I'm not restricting you. Everyone enjoys looking at beautiful scenery, but please pay attention to your step."

"understood."

Xue Baoqin regained her composure, raised her head and spoke crisply.

You're being good today.

So he thought of asking Xue Baoqin to step in with something. He originally wanted to ask Qingwen, but Wang Xin had some concerns.

"Little girl." Wang Xin called out.

Xue Baoqin rolled her eyes. She hated it most when Wang Xin called her a maid, as if she really was a little girl. But she still asked obediently, "Why?"

"Do me a favor."

"Okay."

Xue Baoqin's eyes curved with smile and she agreed readily.

Wang Xin also breathed a sigh of relief.

He planned to personally deliver Lin Ruhai's letter to Lin Daiyu.

Because Lin Ruhai had helped him a lot, he had to tell Lin Daiyu no matter what.

I could have pretended not to know.

But this is not how I am.

Since you appreciate someone's kindness and want to repay them, you must be sincere and not try to be cunning.

When they met, he told Lin Daiyu that he was her uncle and that she did not need to be lonely. Whether she was with a woman or a girl, she needed a sense of security, and he gave Lin Daiyu a sense of security.

If I say I am her uncle, then I must be a good elder.

According to the rules, Qingwen is her own person. Of course, she does not treat her as a servant, but she has no control over what the people in the Jia family think. So Qingwen came forward to explain, as if it was her own request, and asked Xue Baoqin to come forward. Then whether she meets her or not depends entirely on Lin Daiyu's thoughts.

What if Lin Daiyu is concerned about the rules of the Jia family?

Not all girls can be like Xue Baoqin. In this case, you should be more careful when doing things.

Just like Qingwen back then. If the Jia family wanted to give Qingwen to me, I should have given her enough room to choose, instead of just saying it in vain. In fact, given Qingwen's situation, there was no room for her to choose.

After much thought, he felt that he had considered everything carefully, so he said, "Go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion and find Daiyu later. Tell her that I have a letter from her father and ask her if she can come to the villa."

Xue Baoqin was stunned at first, then asked curiously, "Since it's a letter, why don't you let me take it to her? Why bother her to make such a trip? Sister Lin has always been in poor health, so wouldn't that be bad?"

"I have a few words to tell her." Wang Xin was a little worried when he heard that Lin Daiyu was weak.

"What do you need to explain? You even know about Xiaoxiang Pavilion and called her by her name." Xue Baoqin pouted and said in one breath without giving Wang Xin a chance to explain.

"Her father asked her to worship me as her uncle before she returned to the Jia Mansion. Since I am the elder, of course I have to be more considerate. Xiaoxiang Pavilion is not a secret place. Everyone in the mansion knows about it, so why can't I know about it?"

Wang Xin was at a loss for words. He explained and then asked, "Just give me a clear answer. Can you help me? If not, I'll find someone else."

Xue Baoqin quickly smiled and said, "Big brother's business is my business. I will definitely help my brother if he dares to go through fire and water for me."

He imitated the tone of voice he saw at the dock, which was speechless and quite cute.

The two of them went down the mountain soon.

Wang Xin asked the maid to take Xue Baoqin to the garden.

In the room, Qingwen was collecting clothes. In addition to Wang Xin's official uniform, there were also several sets of casual clothes. The weather was getting warmer, and there were more clothes for the change of seasons. There were also various other things. Wang Xin didn't know that he had so many things to do.

"How much money do you have?"

Wang Xin asked.

Qingwen calculated and said with a smile, "In the past six months, Master has given me forty-two taels of silver from his salary. Do you want any of it?"

His annual salary was more than 140 taels, and he had little expenses. He either ate, drank, and lived in the camp or in the Jia Mansion. He had no social interactions. He had been in the Beijing camp for only two months when he went south to fight, and had only been back for two days.

Logically, there should be seventy taels. After deducting the miscellaneous amounts, there should be about fifty or sixty taels.

But officers cannot avoid being deducted from their wages.

Compared with soldiers, officers received less deductions. Not only were they embezzled by the ministries and the government, but they were also in arrears with the court. The deficit was really huge, and the Ministry of War had no choice but to ask for money from all sides.

"I receive a double salary. The court gives me one part, and I pay the difference myself. I should have about 20 or 30 taels. I have a business deal coming up. I haven't decided how much I'll get from this business yet, but it should be quite a lot."

The income from the houses rented out in Hexi Xiaoying belongs to Hexi Xiaoying.

This is male.

Business outside the camp belongs to the outside world. All the businesses, including the Xue family, Lawrence Lu, and myself, must have an agreement together. No one can ask for less, and no one can ask for more.

The original promise was to provide easier jobs for military families. As the business became more prosperous and more people became interested, the Xue family also wanted to get involved more and provide support.

Because there are too many soldiers to support.

Just like adopting a servant, it was all done out of necessity.

This is also public.

Also for the military.

It’s just that you raise it yourself, not the government. Public is public, private is private, and the accounts must be clear.

The military pay paid by the court is funded by the public, and the military pay paid by oneself is funded by oneself.

Just like in Yangzhou, Lin Ruhai gave more, while Wang's army received salaries from the court. The spoils of war were the spoils of war, and they were two different things.

So the local government stopped the resistance against the Japanese invaders and disbanded the Wang family army.

This is male.

Using Wang Jiajun's own public funds to open up wasteland on Yangzhong Island is private and has nothing to do with the court.

But.

I will not touch this money myself. If I do, no one can blame me. After all, this business is established because of me. But some things cannot be calculated in this way. I have high demands on the soldiers and suppress their desires.

The soldiers’ dream can only be to have mountains, rivers, some fields, a wife, children and a warm bed.

This is indeed the dream of ordinary people.

Then I have to do better and convince everyone, without any excuse.

Therefore, no matter whether it is the rent of the Hexi small camp or the profit of the Xue family, he will not use a single cent for personal use. He will only use it for the construction of his own army. Even he himself is like this, and no one below has the right to say anything else.

"I've inquired and found that a slightly better courtyard in the capital would cost about four hundred taels of silver. I only have seventy taels now, but the court's reward should be coming soon. With my status and military achievements, I should have a few hundred taels."

He won four battles in a row, but did not receive much reward. If the court did not promote him, he would have to pay him more.

This is also public.

The court gave him rewards, and he bought a yard and lived his own life. This is the public service of the court.

Qingwen was excited when she heard this, "Master, do you have a house you like?"

"I have my eye on a lot of houses, but I'm not sure if I can get them. Besides having enough money, you also need to choose the right time. There's no shortage of buyers for houses in the capital. Take your time to look around, and I'll let you pick one when the time comes."

When Qingwen heard this, she slowed down her work.

"You're still young, and since you've followed me now, I know you have no family to rely on, only unreliable relatives, so don't overthink it. No matter what the future holds, I will ensure your safety and give you a stable life."

There are some things you should say proactively.

Over the past six months, Qingwen has gotten to know the new environment pretty well and should have her own ideas.

(End of this chapter)