The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 183 Clarity
There are several villages about 20 li south of Datong City.

The terraces on the west side of Yankouquan River are arranged in a north-south line. The north one is Xiamizhuang and the south one is Nanmizhuang. The two villages are less than four miles apart. Since the names contain the word "village," it means that they were farmland owned by nobles and wealthy families, and were called "village land."

Wang Xin had already set his sights on these two places during his march yesterday. After ordering the retreat, he requisitioned the two estates.

The heads of the two manors dared not refuse, but vaguely revealed their backgrounds, hoping that the young general in front of them would be wary and not go too far.

Speaking of Xiamizhuang and Nanmizhuang, including the farmland in this area, they have quite a history. After learning about it, Wang Xin was deeply moved.

Xia Mizhuang and Nan Mizhuang were originally estates acquired by noble families during the Ming Dynasty. Later, after the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, they fell into the hands of the Shi family, one of the four founding kings and eight dukes.

Later, the Shi family was raided and exiled, and the entire family declined. The two estates eventually returned to their original owners.

That's why wealthy families are said to have a high ability to withstand risks. These two families banded together, exchanged goods with other wealthy families in the area, and with the help of their family traditions, they finally became rich again two or three decades ago.

The highest-ranking member of the family reached the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, while another member became a prefect. With their support of Feng Yong, they not only reclaimed their ancestral property but also expanded and strengthened their business, achieving even greater success.

The Jia family also owned estates, which were located in the Daheishan and Xiaoheishan mountains outside Liaodongbei Town.

The Jia family's ancestral home was Jinling, but their estates were granted to Liaodong, a distance of thousands of miles, which was also a precautionary measure. This had a similar effect to Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who relocated wealthy families from the south to the north.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's approach was significantly more effective; it was just that an unexpected event occurred in this timeline that led to the formation of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The Great Zhou Dynasty did not suppress the ruling class as well as the Great Ming Dynasty. It had only been a hundred years. Apart from the disasters of the Little Ice Age, it had deep internal contradictions. However, it was still a dynasty with a profound foundation.

As for the powerful families in this area, even if the Xia and Nan families are gone, there will be the Dong and Bei families; the powerful families can never be completely eliminated.

Just as the buying and selling of official positions was a sign of national ruin, it became commonplace during the Qianlong era, yet the country remained stable for two hundred years. Similarly, during the Jiajing era, when the capital was besieged and Japanese pirates were rampant, a million people in the provinces rose up in rebellion, yet the country still enjoyed over a hundred years of stability.

Therefore, although his plan to bring troops to Datong included overturning the table when facing Feng Yong, he actually preferred to act within the rules.

I'm definitely not a ruthless leader; I'm not tough enough.

When dealing with Japanese pirates and barbarians, he was decisive and ruthless, killing countless people for war crimes. However, when dealing with domestic issues, he was always hesitant and timid, unable to act in the same way he did with Japanese pirates and barbarians.

Was it good or bad? Wang Xin had no idea.

No wonder the old saying goes that a gentleman can be deceived by his principles.

But it doesn't matter. Unless absolutely necessary, let's take it one step at a time. First, let's handle the things around us and do the right things, such as reforming the army, resisting Japanese pirates in the southeast, developing Yangzhong Island, developing trade, introducing advanced firearms, eliminating bandits, suppressing the Hu tribes, and even today's internal troubles.

If I didn't have my own system, would I dare to do this?

The Hexi camp set up camp in two villages, forming a mutually supportive defensive formation. Everything went smoothly. Under the cover of night, Wang Xin looked at the quiet military camp and villages, reflecting on the current situation.

"General, it's windy."

Shi Ping ran back into the house, took out a cloak, and then ran back, saying urgently, "Put on another layer of clothing."

The young guards around him didn't act like teenagers. They lacked the curiosity typical of teenagers. Instead, they were meticulously vigilant, responsible for their own areas, and ready to resist the enemy at any time.

I put on a cloak, which rustled in the night wind, along with the surrounding flags.

Wang Xin shook his head. He was neither a great man nor a tyrant. He was just an ordinary person who longed for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and would never harm the world. He also demanded that his own interests be protected.

He will not bring harm to the world because he is a soldier, and protecting his country is his unchanging principle.

We also need to protect our own interests, because we are just ordinary people with our own selfish desires.

Just as wealthy families thrive and never perish, ordinary people resent them, yet many more aspire to become wealthy themselves, to rise above others, to achieve success, to return home in glory, and to be superior to others.

Therefore, many people in the court did not understand him. For example, when he was in the southeast, the court transferred him to the Beijing garrison and disbanded the Yangzhou garrison.

Because the imperial court had indeed promoted him, Lin Ruhai had also clearly arranged his future career, and the resettlement on Yangzhong Island and the salt commissioner's office completely secured his future.

So he went there himself, just as Zhang Jifu later prevented him from returning to the southeast and made him return to the Beijing garrison, because Zhang Jifu really wanted to give him an important position.

For example, now that I have been transferred to Yanmen Pass to guard against the Hu people entering the pass, I have an even greater responsibility to do so.

Even without the court's high regard or the Emperor Emeritus's attention, I would still come on orders, no matter what the benefits were.

Many people don't understand themselves because many are either ruthless heroes or cunning old foxes, while they are just ordinary people who want to do good deeds by relying on the system.

Living a peaceful and harmonious life is my ultimate dream.

I don't want to bully or step on people; otherwise, what's the difference between me and those idiots?
This is why I came to Datong. I didn't have to come, because I had already completed the task assigned to me by the imperial court, and all I had to do was wait for the showdown between the court and Feng Yong. But I still came, and I'm afraid many people will misunderstand me or not understand me.

In order to stabilize Datong as soon as possible, he would bear all the misunderstandings and anxieties. Thinking of this, Wang Xin looked at the distant, indistinct mountain shadows, which seemed to be crashing towards him like a huge wave.

Wang Xin felt a chill and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Humans are so contradictory. It's peaceful when you do nothing, but I always have to do things. I'm just an ordinary person, and I'm always soft-hearted. I wonder if I'll end up getting myself into trouble later."

Upon hearing the general's words, Shi Ping, with his keen ears, blurted out, "We will certainly not let the general suffer any setbacks."

"Boom."

"Ouch."

Shi Ping, who was usually so quiet that he wouldn't utter a sound even after being hit by a stick, clutched his head and cried out in pain after only being flicked with a finger. The young guards around him suppressed their laughter, secretly pleased to see their leader being disciplined by the general.

Wang Xin laughed and scolded, "I say, you've been talking a lot lately. Who gave you this idea?"

Shi Ping couldn't understand the general's sometimes strange words, and just looked aggrieved.

Datong.

Zhang Wenjin summoned Zhai Wen and asked, "Do you think Wang Xin wants to replace Feng Yong?"

Zhai Wen had been guessing along the way that it was about Wang Xin, and sure enough, it was. But the censor's question surprised Zhai Wen, and he couldn't help but ask, "Why do you say that, Your Excellency?"

"This person leaves no room for maneuver in his actions. Although he did suppress Feng Yong, with such effort, doesn't he have his own agenda?"

Zhang Wenjin didn't believe Wang Xin was a young man who acted on a whim, even though Wang Xin was indeed a young man.

Zhai Wen hesitated. Judging from Wang Xin's military coercion of Datong, it did seem that he wanted to show off to the court. Logically speaking, Wang Xin had already done enough.

During the day, Zhang Wenjin actually asked Feng Yong in public whether he was willing to return to the capital to report on his duties, conveying a very clear message.

If he were willing to give up his military power in Datong, the court would not only not blame him, but would even give him higher honors. As a civil official, and a member of the Qingliu faction, Zhai Wen also had his own mentors and classmates, so he was well-informed.

The retired emperor is trying to restore the Five Military Commissions of the previous dynasty, isn't that exactly what's intended for people like Feng Yong?

If Feng Yong hadn't suffered the consequences he has today, and was still as arrogant as before, he certainly wouldn't have agreed. Zhang Wenjin would also not have asked him so openly and without leaving any room for maneuver, to avoid being humiliated and losing face.

This approach precisely addressed the inner conflict within Feng Yong.

No matter how unwilling he was, he simply didn't have the power to refuse the court. Wang Xin alone had left him helpless. If the court were to grant Wang Xin more titles and power, Feng Yong would be no match for him.

But the imperial court had finally managed to suppress Feng Yong, so how could it possibly cultivate another "Feng Yong"?
Zhai Wen slowly speculated, "Although Wang Xin is young, he is a smart man. He should know the court's plans and understand the principle of moderation in all things. He often mentions the Doctrine of the Mean, so he shouldn't have such thoughts."

Zhai Wen seemed to highly regard this person, and Zhang Wenjin made her judgment.

Zhang Wenjin hoped to make Zhai Wen understand the upcoming situation and not make a mistake. He had high hopes for the young man in front of him, as he had a good relationship with his mentor and wanted Zhang Wenjin to keep an eye on him.

So he slowly opened his mouth and said, word by word, "He is currently only a guerrilla general, and he has only been promoted for a few months. The court is unlikely to promote him again. Even if he has made great contributions this time, he will at most be given the rank of assistant general. He will not be given the rank of general. Otherwise, his promotion speed is too frightening."

The position of Assistant Commander cannot replace that of Military Governor. Even if the court gets rid of Feng Yong, it will most likely send someone else. As the Censor of Datong, my job is to keep the situation under control.

Using civil officials to control the military is not only an opportunity for the imperial court, but also a policy that has been in place for decades.

Although the retired emperor had been quiet for some years due to the emperor's personal rule, the outcome of the battle has now been decided and many things have been rectified. From this point of view, Zhang Wenjin is very confused.

The retired emperor was indeed a wise ruler in many matters, which is truly admirable.

He resolved the Southeastern Japanese pirate problem with a single move, and now he's addressing the entrenched problem of Datong—all in less than two years. Zhang Wenjin has nothing but praise for his accurate personnel selection and swift action.

First there was Zhou Daofeng, then Zhang Jifu, and now this young general before us.

These talented individuals were selected by the retired emperor, who trusted those he employed and did not employ those he distrusted. Unfortunately, the retired emperor was too old and could not only plan for the present; he also needed to ensure the succession of talented successors.

Such coercion of the emperor is not the way to maintain stability. The emperor's title has been established for fifteen years, and the titles of ruler and subject have been set in stone. They must not be shaken.

Seeing that Zhai Wen's attitude was good, Zhang Wenjin made a request: "Go and see this person for me and ask him something."

Zhai Wen did not refuse. Imperial Censor Zhang was not only his superior, but also a friend of his mentor.

(End of this chapter)