The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 184 Encounter with Feng Yong
Xiamizhuang and Nanmizhuang blocked the road from Huairen County to Datong, which was the main transportation route between Datong and Taiyuan. However, Wang Xin did not stop civilian activities, including soldiers from Datong City going out of the city to cut firewood.

Of the seven necessities of life—firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—firewood comes first. The area around Datong is barren, requiring people to travel to distant mountainous regions to cut timber.

The city of Datong was unaffected, but the crucial point was indeed in Wang Xin's hands.

Zhai Wen rode in a sedan chair, carried by four porters in turns, all the way to Xiami Village. Unlike the porters' worries, Zhai Wen's expression was calm. He understood the discipline of this army and was therefore at ease.

After meeting the soldiers at Yanmen Pass and introducing himself, a school officer soon arrived and led Zhai Wen to Xiami Village.

Upon seeing Wang Xin, Zhai Wen cupped his hands in greeting and asked with a smile, "General, are you planning to stay here indefinitely?" He wondered if it was just his imagination, but it seemed like there were more cavalrymen in the army.

"Did Feng Yong send you?" Wang Xin wanted to know Zhai Wen's purpose this time.

When Zhai Wen heard Wang Xin's question, he sighed inwardly. The young man in front of him was only twenty-four or even less than twenty-five, yet he was so experienced and got straight to the point. It was really frustrating.

At his age, all he could do was write articles.

Zhai Wen shook his head: "I came here on the orders of the Imperial Censor." Seeing Wang Xin's calm expression, Zhai Wen asked curiously, "Isn't the General surprised?"

“Imperial Censor Zhang has a considerable reputation in Datong. He is someone that Feng Yong is wary of, so he must be no ordinary person. Since he is no ordinary person, he will not miss the opportunity.” Wang Xin had analyzed this person and said truthfully, “I just don’t know what Imperial Censor Zhang is thinking.”

Although I didn't deal directly with Feng Yong, I had exchanged blows with him several times, so I understood his personality and style. After figuring out his background, I could easily judge his purpose.

As for Zhang Wenjin, Wang Xin knew of him but had never dealt with him, so he couldn't make a judgment easily.

"The general decides what Imperial Censor Zhang thinks." Zhai Wen did not hide anything and took the initiative to say, "I have already reported to Imperial Censor Zhang and truthfully reported the matter outside the pass, and Imperial Censor Zhang has no objection."

Therefore, Imperial Censor Zhang is currently a friend rather than an enemy to him. Wang Xin understood Zhai Wen's meaning and then said, "The court's decision should arrive in Datong in a few days. I will naturally obey the court. As for the current situation, it is partly due to Feng Yong's order and partly to avoid more chaos."

They got straight to the point, and the two of them immediately understood the current situation.

Feng Yong wanted to be the local emperor of Datong, but it was unlikely that he harbored any rebellious intentions. Whether he had considered it or not, it was difficult to do so at present. The Great Zhou Dynasty had been established for a hundred years and was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It was not possible for the soldiers to blindly follow Feng Yong simply by raising the flag of rebellion.

Even the wealthy families of Datong would not support Feng Yong's rebellion. If Feng Yong rebelled, the wealthy families of Datong would immediately abandon him.

They supported Feng Yong for their own benefit, but supporting Feng Yong's rebellion did not align with their own interests.

That's why the imperial examination system was bound to become widespread, because there were indeed very few successful candidates who rebelled. This is the inevitable trend of using civil officials to control the military. As long as there is a ruler, he will inevitably use civil officials to control the military.

However, Datong is indeed becoming warlordized, and if it is not controlled, the future is uncertain.

Including Imperial Censor Zhang and Zhai Wen, they are civil officials, the upright officials of the court. How could they possibly be affiliated with Feng Yong? At least not in the current situation. Therefore, these civil officials can cooperate, unless one wants to replace Feng Yong, in which case one will be hostile to these civil officials and adopt the same attitude as Feng Yong in suppressing them.

It's either the East Wind prevails over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevails over the East Wind; the logic is very simple.

So, Zhai Wen's previous statement indicated that his attitude determined Zhang Yushi's attitude. They wanted to know what his purpose was in occupying Xiamizhuang and Nanmizhuang, and to what extent he intended to achieve it.

My answer was just right; I should listen to the court. This should be the answer they are most satisfied with.

Before leaving, Zhai Wen glanced at Wang Xin one last time.

This young man is not even twenty-five years old, yet he has already become a guerrilla general who has caught the eye of the imperial court. With this achievement, his future prospects are promising. He is simply too young.

If this person is older, it's not impossible for him to replace Feng Yong in his position.

Now, a military governor who is not even twenty-five years old—what does that mean? What will happen when he's thirty? What will happen when he's fifty? This is forcing him to grow too fast, which is detrimental to both the court and the man himself.

And this person is so sensible. Although he walks a little slower, he walks more steadily. Zhai Wen believes that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is not impossible for this person to be promoted to Jiedushi before the age of forty.

It's absolutely impossible now, and I believe the imperial court wouldn't allow it either.

The sedan chair bearers were soldiers from Datong. They carried the sedan chair all the way, and the sedan chair made a creaking sound. After traveling a long distance, the sedan chair bearers were replaced and they continued on their way. Zhai Wen sat in the sedan chair with his eyes closed, resting.

Because the Ming dynasty's garrison system had caused widespread resentment among the soldiers, the Great Zhou dynasty abolished the garrison system and implemented the battalion system in order to win over the army.

The cost of the battalion system was too high, and the Great Zhou could not afford the expenses of the nine border regions. Therefore, the system combined battalion soldiers, militia, and village soldiers. In military towns, there were battalion soldiers, and in local areas, there were militia and village soldiers. In addition to corvée labor, the people also had to take turns serving in the military.

However, as time goes by, no matter what kind of soldier they are, they will still inevitably be ordered around.

In the past, soldiers served generals; later, officers also enslaved soldiers; and still later, soldiers were treated as exchangeable resources, either actively or passively sent to the government and officials for their use.

Just like when officials travel, they mostly enslave the soldiers.

Originally it was military service, but military service has become corvée labor, and the same goes for corvée labor. In the past, corvée labor was required by the government, such as building bridges and paving roads, but now it has become the same, a complete mess.

The city of Datong was in chaos for two days, but calm returned to normal on the third day, and the soldiers and civilians went about their business as usual.

Zhai Wen's sedan chair entered the city and soon met Zhang Wenjin. Upon hearing Wang Xin's reply, Zhang Wenjin smiled. "What are your plans, sir?" Zhai Wen couldn't help but ask.

This time, Zhang Wenjin didn't hide anything and revealed, "Fat Feng definitely can't stay in Datong. I asked him in public before to test him, and his reaction showed that he wasn't determined to act recklessly. In that case, going back to the capital is his best option."

Zhai Wen suddenly realized why Imperial Censor Zhang had acted so suddenly that day; Imperial Censor Zhang was not the type to easily offend people.

"What will happen to Datong if Feng Yong leaves? Will it be handed over to Wang Xin?" Zhai Wen asked incredulously.

Hearing Zhai Wentian's naive statement, Zhang Wenjin was both amused and exasperated, and said with a smile, "As for Wang Xin, I plan to have him return to the capital as well to prove his innocence."

"Huh? Why?" Zhai Wen was even more surprised.

"It's a good thing for him, it just depends on how he views it." Zhang Wenjin said no more.

If Wang Xin was truly a loyal and capable minister, then his obedient return to the capital to report on his duties and speak frankly to the court not only brought the truth to light but also demonstrated his loyalty.

As for whether he should return to Yanmen Pass, or how he should be rewarded, that's naturally up to the imperial court to decide, and it will benefit him in the future.
If he is ambitious, he will certainly be unwilling to obey my orders to return to the capital, and may even harbor resentment.

Therefore, if this person is a true loyal minister, he will appreciate it, because by doing so, he will make the court recognize his loyalty even more. But if he is a false loyal minister, he will be dissatisfied.

Zhai Wen hesitated. After all, a military officer is a military officer, and Imperial Censor Zhang's arrangement was asking too much.

A few days passed.

The people sent by the imperial court arrived. Besides a eunuch, there were several officials who announced to the public that Feng Yong was returning to the capital to report on his duties, and that Zhang Wenjin, the Grand Censor of Datong, would be in full charge of the affairs of Datong and would serve as the governor of Datong.

Zhang Wenjin became the rightful governor, the biggest winner this time, and looked at Feng Yong with concern, wondering about Feng Yong's attitude.

Feng Yong appeared to have aged ten years. Under the gaze of the generals, he hesitated for a moment before finally kowtowing to accept the imperial decree.

Many people showed regret, some showed dissatisfaction, and many more breathed a sigh of relief.

Datong underwent a dramatic change. From nobles to military officers, and from military officers to civil officials, it officially achieved the principle of "civilian control over military affairs," becoming the second border town in the Nine Garrisons to do so.

Generals from all over the country came to Datong to pay their respects to Zhang Wenjin, including General Hu Liyong from Gaoshan.

Wang Xin received Zhang Wenjin's order, which did not require him to go to Datong, thus leaving him some leeway. However, it required Wang Xin to return to the capital to report on his duties, and Yanmen Pass would be temporarily managed by Zhao Yong.

A series of moves, dazzling the eye.

Wang Xin led his army back to Yanmen Pass and received Zhang Wenjin's order. Zhai Wen specially came to persuade him, fearing that Wang Xin would be dissatisfied. To his surprise, Wang Xin readily agreed.

Wang Xin didn't really care whether the army was in his own hands or in the hands of his subordinates. If he didn't have that much confidence, he wouldn't have done it this way.

Regardless of Zhang Wenjin's thoughts, this move did not harm him; on the contrary, it was beneficial to him.

He was indeed too young, and the imperial court would never allow him to replace Feng Yong.

But his subordinates could be promoted. If Zhao Yong replaced him, Zhao Yong would rise in rank, and other generals would follow suit. As for himself, the court couldn't demote him. Even if he wasn't promoted, he would still be a guerrilla general.

Moreover, the imperial court sent me to Datong to assist Datong in defending against the Yehu tribe, so there is no reason for them to transfer me away. The most likely reason is that my affair with Feng Yong has become too big, and regardless of who is right or wrong, I should return to the capital first to show my loyalty.

Whether the Emperor Emeritus will return to Yanmen Pass or make other arrangements depends on his own thoughts.

Given the Emperor Emeritus's intelligence, if he wanted the horse to run, he couldn't stop it from eating grass. His continuous rise in rank after leaving Yangzhou is clear proof of this; otherwise, he wouldn't have obediently followed the court's orders.

Having figured all this out, I knew I should return to the capital as soon as possible.

The faster he returned, the more satisfied the court would be, and the more advantageous it would be for his own arrangements. At the same time, he could also convey his goodwill to Zhang Wenjin. A new official always makes a strong impression, and he would obey Zhang Wenjin's arrangements immediately.

Without hesitation, Wang Xin left Yanmen Pass the next day.

The news reached Datong so quickly that Zhang Wenjin was stunned. "This man is indeed a loyal and capable general!" he exclaimed, and Zhang Wenjin had a very good impression of Wang Xin.

However, Wang Xin was walking too fast and actually caught up with Feng Yong's carriage.

Feng Yong's personal guards glared fiercely at Wang Xin, ready to charge forward and fight at the first command of their commander. Shi Ping and his men stood in front of their general without yielding an inch.

These young men trained rigorously in the sweltering summer and freezing winter, receiving personal instruction from the former head instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, and also from Liu Tong, the foremost martial monk of Shaolin, who imparted all his knowledge. They were all screaming with excitement as they were being trained.

At the prime of their lives, how could they be afraid of Feng Yong's personal guards? On the contrary, they were eager to try their skills, like little wolf cubs.

Feng Yong carefully examined Wang Xin opposite him; he was so young that it made him envious.

(End of this chapter)