The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 201 The Power of Young People
After Wang Xin followed the eunuch into the palace, Shi Ping and others arrived with their horses. Several young soldiers in military uniforms squatted at the corner of the wall outside the Great Zhou Gate, next to several fine horses from beyond the Great Wall, attracting the attention of many people.

However, judging from the boys' attire, although they were just ordinary soldiers, they must have a master, especially since they were under the emperor's nose and no one would be so ignorant.

Outside the Great Zhou Gate was an open space, near the outer street, with some small vendors, tea shops and food stalls, etc. Many people entering and leaving the palace would drink tea and eat here.

There were many people like Shi Ping and his companions, but even more were sedan chair carriers and family members accompanying them.

"General."

Upon seeing Wang Xin emerge from the palace gate, Shi Ping and the others quickly stood up and waved. Shi Ping, fearing that Wang Xin might not have seen them, took the initiative to run over. Wang Xin had already seen them and greeted them with a smile.

"General, are you alright?" Shi Ping asked with concern.

"It's alright. We'll go to Hexi Camp and send someone back to the Jia Mansion to inform them."

Wang Xin followed Shi Ping to the boys' side. The boy guard named Shi Tou had already handed over the reins to Wang Xin's horse. Actually, none of their horses were the best.

They were simply stronger and better cared for, far superior to inferior horses; the best horses served as warhorses.

The group followed the general and happily returned to the Hexi Camp, as they had not known when someone from the palace would arrive, and had not been back to the Hexi Camp for so long since returning to the capital.

The Hexi Camp was located in Tongzhou, which was more than 40 li away from the Great Zhou Imperial Palace. To save horses, it took them one or two hours to reach Tongzhou.

They did not go to Tongzhou City. The Hexi Camp belonged to the right wing of the Eastern Army. The right wing was west of Tongzhou City, and the Hexi Camp was at the westernmost end of the canal. Wang Xin did not plan to go and see the Eastern Army. He was a controversial figure recently. The fact that there was no news from Zhu Wei and his son meant that they did not want to get involved in trouble.

So although I've met many big shots, because I haven't completely aligned myself with them, while these big shots treat me well, most of them remain neutral when something really happens.

Wang Xin did not feel disheartened; this was the normal course of action.

Many people expect their friends to go to great lengths for them to be considered true friends, but this is setting the bar too high, which often leads to disappointment.

Since he didn't intend to go to the Eastern Army's headquarters or enter Tongzhou City, Wang Xin kept a low profile all the way until there were more and more vendors on both sides of the road. Although he had only been away for a few months, the market outside Hexi Camp had changed a lot.

Previously, the river was bustling with boats, mostly cargo ships passing through or docked at the wharf outside Tongzhou, where laborers carried grain. Now, there are many more merchants outside Hexiying.

Coming from all corners of the country, they brought all kinds of goods and carried them all over the country, like a dense stream of water. The faster and more stable the flow, the greater the vitality it brought.

Just like the Yangtze River, when the south was developed, it quickly became the economic center because of the Yangtze River.

Although Tongzhou cannot compare with the geographical advantages of Jiangnan, it is, after all, the "terminus" of the Grand Canal, with the capital city behind it. Its unique advantages are unmatched by other places.

This is what I truly value, Wang Xin remarked.

The familiar faces are all gone, replaced by many new ones. That's business. Business competition is efficient and brutal. In terms of elimination, the marketplace is indeed like a battlefield.

The barracks in Hexi Camp remain the same as before. Although the main force has left, the elderly and weak who remain still strictly abide by military regulations, maintaining the cleanliness and order of the camp, clearly distinct from the area that has been rented out as warehouses.

"General." Upon receiving the news, Liu Tong led Zheng Hao and the others to the training ground.

Wang Xin remained silent, leading the group on a tour of the camp. He didn't find any faults, but rather expressed his attitude and gave his subordinates his approval, which was his main purpose.

"Disband," Wang Xin waved his hand.

The young guards behind him, especially Shi Ping, went to find Old Man Shi in high spirits. Old Man Shi in the group looked even older, and he had a wine gourd hanging from his waist.

For veterans over thirty, many military regulations in the barracks begin to loosen. For example, by the time they reach fifty, they are essentially retired and can do many things, but only in private, such as drinking.

According to Wang Xin's idea, there should be no officers or soldiers over fifty years old in the military camp. However, due to historical reasons, the predecessor of the Hexi Camp was mostly old and weak, so it was not appropriate to be inhumane.

Old Shi was really old. After seeing Shi Ping, he stopped scolding him and smiled like a child trying to curry favor with an adult, afraid that Shi Ping would ignore him.

Having seen much of the world and learned many skills from Wang Xin, Shi Ping felt only sadness upon seeing the old lady. He was no longer the mischievous man he once was and became very filial, helping the old man back home.

"Dad, what do you want to eat? I'll go buy it for you," Shi Ping asked.

"I want to eat roast chicken." Old Shi smacked his lips and added, "We don't have enough wine either."

Having eaten and drunk well, Shi Ping didn't feel bad about spending his military pay at all, and said with a big smile, "Okay, I'll buy it all for Dad later."

Old Shi chuckled, then asked in a trembling voice, "Why hasn't Xiao Qizi come back?"

“Uncle Qi is at Yanmen Pass,” Shi Ping said.

Old Shi was unhappy and cursed, "You heartless bastard, you don't even know to come back to see your old man."

Shi Ping hurriedly explained, but the old man didn't care and was too lazy to listen. He knew he wouldn't live much longer, and even though he knew Qi Shannian wouldn't come back, he still had to curse him in his heart to feel better. Moreover, he didn't ask Shi Ping to go find Qi Shannian and ask him to come back to see him.

The general has returned, along with his young bodyguards, and the old men of the Hexi Camp are bustling with excitement.

The boys prepared a hearty lunch by themselves, and although they couldn't drink alcohol, they didn't develop a drinking habit. Instead, they were skilled and even better than the adults, which earned the secret praise of the elderly people who stayed behind in the camp.

Those boys who used to catch lice to eat under the sun have all become successful.

Liu Tong didn't stay in the Hexi Camp for long, and Zheng Hao was even newer. Putting aside Liu Tong, the atmosphere in the Hexi Camp was not much different from that in the Yangzhou Camp back then, as if they had returned to their own home.

Zheng Hao didn't stay at Yanmen Pass for more than a few days. He only followed Wang Xin outside the pass for a month or two before being sent to the capital. Ironically, he was the most shocked by this experience.

He had never experienced this kind of atmosphere in a military camp before, nor did he know that the army could be like this. He felt a mix of emotions, and he vaguely understood why the general was so capable. How could one achieve such a feat? Zheng Hao stared blankly at the general's retreating figure, lost in thought on the drill ground.

Liu Tong was very familiar with this look. Three years ago, he heard about an army that dared to fight against the Japanese pirates. Although it was a militia, he still rushed to join. After successfully entering the camp, he also got this look.

Liu Tong couldn't help but pat Zheng Hao on the shoulder and remind him, "Don't think about it anymore."

"What do you mean, 'don't even think about it'?"

"What you're thinking is useless. Others can't learn it. Learning just a little bit is enough for you," Liu Tong kindly reminded him.

Zheng Hao was furious.

He felt that Liu Tong had underestimated him.

Liu Tong shrugged and left indifferently. That's how young people are. Once they've suffered enough, they'll accept it. Didn't he go through the same thing? He was actually looking forward to that day, to see how Zheng Hao would feel. He would definitely mock him to death.

He left with a smile. Zheng Hao couldn't understand what the man was laughing about; he was utterly unreasonable and had no ambition whatsoever.

Such a great skill should definitely be learned and mastered.

There wasn't much to do at the Hexi Camp, since none of the people were there. Wang Xin mainly came to check out the market outside the camp, but unfortunately, none of his own people were there. Although he wouldn't manage it, and many people didn't want him to get involved, having an accountant would still be helpful.

However, we can't bring it up directly. We have to wait for a suitable opportunity. Otherwise, wouldn't it be blatantly telling Lu Zhongheng and the Xue family that we don't trust their accounts?
Not that that's the case.

The main reason was that I wanted to learn more about the scale and situation of the Hexi market so that I could combine this information with the actual situation in Datong and make adjustments accordingly when I returned to Yanmen Pass.

Having already met with the Emperor Emeritus today, and with his return to Datong imminent, Wang Xin did not believe the court would refuse his return.
-
Rongguo Mansion.

living room.

Jia Zheng rushed back to his mansion from the yamen early in the morning, waiting specifically for Wang Xin. However, he received news that Wang Xin had gone to Hexi Camp in Tongzhou. Although he was somewhat unhappy, he could understand.

After returning from the capital, I received news that Wang Xin hadn't left the estate at all. If it were me, I would have gone to check on the Hexi camp too.

I'm still getting used to it.

How long has it been? That young military officer who was so humble in front of me back then is now no less powerful than me in terms of status, but he is far inferior to me in terms of reputation and prestige.

But this man is young, a guerrilla general in his twenties with numerous merits, and he could be promoted again at any time. Moreover, his reputation is rising rapidly. Not only the Ministry of War, but even the Censorate is starting to recognize him.

But thinking about tomorrow, Jia Zheng was a little worried.

News of Wang Xin's meeting with the Emperor Emeritus spread quickly, and people from the Wang family also came to invite him and Wang Xin to the Jia residence the next day. It seemed that they would have to discuss things in person, otherwise there would be no room for negotiation.

Wang Ziteng lost his patience, and Wang Xin was also assertive. Both of them were surnamed Wang, were they going to fight each other like two tigers?

Wang Xin isn't qualified, is he?

"Master, Master Xin is back and has arrived at the door."

The butler came in from outside to announce the news.

Jia Zheng got up to greet him personally. Wang Xin returned from the Hexi Camp and, upon learning that Jia Zheng was waiting for him, followed the steward to the living room.

Jia Zheng knew that the old lady had met Wang Xin. She thought Wang Xin was a good person, and since they were not outsiders and shared the same interests, she didn't stand on ceremony and eagerly asked, "How did it go?"

Wang Xin thought for a moment and replied, "It should be fine."

Jia Zheng and Wang Xin entered the hall together and sat down. Upon hearing Wang Xin's answer, Jia Zheng was not satisfied and pressed further, "What did the Emperor Emeritus say?"

Wang Xin did not hide anything and told Jia Zheng everything.

Jia Zheng was speechless this time, showing no sign of anything amiss. Wang Xin, on the other hand, thought there should be no problem. He was more confident than Jia Zheng, and half of the worries in his heart were relieved. Jia Zheng then informed Wang Ziteng about the matter.

Wang Xin nodded.

The matter with Wang Ziteng is unavoidable; it's time to face it head-on.

Seeing Wang Xin's expression, Jia Zheng became very curious and couldn't help but ask, "Are you confident you can persuade Prince Teng?"

Wang Xin smiled and said, "No."

Jia Zheng was puzzled and guessed, "Are you going to agree to his request?"

Wang Xin shook his head.

Jia Zheng was even more puzzled and said with a wry smile, "Seeing how nonchalant you are, I thought you had some idea."

Wang Xin didn't hide anything and took the initiative to explain: "How can I promise something I can't do? Whether he understands or not, what do I have to doubt?"

Seeing Wang Xin's confidence, Jia Zheng knew he couldn't do it himself and could only say that young people are fearless. "Oh well," Jia Zheng sighed inwardly, "it's not like I'm facing Prince Teng; why should I worry about it?"

(End of this chapter)