The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 210 Divergence Two

It's windy today, and Tubishan Villa is unusually cool.

Wang Xin sat behind his desk, deep in thought. Feng Yong had already arrived in the capital, and the court's decision should be coming out soon. Since understanding Zhang Jifu and the others' ideas, Wang Xin was willing to accept them.

So it wasn't Zhang Jifu and the others who were worried, but rather when he could return to Datong. He hadn't adopted the household servant system, even though it was the same idea of ​​self-preservation, he was confident he could make money.

Everyone knows that doing business can make money, but more often than not, it results in losses. It's just that what people see are the successful businessmen, so many generals are just taking advantage of their power and don't actually have the ability to do business.

Since we can't increase revenue, we can only cut costs. The only way to exploit soldiers is to implement a system of retainers.

What general wouldn't want more men under his command? With a quota of three thousand men, who would want only a few hundred?

The few thousand troops in Datong are currently living off their savings. Although food doesn't cost much, the difference between armies is enormous. The army they built is like a money-devouring beast, consuming money at an alarming rate. It has already delayed them for almost a month. Think of all the things that could have been accomplished in a month!

"Master Xin, are you troubled by what happened the other day?"

Ping'er brought over a tea tray and tea. Seeing Wang Xin frowning, she asked him in a low voice with concern, while placing the tea tray on the empty table and handing the teacup to Wang Xin.

Wang Xin took the teacup, touched Ping'er's hand, felt its smoothness, and couldn't help but look at Ping'er, smiling, "Wang Ziteng can't bother me, don't worry unnecessarily."

Hearing that it wasn't about that, Ping'er breathed a sigh of relief. However, the gaze of Lord Xin across from her was unbridled. Remembering Lord Xin's audacity, Ping'er was a little scared and decided to leave to prevent Lord Xin from doing anything reckless.

Wang Xin smiled and took Ping'er's hand. Ping'er was caught off guard and fell into Wang Xin's arms, her face turning pale with fright.

"Master Xin." Ping'er lowered her head, exuding a charming and shy aura.

Ping'er was wearing a pink strapless top and a white gauze dress. Wang Xin lifted it up to reveal her fair, translucent skin, and her hair, which fell loosely over her shoulders and carried a faint fragrance.

Looking up, her fair and translucent face turned panicked, and her legs struggled beneath her skirt as she tried to stand up and escape, but no matter how hard she struggled, Wang Xin held her down with one hand.

"Master Xin, please don't do this. It's still daytime." Ping'er pleaded desperately, fearing that Wang Xin might do something reckless. "What if Qingwen accidentally barges in and sees us? How will I ever face anyone again?"

"Love between men and women is a natural human emotion; what's so shameful about it?"

Although he thought so in his heart, he also knew that Ping'er would have a hard time accepting it. However, the more shy Ping'er was, the more reluctant he was to let go, and his earlier worries disappeared.

Wang Xin held Ping'er in his arms, feeling her softness.

Ping'er was a little excited, feeling attacked all over her body. She quickly tried to divert Wang Xin's attention and reminded him, "What was Master Xin thinking just now?"

"nothing."

Wang Xin smiled easily and said that everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Under his leadership, his subordinates have made smooth progress and won one victory after another, but they have not had the opportunity to stand on their own.

The crisis in Datong is not significant right now, so it's a good opportunity to give our subordinates more experience. From that perspective, what's the rush?

Zhang Jifu wanted to promote them, right? Once they had the ability to take charge independently, he would have less to worry about in the future, and they might even be able to save himself more trouble. That's what a collective is all about.

"Don't do this." Ping'er's eyes were a little red.

Seeing this, Wang Xin finally let go.

Ping'er fled from the table as if escaping, afraid of falling into Wang Xin's hands again. She quickly tidied her clothes and looked up at Wang Xin. Thinking that Lord Xin still cared about her, she felt sweet in her heart. Not wanting Lord Xin to be wronged, she whispered, "How about tonight?"

"Huh? Come here and talk to me." Wang Xin didn't hear him.

Ping'er subconsciously took two steps forward, but when she saw the smile that Wang Xin couldn't help but wear, she immediately realized that he was trying to trick her into going over. Ping'er glanced at Wang Xin, then ignored him and quickly left, as if afraid that Wang Xin would come after her.

Wang Xin shook his head and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Although her behavior was conservative, it had a unique charm that made her even more alluring.

However, Ping'er was overthinking it. Normally, she would never let her go, but she didn't have time today. Sure enough, after a while, the Xue family arrived. Wang Xin left Tubi Manor and went to an unattended study in Lixiang Courtyard.

Zhang Dehui, who was over sixty years old, sat cautiously on the bench and remained silent. Xue Pan soon began to introduce the Xue family's business, with a hint of showing off.

Whether the Xue family's business is doing well or not, it's up to them to know, even if others don't. Wang Xin didn't care much about Xue Pan; he was more concerned about Zhang Dehui, the head of the Xue family's main branch.

Zhang Dehui has been an apprentice in the Xue family since he was a child, and has worked for the Xue family his whole life. He has about 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver in his pocket, and he is still working hard for the Xue family. With Zhang Dehui's ability, tens of thousands of taels of silver, and decades of connections, he could easily go out and start his own business.

Over the years, the Xue family has fallen into decline, and Xue Pan is a man who only knows how to have fun.

The business had no manager and was entirely supported by Zhang Dehui. He not only preserved major businesses such as spices, medicinal herbs, and timber, but also opened pawnshops in the capital, such as the "Hengshudian" pawnshop on Gulou West Street.

The scale of the Hexi market began to stabilize. The Xue family and several other Yangzhou merchants gained an advantage. For example, the Xue family controlled the medicinal herb business in the market, accounting for more than half of the share, and also shared the bulk business of spices, timber and other commodities with others.

Xue Pan first talked about the Xue family's business, then about the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce's clear-headedness. His expression grew increasingly troubled, no longer showing his previous smugness. He sighed, "Business is tough these days."

Wang Xin interrupted Xue Pan's performance and asked directly, "Because of Wang Ziteng's matter, you want to avenge Wang Ziteng?" Xue Pan was stunned. In the past, when dealing with noble sons, even if there was jealousy or rivalry, he would usually just laugh it off. He rarely spoke so bluntly and was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.

The Xue family had provided so much help to Wang Xin; Xue Pan thought they should at least give him some face, right? He really didn't expect Wang Xin to be so impolite.

"General, you have misunderstood."

Zhang Dehui quickly spoke up and explained earnestly: "I have always admired the general's understanding of business. With the general's vision, you must also know that there has always been demand in Tongzhou City, but it has been suppressed because of the capital. The general saw this and used the Hexi Camp to open up the market and release the demand, which led to the rapid formation of the Hexi Market."

Wang Xin had a different attitude towards Zhang Dehui, and said with a smile, "General Manager is right."

Zhang Dehui breathed a sigh of relief. He had a good impression of Wang Xin, but the young master's attitude was firm, and he couldn't persuade him otherwise. At this moment, he hurriedly tried to make amends, saying, "Although we can maintain last year's speed this year, it's uncertain what will happen in the future."

The market has stabilized, Wang Xin understands.

The market of the Great Zhou Dynasty was limited after all. Although it was the largest market in the world at that time, the rapid growth period of three years was already astonishing. In later generations, the rise and boom period of an industry would only last for one or two decades.

However, Wang Xin did not believe Zhang Dehui's words. He looked at Xue Pan and said in a deep voice, "The Xue family's business is not yours alone, but belongs to everyone, from top to bottom. If you don't understand something in business, you should listen more, observe more, and speak less."

When Wang Xin unleashed his power, Xue Pan was speechless.

Feeling resentful, Xue Pan wondered who was really in debt, but intimidated by Wang Xin's imposing manner, he kept it to himself and dared not speak out. Zhang Dehui saw this and sighed helplessly.

It's said that a tiger father begets no dog son, but the young master's performance is truly disappointing.

The one who owes money is the boss, and besides, in his own plan, the Xue family's business dealings were an extremely important part. Unfortunately, Xue Pan, that big fool, couldn't understand the situation, and yet he was the head of the family.

Why not just be a good-for-nothing and leave the work to Zhang Dehui and the others?

Although he thought this way, Wang Xin couldn't say it out loud. This was the reason why he preferred to have nothing rather than something bad. One bad teammate was more harmful than ten enemies. However, he really couldn't do without the Xue family's business way.

I've always wanted to avoid dealing with Xue Pan and have been praising Zhang Dehui, but Xue Pan still managed to jump out.

Before Xue Pan became sensible, he spent his days eating, drinking, and having fun. The Xue family's business not only maintained itself but they were also able to open a pawnshop in the capital. After Xue Pan became sensible, he began to get involved in business matters, and the Xue family's business plummeted.

Have a look.

It's said in Dream of the Red Chamber that second-generation entrepreneurs shouldn't start their own businesses.

Having intimidated Xue Pan, Wang Xin planned to turn around and summon Zhang Dehui for a proper talk.

Xue Pan left dejectedly, feeling humiliated. He even complained to Zhang Dehui a couple of times and told Zhang Dehui not to tell anyone. Zhang Dehui had no choice but to leave with a sigh and went to find his wife.

Zhang Dehui was in the courtyard, and Aunt Xue was listening to his words through the window. Xue Baochai in the inner room could also hear them clearly.

"In Xinye's plan, the Hexi market should also involve contacting Datong to open up trade channels between the two places. Although the initial investment is large, the returns are also amazing. I think the initial investment is worthwhile," Zhang Dehui reminded him.

When Aunt Xue learned that her son had gone to see Wang Xin on his own initiative, she was displeased. When she heard that Wang Xin had not given her son any face at all, her displeasure with her son immediately turned into anger towards Wang Xin.

Aunt Xue said worriedly, "This man first disregarded the kindness my brother had shown him, and now he's even scolding my son to his face. He's so mean and ungrateful. How can my Xue family, which has helped him so much, expect to get away with it?"

Zhang Dehui disagreed, stating his opinion: "Master Xin is very particular about rules. The rules of the Hexi Market were agreed upon by Master Xin and everyone else, and Master Xin never violates them. This alone makes him a good partner. Besides, the Hexi Market was originally a condition provided by Master Xin. If our Xue family doesn't do it, others will. The Yangzhou merchants won't refuse."

“Since there’s a Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, he should go to them,” Aunt Xue thought to herself.

"Mother."

Suddenly, Xue Baochai from the inner room spoke up, "His initial actions show that he still considered the four great families as his own, which is why he sought cooperation with the Xue family first, and then with the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce."

Hearing her daughter's words, Aunt Xue said with dissatisfaction, "What was his status back then? If it weren't for the fact that he was surnamed Wang, we would have helped him. If he wanted to find someone else, would anyone have paid him any attention?"

Xue Baochai had nothing to say.

Because of her brother, her mother didn't say much at the time. She would wait a couple of days until her mother calmed down before she could talk to her about it, and whether she should go and explain things to him.

Xue Baochai agreed with the general idea, and even thought that the general idea was an understatement.

The most important thing in doing business is confidence. With the trade routes connecting the Hexi market to Datong established, others will still perceive the Xue family as the same Xue family. Having confidence in the Xue family will make cooperation more stable and reduce the number of problems encountered.

The worst thing about doing business is trouble, because trouble can make it impossible to do business.

Since his father's death, the Xue family's business has remained relatively stable thanks to the support of the general manager, without suffering a major setback. In the past two years, thanks to the momentum of the Hexi market, the Xue family's business has actually improved considerably.

No matter how you look at it, you shouldn't have offended him.

Even if Mom wanted to help Uncle, the Xue family would have to take care of themselves first before they could have the resources to help Uncle, right?

(End of this chapter)