The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 337 The First Child

Don't use the suspect, but don't use it.

Wang Xin brought Wang Ying to the Hexi Camp. Although Wang Ying had heard of the name Hexi Camp, this was his first time entering the camp. He couldn't help but look around and take in this famous place.

"very curious?"

Wang Xin was dressed in casual clothes.

Wang Xin found official robes the most uncomfortable, feeling restricted, and they were also inconvenient. Only when he wore casual clothes did he feel more relaxed.

However, Wang Xin was also aware of this.

Many people like this outfit.

Wang Ying honestly said, "The soldiers in Hexi Camp have the most comfortable lives. My brothers and I often talk about it, and it's not just us, but people elsewhere are talking about it too. Everyone knows about Hexi Camp."

"Then you're wrong."

Wang Xin took Wang Ying for a stroll around, and was very easygoing.

Wang Ying asked in bewilderment, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Life in the Hexi Camp was not comfortable. The training was strict, the discipline was strict, and there were frequent battles. We risked our lives, and all we got was enough to feed our families."

Wang Xin looked somewhat sad.

Wang Ying mustered his courage and carefully examined his own commander-in-chief, wanting to confirm whether the other party truly thought so.

"What's on my face?"

Having spent the last few days in contact with the General Commander, Wang Ying had become somewhat familiar with his temperament. He placed great importance on military discipline and had no concept of minor offenses; if something was not allowed to be committed, it was not allowed to be committed.

But he's also very easygoing.

Wang Ying couldn't help but ask, "Why does the General think it's easy to support a family?"

"It is a matter of course to have enough to eat."

Wang Xin laughed.

Wang Ying was taken aback, not expecting the commander-in-chief to have such an idea, but insisted, "It's not easy to have enough to eat."

"When the army wins battles, the people can farm well, every family has land to cultivate, every household has books to read, and everyone has enough to eat. This will inspire them to join the army. In this way, having enough to eat should not be a problem."

"."

Wang Ying was both amused and exasperated.

Such an ideal society can only be easily conceived by pedantic bookworms.

Is the town head a bookworm?

Wang Ying disagrees.

"Don't overthink it. While preserving yourself, do your own thing well and practice what you preach," Wang Xin advised.

Some people are born bad.

There are also people who are born kind.

Later, influenced by the environment, even more diverse aspects of life emerged.

Wang Xin believed that there were still many people who could accept his ideas. He would find these people one by one, even if they sometimes could not understand or even liked him, but they could still follow him loyally.

Examples include Tang Ping, Zhao Yong, and Liu Tong.
Each of them has a different personality, their own demands, and their reactions, but they all have one thing in common: they are loyal to themselves and never doubt themselves.

"Unification of knowledge and action?"

Wang Ying was stunned.

"Knowledge is practice, and practice is knowledge. If you know what is right, and you have the opportunity, why not give it a try and see if it is as you think?"

Wang Xin's face revealed confidence.

It's hard being alone.

But it's not difficult with a group of people.

Even when faced with setbacks and problems, when a group of people work together, no difficulty will discourage them; instead, it will inspire their fighting spirit.

This is the power of the group.

There are all sorts of groups, and Wang Xin wants to gather these people to his side.

Wang Ying was deeply moved and said with hope, "If the Right Route Army can live the same life as the Hexi Camp, I think the General is right."

"Will do."

"As long as I am still the commander-in-chief, I will persevere."

Wang Xin said without hesitation.

If the general manager could go this far, what was there for her to hesitate about? Wang Ying was moved and even more excited.

Everyone knows how the Hexi Camp performed.

It would be much more interesting to lead such a Hexi Camp, instead of spending all day fighting cocks and dogs, lacking any ambition, which is hardly befitting a military officer.

Let's just observe for now; I'm not stupid.

Wang Ying made up her mind.

Wang Xin then handed over the Hexi Camp to Wang Ying.

If there are no trusted confidants, cultivate your own. If the Hexi Camp is left with only the old and weak, then train a new one.

As for the entire right flank army, one cannot become fat in a single bite.

Eating from the same pot can easily lead to disaster. First, establish your own core force in the Hexi Camp. Once you have the benefits and effects, then absorb other units step by step. After absorbing them all, the entire Right Route Army will be transformed.

The Hexi Camp had a strength of 1,500 men.

That's equivalent to half a battalion.

"General."

Shi Ping has returned to the capital with his family.

Shi Ping was now more composed, having lost the arrogance of youth. He worriedly said, "What if we entrust the Hexi Camp to this man?"

Not only Shi Ping, but even Yan Zhongzheng was somewhat worried.

"Actually, it would be best to leave it to you."

Wang Xin looked at Yan Zhongzheng.

Yan Zhongzheng quickly waved his hand and said earnestly, "It is not appropriate for me."

“You are indeed not suitable.” Wang Xin surprisingly agreed directly, and then said, “Everyone knows you are one of my men. If I let you rebuild the Hexi Camp, many people will be wary. Wang Ying is the most suitable.”

What if he sides with Li Wei?

Yan Zhongzheng also had some concerns.

He knew that Wang Xin had staked everything on the upcoming Hexi Camp.

If Wang Ying proves unreliable, the painstakingly rebuilt Hexi Camp will be a waste of time and effort, as it could benefit someone else.

"I believe in Wang Ying."

Wang Xin said decisively.

Yan Zhongzheng and Shi Ping exchanged a glance. Since the general was so confident, they didn't try to persuade him any further. The general hadn't made a mistake in judging people over the years.

Unlike Yan Zhongzheng, Zeng Zhi did not come for Wang Ying's sake.

Zeng Zhi, unable to smile, stepped forward with a worried expression and reminded him, "Recently, there have been many complaints everywhere, and there are more and more voices expressing dissatisfaction with the general. Should the general think of a solution?"

over the years.

He gradually gained helpers.

Yan Zhongzheng had a good overall perspective and an understanding of the army, so he became my deputy, followed by Zeng Zhi.

Zeng Zhi was a scholar who passed the imperial examination and came from a wealthy family in Liaodong. He was familiar with officialdom and had a knack for dealing with people. He was responsible for both civil and military affairs, and there were also younger people like Zheng Ang and Xue Ke under him.

Small but complete.

Outside was a row of guards. Shi Gandang had worked hard for the past two months. He couldn't persuade him to stay until Shi Ping came back, at which point Shi Gandang agreed to take a break and finally gave himself a vacation.

“It’s normal for some people to be dissatisfied. If they were satisfied, the soldiers would have to suffer.”

Wang Xin sneered.

"They can be ignored, but the higher-ups are not happy either. General, you should go see Lord Zheng more often and find out what the higher-ups are thinking. Otherwise, we will be caught off guard when things come to a head."

Zeng Zhi didn't expect to persuade the general to change his mind, so he offered his own ideas.

As long as those above don't change their minds, no amount of discontent from below can shake the general's position.

Zeng Zhi actually thought that it was fine for the general to do this, but he shouldn't have asked for the Ministry of War's share back as well.

Inside the Eastern Army headquarters, Zhu Shenggong and his son have a favor to ask of the general. If the general really doesn't care, he can go a bit further and take back the Eastern Army headquarters' share as well.

Zhu Wei and his son will not do anything to the general for the time being, so Zhu Shenggong gave the general face without hesitation.

As for the right flank, that's even easier to explain.

If the general doesn't take it, the subordinates shouldn't even think about taking it. As long as the general can rebuild a Hexi camp and establish a firm foothold, even if they are dissatisfied, they can only suppress their anger.

If those above are dissatisfied, the general's position will be unstable.

"I'm going to see Lord Zheng."

Wang Xin nodded. Jia Zheng had already sent Zhou Rui to invite him to the Jia residence to see him.

It seems that what he has been doing recently on the right flank has put a lot of pressure on him, making him restless.

Of course, a father-in-law should help his son-in-law more.

Wang Xin felt no burden at all.

With the matter of the Hexi Camp resolved, Wang Xin returned to the capital.

Tongzhou is only a few dozen miles from the capital, and it would only take a day to travel on horseback. Wang Xin had many personal guards with him, so he did not go to the ferry to avoid being killed. As for chartering a boat, Wang Xin did not want to spend the money.

Disaster victims can often be seen along the way.

It's very easy to tell whether someone is a local resident or a disaster victim. They're covered in dirt, carrying large bags and bundles, and whether they're alone or with their families, they're easy to spot.

"Please have mercy."

A family of five begs on the roadside outside Tongzhou City.

Turf wars broke out in the Hexi market, with beggars fighting over territory. Wang Xin sent troops to suppress the conflict several times, but many things could only be suppressed as much as possible, not completely eradicated, and the area was taken over by able-bodied young men.

As a result, many people could only stay outside Tongzhou City or in places far from the market.

He had two sons and a daughter, but no wife. The man was also with his elderly mother, who was lying on a mat, barely alive.

"This is it."

Wang Xin reined in his horse and stopped.

Shi Ping and the others quickly dismounted and skillfully opened the bags, which contained wheat.

One of the guards walked over.

Seeing that this group of people were no ordinary people, fully armed, no one dared to mess with them; they would avoid them at all costs, fearing that they would be in trouble.

What I feared most came to pass.

The man thought he was blocking the way, so he quickly led his family back. Just as he was about to move his elderly mother, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind, which startled him. When he turned around and saw that it was Wang Xin's personal guard, he was even more stunned.

"Go collect your rations, what are you standing there for?"

The guard waved.

Suspecting he had misheard, the man gritted his teeth, looking like he was ready to risk it all, and mustered his courage to follow.

Shi Ping was leading a nag.

The old horse carried two large bags on its back, which were filled with wheat and rice.

Each bag contains one shi (a unit of dry measure), two shi of wheat and rice, totaling three hundred jin (a unit of

Shi Ping skillfully scooped out a full ladleful, about a liter's worth.

"Lift up your shirt."

The man instinctively reached out to scoop up the contents, unsure how much he could hold. Shi Ping, however, already knew perfectly well what to do. After Shi Ping's reminder, the man hurriedly lifted his shirt.

Shi Ping scooped up ten ladlefuls, which is about a dou (a unit of dry measure), or fifteen jin (a unit of weight).

Fifteen pounds of wheat, if eaten sparingly each day, can last for several days if you're just barely hanging on. But you can't keep starving like that, or you'll easily develop health problems.

But life is hard enough as it is, who cares about the future?

The man was so excited he didn't know what to do. He wanted to kneel down on the spot, but he was worried about spilling the wheat.

"Go ahead, don't hold others up."

Shi Ping waved his hand, not giving the man a chance to express his gratitude.

People around were drawn to it.

There aren't many people here.

There was still some rice left over from the two bags, so everyone got a share, and many people quietly left.

Seeing that Shi Ping had finished dividing the spoils, Wang Xin set off again without saying a word.

It's actually not very useful.

I heard that Shandong has been hit by disaster again this year.

There were disaster victims every year, with no end in sight. Wang Xin had almost gotten used to it, but in the end, he regained his humanity and did not treat the disaster victims as objects who did not understand benevolence, righteousness, or shame, and thus did not despise them.

The disaster victims were really dirty.

Many petty thefts.

Just as later generations condemned and killed elderly thieves who had no source of income, thinking these elderly people were too bad, this kind of voice was not small, which shows that many people cannot empathize with disaster victims.

Wang Xin had no say in how Shandong handled the disaster relief efforts.

I can't save all the disaster victims by myself, but I can save as many as I can.

With two shi of rice a day, I can pretend I don't have the subsidy from Juzhongchang. As long as the government's salary isn't delayed, it's enough to live on for now. As for marrying Jia Tanchun later...

Wang Xin didn't care.

If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, follow the dog.

If Tan Chun complains that he can't give her what she wants, then there's nothing he can do to help her.

"The general saved people but did not leave his name."

Shi Ping did not object to the general saving people, but he regretted that the general did not even leave a reputation, so the rescue was in vain.

"I save people without seeking fame."

Wang Xin laughed and scolded, "Besides, it would be bad if word got out. Why bother? I'm not a famous scholar. What use is fame to me?"

Shi Ping said no more.

The group returned to the capital in the evening.

After Wang Xin entered the second courtyard, Shi Ping gave a few instructions to his brothers. Amidst their envious glances, he turned to leave. Seeing their looks, Shi Ping couldn't help but smile as he rode his horse.

Why are you looking at me like that?

"My sister-in-law's cooking is really delicious."

"The cook at the General's house is quite good too."

"It's not as good as my sister-in-law's cooking."

Several guards spoke up.

"Alright, I'll go back tonight and have her prepare for tomorrow. Everyone's coming to my house for drinks tomorrow."

Shi Ping spoke up.

Everyone was happy now.

Shi Ping received three taels of silver in military pay each month. In the first few years, he didn't have any expenses. With some spoils of war, he ended up with more than two hundred taels of silver.

He got married and had a child.

Spend money like water.

I bought another ordinary house in a hutong (traditional alleyway) in Beijing, and moved in more than half of it.

However, Shi Ping was not worried.

Military pay elsewhere may be unstable, but their pay is never a concern.

Even if the Ministry of War was in arrears, there would be merchants to make up the difference, so the family of three could never spend all the 36 taels of silver they received each year, plus a 5 tael bonus at the end of the year. Besides, he also had a monthly ration of 5 catties of rice.

As soon as Wang Xin entered the room, Ping'er saw him and immediately began to complain.

"Shi Ping's wife brought fifty catties of rice home today, saying it was Shi Ping's rations. No matter what I said, she wouldn't take it back. She's really stubborn. I'm afraid of upsetting her."

Ping'er was both amused and exasperated.

"You haven't had much contact with her. This woman is much more famous in Datong. Don't think you're afraid of her; many people are afraid of her."

Wang Xin smiled, unconvinced.

"As for the fifty catties of rice, Master, you should arrange for someone to send it back to him. We absolutely cannot accept it," Ping'er suggested.

Wang Xin started spending more money outside, and Ping'er thought he had gone astray.

She asked Shi Ping in private and found out, so Ping'er stopped asking.

Wang Xin was promoted to general, and his annual salary was as high as 500 taels of silver, plus 450 taels of profit from his business. The price of rice in the capital had risen again, and one shi of rice was almost one tael of silver. Every time Wang Xin went out, he would send out two or three shi of grain.

If I go out too much, I'm afraid 950 taels of silver won't be enough to make ends meet.

"Have Shi Gandang send it back tomorrow."

While eating, Wang Xin chatted with Ping'er about everyday things.

Qingwen then said, "I just heard Shi Ping say he was going to treat us to a meal."

Wang Xin nodded.

The upper beam is not right and the lower beam is crooked.

Only when you yourself are upright and honest can you have the right to demand things of your subordinates, thus creating a positive and sustainable harmonious atmosphere.

This is also human nature.

There are organizations that are bad to the extreme, and there are also organizations that are virtuous and civilized. People are diverse, and they will become the kind of people they are in the environment they are in.

Three people were eating, and there were four dishes and a soup on the table.

A plate of green vegetables, a plate of braised eggplant, a plate of lettuce and sliced ​​pork, a plate of steamed fish, and a large bowl of tofu and egg drop soup.

Each person has a rice bowl and a soup bowl in front of them.

Wang Xin had no intention of changing things.

Ping'er and Qingwen were already used to it and didn't think there was anything wrong with it. They looked forward to Wang Xin coming home every day to have dinner together and chat.

Qingwen looked at Ping'er, as if she had some questions.

Ping'er felt embarrassed by the stares and ate a little slower.

Wang Xin noticed this and couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at Ping'er like that? Is there something you two are hiding from me?"

Qingwen ignored Wang Xin, her face showing only a strange expression.

Ping'er, seeing that she could no longer hide it, looked conflicted and worried, and finally said, "I...I'm pregnant."

Wang Xin realized what it meant to have something.

My first child.

Wang Xin suddenly had a different feeling. The world seemed to become clearer and heavier in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)