The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 352 Fighting
Wang Xin's Third Courtyard.

A fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl carrying a wooden bucket skipped happily through the alley gate to the corner courtyard. There were two trees in the corner courtyard, and three sheep were tied up under the trees, munching on grass from a basin.

"Sheep, sheep, make lots of milk today!"

The lively young girl began milking.

Several years ago, she and her family were displaced from Shandong and came to the capital. They were eventually taken in by a master. The hardships of the past have disappeared without a trace, and now there is only a happy little girl.

Wearing clean, simple, yet stylish new clothes, with a few light freckles on her face, she exuded youthful energy.

The master's family doesn't have much work, and they get paid every month.

A contract was signed.

If they want to leave, they need to give a month's notice, otherwise their wages for that month will be deducted.

If the master wanted to fire them, he would have to pay them compensation unless they committed a serious offense. However, no one wanted to leave, as long as they could stay and work.

There are two days off every ten days, plus additional holidays.

The master also made a promise.

If you work at home until you're fifty, your family will provide for you in your old age, including daily food, and you can't be fired.

The master signed all of this into the contract.

Compared to her father's inner unease and his preference for a traditional approach, the young girl preferred the current contract, believing that the master was the best person in the world.

at this time.

The stove door in the side room was tightly covered by a lever, so the fire inside was at its lowest setting, and the goat milk in the iron pot above never boiled, remaining at a warm temperature.

Wang Xin didn't have a thermometer, so he relied on his sense of touch, figuring the temperature was hot but not scalding, around 60 degrees Celsius.

Boil for 15 minutes.

This is the pasteurization method that became famous in later generations. It not only kills most of the pathogens and spoilage bacteria in fresh milk, but also preserves most of the nutrients, and successfully extends the shelf life of fresh milk to seven days.

In winter, the shelf life can be extended even further.

"The time has come."

Shi Gandang ran in from outside and told Wang Xin the time. Wang Xin hurriedly went to find a towel.

"I brought it."

Shi Gandang was prepared and took the initiative to bring down the iron pot. Wang Xin didn't say much, but held the porcelain bottle. Shi Gandang tacitly went to get a spoon and poured the warm goat milk into the porcelain bottle spoon by spoonful.

"You don't need to do this job. There's plenty of other people in the manor."

Wang Xin said, disapprovingly.

Shi Gandang looked displeased.

Seeing this, Wang Xin smiled and said no more. If he continued, Shi Gandang would get angry.

Matters of the manor are matters of the manor.

Wang Xin now receives an annual salary of 500 taels of silver, plus subsidies from officers at Juzhongchang. His rank is worth 450 taels of silver annually, which is equivalent to receiving double pay. Hiring a servant wouldn't cost much.

Even if you hire twenty servants, you won't earn more than two hundred taels a year.

Besides, Wang Xin didn't invite that many people.

There were only a dozen or so people in total, including them.

He doesn't eat delicacies, and although he doesn't mistreat himself, three hundred taels a year is not a lot for the whole family's expenses, and there will always be some left over no matter how much he spends.

Wang Xin treated Shi Gandang as his personal guards, and protecting his safety was their duty. As for household chores, Wang Xin did not like to let Shi Gandang do them.

Strange to say.

Other families were finding ways to manipulate their soldiers, and the soldiers couldn't escape it.

On Wang Xin's side, Shi Gandang and others took the initiative to find work, especially after Ping'er gave birth to a son, they were all busier than Wang Xin.

"The fresh fish will have to wait a while."

As Shi Gandang put the porcelain bottle down, he instructed, "Many of the fresh fish at the market are wilted. Shi Ping, go to the ferry and see if there are any freshly caught fish there."

Wang Xin had no choice.

"There's no need to be so particular."

Although I did many things, most of them were things I did casually, such as boiling goat milk.

Ping'er's milk supply was a bit insufficient, and Wang Xin was unwilling to hire a wet nurse, so he went to great lengths to find several milk-producing sheep to feed the child, along with fresh fish.

Today, Wang Xin plans to make crucian carp and tofu soup.

As long as the fish isn't dead, and it's not like many of the fish from later generations that have excessive levels of chemicals, there's no need to exert too much effort.

Perhaps influenced by him, Shi Gandang and the others were even more cautious than he was. Wang Xin could only tell himself to be more restrained so as not to cause any trouble.

Shi Gandang didn't say anything, just went about his own business.

He and Shi Ping received many instructions.

There were brothers from Datong and brothers from the Beijing garrison, all of whom were asked to take good care of the General.

The garrison commander is not particular about details, that's because he has a good personality, not because they are like that.

Wang Xin carried two bottles of goat milk into the inner courtyard while they were still warm. The weather was getting colder, and the fresh goat milk would get cold in no time, so Wang Xin walked very fast.

Ping'er and Qingwen were in the room.

Wang Xin thanked the several old women who had been sent by the Jia family to help, and gave each of them a red envelope before sending them back.

With Qingwen's help and several young maids outside, Wang Xin didn't feel there was anything he couldn't manage.

"How about it?"

"Shhh."

Qingwen had already heard the footsteps and gestured to Wang Xin at the door.

Seeing this, Wang Xin slowed his pace, couldn't help but smile, and whispered, "They were making a fuss just now, but they've fallen asleep again in such a short time?"

The heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) in the house got cold in the middle of the night, so we added firewood again in the morning, and the house is now very warm.

Ping'er sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), wrapped in a quilt, holding a swaddled baby in her arms. Her chest was wet and bulging. Wang Xin glanced at her subconsciously, and Qingwen rolled her eyes when she noticed.

Ping'er radiated happiness.

She said softly, "He might have gotten tired from eating so much milk."

"You must be tired."

Wang Xin said.

"How did you know?" Qingwen retorted.

Wang Xin smiled and looked at Qingwen, saying, "Haven't you heard an old saying?"

"What are you talking about? There are so many old sayings, how am I supposed to know which one it is?" Qingwen said without any politeness.

Wang Xin did not blame him.

Qingwen hadn't slept well for the past few nights, working harder than anyone else. Wang Xin saw this and couldn't possibly be angry with her. This little girl considered this place her home, so Wang Xin had even less reason to be angry.

"Use every ounce of strength you have."

Wang Xin laughed.

Qingwen thought about it and realized it made sense. She couldn't help but laugh and said speechlessly, "Master Xin, instead of taking care of things outside, all you do is talk about this nonsense all day long."

"Eh."

"You do not understand."

As Wang Xin spoke, he sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Ping'er peeked out from under the covers, and Wang Xin could just see the little face in the swaddling clothes, sleeping soundly.

"When it's my turn to be busy, no one will let me have a moment's rest. When it's not my turn to be busy, I shouldn't wander around outside and annoy others. It's much better to stay home and keep you company."

This time, Qingwen didn't object; upon hearing this, her eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Master Xin said it himself, so we can't lie to him."

"It's as if I lied to you."

Ping'er held her son and gazed sweetly at Wang Xin.

The room was partitioned off.

The outer room is the main hall, and the inner room has a kang (heated brick bed). There is also a daybed by the window, with a tea table in the middle of the daybed. The walls are clean and there are no paintings or calligraphy hanging on them. The oil paper covering the windows has also just been replaced.

It's thick and warm, and although it now has glass, Wang Xin doesn't plan to replace it.

Ping'er was very pleased to hear Xinye and Qingwen bickering.

The inner courtyard was quiet with few people.

The streets were sparsely populated due to the cold weather.

This was Jia Zheng's first visit to Wang Xin's residence.

Sitting in the sedan chair, he lifted the curtain and looked around Wang Xin's residence. He felt it was somewhat shabby, but he did not show it.

"Master Zheng."

The guards in the gatehouse recognized Jia Zheng.

Is Wang Xin home?

Jia Zheng asked. "Yes, yes," came the reply.

The sudden visit indicates that Jia Zheng has something urgent to attend to.

Wang Xin quickly came out to greet them.

"Principal."

Wang Xin's face showed a question.

"Something's happened in Shandong. Everyone else is keeping an eye on things, but why can't we see you anywhere?" Jia Zheng asked bluntly.

Father-in-law to son-in-law.

Although Wang Xin's rank was higher than Jia Zheng's, the ranks of military officials and civil officials were two different things and not part of the same system. Moreover, civil officials controlled the military, and the status of civil officials was far higher than that of military officials.

In addition, Jia Zheng's status and position, especially after becoming Wang Xin's father-in-law, changed his tone of voice.

"It's not about going with the flow."

Wang Xin smiled and greeted Jia Zheng as they headed to the living room.

A brazier sat in the middle of the living room, filled with newly lit firewood and charcoal by the steward, so the temperature inside wasn't very high. Jia Zheng felt a bit cold, and seeing this, Wang Xin suggested, "Why don't we go to the study?"

The study was small, and Jia Zheng shook his head.

"More than half a month has passed since the riots broke out in Shandong. The latest news is not good. Not only has it not been brought under control, but it has become increasingly violent. The imperial court's intention is that we cannot delay any longer, lest it cause even greater unrest."

As he spoke, Jia Zheng carefully observed Wang Xin's expression.

"Why does Lord Zheng look at me like that?"

Wang Xin laughed.

“You’ve always valued your reputation since you joined the army. This time is different. The court is eager to use troops to quell the civil unrest, and there are already rumors that the Beijing garrison will be dispatched. I’ve discussed this with a few colleagues, and this is actually your opportunity.”

Jia Zheng looked at Wang Xin with a serious and worried expression.

Wang Xin was not surprised.

Later generations all joked about Shandong.

In fact, Shandong has been a major center of rebellion since ancient times.

For example, the Red Eyebrows Army during the Xin Dynasty and the Yellow Turban Army of Qingzhou during the Three Kingdoms period, totaling more than a million people including their families, were eventually incorporated into Cao Cao's army. There is an old saying that Shandong has always produced rebels.

Wang Xin remained silent.

Jia Zheng grew anxious, "If you don't fight for it and someone else does, have you thought about the consequences?"

"If you don't move forward, you fall behind."

Wang Xin smiled easily.

Jia Zheng was even more confused and said anxiously, "Since you understand this principle, why don't you argue about it?"

If the imperial court were to send out the Beijing garrison, then who would lead the troops, and whose troops would they lead, would be a very complicated matter.

If Wang Xin doesn't lead troops, and someone else does, wouldn't Wang Xin be even less able to control the right flank? Zhang Jifu and Zhu Wei have a conflict, but neither of them wants Wang Xin to actually control the right flank.

Even if Jia Zheng himself doesn't understand these principles, others will.

This illustrates the principle that if you don't advance, you fall behind.

If Wang Xin could lead troops into battle, relying on his military achievements and command authority on the battlefield, even if he couldn't advance further, he could at least be guaranteed not to retreat.

If someone else were to lead the troops into battle, Wang Xin would inevitably have to back down.

This is the aspect of a general.

As for who is in charge of the entire army at the next level, that's another battleground.

Zhu Wei definitely wants to seize this opportunity.

Zhang Jifu would certainly not want Zhu Wei to get this opportunity.

Wang Xin thought about it.

Jia Zheng is not a very clever person. Telling him many things is actually not a good thing, because he is also often powerless in many matters. If he were to reveal these things, it would easily ruin his own plans.

Wang Xin shook his head.

"The person who can truly decide this matter is Grand Secretary Zhang, and he will never use me."

"Then let's not argue?"

Jia Zheng became anxious.

Jia Zheng had also heard some things, such as the serious commotion in Datong.

It seems that Wang Xin is about to lose control of the Western Army in Datong. If he also loses control of the Right Route Army, then all the hard-won gains over the past few years will be lost in an instant, and the advantages he has gained will turn to ashes.

"My retainers and I all believe that the court is testing the waters among the people. Now that the rumors have been released, once the people have adjusted, it won't be long before there is an official order for the Beijing garrison to send troops."

"Of the four armies in the Beijing Garrison, Zhang Jifu is keeping a close eye on the Eastern Army the most. This time, the Eastern Army has become the eye of the storm. No matter how many troops are sent, the Eastern Army will definitely be among them, at least its elite troops will be deployed. The left flank may not move, but the main force and the right flank will definitely move."

"Wang Xin, we must fight for this matter, otherwise all our previous efforts will be in vain."

Jia Zheng gave a worried warning.

Jia Zheng had many retainers; as the saying goes, "Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang."

Even if it's all just fancy talk, there are always a few sentences that touch on the truth.

It was pretty much the same as what he had thought, but Wang Xin had his own idea: to go with the flow.

Be willing to give up.

First, sacrifice your own people.

Isn't that what everyone wants?

For you guys.

Others wouldn't dare to do it, but I do.

Whether it's the Western Army of Datong or the current Right Route Army, whoever wants it can take it. Once they take it, they'll win them over and give them benefits. This is a sugar-coated bullet.

Could we eat the sugar coating and then fire the cannonball back?

Most people don't have this confidence.

Such an action could indeed maximize profits, but no one has ever done it before.

The only drawback is that it cannot be revealed.

If Tang Ping were to tell his father-in-law that he is only loyal to himself.

For example, Wang Ying told Li Wei that he supported her.

Others would be furious.

Wang Xin doesn't want others to overturn the table; he just wants to smoothly weather the political strife and doesn't want to be squeezed off the table and become someone else's pawn. So, going with the flow and not firing a shot is just fine.

"I'm afraid I can't lead troops to pacify the people."

Wang Xin said calmly.

Jia Zheng became anxious.

Not only himself, but also his retainers were most worried about this matter. Because of the people, Wang Xin did not fight for it and preferred to waste the opportunity.

"Wang Xin, you need to understand that many things are beyond your control. If you don't fight for them, you'll have even less right to do what you want in the future."

Jia Zheng spoke earnestly and patiently.

Various grand principles.

Wang Xin remained firm in his stance.

Jia Zheng had no choice but to return. Upon hearing the news he brought back, his retainers were greatly disappointed.

The news has spread quite a bit.

"It's reasonable and not unexpected."

After hearing the news and rumors about Wang Xin, Zhu Wei continued looking at his official documents, his tone quite calm.

"indeed."

"That's Wang Xin's style."

"What about the Hexi Camp?"

Zhu Shenggong was somewhat envious.

"Let's take them with us. I want to seize this opportunity to lead the expedition. If we leave the Hexi Camp behind, Zhang Jifu might try to win over Wang Xin," Zhu Wei said without hesitation.

Zhu Wei would not give Zhang Jifu a single chance in the entire Eastern Army.

"I'll take charge of the Hexi Camp."

Zhu Shenggong no longer held back.

Zhu Wei pondered for a moment, then nodded.

He was determined to succeed this time, seize this opportunity to firmly control the Eastern Army, and cultivate his son's real military achievements. He could not afford to miss this golden opportunity.

He would love for the disaster victims in Shandong to make a huge fuss.

(End of this chapter)