The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 356 The truth comes out
Three whole months.

Wang Xin stayed secluded in the Eastern Army's Right Route General's Office.

Ping'er moved in after giving birth.

Besides taking care of the children, the next thing to do is deal with the right flank army.

With the right wing army completely withdrawn and the main force marching towards Shandong, Wang Xin actually had nothing to do in the vast remaining camp.

Not only did Wang Xin have nothing to do, but everyone under him was also incredibly bored.

Yan Zhongzheng went fishing every day, Zheng Ang took leave to go back to his hometown, and Xue Ke also went to the capital every few days. This morning, Zeng Zhi, whom we haven't seen for a long time, appeared at the General's Mansion for the first time.

"Mr. Zhang has arrived?"

Wang Xin was a little surprised.

Zhang Yuncheng, who was standing next to Zeng Zhi, was wearing casual clothes today.

Zhang Yuncheng spoke up first, "Does the fact that the General Commander personally recruited them mean their positions don't count?"

"how come."

Wang Xin was also dressed in casual clothes, and he was holding a swaddled baby in his arms.

Zeng Zhi was already used to it, but Zhang Yuncheng was a little curious and asked, "Has the young master chosen a name yet?"

"It's called Min'an."

Wang Xin laughed.

The name is already given, once suggested by Lin Daiyu: "May the rivers be clear and the seas be calm, may the times be peaceful and the years be bountiful, may the country be prosperous and the people at peace, and may the world be at peace and prosperous."

How beautiful that statement is.

"Wang Min'an".

Zhang Yuncheng always felt that this name was unusual.

“Brother Zhang said that although there are rumors outside that the General Commander has lost power, Brother Zhang still has faith in him. So, only three months have passed, and he immediately came to join the General Commander, saying that he was lucky.”

Zeng Zhi took the initiative to speak, a smile on his face.

Wang Xin glanced at Zhang Yuncheng again subconsciously; it didn't seem like a choice made out of desperation.

Although observing politics in the Ministry of War is grueling, there are always opportunities.

Unless one truly believes in themselves, who would seek refuge with a down-on-their-luck person?

The saying "when people leave, the tea cools" is the proper way to put it.

Fatty Feng was a powerful figure in Datong, but after leaving Datong and arriving in the capital, he became just an ordinary person.

"Alright."

Wang Xin didn't bother with further probing. Whether Zhang Yuncheng was sincere or not, he couldn't hide it from him. However, he was now in a bit of a predicament because he couldn't find a job for Zhang Yuncheng for the time being.

With the Right Route Army transferred to someone else's hands, and no longer responsible for its affairs, there was nothing for me to do. So what could I assign to Zhang Yuncheng?

Zhang Yuncheng remained silent.

Zeng Zhi laughed and said, "I've already told Brother Zhang to take on the military post for now. Putting everything else aside, consider this a paid leave for now, and take advantage of the General Headquarters's position, haha."

Wang Xin was speechless.

Zeng Zhi was originally from a wealthy family in Liaodong and was not short of money.

Although Zhang Yuncheng was down on his luck, he wouldn't sell himself for a few taels of silver.

"Then I'll have to trouble Mr. Zhang for now."

Wang Xin no longer held back.

Zhang Yuncheng cupped his hands in greeting once more and said solemnly, "General."

Wang Xin nodded and instructed, "Zeng Zhonglang should help Zhang Canjun become familiar with the matters concerning the Right Route Army and the Western Army of Datong."

"Here."

Zeng Zhi also regained his composure.

After giving his instructions, Wang Xin returned to the inner courtyard.

Qingwen, with her sharp eyes, saw Wang Xin return and quickly went up to take the young master from him.

"What else can I do to him?"

Wang Xin said with a smile.

Qingwen was now sixteen years old and no longer childish. Dressed in a red dress and green silk jacket, she stood tall and graceful, standing out in the courtyard. It was impossible not to notice her.

"Min'an is still young and cannot meet with many people."

Qingwen said with dissatisfaction.

Wang Xin didn't hire a wet nurse, and Qingwen didn't trust anyone else, so she spent more time taking care of the children than Ping'er did.

Ping'er will sleep with Wang Xin at night, while the child will sleep with Qingwen.

Six months have passed.

Qingwen had a deep affection for the child, and the child was very dependent on Qingwen.

Wang Xin disagreed, retorting, "I'm not that delicate. I can't avoid seeing anyone either. Everything has its limits. If I don't see any outsiders, I'll get sick more easily. Sometimes it's better to see outsiders."

"Bah bah bah."

Qingwen held the swaddled baby in one arm and used the other to cover Wang Xin's mouth.

Wang Xin's hand was covered by Qingwen's small hand. Seeing Qingwen tiptoeing and looking flustered, afraid that he would continue talking, he couldn't help but feel a little tempted.

He quickly grabbed Qingwen's hand and pulled it away, smiling as he said, "Qingwen, I have a question for you."

Qingwen took a step back and realized that Wang Xin was holding her hand. She felt a chill run down her spine and her face flushed. She lowered her head involuntarily and asked, trying to appear calm, "What is it?"

"You're really going to stay in the manor from now on and never get married?"

Wang Xin didn't want to play mind games.

Qingwen had no relatives, and the only relative she had in the Jia family was unreliable and could not be relied upon at all.

When Qingwen was young, she didn't understand many things and said she wanted to stay in the mansion. Wang Xin could take it as the innocent talk between children. But now that Qingwen has grown up, he can't be too selfish.

Over the years, I've watched Qingwen grow up.

Even if he treated Qingwen as his own sister, Wang Xin would not refuse her and would definitely give her a good outcome.

Qingwen hadn't expected it to be about herself. She pursed her lips, raised her head, and stared at Wang Xin without saying a word.

Wang Xin did not urge him.

This kind of thing requires patience and guidance. "If you have someone you like, no matter whose family they come from, I can help you put in a good word for them. If you still don't have a plan, then it's not too late to bring it up when you do. I promise I won't hurt you."

"Does he/she dislike me?"

Qingwen's expression changed, her voice turned cold, and her gaze towards Wang Xin seemed to be burning with fire.

"Don't get angry."

Wang Xin, bewildered, quickly explained, "How could I dislike you? What are you thinking? After all these years, don't you understand me?"

"Yes."

"After all these years, you still don't understand me?"

Qingwen mimicked Wang Xin's speech. After speaking, she shook off Wang Xin's hand, picked up the swaddled baby Min'an who was giggling upon seeing Qingwen, and quickly left.

"This girl."

Wang Xin shook his head with amusement.

Everyone else changed as their status changed, but Qingwen remained largely unchanged.

As for Lin Yatou...

It's been a long time since I've seen her, but her father is still alive, so no one dares to bully her, and I don't need to worry about her much.

I went to the study first.

Wang Xin wrote two letters before returning home.

"What did you do to upset Qingwen?"

Inside the room, Ping'er held the swaddled baby, her clothes slightly open, and the baby's little mouth sucked with all its might, its face turning red from straining.

"how could I know."

Wang Xin stepped forward and, seeing his son nursing, couldn't help but smile. "Qingwen has grown up now. Her mind isn't as easy to guess as it was when she was little. Anyway, aren't you girls just unpredictable?"

Ping'er gently patted the baby's back while looking at Wang Xin.

"What are you looking at?"

"Humph."

Ping'er didn't say anything more.

She knew her place and, as long as her son grew up safely, she didn't object to certain things.

Wang Xin swallowed hard.

Ping'er recovered to this state in six months after giving birth, but she became even more voluptuous, with fair breasts that made Wang Xin's hands itch.

"Don't make trouble."

Ping'er pushed Wang Xin's hand away.

"No." *Thump*

The bells in the Great Zhou Palace rang.

Zhou Jifu raised his head blankly, his eyes bloodshot.

Zhang Wenjin was startled.

Compared to his appearance in my memory, Zhang Jifu has aged a lot, and the vigor he once had is nowhere to be seen. He looks like a helmsman who has exhausted himself after using all his strength.

Not surprising.

Although the Prince of Nan'an suffered a defeat in the war outside Yunnan, it was Zhang Jifu who defied public opinion and chose to seek peace. He even selected the children of nobles to be sent to marry foreign rulers, thus incurring immense infamy.

Now there is another major event: the suppression of bandits in Shandong.

The official gazette defined it as a popular uprising, but everyone knew it was actually a rebellion of disaster victims—no small matter. If not controlled properly, it could spread, shake public morale, and become a matter of great importance to the nation and its people.

Not to mention the failure of the military reforms in Liaodong a few years earlier.

over the years.

There are few successes and many failures.

If someone were in Zhang Jifu's position, they might not necessarily do a better job than Zhang Jifu.

Although the emperor remains silent, who would refuse the crown prince?
The retired emperor is too old.

He had no other sons.

No one bet on the retired emperor.

"You mean Zhou Wen was scammed?" Zhang Jifu asked incredulously, yet he had no choice but to believe it.

Zhang Wenjin nodded.

"Those generals of the Western Army in Datong are all very cunning. They are good at fighting, and they are also good at deceiving people." Zhang Wenjin still felt a little unhappy when he thought about how Zhao Yong had tricked him.

Zhang Jifu fell silent.

Zhang Wenjin is Li Chengxian's person; while not outstanding, she is not bad either.

At least Datong did a good job.

Zhang Wenjin's reminder was likely correct. Although he was unwilling to see it, Zhang Jifu had no choice but to believe it intuitively. It was very likely that Zhou Wen had been kept in the dark all along.

"So, even though that military officer named Tang Ping is Zhou's son-in-law, he is still loyal to Wang Xin?"

Zhang Jifu spoke with difficulty.

Zhang Wenjin nodded without hesitation.

Their current actions are too similar to the tactics Zhao Yong used to deal with them in the past.

There are no such coincidences in the world.

Therefore, it must be a conspiracy.

"Wang Xin."

Zhang Jifu couldn't help but read the name aloud.

If what Zhang Wenjin said is true, then what about the right wing army?

Why did Wang Xin possess such great abilities?
Does he have supernatural eyes? Why is he so different from everyone else?

If things were like that on my side, I wouldn't be in such dire straits.

"But now there's probably no other way."

“Wang Xin has already been removed from office, so we can’t demote him without a reason. Besides, even if he is demoted, does that mean he will change his mind? I’m afraid not. Moreover, Zhu Wei still wants to protect him, and these are turbulent times.”

Zhang Wenjin shook her head.

Replacing all of Wang Xin's generals was no easy task; it required a great deal of effort. Even Zhang Jifu, facing opposition from many people, had to go through a lot of trouble.

"So this was Wang Xin's plan."

Zhang Jifu has figured it out.

Although it's unclear how Wang Xin managed to win people's hearts to such an extent—it's simply unbelievable—now that we've figured it out, things will be easier.

"We'll deal with this matter once things in Shandong are settled."

"Your Excellency should be careful."

Zhang Wenjin reminded him again.

Grand Secretary Zhang wanted to seize military power. With the successful suppression of the Shandong rebels by the Beijing Garrison, the military power of the Beijing Garrison had completely fallen into Grand Secretary Zhang's hands. In addition, with the Datong Western Army outside, he was in the name of the cabinet.

Who in the world can stop him?

With the support of the retired emperor, Zhang Jifu's power will surpass what it has been before.

All the troubles are no longer troubles.

I have been in Beijing for more than five years.

Despite the difficulties, Zhang Jifu steadily improved the status of the cabinet.

Zhang Wenjin also wanted to see.

A cabinet that controls the entire Beijing Garrison and the Datong Military Town would carry immense weight, which is why Zhang Wenjin did not oppose Li Chengxian's request and was willing to help Zhang Jifu.

Even if the unruly people of Shandong rebelled, even if they numbered 100,000, they would have no chance against the imperial army.

Zhang Jifu already has a 70% chance of winning.

What a pity for Wang Xin.

Wang Xin was ultimately on the emperor's side. Although he cooperated well during the Datong period, he was, after all, a military man, and couldn't afford to ruin the overall situation.

I'll ask him about it later.

Zhang Wenjin was genuinely curious about how Wang Xin had managed to do it, given how loyal his men were to him.

Does he have a unique skill in judging people?
Zhang Wenjin became increasingly eager to possess it, wishing she could acquire it as a family heirloom.
-
"Hahaha."

Jia She held the letter and laughed heartily.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Brother-in-law has made a great contribution in Shandong this time, which is something to be happy about. No wonder Father is smiling so happily."

Yingchun is already married.

Sun Shaozu inherited the command position, a vacancy held by the Ministry of War.

Everyone in the Jia family said that the eldest master had found a good husband. Firstly, Sun Shaozu was handsome, strong, and skilled in both literature and martial arts. He was also under thirty years old and came from a good family. Secondly, he was an old friend and protégé of the Jia family and held the position of a third-rank official in the Imperial Secretariat.

Although he is not as good as the second son-in-law, Wang Xin has lost power now, hasn't he?

Her son-in-law was younger than Wang Xin, so there was still time for him to surpass Wang Xin.

Then people will see which house is truly the most powerful.

“Sun Shaozu is hardworking, I was right about him. This time he fought alongside the army and made new contributions. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we should not only find him a real position, but also promote him.”

The actual position of a third-rank official is that of a military officer.

Going further, he should be a deputy commander-in-chief of the second rank.

Wang Xin was a general of the second rank.

Although the distance between a deputy general and a commander-in-chief may seem small, the actual difference is immense. Jia Lian was well aware of these matters and hesitated, saying, "It's already difficult to implement, and to take it a step further would probably cost a lot of money."

Money was fine, but Jia Lian wasn't sure if he had the connections.

"It's all your fault."

Jia She suddenly shouted a curse.

Jia Lian was startled and said aggrievedly, "What did my son do wrong this time?"

"I was originally hoping that your family would manage the affairs of the mansion, but look what happened! You can't even control your wife, and I've become the master." Jia She became angrier as he spoke, and slammed his fist on the table.

Jia She dared not utter a sound, fearing that his father would beat him.

"Your traitorous wife, don't you know where she's taken all the money in the house? I could let it go before, but now that you have a brother-in-law to help you, if you still can't stand up for yourself and only know how to fool around, I might as well just beat you to death."

Jia Lian felt a little uneasy.

Although Wang Xifeng made money, it would be nonsense to say that she took all the money in the mansion.

It can't be that Father has set his sights on Wang Xifeng's money again.

It should be tens of thousands of taels.

"We also need to take care of things in the manor."

Jia She narrowed his eyes.

The daughter-in-law was useless, and I originally planned to replace her, but then Wang Ziteng came along again. Since that was the case, I would have let it go, but I didn't expect that a villain is a villain, and a leopard can't change its spots.

There's no room for negotiation now that things have come to this.

When it's time to turn against someone, you have to turn against them.

We have no choice but to fight.

However, Jia She hesitated.

The second wife's daughter was a Noble Consort, so even if the emperor didn't like her, her status was still there.

We still can't force it.

(End of this chapter)