The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 373 Private Transaction
Wang Xin still held the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Right Route of the Eastern Army, and in this capacity, he also concurrently commanded the Datong Military Garrison.

They may appear to have more real power, but their authority is illegitimate and the court can withdraw them at any time.

But they haven't withdrawn yet.

So Ping'er and the others still live in Tongzhou.

After leaving the Lin residence.

Wang Xin did not go to the Jia family mansion, nor did he return to the general's mansion in Tongzhou. Instead, he returned to his three-courtyard residence in the capital.

Only a few servants remained to guard the three-courtyard house. When they learned that the master had returned, they were all at a loss.

Too many people returned; there were fifty guards alone, along with their horses.

They were too busy preparing food for the guards to take care of, not to mention the livestock.

"No need to bother." Wang Xin had already made arrangements and said calmly, "Not only have you all worked hard, but you've also missed your meal. Let's go to the restaurant and buy some cooked food."

Once the servants had a direction and found out what kind of food they wanted to buy—just some ordinary dishes—they headed towards the nearest restaurant on the main street at the entrance of the alley.

Restaurants rely on the support of their neighbors in addition to passersby.

There are many business people here, so the restaurants are quite large.

The food is delicious and attracts customers.

Neighbors or regular customers usually settle accounts on credit, and then pay together when they have accumulated a sum of one or two taels of silver or a whole number of taels of silver.

Upon learning that the General had returned, the shopkeeper personally went to the kitchen to urge them to prioritize serving the General's family.

The food for fifty people was packed into several food boxes, but there weren't enough. With the servants' permission, the food was put directly into wooden plates, placed on a cart, secured to the other food boxes, and delivered under the guidance of the servants.

After Shi Ping and Shi Gandang shared the food, Shi Gandang confirmed the order and then led more than forty men back to the Tongzhou military camp, leaving the remaining eight at the mansion.

It's like an invisible rule.

Although it was just a very ordinary little thing, Wang Xin set an example by his own actions. There were no explicit rules, but the Datong Western Army had already developed its own unique unspoken rules.

On the battlefield, generals inevitably need personal guards, sometimes even up to the size of a personal guard battalion, not only to ensure the safety of the commander-in-chief but also to protect the command center.

But public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters.

After he was promoted to the position of General of the Western Army of Datong, his personal guard consisted of two hundred men. The army provided for the personal guard's food and drink, military expenses, and monthly rations, including twelve personal guards responsible for daily security.

The role of two hundred guards is in line with battlefield needs and they are also considered combat units.

The twelve bodyguards were responsible for the daily protection of the general.

This expense is reasonable and should be paid by the army. As a general, I only have twelve personal guards, so naturally those below the general level have even fewer.

There were six lieutenant generals, four guerrilla commanders, and two assistant commanders.

As for what kind of personal guards mid-to-lower-rank military officers below the rank of Zuoji, what kind of personal guards do they need?
There are preparations for the battlefield, including on the front lines. For example, Zhang Can was stationed in Guihua City, which is on the front lines, so he had many personal guards who would take turns following him every day to ensure that the general would not encounter any accidents.

But in the rear areas, what kind of personal guards would junior officers need?
If you need a maid, just hire one yourself.

Unless there are special circumstances.

For example, in times of natural disasters and man-made calamities, there are many bandits along the way, so personal guards are often arranged to escort them.

This is the atmosphere that gradually formed in the Western Army of Datong.

Including servants.

His residence and the Tongzhou General's Office had a total of twenty servants.

There are no explicit rules, but an unspoken understanding has been formed. When he was still a guerrilla, he had only eight servants. Now that he is a general, he has twenty servants in his mansion.

Twenty servants.

Not enough to satisfy?
In ancient times, military officers generally held relatively high ranks.

For example, a fourth-rank civil official is already a mid-to-upper-level official, while a military commander is already a fourth-rank military officer.

The reason for giving them the same rank of fourth grade is not because civil and military officials are of equal rank, but because military officials need to fight and risk their lives. Taking all factors into consideration, they should be given a higher salary, so they are given the salary of a fourth grader.

The General of the Great Zhou Dynasty was a second-rank official.

A civil official of the second rank is already considered a big shot.

Therefore, his annual salary was five hundred taels. He did not embezzle, and his subordinates were not allowed to embezzle either. Considering the customs and sentiments of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he needed to be realistic, otherwise it would be impossible to implement.

Therefore, military officers at all levels were given subsidies close to their salaries, and the general received an additional 450 taels of silver per year.

For example, when I was a guerrilla commander, I received an annual salary of 180 taels and an additional 150 taels, totaling 330 taels for the whole year.

Now it's 950 taels of silver a year.

In the Jiangnan region, a farmer with ten acres of land could earn no more than six taels and two and a half mace of silver in a year if the weather was favorable.

The income of one family is equivalent to that of 152 small households, not to mention tenant farmers.

in other words.

For a small family to earn the equivalent of one year's income, they would have to work hard for 152 years without eating or drinking.

If a salary of 950 taels is not enough, then Wang Xin believes that society cannot be sustained. No matter how much money is earned or how much social wealth is developed, it will eventually be drained dry.

So, the expenses for twenty servants amounted to 240 taels per year.

The family can eat and drink well, dress well, study and practice martial arts. No matter how much they spend, they won't spend more than three hundred taels of silver a year. At the end of the year, they can still save four hundred taels, which is more than they can spend.

unless
Gift-giving, social interactions, business entertainment, famous paintings and antiques, land acquisition
For example, a painting could cost several thousand taels of silver.

For example, giving Shangguan several thousand taels of silver as a gift.

Therefore, Wang Xin neither accepted nor gave gifts.

When I first served as a soldier in the Yangzhou Salt Commissioner's Office, I gave away the spoils of war obtained from suppressing Japanese pirates to many officials. At that time, I was just a militia commander in a temporary army, and the environment was different. Now it is even more different.

Officers don't need to give gifts to others; their promotions are not determined by the amount of money they give.

Maintain this atmosphere.

The maverick Datong Western Army not only maintained its fighting strength but also remained out of step with its allies.

The system is just an aid.

Help yourself select people with a conscience.

However, how to remain loyal to oneself, maintain fighting spirit, and cultivate a good atmosphere requires one to do it step by step.

It can be said.

It is precisely because I have been doing the right things bit by bit that I have achieved what I have today: Datong West Army.

If outsiders want to take control, they either need to break through the Datong Western Army with their strength, or they need to change themselves and actively integrate.

If he could integrate into the ranks of the Western Army of Datong, then he would not object to such a person.

The current plan is to reorganize the entire Datong military town into the next Datong Western Army, but this is too much of a commotion. The imperial court is not blind; it could tolerate it before, but it certainly cannot tolerate it now.

Then Lin Ruhai appeared.

Wang Xin hesitated.

If we really do as he says, will we truly integrate into the four major families?
Wang Xin shook his head.

What you need are your own rules, not other people's rules.

Although the four major families are very powerful and can bring huge benefits if used properly, they have their own interests. So, who will listen to whom in the end?
Just like the Xue family.

Xue Yan has his own interests, and when those interests conflict with his own, if he is acting in his own best interest, he must of course accept concessions and submit to his own interests.

What he wanted was an obedient Xue family, not an ally Xue family.

As for getting the four major families to listen to him, that's impossible.

Guangdong Governor Wu Wenhua would not agree.

Lin Ruhai would not agree either.

Even Jia Zheng would not agree.

Including Lu Zhongheng.

These outsiders still maintained the customs of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even Jia Zheng, who seemed the most innocent, did not need to be greedy because someone else helped him be greedy. What he needed was to be incorruptible.

Fundamentally, his own interests do not align with the interests of the four major families; and the interests of the four major families do not align with his own interests.

The problem is that the four major families' power was not integrated before. Although they were large, they were scattered and needed their own armies to strengthen their foundation. Just like how the eldest and second branches of the Rongguo Mansion were so at odds, but to outsiders they were still one family. "In the words of outsiders."

Wang Xin walked to the window and looked at the flowers and plants in the yard. Ping'er and Qingwen had done this, making the yard look beautiful. Thinking of his son whom he hadn't seen for a long time, he suddenly felt relieved.

"I've grown up and I want to fly solo."

Wang Xin chuckled twice.

The interests of the four major families do not align with my own.

Lin Ruhai's idea was indeed quite perfect.

I will never forget Lord Lin's kindness.

The next morning, Wang Xin went to Zhang Jifu's residence. Yesterday, Zhang had sent someone to deliver his visiting card, and he would be visiting today.

Wang Xin is now very certain.

At least in the current situation, I can basically see whoever I want.

Zhang Jifu did not greet him. He sat upright behind the table and waited for Wang Xin to enter with the steward and bow to him before Zhang Jifu smiled and pointed to the chair next to him.

"Sit down quickly."

"Why didn't you go to the Jia residence, but came here first?"

Zhang Jifu laughed.

His words were loaded with hidden meaning; he was testing himself.

Wang Xin sat firmly, listened to Zhang Jifu's words without any extra expression, and said calmly, "I met Lord Lin yesterday and know what I need to know. It doesn't matter whether I meet Lord Zheng or not. I am his son-in-law. We are family, so there is no need to be formal."

Although he had made up his mind, he could still use the Jia family's reputation.

It depends on what bargaining chips Zhang Jifu is willing to offer.

Of course, the more the better.

Zhang Jifu remained silent upon hearing this. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "You've changed over the years; you've become more calculating."

"Yes, even the Grand Secretary has changed."

Wang Xin nodded in agreement.

My actions today are very different from the impression I've given people over the years.

I usually act like a gentleman.

Zhang Jifu had mixed feelings. Although Wang Xin's change was more advantageous to him, Zhang Jifu preferred the original Wang Xin and couldn't help but ask, "Why did he change?"

"I haven't changed at all."

Wang Xin shook his head. "Grand Secretary Ru hasn't really changed; it's just the situation that has changed."

Zhang Jifu frowned, pondering Wang Xin's words.

"Invincible in battle, defending our homeland." Wang Xin didn't pretend to be profound and took the initiative to say, "These two sentences are what I've been saying since I joined the army, and I've always said them."

Zhang Jifu was startled.

“Wang Xin is a man without a ruler or father; he cannot be given important responsibilities.” Recalling the Emperor Emeritus’s evaluation of this man, Zhang Jifu suddenly felt a sense of fear.

The world is full of incredibly clever people.

For example, the retired emperor.

He usually prided himself on his intelligence, but only today was he forced to see Wang Xin's true intentions. The Emperor Emeritus had never even met Wang Xin, yet he saw through him and left behind comments that he did not quite agree with.

But there's an even stronger sense of powerlessness.

Even if the retired emperor is so powerful, what can he do?

They were all powerless to control their own lives.

Who told him he had no son? Who told him he was so old? Who told him he was about to die?
"Stop when you're near the edge of an abyss; going against the tide will turn prosperity into decline."

I am reminded of the words of the ancient sages.

Zhang Jifu seemed to see one brilliant genius after another, whose intelligence was astonishing as if they were gods or demons.

Isn't that how the Great Zhou Dynasty was?

When the Emperor Emeritus was still wise and powerful, the Great Zhou Dynasty was thriving. Everything changed after the Emperor Emeritus grew old and fell ill. Originally, Prince Yizhong should have been supported, but the Emperor Emeritus was unwilling to give up power and acted against the tide.

Not only was the entire family of the young, strong, and highly respected Prince Yizhong executed, but he also extensively implicated and eliminated dissidents, supporting the young emperor.
If Prince Yizhong were alive, he would still be the crown prince even if he did not become emperor.

With the prestige of Prince Yizhong.

Which of the various princes and military governors would dare to make a move?

Even more so, the retired emperor took the initiative to abdicate, willingly relinquishing power. With Prince Yizhong's decisiveness and strength, would the Great Zhou still be in its current state?

Like Japanese pirates.

The Japanese pirates were probably completely quelled twenty years ago; there was no way Wang Xin would have had a chance to step forward.

My mind is filled with a thousand thoughts.

In reality, it happened in an instant.

Zhang Jifu no longer hesitated, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He didn't even bring out the impeachment documents that the censors had prepared for Wang Xin, which were impeaching him for his various actions outside the pass.

"Military Governor of Datong Army".

Six words came out of Zhang Jifu's mouth.

Wang Xin was stunned.

He was thinking of the military governor of Yongxing Army.

Is Zhang Jifu delirious with fever?

What does it mean to be the Military Governor of Datong? Does it mean that all three armies are under his control? Although the three armies are actually under his influence, the Datong Western Army and the Tiancheng Army are not under his command. Moreover, the position of Military Governor of Datong is too high.

Zhang Jifu noticed Wang Xin's expression and said in a deep voice, "You have to promise to support me in the future."

"Does the Grand Secretary still believe my promise?"

Wang Xin did not agree directly, but instead asked a question in return.

“If you are not trustworthy, who in the world is trustworthy?” Zhang Jifu retorted.

If there were other means, Zhang Jifu would certainly not be willing to support Wang Xin in this way.

But if things have come to this point, how can you compete with others if you continue to be stingy?

It's like this anyway.

Then I will "go with the flow".

Datong Garrison is only one of the nine border garrisons, which Zhang Jifu can afford to give up. He can deal with them one by one after he has completely taken control of the Beijing Garrison.

Compared to Wang Xin, I am less comfortable handing over the Datong military town to someone else.

Don't worry, Zhou Wen.

Unfortunately, he was useless.

Zhang Jifu had already given up hope, yet he insisted on going against the grain to elevate him. Not only would he ultimately fail, but he would also completely push Wang Xin aside.

"it is good!"

Wang Xin agreed immediately.

Regardless of Zhang Jifu's plan, Wang Xin could not refuse based on the terms Zhang Jifu offered.

He acquired the title of Military Governor of Datong.

So who can stop Datong next?

Many of my ideas can be tested in Datong.

Zhang Jifu stared at Wang Xin for a moment.

Considering Wang Xin's character, he was not the kind of person who would rebel against his superiors.

Deep down, he still believed in Wang Xin; he thought the man wouldn't rebel. Otherwise, with the peasant uprising in Shandong and the Prince of Dongping in the distance, and then another Wang Xin emerging, he wouldn't be able to hold on.

(End of this chapter)