The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 434 Incident
Beijing.

Jia Mansion.

When Jia Zheng returned from the yamen, everyone could see that the master was suppressing his anger. Everyone dared not utter a sound and served Jia Zheng carefully. Jia Zheng walked to his study with a sullen face.

Zhou Rui carried the tea tray and walked in silently and cautiously.

The teacup made a very soft sound when placed on the tea table.

"Wow!"

Zhou Rui was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground. The servants outside the door didn't even dare to turn their heads, their bodies tense with tension.

"Master." Zhou Rui's face was pale, not knowing what he had done wrong.

The master rarely lost his temper with his servants.

There are occasional unpleasant moments, but rarely the situation we see today.

Jia Zheng sat resentfully in the chair behind the desk, pondered for a moment, and finally spoke: "Where is San Yatou?"

"I'll send someone to find it right away."

Zhou Rui quickly made arrangements.

He asked his wife to go and look for her. When Zhou Rui's wife saw her husband's expression, she dared not delay and rushed to the old lady's room. Sure enough, she found Tan Chun there.

"Why is Master in such a hurry to see Tan Chun?"

Grandmother Jia sensed something was amiss.

Zhou Rui's wife said with a wry smile, "I don't know why the master got angry. His expression is particularly frightening. Third Miss, you'd better come with me quickly, lest the master get even angrier."

Everyone looked at Tan Chun, who looked surprised and doubtful. She quickly regained her composure and stood up, intending to follow Zhou Rui's wife.

Li Wan lowered her head and dared not say a word.

Wang Xifeng didn't interrupt either.

Yingchun was already married, and although Xichun was worried about her sister, she dared not stand up for her.

Grandmother Jia sighed, "Third daughter, go ahead, I'll be right there."

After Tan Chun left, she didn't say much on the way.

Zhou Rui's wife did say a few words.

"master."

As they entered Jia Zheng's study, Tan Chun bowed to her father.

"sit down."

Surprisingly, Jia Zheng did not lose his temper with Tan Chun. Instead, he looked at his daughter with a complicated expression.

She is far more outstanding than her mother.

It's not just her appearance, but also her demeanor.

Thinking of Aunt Zhao, Jia Zheng felt even more sorrowful. He felt he had wronged her too much in his life. Having made up his mind, Jia Zheng looked earnestly at Tan Chun.

"Wang Xin's ambition is out of control. This man has become a major threat to the court. He even dared to attack Taiyuan. This matter cannot be suppressed. It has not only shocked the court, but even the emperor is so angry that he cannot speak."

Jia Zheng sighed. How far was Wang Xin from becoming a high-ranking official? Besides, he was only thirty-five years old.

There's clearly nothing you need to do.

He wanted to establish four new major families. Now that things had come to this point, Lin Ruhai did not object, nor did he intend to object.

He is not a dictator.

He was a powerful figure with a strong presence in the imperial court, leading a group of influential people.

He didn't need to do anything; everything he was supposed to have would be there. Yet, he insisted on overturning the table. Jia Zheng simply couldn't understand it. Although Lin Ruhai said it was for the sake of the people, and not that he was against the people, did it really have to go this far?

Jia Zheng no longer hesitated, "If you marry him, you will inevitably be implicated by him in the end. If it is a serious crime of treason, even the family cannot protect you. Therefore, I can change your marriage with Wang Xin."

The other colleagues disagreed.

They're willing to sacrifice one of their daughters; what if Wang Xin manages to survive this ordeal?

Even if Wang Xin fails, she will still be nothing more than a concubine's daughter.

This deal is too good to pass up.

Lin Ruhai also hesitated.

That man is infuriating! If it were his daughter, he would have jumped up and down long ago.

Am I really inferior to him?
However, Jia Zheng also knew that his marriage agreement with Wang Xin was not just a matter between the two families, but a major decision concerning the entire circle. It had already changed twice, and as the saying goes, things don't happen more than three times, so there was no reason for it to change again.

Wang Xin needs their support most right now, and if they break the agreement now, it won't just be a falling out, but turning them into enemies.

Therefore, many people disagree.

Even if we have to draw a clear line, let's just give up one of the concubine's daughters and treat it like water that has been spilled.

Jia Zheng was unconvinced and said angrily, "I'm going all out today."

Hearing her father's words, Tan Chun went from being confused to clear-headed. By the end, seeing her father's expression, Tan Chun remained quite calm, which in turn affected Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng gradually calmed down and waited for his daughter's decision.

"Has the imperial court decided to deal with him?"

"Although no decision has been made yet, the entire hall is filled with indignation. You have no idea what Wang Xin did in Datong." Jia Zheng said with great distress, recounting how Wang Xin searched and confiscated property in Datong and how ruthless his methods were.

Tan Chun had an idea.

"As the saying goes, a loyal minister does not serve two masters, and a virtuous woman does not marry two husbands. Although I am born out of wedlock, I am still my father's daughter and will never disgrace his name. No matter what happens to Wang Xin in the future, I will follow him wherever he goes."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng was deeply moved.

I felt ashamed.

I not only feel guilty towards Aunt Zhao, but also towards my daughter.

“You should think it over carefully and not make a decision lightly,” Jia Zheng said seriously. “Once the Emperor straightens out the court, none of the officials will tolerate Wang Xin, especially given his perverse actions in Datong. Many people will not support him.”

Tan Chun nodded.

"Even Wang Xin couldn't touch the Xue family's ancestral property, let alone give it to an outsider."

Xue Pan reeked of alcohol.

Several maids mustered their courage and stood in front of Baochai, but they were so nervous that they were trembling and could not stop Xue Pan at all.

Xue Pan didn't care about the maids and waved his hand impatiently: "You all get out. I have something confidential to tell my sister, and you can't hear it."

After giving his orders, Xue Pan was furious when he saw that the maids dared to disobey him.

Twenty-five years old is no longer the young age of seventeen or eighteen.

Many things that used to cause him hesitation now seem trivial, and he often finds them laughable, his eyes revealing murderous intent towards the maids.

"You guys go out."

Baochai couldn't bear to see her maids suffer as a result, so she spoke up on their behalf.

Human hearts are reciprocal.

Several maids looked at Baochai worriedly, but Baochai smiled and said, "Brother wouldn't harm me."

"What are you saying?" Xue Pan glanced at the maids with disdain and said sarcastically, "So that's what you're worried about. This is something you can worry about."

Baochai said no more.

The maids dared not linger and had no choice but to leave.

"I'll go find Madam." One of the maids was clever and came up with an idea as soon as she left.

"You've taken in quite a few people these past few years, even the maids only listen to you now." Xue Pan sneered. The managers and shopkeepers at the counter had all become disobedient, always mentioning the young lady, as if the Xue family was now in charge of the younger sister.

"We encountered many disaster victims on the road, and if we saw a clever one, we would take him along the way."

Baochai replied.

Staring at his younger sister, Xue Pan frowned and reminded her, "You are already a twenty-year-old young woman. It's not right for our family's daughters to stay at home unmarried."

Xue Baochai remained silent.

If her brother tries to force her into marriage, she really has no other choice, since it has always been the way parents and matchmakers arrange marriages.

"I know you don't want to get married." Xue Pan didn't force you, but said regretfully, "It's a pity. Wang Xin was indeed a good husband, but due to unforeseen circumstances, if you had married into the Wang family back then and stayed at home to be a good wife and mother, you wouldn't have the troubles you have today."

"but."

Xue Pan then changed the subject, saying, "A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Times change. Wang Xin has lost his mind and made a huge mess of things. I'm afraid he won't have a good ending."

"He'll be fine."

Baochai knew which matter her brother was referring to.

Baochai knew about Wang Xin's plan to capture Taiyuan even earlier than they did.

Xue Pan shook his head. After all, his younger sister was a girl. "Actually, I've always told Mom that it's fine for you to stay at home and manage the family business. As your older brother, I've always loved you since you were little, and there's no reason why I won't love you now that you've grown up. But there's one thing you need to understand."

Xue Pan said, word by word, "The Xue family's ancestral property must not be allowed to fall into the hands of outsiders. Even if it rots, it should rot within the Xue family."

Baochai remained silent.

Xue Pan stared coldly at Baochai. He simply couldn't understand why his sister was so insistent on this matter, why she wanted him to do something he didn't want to do.

"understood."

Baochai finally spoke, her heart filled with utter helplessness.

Just as Wang Xin had predicted.

Human hearts are the hardest thing to change. Hearing his sister's reply, Xue Pan finally showed satisfaction and looked around as he left the courtyard.

My younger sister is indeed very intelligent and has remarkable skills.

She is also diligent.

Actually, it would have been great to have her manage the counter, but unfortunately, her sister had been drugged by Wang Xin.

Wang Xin was more than happy to let the Xue family get all their things for free.

Women really do have long hair but short brains.

"Sir, shall we go to a brothel?"

At the entrance, the servants had already brought their horses over.

Xue Pan shook his head.

After giving his sister a dressing down, he also needed to pull himself together and personally go to the counter to deal with things. Now that things had come to this point, everyone's hearts were leaning towards his sister, so he needed to give her a talking-to and let everyone know what was going on.

The Xue Family Trading Company belongs to the Xue family.

Day two.

Baochai left home and took a carriage to her own courtyard.

"The old man went there for half a day yesterday, saying he would go there early this morning, but he went somewhere else instead. He probably doesn't go to the counter." There were also two stewards' wives sitting in the carriage.

They only lasted half a day.

Baochai was speechless.

Thinking of the sons and daughters of various families, from their own homes to the Jia family mansion, and from the Jia family mansion to other homes.

Of the children I've seen, how many are willing to work?

Furthermore, Baoyu dared to discuss practical matters in front of him, which inevitably aroused his disgust. This is quite similar to the current trend in official circles and scholars, who value empty reputation but are not accustomed to practical matters.

The arrangements for the counter had already been made.

Each manager is responsible for one area, and there shouldn't be any problems in the short term.

The key lies in Datong.

It's time to make a decision.

Xue Baochai alighted from the carriage and decided on the itinerary.

She couldn't let her brother control her, otherwise it would inevitably lead to disaster sooner or later.

The crescent-shaped gate is flanked by painted Suzhou-style verandas, with lush green vines entwined around the pillars.

There is a sedan chair hall with a curved roof, and inside the hall is a long table with hardwood and marble. Beyond the sedan chair hall are two elegant flower halls, and there are small doors on the side of the halls leading to the courtyard corridor.

At the end of the covered walkway through the mountain, there is a small deer park.

They even kept sika deer inside.

Who wouldn't love something so exquisite?

"I'm incredibly happy and impressed by this place, but what I admire most is Miss Xue's talent." Bai Dajia looked at Xue Baochai with admiration and sighed, "It's Miss Xue's talent that truly wins me over."

They excel at learning anything and learn quickly.

While it may not be accurate to say that the student has surpassed the teacher, the only difference is time.

The two have been spending a lot of time together lately. Although Xue Baochai is dignified and elegant, she is also approachable. Bai Dajia is increasingly fond of her and is teaching her with more and more effort, as if he considers Xue Baochai a confidante.

More importantly, Miss Xue did not look down on her background. Such an extraordinary woman has reached this point. Everyone was really curious and couldn't help but ask, "Which man in the world is worthy of Miss Xue learning opera singing for him?"

"Wang Xin."

Xue Baochai did not hide it.

Bai was stunned. She never expected that Miss Xue would not hide anything from her. This trust excited her and made her completely devoted to her.

But who is Wang Xin?
Oh.

Wang Xin, the military governor of Datong.

Wait.

"Is that General Wang from the Wang Family Army back then?" Bai Dajia asked excitedly.

"It's him."

Everyone was satisfied with Bai.

She had never met Wang Xin, knew nothing about him, and couldn't even remember anything about him as the military governor. Although she had heard of him, the most memorable thing about him was the folk songs from several places in Yangzhou, where the people still remembered him.

Various folk songs about General Wang were sung among the people, and their popularity did not diminish with the passage of time; on the contrary, more and more people became aware of them.

Xue Baochai's eyes, however, held a hint of sorrow.

I've decided to take the gamble.

There is no absolute certainty of victory in anything; the business world is like a battlefield, and the principle is the same.

If Wang Xin loses.

No matter how well he managed the Xue family, it would be useless; he would lose everything.

So, can Wang Xin really continue his winning streak?

Although many stewards supported Wang Xin, and Lan Huai was absolutely certain that Wang Xin would win, Xue Baochai was still uncertain when the time came.

She is, after all, a girl.

The pressure was immense, but at this critical juncture, I had no way out.

Xue Baochai's gaze gradually hardened.
-
"Boom."

Liaodong.

Fengjibao, the gateway to Shenyang.

The barbarians split into eight groups to plunder this land, committing atrocities such as rape, rape, and massacre of the people. They wiped out the population, looted all the supplies, and finally set it on fire, showing no regard for the Zhou government troops.

Li Bincheng, the commander-in-chief defending the city, could no longer tolerate it.

In order to dampen the arrogance of the barbarians and make them behave themselves, two hundred cavalrymen were sent out of the city.

"I'm afraid he won't be coming back."

Li Bincheng held his wine bowl, looking at his brothers with envy.

Among the two hundred servants, who isn't his own brother?
"The imperial court raises soldiers for a thousand days to use them for one day. The principle is self-evident; all the brothers know it," someone said with a hearty laugh.

They disregarded the imperial court's authority and only considered Li Tou's favor.

No one objected.

After drinking the farewell wine, and watching his brothers leave the city gate and then close it again, Li Bincheng felt his heart bleeding.

Thirty li outside the city.

Several barbarian riders delivered the message.

"Haha."

A barbarian chieftain, wearing a Zhou army helmet and a bright red battle robe, and looking even better than the Zhou army generals, burst out laughing, "This General Li truly lives up to his reputation as the conscience of Shenyang; he really fell for it."

Then, his expression hardened, and he snapped, "Let's go."

Behind him were two thousand cavalrymen.

The two armies met.

Li Bincheng's servants were shocked. They had just stepped out of the house and were already surrounded? Had the news leaked out?

"There's a traitor!"

"I'll go back and tell Chief Li even if it kills me."

Some people have bloodshot eyes.

"Swish swish."

After several volleys of arrows, only a dozen or so of the two hundred retainers fell, but many of their horses were wounded by arrows and lost their ability to move. They huddled together and were surrounded by barbarian cavalry. Those who rushed out tried to fight back, but there were too many enemies to stop them.

In the city.

Li Chengbin looked out of the city with concern.

The brothers are outnumbered, so we absolutely cannot confront the barbarians head-on. Instead, we must make the barbarians back down, buy time for the people, and protect as many people as possible before reinforcements arrive.

"Pfft."

The long sword pierced through his chest from behind.

Li Chengbin lowered his head and stared blankly at the tip of the knife.

Several soldiers, some familiar and some unfamiliar, stood around him, none of them daring to look at him. Then, with difficulty, they turned around and recognized who had done it—one of their own men. They then thought about why.

Li Chengbin's expression changed drastically, and he fell silent with a look of despair.

The two thousand defenders of Fengjibao opened the gates and surrendered.

The barbarians entered the city and slaughtered more than a thousand of the defenders. They then attacked the reinforcements that had come from Shenyang, defeating them halfway through their journey. The Zhou army suffered a crushing defeat.

"The barbarians are like gods!"

In the middle of the night, a civil official wrote a memorial to the court, filled with grief and indignation, denouncing the matter.

(End of this chapter)