Chapter 0008 The Agreement of Men

Wang Cai, how many times have I told you? General Wang is a seasoned commander who has been on the battlefield and has taken lives. What he needs is space. Why have you arranged the chairs in the hall so closely together? Are you trying to make him uncomfortable? Hurry up and rearrange them!

With this person's shouting, the large courtyard house with two entrances is bustling with activity inside and out

Wang Shichong laughed and said: "Brother Wang, you are too polite. I have made it very clear in my letter that if the Supreme is indeed to launch a southern expedition, it would also be an opportunity for our Wang family of Xinfeng. You know that although I, A Da, have served two terms as the governor, I hold no noble title. My brothers and I cannot inherit titles and hold office like the sons of noble families. Our Wang family is not a prominent clan; if we wish to hold office, we can only strive for merit on the battlefield. This southern expedition is not only your chance for revenge but also our opportunity to gain official positions.

Wang Shou, how many times have I told you to water the garden? Why haven't I seen any water yet!

The matter of Wang Shichong meeting Wang Ban is still being kept from Wang He, and he does not intend to disclose everything until there is absolute certainty regarding the situation

Thinking of this, he said: "Wang Shiji will arrive tonight. I can only reserve my opinion and comply with A-Da's arrangements. Rest assured, in front of Wang Shiji, I will certainly perform well and will not bring shame upon you"

Wang Ban glanced at the bustling street outside and said: "It is indeed true that a tiger's brothers fight together, and a father and son go to battle as well. I have heard that this afternoon, the current Duke of Yiyang, the Grand General, your distant cousin Wang Shiji, is coming to your home. It should also be related to the southern expedition, I suppose"

Wang Fu, the dust on the door frame has not been cleaned properly, are you not awake today

Wang Shichong smiled faintly. Since he successfully led two merchant caravans in Longxi over a year ago and established the Wang family business in the bustling city of Guzang, where wealthy merchants gathered along the Silk Road, Wang He publicly announced that he would take full control of the Wang family's business.

At this moment, a commotion was heard at the stairway, as if someone was trying to go upstairs. One person was shouting loudly: "Buddy, you have delayed me in my important business of finding my master, can you take responsibility for that?!"

The old man is none other than Wang He, the father of Wang Shichong. At present, he is weakly leaning against the cushion, listening to the busy footsteps and shouts from outside

It is precisely for this reason that the brothers outside are still busy welcoming esteemed guests, while Wang Shichong is having a deep conversation with his father, who is on his sickbed, in the small room

Wang He closed his eyes and murmured, "Shichong, do you still have thoughts about A Da inviting Wang Shiji to come over?"

The robust man in the yellow robe was none other than Wang Shishi, the elder brother of Wang Shichong. Upon hearing Wang Shichong's words, he approached and said: "Second brother, A Da has been looking for you for a long time and wants you to come over as soon as you get home"

As he pondered, Wang Shichong returned to his home. In this Xinfeng City, the Wang family could be considered a prominent household, with a vermilion-painted main gate and a courtyard wall built of blue bricks, standing two people high. In the eastern corner of the city, it formed an independent large residence with a two-entry courtyard.

Wang Ban's face showed displeasure, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his voice to say: "Haven't I already said that? If there is no urgent matter, do not disturb me, and especially do not shout in this crowded and noisy place!"

Wang Ban cleared his throat and said: "If there is anything to discuss, just say it. This brother Wang Xian is my sworn brother, so there is no need to hide anything from him"

The servant in black responded affirmatively and quietly said: "Just now, an urgent message from Lord Jiu arrived at the guesthouse, stating that His Majesty has issued a decree summoning you to the capital for an audience. Lord Jiu informed the messenger who delivered the edict that you had gone out to visit friends. The messenger later conveyed another order, instructing you to hasten to the palace as soon as you receive the news."

Wang Shichong also took a sip of wine, smiling as he shook his head: "Brother Wang, you may not know, but the so-called four great sorrows of life are: working the fields until one's legs are broken, selling straw sandals until one's throat is hoarse, encountering corrupt officials in business, and losing money in gambling only to regret it later. As merchants like us, we have no power or influence, and in the eyes of the high-ranking officials and nobles, we are just a piece of fat meat that everyone wants to take a bite out of. If one of the three of us were an official in the court, we wouldn't have to fear such matters."

Upon entering, one could see a dozen or so servants and maids in blue attire bustling about, while a robust man in his twenties, dressed in a yellow silk garment, standing eight feet tall with a prominent nose and deep-set eyes, was shouting orders to these individuals to clean the house and decorate it festively

The room is not large, furnished only with a few tables and chairs made of walnut, coated with varnish, and on a bench made of elm wood lies an elderly man in his fifties, wrapped in a blue thin quilt. A thick bandage is wrapped around his forehead, his complexion is pale, and his eye sockets are deeply sunken. However, there is a certain resemblance between his brows and eyes and those of Wang Shichong.

Upon entering, Wang Shichong looked up and immediately saw Wang He, and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects: "Elder Brother, do you have something to discuss with me?"

Wang Ban frowned, walked to the staircase, and said to the person downstairs: "Buddy, this person is my servant, please let him come up"

Wang Shichong let out a helpless bitter smile, realizing that seizing every opportunity to hold an official position was his father Wang He’s intention. Although his memories from his previous life included an awareness of the necessity to engage in business dealings, he still could not comprehend why his father wanted him and his two brothers to risk their lives on the battlefield for the sake of fame, especially when it involved going to war alongside Wang Shiji, who clearly harbored ill intentions towards their family.

Wang Ban smiled and said: "In fact, your Wang family's business is already thriving, so why do you still want to hold an official position? My main purpose is revenge, but even if you become officials, your salaries cannot compare to the profits from your business. Moreover, in this southern expedition, if the Supreme One shows mercy, I will also be among the first group of smugglers, which carries significant risks. Although it is said that wealth and honor are sought through danger, that applies to a poor and destitute bachelor. Your family is prosperous and well-established; is it really necessary?"

Wang Shichong nodded: "It should be as Brother Wang has analyzed. This matter has not yet been discussed between me and A Da. I estimate that we will only be able to act accordingly after meeting with Wang Shiji."

The servant approached the king's cold face, startled and shivering, and said in a low voice: "I deserve to die; the matter is urgent, and I momentarily forgot these things. I humbly ask for your punishment, my lord"

Wang Shichong smiled slightly, stood up, and returned the gesture with his arms crossed: "Alright, I, Wang Shichong, would like to express my stance here. As long as things go smoothly and the Supreme One shows mercy, allowing my elder brother to achieve his wishes, regardless of whether our Wang family joins forces with Brother Wang to cross the river this time, the one hundred thousand taels of military funds that we agreed upon will definitely be delivered in full, to be used as military supplies."

Wang He glanced at the expression on Wang Shichong's face and said with a smile: "Shichong, are you going to tell A Da again about the saying that 'there are houses of gold in books, and there are thousands of bushels of grain in books'?"

Wang Shichong responded affirmatively, casually placing a medicinal soup bowl from the round table in the outer room onto the small table beside Wang He’s bed, and then sat down on the bench in front of the bed, lowering his head in contemplation

Wang Ban said: "Dear brother, do not blame your foolish elder brother for meddling. Wang Shiji has always been arrogant and overbearing, and his relationship with your family is merely that of distant cousins, which is one of the most tenuous connections within five degrees of kinship. It is even less intimate than that of close neighbors. I heard that a few years ago he came to your home attempting to seize your family's assets, which is quite revealing. Moreover, he has not visited in recent years; why is he willing to come this time? It must be that your esteemed father is willing to part with a significant amount of money this time, and his establishment of a government office also requires support from your family's wealth, so this should be a transaction."

Wang Ban let out a sigh and said with a smile, "My dear brother, you are truly straightforward. Then please wait for the good news from your foolish brother." After saying this, the two exchanged formal greetings and bid farewell, with Wang Ban cheerfully leading the attendant downstairs.

A trace of pride flashed across Wang Ban's face as he stood up and crossed his arms towards Wang Shichong: "Dear brother, it seems that the Supreme Ruler has seen the Ten Strategies of Ping Chen that I proposed. I will set off immediately, and once the Supreme Ruler graciously allows me to cross the river first, I will contact you at the earliest opportunity."

Wang He sighed and looked up at Wang Shichong, saying, "Shichong, please take a seat"

Wang Shichong smiled and said: "Indeed, nothing can escape the notice of Brother Wang. The matter of the southern expedition has been widely discussed over the past two months. My father has also written to Wang Shiji, inviting him to visit when convenient, ostensibly for family connections, but in reality, he wishes to place us brothers under his command. After all, Wang Shiji is a general of the court and has the authority to establish a government office and recruit subordinates, making it easier for us to achieve success under his leadership."

With a sound of footsteps on the stairs, a person dressed in black with a small hat, resembling a servant, rushed up. A large patch on his chest was already wet. Upon raising his head, he directly saw Wang Ban, and his face immediately lit up with joy as he approached, saying: "Master, I have finally found you."

Wang Shichong immediately spotted the strong man and said with a smile, "Big brother, you have worked hard."

Wang Shichong nodded and walked directly into the inner courtyard, turning a few corners before entering a simple and unadorned room in the inner courtyard