Chapter 0004: The Gamble of the Rice Shop

Wang Shichong smiled slightly and said, "May I ask General Wang, if our brothers' financial management skills are stronger than that of your financial expert, will you no longer have to covet our family's assets in the future?" He had already made up his mind; these past few days he had been diligently practicing arithmetic, intending to lead Wang Shichong step by step into his own trap.

Wang Shiji took a look and realized it was Wang Shichong. He was first taken aback, then looked up to the sky and laughed heartily: "Good nephew, good eloquence. Listen carefully, first of all, I am the Grand General, and the Supreme Ruler has granted me the authority to establish a government. I can recruit my own advisors, and among my subordinates are talented individuals skilled in financial management, capable of handling the logistics for tens of thousands of troops, let alone your few small shops."

Wang Shiji's expression changed slightly: "It's nothing. Usually, as long as there are no major battles, Ji can come here to help manage things. When a real battle occurs, as long as it is not a large-scale conflict, I have other supply officers who can handle it well enough. Cousin, your esteemed nephew just asked so many questions; are you satisfied with my response?"

Before today, Wang Shichong had considered it clearly: Wang Shiji's forceful attempt to seize his meager inheritance of only a few small shops was indeed strange. One would expect that a high-ranking general and a court official would not resort to such a disgraceful act. Moreover, if he was determined to rob, it would be easy for him to find some soldiers to come at night and wipe out Wang's entire family in this small county of Xinfeng. Why go through the trouble of doing it during the day? There must be some hidden reasons behind this. However, this also presented a good opportunity for Wang; perhaps he could take this chance to gain control of a shop of his own, just like in his previous life, where he had toiled for years to acquire a freight station for a long-distance bus terminal. Perhaps this could help him secure his first pot of gold in this era.

Wang Shichong smiled slightly and said, "Since this Officer Ji has such an important task in the army, isn't it too much of a waste of talent for him to manage a few shops here? Moreover, General Wang would surely be reluctant to part with him."

After Wang Shichong and Wang Shiji finished laughing, he pointed at the person beside him and said: "If I am not mistaken, this must be the financial expert that General Wang mentioned."

Wang Shiji suddenly revealed his innermost thoughts to Wang Shichong, becoming furious and blushing in anger, he exclaimed: "Shichong, what do you, a mere child, understand about the matters of elders? Do not stir up trouble here and incite discord."

From the Han to the Sui dynasties, in rural areas, there were appointed village heads and pavilion heads, while in urban areas, district heads were established according to residential areas, which is comparable to the neighborhood committees of later generations. The district head is equivalent to the director of the neighborhood committee in later times

Today, Wang Shiji made a grand entrance, attracting a crowd of over a thousand people from afar. The Wang family's residence is an independent courtyard, located within the inner side of the eastern city wall of Xinfeng County

Wang Shiji's last visit resulted in violence, and in recent days, it has stirred up a commotion throughout the city. Fearful of his ferocity and power, the townspeople dared not approach today, merely watching the spectacle from a distance

Wang He had never seen his usually silent and timid second son like this before, but years of experience in dealing with people told him that his son seemed to be composed and confident. After a brief moment of contemplation, he chose not to speak further

Wang Shichong, noticing the impatience in Wang Shiji's expression regarding his question, realized that this was the perfect opportunity to implement his plan. He then laughed heartily and said, "If our brothers' accounting skills could surpass those of this Brother Ji, wouldn't General Wang no longer need to worry about managing our family's business?"

Wang Shichong, sensing that the situation was not favorable, stepped forward and said to Wang Shiji: "General Wang, my brother A Da just made it clear. Even if we brothers lack this ability, do you think you can calculate and manage finances?"

Moreover, this is a matter concerning our family. Your esteemed father and my grandfather have long since separated their households. Whether our family's business is thriving or struggling is of no concern to you

Seeing Wang Shichong's awkwardness with the brush, he could only write his own name in Simplified Chinese, a script used by commoners during the Sui Dynasty. Wang Shiji and the man behind him, Ji Wei, could not help but show their smug expressions.

Wang Shichong smiled faintly and said, "That is exactly my intention"

Wang Shishi and Wang Shiwei had bloodshot eyes and were about to curse when they were stopped by Wang Shichong, who reached out his hand to intervene

This person appears to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Although he is clad in armor, his build is noticeably smaller compared to the other robust men resembling Tarzan. Moreover, his complexion is fair, and he even possesses a hint of scholarly demeanor. He has a pair of small mustaches on his lips, and there is a shrewdness reflected in his brows. He seems to exude a gloomy temperament, clearly not a good person

Wang Shiji had long been prepared for this, his expression calm as he spoke: "Of course it is different. Now I am sending someone to help manage your family's business. After making a profit, I will still share half with you; I will not take away your family assets. It is merely a cooperative operation, a way for us to prosper together."

Wang He trembled with rage and shouted, "Shichong, have you lost your mind? How can you gamble on this?"

General Wang, are you implying that my brothers and I are incapable of managing finances, which is why you intend to send someone to take over our family business? Your actions are no different from openly seizing our assets. Even according to your own words, our family would only face bankruptcy after A-Da's demise, yet you are attempting to seize it right now.

Wang Shiji's mustache twitched as he said: "Cousin, these are businesses that require someone who is skilled in meticulous calculations and can read and write to manage them. Ever since Uncle Wang passed away two years ago, your family has lacked such a person. Even if you can manage for a while, can you really support these young ones for a lifetime?"

Wang Shichong coldly watched as Wang Shiji and his group laughed recklessly, and he noticed a person standing beside Wang Shiji

A confident smile flashed across Wang Shichong's face: "A Da, you need not worry. If I were not certain, I would not dare to take this gamble. Moreover, if I do not engage in battle today, I fear that General Wang will persistently trouble us, and our family will never know peace. If I lose, I will enlist in the army to serve the country, and I will never be a burden to my family."

The attendants around Wang Shiji also burst into laughter. The Wang family's three brothers are notoriously rough and unrefined. Due to the early death of their mother, Liu, and Wang He being away on official duties for many years, he had no time to personally supervise their studies. The Wang brothers preferred to practice martial arts and were illiterate. To say that they could manage finances better than the quartermaster Wang Shiji brought today would indeed be a joke

Wang Shiji was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter: "Dear nephew, you truly have a way with words. If you were to say that you three brothers could enlist in the military and serve the country, achieving military merit, there might be some possibility. However, if you claim that you can manage finances and keep accounts, you are simply not cut out for it. Even your cousin Shichong is merely somewhat literate, isn't he"

Wang He cleared his throat and spoke to Wang Shichong with a tone that carried a hint of reproach: "Shichong, this is a discussion among the elders regarding family matters. Do not be willful, quickly withdraw."

Wang Shichong did not step back and calmly said: "A Da, it is fine. I have been raised by you for many years, and today is the opportunity to repay your kindness. You once said that after my brothers and I come of age, you would each give us a rice shop to manage. Today, I will use this rice shop as a wager to compete with General Wang's financial expert."

Secondly, although we separated early, one cannot write the character for 'king' with a single stroke; we should support each other, right? Otherwise, when my cousin passes away, I cannot just stand by and watch the inheritance of the three nephews being taken away, leaving them destitute on the streets, can I

Wang Shiji whispered a few words to a guard beside him, who then took his orders and ran into the crowd to pull Liu Fangzheng out from there

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was taken aback. Wang Shishi quietly said to Wang Shichong, "Second brother, have you lost your mind? Are you really going to jump into this villain's trap?"

Wang Shiji's thoughts shifted as he considered that it would be good to seize a shop today based on Wang Shichong's words, and later find a way to take over a few more. Thus, he laughed heartily and gave Wang Shichong a thumbs up: "Noble nephew, you have great ambition. However, as we are brothers, we must be clear about our accounts. Words alone are not enough; we should put it in writing as proof. Are you willing to do so?"

Wang He was filled with anger. Ever since he resigned from his official position and returned home, he had been harboring resentment in his heart. His health was not good, and any slight provocation would lead to shortness of breath and chest tightness. After being interrupted by Wang Shiji a few times, his face turned alternately pale and flushed, and he began to cough violently.

Wang Shiji nodded slightly, pointed to this person, and said: "This person is my military advisor, Ji Wei from Guzang. He has been with me for four or five years. Guzang is a major hub on the Silk Road, producing many talents in commerce, as you all know. Military Advisor Ji was in charge of military supplies when I pacified Wei Chijiong back in the day, and he managed the provisions for tens of thousands of troops in an orderly manner. Handling the supplies for your few shops should be more than sufficient."

Liu Fang, who had been forcefully brought in as a guarantor, displayed an expression of reluctance. It was only after being threatened with a drawn knife by the guard beside Wang Shiji that he trembled and signed the agreement.

Wang Shiji and Wang Shichong established a wager, declaring that one rice shop under the Wang family business would be the stake, betting on the financial management abilities of Ji Wei and Wang Shichong. The outcome was left to their discretion. If Wang Shiji were to lose, he would no longer concern himself with the affairs of the Wang family business. Subsequently, both parties signed and sealed the agreement.

Wang Shichong chuckled and said, "I am only afraid that General Wang would still collaborate with us for a few years while my father is alive. Once my father passes away, how could we three brothers possibly be your match? At that time, whether you fabricate account books or send your people to occupy the shop, we would be powerless to resist, and in the end, we would have no choice but to sell the shop to you at a low price, right"