Chapter 3, Are these avenues reliable
Indeed," Wang Jizhen said with a smile, "there's no need to repay... as long as you bring a little something for the people when you take office in the future! They are all experts in making money, so you can't go wrong.
Indeed, father, it seems that the second brother has truly become sensible
"That was a special decree from the late emperor promoting him," Wang Jizhen said, "Brother, you have no idea how popular our father was in Beijing back then! Even the late emperor admired our father's bravery. If the late emperor were still around, you might have been promoted to a Blue Feather Guard. But now... it's not so easy to get past Grand Minister Ao. He is the one who truly has the final say among the six chief guards. If you want to be a guard, you need his approval"
Of course I remember! Wang Zhongxiao said, "Our family belongs to the Plain White Banner of the Imperial Household Department, and we are Han troops under the banner and drum, serving as subordinate officials!"
Wang Jizhen smiled and said, "You need not worry about the matter of money, my younger brother... Although I do not have much savings, I know ways to make money"
After being taught a lesson by this inconsiderate older brother, Wang Zhongxiao not only did not get angry, but instead began to chuckle. He smiled and said to his brother: "Elder brother, what you said about our father is not quite right. Our father's faults are not limited to drinking, gambling, and womanizing... In fact, those are not really issues! The old man’s biggest flaw is his inconsistency, which is also known as being fickle! The title of 'Living Lü Bu' is not just because he resembles me!" The old man’s biggest flaw is his inconsistency, which is also known as being fickle! The title of 'Living Lü Bu' is not just because he resembles me!
Wang Fuchan rose to fame in this grand battle, earning the nicknames "Horse Hawk" and "Living Lü Bu".
Wang Zhongxiao also knows that the young hero in Beijing is also a "little fan" of Wang Fucheng, and he will not allow Wang Fucheng to stay comfortably in Yunnan. Moreover, that young emperor will certainly need a "little Lü Bu" in the near future to help deal with the first Baturu of Manchuria
"Isn't it difficult?" Wang Zhongxiao asked, "Isn't our father in a high position now? He is still the chief guard!"
Wang Jizhen waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, as long as you have the Emperor's favor, that little amount of money doesn't need to be repaid at all"
Wang Jizhen nodded repeatedly and said: "Reliable, extremely reliable! Little brother, I am your own elder brother, I cannot deceive you! Once you arrive in Beijing, go to Mingzhu's residence to pay your respects to the princess, you can be assured it will be correct."
Wang Jizhen nodded and said: "Father is indeed thoughtful; following Grand Tutor Ao is far better than being a purchased guard."
Wang Zhongxiao soon understood what this business of borrowing money to buy an official position was all about, it is simply the industrialization of corruption and bribery
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that must not be missed
Wang Fuchen was indeed a "star" figure in Beijing back in the day! This fickle Wang Fuchen, in the fifth year of the Shunzhi era, followed the equally capricious General Jiang Yan of Datong in the movement to restore the Ming dynasty against the Qing. Later, they were besieged by Dorgon and Ajige, and they fought for nearly ten months in and around Datong.
... ...
Not familiar. "Wang Jizhen shook his head.
When Wang Fuchen, this unfilial father, closed the door to scold his son, Wang Jizhen and Wang Zhongxiao had already entered Wang Zhongxiao's small study one after the other. As soon as the two brothers entered, the inconsiderate elder brother Wang Jizhen began to reprimand his taller brother by pointing at his nose.
Wang Jizhen saw that his father was happy, and he also smiled, asking: "Father, after the child goes to the capital, can he take the route to visit the Shuo Gege? Do you think this route is feasible?"
This is truly corrupt! ... Wang Zhongxiao thought to himself: Wang Jizhen, this older brother, is so stingy; it seems I can only sink to the level of those great Qing parasites ...! ... Alas, this is also for the country and the people!
What? That little rabbit wants to be a guard?
Wang Fuchen pondered for a moment and smiled, saying: "I have an idea! Today, Governor Lu mentioned to me that in a few days, your Uncle Wu Er will be going to the capital on official business. Perhaps he could take the opportunity to use the prince's connections and bring Lao Er along to Beijing. Once in Beijing, we can ask the prince to help introduce Lao Er to Grand Tutor Ao. With Lao Er's appearance, he might catch Grand Tutor Ao's eye, and in the future, he could follow Grand Tutor Ao and not worry about lacking prospects."
Wang Zhongxiao felt a bit disappointed, "Not familiar? Then why did you bring him up?"
"What? Borrowing money with interest?" Wang Zhongxiao became anxious upon hearing this, "Brother, aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"
When Wang Zhongxiao made up his mind to help Kang Mazi deal with Ao Bai, his brother Wang Jizhen suddenly sighed and said in a lowered voice, "Younger brother, let me point you to a way out!"
Wu Sangui treated Wang Fucheng quite well, appointing him as the commander of the right wing in the Yunnan pacification campaign and stationing him in Qujing, a region rich in resources. However, Wang Fucheng ultimately was not a member of the Pingxi Wangfu; he was a Bannerman of the Inner Court, having risen from the ranks of the imperial guards. He was, after all, a servant of the emperor
What avenue?
Wang Fuchen said: "Eldest brother, you should prepare to return. Tomorrow, we will take your younger brother to Wuhua Mountain to pay our respects to the esteemed King of Pingxi. Although the second brother is an unlearned and rebellious son, he possesses looks, martial skills, and courage akin to mine. If we can gain the support of the King of Pingxi and Master Ao, we will surely achieve great success."
She is the former master of our father. Wang Jizhen said in a low voice, "The lady of Mingzhu is named Wulinzhu, and she is a Heshuo Gege from the family of the late Prince Ying. Back in the day, when our father served as a guard at the Prince's residence, he became acquainted with this Gege. Later, when the late Prince Ying fell into disgrace, our father did not forget his former master and often visited the Gege to offer comfort and guidance."
In those years, Wang Fuchen was a formidable figure under Jiang Yan, often dressed in yellow, riding a white horse, wielding a long spear, leading his troops into battle, and no Manchu warrior could match him. Moreover, his striking appearance made it impossible for anyone to refrain from praising him. Thus, by the time the Battle of Datong was nearing its end, Wang Fuchen had garnered countless admirers, including the Qing army's commander, Ajige, who became a fan of Wang Fuchen and offered him a position as a first-class royal guard, saving him from being slaughtered when Datong fell.
Later, Shunzhi sent Hong Chengchou to lead Wang Fucheng to the southwest to achieve merit, and he was appointed as a general. Unfortunately, Emperor Shunzhi died of smallpox a few years later, and without this great support, Wang Fucheng could only follow Wu Sangui in Yunnan to make a living
"Second brother, be honest and confess, have you stolen our father's banknotes again? Whose gambling debt are you unable to pay this time? I have told you countless times to learn something good, you cannot be like our father, who only knows how to drink, gamble, and chase after women"
"It's all the same," Wang Zhongxiao said to Wang Jizhen, "Anyway, this is just a pitiful father! We can't rely on that father for everything; we must strive for ourselves. This time I took some money from the old man because I want to find a way to get a position as a Blue Feather Guard when I return to Beijing. Brother, do you know any connections? How much money does it take to buy a position as a Blue Feather Guard?"
Wang Zhongxiao always felt that something was amiss, "The old man still remembers his former master even while living like Lü Bu... Is this path reliable?"
"Don't you need to return it?" Wang Zhongxiao was taken aback again
"Alright, it is settled then!" Wang Zhongxiao gritted his teeth, "To serve the Great Qing, to protect the Emperor, borrowing a little money is nothing at all!"
Haha, now you understand, you know to be loyal to the monarch and love your country!
Brother, please take your time.
"Nalan Mingzhu?" Wang Zhongxiao's eyes widened, "Is he very familiar with our father?"
"Whatever you say?" Wang Jizhen frowned at his brother, who was speaking nonsense, and said, "Er, is that how you speak? That is our father; it should be you who follows him!"
No need to send, no need to send
"Indeed, this is a loyal minister!" Wang Jizhen said, giving a thumbs up, "You continue to work hard, my younger brother, I will take my leave first"
"Buy the Blue Feather Guards?" Wang Jizhen stared blankly at his brother, "Little brother, do you still remember what our family's status is?"
Wang Jizhen nodded and sighed, saying: "Brother, to be honest, if our family were of the Plain White Banner Han army, with our father's position as a general and his connections, along with your martial skills and appearance, it would merely require spending a bit more silver to be selected as a guard. However, our family is of the bannerman class, and although the bannermen of the Imperial Household are not ordinary bannermen, it is not easy for someone of bannerman origin to become a guard!"
What should we do?" Wang Jizhen glanced at his father, "Father, do you have any other options?"
"Go ahead! I will listen to you!" Wang Zhongxiao pondered for a moment and then asked, "Elder brother, I only have a little over one thousand taels on hand... Is that enough to buy a blue-feathered guard? If not, could you lend me a bit more? Once I gain the favor of the young emperor, I will take a little more, double it, no, tenfold repayment to you!"
Later, Aji Ge was overthrown, and Wang Fuchen was implicated, being demoted to the Inner Court as a slave in the Department of Internal Affairs. However, he was soon rescued by another of his super fans, Emperor Shunzhi, and was appointed as a first-class bodyguard with the status of a Bannerman of the Plain White Banner.
"It can't be wrong, can it? She doesn't hold power like Princess Shuo, can her husband Mingzhu really listen to her?"
Wang Fuchen stroked his large beard, pondered for a moment, and shook his head, saying: "It's a bit difficult... For a bannerman to become a guard, it requires a special imperial decree or promotion from Grand Minister Ao; Mingzhu cannot exert any influence... At most, he can arrange a slightly better position for the second son as a Baitang A, and then promote him to a Bitie Shi."
Wang Jizhen chuckled and said: "But our father is quite familiar with Madam Nalan Mingzhu!"
"Madam Nalan Mingzhu?" Wang Zhongxiao was taken aback, "She and our father are..."
Wang Jizhen smiled with satisfaction and said, "We are indeed brothers, and it is only right for us to support each other." He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice, appearing very mysterious, "This connection... do you know Nalan Mingzhu?"
Of course," Wang Jizhen laughed and said, "Who doesn't know that Mingzhu is afraid of his wife? Holding such a high official position, he doesn't even have a concubine at home, not even a maid who looks decent!
After you have met with the noble lady, the master will naturally inform you where to borrow the seal money
"Alright, alright!" Wang Zhongxiao put on a smile specifically for a good younger brother, looking at Wang Jizhen, "Elder brother, you truly are my good elder brother! If in the future I gain the favor of the Emperor, I will certainly not forget you."
In the inner study, Wang Fuchen finally revealed a smile after listening to the report from his eldest son, Wang Jizhen. It is indeed a commendable act of loyalty to the country for a son to steal his father's money to buy an official position; how could a father not be pleased?