Chapter 4

Wang Shiji's mustache twitched as he said, "Younger cousin, these are shops, and they require someone who is good at managing finances and can read and write to run them. Since Uncle Wang passed away two years ago, your family no longer has such a person. Even if you can manage for a while, can you protect these few boys for the rest of your life?"

Wang He was inwardly furious. Since he had been dismissed from his post and returned home, he had been depressed and in poor health. The slightest agitation would cause him to feel short of breath and chest tightness. After being scolded by Wang Shiji, his face turned alternately green and white, and he began to cough violently.

Seeing the situation was not good, Wang Huaqiang stepped forward and said to Wang Shiji, "General Wang, my father was clear just now. Even if we brothers lack the ability, do you have the skills to manage finances and handle accounts? Besides, this is our family's matter. Your father and my grandfather have already divided the family, so what does it have to do with you?"

Wang Shiji, seeing it was Wang Huaqiang, was first taken aback, then burst out laughing, "Good nephew, good eloquence. Listen carefully. First, I am a high-ranking general, and the emperor has granted me the authority to recruit my own staff. I have capable people in my team who are good at managing finances.

"Second, although we have divided the family early, we are still within the same clan, and we should help each other, right? Otherwise, after your younger cousin passes away, I cannot just stand by and watch the three nephews' properties be taken away, leaving them to wander the streets, can I?"

Wang Huashi and Wang Huawei's eyes turned red, and they were about to curse, but were stopped by Wang Huaqiang's hand.

"General Wang, do you mean that since we brothers are not good at managing finances, you want to send people to take over our family's shops? Isn't that just like openly seizing our property? Even if, as you say, our family will go bankrupt after Father passes away, you are already trying to take it by force now," Wang Huaqiang said with a hint of sarcasm.

Wang Shiji was well-prepared for this, and his face remained calm as he said, "Of course it's different. Now, I am sending someone to help manage your family's business. After making a profit, half will still be given to you. I am not taking your property. It's just a cooperative operation, and we will both prosper."

Wang Huaqiang chuckled, "I fear that while Father is still alive, you will cooperate with us for a few years. But after Father passes away, how can we three brothers be a match for you? At that time, whether you forge accounts or send your people to take over the shops, we will be powerless and will have to sell the shops to you at a low price, right?"

Wang Shiji was caught off guard by Wang Huaqiang's words, and he became angry, his face turning red. He shouted, "Wang Huaqiang, what do you, a child, know about adult matters? Don't meddle here and stir up trouble."

Wang Huaqiang smiled slightly, "May I ask, General Wang, if our brothers' ability to manage finances is stronger than your financial expert, will you no longer have designs on our family's property?"

Wang Shiji was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing, "Nephew, you really have a good sense of humor. If you say that your three brothers can join the army and serve the country, there might be some possibility, but when it comes to managing finances and accounts, you are not cut out for it. Even you, Huaqiang, only have a basic understanding of literature."

The attendants around Wang Shiji also laughed. The Wang brothers were known for being rough and uneducated. Since Liu's early death, Wang He had been away on official duties for many years and had no time to personally supervise their studies. The Wang brothers liked to practice martial arts and did not know much, so the idea that they could be better at managing finances than the quartermaster Wang Shiji brought today was a joke.

Wang Huaqiang coldly watched Wang Shiji and his group laugh wildly. He noticed a person standing next to Wang Shiji.

This person looked to be around twenty-five, wearing armor, but his build was much smaller compared to the other muscular men. He had fair skin and even a scholarly air, with a mustache and a sharp look in his eyes, giving off a somewhat sinister aura.

After Wang Shiji finished laughing, Wang Huaqiang pointed to the person and said, "If I am not mistaken, this is the financial expert you mentioned, right?"

Wang Shiji nodded and pointed to the person, saying, "This is my staff officer, Ji Wei from Guzang. He has been with me for four or five years. Guzang is a key point on the Silk Road, known for its business talent. You know this.

"Ji Wei has been managing military supplies for me since I pacified Weichi Rong. He has organized the provisions for tens of thousands of troops very well. Managing a few shops should be more than enough for him."

Wang Huaqiang smiled slightly, "Since this Ji officer has such an important role in the military, isn't it a waste to have him manage a few shops? Besides, I'm sure General Wang wouldn't want to part with him."

Wang Shiji's face changed slightly, "That's not a problem. As long as there is no major war, Ji Wei can help manage the shops. If there is a war, I have other quartermasters who can handle it. Younger cousin, you asked so many questions just now. Are you satisfied with my answers?"

From Wang Shiji's expression, Wang Huaqiang could tell that he was getting impatient with his questions. This was the perfect time to implement his plan, so he laughed, "If our brothers' ability to manage accounts can surpass this Ji brother, will General Wang no longer need to worry about managing our family's business?"

Everyone was stunned by this statement. Wang Huashi whispered to Wang Huaqiang, "Second brother, are you crazy? Are you falling into this villain's trap?"

Wang He cleared his throat and spoke to Wang Huaqiang with a tone of reproach, "Huaqiang, this is a matter for the elders to discuss. Don't be reckless. Step back quickly."

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

Wang He was so angry that he trembled, "Huaqiang, are you out of your mind? Can you bet on this?"

A confident smile flashed across Wang Huaqiang's face, "Father, don't worry. If I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't make this bet. Besides, if I don't accept the challenge today, General Wang will never leave us alone, and our family will never have peace. If I lose, I will join the army and serve the country, and I will not be a burden to the family."

Wang He had never seen his usually quiet and timid second son like this, but his years of experience in dealing with people told him that his son seemed to have a plan. After a moment's hesitation, he remained silent.

Wang Shiji thought for a moment. He decided that it would be good to take one shop today and then find a way to take the others later. So he laughed and gave Wang Huaqiang a thumbs up, "Nephew, you have great courage. But among family, we should be clear about accounts. Words are not enough; we need a written agreement. Are you willing?"

Wang Huaqiang smiled faintly, "That's exactly what I had in mind."

Wang Shiji had come with a large entourage, and a crowd of over a thousand people had already gathered to watch. The Wang family's residence was an independent courtyard on the east side of the inner city wall of Xinfeng County.

Wang Shiji's last visit to the Wang family had already caused a stir in the city. Fearing his brutality and power, the people of the city did not dare to approach, but they watched from a distance.

Wang Shiji whispered to one of his guards, who then ran to the crowd and pulled out the head of the Liu neighborhood. From the Han to the Sui dynasties, rural areas had village heads, and cities had neighborhood heads, similar to modern street committees. The neighborhood head was like a modern committee chairman.

Wang Shiji and Wang Huaqiang made a bet, declaring that one of the Wang family's rice shops would be the stake, and the winner would be determined by the financial management skills of Ji Wei and Wang Huaqiang. If Wang Shiji lost, he would no longer interfere with the Wang family's shops. Both sides then signed the agreement.

Seeing Wang Huaqiang's awkward use of the brush and his use of simplified characters, which were common among commoners in the Sui dynasty, Wang Shiji and Ji Wei could not help but look smug.

The Liu neighborhood head, who was forced to be a witness, looked reluctant and was intimidated by the guard's drawn sword, trembling as he signed the agreement.