Chapter 8

Wang Huaqiang laughed heartily and said, "Brother Wang, you are too polite. I clearly stated in my letter that if the Emperor really launches a southern campaign, it will also be an opportunity for our Xin Feng Wang family."

"You know, although my father served as a prefectural governor twice, he has no noble title. We brothers cannot inherit titles and positions like the children of noble families. Our Wang family is not a high-ranking clan. If we want to become officials, we can only earn our titles on the battlefield. This southern campaign is your chance for revenge and our chance to become officials."

Wang Ban smiled and said, "Actually, your family's business is already thriving. Why do you still want to become officials? My main goal is revenge, but even if you become officials, the salary won't be as much as what you earn from your business. Moreover, this southern campaign, if the Emperor grants permission, I will lead the vanguard. The risks are not small. Although they say that wealth and honor come from taking risks, that's for penniless bachelors. Your family is already well-established. Is it really necessary?"

Wang Huaqiang took a sip of wine and smiled, shaking his head. "Brother Wang, you don't know. There are four great sorrows in life: tiring oneself to death in the fields, wearing out one's mouth selling straw shoes, encountering corrupt officials in business, and regretting losing money in gambling. As merchants, we have no power or influence. To the powerful and influential, we are just a big piece of meat that everyone wants to bite. If one of us brothers can become an official, we won't have to fear such things."

Wang Ban glanced at the bustling street outside and said, "Brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to battle together. I heard that this afternoon, the current Yiyang Duke, Grand General, your distant cousin Wang Shiji, is coming to your house. It must be related to the southern campaign."

Wang Huaqiang smiled. "Nothing can escape Brother Wang's notice. The news of the southern campaign has been spreading for two months. My father wrote to Wang Shiji, asking him to visit when it's convenient. On the surface, it's a family visit, but in reality, he wants to place us brothers under his command. After all, Wang Shiji is a high-ranking general with the authority to recruit subordinates. It's easier to achieve success under his command."

Wang Ban said, "Brother, don't blame me for being meddlesome. Wang Shiji has always been arrogant and overbearing. Moreover, he and your family are only distant relatives, the most distant within the five degrees of kinship. He is not as close as a neighbor. His generation is named 'Shi,' while your father is named 'Wang He,' which shows the distance. Moreover, he hasn't visited for decades. Why is he willing to come now? I believe your father must have offered a significant amount, and his recruitment also needs your family's financial support. This is likely a transaction."

Wang Huaqiang nodded. "It seems as you analyzed, Brother. My father and I haven't discussed this yet. We will have to see what Wang Shiji says and act accordingly."

At this moment, a quarrel broke out at the staircase. It seemed that someone was trying to go upstairs. A voice called out, "Waiter, can you afford to delay my important business of finding my master?!"

Wang Ban frowned, walked to the staircase, and said to the person below, "Waiter, this is my servant. Please let him up."

With a series of footsteps, a man in black clothing and a small hat, looking like a servant, ran up. His chest was already soaked with sweat. He looked up and saw Wang Ban, immediately showing a joyful expression and coming forward. "Master, I finally found you."

Wang Ban's face showed displeasure, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. He lowered his voice and said, "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me unless it's an emergency? And don't shout in a place with so many people!"

The servant met Wang Ban's cold face and shuddered, speaking in a low voice. "I deserve punishment, Master. It was urgent, and I forgot. Please punish me."

Wang Ban grunted and said, "What's the matter? This Brother Wang is my life-and-death brother. You don't need to hide anything from him."

The black-clothed servant responded, "Yes, Master," and said in a low voice, "Just now, an urgent message from the Ninth Master was delivered to the guesthouse. It said that the Emperor has issued an edict, summoning you to the capital immediately. The Ninth Master told the messenger that you were visiting a friend. The messenger then relayed the edict, asking you to see the Emperor as soon as you receive the message."

A hint of satisfaction flashed across Wang Ban's face. He stood up and made a gesture to Wang Huaqiang. "Brother, it seems the Emperor has seen my ten strategies for pacifying Chen. I will set out now. If the Emperor grants permission for me to cross the river first, I will contact you immediately."

Wang Huaqiang smiled and stood up, returning the gesture. "Alright, I, Wang Huaqiang, also want to make a statement. As long as everything goes smoothly and the Emperor grants your wish, whether or not our Wang family joins you in crossing the river, the 100,000 coins for military expenses will be provided as promised."

Wang Ban took a deep breath and smiled. "Brother, you are truly straightforward. I will bring you good news." With that, they bowed to each other and parted ways. The scholar in yellow clothing left the building with his attendant, looking excited.

Wang Huaqiang smiled wryly. The idea of seizing every opportunity to become an official was his father Wang He's. Although he had the memory of his previous life and understood the need to grease the wheels in business, he still couldn't understand why his father wanted him and his brothers to risk their lives on the battlefield to earn titles.

As he thought, Wang Huaqiang returned home. In this Xin Feng city, the Wang family was considered a prominent household. The red-painted gate and the two-story-high brick walls formed a large, independent residence with two courtyards in the eastern part of the city.

Walking in, he saw more than a dozen servants and maids bustling about. A man in his early twenties, wearing a yellow silk robe, standing eight feet tall, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, and a strong build, was shouting and directing the servants to clean the house and decorate it.

"Wang Fu, the dust on the door frame isn't cleaned yet. Are you still half-asleep?"

"Wang Shou, I've told you to water the courtyard. How many times do I have to say it before you do it?"

"Wang Cai, I've told you many times. General Wang is a great general who has been on the battlefield. He needs space. Why are you placing the chairs so close together in the hall? Do you want to make him uncomfortable? Move them quickly!"

With his shouts, the large residence was bustling with activity.

Wang Huaqiang immediately saw this strong man and smiled. "Big Brother, you've been working hard."

The man in yellow, Wang Huashi, Wang Huaqiang's older brother, heard him and came forward. "Second Brother, A Da has been looking for you. He wants you to come as soon as you get home."

Wang Huaqiang nodded and headed straight for the inner courtyard. After a few turns, he entered a simple room.

The room was not large, with only a few tables and chairs made of walnut wood and coated with clear varnish. On a bed made of elm wood, a thin blue blanket covered a man in his fifties. His forehead was wrapped in thick bandages, his face was pale, his eyes sunken, but his features bore a resemblance to Wang Huaqiang.

This man was Wang Huaqiang's father, Wang He. He was lying weakly on a pillow, listening to the busy footsteps and shouts outside.

Wang Huaqiang looked up and saw Wang He as soon as he entered. He quickly went forward and bowed. "A Da, you wanted to see me?"

Wang He sighed and looked up at Wang Huaqiang. "Huaqiang, sit down."

Wang Huaqiang responded, "Yes," and placed a bowl of medicine from the outer room on a small table by Wang He's bed. He then sat on a stool by the bed, lowering his head, lost in thought.

Wang He closed his eyes and murmured, "Huaqiang, are you still skeptical about inviting Wang Shiji to our home?"

Wang Huaqiang smiled. Since he successfully led two trade caravans in Longxi over a year ago and established the Wang family's business in Ganzang, a city bustling with Silk Road merchants, Wang He had publicly announced that the family's business would be managed by him.

Because of this, the brothers outside were still busy preparing for the distinguished guest, while Wang Huaqiang was having a deep conversation with his ailing father in a small room.

Wang Huaqiang had not yet told Wang He about his meeting with Wang Ban, and he did not plan to reveal everything until he was certain.

Thinking about this, he said, "Wang Shiji will arrive tonight. I can only reserve my opinion and follow A Da's arrangements. Rest assured, I will perform well in front of Wang Shiji and not embarrass you."

Wang He looked at Wang Huaqiang's expression and smiled. "Huaqiang, are you going to tell me again that books contain gold and grain?"