Chapter 9

Wang Huqiang chuckled, these two lines of poetry were famous verses from the "Encouragement to Study" by Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Heng. A few years ago, when his elder brother Wang Huashi mocked him for being weak, he had used these lines to counter, leaving his elder and third brothers speechless and embarrassed. The memory was still vivid.

But thinking about what Wang Ban had said to him at the tavern, Wang Huqiang shook his head again, "Elder Brother, our family is a merchant family, and our business is doing well. None of us brothers have been to war. This southern campaign will require us to risk our lives on the battlefield, to trade human heads for titles. Is it really necessary?"

Moreover, the child knew that he valued Wang Shiji's position as a Grand General, hoping that this distant relative, who was nominally within the five degrees of kinship, would help them. However, this person had always been covetous of their family's wealth. Five years ago, when they only had five rice shops, he had led troops to forcibly seize them. Now that their business had grown, he would surely be even more covetous. Inviting him would only bring humiliation to our family. Why should we do it?"

Wang He shook his head helplessly, opened his eyes, and his gaze was hazy, "Huqiang, none of your brothers are as quick-witted as you. Although our family is in business, we have always been oppressed by the collusion of officials and merchants. After Wang Shiji left, our business was constantly troubled by others. If it weren't for your business acumen, we would have collapsed long ago. Isn't it obvious that Wang Shiji is behind all this?"

"Don't think that just because your business has been doing well these past two years, it's because our family's influence isn't big enough to pose a threat to others. Once your business grows, others will start to have designs on it. Without power or status, what good is having money? Five years ago, when Wang Shiji came to forcibly seize our property, could the government do anything for us?"

A pained expression appeared on Wang He's face, and he closed his eyes again, tears streaming down from the corners of his eyes. Wang Huqiang quickly took out a silk handkerchief from his chest to wipe them away, but Wang He pushed it away with his hand.

Wang He sighed, "You say that Wang Shiji has always been arrogant, but that's because he earned it with his life. Even your grandfather, Lord Jie, had to risk his life to earn his title of Grand General. On the battlefield, blood and flesh fly everywhere; it's not easy to achieve success."

Wang Huqiang looked up and said, "Elder Brother, since you know how bad Wang Shiji is, why are you still trying to curry favor with him this time?"

Wang He shook his head helplessly, "Isn't it for your future? I know my own condition best; this time, I fear I can't avoid it. Moreover, I have an official position but no title, so you can't inherit a title and will remain commoners. You don't know that people like us, who have money but no power, are just fat lambs waiting to be slaughtered in the eyes of those with power and status."

Wang Huqiang lowered his head. He understood his father's concern. He was afraid that others would have evil intentions and seize their family's wealth. Therefore, he wanted his brothers to join the military through Wang Shiji's connections. In an era where civil officials were mostly hereditary, military service and achievement were the best paths for advancement.

In this era, the wars between the Northern and Southern Dynasties had lasted for three hundred years, especially in the north, where Han and non-Han people mixed, and the martial spirit was strong. From high officials and generals to commoners, everyone aimed to achieve success, receive titles, and bring honor to their families. Dying on the battlefield and being wrapped in horsehide was the highest honor for a man, while dying in bed and living a peaceful life was considered a disgrace.

The campaign against Chen might be an opportunity that ordinary people might not see in several lifetimes. Now, although he was the head of the family, his two brothers also had the chance to achieve military success through their martial skills. If he didn't let them go, they might resent their father for life, just like the Yang family in later generations, who always went to war together, never considering leaving anyone behind. Even Wang He himself, if he could get out of bed, would not want to miss this opportunity.

Wang He continued, "I've heard that the current emperor intends to campaign south and conquer Chen, unifying the realm. Wang Shiji has no brothers, and his position has been growing in recent years. He is also looking for reliable relatives. Although we haven't had contact for many years, our family's business has been doing well, and we have some wealth, which can help him establish his office and recruit talent. So, this is essentially a transaction."

Wang Huqiang remained silent. In the Sui Dynasty, "establishing an office" meant that a high-ranking general could recruit his own staff, and the salaries of these staff members were not paid by the government.

Therefore, a general with the authority to establish an office needed substantial financial support, which his own salary could not provide.

With the southern campaign imminent, Wang Shiji's military office would need to recruit a large number of strategists and brave generals, all of which required money. This was the real reason why Wang Shiji was willing to visit his long-estranged relatives.

Thinking about this, Wang Huqiang spoke, "Elder Brother, how much money is our family prepared to give Wang Shiji, and what positions can he offer our brothers?"

Wang He thought for a moment and slowly said, "The letter doesn't specify, so we'll have to negotiate when he arrives. If he is willing to help your brothers, I am willing to give him 100,000 coins annually."

Wang Huqiang blurted out, "100,000? Elder Brother, isn't that too much? Our family's business, with all the shops combined, only makes a profit of about 200,000 coins a year after expenses. Giving 100,000 to Wang Shiji alone?"

Wang He raised his hand with difficulty and shook it, "Huqiang, be more generous and don't be too stingy. If Wang Shiji can arrange for your brothers to serve under him, someone will surely achieve military success in the southern campaign and become a Grand General. Then we won't have to worry about being bullied. Otherwise, having money but no power will eventually lead to being swallowed up by others."

Wang Huqiang said resentfully, "That would really benefit Wang Shiji. Elder Brother, your health isn't suitable for going out to meet him. When he arrives, let me handle it. I know what to do, so don't worry."

Wang He frowned, about to speak, but then heard a rough and powerful voice from outside, accompanied by hurried footsteps, "Elder Brother, Elder Brother, Wang Shiji is already at the door!"

Before the words were finished, two people burst in. The first was none other than his elder brother Wang Huashi, whom he had just met at the door.

Following Wang Huashi was a slightly shorter figure, dressed in red, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a heroic demeanor and a face that bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Wang Huashi. This was his third brother, Wang Huawei.

Wang Huqiang looked at his sweating elder brother and asked urgently, "Didn't he say he would arrive in the evening? Why is he here just after noon?"

Wang Huashi wiped the sweat from his face and said in a rapid-fire manner, "Second Brother, Wang Shiji said that speed is of the essence in military matters. He only brought one attendant and rode here on horseback. He also said that since Elder Brother is bedridden, he won't trouble him to see him. He just wants to look at our brothers and take those who meet his standards."

Wang He frowned, "Did he say what it means to meet his standards?"

Wang Huashi shook his head, "He didn't say. He just asked Second Brother to come early and said that once all of us brothers are here, he will test us."

Wang Huawei curled his lips and raised his eyebrows, "This Wang Shiji is unreasonable. As a relative, even if Elder Brother is bedridden, he should come to visit. How can he act like an elder and summon us brothers to do some test? We are not his soldiers to be ordered around like this."

Wang Huqiang lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Third Brother, I think Wang Shiji is here to find people who can help him in battle, and money is secondary. If the emperor really decides to attack Chen, as Elder Brother said, Wang Shiji will gain much more in rewards and promotions than what our family can offer. There are probably many others seeking to join his army, and he may not be interested in our money."

Wang Huashi and Wang Huawei, who hadn't heard Wang He's earlier words, were both stunned when they heard Wang Huqiang's words and said in unison, "We still have to give him money?"

Wang He grunted heavily, "You don't need to think. If it weren't for our family's money, why would Wang Shiji, who hasn't had contact with us for over twenty years, suddenly show up? You two, if you join his army, you need to learn to think more, like Second Brother."

Wang Huashi and Wang Huawei reluctantly agreed and fell silent.

Wang Huqiang looked at his two brothers and smiled, "Elder Brother, Elder Brother and Third Brother didn't hear your earlier analysis, and even I was quite surprised at first. I could vaguely guess that he was here for the money, but I didn't expect you to offer him so much. Now it seems that his appetite is quite large, and 100,000 coins might not satisfy him. I think we should just let him go."

Wang Huashi and Wang Huawei opened their eyes wide, mouths agape, "What, give him 100,000? Elder Brother, are you delirious from illness?"