Chapter 400

The autumn moon is bright, the evening breeze is clear.

Wang Yang led his troops and carried the money, leaving the small courtyard. With his fine clothes reflecting the night, riding his horse and shaking his whip, he returned home in a grand manner.

Upon entering the house, he immediately had the Black Man take five thousand coins to give to Captain He Ji, telling him to distribute them as a reward to all the soldiers.

At that time, a soldier's monthly pay was no more than three hundred (refer to the appendix of Chapter 93, "Moving," and Chapter 258, "A Word Like a Contract"), and the cheapest laborers in the market earned only eight coins a day. The soldiers who went with Wang Yang this time, including the captain, totaled twenty-one people. Five thousand coins as a reward was equivalent to nearly a month's wages in one night; who wouldn't be happy?

Although they had been with Wang Yang for a short time, almost all the soldiers felt this noble young master was generous and lavish, wishing they could follow Wang Yang on duty every day.

He Ji felt the same, though what he was thinking about was not just duty.

This was a heaven-sent opportunity.

And there was a very, very, very high probability that it was the greatest opportunity He Ji would encounter in his entire life!

He had already made a decision in his heart: to give up this captain's position and become Wang Yang's retainer.

He hadn't told anyone about this decision, including his wife.

At first, when he worked for Wang Yang and brought reward money home, his wife was overjoyed, burning incense to thank the gods and adding dishes to celebrate, as if their ancestral graves were emitting auspicious smoke. She even told He Ji to let her younger brother serve more often, saying her brother was smart and likable, and perhaps he would be spotted by the noble young master, allowing them to wear silk and eat meat in the future, with the whole family benefiting.

When she heard that Wang Yang hadn't rewarded He Ji specifically, and that He Ji hadn't lined his own pockets but had distributed the reward money equally among the soldiers, she couldn't help but complain. One moment she said the noble young master of the Langya Wang family was a heavenly figure who naturally didn't take He Ji seriously, and in his eyes, He Ji was no different from an ordinary soldier.

The next moment she blamed He Ji for being stubborn and not knowing how to adapt, saying that since the money passed through his hands and he was the captain, it was only right for him to keep a little more for himself. Moreover, a high-ranking person like Wang Yang probably didn't even think about who got more or less; giving the money to He Ji meant He Ji could do as he pleased. Yet He Ji, a dignified captain, had shared it equally with a group of soldiers!

He Ji didn't comment on his wife's claim that in Wang Yang's eyes, he was no different from an ordinary soldier, only refuting the second point. Before he could say much, his wife rolled her eyes and said:

"If you were really capable, you wouldn't take a single coin! That would show how special you are!"

He Ji couldn't be bothered to argue, only roaring, "What do you know!" before covering himself with the quilt to sleep.

As a result, his wife, who was very combative, pulled off the quilt and nagged him for half the night, and it took a good deal of effort to shut her up.

When He Ji brought reward money home for the second time, his wife asked if it was the same as before, and the nagging started again. Besides repeating the old talk, she added new complaints, blaming Wang Yang for not knowing how to handle people, as he had shown no special consideration for the captain! She said that the people below didn't matter much, and that winning over the captain was what really counted...

He Ji was furious! He swore to heaven and earth, warning his wife that if she dared to say such things again in front of him or outside, even once, he would send that "smart and likable" brother-in-law of hers to Wenyang to fill trenches!

His wife didn't believe her husband had that power, but seeing that he was truly angry this time, she didn't dare say anything more. Meanwhile, He Ji's determination to become Wang Yang's retainer grew even firmer.

Based on his observations, Wang Yang's rewards seemed casual, but were actually very methodical. If he had treated him differently and rewarded him heavily, it would have looked like bribery. But by rewarding everyone casually regardless of rank, even if someone with ulterior motives noticed, it would just look like the noble young master was generous and open, leaving no room for criticism.

Moreover, he didn't give the rewards directly to the soldiers, but gave the money to He Ji in front of everyone, letting He Ji distribute them. This was clearly not wanting to bypass him, while also handing the choice of how much to distribute to him. In this way, he won the hearts of the men, avoided suspicion, didn't appear to look down on him, and yet He Ji couldn't embezzle the money.

For such a small matter to be handled so thoroughly, it was no wonder people called him the number one talented scholar of Jingzhou.

At the same time, this also showed that Wang Yang didn't trust him very much.

This was only natural; he was only temporarily assigned to serve him, so he had no reason to trust him. Therefore, now was not the right time to seek to join Wang Yang's household. Firstly, Wang Yang might think he was planted by someone else. Secondly, the situation was turbulent and war was imminent; transferring from military registration to become a retainer was not only difficult, but Wang Yang might also think he was trying to avoid the war and escape his military household status.

Although he did have thoughts of escaping his military household status, if Wang Yang took that as the main factor, it would dilute his sincerity in wanting to serve, affecting Wang Yang's perception of him and his future prospects. If it caused Wang Yang to feel disgust, it would be even worse, and Wang Yang wouldn't accept him...

He Ji thought it over and decided he couldn't speak up now, but he could lay the groundwork. So he was obedient to Wang Yang and served him very carefully. He helped Wang Yang dismount, helped him carry his whip, and was very respectful to the Black Man.

Just as Wang Yang was about to enter the door, He Ji brought out a small box and bowed:

"Young Master, this was something my father-in-law accidentally found in the deep mountains. He said it's called goji berries and is very nourishing. My father-in-law picked quite a bit, and I've been eating it for a while and felt it was quite beneficial. Later, when my father-in-law went back, he couldn't find any more. I know you are wealthy and lack nothing, but I have received your grace and haven't performed any merit, yet I've received quite a few rewards. My family and I are very grateful. I'm not very good with words; these goji berries were carefully picked and dried by my wife and me. If you don't mind, you can use them for tea, soup, or making pastries to reward others..."

Goji berries were already used as medicine in the Han dynasty and were even more valued by physicians in the Wei and Jin dynasties, having aliases like "Immortal's Staff," "Heaven's Gate Essence," "Old-Age Repeller," and "Earth Bone." One can see from the names how highly they were regarded at the time, and their uses were even more extensive: strengthening tendons and bones, treating eye ailments, curing rheumatism, nourishing internal injuries, moisturizing the lungs and liver, strengthening yin, and benefiting the intestines. Although not considered rare, they were definitely not cheap. This box was worth more than two large pig legs.

Wang Yang didn't refuse:

"Fine, I'll accept them. It's just right for nourishing the lungs in autumn (I heard it from Xie Xinghan, see Chapter 381, "Visiting the Garden"), I'll brew some goji tea. Old Black, take some of the honeyed pastries, tuckahoe cakes, pine nut and date balls, and a few other things that arrived yesterday and give them to Captain He..."

He Ji was terrified and said repeatedly:

"I can't, I can't! The mountain goods I brought are not worth these precious pastries! The rewards you've given are already enough; I brought these just to thank you, how can I accept these—"

Wang Yang laughed:

"They aren't precious pastries, just snacks to satisfy cravings. Many were sent by others. I have few people here and can't eat them all..."

"Young Master, I really..."

"I shouldn't eat too many sweets, and it would be a pity if they went bad. Help me share them, and send some to your father-in-law as my return gift..."

He Ji carried the food box, looked back at the Wang residence, and secretly made a resolution:

I must join this person's household!!

As long as I can become his retainer, never mind a captain, even if I were a battalion commander, I wouldn't do it!!!

Inside the Wang residence, Wang Yang and the Black Man walked inside. The Black Man exchanged a look with Wang Yang, leading him toward the gatehouse on the west side while pretending to lower his voice:

"Young Master, he said he is an acquaintance of yours and insisted on seeing you before leaving. I didn't know if it was true or false and didn't dare to handle it on my own, so I let him wait in the gatehouse—"

"Did he say what his name—"

The man in the gatehouse had been waiting for several hours; hearing the commotion, he rushed out! Seeing Wang Yang, he bowed down immediately!

"This humble one pays respects to Young Master Wang!!"

Wang Yang pretended not to recognize him, frowning:

"Who are you?"

The man raised his head, his face showing a hint of urgency:

"Does Young Master not remember me? My surname is Jiao, given name Zheng, serving as an External Military Adjutant. Thanks to your kindness, you even stayed at my house for one night—"

"Ah! Old Jiao!"

Jiao Zheng was overjoyed, saying excitedly:

"Yes, yes! It is indeed me—"

The Black Man pretended to be surprised on the side:

"So he really is an acquaintance of yours..."

Wang Yang laughed:

"Of course, an old acquaintance! We've eaten venison and drank wine together! Right, Old Jiao? Get up quickly, come into the inner courtyard to talk, serve tea!"

Jiao Zheng had been left waiting for so long, hungry and cold, and Wang Yang hadn't recognized him at first, so he had felt somewhat desperate. But this sudden turn of events was like falling from a frozen wasteland right next to a warm stove!

Especially since Wang Yang was so warm to him, calling him an old acquaintance in front of the Wang residence's head steward! And saying they had drank wine together! That really gave him plenty of face! His heart felt so warm! His nose soured, and he almost shed tears.

Since the last time he told Wang Yang the truth about the Chen Tianfu case (Chapters 63-64) (Chapters 106-108), the two hadn't met again.

After Wang Yang left, Jiao Zheng had been worried for a long time, fearing Wang Yang wouldn't be able to handle the matter, or that it was a trap. But after waiting for many days without any movement, Jiao Zheng gradually calmed down.

He had inquired about the situation but heard nothing. He had wondered if the whole thing was a scam designed by Wang Yang, but he had no evidence and couldn't figure out several points.

Firstly, if Wang Yang wanted to deal with him, it would be too easy; there was no need to go through such a long process. Secondly, if Wang Yang was there to investigate the case, since he had already obtained the evidence, why had there been no follow-up? As for blatantly collecting bribes, that was even less like an investigation!

Finally, if it was purely to swindle money, that didn't seem right either. After all, the dignified Langya Wang family had such a large business, they wouldn't be short of money, and they certainly wouldn't set up such a big trap to swindle a small official like him for a few hundred thousand, especially when it involved risks...

Besides, how could Wang Yang have known the truth of the case? Those words couldn't have been fabricated from hearsay.

And the order from the Sima residence requiring him to write a resume wasn't fake. Could it be that Wang Yang had persuaded Xi Gongmu to cooperate with him in acting out the play just to swindle money?

Jiao Zheng really couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it. As Wang Yang's reputation in Jingzhou grew, Jiao Zheng felt more and more that someone as capable as Wang Yang wouldn't specifically come to swindle him for money. So Wang Yang was either there to investigate the case, or someone really wanted to reinvestigate the old case but was stopped by Wang Yang.

Jiao Zheng leaned more toward the latter possibility, especially after the arrival of Wang Yi, which proved from the side that Wang Yang had previously said his second uncle was a Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and that the case was managed by his second uncle.

It could also be confirmed that Wang Yang and Wang Yi were not direct uncle and nephew, because Wang Yi was the fifth in his generation; if they were direct, he would necessarily be called Fifth Uncle. Calling him Second Uncle meant Wang Yang's father and Wang Yi were not of the same lineage, perhaps they were cousins, and Wang Yi was the second among the cousins, or perhaps it was some other relative, and the "second" was based on some other seniority. However, although not direct, their relationship was close, that was certain.

Jiao Zheng had always wanted to cling to Wang Yang, and it had taken him a lot of effort to make contact. Now, seeing Wang Yang's momentum growing, he should have continued to work hard! But the uncovering of the Chen Tianfu case left Jiao Zheng with lingering fears.

On one hand, there was the hidden worry that Wang Yang's heart was unfathomable; on the other, he worried that Wang Yang would use this matter to make a big deal out of it.

And even if Wang Yang wasn't specifically there to swindle money, he had taken three hundred thousand without blinking, and then hadn't given a single explanation. Clearly, he was a greedy person. How much of that did he keep, and how much was really used to handle the matter? Who could say?

With Wang Yang's status and holding his handle, if he really wanted to play with him, he could play him until he was bankrupt and his family was destroyed.

Jiao Zheng felt fear due to his guilty conscience. This fear overwhelmed his previous thought of using Wang Yang as a ladder to move up, so he never looked for Wang Yang again, nor did he ever think of "upward socializing" with Wang Yang. If it hadn't been for the last resort today, he wouldn't have come here.

Of course, what he didn't know was that ever since Wang Yang became a Military Affairs Official, seizing power and exerting influence, he had been waiting for him. If he hadn't come this time, Wang Yang would have visited him in person after the Jingzhou matter was settled.

Wang Yang once said to Chen Qingshan—

"Your matter, I have always kept in mind. I have my plan, it's just not the time to implement it yet." (Chapter 179, "Not Asking")

Just like Chen Qingshan, who kept waiting and never asked.

Wang Yang also kept silent, waiting all along.

Now, the time had finally come.