Chapter 535: Private Property

"Lord Wu, this way please." A man dressed in black walked in. Wu Xiang knew he was one of Chen Xin's subordinates and did not scrutinize him closely, but after a moment he found the voice somewhat familiar. Looking up, he laughed heartily and said, "So it's Young Brother Zhang. Weren't you always in the capital? What brings you back to Deng-Lai?"

Zhang Dahui bowed with a grin and said, "Someone didn't want me staying in the capital, so I had no choice but to return to Deng-Lai. I'm now serving as an adjutant by Lord Chen's side."

Wu Xiang cheerfully took Zhang Dahui's hand. Acting as the Liaodong garrison's agent, Wu Xiang frequently traveled to the capital, and the two had met there many times.

Zhang Dahui had also just returned to Deng-Lai. Chen Xin assigned him to the Aide-de-Camp Office as deputy chief, temporarily responsible for consolidating intelligence work. Zhang Dahui had honed his skills in the capital for several years and was highly capable, which actually made him easier for Chen Xin to place. The new bureau Chen Xin was preparing to establish suited Zhang Dahui perfectly.

Yang Yun, who was accompanying them, knew Zhang Dahui's background well. He fawned from the side, "So Lord Wu knows Dahui. Dahui is a man of great ability. My Foreign Affairs Department is desperately short of people, and with Dahui just here, I went to ask Lord Chen for him. I told Lord Chen that if Dahui was willing to come, I'd even give up my own deputy director post. Guess what Lord Chen said."

Wu Xiang quickly shook his head. Yang Yun clapped his hands in frustration and said, "Lord Chen said Dahui's talents go far beyond a deputy directorship — he has other important uses for him. So you see, I can only look on helplessly."

Zhang Dahui laughed and said to Yang Yun, "Lord Yang, with that mouth of yours, you could go out once and seduce ten respectable women back with you. Your house is nearly bursting at the seams already. If you ever have any to spare, you can send them over to my humble home."

Wu Xiang and the others burst into laughter and headed together toward Chen Xin's main hall. Wu Xiang had been here several times before. Each time, seeing Chen Xin was no easy matter — usually Song Wenxian and Yang Yun received him, and Chen Xin would often leave him waiting for days. This time, three days was already considered fast.

Chen Xin personally greeted them at the main hall entrance. Recently, Song Wenxian had been traveling throughout Shandong to cultivate ties within the Shandong officialdom. Such external affairs often required Chen Xin's personal involvement, and since Wu Xiang represented the Liaodong garrison, Chen Xin naturally had to treat the matter seriously.

"Your subordinate pays respects to Lord Chen!" Upon seeing Chen Xin, Wu Xiang immediately dropped to his knees.

Wu Xiang maintained his old style, always positioning himself as a subordinate before Chen Xin. Although both held the rank of Regional Commander, Wu Xiang was a Vice Commissioner-in-Chief of the Left Army Chief Military Commission, half a rank lower than Chen Xin. Chen Xin also held the honorary title of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, so Wu Xiang's conduct was justifiable.

Chen Xin signaled with his eyes for Yang Yun to help Wu Xiang up, then warmly invited him to sit. After taking his own seat, Chen Xin noticed that Wu Xiang had brought someone else with him, standing behind Wu Xiang. In the past, Wu Xiang always left his attendants outside.

Seeing Chen Xin looking behind him, Wu Xiang immediately stood and said, "Lord Chen, this is my unworthy son Sangui, now also serving in the army. I had said I would not bring him along, but he insisted on coming to pay his respects, so great is his admiration for you, my lord. Please do not take offense."

"Most welcome." Chen Xin nodded with a smile, sizing up Wu Sangui. Indeed, just as the records described — fair-skinned, noble-looking, the youngest of peers. Wu Xiang was already a handsome man, and with his family's power and wealth, the wives and concubines he took were naturally not inferior; the bloodline was excellent. Wu Sangui had a handsome, heroic face, fair skin, and a medium build that was quite upright. His movements showed he had trained in martial arts. His eyes were bright and piercing, radiating abundant energy. The only flaw was a scar across the bridge of his nose — higher on the right, lower on the left — likely from a blade, though the scar was not deep.

Chen Xin had met many famous figures by now, and quite a few had been entrapped by him. Even Huang Taiji had been beaten black and blue. So now, Chen Xin regarded Wu Sangui simply as Wu Xiang's son. He would not treat him as the Prince Who Pacifies the West. However, from his dealings with Wu Xiang, he did think Wu Xiang was fortunate. Though this son later became a traitor, his abilities were still considerable — at least far more reliable in battle than his merchant-turned-Regional Commander father.

"Truly a tiger's cub from a general's household. Lord Wu, you are blessed."

Wu Xiang said modestly, "My lord flatters him. Gui'er, thank his lordship at once."

Wu Sangui bowed and said, "I thank Lord Chen." In truth, he was also sizing up Chen Xin. Many stories circulated about this man, with several versions in the northern lands, some quite bizarre — such as Chen Xin single-handedly slaying over a dozen White Armor Soldiers before escaping Liaodong. Wu Sangui did not believe it. No one would idly send over a dozen White Armor Soldiers to guard prisoners; that was work for bondservants and supernumeraries.

Chen Xin nodded, then invited Wu Sangui to sit beside Wu Xiang on the lower seat. Across from them sat Zhang Dahui and Yang Yun. Several guardsmen in military uniform also stood in the room.

After taking his seat, Chen Xin said to Wu Xiang, "Lord Wu, you travel frequently between Deng-Lai and here — you are no outsider. I will not beat around the bush with you. The Jianzhou bandits are in their twilight; their defeat is only a matter of time. In the future, my Dengzhou garrison will be in central Liao, and the Liaodong garrison in western Liao. Let us put our cards on the table now, so we can coexist more peacefully later."

Chen Xin's tone was calm, yet carried an inherent authority. Wu Xiang nodded repeatedly. Wu Sangui had been watching Chen Xin closely. Having achieved fame young himself, he was usually quite arrogant and rarely admired anyone. Chen Xin's appearance was tall and imposing, dignified and handsome enough, and his words carried an air of matter-of-factness — the usual demeanor of those in high positions.

"I know Lord Wu has always been engaged in commerce, and our trading company has cooperated many times. You are well acquainted with the Four Seas Trading Company's channels. I will speak plainly with Lord Wu. No matter who holds central Liao, places like Ningyuan and Jinzhou cannot be held for long. The Liaodong garrison has troops, but the fewest among all parties. The court's other frontier armies combined are stronger than the Liaodong garrison. If I hold central Liao, there are two options. First, the Liaodong garrison can relocate, and Dengzhou can use shares in the trading company as compensation. Second, if the Liaodong garrison remains in western Liao but stays out of any conflict between the court and the Dengzhou garrison — whichever path is chosen, I can guarantee the lives, property, and wealth of all officers in the Liaodong garrison."

"Lord Chen is direct and forthright." Wu Xiang asked composedly, "Would exchanging shares mean shares in the Four Seas Trading Company?"

Chen Xin nodded. "The Four Seas in Four Seas Trading Company means embracing all rivers. I do not intend to take everything for myself. The world is vast, and silver can never all be earned."

Wu Xiang lowered his head in thought for a moment, then asked, "Then how would my lord guarantee our lives and property?"

Chen Xin smiled faintly. "Again, the world is vast, and so many eyes are upon me. Swallowing your silver would bring me little benefit. The Four Seas Bank has branches everywhere, and countless people deposit silver there. Have you ever seen me swallow their silver?"

Wu Xiang hurriedly opened his mouth to explain, but Chen Xin waved his hand and said, "On this matter of private property, I can give Lord Wu my word. But given my current situation, as Lord Wu understands, this cannot be spoken of openly. When the time is right, I will declare it publicly, and then all under heaven can bear witness."

"I trust my lord, but I am somewhat curious — how would my lord declare it publicly?"

"Dengzhou has military gazettes that can publish it. Not just for you, Lord Wu — the Dengzhou garrison protects the lawful personal property of all people under Dengzhou's governance. What I pledge is not merely that the Dengzhou garrison will not seize property, but that personal property is inviolable. This is one of the foundations of the Dengzhou garrison. Could I break faith with all the people of Deng-Lai?"

Wu Sangui turned his head slightly to look at Wu Xiang. For officials and gentry of this era, power was a fine thing, but once power was lost, the court might directly confiscate one's property. When that happened, no matter how much silver one had, it was all earned in vain. Such confiscations paid no heed to legitimate income — everything was swept clean in one stroke.

Chen Xin's pledge was rather novel. The more Wu Sangui thought about it, the more interesting he found Chen Xin's proposition. Coupled with Deng-Lai's resounding military prestige, security would be assured. Once this pledge was truly published in the military gazettes and circulated to various regions, many gentry fleeing from elsewhere, along with their capital, would flow toward Deng-Lai.

Chen Xin knew Wu Xiang's purpose in coming. The two sides had dealt with each other many times and understood each other's bottom lines. If Chen Xin offered excessively generous terms, Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou might doubt his sincerity in keeping his word. Chen Xin paused, then continued, "I would actually suggest the Liaodong garrison relocate. You can take your troops with you. Western Liao is a place every side must contest; staying there is no benefit to Marshal Zu. As for where to relocate — Marshal Zu can choose. If the Liaodong garrison has a better proposal, you can bring it forward and we can discuss it. Everything is negotiable."

Wu Xiang stood and bowed to Chen Xin. "When I left, Marshal Zu said that as long as our lives and property can be preserved, the matter of troops is entirely open to discussion. Since Lord Chen has proposed two strategies, I must return to Ningyuan to consult with Marshal Zu. As my lord is well aware, there are other officers in the Liaodong garrison who must be persuaded one by one."

Chen Xin nodded with a smile. The Liaodong garrison would certainly wait until the decisive battle in central Liao determined a victor before placing their final bet. But since they had shown an inclination to side with him, they would absolutely not directly aid the Jianzhou bandits at this moment.

Chen Xin's goal was not to immediately absorb the Liaodong garrison, but to first stabilize their intentions, eliminating one uncertain factor for the decisive battle in central Liao.

Chen Xin also stood and said, "Since Lord Wu is here, you may stay in Dengzhou a while longer. The matters involved in this visit are significant and entail many details. Western Liao and Dengzhou are far apart. Lord Wu can discuss the specifics thoroughly here in Dengzhou with Director Yang and Dahui, to save time traveling back and forth."

Wu Xiang agreed readily. With the main matters addressed, Chen Xin prepared to leave, but Wu Xiang suddenly added, "Lord Chen, I have heard that Dengzhou has a kind of observer. My unworthy son is passionate about military affairs and has always held you in admiration. If it is convenient for my lord, might my son be allowed to go to southern Liao to observe?"

Chen Xin smiled as he looked at Wu Sangui behind him. Wu Xiang was sending him into the Dengzhou army to observe — perhaps to leave a path of retreat for himself. On one hand, it amounted to offering a hostage; on the other, even if Zu Dashou fell out with Chen Xin, Wu Xiang would still have a channel to speak with Dengzhou.

"Since General Wu has spoken, of course it is possible. However, being an observer also has its rules — one must follow the orders of the accompanying officer. If Young Master Wu can do that, then please wait a few days. Someone will come to make the arrangements."

Wu Sangui cupped his fists forcefully and said, "I can do that. I beg my lord to make the arrangements."

Chen Xin laughed heartily, then took his leave and went out. Yang Yun said to Wu Xiang, "Lord Wu, let us first go dine. We can begin discussions after noon. The matters involved are numerous; we must draft multiple strategies for Marshal Chen and Marshal Zu to choose from."

Wu Xiang hurriedly said, "We can also begin discussing now..."

Yang Yun replied with a beaming smile, "There is still one more lord on our side who has not yet arrived. He can only come after noon."

"Could it be Mr. Song?"

"No, it is the Provincial Governor of Deng-Lai, Lord Wang Tingshi. Lord Wang will join me in detailed discussions with Lord Wu."

Hearing the name Wang Tingshi, both Wu Xiang and his son simultaneously gaped.

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