Chapter 888: Drinking Together

Could it be related to this? Zhao Jin couldn't be bothered to think too deeply about it. Over on the other side, Wang Zhaojing was full of emotion and started the conversation: "Back in the day, I thought that by studying books, one would understand the world's affairs and grasp the principles of the sages. Looking at it now, reading so many books hasn't brought many benefits, but plenty of harm. Simple little matters get tangled into a thousand knots."

"Enough of that. There's no consoling you — I offer one word of comfort, and you've got ten waiting in reply." Zhao Jin laughed and waved his hand, pretending to shoo him away. Wang Zhaojing couldn't help laughing either, and just then Ji Xiang came sidling over.

The mood among the company was very relaxed. The leaders were laughing, and the household troops had all just returned from visiting their families. Those who hadn't gone home had received reward money, so everyone was in excellent spirits.

"Big Brother, our territory is so vast now. Managing it all through these Cloud Mountain branches is a temporary expedient. Sooner or later we'll have to set up a proper system. But we don't have enough capable people for that. Our outward expansion won't slow down, yet we lack the personnel to govern the localities. This is a hidden worry — sooner or later it'll become a drag!" Wang Zhaojing hesitated, then still spoke these words. Ji Xiang, who had come over, looked bored. When he noticed Zhao Jin glancing his way, he hurriedly lowered his head, though he couldn't help grumbling inwardly: scholars really are troublesome — is it so hard to talk about something pleasant?

The smile on Zhao Jin's face faded as well. In a solemn voice he said: "Why do you say the Cloud Mountain branches are a temporary expedient? Collecting silver and goods in kind, conscripting local labor, maintaining public order, gathering intelligence, conducting trade — the Cloud Mountain branches have done all of this quite well. Since they've done well, what's wrong with keeping them going?"

"Big Brother, governing a locality can't just focus on these few items. We also need to educate the common people, supervise production..."

"Educate the common people? Just run a literacy class. Supervise production? Have them urge the people to build waterworks, collect manure, and plant trees. What about that can't be done?" Zhao Jin cut Wang Zhaojing off without the slightest courtesy.

Wang Zhaojing opened his mouth to say something but couldn't get it out. He just smiled bitterly and shook his head. Zhao Jin looked at him, was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Study is about using what's in the books, not being trapped by what's in the books. You need to understand this point. If you don't get it through, there'll be more headaches ahead."

With the conversation having reached this point, no one had any interest in continuing. Ji Xiang, however, hesitated, cleared his throat, and said: "Big Brother, since this martial arts tournament is being held in Xuzhou, we can't let the heroes of the world look down on us Xuzhou men. Your younger brother would also like to take part, to win fame and prestige for our Zhao Character Camp!"

He started off a bit hesitant, but by the end he was stirred up, with a certain fervor as if ready to go through fire and water. But under Zhao Jin's cold stare, his voice grew quieter and quieter on those last few words.

"Fifth Master Ji's name already strikes awe in all directions. Don't you also have the nickname 'Little Wenhou'? With a reputation like that, why go up on the arena stage and learn those street-performing tricks, putting on a monkey show for others to watch?" Zhao Jin asked in retort.

"I have that nickname?" Ji Xiang had been hanging his head, but hearing this, he looked up with keen interest. He caught himself at once, though, and quickly waved his hands, saying: "I don't want that nickname — it sounds awful. If I'm Lü Bu, then what does that make you, Big Brother? Wouldn't that mean your younger brother brings ruin upon his master..."

Hearing Ji Xiang's words, Zhao Jin, who had been completely stern-faced, and Wang Zhaojing beside him, who had been gloomy, both couldn't help laughing. The stories of the Three Kingdoms were simply too deeply ingrained in people's minds. Storytellers' tales, opera scripts — even ordinary folk could recite a line or two, and the channels of transmission were broad. Even someone like Ji Xiang, who found reading and writing a headache, knew quite a lot.

Lü Bu was certainly the foremost hero, handsome and accomplished, but he was also a slave of three surnames. Several times he followed a master, and none of those masters met a good end. Ji Xiang's mind worked fast — he understood this perfectly well.

"Don't let your thoughts run wild. In all our battles together as brothers, have we ever had any martial duels with anyone?" Zhao Jin asked.

Ji Xiang shook his head. Zhao Jin continued: "Now, across these several provinces, who doesn't know our names? What does that rely on? It relies on leading great formations of troops to victory on the battlefield. It relies on the Zhao Character Camp being immovable as a mountain and fierce as fire in the attack. Leading from the front, commanding with composure, courageously never retreating, winning victory after victory — that is what makes a true hero. What does winning some arena bout count for? So you can earn a bit more silver when you're out busking and putting on martial displays?"

Hearing this speech from Zhao Jin, Ji Xiang looked rather dejected. Zhao Jin's tone turned stern: "He Family Village must be under strict alert these next two months. Don't let your mind wander elsewhere!"

No matter what, Ji Xiang was very clear about priorities. These words from Zhao Jin were tantamount to a military order. Ji Xiang immediately put away his dejection and solemnly acknowledged the order from horseback.

Ji Xiang was used to being scolded and recovered his mood quickly. Wang Zhaojing was different — he remained gloomy and unhappy the entire journey, all the way back to He Family Village. Zhao Jin did not continue to question or console him. Some troubles of the heart can't be talked through; one has to think them through on one's own.

Compared to the bustle and clamor of the previous days, He Family Village was now quite desolate. The martial artists from outside had all surged off to Xuzhou City. The scholars from outside had either left or already gone to the short-term training class.

The only ones still busy were the merchants. They certainly wanted to go watch the excitement of the martial arts tournament too, but for merchants, the most important thing was making money. Those merchants who had come from the capital and the northern provinces, especially those who had already secured shopfronts in the He Family Village area — even though the shopfronts hadn't been built yet, all the necessary preparations had to be made. For example, to be fully ready to open for business after the new year, they had to establish good relations with everyone here on all fronts. Managers and clerks all had to come over; socializing and getting familiar with people was unavoidable. Goods also had to be prepared in sufficient quantities.

The managers and prominent figures could find an inn to stay at, but the clerks and laborers doing the work below didn't get such good treatment. They could only live in the warehouse tents where the goods were stored. Fortunately, there was no need to worry about thieves or bandits here. It was just a bit uncomfortable to live in, but otherwise it was fine.

Seeing this, Wang Zhaojing couldn't help recalling something Zhao Jin had once said: "Learn more from these merchants. They know what they want, so everything they do is for that purpose. But don't learn from the salt merchants — their brains have been ruined by wealth and luxury. They've forgotten their origins and forgotten what they want."

After everyone entered the village, they dispersed. Zhao Jin and Ji Xiang were going to inspect the camp together — these days, the First Regiment was to be temporarily under his command. Wang Zhaojing went first to the Cloud Mountain Firm. Ruhui had not followed back from Xuzhou City this time; he had to stay there and go over the year-end accounts.

As soon as he arrived at the Cloud Mountain Firm, a manager came out to greet him and handed over the letters, documents, and reports from these days. Although Wang Youshan had now returned to Xuzhou, the documents, reports, letters, and notes coming from the capital were even more numerous than before. Many people in the capital did this kind of business. As long as the silver was spent and someone kept watch, then public information — and even some secret intelligence — would flow in continuously.

If it was a truly critical piece of intelligence or an event, the capital side would mark it. It would also be reviewed once by Lei Cai in Linqing. If it needed to be expedited, it would also be marked. Anything with these marks would be delivered directly into Zhao Jin's hands. Those without them would be distributed to the Internal Guard and the Cloud Mountain Firm.

Wang Zhaojing skimmed through them briefly, picked out a few letters and read them, and his expression grew even more overcast. The managers and head clerks could naturally see that Wang Zhaojing was in poor spirits, and they all stood to the side, anxious and trembling.

But Third Master Wang's self-restraint had always been good. He merely sighed, then ordered the staff below to send over some wine and dishes. He probably wanted to drown his sorrows in drink. As for whom he would drink with, everyone could guess. That Provincial Graduate Xin Qitao still hadn't left. Nine times out of ten, he was going to find him. Both were provincial graduates, both were outstanding figures — surely they would have plenty to talk about together.

Within the current Zhao Character Camp, and even the whole of He Family Village — counting both locals and outsiders — anyone who wasn't a fool could guess this Provincial Graduate Xin's intentions. It was already the twelfth month and he still hadn't left. His desire to offer his services was glaringly obvious; he just hadn't fully set aside his airs yet.

Many people in He Family Village didn't have a good impression of this Provincial Graduate Xin. Every day he wore a long gown, with a page boy and servants following behind him, a sword worn pretentiously at his waist, strolling idly everywhere and asking questions. In a place like He Family Village, where everyone was simple and hardworking, they'd never been able to stand such airs. Although Wang Zhaojing was much the same, how could this Provincial Graduate Xin compare to Third Master Wang?

Under Wang Zhaojing's arrangements, this Xin Qitao was staying next door to his house, so he could be called upon or invited at any time. For Chen Sheng's wedding this time, Wang Zhaojing had originally intended to bring Xin Qitao along, but Chen Sheng felt he was an outsider and so did not invite him. These past few days, Xin Qitao had just been left to stay here.

Although this Xin Qitao was Wang Zhaojing's honored guest, he wasn't left entirely unsupervised. Some of the surveillance had been set up by Wang Zhaojing himself. This time, everyone in He Family Village had briefly left, but this Provincial Graduate Xin's freedom had not been restricted. He was allowed to walk around everywhere, and a guide and attendants had been assigned to him.

These past few days, Xin Qitao had not stayed shut indoors. Just as before, he toured around everywhere. According to those following him, Xin Qitao had made a point of going to those temporarily erected merchant tents to walk around and look, chatting a few lines with the people inside and asking them why they had come here.

After returning home and tidying up briefly, Wang Zhaojing went next door to Xin Qitao's lodgings and invited him over for a drink. Normally, such a task would be done by an attendant, but to show the importance he placed on it, Wang Zhaojing always did it personally.

Provincial Graduate Xin naturally accepted the invitation. He straightened himself up a bit, then came out and headed over. Wang Zhaojing waited at the door. After a simple exchange of greetings, Wang Zhaojing ushered him inside.

The rules in He Family Village were strict, especially regarding the residences of Zhao Jin and his companions. Although an exception had been made for this Xin Qitao, some rules still had to be observed. For instance, the master could enter, but servants had to wait outside. Today, however, this one servant blundered dumbly forward as if to follow inside and was directly blocked by the household troops at the door.

Hearing the commotion behind them, Wang Zhaojing and Xin Qitao, who were walking inside, both turned their heads. Wang Zhaojing, who had been preoccupied the whole time, only now noticed that Xin Qitao's personal attendant had been replaced. This man wasn't an unfamiliar face, but he wasn't Xin Qitao's personal attendant — he was one of the servants who had come along. He looked to be in his thirties, with coarse hands and large feet, the sort who usually busied himself with miscellaneous chores at home.

Thanks to "Yuan Heng Li Zhen, Wu Liulang" and Qidian's "Yi Shen De Mei Wei" for their tips, and thanks everyone for your subscriptions and monthly tickets.

It's easy to relax at a time like this — the end of the year in the traditional sense. The main thing these past few days has been sleeping; there haven't been many waking hours. I hope this sleep can store up enough energy for the new year. There won't be any breaks in updates over the New Year period — whether it's one update or two will depend on my condition. That's all.