Chapter Ten "Learning"

  Leshan City is located in the middle and lower reaches of Minjiang, Qingyi River, and Dadu River, connected to Meishan in the north, Zigong in the east, Yibin in the south, and Liangshan in the west.

  The scenery along the way is beautiful and although it's nearly 300 miles from Chengdu to Leshan, Wang Hengyue and his three companions didn't feel tired.

  As soon as he entered Lesan, the first thing he did was to visit his superior, Shi Fengrong, the second battalion commander of the 66th Regiment.

  Pete and his three men were arranged to stay in the inn, Wang Hengyue was about to set off, but Yu Lei pulled him aside: "Sir, are you going empty-handed?"

  Wang Hengyue was taken aback, but soon came to his senses. In this official circle of the Qing dynasty, no matter what kind of background or connections you have, if you want to get something done, it's absolutely impossible to do so with empty hands.

  He forced a wry smile, pulled out a gold watch, and it seemed that this time he still had to use this knockoff to scout the way.

  Yu Leichao Jin looked at him and asked: "May I ask, sir, how much silver did you give to Ye Du?"

  Wang Hengyue didn't know at first, but later Qin Guangcheng told him that he had bribed Ye Xuanbiao with 2,000 taels of silver and mentioned the amount. Yu Leiluo thought for a moment: "Since the adults have already contributed 2,000 taels to Commander Ye, the 500 taels of silver from Shi Guandai are absolutely indispensable."

  Wang Hengyue remained silent there, without a word.

  The Qing dynasty is really corrupt to the point of no return, from top to bottom, everyone is greedy, such a court will not perish and it's truly unreasonable.

  Thinking of bringing Yu Lei along wouldn't be bad either, he called Yu Lei to go out with him, found a money house to deposit the 10,000 taels of silver ticket Qin Guangcheng gave him, exchanged for two small silver tickets and some loose change. Yu Lei also asked the money house clerk to cut the silver into several pieces of different weights on the side.

  Yu Lei said in a low voice when he arrived at Shi Fengrong's place, "We're going to wrap up the silver here."

  Wang Hengyue took out a small piece of silver and was about to wrap it up, when Yu Lei glanced at the silver and said: "Sir, you're giving too much. The doorman only gets three cents, and after we go in, the young master only gets seven cents. It's enough to give the tea server and water bearer a few coins. These are all rules, sir. If you give too much, it will actually disrupt the rules. Sir has just returned from the West, so he may not be familiar with these domestic official matters."

  Giving money is actually a big deal? Wang Hengyue smiled wryly and rubbed his nose, under Yu Lei's guidance, he wrapped three silver coins in a red envelope and gave it to the doorman.

  The originally arrogant expression of the doorman has indeed greatly softened, and he asks Wang Hengyue to wait outside while he goes in to report. After a moment, the doorman comes out and says that Master Guan is inviting you in.

  After entering, tea was served first, and Wang Hengyue sent out a few more coins. After a while, a young man with a yawn came out, Yu Lei gave a wink, and Wang Hengyue handed over the seven silver coins he had prepared earlier.

  He called himself "young master", but in fact, he was just a servant who served by the side of his master, holding a chamber pot and so on. The young master weighed the silver and smiled: "Two gentlemen, please wait for a moment, my master will come out soon." He yawned again and apologized hastily: "Sorry, sorry, last night my master got up three times at night, I had to serve by his side, busy with official business, very busy indeed."

  Wang Hengyue was both angry and amused, and couldn't help but want to slap him. The scoundrel actually used the words "official business is busy"?!

  "You'd better serve Lord Shi well, that's of the utmost importance." Yu Lei, however, didn't seem to care at all and asked with a smiling face in a low voice: "How is General Guan's mood today?"

  This is the benefit of giving red envelopes, and the adults' mood is clear to those who serve around them. The young master glanced at the side and said in a low voice: "The two of you came just in time today. My old master took in another concubine yesterday, and he's in a great mood now. Whatever you want to say, it's fine to tell my old master."

  He said with a slight bow of his hands: "Sorry, the old master is about to get up. Please sit down for a moment."

  Xiao Ye walked away, and Yu Lei quickly said to Wang Hengyue: "Sir, prepare another 100 taels of silver."

  "What's with the silver again?" Wang Hengyue asked, furrowing his brow.

  "Although it's not a big deal, Shi Guang took a concubine, which is also a happy event, and this silver is absolutely indispensable."

  Wang Heng was furious in his heart, and Shi Fengrong's people had not been seen yet, but the six hundred taels of silver were already gone from his body.

  With this method, the 10,000 taels of silver that I earned with great difficulty will probably be used up in no time!

  "Which one is the new officer Wang?" A voice came from inside, somewhat weak and lacking in energy, apparently having not slept well last night.

  Seeing a man in official uniform walking out from inside, it seemed that he was the one who had been sent to seal up the Bao Shi. Wang Hengyue stood up and said: "I am Hengyue."

  According to the rules, when meeting a superior, one should say "your humble servant", but Wang Hengyue just couldn't bring himself to utter these two words. He simply referred to himself as "Hengyue". Anyway, he had an identity of having returned from overseas, so he could easily gloss over it.

  "Long time no see, long time no see." Shi Fengrong didn't pay much attention to the other person's greeting, saying "long time no see" with his mouth, but not even giving Wang Hengyue a glance, and sat down carelessly: "What kind of important position is the team officer in the new army? Who did you get in through?"

  In Wang Hengyue's time, asking such questions would always be roundabout and evasive. Who would ask so directly? Wang Hengyue forced a smile: "Thanks to General Meng Ye for his recognition, allowing me to serve in the military."

  "Are you Yedu's subordinate?" Shi Fengrong nodded: "Do you have a letter from Lord Yedu?"

  "Yes." Wang Hengyue handed up Ye Xuanbiao's private letter.

  Shi Fengrong glanced at him and said, "So you're back from the West, no wonder you've won the favor of Commander Du." He changed the subject, "The West is great, Commander Du loves Western goods, and even his subordinates like them. Ben Guan Dailang has never been to the West, Wang Qiguan, Ben Guan Dailang is curious, what special products does your America have?"

  This is blatant bribery. Wang Hengyue took out a box containing a gold watch and handed it over: "There's nothing good in the United States, but this time Hengyue made a detour to Switzerland and brought back something. Please take a look at it, sir."

  Opening the box, Shi Feng Rong saw the gold watch and his face showed an expression that was no different from Ye Xuan's that day. He repeatedly exclaimed "good stuff" and it took him a long time to reluctantly close the box: "It's really good stuff, Captain Wang can take it back."

  "This is a great achievement for Lord Hengyue." Although Wang Hengyue said so with his mouth, he had already scolded Shi Fengrong's ancestors in his heart.

  "How can this be, how can this be? I am the most honest official, and I have never taken a single penny from my subordinates." Shi Fengrong's face broke into a smile, and his hand had already moved the gold watch towards himself.

  You're a clean and honest ancestor! Wang Hengyue cursed in his heart again, and simply took out another 100 taels of silver notes: "Hengyue heard that Your Excellency had good news yesterday, but didn't have time to congratulate you. Here's a small token, please accept it."

  "These people, just because of this small matter, they have to make a big fuss about it, how can I lead the troops in the future?" Shi Fengrong laughed and accepted the silver ticket without hesitation, saying repeatedly:

  "This is an isolated case, this is an isolated case!"