Over here, Wang Jian rushed home in a hurry, his mind still preoccupied with the idea of jumping ship to the Black Banner Battalion, anxious to let his family know as soon as possible—if he delayed, he was afraid he'd lose out completely.
"Where's my dad?!"
"Young master, you're back? The master is in the garden having tea, you..."
Before the servant could finish, Wang Jian swept through like a gust of wind into the backyard, spotting his father from afar, laughing and cuddling a young concubine about Wang Jian's own age in the pavilion.
Normally, Wang Jian wouldn't dare disturb his father's happy moments, even going out of his way to avoid them—after all, that woman was just too young. But today he was so anxious he couldn't be bothered with such propriety.
"Dad, I've got something to tell you."
Wang Jian barreled in desperately, and even his father looked surprised—his son was never this unruly at home.
"Alright, say what you came to say." He motioned for Wang Jian to sit in the pavilion, while waving off the rosy-cheeked young concubine in his arms. A bit annoyed at having his fun interrupted, but what could he do—his own son was here for something important.
Wang Jian lowered his head, only looking up once the woman had left, and then spoke excitedly to his father, "Dad, there's a chance at the garrison right now for me to move up a rank and grab a Small Banner Officer post. What do you think?"
Wang Jian's father was called Wang Hai, a slightly chubby middle-aged man, who merely lifted his eyes at his son's words and chuckled ambiguously, "Such a good deal, huh?"
"Really! The Small Banner Officer I used to follow—Shen Hao—just got promoted to General Flag. Now he's short-handed, three or four xiaoqi positions are open. If you guys agree, I don't need you to pull any strings, I can speak for myself."
"You actually think your old man sits at home and knows nothing? You're talking about the newly created 'Black Banner Battalion,' aren't you? I advise you, let go of this idea early—that's not the sort of job you should take, it's not worth it."
"What? Not worth it? That's a Small Banner Officer's title! An official position with proper rank—if I miss this, I'll never get another chance!" Wang Jian was only twenty-two now; if he could take the Small Banner Officer post at this age, it'd be a first for the Wang Family in its entire history.
"How did I teach you? Our Wang Family has been upper-tier in Li City for generations, connections all over the place. You don't need to be too flashy, just don't make mistakes. Slowly work your way up, you'll eventually get both position and merit—it just takes more time, but it's steady.
So don't put too much stock in some Small Banner Officer rank. This Black Banner Battalion is neither here nor there—who knows how long it'll last? And look at the affairs they're in charge of, tsk tsk, it's a job that makes enemies everywhere. Only someone whose prospects are really bleak would willingly go there."
Wang Hai slurped his tea, utterly unhurried. Even though he stayed at home, he had a clear grasp of all the goings-on in Li City, and nothing escaped his notice at the Xuanqing Guard Station. He absolutely disapproved of his son getting involved in trouble.
But Wang Hai wasn't in a hurry; Wang Jian was. After following Shen Hao for years, he knew exactly what Shen Hao was capable of. The Black Banner Battalion might be doomed if it landed in anyone else's hands, but Shen Hao could definitely make it shine. His gut told him this was the rare opportunity he couldn't afford to miss—or he'd regret it for life.
"Dad, I believe in Shen Zongqi's abilities. The Black Banner Battalion won't collapse!
And have you ever thought—if the Black Banner Battalion really takes off, what would that look like? By then, a Small Banner Officer from Black Banner might be more impressive than most General Flags."
"Ha, you've got that much faith in Shen Hao? But rumor has it he's just a rootless freelance Cultivator—a lone scatter—can he really handle the mess that's the Black Banner Battalion?"
Wang Hai shook his head as he spoke; he completely disagreed with his son, and had no confidence in Shen Hao. In fact, he felt that if things went south, Shen Hao would be tossed out as the scapegoat for sure.
"You don't believe in Shen Zongqi only because you don't know him. I'm willing to bet—bet that Shen Zongqi will carve out a New World in the Black Banner Battalion!"
"Tsk, are you really this stubborn? I've told you, don't—huh, old man, how come you're here?"
Just then, a spirited old man appeared outside the pavilion with his hands clasped behind him—it was Wang Hai's father, Wang Jian's grandfather, Wang Jiangzhou.
Mr. Wang was already over seventy, and limited by his Talent, his Cultivation had slipped as he'd grown older. But within the Wang Family, his accumulated authority was formidable; he truly called the shots.
"Been in quiet cultivation too long, came out for a breath of air. Just happened to hear you talking about the Black Banner Battalion—sounds interesting. Keep going, let me listen more."
Wang Jian and Wang Hai exchanged a glance, then repeated again about the Black Banner Battalion and Wang Jian's wish to move over as Small Banner Officer.
"Sir, you see? Isn't this kid just inviting trouble? Wouldn't it be better to muddle through safely? He insists on stirring things up!"
Wang Jian's face darkened, but he wouldn't dare argue outright with his father, especially with Mr. Wang beside them—he still had to mind his manners.
"Stir things up? Who isn't stirring things up just to survive? If a person stops stirring, they're not far from dead."
The old man's sudden remark left Wang Hai and his son completely at a loss, unable to respond for a moment.
"Sir, you mean..."
"Hmph, don't get it? Hasn't the family been in decline for years, can't you feel it? I could forgive the drunken, aimless living—but you've even lost to the younger generation. All you do is muddle through—can you muddle your way through life forever?"
"No, sir, haven't you heard what the Black Banner Battalion is in charge of? It's a job that offends everyone—at best, you'll be stuck, at worst, you'll lose your head. How can we get mixed up in something so reckless?"
"Fool!" The old man smacked Wang Hai's head with considerable force—a sharp slap.
Wang Jian watched with secret delight, barely keeping from laughing out loud, though he still got a fierce glare from Wang Hai.
Mr. Wang felt absolutely no shame in beating his son. He picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup, and slurped before continuing:
"Don't fix your eyes so narrowly on Li City's little patch of earth—look wider. You mentioned earlier, the Black Banner Battalion was set up personally by Lord Pang Ban, Commander of Xuanqing Guard, right?"
"Yes."
"There you go. Have you studied Lord Pang's style? He's infamous for toughness and ruthlessness, never showing leniency or compromise. If he's established the Black Banner Battalion, he's absolutely set on locking up the Xuanqing Guard. Who cares if people aren't happy? Who would dare challenge Lord Pang and his Knife Master?
So, I think Wang Jian's idea is good. Take advantage of the Black Banner Battalion's founding—when no one else wants it—and lend a helping hand. Down the line, you'll never suffer for it."
Wang Jian nodded again and again. He'd always wanted to join the Black Banner Battalion, but had never thought it through so thoroughly as his grandfather.
Wang Hai also picked up on the real meaning here. He realized Mr. Wang was feeling the urgency about the family's declining fortunes. The Black Banner Battalion might really be a lock imposed on Xuanqing Guard from above—but for now, it'll surely face hardships.
Wang Hai understood that Mr. Wang was gambling too—but it wasn't blind guessing, there was some certainty in the bet.
"So, let Wang Jian give it a try?"