[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-158":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205447,1561,"Chapter 158: Silver Mine","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-158",158,"\u003Cp>Hearing Young Lady Ji speak like that, Wang Dou looked at her. Their relationship didn't seem to have reached that stage yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A maidservant cautiously stepped forward and reminded Young Lady Ji, \"Young Lady, please be extremely careful. These firearms are dangerous. If the barrel bursts and you are injured, how would we servants explain it to the Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several family servants of the Ji household also pleaded earnestly, but Young Lady Ji paid no heed. She simply urged Wang Dou, \"Wang Dou, hurry up and teach me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"Watch closely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured for a guard beside him to hand over his arquebus. He then took a pre-packed paper cartridge from that guard, opened the flash pan, bit open one end of the paper casing, poured a portion of the powder inside into the pan, then closed the pan. He stuffed the remaining powder in the tube along with the lead ball into the muzzle, rammed it tight with the ramrod, and finally lit the match cord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were extremely fluid. The sequence, which would seem dazzlingly complex to an outsider, was completed by him in moments. Holding the arquebus, he aimed at a small tree ahead, sighting for a while. He pulled the trigger; the match cord ignited the priming powder in the flash pan. With a thunderous boom, that small tree was snapped in half at the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Lady Ji clapped her hands and shouted, repeatedly saying, \"Let me try, let me try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou estimated she was eighteen. Like the young madam of the Department Magistrate's residence, she still had bound feet. He hadn't expected her to bounce and hop about like this, showing none of the poised decorum of a young lady from an official's family. The several family servants of the Ji household beside her, however, wore grave expressions. The arquebuses under this Baoanzhou Garrison Commander were so devastatingly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Lady Ji asked for a pre-packed paper cartridge. Disliking the smell of gunpowder smoke here, she ran to a spot a dozen or so paces away and began loading with great enthusiasm. But after fumbling for a long while, she had forgotten Wang Dou's earlier motions. Seeing Wang Dou standing far off, she stamped her foot and called out, \"Wang Dou, come over here! What are you standing there dumbly for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only move closer to her side and teach her how to load and how to aim. The two were quite close, nearly cheek by jowl. A faint, virginal fragrance seeped into Wang Dou's nostrils. Before his eyes, the beauty was like jade, her cloud-like hair about to brush her fragrant, snowy cheeks. Wang Dou couldn't help feeling a stir in his heart. He quickly calmed himself and looked again at Young Lady Ji before him; the rims of her ears were also slowly reddening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the two so intimate, Wang Dou's personal guards all stared until their eyes nearly popped out. The servants and maids of the Ji household also gaped dumbly, mouths wide open. Only Xu Zucheng vigorously rubbed his own cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Lady Ji loaded the charge according to Wang Dou's method, then aimed and fired. With a thunderous boom, she hit nothing at all. Yet Young Lady Ji shouted with glee, \"This is so much fun! I'll fire another shot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She enthusiastically fired two more shots. From the look of her, she intended to keep shooting. At that moment, a maidservant approached and whispered to Young Lady Ji, \"Young Lady, it's getting late. We still need to travel.\" She cast a meaningful glance at Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Lady Ji suddenly lost all enthusiasm. She seemed to think of something and sighed faintly, \"Wang Dou, let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past the Zhuanzi Warm Post was the Qizi Warm Post. Next came the Tumu Post, which belonged to Huailai Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they reached Tumu Post, it was already late. The group rested at Tumu Post for the night and continued their journey the next day. Passing through the Chenzi Warm Post, Laozi Warm Post, and Yizi Warm Post within Huailai Guard territory, the party finally arrived beneath the walls of Huailai City on the eastern route of Xuanfu Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stayed inside Huailai City for two days. When he returned, he brought back two hundred head of plow oxen — no more were available. The route city itself was struggling and could not support Wang Dou further. That day, when Wang Dou, accompanied by Acting Garrison Commander Xu Zucheng, paid a visit to the Huailai Military Defense Circuit Intendant, Lord Ji Shiwei, Lord Ji received Wang Dou quite warmly, his words full of praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Ji had heard in the route city of Wang Dou's vigorous efforts to reclaim wasteland and was deeply moved by his diligence. Such hardworking officers in the dynasty were truly rare. Coupled with Wang Dou's bravery in battle, having such talent emerge within his jurisdiction was also a matter of pride. However, although Lord Ji valued Wang Dou, limited by circumstances, Wang Dou would have to find his own way for more plow oxen and supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his two days in the route city, Wang Dou also received a piece of news. It turned out that Young Lady Ji was actually the daughter of Military Defense Circuit Intendant Lord Ji, named Ji Junjiao or something similar. Lord Ji had three sons and five daughters; this Ji Junjiao was the youngest and the most doted upon by the Intendant and his wife. Wang Dou had always suspected this Young Lady Ji's identity. Upon actually hearing it, he was still taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month of the ninth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou returned to Baoanzhou City. Seeing that Wang Dou had successively procured large numbers of plow oxen and farming tools from both the guard city and the route city, everyone admired Wang Dou's resourcefulness. The soldiers and civilians of the prefectural city were even more jubilant, full of confidence in Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, although Wang Dou had obtained several hundred plow oxen from various places, it was still far too little compared to the needs of the soldiers and civilians of Baoanzhou. He would have to think of another way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, Wang Dou invited Lai Mancheng, the proprietor of the Qingtianfu Trading House in Shunxiang Fort. This Lai Mancheng was the nephew of Xu Zucheng, the current Acting Garrison Commander of Baoan Guard, and had dealt with Wang Dou before. He ran an ox market, selling various draft animals like horses, oxen, mules, and camels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving Wang Dou's invitation, Lai Mancheng came gleefully. He was still the same dandyish figure, his face powdered, and despite the bitter cold, he still waved that trademark gold-dusted fan of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Wang Dou, Lai Mancheng kowtowed with a grin. After scrambling up, he smiled at Wang Dou and said, \"To think that back then, the Garrison Commander was still the Garrison Commander of Shunxiang Fort, and in the blink of an eye... tsk tsk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clicked his tongue in admiration, then, as if performing a magic trick, produced a gift list, saying it was to congratulate Wang Dou on his promotion. Wang Dou smiled and handed the gift list to Xie Yike beside him, then said with a serious expression, \"Brother Lai, I called you here today to discuss serious business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng also straightened up, a shrewd glint in his eyes. \"My lord, just give your orders. Whatever this humble one can accomplish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at Lai Mancheng. \"I want to purchase one thousand head of plow oxen from you. Can you manage it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One thousand head?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng was so startled he nearly slid off his chair. He struggled to steady himself and looked at Wang Dou. \"Is my lord speaking in earnest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"Naturally in earnest. Would this official deceive you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only ask you: one thousand head of plow oxen — can you manage it or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng calculated for a long while, then said affirmatively, \"It can be done, but it will take several months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"No matter. As long as they are all gathered before the autumn sowing next year. One thousand head is the minimum; perhaps more will be needed later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng looked Wang Dou up and down. Wang Dou smiled slightly. \"What, you don't trust this official? I can give you a portion of the deposit first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng laughed, a bold spirit appearing in his eyes. \"A deposit is hardly necessary. How could old Lai not trust the honorable Garrison Commander?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord can pay this humble one after the plow oxen arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly. \"Very good. You're someone who can accomplish great things. We'll have many opportunities to cooperate in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, what is your price for the plow oxen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since my lord is purchasing so many oxen and implements, this humble one will give my lord the most favorable price: five taels and five mace per head.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou frowned. \"Too expensive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng cried out as if suffering the greatest injustice. \"Oh, my lord! The price of plow oxen in this dynasty rises day by day. And they must be transported over long distances — the men eat and the oxen chew, it's no small expense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not to mention the escorting workers, or the food and drink for the guards — just the oxen alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured to Wang Dou. \"Transporting plow oxen over long distances is like plowing and working; you must be meticulous with their feed and water, ensuring they get their fill of fodder and beans. When oxen eat grass, it's very particular. In spring and summer, they need green grass, the tender spring grass at that. If you feed them dry hay, it must be chopped very fine and mixed with rice broth, bran, wheat husks, and the like. And you must feed them frequently, but in small amounts, especially in winter. If the journey is rushed, you must also give the plow oxen enough bean fodder — bean fodder, my lord! Adding up all the bits and pieces, at five taels and five mace per head...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said flatly, \"Five taels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng said, \"Oh, my lord...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"Five taels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Mancheng wore a pained expression for a long while, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. He raised a thumb to Wang Dou. \"My lord, you are even shrewder than this humble one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a heroic air, he declared, \"Fine! Five taels it is. Within three months, one thousand head of plow oxen will be delivered to my lord without fail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sixteenth day of the twelfth month of the ninth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou was reading the court gazette. Early in the twelfth month, Viceroy Hong Chengchou had led troops to battle Li Zicheng at Longzhou. Li Zicheng was defeated and retreated to Qingyang and other places. The situation was favorable for the government forces. And on this very day, Baoanzhou Department Magistrate Li Zhenyu also urgently sent someone to invite Wang Dou to the department administration office to discuss matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worriedly, he pointed to an official document. \"Lord Wang, another surcharge has been imposed. The share assigned to our Baoanzhou is not small either. What is to be done?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou took it and looked. It was a newly arrived official document. The court had again imposed surcharge tax silver, with two hundred and seventy-four taels assigned to Baoanzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had read in the court gazette that as of the ninth month of this year, the salt tax revenue from Lianghuai had accumulated a deficit of over two million taels. In the eleventh month of this year, the court resolved to fortify the capital to defend against Qing incursions. However, Minister of Works Liu Zunxian reported that the treasury had no silver, so the Grand Secretariat deliberated imposing a surtax on the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, by the twelfth month, the decision was issued: a surtax levy. The various provinces of the Great Ming were assessed a total of over two million nine hundred ninety-three thousand taels. Except for Beizhili, which was exempted by imperial decree, the surtax for each province ranged in the hundreds of thousands of taels. Among these, Yanzhou on the eastern route of Xuanfu Garrison was assessed nine hundred fifty-three taels, and Baoanzhou was assessed two hundred seventy-four taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the document, Wang Dou remained silent. Department Magistrate Li Zhenyu, however, watched Wang Dou with eager, anxious eyes. Now that he had boarded Wang Dou's pirate ship, he had exempted the prefectural city's civilian households from next year's grain levy. Not a single coin of income was coming in, and now there was this surtax silver on top of it. If they couldn't produce this sum next year, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhenyu had read in the court gazette that just in the eleventh month of this year, Provincial Administration Commissioners Yao Yongji of Zhejiang, Zhu Zhichen of Jiangxi, and Ceng Daowei of Huguang had all been stripped of their posts and kept in office pending replacement because they could not complete tax collection. His Majesty's resolve was immense. Li Zhenyu was afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, seeing Wang Dou react, he said urgently, \"Well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly. \"Why should the Department Magistrate be anxious? It's merely a surcharge of a few hundred taels of silver. Rest assured, I can afford it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He comforted Li Zhen and came out, returning to the Garrison Commander’s residence, where a group of officers also gathered around, clearly having learned the news as well. They all looked eagerly at Wang Dou, for only Wang Dou could think of a solution for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou took out a silver ingot and tossed it in his hand, saying with a faint smile, “When you think about it, this silver is nothing but a dead object. Gold, pearls, and jade cannot be eaten when hungry, nor worn when cold — they are not as good as grain and silk hemp. It is only that people of the world cling to them stubbornly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He beckoned Han Chao into the inner chamber and said to him, “Brother Han, there is a matter I want you to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao said, “Please give your instructions, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou took out a map of Bao’an Department, pointed to two locations on it, and said, “Each of these two places has a silver mine. I want you to take men and investigate the truth of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, they were silver mines — in later times, around Huizhou’s Xiangguang in Zhuolu County and Shangjinggou in Luanzhuang, several silver mines were distributed, with reserves reaching nearly three hundred tons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had already sent men to look; at present, these several places were all completely uninhabited. These silver mines, presumably, were still unknown to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>",2513,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","61d21994d80ee2a41cbeecb17701bebf59cec1050e0f0cbf09bbce23e92463dd","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-159","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-157",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]