Chapter 608: Disposition

Counting those kneeling in the hall, there were over thirty people.

Among them, the ones of highest status or most deeply implicated were Feng Dachang, Chief Clerk of the Aide Office of the Shogunate Staff Department; Ji Zhongkun, second son of his father-in-law Ji Shiwei and Wang Dou's brother-in-law; and Tao-shi, wife of Logistics Department Commissioner Qi Tianliang, an old comrade from the old days at Jingbian Outpost.

There were also the daughter and son-in-law of Finance Department Commissioner Zhong Rong; and Hong Qiu, former trusted aide of Civil Affairs Commissioner Zhang Gui, who had once helped Wang Dou greatly, former Platoon Leader of Dongjiazhuang, and now fort chief of Jingbian Fort.

And some clerks Wang Dou had known before, or knew slightly — Han Yu, Guo Zhongju, Wang Zhong, Ma Zhong, and others — along with Yang Zhichang, Defender of the Five Forts of Baoanzhou, all kneeling below with heads hung in dejection.

Beyond these were people Wang Dou had never met, some from the shogunate system, some from the old bureaucracy or old gentry system, who had been bought off by the Shanxi merchants during this trade war to serve as inside agents.

Looking at these people, especially Feng Dachang, Tao-shi, and Hong Qiu, Wang Dou's expression was sorrowful. He was a man who cherished old ties, and these three were all people who had shared hardship with him or had once helped him enormously. Their betrayal cut Wang Dou to the heart.

Watching his terrified daughter and son-in-law in the hall, Zhong Rong's face streamed with tears. Zhang Gui stared at Hong Qiu, his hands trembling uncontrollably...

Qi Tianliang suddenly sprang from his seat, tore off a shoe, and began beating his wife over the head and face with it: "... I'll beat you to death, you wretched woman... beat you to death, you wretched woman — a few paltry benefits from those treacherous merchants and you were bought? I see your heart is clogged with lard — I'll beat you to death..."

Even as he struck her, old tears ran down his face, and finally he broke into loud wailing: "Heavens, what sin has my old Qi family committed?"

Tao-shi was also weeping desperately, dodging as she pleaded with Wang Dou: "Great General, your old sister-in-law was wrong. At first I didn't know — I only thought there was profit in it... Later, when I found out, they threatened me. I was afraid — afraid it would implicate Old Qi. Great General, for the sake of the bond we shared back at the same outpost, let your old sister-in-law off this once."

Wang Dou sighed, recalling the scene at Jingbian Outpost back then, and how few of those who had been at that outpost remained now. He sighed and said, "Old sister-in-law... get up first."

He looked again at Feng Dachang and Hong Qiu, both ashen-faced. Wang Dou had read the Intelligence Department files and their confessions: both had been dragged into the water by others. Feng Dachang in particular — he and Han Yu, the current Granary Commissioner, had both been clerks in the Shunxiang Fort Aide Office, and the friendship between them was extremely deep.

After Han Yu was bought off, Feng Dachang noticed traces of it. Unable to withstand the pleas of his former colleague, he tried to cover for Han Yu — only to be threatened by him in turn, and so, step by step, he went wrong.

As Chief Clerk of the Shogunate Staff Department Aide Office, Feng Dachang had deep connections and great authority. With him participating as an inside agent, it goes without saying that the treacherous merchants sailed smoothly through the Eastern Circuit.

Hong Qiu's situation was similar. He had noticed something strange about his son and daughter-in-law. Having had a son in middle age, he doted on him beyond measure. So, under his son's desperate pleading, he too went wrong step by step.

Feng Dachang had always been meticulous about his appearance — beard, attire, all impeccably groomed, his face always bearing a smile as warm as a spring breeze. Now that smile was gone, his expression one of shame. He sighed: "One wrong step, then every step wrong — too late for regret. This student has nothing to say, and accepts whatever punishment the Great General decrees."

Hong Qiu, that rough, forthright man of old, also knelt in shame, utterly mortified: "Your subordinate has failed the Great General, failed Old Brother Zhang. Whatever punishment the Great General gives, I, Hong Qiu, will accept it willingly."

Zhang Gui finally spoke, his voice trembling, pointing at Hong Qiu and stammering: "Old Hong... you were a fool."

Wang Dou shook his head in anguish: "Mr. Feng, Old Brother Hong, get up."

At that moment, Zhong Rong's daughter and son-in-law cried out in terror: "Father (Father-in-law), please beg the Great General for mercy on our behalf!"

Tears streaming, Zhong Rong suddenly strode forward and dealt several fierce slaps, knocking his daughter and son-in-law to the ground. He straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and knelt before Wang Dou, saying with solemn bearing: "This student has failed in discipline and is too ashamed to remain Finance Department Commissioner. I ask the Great General to permit this student to resign."

Qi Tianliang and Zhang Gui likewise stepped forward, shamefaced, wanting to resign.

Wang Dou shook his head. He stepped forward and helped the three up: "Mr. Zhong, Old Brother Qi, Old Brother Zhang, get up. This general will not permit your resignations."

He steadied himself, regained his composure, and looked toward the Provost Chi Dacheng, saying: "In this Eastern Circuit affair, the merits and faults of every department and every officer shall be reviewed and judged by the Judicial Commission according to law. The process shall be open and fair — no favoritism, no perversion of the law. After the list of punishments is drawn up, I will also select a list of those pardoned."

Then his face darkened: "However, the death penalty may be remitted, but living punishment is hard to escape. Even those pardoned shall be exiled beyond the frontier."

By Eastern Circuit law, although the Judicial Commission was in charge, to manifest Wang Dou's transcendence and authority, he held a certain number of pardon slots each year.

Provost Chi Dacheng said expressionlessly: "This subordinate's view is that, to deter future rebels, the Great General should grant few pardons. Those who should die, die; those who should go to prison, go to prison; those who should do hard labor, do hard labor."

Wang Dou nodded and said flatly: "Commissioner Chi is conscientious, but this general has his own decision on this matter."

Ji Zhongkun knelt in a daze. Suddenly he called out: "Brother-in-law... Great General, I have already turned myself in to the Judicial Commission, and I have rendered meritorious service by informing on others — can I be among those pardoned?"

That day, after arguing with Ji Junjiao, though he had talked tough, afterward he thought it over and, gritting his teeth, went to the Judicial Commission to turn himself in, confessing and giving up a large number of people — which counted as the merit of voluntary surrender and informing.

Wang Dou glanced at him, shook his head, and waved a hand: "Take all the prisoners away."

Immediately, every prisoner in the hall was led out by the Judicial Commission soldiers.

Ji Zhongkun struggled, twisting back with all his might: "... Great General, am I among those pardoned? Give me a definite word..."

Watching Feng Dachang and the others being escorted away, the atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Qi Tianliang, Zhang Gui, and Zhong Rong, needless to say, were grief-stricken. Even Han Chao and Gao Shiyin kept sighing. Tao-shi, back in the outpost and the fort, had been close to them all, like an elder sister — yet this time she had...

And Hong Qiu and Feng Dachang — especially Feng Dachang, Chief Clerk of the Shogunate Staff Department Aide Office. He was refined, graceful, and anyone in his company felt as if bathed in a spring breeze. Throughout the shogunate, he was very well-liked. Wang Dou's mother and wife both held him in high regard. It was only that he had made bad friends. Ah.

Wen Fangliang also shook his head. Back at Shunxiang Fort, among both civil and military men, he and Feng Dachang had been among those whom Wang Dou had entrusted with important duties. And now...

As Feng Dachang and the others' figures disappeared, Zhong Zhengxian, standing to the side, said indignantly: "Hmph, a pack of rats — utterly ungrateful and treacherous."

Catching his son Zhong Diaoyang's meaningful look, and then glancing at Qi Tianliang and the others, he came to his senses and shut his mouth.

To Wang Dou's surprise, in this internal-traitor storm, his own uncle Zhong Zhengxian had kept himself clean. Not only that — he had actually rendered meritorious service. Treacherous merchants had tried to buy him off, but Zhong Zhengxian flatly refused and immediately, with alert prudence, reported it to the Intelligence Department.

He might have this or that flaw, but at the critical moment, he stood on his nephew's side. Perhaps this was simply the custom of kinship in these times.

By clan reckoning, the Zhong family — Zhong Zhengxian and the rest — fell within the nine degrees of kinship that would be exterminated if Wang Dou and his family were convicted of a crime. The cohesion of kinship in such times was hard to imagine.

Also, this time, the Li family of Xinzhuang and others — those old gentry, bureaucrats, and merchants — had maintained good conduct amid the crisis. It was people within the shogunate system, instead, who had been bought off in considerable numbers, which pained Wang Dou deeply.

Wen Daxing, his right sleeve empty, sat with a livid face. In the past, he had respected Feng Dachang greatly. He had never imagined...

He said to Wang Dou: "I never thought a single trade war would see so many colleagues bought off — truly hateful to the extreme. Great General, this subordinate believes there are still hidden traitors in the Eastern Circuit. Should we have the Internal Affairs Section conduct a thorough investigation and root out the fish that slipped the net?"

Everyone in the hall felt a chill in their hearts, a sense of cold dread. Chi Dacheng's expression also turned icy.

Just as he was about to speak, Wang Dou waved a hand: "Not necessary. I firmly believe the scum are only a small minority. The vast majority of the Eastern Circuit's soldiers, civilians, and shogunate staff are of one heart with this general. There is no need to broaden the scope and cause unnecessary panic among the troops and people. Let the Judicial Commission handle this matter according to law."

He said: "The post of Chief Clerk of the Shogunate Staff Department Aide Office is vacant. This general proposes that Zhong Zhengxian, Chief Clerk of the Baoanzhou City Aide Office, succeed to it. The vacancy at the city Aide Office shall be filled by a candidate determined by the Judicial Commission. According to regulation, Chief Clerk Zhong may also recommend one or two candidates."

Zhong Zhengxian was overjoyed and took his seat with radiant delight. Everyone else also felt relieved — the Great General was wise after all.

Looking again at everyone's expressions, it was clear the internal-traitor affair had struck them hard.

Wang Dou said: "Though some scum have emerged, you commanders need not be overly disheartened. None of us are sages — it is hard to avoid missteps! But we must take this as a warning. Before making any decision, think thrice before acting. Consider your aspirations, consider your prospects — is it truly worth it?"

He looked at each person and said: "This general hopes to see things through with all of you from beginning to end — for the ideals in our hearts, for the grand enterprise of the future, to leave our names together in the annals of history, and to fully unfold the learning in our breasts!"

Hearing Wang Dou's sincere words, everyone in the hall was stirred with fervor. They all rose to their feet and shouted in unison: "We are willing to die for the Great General!"

Zhang Gui, Qi Tianliang, and the others especially had hot tears brimming in their eyes. Though they too had faults, the Great General did not blame them — magnanimous, benevolent, and kind. Following a lord like this, what more was there to say? Only to devote themselves with all their might.

Wang Dou slowly pressed his hands downward: "Good. May I share wealth and honor with you all — and share hardship too!"

The atmosphere in the hall was roused once more, and everyone's fighting spirit was restored.

Next came the discussion of affairs. Civil Affairs Commissioner Zhang Gui and Finance Department Commissioner Zhong Rong reported to Wang Dou.

This trade war had showcased the shogunate's might, and it also gratified Wang Dou — this well-knit, tight organization was already mature, capable of operating on its own, and it had utterly crushed every rabble. In financial strength, the great families and the rest far exceeded the Eastern Circuit shogunate, yet they were large and scattered, unable to withstand the Eastern Circuit's single thunderbolt strike.

This time, their various losses totaled over a million taels of silver. Of course, although the shogunate had reaped rich rewards, the prior market fluctuations had caused considerable suffering to the soldiers and civilians within the circuit.

As Zhang Gui reported item by item, Wang Dou rose and paced.

Finally he said: "It was already decided earlier: righteous merchants outside the circuit who are on good terms with us, if they suffered losses, shall be compensated double. Soldiers and civilians outside the circuit who were harmed by the counterfeit notes shall have their grain exchanged in full against genuine notes, with the face value increased by thirty percent. For our own Eastern Circuit's harmed soldiers and civilians, the compensation rate shall naturally be higher — set it at triple."

Everyone in the hall heaped praise on the Grand General's benevolence and righteousness, calling it a true blessing for the people of the Eastern Circuit. Only Zhong Rong drew a sharp breath — if that were the case, the compensation sums would be far from small.

Once the weighty topic was settled, Tian Chang, the Commerce Director, rose and animatedly reported on the spoils from the grasslands. Setting aside the grain and rice seized in Yizhou, the great army beyond the frontier had swept across the grasslands from west to east, plundering everything in their path, and then plundered it all over again on the way back.

The haul of cattle, sheep, mules, donkeys, as well as horse tails, sheepskins, leather coats, and all manner of trade goods was beyond counting. The mules and horses alone numbered over ten thousand head, along with a great many captives.

Because the frontier officers and merchants, openly or in secret, had been trading a ceaseless flow of contraband with the various tribes, they also seized a huge batch of grain, cloth, satins, silks, cotton, needles and thread, looms, combs, rice, salt, candies, cotton cloth, otter pelts, sheepskin boxes, and so on and so forth.

They also captured a considerable amount of the iron pots, salt, and tea essential to the herdsmen's livelihood beyond the frontier — especially the salt and tea. Though not quite enough to last several years as some boasted, the quantities were still enormous, and they played a critical role in defeating the treacherous merchants' siege in one stroke.

The iron pots, however, were mostly Canton pots. Because the raw iron was not refined by stir-frying, the Ming government had traded them to the Mongols during the early years of frontier markets. Thereafter, the tribes beyond the frontier would accept no other brand, and even the frontier smugglers had to supply only Canton pots.

For Han commoners, Canton pots were not particularly good, but they could always be sold back to the Mongols later — the Mongols friendly to the Eastern Circuit, of course.

Tian Chang spoke with animated delight, and those below listened with equally beaming faces, never imagining that the expedition beyond the frontier would yield such enormous spoils.

Gao Shiyin even bellowed out his hope and suggestion that Wang Dou dispatch the great army to plunder once every year.

Next, they discussed the actions to be taken against the treacherous merchants.