Chapter 748: Unequal Treaty

Early the next morning, Wang Dou summoned his shogunate staff to discuss the matter. Because Sun Chuanting’s request for aid involved numerous items, key personnel from the military, civil, and staff departments all participated, with Ye Xi taking the minutes.

The document was passed around for everyone to read. In its terms, Sun Chuanting requested that Xuanfu Garrison support him with funds and provisions, weapons, instructors, strategic advisors, experienced agricultural officers, and even soldiers — as many as three thousand men.

Everyone’s first impression was that Sun Chuanting had a huge appetite and tremendous boldness. Did he intend to replicate the Xuanfu Garrison model across the entire territory of Shaanxi?

Wang Dou leaned back comfortably in his large tiger-skin chair, used a small pair of scissors to trim the end of the cigar in his hand, while beside him Master Tiger flicked a fire striker to light it for him. Wang Dou slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said, “You’ve all read the document. What are your thoughts?”

Wen Fangliang immediately said, “Lend — why wouldn’t we lend? Shaanxi cannot be allowed to fall. Now that a fine opportunity has presented itself, how can we refuse?”

Though usually grinning and jesting, when it came to serious matters his expression was entirely solemn, and his handsome face shone with the light of wisdom: “Of course, our Jingbian Army’s funds and provisions don’t just fall from the sky — they come from the blood and sweat of the common people. How could Sun Chuanting expect to pay no price? These terms must be thoroughly revised.”

Qin Yi also agreed. As a senior strategic advisor, he too was qualified to attend the meeting. He said, “This is indeed a fine opportunity. Right now the roving bandits are in Henan — they can attack Shanxi to the north, Shaanxi to the west, Shandong to the east, and Beizhili. Shandong and Beizhili are beyond our reach, and we have even less chance there, but Shanxi will gradually come under the shogunate’s control. Basically, Monan poses no threat; what concerns us is Shaanxi.”

He said, “If Shaanxi is lost, the roving bandits will threaten our Hetao territory and menace the Protectorate from the flank, disrupting our army’s operational planning.”

He concluded, “Even if our Jingbian Army cannot control Shaanxi, it must not fall into the bandits’ hands. From this perspective, we must aid the Qin army as quickly as possible.”

Wang Dou nodded slowly.

Zhang Gui also said, “Controlling Shaanxi will make it easier to take in refugees in the future, adding more population for our Anbei development.”

Tian Changguo said, “Exactly. There are still plenty of wealthy people over in Shaanxi. Their silver melons are just sitting hidden in their cellars — better to send them to the bank instead.”

Zhong Zhengxian glanced at Zhong Rong. Seeing that he did not speak, he too remained silent.

Zhong Xiancai had earlier proposed making all of Shanxi and Shaanxi a southern buffer zone for the Protectorate, so of course he would not oppose Wen Fangliang’s opinion now. In a soft, measured voice he said, “Grand General, this junior officer believes General Wen and Advisor Qin have spoken well. I concur with their proposal.”

However, after concentrating and thinking it through carefully, Han Chao said, “Sun Chuanting is no ordinary man. Controlling Shaanxi is easier said than done. Besides, after we aid him, how do we know we won’t be nurturing a tiger that will one day turn against our Protectorate?”

This was also a problem. Everyone fell into deep thought. Wen Fangliang said, “The current strategy is to stabilize the situation in Shaanxi. Every course has its pros and cons — we can’t be afraid of wolves ahead and tigers behind.”

He said, “In the future, Shaanxi’s new army will be trained by our instructors. Although Sun Chuanting will certainly keep military administration firmly in his own hands, his army will be close to us — that’s the first point. Shaanxi needs our aid; taking this opportunity, civil administration and commercial affairs will inevitably be infiltrated by us — that’s the second.”

Wen Fangliang said, “Just like the Datong and Shanxi garrisons now. Even if Wang Pu and Zhou Yuji want to turn hostile toward us, would their subordinates be willing? Would the local gentry and common people be willing? Moreover, war is fought with funds and provisions. Even if Sun Chuanting holds an army in the future, hemmed in on every side, he still won’t escape the Protectorate’s grasp.”

Gao Shiyin said, “Exactly. Our Jingbian Army is unique — especially that spirit and morale, which others cannot learn. No matter how Sun Chuanting struggles in Shaanxi, he’ll only produce a pale imitation. How could he compare to us, the genuine article?”

Everyone burst out laughing. Zhong Xiancai, hearing how amusingly he put it, also smiled.

Zhong Diaoyang said steadily, “Grand General, the aid is feasible.”

Nodding to his cousin, Wang Dou picked up Sun Chuanting’s document, which had been passed back to him, and fell into deep thought.

…

Seizing this moment, people in the hall began whispering and murmuring to one another. Many also took out cigars and began puffing away, filling the air with smoke.

After years of campaigning, under extreme pressure, many officers had developed heavy smoking habits. Only Zhong Xiancai did not smoke.

When Wang Dou came back to his senses, he saw that Zhong Xiancai was already enveloped in smoke. He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “During meetings, let’s refrain from smoking.”

Taking the lead, he stubbed out his own Great Ming cigar. Seeing this, the others in the hall exchanged glances, some looked at Zhong Xiancai, and one after another they too extinguished the cigars in their hands.

Zhong Xiancai pursed his lips and smiled at Wang Dou.

“Aid is feasible, but the method and approach must be changed.”

Looking at the document in his hand, Wang Dou spoke slowly. He turned toward Tian Changguo: “Old Tian, your bank — no problem producing two million silver dollars, right?”

Tian Changguo, still thin as a rail, straightened his frame bolt upright and said loudly, “Replying to the Grand General, the Anbei Bank has ample capital. Two million silver dollars — absolutely no problem!”

With a slap, Wang Dou tossed the document onto the desk: “Then it’s settled. We’ll support them by way of a bank loan. The Finance Department’s funds and provisions will not be touched!”

His tone was cool: “Sun Chuanting may accept this loan, but he must put up Shaanxi’s taxes, mineral resources, and the like as collateral. The loan will be disbursed in several installments, with an initial transfer of five hundred thousand silver dollars.”

He said flatly, “This sum will also serve as payment for purchasing weapons, paying instructors, hiring soldiers, and other expenses!”

Sun Chuanting had requested a great deal of aid, much of it as outright grants, which displeased Wang Dou.

He was no alms-giving boy. His funds and provisions did not come from a strong wind — they were earned through the bloody battles of his officers and men, or through the hard toil of the common people paying their grain taxes. He had already supported various parties quite a bit in the past, all at half-sale, half-gift.

Via the imperial court, much of it had even ended up in the hands of rats like Zuo Liangyu, and was ultimately captured by the roving bandits — a tremendous loss of capital.

And with such behavior, had he not become a grand transport Mobile Corps Commander?

From now on, policy would change, and that change would begin with Shaanxi.

“A bank loan?”

The officers in the hall all found this novel. The Grand General always had fresh ideas, and now he had come up with this move.

The thought of a region’s situation being controlled by a bank stirred a strange feeling in everyone’s hearts. But then they reflected that the bank was itself controlled by the shogunate, and the strange thought merely flickered through their minds before they let it go.

Having followed Wang Dou for many years, everyone was accustomed to the various novelties he produced; their immunity was greatly strengthened.

Had it been anyone else, this point alone would have sparked endless debate.

At the same time, a thought faintly arose in many minds: was the Grand General’s move meant to encourage private pioneering?

Sure enough, they heard Wang Dou continue: “As our Jingbian Army develops, the bank must keep pace. Old Tian, you must bring the merchants’ role into play — let them boldly go outward. You must also encourage them, turning the greedy nature of merchants into a powerful driving force! On the path of pioneering, let them go ever further.”

“Of course, you must also pay attention to methods. You can first win over a group of people, give them some benefits. That group — call them compradors.”

Zhang Gui said loudly, “The Grand General’s words are truly golden counsel. Your subordinates are all deeply moved and filled with admiration.”

He said to Tian Changguo, “Old Tian, you must engrave the Grand General’s teachings upon your heart. If you grasp even a little of these true insights, you will benefit from them for a lifetime!”

Tian Changguo chuckled: “No need for Minister Zhang to remind me — your subordinate has already memorized them firmly.”

Zhang Gui was already in his forties, yet still had a bristling short beard and round, leopard-like glaring eyes, looking very fierce and imposing.

One’s bearing shifts with one’s station, and one’s body is nurtured by one’s circumstances. Over the years, he had grown even more dignified. Of course, this was only his outward appearance. In fact, though Zhang Gui looked rough and bold, he was extremely glib — a meticulous and slick man.

He was also on good terms with Tian Changguo. He reflected that even if the Grand General cherished old ties, he himself could only serve one term, and counting the days, that time was not far off. Naturally, he was concerned about who would succeed him.

He of course favored Tian Changguo. But his competitors Zhong Rong and Zhong Zhengxian were not to be underestimated, so he did everything in his power to create opportunities for Tian Changguo.

At this moment, though Tian Changguo was still thin as a rail, his two bulging eyes constantly gleamed with sharp light; the half-asleep look of old was long gone. How could the post of Minister of Civil Affairs not make one’s eyes burn with desire? Even if his competitors were formidable, he would not give up until the very last moment!

Moreover, Wang Dou’s words just now had greatly broadened his thinking. He mused to himself: wasn’t His Majesty planning to organize and train a new army? The Anbei Bank could also go and offer a loan.

But a loan required collateral. He had heard that the Emperor was so poor he wore patched clothes — what could he use as collateral?

The national treasury? Obviously impossible.

And Wang Dou’s words, if spoken elsewhere, would have stirred controversy again — this was truly naked profit-seeking. Yet to these trusted officers of Wang Dou, each and every one took it as a matter of course.

Zhong Rong sat smiling. Only Zhong Zhengxian silently cursed Zhang Gui and Tian Changguo: “Sycophants!”

Over these years, he had matured considerably, and he no longer put on the airs of an uncle before Wang Dou. His son Zhong Diaoyang also often taught him to simply focus on his duties — whether there were achievements or not, the Grand General saw it all. Thus, recently he had only been concentrating on his own auditing and inspection work.

He paid no attention whatsoever to Tian Changguo, staring only at Zhong Rong alone.

……

They meticulously scrutinized the aid funds Sun Chuanting had requested. In the end, every item was debated and decided within the hall, then refined by the staff officers and clerks. The finalized funding register was delivered into the hands of Sun Chuanting, who was waiting anxiously at a Shaanxi guild hall in the garrison city.

The moment he opened it and looked, he could not help but freeze. The aides beside him were equally shocked and furious, a sense of humiliation surging into each of their hearts.

Although to Wang Dou every clause was merely a fair transaction between both sides — one gained something and thus paid something — in the eyes of Sun Chuanting and his men, these terms felt like the unequal treaties of later ages.

The Anbei Bank would lend a total of two million silver yuan, secured against Shaanxi's tax revenues, mineral resources, and the like, with an initial transfer of five hundred thousand silver yuan.

The Shaanxi region would purchase ten thousand bird guns from Xuanfu Garrison, along with one million rounds of powerful ammunition. Each gun would be priced at seven yuan and come with ten rounds of ammunition; the remaining ammunition would be calculated separately. These firearms would also be delivered in batches.

The Shaanxi region would hire three thousand soldiers from the Jingbian Army, including one thousand Grade-A troops and two thousand Grade-B troops. For their pay and provisions, each Grade-A soldier would cost ten yuan, with officers calculated separately; each Grade-B soldier would cost five yuan, with officers calculated separately. Every item was calculated in exhaustive detail, and the costs for soldier injuries and pensions were also computed.

Xuanfu Garrison would sell five thousand dan of grain and fodder to the Shaanxi region. In Sun Chuanting's view this was far too little, but Wang Dou needed to develop Monan and required a great deal of grain himself, so he could only sell a small amount.

As early as when he was in the capital, Sun Chuanting had sounded out the Emperor's intentions. To return to Shaanxi, he could not do without troops, especially not without strong troops. He could only set his sights on the Jingbian Army. By his estimation, the Emperor tacitly permitted him to hire one thousand Jingbian Army soldiers. He had boldly increased it to three thousand, which could be considered bearing the pressure, but he had never imagined it would be so expensive.

Xuanfu Garrison would not sell red-barbarian cannons. Fortunately, the Emperor had promised him that some red-barbarian cannons would be transferred from Guangdong, routed through Huguang, and transported to Shaanxi.

He wanted to hire some artillery officers, and this price was even more shockingly expensive. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast your votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m. to read.)

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