Chapter 663: The Grand Executive

Soon, Sun Chuanting was brought in by the two of them.

After they took their seats as host and guest, Sun Chuanting spoke first: "Lord Chen, so this is Miss Qingqing?"

Having said this, Sun Chuanting looked Qingqing up and down, then praised: "Truly a peerless beauty, and rare in her deep sense of righteousness. Lord Chen is a fortunate man!"

Hearing Sun Chuanting's words, Chen Facai waved his hand and said: "Lord Sun, what are you saying?"

Sun Chuanting's expression stiffened for a moment, then he asked: "Could it be that Lord Chen and Miss Qingqing are not..."

"In that case, how about we make a deal? Look at me—young in years yet holding high office, with no one by my side to share warmth or cold. I truly lack someone as close and caring as Miss Qingqing. How about after this matter is settled, Lord Chen lets Miss Qingqing come with me?"

Hearing this, Chen Facai raised an eyebrow and glared as he said: "Lord Sun, don't say such things. What I meant was that Qingqing is not as good as you say—not that we have no relationship. I won't hide it from Lord Sun: once this matter is done, I will marry Qingqing."

Hearing this, Sun Chuanting wore an expression of sudden understanding, a brilliant smile on his face.

Standing nearby, Qingqing shot Chen Facai a fierce glare. He was the one too embarrassed to admit it, and now he was shifting the blame onto her?

Chen Facai also realized Sun Chuanting had been joking, and said: "I never expected Lord Sun to have this side to him."

Still, thanks to Sun Chuanting's remark, the atmosphere in the room eased considerably.

Sun Chuanting said: "We were both too tense. There's no need for that—I was just trying to lighten the awkward mood. This matter succeeds or it doesn't; either way, it's no great concern."

At this point, Sun Chuanting even stood up and bowed to Miss Qingqing, his expression grave as he said: "Miss Qingqing, you have been wronged this time. Sun Chuanting owes you a debt of gratitude! If there is ever anything you need in the future, you may send someone to find me, and I will not refuse."

Hearing this, Chen Facai immediately stood up as well.

He had not expected Sun Chuanting to go this far, and quickly said: "This—my lord, this is hardly proper. Qingqing is not worthy of such a great courtesy from you."

Qingqing also hurriedly waved her hands and said: "Lord Sun flatters me."

In all of the Great Ming, there were honestly very few people who could withstand Sun Chuanting doing something like this—neither Qingqing nor Chen Facai could.

What was Sun Chuanting's standing in the Ming right now?

He was a favorite of the current Emperor and one of the commanders of the Imperial Guard Corps. Everyone knew that in the decades to come, Sun Chuanting would surely rise meteorically—barring any accidents, he would reach one of the very top positions early on and hold it for many years. A man of such real power—no one dared provoke him.

Sun Chuanting straightened up and said: "I won't hide it from Miss Qingqing—this approach actually goes against my principles. In my view, if you want something, scheming and plotting for it is worse than taking it by force with real swords and spears. The Ming army fears nothing; no one can stand against the Ming's martial might."

"It's just that this situation is somewhat special—there was truly no other choice, which is why Miss Qingqing had to suffer such a grievance. But Miss Qingqing, rest assured: when I return, I will certainly report this matter to Your Majesty. I believe that with Your Majesty's sagely reputation, he will surely give Miss Qingqing a good outcome."

Hearing this, Chen Facai hurriedly bowed to Sun Chuanting and said: "Thank you, Lord Sun."

Nodding, Sun Chuanting said: "It is only right."

In his heart, Chen Facai understood that if this matter reached the Emperor, it would be no small thing. And since it was Sun Chuanting who would memorialize it, the Emperor, to honor Sun Chuanting's face, would also reward Qingqing—perhaps granting her a title, or allowing her to share the same rank as a wife.

These were things Chen Facai would never have dared to imagine.

"Since the two of you are now involved in this matter, I might as well tell you a few things." After sitting down, Sun Chuanting said slowly: "This time, the Ming's goal is to swallow up all of Joseon."

Hearing this, both Qingqing and Chen Facai were somewhat stunned.

Neither of them had truly expected the goal to be this.

Though they had harbored some guesses, neither had imagined such an enormous objective.

"Because of the existing relationship between Joseon and the Ming, this cannot be done openly. There are some things I cannot tell you. But you only need to understand what to do next."

Chen Facai shook his head with a bitter smile and said: "Lord Sun, you shouldn't have told me this at all."

"It's not that I'm afraid Lord Chen might misunderstand—it's that I'm afraid Lord Chen might think I don't treat you as one of my own." Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

Shooting Sun Chuanting a rather resentful look, Chen Facai said: "Having been a merchant for so many years and having muddled through officialdom for just as long, there is one thing I know very well: the more you know, the worse it is for you. Those just entering officialdom fear not knowing anything—they spend their days currying favor, scheming, and prying for information. But those old hands in the bureaucracy—which one of them isn't slippery as an eel, dodging every trouble that comes their way?"

"Knowing more is not necessarily better. This isn't you trusting me, my lord—this is you making it impossible for me to extricate myself!"

"Lord Chen misunderstands." Sun Chuanting said with a smile: "We are all men of the Ming, all subjects of His Majesty—how can you speak this way? Why would you need to extricate yourself? We are all working for the Ming!"

"I believe that if the time truly comes when Lord Chen is needed, Lord Chen will certainly not refuse. I trust Lord Chen's loyalty to the Ming and to His Majesty."

Glancing at Sun Chuanting, Chen Facai let out a helpless sigh.

You've already trotted out such lofty words—what more can I possibly say?

Chen Facai did not continue that thread, instead asking: "Is there anything more Park Jeong-yang needs us to do?"

"No need—we'll handle it from here." Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

Chen Facai nodded and said: "He should be arriving about now."

Sure enough, no sooner had the words left his mouth than someone came in to announce: "Lord Park Jeong-yang has arrived."

Lately, Park Jeong-yang had been running over here with great frequency—he was nearly obsessed. Every day, thinking of what he stood to gain, he was excited beyond measure.

Whether it was Miss Qingqing or the money and power about to fall into his hands, it all made Park Jeong-yang's hands tremble with excitement. When he heard that Chen Facai wanted to see him, he came running over at once, all eager and fawning.

Upon entering the reception room, Park Jeong-yang discovered there was another person present. This person sat in the seat of honor, while Chen Facai sat below.

This made Park Jeong-yang understand that this person's status was certainly no simple matter.

He quickly walked over to Chen Facai's side and said respectfully: "Father-in-law."

Hearing this form of address, Sun Chuanting nearly spat out his mouthful of tea.

Sun Chuanting knew about the matter between Qingqing and Park Jeong-yang, but he had never in a thousand years imagined that Qingqing's public identity was that of Chen Facai's daughter.

What was this all about?

Chen Facai was equally helpless, glancing at Sun Chuanting with a wry smile.

Sun Chuanting pretended not to hear.

After all, things were what they were—he couldn't go revealing such private matters.

He picked up his tea and continued drinking it with an air of utter composure.

Chen Facai nodded and said with a smile: "Let me introduce you. This is Lord Sun, the Counselor Minister of our Ming's Staff Office, a commander of the Imperial Guard Corps, and the most trusted subject of the current Emperor. He has come to Joseon this time to oversee the joint Ming-Joseon campaign against the Wa."

"Barring any surprises, Lord Sun will be meeting with the King of Joseon in the next day or two to discuss the dispatch of troops. As for that batch of military equipment, Lord Sun has full authority to dispose of it."

Park Jeong-yang looked at Sun Chuanting in disbelief, then turned to look at Chen Facai in equal disbelief.

He knew his father-in-law's capabilities—after all, the man had money, and money makes the world go round; that was an eternal truth that held anywhere.

But Park Jeong-yang had not expected his father-in-law's reach to be this great. This Lord Sun was of such standing, and judging from his father-in-law's words, this lord before him was no outsider at all—in plain terms, his relationship with his father-in-law was extraordinarily close.

Stepping forward, Park Jeong-yang bowed respectfully to Sun Chuanting and said: "I pay my respects to Lord Sun."

"No need for formalities." Sun Chuanting nodded, set down the teacup in his hand, raised his head and looked Park Jeong-yang up and down, then said slowly: "Good, good. Shopkeeper Chen, you have a fine eye for choosing people."

"We still rely on Lord Sun's patronage." Chen Facai hurriedly said in a respectful tone.

"Enough, since you're one of us now, I won't beat around the bush." Sun Chuanting nodded and said: "As for this matter, your father-in-law must have already told you about it, and he has also recommended you to me."

"To get you into this position, your father-in-law spent no small amount of money. But let me say the unpleasant things upfront — the position can be given to you, but when the time comes, what should be done and what shouldn't be done, you need to have a clear sense of it in your heart."

"Yes, my lord!" Park Jeong-yang said excitedly: "I will certainly follow my lord's lead in everything!"

"That won't be necessary." Sun Chuanting waved his hand and said: "After this campaign is over, the Great Ming will establish an official post of Grand Administrator in Joseon, with specific duties roughly similar to the Shogun of the Wa nation. Who ends up in that position will depend on your performance."

Park Jeong-yang's heart stirred — he hadn't expected the Great Ming to have such an idea.

After thinking it over, he understood what the Great Ming intended to do. They wanted to sideline the King of Joseon and transfer actual power into the hands of the Grand Administrator.

After all, replacing a king was something the Great Ming couldn't easily involve itself in — it would lack legitimacy and justification. But the Grand Administrator held real power; to put it plainly, it was just an official post, and the Great Ming could replace him at any time.

Yet even so, this position held tremendous appeal for Park Jeong-yang — that was a high official wielding real power!

As for serving the Great Ming with his life, Park Jeong-yang felt no pressure in his heart.

Wasn't Joseon already serving the Great Ming with its life now?