Chapter 82: A Poisonous Scheme

In the study of the Zhang residence in Taicang, Wu Weiye was reporting yesterday's results to Zhang Pu: "Teacher, Uncle-Master Zhang Cai moved remarkably fast yesterday. Before this student could get much involved, Uncle-Master Zhang Cai had already gathered enough hands."

Zhang Pu stroked his beard and smiled. "Your Uncle-Master Zhang Cai is, after all, known alongside your teacher as the Two Zhangs — how could that reputation be unearned? If he couldn't muster this many government students, that would be the strange thing."

Wu Weiye answered in the affirmative, offered a few more flatteries, then said: "I expect Uncle-Master Zhang Cai will be coming over shortly to discuss this matter with you."

Zhang Pu said: "Mm. He should be here soon. Withdraw for now and go make thorough preparations. Since this tyrant wants to hold the civil examinations, this is the perfect chance to push you forward, so we no longer have to suffer being constrained by those people in the north."

"Also, when you head north, bring that 'Blessing and Longevity Paste' from across the sea and find a way to present it as tribute to the tyrant."

Wu Weiye shuddered at these words and said: "Teacher, is presenting this thing really appropriate? If the tyrant detects something amiss, it will mean the confiscation of our property and the extermination of our clan."

Zhang Pu, however, sneered: "What is there to fear? The Collected Statutes of the Great Ming records this substance as 'black incense.' The Wanli Emperor himself named it 'Blessing and Longevity Paste' and even composed a poem for it.

The tyrant is in the prime of youth, and this substance happens to aid bedchamber affairs — wouldn't it perfectly ensnare him?"

Wu Weiye still objected: "I fear this substance's effects are not as Teacher imagines. It would not be difficult for the imperial household to obtain this Blessing and Longevity Paste.

Even if this student presents it, it will likely be of little use. In this student's view, this matter is far too reckless."

Zhang Pu, however, said: "Ha, and what if it is reckless? Some say that in all his life, Zhuge Liang valued only caution. Your teacher, on the contrary, delights in courting risk, and am I not still here, perfectly fine? Just do as your teacher instructs."

Wu Weiye had no choice but to agree. Just as he was about to take his leave, the steward came to report that Zhang Cai had arrived.

Zhang Pu ordered the steward to invite Zhang Cai in while telling Wu Weiye: "Very well, you stay too. We can discuss this matter together with your Uncle-Master Zhang Cai."

When Zhang Cai entered the study and saw Wu Weiye there as well, he smiled and said: "My worthy nephew is here too? How are your preparations for the examinations coming along?"

Wu Weiye hurriedly bowed and replied: "Answering Uncle-Master, they are nearly complete."

Zhang Cai said: "Relax, relax. Whether you pass or not, isn't it just a matter of your honored teacher writing a letter? Take it easy, no need to fret overmuch."

Zhang Pu picked up the thread: "Brother Nanguo, that mouth of yours truly spares no one."

After this round of banter, Zhang Pu continued: "Has everything been arranged?"

Zhang Cai's expression turned serious at this. "Indeed, everything has been properly arranged. In three days, we move together."

"When the time comes, we split into two groups and burn down his Suzhou yamen and the Suzhou-Hangzhou Textile Administration yamen."

Zhang Pu stroked his goatee and said: "Mm. Since the matter is already arranged, we move in three days. This time, we must force them to rescind all those onerous taxes and levies."

He then added with a sigh: "To plead on behalf of the common people — this is what makes all those years we spent reading the sages' books worthwhile."

Zhang Cai also said: "Worthy Brother Ximing speaks truly. The reigning Son of Heaven is brutal and unrighteous.

Amassing wealth like this — it is not merely competing with the people for profit; it is simply denying the common people any path to survival. And then he hypocritically speaks of 'never increasing the land tax' — that only fools those mud-legged peasants.

Ptui!"

Zhang Pu continued: "Exactly. This time we must expose the tyrant's true face for all under Heaven to see!"

Wu Weiye chimed in: "What Teacher and Uncle-Master say is absolutely right. After this, I fear the tyrant can forget about ever bringing up the matter of collecting commercial taxes again."

Zhang Pu, however, said: "Whether this tyrant collects it or not, that Blessing and Longevity Paste must still be presented to him. I hear the tyrant shared an extremely deep bond with the late emperor.

Why not help him go keep the late emperor company a little sooner? That would also fulfill their deep brotherly affection."

Zhang Cai was badly startled. "Worthy Brother Ximing, this is no joking matter! If word leaks out, you and I will both die without a burial place!"

Zhang Pu shot a sidelong glare at Zhang Cai and sneered: "Brother Nanguo is frightened now? Just set your mind at ease.

How the late emperor and the Taichang Emperor took their dragon ascent to heaven — it's not as if you don't know. The present ruler is too brutal to be worthy of the ancestral temple.

We are merely ridding the people of a scourge."

Zhang Cai cursed inwardly: this Zhang Pu was utterly despicable! If he himself had remained ignorant, his crime would have been lighter. Now this bastard had lashed him onto the pirate ship — from this moment on, they were grasshoppers tied to the same string!

Since he was already aboard the pirate ship, there was no choice but to follow this dark path to its end.

Zhang Cai gritted his teeth and said: "In that case, we should first arrange for someone to infiltrate the eunuch faction and, following Huo Weihua's old stratagem, present the Blessing and Longevity Paste to the tyrant. If anything truly goes wrong, we can still wash our hands clean."

Zhang Pu stroked his beard and said: "Mm. Your younger brother did indeed think of this matter too simply. We shall do as Brother Nanguo suggests."

He turned his head and said to Wu Weiye: "Did you hear all that?"

Wu Weiye said: "Yes, Teacher. After this disciple returns, I will publish essays attacking the Donglin Faction to first infiltrate the eunuch faction. Then, through the hands of someone in the eunuch faction, I will present the Blessing and Longevity Paste as tribute."

Zhang Pu nodded and praised him: "Mm. Good. My teaching has not been in vain."

Turning back, Zhang Pu asked Zhang Cai: "Have the arrangements concerning that Yuan barbarian been made?"

Zhang Cai said: "Already settled. Since that barbarian wants to set up his own faction, let him. Since we all need to move goods to Liaodong anyway, I have already agreed to lend him a hand."

"In a few days, people in the capital will naturally begin spreading rumors that the Jianzhou barbarians fear no one more than that Yuan barbarian.

When the time comes, with someone at court impeaching the Liaodong Military Commissioner Wang Zhichen, there is no fear the tyrant won't activate the Yuan barbarian."

"Once this is accomplished, we can then seek out reliable hands among the Shanxi merchants and reopen the channels for moving goods to Liaodong."

Zhang Pu nodded at this.

"Good, this arrangement is sound.

As the saying goes, cooperation benefits both sides. We give that Yuan barbarian a push first.

Once he climbs into the position of Liaodong Military Commissioner or Liaodong Governor, the Yuan barbarian can go grasp the military authority he wants, and we can continue liaising with the Shanxi merchants to move goods."

Having said this, he seemed to recall something and asked: "By the way, what is the current situation with that Yuan barbarian's teacher, Supreme Commander Sun?"

Zhang Cai's expression soured somewhat at this. He replied: "That old thing may lack ability, but he's a hard-boned one, wholeheartedly loyal to the tyrant. We sent people bearing gifts several times, and each time they were turned away."

Zhang Pu, however, sneered: "Since he wants to be a loyal minister, let him do it at home. Your younger brother will now write a letter to have him impeached at court, lest the tyrant remember him and summon him back."

As the three were in the midst of their discussion, a clamor arose from outside the study. Zhang Pu said: "What is this lack of decorum? Jungong, go out and see."

Wu Weiye, hearing this, was about to go out the door when, without warning, the door was violently kicked open.

Ah, I wanted to add more chapters, but I just couldn't write them out. So sad, so sad, so sad. No recommendation slot...

(End of Chapter)