Chapter 11: Li Longji

Wang Zhongsi led a dozen or so heavily armed garrison troops onto the scene, instantly subduing the onlooking crowd. The merchants and their retainers began to disperse slowly, news of the Jiangguan Pass reform in Kui Prefecture started to spread through the city, and the chaos‑prone Kui Prefecture capital gradually returned to calm.

Traveling merchants, who lack sharp eyes, are as rare as phoenix feathers; just by looking at the situation one knows the matter cannot be changed in the short term.

If it were merely the city's militia coming out to restore order, then the Jiangguan reform might still be just the lone whim of Kui Prefecture Inspector Zheng Shuqing.

But when armored garrison troops also show up to hold the field, the implication must be extraordinary, because the military office and the local prefecture are essentially independent and not under the same command. The Kui Prefecture office can mobilize the militia, but cannot directly command the garrison troops.

Thus the wealthy merchants directly chose to process clearance paperwork, obtain permits, and go to a local shipyard in Kui Prefecture to commission a "standard ship", parking their old vessels at the riverside dock while awaiting developments.

Many merchants, refusing to take chances, simply paid a five‑hundred‑guàn "guarantee deposit" and left Kui Prefecture. Behind these merchants stand aristocratic or imperial clan backers; they do not believe Zheng Shuqing can act unilaterally. The five hundred guàn they hand over now will, when the Kui Prefecture office returns the principal with interest, be reclaimed!

A number of smaller merchants linked up, inquired about each other's final destinations, and pooled money to "share a ship", jointly purchasing a large "standard ship"; after passing Jiangguan they would decide how to split the profits.

The situation did not turn out as dramatically as Zheng Shuqing had anticipated; the overwhelming majority of merchants still chose to temporarily lower their flags and lie low, and whether they have any backup plans is another matter.

Indeed, Zheng Shuqing's demands seem absurd, but compared with the profits the merchants reap, it's nothing special. The Three Gorges section of the Yangtze has a considerable vertical drop, and each year many vessels capsize and sink. The Jiangguan requirements in Kui Prefecture are not entirely unreasonable or arbitrary.

Standardizing grain transport ships would unify customs tariffs, make it easier to keep cargo weight constant, benefiting both merchants and the tax officials of Jiangguan, simplifying procedures.

Changing ships, however costly, is just a one‑off transaction; the tariff does not increase.

Cargo under two hundred jin remains tax‑free; cargo over two hundred jin is taxed proportionally, not much different from before.

There are changes, though not a matter of good or bad yet; it's simply more meticulous than before.

The newly issued tax decree stipulates that vessels not exceeding the standard draft line are taxed on the whole ship, regardless of whether they are fully loaded—even an empty ship is taxed the same.

Ships exceeding the draft line are charged according to a scale carved onto the side of the standard ship, effectively calculating cargo weight, akin to Cao Chong weighing an elephant.

For small tax‑exempt boats, cargo weight may not exceed two hundred jin, and the number of passengers—including the boatman—may not exceed five; tax is levied per head.

In other words, there will be three types of vessels allowed to pass Jiangguan in Kui Prefecture.

The first type is official or grain transport ships under court jurisdiction and operation; these have always been tax‑free and may pass directly.

The second type is privately owned tiny boats with negligible cargo capacity, taxed per passenger.

The third type is standard grain transport ships used by merchants; customs are levied on cargo weight, not per passenger. However, when taxing, all crew and passengers must be on board.

All other vessels are prohibited from passing Jiangguan; there is no room for negotiation, and forcing a passage makes one a river bandit.

In an instant, the news spread from Kui Prefecture's capital, countless letters fluttered like snowflakes toward Chang'an thousands of miles away. A new power play was brewing.

……

"Come, come, have some tea. Try this Yixing Yangxian tea."

Just after night fell, in the study of the lotus‑pond annex, Zheng Shuqing personally brewed tea for Fang Chongyong, his movements deft, clearly not his first time.

A faintly aged long face seemed to have blossomed with flowers.

"We collect fifty thousand guàn a day; this money flies like it has wings, piled in the treasury I'm afraid it'll be stolen. At this rate we can finish the report this month. Tsk tsk, how did you think of this trick?"

Zheng Shuqing, while breaking tea cakes, asked excitedly.

No dissent allowed; the rebellious Fang Youde family truly is terrifying!

"Minister Zheng, your skill isn't great; your maid's tea is better."

Fang Chongyong retorted with a self‑satisfied smirk.

"Never mind, never mind, we'll replace it."

Zheng Shuqing didn't mind the verbal slap at all. As long as money can be scooped up at this speed, even if Fang Chongyong hits his left cheek, he can stretch his right cheek out for the other to strike, continuing until Fang Chongyong is fully satisfied.

"Servants, clear out, bring the brewed tea over."

At Zheng Shuqing's command, several beautiful maids came forward and neatly cleared the entire desk.

"Has the official document to be sent to Chang'an been written?"

Fang Chongyong asked seriously, showing no courtesy to Zheng Shuqing. Their relationship had completely reversed; unconsciously, he had become the dominant one. Even more frightening, Zheng Shuqing accepted this wholly!

"It's written, young master, please review."

Zheng Shuqing handed the document he had drafted today to Fang Chongyong for inspection.

In the document, Zheng Shuqing complained to the court that the river section in Kui Prefecture is swift, many treacherous merchants load large ships to capacity, causing vessels to run aground and block the channel. Jiangguan Pass often needs to dispatch people to rescue drowning individuals and salvage the blocked ships, costing an incalculable amount each year, with no way to claim reimbursement from the court, harming local livelihoods.

If grain transport ships were unified, first it would greatly reduce capsizing from overload or non‑standard dimensions, second it would lessen the labor of Jiangguan officials and speed up clearance, third it would aid inspection of contraband, following the map to the horse.

He hopes the court can issue an official approval.

The document only states this much; it does not mention mandatory purchase of Kui‑produced standard grain ships, nor the requirement to pay a guarantee deposit refundable after a year, not a single word.

The other two points are easy; the third, mainly because when processing clearance certificates one must fill in the shipowner's information, so that if contraband is discovered, clues can be quickly traced for investigation.

Seeing that all required content was written, Fang Chongyong handed the document back to Zheng Shuqing and said, "This plan is forced, may not last long. If the court issues no decree, the minister can use this to escape his misery. If the court does decree, the minister will be demoted and must return to the capital for a report, or face imprisonment."

Fang Chongyong said in a heavy tone.

"What now, what shall we do?"

Zheng Shuqing asked a line from Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty.

"First, send the fifty thousand guàn that the Kui ship merchants delivered, overnight to Wushan County, then have Wang Zhongsi escort this treasure to Chang'an, and just add this sentence to the document."

Fang Chongyong offered his trump card.

After a moment's contemplation, Zheng Shuqing sighed, "Sending the money is proper, but not by Wang Zhongsi. Here's a plan: I'll have Yang Ruoxu take his trusted men to escort the treasure to Yangzhou, entering Chang'an via the Du Shui Bureau route. Since Du Shui Bureau is now under Li Xiang's control, there's no obstacle."

"As for the interval, Kui Prefecture is left unattended; let Wang Zhongsi summon garrison troops to the prefectural city."

Zheng Shuqing rejected the suggestion that Wang Zhongsi transport the money, yet also considered that promptly sending the fifty thousand tax revenue back to Chang'an for Li Longji is a matter that cannot be delayed.

Zheng Shuqing could invite Wang Zhongsi to Kui Prefecture's capital to inspect the scene, as it is one of Wang Zhongsi's duties.

In the Tang dynasty, military offices, besides training garrison troops, also protected the safety of the prefecture and county (not daily policing), handling sudden military or civilian emergencies. Though rare, the statutes spell this out clearly.

This is similar to the Sui dynasty "Zongguan Office" system, which managed garrison troops and was responsible for prefectural security.

However, ordering Wang Zhongsi to escort fifty thousand guàn would signal a shift in Zheng Shuqing's political stance, a grave political error! Wang Zhongsi, longing to return to Chang'an day and night, would not refuse; having garrison troops deliver the tax is passable, but how Li Linfu would view it is uncertain.

Fang Chongyong is still politically naïve, not grasping these twists. Zheng Shuqing is a seasoned court veteran, surely aware of them.

"Very well, then, the minister still has many tasks to attend to."

Fang Chongyong took a sip of the tea the maid brought; it must be said, it tasted better than the local Kui tea. Now he was a guest of honor, his treatment rising step by step.

"Anything else? What other matter?"

Zheng Shuqing was startled; he had already planned to lie back and collect money, how could anything go wrong?

"Lord, those merchants are backed by great families and imperial clan scions. You yourself come from a great family—don't you feel it?"

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing seemed thoughtful, his expression gradually turning stern.

Fang Chongyong was right; most of those merchants are the "gloves" that the great families, nobles, and imperial clan put on the front stage.

Normally they are needed to go out and make money.

In critical moments, they are needed to take the blame.

The noble heads of great families inherit poetry, books, rites—how could they be tainted by the stench of copper?

Although these noble heads cannot engage in the lowly business of making money, if someone obstructs their profit and cuts off their financial routes, they will also step forward to cause trouble.

As the saying goes, no wave rises without wind; political problems do not always require political means to resolve. In this regard, Zheng Shuqing has indeed seen many great storms.

"What good plan do you have? Must I employ my family's connections?"

Zheng Shuqing asked in a deep voice.

He could indeed use his family's connections to settle the matter, but the price to pay would be unimaginably huge—perhaps he would never recover in this lifetime!

"Four words: United Resolve!"

Fang Chongyong stood up, and with his distinctive childlike voice declared resolutely.

"Then how do we forge United Resolve?"

Zheng Shuqing looked at Fang Chongyong with a puzzled expression and asked. It was hard to imagine that a dignified provincial inspector like him could be led by a young child.

"Kuizhou's river pass sets new rules; the large‑scale replacement of passing tribute ships is now inevitable. Should the dockyards on the shore hire workers? Do the unloading wharves need staff? Should the merchants staying in Kuizhou and their servants be provided meals and lodging? Do these livelihoods need people?"

With so many means of livelihood, will the people of Kuizhou live better or worse? If outsiders cause trouble at the wharf, should they stand behind the lord to support him, or help the outsiders sabotage the thriving enterprises of Kuizhou Prefecture?

Isn't the answer clear enough?

In a daze, Zheng Shuqing seemed to see Li Linfu lecturing him. The inspector muttered, "With the benefit of your father's grace, you will become chancellor one day."

……

In Chang'an, within the Daming Palace's Purple Throne Hall, Tang Emperor Li Longji was holding his forehead, staring dumbfounded at the massive vermilion pillars that several people were hugging together. The endless state affairs and incessant family squabbles made him want to flee this suffocating palace.

Originally, his beloved Consort Wu Hui had been whispering by his pillow, saying that Prince Shou Wang Li Chang should be made crown prince. But now there is already a crown prince named Li Ying; how could another be appointed?

Not to mention Li Ying has been crown prince for twenty years.

The court was also uneasy; Pei Yaoqing was replaced, and Li Linfu took his place as Palace Attendant. Within the three‑minister configuration, a chancellor was still missing. Li Longji intended to promote the Governor of Youzhou, Zhang Shougui, to the same rank of Third Rank of the Secretariat, but faced fierce opposition from Zhang Jiuling.

The newly appointed Governor of Hexi, Cui Xiyi, submitted a memorial to the court, stating that the previous Governor, Niu Xianke, was administratively adept; under his rule the Hexi fief's treasury was full and its arms well‑stocked, and he possessed the talent to assist the chancellor. He hoped the court would promote him to a higher position.

By then, Niu Xianke had already gone to Shuo‑fang to serve as the Grand Commander of the Shuo‑fang Campaign.

Seeing Cui Xiyi's memorial, Li Longji was very generous, directly proposing to transfer Niu Xianke back to the capital to serve as Minister of the Six Ministries. In truth, he wanted to observe Niu Xianke; if suitable, he would elevate him straight to the chancellor position.

However, this appointment also met fierce opposition from Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling argued that Niu Xianke was only familiar with Hexi affairs and might not be capable of serving as chancellor. He had risen from a low clerk in Hexi, and his abilities could only shine there; once in the capital, they would not be applicable.

It was a frank statement, one that only a veteran bureaucrat with extensive experience could utter.

Li Longji reluctantly agreed to Zhang Jiuling's suggestion, but was deeply irritated.

The emperor always wants to monopolize power; whatever he says is law! How can a minister be allowed to spend the whole day telling him what cannot be done, what should be avoided—what a disgrace!

Today, in the Purple Throne Hall, Li Longji was contemplating whether to replace Zhang Jiuling with a compliant one, perhaps even let Li Linfu act as chancellor alone as a trial; if effective, future rotations of chancellors every three or four years could be avoided.

In Li Longji's view, dealing with these ministers was exhausting. One must understand their temperaments, skillfully employ them, and be able to keep them in check so they do not act recklessly or repeatedly do things contrary to the emperor's wishes.

"Your Majesty, the Prefect of Kuizhou, Zheng Shuqing, has sent valuable goods worth fifty thousand strings of cash, along with an urgent memorial."

Gao Lishi, nearly fifty years old, quietly entered the Purple Throne Hall, approached Li Longji, and whispered, handing the memorial to him.

Now Li Longji had begun to neglect his duties; for urgent memorials sent directly to the palace, Gao Lishi would first review them, and only if he deemed them valuable would he pass them to Li Longji. Memorials that went through the regular court channels were processed by the Three Departments and Six Ministries before reaching him. The memorial from Gu Kuang concerning the Red Lotus Rice had arrived several days earlier and had long been dealt with, and Li Longji did not even know what Gu Kuang had written.

"Zheng Shuqing indeed has governing talent; Chancellor Zhang is old."

After reading the urgent memorial, Li Longji sighed and said to Gao Lishi, "Lishi, draft an edict for me and send it to Zheng Shuqing, asking whether he can help me obtain more funds. Next year's Lantern Festival, I wish to celebrate properly."

"Your Majesty, rest assured," Gao Lishi said, bowing respectfully.