Chapter 1760: Managing Connections

Since the Han people took over Liangping Island, there has been a bit more order, but the overall scene still appears chaotic, in a state of wild development. Like the docks and warehouses, the island's residential areas are also spread out along the Yongji River, inevitably messy, with buildings of uneven height and a motley crowd of people.

However, the further inward one goes, the more orderly it becomes. Ever since Liu Shaoping took office, he has demarcated an area on the island exclusively for Han merchants and residents to settle in, with all other barbarians forbidden entry. Patrols run at all times, so public security is naturally good, attracting a large number of South Seas Han merchants to cluster there.

In just over a year, a great number of Han-style buildings have risen from the ground—pavilions, towers, gardens, and waterside pavilions have all begun to appear on this overseas territory. In the process, those architectural experts from the homeland, as well as bricklayers, tilers, and carpenters, have become especially sought after. Ordinary labor is naturally in no short supply, but compared to the homeland, these skilled professionals are still very scarce overseas.

Zhang Yinian naturally also has a residence on Liangping Island, not large in footprint, only about a dozen mu. Although he frequently travels to the South Seas and values Liangping Island's superior geographical position, he only treats it as a temporary stopping point. People like Zhang Yinian always have their roots on the mainland; no matter how much wealth they earn overseas, they still send it back to the homeland.

Naturally, he wouldn't invest much effort on Liangping Island. The new Zhang residence by the Yongji River has no more than thirty-odd rooms, though the space is ample and everything is brand new. It took over half a year to complete, and this is the first time Zhang Yinian has seen the result.

Guided by servants, the uncle and nephew enter the residence to rest and settle in. At night, the sea breeze blows tirelessly, bringing waves of chill. Inside the study, lamplight flickers, somewhat dim and hazy.

Zhang Yinian sits behind a nanmu desk, flipping through the accounts and correspondence of the past half year or more. Several subordinates wait respectfully, ready for questioning. Zhang Yinian does own some properties in the South Seas—trade is the main business, but he has also opened plantations on surrounding islands, a few mines, and warehouses on Liangping Island as well. His scope of operations is broad.

However, at this moment, Zhang Yinian's attention is clearly not entirely on these accounts; he looks somewhat distracted. After a while, he notices something and asks: "What's this about the donation for the Chenghsun Academy?"

Upon the question, one of the stewards hurriedly replies: "Two months ago, County Magistrate Liu summoned the major merchants to discuss building an academy to educate the local Han children, requiring each family to contribute funds. It is being built in the name of His Highness Prince Yong, so all the families were quite enthusiastic. After consulting among ourselves, we took the liberty of donating five hundred strings of cash."

As he says this, the steward is somewhat nervous. Zhang Yinian, upon hearing this, naturally does not get angry; a slight smile appears on his face: "You did well. Such benevolent deeds for the people should be supported enthusiastically. It's just that the donation was too small—only five hundred strings."

The steward quickly says: "It is said the county office raised over five thousand strings in total. Never mind one academy—even ten could be built with that."

Hearing this, the corner of Zhang Yinian's mouth curls up. The key point is not here; the crucial thing is that the academy is named "Chenghsun Academy." When it comes to spreading the name and virtue of His Highness Prince Yong, what does a little more money matter?

"Where is His Highness Prince Yong now?" Zhang Yinian asks.

"Since His Highness finished his inspection tour of the South Seas kingdoms, he has remained on Liangping Island, staying at Clear Waters Pavilion! Not long ago, the King of Srivijaya personally came ashore to pay a visit."

Clear Waters Pavilion is a guesthouse newly built by Liangping County after receiving news that Prince Yong Liu Chenghsun was touring the south on behalf of the Son of Heaven. They quickly mobilized men and materials to construct it, specifically for hosting, serving as Liu Chenghsun's place of residence.

To build Clear Waters Pavilion, Guo Liangping also specially assigned five hundred soldiers to help. With insufficient time, relying only on local natives would be too inefficient, and achieving perfection would be even harder. When it comes to efficiency, nothing can match the military—even when it comes to building houses.

"Prepare some gifts. Tomorrow I want to visit His Highness Prince Yong, and I hope I can see His Highness's carriage." Zhang Yinian says.

His tone carries a hint of uncertainty. Zhang Yinian comes from a noble family; in front of outsiders he is above others, but before Prince Yong, he is merely an insignificant nobody.

If this were in the homeland, forget about an audience—even getting close would be nearly impossible, the status gap being too great. But on this small Liangping Island, it's a rare opportunity, and he must at least try. In fact, the reason Zhang Yinian personally came south this time, besides running the Haifeng trading house, is also for Liu Chenghsun. If he can establish a connection with Prince Yong, the benefits go without saying, and it would also benefit the Zhang family—perhaps not so conspicuous in the homeland, but overseas it would be much more convenient.

The steward immediately reports: "Last month, the kingdom of Shepo sent over a batch of hawksbill turtle shell, agate, and pearls, as well as a blood-red coral tree, quite rare and precious—perhaps worthy of offering to His Highness! The kingdom of Boni to the east also sent a batch of fine borneol."

"Oh? Take them out in a moment—I want to see them first!" Zhang Yinian says, showing some interest. Gifts for Prince Yong must be handled with due solemnity; he needs to personally oversee them, lest some blunder occur and cause negligence.

"Also, prepare a share for the earl's manor as well, as a small token of appreciation." Zhang Yinian adds another instruction, then pauses and supplements: "Prepare one for the county office too. That Liu Shaoping—I should pay him a visit as well! Our previous acquaintance was shallow; I never expected Guo Liangping would take a liking to him. Going from merchant to official—perhaps that's only possible overseas."

"Yes!"

"This Liu Shaoping is quite a figure. Building the Chenghsun Academy—what a good idea! Looking at Liangping Island's current situation and development trend, perhaps before long, his title of county magistrate will be upgraded to county magistrate proper." Zhang Yinian can't help but sigh with emotion, somewhat envious of Liu Shaoping's good fortune.

Under the Great Han's county system, counties with over ten thousand people are headed by a magistrate proper (County Magistrate), while those below are headed by a magistrate (xianzhang), with some differences in rank and treatment. In recent years, counties across the realm have been filled with magistrates of all sizes—these are court-appointed officials sent to strengthen central control over local areas. But at the same time, there remains a large number of bureaucrats promoted from the grassroots; although their appointment procedures differ and they are still called county magistrates (County Magistrate or xianzhang), there is no essential difference.

When Liangping County was first established, the court was somewhat perfunctory—after all, it was thousands of li from the mainland, and the place was so insignificant. Even though Emperor Liu himself had spoken, the court found it hard to raise its priority. Otherwise, Liu Shaoping would never have gotten the position of county magistrate.

Even the designation of the county magistrate rank was made without careful deliberation or investigation. The Ministry of Personnel simply habitually assumed that the overseas barbaric lands were sparsely populated and decided arbitrarily, with no one at the top caring enough to demand rigorous justification. As for Guo Liangping, receiving the court's permission was already enough; he wouldn't ask for more. Of course, when it came to population, the native barbarians were naturally excluded.

But the bureaucrats at the Ministry of Personnel far away in the Eastern Capital could never have imagined that in just over a year, the number of permanent Han residents on Liangping Island would multiply—all of them emerging from the various islands of the South Seas.

Han footprints have begun to spread across the South Seas islands, but even to this day, only Liangping Island has formed a complete, large-scale settlement. Under such conditions, upgrading the administrative level is only natural—as long as someone is willing to speak up. And for Prince Yong Liu Chenghsun, such a matter might truly be as simple as a single sentence; no deliberate effort needed, just a casual mention.

While master and steward are discussing, a short knock sounds at the door, and soon Zhang Chaoguang's voice comes through: "Second Uncle!"

"Come in!" Hearing the voice, Zhang Yinian replies.

A figure flashes—Zhang Chaoguang, having changed his clothes, walks in. Noticing the situation in the room, he makes a cupped-fist salute, then says somewhat apologetically: "Am I disturbing you, Second Uncle? Should I come back later?"

"No need! Sit!" Zhang Yinian extends a hand, then instructs the stewards: "You all go down first and prepare the things!"

"Yes! We take our leave!"

Watching the bearing Zhang Yinian displays in every gesture, Zhang Chaoguang secretly admires him. Some kinds of presence can only be shown through rich experience and accumulated wisdom—and these are exactly what Zhang Chaoguang lacks.