Chapter 213: Above Pretend to Distribute Pay, We Pretend to Fight

I truly am neglecting my duties. Main Text, Chapter 224: Above Pretend to Distribute Pay, We Pretend to Fight. Wang Qian is a villain, and his father Wang Wang Chonggu is a villain among villains.

Zhang Zhang Siwei, the nephew of the Grand Censor, was imprisoned, yet Wang Wang Chonggu refused to save him and even pushed him further down; he amassed wealth in court, flattered the emperor, and epitomized disloyalty and filial impiety.

In the public opinion of the Great Ming, following the emperor's edicts and merely pleasing him is deemed disloyal; a loyal minister ought to rebuke and admonish, like Hai Rui, pointing his finger at the emperor's nose and cursing him—that is loyalty.

Thus, lately, censors have frequently complained that the court lacks upright integrity; even Hai Rui has chosen to submit, fearing powerful ministers and daring not to rebuke or admonish.

Filial impiety means disregarding familial bonds; Wang Wang Chonggu refused to protect his own nephew and instead kicked him when he was down—that is filial impiety.

Concealing for kin is legal in the Great Ming; if your son commits murder and you knowingly conceal it without reporting, you do not break the law—familial affection is true filial piety.

Wang Wang Chonggu's conduct, constantly denounced, is entirely predictable.

Wang Qian could have chosen to avoid condemnation—he merely needed to behave like a normal Ming scholar—but Wang Qian is determined to walk this path to its bitter end.

"Father, is Yang Bo a gentleman?" Wang Qian, after the imperial examinations, finally asked Wang Wang Chonggu the question that had long haunted him.

Wang Wang Chonggu immediately broke down!

He leapt to his feet and said sharply: "At first, making peace with Altan Khan was to resolve the northwest border threat—we couldn't win, so we made peace. Yang Bo, Gao Gong, and the late emperor all sought to end the border troubles; had we possessed a strong imperial guard then, would such a thing have happened?"

"Yes, later it changed… alas, you know: once certain things begin, there are only two outcomes—either the court turns a blind eye to the frontier commanders, or blood runs like rivers."

Wang Wang Chonggu's tone grew more resigned; the situation had escalated to the execution of Zhang Zhang Siwei and his allies—over seven hundred lives—making it one of the two outcomes: either the court tolerates the lords' autonomy in rites, music, and warfare, or it acts decisively.

Li Li Chengliang's power in Liaodong is deeply entrenched, yet he has never fully embraced the path of a frontier warlord, because that road has no return; in a healthy court, it is a dead end.

"So, was the peace with Altan Khan, advocated by Yang Bo, Gao Gong, and Father back then, ultimately more beneficial than harmful?" Wang Qian already knew the answer—he wasn't debating whether Yang Bo was a gentleman or a villain.

He was asking whether the original action had been beneficial overall; the young emperor is simple—if the benefits outweighed the costs, he would be very lenient.

"At the time, it was indeed beneficial," Wang Wang Chonggu said with quiet resignation. "But that it developed into this was unforeseen by anyone. Some things cannot be controlled—even if you dread them, they still happen."

Wang Qian found his answer: chaos is inevitable; thus, regularly clearing out the rot becomes essential. Avoiding becoming rot himself is Wang Qian's first priority.

On the twenty-seventh day of the second month of the fifth year of Emperor Wanli, the Great Ming Emperor Zhu Zhu Yijun arrived at the Zhao Wenhua Hall as scheduled, held court, and began the daily deliberations, with Zhang Zhang Juzheng presiding as usual.

Watching Zhang Zhang Juzheng's figure, Zhu Zhu Yijun felt a deep sense of reassurance.

He could act recklessly—his very act of personally killing Chen Yang Youren was possible only because the court had a pillar holding up the sky; without Zhang Zhang Juzheng, Zhu Zhu Yijun would have been drowned in spittle at the slightest move.

"No need for formalities. Begin." Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand and declared the court session open.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng spoke solemnly: "The imperial edict for selecting consorts states: the parents of candidates must be upright and disciplined, their household rules strict; the girl must be fourteen years old, with a dignified appearance and pure virtue, her conduct graceful and courteous. Thus decreed."

"This time, two candidates have been selected for the palace. By imperial decree, no undue disturbance to the people is permitted; thus, despite this, many still applied. Officials must carefully screen them."

The consort selection proceeds normally; an heir to the emperor stabilizes court affairs.

Had Emperor Emperor Jingtai had a son, the Prince of Xiang could never have launched the Coup of the Gate of Heaven; without a son, the emperor is politically helpless.

Without a son means no successor; when Emperor Jingtai dies, the realm reverts to the Prince of Xiang's control—even when Emperor Xianzong Zhu Zhu Jianshen ascends, the Prince of Xiang as Retired Emperor still holds power.

Thus, for an emperor, having a healthy son is vital.

Had Emperor Xiaozong had no other son besides Wu Zong, Emperor Jiajing would never have entered the capital as emperor; Xiaozong's sole wife, Lady Zhang, would not have met such a fate—her two brothers were executed by the Daoist monk after her death.

Ge Ge Shouli remarked in confusion: "This year's applicant numbers are unexpectedly high; in past years, we had to resort to recruiting widows. This time, applicants abound."

It was strange: previously, commoners avoided imperial consort selection. This time, many applied. Ge Ge Shouli, in his long life, had never seen such a phenomenon.

"Mostly military households," replied Ma Ma Ziqiang of the Ministry of Rites.

"Ah, of course," Ge Ge Shouli nodded immediately—it made perfect sense.

The emperor's resolve to strengthen the military is absolute, evident from the annual two-silver New Year stipend.

Since Emperor Wanli's first year, the court scrambled to raise silver to pay the Liaodong troops, enabling Li Li Chengliang to fight—Li Li Chengliang was deeply grateful; this was the first time since During Chenghua that troops received full pay.

Not only had Li Li Chengliang never seen such a scene, neither had anyone in the Great Ming court.

Full pay! That was full pay!

At the time, the Ming treasury was far less healthy than now; the silver for Li Li Chengliang's campaigns came directly from the emperor's own pocket, including rewards. These past years, the emperor has played a decisive role in military revitalization.

In court, the emperor leads by example, persistently practicing martial arts regardless of weather, studying under Zhu Zhu Xixiao and Qi Qi Jiguang; now he daily inspects the imperial guard. The ancestral military regulations abandoned since Emperor Yingzong have been revived by the emperor.

The emperor granted Qi Qi Jiguang and Li Li Chengliang noble titles, enabling Qi Qi Jiguang to rebuild and reward merit.

For military households, the emperor is their only hope.

Before Qi Qi Jiguang was sent north to supervise troops in Jizhen, Ming court military deliberations followed three main procedures.

First: how to promptly increase military pay sufficiently; second: how to reduce layer upon layer of embezzlement; third: how to prevent northern barbarians from raiding across the passes. In court sessions, the first two were usually skipped, jumping straight to the third.

Because the first two were unsolvable.

Before the emperor's accession, a regional commander in Liaodong, Jizhou, or Xuan-Da would ask his deputy: "What is our Ming army's tactic?"

The deputy would reply: "Above pretend to distribute pay; we pretend to fight."

In December of Emperor Wanli's fourth year, a thing occurred: the touring censor Censor Yongqing, while inspecting Zijing Pass, discovered starving soldiers at Mashuikou Station eating human flesh cut from corpses in mountain streams. Censor Censor Yongqing wept as he submitted a memorial to the emperor detailing this horror.

Zhu Zhu Yijun flew into a rage!

He sternly ordered the Ministry of War to investigate thoroughly. Thirty-two officials, including the commander, Assistant Regional Commander, and grain officer of Zijing Pass, were arrested and sentenced to death.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was so furious because he had just settled the back pay—yet the soldiers received nothing. Wasn't that a slap across the emperor's face?

The court's finances had recently improved; in October of Emperor Wanli's fourth year, the Ministry of War requested settling all arrears from Emperor Wanli's first to fourth year. After prolonged consultation with Minister of Revenue Wang Wang Guoguang, the emperor approved: the Great Ming had just sent grain and silver to the Nine Frontiers.

Yet the touring censor still found corpses of starved soldiers.

The court's silver and grain had been sent—but never reached the soldiers. Hence the emperor's anger.

In the past, the emperor would not investigate such cases; perhaps a royal relative was involved. Usually, a hollow edict would be issued ordering local relief—specifically for Zijing Pass, grain would be dispatched from the Linde Granary.

But the emperor's response was: whoever embezzled the soldiers' rations, he would lose his head.

The frontier troops may not be fit for offense, but they are more than sufficient for defense. The court had finally, after years, paid its arrears—and not a single coin reached the soldiers. No wonder Zhu Zhu Yijun was furious.

Thus, the young emperor played a decisive role in military revitalization.

"The Chief Censor of the Ministry of Rites, Li Dai, submitted a memorial concerning Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Xu Congcheng," Zhang Zhang Juzheng said, frowning. "He listed four points, but his essence is this: Your Majesty killed your uncle-in-law, disregarding the Three Bonds and Five Constants, utterly lacking familial affection."

Zhu Zhu Yijun paused, then sneered: "I killed my uncle-in-law. Yet my other uncle-in-law and aunt have not complained. Li Dai rushes to claim familial affection is violated—but I built a mansion for my uncle, gifted him beauties, silver, and fine wine. Where is my lack of familial affection?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun meant: this act of sacrificing kin for state interest is a political matter, not a moral one. Li Dai has misjudged the issue's nature.

The emperor wanted to establish the Western Hills Coal Bureau; Xu Xu Congcheng opposed him. Opposition is fine; competition is fine. But Xu Xu Congcheng set fire to the entire coal market, trying to overturn the table—so who else should die but him?

Killing? Nothing wrong with killing.

"Wasn't it suicide?" Wan Shihé suddenly spoke up, voicing his confusion.

Wang Wang Chonggu blinked immediately: "Of course—it was suicide! Li Dai's memorial is outright treasonous."

"Ah, yes—it was suicide." Zhang Zhang Juzheng realized the flaw: due to Li He's plea, Xu Xu Congcheng was granted dignity—he was made to commit suicide. The classification of suicide was correct. Thus, Li Dai's memorial was invalid from the start.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng had long been accustomed to acting on what was plainly understood: everyone knew Xu Xu Congcheng was executed by imperial order, a case of sacrificing kin for state interest. Zhang Zhang Juzheng hadn't thought of this rebuttal at first—but the veil is still a veil; suicide is suicide.

Xu Xu Congcheng showed loyalty, sacrificing his life to grant the emperor political initiative and room to maneuver.

Li Dai showed no loyalty; he didn't even understand the suicide ruling before submitting his memorial—truly a base Confucian scholar.

Minister of Personnel Wan Shihé ended the debate with one sentence, cleaning the ground for the emperor and even polishing it.

Wan Shihé was indeed suited for the Ministry of Rites, not Personnel.

The Zijing Pass corruption case was also tied to Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Xu Congcheng; Censor Censor Yongqing dared to submit his memorial only after Xu Xu Congcheng, the corrupt official's patron, was made to commit suicide in the imperial prison—making the case easier to handle.

These bloodsuckers living off soldiers must consider one basic fact: if the emperor doesn't spare his own uncle-in-law, how could these men expect greater protection?

The benefits of eliminating leniency are gradually emerging; certain affairs in the Great Ming are returning to their proper form.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng, grim-faced, pulled out a memorial: "In December of Emperor Wanli's fourth year, the grandson of Dayan Khan, Dalaming'an and Yinding Huang Taiji, captured twelve Ming soldiers gathering firewood at Shanfang Fortress and demanded tribute. The Governor-General of Xuan-Da, Wu Wu Baipeng, reported this."

"The Ministry of War notified Prince Shunyi Khan Altan Khan. On the twenty-fifth of December, Altan Khan convened the four tribes—Huang Huang Taiji, Qing Badu, Yong Shao Bu, and Qiejin Huang Huang Taiji—to punish Dalaming'an and Yinding Huang Taiji, imposing a fine of one thousand sheep, two hundred and seven horses, and three camels, and ordering the return of the captives."

"On the seventeenth of February, Governor-General Wu Wu Baipeng reported that Prince Shunyi Khan had returned all captives and property as agreed. Wu Wu Baipeng and Altan Khan further agreed: any who violate this treaty and raid the border shall be punished as Dalaming'an was."

Wang Wang Chonggu wiped sweat from his brow; despite the late spring chill, he was drenched in cold sweat.

Altan Khan's handling was extremely appropriate. Had he refused to return the captives, Wang Wang Chonggu would have faced a storm of condemnation—for Altan's tribute and peace were fiercely promoted by Gao Gong, Yang Bo, Wang Wang Chonggu, and Zhang Zhang Juzheng, with Wang Wang Chonggu mediating.

Minister of War Tan Lun, hearing the captives had been recovered, sighed in relief. He asked curiously: "Why two hundred and seven horses? Why not two hundred or two hundred ten?"

Wang Wang Chonggu, relieved the matter was settled, smiled: "Grand Secretary, because Dalaming'an and Yinding Huang Taiji owned only this many sheep, horses, and camels."

"Ah, I see," Tan Lun understood—he realized Altan Khan had confiscated everything they owned.

The Ming's main military focus remains the Danning and Quanning Garrisons and the Daxianbei Mountain Passes—driving the Tumeng Khan entirely out of Liaodong is the urgent priority; peace with Altan Khan in the northwest must still be maintained superficially.

Zhu Zhu Yijun turned to Qi Qi Jiguang and smiled brightly: "Marshal Qi, I am deeply pleased."

"Huh?" Qi Qi Jiguang rarely spoke in court, usually listening and planning the imperial guard's training. Hearing the emperor say this, he was startled and confused.

Zhu Zhu Yijun said: "Altan Khan is despised on the steppe, called a traitor to the Eternal Heaven. The Emperor Longqing peace and Altan's tribute were Ming defeats, not victories. Yet Altan's actions now make others think the Ming won."

"What does Altan Khan fear? Could he not simply invade the capital again, force his way to my carriage, and demand tribute?"

"He fears your Jizhen, Yongping, and Jia Shanhai garrisons—ten thousand elite troops. He fears the twelve thousand, twenty-two infantry battalions of the capital."

Qi Qi Jiguang bowed deeply: "Your servant is unworthy. Without a wise sovereign, I am but a useless wart—how could I ever achieve anything? My prestige rests entirely on Your Majesty's grace."

Qi Qi Jiguang's remark was telling: he reminded the young emperor that he was not a threat, but a servant relying on the emperor's favor to fulfill his ambitions.

Without the emperor's favor, Qi Qi Jiguang was merely a wart in the eyes of southern troops, northern troops, and court officials.

The imperial guard is expanding. Some censors keep reminding the emperor of Zhao Zhao Kuangyin's Chen Qiao Mutiny and the Yellow Robe Incident as a warning. Qi Qi Jiguang's words were also a self-defense—he does not wish to become Zhao Zhao Kuangyin, and the imperial troops do not wish to drape him in a yellow robe, because the emperor appears daily in the guard.

And Qi Qi Jiguang could never become Zhao Zhao Kuangyin.

The Emperor Wanli era's context is utterly different from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms before the Northern Song—such a thing is impossible.

When policy visions, tasks, and goals are all glittering and splendid—benefiting court and common folk alike—but the costs are never mentioned, opposition must be immediate. The costs of granting military authority, selecting generals, forming a new imperial guard, and expanding it are, of course, the exorbitant military expenditures—and a threat to the emperor's throne.

Even Altan Khan, far away in the northwest, fears Qi Qi Jiguang's garrisons—that is a real threat.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's stance has always been clear: Qi Qi Jiguang still has a long ladder to climb before he reaches that point.

"San San Niangzi wrote, asking whether the raid on border civilians by Dalaming'an and Yinding Huang Taiji will affect tribute trade." Wang Wang Chonggu placed a letter on the table.

San San Niangzi's letter arrived via the postal relay; by the time it reached Wang Wang Chonggu, the wax seal had been broken, and its contents already recorded by the Court of Colonial Affairs.

This was not surveillance, but protection. The factional attacks against Wang Wang Chonggu never ceased; reviewing and recording his letters was meant to shield him from accusations of conspiring with barbarians.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng read the letter; San San Niangzi detailed the entire incident of the raid and its resolution.

This is not a misunderstanding; Altan Khan ordered the confiscation of these two Taji's households precisely because they acted intentionally.

They did not happen upon Ming border troops chopping wood and then rob them; they deliberately surveilled the area outside Shudao Fortress for a long time before striking—this was premeditated.

Altan Khan solemnly convened all Taji and Khalkha Wanhu leaders for a meeting to impose punishment, which also touched upon internal factional struggles among the Northern Barbarians: among them, the peace faction held the mainstream, hence this severe punishment—the confiscation of all property from the two Taji households and its delivery to the Ming as an act of atonement.

San San Niangzi also hoped the court would not misunderstand and expressed concern over whether this would affect the tribute trade.

The tribute trade is the very reason the peace faction among the Northern Barbarians exists and their greatest source of support.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng handed the letter to Zhang Hong, instructing him to present it to His Majesty for review; the Prince of Prince Shunyi holds a Ming princely title, so all decisions must come from the Emperor.

"What do you think, Master?" Zhu Zhu Yijun asked Zhang Zhang Juzheng's opinion. Such a vile act as raiding border troops certainly warranted Ming anger, but after the Ming sent a formal protest to Altan Khan, he delivered a fairly satisfactory outcome.

Yet Zhu Zhu Yijun remained somewhat dissatisfied.

"I believe we should impose a slight punishment. Since this was deliberate, it would be best to demand Altan Khan hand over these two Taji." After consulting Tan Lun, Zhang Zhang Juzheng felt the court could not let this matter rest—it must continue pressuring for a clear resolution.

Tan Lun immediately said: "Even if Altan Khan refuses to hand them over, the tribute trade continues. Once we free up forces in the northeast, this will become our justification."

It is not the Ming that provoked border hostilities—it is you, Altan Khan. You failed to discipline your subordinates; your men raided Ming border troops. When the court demanded the perpetrators, you refused to hand them over—now the court has legitimate grounds to mobilize, and reclaiming the Ordos will become a natural, inevitable outcome.

Dala Ming'an is Altan Khan's brother, while Yinding Taji is a member of the Borjigin clan. Taji can be understood as prince; during the Yuan, the title was reserved solely for Yuan imperial princes, but by the Emperor Wanli era, any descendant of the Borjigin or Golden Lineage could be called Taji.

The Ming seeks to eliminate leniency; the Northern Barbarians are utterly incapable of such discipline. Thus, the final outcome will inevitably be Altan Khan's refusal to surrender the men—this case will remain unresolved, becoming a pretext and justification for military action.

Reclaiming Danning Wei will ease defensive pressure in the northeast; reclaiming the Ordos will ease pressure in the northwest—this is Tan Lun's greatest ambition as Minister of War.

Although Danning Wei has been reclaimed, the mission remains incomplete, and the recovery of the Ordos has now entered the Emperor's agenda.

"What does the Grand Minister of Justice think?" Zhu Zhu Yijun turned to Wang Wang Chonggu, seeking his opinion, since it was Wang Wang Chonggu who originally advocated for peace.

Wang Wang Chonggu frowned and asked: "Will this affect wool procurement? Your Majesty, wool trade yields immense profits. I am merely a minister who gathers wealth and promotes profit—so long as wool purchases are not delayed, I have no concern."

Whether Danning Wei is held or not is irrelevant to him; whether the Ordos remains under Ming control is irrelevant to him—he cares only whether one hundred and twenty jin bags of washed, dried wool arrive in the capital on schedule.

It highlights a clear division of labor.

Large organizations become hydra-headed: each department has its own head, each its own interest. Conflict of interests naturally breeds dissent, and dissent breeds factional strife. Wang Wang Chonggu wants only wool.

"Then so be it: tribute trade continues as usual, but demand the perpetrators be brought to the capital for public execution." Zhu Zhu Yijun synthesized all opinions: maintain tribute trade, demand the culprits—both, and nothing less.

He did not care about these two Northern Barbarian nobles; he cared only about the Ordos.

"The Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate have impeached eighty-three provincial governors, including Zou Zou Guangzuo, requesting their dismissal, demotion, or retirement—all in accordance with precedent." Zhang Zhang Juzheng immediately targeted the provincial governors, the highest-ranking officials dismissed under the Examination System in recent years: Zou Zou Guangzuo, Governor of Shandong.

Zou Zou Guangzuo was inactive; the court's edicts could not be openly defied. Unable to defy imperial orders, he resorted to passive resistance—doing nothing, claiming inability. Months after the land survey order was issued, Zou Zou Guangzuo did not lift a finger—he must be removed.

Zou Zou Guangzuo was a Ming Jinshi of the Emperor Jiajing thirty-fifth year. The Ministry of Personnel proposed dismissal and stripping of official status; the Censorate proposed demotion.

"Grand Censor Ge, Grand Censor Hai—why show leniency toward him?" Zhang Zhang Juzheng looked at the two Grand Censors, puzzled. Zou Zou Guangzuo's deceitful behavior, under the Examination System, should have resulted in immediate dismissal.

"Grand Secretary, we must consider Shandong's situation—it may not be that Zou Zou Guangzuo refuses to act, but that he cannot." Hai Rui reminded Zhang Zhang Juzheng: Shandong's circumstances differ greatly from other regions.

"Grand Secretary," Ge Ge Shouli studied Zhang Zhang Juzheng for a long moment, then uttered a strange but universally understood phrase: "Shandong has many bandits."

"Indeed. Then demote him—to the Henan Clearing Office." Zhang Zhang Juzheng assigned Zou Zou Guangzuo a new task: overseeing land surveys in Henan.

Henan is no better than Shandong.

"Are you two playing riddles?" Zhu Zhu Yijun expressed dissatisfaction with this "you-know-what-I-mean" style of dialogue—he understood perfectly, but he wanted Ge Ge Shouli to say it outright.

What's there to hide? Everything can be spoken.

Why does Shandong have so many bandits? Because Shandong has an enormous number of displaced peasants—farmers became landless tenants, then became vagrants, and thus bandits multiplied. But who is seizing the land? This is a topic too dangerous to touch: the Kong family of Yanzhou, the Duke Duke Yansheng, the bloodline of the Sage.

Thus, Zou Zou Guangzuo did not seek promotion—he simply could not act in Shandong. Similar conditions exist in Henan.

Henan has many princely fiefs; Shandong has the Kong Mansion.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng's demotion of Zou Zou Guangzuo to Henan was merely swapping one hell for another. During Zhang Zhang Juzheng's tenure, failure to accomplish tasks meant enduring unbearable hardship—he cared nothing for your difficulties. If you cannot do it, get out. Someone else will take your place.

Ge Ge Shouli hesitated briefly, then finally explained why Shandong had so many bandits.

"The Duke Duke Yansheng?" Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled. The Duke Duke Yansheng Mansion must cooperate with the land survey—if not, do not blame Zhu Zhu Yijun for being merciless. The land survey is the tide of the realm, the core of the new laws. If the Duke Duke Yansheng Mansion insists on standing in the way, it will be crushed beneath it.

Zou Zou Guangzuo's punishment was concluded, but the Duke Duke Yansheng's issue was now on the table. The court promoted Gu Gu Zhangzhi, Vice Commissioner of Guangxi, to Governor of Shandong. If he still fails to enforce the survey, the court will send Embroidered Uniform Guards.

"Your Majesty, yesterday I prepared a new official roster map and chart. I humbly request Your Majesty's inspection." Zhang Zhang Juzheng bowed.

"Oh? Bring it forth." Zhu Zhu Yijun's eyes brightened.

The new official roster map was made using newly developed surveying methods, showing only the precise locations of the Ming's one hundred and forty prefectures; counties and subprefectures were still being surveyed.

This map's scale appeared far more pleasing and accurate than the previous one, precisely depicting locations.

Zhu Zhu Yijun examined it eagerly for a long while—the new map accurately portrayed the scale and positions of Xuanfu and Datong in the northwest, unlike the old maps where they were all cramped together.

To officials in the capital, Juyong Pass was considered "beyond the frontier," but in truth, Xuanfu and Datong were vast, their geographic positions critically important.

The new map marked the location of Danning Wei, as well as Jilong Island, Ryukyu, and Lu Song—but these were drawn far too distant, distorting the scale. Latitude measurements were precise, but longitude remained difficult, so the map was still inaccurate.

Yet progress was immense.

The Ming's land survey raged on, accompanied by surveying. All collected survey data was sent to the capital, where Imperial Academy students calculated it to produce this proportional map.

"Your Majesty, the Royal Academy of Natural Philosophy has completed all its buildings except the newly constructed princely mansions. Tomorrow, I humbly request Your Majesty visit the Academy to witness its inauguration." Wang Wang Chonggu bowed again.

A Ming joke: A deputy commander asked the regional commander: "Should we execute this group of mutinous soldiers before or after their meal?" The commander replied matter-of-factly: "Before, of course—how do you know when they'll eat next?" Please vote for monthly tickets, woohoo!!!!!!!!!!