Chapter 973

The rule that only Hanlin officials could enter the Grand Secretariat was established after Emperor Yingzong; among the 179 Grand Secretaries of the Great Ming after him, only seven were not Hanlin graduates—the rest all came from the Hanlin Academy.

This system arose entirely to prevent another old rat like Yang Shiqi from climbing onto the table and making reckless decisions.

In Zhengtong Second Year, civil officials had already killed military officers, and the policy of promoting literature while suppressing martial affairs had become entrenched, to the point that even the Duke of Ying, Zhang Fu, could not attend court; the unauthorized killing of the Commandant An Jing made any warrior reluctant to fight bravely—it was sheer nonsense.

The existence of the Hanlin Academy as a safety net ensured that those entering the Grand Secretariat might not be virtuous ministers, but they certainly were not rats.

This conservative safety net maintained the Great Ming’s stability for nearly a century; from Tian Shun to Zhengde, the empire stagnated, slowly rotting; though there was some turbulence in the early Jiajing reign, inertia ultimately prevented any successful change.

This system was undoubtedly flawed, bordering on negligence, but even its flaws were far preferable to rats climbing onto the table.

The Wanli Reforms were sweeping, and Wang Chonggu was admitted to the Grand Secretariat precisely to break this rule; Shen Shixing angrily severed ties with the Hanlin Academy because the Kaocheng Law had already selected capable officials, and a better system had replaced it—but that did not mean the Hanlin Academy’s role as a safety net was no longer needed.

Slow decay within stagnation was far preferable to catastrophic destruction amid fiery chaos; both brought suffering to the people, but one was a slow, chronic death, while the other was a cataclysmic collapse—an annihilating blow to the populace.

Gao Qi, accompanied by officials from the Honglu Temple, waited at the Guanchao Pavilion in Tanggu Port, the site where His Majesty reviewed the fleet; the Minister, Vice Minister, and interpreters of the Honglu Temple whispered among themselves, their voices low, yet their glances subtly, constantly falling upon Gao Qi.

Rumors had circulated days ago that Shen Shixing would handle this mission, but no one knew what happened—ultimately, it was Gao Qi.

Gao Qi paid no mind to these glances; His Majesty had seen and acknowledged his efforts; the imperial favor of the Purple Microcosm Junior Assistant Star, combined with this protection, gradually strengthened Gao Qi’s conviction—he would become the solitary minister.

This path was viable.

The fast sailboat Dingyuan had arrived, signaling the arrival of the three Directors of the Pacific Trade Alliance.

Gao Qi’s expression turned solemn; he sought to secure greater benefits for the Great Ming, and in his hands were three notebooks containing intelligence gathered over eighteen years of maritime opening, especially detailed information on the Mexican Directorate.

Since Jiajing Ninth Year, the Red Barbarians had discovered thirty-four silver mines in Mexico, including three super-large ones: Shaoxito, Fresni, and Potosí; since Wanli Seventh Year, Mexico had replaced Peru’s rich silver mines to become the world’s largest silver producer, known as the Silver Kingdom.

These thirty-four silver mountains were grouped into three massive mining clusters, producing over [17] 6.5 million taels of silver annually, with 6 million taels shipped back to Spain each year.

Over six million taels of silver passed through, with six million taels annually shipped back to Spain’s homeland.

Three mining clusters, thirty-four mines—these were the fattest of the fat sheep; Gao Qi swore that, within his lifetime, by any means necessary, he would bring these mines under the Great Ming’s control!

Such a treasure mountain belongs only to the virtuous!

Of the three Directors arriving, the most important was the Mexican Director, Pedro de Roca.

Pedro was unmistakable; as soon as he disembarked, Gao Qi noticed him—he was tall and robust, with wild red hair, thick eyebrows, and a full beard, appearing especially fierce; his skin, darkened by years at sea, looked exceptionally tough.

Pedro wore a wide-brimmed hat, carried two daggers slung diagonally across his chest, a foot-long musket, and a long sword at his waist.

His attire and appearance resembled a pirate—not just resembled, Pedro was a pirate; he commanded three pirate bands that specialized in raiding merchant ships; had Spain given him even a little more, he would never have resorted to piracy under the title of Director, let alone personally lead raids.

Behind the three Directors stood Kepler, whom Li Yaxi and Galileo had come to meet, from Württemberg.

Behind Kepler walked a woman named Barbara Müller, who held a little girl’s hand, gazing around curiously; this woman was Kepler’s beloved.

Kepler sought truth, yet could not bear to leave his beloved; after receiving his teacher’s invitation, he hesitated—but his beloved supported his quest for truth, provided substantial wealth to cover his travel and passage costs, and accompanied him on his journey to pursue truth.

“Is this the prodigious disciple Master Michael spoke of? Did he once suffer from smallpox?” Xu Guangqi noticed several spots on Kepler’s arm and asked Michael about his condition.

“The plague did not take his life, but weakened his eyesight and impaired his hands, restricting his ability to gaze upon the cosmos; yet even so, he remains one of the rare geniuses of the West,” Michael said with deep emotion.

After Michael spoke, Xu Guangqi and Galileo noticed Kepler’s peculiar gait—just as Michael had said, his hands were indeed impaired.

In childhood, Kepler contracted smallpox; this severe illness left his eyesight and hands permanently damaged.

“Who is that woman?” Galileo asked curiously; a woman aboard ship was exceedingly rare.

“A very wealthy noblewoman who aided Kepler greatly during his studies,” Michael frowned slightly before sighing: “She is immensely wealthy, and her love story with Kepler is unforgettable—truly enviable fortune.”

A wealthy true love, willing to risk everything for her beloved’s pursuit of truth.

Xu Guangqi and Galileo exchanged glances; indeed, God had closed one window for Kepler but opened a door.

Gao Qi, accompanied by Honglu Temple officials, received the three Directors; the Directors, Kepler, Barbara, and her daughter boarded the train; after the whistle blew, the train slowly moved forward.

Pedro gripped the handrail tightly; this was his second time on a train, the first having been in Songjiang Prefecture, from Wanguo City to Shanghai County.

Songjiang Prefecture had express roads connecting four counties, and Wanguo City was one stop; even on his second ride, he remained astonished, even frightened—could such a terrifying machine truly be man-made?

Pedro had once seen the Great Ming’s fast sailboats in Songjiang; the craftsmanship of the Great Ming’s artisans was indeed miraculous.

That afternoon, after his first mate communicated with Honglu Temple officials, Pedro requested a meeting with Gao Qi, who readily agreed.

“The natives are lazy, the people apathetic; our Han people are honest, trustworthy, hardworking; the eight hundred Han in the Sun City of Mexico run restaurants, shops, gardens, inns—I heard that last year, the Red Barbarians openly hunted and killed our Ming people, plundering without mercy, slaughtering young and old alike.” Gao Qi opened with an accusation.

Since the start of the great ship trade, the great ships regularly sailed between Manila, the Great Ming, and Acapulco in Mexico; crewmen gradually formed a settlement in Mexico City, running small-scale businesses.

Last year, a targeted massacre of Han people occurred; as a Ministry of Rites official, Gao Qi naturally had to inquire—and demand accountability.

“That’s not how it happened; the conflict arose over profits from the distribution of Ming goods, and it has been fully resolved,” Pedro quickly waved his hands in denial.

Pedro was truly inept at reasoning; last year, the Mexican Directorate sent envoys to negotiate trade regulations with the Great Ming; since then, Pedro had strictly restrained his men from robbing those seemingly rich “fat sheep.”

These Han people were indeed lucrative, but robbing them risked breaking one’s own teeth.

To compete for control over the port’s Ming goods distribution, Han and Spanish settlers clashed for three months in the Sun City; by the time Pedro returned, the Han had won decisively.

The Great Ming had a Ming Pavilion in the Sun City; its official, Wu Tingfang, had reported vaguely: “Almost all commercial rights are now in Han hands; the barbarians and natives resent this and have clashed over profit.”

This corroborated Pedro’s account: the conflict was indeed over control of distribution rights, and the profits from these goods were entirely in Han hands—the root cause of the conflict.

“When I sailed back to [50] the Sun City, the fighting was already over; the Han had won, and won utterly; that entire street had become their district; no one dared provoke them—they were everywhere, on rooftops, treetops, in pits, armed with muskets or crossbows,” Pedro thought carefully before speaking solemnly: [51] “The people of the Celestial Kingdom simply cannot comprehend what a lawless place is like; when they win, that land becomes theirs.”

By the time they reached Taiyangcheng, the battle was already over—the Han had won, and won utterly; that entire street had become their territory, no one dared provoke them, for they were everywhere—on rooftops, on treetops, in pits, armed with firelocks or crossbows.” Petto carefully considered before speaking solemnly:

“The people of the Celestial Empire, Great Ming, truly cannot comprehend what a place without order looks like; once they win, that land becomes theirs.”

After the envoy who had come to the Great Ming last year returned to the Mexican Directorate, he extravagantly declared his journey to the Celestial Kingdom unforgettable—a purification of the soul, as if he had seen a divine kingdom on earth.

Of course, the envoy also warned the Director that officials residing in this divine kingdom, especially in the capital, held unrealistic fantasies about the Directorate.

These fantasies were that the Directorate could effectively govern its territory; in truth, both the Director and colonists knew the Directorate could not govern effectively.

“I’ve been to Mexico; I know what Mexico is like,” Gao Qi said, noting he had sailed to the West in Wanli Third Year and returned safely to the Great Ming—a risky journey, the cost of his own mistakes.

Gao Qi had seen Mexico firsthand; it was no pleasant journey; its governance could only be described as a mess.

“I was not Director then, so I had not met you,” Pedro fell silent briefly—he had killed the Director who had once received Gao Qi, thrown him into the sea, and taken his place.

Felipe cared nothing for who the Director was, only whether sufficient gold, silver, and specialties arrived to fill his treasure ships.

“The Gold Kingdom was attacked; His Majesty is furious,” Gao Qi did not dwell on the first matter; as maritime opening continued, the Great Ming’s influence overseas grew; Ming merchant ships now made one global voyage annually, and two voyages along the East Pacific route.

In actual combat, it was uncertain who would suffer more, especially since the Ming Pavilion official reported the final outcome: “All commercial rights remain in Han hands.”

The ultimate measure of victory in this conflict was who controlled the profits from Ming goods distribution.

“Before I departed, I dispatched my most trusted subordinate to compensate the Gold Kingdom; though I do not know if it will win the forgiveness of Prince Lu, it is our greatest sincerity,” Pedro had already sent compensation before leaving; he was unaware of the outcome of negotiations.

Pedro detailed the amount and specifics of his compensation before saying: “Though my subordinates contacted Xie Ruixiang without my knowledge, as Director, I bear responsibility.”

Pedro and his secretary both believed maintaining good relations with the Great Ming yielded far greater profit than the annual 300,000-tael compensation.

“The Honglu Temple will naturally communicate with the Gold Kingdom; if Prince Lu is satisfied, this matter will be dropped,” Gao Qi sat upright, looking at Pedro: “Director Pedro, I personally do not understand: Mexico produces 6.5 million taels of silver annually, yet why does your Directorate receive only 500,000?”

“I understand that most silver from Peru’s rich mines remains in Lima’s mint to be coined, yet your Directorate receives no such treatment.”

“The reasons are complex,” Pedro said, his face etched with bitterness—this was his greatest pain.

Both were Directorates, both in the East Pacific, both using mercury amalgamation; Peru retained nearly half to mint coins, yet Mexico could keep only 500,000 taels—this was his agony, for many reasons.

The most important reason: Pedro’s pirate bands could not match Felipe’s treasure ships; the annual treasure ships arriving to collect silver were not merely vessels—they carried cannons and muskets; Pedro could only grit his teeth and hand over the silver.

The second reason: reliance on supplies from the homeland—fortified cities, water gates, provisions—were the primary methods of Western colonization.

When natives rebelled, they simply closed the gates; after a time, the rebels, unable to breach the fortifications, dispersed; even the most persistent rebellions lasted no more than two years; as long as supply routes remained open, the Directorate endured.

Unable to fight, one must surrender; dependent on homeland supplies, one dared not withhold.

Another strange reason: Peru’s native uprisings were large-scale and prolonged, while Mexico’s native population was smaller and less prone to sustained rebellion; thus, Felipe did not allocate more silver to the Mexican Directorate to suppress revolts.

“So the reasons are indeed complex,” Gao Qi said, sensing Pedro’s resentment, gently probing: “I thought perhaps Director Pedro was willingly sacrificing his own interests.”

Some people, once gently probed, need no guidance—they will walk willingly to their own ruin.

“I am a pirate, but Felipe is a thief even worse than a pirate; we fought in jungles and mountains, defeated the natives, protected the mines—yet Felipe gives me only 500,000 taels; what can such a small amount accomplish?”

“My men are wounded, my men are bleeding, my men are dying—yet Felipe needs only to send a court secretary each year to take nearly all my output!”

“And the garrison soldiers and nobles guarding the mines are closer to the secretaries in Madrid’s palace; the silver meant to keep them loyal is taken from me!”

Pedro grew angrier as he spoke; before becoming Director, he was hunted by the navy; after becoming Director, he endured this humiliation—even his life as a pirate had been more comfortable.

Before departure, Pedro’s secretary repeatedly warned him to leverage Mexican silver, repeatedly shifting between the Great Ming and Spain to gain advantage.

But emotionally charged, Pedro had forgotten these warnings and began pouring out his grievances to Gao Qi.

Gao Qi subtly agreed: “Indeed, it is excessive; at least some silver should remain with the Directorate—enough to pay compensation to the families.”

“But after the Pacific Trade Alliance charter is signed, you won’t need to rely so completely on homeland supplies; at least you’ll have another ally, another path.”

Gao Qi reminded Pedro that one of his chains had already broken with the formation of the Pacific Trade Alliance—he no longer needed to depend on Spain’s supplies.

“By the way, I heard recently that Prince Felipe launched an expedition against England—what was the outcome?” Gao Qi reminded Pedro again: the Invincible Armada was no longer invincible.

“The Prince launched the expedition against England; the State Council strongly opposed it, saying it was unnecessary; now, his fleet can only retreat as close to home as possible, defending against English and pirate raids, and has completely lost the ability to assist us Directors.”

“The naval force was annihilated; only ten five-masted ocean-going ships survived the Atlantic storm,” Pedro said, growing more excited—this was the very reason he dared to approach the Great Ming.

The second chain had not broken; Spain’s treasure ships still possessed overwhelming force against the Directorates.

Gao Qi smiled: “Five-masted ocean-going ships survived the storm? Director Pedro, have you ever heard of the five-masted ocean-going ships we sell?”

Pedro’s eyes lit up: “When I visited the Songjiang shipyard, I inquired; the yard’s chief told me I needed the Emperor’s vermilion approval—I never learned the details.”

“The chief is overly cautious,” Gao Qi extended his hand, and the Honglu Temple Vice Minister handed him a price list.

“One five-masted ocean-going ship, three three-masted clippers, twenty-eight 18-pound naval guns, thirty-six 9-pound naval guns, close-defense bowl guns, crossbows, and eight hundred men’s swords, spears, and halberds—all bundled now for 500,000 taels, with ten years of maintenance: simply sail the ship back to Songjiang’s New Port for full servicing,” Gao Qi introduced the first package.

The cost was roughly 50,000 taels; profit was merely 450,000 taels.

"A five-masted ocean-going vessel, three three-masted carracks, twenty-eight eighteen-pound naval guns, thirty-six nine-pound naval guns, close-defense bowl guns, crossbows, and eight hundred sets of blades, spears, swords, and halberds—all bundled together for sale at fifty thousand taels of silver, including ten years of maintenance: simply sail the ships back to Xinggang in Songjiang Prefecture, and full maintenance will be provided." Gao Qi introduced the first package.

“I don’t have enough sailors to crew these ships,” Pedro said, deeply tempted—the price was within his means; though Felipe took most profits, he had some savings and a discovered small silver mine he could mine.

Gao Qi extended his hand again; a price list from the Maritime Academy was placed in his hands; he smiled: “The Maritime Academy can train your captains and first and second mates; as for sailors, Director Pedro must recruit them himself.”

Pedro’s eyes brightened further; the price on this Latin-language list was not expensive; Spain’s official Maritime Academy had never opened its doors to these Directorates—controlling navigators was another means of controlling overseas Directorates.

Gao Qi extended his hand, and a quotation from the Maritime Academy was placed in his palm; he smiled and said, “The Maritime Academy can assist Governor Petto in training ship captains, first and second mates; as for sailors,

Governor Petto must recruit them himself.”

Petto’s eyes brightened further—the price on this Latin-language quotation was not high; the doors of Spain’s grand Maritime Academy had never opened to these governor’s offices, and control over navigators was itself a means of controlling overseas governorates.

Moreover, there aren’t enough navigators even for ourselves.

A complete set—ships, cannons, navigators, first mates, second mates—costs only six hundred thousand taels.

“I need three such warships, but I don’t have enough Bai Yin to pay for them.” Petto stared at the price lists for a long time; fine goods lay before him, yet he could not afford them.

These items are expensive, but the fault lies not with the ships—it lies with Petto. Fine things are never cheap, and they never circulate freely on the market.

As the general manager of the Songjiang Shipyard said, they lack the qualification to purchase these ships.

Gao Qi extended his hand, and a war loan contract appeared in his palm. He smiled and said, “With the establishment of the Pacific Trade Alliance, as overseas tributary states, Great Ming and Mexico are now friends. When friends are in trouble, one naturally lends a hand.”

“His Majesty is benevolent, willing to lend to Governor Petto.”

“As a governor, it is only fitting that you possess your own fleet.”

“Borrow one hundred thousand taels; the annual interest is only thirty-six thousand taels. This is wartime, and the Pacific Trade Alliance has established a Council Office in Liuqiu. If Governor Petto believes the war has ended, he may submit an application to the Council Office to confirm the end of hostilities, at which point the war loan interest will drop to four percent annually—a highly favorable rate.”

“Governor Petto has fought countless battles and traversed tens of thousands of miles of sea—he knows full well that such an interest rate exists nowhere else.”

After reading the loan contract, Petto said approvingly, “I have heard of His Majesty’s generosity. That rogue Antonio became King of Portugal thanks to His Majesty’s generosity—and Portugal itself was reborn because of it.”

“His Majesty’s renown spreads to every corner of the world!”

Antonio’s success was so extraordinary that it stirred envy in countless hearts!

This loan contract contains no tricks; the Ministry of Rites has inserted no traps. As long as Governor Petto submits an application and meets the conditions for ceasefire, the Council Office will surely report it to His Majesty.

And His Majesty, who keeps his word, will not squander hard-won credibility over a mere sum of Bai Yin.

Throughout this entire process, Great Ming has acted with goodwill—its sole aim is to provoke conflict between the Mexican Governor’s Office and Spain’s homeland.

Once conflict erupts, Mexico will have no choice but to turn to Great Ming.

When one wields a sharp weapon, the will to kill naturally arises.

Once Governor Petto acquires from Great Ming strength far exceeding his current power,

the fury long buried within Petto and every member of the Governor’s Office will be ignited. The vast profits from three major silver deposits—thirty-four mines in total—are enough to drive men to desperation.

“Lesser Minister Shen, I have a question: Is His Majesty as fond of Bai Yin as the rumors say? His Majesty rules Great Ming and possesses wealth surpassing that of any other person on earth—why then engage in such trade?” Petto asked this only after studying all three price lists.

The Emperor’s apparent obsession with silver had slightly dimmed Petto’s image of him.

“It’s my fault,” Gao Qi sighed heavily. “I submitted a memorial proposing the Dinghai Education System. To implement it, His Majesty emptied the imperial treasury of all its silver.”

Gao Qi briefly explained the Dinghai Education System: its ultimate goal is to ensure, over a hundred years, that every person in Great Ming has access to education.

Petto was stunned upon hearing the details of the Dinghai Education System—especially when he learned that His Majesty had sacrificed his personal fortune for this cause. His image of the Emperor grew even grander than before.

In the West, knowledge is exceedingly expensive! In the West, the barrier to knowledge is far higher than even Petto’s burly frame!

Had he not become governor, Petto could not even read.

Yet the great Emperor of Great Ming is implementing a plan to ensure every person in Great Ming receives an education.

“So this is truly a sage ruler,” Petto said, setting down the three price lists and looking at Gao Qi. “If I fail, may I bring my children to Great Ming and live peacefully here, like Li Yashi?”

Petto had struggled on the seas for years. At first, he had been emotionally stirred—but later, he understood Gao Qi’s meaning. If he could be swayed by mere words, he would never have become governor.

If defeated and forced to flee to Great Ming, would Great Ming allow him to stay? He had to know this clearly—it was his escape route.

“Absolutely,” Gao Qi replied immediately. “You know Great Ming and Japan are enemies, yet Oda Ichiko and the children of Oda Nobunaga live well here.”

Whether he leaves heirs is not Gao Qi’s concern—others will handle it.

“Allow me to consult with my secretary,” Petto said, taking up the three price lists, choosing to confer rather than give an immediate answer.

Gao Qi rose and left the Sihui Pavilion. Standing before its gate, he gazed at the stars above. The Celestial Navigation Technique was truly wondrous—by observing the flickering stars, one could guide ships across the ocean without losing their way.

“Lesser Minister Shen, will Petto agree?” asked the Minister of the Bureau of Barbarian Affairs, uncertain. Conflict with the homeland is a desperate gamble—only undertaken as a last resort.

Gao Qi smiled. "He will agree. Peru has silver mines too, but most of its silver remains in the Governor's Office. Petto rose from pirate to governor—he loves risk, and he is addicted to the rewards of successful adventure."

“Whether he agrees or not, the ultimate winner will be Great Ming.”

Gao Qi had full confidence that Great Ming would be the final victor.