Chapter 287: 285

Zhao Lianjun — that was Zhao Zhenlan.

She quickly steadied her emotions, put on a look as if nothing had happened, and smiled. "Husband, what book is this?"

Xu Zhiyuan said, "In Jiangxi there is a rebel called Zhao, who has seized Jiangxi, Huguang, and southern Hunan. This book was printed by him. It is full of seditious talk, distributed to lure people into joining the rebels."

Zhao Zhenlan's heart pounded wildly. "If it is a rebel's book, why has Husband brought it home?"

"The man who steals a buckle is executed; the man who steals a state becomes a feudal lord," Xu Zhiyuan sighed. "I fear the Southland is about to be lost… Ah, why am I telling you this? You wouldn't understand affairs of state anyway."

Zhao Zhenlan asked, "Does Husband intend to join the rebels?"

"Keep your voice down," Xu Zhiyuan lowered his voice and warned. "Don't go babbling about this everywhere — it's a matter of losing your head. I don't even dare take it out of the house; I only dare hide in your room and read it."

Seeing Xu Zhiyuan sit down, open the Great Unity Travels and read intently, apparently not disliking the book, even already leaning toward joining the rebels, Zhao Zhenlan hesitated again and again, then said, "Husband…"

"What is it?" Xu Zhiyuan asked.

"This Jiangxi rebel Zhao — is his name Zhao Han?" Zhao Zhenlan asked.

Xu Zhiyuan said, "I don't know which name is the real one. Earlier there were rumors of Zhao Yan, and now they say it's Zhao Han."

Zhao Zhenlan said, "Your servant's original name is Zhenlan."

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?" Xu Zhiyuan said, amused.

Zhao Zhenlan said, "Please, Husband, turn to the title page and read those two lines."

Every volume in the Great Unity series bore a portrait on its title page.

Xu Zhiyuan curiously flipped back and muttered, "Jiangxi Regional Commander Zhao Han, Zhao Zhenlan…"

Xu Zhiyuan jerked his head up and stared at her in disbelief.

Zhao Zhenlan said, "Your servant's full younger brother is named Zhao Han. Your servant's original name is Zhao Zhenlan."

"Wait here!"

Xu Zhiyuan rushed out in a panic, reached his elder brother's courtyard, and pounded on the study door, shouting, "Elder Brother, an urgent matter!"

Xu Fuyuan opened the door and came out. "What is it?"

"Come with me, quickly." Xu Zhiyuan tugged at his elder brother's sleeve.

Xu Fuyuan, utterly baffled, followed Xu Zhiyuan across the courtyard. Seeing Zhao Zhenlan, he merely nodded in greeting.

Zhao Zhenlan curtsied. "Ten thousand blessings to you, Elder Brother."

Xu Zhiyuan spread open the title page and handed it to his elder brother, pointing at Zhao Zhenlan. "Lianjun's original name is Zhenlan. She has a full younger brother named Zhao Han!"

Xu Fuyuan gaped, speechless, looking now at the book's title page, now at Zhao Zhenlan.

What the devil?

A long while later, Xu Fuyuan came back to his senses. He cupped his hands and bowed with the utmost seriousness. "Sister-in-law, I hope you are well."

"Elder Brother, I hope you are well." Zhao Zhenlan hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Xu Fuyuan asked, "When was your younger brother separated from you?"

Zhao Zhenlan answered, "In the first year of Chongzhen, there was a great drought in the capital region. Our parents took us brother and sister, fleeing famine and begging for food. Outside the city of Tianjin, I was sold for grain. After that, I never had word of my family again."

"Sister-in-law, please rest for now. the Five Classics and I have an important matter to discuss." Xu Fuyuan cupped his hands.

"Elder Brother, please do as you wish." Zhao Zhenlan withdrew into the house of her own accord.

In the courtyard, only the two brothers remained. They looked at each other, both finding it utterly bizarre.

"Third Brother," Xu Fuyuan suddenly asked, "how many concubines do you have in your quarters?"

Xu Zhiyuan said, "Just two."

Xu Fuyuan said, "Send the other one away at once."

"Very well." Xu Zhiyuan nodded.

Xu Fuyuan warned, "If Zhao Han becomes Emperor, this lady will be an Imperial Princess. Remember, from now on, no more chasing after flowers and butterflies, or else calamity may fall upon the Xu family from the sky."

Xu Zhiyuan said, "I understand that, but-but-but… surely I can't divorce my wife over this?"

"The matter of divorcing your wife — do not mention it for now; we will discuss it later," Xu Fuyuan said. "This lady must be married as a proper concubine. Go report it to the authorities immediately. I will explain things to Father. Also, assign more servants to this courtyard; do not neglect her."

Xu Zhiyuan asked, "Should we send a letter to Jiangxi?"

"You cannot leave for now. Deepen your bond with this sister-in-law. To deliver a letter and make contact with Jiangxi, let Second Brother go in person. Oh, and bring Brother Wunian along as well," Xu Fuyuan said.

Xu Zhiyuan asked further, "Should we inform Zhang Ximing?"

"No need to inform him. This is a private matter of the Xu family." Xu Fuyuan would never tell an outsider — this was a tremendous stroke of fortune for the Xu family.

Several days later, Zhao Zhenlan was formally registered and became a proper concubine with legal status.

Fearing that his principal wife would make a scene, Xu Zhiyuan simply moved out and went to live with Zhao Zhenlan in a separate villa.

…

Of the Three Xus of Yunjian, the eldest brother was Xu Fuyuan, the third brother was Xu Zhiyuan, and the second was… Xu Fengcai.

Born of a concubine, he was not entitled to share the generational character.

Xu Fengcai was a literary man of the arts; it was he who evaluated and set the regulations for the Ji Society.

Once this fellow learned the truth, he immediately set off for Hangzhou to find Xu Ying, who was there spreading Datong ideology.

Traveling with him was a clansman, Xu Nianzu.

Xu Nianzu was the great-grandson of Xu Jie. Mature beyond his years, he would often sigh after reading military dispatches. When friends laughed at him for being pedantic, Xu Nianzu said, "Misgovernment grows worse by the day; the people have no means to live. Within twenty years, none of us will know where we shall die."

When the Manchu Qing entered the pass, Xu Nianzu donated his wealth to support the army, raising provisions for the Southern Ming.

When the Qing troops reached Songjiang, all the villagers fled. Xu Nianzu said, "I dwell in the residence bestowed upon my ancestors by the Great Ming Emperor. The grace of the state is here; I must die here."

He then dispersed his entire family fortune and recruited soldiers to defend the city.

When the Qing army breached the city gate, Xu Nianzu set out wine and feasted with his family. After the meal, the entire family hanged themselves; the household servants hanged themselves as well. His six-year-old granddaughter, unable to hang herself, threw herself into a well and died.

The boat cabin.

Xu Nianzu closed the Great Unity Collection and sighed. "Do you truly intend to follow the rebels?"

Xu Fengcai said, "Does Elder Brother believe this Great Ming realm can still be saved?"

"It was beyond saving ten years ago — let alone today." Xu Nianzu's expression was anguished.

The three brothers Xu Fuyuan, Xu Fengcai, and Xu Zhiyuan had already split off. Xu Nianzu, however, still lived in Xu Jie's old mansion — the residence bestowed by the Jiajing Emperor.

Even before Chongzhen ascended the throne, Xu Nianzu read the court gazettes every month, following the great affairs of the realm.

Yet he repeatedly failed the examinations and had no path to serve the state. Moreover, he had no wish to entangle himself in factional strife, nor could he be bothered to purchase an official post.

Watching the situation worsen day by day, Xu Nianzu's heart was seared with torment — he had even steeled himself to die for the dynasty.

In the entire Xu family, Xu Nianzu understood the situation most clearly. Toying with his wine cup, he gave a bitter laugh. "Shengqi, your foolish elder brother has persisted in reading the gazettes and also sounded out Jiangxi news from traveling merchants. Two years ago, I already knew Zhao Han was certain to win the realm — observing his governance, he is truly an enlightened sovereign for the ages. But can our Xu family really follow a rebel?"

"What does Elder Brother intend to do?" Xu Fengcai asked.

Xu Nianzu said, "When the Jiangxi troops arrive, I shall cooperate with them in dividing the land — and then take my own life within this house. My branch of the family is sparsely populated; I hope Shengqi will look after them well in the future."

Xu Fengcai said in alarm, "How can Elder Brother harbor such a muddled notion? You yourself say Zhao Han is an enlightened sovereign — why not serve him with all your heart, instead of taking your own life!"

Xu Nianzu countered, "Dwell in a residence bestowed by the Great Ming Emperor, and then become a minister of the new dynasty?"

"Then just move out!" Xu Fengcai said in frustration.

"That would be plugging one's ears while stealing a bell," Xu Nianzu said, shaking his head.

Xu Fengcai's thoughts shifted, and he said, "Elder Brother, there is a way you can repay the sovereign's grace. Go serve as an official under Zhao Han. Once your office is high enough, you can urge Zhao Han to treat the Ming imperial house kindly."

Xu Nianzu started, then abruptly drained the wine in his cup.

The two brothers arrived in Hangzhou, first contacted Wang Mingran, and finally met Xu Ying in person.

"Mr. Huang, quickly write me a letter of introduction — I must leave for Ji'an in Jiangxi at once!" Xu Fengcai came straight to the point.

Xu Ying smiled. "The Xu clan of Yunjian wishes to cast their lot with Jiangxi?"

Xu Fengcai lowered his voice. "Mr. Zhao's full elder sister is currently in the Xu household."

"Mr. Zhao's full elder sister?" Xu Ying was astonished and overjoyed.

Zhao Han had given Xu Ying three tasks: first, establish an intelligence network; second, propagate Datong thought; third, find his sister.

Xu Fengcai said, "Mr. Zhao's full elder sister is now my third brother's concubine… a proper concubine, a proper concubine! My third brother's principal wife is the daughter of a great clan; if he divorced his wife, he would become a laughingstock among the neighbors. However, my third brother has already moved out with the younger sister, living separately in a villa, caring for and cherishing her — there has been no mistreatment."

"I shall write the letter at once and send a boat to take you there," Xu Ying said.

After sending off Xu Fengcai and Xu Nianzu, Xu Ying also set out immediately to visit the Xu residence and pay his respects to Zhao Zhenlan.

The Xu brothers boarded a merchant vessel, switching boats at Zhenjiang to continue on to Jiangxi.

They were not lonely on the boat — three celebrated courtesans were also aboard: Wang Wei, Lin Xue, and Liu Rushi.

It was true that Wang Mingran and Lin Xue were fond of each other, but both understood perfectly that nothing could come of it. When Lin Xue said she was going to Jiangxi, Wang Mingran did not try to keep her, and even gave her silver, wishing her a smooth journey.

Upon reaching Zhenjiang, someone received them.

The shipowner Li Fenglai personally entertained them. This fellow had originally been a grain merchant. Since grain exports had been banned the previous year, he had simply switched to the cloth trade, shipping coarse cotton yarn and coarse cotton cloth produced in Jiangxi to Huaiyang for sale.

This was a newly emerging industry. Although Jiangxi had produced cotton cloth before, it could not match Jiangnan in scale or quality and could only be sold in neighboring provinces.

After improvements to the water-powered spinning machine, coarse cotton yarn could be spun in large quantities, and many merchants immediately followed suit. Even landlords whose land had been divided, since they still had considerable silver savings, also invested in building water-powered spinning machines.

This did not disrupt traditional household workshops — on the contrary, it gave them a boost!

Rural women in Jiangxi's cotton-growing regions first rolled cotton slivers at home and sold them by the catty to the water-powered spinning mills. Then they bought coarse cotton yarn from the mills, wove it into coarse cotton cloth themselves, and sold that to merchants like Li Fenglai.

But there was one phenomenon that gave cause for vigilance: because the profits were substantial, many peasants were switching to cotton cultivation, which would inevitably cause Jiangxi's grain output to decline.

Moreover, if someone improved the loom, textile factories might well emerge, and cotton acreage would increase massively!

Zhao Han was currently discussing with his officials how to safeguard the scale of grain fields. At least until grain was abundant, grain fields could not be allowed to shrink unchecked — otherwise, the timetable for unifying the realm would be greatly delayed.

Li Fenglai laid out a banquet in the cabin, and everyone took their seats.

The merchant ship set sail, and they exchanged pleasantries.

Xu Nianzu was the first to ask, "Is Jiangxi still embargoing grain shipments?"

"The ban cannot be lifted until after the summer harvest at the earliest," Li Fenglai said.

Xu Nianzu said, "Alas, with Jiangxi's embargo, the famine in the prefectures of Jiangnan has grown even more severe!"

"In a couple of years it will be better," Li Fenglai said.

Xu Nianzu said, "After the summer harvest, Zhao… the Regional Commander will certainly dispatch troops again. The prefectures and counties around Lake Dongting should be taken by summer. The question is the east — whether he will move against Zhejiang first or Fujian first. By normal logic, he must strike Zhejiang. Once Zhejiang is consolidated, he can attack the Suzhou-Songjiang prefectures from both north and south, and all of Jiangnan will fall into his hands. Yet the Regional Commander Zhao seems unwilling to seize Jiangnan too quickly, to avoid clashing with the court's great northern army. This summer, I fear he will strike Fujian first."

Wang Wei looked surprised. Xu Ying had asked her to write to Mao Yuanyi — clearly the plan was indeed to strike Fujian first. She had not expected this young gentleman of the Xu family to guess it.

Xu Nianzu continued, "After taking Jiangnan, the Regional Commander Zhao will certainly seize Huaiyang. Thus he will gain the natural defenses of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, able to attack or defend at will, and also secure the Huaiyang salt fields. Once Huaiyang is taken, there are two choices. One, he can march north to take Shandong and Henan. Two, he can move west to take Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan."

The cabin was filled with artistic and literary types; only Xu Nianzu was a military man, and the rest could only sit and listen obediently.

(End of chapter)