Chapter 182: A Strategic Commercial Location

The merchant ship left Yangzhou and continued northward along the Grand Canal, letting them witness this great ancient engineering feat. The Jing-Hang Grand Canal stretched a total of two thousand six hundred sixty-five and a half li. From Yangzhou to Linqing, the route passed through Yangzhou Prefecture, Huai’an Prefecture, Yanzhou Prefecture in Shandong, and Eastern Depot Prefecture. The flow direction also varied by section: the stretch from Yangzhou to Taierzhuang ran roughly north to south, while after passing Nanwang and on to Linqing, it ran south to north.

Unlike the northern section of the Grand Canal the two had seen before, the stretch from Yangzhou to Linqing made use of many natural waterways and lakes. Not far from Yangzhou, they entered Shaobo Lake, then Gaoyou Lake. After entering Huai’an territory, a considerable part of the journey lay within lakes, mainly Hongze Lake and Luoma Lake. In Shandong territory there were also Weishan Lake and Anshan Lake. Using these natural waterways and lakes greatly reduced the construction work at the time of building, and also ensured the canal’s water supply. Tribute ships and merchant vessels could likewise sail under wind power in these broader waters; only in countercurrent stretches with swifter currents were trackers needed.

The regions passed along the way were all prosperous, each with its own customs. Chen Tingdong had traveled the Grand Canal many times and explained the local customs and the various river channels and locks along the way, so the journey was not boring. In their spare time, Chen Xin and Liu Minyou both refined their respective plans aboard the ship. Chen Xin had already been out for over a month, and he had come out in secret. He planned to switch to horses upon reaching Linqing, as originally planned, and hurry back to Wendeng.

He urged the shipowner on, hiring trackers on every stretch where they were available. The shipowner was very familiar with the route, and sailed even at night through the lake sections. Rushing along this way, they reached Linqing. Chen Xin at last laid eyes on this city that served as the backdrop in *Jin Ping Mei*.

Linqing Department in the Ming Dynasty fell under the jurisdiction of Eastern Depot Prefecture. Though unremarkable in reputation in later ages, in Ming Dynasty Shandong it was a more flourishing place than Jinan, all because of its canal convenience and thriving commerce. Nearly a million people lived here — until the eleventh year of Chongzhen, when that wise and mighty Prince Rui, Dorgon, of the pigtail dramas, reduced it to barren ground.

Chen Xin did a quick calculation: it was now the third year of Chongzhen, so he had at least eight more years to develop. Of course, letting the Qing army reach Shandong was the worst-case scenario. He had a better deployment in mind.

After their party disembarked, they looked around casually nearby. Indeed, merchants were as numerous as fish crossing a river. The commerce here mainly connected southern Beizhili, the Shandong heartland, and northern Henan. The market potential was enormous. Shandong-produced cotton was piled mountain-high in warehouses at every dock, being loaded onto ships in an endless stream.

Song Wenxian, standing to one side, said to Chen Xin, “Master Chen, do you recall the passage written inside: ‘This Linqing lock is a bustling, flourishing great dock, a place where merchants come and go, where ships gather, where carts converge, with thirty-two lanes of flowers and willows, and seventy-two towers of pipes and strings.’ Truly the liveliest place in Shandong.”

Chen Xin smiled and nodded. His eyes swept across the scene: there were plenty of money shops, storehouses, and commercial shops along the bank, with all kinds of brokers threading through them, leading clients to haggle at various stores. Judging by this situation, competition would certainly be fierce. Fortunately, there was still Zhou Hongmo here who could help a bit. Thinking of this, he first went to a nearby shop to ask for the location of the Linqing Assistant Regional Commander’s official residence. It was in the northeast corner of the brick city, so they headed straight there.

When they reached the gate of the official residence, Chen Xin glanced at the entrance and couldn’t help but exclaim in praise. The tall spirit screen, the military gate, the black chevaux-de-frise on both sides, and the four sentries at the gate in bright, imposing armor — it was far superior to the chicken-dung-covered gate of Zhou Hongmo’s Wendeng Battalion back in the day.

The squad leader in charge of the gate was a Linqing local. Though he looked tall and imposing, he had the air of a ruffian. He had never met Chen Xin. Chen Xin presented his name card according to protocol. The squad leader took the card and glanced at it: it read “Song Wenxian, Wendeng Battalion Naval Mobile Corps Commander.” This squad leader had heard of Wendeng Battalion’s reputation and knew Zhou Hongmo had come from there. His attitude immediately changed; he quickly ushered the group into the gatehouse and sent someone to notify Zhou Hongmo.

Zhou Hongmo hurried to the gate in a moment. He had originally thought it really was Song Wenxian, and was just wondering when Song Wenxian had become a Naval Mobile Corps Commander. When he saw Chen Xin, he froze for a second, then understood at once. He burst out laughing and came over to clap Chen Xin on the shoulder repeatedly, still with that same manner he had back at Wendeng Battalion.

Both were now Assistant Regional Commanders, with no superior-subordinate relationship between them. Seeing Zhou Hongmo looking radiant and glowing, Chen Xin cupped his hands and said, “Elder Brother Zhou, living here in comfort and ease, you look even more prosperous than when you were in Wendeng.”

Zhou Hongmo rubbed his face and said, “All thanks to you, brother.” He then greeted the people he knew, like Song Wenxian and Liu Minyou, and then took Chen Xin by the shoulder and walked inside together, his face beaming. As they walked, he asked in a low voice, “Brother Chen, if a military officer leaves his post without orders and it gets found out, he’ll be impeached.” He then shook his head and added, “But you, Brother Chen, needn’t fear. Who doesn’t know now that you’re in favor before the Emperor and the Ministry of War? Still, we’d best be careful.”

Chen Xin laughed and said, “How am I leaving my post without orders? The court set up a naval camp at Weihai, and I took them out to sea for training. Those sailors are all new; who can say for sure what happens at sea? We got lost for a while, and after drifting about we reached Tianjin. I figured, since we’re already in Tianjin and Linqing is only a few days away, I had to come see you, Big Brother.”

Zhou Hongmo pointed at Chen Xin with knowing understanding and chuckled a few times. He immediately added, “It’s rare that Brother Chen still remembers his old brother. Just in time that you’ve come — I’ve been missing you badly too. I’m a rough fellow, but I understand gratitude. If not for the military merits from Laiyang and the Four Cities battle, I could never have become an Assistant Regional Commander. That was earned by Brother Chen risking his head against the Tatars. This time I must properly thank Brother Chen.”

Chen Xin quickly demurred with a few modest words. Though Zhou Hongmo was undisciplined, cowardly, and greedy, he was still a straightforward man. Zhou Hongmo led them into the rear residential quarters, which were very spacious. Zhou Hongmo arranged for a private secretary to keep Chen Xin’s attendants company, while he himself brought Chen Xin into the study.

Chen Xin entered and looked around. The bookshelves inside were pretentiously arranged with some books, covered in a thin layer of dust. He laughed inwardly. Zhou Hongmo couldn’t even recognize many characters, yet he still had to put on airs.

Zhou Hongmo invited Chen Xin to sit. He knew Chen Xin hadn’t come solely to see him, and asked with a grin, “Brother Chen, is there anything in Linqing you need your old brother’s help with?”

Chen Xin said, “I came specially to see Elder Brother Zhou, and also to tell you: I’ve kept all your shops in Wendeng Battalion for you. Let your relatives keep running them in peace. But since I’m here, I’ll take the chance to look into the southern goods business.”

“Southern goods business?” Zhou Hongmo repeated, seeming to ponder for a moment. As his mind wandered, he planted one foot on his chair, revealing his true martial nature. Zhou Hongmo looked at Chen Xin seriously for a moment, then leaned in and said in a low voice, “I can help a bit with this, but those civil officials and brokers aren’t easy to deal with.”

Chen Xin had been waiting for exactly these words. Seeing that Zhou Hongmo was unequivocal, he set his mind at ease and said to him with a smile, “We’ll do both southern goods and a money shop. I’ll trouble Elder Brother Zhou to look after them.”

“I’ve only just arrived, so I’m not all that well-connected yet. Thugs and ruffians I can handle; it’s those officials and brokers who are a nuisance. In any case, I’ll do my best. But Brother Chen, you might as well be open about it — make it clear these are your shops. I don’t believe anyone would dare cause trouble.”

Chen Xin thought it over and agreed. Hadn’t he fought and risked his life precisely to earn a reputation? He nodded and was about to agree when Zhou Hongmo added, “These officials along the canal have more silver than they can count. Damn it, their disciples, old friends, same-year graduates, and fellow townsmen are everywhere. They never look straight at us military officers. When I go to see a fifth- or sixth-rank civil official, I still have to kneel to him. If we have to deal with them, we have to keep a smile plastered on the whole time.”

Chen Xin had Wen Tiren looking out for him from above, so he wasn’t afraid of ordinary civil officials. But he couldn’t go to Wen Tiren for help with every little matter. These local problems he could only solve himself. He had been constantly thinking about how to deal with civil officials and gentry in various places, and how to find a force nearby that he could rely on.

He hadn’t figured it out yet, so he asked Zhou Hongmo, “Elder Brother Zhou has been in Linqing for several months now. Do you have any insights on doing business here?”

“What insights could I have? Just open a few shops. I say, Brother Chen, if you want to do business, why bother with southern goods? Just open a couple more gambling dens and unlicensed brothels like me — the silver comes pouring in just the same.” Zhou Hongmo was still the same as back in Wendeng Battalion, running all sorts of shady enterprises. But the money did come in fast, especially in a great metropolis like Linqing.

Chen Xin agreed on the spot as well. Zhou Hongmo could look after such establishments more easily. They could make money and serve as intelligence outposts — killing several birds with one stone. Only, he didn’t yet have suitable people to run them.

He then continued to ask Zhou Hongmo about legitimate business in Linqing. Zhou Hongmo scratched his head and shouted a few times toward the outside. A man who looked like a private secretary then entered the study.

Zhou Hongmo said to Chen Xin, “Brother, I’m a rough fellow, can’t explain clearly. Old Jiang here is a Linqing man; he’ll do the talking.”

The private secretary, having clarified the question, said to Chen Xin respectfully, “Linqing is a place where goods from north and south converge. Basically, whatever is available in Jingshi and Nanjing can be found here. If we speak of goods produced in Linqing, cotton is the largest staple. Eastern Depot Prefecture grows the most cotton in Shandong. After the cotton is harvested, most of it is gathered in Linqing. One portion is sent to Jiangnan, while the nearby villages also make cotton cloth, which is sold throughout the north. In addition, there are furs and ironware, also major items in Linqing. Eastern Depot’s wool felt has long been renowned, while ironware is mostly farming tools…”

Zhou Hongmo interrupted, “To hell with the wool felt. My brother here deals in southern goods. Tell him how southern goods sell.”

“Those who sell southern goods in Linqing are mostly Huizhou merchants. Sugar, tea, cotton cloth, and silk all sell fairly well. If you wish to go into it, sir, it depends on how your prices are.”

“Huizhou merchants?” Chen Xin asked. Xu Xinsu was a titan among Huizhou merchants. With him supplying goods, he had no fear of these Huizhou merchants.

“Yes. These Huizhou merchants all possess immense fortunes. Some have been in business for a long time and are on very familiar terms with the various masters in the government offices, so they can handle matters very conveniently.”

Zhou Hongmo slapped his thigh and said, “At the customs gate, I can think of something. There’s a clerk I’ve become familiar with. As for the riverside and inside the department city, we’ll figure something out slowly.”

Chen Xin thanked him again. Zhou Hongmo’s post as Linqing Assistant Regional Commander actually oversaw the canal transport troops, so he had closer ties to the customs gate. Inside the department city, he probably did have more difficulty.

The private secretary continued, “If you sell southern goods, sir, you must come to an understanding with the brokers in these trades, otherwise there will be much trouble. If you can also clear things on the official side, you can still earn a great deal of silver. During the Wanli reign, the Linqing customs gate collected three times the customs tax of Yangzhou. In some years, the commercial tax paid by the brokers amounted to twenty thousand taels, accounting for over thirty percent of the empire’s annual commercial tax. From this, sir, you can see the flourishing commerce of Linqing.”

Chen Xin’s expression changed slightly. “So much?”

Zhou Hongmo laughed heartily and said, “One-thirtieth tax, and still this much. Besides, Brother Chen, you know how that commercial tax business works. If twenty thousand taels are handed over, what goes into the various lords’ pockets behind the scenes is no less than two hundred thousand.”

By this account, Linqing’s annual transaction volume was indeed astonishing. This was the strategic commercial location he had to seize in Shandong. Chen Xin recalled the influence of the officials and gentry he had heard about along the way, and felt it would be quite difficult. In his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a little envious of those roving bandits — to hell with it, just rob the place and be done with it. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to come to (.) and cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)