Chapter 198

Chen Xin hurriedly knelt to salute Wang Zheng. Wang Zheng raised him up, looked him over, and said, "I originally thought General Chen would surely be a rough military man; only upon meeting you do I see you are a refined and courteous person."

Chen Xin modestly deflected a few times, but Wang Zheng did not intend to speak much with him. He turned to Sun Yuanhua and said, "I cannot serve as this Army Supervisor; I fear I must disappoint Chuyang's kind intentions."

Sun Yuanhua sighed and looked at Wang Zheng somewhat helplessly. From his tone, Chen Xin could tell he was very familiar with Sun Yuanhua, addressing him without official titles even in front of an outsider. Wang Zheng's appearance was also rather aged. Chen Xin knew Sun Yuanhua's age — he was already fifty-one this year — so Wang Zheng was likely at least fifty-five or older.

The Army Supervisor post required at minimum an Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission to assume, and it was also a position of real authority. Others begged for it and could not get it, yet this Wang Zheng, a perfectly stable leadership post, was unwilling to come to work. Chen Xin had some impression of this Wang Zheng; it seemed his attainments in Western learning were even above Sun Yuanhua's, though he did not specialize in firearms but had considerable research into certain Western machinery.

Chen Xin's eyes shifted, and he said to Wang Zheng, "So it is Lord Wang; I have long admired your name."

Wang Zheng was an honest man. Hearing Chen Xin say this, he asked with some surprise, "Has General Chen heard my humble name somewhere before?"

"Yes, last time a Portuguese ship passed through Weihai, two missionaries spoke of the people in the Great Ming with the highest attainments in Western learning — first and foremost Lord Xu and Lord Sun — and then they mentioned a lord named Wang Zheng."

"Oh? What were the names of these two missionaries?"

Chen Xin continued his fabrication: "They did say, but they were very strange; this humble official failed to remember them at the time."

Wang Zheng uttered an "Oh." He looked at Sun Yuanhua doubtfully and said, "Could it have been Francesco Sambiasi or Johann Adam Schall von Bell, or perhaps Nicolas Trigault? No, Trigault went to Sanyuan in Shaanxi in the first year of Chongzhen."

Chen Xin had been speaking nonsense from the start, so naturally Sun Yuanhua could not guess either. Chen Xin hurriedly said, "I think one was called something like Silva."

Wang Zheng stroked his beard and smiled. "The country of Portugal does indeed have people by that name; it seems they are newly arrived priests in Macau. It is rare that they have actually heard my name. However, these arts of device-making are far from the essence of the Society of Jesus. The Wendeng Battalion that General Chen commands is a strong army of our Great Ming. The general holds a sharp blade in hand, but must all the more keep in his heart a reverence for Heaven and love for mankind. Only then will it be a great blessing for the nation."

Chen Xin had finally managed to strike up a conversation. He bowed to Sun Yuanhua and Wang Zheng and said, "Lord Wang's teachings, this humble official will firmly remember. Although this humble official has not been baptized, I have always yearned toward the Catholic faith. On every Christmas and Easter, this humble official always prays."

Sun Yuanhua and Wang Zheng both looked at Chen Xin in surprise. Sun Yuanhua and Wang Zheng were both devout Catholics, especially Wang Zheng, who took the promotion of Catholicism among the common people as his personal mission. Whenever he met someone willing to embrace the faith, he was delighted in his heart. Song Wenxian, following behind, wore a calm smile on his face. The two of them had spent so much time deceiving people together that even if Chen Xin claimed to be the Pope, he would not show the slightest surprise.

Sun Yuanhua suddenly remembered Chen Xin was still at the door. He hurriedly invited Chen Xin and Song Wenxian inside, and along the way also kept Wang Zheng. Seeing that this military officer could be cultivated, Wang Zheng stayed to accompany them, intending to indoctrinate Chen Xin.

Sun Yuanhua sat down, looked at Wang Zheng, and said, "Liangfu, although General Chen is a military man, he also enjoys reading and was praised by His Majesty as a second Qi Jiguang." Wang Zheng nodded upon hearing this. By saying this, Sun Yuanhua was indicating that Chen Xin had also read some books, to reduce the distance between civil and military officials and make the conversation more harmonious.

"Last time this official went to Wendeng, why did I not hear General Chen mention the matter of embracing the faith? Nor did I see the general pray before meals."

Chen Xin continued fabricating lies: "My lord, this humble official manages the battalion. War is perilous and weapons are deadly; I feel the weight of killing is too heavy. Besides the original sin brought at birth, I constantly create new killing karma. I do not know how many of the Seven Deadly Sins I have committed. This humble official thought that after the Jianzhou Bandits are destroyed, it would not be too late to be baptized, so as to avoid defiling fellow believers."…

Wang Zheng shook his head vigorously and said urgently to Chen Xin, "General Chen's words are mistaken. One day earlier entering the Holy Church is one day earlier atoning for sins. Everyone has original sin; where is this talk of defilement? The Lord of Heaven must be revered, and mankind must be loved. All men within the four seas are brothers; everyone must recognize the true Father of the primordial beginning. Since this official slightly understood the teachings, I have repeatedly expounded them with utmost vigor, to break their accumulated habits, to open their dark delusions, to stir their long-possessed true hearts, and to point them toward the road home."

Wang Zheng took a breath and continued, "Furthermore, the Seven Deadly Sins are the Seven Overcomings: pride, envy, avarice, wrath, gluttony, lust, and sloth. They were long ago expounded in the writings of Trigault, and killing is not among them. Moreover, those Lord Chen kills are all Jianzhou Bandits; it is not an innate love of killing. One need only invite a bishop, and the general's sins can be absolved. This matter can be arranged by this official on the general's behalf."

Chen Xin was stunned for a moment. He had never known exactly what the Seven Deadly Sins were; he only knew there were seven from watching a Hollywood movie. And Wang Zheng seemed to be getting worked up. Chen Xin had no desire whatsoever to believe in any religion, and he knew his knowledge on the subject was too scant — he would be exposed if he said more.

Chen Xin hurriedly changed the subject: "So sins can be absolved. This humble official was ignorant of the details and originally should not have spoken out of turn, but just now at the door I heard Lord Wang speaking, and it seemed you too were disheartened because your actions did not conform to Catholic doctrine. If that is the case, why not likewise seek someone to absolve your sins?"

Wang Zheng was indeed drawn back to his own situation. He shook his head somewhat helplessly and said, "This official is different from the general. The general kills men on the battlefield, but when you return home and lay down your armor, at the time of confession you naturally will not be killing. This official's problem, however, is the matter of taking a concubine. During the Tianqi reign, because my progeny were few, at my parents' command I took a concubine. Once taken, she has remained ever since. The general can imagine: if this official confesses on one hand while continuing the reality of having a concubine on the other, is that not just like the general killing while confessing? Which brother would be willing to absolve my sins?"

Chen Xin wore a look of sudden understanding, while inwardly finding Wang Zheng utterly pedantic. Taking a concubine was such a trivial matter. But he did not casually express his opinion, because his superior Sun Yuanhua was still present. If what he said differed from Sun Yuanhua, trying to take it back later would seem contrived no matter what. However, he immediately recalled what Sun Yuanhua had said at the door and instantly understood Sun Yuanhua's attitude.

Chen Xin probed, "Does this violate the lust among the Seven Overcomings?"

Both men opposite him nodded. Chen Xin said cautiously, "Our land of China has always had such customs. If a man with a wife and many concubines wished to embrace the faith, would he not have to drive away many women, who would suffer the wounds of gossip and the hardship of survival? Using a single doctrine to harm innocent people — how is that revering Heaven and loving mankind? Secondly, in the rule of the Three Dynasties of our China, well, did not those sages also have concubines? Must the sages of the Three Dynasties also enter hell?"

Sun Yuanhua clapped his hands and said, "Exactly. General Chen is indeed different. This official also has such doubts about this article. In this official's view, wife and concubines are all lawful and proper matches. As long as it is not visiting brothels and whoring with prostitutes, it cannot be counted as lust. But those few priests stubbornly cling to this point and have repeatedly refused Liangfu's requests for absolution."

Wang Zheng looked at the two and argued, "In the time of the Three Dynasties, our Chinese population was still small. The Lord of Heaven wished to prosper their families, to multiply their descendants, so as to widely spread the Holy Religion in the world. He also knew their virtue was pure and exceedingly firm, and they would not become licentious because of numbers, so He specially forgave them and allowed them to marry two or three wives and concubines. Thus the sages could marry many. But this is not scripture; it was merely a temporary expedient. Trigault also clearly explained this in his book. We are not sages. Even if taking a concubine was at one's parents' command, it is still a violation of lust, and naturally we must obey the teachings of scripture."

Chen Xin cursed inwardly as he listened. People say officials have two tongues, but these missionaries were even more glib. That Trigault, in order not to offend the literati, could even specially carve out an exception for the sages. And Wang Zheng actually treated it as if it were holy writ. No wonder this Wang Zheng, at such an advanced age, was still only a rank-four official. He was far too rigid in his thinking. Sun Yuanhua was much more flexible than him.

Song Wenxian, who was beside them, suddenly blurted out, "Since it is lust, Lord Wang could simply stop sleeping with that concubine. Continue to support her as before; this spares her the hardship of wandering and also avoids violating this whatever — the Seven Overcomings."…

Sun Yuanhua coughed lightly. Only then did Song Wenxian realize he had spoken too bluntly and hurriedly stood to apologize to Wang Zheng. Chen Xin, however, thought Song Wenxian's idea was a good one.

Sun Yuanhua urged Wang Zheng, "Mr. Song's suggestion is also a viable method. Was it not the same for Li Zhizao back then? You could set up a separate residence, guarantee sufficient money and grain each month, and let her make a living there."

Wang Zheng said, "My original intention was to let her remarry elsewhere, but she threatened to seek death. Otherwise, why would I be so troubled? Mr. Song's method was also proposed to her, and still she refused. When I think carefully, she entered my household at fifteen and is only twenty this year. If I truly used this method, how would it differ from making her a living widow?"

Chen Xin cursed inwardly. You, Wang Zheng, a fifty-year-old man, married a fifteen-year-old — you were making her a living widow from the start. Now neither this nor that works. And that Catholic Church is strange too: since they are racking their brains to come preach in China, even coming up with methods like the red-barbarian cannon, yet they pick a fight with the Chinese over a marriage custom. How can they possibly break into the Chinese market? These Jesuits really are rigid-minded as well.

Chen Xin had no idea that Wang Zheng was actually tormented by this problem his entire life. He constantly wavered between his concubine and absolution. After being dismissed from office and returning to Shaanxi, he lived apart from his concubine. In the ninth year of Chongzhen, to refuse Li Zicheng's overtures, Wang Zheng starved himself to death. His concubine, Lady Shen, survived at the insistence of his principal wife. After the principal wife passed away, she independently raised Wang Zheng's descendants. When she reached seventy and felt her duty was fulfilled, she also starved herself for several days and died, completing her chaste, fierce, and sorrowful life. In comparison, Wang Zheng appeared more selfish.

Chen Xin knew nothing of the fates of these minor figures. He was now growing somewhat impatient with Wang Zheng's long-windedness. If not for seeing that Wang Zheng had talent, he could not be bothered to waste words. At this moment, he decided to end it quickly. Smiling, he fabricated to Wang Zheng, "Lord Wang, as it happens, those two Portuguese from last time can resolve Lord Wang's troubles. That Silva is a bishop, and it seems he is even a disciple of the Pope. The Pope felt the Jesuits' propagation in China was too slow and was somewhat dissatisfied with these brothers, so he sent Silva to the Great Ming to travel incognito on an inspection. He first traveled through Jiangnan, and when he reached Wendeng, he specifically spoke of the matter of taking concubines. He believes it can be absolved."

Chen Xin's initial round of smooth talk had made Wang Zheng firmly believe that he had met Jesuits — otherwise, how could he know about original sin, Easter, and such content? Now, hearing Chen Xin say that a disciple of the Pope could absolve sins, which was even more authoritative than Trigault, he was like a drowning man grasping at a life-saving straw. He stood up urgently and said to Chen Xin, "Is that truly so? Wonderful, wonderful."

Wang Zheng stepped forward and grabbed Chen Xin, asking repeatedly, "Where is that Silva? Quickly tell me." In his agitation, he actually used the humble self-address "zaixia" toward Chen Xin.

Sun Yuanhua hurriedly pulled Wang Zheng back to his seat. Chen Xin bowed and said, "That Silva and this humble official hit it off like old friends at first meeting. He promised to meet again in Wendeng on his return journey, but where he is now I do not know. He only said he was traveling in the north, observing local customs, so as to make Catholicism more suitable for the Great Ming. Additionally, this humble official feels that His Majesty appointing Lord Wang as Army Supervisor of the Liao Sea Circuit is precisely a fine opportunity for Lord Wang to serve the nation, and also a fine opportunity to spread the Gospel. You must not resign. What is revering Heaven and loving mankind? Using a useful body to bring benefit to a region, assisting Lord Sun in forcefully resisting the Jianzhou Bandits, and protecting the countless lives of the people of Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Dongjiang — this is a far greater love among men than ridding oneself of a single sin. Lord Wang can imagine: with you as an example, how many commoners in Dengzhou and Laizhou would be willing to enter the Catholic faith? As long as Lord Wang can stay, this humble official is willing to donate his salary to assist you in building a church in Dengzhou."

Wang Zheng's mouth hung open as he stared at Chen Xin in astonishment. Even Sun Yuanhua felt he saw Chen Xin in a new light, almost wanting to treat him as a fellow believer. After a long while, Wang Zheng sighed and said, "General Chen's words today have given Wang something to reflect upon. Allow this official to think further."

Sun Yuanhua laughed heartily and said, "What more is there for Liangfu to think about? Stay here. For one, await that Silva to absolve your sins. For another, serve the nation and spread the Gospel. Can there be any better method than this?"…

Wang Zheng lowered his head for a long time and finally nodded. Here, history was slightly altered once again. Originally, Wang Zheng had gone to Jingshi to resign his post, and only after the Emperor insisted did he leisurely take up his position in July. Now, it was five months earlier.

Chen Xin did not take Wang Zheng's absolution to heart at all. His expenditure of so much breath was naturally not just to back up Sun Yuanhua. Seeing Wang Zheng agree to stay, Chen Xin seized the opportunity and said, "Lord Wang, that Silva comes and goes in a hurry. This humble official dares to request that you change your station to Weihai, so as not to miss this fine opportunity for absolution. Secondly, Weihai has a naval battalion, where a hundred things await revival. This humble official knows nothing of naval camps, and as it happens, the navy falls under your jurisdiction as Army Supervisor of the Liao Sea Circuit. I request that you at least spend some time in Weihai to guide this humble official."

Wang Zheng's heart was stirred. He turned to look at Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua hesitated for a moment, and considering Wang Zheng's absolution, finally agreed to let Wang Zheng temporarily stay in Weihai.

Chen Xin had picked up a treasure. Wang Zheng was both a scholar and very interested in machinery, so his learning ability was naturally stronger than that of craftsmen. Most importantly, he could summarize certain theories. Chen Xin planned to have some young craftsmen study under him for a period, to form new research methods and concepts, thereby lightening Liu Minyou's burden.

Having resolved the matter on Wang Zheng's side, Chen Xin turned to Sun Yuanhua and said, "Lord Sun, this humble official has come, aside from listening to your lordship's teachings, also regarding naval matters and such. Furthermore, recently many Liaodong refugees have drifted from various places to Wendeng. Their circumstances are bitter. Wendeng's land is poor and its people impoverished; it is hard to support them alone. Your lordship has always shown great care for the Wendeng Battalion, but this humble official is truly short of funds and cannot bear to see these Liaodong refugees wandering. In addition to the expenses of the navy and the unpaid grain rations for the combat troops, I shamelessly request that your lordship allocate some more materials and silver…"

As soon as Sun Yuanhua heard Chen Xin asking for things, he resumed the demeanor of the Provincial Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou and prepared to bargain with Chen Xin…

Half a shichen later, Chen Xin walked out the main gate of the government office with Song Wenxian. After a fierce battle with Sun Yuanhua, he had pried some more things out of Lord Sun, making the trip not in vain after all.

As they walked, Song Wenxian asked, "My lord, that Silva is merely a merchant. Where will you find a disciple of the Pope when the time comes? When he fails to appear after a long wait and Wang Zheng goes to ask the other Jesuits in Jingshi, won't the lie be exposed?"

"Find what? I only said just now that Silva would come; I didn't say when. He's traveling incognito in the north, so naturally he wouldn't inform those Jesuits. Besides, running into some bandits on the road and losing his life is also possible. This Wang Zheng knows quite a lot. When we return, set aside a space in the old Weihai workshop and arrange more people to learn from him. Once they've learned, send him on his way." Song Wenxian was taken aback for a moment, his contempt for Chen Xin's character deepening.

Chen Xin's group went to the vicinity of Shuqiao and found an eating house close to the bridge to have a meal. While waiting for the food, Chen Xin carefully examined the terrain around Shuqiao by the window, occasionally discussing in low voices with Zhou Shifa.

Just as the two were hatching wicked schemes, the shopkeeper at the door shouted, "There's nothing here for you Liaodong soldiers to eat." Chen Xin and the others turned to look and saw a group of Ming soldiers blocked outside the door by the shopkeeper, their faces full of resentment.