Chapter 314: Seizing the Feast

The July sun blazed fiercely down upon the land. The northern drought, as ever, stunted the crops' growth — especially on fields with poor irrigation, where the stalks already showed a withered, yellow hue.

On the official road winding through the hills, Liu Minyou gazed worriedly at the barren tracts all around, deeply lamenting the waste. Although Dengzhou Garrison was now very powerful, constraints still hemmed them in on every side, preventing him from acting freely and putting all of Dengzhou and Laizhou's resources to full use.

Today he was traveling from Dengzhou to Pingdu to inspect the progress of the local fortified settlements, accompanied only by a few bodyguards from the Security Office. The armed feuds in the Pingdu countryside had been ongoing. The fortified settlements established earlier had already gained a firm foothold, and each fort had formed a militia unit for its own defense. Mo Huaiwen had repeatedly mobilized militia to join the fights over new settlements, steadily gaining the upper hand. Once the locals perceived the enormous disparity in strength, their resistance rapidly crumbled, and Dengzhou Garrison's forceful takeover of Pingdu proceeded smoothly.

The signs of the Great Ming's descent into chaos grew ever more apparent. The affair of Zu Dashou beheading He Kegang, surrendering, and then fleeing back had finally been exposed. The supervising censors in the capital raised a furious storm, and impeachment memorials flew into the palace like snowflakes. Most were simply kept at court — meaning no action was taken at all. Qiu Hejia, who had abetted the crime, was merely transferred to be Grand Coordinator of Shanhai and Yongping. The Chongzhen Emperor once again summoned Zu Dashou to the capital, but Zu Dashou, as before, used every excuse to remain in Jinzhou. The court's orders were nothing but empty words to him.

Meanwhile, the roving bandits of Shaanxi and Shanxi showed no sign of abating. Although the most brazen — Wang Jiayin and the Shen Yiyuan brothers — had all been killed, rising stars now swarmed as thick as cattle hair.

Ever since Hong Chengchou took office, he had led his troops on campaigns in every direction. Under his command were fierce generals like Lintao Regional Commander Cao Wenzhao, Shaanxi Regional Commander Wang Chengen, Ai Wannian, and Ningxia Regional Commander He Huchen. Cao Wenzhao's troops were his own core soldiers brought from Guanning — men who would even dare to fight the Tatars. Against the roving bandits, one of them was a match for ten. The troops under Wang Chengen and Ai Wannian were all Shaanxi soldiers, equally fierce and fearless in battle, counted among the elite even within the frontier armies.

The roving bandits who remained in Shaanxi — Yiduoyun, Huntianhou, Xue Hongqi, and others — swept up refugees into their ranks as they went, successively capturing cities like Anding, Ansai, Ganquan, Baoan County, and Heshui. They even killed two military defense circuit intendants. Hong Chengchou commanded his various forces to encircle and suppress them, successively beheading Huang Youcai, Diandengzi, Buzhanni, and Huntianhou.

Under the combined onslaught of these forces, the situation in Shaanxi improved dramatically. The larger remaining bandit bands included Hao Lin'an, Ketianfei, Yizuocheng, Xue Hongqi, Yiziwang, Duxinglang, and others. Hong Chengchou was already deploying a new round of pursuit and extermination plans. In his year in office, Hong Chengchou had already demonstrated considerable command ability. The outlook for the Shaanxi roving bandits was grim.

But the bandits who had streamed into Shanxi were enjoying a massive expansion. After Wang Jiayin's death, Zijingliang became the most charismatic figure among the bandits. He formed a loose alliance with the other various bands, with himself at the head, collectively called the Thirty-Six Camps. Among them were the strongest bandit leaders: Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Laohuihui, and others. This alliance was extremely loose, with each band still largely fighting on its own, but it signaled that the roving bandits were beginning to coalesce. The Thirty-Six Camps roamed everywhere, operating across central and southeastern Shanxi, and showed signs of expanding into Henan. Their destructive power was in no way inferior to the Jianzhou Bandits. Wherever they passed, it was like a plague of locusts, wreaking havoc on local society and production, and they began to truly become a mortal threat to the imperial court.

These events were still far from Dengzhou and Laizhou. Within Shandong, apart from the drought, everywhere was quite peaceful. The only exception was the mountainous area near Qingzhou, where many bands of bandits, large and small, had appeared. Quite a few of them were defeated mutineers from Kong Youde's forces. Even they only dared to operate near the Qingzhou highlands.

Liu Minyou took out a sweat cloth and wiped his face, then bowed his head to listen to his mount's breathing. When he looked up, a stone bridge appeared ahead. At the bridgehead flew a black triangular banner, beneath which a crude, open-sided shelter had been set up. Liu Minyou had passed this way a few times before and had some impression of this landmark. He said to Silly Monk behind him, "A few more li and there's one of our fortified settlements. We can rest there."

Silly Monk had two horses, so they could take turns bearing his extraordinary weight. He was no longer under military registration but under the Civil Affairs Department. Under the scorching sun, grease practically oozed from him, so he had abandoned any pretense of decorum. Baring his chest and belly, he fanned himself vigorously with a palm-leaf fan. Hearing Liu Minyou's words, he quickly nodded.

They soon reached the bridgehead. The men under the banner all stood up. The leader was a Ming soldier carrying a Japanese sword. He swaggered over, and seeing the several horse carts behind, he lifted his chin and demanded, "What goods are you hauling? Open the carts and let me have a look. Tax will be assessed by value."

Liu Minyou knew this soldier belonged to Geng Zhongming's Central Battalion. Inside the shelter sat two men from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, waiting to collect taxes. Liu Minyou shook his head inwardly. This method of tax collection was a matter of necessity; they had no choice but to put Geng Zhongming out front, essentially using his history of rebellion to intimidate the locals. The tax post, with its current appearance, looked just like a place collecting road tolls.

Silly Monk waved a hand lazily. On the cart behind, a twelve-chi Assistant Regional Commander's banner was raised, inscribed with "Dengzhou Garrison Main Army Battalion Advisor-Assistant Regional Commander Liu," along with a small Flying Tiger insignia beside it. The soldier from the personal battalion couldn't read, but he recognized the Flying Tiger. Seeing the banner's dimensions, he hastily plastered on a smile. "So it's a my lord from Dengzhou Garrison passing through. Won't you sit and rest, have some water?"

The other men also came over to pay their respects. One of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce men recognized Liu Minyou and repeatedly addressed him as Lord Liu.

Liu Minyou dismounted and went into the shelter. He sat down and began flipping through the account books on the table, beckoning the two Bureau of Industry and Commerce men over. "How long have you had this tax post set up here?" he asked.

The lead man replied, "Only half a month. This post mainly collects tax on commercial goods coming from Laizhou and Zhaoyuan, and also inspects goods coming from Dengzhou. One-thirtieth tax. So far we've collected just over seven hundred taels."

Liu Minyou leafed through the account books for a while, finding nothing amiss. He then took a turn around the shelter. In a corner sat a bamboo basket containing some wooden tags. Liu Minyou picked one up and looked at it. The front read "Zhaoyuan Post No. 380," and the back bore an address within Dengzhou city.

Liu Minyou knew that address was the guildhall of the brokers' association. This association was now controlled by the Bureau of Industry and Commerce. By presenting the tax-paid tag, one could obtain the qualification to buy and sell goods at the brokers' association. Geng Zhongming had a nimble mind; after a brief look in Tianjin, he had devised this method, using the brokers' association as a shell to conceal who was actually collecting the commercial tax.

Just like all of Chen Xin's administrative structures, everything was done covertly. Liu Minyou's own Civil Affairs Department could still only hang a sign reading "Civil Affairs Advisory Office." Everyone inside held the external titles of advisor or private secretary. The advisory office system had existed since the Warring States period, initially as a system of personal appointment down the chain of command. By the Ming Dynasty, it had changed to a system of direct appointment, with all officials appointed by the imperial court. But the Ming Dynasty had very few official civil service positions. Officials above a certain rank all had to recruit their own private secretaries. Men like Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang had all recruited private secretaries, who participated in military administration under titles like attendant or advisor — just as Song Wenxian had initially followed Dengzhou Grand Coordinator Li Song. These men held no official court rank; they were merely privately employed.

Liu Minyou asked, "When they reach Dengzhou, do they still have to pay tax?"

"Those who have received a tag need not pay tax. For example, if someone comes from Qingzhou Prefecture or Jinan Prefecture and holds a tag from the Pingdu tax post, they pay no tax here either."

Liu Minyou fixed his gaze on him and asked, "Then what if he secretly keeps the tag and doesn't return it, and next time uses the same tag to deceive you?"

"There is another post outside Dengzhou city. The brokers' association reclaims the tag there and exchanges it for a trading tag. A separate brokerage tax is collected at the time of transaction. Without that tag, no brokerage house is permitted to let them sell."

Hearing that the man was reasonably proficient in his business, Liu Minyou did not press further. Just as he was preparing to continue his journey, he saw that Silly Monk and the others had already led the horses to the riverbank to graze and drink. He had no choice but to stop and sit down again to rest.

The soldier from the personal battalion earlier eagerly ladled a bowl of water from a wooden bucket. Liu Minyou nodded slightly in thanks and took a sip — it was very clear and cold. After the bowl went down, it seemed to drive away all the summer heat.

He casually asked the soldier, "Are there many traveling merchants on the road these days?"

The soldier, honored to be questioned by a high official, hurriedly answered, "Quite a few still come from the counties east of Qingzhou, fewer from the Jinan side. They say there are bandits causing trouble in Qingzhou, and goods are often robbed on the road, so most merchants from Jinan Prefecture head north instead, then go by sea to Dengzhou. This humble one only heard it from passing merchants — can't say if it's accurate."

Liu Minyou smiled. "It's probably accurate. You are stationed here, firstly to collect some tax, and secondly to protect those merchants' safety. Should any merchant encounter mountain bandits, you can also go to their aid."

The soldier bowed obsequiously. "Relying on Lord Chen's awe-inspiring might, there have long been no bandits around here. At least in the days this humble one has been here, no merchant has reported bandits in Zhaoyuan. There are more over in Qingzhou Prefecture. It's said many still speak with a Liaodong accent — they must be defeated troops from that scoundrel Kong Youde who fled there. Those old brothers should be more than a match for those Shandong soldiers."

Liu Minyou suppressed a smile. Wasn't Geng Zhongming also a mutineer? He had just been quicker to seize the opportunity.

The soldier continued, "Some days ago, a bunch of old brothers also passed through — all captured by Lord Chen in Dengzhou. They're living just outside the fortified settlement up ahead. There's also a unit of Wendeng... Dengzhou Garrison troops. They say a lord has granted them the chance to atone for their crimes through service. If they do well, they can even get land. With them nearby, you could invite bandits here and they still wouldn't come."

"Oh." Liu Minyou knew at once he was talking about that group of captives. At this thought, he looked westward, where a range of mountains stretched continuously — the Luoshan mountain range north of Zhaoyuan. Eighty percent of the Zhaoyuan gold mines lay along this fault zone. That group of captives had been specially transferred here in preparation for seizing the various gold mines of Zhaoyuan. The military was currently in charge of this matter, with Xu Yuanhua assisting.

At this thought, he was anxious to know the progress and could sit still no longer. He stood up and urged Silly Monk and the others to move on. Silly Monk and the others hurriedly dragged their horses back onto the road. Liu Minyou mounted hastily and brushed past a group of merchants. He heard one merchant bellow angrily, "The Laizhou government office collects twice, Prince Heng's Palace collects once more, and now barely ten li later, you Dengzhou brokers want to collect again!"

He heard the sound of several personal battalion soldiers drawing their Japanese swords with a sharp hiss. The leader slapped the table with his blade and roared, "If Laizhou can collect, and Prince Heng's Palace can collect, do you think we in Dengzhou eat for free?!"

Hearing the Liaodong accent, the merchant instantly deflated. He stood there dumbstruck, saying nothing. The man from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce then said calmly, "Once we collect here, there's no more collection on the road ahead. We in Dengzhou won't do things the way Laizhou does. And if you encounter extortion by street thugs in Dengzhou, show them this tag — no one will dare touch you. We collect the tax, and in return we guarantee your safety. Not like Laizhou and Prince Heng's Palace..."

Liu Minyou sighed and spurred his horse to a gallop. Prince Heng's Palace had been fortunate last year. When the trade routes were cut off last winter, Prince Heng's men had all withdrawn to Qingzhou, escaping Li Jiucheng's purge. This year, as soon as spring began, they were back. The one improvement this year was that they didn't dare collect too much tax from Dengzhou Garrison — each time they just made a token gesture. Still, it was ultimately an eyesore.

The party soon reached the fortified settlement a few li away. The terrain here was flat, and the settlement sat beside the river. Waterwheels and dragon-tail pumps had been built along the riverbank. Some children were on the dragon-tail pumps, laughing and shouting as they treaded water. The fields on both sides of the river were already cultivated land — there had undoubtedly been a struggle over them.

Liu Minyou asked the settlement households for directions along the way and soon found the local command post. Dengzhou Garrison had established a military encampment here. A deep trench had been dug around it, behind which was an earthen rampart. Atop the rampart stood a camp wall made of large logs. Wooden watchtowers were placed at intervals. The entire camp presented an appearance of strict military discipline.

After presenting his waist tag and registering, Liu Minyou entered the camp and met Liu Pojun, who had hurried out to greet him. Liu Pojun had not yet left for Lushun; this time he had been ordered to command the operation and oversee all the associated units.

Liu Minyou had a good impression of this clansman. After they exchanged salutes, Liu Minyou asked directly, "How is the gold mine matter progressing?"

"It hasn't been done yet."

Liu Minyou said in surprise, "Why the delay? It's tens of thousands of taels of silver a month. Not enough troops?"

"We've deployed one company from the First Combat Battalion, plus those thousand-odd captives — more than enough to slaughter those people. However, word came from the Foreign Affairs Bureau instructing your subordinate to hold off for now. They say there are two families among the Laizhou gentry. One, surnamed Zheng, is a fellow Metropolitan Graduate of Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue. The other family are relatives of Lord Bi. They say Lord Bi specially sent someone to ask Lord Chen for his consideration."

"Bi Ziyan?" Liu Minyou hastily searched his memory. This Minister of Revenue was in charge of finances. His own younger brother was Bi Zisu, who had served as Grand Coordinator of Liaodong. In the first year of Chongzhen, Bi Zisu had been held hostage by the mutinous troops of Ningyuan and, unable to bear the humiliation, had ultimately committed suicide. When Yuan Chonghuan rushed there, he could only deal with a dozen or so accomplices and let the matter rest. Bi Zisu could be said to be a major victim of the Guanning Army's use of military force to defy civil authority.

Given the financial situation of the Chongzhen reign, Bi Ziyan, as finance chief, must have had an exceedingly difficult job. Yet over these past few years, through his maneuvering, he seemed to have barely managed to hold the overall situation together.

"He seems to be a Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. This matter may be difficult to handle." Liu Minyou shook his head. Now that they were receiving a larger share of the Liaodong tax, they always had to be mindful of the various high officials at court; otherwise, it might affect the allocation of the Liaodong tax. The prefectural seat of Laizhou had not been breached by the mutineers — who knew how many relatives of various sorts were still inside.

"Then we'll have to wait and see how the situation develops again." The thought of all that gold made Liu Minyou unwilling to give up.

Liu Pojun said in a low voice, "The Foreign Affairs Bureau is currently in contact with those two families. If the conditions aren't too harsh, perhaps we can concede some."

As the two were speaking, the sound of hoofbeats came from the camp gate. A moment later, someone entered and hurried over. Liu Minyou turned to look — it was Song Wenxian.

"Lord Liu, well met!" Song Wenxian hastily greeted Liu Minyou, then said to Liu Pojun, "We can move. Arrest the Zheng family along with the rest."

Liu Minyou quickly grabbed Song Wenxian. "Director Song, can this be done this way? Lord Bi controls the Ministry of Revenue. Our military pay all has to pass through his hands."

Song Wenxian wiped the sweat from his forehead before saying, "The other family has been negotiated with, but the Zheng family set too many conditions. Not only do they want to keep a mine for themselves, but all their miscellaneous relatives, friends, and fellow students want a share too. How could we possibly accommodate all that? It's true Bi Ziyan is a Minister, but we have Lord Wen and Eunuch Cao looking after us — we need not fear him. Even his direct superior is on our side."

Liu Minyou asked, "Is his direct superior the Grand Secretariat?"

"No. It's Zhang Yixian, the Supervisor General of Revenue and Works. This man is a eunuch, ranked above the Ministers. He was appointed by His Majesty specifically to oversee the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works. When Lord Chen last entered the capital, he made a special trip to visit him. This man is greedy and has many methods. Now, the armor and equipment from the Ministry of Works, and the military pay for the frontier armies, all require his approval before they can be released. We've invested heavily, and this year we might even get quite a lot of armor. With him there, Lord Bi cannot withhold our silver. Go ahead and move."

Liu Pojun nodded. "We move tomorrow." (To be continued.)

PS: Requesting monthly tickets.