Chapter 52: Substantive Company Commander

Over the next two days, Chen Xin helped arrange the funeral affairs. He even kept vigil one night with Lao Cai, watching the hired monks perform the rites. Lao Cai said the dried seafood shop probably couldn't stay open — Lady Zhao had never liked the shop to begin with, and now she was even more likely to close it. He was very worried about his own livelihood. Chen Xin very tactfully hinted that he might go into maritime trade. Lao Cai knew more or less that Chen Xin and the others had made quite a bit on this trip, and his manner immediately shifted to that of a subordinate. Dropping the airs of a gentleman, he poured tea for Chen Xin twice.

On the afternoon of the third day, the ashes were finally interred. Lady Zhao wept as if her heart would break, but Miss Zhao's composure was very resolute, showing Chen Xin a different side of her. After that, the dried seafood shop continued operating. No matter how much Lady Zhao disliked the shop, the dried goods and Japanese swords they had bought this time still had to be sold. Chen Xin also went to the shop every day, but no longer stayed until closing. Miss Zhao, for her part, came to the shop daily and would chat with Chen Xin for a while. Lao Cai and the others seemed to have noticed this as well, and never disturbed the two of them.

The dried goods in the shop were all sold off at low prices. Merchants from Jingshi who came to restock bought in large quantities, and the inventory was nearly cleared out. Lady Zhao had no intention of continuing the business. Lu You was also planning to start working at Chen Xin's clothing shop in a few days.

The only thing that disappointed Chen Xin was that Song Wenxian canceled the brothel banquet he had planned for that day. Because Lord Qian was about to be transferred to the Five Armies Camp as a Vice General, Song Wenxian, a firm believer in pragmatism, was no longer willing to spend that wasted money. He simply found a Company Commander from the naval forces to resolve the ship docking issue, and then Song Wenxian took his leave and returned to Dengzhou.

At the end of the seventh month, Liu Minyou bought a shop on Zhenhaimen Street for eighty taels, specifically to serve as the clothing shop. The living conditions in the courtyard were still much better. The clothing shop's business, however, slowly began to decline, selling less than a hundred pieces a month. Although Deng Keshan did his utmost to suppress the smaller clothing shops, there were some shops he couldn't afford to offend. Everyone was making the one-piece dresses now, and it had turned into a price war. Liu Minyou racked his brains all day long; the brand-name effect he had dreamed of ultimately never materialized.

Days passed as placidly as water, all the way until after the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth month. On this day, Chen Xin was in the courtyard talking with Lu Lvzi and Qin Lufang.

"Chuanzong, you and Lufang take two hundred taels of silver and go to Jingshi to buy an inconspicuous courtyard. One with three to five rooms, something around a few dozen taels will do. Keep a low profile normally. Once it's bought, Chuanzong, you come back first. Lufang, you stay in Jingshi for now and help me track down some people's addresses."

Qin Lufang had been living here all along. He had plenty of silver himself and had originally planned to buy a courtyard, but later, upon hearing that Chen Xin was soon heading to Weihaiwei, he dropped the idea. Now, hearing Chen Xin's words, he asked, "Brother Chen, are we going to do business in Jingshi? Whose addresses are we tracking down?"

Chen Xin smiled. "It is business, but not selling clothes. I'll tell you the details about the tracking when you set out. You two leave tomorrow. Bring your knives and be careful on the road."

As Chen Xin spoke, he took out a packet of silver. Lu Lvzi said, "Brother Chen, I still have silver of my own."

"That's yours. How can I use your personal silver for business matters? By the way, did you send your silver back home?"

"I did. I gave five hundred taels to Big Brother Dai to take back. He's returning to Yanggu tomorrow to deliver the silver home."

"Then tell him to come back quickly. I'll be going to Jingshi in a while and will need to invite him along."

Lu Lvzi agreed. "Understood, Brother Chen."

Just as Chen Xin finished giving his instructions and stepped out the door, a person blocked his path. He looked up and saw it was none other than Song Wenxian.

"Mr. Song, you've come at last! I've missed you to death, my friend." Chen Xin had been waiting for him for a month and had finally gotten his wish for this thick-skinned scholar. Overjoyed, he hurriedly invited him inside.

Once seated, Song Wenxian chuckled heartily. He had brought the things Chen Xin had long been waiting for: the Company Commander's certificate of appointment and official dispatch, the military household registration papers, and two sets of Company Commander's official robes. Because of a single remark from Provincial Governor Sun at the time, even the word "probationary" had been removed — it was a substantive appointment as Company Commander of the Left Battalion of Weihaiwei. Chen Xin held them in his hands and flipped through them. The Company Commander's robes were embroidered with small, one-inch miscellaneous flowers, and on the chest was a rank badge depicting a biao — a creature soaring through clouds and mist. However, Chen Xin looked at the animal called a "biao," its whole body covered in spots, and thought it looked rather like a leopard. He held it up against himself to try it on, then thanked him profusely.

Chen Xin asked happily, "Mr. Song, when did the rewards and appointments come down?"

Song Wenxian said proudly, "Just these past few days. As for your official robes, I picked those up long ago."

Chen Xin touched the official robes and asked, "The court rewarded quite a few people this time."

Song Wenxian nodded. "The Great Victory at Ningjin was entirely thanks to the Factory Minister's loyalty to the state and his strategic planning for the frontier. He has already been credited with the highest merit. Minister Wang Zhichen of the Ministry of War has had one of his sons granted the hereditary rank of Assistant Guard Commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard." He then lowered his voice. "The Liaodong Provincial Governor, on the other hand, was dismissed on grounds of illness. The Ministry of Personnel only gave him the concurrent title of Right Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau — nothing else at all. I wonder what the reason was."

Chen Xin actually knew something of the reason. The direct cause of Yuan Chonghuan's dismissal was that when the Jianzhou Bandits attacked Korea and Jinzhou, he refused to send reinforcements. He was deemed to be in a lethargic state and difficult to rouse, so they let him resign on grounds of illness. Some people protested on his behalf, saying he should be rewarded according to precedent. The Tianqi Emperor's written reply stated that Yuan Chonghuan had privately negotiated peace terms, and that His Majesty was already being lenient by not dealing with him — how could he have the nerve to ask for rewards according to precedent? (Note 1) It was clear that what Tianqi was actually most displeased with Yuan Chonghuan about was the matter of privately negotiating peace terms.

Song Wenxian was merely a private secretary and naturally knew none of this. He continued, "Brother Chen, I've already inquired about the situation at Weihaiwei. It's different from ordinary guard battalions — there are only three battalions, with an authorized strength of over three thousand men, but many have deserted. Every year, it's a struggle just to muster enough troops for the rotational duty at Jizhen. It's truly a poor place. The Guard Commander there is surnamed Yang and has no particular backing. When the time comes, I'll accompany you there. We must secure a watchtower fort by the sea. I doubt that fellow Yang would dare refuse to listen."

"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Song when the time comes. However, I'm still hoping to rise one more rank here — to become a Battalion Commander, or at least a Vice Battalion Commander. Brother Song, have you asked about purchasing a rank for me?"

"I have. The paperwork for purchasing a rank at Weihaiwei has already been prepared for you. But the matter of purchasing a rank still has to go through the Shandong Regional Military Commission, and only then can you go to the Ministry of Revenue in Jingshi to pay the silver. Finally, you can go to the Bureau of Military Appointments in the Ministry of War to complete the rank purchase."

"The Bureau of Military Appointments? Isn't the posting determined by the Bureau of Operations?"

"Never mind which bureau it is. The matter of purchasing ranks has always been handled by the Bureau of Military Appointments. It was suspended during the Wanli reign, but later it gradually resumed to some extent. During the Wanli period, rising from Company Commander to Battalion Commander cost only three hundred taels. Nowadays, it's probably even more expensive." Song Wenxian continued, "Brother Chen, you haven't even assumed your post yet and you're already thinking of purchasing a higher rank. Why not wait a bit? After all, those guard battalion posts aren't worth much. With Lord Zhong looking after you, you can slowly rise through the ranks in the future. Why spend so much silver? Besides, the words 'purchased rank' before Battalion Commander are not easy to remove. In the end, it's not a substantive appointment."

Chen Xin rubbed his nose and said, "Still, a higher rank is a higher rank, isn't it?"

Song Wenxian complained, "Back then I told you to go to the personal battalion, but you wouldn't. If you'd been a squad leader there, with another great victory like Ningjin, getting promoted to an acting Battalion Commander would have been much easier."

"Mr. Song, what's done is done. I'll just make my way within the guard battalion system."

Song Wenxian gave him an exasperated look. Chen Xin grinned and asked him, "Has Mr. Song secured his footing at the Provincial Governor's office?"

"Once the silver was distributed, even strangers have a degree of goodwill. It's still largely thanks to that trip to Japan — otherwise, how would I have had such ample funds? I've also been given the title of Attendant at Lord Zhong's office. In the future, it'll be even more convenient to use the official flags of the Dengzhou Coastal Defense Circuit on the ships."

When Chen Xin heard him mention Japan, he recalled that after Vice General Qian left, another share of the distributed profits had been freed up. He probed Song Wenxian, "Mr. Song, regarding the shares from Japan, has there been any new word from Lord Zhong or Provincial Governor Sun?"

Song Wenxian stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes. "The Provincial Governor doesn't know the original share amounts. Lord Zhong, however, knows them like the back of his hand. When he gave me this certificate of appointment, he hinted that his share should be based on last time's amount. The Provincial Governor's side is also based on last time's amount. As for the Tianjin side, he's not concerning himself with that."

Lord Zhong was ruthless enough — he took a portion of what originally belonged to Li Song, and only gave the remainder to Provincial Governor Sun. Moreover, even if Provincial Governor Sun found out, he would only assume that Chen Xin and Song Wenxian had pocketed it. But Provincial Governor Sun, having received such an unexpected windfall, should still be quite satisfied. This way, Chen Xin could swallow Lord Qian's share from the Tianjin side, at most giving a little more to Song Wenxian.

Chen Xin nodded. "In that case, the two of us can free up a bit more in shares. Mr. Song, how many days can you linger in Tianjin on this visit?"

"As many days as I wish. My post as Attendant involves neither attending nor following. Among the private secretaries, I'm merely a familiar face."

"In that case, could Mr. Song help me handle the matter of purchasing the rank? I'm completely in the dark about the Shandong Regional Military Commission and truly don't know where to begin."

Song Wenxian knew that to get a larger share, one had to do more legwork, so he agreed.

"Then I must trouble Mr. Song to make this arduous trip. Tomorrow, one of my helpers is going to Linqing. You could travel by boat with him, and he can escort you along the way. Once the business at the Shandong Regional Military Commission is done, I plan to go to Jingshi myself to complete the rank purchase. If Mr. Song has nothing else to do, you could accompany me there, and I could seek more of your guidance on the road."

Song Wenxian laughed heartily. "Let's go together, then. Between you and me, what's this talk of 'seeking guidance'?" He rolled his eyes and asked Chen Xin, "Lord Zhong once inquired when Brother Chen would be getting married. He said he would like to offer a small token of his regard then."

Chen Xin knew that Lord Zhong was asking when he would send his family members to serve as hostages. He leaned back in his chair and said flatly, "Soon, soon."

A look of surprise appeared on Song Wenxian's face. "Miss Zhao isn't observing the mourning period?"

"I never said I was marrying Miss Zhao. That was you who said that, Mr. Song."

Song Wenxian hissed. "So Brother Chen has another lady love."

Chen Xin put on an inscrutable air and chuckled. "Mr. Song will find out when the time comes."

With that, he stood up and said to Song Wenxian, "I still have to go to the dried seafood shop today. Mr. Song, you can rest here at my place for now. This evening, I'll treat you to drinks at Fulai Restaurant."

Song Wenxian waved his hand. "Don't worry about this evening's arrangements. You know what kind of place I like to go to. If you find the time, you can come find me."

Chen Xin knew that since he'd come into money, Song Wenxian spent every night at Qunfang Pavilion. Chen Xin himself had been here for several months and hadn't touched a woman the whole time — he truly was pent up. But he had many plans of his own, and though he had plenty of silver, he didn't dare spend it recklessly. For now, he cupped his hands in farewell and headed out toward the dried seafood shop.

Passing by Deng Keshan's courtyard gate, Chen Xin went up and banged on the door for a while.

"Coming, coming! Who's knocking like that?" Deng Keshan's voice came from inside. When he opened the door and saw it was Chen Xin, he quickly nodded and bowed. "So it's Lord Company Commander. Please, come inside." Deng Keshan had already heard that Chen Xin might become a Company Commander, and recently he had been addressing Chen Xin as such.

Chen Xin cupped his hands and walked into the courtyard. Deng Keshan's household had three families living there; he himself occupied only one room, and there wasn't even a proper main hall. The two of them had no choice but to stand in the courtyard. Chen Xin asked Deng Keshan in a low voice, "How is that matter progressing?"

"Brother Chen, rest assured. How many people can afford a monthly wage of two taels? Several of the artisan households have agreed. They're all hoping to leave soon. They just request to meet you, my lord, before they go."

"Meeting is fine. They just want some peace of mind. But you must be clear on this: I don't want anyone who hasn't made matchlock guns or weapons. It'd be best if there's someone who can make armor."

Deng Keshan nodded. "Lord Company Commander, rest assured. I've inquired clearly. Among them, there's one named Tang Zuoxiang, who specializes in making matchlock guns. And another one, surnamed Xia or something, who has forged armor plates. In any case, they won't delay your affairs, my lord."

Chen Xin accepted the title of Lord Company Commander with equanimity. Although it was a military household rank, it was still the Sixth Rank, after all. He nodded approvingly. "Brother Deng, you do good work. Are you still working on the clothing shop matters now?"

Deng Keshan looked helpless. "I go there less often now. Every clothing shop is making the one-piece dresses these days. I hear they've even appeared in Jingshi and Linqing. Many of the peddler women are unwilling to sell them anymore and have gone back to selling rouge and face powder. So... ah."

Chen Xin knew his income had sharply declined again. He smiled. "What's this clothing business? There will be plenty of business to do in the future. Brother Deng, if you work diligently, I certainly won't treat you poorly. From now on, you'll receive a monthly wage of three taels from me, separate from any other clothing shop commissions."

"Ah! Thank you, Brother Chen — no, Lord Company Commander." Deng Keshan was so overjoyed his voice rose. His income often skyrocketed and plummeted, and he was usually free-spending with money. His household running out of food was a common occurrence. Now that Chen Xin was giving him a monthly wage, he finally had some security in life.

"Noise, noise, noise! Making a racket every single day as if courting death!" Shen Lou's voice came from inside the Shen family's room. Deng Keshan's face flushed with anger, and he was about to shout back, but Chen Xin held him back and gently shook his head.

"Brother Deng, don't mind him. Just handle the artisan household matter well — finding a few more is fine too. I have other business, so I'll take my leave first."

Deng Keshan attentively saw Chen Xin out the door, only turning back after Chen Xin had rounded the corner.

Chen Xin went straight to the Japanese dried seafood shop. The moment Lao Cai saw Chen Xin enter, he hurried over eagerly. "Mr. Chen, you've come."

Lao Cai was also a rather shrewd man. Recently, Miss Zhao had come to the shop nearly every day to talk with Chen Xin, and both he and Lu You guessed she was interested in him. He could see the Japanese dried seafood shop couldn't stay open. If Chen Xin married Miss Zhao, all the Zhao family property would take the surname Chen. Judging by Chen Xin's ability in opening the clothing shop, he might well build something even bigger. So now he no longer dared act as Chen Xin's teacher, instead calling him Mr. Chen.

"Shopkeeper Cai, has the shop been busy today?" Chen Xin also adjusted his form of address at the right moment, to spare Lao Cai the need for excessive courtesy.

"What busyness could there be in the shop? The Japanese dried seafood and the fine Japanese swords are nearly all sold. Only some Japanese fans and inferior Japanese swords remain. As you well know, Mr. Chen, how many customers come to buy those things?"

Chen Xin agreed. "Indeed."

Shopkeeper Cai said, "The Lady was here earlier. This shop opened through the eighth month, and next month it won't open anymore. Ah, she told me that one of us, father or son, could stay on as steward."

In saying this, Lao Cai was hoping to see whether Chen Xin could offer some position. Chen Xin did feel a certain gratitude toward Lao Cai. Though the man was a bit mercenary, he had truly treated Chen Xin well and worked very diligently. That the former Proprietor Zhao had trusted him showed he was reliable, and they were all familiar with each other. As for Cai Shenju, forget it — a man who shirked every task could accomplish nothing.

He thought it over and said to Lao Cai, "Shopkeeper Cai, if you don't mind, you could first work as an accountant at my clothing shop. As for the steward position here, Cai Shenju can take it. That way neither side is left out."

Lao Cai bowed in gratitude. "From now on, I will rely heavily on you, Mr. Chen."

"Back then, had you not helped me, sir, I don't know where I would have drifted. Please, Mr. Cai, you must never speak like this." Chen Xin still held some feeling for this Lao Cai. Besides, he had once made the man suffer diarrhea, and felt somewhat guilty about it — so he might as well repay the favor.

With this matter settled, Lao Cai switched his allegiance. He told Chen Xin, "The Young Lady came by the shop earlier. Seeing you weren't here, she went back again."

Chen Xin found a place to sit by himself. The shelves in the middle of the shop held little Japanese dried seafood; the original fishy smell of seafood had faded considerably. A few Japanese swords hung scattered on the walls. Chen Xin had sat here barely two months — he couldn't claim any deep attachment — but seeing the desolate scene before him, he still felt a pang of melancholy.

After he had sat a while, the door to the second courtyard sounded. Lao Wang came out, saw Chen Xin in the shop, and came over. "Mr. Chen, the Lady requests you to speak with her." After that sea voyage with Chen Xin, Lao Wang had come to greatly admire Chen Xin's performance. Their relationship had grown much closer, and he too now respectfully addressed Chen Xin as Mr.

"The Lady requests me?" Chen Xin was slightly taken aback. Lady Zhao had not shown herself since the funeral; Miss Zhao said she wept every day. He wondered why she would call him to speak. He immediately said, "I must trouble Brother Wang to lead the way."

Arriving at the third courtyard — Chen Xin's first time here — there was a small pond in the middle, with a little flower garden planted with flowering trees, possessing more of the charm of daily life than the second courtyard. He stole a glance toward the west wing; that was Miss Zhao's boudoir. He followed Lao Wang to the doorway of the main hall and saw Lady Zhao at a glance — he could barely recognize her.

Lady Zhao had originally had only a slight touch of white hair. After not seeing her for a month, her head was now completely grizzled, her face full of wrinkles, both eyes shot through with red blood threads as she stared listlessly at the ceiling, not even noticing the two of them enter.

Chen Xin silently cursed fate's cruelty, then saluted Lady Zhao. Lao Wang said softly at the side, "Lady, Mr. Chen has arrived."

Only after Lao Wang called out twice did Lady Zhao tremble slightly, her gaze gathering focus before settling on Chen Xin. In a hoarse voice, she said, "So it is Mr. Chen who has come. Please, quickly, sit."

Once Chen Xin was seated, she waved her hand again, dismissing Lao Wang.

After a long moment, she spoke. "Mr. Chen, this old body has a matter to ask about, and I hope you will not take offense."

Chen Xin, his expression utterly solemn, said, "Lady Zhao, please speak."

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Note 1: From "Veritable Records of the Xi Emperor," Volume 87: The Ministry of War, acting in its affairs, Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau Huo Weihua memorialized: The Grand Coordinator Yuan Chonghuan has placed himself on perilous frontiers for six years now, leaving his aged mother, wife, and children as solitary stakes. His labor is bitter and his merit high; he should be rewarded and recorded according to precedent... The imperial rescript read: On the matter of Yuan Chonghuan discussing peace negotiations, the harm done is not small. That We do not censure him, but still bestow commendation and reward, is clearly in consideration of his long years on perilous frontiers — let it be granted as appropriate. Grace and favor emanate from the imperial court. How dare Huo Weihua transfer favor and peddle virtue? He is truly ignorant of proper form.