Chapter 62: The Battalion Commander Leaves the Capital

On the second day after Wei Zhongxian left the capital, Chen Xin once again stood before the gates of the Ministry of War. He had come to collect his Battalion Commander commission and official credentials. Several civil officials from the Ministry saw him and actually took the initiative to greet him — a reception vastly different from his last visit. When he met Qian Yuanque again, Qian Yuanque's face was piled with smiles, and he no longer demanded that Chen Xin kneel. Although Chen Xin was still a lowly military householder, he was now praised by everyone in the capital. Qian Yuanque had been subtly tripped up by Chen Xin that day, but because he had impeached Wei Zhongxian at the final moment, his own prospects were now very bright. He was in fact grateful for Chen Xin's words back then, which had barely earned him the reputation of a vanguard against the eunuch faction.

"Brother Chen, your rank-purchase matter has been fully processed. Vice Minister Huang approved it the moment he saw it was you. You may collect your commission today." Qian Yuanque, all smiles, cupped his hands toward Chen Xin, no longer addressing him as Company Commander Chen.

Chen Xin returned the courtesy. "Many thanks, Secretary Qian."

Qian Yuanque drew close with an air of intimacy and said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, you are a man of unyielding integrity. That day, this official gave you much offense — I earnestly hope you will forgive me. Might I ask where Brother Chen has been staying these days? Has anyone given you trouble? If anyone makes things difficult for you, you need only tell this official."

"Lord Qian is too kind. Trouble, not really — I have been moving about everywhere in the capital. This humble officer comes from a poor and remote place; it is rare to visit the capital even once, so naturally I must see the sights."

Qian Yuanque personally retrieved the Battalion Commander commission and handed it to Chen Xin, then, feigning intimacy, added, "At present, Brother Chen's name stirs the capital. You denounced a powerful villain to his face, and all men hold you in reverence. Some days ago, a censor submitted a memorial stating that you reviled a superior official — one of the third rank or above residing in the capital — and that according to the Great Ming Code you should be caned one hundred strokes. That memorial was submitted but then held at court without response."

Chen Xin was somewhat surprised. He had never studied the Great Ming Code; the punishment for cursing a superior turned out to be so severe. Had Wei Zhongxian's faction seized on it a few days earlier, a hundred strokes of the cane would have left him with no life to speak of.

Qian Yuanque continued, "Brother Chen, you may not know — later, Qian Jiazheng of the Imperial Academy submitted a letter as a student. There were likewise supervising officials who deemed he had violated protocol and demanded he be punished. In the end, His Majesty declared that merit and fault canceled each other out and imposed no penalty. Your matter was handled in the same fashion."

Only then did Chen Xin feel at ease. This meant that Chongzhen already knew of him. With this reputation, things would be easier to manage once he reached Weihai. Beside him, Song Wenxian's eyes gleamed. Over these days, his mood had climbed from rock bottom back to a peak, and now his admiration for Chen Xin was utterly complete. He understood very clearly that Chen Xin had done this deliberately — even the assassins were very likely Lu Lvzi and his men. As things stood, the effect was excellent. Even the Emperor now knew of this minor Battalion Commander. Officially, merit and fault canceled out, but in His Majesty's heart there was surely approval. Even Sun Guozhen and Circuit Intendant Qian would not dare casually make things difficult for Chen Xin in the future. Though there was no tangible benefit now, for the long term it was extremely advantageous.

As was his custom, Chen Xin quietly slipped a silver ingot into Qian Yuanque's hand. This Ministry of War secretary was a true immediate superior. Chen Xin's purpose in tripping him up that day had been to force him to turn against the eunuch faction, so as to avoid obstacles to his own promotion to Battalion Commander. Now Qian Yuanque had turned misfortune into a blessing, which made him exactly the right person to befriend.

Once the two men walked out the main gate of the Ministry of War, Song Wenxian looked at Chen Xin with admiration and said, "The courage to pluck chestnuts from the fire — that, your elder brother truly cannot match. And your luck is not bad either; even the offense of reviling a superior has been canceled out. It just seems there is no real, tangible benefit."

Chen Xin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. The remnants of the eunuch faction still lingered; had the man wielding the plank been one of their own, a hundred strokes would most likely have finished him. Fortunately, with Wei Zhongxian fallen, the heads of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot knew grave trouble was at hand and had recently all lain low, no one daring to stir up trouble. He replied modestly, "It was merely good luck. As for benefits — none are visible at the moment. But this reputation itself is capital. Isn't this very thing what all those censors and supervising secretaries fight tooth and nail to obtain?"

Song Wenxian nodded and pressed further. "Reputation is indeed a fine thing — at times more useful than silver. Brother Chen, your eye is so astute: how many of Wei Zhongxian's partisans do you think will remain?" By now, everyone knew Wei Zhongxian's power had collapsed, and Song Wenxian no longer referred to him as Factory Minister, calling him directly by name.

"His Majesty will of course pursue them relentlessly and root out every last vestige of evil. Most critically, any official in the capital who attached himself to Wei Zhongxian will certainly be dismissed. Men of real authority in the provinces will also be replaced."

Song Wenxian asked doubtfully, "Wei Zhongxian usurped the reins of court for many years. If a local governor or grand coordinator did not attach himself, how could he possibly hold his post securely? Surely they cannot all be replaced?"

Chen Xin smiled and shook his head. "Of course they cannot all be replaced. I estimate there is only one criterion: anyone who built a living shrine for Wei Zhongxian will lose his office."

Song Wenxian froze for a moment, then suddenly slapped his own face. When Chen Xin looked over in surprise, he heard this unscrupulous scholar say with regret, "Then Li Song did build a living shrine for Wei Zhongxian. He will certainly be dismissed as well. Had I known he would end up like this, I should never have returned that eighteen thousand taels to him."

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Two days later, Chen Xin, who had boldly fought the eunuch faction, quietly left the capital. Before departing, he paid one visit to Yang Weiyuan. Yang Weiyuan, just as in history, had profited from both sides. Originally a member of the eunuch faction, now that Wei Zhongxian had collapsed, he had instead become the foremost man in toppling the eunuch faction. Moreover, because he had been the target of an assassination attempt, it made him appear all the more as one who had abandoned darkness for light and found his way back from error. Chen Xin's earlier tirade against Cui Chengxiu had not caused him any trouble either. He was still quite grateful to Chen Xin for saving his life and told Chen Xin that whenever he came to the capital in the future, he must visit his home as a guest. Chen Xin naturally played to his strengths, lavishing flattery and presenting a gift worth one hundred taels of silver, which left Yang Weiyuan with an even better impression of him.

Chen Xin looked back at the towering Guangqu Gate. No one had come to see him off. This trip to the capital had already taken a month. Although he had gained a reputation, it could not yet be converted into tangible benefit. The opportunity for speculation had been fully exploited; the road ahead would have to be carved out slowly, relying on real strength.

Leaving Qin Lufang behind in the capital, Chen Xin and his six companions split into two groups. After regrouping outside the city gate, they reached Zhangjiawan that same day. The overland route could have bypassed Zhangjiawan, but Chen Xin wanted to come here to recruit boat trackers. That evening, the group lodged in Zhangjiawan. It was too cold outside, and no one felt like going out to wander around. After dinner, Song Wenxian came to Chen Xin's room and found him frowning over a book, using a finger dipped in tea to draw something on the table. Several other books lay on the table as well. Chen Xin was studying so intently that he did not even look up when Song Wenxian entered.

Curious, Song Wenxian picked up one of the books. The cover read Miscellaneous Collection on the Practical Record of Troop Training (Note 1), with one page folded down. Song Wenxian casually opened it to the folded page, which was titled "Volume Three: Precious Mirror for a General Assuming Office." Skimming it, he saw the opening section was entirely about auspicious times for assuming office. He guessed Chen Xin must have bought it in the capital, to use when he took up his Battalion Commander post.

Any Ming military officer who was literate had to buy one or two of Qi Jiguang's books. The editions of New Treatise on Military Efficiency, Practical Record of Troop Training, and Miscellaneous Collection on the Practical Record of Troop Training currently on the market were basically the block-printed editions from the second year of the Tianqi reign.

Song Wenxian curled his lip and tossed the book back onto the table. Books that military men read held not the slightest interest for him. He asked Chen Xin, "Has the Battalion Commander settled on an auspicious date and time?"

Chen Xin looked up at Song Wenxian. "I'll have to go back and see before deciding. We left in too much of a hurry; I don't even know if the Wei River has frozen over. If the boat is trapped in ice, we'll have to travel overland to Weihai."

Song Wenxian shook his head. "I was asking about your marriage, Brother Chen. When do you take up your substantive post as Company Commander? Surely you don't mean to pick an auspicious hour the way Grand Marshal Qi did."

Chen Xin caught the veiled jab but did not take offense. Setting down his book, he smiled and said, "The marriage will be soon. But I imagine Lord Sun and Lord Zhong have no leisure at the moment to concern themselves with my family dependents."

Song Wenxian's current patron was Sun Guozhen, but Song Wenxian felt not the slightest loyalty toward this patron. This Sun Guozhen was likely also of the eunuch faction. A position as critical as Grand Coordinator of Dengzhou and Laizhou — he probably would not hold it much longer. Once Chen Xin established himself firmly in Weihai Garrison, the share he had to distribute could be even smaller.

Song Wenxian's shifty eyes darted about. The assets he could use to collaborate with Chen Xin were growing fewer and fewer, while Chen Xin's strength was steadily increasing. Just seeing that Chen Xin planned to recruit boat trackers tomorrow told him that Chen Xin intended to cultivate his own men. Once the personnel on the ship were replaced, he would have to rely entirely on Chen Xin's goodwill. The old fifty-fifty split would be out of the question. But for now, Chen Xin was merely a rank-purchased Battalion Commander with a substantive post as Company Commander. Collaboration was one thing, but formally throwing in his lot with him seemed far too humiliating — it would make him a laughingstock. So for the time being, Song Wenxian had no such intention.

After all, Lord Zhong was currently the Coastal Defense Circuit Intendant. Since he had demanded that Chen Xin's family dependents come to Dengzhou, that order still had to be obeyed. If Lord Zhong were to fall from grace along with Li Song and Sun Guozhen, Song Wenxian would be quite happy to see it happen. Though a new official would have to be bought off anew, the price would certainly not exceed what Circuit Intendant Zhong demanded. Because of the former Proprietor Zhao's connections, this man knew the profits of maritime trade inside out and could not be deceived. Now he was taking more than thirty percent of the share. If a different Coastal Defense Circuit Intendant came in, perhaps he could be bought off at an even lower price.

At this thought, Song Wenxian probed Chen Xin. "Brother Chen, the family dependents must still be sent to Dengzhou. But if Brother Chen cannot bear to part with them, we could perhaps think of some other way."

Chen Xin stared at Song Wenxian for a moment before replying, "Is Mr. Song suggesting we make some use of that living shrine for Wei Zhongxian?"

Song Wenxian clapped his hands lightly. "Talking with Brother Chen is always so effortless. Circuit Intendant Zhong is a decent enough man, but he is a bit too ruthless. If Brother Chen agrees, I could make another trip to the capital. But for the matter of submitting the memorial, Brother Chen would need to find a channel."

Chen Xin knew he was referring to Yang Weiyuan, who happened to be a censor and a vanguard of the anti-eunuch faction. A memorial submitted by him was very likely to succeed. Chen Xin had originally intended to maintain this connection with Yang Weiyuan anyway. After all, he had taken such a great risk to befriend this man; naturally, he should keep in regular contact.

"That matter can be done. But the memorial proposing the living shrine was surely submitted by Li Song. How can we drag Circuit Intendant Zhong into the water?"

Song Wenxian wore a treacherous grin. "It is true that the memorial was submitted by Li Song. But the location of that living shrine was inside the Water Fortress."

Chen Xin thought for a moment and said, "The Water Fortress does fall under the Coastal Defense Circuit's jurisdiction. Forcibly linking them together does have some logic to it."

"More than just some logic. That year, Li Song was Grand Coordinator of Dengzhou and Laizhou. He and the Shandong Grand Coordinator jointly submitted a memorial and built two living shrines — one in Jinan, the other right here in Dengzhou. This Dengzhou shrine was built beside Penglai Pavilion, and Emperor Xizong bestowed the name Liuhong Shrine. The supervision of its construction — it was Circuit Intendant Zhong who bustled about handling everything. Dragging him into the water is exactly what should happen."

Chen Xin also revealed a sly grin. "In that case, the shares for these several lords would all be saved. But what if the new lords who come have even bigger appetites?"

Song Wenxian said dismissively, "A new lord would hardly know the profits of maritime trade. He wouldn't even know we are engaged in maritime trade. Give him one or two thousand taels of silver a year, and he'll treat the two of us as honored guests. Nothing like now, where we even have to send our family dependents over."

"Mr. Song is right. Then I must trouble Mr. Song to compile the information and put it in writing. When the time comes, I will have someone deliver it to Censor Yang. As for the extra share freed up, some of it must certainly go to Mr. Song." Chen Xin considered for a moment. For now, he still could not do without Song Wenxian. This man understood the official world and conditions in various places — exactly the kind of person Chen Xin lacked. He would first secure him with money; when the time was ripe, Song Wenxian would naturally follow him.

Song Wenxian was thoroughly satisfied. Sun Guozhen was said to be of the eunuch faction. If Lord Zhong fell at the same time, there would be no lords left at all. It would only take a little money to buy off a few naval officers, which would serve the same purpose as now. And giving the new lord some annual tribute would still leave a large sum saved. So Circuit Intendant Zhong absolutely had to be toppled. If blame was to be assigned, it was his own fault for taking too large a share.

After his elation, Song Wenxian felt not entirely at ease. He said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, the two of us came over on the same boat. If by chance we fail to impeach Circuit Intendant Zhong, neither of us must ever bring this matter up again."

Chen Xin swore by the heavens that he would never divulge any secret. Song Wenxian still placed considerable faith in oaths. Reassured, he recalled the earlier matter. "We should prepare on both fronts. Your marriage cannot be delayed. When we were about to leave, Circuit Intendant Zhong gave specific instructions that I must bring them back to Dengzhou. These men who can hold local office all have some connections in the capital. If by chance Circuit Intendant Zhong does not fall, we will still have to get by under his authority."

Chen Xin, with the same expression as before, said, "Soon, soon."

Song Wenxian's face was full of curiosity. "Brother Chen, where exactly is this lady love of yours? Why have I never heard you mention her?"

"Of course I've never mentioned her — because I've never even met her."

"Ah? Then how are you to marry? Was it a prenatal betrothal?"

"No!"

Song Wenxian found it even stranger. "Then who are you marrying?"

Chen Xin gave a sly chuckle. "Tomorrow you'll find out."

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Note 1: Qi Jiguang's major military works, New Treatise on Military Efficiency and Practical Record of Troop Training, are widely introduced and need no elaboration. Miscellaneous Collection on the Practical Record of Troop Training was completed after Practical Record of Troop Training, roughly in the early Wanli years. When later printed, it was sometimes included within Practical Record of Troop Training and sometimes published separately. It comprises six volumes, of which "Comprehensive Discourse on Training and Provisioning," "Precious Mirror for a General Assuming Office," and "Oral Instructions from the Command Platform" are primarily concerned with requirements for generals and contain many improvements and supplements to Practical Record of Troop Training.