Chapter 70: Weihaiwei

Weihaiwei, located within Wendeng County of Ninghai Department under Dengzhou Prefecture, three hundred and twenty li from Dengzhou, was established in the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign. A three-li area northeast near the sea in Xinwangdu, Wendeng County was demarcated, taking the meaning of "majesty that awes the coastal frontiers," hence the name Weihai. It was one of the later batches of guard battalions, administering three battalions — Left, Front, and Rear — with just over three thousand men, far fewer than the five thousand six hundred of a standard guard battalion. In the first year of the Yongle reign, a guard town was built: six li and eighteen paces in circumference, three zhang high, two zhang wide, with a moat one zhang five chi wide and eight chi deep — its specifications much smaller than those of Jizhou or Tianjin.

A Fujian junk and a red-seal ship rounded Qingdao and Heidao, docking at the wharf outside Weihaiwei town. After disembarking, Song Wenxian, Chen Xin, Liu Minyou, and the others passed through the parade ground and swaggered into town. The soldiers they saw along the way hardly deserved to be called soldiers — not one wore neat clothing; beggars of later ages would have been better dressed than them. They crookedly held a tasseled spear or a trident, huddled with limbs drawn in, sheltering from the wind at the town gate. There were a few shops on the street, but few pedestrians — a desolate scene. After entering town, Liu Minyou took a few soldiers to buy grain to serve as rations for the pioneering phase. Chen Xin and Song Wenxian went directly to the Weihaiwei Guard Commander's office.

Since they were now at a guard battalion under the jurisdiction of the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor, Song Wenxian held the governor's personal letter — when he arrived, he was the leader. Chen Xin could only temporarily act as a subordinate, falling half a step behind Song Wenxian. They arrived at the Weihaiwei Guard Commander's office on East Street.

A snot-nosed, filthy guard soldier came up to question them. Song Wenxian put on airs, not even glancing at the soldier: "I am a personal attendant under His Lordship Sun, Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau and Provincial Governor of Deng-Lai and Dongjiang. I am here on important official business. Tell your Guard Commander to come out."

The snot-nosed soldier, upon hearing this was a personal attendant of the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor, was so startled his mouth fell open, and those two trails of snot nearly slid into his mouth. He immediately gave a forceful sniff, drawing the snot back into his nasal cavity, then stumbled and staggered as he ran into the office. A short while later, he called out a man who looked like a middle-aged merchant. The moment the man saw Song Wenxian, he bowed with hands clasped and began performing salutations.

"Isn't this Mr. Song? Does Your Excellency still remember this humble official? I am Wang Yuanzheng, Vice Guard Commander of Weihaiwei. Two years ago, when I went to pay a visit to His Lordship Li, it was Your Excellency who received me."

Song Wenxian looked at him for a long while but could not recall. There were too many officials in these guard battalions; some only came once every few years. He said offhandedly, "So it is His Lordship Wang."

Wang Yuanzheng hurriedly ushered the two inside. After they entered the second hall, he invited Song Wenxian to take the seat of honor and attentively arranged for tea to be brought. Chen Xin knew the rules of officialdom — although he had backing, Wang Yuanzheng was after all a Assistant Regional Commander, several full ranks above him, so he took a seat on the lower right side.

After drinking some tea, Song Wenxian asked Wang Yuanzheng, "His Lordship Wang, I have come bearing a personal letter from His Lordship Sun, to be delivered personally to Guard Commander Yang. May I ask where His Lordship Yang is?"

As soon as Wang Yuanzheng heard there was a personal letter from the Provincial Governor, he hurriedly said, "I have already sent someone to invite him. His Lordship Yang has been unwell these past few days and has been resting and recuperating."

These guard battalion officials usually had little to do, so it was normal for them not to come to work. Even this Wang Yuanzheng was dressed entirely in casual clothes, showing how casual their daily attendance usually was. According to the information Song Wenxian had gathered, apart from the Seal-holding Commander Yang Yunnong, Weihaiwei had two Vice Commanders and four Assistant Guard Commanders actually appointed, who separately managed farming colonies, troop inspection, drill training, patrol and arrest, canal transport, defense preparation, sentry dispatch, guard entry, garrison duty, and military equipment — various miscellaneous duties. Normally each attended to his own duties, but by the late Ming, things like drill training and garrison duty had long ceased, and the military households were all farmers.

Assistant Regional Commander Wang's attitude was respectful, so Song Wenxian had no choice but to wait. With nothing to do, he asked Wang Yuanzheng, "It has been two years since we last met. May I ask what affairs Assistant Regional Commander Wang currently manages at Weihaiwei?"

Wang Yuanzheng stood up and replied, "This humble official manages farming colonies and canal transport."

"Hmm, grain ships coming by sea are not many these days, so His Lordship Wang's duties are mainly farming colonies, then."

"Your Excellency Song sees clearly. The ocean-going ships from Jiangnan are indeed few, transporting no more than thirty thousand dan a year, and they generally do not stop at Weihai. Only if they encounter a hurricane do they temporarily take shelter at the Miaoqian estuary. There has never been much to do. It is the farming colony affairs that are numerous and complicated. This humble official is entangled daily in such matters, leaving little time to visit the various lords in Dengzhou."…

Song Wenxian glanced at Chen Xin. Chen Xin gave him a slight nod. Understanding, Song Wenxian introduced him to Wang Yuanzheng: "His Lordship Wang, this Chen Xin is the military householder from the last conscription drive. During the Ning-Jin campaign, he intercepted and killed Jianzhou Bandit spies and was promoted to Company Commander for his merit. The Provincial Governor holds him in high regard and took it upon himself to have him purchase the rank of Battalion Commander. From now on, he is to be stationed at Weihaiwei." Song Wenxian now represented the Provincial Governor's office, so he did not need to ask Wang Yuanzheng for favors outright. He had the governor's personal letter, and by elevating Chen Xin a bit in his words, Wang Yuanzheng would know what to do.

Weihaiwei had issued Chen Xin's rank-purchase documents, so Wang Yuanzheng knew this man had been placed by Circuit Intendant Zhong. Now the Provincial Governor had also written a personal letter — his backing was very strong. Disregarding official decorum, he stood up, bowed to Chen Xin, and said, "So it is Battalion Commander Chen. If there are any difficulties with the farming colonies in the future, do not hesitate to speak. This humble official will certainly do his utmost to make arrangements."

Chen Xin still followed the rules of officialdom, kneeling before Wang Yuanzheng and saying, "This humble official has just arrived and is unfamiliar with many things. I must ask His Lordship Wang for much guidance."

Seeing that Chen Xin did not put on airs despite having backing, Wang Yuanzheng felt relieved. Weihaiwei had a heap of higher-ups above it, none of whom could be offended. Many had relatives doing business here, and when trouble arose, it gave these minor officials headaches. This Chen Xin seemed refined and reasonable.

Wang Yuanzheng personally helped Chen Xin to his feet and said politely, "How many people does Battalion Commander Chen need to settle?"

"This humble official has brought over a hundred people, mostly able-bodied men and women. I wish to conscript them all as military households and ask Your Lordship to allocate some farmland, so they can begin farming colonies as soon as possible."

Wang Yuanzheng's face filled with difficulty. He had not expected this substantively appointed Company Commander to actually bring over a hundred people. According to the regulations set in the early Ming, each household received fifty mu — a hundred people would mean five thousand mu. But the better farmland in the guard battalion had long been entirely swallowed up. He himself had encroached on over a thousand mu, and most military households had already become tenant farmers for the various officials.

Song Wenxian reminded from the side, "His Lordship Sun's intention is that Battalion Commander Chen, having intercepted and killed Jianzhou Bandit spies at sea, will also need to conduct maritime patrols in this vicinity in the future. He needs to be stationed at a coastal watchtower fort."

Once he brought up His Lordship Sun, Wang Yuanzheng's heart tightened. He had no choice but to say, "This humble official will do his utmost. When Guard Commander Yang arrives, I will discuss it with His Lordship Yang. No matter what, some farmland must be allocated."

Chen Xin knew he had to seize this opportunity to ask for more things; otherwise, once Song Wenxian left in a few days, these people would find countless excuses to stall him. He still wanted some farmland — at least he could harvest some grain as a supplement.

Just then, a fat man in a red military officer's uniform emerged from the rear hall. On his chest was a leopard rank badge; his head was round and chubby, and his official robe was stretched round by his body, like a large ball topped with a small ball — not the least bit resembling the impoverished, gaunt look of a military householder.

The moment he saw Song Wenxian, his face was full of warmth. Piling up the fat on his cheeks, he walked over with clasped hands, saying, "Your Excellency Song's grand arrival makes our humble office shine. Why didn't you notify this humble official earlier, so I could personally welcome you at the wharf? As it is, I have kept Your Excellency waiting here long — discourteous, discourteous."

Chen Xin looked at this fat man — a military officer of the third rank. Seeing that he did not greet Wang Yuanzheng first, he was most likely the Seal-holding Commander.

Sure enough, Song Wenxian also dropped his airs, stood up to return the courtesy, and said with a smile, "His Lordship Yang is broad of heart and stout of body, even more prosperous-looking than last time. I heard you have taken two more concubines. I only learned of it a few days ago and did not have the chance to come and offer congratulations in person — it is I who have been discourteous."

This man was Yang Yunnong, the Seal-holding Commander of Weihaiwei. Judging by his appearance, his usual perks must have been considerable. After all, he was the chief officer of this guard. No matter how much backing Chen Xin had, he still had to respect this immediate superior and immediately knelt to pay his respects.

Yang Yunnong covered three steps in one stride, and with a speed that belied his size, he grasped Chen Xin's arms and lifted him. "Quickly, please rise. This must be Battalion Commander Chen, who bravely captured the Jianzhou Bandit spies. Truly, hearing of you is not as good as meeting you. Look at this heroic bearing. No wonder His Lordship the Provincial Governor is the Provincial Governor — his eye for people is beyond the likes of us."…

In just a few sentences, he had flattered both the Provincial Governor and Song Wenxian and Chen Xin. Regardless of whether the leaders were present, he seized every opportunity to curry favor. This man clearly understood the ways of officialdom deeply, and his memory was excellent. Chen Xin mentally categorized him as an old hand at bureaucratic maneuvering.

The Seal-holding Commander of a guard battalion was selected from among the qualified Guard Commanders, Vice Commanders, and Assistant Guard Commanders of that guard, with performance reviewed every five years. Originally, the Shandong Regional Military Commission handled the review; now it fell to the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor and the Coastal Defense Circuit. These reviews were also an important source of income for them. After His Lordship Sun reviewed his subordinates, he himself had to take silver to the capital for the metropolitan evaluation, and that silver had to be passed upward. So the review was only nominal — silver and personal conduct were what mattered most. Just looking at Yang Yunnong's way of dealing with people, he was two notches above Wang Yuanzheng. His position as Seal-holding Commander was well deserved.

Song Wenxian chuckled and returned the flattery: "His Lordship Sun's eye for people goes without saying. He also holds Guard Commander Yang in high regard, which shows that His Lordship Yang is likewise a rare talent of the state."

The two laughed heartily at the same time. After exchanging a few more mutual compliments, Song Wenxian got down to business, taking out the personal letters and correspondence from Provincial Governor Sun and Circuit Intendant Zhong and handing them to Yang Yunnong. Yang Yunnong received them with both hands raised high, knelt on the ground and made a bow, and only then carefully opened the letters.

Chen Xin naturally knew the letters contained nothing more than praise for himself, followed by instructions for Yang Yunnong to make arrangements as appropriate. Although they would not explicitly say anything about preferential treatment, the very fact that letters had been specially written already made their stance clear. Yang Yunnong respectfully finished reading the letters, his face showing no particular expression.

He carefully put the letters away again, placed them with both hands on the tea table, and then raised his head to look at Song Wenxian. "Both lords unanimously praise Battalion Commander Chen in their letters. This humble official is truly grateful in his heart. That the two lords could send such a capable and valorous tiger general to Weihaiwei is truly this humble official's good fortune."

Chen Xin hurriedly made polite demurrals. This superior officer did not seem easy to deal with either. The letters and verbal message had both been delivered, yet he was full of praise without a single useful word. Chen Xin could not speak up, but Song Wenxian naturally would not let this lord brush things aside with laughter. He went straight to the point: "Just now I also told His Lordship Wang that Battalion Commander Chen and his men are all fierce naval troops. The two lords stationed Battalion Commander Chen here not out of any selfish motives, but truly to guard against Jianzhou Bandit spies coming by sea to stir up trouble in the heartland of our Great Ming. His Lordship Yang should understand this implication. How well Battalion Commander Chen and his men are settled directly affects the effectiveness of this maritime patrol and defense."

"Your Excellency Song has explained it thoroughly. This humble official will certainly make proper arrangements." Yang Yunnong's small eyes darted a few times. In truth, he did not quite understand the two lords' intent in planting Chen Xin here. The excuse of catching Jianzhou Bandit spies was only for fooling children. Weihaiwei was not even a strategic location. Besides, the small islands along the Liaodong coast were now all under Dongjiang's control. The Jianzhou Bandits were not so idle as to come all the way to Weihai for no reason. In the end, he surmised that the smuggling on the Jiangnan grain transport ships was too rampant, and the two lords wanted a share of the pie.

Wang Yuanzheng seized the moment to come over and explain Chen Xin's situation. Yang Yunnong still wore a calm expression, revealing no particular thoughts.

Yang Yunnong looked at Chen Xin and asked, "Since Battalion Commander Chen is to conduct maritime patrols, he must be stationed near the sea to facilitate the mooring of ships. Our Weihaiwei has several fine harbors — two facing the Liao Sea, two facing the Eastern Sea. Which would Battalion Commander Chen prefer?"

"This humble official's duty is to patrol the sea and guard against the bandits, so the side facing the Liao Sea will do." Weihaiwei town itself faced the Eastern Sea; being too close to it would be inconvenient. The coast to the north was a bit farther from the guard town, with two mountains in between — a better location. Moreover, the sheltering performance of the anchorage in front of Weihaiwei town was mediocre. Although Liugong Island served as a barrier, easterly and northeasterly winds coming through the two natural channels from north and south could not be avoided, and it was more affected by waves from the Eastern Sea. Therefore, Chen Xin chose an anchorage on the side facing the Liao Sea.

After discussing with Wang Yuanzheng, Yang Yunnong said to Chen Xin, "On the Liao Sea side, there are two decent ports — one called Shidao Harbor, the other called Mazi Harbor, roughly ten li from the guard town. It is just the matter of housing and farmland…" Yang Yunnong also showed a troubled expression. There was truly no surplus farmland. …

Song Wenxian furrowed his brow. "Battalion Commander Chen is a substantively appointed Company Commander. His Lordship Sun repeatedly enjoined that we must not chill the hearts of the realm's righteous people. Guard Commander Yang must, no matter what, allocate some population. Furthermore, without housing and arable land, how are these hundred-plus people to settle and live?"

Yang Yunnong hurriedly explained, "Your Excellency Song, at present, many military households have fled their registration. After handling the rank-purchase documents last time, I maneuvered in every way possible but could only free up twenty households. The farmland near those two northern ports yields very little — though one or two thousand mu could be allocated. I just fear the harvest will be meager and not to Battalion Commander Chen's liking. However, going out to sea from those two places, the fishing profits are quite abundant."

"Oh." Song Wenxian's brow relaxed slightly. He had put on enough of a show. Exchanging a glance with Chen Xin, he said, "Since conditions are limited, His Lordship Yang cannot be blamed. Housing can be built by themselves. However, with less harvest from the fields here, I must ask His Lordship Yang to reduce some of the levies as appropriate."

Yang Yunnong understood Song Wenxian's meaning. Just a little more and this matter could be settled. In any case, these people were an extra addition, and with such strong backing, he had not planned to extract much benefit from Chen Xin anyway. "This humble official understands. Then the spring tax and autumn grain will not trouble Battalion Commander Chen."

Song Wenxian added, "Brother Chen is short on manpower. As for the spring and autumn rotational troops…"

Guard Commander Yang said readily, "They will not trouble Battalion Commander Chen either." Though he appeared forthcoming, inwardly he still felt the sting. The two seasons of rotational troops that Weihaiwei had to provide each year were a vexing matter for him. Shandong was in the interior and had never been part of the Nine Border Garrisons' defense system; it had very few combat troops. But the imperial court had no intention of letting Shandong remain idle. Every spring and autumn, the various guard battalions of Shandong had to dispatch rotational troops to Jizhen. These men could not fight and were mainly used for menial labor. The coolies building those turtle shells on the Ning-Jin defense line were basically these rotational troops. Their pay was meager, and they had to provide their own rations for the journey — a heavy burden on all Shandong guard battalions. That old sparrow Song Wenxian had cornered him with the farmland issue. Not only did he have to painfully give up these hundred-odd hands, but he also had to throw in twenty households on top of it.

Song Wenxian and Chen Xin had discussed this before coming. Chen Xin's current official rank was low, and his manpower was small. If they could get some land, they would farm it; if there was no land, they would reduce their burdens, gaining more time to train troops and engage in maritime trade. In particular, this rotational troop duty had to be refused. The men they had recruited with such difficulty — how could they be sent off as coolies?

Seeing the matter concluded thus, Song Wenxian considered it quite satisfactory. A smile surfaced on his face as he said, "Then I must trouble His Lordship Yang to issue the land deeds promptly and allocate some plow oxen and farming tools, so these people can be at ease."

Yang Yunnong knew he could not evade this. These farming tools were not his private property anyway; giving some away was harmless. He turned and pushed the matter onto Wang Yuanzheng, loudly instructing, "His Lordship Wang, you manage the farming colonies. The plow oxen, seeds, and farming tools that Battalion Commander Chen needs — you must do your utmost to arrange them. Do not delay their plowing and planting."

"This… This humble official obeys the command."