[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-84":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Stealing Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1220701,1614,"Chapter 84: Section Twelve","stealing-ming-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>Fang Zhenru refused to get into the sedan chair and insisted that Huang Shi walk back to the official residence with him. The personal guards of both men followed behind. Along the way, Fang the Corpse was beaming with delight, chatting and laughing as he told Huang Shi many things he had seen and heard at Shanhai Pass, and he was also very amiable toward Huang Shi’s subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, while Huang Shi had been waiting at the gate, he had been carefully observing the black men at the Grand Coordinator’s entrance, and now he casually asked Fang Zhenru about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those are slaves brought in by the Taixi people. Quite a few wealthy households in the capital like to buy a couple to watch the gate — very eye-catching, aren’t they?” Fang Zhenru seemed a little envious too, and a trace of disappointment showed in his expression. “Every one of them is big and strong, and they’re said to be very loyal and honest. It’s a pity this official can’t afford them — each one costs five taels of silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historically, Zheng Yiguan had bought a batch to serve as soldiers and even formed a black guard unit. Although Huang Shi still did not know the volume of the black slave trade, the intelligence that the Ming dynasty allowed the purchase of black slaves stirred something in his mind, but then he gave a self-deprecating smile. If he had enough grain, would he ever need to worry about a shortage of strong laborers? The black slaves did not speak the language, and farming would still require training costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Fang Zhenru’s last remark, however, that made Huang Shi’s heart skip a beat — there seemed to be a hint of asking for money in it. He secretly calculated the money he had on hand and said with an ingratiating smile, “This lowly general is willing to offer my lord five taels of silver, so that my lord may buy one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The salaries of Great Ming officials were extremely unreasonable. Zhu Yuanzhang’s own Minister had to whitewash his house himself, and retired old men still had to go into the fields to transplant rice — there is no need to elaborate on this. After the Hongwu reign of the Ming, the only person who probably had no gray income whatsoever was Hai Rui alone, and so he could afford to buy meat only once a year, and the matter of him honoring his elderly mother even caused a sensation throughout the court and the commonwealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the late Ming, monetary gifts between officials had become a normal means of social intercourse. Although Fang Zhenru had a reputation for incorruptibility, Huang Shi saw that he still had several attendants and could even afford to host him for a meal, so he estimated that the sum of five taels probably would not greatly offend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhenru indeed hesitated for a moment, but then suddenly let out a laugh. “Are you trying to give this official a monetary gift? Forget it. If I took military pay, I would not be able to sleep soundly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord Fang, five taels of silver is also a token of this lowly general’s heartfelt regard.” Huang Shi hurriedly and firmly expressed his stance, declaring with righteous solemnity, “It is all reward money from this lowly general’s meritorious service at Guangning. My lord Fang, this is all silver earned fair and square.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhenru’s leisurely strides came to an abrupt halt, and his smile gradually faded. He stopped, turned, and looked at Huang Shi with a stern expression for a while, making Huang Shi so uncomfortable all over that he hurriedly lowered his head and admitted his error. “My lord Fang, this lowly general spoke out of turn. I beg my lord Fang’s forgiveness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huang Shi, if you have this money, you would do better to add a cut of meat or a bowl of wine for your men.” Although Fang Zhenru’s face had reverted to that of a dead man, his tone carried a hint of gentleness. “Though this official mentioned buying slaves, I absolutely had no intention of asking you for a monetary gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord Fang’s lofty virtue and unsullied integrity fill this lowly general with admiration so profound that I prostrate myself in awe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhenru waved his hand, cutting off Huang Shi’s flattery. “Huang Shi, you and this official walk different paths, civil and military, but what matters is the bond of the heart. There is no need for so many ingratiating words. And do not take today’s matter to heart; I absolutely do not look down on you. In the past, when fellow townsmen and good friends gave this official some monetary gifts, I accepted them, but your silver was earned with your life — I cannot take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men walked on for a while longer. Seeing the ice and snow on Fang Zhenru’s face gradually thaw, Huang Shi began to discreetly inquire about what else had been said afterward today. Fang Zhenru pondered for a moment. “We will speak of that tonight. Even if you had not asked, this official would have brought it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Old Fang was not after money. As Huang Shi nodded in acknowledgment, the cloud of doubt in his mind thickened again — Fang’s attitude toward him was as different as if he were two different people compared to back in Guangning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the side, a loud call suddenly rang out. “Is that Huang Shi, General Huang, across the way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi looked in the direction of the voice and saw a military officer striding toward him. The officer first gave Fang Zhenru a deep bow, then turned his gaze toward Huang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This lowly general is indeed he. May I ask your honored surname and great name, General?” Huang Shi did not know which deity this officer was and naturally dared not be remiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhenru interjected coldly, his tone utterly devoid of any living flavor. “Huang Shi, this general shares your surname. He is also a Mobile Corps Commander now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi stole a glance at Fang Zhenru. As he spoke, he saw only the lips opening and closing, the facial muscles moving as mechanically as a machine, while the eyes and eyebrows remained miraculously motionless, the eyelids drooping halfway like a wooden carving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Huang Long, currently serving as Mobile Corps Commander of Liaozhen.” The officer grinned broadly, looking very pleased, and said to Fang Zhenru, “My lord Fang, when this lowly general heard that another Mobile Corps Commander Huang had arrived, I rushed over here at once. No matter what, I must drag Commander Huang away to have a cup of wine with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this name entered his ears, Huang Shi recalled the man’s life story in his mind. Huang Long came from a Liaoxi military family. After Mao Wenlong’s death, he succeeded as Regional Commander of Dongjiang and was one of the triggers for the Dongjiang mutiny. During the internal strife of the Ming army, Huang Long was even captured by Geng Jingzhong. Although his personal guards rescued him in time, his nose and ears were still cut off by the Liaodong military men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Kong Youde, Geng Jingzhong, and Mao Chenglu rebelled, Huang Long joined forces with the brothers Shang Keyi and Shang Kexi to ambush them, capturing Mao Chenglu alive and foiling Kong Youde’s attempt to carve out a separatist regime in Liaodong. Yet the enmity between Liaoxi and Liaodong ultimately could not be dissolved. Kong Youde, having surrendered to the Manchu Qing, launched a counterattack under the banner of the Liaodong military men, and the Dongjiang officers and soldiers surrendered at the mere rumor of his approach. Huang Long fought heroically at Lüshunkou before cutting his own throat and dying for his country — a most valiant and stirring death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As these thoughts ran through his mind, Huang Shi’s expression also shifted slightly — he had not yet figured out how to handle his relationship with the Liaoxi military families. Regionalist thinking among Ming people was extremely strong, and Huang Shi was bound to become a core member of the Liaodong military bloc — if he could not already barely be considered one now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brash and carefree Huang Long did not notice, but Fang Zhenru saw it all very clearly. He immediately asked Huang Long, “Are you and Huang Shi old acquaintances?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In reply to my lord Fang, this lowly general does not know General Huang. Today, Military Commander Zu is hosting a banquet to welcome General Huang, and this lowly general has come to escort General Huang to the feast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing that it was Zu Dashou hosting the banquet, even Fang Zhenru’s ever-unchanging face, like an ancient well without ripples, showed a faint stir of emotion. In a completely flat official tone, he said to Huang Long, “Zu Dashou, is it? Huang Long, go back and tell Zu Dashou that today this official is hosting a banquet to welcome Huang Shi. If you wish to invite him for wine, choose another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord Fang,” Huang Long said urgently, “Military Commander Zu instructed this lowly general to be sure to invite General Huang. Otherwise, may I invite my lord Fang to come along as well? If my lord Fang could honor us with his presence, Military Commander Zu would certainly feel deeply privileged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This official does not wish to go.” Fang Zhenru could not be bothered to say more. He flicked his long sleeve, twisted his neck as if it were a mechanical pivot, and said to Huang Shi, “Huang Shi, you come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord Fang, please wait.” The anxious Huang Long, without thinking carefully for a moment, reached out and grabbed Fang Zhenru. With a sharp ripping sound, he tore Fang Zhenru’s cuff. For a moment, everyone was struck speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insolence!” After a moment of dead silence, Fang Zhenru let out a deafening roar of fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord Fang, forgive me, forgive me!” Huang Long’s face turned pale, and he immediately dropped to his knees on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>",1692,"2026-06-04T07:54:30.907Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","4a983ea5c6b0a5501410b74815a9b43c3c7e6f12dcff59a7e8bd3cc2f3dcb20a","stealing-ming-chapter-85","stealing-ming-chapter-83",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]