Chapter 45: Zheng Zhilong

In Anhai Town, Jinjiang County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian, a vast and imposing residence occupied more than half of the entire town. This was the home of Zheng Zhilong, the formidable figure who dominated the East China Sea and the South China Sea, monopolizing trade between the Great Ming and the Eastern and Southern Oceans.

The Zheng residence lay north of Anping Bridge, stretching west from Xidai to Xigang, reaching Xi'an Tou in the north, bordering the head of Anping Bridge in the south, and opening directly onto the Five Harbors. It covered 138 mu of land.

The main structure was built in the hip-gable style with five bays and thirteen beams, featuring three connecting gates, twin fire-alley corridors, and five successive courtyards.

Flanking wings, towers, and pavilions stood facing one another in a ring like a protective screen. To the east stood the "Dunren Pavilion," to the west the "Taiyun Tower," the front hall was the "Heavenly Lord Hall," and the central hall the "Filial Piety Hall"—all grand and towering. Behind the main house lay the "Zhiyuan Garden," enclosed by walls, adorned with artificial hills, pavilions, refined studios, ponds, small bridges, winding paths, fine trees, and rare flowers and exotic plants.

At this moment, inside a spacious hall in the fourth courtyard of the Zheng residence, Zheng Zhilong was drinking and chatting idly with his third brother Zheng Zhibao and fourth brother Zheng Zhifeng.

The handsome thirty-one-year-old Zheng Zhilong sat in the seat of honor. Looking at Zheng Zhibao, who sat at the lower left position burying his head in food, he laughed: "Third brother, did you overexert yourself again last night? Those Western women are big and tall—don't ruin your health by indulging in lust too much!"

Zheng Zhibao looked up and wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with his hand, grinning: "Heh heh, big brother, don't even mention it—those Western girls really do taste different from Han women! In bed they're wild as a storm! Thank goodness we brothers have trained our bodies well over the years—an ordinary man really couldn't handle them! One of these days I'll have my men round up a few more pretty ones, and you can switch things up and give them a try, heh heh heh heh!"

Beside him, Zheng Zhifeng, who had been unhurriedly sipping a bowl of rice wine, shot Zheng Zhibao a dissatisfied glare and said: "Third brother, those Western girls were originally bought by my men for big brother's enjoyment, but you went and snatched them right out of my hands. And you still have the nerve to talk about getting some for big brother—no matter how many you get, none will ever reach his courtyard!"

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand and laughed: "I truly don't fancy Western girls. They're fine to look at from afar, but up close they carry a musky smell, have thicker body hair than mine, and those blue watery eyes are unsettling to look at in the night. Han women are better—gentle, obedient, well-behaved and sensible. You two should just enjoy them yourselves; I'm not worthy of such blessings!"

Zheng Zhifeng was just about to speak when Zheng Qi, the head of the Zheng household guards, hurried in from outside. Reaching the center of the hall, he knelt on one knee and reported: "Elder Master, Governor Zou Weilian has arrived by boat. The vessel just dropped anchor—he should be here in about a quarter of an hour."

Zheng Zhilong was taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his swarthy face. Zheng Zhibao and Zheng Zhifeng also exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat puzzled. Zheng Zhilong asked: "How many ships came? How many people in total?"

"Just one official vessel. I made sure to ask the brothers who brought the news—there seem to be several dozen attendants." Zheng Qi replied.

"Fourth brother, change your clothes and go greet the Governor. Who knows what business the Governor has with us this time—could it be he's run out of money?" Zheng Zhilong laughed.

Zheng Zhifeng rose and left with Zheng Qi, heading for the dock.

Zheng Zhilong shot a glare at Zheng Zhibao, who had lowered his head and resumed wolfing down food, and said: "Third brother, were you a starving ghost in your past life? Go change your clothes at once—the Governor will be here shortly."

Zheng Zhibao looked up unconcernedly and said: "This is Zheng family territory. Whether it's a Governor or a Governor-General, once they come here they have to lower their heads and play small!"

Zheng Zhilong barked: "Get the hell in there and change your clothes! He's still a high court official after all—don't forget we hold official rank too, and appearances must be maintained!"

Zheng Zhibao rose, muttering as he went: "He's a Mobile Corps Commander of the coastal defense, and I only got a lousy Battalion Commander post—a sesame-seed-sized rank. Damn court, stingy as hell!"

Zheng Zhilong ignored him and walked off toward the inner residence on his own. Zheng Zhibao had no choice but to follow behind his big brother to change clothes, while several servants came in to begin tidying the room.

Fujian Governor Zou Weilian stepped down the gangplank from the official vessel. His staff advisor Zhang Weifeng and the other attendants and guards followed close behind, with several Embroidered Uniform Guard officers mixed in among the crowd.

Zheng Zhifeng, dressed in military officer's attire, hurried forward to greet him, addressing him as "Your Excellency" and cupping his hands as he made to kneel in full ceremonial obeisance. Zou Weilian reached out and grasped both his arms, laughing: "Battalion Commander Zheng, no need for such formality. You and I are old acquaintances—why stand on ceremony!"

In the fifth year of Chongzhen, when Zheng Zhilong led his forces to defeat his old rival Liu Xiang, Zou Weilian had been the one overseeing the campaign. The following year, he had led Zheng Zhilong's forces to rout the Dutch red-haired barbarians who had occupied Zhongzuo. Thus he was well acquainted with the leaders of the Zheng faction.

Zheng Zhifeng smiled: "Several years have passed, and Your Excellency's bearing remains as distinguished as ever. May I ask what important business brings you to Anhai this time?"

Zou Weilian stroked his beard and smiled: "Good news, naturally—good news for your Zheng family!"

Zheng Zhifeng was about to ask further when the Governor's official sedan chair was carried down from the ship.

Zou Weilian climbed into the sedan, then lifted the curtain and smiled: "Battalion Commander, won't you lead the way? I'm here today to claim a cup of wedding wine, heh heh heh heh!"

Zheng Zhifeng could ask no more. He mounted the warhorse his men had brought, took the lead, and the whole procession headed toward the Zheng residence.

The dock was only two li from the Zheng residence. Moments later, the official sedan came to rest before the residence gates. A guard lifted the curtain, and Zou Weilian leaned out of the sedan, straightened his robes and cap, then stood with hands clasped behind his back before the Zheng mansion gates.

Zheng Zhifeng dismounted and was just about to invite Zou Weilian inside when the great gates of the Zheng residence slowly swung open. Zheng Zhilong, resplendent in a bear-and-panther rank badge robe, tall and imposing, strode out smiling to greet him. Reaching Zou Weilian, he made to perform the full ceremonial bow.

Zou Weilian felt a touch of distaste inwardly, but his face wore a smile as he supported Zheng Zhilong by the arms, laughing: "General Zheng, you truly are a fine figure of a man! Several years have passed, and you remain as spirited and handsome as ever—while this old man has grown feeble with age!"

Zheng Zhilong straightened up naturally and smiled: "Your Excellency jests. Since we parted several years ago, I have never had the chance to see you again, and Yiguan has missed you dearly. I never imagined that today I would once more have the honor of hearing Your Excellency's instruction face to face. I am most fortunate. Your Excellency, please!"

No wonder he had dealt with all manner of people since his youth—Zheng Zhilong was indeed a man of consummate tact and social grace, Zou Weilian thought to himself.

Zou Weilian stepped into the residence first, with Zheng Zhilong half a pace behind in attendance. Zou Weilian's advisor Zhang Weifeng followed a few steps back, accompanied by Zheng Zhifeng, while Zheng Zhibao trailed far behind, unwilling to come forward and mix in. The Governor's yamen staff were led by Zheng Qi to another courtyard to wait.

Passing through countless pavilions and towers, they finally arrived at the great hall where the Zheng brothers had been drinking earlier. Zheng Zhilong respectfully invited the Governor to take the seat of honor, then he himself sat with Zheng Zhifeng and Zheng Zhibao in the lower seats, while Zhang Weifeng stood behind Zou Weilian.

Once all were seated, Zheng Zhilong cupped his hands and smiled: "Your Excellency is a rare and honored guest. May I ask what instruction you bring today? I have long known of Your Excellency's reputation for incorruptibility, but since you have taken the trouble to come to this humble and remote abode, I must insist on offering Your Excellency a fine drink. I do hope you will do me the honor, ha ha ha!"

Zou Weilian curled his lip inwardly, thinking: If this place of yours counts as a humble abode, then my own home is a latrine pit.

But on his face his smile only widened as he said: "Even if General Zheng served no food today, this old man would not leave—I insist on eating you out of house and home! I have good news to deliver, ha ha ha!"

Zheng Zhilong felt a slight impatience rising within him, but he smiled and said: "What good news is it, exactly? I beg Your Excellency to speak plainly!"

Zou Weilian's smile faded, and he said gravely: "There is an imperial edict for you. His Majesty knows that you brothers chafe at excessive ceremony, so he specially conveyed an oral instruction to me that you need not set up an incense altar to receive the edict. You can see that His Majesty holds you in high regard, heh heh! General Zheng, you have been promoted!"

Then, an Embroidered Uniform Guard officer stepped forward, holding a bright yellow silk scroll embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Zou Weilian rose, bowed northward in salute, then received the imperial edict with both hands. Zheng Zhilong hurriedly rose and came forward to kneel, with Zheng Zhibao and Zheng Zhifeng kneeling behind him.

Zou Weilian placed the edict into his hands and said solemnly: "His Majesty praises you for pacifying bandits within and repelling powerful enemies without. He has specially promoted you to Regional Commander of Fujian, and granted your eldest son Sen the hereditary post of Centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Your late brother Zhihu is posthumously granted the title of Regional Commander, with one of his sons given the hereditary post of Centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zhibao is promoted to Assistant Regional Commander under the Fujian Regional Commander, and Zhifeng to Mobile Corps Commander. Regional Commander Zheng, His Majesty thinks very highly of you—you must serve the court well to repay His Majesty's grace!"

Zheng Zhilong's expression turned solemn as well. Turning northward, he kowtowed in thanks for the imperial favor, then rose to his feet holding the edict. He said to Zheng Zhifeng: "Fourth brother, go to the Dunren Pavilion and set up an incense altar to enshrine the imperial edict!" Zheng Zhifeng received the edict with both hands and departed with a word of acknowledgment.

Several Embroidered Uniform Guard officers placed the official robes, appointment documents, and waist tokens of the various men upon the table. Zheng Zhilong remained relatively composed, but Zheng Zhibao was scratching his ears and cheeks, unable to contain his joy.

Zheng Zhilong, beaming with delight, instructed Zheng Qi to lay out a three-day open-air feast in the town, where all soldiers and civilians could eat and drink their fill. Every household was to receive three taels of silver, and every brother under his command ten taels.

Zou Weilian and his party couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement—how much silver did this amount to? No wonder everyone said Zheng Zhilong's wealth rivaled a nation's. Truly, reputation was not without foundation.

Zou Weilian let out a sigh and stroked his beard in silence. Seeing this, Zheng Zhilong thought to himself: Here comes the real meat of the matter.

He hurriedly asked: "What weighs on Your Excellency's mind? Please speak frankly—if there is anything Yiguan can help with, I will spare no effort!"

Zou Weilian frowned and said: "Regional Commander Zheng is indeed fabulously wealthy. This display must have cost several thousand taels, no? Alas, I have heard that His Majesty, because the state treasury is depleted, has been forced to draw from the privy purse to fund the campaigns against the bandits and the northern foe. The Empress and the princes in the palace have but a few dishes even for a single meal, and His Majesty's own undergarments bear patches! When I heard this, my heart ached and tears filled my eyes!" By the last few sentences, Zou Weilian's eyes were brimming with tears, Zhang Weifeng was sighing endlessly, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard officers hung their heads.

The Zheng brothers suddenly felt deeply awkward, and the cheerful, festive atmosphere in the hall cooled rapidly.

Zheng Zhilong coughed once and said: "Your subordinate had assumed that His Majesty, as the sovereign of all under heaven, must naturally possess the wealth of the four seas. Had Your Excellency not spoken, I would never have known of such circumstances. His Majesty has treated me so generously, and I ought to repay his grace in kind. How about this—I will contribute one hundred thousand taels of silver to His Majesty, to fund the court's campaign against the bandits. Your Excellency, do you think that would suffice?"

Zou Weilian dabbed the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and forced a smile: "Regional Commander Zheng is most thoughtful. One hundred thousand taels, for an individual, would be enough to support a family for dozens of generations. But for a great court such as ours, it is truly a drop in the bucket! Ah, let us not speak of such matters—today we are here to celebrate for Regional Commander Zheng and his brothers. Speaking of these things would only dampen our host's spirits. Come, let us go drink!"

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly rose to lead the way. The party stepped out of the great hall, passed through a long corridor, and arrived at a flower hall.

It was early winter. In the north, the cold was already growing severe and people had donned heavy clothing, but in Lingnan the climate remained pleasant. Around the flower hall were potted plants and ornamental trees, creating an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.

Two banquet tables were set within the hall, laden with delicacies and fine fare—one in the main chamber, the other in a side chamber. Zheng Zhilong respectfully gestured for Zou Weilian to take the seat of honor, with Zhang Weifeng in the second seat. Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhifeng sat in attendance, while Zheng Zhibao accompanied the several Embroidered Uniform Guard officers at the other table.