Chapter 180: Court Deliberation

A few days after Gong Yonggu and his party left Wuding Prefecture, Inspector Zhang arrived at the Denglai Governor's yamen in Penglai on a pitch-black night, seeking out the current Denglai Governor, Chen Jin.

"Everything's been handled—did that Imperial Son-in-law take it?" A somewhat weathered voice came from behind the screen. Chen Jin adjusted his robes as he spoke.

Inspector Zhang craned his neck to look behind the screen, saw a woman clad only in a few thin gauze garments lying on the bed, swallowed hard, and smiled: "Your Excellency need not worry—this humble one has arranged everything. When the Imperial Son-in-law saw that gold and silver, his eyes couldn't move away, just like a man seeing a virgin stripped of her clothes."

"Heh, that was to be expected." Chen Jin finished straightening his plain robes, showing no particular surprise. Served tea by several maidservants, he quietly took a few sips, smacked his lips, and then said:

"The dynasty's restrictions on Imperial Sons-in-law are stricter than in any previous age. As long as Gong Yonggu has accepted this silver, there should be no further mishaps. Report this news to Lord Wang."

"Also—did Qiu Lei take the silver or not?"

At this mention, Inspector Zhang also looked puzzled: "This humble one has been wondering the same. Usually Qiu Lei's Wuding troops draw their pay from our Denglai silver—why would he suddenly refuse it this time?"

"Hmph, this matter I do know something about."

Chen Jin gave a cold snort and said in a mocking tone: "Last year the court confiscated a great deal of silver from the household searches. Which of the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants wasn't worth a fortune, rich enough to rival a nation?"

"This humble one has had people inquire—it's been nearly a year now, and they say even the Fan family's properties haven't been fully liquidated in the capital. Who knows how much oil someone's been skimming off along the way. Your Excellency sits in Denglai—just thinking about it, this humble one feels regret on your behalf." Inspector Zhang's face was full of envy and jealousy as he spoke with shifty eyes.

Chen Jin neither confirmed nor denied, and continued:

"What you say is true—those eight families' lands are spread across the whole realm. When the court ordered the confiscations, local officials profited plenty, but it hasn't reached that exaggerated a degree.

After all, the current Emperor trusts the Depots and Guards—the capital has become their domain. With the Three Depots and One Guard all active, Wang Cheng'en, Cao Huachun, Fang Zhenghua—none of those three is a lamp that saves oil.

As the saying goes, three cobblers can outdo one Zhuge—who knows if one's own household hides a spy? How did that Shuntian Prefect surnamed Song disappear last time? Naturally, people don't dare act as boldly as before."

Chen Jin paused, cleared his throat, and said: "Add to that the several major victories by military men like Huang Degong, Gao Jie, and Tang Tong, plus the spoils captured—since last year the court has been issuing back pay and military wages in the capital region and along the Nine Borders."

"Last month, the first batch of back pay reached Wuding Prefecture. That Qiu Lei has always been playing for time, not wanting to wade into the muddy waters of the salt trade. If I hadn't held leverage over him this time, he probably wouldn't have helped you meet the Imperial Son-in-law either."

The inspector suddenly understood. After a few flattering remarks, he said: "So that's how it is. If Qiu Lei from now on stops taking silver and grain from our hands, and we lose our leverage over him—what then?"

"No need to fear that." Hearing the inspector's words, Chen Jin waved his hand to dismiss the maidservants and said with a cold smile: "That Qiu Lei has no ability to mint silver. The court delayed pay for so many years, then suddenly started issuing back wages last year—who knows how long that will last?"

"As I see it, Qiu Lei doesn't dare tear face with us. To support so many soldiers, if he won't seize by force, he can only rely on our 'generosity' and that of the gentry lords.

Besides, we in Denglai aren't without resources—Regional Commander Chen has never been able to separate himself from the salt trade. If anything truly goes wrong, it won't be Qiu Lei's turn to speak."

"Your Excellency sees far and thinks thoroughly—this humble one is truly full of admiration, prostrating himself in utter respect!" Inspector Zhang smiled and said fawningly.

"No need to keep staring at that woman. Another day I'll find you a top courtesan from the Flower-Seeking Pavilion and send her to Jiaozhou—you'll have your enjoyment then." Chen Jin seemed quite pleased with the flattery, and seeing Inspector Zhang keep stealing glances at his concubine behind him, he said with a smile:

"As for the affairs of the local patrol office—has anything with no eyes dared to obstruct you?"

"This humble one thanks Your Excellency first!" At this, Inspector Zhang quickly smiled and said: "Thanks to the Inspector and Regional Commander Chen, our patrol office's business in Denglai has been going smoothly. This humble one commands several hundred salt guards—ordinary poor troublemakers wouldn't dare be too presumptuous."

"Good." Chen Jin nodded, gave a grunt of acknowledgment, and said: "From the Shandong localities to the court, I know a number of people, and many are connected to the salt trade. But the Depots and Guards are investigating strictly now, and His Majesty shows no mercy when executing officials. Tell your men to keep their eyes open—don't stir up unnecessary trouble."

"This humble one understands." Inspector Zhang stepped forward a few paces, nimbly fanning Chen Jin with his hand, and said: "Your Excellency need not worry. This humble one has served as inspector in the Denglai region for many years—the name 'Zhang the King of Hell' wasn't earned for nothing."

The capital, Huangji Hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty—your minister previously discussed with Lord Bi the purchase of cannons, craftsmen, and raw materials for flintlock muskets from Macau. The terms had been settled, but today your minister received word that the Portuguese have broken the agreement and are using it as leverage." Song Yingxing stepped forward and said, his words carrying considerable indignation.

The Chongzhen Emperor understood—he had already authorized Song Yingxing and the two Bi brothers to oversee the development of flintlock firearms. For Song Yingxing to speak thus, matters had clearly reached an impasse.

"What are their demands?"

Bi Maokang stepped forward and reported in a loud voice:

"In reply to Your Majesty—the Portuguese wish to rebuild fortifications in Macau, and demand that the court abolish the post of Assistant Regional Commander of Xiangshan and withdraw the troops permanently stationed in Macau.

Beyond that, the Portuguese also demand permission to purchase more grain, exemption from the annual land rent of ten thousand taels, and the allocation of land across from Guangzhou's coast to build barracks—a host of unreasonable demands. Governor-General Shen Yulong of Guangdong and Guangxi has negotiated with them at length and firmly refused to concede. Your minister has also written back several times to negotiate, but the Portuguese have not yielded—instead they have grown even more brazen. We beg His Majesty to decide!"

The Chongzhen Emperor grew angrier as he listened, and turned to ask:

"Wei Zaode, is this true?"

When Song Yingxing had raised the matter earlier, Wei Zaode had already been turning over solutions in his mind. Hearing the Chongzhen Emperor's inquiry, he hastily stepped forward and said:

"Reporting to Your Majesty—it is indeed true. Your minister and Second Grand Secretary Lord Jiang convened the Grand Secretariat late into the night for discussion, and have drafted a detailed account of the matter. We beg Your Majesty to review it."

After Wei Zaode finished speaking, Jiang Dejing also stepped forward together with him, bowing in salute.

The Chongzhen Emperor took the memorial from Wang Cheng'en's hands. One glance was enough to make his anger flare—did these Portuguese in Macau truly think themselves the saviors of the Great Ming? Without their guns and cannons, would the Great Ming collapse? Did they truly think the Great Ming was the Tartar Qing of two hundred years later!

In fact, in the third year of Chongzhen, the historical Chongzhen Emperor had already intended to hire troops from Macau to send to Liaodong against the enemy. Demands like today's were not even the first occurrence—the Portuguese had already raised them once before, and that time the historical Chongzhen Emperor had directly rejected them.

The Chongzhen Emperor of that time had not granted permission, and combined with the court's factional strife between East and West and numerous other reasons, the progress on guns and cannons had been delayed again and again—right up to the present day.

This time, Song Yingxing and Bi Maokang had only sought to buy some raw materials and hire craftsmen from Macau. The Portuguese, sensing profit to be made, had put forward demands even more outrageous than those of the second year of Chongzhen.