Chapter 946: Taking the Blame

The Great Ming largely inherited the Yuan dynasty's household registration system, dividing the populace into civilian households, military households, artisan households, and salt-production households.

People like Pan Yun and her kind—scholars, farmers, and merchants—belonged to civilian households, while artisan households and military households were hereditary; descendants must inherit the craft and were forbidden from changing professions arbitrarily.

That is to say, theoretically, if your father was a carpenter, you must be a carpenter, and your descendants forever after must also be carpenters.

As artisan households, they were required to serve labor for fixed periods, divided into rotating artisans and resident artisans.

Rotating artisans had to pay their own expenses to travel to Jingcheng every three or five years and serve unpaid labor for three months, then return home.

Not even counting the cost of three months' unpaid labor, the round-trip travel expenses alone could wipe out years of savings for many artisan families.

After laboriously saving for three or five years, just when they thought they could afford a new cart or add another room, they had to spend it all to go to Jingcheng.

Resident artisans, however, were required to serve long-term in Jingcheng or local government-run workshops, laboring ten days per month, with the rest of the time free to earn their own income.

Both systems severely restricted artisan mobility and also hindered the development of craftsmanship.

A father's talent did not guarantee his son's talent to inherit the craft, causing many technical lineages to break; combined with forced labor leading to meager income, many artisan households lost their ancestral trades and became tenant farmers or refugees.

Becoming refugees and wandering everywhere, these skills instead spread among the common people.

Pan Yun was certain that if these unregistered or escaped artisans were given materials and payment, their craftsmanship would not be much worse than that of government workshops.

Moreover, she had shipbuilding blueprints and technology to give them.

These coastal fishermen had, for decades, secretly gone to sea, building their own boats in secret.

Indeed, after Pan Yun pulled out a gold ingot, the man who had been waving his hands, insisting he couldn't build it, stared wide-eyed; then several young men huddled together, conferred briefly, and dragged over an elderly man with gray hair.

The old man glanced at the gold ingot on the table, then picked up the blueprint she had given him and studied it carefully.

He could read, and he understood the blueprint.

Literacy rates in the Great Ming were still quite high, especially among artisans, who could recognize basic characters.

After studying it for a long while, he finally said, under the eager expectations of the youths: "We can build it!"

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "Good. How long will it take?"

The old artisan said: "One year."

Pan Yun said: "Wood and two damaged ships will be delivered here within two months. I want you to build it within six months."

The old artisan frowned: "Shipbuilding is a delicate craft; it cannot be rushed."

Pan Yun pulled two more gold ingots from her sleeve and placed them on the table beside the first, gleaming in the sunlight, plump and seemingly capable of stealing souls.

Pan Yun said: "I know you can do it. I can give you the blueprints, even more technical texts. If you have questions about the techniques, you can ask me—I'll find you whatever you need, along with ample timber."

The youths stared at the gold on the table, breathing heavily, leaning in to whisper urgently: "Uncle!"

The old artisan glared at them, then looked up at Pan Yun and asked: "Common folk only build small boats. Large ocean-going vessels are always made by government shipyards. Why come to us? Aren't you afraid we'll take your money and run?"

Pan Yun shook her head: "Monks may flee, but the temple remains. Even if you moved your entire village, I could still find you."

Behind her, Seeing Miao Zhen said coldly: "Not just within the Great Ming Realm—even if you flee to Wa Country, we can still find you."

Threatened, the old artisan felt no anger; instead, he grew more alert and excited. He scanned Pan Yun again and asked: "You nobles are so powerful—why not go to the government shipyards, and come to people like us?"

Pan Yun said: "Because I dislike using power to oppress others, and I dislike using authority for personal gain."

As State Preceptor, arranging for Wang Cong to have a ship built—or repairing two damaged ones—would take only a word from her.

She didn't even need to appear in person; a mere hint to the Ministry of Works would bring plenty of people to handle it for her.

But that would be meaningless—it wasn't the world she wanted.

She wanted a world where power was restrained, artisans could move freely, and craftsmanship could develop better.

The old artisan pondered, his hand resting on the blueprint: "I'm just a farmer—I've tilled the land my whole life and never truly understood it. I don't know what size or strength the government shipyards can build now, but I've seen the warships of the Maritime Command. Your blueprint… the displacement seems even greater than a warship. These figures on the blueprint are worth more than your three gold ingots. Why…?"

Pan Yun cut him off: "I can give you this blueprint."

The old artisan paused, yet insisted: "Why?"

Pan Yun: "I hope you will one day build more, better, stronger ships. This blueprint is just scrap paper in my hands—but in yours, it becomes a ship."

The old artisan murmured: "This favor is too great… how can I accept it…?"

Pan Yun said: "If you feel uneasy, then promise me one condition."

The old artisan perked up, his eyes fixed on Pan Yun: "Noble one, speak."

"If you ever meet someone with talent and trustworthy character, pass on your craft to them—let them carry it forward and create greater glory."

The old artisan gave a bitter smile: "This craft is rare, but learning it isn't necessarily good—if you're accidentally registered as an artisan, it becomes a curse upon your descendants."

Pan Yun: "More skills never weigh you down—it's at least a way to earn a living."

The old artisan no longer objected; he nodded: "If someone truly wants to learn, I will teach them."

The matter was settled. They discussed the details carefully, then finalized the contract and signed it on the spot.

The three gold ingots were Pan Yun's down payment.

After leaving the fishing village, Seeing Miao asked, puzzled: "Little Master, you really trust them?"

Pan Yun nodded: "Yes. I trust them."

She tilted her head: "If they could still run off from this, then it's just bad luck—Heaven's playing tricks on me again. At least it'll be a way to ward off disaster."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Where are the two ships?"

Pan Yun perked up, grinning: "Come on. Let's go buy a ship."

According to Chen Wen's list, a significant portion of the pirate ships seized had been purchased by the Pu family of Quanzhou.

After the case of collusion with pirates to rob the silver ship, both the Chen family and the Pu family were affected.

The Chen family collapsed rapidly: its patriarch and two sons were imprisoned; the patriarch and his eldest son were executed alongside Jiang Fangzheng of the Quanzhou Maritime Command, while the second son was exiled.

The rest of the family were either sold into servitude or followed the second son into exile; all family assets were confiscated.

What surprised Pan Yun was that the Pu family had still managed to raise funds to buy the captured pirate warships despite being implicated.

This meant the Pu family's wealth had not been touched at its core, nor had their political standing been shaken.

Pan Yun was curious—but she had no time before. Now that Wang Cong was returning to Quanzhou soon, she could return to Quanzhou, wait, and observe the Pu family.

Pan Yun's current status makes gathering information both fast and slow.

It's fast because as soon as you ask, people tell you.

But what they say isn't necessarily true.

So as soon as they entered the city, Seeing Miao Zhen quietly parted from them.

Pan Yun went directly to the Maritime Trade Office to find her old friend Cao Jixiang.

Cao Jixiang was extremely busy: "Ever since the Imperial Astronomical Bureau predicted a major storm would make landfall between the end of the sixth month and the end of the seventh, ships coming and going from the port have been incessant."

Cao Jixiang was so busy he could only spare time to have tea and snacks brought to Pan Yun and the others, then buried himself in documents, all while explaining to Pan Yun: "These ships are either rushing in to shelter from the storm or rushing out to avoid it—none can afford delay; any delay, and the merchants will cause trouble."

Pan Yun sipped her tea and smiled: "This is precisely because Cao my lord serves the public with devotion and cares for the people; otherwise, even if you delayed, they'd have nowhere to voice their grievances."

Cao Jixiang beamed, about to offer some modest protest, when Pan Yun mused aloud: "This won't do—it'll breed corruption. You should give them a channel to file complaints, to check the Maritime Trade Office's power."

Cao Jixiang's words of humility choked in his throat; he said nothing, lowering his head and drinking deeply.

Pan Yun finished speaking, then looked at him with a half-smile: "Cao my lord is offended?"

Cao Jixiang finished reviewing one document, paused briefly, then gave a slight nod: "No, on the contrary—I believe the State Preceptor is right."

Soon, it won't be just Quanzhou with a Maritime Trade Office—other places will have them too. They need to be tightened up.

Cao Jixiang values reputation over wealth, but others don't.

He felt they needed a chain around their necks.

The more he thought, the more excited Cao Jixiang became, until he finally set down his brush and said: "If the State Preceptor submits a memorial, I, Cao, will join in support."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow and smiled: "I'm merely a Daoist Priest. Unless the Emperor asks, I don't meddle in state affairs. If Cao my lord has this intention, submit the memorial yourself. I'm certain the civil and military ministers will be greatly astonished—and deeply admire your devotion to public service."

Cao Jixiang was deeply moved. He wasn't afraid of being targeted—he was a eunuch; his very existence invited criticism.

He didn't fear it at all.

He would prove to the world, through action, that Cao Jixiang was no worse than those civil and military ministers.

In loyalty and integrity, in selfless service—he surpassed them all!

Cao Jixiang solidified his resolve.

Seeing he was pleased, Pan Yun casually asked: "By the way, Cao my lord, is the Peaceful Inn still run by the Pu family?"

Cao Jixiang's gaze flickered; he paused before murmuring, "Mm."

Pan Yun asked curiously: "Didn't the Pu family get implicated in the Bai Yin Ship Incident? They colluded with pirates—the Chen family was stripped of property and exterminated. How is the Pu family untouched?"

Cao Jixiang said: "That's rumor. The imperial censor who investigated found no evidence tying the Pu family to the case."

Pan Yun propped her chin on her hand, smiling faintly at him: "Cao my lord, wouldn't you like to think again before saying that? Half the evidence in this case came from my hands. I know better than anyone whether the Pu family was involved."

Cao Jixiang's smile vanished. After a long silence, he said: "It was the Emperor's order."

Pan Yun frowned: "The Emperor?"

Cao Jixiang quickly added: "The late Emperor."

Pan Yun: …

She instantly understood: "For the money?"

Cao Jixiang paused, then nodded: "The Pu family pledged loyalty to the Emperor. Though the Peaceful Inn is still run by the Pu family, the vast majority of its profits go to the Imperial Household Department."

He whispered: "The Pu family is exceptionally good at making money—and the late Emperor was most in need of people who could make money, and knew how."

Pan Yun sat up straight: "The current Emperor doesn't lack such people."

Cao Jixiang smiled: "Naturally. The current Emperor has the State Preceptor—the State Preceptor's ability to generate wealth is known throughout the land. How short a time it's been! Not only has silver flowed continuously from Japan, but even Quanzhou Port's revenue in half a year exceeds that of an entire prefecture's taxes. In the future, maritime trade profits will only grow."

"To have the State Preceptor is the Emperor's fortune—and Great Ming's fortune."

Pan Yun pulled at her lips: "Cao my lord's emotional intelligence has improved greatly."

Though Cao Jixiang had never heard the term "emotional intelligence," he understood instantly. He smiled and asked: "State Preceptor, why do you care so much about the Pu family? Did they offend you before?"

Pan Yun: "My disciples and I were on that fleet. We were bombarded with cannons and slashed with swords. Do you think they offended me?"

Cao Jixiang gave an awkward laugh and urged: "It's better to resolve grudges than to hold them. The Pu family was merely a small part of this, forced into it. Why not step back and let the sea stretch wide?"

"Besides, this matter was settled by the late Emperor. Those involved and their deeds have been sealed away—it's over. The current Emperor reveres and cherishes his elder brother; he won't reopen this case and tarnish the late Emperor's reputation."

Ying Sect's reputation was poor, but he died at the perfect moment—just as Zhu Qiyu loved and pitied him most—so their brotherly bond remained untainted.

Zhu Qiyu would never dig up this case to sully Ying Sect's name.

Not only he, but also the Sun Empress Dowager's faction would block it, and even the court's moral purists would not support Pan Yun in reopening it.

After a brief thought, Pan Yun nodded: "This Daoist understands."

Seeing her expression calm, as if she had no intention of pursuing it, Cao Jixiang exhaled in relief.

Seeing Miao Zhen returned only at dusk, having gathered much information through her underground channels: "After the incident, Pu Min turned himself in to the authorities to take Pu Si's blame. Later, when the imperial censor investigated, he ruled that Pu Min had been deceived into mistaking the imperial envoy and silver fleet for pirates—classified as negligence. Thus, the Pu family was not confiscated, Pu Si remained unharmed, and Pu Min was exiled to the mines of Ganzhou Prefecture in Jiangxi."

Pan Yun burst into violent coughing: "Wait—you said Pu Min was exiled where?"

"Jiangxi. Yes, our hometown."

Pan Yun clicked her tongue: "Really mining?"

"Really mining," Seeing Miao Zhen said. "Pu Min has an elderly mother and a younger sister. Two years ago, his mother fell seriously ill, and his sister was born with a congenital illness. Originally, their family could afford medicine. But since early last year, their physician changed the prescription—the cost of each dose tripled. Supporting two sick people became impossible."

"After Pu Min took the blame, his mother and sister were moved into Pu Si's residence and properly cared for—every medicine they took was the finest."

Pan Yun's gaze sharpened: "And how are the mother and daughter now?"

Seeing Miao Zhen said: "I loitered by the gate. For the past half-month, no one has seen them. They used to go out shopping every other day."