Chapter 106: The Clamor of Many Voices, an Age of Troubles

After Li Chunfang met Hai Rui, the entire Southern Zhili awaited the Emperor’s response.

The waiting process was agonizing for both sides.

In these half-months, the Japanese pirates in Songjiang Prefecture stirred restlessly, and the Su-Song Military Supply Commissioner hurriedly begged for reinforcements.

Zhu Xizhong, the Left Grand Marshal then on official duty in Songjiang Prefecture, requested aid from Zhang Jing, the Nanjing Garrison Commander; together they convened at the Grand Canal Transport Office and temporarily reassigned former Deputy Transport Commander Huang Yingjia to defend the Su-Song Shen Shu Camp, while summoning Transport Commander Chen Wangmo to assist the Su-Song Military Supply Commissioner in preparing for battle.

At the same time, across prefectures, counties, and villages, figures detailing the tax contributions of the Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces began to circulate, though no one knew from where.

When the people learned that Southern Zhili’s tax burden accounted for sixty percent of the empire’s total, reactions varied.

Some felt proud and superior; others felt deeply unjustly treated; still others called for tax reductions.

This matter violated no prohibition or law, and the authorities could not punish it.

Soon, the claim that “the Great Ming is upheld by Southern Zhili” spread like wildfire.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Commissioners were not idle.

They had successively investigated and seized several major cases.

The salt merchant guilds, needless to say, were entirely wiped out—every last one was raided and arrested by Hai Rui.

Several major salt merchants begged their patrons for help, but to no avail.

Xu Jie worked even harder, personally overseeing eleven cases: the murder and treason case of Xu Kun, the Grand Canal transport ship capsizing case, the scholarly forgery of official proclamations case, the Taizhou incitement of the ignorant case, the Huai’an insult to Imperial Commissioners case, and others.

Chief Clerks, Prefects, Censors, Junior Censors, and Vice Ministers were arrested like dumplings dropped into boiling water, awaiting transport to the capital.

While visits were forbidden, rumors of further connections were periodically leaked.

Every few days, another shockwave.

Both sides bared their fangs and claws, yet maintained restraint.

Under this atmosphere, it was not until the second day of the third month that the Imperial Commissioners met Li Chunfang again.

What was discussed remained unknown.

Yet in the following days, the Su-Song Military Supply Commissioner suddenly displayed extraordinary vigor, engaging the invading Japanese pirates in an unexpected corner and fighting them hand-to-hand.

Previously timid Garrison Commanders and Regional Military Commissioners led from the front, personally entering battle and annihilating the Japanese pirates, restoring temporary peace to Songjiang Prefecture.

Unfortunately, due to the swift current, many corpses were washed away, greatly diminishing the victory’s glory.

Moreover, the claim that “the Great Ming is upheld by Southern Zhili” suddenly vanished.

Progressive gentry and clans rushed about, calling for universal harmony and unity between north and south.

Such a grand vision stirred genuine reverence in the hearts of all.

Meanwhile, Hai Rui completed his raids on the final salt merchants, publicly executed the various Transport Judges and Salt Tax Masters, and finally ceased his actions.

He joined Vice Minister of the Dalisi Chen Dong and Vice Minister of Nanjing’s Ministry of Justice Wang Xijue to close and seal the files of the salt administration case.

They would soon return to the capital to report.

By coincidence, Xu Jie had also completed all his Imperial cases and would return to the capital with them.

Before departing, Xu Jie, moved by the people’s hardships, entrusted Gao Yi, the Marquis of Ding’an, to return all 278,431 acres of land donated by the people to their rightful owners.

As for his second son Xu Kun, who had plotted to assassinate imperial envoys, Xu Jie, after upholding righteousness over kinship, still petitioned the Songjiang Prefectural Office to return the corpse for burial by his own hand.

The people, grateful beyond words, all praised him for sacrificing personal affection to uphold great righteousness.

Under Gao Yi’s direction, the crowd wept as they erected a stele commemorating Xu Xuemo’s virtue in returning the land.

On the ninth day of the third month, Censor Rao Renkan of the Henan Circuit arrived in Southern Zhili to audit the Nanjing Circuit’s official documents.

On the same day, Cao Bangfu, Minister of Revenue of Nanjing, submitted a memorial requesting retirement.

On the eleventh day of the third month, an edict ordered the establishment of a Salt Administration Office under the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, to oversee six salt bureaus, with the Two Huai Transport Office to comply immediately upon receiving the order.

On the same day, Qin Minglei, Minister of Rites of Nanjing, submitted a memorial requesting retirement.

On the fourteenth day of the third month, an edict declared that Marquis of Xuancheng Wei Guoben was the mastermind behind the transport ship capsizing; to enforce punishment and uphold court discipline, he was ordered to commit suicide by the provincial governors and censors, and his title was suspended.

On that day, Zhu Xizhong, Left Grand Marshal and head of the Northern Surveillance Office, appeared in person to supervise the Marquis’s compliance.

The next day, the Marquis of Xuancheng’s funeral procession departed.

On the seventeenth day of the third month, the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat reviewed all death sentences for officials of seventh rank and above—no errors found; those detained were to be sent to the capital in chains immediately.

Zhang Lu, Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief of Nanjing’s Censorate, was promoted to Left Assistant Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, retaining his duties as Inspector of the River and overseeing river patrols.

Simultaneously, Xu Qiaosong, Marquis of Yongkang, who held the post of Commander of the Nanjing Right Military Commission, Inspector of the River, and Administrator of the River Patrol, was ordered to enter the capital to pay homage to the Emperor.

On the eighteenth day of the third month, Xu Jie, Hai Rui, Chen Dong, and the other Imperial Commissioners began their return journey to the capital.

On the same day, former Grand Secretary Li Chunfang, hearing that the Benevolent Holy Empress Dowager had begun tutoring Princess Yanqing, petitioned to send his granddaughter into the palace to serve and study alongside her.

On the eighteenth day of the fourth month, an edict arrived in Nanjing.

Approved: Cao Bangfu, Minister of Revenue of Nanjing, and Qin Minglei, Minister of Rites of Nanjing, were granted retirement with honors—Cao was elevated to Senior Tutor of the Crown Prince, Qin to Senior Preceptor of the Crown Prince.

Wan Hao, President of the Nanjing National Academy, was promoted to Minister of Rites of Nanjing and granted five taels of standard silver.

Wang Xijue, Vice Minister of Justice of Nanjing, was reassigned to Left Vice Minister of Personnel of Nanjing, granted twenty taels of standard silver, and presented with a golden silk robe.

Ordered: Marquis of Yongkang Xu Qiaosong shall concurrently serve as Provincial Governor of Feng, An, Hui, Ning, Chi, Tai, and Guang, relocate his headquarters to Anqing, retain his duties as Inspector of the River, and proceed to Anqing to establish camp immediately.

Ordered: Zhu Xizhong, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, shall escort Li Chunfang’s granddaughter, Li Baiyang, to the capital.

Additionally, the Marquis of Ding’an Gao Yi and all departments of Southern Zhili were ordered to prepare the “Shanghai Maritime Customs Office,” and to use the customs revenues of the past three years to exempt Southern Zhili prefectures from their tax obligations, with Nanjing’s Ministry of Revenue managing the reallocation.

…

On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, at the Lu River Ferry in Tongzhou.

Tongzhou County was the northern terminus of the Grand Canal and lay beneath the Emperor’s gaze, only forty li west of the capital.

A vital hub of the capital region, bustling and prosperous, with constant traffic of travelers.

The Imperial Commissioners’ fleet docking drew crowds.

After the Embroidered Uniform Guard cleared away the onlookers, the Imperial party disembarked.

Xu Jie pushed aside the guards who tried to assist him, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked slowly down the gangway.

He stood quietly, waiting for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find a carriage, then turned his face to Hai Rui: “How will His Majesty deal with me?”

Hai Rui shook his head and said nothing.

Xu Jie sighed: “Hai Gangfeng, consider that I once saved your life—tell me this one harmless thing, is it too much to ask?”

He had intended to insert himself into the division of Southern Zhili, to prove his usefulness.

But the Emperor proved even more cautious than he imagined.

He flatly rejected Li Chunfang’s proposal and instead chose the safest path—gradual, deliberate action.

This not only surprised Li Chunfang but also eliminated Xu Jie’s opportunity.

He wondered whether his favored student had lent him any aid.

Now his life hung in others’ hands, with not a single bargaining chip—how could he not be anxious?

Hai Rui met Xu Jie’s gaze, paused, then said seriously: “If His Majesty has made arrangements, why would he inform his ministers? I truly do not know.”

Xu Jie knew Hai Rui would not lie lightly, and felt even more helpless.

Logically, if the Emperor intended to kill him, he would not have allowed Xu Jie to return as an Imperial Commissioner—he should have been sent in chains.

Moreover, as a former Grand Secretary, for the dignity of the ministers, he should not be executed so lightly.

After all, no official wished to see a repeat of Xia Yan’s fate.

But matters of life and death, left to speculation alone, were enough to torment a man.

These nights, Xu Jie tossed and turned, and in a short time, aged considerably.

He could not suppress his terror—the Emperor was too ruthless.

Xu Jie had lost all room to survive in Southern Zhili.

His colleagues and clansmen resented his past methods and now denounced him everywhere.

He had been forced to return his land and dismiss his “retainers.”

Even his closest descendants began to look at him with suspicion after he decided to sacrifice his second son to shield his first.

He had been forcibly transformed from a shrewd old minister into a pure, unblemished servant!

Facing such an Emperor, he could not be certain whether the summons to the capital meant another plan—or another trap.

He kept asking himself: Did he still have any path to survival?

As Xu Jie and Hai Rui stood in silence, a commotion erupted in the distance.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately surrounded the senior officials.

Gu Cheng hurried forward with his men to investigate.

Soon, he returned hastily.

Gu Cheng’s expression was odd: “Marquis Hai, ahead are Mongol envoys—they’ve gotten into a fight with someone.”

He added: “They’re from the Chahar tribe.”

Hai Rui froze, then frowned deeply.

The Chahar tribe was commonly called the Tumens Khan—today’s legitimate Great Khan of the Mongols.

Why had they sent envoys to court?

Luo Sigong, still young and having missed the Gengxu Incident, asked curiously: “Mongols? The Chahar tribe?”

Xu Jie was also pondering the reason.

He explained, distracted: “The many Mongol tribes are not united.”

“Some are friendly to our court; others are hostile.”

“Though Gao Yi is mediocre, his negotiation of the Altan Khan tribute was a great achievement—Altan Khan is one of our friendly tribes.”

“The Tumens Khan, however, is hostile to our court.”

“The Tumens Khan’s ruler is called Zhasaktu Khan—he is of the Golden Lineage, ambitious, devoted to reform, authored the Tumen Khan Code, and selected ten-Battalion Commander to consolidate the nobility and ministers.”

"Outside, the Tumeng Khan has moved east to subdue the Haixi and Jianzhou Jurchens, and southward has repeatedly invaded our realm’s Ji and Liao regions."

"He has even repeatedly sent envoys, attempting to persuade Altan Khan to break their alliance and join forces against us."

"He is truly a dire threat to our realm!"

Xu Jie’s expression was grave, as if reciting household treasures.

His tone rose and fell with rhythm, laced with apprehension and lethal intent.

This stern demeanor made his very speech carry an icy chill.

Hai Rui and the others exchanged glances—this was the first time they had felt the Chief Grand Secretary’s authority!

Xu Jie, as if unaware, slowly turned his head toward Gu Cheng: "What is the Tumeng Khan’s purpose in coming to the capital?"

Gu Cheng recounted what he had learned: "In February, the Tumeng Khan learned of our realm’s transition of power and, unwilling to abandon his ambitions, sent envoys to probe."

"In early March, the Duoyan Guard’s Chang Ang and Dong Huli led troops to Xifengkou."

"Fortunately, the Viceroy of the Four Garrisons, Qi Jiguang, learned of it and rushed troops to confront them."

"The two sides clashed; though Dong Huli was driven back, both sides suffered casualties."

"Afterward, Dong Huli proposed exchanging prisoners and demanding imperial rewards. Qi Jiguang dared not decide alone and sent both the men and the memorial to the capital."

Xu Jie and Hai Rui exchanged glances, both eyes filled with solemnity.

Both had lived through the Gengxu Crisis; the scene of the Tartars plundering the outskirts of the capital for eight days remained vivid.

Neither dared to underestimate the Tartars.

Xu Jie was about to ask more, but paused, then remembered his current plight—unable even to protect himself—and his spirit waned.

Hai Rui spoke up: "Then what’s the commotion up ahead?"

Gu Cheng glanced around, then whispered: "The Tartar envoys clashed with Minister Wang’s personal guards; the county officials dared not intervene, and the crowd grew larger."

Hai Rui blinked: "Wang Zhaogao?"

He wasn’t the Minister of Justice—why did he even have personal guards?

Xu Jie was more alert to this; he suddenly interjected, astonished: "Wang Chonggu has come to the capital!?"

Gu Cheng quickly clarified: "Yes, it’s Minister of War Wang Chonggu."

"Minister Wang arrived in the capital first; some of his personal troops remained behind. They have a bad temper and longstanding grudges with the Chahar faction. When they met, a fight broke out."

Xu Jie nodded, understanding fully.

When Altan Khan submitted and tribute trade opened, the central government’s lead was held by Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng; on the frontier, it was Wang Chonggu.

After Altan Khan bowed in submission and tribute markets opened, he effectively broke ties with the Tumeng Khan.

Since then, Wang Chonggu tried the same tactic again—sending the Kharachin tribe to mediate—but the Tumeng Khan gave him no face, and they clashed violently.

In short, the Tumeng Khan’s high command deeply feared this man.

The envoy now entering the capital must be the most hardline war faction.

Xu Jie rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Why had he come?

To probe the new emperor’s strength? To exploit perceived instability in court and state? Or simply a barbarian fit of madness?

Xu Jie could not fathom it. He shook his head and looked at Hai Rui: "Let’s go. First, enter the capital and present ourselves."

Entering the central government meant either death or survival. If dead, all is over. If alive, nothing remains hidden from me.

At this moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already brought the carriage and waited nearby.

Xu Jie finished speaking and climbed into the carriage.

Hai Rui glanced twice more, then nodded and joined Xu Jie in the same carriage.

Chen Dong and the others took the carriage behind.

Inside the carriage, Hai Rui remained uneasy: "Xu Shaohu, in your view, does this Mongol khan’s movement pose a serious threat?"

Whether Xuan-Da or Ji-Liao, both lie dangerously close to the capital.

The shadow of the Gengxu Crisis was hard to erase.

But Xu Jie fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Hai Gangfeng, you worry too much."

Seeing Hai Rui still uneasy, he explained: "Hai Gangfeng, you may not know—the Chahar tribe has suffered devastating defeats and has yet to recover. In my view, this is merely bluster."

Hai Rui froze: "Devastating defeats?"

Until now, he had been either a low-ranking official or imprisoned.

Moreover, Hai Rui was not particularly well-versed in frontier affairs.

Xu Jie nodded proudly: "I was present at the Ministry of War during the Battle of Yīpiànshí. I commanded the Battle of Jie Lingkou myself. I know the Tumeng Khan well."

"In the first year of Longqing, Ying Ke and Dong Huli allied with the Duoyan Guard and the Three Wulian Hui, gathering tens of thousands of troops, and invaded the Luan River. The capital trembled."

"But within a month, our troops repelled them. Ying Ke was killed by our firearms."

"Not just that battle—I heard that in the fourth year of Longqing, they were crushed by Regional Commander Li Chengliang in Liaodong, with countless casualties."

"Even if a man grew from the earth, he couldn’t recover so fast."

After hearing this, Hai Rui felt somewhat reassured.

He shook his head and sighed: "What an age of turmoil."

Last year, the emperor took my hand and said the central treasury was empty, entrusting me with the salt administration of Nan Zhili.

I had barely spent half a year stirring things up in Nan Zhili when the Tartars stirred again on the frontier.

Poor emperor—he is only eleven. How could he bear such burdens?

Xu Jie watched Hai Rui’s expression and smiled reassuringly: "Hai Gangfeng, rest easy. Our realm’s military expenditures are not wasted. Just two years ago, we spent eight million taels alone."

Hai Rui froze, shocked: "Eight million!?"

How much total revenue did the realm have?

The emperor had told him: the Imperial Treasury held barely three million taels in silver annually. If you converted grain, rice, hay, tea, and added the granaries, the Ministry of Imperial Horses, the Ministry of Sacrifices, and the Inner Treasury, it might reach barely fifteen million taels.

So military spending consumed half?!

Xu Jie paid no mind to Hai Rui’s shock and chuckled: "What else did you expect?"

"Hai Gangfeng, do you believe that half of the five million two hundred seventy thousand taels you brought back will go straight to military funds?"

From his experience governing the Grand Secretariat, he knew: four-tenths of annual revenue went to military expenses, four-tenths to the Inner Treasury, to feed those bloated imperial clans.

Hai Rui fell silent.

This was the cost of excessive frontier threats.

This was not reckless militarism—it was exhaustion from constant defense.

He sighed: "The state’s affairs are difficult."

Then he rallied: "When His Majesty comes of age, he will surely eradicate all frontier threats!"

The two continued talking inside the carriage, while the driver, Luo Sigong, carefully controlled the horses.

Tongzhou was not far from the capital.

Moreover, the imperial road from Tongzhou to the capital was flat and smooth, allowing much faster travel than elsewhere.

The forty-li journey took only two hours—this was even after slowing down.

This time, Hai Rui’s return to the capital had not drawn public attention; they entered the city gates smoothly.

As soon as they passed through the gate, they saw Li Jin waiting there.

Li Jin stopped the men from getting down to pay respects, respectfully saying: "Minister Hai, Grand Secretary Xu, His Majesty is occupied today. He has sent me to accommodate you both. You will be granted an audience tomorrow."

Luo Sigong halted the carriage and took the reins ahead.

Li Jin walked beside the carriage, leaning near the window.

Xu Jie lifted the curtain and asked casually: "Is His Majesty receiving Wang Chonggu?"

He had just heard Wang Chonggu had arrived, slightly ahead of them.

With the Tartars stirring, Wang Chonggu’s face carried extra weight; the emperor summoning him was natural.

Li Jin kept his gaze straight, bowing slightly: "Minister Wang’s audience is tomorrow, after Grand Secretary Xu."

Xu Jie paused, his eyes questioning.

Li Jin spoke gently: "Today, His Majesty, in the Huangji Hall, ordered ministers and close attendants to offer sacrifices to the Five Sacred Mountains, the Five Rivers, the Sage Confucius, the ancestral tombs, the princes such as Xu and Wang, and the gods of Mount Taihe, Zhenwu, and others."

"And His Majesty himself will personally sacrifice to the emperors of past dynasties."

Xu Jie nodded, asking no more.

This was standard after an emperor’s accession, a customary practice.

Only rarely did the emperor personally perform such sacrifices.

Hm? Xu Jie suddenly frowned.

He realized something and looked at Li Jin: "Past emperors? What about the Mongol Yuan?"

Li Jin nodded, smiling.

(End of Chapter)