Chapter 867: Entirely Unrelated

Cui Wensheng had carefully thought through this matter from beginning to end, and each time he could not help but marvel — to grasp such perfect measure, there must be a mastermind behind Xuzhou offering guidance. In the past it might have been that censor of the Chief Surveillance Bureau, Wang Youshan; now it was likely someone else. Perhaps this was precisely the self-preservation strategy Wang Youshan had laid down back then.

Moreover, this brilliant figure also knew to push a few hot-headed youths to the forefront. Such young, reckless martial men only care for momentary glory and pleasure, never considering that after stirring up catastrophic disaster, they themselves would have to bear the blame. No doubt this Zhao Jin was one of those pushed to the front.

Eunuch Cui had heard much talk and made careful inquiries before this visit, so he no longer believed Zhao Jin had been pushed to the front by others. Instead, he suspected this Zhao Jin might well be someone else entirely — perhaps a seasoned, calculating figure in his forties.

Yet after seeing this tall, composed young man with his own eyes, all of Eunuch Cui's conjectures and deductions vanished like smoke. Although the other party had merely stood and spoken a single sentence, with no other words or gestures, that deep, steady bearing was unmistakably real. Cui Wensheng had served in office for nearly forty years, from childhood onward, and had once held high and important posts within the imperial palace. He had seen countless figures of stature, and he could naturally recognize that this was the kind of commanding presence and authority that only came from long years of holding power over others, where one's word was law. Faintly, there was also a solemn, lethal edge about him, which made one feel even more awed.

Though this was a young man barely past twenty, and though the clothes he wore were no better than those of a middling household, Eunuch Cui knew at once that this man was indeed the leader who could make decisions and issue orders in Xuzhou. It seemed Zhao Jin was no figurehead — he was that legendary Xuzhou overlord.

Cui Wensheng narrowed his eyes, momentarily dazed. The man before him was in his early twenties, yet in his trance-like state, Eunuch Cui felt as though he were facing someone in his forties. Without the tempering and accumulation of years, certain temperaments and bearing simply could not exist.

Only then did Cui Wensheng steady himself and carefully observe the five young men across from him. In the center was Zhao Jin. To his left was a heavyset, steady young man — this one was also calm and composed, carrying a stillness one would only expect in a middle-aged man. Yet his precocious maturity felt natural; rare, but not unheard of, and nothing like the peculiar strangeness of Zhao Jin. To Zhao Jin's right was a young scholar, strikingly handsome and refined, a truly outstanding figure. Eunuch Cui could guess who this was, and thought to himself that it was a real pity such a brilliant talent, one who had studied the sages' books, should turn bandit.

The second from the left was the young man who had earlier retorted — a rather fierce and aggressive-looking sort. Though Eunuch Cui held him in contempt, he found him somewhat familiar. In the capital's Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, those newly risen young men, ruthless and unscrupulous in their pursuit of advancement and gain, were very often just like this. As for the short young man seated second to Zhao Jin's right, he too possessed a temperament at odds with his age. What Eunuch Cui found interesting was that this one's manner closely resembled those seasoned, capable overseers in the Depot, the Guard, and Shuntian Prefecture — low-key and meticulous.

Having confirmed that the young man before him was Zhao Jin, the others must surely be the Eight Little Heroes. Recalling his own earlier posturing, Eunuch Cui felt for a moment the awkwardness of a drawn blade that cannot easily be sheathed. Yet Cui Wensheng handled it with composure, letting out two dry laughs and saying, "This is indeed unexpected."

With that, he seated himself in the prepared seat. The arrangement of tables and chairs in the room was also peculiar. By all rights, in such negotiations for amnesty, the envoy sent by the imperial court should be seated in the place of honor. Yet here, a long table had been placed, with the two sides seated facing each other. Fortunately, the seats were of equal height; had they been different, Eunuch Cui would surely have flared up again, feeling that the other side had set up the scene like a court tribunal, a grave insult to the court's representative.

"Eunuch Cui, please sit. Everything here is simple, and I have little to offer in hospitality. I ask Eunuch Cui's forgiveness," Zhao Jin said politely.

"Simple indeed. I had thought this was deliberate neglect," Cui Wensheng replied, his anger not yet faded, his tone barbed with sarcasm. He could see a few of the others frowning. Since they were willing to talk, making the other side a little agitated was no bad thing. But to Cui Wensheng's disappointment, Zhao Jin was entirely unaffected by the remark.

Without any polite preamble, Zhao Jin came straight to the point: "Ever since Uncle Wang was arrested, we have wasted far too much time on both sides. It would be best to get to the heart of the matter quickly. The people of Xuzhou, stirred by righteous indignation, blocked the grain transport route to cry out against injustice, wishing to make a few things known to the court. One, that Uncle Wang was wronged, and we beseech the lords of the court to examine this injustice and promptly release him from prison. This, the court has already done."

Having weathered decades of ups and downs both in the imperial palace and in the provinces, having endured storm after storm, Eunuch Cui had always considered his own self-restraint and depth to be considerable. Yet hearing the other party speak these words with such utter naturalness, he could not suppress the fury rising in his heart. You are the rebellious traitors of Xuzhou — how can you be so self-righteous? A mere Prefect of Xuzhou is only a rank of junior fifth grade, while you are nothing but commoners without rank or station. How dare you place yourselves on equal footing with the imperial court? And when this young man before him spoke these things, there was not the slightest trace of arrogance or bluster on his face — only complete composure, as if this were only right and proper. That made Eunuch Cui's anger burn all the hotter.

"Wang Youshan has already been released. The man has already arrived in Xuzhou. Is this still not enough? Why is the canal still blocked?" Cui Wensheng retorted with a cold sneer.

"This time, when the common people gathered to cry out against injustice, it was not only for Uncle Wang's wrongful treatment. It was also because the court has rashly mobilized troops several times, causing alarm and unrest throughout Xuzhou and the surrounding areas, making life unbearable for the people. Therefore, we hope that from this day forward, in Xuzhou, in Huai'an Prefecture, in Suzhou of Fengyang Prefecture, in Shan County, Yutai, Teng County, Yi County, and Tancheng of Shandong, in Guide Prefecture of Henan, and within fifty li of the border region where Shandong, Henan, and the Southern Metropolitan Region meet — the court will refrain from rash military action, and will refrain from arbitrarily imposing harsh and miscellaneous taxes..."

"... You... are you demanding that the court cede territory?" Eunuch Cui Wensheng's expression changed violently. He slammed the table and shot to his feet, his face filled with agitation.

He noted the reactions of the others seated in the room. Zhao Jin's expression remained as usual. The heavyset, steady young man sat calmly and indifferently. The fierce-looking young bravo who had retorted earlier wore a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth. The scholarly young man seated to Zhao Jin's right wore a rather peculiar expression, as if embarrassment and a wry smile were mingled together. As for the short man second to the right, he was simply staring at Cui Wensheng, as if observing his expression.

"Do you not know that this dynasty takes the two Songs as a cautionary lesson, absolutely refusing peace negotiations and vowing never to cede territory? You have won but a minor victory and already grown so insolent. Do you truly wish to resist the court to the bitter end? Do you truly wish to be ground to dust before the court's great army?" Cui Wensheng spoke with stern voice and severe countenance.

"Eunuch Cui, you have come here to offer us amnesty. How does this become 'ceding territory'?" the young scholar asked slowly. He must be the Wang family's only son, Wang Zhaojing.

"Forbid the court from rash military action? All land under Heaven belongs to the sovereign — where in the Great Ming is there a place that cannot host Great Ming troops? Forbid the court from collecting harsh and miscellaneous taxes? The imperial grain levy and state taxes are principles ordained by Heaven. If state taxes are not paid, then is this still Great Ming territory? No troops stationed, no taxes paid — are you trying to turn this place into your private domain?" He finished his impassioned speech, but on the other side, Zhao Jin merely shook his head and laughed.

Wang Zhaojing also shook his head, though his face held no smile. He simply stated, "Eunuch Cui, my elder brother said not to rashly move troops — he did not say no official garrisons could be stationed. He said not to arbitrarily impose harsh and miscellaneous taxes — he did not say taxes could not be collected. Eunuch Cui, please do not extrapolate and speculate on your own."

Eunuch Cui Wensheng drew several deep breaths, yet his face showed no trace of embarrassment. He only said sternly, "I was trained at the Inner Script Academy, handling documents and official duties for decades to reach this day. Do not try to flaunt wordplay and verbal tricks before me. Since we are discussing behind closed doors, let us speak plainly. What can be negotiated, we negotiate. What cannot, then we shall await the great army's encirclement and suppression!"

By this point, Eunuch Cui Wensheng was no longer afraid. If he brought back a peace agreement tantamount to ceding territory, never mind merit or reward — he would not even be able to keep his own head. That being the case, why stand on ceremony now?

"Regarding the garrisons in the areas just listed: any mobilization, increase, or decrease must be reported to Xuzhou in advance. Otherwise, it will be deemed an intent to raise troops and commence hostilities. If such movements are unrelated to Xuzhou, we will naturally not interfere. Regarding the taxes in the areas just listed: those stipulated by law shall be paid in full, not a single coin less. But all additional levies, customary fees, and surcharges shall be refused in their entirety. Eunuch Cui, how do these two conditions relate to ceding territory? How do they resemble rebellion?" After laying this out, Wang Zhaojing posed a question in return.

Eunuch Cui Wensheng's expression shifted and changed. He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. Cui Wensheng felt his mind growing somewhat muddled. These two conditions sounded harsh, but in practice they would be extremely easy to fulfill — they were essentially just granting official recognition to arrangements that already existed. What benefit would Xuzhou gain from achieving these two points? They still had to collect and pay taxes. Did they want to exploit the tax-farming system for profit, pocketing the surcharges, customary fees, and the like themselves? Did they want to collect the Liao stipend for themselves?

But Eunuch Cui also knew that was impossible. From everything he had seen and heard in Xuzhou and Suzhou, if they were squeezing the people dry to collect the Liao stipend, Xuzhou and Suzhou could never be so orderly — the people's livelihoods would have long since withered.

What exactly did these young men want? There had to be some scheme or trick hidden within, yet no matter how he thought, he could not figure it out. If he agreed and reported it back to the capital, and someone else saw through it, he would certainly be charged with a grave crime. Then he would be in enormous trouble.

Just as Eunuch Cui was hesitating, Wang Zhaojing continued, "Eunuch Cui, our family merely seeks to escape the court's notice. My elder brother only wants to prosper in peace and look after our fellow townsfolk along the way. He harbors no other ambitions. Why must Eunuch Cui be so deeply suspicious?"

At this point, Wang Zhaojing paused, then added with a smile, "If Eunuch Cui could report a natural disaster for the areas just mentioned and petition the court to waive taxes for three years, then half a tithe of those three years' taxes would go to Eunuch Cui."

"Preposterous! Despicable! Do not think that I can be bought off with a mere few thousand taels of silver!" This time Cui Wensheng was truly enraged. He raised a hand and pointed at Wang Zhaojing across from him. This young scholar was nothing but a degenerate in scholarly garb, actually attempting bribery to his face. What did he take him for? Some country thug who had never seen silver?

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