Chapter 26: Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Deeds

Favor and trust have always been matters of life and death for eunuchs. Therefore, money and gifts are merely tokens of etiquette, meant for Sien to show his respect for Wang Cheng’en. But whether Wang Cheng’en would comply with Sien’s wishes—or, rather, with the intentions behind Sien, those of Zhu Cilang—became a source of deep contemplation for Wang Cheng’en.

“The taxation division at the Imperial Academy is but a trifling matter…”

“Adjusting the tax rate is a wise reform. There may be some dissent, but Fu Shuxun’s position in the Ministry of Revenue is secure, so it should pass without trouble.”

“Cancelling the advance levy is practical—neither good nor bad. Yet, pairing it with the issues of ship materials and the bamboo and timber excise… that’s bound to invite a storm of criticism…”

“The Grand Secretaries are rather pleased to see Qin Xia—that is, the Prince stirring up matters in Linqing. It seems they wish to roast him over the fire, so to speak… Evidently, the chaos in the Central Plains has left the Grand Secretaries with no energy to deal with the Prince themselves.”

“Wait… Prime Minister Zhou, amidst his myriad affairs, still finds time to pay attention to Linqing. Clearly, Linqing, such a prosperous city, is not so easily managed. But what does Zhou intend… Should I intervene or not?”

When Zhu Cilang submitted his memorial to the taxation division of the Imperial Academy, Fu Shuxun likewise had already sent in memorials advocating tax rate adjustments, the cancellation of advance levies, and reforms to the ship materials and bamboo and timber excise. These memorials reached the Cabinet via the Secretariat; once the Cabinet drafted its opinions, it was up to the Emperor to approve them, or for the Secretariat of Ceremonies to affix the imperial seal. Only after this sequence was completed would the process be deemed legitimate.

Yet, when these two memorials landed in the hands of Wang Cheng’en, who was on duty, he withheld them—not out of obstruction, but in fact, by prioritizing them from a stack of documents. Moreover, Wang Cheng’en’s actions carried a measure of protection. Sien’s gift and message clearly hoped Wang Cheng’en would speak well of the Prince before the Emperor.

Thus, the question arose. It was not a matter of whether to accept the money.

Rather, should Wang Cheng’en lend his support to Zhu Cilang?

According to all the precedents Wang Cheng’en knew, never had a crown prince destined for the throne been as audacious as Zhu Cilang. Leaving the palace to meddle in the Ministry of Revenue could be dismissed as childish mischief, but confiscating property and raising a million taels of silver, then heading to Linqing to collect taxes and launch reforms—this clearly spoke of careful deliberation. Each act, whether or not it stirred suspicion in the Emperor’s heart, was a path unknown to the famous statesmen of history.

Regardless, such a forceful figure was not one the court would welcome. Normally, someone so bold would not last long before meeting his downfall. But Zhu Cilang was no ordinary prince, and these were not ordinary times.

The empire was beset by internal strife and foreign threats, disaster and calamity, a Ming dynasty battered year after year, each worse than the last. In such a Ming, southern scholars might still dream of peace and joy, but for Wang Cheng’en, who was attuned to the pulse of the realm through countless memorials and secret reports, the situation was like boiling oil—danger lurked every hour, and the empire could topple at any moment.

Such a Ming, confronted with such a prince…

“Perhaps… it’s best to cultivate some goodwill, so things won’t deteriorate further. Yes, perhaps as Sien suggested, simply approve the bamboo and timber excise bureau outright!” So Wang Cheng’en thought, clutching the two memorials as he entered the Palace of Heavenly Purity, where the Emperor was working through the night.

“Your Majesty… Your humble servant congratulates you! The Prince is about to render yet another service to Your Majesty. Once this memorial is approved, Your Majesty will have greater ease with the state finances…”

Linqing City.

When a fleet of boats arrived once more at the city, they halted far from the gates. In a quiet cabin lay a man of distinguished bearing, the very image of a refined scholar. Seeing the boat had stopped, he opened the window and, noticing they were still on the willow-lined canal outside Linqing, sensed something amiss. He called out, “Where is Uncle Qisheng? Why have we stopped here outside the city?”

His voice had barely faded when hurried footsteps sounded outside. Soon, a kindly, well-fed, slightly plump middle-aged man entered the cabin, bowed to the young man inside, and said with some concern, “Young master, the canal ahead is blocked. I have already sent Qishu to inquire.”

“Hmm.” The young man replied, pondering for a moment before saying, “If things become difficult, reveal our family name—the House of Guide Marquis. I imagine we can command some respect in Linqing. We must not suffer any delay on this northern journey.”

This young man was none other than Hou Fangyu, son of Hou Xun—both generations staunch members of the Donglin faction, Hou Xun once the Minister of Revenue.

The man called Qisheng was the Hou family steward, accompanying Hou Fangyu north—Hou Qisheng.

Hearing Hou Fangyu’s instructions, Hou Qisheng replied quietly, “I understand, sir.”

Hou Fangyu nodded slowly, though his face betrayed uncertainty. After Hou Xun’s imprisonment in the ninth year of Chongzhen, Hou Fangyu had traveled the Grand Canal often and was familiar with Linqing, but never before had he seen the entire canal blocked so completely.

Ordinarily, Hou Fangyu would simply wait, perhaps indulge in some pleasure in Linqing. A self-styled elegant scholar, he would not mind such a delay. But now, Zhou Yanru in the capital had already persuaded the Emperor to reconsider Hou Xun’s case. Hou Fangyu needed to be present in the capital, and every moment’s delay was torture. If he missed the chance for Hou Xun’s release and reinstatement, he’d be driven to fury.

Understanding Hou Fangyu’s anxiety, Hou Qisheng immediately sent trusted aides to investigate. Soon, Hou Qishu returned, bringing two men aboard—one plump, one slim, both elegantly dressed in long robes.

Hou Qisheng’s sharp eye noted their garments were Suzhou silk with Hu embroidery—clearly prosperous merchants and ship owners.

With a genial smile, Hou Qisheng greeted them, “Esteemed guests, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.”

“To be received by the House of Guide Marquis is our honor,” the two ship owners replied, bowing in return.

After some polite exchanges, Hou Qisheng learned these men were also stranded on the canal. Upon hearing from Qishu that they were guests of the House of Guide Marquis, they came aboard—partly to solve their predicament, partly to cultivate connections.

Both hailed from Xiuning in Huizhou. The plumper one, always smiling, was Luo Da, whose boat carried the renowned Hu ink. The slimmer was Zhang Xiaonan, who dealt in scissors and sundries, and was well respected in his trade.