Chapter Thirty: Zhu Cilang, Who Will Never Yield-The Last Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty(A few words, full of meaning.)

At the same time, Zhu Cilang was cheerfully seeing off a trembling young eunuch, who had been all smiles toward Zhu Cilang throughout the entire visit. Holding the pure white silk letter in his hand, Zhu Cilang slipped it away, listening to the commotion outside, and chuckled, “The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

Chang Zhilang, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh as well. “I thought the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau would have made up their mind a bit earlier.”

“If they had come any sooner,” Zhu Cilang narrowed his eyes, “perhaps they couldn’t have stirred up such a scene. In that case, the matter wouldn’t be resolved thoroughly, and the troubles would linger. The bigger the commotion, the more it helps me solve the problem once and for all.”

Chang Zhilang nodded in agreement, “Sir, you are wise indeed.”

Though he said so, Chang Zhilang couldn’t help feeling a little nervous. Zhu Cilang’s fearless attitude was certainly inspiring, but it would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried that things might go awry. The larger the uproar, the more advantageous it would be to deal with the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau. But likewise, if Zhu Cilang failed to handle the chaos, all the consequences would fall on his shoulders. Such risks truly made Chang Zhilang uneasy.

Yet, as Chang Zhilang began to serve as Zhu Cilang’s advisor, he gradually came to understand Zhu Cilang’s aspirations. What Zhu Cilang sought now was to establish his authority over canal taxation in Linqing. To do so, merely pressuring the Taxation Office was not enough. Likewise, simply keeping his subordinates in check would not suffice in the long run. Under such circumstances, the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau became an appropriate target.

First, the presence of the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau undermined Zhu Cilang’s authority in Linqing—after all, two tigers cannot inhabit the same mountain.

Second, it was a matter of winning people’s support. The Head of the Bureau, Liu Pei, was a cousin of Liu Zeqing and had always been overbearing, while Chu Lushan was not known for being generous to his subordinates.

Thus, frequent conflicts had arisen between the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau and the Taxation Office, and over time, many in the Taxation Office had suffered at Liu Pei’s hands. Bringing down the Bureau would also help rally popular support.

As Chang Zhilang’s thoughts wandered, the commotion outside grew louder and louder.

Zhu Cilang stood in the courtyard, various officials crowding the halls and chambers, all watching as Qin Xia strode toward the main gate.

The Taxation Office’s doors were firmly shut today, and several doorkeepers looked flustered. Only when they saw Zhu Cilang did they steady themselves a bit.

By now, the clamor outside was loud enough for everyone within the office to hear clearly.

“Punish the traitors! Rid the people of harm!”

Zhu Cilang narrowed his eyes and saw Si Qi nod fiercely from the corner. Zhu Cilang then took a slow breath, looked at the gate, and said, “Open the doors!”

The doorkeepers fumbled to remove the bolts and slowly pulled open the grand doors.

At that moment, Hou Fangyu watched the scene with unabashed satisfaction. As a scholar of repute, it had been some time since Hou Fangyu had caused such a ruckus. As a Ming dynasty scholar—especially one with official standing—he enjoyed all sorts of privileges.

Storming a government office like this would seem almost rebellious to later generations, but to scholars, there was a special term for it: “the Barefoot Protest.”

A dozen students could rush into the county office, throw off their shoes, and create havoc in the magistrate’s hall, hurling all sorts of insults—accusing the official of abusing the people, bullying the good, and so forth—without worrying about how the magistrate might retaliate.

Thus, Hou Fangyu felt it was entirely proper to lead more than two hundred merchants and boat owners to storm the Linqing Tax Office today.

Such things had occurred once before in Linqing during the reign of Emperor Tianqi. To Hou Fangyu, he was simply retracing the steps of the sages.

With that thought, Hou Fangyu cried out again, “Eradicate the traitors! Let Qin Xia come out!”

A long creak echoed as the doors opened.

Zhu Cilang stepped out. “Here I am—who called for me?”

The previously boisterous crowd instantly quieted, as if doused with cold water.

Yet Hou Fangyu was unafraid. He fixed his gaze upon Qin Xia, sizing up this man he was meeting for the first time.

This was a young man whose appearance and bearing seemed at odds. He was about the same age as Hou Fangyu—perhaps even younger. His face was fresh, but his eyes were steady, and his whole demeanor exuded the air of authority. A faint stubble shaded his chin, and a streak of white in his hair made his youthful features appear all the more striking.

But no matter what, this was not the visage of a villain.

“Traitors do not wear their guilt on their faces. When was Wen Tiren ever sharp-mouthed and monkey-cheeked?” Hou Fangyu encouraged himself, then strode forward, declaring, “It was I—Hou Chaozong of Guide!”

“Master Hou,” Zhu Cilang’s voice rang clear, his gaze steady on Hou Fangyu, “I trust you came today having heard that, as head of the Taxation Office, I have revised the tax rates, instituted pre-collection of duties, and levied new shipping fees. But most importantly, you are here because of the closure of the canal gates by the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau.”

“Indeed!” Hou Chaozong sneered, staring at Zhu Cilang. “I came to root out the traitors and restore justice under heaven!”

“How splendid! I did not expect you, Master Hou, to come here with the very same resolve as I!” Zhu Cilang exclaimed, clapping his hands. “I, too, am about to rid the land of corrupt officials and restore justice to the realm!”

Hou Fangyu was taken aback. This was not how things were supposed to proceed. Was Qin Xia about to surrender?

Thinking so, Hou Fangyu put on a stern expression and shouted, “Qin Xia! There is still time for you to surrender—”

“Exactly! The corrupt officials of the Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau should surrender!” Zhu Cilang’s booming voice cut him off, and instantly drew everyone’s attention. “It seems that all two hundred righteous men present today are here to root out the traitors, just as I am! Tell me, who has blocked the canal and prevented you all from prospering?”

“The Timber and Bamboo Inspection Bureau!” someone shouted from the crowd. “It’s Liu Pei!”

Hou Fangyu was stunned, recognizing the speaker as Yan Wei, who had just shed his clerk’s robe. There was a plot afoot—an unspeakable conspiracy!

As Hou Fangyu stood dazed, Luo Da and Zhang Xiaonan in the corner exchanged nervous glances with Yan Wei, who grinned at them before slipping away.

Now, no one paid Hou Fangyu any mind.

For Zhu Cilang’s clear voice had captured the attention of all.

“It is they who have blocked the canal gates and barred you from sending your goods north!”

“It is they who have prevented the Taxation Office from collecting taxes, so that you have come to see the new policies as erratic!”

“It is even they who have incited you!” Zhu Cilang’s voice rang out, stirring the crowd at last. “They have led you to believe that by framing and pressuring me, I would yield and abandon the new policies, abandon the reform, abandon the punishment of corrupt officials!”

“But all of this is delusion! I will never yield!”