Chapter 663: Complaints Amidst Administrative Orders

Zhang Yue had originally thought Yuan Fang would explain everything clearly. However, whether it was because the old incident from years ago was too complicated, or because he didn’t want to go into further detail, or perhaps due to being too drunk, Yuan Fang ultimately failed to finish his story. So, Zhang Yue could only watch as this elder kept pouring alcohol into his stomach, until he finally collapsed drunk on the small table, his eyes glazed.

Although there was a brazier nearby and it had been difficult to persuade Yuan Fang to drink less earlier, seeing him now drunk, Zhang Yue grew anxious. As he hurriedly stood up, he accidentally knocked over a stool behind him. Hearing the noise, a head appeared at the back door, and soon the trembling old shopkeeper came out.

“Young master, there’s no need to worry. He’s just drunk. You go back first. Xiao Liu and I will take care of him. When he wakes up, he’ll go back on his own.”

Though he knew Yuan Fang had arranged to meet here, meaning the place must be reliable, Zhang Yue still felt uneasy. It wasn’t until the old shopkeeper assured him again and even ordered a young apprentice to move a door panel that he reluctantly agreed. He went over to Yuan Fang and whispered something. Seeing no reaction from him, he stood up straight, fastened his cloak, and put on his conical hat. He couldn’t help but look back once more, gave some instructions to the old shopkeeper, and then left.

After leaving the alley, Zhang Yue turned onto another street as planned. After waiting for a short while, he saw his guards approaching with the carriage. He immediately rode over to meet them. After asking about their mission to deliver gifts elsewhere and confirming nothing suspicious, he took off his conical hat and cloak and exchanged them with the person who came out of the carriage. Once in the carriage, he let out a long sigh of relief and began pondering what Yuan Fang had said that night. Suddenly, as he was deep in thought, he heard a commotion ahead.

It was now curfew time. Barriers had been set up on the streets, and extra patrolmen were assigned. Ordinary people were not allowed to go out unless they had urgent matters such as illness, childbirth, or funerals. However, due to established customs, officials and nobles visiting others during the first month of the year were exempt. Moreover, since Zhang Yue himself was the deputy magistrate of Ying Tian Prefecture, he could still be out at this hour. Hearing the noise, he lifted the carriage curtain. Niu Gan, who was beside the carriage, quickly rode over and said, “Young master, it seems the patrolmen have caught some people breaking the curfew!”

Since Nanjing was one of the two capitals, the curfew was only lifted for a few days around the 15th day of the first lunar month throughout the year. Ordinary people who violated the curfew were punished with forty lashes. Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue pondered for a moment before ordering, “Let’s go and take a look!”

As the deputy magistrate in charge of Yingtian Prefecture, Zhang Yue mainly dealt with matters related to education in the prefecture, while criminal law, finance, and other affairs were handled by other officials. He had plenty of free time, so only a small portion of the many servants and subordinates under the prefectural government had met him, and many had never even seen him, let alone the officers from the Five-City Military Command. Thus, when the two patrolmen approached to conduct a check, they were still skeptical upon seeing Zhang Yue get out of the carriage and his attendants announce his official title. Soon, a man who seemed to be a team leader rushed over.

“What’s going on?”

The patrolmen quickly ran over and whispered, “Boss, he says he’s Lord Zhang, the deputy magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture!”

The Five-City Military Command was responsible for patrolling for thieves, enforcing fire regulations, and handling prisoners, and it was not under the jurisdiction of the prefectural government. However, its commanders ranked only at the sixth rank, lower than those of the local defense units. Hearing that the man in front was a fourth-rank deputy magistrate, the team leader was shocked. Seeing that the man was young and recalling what he had heard before, he no longer doubted and quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

“I humblest bow to Lord Zhang!”

Seeing his boss kneel, the entire group of patrolmen immediately knelt as well, except for those who were holding prisoners. Zhang Yue raised his hand slightly before asking the team leader about the situation. Hearing the team leader’s vague explanation about someone violating the curfew, he grew stern. “Even if it’s a violation of the curfew, the court has its laws. Why such a fuss? Also, is the person a military household member, a craftsman, or a commoner? Did they break the curfew without reason, or because of illness or someone giving birth at home?”

Faced with Zhang Yue’s detailed questions, the team leader felt unlucky, thinking to himself why he had to encounter such an informed and strict official tonight. After all, it was usually their Military Command that controlled night patrols. If they paid some money, they could let people go no matter if it was for gambling, drinking, or other activities. But if they didn’t pay, even if someone was really going to fetch medicine, they could fabricate charges and keep them detained overnight. Though he resented it inwardly, he didn’t dare offend a fourth-rank official and became even more respectful.

“Reporting to my lord, it’s a military household member. There are no issues with fertility or funerals in their family. They said they went to someone else’s house to borrow rice. I’ve been on night patrol for many years and am used to such people making up excuses, so I ordered them to be taken away. Who knew they would refuse to comply and start making a fuss? I’ve taken them back. If I’ve disturbed my lord just now, please forgive me.”
“Bring him here so I can see him.”
Zhang Yue originally had no intention of getting involved in such trivial matters, but upon hearing it was a military household member, he ignored the seemingly flawless reply and gave a stern order. The captain had no choice but to signal for them to bring him in. Soon, a heavily tied-up military man was pushed forward. His mouth was stuffed with a piece of cloth, and his face was bruised, yet he still showed no signs of submission. Seeing that he refused to bow his head, a patrolman behind him kicked him in the knees, causing him to lose his balance and kneel down.
After signaling for the cloth to be removed, Zhang Yue asked directly, “Why were you out at night?”
Although the man was firmly holding his head, he struggled for a while. Realizing he couldn’t break free, he shouted hoarsely, “It’s the New Year’s holiday, and my wife and children have been hungry all day. I went to borrow rice from someone!”
“Borrow rice?” Zhang Yue frowned and sneered, “Which garrison do you belong to? Military households guarding Nanjing live together. If you wanted to borrow rice, you could have asked your neighbors. Why would you come to the streets? If you really couldn’t afford food, you should have thought of it during the day. Why come out at night?”
The captain, who had been standing by with his arms crossed, was surprised by Zhang Yue’s rapid series of questions, thinking the man was just meddling. The patrolmen around him also started whispering among themselves, gradually becoming excited. They had initially planned to extort something from this man, but now it seemed he might actually be guilty of something.
“Why come out at night to borrow? My lord, you really know how to ask questions deliberately!” The strong military man suddenly broke free from the hand holding his head and raised his head sharply. “The salaries for the imperial guards are always paid in rice, not in cash. So why are those of us who’ve been to the West given only 20% in cash? Military households with families already have a hard time. We used to get six dou of rice per month, but now, following the example of foreign troops stationed in Nanjing, we only get four dou and eight sheng per month, with the rest in cash. My family of three relies entirely on this rice to survive. How can we get by with less? During the New Year’s holiday, if I can’t go to Ma’s Street to ask Lord Zheng for rice, who else can I turn to?”

Hearing these words spoken in a hoarse voice, everyone present was instantly stunned, including Zhang Yue. Although he had been thinking about the upcoming official army deployment, he never expected things to have escalated to this point. He felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart, making it hard to breathe. At that moment, some of the patrol officers began cursing loudly.

“Stop spouting nonsense! You all went on those overseas missions and reaped plenty of benefits. Among all the military units in Nanjing, none are as wealthy as yours! How extravagant you were back then—now, after just a few days of hardship, you’re reduced to this state? Bah! You deserve to starve! We work hard, yet our earnings aren’t even enough to match the value of a few of your personal possessions!”

As soon as he spoke, the others joined in arguing, saying, “Every time we go overseas, we risk our lives, and the little money we bring back is supposed to be enough to buy our lives—yet you don’t even let us use it?”

“Silence all of you!”

Seeing the noise disturbing the residents along the street, Zhang Yue finally snapped out of his thoughts and angrily snapped at them. When the crowd gradually quieted down, he ordered, “Since this matter concerns the official army deployment, it should be handled by Eunuch Zheng. You guys, take these men and come with me to Ma’s Mansion Street.”

Although the patrol officers had been noisy just moments ago, upon hearing they had to go to the eunuch’s residence, they looked at each other in confusion. They were even lower in rank than the military soldiers, usually only able to kowtow to their superiors—let alone meet such high-ranking officials. So, under their subordinates’ pleading looks, the team leader reluctantly stepped forward, claiming it was his duty and asking Zhang Yue to take the man to the eunuch’s residence. Seeing this, Zhang Yue didn’t press them further and ordered four guards to take the man along.

The soldier had initially said he wanted to find Zheng He out of momentary anger. After all, he was just a common soldier, not even a junior officer, and had only seen Zheng He from afar. So when Zhang Yue ordered his bonds to be untied and had him get on the carriage, he kept rubbing his wrists, no longer as confident as before, and remained silent. Niu Gan, who was also on the carriage, saw Zhang Yue closing his eyes to rest and asked foolishly, “Young master, it’s so late—do we really have to disturb Eunuch Zheng?”

“What was caught today was him committing crimes at night, but who knows if there are a second or third one? Most of the troops sent on these expeditions are veterans who have made six voyages to the West—either skilled in sailing or adept at navigating by direction, or experienced in sea combat. Now that they are stationed in Nanjing yet treated differently from other imperial guards, trouble is inevitable. In any case, this matter must be decided by Eunuch Zheng.”

At this point, Zhang Yue glanced at the soldier from head to toe and asked, “What’s your name?”

Although the soldier had just sat silently in the carriage, he had been listening attentively to their conversation and had already figured things out. In these times, etiquette was of utmost importance; even ordinary officials or military officers like hundred or thousand men would have to speak while kneeling when meeting them. Now, this young official claimed to be escorting him, not only untied his bonds but also invited him into the carriage—such a friendly attitude was hard to imagine. Thus, upon hearing the question, he naturally became a bit more respectful: “I am Xiang Jiao.”

“Since your name includes ‘Jiao,’ you must be skilled in watercraft, right?”

“Yes. I grew up by the sea since childhood, knowing every rock and current near Taicang Port. Later, when my military position was taken away, I was selected for the expedition fleet.” Seeing Zhang Yue’s curious expression, Xiang Jiao became even more enthusiastic. “On the ship, I was in charge of the sails—knowing exactly which sails to raise or lower depending on the wind. And even in terms of steering, I can manage for a while.”

Although he had proposed lifting the sea ban, Zhang Yue wasn’t very familiar with the actual details of Zheng He’s voyages. As he listened and asked questions, he gradually formed a rough understanding. Just as he almost forgot the purpose of this trip, a voice came from outside.

“Young master, we’ve arrived at the Zheng residence on Ma Fu Street.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue stretched his arms and yawned. After all, he didn’t have a close relationship with Zheng He, so when he had brought gifts for Zhang Qian before, he could only pass by without entering. Now, with this clear excuse, he could finally enter Zheng He’s residence legitimately. After introducing himself to the two gatekeepers, he went into the nearby room to wait as instructed. Xiang Jiao, who had been talking nonstop earlier, followed in hesitantly, trying to speak several times before finally opening his mouth.

“Are you the sir who first proposed lifting the sea ban?” Seeing Zhang Yue nod, he immediately knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times without saying a word. “Sir, we have spent half our lives at sea, and many of us have contracted various ailments. We don’t want to waste the rest of our lives like this. Please think of a solution for us! Some of us can steer ships, some can read wind and stars, and some are skilled in combat. Please speak to the imperial court and give us another chance…” Before he could finish, a middle-aged man in a plain silk robe with diagonal slits entered. Glancing at Xiang Jiao kneeling and pleading on the ground, he immediately ordered two strong servants to drag him out. Only then did he bow to Zhang Yue and say respectfully, “Sir Zhang, my lord is waiting for you in the Warm Pavilion. Please follow me.”

Compared to the grand mansions of nobles with gardens, corridors, pavilions, and towers, the Zheng family’s residence on Ma Mansion Street was not very large, just a typical three-section courtyard. Since Zheng He only had one adopted son, Zheng Enming, and a few other family members, it was more than sufficient for his needs. Zhang Yue was led by the butler through the second gate, then another old woman took him on a path through the corridors to the main house, before finally leading him to the Warm Pavilion. As soon as he entered, he felt the warmth inside. Sitting on the soft couch in the center was Zheng He himself.

The two had met a few times before but had hardly spoken. After exchanging glances for a moment, Zhang Yue was the first to bow, and Zheng He quickly stood up to return the gesture. After a few polite exchanges, Zheng He asked directly, “I already know the reason for your visit tonight. It is indeed my fault for not exercising proper supervision. If you have any suggestions, please speak frankly.”