Chapter 730: Closing Both Ends of the Thread

Since Guangdong was located in the far south, although a Jinyiwei station was established there as per protocol, there weren’t many places that needed supervision. Thus, the dozen or so Jinyiwei officers in the station rarely had much to do. Given the strong commercial atmosphere in the area, the successive commanders of the station couldn’t help but think of ways to make use of this situation, so they set up several transportation businesses. This allowed them to gather various kinds of information without interfering with their duties—a win-win solution. From the Yongle era to the present, several commanders have taken turns, yet this beneficial policy has benefited many military households.

In the past, with the emperor far away, commanders didn’t need to follow orders from others. But when Tang Le received Zhang Qian’s instructions, he was initially reluctant. However, after investigating the two cases at hand, he was shocked. He knew some of the ins and outs, but since this involved higher-ups, he dared not disobey and instead ordered his two subordinates to investigate thoroughly. Thanks to his extensive network of informants, he obtained information within just two days and immediately sent it to the Maritime Administration. He thought the matter would end there, but at noon, two eunuchs from the Maritime Administration came, saying Zhang Qian wanted to see him.

There were thirteen Jinyiwei stations across the country, and important prefectures also had spies and informants. To secure the position of commander of a provincial station, Tang Le must have made numerous efforts in the capital in the past. For this reason, he was well-versed in palace affairs. Entering the Maritime Administration through the back door, he followed the servants through winding paths before reaching the main hall. Upon seeing the person sitting at the center holding a teacup, he quickly knelt down and bowed.

“Your humble servant pays respects to Eunuch Zhang.”

“You handled this matter very well—thank you for your hard work. No need for such formalities; rise and talk.”

With Zhang Qian’s words, Tang Le felt much more at ease. He assumed a seat in the first chair on the right. Seeing that Zhang Qian seemed in good spirits, he was about to explain the whole situation when a high-pitched voice came from outside: “Your Excellency, Lord Li of the Military Commission, Lord Yu of the Judicial Commission, and Lord Zhang of the Provincial Administration have arrived.”

“Although invitations were sent, it’s rare for them to all arrive at once. Order them that if anyone dares to leak the fact that everyone is here today, they shall be executed on the spot!”

When the heads of these three departments gathered together, Tang Le was instantly shocked. Just as he was about to stand up, he heard the words “kill two people.” He felt as if the chair beneath him was a furnace, making him extremely uneasy. It wasn’t until all noise outside ceased and the eunuch who had come to report seemed to have gone to greet those three important figures that he finally stood up and spoke carefully, “Eunuch Zhang, I have thoroughly investigated the matter you asked me to look into. There are some things that are difficult to write down in official documents or to report to others. The Xu family is just an ordinary merchant and not worth fearing. But from what I know, behind them… behind them is Marquis Zhenyuan.”

Marquis Zhenyuan?

Zhang Qian frowned upon hearing this. He had followed Zhu Di since the Yan Kingdom era and was well-acquainted with those noble military officials. Among the high-ranking officials and nobles, aside from those who had followed Zhu Di from the beginning of the uprising, there were also those who joined him during various battles. Among them, Gu Cheng was an exception—he had assisted Zhu Gaochi in governing Beiping after joining them, without ever taking part in risky strategies, yet in the end, he was still granted a marquis title to govern Guizhou—of course, he also knew when to advance or retreat and knew his place. The current holder of the title was Gu Cheng’s great-grandson, Gu Xingzu. If it were really him behind this, things would become more complicated, but it was unlikely that Marquis Zhenyuan would stand up for just a merchant.

As he was pondering, voices came from outside. Zhang Qian signaled Tang Le with a gesture, telling him not to speak anymore. When he stood up, he saw Zhang Yue and Li Longyu Liang enter the room together. Judging from their expressions, they seemed to have had a pleasant conversation on the way here. After exchanging greetings, noticing that they were all looking at Tang Le beside him, he casually said, “This is Tang Le, the commander of the Guangdong Jinyiwei. I asked him to handle a case earlier. I thought it would be a simple matter, but it turned out to be quite complex, so I had no choice but to invite these three gentlemen.”

Last time, one person benefited and another gained fame because of Zhang Yue. Now, with Li Long and Yu Liang seeing Zhang Qian take office and noticing that he seemed to get along well with Zhang Yue, they both kept a close eye on him. That’s why they came right away without any delay when invited today. Hearing this, Li Long, a second-rank commander, smiled and said, “Eunuch Zhang, what are you saying? If there’s a case, just give orders. There’s no need for such formalities. We’re all officials appointed by the court. If a major case arises in our jurisdiction, who wouldn’t take it seriously?”

Since Li Long had said so, Yu Liang, who was in charge of criminal affairs across the province, naturally wouldn’t miss this chance to show goodwill. He also said with a smile, “It’s as Lord Li said. Now that we’re here, what exactly is the case? Please, Lord Zhang, explain it to us.”

Zhang Yue wasn’t like these two and didn’t need to show his intentions so openly. Besides, it was he who had brought this matter up, so he simply nodded. When Zhang Qian began to explain, Li Long and Yu Liang exchanged glances. This was undoubtedly a major issue for ordinary people, but for these two high-ranking officials, it wasn’t that urgent. If handled well, it would be an achievement; if mishandled and people died, it would be a grave mistake. So they exchanged a look, and Yu Liang cautiously asked, “Is Lord Zhang completely sure about the whereabouts of those people?”

“With the Jinyiwei already deployed, how could I not be sure?” Seeing their hesitation, Zhang Qian emphasized, “Selling one’s own countrymen to foreign nations is a grave crime. When I came here, the emperor mentioned that Guangdong, being in the far south, needs to be guarded against traitors colluding with foreigners. Selling our people abroad is, in essence, treason.”

With the word “treason” mentioned, no one else had anything to say. Li Long immediately offered to send troops to capture them according to Zhang Qian’s instructions, while Yu Liang said he would arrest them one by one based on the list. Naturally, Zhang Yue took on the tedious task of sending everyone back to their hometowns once everything was settled. After this matter was resolved, Zhang Qian pretended to need to discuss matters related to the Maritime Trade Office, leaving only Zhang Yue behind.

“I had people check the accounts of the Maritime Trade Office over the past few years, and the results were astonishing. Over ten years, the amount of silver and money submitted by the Maritime Trade Office to the court was less than Qin Huaijin’s wealth! Since I already sent the Jinyiwei, I had them also investigate the docks, and what they found was shocking. Didn’t you mention official brokers before? We can’t delay any longer—otherwise, the entire dock might fall outside the court’s control. I just heard that three foreign ships are arriving today, so I’ve already found an excuse to seal off the dock! Although the cases of illegal human trafficking abroad are important, this situation here is equally urgent. How are your preparations?”

Zhang Yue had thought Zhang Qian would wait and observe since he was new, but to his surprise, he was pushing him so urgently. He couldn’t help but laugh. After a brief pause, recalling that his father had already taken care of everything that needed to be done and prepared everything necessary, he nodded and said, “In that case, there’s no time to lose. I’ll accompany Lord Zhang to the dock early tomorrow morning.”

“Good!” Zhang Qian nodded firmly, slapped the armrest, and stood up. “During my time here, countless gifts have been delivered through the front door, and I’ve accepted them all. They must think I’m easier to deal with than the former Qin Huaijin and that I’m even less cautious about keeping money. After today’s trip, they’ll finally know what kind of person I really am!”
Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Fan Si Street in the governor’s office was already closed off to traffic. A long line of carriages stood in front of the gate, led by a carriage with blue curtains, but red embroidered ribbons hung at the front. By this time, the office staff had already reported for duty, yet not a sound was heard. Soon, Zhang Yue came out with his entourage and boarded that carriage with red embroidered ribbons. Quickly, the group left Fan Si Street.
Although he usually traveled with three or five attendants on horseback, occasionally using a carriage or being carried by four men, and rarely needing an escort, this time, since he was going to Huangpu Town with Zhang Qian, the governor’s office immediately sent officials to clear the streets without his orders. Once they left Fan Si Street, the roads were completely empty; the locals stayed aside, many of them watching curiously at this grand procession. However, the bamboo curtains on the carriage windows blocked visibility, allowing only faint glimpses of people inside. Still, many locals whispered among themselves, discussing the situation.
Zhang Qian had been tasked multiple times in Guangzhou and Quanzhou to welcome envoys from foreign countries and had also led fleets on overseas missions. He was well-versed in local customs and could speak several foreign languages. Speaking of the three Ceylon cargo ships that had just docked at the port the previous day, he sneered.
“Ever since Qin Huaijin became the imperial supervisor of maritime trade, the officials under him seem less useful than his personal men. Now that he’s fallen, many people at the docks are eager to join my team, still disdaining the Maritime Trade Bureau. Originally, the Maritime Trade Bureau was under the governor’s office, but the governor’s office hasn’t been able to interfere for years. Without imperial permission, I couldn’t rashly let you get involved, but since the emperor has given his approval, you can act like a superior. As long as I stay silent, your words will carry equal weight. Have you thoroughly assessed the people you’ve chosen? If they misjudge the situation and merchants refuse to deal with them, that will be a problem.”

“Don’t worry, Eunuch Zhang. This trade isn’t less important now; it’s just as important in the past and will remain so in the future. If they dare to make mistakes this time, they shouldn’t expect to stay in the business of facilitating foreign merchants in the future. Besides, I’ve promised to submit a request to establish official agencies for this purpose. If they collude with foreign merchants as those in the past did, I have plenty of ways to punish them. Moreover, with Eunuch Zhang ordering all the docks to be sealed off, even if those big merchants try to scheme, they won’t be able to enter or exit.”

“Good!”

Since Qin Huaijin was placed under house arrest, everyone at the Huangpu Town docks felt insecure, worried about being purged. Yet, unexpectedly, for over a month, the Sanxi Yamen, which had taken action first, remained inactive. Gradually, they grew a bit hopeful and bolder. After all, not everyone could engage in the business of facilitating foreign merchants at the docks. The officials in charge could keep changing, but if everyone at the lower levels were replaced, there would be no one left to do the work.

When Zhang Qian became the imperial eunuch in charge of maritime affairs and Qin Huaijin “committed suicide out of fear of punishment,” the Maritime Office welcomed gifts from everyone without refusal. They were convinced they were right. So even when three foreign ships arrived the previous day and the Maritime Office ordered the docks to be sealed off and no one allowed in, sending people instead to take the foreign merchants to Huaiyuan Post Station, they only panicked for a while before calming down. Since they had already accepted the gifts, how could things change?

Now, as the ceremonial procession arrived at the docks and the green-curtained carriage with cloud motifs slowly approached, the clerks and others waiting there immediately knelt down in submission. When Zhang Qian and Zhang Yue got out of the carriage, everyone was stunned. Looking up, they saw clearly written on the ceremonial plaque: “Imperially Appointed Maritime Superintendent Eunuch Zhang” and “Zhang, Left Governor of Guangdong.”

These two “Zhang” names seemed unrelated, but there had been rumors that since Zhang Qian took office, Zhang Yue had been frequenting the Maritime Office. The crowd exchanged glances for a moment but didn’t think much of it.

The August sun was still scorching hot. Two attendant eunuchs quickly brought out black tea-brown silk umbrellas lined with red silk and topped with silver lotus-shaped decorations. Zhang Qian, dressed in a qilin-patterned robe, quietly rolled up his sleeves slightly, glanced at the people kneeling below, and said calmly, “I’ve been busy rectifying the many problems left over from the previous administration and haven’t had time to come to the docks. Today, I’m here to express my gratitude to all of you for your hard work.”

Zhang Qian used to be a eunuch in the Imperial Surveillance Bureau; officially, he held the rank of fourth grade. But eunuchs in charge of local areas often received qilin robes reserved for dukes, marquises, and earls. If they were domineering, they would even override the local officials. That’s why Zhang Qian spoke so politely, leaving his subordinates feeling greatly honored. The leader hurriedly kowtowed and said, “I dare not. I merely serve the court…”
“As soon as foreign goods arrive, there are those who lead them to wealthy merchants, where high-value goods are privately traded—often half or even six or seven out of ten. Only then is it reported to the authorities for a share. Is this how you serve the court?”
After saying this calmly, seeing everyone stunned, Zhang Qian lost his smile and spoke with a hint of cruelty, “Accepting bribes in gems, gold, and silver from foreign merchants, reporting a full ship as half, calling merchants envoys, and labeling worthless items as tributes—forcing the court to spend heavily in rewards. Is this how you serve the court? You call yourselves court clerks, but in reality, you’re dogs of the wealthy merchants. Such people who serve the court are better off not existing!”
At this point, he stood with his hands behind his back and glanced at Zhang Yue. Seeing this, Zhang Yue also ignored those trembling men, his voice carrying a murderous edge, “Bring them all out! From today onward, no one is allowed to set foot in Huangpu Town’s docks again! Pass the order: if any merchants in Guangzhou harbor them, they will all be held accountable!”
After Zhang Yue spoke these harsh words, Zhang Qian turned to him with a smile and said, “Yuanjie, how about coming with me to meet that Ceylon envoy over there?”