Chapter 504: Delay Tactics Aren’t Unique to You

Although commerce was in decline in the Great Ming Dynasty, and wealthy merchants often faced exploitation by officials and disdain from scholars, it didn’t stop them from striving to become even richer. Among all merchants in the land, the most famous were those from Huizhou and Shanxi. Due to the Ming Dynasty’s salt allocation system, the Shanxi merchants had an advantage and thus far surpassed the Huizhou merchants, almost monopolizing the trade of exchanging grain for salt in Xuanfu and Datong.

Bazhen Street was near the military governor’s residence. Many who had been turned away when asking about the rules there gathered outside. Even though they knew a special imperial envoy resided there, the military governor’s men blocked access, forcing them to sit in taverns and teahouses at the street corner, chatting. There were groups from Lu’an, Taiyuan, and Pingyang—separate tables where discussions ranged from military affairs to politics and then to business, with everyone speaking eloquently.

At Fang Qing’s table were several merchants from Lu’an. The Fang family had been famous a hundred years ago, but after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, they declined due to frequent relocations. Though their roots in Lu’an still remained, and their commercial settlements in Xuanfu continued to operate, they couldn’t compare to the new elites who had profited from the salt allocation system.

Although Shanxi and Shandong differed by just one character, compared to others who had an advantage, it took them at least a day longer to respond to news—time enough to accomplish much in business. If not for his inspection in Lu’an, he might not have made it in time for this opportunity. So, he decided to come in person instead of sending an agent.

“The salt allocation in previous years was handled by the eunuch in charge of defense. This time, with the Marquis of Wu’an in charge, things might not be so straightforward.”

“It’s not just the Marquis of Wu’an—haven’t you heard the head of the Eastern Depot has also arrived?”

“The waters in Xuanfu are very deep now. We all need to be cautious. That ruthless official, Lord Zhang, isn’t easy to deal with. I heard he killed Arutai’s son with an arrow in Xinghe and burned tens of thousands to death! After we give gifts as usual, we must also take good care to please him!”

“The emperor always trusts Eunuch Wang. This time, we just need to give extra attention to others. The real power still lies with the eunuch in charge of defense—rumor has it it leads straight into the palace. Can’t get in there? Hehe, that’s because you haven’t found the right path…”

Hearing his desk mate, a shrewd manager who liked to play hard to get, talk about having other ways to access the eunuch palace, Fang Qing couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, thinking of the schemes he had helped Zhang Yue carry out in Qingzhou before. Lu Feng was now in charge of the Eastern Depot, and Zhang Yue had already managed to secure such a person back then—so what more could he do now? Seeing these people spouting nonsense more and more fervently, he moved back slightly and suddenly noticed another person climbing up to the already full upper floor. He recognized the young man at a glance and was overjoyed, quickly standing up.

“Young Master Fang.” Lian Hu rushed to the street corner after booking food and drinks at Bajinzhan Pavilion. After searching several restaurants and teahouses, he finally found them here. Seeing Fang Qing, he stepped forward and said, “No wonder I thought I heard someone calling earlier—it was you! Fortunately, you met Miss Xiao Wu; otherwise, you would have missed her. The young master asked me to convey that he is currently recuperating and cannot meet you for now. He asked you to stay calm.”

Seeing Lian Hu bow cheerfully before turning to leave in a hurry, Fang Qing remained calm on the surface but immediately pondered those last four words—“stay calm.” Zhang Yue would never make such a statement without reason. Could it be that taking too hasty action might lead to trouble? Recalling the official secrets he had learned since arriving here, he decided to stay in the inn for now and observe the situation first.

The shrewd manager who had been talking nonstop before saw this and immediately raised his eyebrows. Standing up, he said with a smile, “That messenger boy looks very familiar to me. Since Young Master Fang already has an insider, why didn’t you tell us earlier? That way, we could all make money together! You know, the military rations needed this time are at least hundreds of thousands of bushels—your Fang family alone can’t handle that!”

Fang Qing sat down as if nothing had happened and said casually, “It’s not really an insider. He’s just a subordinate of Lord Zhang. Everyone heard what he said—just those four words: ‘stay calm.’”

“Ah, I forgot. Lord Zhang used to be an assistant magistrate in Qingzhou, Shandong, the same place as you. But that was in the past. All these officials are greedy. Listen to his advice—‘stay calm.’ There are over a dozen Shanxi merchants who’ve heard this news. If we really wait patiently as he says, we won’t even get the broth while others eat the meat!”

It was Lord Lu from Lu’an Prefecture, the person in charge of handling such matters, who spoke at this moment. Though he tended to rely on his seniority, he still had some good intentions. Therefore, Fang Qing bowed slightly and said, “It’s true that business opportunities don’t wait, but this time it’s about supplying grain for the northern campaign, with the intention of aiding the military efforts. So I think ‘stay calm’ is indeed the right advice. As someone just said, the waters in Xuanfu are too deep right now; if we rush in without seeing clearly, we might end up more than just getting our shoes wet.”

Although he was young and inexperienced, he was still the real leader of the Fang family, and he had married into the Su Song Yang family. So, upon hearing his words, some people dismissed them, while others pondered over them. As a result, compared to the lively discussions at other tables, the merchants from Lu’an Prefecture quickly dispersed, each going back to think through the situation.

Xuanfu was only 350 li away from Beijing. Wan Shijie and Xiao Wu had traveled there nonstop for a day and night. After their initial enthusiasm faded, they could barely keep their eyes open even while eating, unable to taste anything properly. After dinner, since Wan Shijie was eager to leave, Zhang Yue and Xiao Wu escorted him to the door. Only after seeing the sleepy figure get into the carriage and drive away at high speed did they send the equally tired Xiao Wu to bed.

Back in his room, he reviewed the petition he had already written, then took off his casual clothes and put on official robes, preparing to go out. Just as he finished getting dressed and pulled back the curtain to leave, he heard a noisy commotion outside. Soon, a retainer left behind by Meng Jun rushed in through the side gate.

“Young Master Yue, Eunuch Wang, the commander-in-chief’s attendant, has arrived!”

Zhang Yue had planned to go to the commander-in-chief’s residence to inform Zheng Heng that everything was ready and they were just waiting for the right opportunity. But hearing that Wang Guan had come, he was extremely surprised. From his first arrival in Xuanfu until now, Wang Guan had never visited him privately. What could he possibly want now? Seeing Wang Guan enter with several attendants, he simply stepped down a few stairs.

“Eunuch Wang, your arrival is rather inconvenient. I was just about to go to the commander-in-chief’s residence.”

Glancing at Zhang Yue’s splendid official robes, Wang Guan immediately knew he wasn’t just going through the motions. But since he had taken the trouble to come here, he certainly wasn’t about to let him go now. Narrowing his eyes, he smiled and said, “I’ll only keep Lord Zhang occupied for a short while—certainly not delay your matters. If you’d like to talk in this courtyard, I have no objection. After all, the cold wind from the training ground has been blowing all day… Ahchh… I heard you were ill. I’ve come to discuss important matters with you despite my own illness.”

Hearing Wang Guan’s loud sneeze, Zhang Yue sneered inwardly, but then stepped aside to let him in. After they sat down as host and guest, he took in Wang Guan’s clothes—imperial robes of the Qilin and Bai Ze patterns—and grew slightly suspicious. He then asked calmly, “If you have something to say, Minister Wang, please go straight to the point.”

“Good. I won’t beat around the bush! The emperor’s decree has been issued for days now, yet no arrangements have been made yet—this is unacceptable. Although I used to be in charge of these matters as the eunuch supervisor, this year the scale is much larger. Since Lord Zhang has been ordered to oversee Xuanfu, why not work together? Marquis Wu’an surely doesn’t have time to deal with such affairs. As long as I speak to him, he’ll surely agree. If we handle this military supply issue well, Lord Zhang will not only regain his reputation upon returning to the capital but will also have his previous merits in Xinghe recognized by the emperor.”

With news of a major reshuffle in the Jinyiwei’s Xuanfu detachment arriving today, even Wang Guan, though foolish, realized that disaster might be imminent. So he sought help from Liu Yongcheng and Hai Shou in the capital, offering them generous rewards, while also targeting Zhang Yue. In his view, although Zhang Yue seemed close to Lu Feng on the surface, civil officials generally looked down on eunuchs—so that was probably just for show. Moreover, Zhang Yue surely didn’t understand the complexities of the Xinghe incident. As long as he could persuade him with the benefits of this salt monopoly as a temporary solution, and he could get through this crisis, those promised rewards wouldn’t mean much.

It was his own madness that had led him to listen to others’ temptation and devise such a desperate plan, forgetting that Zhang Yue came from a military family with strong backing. If that matter were exposed, he would end up just like his godfather Huang Yan!

Having spent so many years in high-ranking positions and official circles, even if Zhang Yue couldn’t see anything else, he could tell the tension hidden behind Wang Guan’s smile. Of course, he understood what was going on. After a brief argument, he pretended to be pleased and accepted Wang Guan’s “kind offer,” even going so far as to see him to the door personally. But as soon as the carriage was out of sight, he dropped his fake smile.
Wang Guan, Wang Guan—delaying tactics aren’t something only you know how to use. If I don’t kill you, how can I avenge the fallen soldiers, how can I repay the hatred of the enemy besieging the city, how can I ease the pain of my family’s fear, and how can I relieve my own exhaustion? Revenge with kindness, retaliation with retaliation—minor grievances can be ignored, but major wrongs must be settled!