Chapter 722: Adding Fuel to the Fire and Offering Help in Hard Times

Previously, a group of officials in the Guangdong Provincial Government were worried that Zhang Yue’s appointment would take away their powers and harm their interests. Now, however, they were delighted to have someone of the highest rank and with imperial favor who could take responsibility, so they reported every detail to him. After several days, as the collection of summer taxes from various counties showed signs of progress, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But just then, a military dispatch from Dateng Gorge landed heavily on the desk in the main hall.
“Another requisition for 40,000 dan of military grain? Does Marquis Zhenyuan even know that the floods here have just receded, and rice fields in many areas are still submerged?”
Summer taxes were due in August, and autumn taxes in February—this had always been the imperial tax system. As a southern region, Guangdong traditionally relied on rice as the staple food, with wheat as a supplement, so rice fields far outnumbered wheat fields. Although the previous hurricanes and storms hadn’t affected the entire region, after urgent checks, it was still possible to gather the required 5,000 dan of wheat for summer taxes. However, next year’s autumn tax of 1 million dan of rice was severely affected, as rice fields in many counties of Guangzhou and Zhaoqing prefectures were submerged.
To make matters worse, rice prices kept rising at this critical moment, and the government’s grain stores, lacking sufficient stock, were unable to stabilize prices. If more military grain were requisitioned, it would mean not only exhausting the grain stores in Guangzhou and Zhaoqing but also forcing neighboring prefectures to contribute their own reserves.
Glaring sharply at the outraged advisor who was slamming the table, Xu Tao, the left counselor, turned to Zhang Yue and said carefully, “Sir, could we possibly show some flexibility with Marquis Zhenyuan on this matter?”
Seeing all those officials staring at him, Zhang Yue felt both annoyed and amused. These people had previously tried to keep him out of everything, but now they kept seeking his approval at every turn, completely changing their attitude. And now this request—wasn’t it because the first Marquis Zhenyuan, Gu Cheng, was a hero of the Jingnan Campaign, and Gu Xingzu was his grandson? They wanted him to use the influence of his own uncles to pressure others?

These people don’t even think about it—since the Hongwu era, the Gu family has governed Guizhou. Although they later submitted to Zhu Di, they merely assisted the crown prince Zhu Gaochi in defending Beiping. Being granted the title of Marquis of Zhenyuan was as a reward for their contributions in defending the city and pacifying Guizhou during the Hongwu period. Though the Gu family isn’t as powerful as the Mu family, which has long ruled Yunnan, all of Gu Cheng’s sons served as military officers in Yunnan. The current Marquis of Zhenyuan, Gu Xingzu, inherited his title in the 13th year of the Yongle era and has since continued to govern Guizhou, paying no attention to the power brokers in the capital. As far as he knows, not only is there a rebellion by the barbarians in Dateng Gorge in Guangxi, but there are also uprisings led by commoners like Qin Gongwang. In such urgent military situations, if the supply of food is delayed, who will take responsibility?

“This matter was ordered by the Ministry of Revenue, not just a military directive from the Marquis of Zhenyuan. Everyone needs to understand that clearly.”

For a moment, silence reigned everywhere. Xu Tao, who first proposed the idea, deeply regretted it. Since there was nothing to argue against, the council members one after another bowed and left. However, Xiang Shaoyuan, the right governor who had come out despite being ill, did not leave. Instead, he stood up, walked over slowly, and said softly to Zhang Yue, “Lord Zhang, once the military grain is dispatched, there will be no surplus in the granaries. We must be cautious. At this time, it might be better to levy taxes on local wealthy families using this amount of grain as a basis. I know Lord Zhang cares about his reputation, but it’s the reputation of the people that matters most. Those merchants can’t cause much of a stir.”

“This isn’t about caring for reputation,” Zhang Yue shook his head. Seeing Xiang Shaoyuan coughing so severely that he bent over, he quickly stepped forward to help him sit down before continuing, “After a disaster, wealthy families hoard grain, and grain merchants raise prices. Since they are heartless in their wealth, what do I have to worry about? But even if we impose taxes, there must be rules for doing so. Otherwise, if they complain loudly while not contributing a single grain, what will happen then?”

“They’re just a bunch of heartless merchants and wealthy families. Can they really resist the government? If that happens, a single imperial order to relocate them will be enough to ruin them!”

Seeing Xiang Shaoyuan, who was already ill, suddenly show a terrifyingly cruel expression, Zhang Yue was momentarily stunned before forcing a wry smile. Relocating wealthy families wasn’t something invented by the Ming dynasty—it had existed since the Han dynasty. But such extreme measures by the Ming government were rare. During the Hongwu era, people from Shanxi were relocated to Shandong, and during the Yongle era, wealthy people from Jinling and the Jiangnan region were moved to strengthen Beijing. Now, as a governor, he could certainly use his influence over the emperor to relocate local wealthy families, but it was a desperate measure with no long-term benefits.

He wasn’t afraid of being attacked, but he also didn’t want to be criticized for acting recklessly!

“If Lord Zhang thinks this is inappropriate, I can step in and pressure those merchants. By the rules, since I’ve fallen ill to this extent, I should have resigned long ago. Anyway, I’m already half-dead; it doesn’t matter if I offend anyone. Those heartless rich guys can’t do anything to me.”
Zhang Yue really didn’t expect Xiang Shaoyuan, the governor, to be so hostile toward the rich. Seeing him grit his teeth with such determination, he had no choice but to persuade him, “I understand your determination, Brother Xiang, but now isn’t the time for such extreme measures. I’m new here and rely on you and the others for many things. It’s enough that you handle government affairs despite your illness. There’s no need to rush this; I’ll find a way to sort it all out.”
Xiang Shaoyuan was stunned for a moment, staring at Zhang Yue for a long time before nodding and then staggering away. Seeing his seemingly desolate figure leaving, Zhang Yue didn’t have time to feel sad. He immediately called Peng Shisan, who informed him that everything was arranged—Commander Li Long and Inspector Yu Liang had agreed to attend the banquet. Zhang Yue went back, changed into casual clothes, and left the yamen with just a few attendants. His first stop wasn’t the Piaoxiang Tower where the banquet was held, but the Maritime Office.
Ever since they assigned their trusted family members to serve Qin Huaijin at the Maritime Office, Li Long and Yu Liang had been engaged in open and secret struggles. One wanted to find out if Qin Huaijin still had hidden treasures not yet seized, while the other sought to uncover any officials colluding with him. Logically, one sought fame while the other sought profit—no conflict there—but their family members inevitably leaked information, leading them to be wary of each other. Now, meeting at Zhang Yue’s banquet, sparks flew as their eyes met. After a few rounds of drinking, they forgot both the host of the event and the pretext of discussing disaster relief, turning to mock each other.
“The people from the military yamen have been running around these days. Lord Li must have reaped quite a few benefits.”
“How can my gains compare to those of Lord Yu? I heard you’ve been visiting that imperial censor frequently these days, discussing impeachment cases—preparing to make a big splash right away, I suppose?”
“Corrupt officials should be punished by all. To spare them would be a betrayal of conscience!”
“That’s nice to say. Your family is wealthy, yet you still spend money as an official. Who else has your luck?”

Seeing the two arguing fiercely, Zhang Yue remained silent until Li Long slammed the table and almost pointed his finger at Yu Liang’s nose, at which point he gently coughed. When Li Long sat down in frustration, Yu Liang smirked coldly before speaking, “You two hold high positions in the three ministries. Why argue over the words of a stranger? I invited you here today not only for the relief efforts but also to discuss another matter. Just before I arrived, I went to the Maritime Administration Office to see Qin Huaijin. He readily handed over the remaining money and a list of officials involved with him. Please take a look.”

Hearing this, the two who had been sitting upright froze instantly. When Zhang Yue handed over two pieces of paper, they quickly grabbed one each. Realizing it wasn’t what they wanted, they still glanced at it briefly before exchanging them coldly. After skimming through the contents, their faces turned deathly pale.

It was over. He had sent people to force that wealthy merchant to hand over the five thousand taels of gold hidden by Qin Huaijin. When that didn’t work, he resorted to threats and intimidation. Sure enough, the merchant, willing to endure humiliation, sent over two thousand taels. It turned out he had extorted the wrong person. With such a large sum, if the merchant filed a complaint… Thinking of this, Qin Huaijin clenched the armrest tightly.

Damn it! He had recorded the list of officials who admitted to taking bribes and colluding with human traffickers to smuggle people out of the country. He had even agreed to work together with that equally eager censor. By now, they might have already submitted their reports! Yu Liang was filled with regret and hatred, his hands nervously twisted together. All he had wanted was to advance in his career and eventually join the Censorate upon returning to the capital. But now, if this became public, not only would his future be ruined, but he might even become a pariah!

“That damned eunuch!”

The two almost simultaneously cursed inwardly, then turned to look at Zhang Yue. As a civil official, Yu Liang thought that Zhang Yue surely wouldn’t expose this matter just to harm him. Thus, hoping for the best, he quickly asked, “Lord Zhang, have you verified everything Qin Huaijin confessed?”

“I’ve already sent his butler with people to retrieve the gold and silver treasures he hid. It’s all confirmed. As for the corrupt officials he named, fortunately, Inspector Li is willing to cooperate, and there’s solid evidence, so there shouldn’t be much discrepancy.”

It was confirmed that those four words dealt a heavy blow to the two of them; for a moment, Li Long and Yu Liang didn’t even have the strength to speak. Yet just then, Zhang Yue changed his tone and said, “After Qin Huaijin left those instructions, he viciously declared that even if he died, he wouldn’t let those who harmed him off easy. I almost fell victim to his self-inflicted poison by accident. Given the seriousness of the matter, I’ve already had the City Trade Office sealed off. After questioning those servants, I rushed here right away. Qin Huaijin is cunning—having sent people to monitor him, we fear he might take advantage of the situation if we’re not careful. So, as a way to thank you both for your help earlier, may I ask—has he given you any false information?”

The words “false information” immediately angered the two of them, but as seasoned officials, they didn’t want to be easily taken advantage of either, so they mumbled vague replies to get by. After the meal, as Zhang Yue escorted them downstairs, someone rushed in at full speed from the entrance. They dismounted quickly and bowed, saying, “Sir, there’s an urgent dispatch from the capital. It’s extremely urgent, so I brought it here right away.”

Zhang Yue glanced at it and noticed the two men beside him watching intently. Smiling, he said, “It’s a document drafted by the Cabinet. It says we only need to keep an eye on Qin Huaijin until the new eunuch in charge of the City Trade Office arrives to handle the interrogation—there’s no need for the three departments to get involved anymore. It seems my trip today was unnecessary after all. If it weren’t for a wealthy merchant who came to complain that someone was framing him for hiding five thousand taels of gold belonging to Eunuch Qin, and that he had given two thousand taels under threat, I wouldn’t have gone to the City Trade Office. I’ve already ordered him to stay in a safer place until the matter is verified.”

Hearing that Zhang Qian would be in charge of the case, Li Long and Yu Liang’s faces turned pale. Upon hearing the last sentence, Li Long’s face turned purple as he clenched his fists hidden under his official robes. Yu Liang glanced at him with a hint of schadenfreude, but thinking of his own troubles, his interest in watching others suffer vanished instantly.

Putting aside his hesitation, Yu Liang quickly smiled and said, “The three departments should work together. If Lord Zhang has any tasks for me, I’ll certainly assist wholeheartedly.”

Li Long, who could see the opportunity to turn a military officer into a civil official, was certainly not foolish. He immediately realized that there were unclear connections between Zhang Qian and the Zhang family. If he wanted to resolve the previous issues, he needed Zhang Yue’s cooperation, so he nodded and said, “Lord Zhang, please give your orders. I won’t hesitate at all.”

Seeing that both of them were hesitating, clearly waiting for him to speak, Zhang Yue smiled and raised his hand to ask them to return upstairs. After they sat down, he spoke directly: “After the floods, due to the summer tax issues, the provincial officials are already overwhelmed. They must also handle disaster relief and allocate military provisions, leaving them severely short of funds. I hope the military commander can lend a hand. Don’t worry, Lord Li; there will be no financial loss. As for those officials mentioned by Qin Huaijin, this matter involves too many parties, so the provincial governor’s assistance is also necessary.”

Both of them were stunned after hearing this. At this moment, none of them wanted the originally anticipated bad situation to suddenly turn into something good. Although Li Long was skeptical, he felt that Zhang Yue wouldn’t make empty promises. As for Yu Liang, there was no need to disappoint that imperial censor, who might not hold high rank but wield great influence. After much thought, they couldn’t think of any reason to refuse, so they quickly nodded.

“Lord Zhang is absolutely right. The censorate is responsible for criminal investigations, and I will surely do my best.”

“This is an excellent plan! Everyone has a heart of compassion, but few can think as thoroughly as Lord Zhang.”

Seeing that they had expressed their willingness, Zhang Yue kept them for a while to discuss further before standing up to see them off. After they left, he took out the letter he had kept earlier. It was written by Yang Shiqi, a minister of the cabinet, but it was not an official document but a private letter. Its content was similar to what he had said before, except for one extremely important sentence at the end:

“The ministers in the court say that Zhang Yuanjie always seeks to cause trouble wherever he goes. When he first arrived in Guangdong, he had radical intentions. The emperor didn’t listen, but other ministers spoke to the empress dowager in the palace. I only hope you will be cautious and not give others any opportunity to exploit you.”

The message was simple: they didn’t want more deaths in Guangdong. He also wanted peace, but if others insisted on antagonizing him, he wouldn’t hesitate to take drastic measures.