Chapter 727: Teaching a Son
During the Song and Yuan dynasties, the purpose of the Market Ship Administration was to oversee the taxation and trade of foreign goods brought by sea, thereby attracting distant peoples and facilitating the exchange of goods. Emperors of past dynasties were extremely cautious in appointing officials to this position. Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, once said that if unqualified people were appointed, foreign merchants would not come, resulting in huge losses. In the Yuan dynasty, high-ranking officials were often appointed as heads of the Market Ship Administration.
However, by the Ming dynasty, the Market Ship Administration, which was originally meant to benefit the state, had become a tool for winning over foreign nations, and its importance could no longer compare to that of previous dynasties. The head of the administration was merely a fifth-rank official, and starting from the Yongle era, eunuchs were appointed to oversee it. As a result, the Market Ship Administration, under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Administration Office, became even more subordinate, unable to handle matters independently.
Yet at this moment, Li Wenchang, the head of the Market Ship Administration, sat upright in the main hall, facing Zhang Yue’s sharp gaze. Unfazed, he showed no intention of backing down and even became more forceful in his words.
“If governing a country solely focused on profit, why did the Song and Yuan dynasties perish? Tax revenues during the Song dynasty were several times higher than those of our dynasty, and the same was true in the Yuan dynasty. What was the outcome? Wealthy merchants used money to curry favor with high-ranking officials, thereby influencing state policies. By the end of the Yuan dynasty, the people suffered greatly. Although internal strife and disrupted policies played a role, the root cause was still the control of the country’s vital resources by these merchants, leading to overall collapse. That’s why Emperor Taizu, after ascending the throne, despised corrupt merchants and, faced with the threat of Japanese pirates, imposed a ban on sea trade. Now, by lifting these restrictions overnight, aren’t we repeating the mistakes of the Song and Yuan dynasties? A wealthy country is not necessarily a strong one. As a high-ranking official, how can you forget this?”
Watching Li Wenchang sit so composed, Zhang Yue grew increasingly annoyed. He knew of Li’s integrity and honesty. Although the head of the Market Ship Administration wasn’t very accomplished, if he took a little advantage of his position, he would still be far superior to an ordinary county magistrate. Yet, as far as he knew, Li Wenchang was penniless, even his official robes were patched. In the political world, those who sought fame and profit were easier to deal with, while these honest yet stubborn people were the hardest to handle.
“A wealthy country isn’t necessarily strong, but have you seen what happened after the hurricanes and floods? If it weren’t for the Market Ship Administration borrowing grain from the military to sell at fair prices, grain prices would have skyrocketed three to five times. How many ordinary people would have starved? What about the entire province of Guangdong? If the country were truly wealthy, agricultural infrastructure and grain reserves in Guangdong could be improved, ensuring that the people had enough food and clothing!”
“When the people are wealthy, they become lazy; in ancient times, our ancestors worked hard in farming and weaving to be self-sufficient, and yet they led happy lives. The word ‘profit’ is truly the most harmful thing!”
After debating with this stubborn man for half an hour and hearing such words again, Zhang Yue, who was already parched, lost all interest. Too tired to continue, he stood up and said, “The ancient times were the ancient times; the present is the present. If you, an official, have objections, then submit a memorial. Let me say this: It is noble to be content with poverty, but expecting all the people in the land to do the same is too harsh. The phrase ‘serve the world and help the people’ means nothing without actually helping them!”
“I shall take your advice seriously and submit a memorial right away.”
Seeing Li Wenchang stand up, bow slightly, then walk away with his back straight, Zhang Yue felt amused. Yet it was high noon, and he had no desire to think about what would become of that bookworm. He returned straight to the backyard.
Since his parents had arrived in Guangzhou, he could finally resume the custom of visiting them in the morning and evening, and they all ate together three times a day. Mrs. Sun, who had been overly cautious when serving her mother-in-law in her youth, disliked the formalities of a large household. With her daughter-in-law by her side, she felt uncomfortable, so she often used the excuse of being away from home to avoid those rules. Now, the whole family sat around the table together. Though they didn’t talk much, her eyes were always on her son and grandchildren, her face filled with satisfaction.
“Your mother has loved you since you were young. These years, she’s suffered because of being separated from you. Now that I’ve fulfilled her wish, I’m glad. Otherwise, with her constant worry, she would surely fall ill. If you have time, spend more time with her.”
The weather was neither cold nor hot that day. After dinner, the father and son went for a walk in the small garden. Hearing Zhang Zhuo say this, Zhang Yue thought of how Mrs. Sun had spent the past month talking to his daughter-in-law and grandchildren during the day, and often holding his hand to chat after dinner. He smiled and said, “These years, I’ve been serving as an official in different places, separated from you both because of work. Now it’s time for me to take good care of my parents.”
He paused briefly, then carefully chose his words and asked, “But my sixth brother is already six years old and at an age when he should start learning. Since there’s Lord Liang in the capital, for his future’s sake, it might be better to keep him there.”
“As soon as your mother and I left the capital, he was left in the care of your aunt. Though she is a proper person, women tend to dote on children. If we let him act recklessly, it will be hard to discipline him later. I originally planned to bring only him, but your mother insisted that being separated for too long would cause worry, and if she harbored any improper thoughts, it could lead to discord in the family. Your mother is that kind of person—harsh in words but kind at heart.”
Seeing Zhang Zhuo’s face show a helpless yet relieved smile, Zhang Yue could only smile bitterly inwardly. He had already heard from Du Wan that Zhang Fu was curious about everything as a newcomer, often wandering around the back courtyard, naively believing whatever others said, not knowing how Hong Luan had taught him. After some thought, he couldn’t help asking, “Since Father has brought him here, you must have thought about his future. Permit me to ask directly—should he pursue a literary or martial career?”
“Naturally, a martial one,” Zhang Zhuo replied without hesitation. Noticing Zhang Yue’s strange expression, he gently patted his son’s shoulder. “In a family like ours, you’re an exception. I’ve heard about your eldest uncle’s situation before. Though it was his eagerness for success that led to that outcome, wasn’t it also due to our family background? Your fourth brother is currently a scholar, but he’ll never have the same opportunities as you. Even with his excellent aptitude, it’s hard for him; let alone your sixth brother. I think he’s honest and sincere. If he focuses on martial arts, he might achieve something. And we don’t even need to go to the trouble of hiring a teacher—there’s Old Peng, right?”
Zhang Yue had previously heard Lady Sun complain that Zhang Zhuo always pushed things onto his sons, but now he realized his father had thought everything through very carefully. After pondering for a moment, he nodded and said, “In that case, I’ll find an opportunity to talk to Old Peng. I did learn a few moves from Old Peng when I was young. Though I didn’t become a skilled martial artist, I at least strengthened my body. If my sixth brother wants to succeed, he’ll have to endure even more hardships than I did. After all, he’s his aunt’s biological son. Father still needs to talk to her. Otherwise, seeing her son return with bruises every day, she might not be able to bear it. Back then, if it weren’t for Grandmother pressing me, my own insistence, and Father’s support, Mother would have tried several times to get me to stop training in martial arts.”
“Do you still remember those things?” Hearing about those past events now, Zhang Zhuo felt an unusual sense of warmth. He had forgotten that his son had already become a high-ranking official. Unable to resist, he pinched his shoulder. “Back then, when I saw that big bruise on your shoulder, your mother almost rushed to confront Old Peng. It was I who stopped her… Thinking about it now, life is truly unpredictable. You used to be so frail, but now you hardly suffer from any minor illnesses. Just for that, Old Peng is a benefactor to our family.”
“A benefactor?”
The two, lost in their nostalgic thoughts, suddenly heard these words and turned around. It was Peng Shisan walking briskly from the other end of the path. Zhang Yue immediately smiled. “Just as we mentioned him, here he is. Old Peng, you’ve come at just the right time. Father just mentioned something to me—our sixth brother is already six years old. If you have time, how about teaching him martial arts every day? He was very eager to watch you train in the martial arts field the last two times. If he could become your disciple, it would fulfill his wish.”
“The sixth young master?” Peng Shisan wasn’t expecting such a task suddenly and was completely puzzled. After a while, he hesitantly said, “I don’t mind, but as the young master knows, I’m not very gentle with my hands. After all, he’s still young. What if he gets injured…” He stopped speaking and then chuckled. “Lingxi once told me that the third madam used to hate me deeply.”
“It doesn’t matter. Since I’ve entrusted the child to you, I naturally trust you.” Zhang Zhuo was surprised that Peng Shisan knew about this incident and couldn’t help but laugh. Then he instructed, “See if he has talent. If not, at least help him build up his strength. With the imperial favor, he’ll have a decent background. If he does have talent, then train him well. The world is vast, and there will always be opportunities for battle. Eventually, he’ll have to fight his way forward on his own.”
Peng Shisan agreed to everything before following the two of them forward. Once they sat in the hall behind the small garden, he recounted in detail what he had learned at Wuyue Merchant House that day: “Nowadays, many merchants can be divided into two groups. The big merchants don’t want to be controlled by others, so they already ordered ships in Fujian and plan to set sail for trade when the trade winds pick up at the end of the year. It is said they have even hired sailors and shipworkers. As for the medium-sized merchants, most of them are eyeing those foreign ships that come to Guangzhou for trade. After all, given the huge profits from this trade, those foreign merchants won’t give it up easily. However, the top big merchants in our province want to engage in maritime trade while still reaping the profits from land-based trade, so now the small and medium-sized merchants plan to unite as one.”
“That’s only natural.”
Although Zhang Zhuo was an official, he knew far more about business matters than he did about government affairs. Seeing Zhang Yue deep in thought, he casually closed his fan and said with a smile, “These days, I’ve been to Fangshi Street in Huangpu Town many times and seen several foreign ships enter the port. Compared to the Ningbo Maritime Administration, the situation here in Guangzhou is quite different. After the foreign merchants’ ships arrive, there are usually guides who take them to meet the local merchants, and the high-value goods are often sold right away before the government can take its cut. Besides, I’ve also seen the people from the Maritime Administration appraise goods. For the same pepper, the same person gave two completely different appraisals. So if the Maritime Administration wants to collect taxes fully, those appraisers also need to be carefully selected. I heard that the original appraisers were all seconded from big merchant firms, so it’s inevitable they would act in their own interests. All of them need to be replaced…”
Hearing Zhang Zhuo talk nonstop, listing one thing after another, Zhang Yue felt greatly relieved. Although he wasn’t completely ignorant about business, compared to those experienced merchants, he felt inadequate. Some of the things Zhang Zhuo mentioned were things he had realized, while others he hadn’t. But with this knowledge now, at least he didn’t have to worry about making mistakes out of naivety.
Peng Shisan had little interest in matters of the marketplace and officialdom. Although he held no real power as a military officer, he could have stayed in the capital and lived a comfortable life. Yet he followed Zhang Yue without hesitation—primarily because of what Zhang Fu said: Zhang Fu would no longer have any chance to be sent on military campaigns. Following Zhang Yue was better than tending to flowers and plants for Zhang Fu in that vast duke’s mansion in the capital—that was his fate twenty years from now, not now.
After Zhang Zhuo finished his long speech, he suddenly said, “Third Lord, third young master, I don’t understand the rest, but there’s one thing I’d like to mention. As the Third Lord said, those who know how to assess values best are the shopkeepers in the market streets. But these major merchants will never pay taxes properly, as shown by the previous grain price surge. It would be better to leave this task to medium-sized merchant associations, like Wuyue Merchant Company. Their ambitions are smaller, and they won’t dare to be too pushy when trying to curry favor with the authorities.”
“What Old Peng says makes sense.”
Seeing Zhang Zhuo frown slightly and then look at him with a somewhat ambiguous expression, Zhang Yue knew his father likely knew the truth behind Wuyue Merchant Company. He nodded smilingly and said, “Father, rest assured. It’s not good for one family to dominate everything. The Chu family also helped a lot in stabilizing grain prices before. They must have a say in this matter. But this is only a temporary solution. I’ll ask Eunuch Zhang to establish official appraisal agencies so that no one can decide everything on their own.”
Hearing this, Zhang Zhuo finally felt relieved. He understood his son’s desire to protect his family, but as long as it didn’t affect judgment, it was acceptable. He had married into the Sun family, but treated them casually, only sending generous gifts during festivals. The Sun family never cared about how Sun’s wife was treated in the Zhang family. Since Zhang Yue was a student of Du Zhen, he would do anything to protect him, but not for other families.
After the father and son finished discussing things in the room, Peng Shisan was once again assigned a tedious task of running errands for the Qiu family. As the three of them left the room, a young girl rushed over, bowed, and handed over a letter with both hands.
“Third young master, someone outside wants to see you. They say it’s a matter of life and death!”