MLMD -Chapter 384 Princess Kunxing

The emperors of the Great Ming all loved silver, and by the Chongzhen era this was especially true. Zhu Youjian was almost constantly troubled by the lack of money. Now, hearing Yue Yang expound at length on ways to make silver, his attention was immediately drawn in. When he learned that from the Longqing to the Wanli years as much as three hundred million taels of silver had flowed into the Ming, his mouth nearly fell open.

At present, even including the taxes remitted by Shanxi, the Great Ming’s annual revenue was only about five million taels. By that calculation, it would take the court at least sixty years to amass three hundred million taels. If Zhu Youjian had three hundred million taels in hand right now—no, even just one hundred million—he could pat his chest and guarantee that within two years he would wipe out the bandits infesting the Central Plains and restore peace to the realm.

Thinking of this, a surge of resentment rose in Zhu Youjian’s heart. Just how much silver had those greedy merchants siphoned off from the Great Ming? The more he thought about it, the worse he felt. He said in a low voice, “Very well. I already understand this matter of lifting the maritime ban. But what about this ‘officials and gentry serving corvée and paying taxes together,’ the commutation of the poll tax into land tax, and returning surtaxes to the public coffers—what are those about?”

Yue Yang smiled faintly. “In reply to Your Majesty: these three measures—officials and gentry serving corvée and paying taxes together, commutation of the poll tax into land tax, and returning surtaxes to the public coffers—appear to be three separate matters, but in truth they are one and the same. In essence, it is to make officials and gentry perform corvée labor just like commoners, to make them pay taxes and grain like commoners. At the same time, the originally chaotic surtaxes in various locales should be standardized and remitted uniformly to the court, which would then redistribute them to local governments under the name of ‘integrity stipends.’ In this way the court gains real benefit, and local officials need not fear being accused of embezzlement.”

After hearing Yue Yang’s words, Chongzhen fell silent. What Yue Yang had said stirred a tempest in his heart. Any one of these proposals could set off a storm throughout court and countryside. Even as emperor, he dared not voice such things lightly—they were far too sensitive, and mishandled, the result would be utter ruin.

After a long while, Chongzhen slowly said, “Do you know that what you propose is enormous in scope? If handled poorly, the Great Ming could collapse in the blink of an eye.”

Yue Yang snorted disdainfully. “Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but the Great Ming today is merely dragging out its last breaths. If you do not change course and continue as things are, how many years do you think this realm can still endure?”

At these words, Empress Zhou, standing to the side, was alarmed. She immediately rebuked him, “Insolence! Yue Yang, how dare you speak so recklessly!”

Unlike Empress Zhou’s shock, Chongzhen miraculously did not grow angry. A deep weariness surfaced on his face. He waved his hand weakly. “Zitong, don’t scold Zhenghong. He’s right. The Great Ming truly is barely holding on. Though I do not wish to admit it, it is the truth.”

No one understood better than Chongzhen, ruler of the Ming Empire, just how dire the situation was. The Great Ming was like a terminally ill patient, liable to breathe its last at any moment. Zhu Youjian was like a helpless physician, cautiously using every possible means to keep the patient alive.

Seeing Chongzhen show such rare weakness, Yue Yang remained silent for a moment, then stood and said softly, “Your Majesty, my words may be harsh, but they are the truth. Naturally, for such matters you must deliberate carefully. Just now, I merely offered a suggestion. Whether it succeeds or fails is entirely up to you. I shall take my leave.”

With that, Yue Yang rose, saluted Chongzhen and Empress Zhou, and prepared to depart.

“Stop!”

Chongzhen’s impatient voice rang out again. He glared at Yue Yang and said angrily, “Since my ascension, never has anyone hurried to leave my presence time and again. Do you think I eat people?”

“@￥￥%……&”

Yue Yang was speechless. I was giving you time to think, and you don’t even appreciate it.

Chongzhen asked through clenched teeth, “Since you’ve spoken of the Ming’s many ills, then tell me—if these matters were entrusted to you, how would you resolve them?”

“So you want to play for real?” Yue Yang looked at Chongzhen in surprise, then said, “If we were to implement what I mentioned nationwide all at once, it would be impossible—the resistance would be far too great. Therefore, I believe we should first choose a coastal province to carry it out. This we might call a ‘pilot.’ That way, even if problems arise, they will not affect the overall situation. If it proves effective, then we can gradually extend it nationwide.”

“A pilot?” Chongzhen slowly chewed over the word. “Then where do you think this pilot should be carried out?”

“Shandong!” Yue Yang answered without hesitation.

“Mm.” Chongzhen nodded. “If I appoint you Governor of Shandong, how long would it take you to make Shandong as prosperous as the northern route of Shanxi?”

After pondering for a moment, Yue Yang replied slowly, “If Your Majesty grants me full authority over Shandong affairs, I believe that in five years I can make Shandong completely renewed.”

“Five years…” Chongzhen sighed softly. “Do you know that someone once told me the same five-year term—and later, I had him executed.”

“I know,” Yue Yang said calmly. He naturally knew Chongzhen was referring to Yuan Chonghuan. Whether Yuan Chonghuan was wronged remained debated centuries later, and Yue Yang did not know what to say. He could only respond lightly, “I dare not guarantee anything as he did. I can only do my utmost.”

“Enough.” Chongzhen stood up and began pacing. Finally, he stopped and said, “Yue Yang!”

“Your subject is here!” Yue Yang bowed.

“I hereby appoint you Grand Secretary of Dongyang Pavilion, Governor of Shandong, concurrently Superintendent of Shandong Grain Transport. I give you one month to prepare—depart immediately for Shandong to assume office. I don’t care what methods you use: starting next year, Shandong must remit one million taels each in taxes and land tax to the court. Can you do it?”

As if he had anticipated this, Yue Yang showed no surprise. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “Then my duties in Shanxi—”

“The capable bear more burdens. You’ll hold them concurrently. That’s final!” Chongzhen cut him off decisively.

Seeing “Little Zhu” unceremoniously dump Shandong onto him, Yue Yang could only smile bitterly. Clearly, Little Zhu was truly desperate. He couldn’t help asking, “Your Majesty, is the court really out of silver now?”

At this, Chongzhen’s old face reddened slightly before he sighed. “Yes. Though you’ve taken over the Liaodong defenses, there are simply too many places that need silver. The provisions and pay for Lu Xiangsheng, Hong Chengchou, and Sun Chuanting’s three armies alone are a massive monthly expense. Add to that refugees rising everywhere, local officials helpless and only reaching out to the court for money—where can the court find so much silver? I wish I could tear down the Forbidden City and sell it.”

“Yes indeed,” Empress Zhou chimed in. “His Majesty hasn’t slept soundly for days because of silver. Now that we are one family, Zhenghong, please help His Majesty.”

“Heh… this husband and wife are singing in harmony, scheming to pry open my purse,” Yue Yang thought, half amused and half exasperated. This was one meal he hadn’t eaten easily.

Though Chongzhen and Empress Zhou both looked at him with earnest eyes, Yue Yang would not make rash promises. Even though they had just betrothed their daughter to him, Yue Yang was not someone who could be coaxed into selling himself with a few kind words. He pondered briefly, then said, “Her Majesty speaks rightly. I will naturally do my utmost to assist Your Majesty. How about this—once I return to Shanxi, I will confer with local officials and draft a concrete plan, then submit it for Your Majesty’s review.”

Seeing that he had not obtained a firm promise, Chongzhen sighed softly and forced a smile. “That is as it should be. Then you may return for now. Oh, before you go, you might as well meet with Meizhuo. After all, once you leave today, it will be next year before you see each other again.”

“Damn it—this old fox is using a beauty trap!” Yue Yang cursed inwardly. Yet this also showed just how desperate the man was. Whether from history books or present observation, Little Zhu was a proud man. To resort even to a beauty trap meant he was truly driven to the brink. Still… do I really look like some kind of school principal?

Earlier, Zhu Meizhuo—who had run off with her maids to Kunning Palace—peeked at Yue Yang and then scurried back to her residence, Fengyang Pavilion. Upon reaching her chamber, she threw herself onto her embroidered bed. Her face burned, her mind a muddle.

“Princess… Princess…” After some time, the voice of her maid Ziying sounded.

“Ziying, what is it?” Zhu Meizhuo’s muffled voice came from under the quilt.

“Princess, Her Majesty the Empress has come to see you!”

“Ah… why has Mother come?” Startled, Zhu Meizhuo jumped up, hurriedly tidied her clothes, and was about to go out to greet her when she saw Empress Zhou enter with a smile.

Seeing her mother, Zhu Meizhuo lowered her head nervously and said softly, “Mother… you… why have you come?”

Empress Zhou found her daughter’s bashful appearance both amusing and endearing. Taking Zhu Meizhuo’s small hand, she said gently, “Meizhuo, you must already know. His Majesty intends to betroth you to Marquis Zhongyong. After the Astronomical Bureau consults the almanac, you will marry next year. Given the Marquis’s extraordinary status, you cannot live in the capital like ordinary princesses, but must marry out. Moreover, the Marquis already has a wife, so you will have to accept sharing equal standing with his principal wife. Can you understand your father’s painstaking intentions?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Zhu Meizhuo threw herself into Empress Zhou’s arms and cried. “Mother, I… I don’t want to marry. I want to stay with you and Father!”

Empress Zhou stroked her hair and coaxed softly, “Girls must marry when they grow up. When Mother married your father, I was only fourteen. You are already twelve—next year will be the proper age.”

Zhu Meizhuo blinked her big eyes and said plaintively, “But… but I don’t want to leave you.”

“Silly child.” Empress Zhou patted her tender hand affectionately. “You’re marrying Marquis Zhongyong, not being sent to a foreign land. If you miss us, you can always return to the palace. Who would stop you? Besides, the Marquis is young, accomplished, and has won repeated military merits—one of the Great Ming’s rare pillars. He is a fine match for you.”

“Oh…” Zhu Meizhuo lowered her head in silence. Though young, she knew that a woman’s marriage was decided by her parents. She had no right to choose. She had also secretly glimpsed the Marquis earlier—he was not strikingly handsome, but presentable enough. She wondered what his temperament was like, and fell into a daze.

Seeing her daughter lost in thought, Empress Zhou sighed inwardly. This daughter of hers was always so sensitive. Whether marrying the Marquis would bring fortune or misfortune, she did not know. Yet this was personally decided by the Emperor; even as Empress, she could not oppose it.

“Alright, stop clinging to Mother. The Marquis is still outside. After meeting him, he will return to Shanxi. Go see him now.”

“Yes.” Zhu Meizhuo stepped out of her mother’s embrace and was about to run outside when Empress Zhou stopped her, half amused and half reproachful. “You are a princess of the Great Ming—how can you run about without decorum?”

“Oh!” Zhu Meizhuo blushed, straightened herself, and walked out slowly. When she reached the hall, she saw a vigorous figure admiring the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. She coughed lightly.

The person admiring the artwork was naturally Yue Yang. He was calculating how much these pieces might fetch if sold in modern times when he heard a light cough behind him. Turning around, he saw a shy little girl standing there.

She wore a light green palace dress and cute green embroidered shoes. To Yue Yang, she was adorable beyond words—delicate brows, bright eyes, pearly teeth, as pretty as a fairy from a New Year print. Give her a schoolbag and she’d look like a middle schooler about to start seventh grade.

“My god, this is the wife Little Zhu is stuffing on me?” Even prepared, Yue Yang felt ten thousand alpacas stampede through his heart.

Looking at the cute, lovely little girl, he thought of his own sister Yue Ying—how similar she was to his sister five years ago.

Seeing Yue Yang staring at her with a strange expression, Zhu Meizhuo bit her lip and asked in a childish voice, “Are you Marquis Zhongyong, Yue Yang?”

“I am,” Yue Yang replied, saluting. “You must be Princess Kunxing. This subject, Marquis Zhongyong Yue Yang, pays respects to the Princess.”

“You may rise.” Zhu Meizhuo tried hard to maintain her princessly bearing and gestured lightly.

Seeing her attempt to act grown-up, Yue Yang found it amusing and decided to tease her. He took something from his pocket and handed it to her. “Princess, this is a small trinket from me. See if you like it.”

Zhu Meizhuo looked—it was a shiny little box made of some unknown material. She studied it, puzzled, then looked to Yue Yang. Smiling, he pressed a spot on the side. With a click, the box opened, revealing a small, gleaming mirror. Zhu Meizhuo peered in—and a lovely little girl instantly appeared in the mirror.

She covered her mouth in surprise. “Th-this is me?”

“Of course,” Yue Yang smiled. “It’s a small mirror you can carry with you. Do you like it?”

“Mmm… I like it!” Zhu Meizhuo clutched the delicate case tightly and nodded vigorously, her eyes crinkling into happy crescents.

Like a child who had received her favorite toy, Zhu Meizhuo cherished the mirror, unable to put it down. Finally, she tiptoed up, tugged at Yue Yang’s clothes to pull him down, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. Whispering into his ear, she said, “Thank you for the gift. I really like it.”

Then she froze, realizing her boldness. She had kissed a man she’d just met. Flustered, her face flushed crimson. Without another word, she turned and ran back inside, not emerging again.

Watching her petite figure bounce away, Yue Yang shook his head with a wry smile. Stuffing such a tiny child on him—Little Zhu was truly desperate.

The next day, when Chongzhen announced at court that Princess Kunxing was betrothed to Yue Yang, everyone immediately assumed the Emperor was yielding to Yue Yang. Many self-proclaimed loyal ministers leapt out to impeach him, but all were rebuffed by Chongzhen, who scolded them harshly. Faced with the Emperor’s resolute stance, the ministers had no choice. After all, this was a matter of the imperial household. In the end, they could only watch helplessly as the decision became final.