MLMD -Chapter 385 First Arrival in Shandong

At the end of the twelfth month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, two astonishing events occurred in the Great Ming.

The first was that the Chongzhen Emperor betrothed his daughter, Princess Kunxing, to Yue Yang, Marquis of Loyal Valor and concurrently Governor-General of Xuan-Da.

The second was that Chongzhen appointed Yue Yang as Grand Secretary of the Dongyang Pavilion, Governor of Shandong, and concurrently Director-General of Shandong Grain Transport, tasking him with reorganizing the navy and implementing a new tax system in Shandong.

The first matter was an internal affair of the Zhu imperial clan. The emperor was marrying off his own daughter—although many officials were deeply dissatisfied, Comrade Little Zhu merely said, “I’m marrying off my own daughter—what the hell is it to you?” and everyone obediently shut their mouths.

But the second matter made the officials jump in outrage. Appointing Yue Yang as Grand Secretary of the Dongyang Pavilion, Governor of Shandong, and Director-General of Grain Transport had already shocked everyone, but ordering him to reorganize the navy and implement new tax policies sent them into an uproar.

As mentioned before, the Great Ming was a low-tax state. Yes, you heard that right. In fact, Ming truly was a low-tax country. The tax rate of one in thirty personally set by Zhu Yuanzhang—if it had continued for several hundred years—would have made all merchants laugh until their teeth fell out. But the strange thing was that Ming’s merchants still weren’t satisfied. They believed they earned money through their own ability—why should they pay taxes to the court? So they devised every possible means to evade taxes. It was as if, if you didn’t do so, you’d be embarrassed to greet people when you went out. Now the emperor was sending Yue Yang to Shandong to introduce new taxes—wasn’t that the same as coming to snatch their silver?

Thus, the civil officials who should have been happily celebrating the New Year at home instead holed up in their studies, writing furiously. By the first day of the Lunar New Year, memorials flew into the Forbidden City like snowflakes.

Today was the second day of the New Year. Chongzhen, together with Empress Zhou, Consort Tian, Consort Yuan, and several of his children, were gathered in the Kunning Palace, enjoying a lively family reunion meal. Suddenly, Wang Chengen came to report that the Directorate of Ceremonial had received a huge pile of memorials, all impeaching the Marquis of Loyal Valor for acting arbitrarily, disregarding the law, and altering ancestral institutions without authorization, asking how the emperor wished to handle them.

Upon hearing this report, the smile on Chongzhen’s face immediately faded. Empress Zhou, Consort Tian, Consort Yuan, and the Crown Prince Zhu Cijiong, Zhu Cihuan, Princess Kunxing Zhu Meichuo, and the other children, seeing their father’s displeasure, were so frightened that none dared to speak.

“Hmph… these people won’t even let me have peace during the New Year,” Chongzhen said, anger rising on his face. “Bring them all in. I want to see exactly who is opposing this appointment.”

“This servant obeys!”

Wang Chengen dared not delay. Soon he led two eunuchs in, carrying a large bamboo basket, which they placed before Chongzhen. Seeing the basket filled to the brim with memorials, not only Chongzhen but even Empress Zhou and the others gasped.

Chongzhen stood up, walked over to the basket, and, looking at the pile of memorials, laughed instead of getting angry. “Heh… Yue Yang hasn’t even gone to Shandong yet, and there are already this many impeachments. If we wait until he actually arrives there, who knows what kind of uproar there’ll be? Let me see who they are.” He squatted down and began flipping through the memorials one by one.

“Left Censor-in-Chief Zhong Can, Minister of Personnel Tian Weijia, Cheng Guoxiang, Li Dayong, Chen Bushi… Heh, even Minister of Works Liu Zunxian has submitted one. This is really lively.”

Even Empress Zhou exclaimed, “Your Majesty, Yue Yang doesn’t seem to have offended these people. Why are they all submitting memorials, impeaching him so fiercely?”

A cold smile crossed Chongzhen’s lips. “Why? Yue Yang is going to Shandong to smash some people’s rice bowls. How could they not be anxious?”

“Smash rice bowls?” Empress Zhou was not very familiar with court affairs and was puzzled by Chongzhen’s words.

Seeing her confusion, Chongzhen gave Wang Chengen a look. Wang Chengen explained from the side, “Your Majesty, the Marquis of Loyal Valor is going to Shandong to implement the policy of officials and gentry serving and paying grain equally, as well as commutation of corvée into land tax. That’s no different from robbing them of their silver. How could these people accept it willingly? Of course they’re impeaching him to the death. What’s more, this servant suspects some people already know that Marquis Yue intends to reopen maritime trade in Shandong. They probably want to eat his heart raw—impeaching him goes without saying.”

Princess Zhu Meichuo, however, widened her beautiful eyes and asked curiously, “Eunuch Wang, Father, Mother—since Father has decided to send… send that Yue Yang to Shandong on official duty, it must be beneficial to the country and the people. Then why are those officials so afraid of reopening the sea ban and implementing that… that equal service and equal taxation?”

“Well…”

This time it was Chongzhen and Empress Zhou who exchanged bitter smiles. How could they possibly explain human selfishness and malice in detail to a twelve-year-old daughter?

Seeing that her parents only smiled without answering, Zhu Meichuo pouted slightly. In her young and innocent heart, she believed that since her father and mother had betrothed her to Yue Yang, she already belonged to him—and if those people treated Yue Yang this way, then they were clearly in the wrong.

At this moment, the Crown Prince Zhu Cijiong, seated beside her, said with a grin, “Sister, hasn’t Father already betrothed you to that Marquis of Loyal Valor? Now they’re targeting your husband-to-be.”

Seeing his mischievous smile, Zhu Meichuo blushed deeply. She glared at him and said, “If you say that again, I won’t play with you anymore!”

Zhu Cijiong was actually a bit afraid of his sister. Seeing her angry, he chuckled and fell silent.

Just then, Cao Huachun, a eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, entered from outside and bowed. “Reporting to Your Majesty: the Marquis of Loyal Valor has sent someone to request an audience outside the palace.”

“The Marquis sent someone? Who did he send—could something have happened?” Upon hearing that Yue Yang had sent someone, everyone was slightly startled, and Chongzhen hurriedly asked.

Cao Huachun replied, “The one requesting audience is Lord Tang Hu, whom the Marquis of Loyal Valor has stationed in the capital. It is said that Lord Tang has come on the Marquis’s orders to present gifts. This is the list of gifts he sent.”

“What—gifts?”

Hearing this, the expressions of Chongzhen and his family immediately became strange. Why would Yue Yang send gifts during the New Year? What exactly was he up to?

Chongzhen said nothing, but Consort Tian couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth. “Eunuch Cao, read the gift list for everyone. I’ve long heard that this Marquis of Loyal Valor is said to be richer than anyone under heaven—I’d like to see what kind of betrothal gifts he’s sent for our Meichuo.”

“Yes!”

Cao Huachun took the list from his sleeve, cleared his throat, and began to read:

“Presented by Yue Yang, Governor-General of Xuan-Da and Marquis of Loyal Valor, as New Year gifts to Princess Kunxing: five hundred thousand silver dollars; three thousand eight hundred taels of gold; three pairs of jade ruyi; twenty pairs of large glass mirrors for bedside use; one hundred thousand dan of refined rice; three hundred bolts of silk; fifty sets of various garments…”

Cao Huachun read for a full quarter of an hour before finishing. Everyone present was stunned, remaining dazed for quite a while afterward. Finally, Consort Tian exclaimed, “Good heavens—this is no small gift. It could fill several inner treasuries.” She then teased Zhu Meichuo, “Meichuo, it seems your future husband truly dotes on you. Otherwise, he would never be willing to send you so many things.”

Zhu Meichuo was mortified, her small face red like a cute little apple. Seeing this, Chongzhen and the others laughed, while Zhu Cijiong and the other boys jumped around her, laughing and chanting, “Oh… oh… sister’s going to be a bride… sister’s going to be a bride!”

By now, Zhu Meichuo was so embarrassed that she buried her head firmly in Empress Zhou’s arms, not daring to lift it again.

Consort Yuan, who had not spoken until now, also teased, “As the saying goes, a man fears choosing the wrong trade, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. As long as a girl marries the right person, she has everything. Look at our Meichuo—she’s not even married yet, and the gifts are already so plentiful. Could this be the Marquis of Loyal Valor’s betrothal gifts? Tsk tsk… they’re so generous that even Sister Tian and I are jealous.”

At such a young age, how could Zhu Meichuo withstand such teasing? Not only her face, but even the tips of her ears turned red as she clung tightly to Empress Zhou, refusing to raise her head.

Chongzhen raised a hand, and Cao Huachun quickly handed him the list, praising as he did so, “Congratulations, Your Majesty—congratulations! This Marquis Yue is truly generous. You didn’t see it—the carts delivering the gifts stretched from the palace gate to half a li away. The entire capital is in an uproar.”

Seeing Chongzhen momentarily stunned, Wang Chengen stepped forward and softly called, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty…”

After calling twice, Chongzhen finally came back to his senses. “Ah… what is it?”

Wang Chengen asked, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Cao asks how the gifts outside the palace should be handled.”

“Have them transported immediately to the inner treasury—transport them to the inner treasury!”

Chongzhen’s voice trembled slightly. For so many years, his inner treasury had only seen outflow, never inflow. The warehouses of the Imperial Household Department were so empty that even rats could run through them without stopping. Now, at last, there was income—this was no easy thing. Though nominally these items were gifts to Princess Kunxing, everyone knew they were merely Yue Yang using the princess’s name to present them to Chongzhen. There was a folk saying: with grain in hand, the heart is at ease. The emperor was no exception. With the state treasury empty, Chongzhen often lacked even the confidence to speak. Whenever he wanted to do anything, ministers could shut him down with a single line—“there’s no silver in the treasury.” Now, with the five hundred thousand silver dollars and one hundred thousand dan of grain sent by Yue Yang, Chongzhen could finally breathe a little easier. More importantly, these were gifts to Zhu Meichuo—in other words, private property of the Zhu clan. How they were used was the Zhu family’s business, and no one else could interfere.

Thinking of this, a sense of pride and relief surged in Chongzhen’s heart. So this was how it felt to have money—how exhilarating. Five hundred thousand silver dollars—how many things could that accomplish?

Then Chongzhen suddenly remembered something and said to Cao Huachun, “Right—send the refined rice to the Taicang granary for storage. Without my decree, no one is allowed to touch it. Understand?”

“Yes… this servant understands!” Cao Huachun knew exactly what Chongzhen meant. The official granaries were so empty that rats would enter and leave in tears. If the grain wasn’t secured quickly, the Ministry of Revenue—especially Cheng Guoxiang—would swarm over like sharks smelling blood.

“And aside from the silver dollars and grain, move everything else into the palace—move it all to Fengyang Pavilion. These are gifts from the Marquis of Loyal Valor to Meichuo.” Having unexpectedly gained a fortune, Chongzhen was in such high spirits that he even joked about his daughter.

“Oh, Father, you’re so bad—how can you say that about me!” Zhu Meichuo, teased again and again, rushed to Chongzhen, grabbed his hand, and shook it hard in embarrassment, making Chongzhen burst into laughter…

While the court was in turmoil, the instigator, Yue Yang, remained calm. After returning to Shanxi, he went back to Hunyuan Prefecture and reunited with his family after several months apart. After sharing their feelings of separation, that very evening, after dinner, he summoned Hai Lanzhu, the Linglong sisters, Wang Yue, Dong Xiaowan, Li Xiangjun, and the other wives and concubines to the study, and told them about Chongzhen’s decision to marry off the princess.

After hearing this, Yulong cried out in surprise, “Husband, if the princess marries into our marquisate, then… then what about Sister Hai Lanzhu? Could it be that you intend to… to…”

“What nonsense are you thinking?” Yue Yang said, half amused and half exasperated, lightly tapping Yulong on the head. “Do you think I’m the kind of person who clings to power and favor? Hai Lanzhu is my principal wife—nothing will ever change that. His Majesty has said that after the princess marries in, she will be the same as Hai Lanzhu, with no distinction of rank. I only hope you’ll all help take care of the princess. She’s just a simple little girl, forced by her father’s command to marry me, a regional strongman. We must look after her well, so His Majesty doesn’t say we’re bullying his daughter. Doesn’t that make sense?”

The tapped-on-the-head Yulong wasn’t angry at all. She smiled and said, “Husband, I’ve heard this princess is only twelve this year. His Majesty is already betrothing her to you—he’s really in a hurry, isn’t he?”

“He’s not in a hurry—he’s afraid,” Yue Yang sighed softly. “Banditry is rising everywhere, the court’s finances are on the brink of collapse, and control over many regions has been lost. If reforms aren’t made soon, the fall of the Ming is imminent. That’s why he set aside his resentment toward me and married the princess to me—to gain our support.”

At this point, Hai Lanzhu suddenly asked, “Then has husband ever thought of taking that seat for yourself?”

Hearing this, the expressions of Linglong, Wang Yue, Dong Xiaowan, Li Xiangjun, and the others changed slightly. People of this era were deeply awed by imperial authority. To hear Hai Lanzhu openly comment on that throne startled them—even though they were married to Yue Yang.

“Take it for myself?” Yue Yang smiled and shook his head. “Perhaps to many, that seat is supreme glory, but honestly, I don’t think so. Think about it—even if I really sat on that throne, would I be happier than I am now? You haven’t seen what kind of life the emperor leads in the palace—he gets up at mao hour (five in the morning) and can’t sleep until chou hour (one at night), spending every day endlessly reviewing memorials. Just thinking about such a life sends chills down my spine. I’d rather be my carefree marquis.”

“I see.” Hearing this, the Linglong sisters, Wang Yue, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief. For them, opposing the court was far too serious. They weren’t ambitious women—being able to spend their lives peacefully with their man was already enough.

“Then when is husband going to Shandong, and who do you plan to take with you?” Hai Lanzhu soon raised another question that concerned all the women.

“Hmm… Although His Majesty has appointed me Governor of Shandong, Shanxi can’t be neglected. Hai Lanzhu, you must stay here and look after our holdings. The Linglong sisters must continue managing the family businesses. This time, I’ll take Yue’er, Xiangjun, and Xiaowan with me.”

Yue Yang made the decision quickly. Hai Lanzhu and the others had no objections. Shanxi was Yue Yang’s base—naturally, the most trusted person had to stay behind, and no one was more suitable than Hai Lanzhu. The salt shops, farms, and factories in Yingzhou Prefecture managed by the Linglong sisters were their lifeline, providing a steady stream of silver and grain each year. Without them, Yue Yang’s army of over a hundred thousand would become rootless, at constant risk of collapse.

Thus, the matter was settled. In late January of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Yue Yang led ten thousand troops through Hebei and marched grandly into Jinan, the capital of Shandong. Officials of all ranks in Jinan went out of the city together to welcome him, escorted him into the Governor’s Office, and invited him that evening to the largest restaurant in Jinan, Hongyan Pavilion, to host a welcoming banquet. Yue Yang gladly accepted.

That night, under the protection of several hundred guards, Yue Yang arrived at Hongyan Pavilion. By then, everyone in Jinan with even a bit of status had already gathered there.

“Marquis Yue, this is Shandong Surveillance Commissioner Ma Ke; this is Shandong Commander Liu Zeqing; this is Shandong Administration Commissioner Ke Zhennan; this is the Chief Military Commissioner Lu Zhili; and this is…”

As the introductions continued, Yue Yang made a round and gained a preliminary acquaintance with the colleagues he would be dealing with in the future.

After the introductions, Administration Commissioner Ke Zhennan cleared his throat. The previously murmuring restaurant immediately fell silent. Ke Zhennan said loudly, “Gentlemen, today we gather here to welcome the renowned Marquis Yue. Now, please hear Marquis Yue’s instructions! Marquis Yue, if you please!”

With that, Ke Zhennan smiled and made an inviting gesture toward Yue Yang.

Yue Yang nodded, scanned the dozens of officials present, and said calmly, “Gentlemen, this marquis has come to Shandong on imperial orders. As for what business I’m here to conduct, I trust everyone already knows, so I won’t waste words. I’ll make one thing clear first: I am not here to make things difficult for everyone, and I ask that you not make things difficult for me. Otherwise, I will make things very difficult for you.”

As soon as he said this, the expressions of those present began to change…