MLMD -Chapter 425 Another Grand Wedding

“Today, Old Wolf treats you to chicken… treats you to chicken… treats you to chicken…”

Yue Yang sat in his study on the rocking chair, holding a folding fan in his hand, waving it constantly as he hummed a strange little tune, a proud smile on his face.

Not far from him, Li Xiangjun was bent over a newly delivered tax form. Since she had only recently learned Arabic numerals, she found it somewhat difficult to read. Nearby, Wang Yue whispered conspiratorially to Dong Xiaowan, “Sister Xiaowan, why is husband so happy today? Did something good happen? Do you know?”

“How would I know?” Dong Xiaowan, who was helping Li Xiangjun organize the forms, shook her head helplessly. “Ever since husband took those Western merchants to see the treasures he brought yesterday, he’s been like this. I don’t know what spell he’s under.”

Wang Yue wrinkled her nose. “Hmph… maybe those foreigners promised to give him a few beauties, that’s why he’s so happy.”

“You little girl, watch what you say about me, or I’ll punish you!” Yue Yang, sitting nearby, overheard her. Although Wang Yue’s voice wasn’t loud, it still reached his sharp ears.

“Hmph… who’s scared of you?” Wang Yue puffed up her chest with pride, making her already impressive figure even more striking.

“Heh… you little temptress. Who begged for mercy last night, and now you’re acting all high and mighty?” Yue Yang cast a sly glance at her, teasing.

“It’s not my fault! It’s Sister Xiangjun and Sister Xiaowan’s fault for not holding their own. If they had lasted longer, the loser would’ve been you!” Wang Yue retorted indignantly.

“You’re asking for it! How can you say such things?” Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan, embarrassed, jumped up and grabbed Wang Yue, tickling her. Wang Yue’s loose tongue had almost gotten them into trouble, and luckily, it was just the four of them here. If anyone else heard it… they’d be done for.

Under the firm suppression of her sisters, Wang Yue had no choice but to hide her face in Yue Yang’s embrace, not daring to show herself.

Yue Yang could only helplessly hold her and said to Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan, “You two, teaming up to bully Yue’er—do you even know how to act like elder sisters?”

“Husband, just protect her,” Li Xiangjun said, both shy and angry, glaring at Wang Yue. “These are private matters! If others hear, we’ll be ruined!”

“What’s the big deal?” Yue Yang shrugged. “It’s just talk. Some people even do it in front of others.”

“Hubby, that’s nonsense! Who would dare do that in public? You’d get struck by lightning!” Li Xiangjun, Dong Xiaowan, and Wang Yue all rolled their eyes at him.

Yue Yang shrugged. This couldn’t be explained. He couldn’t possibly say, “In four or five hundred years, our neighbors on the island have a world-famous industry producing thirty-five thousand adult films annually, with over a million people making a living from it…” That would terrify these women.

Seeing his thick-skinned expression, the three believed he was just talking nonsense.

“Husband, just tell me, please!” Wang Yue purred, snuggling closer, her ample chest pressing against him. Over a year of Yue Yang’s diligent care had ripened what was once young and tender, making it even more astonishing—so much so that Yue Yang could barely resist. He shook his head. “Alright, stop moving. If you don’t, I won’t be gentle with you.”

“Mm, I knew hubby was the best!” Wang Yue kissed him happily and sat up, her big eyes sparkling. Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan also stood and quietly waited beside Yue Yang.

Clearing his throat, Yue Yang said, “You girls wanted to know why I’m so happy today, right? Well, yesterday when I met those foreigners, I told them: you can buy our treasures, but not with silver alone. You have to trade goods for them!”

“Trade goods… why?” The three were stunned.

Li Xiangjun asked, puzzled, “Husband, isn’t paying with silver the proper way? Why aren’t you happy with silver?”

“You don’t understand,” Yue Yang explained patiently. “Those foreigners are from Spain. There, silver is cheap, and goods are expensive. Especially in recent years, they’ve obtained a huge amount of silver from the Americas, so they’re eager to buy goods abroad to balance prices. Uh… does that make sense?”

“You really underestimate us,” Li Xiangjun said with a roll of her eyes. “You mean to say that if too much silver floods our Ming Dynasty, it will cause prices to rise for goods and trigger unpredictable consequences, right?”

“Exactly!” Yue Yang praised, leaning over to kiss Li Xiangjun on the cheek. “Think about it. Silver is necessary as money, but you can’t eat it or wear it. Too much of it wouldn’t be good for Ming. So, what does our country lack the most?”

“What do we lack?” The three exchanged glances, then almost in unison said, “Grain!”

“Right, grain!” Yue Yang nodded approvingly. “Having grain in hand means no worries. Though we’ve developed agriculture and irrigation in Shanxi and Shandong, with the influx of refugees, we’re barely meeting basic needs. But thousands of miles away in the South Seas, the climate allows for three crops a year. Don’t you think it’s time to make them contribute?”

“Three crops a year?” The three were shocked. Even in Jiangnan, the highest-yielding area of Ming, only two crops a year were possible. Yet Yue Yang said some places had three! That meant no worries about food at all.

Dong Xiaowan finally said dreamily, “Husband, then people’s granaries there must always be full?”

“Not at all!” Yue Yang scoffed. “Those people hardly work. A few hours of labor every few days. They won’t starve, so why slave away?”

“Ah… really?” The three were astonished. Ming citizens would never leave their granaries half-empty!

Yue Yang smiled inwardly. The natives of Indonesia and the Philippines, blessed with fertile land, never knew hunger and thus grew lazy. Later, when Chinese immigrants arrived, the locals resented them for taking resources—hence the repeated anti-Chinese movements throughout history. Now that Spain rules there, Yue Yang figured he might as well get some grain for Ming—it would also keep the lazy locals a bit in check.

Li Xiangjun shook her head. “Those South Seas people are too lazy. They have such good land but are so idle. Heaven won’t look kindly on them.”

Yue Yang grinned. “Exactly. I’m using the foreigners to bring some of that grain here to support Ming’s people.”

After hearing this, Wang Yue leaned on him again and asked, “Husband, in a few days you’ll go to the capital to marry the princess. Where will you keep her? Shanxi or Shandong?”

“Well…” Yue Yang scratched his head. This wasn’t easy. Princess Zhu Meichu was pure royalty, far higher in status than any of his household women. If he put her in Shanxi, even the old lady at home would not be pleased. That wouldn’t be a wedding—it’d be like bringing an ancestor home.

After pondering, Yue Yang said with a strained smile, “I haven’t decided yet. You girls suggest something.”

The three women silently glared at him, and finally, Dong Xiaowan spoke gently, “Husband, why not bring the princess to Shandong and build a separate residence in Jinan for her? You’ll be stationed in Shandong for the next few years anyway, so this way you’ll have someone to serve you whether you’re in Jinan, Shanxi, or Weihaiwei. Does that work?”

“Hmm… that’s good!” Yue Yang nodded. He hugged Dong Xiaowan and kissed her cheek, making her blush.

Unseen by Yue Yang, Wang Yue and Li Xiangjun secretly gave her thumbs-up. Though Dong Xiaowan didn’t speak much, she was clever—her suggestion seemed fair and considerate for Yue Yang, but she had her own motives. They knew Yue Yang’s work focus for the next few years would be Weihaiwei and the navy, meaning he’d spend most of his time there—so they’d have more time with him as well. Yue Yang hadn’t realized this yet, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care; everyone has selfish motives.

By late October, Yue Yang stayed in Weihaiwei. Under repeated urging from Qian Neng, he finally led thousands of soldiers toward the capital, arriving in early November.

The capital was still the same—high walls, patrolling guards, and occasional wandering refugees. Qian Neng escorted Yue Yang to the palace, where Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou received him in the Kunning Palace.

“Your subject greets the Emperor for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years! And the Empress for a thousand, thousand, thousand thousand years!”

“Rise!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Ordinarily, officials didn’t have to perform such grand bows except for major occasions. But today was different. Today, the inexperienced son-in-law came to meet his in-laws, so the ceremony had to be grand. After three kneelings and nine kowtows, Yue Yang was finally granted a seat.

Chongzhen looked at him with mixed feelings. After a pause, he said, “My minister, you come today not as my subject but as my son-in-law. I’ll speak as a father.”

“Here it comes…” Yue Yang thought wryly. Fathers always feel reluctant when giving away their daughters; let’s see what challenges this one has in store.

Nevertheless, he answered respectfully, “Your Majesty, please speak!”

Chongzhen sighed. “My daughter grew up in the palace, never leaving my side. She’s only thirteen, so marrying her now is a bit young. But seeing you, a pillar of the nation, I entrusted her to you. Treat her well, and I’ll be at ease as a father.”

Yue Yang inwardly cursed. This shameless man was giving him a pre-teen girl as a wife, and even acted as if he were wronged. If he had the nerve, he shouldn’t have married her off at all.

Still, he said obediently, “Your Majesty, rest assured, I will treat the princess well and never let her suffer.”

“Good!” Chongzhen nodded, then turned to Empress Zhou. “Zitong, do you have anything to say?”

The Empress’ eyes were red. “Yue Aiqing, as my soon-to-be son-in-law, I will call you by your courtesy name. Zhenghong, you are loyal and brave, capable in both military and civil affairs. That is why we entrust the princess to you. She has been spoiled since childhood. Don’t overindulge her, but correct her when necessary. Understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I won’t forget your advice.” Yue Yang wiped cold sweat from his forehead. In China, listening to authority required skill. Sometimes you had to read between the lines carefully, or you’d be in trouble.

“Good!” The Empress’ face brightened. “Zhenghong, this should be your grand wedding with Meichu, but our treasury is empty. A lavish ceremony might draw criticism from officials…”

Yue Yang understood. “Your Majesties, marrying the princess is honor enough. I won’t let you spend unnecessarily. I brought 500,000 silver dollars for the wedding. Additionally, I have a batch of betrothal gifts that will be delivered to the palace tomorrow. Here is the list for your review.” He handed the gift list to the palace maids, who gave it to the Emperor and Empress. They nodded approvingly.

On the sixth day of the eleventh month, Chongzhen’s eleventh year, a day suitable for wealth, trade, and marriage, our loyal and brave Yue Yang finally married the Ming princess Zhu Meichu. The entire capital celebrated. Yue Yang even opened hundreds of porridge shops to feed the beggars and refugees. The Emperor held a grand banquet in the palace for the officials. Though many officials disliked Yue Yang, none could skip the celebration—lest they offend the Emperor or the powerful loyal and brave Yue Yang. Gifts piled up across more than ten rooms, with the amount of wine and gifts closely linked.