Chapter 43: The Imperial Grandson's Men

The high-flying Academician Xie, having been forced by Xu Jingchang to go home and tend to his garden—"facing the sea with spring flowers blossoming"—left the other academicians in the Cabinet trembling with fear.

As trusted courtiers of the Emperor, they were usually held in high regard even by the Ministers and Vice Ministers. Unless Emperor Zhu Di himself decided to punish them, no one dared to touch them. Their appointment to the Office of Transmission, where they held significant power, was the Emperor's own will. Yet, who could have foreseen that Xu Jingchang’s counterattack would be so ruthless? He not only crippled Xie Jin but also successfully incited the dissatisfaction of both civil and military officials toward the Cabinet.

At this moment, Yang Rong and his colleagues finally understood: though there was only one sun in the sky above them, there was also a dark cloud hanging over their heads named Xu Jingchang. The Hanlin scholars also realized that in the court of the Great Ming, doing the right thing was not enough to ensure smooth sailing. One had to coordinate with all parties and engage in the exchange of interests. Only when everyone agreed—or at least refrained from hindering—could there be any hope of success. Otherwise, no matter how noble the goal of military recruitment might be, if it touched the fundamental interests of the military nobility, they would strike back without hesitation.

After this battle, the Office of Transmission became remarkably obedient. Yang Rong and the others reined in their arrogance, deferring to Xu Jingchang in all matters and reporting to him with the utmost diligence.

"Your Highness, do you think the trick I taught you is fun?" Xu Jingchang asked with a chuckle, crossing his legs.

Zhu Zhanji, holding a cricket cage, his beady black eyes darting around, suddenly said, "Cousin, didn't you say that once you regained control of the Office of Transmission, you would go to work and give me everything in this room? Why haven't you left yet?"

Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes. "Did I say that?"

"Are you going to lie? I'm going to tell the Imperial Grandmother!" The little boy glared at him. "Imperial Grandfather praises you, but I didn't say a word. You are full of bad ideas; you're not an honest person. You—you are a treacherous flatterer!"

Xu Jingchang glared back. "You're not even as tall as my leg! It’s clear to see which one of us is the villain." With that, Xu Jingchang stood up, walked over to Zhu Zhanji, and lifted the little boy up. "Come on, let's go out. I’ll teach you the second level of the mental technique."

Holding Zhu Zhanji by his clothes like a fledgling sparrow, Xu Jingchang happily boarded the carriage. They left the Xu estate and headed first to the Ministry of War.

Born in the Prince’s Palace of Beiping, Zhu Zhanji found the capital of Yingtian far more impressive than any city he had known. The streets were wide, the buildings magnificent, and the carriages and pedestrians were endless. Zhu Zhanji leaned against the window, his curiosity growing with every sight. Eventually, the cricket cage in his hand slipped out, and he didn't even notice.

Xu Jingchang snorted. "You little brat, you’re just as fickle as the rest. When your father arrives in the capital, I’ll tell him to discipline you properly."

To his surprise, Zhu Zhanji was not afraid. He boasted, "My father said I need to help him please the Imperial Grandfather and Grandmother, so he wouldn't dare discipline me... By the way, Cousin, do you know how to please the Imperial Grandfather?"

Xu Jingchang smiled slightly. "Your Imperial Grandfather wants to accomplish great things most of all, and great things require great wealth. So, as long as you can find ways to bring in money, your Imperial Grandfather will be happy."

"Money? How do I get money?" The little boy stared intensely at Xu Jingchang.

"It’s very simple. Just follow me and watch closely."

The carriage stopped. Xu Jingchang hopped down, picked up Zhu Zhanji, and walked directly into the main hall of the Ministry of War without even presenting a calling card. Who would dare slight the Transmission Commissioner when he arrived with the Imperial Grandson?

Minister Liu Jun greeted them personally, his face still showing a hint of guilt. Once seated, Liu Jun said, "Commissioner Xu, it was Xie Jin’s meddling that caused you to lose your title as Guardian of the Crown Prince. I feel terrible about it. You know me—I have always admired the Xu family and respect your position. I only hope we can grow closer."

Xu Jingchang smiled. "It doesn’t matter. No one takes my official rank seriously anyway. Perhaps during the New Year’s celebrations, if the Emperor is in a good mood, he’ll give it back to me. Even if he doesn't, I am still the Marquis of Wuyang; my salary remains unaffected."

Liu Jun was momentarily stunned, then sighed with a bitter smile. Indeed, this young man was truly blessed by heaven, beyond compare. The Huai-Xi nobility followed the lead of the Xu family, and the Jingnan nobility could not afford to overlook them either. Among the military officials, the Xu family held a transcendent status, and even among the civil officials, Xu Jingchang was a force to be reckoned with. He was a man standing at the very forefront of the Ming Dynasty—unique and unrivaled.

"Your broad-mindedness and clarity are truly admirable. I am deeply impressed... But, Commissioner, you came for a reason, didn't you?"

Xu Jingchang laughed. "Nothing urgent. The Imperial Grandson is in the capital and staying at my estate, so I’m taking him around to get acquainted with people... and while I'm at it, I wanted to chat about how the government should handle matters ahead. Minister Liu, I have a few simple questions. Just answer them as you see fit."

Liu Jun nodded. "Very well, I shall speak plainly."

Xu Jingchang smiled. "It's nothing complicated, just a matter of right or wrong... My first question: Does Minister Liu believe that young men should not be idle?"

"Naturally," Liu Jun replied.

"Then does the Minister believe we should find a secure livelihood for these young men?"

"Correct. Vagrants are always a grave concern for the court."

"Does the Minister agree that after four years of the Jingnan Campaign, the military system has collapsed and soldiers are deserting?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case," Liu Jun continued to nod.

"Then the Minister must agree that recruiting young refugees into the military would solve both problems at once?"

"I..." Liu Jun was momentarily speechless.

Xu Jingchang pressed on with a grin, "Does the Minister agree? Please answer."

Liu Jun’s face darkened. He couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Commissioner Xu, since I agreed with your previous points, I have no choice but to agree with the last one... But you know as well as I do that this violates ancestral law. The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Five Chief Military Commissions—none of them will agree to this. Please, don't make it difficult for me."

Xu Jingchang laughed. "Minister, it’s not that complicated. We just don't have to call them 'soldiers'."

"Not call them soldiers? Then what should we call them?" Liu Jun asked curiously.

"Reserve troops."

Liu Jun was stunned. "Are reserve troops not soldiers?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "As long as they aren't entered into the military registers, they aren't soldiers, right?"

Liu Jun frowned, nodding. "That seems logical. But Commissioner, why are you going to such great lengths?"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "My meaning is simple: I want to recruit a group of young men and gather them together. Those who can work will work; those who can serve in the military will serve; those who can be sent to local offices to act as clerks will do so. In short, we must bring them under control. Once there are no idlers in the city, the court will have a pool of talent when it needs things done. When the Emperor issues a decree, we can carry it out quickly, which would be a great achievement."

Liu Jun thought seriously. "Commissioner, your method is truly sound, but I fear the Ministry of War cannot do this alone!"

Xu Jingchang chuckled. "Naturally, it’s not just the Ministry of War. I came here to request a structure similar to the military household system, and a few training grounds where we can train these young men and arrange their housing. I ask that you turn a blind eye and provide your cooperation."

Liu Jun smiled and replied readily, "Done. As long as it doesn't violate the ancestral laws of the military households, I will provide my full support."

Xu Jingchang thanked him and left the Ministry of War, taking Zhu Zhanji with him to the Ministry of Revenue.

"Minister Xia, do you believe the founding Emperor’s policy of garrison farming and military self-sufficiency was excellent?"

"It is!"

"Then do you think the 'Open-Market' law that complements it is also excellent?"

"Naturally, they are both good laws."

"Then the Minister must agree that spending a little now to ensure peace throughout the realm is a necessary expense."

Xia Yuanji frowned. "What are you getting at?"

"Nothing much," Xu Jingchang smiled. "I just want to ask Minister Xia to provide some funds and grain so I can recruit these young men, train them, and incidentally select some skilled artisans."

Xia Yuanji glared. "Commissioner, you want me to provide funds to help you do your work? I have no money. The money I hold belongs to the state treasury. I will not give it to you!"

Xu Jingchang smiled. "Don't be so hasty, Minister. If you provide the funds and I get the artisans, when the time comes to produce goods for the voyages to the Western Oceans, you can purchase them from me. I will give you a preferential price—at least twenty percent cheaper than the market rate. The profits from the Western voyages will be even greater."

Xia Yuanji frowned. "Twenty percent cheaper? Where are your goods?"

"They haven't been produced yet."

"When will they be produced?"

"Just give me the artisans."

Xia Yuanji rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Xu Jingchang, you are trying to pull a 'wolf from an empty sleeve.' Do you think I don't see through you?"

Xu Jingchang laughed, reached out, picked up Zhu Zhanji, and placed him in front of Xia Yuanji.

"This artisan training camp I’m building will be registered under the Imperial Grandson's name. Minister Xia, if you have the nerve to keep the Imperial Grandson here as collateral, I won't say another word."