Chapter 86

With Hong Qingquan's arrival, Zhang Ke finally learned about the changes in the capital, and he was so frightened that cold sweat broke out all over his body. It turned out that, without his realizing it, he had once again skirted the gates of death!

Chen Ju helped Zhang Ke at a critical moment, finally getting the case to Emperor Wanli, who was preparing to thoroughly investigate Liaodong.

However, just at this crucial moment, Empress Zheng unexpectedly rushed to Emperor Wanli's bedroom, sobbing bitterly.

Speaking of Empress Zheng, she was by no means an ordinary person. Just one incident alone was enough to show her shrewdness. Historically, emperors were fickle, and even the most captivating women rarely enjoyed long-lasting favor.

But Empress Zheng, since being appointed as Shu Pin (a high-ranking concubine) in the tenth year of Wanli's reign, had consistently held a place in Emperor Wanli's heart. Their relationship lasted until his death, and even on his deathbed, he wanted to appoint her as Empress.

Furthermore, due to her son, Prince Fu Zhu Changxun, Emperor Wanli and the ministers engaged in a prolonged dispute over the succession, nearly breaking their relationship.

To maintain a loving relationship with the emperor for three or four decades and to make him fight with his ministers for her, Empress Zheng was indeed highly intelligent!

Emperor Wanli, who had been ill for a long time, struggled to sit up upon hearing that Empress Zheng had come.

As soon as Empress Zheng saw Emperor Wanli, she burst into tears.

"Your Majesty, your illness has caused me so much pain!" she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Emperor Wanli sighed, "My beloved, who doesn't get sick? What is it you want?"

Empress Zheng wiped her tears and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that you plan to thoroughly investigate the royal merchants in Liaodong. Is this true?"

Chen Ju, who was serving by the side, was so frightened that his hands trembled. How could the Empress get involved!

The old eunuch, having seen many storms, was still startled.

Emperor Wanli frowned but still said, "Not only the royal merchants, but also the civil and military officials, and the eunuchs in the inner court, I will investigate them all, and I must do so. The defeat at Sarhu cost the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers; I cannot fail to give them an answer."

Empress Zheng sighed softly, "Your Majesty, I will not stop you from doing anything, but I heard that the royal merchants were smuggling furs and pearls for the palace. If you launch a large-scale investigation, how will the ministers view it? They will say that the palace concubines are greedy and ignorant, disregarding state affairs, and are a disaster to the country, like Daji and Bao Si!"

"They are talking about the palace, they are accusing Your Majesty of being a ruler who will bring the country to ruin! I only ask that when you investigate, you spare the royal merchants and the people in the palace. I know Your Majesty is fair and impartial, but those ministers will attack you for tarnishing your reputation, and it will break my heart..."

If not for being a close companion, Empress Zheng would not have seen through Emperor Wanli so clearly. This emperor, who had been suppressed by Zhang Juzheng for ten years, harbored a deep distrust of powerful ministers and, by extension, of the court ministers! This was followed by a prolonged dispute over the succession!

Although it ended with Zhu Changluo being appointed as the crown prince, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers had already developed an unbridgeable gap. Using the ministers as a point of contention was the perfect way to strike at Emperor Wanli's sore spot.

On the other hand, Emperor Wanli's health was deteriorating, and the palace had already begun to place bets. Although the old eunuch Chen Ju remained loyal to Emperor Wanli, many of his subordinates had already aligned with the crown prince, and the entire court of ministers had also taken this side.

As for the chief eunuch Wang Hailin, he had a different plan. He placed his bet on Empress Zheng, and if Prince Fu could ascend the throne, he would become the head of the inner court, second only to the emperor and above all others.

To curry favor with Empress Zheng, Wang Hailin sent most of the wealth he had plundered from Liaodong to her. Because of this, when he received the news, Empress Zheng had no choice but to step forward.

If the investigation were to proceed, a bucket of dirty water would be poured on Empress Zheng's head. Wang Hailin's method was similar to Jin Wanguan's, but his was even more ruthless!

After listening to Empress Zheng, Emperor Wanli remained silent, his eyes fixed on the woman who had been by his side for forty years! Empress Zheng felt uncomfortable under his gaze, as if all her secrets were laid bare.

But Empress Zheng was not afraid; she believed that their forty years of affection transcended everything. Emperor Wanli would surely yield to her.

Sure enough, Emperor Wanli sighed deeply, "Go, I will handle the Liaodong matter properly."

Empress Zheng was finally relieved, got up, and left. Emperor Wanli watched her figure until it disappeared from his sight.

"Alas! They say the imperial family has no feelings, but forty years of marriage, forty years! She still thinks of herself, not of my empire! As a ruler and father, I have failed the people of Liaodong. Heaven has abandoned me, heaven has abandoned me!"

After shouting this, Emperor Wanli's eyes rolled back, and he fainted again!

...

"Hong Qingquan, the master's health is getting worse. If we investigate Liaodong, it will cause a great commotion from the civil and military officials to the inner court, and the repercussions will be extensive. It might not be feasible!"

Hong Qingquan did not hide anything from Zhang Ke and said directly, "But the master also said that officials who are truly dedicated cannot be unrewarded, and those who are incompetent cannot be unpunished. Your teacher, Hong Da Ren, has been appointed as the deputy inspector, and Xue Guoyong as the governor of Liaodong. As for Zhou Yongchun and Ge Chunfang, they have been transferred to Nanjing. Two rats have been let off lightly, which is a real favor to them!"

Zhang Ke had also guessed that Emperor Wanli would find it difficult to carry out sweeping reforms. To achieve this much was already quite good.

His teacher had taken a step forward upon taking office, becoming a deputy inspector. The next step would be to aim for the position of governor or even a regional commander. Liaodong was the fastest place to rise in the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, how could the magistrate of Shaowu County have risen to a high-ranking official in just a few years? How could he have the means to harm Liaodong?

With Hong Fugao's promotion and Wang Huazhen in Guangning, Zhang Ke now had two strong supporters, which gave him more confidence. He would seize the opportunity to train his troops and achieve success, perhaps even change the fate of Liaodong!

Seeing Zhang Ke's satisfaction, Hong Qingquan smiled, "Yongzhen, it's all thanks to your plan, which moved the old master and the emperor. For so many years, the old master has never taken the risk of offending others to speak for someone else. You are the first!"

Zhang Ke hurriedly said, "The great kindness of heaven and earth, I really don't know how to repay Eunuch Chen. How about building a shrine for him and worshipping him every day..."

"Stop!"

Hong Qingquan glared at Zhang Ke and scolded, "The old master helped you because he values your talent and the idea of making a million taels of silver a year. Can you really make it?"

"Of course, I can!" Zhang Ke said firmly, "Eunuch Hong, I have already analyzed it in my letter. There is a price difference between our country and the outside world, and this difference is the foundation for making money. Additionally, there are many merchants living overseas, with about 20,000 to 30,000 merchants living in Nagasaki, Japan alone."

"Really!" Hong Qingquan was taken aback.

"Yongzhen, the sea is stormy and dangerous, with a high risk of death. How can so many people take such risks?"

Seeing Hong Qingquan's surprised expression, Zhang Ke secretly shook his head. In the eyes of most people in the Ming Dynasty, the sea was still a source of fear, but the ocean was the source of future wealth!

"Eunuch Hong, today's navigation technology has improved significantly, and the death rate is not high. Moreover, during the early years of the dynasty, Eunuch Zheng He led a fleet on seven voyages to the Western Seas. If it were truly a matter of life and death, could he have returned alive?"

Hearing this, Eunuch Hong scratched his head. Indeed, Zheng He was a role model for eunuchs, and thinking of his great achievements made Hong Qingquan feel a surge of enthusiasm.

"Yongzhen, are you suggesting that the palace organize a fleet to go to Japan to exchange for gold?"

"Of course not!" Zhang Ke smiled, "Sending a large fleet would be costly and would invite gossip. The palace doesn't need to go through such trouble. Just the name 'Ming Royal' is enough. Four characters, priceless!"

Zhang Ke spoke with passion, but Hong Qingquan still looked skeptical.

"Yongzhen, if the palace's name were so useful, they wouldn't send tax and mining supervisors all over the place!"

"Eunuch, to be honest, although the mines produce real gold and silver, the speed of making money is too slow, and it's exhausting and invites criticism. It's not worth it!"

Hong Qingquan snorted, "Don't talk big, quickly tell me your plan. I want to see how clever you are!"

"Ha ha ha, Eunuch Hong, there is trade between the Ming and Japan, and many merchants live in Japan. Each time goods are exchanged, they have to carry large amounts of gold and silver. The sea is stormy, and pirates are rampant. If they are robbed, they will be in despair. Now, many money shops in the Ming Dynasty offer exchange services. When transporting goods over long distances, carrying silver bills is both easy and safe."

Hong Qingquan was very perceptive. Hearing Zhang Ke's words, he quickly said, "You mean the palace should set up a money shop in Japan!"

"Exactly, Eunuch, merchants sailing across the sea need safety and trust. If a Ming Royal Bank is established in Japan, with the royal brand, all merchants will willingly deposit their gold and silver, exchanging them for silver bills to trade between China and Japan. The bank will accumulate gold and silver and establish a network in Japan, allowing it to exchange for gold and silver and make huge profits. What do you think of my plan?"

As Hong Qingquan listened to Zhang Ke, his breathing became more rapid. In the palace, Emperor Wanli and Chen Ju had also discussed Zhang Ke's plan, and they identified two problems: the capital and the fear of inviting criticism.

Zhang Ke's words solved both problems. Establishing a royal bank would attract gold and silver, providing the capital, and the bank would serve as a protective umbrella. If any trouble arose, the palace could claim ignorance.

The more Hong Qingquan thought about it, the more perfect it seemed, and he began to dance with joy.

"Great, truly great! The bank will make money, and with the exchange of gold and silver, it should be able to send a million taels of silver to the palace each year! Yongzhen, you are truly a genius. How about coming to work in the palace?"

Hong Qingquan blurted out, scaring Zhang Ke, who quickly looked down at his legs.

"Eunuch Hong, I haven't even married yet, and I'm afraid of pain!"

Hong Qingquan laughed, "What are you thinking? I'm asking you to work for the palace, to be a royal merchant and manage the royal bank!"

Forget it! If it were a peaceful time, I would be content to be a rich merchant, but now is not the time to join the chaos!

"Eunuch, although I have offered a plan, I don't understand money shops, trade, or Japan. I think we should find someone more suitable!"

Hong Qingquan's face turned serious, "You just don't want to take the risk of going overseas! I won't force you, but the imperial appointment has already been issued."

Hong Qingquan clapped his hands, and someone brought in a set of official robes, a certificate of appointment, and a seal.

"Here is your seal and the certificate of hereditary commandery, take them well!"

Zhang Ke's eyes widened as he saw the seal. Finally, he was an official! To become a commandery commander so easily! Holding the heavy copper seal, Zhang Ke couldn't help but smile.

"Eunuch Hong, am I dreaming?"

Hong Qingquan looked at his unambitious appearance and snorted, "What more do you want, Zhang Yongzhen? Do you know that a regular commandery commander costs only three to five thousand taels of silver? You spent a million taels a year, and I feel sorry for you!"

Page AD starts

Page AD ends