Chapter 226 – Success

The second day was the regular court session, and the small assembly was quick. The matters presented today weren’t significant either, so the assembly was dismissed promptly. Xu Chun went to the Military Affairs Department. He had arrived early today, and the several cabinet secretaries and Prince Jianke, as well as Duke Wuying, were all there. Seeing Xu Chun arrive, they exchanged pleasantries with him.

They had heard about Xu Chun’s efforts in cracking down on smuggling and asked with genuine concern if he needed assistance. Xu Chun smiled and said he had already sought help from the censors of the Censorate. Lei Ming was surprised and said, “Didn’t everyone say that Li Meiyai and you are irreconcilable enemies?”

Xu Chun gave an awkward chuckle. “Misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding.”

Duke Wuying, however, asked, “Did you rework and draft new replies for yesterday’s memorials?”

Xu Chun hastily took out the thick stack of documents and handed them to Fang Zijing. Fang Zijing flipped through them and saw that indeed, the military affairs had been reconsidered carefully, and the replies were more detailed and thorough. He nodded and said, “Not bad. You must understand that local military supplies aren’t easy to come by. Not everyone is as wealthy as your side of Jinhai. Everywhere requires soldiers and provisions, how could it possibly provide everywhere? Don’t be fooled by the distress described in these memorials; they’re all exaggerations. You must consider the whole picture.”

Xu Chun awkwardly laughed. “I understand, thank you for your guidance, Duke Wuying.”

Lei Ming said, “Don’t mention it. Nowadays, who doesn’t want to join the Eastern Navy? They say leading naval troops is prosperous, while border troops are indeed hard. It’s a pity General Helan can hold his ground there.”

Xu Chun muttered, “We need to think of more strategies.” Ninth Brother’s million-strong army still needed to start with a prosperous nation. The various taxes and duties at the Ministry of Revenue needed to be reviewed… a comprehensive plan would be best.

However, Fang Zijing picked out the memorial requesting resignation due to illness and read it. Seeing Xu Chun’s reply, “A thousand days of training for a single moment of use, retreating when faced with the enemy, how can one speak of loyalty to the country?” he burst out laughing.

Lei Ming and the others looked over. “Why is Duke Wuying laughing?”

Fang Zijing said, “Su Zhongyuan’s resignation petition due to illness, Xu Chun’s reply is sarcastic, hahaha.”

Lei Ming took the paper and read it, also laughing. “Well replied, I am also annoyed when I see it. When that Inspector Su was feasting and drinking every year, reselling cinnamon and Sichuan pepper, why didn’t he say he wanted to go home to take care of his parents? Huh!”

Xu Chun said, “So Lord Lei knew he was faking illness? Then why did you agree to his resignation?”

Lei Ming said, “This matter is easy to handle. If the court sends a large force over, the other side won’t dare to act rashly. They can only obediently follow the court’s orders and decide who should be in charge. Thanks to your blessings, we now have many cannons and bombs. Ever since the gunpowder troops were established in various regions, your mixed battalion tactics have spread far and wide. Now everyone knows the power of our troops, and all the bandits and rebels have become restrained. It has truly become much more peaceful.”

“Therefore, if he wants to run, let him run. With this escape, he won’t get any credit for military achievements. The court will never reuse him again in the future. He ruined his own future. I’ve always held this attitude. Military officials unwilling or unable to fight should scram quickly and stop occupying positions and eating salaries for nothing.”

Xu Chun said delightedly, “Lord Lei is straightforward.”

Lei Ming said, “The key is not knowing what His Majesty thinks. We can’t delay the matter of Guizhou any longer. It seems the local ruler won’t last long.” He looked at Duke Wuying. “What does Duke Wuying say?”

Fang Zijing slowly put the memorial back. “Let’s see what His Majesty thinks.”

But Xu Chun looked at him intently and said, “I believe Duke Wuying must have some strategic insight. Why don’t you enlighten this subordinate?”

Fang Zijing glanced at him and gave a cool smile. “Throughout history, the court has respected the opinions of current local rulers. Since the current ruler, Feng Dongxing, requested the appointment, why shouldn’t the court approve it?”

“If there really is a problem, then it’s because the Wa clan can’t hold their position… Of course, now that our sea routes are open, it wouldn’t be difficult to dispatch a large force from Fujian, Zhejiang, or Guangdong. Therefore, it’s all up to His Majesty’s decision.”

Minister of Works Du Zhengqing, however, said, “We must be cautious. The Feng family is prosperous, and they may not be willing to acknowledge a female local ruler. If they fight, it will lead to chaos, and the common people will suffer.”

Fang Zijing smiled without speaking.

Lei Ming said, “We’ve already said it. If we send troops over, there’s no need for fighting. Can their local troops beat the imperial court?”

Minister of Revenue Luo Hengrui said, “Can we always send a large force over there? Ultimately, we still have to appoint a local ruler there.”

But Xu Chun suddenly said, “I previously heard that most local rulers are barbarian tyrants, committing illegal acts with impunity. They hold their lands as kings, keeping serfs, monopolizing land, mines, and other resources, and collecting merchant taxes at the checkpoints. Many have backward customs that cause unbearable suffering to the people. Why not replace them with officials and govern them like other prefectures and counties? The princes have been abolished, why can’t the local rulers be abolished?”

For a moment, all the military ministers turned to look at him. Some glanced at Duke Wuying. After all, Duke Wuying was one of those “abolished princes,” but Fang Zijing remained composed, smiling and saying, “There are too many tribes, and the people are fierce. You don’t know how many mountains there are. Across a village or a river, the local dialect changes. It’s too troublesome for the court to govern. Sending officials isn’t easy, and existing local rulers are easier to manage. Moreover, those places are barren, with poor transportation. Even if we conquer them, it will be hard to govern.”

Xu Chun looked at him and asked sincerely, “Guangzhou also has many mountains, why aren’t there local rulers?”

Fang Zijing cleared his throat lightly. “There are some local officials and magistrates, but they are fewer and smaller.”

Xu Chun furrowed his brows in deep thought. Ouyang Shen chuckled. “Young people are indeed energetic and sharp. However, such remarks should be spoken cautiously. In the southwestern and northwestern regions, local rulers are hereditary. As a high minister and His Majesty’s confidant, if you make such a statement, rumors outside might interpret it as the court’s intention to abolish local rulers and place them under central control. This could provoke conflict, which wouldn’t be good.”

Xu Chun could only say, “I spoke out of turn.” But he couldn’t help thinking that abolishing the princes hadn’t been harder than this. Ninth Brother had accomplished it, right? There must be ways to slowly plot and perhaps find methods to avoid war and bloodshed… As he raised his eyes, he saw Fang Zijing also looking at him contemplatively. Seeing Xu Chun look at him, he even gave a faint smile and said meaningfully, “Now that the court has cannons and other heavy weapons, it can deter the barbarians. Perhaps a peaceful era is coming.”

The military ministers chatted idly for a while. They saw that the few memorials sent out by the Imperial Household Department were fewer than yesterday, only discussing a few important matters at the Military Affairs Department.

Everyone discussed them, and Xu Chun almost didn’t speak, only listening to the senior officials’ comments. Then he noticed that Prince Jianke didn’t talk much either. Here, he was the most prestigious, yet he didn’t utter a word, almost like a mere decoration. Xu Chun couldn’t help admiring his self-control.

However, Fang Zijing suddenly laughed. “It turns out that Lord Linhai was right. The Wa clan sent an envoy to the court with a letter. If the court appoints her as the female local ruler after the situation stabilizes, she is willing to pledge allegiance to the court forevermore, abandon the hereditary system, and become a court official. She wishes to be the first governor of Guizhou, and other officials will be appointed by the court, changing every three years, governed equally with other prefectures and counties.”

He took out the letter. “This is the letter submitted by the envoy from the Ministry of Rites. Everyone can take a look.”

All the military ministers were silent, passing the letter around. Ouyang Shen suddenly said, “His Majesty is wise. Previously, His Majesty withheld the decision, and I had doubts in my heart. It turns out that this delay made the Wa clan anxious. If this can really happen, it would be a great thing!”

Du Zhengqing hesitated. “A female governor?”

The Minister of Revenue, who had previously opposed a female local ruler, now said cheerfully, “Indeed, His Majesty is wise. In times of urgency, flexibility is necessary. What’s wrong with appointing her for now