Chapter 235 – Wedding Banquet

When Xu Chun returned to the Military Affairs Office, his face still held a faint blush, his eyes slightly reddened, his pupils sparkling like they had been washed with water, and his lips abnormally bright red.

He quietly entered through the door furthest from the main hall, trying not to attract attention, and made his way to his own seat. He listened to Prince Jingke and Duke Wuying speaking, “There are actually many talents among the imperial family. Now that there’s suddenly a path to advancement, they naturally sing the praises of the emperor’s grace.”

Fang Zijing had noticed him the moment he came in. He just glanced at him and ignored him, only speaking to Xie Yi, “Becoming a prince is a big deal. There should be a banquet to celebrate.”

Xie Yi laughed, “The emperor’s great kindness, my humble contribution can only be repaid by dedicating myself to the Son of Heaven. The emperor himself practices frugality, how could I dare to make a fuss? Duke Wuying is said to be planning a wedding for his subordinate, Prince Nong. Yet, you’re concerned about whether this prince should host a banquet.”

Fang Zijing chuckled, “I think the imperial sons who want to enter the Nine Realms Academy will surely seek your favor. If the royal mansion holds a banquet, it will undoubtedly be a huge profit.”

Xie Yi shook his head with a smile, his gaze turning to Xu Chun. Xu Chun probably thought he was being quiet, but he didn’t realize that in his fine clothes and splendid robes, he shone brightly like a crane among chickens, no matter when he was in a crowd.

Xu Chun was secretly adjusting his collar, feeling that the lower part of his robe was badly wrinkled, and he suspected that his belt wasn’t properly tied. His mind was preoccupied as he casually picked up a folder on the table to look at.

Xie Yi spoke to him, “Is Marquis Linhai back from somewhere, blinded by the wind?”

Xu Chun’s ears heated up as he mumbled an explanation, “I didn’t sleep well last night. I rubbed my eyes just now, maybe that’s why they’re red.”

Fang Zijing teased, “Yesterday, you were eager to reform the military system. Today, you’ve become lazy, you look half-asleep. Where did you go last night? Did your concubines exhaust your body?”

Xu Chun looked at Fang Zijing with wide eyes, clearly not expecting such a joke from him. He hurriedly changed the topic to cover up, “Two days ago, Duke Wuying mentioned that our country is vast, with a coastline stretching for thousands of miles. We station heavy troops everywhere, which is very costly. Both the army and navy need to be reorganized to defend key points. Now, some of the provincial governors seem to be acting independently and not following orders. Once the commercial ports open, if they don’t get a share, they will certainly sweep their own front steps.”

Fang Zijing said, “True, have you thought of a solution? Are you willing to share the customs duties from the commercial ports with them?”

Xu Chun replied, “Why not? The commercial ports rely on the troops from each province. How much they collect depends on their abilities. Keeping fifty percent for military expenses seems reasonable to me.”

Fang Zijing smiled, “But do you believe that even if they receive the customs duties from the ports, they’ll still act independently.”

Xu Chun said, “Change them every three years.”

Fang Zijing responded, “That would result in generals not knowing their troops, and troops not knowing their generals.”

Xu Chun said, “There’s no other way. But we can cultivate a large number of mid-level commanders in new-style schools, with relatively permanent positions. The governors only need to manage these commanders, which can prevent the troops stationed in each province from becoming private armies of a single person and reduce corruption problems. Everything has its pros and cons. On balance, the governors should be rotated, and they shouldn’t serve too long.”

Fang Zijing nodded, “It shows that you’ve thought carefully about it. But there’s another problem. Commanders graduating from the same school may form cliques.”

Xu Chun frowned, “We can only try to scatter them, but it’s hard to avoid. Even the imperial examinations have issues with factions based on teachers, peers, and fellow townspeople. If there’s really a war, familiar commanders might cooperate more easily.”

Fang Zijing smiled slightly, and Xie Yi praised, “Marquis Linhai is increasingly adept at state affairs.”

Xu Chun humbly replied, “It’s because His Highness and the other officials are willing to teach me.”

Xie Yi said, “It’s due to your exceptional talent and the emperor teaching you well.”

Xu Chun felt guilty, and for some reason, his ears heated up again, recalling how Ninth Brother had “taught” him once again in the Imperial Study. He talked about how as the emperor’s partner, it was his duty to correct mistakes and that he shouldn’t be jealous of the emperor’s subjects. He coaxed with sweet words, but his actions weren’t gentle at all…

Unable to resist, he wanted to touch his lips again, suspecting that he had given himself away. Earlier, when he looked in the mirror, he hadn’t seen anything… But his body couldn’t help but feel a slight warmth.

Fang Zijing said, “Let’s wait until the accounting teams return and see the actual figures before making plans. I think there’s another matter we can have them handle at the same time.”

Xie Yi asked, “What matter?”

Fang Zijing pointed at the folder on the desk, “Since those dispatched to the provinces are skilled in calculations, they can also calculate the number of acres of farmland in each region. I see that the Ministry of Revenue wants to remeasure the land, and it’s time for that. The last statistics were taken during the reign of the previous emperor. If we let each province report, the numbers will likely be inaccurate. Why not combine this with the troop count and do it all at once? This accounting team, with the title of imperial envoy, will have an easier time investigating. Counting troops and military equipment is also within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, so they should send people along with the Ministry of Works.”

Hearing Fang Zijing mention land measurement, Xu Chun felt a twinge of guilt, almost suspecting that Fang Zijing knew of Ninth Brother’s intentions. However, he saw that there was indeed a folder from the Ministry of Revenue on the large table. Picking it up, he saw that it was a petition suggesting the determination of land acreage in the nine regions. Looking at the petition, he found that it was written by Sheng Changyun. He inwardly rejoiced, knowing that this must have been hinted by Ninth Brother, taking the lead on this matter.

Ninth Brother truly planned ahead and took steady steps. He wondered when the new tax law would be implemented, but it was ultimately a great good thing. With the opening of the commercial ports and the tax law changes, the national treasury would be replenished, and the military system would stabilize. An army of millions was within reach.

His eyes were bright, and his lips curved into a smile, “Prince Fang is right. I’ll plan and arrange it.”

After the three of them agreed, they reviewed some folders and then dispersed. At noon, Xu Chun didn’t return to the palace. Instead, he sent word to Ninth Brother and went to the external residence of the National Duke. There, he met with Nong Sijie and went to inspect his newly granted residence to ensure everything was arranged properly. Naturally, he also helped him prepare some items for the wedding.

Nong Sijie had spent little time in the capital, rarely returning. So, he enjoyed climbing mountains today and touring lakes tomorrow, hunting and playing polo. Xu Chun, when free from official duties, often accompanied him for social engagements. Even Sheng Changtian returned to the capital specially to attend Nong Sijie’s wedding.

Half a month later, Nong Sijie’s wedding was held as scheduled at his imperial-granted residence in the eastern city. Xu Chun gave a generous gift and attended the wedding banquet.

The wedding banquet was very lively. The groom was tall and handsome, while the bride, Princess Chunhe, was noble and beautiful. As it was the marriage of an imperial daughter, Prince Jingke officiated the ceremony, and many imperial relatives attended. Duke Wuying and Princess Heshun were naturally guests of honor. Apart from imperial kin, most of the other guests were military officers and aristocrats. Xu Chun attended the banquet and discovered that a steady stream of people approached him.

Some asked about investing, others lobbied for military reforms to secure a good position, seeking to secure a favorable location. Some sought leniency for relatives or friends involved in smuggling, while others wanted to procure some rare foreign goods. He suddenly understood how convenient it was for Fang Xing to refuse all banquets outright.

Fortunately, due to his high status, no one dared to force him to drink. Xie Li came over to offer him a toast, smiling, “Your Excellency, please put in a good word for me with Prince Jingke. Include me among those going to study at the Nine Realms Academy.”

Xu Chun said, “You’re already studying at the Imperial College. Going to the Nine Realms Academy shouldn’t be a big problem, right? Why do you need my recommendation?”

Xie Li whispered, “However, there is something I wish to discuss with Your Excellency.”

Xu Chun, surprised by the lowered tone, stood up and walked with him to a pavilion in the garden. Seeing the lush flowers here, it was a peaceful retreat amidst the bustle. Xie Li then whispered, “Your Excellency, these days, the new tax law is undergoing trials, and the imperial relatives are very dissatisfied. There’s a rumor circulating that although the memorial proposing the tax law was submitted by Zhuang Zhizhan, the first submission didn’t mention the imperial family paying taxes. It’s rumored that you urged His Majesty behind the scenes to increase the taxation of the imperial family, simply to gain more funds for military affairs.”

Xu Chun laughed. Seeing him remain composed, Xie Li became slightly anxious, “In fact, everyone with clear eyes knows that this must have been decided by the emperor. Without the emperor’s approval, who would dare to propose this? Even Zhuang Zhizhan only claims it’s his own idea. There must be someone with ulterior motives stirring things up behind the scenes, possibly the same group that spread rumors about you, Fan Mucun, and Zhuang Zhizhan.”

Xu Chun said, “It doesn’t matter. Their mouths are their own. This marquis isn’t being slandered for the first time.” He thought to himself, I enjoy watching them whisper behind my back but can’t do anything to me. No wonder the imperial relatives looked at him with suppressed resentment and a desire to speak but couldn’t. Ha!

Xie Li said, “I’ve had the opportunity to clarify things for you several times, but I didn’t dare say it was… the emperor’s intention. In fact, everyone knows it must be the emperor’s will. They’re looking for a scapegoat. Zhuang Zhizhan is now an isolated minister, ready to act recklessly. They won’t benefit from messing with him. The Fang family and Prince Jingke, they dare not provoke either. You have money, and you don’t have powerful in-laws. Naturally, they all come after you. They’re envious of those factories, the maritime customs office, and the new-style schools in your hands, all sources of rolling wealth. Now, the customs are also in your control. How could they not be envious? They all want a piece of the pie without considering their own capabilities!”

Xu Chun was somewhat impressed, looking at Xie Li, “I misjudged you before, thinking you were arrogant and reckless. Now, it seems you understand quite well.”

Xie Li chuckled, embarrassed, rubbing his head, “Indeed, I was frivolous and arrogant in the past. Your Excellency, wasn’t it also rumored that you were a spoiled and reckless young master? Back then, I assumed that since you controlled these lucrative departments, you must have earned quite a bit and gained quite a lot by relying on the sea.”

“In the past few years, following you, I realized that Your Excellency truly takes nothing for yourself. I’ve seen you working day and night, regardless of cold or heat, personally managing everything. It’s precisely because I’ve been following you that I know how difficult it was for you to build everything from scratch, from nothing to something. Your loyalty to the state is commendable, and your righteousness reaches the heavens. You never let those who follow you suffer losses, and are willing to bear the losses yourself. That’s another good point.”

With sincerity on his face, he continued, “The longer I follow you, the more I feel that the emperor’s decision to entrust you with important tasks is truly wise. If anyone else were in your place, they wouldn’t be able to serve the emperor with such wholehearted devotion as you do. You genuinely work for the country.”

Xu Chun smiled, “I see you don’t rely on land revenue or imperial stipends for your livelihood, so you’re indifferent to that small amount of land tax.”

Xie Li chuckled, “They’re just greedy. Over the years, they’ve invested in your ventures and received countless dividends. Still, they envy and want to swallow everything, always suspecting you’ve earned even more. I told them you’ve put all the profits into building factories and schools, but they don’t believe there’s someone in this world who truly serves the public.”

“I heard that someone went to Prince Jingke to incite him, saying that the maritime customs office and others were originally under the responsibility of eunuchs. Along with the Ministry of Rites and foreign affairs, they fall within the scope of imperial duties and should be taken over by the Office of Imperial Genealogy, with imperial sons in charge. Now that the Nine Realms Academy allows the selection of imperial sons, they’re scheming, suggesting that the headmaster of the Nine Realms Academy should be an imperial genealogical officer.”

Xu Chun smiled, and Xie Li made a grabbing gesture in the air, “I look down on them. They want to reap the fruits of others’ labor. The Imperial College has been managed poorly. Every time the emperor inspects, he lectures them. However, there’s never any improvement. Now, the decree orders enrollment in the Nine Realms Academy, indicating dissatisfaction with the education provided at the Imperial College.”

Xu Chun asked, “So, are many going to the academy now?”

Xie Li replied, “Naturally, more are going. Those from collateral branches who have no hope of inheriting a title are very enthusiastic. Those from the main branches, depending on their age, are more willing to go, like us younger ones. However, those of the emperor’s generation are less willing to go. They claim that only the Son of Heaven can discuss rituals, establish systems, and examine literature. It’s the established law of our ancestors. Imperial sons should be treated with tolerance and kindness. What’s the point of going to the Nine Realms Academy, studying alongside commoners, and having commoner women as teachers? It’s a great disgrace.”

Xu Chun pondered, thinking that there were probably many more unpleasant things said that Xie Li didn’t dare to mention. He merely nodded, “Thank you for reminding me. I know about this.”

Xie Li then chatted with him about the idle talk of bond dividends this year. Seeing his tired expression, he bowed and withdrew.

Xu Chun observed that the banquet was halfway through, the bride had long retired to the bridal chamber, and the groom had served three rounds of wine, nearing the end. With matters on his mind, he wanted to see Ninth Brother as soon as possible. Therefore, he quietly left the scene and returned to the palace.