Chapter 121 – Taking Office

At the Jin Harbor Customs Office.

In front of the dark red government building, Deputy Director Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie, both wearing their sixth-rank official uniforms, stood, leading the chief clerk, registrar, chief secretary, recorder, and the local constabulary, as they waited at the door for the arrival of the new Director.

The weather was still hot in August, and the sunlight made everyone somewhat restless.

Xu Tingjie couldn’t help but ask Dong Xian, “Shouldn’t we renovate the Director’s residence? I’m afraid that once this Director arrives, he might turn his back on us, thinking that we don’t respect him. What should we do then?”

Dong Xian fanned himself with an ivory fan, oily beads of sweat formed on his forehead. After all, he was old, and after just a short while under the sun, he could barely endure it, his entire body listless. He said, “Don’t worry, this young master won’t live in the Director’s residence. Officials don’t renovate government buildings, guests don’t renovate inns; this is standard practice. This young master comes from a hereditary monitorial position, his family is wealthy, how could he be interested in such a place? Even if you renovate it, it would be in vain.”

“Everywhere else, the Director of the Customs Office is appointed by the eunuch supervisor, so isn’t it customary to buy a mansion and garden to build a eunuch supervisor’s residence?”

“But even though we here have been exempted from having a eunuch supervisor and replaced with a Director, it’s still the same. It’s just that the nobles upstairs are looking for a nearby place to gain experience. Jinhai Guard is so close to the capital that this young master probably won’t stay long. How could he possibly live in this shabby place? He will certainly buy another mansion and garden.”

Xu Tingjie was somewhat uneasy, but he still flattered Dong Xian, “It’s good that Director Dong understands. Looking at the current trend of the court, will the eunuchs guarding various regions be abolished one after another in the future?”

Dong Xian lazily said, “This shows the wisdom of the Son of Heaven. In previous dynasties, eunuch supervisors were set up, acting as the eyes and ears of the Son of Heaven, mainly to restrain the feudal princes. Now that the feudal princes have all been removed, it is no longer appropriate for eunuchs to meddle in politics. Furthermore, in such a lucrative office, the nobles naturally want to share in the profits.”

“But you don’t need to worry. This young Master Xu is here to gain experience, our meagre pickings are nothing to him. We’ve already heard that he spends money like water, throwing around thousands of taels. It’s said that he directly donated ten thousand taels of silver to the Ministry of Works to get a title for his birth mother.”

Xu Tingjie’s eyes widened. “Ten thousand taels! Can titles be donated? Weren’t officials no longer allowed to be bought?”

Dong Xian said, “For a title, one merely needs to apply. The problem lies in the fact that the title of Jingguo Duke was originally obtained by chance. His legitimate older brother died without issue, and it fell into his lap. He was also a playboy, he didn’t care about it. The dowager was still alive, there was no reason, and he never applied for the title. But now that the young master has grown up, his filial piety has kicked in, and he donated a sum to the Ministry of Works. It’s rumored that his maternal family is rich, it’s just pocket change for him, a drop in the bucket. The court was delighted when they saw this, it was a title they should have bestowed anyway, so they naturally granted it to him.”

At this time, Chief Secretary Liao Shiming, who was standing behind, came over and said with a smile, “I also heard that he invited Prince Xie Fei of the Shun’an State to a banquet. At that time, Xie Fei was still a crown prince, and brought Li Meiyai along. It’s said that the banquet was extremely extravagant. But you know Li Meiyai’s temper, he scolded him for extravagance right to his face, and it became a laughing stock in the capital for some time. Although several years have passed since the incident, people still occasionally bring it up.”

Dong Xian said, “The Shun’an State has completely fallen, it’s fortunate that they still have a county prince. Li Meiyai probably suffered some repercussions at the time, I heard that he was demoted to guard the city gate for consorting with prostitutes. Everyone guessed that the emperor, who is usually wise, wouldn’t reprimand a cabinet minister for such a trivial matter, most likely taking advantage of the situation for another reason. Some speculated that it had something to do with the previous incident involving the Shun’an State, perhaps some entanglement.”

Xu Tingjie said, “But I saw in the gazette a few days ago that he has been reinstated to the Censorate, given a fourth-rank position.”

Dong Xian said, “Li Meiyai is still favored by the emperor, although he is of Duan State origin, he is ultimately upright and honest. The emperor values incorruptibility, and he is devoted to his former master, which the emperor likes precisely for his loyalty and integrity. Because of his reputation, the emperor wants to preserve this fine example of a harmonious relationship between sovereign and minister.”

Xu Tingjie smiled and said, “Fortunately, we don’t have such people among our local officials, otherwise, we’d have to entertain guests to the best of our abilities, only to be undermined because of our reputation, saying that the young master lost face and couldn’t bear it?”

Dong Xian said, “The nobles aren’t what they used to be, what can they do? Haven’t you seen that Wu Yinghou can only honestly go to Min Prefecture to become a teacher at the maritime academy? A noble family, descendants of the Lingnan King, what can they do?”

Liao Shiming clicked his tongue. “He has a princess to protect him, and a younger brother by his side in the palace, his life is still more comfortable than ours.”

Dong Xian chuckled. “That’s still giving some face to the Pingnan State. The nobles should just lie down and enjoy the shade of their ancestors’ legacy. They themselves know that they can’t compare with us officials who entered through the regular imperial examinations. As for me, the young master is coming to gain experience, it’s only three years, we should all put on a friendly face and deal with him properly. After all, he’s a wealthy man, young, I heard that he’s just come of age, if we please him, our lives will be comfortable.”

Xu Tingjie understood, knowing that Dong Xian actually looked down on this new Director. A noble with a hereditary monitorial position wasn’t worth mentioning; he was also too young, it would be enough to please him superficially.

The usually honest and silent registrar Liu Bin suddenly said, “It’s time, he’s here.”

Sure enough, there were hoofbeats on the street, and everyone hurriedly tidied up their official robes and hats, standing in order.

Soon, they saw a group of guards riding tall horses escorting a curtained carriage over. The beaded silver canopy and light blue curtain were very magnificent. As the guards approached, they dismounted, and two clever servants, dressed in green straight robes, with clear and handsome features, came out from behind the blue cloth carriage, holding wooden drawers to pad the area in front of the carriage.

An official also came out from the rear carriage, holding a folding fan in his hand, walked to the front of the carriage and bowed, who looked like a secretary. The curtain was lifted, and a young official, supported by the servant’s hand, came down. With handsome features and a smile on his lips, he wore a blue fifth-rank official robe, a black gauze hat, and a jade cicada pendant hanging from his waist.

For a moment, all the officials of the Jin Harbor Customs Office were shocked. They all knew that this young master was young, but looking at his appearance, how young he actually was? He looked like he hadn’t even come of age yet, and his appearance was not just average good-looking. With eyes like stars, red lips, and white teeth, and smiling before speaking, he was truly a refined and elegant person.

Dong Xian quickly led the people forward to pay their respects. “Your subordinates greet Sir Xu, Sir Xu must have endured a lot of hardship during your journey. Please accept incense and offerings in the office, allow your subordinates to pay their respects one by one.”

Xu Chun smiled and returned a salute, bowing all around. “Thank you, esteemed colleagues, for waiting for so long. Xu Chun is new here, I’ll have to trouble you all to take care of me.”

Dong Xian listened to his voice, which was very clear and bright, his demeanor humble, and seeing his youth, Dong Xian’s heart slightly relaxed. While welcoming Xu Chun into the main gate of the Customs Office, there were offerings prepared there to sacrifice to the local deity.

On the side, Xu Tingjie presented incense to Xu Chun, Xu Chun took the incense and offered a bow to the deity’s position. Then, everyone led him forward through the central path into the main hall of the Director’s office, where a table had been set up in advance. This was for the new head official to thank the emperor’s grace.

Xu Chun led the officials to face the capital direction, offering five bows and three kowtows to the throne. After the ceremony, he sat down on the main seat of the public hall, and the officials of the Customs Office came forward, paying their respects according to rank and position, from low to high.

First, eight constables, led by the head constable Liu Gui, came forward and performed two bows. Xu Chun accepted the ceremony while seated.

Next, Chief Secretary Zhang Hao and Recorder Liu Su came forward to pay their respects. Both were in their forties, mainly responsible for seals, copies, official documents, registers, etc., paperwork, and were untitled civil officials, both natives of Jinhai. Xu Chun remained seated, returning the salute with folded hands.

Next was Chief Secretary Liao Shiming, thirty-five years old, eighth-rank. Then Registrar Liu Bin, ninth-rank, twenty-eight years old, responsible for all the account books and records of the Customs Office.

Both were jinshi graduates, coming forward to pay their respects, introducing themselves. Xu Chun smiled and got up, returning the salute with folded hands.

Afterward, Deputy Directors Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie came forward to perform two bows. Both were sixth-rank, Xu Chun stood up from his seat, bowing to return the salute, his attitude very humble. After the ceremony, he asked where Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie were from, in which year they were selected for their positions, his expression always warm and smiling, his manners generous.

After the exchange of courtesies, Xu Chun followed the custom and exhorted and instructed the officials. “The court established the Customs Office to handle overseas trade matters, enrich the country, fill the treasury, and establish good relations with foreign states. I am not very intelligent, but I have taken on this heavy responsibility. In the future, I shall rely on all my colleagues for support and assistance. Any measures for improvement, Xu Chun and I will do our utmost to implement them, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly and fulfilling our duties loyally, so as not to disappoint the emperor’s grace above, nor the common people below.”

After the instructions, Chief Secretary Liao Shiming brought over the official document for the new official’s arrival, and Chief Secretary Zhang brought over the official seal. Xu Chun picked up the brush to sign the document, took over the seal, and stamped it.

With this, the meeting ceremony was completed, and the atmosphere eased. Xu Chun first said, “Today, I have just arrived, esteemed colleagues, you have worked hard. I have prepared some gifts for our first meeting, later on, I’ll trouble Chief Secretary Liao to distribute them to everyone, you can contact my secretary Jiang later.”

He slightly turned his body, introducing Jiang Mei behind him to everyone. “This is Mr. Jiang Mei, he is the secretary accompanying Xu Chun on his appointment. From now on, any official documents that need to be delivered to me should be passed on by Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Mei came forward gracefully, bowed to everyone. “Greetings to all esteemed sirs, if there are any tasks, please feel free to instruct Mr. Jiang.”

Dong Xian asked with a smile, “Mr. Jiang’s accent seems to be from Lingnan?”

Jiang Mei smiled. “Indeed, I’m from Panyu. Your servant has served as a bookkeeper at the Pingnan Customs Office for a few years, I have a basic understanding of trade matters, I’ve been promoted by my lord to accompany him, I hope you will guide me in the future.”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie involuntarily glanced at each other, chatting for a few sentences with smiles, then Dong Xian said to Xu Chun, “Since you have assumed office, tomorrow I will present the necessary matters and unfinished documents for your signature. Now, would you like me to show you around the Customs Office?”

Xu Chun smiled. “Very well, I’ll trouble Director Dong.”

Dong Xian led Xu Chun, introducing him as they walked. “Our Customs Office is opposite the city god temple (Lord Guan), quite safe next to the city defense camp.”

Xu Chun laughed. “Then I really must choose a lucky day to burn incense and pay homage at the city god temple (Lord Guan).”

Dong Xian continued. “The entire office complex has seventy rooms in total. The front is the office, with three main halls. Walking through this passage, there are three middle halls behind, mainly used by the officials for daily discussions. These six rooms on both sides are study rooms, provided for officials to handle paperwork and for receiving guests. These are the east and west wing rooms, each with three rooms, used for daily storage, kitchen staff and meals, and for officials’ attendants to rest. In the middle is the back garden.”

Xu Chun saw that they walked to the back garden, with trees and flowers planted on both sides of the road. The garden contained Taihu rocks and fish ponds, with various potted chrysanthemums arranged on either side of the high and low rocks, blooming luxuriantly in the autumn season. Carp swam around the lotus leaves in the clear water pond. He smiled slightly. “This courtyard is beautifully landscaped, exquisite and delicate, with a strong southern style.”

Dong Xian stroked his beard with a smile. “Sir Xu seems to have some profound insights into landscaping.”

Xu Chun shook his head and laughed. “My father likes this, I’ve only dabbled in it.”

As they spoke, a group of officials walked through the back garden, seeing a two-story pavilion in the middle. The pavilion was inscribed with the plaque ‘Sighing at the Vast Ocean’. Inside the pavilion, a banquet had been set up, with a round table on the upper terrace as the main table, and several tables below for the constables, registrars, and the guards Xu Chun brought.

Everyone led Xu Chun up to the pavilion, looking down from above, indeed able to see the entire Customs Office. Dong Xian pointed and showed him. “Over there, across the street, with the double-eaved roof, is the city god temple (Lord Guan). Next door is the city defense camp, behind is the Director’s residence, the Deputy Director’s residence, and the registrar’s residence.”

Dong Xian said with a smile. “I haven’t asked where Sir Xu is staying, the Director’s residence has been vacant for many years, no one has lived there, my subordinates will immediately arrange for people to fix it up.”

Xu Chun smiled. “No rush, my family has rented a mansion in the city for temporary lodging. Since the Director’s residence hasn’t been renovated for many years, it needs a good renovation. Tomorrow, let Secretary Jiang take the steward to have a good look at how to renovate it, there’s no need to trouble Director Dong.”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie, hearing this, were surprised that he was actually going to live there. Dong Xian quickly pointed and said with a smile. “The Director’s residence was built in the past, it’s shallow and narrow, somewhat crude. Look, there are three living rooms and three middle rooms, eight side rooms, this back is the kitchen, it’s just a small three-section mansion. My subordinates were previously very worried, I wonder if Sir Xu’s family can fit.”

Xu Chun said, “It’s fine, I’m not married yet, I only brought a few maids to serve me, three sections are enough, no need to worry.”

Dong Xian glanced at Xu Tingjie, who carefully smiled. “There’s something I need to report to you, sir, because this mansion has been empty for a long time, there was originally a small garden behind the Director’s residence. The neighboring city defense camp saw that no one was living there for many years, the wall collapsed, and over the years, they took it over and built a training ground and stables there.”

Seeing Dong Xian’s expression, Xu Tingjie cautiously said, gritting his teeth. “If you, sir, are going to move in, and there are inner family members, it may be inconvenient. Perhaps we should wait until my subordinates negotiate with the city defense camp, and rebuild the wall before moving in, you, sir, should wait a little longer.”

Xu Chun was somewhat surprised, looking in the direction Xu Tingjie pointed and indeed saw that there was a target range and other things built on a vacant lot, and a large row of stables next to it, clearly occupying the back garden, directly adjacent to the back wing room. It must smell bad.

Xu Chun thought for a moment. “Does the Director’s residence have a deed?”

Dong Xian said, “Of course, there are official documents and blueprints.”

Xu Chun said, “Since the city defense camp is next door, I’ll pick a day to post a visiting card and pay a visit to the commander of the city defense camp.”

Dong Xian gave a bitter laugh. “Sir Xu, the person in charge of the city defense camp is only a ninth-rank commander, right next door. We’ve negotiated several times, but they ignored us, only saying that the training ground isn’t enough for the soldiers to train, since no one lives there, they might as well borrow it for the time being. We also went to report the matter to the commander of Jinhai Guard, who is a fourth-rank military officer, higher in rank than us, and he agreed verbally to make them change it immediately, but there was no follow-up. We civil officials can’t reason with them.”

Xu Chun nodded slightly. “I see.”

What did ‘I see’ mean? Was he going to live or not?

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled by the temperament of this young Master Xu. They were greatly amazed in their hearts. Clearly, they had heard that this young master was young, frivolous, and unlearned. But how could it be that his speech and behavior were elegant, with the dignity of a scion of a distinguished family, and his greetings and receptions were like those of an experienced official, although his attitude was also amiable, his words were accompanied by laughter, but what his temperament was, they couldn’t gauge the depth for a while.

At the banquet, glasses clinked and cups crossed, there weren’t many officials of the Customs Office, mostly Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie chatting idly, with Jiang Mei adding to the fun, Chief Secretary Liao Shiming also talking, Chief Secretary Zhang and Recorder Liu were locals, also telling some anecdotes about Jinhai Guard. After the banquet, the officials respectfully sent Xu Chun out to the carriage, thus completing the ceremony for the new official’s arrival.

As soon as Xu Chun got into the carriage, he took a hot towel and covered his face, leaning on the soft seat. Jiang Mei accompanied him into the carriage, smiling and asking, “How do you feel, sir?”

Xu Chun said, “The entire Customs Office is controlled by Deputy Director Dong Xian. No one speaks unless he does, others look at his expressions, Xu Tingjie seems to have no scheming. Chief Secretary Liao Shiming is smooth-talking, but it can be seen that he works rigorously, Registrar Liu Bin is so young, yet he is silent, since he is in charge of accounts, his silence is also reliable.”

Jiang Mei said, “Then about the Director’s residence…”

Xu Chun said, “They’re simply thinking that my term is only three years, I may not be willing to offend the city defense camp and the Jinhai Guard Commander over this. As the saying goes, officials don’t renovate government buildings, it would cost a lot of money to renovate it, most likely no one is willing to do so.”

“I think they’ve deliberately let the other side encroach on the land over the years, I looked at the mansion from upstairs, the kitchen inside must have been shared by them, there are many things drying in the house and yard, it’s probably been treated as public land without an owner for many years. If I move in, their Deputy Director’s residence is right next door, they naturally wouldn’t be happy.”

Xu Chun’s face was flushed from drinking wine, wiping his hands with a towel, laughing. “Having enjoyed the benefits for many years, suddenly unable to enjoy them anymore, of course, they’re uncomfortable.”

Jiang Mei laughed. “So you want to live there, sir?”

Xu Chun narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile on his lips. “Naturally, I want to live there. If I really follow their wishes and live outside, how could I know what’s happening in the Customs Office? Not only will I live there, but I’ll also have the house renovated beautifully. After all, this young master has plenty of money.”

Jiang Mei said, “Then about the city defense camp encroaching on the land…”

Xu Chun laughed. “I was worrying about where to start with the three fires of a new official taking office, this opportunity to establish authority was sent right to me, I might as well use it. Mr. Jiang, write a visiting card for me, tomorrow I’ll go to pay my respects to the commander of Jinhai Guard. A new official has arrived, I should pay my respects first.”

Jiang Mei laughed. “Are you going to be polite, sir, before using force?” He had personally seen that this young master had brought a team of strong and well-trained guards. Forget about Wu Yinghou’s mansion, even though he was from Pingnan State, he had never seen such well-trained guards. If the city defense camp really took him for a soft target, they were likely to be embarrassed, let alone the fact that he had even seen them carrying matchlocks.”

Xu Chun said, “If he’s reasonable and moves, everything will be easy for the next three years. If he ignores it, hmm, then don’t blame me for making an example of the city defense camp.”

His gaze flickered. “Mr. Jiang, you should go and get the deed papers tomorrow and check them carefully. Don’t let them provoke us into becoming the unreasonable ones. Tomorrow, you take two guards and look inside and outside the mansion. I’ll have Qiuhu follow you, and I’ll trouble Mr. Jiang to teach him. He’s my personal page, good at socializing, if there’s anything, let him take the lead.”

Jiang Mei said, “No need for you to tell me, sir, I naturally need to recheck it. You can rest assured, sir.” Jiang Mei hesitated for a moment but still advised, “You are a young hero, sir. But this commander’s mansion and the city defense camp, since the Customs Office checks sea vessels, many tasks require their cooperation. If things get tense, it will be difficult to resolve, you, sir, should proceed cautiously.”

Xu Chun said, “Proceeding cautiously, three years will pass in a flash, Mr. Jiang is an experienced official, don’t you know these tricks? Anyway, I’m just a wealthy and brainless playboy, your grandpa can withstand everything except anger. Besides, isn’t the officialdom about bullying the weak and fearing the strong? Can this young master be bullied by them? First, I’ll stir things up, and if it comes to it, I’ll apologize and toast the commander.”

Jiang Mei saw that this young master really had the temperament of a young master, couldn’t help but laugh. “If Young Master is really tough, the other party may come to apologize to you. But it’s easy to dodge open attacks but hard to guard against hidden arrows. Most people in the officialdom seek harmony for profit.”

Xu Chun raised his eyebrows slightly. “Harmony, one can be an official, but can’t accomplish anything. Mr. Jiang, I’m here to do something, not to be an official.”