Chapter 126 – Promotion

Xu Chun and Jiang Mei stood outside the Customs Hall at the harbor for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before Deputy Director Dong arrived in a carriage, looking rather disheveled. He quickly got out of the carriage to bow to Xu Chun and apologize. Xu Chun replied, “No problem, let’s go take a look at the Customs Hall.”

The Customs Hall at the harbor was a two-story building with long pavilions inside and out, filled with various goods. Representatives of ships waiting to clear customs lined up at the harbor, awaiting the officials from the Customs Department to board their vessels for inspection. Inside the reception hall, two clerks were busily checking official documents and certificates.

Xu Chun and his party, dressed in their bright official robes, entered the hall with great pomp, immediately drawing the attention of countless merchants. Among them were many foreigners with high noses and deep eyes, and strange hair colors, all staring intently. The bustling reception hall suddenly fell silent.

Director Dong and Xu Tingjie had not visited the Customs Hall at the harbor for many years. Now, smelling the sea and sweat, and surrounded by barbarians, merchants, and port laborers, they felt uncomfortable due to the rude stares. But seeing Xu Chun stride forward confidently with guards beside him, and as they walked through the crowd that parted like waves before a ship, with people looking at them with reverence, they suddenly felt a sense of awe-inspiring authority and became somewhat pleased with themselves.

Xu Chun walked over to the long table where customs clearance took place. The responsible clerk hurriedly got up to bow. Xu Chun kindly asked him to rise and then picked up the customs clearance document on the table to read. He asked, “What do you mainly check during daily inspections?”

The clerk hurriedly replied, “We mainly verify the information on the ship’s weight capacity, hull, mast height, and record the public inspection. We also check the cargo and determine the amount of tax to be levied. Then, the inspection clerk goes aboard the ship to check each item of cargo for prohibited items and contraband. After confirming that everything is correct, we stamp the documents and send them to the Director’s office for review.”

Xu Chun asked, “How long does the whole process usually take? How many days can you inspect?”

The clerk replied, “It depends on whether it’s a large or small ship. A seagoing vessel usually takes around ten days. If there are particularly many goods, it can take up to a month. Small cargo boats are faster, taking only two or three days to complete the inspection.”

Xu Chun nodded slightly, not offering any comment. He simply looked at the document, which read: “Inspect one Zhu Shui Record’s ocean-going ship, pointed bottom, square head, broad tail, three masts, thirteen watertight compartments. Carrying 100 bales of raw silk and 500 pieces of porcelain for overseas trade. Tax to be levied: 10 bales of raw silk and 100 pieces of porcelain.”

A sign with the name “Zhu Shui Record” was placed next to the document, to be given to the officials who would inspect the ship.

Xu Chun carefully examined the document and asked some questions. He then asked the merchant, “Is it still profitable after the tax is deducted?”

The captain of the Zhu Shui Record merchant ship had already knelt down to report, “Reporting to Your Excellency, it is profitable. We transport goods to Southeast Asia, but there are also taxes there. After deducting the costs of sailors and expenses, we can still make about ten times the profit. However, our ship is small, so we can only pray to Empress of Heaven for protection against storms.”

Xu Chun smiled and ordered Qiu Hu to give the captain some silver as a reward. He then casually picked up a few more documents to look at. Afterward, he inspected the goods inside and out before leaving the Customs Hall and returning to the entrance. There was a screen wall there, specifically for posting announcements, engraved with the “General Regulations of the Customs Department.” Another notice was also posted, an old notice about the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, now tattered and torn from the sea breeze.

Seeing Xu Chun stop to read the notice, Xu Tingjie awkwardly said, “The subordinates were negligent. I’ll order them to clean up the old notices immediately.”

Xu Chun said, “No need. This place is perfect. Since I’ve just taken office, I have a notice to post here.”

The officials were puzzled, but they saw two guards carrying a heavy bronze cabinet from the back of the carriage and setting it up in front of the notice board, secured with iron chains to the post.

Qiu Hu and Xia Chao then came forward with a notice to post on the screen wall. Everyone focused their attention on it, reading the “Four Precepts of the Customs Department”:

“One, Uphold Honesty to Resist Greed.

This department is committed to integrity and public service, not taking a single coin beyond the tax listed on the tax form. No additional money may be collected.

Two, Pursue Practicality to Accumulate Wealth.

This department advocates frugality and avoids banquets hosted by merchants. Apart from official business, nothing else is discussed.

Three, Seek Advice to Demonstrate Sincerity.

This department encourages open communication. Anyone with suggestions for improving the Customs Department, information on officials’ malfeasance, or tips on smuggling by merchants and citizens can submit a report to the bronze cabinet. We will investigate every case thoroughly, and if it proves beneficial, rewards will be given.

Four, Recruit Talent to Cultivate Virtue.

This department keeps positions open for those with literary or military talent to recommend themselves.”

Below the notice was the red seal of the Customs Department Director.

The officials exchanged glances, even Jiang Mei was surprised. Seeing the bold handwriting, it seemed as though the Prince had written the notice himself. Even she didn’t know when the Prince had written this notice. Xu Chun smiled and said, “Let’s make do with this one for now. We’ll have someone carve a new one later.”

As dawn broke, Xie Yi finished his early morning court session and went to the Imperial Study Room, waiting for the ministers to arrive for discussion. But he saw Su Kai holding a vermilion box.

Xie Yi laughed, “Has it been a few days already? Is there a letter?”

Su Kai smiled, “The Prince didn’t write a letter. The guard who accompanied him copied the new edict issued by the Prince and brought it back for His Majesty to see.”

Xie Yi opened the box, “What edict? Aren’t they all just routine matters written by the scribes?”

As he read it, he burst out laughing, “Is he trying to emulate the bronze cabinets for submitting reports? Doesn’t he fear it will be misused?”

Su Kai said, “Whether it’s good or bad depends on how it’s used. This is the Prince’s first day in office, and he’s already showing his strength.”

Xie Yi slowly folded the paper, “He’s afraid of becoming corrupt himself, so he’s taking such painstaking measures.”

“But the higher one rises, the more envy one incurs; the cleaner one is, the more the world resents it. By doing this, he might alienate his colleagues. When the water is too clear, there are no fish. Why is he in such a hurry?”

Su Kai said, “That may not be the case. This old servant has overseen the Customs Department for several years, and I have informants there. They say that Prince Xu offended Director Li Meiyao of the Censorate and had no choice but to pretend to be a virtuous official to avoid disaster. By posting the edict for everyone to see, if any of his subordinates make mistakes, he can claim ignorance and avoid being impeached by Director Li.”

Xie Yi was surprised, “What does this have to do with Li Meiyao?”

Su Kai smiled, “On the first day of his appointment, the Prince visited the governor and admiral of Jinhai Garrison. He told them that he had a grudge with Li Meiyao and was forced to be transferred out to avoid trouble. He asked them to understand if he missed any gifts or banquets in the future.”

Xie Yi had just taken a sip of tea when he heard this and suddenly choked, coughing. Su Kai hastily handed him a handkerchief.

Xie Yi put down the teacup, covered his mouth with the handkerchief while coughing, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “The child knows how to find a shield.”

Just then, the gong sounded outside. A young eunuch responsible for announcements reported, “Director Li Meiyao of the Censorate is here to meet His Majesty.”

Xie Yi couldn’t help laughing, “Bring him in.” He then held back his laughter and said to Su Kai, “Li Meiyao has been saddled with this burden for no reason. We should promote him again. That way, it will show that he has the Emperor’s trust, and it will instill fear in corrupt officials everywhere.”