Chapter 136 – Bluffing

Xu Chun quickly received Xie Yi’s reply: “I’ve heard that you’re young and sharp, diligent and hardworking, and I can’t help but feel delighted. Your innate talent is exceedingly high; right from the start, you’ve shown remarkable acumen, you’re adorable to the utmost.”

“I have already informed the Ministry of Revenue about the self-purchased ships for Haijin Guard’s maritime defense against smuggling. This action should be commended. For this penalty and anti-smuggling revenue, you may retain fifty percent to offset the cost of the ships. I await your report on achievements; if there is significant progress, I’ll issue an edict to commend all states and encourage local customs offices to follow suit. In this way, national wealth could be imminent.”

“It’s good that Changtian has come to Jin. As for Lu Jiugao, I have other plans for him; Fang Zijing is soon to take office in Zhejiang as the provincial governor, you may ask him to go to Zhejiang to assist Fang Zijing in supervising the construction of warships. Fang Zijing has the talent of a marshal, he’s both literate and martially skilled. I originally intended to transfer him to Fujian to oversee educational politics, intending him to be your teacher, but alas, you went to the capital without regard for my intentions. Now I’m transferring him to Zhejiang, concurrently overseeing Fujian’s military affairs. He will work in tandem with you, without hindering each other, allowing you both to display your talents.”

“Although the seas are mostly filled with rabble, there are still fierce bandits and strong pirates, you mustn’t be careless; safety first. Although Qin Jie is greedy for fame and reputation, he cares for his troops and can fight. You may learn from his strengths, but it’s unnecessary to have close relations.”

“You’ve taken office with a severe integrity akin to frost, pure as jade, and my heart is greatly comforted.”

“I know you’re concerned with practical matters, but you shouldn’t neglect reading. In the two months since you took office, you haven’t sent me a single post or article. Considering your busy schedule, you must still read regularly; success lies in persistence, and you cannot neglect it.”

“The weather has turned cold, you must add clothes when going out to sea. Outside food isn’t clean, so be cautious about what you eat. Though we’re physically apart, our hearts are closely bound, I miss you dearly, take care of yourself.”

Xu Chun only saw the four-word comment “adorable to the utmost,” his face burned like fire as he reread it repeatedly.

The next day was an auspicious day, and the Prefect’s residence had been renovated. After paying respects to the city god and the land god, Xu Chun moved into the Prefect’s residence with a low-key fireworks display, only preparing a banquet in the customs office’s back garden, inviting only the officials of the customs office and neighboring officials like Huo Shiduo of the city garrison camp.

The governor’s and the admiral’s residences both sent gifts, and they were all proper. Xu Chun accepted them all, while Jiang Mei personally oversaw the return of gifts that were obviously too expensive from those with whom he usually had no dealings, listing them carefully on the gift registry.

After such a flurry of activity, Xu Chun, accompanied by his staff, servants, and guards, officially moved into the Prefect’s residence.

The Prefect’s residence was divided into three sections. The first section was the front courtyard, where Master Jiang Mei lived with the four bookboys—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—in the front courtyard, responsible for daily tasks like delivering official documents and handling external affairs. The second section was the main courtyard, with a three-story building constructed. Xu Chun and Sheng Changtian lived on the second floor, the third floor served as a study, and the first floor contained a small hall and living quarters. Qingqian, along with several maidservants, resided in a side room within the inner courtyard, leading the servants in charge of daily living, washing, kitchen chores, and other miscellaneous tasks.

The third section, the rear garden, was given to the accompanying guards to reside. The original training grounds were renovated and thickly repaved, with a spacious arsenal, stables built, archery targets erected, and a watchtower constructed. A climbing ladder was also built on the tower body, allowing soldiers to climb high for training and to look around.

Huo Shiduo and Pei Dongyan stood in the field, watching the Fengxiang Guard’s escorts agilely climb up to the top of the watchtower, then slide down halfway along a soft rope. They kicked off, swinging on the rope to reach a nearby tree. From the tree, they alternately moved forward, hanging by one hand on a rope ladder, landing on one side of the plum blossom stakes, then rapidly ran across the plum blossom stakes. They leaped down from a wall, jumped over a deep pit, then climbed over a high wall bare-handed, landing to complete a full running circuit.

Their movements were agile and light, especially since these guards had sandbags tied to their arms and legs. The city garrison soldiers, who were lining up to begin their regular training, saw this scene and all looked pale, whispering amongst themselves.

Huo Shiduo sighed to Pei Dongyan, “Compared to your escorts, the city garrison soldiers truly seem to be just eating the imperial rations idly; it’s shameful indeed.”

Pei Dongyan smiled slightly, thinking to himself that these were elites selected from various states, picked again and again in the capital to serve as the emperor’s personal troops, and even a random rank was higher than your city garrison commander. But he humbly responded, “Our pay is naturally higher than yours, and these days we haven’t trained much, we’re far behind. And when it comes to water skills and pursuing and apprehending criminals, you’re more experienced.”

Huo Shiduo asked with a smile, “Where’s Deputy Captain Qi? Why haven’t I seen him these past few days?”

Pei Dongyan replied, “He’s gone on an errand.”

Huo Shiduo nodded inwardly. Interacting with these escorts these past few days, he found them alert and capable, with exceptional martial arts skills, and their mouths were tightly sealed. They gave vague answers regarding their hometowns, past experiences, and what they did outside, and directly refused to speak about their master’s affairs, never saying too much.

Looking at the commotion the customs office had caused these days, this Master Xu must have been sent by the court for another mission.

However, Xu Chun, who was highly regarded by Huo Shiduo, was currently in the customs office, calmly examining the seizures compiled by Jiang Mei over the past few days. He was very satisfied and said to the two vice prefects, “The Ministry of Revenue has agreed that we can retain half of the seized goods and fines from Haijin Guard’s customs anti-smuggling efforts for public use. Although we still have to offset the ship costs, we can repay them slowly over time. What we can retain now is quite impressive.”

He handed the ledger to Dong Xian and continued, “Now that we have money, many things can be properly initiated.”

Xu Tingjie laughed, “This investigation was grand in scale, now it’s being praised by the officials and gentlemen. Your achievements are the greatest, Master Xu.”

Xu Chun said, “I think they probably hate me more. This smuggling is likely related to most of us here, these aristocratic families and powerful individuals. But they’ve fattened themselves for many years; now seizing one or two ships can be considered making up for the taxes they evaded before, serving the country loyally.”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie were somewhat speechless in their hearts. This spoiled young master really didn’t understand the ways of the world! They wondered how the merchant who went to the capital to file a complaint was doing, and why Li Meiyao hadn’t impeached him yet. If they let him continue patrolling the seas with these two large ships and the Haijin naval camp, they would end up with nothing in these last few months of the year!

Xu Chun said, “In the past few days of checking accounts, I discovered that there’s a vehicle and boat tax and this import monopoly tax, both taxes for the same cargo. This double taxation, double levying on one item, isn’t present in other customs offices. If one is passing through the canal transportation, there’s another large tax, no wonder others don’t like to dock in our Haijin Guard.”

Dong Xian explained, “When you first arrived in Haijin Guard, Master Xu, you weren’t aware. Our Haijin Guard not only leads to the ocean, but also has the convenience of canal transportation. There’s a monopoly market set up here in the port; after transactions, the goods can be directly transported away via the canal, so there are many such transactions here, all needing to be sold in the monopoly market.”

“If the cargo is to be traded in the monopoly market, naturally, a monopoly tax should be paid. If one doesn’t want to sell it here, then naturally, this tax doesn’t need to be paid; it doesn’t count as double taxation on one cargo.”

Xu Chun shook his head, “Canal transportation was originally our strength, but now it’s become a weakness due to this tax. The court has no explicit regulations mandating its collection; this tax is inappropriate. When the censors bring it up, we won’t be able to explain ourselves clearly. This tax shall be abolished from today onwards.”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie exchanged glances, both feeling a bit uneasy. Xu Chun had been quite modest since arriving, but now he suddenly became so decisive. Dong Xian felt slightly angry but suppressed his temper, “Master Xu, this move is inappropriate. This tax is unique to Haijin Guard’s customs office; it can be retained as public expenses for the office. Now abolishing it, it’ll be difficult to reinstate it in the future. Furthermore, there are always many expenses that are hard to justify…”

Xu Chun glanced at him, “You set up this monopoly market, which is controlled by a few major merchants. Collecting for so many years, you haven’t collected much, but it’s made legitimate seafaring merchants unwilling to dock in Jin Harbor to sell goods. Tax revenue decreases year by year. The collected monopoly tax also decreases year by year. Now, this year’s collected tax is less than the proceeds from one bust of salt smugglers I recovered. The disadvantages outweigh the benefits; it’s better to abolish it. This matter is settled; instruct the clerks to immediately post notices at the port and the monopoly market. No further discussion.”

Dong Xian: “…”

Xu Tingjie: “…”

But Xu Chun continued, “There’s another matter. The account books record that at the beginning of this year, our office delivered 124,356 taels, six mace, and three fen of tax silver to the capital. At the right side of Yixian’s Cliffs Pass, we suddenly encountered sixty or seventy bandits wielding long knives, firelocks, and other sharp weapons, robbing the military pay silver. The escorts and laborers were all frightened and scattered, resulting in the loss of silver.”

Dong Xian was silently angry and didn’t speak. Xu Tingjie cautiously said, “Exactly this incident; this tax silver was later replenished using the public silver from the office, and the escort officials and clerks compensated for it, comparing it item by item, but it wasn’t fully compensated. They’re now in prison, waiting for their families to redeem them.”

Xu Chun asked, “Bandits dare to rob military pay? Their crimes are grave and heinous. I see that this has happened frequently in the past three years; have you ever sent letters to the garrison to request that troops be dispatched to suppress the bandits and strictly investigate?”

Xu Tingjie replied, “Naturally, we did send letters, but those bandits near Cliffs Pass are extremely cunning. Within twenty to thirty miles, bandits run rampant everywhere. The garrison has sent troops multiple times to apprehend them, but only caught some scattered bandits; the silver hasn’t been recovered.”

Dong Xian remarked sarcastically, “Even if this military pay was found, the garrison wouldn’t inform us; they’d just swallow it. Who doesn’t know that Haijin’s garrison is always short of pay? Sometimes six to seven months, sometimes three to four months; if they really found it, they’d definitely embezzle it.”

“So, Master Xu, this public expense can’t be abolished. If it is abolished, and if we lose tax silver again, we’ll have to fill it from our own private pockets, not to mention risking our official hats.”

Xu Chun thought for a moment, “Bandits plunder and harass officials and civilians, disrupting the maritime borders. We should cooperate with Haijin’s garrison to capture them. I’ll discuss this matter with Admiral Qin to open up trade routes, which will also benefit commerce. Only then can our customs office collect taxes in the long run. As for the abolition of the monopoly tax, my mind is made up; no further discussion.”

Dong Xian scoffed, “Master Xu, these past few days, you’ve been withholding clearance documents for merchant ships. Those seafaring merchants have spread word, not daring to come to our Haijin Guard customs office anymore. This is truly affecting tax revenue. I’ve heard that the merchants are preparing to come together to the customs office to appeal to you; the goods have been parked in the bay, which also costs money. If you’re concerned about tax revenue, you should resolve it as soon as possible.”

Xu Chun said nonchalantly, “The court will soon issue an edict comprehensively banning opium, opium poppy soil, poppy, and everything related to it, including poppy seeds, opium, medicine ointments, and all products derived from them from entering our dynasty. If they don’t come looking for trouble, it’s better; if they really come to find me, I can catch them all, record their names, and collect another fine.”

Dong Xian: “…”

Xu Tingjie was somewhat shocked. Looking at Dong Xian, he cautiously asked Xu Chun, “Is this information accurate? Isn’t poppy and opium medicine? Moreover, the tax on these goods is extremely high; it’s unlikely that they’d be banned completely, right?”

Xu Chun chuckled, “I know some of these merchants must have contacted the two vice prefects. I advise the vice prefects to rest; you’ve worked hard for these merchants, but these merchants might not appreciate it. Do you know what I received in that copper box?”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie straightened up and looked at Xu Chun. Xu Chun put on a pained expression, “The two Masters have been loyal to the country, not touching a single hair of the accounts; I’ve been clear about this in recent days. However, someone wanted to sow discord among the officials of our customs office, anonymously submitting a letter to the copper box, stating that the two Masters were involved in opium smuggling. This matter is serious. I ordered people to follow the clues to investigate the smuggling ships, but they didn’t find anything, indicating it was a false accusation.”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie immediately said in unison, “It’s definitely a false accusation! Master Xu, you mustn’t believe it lightly!”

Xu Chun said, “But this matter is rather suspicious. This denunciation letter is detailed, clearly listing how much the annual dividends are and what the smuggled goods are. I almost thought it was true, wondering how the two Masters could be so foolish, ruining your careers? Breaking the law, you know, the punishment is doubled, the laws are severe; how could we not fear them? As officials, we should be upright, respected by gods and feared by ghosts, do you agree, two Masters?”

Dong Xian and Xu Tingjie hurriedly said, “Exactly so! We absolutely dare not violate the laws of the country.”

Dong Xian furrowed his brows, “But, Master Xu, falsely accusing officials carries a heavier punishment. This kind of slanderous trend can’t grow. Should we hand over this letter to the authorities for careful investigation, to find out who falsely accused us, to make an example of one to warn a hundred, and to suppress this trend?”

Xu Chun said, “This is most likely a cunning merchant, deliberately posting a notice to test our customs office. We shouldn’t make a big fuss, falling into their trap. Then they’d say we’re protecting each other as officials, which wouldn’t be good.”

After saying this, he put away the ledger and continued, “Tonight, I’m going out to sea again to combat smuggling. Last night was also restless; I’ll go rest for a while. Two Masters, please sign today’s official business.”

The two vice prefects hurriedly rose to respectfully send Xu Chun off.

Xu Chun leisurely returned to the study at the back and ordered Donghai to grind ink, “Write a few large characters; I haven’t practiced for a long time, my hands are rusty.” He was determined to submit a few assignments to Brother Nine.

Jiang Mei asked anxiously, “Master Xu, every day the tip-off letters are retrieved by two guards under Captain Pei’s orders, delivered to my hands. I haven’t seen any denouncing the two vice prefects. Could it have been delivered to you through another channel?”

Xu Chun smiled faintly, “Setting up the copper box these days, there have been very few denunciations, mostly self-recommendations. Does this mean that Haijin’s customs office is indeed as clear as water and as incorruptible as a mirror?”

Jiang Mei asked, “Perhaps it’s because Master Xu has just arrived, and the merchants fear it won’t last, so they dare not expose anything.”

Xu Chun shook his finger, “No, only shared interests can make them a solid block. Clear accounts can only mean that what they rely on isn’t tampering with taxes; after all, Jing and Jin are unified, it’s too risky.”

“So, there’s only smuggling left. Only such shared interests can prevent people from exposing each other.”

Xu Chun laughed, “When the two Masters realize that someone has turned traitor, they’ll doubt each other, no longer trusting each other. This could lead to the breakdown of their agreement. Hahaha, this is also a common tactic in business negotiations. Mr. Jiang, you don’t do business, so you don’t know these tricks. Whenever there’s a joint control over market prices, all it takes is for them to start doubting each other, fracturing and disintegrating; it won’t take long.”