Chapter 183 – Unwelcome Guests

The plaque inscribed with the phrase “Gazing Across the Ocean with Sighs” on the small building in the back garden of the Tijuju Manor had aged somewhat, yet the vermilion paint remained vivid.

Looking out from the glass windows of the small building, one could see the now towering silver apricot and maple trees. In the early spring weather, tender buds sprouted, brimming with lush greenery.

Despite his promotion to an official and his ennoblement as a marquis over the years, Xu Chun chose to continue residing in the slightly cramped Tijuju Manor instead of moving into the more spacious and splendid naval headquarters of Jinhaiwei. Over time, however, he had made the place increasingly comfortable, and the number of people who could dine at the same table with Marquis Xu in this building was few, limited to just a handful in all of Jinhaiwei.

As Huo Shiduo sat in his seat, gazing at the distant seascape, he silently reflected on how he was sitting in the much-envied “Gazing Across the Ocean with Sighs” building, feasting on fish caught personally by the Marquis of Linhai. He mused that if news of this spread, countless others would envy him.

Freshly caught fish was the most delicious. One was steamed simply, while another was deep-fried. The fish bones were fried until fragrant and simmered to produce a milky-white fish broth. Fish fillets, mixed with egg whites, salt, pepper, and drizzled with oil, were then poached in the boiling broth, releasing an irresistible aroma.

Xu Chun held the fish soup and took a sip, smiling broadly. “Delicious! My dear Liuba, what would I do without you?”

Liuba was busy setting out fruit and desserts with two young maidservants, smiling. “I’m glad His Excellency likes it. How about roasted lamb chops for dinner? The guards don’t know where they got two sheep from, saying they’re black goats from the northern part of the Gui region. They climb mountains and traverse rocks daily, so they’re not at all gamey and are especially nourishing.”

Xu Chun replied, “They have broadened their social circles now, naturally finding their own sources. They’re always bustling around. Now that sea routes are open, it’s much easier for us to enjoy these southern delicacies.”

On the side, Huo Shiduo started eating with the fish soup, rolling pancakes with fried dough sticks and devouring two rolls. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but a delighted smile appeared on his face. “Last time, didn’t we get some short-legged horses? They’re quite useful, with astonishing endurance. They’re top-notch for mountain roads, even though they look unremarkable.”

Xu Chun said, “And they cost much less than buying those Ferghana horses from the Western Regions. I’ve already ordered people to purchase large numbers of short horses in Yunnan and Guangxi. General Helan specifically wrote me a letter saying they needed warhorses.”

Huo Shiduo grumbled, “Why doesn’t Marquis Xu prioritize the brothers here in Jinhaiwei first, sending the horses to the northwest instead? The cavalry regiment has been replenished with a large batch of cavalrymen recently, and another group of students is about to graduate from the academy. There aren’t enough horses. The ones that arrived last time were all given to the academy for student training.”

Xu Chun responded, “Brother Helan mentioned that the Tartars are stirring up trouble. Moreover, his younger sister is managing our overseas trade now. Once our ocean-going fleet returns, we’ll provide you with horses and new rifles.”

Only then did Huo Shiduo brighten up. “Really? When can they come back?”

Xu Chun said, “It’s been a long time. This time, they’ve traveled even further, reaching the other side of the ocean, the other side of the globe.”

Huo Shiduo remarked, “Changtian will fall ill with lovesickness again then. No wonder he’s been drilling his subordinates harder and harder. Everyone is terrified when they hear the name Third Master Sheng.”

Xu Chun was speechless.

Huo Shiduo continued, “At this rate, he might resign from the military and return to his old business of sailing the seas.”

Xu Chun thought for a moment and said, “Let me think of a solution. Nowadays, goods are piling up, mostly military equipment urgently needed by the court. Previously, we relied on the Helan family’s guards and our Sheng family’s sailors. Now that we’ve gained prominence, dispatching troops for protection is only right…this way, people will be more willing to buy our bonds.”

Huo Shiduo laughed. “I know you’re looking for reasons for Sheng Changtian to escort the merchant fleet, but don’t mention the bond issue. Right now, the Four Seas Bank’s bonds are in high demand. Even I get approached by seven or eight relatives and friends every year, asking me to find ways to subscribe to shares.”

Xu Chun chuckled and glanced at the sky outside, sighing. “True, but when there was no word from the fleet last year, I was genuinely worried. Although I seemed calm on the surface, I couldn’t sleep night after night…”

It wasn’t that he didn’t have reserve funds, but once all the bonds were redeemed, all the factories would have to shut down. The newly recruited workers and students required daily food and lodging, consuming a huge amount of silver. There was also the military pay for the thirteen regiments of Jinhaiwei. The scale of his operations was truly vast, and redeeming the bonds would inevitably halt some aspects. Once production stopped, it would only exacerbate rumors and cause greater turmoil, with countless wolves lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce on his industries. He kept calculating, but he couldn’t determine the extent of the impact if the decision to redeem the bank’s bonds was made. He couldn’t sleep, although everyone still saw him as calm and collected.

Huo Shiduo was taken aback. “Really? At the time, I was puzzled. Seeing you remain composed, I felt ashamed of my inferiority compared to a youngster like you. Especially when the imperial envoy came from the court to conduct an investigation. You didn’t show up all day, while we tried to quell the rumors outside and were scared to death inside. Fortunately, you eventually emerged, having people stack gold and silver ingots. The bank opened to redeem silver. After three days, no one redeemed anymore. Later, when the cargo ships returned, those wanting to buy back the bonds scrambled for them. To this day, everyone still praises your demeanor as a great general.”

At the time, not only did the crowd besieging the bank curse, but some also went to the capital to file an imperial petition, listing ten major crimes against the marquis: usurpation, embezzlement, hoarding weapons, amassing troops, colluding with foreigners, coercing virtuous women, and so on. The court appointed Li Meiyi, the left censor-in-chief of the Censorate, to investigate.

Everyone knew that Li Meiyi was upright and incorruptible, and he had a personal grudge against the Marquis of Linhai. As soon as Li Meiyi arrived at the Jinhai Prefecture office, the Marquis of Linhai disappeared. Rumors spread that he had been secretly detained and interrogated, leading to an even larger crowd gathering outside the bank.

To say that they, Xu Chun’s subordinate generals, weren’t panicked at the time would be a lie.

Xu Chun twirled the dragon pendant at his waist. “Yes, I was panicked, but I didn’t dare show weakness in front of you.”

Brother Jiu secretly left the capital to see him. He cried in Brother Jiu’s arms. Brother Jiu told him that failure wasn’t a big deal, that he could start over in three years and not rush for success. He slept soundly in Brother Jiu’s embrace and made the decision to go all in.

The next day, he returned to the bank and ordered the doors to be opened to welcome guests, allowing free redemption. Fortunately, the people cursing and demanding redemption at the bank’s entrance were mainly ordinary citizens and some ill-intentioned individuals. Despite the seemingly massive crowd, very little silver was actually redeemed.

The nobles in the capital remained steadfast. Those requesting redemption were in the minority. When redemption was freely allowed, they hesitated, likely observing the other high officials. Of course, Duke Fang Zijing had invested a million taels, remaining unperturbed, which was probably a significant reason for calming others.

He suspected that Xie Yi had done something, but Brother Jiu’s methods were unpredictable, always making moves silently. He couldn’t guess what it was.

Xu Chun involuntarily gripped the dragon pendant at his waist, recalling that Brother Jiu was about to inspect the maritime defenses in Jinhai and that he would soon see Brother Jiu again. His heart filled with joy.

Huo Shiduo watched as he played with the smooth and delicate dragon pendant in his hand as usual, seemingly lost in thought while looking at the scenery outside. A smile played on his lips, his eyes like water, seemingly filled with affection. It was strange; this marquis, regardless of the time, always dressed impeccably, with his clothes and sash meticulously arranged. Yet, sitting casually like this, he exuded an aura of elegance and charm.

He had always suspected that the jade pendant was a gift from a lover, but he couldn’t figure out the details. After all, this young marquis had never married.

The Marquis of Linhai had handsome features and noble character. He always spoke with a smile, treating people with warmth, causing countless daughters of prominent families to fall for him. Officials in Jinhaiwei who had daughters all wanted to form ties with him, even being willing to have their daughters accepted as concubines. This resulted in a grand scandal of romantic intrigue.

Outsiders only knew that he was surrounded by beautiful maids and handsome boys, handsome and wealthy, privately speculating how debonair and dashing he must be. But only those close to him knew that the Marquis of Linhai devoted himself to official duties day and night, often staying up late discussing strategies and public affairs with them. Those beautiful maids and pages were all skilled in writing and arithmetic, truly working hard for him. Perhaps none of them had the good fortune to serve this marquis in his bedroom.

Regardless of whether it was the Duke Jingguo Mansion, the Sheng family, Xu Chun’s maternal relatives, or the Fang family, who had always been friendly with Xu Chun, they didn’t seem eager to arrange a marriage for him. Sheng Changyun, serving in the Ministry of Revenue, was reportedly discussing a marriage. Sheng Changtian was deeply infatuated with Miss Helan.

Over the years, he had received numerous requests to inquire about the type of woman this marquis preferred and whether he wanted concubines. He vaguely said he didn’t dare to act rashly. But he couldn’t help but harbor doubts, guessing that perhaps the marquis already had someone in mind. However, that person was of noble status or for some other reason, resulting in the delay.

He could only ask, “The imperial visit is coming, you must guard against those scoundrels causing trouble for you.”

Xu Chun said nonchalantly, “What’s there to fear? They’re just autumn grasshoppers.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Qing Qian enter and say, “Young Master, Mr. Roland Xiaer, the envoy from the Lion Harp Kingdom, has arrived. He says several soldiers from the envoy group were mistakenly arrested by our city defense regiment while fishing. There might have been some misunderstanding, so he has come to negotiate.”

Xu Chun and Huo Shiduo exchanged glances. Xu Chun chuckled. “So fast, it seems they definitely had someone watching from above. Seeing them arrested, they immediately returned to report, which is why they could accurately identify it as the city defense regiment.” He looked at Huo Shiduo. “Or maybe it’s because of your attire as the commander of the city defense today that it revealed something.”

Huo Shiduo knew that Xu Chun hadn’t intended to conceal anything. Otherwise, how could he have approached Xu Chun? He only asked, “What do they really want?”

Xu Chun said, “We’ll know when we meet them.”

He stood up, straightening his gauze hat. Without changing into official robes, he simply rose and left.

The reception hall built for the customs commissioner to receive envoys was grand and lavishly decorated. Roland Xiaer, the head of the envoy group from the Lion Harp Kingdom, sat in the guest seat, sipping tea from a cup. A tall man in a Lion Harp military uniform with red hair stood on one side of the living room, looking at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. He commented disdainfully in Lion Harpese, “I met their officials in Guangzhou. They were all weak and short, like women. Don’t be polite with them later, get our people back.”

Roland Xiaer was startled and couldn’t help but glance at the maidservant pouring tea for them. He coughed lightly and said, “Captain Wilt, the Marquis of Linhai holds a high rank and great power but has always treated our country’s envoy group with great tolerance due to our cooperative trade relations. Captain, don’t be rash later. It’s likely a misunderstanding. Also, be cautious with your words. They now have schools teaching various languages, including our Lion Harpese.”

Captain Wilt sneered. “They must have made a lot of money from our country. I heard you even taught their female students and received many silk embroidery decorations?”

Roland Xiaer flushed purple and fell silent. Then he heard the sound of beads in the inner curtain. Two guards with swords at their waists walked out first. Their sharp and alert gazes swept across their faces before they stood aside and bowed slightly. Xu Chun slowly walked out from the inside. Smiling, he clasped his hands and said to Roland Xiaer, “Mr. Luo, I wonder why you came to the customs commissioner’s office today?”

Roland Xiaer was somewhat embarrassed as he returned the greeting and introduced Wilt. “Your Excellency, Marquis of Linhai, this is Captain Wilt, our naval captain. He came to our Great Mu Dynasty this time to discuss the establishment of a trading port.”

Xu Chun smiled and returned the bow. “So it’s Captain Wilt.”

Captain Wilt saw that he was so young, indeed with features as beautiful as a woman. He became even more dismissive of him, arrogantly saying, “I heard that the Great Mu has always traded with our country. Now, following the prime minister’s orders, I brought my army here to discuss the opening of a trading port. But several of my guards who went fishing by the sea were captured by the city defense regiment. I heard that the Mu Dynasty is an ancient eastern country known for hospitality. Could this be how you treat guests from afar?”

He wore an angry expression, his tone aggressive. He spoke in Lion Harpese. Roland Xiaer was momentarily embarrassed, deliberating on how to soften his words.

But the maidservant standing beside him holding the teapot suddenly spoke, fluently translating Captain Wilt’s previous words. This maidservant was Early Orchid. She was naturally eloquent. In Jinhai for years, she lagged behind her sisters in reading, writing, and arithmetic, yet she was highly competitive, unwilling to fall behind others. She decided to learn a foreign language with Jiang Mei. Whenever foreign envoys arrived, she would take the initiative to serve tea and water, listening carefully. In her spare time, she would mutter to herself. Everyone teased her for being crazy, but over the years, she had become fluent in a foreign language, knowing several countries’ languages. She was more adaptable and quick-witted than most interpreters, so Xu Chun simply let her continue her studies at the Tongwen Academy.

Roland Xiaer stared dumbfounded at the pretty maidservant; she could speak Lion Harpese?

Before he could be surprised or embarrassed, he saw Xu Chun calmly smile in response. “This marquis is ignorant. So your country discusses trade matters with other nations by sending a general with an army? No wonder a few days ago, the naval camp reported that dozens of warships were lingering outside our dynasty’s maritime borders, yet they never declared entry. So they were your country’s navy?”

“In our dynasty’s proverb, ‘When a friend comes from afar, is it not delightful?’ Naturally, we should entertain them. But since this general has deployed heavy forces near our maritime borders, it’s understandable that we are on high alert. Especially regarding your country’s guests who go fishing every day, monitoring the sea level. It’s natural for people to suspect that they are preemptively monitoring ocean currents, terrain, and marking locations. They could only be arrested and interrogated as spies.”

“Mr. Roland Xiaer and Captain Wilt, since you’ve been here for a few days, you should have notified this marquis first, reporting the number of all warships and troops, submitting your national letters, and then going fishing for leisure. That would be the conduct of a courteous guest.”

Xu Chun expressed regret, shaking his head. “Poor generals from your country who went fishing. By now, they must have undergone several rounds of severe interrogation. Pitiful, pitiful!”