Chapter 188 – Imperial Inspection

At the second hour of the afternoon, the imperial procession finally set out for the inspection of the Wanbang Academy.

Xu Chun, who had gotten plenty of rest, had rosy cheeks and a radiant expression as he rode his horse to the entrance of the temporary palace, where he met up with the ministers and waited for the emperor’s carriage to arrive. He was dressed in a bright red military uniform, embroidered with the pattern of a lion treading on clouds, indicating a first-class official. He wore a golden crown, jade belt, jade pendant at his waist, and black boots embroidered with lions. The soft golden sunlight made him appear like a splendid sunset, attracting many gazes. A number of students from the Imperial Academy and the National University recognized Xu Chun and engaged him in conversation.

Standing to one side, Xie Li waved him over and asked, “Marquis, do you have plans to issue more Four Seas Bonds this year?”

Xu Chun shook his head. “No, we’ll wait until the goods from overseas come back. We’ll see how profitable the first half of the year has been before making any decisions. We can’t risk overissuing them.”

But Xie Li shook his head. “Many people were envious of last year’s dividends. Quite a few approached me about buying some. Even Prince Gongren sent over fifty thousand taels through my residence, insisting that I help him secure some no matter what. Where else in the market can one find such stable returns? What am I supposed to do? They’re putting me in a tough spot.” Though he spoke this way, there was a hint of smugness on his face. Clearly, he was rather pleased with himself for being seen as the intermediary capable of swaying Lord Linhai to part with his shares.

Xu Chun chuckled. “Who is Prince Gongren? I rarely see him. Sounds like a prince?”

Xie Li replied, “Yes, those with two-character names are usually princes of the collateral branches of the imperial family. Ever since Old Prince An and Prince Shun passed away, they’ve become particularly cautious. Now that they see your dividends have been so good, and with His Majesty’s inspection of Jinhai Fort, they realize it will be even harder to buy them in the future. That’s why they couldn’t resist. You should consider their requests. Prince Gongren’s fief was originally in Sichuan, and he’s always been wealthy. He’s kept a low profile because he’s never caused trouble. Even His Majesty calls him Uncle Wang when they meet. Not just him, several of the old princes have specifically sent people to inquire about buying bonds. They must have quite a bit of money stashed away.”

Xu Chun thought to himself, So these members of the imperial family have been quietly amassing wealth. No wonder the ninth brother is so poor. It’s no wonder they want to reduce the power of the princes. Let’s see how I can coax this money out of their warehouses to build factories and schools for the ninth brother.

He leaned close to Xie Li and whispered mysteriously, “The Four Seas Bonds are indeed tightly controlled by the Ministry of Revenue; it’s hard to issue more. But I have another business venture that’s not yet confirmed, but I’m about seventy to eighty percent sure it will happen. If I get the emperor’s approval tomorrow, it could take off. I’m actually worried about finding capital for it.”

Xie Li’s eyes lit up. “What kind of business? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? My money is already invested in the Four Seas Bank.” He was already thinking about where he could scrape together more funds.

Xu Chun said, “The National University intends to build a new-style school in the capital, but they lack funds. They plan to follow the model of the Wanbang Academy and issue bonds.”

When Xie Li heard this, he became somewhat disheartened. “A school? Can a school turn a profit?”

Xu Chun smiled. “You’ll see when we visit the Wanbang Academy later.” He was holding back, but schools did make money. Of course, he couldn’t say this publicly, as it would invite rumors that he was profiting from education. Schools were places for teaching and nurturing, how could they make money?

As the two chatted idly, Xu Chun’s eye-catching appearance, and the intimate appearance of him and Xie Li did not escape the notice of certain onlookers.

The young scholars from the Hanlin Academy saw that Fan Mukun was no longer with them, but talking to He Zhiqiu instead. They no longer held back and started whispering among themselves. “Typical noble family behavior. He just ate and changed his clothes. How meticulous.”

“His clothes are made of the finest brocade. Who wouldn’t be impressed?”

“He stands out in such flamboyant attire next to the imperial family. Doesn’t he fear offending them by drawing attention?”

“What does clothing matter? The key is his connections with the imperial family. Lord Linhai doesn’t seem to mind arousing suspicion. He holds military power and runs a large business, and he still fraternizes with the imperial family. Doesn’t he worry that others might accuse him of colluding with the imperial family for ulterior motives?”

Zhuang Zhizhan said, “You don’t know everything. Lord Linhai graduated from the National University as a scholar. Later, he passed the imperial examinations and was appointed to an official position. He’s different from us, who have risen through the ranks via the civil service exams. With the protection of his ancestors, he’s avoided many detours. It’s not strange that he’s familiar with the imperial princes. Moreover, the way he carries himself suggests that it’s the imperial princes who are eager to associate with him. Many people are waiting for a chance to speak with him, but Prince Li’s grandson keeps pestering him, clearly afraid that others will get the opportunity to talk to him.”

Everyone snickered secretly. “That’s true. The imperial princes won’t bother with us since they know we won’t pay them any attention.”

Just as they were whispering, they saw the imperial eunuchs and palace attendants emerge, carrying the emperor’s regalia. Everyone hurriedly lined up according to rank and department, bowing to welcome the imperial carriage. Xu Chun quickly walked up and took the reins from an eunuch, mounting his horse and riding ahead to meet the approaching carriage.

Fang Zixing, who had been escorting the carriage on horseback, reined in his mount and paused to let Xu Chun approach the carriage. As he turned his horse around, the carriage also stopped.

Under the watchful gaze of everyone, Xu Chun seemed to hear something and slightly bent over on his horse, leaning towards the window of the carriage. Then, with a smile on his lips, he answered. Afterward, the imperial carriage continued on its slow journey.

All eyes were on the imperial carriage. Those who witnessed this scene speculated about what the emperor might have decreed. Judging by Lord Linhai’s relaxed expression, it was likely just idle chatter.

Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, the imperial canopy swayed, and the air was filled with fragrance as the carriage moved forward, escorted by the retinue. The other officials and scholars got into their carriages and mounted their horses, following behind the imperial carriage as it proceeded toward the Wanbang Academy.

Built against the mountains and facing the sea, the Wanbang Academy occupied over six thousand acres. It had a harbor constructed along the coast and shipyards nearby. Its main gate faced the street, and occupied a prime location not far from the temporary palace. This is why Xie Yi chose to inspect the academy first.

In fact, according to Xu Chun’s original plan, there were many things to see at the Wanbang Academy, and he had arranged for a full day’s itinerary. Privately, he hoped that the teachers and students would have more time to meet the ninth brother, and that the ninth brother would find suitable teachers and students. As for the inspection of the army camp, it was simply a matter of standing on a platform and watching drills, which didn’t require much time. It was scheduled for the afternoon.

But the ninth brother was concerned for Xu Chun’s well-being and didn’t want him to travel far. Xu Chun, filled with joy, had to order the schedule to be adjusted accordingly.

The roads had long been cleared, and the common people could only watch from afar as the imperial carriage passed, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” The chancellor of the Wanbang Academy, Zhang Wenzheng, had led the faculty and students to greet the emperor at the main gate. When the carriage arrived, they performed a grand ceremony of obeisance. Xie Yi was impatient with these formalities and issued an edict to exempt them from the three bows and nine kowtows, ordering the teachers and students to return to their respective halls and continue their studies as usual.

Entering the second gate, Xie Yi stepped out of the carriage and smiled as he said to Zhang Wenzheng, “It’s been years since I last saw you, my dear minister! You’ve accomplished much in Fujian, but then I summoned you to Jinhai with a single decree. Do you bear any resentment?”

Zhang Wenzheng hurriedly replied, “For the sake of the country, the people, and the emperor, how could I dare refuse? I dare not hold any grudges. Now, I feel like a fish in water, ready to spread my wings and soar. I must thank Your Majesty for recognizing my talents.”

Xie Yi smiled and turned to look at Xu Chun. “It was Lord Linhai who asked for you. He said that the maritime academy in Fujian is now on track, and since you have experience founding new-style schools, he begged me to transfer you here for a few years to assist him. Only then could he free up his hands to manage the factories and other matters.”

Zhang Wenzheng laughed. “I work very well with Lord Linhai. These past few years, no matter what I needed, Lord Linhai, despite the difficulties, prioritized the needs of the academy. That’s how we were able to create the current prosperous situation.”

Xie Yi nodded. Guided by Zhang Wenzheng, they proceeded to the main hall of the academy. First, they paid respects to the sage ancestor, then slowly turned toward the back of the hall. Suddenly, everyone felt a sense of awe as they discovered a vast, spacious courtyard behind the hall. Laid with smooth bluestone slabs, it could accommodate horseback riding and was large enough for ten thousand people.

In the center of the courtyard stood a high platform, with a globe and an armillary sphere placed in front and back respectively.

Xie Yi asked with a smile, “What is the meaning of this?”

Zhang Wenzheng explained, “The globe represents Earth, while the armillary sphere symbolizes Heaven, perfectly embodying the concept of Yin and Yang. This courtyard is used for conducting ceremonies, rituals, and guiding the teachers and students in their studies.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly and walked with Zhang Wenzheng toward the east side, heading first to the Naval Engineering Hall, the largest hall with the most students. Upon entering, they saw a magnificent wooden model of a treasure ship displayed in the center of the hall. On the eastern side was a shrine with incense burning.

Xie Yi asked with a smile, “Which deity is enshrined on the eastern side?”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “It’s the Heavenly Empress, revered by the naval officers and their descendants who study here.”

Xie Yi remarked, “Since it’s the Heavenly Empress, she cannot be ignored.” Turning to Xu Chun, he added, “Lord Linhai, light the incense for me.”

Xu Chun, puzzled, still stepped forward. Someone handed him the incense, and after lighting it, he presented it to Xie Yi. Xie Yi solemnly bowed three times and offered the incense. Looking at the portrait of the Heavenly Empress, he smiled inwardly and glanced at Xu Chun. Due to the large crowd, he could only silently pray, thanking the Heavenly Empress for blessing them with this golden child. He wished for their safety and smooth sailing, and for Little Jinlin’s health and longevity.

After paying respects to the shrine, they continued deeper into the hall. They heard the students’ voices loud and enthusiastic, as if vying to answer a question. Xie Yi looked down the corridor and saw a female teacher pointing at a diagram of a ship’s structure with a pointer.

She had a clear and graceful appearance, of average beauty, wearing a blue robe and silver hairpin. However, her voice was clear and bright, decisive and authoritative. As she pointed with the pointer, the students loudly responded, naming the parts of the ship indicated.

Xie Yi asked Zhang Wenzheng, “A female teacher?”

Zhang Wenzheng replied, “This is Zhou Chunying, a graduate of the Fujian Maritime Academy. She is a direct disciple of Master Lu Jiugao. Despite her youth, she can draw ship diagrams by hand, and she excels in mathematics, astronomy, geomancy, oceanography, calendar science, and physics. None of the students here dare to underestimate her. Several scholars from the Astronomical Bureau have visited and highly praised her.”

Xie Yi nodded, not wanting to disturb them. Instead, he led the ministers further back. They arrived at a spacious open-air courtyard, where a pond sat in the center. In the middle of the pond floated a model ship, almost indistinguishable from a real one except for its smaller size. A group of students surrounded Lu Jiugao, watching him install and adjust a steam engine and explain its workings.

Their group was truly imposing, and upon entering, all the students looked over. Only Lu Jiugao remained focused on the steam engine, carefully adjusting its position. Zhang Wenzheng hurried forward and said, “Master Lu, you should greet the Emperor.”

Lu Jiugao looked up, his expression calm as he led the students to bow. But Xie Yi stopped him and said, “Prime Minister Lu’s ancestor’s legacy is everlasting, his loyalty unyielding. Posterity has always admired his character and spirit. To have a descendant serving the country is a great fortune for our nation, and I am greatly comforted.”

Lu Jiugao’s expression softened slightly upon seeing the emperor’s kindness. He merely said, “Lu Jiugao has disgraced his ancestors and feels ashamed. All I’ve done is what I can manage.”

Xie Yi said, “Master, your contributions to building ships and educating the youth are commendable. I have already ordered a recruitment proclamation to be sent to Nanyang to acknowledge your noble actions. If there are descendants of the Lu family who wish to serve the court, they may come to you. I have ordered the local officials in Lu Prime Minister Xiu Fu’s ancestral home in Huai Prefecture to select a feng shui auspicious site and grant you land for a temple where you can worship your ancestors. I can bestow posthumous titles and peerages, and grant you a plaque. You can also discuss with your clan whether to accept the court’s rewards.”

Lu Jiugao was stunned. He had left his family due to his widowed mother, which had caused him pain. But if what the emperor said was true, and the clan elders saw the recruitment proclamation and were willing to send clan members back to the Mu Dynasty, he might gain forgiveness from his family.

Of course, if the clan insisted on not acknowledging him, he would receive recognition from the court, allowing him to establish a temple in his ancestral home, reopen the clan register as a descendant of Lu Prime Minister Xiu Fu, and even receive official appointments and peerages. From then on, his branch would be officially recognized by the court as descendants of Lu Prime Minister Xiu Fu, maintaining a separate clan register and establishing a new hall name.

This was an incredibly tempting offer! Based on his understanding of the clan chief and others, with the current emperor’s recognition and peerage, and the ability to build a temple in their ancestral home to honor their ancestors, the clan chief would likely be swayed. Although they might still choose to remain secluded, they would undoubtedly send clan members to the court to investigate first. After wandering overseas for hundreds of years as strangers, who wouldn’t yearn to return to their roots?

In the past, he had lived alone, caring for his widowed mother, without any attachments. But now that he was married and Guan Wanwan was pregnant, he couldn’t ignore his wife and children. If he accepted an official position from the court, his mother and wife would receive imperial titles, and his children would enjoy a stable and prosperous life.

Lu Jiugao glanced at the important ministers behind Xie Yi. Xu Chun was standing behind Xie Yi, smiling at him. Those who accompanied the emperor were certainly high-ranking officials of the court. The emperor’s word was as good as gold and would not be retracted—after all, an emperor who could employ the descendants of Lu Prime Minister Xiu Fu for the benefit of the country would naturally be a wise ruler.

And he would be a beacon for recruiting outstanding descendants of the Lu family scattered overseas, and a magnet for other talented individuals. Even knowing the emperor’s open and aboveboard strategy, he was still overwhelmed with emotion and excitement.

His eyes welled up with tears as he knelt down. “Lu Jiugao thanks the wise ruler for recognizing my talents.”