Chapter Nineteen

Secretly slipping a silver note to the eunuch on duty, Wang Shirong, Grand Secretary of the Arms, Provisions, and Grain Statistics Office of the Han Empire, smoothly obtained the communication.

In truth, given his authority and status, Wang Shirong need not bother with pleasantries to these eunuchs. Moreover, as far as Wang Shirong knew, King Lin himself seemed to harbor a certain innate aversion to the eunuch profession. The reason these disabled men were retained now was partly due to the insistence of court ministers—King Lin did not wish to cause discord over such minor issues—and partly because many eunuchs possessed remarkable skills, vastly different from ordinary craftsmen. These skills pertained to their ability to attend to people.

As the head of the Lin Han Empire’s secret police, Wang Shirong was naturally aware of these matters. Out of curiosity, he had even met some of the eunuchs left over from the Qing court. Indeed, many among them were extraordinary individuals. Compared to ordinary people, they were exceedingly obedient, clever, and adept at reading expressions. More astonishing was their entire system for discerning the psychological shifts of women, enabling them to easily win their mistresses' favor. Furthermore, there was a strict division of labor among them. Though most were illiterate, some were masterful chefs, others discerning gourmets, some experts in silk, and still others skilled craftsmen in clockmaking, enamel work, or the intricate paintings inside snuff bottles. There were even eunuchs adept at cicada catching, flower cultivation, makeup, and hairstyling—their talents were varied and beyond ordinary imagination.

Wang Shirong sighed inwardly, knowing that his lord’s mood must be foul. Approaching now, he wondered if his presence might bring further misfortune.

“Your servant, Wang Shirong, Grand Secretary of the Arms, Provisions, and Grain Statistics Office, pays respects to my lord!”

“Hm…” Lin Feng gave a slight snort through his nose, turned his head, and beckoned, “Ji Yun has arrived? Come, sit here!”

Wang Shirong was a trusted favorite, so Lin Feng received him in the inner chamber. This room was not an official office but a small resting place beside the garden. A large kang bed occupied most of the space, with no desks or chairs. Lin Feng sat on the edge of the kang, leaning against an Eight Immortals table, upon which lay a haphazard stack of memorials and writing implements.

Following Lin Feng’s invitation, Wang Shirong respectfully kowtowed, then sat sideways on the opposite kang. Though this gesture was routine for him, in the current Han court, such an audience was a high honor. Aside from Wang Shirong himself, only individuals like Li Guangdi, Chen Menglei, Zhou Peigong, Reich, or trusted generals stationed in the provinces such as Ma Ying could enjoy it. Ordinary ministers, no matter their rank or prestige—even someone as formidable as Gu Yanwu—could not.

Without allowing Wang Shirong to guess, Lin Feng casually tossed aside the pile of memorials and said, “Ji Yun, do you know whose memorials these are?”

“Your servant does not know, my lord.”

“They are from Provincial Governor Nu’ergan Zhang Shuyu, Minister of Personnel Xu Xueqian, and Minister of Revenue Chen Tingjing,” Lin Feng said, massaging his temples and shaking his head. “They jointly petition, claiming poor health, requesting retirement.”

Wang Shirong was silent. Among these three ministers, Xu Xueqian was the eldest at sixty-two, while the other two were only in their forties—still in the prime of their political careers. Requesting retirement now, of course, indicated dissatisfaction with some matter, an expression of displeasure toward Lin Feng.

“Do you know what the matter is about?”

“Your servant does know. It likely concerns the management of the Han Money Exchange by Commerce Deputy Minister Xu,” Wang Shirong nodded, conceding. “There is much gossip outside. Many opinions abound, and it seems quite a stir has been caused.”

“Yes, I know,” Lin Feng smiled wryly, then gestured at the heap of memorials on the table. “These are debates—some requesting resignation, but most are admonitions. Many elder statesmen are quite agitated, claiming I am bewitched, that they must carry a coffin to Zhongnanhai. Some even demand I kill Xu Danyang, threatening to do it themselves if I do not…”

Wang Shirong stared blankly, gazing at the memorials for a long while, then smiled bitterly. “This matter… this matter… truly…” He shook his head and fell silent.

“Ji Yun, you have always been sharp and sagacious, my trusted right hand,” Lin Feng turned to Wang Shirong earnestly. “What is your opinion on this matter?”

“Well… cough, cough…” Wang Shirong instinctively shrank back, coughing dryly. “Your servant is but a lowly official. Such great affairs of state are beyond my purview… I hope my lord will decide firmly!”

The older one becomes in the political arena, the more timid he grows. When they first met, he was still Wu Sangui’s envoy, boldly speaking his mind before the entire court, using his eloquence to disparage Lin Feng and the ministers, full of vigor and confidence. Now, he dared not utter a word.

“My lord relies on me as a confidant; I dare not conceal the truth!” Wang Shirong’s face grew grave. “In truth, I understand generally. You are planning ahead, so as not to be constrained by your ministers.”

“Indeed,” Lin Feng nodded slowly. “You know, my Imperial Guards are not court troops, but my royal army. Though they publicly claim brotherhood with the Han armies, sharing supplies equally, who knows what the future holds?” He sighed. “Moreover, even if I ascend the throne and rule the realm, what then? Building palaces and carrying out affairs will still be subject to the constraints of ministers…”

He smiled bitterly. “I do not wish to be like the Ming emperors, wallowing uselessly in the inner palace.” He clenched his teeth. “I never back down until I hit a wall. This source of revenue—I will secure it!”

Wang Shirong shook his head with a wry smile. “My lord is too stubborn!” He pondered a moment, then added, “If you truly act thus, more measures will be necessary.”

“What measures?”

“The targets of the ministers’ anger are Xu Danyang, not you. So my lord must silence their complaints,” Wang Shirong mused. “They are not truly against the court opening the money exchange, nor too opposed to your seizure of financial power. The real grievance lies with the Taifeng Exchange alone.” He smiled, holding up three fingers. “The nation’s wealth is about three-tenths that of the Xu family’s holdings. Such fortune—what merit or ability has Xu Danyang to bear it? Does he not fear that standing so long at the eye of the storm will bring his family’s ruin?”

Lin Feng’s heart jolted. He looked at Wang Shirong, astonished. “You mean…”

“Besides the ministers’ fury, other exchanges, banks, and financial groups outside resent Xu Danyang’s monopoly. Your lordship can exploit this!” Wang Shirong smiled. “Did you not earlier grant the merchants a 'Han Commercial Tax Regulation Committee'? As I understand, it includes many wealthy merchants. So if my lord wishes to control finances beyond the state treasury, you can alter Xu Danyang’s monopoly.”

Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, then looked at Wang Shirong’s beaming face and understood. “You mean—sharing the profits?”

“Exactly!” Wang Shirong nodded and laughed. “The money exchange has a capital of twelve million taels. Your lordship need not take a single tael. Issue an edict to the merchants of the Han Commercial Tax Regulation Committee, explaining that you claim seventy percent of the exchange, and the original thirty percent to Mr. Xu will be divided among all merchants.” He stroked his chin proudly. “Using the hen to lay eggs—this move is called ‘creating something from nothing’!”

Lin Feng was greatly pleased, nodding approvingly. “A fine move of ‘creating something from nothing.’ Ji Yun truly is my strategist! But I fear Zhang Shuyu and the others will still dissent.”

Wang Shirong was well prepared and confident. “That requires my lord’s wisdom!” He shook his head. “Our Han official system models the former Ming. Though talented men are favored, official salaries are not high. In my opinion, my lord may allocate twenty percent of your seventy percent share as an ‘honorary salary’ to reward officials benevolently. Such generosity throughout court and country would win hearts and minds, reform the bureaucracy, and ease official corruption!”

Indeed, a fine idea—casting a wide net, binding emperor, merchants, and officials together on the same side, sharing spoils according to influence and strength—a perfect arrangement.

Lin Feng nodded repeatedly, his worries lifted. He laughed heartily, “I had long intended this—Ji Yun truly knows me.”

Wang Shirong bowed repeatedly, modestly, “I dare not claim such wisdom. My lord is intelligent and insightful. If these two measures are implemented, the Han Money Exchange will truly be jointly managed by all parties!”

“Jointly managed?!” Lin Feng echoed.

“Of course!” Wang Shirong nodded seriously. “Commerce Deputy Minister Xu is a high court official and should officially hold his post. Next, the Ministry of Revenue will appoint capable officers to oversee operations. Finally, the shareholders of the Han Tax Regulation Committee will dispatch skilled accountants, attendants, and clerks according to their shares. Only then will all be satisfied, showing my lord’s magnanimity, fairness, and justice!”

“Good! That shall be done. If any trouble arises, let Xu Danyang deal with it.” Lin Feng clapped his hands. At that moment, a servant opened the door and knelt, reporting, “Your Highness, your orders!”

“Send word to the Hanlin Academy to draft an edict rejecting the resignations of Governor Zhang, Minister Xu, and Minister Chen. Grant them a one-month leave to recuperate.” Lin Feng smiled. Suddenly feeling the measure insufficient, he added decisively, “Also, send instructions to the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare prescriptions. Our ministers laboring for the state, burdened with illness, shall be rewarded with ginseng, deer antler, and polygonum for their recovery!”

After the servant left, Lin Feng still seemed unsatisfied. He turned to Wang Shirong, “Ji Yun, you didn’t come today just for the Han Money Exchange, did you?”

“Dare not, dare not,” Wang Shirong hastily rose and knelt, drawing a memorial from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands. “Your servant reports that today’s visit concerns military affairs in Shandong!”

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