Chapter 32: Bolstering Public Support Once More

"Pacify partisan strife, recover Guangning!"

These were the six characters Chongzhen had written upon his imperial desk.

Chongzhen naturally understood why Yuan Keli had retired. Firstly, his friend of thirty-seven years, Gao Panlong, had been hounded to death by the eunuch faction; secondly, his friend Sun Chengzong had been dismissed; and thirdly, he had grown weary of the endless partisan infighting.

Since he understood the reasons, he could prescribe the right medicine. This letter was merely a formality; it would be unrealistic to expect it to persuade Yuan Keli to return on its own. However, Chongzhen was certain that as long as he relayed these six characters to Yuan Keli, the man would surely return. Even without an imperial decree, Yuan would petition to come back.

Pacifying partisan strife would clear the way for honest governance, while recovering Guangning was, in all likelihood, the key to reclaiming lost territory and one of the three strategic pillars for turning the tide and annihilating the Later Jin.

More importantly, if Yuan Keli returned, the situation at Dongjiang Island with Mao Wenlong could be stabilized, as the relationship between Mao and Yuan was extraordinary. It was a pity that such a capable official, one who could have turned the tide, had been disheartened by the muddled Zhu Youjian, leading him to submit his resignation three times.

Since he had transmigrated into this body, he certainly could not let this opportunity slip away.

"Fang Wen, if Yuan Keli asks about recent events, you may answer him truthfully, excluding only the matter of Qin Liangyu and the White Rod Army arriving in the capital."

"This servant obeys the decree."

Fang Wen kowtowed and departed. Was he tired? Naturally. He had just traveled to Zhongzhou, riding day and night with only two or three hours of rest each day. The same would be true for his journey to find Yuan Keli. That the Emperor entrusted them with matters concerning the very fate of the nation was a sign of his trust. They were eunuchs; without Chongzhen, they would have spent their lives merely serving tea and water. Now that they had a chance, they would naturally strive to do their best. Such was the sentiment of a scholar dying for one who truly knows him.

Inside the Eastern Warmth Chamber, Chongzhen stared at the map of the Great Ming Dynasty on the wall, his brow furrowed. The grain shortage in Shaanxi had to be resolved. There were over three million taels in the inner treasury, but that was earmarked for training the new army and building the Imperial Guard. As this concerned his reforms, those funds could not be touched.

"Da Ban, Fang Zheng-hua, do you know any reliable merchants in the capital?"

Faced with Chongzhen's question, both men looked thoughtful. A moment later, Wang Cheng'en shook his head, but Fang Zheng-hua said softly, "Your Majesty, before I entered the palace, I had a few chance encounters with Ruan Kangwen, the young master of the great Wuhu shop. He is charitable, values sentiment and righteousness, and is currently gaining experience at their branch in Beijing."

Chongzhen frowned, having no memory of such a person. Wang Cheng'en, however, seemed contemplative, then said, "Is the official speaking of the descendant of the Hui merchant Ruan Bi, whose family runs the dyeing industry and who, in the second year of Wanli, single-handedly funded the reconstruction of the west gate of Wuhu?"

"The eunuch Wang knows of him?"

"I know a little." Wang Cheng'en looked reflective. "I recall the Minister of War, Wang Daokun, once praised Ruan Bi, saying his management of the salt gabelle was the best in the world, and that he single-handedly propelled Wuhu into becoming one of the five major industrial centers of the Great Ming."

Chongzhen was overjoyed to hear this. If Ruan Kangwen's grandfather could donate silver to build a city gate, it would be perfectly natural for the grandson to uphold the family tradition and donate silver to help the people of Shaanxi survive their ordeal. No one could find fault with that.

He immediately said, "Fang Zheng-hua, I shall write a letter to him. You are to deliver it to him in secret."

"This servant obeys the decree."

Fang Zheng-hua withdrew from the Eastern Warmth Chamber after receiving the command and happened to run into Empress Zhou, who was carrying a food box. Hearing the Empress's voice, Chongzhen gestured to Wang Cheng'en, and a moment later, the Empress entered.

"I heard that Your Majesty was handling state affairs and had not eaten lunch. I have stewed some angelica and ginseng chicken soup, specially brought to refresh and nourish you." As she spoke, Empress Zhou ladled the soup from the box, its fragrance wafting through the air.

"Feng'er is very thoughtful!"

Smelling the rich aroma, Chongzhen felt a sudden hunger. Empress Zhou stirred the soup slowly with a spoon, blowing on it gently before bringing it to Chongzhen's lips. Seeing this, Wang Cheng'en tactfully exited the chamber and closed the door.

While Chongzhen and Empress Zhou were enjoying their intimate moment, Fang Zheng-hua's apprentice, Fang Jun, arrived at the Wuhu shop and found Ruan Kangwen, who was busy at work.

"My master is Fang Zheng-hua!" Fang Jun whispered in response to Ruan Kangwen's confusion. Ruan's expression turned serious, and he immediately led Fang Jun into his private office.

"I heard Master Fang has been..."

"Young Master, my master is doing very well. I have come today under the Emperor's decree."

Ruan Kangwen stood up in shock. He bowed three times to the letter in Fang Jun's hand before accepting it with trembling fingers. A moment later, his face mirrored the expression Fang Zheng-hua had worn.

"Young Master, don't ask me; I know nothing. If you have any response, I will take it to the Emperor!"

Ruan Kangwen pondered for a tea's time. "Eunuch Fang, please tell the Emperor that this commoner will certainly not fail His Majesty's grace."

After Fang Jun left, Ruan Kangwen began his work, his face filled with joy.

At the hour of the Rooster, Wang Tiqian brought the imperial decrees appointing Yuan Keli and declaring that taxes would never be increased. Chongzhen read them twice and nodded. Wang Tiqian sighed in relief and pressed the imperial seal onto the documents.

Early the next morning, as dawn broke, dozens of swift horses galloped out from every gate of Beijing, the riders shouting at the top of their lungs:

"Disaster has struck Shaanxi! His Majesty, out of compassion for the people, has issued a decree: from this day forward, taxes in the Great Ming shall never be increased, and the people of Shaanxi shall be exempt from taxes for three years!"

Within the city of Beijing, bailiffs rode through the streets and marketplaces, repeating the proclamation. At the same time, every government office, marketplace, warehouse, and customs station in the city began posting the notice. People gathered around the notices, and the sound of discussion grew into a roar.

"His Majesty is wise! Yesterday, he abolished the ancestral system granting legal exemptions to scholars, and today he declares that taxes will never be increased. His Majesty is truly a sage ruler."

"Indeed! With no more tax increases, our lives finally have some hope. The Great Ming has finally produced a sage sovereign."

"Hmph, don't be too happy yet. His Majesty has good intentions, but who knows if the decree will be carried out? We are at the foot of the Emperor here in Beijing, so it might be fine, but in places thousands of miles away, officials deceive those above and oppress those below—they might still increase them."

"Exactly, it's just a play on words. If they don't increase the 'tax,' they can just increase the 'levy,' or invent a new name for a tax. The Liao tax was the best proof of that."

"How can you be so cynical, young man? If His Majesty wanted to increase taxes, would he need to resort to such petty tricks? Even without these two strategies, if someone tells you to pay, would you dare not to?"

"True, this brother is right. I saw His Majesty from afar yesterday; he is heroic and extraordinary. Abolishing the ancestral system yesterday was already the best proof of his intent."

"I think this young man is one of those scholars from yesterday who hates the Emperor, which is why he has such thoughts. Officers, grab these two malicious fellows and interrogate them!"

The people argued back and forth, and the soldiers guarding the notices could only wince at the chatter.

As the morning brightened, the commoners, gentry, and nobles of Beijing were all stirred by the decree. Every spot where a notice was posted was crowded with people, and the sound of their debate soared into the clouds.

*Clang... Clang...*

*Boom... Boom...*

Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, a lion dance troupe appeared, followed by several wagons filled with crates. Judging by the speed at which the wagons moved, it was clear their contents were heavy.

When the carts stopped at the vegetable market, a young man jumped onto one of them.

"Honorable elders, fellow countrymen, listen to me for a moment!"