Chapter Twenty-Five: Scheming

[985526680, thank you, sir, for your generous reward yesterday. I was busy the whole day and didn’t manage to express my gratitude, so I’m making up for it today.]

“Through the school, we will organize and summarize knowledge in tax and finance. This is a merit that will benefit generations to come. Although I initially planned only to set up some short-term training classes and the like, I can still secure the title of Sub-Directorate of Taxation at the Imperial Academy for someone,” Zhu Cilang said with a gentle smile.

Upon hearing these words, Wu Sen, Chang Zhilang, and the others immediately became solemn and attentive. Especially Chang Zhilang, whose anticipation was tinged with disappointment. He hoped this office might fall to him, but was disheartened to find it was merely a teaching post.

Thinking this, Chang Zhilang appeared slightly distracted. It was Wu Sen who voiced a key question: “But… will the court agree to our establishment of a Sub-Directorate of Taxation at the Imperial Academy?”

Zhu Cilang burst into laughter at this: “I thought you’d worry about the court from the very beginning. But, gentlemen, have you not considered that if I wasn’t confident about resolving matters with the court, would I dare propose adjusting tax rates, abolishing pre-levy regulations, or even meddling with ship dues?”

All of them were clever men, and naturally caught the crucial implication in Zhu Cilang’s words.

“So the court will agree!” Wu Sen and the others exclaimed in unison.

Of course, it was Zhu Cilang’s maneuvering that would win the court’s consent. They all knew well that the Tax Office’s supervising department was the Ministry of Revenue, headed by Fu Shuxun. The relationship between Fu Shuxun and Zhu Cilang was common knowledge among them. Once the Ministry of Revenue was persuaded, more than half the battle was won. As for the Imperial Academy, it was Zhu Cilang’s own battlefield. To accomplish such a task was not particularly difficult!

Thinking this, they all felt reassured. So much so that Zhu Cilang’s sudden mention of ship dues slipped their minds.

Because Zhu Cilang’s next words stirred up Chang Zhilang and all the other students, filling their hearts with new ambitions. Following Zhu Cilang was far more promising than languishing in the Imperial Academy.

“Chang Zhilang!” Zhu Cilang suddenly called out.

“Present!” Chang Zhilang jumped to his feet, responding with excitement.

“I recommend you to serve as the Academic Director of the Sub-Directorate of Taxation at the Imperial Academy. Well, does this post put pressure on you? Can you fulfill its duties?” Zhu Cilang gazed at him.

Chang Zhilang shouted, “Please rest assured, sir! I will surely cultivate capable talents for the Tax Office!”

Though Chang Zhilang was thrilled not to have been overlooked, he felt a hint of disappointment once he calmed down.

Zhu Cilang, who appeared relaxed and indifferent, never actually took his eyes off Chang Zhilang. Seeing this, he spoke nonchalantly: “Of course, let us not forget the most critical post I mentioned earlier—adjusting the tax rates. The idea is mine, but I am too busy; the Sub-Directorate of Taxation must shoulder this task. Chang Zhilang, don’t neglect it. In a few days, I expect to see your regulations for the new tax rates.”

Hearing this, if Chang Zhilang still didn’t understand, his time as a student would have been wasted.

So Zhu Cilang not only meant to train talent, but to create something akin to a Hanlin Academy! Even if it was only at the level of clerks, it was enough for Chang Zhilang to imagine a bright future for this post.

At this thought, Chang Zhilang’s voice rang out, sonorous as a bell: “Yes! Please rest assured, sir! I will never let you down!”

“All right, go about your tasks,” Zhu Cilang breathed out softly. “By the way, fetch that Yan Wei fellow for me. The ship dues matter can’t be delayed.”

Early next morning.

At the Linqing relay station, Fan Wenju entered Chu Lushan’s room, brimming with excitement.

“What?” Chu Lushan exclaimed, staring at Fan Wenju. “Qin Xia actually wants to abolish ship dues?”

“Not only that, Qin Xia has altered the tax rates and proposed abolishing pre-levy regulations!” Fan Wenju summarized in a whisper.

At this, Chu Lushan snorted lightly, “Qin Xia certainly has courage. How many high officials lurk behind Zhangjiawan and Chongwenmen? He dares meddle with the pre-levy regulations!”

Fan Wenju chuckled slyly, “Zhangjiawan and Chongwenmen are far away; even if they want to deal with Qin Xia, they must go through the court. It’ll take some time before Qin Xia faces any real trouble. But as for the Bamboo and Timber Extraction Bureau of the Ministry of Works, Qin Xia’s move will make them jump.”

Chu Lushan narrowed his eyes, “A young man, always eager for achievement, never considering his own status or qualifications. Even with double levies from bamboo and timber extraction and ship dues, officials are never affected—it’s always the merchants and commoners. Is it worth causing such a stir? Moreover, this questions the very existence of the Bamboo and Timber Extraction Bureau. Add the matter of pre-levy regulations, and with just a little effort, the Bureau will be in a frenzy… hmph… and remember, the current head of the Bureau has a powerful backer…”

Fan Wenju laughed along, “Master, you are truly wise.”

“Of course!” Chu Lushan said proudly. “No, I must go to the Bamboo and Timber Extraction Bureau myself! If Qin Xia thinks he can get away with this, I won’t stand for it!”

An hour later.

Ministry of Works, Linqing Bamboo and Timber Extraction Bureau

Smack—

“You brat, this is outrageous!” A burly man slammed his palm on the desk, roaring, “How could the court tolerate such audacity?”

“But what if the court does tolerate it?” A slightly plump middle-aged man chuckled.

The burly man glared coldly for a long moment before exhaling, “I am not so easily bullied!”

…

Capital.

After Si En left, Wang Cheng’en weighed the gold ingot in his hand, then glanced at the memorial just delivered by Fu Shuxun from the Directorate of Ceremonies.

Wang Cheng’en naturally knew Si En’s identity. After Zhu Cilang left the palace, he had given Empress Zhou ten thousand taels of silver. But Empress Zhou didn’t use the silver as her own funds; instead, she handed it back to Si En, instructing him to use it to buy property for the Crown Prince.

After receiving the silver, Si En began to enter and leave the palace under the pretext of acquiring royal assets. Both Empress Zhou and Emperor Chongzhen, upon learning of this, said nothing further.

Of course, as one of the palace’s chief officials, Si En was a frequent visitor.

As a eunuch, Wang Cheng’en was astute and meticulous. With just a little thought, he understood Si En’s intentions. Thus, the gold ingot in his hand suddenly seemed insignificant.

At his position, many vied to send silver into the palace. But unlike other eunuchs, Wang Cheng’en was more cunning and had a few principles.

His cunning was to protect himself.

His principles were to complement his cunning, ensuring he never fell out of favor with the emperor.