Section 2
Forty ships? Everyone was stunned
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi had already risen and quickly returned the greeting. Zeng Bu glanced at the merit sword at Qin Guan's waist and smiled, saying, "Young Master Shao, it has indeed been a long time." Xue Yi, however, smiled and said, "Young Master Shao has now achieved great merit in foreign lands and is already renowned throughout the world. I heard about Young Master Shao's discussions and laughter while in the South China Sea, and it was you who stabilized the situation in Goryeo, allowing Wang Yun to ascend the throne smoothly. I am also very pleased for you, Young Master Shao." Qin Guan hurriedly smiled and said, "The court has been managing this for a long time; the previous generations planted the trees, and the later generations enjoy the shade. I am merely reaping the benefits, and compared to Lord Zeng and Marquis Xue, I am truly unworthy of mention." As everyone chatted and laughed, they took their seats again. Cai Jing had already filled three cups in front of Qin Guan, who did not decline and downed all three cups in succession. Pointing at the empty cups on the table, he laughed and said, "I have long known that Cai Yuanchang is not a virtuous man or a faithful believer."
"Then does Lord Xue think we need how many warships? One thousand?" Cai Jing asked from the side
"That is impossible." Cai Jing, Zeng Bu, Qin Guan, and even Xue Yi himself all knew that his plan could not possibly succeed at this time. The strategic focus of the Song Dynasty is to quell the southwestern rebellion and strengthen the defenses in the north. Xue Yi's plan requires the court to allocate him between 400 to 800 pieces of artillery, which is almost a daydream. "Is there really no potential left to exploit in the countries of the South China Sea? Scholar Shi once said that the true wealth of overseas trade in the future will not be gold, silver, or gems, but rather the inexhaustible and renewable raw materials!" Qin Guan felt extremely unwilling.
Xue Yi, after all, is a seasoned military leader, and he quickly calmed down with just a few words. Qin Guan, probing him indirectly, had already sensed this—he knew that Qin Guan was not one to speak frivolously, so it was unlikely he would broach such a sensitive topic without reason. However, his earlier suspicion was merely that Qin Guan might have been sent by Shi Yue to test him. Xue Yi felt that he was upright and had nothing to hide, especially since the emperor had previously intervened on his behalf to absolve him of guilt, which gave him a sense of security. Unexpectedly, Qin Guan suddenly inquired about his hometown, and even knew in detail about the newly constructed ancestral tomb and family temple, which inevitably angered Xue Yi. This clearly indicated a lack of trust in him, as someone had gone to dig up his past. He could never have imagined that Qin Guan, a returning envoy from Goryeo, would come to question him on imperial orders! The charges of exceeding land limits and violating tomb regulations are neither trivial nor significant. In the Song Dynasty, among all the civil and military officials, whose family does not engage in land consolidation? Which household does not exceed regulations? Yet if one were to pursue the matter, any kind of charge could be pinned on anyone. But in just a moment's thought, he immediately understood that the emperor had no intention of pursuing the matter against him. Otherwise, as Qin Guan said, with documents from the two offices, the Lantai, or the Weiwei Temple, any one of them could send a notice, and he would have no choice but to bear the consequences.
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi exchanged wry smiles. "The map and the shipping routes..." Zeng Bu said helplessly, "Moreover, we currently cannot even pass through the Zhu Nian Kingdom. However, I have heard that several groups of private merchant ships have already gone in search of that route, but at least for now, there has been no response."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Qin Guan sprayed a mouthful of wine all over his own robe, pointing at Zeng Bu, laughing so hard that he nearly fell over. Cai Jing was also laughing so hard that he had to lean against the corner of the table, almost unable to straighten up.
Cai Jing smiled and instructed his attendants to prepare the carriage. The four of them exited the tavern together and saw that two horse-drawn carriages were already waiting outside. They then divided into two carriages and, braving the heavy rain, sped southward.
Yet Qin Guan sighed softly again, saying: "Upon returning to the country this time, I have come to realize the difficulties of national affairs; it is truly a struggle to make progress. During this audience summoned by the Emperor, I sensed that His Majesty does not wish to see any disturbances arise overseas. At this moment, the national treasury is depleted, and the palace is cutting expenses in various ways, while the officials abroad indulge in extravagance to the utmost. Is this not giving others a handle to grasp?"
Xue Yi, upon hearing him finish speaking, couldn't help but exclaim with a smile: "I see. I truly do not understand why it is said throughout the various regions of the South Sea that you are the one who instigated the poisoning at the Office of Official Affairs"
"What heavy rain!" Cai Jing exclaimed as he gazed at the torrential downpour, unable to help but praise it. He then smiled and said, "The conversation is not yet over, and this is not the place to enjoy the rain. Why not follow me to another location? What do you think?" Qin Guan, remembering what Zeng Bu had said, did not wait for Zeng Bu or Xue Yi to respond and quickly agreed, saying, "Today, you, Cai Yuanchang, are the host; wherever you say to go, we shall go. " Zeng Bu and Xue Yi exchanged smiles and also said, "We will follow Yuanchang's arrangements."
Upon his inquiry, Zeng Bu also paused, focusing intently on Cai Jing and Qin Guan. Cai Jing cast a glance at Qin Guan and said with a smile, "This matter is presided over by Shaoyou, so let Shaoyou speak."
Cai Jing laughed and said: "When has Qin Shaoyou ever practiced vegetarianism or recited Buddhist scriptures? My wine does not contain any heron top red, yet it cannot do anything to His Highness, the Shun Wang."
"Those censors from the Court of Judicial Review?" Xue Yi chuckled softly, "Whether it is the Ministry of Rites or the Court of Judicial Review, those dispatched to the South Sea, who does not consider that a demotion in their hearts? How many people would still hold onto the ambition of clearing the world of its troubles when they reach Lingya Gate? Moreover, I am not afraid of their impeachment; I, Xue, still deserve the title of 'integrity' among the military officials of the Great Song."
As Qin Guan followed the crowd, he saw that the towers and pavilions in the garden were tall and majestic, and the courtyard was serene and tranquil. The water pavilions and bamboo groves, the wind pavilions and pine lodges, all were arranged in a layout that was unexpected yet exquisitely elegant. He silently admired this in his heart, but then noticed that Cai Jing did not pause in the garden, chatting and laughing all the way until they arrived at a stone dock. Qin Guan gazed at the turbulent river before him, which was rolling in the heavy rain, and suddenly realized that this estate was actually situated by the Dongcai River. The river before him was the Huimin River, which connected to the Sha River in the southeast of Chen Prefecture, facilitating the transportation of goods among the states of Chen, Cai, Ru, and Ying.
"By imperial decree, I am to inquire?" In an instant, Xue Yi felt a thunderous sound in his mind, and he suddenly found his thoughts blank, as if the continuous rumbling of thunder outside had faded into silence. He instinctively rose abruptly, intending to kneel, but was held back by Qin Guan. He then heard Qin Guan gently laughing, saying: "The Emperor has no intention of reprimanding you. If the Emperor wished to blame you, why would he send me to ask? The two offices, the Lantai, the Weisi, any document from them would likely bring you countless troubles..."
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi are in such a situation, and Cai Jing is not much better off. Cai Jing served as the governor of Hangzhou for two terms, and even the emperor praised his talents on several occasions. However, because he is a member of the Stone Party, marked by the characters written on his forehead, he has never received a promotion. It was only two months ago that he was recommended by Shi Yue to serve as the deputy in the Ministry of Finance. He has known Qin Guan for a long time and belongs to the same faction, not wanting him to be left with any incriminating remarks. Moreover, as the host of this banquet, seeing Zeng Bu and Xue Yi affected by Qin Guan's words and remaining silent, he smiled and said: "Shaoyou is not one for eloquence; after spending several years in Goryeo, he has indeed gained our respect. However, what we want to hear about is the succession of the Goryeo kingdom. Who asked you to speak such meaningless idle chatter? You should be punished with a drink!" He has known Qin Guan for a long time and belongs to the same faction, not wanting him to be left with any incriminating remarks. Moreover, as the host of this banquet, seeing Zeng Bu and Xue Yi affected by Qin Guan's words and remaining silent, he smiled and said: "Shaoyou is not one for eloquence; after spending several years in Goryeo, he has indeed gained our respect. However, what we want to hear about is the succession of the Goryeo kingdom. Who asked you to speak such meaningless idle chatter? You should be punished with a drink!"
To trace the origins of this matter, we must start from the fifteenth year of the Xining era. From that year onward, trade between the Song Dynasty and Goryeo encountered significant problems—this issue had actually existed from the very beginning. The volume of goods sold by the Song Dynasty to Goryeo each year far exceeded the goods sold by Goryeo to the Song Dynasty. The court exerted various pressures to compel Goryeo to lift trade restrictions, and subsequently, taking advantage of Goryeo's defeat in war, it forced the country to revoke the ban on the export of copper coins. However, it has now been proven that this was not a good thing. Since then, it was as if a dam had been breached, leading to a massive influx of gold, silver, and copper from Goryeo into the Song Dynasty, resulting in a severe shortage of currency within Goryeo. Yet, the demand from the Goryeo nobility for Song goods remained insatiable. To satisfy their greed, they had no choice but to exploit the common people even more, which in turn led to the common people being unable to afford even basic Song goods. Consequently, the trade volume between the Song Dynasty and Goryeo began to decline year by year from the fifteenth year of the Xining era. Furthermore, Goryeo, having provoked Khitan, faced skyrocketing military expenses, leading to a depleted treasury, while the common people were burdened by forced labor. Qin Guan expressed his deep concern over this seemingly intractable deadlock, stating that due to this situation, anti-Song sentiment within Goryeo was growing day by day. Among the knowledgeable nobility and scholars, some began to frequently petition the Goryeo king, requesting the restoration of the ban on currency and the restriction of trade between the two countries. Even among the generally ignorant nobility, dissatisfaction towards the Song Dynasty grew due to their financial difficulties. The strengthening of anti-Song forces was thus a natural consequence. Wang Hui had originally decided to pass the throne to Wang Yun, but he became hesitant. It was for this reason that Wang Xun gained support and was embraced by a group of ministers to ascend the throne.
"It is deserved punishment, I accept the penalty." Qin Guan, aware that he had spoken too much, hurriedly poured himself a cup, raised it, and drank it all in one go
"What historical allusion?" Cai Jing was interrupted by him and, feeling astonished, said: "This garden was only built during the reign of Zhi Ping; what historical allusion could there be?"
"No! Forty ships!" Xue Yi's eyebrows raised, "Just forty ships!"
As the crowd laughed and chatted, a servant had already brought over straw hats and raincoats, assisting the four in putting them on. One of the attendants whistled at the dock, and soon a fishing boat swayed into view from behind the trees, docking in front of the pier
Qin Guan, while listening to Xue Yi speak, had already adopted a conversational tone and hurriedly comforted him, saying: "Although I am here on imperial orders to inquire, the Emperor's intention is to place great trust in Lord Xue. Lord Xue should understand the Emperor's concerns; despite being the Son of Heaven, he must also consider the opinions of the court and the people. This is truly a matter of preservation. In this world, there are often those who wield authority with mere trifles, acting with arrogance, let alone the Emperor's edict! Therefore, the Emperor has sent me to ask questions, knowing that I have been cautious in my duties over the past few years and have a certain understanding of propriety. There are often those who wield authority with mere trifles, acting with arrogance, let alone the Emperor's edict! Therefore, the Emperor has sent me to ask questions, knowing that I have been cautious in my duties over the past few years and have a certain understanding of propriety. Moreover, as an external minister, I am unlikely to cause any trouble. Besides, Lord Xue and I have known each other for some time and can still converse... The Emperor's painstaking efforts towards a military official are indeed rare in our Great Song. Although I am here on imperial orders to inquire, I cannot help but feel envious of you in my heart.
Qin Guan calmly turned to Xue Yi and said, "Lord Xue, do not take offense; I am here to ask questions on official orders"
So that's how it is, truly worthy of the King of Hell, Bao Lao! Cai Jing chuckled and said, "No wonder I said that the gardens by the Huimin River have not been around for long; it turns out they were destroyed by the King of Hell, Bao Lao. If my garden indeed obstructed the transportation of grain, then it should be destroyed."
Xue Yi was taken aback, and the atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became heavy. After a while, Xue Yi asked softly, "Shaoyou, is this a question you want to ask yourself, or are you asking on behalf of someone else?" After saying this, he fixed his gaze on Qin Guan
Xue Yi finally understood why Qin Guan suddenly brought up these topics. He had originally thought that upon returning to Bianjing, the emperor would surely summon him for a private audience, as he had a lot to discuss with the emperor. However, he now realized that this time the emperor would not summon him alone—otherwise, there would have been no need for Qin Guan to speak those words just now. Among the officials from overseas, there was no doubt that Qin Guan had already become the emperor's new favorite. Compared to his lively efforts in stabilizing the situation in Goryeo and facilitating the Goryeo princess and crown prince's visit to Bianjing to celebrate the emperor's birthday, the others truly could not compare to such glory. Originally, Xue Yi could remain quite calm regarding whether the emperor would summon him alone, but this time...
Qin Guan smiled and said: "The red cap of the crane was indeed a gift I presented to Wang Yun, but that night I was sleeping in the embassy, and the people from the Office of Personnel Affairs did not possess any extraordinary abilities; they could only perform ordinary tasks. I wonder if Sima Chunfu has the capability to poison the King of Goryeo? In any case, the people on the Goryeo side cannot be relied upon. In fact, by the time dawn broke the next day, the vast majority of people in Kaijing had no idea what had happened. The news that spread was that Wang Xun had died suddenly, and Wang Yun had requested the stationed troops from Jianghuadao to assist in maintaining order... In fact, by the time dawn broke the next day, the vast majority of people in Kaijing had no idea what had happened. The news that spread was that Wang Xun had died suddenly, and Wang Yun had requested the stationed troops from Jianghuadao to assist in maintaining order..."
Qin nodded, took a sip of wine, set down his cup, and slowly said: "Both Lord Zeng and Marquis Xue are not outsiders, so it is fine to speak freely." At this point, he suddenly smiled, looking at Zeng Bu and Xue Yi, and continued: "We have long resided in foreign lands, and among the court officials, there are already those who regard us as outsiders. Thousands of miles away from our homeland, we are viewed with disdain; in a foreign land, we often face accusations of arrogance. When we speak of profit, we are met with discussions of power; living in close quarters, our conversations rarely touch upon righteousness, which is no different from being petty... To speak frankly, in these past seven or eight years, not to mention Cai Que and Di Zhan, Lord Zeng, Marquis Xue, Yuan Chang, and myself, which one of us overseas ministers is not wealthy, with fortunes of over a hundred thousand? This inevitably invites jealousy... In the court, some even refer to us as 'barbarian officials.' I am the least experienced, and being able to serve in Goryeo is already a great favor, so there is naturally not much to say... However, Lord Zeng, Marquis Xue, and Yuan Chang—indeed, Cai Que and Di Zhan—who among them does not have remarkable achievements? But since Lord Lü has been in power, they have all faced severe exclusion... Yuan Chang knows these matters best—during the fifteenth and sixteenth years of the Xining era, the court attempted three times to transfer Di Zhan to the Ministry of Rites, but Lord Lü, citing the precedent of Ban Dingyuan, intended for Di Gong to die in Guangzhou, completely disregarding the damage to the court's management of overseas affairs... Furthermore, Cai Que submitted petitions eighteen times requesting to return to the homeland, yet he was also blocked by Lord Lü... Yuan Chang knows these matters best—during the fifteenth and sixteenth years of the Xining era, the court attempted three times to transfer Di Zhan to the Ministry of Rites, but Lord Lü, citing the precedent of Ban Dingyuan, intended for Di Gong to die in Guangzhou, completely disregarding the damage to the court's management of overseas affairs... Furthermore, Cai Que submitted petitions eighteen times requesting to return to the homeland, yet he was also blocked by Lord Lü.
Xue Yikai said with a heavy voice: "In order to acquire more wealth through overseas trade, it is essential to establish a maritime route between the Song Dynasty and the Arab states. I have been gathering intelligence on the Zhunian Kingdom for nearly ten years, yet I know very little. They are not only wary of us but also of the Arabs, and the Arab merchants have limited knowledge of the realities within their own country. My original intention was to contact the Arabs to jointly attack the Zhunian Kingdom, but the Arab states are fragmented and their national strength is in decline, leaving them unable to care for themselves. They are not only wary of us but also of the Arabs, and the Arab merchants have limited knowledge of the realities within their own country. My original intention was to contact the Arabs to jointly attack the Zhunian Kingdom, but the Arab states are fragmented and their national strength is in decline, leaving them unable to care for themselves. Currently, the naval strength of the Song Dynasty is also insufficient to launch an expedition to the Zhunian Kingdom, unless I am provided with the fleet I desire"
The words of Lord Xue strike at the heart of the matter! Qin Guan could not help but exclaim, "As the saying goes, 'A good warrior does not seek fame.' We have caused such a great uproar, which can be deemed as incompetence. However, there are indeed some unexpected elements within this..."
After Wang Xun ascended to the throne, I suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. On the night of his ascension, the family of Wang Yun took refuge in the Song army camp on Jianghua Island. Rumors spread in Kaijing, claiming that Wang Xun intended to force all the Wang brothers to become monks. The next morning, officials from the embassy reported that Wang Xun had already sent envoys to express condolences to the Liao ruler and requested a formal title. By the afternoon, Wang Xun's eldest son arrived at the embassy, pleading to enter the capital to mourn. I immediately promised, but ultimately, the envoy Wang Xun sent to the Song was merely a Wang uncle. That night, I dispatched someone out of the city to secretly contact the troops stationed on Jianghua Island. Early the next morning, I sought an audience with Wang Xun again, offering him a multitude of benefits in hopes of temporarily stabilizing him. Wang Xun had neither the full support of the nobility nor complete control over the Kaijing army, and he was preoccupied with his own affairs. Moreover, he did not dare to offend the court. Qin Guan suddenly paused, mockingly laughing twice. "Although there are people in Goryeo who resent the trade between the two countries to the bone, if the trade were to cease, there would likely be many who would find it equally uncomfortable. Furthermore, the Song has troops stationed, and among the border garrison, there are many military officials who are subjects of the Song. Having ascended to the throne for only a few days without a court decree for formal recognition, his regime cannot be stabilized, and naturally, he lacks the courage to tear off the facade immediately." He instead feigned sincerity to appease me, and before long, he sent his minister to complain to me, swearing by heaven that he would never dare to betray the court. However, they were also powerless to continue opposing the Liao ruler and had no choice but to engage in empty gestures.
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi quickly raised a cup, and Xue Yi smiled, saying: "Shaoyou is not wrong. In fact, the court is currently planning overseas endeavors. Although there are indeed some far-sighted and insightful individuals advising on this matter, the only truly reliable one is Master Shi. However, Shaoyou, please discuss the affairs of Goryeo, as I have been curious for a long time. The court has been managing Goryeo for years; why did Wang Hui pass away without leaving a will, and moreover, why was Wang Xun allowed to succeed him, causing such a great uproar?"
Xue Yi looked at Cai Jing, then at Zeng Bu and Qin Guan, and jokingly said: "Do you want to compose poetry? If you want to compose poetry, then I will not board this boat; if you do not want to compose poetry, I can still board. In the South China Sea these years, every day has been either practicing drills or calculating the expenses of supplies, where would I find the time to compose poetry?"
His question immediately silenced the ship. Zeng Bu remained silent for a moment, raised his neck to drink a cup of wine, and said with a bitter smile: "In fact, this is fundamentally the same as the matter concerning Goryeo. The so-called overseas trade, when broken down, is merely the Song Dynasty exchanging silk, porcelain, clocks, sugar, and other goods for the spices, jade, gemstones, gold, and silver of foreign lands. To put it plainly, what the Song Dynasty exports are primarily luxury goods that have been processed; what it imports are mainly luxury goods that are naturally mined. Since overseas is not a land filled with gemstones and gold, it is only natural that once the mutual trade reaches a certain scale, it cannot continue to grow. Moreover, to the west of Lingyamen, there is still the Kingdom of Zhunian. The Kingdom of Zhunian stands between the Song Dynasty and the Islamic world, and all goods passing through must not only pay a tenth of their cargo but also face additional high taxes. Since overseas is not a land filled with gemstones and gold, it is only natural that once the mutual trade reaches a certain scale, it cannot continue to grow. Moreover, to the west of Lingyamen, there is still the Kingdom of Zhunian. The Kingdom of Zhunian stands between the Song Dynasty and the Islamic world, and all goods passing through must not only pay a tenth of their cargo but also face additional high taxes. The Song Dynasty's merchant ships directly heading to the Islamic world are also limited in fleet size. Although over the years we have learned that the silk, porcelain, clocks, and even cotton produced by the Song Dynasty—anything produced by the Song Dynasty—is regarded as heavenly goods in the Islamic world and even in the West, with extremely high demand and prices, we are still powerless. We now understand very clearly that not only does the Kingdom of Zhunian engage in transshipment trade, but even the maritime merchants of the Islamic world are also involved in transshipment trade. The routes of the Song Dynasty's ships from the Kingdom of Zhunian to the Islamic world are strictly restricted. Furthermore, it is said that from the Islamic world to the West, it is also impossible to reach by sea...
The wind outside whipped the rain, and the rain mingled with the wind, pattering against the car roof. Qin Guan sat in the car, contentedly pouring himself a cup of tea, just bringing it to his lips when he suddenly heard Xue Yi utter the words "clean and honest." He couldn't help but cough urgently, hastily placing the teacup back on the small table, and stared intently at Xue Yi.
There were also the Song Dynasty immigrants in the South China Sea—"Zeng Bu seemed to want to vent the accumulated frustration in his heart; once he opened his mouth, he could no longer hold back. The court allowed the common people to purchase land in the South China Sea, and initially, there were indeed a group of rogues trying their luck. However, more than 80% of these people ended up losing everything..."
Ah? Qin Guan was taken aback. However, Zeng Bu's expression was certainly not one of jest. He turned to look at Xue Yi and Cai Jing, and from their gazes, Qin Guan distinctly sensed a profound confusion. Could it be that they had truly encountered a significant problem
Cai Jing was momentarily taken aback by this...
A rumble echoed from the clouds, and lightning tore through the sky. Suddenly, the entire sky was filled with the sound of thunder, one clap after another, as lightning accompanied the booming thunder, illuminating the dark sky. The clouds above resembled chaotic, surging waves, rolling over the sky of Bianjing. In the blink of an eye, the patter of raindrops came pouring down. The attendants waiting outside the courtyard, who were all ethereal and translucent figures, had already rushed into the courtyard before the rain began, holding umbrellas for Cai Jing and the others. The clouds above resembled chaotic, surging waves, rolling over the sky of Bianjing. In the blink of an eye, the patter of raindrops came pouring down. The attendants waiting outside the courtyard, who were all ethereal and translucent figures, had already rushed into the courtyard before the rain began, holding umbrellas for Cai Jing and the others
"Is there really no pavilion here at Zhao Ling?" Zeng Bu said with a leisurely smile
Xue Yi, with his eyes closed, said: "Does Shaoyou want to enter the Censorate? Cai Yuanchang's salary is more than enough to buy a few glass cups, isn't it?"
The Huimin River, in the sixth year of the Taiping Xinguo era, transported a total of no more than 600,000 shi of grain to the capital each year. By the sixteenth year of the Xining era, the Huimin River had transported 900,000 shi of grain and 400,000 shi of beans, with boats and vessels constantly connecting, creating a lively scene. This estate originally belonged to Wang Junkuang, who sold it to me because he found the daily increase in boat traffic on the Huimin River to be noisy and disturbing. However, I enjoy its liveliness... Cai Jing spoke with a smile about how he acquired this estate, showing a hint of self-satisfaction. Wang Junkuang is none other than the venerable official Wang Gongchen, who has served three emperors. He achieved the highest honor in the imperial examination at the age of nineteen and served as a Hanlin scholar for over a decade during the reign of Emperor Renzong. He was sent on a diplomatic mission to the Khitan, where the Liao ruler hosted a banquet for fishing; whenever he caught a fish, he would toast with wine and personally play the pipa to accompany the drinks. After Zhao Xu ascended the throne, he also held positions such as the Crown Prince's Grand Guardian, envoy to the Northern Court, and judge of the Ying Tian Prefecture, but Wang Gongchen, being an elder of the old faction, did not gain favor. The villa by the Huimin River was indeed a symbol of status and identity during the Song Dynasty, and Cai Jing was genuinely pleased to have purchased this estate from Wang Gongchen.
Qin Guan smiled and said: "Stirring up a pool of spring water, what does it have to do with me?" After saying this, he paused for a moment, glanced at Xue Yi from the corner of his eye, and half-jokingly, half-seriously remarked: "If I truly entered the Lantai, let alone Cai Yuanchang, even you, Xue Hou, would not have good days ahead."
"Shaoyou, you are late, you are late, you must first be punished with three cups..." As soon as Qin Guan stepped into the courtyard, Cai Jing, who was already half drunk, shouted loudly. Qin Guan smiled slightly and said, "It is my fault." He quickly took a few steps forward and greeted the other two, saying, "Zeng Gong, Xue Hou, it has been a long time."
Isn't it possible to bypass the so-called 'Africa' and go directly to the West on the map in 'An Introduction to Geography' ? '' Qin Guan asked in surprise
"Once war breaks out, not only will we attack the naval vessels, merchant ships, ports, and cities of the Zhu Nian nation, but we must also protect our own merchant ships, ports, and cities..." As soon as naval warfare was mentioned, Xue Yi became excited, "In that case, our forces will inevitably be dispersed! Do you know how many warships the Zhu Nian nation has? The intelligence I have gathered indicates that they have at least over 1,000 warships, divided into at least five fleets—without absolute superiority, we will be unable to defend ourselves!"
Zeng Bu looked at the self-satisfied Cai Jing, feeling a slight bitterness in his heart. He curled his lips and deliberately asked, "Does Yuan Chang know the story behind this garden?"
One can only blame Wang Xun for being oblivious to the times. Qin Guan said with a cold smile, At this point, no matter what, Goryeo cannot possibly turn its back on Song to ally with Liao. What can the Liao ruler do? Can he mobilize troops from thousands of miles away to Goryeo to control the situation for Wang Xun? Goryeo need not worry about being annexed by the Great Song, but it cannot ignore the ambitions of the Liao ruler. The Liao ruler's conferment can at most ease the relationship between the two countries; how can it compare to the conferment from the court? Regardless of how those people harbor dissatisfaction towards our Great Song, they still acknowledge in their hearts that only the court's conferment can stabilize the hearts of the people throughout Goryeo. However... Qin Guan's expression suddenly darkened, If the trade between the two countries continues to deteriorate, Goryeo will find that allying with the Great Song is more harmful than beneficial, and no matter what kind of treaty it is, it cannot remain stable. Especially since the Liao ruler unexpectedly recognized Wang Yun as the king of Goryeo, the relationship between the Great Song and Goryeo can only be maintained through common interests if there is no common enemy. Otherwise, if this accumulates, even if the Great Song stations tens of thousands of elite troops on Ganghwa Island, it will only invite futile wars.
Cai Jing, however, knew that Zeng Bu would never give others a handle against him, and he openly flaunted matters that were detrimental to himself in front of everyone, thus he laughed and said: "Isn't the Inspector General going to intervene?"
"I do not know whether the future will be like this," Zeng Bu was unwilling to directly criticize Shi Yue, merely alluding to it lightly. "However, at present, overseas trade mainly consists of luxury goods. In recent years, to strengthen control over countries such as Jiaozhi, the maritime affairs of Guangzhou and Lingyamen, as well as Guiyi City, have spared no effort. We have monopolized almost the entire salt trade in the South China Sea region, and the salt produced in Jiaozhi is indeed not as cheap and good as that of the Song Dynasty. In addition, there are sugarcane, pepper, and even cotton cloth—spices are primarily to ensure supply to the Central Plains. We have monopolized almost the entire salt trade in the South China Sea region, and the salt produced in Jiaozhi is indeed not as cheap and good as that of the Song Dynasty. In addition, there are sugarcane, pepper, and even cotton cloth—spices are primarily to ensure supply to the Central Plains. However, the barbarians do not have a money tree; even though the goods from the Song Dynasty are good, they still need to pay money to buy them or exchange goods. We also tried to require them to plant sugarcane and cotton trees, but ultimately found that transporting sugarcane and cotton from overseas to Guangzhou was acceptable, but the costs became uncontrollable when transporting to Hangzhou—moreover, very few maritime merchants were willing to earn this meager profit. In the end, the scale was limited. Aside from salt, we did not achieve any of our expected goals."
Xue Yi opened his eyes, smiled slightly, and said: "I suspect you will not believe it. The Lingya Gate has my marquisate, which is grand in scale. Although it is called a marquisate, in reality, it is the city of the sons of Lingya Gate, and also the Southern Navy Department of the Second Army of the Tiger Wing. The military supplies and grain reserves there are sufficient for three years of use, and all necessary equipment for defense is fully prepared. The cost of constructing this city was about 500,000 guan, all funded by my share. It is named a private residence, but in fact, it is a public office—Shaoyou, you surely do not know this, but I have already been impeached for this matter. Compared to your corrupt crimes, mine are insignificant. The cost of constructing this city was about 500,000 guan, all funded by my share. It is named a private residence, but in fact, it is a public office—Shaoyou, you surely do not know this, but I have already been impeached for this matter. Compared to your corrupt crimes, mine are insignificant. Fortunately, thanks to the emperor's wisdom, the internal command cleared me of guilt. Otherwise, the Xue family would have faced extermination. Later, the emperor decreed that the marquisate be incorporated into the government, and additionally granted me 100,000 taels of silver, along with over a hundred acres of land in Bianjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Nanhai. Later, the emperor decreed that the marquisate be incorporated into the government, and additionally granted me 100,000 taels of silver, along with over a hundred acres of land in Bianjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Nanhai. This reward, combined with the balance of my share over the years, amounts to approximately 800,000 guan in cash. I sought to establish the Nanhai Yongfeng Bank in Lingya Gate to provide low-interest loans to the estate owners of the Nanhai Islands; furthermore, in the name of Yongfeng Bank, I donated to build academies and Confucian temples in Guangzhou, Lingya Gate, and Guiyi City, accommodating the children of maritime soldiers and immigrants from the Song Dynasty..."
I pretended to believe in his sincerity and sternly reprimanded the Minister of Civil Affairs. I also instructed him to convey to Wang Xun that with the new king's ascension, he must treat the former dynasty's ministers well, maintain harmony among brothers, and not alter the policies of the late king for three years; otherwise, it would lead to chaos. The Song Dynasty hopes for a long reign in Goryeo, and even more so for a wise ruler. A few days later, the troops stationed on Ganghwa Island remained vigilant, ready for battle at dawn. The naval vessels near Ganghwa Island also set sail from the port. This display nearly frightened Wang Xun to death. A few days later, the troops stationed on Ganghwa Island remained vigilant, ready for battle at dawn. The naval vessels near Ganghwa Island also set sail from the port. This display nearly frightened Wang Xun to death. He was only anxiously preparing for the funeral of Wang Hui and did not dare to act rashly. Instead, he continuously sent envoys to persuade me, hoping to receive a title from the court. However, the Ministry of Personnel had already secretly investigated and found that within the following month, he had sent at least three batches of envoys to the Liao ruler. Moreover, he discreetly dispatched hundreds of armored soldiers near the embassy. However, the Ministry of Personnel had already secretly investigated and found that within the following month, he had sent at least three batches of envoys to the Liao ruler. Moreover, he discreetly dispatched hundreds of armored soldiers near the embassy. Nevertheless, this period of time was enough for Wang Yun to regain his composure, and he began to secretly contact trusted ministers to seek support from the troops stationed in the capital. He sent envoys several times to request my assistance with the troops stationed on Ganghwa Island. Seeing his anxiousness, fearing he would become a monk, I decided to oblige him and did him a favor. The troops stationed on Ganghwa Island all donned Goryeo military uniforms and marched straight to the capital. Seeing his anxiousness, fearing he would become a monk, I decided to oblige him and did him a favor. The troops stationed on Ganghwa Island all donned Goryeo military uniforms and marched straight to the capital. Wang Yun was much more ruthless than his brother; he bribed the officials guarding the city gates and the palace gatekeepers. That night, thousands of troops from Ganghwa Island entered the city, easily taking control of the capital's garrison with the help of the commanders within. Then Wang Yun led his troops into the royal palace and offered a cup of wine to His Highness, the Prince of Shun, before his father's spirit...
The court does not permit the enslavement of the southern seas' loyal subjects, believing it to be contrary to the principles of benevolence. However, the current situation is that the number of people migrating from the Central Plains to overseas is decreasing, while Lingyamen is in urgent need of labor—managing estates and engaging in conflicts with the local indigenous people both require manpower. Ultimately, there has been an increasing number of merchants from the Islamic world trafficking in human beings to Lingyamen—according to the laws of the Song Dynasty, human trafficking is a serious crime, and the authorities cannot ignore it; yet if they truly intervene, Lingyamen is likely to descend into chaos. Zeng Bu harbors lingering resentment regarding his past demotion to Lingyamen.
I have nothing to fear" Xue Yi replied lightly without even raising his eyelids "It is not easy to be a naval officer; the winds are high and the waves are perilous at sea. My Tiger Wing Army's Second Division inevitably loses a few ships to the depths of the ocean every year. Even without encountering shipwrecks, once people are on board, all sorts of strange diseases come rushing in. If one dies on the ship, they can only be thrown into the sea, with no bones left to be buried in their homeland. To boost the morale of the naval forces, it is unavoidable to allow the soldiers going to sea to make some small profits. However, such matters can be done by soldiers but not by officials. If officials engage in such activities, the entire naval force would be corrupted. Therefore, there is a custom within the naval forces: soldiers can privately trade among themselves, each having their share, and all earnings belong to them, while officers dare not embezzle. Officers assigned to the ship are not allowed to trade privately; whenever they eliminate pirates, the spoils are divided into four parts: one part goes to the public, one part to the officer, and two parts to the soldiers; for escorting merchant convoys, the officer can also receive thirty percent. Such open distribution is far better than engaging in clandestine dealings. If I do not take my share, no officer, big or small, below me would dare to take it. If they cannot make a profit, there will be those who withhold military pay, trade privately, or even disguise themselves as pirates to rob merchant ships... Anything can happen. With such a system in place, both officials and soldiers are willing to go to sea for escort missions and are eager to exert their utmost efforts in eliminating pirates.
Qin Guan pressed his lips together, quietly listening. It was truly hard to believe that Xue Yi, a military official, could maintain such integrity. He cast a meaningful glance at Xue Yi and then, seemingly casually, said with a smile: "Lord Xue is indeed admirable. However, to speak frankly, I have heard that Lord Xue has extensively acquired estates in his hometown, with paths connecting for dozens of miles, wealth rivaling that of princes, and has newly constructed ancestral tombs and family temples, all exceeding regulations..."
Cai Jing turned back and smiled at the three, saying: "In a straw raincoat on a fishing boat, drifting down the river, sitting upright in the boat, gazing at the royal court and the Xie courtyard on both banks through the rain, this is the joy amidst the rain."
Indeed, with forty battleships of two thousand tons as the main force, each ship equipped with ten or even twenty cannons on its deck! Xue Yi's eyes shone brightly, "My fellow soldiers and I have simulated countless times; the ships of the Jin Kingdom rarely possess vessels of two thousand tons and lack long-range strike capabilities. By concentrating the use of these forty battleships, we can seek a decisive battle against the enemy's main force... this will provide us with sufficient troops to defend Lingyamen..." In his excitement, Xue Yi nearly divulged his entire battle plan, but fortunately, at the last moment, he suddenly realized and managed to hold his tongue.
At this point, Qin Guan let out a bitter smile and sighed, saying: "To be honest with everyone, I was also greatly surprised at that time. The reasons for this, in fact, became clear to us only after the incident occurred, as we took measures to remedy the situation... Before that, we were still reveling in the misfortunes of others, thinking, 'What does it matter to our Song Dynasty that the people of Goryeo are suffering?"
"I, Xue Yi, express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your great kindness." Xue Yi shifted his body slightly, licked his dry lips with the tip of his tongue, and then spoke in a deep voice: "I have heard that the world is accustomed to seeking profit and avoiding harm, making it difficult for the people to understand propriety and righteousness, while it is easy for them to understand wealth and nobility. The reason I, a mere monkey dressed in a crown, flaunt and display the books of my hometown is merely to let the people of the world know that the wealth of the nation can also be obtained from the sea; that fame and fortune can also be derived from the sea. This humble heart of mine, I earnestly beseech Your Majesty to see clearly."
Zeng Bu smiled and said: "When Bao Xiaosu was in charge of the Kaifeng Prefecture, the banks of the Huimin River were also connected by pavilions, all of which were the properties of eunuchs and noble relatives. Bao Xiaosu, due to the inconvenience of the Huimin River's shipping, took advantage of a great flood in the capital one year to completely destroy them all. Later, the case even reached the ears of Empress Wen Cheng... Has Yuan Chang never heard of this?"
Zeng Bu laughed and said: "How can I not manage it? When the Inspector General came to find me, I replied: 'Our ancestors have their established rules. If the foreign barbarians commit crimes that involve Han people, we shall follow Han law; if it does not involve Han people, we shall follow the laws of the foreign tribes. Now, the merchants from the Great Food country are selling foreigners into slavery, which does not involve Han people, so we should follow the laws of the foreign tribes. However, in our office, there are no laws from the Great Food country, and it is unknown whether the trafficking of people is punishable in their country.' Therefore, I summoned all the Great Food merchants from Lingya Gate and asked them whether the trafficking of people in the Great Food country is a crime. They all answered that it is not a crime and each signed a statement..." Thus, I summoned all the Great Food merchants from Lingya Gate and asked them whether the trafficking of people in the Great Food country is a crime. They all answered that it is not a crime and each signed a statement...
Xue Yi helplessly cast his gaze out of the car, watching the relentless downpour of rain, silently smiling bitterly. Qin Guan glanced at Xue Yi, and also fell into silence. The emperor's concern was simply that he did not wish for the wealth of the overseas officials to trigger political instability. Thus, the emperor employed this special method to stabilize Xue Yi, for only Xue Yi was the true pillar of the Song Dynasty in the South China Sea region. The emperor could easily demote or expel a corrupt Zeng Bu; there were thousands of officials in the Song Dynasty who could replace Zeng Bu, but he could not find a suitable candidate to replace Xue Yi in a short time. However, the hidden dangers overseas were not limited to this one issue. Qin Guan watched helplessly as the trade volume with Goryeo declined year by year, and he also heard Zeng Bu say that this was a common phenomenon in overseas trade. He anxiously thought: this might be an even more dangerous problem than the wealth of the overseas officials.
Qin Guan and Xue Yi shared a carriage. After Xue Yi boarded, he sat upright with his eyes closed, resting his mind. However, Qin Guan touched the seat and smiled, saying, "This is indeed Shu brocade." He then picked up a glass wine cup made of glazed pottery from the side of the seat, looked at Xue Yi, and with a half-smile, remarked, "How much is this glazed wine cup worth? It is carelessly placed in the carriage."
"Crane Top Red?" Xue Yi raised his eyes to glance at Cai Jing, then looked at Qin Guan. He naturally understood that the so-called "Shun Wang" was the posthumous title of Wang Xun. However, seeing both of them so content and at ease, it seemed as if the matter they were discussing was as simple as a pot of ordinary Goryeo clear wine. This made him realize that the rumors he had heard while in the South China Sea were not baseless. Unable to restrain himself, Xue Yi asked, "While I was in the South China Sea, I heard people mention the Goryeo heir, with various opinions, making it hard to discern the truth. Was Wang Xun really poisoned?"
Upon arriving in Bianjing, this "Fubo Marquis" of the Great Song finds himself utterly at a loss, feeling out of place at every turn. Each time he sees the more than eighty newly installed cannons on the city walls of the outer city of Bianjing, Xue Yi feels an extreme discomfort. When Emperor Taizong insisted on establishing the capital in Bianjing, was it not based on the belief that "virtue is more important than danger"? Did not the court officials lament the emptiness of the national treasury? Then why are these powerful weapons not first allocated for border defense, nor for naval defense, but instead left to be exposed to the elements in Bianjing?
"Do we not have the fleet that Lord Xue desires in the Song Dynasty Navy?" Qin Guan has long been in Goryeo, and throughout the East China Sea, the Song Dynasty Navy is displaying its might, invincible and unparalleled. He cannot imagine that there are enemies in this world that the Song Dynasty Navy cannot defeat
Qin Guan spoke eloquently, relaying the Emperor's words while also speculating on the Emperor's intentions. Xue Yi listened attentively, feeling in his heart that the Emperor indeed held him in special favor and that a sense of gratitude for being recognized began to arise within him. Although he was a military official, he regarded himself as a scholar-official and did not deign to utter flattery or trite phrases; instead, he simply bowed deeply in reverence.
"Why discuss such trivial matters, Shaoyou?" Cai Jing, seeing Qin Guan growing increasingly agitated, quickly intervened with words. He understood that although Qin Guan had achieved early success and made remarkable contributions in Goryeo, he was still too inexperienced in the political arena of the Song Dynasty. Among the four present today, they might still be friends, but upon their next meeting, it was entirely possible that they could become enemies. At that time, such words would be considered "resentment," a charge sufficient to end one's political career. He knew that Qin Guan, despite his youthful accomplishments in Goryeo, was still too green in the Song's political landscape. Today, the four of them might be friends, but tomorrow they could very well be adversaries. When that time comes, those words would be labeled as "resentment," a serious accusation that could terminate a political life. Moreover, among the four, Xue Yi was a military official; should any entanglement arise, the situation could become unmanageable, and Cai Jing himself would not be spared from the collateral damage.
However, what Qin Guan spoke of was the heartache of those present. Di Zhan and Cai Que were marginalized, and in recent years, Zeng Bu and Xue Yi had not fared well either. Zeng Bu had been diligent over the past few years and had achieved some political accomplishments. He had spent seven or eight years in Nanhai, accumulating considerable wealth. When Shi Yue was in power, he had even fantasized about making a comeback, but with Shi Yue's fall from grace, the actual power holders in the court were Lü Huaiqing and Sima Guang. He knew he could not rely on either of them, and after spending seven or eight years far away, all his ambitions had been thoroughly worn away. At this time, nearing fifty, he could not help but feel a sense of nostalgia, akin to "I do not dare to hope for the Jiuquan Commandery, but I wish to be born in the Yumen Pass." Therefore, he sent people to make arrangements, seeking the same as Cai Que, hoping to be buried in his hometown. However, the officials in the court accepted his gifts as a matter of course, and not a single person spoke on his behalf, making it impossible for him to even think of becoming a governor in the eastern or western regions of Jiangnan. He was also afraid that the emperor would suspect him of harboring resentment, so he did not dare to resign, and he could only watch as he aged and faced the prospect of dying at Lingya Gate. Had it not been for Shi Yue's recent advice to the emperor, which strengthened the emperor's resolve to rotate officials in overseas cities, Zeng Bu would have had no chance to see the prosperity of Bianjing again.
How is it over there in the Liao state
Qin Guan looked at Zeng Bu in disbelief as he continued to speak: "The immigrants near Guiyi City and Lingya Gate are relatively better off. The land allocated to them is located near Guiyi City and Lingya Gate, allowing them to hire exiled criminals for labor. The people from Jiaozhi are also considered hardworking, and with a bit of luck, they can purchase Kunlun slaves or even slaves sold by the Arabs. Although these individuals may not be wealthy, they are well-fed and have no worries about clothing and food. However, those who buy land elsewhere merely exchange copper coins for a worthless land deed. If one has not been to the islands of the South China Sea, one cannot truly understand the richness of local resources. Most of the barbarian tribes are unfamiliar with farming, do not use money or silk, and primarily rely on fishing, hunting, and gathering for their livelihood. They are exceptionally lazy, and even if you spend lavishly, you cannot hire anyone to work for you. Moreover, many people are simply gambling everything on a whim, believing rumors and purchasing land, only to end up penniless and eventually drifting to Lingya Gate, becoming clients of the local immigrants. Only a very few can bribe the chieftains to buy one or two slaves to barely manage their affairs. But these individuals are merely avoiding total loss. Although Lingya Gate and Guiyi City are isolated overseas, they are still part of the territory of the Song Dynasty, and there are indeed people willing to live there for generations. They cultivate food, are self-sufficient, and can also supply the needs of both cities. However, if someone is overly optimistic and wishes to plant food on the islands of the South China Sea to become wealthy, they will ultimately find it to be a futile endeavor. Aside from Guangzhou occasionally needing to purchase some food, who from the two Zhejiang provinces or Fujian would buy food from overseas unless faced with famine? Furthermore, many local tribes do not even consume grains!"
"Regardless of right or wrong, your actions are always in violation of the law. How can the central government possibly tolerate you?" Qin Guan was taken aback by Xue Yi's nonchalant and unabashed response. "The Ministry of Justice and the Supervisory Censor actually do not impeach you?"
Zeng Bu originally intended to mock Cai Jing, but unexpectedly, Cai Jing did not take it to heart at all. Zeng Bu was surprised and couldn't help but regard him with a bit more respect. However, he maintained a nonchalant demeanor and joked with Cai Jing: "Unexpectedly, Cai Yuanchang is actually a wealthy man..."
Zeng Bu and Xue Yi exchanged a glance, both revealing a bitter smile on their faces. Zeng Bu looked at Qin Guan with shared sympathy and said in a hoarse voice: "What Shaoyou worries about is indeed serious. However, it is not merely a decline in trade volume with Goryeo, but rather a reduction in overall overseas trade, which, although not obvious, has indeed persisted for several years!"
The two exchanged a smile, while the attendants had already set up the carriage curtains. The two hurriedly lifted the corners of their robes to get out of the carriage, only to find that the horse-drawn carriage was parked outside a manor. Cai Jing and Zeng Bu had evidently arrived first and were both waiting at the entrance. As Qin Guan and Xue Yi stepped out of the carriage, Cai Jing smiled and led everyone into the garden.
Lord Xue, rest assured, today we shall only drink wine and engage in some idle chatter. Moreover, with Master Zeng and Shaoyou present, I have no desire to make a fool of myself..." Cai Jing said with a smile as he invited the three into the cabin of the boat to sit down
As everyone entered the cabin, they discovered that this small boat appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary fishing vessel on the outside, yet it was exceptionally clean and elegant on the inside. There were also two young attendants in blue standing by, waiting for orders. The boatman was evidently an experienced hand, skillfully maneuvering this small craft through torrential rain and raging currents with the ease of navigating on flat ground. Even Xue Yi couldn't help but praise him, laughing, "Such a person is truly wasted as a mere servant. He would be better suited to my Tiger Wing Second Army." However, Zeng Bu pointed to a large ship following them in the distance and laughed, "With Xue Shixian here, is there any need for that?" Only Qin Guan appeared deeply troubled, taking a few sips of clear wine before asking Zeng Bu, "Earlier, you mentioned that the entire overseas trade is declining. What exactly is going on?"
The carriage raced through the torrential rain, heading straight south along the imperial road, passing through the Baokang Gate and the Xuanhua Gate, before veering southwest upon exiting the city. Outside, the wind and rain raged, and inside, Qin Guan and Xue Yi, lost in their own thoughts and idle chatter, were unaware of how much time had passed. Suddenly, they heard a loud "Hah!" as the rapidly speeding carriage abruptly slowed down, followed by Cai Jing's booming laughter from outside: "We have arrived, we have arrived"