I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 216 Sending out false information

Koji Hojo, that old Japanese devil, is quite pragmatic.

Lin Shisan added, "If Dianma Ce succeeds, I will reward you with ten thousand taels of silver. In addition, I will write to the Southern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital and give you the position of a small flag officer."

Hojo Koji bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Commander Lin."

Lin Shisan said, "Don't rush to thank me. The matter isn't settled yet. We need to come up with a detailed plan. Go back and think it over carefully."

In the following days, Lin Shisan was busy working with Hojo Koji to devise a detailed plan to lure the Japanese pirates ashore.

Yang Bo's reply from the Ministry of War had already been attached to a carrier pigeon and flown to Nanjing.

Yang Bo agreed to borrow the Yunnan horses. He was a prominent and capable official in the late Jiajing period.

In his view, the cause of resisting Japanese pirates should take precedence over factional strife and conflicts of interest.

To fight the Japanese pirates, let alone borrowing five thousand Yunnan horses. What good would it do to give them all to Hu Zongxian?

This is what it means to have a profound understanding of righteousness.

Meanwhile, at Qi Jiguang's garrison, a military camp on the outskirts of Xinhe County, southeast of Taizhou.

Commander Hu Shouren, commander Wu Weizhong, Chen Dacheng, Wang Rulong, and others were surrounding Qi Jiguang.

Qi Jiguang closed his eyes and remained silent.

Wu Weizhong said, "The brothers have been training for almost a year. Now, thousands of Japanese pirates have invaded Taizhou. I beg the general to lead us to attack and let the Japanese pirates taste the might of our Yiwu soldiers!"

Wang Rulong said, "General, our brothers' Mandarin Duck Formation is real, what was it again?"

Hu Shouren remarked from the side, "It has reached a state of perfection."

Wang Rulong nodded: "Yes, yes, yes, it has reached a state of perfection. We can use those thousand Japanese pirates as practice. You always say that no matter how well the troops are trained, they still need to be tempered in actual combat."

Hu Shouren was not from the Yiwu faction within Qi Jiguang's army, but rather a hereditary military officer from Guanhaiwei.

Hu Shouren said, “General, what they said makes sense. The imperial court has spent so much military funds on us. Now that Taizhou has been invaded by thousands of Japanese pirates, if we do nothing, wouldn't we chill the hearts of the people?”

Qi Jiguang suddenly opened his eyes: "I ask you, approximately how many Japanese pirates are active along the Zhejiang coast?"

Hu Shouren replied: "More than 30,000 people, divided into sixteen or seventeen groups."

Qi Jiguang said, "How can a precious sword be shown to others so easily? You get all worked up just because a thousand Japanese pirates landed? How petty!"

"Let me tell you, there's going to be a big battle in Taizhou in the future! This is a delicious feast, so let's eat our fill."

"A person who is destined to make a fortune would never concern themselves with petty matters."

"Tell the brothers to practice the Mandarin Duck Formation diligently during the day and get a good night's sleep. Conserve your energy."

Just then, a flag officer from the governor's office strode in.

The flag officer bowed and said, "Reporting to General Qi. On the sixteenth of last month, Zhang Lian, a bandit from Guangdong, gathered 40,000 men and captured three prefectures and eighteen counties in Fujian and Jiangxi. He then usurped the title of Emperor of the Flying Dragon Kingdom."

"The imperial court has ordered Commander Yu to be transferred to the position of General of Southern Jiangxi, leading his troops from Zhejiang to Jiangxi to quell the Zhang Lian bandit rebellion."

This is extremely bad news.

Yesterday, Hu Zongxian sent someone to inform Qi Jiguang that within one or two months, all the Japanese pirates along the Zhejiang coast would come to Taizhou. At that time, Qi's and Yu's troops would join forces to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Now, Yu's troops have been transferred to Jiangxi. In the entire eastern Zhejiang, only Qi's troops remain as a vital force.

It's important to know that Qi Jiguang's force only numbered three thousand, while the Japanese pirates along the entire Zhejiang coast numbered over thirty thousand.

With three thousand against thirty thousand, the advantage lies with the enemy.

Even Qi Jiguang, a general with great composure, was on tenterhooks at this moment.

Since its establishment, Qi Jiguang's army had never fought a battle of this scale on its own.

In fact, Qi Jiguang, as the commander, seriously underestimated the fighting strength of his Yiwu soldiers.

Hangzhou, the Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang and Zhili.

Hu Zongxian was having a secret meeting with Tan Lun, the governor of Fujian.

Hu Zongxian, as the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, also oversaw military affairs in Fujian. Tan Lun was his subordinate.

Although one belonged to the Yan faction and the other to the Yuwang faction, they were close friends.

Tan Lun said, "Xu Wei and Lin Shisan's method is indeed feasible. However, Yu's troops have been transferred to Jiangxi by the court, and Qi's troops are fighting alone, so there is no guarantee of victory."

"Could the Yunnan campaign be postponed? Let Qi Jiguang's troops attack and annihilate the thousand scattered Japanese pirates who landed in Taizhou. That would be a satisfactory explanation to the court."

Hu Zongxian waved his hand and said, "You should know the situation in the court as well as I do."

"If we do not achieve a great victory in the southeast, I'm afraid the two major factions in the court will once again submit memorials suggesting that the Emperor abolish the Qi faction."

"Although Qi's army only numbered three thousand, it burned through half a million taels of the imperial treasury in just one year after its formation."

"The Qi family's weapons are all the best. I'll give them whatever they want. This alone has cost more than 300,000 taels of silver."

"Only a thousand or eight hundred Japanese pirates? That's just a minor victory. It won't shut up the two major factions in the court."

"Furthermore, you signed a military pledge on my behalf and on behalf of the soldiers of the Southeast in Yongshou Palace. It has been ten months, and there are only two months left until the one-year deadline."

"We can only follow Xu Wei and Lin Shisan's plan to lure all the Japanese pirates along the Zhejiang coast to Taizhou and annihilate them all at once."

Tan Lun sighed, "Brother Ruzhen, forgive my bluntness, but you are gambling."

Hu Zongxian nodded: "Yes, I'm gambling. I'm gambling on the complete victory of Zhejiang province in resisting the Japanese pirates!"

"The political situation at court is turbulent and unpredictable. I don't know how much longer I can serve as the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili. I don't have that many days left!"

"Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust. I trust Qi Jiguang and his three thousand comrades."

Meanwhile, in the capital, at the Yan residence.

Sitting in front of Yan Shifan was Xu Jie's eldest son, Xu Fan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

The chief minister and the deputy chief minister were at odds, engaging in open and covert struggles. However, they would still communicate privately on matters of common interest.

When powerful figures communicate with each other, they never do so personally. Instead, they send out agents.

The eldest son of the two is the most suitable agent.

Yan Shifan said, "Brother Xu, last year when Tan Lun and Tan Zili came to the capital to report on their duties, they made some kind of pledge in Yongshou Palace."

"It's been ten months, and those soldiers in the Zhejiang anti-Japanese garrison have done nothing but burn the government's silver like burning wood on the battlefield."

"My idea is that in two months, when the one-year period is up, we should join forces to submit a memorial impeaching Qi Jiguang and suggesting that His Majesty abolish the Qi Department."

Xu Fan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "What Brother Yan said is also what my father thinks. However, I don't know what slander Tan Zili has said to Prince Yu."

“Prince Yu wants to protect Hu Zongxian and Qi Jiguang. It is inconvenient for my people to submit a memorial that would openly go against Prince Yu’s wishes.”

Yan Shifan sneered: "Ha. If the Qi clan were abolished, your men would be able to earn a lot more silver in the southeast. Yet now you're cowering in fear?"

“If you don’t want to do this, then we’ll do it! Just stay neutral and don’t get in our way.”

Xu Fan and Yan Shifan high-fived and swore an oath: "Deal!"

In an effort to hinder the fight against Japanese pirates, the two major factions in the imperial court have once again joined forces, following the Zhenwu Camp incident last year.

The difference this time is that Yan's faction is acting as the henchmen, while Xu's faction remains neutral.

Sometimes, maintaining neutrality is also an attitude. A decisive battle with the Japanese pirates in Taizhou is imperative! If we drag this out any longer, the entire anti-Japanese resistance effort may be ruined.

Three days later, at the Nanjing Garrison Command.

Xu, the head of the Ministry of War, found Lin Shisan.

Xu, the steward, said, "Commander Lin, Minister Yang has replied. This batch of Yunnan horses can be lent to you."

"But please be careful. At least leave 2,500 horses for the Nine Borders."

"In order to demand the money from the Ministry of Revenue for purchasing this batch of Yunnan horses, our Minister Yang made more than a dozen trips to the Ministry of Revenue's main hall."

Lin Shisan said, "Don't worry about that. We're borrowing these Yunnan horses to transport supplies for the war against the Japanese pirates, not to ride them into battle."

"We will definitely return the goods intact within two months. At most, there will be a loss of a few hundred horses, and the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili will compensate the Ministry of War accordingly."

Xu, the steward, said, "That's good. The Yunnan horses are currently encamped at the Puzikou military camp. You can send someone to deploy them at any time."

After seeing off Manager Xu, Lin Shisan found Yang Jinshui.

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Eunuch Yang, you have been running the weaving bureau for many years, so you must be very familiar with the silk and cloth merchants in Zhejiang, right?"

Yang Jinshui nodded: "I dare not speak of others. The top silk and cloth merchants in Zhejiang all listen to me. Except for the Xu family of Songjiang."

Lin Shisan said, "I have something to ask of you."

Yang Jinshui took a sip of tea: "What is it? Tell me."

Lin Shisan said, "Could you give those silk and cloth merchants a heads-up? Tell them that the imperial court recently reached a major trade deal with the Portuguese worth four million taels of silver."

"Silk and cloth accounted for 60% of the transaction, amounting to 2.4 million taels."

"The silk and cloth stockpiled by the weaving bureau is far from sufficient. We will purchase more from silk and cloth merchants."

Yang Jinshui was unaware of the Yunnan horse strategy.

He said, "Good heavens. If this gets out, the prices of silk and cloth in Zhejiang will probably skyrocket."

"You little rascal, you're not so happy with the ice cellar business, are you? You've got your sights set on the silk and cloth trade. You've secretly stockpiled a huge amount of silk and cloth. You want me to spread the word and help you make a fortune?"

Lin Shisan said solemnly, "Eunuch Yang underestimates me, Lin Shisan! I am not Yan Song or Xu Jie. I would never manipulate market prices for personal gain!"

"This is fake news. It is closely related to military affairs in Zhejiang."

"If you don't believe me, I can have Minister Hu Zongxian write you a letter."

Yang Jinshui nodded: "Okay. I trust you. When do you want me to let the news out?"

Lin Shisan replied, "Wait for my news. This wind will only be effective if it blows out at the right time."

Lin Shisan knew that silk and cloth merchants in Zhejiang had some connections with Japanese pirates.

He planned to wait for Hojo Koji to sell false information, and then have Yang Jinshui spread the word to indirectly confirm that the false information was "true".

Now everything is ready, except for getting what he wants from Koji Hojo.

That night, on the flower boat at Wenyuan Xiuju.

A handsome young man with fair skin was sitting opposite Koji Hojo.

This pale-faced young man was as small as a bean, and short in stature. He was a spy for the notorious Japanese pirate, Mikami Sakatora.

The original meaning of the character "倭" is short in stature and wretched in appearance. This spy, however, is quite handsome, and his name is something like Shinzaemon.

Hojo Koji said, "I'll ask for 10,000 taels for this intelligence."

Shinzaemon frowned: "What?! That's too expensive!"

Hojo Koji said, "Your esteemed Mikami spent 10,000 taels of silver to buy my information, and you can earn back a full 4 million taels."

Shinzaemon's eyes lit up: "Red bean paste? Four million taels?"

Hojo Koji said, "If you're unwilling to pay this amount of money for this information, there are plenty of people who would like to buy it!"

"There are at least five people along the Zhejiang coast whose strength is comparable to that of the Third Prince!"

"If your Lord Mikami succeeds in earning four million taels of silver from the Ming Dynasty, it will be enough for him to return to our homeland and establish a regional power as a lord or daimyo."

Shinzaemon asked, "What exactly is the intelligence? I only brought five thousand taels of silver notes to Nanjing."

Koji Hojo lowered his voice: "I can only tell you that this intelligence is related to the large-scale trade between the Ming Dynasty and the Portuguese."

"The rest, you need to raise 10,000 taels, and then I will tell you the information in detail."

Shinzaemon said, "Could you wait for me for ten days? I will return to sea and report to Lord Mikami to raise the silver."

Koji Hojo shook his head: "Ten days? That's too long! Do you believe that the moment you step off my pleasure boat, someone will be willing to pay ten thousand taels for this information?"

Shinzaemon was in a dilemma: "I really didn't bring enough money! I'll have to go back to sea to get it."

Koji Hojo thought for a moment and said, "How about this? This isn't the first time we've collaborated. Mikami-kun is a regular customer of mine."

"I'm giving them some discounts because I'm a regular customer."

Shinzaemon asked, "What kind of discount?"

Hojo Koji laughed and said, "You'll help me kill someone? Killing him will be worth five thousand taels of silver."

Shinzaemon beamed with delight: "Kill someone? That's too easy for us. Who should we kill?"

Koji Hojo replied, "Hu Dusi, a major tea merchant in Nanjing."

Lin Shisan's considerations regarding Yunnan Ma Ce were extremely thorough. He had anticipated that the Japanese pirates who purchased intelligence might not be able to carry the full ten thousand taels of silver.

That's easy, just kill someone for me!

Within Nanjing, there are numerous wealthy merchants who secretly collude with Japanese pirates in smuggling. Without exception, these men all have powerful backers in the imperial court. Lin Shisan cannot touch them.

I can't touch them, but surely the Japanese pirates can?
Lin Shisan gave Hojo Koji a list of merchants who colluded with the Japanese. The little Japanese aren't enough silver? They'll kill people for us to make up the difference!
Shinzaemon was overjoyed: "I know this person. He's very close to Tomoda Masahiro. The Tomoda family and the Mikami family have always been sworn enemies!"

"Killing Hu Dusi will be beneficial to Lord San Shang. I agree."

Hojo Koji laughed and said, "Very well. Tomorrow evening, I hope you will bring five thousand taels of silver notes and Hu Dusi's head to trade with me."

Shinzaemon immediately nodded: "Absolutely no problem! Wait for my good news!"

The following evening, Shinzaemon indeed brought Hu Duji's head to the Bunkenshuju.

The human head was wrapped in layers of cloth.

Shinzaemon said, "Please keep your promise. What about the intelligence?"

Hojo Koji replied, "The Ming court has reached a major trade agreement with the Portuguese for a price of four million taels of silver. The transaction took place on the coast of Taizhou."

"This batch of goods includes top-quality silk, top-quality cloth, top-quality tea, top-quality porcelain, and jewelry and jade."

"Before long, merchants of all sizes throughout the southeast will be transporting their stockpiled goods to the vicinity of Taizhou, waiting for the Portuguese to dock and trade."

"Around late April, all the goods will be stockpiled in Taizhou under the unified allocation of the Ming government."

"If your forces can land and swallow this shipment whole, you'll make a fortune! It'll be equivalent to thirty years of plundering the Ming coast!"

Shinzaemon's face was already beaming with excitement: "Yoshi!"

(End of this chapter)