Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 102: Jesus’ Protection (Pseudo)
A moment later, Dinesh João led the other four business representatives into the study. "President Nicolo Longobardi! You called the five of us here. You must have some good news, right?"

"That's right." Long Huamin was still smiling. "Congratulations to everyone."

"Any news from the palace?" Dinesh João was about to offer a few pleasantries when the anxious arms dealer Harald Brandt jumped in and interrupted him. This displeased the largest shipowner, who had contributed the most capital.

"Yes. After the unremitting efforts of my Jesuit Order, the royal palace decided to invite all the maritime merchants to Lord Xu's residence to discuss the specific matters of maritime trade." Long Huamin first took the credit on the Jesuit Order.

"Will the Emperor come?" Harald Brandt's eyes almost sparkled.

"Could you please stop asking such stupid questions?" Dinesh João seized the opportunity and immediately retorted to Harald Brandt. "Why would the emperor come to discuss business with you? Who do you think you are?"

"Do you dare to say that again?" Harald Brandt was so angry that he almost challenged a duel immediately.

"All right, all right!" Władysław Amato stepped in to smooth things over. "We're here to do business, not to quarrel. Listen to President Niccolò Longobardi."

After the two men had calmed down, Long Huamin said sternly, "When you go to discuss business, please don't embarrass the Jesuit Order like this."

Dinesh João was immediately satisfied when he saw Harald Brandt's face, which was as red as pig liver. He apologized to Long Huamin smoothly: "I apologize to you, President Nicolo Longobardi. I personally will never embarrass you."

Soon after, merchants including Harald Brandt also gave the assurance.

"Very good, I hope you will do what you say." Long Huamin nodded with satisfaction. He thought quickly and took advantage of this sudden little conflict to say that the businessmen were part of the Jesuit Order.

Long Huamin took out the invitation letter handed to him by Xu Guangqi and continued, "To discuss the details of maritime trade, please order Dinesh João, Władysław Amato, Harald Brandt, Ryan Hobbs, Rogers Heydrich, and others to come to the Xu residence in Mingshifang on the evening of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. The seventh day of the twelfth lunar month is the day after tomorrow."

Long Huamin cunningly deleted the first sentence, changed "please" to "please order", and changed "all sea merchants" to "etc.". Anyway, they couldn't understand the original letter even if they were given it.

"President Nicolo Longobardi, aren't you going?" Dinesh Joao asked.

Long Huamin did not give a direct answer, but chuckled and said mysteriously: "The Jesuits are going to meet the emperor." There was a subtle but noticeable irony in his smile, as if to say: The Jesuits disdain to get involved in business matters.

"Oh, right. 'No more waiting.'" Long Huamin pretended to hesitate, but finally "still" said the last four words.

"What does this mean?" asked Dinesh Joao.

"These four words mean that you only have this one chance." Long Huamin accurately portrayed the arrogant attitude of Ming officials towards maritime merchants.

"We will definitely seize the opportunity God has given us," the merchants said with a pious air. "As long as you have faith, God will bless you." Long Huamin's face showed satisfaction, but in his heart he thought: This is the best I can do.

------

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, a vermilion lantern was hung at the back door of the Xu residence. That same day, the Imperial Guards and the Western Depot received a martial law order from the Imperial Household Department. The martial law extended from Dong'an Gate to the Imperial Examination Hall, encompassing the three streets and alleys of Nanxunfang, Chengqingfang, and Mingshifang.

Because the exit from the palace was secret, the curfew didn't require shops along the street to close, much less disperse the crowds. Everything seemed normal, but in reality, every tavern and teahouse along the way had a few new customers. A quick observation revealed that these newcomers only chose seats near the door or window, and once they left, their seats were taken by another group of newcomers.

If we go back a few decades or even centuries, experienced and knowledgeable shopkeepers would have guessed that the emperor would secretly leave the palace in the coming days to investigate public sentiment. However, after the Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli emperors imposed self-imposed restrictions, only rumors of the emperor's incognito visits remained, with no idea of ​​what they portended. Shop owners were simply delighted by the sudden uptick in business, with customers sitting in their shops, sipping tea and chatting, from opening to closing time.

Lu Zhongqiu was sitting in a tavern on the third floor at the intersection of East Chang'an Street. Opposite the tavern was the former site of Taiji Factory. The view was extremely broad, and he could lock onto the entire street without looking too much.

"Dad, this tea is too expensive. One cup costs four coins. And I can't even taste anything good." Lu Shuangyang smacked his lips, as if savoring the light tea he had just gulped down.

"You're a wild boar, you can't even chew the chaff you're given." Lu Zhongqiu glanced at his son with dissatisfaction. "Your father is now in charge of hundreds of people. After all, he's an official working for the emperor. How can you not afford a four-cent silver cup of tea?"

Having said that, if the money cannot be reimbursed and he has to pay for the tea himself, he will definitely not come.

"Don't be so harsh. If you really have a temper, don't report it to your superiors after the job is done." Lu Shuangyang had been a bit rebellious lately, and whenever he found an opportunity, he would argue with his father. But the key point was that he wasn't being unreasonable; every word he said was well-founded.

The Western Depot maintained its own independent accounts, with all its expenses coming from the Emperor's treasury. Each special operation would receive additional funding; in other words, the cup of pre-rain Longjing tea in front of him was paid for by the Emperor.

"You little bastard!" Lu Zhongqiu pretended to hit Lu Shuangyang on the head.

"There are regulations in the factory that superiors are not allowed to beat or scold their subordinates without reason." Lu Shuangyang shrank back, and it was obvious that he was still afraid of his father's slap.

The Imperial Western Factory Regulations stipulated that superiors could beat, whip, or cane their subordinates, but they had to provide clear and reasonable grounds and document them. Subordinates who were beaten could appeal to the Internal Audit Office. Once the appeal process was initiated, the individual involved would be suspended from all duties, and the Internal Audit Office would conduct a thorough investigation. If the appeal was found to be true, the superior would be dismissed pending investigation, and would pay the subordinate's medical expenses and double compensation. If the appeal was false, the superior would be punished with a higher penalty for false accusation.

"Unprovoked? It's only natural for me to beat my son. If you keep talking nonsense, I will beat you today even if I have to report you to my superiors." Lu Zhongqiu still gently hit Lu Shuangyang on the head.

"Tomorrow is the time to get down to business. If you confuse me now, you'll be missing a capable person tomorrow."

"I'd be thankful if you could stop giving me trouble."

(End of this chapter)