Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 389: Benefiting the Country and the People, Living Up to the Emperor's Order

When the officials from the three guards of Tianjin came to the lobby together, the chairs and coffee table had already been set up.

Tianjin Governor Sun Chengzong and Deputy Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Jin Zhong, were sitting on two chairs facing south. Whenever Jin Zhong attended a meeting, Sun Chengzong would let him sit next to him.

Sun Chengzong's intentions were clear. Although Jin Zhong held a low position, he wouldn't even be noticed among the eunuchs, let alone a rank within the palace. However, since he had been ordered out of the palace, he was effectively an "imperial envoy" sent by the palace. Therefore, respecting him meant respecting the palace and the emperor. Sun Chengzong didn't have the moral scruples of a "gentleman," nor was he afraid of being labeled a "Qu'an Nei Rong." As long as they weren't the kind of infamous pests that incurred the wrath of heaven and man, Sun Chengzong would befriend them.

In addition to Sun Chengzong and Jin Zhong, there were Mi Wanzhong, Langzhong of the Ministry of Works, Lu Shanji, the director of the Ministry of Revenue's finances, and a standing servant.

Upon seeing the arrival of the military officers from the Three Guards, not a single person in the room stood up. The eunuchs and civil officials simply sat there quietly, silently observing these military officers who had come from afar and waited for so long. This didn't seem like a meeting, but rather a trial.

Even though they had expected this to be a show of force, the guards' already anxious hearts still began to tremble. Even Zhu Daye, who was about to hit someone in a fit of rage, now looked like an eggplant hit by frost. He hung his head, looked listless, and did not dare to breathe loudly.

The first person to react was Ma Yongan, the acting seal-bearer of Tianjin Right Guard. After a moment's hesitation, he quickly walked to Sun Chengzong's main seat, bowed deeply, and said, "Your humble servant and I rushed here as soon as we received the imperial edict from the Governor's Office, but we were caught in such a sudden downpour. Despite our haste, we've finally kept you all waiting."

In terms of official rank, Ma Yongan and Zhang Bojun were both third-rank military officers, one rank higher than Sun Chengzong, the fourth-rank Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. However, in those days, the divisions between high-ranking and low-ranking officials were no longer based on the Hongwu system. Since Sun Chengzong had the authority to "rectify military affairs," he was the superior of garrison officials like Ma Yongan and Zhang Bojun.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!" Ma Yong'an's words were like the crowing of a rooster at dawn, waking the other three guards from their horrifying dreams. They hurriedly followed Ma Yong'an's example and bowed to the eunuchs and civil servants.

Sun Chengzong stood up, and the other three followed suit.

"It's cold in late spring, and you've all been through thick and thin. I can imagine how hard it must have been. It won't hurt if we wait a little longer." Sun Chengzong raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and said basic polite words with a half-smile.

"It's not hard, it's not hard." The four guards also said with laughter.

"Let's get acquainted first," Sun Chengzong waved towards Jin Zhong. "This is Deputy Director Jin of the Miscellaneous Construction Bureau of the Imperial Household Department. Deputy Director Jin came to Tianjin primarily to select a suitable site for the palace's industries."

"I am Jin Zhong." That was all Jin Zhong said.

The four guards had heard about the eunuchs' arrival in Tianjin. But they hadn't figured out what they were doing there. Hearing that Jin Zhong wasn't sent by the East or West Depot, the four officers breathed a sigh of relief. "Greetings, Deputy Director Jin," the four guards saluted.

But Jin Zhong nodded slightly and did not return them one by one.

"This is Doctor Mi from the Ministry of Works' Construction Department. Doctor Mi came to Tianjin mainly for matters such as city wall repairs and barracks renovations." Sun Chengzong then introduced Mi Wanzhong.

"My name is Mi Wanzhong. Nice to meet you." Mi Wanzhong's attitude was much better than Jin Zhong's, but that was all.

"Greetings, Doctor Mi." The four guards had no impression of Mi Wanzhong, who was not a special official.

But if they are willing to spend time to pretend to be cultured, write poetry and paint, they will know that Mi Wanzhong's name is not just big, but very big. So big that when literati and poets talk about the name "Mi Wanzhong", people don't think of the Langzhong of the Ministry of Works, but the great calligrapher and painter who is known as "Dong in the South and Mi in the North" together with Dong Qichang.

Last year, Dong Qichang, who had been unemployed, was reinstated by the new emperor and brought to Beijing. Some had hoped to bring the two together for a match. However, the political situation was volatile, with the emperor briefly flirting with a major purge. Both officials, keen to play it safe, didn't want to expose themselves during such a sensitive period and suffer unnecessary consequences. Consequently, this match never materialized, a significant regret for the calligraphy and painting world.

Finally, Sun Chengzong introduced Lu Shanji to the four guards: "This is Lu, the head of the Ministry of Revenue. He came to Tianjin mainly to assist the governor in supervising the management of military farms and grain."

"My name is Lu Shanji. Nice to meet you." Lu Shanji was still very polite, at least his smile was brighter than the previous two.

"Greetings, Chief Lu." The four guards knew that Lu Shanji had come to Tianjin with Sun Chengzong. They also knew that in addition to Lu Shanji, Sun Chengzong had also brought a battalion commander, but that commander did not appear to be attending the meeting.

The four of them thought that after the introductions, Sun Chengzong would let them introduce themselves and then get down to business. But unexpectedly, Sun Chengzong actually waved to Shen Zhengping who was standing behind the four guards.

Shen Zhengping was startled for a moment, then quickly walked up to Sun Chengzong and bowed with a very humble attitude. "What are your instructions, Zhongcheng?"

"No orders. Just an introduction." Sun Chengzong chuckled and said, "This is the Shen Zhenfu of the Zhongwei Zhenfu Division, the current acting seal holder, and my right-hand man since I took office. I believe you have already met him."

The four people did not expect that Sun Chengzong would openly promote Shen Zhengping, the guy who "sold whores and built saints", to the level of his "right-hand man".

"Yes, yes! I've seen him." They were stunned at first, and then they all agreed, smoothly transferring their flattering smiles towards Sun Chengzong to Shen Zhengping, without any trace of the contempt they had shown earlier on their faces.

After hearing Sun Chengzong's words, Shen Zhengping's face immediately lit up. He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "How dare I accept this responsibility? I am only following the Zhongcheng's instructions and doing what I can. Where I am unable to do so, I have caused a lot of trouble for the Zhongcheng and the others."

"Shen Zhenfu is too modest." Sun Chengzong smiled and waved his hand towards Lu Jishan's lower seat. "Sit down."

The four guards were in awe. This was another revelation. Even if Shen Zhengping took over the seal of the Central Guard, he should not sit in front of Ma Yongan and Zhang Bojun, who were also acting seal holders. At most, he should sit in front of Wu Shihuan and Zhu Daye. Sun Chengzong did this to clearly promote Shen Zhengping to a special status different from the left and right guards.
"Tea!" Without waiting for the guards to think about anything else, Sun Chengzong didn't even give them time to introduce themselves. Following his order, several attendants immediately filed in with hot tea and arranged the cups for the guests.

After everyone was seated and refreshments were served, Sun Chengzong coughed lightly and got straight to the point: "Let's discuss the matter."

Sun Chengzong's voice was not loud, but its effect was no less than a thunderclap, instantly reducing the already silent hall to the sound of rain hitting tiles. The four guards' tension instantly reached its peak.

Sun Chengzong spoke slowly: "This governor and my colleagues have been in Tianjin for more than a month. I think you have already found out why this governor came here." As he spoke, Sun Chengzong looked around, and wherever he looked, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Very good." Sun Chengzong nodded and continued, "With the assistance of Shen Zhenfu, the Fuyuan thoroughly investigated the situation of the Central Guard from top to bottom. It can only be said that it is shocking." As soon as these words came out, the already gloomy faces of the four guards became even uglier.

Shen Zhengping was also stunned. Sun Chengzong was fabricating facts right in front of him. Shen Zhengping had not participated in the investigation of Zhongwei's current situation at all. Sun Chengzong wouldn't even let him enter the Experience Office, let alone assist in the investigation. All Shen Zhengping could do was, as he said, help Sun Chengzong with some minor chores with his four thousand-foot-strong troops to maintain Tianjin Zhongwei's basic function as a water transport hub.

At this point, Sun Chengzong paused again. He turned to look at the servant Sun Sui standing behind him, waved forward, and said, "Show the outline of the case files to you gentlemen."

"Yes." Sun Sui walked over to the wooden table by the wall and picked up a wooden tray. On the tray was a paperweight, and underneath it were several case files swaying in the wind.

Shen Zhengping originally thought that Sun Sui would first give him a case file outline, but unexpectedly, Sun Sui walked directly to Ma Yongan with a tray in his hand.

Sun Sui put the tray down on the coffee table, but didn't remove the paperweight. Instead, he grabbed the edge of the first case file outline and pulled it out with a jerk. The other case files continued to be weighed down by the paperweight on the tray.

"Mr. Ma, please." Sun Sui handed the case file outline to Ma Yongan with both hands.

"Have we met before?" Ma Yongan's pupils shrank. He didn't remember having seen the person in front of him before.

Sun Sui didn't reply. He just smiled smugly and made another gesture of presentation. "Ma Tongzhi, please take a look."

Ma Yongan had no choice but to take the outline with trepidation and read it.

Then, Sun Sui handed the case files to Zhang Bojun, Zhu Daye, and Wu Shihuan in order. Sun Sui had never seen these people before, and the guards did not introduce themselves, but this did not prevent Sun Sui from analyzing who these people were.

Ma Yongan was the first to speak up, and the first thing he said was "My Lords, I've been waiting for a long time", so Sun Sui guessed that this person was most likely the officer of the Left Guard who arrived later. Moreover, he was wearing the scarlet tiger and leopard patched uniform of a third-rank military officer. Combining the two, it is self-evident who Ma Tongzhi of the Left Guard is. Now that Ma Tongzhi's identity has been confirmed, the other third-rank military officer can only be Zhang Tongzhi of the Right Guard. As for the remaining two assistants, it is highly likely that they will not sit with the other party's officers. So from the moment Ma Yongan asked back, Sun Sui basically determined who these guards were.

After handing the case file outline to the four guards on his left and right, Sun Sui turned back to the wooden table. After putting down the tray, he returned to stand behind Sun Chengzong. During this time, Sun Sui passed by Shen Zhengping's seat, but did not show any intention of stopping.

As Sun Sui passed by, Shen Zhengping leaned over slightly to look at the tray, only to find a solitary paperweight. This meant that the tray had only contained the four case files, and Sun Chengzong hadn't bothered to show them to him. Shen Zhengping didn't know what Sun Chengzong meant by this, and he looked at him in confusion, but Sun Chengzong remained seated, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his expression unmistakable.

Although the dossier is brief and concise, it covers a wide range of topics, from the inventory of granaries and silver vaults to the shortage of soldiers in the garrisons and the encroachment of military farms by officials at all levels. It covers every aspect of garrison governance. However, one government office is omitted: the Pacification Office.

Zhang Bojun felt that Sun Chengzong's hint was already obvious. It was almost as if he had written on paper, "As long as you cooperate, everything will be fine." Of course, he was willing to cooperate. Zhang Bojun glanced at Shen Zhengping with interest, but that glance was the reason he lost the initiative.

Just as Zhang Bojun was about to speak, Zhu Daye, who had jumped the highest and made the most noise before, unexpectedly jumped ahead of the other three and shouted, "Shocking, absolutely shocking!"

Zhu Daye's voice was very loud, and it immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Zhang Bojun reacted quickly as well. He was stunned for a moment, then he immediately agreed: "This is not just shocking, it's horrifying!" Since Zhu Daye had taken the initiative, Zhang Bojun could only work hard on his wording to show his importance.

Then, Ma Yongan and Wu Shihuan, who were a bit slower, also reacted and hurriedly followed suit, echoing their words. In a moment, the hall was filled with a second noise besides the sound of rain. After serving as an official for more than ten or twenty years, this instinct to seek profit and avoid harm had been cultivated.

"Hahaha!" Jin Zhong, who was sitting next to Sun Chengzong, suddenly burst into laughter, instantly replacing the second noise with his own.

"What are you laughing at, Deputy Director Jin?" Lu Shanji asked.

"Of course I'm smiling because I'm happy. The three guards in Tianjin are all so tactful, aren't they!" Jin Zhong shrugged. "They're all such righteous officials. I'm sure our mission will go smoothly." As he spoke, Jin Zhong glanced at Mi Wanzhong, who was sitting across from Lu Shanji. "Doctor Mi, isn't that right?"

Mi Wanzhong's mouth twitched. He didn't want to respond to Jin Zhong's question, but he couldn't remain silent. So he nodded and said something correct: "It's good to live up to the emperor's orders and benefit the country and the people."

Unexpectedly, Sun Chengzong immediately picked up on Mi Wanzhong's words, "Deputy Director Jin, Doctor Mi is right! As long as it benefits the country and the people, it is not in vain for the emperor's grace."

(End of this chapter)