Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 60 Old Friend
In the 18th year of the Wanli reign, the -year-old Ding Baiying defeated the nearly -year-old head of the Qi family's martial arts school, Zhuge Qian, in the last competition of the year, and announced his departure.

Three years ago, in the 20nd year of the Wanli reign, Lu Wenzhao, then years old and still untrained, received tragic news from his mother. The next day, his master, Zhuge Qian, feigned defeat. Lu Wenzhao then began his apprenticeship.

The imperial court stipulated that military officers were not allowed to observe mourning periods. So from the moment his father passed away, Lu Wenzhao became the new hereditary commander of the Jinyiwei.

But at this time, he only inherited the title of centurion, not the position of centurion. If he wanted to become a centurion of the Jinyiwei, he still had many procedures to go through.

In the Ming Dynasty, going through the motions meant spending money. Logically, the imperial guards in the capital wouldn't be short of money; they could just ask a few wealthy families for favors and they'd have everything.

But Lu Wenzhao's father Lu Zhi is a Qi Jingtong-like character.

Lu Zhiren lived up to his name, a man of integrity. He refused to accept regular gifts or tributes, and on several occasions even voluntarily handed over the "life-saving money" given to him by wealthy families. For decades, he relied solely on his salary from the court to support his family.

Integrity has a price, the most direct of which is poverty.

The salaries set by the court for officials were too low, so low that they could not even afford the ceremonial expenses required by the court.

So, when Lu Wenzhao returned to his hometown in northern Zhili, he was surprised to find that the family's savings were not even enough to provide a decent funeral for his father. To pay for the funeral and inherit his position, Lu Wenzhao used his identity as a Jinyiwei to borrow 500 taels of silver from the local Xuanchangji branch.

According to the rule of "nine out, thirteen back," Lu Wenzhao received 450 taels on the spot, and was due to pay back 650 taels when the due date came. Xuanchangji was a conscientious bank, and they didn't resort to the draconian tactics of paying back a high-ranking figure like the Jinyiwei, but rather gave Lu Wenzhao a year to repay the principal and interest.

If the payment was not made on time, the interest for the second year would be calculated as 30% of the 650 taels, which is 195 taels. Even if it was only one day late, Lu Wenzhao would have to pay a total of 845 taels of silver.

Lu Wenzhao left all the family savings to his mother, used fifty taels of the four hundred and fifty taels to give his father a fairly grand funeral, and after spending the remaining four hundred taels on the "procedure", he still was not able to get a real centurion.

When he joined the Imperial Guard, he was a rank 7th-rank general flagman, two ranks below the rank 6th-rank centurion. If he didn't have a hereditary title, he might never have been able to rise these two ranks in his lifetime.

But he only held the position of general flag for three years. In the 18th year of the Wanli reign, the year when 23-year-old Ding Baiying defeated the head of the sect and officially started his apprenticeship, -year-old Lu Wenzhao was promoted to the position of trial centurion of the Jinyiwei thanks to his father-in-law's relationship.

In the 47th year of the Wanli reign, Emperor Shenzong ordered General Yang Hao to dispatch troops to Sarhu. Lu Wenzhao volunteered to join the campaign as a member of the Imperial Guard. He remembered that his father, who was neither greedy nor corrupt, had been able to inherit the position because of his participation in the Wanli Korean War.

But Yang Jinglue lost three armies in just four days, and the Ming army suffered over 45,000 casualties. Generals Du Song, Liu Ying, and Ma Lin were all killed in action, leaving only Li Rubai to lead the entire southern army back.

"Ding Baiying?" After not seeing her for five years, Ding Baiying had completely changed. So Lu Wenzhao was not sure for a moment.

"It's me! Senior Brother!" Ding Baiying was both surprised and delighted, completely changing her usual calm and composed female warrior image. Fortunately, she hadn't forgotten her employer, so she didn't rush over directly. She just jumped in place and waved.

"Brother, this is my junior sister." Yin Cheng's face was full of teasing.

"Brother, Junior Sister." Yin Cheng started a good example, and the other captains followed suit.

"Getting to work!" Shen Lian tapped the table lightly and shouted in a low voice.

Lu Wenzhao was delighted to see his junior sister, but he was currently on official business and couldn't easily recognize her. If Ding Baiying had called out his identity, his mission today would have been ruined, and he would have been punished when he returned to the government office.

Lu Wenzhao turned and glared at Yin Cheng fiercely, then stood up and quickly walked over to Ding Baiying. He said, "Junior sister, I'm here with a few friends today for a drink. How about we meet again another day?" Ding Baiying was incredibly perceptive; she quickly understood the key points:
Lu Wenzhao was a member of the Imperial Guard, so his best friend must also be one. She knew her senior brother well and knew that a place like the Sun and Moon Stars Tower was not something that a member of the Imperial Guard, who lived on their salaries, could afford.

The answer is obvious: the thirty or forty Portuguese who entered the Zhaixing Tower are on the second floor, and the senior brother brought the Jinyiwei to monitor them.

"Okay." Ding Baiying suppressed the excitement on his face and nodded in reply.

Lu Wenzhao's mind was completely focused on Ding Baiying, and Zhang Shirui, who was walking in front of him, became a background figure. It was only when he was about to turn and leave that he bowed to Zhang Shirui as a greeting. "Greetings, young lady. I'm Lu Wenzhao. Ding Baiying's senior brother."

"Hello, Mr. Lu. My last name is Zhang, and I'm a good friend of Miss Ding." Zhang Shirui returned the greeting without saying anything else.

On the other side of the screen, Guo Jujing felt that the voice sounded very familiar.

"Brother Yangfeng, what's wrong?" Xu Guangqi noticed that Guo Jujing was acting strangely.

"I seemed to hear the voice of an old friend." Guo Jujing replied.

He knew the Jinyiwei? Xu Guangqi was puzzled, so he asked tentatively, "Are you talking about the other table of guests outside the screen?"

"No, what I mean is..." Before Guo Jujing finished speaking, Zhang Shirui came over holding Ding Baiying's hand.

Guo Jujing stood up and pointed at Zhang Shirui with four fingers together: "I'm talking about this girl."

"Mr. Guo Guo." Zhang Shirui hesitated. She didn't know how to address the missionary, so she had to call him Mr.

"Miss Zhang." Guo Jujing replied.

"This Miss Ding is my friend. I was having dinner with her on the third floor. I saw the Jesuits from the window, so I came to pay them a visit." Zhang Shirui let go of Ding Baiying and resumed his previous calmness and modesty.

"Hello, Miss Ding, hello, Miss Zhang." Guo Jujing first greeted Ding Baiying who was introduced, and then greeted Zhang Shirui.

After the greetings, it was Guo Jujing's turn to introduce them. He wasn't sure if Zhang Shirui and Xu Guangqi would reveal their identities. So he looked at them inquiringly, and after receiving a positive hint, he began to introduce them: "This is Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites and Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He is also a Jesuit."

"This is Mr. Long, the current president of the Society of Jesus."

"This Miss Zhang is the daughter of Master Zhang Tianshi of Mount Longhu."

The atmosphere fell into silence, and for a moment neither side reacted.

The Jinyiwei on the other side of the screen also pricked up their ears.

It was Zhang Tianshi's Zhang. Interesting. Lu Wenzhao pondered this in his mind while signaling with his eyes to the captain in charge of recording to listen carefully.

(End of this chapter)