Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 86 Suzaku Pavilion

Sun and Moon Star-Picking Tower, third floor, Vermillion Bird Pavilion.

This was one of the four most luxurious private rooms in the restaurant, boasting an exceptional view. From the comfort of one's seat, one could gaze upon the tower and moat in the southeast corner of the imperial city. Consequently, it was extremely expensive, with the entrance fee alone costing fifteen taels of silver, a full three times the price of the "Bamboo Pavilion."

At first glance, the only empty seat at the table was the main seat. The Ming dynasty prioritized the left as the most prestigious, so the seat to the left of the main seat naturally went to Long Huamin, the highest-ranking Jesuit president. Seated to the right was Guo Jujing, a veteran who appeared to be at odds with Long Huamin.

The remaining six people were Ginni and five sea merchants. They sat in the six empty seats between the two seats. Six seats meant three-thirds; moving closer to one side meant moving away from the other. The only middle ground here was the main seat.

"Sir, please come in." The servant pushed open the door and gestured for invitation.

"Yeah." Xu Guangqi nodded, then took out a few large copper coins and handed them to the servant.

"Thank you, sir." The servant nodded repeatedly. It wasn't much, but it was enough for a meal.

Seeing Xu Guangqi coming, everyone present stood up and bowed.

There are eight private rooms on the third floor of the Sun and Moon Star-Picking Tower, with Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise occupying four sides, and plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum embellishing the four corners.

The Vermillion Bird is located in the north, with "Mei Zhuang" and "Lanting" on both sides.

Inside the Lanting Pavilion, Jinyiwei Captain Lu Wenzhao was leading his six-man team against the wall, eavesdropping on the conversation. Lu Wenzhao was now almost certain that the Emperor and Lord Xu had at least some kind of tacit understanding, and they were the ones who were responsible for relaying the messages.

He hadn't, and dared not, tell anyone this secret. The events above were always covered by a pure black curtain, and only the person who drew it knew the full story. He had accidentally lifted a corner of the curtain, and was able to glimpse a clue.

This glimpse allowed him to achieve something with just words that even a few hundred taels of silver couldn't. Normally, promotion to the rank of Trial Hundred Household requires not only money but also merit, as the superiors only have the power to recommend, not appoint or dismiss. Promotions and demotions all come from above, and the ministers have no say. While the emperor generally wouldn't reject a recommendation from a trusted minister, there was always the chance he'd ask, "What are this person's accomplishments?"
Lu Wenzhao knew that being overly clever and greedy were the two quickest ways to death. No matter what was hidden under the curtain, whoever unveiled it would only face death. So all he could do was use this opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty as a Jinyiwei to the emperor and pretend to know nothing.

"It's a waste of money." Lu Wenzhao heard Xu Guangqi's voice.

"Why be so formal? Please take a seat." Long Huamin smiled broadly. He walked over to Xu Guangqi, took his arm, and led him to the main seat. "This is Father Ginnige. He was looking for opportunities to preach in Nanjing and came to Beijing a few days ago with Johann Adam Schall von Bell."

"So you are Father Ginigo who led the team back to Europe to report to the Pope. I have heard of your name for a long time." Xu Guangqi performed a standard greeting.

"I've heard a lot about you." Ginni returned the greeting.

"Little friend Tang has also come to Beijing?"

"Yes." Ginni nodded and then asked, "Have you seen it?"

"We met once before." Xu Guangqi had a good impression of this smart young man.

Long Huamin certainly knew that Xu Guangqi and Johann Adam Schall von Bell were acquainted, but he had never intended to invite Schall von Bell to come. If Schall von Bell and the merchants started arguing again, it would be a huge loss of face.

After a few rounds of toasts and greetings, Xu Guangqi was the first to speak, knowingly asking, "Chairman Long Huamin, what is the purpose of inviting me here?"

"Since Minister Xu asked, I will tell you directly." Long Huamin followed Xu Guangqi's example and used his Chinese title instead of his Christian name.

"Go ahead," Xu Guangqi nodded. "When will the Emperor grant us an audience?" Long Huamin asked.

"You've stumped me with your first question." Xu Guangqi looked ashamed and laughed awkwardly. "I'm a foreign minister. If I want to see the emperor, I need to submit a petition. It's the same as you guys. And even if I met the emperor, I wouldn't ask about this matter."

"Why is this?" Long Huamin was puzzled.

"Haha." Xu Guangqi didn't seem to take it too seriously. He chuckled twice and replied, "Because the emperor is the ruler and I am the subject. It is disrespectful for a subject to urge the ruler."

"Where is the gift list?" Long Huamin asked.

He had heard Matteo Ricci say that one of the important reasons why Emperor Wanli allowed Matteo Ricci to come to Beijing was that he became interested in clocks after reading the gift list presented by the eunuch Ma Tang from Linqing.

"The gift list and the memorial were submitted together," Xu Guangqi said regretfully, "but I'm afraid only the eunuchs in the palace know the emperor's reaction to the tribute."

"Is there any way to hint at it indirectly?" Long Huamin continued to ask.

"I don't understand." He poured himself a glass of wine.

"Here." Long Huamin took out a large silver note of one thousand taels from his sleeve pocket.

Xu Guangqi was not surprised: "You mean through connections in the palace?"

"Yes. That's what I mean." Long Huamin said without any intention of being polite. "If it's not enough, you can add more."

Xu Guangqi didn't answer directly, but said, "Matteo Ricci came to Beijing in the 28th year of his reign and passed away in the 38th year. During this time, he relied on the eunuchs to communicate with the late emperor. Through this constant interaction and communication, Matteo Ricci and the eunuchs established a certain degree of friendship."

Just when Long Huamin nodded repeatedly, feeling hopeful about the outcome, Xu Guangqi poured cold water on him: "But that was ten years ago at the earliest. Even if these eunuchs were still alive, they wouldn't be valued by the emperor."

"Then who are the eunuchs who are given important positions?" Long Huamin thought simply, if there were no connections, then just establish one, since someone would pay for it anyway.

"The eunuch who now holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department is called Wang An. He is the most popular eunuch in front of the emperor. In addition, there are two eunuchs with the same surname Wei, Wei Chao and Wei Zhongxian, who are in charge of the writing." There is nothing to hide.

"The last two have the same surname. Are they brothers?" Ginni Ge suddenly interrupted and asked.

"They weren't related by blood, but they seemed to be sworn brothers." If Xu Guangqi had known Wei Zhongxian was secretly having an affair with Wei Chao's concubine, Keshi, he would have been horrified. While eunuchs weren't allowed to marry, within the palace, the consorting relationships between eunuchs and palace maids were a special form of "de facto marriage." Wei Zhongxian's actions were essentially tantamount to fighting within his own family.

"I see." Ginni nodded, then raised his glass to toast Xu Guangqi.

"Is there any way to contact them?" Long Huamin silently noted this information in his mind. "Any one will do."

"You can try, but it may not work." Xu Guangqi answered Long Huamin while reciprocating to Jin Ni Ge who was sitting next to Guo Jujing.

(End of this chapter)