Chapter 63: Four words: Ah, Merchants are Good

The people from the office of transmission brought the memorial back to the Ministry of War, Ru Chang eagerly opened the memorial and his gaze fell upon Zhu Yunwen’s reply, and his eyes widened instantly with a face full of confusion and unease.

Liu Jun, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, approached with a document in hand and asked, “Official, did His Majesty grant the request?”

Ru Chang shook his head and handed over the memorial.

After reading it, Liu Jun also became puzzled and asked in bewilderment, “What does his Majesty mean?”

Ru Chang let out a sigh, took the memorial, and said, “I’m not sure either. This matter needs to be discussed with the Grand Secretariat. Do you have something else?”

Liu Jun quickly handed over the document in his hand and said, “Assistant Commander Qi Bin from Deng Prefecture Guards reported that there have been small groups of pirates appearing in the coastal areas of Shandong, plundering and killing more than thirty coastal military and civilians. Asking an order from Ministry of War to allocate ships and go to sea to eliminate the enemy.”

Ru Chang quickly took the report and examined it carefully, asking, “No wonder the report was sent to the Ministry of War instead of the Five Armies Commandery. Official Liu, do you know who this General Mingwei Qi Bin’s father is?”

“Naturally, I know. He was a Company Commander of the Yingtian Guard, a personal guard of Emperor Taizu, and a founding general, Qi Xiang. It’s a pity that Qi Xiang while on an expedition to Yunnan…”

Liu Jun’s eyes revealed a hint of regret.

After carefully reading the memorial, Ru Chang said, “Perfect timing. Take this memorial to the Grand Secretariat for further review.”

Grand Secretariat.

Xie Jin was flipping through the opening of “The Records of Emperor Taizu” and asked Yu Xin and Zhang Dan, “Who was the chief author of this book?”

Yu Xin shook his head, busying himself with the memorials in his hands, and said, “The Hanlin Academy reader in waiting Dong Lun? Chief editor Wang Jingzhang? If you want to know, you’ll have to visit the Hanlin Academy.”

Xie Jin narrowed his eyes and said, “Dong Lun’s writing style is sincere and conservative, and Wang Jingzhang’s arguments adhere to traditional rules. The opening of this book is definitely not the work of either of them.”

“Oh, you’re referring to this opening?” Fang Xiaoru entered the Grand Secretariat, rubbing his slightly cold, aged face and breath his hands, saying, “It was written by Hanlin Junior Historiography Compiler, Yang Shiqi.”

“Yang Shiqi?”

Xie Jin squinted his eyes, pondering the name, and then set the opening manuscript aside, solemnly saying, “This individual is a talent! In the future, he may not be inferior to us!”

Yu Xin and Zhang Dan both looked up, gazing at Xie Jin.

This was not a joke, but an unusual political prophecy!

Fang Xiaoru was not surprised by Xie Jin’s words and stepped forward, saying, “I have observed Yang Shiqi for over half a month. He is an exceptional candidate, whether it’s his character, abilities, or literary and historical knowledge. Genius Xie you gained a rival.”

Xie Jin burst into laughter and, seeing Fang Xiaoru feel cold, handed him the nearby copper hand warmer, saying, “The Grand Secretariat is filled with talented individuals, and I am delighted to see it.”

Fang Xiaoru nodded with satisfaction, about to speak, when footsteps were heard outside the door. Ru Chang rushed in he saw Fang Xiaoru also here, he greeted him first, and then, after greeting the three secretaries, he handed over the report from Qi Bin.

Upon reading it, Yu Xin furrowed his brow slightly and said, “This matter, Shouldn’t we inform the Five Army Commandery about this matter since the Deng Prefecture Guards falls under their jurisdiction?”

Zhang Dan pondered for a moment and said, “The Deng Prefecture Guard belongs to the Shandong Military Command and is under the jurisdiction of the Left Army Commandery. Since Li Jinglong departed for Guangzhou, the matters related to the Left Army Commandery have been temporarily managed by Xu Huizu. It may be best to forward this report to Xu Huizu for further consideration.”

Ru Chang nodded slightly and then took out another memorial, smiling wryly at Xie Jin and the others, saying, “The Emperor has given his approval.”

Xie Jin’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly, maintaining a composed demeanor.

Yu Xin squinted his eyes as he looked at Ru Chang’s expression, shaking his head slightly.

Zhang Dan reached out and took the memorial, saying, “It seems that the Emperor is not willing to be your mediator.”

Ru Chang sighed and said, “Not necessarily. The Emperor’s words seem to hold a deeper meaning, but I cannot comprehend it.”

“Oh?”

Xie Jin became interested and leaned closer.

Zhang Man unfolded the memorial from Ru Chang, which requested the Emperor to persuade the two kings to present the method of making medical gauze and alcohol. His gaze quickly scanned through it, and at the end of the memorial, there were only four characters written in cinnabar ink:

[Ah, Merchants are Good.]

Zhang Dan was immediately stunned, his expression filled with disbelief.

After reading it, Yu Xin was also puzzled, while Fang Xiaoru pondered in silence.

Only Xie Jin, who was slightly surprised, relaxed his eyebrows, sat back, and had a hint of a smile on his lips.

“What kind of response is this?” Fang Xiaoru expressed his dissatisfaction.

The emperor lacks self-respect. How can he give such ambiguous responses to official documents and ministerial memorials?

What does “Ah, Merchants are Good” mean?

Yu Xin and Zhang Dan were puzzled, and everyone turned their gaze to Xie Jin, who was sipping tea. They couldn’t help but become angry and surrounded him.

Ru Chang snatched Xie Jin’s teapot and asked, “What does the emperor really mean?”

Leaning back in his chair, Xie Jin chuckled and said, “The emperor’s meaning is simply ‘ah, merchants are good’.”

Ru Chang and others were almost fainted.

So, you’re just like the emperor, both of you playing riddles!

“What does it really mean?”

Ru Chang felt somewhat frustrated. After all, he was a high-ranking minister of the six ministries, yet he couldn’t comprehend the emperor’s intentions. How could he establish himself in the court in the future?

Xie Jin looked at Ru Chang earnestly and said, “The emperor’s meaning is simply ‘Merchants are good.’ Official Ru, you should carefully ponder and contemplate it.”

Ru Chang fell into deep thought.

Zhang Dan clapped his hands and suddenly understood. He smiled and said, “The emperor’s move is brilliant indeed. However, the Ministry of Revenue will bear the burden of this account.”

Yu Xin let out a long “Oh,” shook his head, and sat back down. He said, “The emperor is far-sighted and has grand plans. We can hardly keep up with his pace.”

Fang Xiaoru was completely puzzled. He looked at these individuals who were playing with riddles and couldn’t bring himself to ask further. He casually took the memorial and walked to the Hanlin Academy while humming an old tune, he then summoned Yang Shiqi, who was busy compiling books.

“This memorial is a test for you. If you can explain the emperor’s intentions, I will recommend you to higher authorities.”

Fang Xiaoru placed the memorial on the desk, eagerly awaiting Yang Shiqi’s response.

The main responsibilities of the Hanlin Academy are drafting imperial edicts, compiling historical records, and assisting in court lectures. They analyze current political affairs, study and review memorials in preparation for the emperor’s inquiries.

Before the change of reign to Jianwen, Yang Shiqi was recommended by local officials to serve as a compiler.

As the country’s foundation rests on the “national flag, national emblem, and national anthem,” the Grand Secretariat urgently needed the Hanlin Academy as a reserve force. Without waiting for Yang Shiqi to finish the New Year in Jiangxia, he was forced to travel downstream and enter the capital.

Yang Shiqi had a heavy task ahead. Not only did he need to participate in national foundation matters, but he also had to assist Dong Lun and others in completing the “Record of Emperor Taizu.”

Facing the test from Fang Xiaoru, Yang Shiqi smiled faintly, after paying respect, he took the memorial, carefully examined it, and then respectfully placed it on the desk. He said to Fang Xiaoru, “The emperor has given his reply.”

Fang Xiaoru leaned forward slightly and asked, “Tell me.”

Yang Shiqi pointed to the memorial and calmly said, “Minister Ru requested the emperor to be a mediator, his majesty didn’t agree, but his majesty hopes that the Ministry of War can purchase the medical gauze and alcohol in a commercial manner.”

“Oh?” Fang Xiaoru furrowed his brow and asked, “Is there more?”

Yang Shiqi continued, “The emperor’s approach has a deeper meaning. It serves the overall situation and is also a response to the land disputes within the court.”

Fang Xiaoru was stunned.

Zhu Yunwen’s simple response of “Ah, Merchants are good” imply a deeper meaning and serve a larger purpose?

Furthermore, this memorial clearly pertains to the matters between the Ministry of War, and the two kings. Where does it mention anything about land disputes?

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