Chapter Seven

Unexpectedly, a simple outing with his wife had turned into a farcical incident, and Lin Feng was indeed somewhat vexed. He couldn't tell whether his luck was simply abysmal or if the machinations of political life were simply inescapable. Regardless, this episode had delivered several deeply unpleasant messages.

In truth, the event itself was trivial enough, and during his conversation with the Prefect of Chengtian at the time, both sides had spoken in such veiled terms that not even Wu Yingke nor the assembled guards could glean any real meaning. Still, from Duan Tiande’s ambiguous hints, there were at least a few takeaways.

The first was that, at present, commerce and industry within the Han Army’s controlled territories were in utter chaos—not that chaos was necessarily bad. In fact, such disorder was a hallmark of a free economy. Although chaos inevitably brings some negative consequences, its positive effect on economic vitality often outweighs its drawbacks. Lin Feng had, in fact, mentally prepared himself for unregulated competition; he had only expected it to touch the spheres of commerce and industry. But for it to have devolved into gang-style brawling was enough to leave one both amused and exasperated. It seemed the Chinese people had an innate talent for underworld activities—from the Triads to Chinatown, small-scale violence was always preferred, and no one ever paused to consider more harmonious rules or order. It was the same in Lin Feng’s previous life, and astonishingly, it was still like this in this era.

The second message was that the ruling group led by Lin Feng was already beginning to transform. This recent incident made it all too apparent: two major interest groups under the Han Army had collided fiercely. The cadre offspring within the Han Army were now exploiting their privileges for economic gain, coming into conflict with traditional guild organizations. To be honest, Lin Feng was startled when he deduced this—how little time had passed since they overthrew Kangxi, moved into Beijing, and expanded into two provinces! Not even two years, barely enough to settle into their seats, and already the “young lords” had emerged. People, truly, were frightening creatures—this was why Lin Feng chose to swallow his anger and endure some humiliation before his wife rather than make a scene. He had no idea how deep the backgrounds of these “young lords” went, nor did he wish to find out—for after his last investigation into Han Army corruption, Lin Feng had gained some experience. After all, he’d been a leader for quite a while now and had the necessary awareness. Given the current political climate—strong enemies on all sides and their own forces comparatively weak—any internal purge might trigger disastrous consequences. So unless he was absolutely certain he could uproot the problem entirely, feigning ignorance was the wisest course.

With his mind made up, Lin Feng quickly sent for Li Guangdi. When Li arrived at Zhongnanhai, Lin Feng was taken aback to see a familiar young man accompanying him. It took a moment before he recalled his name.

“Oh, this is… Little Hu, isn’t it?” Lin Feng glanced at the visibly nervous Li Guangdi and understood at once—great minds really did think alike. Li Guangdi knew how to read his superior: Lin Feng had only just gone out incognito, and Li had already prepared his response. Turning, Lin Feng pointed to a chair and grinned at Hu Mingren, “Come, come, have a seat—how’s business these days?”

Hu Mingren dared not be disrespectful. It was clear that his recent experiences in business had made him much more seasoned; gone was the reckless youth of before. He knelt respectfully before Lin Feng and saluted, “Your Highness—I would not dare betray Your Highness’s trust. Our firm has now established itself in both Datong and Zunhua!”

“That’s excellent news!” Lin Feng smiled and turned to Li Guangdi, “Jinqing, don’t try to play coy with me—you brought Little Hu along today; surely you have something to say!”

“My lord, this humble official comes to ask that you commend Manager Hu of the Hu Ironworks,” Li Guangdi’s expression was solemn, every word precise as if in an official audience. “Though a merchant, Mr. Hu has the welfare of the state at heart, putting aside personal profit for the greater good. Upon receiving an urgent letter from Chief of Staff Pei, I learned that since our recent reforms, Hu Ironworks has provided over ten thousand muskets and hundreds of artillery pieces to our Han Army, all at half price, saving us tens of thousands of taels of silver. Such merit is unparalleled, and as a minister, I could not conceal it—thus I request a reward for Mr. Hu before you!”

“Oh, my, not bad at all!” Lin Feng’s eyes narrowed in amusement. He stood and, grinning, pulled Hu Mingren up and pressed him into a chair. “Little Hu, you’re quite something—so talented at such a young age, you almost remind me of myself!”

Hu Mingren was visibly startled, sweat beading on his brow. He hastily replied, “I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness—how could I possibly compare with you?!”

“You’re too modest!” Lin Feng patted his shoulder, but said, “But as I recall, I’m a major shareholder in the Hu Ironworks, am I not? How is it that you donated so many weapons at once, yet I didn’t hear a word about it?”

Hu Mingren was dumbfounded. What did this mean? In truth, he had sold so many arms to the Han Army at a discount partly to curry favor with the group, and partly as a veiled way of distributing profits. To him, Lin Feng was as wealthy as a nation—the Han Army government was his personal government, the army his private force. Handing over silver directly seemed laughable. But now, seeing Lin Feng’s apparent displeasure, he was terrified and stammered, “Your Highness… please forgive me… I must have lost my mind… I’ll fetch the silver at once…”

“No, no—this is all a misunderstanding. Don’t be nervous; I’m not asking you for money. My point is that business must be run by the rules, right? We’re partners in this company… well, this ironworks. Even if you’re a major shareholder, you can’t act unilaterally; you have to respect the views of other investors, don’t you agree?” Lin Feng smiled, “I understand your intentions. And truthfully, guns and cannons are more useful to me than silver. But the rules must not be neglected—every transaction must be recorded in the ledger, even between the best of friends or in the most secret of deals. There can be no ‘tacit understandings’—that’s the rule. Without rules, the business can’t go on.” He turned to Li Guangdi, “Jinqing, don’t you think I’m right?”

“Absolutely, my lord!”

“See? I knew you were a reasonable man. But you know, when I was out yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice something was very wrong with your side of things. Business must have rules, and surely, our Han government must have rules for managing the people’s affairs and educating the masses as well, no?”

“My lord, please enlighten me!” Li Guangdi kept his composure, though beads of sweat glistened at his temples.

He stared blankly at the nonchalant Li Guangdi, and it wasn’t until Lin Feng shouted in anger that he snapped out of it, his limbs weak and body limp. Seeing Lin Feng’s gaze as sharp as a blade, he shivered and knelt, teeth chattering. “Innocent, Your Highness…” Glancing up, he caught Li Guangdi’s indifferent look and felt a chill. “This humble subject deserves a thousand deaths—please forgive me!” He kowtowed repeatedly, until his forehead was battered and bleeding.

Lin Feng took a deep breath, steadied himself, and asked in a low voice, “Hu Mingren, tell me—why did you do this?” Even as he asked, he realized the question was misplaced. With such official-business collusion, why wouldn’t he do so?

“Replying… replying to Your Highness, at first… at first, I wouldn’t have dared…” Hu Mingren, still only in his early twenties, was on the verge of tears. “I brought money to buy land and set up a workshop. Some people were willing, others were not… Later, I wavered and remembered what Your Highness said before—that Han generals and officials would make things easier for us… so… so…” He glanced timidly at Lin Feng, not daring to continue.

Lin Feng was stunned for a long moment, swallowing hard, unable to speak.

“My lord, I beg your pardon, but I have a word of warning that may be hard to hear!” Li Guangdi’s face was cold as ice, and he bowed deeply.

Lin Feng sighed, slumping into his chair. “Jinqing, there’s no need for restraint between us. Speak freely!”

“Your Highness’s openness inspires the greatest respect. Our Chinese civilization stretches back thousands of years—the world has always been governed jointly by the gentry and the monarch. Agriculture is the foundation of the state, and the moral education of the people its bulwark. Throughout history, who has shared the ruler’s burdens and faced hardship together? The scholar-gentry!” Li Guangdi’s voice grew impassioned, his face flushed and his body trembling. “The so-called ‘scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants’—does Your Highness know why scholars are ranked highest and merchants lowest? This class of cunning men, driven solely by profit, seizes every opportunity to stir up trouble, beguile the ruler, and harm the people. In time, the very foundation of the nation will rot away. Your Highness, your initial promotion of commerce brought profit and you rejoiced, but lamented when losses came. Did you not know that the true problem is not lack of wealth, but its unequal distribution? National prosperity cannot be achieved overnight. Throughout history, we have suffered from the disasters wrought by merchants and misguided reforms. Should we not be wary? Promoting merchants, building roads, and encouraging trade is but a short-sighted expedient. How can it compare to building irrigation, encouraging agriculture, and easing taxes? People call these old clichés, but for a thousand years, wise rulers and ministers have relied on them—how can they be discarded lightly?” He raised his head, kneeling upright, his voice ringing with passion. “Though I am unworthy, I have heard the words of the sages: ‘The civil servant dies remonstrating, the warrior dies fighting.’ My lord, you raised me from humble origins and entrusted me with high office—such trust between lord and minister is rare in history. Today, I risk my life to speak openly—though it may cost me my life, for the sake of your imperial designs and the people’s welfare, my insignificant existence is nothing!”

Lin Feng gazed quietly at Li Guangdi, then drew a deep breath, gently helped him up, and said with a bitter smile, “Jinqing… I… I don’t even know how to speak to you.”

Li Guangdi remained kneeling, hands clenched, and said earnestly, “My lord, you have seen it yourself—here in Beijing and Zhili, disputes are everywhere, people speak only of profit, merchants are everywhere, and profits dominate every conversation. A thousand years of moral cultivation is about to be undone—can you not see it? The best course now is for our Han government to suppress commerce and promote agriculture, educate the people, levy heavy taxes on trade, open new farmland, and teach the people to be content with their fields—men to plow, women to weave. In this way, the people and the state will prosper!” He kowtowed repeatedly, his pleas urgent. “My lord, I beg you to grant this!”

Lin Feng let go of his arm and slumped back, suddenly overwhelmed by exhaustion. Thousands of words crowded his mind, but none would come. He now understood that no amount of explanation would do any good. Whether it was the industrial revolution or financial policy, none of it mattered—the vast river of history forever separated their hearts, as the horse would never know the joy of flying, nor the bird the thrill of running.

For a long time, the study was silent, save for the sound of heavy breathing.

At last, Lin Feng cleared his throat, his voice hoarse. “Jinqing… please rise. I’ve heard and understood everything you’ve said today. Thank you for your guidance!” He stood and bowed deeply to Li Guangdi.

“My lord, please!” Li Guangdi was alarmed and quickly supported Lin Feng. “How could I possibly deserve such honor?”

“Everything you said makes sense. I will follow your advice,” Lin Feng replied with a wry smile.

“Thank you, my lord! On behalf of the people, I thank you!” Li Guangdi was overjoyed, kneeling again to express his gratitude.

“However, this problem is already deep-seated, and the current situation is precarious. We cannot act too aggressively,” Lin Feng said, having composed his thoughts. He offered a small smile. “Of course I know the importance of agriculture and the dangers of commerce, but the war is urgent, and our supplies are lacking. I can’t bear to tax the people harshly, so I’ve had to take alternative measures. In hindsight, perhaps I moved too quickly.”

Li Guangdi was moved. “I knew Your Highness was a man of virtue, which is why I dared risk my life for the people,” he sighed. “With such humility and willingness to admit fault, how could you not be destined for greatness?”

Lin Feng forced a laugh. “Let’s not dwell on that. My view is that we should proceed gradually. Things have gotten out of hand, and we must intervene, but I fear too many are involved—even within our Han Army, many eyes are red with greed. So we must act cautiously.”

“Then, what is your plan, my lord?”

“My plan is for you and Zezhen to handle this together. First, never mind anyone else—draft an official document stipulating that all Han government officials, local garrison officers, and their families are strictly forbidden from engaging in commerce or holding business interests. Violators will be severely punished. What do you think?”

“My lord is wise. This is essential to maintaining discipline among our officials!”

“Also, you and Zezhen should each select a group of officials versed in law to work with the Han Commercial Tax Law Committee. Together, draft a ‘Han Commercial Code’ to adjudicate future disputes.”

Li Guangdi’s expression changed. “Draft laws with these merchants? My lord, this is…”

Lin Feng waved his hand with a bitter laugh. “Jinqing, I’d rather not get entangled with these petty men, but I made a public promise to them—‘the ruler does not speak in jest.’ How could I break my word now? This concerns my credibility and the reputation of our government. Unless you have a better idea?”

Li Guangdi hesitated, but could think of no rebuttal.

“But these men have become too arrogant—they must be taught a lesson!” Lin Feng added. “If anyone dares to stir up trouble or disrupt order again, punish or execute them as necessary. I’ll back you up!”

Li Guangdi was overjoyed and bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord!” Suddenly, he remembered and frowned, pointing at the still-kneeling Hu Mingren. “And what of this man?”

“Hu Mingren!” Lin Feng barked. The latter immediately prostrated himself, kowtowing repeatedly. “You seized property and caused deaths—these are unforgivable crimes. But in light of your loyalty to the state, your life shall be spared, but your offenses cannot go unpunished, or our laws will be meaningless. Here is my judgment: forty strokes of the rod, a fine of twenty thousand taels of silver, and compensation to the families you harmed. Do you accept?”

Hu Mingren, as if granted amnesty, thanked Lin Feng profusely.

Lin Feng shook his head, ignoring the fool, and turned to the still-indignant Li Guangdi, speaking quietly, “Jinqing, firearms and artillery are the lifeblood of our army. As a high official, you must always keep the bigger picture in mind.”

Li Guangdi glared coldly at Hu Mingren for a moment before turning away and replying softly, “I understand, my lord.”