Chapter 189
Even after a.n.a.lyzing things thousands upon thousands of times, Zhou Xizhong could only deduce that the Imperial Envoy was somewhat feminine, patient and subtle and conniving. Thus, when Wei Zhi boldly captured and tied up almost all of the South Sea high ranking officials and paraded them through the streets, Zhou Xizhong was stunned and surprised by her courage and determination.
If he did not confront Wei Zhi today, he would be forced onto the back foot in every action in the future and lose great prestige.
After all, since Feng Zhiwei had dared string up the gra.s.shoppers, it would be little trouble to add one big gra.s.shopper to the mix.
“It is exactly as it looks.” Feng Zhiwei replied seriously. “Today is not a legal holiday that the Tian Sheng Imperial Court has sanctioned, but none of these officials were on duty. They gathered in various establishments and shamed the name of the local government, failing to honor the duty that the Imperial Court has bestowed upon them. This Minor Minister is Imperial Envoy of the South Sea Province and thus responsible for overseeing all local officials; if I dare ignore this matter, I would dishonor His Majesty’s wisdom in understanding and choosing talent, and I would fail the great responsibility that he has entrusted me.”
Her words were grand and pompous, even concluding with the lofty name of the Tian Sheng Emperor. Zhou Xizhong’s prepared reply was suddenly squashed, and he had to think for a long moment before coldly replying: “These officials have also been chosen by His Majesty, so is Master Wei not still dishonoring His Majesty’s wisdom and understanding? Are you not disregarding the Imperial Court’s dignity?”
“Master Zhou is somewhat mistaken.” Feng Zhiwei replied, smiling and creasing her eyes. “Outside of Dijing, only Rank Two and higher officials are a.s.signed by His Majesty. If Master Zhou were visiting those establishments, this Minor Minister would not dare capture Your Honor for that would truly dishonor His Majesty, but fortunately Master Zhou is a dignified and reputable official and would not make such a mistake, but these secretaries and advisors...” Feng Zhiwei chuckled. “They have been recommended by Your Honor’s authority.”
Zhou Xizhong coughed, choking as Feng Zhiwei’s smile fell away. She set down her tea and the clear clack of porcelain sent quivers through the lined up gra.s.shoppers.
“Since Master Zhou has finished his questioning, it is not this Minor Minister’s turn.” Feng Zhiwei announced clearly. “This Minor Minister has come to South Sea under Imperial Edict to found a new Department of Maritime Affairs. This matter has been declared by the Imperial Court and must be successfully implemented, so this Minor Minister cannot understand why the honored Commissioner has been using all manner of excuses to stand in the way. You have already incited thousands to gather the docks to pet.i.tion the Prince and Imperial Envoy, and today you have deliberately scattered the officials on the day we were to begin negotiations. Is the Commissioner opposing the Imperial Court? Have you begun opposing dynastic policy? Resisting the will of His Majesty?”
Feng Zhiwei’s gentle politeness fell away as she called out harsh and forceful words, but though Zhou Xizhong was shocked at Feng Zhiwei’s true demeanor, he could not afford to retreat. His voice cold, he replied: “People are the foundation of the country, and the Imperial Court must also respect the will of the people! South Sea’s wealthy and powerful families dominate the markets and have long been bullying the people of this region. If the new department falls into one of the wealthy family’s hands, they will only grown more arrogant and unrestrained. The people of South Sea cannot allow this to happen!”
“Dominating the markets is a last resort at self preservation that the local government has forced onto the families. If the South Sea Government had not incited the commoners against the various family-run businesses and fomented serious conflict, why would these rich and powerful families need to fight back in this manner?”
“The South Sea people fight for their own livelihood! Half of trade is controlled by the Yan Family, half of the fishing by the Huang Family, and a third of the land has been occupied by Shangguan! Seven in ten all commoners are oppressed by these wealthy families, and if the local government had not taken up their mantle, no one knows how many fishermen would have died miserable deaths out at sea!”
“If it were not for these families ruling the seas and developing trade, how could your South Sea Province be so rich and your commoners so well fed and warmly dressed? If the wealthy families and the local government had fought and wounded each other, who would be the final victim? The people! Master Zhou speaks as if he is sincerely working for the people, but in truth your vision is only this narrow!”
“Master Wei has been seduced by the Yan Family’s beautiful women!” This Commissioner has never forbidden the wealthy families from doing business or growing; I am simply against the families obtaining official power! They are already difficult enough to control when they can only rely on wealthy — once they have political power, the South Sea province will enter dangerous straits!”
The two traded words and barbs like an unceasing storm of thunder and lightning, deeply astounding the quivering, blindfolded gra.s.shoppers. More and more, these trembling insects began to admire this Wei Zhi, a seemingly gentle and warm man who could compete evenly with Tyrant Zhou and his lengthy dominion over South Sea.
Finally, Zhou Xizhong and Feng Zhiwei paused.
They were both intelligent and now had a basic understanding of each other’s difficulties, so after a moment, Feng Zhiwei offered: “Master Zhou, perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere.”
Zhou Xizhong silently acceded and led her to an inner study.
Inside, the two returned to peace and quiet as Zhou Xizhong poured Feng Zhiwei a new cup of tea.
“This Minister has a list impeaching forty-eight officials form the South Sea Province.” Feng Zhiwei calmly announced as she sipped at her tea. “Whether this list is delivered to the courier station and sent off to Dijing tonight or torn here and now will depend on Your Honor’s decision.”
“You are threatening me.” Zhou Xizhong replied, his face imperturbable.
“Yes.” Feng Zhiwei calmly agreed.
Zhou Xizhong snorted, pausing for a moment before asking: “What do you want?”
Feng Zhiwei’s heart relaxed, though she showed no signs of her emotions on her face as she calmly explained: “Found the Maritime Department in Feng Zhou and set up a sub-department in Shang Ye. Let Yan Huaishi command, and have one vice-head from each of the families. The new department will be independent from the South Sea government and report only to the Ministry of Revenue.”
“Do you know why I am opposed to this new department?” Zhou Xizhong replied, falling silent for a moment before he continued: “It is exactly because you seek to put the Yan Family in charge. The Yan Family is the most powerful of the families here, while the other four are equal to each other. Over the years, I have spent much effort to develop and maintain a mutually restraining balancing.
“I must preserve the work and honor of the local government, and I do not dare close my eyes when I sleep in fear that these wealthy families will encroach upon and corrupt my officials. Now you tell me you want to put the Yan Family in control? Have you ever thought how great a storm the Yan Family’s wealth will bring to South Sea when they gain political rank? Do you not know this family’s ambition? Many of them are restless and even claim to have Imperial blood and the Mandate of Heaven. Even if this is just idle talk, we cannot let down our guard. Letting such a family enter political rank in a department that the local government has no power over? How can I promise his Majesty that nothing will go wrong in the future?
“Each of the five families has complex relations with the others, and even more complicated backgrounds. At least one of the families are colluding with the Chang Clan, and I don’t know which. How can I allow you to give any of them such power?” Zhou Xizhong asked, his eyes dim. “His Majesty has sent me a secret missive, and I understand that you will use this new department to wield the wealthy families and wipe out the South Sea pirates, but these families are double edged swords; if you do not handle them well, you will cut yourself. Have you truly thought this through?”
“The central matter is that Your Honor does not trust the families, but what if there was a reliable man who could guarantee that none of your worries would come to pa.s.s?” Feng Zhiwei calmly replied.
“You mean Yan Huaishi?” Zhou Xizhong laughed coldly. “How are you sure he is trustworthy? Giving him this position will be more difficult than giving it to anyone else, and the other wealthy families will not just stand by and do nothing. Not even the Yan Family will support him — he is the one candidate that all of the families will oppose. You must be extremely careful, or else you will not even be able to protect yourself.”