Wu Ming and Wu Liang had been in Jiangnan for nearly twenty years. Without any leads, it would have been difficult, but once a lead emerged, apprehending a few individuals was as easy as taking something from a pocket.
Three days later,
Wu Ming not only captured four Japanese pirates but also uncovered the truth about the Qiantang exchange house and its dealings with Wang Chun and Xu Hai.
The leader of the pirates was a samurai from Hizen province named Tanaka Shinbei. The other three were ronin from the same domain, who had arrived from the mainland during the battle of Zhoushan. Tanaka's lord was Arima Harunobu, and he had indeed been dispatched by Soza to assassinate Zhu Mo.
As for the head of the exchange house, he was Zhang Guanzhi from Qiantang, also known as Zhang Guiweng. This man was related to He Qian, the former Governor-General of Grain Transport. Zhang Guanzhi had married a granddaughter to He Qian's grandson as a concubine. Through this connection, Zhang Guanzhi became the largest grain merchant in Qiantang, responsible for the entire grain transport for a thousand-household commandery. He Qian was no insignificant figure; he ranked high in Yan Shifan's recent list of one hundred and thirteen people, considered a middle-tier official.
Wu Ming interrogated the thugs, and their confessions provided crucial information: Zhang Guanzhi was originally from Huizhou, had passed the imperial examinations, and had known Xu Hai and Wang Zhi for a long time. In fact, for many years, Zhang Guanzhi had also been a major smuggler of grain, and the Japanese pirates had purchased grain from him at least ten times through their pirate activities.
The cases handled by the Eastern Depot were naturally supported by solid evidence. Two leads, sufficient to make Yan Shifan furious, were now fully established:
A: Zhang Guanzhi, the grain merchant of Qiantang, under the instruction of Soza and Arima Harunobu, had ordered over twenty household retainers to assist the Japanese pirates Tanaka Shinbei and three others in assassinating Imperial Envoy Zhu Mo.
B: Zhang Guanzhi was related by marriage to He Qian, the former Governor-General of Grain Transport.
With this evidence, Zhu Mo had a copy made and sent by his personal guards to Hulu Mountain Water Village. From there, Yu Dayou sent someone to deliver it directly to Ryukyu, to Soza himself.
This was because, just a few days prior, a memorial jointly submitted by Hu Zongxian, the Zhoushan Public Office, and Zhang Juzheng had already been presented to the Grand Secretariat. Coupled with this new memorial on grain transport, even Xu Jie would not be able to suppress it. The end for the Portuguese was surely nigh.
...
The capital at dusk,
Prince Yu's mansion.
Xu Jie, Tan Lun, and Li Chunfang sat in silent contemplation, while Prince Yu paced back and forth, his face etched with anxiety.
Tan Lun, the Grand Master of the Crown Prince's Palace and Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangnan, who had returned to the capital for his report, was aware of the memorial submitted by Hu Zongxian, Zhang Juzheng, and Zhu Mo. However, he was not yet privy to the additional "Memorial on Grain Transport" from Governor Zhang Han and Zhu Mo.
If it were just the former memorial, it would be easy to handle. It would merely require the Portuguese country to explain the situation. What choices the Portuguese made afterward would be their concern, and matters would be handled as they arose, without causing offense. But a few days later, another "Memorial on Grain Transport" arrived, presenting a significant problem.
Because this memorial on grain transport was clearly aimed at the Yan family and subtly pointed towards the meritorious Duke Guo Cong. This indicated that Zhu Mo had indeed obtained irrefutable evidence sufficient to impeach Guo Cong and Hu Zhi, yet he had held back, not yet revealing his hand…
This understanding,
Everyone present clearly grasped it, yet no one spoke. Xu Jie was naturally waiting for Prince Yu to take the fall, but he didn't realize that Prince Yu had just been severely criticized by Princess Li in the inner hall and was in an exceptionally bad mood. Moreover, Prince Yu was not foolish. Seeing that the two old men, including Tan Lun, were silent, he naturally suspected they were trying to push him forward again?
He reflected on the past and then looked at Xu Jie, his heart filled with mixed emotions—
Every time something offended Yan Song, you, Xu Jie, brought it here. In every political storm over the years, you pushed me to the forefront, while you yourself became an unshakeable figure. This memorial on grain transport was clearly targeting the nobility. How could it be blocked? As cunning as you are, Xu Jie, you are now the head of the Grand Secretariat.
He snorted and decided to kick the ball back, saying,
“Elder Grand Secretary Xu, the assassination of an imperial envoy is an unprecedented event in our Great Ming dynasty… Since Jiangnan requires the Grand Secretariat to formulate a plan, you should deliberate and decide…”
Xu Jie and Li Chunfang exchanged glances, thinking, this time it cannot be avoided…
Xu Jie could only cough dryly and began to speak in a measured tone,
“Your Highness, since Zhu Mo has not reported the assassination attempt separately, we should not pursue it too deeply… Consider this: Zhoushan has been besieged for so long, and people are being summoned for interrogation day after day. Whether it’s the Portuguese or the Japanese, they have lost considerable face. It is only natural for them to be enraged, and there is nothing particularly unusual about it. In my opinion, their attempt to kill Zhu Mo was likely unsuccessful…
What is crucial now is the matter of colluding with pirates. With all the trouble caused by those involved in grain transport, it is indeed impossible not to investigate. I believe we should dispatch a Censor of Grain Transport to look into it. Hu Zhi can then clarify matters to the Censor in Huaian Prefecture.”
Li Chunfang, upon hearing this, thought: Old Xu, you are feigning ignorance. They have given you such a courtesy and do not wish to escalate the matter, meaning they want the Grand Secretariat to question Hu Zhi and Guo Cong. Do you think sending a censor will shut them up?
As expected,
Prince Yu was not accommodating this time and said gently,
“Elder Grand Secretary Xu, this matter is of great importance. Why don’t you draft a plan and submit it to the Directorate of Ceremonial for the Emperor’s decision? After all, it involves the assassination of an imperial envoy, and no one dares to suppress it…”
Alas…
Xu Jie sighed, thinking that offending Yan Song was now unavoidable. If the Grand Secretariat proposed a candidate for replacement, it would be tantamount to joining Zhu Mo in targeting the Yan family. From then on, things would be irreconcilable… It wouldn't matter if Yan Fenyi fell, but if he didn't, Xu Jie himself would be killed by him…
“Cannot offend the nobility, cannot offend Yan Song, and cannot offend Zhu Mo…”
Xu Jie’s brows immediately furrowed, and he seemed to age a decade.
This was his second time acting as interim Grand Secretary, and both times, before he could even settle in, he was pushed into a desperate situation. The last time, he was almost forced to commit suicide by court officials incited by Yan Song. This time, he might become the target of public criticism, with no party satisfied…
Tan Lun was very familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. Seeing that both old schemers were feigning ignorance, and as he was Prince Yu’s confidant and could not shirk his responsibility, he advised Prince Yu,
“Your Highness, I have interacted with Zhu Mo in Jiangnan for a long time. He is not particularly concerned about being assassinated, but rather holds a grudge against that Portuguese, Soza… In my opinion, as long as the Grand Secretariat targets Soza, Zhu Mo will not make a big fuss…”
Xu Jie, who was troubled, suddenly had a flash of inspiration upon hearing this.
Yes,
Zhu Mo was not trying to confront the Yan family head-on, but rather to gain power…
This made things much easier.
As a top civil official, he had already thought of a clever plan. He said in a deep voice,
“Your Highness, this old official has suddenly thought of a method, cough, cough…”
“The overall situation in Jiangnan, which is the overall situation of resisting pirates and foreign relations, and the grain transport was originally established by the court for the sake of maintaining order. In essence, grain transport is military affairs…
In my opinion, why not simply have Zhu Mo oversee the military affairs of grain transport? Guo Cong will not be moved for the time being, and whether Hu Zhi has problems will be known after the Censor investigates. Whatever needs to be done will be done! While Hu Zhi is being questioned, the Governor of Grain Transport will be temporarily held by the Governor of Jiangnan, Zhang Han… What do you think, Your Highness?”
Excellent! Excellent!
Li Chunfang clapped his hands repeatedly, immediately understanding and greatly admiring Xu Jie’s quick wit.
This old man, without offending anyone, had actually solved this difficult problem.
It should be known that
The full title of the Governor-General of Grain Transport was quite lengthy: "Governor-General of Grain Transport, concurrently Governor of Fengyang, Huaian, Yangzhou, Luzhou, and the prefectures of Xu and Chu, and concurrently in charge of maritime defense."
This position already involved maritime defense. Xu Jie's proposal was entirely reasonable.