Moma Liangshan

Chapter 38: Taking control of Jiaozhou and being granted the title of Viscount

Li Shishi smiled proudly and said, "Under heaven, only His Majesty the present can accomplish such exquisite feats with the heart of an emperor!" Wang Hao was astonished and said, "Sister, do you mean that His Majesty not only supervised the construction but even personally participated?" At this moment, Emperor Huizong, accompanied by Eunuch Chen, slowly approached and said, "Does Minister Wang think that I am incapable of such strenuous work?" Wang Hao quickly replied, "This humble subject believes that His Majesty is too busy with countless affairs of state to spare such leisure time!" Emperor Huizong smiled and said, "The affairs of the court are handled by the high-ranking military and political officials of the Three Departments and Six Ministries. I do have some free time." "!" Li Shishi came to Emperor Huizong's side, gently grasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, you must take care of your health. Your palms are calloused from all this work on this statue! If those censors and officials knew this, I'd be in deep trouble at Fanlou!" Emperor Huizong pulled Li Shishi aside and said, "The censors and officials are too pedantic. Besides spouting grand theories and impeaching others, they're all self-righteous and aloof. Why bother arguing with them, Shishi?" Li Shishi said, "Brother Daojun is absolutely right!" Emperor Huizong looked at Wang Hao and said, "The statue has already..." "It's finished, my dear minister, you can take it away at any time." Li Shishi smiled faintly and said, "Brother Daojun, your palms are calloused from working on this statue. It's not appropriate to just hastily transport it out of the capital. In my opinion, why don't you send a eunuch to personally transport the statue to your brother's winery? In this way, the people of the world will understand the Emperor's benevolence towards his subjects!" Emperor Huizong looked at Li Shishi and said, "You always think of me. Tell me, how should I reward you?" Li Shishi feigned anger and said, "Brother, are you treating me like an outsider?" Emperor Huizong saw her pear blossoms in tears. Without hesitation, he said, "Shishi is my darling, otherwise, for whom are these calloused hands?" Li Shishi laughed crisply and said, "Brother, these calloused hands are for the fairy Chang'e in the Moon Palace!" Emperor Huizong put one arm around Li Shishi's slender waist and pinched her chin with the other, saying, "Let me take a good look at the true face of the fairy Chang'e in the Moon Palace!" Wang Hao was very embarrassed. Seeing this, Eunuch Chen said, "Lord Wang has already sent the memorial to the palace proposing the establishment of Laoshan County, and the Secretariat has also given its preliminary opinion."

Emperor Huizong released Li Shishi and asked, "What did you see and hear on your trip to Laoshan, Minister Wang?" Wang Hao replied, "Laoshan is adjacent to Jiaozhou Bay. The coastal residents of Jiaozhou Bay make a living by fishing and are very poor. In winter, the winds and waves are fierce, and not a single boat can go out to sea. Without going to sea, their livelihood is cut off. Therefore, there are many conflicts between coastal fishermen and inland farmers over their livelihoods. In my opinion, although the fault lies with the fishermen, it is also understandable." Wang Hao looked at Emperor Huizong, who knew that Wang Hao had more to say and nodded to signal him to continue. Wang Hao continued, “Jiaozhou Bay stretches over twenty li from east to west and over thirty li from north to south. Its western end at the estuary is Huangdao Island, and its eastern end is Qingdao Island, with only five or six li separating the two islands. Yet, this bay is divided between Mi and Lai prefectures, and governed by several coastal counties. The coastal fishermen, sharing similar customs and traditions, consider themselves one family. Every winter, if conflicts arise between the coast and the inland, they often affect several counties in both prefectures. To quell these conflicts, the government not only needs the cooperation of Mi and Lai prefectures but also needs to coordinate with several coastal counties, incurring huge expenses with minimal results. If the coastal area of ​​Jiaozhou Bay could be independently designated as a county, exclusively governing the coastal fishermen, and if conflicts between the inland and coastal areas could be prevented, the annual savings for the imperial court would be at least equivalent to the tax revenue of a medium-sized county.” Emperor Huizong pondered for a moment and said, "My dear minister, do you intend to incorporate the entire Jiaozhou Bay into the jurisdiction of Laoshan County?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Yes." Emperor Huizong said, "Laoshan was designated as a Taoist holy site by Emperor Xuanzong during the Kaihuang era of the Tang Dynasty, and it was the place where the Taoist Wang Min practiced alchemy and cultivation. The name Laoshan was chosen in the hope of using the blessings of Taoism to suppress the fortune of Jiaozhou. Why is Jiaozhou, a mere few dozen miles in size, divided equally between two prefectures and several counties? Have you considered this, my dear minister? Coastal areas are barren and desolate, and the people are impoverished. If it were placed under the jurisdiction of a single county or prefecture, the burden would be too great. Therefore, it is necessary for the surrounding prefectures and counties to share the burden. If it were entirely placed under the jurisdiction of Laoshan County, Mi and Lai prefectures would naturally be more than happy to accept it. But are you truly confident that you can support the entire Jiaozhou region with just one Maritime Trade Office?"

Wang Hao pondered for a long time before saying, "Five years from now, I will surely be able to do it?" Emperor Huizong was surprised and said, "My dear minister, do you know that a ruler's word is law? Once I issue this decree, we, ruler and subject, will share both the good and the bad!" Wang Hao said, "I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's grace!" Emperor Huizong was moved and wanted to order the eunuch to draft the decree, but Eunuch Chen said softly, "This old servant has a plan, but I don't know if I should speak of it." Emperor Huizong said, "Speak freely!" Eunuch Chen said, "This old servant believes that Lord Wang can make Laoshan County's income and expenditure balanced in five years, but in other words, Laoshan County will definitely be in deficit within five years. Many people along the coast have rebelled, all for the sake of food. Neighboring prefectures and counties spend tens of thousands of strings of cash every year to deal with conflicts between the coast and the inland. Your Majesty, understanding the people's plight, has placed all the coastal areas of Jiaozhou Bay under the jurisdiction of Laoshan County, but the newly established Laoshan County..." The treasury is empty, and the finances are tight. Neighboring prefectures and counties should help. Therefore, this old servant believes that Your Majesty could add a clause to the imperial edict that Mi and Lai prefectures should provide Laoshan County with 50,000 shi of grain annually for five years. Emperor Huizong thought this was reasonable and said, "What do you think, my dear minister?" Wang Hao took a step back, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty's kindness is immense; I can only do my utmost!" Emperor Huizong laughed and said, "The Great Song Dynasty has hundreds of prefectures and counties, and hundreds of thousands of generals and officials, but only you, my dear minister, a sixth-rank official, a seventh-rank county magistrate, and a low-ranking military commander, make me feel refreshed!" Seeing this, Li Shishi said, "Shishi feels the same way! Spending too much time with those old scholars makes me feel like my black hair is turning white." Emperor Huizong nodded and asked, "Shishi, do you know the reason?" Li Shishi said, "Shishi believes that my younger brother is still young, and what he sees and thinks is all about the future." Therefore, it is like the spring morning sun, full of vitality. Most of the court officials have gray hair, and they are bound by the teachings of the sages every day, but they can only talk about old things and cannot read anything new. They cannot understand the spirit of the sages, and they cannot have foresight in looking to the future. In addition, there is a prevailing trend of empty talk and condescension. If it weren't for your unparalleled talent, superior temperament, and hard work, how could the vast land of the Great Song Dynasty have expanded the territory that the previous emperor had never seen and created a prosperous era that the Han and Tang dynasties had never seen before? Emperor Huizong was very proud and said, "Shishi's eyesight is truly insightful and far-sighted!" The entire Jiaozhou Bay was incorporated into the jurisdiction of Laoshan County. Wang Hao's goal was achieved. He said, "Your Majesty, I am preparing to go to Mingzhou soon to recruit relevant personnel. I am afraid I will not be able to return to Tokyo within two months. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission!" Emperor Huizong said, "My dear minister has served the Great Song Dynasty for thousands of miles. Your hard work and great achievements are commendable." "But poetry and books are the foundation of an official's career, and one should read them more often in one's spare time. You must have heard the story of 'The Tragedy of Zhongyong'!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Your Majesty's teachings are etched in my mind." Emperor Huizong pondered for a moment and said, "After Jiaozhou Bay is incorporated into Laoshan County, how many people are there in the jurisdiction?" Wang Hao said, "I estimate there are around five thousand households." Emperor Huizong nodded and said, "In our dynasty's official system, counties with more than two thousand households are appointed with three officials: magistrate, lieutenant, and registrar. Laoshan County is different from others, as it is for connecting Liaodong and attacking Liao with the Jurchens from the north and south. After you take office as the magistrate of Laoshan County, the founding baron of Yuncheng County will be changed to the founding viscount of Laoshan County, but the lieutenant and registrar must be appointed by the Privy Council and the Three Departments." The lieutenant is in charge of the county's military affairs, and the registrar is in charge of the county's finances. These two are the magistrate's deputies and have the power to supervise and check the magistrate. Wang Hao understood that the court would not allow him to solely govern Laoshan County, so he readily agreed, saying, "I will obey Your Majesty's orders!" Emperor Huizong was very pleased and said, "I am well aware that you have shared my burdens and rendered meritorious service to the court. However, the tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind; I hope you will ponder this principle deeply!" Wang Hao replied, "I owe my position today entirely to Your Majesty's trust; I only wish to share Your Majesty's burdens and have no other thoughts!" Emperor Huizong said, "Good! Good! Good! As long as you do not betray me, I will certainly not betray you!" Wang Hao bowed in gratitude and said, "I will take my leave now!" Emperor Huizong granted his request.

The next day in court, Emperor Huizong ordered a eunuch to announce: "Wang Xianmeng, the Imperial Attendant, is devoted to the nation and has repeatedly rendered outstanding service. He is hereby appointed Magistrate of Laoshan County, and the title of Founding Baron of Yuncheng County is changed to Founding Viscount of Laoshan County, as a sign of imperial favor! Laoshan County is newly established, and the positions of County Commandant and Registrar are vacant. Do any of you ministers have suitable candidates?" Gao Qiu, knowing that Wang Hao was currently enjoying imperial favor, tentatively said, "Lord Wang, who also serves as the Commander of the Palace Guards, can concurrently hold the position of County Commandant." Cai Jing, upon hearing this, was initially astonished, but then understood Gao Qiu's scheme of "praising to death," and said, "Lord Wang has risen from a commoner to a wealthy merchant in Dongjing in just one year, with a net worth of millions. I believe that if Lord Wang concurrently holds the position of Registrar of Laoshan County, it will surely ensure local stability and the well-being of the people!" Emperor Huizong, who had maintained a balance of power in the court for decades, was certainly aware of Cai Jing's... Gao Qiu, understanding Emperor Huizong's true intentions, said, "Minister Wang is indeed talented and virtuous, but the rules cannot be disregarded. The positions of county magistrate and registrar must be filled by others." Having ascertained Emperor Huizong's true intentions, Gao Qiu continued, "There are many idle officers in the Imperial Guards, dozens of whom could serve as county magistrates. I request to review the records before making a decision!" Cai Jing also said, "There are over a hundred idle officials who could serve as registrars. I also request to review the records before making a decision!" Emperor Huizong pondered for a moment and said, "Officials below the fourth rank are all subject to the Ministry of Personnel's investigation, appointment, and dismissal. Only because of the special circumstances of Laoshan County, I have inquired about it in court. The appointment of the county magistrate and registrar of Laoshan County will be determined by the Ministry of Personnel in consultation with Grand Tutor Cai and Grand Commandant Gao, without needing to report to me." Cai Jing, Gao Qiu, and the Minister of Personnel all agreed. After a moment of silence in the court, Emperor Huizong gestured to the eunuch beside him. The eunuch, upon receiving the order, shouted, "If there is anything to report, do so; otherwise, the court is adjourned!" All the officials remained silent. The eunuch looked at Emperor Huizong, who nodded. The eunuch then shouted, "Court adjourned!"