Volume One, Chapter 24: Making a Fuss

"What is needed?"
"More ships are needed."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "Tell him that as long as he performs his duties well, ships will be no problem."
"Yes."
He returned to his desk and took up his brush to write a secret edict: "Order Zheng Zhilong to command the naval forces and strictly patrol the maritime borders."
Wang Cheng'en took the secret edict and was about to withdraw.
"Wait," Zhu Youjian added, "Tell him not to disappoint me."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian walked to the window, looking toward the distant harbor.
"These fellows," he sneered, "will soon learn the meaning of regret."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "However..."
"What is it?"
"I fear those merchants might band together..."
"Band together?" Zhu Youjian scoffed, "What do they amount to?"
He turned to Wang Cheng'en and said, "Go tell Sun Chanting to have his men ready."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian continued to study the map. Every shipping route was their lifeblood.
"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en returned, "The men from the Eastern Depot say..."
"Say what?"
"They say they have discovered people secretly contacting merchants in various regions."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "Perfect. Let them continue their contacts. I want to see just how many dare to rebel."
"Yes."
He returned to the desk and wrote another secret edict: "Starting from today, strictly investigate all merchant groups."
"Wait," Zhu Youjian said, "Tell Zheng Zhilong not to alert the enemy."
"Yes."
"These people," he sneered, "will soon learn what it means to reach for the sky."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "However..."
"Speak."
"I fear they might be driven to desperate measures..."
"Desperate measures?" Zhu Youjian laughed coldly, "I would like to see where they could possibly flee."
Zhu Youjian turned to Wang Cheng'en: "Go tell the men at the Eastern Depot to keep a close watch on the movements of these merchants."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian continued to look at the map. Every port was their vital point.
"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en returned again, "Zheng Zhilong says he has already..."
"Already what?"
"Already begun to deploy his men."
Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction, "Very good."
He returned to his desk and wrote another secret edict: "Starting from today, strictly inspect all merchant routes."

"By the way," Zhu Youjian added, "Remember to tell Cao Huachun to keep a close watch on the movements of those merchants."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "However..."
"What else is there?"
"I fear they might..."
"Might what?"
"Rebel?"
"Yes."
"Let them rebel. I want to see how much courage this group really has."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian continued to stare at the map. Every shipping route was under his control.
"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en returned, "The Eastern Depot says..."
"Says what?"
"That they have discovered people secretly stockpiling weaponry."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "Very good. Let them continue to stockpile; I want to see just how much they can hoard."
"Yes."
He returned to the desk and wrote another secret edict: "Starting from today, strictly investigate all armaments in every region."
"Wait," Zhu Youjian said, "Tell Zheng Zhilong to keep an eye on those merchant ships transporting weapons."
"Yes."
"These people," he sneered, "will soon know what regret is."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "I only fear..."
"Fear what?" Zhu Youjian interrupted, "I want to see what kind of waves they can stir up."
He turned to Wang Cheng'en: "Go tell the men at the Eastern Depot to keep a close watch on the movements of these merchants."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian continued to look at the map. Every port was under his control.
"Your Majesty," Wang Cheng'en returned, "Zheng Zhilong says he needs..."
"Needs what?"
"Needs more firearms."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "Tell him that as long as he does his job well, everything can be arranged."
"Yes."
He returned to the desk and wrote another secret edict: "Starting from today, strictly investigate all firearms in every region."
Wang Cheng'en took the secret edict and was about to withdraw.
"Wait," Zhu Youjian added, "Tell Cao Huachun to keep a close watch on the movements of those merchants."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian walked to the window and looked toward the distant harbor.
"These people," he sneered, "will soon know the meaning of despair."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously, "I only fear they might..."
"Might what?" Zhu Youjian interrupted, "Rebel?"
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "Let them rebel. I want to see how much courage they have."
He turned to Wang Cheng'en: "Go tell Sun Chanting to have his men ready."
"Yes."
Zhu Youjian continued to study the map. Every shipping route was under his control.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, candles flickered. The palace in the dead of night seemed exceptionally profound.
"Your Majesty, Generals Sun Chanting, Lu Xiangsheng, and Zuo Liangyu have arrived," Wang Cheng'en whispered.
Zhu Youjian was reviewing a secret report: "Admit them."
The three generals strode into the hall and said in unison, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty."
Zhu Youjian looked up at his three trusted generals. Sun Chanting was brawny and in full military attire; Lu Xiangsheng had a lean face with eyes like torches; Zuo Liangyu stood tall with a composed expression.
"Rise," Zhu Youjian said calmly, "I have summoned you in the dead of night to discuss important matters."
"Please, Your Majesty, grant us your instructions," the three replied in unison.
Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the map of the Great Ming hanging on the wall: "My lords, look at this. What is it?"
The three stepped closer. On the map, several shipping routes were marked in red, all leading to the waterways of Jiangnan.
"This is..." Lu Xiangsheng mused.
"Correct," Zhu Youjian sneered, "These are all trade routes."
He turned to face the three: "I have already dispatched Zheng Zhilong to blockade these routes. What do you think the merchants' reaction will be?"
Sun Chanting stepped forward: "I believe they will surely seek help from the Jiangnan gentry."
Zuo Liangyu added, "These merchants have long been in collusion with the gentry; they will certainly join forces to resist."
"Well said," Zhu Youjian nodded, "Therefore, I need you to be prepared."
"Your Majesty's meaning is..." Lu Xiangsheng probed.
Zhu Youjian said coldly, "Once signs of rebellion appear, mobilize the troops to suppress them immediately."
The three exchanged glances and replied in unison, "We obey the imperial decree."
Zhu Youjian continued, "Sun Chanting."
"I am here."
"You shall lead your troops to garrison Huai'an and cut off communication between Jiangnan and the North."
"I obey the decree," Sun Chanting said, clasping his hands.
"Lu Xiangsheng."
"I am here."
"You shall lead your troops to garrison Yangzhou to prevent them from breaking out via the Yangtze River."
"I obey the decree," Lu Xiangsheng bowed.
"Zuo Liangyu."
"I am here."
"You shall lead your troops to garrison Hangzhou and keep a close watch on those gentry."
"I obey the decree," Zuo Liangyu answered.
Zhu Youjian returned to his throne and sat down: "Remember, once any unusual movement is detected, execute them on the spot."
The three responded in unison, "We obey the imperial decree."
Zhu Youjian added, "Furthermore, informants have been placed in shops across the regions. You must cooperate closely with them."
"We understand," the three replied.
Just then, Wei Zhiren walked in quickly: "Your Majesty, it has been discovered that Wen Tiren's confidants are contacting merchants in various regions."
Zhu Youjian sneered, "They have come at just the right time."
He turned to the three generals: "My lords, I give you three days to deploy. After three days, proceed according to the plan."
"We obey the imperial decree," the three replied, clasping their hands.
Zhu Youjian stood up and walked to the window: "Go and prepare. I await your good news."
The three bowed and withdrew.
Wei Zhiren stepped forward: "Your Majesty, should we..."
"No need," Zhu Youjian interrupted, "Let them struggle for now."