Southeast Grand Governor Xia Qing had been in power for three months but had achieved nothing, spending his days in pleasure and games like a spoiled rich boy. When the Eastern Qi officials found the path through Southern Chu’s Great Emperor blocked, under Dongfang Li’s leadership, they turned their attention to the Council of Elders in Shengdu. Various impeachment memorials flew in like snowflakes, accusing Xia Qing of being absurd and unreasonable, tyrannical and domineering, lacking knowledge, frivolous and dissolute. As time went on, the accusations became increasingly varied – there were even charges that Xia Qing was stealing others’ loves, causing women throughout the city to refuse marriage and delaying others’ matrimonial prospects. In short, they accused him persistently and enthusiastically.

With the strong Emperor Chu Li above, the Council of Elders in Shengdu had always been frustrated, having patriotic fervor but no way to serve the country. Now they finally caught an opportunity. Seeing this new Southeast Governor behaving so badly, the elders were so angry their beards bristled and eyes bulged. Eloquent ten-thousand-character attack essays emerged one after another fresh from the press. The courier officials running between Shengdu and Haishi were so busy their feet didn’t touch the ground, exhaustedly crying out that they were born at the wrong time.

Under the elders’ attacks, Governor Xia Qing progressed from initial disdain, to later anxiety, and finally didn’t even dare attend banquets anymore, staying locked in the Governor’s mansion day and night, not daring to go out. After several days, he finally gave in and issued a series of government orders.

In this chaotic situation, Governor Xia issued a series of seemingly weak policies, but the court situation was subtly changing.

First, Personnel Ministry Vice Minister Yu Xian, Supervision Chief Zhu Chengde, and Crown Prince’s Palace Official Yu Yong were jointly appointed as the three great southern circuit intendants to supervise grain relief efforts after the southern rebellion. This was a lucrative position that could gain good public reputation, but it was mentally and time-consuming – one couldn’t expect to return for five or six months.

Then Finance Ministry officials Cui Shilu and Xiao, along with Works Ministry Supervisor Peng Yunkun, were sent together to Huyang River to oversee river works – another time-consuming and laborious assignment. After that, people in Hetian County suddenly dug up auspicious stone totems from their fields. The stone statues were over twenty zhang tall, appearing to be ancient divine objects. After reporting to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in Shengdu, the scholars declared this was an auspicious omen of a new sage’s emergence, indicating victory in war, national prosperity, favorable weather, and good harvests. Governor Xia immediately prepared eagerly to welcome the auspicious stone statues back to Haishi. When the officials heard this, how could this be allowed? Such a heaven-sent auspicious event – whoever organized it would add great glory to their career path. How could they let that worthless fellow take this honor?

Thus, all Southeast officials deliberated together, clearly stating that Xia Qing bore the heavy responsibility of governing a province and should not leave Haishi, but should remain at the center to coordinate overall affairs. However, for such a major event, sending people without sufficient status and influence wouldn’t carry enough weight. Then Dongfang Li stepped forward and shouldered this heavy responsibility. Governor Xia reluctantly signed the documents under the officials’ supervision, sending Master Dongfang on his journey.

Immediately after, Censor Liu went to the southwest as a prefecture governor for his clean governance; Master Zhong Tian returned home on the Governor’s orders to care for his seriously ill mother; Master Zuo Hongze went out to supervise tax collection…

In short, within just one month, all the veteran ministers in Haishi’s small court were assigned external duties for various high-sounding reasons. The assignments were all important matters offering both fame and profit. The Southeast officials’ morale soared greatly – they considered this a huge victory against Governor Xia. Obviously, Governor Xia was overwhelmed and couldn’t bear the Council of Elders’ countless impeachments, so he began yielding power.

Thus, after one month, only the Minister of Rites remained among the court elders. This old minister who could cry at will led many young officials from the Hanlin Academy, Crown Prince’s Palace, and Censorate, along with Imperial Academy students, to continue their efforts and submit more memorials. They accused Xia Qing of neglecting proper duties and disrespecting elders, of lingering in pleasure districts and acting absurdly, of ignoring proper relationships and social hierarchy. One Imperial Academy student even had the novel idea of accusing Xia Qing of having a weak constitution, lacking masculine vigor, and being unfit to serve as a model for important ministers of a great nation.

However, just when everyone was enthusiastically filing complaints, those assigned external posts were departing joyfully, and those remaining behind were high-spirited, envoys from Korea, Penghu and other nations simultaneously arrived at a harbor along the Southeast coast. That night, a document came from Haishi Governor’s office: envoys from various nations had arrived, the time was ripe, and after the welcoming ceremony, sea trade would be opened! This was a strong medicine that caught all civil and military officials off guard. While letters flew rapidly from Haishi in all directions and all veteran ministers rushed back to the old capital at full speed, Governor Xia Qing ignored Sun Qingcheng and the Imperial Academy students crying themselves hoarse outside the palace gates, and directly went outside Haishi city to receive the foreign envoys.

For seven full days, after battle-like discussions on issues of taxation, establishing Haishi offices, trading locations, trade goods, forming naval fleets, and formulating legal regulations, Qing Xia announced outside Haishi’s Zhengyang Gate the establishment of a navy, opening of sea trade, and friendly commerce with all nations. This policy, which should have faced fierce opposition and impeachment, was thus easily promulgated and implemented with no room for reversal.

Two days later, Dongfang Li finally returned to Haishi dusty and with bones nearly falling apart. But by this time, envoys from all nations had already left the old capital and returned to their respective countries to report to their rulers. The seventy-year-old man stood outside the east city gate, trembling with rage, finally crying out in grief and indignation, “Xia Qing has deceived me!”

He then fainted and fell seriously ill.

At this time, Qing Xia, who had successfully opened sea trade, could no longer be bothered with such minor details.

Chu Li in Xichuan finally encountered the allied forces of the Xiongnu and Yan Hui. However, under Qing Xia’s previous arrangements, seventy to eighty percent of the Xiongnu had already fled. The remaining twenty to thirty percent could accomplish nothing and actually slowed down the Xichuan army’s pace due to ineffective command, making them helpless against Chu Li’s attacks. If Mo Zhaonan hadn’t brought reinforcements in time, Xichuan’s border defense might have been torn open by Chu Li.

With North Qin in the north and Great Chu in the south attacking from both directions, Xichuan’s war situation immediately became unbearable. But Yan Hui was no ordinary man – at the critical moment, he actually mobilized the empire’s imperial guards for a ten-thousand-li raid to surprise attack North Qin’s Fengya City, severely damaging the Fengya garrison. Qin Zhixiang had no choice but to turn north at this crucial moment, giving Yan Hui a breathing space. This meant Southern Chu would have to face all of Xichuan’s pressure alone.

Qing Xia sat in her study wearing elegant scholar’s robes that made her appear even more outstanding. She held a writing brush, though unfortunately it had been broken in half. At this moment, she was using the sharp wooden end, dipped in black ink from the inkstone, to write a letter.

Though the tool was rather unusual, her handwriting was very neat and quite elegant. However, after writing only a few characters, she couldn’t continue. On the white letter paper, black ink read: “To His Majesty the Great Emperor, I bow my head in salutation. Hearing of Your Majesty’s great victory brings me immense joy. I have matters to report awaiting Your Majesty’s decision.”

After thinking for a long while, Qing Xia suddenly grabbed the letter paper, crumpled it, and threw it in the wastebasket. When she picked up the brush again, it flowed much more smoothly.

“Chu Li: I heard you won a battle – I’m thrilled to death. Things on my end are almost finished too. I have some good news to tell you. Sea trade has been lifted. Following your instructions, I didn’t directly conflict with Dongfang Li, and the court officials can only stare helplessly at me now. Envoys from Ryukyu, Korea and other nations have all returned home. The next step is establishing Haishi offices and forming a navy to build ships. Fortunately, with the talented craftsmen from Penglai Valley, it’s not too difficult. Just wait to drink overseas wine and eat the corn and chili peppers I told you about.

Also, your secret network has quite a few capable people. I sent them with large groups of soldiers to accompany envoys to overseas countries, stationed at weak nations’ ports, establishing offices and embassies, and training naval forces. Nominally they’re protecting our future overseas merchants and caring for those small nations’ fleets, but once we go to war with Japan, they can surround Japan from all directions, forming a pincer attack, and use benefits to force other countries to participate. When my warships are ready and you return from Xichuan, we can set sail and completely level that country that bullied me. Just thinking about it makes me excited.

You must pay attention to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, and Hainan islands that I mentioned before. They may seem like barren lands now, but in three to five hundred years, they’ll absolutely be the most prosperous coastal ports. The customs revenue from them won’t be less than Huguang and Jiangzhe. We must firmly grasp all territories we can control, so we can establish an iron-solid foundation for Southern Chu’s future descendants. If you want to be a sage ruler and a great emperor for the ages, you need to work harder. Also, that Council of Elders in your court is driving me crazy. Yesterday they actually angrily denounced me as a eunuch faction, saying I’m feminine and weak, completely lacking a minister’s bearing. I really want to catch whichever shameless bastard said that and beat them up thoroughly.

Also, I see Yan Hui’s fortunes aren’t exhausted yet – at this time, the Red King has actually submitted to him. Be more careful in your actions. If things become impossible, don’t force it. With the ocean as our aid, we can monopolize them economically. Just cut off salt for two years and I guarantee Xichuan will have no usable soldiers left.

Alright, that’s all. To busy myself drafting trade laws, I haven’t slept for three whole days. I had just fallen asleep when I got news of your victory. Now this lord is going to sleep. When you see this letter, perhaps those small island vassals hanging overseas will already be in this lord’s pocket. You fellow who relies on brute force while commanding troops should also use your brain more. Quickly defeat that showoff Yan Hui thoroughly so you can come back and deal with those old men in the Council of Elders.

Southeast Provincial Grand Governor: Xia Qing

P.S.: Huang Biao is truly talented. He not only completely plundered the northern grasslands but also grandly captured over five thousand Xiongnu women. Three thousand men escorting five thousand women all the way back through Huarong trail – it gave me quite a shock. I took the initiative to distribute those women willing to stay among the soldiers in Haishi’s main camp. They’re all common people with no concept of nationality – as long as they have food, they’re quite loyal. Poor Xiongnu people – in the future, several men will have to share one wife. They must not become extinct.”