Yan Chengzhao led the southern-patrol naval force out of Taicang Prefecture by sea, continuing southward. Commandant Lin, the Japanese pirate leaders, and others were secretly escorted by the Southern Embroidered Uniform Guard to the capital for continued interrogation.

In the blink of an eye, late summer arrived. Riding the last southerly winds of the season, merchant vessels that had set out to sea for trade made their long and arduous return journey, sailing back from Siam, the Frankish kingdoms, Sulu, and other lands, fully laden with cargo, heading home to Great Qing.

In the winter and spring months, they had departed from ports throughout Great Qing, their ships loaded with tea, paper, sugar, porcelain, and silk — the teas of Jiangnan, the paper of Shunchang, the sugar loaves of Huguang, the kilned wares of Jingde, the silk of Huzhou, the brocades of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Upon arriving in the various countries of the Eastern and Western Seas, these goods were sold, and one unit of capital could be exchanged for tens of units of profit.

On the return voyage, they purchased from the local lands high-grade spices and medicinal materials such as sappanwood, sandalwood, borneol camphor, and edible bird’s nests; craft pieces and various rare gemstones such as decorative foreign mirrors, bronze drums, and white glazed cups. As the saying goes: “Palm goods sold to foreign shores, sandalwood burned in distant lands, bird’s nests white as snow, and beeswax golden as flowers.”

These goods, once brought back to Great Qing, could again yield profits many times over.

Back and forth, winter and spring exchanging for summer and autumn — the sea merchants, undaunted by storms or pirates, ventured to distant foreign lands to trade, all for the sake of winning this profit of one exchanged for a hundred.

By that time, the customs inspection hall had already been completed outside Taicang Prefecture’s wharf. Officials were stationed within to supervise and guard it. After the merchant vessels entered port and docked, they were examined in turn by the customs hall. Only after the tax assessment had been calculated could the cargo be unloaded and brought ashore.

At first, no more than three to five merchant ships docked at Taicang Prefecture’s wharf each day. Pei Bingyuan gazed out at the vast, empty expanse of sea with a slight furrow in his brow, a little worried in his heart — this wharf had been repaired and rebuilt brick by brick by the common people of Taicang Prefecture. If no ships came to dock, he feared he would have no way to account for himself to the townspeople.

Pei Shaohuai was considerably more optimistic, and offered his father reassurance: “The merchant ships that have entered port recently have holds that are more than half empty — a look tells you they are lead ships, scouting the route and being the first to dock… Within half a month, the fleets behind them will follow.”

Taicang Prefecture had just wiped out its Japanese pirates and water bandits, so merchant ships no longer needed to fear being intercepted and plundered by them. The tax regulations had also been published clearly in black and white for all to see — the duty assessments were fair and equitable. Add to that the location’s unique advantages: westward access to the Yangtze River, northward connection to the Grand Canal linking the capital to Hangzhou… With so many factors in its favor, why would fleets of merchant ships not come to dock?

And indeed, just as Pei Shaohuai had anticipated — within ten days, gardenia-white sails began to emerge one by one on the horizon, and fleet after fleet of merchant ships came home with full sails, drawing in toward Taicang Prefecture before furling their sails and gliding slowly in to dock one by one.

Once the harbor was full, ships still kept arriving in an unending stream, circling in the waters outside the harbor, waiting their turn for a berth.

Taicang Prefecture’s wharf grew lively and bustling.

The customs inspection hall verified the vessels, applying three categories of duties: water duties calculated by the size of the merchant ship, land duties calculated by the quantity and value of the goods, and supplementary duties levied on ships that had returned carrying only silver currency. The customs hall fell under the jurisdiction of the court’s Ministry of Revenue, and the duties collected flowed into the national treasury.

The newly appointed Commanding Officer Zhu of the Zhenhai Guard specially dispatched soldiers to assist the prefecture office — some patrolling at sea, others guarding the wharf — to prevent trouble from arising amid the crowds, and to keep petty thieves and criminals at bay.

……

Pei Bingyuan was so busy during this period that his feet barely touched the ground. It turned out that once the wharf flourished, there were so many things that required attention and preparation —

First came the leasing of commercial premises. On the open land outside the wharf, rows upon rows of shop fronts had already been built. With such a high volume of ships and commerce at the wharf, a contingent of merchants soon came forward to lease and purchase the premises.

Then came employment for the common people. The autumn harvest had not yet arrived, and it was a slack period for farming. Merchant traders needed laborers, and the common people wished to earn wages — the two sides came together in perfect accord. Townspeople from Taicang and the surrounding prefectures and counties streamed to the wharf in search of work.

And so on, matter after matter.

For all affairs great and small, Pei Bingyuan conferred with his various office officials and addressed them one by one.

Taicang Prefecture thrived with a vital, flourishing energy.

Lin Shi was not idle either. A number of locations and shops at Taicang Prefecture’s wharf belonged to the Pei family, and she had recently been busy setting up and managing these businesses.

Watching the merchant ships come and go, she was moved by the desire to seek out some fine things. She said to Pei Bingyuan: “It is not just Zhu’s dowry we need to think about — Shaohuai and Shaojin are not young anymore either. Once they have passed the autumn and spring examinations, their marriages will need to be considered… The betrothal gifts for two sons are no small matter. If we don’t prepare now, by next year or the year after it will be too late.”

“Mm, mm,” Pei Bingyuan murmured, his eyes filled with drowsiness. “Thank you for your trouble, my Lady…” His voice gradually grew quieter and fainter — and when she looked over, his eyes had already fallen shut in sleep.

Lin Shi found it both amusing and heart-wringing. This husband of hers devoted everything to his official duties, and seemed to have not the slightest grasp of household matters and property.

She calculated to herself: the marriages of three children would indeed require putting forward a considerable amount of assets and possessions. Jingchuan Earl’s府 was no longer what it once had been. For two sons to take wives, the府 must present the sincerity befitting an Earl’s household — they could not let the family’s official standing rise while the betrothal gifts fell behind.

Though she was busy, Lin Shi found contentment in it.

……

At the Taicang shipyard, five dry docks had already been cleared and readied, capable of building five ships simultaneously.

After obtaining his father’s approval, Pei Shaohuai had the finished vessel that Shipwright Wang had built moored prominently outside the wharf — highly visible to all who passed. A number of merchant traders coming and going took notice of it.

Those with a discerning eye could see at a glance that this ship had been built with extraordinary craftsmanship. A brief inquiry told them that Taicang Prefecture also had a shipyard.

Merchant vessels going to sea required inspection and repair once a year, and the cost was not modest. Why seek out something far away when there was a closer option? Many merchant ships chose to bring their large vessels to the Taicang shipyard for overhaul and repairs.

Inside the shipyard, the craftsmen — young and old alike — were industrious and driven. With this added influx of work, the shipyard was entirely capable of sustaining itself. The craftsmen could receive their monthly pay in full, the facilities and scale would continue to expand, and the Taicang shipyard was considered well and truly revived.

……

At year’s end, the Six Ministries, the Nine Agencies of the court, and regional officials throughout Great Qing submitted their annual reports of achievements.

Pei Bingyuan’s performance was exceptionally outstanding — the people of Taicang Prefecture lived and worked in peace and contentment, and Suzhou Prefecture of the Southern Metropolitan Region submitted a memorial commending him for his achievements in governing the people. He had suppressed local water bandits and armed strongmen to keep one region secure, and the shipyard was capable of building warships; the Minister of War submitted a memorial requesting recognition of his merits. He had built the wharf and formulated the maritime customs regulations, enriching the national treasury; the Minister of Revenue submitted a memorial requesting recognition of his merits.

With such achievements, he should have been promoted in rank and office ahead of schedule. However, the Ministers of Personnel and Works, together with court remonstrance officials, all submitted memorials in opposition.

Their reasoning was that Pei Bingyuan had entered official service through the tribute student pathway, and a fifth-rank position was already an exceptional honor for someone of that background. If rewards were granted frequently and without limit, it would inevitably undermine the very foundation of Great Qing’s civil examination system for selecting talent. Furthermore, Pei Bingyuan had only been in his current post for two years, and had not yet reached the three-year evaluation period — granting rewards year after year did not conform to proper protocol.

Minister of War Zhang Lingyi rebutted on the morning court session with ringing conviction: “Guanzi states: ‘The instruments of good governance by the early kings are three… commands and proclamations, axes and halberds, and rewards and incentives.’ To reward merit and give recognition to the capable — this is the natural order of things. How can one reduce a person’s reward on the basis of their background? Military officers are rewarded for military achievements; civil officials are rewarded for administrative accomplishments. If everything is decided by seniority and rank, how will Great Qing ever produce great generals? How will it produce capable ministers? … In truth, it is doing things this way that strikes at the very root of Great Qing’s system for selecting talent.”

He then concluded: “Your Majesty, this minister believes that Prefect Pei should be recognized and rewarded in accordance with the established precedents.”

The Minister of Rites, Lord Xu, was related to the Earl’s府 by marriage, and had to recuse himself to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

On the court floor, the two factions remained deadlocked, each holding firmly to their position. The Emperor intervened to put a stop to it, saying the matter would be discussed after court was dismissed.

At that time, Yan Chengzhao had already returned from the southern patrol and come before the Emperor to make his report.

In the imperial study, after hearing Yan Chengzhao’s full account, the Emperor was greatly pleased and said: “Chengzhao, you have rendered meritorious service in the southern patrol. We permit your merits to offset your faults — your title shall not be reduced.”

“This subject is grateful for Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

Yan Chengzhao’s title of First-Rank General of the Nation was restored.

The Emperor then commanded: “The matter of Commandant Lin’s collusion with the Japanese pirates was not the act of one person alone — it has wide-ranging entanglements. Lead the Southern Embroidered Uniform Guard in a thorough investigation, and pursue the matter to its very end. We grant you the authority token.”

“This subject obeys.”

Turning to the matter of Taicang Prefecture, the Emperor asked: “Chengzhao, in your judgment, what manner of man is Pei Bingyuan?”

Yan Chengzhao did not hesitate for even a moment. His expression showed neither favor nor disfavor as he replied truthfully: “From what this subject has observed, the Pei father and three sons are all men of virtue and ability — they are talent that can be put to use.” He then went on to report to the Emperor, one by one, everything he had seen and investigated.

Including the exceptional gifts of the brothers Shaohuai and Shaojin.

Several days later, the Emperor issued a decree to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue to handle the matter of rewarding Pei Bingyuan — his official post of Prefect remained unchanged, his rank was promoted from the lower fifth rank to the upper fifth rank, he was granted the salary grade of the upper fourth rank, and he was rewarded with two hundred silver ingots and two lengths of brocade fabric.

……

……

The autumn harvest having passed, Qiao Yunsheng honored the agreement regarding the use of his estate’s water supply and brought Pei Ruozhu the three-percent yield as promised, using this as occasion to visit Pei Shaojin.

Each time he was to see Pei Ruozhu, Qiao Yunsheng would prepare thoroughly at home, arriving full of eager anticipation, as if delivering coursework.

Ruozhu walked in with graceful, light steps, and Qiao Yunsheng rose to his feet at once to bow — so abruptly and with such force that the gesture came across as somewhat hurried.

He opened the sandalwood box on the table, took out the deeds stored within, and pushed them one by one in front of Pei Ruozhu, saying as he did so: “This is the title deed to the府 residence, this is the land deed to the official estates, and this is the ownership deed to the servants granted by imperial bestowment…”

He opened another box. A black iron voucher bore inscribed characters highlighted in vermillion pigment. Qiao Yunsheng said: “This is the Nanping Earl’s府’s iron voucher with its red-script inscription.”

Pei Ruozhu recognized the depth of sincerity in Qiao Yunsheng’s gesture. Her gaze stirred slightly, and she met Qiao Yunsheng’s eyes directly as she asked: “Nanping Earl — what is the meaning of this?”

“Last time, Miss Zhu said that only two kinds of men are fit to be a husband. After returning home, I gave it a great deal of thought.” Qiao Yunsheng said. “One kind is someone with abilities sufficient to earn Miss Zhu’s admiration and willing submission… With a temperament like mine — content with little, and holding no official position beyond the title — I am nowhere near meeting that requirement.”

He then continued: “But I can be the other kind.”

On the iron voucher with its red-script inscription, the black ground with scarlet characters was striking against the eye, with “Nanping Earl” inscribed prominently at the very top.

Qiao Yunsheng said: “I will listen to you. The Nanping Earl’s府 will also listen to you… There is no one else in the household. If I listen to you, that is the same as everyone listening to you.” For the first time, he took the initiative to meet Pei Ruozhu’s gaze directly, with an expression full of inquiry, then continued: “The Nanping Earl’s府 will not confine you. Outside the府 there is the world with all its conventions; inside the府, there is only me.”

What he had brought with him today was meant as proof of his words.

Qiao Yunsheng’s words truly settled into Pei Ruozhu’s heart. Beneath the handkerchief, she gently rubbed her fingers together and felt that faint, fine callus — the thin ridge of hardened skin worn into her fingertips from years of pinching needle and thread. In the palace, she had sat beneath lamplight, stitching painstakingly at the half-spoken commands of those of high rank.

Her embroidery was something she was skilled at — not something she loved.

And that was precisely why she had offered the second condition: that he defer to her.

The man before her was gentle without being weak, bashful without being timid. He waited for her answer and asked: “I wonder if Miss Zhu would be willing to accept my proposal?”

Pei Ruozhu placed the deeds back into the sandalwood box and gently closed both lids, then slid them back across to Qiao Yunsheng.

The light in Qiao Yunsheng’s eyes dimmed at once. His gaze followed the movement of Zhu Jie’er’s hands, then quickly drew back. He parted his lips, but could find no words to say.

Then he heard Pei Ruozhu say: “These cannot count as betrothal gifts… Qiao Gongzi will need to prepare a separate set of betrothal gifts and convince my parents.”

“Is… is that truly so?”

“Qiao Gongzi speaks in earnest, and so naturally do I.”

……

At the year’s end, the Emperor hosted a banquet for the court’s meritorious officials and the noble households of the capital region. As the Nanping Earl, Qiao Yunsheng was naturally among those invited.

After the Emperor drank with his assembled officials, the next portion of the occasion was for the officials to offer their congratulations and present toasts to the Emperor.

At banquets in years past, Qiao Yunsheng had always played the part of an invisible presence — sitting quietly and properly from beginning to end, never drawing any attention, let alone thinking of stepping forward to offer congratulations or a toast.

But this year, after half the banquet had passed and all the dukes and marquises had already presented their toasts, Qiao Yunsheng poured his wine, stepped forward with respectful composure, and delivered the congratulatory words he had long prepared, presenting his toast to the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at the young man in an Earl’s ceremonial attire standing below — utterly unfamiliar to him, and yet stirring a measure of curiosity.

The eunuch attendant beside the Emperor, Eunuch Xiao, refilled the Emperor’s cup and said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, this is the orphan of the late Nanping Earl and his wife, who inherited his father’s title.”

In those days, Qiao Yunsheng’s father had been sent to take up a post in Jiaodong and met with disaster along the way — it had been no small matter. With a single reminder from Eunuch Xiao, the Emperor recalled it, and said: “Nanping Earl — drink with Us.”

After the toast, the Emperor spoke of the events of that year gone by, and expressed a great sense of regret.

Qiao Yunsheng bowed and replied: “This subject, on behalf of his father, thanks Your Majesty for your gracious remembrance.”

The Emperor, seeing that Qiao Yunsheng was in the prime of his youth, said: “If your father could see you as you are today, he would be able to rest at peace.” Then, with a show of concern, he asked: “Has our dear official taken a wife?”

“Your Majesty, this subject has not yet wed.”

The assembled court officials could all perceive that the Emperor intended to bestow a marriage, and began murmuring among themselves about which households had daughters who had come of age.

Then they heard Qiao Yunsheng continue: “However, this subject already has a young lady whom he holds in his heart.”

The assembled officials were delighted — it seemed today they were to witness a fine occasion. Qiao Yunsheng’s implication, surely, was that he was asking the Emperor to bestow the marriage?

But Qiao Yunsheng kept right on speaking: “This subject is currently preparing the three letters and the six rites, awaiting the approval of her parents… Should good news arrive, this subject will without fail be the first to report it to Your Majesty.”

Having said this, Qiao Yunsheng let out a quiet breath of relief — if the Emperor had already spoken the formal words of imperial bestowal, it would no longer have been appropriate for him to say what he had just said.

This time, even the Emperor joined in the laughter, and said with a broad smile: “Excellent! We shall await your report of good tidings, and then bestow upon you the blessing of a fine marriage.”

The assembled officials laughed along. This Nanping Earl was quite something.

“This subject is grateful for Your Majesty’s boundless grace.”

An imperially bestowed marriage that came before the two families had made their own arrangements was quite different in implication from an imperially bestowed marriage that came as a seal of approval after the two families had already reached agreement. Though both were imperial bestowal, the two carried vastly different meanings: the former could not avoid having a somewhat coercive quality, while the latter was a case of adding splendor to what was already good.

Seizing upon the moment of joy, the Emperor spoke with the benevolent tone of an elder offering guidance to a younger generation: “If you wish for your father-in-law to give his consent, the betrothal gifts must not be lacking. Have you prepared everything?”

Everyone present understood that the Emperor intended to grant imperial gifts to serve as part of the betrothal.

Whether Qiao Yunsheng truly did not understand or was feigning ignorance, he bowed and replied: “This subject has two uncles, and the uncles are presently making the preparations.”

Such an earnest and guileless manner greatly pleased the Emperor. The Emperor said: “When you come to report your happy news, We shall grant you a reward at that time.” Eunuch Xiao beside him quietly made note of it on the Emperor’s behalf.

“This subject is grateful for Your Majesty’s reward.”