Chapter 32: The Bullshit Governor

  The next morning, without waiting for Yongzheng to go and knock on the door, those royal relatives came one after another. The news that Yunbi needs everyone's support due to lack of connections had spread among the nobles overnight. Although it is said that those who were sent to join the navy are all useless sons of various princes, but no matter what, they are still their own sons, and there is a saying that "one's own son is one's own darling". Who doesn't want to get along with Yongzheng and let their own sons suffer less? Moreover, the Beiyang Fleet is now closely related to them, so it's natural for them to help each other.

  For these goodwill that came to his door, Yongzheng naturally would not refuse, but he was also quite depressed. These people, in addition to offering benefits, also recommended people. Which family doesn't have a few poor relatives? With such a large fleet, where can't you fit a few more people?

  His Excellency was short-handed, but the people they recommended were all sorts of riffraff, such as accountants, attendants, clerks, and stewards. He welcomed accountants with open arms, taking in as many as were recommended. As for stewards and the like, he kept them at arm's length, while firmly rejecting attendants like Long Sui. These attendants were all troublemakers who would ruin his reputation if taken to Shanghai. Besides, it wasn't as if they were going to be officials; with so many soldiers under him, all matters were handled by his personal guards. Even if he did need attendants, he would have to promote them from among his personal guards. As for clerks and stewards, they were indeed needed, but who knew whether the people recommended had any real talent or learning? In some cases, it was simply a matter of returning a favor, so he ended up taking in over ten clerks and stewards.

  Even so, the news of Yinzhen's recruitment still spread like wildfire, and in an instant, it was all over the place. The gate of Yunbi's mansion was almost trampled down, and many relatives and friends came to visit, one after another, all recommending people. As a result, Yinzhen got a headache every time he heard the word "recommend". In less than two days, without Kangxi's urging, he couldn't wait to leave Beijing on his own. Regarding those young masters who were eager to join the navy, he submitted a memorial to Kangxi, suggesting that after the naval academy was established, they should be sent to Shanghai, so as not to disturb the local area.

  Since the 26th year of Kangxi, when the Jianghai Customs was moved from Lianyungang to Shanghai, Shanghai began to gradually prosper. Ships engaged in domestic and foreign trade all entered Huangpu Port through Wusongjiang, and a large number of goods such as Suzhou silk, Songjiang fine cloth, Jingdezhen porcelain, and overseas goods gathered in Shanghai. By the 48th year of Kangxi, Shanghai Port, located at the center of the coastline, had become a major hub for north-south navigation.

  In the Shanghai Songjiang area, as early as the mid-Ming dynasty, it became a center for cotton and textile production, known as "clothing the world". By the Kangxi period, the cotton textile handicraft industry had spread to all towns in Shanghai. The county town of Shanghai also developed into a center for the cotton textile handicraft industry, becoming a hub for cotton processing, printing and dyeing, and calendering industries. According to statistics from the Jianghai Customs, starting from the 45th year of Kangxi, over 200 million bolts of cloth were exported from the port of Shanghai every year, which can be seen as a testament to the prosperity of Shanghai's maritime trade.

  On November 2, Yin Zhen and his entourage of over 600 people arrived in Shanghai. Upon receiving the news, the magistrate of Songjiang led a large group of officials to welcome them at the Huangpu Port wharf early in the morning. Without mentioning Yin Zhen's imperial status, just based on his imperial envoy identity, the officials of Songjiang Prefecture did not dare to show any neglect.

  As soon as the boat stopped, they stood facing south, and with Zhu Yan-zhi, the Magistrate of Songjiang, at their head, a group of officials knelt down in unison, their sleeves tucked up, and bowed low, saying: "Your humble servants wish you peace."

  "Long live the Emperor."

  "Long live, long live." After three kneels and nine knocks, a group of officials stood up and knelt down again to pay their respects to Yongzheng, "Your subordinate has seen the 14th master, may the 14th master be safe."

  He stretched out his hand and said with a smile, "Relax."

  Zhu Yan Zhi stood up and took two steps forward, smiling: "The 14th Master has traveled far by boat and carriage, and I have already prepared wine and water in the Xiangxiang Pavilion to welcome you. I hope the 14th Master will grant me an audience."

  Ying Zhuan had to stay in Shanghai for a few years, so he naturally had to give face to these local officials. He smiled and said, "Thanks for your trouble, Director Zhu."

  Seeing the friendly attitude of Xu Shi, Zhu Yan's heart finally put down, and he gave a wink to Shanghai County Magistrate Xu Shi to take charge of accommodating the entourage brought by Xu Shi, while stretching out his hand to let him follow closely behind the Fourteenth.

  Zhu Yan Zhi came to welcome Yin Zhen this time, apart from the courtesy, he also had a private purpose. He was a Han official, only in his early 40s, and had been serving in local positions for over ten years. After much hard work, he finally got the lucrative position of Suzhou Prefect, but didn't expect that the new Governor-General of Liangjiang, Gaoli, would give Jiangsu officials a warning as soon as he took office. He impeached and dismissed three second-grade officials from Jiangsu, including Provincial Governor Yu Zhun, Finance Commissioner Yi Si Gong, and Judicial Commissioner Jiao Ying Han, on the grounds of embezzling grain taxes.

  Immediately afterwards, in the middle of October, Gali impeached four people, including Su Song grain road Jia Pu, Suzhou prefect Chen Pengnian, Jiangchang official Xu Yuanshi and his Tongjiang prefect Zhu Yanqi, on the grounds of deducting river management money. As the governor-general of Liangjiang, a Manchu from the Plain Yellow Banner, and a descendant of a meritorious minister, Gali was favored by Kangxi and looked down upon all officials of the second rank or below. How could he put up with his own fourth-rank prefect? Upon hearing this news, Zhu Yanqi's heart was filled with anxiety, and he couldn't eat or sleep.

  Upon learning the news that Yin Zheng was coming to Shanghai, Zhu Yan Zhi saw a glimmer of hope in his desperation. He immediately began asking around about this 14th prince's situation. After finding out that Yin Zheng had just established his mansion and still enjoyed the emperor's favor, he felt that his turning point had arrived. Since Yin Zheng had just established his mansion, it meant that his foundation was shallow and he lacked men under him. Although Zhu Yan Zhi's position as a 4th rank official was somewhat lowly, he had the advantage of being familiar with the local terrain. And wasn't Yin Zheng planning to build some sort of ocean-going fleet in Shanghai? As long as he could strongly support him, wouldn't he be able to rely on this powerful tree? Could the Governor-General of Liangjiang be more powerful than a favored prince?

  With this idea in mind, Zhu Yan Zhi made elaborate arrangements for the reception of Yin Zhen. Little did he know that Zhu had these ideas, his mind was preoccupied with how to make a big show of force in Shanghai and turn it into Asia's number one port under his control. He disliked these empty formalities in official circles, so he hastily went through the motions, remembered the main officials, then left early citing fatigue from traveling by boat and carriage.

  Zhu Yan Zhi saw that Yin Zhen's spirits were not high, so he followed Shanghai Magistrate Xu Shi Zhen to send him to the residence that had been arranged in advance - Liu Chun Garden. This was a villa belonging to a local wealthy family. However, when the two men were about to bid farewell, Yin Zhen suddenly spoke up and said, "Two nobles, Yin Zhen has just arrived in Shanghai and still needs to rely on you both for many things."

  Zhu Yan Zhi saw the opportunity and hastily said: "Being able to serve as a humble horse for the 14th Master is the greatest blessing for this official, if the 14th Master has any orders, this official will not hesitate even if it means going through boiling water or walking into fire."

  He said that, Xu Shi-zhen felt depressed. Since you, the prefect, have spoken so bluntly, how can I, the county magistrate, open my mouth? This Prince Bei is stationed in Shanghai, and he could only say vaguely: "Your humble servant is terrified, it is his duty to share the worries of the 14th prince, if the 14th prince has any needs, please just instruct him, your humble servant will definitely do his best."

  He shot a glance at Zhu Yan Zhi, the phrase "dog and horse labor" was not something that could be said casually. That was something only a minister could say to his king or a slave to his master. Did this person want to surrender to him? Before coming to Shanghai, he had done some research on officials in Jiangsu, especially those in Songjiang. Zhu Yan Zhi was a Han official, a genuine imperial scholar who rose from county magistrate to prefect through the ranks, with a good reputation. He had also been commended for his outstanding performance as a prefect for two consecutive years and was considered a seasoned official. It was unlikely that he would say something wrong. Had something happened?