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The smoke of battle has dissipated off the coast of Taizhou, and the wreckage of enemy ships and scattered corpses floating on the sea silently tell the story of the cruelty and glory of that crushing victory.

The good news spread, and people praised Su Ning, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, for his skill in manufacturing equipment and his brilliant military strategy.

However, only those at the core of the operation knew that behind this great victory, besides the advanced steam paddlewheels and sharp firearms of the era, there was also an indispensable backbone force...

Those were the former troops of Qi Jiguang's army, whose famous generals had passed away, but whose spirits remained.

Although the famous general Qi Jiguang (courtesy name Yuanjing, also known as Nantang) has been dead for several years, the Qi Family Army system he painstakingly built, especially the troops and training methods that have been rooted in the Zhejiang-Zhili region for many years, as well as his belief that "I do not wish to be ennobled, but only that the seas are calm," have not immediately disappeared.

Many junior and middle-ranking officers, and even some senior generals, came from Qi Jiguang's ranks and were deeply influenced by his "Yu Long Qi Hu" military strategy.

They were highly disciplined and skilled in tactics such as the Mandarin Duck Formation, making them the most combat-effective elite infantry force along the southeastern coast of the Ming Dynasty at that time.

After assuming the post of Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, Su Ning keenly recognized the value of this force.

He did not look down on Qi Jiguang's former subordinates because of Qi Jiguang's absence; on the contrary, he relied on them even more.

When he was reorganizing coastal defenses and forming a new type of naval land warfare battalion, he promoted and appointed a large number of generals from the original Qi Jiguang's army system, making them the backbone of the new army.

In the Battle of Taizhou, the crucial tasks of landing, mopping up the remaining enemy forces, and consolidating the beachhead were perfectly executed by these former members of the "Qi Family Army," who were familiar with the tactics of the Japanese pirates and were known for their fierce fighting style.

However, Su Ning was well aware of the Ming court's sensitivity and suspicion towards military power.

The cabinet and the monarchy are naturally wary of any military force that may escape their control.

The success of Qi Jiguang's army was inseparable from the full support of civil officials such as Hu Zongxian and Tan Lun, as well as Qi Jiguang's own superb political wisdom.

Now that Qi Jiguang has passed away, if Su Ning, as a civil official governor, were to too obviously integrate and expand an army with a strong personal imprint, it would inevitably arouse the suspicion of the capital and might even bring unnecessary trouble, interfering with his grander industrial and commercial plans.

"The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind." Su Ning frankly told his confidant Zhou Zhengjie, "The Qi Family Army is a good sword, but right now, we can't let the court think that this sword is too sharp, or that the handle is only in my hands. For now, maintaining the status quo and letting it be used for our purposes is enough."

Therefore, in his report of victory, although he truthfully reported the merits of the soldiers and praised the bravery of the former Qi Family Army, he deliberately downplayed his role in "integrating" the army, emphasizing more the result of "the soldiers' willingness to fight and the unity of purpose," and attributing the credit to the imperial court's prestige and the overall tactical arrangements.

In Su Ning's view, while the elite of the army division is important, the key to future victory lies in control of the sea.

The fundamental advantage of the Japanese pirates lay in their maritime mobility. Once they lost the sea, they were like trees without roots. No matter how strong Qi Jiguang's army was on land, they could only passively defend.

Furthermore, the Japanese mainland is the endless source of the Wokou (Japanese pirates). Only by completely eradicating Japan can the Wokou's plague be completely eradicated.

"A strong land force can protect our territory. However, to eradicate the Japanese pirates and even control the vast seas, a modern steam-powered fleet is essential." Su Ning stood before the newly drawn-up plans for the "shipyard," his eyes burning with determination. "The day our ironclad warships are fully operational will be the day the Japanese pirates are utterly annihilated! At that time, the sea routes they rely on for survival will be firmly controlled by us, and the vast ocean will have nowhere for them to hide. Our fleet can strike straight at their lair, cut off their supplies, force them into a decisive battle at sea, and finish them off in one fell swoop!"

Suning is not in a hurry to stir up too much trouble within the existing army system and attract unnecessary attention from the court.

Instead, they focused their core energy entirely on the steel behemoth that was gradually taking shape in the shipyard, representing the power of the industrial age.

This new navy, entirely built by him, with absolutely leading technology and deeply intertwined with Jiangnan's commercial interests through the "Naval Fund," is his true reliance and cornerstone of power for the future.

Thus, under the halo of the Taizhou victory, Su Ning continued to make good use of the readily available elite troops of Qi Jiguang's old army to stabilize the land defense; on the other hand, he poured all his resources and ambitions into the naval construction that was about to change the era.

He was like a patient chess player, knowing that the real killing move was often hidden behind a seemingly ordinary layout, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with lightning speed.

……

On a clear morning in the second year of the Wanli reign, Nanjing awoke in a thin mist.

The study of the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili was already brightly lit. Su Ning, dressed in casual clothes, sat behind a large rosewood desk, on which were neatly stacked documents from thirteen prefectures of the two provinces.

The first document he opened was a report from Songjiang Prefecture regarding the conversion of grain transport to silver.

"Last year, Songjiang Prefecture's grain tribute amounted to 420,000 taels of silver, a 30% increase compared to previous years," the clerk standing to the side reported softly. "However, the treasury reported that only 380,000 taels actually entered the coffers."

Suning's gaze swept across the numbers, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

The 40,000 tael difference felt like a thorn in his heart.

He picked up a specially made fountain pen and quickly wrote on a piece of paper: "Instruct the Censor to conduct a secret investigation into the Songjiang canal transport, focusing on verifying the silver conversion process. Also, order the Daming Bank to retrieve the accounts of the officials in that prefecture."

Instead of immediately launching an attack, Suning laid out two traps.

One is overt oversight, the other is covert financial surveillance.

This was a tactic he had mastered while working in the accounting department, and now he used it with even greater skill.

"Next item." Su Ning's voice was calm and even.

"My lord, the Suzhou Textile Bureau requests an additional five thousand taels to purchase silk materials."

"Rejected." Su Ning said without hesitation, "Instruct them to recalculate the costs according to the new accounting method and submit a report in three days."

"Yes! Sir."

Suning opened a hard-covered notebook he always carried with him and wrote down key points in it.

This action made the clerk standing by take a second look, but he dared not ask any questions.

After all, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili always did some unexpected things, which these old-fashioned literati sometimes simply couldn't understand.

Therefore, those who could stay in the Governor's Mansion were all rare intelligent people, and naturally they were able to refrain from making wild guesses.

……

At the beginning of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the six prefects of the jurisdiction filed in one after another to deliver their ten-day reports.

Su Ning sat in the highest seat, listening to their presentations in turn.

The Hangzhou prefect mentioned that some scholars had jointly opposed the "Single Whip Law," claiming that it "violated ancestral rules."

Su Ning raised his eyes: "Have you carefully calculated the land owned by these scholars?"

The prefect was speechless.

"Tomorrow, we will clarify their land registers and tax payments, and post them, along with their joint petition, outside the prefectural school." Su Ning said calmly, "Let everyone judge whether they are opposing ancestral rules or their own money."

Everyone was silent.

This governor's methods were always so direct and deadly.

In the afternoon, Suning moved to a side hall.

More than ten merchants were already waiting there, all of whom had come to apply for new machinery.

“Your Excellency,” a silk merchant bowed, “I have paid my taxes according to the new law and humbly request permission to purchase a water-powered loom.”

Su Ning gestured for his staff to bring out the ledgers, quickly glanced at them, and nodded: "Approved. The Chamber of Commerce will send someone to assist with the installation within three days."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Operating in accordance with the law and paying taxes as usual! That is the greatest gratitude you can give me."

"Yes! Sir."

Another salt merchant wanted to apply for a steamship operating permit. After Suning inquired carefully about details such as route planning and capacity calculation, he finally signed the application.

Every decision was made quickly and precisely, as if the operator had a thorough understanding of how various industries operated.

The third quarter of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) is the time for inspection.

Suning's sedan chair stopped in front of the newly built weaving workshop outside Nanjing.

Inside the workshop, fifty new water-powered looms were humming loudly.

Suning hadn't expected that this new type of water-powered loom would be more popular; the purely electric-driven equipment wasn't quite understood. He casually picked up a piece of freshly woven silk and carefully examined the warp and weft density against the light.

"The efficiency is eight times that of the old method, but the yield rate is only 70%." Suning told the workshop owner, "The problem lies in the unstable quality of the yarn. The Chamber of Commerce will send technicians tomorrow to guide us in improving the process."

"Yes, Your Excellency!" the workshop owner replied repeatedly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

This governor's understanding of craftsmanship was even more profound than that of a master craftsman with many years of experience.

It was nearly dusk when Su Ning returned to the yamen, so he deliberately took a detour to the banks of the Qinhuai River.

New water supply pipes are being laid here, marking the first project of "Daming Municipal Engineering".

He got out of his sedan chair and personally inspected the pipe connections, instructing the foreman: "This concerns people's livelihood; quality comes first."

"Yes! Sir."

Back in the study, the candlelight was lit again.

Suning opened a special booklet, which recorded the progress of various new policies.

He used that strange pen to draw on it, pausing occasionally to ponder.

"My lord, it's time for dinner," the servant reminded him softly.

"Leave it for now." Su Ning didn't even look up, deep in thought as he stared at the map of Jiangnan.

The map shows the planned railway lines, the power plants to be built, and the layout of various industrial zones.

He didn't put down his pen until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), and rubbed his temples.

After a day's administrative work was completed, every decision was made and every detail was carefully considered.

From taxation to people's livelihood, from industry and commerce to engineering, he acted like a precise helmsman, firmly controlling the course of this giant ship in Jiangnan.

The moonlight outside the window was clear and bright, illuminating this ancient city.

Standing by the window, Su Ning knew that every administrative matter he handled today was subtly changing the face of this land.

The power in his hands, like the deepening night, silently and tightly enveloped every corner of Jiangnan.

……

As Suning's power in Jiangnan became increasingly consolidated, especially with the vigorous implementation of the "Single Whip Law" and the establishment of a new industrial and commercial system, it touched the vital interests of countless traditional gentry and also made more shrewd gentry see the possibility of seeking new profits by relying on powerful forces.

Thus, a soft offensive, using "personal connections" as weapons and "bribery" as arrows, quietly unfolded in the prosperous Jiangnan region, with a variety of tactics and sophisticated methods that far exceeded the norm.

Initially, the gentry's probing was tinged with the reserve and decorum of scholars and gentlemen.

On this day, the gatekeeper of the Governor's Mansion received a visiting card from Mr. Wang, a famous scholar from Suzhou. Instead of gold and silver, the card was accompanied by a set of sandalwood writing implements that were said to have been used by a famous calligrapher and painter of the previous dynasty, as well as two landscape paintings that were claimed to be long-lost Song Dynasty works.

The stewards and officials who presented the gifts were mostly earnest in their words: "Our master has long heard that the scholar of National Taiwan University is exceptionally talented and has a great fondness for calligraphy and painting. He has specially presented these fine objects for your appreciation and has no other intentions."

Almost simultaneously, the Shen family, a silk industry tycoon in Jiangning, sent a complete set of teaware personally crafted by the Zisha master Shi Dabin, as well as ten jars of Wuyi Mountain mother tree Da Hong Pao tea, which was more valuable than gold.

He explained that he was grateful to the governor for reforming the market and making trade routes smoother, and this was a small token of his "compatibility".

These gifts, though priceless, are cloaked in an air of "refined elegance," making them difficult to refuse outright.

However, Suning's handling of the situation surprised them.

All gifts were registered and labeled by a designated person, indicating who gave them and when, and then stored unopened in the government treasury.

He left only one sentence: "I appreciate your kind intentions, but it is inconvenient to return the item to its rightful owner. It will be temporarily stored in the treasury and can be used for public purposes in the future."

When their attempt at "refined bribery" failed, the group did not give up. Instead, they launched a series of more direct and sensual offensives.

A retired official surnamed Xu from Songjiang Prefecture, under the guise of "adjusting the governor's daily life," sent a pair of twin sisters to the backyard of the governor's mansion through a minor subordinate of Su Ning.

These two sisters, aged sixteen, are said to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and also speak with a soft Wu dialect and have graceful figures, making them truly stunning beauties.

The escorting nanny flattered them, saying, "These two girls have been trained since childhood and are very good at understanding people. They can make heroes dismount and forget their worries."

Even more outrageous, a powerful nobleman in Nanjing, after what seemed like an ordinary banquet, "generously" gifted a troupe of twelve geisha, musicians, and costumes he had carefully trained at home to the Governor-General's office, ostensibly to "add a little entertainment to the Governor-General's leisure time from his official duties."

Faced with these tempting temptations, Suning handled the situation more decisively and efficiently.

The twin sisters stayed in the backyard of the governor's mansion for only one night. The next day, they were "invited" out of the mansion unharmed, along with a letter written by Su Ning. In the letter, he stated tactfully but firmly that "I am focused on official duties and have no interest in sensual pleasures. I hope that Lord Xu will withdraw the generous gift and not let this precious pearl be tarnished."

The troupe of kabuki performers wasn't even allowed to enter the Governor's Mansion; they were stopped at the gate and told that "the Governor's Mansion is not a place for kabuki performances," and were ordered to be sent back the way they came.

With his power, Su Ning could have any woman he wanted, but he preferred to personally search for beauties from all over the world. As for this kind of "beauty trap" that was already ulterior motives, he would just leave it at that.

I just didn't expect that when the soft approach didn't work, these people would resort to the hard one.

Some wealthy salt and maritime merchants, with powerful backgrounds, believed that their wealth could influence everything and resorted to the most direct methods.

When a Fujianese merchant who controlled several shipping routes requested an audience, his steward presented him with an inconspicuous wooden box.

Upon opening it, what was inside was not rare treasures, but a thick stack of thousand-tael silver notes from the Ming Dynasty's money shops, which could be redeemed on demand. Roughly estimated, it was no less than 100,000 taels!
The butler lowered his head and spoke directly to the core issue: "My master has no other request than that the governor grant him the necessary favors regarding the permits for operating new types of ships."

Another Yangzhou salt merchant "inadvertently" lost a brocade pouch after an official meeting to "report on salt administration".

When the servant picked it up, he discovered that it contained a bag of pearls from the East China Sea, several cat's-eye stones from the Western Regions, and a slip of paper with a salt certificate number, which meant that he could receive a huge profit.

Suning responded most coldly to these blatant financial offensives.

The wooden box containing the silver notes was thrown back on the spot, while the lost brocade pouch was sealed as "evidence".

The businessmen involved and the officials who introduced them were severely reprimanded and received "extra attention" in subsequent business approvals, facing numerous restrictions.

Suning even used this as a pretext to conduct a small-scale purge within the Chamber of Commerce, explicitly declaring: "Those who use money and goods to disrupt the law will never be allowed to enter the Chamber of Commerce!"

"Sir, isn't this too harsh? After all, this is the heartfelt gift from the gentry of Jiangnan."

"The laws of the Ming Dynasty are merciless! No one can attempt to provoke them."

"Yes, sir, we understand."

Repeated attempts and attacks were all shattered before Suning's impenetrable defenses.

He was not unapproachable; in public, he maintained the necessary courtesy towards gentry and merchants. He did not completely refuse all gifts; he would sometimes accept symbolic local specialties that did not affect the overall situation, but he would always reciprocate with a gift of equal value, never owing anyone a favor.

Over time, officials and businessmen in Jiangnan came to understand one fact: this Governor Su's ambitions were not for money, beauty, or the usual official connections.

What he is after is much bigger and more difficult to fathom.

"The heart of the Soviet governor is as deep as the sea and as firm as iron." A gentryman who failed in his attempt to bribe him lamented in private, "Gold and silver cannot move his heart, and beauty cannot sway his will. From now on, I'd better just do things his way."

This reputation for refusing bribes and being aloof from women did not isolate Su Ning; on the contrary, it further enhanced his prestige.

His upright image gives him more confidence when implementing policies, and makes it difficult for those who try to find his weaknesses to do so.

However, many people unconsciously overlook the fact that Su Ning is interested in making a lot of money, and beautiful women are purely for pleasure. As for approaching someone with ulterior motives, that is not allowed.

Su Ning knew that in this Jiangnan region, only by maintaining his own impeccable position could he firmly control this vast network woven from power, commerce, and industry, and steadily move towards a direction that no one could shake.

Moreover, Zhang Juzheng, this powerful minister, is destined to have a bad fate, and I can try to challenge for the position of Grand Secretary.

...(End of chapter)