Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 738 Bank Symposium
"I'm ashamed! I'm ashamed!" Hui Shiyang immediately blushed and waved his hands repeatedly. "This is all thanks to Master Shaoxu's praise. I am of dull talent, but I have only kept the teachings of my master in mind." Hui Shiyang was very modest, but he could not suppress the smug look in his eyes and brows.

“Hui Shiyang has come here,” Wang Yingjiao said, turning his head to look at the counter behind Hui Shiyang. “He has come because…”

"My family is almost out of cash, so I've come to exchange some money to buy rice and oil!" Hui Shiyang stood up straight, his tone impassioned, as if he were saying something to be proud of.

Wang Yingjiao nodded slightly: "I remember that salaries in the capital are usually paid in the middle of the month. Why is it only being paid out today, Hui Gejian?"

“Silver notes can be cashed at any time, so why should students choose to squeeze in with everyone else in the middle of the month?” Hui Shiyang laughed. “Just cash them when you need them and save them when you don’t.”

"Isn't Hui Gejian afraid that he won't be able to redeem the silver?" Wang Yingjiao asked.

Hui Shiyang shook his head with a smile: "Last September, the Emperor not only supplemented the salaries of officials in the capital, but also helped those officials who borrowed money to make a living to pay off their outstanding interest. Now that new policies are being implemented and the monetary system is being streamlined, how could he possibly distribute worthless paper that cannot be redeemed to everyone as salaries?" Hui Shiyang said this, but when he first received the banknotes, he still couldn't escape the crowd and rushed to the bank to withdraw them.

"Hmm," Wang Yingjiao nodded, about to continue speaking, when he saw a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a dark blue robe hurrying down the stairs. The man had a smile on his face, and before he even came downstairs, his gaze fell on Wang Yingjiao, who was dressed in bright red.

The middle-aged eunuch's gaze shifted upwards, quickly making out Wang Yingjiao's unfamiliar face. He paused for a moment, his steps faltering. However, a look of realization soon appeared on his face. He walked straight past Hui Shiyang and bowed respectfully before Wang Yingjiao: "My name is Gao Shiming, the manager of the Zhengyangmen branch of the Sun and Moon Bank. May I ask if you are Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue?"

Wang Yingjiao glanced at Hui Shiyang subconsciously before returning the greeting, saying, "I am Wang Yingjiao. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Congratulations to Minister Wang on taking office!" Gao Shiming said with a smile. "I was unaware of your presence, Minister. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"You're too kind, Eunuch Gao," Wang Yingjiao replied calmly.

"Not at all, not at all." Gao Shiming gestured warmly, "Minister Wang, this isn't the place to talk. Please come upstairs."

Wang Yingjiao looked at Hui Shiyang, a hesitant expression on his face: "But what about here?"

"Hmm," Gao Shiming glanced at Hui Shiyang, then turned his gaze to the counter: "Sir, your cash is ready. Why don't you go and check it first?"

Although Hui Shiyang was slightly displeased with Gao Shiming's earlier disregard, he wisely replied, "Hehe. Thank you for reminding me, sir." Then, he cupped his hands to Wang Yingjiao, "Minister Wang, I'll take my leave now. I'll visit you again another day."

"Alright." Wang Yingjiao returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Excuse me."

“Minister Wang,” Gao Shiming stepped aside, bowing and raising his hand with exceptional eagerness. “Please!”

"Please." Wang Yingjiao smiled apologetically at Hui Shiyang before rolling up his shirt and walking upstairs.

Hui Shiyang turned and walked towards the counter. The clerk who had previously greeted him had already pushed out a wooden tray with a total of seven taels of silver—one large and two small—from the wooden gate. "Sir, this is seven taels in total. Please accept this."

“Didn’t I say I wanted one tael each?” Hui Shiyang pointed to the five-tael silver ingot and laughed, “How can I possibly spend such a large piece of silver?”

"Sir, as I just told you, we don't have any small denominations of silver left at the counter. These two taels are the last two ingots." After saying that, the clerk didn't forget to add to Hui Shiyang's relief: "You left in a hurry earlier, so you probably didn't hear me."

"Then please cut it for me," Hui Shiyang said, bowing slightly. "Ideally, cut it to about one or two qian (a unit of weight)."

"Okay. Please wait a moment." The clerk nodded and pulled the wooden tray containing the silver back.

--------

Over here, Hui Shiyang was watching the teller cut his money. Over there, Gao Shiming had already led Wang Yingjiao up to the third floor.

"please."

Gao Shiming pushed open a carved rosewood door. The interior was elegantly furnished, unlike any ordinary eunuch's residence. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, neatly arranged with classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, among which the Zizhi Tongjian and the Da Ming Huidian were particularly prominent.

Beyond the bookshelves are walls covered with calligraphy and paintings, among which a powerful vertical scroll stands out: "With sleeves free from the wind, I feel as if I can float on the water; leaning on my cane, I walk along the long bridge under the moon."

Wang Yingjiao paused and gazed at the poem, then unconsciously recited it softly: "With sleeves clean as the breeze, I feel as if I'm floating on air; leaning on my cane, I walk along the long bridge under the moon. Fame and fortune are all indifferent to me; I wander freely and carefree." He turned to Gao Shiming: "Eunuch Gao, is this Chen Linhai's poem?"

Chen Ji, courtesy name Jingchu, was a poet from Linhai County, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. He was well-versed in Confucian classics and traveled extensively, his footsteps covering the Yangtze and Yellow River basins. During the Zhizheng era of the Yuan dynasty, he served as a compiler at the Imperial Lectures, but nearly faced disaster for drafting a memorial to the emperor, and thus retreated to the Wu region. When Zhang Shicheng occupied Wu, Chen Ji served as the Right Assistant Secretary of the Jiangzhe Academy and an Academician of the Imperial Academy, and many military documents were drafted by him. In the early Ming dynasty, he was summoned by Emperor Taizu to participate in the compilation of the *History of Yuan*. After its completion, he was granted gold and allowed to retire into seclusion.

"Exactly, exactly!" Gao Shiming gently closed the door behind him. "This is indeed Chen Linhai's 'Following the Rhyme on the Road to Wujiang'! Minister Wang is truly learned; he recognized it at a glance."

Wang Yingjiao smiled gently, stepped closer to examine the calligraphy, and praised, "The poem is excellent, and the calligraphy is excellent too. The strokes are vigorous and the spirit is lively, reminiscent of the styles of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan. I wonder which renowned calligrapher you commissioned, Eunuch Gao?"

Gao Shiming was overjoyed and waved his hands repeatedly: "My humble work is not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning!"

"Oh? It's actually President Gao's own handwriting!" Wang Yingjiao feigned surprise, looking around the room filled with the fragrance of books. "President Gao is so learned and refined, skilled in calligraphy and writing, no wonder he holds such an important position."

"It's just to share the Emperor's burdens," Gao Shiming said, but fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. "Come, come, please sit down." He was very eager and personally pulled out the pear wood chair by the window for Wang Yingjiao.

Wang Yingjiao repeatedly said, "I dare not, I dare not," and reluctantly sat down.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Gao Shiming called out, "Come in."

Three waiters carrying tea sets and snacks pushed open the door in response, and gently placed the celadon tea set on the tea table in front of Wang Yingjiao.

"Close the door when you go out," Gao Shiming instructed gently, and casually pushed open the hinged window, letting the hustle and bustle of the city mingle with the aroma of tea. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating a painting of orchids and bamboo on the wall, the inscription of which read "Painted by Gao Shiming, Instructor of the Inner Study."

"Yes," the lead waiter replied softly, carefully closing the door behind him.

"Minister Wang, please have some tea." Gao Shiming poured tea, the emerald green tea rippling in the cup. "Although this is pre-Qingming Longjing tea, it is certainly not as fresh as the one you have had in Jiangnan. Please forgive me, Minister." "You are too kind, sir." Wang Yingjiao picked up the tea and took a small sip.

Gao Shiming sat down opposite Wang Yingjiao, turned over an inverted celadon teacup, and filled it to about seven-tenths full. Holding the cup with both hands, he smiled broadly: "Congratulations on your new appointment, Minister. Please allow me to offer you tea instead of wine. Please!"

Wang Yingjiao raised his glass in return, saying, "Please, Eunuch Gao."

After the two drank together, Gao Shiming gently put down his teacup: "Has the Minister already been to the Ministry of Revenue?"

“Eunuch Gao is right,” Wang Yingjiao nodded. “Yesterday morning I had an audience with His Majesty, and in the afternoon I received the imperial edict. This morning I went to the Ministry of Revenue to collect the seal.” He paused, then took another sip of tea. “I heard from Vice Minister Wang that your esteemed institution was mentioned, so I took advantage of my lunch break to come and see for myself. If I have disturbed you, please forgive me.”

"No disturbance, no disturbance! I'd love to be close to you, Minister!" Gao Shiming's eyes flickered slightly, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of his cup. "If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge."

Wang Yingjiao opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if suddenly remembering something, and changed the subject: "I just saw a notice about selling properties in your bank's lobby. Could you please tell me more about it, Eunuch Gao?"

Gao Shiming's expression froze, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Property?"

"I arrived in Beijing the day before yesterday and am currently staying at an inn. I'm looking for a house," Wang Yingjiao explained with a smile. "If your firm has a suitable one, it would be thanks to you, sir, that I can save some trouble."

Gao Shiming's expression was slightly strange. He naturally didn't believe that Wang Yingjiao had come specifically to inquire about real estate, but since Wang Yingjiao had come all this way, he could only deal with him for now. "Please wait a moment." Gao Shiming got up and walked to the desk, picking up a blue booklet. The cover of the booklet was neatly inscribed with the words—"Records of Real Estate in the Capital."

Gao Shiming sat down again and spread out the booklet on the tea table. "I wonder what kind of house the Minister is looking for?"

“There are no special requirements,” Wang Yingjiao said. “A two-courtyard or a three-courtyard house is fine. It would be best if it had a stable and was close to the government office.”

“A second or third courtyard with stables is easy to arrange. Being close to the Ministry of Revenue is also easy,” Gao Shiming muttered as he flipped through the documents. “I just don’t know what the minister’s budget is?”

"It's best not to exceed twenty taels," Wang Yingjiao thought for a moment.

"Twenty taels?!" Gao Shiming's hand, which was turning the pages of the book, suddenly stopped. He looked up and said, "Minister, this is the capital. Twenty taels can't even buy a house outside the Zuo'anmen Gate."

“I know,” Wang Yingjiao said with a smile and a shake of his head. “I’m talking about renting. The monthly rent should not exceed twenty taels.”

"Oh! I see." Gao Shiming chuckled in agreement. "With a monthly rent of twenty taels, there are many places to choose from. Mingshi Ward, Chengqing Ward, Zhengxi Ward, and Zhengdong Ward all have suitable residences." Gao Shiming casually flipped through the pages, quickly selecting several residences that met his criteria. "You can take a look yourself first, or perhaps I could introduce them to you?"

"Aren't there any in Nanxunfang or Dashiyongfang?" Wang Yingjiao asked.

“The houses in these two places are either very small or very expensive.” Gao Shiming turned a few more pages. “Take this one for example. It was the former residence of Wang Wen, the Vice-Minister of the Central Military Commission and Vice-Commander-in-Chief. It’s in Da Shi Yong Fang. It’s a standard three-courtyard house with two separate stables and two studies. It can accommodate four households of servants. The price is 4,725 taels. If you rent it, it’s 400 taels per year or 35 taels per month.”

"Wang Wen, Vice Minister of the Central Prefecture and Vice Commander-in-Chief?" Wang Yingjiao's attention naturally shifted to the original head of household's identity.

"You know him?"

“I don’t know him, but I’m curious why he’s selling the house.” Wang Yingjiao blinked and added, “Is he retiring to his hometown?”

“No.” Gao Shiming shook his head with a smile. “Wang Wen is a native of Shuntian. Even if he were to retire, he should be able to live out his days in the capital. It’s just a pity that he probably won’t be able to retire peacefully.”

"What's wrong with him?" Wang Yingjiao pressed.

"You're aware of the case in Tianjin, aren't you?"

“I’ve heard some things.” Wang Yingjiao raised an eyebrow. “He was involved too?”

"I'm not entirely clear on the details either," Gao Shiming shook his head again. "It's probably a case of one thing leading to another. Can you guess who the previous Vice Minister of the Central Prefecture was?"

"Could it be... Marquis Wuqing?" Wang Yingjiao subconsciously lowered his voice.

"Oh, right!" Gao Shiming turned the booklet around and pushed it in front of Wang Yingjiao. "Last month, the Eastern Depot confiscated his property. The confiscated silver went into the Imperial Treasury, the farmland was converted into imperial estates, and the remaining shops and houses were handed over to us for sale."

"These," Wang Yingjiao gently turned the thick pages of the book, "are they all?"

“Not entirely.” Gao Shiming reached out and tapped the vermilion ink dot in the upper right corner of the page. “The ones with red dots are properties that were confiscated. The ones without red dots are properties that we acquired through normal means.”

Wang Yingjiao picked up a corner of the page, and the page fell quickly against his fingertip. "Most of these are like this." Although Wang Yingjiao himself strongly supported punishing corruption and eliminating dereliction of duty, he also believed that haste makes waste, and that being too hasty and leaving no room for maneuver could easily cause a backlash.

Gao Shiming clearly didn't understand Wang Yingjiao's concerns, only thinking that he was disgusted by the stolen goods: "If Minister Wang doesn't like these confiscated properties, I can recommend some legitimate ones to you. Or if you have your eye on a particular house, we can send someone to discuss it with you."

"Forget it, I don't want to." Wang Yingjiao suddenly cut off his words halfway through.

"To seize by trickery or force?" Gao Shiming asked with a smile.

Wang Yingjiao's expression froze for a moment, then he shook his head awkwardly: "That's not what I meant."

"Don't worry, sir, our bank does all legitimate business. It's even more affordable than outside! Some private money shops and banks dare to charge exorbitant interest rates of 90% to 130% when lending to officials. But our monthly interest rate never exceeds 30%." Gao Shiming held up three fingers.

"Oh? The highest monthly interest rate is only 3%?" Wang Yingjiao suddenly became interested. "Your bank's interest rates are really that low?"

“I would like to charge more interest so that my commission can be higher. But the Emperor decides what business our bank does and how much interest we charge, and we can’t change it by even a single percentage point.” Gao Shiming cupped his hands toward the north. “In the last two months, many long-established money shops have been forced by our bank to lower their interest rates.”

(End of this chapter)