Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

As Li Changqing listened to Song Yin's complaints, a faint smile, as if he had expected it, appeared on his lips.

He slowly stood up, walked to the table, casually pulled out an account book, without even opening it.

He simply used his slender fingers to gently pinch the thickness of the paper.

"Does Lord Song think their methods are crude?"

Li Changqing tossed the account book back to its original place and shook his head.

"I think their methods are quite ingenious."

Song Yin was taken aback and looked at Li Changqing with confusion.

Li Changqing stood with his hands behind his back under the dim light, his deep eyes revealing a seasoned wisdom that had seen through the ups and downs of officialdom over the past century.

"Lord Song, there are two kinds of fake accounts in this world. One kind is made so perfectly that no one can find out a single flaw. The other kind is the Quanzhou Prefecture's accounts, which are full of loopholes and utterly absurd."

Li Changqing reached out and tapped the pile of account books.

"It's not that they don't know how to balance the accounts; they're deliberately making them so absurd. Why?"

"Because the interests of Quanzhou Port involve not only Prefect Zheng Hua, but also a few local gentry like Lin Yaozu."

"Behind this are the eunuchs guarding the Fujian and Zhejiang regions, and the Grand Secretaries in the capital who rely on the support of maritime merchants. This muddled account is a pledge of allegiance, a protective talisman."

"Anyone who wants to investigate this matter is essentially trying to overturn most of the court's table."

Li Changqing turned his head and looked at Song Yin with a burning gaze.

"They're taking a gamble. They're betting that you, Lord Song, as the Minister of Revenue, won't dare to go against the tide and stir up this hornet's nest."

"As long as you see this account and back down, and reluctantly accept the old practice of four thousand taels, Quanzhou Port will still be their territory."

Upon hearing this, Song Yin was struck dumb.

He had been in charge of the nation's finances and grain in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and boasted that he was well-versed in mathematics.

Today, however, this newly graduated compiler of the Hanlin Academy used straightforward language to dissect the bloody power struggle behind these numbers.

Such a visionary approach to breaking through barriers, such ruthless insight that cuts straight to the heart.

A strong sense of familiarity welled up in Song Yin's heart once again.

He stared intently at the middle-aged man in the blue robe before him.

That composed demeanor, that confidence in commenting on the world situation with ease.

so similar.

If it weren't for the fact that his face was so different from that of the powerful Grand Tutor of yesteryear.

He almost thought that his mentor, who had long since perished in the fire, was standing alive in front of him again.

"Lord Li's words hit the nail on the head, enlightening me greatly."

Song Yin took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in his heart, and asked in a deep voice.

"Then, in your opinion, how should we break this deadlock?"

Li Changqing turned around, walked to the tightly closed iron-clad wooden door, and pushed it hard.

With a screeching sound, the wooden door slowly opened.

Outside, a crescent moon hung high in the night sky above Citong City, and a cool sea breeze seeped into the warehouse through the cracks in the door.

The suffocating musty smell was instantly dispelled.

"Break the situation?"

Li Changqing faced the night wind, his sleeves fluttering, his voice deep and carrying a chilling, warlike quality.

"This kind of muddled account is impossible to unravel even with an abacus. Since it can't be sorted out, let's just burn it."

Song Yin was shocked: "Burned? This is the imperial archives, a very important place!"

Out with the old, in with the new.

Li Changqing turned around, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"The new office of the Maritime Trade Bureau will be officially opened early tomorrow morning. We will establish our own new rules and not follow their old practices."

"All merchant ships entering the port, regardless of whose flag they are flying, will be subject to new taxes based on the size of the ship and the type of cargo they are carrying."

"If they behave, this matter will be considered closed; if they want to cause trouble..."

Li Changqing's gaze fell upon the deep night sky.

"Then let's see if their necks are tougher, or if the swords of the Ming navy are faster."

The next morning.

As the dawn broke through the thin mist on the sea, a clear clapper sound rang out in Quanzhou.

Li Changqing woke up in his room at the inn. He got up, dressed neatly, and changed into the attire of a fifth-rank civil official, which signified his status as an imperial inspector.

Today is an auspicious day for the official opening of the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office.

The new Maritime Trade Office, located at a strategic point in the port, was already bustling with people.

Prefect Zheng Hua of Quanzhou, along with his officials and local gentry including Lin Yaozu, had been waiting at the foot of the steps for some time.

However, the subtle, probing edge that had been present at yesterday's welcoming banquet was nowhere to be found on these people's faces.

Instead, there was deep-seated fear and unease.

It is exactly 7:00 AM.

The auspicious time has arrived.

Amidst a deafening burst of firecrackers, Song Yin and Li Changqing walked out the gate side by side.

The two of them personally tore down the red silk covering the plaque, and the golden signboard with the words "Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office" written by the emperor himself shone brightly in the morning sun.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Congratulations on the opening of the Maritime Trade Office!"

Zheng Hua took the lead in shouting, and the crowd below had no choice but to bite the bullet and echo him.

Song Yin looked at the crowd below expressionlessly, stepped forward, and loudly announced the new policy.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Opening up the seas for trade is a major policy that benefits the country and its people.

From this day forward, all merchant ships entering and leaving Quanzhou Port, regardless of whether they are government officials, merchants, or private businessmen, must register at the Maritime Trade Office and obtain a certificate.

The tariff is divided into two categories: land and sea. 20% of the goods are levied upon entry into the port, while the amount levied upon departure is determined by the size of the ship's cargo.

Anyone found smuggling goods or evading taxes will have their vessel and cargo confiscated, and the offender will be severely punished according to the law!

These words, though the local gentry were somewhat prepared, still caused them immense pain.

A 20% tax on goods, plus a tax on ship materials leaving port, is like cutting a knife into their lifeline.

Lin Yaozu stood in the crowd, his head bowed.

His Lin family has been operating the sea routes for generations, and in this sea area, he is the true uncrowned king.

Now, two imperial envoys from the capital are about to seize half of his family fortune with a mere flick of their lips.

How could he possibly swallow this insult!

"Yes, ma'am..."

The crowd responded sparsely.

After the unveiling ceremony, Song Yin and Li Changqing turned and walked into the back hall of the yamen.

As the crowd dispersed, Lin Yaozu exchanged a secret glance with several elders who were also clan leaders of the Jushi clan, and then they went their separate ways.

Outside Quanzhou city, in a secluded mountain god temple.

Even when the sun was high in the sky, the temple was dark and damp.

Lin Yaozu sat in a grand chair, his face gloomy.

Before long, a short, wiry man emerged from behind the temple.

The man wore a black eye patch over his right eye, and his exposed arm was covered with crisscrossing scars.

It emitted a nauseating salty, fishy, ​​and bloody smell.

This man was none other than the notorious pirate leader who dominated the seas between Fujian and Zhejiang, nicknamed "Sea Loach".