Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 16 Human Hearts Can Be Used

After speaking, Zhu Jiheng paused, then suddenly changed the subject, asking, "Manager Lin, being so righteous, have you attended a private school for a few years?"

Lin Lisheng was slightly taken aback by his sudden question, but quickly recovered and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I did indeed attend a private school in my hometown for a few years when I was young, and I know a few characters and understand some basic principles."

"It's a pity that later... alas, the Qing army marched south, and our family fell into decline. I followed my father here, losing my path to education and could only work as a peddler to make a living."

A knowing glint flashed in Zhu Jiheng's eyes. He nodded slightly and said, "He is literate, familiar with local customs and commerce, and, more importantly, has a sincere heart. Now that Lin Jiayan has been established, everything is in need of rebuilding. We urgently need someone knowledgeable in practical matters and loyal to assist in civil administration."

Before he could finish speaking, he looked intently at Lin Lisheng and said, "Manager Lin, would you be willing to temporarily assume the position of Director of the Lin Jiayan Maritime Trade Office? Your duties will be to inventory and take over all the merchants, warehouses, and customs affairs in the city, maintain market circulation, and assist in appeasing merchants and stabilizing public sentiment. You will be promoted later once the situation has stabilized."

Zhu Jiheng naturally couldn't treat Lin Lisheng, the first local merchant to donate his family fortune to serve him, unfairly. The position of Director of the Maritime Trade Office was the best arrangement he could think of at the moment.

Lin Lisheng has been in business for decades and is more experienced in this area. He is a specialist in this field. Even if he does a bad job, it will only affect Lin Jiayan. At worst, he will not be given important responsibilities in the future.

The person before him hadn't thought that much; Lin Lisheng only felt a huge surge of heat instantly coursing through his body, causing him to tremble slightly.

Chief of the Maritime Trade Office!

This was an official position he never dared to dream of before!

He knelt down abruptly, his voice trembling with emotion: "Your Highness's kindness in recognizing my talent! I... I could never repay this debt, even if I were to die a thousand deaths! This humble subject... I will do my utmost, even unto death, to fulfill Your Highness's trust!"

"Good!" Zhu Jiheng helped him up personally and said solemnly, "The situation is urgent right now, so there is no need for formalities. You shall immediately take my order and go to the port customs office to take over all the account books and warehouse keys, and take stock of the seized supplies, especially the grain, silver, and weapons."

At the same time, post notices to reassure merchants throughout the city, informing them that all those who abide by the laws of the Great Ming Dynasty and conduct business as usual will be protected; those who hoard goods, inflate prices, or disrupt the market will be severely punished! As for the necessary manpower, a company of soldiers will be provided for your command.

"Yes, sir! I'll do it right away!" Lin Lisheng quickly bowed and accepted the order, then turned and respectfully withdrew under the guidance of his adjutant.

Watching Lin Lisheng's departing figure, Zhu Jiheng felt somewhat relieved. He now had a starting point for understanding the local situation in civil affairs, which would save him a lot of effort.

However, the Spaniards' poor civil administration still gave Lingayen a lot of headaches.

He had reviewed the documents and ledgers compiled within the government office, which recorded the Spanish administration of Lingayen—if it could be called administration.

He casually flipped through a few account books, and what came into view was a chaotic mess of Latin and Spanish text mixed with some awkward Chinese transliterations, with ink stains of varying shades and corrections everywhere.

What troubled him even more was that these accounts seemed to only record what the Spanish cared about, such as the amount of customs duties collected from the port, the "license fees" demanded from local merchants, the specialty goods stored in the warehouses ready to be shipped to Manila, and the food and ammunition stockpiles consumed by the fortress garrison.

As for population, land, and people's livelihood, it's a complete mess.

Regarding population, the ledger contains only a few entries, recording the names of the Chinese merchants who were taxed and the approximate types of their shops, as well as the amount of in-kind tribute that a few indigenous villages serving the Spanish were required to pay.

There are no statistics on the exact number of Chinese, Ilocos, mixed-race or other ethnic groups. Even the list of prisoners arrested and imprisoned by the Spanish is incomplete, with only a few vague entries listing their crimes.

Regarding the land, apart from marking the approximate locations belonging to the Spanish royal family, the church, and official institutions such as fortresses, ports, and government offices, the ownership of the remaining land is a complete mess.

The Spanish seemed never to care who cultivated the fields outside the city or who owned the deeds to the houses and shops inside; they only cared about whether they could extract wealth from it.

The taxes here are numerous. In addition to the "ship surcharge" mentioned by Lin Lisheng, there are also "head tax", "house tax", "market stall tax", etc. The collection standards are vague and depend entirely on the mood of tax officials and soldiers, which can be confirmed by the words of the detained Spanish officials.

It was simply... a predatory form of rule.

After reaching this conclusion, Zhu Jiheng helplessly tossed the document aside and decided to ignore it.

He shook his head, putting his dissatisfaction with the Spaniards behind him, as his adjutant strode forward again to report on the news outside.

"Your Highness, several merchants outside wish to donate money and provisions to reward the troops. Shall we invite them to come and meet us?"

"Oh?" Zhu Jiheng raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It seems they also want to learn from that Manager Lin and make a living."

Upon hearing this, the adjutant smiled and said, "Indeed, Manager Lin has set a good example; he's won people's hearts. Would Your Highness like to receive him?"

Zhu Jiheng hesitated for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the still-crowded scene outside the window, and said, "With such popular support, how can we let them down? Let them all come in. If there are too many people, we will select a few respected figures or those who have donated large sums of money as representatives. We will meet in the main hall."

"Yes, sir!" The adjutant accepted the order, turned around, and quickly went downstairs to make arrangements.

Before long, the adjutant led five or six Chinese merchants dressed in long gowns of various colors of silk or cotton into the main hall. They were of different ages, including elderly men with gray hair and beards, as well as middle-aged men in their prime.

Upon entering, seeing Zhu Jiheng standing with his hands behind his back, exuding a composed and dignified air, everyone almost instinctively bowed in unison and said:

"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to Your Highness! Congratulations on your victory over Linjiayan and the expulsion of the Western barbarians! Long live Your Highness!"

"Please rise, everyone." Zhu Jiheng raised his hand to indicate that he was free from formalities. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he could clearly sense the awe, excitement, and subtle probing in the eyes of these merchants.

The man at the head, an elderly man in his fifties dressed in a dark blue silk robe, bowed again, his voice filled with excitement:

"Your Highness, I am Zhang Bonian, and I have run a cloth shop in the city for many years. Upon hearing that the royal army has descended from heaven, driven out the red-haired devils, and relieved us of decades of suffering, all the Chinese in the city are deeply grateful! Today, I wish to offer five hundred shi of white rice and one thousand taels of silver to support the army and express my heartfelt gratitude!"

As he spoke, he took out a gift list from his sleeve and respectfully presented it with both hands.

"Your Highness, I am Wang Dehai, the owner of Yongchang Grocery Store on South Street. I am offering 300 shi of coarse grains, 10 dan of salted fish and dried goods, and 200 taels of silver!"

"Your Highness, I am Li Fu, the owner of Shunhe Blacksmith Shop. I am willing to donate a thousand catties of iron and gather the craftsmen in my shop to await Your Highness's command in forging military weapons!"

"Your Highness..."

Immediately, other merchants also stepped forward, announcing the amount of money and grain they had donated, or the materials and manpower they had provided.