I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 158 Happy Life in the Elephant Training Center ( words, must subscribe for this wonderful chapter)
The thirty-seventh year of Jiajing’s reign, early spring of March.

Elephant training center.

In the Qianhu's duty room, Lin Shisan and Chang Qingyun sat facing the chessboard. Next to them was an incense burner with three sandalwood sticks burning in it. The smoke was curling, elegant and proper.

Playing chess is the way of the universe. The chessboard is the universe, and the chess pieces are the living beings. Between black and white, the one who is good at planning wins the world. The one who is good at invading determines the fate of the world.

Lin Shisan's head was covered with sweat, and he held a black piece in his hand but didn't drop it.

Chang Qingyun frowned. Even if it was his opponent's turn to attack, he couldn't sit idle. He had to consider the situation and the next response and attack.

The duty room was eerily quiet. Just like the court of the Ming Dynasty, it seemed peaceful, but in fact, you were crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, and I was invulnerable, and the undercurrent was surging.

The game between the two of them was like that of national players.

Lin Shisan finally placed the black piece down: "My chess skills are not very good, and I almost missed the chance to win! If I lose the game due to carelessness, this wonderful game will become a cliché."

"Pah" the black piece landed steadily on the chessboard.

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Five stars in a row! We win!"

The two of them were playing Gobang.

Chang Qingyun cupped his hands and said, "Great move, great move. I lose."

Lin Shisan bowed in return: "Thank you very much."

Chang Qingyun picked up the white chess piece and put it into the chess basket: "Let's play another game. I've lost eighteen games in the whole morning. I only won ten games."

Since the cat wedding ceremony, Lin Shisan has been banished to the elephant training center for more than three and a half months. During this period, he has lived a life like a god.

At the click of a button in the morning, he went to Chang Qingyun's duty room to play Gobang, pet cats, fight cocks, drink tea, play with Kongming locks, and walk along the Huarong Road.

At dusk, I came home from work and coaxed Hu'er and Wang Xiaochuan to play hopscotch and pick up sheep's feet. After dinner, I beat Biyun and fell asleep.

It repeats itself day after day, what a pleasure!

Lin Shisan is free, and his brothers are also free.

Sun Yue and Li Gao were now sitting in the elephant training ground debating on scriptures and doctrines, with more than thirty of their subordinates watching.

Sun Yue and Li Gao stared into each other's eyes without saying a word. When debating, the most important thing is to concentrate and not be distracted.

The training ground was eerily quiet. The onlookers didn't dare to make a sound.

Sun Yue took a sip of tea and finally spoke: "Among the 18 styles of kicking, I would recommend the Little Fairy with the Big Red Lantern from Yihonglou."

"Her legs are long and white, but she is not weak. She can move up and down 299 times in the time it takes to stick an incense stick, over and over again. She is like a female hero on horseback."

"If I summon the Little Fairy, how will you respond?"

Li Gao is indeed a master of debate. He responded very quickly: "You used the Eighteen-Move Elastic Kick, a masculine skill among women. I have the skill of using softness to overcome hardness, the skill of grinding ink."

"The master of this art is Yu Niang, a boat girl on the West Lake in Hangzhou. Once this art is performed, the recipient will feel as if they are isolated from the world and have ascended to heaven."

"I will sacrifice Yu Niang, how will you respond?"

That’s right. The two of them were debating on the Su Nu Jing.

All the subordinates praised him one after another: "Listening to the 'Sun Li Debate' has broadened our horizons!"

"Mr. Li can even recite Su Dongpo's poems. He is indeed a man of great learning!"

A small flag asked: "By the way, who is the current owner of Yihonglou?"

Sun Yue stroked his big belly and acted like a know-it-all: "You all don't know something."

"This Yihong Tower was originally built by Sai Tanghong, the leader of the Miaoshou Sect, during the Chenghua period, for the purpose of washing dirty money."

"Later, Sai Tanghong was taken in as a concubine by the old Duke Dingguo, Xu Guangzuo. After Sai Tanghong's death, Yihonglou naturally became the property of the Duke Dingguo's mansion."

"It was the fifth or sixth year of the Jiajing reign. The old Duke Dingguo passed away. The sixth Duke Dingguo, Xu Yande, felt that it was unbecoming for a duke to get involved in the business of prostitution."

"As the saying goes, people have two lips, and they can do whatever they want. The root of the tongue can kill people. Some people can talk but don't listen, and they can't wash themselves clean even if they jump into the Yellow River. He has to take this into consideration."

Having said that, Sun Yue slapped himself hard on the face.

Then he continued, "In the seventh or eighth year of the Jiajing reign, the new Duke Ding sold Yihonglou to the eighteen brothel owners in Yanzhi Lane, Pitiao Hutong."

"So - there are actually eighteen owners of Yihonglou."

All the subordinates clapped their hands and praised: "Wow! Our General Sun not only understands the classics, but also history!"

"Look at our General Sun's big belly, it's full of bad water, no, knowledge!"

"Yes, yes! Mr. Sun is truly a learned scholar in the flower world!"

At this moment, a series of bell sounds "Dangdangdang" were heard in the sky!
When they heard the bell, everyone's faces changed, and they all shut up, looking anxious.

In the Qianhu guard room, Lin Shisan and Chang Qingyun heard the bell and threw their chess pieces into the chess basket.

The two of them jumped up like nimble frogs and walked quickly out of the duty room.

More than 30 people on the training ground also stood up and rushed to the east side of the elephant training center.

Those who don’t know might think that the bell sound is some kind of signal for the Jinyiwei to assemble to defend against the enemy.

The row of houses to the east of the elephant training center is where the kitchen is located. As for the bell, it is called the "dinner bell."

It is said that if you are not active in eating, there is something wrong with your brain.

The people at the elephant training center had nothing to do all day long, and they were all in harmony with each other, never fighting each other. But when it came to mealtime, everyone rushed to eat first.

If it comes to eating, the brothers at the elephant training center are definitely the best.

There are four halls in the kitchen. Hall A serves those wearing flying fish uniforms; Hall B serves those who are under trial and general flags; Hall C serves those who are under small flags and registered colonels; Hall D serves colonels and elephant slaves from vassal states.

Although Lin Shisan was already the deputy captain of the Northern Pacification Division and wore a flying fish pendant with embroidered spring ornaments, he was used to having meals in Dingtang.

There was a sign hanging in front of the dining window of Dingtang: "Today, Deputy Thousand Household Member Lin donated ten taels of silver to add two dishes, roasted spareribs and braised pig's trotters. Those who receive more pig's trotters will have their hands chopped off."

This sign was written by Chunniang, who was famous for her flirtatiousness and hot-temperedness in the elephant training center's canteen.

Lin Shisan had been a lieutenant for three years and knew that Ding Tang's serving of food was like fooling pigs.

Therefore, he paid out of his own pocket every now and then and asked Chunniang to cook a few more big pots of delicious dishes to improve the food for the captains and elephant slaves.

As soon as Lin Shisan entered the Ding Hall, the hall lieutenants and the elephant slaves all bowed to him and said, "Greetings, Captain Lin. Thank you, Captain Lin."

Lin Shisan pressed his hand and said, "No need to be polite. Serve the rice and eat more."

He, Sun Yue and Li Gao came to the wooden window where the rice was placed and saw the charming face of the widow Chunniang.

Sun Yue smiled lewdly and said, "Sister Chunniang, hehe, please marry me and be my concubine. Then you can save yourself from the smoke and fire in the kitchen every day."

Chunniang had been in the kitchen for ten years and had long been accustomed to being teased by these stinky men. When men teased her, she always cursed back.

Chunniang laughed and scolded, "You look as fat as a meatball, you must be very weak. Marrying a widow as a concubine? Haven't you heard of it? A thirty-five-year-old widow is as ugly as a leech."

"You're not afraid of dying, but I'm afraid of sucking you dry!"

Sun Yue smiled and said, "Go to hell."

The comrades next to him shouted in unison: "Ah!"

Chunniang complained, "Captain Lin, you have to tell the higher-ups that Yueding Hall's food money has been reduced by another 30%. I can't just count on you to be a good person and give us more food."

"When you are transferred, the Tangtiewei and elephant slaves who really work hard in the elephant training center can't eat boiled cabbage and pickled radish every day."

Lin Shisan sighed, "There's nothing we can do. Since the beginning of spring this year, all expenses in the palace and the imperial guards have been reduced a lot. Even the eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department have to eat plain noodles and pickled vegetables every day." In the first month of this year, the imperial censors knelt down to make a petition. They said that the Japanese invasion in the southeast was rampant, and the Tatars in the north were eyeing them covetously. The court's expenses had risen sharply and the financial resources were tight. The palace should cut expenses.

The noisy crows were causing trouble for the Emperor, so he had no choice but to issue an order to cut down on palace expenses.

Even the emperor's eyes and ears - the imperial guards - were among those whose spending was cut.

Lin Shisan and his companions finished their meal at the elephant training center and returned to the duty room to take a nap.

He had to conserve his energy well in the afternoon so that he could start a big business with his wife and concubines in the evening.

He slept until 15:00, then went to Chang Qingyun's duty room to play with the Kongming lock for a while.

Before they knew it, it was You time. When the bell rang, the people from the elephant training ward swarmed toward the gate.

Sun Yue and Li Gao made an appointment to go to Yihonglou for a drink, and after drinking, they bought tickets for an all-night lantern party and slept with the new Datong woman to prepare for tomorrow's debate.

Lin Shisan returned home.

In the new house on Fushou Street, Huer was playing with firecrackers with Wang Xiaochuan.

Hu'er placed a thin bamboo tube on the ground, which was tightly wrapped with ropes dozens of times.

He put a small firecracker into the thin bamboo tube, exposing the fuse, while Wang Xiaochuan stuffed a small stone into the thin bamboo tube.

Lin Shisan asked with a smile: "What are you two doing?"

Hu Er said, "Dad, I made a bamboo cannon, look!"

Lin Shisan leaned over to check the bamboo firecrackers with interest. He took the long incense handed to him by Wang Xiaochuan and lit the fuse of the firecrackers.

"Squeak, bang, snap!"

The small stone hit the trunk of the pomegranate tree in the yard exactly.

Lin Shisan said with a smile: "Hu'er, when you grow up, do you plan to join the Jinyiwei and become a cannon forger? You know what, you are quite talented."

Three days later, at Tanggukou, Tianjin.

Tianjin was a coastal defense post and the gateway to the capital. However, because it was located in the inland sea and far from Japan, the Japanese pirates never landed to invade.

Why would they land and plunder in Tanggu instead of robbing the prosperous Zhejiang province, which is close to Japan by sea?

Tianjin Wei was not one of the nine frontiers, so even if the Tatars marched straight in, they would first attack the capital.

Therefore, since the Yongle period, Tianjin Wei had not been involved in war for more than 160 years.

The soldiers of Tianjin neglected training and were very lazy on weekdays. The Tianjin City became a huge casino and brothel.

On the Tanggukou Fort, a small flagman was leaning against the city wall, dozing off with his soldier's hat covering his face.

A soldier shook him awake and said in a trembling voice: "Little, little flag, sea provocation! Sea provocation!"

Xiaoqi scolded, "Don't be so startled. When has there ever been a sea conflict at Tanggukou?"

The soldier said: "Little Flag, look at the ships on the sea."

Xiaoqi stood up, put his hands on the parasol and looked at the sea. He turned pale with fright.

I saw a huge fleet on the sea, with as many as twelve or thirteen ships.

The two leading ships were warships, about 15 meters long, with more than 30 black gun barrels on one side alone.

Xiaoqi naturally didn't know that the warship in front of him was called "Garen", and was the main warship of the Spanish Invincible Armada.

Xiaoqi shouted hurriedly: "Hurry up and tell the captain, oh no, tell the commander. There is an enemy ship!"

Two days later, inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Minister of War Yang Bo bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we have already found out about Tianjin. The fleet anchored at Tanggukou is the Portuguese merchant fleet. There are ten merchant ships and two escort warships."

Li Chunfang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, said, "Your Majesty, our Ministry of Guests and Guests has sent an interpreter to contact the Portuguese."

There are many people in the Ming Dynasty who can speak Portuguese.

During the Zhengde reign, the Portuguese sent envoys to the capital to pay homage to Emperor Wuzong.

Wuzong left behind a Portuguese interpreter named Yasan, who became a celebrity in the Leopard House and taught Wuzong Portuguese a lot.

Wuzong could even use Portuguese to sell goods at the fake market in Xiyuan.

Emperor Jiajing struck the bronze chime "Dang".

Lü Fang asked Li Chunfang: "What are the details of the contact between the host and the guest?"

Li Chunfang replied: "The commander of the merchant fleet is named Gangsalese, also known as Raul. He is a naval captain from Spain, which is west of the Portuguese land. Ah, he is equivalent to the commander of the 1,000 households or the deputy commander of the guards in the Ming Dynasty."

"He led the merchant fleet to the Ming Dynasty for two purposes. One was to sell the large amount of cargo on board. Four of the ships were carrying firearms."

"The second is to request an audience with the emperor and request trade."

Xu Jie said: "You are so bold, you are full of lies! If we are trading, why do we need to send warships?"

"Your Majesty, I heard that there are 120 cannons on the two warships."

"The warships of the Western Barbarians have sailed to the seas of our Ming Dynasty. This is a deliberate provocation! Maybe the trade is fake, and the real intention is to land and plunder."

Xu Jie was a well-known conservative in the court and opposed opening up the sea to trade.

Yan Shifan wanted to speak, but Yan Song gave him a look, signaling him to be quiet.

Although Gao Gong, who had just been promoted to the position of Minister of Taichang Temple, was apparently a member of Xu Jie's party, he was actually a staunch advocate of the open-minded approach, just like Yan Song.

Gao Gong came out of the class and said, "Your Majesty, the Western Yi are thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty. I don't know how many pirates and Japanese pirates there are on the sea."

"If there were no warships protecting them along the way, the merchant fleet would have been plundered by Japanese pirates along the coast of Zhejiang."

The sound of bronze chimes came from inside the green gauze curtain: "Dang."

Yan Song then spoke: "Your Majesty, Hu Zongxian's memorial just arrived today. The barbarian chieftain Raul has been to Hangzhou and paid a visit to Hu Zongxian at the Governor's Office of Zhejiang."

"The Western Yi merchant fleet carried 3,000 muskets, called 'Mushteks', and 150 Portuguese rapid-fire cannons. There were also a large number of muskets and sub-cannons."

"For this batch of firearms, Raul asked Hu Zongxian for 500,000 taels or the equivalent in silk."

"Because it involved a large amount of trade with the Western Barbarians, Hu Zongxian did not dare to make the decision. So he asked him to go north to discuss with the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War."

Yan Shifan said, "Your Majesty, last year Hu Zongxian submitted a memorial requesting to purchase Portuguese firearms to fight against the Japanese invaders. Xu Cifu said that it should be discussed by the Ministry. After almost four months of discussion, there was still no result."

"I think it would be better to send someone to have a good talk with that Lao She'er and buy this batch of firearms."

"The Imperial Guard and the Ministry of Works are full of skilled craftsmen. If you buy three thousand muskets, you can make thirty thousand. If you buy one hundred and fifty cannons, you can make two thousand."

"In this way, the armaments of the Nine Borders and the Southeast will be completely renewed."

Lu Fang moved closer to the green gauze tent and heard Emperor Jiajing whisper a few words.

Then the Emperor Jiajing said: "Order the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Imperial Household Department to send personnel to Tianjin to discuss the sale of firearms with the barbarian chieftain Raul."

"The Portuguese have come thousands of miles to pay homage to the emperor. Their sincerity is commendable. We will receive them as envoys from vassal states."

Half a day later, the Silijian was on duty.

Lin Shisan walked in quickly: "Uncle, do you want to talk to me about something?"

Lu Fang nodded: "I will send you on a rare mission. Go to Tianjinwei and meet the Western Barbarians."

(End of this chapter)