Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 409 If you don’t do it for yourself, you will be punished by heaven and earth.

Chiyo Shimazu and Van Bommel accepted the order and left Ringo, one heading north and the other south, to deliver messages to Kagoshima and Batavia.

Liu Ye himself was not idle either; he went straight to Guangzhou and headed straight for the governor's office.

"You want me to submit a memorial recommending the establishment of a military garrison in Qiongzhou?" Mu Tianyan looked at Liu Ye in surprise. "How many military garrisons are there in the entire Ming Dynasty? Do you think the cabinet is likely to approve it? Do you think His Majesty is likely to agree?"

Liu Ye patiently explained, “I discussed this issue with Governor Zhu and Inspector Lin in Shandong. Although it's somewhat difficult, it's not impossible. I think Governor Zhu's point of view is very reasonable. It's almost impossible to imitate the model of the nine border towns. Qiongzhou is surrounded by the sea on all sides, without the threat of the Tatars and Tartars, and the court would not agree to establish a town there. However, following the path of Dongjiang Town is a good idea. Although islands like Pi Island are isolated overseas, they have great strategic value because they can be used to launch surprise attacks on the Tatars' Shengjing area from places like Lushun. That's why Mao Wenlong was able to establish Dongjiang Town, become the General Commander of Pingliao, and be promoted to Left Vice-General. If Mao Wenlong can do it, why can't I?”

Mu Tianyan thought for a moment, then asked thoughtfully, "Even if what you say makes sense, what is the strategic value of building Qiongzhou as a town? Is it just to wipe out a few pirates? Even Zheng Zhilong was killed by you under the guise of the Red Hairs. What force at sea can oppose you?"

Liu Ye put on a righteous and awe-inspiring expression: "If military garrisons are established, with greater power comes greater responsibility. I will certainly not be content to stay on Qiongzhou Island and suppress a few pirates. From Beizhili to Jiangnan, from Fujian to Guangdong, the entire Ming Dynasty's coastal territory is within my operational range. With the Qiongzhou Camp here, the Ming Dynasty will not have to worry about threats at sea."

Mu Tianyan frowned and said, "I'll say it again, what force at sea can threaten the Ming Dynasty's maritime borders? It can't be that the red-haired barbarians have returned, can it?"

Liu Ye clapped his hands and exclaimed, "The governor is indeed farsighted and insightful! It's the red-haired barbarians! As far as I know, the red-haired barbarians will use the same old tricks again next month to harass the Fujian coast and start a war with the Ming Dynasty once more."

Mu Tianyan was stunned upon hearing this: "How could you know about this in advance? Unless Red Hair and you are in cahoots."

Liu Ye smiled but remained silent, offering no response.

Mu Tianyan was completely stunned when she saw his expression. "Could it really be that you orchestrated this all along? The arrogant redhead is actually being driven around by you?"

Liu Ye laughed and said, "You can't say that, Your Excellency. I only managed to find out some clues and was lucky enough to know the movements of the Japanese. There's another piece of news I might as well tell you as well: the Japanese are also getting restless and may land in the Jiangnan area next month, stirring up another bloody storm."

Mu Tianyan nearly lost his balance and fell to the ground. He steadied himself on the table and said in a trembling voice, "Even the Japanese have submitted to... What exactly do you intend to do?" He swallowed the word "you" back halfway through his sentence.

Liu Ye leaned closer and whispered, "Your Excellency, I can't stay a military officer in Qiongzhou Prefecture for the rest of my life. Everyone looks out for themselves. Qiongzhou Camp is now rich and powerful, and we can't just stay here guarding this small piece of land, being a lowly deputy general and living off the government's meager pay..."

Mu Tianyan composed herself and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to emulate Zhao Jiuzhong's Chenqiao Mutiny and usurp the throne?"

Liu Ye chuckled and said, "I don't have such grand ambitions yet, but it wouldn't be bad to be the Grand Marshal of all the armies in the world someday. If I can't be Zhao Kuangyin, I can be Cao Cao!"

Mu Tianyan probed, "If you were Cao Cao, would I be Chen Gong or Tao Qian?" (Note 1)

Liu Ye asked in surprise, "Why do you say that, Governor? You chose your own path. Why can't you be like Guo Jia or Jia Xu?"

Mu Tianyan stared at Liu Ye for a long time without saying a word. He knew Liu Ye was ambitious, but he didn't realize his ambition had reached such a level that Guangdong could no longer contain him. Thinking about himself, he realized that his position as Governor of Guangdong was merely a fluke, thanks to Liu Ye. If Liu Ye hadn't brought down Wang Zunde, he would have remained just a Left Provincial Administration Commissioner. Without other opportunities, his career would likely have ended there—serving as governor for a few years, then receiving a nominal title of Vice Minister of some ministry until retirement.

Should they continue their deep cooperation, or part ways? Mu Tianyan quickly weighed the options in her mind. Liu Ye was good at making money, training troops, fighting, and managing connections. There was no reason why such a person wouldn't rise to prominence. Why not gamble with him? Besides, Liu Ye wasn't planning a rebellion. At worst, he would simply beg for retirement from his position as governor.

Having made up her mind, Mu Tianyan smiled and said, "Since you've already made all the arrangements, I'll write the memorial. But when should I submit it?"

Liu Ye was secretly delighted. It seemed that this governor was completely tied to his ship. Compared to the limited cooperation in the past, the relationship was much stronger now.

He thought for a moment and pondered, "Too early won't do. The show here hasn't even started yet, and the show over there has already ended. The best shows are only lively when they're performed together. Let's submit the memorial when the Japanese invaders and Japanese pirates raid the coast. Taking into account the time lost on the way, it should be about time."

"Then it's settled." Mu Tianyan thought of something and reminded him, "No matter how you persuade the Japanese, just stop there. You must not let it really cause a major upheaval that can't be controlled. Back then, the Japanese pirates ravaged Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries among soldiers and civilians. If you cause trouble again, not only will you be infamous for eternity, but your reputation will also be ruined!"

"Please rest assured, Governor. Everything is under control, and there is absolutely no possibility of it causing a Japanese invasion."

After finishing discussing official business, Mu Tianyan changed the subject and switched to a more casual, family-oriented tone.

"Yueyue eagerly followed you to Shandong, and then eagerly followed you back. You're a very perceptive person; you must know what she's thinking. When will you turn this relationship into a happy marriage?"

Liu Ye, who had just been exuding domineering confidence, suddenly became somewhat embarrassed. He thought for a moment and replied, "I know Miss Lin's thoughts, and Lord Lin and I have already agreed on this matter; it's just a matter of time. Here's what I'm thinking: Lord Lin is now the governor, and I, a mere nominal deputy general with a real command, seem somewhat unworthy of Miss Lin. How about we wait until the matter of opening the town is settled, and then I, as the general, personally propose marriage to Miss Lin? What does the governor think?"

Mu Tianyan stroked his beard and nodded: "That makes sense. Then let's do as you say. It seems that even if it's just for my precious niece, I have to help you take down this general?"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

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Note 1: Chen Gong was an advisor under Lü Bu, and Tao Qian was the governor of Xuzhou. Both were figures in the Three Kingdoms period who opposed Cao Cao and were later killed by Cao Cao.