Chapter Sixty-Four: Yan Siqi

Zhang Qianfang naturally agreed, though he wondered what business Li Dan had that required his help. When his uncle brought him to the official office at Hirado, his curiosity only grew.

As Yang Tiansheng approached the doorway, a burly man in his thirties strode out and swept Yang Tiansheng into a bear hug, exclaiming, “Brother Yang, I’ve missed you terribly!” Yang Tiansheng smiled helplessly, “Let me down first, you always do this.”

The man released him, laughing, “How could you spare the time to visit me today, Brother Yang?” Yang Tiansheng paid him little mind and turned to Zhang Qianfang, “Offer your respects to the Chief.” The Chief was a Japanese official—essentially the local authority. Zhang Qianfang performed a grand bow, and the burly man didn’t stop him. He asked Yang Tiansheng, “Who is this young man to you?”

Yang Tiansheng replied, “He’s my own nephew.”

The burly man laughed heartily, helped Zhang Qianfang up, and said, “That’s an honor I can accept. Come, let’s go inside.”

Once inside, Yang Tiansheng spoke warmly, “Qianfang, the Chief is from Haicheng County in Zhangzhou. He’s the local overlord—if you ever need anything, he’s the one to find.” The burly man chuckled, “Though the Japanese at Hirado have given me this title, I, Yan Siqi, am still looked down upon by them. I’ll give you a token; with it, they’ll show me some respect. If they ever anger me, well, I’ll deal with them as I see fit.”

Delighted, Zhang Qianfang accepted the token and thanked Yan Siqi, who waved off his gratitude, “No need for thanks. Let’s drink, and I’ll get drunk with your uncle.”

True to his word, Yan Siqi drank until all three were thoroughly intoxicated. By the next morning, Yang Tiansheng and Zhang Qianfang still suffered from splitting headaches, while Yan Siqi seemed unaffected. He took Zhang Qianfang around several offices, introducing him to the various Japanese officials. At each stop, he’d declare, “This is my own nephew. Be sure to treat him well.” The Japanese showed him great respect, nodding and responding with polite affirmations.

Yan Siqi wielded considerable influence in the area. After his introductions, Zhang Qianfang no longer faced any difficulties on the Japanese side; even the price of copper bars dropped by ten percent. Zhang Qianfang reported all this to Zhu Youxiao, who was so pleased he ordered two newly developed short-handled firearms from the Armory Bureau, instructing Zhang Qianfang to present them to Li Dan and Yan Siqi.

Upon receiving the gifts, Li Dan examined them closely, intrigued by the novel design. He asked, “Young Zhang, these short guns differ from those common in Japan. Where are they made?”

Zhang Qianfang replied, “Senior, these are newly crafted secret firearms from the Inner Court.”

Li Dan was astonished, “Secret firearms from the Inner Court, and you managed to obtain them? What connections do you have in the capital?”

Zhang Qianfang explained, “I assist a noble in the capital by running ships for him. If you ever need help with matters in the capital, I could help smooth the way.”

Li Dan was skeptical of such bold claims and probed, “Could you even manage the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

Zhang Qianfang considered that his contact in Quanzhou was from the Eastern Depot, which supervised the Embroidered Uniform Guard; the task shouldn’t be difficult. He replied, “I should be able to arrange something.”

It turned out Li Dan had a brother imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a crime, facing execution in the autumn. He’d sought help everywhere but found no powerful allies. Hearing Zhang Qianfang’s answer, he was overjoyed.

Li Dan explained the situation, then handed over a stack of silver notes. Zhang Qianfang pushed them back, saying, “Senior, let me inquire first. Success is uncertain—I can’t accept payment in advance.”

Li Dan’s face darkened, “Where doesn’t money grease the wheels? If you don’t take it, how will you save my brother? Are you mocking me?”

Zhang Qianfang could only accept the notes. Returning to Quanzhou, he reported the matter through his contact, who relayed it to Wei Zhongxian, who in turn informed Zhu Youxiao.

Zhu Youxiao asked, “What crime was Li Tong charged with when he was taken by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

Wei Zhongxian replied, “Li Tong killed someone out of righteous indignation, but in the end, it was still murder. I must consult Your Majesty…”

Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and said, “In that case, release him from the Guard’s prison for now. Let’s see what Li Dan requests next.”

Li Dan learned his brother had been transferred from the Guard’s prison to the Shuntian Prefecture jail. He breathed easier, and his faith in Zhang Qianfang grew. When Zhang Qianfang tried to return the silver notes, Li Dan angrily declared, “You’re insulting me—do you think I’m that sort of man? Don’t mention it again. Can you help secure Li Tong’s release? I’m willing to pay this amount.” He splayed his fingers and turned his hand before Zhang Qianfang, a gesture that meant one hundred thousand taels of silver—a staggering sum.

Zhang Qianfang hesitated, then said, “Senior, to be honest, my superior could get your brother out of the Guard’s prison without much difficulty, but to clear his name would require asking others and considerable effort.”

Li Dan quickly replied, “No problem—one hundred fifty thousand taels. If your ship sails under my banner, will that work?”

With Li Dan’s banner, no one would dare raid his ship, and if he wanted to raid others, he could simply take the banner down—an excellent arrangement. Zhang Qianfang didn’t fully agree, saying he needed to consult his principal before giving a definite answer. He refused Li Dan’s money, but Li Dan insisted, finally putting him at ease.

Soon after, the capital garrison was reorganized into the Imperial Guard, and Zhu Youxiao sent five hundred battle-hardened veterans to Quanzhou, placing them under Zhang Qianfang’s command as the naval battalion. Zhang Qianfang was promoted to Assistant Commander of the Imperial Guard (fourth rank), Shen Congjing became Imperial Guard Patrol Commander (fifth rank), and Zhang Lijie was made Imperial Guard Adjutant (seventh rank). They were permitted to report their own naval battalion’s military achievements. Of course, these were internal appointments and not officially decreed.

The new arrivals also brought the Armory Bureau’s latest six-pound cannon, a scaled-down version of the European “red-barrel” cannon, firing solid or chain shot and intended for sea combat trials.

With so many men and new weapons, Zhang Qianfang formed a fleet of twelve large ships. Yang Tiansheng handed over his own vessels, so each voyage now included more than thirty ships. Thanks to Yan Siqi’s support, Zhang Qianfang no longer worried about Japanese supplies. He drilled his men daily, raided goods at sea, and quickly became the dominant force on the Quanzhou-Nagasaki trade route.