The Emperor's edict had been issued, but it wasn't directed at the Jinzhou government officials. The decree established two new bureaus, independent of Jinzhou, and even Zhou Shuren, as the Magistrate, had no authority over them, as they reported directly to the Emperor.
Zhou Shuren sipped his tea, thinking that the Emperor surely moved fast, and today's tea was quite good.
All the officials in Jinzhou knew that the Emperor's decree had to be related to Mr. Zhou's submitted zhezi. The decree didn't greatly affect Jinzhou's officials, but it heavily impacted the Maritime Affairs and Inspection bureaus.
The power of the two former bureaus had been significant; even officials from the capital would curry favor with them. Many noble families would nominally engage in trade, and everyone wanted a piece of the substantial profits from sea trade. Min and Ran, of the two bureaus, became the targets of universal flattery.
