In this pushing and shoving, Zhu Hele’s hair bun had already come loose. She raised her head, her eyes wide with fury: “If it weren’t for you wagging your tongue before His Majesty at the Zhao family’s betrothal banquet that day, making His Majesty harbor dissatisfaction toward my father, His Majesty wouldn’t have chosen my father for the campaign, and wouldn’t have sentenced my father to immediate execution over just one mistake!”
Su Jin frowned, feeling that she was talking complete nonsense.
The Vice Minister of War beside them rebuked: “Sending Zhu Xun on the campaign was an imperial decree issued by His Majesty after consultation with Minister Gong. It had nothing whatsoever to do with Minister Su. Do you know that such wild accusations constitute the crime of great disrespect!”
Zhu Hele trembled slightly, but still stared at Su Jin, stubbornly saying: “Wasn’t it his doing? That day at the betrothal banquet between Zhao Wan and Censor Gu, this Princess merely discussed a few words about His Majesty establishing an Empress and taking consorts, and was scolded by him. Afterward, when Father took me to apologize to His Majesty, who knows what he said to His Majesty then, making His Majesty punish me by copying Buddhist sutras for two years. This time when my father went on campaign, he originally went to serve the nation. If it weren’t for his bewitching words confusing the sovereign, how could His Majesty have taken my father’s head?”
As she spoke to this point, her gaze toward Su Jin suddenly filled with contempt: “I didn’t notice anything before, but now looking carefully at his face, and thinking about those rumors circulating outside, my Thirteenth Imperial Cousin won’t establish an Empress or take consorts, yet treats him, a mere minister, with such intimacy. It seems he’s bringing disaster to the nation…”
“Zhu Hele!” At this moment, an angry shout suddenly came from behind Su Jin.
It was actually Zhu Nanxian, who had heard the commotion during his meeting and came out from the public hall.
Everyone present hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.
Zhu Nanxian said: “All beloved ministers, rise.” His face was cold as frost as he looked at Zhu Hele.
Seeing his expression, Zhu Hele couldn’t help but tremble in her heart, calling out almost pleadingly in a small voice: “Thirteenth Imperial Cousin.”
“What did you call me?”
“Your, Your Majesty.” She kowtowed.
Only then did Zhu Nanxian look around, his gaze falling on the short dagger at Su Jin’s feet, his voice and expression growing cold: “What happened here?”
A minor official from the Ministry of War said: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Your Majesty will campaign tomorrow. Today the two Dowager Consorts led the female family members in praying for Your Majesty’s fortune at the Buddhist hall. Princess Hele took this opportunity to leave the rear palace and came kneeling to the Ministry of War to request an audience with Your Majesty, wishing to cry injustice for her father Zhu Xun. Later, Minister Su also came to the Ministry of War. When the Princess learned of this, she said she wanted to request a meeting with Minister Su. Who knew that upon seeing the Minister, she would draw a dagger. We couldn’t stop her in time, but fortunately Minister Su reacted quickly and disarmed her weapon. Afterward, the Princess blamed Minister Su, saying… that Your Majesty was instigated by Minister Su to execute Zhu Xun.”
As Zhu Nanxian listened to these words, his eyes grew increasingly cold: “Where are the people from the Court of Imperial Clan?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Chief Steward Hu from the Court of Imperial Clan is already waiting outside the Six Ministries’ offices. The two Dowager Consorts heard about what happened here and are currently also waiting for orders outside Gongxuan Gate.”
“Summon Chief Steward Hu.”
“Yes.”
Zhu Nanxian then walked before Zhu Hele and said coldly: “Zhu Xun fled from battle, causing the Vice Commander Mao Zuofeng to be severely wounded, and over five thousand soldiers and common people to lose their lives. I don’t care what reasons he had for such conduct. As the commanding general, he dared to disregard the lives of the common people. For such a grave crime, executing him is too lenient—his nine clans should be exterminated!”
Hearing these words, Zhu Hele’s entire body immediately shook like a sieve.
“I took into consideration that he is the Empress Mother’s cousin, that you were raised at the Empress Mother’s knee for two years, and therefore did not punish you for your father’s crimes. Do you understand?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Zhu Hele dared not raise her head, saying tremblingly, feeling in her heart that this Thirteenth Imperial Cousin before her was already very different from the one she used to know.
“However, you are the daughter of a criminal minister, bearing the title of Princess, yet you do not observe proper conduct or set an example. You dared to trespass into the important grounds of the Six Ministries, and on the eve of the diplomatic mission, you slandered a pillar minister of the current court, a Ministry Chancellor.” Zhu Nanxian continued, “Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Court of Imperial Clan—”
“Your subject is here.”
“From this moment forth, strip Zhu Hele of her Princess title, strip her of the surname ‘Zhu,’ demote her to commoner status, administer thirty strokes of the rod, and hand her over to the two Dowager Consorts for placement.”
Zhu Hele looked up in shock, her panicked eyes no longer containing any of their former arrogance. Teardrops rolled down as she managed to call out only half of a plea for mercy—”Thirteenth Imperial Cousin”—before being gagged by guards and dragged away.
With this matter concluded, Zhu Nanxian turned around and looked at the Ministry Chancellors who had been discussing matters with him earlier: “After I personally lead the campaign, the defense arrangements shall be decided as we just discussed. Gong Quan, the official document will be issued by your Ministry of War.”
“Yes.”
“Minister Liu, Minister Shen, both of you come to Jingshen Hall at the hour of hai. I want to discuss with you again the matter of reorganizing the Divine Engine Battalion.”
“Your subjects obey the command.”
“Zeng Youliang, after you write the official document, give it to Secretary Shu Huan and command him to draft the appointment decree. Submit it to me before tomorrow’s departure.”
“Your subject obeys the command.”
Currently the court was short of talented people, with various official positions vacant. After Zhu Nanxian ascended the throne, important positions such as Zeng Youliang of the Ministry of Personnel and Liu Dingliang of the Ministry of Works had not been replaced. Many people said that although Emperor Jin’an had not replaced the Ministry Chancellors, he would not grant great power to people he didn’t trust. The appointment decree to be announced tomorrow that was just mentioned would evidently confirm this speculation.
In the twenty-some years since the founding of the Great Sui Dynasty, the days when the Seven Ministers held supreme power had presumably come to an end.
After Zhu Nanxian finished giving instructions, he said: “It’s already late. All beloved ministers may withdraw.” He looked toward Su Jin, “Minister Su, please stay.”
After everyone performed their salutations and dispersed in different directions, Zhu Nanxian said to Su Jin: “Follow me.”
She fell back one step behind him, and the two walked one in front of the other out of the Six Ministries’ offices.
Zhu Nanxian dismissed everyone, only having Guard Qin Sang follow at a distance, before asking: “I heard from those below that you came to the Ministry of War to see me?”
“Yes.” Su Jin nodded slightly, “We’re leaving tomorrow. I wanted to bid Your Majesty farewell in private, but didn’t know when Your Majesty would have free time, so I came to wait at the Ministry of War.”
Zhu Nanxian smiled: “I heard that you came to Jingshen Hall to see me yesterday, but I happened to be away. When I went to the Ministry of Justice past the hour of hai, Wu Jizhi said you had returned to your residence.”
Su Jin said: “Yes, I’m departing on the mission tomorrow, and Zhaolin will accompany me. There were some matters at the residence that needed to be arranged, and A’Fu also needed to be entrusted to someone’s good care.” She asked again, “Does Your Majesty have time this evening?”
Zhu Nanxian stopped in his tracks and turned around in the night: “I still need to discuss the Divine Engine Battalion matters with Liu Yun and Qingyue, so it may be very late.” His gaze was bright and tender, “But no matter how late, I will definitely come see you.”
Su Jin lowered her eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed: “Good. Ayu will wait for Your Majesty at Weiyang Palace.”
“However,” who knew that upon hearing this, Zhu Nanxian would be surprised for a moment, saying half-doubtfully and half-bewilderedly, “Physician Fang has reminded me several times that your body should rest for at least a full month, that it can’t withstand strain. It’s only been ten days now, and I’m afraid—”
“What is Your Majesty thinking?” Su Jin was stunned for a moment, then immediately laughed when she understood, “Ayu only wants to properly bid Your Majesty farewell, nothing else.”
Her smile in the night was as bright as the moon. Zhu Nanxian stared fixedly, unable for a moment to discern the feeling in his heart.
He was, after all, in the prime of his youth and vigor. If she were truly willing in her heart, he might not be able to restrain himself. Hearing her say it was only a farewell, he first sighed heavily in his heart, but thinking of how her body hadn’t fully recovered, he also simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhu Nanxian discussed matters with Shen Xi and Liu Chaoming until nearly the hour of chou. Upon arriving at the Gardenia Hall of Weiyang Palace, he saw that only one dim green lamp was lit in the hall, while the inner chamber seemed to have brilliant firelight.
Zhiyi and Yu Kui stood on either side of the inner chamber door. Seeing him, they bowed gracefully: “We pay our respects to Your Majesty.” Then they raised their hands and pushed open the inner chamber door.
What flooded into Zhu Nanxian’s vision was a wash of red—pure, undiluted vermilion without a trace of impurity.
Su Jin was dressed in wedding garments, sitting on the bed. Hearing the door open, she raised her head.
The wedding dress she wore was precisely the one he had gifted her.
The wide sleeves and hem were decorated with large expanses of dark vermilion hibiscus flowers. Her hair was lightly pinned up, adorned with three delicate red plum blossom hairpins.
The flower ornament on her forehead was also vermilion. Her clear eyes shone bright as stars and moon. The light makeup made her originally pale complexion appear luminous and radiant. Her lips were stained with rouge, brilliant as blazing clouds at dawn.
Who said she wasn’t a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms?
This expanse of red was simply as if it wanted to wrap her entire being in a ball of fierce fire, about to burn brilliantly before his eyes.
Su Jin lowered her eyes and said: “Since ancient times, when warriors campaign, their wives at home await their return, wives looking north. Now Your Majesty personally leads the campaign, meeting the frosty cold season, with snow flying over desolate mountains along the way, a long and perilous journey. Ayu wishes to emulate the wives of campaigning soldiers, asking Your Majesty to not fear cold suffering and hardship on this journey, and also asking Your Majesty to cherish your own person. Remember that far away in your southern homeland, your wife at home waits for you.”
Zhu Nanxian had truly never experienced such a feeling before.
He had traveled far before, had campaigned before, always feeling that as a man standing tall between heaven and earth, though there might be attachments, there shouldn’t be anything he couldn’t let go of. Therefore he had been carefree and unrestrained, free and unburdened.
But these words from Su Jin were as if they would transform this ball of fierce fire before his eyes into an overwhelming rain of fire falling from the heavens, pouring down upon his heart, igniting the wild grass in his heart, setting boundless prairie fires across the vast expanse of his chest.
He took three steps in two strides forward, suddenly embracing her tightly, feeling as if he wanted to meld her into his bones and blood.
“Ayu, I can’t bear to part with you.”
Hearing these words, Su Jin’s eyes also took on a tinge of desolation: “Ayu also can’t bear to part with Your Majesty.” She said, “Actually, if we calculate carefully, since we’ve known each other, we’ve never been able to be properly together with Your Majesty.”
“Wait for me. Wait until I return to marry you.” Zhu Nanxian said, “Now the nation is in distress, the military situation in the Northwest is urgent. It’s fine if we can’t be together. When I return, I will give you my life, all the time of the rest of my life.”
“Good.” In his embrace, Su Jin nodded lightly but firmly, “When Your Majesty returns, Ayu will never again be separated from Your Majesty.”
On the twelfth day of the ninth month in the first year of Jin’an, before the morning glow could spread much splendor across the firmament, the rising sun hid behind the clouds.
Day had broken just like that.
Near the end of the hour of yin, a great wind arose. Outside West Xianchi Gate, two rows of military guards formed ranks on the left and right. Because Zhu Nanxian had decided to travel light and simple for this personal campaign, the accompanying military guards only outnumbered those accompanying Su Jin on her mission by three hundred-household units. He ordered that ministers need only perform farewell rites at the West Gate, without needing to hold a banquet at the ten-li pavilion outside the city.
The long wind swept across everyone’s garments, producing a sharp fluttering sound.
After everyone finished the rites, Zhu Nanxian looked toward Zeng Youliang: “Proclaim the decree.”
Zeng Youliang bowed to him and took out a bright yellow imperial decree, handing it to Secretary Shu Huan.
Shu Huan then read aloud: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I now personally lead the campaign. To prevent government affairs from becoming complicated and dragging on indecisively, I have decided to reform the Grand Secretariat. I specially establish one position of Chief Grand Secretary and two positions of Assistant Grand Secretaries, commanding that officials from the Six Ministries and Nine Courts enter the Grand Secretariat. All political and military affairs shall be discussed by the Grand Secretariat, with decisions made by the three Grand Secretaries.”
“I specially command Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Chaoming to concurrently serve as Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat during my personal campaign.”
“Minister of Revenue Shen Xi and Minister of Justice Su Jin shall concurrently serve as Assistant Grand Secretaries. During Minister of Justice Su Jin’s diplomatic mission, his decision-making authority shall temporarily be held by Minister of Revenue Shen Xi.”
Upon hearing this decree, everyone understood it very clearly.
Liu Chaoming had previously led the Grand Secretariat and handled most government affairs, so the position of Chief Grand Secretary could only go to him. However, among the Seven Ministers, Shen Xi and Su Jin were the people Emperor Jin’an trusted most. By appointing these two as Assistant Grand Secretaries and entrusting decision-making power to the three—Shen, Liu, and Su—he elevated their authority while simultaneously using Shen and Su’s power to prevent Liu Yun from becoming too dominant after his personal campaign.
This was precisely the art of balance unique to emperors.
Zhu Nanxian said: “Minister Liu, Minister Shen, Minister Su, the detailed regulations for Grand Secretariat operations have been written by Minister Zeng in the official documents distributed to each ministry. You may review them carefully later.”
“Your subjects receive the command.”
“The nation is devastated, civil administration demands attention, external threats persist. Today I entrust political affairs, civil administration, and diplomatic relations with Annan to you three. I hope you will be diligent and tireless, helping me guard the imperial state.”
“Your subjects respectfully obey the sacred command.”
A horn sounded long and clear. Several palace attendants filed out from beside Xianchi Gate, presenting wine mixed with yellow earth to Emperor Jin’an and the ministers.
Zhu Nanxian drank it in one gulp, and as he mounted his horse, all the ministers rose and kowtowed.
He reined in his horse and turned around, looking at this ground full of officials: “All beloved ministers, rise.”
Liu Chaoming, Su Jin, and Shen Xi rose first. Then Su Jin led her accompanying party to bow to the sending-off ministers before turning and walking left to board the diplomatic mission carriage.
The horn sounded again. The sharp crack of whips seemed to split the sky. The two columns of guards set off separately toward the north and south. In the gradually bitter wind, they had suddenly traveled very far in the blink of an eye.
Dark clouds hung low, and halfway through the journey, rain began to fall. The rain was fine and dense, soaking through outer garments in just a short while.
A guard behind rode up on horseback: “Your Majesty’s dragon body is precious. Should we find a place to shelter from the rain?”
Hearing these words, Zhu Nanxian smiled broadly: “What is this little rain?” He immediately waved his hand and cracked his whip, spurring his horse forward, his expression displaying the same unrestrained spirit as always: “Ride faster! Charge through this rain!”
Raindrops pelted the carriage canopy with a pattering sound. Tan Zhaolin called from beside the carriage: “Minister Su, it’s raining. Should I find a place for us to rest?”
Su Jin lifted the rear curtain of the carriage to look. The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was very fine and dense. Looking into the distance, the entire palace forbidden city seemed locked in a mass of mist and fog, momentarily resembling her old homeland.
“No need to rest.” Su Jin said, “The sooner we go, the sooner we return.”
Shen Xi had just stepped out of the government office when a Chief Clerk from the Ministry of Revenue chased after him from behind, holding an umbrella that completely shielded him alone while getting himself soaked: “Minister Shen, please take care of yourself. You’re different from before now. If you were to fall ill ordinarily, it would cause your subordinates and all the people under heaven to worry.”
Hearing these words, Shen Xi pushed away the umbrella covering his head with one hand, stepped into the curtain of rain, striding broadly and freely in his wide sleeves, laughing merrily: “If I fall ill, all the better to return home and sleep soundly. Let Liu Yun alone worry about court affairs, public duties, and the livelihood of all under heaven.”
Liu Chaoming emerged from Jingshen Hall with memorials, standing under the eaves of Fengtian Hall watching this sudden rain.
A palace attendant holding the memorials for him said: “Chief Grand Secretary, shall this humble one fetch an umbrella for you?”
Before him stretched the vast terrace; behind him towered the majestic palace buildings.
Liu Yun raised his eyes to look at the fine threads swirling down from the endless, boundless sky, descending in a torrent, and said flatly: “No need.”
These decades of unceasing wind and rain.
He raised his hand, holding it to his forehead, and with one step forward entered the curtain of rain.
The palace attendant behind him cried out in alarm: “Chief Grand Secretary, how can you shield yourself from wind and rain with bare hands?”
But he insisted on shielding wind and rain with bare hands.