Shaojin’s temperament ran a little hot, it was true — but he was a scholar all the same. How could he have come to blows with someone?
Pei Shaohuai had no time to think further and ran toward the Office of the Six Bureaus. As he ran, he began rolling up his wide sleeves. Brothers stand shoulder to shoulder — if Shaojin had come off worse, he would go in and use his fists too.
The colleague who had come to fetch him followed behind, and seeing Pei Shaohuai rolling up his sleeves as he ran, gasped between breaths as he chased after him: “Grand Minister Pei, I came to ask you to break up the fight.”
“We’ll fight first, then break it up.”
By the time he reached the Office of the Six Bureaus, the fighting was already over. It was Shaojin who had led the Bureau of Military Affairs in a brawl against the Bureau of Personnel, the Bureau of Civil Affairs, and the Bureau of Works. The Bureau of Military Affairs was not favored by numbers, yet most of its members were younger men, and in this kind of shoving and scuffling, one of them was worth two of the other side.
Shaojin had been the one to throw the first punch.
“This is an utter disgrace — an affront to scholarly decorum! We shall petition His Majesty and submit a memorial censuring you,” one man declared, clutching his dislocated right arm.
“Go ahead and petition — I dared to hit you, didn’t I? Did you think I’d be afraid of your little memorial?” Pei Shaojin replied. “You had best think carefully and write that memorial well, so that people can see clearly what kind of hypocrite you are — one who points and whispers behind people’s backs.”
Shaojin had come out on top in the fight, but not without taking a few hits of his own. Across that clean, fair-complexioned face, a bruise had formed at the corner of his mouth, and his neck bore several scratch marks where fingers had raked across it.
On one side, refinement as smooth as flowing water; on the other, a cold, unyielding pride that would not be bent. You wouldn’t have guessed until the blows were thrown — but this brawl made it clear: the Pei brothers were not only sharp of tongue, but also more than capable with their fists.
When the men from the Bureau of Personnel spotted Pei Shaohuai arriving, their gazes turned evasive. Someone among them muttered, “Like brother, like brother — if the elder goes crooked, the younger follows.” That instantly reignited Pei Shaojin’s fury; his eyes swept the crowd in search of whoever had muttered it, and he called out, “Which one of you is all mouth and no muscle?”
The Bureau of Personnel and the Bureau of Works knew they were in the wrong, and both bureau heads took that moment to walk out of their offices and call to their subordinates, “Is everyone’s work finished, then?” The others, given an excuse to retreat, slunk away with disgruntled expressions.
“Are you badly hurt? How did you end up throwing punches with them?” Pei Shaohuai asked.
“It’s nothing.” Shaojin turned his face to the side. “Let’s talk when we get back to the estate.” His anger had not yet subsided.
Back at the Earl’s estate, Concubine Shen and Lu Yiyao, having heard that Shaojin had gotten into a fight and been injured, hurried over with furrowed brows.
As Concubine Shen applied ointment to Shaojin’s injuries, she asked with concern, “You’re serving at a government office — how could you end up in a fight with someone?”
Shaojin said nothing.
Pei Shaohuai felt somewhat abashed and offered an explanation on his behalf: “Younger Brother Jin got into the fight because of me.”
Concubine Shen’s expression changed instantly. “Did he win?” she asked directly.
Pei Shaojin gave a nod. Concubine Shen said, “Then that’s fine.” She then took Lu Yiyao and left, giving the two brothers space to talk in private.
Pei Shaohuai wrapped a white cloth around a steaming hard-boiled egg and used it to gently press against the bruise at the corner of Shaojin’s mouth. “What were they saying about me,” he asked, “that made you lose your temper so badly?”
“Elder Brother, don’t lecture me about principles.” Shaojin took the egg and held it against his own mouth. “It’s not about what they said. I just felt it was beneath you — all of it.”
What those men at court had been saying was nothing more than calling Pei Shaohuai a treacherous and overbearing official. He had first received the power of remonstrance, then gained authority over evaluations and surveillance, and now he had additionally obtained the golden token of the Southern Embroidered Uniform Guard — overseeing civil officials, military officers, and the censorate alike. Who would not feel threatened?
“At this rate, no one will be able to restrain him.”
“From now on, if he takes a dislike to someone, all it’ll take is a single word to have that person done away with.”
“Such a treacherous official — I fear not even ascending to Grand Secretary and Chief Minister would satisfy his appetite.”
Others had spoken even more crudely, flinging terms like “a calamity star fallen from heaven” and “a villain running rampant at court,” but Shaojin hadn’t bothered reasoning with them — he had simply raised his fist.
The string of punches Shaojin had thrown, his declaration that it was “not worth it” — this was precisely the sharp, unbending spirit within him. Shaojin said, “Since ancient times, there have always been those who are upright and unyielding yet unable to overcome petty men; those who are clean and principled yet unable to stamp out those who hold positions without fulfilling their duties. And so, integrity and righteousness alone are not enough to bring about a fresh new spirit in the court.”
“I’ve grown up alongside Elder Brother, sheltered and cared for by him, with Elder Brother paving the way ahead — and I know Elder Brother to be careful and steady in all he does, always thinking ten steps ahead. And yet…” Shaojin looked straight at his elder brother, his voice carrying a faint catch, “Elder Brother thinks of the people of the realm, thinks of the family, thinks of the court, even thinks of those virtuous officials outside the capital who have made no name for themselves — but who is there to think of Elder Brother himself?”
Pei Shaojin clenched his fist and continued, “Elder Brother stands alone in the middle of those treacherous and shifting currents, battling one adversary after another. How could my heart be at ease?” He grabbed his elder brother’s sleeve and pressed him, “Elder Brother, there is no plan that is entirely without risk. What does it matter if you earn the name of a powerful official? What does it matter if we throw a few punches?”
The sword was right there within reach — grasp it firmly and hold on.
“There has never been a transformation without bloodshed. Your younger brother is willing to stand at the front, before Elder Brother.” Shaojin spoke with deep feeling.
Pei Shaohuai had not the slightest doubt that his brother meant every word. He said, “But haven’t I got you to think of me?”
The light of the westering sun slipped through a gap in the window; two silhouettes fell side by side, alike in bearing.
“Does Younger Brother remember the Zizhi Tongjian, the Chuan Cheng – Chapter on King Xian of Zhou?”
“Is Elder Brother speaking of Zhao Liang’s counsel to Lord Shang?”
Lord Shang had served Qin as Chancellor and accomplished much, yet his harsh methods of governance had earned him many enemies. Before Lord Shang was put to death by dismemberment, a man named Zhao Liang had urged him to withdraw from power while he still could, citing two passages from the Book of Songs and Book of Documents: “He who wins the people shall flourish; he who loses the people shall fall,” and “He who relies on virtue shall prosper; he who relies on force shall perish.” Zhao Liang had told Lord Shang that his situation was then “as precarious as the morning dew” — that the moment the sun rose, it would evaporate.
Lord Shang did not listen.
True enough — when the King of Qin died and Crown Prince Si ascended the throne, the very first person he moved against was Lord Shang.
Pei Shaohuai reassured his younger brother: “I know what I am doing. I am still far from reaching a point as ‘precarious as the morning dew.’ Rest easy.”
His heart was set on benefiting the people — opening up maritime trade and expanding resources was his way of “winning the people.” His relationship with the Emperor, close yet deliberately not too close, was his way of refusing to be a man who merely “relied on force.”
By citing Zhao Liang’s counsel to Lord Shang, Pei Shaohuai wished to tell his younger brother that all of this had been weighed and considered. Lord Shang was undeniably a man of brilliant talent and vision, yet the credibility established by the “moving of the timber” had ultimately not been enough to preserve his life.
He peeled Shaojin a fresh hot egg, wrapped it in white cloth, and passed it over, saying, “The floodwaters have only come halfway. The old foxes have not all crawled out of their dens yet. It is not yet time to throw punches.” Then he shared some of his plans and intentions with Shaojin, and concluded, “Next time, don’t be so rash. And if you truly feel the need to act, bring me along first.”
……
Lady Ke and her two sons’ crimes were soon thoroughly investigated. Pei Shaohuai entered the Eastern Palace with the record of offenses in hand.
The Crown Prince had originally wanted to plead for his wet nurse, to ask Pei Shaohuai to show some leniency — but when he picked up the record and read it through, both hands trembled, and not a single word of the speech he had prepared could pass his lips.
The Hou brothers had not merely stolen wealth — they had taken lives.
In the end, the Crown Prince steeled his expression, pushed the record back in front of Pei Shaohuai, and said, “Grand Minister Pei shall deal with this according to the law.”
Then he murmured, “It is that I allowed my heart to be blinded, and in doing so harmed both myself and them.”
“Concealing wrongdoing makes it impossible to establish trust with the people — it is good that Your Highness understands this.” Pei Shaohuai said.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Youzheng handed Pei Shaohuai the Eastern Palace’s financial accounts and the roster of names belonging to the Crown Prince’s faction, saying, “Everything I know has been recorded within. In the past, it was mostly Grand Preceptor Wang who managed affairs with the subordinates. Should there be anything concealed, it will still require Grand Minister Pei to find the gaps and, following the vine, uncover the truth.”
The Crown Prince had spent these days confined in the Eastern Palace reflecting, and had come to understand many things.
The prisoner sent by the Prince of Huai, and the carved Dragon Throne discovered at the Hou family residence — both were sufficient to strip him of his position as Crown Prince. The Emperor had merely placed him under house arrest, which was already a mark of the Emperor’s partiality toward him.
He might have been able to take or leave the position of Crown Prince for his own sake, but he had sons and daughters of his own. Simply stepping aside when things grew difficult would not be enough to protect the lives of his entire household.
Birds choose the finest branch to perch upon; ministers choose a wise ruler to serve. Judging from the current situation, he was clearly at a disadvantage, and by no means a sound choice — the assembled ministers were protecting themselves by keeping their distance and avoiding him. That Pei Shaohuai was still willing to take on this role of “guardian,” still willing to help him devise strategies, could only be due to the Emperor’s influence.
Yan Youzheng should trust Pei Shaohuai — and had no choice but to trust him.
……
Along the outer wall of the Qianqing Palace ran a long covered walkway; beneath the walkway stood a row of low, modest rooms, using the corridor bridge that ten thousand feet had trodden as their ceiling. These were the “Corridor Quarters” — the common lodgings of ordinary eunuchs.
When Pei Shaohuai came out of the Eastern Palace and passed by the Qianqing Palace, he caught sight of Eunuch Xiao.
Xiao Jin no longer held a horsetail whisk in his hand; he was no longer dressed in his silk embroidered robes. He wore only a plain pale-green garment. His rank had fallen from Chief Eunuch to an ordinary eunuch, and he was now keeping watch over the side gate of the Qianqing Palace.
When the time came to change shifts, Xiao Jin straightened and tidied his clothing and made his way toward the side gate — even with his station diminished, he remained a man who took care with his appearance.
Pei Shaohuai only watched from a distance; he did not go over to pay his respects.
For one thing, having fallen from the position of Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Xiao would certainly have endured a great deal of mockery and cold contempt from the other eunuchs. Pei Shaohuai had no wish to be seen witnessing the man’s wretchedness — and Eunuch Xiao himself surely had no wish for Pei Shaohuai to see him so.
For another, whatever else one might say, the Eastern Palace’s wrongdoing and the suffering endured in Fujian had, in the end, some part of their cause in Eunuch Xiao. Pei Shaohuai found it difficult to simply let that be forgotten and forgiven.
Eunuch Xiao had been demoted, but had not been expelled from the palace — he was still serving at the Qianqing Palace. This came as no great surprise to Pei Shaohuai. After all, this was a man who had served at the Emperor’s side for several decades.
The Emperor was a man who was moved by sentiment.
……
In the latter part of the third month, the spring snow gradually thawed, and the river crossings beyond the capital reopened with the breaking of the ice.
Pei Shaohuai had “broken a promise” to Little Nan and Little Feng — they had not been able to wait for the timely return of Yan Chengzhao’s family.
Word had spread — no one knew who had set it about — to the princes and dukes of the Two Lakes region. Upon learning that the Chu Prince estate’s farmlands had been audited and returned to the common people, they grew fearful that their own estates would be next in line for reckoning, and so they stirred up trouble in their respective domains.
Yan Chengzhao was occupied with suppressing this unrest, which had set back his schedule, with no telling when he might return.
Disturbing fields, cutting into the interests of those with much to lose — this was never an easy thing to do.
Pei Shaohuai had not managed to wait for Yan Chengzhao, but he did wait for Huang Qingxing. Having received Pei Shaohuai’s recommendation, Huang Qingxing had set out early, braving the winter cold to travel overland, and arrived in the capital by late spring.
Pei Shaohuai invited a few of Elder Zou’s students and arranged a welcoming banquet at the Hexiang Restaurant for Huang Qingxing, who had come from afar.
When Pei Shaohuai had first met Huang Qingxing in Jinling, he had been unable to place a certain feeling of familiarity. Now, meeting again, the feeling was entirely clear to him.
Huang Qingxing also had a pair of triangular eyes.
At the table, the wine-drinking was mostly done in Elder Zou’s honor. After three rounds of toasts, Pei Shaohuai poured Huang Qingxing’s cup full, raised his own, and said with an apologetic expression, “Brother Huang, Pei feels he owes you an apology.”
“What does Grand Minister Pei mean?”
“You received word and traveled the great distance from Jinling, giving Pei considerable face — yet circumstances have changed in ways I did not anticipate.” Pei Shaohuai explained, “The post of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue has been taken by another before me. It may be said to be a temporary appointment, but you and I both understand that the issuance of a formal decree is only a matter of time.”
Huang Qingxing clearly had not expected this either. He was briefly stunned.
Could it be that he had made this great journey only to have the welcoming banquet turn into a farewell banquet?
He nonetheless steadied his composure, and said magnanimously, “Grand Minister Pei need not feel apologetic — man proposes, and Heaven disposes. One must not force what fate has not allotted.”
“To express my regret, I shall penalize myself with three cups.”
With several cups of wine already in him, Pei Shaohuai’s performance grew all the more convincing. He said, “The Ministry of Military Affairs still has a substantive vacancy. I do not know whether Brother Huang would be willing to take it, modest as it may be.” A hint of embarrassment crossed his face, and he added, “Though it is not a poor position in its own right, it falls short of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue — I fear it would be beneath you, Brother Huang, given your talents in financial matters.”
The position in the Ministry of Military Affairs was, of course, not comparable to the Left Vice Minister of Revenue.
“Grand Minister Pei speaks too highly of me — I am simply one official among many. There is absolutely no question of ‘beneath me’ or ‘too modest.'” Within the capital, even the coldest of benches was preferable to Jinling. One could always enter the Ministry of Revenue later after first entering the Ministry of Military Affairs — that too was a possibility. Huang Qingxing was inclined to accept, yet made a show of hesitating, saying, “Only there is one point — I have never set foot in the sphere of military affairs. I fear I would struggle to be competent, and if I did poorly, it would end up letting down Grand Minister Pei’s good intentions, and would also damage the Minister’s reputation.”
What a masterclass in candid sincerity.
The others at the table chimed in to encourage him — one who could master the intricacies of financial affairs, they said, would certainly be able to find his footing in military matters as well.
“Though the position is in the Ministry of Military Affairs, the work is still managing financial matters,” Pei Shaohuai said.
“What does the Grand Minister mean?”
Pei Shaohuai came straight to the point: “The Ministry of Military Affairs has under it the Mint Bureau, which casts silver coins. The Bureau is presently in need of a Director of Monetary Affairs, and Pei feels Brother Huang is most fitting for the role.”