Setting out for a new post was not a matter of leaving on a whim — you first had to receive your appointment.
Zhù Ying had advance word of the news, and began preparations at home before the formal appointment came through, so that she could save time. From the receipt of the appointment to the arrival at the post, there were travel time requirements; if you exceeded the deadline without arriving, you were penalized.
Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da had said they would go together, but when it actually came time to pack, their eyes were filled with reluctance. This was the first comfortable home they’d had in so many years — they’d only lived here a few days before having to move away. To say they felt no attachment would be a lie.
They also had a habit acquired from years of poverty: looking at this thing and thinking it was nice, looking at that thing and thinking it was nice, wanting to take everything along. Clothes and jewelry — surely those had to come? Bedding — surely that was necessary? Money — naturally. And then the unfinished rice in the house…
Zhang Xiangu said, “We only have one cart! How are we supposed to manage?”
Zhù Da hesitated. “Buy another one?”
Nearly three thousand li away — even if you were willing to hire someone, there had to be someone willing to make the trip with you. Otherwise you’d have to buy. And buying meant more complications: a cart needed a draft animal, and an animal needed a driver. How would all that be sorted out?
The two of them packed for a while, then stopped, quite perplexed.
Huajie was also reluctant to leave, but she was far more organized than they were. She made a list with several items: first, how to settle the accounts of the household; second, how to collect the land rents — this she planned to discuss with Zhù Ying and entrust to Wen Yue’s family; and only third came what she herself needed to bring. She also had a chat with Du Dajie and asked her, “If we leave, the house will need a caretaker. Would you come with us, or stay behind to watch the house?”
Du Dajie, thinking of three thousand li of road, went pale in the face. But staying in the capital and worrying about her uncle — the moment he saw there was no longer a master of the house to protect him, he might start causing trouble again. She gritted her teeth. “I’ll go with you, Mistress. Better to have someone to look after you.”
While they were packing at home, Zhù Ying went out to attend to business. She first went to Jin Liang’s home to say farewell, and at the same time to ask whether Jin Liang had any suitable people to recommend for her to take along on the journey. This was also like finding servants — people with a guarantor and a traceable background were more reliable. Otherwise, given Zhù Ying’s connections in the capital, she could have called together several dozen people to come along without any trouble. But whether they would be suitable was another matter.
She told Jin Liang, “It’s nearly three thousand li away. Someone without staying power would run off halfway — it has to be someone I know through and through, who is also genuinely willing.”
Jin Liang said, “I told you long ago to get servants sorted out, and you never listened. Now you’re in a panic? You want to take Cao Chang — but that leaves your older brother and sister-in-law without any help. I’ll find you a gatekeeper first: there’s an old soldier with no children who’s lost one eye, but for watching over the house and guarding it, he’ll do fine. As for you — besides Cao Chang, you’ll need two more servants…”
Zhù Ying said, “My parents will be coming with me.”
“Are you out of your mind?! How old are they?! You…”
Zhù Ying said, “That old soldier — if he’s willing to head south with me, I’d like to meet him. If he seems right, I’ll keep him on.”
Jin Liang said, “You’re not confused, are you?”
Zhù Ying said, “Cao Chang came to my household for the sake of his parents. Now taking him three thousand li away — what happens to his parents? I want to leave him to help me watch the house. If he’s willing, he can move his parents in to stay — it will be lively having more people around, for the house-watching. As for my parents and Huajie — they’re not willing to be apart from me, and our family has been through too much together. We just don’t want to be separated.”
Jin Liang said, “You really are a living bodhisattva!”
Zhù Ying said, “If you have a suitable person to recommend, say so now. If not, I still need to go looking.”
Jin Liang said, “You’re going to go look empty-handed?”
Zhù Ying said, “Haven’t I already found you?”
Jin Liang frowned. “Long journey, long road — you need guards, don’t you? And there’s also…”
Zhù Ying said, “I know. I’ll need helpers too. I’ll keep gathering people.”
Jin Liang said, “You don’t need someone as polished as Gan Ze or Lu Chao, trained from childhood for personal service — nor do they necessarily need to be literate. That actually makes it not so hard. There are some who’ve offended powerful families, others looking to lie low with nowhere to go. I still think you should recruit a few guards — rough terrain and desolate country, you’ll want protection against bandits.”
Zhù Ying said, “Understood.”
Jin Liang said, “I’ll keep an eye out. I’ll have someone for you in a couple of days.”
In a couple of days, Jin Liang brought two people to Zhù Ying. Both were willing to sign bond contracts. The condition for accepting servitude was this: after a few years, they wanted to be matched with a wife. They were both free men from the capital’s vicinity who had lost their land one way or another. Making a living and marrying independently was impossible for them; what made them willing to enter service was the hope of having a wife.
Zhù Ying refused these terms.
Jin Liang felt it was a great pity. “Just buy a few female bondservants. When the time comes, match them up — and your household will have several families of retainers and servants. How convenient.”
Zhù Ying said, “Let’s forget it. When would I have the free time for all that?”
Jin Liang said, “You’re always like this — never getting to things until there’s absolutely no choice but to scramble! Take servants: how many years have you been in the capital? If you’d taken it seriously early on, would you be grasping at thin air now?”
“Early on? In those early years I didn’t have the means. Preparations are never foolproof — something always slips through the cracks at the last moment. A soldier comes, you counter with a soldier; water comes, you counter with earth. That’s all there is to it,” said Zhù Ying. “What about that old soldier you mentioned? Where is he?”
Jin Liang said, “Right over there. Just know in advance — he’s had some bad luck. He gets things done well enough, but if you’re going to be particular about things, don’t bring him along thousands of li only to dismiss him after a few days.”
The old soldier was named Hou Wu. He was around forty years old, and his abilities were there, but his luck had always been poor. His superiors had an uncanny habit of walking by from behind exactly when he was saying something unflattering about them, no matter how many superiors changed over the years. Whenever he genuinely praised a superior, that superior invariably couldn’t hear it. The result was that though he had some small merits, he was never able to make officer, and on top of that he’d lost an eye. With no way to earn a living in sight — and going back home meaning he’d been in the army for over twenty years and there was nobody left there anymore — he had originally hoped to work as a gatekeeper. Now there was talk of heading three thousand li south, and he hadn’t refused.
Jin Liang had him demonstrate his swordsmanship, spearplay, and staff work. Zhù Ying saw that his martial skills were decent — aside from the one blind eye, his appearance was reasonably presentable, and when they first met, he didn’t speak at all. She said, “The place I’m going is a bit far.”
Hou Wu said, “I’ve been farther.”
Jin Liang said, “He’s served on military campaigns before.”
Zhù Ying got around to his terms. Only then did he speak. Hou Wu’s requirements were: food and lodging was sufficient. If he died, he wanted to be dressed in burial clothes and given a coffin.
Zhù Ying said, “Isn’t it a bit early to be talking about that?”
Jin Liang also said “bad omen,” but Hou Wu said, “If the young official agrees to this, I’ll feel settled in my heart and know this can last.”
Zhù Ying said, “Alright. If something happens to me later and I can’t keep my end of things, I’ll calculate the money and entrust it to Jin Liang on your behalf.”
Hou Wu smiled. “Straightforward! I’ll go fetch my things right now — I can already start as gatekeeper today.”
So he had no place to go at all.
Zhù Ying said, “Fine.”
She also went to Shao Shuxin to ask whether he had a suitable bookkeeper to recommend. Shao Shuxin sighed. “Do you have enough money?”
He ran the numbers for Zhù Ying. The place she was going was desperately poor. She would also have to support the existing staff at the local government offices. If the people Zhù Ying recruited herself couldn’t be given some title allowing them to draw a salary from local funds, Zhù Ying would have to support them herself. A good bookkeeper came at great expense — and by the same token, so did the servants she would bring along.
“Now do you understand why people who seek outside posts all want to go to wealthy places?”
Zhù Ying said, “I’ll see when I get there. Maybe I’ll find a way to make money.”
Shao Shuxin said, “Whatever you like. A good one doesn’t exist, but there is an idiot. He can keep accounts — he’s just a little dim about everything else. You’d have to keep an eye on him. He only knows how to look at accounts. His family has kept accounts for generations. He worked in the Board of Revenue for two years, can’t remember his superiors’ full names, doesn’t think about anything except accounts, and if you ask him to write a report summarizing a situation, it’s torture. On the strength of his abilities, being selected from the clerks’ ranks to become an official wasn’t impossible — it’s just that his poor grasp of social niceties gave everyone headaches, and then he couldn’t continue there anymore. If you’re not particular about that sort of thing, handling a county’s accounts and serving as an account-keeper is quite manageable.”
Zhù Ying said, “Good — then he it is.”
This man was named Qi Tai. At forty years old, he had been kicked out of the Board of Revenue. He went to work as a bookkeeper for a merchant, but since he had no talent for helping the merchant cultivate connections with the Board of Revenue, he couldn’t do that job either, and was gone within a few days. He tried to work as a bookkeeper for a wealthy family, but they already had trusted people in place, and not only did he fail to accomplish anything, he had nearly been set up and framed by colleagues within the household.
Shao Shuxin hadn’t taken him in either, but Zhù Ying needed someone, and Shao Shuxin had done the calculation: this fellow was the most cost-effective option, so he recommended him to Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying asked, “How much money does he need upfront to settle his family? Would he want to bring them along?” For a journey this far, it was generally uncommon to bring family. Many officials heading to posts even brought a concubine rather than a wife, to handle domestic needs, leaving the wife at home to manage the household and look after the parents.
Two thousand seven hundred li away — if it weren’t for Zhù Ying’s particular circumstances, she wouldn’t want her parents or Huajie to make such an arduous journey either. Staying in the capital to watch over the house and collect rents, leaving her without worries at the rear — wouldn’t that be ideal?
Shao Shuxin said, “No need.”
“But he’s forty already…”
“His parents died early. He had a wife before, who died in childbirth, leaving a daughter who is twelve this year. No chance of marrying again; the daughter has no dowry to speak of and can’t be married off. This works out well: you take him along, he can save up a dowry for his daughter and take in a son-in-law, giving him something to look forward to in the second half of his life. If he dies on the road, then that’s just his fate.”
Zhù Ying had Shao Shuxin serve as the go-between, and first met with Qi Tai. Qi Tai was a pale, thin middle-aged man who looked younger than his actual age, with dull eyes that seemed to look through everyone without really seeing them. He brightened only when he recognized Shao Shuxin, and after Shao Shuxin made introductions, he trained his eyes on Zhù Ying — studying her as if fixing her identity in his mind.
Qi Tai made a bow and said, “My employer.”
Zhù Ying said, “I don’t have much money, and I’m not sure what the local situation is like. But I’ll bring you there and I’ll bring you back. What do you think?”
Qi Tai said, “Well, I have nowhere else to go anyway.”
Qi Tai glanced at Shao Shuxin. Shao Shuxin wasn’t particularly warm-hearted, so Qi Tai had no choice but to negotiate his own terms in his awkward, stilted way: “I need to bring my daughter with me — she won’t be any trouble for you. My pay can be split into several parts. My food and clothing…”
Zhù Ying thought to herself: Now I understand why you got kicked out of the Board of Revenue.
But Qi Tai was cheap. Given his abilities — and for room and board, meat twice every three days, a full stomach otherwise, four sets of seasonal clothing, and only five strings of cash per year on top of that — the arrangement was quite economical. During festivals he wanted time off, and once they arrived at the post they would need to arrange two rooms for him and his daughter to live in. Zhù Ying calculated that at this rate of earnings, over three years he would barely save enough for a modest set of furniture as his daughter’s dowry. It genuinely made her want to ask what the previous forty years of his life had been like and whether he had any savings at all.
Zhù Ying agreed without hesitation. Taken together, this expenditure was not small — but engaging Qi Tai as a bookkeeper was extremely cost-effective.
Zheng Yi, who had become a partner in adversity with her after the incident at his father’s residence, proactively offered to send two page boys along to attend her on the journey south. Zhù Ying said, “I’m not yet sure what the situation will be like in the south. It wouldn’t be good to bring too many servants. If you have a suitable driver, send me two; and lend me a few carts as well. Once we arrive and the carts are unloaded, I’ll have them come back.”
Zheng Yi said, “That’s easily arranged.” He dispensed with the page boys and instead arranged four large carts, each with one driver.
All at once Zhù Ying’s road company was complete.
As for guards, she didn’t even have to actively recruit any — merchants heard the news and came on their own, wanting to travel south with her. They weren’t going as far — perhaps only a thousand or two thousand li further south — and had brought their own goods and hired guards for the journey. The benefit of travelling alongside an official was that they could evade taxes. They brought along goods, guards, and were willing to offer some payment to Zhù Ying.
Among these merchants were some she had come to know during her time at the Court of Judicial Review. Zhù Ying didn’t ask too much of them — only one cart from each, to carry some of her luggage.
A gatekeeper had been found, drivers were in place, but she still needed servants. Zhù Ying didn’t particularly want male attendants or page boys, but someone turned up of their own accord.
This was Old Wu’s youngest son. Old Wu had been trying to secure a clerical post for him, but that was proving difficult — and by coincidence Zhù Ying was heading south. Old Wu thus sent his son to Zhù Ying’s door.
He, his daughter, and son-in-law, all four of them, arrived at Zhù Ying’s home with gifts, intending to hand Little Wu over to her care. Old Wu, setting aside all face, said, “My official knows that this lowly one’s household has several sons and daughters. Through your benevolence, one son and one daughter are already serving at the Court of Judicial Review. Only this youngest son has no prospects yet. Bothering the same person with a second request — I entrust him to you.”
Placing the boy in Zhù Ying’s hands gave him complete peace of mind. Following the chief official south meant being a trusted confidant. Even starting from the servant’s position now, when Zhù Ying rose, this Little Wu would rise along with her. Zhù Ying would someday return to the capital — whenever that was, she was sure to have Little Wu well-placed in the capital once they returned.
For a father to find his son such a patron — that was fulfilling his duty as a parent.
Zhù Ying said, “The place I’m going is not easy. Exhaustion on the road, illness from unfamiliar climate and food when we arrive — all kinds of things can happen. It’s not the capital. In the capital, when I ran into trouble, I could still find a way. If something unexpected happens in that place…”
Little Wu was sharp-witted and smiled. “A place even you can go to — who are we to complain? Your abilities are well known by everyone. If something still goes wrong even with your help, then that’s just my own fate. The family — my father and mother, my older sister and brother — should not put the blame on you. We’re the ones asking you to show us a way forward.”
His older sister scolded him, “You talk too much!”
Little Wu gave a bow and stepped back.
Zhù Ying knew Old Wu’s family through and through. She said, “As long as we don’t blame each other, we’re agreed.”
Old Wu said, “Then this boy is your person from now on.”
Zhù Ying nodded.
With Little Wu, there was no need to negotiate terms — Zhù Ying simply applied the same arrangement as Hou Wu. Old Wu’s family had no complaints. Old Wu even privately hoped that the initial conditions were harsh, so that his son would share hardships with Zhù Ying — meaning her eventual repayment would only be more substantial. If the return didn’t match expectations, it would just be like a bad investment. After years of dealings at the Court of Judicial Review, Old Wu trusted Zhù Ying’s character absolutely. If Little Wu still couldn’t make something of himself following her, then it was simply fate.
By the time the formal appointment came down, Zhù Ying had everything more or less in order. The family home in the capital was entrusted to Cao Chang’s family to watch over. The farmlands were to be managed by Wen Yue’s family. Zheng Yi had prepared six large carts, two for passengers and four for cargo. Zhù Ying’s own household also had a mule cart — seven carts in total, quite sufficient. She would ride on horseback herself, and left the donkey for Cao Chang’s family.
Huajie brought the cat; the dog was left to Cao Chang.
The female servants were one Du Dajie; the male servants were Hou Wu and Little Wu who doubled in that role; and traveling along were Qi Tai and his daughter.
Qi Tai was the sort of person who, except for keeping accounts, was generally clueless about everything else. This forced his daughter to develop a shrewd practicality at a young age. Her father had already agreed to exile himself three thousand li away. When Qi’s daughter heard this, she was too angry to even bother protesting, and simply packed her bags to accompany him. Her father had gone back and forth with the employer on so many things, yet had forgotten two: first, he failed to include her food and lodging in the arrangement, which meant it would have to come out of those five strings of cash — a terrible deal. Second, he hadn’t sorted out how the two of them would travel. Qi’s daughter spent two days trying to find a cart for hire and couldn’t find anyone willing to take on three thousand li.
She scraped and patched things together, gathered just enough money for a donkey, and they had an old broken-down cart at home. She strapped it to the donkey’s back — father and daughter would just have to ride with their bedding together. And she hadn’t even started earning her salary yet, and already she was spending money.
Qi’s daughter stared into her box of money, on the verge of tears.
It was at this very moment that Zhù Ying arrived at her home. Hou Wu already had no place to stay and had temporarily moved into the gatehouse. Little Wu’s family was well-known to her, so she went to Qi Tai’s place first to get a feel for things. She arrived with Cao Chang behind her, and looking around at the dwelling, it really did not look like the home of a man who had worked as a government clerk in the capital. The house was shared with others — their family occupied three side rooms, the kitchen shared with the other tenants.
Zhù Ying stood outside. Cao Chang went ahead and knocked on the door. Qi’s daughter looked at the master and servant, both seeming decent enough, and was too embarrassed to mention that she’d gotten the short end of the arrangement — what could be done about a foolish father?
She still had to step forward and say, “I don’t know when my employer intends to set out. We need to prepare.”
Zhù Ying took one look at the state of the Qi household and told Cao Chang to produce a string of cash to give to Qi’s daughter. “Prepare a few things for the road. If you have your own cart, use it; if not, I can lend you one from mine. Is this enough?”
Qi’s daughter was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful!” She then turned red.
Zhù Ying asked, “Your household seems to be…”
The girl lowered her head and said, “It’s manageable — won’t cause any trouble for you.” The hardships of a poor family were all much of a muchness: illness, death, an inability to earn money, and so the money gradually ran out.
Zhù Ying said, “You keep a tidy household. The housekeeper at my place is also a thorough person — you’ll get along.”
Only after the formal appointment came down did she do the handover at the Court of Judicial Review.
Though word had already spread, without the formal appointment she was still a member of the Court of Judicial Review, and still carried on with her duties as before. She simply took care to re-read all the relevant case files carefully beforehand.
Once the appointment came through, she first paid her respects and took leave of Pei Qing, Leng Yun, and her other superiors. Pei Qing said, “From what I can see, the Council of State this time has sent a good number of young people outside the capital, and not a few of them are talented people — it’s clearly not meant as a punishment, but as a form of tempering. You must not lose heart. With your abilities, you will certainly be able to accomplish something. Take care — take care!”
Zhù Ying again bowed in gratitude for his years of guidance and care.
Pei Qing recalled their first meeting with Zhù Ying and smiled. “At the time I thought you were… well, never mind. Even though you were brought in by Lord Zheng, that’s no reason to feel distant from this place going forward.”
Zhù Ying said, “This is the court where I began my career as an official. How could I forget?”
Leng Yun said, “Just like that, you’re leaving? Tsk! Write to us often!”
He’d seen his father speak this way to close friends, and now imitated it naturally.
Zhù Ying said, “As long as you don’t tire of it.”
“Who would tire of hearing from you? Would you write back?”
“Pushing your luck, aren’t you?” Leng Yun laughed at her. “I will!”
Only then did Zhù Ying handle the handover with Hu Lian, Zuo, and the others — official documents, public funds, the Court of Judicial Review’s assets and so on. Both sides completed the handover. Everyone then insisted on hosting a farewell banquet, which Zhù Ying did not decline. After the work day ended, she first moved everything she had stored at the Court of Judicial Review back home, then went to the Zheng residence.
Zheng Xi had been busy these days. The Chamberlain’s Office was a whole different kind of challenge from the Court of Judicial Review. When he had taken charge of the Court of Judicial Review, it had just been through a purge, making it easier for him to operate. The Eastern Palace offered no such convenience. In those days at the Court of Judicial Review, there had been major cases to build merit on. What the Eastern Palace required was “tranquility.”
On seeing Zhù Ying, Zheng Xi gave a long sigh. “I genuinely wish we could trade places.”
Zhù Ying laughed. “I’m afraid I couldn’t handle your matters, and there’s no place big enough out there to hold you.”
Zheng Xi also laughed, producing several visiting cards and a few sealed letters. “Take these.” The cards were his own; the letters were written to various Zheng family friends and relatives along the way. Though they were not close to where Zhù Ying was heading, they were “along the route,” and there were many ways they could be of assistance.
Zheng Xi said, “Use your own judgment.”
“Yes.”
Zheng Xi said, “You must pay farewell calls to the three Chancellors, and you should also make the rounds among your acquaintances at the Jingzhao prefecture.” He had prepared the gifts for her. He didn’t know Zhù Ying’s finances down to the last coin, but one glance told him they were meager.
Zhù Ying said, “There’s no need…”
Zheng Xi made a gesture indicating she should stop, and told Gan Ze to go with her and help her see to all these farewell obligations properly.
Gan Ze also wanted a good talk with Zhù Ying. He had introduced his cousin to her as someone meant to actually do useful work — not to take advantage of Zhù Ying by having her board and feed a useless boy for nothing, only for the boy to refuse to make the journey when push came to shove.
Zhù Ying said, “What about your aunt and uncle?”
Gan Ze said, “I’ll look after them! Take him along.”
“I still need someone to watch my house.”
Gan Ze said, “If you trust me, I’ll move my aunt and uncle in, let them stay in those two rooms in the side courtyard and watch the house for you. You must take that kid with you! Otherwise my aunt and uncle won’t have peace of mind.”
Zhù Ying said, “Three thousand li — how many people has it claimed? If I die, it’s my own doing. But their family…”
“Then that’s fate!” Gan Ze said. “My uncle and I have already discussed this. If he dies, we accept it, and I’ll care for the two old ones and see them through to the end. If he comes through alright following you, you won’t treat him badly. We all trust that.”
So Cao Chang’s name was added to Zhù Ying’s party of traveling companions. He cheerfully rode his donkey, following Zhù Ying and Gan Ze as they carried gifts to pay a farewell call to Shi Kun first. Zhù Ying’s acquaintance with this Chancellor was limited to having met him a few times, and Shi Kun offered only a few general words of encouragement.
At Wang Yunhe’s residence, the two had already said what needed to be said. Wang Yunhe gave her a small cloth bag and said, “Study this carefully on the road.”
“Yes.”
“Remember to write letters.”
“Yes.”
Wang Yunhe suddenly smiled. “Oh, and Old Liu has always enjoyed traveling and loves reading travelogues — write something about the local customs and interesting things you come across and send them back.”
“I will.”
Last was the visit to Chen Luan’s residence.
Chen Luan’s parting words were different from the other two men’s. He said, “When you first arrive in a new place and are governing a region, make sure you see clearly first — then think about what to do.”
“Yes.”
He also gave Zhù Ying a small cloth bag, and told her to open it slowly on the road.
“Yes.”
Chen Luan said further, “There is one thing I would ask you.”
Zhù Ying said, “I wouldn’t presume.”
Chen Luan said, “Bring them in.”
Chen Dajie entered carrying an infant, with a small child also following alongside. Zhù Ying quickly stood. Chen Luan said, “I have a letter for home. I’ll trouble you to carry it to my eldest. Look — these are his two children. Fine, aren’t they?”
Zhù Ying first bowed to Chen Dajie, then looked at the two children — both pretty as jade and snow, appearing sharper than Chen Meng to her eyes. The small child even bowed to her: “Hello, Uncle.”
Zhù Ying returned the bow, then said to Chen Luan, “Chancellor, this is…”
“When you see the eldest, tell him his wife and children are well. Otherwise, what’s mere word? Ha ha ha ha.”
Zhù Ying bowed to him and accepted the family letter. Chen Luan didn’t stop there — he also arranged a “hometown farewell banquet” for her. Zhù Ying looked at the fellow townspeople assembled there, and a great many of them were completely different from those Chen Meng had introduced her to at the time — only one or two had been present at Chen Meng’s gatherings. Zhù Ying sighed inwardly: the son is nothing like the father.
She made her farewell rounds among her acquaintances at the Jingzhao prefecture as well, and finally stopped by Old Ma’s teahouse for a sit.
On the day of Zhù Ying’s departure, Wang Yunhe did not appear, but sent someone to deliver a sash to Zhù Ying as a parting gift. Zheng Xi and Chen Luan, unexpectedly, both appeared!
Zheng Xi had Jin Liang and others behind him, all come to see Zhù Ying off. Zheng Xi said, “No wine for you. Keep that knife of yours close.”
Chen Luan had also brought some fellow townspeople who asked Zhù Ying to make a slight detour on the way to deliver some letters.
Chen Luan said, “Why so formal about it? Wouldn’t she want to go home and have a look? You’re going somewhere far, and you’ve been given more time than the others — no need to rush. Go home and take a look.”
The two of them exchanged a glance, and Zhù Ying gave a deep bow.
All her colleagues from the Court of Judicial Review had come. Pei Qing and Leng Yun offered encouragement; the others were simply reluctant to part. Zhù Ying had given special attention to the women’s detention ward.
“A hemp rope always breaks at the thinnest part. A rope tied around someone — once the thin part breaks, the whole rope is ruined,” she said, pointing to the women’s ward. “This is the thin part of the Court of Judicial Review. Cui Jiacheng, Wu Xiang, and all of you — you must hold your own. Colleagues — they are our colleagues too.”
Pei Qing said, “You go without worrying. We’ve got it covered.”
Leng Yun said, “You’d better worry about yourself! The decorative plant composed a fine poem a couple of days ago, and it’s spread all over the capital! What kind of thing is that!”
He had had nothing against Duan Ying before, but things were different now. Zhù Ying said, “He’s a capable person.”
“Hmph! Sauntering around everywhere!”
Zhù Ying said, “People only see the thief eating meat, never the thief getting beaten. Even if he has a photographic memory, those scholarly accomplishments don’t just walk into his head — he still has to read the books himself. A person who can stand out must be someone who has put in the hard work. Don’t always look down on people like him — if you run into someone who takes you seriously and goes all out against you, you’ll suffer for it.”
Leng Yun called out loudly to Zheng Xi, “You going to manage this or not?! This kid is already talking back to me before she’s even gone! Ungrateful!”
Zheng Xi said, “Do you have any dignity left?”
Chen Luan and Pei Qing were both smiling.
Over on the other side, Jin Dajie and others were saying farewell to Zhang Xiangu and Huajie. Jin Dajie had sent Zhang Xiangu a packed lunch to eat on the road. Wen’s mother and the others clung to Huajie with reluctance. The nuns from Ci’en Nunnery also appeared at the back of the crowd, and a nun offered Huajie some medicinal pills.
Farther back were Old Mu, Old Ma, and others, watching from a distance. With officials present, they didn’t dare come forward. Zhù Ying spotted them and waved in their direction. When they saw it, instead of responding, they ducked further behind the willow trees.
Zhù Ying did not entrust them to anyone. These people were now only marginally in the gray zone — they had previously been solidly in the black. Handing them over to someone in official circles could go badly: if they weren’t treated as people but as weapons, used and then discarded. And on their side as well — their character couldn’t be guaranteed. They had no particular “loyalty and righteousness” toward any of these official-world people and might stab someone in the back without a second thought.
Both sides were better off relying on their own abilities to get by.
The merchants’ caravan assembled not far off, keeping a respectful distance. The Left Court Attendant stood beside Zhù Ying and tilted his chin toward the caravan. “Hmm, not bad — that’s your specialty. Though they say an outside posting gives you room to maneuver, the place you’re going is too poor. You can’t really squeeze the locals there, and so you’d have no money. No money means nothing to send as tribute back to the capital. Get some goods out of them — that can tide you over.”
Zhù Ying said, “Remember to write often.”
The Left Court Attendant smiled. “I won’t forget.”
Zhù Ying left the capital without any special display of noble frugality. Those large carts of hers were not all carrying books and personal belongings — she also planned to do some trading along the way to earn a little money. The bags Wang Yunhe and Chen Luan had given her both contained information about her future posting. Poor it truly was. “Honest, simple folk” could also be interpreted as meaning: there were barely any literate people there with any exposure to the wider world, so even squeezing taxes out of them was difficult. She would have to think of a way to make money herself.
They left the capital in spring — not cold, not hot. Zhù Ying rode on horseback, Little Wu riding a donkey behind her. The others either rode in carts or accompanied the cargo. The merchant caravan brought up the rear.
They traveled along the official roads, stayed at post stations. The merchants were in good spirits — since Zhù Ying’s own servant contingent was small, she didn’t squeeze extra tribute out of them.
After three hundred some li, a detour would bring them to the county where Chen Meng served as county magistrate. Zhù Ying had Chen Luan’s family letter, and also a few garments and some medicinal supplies that Chen Dajie had asked to be delivered to Chen Meng. Once they reached the post station and settled in, she sent Little Wu ahead to present a calling card requesting to see Chen Meng.
Chen Meng came personally to the post station to see Zhù Ying.
Zhù Ying stood at the door to wait, and from a distance saw Chen Meng approaching on horseback — looking noticeably more alert and alive than he had in the capital. She thought to herself: if Chancellor Chen had been willing to let go sooner, the eldest son would have become his own man earlier.
She smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Chen Meng. The two entered the hall and sat down. Zhù Ying transferred the family letter and other items. Chen Meng smiled. “They always have to fuss.”
Zhù Ying said, “How could they not worry? When your two young boys eventually set out on a long journey, you’ll be just as anxious.”
Chen Meng barely suppressed his excitement and asked, “You’ve seen them? What are they like now? They must have grown taller?”
Zhù Ying gestured to indicate a height. “The eldest is this tall — very polite, speaks clearly, not timid at all.”
“Oh, I so want to see them!”
Chen Meng first talked with Zhù Ying about family matters, and finally shifted to the affairs of the court. He said, “You’ve gone quite a bit far this time. Though it’s true that a fine man’s ambitions extend to all corners of the world, don’t forget to keep in regular contact with the capital. That place has nothing special to offer — by which I mean its rental income isn’t rich, the population is small, and these things must have a reason. It’s not that the people in other places are foolish and don’t know to come enjoy this piece of land. Then there are the local powerful families…”
He was in full flow. Zhù Ying listened intently — the eldest Chen son had clearly taken a number of hard knocks and had become considerably more shrewd. She thanked him when he finished. Chen Meng also gave her some travel money. “When you arrive somewhere new, no amount of preparation is too much.”
Zhù Ying had already received quite a bit of goodwill from the Chen family, and a bit of money was actually the smallest thing. She accepted it without ceremony and said, “After today’s parting, I don’t know when we’ll meet again. Eldest young master, take care.”
Chen Meng sighed. “The Council of State managed this matter… you’re the third person I’ve seen pass through here, going in this direction. I don’t know how many will come back. Take care of yourself. The Council of State’s intentions are good — but Heaven and Earth show no favoritism!”
Zhù Ying said, “Eldest young master, you have not come here as county magistrate in vain.”
Chen Meng grinned. “Even a father’s power and position may not truly be one’s own. Careful too — Zheng Xi’s good fortune may not be your good fortune, and his misfortune may also reach you.”
“Eldest young master, saying things like that when we’re barely acquainted?”
Chen Meng said, “That depends on who one says it to. I’ve done plenty of foolish things and said plenty of foolish words over the years — don’t take them to heart. Take good care of yourself!”
“Farewell. Oh wait — that’s wrong!” Zhù Ying said. “This is the post station — you should be the one leaving.”
Both of them burst out laughing. Chen Meng also asked, “Guan Qun — is she heading south with you?”
“Yes.”
“Going with you is good. Without you there, staying in the capital might not have sat well with her either. You’ll be companions on the road, looking after each other.”
Zhù Ying said, “Would you like to see her?”
“I… never mind… oh… I truly wish I had a sister like that… but our family, you see…”
Chen Meng waved his hand as he left, turning back to say, “No need to see me out.”
Without warning, the door of a side room opened and Huajie stood at the doorway, bowing gracefully to him. Chen Meng broke into a grin again: “Guan Qun — take care.” Huajie gave another bow.
Huajie stood at the doorway and waited until Chen Meng had left before walking to Zhù Ying’s side. “He’s different from before.”
Zhù Ying said, “He’s found solid ground now. Though there are also those who come out to be officials and still don’t improve — it depends on the person. He’s not a bad person.”
“No. He was never unkind to me either.”
Zhù Ying said, “He sent some travel money. Go with Mother to count it.”
“Won’t you have Qi Tai account for it?”
“He has other things to do. Household matters aren’t his concern. Where is Qi’s daughter?”
“Talking with Mother. Young as she is, quite capable — another hard-working soul.” Huajie said, and then looked at Zhù Ying with a strange expression, as if thinking of something, but when Zhù Ying asked, she didn’t say what.
Zhù Ying simply said, “Tomorrow we set out. There’ll be plenty more for her to manage when we get there.”
Huajie thought for a moment, then said, “Aren’t you supposed to write letters back to the capital regularly? Write one now.”
“Alright.”
In his residence, Zheng Xi received Zhù Ying’s letter. In it, Zhù Ying wrote that she had seen Chen Meng, who was greatly changed from before — clearly being sent out to do real work had genuinely helped a person grow. She looked forward to when she herself had governed a county, she would also have made some progress, and asked him not to worry. She also wrote a little about the scenery along the way, saying that when she had traveled to the capital with him before, she had not taken time to look around carefully, and found now that the scenery along the route was truly quite beautiful.
Zheng Xi’s mood was not improved by this letter. He placed it in a box for safekeeping, stood up and paced slowly.
Gan Ze softly came forward and brought him fresh tea. Zheng Xi asked, “How much longer before Sanlang and the others can arrive?”
Gan Ze said, “Traveling with the whole family, they’ll be moving slowly. At least another two months…”
Zheng Xi frowned, and held another paper in his hands. “Nothing to be done about it.”
On that paper was a new composition by Duan Ying. This talented young man’s departure had been quite a spectacle. He had set out two days before Zhù Ying, and all along the way, moved by the scenery, or moved by historical sites, or meeting someone and composing together, or writing poetry to express his aspirations — with a touch of gentle homesickness woven through it all. In short, every two or three days a new poem came out.
Duan Ying had left the capital, and yet it was as if he had not left. He was no longer physically present, yet the capital still circulated his poetry.
This served to highlight Zhù Ying’s shortcomings. Her talent in literature was not remarkable; her strengths were all in practical matters. Her specialties were solving and judging cases — criminal law. It would be more than two months before she even arrived at her territory, and once there, she could hardly immediately carry out sweeping reforms and produce results. And even if she did produce results, those would take time to reach the capital.
Gan Ze thought to himself: this is a bit troubling — Sanlang absolutely must make some stir and get word back soon!
As if answering both their thoughts, on the third day after reading the letter, Hou Wu came galloping back with Zhù Ying’s calling card, rushing into Zheng Xi’s residence. “Something major has happened!”
The stir — it had arrived.
At that moment Zheng Xi was still in the Eastern Palace. Prince Zheng was at home and, on hearing the news, called Hou Wu over and asked, “What has happened?”
Hou Wu said, “It’s all written here.”
He produced a letter sealed with wax and handed it to Prince Zheng. The Prince broke it open, and his face changed color. “Quickly! I need to enter the palace!”
He took the letter and entered the palace, and first found Zheng Xi. “That treasure of yours is like a wind chime on a pagoda spire — wherever she goes, she causes a stir!”
Zheng Xi took the letter and read it. The letter stated that after Zhù Ying left Chen Meng and set out again, she had traveled for several more days and suddenly remembered that an old acquaintance, Tian Pi, had obtained an outside posting a couple of years ago, and happened to be posted in a place she would pass through. After putting up at a post station, she went to pay a visit — and found that the person was not Tian Pi! He had been switched!