When Zhù Ying came out of the palace precinct, her mind was clear and her spirit refreshed. Now she only needed to get Su Mingluan’s title and rank formally settled, and the most important purpose of her trip would be accomplished. After that, she would get hold of Leng Yun and make sure he went back quickly. A regional governor who was never at his post — what kind of example was that? With Leng Yun in the capital, he was already starting to slide back into his playboy ways, which really would not do.

Turning over a hundred and eighty different thoughts, she returned home and adjusted her plans — she would have to rise even earlier than usual for morning court tomorrow!

Not all honorary officials were required to attend court, but since she held an active appointment and had a concrete matter to pursue, she had been summoned before the Emperor and now had to make a personal appearance. Zhù Ying returned home and, facing her concerned family, said only one thing: “Everything went smoothly. Starting tomorrow I’ll be attending court. Please help me get ready — and today I need to call on Minister Wang and Earl Pei’s residence.”

Gu Tong had not yet recovered from the shock of meeting Liu Songnian, and now he heard “Minister Wang.” He came perilously close to seeing stars in his eyes. Wang Yunhe’s reputation was far greater than Liu Songnian’s. For people like Xiang Le and Xiang An from distant places, it was common enough to have no particular feelings about Liu Songnian — but everyone without exception knew Wang Yunhe, whose reputation as an official was beyond reproach. They all wanted to go along. If they couldn’t enter the residence, at least they could wait outside and have a look.

Gu Tong ventured carefully: “Teacher, may your student attend you?”

Zhù Ying looked at him. Gu Tong gave a sheepish grin: “Heh heh.”

Zhù Ying said: “Then what are you waiting for — go and get ready quickly?”

Lord Shi Kun was still away overseeing the construction of the Empress Dowager’s tomb and had not yet returned. Wang Yunhe was extremely busy at present, and even when he was not on night duty at the palace he was rushed when he came home. She calculated that Wang Yunhe probably had not returned home yet. The first stop would be Pei Qing — she would try to get everything done in one evening!

Either of these two could help her circumvent a curfew. If she spent all her days in the palace precincts arguing with the various ministries, the time she had available for social calls would be mainly the afternoons and evenings — the curfew hours needed to be used well.

She had already sent Xiao Wu ahead to deliver calling cards. Today Zhù Ying went directly to Pei Qing’s residence.

The gate staff at Pei Manor knew Zhù Ying well enough by now, and upon seeing her said: “Congratulations, Lord Zhù! Advancing step by step, so young and so accomplished!”

Zhù Ying said: “You flatter me. Is the lord very busy at the moment?”

The steward of Pei Manor smiled: “No matter how busy the lord may be, if he hears you have come, he will certainly make time to see you. Lord Zhù, please come in — I’ll go and announce you.”

Pei Qing had not yet eaten his evening meal. Seeing Zhù Ying, he smiled: “I guessed you would come by these past two days.”

Zhù Ying said: “I am late — please forgive me, my lord.”

“No need for courtesies — come, let us dine together.”

Zhù Ying said: “I would not dare. Look at the hour — by the time we finish and I head back, the curfew will certainly be in effect. You are the junior prefect; if I come out of your gate having violated the curfew, wouldn’t that make trouble for you?”

Pei Qing made a gesture. Zhù Ying gave a half-bow of thanks, then went to sit across from him at the upper end. Pei Qing glanced at Gu Tong, then at Xiang Le and Xiang An behind Zhù Ying, and said: “You’re fifth rank now — you ought to conduct yourself accordingly. Who is this?” He looked toward Gu Tong.

“A student from Fulu County — Gu Tong. He was very diligent during the investigation of the Huang the Twelfth case of unlawful adjudication, and it found favor with His Majesty. He now holds the rank of Junior Service Gentleman.”

Ninth rank from the bottom. Pei Qing nodded and offered two words of encouragement, inviting Gu Tong to sit as well. Gu Tong had already met Liu Songnian; before Pei Qing he managed to be nervous only for a moment: “Ahem — this junior, that is — thank you very much, Lord Pei.” He had said his piece in full, and sat down honestly below Zhù Ying.

Once everyone was settled, Pei Qing picked up where he had left off, speaking to Zhù Ying: “What is there to fear? The curfew? I’ll write you a pass.”

Zhù Ying said: “That would be most appreciated — might you leave the date off? I’d like to use it for a few days.”

Pei Qing laughed: “That’s just like you! Very well. Besides — go out and take a stroll later and you’ll see what I mean.”

Zhù Ying said: “Good. Bring it here.”

Xiang Le presented the gift list. Pei Qing said: “Isn’t this being overly formal?”

Zhù Ying said: “It’s precisely because I’m not being formal that I’ve brought it. Lord Leng will certainly have brought plenty of southern goods to distribute among everyone — mine will be no novelty by now. It’ll have to do as a token.”

Pei Qing accepted it graciously — Leng Yun’s things were valuable, but Zhù Ying always found a way to send something especially pleasing. Zhù Ying did not eat with him either; she collected the pass, said a few words, and took her leave: “I still have to attend court tomorrow, and argue my case with them — I need to go home and prepare.”

Pei Qing had just wanted to ask her about her return. Zhù Ying spoke freely about it. Pei Qing sighed with admiration: “Pacifying the distant peoples… wonderful! Back when you left for three thousand li, we were all clutching our hearts with worry. And now — that same venture makes others envious! Don’t be afraid to argue with them! Ha, going by His Majesty’s mood, there is intent to bring this matter to a conclusion quickly.”

He left the rest unsaid. Zhù Ying understood, and gave Pei Qing a bow. Pei Qing said: “Spring planting is coming up, isn’t it?”

“Yes — I’m afraid I won’t make it back in time this year to oversee it myself. I do worry about that.”

Pei Qing said: “You’re junior fifth rank now — to go on serving as a county magistrate…”

“My wheat is still not all sown yet. At the very minimum I need to finish that before I move on — if nothing else I’ll petition to serve another three years.”

Pei Qing saw she was not joking, and said: “I don’t think you’ll be kept long. If you can move up, do so — remaining in a post that’s beneath you for too long is not good.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying noticed the Pei Manor steward standing off to the side as if waiting for something, and tactfully took her leave: “I won’t disturb the lord’s meal any longer.”

“What’s wrong with eating before you leave? Will my chairs bite you?”

“Keep the pass for me — once I win my argument, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Pei Qing laughed and wrote out a curfew pass. Zhù Ying took it and led her group out of Pei Manor. Gu Tong asked: “Teacher, is that all it takes?”

Zhù Ying said: “We should still be careful. There is no shortage of people in this city who can issue such passes!” The capital prefect was not one to invite trouble, which meant that the powerful and noble occasionally breaking the curfew could well be imagined. Pei Qing was the junior prefect — if even he could issue passes, it showed the rules were not being enforced too strictly. Which meant: at night on the streets, ordinary people might be absent, but the powerful and the criminal alike would be more visible than ever.

Xiang Le and Xiang An quietly tightened their grip on their blades.

Next was Wang Yunhe’s residence. Wang Yunhe would still be occupied at the palace until quite late — calculating the time, he had probably arrived home by now.

Gu Tong was thinking to himself: she goes to see Earl Pei first, rather than Minister Wang — is the order not a little…

Zhù Ying had already led them to Wang Yunhe’s gate. The steward there knew her as well. The two exchanged greetings, and Zhù Ying said: “You’ve taken on great responsibilities now!” This was a boy who had once attended Wang Yunhe during his time as capital prefect — the one whose family difficulty she had helped resolve — now managing the gate as a steward himself.

He saw Zhù Ying and bowed quickly: “Little Lord Zhù! Congratulations!”

“The same to you.” Zhù Ying said, as Xiang Le handed over a red packet and Gu Tong presented the calling card.

The young steward accepted the card with a cheerful smile: “This is all that’s needed.” He took it inside, and shortly returned: “The Minister and Young Master Xian are in.”

Zhù Ying said: “What good timing — I have business with him too.”

She brought her group, following the guiding servant, all the way to the small receiving parlor where Wang Yunhe met with guests. This time the people she had brought were much the same as those she had brought to Liu Songnian’s — Wang Yunhe, unlike Liu Songnian, said nothing openly on seeing this motley collection, but first invited Zhù Ying to sit and speak. He then glanced at Chuizi and Shitou once more.

Zhù Ying thanked him for the seat and also made a cupped-hand salute to Xian Jing. Xian Jing said: “The young are truly formidable!”

Wang Yunhe said: “You’re young yourself.”

Xian Jing smiled with mild embarrassment, then asked Zhù Ying: “Did things go smoothly?”

Zhù Ying said: “Very well. Two-thirds of the wheat in Fulu County has been sown, and I was standing in at Sicheng County for several months, so somewhat more has been planted there. The other two counties have also started. And it so happens that Lord Leng is still in the capital — while he hasn’t left, I’d like to ask him to help lay the groundwork for this, so we can roll it out properly.”

Xian Jing said: “You really know how to put people to use.”

“Lord Leng may seem carefree, but he is not frivolous in matters of importance. It’s just a question of giving him credit for the promotion effort, isn’t it? As long as the work gets done properly, that’s what counts — one can’t always be thinking of keeping all the credit for oneself. A grain-planting effort like this needs five or ten years to take hold. If everyone thinks about their own merit and then the next official comes along and sees this isn’t their achievement and abandons it to chase after something newer and flashier, the locality will be put through needless turmoil. I can’t control a whole prefecture, and to guard that small bit of credit by insisting only my one county plants while the others can’t — that would be far too uncharitable. In any case, the work in Fulu County is still unfinished — Minister, might you grant me another three years?”

Wang Yunhe pointed at her and said to Xian Jing: “Many people come to me seeking appointments. Asking so plainly to my face is less common — this one here is an example.”

“So will it be granted?”

Wang Yunhe said: “The court has its own arrangements.”

Xian Jing said: “Finish what you have in hand before we speak further! Oh — is this the child Lord Liu mentioned?” He looked at Chuizi.

Zhù Ying said: “Yes. He is from the Liji clan.”

Wang Yunhe glanced at Chuizi and said: “You brought him here — what scheme are you hatching now?”

“Grant me three more years, and I’ll try to bring the Liji clan into the fold as well. What do you say?” Zhù Ying wasted no time in stating her price.

Wang Yunhe said: “Are you confident?”

“I’ll try. Even if it doesn’t succeed, planting two more years of wheat in that area won’t be a loss for the court.”

Wang Yunhe beckoned to Chuizi. Still young, Chuizi did not yet have a clear sense of what it meant to be a “Grand Counselor” — he was not particularly frightened, and made a bow to Wang Yunhe. Wang Yunhe drew the child to his side and slowly asked him his age and such things. He saw that the child’s looks were unlike those of the Central Plains — unremarkable in appearance, but with bright and lively eyes. Chuizi answered in an orderly manner; he had begun learning characters, he said — Jiang Niangzi taught him the character-learning chant, and he recognized some characters from the stone inscriptions on the street. “After the master found out, she gave me a book so I didn’t have to run to the street corner to study the stele anymore. Now I’ve started reading.”

Wang Yunhe said approvingly: “Very good.” He asked the child’s name.

“Chuizi.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Chuizi traced the character for “chuizi” in the air with his index finger. Wang Yunhe studied it for a moment and then asked Zhù Ying: “No given name?”

Zhù Ying said: “That is the name his late parents gave him — it wouldn’t be right to change it without good reason. After a while, when he’s a little more grown, I’ll ask him what name he’d like.”

Wang Yunhe said to Xian Jing: “She is mindful of the difference in customs. Such care is no wonder the Ying clan was willing to submit.” Then: “And you?” He asked Shitou.

Shitou’s grasp of the Fulu dialect was already labored; official speech was even more scrambled in his mouth. Zhù Ying said in the Liji language: “Come here — don’t be afraid. This is a very good elder.”

Shitou instantly relaxed and gave Wang Yunhe a broad, bright smile. Wang Yunhe looked at the child’s frank simplicity, and after a whole day of exhaustion felt somewhat lighter. He asked: “What is the story here?”

Zhù Ying said: “The Huang the Twelfth case — when his estate was searched, we found a number of servants not listed in the household register. These were people sold down from the mountains by slave traders. They had originally lived with their parents, but both parents died. The two of them depended on each other — it wouldn’t have been right to separate them.”

Wang Yunhe said: “One is clever, one is guileless — you must be attentive with them.”

“Yes.”

Xian Jing asked Gu Tong: “Why are you so stiff? You had the nerve to climb a wall, and now you can’t even bring yourself to speak?” Gu Tong sat rigid in his chair. He had been going over any number of clever things to say in his head, and now he was thinking: if I say such things in front of Minister Wang, will it be foolish? Better to say nothing.

Zhù Ying said: “So it was Lord Liu who mentioned it?”

Wang Yunhe said: “He was quite pleased.” He patted Chuizi’s little head, then spoke of tomorrow’s matters: “The winter wheat — Ah Jing, coordinate with Sanlang and Leng Yun and draw up a plan. Set the parameters together, and let him assist in carrying it out.”

“Yes.”

“Mm — Su Mingluan…” Wang Yunhe thought for a moment, then said: “I recall you sent someone to me before — her maternal cousin? Named… Zhao Su? Your adopted son?”

“Yes — he passed the Directorate of Education examinations on his own merit. Su Mingluan’s father and I had sworn brotherhood before his passing, and before he died he entrusted his children to my care.”

Wang Yunhe said: “You are a person who exercises good judgment. Tomorrow, just argue your case freely with them.”

“Yes.”

Wang Yunhe then asked further about the winter wheat, and also asked Zhù Ying about what she had seen along the way. Zhù Ying said she had taken the water route this time and had not come across any cases on the road — she didn’t know if she had been lucky or if public order had genuinely improved. Along the way, spring planting had not yet begun, but the farmland on both riverbanks looked flat and well-maintained, and planting there should go well. She had also looked over the land along the river, and there didn’t appear to be any signs of flooding or drought likely.

Wang Yunhe listened carefully, then discussed with her and Xian Jing “the relationship between transportation and governance.” This time Shitou understood not a word — Chuizi was picking up one character at a time, slowly grasping the sounds of individual words without understanding their meaning — his official speech was progressing, but only to the level of everyday conversation. Gu Tong and the others could follow only occasional fragments, yet all felt as though a veil had been lifted from their minds.

Xiang Le was a merchant and had a more direct intuition for the importance of roads. For any given place, too much isolation meant poverty; too much ease of communication meant disorder. It placed extraordinary demands on those who governed.

The three of them talked until very late. Wang Yunhe said, still not satisfied: “We’ll continue tomorrow. The curfew has fallen, hasn’t it?” He wrote out a pass for Zhù Ying quite naturally. Zhù Ying, clutching two curfew passes, grinned and led her group home.

The household was waiting for her to come home and eat.

Zhù Ying said: “You haven’t eaten? In future, don’t wait for me on occasions like this.”

Zhang Xiangu said: “We have nothing pressing to do anyway — and we’re not hungry. Come, wash your hands and eat. Oh — Du Dajie, take that portion over to those two, would you?”

“Who?”

Xiao Wu, while helping to set out the food, said: “Jiang Niangzi went out once, and I don’t know why she came back in a temper. She’s been shut up in her room, not saying a word.”

“Ah. Then don’t call her — just send the food over. Du Dajie, you come back and eat too.”

Over the meal, Zhù’s father asked: “What have you been up to again?”

Zhù Ying said: “What calling cards? Let me look.”

Xiao Wu hurried to speak: “Cards from officials and acquaintances everywhere — Lord Jin the Colonel, Lord Wen the Colonel, Academician Lin…” He rattled off a string of names: Jin Liang, Wen Yue, Lin Zhen, Shao Shuxin, Zheng Yi, the Left Vice-President and so on — all replies from those she had sent cards to first. Then there were cards from various staff at the Court of Judicial Review wishing her well, and acquaintances from the capital prefecture offices of both Wanning and Chang’an counties. And so on.

Zhù Ying said: “I’ll look in a while.” She would meet whoever she could at court tomorrow; those she couldn’t meet she would see by breaking curfew.

After dinner, Zhù Ying first went to the study and read through the cards, forming a picture in her mind. Then she arranged Gu Tong and Chuizi’s reading. Clasping her hands behind her back, she knocked on Huajie’s door. A voice from inside: “Who is it?”

Zhù Ying said: “It’s me.”

Xiao Jiang came pitter-pattering down and opened the door: “Master.”

By the lamplight, Zhù Ying looked at her face: “What happened?”

“Well…”

“Jiu Niang didn’t take proper care of the rooms?”

Xiao Jiang ground her teeth, then said: “She took your mistress’s perfectly good rooms and — and fouled them up!”

Xiao Jiang had also come down from upstairs, face cold and composed, yet still respectful to Zhù Ying: “Master, it’s nothing — I can handle it. Sorry to have worried everyone.”

“Tell me.” Zhù Ying didn’t go inside, just stood under the covered walkway.

Xiao Jiang said: “You have court tomorrow.”

“Then don’t waste words. Did she cheat you out of your rent?”

Xiao Jiang said: “I don’t know where to begin — saying it would just make me look petty. Not a single coin was missing — she even paid more. The rooms are fine — no damage. I said something to her that didn’t land right.” She paused, her lips trembling slightly.

Zhù Ying asked nothing further: “All right then. If something’s weighing on you, don’t keep it bottled up.”

She went to her own room to rest. She had an early morning to prepare for.

The next day, well before dawn, she rose. The whole residence stirred with her. Chuizi and Shitou rubbed their eyes and climbed out of bed to help fetch washing water. Zhang Xiangu focused on her daughter: “At least eat something before you go!” while also saying the children needed more sleep.

Since returning to the capital she had been speaking official speech. Shitou could barely follow it; Chuizi said: “I got up earlier than this at the Huang household. And at dawn Lord Gu still teaches me characters.”

Zhù Ying first didn’t put on her outer robe, just shoved a few meat buns into her mouth. The weather was still not warm, but the buns the household had made were ready to be reheated by early morning. Du Dajie was ashamed of her cooking; Zhù Ying wiped her hands and said: “This is perfectly fine.”

Then Xiang Le accompanied her out. Zhù Ying said to Cao Chang: “Go to the Hou family residence and tell Gan Da that whenever he has a free moment, he should come find me — I have something to discuss with him.”

She also quietly told Hou Wu to go to the entertainment quarter and find out what had happened at Jiu Niang’s place.

Only then did she set out with Xiang Le. Gu Tong said: “Teacher, I’ll attend you too.”

Zhù Ying said: “I was just going to mention this — you and Xiao Wu go to the inn and look in on them.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying went to the palace precinct with only one attendant, and upon arriving discovered that she was the most plainly attended person there. Officials who had cleared the junior fifth-rank threshold typically had a modest personal fortune; even the poorest of them could scrape together a few attendants. Some elder officials came by carriage with even more attendants. Those on horseback had attendants in both front and rear — and since the hour was so early, there were lanterns carried all around.

Among the officials in scarlet and purple, Zhù Ying had relatively few acquaintances. She looked around — no sign of Leng Yun. Leng Yun was a regional governor after all, and a lazy one; he didn’t come to the palace precinct when there was no need — he was technically an outside official. But the Leng Marquis had come, and was chatting with the Zheng Marquis. Pei Qing had also arrived; after looking around the crowd, he spotted Zhù Ying and called her over.

Zhù Ying was a new face among the crowd, which made her fairly conspicuous. By the time she reached Pei Qing’s side, people had already confirmed who she was.

Pei Qing said: “How does this early rising feel?”

“I used to rise early when I was in the capital before.”

“In Fulu County too?”

“Ah — compared to this, only a little later. Just a little.”

The Leng Marquis and Zheng Marquis also called her over. Pei Qing went with her, and just as they had clustered together, Xian Jing also arrived. The Zheng Marquis said: “This outfit suits you well.” The Leng Marquis laughed: “Quite a fine figure — the young always look so spirited!” Xian Jing said: “Then I dare not say a word.” The Zheng Marquis said: “You look fine too — there, are you satisfied?”

Pei Qing said: “Then only I am left not looking fine!”

They all laughed together.

Those watching them murmured among themselves. Those with sharp ears already knew what Zhù Ying had done. The Zheng Marquis obviously knew as well, and he said: “Appearance reflects the heart — those with a good heart will never look unpleasing to others. All of you here can look in a mirror without worrying — you won’t frighten yourselves.”

Xian Jing said: “If the Marquis puts it that way, that refers to Sanlang. He met with His Majesty yesterday and was very much to His Majesty’s liking — the order was given on the spot for us to deliberate on his memorial. In fact, those with an interest already knew; we merely had to confirm it formally today. I’ve now been given one more item of business. Hey — what exactly did you say in there?”

Zhù Ying said: “His Majesty has been on the throne for thirty years and has seen every brilliant talent the realm has to offer. What clever answer has he not heard? What sharp mind has he not encountered? In all those decades, those who surpassed me have been legion — rather than trying to be clever, I thought it better simply to speak from the heart. If it pleases, I’ll be rewarded. If it doesn’t please, I’ll receive punishment — and that would not be unjust. At least I don’t have to waste energy calculating what the Emperor wants to hear, and I sleep soundly at night.”

General laughter ensued.

After only a few exchanges, more officials arrived one after another. Xian Jing said: “Don’t forget — when we deliberate, don’t argue too aggressively.” Then he went off to greet Wang Yunhe’s arriving carriage. Liu Songnian had also come — he wanted to watch Zhù Ying argue her case. The capital prefect had arrived as well, and the various princes.

Zhù Ying also spotted the close maternal cousin of Zheng Xi — the son of the Prince of Gaoyang. Now there was someone whose appearance would make anyone recognize him at first glance.

When the time came, while it was still dark, they all passed through the palace precinct gate, formed up in order, and filed through into the inner palace.

Zhù Ying, holding her hand tablet, was at the back of the queue, but the people from moments ago had arranged themselves around her — in front was an old friend from her home region, to the left was someone from Pei Qing’s circle, and to the right was a junior colleague of Xian Jing’s. A little further out were people connected to the Leng and Zheng Marquises, ensuring that no one would step on her shoe or her hem and cause her embarrassment.

Following the queue into the palace, into the hall, performing prostrations, and dividing to stand in their respective positions. After the Emperor took his seat, it was first the Grand Counselors’ turn to report matters. Lord Shi Kun had also returned today. He reported that the construction of the imperial mausoleum was proceeding: the overall planning was complete, the rough shape was in place, and only the accelerated construction work remained; after one more inspection of the site, if there were no major problems, he could return — the project was expected to be completed within a few months.

Then it was Wang Yunhe, who had considerably more to report. Matters of great secrecy were not discussed at such an occasion, but the matter Zhù Ying had memorialized was substantial enough without being classified, and was good news besides — it was well suited to being aired again now. Wang Yunhe submitted several further items from regional reports. The Emperor publicly directed Zhù Ying and the others to deliberate and determine the relevant procedures together — those with a stake in the matter had already been informed; they now came forward in turn to confirm their understanding.

Next the Censor-in-Chief raised two impeachment matters, and then various ministries and offices made their reports. The Ministry of Works and Ministry of Revenue quarreled — the Ministry of Works wanted funds and grain, while Xian Jing held firm that enough had already been allocated and it was sufficient. Then Lord Dou the Court President reported two case summaries, to which the Emperor appeared not very pleased to listen. And then there was news about the progress of the construction of the residence of the Emperor’s other son, King Wei, and so on.

By the time the sun had risen high overhead, court had been in session long enough that several elder ministers’ legs had begun to tremble. Only then did the session close.

Zhù Ying stretched her limbs and stood by to wait for instructions. Wang Yunhe gestured to her, and she walked over quickly. Wang Yunhe said: “Go deliberate with Xian Jing.”

Matters of loose administration had some overlap with the Ministry of Revenue. Xian Jing cheerfully said: “Let’s go!” The Minister of Works, trailing behind, shouted: “Xian Jing, stop right there!”

Xian Jing ran forward without looking back.

The Minister of Works watched him run all the way to the gate of the Council of State before cursing under his breath and turning back.

Entering the Council of State, Zhù Ying chose a seat at the far end. Wang Yunhe, seeing that Shi Kun was back, handed the matter over to him. Shi Kun said: “Let them deliberate. But a set of procedures should be produced promptly — matters should be handled smoothly, without unnecessary complications. Getting to this point from the previous unrest among the tribal people was no small matter. There are precedents for loose administration. Do not get bogged down in details; to be overly demanding will cause new disturbances.”

Shi Kun was famously “averse to unnecessary trouble.” His immediate return and these words were enough: those who had thought to raise a minor objection to demonstrate their office’s relevance quietly dropped the idea. They did not know that during Shi Kun’s absence, Zhù Ying had seen to it that a gift arrived — and it was a legitimate matter; Shi Kun had thought it over briefly and decided it was easier to simply let things pass.

Once the Grand Counselors had had their say, they went off to attend to the great affairs of state. The remaining officials, mindful of the Emperor’s recent mood, adopted a degree of cooperation seldom seen. Xian Jing said: “Let us follow the established precedent then. In any case, offices under loose administration are separately listed — taxation, corvée, and disaster relief are all handled differently.”

Someone from the Ministry of Personnel said: “Full sixth rank — that works. But what should the title be?”

A nominal appointment — “Court Gentleman for Deliberation” — though she is a woman. But since the title was hereditary and to avoid any future misunderstanding by the subordinate peoples, clarity and simplicity should take priority. As for an official functional title — county magistrate? Cave chieftain? Or some tribal commissioner?

The Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices said: “Why create new titles? Are there not existing precedents? Loosely-administered prefectures and counties are still prefectures and counties.”

Zhù Ying watched them speak one sentence each, and felt a genuine admiration — how on earth had they been so capable of endless argument in the past?

These men were, in the final analysis, cooperating because Su Mingluan was a “tribal person” who was not in the capital and would never turn up at the court. They all understood: getting something formalized was already a gain. If the Emperor had not been in a hurry, they would have dragged their feet much longer and demanded far more. In extreme cases, if a large army were bearing down, some unreasonable demands might emerge — demanding they change leadership, alter their customs before any appointment would be issued — which could spark new uprisings.

Zhù Ying sat quietly without saying a single word, and they had already reached a decision: it would be a “county.” The county name would be taken from the Asu family name; Su Mingluan would be the county magistrate. The court would send no other officials there — Su Mingluan would govern her own jurisdiction herself. This magistracy would in future not be appointed by the court but would be hereditary within the Asu family, though each new county magistrate would still need to report to the court and receive an imperial mandate before taking office.

In addition, Su Mingluan would each year offer a symbolic tribute to the court of one hundred piculs of rice and one hundred bolts of cloth; she would report major events to the court. She was also required to keep her clanspeople in check and not allow them to harm the people of neighboring prefectures and counties. The existing arrangements Zhù Ying had reached with the Asu family regarding jurisdiction over criminals were also reaffirmed — each party’s people would be governed by their own authority, and cases would be judged by the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred.

There was no requirement that the Asu family send hostages. However, both the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel hinted to Zhù Ying: you are nearby — when you get back, enroll more Asu family students in the county school. If any of the chieftain’s or headman’s sons or daughters could be brought to the capital to study, that would be even better.

Broadly, that was how things stood.

After half a day, Zhù Ying had found no opening to say a single word, and the matter was settled.

Xian Jing said: “Shall I draft the memorial to submit to His Majesty?”

Everyone said: “Yes, yes — you do it, you do it.”

Xian Jing said: “Very well — and you will all co-sign. Sanlang, then let’s talk about the winter wheat.”

Everyone laughed, all went off to attend to their proper business.

Xian Jing took Zhù Ying to the Ministry of Revenue, and over tea, Xian Jing said: “Tell me — when can you give me a little more in rent?”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Today everyone moved so briskly — isn’t it as agreed? Five years of no rent, and it’s only been two years.”

“Humph! Everyone is afraid His Majesty will truly fly into a rage — do they dare not to move quickly? But you can’t be too slow either! Move things forward faster. Otherwise, five years, five years — how long will it take to drag on?”

“It can’t be done without Lord Leng putting in effort too! Coordinating across prefectures and counties all requires the governor’s office. You’ll have to wait a while yet. Look — at present I’ve only planted in two-thirds of the county, and only among the large landholders, because they can absorb the risk of a bad harvest. Now that the yields are in and evident, it’s the large landholders who have benefited — the smallholders and poor farmers haven’t gotten the benefit of wheat farming. The large holders have had several years’ worth of grain already. If we rush to expand and start collecting taxes at this point, we’ll only be making the poor poorer and the rich richer. That is not the spirit of loving the people, and it is not fair either.”

Xian Jing said: “Then move quickly.”

“The neighboring prefectures and counties have actually already had some trial plantings.”

“Really?”

“I believe so.” Zhù Ying said — she had fellow-townsmen’s guild halls in the neighboring prefectures and counties, and in addition to commerce and banking they also gathered a certain amount of information. Things like counterfeit oranges and trial-planted wheat — she kept abreast of these. In the Yiyang Prefecture, where the Xiang family had connections, it was already known that people had planted some on their own.

Xian Jing grinned: “I’ll have Leng the Governor called here right now!”

“Excellent!”

Leng Yun, who had drunk a little wine at midday, was still slightly floating when he was dragged to the Ministry of Revenue. Xian Jing disapproved of the state he was in and first ordered strong tea to be brewed to sober him up, then spread a map before him and proceeded to lay out the winter wheat situation.

Leng Yun’s head was throbbing. “I already know about this,” he said. “When I go back I’ll summon the prefectures and counties and make arrangements. Hmm — Sanlang knows this matter — talk to him.”

Xian Jing said: “This is something that benefits all levels from top to bottom. The governor shouldn’t be so perfunctory.”

Leng Yun, face pinched, said with great solemnity: “Vice-Minister, one must allow capable people room to do their work. Sanlang handles the implementation here; when something needs me to step in and smooth things over, just come to me — I’ll resolve the disputes. That’s my job, isn’t it? If you try to do everything yourself, you exhaust yourself and get in the capable person’s way. Let’s leave it at that.”

He had said it in a manner that was actually quite reasonable, and Xian Jing found himself unable to refute it. He was tempted to wish he were the Minister of Personnel so he could… wait — if the chief official of a given area could do what Leng Yun did, wouldn’t that actually be acceptable? As long as he chose the right “capable person.”

Xian Jing was dumbstruck.

Leng Yun saw he had gone silent and slapped his knee, stood up, and said: “Good — that settles it.” He patted Zhù Ying on the shoulder: “You just go ahead and do what you need to do! Don’t burden yourself with too many reservations. I know everything.”

He gave Xian Jing a cupped-hand salute. Xian Jing, reflexively, returned it. Arms still folded, he watched Leng Yun walk away, then turned to Zhù Ying and said: “He’s been like this ever since becoming governor?”

Zhù Ying nodded.

Xian Jing said: “This is — this is just — oh!”

Zhù Ying pressed his fists down and said: “He is the governor. And it’s honestly not too bad.”

Xian Jing exhaled: “I really want to give him a thorough dressing-down!”

“The Leng Marquis has been saying plenty to him at home. But this is just how he is.”

“Then let us continue and discuss…”

Zhù Ying and Xian Jing spoke again for a good while, and she brought up the problems that had emerged during planting over these past two years and worked through them with him to revise their plans, also raising matters of water, sunlight, and fertilization. As it neared the end of the working day, Xian Jing said: “We’ll leave it here for today — let’s continue tomorrow.”

Zhù Ying said: “Good.”

Returning home, she found the house in the middle of sorting gifts — several people had come during the day with cards and gifts. Lady Jin and others had all stopped by, as had the wife of Wen Yue and others, all renewing their friendship with Zhang Xiangu. The Wen family had also brought several years’ worth of account books, having converted grain and rice into receipts from their shop.

Zhù Ying said: “You handle it.”

She changed her clothes and went to the front study. Hou Wu came in: “Master, I’ve found out.”

“What does it say?”

“They had a quarrel. Jiu Niang took over Jiang Niangzi’s courtyard and used it for, ah — good and proper guests bringing flower girls to stay. Some men like that kind of thing — meeting in a temple or monastery, feeling it has more of a forbidden thrill than the flower streets do. Pays better too.”

Zhù Ying drew in a sharp breath. That Xiao Jiang had managed not to make a scene in public was a real feat of composure.

Hou Wu said: “Jiu Niang says she feels wronged too. She’s an official courtesan — has to pay fees to the capital prefecture office. She had to get creative to make money. Someone wanted this, so she provided it. The pay is higher, and Jiang Niangzi got more rent too. But using a perfectly proper courtyard for something like that — it’s no wonder Jiang Niangzi was furious.”

“I understand. Don’t say anything about it.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying thought for a moment. Tomorrow she still had court; the day after was a rest day. She would go to the Zheng Marquis’s residence early to see Gan Da and discuss Cao Chang’s situation — she couldn’t keep leaving the matter unresolved. The school would also be on recess; she could arrange to meet Zhao Su, and invite the Left Vice-President and others. She said nothing, and made no further inquiry of Xiao Jiang. The next day she again rose early for court. At court, the Emperor formally issued the edict — bestowing a mandate upon Su Mingluan.

As the edict was read aloud, people had different thoughts within their hearts, yet all together intoned: “His Majesty’s benevolence is boundless — those within the four seas are won over, and all under heaven submits.”

Zhù Ying joined in reciting the standard words of congratulation. This kind of conferral was not strictly necessary to be announced at court; that the Emperor had done so, she had her own sense of why. She held the edict and thought: In any case, it is done.

Then she went to the Ministry of Revenue to wrangle with Xian Jing over the winter wheat. Xian Jing had new questions — such as: the planting of winter wheat in the various prefectures of the south.

Xian Jing could not know every locality in detail and could only make rough estimates from the figures reported up the chain. He knew well enough that local figures often contained exaggeration, and that conditions varied greatly from place to place — in some areas land annexation was severe, in others peasant farms were scattered. But those were problems for specific implementation; what he wanted to discuss with Zhù Ying was, using the figures currently at hand and drawing on Zhù Ying’s experience of wheat planting: how much wheat seed would the Ministry of Revenue need to prepare in order to promote this throughout the south, and what other preparations would be needed? It couldn’t all rely on the seed from Zhù Ying’s location slowly multiplying to supply the south’s promotion effort.

Zhù Ying shared everything she knew from her own experience.

Xian Jing grew more and more excited: “So what you’re saying is — all it needs is a decent county magistrate — not necessarily someone like you, but even someone like Leng Yun will do, as long as there are people underneath who can get things done — and in five years there’d be results?”

Zhù Ying said: “There’s no way to rush it. Composting is one issue; the climate and the seasons are different from south to north, and each will need to be tested gradually. My estimate is they’d struggle to succeed in five years. But if the neighboring farms are showing yields, people’s minds are alive to opportunity. Just don’t be in too great a hurry.”

“I know, I know.” Xian Jing gave a soft sigh. He bent over the map again and wondered whether he should advise his teacher to find a few more sharp local officials and begin trial planting in other places. But the number needed to be calibrated carefully — if it were too many, it would give the impression that the court was about to launch a wholesale push, and if any impatient official misread the signal and recklessly ordered mass planting, a poor harvest would hurt the people.

Zhù Ying also studied the map alongside him. Being in the Ministry of Revenue was an advantage in this way — a great deal of figures about the whole realm were available here. Old they might be, but the big picture was there.

The two of them were studying the map when a Sun Yidan came rushing in: “Congratulations.”

The two looked at each other: “What for?”

Sun Yidan smiled: “Lord Zhù — you’ve been promoted!”

Xian Jing put down the map in his hands and smiled: “I knew it.”

Zhù Ying said: “Am I not already junior fifth rank?”

Sun Yidan said with a smile: “Congratulations, Lord Zhù — you are now the Prefect of Southern Prefecture. If you’ll come with me, we can complete the paperwork — save you a separate trip.”

Zhù Ying thought to herself: I’ll need to treat a few more Ministry of Personnel acquaintances to several meals.