Zhong Yi looked at one face, then the other. Above them, the Emperor showed no pleasure or displeasure, but Zhong Yi knew the Emperor was considering. Beside him, Shi Kun had lowered his eyelids in the manner of a monk in meditation. Across from them, Wang Yunhe’s face was expressionless — he must be displeased.

The Administrator’s rank was not low; deciding on an Administrator’s appointment could not be called a trivial matter. In such a vast country there were many Administrators, and one from a remote area was not particularly important. In this affair that lay between “major” and “minor,” Duan Lin’s recommendation of Bian Xing had its logic: Bian Xing had served as an official for over twenty years, was experienced, and had the appropriate rank.

But Zheng Xi opposed it. He said Bian Xing had nothing but an impressive facade, that he was mediocre and accomplished nothing. He asked Duan Lin directly: the winter wheat had been introduced and developed earliest and best in that area — could Bian Xing hold onto those achievements? Such a vast territory — if Bian Xing mismanaged it, would Duan Lin share the responsibility? Could that stand up to scrutiny? The censor had questioned Zhù Ying; now Zheng Xi questioned Bian Xing. Question away — it costs nothing but breath.

Duan and Zheng were at odds. Following on from this, there would be no end of trouble. In Zhong Yi’s view, the sensible thing was to pick someone else. But since this matter had no direct bearing on his own interests, he stayed silent.

Shi Kun and Wang Yunhe both saw at a glance what Duan Lin was trying to do, and heard the threat in Zheng Xi’s words; they also understood what Zheng Xi was trying to do. Neither believed Zhù Ying would damage the region, but they could not guarantee Zhù Ying wouldn’t damage Bian Xing. They did not want Zhù Ying to become someone who resorted to unprincipled methods. Zhù Ying had done everything admirably until now. If, because of the conflict between Duan and Zheng, she were to resort to some ungentlemanly tactic, that would be too great a pity.

For the Emperor, disagreement among his subjects was the key to an emperor’s survival.

The matter was therefore postponed. The Emperor could well afford to wait — Leng Yun was back, and the Deputy Administrator and Executive Administrator were still doing their jobs; the framework hadn’t collapsed. Things were still running.

When faced with a difficult appointment, the usual approach was to summon the previous official and ask questions. The previous official was Leng Yun.

The Emperor said, “Summon Leng Yun.”

Leng Yun had received word and came to the palace properly dressed. The four in the hall took one look at him — since returning to the capital he had regained his weight; his face was fair and rosy, more handsome than ever.

The Emperor dispensed with pleasantries and asked him directly what kind of person the next Administrator needed to be.

Leng Yun had a composed answer ready: “Someone who can arrive at the Administrator’s office alive. Your Majesty, this is not meant as complaint — the road is truly difficult! When I took up the post, I travelled overland, suffered from the unfamiliar climate, and spent three months recovering. Last winter on the way back to the capital, I became seasick travelling by water and fell ill again — still recovering even now.”

He pointed to his own face, knowing perfectly well it wouldn’t make a convincing case, but pointed at it nonetheless: “The flesh on my face hasn’t been put back yet! Since going south I’ve made two full round trips, four legs of the journey, and fallen ill twice.”

The Emperor said, “Nonsense — does that mean no one can serve as an official in the south?”

Leng Yun knew how to address this: “Just in the past few years, three county magistrates alone have been lost in my jurisdiction. It’s not that no one can be an official — but there’s not a single yamen that has a full complement of staff.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly. He knew something of this situation. Whether north or south, the yamen was also not fully staffed everywhere. This was not at odds with “too many officials” — the full nominal roster was one thing; the actual number of people in post was another. Understaffing was more serious in the south than in the north; more serious in remote areas than in the heartland. Both things were true.

The Emperor thought for a moment and said, “Set this aside for now — you may leave.” He had already sent people to the Southern Prefecture under the guise of conferring patents, to investigate. He would make a decision after the envoys returned and reported. If Zhù Ying had truly done well, there was no need to arrange for Bian Xing to go as Administrator. The Emperor glanced at Leng Yun: compared to most of the noble-born young men, those from poor backgrounds truly were more able to bear hardship and do real work. Then he thought — Zhù Ying had been south for eight years. The old Emperor felt the tiniest bit embarrassed.

If things had not been done well, there was nothing to say either — she would be summoned for a reprimand, given a cold reception. Then Bian Xing would go south to be Administrator.

The Emperor set the matter aside temporarily. Others all took note.

The first was Leng Yun. Still inside the palace, he was already cursing Duan Lin aloud: “Truly generous — sending his son-in-law three thousand li away. Does he think he’s tempering his son?”

The palace staff — whether court officials, attendants, or eunuchs — could only cover their mouths and laugh: Leng郎君 is back!

The second was Wang Yunhe. He transferred the censor who had raised doubts about the tributary affairs to serve as a county magistrate. Not an easy county to serve in either, because the locale had several retired senior officials.

Zheng Xi very nearly missed being third.

Zheng Xi still had his daughter’s wedding to prepare. With the Emperor personally involved in Zheng Holim’s marriage, it carried considerable weight. The Prince of Guangning was an only child whose parents had died early; the Emperor paid close attention to this little nephew. The Prince of Guangning’s mother had died when he was ten; the Emperor had taken him into the palace and raised him there until sixteen before sending him back to live in his prince’s residence. The man was truly honest, and not of much independent mind. Zheng Xi thought that kind of son-in-law was acceptable. The Prince of Guangning’s household was also fairly wealthy, with additional grants from the Emperor when the marriage took place.

Zheng Xi was serving as a father-in-law for the first time and naturally gave the matter considerable weight. He was not short of money. Zheng Holim’s dowry had been planned out long ago. The most important pieces like the dowry estates and farmland were already settled; the jewellery and furniture, however, needed to be prepared fresh — styles must not fall out of fashion.

Yue Miaojun was purchasing in the capital; Zheng Xi dispatched agents to buy goods elsewhere. Under this pretence, Zheng Xi sent a fast courier on horseback with a letter for Zhù Ying.

The letter said nothing of the daughter’s wedding but reminded Zhù Ying: tidy up anything that needs tidying, to prevent the Emperor from truly dispatching Bian Xing to the Southern Prefecture as Administrator. The letter said: should Bian Xing come as Administrator — taking the harvest, tripping you up, and putting on a superior face are the least of the worries, since these are things most superiors will do and truly decent ones are rare. These things, ordinary Bian Xing can do all he likes. Zhù Ying was now fifth rank; the hardest hurdle had already been passed without difficulty, and she could withstand those. What to guard against was Bian Xing going to investigate Zhù Ying’s faults. If he were to uncover something — or pin some offence on her — that would be considerably troublesome.

At the same time, the letter asked whether Zhù Ying wanted to be transferred.

Zheng Xi’s earlier thinking about Zhù Ying had been: first accumulate achievements, experience, and reputation in the field, then return. Zhù Ying was the fastest rising among his inner circle, and the one doing best in regional administration. The ideal was to serve as a regional official all the way up to the ceiling — Administrator — then return to the capital. Now these events made Zheng Xi realise that being too far from the capital was still problematic. Even if she were to remain a regional official, she needed to be closer to the capital.

Just as now — even sending a letter was so inconvenient. For non-urgent military matters, a round trip was nearly a month at the fastest for private messengers, two months was considered quick. If travelling at a normal pace, two months for one direction alone, under the condition that no time was wasted on the journey. Before, this hadn’t felt like a problem because Zhù Ying hadn’t yet gotten into trouble. Now that she had, it was felt.

Zheng Xi also spoke plainly: though Zhù Ying worked hard, she had risen quickly. At her age and rank, she stood out, and those with boundless potential were easily targeted.

The letter finished, Zheng Xi again had Gan Ze run this errand. At the same time, he had people keep an eye on Duan Lin to see what he was up to.

……——

Duan Lin went to the Bian household.

Bian Xing’s son had married Duan Lin’s daughter, and the whole family had come to the capital. Bian Xing had been serving in regional posts; his term had also concluded, and he was seeking a new position. Those who had served as Administrator in the regions were now eager to get a post in the imperial capital. Bian Xing had accumulated considerable wealth in the regions and had already bought a residence in the capital, bringing his whole family to move in.

At the gate of the Bian house, Duan Lin worked up some emotion on horseback before slowly dismounting and entering.

Bian Xing came to receive him personally, leading him to the main hall to sit.

Duan Lin said, “Brother Bian — I’m embarrassed.”

Bian Xing asked, “How so?”

Duan Lin said, “Every time I say something, someone is certain to contradict me.”

“Zheng Seven? His heart is truly petty!”

Duan Lin said, “He can’t easily accomplish things, but it’s easy for him to ruin things. Your matter has been blocked by him — it can’t proceed now. The best plan at this point is to seek another term in regional service, to avoid being forgotten after too long in idleness.”

Bian Xing said, “But…”

Duan Lin said, “That young man is vicious. Being targeted by him bodes no good. The Eastern Palace is gone; he has a stomach full of cold fury with nowhere to direct it. It is I who have connected you with this trouble, Brother Bian!”

Bian Xing said, “Where does this come from? It’s Zheng Seven who is so narrow-hearted.”

Duan Lin apologised again and again, seemingly unwilling to mention certain things Zheng Xi had done to members of his family. “He is in a moment of renewed favour now — his own post as an official, his daughter as a prince’s consort. We should avoid his sharp edge for now.”

Bian Xing nodded: “Alas, it’s just my bad luck.”

Duan Lin said, “There’s actually one opportunity right now…”

“Oh?”

Duan Lin said, “Does Brother Bian know about the Count’s son?”

“Eh? Who is that?”

Duan Lin said, “He came back from his Administrator’s posting. The position he left is now vacant.”

“Which place?”

Duan Lin said, “The location is a bit remote, but just right for you. What’s wonderful is that there is a Southern Prefecture under it, and the Prefect is Zheng Xi’s prized disciple. Go there, investigate carefully and find out what wrongdoing this Zhù Ying has done. As long as you find something, I’ll make another recommendation on your behalf at that point, and Zheng Xi will have no grounds to block you then — we’ll have something to say too.”

Bian Xing gave Duan Lin a look and said, “It seems I have no choice but to go. Since you’ve already arranged everything, I have no option but to risk these old bones of mine!”

Duan Lin quickly said, “Although it sounds far away, that’s for those who are being exiled. You’re going as Administrator — that’s entirely different from them.”

Bian Xing privately calculated: Zheng Xi’s blocking might be true, and Duan Lin’s own calculations were also plain to hear, but there was a grain of sense in what Duan Lin said. He said, “Very well.”

Duan Lin said, “In that case, I’ll do my utmost to push for Brother Bian.”

“Much obliged.”

Two days later, Duan Lin called on the Bian household again, appearing in a state of agitation, striding quickly into the residence.

The moment he saw Bian Xing, he began: “Brother Bian! I truly — that Zheng Seven, he truly doesn’t act like a person!”

Bian Xing said, “Come inside and sit down first, tell me slowly.”

Duan Lin said with a dark face, “He won’t even let you be an ordinary Administrator — all just because you were recommended by me!”

Bian Xing’s brow also furrowed. He knew perfectly well the grievances between the Zheng and Duan families. Being made into collateral damage was truly excessive. He said, “This too is unacceptable? On what grounds?”

Duan Lin smiled bitterly, as if reluctant to mention certain things Zheng Xi had done to his family members. “He is now in a moment of renewed favour. The best course is to avoid his sharp edge.”

Bian Xing nodded: “Alas, my luck has been poor.”

Duan Lin said, “Presently there is actually an opportunity…”

“Oh?”

Duan Lin said, “Does Brother Bian know of Count Leng’s son?”

“Eh? Who is that?”

Duan Lin said, “He’s returned from his Administrator’s post. The position he vacated is sitting empty.”

“Where is it?”

Duan Lin said, “The location is a little remote, but just right for you. The wonderful thing is that underneath it there’s a Southern Prefecture, and the Prefect there is Zheng Xi’s prized disciple. You go there, carefully investigate this Zhù Ying for any wrongdoing — as long as you uncover something, I’ll push to recommend you again at that point, and if Zheng Xi obstructs you again, that would just be him carrying out a personal vendetta. We’ll both have something to say about that.”

Bian Xing looked at Duan Lin and said, “It seems I have no choice but to go. Since you’ve arranged everything for me, I can only grit my teeth and risk these old bones!”

Duan Lin quickly said, “Although it sounds remote, that’s what you say for exiles. You’re going as Administrator — naturally it’s entirely different from them.”

Bian Xing pressed his lips together. “Hmph!”

Duan Lin said, “If Brother Bian’s mind is set, I’ll do my utmost to push for him once more. There is no arrow that returns to the bow once shot — is Brother Bian truly determined?”

“Of course.”

“Good!”

After leaving the Bian household, Duan Lin did not rush to press the Emperor or raise the Bian Xing matter with the secretariat again. The secretariat transferring the censor away had already conveyed a hint of displeasure — he did not want to run into that headwind again. He would wait a few more days, and once the storm had died down he would raise it again.

Winter wheat harvest came in the second and third months, in stages. When news reached the capital it was already the end of the third month. Leng Yun made plain he did not want to go back; Duan Lin again recommended Bian Xing and was again refused. He waited for another opportunity. By the time he next found the right moment to raise it with the Emperor, time had stretched to mid-fourth month.

Duan Lin was a very busy man. He had just taken charge of the Imperial Stud; the holes left by his predecessor had to be filled, and his own people needed to be cultivated. During this so-called “let the storm die down” period, he had not been idle — he roughly brought together the affairs at hand and found countless small holes yet to be filled in the future. Duan Lin finally spotted an opportunity to raise the Bian Xing matter with the Emperor again.

The triggering incident involved Leng Yun. Duan Lin wept before the Emperor: “That young man has been rude in speech, causing discord between minister and in-law.”

Leng Yun had said unpleasant things when mocking Duan Lin for arranging for his in-law to go be Administrator. Duan Lin, acting as though he had only just heard of it, said before the Emperor, “This official knows their meaning — they think this official is doing it on account of a private grudge with the Zheng house, deliberately arranging for his own in-law. But private grudges are private grudges. This official would never allow private grievances to harm the public good!”

A thorough self-declaration of loyalty before the Emperor.

The Emperor said, “Don’t weep — I understand.” He still planned to wait until the envoys arrived before acting, but this “acting” in his mind had now shifted to: regardless of how well Zhù Ying had done, Bian Xing would be sent south as Administrator.

At this moment, Gan Ze was still on the road. The envoys sent by the capital to the Southern Prefecture to confer the patents had only just turned and started the journey back.

And Zhù Ying was in the mountains.

……

The mountain retreat was complete!

Mountain conditions were far more arduous than flatland, and the mountain people were also far more inured to hardship. It was not because lowlanders were somehow inferior — it was simply that anyone who could live more comfortably would naturally choose to do so. Those who had no better option were the ones who endured. Southern Prefecture locals were considerably more able to endure hardship than the capital-region people Zhù Ying had known. Zhù Ying knew this perfectly well, so she gave them an additional food allowance on top of their wages. This allowance was extra, given to the able-bodied workers, and not part of the deal she had struck with Lang Kunwu. Well-fed, Lang Kunwu’s workers built at a flying pace.

The location of this retreat had been carefully chosen and carefully built.

An outer “city wall” had been constructed all around, with steps leading up to the top of the wall so that one could walk along it on patrol. Because of the terrain, there was only one south gate and one east gate. Above the city gates were gate towers, equipped with bells and drums.

Entering through the south gate, a main road ran straight north. At the northernmost end stood Zhù Ying’s own residence.

Her personal residence had been built following the “front yamen, rear private quarters” model. She was now fifth rank; she built to the maximum standard permitted for that rank: five bays wide and seven frames deep.

The rear private quarters were more spacious than her quarters at the prefecture yamen, even though the family consisted of only three people — built with three wings in three successive courtyards, with additional guest rooms, a rear service wing, and behind it a garden. On each side were kitchens, servants’ quarters, and carriage and horse rooms — all larger than in previous residences. The servants’ quarters alone could accommodate thirty to forty people. There were also storage rooms, granaries, and so on.

The “front yamen” was divided into two courtyards as her place for conducting business, receiving guests, and holding banquets. Not only did it have her spacious main hall, but on each side of the main hall a row of rooms had been built as offices for the “six departments.” There were also stables, a small practice grounds, and porter’s lodge and such.

The style somewhat resembled the Zhù residence in the capital — large and “unadorned.” The main rooms were mostly two stories. Outside the eaves a corridor had been set up with grooves, so that in cold and windy weather lattice door panels could be slid in to block the elements. The building materials were solid and reliable. Only the outer decorative screens and partitions, Zhù Ying had treated with thrift — using bamboo. Old pieces could be thrown out and replaced easily.

The walls were high and thick. Built somewhat more impressively than the Southern Prefecture yamen.

This was the residence she had built for herself.

Outside the residential compound, Zhù Ying had also, drawing on all her knowledge of urban planning, arranged several wards, each with distinct functions. A trading area had been established, with a cluster of buildings built — this was the market. The market was large, while the “residential district” was almost entirely empty land, vast and open, with only a few dozen households. This was one reason the Talang family had been able to build a small city within a few months — most of the construction was just wall-building. Even her large residence had no furniture inside; just empty rooms.

The entire “retreat estate” — within the outer wall, the buildings that were in good condition right now were just a few. One was her great residence. One was the barracks for the guards, not far from her great residence. One was the large market. And adjacent to the market was another ward where Zhù Ying had also built a cluster of rooms, ready for rental. She did not intend to collect taxes — she planned to earn from “foot traffic.” Merchants who came would need to eat, wouldn’t they? And sleep somewhere? And have a place to trade? She didn’t take tax, but rented out rooms, and also arranged for people to provide food, lodging, and fodder.

Beside the market was a “workshop” ward, intended for skilled craftsmen. There were only a few small courtyards here as well, not fully built out.

The whole retreat estate came down to one word: empty. If someone lost their way at night and stumbled in, they’d probably let out a shout of terror: “A haunted house!”

Even so, Zhù Ying was extraordinarily pleased. This was her place now!

The few dozen households in this small city had been gradually discovered over these past months. At first she needed people temporarily for construction work and a few mountain scatterlings came to earn a meal. First a few people, then they brought their families. Over these months, fifty-odd households had trickled in. They had tentatively opened up a little farmland on the nearby mountainside — fields that had only the barest outline of fields, still full of grass roots and stones in the ground; if they could harvest back their seed this year that would be an achievement.

The place had the advantage of being near a water source; there was no lack of drinking water inside the small city. Drawing irrigation channels to the surrounding farmland was currently too difficult, so they had split open large thick bamboo pieces and used them as temporary water pipes — they served well enough.

Zhù Ying also did not collect taxes from these households for now. She had agreed: after five years, taxes would be thirty-to-one; newcomers would be given a room to live in, one room per person, first come first served. In exchange for living in her rooms, they would open up land and guard the city, while she provided the plough oxen, seeds, and farming tools. For now she only accepted scattered mountain households; she was not taking in any of the various families’ tribespeople or slaves.

Such things could not be rushed; she also did not press for land-clearing. Using only the excuse of “grain is inconvenient to transport, better to open up land right here,” she had the dependent scattered households slowly getting on with it.

On the contrary, her attention at present was focused much more on the market.

In this small city, the market occupied a comparatively large proportion of the total area. When Zhù Ying designed it, she had also divided it into sections by commodity, so that those wishing to trade could quickly find what they wanted. She did not divide it by tribe or family — even though each family had its own specialty products and people from the same stockade naturally tended to group together and trade in the same type of goods.

The “retreat estate” — the outer wall had been built first. In the first month of the new year, once the wall was up, Zhù Ying had moved all trading activity inside the wall. With one wall around them, it was considerably safer than operating in open ground. At night after camping there was no fear of wild beasts attacking. Simply close the city gates and have a few people on guard, and the dangers of the natural world could not reach them.

This vast and empty “small city,” with its few dozen scattered households, was all owing to this wall. Living scattered in the mountains, safety could never be guaranteed. Wolves carrying off children, monkeys stealing food, wild boars rooting up the houses and farmland — the list went on without end.

Zhù Ying presided over the grand market of the fifteenth day of the fourth month. People from three tribes and six families came.

Su Mingluan, Lang Kunwu, Xi Jin, Lu Guo, and Mountain Sparrow all wore their official robes; the Yigan Cave Master among them stood out as notably different. He felt a slight awkwardness.

Zhù Ying had also brought her own parents and Hua Jie, with Su Zhe, Zhù Lian and Zhù Shi brought along too. Su Mingluan also brought her mother and brother. Lang Kunwu’s wife and mother arrived as well. The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law came with his wife. Xi Jin and Lu Guo and the others also came with family members.

They all had relatives among one another, and there was another round of introductions and acknowledging kin.

Zhù Da opened his mouth wide: “What… what is this?”

Hua Jie said, “Our home.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “Our home has a room in this city?”

Hua Jie’s eyes were full of joy. “Godfather, Godmother — let’s go in and have a look. I’ll explain slowly.” She led them to the great residence to learn the layout, walking them through it and telling them as they went: this was what Zhù Ying had built.

Zhang Xiangu said, “What is all this going to be used for?”

Hua Jie said quietly, “So that even if something happens, we won’t need to be afraid anymore!”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da were not clever people, but they understood at once. Zhù Da said, “Then we can finally put our hearts at ease!”

Zhang Xiangu said, “But… would the officials outside manage this?”

Hua Jie glanced left and right to make sure no one was nearby and said, “Everything inside that big outer wall is Little Zhù’s. The whole thing — she poured all her savings into building this empty shell.”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da set aside their delight and curiosity and stood rooted to the spot. They were dumbstruck: “This city — it’s ours?”

Hua Jie led them to a stone bench to one side to sit down: “We still need some furniture, still need more people, still need to open up farmland. And she needs to manage to stay as an official here for a few more years…”

Inside the vast “small city.”

Zhù Ying beat the opening gong of the grand market. Outside she left the merchants to conduct their trade. Inside she invited the guests to come and sit in her new residence.

Those keeping watch over the residence were not yamen runners, not white-uniformed attendants, and certainly not Commandant Mei’s soldiers. They were people Zhù Ying had recruited from among the dependent scattered households.

Entering the main hall and sitting down, even Lang Kunwu looked around in astonishment — so this is what it looked like when it was finished! So impressive!

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law was the first to say, “My lord’s house is truly remarkable! This, this, this…”

He did have one thing he found slightly lacking — there was no central fire pit.

Zhù Ying said, “It doesn’t matter whether the house is impressive or not. My only wish is to give you all a proper accounting.”

Su Mingluan said, “Godfather’s kindness to me is deep as a mountain. What accounting do you owe?”

Zhù Ying said, “I’m afraid that after I leave, everything we’ve built together over these years will come to nothing.”

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law was greatly alarmed: “What?! You’re leaving?”

Su Mingluan’s mother said, “A’Di, are you going? Where to?”

Zhù Ying said, “The court won’t let one person serve in the same place as an official for too long. Eventually they replace you. You may not know — I’ve been south for eight years already. Next year will be the ninth. I’ve done some things here; the court has rewarded me. One can say we’re even. If the next person comes with their own ideas, unwilling to do what I did, or if…” Her tone became sad.

Everyone’s earlier mood of joy instantly dissolved. That’s right — how had they forgotten that there were many bad people among the officials from outside the mountains?!

What were they to do then?!

Zhù Ying’s tone brightened a little: “Fortunately you’ve now received your imperial patents. You know something of the court’s official system. You can write memorials. I’m also in the process of setting up the mountain school. In the future, if something happens, you won’t have no recourse but simply to take whatever comes. That at least eases my conscience, so I can’t say I was only using you to curry favour with the court. As for this retreat estate — if I am no longer able to come, discuss among yourselves how to run it. If someone comes to claim it, tell them it is my private estate; they cannot touch my personal property. If something happens, no matter where I am afterwards, write to me, and I’ll do my best to help.”

Su Mingluan’s heart gave a lurch. She asked, “Is there really no way?”

Zhù Ying fell silent. The Lang Old Lady, decisive as ever, seized her son and dragged him before Zhù Ying: “My lord, we trust only you. You keep your word and you treat people with sincerity. This son of mine — from now on, he is your son as well!”

“Ah?” Zhù Ying had said all this to push them toward following her lead — she had not expected the Lang Old Lady to go entirely off-script. The Lang Old Lady had her own script; and she had just given Zhù Ying a son.

Zhù Ying blinked and surmised the Lang Old Lady probably wasn’t trying to take her as a son-in-law. She stood up and said, “Let’s speak plainly.”

The Lang Old Lady said, “Precious Blade — call him Godfather.”

Lang Kunwu didn’t hesitate long. He bowed low: “My lord’s righteousness is great. I wish to take you as my Godfather.” He had been picking up classical phrases for a few months already.

Zhù Ying instantly gained a godson.

The matter didn’t end there. The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law also stood up and said, “I also wish to…” He bit his tongue. His daughter’s Godfather — if he also called Godfather, the generations wouldn’t add up. What about becoming her elder brother? That seemed likely to get him punched.

On the other side, Lu Guo and Xi Jin were also hesitating — acknowledging kin was a fine idea, and they were also willing, but they weren’t sure how to do it properly.

Everyone acknowledged a round of kinship. Zhù Ying said, “We’re all one family.”

The Yigan Cave Master sat there feeling like an outsider. He had half a mind to do as the others had done, but looking at Zhù Ying he felt she might not be staying much longer. He was also half-inclined just to watch. But if the others drew together and shut him out, that would be bad too. Caught between advancing and retreating.

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law and Lu Guo and Xi Jin were already settling the kinship among themselves. Lu Guo’s was simplest — he followed Su Mingluan’s mother and called Zhù Ying A’Di. Xi Jin and the Mountain Sparrow father-in-law brazenly followed suit and called her that as well. Su Mingluan’s mother quietly instructed her brother, “Bring the children over to acknowledge a Godfather! The Godfather my child has acknowledged is certainly right — if not for him, Little Sister and her brother would have come to blows.”

Lu Guo, finding his sister’s reasoning sound, went out and called in his own son. The Mountain Sparrow and Xi Jin families did likewise. The boys stood in a line before Zhù Ying, a full crowd of them, saying “Godfather.”

One sheep is herded the same as two — Zhù Ying gained seven godsons at once. Lu Guo said, “I have two more sons at home that I didn’t bring!”

Zhù Ying gave a rueful laugh: “Today I invite everyone to eat!”

She also asked the Yigan Cave Master whether he wished to attend her “family banquet.”

Su Mingluan’s mother said to him, “I am also Hua Pa. You are also Hua Pa. Let me say one thing to you — there has never been anyone who only enjoyed benefits without putting in any effort.”

Zhù Ying said, “A’Jie, everyone’s thoughts are different. I only built a house; I’m giving everyone a place to trade. No one needs to do anything extra. More people coming, and we might not be able to protect them all right now.”

The Yigan Cave Master wavered even more.

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law asked, “Can my lord protect us right now?”

Su Mingluan also asked, “Godfather, do you have a plan?”

Zhù Ying said, “Let’s only talk about happy things today. Other matters — we’ll discuss them in a little while. I haven’t fully thought everything through yet. Take a look at this retreat estate — it’s quite good as it is now.”

The Yigan Cave Master thought it over and said, “My lord — please count me in for a share of whatever you’re doing.”

Zhù Ying said, “All right then. Let me think — if we do it, it has to be done properly.”

……

Three tribes and six families spent a difficult night, not knowing what Zhù Ying’s next arrangement would be. They whispered together with those they were close to, also reviewed their past history of dealings with the court, and concluded that their decision to acknowledge a Godfather had not been impulsive. The court had been barbaric to them far more often than not. Having one person who acted like a human being was something you had to cherish.

The Zhù family inside the new residence, however, was thrilled. There was almost no furniture, and the whole place was vast and empty, yet Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da loved it dearly. The two danced around the empty rooms clapping their hands: “Ah, we can relax now!” “Ah, we have a home!” “Ah, we’re not afraid anymore!”

Hua Jie and Zhù Ying leaned against the wall laughing until their bodies went soft.

Zhang Xiangu dragged Hua Jie off to look at the rooms, saying, “Since we’re going to live here properly, we need some sturdy furniture! Here — we’ll put a screen here…”

Zhù Da walked from room to room with his hands clasped behind his back, inspecting everything with the air of a lord surveying his domain.

At night, everyone slept on the simple camp beds from Zhù Ying’s mountain travels — and were delighted anyway. Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da murmured together until the middle of the night before drifting off to sleep.

On the second day, three tribes and six families gathered again.

Zhù Ying opened the market first and then invited them to breakfast.

The Lang Old Lady said, “We’ve all finished eating. We came to hear A’Di’s plan.” Having sent her son, she also called Zhù Ying A’Di herself. She’d come out even with Su Mingluan’s mother!

Zhù Ying said, “I only have a rough idea. When I do things, I always prefer to think things through carefully before speaking. There are some parts I still haven’t worked out in detail — and I’m worried the court might object.”

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law asked anxiously, “What parts? What do you need us to do? We have some difficulty to face — let’s all put our strength together.”

Everyone agreed at once.

Zhù Ying said, “There is one approach. Establish a provincial state.”

Seeing that no one understood, Zhù Ying explained further: “Not counting the Yigan Cave Master, there are now three tribes and five families in the mountains, five counties. You know how many counties the Southern Prefecture has? Also only four! Looking at the map, the territories you hold are no smaller than a single county below the mountains — put together, don’t they make up a full provincial state? A provincial state is larger than a prefecture, and certainly larger than a county.”

She simply borrowed the bowls and dishes on the table to arrange things: “Look — one bowl counts as one county. Four small bowls stacked together make a prefecture. If they’re large bowls, four large bowls make a provincial state. Or several groups of small bowls — that’s also a provincial state…”

Very vivid, very easy to understand. Zhù Ying said, “If the Yigan Cave Master is willing, we’d have six counties here — even more. Establishing a provincial state, also a tributary provincial state, life would carry on as before. But what kind of person becomes Administrator, how they administer, how the staff are established… I haven’t thought it all through yet.”

Su Mingluan’s heart stirred — she was already beginning to understand. Godfather had absolutely no intention of leaving!

She stared straight at Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying nodded to her.

Let Godfather become Administrator!

Su Mingluan’s mind raced through the calculations of gains and losses. This was a plan she had never imagined. All manner of thoughts flashed by. Su Mingluan finally spoke: “Can the Administrator be a person like Godfather?”

Zhù Ying lowered her eyelids.

Su Mingluan said, “Working in the same place for too long isn’t permitted — but these mountains are not the Southern Prefecture, are they? Godfather takes on the role of Administrator first, and surely will devise a good method. Afterwards we’ll follow this method going forward.”

Lang Kunwu and the others, though not on the best of terms with Su Mingluan, all felt her idea was brilliant! Zhù Ying’s previous arrangements for them had not damaged their interests and had been handled with considerable care.

Zhù Ying slowly said, “Even so, I am still a court official. The exact terms of any arrangement are not something we alone can decide — we would also need the court’s approval. If I argue this on my own, I’m afraid it won’t succeed.”

Lang Kunwu asked, “Do you need us to write memorials too?”

Zhù Ying said, “I’m afraid you’ll need to send people to the capital to travel with me before I can negotiate better terms. Or if not yourselves, send representatives to travel with me. If a provincial state is established, what are your requirements for each family?”

Lu Guo said, “Same as before.”

Zhù Ying said, “What if life got a little better? For example, this kind of mutual trading market, or — I’ll find a way, we’ll all put in some effort, and try to fix up the mountain roads a bit, so mountain goods can be sold below the mountains more easily…”

“That would be wonderful!” Su Mingluan immediately said.

Zhù Ying said, “Then accounts have to be kept. The Administrator’s office managing things means managing more. Asking people to do more means giving them compensation, doesn’t it?”

Seeing their faces show reluctance, she said, “However, once an agreement is made, all future Administrators would be managed the same way — that’s not quite suitable either. A temporary measure — something like this: I draw up the plan, and for example my retreat estate here — I run it from my profits to fund certain things, but I also need to open up more farmland and recruit more people. That’s my land, my people. Are you willing?”

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law asked, “Not the court’s?”

“Not the court’s! We don’t have to report it to the court — none of us report it. My retreat estate, my manor, my private property.” Zhù Ying had exploited a loophole in the regulations: as long as land was in a tributary area, it was not subject to the restriction that “officials may not acquire property or take spouses in their place of posting” — because in tributary areas people’s estates and livelihoods were right there.

The people exchanged glances. In the end, Lang Kunwu spoke: “Agreed!”

Better to give to an individual than to have the court extend further control!

Zhù Ying said, “Is that settled then? The sooner the better — I’m afraid I’ll be transferred away. The details can be discussed on the road. Who will travel with me to the capital?”

Su Mingluan said, “My cousin has been in the capital for several years — I’ve been missing him. I’ll go with Godfather.”

Zhù Ying glanced at her. Su Mingluan nodded, indicating it was fine — she wasn’t worried about anyone staging a coup in the stockade while she was away. The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law pressed his son-in-law aside and said, “I’ll go too.”

Zhù Ying asked, “Your body can handle the journey?”

The Mountain Sparrow father-in-law said, “I can manage.”

Lang Kunwu hesitated. Zhù Ying said, “I plan to bring Chou Wen.” Xi Jin and Lu Guo’s two families also planned to send people — they would send young men from their own tribes.

Zhù Ying said, “Good.”

Zhù Ying’s memorial heading to the capital by post horse passed Gan Ze on the road, going in opposite directions.

In the fifth month, the envoys the Emperor had sent to confer the patents had not yet reached the capital. Zhù Ying’s memorial arrived: the newly affiliated tribes yearned for Chinese civilisation and requested to travel to the capital to pay homage. Zhù Ying filed a document with the secretariat and addressed it directly to Wang Yunhe: a tributary provincial state can now be established — let’s discuss the details in person.

The fifth month in the capital was hot enough to make people irritable. Wang Yunhe could still sit still. Duan Lin and Zheng Xi had cursed each other out for a while and on the surface restored a kind of calm. Wang Yunhe was working through official documents reporting disasters from various regions, writing small notes with suggestions and clipping them in.

After dealing with the disaster reports, he picked up the memorial Zhù Ying had submitted. He recognised her handwriting; he thought to himself: let this please not be a scheme in collusion with Zheng Xi…

He opened it and skimmed through at speed. As Wang Yunhe read further, he laughed out loud: “Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Shi Kun and Zhong Yi were both curious: “What happened?”

Wang Yunhe said, “Fascinating! Fascinating! You two — come, look.”

Shi Kun and Zhong Yi leaned in and looked. They also both laughed.

Shi Kun’s eyes laughed until they grew moist: “It seems the tributary county matter was no fabrication!” If there were not that many tributary counties, what kind of provincial state could be established? This impudent child’s memorial was nothing less than “I secured territory for the court, I can add another county, but I want to be the Administrator” — wasn’t it?

And requesting to keep the Southern Prefecture too — because the new provincial state needed a seat of government, otherwise building a new city in the mountains would require enormous manpower and resources. Ah, if you won’t give me that, then give me money and people, and I’ll go build a city in the mountains. Rest assured — even if you give me the Southern Prefecture, it will still submit taxes and perform labour service at the current standard. I’ll use the Southern Prefecture’s management profits to build a tributary provincial state for the court.

Want to keep her in check? The monkey’s gone! Want to pick the fruit? The fruit tree’s been moved away entirely!