When Zhù Ying met with the Emperor, his mood was noticeably good, his voice carrying a light ease.
He did not even wait for Zhù Ying to speak first, asking her what had brought her there.
Zhù Ying replied with respectful deference: “Your subject is incompetent.”
The Emperor said in surprise: “Has something happened? Why say such a thing all of a sudden? If you are incompetent, then who could be called capable?”
Zhù Ying said: “Your subject has failed to keep the treasury full.”
The Emperor grew somewhat more serious and asked: “Is it because of the tax exemptions in the northern territories, or is there disaster relief? Now that the fighting has subsided, expenditures will decrease, and everything will improve. Do not be anxious — I will not press you.”
Zhù Ying gently shook her head and said: “Your subject has calculated some figures. Your Majesty, please have a look.”
Since taking charge of the Ministry of Finance, Zhù Ying had been auditing the accounts. She had only recently finished, and was then working on the budget. Previously she had only managed affairs for one region, and was not very clear on the situation of the entire realm. In recent dealings with governors from various regions, she had found the situation somewhat worse than she had anticipated.
First, the climate had not been as favorable as it had been during the late Emperor’s reign, and second, expenditures were higher than they had been then either. In all fairness, the Emperor’s household was far smaller in scale than the late Emperor’s in his later years, so that daily expenditure had decreased somewhat. But military campaigns, disaster relief tax reductions, and the like cost considerably more. In addition, the Emperor still had several sons and daughters who would need to establish their own residences and start their families — those costs were calculated separately.
The governors of the various regions were reasonably loyal to the court, and were submitting their grain levies, the figures just barely meeting what was required.
The Emperor said: “Does this not still seem manageable? We shall live frugally for a few years and things will improve before long.”
Zhù Ying said: “This is only the surface.”
Beneath that surface, land consolidation was already occurring. Land consolidation was a persistent affliction — even without resorting to illegal means, ordinary commoners who suffered a single natural disaster, or whose family breadwinner fell ill and died, would likely face ruin and be forced to pawn their land. The dynasty had stood for nearly a hundred years now, and this consolidation had already become quite severe.
The refugee incident in Yanzhou was a signal.
The situation would only continue to worsen.
Of course, the court could still manage to keep things going for the time being, and the capital remained a place of song and merriment. But one could not wait until things became unmanageable before thinking of solutions — by that point, it would be too late.
The Emperor, having read at least some history, asked with genuine attention: “What is Your Honor’s meaning?”
Zhù Ying said: “Everyone knows that land consolidation must be curbed, but we cannot be too hasty in seeking results. First, I ask the Emperor to firm up his resolve. Second, the actual conditions in each region must be thoroughly investigated. Third, capable and capable officials who are close to the people must be installed — ones who can make accurate assessments. Only then can action be taken. Otherwise it will end up in the same state as at court now.”
The Emperor let out a breath of relief and said: “That makes sense. In Your Honor’s view, which people can be put to use?”
Zhù Ying said: “Your subject is young and of limited experience, and knows little. I ask Your Majesty to quietly observe, and to proceed gradually.”
The Emperor had taken it in, and said: “Quite right — always rushing headlong, displaying their authority and power — that is simply unacceptable!”
Zhù Ying and the Emperor spoke for a little while. She had not expected the Emperor to be particularly wise, nor to have any viable plan to offer.
During a period before Wang Yunhe’s passing, the Emperor had already lost much interest in the “new policies that Wang Yunhe had championed,” and after Wang Yunhe died, he stopped mentioning the matter altogether. Without a leading figure to oversee it, the entire effort at the court level had nearly ground to a halt.
She needed to plant something in the Emperor’s mind before Zheng Xi returned to active duty. Otherwise, this Emperor would be no match for Zheng Xi.
In speaking so much to the Emperor, she was telling him that the Ministry of Finance was nearly out of money. Although people like Xian Jing were disagreeable, suppressing land consolidation was not wrong — she needed the Emperor to recognize that.
At the same time, she also needed to tell the Emperor that this matter could not be rushed. Facing the affairs of the entire nation herself, she no longer had the confidence she once had in Wuzhou. The country was too vast, the situation too complex. The contrast between wealthy regions and impoverished backwaters was almost unimaginable. It was not an exaggeration but an actual fact that a few of the wealthiest prefectures bore “half the realm’s fiscal burden.” The different conditions of the people meant that different localities required flexibility.
She needed to feel out the situation carefully and proceed step by step.
In the end, the Emperor asked Zhù Ying what measures she had in mind, and Zhù Ying said: “To proceed gradually. The Ministry of Finance is in the process of systematically verifying the farmland acreage and population figures of each region.”
The Emperor said: “Oh, then go and attend to it.”
“Yes.”
This matter was something Zhù Ying had already quietly begun to work on. She had informed the Emperor as a precaution — if the Ministry of Finance were to come into conflict with local authorities, and the Emperor came to hear of it, she would at least have an explanation to offer.
Having worked in local government herself, she knew full well what sort of inflation might exist in the figures reported to the Ministry of Finance. For a single prefecture’s figures she could estimate them; for several prefectures she could manage roughly. But the aggregate inflation across the entire nation was something she genuinely could not estimate. She needed to send people to investigate quietly.
She divided the prefectures and counties of the entire nation into several categories, and the local officials into several categories as well. Some officials could be trusted — their figures would have little inflation — such as Gu Tong, one of her trusted confidants. Or someone like Lu Yu, who had attached himself to her and still counted on her help to smooth over difficulties, and so would speak honestly with her. Then there were mediocre officials who cared about nothing and simply carried over figures from their predecessors — their grasp of things had grown weak. Then there were certain “capable” individuals who, for various reasons, had deceived the court. And finally, there were those with no ability whatsoever, who had made a mess of things.
Different categories, different approaches.
To get things done, one needed people.
The first was the Emperor, the second was the Crown Prince — their support was essential. These two might not be sufficient to make things happen, but their capacity to undermine things was absolutely more than adequate. They could not be allowed to be influenced by others and so sabotage her work.
Zhù Ying was careful — she had not mentioned Wang Yunhe’s name before the Emperor. The Emperor disliked Wang Yunhe, and Zhù Ying had learned that lesson well. As Emperor, he naturally hoped the nation would prosper, or at the very least that he himself would have money to spend, so he would take an interest in fiscal matters.
Keeping a firm hold of those two points made speaking with the Emperor go much more smoothly.
Having obtained an attitude from the Emperor, Zhù Ying prepared to take her leave.
The Emperor suddenly called out to stop her, asking: “In Your Honor’s view, how many days will it take to pacify Yanzhou?”
Zhù Ying opened her mouth: “Your subject has never been to Yanzhou and can only estimate. Mobilizing a large army takes time, and after suppressing the bandits and withdrawing the troops, even moving swiftly would take one or two months. Now that winter has arrived, it would take even longer. And then there is the matter of pacifying the people — that will take more time still.”
“Is there no faster method?”
Zhù Ying found this strange. Warfare cost money, of course, but the provisions for two or three thousand troops were still within the Ministry of Finance’s means, and she began to wonder if she had just frightened the Emperor too badly.
Unexpectedly, however, the Emperor said: “Prince Qi on this expedition cannot remain stuck there indefinitely. He still has border inspections to conduct. How could he return before the new year?”
Zhù Ying said: “Then… a combined strategy of suppression and reconciliation.”
The Emperor frowned.
Zhù Ying said: “This is the fastest method. Only the ringleaders and those who have harmed the people would be executed. Those who followed under coercion would not be questioned.”
The Emperor said angrily: “These despicable wretches openly plundered the court’s tax revenues — they deserve death tenfold. How can they not be questioned?”
Zhù Ying said: “Your Majesty wishes for speed, and this is the fastest way — it can break apart their resistance. Moreover, the common rabble are ignorant and in need of moral instruction.”
The Emperor shook his head again and said: “You are always vigorous in executing affairs, but you simply do not like to think strategically. Think about it — if those who joined the rebellion are all to be pardoned, does that not tell the whole realm that robbery will go unpunished? How many people would follow their example? The point is to let them see the consequences, so they will not dare to rebel again.”
Zhù Ying saw a vertical crease appear between the Emperor’s brows, and knew he had made up his mind. She immediately bowed and agreed.
The crease between the Emperor’s brows relaxed, and he smiled: “Entrusting the Ministry of Finance to you truly puts the mind at ease.”
Zhù Ying murmured her compliance.
When she took her leave a second time, the Emperor did not call her back again.
……
Upon leaving the great hall, Zhù Ying’s face turned cold.
There were some people — the closer you drew to them, the more you could appreciate their charm. Other people — the closer you got, the more you realized they were utterly worthless. Grant them even a shred of respect and you were simply making a fool of yourself.
She raised her hand and wiped her face, then let her hand fall, and her expression settled back into perfect calm.
There was still a great deal to be done.
Today was the day Zhao Su was reporting for duty at the Ministry of Finance. Zhù Ying returned to the Ministry, where Zhao Su had already made the acquaintance of everyone there. After the morning meeting concluded, Zhù Ying said to Zhao Su: “Come with me to the Eastern Palace — the Crown Prince has something to send to Prince Qi.”
“Yes.”
At the Eastern Palace, Xian Jing was in the midst of telling the Crown Prince about various “unlawful acts” of the nobility, urging the Crown Prince to support increasing the proportion of officials recruited through the civil examinations.
This proportion was the result of negotiations that had taken place back when Wang Yunhe was still alive, worked out with Zheng Xi and others. Xian Jing used the cases of Zheng Yan and the Wang Family as examples, appealing to the Crown Prince: “Those who have been screened through selection are always better than those who have not.”
Beyond that, he cited further examples — Zheng Family’s nephew, Chai Lingyuan, for instance, who was utterly without learning and simply did not read at all. What could such a person accomplish as an official? He would only delay matters.
The Crown Prince said: “I see, so that is how it is.” He did not agree quickly. He knew Xian Jing’s thinking, but things were not done that way — one had to proceed step by step.
He had observed clearly: Wang Yunhe had been adjusting his approach even in his later years, and with all of Wang Yunhe’s ability and prestige, he had still not been able to accomplish it in one fell swoop. The Crown Prince therefore leaned toward being more cautious. From his observations, not every person under Xian Jing’s hand was reliable — it was not possible to give Xian Jing entirely free rein.
Yet Xian Jing’s attitude was one that deserved encouragement, and so the Crown Prince simply listened without interrupting him.
Until Zhù Ying arrived.
The Crown Prince smiled: “He is true to his word after all. Show him in.”
Zhù Ying brought Zhao Su in, and after a round of greetings, Zhù Ying introduced Zhao Su to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince said: “Truly a person of impressive bearing! Every person you hold in esteem is sharp and capable.”
“Your Highness flatters.”
“Hao Dafang.”
Hao Dafang stepped forward and led Zhao Su to one side, speaking with him about the matter of forwarding items to Prince Qi. The Crown Prince and Xian Jing then spoke with Zhù Ying. Xian Jing said: “It is the busy season right now — I had not expected Zi Zhang to come in person.”
Zhù Ying said: “I cleared this morning to attend to some matters — I have just come from the imperial presence.”
The Crown Prince, knowing she would not mention it without reason, asked: “How is Father? Now that winter has arrived, I am always worried about Father’s health. When Father was ill last time, it was truly alarming.”
Zhù Ying said: “He is well. We spoke for a while. His Majesty is also concerned about his sons. The conversation turned to Prince Qi. To see Your Highness show concern for his brother — His Majesty will certainly be pleased.”
“Oh,” the Crown Prince said, “but of course — this is his first time traveling far from home in his life. Both His Majesty and I have been worried. Is Yanzhou safe?”
Zhù Ying said: “It is not difficult for the imperial army to suppress the bandits, but His Majesty seems inclined to severely punish those who joined the rebellion.”
The Crown Prince nodded. Xian Jing said: “Severely punish?”
Zhù Ying said: “To serve as a warning to others, naturally. His Majesty is currently in the heat of his anger — we can remonstrate when the time comes. A few hundred households — it is a bit of a pity. If they were kept alive, they could at least be resettled along the frontier.”
The Crown Prince said: “Since His Majesty has arrangements in place, it would be better to deliberate carefully.”
Zhù Ying nodded: “Very well.”
The Crown Prince inquired whether Zhù Ying knew how the Dali Court’s investigation into the Wang Family case was proceeding.
Zhù Ying said: “I no longer oversee that office. I have only heard it is being investigated — beyond that, I know nothing.”
Xian Jing smiled: “Not even going to ask? That does not sound like you.”
Zhù Ying said: “What exactly does ‘like me’ mean?”
“You are always one to fret over things.”
“At the moment there is another matter to fret over — the Chen and Shi families are joining by marriage, and I am still playing matchmaker. I need to find time to visit the bride’s family, and there will be a banquet to attend. Where would I find time to concern myself with anything else?”
The Crown Prince asked with interest: “Have the two families settled on a date?”
“I will go to the Shi family the day after tomorrow. Mm — and I still need to meet with Minister Liu Songnian. A perfect match, those two — a fine young couple in every way.”
The Crown Prince said: “When the time comes, I must certainly go and drink a cup of wedding wine.”
“That would be far more than either family could dare hope for.”
The Crown Prince had now received two pieces of news from Zhù Ying and was in good spirits. When Zhù Ying took her leave, he even rose to walk her to the threshold of the hall. He then turned and told Hao Dafang to prepare a gift, and to keep note of the exact date of the ceremony.
Xian Jing said: “Zhù Zi Zhang — boundless energy.”
The Crown Prince smiled without speaking.
……——
Zhù Ying had not been misleading the Crown Prince. She genuinely found time to make a visit to the Shi household, and also met with Liu Songnian — both occasions were about Chen Fang’s wedding.
Chen Fang’s wedding required little effort on her part. She gave a gift and would receive a matchmaker’s fee in return. The two families had already been engaged. Now it was a matter of selecting an auspicious date and completing the wedding steps.
After several rounds of back-and-forth negotiation, it was decided to set the date at the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. The new bride would then be in time to observe the ancestral rites at the new year. By the twelfth month, governors from various regions would also be gathering in the capital, and relatives and friends of both families serving in distant postings could attend in as great numbers as possible.
Chen Meng sent out invitations far and wide, dividing his guests into two groups that were, at a glance, clearly separated. He ensured Zheng Xi and Leng Yun were seated together, and would under no circumstances let them sit too near Xian Jing. At a wedding feast, wine would be flowing freely, and a quarrel breaking out after too much drink would ruin the occasion entirely. Chen Meng was very attentive to this.
Zhù Ying sat together with Liu Songnian. The two of them had not spoken of state affairs or court politics for quite some time. Liu Songnian called Lin Feng a “foolish boy,” and Lin Feng ducked behind Zhù Ying, while Liu Songnian told him to come out and take his scolding, and Zhù Ying shielded him.
It all looked like a piece of staged comedy.
Xian Jing came over naturally with a wine vessel, first pouring a cup for Liu Songnian. Liu Songnian did not drive him away, so he took a seat.
Leng Yun watched from their side and said to Zheng Xi: “Look, look, look — if you do not pay a little more attention, the man is going to be stolen away!”
Zheng Xi glanced over and said: “In this world, a person must always socialize. You cannot confine him within chalk lines he cannot cross. Keep too tight a hold on him, and he will start deliberately acting contrary to you.”
Leng Yun said: “I mention it only because you have always treated him well. If you keep turning a blind eye, I can see he is going to come to grief.”
Zheng Xi said: “Nonsense. He is perfectly clear-headed.”
Leng Yun shook his head: “Do not say I did not warn you. He goes to see local officials and asks about population and household registration — how attentive he is. “
“He is the Minister of Finance — that is what he ought to be asking about.”
Leng Yun said: “He has something of the air of Minister Wang about him, and that one is Minister Wang’s student. Love the crows on the roof as you love the house — just don’t let a crow come pecking at you.”
“He would never pledge his allegiance to Xian Jing.”
Leng Yun said: “That is not what I am saying! You have simply sheltered him too well, raised him too sheltered. On first glance he seems to manage all sides deftly — seemingly clever beyond measure — yet all of it is poured into actually doing the work. He has no skill for schemes and stratagems, no knowledge of how sinister the human heart can be. If he gets hurt by Xian Jing, that does you no good either, does it?”
Zheng Xi said quietly: “If he truly admires Wang Yunhe, then how could he think anything of Xian Jing? He is only still clinging to a bit of idealism. The closer he gets to people like Xian Jing, the faster that idealism will shatter. Once every last fragment is gone, then he will have finally grown up. Just wait and see — that pack of hypocrites will disappoint him, and when that day comes, he will leave Xian Jing unable even to weep.”