Entirely at her direction?

Zhù Ying did not lightly believe it. She only smiled with measured composure, gave a small nod to the assembled guests, and invited them again to be seated: “What kind of decorum is this, standing halfway through a meal? Sit. Even in Jiyuan Prefecture, there may not be such a complete selection of mountain delicacies.”

The gentry all laughed: “Then we will not stand on ceremony any further!”

As if they were kin long parted, without a trace of estrangement, they settled into domestic chat. The widow of the Chang household had grown many more white hairs but was still managing the household. She said something about the granary in Fulu County: “The old ones you built when you were there are rotting away now, and the new ones have not been built yet.”

Her remark opened the floodgates; one after another everyone aired grievances — how former Prefect Shang Peiji had ravaged Fulu County, how the current Prefect Xu did not know the first thing about governance… The chatter was lively. Zhù Ying listened attentively and nodded from time to time; those who spoke felt greatly satisfied in their hearts.

As talk went on, it inevitably turned to family affairs — who had married into which family, who had welcomed new additions to the household, whose elder had passed away. Zhù Ying occasionally asked after the circumstances of people she knew and received answers each time.

Xiang Dalang also mentioned the Jing family of Jiyuan Prefecture and others: “Their position right under the Prefect’s nose makes it inconvenient for them to come. They too have sent their greetings to the Prefect through us.”

Lei Bao was still the same temperament — he feared Zhù Ying, but toward everyone else he cared not a whit. He made a dismissive sound: “What inconvenience? It is nothing but a wait-and-see posture. They have a senior official in their family! Think they can sit steady on both sides of the fence!”

His son, Lei Guang, had also been a student in Fulu County’s county school back then — had received a beating alongside his father, and been sent off by Zhù Ying along with fellow students to take minor official posts. About the same age as Zhao Su; now a sixth-rank official from the lower end.

Gu Weng’s ears burned, but he said with composure, “Their whole kinship clan and all their relatives — being a little cautious is entirely appropriate. Besides, they also have kind feelings toward the Prefect. Why would you drive away guests on the Prefect’s behalf?”

Lei Bao gave a contemptuous snort and clinked cups with a Zhao elder beside him.

Zhù Ying said, “Blunt and frank — in my presence say what you wish, but keep it here. Once past this door, you are still neighbors, and even if you do not feel kinship, you share the same soil.”

The gentry all agreed.

The banquet always came to an end eventually. Deep into the night, Huajie said, “The mountain nights are cold, and there has been wine — better to rest.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Good.”

All the local gentry immediately concurred. Zhù Ying had Zhao Su, Xiang Yu, and others see them to their lodgings. The estate’s relay lodge was not particularly grand; it was now occupied by Leng Yun, Li Yanqing, and all their attendants, leaving few rooms. Fortunately, since the estate had thrived on market trade, traveling merchants had always come and gone in great numbers, so there were many guest rooms designed for merchants, with complete furnishings and convenient food service.

The gentry stayed there that night.

After the banquet dispersed, Zhù Ying went to the back to see Zhang Xiangu and Zhao Niangzi, and also to inquire about how to arrange lodgings for Qi Niangniang. Huajie went along with Wu Ren following behind. Wu Ren was an orphan who had fled to the estate; Zhù Qingjun had been sent to the capital by Huajie back in the day, and Wu Ren had quite naturally filled the place Zhù Qingjun had left, staying in the residence to accompany Huajie until this day.

Zhang Xiangu was still in the midst of finishing her grievances before Zhao Niangzi. When Zhù Ying and Huajie arrived, Zhao Niangzi said at once, “Little Sister! Come here! Let us have a proper talk.”

She proceeded to go through everything she had told Zhang Xiangu from the very beginning once more. Zhù Ying listened to it all. Wu Ren was seething inside, thinking: A single salt works — how much effort did the Prefect and Magistrate Su put into it? Qingjun personally made several trips just to ensure the safety of the road along the way. And now they want to take a share of the profit? How many profitable ventures in Jiyuan Prefecture were nurtured by the Prefect? Now they are not satisfied and want to claim a share of the salt revenue too — utterly shameless!

She cursed them inwardly a dozen times over.

Trembling with suppressed anger, she stole a glance at Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying wore an entirely calm expression — there was even the trace of a small smile. Wu Ren found herself even more incensed.

Zhao Niangzi did not need to bottle it up the way Wu Ren did; she spoke right up: “Little Sister, you cannot go on being the way you have always been!”

Zhù Ying said, “Elder Sister, I understand.”

Zhao Niangzi said, “Saying it does no good!”

Zhù Ying smiled slightly: “Just rest easy — when have I ever come out the worse?”

Zhao Niangzi heard this and kept shaking her head: “No loss, that is true — but every advantage gets picked up by others.”

Zhang Xiangu said to Zhao Niangzi, “She has been this way since she was small. If she were any other way, none of this would have been accomplished. She knows what she is doing.”

Zhao Niangzi finally said no more. Her husband and herself would be staying tonight at Zhao Su’s house; Zhao Su had a residence in the city — not large, two courtyards — a gift from Zhù Ying. With the whole family of six plus servants, some ten or more people, it was a little cramped but manageable. The Zhao family was not hard to please; Qi Niangniang said, “Since I followed the Prefect out of the capital at age twelve, I have never once had to worry about lodgings.”

Zhao Su, however, knew his own mother, and knowing she had grown accustomed to a life of comfort, he said first, “It will get better and better going forward. When has Grandma ever let a great person live in cramped quarters for long?”

Zhao Niangzi thought about it and decided that was true, and muttered, “What is she going to do next?” — but without pressing Zhao Su for an answer; she took her husband by the arm and retreated to the bedroom to rest.

On the other side, Zhang Xiangu also asked Zhù Ying, “What are you going to do next? One cannot be neither here nor there — and one cannot give one’s whole heart away either.”

Huajie said, “Salt is a serious matter.”

Zhù Ying said, “We both heard from Elder Sister Zhao — you were there as well. Did you hear them mention it?”

Huajie said, “Then also think through what you would say if they do bring it up. I can see that they likely have such a thought. You — ah, so many years ago you were already worried about the high price of salt in Wuzhou. I do not believe you could stand to let the people of Jiyuan Prefecture eat bland food either. Think it through carefully. I am not stopping you from doing good deeds — but when you do good deeds, give a thought to yourself as well. Will you?”

Zhù Ying waved her hand dismissively: “All right.”

Wu Ren was anxious inside. Seeing that Huajie had stopped pressing the matter, she desperately wanted to say something but could not get her mouth open no matter how hard she tried. She trailed after Huajie as they left Zhang Xiangu’s room, and marched straight into Huajie’s.

Huajie asked, “What is it? Something to say?”

Wu Ren nodded, and said to Huajie, “Big Madame, our Prefect is not really going to give those people an easy advantage, is she?”

“Do not worry. She has a sense of proportion.”

“I am genuinely terrified she is going to embrace the whole world again. A person with a public heart is certainly admirable, but if that person is someone you are close to — you cannot help but wish she could be a little more selfish! One cannot be penalized simply for being a good person!” Wu Ren said.

Huajie said, “She will not.”

Wu Ren said, “What kind of life the Chief Minister lived, I cannot imagine — but I have lived down the mountain, and I have seen the prefectural offices there and the fine things from the capital that were sent to the residence. Compare that to now — since coming back, I have barely seen her wear a fine silk robe even a handful of times. The Prefect has so many things to attend to, and also needs money for managing Wuzhou, and everything costs money! The salt revenue is enormous! They have fruits, sugarcane, guild halls, grain — even raising a son is not as profitable as that! And here they come wanting a share of the salt!”

Huajie knew Wu Ren well: timid as a startled bird around strangers, not a word to be wrung from her if she was not forced to speak. Around those she knew, words poured out of her like a spring. She hastened to reassure her: “I know, I know. She is clearer on it than any of us.” And she also teased Wu Ren lightly, saying that making her the Controller of Finance had been the right call: “One of you, and one Zhù Yin — between you, her household affairs are kept locked up tight.”

“Of course!” Wu Ren said with perfect confidence.

Huajie laughed, then said, “Whatever she will do, I also cannot tell. But she is not someone who squanders goodwill foolishly. Have you forgotten her methods when she brought order to things down the mountain?”

Wu Ren stared blankly — she had not recalled, so Huajie held up two fingers: “Twenty.”

Wu Ren came back to herself: “That is right!”

“Can you sleep soundly now?”

Wu Ren’s face went red. She grabbed her skirt and fled!

……

The following day, all the guests at the lodge woke somewhat late. Zhù Ying, who did not drink, rose as usual. The martial training ground in the residence was spacious and fully equipped. Zhù Ying practiced with Master Hu for a while before Du Dajie came and said, “Breakfast is ready.”

The residence had a cook — certainly not of capital quality, but she made the mountain-style dishes well enough. Zhù Ying wiped the sweat from her face and asked, “Are the others in the household up yet?”

Du Dajie said, “They are all up.”

The four members of the Zhù family’s senior generation were getting on in years and none of them slept late. Zhù Da was still eating in his room. Zhù Ying ate together with Huajie and the others. At table, Huajie said, “Godfather’s appetite has been poor as well. I have stopped him from drinking, and now he is throwing a tantrum. At his age, he should drink less.”

Zhù Ying said, “If he wants to drink, let him. He has also reached the age of doing as he pleases. If you manage him, it is suffering for him. I know you mean to prolong his life — but he may not see it that way.”

Huajie said, “So be it.”

After breakfast, the gentry came to the Zhù residence once more. Zhù Ying said to Jiang Zhou, “You and Xiang Yu go to the guest lodge; the two guests yesterday did not get their fill of browsing. Take them on a tour of the streets. Remember to let them pay for whatever they buy.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying said to the gentry, “Very well — I know you still have to go home for the New Year, so let us skip the formalities. When I was here with you, you were Wuzhou people; seeing you all now, I still feel the same as ever, and never have the sense that you have become neighbors.”

Gu Weng quickly said, “In our hearts we still think of the Prefect as one of our own. If only Jiyuan Prefecture could be incorporated into Wuzhou — that would be wonderful!”

Zhù Ying said, “No hurry — that would require the court’s approval. For now, let us just make the best of things as they stand — how are the guild halls? Are the various trade routes still open? Is anyone causing trouble?”

Xiang Dalang quickly said, “There have been some incidents — once word got out that you had returned, those who had received the news also tried to test the waters…”

In the old days, everyone knew these people were under Zhù Ying’s protection and would not generally pick a fight. Once Zhù Ying fled south, the guild halls and shops became ripe targets.

“Lucky that news traveled slowly and the Prefect acted quickly, and that we had always been diligent in our management — we held steady.”

Zhù Ying said, “If anyone causes trouble for the guild halls, come and tell me. I will see who it is that is looking for needless trouble.”

The gentry were greatly pleased: “Many thanks, Prefect!” They also speculated on how Zhù Ying would resolve this problem. After all, a Wuzhou prefect was not like a Chief Minister and had no jurisdiction over other territories.

Yet Zhù Ying said nothing further. They also raised the matter of trade, and Zhù Ying smiled and said, “When you came into the mountains, you saw the road, did you not?”

“Yes.”

“Only safer and more convenient going forward.”

She said not a single word about the salt works. The gentry tested the waters cautiously, asking: “What about mountain goods? In past years the Prefect mentioned that mountain products do not fetch good prices at markets because middlemen take most of the profit transporting them to distant places. Now that the Prefect is here in the mountains — if this goes on, are we not taking advantage of the Prefect? Prefect, is there some other goods we can offer in exchange?”

Zhù Ying smiled and said, “With me here, you may set your minds at ease about that. I will not let you go owing any debts.” Although she was smiling, the refusal was entirely clear.

The gentry did not dare meet her gaze; they lowered their heads one after another and let drop their small calculations.

They still needed to go back down the mountain for the New Year, and could not stay long. After two days they took their leave and descended the mountain. Leng Yun and Li Yanqing took the opportunity to tour every corner of the small mountain city; Leng Yun wandered for days and could only see the novelty of it all, while Li Yanqing saw considerably more — peace, contentment, and hearts turned as one. Inquiring further, he learned that more than half the residents here were refugees who had once been slaves, and only here had they been able to obtain a proper identity and a small stake of their own.

Li Yanqing watched as Leng Yun pressed a newly purchased bamboo flute to his lips and blew out a cracked note, then hastily cut him off: “My lord, you…”

Leng Yun said, “It is rare to have a stay in the mountains, free from all that clamor and fuss. Why do you have such a gloomy face? I have not even said I am missing the bustle of the capital, and here you are already brooding over something.”

Li Yanqing said, “Have you not noticed something is not quite right here?”

“What is not right? Oh — they do not speak the proper language. Aside from that, nothing wrong. The rice cakes are delicious. Shame about not being able to take any back to the capital.”

Li Yanqing said, “Here — were anyone to come and attack, this whole city would fight to the last!”

“Hmm? Why would anyone attack?”

Li Yanqing opened his mouth, then said, “Oh, is it not said there were some barbarians in Gan County…”

“Were they not already beheaded?”

Li Yanqing produced a perfectly calibrated smile: “You are quite right.” He had come as a spy, and that of course included a measure of assessing “hostile intent.” His report back to the Council of State would be: best not to stir up trouble. Zhù Ying was more formidable than a pure mountain chieftain, and any loss she caused the court would be far greater.

Leng Yun, for his part, just wanted to see out the New Year. Originally the various prefectures did not celebrate the New Year at this time — they marked the harvest festivals, which were earlier in the calendar. The existence of “Zhù Family Manor” had undeniably blended the two customs. The date fell close to the one observed outside the mountains, while the activities were still those old familiar ones.

New Year in the mountains was lively. In the days before and after, no work was done — singing, dancing. No calling cards to send out, no calling cards to compose, just ease and freedom. Every household followed the old custom: brewing wine, steaming rice cakes and rice, slaughtering pigs and sheep for guests. Of the whole year, this was when people ate best.

Zhù Ying, Zhang Xiangu, and the others, in the front courtyard of the residence, also set out a flowing banquet, inviting people to come and eat. They themselves would also drift over to other people’s homes from time to time, have some warm rice cakes, drink some warm rice wine.

Leng Yun was at the Zhù residence one day, at Zhao Su’s the next, and then being looked after by the Xiang family after that… a fine and happy time.

After the seventh day of the New Year, Li Yanqing had to remind him repeatedly before he said, “Very well, it is also time for us to head back. Let me have a look at the almanac!”

The day of departure had to be auspicious. The date chosen was the sixteenth day of the first month. The lantern festival in the mountains was considerably quieter than that outside, so it would not interfere with their departure. Advance notice was sent to the Zhù residence; they stayed in the guest lodge to pack their belongings. The Zhù residence sent over various local specialty gifts.

On the fourteenth, the two of them went together to the Zhù residence, announced their imminent departure, and inquired whether there were any matters to be reported to the capital.

The two men had been in the county for some days and had taken somewhat to local ways — without sending a calling card first, they walked to the Zhù residence on foot. They found the atmosphere in the residence a touch strange. Zhù Biao’s smile was the slightest bit strained. Leng Yun said, “What is wrong with you? Did you get a scolding at the start of the New Year?”

Zhù Biao said, “The Prefect sees all.”

“Go and announce us. When I see Zichang I will put in a good word for you — what did you do wrong?”

“I accidentally broke something.”

“Is that not all good luck and fortune? She wants to fuss about that, I will pay for it. Hurry and go.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Biao rushed in a fluster to the western courtyard, knocked on the door of the main room: “Prefect, Old Lady — Lords Leng and Li have come.”

Jiang Guafu opened the door, stretched her neck out and peered around. Zhù Ying’s voice came from inside: “Stop craning your neck and poking your head out — people will see right away that something has happened.”

Jiang Guafu quickly drew her head back in. Zhù Biao slipped inside as well, latched the door behind him, and carefully edged his way to the door of the inner room, saying, “The two gentlemen from the guest lodge have come. Lord Leng has already noticed that I did not look right. I said it was because I broke something and was uneasy — I am not sure whether that explanation held.”

As he spoke, he could not help but look into the room once more.

Zhù Ying stood up and said to Zhang Xiangu, “First help Father into his clothes. The charcoal in this room — keep it as it is, keep sending it, but do not light it. At night come sleep in my room. Meals — keep sending them in, three a day…”

Zhang Xiangu’s eyes were red: “The old fool — just went like that.”

Zhù Ying lowered her eyelids and said softly, “A man living past seventy is rare — this counts as a happy death. For the next few days, let us see Leng Yun and Li Yanqing off, and then we will see to the arrangements properly.”

“Yes.”

“Mother should not go out to see them again, to avoid giving Li Yanqing something to observe. Leng Yun is one thing — Li Yanqing has quite sharp eyes. In a subordinate governed region, the mourning period rules do not apply; a funeral, though, is better held after the fifteenth.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “The old fool — no good fortune! A funeral should not be held in the first month of the year.”

Zhù Ying said, “I will go deal with them.”

Huajie caught Du Dajie’s eye, giving her a look to stay and keep Zhang Xiangu company, then followed after Zhù Ying as she left the room. Zhù Ying said, “I am all right. It is Mother I worry about — she must be heartbroken.”

Huajie looked at her with deep concern. “Godfather’s words — he was old, and… you…”

Zhù Ying said, “I know.”

“You… go ahead and cry, if you need to.”

Zhù Ying shook her head.

Zhù Da’s health had not been good these past years, fortunately with Huajie there to care for him. Last night, he had again shown alarming signs, and this time even Huajie had not been able to bring him back. Zhang Xiangu was just grateful that Zhù Ying had been able to see him one final time. But in those last moments, Zhù Da had gripped Zhù Ying’s hand with desperate force: “The Zhù family line cannot end with you! If you have no heir, who will inherit the family name and property? Who will take care of you in old age? Who will bury you when you die! If you do not promise me this, I will not close my eyes in peace! Swear it…”

Zhù Ying knew what he wanted, but this was not something within her plans. She said, “There will be someone with the surname Zhù.”

Zhù Da’s head fell to one side. He had passed without hearing the answer he wanted.

Huajie worried that Zhù Ying was consumed with grief.

Yet Zhù Ying had already withdrawn her hand and was going out to speak with Leng Yun and Li Yanqing. She personally escorted the two of them out of the mountain city. From there, the road was Xiang Yu’s responsibility — it was a good opportunity for him to go home and visit his parents.

……

In the damp cold, Leng Yun sneezed and muttered, “What awful weather. No wonder they call it a miasma-ridden place… Heaven help me!”

He raised a hand pointing into the distance, where through thin wisps of mist a column of people had materialized on the desolate mountain path — quite an alarming sight.

Xiang Yu and the others immediately grew alert; the guards shouted out, “Who goes there?”

The arrivals replied, “It’s us!”

Xiang Yu said sharply, “And who are ‘us’?”

The arrivals were equally irritated. “Xiang Da, you can’t even recognize me anymore?!”

“Uncle, uncle…” said Xiang Yu.

It was Xiang Yu’s uncle. Xiang Yu stepped forward to meet him: “What brings you up the mountain at this time? Hmm? And these are…?”

Several more figures emerged from behind his uncle — and they turned out to be some gentry! Xiang Yu asked carefully, “Respected sirs, what is the meaning of this?”

His uncle said, “After the lantern festival, schools start again. We thought it over — there are things outside the mountain we can manage on our own, but when it comes to the school’s medicine program, there is none better than Dr. Zhu. So — these girls were making a fuss about wanting to study. So we are bringing them to enroll. Hey, Fourth Girl, come here.”

Fourth Girl was Xiang Yu’s cousin on his mother’s side. Already fifteen this year — old enough to be considered grown. Starting school at fifteen?

Xiang Yu regarded his uncle with a suspicious eye: “Why? Don’t try to deceive me.”

His uncle knew perfectly well his nephew was a clever young fox. He lowered his voice and said, “Well, all along we had been wondering — why does the Prefect treat girls so specially, giving them the same education, the same work as everyone else, and then it turns out the Prefect is a woman herself. So… bringing a few girls along to… learn some skills cannot be a bad thing, can it? You had better look out for your sister — look at Big Madame, look at the Female Commander, look at your aunt… If your sister becomes capable, she can also help you.”