These southern scholars—Zhù Ying had already envisioned their purpose when she journeyed north. As far back as her previous tenure as Chancellor, southern scholars had already come to offer their services, and that group was now getting on in years. If she did not make use of them soon, they would all be on the verge of dying off.

Zhù Ying said to Zhao Ji: “For the next few days, set aside everything else. Jiang Zhen, the two of you along with Xiao Fu—focus solely on this one matter. Sort through their records and organize them by category.”

Zhao Ji said: “Are we truly going to use them?”

Zhù Ying said: “Where does all this unnecessary talk come from? Go.”

“Oh—yes!”

Liu Kun spoke up just before Zhao Ji and the others departed: “Chancellor, these people are not young anymore. Should we also take note of their children and descendants? Use them if they are capable?”

Zhao Ji, Jiang Zhen, and the others let out a soft snort in unison. They held a slight prejudice against the southern scholars. In the hearts and eyes of this group of young subordinates, Zhù Ying was the finest person in the world—they did not look down on the southern scholars for currying favor with those in power, but their lack of wholehearted commitment in times of crisis was, to them, unforgivable.

Zhù Ying gave Liu Kun a nod: “You’ve thought this through carefully.”

Jiang Zhen attempted to explain to Liu Kun: “They are not reliable.”

Liu Kun said: “If they were ‘absolutely reliable,’ they would not be presenting calling cards now—they would already be thriving at the Chancellor’s residence long ago. Different people serve different purposes; if used well, they are just as useful. Moreover, none of these people have shown themselves to be wicked or corrupt. Are they not preferable to those idle scions who keep fighting cocks and racing dogs, or those sour pedants who point their fingers at the Chancellor and pass judgment?”

The reasoning was sound, and both Zhao Ji and Jiang Zhen understood it—they simply felt a little unsettled. The two grudgingly accepted it and went to compile the list.

Zhù Ying said to Liu Kun: “Your matter must also be pressed forward. Before those people arrive in the capital, I want to see the Twelfth Lady’s essays printed and published.”

Liu Kun’s chest tightened, and her throat constricted as well: “If the Twenty-Fifth Lady knew, I wonder how overjoyed she would be.”

“Her? Right—they are blood sisters. Does your family still have any manuscripts? If so, I will find a way to have them brought out.”

“The Twelfth Lady’s handwritten manuscripts were all interred with her when she was buried. Afterward, some fragmentary drafts were found, and my great-grandfather took them away. The Twenty-Fifth Lady missed her the most deeply, and at some point she wrote out an entire volume from memory. Later, the Seventeenth Lady and I also wrote down what we could recall from memory. We cross-referenced one another’s recollections and pieced together what we now have.”

Zhù Ying said: “Write a preface, and include this very account in it.”

“Yes.”

With that, the day’s business was finally concluded. Zhù Ying reviewed once more the tasks for the following day, and only when she felt satisfied that nothing had been overlooked did she go to rest.

The following morning came early, and once again there was court audience.

The morning court now differed from what it had once been. The Emperor’s health fluctuated between better and worse, so the court sessions had grown shorter, and the officials had fewer chances to see the Emperor in person. Typically the Emperor would make a brief appearance, the Chancellor or the Six Ministries would briefly raise one or two matters, and then the court session would conclude. After that, the Emperor could receive the Chancellor’s reports on affairs of state in a somewhat more comfortable posture.

Today, the young Emperor reclined at an angle on his couch, listening to the three elderly Chancellors report on affairs of state and offer their recommendations. Minor matters he no longer attended to; what was being discussed now were all matters of great importance.

The first item submitted jointly by all three was a request to have county magistrates from across the realm take turns coming to the capital, and to select capable and talented officials to be dispatched to the localities to curb land annexation and investigate concealed households—demonstrating the court’s commitment to local governance. The Emperor said: “Approved.”

He also understood that the localities were in need of rectification. In the past, the situation had been like a dog trying to bite a snapping turtle—there was no place to get a grip, so one could only choose not to look and not to think about it. Now the Chancellors had a plan and were beginning to act; the Emperor naturally gave his assent.

The Emperor also said with considerable interest: “This autumn and winter, I will personally meet with them. Have the Ministry of Personnel pull out the records and annual performance evaluations for each of them.”

The second item was the opening of the imperial examinations. County magistrates were the officials who dealt directly with the common people; those found unfit would be dismissed, and the vacated positions could not remain without leaders, so examinations needed to be opened to select worthy talents to fill the gaps.

The Emperor agreed to this as well.

Next came the matter of the northern territories. Yao Chenying was preparing for a decisive battle against the northern barbarians. The Emperor sat upright on his couch: “How does the situation stand?”

Zhù Ying said: “More than half of the lost territory has been recovered. Once the barbarians are finally driven back, the entire realm will be fully restored.”

The Emperor said bitterly: “Those barbarian scoundrels are hateful! Is there no way to push straight into their heartland and teach them a lesson?”

Both Wang and Shi were startled. Given the present state of the court, they still wanted to counterattack? Just because the barbarians had been held back did not mean the officials had the capability to advance northward. The court had already had to deploy Chancellors to lead campaigns—what more could anyone expect?!

Wang Shuliang said: “That must absolutely not be done!”

The Emperor asked: “Why not?”

Zhù Ying quickly said: “Your Majesty, the Prince of Qi is far more important.”

The Emperor then said with a loss of enthusiasm: “That is true!” He was genuinely preoccupied with the Prince of Qi, and asked once more: “Is the Prince of Qi at the front line? Could he be captured alive?”

Zhù Ying said: “How could the barbarians possibly let him move about freely? And Yao Chenying is no mediocre talent.”

Yao Chenying’s march northward had been an unavoidable course of action, yet like Zhù Ying, once an adversary encountered him, that adversary could count themselves truly unfortunate—both of them were rather cunning. In addition to direct confrontation in battle, they were both skilled at other means. Zhù Ying’s method was to sow discord; Yao Chenying’s was far more direct. As long as the Prince of Qi was not visibly standing on the other side, Yao Chenying would be ready to declare that the Prince of Qi was dead.

The Prince of Qi had no choice but to show himself and remain in the most dangerous position at all times. He was a banner—once he disappeared, those who sympathized with him would have nothing to rally around. He could not simply run away.

The Emperor lay back down, saying in a languid tone: “Very well, then. This battle must be fought to a decisive conclusion. He cannot be allowed to escape and leave behind a root of future trouble.”

The Chancellors could only nod in agreement.

As for the more detailed minor matters, the Emperor chose not to inquire further. Before long, his lips began to turn pale and a faint cold sweat appeared on his face; the Chancellors, perceiving this, took their leave.

——

Exiting the great hall, the three exchanged glances. Wang Shuliang said: “We should press Chancellor Yao once more—ask him whether he has anyone he could recommend as a tutor for the Eastern Palace.”

Shi Jixing said: “With a decisive battle imminent…”

Wang Shuliang said: “Look at the Emperor’s condition. When Chancellor Yao returns from the campaign and finds everything unrecognizable, what will he think?”

Zhù Ying said: “The inquiry does need to be made.”

The three walked and talked as they went. Wang Shuliang said quietly to Zhù Ying: “You have replaced the entire Imperial Guard? When he returns, he will be grinding his teeth over that, won’t he?”

From the very beginning, the Imperial Guard had been the elite and most trusted forces from the founding of the dynasty, with close ties to the Zheng Marquis and several other great houses. Over successive reshufflings, Yao Chenying had ultimately developed closer ties with the Imperial Guard.

Zhù Ying said: “Once he returns, everything can be discussed.”

Shi Jixing raised an eyebrow. Zhù Ying said: “I keep my word.”

Very well, do as you please.

Entering the Council of State, documents were already piling up. Wang Shuliang looked at Liu Kun with an expression that was somewhat difficult to read—as though he both wanted and did not want to see her.

Liu Kun rose and paid her respects to them, then returned to stand beside Zhù Ying, explaining to her stack after stack of memorials—organized by region and matter, each stack with a small slip of paper inside summarizing the key points.

The last thing Wang Shuliang wanted to hear right now was “popular unrest,” so the moment the words left Liu Kun’s lips, he felt the urge to sigh. Zhù Ying read through a particular stack of two memorials reporting urgent cases of popular unrest, then passed them to the other two to read. This was not the first time Wang Shuliang had read Liu Kun’s summaries—her style was very much in the manner of Zhù Ying: direct and concise, yet tinged with the refined sensibility of the Liu family’s scholarly tradition. They were more pleasant to read than anything produced by the Council of State’s own officials or clerks.

Wang Shuliang lowered his head, not looking at Liu Kun again. Liu Kun, for her part, had grown accustomed to this peculiar manner of his.

Once the two had both finished reading, the response involved dispatching troops, assigning accountability, and sending envoys to pacify the situation.

After dealing with this flurry of matters, Zhù Ying said to Wang and Shi: “Wang Yunzhi and Shi Junya—I intend to send them to the localities to gain practical experience. I would like to know what the two of you think. And not only them: by this autumn, I also want to let some of the younger people in my household go and do some real work. I have taught them something along the way west, so they will not arrive at a locality completely at a loss.”

Wang Shuliang said: “That is a fine thing!”

Shi Jixing asked: “In that case, you will need to bring in replacements to your household, will you not?”

Zhù Ying smiled faintly: “Of course. I think it would be most appropriate to select people for the household through examination.”

Wang Shuliang said: “Opening a residence is a grace bestowed by the Emperor’s favor—you cannot go on competing with the state for talented individuals!”

Zhù Ying said: “I am recruiting female officials.”

Wang Shuliang opened his mouth, completely unprepared for her to drop such a bombshell at this particular moment. Speaking of the separation of men and women—facing a colleague like Zhù Ying, that argument held no logic. She was a woman herself. Every other rationale likewise lost its meaning because of who she was.

One could not say women lacked intelligence, could not say women lacked ability, could not say women had narrow vision, could not say women were timid, and even less could one say women needed others to keep them in line. Even the more general observations—that women were soft-hearted and physically weaker than men—had their exceptions.

Because of her existence.

In that moment, Wang Shuliang felt, rather uncomfortably, that agreeing to have Zhù Ying return to court might have been slightly too hasty.

Zhù Ying said: “Let us leave it at that then—no need to make a great commotion over it. The realm is what it is: few people are willing to let their daughters study, and women who can continue their studies after marriage are even fewer. To stir up the whole country would not be appropriate right now. I will simply draw candidates from within the capital region. Rest assured—they will be educated and well-mannered people. I will use sealed-name grading for the examination, and every paper will stand up to scrutiny.”

This was deeply troubling. The female officials she selected, though they would be part of the Chancellor’s household, had their appointments formalized as proper court officials when a Chancellor opened a residence. What manner of place would Zhù Ying’s residence become? The evidence was already right before their eyes: inside the Chancellor’s residence there was already a whole cohort of women, young and old alike—starting from Zhù Ying herself, then there were Zhù Tong, Liu Kun, Jiang Zhen, Zhù Qingxue, and others of that sort. When offices and bureaus had dealings with the Chancellor’s residence, they would all have to conduct business with these women.

Wang Shuliang’s vision went dark before his eyes.

Your very existence is the greatest affront to propriety!

“I fear this will invite much criticism!” Wang Shuliang said.

Shi Jixing also nodded: “Would this not entice women to abandon the domestic sphere?”

Zhù Ying said: “Since the court began holding civil examinations and selecting officials, no one has seen farmers abandon their fields and stop working. I know what you are worried about—it is nothing more than what the likes of Xian Jing have been railing against in their writings and speeches for the past thirty years. And none of that prevented me from opening up the southern territories.”

Zhù Ying had never been one for abstract moral debates. It was neither her strength, nor—more importantly—was it profitable: her opponents’ logic was internally consistent, which meant one would only end up trapped in a peculiar circular argument. It was better to simply “act”—just do it, and settle. Establish the facts on the ground first and deal with the rest later. If you say women cannot serve as officials, and yet I am already Chancellor—show me disrespect, and I will beat you for it first before any further discussion.

Shi Jixing said: “How many in the world are like you? Never mind women—even men cannot…”

“One does what lies within one’s ability. That is precisely why I intend to select through examination—I have no intention of appointing people based on personal connections.”

If only you would appoint people through personal connections—that would at least be manageable!

Both men fell silent. The Prince of Qi had not yet been settled, and even once he was, the political situation was tangled in a thousand knots. Reflecting honestly on themselves, without Zhù Ying’s return, they would still be going round in circles. And many of the matters still to come would still require her. They could always invite her back to the southern territories to spend her remaining years in retirement, but that would mean sacrificing a great deal of the favorable momentum already gained, and neither of them could bring themselves to do it.

Liu Kun said slowly: “The Prefect of the Capital has filed for sick leave.” She retrieved the topmost memorial from the stack of leave requests.

This managed to break the encirclement at last.

Wang Shuliang said: “He was perfectly fine at morning court.”

Liu Kun said: “He fell from his horse.”

The subject was forcibly redirected, and the three said no more on the matter. Liu Kun glanced at Zhù Ying with a trace of concern; Zhù Ying’s expression did not change.

The three then worked through more official documents. Shi Jixing stretched with a great yawn, stood up to go outside for some air, and on his way shot a glance at Wang Shuliang. Wang Shuliang stood as well, and the two of them walked outside to find a side room to talk. Wang Shuliang suddenly pointed at something not far away: “What is that?”

Shi Jixing looked in the same direction and saw several eunuchs making their way toward the palace gates. Eunuchs leaving the palace was nothing unusual, but these ones had horses and were packed with luggage as if setting out on a long journey. Shi Jixing sent someone to intercept the eunuchs and inquire as to their purpose.

The eunuchs responded without the slightest hesitation: “By His Majesty’s edict, we are traveling to Chancellor Yao’s encampment to deliver an imperial pronouncement.”

How could this be—matters of military and state importance, and they had not been informed?

Wang Shuliang asked what the matter concerned. The eunuchs replied: “It is the Emperor’s personal letter. How should we know its contents? We ask that the Chancellor not make things difficult for us.”

Personal letters from the Emperor were a common occurrence; emperors as a species were inherently incapable of truly abiding by the law. The two men had no choice but to let the eunuchs go, then returned to consult with Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying said: “You did not simply lift the personal letter and take a look at it?”

“They would not let us see it.”

Zhù Ying thought: “Lift” it—just take it!

There was now no way to guess the contents. The three of them were not close enough with Yao Chenying to inquire about such a matter. Wang Shuliang was worried that the Emperor might issue confused commands and thus cause the entire effort to collapse when success was nearly within reach. Shi Jixing also grew concerned.

Zhù Ying said: “This matter still depends on Yao Chenying. Send him a letter.”

“Will he listen?”

“Say that as long as it serves the war effort, we will all support him.”

That was the only option available.

With that matter now occupying their thoughts, Wang and Shi temporarily lost their appetite for private conversation, and together with Zhù Ying, they buried themselves in processing official business.

That day, it was Zhù Ying’s turn to stay overnight at the palace. Liu Kun remained in the palace with her company. After seeing Wang and Shi off, Liu Kun said quietly: “The two Chancellors will likely be toasting wine and sizing each other up once they leave the palace.”

Zhù Ying said: “We dash about the capital day after day ourselves.”

Liu Kun said: “You have just announced that you will open the examinations to women officials—is it not perhaps too hasty? The capital is not like the southern territories. Although since your return, those who openly criticize you have grown fewer and those who praise you have grown more, the fact is that some people accept you and willingly pay their respects to you because of your achievements. They have deliberately chosen to forget that you are a woman. Even we ourselves benefit from this very same consideration, and are able to accomplish something because of it. In ordinary dealings with these people, we still have to endure their hidden barbs and cold glances.

Now that you have raised this proposal, they will suddenly remember again that you are a woman. I fear they will turn their sights on you.”

Zhù Ying said: “This is nothing new—it has not been merely a day or two. If someone tells you to behave and do as they say or they will beat you, what do you do? Meekly obey? The more they act this way, the more I feel I am fighting alone with one hand tied, and the more I must beat them harder—beat them until they dare not bare their teeth at me. While you have the time, you would do better to pick up your brush right now and begin drafting a public notice: in the vicinity of the capital region, women of good family background are invited to sit the examination. As for the conditions…”

Liu Kun cared deeply about the opening of examinations for official selection. Now that the moment had arrived, a feeling akin to nervousness—like approaching home after a long journey—overcame her. She picked up her brush, her thoughts weighed down with worry: “I am a woman, so naturally I am in favor. Yet I also fear that some will perform poorly or commit offenses, and it will give others cause to say: ‘She was incompetent and broke the law—this proves women are unfit for office…'”

“There have been so many incompetent emperors, and yet no one has ever proposed that men are unsuitable to be emperors.” Zhù Ying said.

Liu Kun was startled: “You… oh…”

Zhù Ying said: “Quickly write it. When we were in the southern territories, I never saw the three of you be this long-winded.”

But this matter was of such importance. If the Twelfth Lady had been alive to see this day… Liu Kun’s hand trembled ever so slightly.

——

Once the public notice was issued, the capital was abuzz with discussion. No one went screaming and throwing themselves against walls in anguish, yet a great many people found the whole thing deeply strange.

Eunuchs running errands outside the palace brought the news back within the palace walls, and someone related it to the Emperor.

The Emperor was taken aback: “How can this be permitted? Chancellor Zhù…” Oh… right, it is her…

A young eunuch said carefully: “Your Majesty, have you forgotten? We have always had female officials.”

The Emperor said: “Apart from Zhù Ying and her people, are there others?”

“Yes—the Court of Judicial Review, the offices in various localities, they all have female deputy officials managing the women’s detention quarters.”

“That was for the sake of propriety, for the separation of men and women. Now she is moving to break…” The Emperor found himself uncomfortable no matter how he thought about it, yet could not articulate exactly what was wrong. That arrangement, after all, had been an “expedient measure,” and yet Zhù Ying was still here at work—so the words could not be said aloud.

There was nothing for it but to set the matter aside for the time being. Yao Chenying had better come through and capture the Prince of Qi!

The Emperor felt a sudden oppressive tightness in his chest and began to sway unsteadily; palace maids and eunuchs fell into a flurry of panic. The imperial physician on duty came rushing over to administer emergency care, while someone went to summon the Noble Consort. The Noble Consort personally attended the Emperor for half the night; only after his condition had stabilized did she finally manage to doze off for a short while.

Toward dawn, the Noble Consort suddenly jolted awake. Seeing that the Emperor was still sleeping soundly, she hesitated for a moment, then softly roused him and asked: “Today’s morning court—shall it proceed as usual?”

The Emperor murmured: “Of course. Help me dress.”

Halfway through dressing, his vision went dark again. He swore under his breath: “Has Yao Chenying still not managed to kill the Prince of Qi?”

Morning court could not be held. The Chancellors hurried to the imperial presence; the Emperor lay with his eyes closed, resting. The imperial physician repeated the same words he always said: he had suffered an injury some time before, his body had been damaged, and he needed to rest and recuperate. The Chancellors had no choice but to withdraw and return to their duties. But the Noble Consort came out and called Zhù Ying back: “His Majesty has asked Chancellor Zhù to return—there is a matter he wishes to ask her about.”

Zhù Ying turned back accordingly. Entering the hall, she found the Emperor still had not risen. The Noble Consort guided Zhù Ying to the bedside. Zhù Ying crouched down, took in the Emperor’s pallid complexion, and called softly: “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor opened his eyes and asked slowly: “You… why do you want… female officials?”

Zhù Ying almost did not know whether to laugh or cry: “Is it for this matter that I was called back? Of course it is for the sake of governance—what other reason could there be? As I previously reported to Your Majesty, county magistrates throughout the realm are to be re-evaluated; those found unfit will be dismissed, and capable officials dispatched to their posts. In addition to the examination graduates and recommended candidates, people from my household—such as Wang Yunzhi and Shi Junya—are capable descendants of capable families. I wish to send them to the localities for practical experience. After being tempered in the field, Your Majesty will be better positioned to make use of them in the future.

For the past several decades, everyone has been lax and neglectful. Now there is no choice but to rebuild the framework from the ground up. Every person who can be put to use must be put to use. My household will be short of people as a result.”

The Emperor found this explanation reasonably acceptable, but still said: “Worthy men are many. Why must you specifically select women?”

“Once girls reach their teens, they understand that their elders will no longer indulge them—they will instead be expected to take care of others, and so they mature. Young men? They still throw tantrums and act coy with their own grandmothers. Girls are better: in my presence, they are obedient and capable. I am getting on in years myself—my energy barely suffices for serious business, and I have no time to coddle children.”

On this point the Emperor had some experience of his own, and he smiled with a knowing understanding.

Zhù Ying said: “I had intended to wait until there were results to report before presenting this to Your Majesty.”

“The Chancellor may act at her own discretion.”

“Once the framework is properly established, Your Majesty must be kept fully informed. I am already at this age—before long I will not be able to carry on. My only hope is to hand Your Majesty a realm in good order. When that day comes, I ask that Your Majesty cherish it.”

“Between myself and the Chancellor, I do not know who will take the first step into the dark.”

Zhù Ying frowned: “Why speak in such a way? Is it because of the illness? I myself once suffered a severe wound—right here at the palace gates.”

The Noble Consort showed an expression of curiosity, and the Emperor asked as well: “At the palace gates?”

Zhù Ying then recounted the story of the assassination attempt she had suffered in the capital in her younger years, and concluded: “And so, Your Majesty—put your mind at ease.”

But the Emperor was already deeply weary. He said with great effort: “Affairs outside the palace—I leave them in the Chancellor’s hands.” He closed his eyes and sank into a deep slumber.

The Noble Consort rose and said to Zhù Ying: “Chancellor, please let the Emperor rest. This way, if you would.”

——

Once they were outside the great hall, the Noble Consort turned to Zhù Ying and made a deep, formal bow.

Zhù Ying stepped to the side to avoid it: “What is Your Ladyship doing?”

The Noble Consort said: “I have long wished to express my gratitude to the Chancellor. My son having come this far is entirely owing to the Chancellor’s efforts.”

Zhù Ying said: “For Chancellors to request the establishment of the Eastern Palace is a duty of their office. There is no need for thanks.”

Yet the Noble Consort was not so easily turned away with such words. This woman of slightly slight build looked up at Zhù Ying with a gentle upward gaze: “Madam Zheng came to see me—I understand everything clearly. From here onward, I ask the Chancellor to extend her continued guidance. My son and I will never fail to repay this.”

Zhù Ying said: “When Your Ladyship looks at me, is there still ‘from here onward’ to speak of? His Majesty is in the prime of his years. Your Ladyship should set your heart on His Majesty.”

Their eyes met. Zhù Ying remained composed and unmoved; the Noble Consort stared intently at her. Zhù Ying gave a slight, quiet nod: “The Crown Prince is at the age for his first lessons. The Council of State is preparing to submit a request to His Majesty to find a tutor for the Eastern Palace. However, with so many pressing affairs at the moment, it will have to wait a while. Your Ladyship may begin by teaching the Crown Prince to recognize some characters in the meantime. There is a book—I will have Lady Yue bring it to Your Ladyship. If Your Ladyship has the time, take a look at it.”

The Noble Consort paused, then gave a small nod: “Very well.”

The Noble Consort was fond of reading the classics and histories, and wondered to herself: What kind of book could it be, to merit a special mention like this?

Curiosity stirred in her heart as she watched Zhù Ying’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

From that time on, the Noble Consort brought her son to attend at the Emperor’s sickbed, and she herself received the book that Lady Yue brought. It was a book she had never read before. From the preface, she could see it was a posthumous work by a woman; the Noble Consort was immediately moved to pay it careful attention.

She read it through three times, back and forth, until at last the Emperor was gradually well enough to sit up.

From the northern front line, good news finally arrived—Yao Chenying had won, and the barbarians had even bound the Prince of Qi and sent him to Yao Chenying.

Both sides laid down their arms.

The Emperor was overjoyed!

Zhù Ying, however, was mildly troubled: more money would have to be spent! She would need to wait another half a month before funds would become available. In half a month, the governors from various regions would arrive in the capital, bringing with them the year’s land taxes and revenues, and only then would there be enough to pay the pensions and merit rewards owed to the soldiers who had rendered distinguished service.

She was also curious: how on earth had Yao Chenying managed it?

If she had been in the position of the barbarians, there was no way she would ever have handed the Prince of Qi over. She would have taken him along when withdrawing, using him as a banner to march south whenever a raid suited her fancy in the future. Whether the common people believed in him was beside the point—it would certainly keep the Emperor in the capital perpetually on edge, and extorting the court with this leverage was a transaction where one could only profit and never lose.

Only after Yao Chenying returned did everyone learn how he had done it: he had employed a treacherous scheme. He sent a man to infiltrate and pretend to defect to the Prince of Qi’s side, on the grounds that he was disgusted with the disorder in the court—pointing to how a number of officials had been purged. This agent claimed to be the son of a certain official and in this way gained a position at the Prince of Qi’s side. He then used schemes within the enemy camp to make the barbarian chieftain believe that the Prince of Qi, under that banner, had been secretly rallying princes and nobles among the barbarians who were dissatisfied with the current Khan for his lack of decisive action—plotting to seize military power and lead the forces south to contend for the throne. Furthermore, he had promised that once enthroned, he would reward them handsomely!

The promised rewards had been listed out in considerable detail, including allocations of cloth, grain, and other goods.

Naturally the barbarian chieftain could not tolerate such a thing.

But simply killing the Prince of Qi would too easily give the south a pretext to use against them—so they simply bound him and sent him over.

“Brilliant!” Zhù Ying exclaimed with admiration. At this moment she was sitting in her residence chatting with Yao Chenying.

Yao Chenying was also a man who treated his subordinates reasonably well. He too had drawn up a list, and was also pressing for action on it. This time it was Zhù Ying’s turn to be the one pressured. The two of them had been haggling over it—what had not been settled inside the palace, Yao Chenying had followed her home to continue pressing his claims.

Yao Chenying said: “You would certainly have had a way to manage it.”

After the exchange of mutual compliments, Zhù Ying gave him a brief account of recent developments in the capital.

Yao Chenying sighed: “Since your return, everything has begun to take on a proper form again. Looking at matters now, it even seems as though there may yet be hope for a restoration of the realm’s glory.”

“Pity that I am already old.” Zhù Ying said.

Yao Chenying pointed to his own temples: “Long since gone white.”

The conversation pivoted, and they returned to the matter of his pressing claims. Zhù Ying said: “I know the hardships and difficulties of life in the military. I will not fail you in this matter. First let me disburse this amount as an emergency measure, and in half a month—half a month, and you’ll know.”

Yao Chenying said: “I have brought back a sizeable number of troops. The Imperial Guard is already garrisoned within the capital—what is owed to them does not sit well.” Meaning primarily: it was not safe to leave it unresolved.

Zhù Ying said: “Understood.”

Yao Chenying then raised another matter: “You have reshuffled the Imperial Guard’s deployment. Now that this contingent has returned—what do you plan to do? Rotate them back as they were, or simply let it stand as it is?”