Chapter 32: Dianzheng Hu

Hu Shanwei and the other twenty female officials received their edicts and expressed their gratitude. According to protocol, they still had to go to Kunning Palace to kowtow their thanks to Empress Ma once more.

Since entering the palace, Hu Shanwei had not yet seen the legendary mother of the nation. She specially dressed herself up well, choosing her newest official hat and robes, even donning the boots that Mu Chun had obtained for her from Empress Ma on her first day in the palace, despite the heat.

The boots had lambskin on the outside and Fujian velvet lining inside. They fit perfectly when worn – both Hu Shanwei and Empress Ma had large feet.

Unfortunately, today was not opportune. Empress Ma was concerned about Consort Sun’s illness and had gone to Qianqing Palace to personally oversee the joint consultation between the female physicians and imperial doctors.

At Kunning Palace, Liu Siyan invited the twenty newly promoted female officials to sit and drink tea: “Her Majesty the Empress has urgent matters today and has entrusted me to invite you all for tea.”

Ordinary people coming to express gratitude rarely got to see the Empress in person – they would just kowtow outside the palace. In the harem, the ten female officials of the Palace Administration Bureau’s Siyan department served as the mouths of the Emperor and Empress, specifically conveying their instructions. Since Empress Ma had a sixth-rank Siyan official receive these female officials, this already demonstrated her regard for them.

Palace maids brought tea and pastries. The female officials ate with refined manners, each having a little, since these were rewards from the Empress after all.

Only thirteen-year-old Shen Qionglian was most relaxed, “attacking” the osmanthus cakes in front of her with sugar frosting on her cheeks. Seeing her eating so happily, Liu Siyan had the palace maids bring another plate and changed her tea: “Give Shen Zhangji a cup of black tea – it cuts through the greasiness.”

Shen Qionglian worked in the Bureau of Rites’ Records Department. Having been promoted one level, she became a zhang-titled female official. As Zhangji, she remained an instructor in the harem, teaching the palace staff.

“Thank you, Liu Siyan.” Shen Qionglian finished one plate and launched another “attack” on the second plate of osmanthus cakes with her chubby hand.

The other female officials all drank green Longjing tea, but only Shen Qionglian’s tea was changed to Wuyi Mountain black tea. Wearing her black gauze hat and official robes, the more maturely she dressed, the more her round face appeared childish and endearing, as if she had stolen an adult’s clothes. Even Liu Siyan couldn’t help but have her “maternal instincts” aroused, giving her extra care.

Finding this interesting, Liu Siyan asked her: “You’ve been in the palace for five months. Are you accustomed to palace life?”

Shen Qionglian said: “Not accustomed.”

Hu Shanwei and the other female officials thought: Thank goodness Her Majesty the Empress isn’t in Kunning Palace today! Otherwise this would be awkward!

Liu Siyan coughed twice and asked: “What aren’t you accustomed to?”

Shen Qionglian: “Nothing is familiar.”

Liu Siyan wasn’t sure whether to continue the tea gathering. The female officials’ hearts rose to their throats, the refreshments in their mouths becoming hard to swallow.

Fortunately, Shen Qionglian continued: “The palace is different from home – there are many rules. I lived at home for thirteen years and have only been in the palace five months, so naturally I’m not accustomed yet. But I’ll gradually get used to it in the future.”

The female officials breathed sighs of relief, ending the tea gathering without incident.

Liu Siyan personally escorted the twenty female officials out of Kunning Palace. Cao Shanggong had been busy in the council room for a while and came out for some fresh air, just encountering her subordinate Liu Siyan. Seeing the backs of the twenty female officials, Cao Shanggong joked: “How was it? Are those new arrivals formidable? Did you probe Hu Shanwei’s depths?”

Liu Siyan took out her handkerchief to wipe her sweat: “Don’t even mention it. Shen Qionglian alone was enough to give me trouble. Hu Shanwei is probably even more difficult to handle. This batch of female officials are all no easy lamps to light.”

Hu Shanwei returned to the Palace Administration Bureau and reported to Fan Gongzheng about the tea bestowment at Kunning Palace.

Fan Gongzheng lazily waved her round fan: “This Shen Qionglian always exceeds expectations. You’d say she’s arrogant and conceited with her talents, but she always manages to turn things around at the end, leaving people speechless. Too bad my luck wasn’t as good as Cui Shangyi’s – I couldn’t recruit this genius into my fold. I’m not saying you’re inferior to her – you have your own merits.”

Hu Shanwei said awkwardly: “I wasn’t comparing myself to Shen Qionglian.”

Fan Gongzheng handed her an ivory plaque: “This is your name plate, for proving your identity.”

Hu Shanwei received the ivory plaque – round, palm-sized. The front read: “Palace Administration Bureau, Dianzheng, Hu Shanwei,” and the reverse read: “Female officials must wear this plaque; lending or losing it is punishable.”

The spine was also carved with a shallow line of regular script: “Made in the thirteenth year of Hongwu.”

Fan Gongzheng said: “Receiving the ruler’s salary means being loyal to the ruler’s affairs. You are a seventh-rank Dianzheng, and from today you must be worthy of this position. Your first task is to complete the Empress’s new edict: print five hundred copies of ‘Records of Virtuous Consorts’ Admonitions of the Zhao and Song Dynasties’ and distribute them to the harem consorts, the princess consorts and side consorts of the imperial princes’ households, and the female relatives of maternal kin. Explain clearly to them not to violate the precepts and to learn from these exemplary virtuous consorts, emphasizing proper family conduct and rules. Previously when they made mistakes, they could claim ignorance as their excuse. Once you’ve made everything clear to them, if they transgress again, don’t blame His Majesty and Her Majesty for their thunderous wrath – the consorts and their families might follow in the footsteps of Hu Shuren’s clan due to their own carelessness.”

Hu Shanwei suddenly felt the ivory plaque at her waist weigh a thousand gold pieces!

Hu Shanwei paused, then gathered her courage to ask: “Does Fan Gongzheng mean that printing the books, bestowing the books, lecturing on the books, and implementing this book should all be completed by me alone?”

Apart from printing the books, which seemed relatively simple, all the other tasks appeared to involve offending people!

From the harem to the princess consorts and side consorts of princes’ households, then to the inner quarters of maternal relatives – as long as they were female, she would offend them all without exception.

“Why else would you be promoted two ranks?” Fan Gongzheng patted Hu Shanwei’s gradually stiffening body. “I see that you’re intelligent by nature, upright in character, strong and studious. I’m entrusting this arduous task to you.”

Visibly ahead lay a path of knives and flames.

But if she retreated, she would have nothing. Hu Shanwei gripped the ivory plaque at her waist tightly. Her identity as Dianzheng gave her strength and courage: “Thank you for Fan Gongzheng’s trust in me. Even if I must sacrifice everything, I will complete this task.”

Fan Gongzheng asked: “Aren’t you afraid?”

Hu Shanwei said: “As long as I can complete the task, even if there’s a cauldron of oil ahead, I’ll wade right through it.”

Fan Gongzheng appreciated precisely this fierce determination that Hu Shanwei could summon from her bones. The greater the pressure she gave her, the greater the potential that burst forth, always providing pleasant surprises.

Fan Gongzheng had originally been unable to fathom the Empress’s true intentions and wanted to find someone suitable to pass the buck to, transferring the pressure. But now, with her appreciation for Hu Shanwei, she felt somewhat guilty: “The Palace Administration Bureau and Her Majesty the Empress’s edict are your backing. Whoever you need to help, just ask me directly for people. I’ll help you complete the task.”

Hu Shanwei was not polite: “Excellent. For the first day of study and explanation in the harem, I’d like to request that Fan Gongzheng personally teach the class.”

This… what’s done cannot be undone. Fan Gongzheng had just spoken and couldn’t very well refuse Hu Shanwei’s request: “Alright, I promise you.”

Hu Shanwei continued: “These five hundred books are to be bestowed as gifts, representing the imperial family’s dignity. We need to hire the best engraving masters, and for the covers, choice of paper, binding, and so forth – if we want every detail done well, nowhere but Hangzhou will do. My family runs a bookshop. Since the Song Dynasty, printed books have been finest in Hangzhou, Shu editions second, and Fujian lowest quality.”

When it came to books, Hu Shanwei was an expert. Fan Gongzheng felt she had indeed found the right person: “This is convenient. You personally go to Hangzhou to gather over ten engraving masters, select paper, ink, binding materials, and work through the night to print five hundred sets and transport them to the capital. I’ll give you ten days. Can you do it?”

“I can do it, but it will cost a lot of silver.”

Fan Gongzheng asked: “How much silver do you need?”

Hu Shanwei held up one finger.

Fan Gongzheng: “Ten thousand taels?”

Hu Shanwei: “About one thousand taels.”

Fan Gongzheng laughed: “Look how unambitious you are. I thought it was some huge sum. Ten thousand taels of silver couldn’t even make one dragon robe. I’ll give you two thousand taels of silver. Choose the best of everything, and the faster the better. Her Majesty the Empress takes this matter very seriously. If the books are made beautifully, Her Majesty will also gain face.”

Hu Shanwei said: “It’s because Fan Gongzheng compiled the book so well.”

Everyone loves to hear good words. Fan Gongzheng’s smile broadened: “Oh my, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter. For your Hangzhou trip, you need people to attend you to show the imperial family’s dignity. I’ll assign you some female scholars and palace maids. The female scholars will handle writing materials, and the palace maids will manage your daily needs.”

Hu Shanwei took the opportunity to say: “I hope Fan Gongzheng will transfer Mei Xiang from the Imperial Kitchen to accompany me.”

Fan Gongzheng said: “Just a kitchen maid – granted.”

Mei Xiang finally escaped her identity as kitchen maid, leaving the greasy, stuffy kitchen. Overwhelmed with gratitude to Hu Shanwei, she brought hot water to wash Hu Shanwei’s feet.

Hu Shanwei refused: “I didn’t pull you out of the kitchen to have you serve people, nor for you to thank me or work like an ox or horse for me. Since you don’t have to work in the kitchen, you’ll have more time to study. At year’s end, palace maids must take a major examination. Those who pass are called female scholars. Only by becoming a female scholar can you possibly become a female historian and have a chance for promotion. Otherwise, you could easily fall back to being a kitchen maid. Time passes quickly – you’re already over thirty. If you don’t advance now, you might never have another chance in your lifetime.”

Mei Xiang felt ashamed, realizing she had underestimated Hu Shanwei. She took a book and went to study hard under the lamplight.

Now let’s speak of two different matters. Mu Chun returned triumphantly with a thousand irregular troops. Emperor Hongwu was greatly pleased and specially held a banquet in the palace. Mu Chun promoted eight bandits to centurion in one breath, and Emperor Hongwu with a grand wave of his hand approved them all, showing great face.

At the banquet, after drinking wine, Mu Chun became elated. He deliberately approached Empress Ma to show her his beard: “Your Majesty the Empress, do you think I look like an adult now?”

Seeing Mu Chun always made Empress Ma happy, temporarily setting aside her various worries. She touched her adopted grandson’s beard: “Yes, little Chun has grown up.”

After eating and drinking his fill, Mu Chun returned to the Marquis Xiping’s mansion with gifts bestowed by the Emperor and Empress. Mu Chun didn’t want to go home, but according to filial duty, these imperial gifts had to be offered to the ancestors in the ancestral hall and given to his parents.

Mu Chun first went to the ancestral hall to burn incense for his ancestors, then went to the main house to pay respects to his parents.

Marquis Xiping’s wife, Geng Shi, was moved to tears: “I heard you encountered ten thousand Hu Mei rebel troops – extremely dangerous. If not for the ancestors’ protection bringing that heavy rain, I’m afraid—”

“You just got lucky this time.” Marquis Xiping Mu Ying interrupted his wife’s words, sternly lecturing his eldest son with a straight face: “Setting fire to the mountains – you actually thought of that. You should know that playing with fire leads to self-immolation. Don’t act so recklessly in the future.”

Mu Chun felt his father was finding fault: “I wasn’t playing with fire, I was using fire attack tactics.”

Playing with fire was child’s play; fire attack was a guerrilla general’s strategy. We’re not the same!

Mu Ying’s face darkened: “You think defeating a few bandits gives you the right to talk back to me?”

Mu Chun had drunk quite a bit: “Father, I wasn’t just suppressing bandits afterward – I was quelling rebels. I fought ten against one, few against many, and destroyed ten thousand Hu Mei rebels.”

Being victorious in his first campaign made Mu Chun very proud.

Mu Ying laughed coldly: “The mountain was full of charred corpses with no evidence whatsoever. Who knows if they were bandits or rebels?”

Mu Chun laughed heartily, sarcastically retorting: “Father’s lesson is correct. Who knows, maybe those charred corpses were just a bunch of monkeys.”

“Insolent!” Mu Ying threw his teacup at his son. Mu Chun tilted his head and dodged the attack.

Mu Ying grabbed a whip and lashed toward Mu Chun, who raised a chair to block and retreated to the doorway.

Mu Chun was furious and cursed his father: “You just think I don’t dare fight back, so you always resort to hitting me at the slightest disagreement. Beating someone who can’t fight back – what kind of hero are you!”

Mu Ying had been a hero his whole life and had just achieved victory in the third northern expedition this year. Having his son call him worthless, how could he not be angry? He tossed a long sword to Mu Chun and roared: “Come, come, come! From now on we’re not father and son. If you have the ability, fight me!”

Mu Chun spat: “Just because you say we’re not doesn’t mean we’re not? If I really fight you and get charged with filial impiety, I’m finished. I won’t fall for that trick.”

With that, Mu Chun turned and ran. Mu Ying tried to chase and beat him, but his wife Geng Shi clung tightly to his leg: “You can’t! Lord Marquis, he’s your own son.”

Mu Ying finally freed himself from his wife, but then a group of children surrounded him, all kneeling together to beg their father to spare their eldest brother.

Mu Ying had “spread his favor evenly” in the Marquis Xiping’s mansion, sowing his seeds uniformly. Besides Geng Shi’s second son Mu Sheng, other concubines had borne two sons and four daughters, each from different mothers.

Mu Chun fled home in panic. What should have been a triumphant celebration banquet became a “domestic violence” feast.

Having drunk too much, he leaned against a tree and vomited violently. Dizzy and nauseous, his body hurt and his heart hurt too. He curled up in a shop doorway and fell into a drunken stupor.

During the night, vagrants stole his outer clothes, money pouch, and even his shoes and socks. Summer nights weren’t cold, but there were many mosquitoes that bit his face swollen. The next day when the shop owner opened, he found the “beggar” sleeping at his door. Disgusted by his dirty, ugly appearance, he kicked him awake and gave him two copper coins: “Hey, go sleep in that bridge alcove over there. Don’t block my doorway.”

Mu Chun staggered to the Qinhuai River to wash his face and clear his head, but was startled by his reflection in the water. Disheveled beard, unkempt clothes, hair like a bird’s nest, face covered with mosquito bite marks – what an ugly sight.

After washing his face, Mu Chun’s stomach growled frantically with hunger. He went to a steamed bun shop with only the two copper coins the shop owner had given to send away a beggar.

Mu Chun bought a steamed bun. The shop owner, disgusted by his dirtiness, wouldn’t let him sit on a stool.

Crouching in the street gnawing on the steamed bun, Mu Chun looked even more like a beggar.

At this moment, two groups totaling about fifty Imperial Guards rode past on horseback with a carriage in the middle. Leading them was Ji Gang.

Mu Chun quickly spat out the steamed bun in his mouth and rushed over shouting: “Ji Gang! Lend me some money!”

If the voice hadn’t been so familiar, Ji Gang would have thought the beggar rushing toward them was an assassin.

“General Mu? How did you end up like this?”

Mu Chun said: “It’s a long story. What are you doing out so early in the morning?”

Ji Gang said: “We’re under orders to protect Dianzheng Hu on her trip to Hangzhou to print books.”

“Oh.” Mu Chun snatched Ji Gang’s money pouch and poured out several pieces of broken silver: “When you return, I’ll pay you back.”

With the silver, Mu Chun wanted to buy two baskets of soup dumplings. After taking two steps, he suddenly remembered something and asked: “Who is Dianzheng Hu? I’ve never heard of such a person in the palace.”

Ji Gang said: “That’s Hu Shanwei. She was just promoted to Dianzheng yesterday – promoted two ranks.”

Mu Chun’s eyes lit up. He climbed onto Ji Gang’s horse: “I’m also going to Hangzhou.”