Before the New Year, Chen Bozhi had submitted a memorial proposing to open the Baita River in Taizhou as a passage to the Yangtze, and to construct embankments along Gaoyou Lake to serve as shelter for canal boats in storms. The Grand Secretary Liang, who concurrently held the post of Minister of Revenue, and Grand Secretary Dou, Minister of Rites, had led a faction of court officials in opposing it — arguing that in recent years court expenditure on the waterways had been enormous, that the treasury was already stretched to its limit, and that now that the Huitong Canal was complete, the Baita River could wait another two years. The Emperor had withheld judgment, and this visit to the capital was Chen Bozhi’s attempt to secure imperial support. To suddenly hear the Emperor speak in this manner left Chen Bozhi both stunned and overjoyed.

“Your Majesty,” he knelt, “this subject shall devote himself fully to the excavation of the Baita River and the earliest possible completion of the Gaoyou embankments.”

“That is precisely why I am asking you to stop picking at these minor matters,” the Emperor said, pressing his forehead as though in great distress. “Tomorrow I shall summon the Grand Secretaries to discuss the matter of the Baita River — you will attend as well. Go back and draft a proper plan. When the time comes, you must be ready to answer any questions the Grand Secretary Liang or Grand Secretary Dou may raise.”

“Your Majesty may rest assured — this subject will prepare with the utmost care and diligence.” Chen Bozhi kowtowed with deep feeling.

The Emperor gave a nod and lifted his teacup for a sip.

Chen Bozhi understood — the Emperor had said all he wished to say; speak again now and it would be time for them to withdraw. Yet the matter of his son remained unresolved… To raise it again would only make him seem petty and narrow-minded; yet to let it drop, was that truly to be the end of it?

For a moment he hesitated.

To his surprise, Xu Lingyi beside him knelt.

“Your Majesty, this subject will send the silver to Commissioner Chen’s lodgings upon returning home.” He paused in apparent hesitation. “However, there is one further matter this subject humbly begs Your Majesty to grant.”

Xu Lingyi was not a man who liked to stir up trouble. Given where things stood, by rights he had already secured both face and substance — there was nothing more that needed to be said…

The Emperor was somewhat surprised. “Speak plainly — this hemming and hawing is not like you.”

“Jin Ge’er was born at the very time Xu Sizhun was moving to the outer courtyard,” Xu Lingyi said tactfully, “and so he grew up virtually in the Old Madam’s care. Of all her grandchildren, she is most fond of him. This has also given him his fierce hatred of injustice, and his impetuous nature. By Your Majesty’s great favor, he was granted the title of Regional Military Commissioner. I wish to send Jin Ge’er to Guangdong — to endure some hardship, to temper his disposition, and to learn from General Xu Li, the Guangdong General, some genuine skills in archery and horsemanship, so as to prove worthy of Your Majesty’s generous grace.” With that, he prostrated himself on the floor.

The Emperor was surprised — then a faint smile spread slowly across his face.

This Xu Lingyi truly played his cards with masterful skill.

The Xu and Chen families had come to blows, and he had ruled in Xu Lingyi’s favor, resolving it with a mere thousand taels of compensation. Chen Bozhi was surely displeased at heart. First Xu Lingyi promised to send the silver to the Chen household at once; then he proposed sending his son to that remote, harsh land of Guangdong to temper his character. To outside eyes, the Xu family was paying silver and having their son demoted — the Chen family had come out on top in every regard. Even he himself, let alone Chen Bozhi, would have to acknowledge Xu Lingyi’s magnanimity and strictness in raising his children. But those who knew better could not suppress a quiet laugh to themselves. And what manner of man was Xu Li? He was Xu Lingyi’s own former battalion commander from the western campaigns — an old subordinate of Xu Lingyi’s. In recent years Guangdong had also been troubled by Japanese pirates. With He Chengbi holding Fujian and pressing the Guangdong pirates, the court would feel all the more confident about dispatching troops. Once troops were sent to Guangdong and Xu Li was there to look after things, military merit would be impossible for Xu Sijin to miss. With that merit in hand, a post at the Western Camp at West Mountain or a commandership in Nanjing would be only a matter of time.

With this in mind, he glanced toward Chen Bozhi.

Chen Bozhi’s face was one of open astonishment — clearly Xu Lingyi’s move had left him somewhat dazed and reeling.

The Emperor could not suppress an inward laugh.

Xu Lingyi, oh Xu Lingyi — others may not see through your intent, but do not think to escape my grasp.

You wish to use my hand to carve out a future for your son — but I shall do no such thing. And more than merely thwarting you, I shall let you know that I have seen through your little scheme from the beginning, clear as daylight.

You want to go to Guangdong; I shall send you to Nanjing instead… No, Nanjing would not do — it was the old southern capital, rich and prosperous, and the commandership there ranked half a step above other commanderships. To send him to Nanjing would carry no sense of punishment. I have already ruled in Xu Lingyi’s favor once this session; if I now send Jin Ge’er off to Nanjing, I would be wounding Chen Bozhi’s feelings all over again.

Then… Sichuan. Sichuan was remote enough as well… No, that would not do either. The Sichuan Commander Ding Zhi’s father had died at Xu Lingyi’s hand. If he were to wait for an opportunity to take revenge and something happened to Jin Ge’er, it would be too late for regret… I need someone whose personal relationship with Xu Lingyi is still decent… Then Guizhou Commander Gong Dongning. Xu Lingyi once saved his life — that debt alone is enough. In recent years Guizhou has been fairly stable; there are occasional internal disturbances, but troops are enough to suppress them. There are no major military achievements to be had, but the chances are not entirely absent either. And Guizhou is even more remote than Guangdong…

Pleased with himself, the Emperor smiled cheerfully at Xu Lingyi: “If you truly wish to temper the boy’s character, I think Guizhou is a better choice than Guangdong. It will serve the purpose just as well.”

Xu Lingyi’s face went blank with shock.

The Emperor felt even more satisfied. He lifted his teacup: “This matter is settled. Chen Bozhi, enter the palace tomorrow at the second quarter of the seventh hour. Yinghua — go home and make your arrangements. The Ministry of Personnel will have the official documents ready within the next few days.”

No one could contradict the Emperor’s words.

Both men bowed respectfully and withdrew.

The Emperor watched Xu Lingyi’s retreating back — however he looked at it, that back seemed to carry the faintest stoop of dejection…

Outside the Qianqing Palace, Chen Bozhi finally exhaled. Thinking of how Xu Lingyi had voluntarily sent his own son to the frontier, he felt he himself ought to make some gesture in return… He turned to say something to Xu Lingyi, but Xu Lingyi, without a word, had already turned and was striding at full pace toward the Longgong Gate.

It was plain — Xu Lingyi’s concession was for the Emperor’s eyes only.

Chen Bozhi gave a cold smile and turned to walk toward the Jingyun Gate, which faced the Longgong Gate directly.

Back at home, Xu Lingyi called for Steward Bai: “Go to the accounts room and collect a bank draft for one thousand taels of silver. Have anyone from the general affairs office deliver it to Chen Bozhi’s lodgings in Yanjing.”

Steward Bai knew Xu Lingyi had entered the palace over the conflict with the Chen family. He quickly studied Xu Lingyi’s expression — his face was cold and stern, but his eyes were calm. Reassured, Steward Bai smiled and acknowledged the order, then turned and went to the accounts room.

Alone in the study, Xu Lingyi allowed the corners of his mouth to finally curl up high.

He went to the main rooms.

Shi’yiniang and Ying Niang were seated on the large kang by the window doing needlework. The warm sunshine of a winter’s day spilled in, casting over the two of them a warmth that was quite tender.

“Qiuju, Qiuju, Master Jian… all have sent children’s clothes in — I’ve also found some that Jin Ge’er wore when he was small. There’s more than enough. These days, don’t just sit cooped up in here doing needlework — walk around more.”

“I feel embarrassed,” Ying Niang said with a faint blush.

Her estimated delivery was mid-February, yet there was still no sign of movement.

“Then I’ll walk with you in the courtyard,” said Shi’yiniang, putting down her needlework. “Moving around more will make the delivery easier.”

Ying Niang murmured her assent, still flushed, and then looked up and saw Xu Lingyi.

“Father!” She quickly stepped down from the kang.

Shi’yiniang turned at once: “My lord is back.”

Xu Lingyi nodded. “Ying Niang is here too.”

Ying Niang knew Xu Lingyi had entered the palace that day. “I was just about to leave,” she said promptly, then withdrew with her maids.

“Why did the Emperor summon you?” Shi’yiniang poured a cup of tea for Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi suddenly reached out and took Shi’yiniang into his arms. “The Emperor is sending Jin Ge’er to Guizhou!” His smile finally broke free and spread across his face unrestrained. “Gong Dongning and I have a friendship forged through life and death together — with Jin Ge’er in his hands, I could not be more at ease.” He then sighed warmly, “The Emperor — he still holds a measure of the old affection for our family after all.”

Shi’yiniang was bewildered: “What on earth happened?”

Xu Lingyi sat her on his knee and told her everything in a low voice.

Shi’yiniang was left with lingering trepidation: “What if the Emperor had decided on Sichuan? My lord took quite a risk with that move.”

“Sichuan?” Xu Lingyi gave two low chuckles. “If Jin Ge’er was not going to Sichuan, there would be nothing to speak of — but if Jin Ge’er were sent to Sichuan, there would be nothing left but to have Ding Zhi transferred out before Jin Ge’er arrived.” His tone was light, yet it carried the quiet assurance of a man who had thought it through to its end.

Shi’yiniang knew Xu Lingyi was not one for empty talk, and she found herself a little at a loss to see how he would manage such a thing.

“Those commanders and commissioners — every one of them has his hands dirty with the military provisions and pay. Otherwise they would not be sending large sums of silver every year to those in the Ministry of War and the Five Army Headquarters. As time passes, old ties fade. Even those commanders and commissioners who once served under my command — years have gone by, and I am nothing more now than an empty title of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. Even the best of friendships wears thin. The reason they still give me a measure of face is simply that I sit in the capital while they are posted in the regions — should they ever face impeachment from a capital official, I am in a position to say a word on their behalf. If I wished to deal with Ding Zhi, I would need only to let a few matters slip to someone at the Censorate, and he would find himself unable to swallow what he had taken on — Sichuan is remote and the commander’s post there is a lucrative one, and there is no shortage of people with their eyes on that seat.” As he spoke, he made a light kissing sound and pressed his lips against Shi’yiniang’s cheek. “Good — this matter is finally settled, like rain clouds clearing to blue sky. If Jin Ge’er truly has the makings of something, let him settle in properly in Guizhou for a few years, and then we can arrange to transfer him to Shandong or Huguang… These past few years Shandong and Huguang have been troubled by cunning bandits — that is precisely why Jiahe County was established. If he can manage to take part in bandit suppression and earn a military citation, then everything else will fall into place. If he turns out not to have the makings of it, a few years in that remote place will at least give the Emperor an accounting. If you don’t want him associating too closely with the people of the Western Camp at West Mountain, we can always go to Nanjing afterward — it is close to Yanjing, the produce is plentiful, and whenever you wish to come back, it is only a few days’ journey.” He was in high spirits, and gave her a slap on the backside. “Now then — go and start packing Jin Ge’er’s trunks. I expect the Ministry of Personnel’s documents will arrive within the next few days.”

Shi’yiniang pinched him. “What are you slapping me for?”

Xu Lingyi burst into a long, hearty laugh.

The news that Xu Sijin was to go to Guizhou spread quickly throughout Yanjing.

Visitors came to him one after another, every one of them seething with indignation.

Wei Xun went so far as to roll up his sleeves. “What kind of creature is this — how dare he scheme against us in front of the Emperor. I refuse to believe that among so many of us, we cannot deal with one little dungbeetle that crawled in from Huai’an.” He wanted to rally several men from the Western Camp at West Mountain to go find Chen Ji and settle the score.

Wang Sheng, who held the post of Deputy Commander at the Western Camp, stopped him: “Now is not the time to go settling scores — if something happened to him, that Chen Bozhi would most likely lay it all at Jin Ge’er’s feet, which would make things even more troublesome.” He gave a sinister little laugh. “A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years. You all just wait — unless he never again sets foot in Yanjing, the moment he dares come back, I’ll make him crawl out again.”

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