Zhangsun’s method was excessive—this was also a move to acquire retainers. Becoming a retainer of the imperial family was the ultimate goal many dreamed of. For instance, Hong Cheng was like this. He didn’t qualify to enjoy the blood oath ceremony and could only be considered a servant of the imperial household. Even so, this allowed him to make comebacks repeatedly after committing countless major mistakes.
“Marquis, what should we do about Hong’er being so stubborn? This time she really tried to hang herself. If the maids hadn’t been watching closely, an accident might have occurred. The eldest son of Marquis Xiangcheng, though somewhat foolish, is an honest person. He’ll inherit the title in the future, so a life of wealth and honor can still be expected. Why can’t Hong’er see his worth?”
The man who remained expressionless facing life and death on the battlefield now wore a bitter expression, idly turning his teacup with a dejected look. Knowing he was putting on an act, Yun Ye still sighed and said: “If Hong’er were betrothed to any other noble family, I definitely wouldn’t say a word. But betrothing her to Marquis Xiangcheng, I must speak up. What good could come from children born between cousins? Honest? I’d say he’s just an idiot. This matter isn’t over. Let me tell you, Marquis Xiangcheng’s son didn’t become stupid later—he was born a fool. You think our ancestors’ prohibition against close relatives marrying was said casually? It’s precisely because it easily produces idiots that this rule was established. Even if Hong’er marries over there, if she has children in the future, let me tell you, there’s a fifty percent chance they’ll also be idiots.”
“Then what do we do? Hong’er must marry eventually. Now this matter has become a laughingstock throughout Chang’an. That little bastard Gou Zi is hiding in Luoyang and won’t come back. What can I do?”
“Just explain things clearly. Tell Marquis Xiangcheng the causes and consequences—don’t conceal anything. You know what nobles care about most. Hong’er is only sixteen or seventeen this year—what’s the rush? Young people being mutually infatuated is perfectly normal. This kind of feeling comes quickly and goes quickly too. Maybe tomorrow Hong’er will fancy someone else.”
“Xu Jingzong has intentions of proposing marriage for his eldest son. What do you think…?”
“Then let Xu Jingzong’s son spend more time around Hong’er. If it works out, that’s a good thing. Though his status can’t match Marquis Xiangcheng’s, that boy learned a bellyful of cunning from his father, which is a hundred times better than Marquis Xiangcheng’s son.”
Hong Cheng nodded. In fact, as long as they were Academy students, he wouldn’t have major objections. As the supervising official, he was very clear about what future Academy students had. The children here all had the same character—except for adhering to basic moral standards, they found everything unsatisfactory. Once this year’s ten-thousand-li journey ended, the court’s great examination would follow. These students had extraordinary interest in the Jimi Protectorates. The smarter and more capable the student, the more complex the environment they chose.
The proposal for “replacing native rule with appointed officials” was raised by them. Didn’t the Sage say that subduing the enemy without battle is the supreme strategy? Going to the Jimi Protectorates themselves was where they could truly display their abilities. If they could transform a Jimi Protectorate into a prefecture like those in the interior, their merit would rival military achievements.
“Marquis Yun, the Academy’s senior students are about to depart. Won’t you see them off? This year’s top student Wang Xuance plans to go to Tubo. He wants to see that prosperous nation. He insists persistently that this nation will become a serious threat to our Great Tang and we need to prepare early. He wants to go look first, then after returning he’ll formulate countermeasures to resolve this potential danger.”
“A fifteen-year-old child going to Tubo? The Tubo envoys are currently in Chang’an. I heard they’re preparing to request a marriage alliance for their Tsenpo from His Majesty. Who knows if His Majesty will agree. That damned place is full of dangers. Even if people don’t kill him, the climate and environment will. Wait a few years until he’s grown up more before going.”
Yun Ye placed high hopes on Wang Xuance—he had courage and insight, was decisive in action, just a bit too arrogant. If his rough edges weren’t smoothed down, he’d definitely cause huge trouble. This was someone who could achieve merit but also create disasters.
“Marquis Yun, their plans are very detailed. I’ve reviewed them and there are no problems. Moreover, good seedlings should be released to gain experience. If they live, they should be useful; if they die, it’s their bad luck. Jade cannot become valuable without polishing.”
Yun Ye put down the book in his hands, looked at Hong Cheng for a while, and slowly said: “Do you think he’s like the common soldiers you used to lead? If one out of a hundred becomes talented, that counts as success? This is the Academy. Every child here is an exceptional talent selected from thousands. Cultivating talent is correct, but it must be done step by step. You’re stuffing a small stone into a millstone—that’s not called cultivating, damn it, that’s murder. The court and Academy expended such great effort and cost, just for you to send them into the millstone? This year’s ten-thousand-li journey—no leaving the pass. I’ve already petitioned His Majesty. They’ll become second chief clerks in various counties. First they’ll understand the people’s situation in Guanzhong clearly before we discuss further.”
“Jimi Protectorates? If not on the grasslands, then in the deserts, or else in places where barbarians appear. Without experience, relying on foolish courage alone to achieve merit—you go tell them, anyone who wants to leave the pass will be expelled from the Academy.”
“Hong Cheng is unsuitable as supervising official. His wisdom is too limited. He’s often incited by those little bastards at the Academy to be used as a weapon. You’re a teacher—how can you be even more radical than the students? Young people getting hot-headed is normal, but you’re a middle-aged man—how can you be so senseless? When people speak a few impassioned words, before the students even react, he’s already boiling with fervor, wishing he could plant Li family banners everywhere horse hooves can reach right now.”
Hong’er had been visiting the Yun residence very frequently lately, two or three times a day. Later she simply moved into the Yun household. Who knows how she bribed Xinyue, but she lived in a small building with Daya, spending entire days appearing in the Heavenly Demon Princess’s courtyard.
Yun Ye was the only adult male in the Yun household, and he was also Hong’er’s elder. Regarding their daughter staying overnight at the Yun residence, the Hong Cheng couple seemed to turn a blind eye. They even sent the steward to deliver her trunks, showing intentions for a long-term stay.
“Madam, your figure is perfect right now, neither fat nor thin, plump and round in a way people love. It’s so comfortable holding you. Why must you make things difficult for yourself? Eating pickled bamboo shoots all day long—if you hurt your stomach that would be bad. Look how well-behaved Anlan is, eating two large bowls per meal, and isn’t she still beautiful? There’s no need to punish yourself. Be good—hurry and eat this big pork rib. You’ve looked at it three or four times already. Don’t eat the pickled bamboo shoots—give them to me, perfect for whetting my appetite.”
Xinyue looked at the bright red pork rib in her bowl, staring for quite a while. She picked it up wanting to eat it, but seeing Hong’er’s resentful and disappointed gaze at the opposite table, she gritted her teeth and placed the rib into Xiao Ya’s rice bowl instead, lowering her head to continue crunching on bamboo shoots with crunching sounds…
Li Anlan picked up a very large bone as if showing off. After gnawing off the outer meat, she used chopsticks to carefully dig out the marrow inside, feeding a bite to Li Rong, a bite to Yun Baobao—all three eating with greasy faces.
He couldn’t stand Hong’er’s tamping-like rope jumping, nor could he stand Xinyue doing sit-ups in bed, rising and falling. Originally he thought these things only existed in later generations. Who knew they already existed in the Great Tang, with far more variations than later generations.
A section of the lower reaches of Dongyang River strictly prohibited men from entering. Even ones like Yun Baobao were on the prohibited list. Cloth screens were erected, with burly matrons standing guard. The Heavenly Demon Princess, who’d crafted a beautiful silver mask, whenever there were cloudy, half-overcast days, would lead a large group of women to swim.
Initially Yun Ye didn’t pay attention. When swimming upstream, who liked bringing wives along? His naked son swimming with two pig bladders tied around his neck was enough to make him perfectly happy. Until one day, when female soldiers actually began patrolling both mountain peaks, he realized Li Chengqian’s wives Su Shi and Hou Shi had also come to swim, and Li Tai’s wife Yan Shi also brought her concubines. If this continued, the day Zhangsun came to swim wouldn’t be far off.
The summer heat in Guanzhong wasn’t something ordinary people could endure. Everyone was waiting for the Emperor and Empress to go to Jiucheng Palace to escape the heat so they could also take a long vacation. Who knew they’d hide in the palace not going anywhere, with the Emperor very diligently attending court and handling affairs. The rule of minor court every three days and major court every ten days had never been broken.
Li Jing requested sick leave. Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda also took leave. Qin Qiong generally didn’t attend court unless necessary. Although in history this old marshal would die of illness in the ninth year of Zhenguan, looking at him now, apart from his body being somewhat weak, there were no signs of imminent death. He liked eating pork ribs, liked eating meatballs, most loved eating beef—his appetite wasn’t poor at all.
Hong Funü was dragged away by Madam Cheng and Madam Niu. Madam Qin was worried about Old Qin, but was still persuaded to leave by Yun Ye. At Yushan, men found men’s pleasures, women found women’s pleasures—this was the rule.
Li Jing rolled up his trouser legs, standing in shallow water, holding a steel fork tied with rope in his hands. The fork had barbs—specially used for spearing fish. With a flick of his hand, the fork flew out. When he dragged the fork back by the rope, a carp hung on it. He seemed to avoid nothing at all, cleaning the fish in two or three moves, sticking it on a tree branch and placing it by the fire to roast. Cheng Yaojin happily sprinkled seasonings on it. Niu Jinda was teasing two naked little boys.
When the fire was surrounded by fish, Li Jing placed the fish fork up high. Watching Yun Ye constantly turning and roasting the fish, he said: “Boy, your good days are over. The Korean envoys have entered the capital for an audience. They complained to His Majesty about your atrocities in Korea. Most seriously, you actually arbitrarily withheld goods from Korean nobles, cut off a eagle shooter’s arm, and abducted the Korean King’s favorite consort. This could be called audacious in the extreme. The Korean envoys wept bitterly in Wanmin Palace. The Korean deputy envoy swore a blood oath on the spot to compete with you.”
“Boy, I’m clear on everything else, but cutting off the eagle shooter’s arm and abducting the Korean King’s consort—these two matters are extremely excessive. Although His Majesty hasn’t taken a stance, it seems he’s waiting for you to go to court and explain. Tomorrow at morning court we’ll go together. Killing people is nothing serious, but mainly you must explain clearly about the Korean King’s consort. This involves the dignity of royal authority—His Majesty won’t like such incidents occurring either.”