On the twenty-second day of the eleventh month in the first year of Jingxuan, the Emperor issued an edict halting the censorate’s impeachment of Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Gu Qin and transferred Supervising Censor Qiao Bo to be Palace Attendant and Magistrate of Bian Prefecture. On the twenty-fifth, Left Vice Minister Zhou Bi was appointed as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Concurrently Vice Director of the Secretariat.
Ten days later, Meng Tinghui was appointed as Supervising Censor and Associate Commissioner of the Military Council.
On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Di Nian was appointed as Regular Grand Master, General of the Left Palace Gate Guard, and General of the Imperial Guard Cavalry of the Palace Command. He was dispatched to the northern border to reorganize the military garrisons of the three routes of Chao’an, Jiankang, and Linhuai. The Transport Commissioner of Chao’an’s Northern Route, Shen Zhishu, also accompanied him.
As the end of the year approached, the weather in the capital became exceptionally cold.
A snowfall at the beginning of the month had covered the imperial city in vast expanses of white. In places, the snow was knee-deep, and even inside the well-heated halls, the cold atmosphere was palpable.
It was now midday, and outside, the sun had finally emerged, warming the window frames.
Meng Tinghui sat alone in her chamber, nestled by the window on a slanted couch where she could bask in the sunshine, methodically organizing official documents from the Ministry of Personnel’s internal appointments.
Though the imperial edict had been issued more than ten days ago, her previous assignment of transferring personnel to the Transport Commission and Pacification Commission of Chao’an’s Northern Route had not yet been completed. She had taken on these miscellaneous tasks, planning to officially transfer to her new position after the New Year’s Court Assembly.
The winter sunlight was precious, its rays penetrating through the window lattice onto her body, gilding her eyelashes like golden butterfly wings, so delicate they seemed they might break with the slightest movement.
The scene was so beautiful, quiet, and comfortable. If life could continue like this indefinitely, it would be wonderful.
She couldn’t help but rest her arms on the desk, supporting her chin as she dozed and contemplated.
Di Nian had left the capital by imperial order, and Shen Zhishu had also returned to Chao’an along the way. It seemed Shen Zhili would have little to occupy her time. Later, she could seek out Shen Zhili to enjoy the snow together, and incidentally inquire about how Shen and Di were faring.
Just as she was dozing comfortably, she heard a series of hurried footsteps outside. Opening her eyes, she saw a minor official from the Examination Bureau. She sat up straight and asked: “What is it?”
“Minister Meng,” the minor official bowed respectfully, then hurried forward, presenting two items. “Just now, we received a note from the Secretariat regarding an appointment to the Directorate position for your review. On the way, I happened to meet someone from the Military Council who said there was a report from the north for your attention. I brought them both together.”
Although she would not officially transfer to her new position until after the New Year, during this period, the Military Council would send a copy of all important matters for her information. The people in the Ministry of Personnel had already grown accustomed to this.
Meng Tinghui reached out to receive them, and without thinking, opened the report from the Military Council first. After quickly scanning it, she couldn’t help but frown.
Northern Jian had sent an envoy to present tribute and requested an audience with the Emperor during the New Year’s Court Assembly.
She lowered her eyes, recalling the morning court session. No one had discussed this matter publicly, suggesting that the Secretariat was not yet aware of it, and the Military Council must have received the report only recently.
But she didn’t understand Northern Jian’s intentions.
Last year, when the Emperor ascended the throne, the court dispatched envoys to notify all vassal states, and Northern Jian had merely sent a state letter of congratulations. At the beginning of this year, when the era name was changed, Northern Jian not only failed to send an envoy to the New Year’s Court Assembly to offer congratulations but also cited this as a reason to reduce their annual tribute by nearly fifty thousand bolts of silk. Why would they now suddenly send an envoy to celebrate next year’s New Year’s Court Assembly?
Could it be that, like when the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, they were sending an envoy to propose a marriage alliance?
She raised her eyes and scanned the report again, suddenly finding her speculation laughable. Even if Northern Jian had such intentions, they wouldn’t have the audacity to approach again after being rejected once.
Then was it because of the court’s recent activities in the north?
Otherwise, there would be no reason for Northern Jian to dispatch an envoy just as Di Nian was sent to reorganize the military affairs of the three northern routes.
Requesting an audience with the Emperor during the New Year’s Court Assembly—what did they want to discuss?
Unable to determine after much thought, she turned to look at the note sent by the Secretariat.
This glance surprised her even more than the Military Council’s report.
Though the minor official had previously mentioned it concerned a Directorate appointment, she hadn’t expected it to be a note from the Secretariat intending to appoint Yin Qing to the History Office.
If she hadn’t seen this note, she might have forgotten about Yin Qing entirely.
He had only been in the position of Chief Clerk in the Imperial Treasury for just over half a year since passing the jinshi examination. How did he have the ability to leap directly to a position in the History Office? And it was a direct appointment from the Secretariat!
Meng Tinghui frowned slightly and asked the minor official: “Do you know which minister’s idea this was?”
The minor official answered honestly: “It’s said that Hanlin Academy Scholar Fang appreciated this person’s talent and asked the Right Chancellor to bring him into the History Office.”
Hearing this, her brow relaxed somewhat.
So it was Fang Huai’s appreciation for talent at work. It was understandable that Gu Qin had granted his request. Although a Directorate position was prestigious, the Three Directorates were genuine places of scholarship. The rank of a position in the History Office wasn’t high; why would Gu Qin reject Fang Huai’s request and cause him to lose face?
But Gu Qin’s action had disrupted her original plans.
She had intended to let Yin Qing remain in the Imperial Treasury for a year or so, then find a pretext to send him to govern some prefecture in Chao’an, thus removing him far from the capital and court. Who knew he would be spotted by Fang Huai so quickly?
Well, well, well…
She sighed inwardly. Truly, real talent couldn’t be buried. Besides, Yin Qing had once been renowned for his scholarship, so she really couldn’t blame Gu Qin and Fang Huai.
The minor official, seeing that she had read the two notes for a long time before uttering a word, felt somewhat at a loss and called out: “Minister?”
Meng Tinghui stood up. “It’s nothing. You may withdraw.” After the minor official left, she put away the notes, took her outer robe and put it on, then walked outside.
Yin Qing’s situation wasn’t significant enough to warrant her attention. The most important matter now was the envoy from Northern Jian. Coming at the time of the New Year’s Court Assembly, it made her original plan to transfer positions after the New Year waver somewhat.
Given this, it would be better to conclude the miscellaneous tasks at hand and familiarize herself more with matters at the Military Council.
Snow covered everything as far as the eye could see. The Zhaowen Directorate at the eastern end of the imperial city was also extremely cold.
It was nearly night, and the Directorate was already deserted. Inside, the rooms were dimly lit, and looking from a distance, one could see fine motes of dust floating in the light and shadows.
Yin Qing buried himself alone among the tall wooden shelves of books, meticulously examining volume after volume of dust-covered registers.
He held a small lamp in one hand, while his other hand carefully brushed away the dust from the volumes, his fingers deftly turning the pages as he swiftly browsed through them.
The historical records were vast, and the miscellaneous chapters were numerous. After an unknown length of time, his hand movements finally slowed.
In the faint light, one could see his handsome brow furrow slightly.
The open volume was like a deep well, completely absorbing his gaze.
“…On the twentieth day of the twelfth month in the thirteenth year of Dali, General Zhenyun and Northern Military Campaign Commander Xie Mingyuan captured Wu Prefecture, beheading over ten thousand, and capturing dozens of Central Wan’s Privy Council envoys and military officers. On the twenty-first, Emperor Meng Yu of Central Wan surrendered. On the twenty-third, the Emperor visited Wu Prefecture and ordered his attending officials and officers to drink, rewarding the various armies accordingly… The Emperor met Meng Yu at Chongyuan Hall. Yu knelt before the imperial presence, waiting for the officials to finish reading the edict, and then Yu and others prostrated themselves… Yu and others kowtowed and shouted ‘Long live the Emperor.’ The surrendered officials and ministers offered congratulations, and the Emperor subsequently feasted Yu and others at Daming Hall…”
Though these were events of a previous dynasty, described in just a few brief sentences, he could still discern from between the lines how strong and domineering that man had been. To make another sovereign prostrate at one’s feet—what kind of methods would that require?
“…On the twenty-fifth day of the first month in the fourteenth year of Dali, the Emperor visited Yujin Garden for a feast and archery, entertaining Meng Yu at the garden, appointing Meng Yu as Director of the Secretariat and Duke of Qin, with titles bestowed upon Yu’s brothers and ministers accordingly… That night, Meng Yu died…”
Yin Qing abruptly closed the volume, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
Though he was already familiar with these events, reading them like this still made it impossible to view them dispassionately.
The death of a surrendered sovereign was described in just five brief characters. What bloody truth lay hidden behind them was no longer known.
Yin Qing moved forward with his lamp, turning the pages of the next volume even more quickly, though his fingers trembled slightly.
What he wanted to see was certainly not just this.
“…On the third day of the eleventh month in the third year of Qiande, the Emperor again bestowed titles upon the sons of the late Duke of Qin, Meng Yu: Meng Hao, Meng Fu, and his brothers Meng Jue and Meng Pu. The four dukes and their families were relocated to Xu Prefecture in Xindu, with mansions granted accordingly… At that time, Meng Hao’s wife had dispersed and his children were lost, Meng Fu was unmarried, and the sons of Meng Jue and Meng Pu were too young to understand affairs. King Ping arranged wives and concubines for Hao and Fu and brought the sons of Jue and Pu into the palace for an audience. All ministers considered King Ping’s actions virtuous, and the Emperor also somewhat approved…”
“…On the seventh day of the third month in the sixth year of Qiande, the Duke of Zheng Meng Hao had a daughter. The Emperor personally visited his mansion, bestowing the title of Lady of Qingtu County upon his daughter. Meng Hao’s entire household knelt to thank him for the great favor, and that night he feasted court ministers at his residence. During the banquet, some ministers jokingly remarked that this girl was born to enjoy noble rank and would grow up wealthy and prestigious. Meng Hao smiled but dared not accept such remarks. The Emperor, hearing this, sent someone to bring the girl another look and quite loved her clever appearance. He then jokingly told Meng Hao that he wanted her to be the Crown Prince’s consort. Everyone took it as truth, and Meng Hao also requested the Emperor to bestow a name upon his daughter. However, King Ping had not yet arrived, and the Emperor, not feeling well, did not stay long, returning to the palace shortly thereafter…”
“…On the twenty-second day of the tenth month in the sixth year of Qiande, the Imperial City Command presented to the court the calligraphy of Duke of Zheng Meng Hao and Duke of Han Meng Jue, which contained phrases expressing longing for their lost country and desire for restoration. The court ministers, seeing this, were all too shocked to speak… The Emperor rose angrily from his seat and ordered the judicial officials to interrogate Hao and Jue in prison…”
“…On the twenty-sixth day of the tenth month, King Ping, stating that the four Meng dukes still harbored rebellious intentions, executed almost all their sons in their residences, making their crimes widely known throughout the prefectures and counties of the vassal states. The entire world trembled upon hearing this…”
Yin Qing continuously rubbed the yellowed pages with his fingers, slowly closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Only tonight did he learn how the historians in the History Office had recorded these events… Who knows what those people had thought at the time? And did anyone raise doubts?
King Ping, King Ping… truly living up to his lifelong reputation for ruthlessness.
First comforting, then killing, and then planting such a treasonous crime on the four dukes—all to exterminate the Meng lineage, ensuring that rebels across the land would have no just cause, while not tarnishing the Emperor’s benevolent and sagacious reputation in the slightest.
He opened his eyes and, by the nearly extinguished light, quickly scanned these last few passages once more.
If it were the current Emperor, would he also act in this way?
He couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh lightly. Though he wanted to know, there was no need to know.
And his purpose in examining these ancient histories throughout the night was nothing more than to reconfirm.
To see if what he had known since childhood was true, and if what he had been preparing for all these years was right.