Once the Emperor had made his decision, the detailed arrangements were left for the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of War, and others to go to the Grand Council Secretariat and work out a plan, which would then be reported back to him.

Zheng Xi suppressed his temper. Only when he had left the great hall did he speak: “Since it is to be this way, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of War should each present their own plans first. Rescuing troops is like fighting a fire — it must be swift. A detailed proposal must be ready for the Grand Council Secretariat by tomorrow. Zi Zhang — you are leaving the capital, so you must also make proper arrangements for the Ministry of Finance.”

“Yes.”

Chen Meng could hear that something was off in Zheng Xi’s tone. The surname-Zheng fellow was genuinely opposed to Zhù Ying leaving the capital, down to the very marrow. He quietly made eye contact with Zhù Ying, not knowing whether Zhù Ying had caught it — because Zhù Ying walked away to the Ministry of Finance without a single word of explanation.

Chen Meng calculated that tonight it was Dou Peng’s turn for night duty at the palace, and planned to meet Zhù Ying in the evening to have a proper talk about this matter. Going to the front, leading troops — there were things to prepare for. Originally it looked as though he and Zheng Xi would be her backing in the capital, but now Chen Meng was a little worried that Zheng Xi might wash his hands of things.

Carrying this worry, Chen Meng watched Zheng Xi all day and found him more and more off — he put things down more heavily, spoke less, and went about with a dark expression that frightened the Grand Council Secretariat’s clerks into complete silence.

Strange indeed…

How could Chen Meng understand Zheng Xi’s anxiety? Zheng Xi had been making contingency plans against having to observe mourning, intending to keep Zhù Ying behind at the court to hold things together. The Old Commandery Princess had fallen ill again just two days ago — and now Zhù Ying was about to leave?

Zheng Xi of course understood that leading troops was good for her — but there were Generals Leng and Yao at the western frontier already, and from Zheng Xi’s point of view, there was no urgency! Why was Zhù Ying running off there?

He left before the day’s business was concluded. When Zhù Ying came out of the Ministry of Finance she found him on the road leading to the palace gates, walking slowly. She tactfully fell into step behind him. Zheng Xi asked, “Do you have anything on this evening?”

Zhù Ying said, “At your disposal.”

At your disposal, at your disposal, at your disposal — this was a deliberate display of knowing exactly what was going on, and yet doing it deliberately. Zheng Xi said, “Come with me.”

Zheng Xi was taking his carriage today. Zhù Ying got in, and Zhù Biao led her horse and followed behind the carriage. Inside the carriage, Zheng Xi sat with his eyes closed in rest, then quickly opened them again. Zhù Ying’s face was still completely composed.

They knew each other far too well — at least that was how Zheng Xi felt. The deepest recesses of the heart were beyond words, but in day-to-day dealings, a single glance or a single gesture already conveyed its meaning without being said aloud. Zhù Ying knew why he was unhappy — and what was more, she did not think it was any great matter, because she was confident she could appease him! And so Zhù Ying was not in the least bit flustered, while he alone was putting on a performance!

That made him even more angry!

This was outrageous!

If he drew it out, she would know exactly what he meant — and instead he would end up looking like a clown, only making himself feel humiliated.

They knew each other far too well. The sort of shallow scheming that would not be at all awkward to deploy with a stranger became impossible here — it would only invite laughter, only cause self-embarrassment.

Zheng Xi said, “You sit there awfully composed!”

Zhù Ying said, “However anxious I am inside, I still have to look perfectly calm on the surface.”

“I can see no sign of it.”

“Then I suppose I’m doing well enough.”

“You…” Zheng Xi took a deep breath. “Why do you have to run off to the west yourself? It’s not that they can’t do without you there — Generals Leng and Yao may not be among the greatest commanders of their era, but a minor setback is not because their abilities are lacking. Once reinforcements and provisions arrive, asking them not to go on the offensive but simply to hold the ground — that they can do.”

“But it will be more difficult, and the losses will be larger. Every bit the court can save in cost is worth saving — these past few years things have been tight.”

Zheng Xi stared at her coldly. Zhù Ying also knew what Zheng Xi was angry about, and took the initiative to explain: “What Kun Da Chi has come for is not purely external — it is at least as much internal. It is his brothers and his own tribal factions he must overawe. So in dealing with him, one cannot rely solely on a head-on clash — there needs to be something else as well, and someone must coordinate everything. Generals Leng and Yao are not under each other’s command; the court must absolutely send a single person to exercise unified command. I am younger than most, so making this journey is more convenient. The generals — one civil, one military — without a unified command authority, they won’t cooperate as closely as they should.”

Zheng Xi said, “Leading troops is a good thing, but I have a more important matter to entrust to you…”

“Easy there —” The carriage came to a stop. Those inside felt only the gentlest sway.

A young servant tiptoed down from the carriage, lifted down the footstool, and helped the two of them descend and enter the residence. Zhù Ying looked back at Zhù Biao — the Zheng household had its own people to attend to him.

Zheng Xi waved away those who came to greet them and said to the steward, “Tell the Madam I have matters to discuss with Zi Zhang — there’s no need to wait for me.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying found herself once again in the familiar study. Zheng Xi removed his hat; Gan Ze came forward to receive it and helped him out of his outer robe as well. Zheng Xi pointed to the seat and said, “Do I still need to ask you to sit?”

Zhù Ying gave a slight bow and sat down.

Zheng Xi also sat in a relaxed posture: “Speak then. Let me hear how you intend to argue your way around this. You know full well that I will be leaving…” He pressed his lips together. The matter concerned his mother’s life and death — as her son, he understood it himself, could hint at it, but it was not something to say plainly to another person.

Zhù Ying said, “Don’t think the worst…”

Zheng Xi waved his hand firmly: “There is no place for wishful thinking in such matters. Let’s skip the pleasantries!”

Zhù Ying said, “More often than not, things don’t go as we hope. All we can do is exert our best efforts and leave the rest to fate. No matter how well you plan, it depends on whether other people will cooperate, does it not? Will His Majesty and Xian Jing wait for you? Can I… hold the situation together?”

And I’ve been hoodwinked again!

Zheng Xi said gravely, “How will you hold the situation together?”

Zhù Ying sighed, “Our current Emperor is young and spirited — stronger than his father, clear-sighted, and eager to build a legacy, to measure himself against his ancestors. And Xian Jing? He watches for his opportunity and is always ready to make a move. The Ministry of Finance has already submitted the new data to the court — how can they be expected to sit still? “

“You should not have given it to His Majesty first.”

“It couldn’t be delayed. If I held it back, he might proceed on the basis of the old data and cause a mess. And if I didn’t produce the new data, wouldn’t everyone else also be working from the old data — with only the more experienced people making rough estimates? That would cause complete disorder, and then the wreckage would be very hard to clean up. Even if one could find grounds to pin a crime on Xian Jing and bring him down, would the wreckage stop being a wreckage? So we cannot let it become a wreck — on the contrary, we must get ahead of them.”

“Given the way they are acting, this is precisely the wrong time for you to leave.”

“You need a few days to rest. Maintaining order through small disturbances — I can do that. When the court is making major policy changes, actually benefiting from those changes — that I cannot do. Only you can make the Thirteenth Young Master and his people fall in line.

Once a conflict breaks out, it is like two sides engaged in battle — you must fight by the rules and win by surprise; you need to advance and to retreat, to set ambushes and to lure the enemy in deep, and above all to adapt as circumstances change. If I stay planted in one spot, I am already retreating — only by charging forward can I make them feel I have not betrayed them. If I try to turn them around, they will turn my head around first. How is that a battle I can fight?

I do not have your prestige. I need to prove myself — to show that beyond collecting taxes and disbursing money, I can do something more. Only in this way can I briefly overawe things for a while, long enough to last until you come back from your rest.

If I can’t do that, I’m in the same position Xian Jing is in now. What use would I be? Having me is worse than not having me.

The Old Commandery Princess is blessed with great longevity. You are still at the Grand Council Secretariat, so why should I be in a rush? I should take this opportunity to get myself some proper preparation — otherwise I won’t have the strength to arm-wrestle Xian Jing.”

Zheng Xi’s brow was deeply furrowed. He knew that what Zhù Ying said was the truth. Zhù Ying had always been easy and cordial with Zheng Xi’s faction — reading their minds before they had to say a word, never turning her blade toward the Zheng party. However fiercely she went after others, she had never directed any of that intimidation at the Zheng faction.

As for Zheng Yi and the others — if Zhù Ying “advised” them, “offered suggestions,” they would listen. A direct “order” was another matter. Zheng Xi was equally reluctant to see his own people taking orders from Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying had always been well-calibrated about this. It was a mutual understanding, never spoken aloud. Now, Zhù Ying had said it plainly.

This was not a deception — it was something she had thought through carefully. Zhù Ying surely had her own private interests in this, but one could not say she was acting without any consideration for the larger picture.

Zheng Xi said quietly, “His Majesty trusts you…”

Zhù Ying laughed, “His Majesty? Would he change his mind for the sake of someone else?”

Zheng Xi said, “If you go, the road ahead is uncertain. You have more experience than others, but you can only win — you cannot afford to lose…”

“I have always been in a position where I can only win and not lose. Kun Da Chi is even less able to afford to wait. Now, as long as you set your mind at ease, I have nothing left to worry about.”

Zheng Xi said gravely, “If that is so, then you must prepare well. Only victory is permitted — no defeat.”

“Yes. Um…”

“Say what you have to say.”

Zhù Ying said, “Now that I’m allowed to ask you for people — what about the young man from the Wen family? And Jin Biao as well. I want to take these two with me. That’s not too much to ask?”

Zheng Xi said lightly, “That’s easily arranged.”

Zhù Ying said, “Then it’s settled?”

Zheng Xi nodded.

Zhù Ying lingered no longer, and took her leave.

Zheng Xi watched her departing figure and thought to himself: What a pity — he never married early and had children. Otherwise a son of his would have been a fine match for his second daughter. Or even a daughter — there were young men among the clan who would be suitable.

He then began to wonder: did Zhù Ying have something she could not speak of? Why else would she have no wife or concubine? The way Zhù Ying looked at the women around her was proper, nothing but proper — there was no hint of anything improper.

Zheng Xi’s brow furrowed again.

……

Zhù Ying left the Zheng household and went on to the Chen household.

Chen Meng, who had been aggrieved at being “cut off” from Zhù Ying by Zheng Xi, was complaining to his wife: “Zheng the seventh is so unreasonable! Even a Prime Minister shouldn’t behave this way toward a court official. He can’t be sincere toward people, yet he clings to them and won’t let go.”

Madam Chen said, “They have a history together — their bond is different from others.”

“Our bond with Sanlang is what’s truly different from others! Back then…ah, never mind!”

He vented his frustrations, and then heard that Zhù Ying had arrived. Chen Meng quickly said, “Please show her in!” He was halfway through changing his clothes and was about to dash out before he was dressed. Madam Chen said, “This is no way to behave! Just ask her to come over here!”

So Zhù Ying went straight to the inner hall. She paid her respects to the lady of the house first, and then listened to Chen Meng say, “What was Zheng the seventh’s face doing today? He wants to stop you from going!”

Zhù Ying said, “He’s worried about the Old Commandery Princess’s illness…”

Madam Chen was still working out the connection between those two sentences, but Chen Meng understood immediately: “What — is he entrusting something to you on his deathbed?”

Zhù Ying said, “He has been persuaded. The Ministry of Finance is all arranged. Zhao Su, Xiao Mei, and Lin Feng each have their assigned duties — none of them I can bring along. This time I’ll take A’Fa and the others. Zhao Su and Xiao Mei I’m confident in. It’s only Lin Feng — keep an eye on him for me.”

“Consider it done.”

“Also — can I have Er’lang? And Old Wu the Assistant Minister’s son hasn’t yet been appointed to a post, has he? Give him to me as well.”

Chen Meng said, “You…”

“Quickly now — no need to stand on ceremony. If you have other arrangements for them, that’s one thing. If not, give them both to me. I need to hurry — I still have other things to attend to.”

Chen Meng made his decision on the spot: “Done!”

Madam Chen said, “Oh — however urgent it is, you still need to eat. Have dinner before you go! The food here is better than anywhere else.”

Chen Meng also said, “There’s no rush for that.”

Zhù Ying said, “All right, then.”

Zhù Ying ate with them in the main hall of Madam Chen’s receiving rooms — all dishes with a hometown flavor. Zhù Ying was not particular about food; neither Dajie nor Li Dama knew how to cook the dishes of her hometown. Madam Chen always felt Zhù Ying lived too hard a life and quietly arranged for the kitchen to put proper care into the hometown dishes.

Zhù Ying ate without much fussing, simply a bit faster than others, and looked as though she was enjoying it thoroughly. Madam Chen, seeing this, felt her quiet effort had not been wasted, and kept urging more dishes on her.

She did not know that Zhù Ying had had no means to eat such dishes even back in her hometown. Eating them in the capital stirred no nostalgia in her whatsoever.

“The flavor is really excellent,” Zhù Ying said — that was all she could say.

After dinner, she also reminded Madam Chen, “Get Er’lang some good face cream and lip balm for the journey. Oh — and bring some teas he’s used to drinking. And a few extra wide-brimmed traveling hats if you have them. The western frontier — the sun and the wind and the sand all wear a person down.”

Madam Chen noted everything down anxiously, “Right, right!”

Only then did Zhù Ying take her leave. Madam Chen prepared things through the night — not only for her son, but also asking Chen Meng whether the army would pass through Yanzhou. Hearing that it likely would, she packed two trunks of things for the eldest son’s family there as well. Finally she packed one more bundle: “Er’lang, this bundle is for your uncle. Take it with you. His household has no one to manage things for him — even if he thought of these things himself, they wouldn’t be as good as ours.”

Chen Zhi, who had been impatient, heard there was a bundle to carry, and said, “Fine! Put it all in my trunk.”

Chen Meng said, “When you are out there, it won’t be like being at home — you must listen to your uncle’s instructions…”

“Father! I’m not leaving tomorrow morning.”

Chen Meng said, “So you dare to think your old father is a nuisance now, do you?” Even as he fumed, he did not strike the boy — he only nagged him with words.

He nagged for a while, and then remembered some official documents he needed to attend to. He went to his study and looked over two documents, which turned out to be related to the Ministry of Finance. That made him think of Zhù Ying again, and he called his son over for another round of instructions.

Chen Zhi’s face crumpled like a dried plum, and he muttered and grumbled: “Uncle doesn’t talk as much as you do…”

“I am your father!”

This was no way to live! Chen Zhi thought. Uncle, take me with you tomorrow!

……

Zhù Ying sneezed. Yue Huan said, “What’s wrong? If you are unwell, don’t push yourself — get the illness properly treated in the capital before you leave.”

Zhù Ying put away her handkerchief. “It’s nothing. Let’s talk about the real matter. The students Master Yang left behind — you’ve been looking after them these days, haven’t you?”

Yue Huan said, “You’re heading to the western frontier — stop worrying about this! I’ll handle it. I’m not entirely without my uses. Huo Yu has also left the capital now — Xian Jing can’t go too far.”

“I want to take them with me.”

“Oh?”

“I need to set up a field headquarters — I need people. They are newly appointed, not yet too steeped in bad habits. I would rather bring along some inexperienced young people and train them from the ground up than waste my time wrangling with seasoned veterans. From among them, I plan to select a few to bring along. The memorial has already been written. I came especially to let you know.”

Yue Huan looked steadily at her, then suddenly sighed and said, “All right.”

“I have other things to attend to — I’ll go first.”

Yue Huan stood up: “Thank you.”

“Oh, come now — you! Really!”

Yue Huan bowed deeply, to the ground, and repeated once more: “Thank you.”

Zhù Ying firmly pulled him upright and said, “This is not your burden alone. Chief Ministers Liu and Yang had more than just you as a friend. I really must be going now.”

Yue Huan walked with her all the way to the mouth of the lane, watched her turn the corner and disappear from sight, then slowly made his way home. At the gate of his own house, he stopped again, turned his head, and stood staring blankly at the empty house next door.

While Yue Huan stood there like a statue, Zhù Ying had already returned home.

The household had already heard the news that she was going on campaign. Su Zhe asked Zhao Su, who had brought the news, with a trace of urgency, “Uncle, does that mean we can leave the capital too? What about Qingjun? Will she be recalled?”

Lin Feng also asked, “Elder Brother, is Adoptive Father still a regional military governor? Then are we…? Oh — what about A’Fa and the others?”

Zhao Zhen also asked, “What about… here in the capital? Who is staying behind?”

Nearby, Fan Sheng and Zhang Sheng were also a little tense — they had not expected to be summoned here, and their palms were damp with perspiration.

Then a voice called out: “The Minister is back!”

Everyone leaped up and rushed toward the gate!

They surged forward, surrounding Zhù Ying, eyes full of eager anticipation: “Minister / Adoptive Father / A’Weng…”

Zhù Ying said, “Come inside and talk.”

They gathered in the main hall. Su Zhe and the others could not sit still. With Zhao Su at the head, they arranged themselves in two columns, standing and waiting for Zhù Ying to speak.

Zhù Ying said, “I am going west on campaign. Zhao Su, Su Zhe, and Zhao Zhen — the three of you remain in the capital. Lang Rui, Lu Danqing, Jin Yu, and Su Sheng — you will come with me.”

Su Sheng and Lang Rui let out a cheer.

Zhù Ying glanced at Fan Sheng and Zhang Sheng: “You two will also come with me when I leave the capital.”

The two young men’ legs went weak beneath them: “Yes, Minister!”

“Tomorrow I will submit a memorial. Whatever official business you have on your hands now must be transferred out — don’t leave loose ends.”

“Yes, Minister!”

“You are all dismissed.”

“Yes, Minister!”

Lin Feng wanted to volunteer himself, then glanced at Lang Rui and hesitated.

Su Zhe’s face could not conceal its disappointment and resentment. She quietly called out, “A’Weng.”

Zhao Su said, “Adoptive Father, she has handled matters in the field headquarters before and did so in an orderly fashion. If you spare her from actual battle, she can still manage supply lines and the rear — ordinary officials are no match for her in that regard.”

Zhù Ying said, “You two — come with me.”

Su Zhe gave Zhao Su an apologetic look. The two of them followed Zhù Ying to the study. The moment she was inside, Su Zhe said, “A’Weng, I know what’s important. What Uncle said is the truth. But we wouldn’t give A’Weng any more to worry about. You’re not very familiar with the western frontier either…”

“Be quiet.”

Both of them fell silent.

Zhù Ying said, “After I leave, you must keep a close watch on affairs in the capital. We won’t go looking for trouble, but we won’t be afraid of it either.”

“Yes!”

“If something comes up, go to Prime Minister Chen. Or Minister Yue will do as well. If neither of them is available, handle small matters with Wen Yue and Jin Liang’s help. For large matters, you may seek out Prime Minister Zheng. If you’re truly at your wits’ end, you can also go to the Shi household. As for other acquaintances — use your own judgment.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying said, “What I’m about to say next — you must commit it to memory!”

The two of them snapped to attention!

Zhù Ying said, “After I leave, I want you to keep a close eye on the Zheng household — especially the Old Commandery Princess. If anything should happen to her, you must dispatch a messenger to inform me immediately! While you’re at it, also keep a watch on Shen Ying. I’ll leave Qingtian in the capital to help you.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying raised her hand, signaling she had not finished: “Elder Son — I want you to set up several concealed hiding spots outside the city. They must be stocked with dry provisions and horses. No one can know about this. I will need them. If there is any news from Wuzhou, conceal it for now. Whatever the news — good or bad — report it to me first. If it concerns the elders at home, keep it from them as well for the time being.”

The expressions of Zhao Su and Su Zhe had also grown slightly troubled.

Zhù Ying looked at Su Zhe and said, “Keeping you in the capital means you will face many difficulties. Consider it a test.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Su asked, “If there is bad news from Wuzhou — when you return, will you…”

“This is simply a precaution. I’ve been away from home for far too long. I miss home and want to go back while they are still alive to see them.” Zhù Ying said, “You two — remember this: the moment I win a major victory at the western frontier and the Old Commandery Princess of the Zheng household passes away — the moment both of those things have come to pass — we need no longer be restrained by anyone!”

Though they had some small questions, both answered in assent. Zhao Su said, “Or perhaps I could personally go and bring A’Weng and A’Ye to the capital?”

At this moment, Zhù Ying could not speak plainly. She said, “No need. I have my own arrangements. When the time comes — just don’t be surprised.”