With a goal now in mind, Gu Tong spent the following day’s lessons with his thoughts drifting clean out the window. Most of his classmates were equally distracted by the news that Zhù Ying had returned, and even Zhao Su — who habitually wore an expression cold as winter stone — was in a state of restless agitation over the matter of “going to the capital to study.” The academician tried to call the class to order several times, then finally gave up, tossed his book aside, and said: “You can review your texts on your own.”
The academician and his teaching assistant whispered privately between themselves as well. They too had attended the banquet welcoming Zhù Ying back, and they too had learned about the “crimson robe.” They had been huddled together gossiping about it for days.
Teacher and students alike were completely distracted. Together they muddled through the day in a state of pleasant disorder.
With the teacher no longer paying attention, Gu Tong let his mind wander over all manner of things. The moment school was dismissed that evening, he headed home to find his grandfather.
Gu Weng was busy taking stock of his landholdings. How could farming be carried out without him? It was not that he was desperate to seize the best of everything — it was simply that, being both a local squire and a man of sharp foresight, he had no intention of arm-wrestling the county magistrate. Of course, he had done a bit of falsely underreporting his acreage as well, but now that it had fallen into Magistrate Zhù’s hands? Fine, he would return a little of it, claiming it was newly reclaimed wasteland…
Report a bit more, and you could receive a bit more seed grain in return. It was also possible to privately obtain wheat seeds and plant them, but then you might not receive the county office’s subsequent support. Gu Weng’s mental abacus was clattering away at full speed. He had no time at the moment to deal with his grandson.
At dinner, grandfather and grandson each sat absorbed in their own private thoughts. Gu Tong noticed his grandfather’s preoccupied expression and thought: I wonder what petty scheme he’s cooked up this time.
After the meal, he followed Gu Weng to the small accounts room. Gu Weng turned, saw him, and asked: “What do you want? Is something the matter?”
Gu Tong was the most accomplished among Gu Weng’s grandchildren, and Gu Weng was correspondingly more indulgent with him. He beckoned the boy inside and they sat down together. Fanning himself with a cool-air fan, he said: “If you have something to say, just say it — stop hemming and hawing! Did you get into trouble?”
Gu Tong said: “A’Weng, I want to become a student under the county magistrate!”
“That’s a wonderful thing!” Gu Weng’s face broke into a wreath of smiles. This grandson was truly a blessing — so studious and so ambitious! “Our family’s fortunes are visibly growing more prosperous by the year; the only thing missing is for you to secure a government post. Studying under the county magistrate would certainly give you an advantage over others. This could be the foundation of a hundred generations of our family!”
Gu Tong rolled his eyes to the heavens in his mind, thinking: Does he imagine that obtaining a government post is simply a matter of wanting one? How many generations has it been since our family — or the whole of Fulu County, for that matter — produced a proper official? What a rosy picture you paint for yourself.
Gu Tong said: “Then you agree?”
Gu Weng said: “Of course! Good boy! You must work hard! I’m old — restoring glory to this family rests entirely on you. Your father, your uncles, your brothers — none of them are as sharp as you. You must not disappoint me. Heh heh!” He waved him closer. “Come here, come here — look at this.”
Gu Tong stepped forward. Gu Weng opened a hidden compartment in the wall and carefully drew out a packet of silver and copper coins. He said: “As long as you keep making progress, I am willing to spend money opening whatever doors need opening.”
Gu Tong frowned and said: “We don’t need money for this. The county magistrate has always promoted talented young men and helped the common people — he would never do something improper for the sake of money.”
“Ah — of course, of course. And besides him, there are others too, aren’t there? Just remember: as long as you make something of yourself, good things will find their way to you.”
Gu Tong said: “Then you’ve agreed?!”
“Of course.”
Gu Tong grinned with a mischievous gleam in his eye: “Wonderful! Then tomorrow I’ll tell the county magistrate that you’ve agreed to my changing disciplines — and then I’ll go to the academy to formally request a transfer to the Legal Studies track from the academician!”
Gu Weng gave a full-body shudder. The silver and copper coins scattered from his hands and went tinkling and clanging across the floor. Servants outside heard the commotion and came running: “What happened?”
Gu Weng shouted: “Nothing! Don’t come in!”
He stared at Gu Tong with an expression of stunned disbelief. “What madness has gotten into you?”
Gu Tong said: “Madness? What madness?”
“Don’t you play the fool with me!” Gu Weng didn’t even stop to pick up the coins from the floor, his trembling finger pointing at his grandson. “Why would you want to change tracks?!”
Gu Tong said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world: “If I am to be the county magistrate’s student, Legal Studies is the better fit. Haven’t you been going on and on about ‘crimson robe’ this and ‘crimson robe’ that lately? The county magistrate’s crimson robe came from the Legal Studies track. What does academic background really matter in the end? What matters is ability!”
“Nonsense! In the official examinations, the proper path has always run through the Six Classics — that is the true core! Otherwise why would academies throughout the realm use the words of the sages as their standard? ‘Farming and reading, farming and reading’ — let this family tend its farms while you apply yourself to reading and attaining office! Don’t you think about anything else! If you dare act recklessly, don’t expect a single copper coin from me! Tell me — who put this idea into your head about changing tracks? I will go and have it out with them! Is it one of those new friends of yours? That fellow — what’s his name — that Tan somebody-or-other? I want to know what his motives are!”
Gu Tong said: “It was my own idea. You can argue with me directly.”
Gu Weng was so furious his eyes nearly crossed, his lips moving as he muttered: “Revolt, revolt! This is revolt!”
Gu Tong had grown up clever and relatively good-looking, pampered by the whole family since childhood — he was not in the least bit afraid of this grandfather. Instead he shot back: “Revolt in what way? Is Legal Studies not a legitimate path? I suggest we go to the county magistrate together and argue it out in front of him. If you can say to his face that Legal Studies is not a proper and respectable profession, then I will bow to your courage!”
Grandfather and grandson stood at an impasse — one threatening to cut off living expenses, the other threatening to lodge a complaint with the county magistrate. Gu Weng was so infuriated his whole body began to seize up. He pressed a hand to his chest and collapsed back into the chair beside him: “Aiyoh, aiyoh! The heavens are punishing me! What kind of evil spirit has possessed this boy?!”
Gu Tong panicked and called out: “Someone come quickly! A’Weng has been possessed by an evil spirit!”
Gu Weng shot up from the chair like a spring, grabbed him by the head, and began thumping it: “Who did you say was possessed?! Who did you say was possessed?!”
Gu Tong covered his head and cried: “Saying ill of the county magistrate in his own home — of course that’s you, A’Granny! Come quickly, A’Granny! A’Granny!”
Gu Weng’s vision nearly went black with rage and he lunged to strike him again, but at that moment Gu Tong’s uncle, grandmother, and household servants all streamed in at once and inserted themselves between the two. Gu Tong’s grandmother and the servants helped Gu Weng back to the bedroom. His uncle pulled the boy aside and asked in a low voice: “What’s wrong with your grandfather? Did you make him angry?”
Gu Tong looked at his uncle and said quietly: “Second Uncle, I want to change tracks.”
His uncle said: “What? Your grandfather has his heart set on you…”
“He may have his heart set on it,” Gu Tong said, “but can it actually happen? Second Uncle, you are the one who cares about me most. Help me persuade him!”
His uncle hesitated: “I can’t move him. He dotes on you most of all, but he can’t stand to see you act like this.”
Gu Tong clasped his hands together toward his uncle in an extended bow: “Second Uncle, help me — please help me!”
His uncle said reluctantly: “All right then.”
Gu Tong and his uncle left the small accounts room together. He went back to his own room, thinking: Whether they agree or not, I am changing disciplines this term no matter what. At worst, I withdraw from the county school and simply follow the county magistrate as a student — even as a book attendant. I notice he doesn’t have one of those either. What would be wrong with taking that role?
After the events of this evening, he felt even more strongly that his grandfather’s thinking was not particularly sound. He was simply switching a study track — it was not as though he were out gambling and carousing — yet he was being threatened with having his allowance cut off. And his grandfather? Outwardly he could pass for a man of some principle, but behind the scenes his scheming was hardly clean. And yet, with all of that, he still expected the county magistrate to help his grandson secure an official post?
To say nothing of the examination standards in Fulu County — on the matter of personal relationships alone: if you yourself won’t play by the rules, what gives you the right to expect the county magistrate to dance to your tune?!
Meanwhile, Gu Weng grew more furious the more he thought about it. He had assumed the matter of the track change had already been put to rest — Zhù Ying herself had let it drop — but then one day Zhù Ying returned home with a crimson robe, and just as he was celebrating, his grandson staged a rebellion!
Gu Weng had never actually planned for his grandson to become an official. But — the county had such a capable magistrate, didn’t it? Fulu County as a whole was trending upward. The winter wheat was showing signs of succeeding. His own family’s fortunes would grow more prosperous. When you have money you want power; when you have land you want an official in the family. Was that really such an excessive wish?
He lay in bed and said to his wife: “It has come to this! Children nowadays — how can they have such large opinions of themselves? You are the one who spoiled him! Go lock him in his room and make him reflect on his wrongs, and don’t let him out! And Second Son — tomorrow go to the academy and tell them he’s not coming!”
Gu Tong’s Second Uncle had just walked in and found his father assigning him yet another errand. He stepped forward with a bow and said: “Father, what Ah-Tong said is not without logic…”
“Bah!” Gu Weng spat. “What does a child know? And you actually listen to him? All these years and you’ve learned nothing.”
The second son absorbed this blow and said softly: “But our county magistrate herself came up through Legal Studies. You see…”
Gu Weng said with a cold laugh: “Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your heart! Ever since he was small, I could see Ah-Tong’s promise, and you’ve all accused me of favoritism and secretly wished for him to fail! Blood relatives, when they turn on you — that’s true hatred. The thing people fear most is being surpassed by someone of their own household!”
“Oh, you awful old man, what are you saying?” the wife interjected, displeased.
Gu Weng said: “All of you — give it up! My word is final — no changes will be made!”
The second son said quietly: “He is fixated on admiring the county magistrate. Why don’t you ask the county magistrate to have a word with him? Stalemates can’t go on forever — if he misses a day or two of school, that’s one thing, but if it stretches to ten days or half a month, the academy will start making inquiries.”
Gu Weng said: “You can leave as well.”
The second son departed with a helpless sigh.
The wife murmured softly: “Why do you speak to the children that way? Can’t you say things calmly, whoever it is?”
“Must I go begging them? Tomorrow morning I’ll go and see the county magistrate! Now go to sleep!”
Gu Weng said it boldly enough, but Gu Tong slept peacefully through the night while he tossed in fury for half of it. The next morning he rose very early, too agitated to eat breakfast, and set off for the county office.
Inside the house he was full of fire; but the closer he drew to the county office, the more his temper cooled. By the time he arrived and requested an audience, he looked perfectly composed and mild. When he saw Zhù Ying’s face — that expression that gave nothing away — Gu Weng spoke with studied deference: “Magistrate, as for how the wheat seed should be distributed, this old one would not presume to say — but as for how the wheat is to be grown, might you not instruct us on a few points?”
Zhù Ying said: “Gu Weng cannot wait? I too have only grown it for one year, and I’m not certain yet what kind of harvest this season will bring. This is precisely why I thought the true local gentry ought to do more for their home county — which is why I asked all of you to plant it first.”
Gu Weng smiled and said: “Whatever the magistrate decides is surely excellent.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, and then Zhù Ying said: “There is too much to say in a few sentences. Wait until I return from the prefectural office, and we can discuss it in detail. Is there anything else?”
Gu Weng wavered, not knowing how to begin, when Xiao Wu came running in from outside: “Magistrate, young Master Gu requests an audience!”
Zhù Ying glanced inquiringly at Gu Weng. She guessed this must be about the track change. She herself felt not the slightest urgency about Gu Tong changing tracks. After all, for Gu Tong to pass the regular examination was genuinely quite difficult, and the opportunity to attend the Imperial Academy this year had already been given to Zhao Su.
She said: “Is he not in school today? Show him in. Gu Weng, what is going on?”
Gu Weng was struck dumb, and at that moment Gu Tong came running in. He looked reasonably tidy, but Zhù Ying looked more closely and noticed dust on his back and a certain grime to his hat, and thought: He was locked in, and he’s escaped.
Gu Tong had fled by jumping out a window — nearly twisting his ankle in the process. His Second Uncle hadn’t truly tried to stop him, and after a token bit of dodging with the household servants he was out the door and gone.
Grandfather and grandson now faced each other in Zhù Ying’s presence, staring each other down.
Zhù Ying said: “Why aren’t you in school?”
Gu Tong dropped to his knees on the spot: “Magistrate, this student wishes to transfer to the Legal Studies track! This student finds Legal Studies to be the finest path of all! Studying Legal Studies does not prevent me from reading the classics and histories as well! I have already read through the Spring and Autumn Annals once in their entirety.”
Gu Weng drew in a loud breath. Zhù Ying asked: “Gu Weng?”
Gu Weng was caught in an impossible position. The little wretch had truly been spoiled rotten — he hadn’t been the least bit afraid of him, had actually fled. He didn’t dare offend Zhù Ying. He certainly didn’t dare expose her academic background as a slight. In the depths of his heart, Gu Weng was afraid of the county magistrate.
Zhù Ying spoke with easy warmth: “First get up. If you have something to say, say it properly.”
Gu Tong was sharp enough not to mention that he had already visited Zhù Ying previously on this matter. He simply laid out his reasoning: “With your permission, Magistrate — you have always been generous and understanding; you will not say this student is calculating. I’ve been thinking — candidates for the Classical Texts and Presented Scholar tracks are numerous and competition to stand out is fierce. Fulu County and indeed the entire Nanfu region has no great Confucian scholars of national renown. How is one to distinguish oneself there? How many years has it been since anyone from this area attained office through those classical tracks? The Legal Studies track, on the other hand, offers your guidance. I beg the magistrate not to consider this student too dull, and to permit me to transfer to Legal Studies so that I may seek your instruction. A single person’s capacity is limited — but once in office, one can help many people, just as you do, Magistrate!”
Zhù Ying looked over at Gu Weng: “And Gu Weng’s view?”
Gu Weng hemmed and hawed and could not get out a word. Zhù Ying smiled and said: “It seems Gu Weng still has some reservations. Gu Tong, go with Xiao Wu and wash your face.”
Gu Tong paused for a moment, glanced at both of them, and then said: “Yes.” He was holding his breath with anxiety; he had staked everything on Zhù Ying, and he hoped that the idol he had only just erected in his heart would not let him down.
He had jumped out a window to get here and had nearly sprained his ankle. His Second Uncle hadn’t seriously tried to stop him, and after a perfunctory shuffle with the household servants he had slipped out the front door.
Once the boy was gone, Gu Weng began gulping down great heaving breaths, the very picture of a man who had been driven past all endurance. Zhù Ying said: “I raised the topic of changing tracks with you once before, and all that time passed. Why has he brought this up again all of a sudden? Hmm?”
Gu Weng said with a pained expression: “I have no idea what is going on in that boy’s head. Magistrate, in your view, this child…”
Zhù Ying said: “The most precious quality in a young person is that sharp edge of spirit. Once that spirit is gone, a person becomes uninteresting. I understand your wishes — you still want him on the most orthodox of paths!”
Gu Weng hurriedly waved both hands: “Not at all, not at all, that is not what I meant! This old one did not mean that Legal Studies is inferior — only that he has already studied so many years along his current path, and changing now would mean losing more time.”
Zhù Ying said: “He’s still young — he can afford the lost time. How about this: let him follow along with me for a year, and we’ll see how things go. If it proves suitable, he continues; if not, I will set him on a different path. Or would you prefer to arrange his path yourself?”
Gu Weng said: “Not at all, not at all. This old one defers entirely to the magistrate.” Inside, he cursed his grandson up and down while not daring to blame Zhù Ying a word.
Zhù Ying called Gu Tong back in and said: “Apologize to your A’Weng — you frightened him.”
In Gu Tong’s heart Zhù Ying was utterly trustworthy — but to actually make him apologize to his grandfather? He felt a plunge of disappointment. He gave his grandfather a deep bow, but an actual apology was entirely out of the question. Gu Weng, for his part, was also dissatisfied with this grandson. He stood abruptly, giving his sleeve an indignant shake, clasped his hands toward Zhù Ying: “I cannot manage him — I leave him entirely in the magistrate’s hands!”
Gu Tong’s heart leapt with sudden joy. He straightened up and looked at Gu Weng’s expression — it did not look like a performance. He turned to Zhù Ying with barely suppressed delight. Zhù Ying said: “You may try it for a year — if you show no real progress by the end of it, go home to your grandfather like a good boy.”
Gu Weng said: “I don’t want him back!”
Gu Tong said to Gu Weng: “But I want you.”
Gu Weng was so furious he nearly blew his mustache right off his face, and he made a hasty farewell to Zhù Ying!
Gu Tong glanced left and right, torn between staying and accompanying his grandfather home, and by the time he had made up his mind, Gu Weng was already long gone. He decided to take this as fate’s decree and settled himself comfortably in place. He sidled up and said: “Teacher, why a year?”
“Defying one’s elders is a serious offense. He only needs to say one word, and any response you give either corroborates the charge — proving you have argued back at your grandfather and are bringing a counter-accusation that he is being unkind to you, which is itself unfilial — or amounts to an admission. What would you do?”
“Ah…”
Zhù Ying pressed another book into his hands: “As for the saying ‘Where propriety retreats, law advances’ — have you merely memorized these eight characters without understanding their meaning? First re-read this for me, then go study the legal codes. I told you all before that this represents Minister Wang’s life’s scholarship. Where has your understanding gotten to? You haven’t been thinking this is simply a summary of classical etiquette, have you? If you truly thought that, then you genuinely are not suited for the Classical Texts or Presented Scholar tracks — you could not beat the competition.”
This was an eye-opener. Gu Tong said: “Is — is that right?”
Zhù Ying tilted her head and looked at him. Gu Tong honestly picked up the book and said: “Yes. So… the county school…?”
Zhù Ying said: “If you transfer to Legal Studies now, transferring back later will be very difficult.”
Gu Tong said: “I won’t regret it! After all, in our family — in this entire county — there hasn’t been a single person who made something of himself through the examination route!”
Zhù Ying said: “All right.”
Gu Tong smiled with delight, then hesitated: “Does this mean this student is accepted? You have taken me on? How is it… done so simply?”
Zhù Ying said: “What is there to be surprised about? You are the third person in Fulu County to come to me on your own initiative.”
Gu Tong asked curiously: “Who were the first two?”
“Zhao Su. Su Mingluan.”
Gu Tong couldn’t entirely suppress a small wrinkle of his nose, revealing that he and Zhao Su were not exactly kindred spirits. Zhù Ying only smiled and said: “Go review your texts.”
“Yes.” He added: “I won’t get into petty quarrels with him.”
Zhù Ying waved him off. Gu Tong walked away with a light step, his arms around his book. Along the way, people asked why he wasn’t in school, and he said: “My A’Weng had my Second Uncle get me a leave.”
All the way home, chatting as he went. He was met at the door by a flying walking stick. Gu Tong sidestepped it with his book in his arms, and said with a laugh: “A’Weng, don’t be angry — there are good things ahead!”
Gu Weng wore a tiger’s face and said: “You have made something of yourself, have you? Daring to use outsiders to put pressure on your grandfather!”
“The magistrate is now my teacher — she’s hardly an outsider anymore, is she?”
“You’ve taken her as your teacher? Did you offer the ceremonial wine? Did you bring a gift? Did you formally enter the household? What has she given you? Does she treat you as closely as she treats Zhao Su?” Gu Weng launched a rapid-fire volley of questions, then added: “From now on I won’t give him a monthly stipend!”
Gu Tong thought it over and said: “That’s fine too.” He went back to his room, rolled up his bedding, and hoisted it onto his back, preparing to take it to the county office. Gu Weng shouted: “That belongs to me too!”
Gu Tong put the bedding back down and began unlacing his belt and pulling off his clothes. Gu Weng said: “What are you doing?”
“These are yours too…”
That certainly couldn’t end in the boy running through the streets unclothed. Gu Weng said: “Get out!”
This was precisely what Gu Tong had been hoping for — he had been worried about finding a good excuse to plant himself at the county office and spend more time with his teacher. He gathered up his book and made his way back to the county office, presenting himself once more before Zhù Ying.
Zhù Ying looked him up and down. “Why has Gu Weng suddenly got such a temper?”
Gu Tong said: “You’re the one who spoiled him. He seems to think that no matter what, you’ll always be handing out benefits to the county — even if our family’s scholars can’t quite match other places, if he insists on pushing for a Presented Scholar degree for me, you’ll find a way to arrange it. What a dream he’s living in. Teacher — I don’t mean to say that you’re not capable.”
Zhù Ying said nothing for a moment, then said: “Xiao Wu, take my card over to the Gu family and let them know I’m keeping the person here for now — and please ask Gu Weng to send along something toward room and board.”
Gu Tong’s eyes went wide. Zhù Ying said: “Do you genuinely want to have a falling out with your grandfather right now?”
Gu Tong said: “Or you could just keep me and feed me for a few years — don’t ask them for any money. That way I’d owe them a little less, and in the future they’d have a little less hold over me. Heaven, earth, ruler, parents, teacher — you are obligated to protect me a little.”
“Xiao Wu, tell Gu Weng that I’m keeping the boy here for a few days. After a while he can go home and make his peace with the family.”
“Yes.”
Gu Weng had no choice. He also knew that Zhù Ying’s “easy temper” did not necessarily mean genuine softness. Leaving his grandson there for a bit wasn’t entirely a loss. Still, a splinter had lodged in his heart. He brought a grandson from his second son’s branch of the family to keep him company — a boy who could not be called entirely unlike Gu Tong, but who was clearly different in important ways. In every respect he fell slightly short of Gu Tong, but he possessed one quality Gu Weng prized above all others: obedience.
When Gu Tong finally returned home, he found his cousin supporting their grandfather as the two emerged. He felt not a trace of jealousy, and greeted Gu Weng with a calm and measured bow.
Gu Weng said: “Oh? And who is this grand personage returning to us?”
Gu Tong laughed and said: “Don’t be angry, A’Weng. I’ve come to collect my bedding — after this I’ll spend less time in front of you getting on your nerves.”
His Second Uncle stepped forward to mediate: “Why are you squabbling with your grandfather like this? Where has anyone ever heard of not living at home?”
Gu Tong said: “Second Uncle, the teacher’s adopted son is going to the capital. Of course I have to look after the teacher. And isn’t it perfectly natural for a teacher to provide a student with room and board?”
His uncle asked with surprise: “Zhao Su? Why is he going to the capital?”
“He’s the teacher’s adopted son — the teacher is sending him to the Imperial Academy.”
Gu Weng shot bolt upright, his eyes restlessly taking Gu Tong in. Gu Tong said: “I’ll go get my bedding.” Gu Weng fell silent, watching the boy’s retreating back. Then suddenly he said: “Give him five strings of copper cash.”
“Father?”
“Our family’s boy is living at the county office now — don’t we need money for paying respects to the people there? Never mind, I’ll bring it over myself.”
Gu Weng wanted another audience with Zhù Ying — but Gu Tong had barely come home for his bedding when Zhù Ying, after settling the arrangements for his accommodation at the county office, left the premises and departed for the state capital to call on Regional Inspector Lu. Gu Weng arrived to find the bird had already flown.
Before meeting Regional Inspector Lu, she first stopped at the prefectural city to see whether her superior wished to travel together. Under normal circumstances, a gathering was proper etiquette. But to her surprise, her superior was in fine health this time, and after receiving her said nothing for a long moment, then finally: “Go on ahead yourself.”
Zhù Ying asked: “Is something the matter?”
Her superior thought to himself: With you around, the Regional Inspector’s mood is going to be dreadful — who wants to sit in that atmosphere longer than necessary? Am I volunteering to be scolded?
Her superior said aloud: “You’ve been touched by a rather unpleasant affair. The Regional Inspector clearly intended to shield you — and you showed not the slightest gratitude. That really isn’t wise.”
Zhù Ying said: “Oh? I absolutely am aware of the Regional Inspector’s protective intention. It is only that I was subsequently summoned to the capital to give an accounting, which is why I’ve only just returned. It is precisely because of this that I wanted to arrive a few days early and express my thanks to the Regional Inspector in person, is it not?”
Her superior drew a long, slow breath. “You are both lions. Go first.” He would time his own arrival to the last possible moment! He could not bear this place for another instant!
Zhù Ying said: “Yes.”
What she said was the truth. When Ruan Zhi and Fan Lu had come, Regional Inspector Lu had genuinely shown some intention to shield her — whatever fraction of that was sincere, he really had dispatched someone to accompany her the entire way. She truly did want to thank him. Beyond that, she also had a plan regarding the wheat growing — if the Regional Inspector was willing to be understanding, so much the better; if not, she had no choice but to keep working independently as before.
Leaving the prefectural office, she did not immediately depart. Instead, she arranged a generous and lavish meal at the post station and sent Xiao Wu to invite Zhao Zhen and Zhen Qi, who were studying at the prefectural academy, to share an informal dinner.
Xiao Wu was gone for quite a while, and in the end only Zhao Zhen came. Zhù Ying asked: “Where is Zhen Qi?”
Zhao Zhen shook his head: “He studies so intensely that he keeps his distance from the rest of us. I couldn’t find him just now. Even if you called for him yourself, he probably wouldn’t come.”
Zhù Ying asked: “How do you mean?”
Zhao Zhen said: “He’s so desperate to do well that he considers even a meal like this a waste of time.”
Pressed further, Zhao Zhen said haltingly that Zhen Qi had not been faring well of late. In Fulu County he had been a large fish; here in Nanfu, he was more or less the tail end of the fish. The prefectural academy’s teachers were far superior to those of the county school, but Zhao Zhen said: “Compared to the essays by Minister Wang that you taught us, they fall far short. They’re all analyzing the classics and histories too — if they could teach it brilliantly, they’d have become ministers long ago. I really miss home…”
He was only complaining out loud — he didn’t really want to go back. Because apart from that slight edge in the lecture notes, the prefectural academy was superior in all other respects. His family could also afford to support him here, and on the whole things were tolerable.
Zhen Qi’s situation was somewhat more particular — he was not considered good-looking, and judging people by appearance was unavoidable anywhere. If a student was poor, not ranked at the top of his class, not handsome either, not much good in a fight, and possessed no particular connections or influence—
Zhù Ying said: “Yes, that does make things difficult.”
“He’s stubborn too. I told him we could share lodgings, and he refused, saying he wouldn’t take advantage of me. He just keeps his head down and studies.”
There was nothing more to be gained by dwelling on it. Zhù Ying said: “And you?”
Zhao Zhen suddenly felt a weight of pressure descend on him. His marks had originally been somewhat below Zhen Qi’s — squarely at the bottom of the class — but his temperament had always been steady and easy, and in his time at the prefectural academy he had actually made some progress and even earned a few words of praise from a teacher. His results, though, could hardly be called outstanding — even calling them passable was a stretch.
Zhù Ying said: “You’ve only just started. There’s no rush.”
“Yes!” Zhao Zhen answered cheerfully.
After the meal, Zhù Ying had money taken out for him to bring along, and asked him to carry a share for Zhen Qi as well. Zhao Zhen said: “Rest easy, Magistrate — I will absolutely deliver it.”
Zhù Ying also spent one night in the prefectural city and paid a visit to the Local Association Hall to see how things stood. A few oranges remained there, though not many. She asked about the price and learned that at this time of year they were selling by the individual fruit, and there were still buyers for them. One wealthy woman’s mother, wishing to make an offering, had even bought a whole tray at thirty copper coins per fruit to present to the Buddha.
Zhù Ying thought to herself: Not bad at all.
The following day she set off and made her way to the state capital.
Upon arriving at the state capital, she again lodged at the post station. This time her visit to the state capital was carried out with considerable sincerity. As before, she had prepared gifts for everyone — not especially costly, but something for each person. The gift for Regional Inspector Lu was prepared with particular care, supplemented by some items she had brought back from the capital.
She submitted her calling card, and she did not have to wait long at the Regional Inspector’s residence before being received. The date was the twenty-seventh of the sixth month — she had arrived three days early. She estimated that the other prefectural governors and county magistrates would arrive at roughly the same time, but the fact that she had been granted an immediate audience made it clear she was on the Regional Inspector’s list. Whether it was a black list, she couldn’t say for certain — but she was definitely on the list of thorny individuals.
She paid her respects to Regional Inspector Lu with all due deference. The Regional Inspector’s voice betrayed neither pleasure nor displeasure: “You’ve come? Sit down.”
Zhù Ying thanked him for the seat and settled herself — docile and composed — and then opened her mouth to both apologize and express gratitude: “I should long since have come to pay my respects, but the misfortune of being entangled in that affair required me to go to the capital for an explanation, and the delay has stretched on until now. I am deeply mortified.”
Regional Inspector Lu thought to himself: You spent another leisurely ten-odd days in the county before you even set off. Did you think I wouldn’t know?
He said aloud: “Has the case not already been resolved? It was deemed unrelated to you — what is there to be mortified about?”
Zhù Ying said: “But I caused trouble for the Regional Inspector, and you were even good enough to dispatch Commissioner Kang to accompany me the whole way. How could I be unaware of your kind protection?”
Regional Inspector Lu said: “You were granted a crimson robe — it is His Majesty’s grace you ought to be thanking. Why did you not wear it here?”
“Your real one is the genuine article. Mine is still a ‘false’ one — I would not dare make a display of empty vanity.”
Those standing in attendance nearby didn’t dare breathe. They watched the Regional Inspector sitting there like a stuffed mannequin while Zhù Ying grew increasingly like a stuffed mannequin as well. The words they exchanged were all friendly and respectful, delivered without the slightest tinge of sarcasm, and yet the atmosphere was — somehow — deeply unnerving.
Regional Inspector Lu said: “How can you call it vanity? Did you not grow the wheat?”
Zhù Ying said: “That was a stroke of luck. I would not dare take credit. The case was pressing down on me, and I could only scramble to find something to bring along, hoping it might serve as some kind of shield. Whether it can actually be expanded into a proper crop, that too is still unknown — which is why I dared not report it to you prematurely. I had not anticipated that the situation would compel me to produce it in the capital on such short notice…”
Regional Inspector Lu raised a hand and cut her off: “The matter is in the past. You committed no offense — there is no need to raise it further.”
Zhù Ying said: “This subordinate has already petitioned for a further three-year appointment. I hope to receive your continued guidance and instruction.”
Regional Inspector Lu felt a certain tightening in his chest, though he also knew there was little point in waging a sustained battle with this person. He spoke with measured warmth: “You are young — you will surely have a great future ahead of you.”
Zhù Ying was genuinely uneasy. She had no desire to antagonize Regional Inspector Lu. At his age and rank, he could very possibly end up transferred to the capital and installed in a position within one of the ministries, at which point she would still be a local official. She wasn’t afraid of him — but the headache it would cause was real. It would be far better to maintain something like “cordial mutual respect.”
And yet, given how things now stood, a clean resolution was not easily achievable. She had no choice but to take her leave of him with the utmost politeness.
Both of them departed the encounter in a less than pleasant frame of mind.
Stepping out of the Regional Inspector’s residence, Zhù Ying glanced back at the vermilion gates and thought: I need to make some additional plans.
Xiao Wu was outside holding the horses, and the moment he saw her emerge his eyes lit with eagerness: “Magistrate! Shall we go back to the Pearl Market? Or shall we go look at gemstones?”
Zhù Ying said: “Let’s go! Get changed — Pearl Market!”
Having swallowed a mouthful of frustration, Zhù Ying decided the solution was to buy more pearls!
Mistress and attendant arrived at the Pearl Market. This time, Xiao Wu had no interest in hunting for bargains — Zhù Ying, however, had developed something of a compulsive buying impulse. She had made several previous purchases of pearls and had come to know a few of the dealers personally. She went directly to one she trusted.
The merchant scooped up a handful of loose pearls and smiled: “So the official is back! Take a look at these!”
Zhù Ying looked down at the price card and asked: “Your prices have gone up considerably!”
Damn it all — four times the price! Was this daylight robbery?
The merchant said apologetically: “Official, it’s been a while since your last visit — you may not know, but the market situation has changed!”
Xiao Wu said: “Don’t try to fool us! Just because we always come to you, you think you can fleece old customers?”
The merchant remained perfectly unruffled: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! You’re welcome to check any other stall — the prices will be much the same. You may not know, official, but the pearl market price has become rather unsettled of late. Previously, we assessed pearls on their luster, size, and roundness alone. Then, just a few months ago, the capital suddenly sent envoys, and they even wanted the irregular pearls. They brought along a handful of craftsmen — just from looking at their hands, you could tell they were true masters! Ah, they not only had us bring pearls for their selection, but also went to the pearl-producing sites to choose in person.”
Zhù Ying felt a quiet sinking sensation in her stomach. She said: “Go on.”
“In the past, any pearl that looked out of sorts was simply discarded on the spot — or at best, lumped together and sold by weight. Now, even those irregular pearls have buyers. The stranger the shape, the better, it seems — mounted into jewelry, and ah, the results are surprisingly beautiful! Word has it that a notable personage in the capital has taken a liking to them, and the Regional Inspector has been having fine examples selected for tribute. And as you can see, the jewelry workshops over there also have masters here buying pearls. Everyone’s treating their goods as rare treasures now. The market being what it is, well — ahem — and so the prices have risen accordingly.”
Zhù Ying said: “Surely not every type of pearl is in demand?”
“That’s true — but everyone believes their own pearls are exceptional rarities, and so they raise prices. When the competition raises prices, we can’t very well not follow suit. Permit me to speak frankly, official, and please don’t take offense. Fortunately, the market still places highest value on perfect round rolling pearls, so the irregular ones haven’t fully driven up prices yet — their value still depends heavily on the craftsman’s skill in setting them. That said, I estimate they will continue to rise, and then after a while the price will ease back down, and eventually the market will settle at whatever it settles at. The particularly unusual shapes — the kind that makes you look at it and immediately see that it resembles something — those will hold the highest value. Everything else will come down in price. If you want to buy now, this is the price. And if you spot something you like, please don’t tell me — because if you say so, I won’t be able to help raising the price on you.”
Pearls were not a commodity that ordinary people consumed. Only those with some means could afford them, and however expensive they became, their price would not prevent common people from eating. And so this price inflation carried on unchecked with no one to regulate it.
Because the price of irregular pearls was wildly unstable, the price of perfect round pearls had also become unsettled in sympathy — either way, nothing was particularly cheap anymore. Only the smallest, round pearls were currently priced a little lower than the previous year.
Zhù Ying calculated the money she had on hand. Buying a hundred-odd pounds was entirely out of the question now.
She kept her expression neutral and said: “I need these for grinding into powder — I don’t require careful selection. I’ll just take a bit of the smaller round ones for now — all roughly the same size.”
The merchant smiled: “Of course!” He began weighing and sorting pearls for her, and said while he worked: “You’re an honest buyer, official, and a knowledgeable regular customer. I won’t charge you full market price — these few are a small gift from me. This year has been a profitable one for this humble dealer — same goods, but with a better margin. I really must thank the craftsmen from the capital — to think of mounting pearls in settings like that! Ah, what a clever idea!”
Zhù Ying said: “Indeed.”
Mistress and attendant returned to the post station carrying their small pouch of pearls. Xiao Wu said in a low voice: “I wonder who it was…”
Zhù Ying glanced at him. Xiao Wu’s face dawned with sudden understanding: “Could it be that last year, you were the one who…”
Realizing he might have poked at a tender spot for his superior, he let his head drop and said no more, quiet as a quail caught in the rain.
Zhù Ying thought: Oh well — I’ll go back to farming. But at least the round pearls were a good buy — just right for a gift when Lady Yue has her baby. That’s one more present taken care of.
With her plan to stockpile pearls thoroughly thwarted, Zhù Ying felt no great distress. When the thirtieth of the sixth month arrived, she went to the Regional Inspector’s residence as usual to report. This year the way people looked at her was somewhat different — she had emerged from the Censorate unscathed and had offered up the wheat! And there was the crimson robe!
In front of Regional Inspector Lu, no one dared make any comment about her crimson robe. But inwardly, quite a few felt a measure of admiration. When her report was finished, the other officials could not very well offer open praise, so it was Regional Inspector Lu alone who commended her — saying she was “neither arrogant nor impatient, and willing to remain in Fulu County for the sake of the people’s welfare.” He asked the others present to emulate her example: not to focus on their own advancement, but to truly hold the people’s wellbeing at heart.
The assembled officials offered murmured concurrence, many of them thinking privately: No — I still want a promotion. I still want to go somewhere prosperous. She does this because she gets something in return. We don’t.
A county magistrate from a neighboring county, who clearly hadn’t thought things through, said: “You’re growing that wheat so well — could you spare some seed for me too?”
Zhù Ying said: “Of course.”
Magistrate Miao coughed once and said: “These two, perhaps you should discuss the particulars privately later — you’re close neighbors, after all.”
Magistrate Wang from the neighboring county said: “Magistrate Miao is right! Brother Zhù, I’ll come find you after this!”
Zhù Ying said: “Of course.”
Once everyone had made their reports and the discussion of the second half of the year’s plans had begun, Zhù Ying’s plan was simply to plant another round of winter wheat. She made no mention of the oranges.
Regional Inspector Lu had formerly enjoyed holding these gatherings; now he found them headache-inducing, yet couldn’t resist the urge to call them anyway. He went through each official one by one with his critique, then added a note about Zhù Ying’s business of paying the garrison troops — that had not been handled in the most advisable manner: “In the future, exercise greater prudence.” With that, he dismissed the gathering.
Magistrate Wang left with Zhù Ying. Magistrate Miao stayed behind, and screwing up his nerve, said to Regional Inspector Lu: “Regional Inspector, the business of expanding this wheat crop — a single county is hardly what one would call widespread! Would you not consider taking charge of this matter yourself? Otherwise, how many years could it possibly take for one person to manage it all?”
Regional Inspector Lu looked at him with cool, flat eyes. Magistrate Miao said: “This is merely this subordinate’s humble view. The local area has seen no wheat grown in living memory — which suggests the local conditions are not particularly suited to it. That he happened to grow it successfully does not mean a hasty expansion would work equally well. Perhaps the local climate is simply not well suited to wheat cultivation at all? This calls for your leadership to oversee the whole operation.”
Regional Inspector Lu said without warmth: “He has already petitioned for a continued appointment! How many years it will take — I don’t know! What I do know is that he has the capacity to drive me out of office!”
Magistrate Miao let out a quiet breath: “He is indeed a formidable figure — willing to spend six years in Fulu County without fear of never being recalled elsewhere.”
Regional Inspector Lu’s mood was already poor. He said: “You may go as well.” Inwardly, he added yet another entry to his mental ledger regarding Zhù Ying — this wretched little upstart, honestly nauseating.
The nauseating little upstart negotiated with Magistrate Wang: as soon as the higher authorities ordered the wheat expansion, she would send people to Wang’s county to teach the planting method. Magistrate Wang left well satisfied: “Do hurry along! I can’t wait!” Who didn’t want more grain?
Zhù Ying said: “Of course.”
Magistrate Wang said: “Ah — what exactly is going on between you and the Regional Inspector? You really can’t keep being so stubborn. He is the Regional Inspector — a small shoe slipped in the right place could make life very difficult for you. Even with the wheat — you’d need him not to throw obstacles in your way.”
Zhù Ying said: “I spent several days properly thanking him, and he wasn’t even angry.”
“Well, that’s a relief then!” Magistrate Wang finally took his leave.