The imperial audience had not taken very long; it was spending time at the Court of Dependencies that ate up more of the day. Coming out of the Court of Dependencies, the sun had already tipped toward the west. Zhù Ying went home first as usual, tidied herself, and then went to Chancellor Shi Kun’s residence.

At this point the Zhù household had become quite lively. Not only were the household’s own people busy, but Xiang Da had also brought a good number of helpers. Arriving at the Zhù household, he sent his son inside the residence and then began directing people to unload the carts.

The kitchen maid was the busiest of all. The whole Zhù household had over twenty mouths, and the food and drink for the New Year season all had to be roughed out in advance. The kitchen maid had been found by Xiang Da, and he had also taken charge of buying the provisions. Even so, the kitchen maid wished she could grow eight pairs of hands. Zhù Yin and the others pitched in to help.

Zhao Zhen and the others were inside the residence writing calling cards. Xiang Da sent someone over to take them out for a stroll. Jing Sheng said, “The lord is busy — how could we dare slack off again? We’ve already seen the capital’s splendor, and we’ve already bought our gifts to bring back — that is more than enough.”

Zhao Zhen also said, “Last time you paid for us to go out — we haven’t squared that up with you yet!”

Xiang Da said, “We’re fellow townspeople. You’ve come to the capital, I show you around a little, and you want me to let you pay? I’d have no face to show back home.”

Zhao Zhen laughed. “That’s different — that was for things I was buying to give as gifts. You paid for them, so is it your gift or mine? If I come through on my own someday, or you come back home, and I visit your house and you treat me, I won’t count things up that way.”

Xiang Da had no answer for that, saying only, “What kind of person is Shang compared to you — you are our own people; why keep accounts so strictly between us?”

Zhao Zhen said, “Back home I’ve met your second son and third daughter — they’re both good people. I believe you’re a generous and kind man who’s good to people. But surely not this good? We all see the lord’s face in this. You treat us well because of the lord’s face, and we have to think of the lord’s face too — we can’t let you overspend, and we can’t give the lord cause for talk.”

Wang Sheng and Fang Sheng both said, “Exactly.”

But the Madam Cai incident had given the four of them a fright. After discussing it together, even though Zhù Ying was not petty about such things, and Xiang Da was not stingy, in the end it was better to avoid unnecessary complications. At this particular moment, having Xiang Da pay for them would be a breach of character. Speaking from a purely self-interested angle — indulging in this small advantage might cause the Prefect to form a poor opinion of them, and then there would be no future at all.

Xiang Da went back and forth with them, and seeing that their position was firm, had no choice but to settle the accounts and return the money. The four of them finally relaxed. They exchanged pleasantries with Xiang Da and went back to writing calling cards.

Though customs differed from place to place, the habits of the wealthy were much the same everywhere — an endless number of New Year calling cards had to be written and sent to every kind of household. Anyone who came to the capital had to follow local customs. Everyone knew that in the first month of the new year, countless cards would flood in, and those of lower standing might leave the cards to be burnt for kindling without even opening them. But still one had to write. If you did not send a card, and the other party happened to actually remember — that was yet another way to make an enemy.

Others helped with sweeping out the old and cleaning up the clutter, then brought out some decorations for the New Year. Xiang Da had also brought various New Year items: red paper was indispensable, and he had brought many lanterns too. The Zhù household was plain in its everyday style and used plain lanterns ordinarily; Xiang Da had brought in several lanterns styled after palace lanterns and hung them inside — the rooms immediately took on a more festive air.

There were also newly minted bronze coins, kept in reserve for tipping. Following tradition, two large bamboo stalks had also been hauled in — called “money-shaking trees” — and leaned into the corner of a wall.

And so forth and so on — everything one could think of, he had thought of.

When Zhù Ying returned home and saw this sight, she said to Xiang Da’s delighted face, “Setting the money aside — you’re sunk here at my place; aren’t you losing out on a great deal of business?”

Xiang Da said, “That’s different! Being here for you, my lord, is worth much more than a little trade. My lord, look and see if there is anything still lacking — just tell me. We humble folk in the capital are without backing or support. Since you have come, lord, there is finally someone who can stand up for us Wuzhou people. You are our pillar!”

Zhao Zhen and the others put down their brushes and came out to meet her, finding that Xiang Da had gotten in all the flattery first; they could only add their voices to his.

Zhù Ying said, “All right — I accept this. I’d say things look about right as they are. If I need you for anything, I’ll come find you. Go enjoy your own New Year — Ah Yu has come all this way, and it’s not easy: you and your son should spend some good time together. That’s what would actually make me happy.”

Xiang Da listened this time: “Yes.”

Zhù Ying also asked how things stood at the Wuzhou guild hall now and whether there had been any follow-up. Xiang Da smiled and said, “We can handle it. If Madam Cai weren’t the County Magistrate’s wife, people wouldn’t have been so afraid of her in the first place.”

Zhù Ying said, “That kind of atmosphere. Since nothing troublesome has come of it, just enjoy a proper New Year.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying noticed that Xiang Yu looked a bit unhappy and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiang Yu forced a smile: “Nothing.”

Xiang Da said, “Homesick.”

“Oh. It has been a while since you came out. Once the weather warms up, we’ll be able to head back.”

Xiang Yu’s head drooped, clearly showing this was not quite the real reason.

Zhù Ying checked the hour, picked a few people, and took a gift with her to the Shi household. She left Zhù Lian behind to “play host to Ah Yu on my behalf.”

Xiang Da supervised one more round inside the residence, then took his son and left first — worried about catching the curfew.

On the road, Xiang Yu was still keeping a sullen face. Xiang Da said, “What is it now?”

Xiang Yu said nothing. The whole way back was an awkward journey. Only after returning to the guild hall did he say to Xiang Da, “Father! Don’t act so fawning!”

Xiang Da said, “Children know nothing — what do you understand?”

“Of course I understand!” Xiang Yu retorted, refusing to back down. “We merchants — officials look down on us. If they want to give us trouble, losing money is the least of it; at the worst we’d lose our lives. We have to show deference. But the lord is different! The lord is a good person and has never squeezed merchants or mistreated subordinates. How did you end up using that same manner on the lord that you use on everyone else? You were flattering him! I lived at the Prefect’s office for a good long while and never saw anyone act the way you did!”

Such a small child, daring to look down on his own father for embarrassing him.

Outside, Xiang Da was all smiles and easy-going dealings; at home with his younger siblings he was still warm and decent; but with his son he put on a stern face. “What do you know! We merchants honor the official seal, not the person! Remember this: no matter what kind of character an official has, what we look at is the official’s robe. Respect for character is for when the day comes that they’re no longer an official — and we still treat them the same as today!”

With that, he grabbed the abacus and moved to strike his son.

Ungrateful child!

The ungrateful child shouted back, “She will never stop being an official!” He made a face and scrambled away every which way.

……

While others were already planning for her even on the day she might no longer hold office, Zhù Ying was still dutifully making her rounds as a hard-pressed Prefect chasing her official career.

At the Shi household, Zhù Ying sent in a calling card. The gate recognized her; she was now a Prefect, and the gateman invited her to sit in the gatehouse out of the wind without leaving her card waiting, and went promptly to announce her. Chancellor Shi was courteous enough to receive her.

An unexpected pleasure.

Zhù Ying bowed respectfully in the hall before Chancellor Shi, who said, “You always find your own opportunities. Sit.”

Zhù Ying thanked him for the seat, sat down, and then said, “Perhaps it is that my luck is good — I tend to run into things.”

“A blind man would run into it too and still not see it,” Chancellor Shi said, “and you likely don’t know — there are even those who’ve been struck on the head by opportunity and still missed it.”

Zhù Ying was someone difficult to categorize, and Chancellor Shi had always found meddling tiresome and preferred the principle of non-interference. Yet Zhù Ying was precisely a “meddlesome” sort who kept producing new developments. Fortunately, the disturbances were not annoying — generally she would bring things to completion, or at least have a workable plan in hand, before raising them; at the very least, she would have thought through a feasible approach.

Zhù Ying played along and laughed.

Chancellor Shi had received the book Zhù Ying had printed earlier and flipped through it casually, then set it down somewhere and had not found it since. He had just come home today and had not had a chance to look. Not wishing to bring it up in front of Zhù Ying, he asked only: “Those children — are they hostages?”

Zhù Ying said, “They are students of the ethnic school. Eventually I want them to return to their home settlements. If any of them truly make something of themselves and can pass into the official schools on their own merits — since they have already accepted official posts and paid tribute, they can no longer simply be treated as outsiders.”

Chancellor Shi said, “You think far ahead — you’re only — oh, you’re thirty years old! Youth is truly wonderful. You have time to plan for the long term. These matters of loose suzerainty cannot be rushed; rush it and mistakes appear. Who doesn’t want to turn loose suzerainty into registered subjects? But impatience won’t do! Your earlier work was all done very well — do not grow impatient in the final stretch. If things go wrong, all the previous effort is wasted. Whatever happens in the future — you were the one who started it. Your name in the histories will not be omitted. Whoever brings it to completion — do not let that concern you. Yes?”

Zhù Ying stood and listened to the whole lecture, then said, “Yes.”

Chancellor Shi said, “Sit.” After that, everything he said was ordinary conversation — Chancellor Shi avoided the subject of Zhù Ying’s marriage and instead simply asked how her parents were doing and such matters.

Zhù Ying said, “Father endured much hardship in his younger years and is not as strong as men his age. Recently he has taken to cultivating the Dao and often goes into the mountains. Fortunately, Wuzhou is warm, and the mountains are cool; it suits him. I’m at ease enough.”

“Safe up there?”

“I want to build him a small Daoist shrine, with a few people to accompany him, so he can stay there from time to time and I can stop worrying.”

“Mm — that’s not a bad idea.”

Outside, the sound of footsteps drew near — it sounded as though Chancellor Shi had another guest. Sure enough, a few lowered words came from outside, and Chancellor Shi asked, “What is it?”

A servant came in carrying a calling card.

Zhù Ying then rose to take her leave.

Chancellor Shi said, “Take care on the road.”

Zhù Ying gave a bow and stepped back out of the hall. At the turning of a corridor she came upon an official she recognized only slightly — he must have been some prefecture’s Deputy Prefect, since he had been standing in the session behind and to the side of her. She gave him a nod; he returned the courtesy with a cupped-hands salute. They passed each other.

……——

Starting the next day, various offices began to seal their records for the holiday in succession. The New Year feeling in the capital grew ever richer, and various officials were finally released from their duties and scattered in every direction. The palace was busier too; the Emperor needed to bestow New Year gifts of money and goods on his officials, and also to receive the congratulatory memorials that officials had submitted.

Zhù Ying was also one of those scattering about. She went to seek an audience with Chancellor Zhong Yi — and seeing this Chancellor in the daytime, she actually managed to get her number called. Zhong Yi was the oldest of the three Chancellors, even a little older than the Emperor; in the blink of an eye nearly twenty years had passed, and his beard and hair were mostly white, his eye bags sagging heavily downward.

Zhù Ying saw his appearance and felt that his energy seemed somewhat diminished; she kept her expression steady and still greeted him respectfully.

Zhong Yi had finished all the sentiments worth feeling years ago; only encouragement remained. He encouraged Zhù Ying a few words, and Zhù Ying had no particular expectations of warmth from him toward herself anyway. Zhong Yi said she should “guard against arrogance and impatience.” Zhù Ying responded with a “I humbly receive your instruction,” and in front of Zhong Yi, Zhù Ying never tried to stand out.

Apart from Zhong Yi, others such as Minister Dou and similar figures she also visited. Minister Dou and she still had an ongoing dispute — taxes. The winter wheat of Wuzhou had been introduced year by year, one district at a time. Year after year had passed, and the matter of including the winter wheat in taxation was naturally something the Ministry of Finance had on its mind. The accounts Zhù Ying had squared with the Ministry on the day she arrived in the capital covered this year’s ledger; what Minister Dou wanted to discuss was next year’s figures.

“Wuzhou was the first to plant it — every other prefecture is watching. If your winter wheat keeps being left off the tax rolls, they’ll follow your example, and the rats in my Ministry of Finance storehouses will starve,” Minister Dou said.

Zhù Ying tried to soften his stance: “The Minister has also served as a Prefect himself…”

“I am a Minister now.” Minister Dou held firm without a flicker. Right — he had served as a Prefect. Back then, he too had been fighting with the various ministries. So what? He was not a spy sent to the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Prefects!

The two of them seized every chance to argue. From Zhù Ying’s side, she could not stay in the capital long and had to find openings whenever they came. From Minister Dou’s side, Zhù Ying always had some unexpected move; what if she turned up a white pheasant again and charmed the Emperor into agreeing to two more years of winter wheat tax exemptions? Where would the Ministry of Finance go to weep then? When people asked the Ministry for grain and money, no one cared about the reasons — if it was there, it was there; if not, the fault was the Finance Minister’s for being incompetent.

After a protracted argument, it was agreed that next year Zhù Ying would pay the winter wheat tax as previously negotiated, but Zhù Ying and Minister Dou also worked out the following: “The grain will be delivered — but if someday Wuzhou suffers a disaster —”

“I will absolutely not press you! Just report it truthfully, and I can also petition to have a portion exempted.”

“Then the disaster relief funds and grain — you cannot hold them back either.”

Minister Dou said, “Several consecutive bumper harvests, and you haven’t prepared for yourself?”

“Wuzhou’s land is poor and its people impoverished — just being able to eat is something. There are no great reserves.”

Minister Dou said, “Very well. You really won’t let yourself be shortchanged.”

“I also won’t take advantage of others.”

Minister Dou could only shake his head with a helpless laugh.

He was a busy man too. Those who came to see him included not just Prefects but various other officials, even some generals. He managed grain and money, and how it was allocated was not entirely his decision — if the Grand Secretariat gave the order and he could say a word of “there isn’t any” or “the transport is difficult,” that was enough to give others a great deal of trouble, and so he had many visitors.

Zhù Ying did not linger, and once they had reached a consensus she withdrew. She passed by the Metropolitan Prefecture and saw inside was truly too busy — every holiday season, the Metropolitan Prefecture was on full alert. She thought about it and pushed the visit to Pei Qing back a few days.

……——

Zhù Ying visited others, and others visited her.

The first was Old Wu.

Old Wu brought his old wife, together with their children and grandchildren, and another cart of gifts, and came to the Zhù household.

His timing was well judged — that afternoon Zhù Ying was at home trying on new clothes. For an official of the fourth rank upper grade, managing an entire prefecture, the formal wardrobe was extensive. When her rank had been lower, the categories of clothing were fewer too; with higher rank, the named ceremonial costumes required for various ceremonies multiplied. For the New Year court presentation, she had to wear the full formal court costume.

Extremely heavy.

One also had to hold the ceremonial tablet, both arms lifted out to the sides. The palace was also particularly enormous; everyone presenting New Year’s greetings except those specifically permitted had to walk on foot. Zhù Ying even wondered if Zhong Yi had been worn to a state of confusion by the exertion.

Hu Shijie ran to the doorway and said, “My lord — Xiao Wu official’s father has brought the whole family over.”

Zhù Ying said, “Please show them to the front hall and bring tea.”

Changing clothes took some time; then Zhù Ying came out and appeared before Old Wu in ease.

Old Wu was a straightforward man; without waiting for Zhù Ying to sit down, he led the whole family in kneeling. Zhù Ying said, “What is this for? Please rise!”

Old Wu could now be called a patriarch of the household. The clerical post at the Court of Review was no longer possible for him to hold, and so he had let his eldest son step in first. Now his second son had come back, with word that he might be posted somewhere else as a deputy official. Old Wu had thought it over at length, felt Xiao Wu was not entirely reliable, and had to put aside his pride and come to get closer to Zhù Ying again.

Gifts were also indispensable.

Zhù Ying invited him to sit and said, “Your family is flourishing.”

Xiao Wu’s wife and Xiao Tao were also acquaintances of Zhù Ying’s, and both smiled: “It’s all thanks to the lord’s blessing.”

Old Wu offered his thousand thanks and said, “Our family has done this rough clerical work for several generations. Meeting the lord is what gave this boy his place today. Speaking of the small affairs at the Court of Review, we’re not behind anyone. Official business — that’s all just a young hatchling’s inexperience; it all depends entirely on the lord’s guidance and protection. This boy has an impetuous temperament; it’s a miracle he’s stayed safe this long — all thanks to the lord’s sheltering.”

Zhù Ying said, “He is also clever and capable, and willing to do the work.”

Old Wu said, “Clerks and officials are worlds apart. Clerks laugh behind their backs at this official for being a fool and that official for being a simpleton — but if you put them in the role themselves, they’d do no better. It’s easy to watch someone else do the heavy lifting.”

Xiao Wu’s wife and Xiao Tao also chimed in, all of it expressing gratitude to Zhù Ying. But none of them mentioned the matter of selecting Xiao Wu’s posting. They only spoke of how the family had benefitted since Xiao Wu moved from clerk to official, and similar matters.

Finally Old Wu said, “We’ve also saved up some land now — all local produce. Back when you were at the Court of Review, my lord, how good those days were — other lords received our respect, but we ate at the lord’s table. It was the other way around entirely. We’d always had the heart to show our respect but lacked the means back then. Now at last we have the ability.”

A gift of substantial size for the Old Wu family was presented; apart from local produce, there were some slightly more valuable items. Old Wu also separately sent a set of jewelry for Zhang Xiangu — the old man knew which way the wind blew; Zhang Xiangu carried weight.

Zhù Ying did not hold back, and said, “I know what kind of people you are. Today I accept this gift, but do not repeat it in the future. I still intend to arrange a posting for him. Starting from county deputy — from then on his future depends on himself. Running connections with the people above also has its place, but if you come with gifts this heavy, I would have to wonder where gifts this generous are coming from. Did they come from squeezing the common people?”

Xiao Wu hurriedly said, “We would never dare.”

Zhù Ying said, “Having some restraint is what makes for a lasting career.”

“Yes.”

Old Wu seized the opportunity and asked quietly, “Where is the lord arranging for him to go?”

Zhù Ying said, “Somewhere close to the capital — no more than ten days’ travel.”

The Wu family were all pleased — close enough to look out for each other.

Zhù Ying said to Old Wu, “You can set your mind at ease now, can’t you?”

Old Wu grinned broadly.

Zhù Ying smiled too.

……——

After Old Wu, there was another person already agreed upon — Chen Meng.

The two had agreed that after finishing their official business they would have a small gathering. Chen Meng also planned to introduce Zhù Ying to more acquaintances. Some of these acquaintances — like Prefect Jia — had connections that Chen Yuan had personally brokered between the two parties. Those who had met Chen Meng were also urging him to shoulder the responsibility and bring everyone together.

Chen Meng also held Zhù Ying in high regard and came personally. “The day has arrived — don’t forget, right at my place!”

His estate was the same Chancellor’s residence from when Chen Yuan had been a Chancellor: spacious, in a prime location, with more hitching posts in front than other households — the right kind of place for a gathering like this.

Zhù Ying said, “I won’t forget.”

Chen Meng said, “We’re all our own people — no need to stand on ceremony.”

So Zhù Ying came in casual clothes and went with Chen Meng to the Chen household. She had been to the Chen household before, and now the sense of things being the same yet people being different was strong. Zhù Ying said, “Da Lang is not going back to your home region for the New Year, and the Elder Lord is going to be lonely.”

“He has grandchildren now — he’s forgotten about having a son. He’s quite happy not having to deal with me.”

The feast was set in the great hall. When they arrived, some guests were already there, each at their own table, with music and dance. Zhù Ying made for the end seat; Chen Meng called out, “Sanlang, come here.” He had Zhù Ying sit to the left of him. Zhù Ying declined repeatedly. Prefect Jia said, “That seat is yours by rights! If we scramble for it now, we’d just be showing we don’t know how to count!”

Zhù Ying said, “This really isn’t —”

These were all “our own people,” and Prefect Jia was not standing on ceremony: “Among us here, it’s only Da Lang and you who have a future ahead of you without limit!”

Zhù Ying said, “I am deeply humbled.”

Chen Meng laughed. “Come, come.”

Zhù Ying still sat at the end seat, saying, “The future is far off. The one who can’t look after those close at hand will never get to the far distance. I am the youngest here, and the shallowest in experience — how could I compete for that seat?”

As they spoke, more guests arrived, and before long everyone was assembled. They settled into new seats; Zhù Ying was not even at the very end, because a Deputy Prefect and a Chief of Staff sat behind her. Apart from the host Chen Meng, there were six guests in all.

Chen Meng laughed and shook his head. “Come!”

Maidservants filed in bearing new dishes. Zhù Ying did not drink wine; Chen Meng brought her honey water. They talked about affairs in their own jurisdictions. Prefect Jia said, “One of my county magistrates is a complete fool!”

One of the guests, Deputy Prefect Wang, asked for the exact name and background of this county magistrate.

The Prefects commiserated about how important County Magistrates really were — one incompetent county magistrate under you was truly maddening! Prefect Jia asked Zhù Ying whether she had encountered the same, and Zhù Ying said, “I had one as well.” She described Shang Peiji.

Chen Meng shook his head. “Still too shallow in his roots.”

Deputy Prefect Wu of the other table said, “His brain simply doesn’t work!”

They discussed what a good County Magistrate should be like, and Chen Meng pointed at Zhù Ying saying, “Sanlang herself is the very model!”

Zhù Ying offered a few modest words, saying that Fulu County could still not be called wealthy even now.

Prefect Jia said, “It was much poorer before! Your talent is plain for all to see — you absolutely have a limitless future ahead.”

Zhù Ying said, “There you are teasing me again — whoever says that next will be penalized three cups of wine.”

Deputy Prefect Wang shook his head. “You think we’re just talking? We’re not! Among all of us, it’s only the two of you who can enter the Imperial City.”

Zhù Ying asked, “I’m young and don’t understand these things — I would very much welcome your instruction.”

They all laughed. Prefect Jia said, “What rank are you?”

“Junior fourth.”

“I’m senior third. Just look at how many senior-third positions are sitting empty in the central government waiting for me — how many are there? Go up even further and it gets even harder. Go in one, someone has to come out — who comes out? Everyone says it’s hard to go from green robes to red, and once you have red it’s not easy either! You two are different: Da Lang has the family learning and lineage, and His Majesty thinks of him. You are young, and your governance record in the provinces is outstanding, and the Chancellors all look on you favorably. Getting into the capital now can still be arranged. Out in the provinces, no matter how well you do, if you’re not in front of His Majesty’s eyes, it counts for nothing. You have to come to the capital.”

Chen Meng said, “We can’t say for certain, either — these things depend on opportunities. Without the right opportunity, you just rotate through various provincial postings. I have already prepared myself to rotate another ten years.”

This was not false. Provincial Prefects, though their posts were well-paid, had to come to the capital if they wanted to advance further. Prefects were already senior officials, and there were not that many high positions in the Imperial City sitting empty and waiting for them. Most of the time, many Prefects just kept rotating from one Prefect posting to another until they died. Some Deputy Prefects and Chiefs of Staff were the same way.

So quite a few Prefects rotated through Prefect postings their whole lives and were done with it. Zhù Ying could not help thinking of Prefect Lu: when she was a County Magistrate, he was a Prefect; when she became a Prefect herself, he was still a Prefect. It was not for lack of ability — it truly was just… fate…

Prefect Jia suddenly asked Zhù Ying, “I hear His Majesty took a liking to a book of yours?”

Zhù Ying said, “Is it the literacy primer? That’s not my book — it was written by the Elder Liu.”

“Ah! The character-learning song.” Chen Meng said.

Zhù Ying said, “That’s right.” She then explained the whole matter to everyone.

Chen Meng said, “Do you still have copies? Give me a few more — can you do that?”

Prefect Jia and the others also asked for copies, because according to the word going around, the Emperor had been quite taken with the book — had kept it carefully stored away, and additionally bestowed an extra set of calligraphy implements on Liu Songnian, all tribute items. He had also presented Liu Songnian with one of his own newly written works as a gift. Chancellor Shi had had someone dig out his copy and told several of his favored protégés to read it — so that if His Majesty brought it up in conversation, they could respond smoothly.

So the king values the slender waist — and all his court starves themselves for it.

Zhù Ying said, “I still have a few. I had originally planned to give some to the attendants in my household for learning to read. I’ll clear out this batch and present them to all of you.”