The hall fell utterly silent. Every official was keeping his thoughts to himself. Only Kun Da Chi, as an “outsider,” had the leisure to look around him. Today his imperial audience was a major event, and his position was toward the front, close enough for him to see the Emperor’s darkening expression. The princes’ faces were the exact opposite of the Emperor’s — they could not control their expressions at all, and the eager anticipation written on them was something Kun Da Chi understood perfectly well.
Among the ministers, some managed to keep composed while others did not. Those who did not manage it appeared almost cheerful. Kun Da Chi looked for Zhù Ying again and found her face utterly unchanged — she glanced once at the official kneeling in the center, then turned her gaze forward again, as though the man were announcing that lunch would proceed as usual, rather than requesting the establishment of an heir.
Most amusing of all was the figure standing beside the Emperor — a person who was neither one thing nor another. He looked more agitated than anyone else. His pale face was a mass of wrinkles, all bunched together. He was standing perfectly still, yet Kun Da Chi could somehow sense from him all the frantic clawing and ear-scratching anxiety of a monkey.
It was only quiet for an instant before the sound of breathing in the hall suddenly grew louder. The man kneeling in the center clutched his audience tablet and knelt like a block of stone — not the slightest sign of yielding.
Wang Yunhe and Shi Kun had also been caught completely off guard. The two men exchanged a glance and simultaneously drew a deep breath, stepping out of their ranks to stand to one side. In court, when a prime minister is called out by name for an error, some formal show of acknowledgment is required. What happened next would depend entirely on how the Emperor responded. They had been among the first to counsel the Emperor to establish a new heir, yet the Emperor had continued to delay and refuse. At this moment they had no desire to shoulder this matter on the Emperor’s behalf. With hands clasped before them, they gave this long-overdue problem back to the Emperor.
Only the Minister of Rites stepped out to rebuke the man: “Is this something you have the standing to discuss?”
It turned out the man was a Bureau Director in the Ministry of Rites — fifth rank, lower grade, barely qualifying for today’s court session. The Minister of Rites had never imagined this subordinate of his could stick him with such a disaster. With foreign envoys present, no less — the Emperor is in fine spirits, and you dump a bucket of ice water over his head? What were you thinking?
His rebuke only made things worse. The kneeling man stiffened his neck and specifically called the Minister out by name: “The Minister oversees the Ministry of Rites — does he not know the principle that the nation must establish an heir? I had already submitted three memorials on this matter, and they all sank without a trace. Are you scheming at something?”
The Minister of Rites, of course, should have supported establishing the Eastern Palace long ago, and burning with shame and fury, he called out the man’s name: “Xia Long Shi! How dare you!”
Xia Long Shi said, “Dare I? Very well — the harm of leaving the Eastern Palace vacant: if this circle of eminent ministers does not know of it, then I suppose it falls to me to dare.”
The Vice Minister of Rites said in a conciliatory tone: “Please stand down. The establishment of an heir is not something that can be decided rashly on the basis of a single word of advice.”
Xia Long Shi remained planted in place, immovable: “How many years has it been since the late Crown Prince passed? Can this still be called rash? Through all these years, have ruler and ministers given this matter no thought? What kind of reasoning is this?”
The Emperor struggled to collect himself, gripping a paperweight on the table and slamming it down hard. All the officials looked up. Slowly the Emperor said: “The Crown Prince’s passing grieved us deeply. Honored minister, please stand down and give us time to consider.”
Xia Long Shi said, “The Son of Heaven has no private affairs! The late Crown Prince’s passing was mourned throughout the realm. The sagely Son of Heaven nurtures ten thousand subjects — the late prince was not his only child.”
The veins on his neck stood out. He yielded not an inch.
The Emperor felt blood rushing to his head. Lan Xing moved forward anxiously: “Your Majesty.” He threw an urgent look downward. Below, Wang and Shi were standing to one side “awaiting the imperial disposition.” No one else was speaking. He looked toward Zheng Xi; Zheng Xi held his audience tablet and stood with proper and respectful decorum.
A man who had served as Minister of Rites — his bearing was impeccable. At court, officials could not look directly at the imperial countenance, and with the Emperor seated high above, those below would need to look up if they were to catch his eye. If they did not raise their eyes, they could not see the expression of the person above. Lan Xing was making coy eyes at the blind.
The other officials all took their cue from one another. The princes were the most extraordinary of all: amid their excitement and anxiety they hung their heads, their eyes sneaking glances upward — every one of them looking as though they were rolling their eyes.
Only Kun Da Chi, standing among the crowd, was conspicuous — but what use was that?
Lan Xing had no choice but to call out once more, softly: “Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s temples throbbed. He panted and said, “Prime Ministers remain. Everyone else — dis—” He paused, caught sight of Kun Da Chi, and continued: “Court of Diplomatic Reception, escort the Prince back to the guesthouse. Court dismissed!”
The officials bowed, somewhat out of unison.
This was the hall for major court sessions — the Emperor’s small conferences with senior ministers took place elsewhere. The Emperor and Wang and Shi withdrew together.
Zhù Ying quickly covered the few steps to reach Luo Sheng’s side. Passing by Xia Long Shi — that steadfast gentleman was still kneeling bolt upright in place — those who walked by him mostly cast looks of admiration in his direction. Reaching Luo Sheng, this Prince Consort had not yet recovered his senses, and asked Zhù Ying: “Whatever are we to do?”
Zhù Ying said, “Let us first see the Western Barbarian envoy back to the guesthouse — there’s no stopping people from talking about this now.”
Luo Sheng said with a bitter smile, “No matter how one guards against it…”
Zhù Ying shook her head at him, signaling him not to say more. The two of them fell silent and went to find Kun Da Chi. Kun Da Chi, with the translator accompanying him, was walking toward them. Zhù Ying said to Kun Da Chi through the translator: “This is the Director of the Court of Diplomatic Reception, and also His Majesty’s son-in-law, the Prince Consort.”
Kun Da Chi assessed Luo Sheng, thinking: Do they choose their sons-in-law by looks here?
Luo Sheng pulled himself together and said a few words: “By imperial command, I am hosting the Prince at a banquet.”
It was not entirely untrue — “entertaining” the tributary envoys was his duty. Who was to say that an invitation to a meal was not entertainment?
As they walked together, Kun Da Chi said, “So you are going to establish an heir? Who will it be?”
The translator at this point did not dare to translate, Luo Sheng could not understand, and Zhù Ying, catching the general meaning, also pretended not to understand. Kun Da Chi laughed again, drawing some officials to look back at him.
Kun Da Chi was still trying to draw out some information when Lan Xing came running back: “Jing Zhao!”
He summoned Zheng Xi back along with the six Ministers and several other senior officials. This move set many minds racing, and they felt there was some hope of the establishment of an heir at last.
At the same time, the princes were looking at one another. None of them realized that every one of them was wearing a thoroughly unnatural smile. Each found pretexts and none of them wished to leave right away. One said he was going to call on his birth mother; another pulled aside an official, claiming to have something to say; a third simply announced he was going to the Imperial Archives to borrow books.
Luo Sheng only wanted to hurry Kun Da Chi back to the guesthouse and stay far away from that group. He said to Sheng Ying: “Guang Hua, hold down the Court of Diplomatic Reception — Zi Zhang and I will be right back. Do nothing rash!”
Sheng Ying nodded in a daze: “All right.”
Wait — the Emperor told you to go to the guesthouse, not me! Zhù Ying looked at Luo Sheng. Luo Sheng said, “Let’s go.”
Zhù Ying nearly choked with exasperation, but still said: “All right.”
Once outside the great hall, Kun Da Chi grew quiet and did not raise the matter of the heir again. The party proceeded in silence to the guesthouse. But once they arrived, Kun Da Chi said to Luo Sheng: “It isn’t mealtime yet, and I can’t eat. I want to go out and take a stroll — you wouldn’t stop me, would you?”
Luo Sheng could not refuse. He ordered the Dian Ke Cheng Director to select a few men to accompany Kun Da Chi on his outing, and then brought Zhù Ying back with him to the imperial palace.
On the road back, Luo Sheng asked quietly: “Will His Majesty fly into another temper?”
Zhù Ying said, “I wouldn’t dare guess.”
Luo Sheng sighed: “That man’s name is Xia Long Shi? A good name — only I fear…”
Zhù Ying said, “Rather than guessing here, we’d be better off returning quickly.”
The two returned to the palace to find that most of those who had attended the morning court session had not left. The Court of Diplomatic Reception had even been occupied by the Chen Wang, who claimed he had come to visit his brother-in-law. Zhù Ying said, “You two talk,” and excused herself.
She didn’t think much of Chen Wang’s prospects. She hadn’t been able to see things clearly before, but after years in her post, she now saw it very plainly — Zhao Wang had the larger following. She walked a few more paces farther and noticed Sheng Ying pacing back and forth inside his room.
Zhù Ying gave a quiet shake of her head and continued on her way. Before long, she saw a group of people escorting someone in the direction of the Court of Judicial Review’s prison. She quickened her pace. Half-glimpsed, the one being led away appeared to be Xia Long Shi — a man was walking behind him carrying his hat, which was no longer on his head.
People everywhere were watching this procession and whispering. Zhù Ying could not stray too far from the Court of Diplomatic Reception and had to call for Xiao Huang: “Go check on Old Huang for me.”
Xiao Huang understood at once: “Yes. And shall I say — I saw the Court of Judicial Review about to question someone, I got worried about him and wanted to ask if he could make it home for dinner tonight?”
Zhù Ying laughed. “Go on.”
Xiao Huang shot off, and Zhù Ying’s gaze turned toward the main hall. But layer upon layer of palace walls blocked her view.
They waited until nightfall, but no new news came from within. Chen Wang had no choice but to take his leave. Luo Sheng’s heart was still unsettled, and he said to Zhù Ying: “Zi Zhang — come sit with me for a while?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
The two of them cast one last glance toward the palace walls before walking away together.
The Emperor and a few senior ministers had already been at an impasse for some time.
The Emperor remained silent, and the ministers endured it with him. They were all younger than the Emperor — they could outlast him. After a long silence, the Emperor suddenly asked the Minister of Rites: “The man’s name is Xia Long Shi?”
“Yes.”
“Arrest him — interrogate him! Ask him who put him up to this!”
Lan Xing ran out and passed the word. Officials from the Court of Judicial Review came to “escort” the still-kneeling Xia Long Shi away.
Silence again.
The Emperor turned a dark face toward the assembled ministers: “Why is no one speaking? What use are you?”
Wang Yunhe and Shi Kun thought of Xia Long Shi, and thought to themselves: Am I really less than a Bureau Director?
Wang Yunhe stepped forward: “I do not know what it is Your Majesty wishes to say. If it concerns Xia Long Shi — he has committed no great crime, only a minor transgression. His sudden presentation of a memorial was not entirely appropriate, but as a scholar-official, this was something he should have said.”
Shi Kun added: “We have likewise previously counseled that the Eastern Palace should be settled at the earliest opportunity.”
Lan Xing clenched his teeth in frustration.
The Emperor said, “How does your behavior show any regard for the late Crown Prince?”
The ministers knelt in rows below, but not a single one added his voice in agreement. The Emperor felt pressure unlike anything he had experienced before. The Emperor said softly, “These sons of mine—”
Wang Yunhe said, “Your Majesty raised the late Crown Prince so well. I ask Your Majesty to put the same care into raising another crown prince.”
The Emperor called upon Zheng Xi by name: “Qi Lang, do you think the same?”
Zheng Xi said: “I and the late Crown Prince shared the bond of ruler and minister, and I would not dare to forget him. And yet, establishing the Eastern Palace now is also good for the late Crown Prince’s children. If it is him — instruct him early. If it is not — set his heart at ease sooner, and prevent petty men from exploiting his name. This too would be a protection of the late Crown Prince’s bloodline. Beyond this, I have no other thought — I obey the Emperor in all things.”
The Emperor closed his eyes and then looked at each minister in turn. The ministers felt as though blades were grazing their spines, yet all of them held firm. The Emperor looked directly at Zhong Yi and Yao Chen: “I have always trusted you two.”
Both men at once knelt: “It is precisely because we do not betray Your Majesty’s trust that we act as we do now.”
The Emperor felt wave after wave of weariness. His gaze swept over everyone’s faces. Some were looking away, but not one of them was backing down. The Emperor raised a hand. Lan Xing hurried forward to support him. The Emperor said nothing and slowly returned to the inner palace.
He was tired.
After the Emperor left, Lan De came running to say: “His Majesty says he is fatigued and asks each of you to kindly return home.”
The ministers exchanged only the briefest of glances. Not one of them moved. Lan De had no choice but to turn to the most familiar face, Zheng Xi: “Jing Zhao — why have you become like this as well?”
Zheng Xi had always treated him with warmth, but now said: “I am the Jing Zhao administrator. At a moment like this, of course I must consider the interests of His Majesty and the court.”
Wang Yunhe cast him a look of approval. Wang Yunhe had made up his mind — this time he would see this matter resolved without fail. Earlier, Lan Xing had sought him out; it could be seen that this chief eunuch had some genuine feeling for the Emperor. But that sentiment was not enough to move Wang Yunhe from his principled position.
What had stopped Wang Yunhe from pressing the Emperor sooner was that the Emperor had been in a sulk at the time, while the court had had no shortage of major business to attend to. If they had locked horns the way they were doing today, the day-to-day administration of the court could be maintained for a time, but matters of military and national importance would grind to a halt.
Now the northern disaster relief was complete, and the granaries throughout the realm had been assessed. He was, for the moment, at leisure.
Furthermore, given the drought in the north, the tribal peoples would likely be affected as well. From Wang Yunhe’s understanding of them, although they had a paramount chief, individual tribes acted on their own in many matters. Times of natural disaster were also times when they were most prone to raid southward.
Reasoning would do nothing — a hungry people would look for food, and that meant raiding. In other words, a large trouble was approaching.
Wang Yunhe was considering how to accomplish the establishment of an heir between two great matters of state.
As it happened, Xia Long Shi had stepped forward. Wang Yunhe intended to seize this opportunity and resolve the greatest crisis at hand.
Shi Kun’s thinking was much the same. If an heir was not established soon, the capital would descend into chaos, and the princes would slaughter one another. If the princes slaughtered one another that was their affair; but the moment it dragged the ministers into having to take sides, the consequences would be enormous.
Others were less elevated in their thinking — some had already placed their bets but felt they were not yet prepared, and hoped to delay a little longer. But since Xia Long Shi had brought the matter forward, more and more of them could not help but reflect: I truly lack Xia Long Shi’s courage.
And if the standoff continued, someone was bound to come to grief. Since they themselves were caught in the vortex, there was no guarantee they could emerge unscathed.
Let us simply establish an heir! Otherwise one’s heart finds no peace. Once it’s settled, I can also finally decide which way to turn.
From morning they waited until night, until it was time to light the lamps — and still none of them withdrew.
The Emperor, back in the inner palace, had intended to rest. He took an afternoon nap and woke to hear that the ministers, business unattended to, were still sitting there waiting for him. The Emperor paid them no mind. When dinner was finished, he sent Lan Xing to check again.
Lan Xing reported back: “They haven’t left.”
The Emperor said coldly: “If they want to suffer there, let them.” And he went crossly to bed, but could not sleep soundly. He was not young anymore; his visits to the harem had grown less frequent, but he still needed the companionship of the rear palace. The Emperor said, “Summon—”
He opened his mouth and then closed it again. The mothers of most of the princes were among the high-ranking consorts, and with today’s events fresh in his mind, he thought of his sons through their mothers, and found he did not wish to see any of them.
The Emperor slept poorly through the night. He woke the next day feeling groggy and asked: “And them?”
Lan Xing said carefully: “Still there.”
The Emperor said, “Then let them keep waiting.”
Lan Xing’s face twitched. The Emperor had underestimated these ministers. He was one; they were many. During the night, Wang and Shi had taken turns going to the Secretariat-Chancellery to “keep the night watch,” and the six Ministers and others had “taken shifts.” They had lodgings in the palace, and their offices had their own canteens. They were taking turns outlasting the Emperor.
The Emperor held out for two full days and did not hold court.
On the evening of the third day, Princess Yongping came to see her father.
Princess Yongping arrived with red-rimmed eyes, and the moment she saw the Emperor she pressed her handkerchief to the corners of her eyes.
The Emperor said, “What is the matter with you? Has someone wronged you?!”
Princess Yongping said: “I’m grieved for A’Ye. Sob, sob.”
The Emperor smiled feebly. “It’s all right.”
“I’ve heard everything,” said Princess Yongping, handing the Emperor a bowl of ginseng broth. “A’Ye, you are the Son of Heaven — it doesn’t look well, written down in history, for ministers to make you wait like this. They are too much — they won’t give an inch. Why must it be this way?”
The Emperor was momentarily lost for words.
Princess Yongping continued: “What is there to be so grave about? Can’t it just be talked through properly?”
The Emperor asked suddenly: “Of all these brothers of yours, which is the better one?”
Princess Yongping dabbed at her eyes and said: “They’re all very good — recently everyone has been back and forth visiting, and they’ve all become livelier. We laugh and talk together.”
The Emperor stroked his daughter’s hair and said: “You, you… If I were to go one day, what would become of you…”
“A’Ye?” Princess Yongping was about to cry again.
The Emperor said: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid — it will all be fine soon. Prepare the carriage.”
Lan Xing looked out the window — it was dark. Where did he want to go? “Your Majesty?”
The Emperor said, “Shall I keep them all shut in the palace?”
Lan De did not dare use the sedan chair — the weather was cold and the Emperor was getting on in years. He arranged a palace carriage instead, loaded both the Emperor and a brazier inside it, and took him to the outer hall.
By now the ministers had stayed up long enough that their eyes were ringed with black.
At the sight of the Emperor’s arrival, the ministers immediately stood at attention.
The Emperor settled onto the imperial seat and said: “Speak.”
Wang Yunhe was the first: “The Eastern Palace remains long vacant and the hearts of the people are unsettled. Among the princes, not a single one has the authority to restrain the others — this is the root of chaos. Is not the fate of Duke Huan of Qi a warning?”
The Emperor’s expression was extremely unpleasant. He was afraid his sons would seize his power, but the fate of Duke Huan of Qi was not a fate he wished for either.
Shi Kun pressed the opening: “Your Majesty’s love for your children — please share a portion of it with all the princes.”
The Emperor slumped and said: “Very well — tell me, then, which of my sons has the authority to command the rest?”
Dou Shangshu said with a stern expression: “Your Majesty speaks amiss. In establishing an heir, one takes the legitimate son over others, and among the legitimate sons, the eldest. The late Crown Prince was established on this basis, and the next heir must follow the same.”
The Emperor said, “So it is to be Zhao Wang?”
Wang Yunhe said: “We know only the rites.”
The Emperor said, “And what of Xia Long Shi? Has the interrogation produced anything?”
Among those who had taken turns outlasting the Emperor, all had managed to attend to some paperwork in between, and this matter they also knew about. The Court of Judicial Review had conducted one interrogation, and Xia Long Shi had cooperated fully — answering every question put to him, concealing nothing. The deposition was on hand and was now presented to the Emperor.
What Xia Long Shi had said was this: “However deeply one grieves, can that stretch into a delay of several years? The capital is in a state of utter disorder, and everyone pretends not to see it. These past years, the atmosphere has grown worse and worse. You may have the patience for it, but I do not. And many others, too, may not wish to live a life in which they do not know what tomorrow will bring. The Son of Heaven should hold the realm in his heart — how can he, on the basis of his own momentary preferences, cause the scholar-officials and common people throughout the land to sleep and eat in unease? We have read the books of the sages — not in order to become fawning ministers who bend to please. We will not!”
The Emperor was thoroughly infuriated all over again.
His expression shifted between light and shadow. After some time he said: “All of you rest here in the palace tonight — you have suffered long enough these past few days.” With the Emperor’s word given, the ministers’ “suffering” was at an end. Palace food and drink was sent out, and they slept a sound and restful sleep.
The next morning, the Emperor proved as good as his word. The first imperial decree was the conferral on the late Crown Prince’s son of the title Prince of Chengyi. The second decree was the investiture of Zhao Wang as Crown Prince.
With the two decrees issued, Wang Yunhe and Shi Kun were immediately at ease. Both said with delight: “Congratulations to Your Majesty!”
The Emperor said, “Begin the preparations. Do not be lavish.”
“Yes.”
Preparing the ceremony for the investiture of the Crown Prince would require considerable time, as would the renovation of the Eastern Palace. But the Crown Prince also could not continue to reside outside the palace for long, and so a set of palace apartments was assigned to Zhao Wang — now the new Crown Prince — and his family as temporary lodgings, until the Eastern Palace renovations were complete and all the necessary regalia, ceremonial garments, and carriages were ready, at which point the full ceremony would be held.
By all estimates, the preparations would not be complete until the following year.
In any case, the hearts of all under heaven were settled by this.