Senior Sister Hu came forward to meet her, and asked in a low voice: “My lord, shall we return to the residence?”

Behind her, the attendants had also looked over. Zhù Ying said: “Let’s go!”

The whole party turned and headed straight back to Zhù Mansion without a backward glance. Time was pressing — though the Emperor had said “these next couple of days,” Zhù Ying would wager the Emperor wished he could have the memorandum in his hands this very instant. And Zhù Ying herself wanted to lay out her conditions as early as possible, so she could begin negotiating with all parties. What was the use of going empty-handed to pacify and inspect people? Who would pay you any mind?

Even if they did pay mind, she would be used — at best, the two sides would use each other.

She had to write up her conditions quickly — demand authority, demand provisions and grain — and coax the Emperor into nodding his approval.

The party returned home. The household members were anxious but still fairly composed. None of them had ever gone north before, and no one knew what specific preparations to make. Zhù Ying said: “Take my calling card and go find old Zuo’s household — he has been to the north. Ask him what he did back then, what mistakes he made, and what things he needed to bring. Then prepare double what he recommends!”

Xiang Le heard this and immediately set off.

Zhù Ying herself carefully inspected the household’s belongings, then arranged domestic affairs.

Zhao Su came hurrying over. “Godfather.”

Zhù Ying said: “The situation is urgent. The northern territories have suffered a defeat, and His Majesty is dispatching me concurrently as Pacification Commissioner and Inspection Commissioner. I will be departing before long. I am leaving the affairs in the capital to you — you know what that means.”

Zhao Su worked to digest the news. “That is a harsh and bitter land, and dangerous besides.”

“It is also an opportunity,” Zhù Ying said. “But I will need to take everyone with me. I am leaving Li Danian here for you. Lock up any rooms that are not in use — do not be too conspicuous. That would not be good.”

“Yes!”

Zhù Ying thought for a moment and added: “Do not say too much to the household. Send someone back home to let them be on their guard.”

Zhao Su understood at once. “Yes!”

Zhù Ying said: “Before I leave, we will share a meal. Invite Zhao Zhen and the others. Barring the unexpected, let us say tomorrow evening.”

“Yes!”

Zhù Ying gave instructions one by one, and he noted them down one by one. Then the steward of the Left Chief Minister’s household arrived, accompanied by the Left Chief Minister’s young son who was in the capital studying. Zhù Ying said: “How did they come to be here?”

The Left Chief Minister’s younger son was seventeen years old this year, and was not well acquainted with Zhù Ying. But the old steward was a familiar face. He came in and bowed first, then presented a calling card: “Our household received my lord’s card. The mistress feared that passing the message through others might cause confusion, so she specially sent this old servant to wait upon your orders.”

The Left Chief Minister had been posted to a locality and had taken some of his people with him. His wife had stayed home to keep the house, and his younger son had stayed to continue his studies. The old steward was advanced in years, so the Left Chief Minister had taken the steward’s son with him and left the old steward behind. Now he could be put to use.

Zhù Ying said: “Today’s business — keep it strictly to yourselves.”

The young son patted his chest and promised: “Elder Uncle, rest assured! Father instructed us — your affairs are our affairs, and we are entirely at your disposal!”

Zhù Ying smiled. “Let us begin the preparations.”

The old steward looked over many of the Zhù household’s items and declared them all inadequate: “For getting through the winter, none of this will do! Wind is not the same as wind — that wind cuts into the bones!”

Even with the Zhù household’s current reserves, the special goods needed for the north were lacking, and more would have to be purchased on the spot. Zhao Su told the old steward to leave a list and said he would handle the procurement. Zhù Ying opened a box, drew out a slip of paper, and said to Zhao Su: “See them home.”

The young man from the Zuo family looked at it — it was a nighttime passage permit written in the Chief Minister’s own hand.

Zhao Su led people to see the master and servant off.

Only then did Zhù Ying sit down to write her memorandum. Getting things done came down to people on one hand, and provisions and grain on the other.

On the matter of personnel, Zhù Ying listed a few options for the Emperor: How would she relate to local officials? She would certainly abide by the law — but for exceptional circumstances, such as the four cities that had been sacked, there were surely gaps in the official ranks, yet those cities needed to begin functioning again immediately, which meant she would need to exercise “expedient measures.”

How many ranks and below could she move officials around?

Could she both dismiss and make temporary appointments, or only dismiss?

For those given temporary appointments who completed their duties — how quickly could they receive formal appointments?

When liaising with the principal officials of the locality, which of their affairs could she intervene in?

On provisions and grain: How much was she to bring for “pacification” purposes?

How much of the local provisions and grain could she mobilize?

There was also a matter concerning commoners. If necessary, commoners might need to be relocated — to what extent could she act on that?

Could she use “expedient authority” to first protect their lives and act later, or must she wait for approval?

After a moment of hesitation, she added another item: If the situation became critical — say, barbarian forces invaded and the imperial army could not arrive in time — was she authorized to conscript local commoners on the spot and organize them into armed units?

Then there was the matter of coordinating with the imperial army: What would be the respective roles and definitions between them?

If cooperation was needed, or if friction arose, how would that be settled?

Who would have precedence? If the army levied from the locality, could she have authority over local matters? To what extent?

If soldiers of the imperial army broke the law in the locality, who would adjudicate?

Finally, there was a catchall provision of “acting according to circumstances”: In an emergency, could she exercise “expedient authority”? For example, death-row prisoners and convicted criminals — in the event of a barbarian invasion, could she execute them on the spot rather than having them escorted to the capital to await autumn sentencing?

Without clarifying all these matters, what was the point of going?

Oh — she also needed to request weapons. Her own attendants needed serviceable arms; she would ask to go to the Imperial Arsenal and select some.

She wrote it all out quickly. By the time she looked up, the hour was already late. Zhù Ying returned to her room to pack her personal belongings. Her own things were all in order — weapons, bedding, clothing, thick winter garments, all accounted for.

She rifled through her wardrobe. She had plenty of clothes, but dress was subject to regulations, and many garments could not be given to others. She went to the storeroom and selected a chest of furs. She said to Xiang An: “Take all of these. Get everyone fitted out as soon as possible. And prepare thick bedding as well. Also bring tents and the like.”

Xiang An said: “We’ve already sent people out to purchase. If that’s not enough, we can draw from the household’s own stores. These are good-quality items.”

“Precisely because they are good quality — that is why they should be used.”

“Yes.”

The following morning at court, things were relatively quiet — the news had been kept tightly under wraps.

At court, the two factions were still quarreling, but Wang’s and Zheng’s minds were no longer on it. The Emperor, from beginning to end, said only one sentence: “Court is dismissed.”

After court was dismissed, Zhù Ying was again kept behind. The court officials exchanged meaningful glances, deeply uneasy. Was His Majesty about to launch another great inquisition? It seemed unlikely — or did it?

Zhù Ying, Zheng Hou, and the others gathered before the Emperor. The Emperor asked: “How are your preparations?”

Zhù Ying looked over at Zheng Hou, then took the initiative to produce the memorandum she had prepared: “Your servant has matters to present to Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

Zhù Ying went through it point by point. Given the urgency of the military situation, the senior officials before the Emperor all felt the urge to laugh — this was so like her.

Dealing with her was always like this, and so was how she got things done: thorough, and cunning. The Emperor listened and found it all perfectly clear and orderly, yet still felt: “Is this not excessively detailed?”

Zhù Ying said: “Governing a locality is a matter of a thousand tangled threads. When many people have died, plague follows. When the border is left bare, great calamity comes. So we must protect as many people as possible, and the affairs of people are the most complicated of all — there is much to be done.”

On the matter of coordinating with the imperial army, Zhù Ying added: “Your servant does not understand military matters and will not interfere in military affairs. But being in the same territory, contact is unavoidable. Better to make things clear beforehand so everyone can do their work.”

Wang Yunhe thought to himself: Here she goes, outmaneuvering His Majesty again. Has she given him any choice in the matter? She has drawn a circle and told him to step inside — not letting him see what lies beyond the circle.

He suggested: “Your Majesty, what if Zhù Ying were additionally given the title of Grand Master of the Golden and Purple Section? Many of the items in the memorandum would then need no further deliberation.”

Zheng Xi said: “Your servant seconds the motion.”

In the localities, the Prefect of a superior prefecture held rank from the third degree, junior grade. Grand Master of the Golden and Purple Section could be added as a supplementary title, at the third degree, full grade — and with that, the rank itself would settle many of the thorny miscellaneous details that otherwise required lengthy discussion.

In the minds of Wang and Zheng, none of the local officials were as capable as Zhù Ying in any case. If she was willing to do it, let her do it for now. This was a temporary commission — once it was done, she could be pulled back. This was not giving her excessive authority — it was simply “exercising expediency” to clean up a mess.

They were mentally prepared for this and knew that without releasing authority, hands would be tied and nothing could get done.

The Emperor thought the same way. He said: “Granted.”

Next came the demand for provisions and grain. Dou Shangshu said: “The transfer of supplies must first ensure military needs are met. However, the four northern prefectures should have stored grain.”

Zhù Ying said: “That area has suffered consecutive bad harvests for years — you would need to give at least something! Can the transport be handled at closer range? I expect there will be no small number of disaster victims.”

Long-distance transport was terrifyingly wasteful on the road — relay-station-by-relay-station transport was far more efficient.

Dou Shangshu said: “The only option is to exempt the four northern prefectures from rent and taxes this year.”

Zhù Ying said: “The four northern prefectures encountered this disaster during the autumn harvest — how much of a harvest could they possibly have left? With no harvest, where would any rent and taxes come from?”

The Emperor drew a sharp breath. Dou Shangshu said to the Emperor: “With the situation so pressing, there is no capacity for transport to the capital regardless.”

The Emperor said: “Forget it then.”

Zhù Ying had mentally prepared for this — otherwise she would not have put forward so many other conditions in different areas.

When getting things done — if they won’t give you money, they must give you authority!

Zhù Ying bargained with them: she also held the Inspection Commissioner title, so she could handle officials. Those of sixth rank and below she could act on “expediently.” For those of fifth rank and above, she could detain them temporarily but must report upward.

On the matter of the imperial army, as a general principle, they did not answer to each other. If the army had needs, she would do her best to assist. If the army committed offenses, local jurisdiction did not apply. But Zhù Ying herself could coordinate, “exercising expediency.”

Zhù Ying now had a clear picture. “Understood.”

As for resettling commoners, the Council of State issued her a firm order: “They are not to leave the northern territories — you will settle them all within the north!”

Zhù Ying said: “Understood.”

Then came Zheng Hou’s turn. His requests were more conventional, as is standard when dispatching troops — only that he wished to bring along some trusted generals and officers, along with personal guards and the like.

Zheng Hou also said to Zhù Ying: “When you collect weapons from the arsenal, you may come with me.”

Zhù Ying smiled. “Excellent.”

She also requested several people from the Emperor — Chen Fang among them. Chen Meng’s mourning period was not yet complete, but Chen Fang was free to serve. Raised under Chen Luan’s guidance, he had proved himself capable in ordinary affairs as well. At the same time, she informed the Emperor that she intended to bring Su Zhe, Lin Feng, Zhuo Jue, and several others, since she was accustomed to working with them.

All of these people needed official titles — “Chief Clerk,” “Staff Officer,” and the like. If nothing else fit, a scattered official rank of “Gentleman” or “Captain” would serve to attach them while they handled affairs. She needed to build the basic structure.

The Emperor agreed to all of it.

Wang Yunhe said: “No time to lose!”

Zhù Ying said: “The luggage is already prepared. Give me the imperial decree, and I can depart right now.”

The Emperor laughed. “You are truly a pillar of the state!”

Zhù Ying considered this pure nonsense on his part.

Zheng Xi said: “What time of day do you think it is now? Get yourself prepared — you will depart before long.”

“Yes.”

Saying “today” was out of the question in any case — going out on official mission required carrying the ceremonial baton, and beyond receiving the imperial decree, there were also processions and regalia to arrange. Jin Liang had been assigned two hundred men to accompany her. Zhù Ying pressed hard and reduced the number to one hundred: “Too few is not safe, but too many makes the journey’s provisions and expenses conspicuous. One hundred capable and capable-only will do.”

She also needed to go speak with Chen Meng about taking Chen Fang away.

Chen Meng had not anticipated this move from Zhù Ying. Surprised, he said: “You are truly not one for ceremony.”

Zhù Ying said: “Enough of that. You are getting on in years — he is still young. I cannot say whether such an opportunity will come again, but Zheng Hou has already moved, and things will not be so difficult from here on. Traveling with me will not be particularly dangerous. He will certainly be tired, and may fall ill, but if he can push through it — moving from the sixth rank to the fifth rank, he could accomplish in years what might otherwise take far longer. Are you willing?”

Chen Meng said: “Willing!”

“Have his luggage packed today, ready to move at any time. Not a single one of those elegant and cumbersome things — do not bring any. You may bring a few sturdy manservants. The journey is not one for fastidiousness. Prepare thick winter garments. Horses and carts should be the kind you are prepared to abandon at any moment…” Zhù Ying rattled off a string of precautions.

Chen Fang said: “I will follow my uncle’s every arrangement.”

He agreed readily, and Zhù Ying was satisfied. “Wait for word from me.”

That day they truly could not depart. Nor the next — Zhù Ying had to go with the others to select serviceable weapons. The Imperial Arsenal was opened. Jin Liang helped choose weapons. Zhù Ying also selected some hand crossbows and arrows.

Jin Liang said: “Bringing those? You will need to resupply bolts.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “How many can I really use? Two crates is enough.”

Jin Liang said: “That device looks like it saves effort, but reloading is no easy matter.”

Zhù Ying said: “Then help me pick some bows and quiver arrows too. We have no idea what we may encounter on this journey.”

Jin Liang raised no further objection, and turned to making serious selections. Zhù Ying also asked him about mounts and armor, and Jin Liang said: “All accounted for.”

Zhù Ying had been occupied all day, and even she felt a certain sense of haste. If it were only herself, she could have grabbed her pack and gone — it was the affairs of her attendants that were numerous and varied.

She went to Liu Songnian’s residence to bid farewell. Liu Songnian said: “Bring a few extra blankets.” Then he produced a hand-written journal.

Zhù Ying said: “What is this?”

“I have been there. Once it passes Mid-Autumn, the cold comes on without warning. You will freeze your ears off if you are not careful.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Very good.”

Liu Songnian looked her over carefully and said: “Conduct yourself properly. Do not hold anyone else’s horse or assist anyone.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Look at me — one nose, two eyes, a proper human face, is it not?”

Liu Songnian made as if to raise his hand, but let it fall again without striking. Zhù Ying spoke again: “The people who were originally in your household — once I get settled, I may need to borrow them from you.”

Liu Songnian said: “I do not involve myself in that matter. If those two little wretches have acquaintances there, go ask them yourself.”

“Very well! I am leaving now.”

“Go, go, what a nuisance!”

Zhù Ying did not go to bid farewell to Wang Yunhe. She only asked Liu Songnian to pass along a calling card for her, on which there was nothing particular written.

Liu Songnian accepted it and said: “Truly, you are not at liberty! If only you had grown up a little sooner.”

Zhù Ying gave him a bow, then turned and left.

This time she went nowhere else. She headed directly home. At the gatehouse, Qi Tai was standing there with a pale face, waiting for her.

Zhù Ying asked: “What is it?”

“The — the — the — the Crown—”

Zhù Wen emerged from behind him: “My lord, the Eastern Palace has sent someone!”

Zhù Ying said: “Did Grand Counselor Xian come along as well?”

Qi Tai shook his head outright.

Zhù Ying quickened her pace. She found the Crown Prince dressed in ordinary attire, attended only by Hao Dafang, who had the look of a household steward, and two men who resembled sturdy manservants on either side.

Zhù Ying bowed to the Crown Prince first. She bowed so fluidly that the Crown Prince genuinely wanted to spare her the formality and reached out a hand — but she had already slipped down into the bow. The Crown Prince could only lower his hand to try to catch her; the motion looked as though he had twitched involuntarily.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Zhù Ying invited the Crown Prince to take the seat of honor.

The Crown Prince also asked her to sit. “The Grand Master is much occupied. It is I who am the intruder here.”

“Your Highness comes in the guise of a common person — there must be an important matter.”

The Crown Prince said: “I am here to see the Grand Master off. On the day of her departure, I may not be able to attend in person.”

“Your Highness is far too considerate.”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “It is those like you who are considerate at a time like this. These days at court, bickering is constant, yet those who are genuinely willing to put their hearts into the work are too few. And those who are both wholehearted and free of selfish motives — fewer still. You are one.”

“There is no shortage of loyal and worthy persons at court — why does Your Highness say this?”

The Crown Prince said: “I have seen a good many things over two years. Wang Chief Minister is a virtuous man — yet even he cannot avoid contending with others on behalf of those who have attached themselves to him, and in doing so, certain things are delayed. As for Zheng Chief Minister — well, he is a capable man, a pity his capabilities are not in the right places.”

Zhù Ying said: “They have been swept along by others. Zheng Chief Minister said some years ago that certain idle scions of noble families were behaving scandalously. Wang Chief Minister is even more a true gentleman — only, what a shame… If Confucius were to return to life, what the Confucian scholars would most want to do would probably be to poison him mute, sit him up there, and keep him as a signboard.”

The Crown Prince could not help but laugh. Hao Dafang and the others were startled to hear it — joking at Confucius’s expense like this was rather beyond what they had expected.

“Nothing more than mutual entanglement,” the Crown Prince said. “These people are as sticky as glue.”

Zhù Ying also smiled: “Those four words are ones I first heard from Zheng Chief Minister.”

The Crown Prince said: “Would you be willing to leap free of the mire?”

“Why does Your Highness say this?”

The Crown Prince’s gaze was intense and bright: “It is hard to distinguish gentlemen from petty men, true from false — yet who has done what, and how well they have done it, is still quite clear. You have no patience for those who deal only in abstractions. Now, then, I will be candid with you: let us cast aside all that sticky entanglement, and begin fresh — what do you say?”

Zhù Ying said: “You are the Crown Prince, the heir apparent — you should have your own ideas. What you speak of is not asking me to leap free — it is pressing me further in. What you are offering is something only the Son of Heaven can promise.”

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes and said: “I shall share the burdens of my father.”

Zhù Ying said: “As subjects, we who eat the ruler’s bounty will all share the ruler’s burdens.”

The Crown Prince pointed northward and said: “The current situation cannot be managed with empty formalities and ritual! As for the reform now underway — can it succeed?”

“What reform? There is no reform.”

The Crown Prince was not thrown off by this. He said: “Wang Yunhe is reforming — he simply does not say so. Wang and Zheng — it has already become factional strife. You are right that they have been swept along, but what I want is not this! Human interests do not always align — some contention is fine. What I want to see is real results! They have quarreled all this time, and what have they quarreled their way into? A murder case, and a military defeat? That is not what I want!”

Zhù Ying asked: “Does Your Highness believe I alone could accomplish what they cannot?”

The Crown Prince said: “You are pragmatic.”

“They would not have risen to where they are if they were not pragmatic either.”

The Crown Prince said: “And where does their future lie? People who have been swept along by others — they themselves cannot struggle free!”

Zhù Ying gave a slow nod.

The Crown Prince asked: “Can you do it?”

Zhù Ying said: “I am willing to try. But I ask that Your Highness be understanding and trust in the two Chief Ministers. They do not fail to want what is good for the state.”

The Crown Prince removed from his waist a single jade bead and presented it to Zhù Ying: “This is something I received from the Late Emperor when I was still a prince. At that time the Late Emperor was lavishing favor on the Eastern Palace and indulging the Prince of Lu — both had fine things beyond counting, and this counted for nothing beside theirs. But to me it was a rare treasure in the world.”

Zhù Ying said: “How could I accept this?”

The Crown Prince said: “May you return in safety.”

Zhù Ying received the jade bead in both hands.

The Crown Prince watched her intently. Zhù Ying met his gaze without agitation — no tears of gratitude, no vows sworn to the heavens, no promise of everlasting loyalty. She simply looked at him, quietly.

Without knowing why, the Crown Prince felt a settling of the heart. This was the Zhù Ying he knew. Though part of him was not satisfied and wished for a more ardent response — still, this was Zhù Ying, and this response made sense.

The Crown Prince felt relieved of a great weight. He said to Zhù Ying: “The northern road ahead is filled with peril. Do not be swayed by others. I and His Majesty await your good news. I will not keep you from your preparations.”

Zhù Ying escorted him to the gate. The Crown Prince said: “Stay here.” He did not allow her to step outside.

Zhù Ying stood inside the gate watching as he turned a corner. Zhù Wen craned his neck for a look, then came back and said in a low voice: “He has gone some distance now.”