The faces of the officials present were not particularly good. The several Prefects all sat stiffly watching Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying gave them a nod and said: “Why such surprise? I am not only Pacification Commissioner, I am also Inspection Commissioner. I put my words here on the table for everyone — each person will have one chance. Handle my affairs properly, and I will weigh your merits and faults and report accordingly.”

The officials exchanged glances, and the tension on their faces eased somewhat.

Zhù Ying said: “Zhuo Jue.”

Zhuo Jue produced Zhù Ying’s imperial mission decree and began to read it aloud. Everyone immediately rose and stood at attention, not one of them daring to miss a single character.

Once the reading was finished, Zhù Ying received the decree back. “Would anyone like to examine it?”

Prefect Yang hurriedly said: “Previously documents were already sent ordering us to assist the heavenly envoy.”

Zhù Ying gave a nod, handed the decree back to Zhuo Jue, who stood holding it at her side. Zhù Ying made a gesture toward Prefect Yang and the others: “Let us be frank with one another — now let us speak to the real business at hand. Xiang Le, report.”

Xiang Le’s tongue was nimble. He reported a series of figures — all things Zhù Ying had transcribed from the Ministry of Revenue: the population and field acreage of each prefecture and county, as well as the taxes of past years, and the disaster reports.

Zhù Ying said: “I too came up from a local post to the capital. Let us speak plainly. Do you yourselves have a clear picture of the actual figures you currently hold in hand?”

Prefect Wang hurriedly said: “This subordinate’s territory suffered the military disaster — it is far below any previous year. The heavenly envoy has seen it: the border people have truly suffered terribly!”

Qiu Yiming and the others showed some sorrowful feeling, and grew angry again thinking of the barbarian soldiers.

Zhù Ying asked him: “What do you have in hand? There cannot have been an absolutely complete loss — do not complain of poverty to me. Now is the time for truth. I will be coordinating the provisions, grain, and all related affairs of the four northern prefectures. The court officials must also show some backbone! I only deal with people who can get things done and make decisions! Anyone who at a time like this still acts like a tearful child sulking and begging for sweets will never rise from where they are for the rest of their lives.”

Prefect Wang’s face was an awful sight to see, but he still said: “This year there was also a drought! The harvest is only seven tenths of a good year. The border counties can do little more than feed themselves — those count as total loss. The only ones where taxes can be collected are two counties.”

Zhù Ying said: “Good.”

Then Prefect Yang and the other two Prefects also reported their situations. One prefecture had also had a city sacked by the barbarians and also reported disaster. Prefect Yang also said: “Because it was known the barbarians burn the grain, the counties all had to rush the harvest for fear of accidents — the yield was even more dismal for it.”

At the side, Xiang Le quickly reached into the pouch at his waist and drew out a brush, recording everything rapidly.

When everyone had finished speaking, Zhù Ying said: “I understand. Are the figures each of you reported accurate? I do not say this out of distrust — but you are also aware that figures get rounded up at each layer of reporting, necessarily leaving some margin. We are speaking of the actual quantities now, because they are about to be allocated. How well this is done is also a measure of each of your abilities. If the assessment of your performance this year were sent to the Ministry of Personnel, I am afraid it would not go smoothly. Set my affairs in order properly and manage them well — at the Ministry of Personnel, I will personally submit a memorial arguing on your behalf!”

Prefect Wang let out a long breath of relief and said: “What this subordinate reported should be… accurate.”

Prefect Yang hesitated, glanced outside at the flagpole with two figures dangling from it like a grim pair of pendulums, and sighed: “Even though I suffered no military disaster, still…”

Zhù Ying said: “Understood. I will reduce your quota by one tenth. Time is too pressing to allow for careful verification — we can only allow some margin. Bring the map.”

A map of the northern territories was spread out. Zhù Ying picked up an ink brush and wrote and drew on it: “Divided by county into three categories!”

She divided the entirety of the northern territories into three portions. The first was the region closest to the enemy and that had been sacked — these places would this year require support from the other areas. The second was the region closest to the interior, relatively well preserved — these places’ taxes would be collected at a proportional rate, and were the areas with comparatively larger surplus. The third fell between the two — taxes were reduced, and with a guarantee of balanced income and expenditure, a small surplus would be kept as insurance.

Each county had specific figures assigned.

Once the allocation was set, Zhù Ying asked: “How is this? You should have some familiarity with conditions in the various counties.”

That was not entirely true. Prefect Yang said: “One moment, heavenly envoy.” He quickly turned to his county magistrates sitting behind him and signaled with his eyes; the county magistrates began reporting their individual county’s figures.

Prefect Wang also started rummaging through his sleeve, pulling out his specific figures.

On the basis of these, Zhù Ying and the four Prefects made some further adjustments to the figures and settled on a general framework.

Then the matter of conscripting labor — corvée service was to be levied. Wintertime canal and irrigation repair was one matter, and transporting grain supplies was another. Beyond that, some reserves needed to be kept. Because of the fighting, there would inevitably be emergency levies, so some popular labor power had to be held back. Zhù Ying also gave specific instructions: “Prepare winter clothing and bedding for people to get through the cold.”

Prefect Wang said: “Indeed — the four sacked cities, this winter will be hard.”

After another round of deliberation, more figures were determined. Zhù Ying specifically retained some margin: “This year let us all bear a little hardship. The official stipends of all offices will be paid in full; beyond that, have everyone draw their hands back in — endure hardship together.”

Throughout all of this, Zhù Ying never once raised the topic of “suppressing land annexation.” But she did say: “The reason Xiao He was so highly regarded was that when Liu Bang reached Xianyang, all the generals rushed to the treasuries of gold and silk and bolts of cloth to divide up. Xiao He alone went first to secure the archives of the Qin ministers and censors — maps, registers, and documents. By means of those Qin archives, Liu Bang came to know all the critical passes of the empire, the numbers of households great and small, where the strong and weak lay, and where the people suffered. All of you must take great care.”

Everyone murmured their assent. Prefect Yang glanced at Prefect Wang — the two of them, fellow unfortunates who had both been slighted a little, exchanged a look. They were already privately wanting to arrange a meeting that evening to consult on how best to deal with this “heavenly envoy.”

Zhù Ying also said: “Chen Fang, read.”

Chen Fang read a list of names he had copied from the Ministry of Personnel.

Zhù Ying said: “There are quite a few gaps — to do anything, you must first fill the ranks.”

The commoners of the northern territories were truly unfortunate — they had been living perfectly well when suddenly disaster struck. They had thought the court would provide disaster relief and that would be the end of it. Little did they expect that since then there had been no peace. Not only had life grown worse and worse, but the officials managing them had changed over and over. First a batch had been swapped out — the corrupt officials replaced, so they were told. Then the late Emperor passed away; those with any connection to the Prince of Lu were purged in another sweep. Then new people came in — only to clash with one another over what to do about land annexation and new governance methods, and another batch had been cleared out in the exposing of old scandals.

Now the four northern prefectures were still missing quite a few people. Reinforcements were needed.

She first promoted those of her students she could promote by one or two ranks — those who could temporarily serve as principal administrators of a locality would be ideal. She had used these people before and knew they were excellent for managing practical affairs. For whatever vacancies remained, selection would be made locally.

Zhù Ying said: “Select those with sufficient seniority, then hold an examination. Local people of good family standing may all register to sit for it. Quickly!”

Prefects Yang and Wang had no choice but to comply for now. Zhù Ying was right — their year-end assessment going before the Ministry of Personnel was a serious problem. If Zhù Ying could take that burden off them, they were quite willing to listen to her first. Prefect Wang privately muttered: She has the manner of a eunuch. Prefect Yang privately muttered: She has the spirit of a wastrel son of a noble house.

Though Zhù Ying’s “examination” strongly smacked of Wang Yunhe’s style, the “local people of good family standing” provision seemed, somehow, to be a bit different…

Then came arrangements for oversight. She had forty young men from the northern territories to serve as conduits for local intelligence, and she designated Su Zhe, Zhuo Jue, Chen Fang, and others to collect petitions on her behalf. Any grievances could be reported to them, and she would adjudicate. Su Zhe, Zhuo Jue, Chen Fang, Xiang Le, and Zhù Qingjun each had several local young men assigned to them to facilitate the relay of information.

Once all arrangements were complete, Zhù Ying smiled: “Proper business is concluded. Stay and eat before you go — I have a crock of fine wine brought from the capital.”

The Prefects could not very well decline and were compelled to stay.

Zhù Ying also said to Assistant Magistrate Gu: “Keep Old Man Zheng here for me.”

Old Man Zheng had been sitting in the room this whole time, just listening, and had come to his own conclusions: this appears to be a person who actually gets things done.

He was a gentry man who managed his own family’s estate and had no small number of affairs to manage himself. Judging by what he knew from his own experience, he already found it impressive that Zhù Ying could instantly comprehend and sort through the affairs of such a vast region.

Hearing himself mentioned, Old Man Zheng startled bolt upright, his face flushing a deep red.

Zhù Ying pressed her hand gently down toward him, then retreated to the back rooms. Assistant Magistrate Gu smiled: “Do sit — the lord is always very good to the local people.”

In the time Zhù Ying spent in the back changing clothes, one of the Deputy Prefects sized up Chen Fang, and Chen Fang met his gaze. The man smiled and asked: “Could this be the eldest young master of the Chen family?”

Chen Fang said: “I am indeed. And you are…” He knew perfectly well in his mind — this Deputy Prefect’s name was one he had just read aloud. The man’s surname was Shi, and he was a nephew by a collateral branch of Shi Kun’s family — by reckoning, Chen Fang ought to address him as “Uncle.”

Deputy Prefect Shi smiled: “I knew it at a glance! Just recently received a letter from Elder Brother’s household, saying an excellent son-in-law has been chosen, very much to their satisfaction. Now seeing you in person, indeed a man of fine bearing!”

The two quickly exchanged a few words. Prefect Yang was Deputy Prefect Shi’s superior and inserted himself with a couple of remarks: “Might this be the grandson of the former Chief Minister Chen?”

“Precisely. This time I received the favor of my uncle’s recommendation to accompany my uncle to the northern territories.”

“Uncle?” asked Prefect Wang.

Chen Fang smiled and said: “Yes — my Uncle Zhù and my grandfather and father are fellow townsmen; our two families have long been close family friends.”

“So that is how it is!”

They could hear the sound of approaching footsteps. They hurriedly made arrangements to find a time to speak further.

Zhù Ying came out from the back. She had changed out of her purple official robe and wore a brocade gown embroidered with gold thread. Save for the official hat, she had exchanged it for a small gold coronet and a belt hung with ornaments. She looked a few years younger — like a young person just entering official life.

Everyone quickly rose to welcome her.

Zhù Ying smiled: “Please be seated.”

Only after she sat did the others follow. Zhù Ying said: “Just now we were speaking of official matters, and I had no choice but to be direct. You are all older than I — I was truly presumptuous just now, and I ask your forgiveness.”

Everyone said they dared not take offense.

Zhù Ying said: “Now it is a private banquet, so let us not stand on ceremony. The northern territories are far from the capital — it is difficult to see the imperial countenance, and the hardships are something I know well. When I was twenty years old I left the capital and went to Fuluo County — even further away. Two thousand seven hundred li.”

She gestured toward Su Zhe, Assistant Magistrate Gu, and the others: “Their hometown, it was. The whole journey was full of obstacles, needless to say. And once arrived at a local posting, things were also very difficult. What kind of circumstances cause one to be sent far from the capital — I am well aware. No one has it easy.”

The Prefects felt the displeasure in their hearts ease considerably.

Zhù Ying also understood that the northern territories had previously been rather comfortable — with border trading markets and commerce, cold it was, but the life of a Prefect there was quite decent. But compared to the truly prosperous territories, it was indeed far behind.

They were not the same as Leng Yun. When Leng Yun had gone south back in the day — far it was, but once arrived there were ready-made merits to be had, and no danger of war. These men before her were indeed different.

Zhù Ying continued: “Whatever difficulties you face, do speak plainly. One should not only pacify commoners and oversee officials while giving no thought to the difficulties of officials and no curb to the excesses of powerful local families.”

Deputy Prefect Shi Yuan from the other Prefect’s side said: “My lord, all you have arranged is fine — but there is one difficult matter.”

Zhù Ying asked: “What matter?”

“Where the imperial army has passed, military discipline has been poor, and there is constant friction with local populations,” Prefect Yuan said.

This Prefect had a square face, upright and stern. His territory was the most orderly managed. He was a capable man — in his forties, dignified in bearing, commanding in presence. When reporting population and field figures earlier, he had produced them off the top of his head, without needing to consult anyone. The reason he was serving as a northern Prefect like Prefects Yang and Wang was that his surname was Yuan.

His was the Yuan family from which the late Emperor had first selected a consort for the Crown Prince. Later the Yuan consort had encountered difficulties, the inner circle had suffered greatly, though the outer branches still entered service — but they had temporarily lost influence at court.

He raised this issue, and Prefects Yang and Wang, along with the other Prefect Zhang, all followed suit: “Even the better officers know enough to issue an order not to trample the crops. The worse ones do not discipline at all. When commoners try to reason with them, they get a few lashes of the whip for it. The soldiers say they put their lives on the line to protect the commoners — how dare anyone try to manage them.”

Zhù Ying said: “That matter I will handle. Anything else?”

Over the course of the meal, Zhù Ying raised no further demands and instead reiterated her promise: arrange things according to her plan, and she would take on the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue on the Prefects’ behalf — of which the Ministry of Revenue was already settled, as she was now handling the year’s grain allocations herself.

Zhù Ying said: “I do not like empty words. Come to know me over time and you will understand my character. Whether it is a grand ideal of universal harmony, or modest sufficiency, or the sages’ way, or a bold strategy for hegemony — all of it must land in the commoners’ bowls. To get people to do things, you must either give money or give authority. On the matter of provisions and grain, I have already delivered on my word. I ask that you all help me in what follows.”

Prefect Yang said: “How could we refuse?”

Zhù Ying’s handling of the grain matter had freed the four prefectures — in exchange, they needed to give her some authority over personnel matters. Only then would Zhù Ying go on to make good on her promise to shield them from the Ministry of Personnel’s assessment.

Prefect Wang rose to his feet and lifted his wine cup. Zhù Ying’s cup still contained no wine, but no one made anything of it.

They had a fine meal together. Zhù Ying saw each of them off, then kept Old Man Zheng behind and asked him about the conditions of the northern gentry families. The four northern prefectures each had somewhat different situations. The forty young men Zhù Ying had gathered were “young men” — most had not yet taken charge of their families’ affairs. Old Man Zheng was different. In his father’s later years, when the old man had long since stopped managing things, it had all been Old Man Zheng running the household. And then his father had been driven to his death, and he had filed a complaint on his father’s behalf — clearly, he knew a great deal about how things worked in the world. Filing a complaint, and actually succeeding in it, required a measure of ability.

Zhù Ying stayed and talked with him for a long while before having Assistant Magistrate Gu properly escort Old Man Zheng home.

She then summoned Jin Liang. This was Jin Liang’s first time witnessing Zhù Ying “managing affairs” from start to finish — he had watched the whole thing and simply felt she “knew how to get things done.” Summoned by Zhù Ying, he was somewhat eager, not knowing what task was about to be assigned to him.

Zhù Ying said: “Elder Brother Jin, pack up as well. In a couple of days, let us go and pay our respects to Prince Zheng.”

Jin Liang was taken aback: “Pay respects to the Prince?”

Zhù Ying said: “Yes. I sent someone earlier to convey my greetings because I could not get away. Now that the official affairs are arranged, I should go and pay my respects to Prince Zheng. Would it not be an affront to propriety otherwise?”

Jin Liang happily said: “Very good! I will go prepare at once!”

That night Jin Liang was so happy he could barely sleep. The several Prefects were much the same.

After leaving the headquarters, Prefect Yang, as the host, invited his fellow officials to his residence for a talk. In addition to the four Prefects, Deputy Prefect Shi was included.

The feelings of all present were rather complex. They were all several years older than Zhù Ying and came from backgrounds a hundred times superior. And though their accumulated experience might not necessarily surpass hers, their family learning ran deep.

Yet now they had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by this person.

Gathered at the Prefect’s residence, Prefect Yang spoke first. Out of his mouth came a sound of rueful laughter: “Truly a capable person! No wonder some praise her and some revile her.”

Prefect Wang said: “What do we do now?” He had not been pleased — the conditions Zhù Ying put forth left them no room to refuse.

Prefect Yuan said: “With the enemy at our gates, we who eat the ruler’s bounty should also protect the people of our territories.”

Prefect Zhang said: “Whatever the case, best to get through this crisis first. The commoners are displaced…”

Prefect Yang said: “I suppose there is no other way. Deputy Prefect Shi — that Chen young master?”

Deputy Prefect Shi quickly said: “I will call on him tomorrow.”

“Good!”

Prefect Yuan said: “I will stay one more day and then depart the day after.” Prefects Wang and Zhang both said the same — all waiting for the intelligence Deputy Prefect Shi could sound out.

The four of them rose early the next morning. Deputy Prefect Shi also sent out his calling card first thing, inviting Chen Fang for tea. Deputy Prefect Shi had specifically prepared a quantity of supplies needed for getting through a northern winter and handed them all to Chen Fang: “Had I known it was you, when the heavenly envoy passed through here before, I would have given them to you then.”

Chen Fang said: “Uncle has gone to great trouble.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

Deputy Prefect Shi settled into the appropriate comportment of a satisfied relative of the young man’s future in-laws, and first spoke with Chen Fang of family matters — asking after Shi Kun’s health and the like. Chen Fang said: “All is well.”

Because Shi Jixing was a Lesser Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the conversation was naturally steered toward Zhù Ying by that thread.

Chen Fang said: “Uncle Zhù is by nature magnanimous and quick-witted, with both courage and strategy, and a person who values old bonds. Both my grandfather and father have said he is worth befriending. When the Prince of Lu attempted rebellion, it was my uncle who alerted the Crown Prince in time, and then stood at the late Emperor’s bedside together with Chief Minister Liu. I was there as well at the time — my uncle went out of his way to mention me before the present Emperor.”

Deputy Prefect Shi listened to a full dose of glowing things said about Zhù Ying. Chen Fang further related a number of Zhù Ying’s deeds. At the end he said: “My uncle does things in a way that never shortchanges his own people. But he has always been a person of clear distinctions — one is one, two is two. The line he draws, no one may probe.”

Deputy Prefect Shi said: “As for the present situation with Chief Ministers Wang and Zheng — what is our heavenly envoy’s actual position? Looking at how she conducts herself, there is some resemblance to Chief Minister Wang, yet she also seems to have ties to Chief Minister Zheng.”

Chen Fang smiled and said: “My uncle is His Majesty’s official, governing only according to the law. You may rest entirely at ease — he is a fair and impartial person.”