Zhù Ying walked into the storeroom and selected some fur-lined garments. Xiang An’s family was wealthy, but the others traveling with her did not have such means. Zhù Ying chose a full set of thick winter clothing for each of them.
An auspicious day for departure had been specially calculated. On that day, Zhù Ying had to attend morning court very early. Everyone rose early. Su Zhe and Zhù Qingjun walked hand in hand, the young women’s eyes red-rimmed.
Zhù Ying said, “Eat a full breakfast.”
Zhù Qingjun answered, “Yes!”
Zhù Ying said no more. She ate an early breakfast with them, then, taking Hu Shijie with her, prepared to leave. By the time she returned, they would no longer be at home.
Zhù Qingjun put down her chopsticks and said, “I will see you off to the court.”
Zhù Ying looked at her. Zhù Qingjun said, “It’s not fully light yet and the city gate area will be crowded — all that jostling wastes time.” Too many syllables to speak; her voice gradually choked. She quickly stopped.
Zhù Ying said, “All right. Let’s go.”
Xiang An also quietly led a horse out. The retainers who were to travel south silently snatched up the lanterns and strode ahead to light the way. The group quickly arrived at the imperial city gates. Zhù Ying glanced left and right and said, “That’ll do — off you go.”
Zhù Qingjun and Xiang An dismounted and knelt together. Along with the others in their company, they all kowtowed, then immediately rose, took their horses, and left in orderly fashion.
Hu Shijie sniffled, turning to watch as Xiang An’s retreating figure disappeared from sight.
The movement drew quite a few curious looks from those around them, none of whom understood what this scene was about. Most chose simply to watch. Only Leng Yun sauntered over with leisurely steps. “What’s all this about? Seeing a daughter off to be married? Doesn’t quite look like it.”
Zhù Ying said, “Since when does seeing a daughter off to be married look like this?”
The two fell into a leisurely exchange. Leng Yun said, “Hey, have you heard? The Jingzhao office is in a flurry right now.”
Zhù Ying said, “When is the Jingzhao Prefectural Office ever not in a flurry?”
Leng Yun said, “Don’t pretend. Don’t tell me you don’t know — I already know. What’s Chen-da’s plan?”
Zhù Ying said, “You’ve used the word ‘plan’ yourself — could it be settled that easily?”
Leng Yun assumed a look of deep contemplation — or perhaps it was his father’s brain he was borrowing for the occasion. “Fair enough. We’d best pretend not to know and let them sort this matter out themselves. Qi-lang won’t let this drag on too long.”
Leng Yun had actually applied his mind to this — or perhaps his father had lent him his wits for a moment. Zhù Ying did not dwell further on the matter and said, “Well then, let’s just watch. The outcome will be clear soon enough.”
Leng Yun’s seriousness did not last long, and he soon began to complain about Zheng Yan. “A man of that age and he has no sense of shame! If it had been his son who did this, you could at least say he was young and didn’t know better. But him…”
Zhù Ying said, “Even if it had been someone young, what he did would still be wrong.”
Leng Yun nodded, then listlessly looked around. “Hey, who’s that over there? Unfamiliar face.”
“Oh, that’s Governor Wu — a fellow townsperson.” Zhù Ying took a look; Governor Wu was in conversation with Chen Meng.
The sky lightened a little. Zhù Ying said to Leng Yun, “There’s another matter I need your help with.”
“Hmm?”
Zhù Ying said, “Zhao Su.”
“What about him? He’s doing quite well. Just accomplished something impressive.”
“I need him now.”
Leng Yun stepped back a pace. “What are you up to? I’m making perfectly good use of him.”
Zhù Ying said, “I’m in the Ministry of Revenue and have no one of my own there. You’re at the Court of Diplomatic Reception — all your people are there. Li Yanqing isn’t the sort who would conceal treachery. You can manage just fine. What about me? Take a look — every one of these regional governors, which one is easy to deal with? I need someone to help me.”
Leng Yun’s brow creased tightly, and he kept shaking his head while looking at Zhù Ying.
Zhù Ying said, “Please — here’s the deal: I’ll have to go to Minister Yao on your behalf too. If there’s anyone you’d like transferred to the Court of Diplomatic Reception, we can talk to Minister Yao together. What do you say?”
Leng Yun said, “Where am I going to find someone like that on the spot? Hey — you got someone like that?”
Zhù Ying said, “How many people do I have? Those I didn’t personally train, I wouldn’t dare recommend — afraid they’d bungle things. There are some who are meticulous and capable, as you know. Su Zhe, for instance, is excellent — but she’s a girl. If you dare take her, I dare give her. She’s genuinely capable — she’s gone head-to-head with Prime Minister Liu himself. How about it?”
Leng Yun said, “You’re asking me for a favor and now you’re mocking me?”
Zhù Ying said, “Who’s joking with you? Su Zhe, Zhù Qingjun, and even Xiang An — how did I use them in the northern territories headquarters? You saw.”
Leng Yun’s whole face scrunched up, and in the end he shook his head. “Forget it — I’ll give you Zhao Su. I shouldn’t stand in the way of his advancement. Just remember: you owe me a person.”
“Deal.”
The two finished their brief exchange just as the court session began.
The court session was not peaceful either. One major matter was the Wang family case that Jiang Zheng had brought. This Wang family was a collateral relation of the Censorate Grand Censor — with no connection to Wang Yunhe beyond sharing the surname. The case was genuinely shocking. The other aspects were manageable enough, but the charge of “incest within the family” was one that had to be taken seriously.
Incest within the family — one of the Ten Abominations. It was the kind of offense that the family itself would want to hide, but once it became known, it could not be lightly set aside.
The Emperor was furious. “Such beasts exist in this world! Court of Judicial Review!”
The position of Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review was currently vacant. Shi Jixing and Lin Zan both stepped forward. Though they too were revolted by the charge of incest — and condemned it loudly — they both understood that many households had matters of this sort lurking within them. A fair portion of the homicide cases the Court of Judicial Review handled each year had their roots in exactly this.
The two stepped forward. Shi Jixing said, “We are in the process of verifying the matter.”
The Emperor said, “Investigate it thoroughly!”
“Yes.”
Both men turned to look behind them. Jiang Zheng was standing rather far back, his face composed.
The Emperor also said, “Regional Governor Zhang, who conspired to conceal this — have him submit a full account!”
Dou Peng quickly acknowledged the order and went to issue a communication to the local regional governor.
…——
After the session dispersed, the Emperor held Grand Censor Wang back to speak further. Grand Censor Wang understood the Emperor wished to ask whether he had any prior knowledge of the matter. He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief — he still had a chance to explain himself.
He followed the Emperor to a side chamber. The Emperor said nothing for a long time. Grand Censor Wang stood there in inner turmoil, swaying slightly.
Then suddenly he heard the Emperor ask, “The matter Jiang Zheng reported — were you aware of it?”
Grand Censor Wang gathered himself and quickly said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to explain! Although they and I share the same clan, the blood connection is in truth quite distant — we belong to separate branches.”
In a great family like this one, after many generations had passed and the family divided into different branches, they only had contact when reciting the genealogy. Without some special occasion bringing them together, daily interaction was essentially nonexistent. One branch might have moved a thousand li away; even sending a fast rider with a message could take half a month, and that was being optimistic.
The Emperor asked, “In your view — is the accusation accurate?”
Grand Censor Wang did not stake himself on guaranteeing it. He said, “I truly have no knowledge of the details involved. I can only await the Court of Judicial Review’s investigation. If a person is clear, they are clear; if the accusations prove founded and there were illegal acts, how could I, for personal reasons, place private interests above public duty?”
The Emperor said, “As Censorate Grand Censor, you too must be vigilant.”
Grand Censor Wang respectfully said, “Yes.”
The Emperor, finding his attitude acceptable, allowed him to withdraw.
Grand Censor Wang stepped out of the side chamber, inwardly puzzled: what exactly was Jiang Zheng trying to accomplish? Had he gone over to… oh — to Xian Jing’s camp? He could be so utterly without mercy!
He could not allow this matter to damage the entire Wang clan’s reputation!
Grand Censor Wang walked and thought, and after twenty-three paces he had a plan. This matter could not be left unattended, nor could it be openly embraced.
Zhù Ying was meanwhile at the Ministry of Revenue haggling with Jiang Zheng. The main business for Jiang Zheng’s visit was to “present his report” — he needed to get the Ministry of Revenue to verify receipt of the grain taxes and the like he had brought, obtain the Ministry’s receipt, and then go to the Ministry of Personnel for further evaluation. Tax revenue and population figures were the most critical indicators of evaluation.
Zhù Ying went over the accounts with him first. The figures had been set with the localities by Dou Peng the previous year; they had been fully delivered this year. Then came determining next year’s figures. Zhù Ying produced a document and handed it to him: “This is for the coming year.”
Jiang Zheng took it, read it carefully, and his brow furrowed slightly. He said quietly, “This will likely be difficult.”
Zhù Ying said, “We haven’t raised your quota.”
Jiang Zheng said, “Even if you raised it a bit more, our Governor could still scrape it together for you — it’s just that the people would suffer a little more. You add ten percent, and the Governor adds twenty percent to what he takes from the people. He doesn’t farm the land himself, and he doesn’t do the collecting himself. The grain he delivers to you—”
Zhù Ying said, “Powerful households encroaching on land?”
Jiang Zheng nodded. “You’ve served in local posts yourself. Once powerful households have seized land, the rents, taxes, and labor levies get pushed onto the remaining people. When those people can’t bear it, they flee. The rents, taxes, and labor levies of those who flee then get transferred onto the people who remain, making their situation even more desperate.”
Zhù Ying asked, “Is that not the responsibility of local officials?”
Jiang Zheng breathed in deeply, nodded, and said, “Correct. I’m simply telling you what I know. What I am responsible for, I will certainly do.”
Zhù Ying asked, “Do you have actual figures on the refugees? Physical evidence?”
Jiang Zheng said, “Yes. Can you deal with the Wang family?”
Zhù Ying said, “Why should I be the one to deal with the Wang family? Give me a figure. I’ll send someone to verify it, and if it is as you say, I’ll go have a word with Governor Zhang.”
Jiang Zheng looked at Zhù Ying steadily. Zhù Ying returned his gaze. Jiang Zheng said, “Agreed. Tonight I’ll come to your residence to call on you.”
Zhù Ying smiled. “You are most welcome.” She pushed the document forward; Jiang Zheng picked up a brush, signed and affixed his mark. Each kept half, the Ministry’s copy to be archived, and next year at this time they would “present the report” again.
Jiang Zheng stepped through the doorway and came face to face with Grand Censor Wang. Jiang Zheng gave a composed bow. Grand Censor Wang showed no displeasure either. The two exchanged a few words in the doorway. Grand Censor Wang asked Jiang Zheng, “Is what the Alternate Governor has reported accurate?”
Jiang Zheng replied mildly, “The witnesses and physical evidence are all present. If it were inaccurate, wouldn’t that mean I fabricated charges against them?”
Grand Censor Wang said, “It was poorly worded on my part.”
Jiang Zheng bowed again. “Grand Censor, your wording was not poor at all — as a censor, it is entirely appropriate to raise questions.”
Zhù Ying strolled out from inside. “Is the sunshine at my doorway that pleasant? Everyone’s come to bask in it?”
Grand Censor Wang gave a smile, and Jiang Zheng bowed to them both and took his leave.
Zhù Ying invited Grand Censor Wang in to sit. “Your coming makes my knees go weak.”
Grand Censor Wang said, “Censors are forever finding fault with others, and now someone has found fault with me. Ever since Wang Prime Minister’s passing, these people have started running amok!”
Zhù Ying smiled slightly. “Who could find fault with you? Those whom His Majesty distrusts, he’s already showing it plainly on his face. Nothing will happen to you.”
Grand Censor Wang said, “Don’t try to reassure me! ‘Incest within the family’ — hmph!”
Zhù Ying waved her hand. “That has nothing to do with you.”
“When people speak the name, they hear ‘Wang.’ Country folk won’t be able to distinguish the difference.” Grand Censor Wang proceeded to explain at length the theory of family separation.
Zhù Ying said, “These are principles everyone understands.”
Grand Censor Wang said, “Will the Court of Judicial Review also understand?”
Zhù Ying’s head tilted very slightly. “Your meaning is?”
Grand Censor Wang said quietly, “When the Court of Judicial Review investigates the case, I would ask you to help mediate — not for them to act unlawfully, but also not to dig too deep…”
It was not realistic to coordinate with the Court of Judicial Review to turn and bite Jiang Zheng, but the hope was that it would not be made too extensive. The hope was that there would be no particular emphasis on the Wang family’s “reputation for family conduct” — just handle it as an ordinary case.
Zhù Ying said, “I’m at the Ministry of Revenue here. You’d need to find Shi and Lin.”
Grand Censor Wang waved his hand. “I can certainly approach the two of them — but neither is as effective as coming to you!” Grand Censor Wang could see clearly: yes, Shi and Lin were the ones directly in charge, but the Court of Judicial Review had many people within it, and their hearts were not necessarily all in one place. If there was one person whose words could cause the greatest number of people in the Court of Judicial Review to listen, it was Zhù Ying.
He did not know that within the Court of Judicial Review, a custom had formed under Zhù Ying’s influence: I may not report everything upward, but the Court of Judicial Review must exert every effort to uncover the truth. “Not necessarily reporting” is not the same as “not investigating.”
Zhù Ying immediately gave her ready assent: “I’ll speak to them — whether they’ll still give me some small measure of face, I cannot guarantee. As for your household’s affairs — please get a clear picture of the situation on your end as soon as possible. Wrap up what needs wrapping up, compensate the victims. How does one sell land to an outsider instead of to the same clan first? What are the prices for prime land versus poor land? Jiang Zheng didn’t write everything in detail — but someone who’s served in a local post takes one look and knows there’s something hidden there. If these matters aren’t smoothed over, when old accounts are turned up later, the Court of Judicial Review may not be willing to drag itself down with them.”
Grand Censor Wang said, “I will have them put things in order. If they cannot do it properly, I will wash my hands of them.”
Zhù Ying said, “Then that’s settled.”
“Good. This favor — I will remember it.”
Zhù Ying personally escorted Grand Censor Wang out of the Ministry of Revenue. Grand Censor Wang said, “No need to see me further.”
“Safe travels.”
Having seen Grand Censor Wang off, Zhù Ying first went to the Ministry of Personnel to coordinate with Minister Yao — the subject being Zhao Su.
Earlier, Minister Yao had slipped her a note asking her to be lenient with one of his cousins. This cousin held an appointment in the provinces; his grain tax levy for the current year had fallen short, and he hoped next year’s quota could be reduced a little.
Zhù Ying had her own calculations, and agreed to Minister Yao’s request, making a slight change to the figure in the document.
Seeing her arrive, Minister Yao smiled. “A rare guest.”
Zhù Ying said, “Since I’m treated as a guest, will you grant me one thing?”
Minister Yao invited her to sit and asked what she meant. Zhù Ying said, “The Ministry of Revenue is very busy. I want to transfer a few people to help me.”
“Of course,” Minister Yao said — without even asking the name.
Zhù Ying gave Zhao Su’s name, requesting that Zhao Su come over to serve as a Lang Zhong. After the effort spent sending Zhao Su to the northern territories to accumulate merit, and now that his work at the Court of Diplomatic Reception was also finished, transferring him over was quite a natural step. Minister Yao sighed admiringly. “You treat him as a true son could not be treated better.”
Zhù Ying said, “He still has to make his own way.”
The two finished their coordination. Minister Yao then said, “My younger kinsman’s matter — please don’t forget.”
Zhù Ying said, “I won’t forget.”
Leaving the Ministry of Personnel, she went next to the Court of Judicial Review. Shi Jixing and the others were thinking along the same lines she was: investigate, investigate thoroughly, and then consider how to report. The Court of Judicial Review did not lightly take the blame for others; if one wanted something done, there needed to be sincerity — otherwise it was no more than a thin surface courtesy.
In the Court of Judicial Review’s secure archive room, there were a number of files gathering dust. Many had been set aside because their immediate utility was limited; brought out at the right moment in the future, they would have far greater impact.
Zhù Ying needed only to hint to Shi Jixing, and Shi Jixing understood immediately. Shi Jixing said, “If it’s factual, concealing it will be very difficult.”
Zhù Ying said, “You investigate first.”
“Understood.”
Next, Zhù Ying still had a number of local officials to meet — all of it the standard back-and-forth of bargaining, as usual. When drawing up the budget, she had left a range for upward or downward adjustment, precisely to allow for flexibility in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
She also met with one more Regional Governor and one Adjutant General, and as she had with Jiang Zheng, she asked each of them for the same thing: actual figures on population and land.
By the end of the day, returning to her residence, the gatekeepers had already received a number of calling cards, and in the reception hall several visitors were waiting to see her — local officials who had arrived one by one.
Zhù Ying said to Lin Feng, “Tell them that something has come up today; accept the cards and arrange another time…”
Lin Feng said, “You know already?”
“Hmm?”
Lin Feng said, “You don’t know yet?”
“Tell me.”
“Oh! Just now, a messenger came from the old residence — Elder Qi, he has passed.”
Zhù Ying’s mouth opened slightly. She asked, “He’s just gone like that?” Then after a pause: “Did Xiao Qi Niangzi say if there was anything she needed help with?”
“Nothing like that. She just came to inform you, and said she was sorry to be causing you trouble again after all these years of your care.”
“I understand. Have Zhao Su handle the funeral arrangements. If there is anything they need help with, don’t leave them to manage alone.”
“Yes!”
Zhù Ying had known Qi Tai for nearly twenty years — to be separated by life and death in a single moment. She let out a long, quiet sigh. Lin Feng stole a glance at her, only to see Zhù Ying recover her composure and eat dinner quite normally.
After dinner, Zhù Ying offered no further instructions. She quietly made her way to the study. Hu Shijie and the others moved to follow. Zhù Ying waved them off. They exchanged a glance, then only carried in a charcoal basin, lit the candles, placed a pot of hot tea on the small side table, and softly withdrew, pulling the door shut behind them.
Zhù Ying was not as grief-stricken as they had imagined. She first pulled out paper to draft a document for the Ministry of Personnel reporting the vacancy left by Qi Tai’s death. Then she opened the calling cards of today’s visitors. Since she hadn’t seen them today, she would have to see them tomorrow — tomorrow’s schedule would be extremely tight. She also had to continue her bargaining sessions with the local officials tomorrow, and to arrange for people to go verify receipt of grain. The content of each morning’s briefing session had to be planned the evening before; she also needed to review the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs once more, in case the Emperor or the Council of State asked questions tomorrow.
Once all official business was done, Zhù Ying rose and went out. At the door she found Hu Shijie and Zhù Yin sitting under the eaves, clutching hand warmers.
In the light cast by the lantern hung under the eaves, Zhù Ying could see the tips of their noses had gone red from the cold.
Zhù Ying said, “No need to sit out here keeping watch. It’s cold.”
Hu Shijie raised her hand warmer a little higher and said, “We have these.”
Zhù Ying nodded, then walked briskly to the small training ground. She removed her outer robe and practiced for a while. Zhù Yin quietly slipped away, and before long returned with two attendants, who came round to light more than a dozen torches around the training ground.
Hu Shijie said, “It’s dark — mind your footing.” She casually set down her hand warmer, her arms involuntarily rising slightly, ready to catch Zhù Ying at any moment.
Zhù Ying moved across the training stakes, maneuvering and leaping. She threw a few sets of boxing forms until perspiration began to rise from her body, then stopped. “Why is everyone staring at me? Go and rest. Having all of you watching makes me self-conscious.”
Su Zhe leaned against one of the stakes and grumbled, “No one is staring — but even without anyone watching, you didn’t look at ease today.”
Zhù Ying glanced at her. Su Zhe immediately stood perfectly straight.
Zhù Ying gave a slight smile. “It’s nothing. Rest now.”
So saying, she took the lead in heading back to her rooms, and everyone gradually dispersed.
Zhù Ying returned to her room, washed up, and seeing it was still early, slipped on her shoes and opened the cabinet to take out a set of books. Wang Shuliang’s final parting gift to her had been a set of books; opening the cover, there was a thin envelope inside. The letter contained no flowery words of instruction or earnest entreaty — only a name list.
The name list she had read and memorized before burning. Now she took a few pages’ worth as each day’s reading. Having read today’s allotment, Zhù Ying set the book aside, picked up a candle stand, and carried it to the dressing table. She looked at herself in the mirror.
One of her in the mirror, one of her outside the mirror. That made two people — two who could speak to each other.
Though no words need be said aloud. Speaking in the heart was enough.
The two sat together in silence for a while. Zhù Ying rose, blew out the candle, and went to sleep.
…——
The next morning, Zhù Ying woke, completed her morning practice, ate breakfast, and headed to court.
Before leaving, she said to Xiang Le, “First draw some money from the account and take it to Zhao Su.”
“Yes.”
Going to court, the day’s session was fairly uneventful. Shi Jixing was still investigating the Wang family case. The evidence Jiang Zheng had brought to the capital — Zhù Ying had looked it over and found no glaring inconsistencies. The Court of Judicial Review would therefore have to follow standard procedure and start from the beginning. First, the witnesses Jiang Zheng had brought to the capital would be examined; then the relevant parties in the place of origin would need to be summoned. At the fastest, a result could be expected in about a month.
After the session dispersed, the Emperor kept Dou Peng behind to discuss other matters. Zhù Ying and the others each returned to their respective offices.
Zhù Ying returned to the Ministry of Revenue and opened the morning briefing with the first order of business: announcement of Qi Tai’s death.
Hearing of Qi Tai’s passing so abruptly, Ye Deng said, “Then another person must be found to fill the vacancy. At any other time one could take pains to find the right person, but we’re short-handed right now.”
Zhù Ying said, “A document will go to the Ministry of Personnel presently — I’ve already spoken to Minister Yao.”
Ye Deng had no idea of Qi Tai’s background, and seeing there was already an arrangement in place, he let the matter drop. But several of the Ministry’s scribes had expressions of complicated feeling.
Qi Tai had been a Ministry of Revenue scribe for twenty years already. The officials from those days were long gone to who knew where; the people who still remembered him were mostly the clerks and functionaries from that era, whose own temples had now streaked with silver. They each mulled things over in their hearts, when they heard Zhù Ying say sharply: “Everyone, gather your spirits! Let us begin!”
“Yes!” The clerks answered very loudly.
Zhù Ying first sent another document to the Ministry of Personnel: one, to report the matter of Qi Tai; and two, to request that another person be transferred to the Ministry — Xiang Le. Xiang Le had not previously served in an official yamen, and his rank should not be too high; counting the merit accumulated while in the headquarters, Zhù Ying placed him as an Supernumerary Aide.
Then, as before, she met with a series of local officials who had been sequenced by priority — no need to describe each in detail.
Toward evening, a document arrived from the Ministry of Personnel: Zhao Su’s transfer order had come through. Minister Yao Zhen sent someone to inform the Ministry of Revenue and gave Zhù Ying the formal appointment certificate and the like.
After leaving the Ministry for the day, Zhù Ying prepared first to go offer incense for Qi Tai, and at the same time to hand Zhao Su his appointment certificate.
But on returning home and changing clothes, Zhù Qingtian led her in an unexpected direction. Zhù Ying said, “Wrong way, isn’t it?”
Zhù Qingtian said, “It’s the right way. It’s not being held at the residence. Xiao Qi Niangzi said that as they were only lodging at your residence to begin with, holding a large funeral ceremony there would not be proper. They’ve arranged to move to a temple.”
Zhù Ying said, “There’s another reason.”
Zhù Qingtian said: “Yes, the Qi family’s relatives… Xiao Qi Niangzi is his daughter, with no brothers. Bringing all the Qi family relatives into your residence — what would that look like? Zhao-da also suggested it. They’ve found a small temple to lay the body in state, and are having Buddhist rites performed there as well.”
Zhù Ying arrived at the temple. She found them borrowing a courtyard inside the temple for the ceremonies. Xiao Qi Niangzi’s eyes were red and swollen from weeping. She came forward and greeted Zhù Ying with a bow: “It troubles you to make this trip.”
Behind her, several men were eager to come forward and speak. They appeared to be distant Qi family relatives. Zhù Ying nodded to them, not waiting for them to speak, and instead said to Xiao Qi Niangzi, “Your father had only you as a child — you must take good care of matters.”
Then she offered incense, drew Zhao Su aside, and gave him the appointment certificate.
Zhao Su said with a wry smile, “I’m afraid I’ll need two days of leave — I can’t really leave things here just yet. She’s an only child, and there’s some family business to manage.”
“Oh?”
“I can manage it.”
Zhù Ying said, “Very well. Once the first seven days are done, come in. She can handle everyday affairs, but for something like this, she can’t hold her own against the relatives. You need to stay here and keep things steady.”
Zhao Su made no objection. Xiao Qi Niangzi was adept at managing a household, but she was not the sort of woman that Su Mingluan or Su Zhe were — when a truly major crisis arose, she knew who to turn to, but she could not manage it herself.
Zhù Ying said, “I still have things at home, so I won’t stay.”
Zhao Su walked her out of the temple. Along the way, they happened to encounter the temple’s abbot. The abbot had a kind and benevolent face and, upon seeing her, first pronounced a Buddhist invocation. Zhù Ying also stopped and greeted him, saying, “I’ve been an imposition.” She then directed that twenty strings of cash be given to the abbot.
The abbot pronounced another invocation and personally escorted Zhù Ying out of the temple.
Like a spinning top, Zhù Ying returned home to find more visitors waiting to see her. She too had to meet with them. In the midst of all this, she managed to pull aside the time to have Xiang Le deliver a calling card to Xian Jing: “Tomorrow I’ll pay him a visit — ask if he’s free. If he’s not, another time.”
“Yes.”
The local officials who came to the Zhù residence had all brought a fair quantity of gifts. Zhù Ying did not presume on her standing — a regional governor’s rank was only slightly lower than her own — the gifts she accepted, and proper courtesy must also be given in return.
Governor Yang was the closest to the capital of all the northern territory regions, so he arrived earliest. For the current year, the northern territories’ tax levies had been reduced, and Governor Yang had come first to say a word to Zhù Ying, to avoid being given trouble by the Ministry of Revenue’s subordinates.
Of the local officials who came to the door, Zhù Ying asked each of them for the same thing: the actual figures on population and land.
The five visits done, Xiang Le came forward to report: “The Counselor Xian says he looks forward to receiving you tomorrow.”
Zhù Ying said, “Tomorrow, don’t go out. Stay home and wait.”
Xiang Le, since the Xiang family had also acquired property in the capital, though the siblings were still lodging in the Zhù residence, asked, “Is there something for me to do at home?”
“You’ll know when the time comes.”
“Yes.”
The next afternoon, Xiang Le was at home when Niu Jin brought him his appointment certificate and other documents. Su Zhe was still at the temple helping her uncle. Lin Feng and the others all urged Xiang Le to treat them to a meal. Xiang Yu also chimed in: “Second Uncle, you’re rich! Three days of celebration! Good food!”
“Get out of here,” Xiang Le said. “Elder Qi’s affairs aren’t finished yet — wait at least two more days before making merry. As if there’d ever be a shortage of food for your mouth. Go — take money from the account and ask Nanny Li to slaughter a pig and a lamb. Tonight let’s add a dish for everyone.”
He also spent money to order a banquet from outside, to treat Zhù Ying to a fine meal that evening.
No one in the household made any further fuss. They all said, “Enjoy it today — in a couple of days we’ll drink your wedding wine.”
Xiang Yu followed along with Xiang Le. Xiang Le said, “I’m going to write a letter home. Why are you tagging along? Go write your own letter — we’ll send them together.”
Xiang Yu said, “Second Uncle, how come you don’t look happy?”
“Qi Tai was an innocent and genuine man who could have lived out his days in the residence. Now that I have a real official post, it’s no longer appropriate for me to shamelessly stay in my superior’s home. When your aunt and I began following our lord, we never imagined things would come to this. At the time we thought we’d be servants, household managers. Now it really isn’t suitable to stay here anymore.”
“Our family has a house in the capital too, just not as big as this one…”
Xiang Le shot him a look. Xiang Yu said, “So then… could I stay here a little longer? Being far from our lord wouldn’t be good.”
Xiang Le said, “Our lord has been enormously kind to our family. If I’m no longer in this residence, of course you all must continue to be here serving our lord. Remember — you are not here to be a young master.”
“Yes.”
Uncle and nephew continued their back-and-forth until Zhù Ying returned. The two dared not be negligent — together they came out with bowed backs to receive her into the residence.
In the main hall, Xiang Le knelt directly on the floor. “My lord’s grace to me is as if she gave me new life.” Xiang Yu followed and knelt behind him.
Zhù Ying said, “Less of the talk. Get yourself ready — tomorrow morning report to the Ministry of Revenue. There’s no shortage of work to be done.”
Xiang Le raised his head. Seeing Zhù Ying’s expression unchanged from its usual composure, he broke into a smile. “Yes!”
“Do you know what you’ll be doing?”
“Yes. And what I don’t know, I can go ask Zhao Zhen and the others.”
That day, Zhù Ying had commitments and took no outside visitors. On returning, she changed clothes and went to Xian Jing’s home. Xiang Le did not stay in the residence but ran out to hold Zhù Ying’s horse.
Zhù Ying said, “You stay home and prepare. Starting tomorrow, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.”
“Yes.” Xiang Le made no further attempt to insist; he pulled Xiang Yu over and told him to follow Zhù Ying out.
…
Now as for Xian Jing — when he received Zhù Ying’s calling card, he became quite anxious for a moment. He considered Zhù Ying to be something like a half-fellow-partisan; otherwise, she would not have stepped forward to argue for Wang Yunhe’s posthumous title. At the very least, there was some shared sentiment between them.
But the task of “drawing Zhù Ying closer” had put him in a dilemma again. Zhù Ying’s relationship with the Eastern Palace had always been lukewarm and noncommittal; Xian Jing himself had no confidence. He also wanted to make clear to Zhù Ying that sooner or later a choice would have to be made.
With Zhù Ying coming of her own accord, Xian Jing paid the visit considerable weight.
First thing in the morning before going out he gave orders to have the house thoroughly cleaned, had his wife prepare the dinner menu, pushed aside all other engagements, and simply stayed home to wait for Zhù Ying.
The moment Zhù Ying appeared at the gate, he came striding quickly out to receive her — greeting her warmly and leading her to the main hall. He had not invited any other guests. In Zhù Ying’s company, having certain guests was worse than having none at all. Zhù Ying did not care for music and dancing entertainment, so he had made no elaborate arrangements there either — only a few musicians placed behind a curtain to provide a gentle background.
Xian Jing said, “What an honor! Since you moved away, we rarely see each other.”
“Whenever one wants, one can always find a way to meet,” Zhù Ying said.
Host and guest settled into their seats. Xian Jing said, “The Ministry of Revenue is so busy, and yet you take time to come here — I should have been the one to go to you.”
Zhù Ying said, “I have come with something to ask of you — how could I then have you make the trip?”
Servants brought in dishes. Xian Jing saw them through the serving, then asked: “What is it?”
Zhù Ying said, “Haggling with the regional governors unavoidably means going back through old records — I’ve been looking at some of the archives from when you and Prime Minister Dou were in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.”
Xian Jing said with nostalgia, “Those days…”
Zhù Ying said, “Yes — those days, how fine they were. Favorable weather, all foreign peoples at peace, ruler and ministers in harmony, and the court not so riven with strife.”
Xian Jing knew that the word “strife” was the crux of the matter, and followed the thread. “Who wouldn’t want peace and contentment? I miss those days too — not having to think so much, just concentrating on doing things well. The things worth worrying about were all handled by our teacher! Now our teacher is gone. How could one bear to let our teacher’s lifelong efforts come to nothing? Zizhang, our teacher thought most highly of you when he was alive.”
Zhù Ying waved her hand. “I haven’t read much — I’m not one for wordplay and verbal sparring. Back then when we were at each other’s throats over seed grain, we always spoke plainly.”
Xian Jing said, “Then speak plainly.”
Zhù Ying said, “The court cannot fall into disorder. The times are also not as good as they were under the late Emperor, and there are many affairs to attend to. You mentioned Wang Prime Minister yourself — Wang Prime Minister would not want to see things as they are now. You were once a person who dealt in practical realities, yet ever since you became Eastern Palace Counselor, you’ve grown fond of dealing in abstractions.”
Xian Jing said, “If I don’t stand at the front holding the line, what could those people — Zheng and the rest — accomplish? You know this without my needing to tell you, don’t you? Suppressing land encroachment — where is the error in that? Every dynasty that failed to suppress encroachment brought about its own ruin. And isn’t it also the case that you yourself are most desirous of selecting officials through the examination system?”
He also enumerated the items in Wang Yunhe’s posthumous memorial, saying, “If one plans in advance, one is prepared; if one fails to plan, one is defeated. If our teacher had laid out this blueprint sooner, and we had followed it…”
“Followed it to do what? To encroach on land alongside the rest?” Zhù Ying said. “Or to drive people to their deaths? Those matters I investigated at the Court of Judicial Review — they were not falsely accused. And in the northern territories, when Yu Qingquan came to find me and asked me to turn a blind eye — if they are gentlemen, how can they on one hand denounce others, while on the other hand tolerating those who do precisely the same thing?”
Xian Jing said, “Doing something always involves compromise. I know there are mediocrities among them — but that is simply buying a horse’s bone for a thousand gold, even if it is merely the skeleton. Anything to show the world the resolve to transform things. The real thoroughbred horses — where are they?”
“More than a thousand gold was spent, and several sets of misshapen, peculiar bones were obtained. The thoroughbred horses — where are they?” Zhù Ying asked. “I haven’t seen any. All I’ve seen is that you’ve reared a stable of large braying donkeys! You led a herd of donkeys and exhausted the real thoroughbred to death. Exhausted to death and still couldn’t earn any gratitude.”
Xian Jing’s eyes reddened. He set down his wine cup.
Zhù Ying said, “I was in the northern territories. I saw too many scenes of war and loss. Have you ever seen a whole village in mourning? I have. I entered a household — the old grandmother’s son was dead, her daughter-in-law had been abducted. She had cooked a pot of porridge — coarse rice and dried beans and wilted greens — and plunged the ladle to the very bottom of the pot to scoop me out the thickest portion, then pinched a small bit of salt into my bowl.”
Zhù Ying set down her cup. With her right thumb and forefinger, she made two gentle rubbing motions together.
“The suffering of the common people is something to be mourned. The army’s accumulated corruption ran too deep — it should have been reformed long ago. The Loyal and Martial Army had too little time. And so the people suffered at the hands of foreign invaders.
External turmoil is turmoil; internal turmoil is also turmoil. Encroachment that causes people to be driven from their homes is an act of evil. Suppressing encroachment is right — but forcing the tallying numbers to look good, driving people to their deaths, driving them from their homes, that too is an act of evil. When one’s energies are spent on infighting, how much is left to govern the realm? Tolerating cruelty and brutality — internal turmoil is already at the door, and foreign enemies will seize on the weakness to invade. How many more will have to die?
People talk of cycles of order and chaos — in times of chaos, I can survive better. Yet many more people will have terrible difficulty — a hundredfold harder than it is now. I ate her meal, and I cannot allow her only remaining grandchild to be buried in a ditch.”
Xian Jing wept, tears streaming down his face. He said, “I would rather the rivers run clear and the seas stay calm! Who would not want to be the worthy minister who inaugurates a great age of prosperity?! But why won’t you say these things to Zheng Xi?
Them! The encroachment! The seizures! Yes, internal turmoil is turmoil — driving people to their deaths, compared with barbarians directly cutting off a person’s head, which is more savage?! You’re conflating those who do evil with the mistakes made in the imperfect effort to stop the evil!
I too want to do real things — but if I don’t come forward and fight for it, the tricks they play behind the scenes will corrupt every good deed before it can be done and harm the gentlemen who speak up for the people!”
“Because I have no expectations of him whatsoever — and he has never claimed to be a gentleman himself. But you are different,” Zhù Ying said. “Since I took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, I have come to understand how difficult it is to hold this ministry. You did very well when it was in your hands. You are Wang Yunhe’s student. You should not sink to Zheng Xi’s level just to have someone to compare badly against.
And I — I want to make one more attempt. Even toward Zheng Xi, I must say: there must be no disorder. A great tree has dead branches — then prune the dead branches. Xian Gong, may I try once more?”
“Haven’t I been tolerant enough of those who hold offices without doing their duties?”
“In the northern territories, as you know, I recruited a new army, similar to the Loyal and Martial Army. Wen Yue leads them, and does it well. It was a new Wen Yue who superseded the old Wen Yue — can you accept a change of this kind?”
Xian Jing shook his head. “He will help Zheng Xi. And besides, how many dead branches are there? What if the very root has rotted? ‘The lofty pine at the bottom of the valley, the tender seedling on the hill.'”
Zhù Ying said, “The scholar from a humble background is still a scholar. Pine or seedling — either is vastly better than lowly dust.
Not everyone is willing to spend their finest years in debate. There are still many people willing to do a little practical work.
Sometimes, fairness will hurt some people. When you stand on the left, the person standing in the middle is standing to your right. Would you treat the person standing in the middle as someone who belongs on the right? Then the person in the middle will become your enemy too.
Beat the person who is repairing the house, and the house collapses; everyone inside will perish. Fight all you like — but don’t demolish the house. Can you do that?”
Xian Jing’s expression was unsettled. He looked at Zhù Ying, and Zhù Ying’s face was — sincere. It was hard to imagine: someone with such deep reservoirs of calculation, and yet capable of retaining a kind of purity.
Something arose in his heart — a thin thread of envy, admiration, and reluctant dissatisfaction. He said, “I will do my best.”
“Then it’s a promise.”
Xian Jing nodded.