“Are there not still General Ye and his like? Though Leng Pinghui did err, victory and defeat are constant matters in war — he atoned for his mistakes afterward while serving under the Marquis of Leng. And besides them, General Ruan and others are not bad either,” Chen Meng, having heard Zhù Ying’s words, began to enumerate the court’s military commanders. “Then there is Wen Yue, and the young men from the northern region — Da Lang says this Yao Jinghsia is also quite capable. How can you say such a thing?”

Zhù Ying was considered “knowledgeable in military matters,” and Chen Meng was a Chancellor and Zhù Ying’s close friend — he assumed Zhù Ying spoke out of concern for the court.

Following this line of thinking, he then asked the question a Chancellor ought to ask: “The old talent gives way to the new — experience may be somewhat lacking, but surely they cannot be too wanting?”

What Zhù Ying was actually thinking was “who poses a threat to me,” though she did answer Chen Meng’s question: “Not too wanting, but none are yet fully forged. Should something arise in the future, in the opening stages of any conflict there will likely be setbacks — it will cost money, grain, lives, and territory to temper them. All things under heaven work this way: engage with the orthodox and triumph with the unorthodox. Even a rare and unmatched genius must build mutual knowledge and trust with the soldiers under his command — and that is the work of a grinding, patient craft.”

Chen Meng said mournfully: “Each generation truly is worse than the last…”

The two of them simultaneously looked toward the inner chamber, where the Emperor was offering condolences to the bereaved family. Leng Yun wept like a child, while the Emperor held his hand and murmured word after word of comfort. Zheng Xi and the others stood in attendance nearby.

Zhù Ying said to Chen Meng: “Are you not going in?”

Chen Meng said: “I am going to find my uncle for a word. The Marquis of Leng’s posthumous affairs must not have any missteps.”

“He has managed such matters for years.”

“You do not know — the greater the event, the more I worry about him. Throughout his life, he has always fallen just half a step short.”

So Chen Meng went to find Shen Ying, while Zhù Ying crouched beside a brazier, slowly feeding paper-folded ingots into the flames. Cutting though her remarks had been, Zhù Ying and the Marquis of Leng had gotten on tolerably well — partly through her own forbearance, and partly through the Marquis’s cooperation. She had been a newcomer when she first encountered the battlefield; whether it was the Marquis Zheng or the Marquis of Leng, they had been the ones in command.

Those who have shared life-and-death pressures together always feel a closer kinship of spirit.

The younger Leng general also crouched down beside her, holding a paper ingot and feeding it into the brazier. As he burned, he spoke: “Uncle has gone. As for his whole life — they call it a long life, they call it posthumous honors, but there is an emptiness in my heart nonetheless.”

Zhù Ying said: “It is the same for everyone.”

Neither of them wept. The young Leng general stared at the brazier and said: “What comes next, I do not know. I hear the western frontier has been restless — no great war, but a constant grinding harassment that wears one down. I have a mind to go and take a look. What do you think?”

Zhù Ying said: “That could work — only once you are there, you will need to make your own decisions.”

The young Leng general said: “With the current strength of our forces, I can manage. I only wonder whether those in the capital can provide backing. When one is away from home, as you know, nothing is more feared than trouble at one’s rear. The one we have at our household is not stupid, but incapable of managing burdensome affairs.”

Zhù Ying said: “Before you depart, pay a call on Chancellor Zheng. Furthermore, his cousin is well-versed in border affairs — through Chancellor Zheng, seek a letter of introduction, and things will be smoother for you once you arrive. As for grain, troops, and supplies from the capital — I will do everything in my power, and even if there are difficulties, I will inform you honestly.”

The young Leng general made up his mind: “Many thanks!”

He thrust his remaining paper ingots all at once into the brazier. A curl of black smoke rose, and then the flames leapt up!

“What are you two doing?” A voice descended upon their heads.

They looked up — Chen Meng had returned. Zhù Ying dusted her hands and stood up: “Burning offerings down to him.”

Chen Meng also crouched down and tossed a paper ingot into the brazier. Behind him, two attendants brought another basket over. Three idle figures sat around the brazier burning ingots. Quite a few onlookers noticed, yet none dared approach. In the center, one brazier; around it, three people; beyond them, an open circle of empty space; and beyond that, the throng of other mourners coming and going.

Some of the Marquis of Leng’s old subordinates from the military had also come. Unable to get close to this brazier, they simply gathered and crouched behind Zhù Ying and the young Leng general.

Just then, the Emperor emerged from within the inner chamber and at a glance took in the sight of a crowd crouched on the ground.

Someone quietly alerted them. The three brushed their palms and straightened their clothes as they rose. The look of grief had not yet fully left the Emperor’s face; he glanced down at the wind-scattered ashes covering the ground and sighed: “Return to the palace.”

The Leng family proceeded with the mourning rites, but court affairs could not be neglected.

Given the Marquis of Leng’s stature and position, the Emperor would suspend court sessions, yet still needed to attend to government matters. The most pressing matter before him was that Leng Yun and others had to observe the mourning period, and the vacant posts needed to be filled.

The first, naturally, was Leng Yun’s own position. The Emperor looked at the Chancellors and said: “With Leng Yun in mourning, Shi Ji Xing is appointed Director of the Court of State Ceremonial.”

Chen Meng immediately expressed his agreement — he had absolutely no desire to see Shen Ying holding a permanent senior post anywhere. Zheng Xi, Xian Jing, and the others also raised no objection. Shi Ji Xing had sufficient seniority, adequate pedigree, and the capacity for the role.

Dou Peng asked: “Then what of the Court of Judicial Review? With only one Junior Director remaining, this seems inappropriate.” The Junior Director of the Court of Judicial Review, Lin Zan, was not a man who would toil and labor.

The Emperor was momentarily at a loss — he had no suitable candidate at hand. A thought stirred in Zheng Xi’s mind, and he recommended Pei Qing’s son Pei Tan: “Pei Qing was formerly a Junior Director of the Court of Judicial Review himself; Pei Tan’s official reputation is also excellent.”

The Emperor asked about Pei Qing’s record; Zheng Xi gave an honest account and also mentioned that Pei Tan had served as Junior Prefect of the Capital Prefecture. The Emperor said: “I remember now — I was young at the time, but I heard he was quite remarkable, bearing something of the character of Chancellor Wang.”

Pei Tan’s appointment was thus decided.

The Emperor thought of Shen Ying, who had been busy with affairs at the Leng residence that day, and asked: “Is the Ministry of Works not still short a Vice Minister?”

Chen Meng said: “It is — Vice Minister Xia died of illness.”

The Emperor said: “Shen Ying has served at the Court of State Ceremonial for many years with diligence and dedication. Once the Marquis of Leng’s affairs are concluded, transfer him to a position at the Ministry of Works.”

“Yes.”

Dou Peng said: “Then the Court of State Ceremonial would again be short a Junior Director?”

Chen Meng, having the responsibility, recommended an acquaintance of his surnamed Wu — a man who had served in provincial posts for many years and was now about sixty, and had entrusted himself to Chen Meng hoping to spend his final years in the capital accumulating the last of his seniority.

Adjustments and appointments to fill vacancies proceeded like a chain, with many people to be moved. The Emperor then said: “As for the rest, have the Ministry of Personnel draw up a list of names for submission.”

They deliberated on other court matters for a while, and the Emperor admonished them: “Have Shi Ji Xing take charge of the Court of State Ceremonial swiftly! The foreign tributary envoys are nearly due.”

The first new year would be the first formal New Year’s audience since the Emperor had ascended the throne, and he hoped it could be conducted impressively. Foreign tributary envoys played no small part in the occasion, and since Shi Ji Xing was fairly capable, the Emperor hoped the occasion would present a fine spectacle.

The Chancellors gave their assurances.

Next, Dou Peng reported on the disasters that had been submitted from various regions, as well as the low-level “banditry.” Over these past few years, both disasters and banditry had increased in frequency compared to before, though the court had also developed a comprehensive set of responses, and dealing with them was not overly difficult. Still, hearing the news was troublesome.

The Emperor restrained his impatience and asked: “How is it that both natural disasters and human calamities have multiplied so?”

The Chancellors first offered apologies, taking the responsibility upon themselves, and then Dou Peng explained to the Emperor: “The two are in fact one: when there is disaster, commoners lose their livelihoods and gather as bandits. The key is still to provide for the people.”

The Emperor said to Dou Peng: “Again it is the times… Yet one must also guard against human-made calamities. The regional inspectors will soon be arriving in the capital — this year, I intend to examine them personally!”

The Chancellors exchanged glances and lowered their heads: “Yes.”

Xian Jing felt quite gratified: His Majesty grows more and more like an enlightened ruler!

The Emperor still had some distance to travel before he could be called an enlightened ruler, but compared with his father, he was indeed showing more initiative.

Taking advantage of the fact that court sessions were suspended and everyone was somewhat more at ease, he changed into plain clothes and quietly slipped out of the palace with Hao Dafang, making his way toward the Shi residence.

The capital had not seen an Emperor venture out incognito for quite some time. The Imperial Guards were alarmed! The garrison officer at the gate pumped his legs like carriage wheels and shot across to where Wen Yue stood: “General! His Majesty intends to go out incognito!”

Wen Yue was startled: “What? Where is he going?!”

Something leapt naturally into his mind: the story that when this Emperor had been Crown Prince, he had somehow gone out of the palace with a palace maid and ended up at the maid’s home!

Though the Son of Heaven’s dignity was sacred, in Wen Yue’s eyes the young Emperor was an image of someone who did not quite grasp the gravity of his own position!

He also panicked — clutching his helmet under one arm and gripping his sword with the other hand, he broke into a run: “Which gate is His Majesty at now?”

When he finally arrived at the palace gate, he saw the Emperor dressed in brocade garments, looking for all the world like a refined and noble young gentleman, with no powdered and painted palace maids anywhere in sight. Wen Yue let out a breath of relief and stepped forward: “Your minister…”

He handed his sword and helmet to someone behind him and performed his salute again: “Your minister…”

The Emperor interrupted him: “You came? It is nothing major — I am going to the Shi residence.”

Wen Yue immediately said: “Your minister will escort Your Majesty.”

The Emperor smiled: “We are within the capital — no need for so many people. All this marshaling of troops will have the Empress Dowager nagging again. You stay in the palace. If anyone asks, say I have gone to the North Garden.”

“Yes.”

The Shi residence was not far from the palace, and the Emperor arrived at the gate of the Shi residence shortly after. The gate attendants did not recognize him, but Hao Dafang gave himself away — one glance told anyone he was a eunuch.

Very shortly, Shi Kun himself came out to welcome the guest.

The Emperor rushed forward to support Shi Kun: “Leaving the Leng residence, I was struck by a wave of feeling and came to call on the old Chancellor. The old ministers are passing away one by one.”

Shi Kun said: “We who remain have already lived long enough.”

The two walked together, Shi Kun guiding the Emperor to the main hall and bidding him be seated, while he himself took a seat below as attendant. They first exchanged reflections, counting over the elderly officials of former years. The old Chancellor Chen Luan was someone the Crown Prince had had little contact with, but Wang Yunhe and the others were different. When all was tallied, the two — ruler and minister — had bid farewell to quite a few old acquaintances.

Shi Kun sighed: “Your minister does not know when the day will come to meet them. Yet I always feel that day is not far off.”

The Emperor quickly said: “How can the old Chancellor speak so? I still have much I wish to ask the old Chancellor’s counsel. Without you, both court and countryside would be unsettled.”

“Your Majesty overpraises me. Your minister is not so very important.”

The Emperor said: “These are sincere words. Speaking only of the Council of State — it is enough to give one a headache. I do not know how to manage it well, and I wished to ask the old Chancellor’s guidance: is the present situation good or bad? The court is in turmoil — how should I respond? Xian Jing and Zheng Xi each seem like pillars of the state when regarded individually, but put them together and friction easily arises — surely this is to the court’s detriment?”

Shi Kun smiled faintly and said: “Is it not simply bickering? So long as they do not bring harm upon the common people of the realm, it matters little.”

These words were somewhat in accord with what Zhù Ying had once said. The Emperor replied: “And their rivalry…”

Shi Kun said: “Can people ever think in complete accord with one another? Your Majesty must not regard these two as treacherous villains — then you must tolerate them and make use of them. Each has his strengths; use those strengths. Your Majesty must not issue orders today and rescind them tomorrow — please take the realm and the people as the highest priority.”

He seemed to have heard words like these before as well.

The Emperor nodded. It seemed his own general understanding was not wrong. He then began to ask Shi Kun about some more particular matters, for instance: “In the old Chancellor’s view, who among the present men is worthy of cultivation?”

Shi Kun smiled and said: “The world has no shortage of capable ministers. As long as Your Majesty keeps his eyes open, they will reveal themselves. An awl in a sack — its point will make itself seen. Why should he need others to speak of it at length?”

Ruler and minister conversed for a long while before the Emperor rose to leave. He had barely stepped out when Shi Ji Xing returned home, a faint smile on his face. A direct elevation to Director of the Court of State Ceremonial amounted to an exceptional promotion. Shi Ji Xing understood perfectly — this was in part a reward for his father having persuaded Chancellor Li to retire.

He went home and reported this to Shi Kun. Shi Kun said: “Understood. Hmm, the Court of State Ceremonial…”

Shi Ji Xing said with a smile: “I shall find an opportunity to pay a call on my old superior at the Zhù residence.”

Shi Kun also smiled: “Knowing as much is sufficient.”

When news of Shi Ji Xing’s promotion spread, many were delighted. Friends and relatives personally came to offer congratulations, while others sent gifts. The Court of State Ceremonial was also greatly pleased — at last a dependable superior had arrived.

The earlier Leng Yun and Shen Ying had been what manner of formidable figures!

Only Shen Ying felt out of sorts. He had been in this post for a long time now and had never been promoted. Even those who came after him, like Zhù Ying, had been elevated to the rank of a ministry head, yet he remained only a Junior Director! Shi Ji Xing had become a Junior Director later than he had, and now had become his superior. This… having a Chancellor for a father truly was an advantage!

He bowed his head and looked at the funerary oration he had just received — it was one composed by an academician for the Marquis of Leng. In death, the Marquis of Leng had been accorded all the highest honors, and had moreover been granted burial alongside a royal tomb. He had assumed that with Leng Yun in mourning, he himself would be able to act as temporary head of the Court of State Ceremonial and demonstrate his abilities — yet now…

Yet the duty before him still had to be carried out well. He knew Leng Yun’s temperament — if there were any slip, Leng Yun would not be easier to deal with than anyone else.

With a sense of something stuck in his throat, Shen Ying used the excuse of being occupied with the Marquis of Leng’s affairs to stay away from the Court of State Ceremonial, sparing himself the irritation of seeing Shi Ji Xing. He kept himself busy right up until the Marquis of Leng was interred, and only then, with a drooping head and dejected air, returned to the Court of State Ceremonial.

By this time, Shi Ji Xing had already met with Zhù Ying. Over the years Zhù Ying had built up her presence in the Court of State Ceremonial, and before Shi Ji Xing had cultivated his own trusted subordinates there, the people Zhù Ying had left behind were the most reliable available to him. Whether Shen Ying showed up or not was of no particular concern to Shi Ji Xing. He knew Shen Ying’s record, and knew that Shen Ying would soon be transferred to the Ministry of Works as a Vice Minister — there was no point in establishing authority over him.

Seeing Shen Ying return, Shi Ji Xing spoke to him quite warmly: “Diligent service to the royal cause is certain to bring its reward.”

Shen Ying gave a bitter smile and managed: “The superior overpraises me — I am only doing my duty.”

Shi Ji Xing did not directly reveal the news to him, continuing only to praise him and assure him of a good outcome. Though he could see that Chen Meng was not particularly fond of Shen Ying, this piece of good news was better delivered by Chen Meng himself.

Shi Ji Xing had planned this thoughtfully, yet as it turned out, Chen Meng gave Shen Ying no advance notice — the good news hit Shen Ying over the head without any warning!

When the news reached him, Shen Ying was entirely stunned. He stood motionless, mouth open wide, his voice cracking and off-pitch.

Shi Ji Xing hastily helped cover for him, and also reminded Shen Ying that he needed to submit a memorial of thanks, among other things.

Shen Ying suddenly came back to himself: “Yes, yes, yes. Thank His Majesty — er, oh, many thanks for the reminder. I will — oh my goodness, this…”

He was babbling incoherently, overcome with joy. Shi Ji Xing watched without comment, instructed people to help him with the transition formalities, and felt a twinge of doubt in his heart: And this is the Chancellor’s maternal uncle! I only hope this Wu person he has arranged will not turn out to be another flighty character like this!

Shi Ji Xing found Shen Ying’s behavior quite unimpressive, but kept up a courteous manner, took him by the arm, and walked him out.

Shen Ying spent a busy day at the Court of State Ceremonial. That evening, returning home still flushed with excitement, he answered everything his wife Shen Furen said to him out of sequence. When she gave him a push and asked: “What has gotten into you? You look as though you’ve lost your soul!”

Shen Ying laughed: “I am now the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works!”

“Oh my!” Shen Furen was delighted as well. “I always said — once A’Gui was well established, we would benefit too! Who can say it isn’t partly out of regard for mother and son?”

Shen Ying’s smile dimmed a little. He said gravely: “Nonsense! Court affairs — how can they possibly hinge on a woman of the rear palace? I have given diligent and devoted service for decades; by any reckoning, my record and my toil have long been sufficient! Is this what they call riding on a woman’s coattails?!”

Shen Furen retorted: “I know, I know — why are you shouting at me? Hmph! Are you truly saying A’Gui contributed not the slightest bit of help?”

The two bickered back and forth. When young she had only ever wept before her husband; now in old age she was bold enough to argue with him.

Shen Ying got rather the worse of it and finally fell into a sulk.

After that, he first completed his transition from the Court of State Ceremonial and then reported for duty at the Ministry of Works — all of which took just under half a month before he was firmly settled in at the Ministry of Works, by which time winter had well arrived.

A Vice Minister’s stipend was higher than a Junior Director’s, and the court paid more than before. But the Court of State Ceremonial had been far wealthier than the Ministry of Works, and the supplementary income he could draw on his own was less than before — so in the end, weighing one against the other, Shen Ying’s income had actually decreased. Shen Furen complained: “How is it that your rank has gone up, yet your salary has come down? Have you been giving it away somewhere?”

Shen Ying, seeing that she suspected him of something, grew angry: “Since when does a wife interrogate her husband?”

“Am I not doing it for the household’s sake?”

Shen Furen was preparing to send a substantial gift to her family and to send more money to her niece in the palace as well. The Yan family had no great fortune, and Yan Gui as a Baolin earned very little in salary — the Emperor’s gifts had not yet reached the level where she could draw on them freely. Shen Furen hoped her niece would not be too pinched within the palace and wanted to supplement her a little, as a matter of face.

In Shen Furen’s view, her niece was clever and had a bright future — maintaining the niece now was appropriate for any reason one might name.

But her husband was bringing home less money than before, which gave her cause for concern. She still firmly believed that her husband’s promotion was bound up inextricably with her niece’s favor in the palace and her having borne a child.

She kept up her muttering without cease. Shen Ying found himself unhappy with his promotion and was goaded into irritation again and again, right up through the New Year. Shen Furen also seized the opportunity to accompany Yan Gui’s own mother on a visit into the palace to see Yan Gui, and brought money for her.

For the New Year, the rear palace also received gifts of various kinds, but no one’s rank was elevated. Shen Furen set aside everything else and simply focused on looking at the child Yan Gui had borne, beaming: “Oh my, how wonderful! Things have truly turned for the better!”

At court, things were all harmony and contentment.

The Emperor was a better man than his late father — his methods were still somewhat unripe, but his conduct showed a certain measure of order, and everyone’s hearts were somewhat eased.

Shi Ji Xing’s mood was especially good. The newly arrived Vice Director Wu turned out to be reasonably capable. Though not young, he was not slow off the mark in the way that Shen Ying had been — always a half-step late where promptness was needed, and a half-step forward where restraint was called for. Vice Director Wu was considerably more decisive. The New Year’s audience ceremony was carried off quite well.

Zhù Ying stood among the assembled court, also in good spirits. This year, representatives from the various families of Wuzhou had also made the journey — Luo Sheng’s son Lang Rui had finally reached an age where he could be sent on a long journey without excessive worry about illness or exhaustion. Though still not tall, he had the bearing of a young adolescent.

He had come together with Su Feihu’s youngest son, along with Lu Guo’s daughter and Xi Jin’s son, all representing their respective fathers and elders. They had not stayed at the Court of State Ceremonial’s hostel but at the Zhù residence — and for this period of time the residence was especially lively.

The one among them who pleased Zhù Ying most was Lu Guo’s daughter. Su Zhe had privately inquired — this girl, whom Su Mingluan had given the name “Lu Danqing,” was sixteen years old, slightly younger than Su Zhe, and had been sent by Su Mingluan’s suggestion to Lu Guo.

Now far from Wuzhou, what Zhù Ying feared most was growing estranged from its people. Her own separate estate was fine enough, but the other families — especially the three beyond Su Zhe and Lin Feng — were truly too distant.

This time, using the pretext of the new Emperor’s enthronement, she had written home to have each family send a representative to the capital, while also making clear her hope that those who came could remain at her side. They had indeed sent people — and especially Lang Rui’s coming showed that Lang Kunwu was willing to let him go, which set Zhù Ying’s heart much more at ease.

First they would stay at her residence for a period, becoming familiar with the capital and the court; then she would make arrangements for them.

Zhù Ying had already formed her plans.

During the New Year period she brought these few individuals along on calls — to the Zheng residence, the Chen residence, and to Shi Kun’s residence as well — getting their faces known everywhere.

After the first month, she was in no hurry. From among the natives of Wuzhou at the association hall she selected two scholars to help them first brush up on their studies.

She herself buried herself in the mountains of documents at her desk. Since taking charge of the Ministry of Revenue, she had continuously sent people to various localities to investigate conditions firsthand, and by now two-thirds of the reports had been compiled and consolidated. She estimated that by year’s end, she would have a reasonably complete picture of conditions throughout the entire realm. At that point she could use these findings to formulate plans and coordinate land, population, and resources across the country.

Next year Wang Shuliang would also be completing his mourning period — she could remind the Emperor to summon him back so that they could work together.

Zhù Ying had it all thought out fairly well. After a busy morning, she stood and stretched her limbs, when she caught sight of a familiar figure hurrying over — Fan Sheng.

Fan Sheng’s steps were somewhat unsteady. Seeing Zhù Ying, he spoke with some urgency: “Your Excellency — just now — Secretary Shi received word from his home… Secretary Shi Kun, the old Chancellor, has passed away.”

The old ministers at court worth guarding against are now entirely gone.