A soft wave of drawn-in breaths and murmuring swept through the hall. They ought to have condemned her — striking someone at court was contempt for the Emperor — but… and then what? Just…
Zhù Ying paid it no mind, secured the drawstring of her tablet pouch, settled the pouch at her waist, turned to face north where the Emperor stood, and gave a deep bow.
The Emperor was still in the shock of he actually did it and had not yet come back to himself — and he had done it all alone, at that! Why? What did this mean? He knew Zhù Ying was dissatisfied with the current disorder at court, and he knew she was close to Yang Jing and cared about Su Zhe, but this method surpassed anything he had imagined.
He could not make it out, so he said as little as possible. He gave a small nod, decided the nod was not quite right, cleared his throat, and said: “Do as the Counsellor-in-Chief said.”
Zhù Ying gave him another bow, then fisted her hands toward Dou Peng in a salute, then gave a nod to Zheng Xi, Chen Meng, and Xian Jing in turn, turned to face the hall, swept her gaze across it — and the hall quickly fell silent.
Those among the ministers whose minds were slow had their thoughts running in tangled knots. Those whose minds were quick, like Zheng Xi, simply had no desire to step forward at this moment to deal with the aftermath.
The Emperor said: “Dismissed. Counsellors-in-Chief, remain.”
The few court matters remaining to be addressed that day were all cancelled. The Emperor was the first to leave. He very much wanted to summon Zhù Ying and ask why she had done this, but restrained himself and decided to speak with the Counsellors-in-Chief first.
The Counsellors-in-Chief followed closely. Xian Jing glanced back at the four men who had been beaten to a sorry state, said hurriedly: “Why have you not already carried them out for treatment?” — and went on his way.
The joyful expression on Yue Huan’s face had not yet faded when a wave of worry replaced it. He was close by, and asked Zhù Ying: “Why did you lose your temper?”
Zhù Ying answered matter-of-factly: “Young and hot-blooded, a heart devoted to the public good.”
She said this with not a trace of fierce feeling on her face. Yue Huan could not tell what emotion she was actually in.
The Grand Censor was also standing nearby, and came over to add: “You are the one who was impulsive here — you had every argument on your side, filing an impeachment would have been sufficient, but the moment you raise your hand…”
These senior officials of high rank and great authority — a number of “young people” surrounded them, not daring to speak. Only the Minister of Justice, Lu Shangshu, was very puzzled: was all this necessary just to deal with a Huo Yu? Could it be that she was aiming at Counsellor-in-Chief Xian? Or was there something else she was working toward?
He alone said nothing.
Zhù Ying gave them all a slight bow of the head. From one side, a handkerchief was extended. Everyone looked over — it was Su Zhe standing there rigidly, her arm held out stiffly: “Grandfather, your face.”
Zhù Ying took the handkerchief and slowly wiped clean the blood on her face. The blood had already begun to dry, and she needed a little more force, which left her face faintly reddened where she had rubbed.
Face wiped clean, she folded the handkerchief in half, and again in half, and handed it back to Su Zhe. Su Zhe received it with both hands. Zhù Ying raised her hand and rested it on Su Zhe’s head, then looked toward Yue Huan. Yue Huan said: “I will personally supervise her studies.”
Lu Shangshu finally opened his mouth: “Gu Tong, come with me.”
Zhù Ying said to Ye Deng and Li Yuan standing to one side: “Let us go back to the ministry.”
The two of them stood blankly for a moment, then nodded. Zhao Su and the others hurried to follow.
From behind, someone was muttering: “Isn’t she supposed to be under closed-door reflection? How is she going back to the Ministry of Revenue?” “Shh!”
The Grand Censor assumed his most imposing bearing: “Have you all nothing to do? Standing here gossiping? Write down all your names!”
Being noticed by the Grand Censor was not a good thing. People scattered in all directions, and the only ones who did not scatter were two Shangshu ministers, the Nine Ministers, and a few princes, consort-princes, and the like. The princes and consort-princes were completely dumbstruck. Among them were some who were arrogant themselves, and some who had witnessed arrogance — but in general, even the most arrogant usually only put on airs outside the palace walls. Several of them drew in deep breaths, looked at each other and at themselves, and all felt that Zhù Ying treated them with considerable politeness.
Wang the Grand Censor and the others no longer bothered with them, exchanged nods, and the ministers departed from the main hall. Once outside the hall gates, Wang the Grand Censor said to one of his censors: “Send someone to keep watch at the Ministry of Revenue — see what Zhù Zizhang is doing.”
“Yes.”
Zhù Ying returned to the Ministry of Revenue quite normally. Ye Deng and Li Yuan had been thoroughly startled — they had seen group brawls before, but a single person beating several in the main hall was truly something they had never witnessed. They walked halfway and finally found their voices.
Ye Deng said: “Madam, what is your plan now?”
Zhù Ying said: “Let me get the ministry’s affairs in order — I will need to be away for a while. You two keep a close eye on things.”
“Yes, yes. But what about you?”
Zhù Ying said: “I will be staying home.”
“Ah?”
Zhù Ying said: “We are here.”
The Ministry of Revenue had arrived. Those who were not of sufficient rank to attend court were still waiting for Zhù Ying to hold the morning meeting, and none of them yet knew what had happened. Zhù Ying wasted no time gathering everyone and saying: “I will be away for a time. The ministry’s business continues as usual. Though I will not be here, you need not be afraid of anyone. If someone deliberately makes things difficult for you, push everything back on me — tell them to come find me. Or, I will go and find them.”
The minor officials and clerks had their spirits lifted, and called out with cheerful voices: “Yes!”
Zhù Ying also said: “Fortunately, this year’s accounts are more or less settled, and there is not too much to do. Take it easy these last few days, for yourselves — once the business at hand is neatly done, we can enjoy the New Year properly.”
“Yes!” they replied in unison.
Zhù Ying held a separate meeting with all those from the rank of Ministry of Revenue Gentleman upward — that is, those who had been able to attend morning court today. They all knew what had happened, but none of them could understand why Zhù Ying had done it.
Zhù Ying did not explain herself. Instead she said: “Look after the house. Whatever happens to me, all of you are still here in the Ministry of Revenue. Do good work — if the ministry does well, everyone does well. That is all, back to your duties.”
Ye Deng called out again: “Madam.”
Zhù Ying was directing Zhù Biao to gather the things she kept at the ministry, and said at the same time: “I know what I am doing.”
Good — Ye Deng asked nothing more. Zhù Ying also pointed to Zhao Su. Ye Deng said: “There’s me and old Li!”
Zhù Ying gave a nod, took Zhù Biao and their packed belongings, and went home to enjoy her leave. She had worked in this court for thirty years — at last she had a long holiday.
On the road from the Ministry of Revenue heading out, she was watched by many pairs of eyes peering from behind pillars and through windows. There were also those like Yue Huan who came up openly and without embarrassment to see her off. Yue Huan said: “Do you have a plan?”
Zhù Ying said: “A memorial of apology to His Majesty still needs to be written.”
Yue Huan said quietly: “I don’t have this sort of courage myself. But whatever else is needed, you only have to say the word.”
Zhù Ying said: “It is not that you lack the courage.”
Yue Huan paused. Zhù Ying continued: “You simply cannot fight.”
Yue Huan’s entire cloud of gloom dispersed by half, and he was rendered laughing and despairing at the same time.
The two walked a little farther and ran into a few more familiar faces come to see her off. Some people from the Court of Judicial Review had also made a special trip over, men and women both, all watching her with earnest and worried eyes. Zhù Ying said: “Does no one have proper business? I have rested at home before — it is nothing. Go back, there is nothing wrong.”
The people from the Court of Judicial Review looked dejected. The last two times someone had started a fight at court, they had been demoted. The first time, the offender was reduced three ranks and retained; the second time, the ringleaders were all dismissed from their posts.
This time Zhù Ying had not even been the victim of a group attack — she had struck first! How would the subsequent judgment go? Never mind that Huo Yu and his lot were beaten to a mess right now — once they recovered their senses, or even if not them, just the Grand Censor alone would have to raise the question of further punishment for Zhù Ying. A period of closed-door reflection was not going to end this.
Yet Zhù Ying was entirely at peace. She said quietly: “The New Year is almost here.”
Zhù Ying returned to the household and told Zhù Yin: “Tell Li Dauniang that I will be eating lunch at home for the next few days. Tonight, prepare more for dinner — there will be guests.”
Zhù Yin went to give Li Dauniang the message.
Zhù Ying had Zhù Biao put her things into the study, then went to wash her face, changed into a different set of clothes, pulled out a rocking chair, and set it under the eaves, settling in comfortably and rocking back and forth.
Lu Danqing and the others had gone out. With the New Year approaching, the capital was full of festivity, and the community halls were all very lively, with all manner of regional decorations from different parts of the country — things they would not easily see in Wuzhou. All of this was new to them.
Elder Sister Hu still did not know what had happened, and leaned against a pillar, asking curiously: “Madam, do you not need to go to the ministry today? The holiday has not started yet.”
“They have not been let go yet — but I have,” Zhù Ying said with a smile. “Have there been any letters from home in the south?”
Zhù Wen said: “There have. Second Son Xiang had a letter. This morning Xiang Yu brought it in person, then went to the community hall to get settled, and said he would come in the evening to pay his respects. Shall I have him come now?”
“No need.”
Xiang Yu was of the younger generation, and his mourning period — one year, shorter than that of the Xiang siblings — had ended sooner, and his family had sent him to the capital again. He had timed it so that Zhù Ying would be in the palace during the day, and since sitting at the household waiting would have been pointless, he had first delivered the calling card and letter, then gone out to arrange his lodgings, and would come back in the evening. He was currently staying at the Xiang family’s house in the capital.
Zhù Ying was in no hurry to summon him, and first read the letter. She was most concerned with her parents’ health, and only after seeing that Zhù Da was “in good health and well” did she turn to the other contents. She knew that “in good health and well” carried its own measure of padding — it could only be said that he had not died — but aging was unavoidable.
Other matters had gone more smoothly. Zhù Ying had paid close attention to the matter of salt production, and Zhù Qingjun and Su Mingluan also kept a close eye on it. After Xiang An and Xiang Le’s return, they had assisted with a good deal of the work as well. According to Zhù Qingjun’s account, though the efficiency was somewhat lower, with the salt workers from Salt Commandery, Wuzhou could now produce coarse salt at normal levels, and output had improved.
They had discussed the matter with Huajie and the others, and following Zhù Ying’s plan, they had first brought down the price of salt in Wuzhou. Revenue from salt sales was divided between the Other Enterprises and the A’Su family. A portion was also given to the Xiang clan — but this portion, the Xiang clan was to sell outside of Wuzhou, and could not be sold within Wuzhou’s borders.
That would do well enough, Zhù Ying thought.
Though she was at home, the day was not idle. She attended to Wuzhou’s affairs, and kept her gate firmly closed to visitors, ordering the household gates shut to all strangers. Calling cards were accepted, and she read through them at her leisure.
Before nightfall, Lu Danqing and the others returned to the household first, and to their astonishment found Zhù Ying already home! Close behind came Su Zhe, Zhao Su, Lin Feng, Gu Tong, Zhao Zhen — and even Fan Sheng, Zhang Sheng, and others, all coming as fast as they could to the Zhù residence. Xiang Yu also arrived in the middle of the rush.
Su Zhe and those who lived there were one thing, but the others feared this period of closed-door reflection might be particularly strict, forbidding all future visits, and were desperate to come and see her just once.
Su Zhe and the others came rushing before her in a cluster, and Su Zhe burst into tears: “Grandfather!”
Zhù Ying said: “A good number of you are here. I asked Li Dauniang to prepare enough for all of you. Come, let us eat and talk.”
Seeing her so calm and composed, the tightly wound nerves of everyone slowly began to unwind. Lu Danqing and the others still did not know what had happened. She leaned in close to Su Zhe and whispered: “What happened?” Su Zhe looked a little ashamed: “I…”
Lu Danqing said: “Why don’t you wash your face first?”
Presently Su Zhe had washed her face, and dinner was brought to the table. Zhao Su spoke first: “Grandfather, today at court you should have let us handle it. It is hardly fitting that you had to take matters into your own hands.”
Zhù Ying said: “How much standing do you have to come to blows at court?”
Even someone like Chai Lingyuan, with connections on both the paternal and maternal sides reaching into the great noble houses, had to sit quietly at home after his trouble and wait for his uncle to come and pull him out. Zhù Ying had carefully cultivated a handful of people to the fifth rank over all these years, each with their own purpose — were they all to be shut away at home? What would that accomplish?
Gu Tong said: “You have taken a loss yourself in all this!”
Zhù Ying said: “Stop fussing.”
Su Zhe had quietly explained to Lu Danqing and the others what had happened, while casting half a glance at Su Sheng.
Su Sheng heard it all, frowned, and said: “My father already received the Suoning family’s stronghold, didn’t he?” From the time he had memory, it had been his aunt who served as chieftain. Being told out of nowhere that his aunt should give way to his father — he could not quite take it in.
Su Feihu certainly had his own ambitions, but with Zhù Ying presiding over things and his sister being quite generous — having given him the great stronghold of the Suoning family — Su Feihu’s grievances had largely dissipated.
Su Sheng was the younger son. Even if he were at home, the great stronghold would not come to him. He was now making his way under Zhù Ying’s wing. Even if his father and aunt’s positions were reversed, there would not be much gain for him. He was not so foolish as to fail to see that his aunt was formidable, that Su Zhe was formidable too, and that the wise course was to follow Grandfather’s guidance.
Su Zhe said: “These self-righteous gentlemen simply cannot stand the sight of us as so-called barbarians — they must measure us against their standard in everything. They call us ‘foreign tribes,’ and it is certainly not for our benefit. What they are doing is for themselves! Worse, some of them rejoice when things go badly for us!”
As she spoke, she grew both angry and aggrieved.
Gu Tong comforted her: “Why pay them any mind? As long as Teacher treats us fairly, that is enough.”
Su Zhe looked at Zhù Ying through tear-blurred eyes, her mouth curving in a pout — partly childlike, partly imploring: “Grandfather, you do not think of me as ‘foreign,’ do you?”
Zhù Ying said: “How I treat people has nothing to do with whether they are foreign or not. Even against the border peoples, when I have taken the field in battle it was not because they were ‘foreign’ — it was conflict, plain and simple. When they came raiding, was I to simply endure it? When they were at peace, the border markets stayed open, envoys continued to come — nothing more and nothing less.”
Lu Danqing passed Su Zhe a handkerchief. Su Zhe dried her eyes with some embarrassment, gave a few sniffles, drank half a cup of water, and settled quietly down.
Zhao Zhen asked: “Madam, now that you are confined to the household, what are we to do? Huo Yu and his followers have many admirers in the scholarly world, and Counsellor-in-Chief Xian is likely inclined to side with them. Their line of argument has many scholars convinced — it is very tiresome.”
He was himself a man who had read the classics, but firstly he revered Zhù Ying, secondly he had been shaped more heavily by Wang Yunhe’s essays, and thirdly by the atmosphere of Wuzhou, so he saw nothing wrong with an A’Su family woman running things. On top of that, Yang Jing had left, and Zhao Zhen was very annoyed with Huo Yu for meddling where he should not have.
Zhù Ying said: “What line of argument? Don’t worry about them.”
Zhao Su said: “We cannot let them go on throwing mud!”
Zhù Ying said: “Then we throw first.”
“What?” Lu Danqing, Lang Rui, and the others had never seen Zhù Ying conduct herself in this manner and were somewhat at a loss.
Zhù Ying said: “He drove away Rector Yang because Yang Jing would not bend to him, would not recommend for official posts those he wanted to push through on private grounds. He flew into a rage of shame and turned on Yang Jing, making room for his own followers. Don’t debate the classics with him. Whether it is redefining the classics or the impeachments — it is all for that one purpose.”
Zhao Su’s eyes lit up: “I understand now — that is exactly it!” Debating the classics, he would never outargue Huo Yu, because as long as you accepted the framework of rites and propriety, you had to accept that this framework distinguished between foreigners and the civilized, between ruler and subject, between man and woman, with hierarchies of respect and intimacy. But Zhù Ying paid no attention to the classics at all — she simply asked “what was the private motive” — and in doing so neatly sidestepped the whole thing.
The furrow in Gu Tong’s brow also smoothed out. When he was still young, he had held some resentment toward the “Liao people.” As he grew older, he came to understand that “governing a great state is like cooking a small fish” was no empty phrase, and saw that Su Zhe was no different from anyone else. Looking back now, this Huo fellow was stuck with the mindset of a teenager, and Gu Tong found himself looking down on him.
Before long, a course of action had been settled upon — after dinner, they would go and spread the rumor. Xiang Yu volunteered himself, taking on the primary responsibility for spreading the word.
Zhao Su asked again what Zhù Ying planned to do: “You cannot stay home forever, surely?”
Zhù Ying said: “A step back, and you can see the whole picture more clearly.”
They pressed no further. Zhù Ying then laughed: “And as luck would have it, I finally have the time to look after their studies.”
Jin Yu let out a strange yelp. Lin Feng laughed with the joy of the unaffected.
The next day, Su Zhe, Zhao Su, and the others went to morning court without her. Zhù Ying also had not slept late — she rose just as early, and spent a longer time on her exercises, her reading, and her thinking.
She entertained herself at home. The situation had just stirred up trouble, and it would not look right for others to come calling openly. Zheng Xi, Chen Meng, Dou Peng, Yue Huan, and others all sent messengers to the household to pass along words of comfort. Reproaching her at this point would serve no purpose — they all conveyed the same message: they would seek the opportune moment to plead with the Emperor on her behalf.
And so things continued for several days.
On the other side, the Emperor had gathered the key ministers to discuss what should be done with her.
Zheng Xi held that it was nothing serious, and seized on what Zhù Ying had said about “consequences,” pressing continuously on the point: what were the consequences to be? This could be seen as implying that Huo Yu had been in the wrong. Given the premise that Huo Yu had been in the wrong, Zhù Ying’s conduct was at most inappropriate handling, not malicious provocation without cause.
Chen Meng added: “He has already written to apologize to His Majesty — he is not brazenly unrepentant! To press him further would not be right.”
Xian Jing held that Zhù Ying’s use of force was certainly without grounds, and punishment was necessary. Court had already seen two brawls. This was now the third time — if there was no punishment, this pattern of conduct would be impossible to stop. And merely acknowledging disrespect to the Emperor while ignoring the physical assault on officials — was that acceptable?
Dou Peng held that wrong was wrong, but not so grave a wrong, and that even if there were to be punishment, it must be proportionate. Lu Shangshu echoed Dou Peng.
Yue Huan still could not resist throwing in a pointed remark: “Should this not be addressed item by item? Are Huo Yu’s offenses simply not to be considered? He was the one who was at fault first!” Yue Huan deeply resented Huo Yu for driving Yang Jing away, and considered him guilty of making a false accusation in impeaching Yang Jing. A censor may impeach — but he should not fabricate!
Back and forth, back and forth, and nothing was resolved.
Zhù Ying did not go looking for information about any of this, and simply stayed home preparing for the New Year. Closed-door reflection — who knew whether the Emperor would even send the customary New Year gifts this year. The atmosphere of the New Year grew stronger day by day, and the sealing of official seals for the holiday was nearly upon them. She stopped waiting and simply drew up her own shopping list.
On that particular afternoon, three visitors arrived at the house — Zheng Xi, Chen Meng, and the Emperor.
The Emperor had come on his own, and on the road had encountered Zheng Xi and Chen Meng, who upon hearing the Emperor had left the palace had rushed out urgently. By some contrived “chance encounter,” the three of them were together.
The Emperor was dressed in plain clothes and had deliberately walked behind Chen Meng. The household staff at first did not recognize him, but as they approached Zhù Ying, Zhù Wen took a closer look with growing suspicion.
Chen Meng said: “Shh—”
Zhù Ying came walking over, holding a fat cat, approaching at an unhurried pace. She had already been informed that two guests were on the way.
The Emperor looked at Zhù Ying with curiosity. Her hair had not been put up, and she wore a loose robe, and because she was lean, appeared even taller than her actual height — making the cat in her arms seem even more round and substantial by comparison. She was wearing her shoes loosely slipped on, and had an air that was somewhat languid.
The weather was fine, and Zhù Ying had taken advantage of the winter afternoon to have a bath. Her hair was not fully dry yet when these three arrived.
It was an odd combination of visitors. Zhù Ying bent down and set the cat on the floor, then walked quickly toward the Emperor and bowed: “This minister is guilty.”
The Emperor said with curiosity: “I am the one who came unannounced. You need not make your apologies.”
Chen Meng said: “It is cold outside — let us go in.”
The group entered the house. Zhù Ying moved to go and tidy herself up, but the Emperor laughed: “I did not come for empty formalities — sitting around the fire talking is far better.”
The other three settled in to keep him company. A square table was set up on the heated sitting platform, and the four of them sat around it. A fire burned at the side, and tea was brewing under the eaves. When the tea was ready, a cup was poured for each person.
Chen Meng looked at the Emperor and opened his mouth: “What were you thinking? Shutting yourself away at home — are you pleased with yourself? Is things not chaotic enough as it is?”
Zhù Ying smiled: “Chaotic? I thought everyone had settled down.”
“Oh?”
Zhù Ying said: “How can people’s thoughts and ideas possibly all be the same? Disagreement and argument are normal. Even your father in his day, along with Shi and Wang, did not agree on every matter — and yet why did it not become chaotic back then? Because it did not spread downward. Officials at the fifth and sixth ranks were still able to do their work with a steady mind. Now even their hearts have grown unsettled — that is unacceptable.”
The Emperor asked: “And what does this have to do with your striking a censor at court?”
“I simply wanted them to see what would happen if they got involved, and to weigh whether or not they were worth hitting. If they cannot take such a beating, they had better behave themselves, do their work in earnest, and not muddle about carelessly. While scholars ought to hold the realm and the people in their hearts, those not in the relevant post should not be scheming about affairs beyond their purview. They may have opinions, but they must not run riot. Let the Emperor and the Counsellors-in-Chief determine policy — their job is simply to follow those policies.
Crossing that line has consequences. I have made an example of those consequences for them. You cannot maneuver with tactics alone — sometimes it must be made blood-red and plain, so that everyone can see it clearly. One person must step forward, and it can only be one person, striking clearly and with full transparency so that people can see clearly. Meddling out of place leads to a dead end — and that should put an end to the desire to make trouble.
I read little, I understand no grand principles, I only know how to do rough, crude work — so let it be me.”
Chen Meng said: “You might silence them for a time, but not forever.”
“That is all right — I will be here to take action.”
Take action…
Zheng Xi said: “You have not even been punished for this time, and you are already thinking about a next time!”
Zhù Ying said seriously: “Then punish me — my official post can be taken.”
Zheng Xi said: “You only say that because you know the court needs people right now!”
“Oh, then take the noble title instead.” Zhù Ying said this without any agitation.
She still had a noble title — won through military merit in the north. To strip that would be far harsher than a typical reduction in rank. A noble title could be passed down to one’s descendants; official rank could not.
The Emperor said in surprise: “You…?”
Zhù Ying shrugged: “As long as the court can be stabilized, the exchange is worth it. I struck a court official in the open — that warrants punishment. If there is no heavy punishment, where does the court’s dignity stand? That is also making an example. Once everyone is reassured, we can all attend to the real business of governance.”
Chen Meng sighed in despair. The fat cat silently crept closer to the warming cage and let out a yawn. Zhù Ying said: “The two of you are rather alike.”
Chen Meng glared!
The Emperor looked at Zhù Ying’s pale, smooth chin, and was suddenly struck by a strange suspicion: could she… be unable to have sons? Was that why…
The Emperor shook his head and shook the odd thought out of it. He said: “We all understand what you mean. In the future, you must absolutely not act on your own judgment like this again. Even setting aside the punishment for you, how much business of the court has been disrupted.”
Zhù Ying rose and received this.
The Emperor said: “After the New Year holiday is over, you will return.”
Zhù Ying said: “Yes.”
That is fine — Zhao Su will be out spreading rumors in the meantime.
The three of them ate a midday meal at the Zhù residence before departing.
After the Emperor returned to the palace, the formal ruling on Zhù Ying came down: her noble title stripped, closed-door reflection.
At the same time, the Emperor transferred Huo Yu and the several others who had been beaten out of the capital, removing them from positions in the city and placing them all in secondary official posts elsewhere.
After the edict was issued, the Emperor also doubled the customary New Year gifts to Zhù Ying, and added extra rewards of embroidered robes and jade belts. On the morning of New Year’s Eve, he dispatched Hao Dafang to the Zhù residence to deliver an imperial decree — she was to return to court on New Year’s Day for the ceremony.
All told, Zhù Ying had not even completed a full month of holiday.