Zhao Su’s mind was churning frantically, also searching for a way to untangle the situation. These four things simply should not have happened at the same time — especially the first, which should never have coincided with the other three. The war preparations had been insufficient to begin with, and the enemy who turned up was unexpectedly numerous, which was already straining things.

Among the other three, the “trade” problem resonated with the “insufficient preparations,” amplifying the negative impact.

He tried to pick apart the situation and offer Zhù Ying some alternative approaches — good or not, they needed to be laid out for consideration. He couldn’t just sit there waiting for her to give orders. A mind left idle rusts, and in the end it becomes like those in the capital — Gu Tong and that lot — good only for rotten moves.

But Zhù Ying reacted far faster than him. Zhù Ying asked: “Is there more?”

Zhao Su had only just thought of “smuggling” — his family’s position made it quite convenient for that. Hearing her question, he answered: “No — and let’s hope nothing else comes.”

Zhù Ying said: “That’s not right — if he refuses to issue passes, it doesn’t just trap me. What about the other counties? They also trade with the outside world. Send someone to find out their reaction.”

Zhao Su said: “Markets run on a monthly cycle — it’s not time yet, so they probably haven’t noticed. I’ll send people to ask. As for these things—?”

Zhù Ying said: “Write to Shao Shuxin — propose a meeting, down the mountain. I’ll write the letter.”

Zhao Su asked: “What about Jiang Zheng?”

“Ignore him! He’s not the one pulling the strings — dealing with him is useless. That said, this person does have some ability — if you happen to be free, you’re welcome to go meet him yourself.”

Zhao Su managed a strained smile: “Who has time to deal with him now? My only worry is that he’ll make things difficult for the people down below.”

Zhù Ying said: “Jiang Zheng isn’t necessarily cleverer than me, and the people down below are far more formidable than they were when I was in Fulu. Off you go.”

Su Zhe had been listening and caught the gist. She volunteered: “She, let me go contact the various families to find out what’s happening. Uncle can stay and help you here. The camp has people watching it.”

“Go ahead.”

Before Su Zhe had even left, Jiang Zhen came running: “She! Someone has come from down the mountain to take Yueniang home — they say her grandmother is ill and misses her. The person is at the school already. A’Jie sent me to come tell you quickly.”

Yueniang was one of the girls from below the mountains who had come up to study. She hadn’t passed the last examination, and while Si Niang and the others had already gone out to their posts, Yueniang was still at the school continuing her studies. At this time, with the road below now sealed, having someone come up to retrieve a girl — people couldn’t help reading into it.

The teachers and students had all heard, and Zhù Ying said: “Let’s go have a look.”

Su Zhe and Zhao Su also went along. Su Zhe spotted Su Lan along the way and pulled her aside, told her to go back to the barracks and find her personal maids: “Have them all come to the school to find me. Tell them I have something for them to do.”

Su Lan said: “Understood.”

Su Zhe quickly ran to catch back up with Zhù Ying.

Arriving at the school, they found Huajie in conversation with a middle-aged man. Beside them, Yueniang’s eyes were red with distress. The middle-aged man wore a silk robe, and Yueniang called him “Third Uncle.”

When Zhù Ying arrived, “Third Uncle” quickly bowed in greeting. Zhù Ying asked: “What’s happened here?”

“Third Uncle” said: “My lord, my mother is gravely ill and longs for her granddaughter…” He repeated his explanation.

Huajie said: “Tell me the truth — what exactly is the ailment? I may not know everything, but women’s ailments I know — your explanation doesn’t add up at all. What’s really going on?”

It was rare to see Huajie this stern, and no one around dared to chime in. Zhù Ying pointed to “Third Uncle”: “And how did you get up here? Do you have a pass?”

“Third Uncle’s” face went through a spectacular range of expressions before he dropped to his knees right there: “My lord, I ask for your understanding! I genuinely did sneak up the mountain — the new governor’s regulations are strict! Thanks to the fact that all the people at the checkpoints are our own folk, I was able to slip through. This governor, he didn’t come alone — he brought two military officers with him! The previous garrison troops have been rotated out.”

Zhù Ying nodded: “I see.”

She reached out and patted Yueniang on the head, asking: “Do you want to go home?”

Yueniang hesitated, torn.

Yueniang was different from the Xiang family or Si Niang — the Xiang family was too deeply bound up with Zhù Ying, and Si Niang’s family was in turn a marriage connection to the Xiang family. Yueniang’s family’s ties to the mountain were more distant. Her family’s desire to take her back actually carried a fair measure of genuine family feeling — they weren’t willing to see her trapped up in the mountains. Even so, the teachers and fellow students had all understood the situation, and Jiang Bao couldn’t hold back: “If she goes home, what then? She’s been studying so well — she could well pass the next examination! What a future lies ahead! Go home and it’s all wasted!”

“Third Uncle” said hastily: “Her family won’t let her down. There will always be a way out for a girl.”

Jiang Zhen asked: “What way out?”

“Third Uncle” looked at the pair of identical girls speaking — he was a bit dizzy but didn’t think much of it. His gaze turned very earnest toward Huajie: “Madam, I ask your understanding. If Yueniang goes home, we will treat her well — we will arrange a good match, give her a proper way forward.”

Jiang Bao said: “What kind of a way forward is that?”

“Third Uncle” was at a loss — he thought these two little girls had been deliberately arranged to make things awkward for him. He didn’t know that the two of them genuinely thought this way themselves, and he grew even more earnest: “Madam, how is this not a proper path?”

Zhù Ying asked Yueniang: “Do you also think this is a proper path?”

Yueniang looked uncertain.

Zhù Ying pulled over a table. Zhao Su moved to help; she waved him off. She picked up an empty tea cup from the table, then took a copper coin from her waist and showed it to Yueniang. She set the coin on the table and covered it with the cup: “Find the coin.”

Yueniang didn’t understand the purpose, and everyone there was highly suspicious — they half expected that when the cup was lifted, nothing would be there. But Yueniang obediently went forward and lifted the cup. And there it was — a copper coin.

Zhù Ying set the coin under the cup again, then took a second empty cup and placed it on the table. She moved the two cups between her hands in a blur. When she stopped, she released them: “Find the coin.”

This time Yueniang hesitated longer. She extended her hand and wavered between the two cups, finally chose one, and lifted it. Empty. Zhù Ying lifted the other — the copper coin rested there quietly.

Zhù Ying took a third cup and set all three down in turn, then slid the three cups across the table. She gestured at Yueniang: “Now you have one more choice.”

Yueniang didn’t move her hand this time.

Zhù Ying looked around the room, eyes moving over the assembled teachers and students, pausing on each girl in turn: “More paths doesn’t necessarily mean better. There are many paths, but not enough chances to try each one.”

“Third Uncle” was very anxious: “Marriage between men and women…”

Zhù Ying held up a hand to him: “Shh — I’m not speaking to you. I’m teaching my students.”

Zhù Ying lifted one cup and pushed a handful of coins underneath it, then pressed it down under her left hand. She casually lifted another cup, pushed in another handful of coins, pressed that one down. She then picked up two empty cups and placed them together with the other empty cup. Her right hand idly flicked among those cups, her tone relaxed: “So long as you hold down the one that matters most, what does it matter if there are ten or eight other cups? But if you can’t hold that one down — well, in among this collection, flip for a coin. Maybe you’ll find one.”

“Third Uncle,” knowing he ought to keep quiet, still couldn’t help himself: “Three formal matchmakers, six proper ceremonies, a true mistress of the house…”

Zhù Ying said: “Removing an unfilial heir requires opening the ancestral shrine; sending away a wife only takes a written note. Yueniang — go home and see her. Grandmother being ill and not returning — can you live with that? But this — this is for you.”

Zhù Ying placed a copper coin in Yueniang’s hand. “Go. No need to feel conflicted. Prepare a gift and send-off for her.”

——

Yueniang was taken by her Third Uncle. She had her doubts about whether her grandmother was truly ill, and she didn’t think her family would rush her into marriage. After all, the customs of Fulu County allowed women to go out and do things — girls were educated there — it wasn’t that rigid. But her grandmother was still “something she couldn’t get past in her heart,” and feeling a heaviness in her chest, Yueniang followed her Third Uncle all the same.

It was only when she reached home that she found out the new governor had sealed the road — but that’s a tale for another day.

As for the mountain city — Zhù Ying said only one sentence to the school’s teachers and students: “All right — back to class.” And she turned to leave first.

On the other side, Su Zhe had already spotted the maids Su Lan had brought, pulled them over, and sent them each to gather information separately. Zhao Su also went off to send a messenger with a letter, arranging a meeting with Shao Shuxin at the border between Asu County and Fulu County.

Shao Shuxin’s reply had not yet come when Su Zhe’s information arrived first: Jiang Zheng had indeed contacted Lang Kunwu, Su Mingluan, and others. Because their two families controlled the outermost positions, even messages going to other families further in the mountains had been intercepted. Lang Kunwu’s messenger had run into Su Zhe’s people on the postal road and come along with them.

Lang Kunwu’s letter had been written by Lang Rui on his behalf, and it contained no small amount of feeling: if only the Mountain Sparrow clan’s father-in-law were still alive, that old man had been most wary of the imperial court.

The agent Jiang Zheng had sent back to the Talang clan was no stranger — it was Chou Wen. Chou Wen was a man who, if he had any choice, wanted nothing to do with the mountain clans. But when the authorities needed something, he was always made to serve as the bridge, and he could never quite wash off the “mountain people” mark on him.

Lang Kunwu had listened to his words: “Whoever associates with the various tribes relies on the backing of the imperial court. In the old days, the imperial court stood behind Governor Zhù; today, the imperial court stands behind Governor Jiang.” He felt something off about the taste of that, and sent word to Zhù Ying to be sure to watch out for Jiang Zheng. He also mentioned that Jiang Zheng seemed to want to seal off the mountains, and asked if Zhù Ying had any counter-measures. If he actually went through with it, the impact would be quite significant.

Su Mingluan had also discovered the road-sealing. So what she was asking about was another matter entirely: the Wuzhou guild halls. With the mountains sealed and trade stopped — what about the guild halls? What would happen to the guild halls scattered across various cities?

Su Mingluan, lying awake at night at home, had been cursing the southern scholars and their ancestors back eighteen generations by the time she was done. She was cursing at home; in Fulu County, Zhao Su’s mother — Madam Zhao, Su Mingluan’s aunt — was also cursing, leaving Gu Weng and the others with their heads hanging in shame.

Zhao Su naturally knew all of this. He had always been composed, and it didn’t show much on his face, but a cluster of small sores had broken out around the corners of his mouth. He had just received Shao Shuxin’s reply and was hurrying to find Zhù Ying.

He found her still writing a letter with complete composure. She looked up when he came in, set down her brush, and said: “How far has Little Sister gotten with the drilling? Pull out another five hundred for Qingjun, along with supplies — escort them up.”

Zhao Su’s deepest admiration for Zhù Ying was precisely this: her ability to remain unhurried no matter what happened.

For a leader, skill could be somewhat lacking, they could have odd quirks and flaws — but what they must never do was lose their own composure. Even if they had no idea what to do, they had to stay calm, or the people below would panic, and once people panicked things fell apart; and once the hearts of the people scattered, everything was lost.

Zhao Su let out a slow breath: “Yes.” He handed over the letter.

Zhù Ying seemed to be explaining to him: “Xika and Jima’s coalition not scattering — it must be because releasing the slaves hit them right in the lung. They’re absolutely furious!”

This act was comparable to excavating the ancestors’ graves — of course there’d be an explosion. Back in the day, Xijin and Lu Guo and the others had been deeply unhappy about it, but at the time Zhù Ying had the imperial court behind her, wielding the threat of an “imperial army” that could never actually be deployed, while also enticing them with benefits, and so the matter had been pushed through. Even then, it hadn’t been a full freeing of slaves — the majority of the bondservants and serfs in those counties remained in various servile statuses to this day.

With Xika and Jima, there were no benefits to offer, no plan to share the gains. Slaves were to be straightforwardly freed and given status as common people — and even given land that had belonged to the clan chiefs’ families. And there was no “imperial army” to invoke, only Wuzhou’s own forces.

Not to have come and fought back — that would have been genuinely foolish.

Zhao Su said: “But while we must read the situation, nothing is more fatal than reversing course on orders already given. The promises already made — if we now compromise with the clan chiefs, I fear…”

Zhù Ying said: “Who said anything about changing course? No change! We endure — see who outlasts whom! Send people to help Qingjun receive the surrendering slaves from the other side.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying unfolded the letter: “I’ll go meet Shao Shuxin. I’ll leave the mountain to you. I’ll take Xiang Yu. Let the other counties know — tell them to remain steady, there will be a full account in half a month.”

“Yes.”

——

Su Mingluan had come early to meet her on the road, bringing two hundred guards to escort Zhù Ying down the mountain.

At the border, Shao Shuxin had already pitched a large tent. Not only was he there — Gu Weng and others were standing outside the tent, dust-covered and shamefaced.

When they caught sight of Zhù Ying, Gu Weng and the others felt a sudden warmth and familiarity. Without waiting to be told, some had already stepped forward — they straggled out at uneven paces, then felt awkward about it and shuffled sheepishly back.

Shao Shuxin took no notice, waited for Zhù Ying to walk over, then stepped forward himself a few paces and said: “It’s been a long time.”

Zhù Ying said: “That’s the way of an official’s life — long separations are common. You must be tired after such a journey.”

Shao Shuxin looked at her. This person was exactly the same as last time he’d seen her in the capital — no change, still not back in women’s clothes, and her bearing was in no way diminished. Still every inch of her the bearing of a high minister.

He tried to find some trace of discomfort on Zhù Ying’s face, and found absolutely none.

He had no choice but to clear his throat. “You certainly know how to set puzzles for everyone.”

“You mean those young hotheads throwing a tantrum?”

The fathers of those hotheads couldn’t help shrinking their necks. They’d been “invited” along by Shao Shuxin at the last moment. Jiang Zheng couldn’t have them all locked up — once they’d each made their way home, they were hauled in again by Shao Shuxin. At the time they hadn’t understood why; now it was clear — the person in front of them was the one who’d set all of this in motion.

One by one they wore long faces: “My lord.”

Zhù Ying waved them off and went with Shao Shuxin into the tent first. Gu Weng and the others moved to enter as well, but were held back.

Inside the tent, Shao Shuxin said: “What exactly were you thinking? Giving that kind of thing to that group of…”

“Too far away anyway, and I no longer needed it — might as well leave them something for self-defense. Besides, the Court of Judicial Review was originally built up by Lord Zheng. He doesn’t need me in that, so I left it for the young ones.”

Shao Shuxin said: “I have long given up trying to understand how you think, and I don’t intend to try anymore. You owe an explanation to the Council ministers — whether they believe it is no longer something I can manage.”

“What does Lord Zheng say?”

Shao Shuxin handed Zhù Ying a letter, his expression carrying a faint hint of taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.

Zhù Ying opened the letter and read. Zheng Xi’s tone was not fierce, but a flavor of reproach seeped through: you’ve gone too far — arranging for the southerners to stir things up, do you never want the court to have any peace? I don’t care what compromising material you’re still sitting on. Don’t play it too far. Material of that kind can sometimes bring benefits, but sometimes it can also drive people to fight to the death!

I can give you a chance to explain yourself. Others may not be willing to listen. Also, Chen Meng got an earful from His Majesty — your old acquaintance has had quite the bad luck. Shao Shuxin has been sent down there. As for his matter — I hope you’ll give it serious consideration. Jiang Zheng has nothing to do with me, and I don’t think he can do much to you — but please remember: the imperial court stands behind him. Don’t overplay your hand.

Zhù Ying let out a sigh: “Whether I acknowledge it or not, things are as they are, aren’t they?”

Shao Shuxin said: “As we agreed — both of us manage our own affairs in peace. But going after the Vice Minister of Personnel — wasn’t that rather much?”

Zhù Ying said: “Forget it. I’ve already given you my explanation — believe it or not is each person’s choice. Those young fools deserved a beating and it’s high time they learned their lesson. Let’s talk about the matter at hand.”

“Jiang Zheng wants to seal off the mountains.”

“Mmh. The salt administration is not easy — it’s not that the court’s salt yards have no profit, it’s that the profit never finds its way into the court’s pockets; it gets divided up by everyone else. The ins and outs of that, we needn’t discuss — we both understand. I can help you push the salt administration through smoothly.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Let Jiang Zheng entertain himself on his own — go around him.” Zhù Ying gestured toward the outside of the tent. “If you want to move the salt administration, output will inevitably fluctuate. My salt yards can help you stabilize. Through them—”

In other words: use Fulu County as the transit point, running things as “smuggling.” Shao Shuxin needed stable production — including controlling salt prices and suppressing the salt merchants — while Zhù Ying needed trade and the ability to exchange for necessities. Both parties would bypass Jiang Zheng, with Shao Shuxin serving as the support from outside the mountains, effectively sidelining Jiang Zheng — that capable, court-minded official — leaving him without real power.

Shao Shuxin said: “Only you could come up with this.” He had found her pressure point — he needed to make salt governance work.

Zhù Ying said: “It’s the same old trick — nothing new about it. Have them come in.”

“Their sons and nephews…”

“It doesn’t matter. Those children should go home and clear their heads.”