Su Zhe was a person of spirit. Once she accepted a task from Zhù Ying, she would see it through. After a moment’s thought, she went personally to the Military Department and asked Lu Danqing if she might borrow Zhao Ji for a trip.

Lu Danqing’s curiosity was tinged with a hint of wariness. “Are you short-handed over there?”

Su Zhe said, somewhat impatiently: “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to steal your people. An old friend has arrived, and I want to bring someone to meet them.” Every department was getting busier, and everyone was scheming to poach people wherever they could. Zhao Ji and the others were close to being given fixed postings, and Lu Danqing was afraid of any change in plans, and so was on guard. Su Zhe could see it clearly — because she thought the same way.

Lu Danqing said: “Ah, an old friend.”

“If things go smoothly, you’ll know about it in a few days. I can’t say more for now.”

Lu Danqing then let Zhao Ji go with Su Zhe. Zhao Ji didn’t know what it was about. Once they’d walked some distance, he asked. Su Zhe said: “We need to keep a person here. Come closer.”

The two of them first coordinated their story, then went together to the guesthouse. When they arrived and inquired, the steward said: “Official Zhao? Someone from inside just came to see him, and they haven’t left yet.”

Su Zhe and Zhao Ji exchanged a glance. Su Zhe asked: “Who came? Do you know what the matter was?”

“Oh, it was Miss Lin, with a few trunks and boxes — delivering clothing and writing supplies to Official Zhao.”

“Lead the way.”

The group reached Zhao Zhen’s door. Lin Ge was just coming out: “It’s from the Mistress, so please accept it. How else would you manage the journey ahead?”

Zhao Zhen had no energy to argue with her. He had only the clothes on his back, so he offered no further resistance. Lin Ge left with a smile, turned, and saw Su Zhe. “Oh? My Lady?”

Su Zhe said: “It’s us — we’ve come to see an old friend. Are you finished here?”

“I need to go back and report to the Mistress.” Lin Ge gave a round bow and strode off.

Su Zhe cupped her hands toward Zhao Zhen: “Here I am again! I’ve brought someone for you — see if you recognize him.”

Zhao Zhen of course did not recognize Zhao Ji. Zhao Ji, grown as he now was, bore a partial resemblance to each of his parents and a full resemblance to neither. Zhao Zhen felt a vague sense of familiarity, but could not place who this was. Su Zhe beckoned Zhao Ji forward, and Zhao Ji bowed deeply: “Your nephew Zhao Ji pays his respects to his uncle.”

Oh! It came back to him. Zhao Zhen said with feeling: “You’re this big already! How are your father and mother? And you—”

Su Zhe smiled: “Aren’t you going to invite us in? I specifically brought him to see you. Once you return to Fulu County, opportunities to meet will be few.”

“Oh, yes, yes — please, come in.”

Host and guests seated, Su Zhe ignored the trunks Lin Ge had brought and simply chatted with Zhao Zhen about old times, commenting that from the look of him, he had clearly endured much hardship, and asking after affairs outside the mountains. Zhao Zhen was in no frame of mind to probe for hidden meanings in her words. He briefly relayed to Su Zhe what he had told Zhù Ying.

Su Zhe said: “Ah, once a dynasty can no longer tolerate its people, it’s only a matter of… ah, never mind that. And your sister-in-law — how is she?”

She was younger than him; she had already borne two children of her own, so Zhao Zhen of course had a wife and children long since. Zhao Zhen said: “I sent them home ahead of me. They should have arrived by now.” Resigning one’s office was not something to be done lightly, and even departing outright carried consequences. To leave without loose ends required time. So he had arranged for his wife and children to travel with the guild merchants from the hostel and set out before him.

Su Zhe sighed again: “I hadn’t even noticed. You’re back — what about your child? He won’t enter officialdom?”

Zhao Zhen shook his head. “The way things stand now, it’s not suitable…”

“The situation here is quite good, actually,” Su Zhe said. “If you don’t believe me, ask A’Ji. A’Ji, isn’t that right?”

Zhao Ji also said: “Uncle, it truly is quite good — um…”

Su Zhe seemed to catch herself too, and said, by way of recovery: “Well then — what if you stayed in Annan? How would that be?”

This was a path Zhao Zhen had never once considered. He had merely wished to return and retire in his hometown. Approaching the Teacher for connections or throwing himself on her hospitality had never been the purpose of this visit.

Seeing his hesitation, Su Zhe added: “What a pity it would be to let your talents lie idle. If you’re truly in low spirits, then pretend I said nothing. But please do stay for a few days longer. After the harvest, there will be the reckoning of taxes. A’Ji’s father, and A’Lian, and the others are coming too — meet up with them. It has been a long time. My brother’s household has grown, and A’Lian’s wife will also come to pay her respects to the Mistress. Let’s all see each other.

“Your family — I’ll send someone right now to report your safe arrival, and check that your sister-in-law is well. What do you say?”

Zhao Zhen was in poor spirits and not particularly inclined to see old friends. Zhao Ji then added: “Your nephew also has some questions about scholarship that he would like to consult with you about, Uncle. I’ve only just started working at the administration, and I’m far from my parents. There are some things I wouldn’t want to burden the Mistress with. Please instruct me, Uncle.”

And so Zhao Zhen’s “stay a few days to rest” became “stay until old friends arrive.”

Zhù Ying made no mention of wanting to see him, and simply left him at the guesthouse. But the very next day, Su Zhe dispatched someone to accompany him on a stroll around Xizhou — and led him specifically toward the school. Unsurprisingly, Zhao Zhen met Huajie there. When the two of them first met, both had been in the full bloom of youth. Now, meeting again, each was startled by the change in the other.

Huajie thought it perfectly natural that she herself had aged — she was sixty, after all — but Zhao Zhen was considerably younger than she was; how had he come to look so dull and lifeless?

Zhao Zhen thought it natural that he himself looked haggard, having just been through such upheaval. But Huajie seemed in fine spirits here in Annan — why had she become such an old woman?

After the initial astonishment, it was Huajie who spoke first: “It’s you, of all people? I almost didn’t recognize you. Come, let me show you the school.”

The school buildings were unmistakably in Zhù Ying’s style — simple, but sprawling in area and crowded with students, especially when they all assembled together. Huajie’s greatest concern was always her students; she would sigh frequently that the students themselves were all good, but the books and teaching staff were inadequate.

Zhao Zhen found his eyes drawn to the young students and couldn’t easily look away. He covered this by steering the conversation toward Huajie, saying she was overworking herself. Huajie said: “I have only two pleasures now — medicine and teaching. Unfortunately my scholarship is rather weak; aside from medicine, I teach other subjects only passably. I am constantly afraid of failing Little Zhù’s trust.”

Zhao Zhen said: “You have always been the most reliable. Not only for the Teacher, but even for — ” He stopped himself suddenly.

Huajie asked: “What is it?”

Zhao Zhen broke out in a cold sweat on his temple. “Damnation — I forgot to pay respects at the Old Mistress’s memorial…”

He had been in such a daze these recent days that he had nearly forgotten about the Teacher’s family. Chatting with Huajie had brought it all back. He immediately set about arranging offerings to pay his respects at the memorial of Nanny Zhang and her husband. It was only because Zhù Ying had previously sent him some travel money that he was able to put together a set of offerings himself.

After touring the school, he was taken to see the streets and wards and markets… the barracks were not among the places he was shown, but they did lead him past the granary.

Finally, Zhù Lian, Zhù Chonghua, Zhù Qingjun, Zhao Su, and the others arrived one after another, and Xizhou became unprecedentedly lively.

A strange feeling of shame at facing others rose in Zhao Zhen. The more animated things were outside, the less he wanted to leave his room. He was just thinking about waiting until evening to seek out Zhù Ying and take his leave, when Zhù Lian and Zhao Su came to visit him that very afternoon.

Zhao Zhen flushed with embarrassment and had no choice but to meet with them. At the beginning, neither of them had been his equal. He had been an imperial academy student; Zhù Lian had been a little slave; Zhao Su had been a person of mixed heritage. The circumstances they were in now were due in part to their own abilities — yet it also made him wonder whether he himself had taken the wrong path.

Zhao Su’s tongue, as always, had no dull edge to it. He started in on Zhao Zhen first: “You’ve always been ambitious — how is it you’re being coy right at the critical moment?” Then came the mockery of the dynasty: first, for its inability to keep factional struggles in check; then, for enthroning a fool as Crown Prince; and next, for its rejection of capable ministers. “Utterly stupid. Even if you want to flirt and make eyes, you’d better fill your stomach first! But no — they start by slaughtering the old ox that can plow the field. Tch!”

Zhù Lian was more generous-spirited; he offered a mild word: “The situation is complex. Put yourself in their position — not many people could do better. They all mean well but are powerless.”

“The Mistress has both the will and the power. The dynasty — pff!” Zhao Su was still cutting.

Zhù Lian could only give Zhao Zhen an apologetic smile and ask what his plans were going forward. Zhao Zhen said: “I’ll go home. Over the years I’ve managed to save a little — enough for me to shut myself indoors and read.”

Zhù Lian said disapprovingly: “Wouldn’t that be a waste?”

Zhao Zhen said: “There’s no need to lament it.”

Zhao Su said: “What kind of state are you in right now? Not a shred of spirit left — truly the behavior of someone accustomed to comfort and ease. Nothing like us.”

“I don’t understand the Teacher,” Zhao Zhen said. “And I don’t quite see my way clear in Annan.”

Zhao Su laughed. “Why don’t you understand? Isn’t it simply because it’s different from that dynasty of yours? Would you have the whole world be like that dynasty — propping up a fool of a Crown Prince, with the Emperor, factionalism, land seizures, corruption, and warfare all going on at once? Hmm?”

Zhao Zhen said: “But what, in the end, is Annan’s guiding principle — the Teacher’s aim? It has never been made plain.”

Zhù Lian said quietly: “Things like ‘equalize status, equalize wealth’ — that sort of thing is probably rather hard to say aloud. As for what kind of world the Teacher wants, look at what Annan is — doesn’t that tell you?”

“Equal opportunity,” said Zhao Su.

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly. Zhao Su pointed to himself, then to Zhù Lian. “Not just the two of us. Su Zhe is a tribal woman. Oh, and we also have a prefect who is also a tribal woman. There are county magistrates recruited from outside the mountains through examination, and there are generals who were once slaves — oh, actually there are no more slaves now. Are you going to look at actual facts, or merely at a few lines in a book that anyone can write?”

Zhao Zhen was momentarily at a loss for words.

Zhao Su laid down his final card: “You tell me — where can you better exercise your ambitions? Where can you live more like a human being? Well? Stay here with us. Dithering like this — that’s no conduct for a man of resolve.”

Zhao Zhen still hesitated. “The world may not necessarily be without its age of good governance.”

Zhao Su said: “You and I are different. You are a proper scholar. We are tainted with barbarian blood. You still hold out hope for the dynasty to produce a Minister Wang — someone you can serve. I wouldn’t be surprised. But what was Minister Wang’s end? Even his posthumous reputation was nearly insulted by the Emperor — the very Emperor he had fought to place on the throne. Can you really maintain such hope?”

Zhao Zhen said: “I want to see the Teacher.”

Zhao Su said: “Good. I’ll go report it for you.”

As Zhao Zhen stepped back into the military administration, a thought struck him: had these past few days’ experiences all been arranged by the Teacher? Did she truly believe he was still of use? If so, what would she want him to do — help manage Annan?

Annan… thinking back on all he had seen and heard these recent days, he found himself thinking that Annan, though not prosperous, didn’t actually seem so bad. No, no — for ordinary people, it was genuinely very good. The outside world was more splendid, but ordinary people could not benefit from that splendor — the burdens of tax and corvée remained. Annan was somewhat poorer, yet its common people’s food and clothing were not so bad.

His footsteps faltered.

This time they met in the administrative room. He saw Zhù Ying again; the “attendant” at her side had been replaced by a different person — a girl with two braids, grinding ink in the corner.

Zhao Su had announced him; Zhao Zhen also offered a bow. Zhù Ying waved a hand. Zhao Su sat him down.

Zhù Ying tapped a document on the table: “Let him see this.”

The girl with the twin braids set down her ink stick, picked up the document, and walked over. Zhao Su asked: “What is this?”

Zhù Ying said: “The reply to the memorial from a couple of days ago.”

Zhao Su smiled. “That was fast.”

Zhao Zhen took it with a puzzled look and opened it, and found that inside was something written in Zheng Xi’s own hand — obscenities.

Zheng Xi had apparently been furious enough to enumerate every occasion on which Zhù Ying had made his life difficult. Have you finally caught your breath? Ate your fill and started stirring up trouble again? Do not come here! I don’t want tribal soldiers either! I’ll send Yao Chenying with Wen Yue and Yao Jingxia myself. Give me a reply. You guarantee that you won’t independently lead troops out of the mountains.

“Chancellor Zheng is quite put out…” Zhao Zhen said.

Zhù Ying said: “What chancellor doesn’t take a few blows? Well then, you can set your mind at ease — the dynasty will not use tribal soldiers after all.”

“And you — I, I mean, the situation in Annan was hard-won. I’ve seen Annan’s land, its crops, its people. It still lags behind the central plains; the people should be allowed to continue recuperating. Unless absolutely compelled, it would be unwise to mobilize troops lightly.”

Zhù Ying gave a quiet laugh: “Duly noted.”

Zhao Su cleared his throat and said: “Mistress, he came to say farewell. After all this time he still hasn’t gotten home, and his family must be worried.”

“I—” Zhao Zhen started a syllable and then closed his mouth.

Zhù Ying asked: “What is it? Zhao Su, the truth.”

Zhao Su said with a smile: “We told him he should stay, and he thinks we’re just trying to flatter him — he insisted on leaving.”

Zhù Ying said: “Ah. That was my intention — they weren’t acting on their own initiative in trying to persuade you. Would you like to stay on and teach?”

Whatever words of hesitation Zhao Zhen had prepared somehow dissolved before he could speak them. What came out instead was: “I am willing.”

“Very well, then. Go home first and visit your parents. Come back once you’ve rested properly.”

“I — I don’t want an official title.”

“Fine. Tell me when you change your mind.”

Zhao Su laughed: “Well, now I’ve got another companion. Mistress, I’m heading back to Wuzhou as well — shall I take him part of the way?”

“Go.”

And from then on, Zhao Zhen too joined the military administration. He wanted no title or rank, so Zhù Ying placed him in the Rites Department to assist Huajie. Zhao Zhen had served in local government and had passed through the Six Ministries and the Nine Courts; he was even more versed in the workings of officialdom than Su Zhe. Though nominally there to teach, the moment the Rites Department grew busy and Huajie called out, “Zhao First Young Master” — he would dutifully go off to help his auntie with the work. His correspondence was better than the junior clerks in the Rites Department by more than just a little; Zhao Ji came to him frequently for guidance on drafting official documents. First it was Xiang An who sent her assigned clerks to him to ask about official affairs; then Witch Ren learned to do the same, and began sending Zhao Ji as well.

Zhao Ji was assigned to the Household Department, where administrative minutiae was one of Zhù Ying’s line’s particular strengths. Zhao Zhen found himself compelled to draft on his behalf, planning out the land survey and household census for the Household Department — Annan was small, and under Zhù Ying’s rules, every five years the household registers and land records were fully rechecked; a cycle was about due.

Zhao Zhen carried not a single official title, yet did more work than Su Zhe herself. He simply acted as though he didn’t notice, and every day still tucked a bundle under his arm and went to the school to teach.

Days spent with things to do passed swiftly. One day, Zhù Ying dropped yet another task on him — write a letter of refusal to the Western Tribes’ border general.

Zhao Zhen’s command of Western Tribes writing was not very good, and for fear of misunderstanding something and causing trouble, he went and dragged a translator from the translation office. The translated message read: a request to continue the iron, salt, and tea trade.

Zhù Ying had scrawled a note: No.

Zhao Zhen carefully weighed the tone and wrote a reply. He started by pointing out that the Western Tribes had broken the peace treaty and taken up arms against the dynasty — Annan hadn’t rebelled, so it still counted as part of the dynasty, which meant the Western Tribes and Annan were currently not on the best of terms. Then he noted: the things you’re asking for would all be used to strengthen you, after which you would attack the dynasty again, and Annan’s position would become extremely awkward.

So: no.

He thought for a moment and added one more paragraph: that said, Annan has no intention of provoking hostilities, and we have no wish to fight and see people die. We hope you will likewise show compassion for your own people. It would be better all around if we remain at peace. So long as a peace agreement is reached, the trading posts will reopen eventually.

The translator rendered the reply, it was submitted to Zhù Ying for review, and then it was sent off to the Western Tribes.

Zhù Ying immediately turned and summoned Zhù Qingjun: “Get your preparations in order — you will be going on campaign.”

Zhù Qingjun had been readying herself for this moment for quite some time; everything was already in place. Zhao Zhen also found himself caught up in the bustle. Witch Ren’s and Xiang An’s departments sent to ask Zhù Ying for guidance, and when they were too busy to cope, they helped themselves to Zhao Zhen without ceremony.

While Zhù Qingjun’s forces had yet to set out, the Western Tribes’ border general mustered his troops and came in force. Before Annan had finished its preparations — with the final thousand sets of simplified leather armor for Zhù Qingjun still awaiting inspection — she had no choice but to lead her troops westward without waiting.

Zhao Zhen saw Zhù Qingjun off, but there was no easing of his burden afterward. The Annan tribal soldiers were small in stature, yet their swiftness of movement exceeded that of the regular army. Summoning the regular troops had grown ever more troublesome, and increasingly consumed more time than before, while their marching pace was also slow. On this expedition, Zhù Qingjun’s forces covered in a single day and night twice the distance of the regular army; the following day they maintained a normal pace, all in perfect order.

This was visible even from the logistics side of things.

Zhao Zhen could only sigh inwardly: May the ministers at court find the will to rouse themselves — otherwise, the suffering of the common people will be terrible indeed.

He lowered his head. His belt was bare — where others liked to hang their round seals, he had none. He shook his head and resolved to stop thinking about that seal. It didn’t stop him from doing his work either way. Teaching was more suited to him.

He returned to the administration. Jiang Bao was waiting in the Rites Department: “Teacher, the Mistress is calling everyone to a meeting.”

Zhao Zhen asked: “What is it about?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhao Zhen hurried to the administrative room, where he found Su Zhe, Lu Danqing, Jin Yu, and others already assembled. He joined the crowd and stood quietly to listen.

Zhù Ying said: “His Majesty has issued a decree permitting the gentry of each locality to recruit able-bodied men and conduct military training, to establish fortified settlements for self-protection against foreign raiders and to suppress wandering bandits.”

Su Zhe and the others all smiled. They hadn’t needed the dynasty to say so — Annan had been maintaining its own troops for some time already. In this way, Annan would simply no longer stand out.

Lu Danqing said: “When there were popular disturbances here and there, the regular army was playing whack-a-mole — rushing breathlessly from one to the next. This is one way to handle it.”

Su Zhe said: “I fear that from this point on, the dynasty’s authority will be greatly diminished. It is a sign of decline.”

A pang shot through Zhao Zhen’s heart.

Zhù Ying said: “Since we all understand what this means and what its consequences will be, I won’t belabor it. We must stand firm in Annan — after all, the Western Tribes are our neighbors!”

“Yes!”