Zhao Su had been the first to object; the speed at which he now reversed his position left Su Zhe and the others completely unprepared.

Su Zhe said, “You—” then pressed her lips tight, a look of slight displeasure on her face.

Zhù Qingjun and the others expressed their protest with silence.

Even Lin Feng and the others glanced at Zhù Ying’s hair, then calculated her age, and their hearts were full of worry. She said she did not mind dying outside, but they minded!

Zhù Ying said, “I am not acting on impulse, nor venting spite, nor longing nostalgically for the chance to go back and show off having once been forced to travel in secret. I have told you before — that sort of attitude is dangerous. The pettiness of the newly successful must be avoided. I know clearly what I am doing. If the court had not suddenly and so dramatically turned for the worse, I would certainly be staying in Annan living my own quiet life.

You are surely all familiar with Annan’s plans. Why open post roads? Why maintain trade with the outside world without breaking it off? Though Annan is peaceful, it is also poor. There are many things we do not produce ourselves, and many things we make that are not as good as what comes from outside — even printing and bookmaking is not as good as outside.

Outside there are so many people: many foolish ones, but even more capable ones, and the goods produced there are plentiful. To shut ourselves in and confine ourselves, once the outside world recovers its breath, it will certainly seek to ‘civilize’ us, and the mountains will face annihilation.

How to become safely and truly a part of this country — that is what I am most concerned about.

To simply barge outward is to invite disdain. We cannot sit in a well and look at the sky, ignoring the world. While I still have some understanding of the court, I can open this door. Otherwise, if you try to do it in the future, you will be starting from nothing — it will be immeasurably harder.

I can no longer leap onto a rooftop in a single bound — if I do not go now, I will never again have such an opportunity.”

What was all that? You still want to leap onto rooftops? Zhù Qingjun and the others all stared at her.

Zhù Ying pressed both hands downward in a calming gesture: “Well? What say you?”

These arguments were ones Zhù Ying had made before, and the assembled company had more or less come to accept them. Many among them had seen the world beyond the mountains — the capital, the court — and acknowledged that what Zhù Ying said was the truth.

Zhù Qingjun said, “But we are truly worried. Please bring more troops and ensure that provisions are agreed upon with the court. And please maintain communication with Annan.”

Zhù Ying said, “I know. Before I leave I will arrange everything — the conditions with the court have not yet been settled.”

Her last sentence came out lightly; the assembled company gave a brief laugh, though no one’s mood was the slightest bit light.

Zhù Lian said, “I will go with you…”

“There is no need,” Zhù Ying said. “You few must all remain in Annan and manage it well.”

“But—”

“I will go,” Lin Feng stepped forward. “Since we are bringing troops, I am better suited. In the old days in the capital, I mixed with the Imperial Guards and the capital’s young men; though we were not close friends, we were acquaintances. At their age now, some have their own households, and some have become elders within their families.”

Zhù Ying said, “You count as one. Zhù Tong will also come with me — she is familiar with the route from before, and once we reach the capital, dealing with the palace will also require a woman.”

Zhù Qingjun said, “The Northern Pass…”

“Let Jin Yu go,” Zhù Ying said, then looked at Liu Ao and Liu Kun. “You two — who dares to go with me?”

The color in their faces gradually deepened; both were a little excited, with a hint of nervousness, and looked at each other. Both wanted to go, yet both felt something of the homesick traveler’s reluctance, and also a little reluctance to leave behind the work they had in Annan. Liu Ao said, “At the Elder’s disposal.”

Zhù Ying said, “You still have the civil service examinations and selection procedures on your hands.”

Liu Kun said, “Me! I will go!”

Zhù Ying nodded again: “Then let it be as follows: Qingjun will hold down the general’s office; Pu’an Prefecture goes to Jiang Wan and Liu Yan; Zhù Tong, Lin Feng, Liu Kun, and Zhù Qingye will accompany me north; the rest of you keep to your duties. Be especially watchful regarding the Western Barbarians.”

“Yes!”

This was only a preliminary arrangement; the details would follow. Beyond those named at the meeting, she also planned to bring Zhao Ji and other young officials, and to draw some of the students working at the general’s office and various government bureaus — she needed her own people around her.

Zhù Ying planned to bring three thousand soldiers north. Provisions for the initial stretch would have to be self-supplied; she would also need to negotiate with the court regarding provisions going forward, and the placement of her people, and so on.

The whole of Annan was set in motion!

——

The person packing Zhù Ying’s luggage was Elder Sister Du. As she packed she thought: there used to be the Old Madam, and there used to be the First Young Mistress; now there is only me and Mistress Jiang. The more she thought the sadder she grew; she wanted to follow along north.

Zhù Ying asked, “Do you miss home? Do you want to go back?”

Elder Sister Du said, “I was born there, that is all. Where there are people is where home is; the people I know are all here now. I don’t want to go home — my home has run away.”

Zhù Ying said consolingly, “I will come back.”

Elder Sister Du was suddenly embarrassed: “Look at me, talking nonsense at my age. Let me go pack the bags. The capital’s people have sharp eyes — we cannot let anyone say you look shabby. A pity those things brought back before were mostly distributed away.”

Zhù Ying folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe: “Even if we had them, the styles would be out of fashion by now. We’ll make do. The capital’s people have sharp eyes — they know who is not to be trifled with and who they cannot speak ill of.”

Elder Sister Du laughed through her tears.

Xiao Jiang came next, bringing Jiang Zhen and Jiang Bao, asking Zhù Ying to take the two of them along. Zhù Ying refused: “Let them stay in Annan. You need people around you too.”

Xiao Jiang said, “I want them to see the capital once more in my stead.”

Zhù Ying said nothing. Jiang Zhen spoke up quickly: “The two of us don’t just know how to write and calculate — when we were little, we learned some skills from our mother.”

Jiang Bao continued, “And the First Young Mistress taught us things too when she was alive.”

“We are useful.”

“Girls are more attentive.”

Zhù Ying said to Xiao Jiang, “This was your idea, wasn’t it?”

Xiao Jiang gave a wry smile: “You can see through me. Think of it as my foolish sentimentality — she is gone, and I keep thinking that if someone can at least watch over you a little while longer in her place, that is something.”

Jiang Zhen said, “I want to broaden my horizons too!”

Jiang Bao added, “Exactly! And you have already said you intend to maintain long-term dealings with the court — surely more people understanding the court can only be a good thing?”

Zhù Ying said, “Draw lots.”

“Ah?”

“Only one of the two of you may go — you cannot both travel together.”

Xiao Jiang was also getting on in years and often plagued by ailments. After Huajie’s passing her health had deteriorated further. In Annan, unlike the court, anyone past seventy — regardless of rank — could retire. Xiao Jiang’s situation was such that she had stepped down from her duties two years ago. But Annan did not support idle people; she still took on students every other day. At her age, she could not be without someone at her side.

Jiang Zhen and Jiang Bao could only draw lots; Jiang Zhen won, and the family went to pack her things.

Zhù Ying said to Hu Shijie nearby, “You need not go.”

Hu Shijie gave a bitter smile: “I cannot leap onto a rooftop anymore either.”

“I have something else for you.”

Hu Shijie perked up: “What?”

“Come with me.”

The two of them left the bedroom and called Hu Shijie’s two students; she had them sent to fetch Liu Ao, then together they left the general’s office and went to the barracks outside the city. Here there were veterans rotating down from the Western Pass; from among them Zhù Ying first selected five hundred, ordering them to muster along with the “garrison farmers” of Pu’an Prefecture and head north.

Then, under Hu Shijie’s puzzled gaze, she selected a further hundred men and said, “From now on, you will be living alongside this person for a long while. You have but one duty — listen to Seventeen Niang. Protect her well. Seventeen Niang, these soldiers are yours.”

Liu Ao was greatly surprised. Because she frequently drafted documents and kept records for Zhù Ying, she had participated in and observed many things; whenever called she had come, without any other preparation. Hearing this sudden pronouncement, her thoughts scattered: how would these men be fed? How to manage them day to day? The general’s office was under the deputy’s authority — would it be improper for her to have armed escorts? And so on.

Zhù Ying could tell at a glance that she was over-thinking again, and said, “They will take turns on duty; I will arrange everything. Come, let us make introductions.”

She drew Liu Ao forward and had her stand before the assembled men: “Get a good look — this is Liu Ao, Commissioner of Rites. From now on, it is your duty to protect her. I leave the Western Prefecture, and you begin your rotations.”

“Yes!”

“Very well, back to your duties.” Zhù Ying said.

The local soldiers dispersed at the word.

Liu Ao said, “This — how can I accept this?”

Zhù Ying said, “You and your niece came to Annan, and I am truly grateful. But to be two women alone here is also too solitary. Once I leave Annan there may be some minor disturbances. You two are of great importance to Annan, and I want you to have an arrangement for your protection. If you feel uneasy about it, repay me by giving more guidance to Zhù Yan.”

Liu Ao grew calmer and said, “Zhù Yan does not contend or grab; she is cool-headed and composed — I like her very much.

As for disturbances — they can only be one of two kinds. First, bad actors: the regular authorities are there to maintain order; I am perfectly safe within the general’s office. Second, internal discord. When you are present, any disagreements or differing views have you to adjudicate. The deputy is young, and there are people who are the deputy’s contemporaries; there could indeed be bickering. But having spent so much time together, everyone knows each other’s character. Though they differ on certain matters, they are not enemies — it should not come to anything truly…”

Zhù Ying said, “Of course not — this is against those who would fish in troubled waters. I am also taking many people from the office, and with fewer hands, there will inevitably be lapses and perhaps some slackening or disturbance. Keep an eye out. And help me watch over Qingjun.”

“The deputy is older than I am, with broad experience.”

“You each have your strengths. And your position is uniquely detached — if they should fall to quarreling, you can mediate and smooth things over.”

“I see. And you are going north in part to give them something to quarrel about?”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Go back — I still have my reply to the court to finish.”

——

After returning to the general’s office, Zhù Ying wrote a very long reply.

The main points were her conditions: first, I must receive a formal appointment as Chief Minister with all the prerogatives that appointment entails. Furthermore, I must have an open chancellery — I am not coming to be a figurehead or a punching bag.

Second, I will bring troops; you will supply the provisions.

Third, you must heed my counsel. If you accept it, you are not to pay lip service while privately obstructing or meddling. If you disagree, state your reasoning and we will discuss. If my counsel is overruled and then things go wrong, I will not be held responsible.

Fourth, once I am there I will do my utmost; but anyone who drags their feet against me — it is either they go or I leave, and your life or death will be no further concern of mine.

Fifth, give me your reply promptly.

She then, in a spirit of goodwill, devoted a substantial passage to persuasion.

I am not being summoned so you can simply eke out a lingering existence — if things had truly come to that, it would not be me going to you but you coming to take refuge with me. Since that is not the case, the purpose is to bring some order to the country and preserve the dignity the court ought to have. And you also know that opportunity does not wait — once the moment passes, the court may well be able to muddle through, but its credibility will be another matter. My abilities have their limits; I cannot remake mountains and rivers.

We have all read the story of Bian Que and Duke Huan of Cai. I await your reply — do not make me wait too long. Truly, if the situation becomes irretrievable, no conditions you offer will induce me to head north into danger, because then I would need to manage and secure Annan carefully, ensuring Annan’s peace. I will not court death needlessly. You should know that I am a plain-spoken person who never says false things — what I say, I do.

Of course, the language was also very tactful. By way of opening, for instance, she said that she was “merely” a Military Governor, and that of Annan at that — her name was not right and her words carried no authority — so for everyone’s sake it would be best to set things right.

She then wrote a letter to Chen Meng: I estimate this idea came from you, and out of consideration for your face I have agreed. But we both know perfectly well what the court is like — stop putting on airs, and let us get to work quickly. Leave it too long and the pit of the court will be too deep to jump into without being killed; then I simply will not jump. If it truly comes to that, you are welcome to come to me — I will receive you gladly.

One memorial, and the question was posed to the court.

Wang Shuliang read it and immediately frowned: “This is written by herself, is it not?” The style was entirely unlike Liu Ao’s.

Shi Jixing said, “It is her. Ah — she is truly difficult to deal with. Chen’s proposal…”

Wang Shuliang said, “It was to be expected. When His Majesty agreed to Chen’s request, did we not already anticipate that she would have her demands?”

Of course — summoning someone to shoulder burdens required offering conditions. They had already imagined beforehand what Zhù Ying might ask for: authority, personnel, and policy, without doubt. Having her come and do the work, one certainly had to offer terms.

Shi Jixing said, “But this business of leading troops into the capital?”

No one wanted a regional lord to lead troops into the capital.

The two men were stuck on this point. Zhù Ying had written it very plainly: if she could not bring troops, she was worried about people trying to harm her. Bringing troops served two purposes: first, troops were needed to cope with the western and northern fronts. Second — and she put it delicately — the court had soldiers, but not enough good ones; the troops she was bringing were effective.

If they refused her, the prolonged standoff would drain the court’s vitality, and recovery would be difficult. She judged that she would truly be able to walk away without a backward glance and leave the mess alone; she had to properly manage and arrange Annan, ensuring Annan’s peace. A suicidal errand, she would not run.

Shi Jixing felt thoroughly put-upon: an excellent situation, and he and Wang Shuliang had already begun to turn things around — then the imperial family had caused its own disaster and dragged the entire realm into it. Where was the justice in that?

The two ultimately decided to go and see the emperor, making one final effort.

They brought Zhù Ying’s memorial before the sovereign. The new emperor asked eagerly, “Well?”

Wang Shuliang presented the memorial; the emperor’s expression worsened with every line he read: “This… the impudence!”

Shi Jixing said, “Your Majesty, please be at ease. Zhù Zǐzhāng has always been forthright, and she keeps her word.”

“That was in the past — after all these years, is she still the same as before?” The new emperor was full of doubt.

Wang Shuliang said, “We respectfully await Your Majesty’s sacred decision.” He too felt that allowing a regional lord to lead troops into the capital was somewhat farcical. And he was anxious, because the military expert Yao Chenying had gone north and was not on hand; his own assessment of the troops was uncertain.

In their hearts, Shi and Wang were opposed to a regional lord leading troops into the capital. In the document they had sent Zhù Ying, they had deliberately made no mention of her bringing “reinforcements” — a deliberate evasion.

If they refused, the impasse would hold and Zhù Ying would not come to the capital; they would still be grinding away against the west and north. The very reason for summoning Zhù Ying was to avoid that grinding. Zhù Ying also saw the situation clearly: if Chen Meng had not proposed it, he said the court could certainly hold out through the grinding, but the aftermath would not be easy — so someone decisive was needed to resolve the immediate crisis, and create room for what came next.

The three of them — sovereign and ministers — were between a rock and a hard place when Chen Meng sought an audience.

Chen Meng had received Zhù Ying’s letter at virtually the same time and had dragged his ailing body to the palace. He had proposed this idea; he knew the situation best.

The doubts of the new emperor and the two Chief Ministers were real enough — several thousand unfamiliar soldiers in the capital? Who would not be alarmed?

Chen Meng said, “Everything is at Your Majesty’s sole decision. Your servant is merely an old man talking nonsense; if Your Majesty does not see fit to punish me, I am already immensely grateful.”

The new emperor said, “Old Chief Minister, what do you mean by such words? What is to be done in this situation?”

“If Your Servant may say,” Chen Meng said slowly, “still agree to her terms. In recent years, there have been those who proposed borrowing barbarian troops to deal with the Western Barbarians. Annan is more reliable than the northern barbarians, at least.”

“Borrowing barbarian troops was a terrible idea to begin with,” Wang Shuliang said.

Chen Meng said, “Terrible, yes, but still an idea — better than having no idea at all. Right now we face enemies on two fronts; Yao Chenying has gone north; and no one has proved capable of standing against the west — it has been tried.”

They had also concealed certain things from Zhù Ying — for instance, that the government troops had suffered defeats. In these past thirty years, the ordinary troops had deteriorated even further compared with before. If they could have managed to hold on, they would never have openly sought Zhù Ying’s counsel, and Chen Meng would not have proposed summoning her back.

She was a woman who had fled the capital. Did the court have no pride? They were simply desperate.

Zhù Ying had probably guessed as much — otherwise she would not have proposed such terms, nor agreed to head north. Having spent thirty years in the south, with emperors dying and new ones enthroned without her appearing in the capital to pay her respects — she had been very cautious indeed.

Sovereign and ministers looked at one another. The new emperor said, “Draft the edict.”

——

When the edict arrived, everything above and below was already prepared; she set out the following day. Zhù Qingjun wished she could escort her all the way to the capital to see her safely settled.

They had not gone thirty li before Zhù Ying said, “You may turn back now. The household cannot be without someone in charge. Can it be you do not trust me?”

Zhù Qingxue said, “Please rest easy. I will accompany her. I will stay in contact with Elder Sister Qingtian; all news will be dispatched every three days.”

“Two days.”

“Agreed.”

Zhù Ying said, “Off you go.”

The journey started rather slowly at first — so that the soldiers could gradually acclimatize to long-distance marching in unfamiliar territory. In Annan they had always been on their own ground, where it was safe. Once outside Annan they had to be on constant alert; in the opening days, Zhù Ying had Zhù Tong attend closely to training the sentinels.

Once routines were established they accelerated the march. As they neared the capital the pace slowed again, so the troops could rest more before arriving, enabling them to respond to any possible unexpected events without being too worn out.

All along the way, orders were given and obeyed without question. Zhù Ying personally taught Zhù Tong, Jiang Zhen, Zhao Ji, and the others how to manage supply transfers, billeting, making camp, dealing with local officials en route, and interacting with the local populace. These things Zhao Ji had heard his father Zhao Su explain, but he had never personally taken part. Jiang Zhen and Zhù Tong had had some preparation, but not in “someone else’s territory.”

They all started fresh, taking notes.

Local officials and troops along the way were all very much on guard; under the guise of “accompanying” them, each set of officials and troops stayed alongside from the moment they entered a jurisdiction until they left, handing them off to the next prefecture’s officials and troops.

Jiang Zhen was quick-tongued and muttered in the local dialect, “Treating guests they invited like thieves.”

Zhù Tong also grumbled inwardly: With that kind of lax bearing, do you think you could stop us if it came to a fight? You would be no use at all.

The government troops seemed not to have it very easy themselves. At first glance they looked disciplined; at second glance, most were quite thin and spiritless, doing their best to hold their heads up and square their shoulders.

When they were thirty li from the capital, it was Yao Jingxia who came to meet them. Spotting Zhù Ying’s retinue from a distance, he galloped forward and dismounted: “My respects, Chief Minister!”

Zhù Ying, still mounted, said, “I thank you for coming to receive us. And where are we staying?”

The familiar voice reached his ears and stirred a faint memory; Yao Jingxia raised his head and found Zhù Ying still seated in the saddle, her back straight. His heart was full of an indescribable mix of feelings — both relief and worry: “The Chief Minister’s residence has been prepared.”

All that was due a Chief Minister was to be hers, so the old residence had been opened, staffed and all.

Zhù Ying pointed her riding crop behind her: “And my people?”

“The Imperial Guards have set aside a camp.”

Zhù Ying said, “Let us go and see it.”

Yao Jingxia said, “This…”

Zhù Ying said, “Now that I have come, I will go and see the emperor — but arrangements must be made first.” With several thousand people, she could not very well billet them all in the capital; she needed first to inspect the camp, settle the troops, and then bring a small armed escort into the city.

This time Yao Jingxia did not need to seek prior approval; he simply said, “This subordinate will lead the way. Please.”

The camp was well-positioned, though not to the north — which would be close to the palace — but to the south. The location was otherwise excellent, with water and roads nearby and storehouses and horse paddocks attached.

Zhù Ying said, “Begin.”

Lin Feng and Zhù Tong and the others began their work, directing the soldiers to enter in sequence. Before entering they first deployed sentinels and searched the camp, then moved in. Jiang Zhen and the others inventoried the supplies — everything in good order.

Yao Jingxia observed and thought to himself: even my own soldiers entering a new camp would not necessarily think to search it first…

Lin Feng and he were old acquaintances; Lin Feng took a moment to exchange greetings. When first they had met both were in the bloom of youth; now both had silver at their temples. They could not help smiling and sighing at once.

Once settled, it was already late; Zhù Ying stayed in the camp that night.

The next morning, Zhù Ying had barely finished breakfast when word came from the camp gate: Wang Shuliang, bringing his nephew Wang Yunzhi, along with Chen Fang, Zheng Chuan — just out of mourning — and the Grand Princess’s husband Zheng Shen, had come to the camp to see Zhù Ying and escort her into the capital.

Zhù Ying said, “Come, let us go out to meet… Chief Minister Wang.”

Wang Shuliang did not barge directly into the camp but had someone announce him; he stood outside the camp gate observing. He said to Wang Yunzhi, “Now this is an imposing sight.”

Wang Yunzhi said, “It does feel a bit different — is this what killing spirit looks like?”

Chen Fang said quietly, “Annan is also a frontier region; there have been no shortage of campaigns against the Western Barbarians.”

In a moment, Zhù Ying came striding out.

Wang Shuliang and she had not seen each other in several decades; he narrowed his eyes to look at her. She was dressed in her usual fashion — trim and neat, her blade at her side. Up close he could see her white hair, her skin no longer that of a young person, though the expression between her brows remained just as it had always been.

Wang Shuliang said, “Zǐzhāng.”

Zhù Ying smiled, “It is I.”

Wang Yunzhi and the others bowed in greeting; he had been to Annan before and had not imagined that Zhù Ying could return to the capital as a Chief Minister. He clasped his hands: “My respects, My Lord.”

Zhù Tong was a little dumbfounded and thought: what are they talking about?

Liu Kun was inwardly delighted: Oh my — they have all nearly forgotten, but our Chief Minister is truly a Lord in her own right!

Zhù Ying smiled and invited Wang Shuliang inside to speak.

Host and guests took their seats, and Zhù Ying said with a smile to Wang Yunzhi and the others, “We meet again. How is everyone?”

Chen Fang addressed her openly as “Chief Minister.” The Zheng brothers had been hesitating over whether to call her “Third Elder Sister” or something else; Chen Fang had spoken first, and so they followed his lead.

Wang Yunzhi smiled and said, “My Lord, none of us has seen southern troops before and we wish to open our eyes. Might we stay a while longer, while our elders attend to matters of state?”

“There is no need,” Zhù Ying said to Wang Shuliang. “It is a thousand-some li from the capital to Annan; I have already arrived outside the capital — there is no call for hostages within the camp.”

Wang Shuliang was rarely put at a disadvantage, and said, “He is a young man talking nonsense! Your residence is ready; His Majesty has commanded me to escort you to the palace, where a banquet will be held and His Majesty wishes to consult you further…”

Zhù Ying knew all of this very well, having been through it before; she waited for him to finish, then said, “Very well.”

Zhù Ying needed to change her clothing first, and then would enter the city together with Wang Shuliang; Wang Yunzhi rubbed his nose and followed along behind with Chen Fang and the others. The capital was as vast as ever. They entered through the city gate, proceeded along Vermilion Bird Boulevard, and went straight into the Forbidden Palace.

Many townspeople gathered to watch along the way, pointing and discussing; they could recognize the Chief Minister’s robes but did not recognize Zhù Ying. At the imperial city gates, even the Imperial Guards on guard did not recognize her, though like the townspeople, they inwardly mused: could this be the legendary… that person?

Wang Shuliang confirmed the credentials, and he and Zhù Ying entered together; Zhù Tong and the others were stopped outside. The palace precincts were just as they had been; the layout had not changed, and Zhù Ying could have navigated them with her eyes shut. Countless gazes landed on her; Zhù Ying paid them no mind whatsoever, and even asked Wang Shuliang, “Has this year’s renovation work not yet begun?”

Wang Shuliang said, “His Majesty said that with the nation’s misfortune, all must share the hardship together and not pursue personal comfort.”

Zhù Ying said, “Even so, it ought to be kept clean.”

Wang Shuliang said, “These are small matters. A moment — when we see His Majesty, are you prepared?”

“Of course.”

They had arrived outside the hall as they spoke. Wang Shuliang said, “His Majesty, the Council of State — they are all inside. Please.”

Zhù Ying gave her sleeves a shake and stepped into familiar surroundings alongside Wang Shuliang. A young man sat at the center; Chen Meng and Shi Jixing flanked him to either side.

Wang Shuliang bowed to the emperor; Zhù Ying came forward and paid her respects. The young emperor reacted quickly: “No need for such formality.”

Zhù Ying proceeded to complete the full set of courtesies anyway. The emperor was somewhat pleased; he personally raised her up: “I have been thinking of this day and night, and at last the Chief Minister has come.”