“You mean Chief Examiner Lu of the Imperial Archives inquired about the last northwest campaign?”
In the government hall, Attendant Scholar Gao set down the teacup in his hand as he asked.
The official in a green robe, standing before him with hands lowered and back bent, nodded.
“Was it him who asked, or was it Chen Shao?” Attendant Scholar Gao snorted.
“I heard Zhou Fengxiang has long been in private correspondence with Minister Chen,” the green-robed official said in a low voice.
It had already been two years, yet the position of Northwest Commissioner still hadn’t been settled. As Attendant Scholar Gao’s status grew higher and his weight in court increased, it was only a matter of time before Jiang Wenyuan could openly and legitimately take that post.
Once the Commissioner’s seat was settled, that Inspector Zhou Fengxiang – who held the title without rightful standing – could be sent packing. So Chen Shao must be getting anxious. Two years had passed, and he still hadn’t managed to catch hold of a single incriminating handle of real weight.
“So they want to tamper with this campaign?” Attendant Scholar Gao said with a hint of scorn. “They can’t be that foolish, can they? Wouldn’t that be slapping the emperor in the face?”
“What Minister Chen and Inspector Zhou are saying in their private letters, this humble official does not yet know,” the green-robed official replied. “But I do know what Chief Examiner Lu inquired about.”
“What did he ask?” Attendant Scholar Gao said.
“He seemed to be asking whether, in the last campaign, there had been cases of taking credit under false names or unclear handling of rewards and punishments,” the green-robed official said.
…
When Chief Examiner Lu entered the palace hall, he quietly lifted his eyes. Seeing the Emperor on the imperial couch with a heavy expression, and then looking around at the officials – some with faint smiles, others with blank faces – he instantly knew this could not be anything good.
“…I hear there is quite some resentment among the Northwestern Army regarding My rewards and punishments this time?” The Emperor’s voice drifted down, light yet chilling.
Chief Examiner Lu’s heart gave a jolt. Instinctively, he lifted his eyes toward Chen Shao.
Chen Shao’s face was expressionless.
“Jiang Wenyuan and the others refused to accept their rewards,” the Emperor continued. “They said that the victory at Longgu was due to the elite soldiers and fierce warriors. They themselves, as commanding generals, had earned no real merit, and thus dared not take the rewards, lest others feel wronged.” His gaze turned coldly upon Chief Examiner Lu, who stood bowing below. “Lu Si’an, what do you think – who is it that feels wronged?”
Sweat broke out on Chief Examiner Lu’s face. He very much did not wish to answer, but he could not avoid it.
“Your Majesty, no one feels wronged. The army triumphed, the commanders led properly – they are worthy of their rewards,” he said.
“Then it must be you who feels wronged?” the Emperor asked lightly.
Chief Examiner Lu immediately bent low.
“I would not dare, I do not,” he said in panic.
“Your Majesty,” Chen Shao suddenly spoke, “Jiang Wenyuan has disregarded the imperial decree. His conduct is frivolous, a bid for fame and reputation – he ought to be punished.”
If it had been an ordinary official committing such an act – slapping the court in the face – it would naturally have earned the Emperor’s rebuke, letting them “reap what they sowed.”
But this time it was Jiang Wenyuan and his men – the very ones whom the Emperor had just lauded for victory, the triumph proclaimed to the realm, the battle in which the imperial army crushed the Western bandits. The merit was simply too glorious.
The Emperor’s face grew even darker.
Especially because it was Chen Shao who had spoken. Everyone knew that Chief Examiner Lu had been recommended by Chen Shao. Though this inquiry was said to be Lu’s doing in private, most suspected Chen Shao had directed him – only without evidence.
Still, in such a setting, Chen Shao speaking up was clearly self-defense. Yet if he had stayed silent, he would inevitably have been branded cold-hearted, self-serving, one who sought only to preserve himself.
Either way, this time would be enough to make him slip several ranks in the Emperor’s regard.
At the edge of the hall, Attendant Scholar Gao’s smile deepened. Never had he admired Chen Shao’s so-called upright integrity more than at this very moment.
“Your Majesty, how could the court possibly refuse to reward merit?” Seeing that Chen Shao was about to speak again, Chief Examiner Lu clenched his teeth and rushed to speak first. “If I have acted improperly, I am willing to go in person to the Northwest to deliver the rewards to Master Jiang and the others.”
That was essentially volunteering for banishment!
A faint cold smile touched the Emperor’s lips.
See? This is what fishing for fame looks like. He craves reputation? Then grant him that reputation. Let him “reap what he has sown.” Does he truly think the court cannot do without him?
“I truly have not heard anyone express dissatisfaction,” the Emperor said coolly. “So you shall go and listen on My behalf. Find out exactly who is dissatisfied, and how many of them there are.”
Watching the court officials withdraw, the Emperor leaned wearily back against the imperial couch.
The First Prince immediately stepped forward.
“Father, please return to the palace and rest,” he said with concern.
The Emperor did not rise, but pressed a hand to his forehead.
“What do you make of today’s matter?” he asked.
“Resentment,” the First Prince answered at once. “They harbor resentment. Such officials are not to be employed. Master Jiang’s merit is plain to see, yet those officials sitting idly in the capital turn a blind eye to his toil, seeing only his reward. To be born harboring resentment – such men should be punished. If they are not, in future the outer armies will surely be hindered in their work.”
The Emperor nodded. The First Prince could not help but feel a touch of pride – only to see the Emperor turn his gaze to the other side.
“Wei-lang, what do you say?” he asked.
Duke Jin’an bowed respectfully.
“In my view, this matter is rather suspicious,” he said. “Suspicious in Lu Si’an’s inquiries, suspicious in Jiang Wenyuan’s refusal to accept the rewards, and suspicious also in Minister Chen’s words.”
“So the issue is not truly resentment at all,” the Emperor said. Pressing his hand to his forehead, he shook his head with a helpless smile. “Do you see it? No matter what happens – be it good or bad, a joy or a disappointment – My ministers always find a chance to attack one another. Even a sesame seed of a matter becomes a game of scheming and intrigue. Forever clashing opinions, never a moment of peace.”
“Your Majesty, take heart. Balance and counterweight are unavoidable. So long as they render service to the state, one need not question their inner motives,” said Duke Jin’an.
The Emperor nodded, smiling at him as he rose to his feet.
“Enough, we are all weary. Let us return to the palace,” he said.
Duke Jin’an bowed and answered obediently.
Watching the Emperor’s procession depart, the First Prince straightened, his face showing some indignation.
“Your Highness, are you going to see the Empress Dowager?” Duke Jin’an asked. “Why not go together?”
The First Prince gave a cold snort, ignored him entirely, and turned away.
Duke Jin’an was not surprised. Smiling faintly, he walked forward at a leisurely pace.
“To think a rotten rat could savor flavor, while the young phoenix has yet to cease its guessing!” he murmured slowly.
So it was with the First Prince – and so it was with the others as well.
Elsewhere, Chief Examiner Lu was bowing to Chen Shao.
“My lord, it’s all my fault for bringing trouble upon you,” his voice was somewhat choked. “I am ashamed of your recommendation. Not only did I fail to be of help, but I even caused you to be slandered…”
“Si’an, really – you, why would you go and ask about such a thing?” someone nearby could not help but complain. “Don’t you see what timing this is? Isn’t that the same as slapping the Emperor in the face?”
“This is partly my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned Inspector Zhou’s matter to him in private,” Chen Shao said.
Chief Examiner Lu looked even more stricken.
“My lord, it was I who acted on my own, presumptuous and arrogant, dragging you into this,” he said, choking with grief.
“Still not cautious enough. Who knows how many spies Gao Lingjun has planted in this hall,” someone sighed.
Chen Shao nodded.
“What’s done is done – no need to brood over it,” he said. “It may be for the best to step away for a while.”
Yes, there was nothing else to be done. Chief Examiner Lu bowed low, dejected.
How had it come to this? Gao Lingjun had been the first to set the fire, provoking the Emperor’s wrath. Chen Shao and the rest had suffered a disaster from nowhere – clearly having done nothing, yet scolded and demoted all the same.
What was to be done now? If that girl were to come seek him again, he feared he could no longer even offer polite excuses, but would have to dissuade her outright.
Just like with the deserters’ affair last time.
Chen Shao gave a bitter smile.
Perhaps the lady would not come to him at all.
In any case, it would be best if things turned out just as his wife had said – that he was overthinking it, and that the lady would neither truly come to the capital nor contend over merit on behalf of those few soldiers.
After all, with or without Gao Lingjun’s interference, the matter itself was laughable. If those soldiers were still alive, perhaps there would be room for debate. But dead – what was there left to fight over, what use would it be? Moreover, the world held so many things worth doing, it was hardly necessary to pursue something so meaningless.
“But I will uncover who is scheming against us,” he said slowly. “It is only one game, and the board still stands – the outcome is not yet decided.”
…
“Even so, the outcome is still undecided. There is no need to worry.”
A few days later, Qin Shi’san-lang said these very words, holding a bowl of tea in his hands. He sat in a shabby little room, where the air still lingered with the stench of rot – but it did nothing to disturb his calm expression.
“You mean the Emperor said he hadn’t heard of anyone being dissatisfied, so he wanted someone to go and listen, to find out exactly who was dissatisfied and how many?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
“Yes. A pity, really. I had originally thought to ask my father to find an opportunity to bring this up. But I didn’t expect them to act first, making such a scene. For now, this matter can’t be raised again,” Qin Shi’san-lang said. “Do not be anxious. We’ll think of another way.”
Cheng Jiao-niang shook her head with a smile.
“I was never in a hurry to begin with,” she said.
Qin Shi’san-lang set down the teacup in his hand and looked at the young lady before him.
By her nature, she was always the type who, if she made no move, so be it – but once she acted, she was bound to have full confidence.
He lifted his head to glance around. This shabby little tavern outside the city walls, reeking faintly of rot – had she truly moved here on a whim?
When he first heard Ban Qin mention it, he thought he must have misheard.
“Yes, court affairs have nothing to do with you and me – let’s set those aside.” He turned back to Cheng Jiao-niang. “Then what are your plans? Could you tell me?”
Cheng Jiao-niang smiled at his words.
“What I seek to do has never been something I must keep secret,” she said. “It is simply to welcome my brothers’ spirits home, so that they may be properly laid to rest.”
“The burial ground has already been chosen. Are you prepared?” Qin Shi’san-lang pressed.
“It is almost ready,” Cheng Jiao-niang said slowly.
Qin Shi’san-lang fixed his gaze on her for a moment, then shook his head with a smile.
“Very well, then I shall wait and see what you are preparing,” he said.
He would wait and see.
When a fierce bird is about to strike, it lowers its flight and folds its wings; when a beast is about to pounce, it flattens its ears and crouches low.
He would wait and see.
Two years had passed in this capital where she had once left traces but nearly vanished, this capital where she had once been renowned yet remained unknown. He would see what storm this young lady would stir up once again, how many would be shocked into talk, how many lives would be changed in an instant, and how many would gnash their teeth and mutter under their breath: that fool from Jiang-zhou.
