Fish Meat – Chapter 235
by Little PandaThe Eighth Year of Shunde
Like Snapping Dried Twigs and Pulling Up Rotten Wood (2)
News of the Yu Army’s great victory had long reached Runing. Calculating the days, Zhen Wenjun should have arrived in Runing ten days ago. But autumn was approaching, and there was still no news of her.
Scouts from the Wei family searched a hundred li1 north but surprisingly found no trace of Zhen Wenjun, not even a shadow of the two hundred thousand strong army.
This matter also reached the Forbidden Garden. The Son of Heaven received the news but made no comment.
“How is that possible?”
Ah Liao was having tea with Wei Tingxu in the newly built Zhuojun Manor when Wei Tingxu received the scout’s report.
Ah Liao exclaimed in surprise, “Even if Wenjun-meimei was just having fun and stayed out a few extra days, it’s impossible for there to be no news of the entire army! That’s two hundred thousand soldiers! Wherever they go, it’s a dense mass, hard not to notice. How could they not be found?”
Though it was just early autumn, Wei Tingxu already wore a water-blue shawl. This shawl was a gift brought back for her by Zhen Wenjun upon returning from her second northern expedition. It was produced in Chongjin and was exceptionally warm. Wei Tingxu had just finished her duties and returned from the Forbidden Garden; she was somewhat tired, and her movements stirring the tea with a bamboo whisk were slow. The simple coronet2 she wore for court held her long hair neatly tied back. Differing from male officials, the simple coronets worn by female officials in the current Da Yu allowed the ends of the hair to hang down, adding a more flowing aesthetic.
Wei Tingxu said, “The north is vast. If Wenjun changed her route, finding her wouldn’t be so easy.”
Ah Liao was about to say more, but after pondering3 Wei Tingxu’s words, she suddenly let out an “Eh?”: “So you knew about this already? What tricks are you two playing at now?”
Wei Tingxu poured the brewed tea into Ah Liao’s cup, smiling without speaking.
Ah Liao was sure she was right. Accepting the teacup, she whispered, “Still pretending to send people out to search, really putting on a complete show.”
“It’s not entirely pretense. I am genuinely worried about Wenjun’s whereabouts.”
“Still worried that my Cavalry General, who can charge forth and sweep through Chongjin, can’t handle a few assassins with clumsy skills4 sent by the one above?”
“The perilous situations we faced returning from opening the Path of Ten Thousand Directions are still fresh in my memory. It’s always better to be more cautious. Besides, I doubt these assassins were sent by the one above. The one above is very fond of Wenjun; the only one he wants to kill is me.”
Ah Liao looked around, ensuring no one was nearby, then said, “Could it be Liu Shao who sent the assassins? Does Liu Shao actually have the guts? That old scoundrel is constantly inciting the Son of Heaven behind the scenes, really messing things up. It’s time to deal with him. However, the Son of Heaven currently favors this person greatly. Trying to crush this vermin5 might provoke the Son of Heaven’s vigilance and resentment. The Son of Heaven is no longer the little brat6 he once was; he’s increasingly having his own ideas. If you try to touch his people, aren’t you afraid of a mutually destructive outcome7, leading to another round of turmoil?”
“Using the pretext of building an imperial traveling palace8, Liu Shao has undertaken massive construction9 for a luxurious mansion in his hometown. He also privately built markets along the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, enriching himself10 from the profits. Especially doing this mischief11 while Wenjun was campaigning in the north and the war situation was critical. If the front line supplies had become insufficient and the Hu bandits had staged a comeback12, even a thousand heads wouldn’t be enough for Liu Shao to lose.” Wei Tingxu took a sip of tea. “These are secondary matters, though, since the north has already achieved total victory. But this Liu Shao deceives the Son of Heaven, falsely accused and had the Grand Tutor and the former Palace Attendant13 killed, suppresses female officials, and constantly rounds up young women from the populace to fill the rear palace14, indulging endlessly in sensual pleasures15.”
“Is Tingxu worried about the Son of Heaven’s health?”
“I’m worried that Da Yu, having just caught its breath, will be ruined by his hand again. All the new policies and laws are still too fragile; they need more time to develop and solidify.”
Ah Liao sighed, “Endless cycles of grievances, inexhaustible fools to kill. When will there ever be true peace?”
Wei Tingxu smiled, “The world will see a golden age, but there will never be true peace.”
After finishing her tea, Ah Liao stood up and stretched. “Chatting with you is truly draining, physically and mentally. I’d better go back and play chess with my ladies; that’s more comfortable.”
“Ah Liao, do something for me.”
“…I just mentioned chess, haven’t even started playing yet!”
Wei Tingxu chuckled at her words. “Help me go to Sudu and bring Ah Qiong back. Runing is temporarily peaceful, safer than Sudu. Besides, only with her here will the Son of Heaven behave a little better.”
“Sudu?! That far away!”
Wei Tingxu pleaded, “I can only rest assured if you go.”
“You… who are you? I don’t know you! You know perfectly well I like your face the most! You know perfectly well I can’t stand seeing you like this!”
“Mm, I know.”
Ah Liao: “…”
“One last time,” Wei Tingxu said. “I know your wish is to travel the mountains and rivers with your Qingyuan Ladies. After you finish this last task, I won’t bother you again. You are my only dearest friend, so naturally, I hope you are happy.”
Ah Liao’s mood also turned serious. “I do want to find solace in landscapes16 with the ladies. But with flames of war everywhere17, what landscapes are there to find solace in? All I want is to live some ordinary days in peaceful years. It’s difficult, I know. Once the Chongjin conflict is over, the external threat will be removed, but internal strife will begin. The various Li clan kings and the remnants of the Geng clan, plus the Yao clan of Nanya… Previously, no one used their full strength, partly because their power was comparable and they didn’t want mutual destruction allowing others to benefit, and partly because no one wanted the reputation of treason for fighting compatriots instead of foreign enemies. Now that there are no worries behind them18, those who have coveted the imperial throne for a long time will certainly not hold back. Tingxu, this will be the tough battle. You are also my only dearest friend. I can’t possibly abandon you with peace of mind. I will go to Sudu to bring Ah Qiong back. You don’t need to say more.”
Wei Tingxu’s eyes glistened slightly. She opened her arms.
Ah Liao came over and hugged her.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you’ve changed,” Ah Liao said. “You’ve become much gentler. Reminds me of when you were little. You were like this back then, loved to smile, loved to hug people.”
Hearing her say this, Wei Tingxu felt a mix of emotions.
“I used to worry about you a lot, because what you wanted to do was extremely dangerous. I was always afraid you’d lose your life, or go astray19.”
Wei Tingxu frowned slightly and smiled, “Go astray?”
“It was just a worry I had for a while. But seeing your current state makes me very happy. Fortunately, the one you met was Wenjun-meimei.”
Wei Tingxu and Ah Zhu walked Ah Liao to the gate of Zhuojun Manor together. The Zhangsun family carriage had already been waiting there for a long time.
Drops of autumn rain were falling. Standing by the gate was a woman in a red dress, with long flowing sleeves and ribbons, her face rosy, holding an oil-paper umbrella. Who else could it be but Ah Qin?
The Qingyuan group was too large and conspicuous to follow Ah Liao everywhere, so Ah Qin had waited here alone for a long time. Ah Liao and Wei Tingxu had lost track of time while chatting, but Ah Qin showed not a hint of complaint. She had carefully laid a blanket from beneath the carriage all the way to the manor gate. Holding the umbrella with one hand, she used the other to lift the hem of Ah Liao’s long skirt, preventing the cleanliness-loving Ah Liao from getting stained by even half a drop of rain or mud.
Ah Liao leaned on her shoulder, almost wishing Ah Qin could walk for her. Ah Qin showed no impatience, gazing at her meticulously. Though they were together almost day and night, it seemed they still couldn’t get enough of looking at each other.
Only after helping Ah Liao into the carriage did Ah Qin close the umbrella and get in herself.
“General Zhen should be returning soon,” Ah Qin said softly to Wei Tingxu. “Once the General returns to her residence, Ah Qin will visit again.”
After Wei Tingxu expressed her thanks, the carriage departed.
“This Ah Qin…” said Ah Zhu, standing behind Wei Tingxu. “She’s said to be Ah Liao’s childhood playmate, but why don’t I have any impression of her at all?”
Wei Tingxu said, “This Ah Qin liked to wear boys’ clothes when she was young, looking like a little young master. Auntie Ah Zhu might not remember her.”
“Is that so?”
As the number of Qingyuan Ladies grew, Ah Liao moved to a larger courtyard in Runing, located in the prime, most expensive area, Wanquan Ward. It was a luxurious mansion with four sections deep and four courtyards, named “Yishuijian”20. All the Qingyuan Ladies lived inside, harmoniously and happily.
It should have been harmonious and happy.
When Ah Liao and Ah Qin returned to Yishuijian, crossed the floating bridge at the entrance, and were still cheerfully composing poetry about the maple trees just beginning to turn red, they heard the sound of crying.
Ah Liao was terrified and hurried into the residence, only to see Ah Xu sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, sobbing with her head on the table. The surrounding ladies stood with handkerchiefs and water, all looking worried; it seemed they had been trying to console her for quite some time.
“What’s wrong, Ah Xu! What happened!” Ah Liao immediately went forward and took her hand.
Ah Xu’s makeup was ruined from crying. Ah Liao gently wiped her tears with her own handkerchief, comforting her, “Did someone bully you? Just tell me, I, Zhangsun Ran, will risk my life to get justice for you!”
The Qingyuan sisters were usually as close as real sisters, and the others were genuinely concerned for Ah Xu. They echoed Ah Liao:
“Yes, yes, Ah Xu-jiejie, if something is upsetting you, tell Ah Liao, let Ah Liao help you solve it.”
“That’s right, Ah Xu-jiejie, what exactly happened? Tell us! We’re all family here, we’ll definitely help you!”
After the ladies chattered21 for a while, Ah Liao noticed Ah He standing aside silently, just frowning. She asked her:
“Ah He, you’re often with Ah Xu. Do you know something?”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Ah He.
Ah He looked at Ah Xu questioningly with her eyes. Ah Xu nodded tearfully.
“Ah Xu… is pregnant.”
Ah He’s words struck Ah Liao like five thunderbolts22; she couldn’t react for a long moment.
“Wh… what?”
The surrounding ladies also looked at each other, silent for a while. The usually outspoken23 Lady Ah Xi said:
“Ah Xu, back then Ah Liao took pity on you, pregnant24 and displaced. She saved your life and even settled your child in a safe place with careful nurturing. Do you remember what you said when you joined Qingyuan? How could you betray that trust now and do such a despicable thing!”
Ah Liao stopped Ah Xi: “Don’t blame Ah Xu yet. I know very well how Ah Xu has treated me over the years. Ah Xu, is there anything you want to tell me?”
Ah Xu lowered her head, silent.
“She was victimized.” Ah He’s eyes, naturally sharp-looking with their upward tilt when she wasn’t smiling, looked even more frightening now.
“Victimized? By whom?” Ah Liao pressed.
Ah He gave a cold laugh and looked towards Ah Qin: “As for who victimized her, that person surely knows in their heart.”
The eighth year of Shunde was the year of the second large-scale official selection during the Shunde reign.
The first had been four years prior, in autumn. At that time, Yao Maolin25 had already secretly come to Runing and witnessed the grand occasion of the Quanxuan. Although most participants were young masters from prominent families, there were also quite a few female figures. This excited Yao Maolin immensely, and she vowed on the spot that she would definitely return to the capital for the Quanxuan four years later and win top honors in one go.
Although the current Quanxuan evolved from the one during the Shenchu and Zhaowu periods, and most selected new officials came from renowned scholar-official families, the selection methods had greatly improved. The most obvious change was men and women competing in the same examination field with identical selection standards. However, there was still considerable underhanded maneuvering behind the scenes of the Quanxuan, with the influence of various major families involved from the preliminary to the final selection.
Spectators were allowed during the preliminary selection. Yao Maolin squeezed into the crowd, listening to the Q&A between candidates and the selection officials. There were no fixed questions, covering everything from classical studies26 to statecraft27; the officials chose the topics, and the candidates had to answer whatever was asked. Those who could pass the preliminary selection all possessed considerable ability.
It made sense, Yao Maolin thought. She knew the current state of Da Yu’s central administration. After years of continuous warfare, not only was the population scarce, but those with true insight28 were even fewer. After retaking Runing and entering the Shunde era, the Son of Heaven, with the assistance of the Advisory Council, had reorganized the central administration. It was precisely a time when talent was needed. Although that scoundrel Wei was detestable, she did make some contributions to the promotion of female officials and the selection of talent—though, Yao Maolin knew, Wei the scoundrel did it all to consolidate her own position.
This year, Yao Maolin came to Runing again. The Quanxuan was set to begin in a month. She stayed in Runing’s Hongge Square29, focusing on preparing for the exam.
Everyone staying in Hongge Square were students preparing for exams, mostly children of wealthy and powerful clans who could easily rent a small courtyard or even buy a piece of land there. The slightly poorer ones gathered in the “Dewang Tower”30, and the poorest stayed in Yanxing.
Yao Maolin was one of the minor candidates in Dewang Tower, renting a small room with just a bed and a desk. It was hot as a steamer, yet cost two liang of silver per day, so expensive it made her heart bleed.
Yao Maolin’s frugality and apparent poverty weren’t because the Yao clan had declined. Although the Yao family had been contending with the Huaiyang forces over the Path of Ten Thousand Directions these years, suffering losses and gaining advantages, showing some signs of decline compared to the Zhaowu period, they could still easily afford to buy a refined small courtyard in a good location in the capital for their legitimate daughter.
Yao Maolin had run off to the capital on her own to participate in the Quanxuan, without telling her family, not even her closest older sister.
She knew her family felt she was only suited for studying, not for entering officialdom. To put it nicely, they called her pure and kind; to put it bluntly, they thought she was foolish, lacking understanding of worldly wisdom31. Studying and actually entering the political arena were two completely different things. The Yao family all felt Yao Maolin wasn’t suited for it.
But Yao Maolin had watched helplessly as the Yao family was bullied by the Zhen, Wei, and Zhangsun families for so many years. Her older sister had been harmed, left permanently disabled and reliant on a four-wheeled chair. The Yao family’s century-old enterprise was being swallowed bite by bite by Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu’s adopted daughter, that Hu girl named Xiao Xiao. She couldn’t just turn a blind eye32. She was already over twenty years old; she needed to do something for the Yao family.
Coming to the capital secretly to participate in the Quanxuan, once selected, she could become active in Runing. Then she could develop her own influence and surely help the Yao family.
Yao Maolin was concentrating on her exam preparation and hated noise the most. Suddenly one day, it wasn’t just noisy, it reached the point of deafening gongs and drums.
Yao Maolin, hair messy and face smudged with ink, heard frantic footsteps and screams outside her door. She curiously opened the door and asked, “What’s happened? Have the Chongjin attacked again?”
“What Chongjin! The Chongjin people were killed off by General Zhen long ago! This is General Zhen returning! Zhen Wenjun has finally driven away the Hu bandits and returned victoriously to the capital!”
“General Zhen!”
“General Zhen—Ahhhh! Has General Zhen entered the city yet? My flowers aren’t tied properly yet!”
“Forget tying them! Seeing her is what matters!”
In an instant, the entire Dewang Tower emptied, everyone vanishing.
What did Yao Maolin just hear?
General Zhen! General Zhen was back in Runing?!
She cried out, pushed the door open, and quickly joined the sea of people welcoming Zhen Wenjun.
Footnotes
- About 30 miles or 50 km.
- 簡冠 | jiǎn guān | A type of simple, formal headdress or coronet worn by officials.
- 品一品 | pǐn yi pǐn | Lit. “taste a taste”; Here means to savor or carefully consider.
- 三脚猫功夫 | sān jiǎo māo gōngfu | Lit. “three-legged cat skills”; Clumsy, amateurish skills.
- 臭虫 | chòuchóng | Lit. “stinking bug”; Vermin, pest.
- 小毛孩子 | xiǎo máo háizi | Lit. “little hairy child”; Brat, inexperienced youth.
- 鱼死网破 | yú sǐ wǎng pò | Lit. “the fish dies, the net breaks”; A fight to the bitter end, mutually destructive.
- 行宫 | xínggōng | Temporary palace for the emperor when traveling.
- 大兴土木 | dà xīng tǔ mù | Lit. “greatly promote earth and wood”; To engage in large-scale construction projects.
- 中饱私囊 | zhōng bǎo sī náng | Lit. “fill one’s own purse from the middle”; To embezzle public funds, to line one’s own pockets.
- 作这妖 | zuò zhè yāo | Lit. “make this demon/monster”; To cause trouble, make mischief.
- 卷土重来 | juǎn tǔ chóng lái | Lit. “roll up the earth and come again”; To stage a comeback, often after a defeat.
- 黄门侍郎 | Huángmén Shìláng | Palace Attendant/Gentleman of the Yellow Gates; An official serving within the inner palace.
- 后宫 | hòugōng | Rear Palace; The imperial harem.
- 声色犬马 | shēng sè quǎn mǎ | Lit. “sound, color, dogs, horses”; Sensual pleasures, debauchery.
- 寄情山水 | jì qíng shān shuǐ | Lit. “entrust feelings to mountains and water”; To find emotional solace in nature, often implying a withdrawal from worldly affairs.
- 战火狼烟 | zhàn huǒ láng yān | Lit. “war fires and wolf smoke”; Beacon smoke used as alarm signals in ancient warfare, signifying widespread war.
- 后顾之忧 | hòu gù zhī yōu | Lit. “worries about looking back”; Troubles back home, worries that prevent one from focusing on the task at hand.
- 走火入魔 | zǒu huǒ rù mó | Lit. “catch fire and enter demon”; Originally from Qigong/cultivation, meaning training gone wrong leading to mental disturbance or deviation. Used figuratively for obsession leading to negative consequences.
- 一水间 | Yī Shuǐ Jiān | Lit. “Between One Water”.
- 七嘴八舌 | qī zuǐ bā shé | Lit. “seven mouths, eight tongues”; Describes many people talking at once, chattering.
- 五雷轰顶 | wǔ léi hōng dǐng | Lit. “five thunders strike the crown of the head”; To be struck dumbfounded, utterly shocked.
- 心直口快 | xīn zhí kǒu kuài | Lit. “heart straight, mouth fast”; Frank, outspoken, says what one thinks.
- 身怀六甲 | shēn huái liù jiǎ | Lit. “body carrying six Jia”; An old way of saying pregnant, referring to the cyclical Jia characters in the Ganzhi system associated with pregnancy.
- 姚懋臨 | Yáo Màolín
- 经学 | jīngxué | Study of Confucian classics.
- 治国 | zhìguó | Governing a state/country.
- 真知灼见 | zhēn zhī zhuó jiàn | Lit. “true knowledge, penetrating view”; Genuine knowledge and deep insight.
- 鸿歌坊 | Hónggē Fāng | Hongge (Swan Song) Square/Ward.
- 得望楼 | Déwàng Lóu | Dewang (Attain Hope/View) Tower/Building. ‘Lou’ often refers to a multi-story building.
- 人情世故 | rénqíng shìgù | Lit. “human feelings and worldly affairs”; Sophistication, worldly wisdom, understanding social nuances.
- 熟视无睹 | shú shì wú dǔ | Lit. “familiar sight, no see”; To turn a blind eye, ignore something one is aware of.
0 Comments