Chapter 43: Compromise with Closest Kin
Minister Zhang, who had never bowed his head to anyone, not even to His Majesty, had compromised.
He compromised with his political enemy—his own flesh and blood.
He was like a pine and cypress on a cliff top.
Bending was difficult.
“Sang Yu, do you know that the New Policies are the culmination of my life’s work? Since the implementation of the New Policies, the fields throughout the land have been uniformly measured, the national treasury has become abundant, border defenses have gradually stabilized, corvée labor has been reduced, the dikes from the Yellow River to the Huai River have been repaired, wasteland has been turned into fertile land, and the people in tens of thousands of households along the riverbanks have been able to eat their fill. I originally wanted to do more. To allow the extremely poor old men to be cared for, to allow the young children to have clothes to wear… Alas, I am old, and the Imperial Court needs new blood, and the New Policies need new supporters. Looking around, among the young people entering officialdom, only Huaishi is full of passion, unafraid of the road ahead, and cares for the common people. I strongly supported him, originally hoping that he could carry the heavy burden after me. However… I fear the New Policies cannot last much longer,” he sighed.
Having been in the officialdom for many years, he possessed an eagle-like keenness.
Later, when all the storms had passed, I stood before the irreversible wheels of history, recalling his words today, reflecting on the past and present, my heart breaking. Minister Zhang’s predictions came true. The Wanli New Policies vanished forever in the long river of the Great Ming’s history, like a fleeting firework. The New Policies touched the interests of all the powerful and influential, enriching the laboring masses. Its demise caused the Great Ming Dynasty to lose its last chance for revitalization. When the rotten, the insects are born. The iron hooves of the Jurchens trampled the mountains and rivers, and the Han people became slaves and maids. Years later, the ruler finally remembered this old man. This old man who had tried to salvage the situation at all costs. However, it was too late.
At this time, I did not possess such a grand historical perspective; I merely felt, in my heart, that he was right.
He was the most clear-headed person in the Great Ming.
I pressed my face against the side of the Grand Tutor’s Chair and said, “Sir, shall I tell Feng Gao the truth?”
Actually, when Feng Gao came to my sickbed yesterday to visit me, I had been hesitating.
Especially after confirming the incident of the Feng family’s annihilation from his mouth.
Feng Gao was stubborn in his actions. If he knew that the reason for his lifelong suffering was Master Qin’s abandonment, how would he treat Master Qin and Master Qin’s children?
From Yangzhou to the Capital City, Qin Mingxu helped me greatly. I regarded him as a friend and truly could not bear to see him face utter destruction…
But seeing Minister Zhang so sad, I couldn’t help but ask this question. I held a sliver of hope that Feng Gao might heed my advice and show mercy.
“Absolutely not!” Minister Zhang said resolutely.
He got up from the Grand Tutor’s Chair and paced to the window.
“Sang Yu, you are still young and do not understand the implications. The death of the Troupe Leader has caused me many doubts, though they are not yet confirmed. If it was His Majesty’s doing, this matter would be very complex! The longer Feng Gao remains ignorant, the longer his life will be safe. When hunting eagles with a bow, if the bow breaks, you discard it and get a new one! Do you truly think that the eagle is just a problem with the bow?” he said solemnly.
“I have already wronged him, why should I let him lose his life for this again! His Majesty wants him to deal with me; he is unaware of his identity, so his actions can protect him before His Majesty. Sang Yu, promise me, you must not say anything.”
I thought for a moment and nodded.
Since the Troupe Leader’s death, Minister Zhang had realized many things.
He could not fail the people, nor could he fail his son. This old man, who had been worn out with worry, wanted to bear everything by himself.
When I had walked far from the study, I vaguely heard him murmur, “A lifelong aspiration, all in vain? When the time comes, heaven and earth conspire; when the time passes, heroes are powerless.”
I returned to the Cheng Residence, and before long, many people came to the East Courtyard to visit.
Everyone in the manor knew that I had been conferred the title of “Lady Yidexiang,” and even the Eldest Young Mistress came with a smiling face.
She sat by my bed, as if all the past disagreements had never happened.
“Sang Yu, you and I are sisters-in-law, family. When I heard that you were injured because of the Empress Dowager, I was so worried that I couldn’t eat. I told the Bodhisattva that if it meant Sang Yu could recover, I would gladly trade my lifespan. Seeing you return whole and sound, I, I, I am so happy…” She wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
I said, “Thank you for your kindness, Eldest Sister-in-law.”
She took my hand: “Sang Yu, it’s like this, I heard that the Empress Dowager values you very much now. You must look out for your niece. You are her paternal aunt. As the saying goes, an aunt is half a mother. She is alone and helpless in the palace. If you help her, and she gains favor, it will be the glory of our entire family.”
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Miss Sun is now a Talent. How can I possibly help her? How can I control the grace and might of the imperial family? You think too highly of me,” I said.
Her smile cooled, and she said awkwardly, “It seems I was wishful thinking. You are actually unreliable.”
She got up and left, not forgetting to instruct her maidservant to leave the gifts behind, so as to maintain her reputation for virtue and propriety.
After the Eldest Young Mistress left, the Old Madam and the Third Young Miss also came.
The Old Madam ordered someone to make the soup I usually liked to drink, and sat by my bed, instructing me to recuperate well, saying that no matter how great the imperial reward, it was not as important as my own health.
At the second hour of Shen, Cheng Huaishi returned.
I was leaning on my pillow reading a book. Seeing him enter, I said, “Why is Second Master back so early today?”
He walked towards me: “I heard Madam was injured, so I returned early. How is Madam now?”
I smiled: “I’m fine.”
“Last night, I heard the news and wanted to visit you in the palace. But the palace rules are strict, and no outside officials are allowed without an imperial decree. Today, I heard that the Empress Dowager bestowed medicine, and there was no real danger, so I finally breathed a sigh of relief,” he said.
He took the medicine bowl from Xiao Yin and fed it to me.
“Madam, you may not know this, but Minister Zhang seemed confused today. He actually submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting to relieve me of my duties in the Ministry of Revenue and transfer me to a sinecure position in the Capital Prefecture Yamen.”
I quickly asked, “What did His Majesty say?”
He said, “His Majesty just smiled and asked for my opinion. Of course, I was unwilling. Did I study hard just to earn a meager salary and live a life of idleness? His Majesty said nothing further and told me to continue my work in the Ministry of Revenue. After the court session, Director Feng found me. He seemed very angry and questioned why I disagreed. He also said—”
“What did he say?”
Cheng Huaishi put down the medicine bowl: “He told me to think more about my wife and children. This is unreasonable. Should everyone be afraid of death and do nothing? I care about Madam and the family’s elders and children, but, as Mencius said, ‘Cherish the elders of others as you cherish your own elders, and care for the young of others as you care for your own young.’ The world can be governed. Are the families of others not families? How can I be a coward for my own selfish reasons?”
“Second Master, Director Feng also meant well.”
“Madam—”
He said earnestly, “People like Director Feng have not studied the Books of Sages and do not understand righteousness. Madam is a wise person, I hope Madam understands me.”
His face was filled with a resolute determination, as if he would go forward even if thousands of people stood against him.
He was determined to support the New Policies to the end.
I picked up the bowl he had just put down and drank the extremely bitter medicine in one gulp: “Second Master, as the saying goes, a wise person does not stand under a dangerous wall. I only wish to live a simple and peaceful life with you. I never expected my husband to be a hero; I only feel that three meals a day, knowing warmth and cold, is enough.”
He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
“Second Master, I only wish for your safety.”
He sat by the couch and embraced me. I smelled his scent and leaned on his shoulder. The weariness from not sleeping all night came over me, and I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
The evening clouds were colorful.
After the sunset glow faded, the world turned silver-gray.
Footsteps woke me from my light sleep.
He Ming came in to report, “Second Master, Second Young Mistress, Miss Xun is at the door. She is wearing a nun’s habit and says she wants to bid farewell to Second Master.”
Cheng Huaishi got up, shocked, “Nonsense, utter nonsense.”
He got up and left.
Before long, he returned, his brows and eyes filled with annoyance and self-reproach.
He Ming said, “Second Young Mistress, Miss Xun said she wants to speak with you alone.”
Cheng Huaishi waved his hand, “Madam is still ill, so I won’t go. No matter how much we try to persuade her, she won’t be dissuaded. Fine, fine.”
I put on my outer coat, got up, and said, “I’ll go out and see.”
Stepping out the door, I saw her standing outside. Dressed in a blue monastic robe, she appeared even thinner.
She was so decisive, she said it and she did it.
“Madam Cheng,” she nodded.
“What do you want to say to me? Speak.”
She clasped her hands together: “I am going to the pure land of Buddhism. Second Master is entrusted to Madam Cheng.”
“Saying this, you show that your six roots are not yet severed.”
“Madam Cheng will one day understand that I am the one willing to give everything for Second Master. I am withdrawing, not because I lost to you, but simply because I do not want to make him difficult.”
She turned and left.
Her stubbornness was a thorn.
In this marital fate, I won, and it had nothing to do with winning or losing.
Winning meant winning.
I rested in the manor for a few days.
I became increasingly sleepy.
I craved sour things.
I could not stand greasy food.
On this morning at the end of the month, after Cheng Huaishi left, I went to the Eastern Depot.
Just as Feng Gao was about to mount his horse, a man in a flying fish suit stood beside him, holding his horse and assisting with the stirrup, showing utmost respect.
Feng Gao smiled faintly: “Lord Mu, why must you be so polite?”
Saying this, he did not stop his action of mounting the horse.
It turned out that the man was the new Commander of the Brocade Guards, Mu Lin.
Mu Lin said, “It is my great honor to serve Director Feng. I would like to ask Director Feng, yesterday, when I requested an audience, why did His Majesty not see me? Is His Majesty displeased with me in some way? I beg Director Feng to enlighten me.”
Feng Gao stroked the horse’s mane and said lightly, “Are His Majesty’s thoughts something that you and I should speculate on?”
Mu Lin quickly said, “Director Feng is right. I deserve to die.”
“The thunder and the rain, all are heavenly grace. Remember this. Go now. Go and attend to your duties.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Mu Lin bowed and saluted, then left.
I called out.
Feng Gao saw me, dismounted, and walked towards me, saying joyfully, “Sister, why have you come?”
I opened my mouth and slowly said, “Let Qin Madam go.”
He turned his back and was silent for a moment, then said, “I did not take her life. I hired a doctor to treat her injuries. She has already recovered much these past few days. However, I cannot let her go yet. Keeping her is a way to negotiate with Zhang Taiyue.”
I said, “Qin Mingxu saved me, and I owe him. I must repay him.”
He said, “Sister, can you repay him with something else?”
I pulled his sleeve and said, “Qin Madam is just a woman, she knows nothing of the matters in the Imperial Court. What harm is there if you let her go?”
He lowered his eyelids.
“Sister, being merciful to enemies is being cruel to oneself.”
A surge of anger rushed to my heart, and a myriad of thoughts swirled in my mind. My stomach churned inexplicably, and I stumbled. He quickly supported me.
His peach blossom face gradually blurred before my eyes.
I heard him anxiously call out, “Sister, what’s wrong? I promise you, I promise you everything, I’ll let her go…”
“Dou Ya, you promised, that’s good.” I forced myself to say, feeling my strength drain away, and vomited everything in my stomach with a “whoosh.”
I thought it was residual poison.
Yet, I did not realize that my body was quietly undergoing changes.
