Yuxi summoned Xu Wu and handed him the letter she had written. "Deliver this letter to Jiang Daren as quickly as possible," she ...
Yuxi summoned Xu Wu and handed him the letter she had written. "Deliver this letter to Jiang Daren as quickly as possible," she instructed. Legally, she was entirely justified in refusing to get involved in Yurong's affairs, since the two were no longer legally related. However, Jiang Hongfu was in a different position. Yurong was his dimei1, and her child was his nephew. Moreover, Yuxi decided to inform Jiang Hongfu because she believed he could rescue Yurong. Otherwise, he never would have uncovered Yan Xi's background.
Xu Wu asked no further questions. After receiving the letter, he immediately dispatched someone to deliver it to Jiang Hongfu as quickly as possible.
When Yun Qing returned from the military camp that evening, he looked rather displeased. Yuxi walked over, took his cloak and asked, "What's wrong? Are things not going smoothly?" Recently, various bad practices had swept through the military camp, and Yun Qing had begun taking steps to rectify them.
Yun Qing replied coldly, "The problems in the army are far more serious than I imagined. Compared to those problems, the incidents Tan Daren mentioned, where men got drunk, went mad from drink and injured others, are practically child's play." There were simply far too many problems, such as deceiving superiors and concealing matters from subordinates2 and exploiting one's position for personal gain.
Although Yuxi was not responsible for military affairs, she was nevertheless well aware of certain problems within the army. She said frankly, "Even if you exert yourself with all your strength, almost to the point of exhaustion, to put things right this time, these problems will reappear before long." People were inherently flawed in one particular way: nothing was ever enough to satisfy their desires.
After a moment's silence, Yun Qing stated, "I want the Supervisory Department to conduct a thorough investigation." Although the Supervisory Department had only recently been established, it had already acquired a formidable reputation. Its director, Meng Fangjun, was iron-faced and had no selfish motives3. He refused to sell anyone's face4, and he even submitted a memorial impeaching Han Jianming!
Yuxi nodded. "Having Meng Fangjun conduct a thorough investigation would be good. At the very least, it would serve as a deterrent." Oddly enough, the army's most senior generals remained upright and avoided misconduct. This was not merely because they were comfortable financially, but, more importantly, because coveting such money would be tantamount to destroying their own prospects. Xiang Weiguo was the best example. That incident, followed by the affair involving Xiao Yongchang, had prompted the generals to start keeping their relatives and close friends in check as well.
Yun Qing nodded. "That's what I think, too. When we were in Yu City, when did we ever have problems like these?" The larger the troops grew, the more difficult they became to lead.
Looking at Yun Qing, Yuxi suddenly reminded, "Herui, this is only the beginning." When she noticed the slight change in his expression, she knew he understood. "That's right. In the future, the number of people you'll have to govern will only continue to grow." And it was not just Yun Qing who would have more people to govern. She herself would have far more to do!
Yun Qing frowned slightly, but instead of contradicting Yuxi, he said, "These next two years are not a suitable time to go to war." Firstly, the northwest needed time to rest and regain its strength. Secondly, he wanted to wipe out the Northern Barbarians. As for expanding their territory, that would have to wait at least another three years.
Yuxi smiled slightly. "I didn't say we should do it within these two years. It's just that we need to make preparations in advance." She disliked fighting battles she was not confident of winning.
Seeing the puzzled expression on Yun Qing's face, Yuxi explained, "He Ye, the commander-in-chief of Henan, is hardly any better than Ji Xuan. Within three years at most, Henan will descend into widespread turmoil." In fact, Henan was already experiencing some unrest, but He Ye wielded considerable power and had managed to suppress all the rebellions.
After a moment's silence, Yun Qing said, "Things aren't peaceful in Hubei either." Whether in Henan or Hubei, the common people in those regions lived in extreme misery. Compared with them, people in the northwest now lived in extraordinary comfort.
Yuxi also knew the situation in Hubei as clearly as the fingers and palm of her own hand5. "The winds have been favourable, and the rains have fallen in their proper seasons6 these past two years, so the common people have at least had a mouthful of food7. But once a natural disaster strikes, what path to survival will they have left?" A major natural disaster would strike in another couple of years. When that happened, no one could say what the situation would become.
Yun Qing said, "Whether it's disasters sent by Heaven or calamities caused by people, we can't prevent them."
Yuxi shook her head. "We cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can prevent those caused by people. As long as you're willing, you can give these people the chance to live peaceful lives." In truth, Yun Qing's attitude had already improved considerably compared to before. At least now, when Yuxi spoke of such matters, he no longer opposed her ideas to the bitter end as he once had.
After a moment's silence, Yun Qing confessed, "I'm afraid that if we spread our stall too wide8, we won't be able to cope when the time comes." One's own family knows the affairs of its own household9, and Yun Qing knew exactly how many jin and liang he weighed10.
Yuxi smiled. "I didn't understand anything at first either, but I've done quite well, haven't I? As long as we firmly believe that ordinary people should be able to live in peace and enjoy their work, we'll be able to manage things properly."
With that, Yuxi embraced Yun Qing and said gently, "Besides, you still have me! When husband and wife are of one heart, their sharpness can cut through gold11. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we'll be able to overcome them together."
Yun Qing stroked Yuxi's head and smiled. "All right." If Yuxi wasn't afraid, how could a great big grown man like him possibly be frightened? At that moment, Yun Qing did his best to ignore the faint uneasiness lingering in his heart.
Once they had finished discussing serious matters, Yuxi asked Yun Qing, "Jiang Hongjin fell from his horse and died more than half a month ago. Herui, did *you know about this?" Yuxi could hardly be blamed for her suspicions; the timing was simply too coincidental. She had only just told Yun Qing about the matter, and Jiang Hongjin died shortly afterwards.
Yun Qing didn't try to hide the truth from Yuxi. He nodded. "I was the one who ordered Lieying12 to do it. Now that he's dead, you won't have to suffer nightmares any more."
Yuxi had never imagined that Yun Qing had decided to take Jiang Hongjin's life for this reason. She was so moved that her tears began falling immediately, drop after drop.
As Yun Qing wiped away Yuxi's tears, he smiled and teased, "You cry so easily. It looks as though this one's going to be another daughter."
Yuxi didn't know how to react and could only hope that Yun Qing's words wouldn't come true. Although she loved all her children equally, what the family needed in the current situation was a son: an heir to inherit the Northwest.
Noticing a change in Yuxi's demeanour, Yun Qing recalled that she had always wanted a son. He immediately said, "It makes no difference whether it's a boy or a girl. They're both my own bone and blood." Yun Qing genuinely preferred daughters. They were sweet-smelling, soft and utterly lovable, whereas sons were not nearly as much fun. Besides, if the child were a boy, he certainly would not treat him the same way he treated Zaozao and Liu-er. He would have to raise the boy with strict discipline.
Those were exactly the words Yuxi wanted to hear, and she smiled immediately. "I know you like daughters, and I like them too. But I still hope this baby will be a boy. That way, Zaozao won't have to work so hard." If she had a son, the people around her wouldn't worry so much, and she would be spared from their constant nagging. It would also put many people's minds at rest.
The following evening, Jiang Hongfu received a personal letter from Yuxi. After reading it, his expression turned extremely grim.
Seeing this, Mr Gao asked, "What's happened?"
Jiang Hongfu let out a heavy, angry breath and replied, "Hongjin had an accident. He's gone." Yun Qing was seething over Jiang Hongfu's confrontation with Yuxi. Unable to lose his temper openly, he cut off Jiang Hongfu's contact with the outside world.
Mr Gao's expression changed dramatically. "Was it Pingxi Wangfei responsible for this?" Having said this, Mr Gao was filled with regret. "If only I had known, I would have told Master about what she had done."
Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "Pingxi Wangfei sent someone to deliver this letter to inform me that He Ye's nephew wants to take my Dimei1, Han Shi, as his concubine. As for Er Di's death, she merely mentioned in passing that it was an accident." Of course, Yuxi did not mention in the letter that Yurong had pleaded with Qiu Shi for help.
Mr Gao was furious. "That He Gaoda has bullied people far beyond what is tolerable! Eldest Master, you must never let that beast have his way. If that beast succeeds, not only will the Second Master be unable to rest in peace beneath the Nine Springs13, but even Master will be unable to bear it either."
Jiang Hongfu said, "Even if we disregard Han Shi's feelings, we still cannot allow that beast to succeed, for Xiao Huzi's sake."
With that in mind, Jiang Hongfu said to Mr Gao, "Mr Gao, I'll need you to make this journey personally. Take all our men with you and make absolutely certain that you escort Dimei1safely out of Henan."
Mr Gao had no objections, of course. "Eldest Master, I'll leave at once."
After a moment's silence, Jiang Hongfu told Mr Gao, "As for what happened to Er Di in Luoyang, it's best not to tell Dad about it if we can avoid it."
Mr Gao disagreed. "Eldest Master, no matter what has happened between you two, the Second Master is still your own younger brother. How can you bear to let him die with his grievances unresolved?"
Jiang Hongfu's expression was equally grim. "Then what would you have me do? Do you expect me to avenge Er Di?" He was unwilling to risk his life for Jiang Hongjin. After all, he had never felt that strongly about him.
Seeing that Mr Gao's expression had also changed somewhat, Jiang Hongfu continued, "Besides, if Dad finds out that Pingxi Wangfei killed Er Di, what do you think he'll do? Why do you think He Gaoda dares to behave so arrogantly? Isn't it because he knows that Dad can't do anything to him? If we can't even deal with He Gaoda, do you really think we can do anything to Pingxi Wangfei?"
Seeing this, Mr Gao asked, "Are you planning to throw yourself towards14 the very enemy who killed your younger brother?" Mr Gao had watched Jiang Hongjin grow up. After so many years, he would have developed a soft spot for even a kitten or puppy, let alone a human being. That's why he found Jiang Hongfu's attitude hard to accept.
Jiang Hongfu replied calmly, "It's not that I'm planning to do that with Pingxi Wangfei. I've already placed myself under her protection." Jiang Hongfu was referring specifically to Pingxi Wangfei, not Yun Qing.
After a pause, Jiang Hongfu continued, "Besides, I don't think Pingxi Wangfei was responsible for what happened to Er Di."
Mr Gao was usually a very composed man, but at that moment, he was beginning to lose control of his emotions. "If she could do something so vicious to the Second Master, why wouldn't she take his life? Eldest Master, what sort of bewitching potion has Pingxi Wangfei poured down your throat15 to turn you into someone like this?" Ever since Jiang Hongfu had last met Han Yuxi, Mr Gao had felt that something about him was not quite right.
Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "I've already sworn a poisonous oath16 before Pingxi Wangfei. This matter must never become known to a third person." He did not want anyone else to learn that Yuxi had saved his life more than ten years earlier, because the whole affair was simply beyond what an ordinary mind could imagine.
Mr Gao felt utterly helpless.
After a moment's silence, Jiang Hongfu said, "Uncle Gao, if you want to tell him, then go ahead. However, when you tell Dad, please pass on one message from me as well. For the sake of the Jiang family, I will not set myself against Pingxi Wangfei."
Mr Gao was an exceedingly shrewd man. How could he possibly fail to understand the meaning behind those words? He asked, "Eldest Master, what do you mean by that?"
Jiang Hongfu shook his head. "I cannot speak of this matter. If I tell anyone else, I will die without even a place to bury my body17." He was merely trying to frighten Mr Gao. Yuxi had never made him swear any oath in the first place.
Footnotes Full List
- 弟妹 (dìmèi): literally, younger brother's wife; sister-in-law, but can also be used to refer to your husband's younger best friend's wife.
- 欺上瞒下 (qī shàng mán xià) — to deceive superiors and conceal matters from subordinates; to manipulate information throughout a hierarchy
- 铁面无私 (tiě miàn wú sī) — to have an iron face and no selfish motives; to enforce rules or justice without favouritism
- 谁的面子都不卖 (shéi de miànzi dōu bù mài) — to refuse to sell anyone's face; to refuse to grant special treatment out of personal consideration
- 了如指掌 (liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng) — to know something as clearly as the fingers and palm of one's hand; to possess a thorough understanding of something
- 风调雨顺 (fēng tiáo yǔ shùn) — the winds are temperate, and the rains arrive at the right time; favourable weather, especially for agriculture
- 一口吃的 (yī kǒu chī de) — a single mouthful of something to eat; the bare minimum needed to survive
- 摊子铺得太大 (tānzi pū de tài dà) — to spread out one's stall over too large an area; to expand one's responsibilities or undertakings beyond what one can manage
- 自家人知道自家事 (zì jiā rén zhī dào zì jiā shì) — one's own family knows the affairs of its own household; people understand their own circumstances and limitations better than outsiders
- 几斤几两 (jǐ jīn jǐ liǎng) — how many jin and liang one weighs, referring to traditional Chinese units of weight; to know one's own abilities and limitations
- 夫妻同心，其利断金 (fū qī tóng xīn, qí lì duàn jīn) — when husband and wife share one heart, their sharpness can sever gold; a proverb emphasising that a united couple can overcome even the greatest difficulties
- 猎鹰 (lièyīng) — Falcon. I'm going to change Falcon's name in the previous chapter to pinyin.
- 九泉之下 (jiǔ quán zhī xià) — beneath the nine springs; a traditional Chinese expression for the realm of the dead
- 投靠 (tóu kào) — to throw oneself towards someone for support or protection; to seek refuge with, submit to or pledge allegiance to a more powerful person
- 灌了什么迷药 (guàn le shénme mí yào) — what sort of stupefying or bewitching medicine has someone forced you to swallow; a metaphor for being manipulated, charmed or deceived into unquestioning loyalty
- 发过毒誓 (fā guò dú shì) — to have sworn a venomous or curse-laden oath; to make an extremely solemn vow, often accompanied by a terrible consequence should it be broken
- 死无葬身之地 (sǐ wú zàng shēn zhī dì) — to die without a place where one's body can be buried; to suffer an utterly disastrous fate, often as punishment for breaking a grave oath
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