Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Project: 🐟 Jinyiwei (锦衣卫) | Author: Fei Tian Ye Xiang (非天夜翔) | Rating: Mature
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Arc 3: The Summon the Wind and Rain Talisman
Chapter 24 The Imperial Ming Ancestor’s Instructions [1]
The dusky sky darkened; The bodyguards returned to their rooms, and a lamp was lit in each room. The Yuanxiao Festival [2] was just over, and the decorative papers pasted on the windows hadn’t yet been torn off.
The colorful ornamental engravings carved the light rays from within the rooms into scattered fragments and threw them into the courtyard. The dancing light flares appeared like a motley scene of shadow puppetry – fascinating Yunqi such that he appeared to be in a trance.
Zhu Yunwen and Yunqi sat side by side on the railings. Yunqi said, “I brought back some of the Beiping local specialties, they’re delicious.”
Zhu Yunwen smiled faintly, answering, “I don’t really eat snacks anymore.”
Yunqi asked insouciantly, “A rule set by the Grand Tutor?”
Zhu Yunwen sighed lightly, and abruptly questioned, “Where’s the ring?”
Yunqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and replied, “I lost it. When I was at Beiping as a guest, I have no idea what happened; I woke up and knocked it somehow and it was gone.”
Zhu Yunwen was slightly annoyed, the Jinyiwei within the house all perked up their ears to eavesdrop on the monarch and subject’s conversation, wiping off a handful of sweat on Yunqi’s behalf.
Ideas flashed quickly through Yunqi’s mind, countless thoughts flashing through his sea of consciousness to grasp the best opportunity.
How should he say it? Should he use this method to signify his gracious decline of Zhu Yunwen’s affections? That ring was a token of Zhu Yunwen’s love; Since he already had Tuoba Feng, under no circumstances should he provoke the Emperor’s attention.
In any event, accompanying the Emperor is like keeping a tiger company – how should he say it? Should he say, Yunwen, I’m sorry, I’m merely your bodyguard, and can only be your bodyguard – It is the will of Heaven that the ring was misplaced, from now on…
To reject Zhu Yunwen whilst in the eye of the storm where the wind and waves were the highest, it was anyone’s guess as to how dire the situation would become.
Never mind, it’s better to endure short-term pain and resolve it now – there will always come a time when things must be cut off cleanly.
Yunqi steeled himself and swallowed down his saliva, before saying with great difficulty, “Yunwen, I’m sorry…”
Zhu Yunwen interjected, “Forget it.”
“…”
Yunqi gazed vacantly toward Yunwen. Yunwen stated, “It’s good enough that you’ve returned, in the future I’ll give you another.”
At that instant, there was the sound of people getting up from tables and chairs overturning from all corners of the building. Zhu Yunwen’s airily spoken words were tantamount to releasing the shackles from everyone’s heads.
Yunqi’s train of thought was derailed into a chaotic mess, as he spoke haltingly, “Yunwen, I…”
Zhu Yunwen smiled at this, and said, “ I originally thought that you wouldn’t return. Did Si-shu not try to forcibly retain you?”
Yunqi sighed in his heart, feeling overwhelmed by these troublesome matters. After a few moments, he smiled and replied, “How could I not return?”
Zhu Yunwen nodded and got up to leave.
Leaving just like that? Nothing else to say? Yunqi was astonished and couldn’t react – he didn’t get up and send him off. After a while, he followed behind Zhu Yunwen and sent him off to the entrance. Yunqi finally asked, “Do we need to be on duty tomorrow?”
Zhu Yunwen answered, “Once you’ve rested enough, then go back on duty.”
Zhu Yunwen turned back and said quietly, “The Grand Tutor and Scholar Fang have co-authored a written petition to withdraw the Jinyiwei organization, if it is brought up again, you know what to say.”
As he spoke, Zhu Yunwen smiled mischievously, one monarch and one subject, as if they’d returned to the past when they’d band together to play tricks on the courtiers.
Yunqi smiled politely, “If we’re expounding on great principles, I only fear that Yun-ge’er isn’t the Grand Tutor’s match…”
Zhu Yunwen replied, “No problem, don’t you have me to back you up? Those days that Yun-ge’er went to Beiping when I suddenly didn’t have you by my side, was when I understood…”
It was just at this point that Zhu Yunwen cut off this thread of conversation.
Yunqi frowned slightly, not understanding. He was just about to say something when Zhu Yunwen beckoned to him.
Yunqi was half a head taller than Zhu Yunwen, his heart jolted before he bowed his head to listen to what brilliant scheme Zhu Yunwen had.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunwen took the opportunity to loop his arm around Yunqi’s neck and brought his lips closer.
The spring breeze was as chilly as water [3], and the courtyard was filled with falling flowers [4].
In the bright and clear moonlight, the two figures of the monarch and his subject kissing were silhouetted against the gates of the courtyard.
Yunqi’s mind was blank – he’d never expected that Zhu Yunwen would harbor such deep feelings for himself.
Zhu Yunwen’s icy cool lips touched his, then retreated. When he turned his back, he said quietly, “You’ve returned at last…”
Yunqi was frozen in place, and could only watch the back of Zhu Yunwen’s lonely figure as he turned the corner, and disappeared behind the tall walls.
Yunqi nodded and raised his sleeves to wipe his mouth. His face was red as to be scalding, and his embarrassment knew no bounds. He turned about to enter the courtyard, only to discover the young fellows dressed in their unlined inner garments and bare feet standing inside, with countless gazes on Yunqi’s face.
Rong Qing inhaled deeply, before declaring in a serious manner, “Yun-ge’er…you’ve returned…”
With a bang, the entire courtyard of grown men exploded into chaos, all dashing forward to rub against Yunqi, each of them grinning cheekily as they cried, “Hehe! Hehe! You’ve returned at last!!”
“Ai, what are you all doing!” Yunqi called out, but couldn’t prevent himself from being crowded into a corner of the wall by his band of brothers. Rong Qing yelled loudly, “Hey-yo——！”
Thus the bodyguards began to crowd in as if their lives depended on it.
After many days of anxiously living on tenterhooks, they’d finally been alleviated, and these pent-up emotions virtually erupted in an instant. The Jinyiwei who were accustomed to being dog legs [5] naturally understood how to observe someone’s speech and behavior; From Zhu Yunwen’s kiss with Yunqi, they could envisage a bright and splendid future!
At that moment, everyone appeared to have gone insane, merely plying all their strength as they continuously pushed Yunqi into the corner; The Jinyiwei dormitories seemed to have devolved into a lunatic asylum.
“Alright, that’s enough…” Yunqi flusteredly evaded them.
“I said that’s enough!” Yunqi roared as he shoved Rong Qing, causing him to reel backward.
Yunqi huffed and puffed for a moment, before yelling, “Everyone stop making a ruckus! I’m vexed right now!” Having spoken he went directly into his room, slamming the door ferociously.
The Jinyiwei stood around staring speechlessly at one another at a loss on what to do, not understanding why Yunqi flew into a rage.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
It is said that when a country is about to meet its demise, there will definitely be evildoers [6]. At the time of the Ming Dynasty’s morning court session, when they saw Xu Yunqi standing to one side of the dragon desk, almost all the Civil and Remonstrance officials [7] thought thus.
From the dark circles beneath Yunqi and Zhu Yunwen’s eyes, it could be determined that something extraordinary occurred last night.
Zhu Yunwen yawned constantly, but Yunqi had no alternative but to bear with his own drowsiness.
Huang Zicheng stood before the hall and declared loudly, “The discussion a few days ago with regards to the memorial to withdraw the Jinyiwei from the Emperor’s court…”
Yunqi laughed grimly, “Has the Grand Tutor lost his mind? The Jinyiwei most certainly cannot be withdrawn.”
This was the first time in the thirty-two years since the founding of the Ming dynasty that a Jinyiwei had actually spoken up during the court sessions. For a moment, the entire court of civil and military officials was in an uproar. Qi Tai stepped up from amongst the crowd and pointed at Yunqi to revile him furiously, “ What manner of thing are you?! Since when did palace attendants [8] like you have a right to speak during the imperial court sessions!”
Having been incited to do so by Zhu Yunwen, Yunqi was completely undaunted. In any event, today he’d come prepared and had already devised his speech. He questioned derisively, “What manner of thing am I?”
“I am Xu Da’s son!” Yunqi reprimanded them, “My father is the Founding Marshal, and was a colleague of Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong. Our Xu Family possesses the Iron coupon [9] bestowed by the Great Ancestor [10]. I entered the palace and have served here since the Great Ancestor’s reign. Now that the Imperial Grandson has succeeded him to the throne, and Jiang-shi has retired due to old age; this Commander can be considered a veteran official [11]. If we are to discuss generational seniority, the Imperial Grandson still has to address me as ‘Uncle’ – so which Daren is still dissatisfied?!”
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Zhu Yunwen’s mouth, ostensibly finding this extremely entertaining.
Zhu Yunwen spoke warmly, “Since this is the case, there’s no harm in Yun-shu [12] speaking.” As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeve to take up a brush. The attending eunuch by his side hastily uncovered the inkstone.
Yunqi barely restrained his smile, and continued, “Having exceeded my position at court today, Yunqi is willing to accept this admonishment. However, do the gathered Daren today wish to become sinners reviled throughout the ages [13] ?!”
Fang Xiaoru’s words were cold, “The Internal Court systems are complex, and there is no longer any need for the post of the Jinyiwei. During the Hongwu era, the Grand Ancestor had previously also considered withdrawing the post and duties of the Jinyiwei. We are sharing the Emperor’s burdens, what crime is there?”
Yunqi retorted, “Did the Grand Ancestor withdraw it?” Read on SassyStrawberryDOTcom
Fang Xiaoru’s expression appeared as cold as ice, not deigning to answer.
Yunqi declared clearly and loudly, “The Jinyiwei were designated by the previous dynasty; of the twenty divisions of Imperial Guards, the Jinyiwei are the head – this is recorded in the《皇 明 祖 训》[1]. Dare I ask Scholar Fang, with such intentions to abolish the Emperor’s ancestral system, what punishment do you deserve for this crime?”
Fang Xiaoru received no small shock at this. Unexpectedly, Xu Yunqi actually knew something about the book that Zhu Yuanzhang had left behind. During Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign, he left behind two books on ancestral systems, one was the《皇 明 祖 训》[1] and the other was the《太 祖 宝 训》[14].
The entire text on the Ancestral systems was filled with wording such as ‘must not’ and ‘must’, establishing a clear and comprehensive set of regulations and systems for future generations. There was also repeated emphasis that if a minister dares to infringe upon or tries to alter the Ancestral Injunctions [1], their ‘entire families must be put to death by Lingchi [15]’. Depending on how it is viewed, this matter could be very serious or could also be very minor; Since Zhu Yuanzhang has long departed for the underworld, the continued usage of the Ancestral Injunctions would depend entirely upon the current Emperor.
The Remonstrance officials and Civil ministers respected the established laws and regulations highly. By Yunqi’s trotting out the Ancestral Injunctions, Fang Xiaoru had been rendered speechless. The Jinyiwei system itself hadn’t been included in the article, merely having been mentioned in passing in a couple of sentences. However, Yunqi had grasped onto these inconsequential clauses and cornered him aggressively, he pressed again, “ Has the Great Scholar Fang not read the 《皇 明 祖 训》[1] ?”
Fang Xiaoru eventually thought of a countermeasure, and stated, “ The rules are set by people, and hence can also be amended by people. The current Emperor is wise and farsighted…”
Yunqi laughed loudly several times at this as he scoffed, “And as for this rule of Scholar Fang’s about amending rules – who was it that gave you the authority?”
Fang Xiaoru was someone who excelled in studying, but not in sophistry. Since Yunqi began his aimless meandering, the court full of Literati were all muddled and currently immersed in mulling over Yunqi’s words. Huang Zicheng was secretly lamenting ‘This is bad, I can’t fall for this treacherous troublemaker’s trap, he cried out angrily, “If the rules aren’t appropriate with the current times, they should be amended. When things have reached a certain stage, they will run encounter bottlenecks, and must actively adjust and change to suit the times, [16] these are the words of the sages – so why can’t it be done?!”
Yunqi spoke in a carefree and leisurely manner, “This means to say, the memorial with regards to the withdrawal of the Jinyiwei and amending the Ancestral Precepts has no basis to rely on during our current dynasty.”
Huang Zicheng questioned him coldly, “And do you have any basis for this?”
Yunqi replied, “Of course I do.” Translator SassyStrawberry
“《皇 明 祖 训》[1]; The 9th section, ‘The Inner Offices’. The Great Ancestor [10] Emperor personally wrote: The Jinyiwei is the honor guards of the Six Courts; to admonish the Princes and punish the ministers. They only heed the orders of the Son of Heaven; if Emperor has not decreed punishment, they must not violate ceremony, acting beyond the laws of etiquette.”
“The 5th section, National Policy! Scholars and the common people should not arbitrarily discuss or make rash assertions about the Inner Offices – are the Jinyiwei not part of the Inner Offices?! One must not arbitrarily discuss or make rash assertions about the Ancestral systems, yet Grand Tutor Huang and Scholar Fang intend to amend the Ancestral systems? If someone arbitrarily amends it, their nine clans would be put to death by Lingchi [17]!”
Yunqi’s icy cold tones reverbrated within the Fengtian Hall as the Remonstrance officials broke out into a cold sweat. The Jinyiwei have always been the natural enemies of the court officials; while the Remonstrance officials and literati fear neither Heaven nor Earth – it’s merely their lives if they are disobedient to their Monarch, and being beheaded will merely fulfill their unimpeachable reputation. Yet, if one falls into the Jinyiwei’s hands, being struck by the punishment rods and being beaten into a half-dead state and persisting in this neither living nor dead limbo is something even more frightening than decapitation.
Fang Xiaoru’s leg had been broken by the beating, and he was still lame, as he limped and hobbled about. For a moment, none of the court officials present dared to look at Zhu Yunwen, their gazes all focused on Fang Xiaoru’s backside.
Yunqi stated, “Nine clans put to death by Lingchi [17]…If the gathered Daren are insistent on changing the Ancestral Systems, then please ready yourself. Xu Yunqi is willing to accompany you; 48 members of the Jinyiwei will lose their livelihoods, but the lives of these Daren’s families will far exceed these 48.”
The hall quietened down. Huang Zicheng shuddered and didn’t dare speak. Whereas Fang Xiaoru flung down his walking cane, and quietly met Yunqi’s gaze, before replying loftily, “ Using Xiaoru [18]’s mayfly-like existence to shake the giant trees of the Ancestral Systems, to eliminate malignant tumors and to uphold the laws and discipline of the Imperial Court – even if you were to put to death my ten clans [19], what of it?!”
Such courage! Yunqi privately gasped in admiration at this, not expecting for Fang Xiaoru to be this bold. Although the official discussion had fallen to a stalemate, Yunqi couldn’t help admiring Fang Xiaoru’s indomitable will.
Seeing that the show had just about played out, Zhu Yunwen began to mediate and smooth matters over, as he said gently, “Great Scholar has done no wrong, Zhen has my own plans in this matter.”
Zhu Yunwen merely feared the Remonstrance officials who would squawk incessantly like ducks, but he wasn’t afraid of Fang Xiaoru – presenting him with a ‘candy’ on the spot, “Scholar Fang and Commander Xu are both helping to shoulder the country’s burdens and cares – it’s not a matter of who is right or who is wrong, we will discuss this matter another day.”
The Remonstrance officials let out a sigh of relief. Fang Xiaoru’s humble life was cheap, but the lives of his family were precious. If he committed suicide on his own, it wasn’t a big matter, but to drag down his nine clans into this matter – it would be best to avoid that. It hadn’t been easy for a wise and understanding Son of Heaven to take the throne, and to still get your nine clans exterminated in this situation would really be too unacceptable and unjustifiable.
Fang Xiaoru was on his own and his lone power and influence were limited. He gave a drawn-out sigh but he didn’t insist.
Zhu Yunwen again spoke kind words to placate him, before taking up a memorial. He said, “Qi Tai, the letters regarding the withdrawal of feudatories [20] left the capital a few days ago, has a response been received?”
Yunqi’s heart was wrenched by this, yesterday he’d actually forgotten about the withdrawal of the vassals. He focused and listened attentively. Had the courier already reached Beiping? How should Zhu Di respond to it?
Qi Tai left his place in the ranks and stepped forward to speak, “To respond to your Majesty, the Prince of Zhou [21] has surrendered his military power and migrated to Yunnan; After the Prince of Xian [22], Zhu Bai received the Imperial Edict…he shut himself up in his residence and burned himself to death…”
Both Yunqi and Zhu Yunwen were simultaneously shaken by this. Yunqi shifted his gaze onto Zhu Yunwen, catching sight of Zhu Yunwen’s pursed lips and reddened eyes, not saying a word.
Had he already planned for this? What was written on the Imperial Edict? Read on the actual translator site.
A chill ran down Yunqi’s spine. When did Zhu Yunwen set his plans into motion? How is this reducing the feudatories? This is clearly bestowing death by suicide [23]!
How was Zhu Di now? Yunqi was almost agitated enough to grasp at Qi Tai’s collar and forcibly interrogate him. Zhu Yunwen instead asked, “Si-shu… What is going on over there? I’d originally intended for him to surrender his military power to Zhang-lao and remain in Beiping as in the past…”
The underlying meaning in Zhu Yunwen’s words was self-evident, and the second part of his statement was of course for Yunqi’s benefit.
Qi Tai answered, “ If there was no delay en route, we should hear from them today.”
Yunqi was ignorant and muddled, and before he’d understood what was going on, a report was suddenly brought in from outside of the Meridian Gate, “A message from Beiping – – !”
Zhu Yunwen hastily said, “Hurry and summon them!”
“The Prince of Yan privately detained the Imperial courier, and has imprisoned the Beiping Provincial Administration Commissioner, Zhang Bing-daren! The fate of the courier is unknown, I escaped that very night in a panic and have come here to report back!”
The entire court of officials exploded into chaos!
The hand that Zhu Yunwen held the brush with quivered slightly, and he asked in disbelief, “How…how did this happen? Zhen didn’t censure him, merely…”
Yunqi set a hand on Zhu Yunwen’s shoulder. Zhu Yunwen calmed down and collected himself before asking, “Did the Prince of Yan have a verbal message for Zhen?”
In comparison to Zhu Yunwen at this moment, Yunqi’s heart felt even more like his world had been turned upside down. However, even before the courier could respond, yet another panicked rider from the Meridian Gate rushed over, crying, “Report– !”
“The Prince of Yan’s eldest son Zhu Gaochi [24], and Zhu Gaoxun [25] have entered the capital, and are awaiting summons outside the Fengtian Gate.”
Zhu Di unexpectedly played such a hand; he sent two of his sons into the capital as hostages?!
Everyone was dizzied by his actions.
After the morning court session ended, the entire court was filled with Remonstrance officials cursing Yunqi’s entire family.
Zhu Yunwen unexpectedly decided to receive the Prince of Yan’s heir in the Imperial Study, together with Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru. On what basis were Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu summoned for a private audience in the hall without the senior ministers of the court present?! What are they trying to hide? On what basis are they concealing matters from everyone? On what basis are they behaving sneakily and acting behind closed doors, not allowing others to listen in!
On what basis – on what basis – on what basis?
Zhu Yunwen was in an exceedingly good mood, as he thought arrogantly to himself, it’s hardly any of your business.
The amount of mianzi [26] that Yunqi had been given was as great as Heaven. It would be even more difficult for him to speak up and reject Zhu Yunwen’s feelings for him now.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Yunqi waited by one side as before, Zhu Yunwen sat firmly at his desk, before speaking gently, “Summon the two brothers.”
In terms of generational seniority, Yunwen was still their tang-xiong [27]. Although they’d never met, within his heart remained some feelings of kinship.
Zhu Gaochi who’d always had a foot affliction, hobbled in lamely as he brought his younger brother in with him.
Zhu Gaoxu was troubled and anxious, which was completely written on his face. It was unmistakably the first time that he’d left his parents on such a long journey, and could only rely on his elder brother’s care. Seeing Yunqi at this time, his heart leaped with joy as he yelled, “Xiao-jiu!”
Yunqi hastily gestured to his lips as he smiled slightly and nodded, signifying that he shouldn’t be rude.
“No harm done.” Zhu Yunwen comforted them, “The journey has been hard on you.”
Zhu Gaochi then tugged at his younger brother to make obeisance, and professed, “ Long live the Emperor [28].”
Zhu Yunwen motioned for him to get up, and bestowed him with a seat. Zhu Gaochi greeted him with another “Huang–xiong [29]”, before having his younger brother sit down, he himself remaining standing.
Huang Zicheng stood to one side as he eyed Zhu Gaochi with cold detachment, before jeering, “Don’t behave hypocritically, your father has detained the Imperial Envoy and privately imprisoned the Beiping Provincial Administration Commissioner…”
“Shut your mouth!” Zhu Yunwen raged.
Huang Zicheng’s heart was shaken – he hadn’t expected that Zhu Yunwen would flare up like this.
Zhu Yunwen had originally planned to chat about their family matters first, but now that Huang Zicheng who didn’t know what was good for him had already raised the main topic in advance, the mood had already been lost. He had no alternative but to drop the subject, and ask, “Why did Si-shu send the two of you into the capital? Is there a personal letter from him?”
Zhu Gaochi smiled, “To respond to Huang-xiong, my Prince Father said that his handwriting was unfit to be viewed, thus he has some words that he entrusted to us brothers to report back to Huang-xiong.”
Zhu Gaochi’s sickly body standing in the Imperial study was more than Yunqi could bear to watch, thus he said, “Sit down first. Sit down then speak.”
Zhu Gaochi muttered to himself for a moment, and nodded, but didn’t sit down, waiting for Zhu Yunwen to ask, “What words?” Zhu Gaochi launched into a confident and well-prepared spiel, “Yunwen, Si-shu is defending Beiping on your behalf, can you not rest assured? Do you fear that Si-shu will rebel? Truth be told, if you withdraw Si-shu and Shiqi-shu’s military authority, Northern Yuan will certainly stage a comeback from the ashes. This entire Imperial Court is filled with a group of intellectuals who don’t understand the world – if they go on the front lines, they’ll only be fodder fated to lose their heads.”
“Do you truly intend to withdraw the feudatories? Fine. I’ll leave these two sons in your hands, and I’ve said everything I can on this matter. If you still suspect that Si-shu intends to revolt, then kill my sons. See if Si-shu will revolt or not…”
In that instant, Yunqi’s back was covered in a cold sweat.
Zhu Gaochi’s words were so skilfully emulated that he appeared as the very image of Zhu Di.
Zhu Yunwen’s expression was indeterminate – it was unclear whether he was pleased or displeased. Zhu Gaochi’s palms were covered in sweat, but he again mustered up his courage to speak, “I know you… wouldn’t be able to take action. Si-shu similarly can’t bear to take action. Let’s take a step back, don’t withdraw them anymore. Si-shu will guard the rivers and mountains, the Great Wall on your behalf; It wouldn’t be possible without Si-shu.”
“Yunwen, in the first year of your ascension – can it be that you intend to learn from your grandfather, my old father?!”
The Imperial study was so silent as to be able to hear a pin drop, the gathered crowd held their breath. Zhu Gaochi finished speaking and raised a sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead, before sitting down.
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Translator Note:
I can’t help but feel respect for Fang Xiaoru’s courage (foolhardiness!?) in how he was willing to stand behind what he felt was right. If you read about him you’ll know what actually happened.
As for Zhu Di sending his 14 and 16-year-old sons to the capital T.T Maybe I’m biased, but I really like Zhu Di and Xu Wen, and I don’t think they’d risk their beloved children for no reason. The kids are really brave too! I’m so impressed with Zhu Gaochi’s composure given he knowingly brought himself and his brother into Zhu Yunwen’s hands as hostages.
A page of the《皇 明 祖 训》[1]
I hope Sanbao still has the ring with him. Poor Yunqi – he’s in quite a difficult position.
I like Si-shu, too. I like Xu Wen and the teenage boys. That was very brave of them.
Thank you so much for the translation!