Chapter 574: A Word Decides Honor and Disgrace; A Smile Separates Life and Death

The eighth day of the ninth month was the day when the emperor’s procession entered the capital. Early in the morning, the streets were already packed with people. Even though there was a strong wind that day, every household had received orders from the authorities, so everyone looked toward the city gates eagerly. Numerous soldiers tried their best to maintain order, but murmurs still circulated among the crowd.

Though living right under the emperor’s rule, most people were as distant from him as the ends of the earth. Even if they stood on tiptoe to peek inside, they couldn’t see anything inside the palace gates, not to mention the laws prohibiting such acts. Those who had witnessed the emperor’s procession enter the capital in the 15th year of the Yongle era whispered among themselves, their faces flushed with excitement as they recalled the grandeur of that procession.

“The emperor’s procession is entering!”

A rider rushed from the end of the road, shouting those simple words. Instantly, the once noisy streets fell silent. Under the command of the imperial guards responsible for clearing the streets, wave after wave of people knelt down. From above, it looked as though an invisible blade had flattened countless swaying straws—the crowd suddenly appeared much shorter. Yet, despite kneeling, a few bold individuals subtly raised their heads slightly.

There were one pair of Bai Ze flags, four pairs of gate flags, forty yellow flags, twelve golden dragon flags, and two sun-and-moon flags. In addition, there were flags representing wind, clouds, thunder, rain, as well as those for wood, fire, metal, water, earth, and the stars. Hundreds of various flags fluttered in the wind. All those holding the flags were chosen from among the strongest men, all of similar height, creating an impressively majestic sight. Behind the flags came musical instruments such as brass horns, pipas, konghou, and drums, followed by various banners and weapons. When dozens of eunuchs carried heavy gold objects, even more curious glances were cast.

The most eye-catching were the various silk fans and umbrellas. Those who recognized them quietly explained them to their companions—silk fans embroidered with flowers, single-dragon silk fans, square fans embroidered with pheasants, plain silk fans, double-dragon longevity fans, and silk umbrellas with straight handles and intricate embroidery. Each one demonstrated the emperor’s supreme power over the four seas, filling the foreign envoys following the procession with fear. Even among the common people lining the streets, many pressed their foreheads to the cold ground.

“Long live the emperor! Long live, long live, long live!”

As the imperial procession passed by, a few carefully selected elders shouted loudly with all their might. Immediately, countless responses arose around them—vast waves of congratulatory shouts gathered like a hurricane, swirling above the entire capital before pressing down heavily on the group passing along the imperial road. Every general and officer accompanying the emperor straightened their backs without exception; even the civil and military officials who had gone to Qinghe to welcome the emperor and were now gathered together to enter the city also perked up.

During the previous expedition, Zhang Yue was not in the capital and thus missed those elaborate rituals. This time, however, he witnessed them in their entirety. There were sacrifices to heaven, earth, ancestral temples, and the state gods; captives were presented outside the imperial temples and ancestral shrines; the emperor announced his decrees from the Meridian Gate; officials in formal robes listened to the edicts; and a memorial to pacify the barbarians was presented at the Heavenly Gate… At first, he managed to stay focused, but gradually he found it increasingly difficult, moving like a puppet following others’ actions. Moreover, all the rituals were extremely lengthy. From a distance, he noticed that even the elderly emperor seemed stiff and impatient, not to mention the few white-haired ministers nearby who were barely holding on.

Yet after the day’s events were over, Zhang Yue was not allowed to go home and had to work all night at the Ministry of War, sorting through the records of the northern expedition troops. Although this time they had fought with a larger force, 300,000 soldiers still lost four to five thousand men, half of whom died from illness or freezing along the way. As he crossed off those names in the records, he couldn’t help but think of what he had written in his previous petition, leaving him completely sleepless.

Because the emperor had returned from his expedition, the morning court session on the Double Ninth Festival was canceled. Instead, a banquet was held for civil and military officials over sixty years old. Naturally, at Zhang Yue’s age, he could only work at the office. However, just after his lunch break and as he prepared to get back to work, the main door of the office was suddenly flung open.

“Yuanjie, there’s been an accident!” Wan Shijie kicked the door behind him with his heel before saying anxiously, “Minister Zhao, who went to receive the banquet, just returned to the office—his face was deathly pale. Those who accompanied him said that after the banquet, the emperor issued several decrees: Grand Scholar Yang of the Left Spring Court, Liu Shun, Deputy Head of the Imperial Sacrificial Bureau, Yang Mian, Left Vice Minister of Justice, Minister Lu of the Ministry of Rites, and Minister Jian of the Ministry of Personnel—all were thrown into the Jinyiwei prison!”

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Yue immediately dropped the pen in his hand and stood up abruptly, his face filled with disbelief. He clearly remembered that after reporting that the capital was in good order to Zhu Di, although the emperor had asked some questions, he hadn’t become enraged. So why was there such a big reaction now upon his return? This time, it involved one grand councilor and two ministers, just like before. If this continued, how many people would be left to handle affairs in the court? Back in the late Hongwu era, officials often bid farewell to their families before going to court—was it necessary to do the same now?

“What are the charges?”

Wan Shijie didn’t care at all about the others, but Yang Shiqi had shown him kindness and guidance, almost to the point of being a teacher and student. At that moment, Wan Shijie clenched his fists and then said in a low voice, “Grand Councilor Yang failed in guiding the crown prince; Liu Shun was at fault for his inappropriate words; Yang Mian was implicated because of his brother. As for Minister Lü and Minister Jian, I don’t know.”

Zhang Yue, however, knew exactly who those two were. Wasn’t it because the crown prince had pardoned Lü Zhen’s son-in-law, and Jian Yi hadn’t stopped him at the time? He still underestimated emperors—suspicion was an innate instinct for them. How could he mistake Zhu Di’s initial expression for calmness? He clenched his fists tightly, thinking of his father-in-law who had just been released from prison before the New Year.

“By the way, Minister Zhao also mentioned that the emperor has recalled Lord Du to the Wenyuan Pavilion.”

“Indeed, there are joys and sorrows, partings and reunions; the moon waxes and wanes… It’s the Double Ninth Festival, and Master Dongli is already over sixty!” Zhang Yue took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly before saying to Wan Shijie, “Don’t think the worst for now. It’s cold outside, and those in the prison will surely lack food and clothing. I’ll try to arrange something and send them some supplies first.”

Seeing Wan Shijie nod and say he would go gather more information, Zhang Yue slowly sat down. By now, the initial shock had passed, and he began to wonder whether the emperor was simply venting his anger or something else. After thinking it over, he felt that Yang Shiqi was truly innocent. He thought to himself that if one had to hold a position in the Eastern Palace, it was like being a scapegoat—any problems would fall on them.

In fact, both Yang Shiqi and Du Zhen had now “entered the palace twice”…

Due to this series of sudden developments, Zhang Yue’s efficiency in handling affairs that afternoon was greatly reduced. With Marquis of Taining Chen Yu imprisoned and Zhang Xuan, the commander of the Shence Wei, removed from office, along with several officers from the Shence Wei being interrogated, the various government offices were filled with a sense of anxiety. The soldiers who had fought in the northern expedition had not yet been rewarded, yet now a major trial was underway, involving prominent civil and military officials in the court—how could anyone not be terrified?

After this stormy day, there followed several days of calm. As the Ministry of War still needed to assess the merits of those who had fought in the northern expedition, the Military Selection Bureau was extremely busy, with almost all clerks assigned to assist. Naturally, Zhang Yue faced even greater shortages of staff and had no time to go home. Finally, just before the Ministry of Rites organized a banquet for the soldiers, all matters were settled. From Minister Zhao Jin down to the lowest-ranking clerks, everyone was exhausted with red eyes, yet only Zhang Yue was included in the list for the banquet.

Faced with colleagues who had worked hard to support the logistics but received no recognition, although Zhang Yue preferred to go home, he could not show any reluctance to attend the imperial banquet. On the day of the banquet, after the Ministry of Rites announced the seating order, he became the center of attention.

It was unclear what Zhu Di had in mind, but to motivate the soldiers, the banquet was divided into four classes. Those with merits but no faults sat in the front row and enjoyed the finest dishes; those with equal merits but who entered the pass first sat in the next row and ate medium-quality dishes; those with neither merits nor faults sat in the back row and ate inferior dishes; as for those who had no merits yet committed faults, they could only stand aside and watch others eat. Among all the guests, only Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, and Zhang Yue were civil officials seated in the front row to enjoy the best food.

When the Ministry of War recorded the merits of those who had fought in the expedition, Zhang Yue’s initial contribution in defending Xinghe was counted separately. However, Yang Rong and Jin Youzi knew that there were also other merits, such as the implementation of the salt tax system and subsequent petitions submitted. They had no objections to this method of calculation. After all, the initial plans for rewarding merits were only temporary measures, and Zhang Yue’s true merits had not yet been fully recognized. Moreover, since the two of them already stood out in the front row of the banquet, having one more person share the spot was not a problem. Besides, at such occasions, what was eaten was more for honor and face, and even if it was considered fine food, it was unlikely to fill one up. Any sensible person would have filled their stomach before coming to the banquet.

The empire rules over thousands of nations, with foreign tribes sending tributes. Auspicious signs appear, and the imperial lineage endures forever, with majestic mountains and rivers for ages to come.

The Holy Emperor surpassed Yao and Shun, as well as Yu and Tang, establishing the Five Constants and Three Bonds. The eight barbarian tribes paid tribute to the current emperor, bowing in utmost reverence. The prime ministers in the court managed the balance of yin and yang. The harvest was abundant, and all the people were joyful. They praised their emperor, and nations from all over came to submit.

To the tune of a peaceful melody, the imperial music troupe performed a dance symbolizing the pacification of the land. The performers wore green silk headscarves, gold-embroidered jackets made of green, red, and green jade silk, gold belts around their waists, and black cloud-patterned boots, singing and dancing in endless praise. Zhang Yue had little interest in such music and dance, so he stole a glance at Zhu Di on the throne. Coincidentally, his gaze met that of Zhu Zhanji sitting below the throne. Seeing the crown prince’s smiling face, he grew even more suspicious.

After a formal banquet that was more show than substance, the meritorious soldiers received varying amounts of cash as rewards. Yang Rong and Jin Youzi, for their outstanding services, were awarded first-class gifts: a set of second-class gold-threaded silk robes and 5,000 strings of cash each. Zhang Yue received a set of fourth-class bright red silk robes and 3,000 strings of cash. Since the rewards were given on the spot, after the banquet, a eunuch followed him carrying his gifts, forcing him to endure being watched by countless eyes. He even felt as though he hadn’t eaten enough that day, yet had been observed thoroughly.

At least he could go home now!

However, when he reached the Left Gate of Chang’an, before he could find his family among the many carriages and servants, he heard someone calling his name. Following the sound, he recognized it as Peng Shisan, which surprised him. After all, Zhang Fu, the Duke of Yingguo, was also at the banquet—why was Peng Shisan waiting for him here?

“Young master, hurry home!” With so many people leaving the palace, Peng Shisan was afraid they would get separated, so he quickly grabbed Zhang Yue’s hand and said anxiously, “The old lady is dying soon. The Duke of Yingguo has already rushed there!”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue felt as though a thunderbolt had struck him. Although he knew his grandmother’s illness had been going on for days, and even the doctors had given extremely disappointing diagnoses, he still held onto a glimmer of hope that a miracle might happen. Standing there like a wooden statue for a moment, he finally snapped out of it. Seeing someone lead a horse over, without even recognizing who it was, he snatched the reins and mounted the horse, galloping away at lightning speed.

In an instant, all thoughts of rewards and the future were forgotten.

Struggling to maintain control over his mount with his last vestiges of clarity, he rushed to his home’s doorstep in just fifteen minutes. He dismounted swiftly and dashed inside. By the time he reached the main gate of the northern courtyard, he felt his throat dry and his chest ache, his steps unsteady. After a few steps into the main hall, seeing only two maids, he immediately rushed into the east room without hesitation. The moment he pushed aside the curtain, he saw the old woman with Lady Wang holding her shoulders, those joyful eyes, and a faint smile that suddenly appeared.

“Auntie, Auntie!”

Zhang Fu had only arrived a moment earlier than Zhang Yue. Noticing Gu Shi’s change at once, he called out twice in alarm. Seeing Gu Shi slowly close her eyes with a smile, her hand, which had been tightly clenched, gradually loosening, Lady Wang was deeply shaken. Trembling, she checked her breath, and tears welled up instantly.

In just that short while, Zhang Yue managed to reach the bed. Grabbing her drooping hand and seeing the faint smile still on her face, his heart ached terribly. He couldn’t bring himself to speak and pressed his head against Gu Shi’s warm chest. Images of her as a dignified old lady, a loving grandmother, a caring elder, and a dear family member flashed through his mind, with the enduring smile remaining the last thing he saw.