Volume 17: The Blessings of Descendants

Chapter 814: Reunion with Family—A Brief Separation Feels Like a New Marriage

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the coolness grew intensifier, especially in the mornings and evenings. As a result, officials who went to court early wore thin coats under their official robes, while those on duty at the government offices at night or returning late added thicker clothing. Over the past few months, due to numerous tasks, the Ministry of War had been extremely busy. Realizing no one was at home, Zhang Yue took over from the senior minister Zhang Ben and spent eight out of ten nights on duty at the Ministry of War, so he made sure to prepare thick bedding for his room.

It wasn’t just him; almost everyone in the Department of Geography was exhausted. With the defeat in Luchuan and the need to withdraw troops from Jiaozhi, small groups of Oirat and Tatar troops frequently crossed the border, and there were disputes in the court regarding border patrols. On top of that, the process of designating an heir apparent was entering its final stages. No department was at rest, but they suffered the most. At that moment, Chen Yong, who had been transferred from Nanjing to serve in the Department of Geography a few days earlier, sneezed violently as soon as he entered the room, then placed the documents down with a wry smile.

“The Si family in Luchuan had only tens of thousands of troops, while the Duke of Qian and General Mu led forty thousand. Yet they were defeated in an ambush. Even so, they lost few men, and they still plan to withdraw. If that happens, will places like Nandian and Mangshi really be given up? The King Mu was once such a hero, but now the Duke of Qian… It’s truly regrettable.”

Zhang Yue took the documents and flipped through them under the oil lamp. He saw a copy of the memorial submitted by Duke Mu Sheng from the Department of Communications. Flipping further, he found a memorial from his second uncle, Zhang You, advocating for more troops. After thinking carefully, he decided to discuss it with Zhang Ben and others the next day and set the documents aside for now.

The two had worked together in Jiaozhi for half a year. Though they weren’t as close as comrades-in-arms, they were closer than ordinary colleagues. Moreover, Zhang Yue had specifically requested Chen Yong to be transferred from that idle department in Nanjing. So he spoke frankly, “War isn’t a skill passed down from father to son. You’ve never been to Yunnan. Just based on the fact that the local people flee at the sight of the Mu family’s entourage, it’s clear the Mu family is the most suitable to govern Yunnan. The Duke of Qian has always been cautious rather than aggressive in battle. It’s normal for him to want to withdraw after this defeat. Prepare the military reports and maps from Luchuan—there might be a court discussion tomorrow.”

Chen Yong nodded and headed out. Only when he reached the door did he suddenly turn around and say, “I heard that your lordship and your family will be returning from the south tomorrow? In that case, it would be better if you let someone else take over your shift tonight. Your intentions are good, but we must avoid any appearance of favoritism. Besides, there’s already enough gossip in the government offices these days. Ministers Jian and Xia have both stepped back from their duties to focus on major matters. Everyone says the third one will be Minister Zhang, after all, he’s not as young as those two. It’s quite awkward for these ministers, as they’re involved in major planning without having an official title.”

Indeed.

Zhang Yue couldn’t help but recall that night when he left Shijing Garden and went straight to British Park to have a long talk with Zhang Fu. The so-called major planning was just a polite pretext to keep them occupied in their retirement, just like Zhang Fu, who, since stepping down from his position as commander-in-chief, had made little progress in court affairs or military matters.

Zhang Fu’s titles and ranks had reached their limit during the Hongxi era. By the Xuande era, with no more rewards to offer, the only option left was to honor him highly. Although Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji hadn’t reached that point yet, having managed two of the most important ministries for over twenty years, the emperor naturally assumed someone else could handle their duties. Coincidentally, someone submitted a petition asking for preferential treatment for senior officials so they wouldn’t have to work hard, so the emperor simply went along with it.

Early the next morning, after the court session, Zhang Yue went to the Inner Cabinet due to matters related to Luchuan. There, he discussed further actions with Hu Bian, the current acting Minister of Revenue, and Yang Rong. They stayed there until noon but failed to reach a decision due to conflicting opinions. Hu Bian, in charge of the Ministry of Revenue’s expenditures, had many objections to the large expenses from the Yongle era and advocated for cuts. Naturally, he was against military actions, as southern border regions weren’t considered crucial. Zhang Yue, on the other hand, insisted that Luchuan was a strategic area that must be taken. Although Yang Rong favored another campaign, since Hu Bian was a senior official from the previous dynasty, they could only put the matter on hold for further discussion in the six ministries and the Inner Cabinet.

Returning from the palace through the Left Gate of Chang’an to the Ministry of War, Zhang Yue saw Niu Gan waiting at the entrance. Before he could ask if anyone had arrived, Niu Gan stepped forward with a smile and said, “Sir, early this morning, Gao Guan personally sent people to the Tongzhou dock to pick them up. Just as their ship arrived, they were picked up right away. They arrived home half an hour ago and have settled in. My master asked me to let you know, and your wife also specifically asked that you return home early tonight.”

Although he was no longer the poor slave who had fled from the north long ago, after all these years, Niu Gan still retained his habit of speaking in a loud voice, so that many people around could hear him. Seeing this, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but smile, nodded to show he understood, and sent them away.

Since he wasn’t in charge of the Military Selection Department and knew he was young, Zhang Yue also let other military officials handle such matters, so as not to upset the older war veterans or cause discomfort among the younger military officers of similar age who held hereditary military positions. By staying low-key and focusing on practical work, coupled with his control over the Bureau of Geography and the Armory—departments he had once headed—he managed everything with ease. When it was time to leave office that day, learning that Zhang Ben would be staying late himself, he left the office early. Only outside the Second Gate did he realize that several other officers were waiting to see Vice Minister Feng to take up their posts, which made him smile.

Thinking of his family he hadn’t seen in ages, Zhang Yue rushed home after meeting up with his entourage. Upon dismounting outside the Second Gate, he tossed the reins aside and strode inside. Following the east-west corridor, he reached a courtyard in the northwest, where he saw the curtains lifted high. He quickened his pace even more.

He climbed the steps, stepped over the threshold, passed through a screen on the right, and was suddenly dazzled. Although it was still evening, bright honey candles had already been lit inside. His father, Zhang Zhuo, sat on the east side, while his mother, Lady Sun, was restless and had already stood up with Du Wan’s help, her eyes red from crying. Without hesitation, Zhang Yue rushed forward to pay his respects. As soon as he bowed, Lady Sun pulled him up.

“I thought going to Guangzhou would allow me to see you sooner or later, sparing us the pain of separation. Who would have thought that after just a year together, you’d leave us behind again!” Lady Sun looked at Zhang Yue from head to toe, noticing how thinner and darker he had become. She was about to say more when she suddenly heard a soft cough from her husband. Reluctantly, she sat down again and scolded, “You’ve been back in the capital for so long yet still left your sister with the Duke of Ying. I had to send someone to bring her back this afternoon. How can you be such an uncle?”

While at the British duke’s residence, Zhang Jing had secretly asked Zhang Yue several times to let her return. Now that Mrs. Sun was blaming Zhang Yue, she winked at him when their parents weren’t looking, then stepped forward and said, “Mother, it’s not Brother’s fault. As soon as he returned to the capital, he was busy with important matters. Even at the British duke’s residence, he rarely had time to talk with Aunt. He was always discussing affairs with his eldest uncle. Even if I returned, he wouldn’t have time for me.”

“Are you defending him or criticizing him?” Zhang Zhuo couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Zhang Jing pulling Du Wan’s hand and acting coquettishly, he shook his head and said, “You’re already an eleven-year-old girl—still clinging to your sister-in-law.”

Zhang Yue met his parents, and Jing Guan led San San forward to kowtow. Hearing their son and daughter call him “Dad,” Zhang Yue felt an indescribable joy. All the hardships of those months vanished in an instant. When he saw Du Wan and Qiu Hen Hupo coming up, along with the baby son and daughter in their arms, his mood became even better. After having dinner with his parents and chatting for a while, he left with Du Wan and the others.

Back in his own courtyard, seeing Jing Guan and San San looking very sleepy, he ordered that they be taken back to their rooms. Once he sat in the small room on the east side of the main house, he noticed that the usually quiet room was now filled with people. He simply asked Aunt Cui to send the maids out. As soon as they left, he dropped his serious demeanor and stretched widely.

“You must have been tired—pretending like that in front of parents for so long!”

Hearing Du Wan’s teasing remark, Zhang Yue smiled bitterly and said, “Sister Jing was there at the time, as were the kids. With so many people around, I couldn’t let them think I was lazy, could I? Now that it’s just the two of you, can’t I even relax a bit? I’ve been struggling all day at the yamen, dealing with people. I’ve had a hard time these past couple of months.”

Hupo had become much more cheerful, but she still only smiled without speaking. Qiu Hen burst into laughter before quickly standing up seriously. Seeing both of them trying hard not to laugh, Du Wan glared at Zhang Yue irritably and said, “Weren’t you alone in Jiaozhi before? Why didn’t you complain about it then?”

“You know well that in war, there are fewer social interactions, no need for all those complications. But this capital is different—constant disputes at the yamen, and at home, I still have to deal with social obligations. We have so many relatives and acquaintances in the capital. Just attending every drinking party and birthday celebration is enough to exhaust me. Besides, when I return home at night, it’s so quiet. I spend twenty days a month sleeping at the yamen.”

Hearing this, Du Wan also felt heartache. Though she didn’t say anything, how could one not notice Zhang Yue’s thin appearance? So, with a glance from her eyes, Qiu Hen quickly went outside and soon returned with a straw bag, from which she took out a delicate Junkiln porcelain cup and handed it to Du Wan. Du Wan then said, intending to give it to Zhang Yue, “This afternoon, Xiao Wu specifically came to see me. He told me that as autumn brings dryness, women should drink more sugar water made with white lotus and lily. Men like you, who are busy with various urgent tasks every day, are more prone to internal heat, so you should also eat more heat-clearing stews. This is stewed bird’s nest with autumn pears—have one cup in the morning and one in the evening.”

Zhang Yue remembered when the third branch of the family was still unremarkable, he was weak, and his father, Zhang Zhuo, would often secretly bring back bags of bird’s nest, stewing it with rock sugar for him to eat like a meal every day. At first, he thought he was just like Lin Daiyu in Dream of the Red Chamber, always sickly and melancholic. But over time, year after year, he truly felt moved. Although with the family’s current wealth, eating a few ounces of bird’s nest per meal was nothing at all, seeing it still left him somewhat stunned.

“I was just joking with you. Don’t take it too seriously. Besides, I’m not that delicate and need to eat bird’s nest every day. It’s you who’ve been in the south for so long—first, you’re not used to autumn, and what Xiao Wu said is worth paying attention to…”

“We’ll be careful, but you need to be careful too. Otherwise, who will protect us from the elements?” Seeing Zhang Yue’s surprise after hearing this, Du Wan covered her forehead with her hand and sighed deeply, then smiled again. “After Niu went to the Ministry of War to report, he came back saying that many military officers were waiting in the courtyard to see you, saying they would treat you with great respect. But even though you’re now called ‘Sir of the Ministry,’ at home you still have to listen to me. Don’t think you have an iron body—your energy is limited. Since you’re not short of money, it’s fine to be a bit extravagant.”

Qiu Hen seized the opportunity to say quickly, “The young mistress is right. Young master, you must take good care of your health.”

Hupo also smiled and said, “The young mistress, who is usually so frugal, says this—it shows just how worrying your condition is.”

“Okay, okay, am I not allowed to listen?”

Zhang Yue quickly opened the cup, used the small silver spoon handed to him by Hupo to finish eating everything, then placed the shiny porcelain cup on the table beside him. Continuing from Du Wan’s earlier words, he said, “As for everyone calling me ‘Sir of the Ministry,’ I’m too lazy to flaunt that title. I’d rather deal with documents than deal with endless visits from military officers day after day. Besides, matters related to the Military Selection Bureau aren’t my responsibility—why bother seeking that glory?”

None of the three people in the room was unaware of Zhang Yue’s temperament, so they weren’t surprised by what he said. After sitting by the kang for a while, they talked about trivial matters on the road, then joked about some gossip from the capital. Qiu Hen and Hu Bo each went back to their rooms. Zhang Yue soaked his feet in hot water for about fifteen minutes, and when he sat down on the gilded bed, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
“I’ve been longing for you all day and night—finally, you’re back…”
“Was life really that unbearable without us?” Du Wan had already taken off all her jewelry, wearing only a white silk undergarment. She sat down by the bed and smiled sweetly. “Lord Zhang, even in Jiaozhi, someone brought a beauty to keep you warm in bed. Surely you don’t lack that here in the capital?”
Zhang Yue widened his eyes in surprise, then quickly pulled her onto the bed and pressed down heavily on her. Only then did he smile and say, “That beauty is grateful for my help in helping her brother and sister achieve success. She even gave you quite a few gifts. Can’t even that silence your mouth? My dear, even just out of consideration for me not taking a beauty from Jiaozhi, you should comfort me properly!”
Just as Du Wan was about to retort, her lips were suddenly sealed by something hot. Vaguely, she saw Zhang Yue tear down the ink-painted curtain beside them. The light from outside still filtered through the thin fabric, making his eyes appear even darker and brighter. As they were closely together, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his broad back, pouring out all her yearlong longing into this passionate embrace.