Chapter 17: CH 17

Cui Xie took the servants and witnesses and never returned, but Landlord Zhao and his wife nervously waited at home and had no appetite, leaving their meals mostly untouched.

Their little grandson, Zhao Yinglin also had a poor appetite. He only listened to his grandparents and mother saying how Young Master Cui had this and that good points. They reprimanded him for not being sensible after studying for so many years, that he did even know to help when seeing a Young Master being bullied.

He himself knew that he had blamed the wrong person and when the elders scolded him, he merely listened to what they taught him. But, after listening for an entire meal, Cui Xie still had not come back from the yamen. The three adults spoke consecutively after another without feeling tired and it was only his pair of ears that suffered from it. The words he had been listening to almost started sprouting out of his head.

yamen: administrative government office of a local bureaucrat/official

In the end, seeing that Cui Xie was not returning any time soon, his grandfather spared him and instructed: “You are a tongsheng and still have a bit of face in front of the County Magistrate da-ren. Go to the yamen to check up on your Cui gege and make sure that deceitful slave does not reverse black and white and wrong him.”

tongsheng: meaning ‘child student’; an entry-level examinee candidate for the county/prefecture exams 

Gege: older brother

Da-ren: the honorific name used to address government officials or those of higher rank (reminder: officials can only be male)

‘Reverse black and white’: idiom; meaning to misrepresent the facts or distort the truth

Zhao Yinglin muttered under his breath: “He is so good at talking, how could he be wronged. It hasn’t even been two days since he moved here, now you’re almost forgetting what your own dear grandson was called. As soon as I entered the door, they all started talking about it, it’s all about this Young Master…”

To be honest, he ran especially swiftly and rushed out of the gate with two or three steps, heading towards the main street. Before turning out onto the street, he saw a group of black clothes yamen runners, stalking towards the Cui Residence like a fierce wolf and tiger. A few bookkeepers trailed behind, carrying unknown objects on their backs. They broke into the door without saying a word.

‘like a fierce wolf and tiger’: idiom; extremely vicious and fierce

What was this? Going to ransack your residence as soon as you entered the yamen?

Could it be that the servant showed some evidence to prove that he did not steal anything and the County Magistrate wanted to punish Cui Xie for falsely accusing someone? And then asked the yamen runners to ransack and search for the evidence?

Zhao Yinglin was taken aback. He hurriedly straightened his back and raised his chin, asking one of the bookkeepers, “This da-ren, I am Zhao Yinglin, one of the tongsheng in this county, one of the Cui Residence’s neighbors. May I inquire what happened to Young Maser Cui and what noble errand brings you sirs here?”

The little bookkeeper was unexpectedly kind and amiable. Seeing Zhao Yinglin’s anxiousness, he proactively replied, “It turns out to be Young Master Cui’s neighbor. I was ordered by the da-ren to clean the courtyard for Young Master Cui. Young Master Zhao can return with a peace of mind.”

…Does this Young Master Cui have heaven and earth under one’s control and was a genius so that the moment the County Magistrate saw him, he liked him and wanted to accept him as a disciple? Otherwise, for an ordinary victim’s family, the County Magistrate would not care enough to clean up his yard, right?

‘have heaven and earth under one’s control’: idiom meaning to have great ability

Zhao Yinglin was full of doubts, but seeing that the yamen runners refused to say more, he could only return to report back to his grandparents and mother. The elders of the Zhao family did not know the details and only suspected that it had something to do with the jinyiwei, but even then, they could not make any further guesses.

Jinyiwei: means the ‘Embroidered Uniform Guard’; and was essentially the imperial secret police that served the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. They are given the authority to overrule judicial proceedings in prosecutions with full autonomy in arresting, interrogating, and punishing anyone, including nobles and the emperor’s relatives. The guards would usually don a distinctive golden-yellow uniform with an identifiable plaque hanging near his torso and carrying a special blade weapon. 

Landlord Zhao slapped his thighs and made the call, “Who cares about that, quickly send someone over to his residence. Don’t let those yamen runners damage his residence and steal his belongings!”

Not only the Zhao family, but several of long-term neighbors nearby were startled by the yamen runners wandering in and out of the Cui Residence. The more courageous ones sent family members over to help while others just watched from a distance. Even the students from Teacher Lin’s school came out to see. Seeing that Zhao Yinglin was also there watching over the Cui Residence, they waved to him and asked him what was going on inside.

Zhao Yinglin said, “It seems that the County Magistrate da-ren is fond of Young Master Cui and the County Magistrate sent servants over to sweep the yard for him.”

One of his classmates enviously remarked, “He is the owner of this jinshi residence and has a father who is a big capital official. No wonder he received such care from the Old Master.”

There were others who coldly sneered, “What can you do even if you come from the capital? What we scholars rely on is the knowledge in our stomachs. Having a good dad doesn’t necessarily mean one will pass the exams.”

One of the older tongsheng said in a low voice: “I don’t think that servant was necessarily lying, maybe his household really distributed such things to him. He beat and scolded his younger brother at home, angered his parents, and was sent to his ancestral home to reflect. However, not only did he not reflect, but he also sent the servant sent by his parents to discipline him to the officials…Don’t just look at his current power and prestige, if one day his Master knows about this, then it’ll be his turn to be disciplined!”

Zhao Yinglin curled his lips, “I do not believe there is no one in his family who does not love him. My father has only known him for a few days, but it seems like he hates that he cannot raise him as his own grandson.”

Besides, if it wasn’t a slave deceiving the master, how could Cui Xie tie people up and send them to the yamen so rightly and confidently?

“That’s because you are young and don’t understand. When you have more sons, you become impartial. Our County Magistrate’s residence has numerous concubines and there was even the matter of both shu and di sons fighting over the inheritance. His household owns a big house in the capital, if his parents really love him, how could they let him live in the countryside…”

shu: children born from a concubine

di: children born from the official Madam

As several people were debating over the matter, the Zhao family carriage turned into the street with a few ‘squeaks’ and ‘cracks’. A bunch of people alighted from the carriage, all with joyful faces and straightened waits. Upon seeing people, they could not help but begin to babble:

“Truly amazing! An Imperial envoy has come to our county to deliver a commendation, guess who it is?”

“The feng shui of Cui’s ancestral home is extremely good, not to mention being the incarnation of the Wen Qu constellation, he is also named a righteous hero by an Imperial commendation!”

Wen Qu Constellation: Wen Qu is a Daoist deity in Chinese mythology, known as the God of Culture and Literature. He is physically represented by the constellation of six stars near the Big Dipper. Those who are born under the Wen Qu Constellation are seen as lucky stars with an affinity/talent for literature and art.

“The little Young Master Cui looks feeble and weak, but he is actually a strong hero with the ability to capture demons, he could easily take the Military Imperial examinations and become a juren.”

Juren: the qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam

The Military Imperial Examination mirrored civil examinations Candidates started with testing on a local level and needed the same knowledge, with the addition of military tactics, strategy, and high level of martial arts proficiency. Passing the test would secure the candidate a government appointment that was military-related in nature.

The scholars adorned in white, who had still been discussing the pros and cons of a large official family, were immediately dumbfounded and could not utter a word.

Zhao Yinglin grabbed people from his own family and asked, “You said that Young Master Cui was conferred an Imperial commendation? There is even an Imperial envoy here to deliver it? Didn’t he…Did he not go to the yamen to file a lawsuit, did his servant get a sentence?”

The two members of his family were so excited that they both began to lose their nimbleness, they waved their hands around and said, “Who cares about what servant! The Imperial envoy da-ren said that it was the servant who was deceiving the master and he wanted to mete out justice on behalf of Young Master Cui. That is an Imperial envoy! One who serves the Emperor!”

Young Master Cui was now a righteous hero personally commended by the Emperor. The Imperial envoy had personally asked about his case and determined that the servant was bullying the master. Could there be any falsehoods with what the Imperial envoy decided on? The Imperial envoy already declared that the Young Master was innocent. By saying he was not filial at home and publicizing it, wasn’t that going against the Imperial court?

The tongsheng who had criticized Cui Xie all raised their sleeves to cover their faces and they headed home separately, for fear that someone would notice them. However, everyone on the street crowded around the group of people who had returned from the yamen. Hearing them talk about how majestic the Imperial envoy was and how bravely Cui Xie fought against the demons, no one paid attention to these few, not much to look at, scholars.

This excitement lasted until it was time for the Imperial commendation to be delivered. The sound of gongs, drums, and suonas floated down the wind from afar, all the while two rows of yamen runners lifted up ceremonial flags and banners while escorting the Imperial envoy. The sound of horse hooves striking the pavement with a ‘da da da’ sound reverberated into the street as they guarded the procession.

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Suonas are a double-reeded horn with a distinctly loud and high-pitched sound. It is frequently used in traditional Chinese music, particularly in performances that take place outdoors.

Most of the jinyiwei were on horseback and most wore a light yellow yesa adorned with a rounded embroidery design on the front. They appeared arrogant and imposing, but the leader wore a lush jade-green ensemble, the man’s expression as clear and gentle as his robes. He effortlessly controlled the horse with one hand, glanced across the cleanly washed threshold of the Cui Residence, and nodded slightly. He dismounted off the horse and moved to escort Cao gonggong off the palanquin.

yesa: Ming Dynasty one-piece robe with a cross-collar top and a large pleated skirt.

Brocade Embroidery

Yesa

Gonggong is how to refer to a taijian. Eunuchs, who were men that were castrated, are not the same as taijian as taijian refers to specific positions in the Imperial palace and government which were occupied by men that were castrated

County Magistrate Qi and County Deputy Tian naturally came along, and Cui Xie was also seated in a small palanquin, located near the end of the procession.

He alighted off the palanquin and caught sight of the stone-washed gate in front of him. He could hardly believe that this was his residence. When one entered the residence, it was clean and fresh: the snow-white oil-greased paper was pasted on the doors and window lattices; the bluestone pathways were spotless; the wild grass that had been growing without rein became leveled and smooth. Even clear, freshwater had been sprinkled to compress down the loose soil…in the middle of the courtyard was a long, narrow mahogany table. When he entered the courtyard, he lit three sticks of incense.

Cao gonggong smiled, “Young Master Cui, it is getting late. Hurry and kneel to receive the decree.”

Cui Xie had practiced performing the ceremony several times at the yamen. After hearing the sound, he began to follow the ceremonial procedures in front of the Imperial envoy, respectfully kneeling to receive the Imperial decree.

Cao gonggong unsealed the Imperial edict, and his usually friendly smile diminished. His expression serious and majestic, he loudly said: 

“The Emperor, who governs with the Mandate of Heaven, declares that: Zhili Yongping Residence Qian’an citizen, the progeny named Xie born to Official Cui in the Yunnan Division under the Ministry of Revenue. Thou who was born in the year of the dancing ladle* upheld righteousness and bravery, advocating loyalty to the Emperor. Assisting the Jinyiwei’s officers and soldiers to fight the White Lotus Demon Patriarch with all one’s might, treading forward with the point of a spear to draw blood, apprehending the heretic. Officials have reported, zhen employs praise. Today, a commendation is conferred from above, righteous citizen. Thus, one is specially granted an Imperially-written plaque, the commendation established by the Imperial court. Let it be proclaimed.”

*Here, the edict refers to the ‘year of the dancing ladle’ and it is a dance that young boys learn from 13 to 15 years old. This originates from the Book of Rites and is simply referring to boys between 13-15 years old. From 15-20 years old, boys are referring to as the year of the dancing elephant.

‘treading forward with the point of a spear to draw blood‘:Idiom meaning to be brave and not afraid of sacrifice

Zhen: how the Emperor refers to himself; Emperors in imperial China used to refer to themselves in the second-person with a character called “朕”. In English that translates to ‘we’, ‘our’, ‘us’, etc.. 

Here, in Mandarin, its actually 钦哉 (Qīn zāi): In ancient times, the Emperor would end his letters and edicts with ‘Qin’ to show loftiness and respect. It also was a term of promulgating an official proclamation.

Cui Xie bowed his head, crying out ‘Long live His Majesty’ and received the Imperial decree, holding it high above his head. The little Eunuch behind Cao gonggong carried in a plaque, the wood-engraved with four characters, ‘Upholding the Common Justice’.

This idiom means anxious for justice, in which someone is enthusiastically undertaking public acts of justice and eager to help others.

Cao gonggong immediately ordered, “Quickly help up Young Master Cui and call over craftsmen to install it.”

Since Cui Xie had held the Imperial decree so high up, it was not easy to get up, the people behind him were still kowtowing on the ground. Colonel Xie approached and put a hand under his arm, helping him up, so there was no need for others to help.

Under the focus of everyone’s gaze, the edict was reverently and respectfully hung inside the ancestral hall. Then Cui Xie ordered Cui Yuan and his son to borrow some good tea and refreshments from the Zhao Residence to entertain the Imperial envoy.

Cao gonggong laughed, “You are a small pitiful thing living alone in such a dilapidated residence. How can this one bear to eat and drink here, we have Qian’an County acting as host. Tomorrow morning, we will return to the palace to receive a decree. Just peacefully live your life here, no need to think about spending money on us.”

Cui Xie also knew that his ruined courtyard was not a suitable place for Cao gonggong to stay. He simply stopped persuading them to stay and sent them out after a large ceremony. 

The yamen runners of the county office were quick to act. When the procession headed out, that golden lacquered plaque had been hung in the middle of the door’s top threshold, gorgeous and dazzling. It especially gave people a sense of security.

—From now on, he was a righteous person protected by the Imperial edict. If someone from the Cui Residence comes to Qian’an, let’s see who would dare to bully him in front of the plaque bestowed by the Emperor!

Cui Xie sighed in the direction of the Imperial edict and swiveled around to support Cao gonggong up the palanquin. In his heart, he was secretly thinking about what gifts he should give to Cao gonggong and Colonel Xie.

While he had a lot of wine-brewing recipes on hand, was it not considered silly to always gift wine? Was there anything new and high-end that would interest the highly experienced and knowledgeable Cao gonggong, but could also be made in one night?

He frowned slightly and stared at the palanquin chair sadly. Colonel Xie had already dealt with him several times and could be considered to be familiar with this look. He led his horse over and patted Cui Xie lightly on the shoulder.

Cui Xie was suddenly jolted out of his daydreaming and he saw Colonel Xie with a smile, but not a smile, asking kindly, “Do you want to thank Cao gonggong with those things again? Instead of thinking about those vulgar things, it is better to write a poem praising the holy grace of the Emperor, or writing a farewell poem to send us off. This is your duty as a scholar.”

Then, it’s not like he did not know how to?! There was no lack of selection of Ming and Qing Dynasty poems in the third eldest’s hard drive.

He lowered his head in shame. For the first time in many years, he felt the underachiever’s guilty conscience and pain.

Colonel Xie immediately understood his difficulties. He could not help but laugh, his gaze moving away from Cui Xie’s ashamed expression. Comforting, he said, “If you can’t write then you can’t write. You are still young, but once you study with a Teacher for two years, you’ll learn how to do it.”

Fourteen was not considered too young and in two years, he would no longer be considered a prodigy. Yang Tinghe was a scholar at the age of 12 and earned the jinshi degree in the Imperial examination at the age of 19… ah, when he was twelve, he was admitted to an elite middle school and when he was not yet 19, he was admitted to a prestigious university and was able to get scholarships every year.

Yang Tinghe, Grand Secretary in the Ming Dynasty and famous for his talents/genius. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_Tinghe

Jinshi: highest rank a scholar can get and is attained after passing the triennial Imperial court exam. When scholars attain this rank they usually become court officials. It should be noted that the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) had a very large number of jinshi graduates reaching up to around 24, 536 in total.

Thinking of it this way, he did not feel so ashamed.

Colonel Xie added, “As for your wine recipe, I have ordered some servants to try making some. When the wine is made, I will have someone send over a jar for you to taste. Cao gonggong is also waiting to drink your wine. If it is truly good, I will give him the recipe to save you from worrying about not being able to give him anything back.” 

He held the horse saddle, mustered up his strength, and flew neatly onto the horse, straddling the carved saddle. He smiled at Cui Xie who still hung his head: “By the way, if you write any good poems or good essays when my subordinates come to deliver the wine, just leave it with them. They can take it back to the capital and show me!”

His voice floated into the air, and with a rope in his left hand, he turned the horse’s head over, rushing to join the Imperial procession.

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