Chapter 301

Chen Xinjia, Ji Shiwei, Yang Guozhu, Hu Dawei, Wang Dou, and the others emerged from the Imperial Garden; the four men, Chen Xinjia among them, were still so agitated their faces were flushed red.

The previous day the Emperor had personally welcomed the victorious army, and that same day a grand celebratory banquet was laid out, with every cabinet minister bestowed with mutton and wine; while sovereign and ministers feasted on the victory banquet, the commoners of the capital also fell into wild revelry. Especially at the Western Market where the severed heads were piled into a Jingguan mound, the spectators were like clouds, and one could not even squeeze in for a spot.

The Great Ming court needed this victory too desperately, needed too desperately to raise the morale and hearts of the soldiers and people, so even before the Qing troops had left the passes, they could not wait to celebrate the great triumph and release long-suppressed emotions. It also proclaimed to the myriad people under Heaven that the court had the ability to protect its subjects.

The relevant meritorious personnel were still under intense deliberation by the Ministries of Rites, Personnel, and War as to how best to confer rewards. However, the previous day the Emperor had already personally received the meritorious Yang Sichang, Chen Xinjia, Yang Guozhu, Hu Dawei, Wang Dou, and others at the Platform, offering warm words of praise and the most attentive expressions of gratitude.

Today he again bestowed a banquet in the Imperial Garden, entertaining the party from Xuan-Da — Chen Xinjia, Ji Shiwei, Yang Guozhu, Hu Dawei, Wang Dou, and the rest. This left Chen Xinjia and Ji Shiwei so agitated they could hardly contain themselves.

Speaking of Ji Shiwei, after receiving Wang Dou's letter, he immediately set out from the garrison city and hurried breathlessly to the capital. The banner he flew was, of course, to discuss how to settle the rescued commoners. In the Battle of Zhuozhou, the Xuan-Da army reported rescuing tens of thousands of captured commoners, and hoped the court could instruct them on what to do with these people.

The Minister of Rites, Yang Sichang, suggested to the Emperor that these rescued commoners be sent into Xuanfu Garrison for proper settlement; after all, the eastern slaves were still rampaging through various places south of the capital, and to prevent the commoners from being captured again, sending them into the valiant and invincible Xuan-Da garrison for settlement could not be better.

Although the Baoding Provincial Governor and Zhending Provincial Governor vehemently opposed it, Emperor Chongzhen naturally had no interest in heeding their objections. Yang Sichang's seasoned and state-minded words won Emperor Chongzhen's deep admiration, and he immediately approved Yang Sichang's proposal: those rescued Great Ming commoners would take the shortcut through Zijing Pass and be sent into Xuanfu Garrison.

However, Ji Shiwei, the Provincial Governor of Xuanfu Garrison, who was hurrying along the road, submitted a memorial to the court: as a subject of the Great Ming, he would of course obey the court's deliberations and decisions, but settling tens of thousands of commoners required large quantities of grain for relief, a burden Xuanfu Garrison was hard-pressed to bear, and he hoped the court could properly resolve this problem.

On how to settle the commoners, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Ji Shiwei to speak with him; moreover, since the officers and soldiers of his Xuanfu Garrison had rendered such great merit this time, Ji Shiwei, as Provincial Governor, shared considerably in the military honors. Emperor Chongzhen's affection extended to all associated with him, and at today's Imperial Garden banquet, Ji Shiwei was also fortunate enough to be numbered among the guests.

From the time Wang Dou sent the letter until Ji Shiwei reached the capital, a journey of several hundred li, he had only arrived today. But no sooner had he arrived than he enjoyed this rare glory; as he emerged with the group, his steps were still unsteady, his face as red as if drunk on wine, utterly intoxicated.

"His Majesty's imperial banquet and encouragement — the sovereign's grace is so profound that even if we were ground to dust and shattered bone, we could hardly repay one ten-thousandth of this sacred favor."

This was Chen Xinjia speaking.

He still staggered slightly as he walked, from sheer agitation.

After the great victory at Zhuozhou, such heaven-sent military merit had fallen upon his own head, and he could see that entering the capital and the cabinet was now imminent.

With his long-cherished wish about to be fulfilled, how could Chen Xinjia not be agitated?

Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei nodded their heads like chicks pecking at millet; Wang Dou smiled.

Ji Shiwei also said, "Lord Chen speaks most truly. With the sovereign's grace so profound, we must all the more diligently apply ourselves to our duties and not betray this sacred favor."

The look Ji Shiwei directed at Wang Dou was exceedingly gentle. This lad — the grand words he had spoken that day in the garrison city still seemed to ring in his ears, and in the blink of an eye, every one of them had become reality. After Wang Dou set out on campaign, when news of his victories at Tongzhou and Dingzhou arrived, and he was personally titled by the Emperor as "Bravest of the Three Armies," Ji Shiwei could no longer sit still.

After the Battle of Julu, when no word came from Wang Dou, Ji Shiwei was restless with anxiety, dispatching men again and again to scout for news. Then, like a sudden peak jutting forth, came Wang Dou's great victory at Zhuozhou, a world-shaking, extraordinary feat of merit, and when he received Wang Dou's letter, Ji Shiwei was both astonished and overjoyed, and rushed over with all speed.

In the capital, he enjoyed treatment he could scarcely have imagined; watching the envious and jealous looks of his colleagues, Ji Shiwei's heart brimmed with delight — the satisfaction was beyond words. More importantly, if Chen Xinjia entered the capital, then the post of Viceroy of Xuan-Da...

All of this had been brought about by Wang Dou, so it went without saying how favorably Ji Shiwei regarded Wang Dou.

The party emerged under the guidance of a eunuch, when they saw a ceremonial procession approaching not far away; at its head was a palace-dressed maiden of thirteen or fourteen. Wang Dou found her somewhat familiar, and after a moment's thought — was this not Princess Changping, whom he had met in the tenth year of Chongzhen?

It was quite a coincidence: twice Emperor Chongzhen had bestowed banquets in the Imperial Garden, and both times they had encountered her.

As the procession approached, Chen Xinjia, Ji Shiwei, and the others stepped aside to yield the way, but the procession halted. The princess, Zhu Weichuo, smiled and spoke with Chen Xinjia and Ji Shiwei; the two civil officials hurriedly bowed to Zhu Weichuo, addressing her as Princess Kunxing.

Zhu Weichuo's gaze then swept over Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei: "Are these two generals not General Yang of Xuan Garrison and General Hu of Jin Garrison? Even here within the palace, I have heard of the two generals' mighty reputations."

Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei felt immensely honored; both grinned from ear to ear, repeatedly protesting that they dared not accept such praise, and stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Zhu Weichuo swept a glance at Wang Dou, then quickly lowered her eyes. She made a deep curtsy to Wang Dou: "The General's might strikes terror into the hearts of our foes, and his valor crowns the three armies. I am filled with admiration beyond words. Please accept this bow."

Compared to two years ago, Wang Dou saw that Zhu Weichuo's figure had grown somewhat, her features even more delicate and lovely, though her frame remained slender and frail. He smiled slightly and said, "The Princess is too courteous. To slay the realm's enemies is this humble subject's duty."

Zhu Weichuo's expression held a trace of bashfulness, yet she still solemnly performed a full curtsy to Wang Dou.

Ji Shiwei was somewhat astonished; his gaze shifted over Wang Dou's face, then shifted over Zhu Weichuo's face.

Chen Xinjia, watching from the side, blinked his eyes as well.

Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei exchanged a surprised glance.

After leaving the palace city and the imperial city, Chen Xinjia parted ways with Ji Shiwei, Yang Guozhu, and the others. He hurried off in great haste, no one knew where. Before departing, Chen Xinjia reminded Ji Shiwei not to forget the evening banquet that Senior Grand Secretary Yang had invited them to that night; Ji Shiwei solemnly acknowledged this. He was staying at the post station in the capital, and once the matter of the captured commoners was settled, he would return to Xuanfu Garrison City.

At that moment, the great streets and small alleys outside the imperial city were still filled with the wildly excited commoners of the capital. Whenever they encountered Xuan-Da soldiers, they swarmed around them, ushering them into every teahouse and tavern, generously footing the bill to host them. These two days, the Xuan-Da soldiers were on collective leave, able to relax thoroughly within the capital and enjoy their glory; they received the most enthusiastic hospitality from the commoners. Even in the encampment outside the city, the local gentry and commoners who came daily to offer feasts and rewards were like clouds.

When Wang Dou and his party emerged, they were immediately surrounded by a dense crowd three layers deep on the inside and three on the outside; even the large retinue of guards and personal attendants around each man could not hold back the ardent citizens of the capital. After Chen Xinjia left, Hu Dawei was the first to take his leave of Ji Shiwei and disappeared to who knows where.

Next, Yang Guozhu took his leave of Ji Shiwei, and soon he too slipped away with his personal guards and retainers, leaving only Wang Dou to follow behind Ji Shiwei as they arrived at the post station.

Provincial Governor Ji peered about outside the room for a long while, confirmed there was no one nearby, carefully shut the door, and smiled at Wang Dou: "Wang Dou, you have done very well."

He warmly beckoned Wang Dou to sit beside him, inquired solicitously about his well-being for a while, then mused, "I did not expect you to achieve such a great victory at Zhuozhou. Presumably, when the court's rewards come down, you will at least hold the rank of Assistant Regional Commander or Regional Commander."

He coughed once: "In all my life, I have doted most on my daughter Junjiao. Ah, it is a sin of fate — she was determined to follow you, and when there was no word of you at Julu, she nearly took her own life to preserve her chastity... No matter. After the war, when you return to Baoanzhou, you shall marry Junjiao. With these events preceding it, the ceremony can only be kept quiet. It will be hard on her."

Wang Dou felt a surge of pride in his heart. Ji Shiwei had finally, of his own accord, given his consent to the marriage with Ji Junjiao. All of this had been earned through his own efforts.

However, the daughter of an official family could not become a concubine, nor even a second wife of equal standing; especially since the matter of Ji Junjiao had caused such a great uproar at the time, and Ji Shiwei had even publicly declared that his daughter was dead. He certainly could not marry off his daughter with great fanfare; even if he came to drink the wedding wine, he could only do so under some other pretext.

Before coming to the capital, Ji Shiwei had already devised an excellent plan in consultation with his wife, Lady Chu: Ji Junjiao would acknowledge Fu Mingqi, an unconventional figure among the civil clerks, Wang Dou's good friend, and the Director of the Confucian School of Baoanzhou, as her adoptive father. Fu Mingqi would then marry his adoptive daughter Ji Junjiao to Wang Dou as a second wife of equal standing.

Fu Mingqi was merely a clerk, not an official; under his name, Ji Junjiao would not count as the daughter of an official family, and Wang Dou taking her as a second wife of equal standing would conform to the rites of the Great Ming. Ji Shiwei had painstakingly devised this whole series of roundabout tactics for the sole purpose of marrying his daughter to Wang Dou as his wife.

Of course, outsiders would understand perfectly well what this whole charade was about. Yet in officialdom, all that mattered was the superficial veneer of face. If some tactless official insisted that this girl was indeed Lord Ji's daughter and that she had not died, that would be tearing away all pretense and making himself a mortal enemy of Provincial Governor Ji — and Provincial Governor Ji's ensuing retaliation would be utterly ruthless.

Even so, given Ji Junjiao's status, this was naturally unfair to her. At the same time, hearing that Ji Junjiao had nearly taken her own life to preserve her chastity, Wang Dou was deeply moved in his heart. He said, "My lord, rest assured, I will certainly treat Junjiao well and will not let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Ji Shiwei glared at Wang Dou: "You still call me 'my lord'?"

Wang Dou understood and said, "Father-in-law above, please accept this son-in-law's bow."

Ji Shiwei helped Wang Dou up, sighing deeply. This form of address between father-in-law and son-in-law could only be used in private when no one else was present. He had sacrificed so much just to bind Wang Dou to his side.

But times were different now. Wang Dou's fame filled the realm. In Ji Shiwei's heart, he had merely given a daughter in exchange for binding Wang Dou firmly to himself — it was exceedingly worthwhile. After the great victory at Zhuozhou and receiving Wang Dou's letter, this had become the consensus of Ji Shiwei's entire clan.

With the relationship of father-in-law and son-in-law now clearly established, Ji Shiwei's expression grew even more genial, and at the same time, his ambition swelled. He was the Provincial Governor of Xuanfu Garrison, and his beloved son-in-law was a fierce general whose valor crowned the three armies — in the future, Xuanfu Garrison would be his own domain. Perhaps one day, the entire three garrisons of Xuan-Da would be as well.

He looked at Wang Dou eagerly: "I hear that Senior Grand Secretary Yang personally went to Zhuozhou. Did he reveal to you, worthy son-in-law, how the court intends to confer its rewards?"

Wang Dou said, "When Senior Grand Secretary Yang came to Zhuozhou, I asked him for the post of guarding the Eastern Circuit of the Huailong Circuit in Xuan Garrison."

Ji Shiwei was slightly puzzled. Would Yang Sichang necessarily heed Wang Dou? Yet, on second thought, with a fierce general like Wang Dou, which cabinet minister would not want to draw him in? It was not strange that Yang Sichang would agree.

He mused, "Xuan Garrison currently has Regional Commander Yang Guozhu. Although your merit is great, you are still too young and inexperienced; the post of Seal-Holding Regional Commander and General Who Guards the North cannot fall to you just yet. And a Vice Regional Commander is not as good as actually holding command of a circuit... But even if it is a Branch Defense Assistant Regional Commander, you should have asked for the Branch Defense Circuit of the Southern Circuit in Xuan Garrison."

"...The eastern and western cities of Shengshunchuan, Weizhou, Guangchang, and other places lie deep within Xuan Garrison and have rich, fertile land. The Eastern Circuit of the Huailong Circuit, however, borders the northern barbarians beyond the frontier wall. In the seventh and ninth years of Chongzhen, the eastern slaves broke through the frontier wall of the Huailong Circuit several times."

Wang Dou smiled slightly and said, "My soldiers love to fight most of all. I do not even fear the eastern slaves — should I fear mere northern barbarians? Not to mention, the various Mongol tribes beyond the frontier wall have large numbers of horses..."