Chapter 152: The Eve

"First, what to embroider? Embroider and pick out the full moon in the sky, ah, the full moon. Beside the moon, embroider a star. You're the moon, I'm the star — bright and sparkling. The star leans on the moon, the moon leans on the star, never to part…"

Amid the soft, tender singing, a youth of fifteen or sixteen, lightly powdered and rouged, let his gaze flow and his hands move gracefully, his face tilted slightly upward as if admiring the stars and moon in the night sky.

The scenery by Mochou Lake was beautiful and the lake vista broad; it was also one of Nanjing's four major courtesan-house districts. When Pang Yu passed by the lake earlier, he had already seen two or three elegant courtesan houses. Compared to the bustling noise within Nanjing city, Pang Yu felt that Mochou Lake offered quiet amid the clamor, more like a wealthy district.

This young singer before him had been called over from some nearby courtesan house. He was exceptionally handsome and sang superbly; dressed in women's clothing, he would absolutely be a beauty.

Except for the farewell in Huaining, Ruan Dacheng always had song and dance at every banquet. At first, they only talked of romance and scenery; after three rounds of wine, he called this young singer upstairs to sing and add to the merriment.

The young singer performed several arias in succession, and the company drank several more rounds. Everyone was somewhat tipsy, but Pang Yu remained fairly clear-headed, still secretly sizing up those present. Ma Shiying in particular — Pang Yu had some impression of the name, but did not know exactly what he had done. Ruan Dacheng had introduced him as having once served as Grand Coordinator of Xuanfu. Xuanfu was one of the Nine Border Fortresses, and a Grand Coordinator there could be considered high in rank and heavy in authority.

Ma Shiying had a good capacity for liquor and put on no airs. Even when Pang Yu, the lowest in status, offered a toast, he drained his cup the moment the wine arrived. Among the three Presented Scholar, he was the youngest, yet his bearing was the most steady and composed. The eldest, Yang Weiyuan, was by contrast rather flamboyant.

Ma Shiying had, after all, served as Grand Coordinator and was a man who had led troops. He asked Pang Yu some questions about the defense of Tongcheng and showed considerable interest in military matters. Yang Weiyuan, on the other hand, cared little about such things.

By unspoken agreement, none of these men asked about Ruan Dacheng's merit in defending the city. Back in Tongcheng, Pang Yu already knew that Ruan Dacheng had spoken of such things to certain family friends. Hearing Fang Kongzhao mention it again in Nanjing, Pang Yu could well imagine that the moment Ruan Dacheng arrived in Nanjing, he must have been trumpeting his fictitious military exploits everywhere.

But Nanjing was not Ruan Dacheng's turf, and Zhang Guowei was of the Donglin line. If Ruan Dacheng were to demand that Pang Yu publicly confirm his battle merits, Pang Yu would not know what to do. If he truly did so, he would be standing against the Donglin and the Restoration Society. Fortunately, none of these men brought it up.

When this aria ended, everyone present voiced their praise in unison. Fortunately, none of them had a taste for dallying with catamites. Ruan Dacheng waved his hand and dismissed the young singer.

Yang Weiyuan stroked his beard and smiled. "This 'Embroidered Pouch' from the Wu Region is quite charming to hear. But in the end, it is a vulgar tune. Jizhi's own lyrics are far superior."

Ma Shiying agreed. "Jizhi's troupe used to spend most of its time in Huaining. Every time they came to Nanjing, we only got to see a few scenes. Now that Brother Ruan has settled in Nanjing, the troupes of all the various families will be outshone."

Ruan Dacheng quickly demurred. "Mere trivial tricks of the insect-carver, unworthy of the hall of high elegance. Yaocao's landscape paintings, however — their skill approaches the divine, their conception distant and profound. That is true great talent."

"This is not our flattery; it is what every family says after seeing them. It is always because Brother Ruan has put in the effort. The play scripts he writes himself, the troupe is his own. Every subtle turn and twist, he personally instructs the troupe, explaining each point clearly. Even the peddlers and lackeys they portray are lifelike to the finest detail. Every part of the libretto is brilliant, every line brilliant. This is the great elegance."

Praised by the two men, Ruan Dacheng's face beamed. He raised his cup and urged another round. Pang Yu and Ji Cheng, who sat off to the side, were the lowest in status and could only echo along. In any case, Pang Yu could not quite understand it all.

Pang Yu stole a few glances at Ji Cheng. Already in his fifties, Ji Cheng was a master of garden design in this era. He had studied books in his youth and also labored on construction sites. Blending the two over several decades of immersion, he had become a master. Wealthy and noble families in Nanjing often sought him to design their gardens, and he was acquainted with many in high society, counting Ruan Dacheng and the others as good friends. But lacking any examination degree, he still belonged, in terms of social stratum, to the class of artisans. Thus, before these several Presented Scholars, he still comported himself with great caution.

After setting down his cup, Ruan Dacheng said, "The troupe is not here today. A few days ago, I invited Cao Lüji and Zongzi to watch a new play, 'The Female Prince Consort,' and Cao Lüji borrowed them and took them to Dangtu. He says he won't return them until next month."

Ma Shiying and Yang Weiyuan both inquired with curiosity. When they heard it was a new theatrical form created by Pang Yu and Ruan Dacheng, they were astonished. The gaze the two men turned on Pang Yu now held a measure more of respect. After all, those who could write plays were few, and those who could invent an entirely new theatrical form were fewer still.

"I never imagined Young Friend Pang to be so multi-talented. I won't venture to speak of other things, but in drama, those who can earn Jizhi's admiration are few and far between." Yang Weiyuan addressed Pang Yu, then turned to Ruan Dacheng. "When Cao Lüji returns the troupe, this old man must also borrow them to hear this 'Female Prince Consort' a few times. The 'Spring Lantern Riddles' I heard that day still hasn't been savored enough. Best of all, Jizhi, if you were to instruct the troupe and rehearse another play, 'The Green Peony,' this old man would truly pound the table and shout 'Bravo!'"

"You may borrow the troupe for as long as you like. As for 'The Green Peony,' let us discuss it later, discuss it later." Ruan Dacheng smiled somewhat strainedly, raised his cup in a toast, and did not pick up Yang Weiyuan's thread.

Pang Yu was somewhat puzzled. From Ruan Dacheng's expression, this 'Green Peony' seemed to pose considerable difficulty.

Having drunk, Yang Weiyuan's face was somewhat flushed. Ignoring Ruan Dacheng's evasion, he spoke his mind freely. "Jizhi, you are excellent in every way, save for a certain lack of courage. What is there to fear in staging one 'Green Peony'? In this old man's opinion, 'The Green Peony' satirizes well. That pack of callow youths in the Restoration Society — bellies empty of poetry and books, bosoms devoid of a single dot of ink — know only to solicit favors and cheat in the examination halls. Yet they have the gall to praise one another and proclaim themselves famous scholars. They are worse even than the Donglin of old. Now, Restoration Society whelps from everywhere north of the river have moved to Nanjing, spending their days in the Old Court embracing courtesans and drinking, and at the slightest provocation, they rain curses upon us former officials. Do you still seek to beg pity from these brats? If this old man had a troupe, I would rehearse 'The Green Peony' and perform it everywhere. Let us see what the Restoration Society can do to me."

Ruan Dacheng kept his head down and said nothing. The atmosphere grew awkward.

Ji Cheng interjected, "No matter how the Restoration Society fabricates stories, this old man will never believe them. Jizhi has shown me great kindness. Not only did he spread my name abroad, but back when I was compiling 'Garden Forging,' it was only through Jizhi's guidance that the book could be completed. Afterward, he also funded the carving and printing of the blocks. With such character, how could he be the 'Eunuch Faction' they speak of? The Restoration Society crowd attacks him in unison, yet they cannot name a single evil deed he has done. They only cling relentlessly to the fact that his name is listed in the Reverse Case."

"The Reverse Case was itself fabricated by the Donglin. When this old man battled the Donglin in court back then, I never feared the Donglin Party. Being listed in the Reverse Case was merely falling to the hidden arrows of two petty men, Ni Yuanlu and Mao Yujian. Now, out here among the rivers and lakes, this old man will absolutely not bow his head to the Donglin." Yang Weiyuan finished and pointed at Ma Shiying. "Yaocao was also schemed against by the Donglin. Now, in retirement, he too pays the Donglin no heed. Between us and the Donglin, there is absolutely no room for reconciliation. Why fear their displeasure, let alone the Restoration Society?"

Ruan Dacheng suddenly raised his head and looked at Yang Weiyuan. The wine fumes rising in him, his face flushed red, he said, "Do not bring up that Reverse Case. Mao Yujian is a petty man, true, but if not for that wretched business you handled back then, how could this old man have…"

Ruan Dacheng panted heavily a few times, then waved his hand. "Enough. They are all unsavory past matters. Let us not speak of them."

Pang Yu did not know what they were talking about, but it sounded as though 'The Green Peony' could not be performed. Yang Weiyuan apparently did not fear the Restoration Society or the Donglin, but Ruan Dacheng clearly had no intention of offending anyone further and still harbored thoughts of reconciliation with the Donglin.

"Bean Shu, you and this old man are, after all, different." Ruan Dacheng said this one line in a calm tone, then fell silent. Yang Weiyuan pointed at Ruan Dacheng, then raised his own cup and drained it in one gulp. An awkward silence filled the room. Pang Yu, utterly unable to get a word in, sensed the poor atmosphere and prepared to raise his cup in a toast to ease the tension.

At that moment, Ma Shiying spoke. "Both of you have your reasons. But in Ma's view, whether Donglin or Restoration Society, their current success in Nanjing is fleeting. I fear they cannot run rampant for much longer."

Yang Weiyuan perked up at once. "Please, Yaocao, enlighten us. How do you see this?"

"The clue lies within this 'Green Peony.' This play was written by Wu Bing, but the one who paid to have troupes perform it everywhere was Wen Yuren." Ma Shiying spoke with confident composure. "As soon as this play appeared, the two brothers Zhang Pu and Zhang Cai grew uneasy and went to see the Zhejiang Education Commissioner Li Yuankuan, demanding that 'The Green Peony' be banned from performance and publication. That Li Yuankuan, coveting a reputation in Shi Lin, indeed arrested a servant of the Wen family. This was a slap to Wen Tiren's face. When Zhang Pu was in the Capital, he hitched himself to Zhou Yanru and was locked in bitter enmity with Wen Tiren. Now, by instigating the Local Officials to arrest someone from the Wen household, while Wen Tiren endures it and does not strike, does the Restoration Society think Wen Tiren is someone to be bullied?"

Yang Weiyuan nodded. "The Restoration Society is a pack of callow youths. Zhang Pu, old as he is, has grand ambitions but little talent. In the Capital, he was no match for Wen Tiren. With a slight maneuver from Wen Tiren, Zhang Pu could only flee in disgrace back to his hometown. Now, without office or authority, can he possibly do anything to Wen Tiren?"

Ma Shiying said calmly, "Look further at the Jiangnan officialdom. Zhang Guowei governs the Jiangnan Ten Prefectures. The Donglin and Restoration Society think they have a powerful backer and can act recklessly. But as soon as Zhang Guowei took office, Wen Tiren used the Liyang Case to give Zhang Guowei a warning shot. Later, he used the Tongcheng Uprising to rap his knuckles again. Zhang Guowei is now treading carefully and surely dare not openly shelter them. In the twelfth month of last year, Ni Yuankuan was suddenly dismissed from his post as Zhejiang Education Commissioner. If my prediction is correct, Wen Tiren's follow-up moves are certain to follow."

Yang Weiyuan said with some excitement, "Can we lend Wen Tiren a hand?"

Ruan Dacheng now raised his head and said, "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, in the Jisi Year the Tartars invaded. The Emperor was greatly disappointed in the Donglin, and from then on harbored deep wariness toward factional strife. The Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren he appointed were both Lone Ministers. Afterward, the Donglin gradually weakened. However, the Donglin's roots run deep and firm. No one knows the Donglin's foundation better than this old man. Wen Tiren is Chief Grand Secretary, true, but at most he can suppress them for a time. When he is no longer Chief Grand Secretary, the Donglin will still be here. If you go suppress the Donglin now, the gain does not make up for the loss. The best response for you and me is to quietly observe the changes."

"The Donglin's roots run deep — that is the Donglin. What the hell is the Restoration Society?" Yang Weiyuan spat on the ground with a 'Pei!'

Ma Shiying smiled slightly. "The Emperor both uses and raps Zhang Guowei. Is it any different toward the Donglin or toward Wen Tiren? This is the Emperor's imperial state of mind. The Emperor does not insist that one side be toppled. Ideally, they fight to a stalemate — that is the most exquisite outcome. Therefore, Premier Wen and the Donglin may not produce a clear victor. The most likely to fail is only the Restoration Society. However, you and I retired due to faults, and Wen Tiren is a Lone Minister. If you go to offer help, you might end up doing more harm than good. So why rush to pick a side? Jizhi's advice to quietly observe the changes and calmly await the opportunity is indeed the best response."

Pang Yu listened intently from the side. The information heard at today's banquet was something one could never overhear inside the Tongcheng county yamen. Whether Ma Shiying or Yang Weiyuan, though both were retired officials, their ability to gather information and analyze the situation was on an entirely different level from the officials in prefectures and counties.

From the current look of things, the Restoration Society and the Donglin controlled public opinion, but Wen Tiren controlled administrative power. They were on the eve of a direct clash, and 'The Green Peony' might be the fuse. Pang Yu was going to Suzhou this time to see Zhang Guowei. This Yingtian Grand Coordinator was a diehard Donglin Party member. If he was promoted through him, would he himself be branded a Donglin Party label? Once he bore that label, would it affect his future development?

Pang Yu gazed out the window. The night was deep and heavy now. The painted pleasure boats of the courtesan houses on the shore were leaving the bank one after another. Mochou Lake was ablaze with lantern light, the strains of strings and flutes drifting across the water — a scene of flourishing splendor straight out of a Prosperous Era.