Chapter 306: The Retired Emperor

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Tan Chun's Courtyard.

The sisters in the household all liked gathering to chat in Tan Chun's room.

That was because Tan Chun was spirited and sharp, fond of openness and spaciousness; even her quarters had the partitions removed, making the space wide, airy, elegant, and perfect for gatherings and heartfelt talks.

At this moment, Lin Daiyu, Seeing Yingchun, Xue Baochai, and even little Little Xichun were all present, but Tan Chun herself was nowhere to be seen.

Today, Xue Baochai heard Xue Pan return and boast that he had been drinking with several noble scions and heard news of a new battle report from Liaodong.

It was said Liaodong had won another great victory; the palace had already issued multiple edicts, and many government offices suddenly became busy, though the news of the great victory had not yet reached the common streets.

In fact, Xue Pan heard such rumors because, by rule, such decisive victories required approval from the Ministry of Personnel before being announced to the public.

Moreover, the nine edicts issued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao all aimed to swiftly occupy the lands beyond the pass, so that Great Zhou could establish actual control over the frontier in the shortest possible time.

Warfare values speed; success comes through secrecy; thus, the Qingyuanji victory had not been deliberately hyped.

Finally, Tan Chun volunteered to go to Mengpo Study to inquire about the news.

Jia Zheng also noticed that whenever he mentioned Jia Cong's name, his colleagues would naturally send him copies or original reports from Liaodong through various channels.

The men drinking with Xue Pan were all noble scions on the brink of decline, naturally not well-informed about this great victory.

They often obtained news from military reports through their colleagues' connections.

But Tan Chun was quick-witted and clever; upon hearing these rumors, she treasured them like precious gems and often went to Mengpo Study to ask about Jia Cong's news.

Yet Xue Baochai took notice and told the other sisters in the garden about it; now that Jia Cong was in Liaodong, all the sisters were deeply concerned.

But they paid little attention to these reports; they brushed off Jia Zheng's words after just a few sentences, leaving him rather bored.

Jia Zheng had also several times told the old lady and Lady Wang about the reports detailing how Jia Cong led troops to destroy several Jurchen fortresses and annihilated countless enemies.

For instance, Lin Daiyu would say, "I know Panduo City—I have it on my map."

In truth, these young ladies in their boudoirs had little understanding of siege warfare, extraordinary weaponry, or military stratagems.

Everyone believed Lady Rongguo Prefecture's resurgence was imminent and would surely center on this extraordinary boy; naturally, they were happy to do Jia Zheng a favor.

This gave Jia Zheng a certain pride: even though Cong-ge was thousands of miles away, his reputation in the capital still carried weight, and everyone gave him some measure of respect.

Jia Zheng's colleagues all knew he was Jia Cong's own uncle, and since Jia Cong's first great merit at Yafu Pass, he had become a prominent figure in the Liaodong campaign.

Jia Zheng naturally welcomed his daughter as an audience; the father and daughter often discussed the reports in the study.

One spoke with satisfaction and immersion, the other listened with a smiling face—it was quite amusing.

…

Yet anyone with even a slight official connection would soon learn the truth; it was just that the court had not yet announced it, so many dared not spread the word.

Because she knew her third brother had gone to Liaodong, and her father Jia Zheng had become deeply interested in the Liaodong campaign.

Eventually, these reports became the favorite reading material among the sisters in the garden.

But whenever they saw Jia Cong's name in the reports, they found it amusing and exciting, and their topics became wildly varied.

Yet every time Tan Chun finished listening to her father's rambling, she would take the reports he had collected and make them her private possession.

Xue Baochai would ask how far it was from the capital, how many months it would take to travel there.

As for Tan Chun, her words carried more vigor and spirit: "This time, Third Brother slew two hundred enemies—how impressive…"

Seeing Yingchun's remarks were often off-topic and somewhat dull: "Didn't Cong-di say he'd return when spring warmed and flowers bloomed? It's almost summer now—why hasn't he come back yet?"

This was likely the amusement the Jia sisters often indulged in since Jia Cong went to Liaodong: seeking news of the distant one and chatting about it to pass the time.

…

By mid-May, the two hundred thousand troops mobilized by the court had gradually entered the lands beyond the pass and begun establishing forts and camps to guard the frontier.

The Ministry of Personnel had urgently appointed a large number of officials, who also arrived in towns beyond the pass to establish administrations and govern the people.

During governance, resistance from local inhabitants was inevitable, but with two hundred thousand troops as backing, such matters were insignificant.

Any official with experience knew this was a necessary phase in governing newly acquired lands; after several years of administration, what was once unfamiliar would become routine.

Travel between Liaodong and the capital had become extraordinarily busy; the Ministry of Works had already planned to build twelve new relay stations between the two regions, greatly increasing the density of stations along the route.

Relay stations beyond the pass were also being urgently constructed, which would greatly improve the efficiency of communication between the capital and Liaodong.

These measures revealed Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's firm determination to fully govern the frontier lands.

As Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's policies for the frontier took effect, the situation beyond the pass gradually stabilized, and the government began to loudly publicize the Qingyuanji victory.

Xing Xing Fu Ren Rongguo Jia family's lost glory of over a decade seemed to return overnight, becoming the focal point of military honor in the capital.

The streets buzzed with tales of the Lady Rongguo family's first-born illegitimate son, who had once topped the imperial examinations, whose poetry had shaken the realm, and whose deceased mother had been posthumously granted a noble title.

Now he had caused an even greater stir, achieving the extraordinary feat of wiping out the Jurchens in a single battle in Liaodong…

In recent days, many of the Jia family's old relatives had come to offer congratulations; even Marquis Marquis Jingzhong Shi Ding came personally with his wife to congratulate his aunt.

Yet the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, who had long-standing familial ties with the Jia family, had not rushed to call; though Jia Cong had earned military merit, he had not yet returned to the capital to receive his rewards.

He was still in Liaodong; visiting now to congratulate would be too abrupt, for unlike the Jia family's blood relatives, they had no such intimate ties and thus more reservations.

But an event that followed completely changed their minds.

…

No one expected that at this critical moment, Empress Dowager Yizhang suddenly sent an eunuch to the Jia residence to bestow upon Jia Cong some fine writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.

She also sent word to Jia Mu: "Congratulations, Grandmother—you've raised a fine grandson who serves the state with merit."

The eunuch also left a message for Jia Cong: when he returns, write a calligraphy of his poem "Linjiangxian"; someone from the palace will come to collect it.

The Empress Dowager's sudden gift to Jia Cong startled not only the Jia family but also stirred considerable ripples among the capital's official and noble circles.

Many knew Empress Dowager Yizhang and Lady Jia had been childhood friends who exchanged handkerchiefs; if the Empress Dowager gifted Lady Jia, it was not strange.

But no one had heard of any connection between Jia Cong and the Empress Dowager—they were practically strangers—why suddenly bestow a gift upon him now?

And she had gifted writing tools, specifically requesting Jia Cong's calligraphy; yet no one had ever heard the Empress Dowager take interest in calligraphy.

Only the Retired Emperor of Zhonghua Palace was known to be passionate about calligraphy, and many knew he possessed one of Jia Cong's copies of the Heart Sutra, his most treasured calligraphy piece.

This was not Empress Dowager Yizhang's gift—it was clearly her acting on behalf of the Retired Emperor, bestowing a gift and requesting the calligraphy he had long admired.

Once thought through, it made perfect sense: the Retired Emperor's status made it improper for him to show personal favor openly.

But given the close bond between Empress Dowager Yizhang and Lady Jia, there was no such restraint.

Still, though the Retired Emperor had always admired Jia Cong's calligraphy, why choose this exact moment to request it?

Elders like Chen Yi from the Four Kings and Eight Dukes knew the Retired Emperor had once been unmatched in martial prowess and most favored talented young warriors.

Jia Cong's brilliance in Liaodong, his extraordinary achievement at Qingyuanji, had finally caught the Retired Emperor's eye, prompting his attention.

The elder generation of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes had once ridden with the Retired Emperor across the land; they understood his tastes well.

Thus, Chen Yi's speculation was far from unique.

As a result, many established noble households in the capital, though their masters could not come in person, began sending their second sons or stewards to congratulate Lady Jia.

The atmosphere at Lady Rongguo Jia had become strangely peculiar: strangers kept arriving to offer congratulations.

…

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Palace.

Guo Lin stood bowed before the imperial desk, reporting to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, whose expression revealed no emotion, the latest news from the Zhongche Office.

"Your Majesty, according to secret reports from Zhonghua Palace, yesterday the Empress Dowager visited the Retired Emperor, who was admiring Jia Cong's copy of the Heart Sutra.

The Retired Emperor said to the Empress Dowager: 'Jia Cong possesses heavenly talent in calligraphy—I have never seen his like. I did not expect he also has talent in military affairs.'

The Empress Dowager replied: 'That Jia boy truly has promise; none of the capital's families have produced such an outstanding youth in a long time.'

The Retired Emperor said: 'I hear that in recent years, his calligraphy has grown even more refined; his writing may now surpass even this Heart Sutra.'

'Tomorrow, bestow upon him some fine brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and have him write a new piece to send.'"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked: "Did your father and mother say anything else?"

Guo Lin replied: "Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor and Empress said other things, but they were all trivial daily matters unrelated to this."

Then Guo Lin proceeded to recount, one by one, every idle remark the Retired Emperor and Empress had made.

Even the trivial matter of how Liu the physician, who had served the Empress Dowager for thirty years, had recently given birth to a granddaughter, Guo Lin reported verbatim.

The Zhongche Office's spies were truly remarkable, recording every word spoken by the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor without omission.

Finally, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao grew thoroughly weary of listening and waved his hand, ordering Guo Lin to stop speaking.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at Guo Lin and asked gravely: "You command the Zhongche Office—what do you think is the reason the Retired Emperor suddenly gifted Jia Cong and requested his calligraphy?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Lin felt every hair on his body stand on end; after a moment's thought, he replied:

"Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor has always been passionate about calligraphy, especially fond of Jia Cong's Heart Sutra, which he has often admired and handled over the years—this is known throughout the palace.

The Retired Emperor once surpassed all under heaven in martial prowess and most favored talented young warriors; this is known to all veteran nobles. Now that Jia Cong has earned merit in Liaodong,

perhaps he has drawn the Retired Emperor's attention. The Retired Emperor has long been idle in Zhonghua Palace, and out of idle curiosity, he may have simply felt inspired to bestow a gift and request calligraphy—it seems perfectly reasonable."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's tone carried a faint sarcasm: "My father has always favored talented young warriors—I know that well. Wasn't my own brother just like that?

Yet I myself was mediocre in martial prowess—hmm…

Even if Father favors Jia Cong's military brilliance, it is inappropriate to show such favor at this moment, causing others to speculate wildly."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao concluded with a note of resignation: "Send the several pieces of previous dynasty calligraphy I have collected to Zhonghua Palace."

He added: "Jia Cong is only fourteen, not yet reached the age of martial training—have the Empress bestow upon him robes and footwear, to prevent those veteran nobles from forming strange notions."

Guo Lin quickly replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. I shall attend to it immediately."

Yet inwardly he grumbled: What rotten luck this Jia Cong has—His Majesty uses the Empress's gift to dilute the controversy of the Empress Dowager's gift, and all the honor falls to him alone.

(End of Chapter)