Chapter 220: Section 35: The Imperial Prison

On the first day of the eleventh month of the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, in the capital.

The upheaval during the last audience preparation had left Huang Shi paranoid for a long time, and the few words he overheard made his heart pound with alarm for days. He vaguely recalled that Tianqi fell into the water in summer, caught a chill, and died of illness. If the Carpenter Emperor fell into an ice hole this winter, then there would be even less chance of survival.

But after many days passed and he saw the capital remained calm, Huang Shi began to wonder if he was being overly anxious. Finally he found an opportunity to inquire about palace news and learned that a eunuch had simply fallen into an ice hole and drowned. The troublesome part was that this drowned eunuch had always been a favorite. His Majesty Tianqi had reigned for many years, and both the inner and outer courts had long known that "His Majesty detests female charms." For years, those who enjoyed Tianqi's deep favor were all young eunuchs.

This drowned young eunuch, for instance, was one of them. His surname was Li, and in the palace he was called "Miss Li." This eunuch had been chiseling ice to fish and unfortunately fell in. But Miss Li had held the Son of Heaven's heart for several years, so much so that records like "If Miss Li is ill and cannot attend, then any banquet is joyless" were everywhere. Thus the Son of Heaven was deeply grieved and for a time lost all inclination to receive Huang Shi.

From Huang Shi's modern mindset, although this sort of thing was entirely a matter of "each to his own," it did not seem particularly glorious either. As for Tianqi's love of carpentry and dislike of sitting in the court hall as the Grand Secretariat's decoration and wax figure, Huang Shi actually found that very easy to understand. But the standards of late Ming scholar-officials were completely different from Huang Shi's values. They were deeply dissatisfied that Tianqi refused to sit stiffly all day watching the Grand Secretariat bicker, yet they thought nothing of the Emperor's fondness for male charms. In fact... they even seemed to quietly approve.

"His Majesty does not approach female charms," "The sovereign has no love for devastating beauties" — these praises of Tianqi that filled Huang Shi's ears left an increasingly sour taste the more he pondered them. In the eyes of late Ming subjects, it seemed that an emperor who loved beautiful women as a man was muddled and unprincipled, but one who loved men possessed the upright and virile manner of a gentleman. What kind of logic was this?

Huang Shi guessed this was because the late Ming civil official clique as a whole was fond of male charms. Exceptions were not one in a hundred, so they had no choice but to desperately beautify this custom. In the end they forcibly elevated male charms to the heights of noble character, romantic elegance, and a gentleman's moral purity. For example, in Beijing at this time, brothels were generally low-class establishments patronized only by commoners, while the vast majority of officials sought out male companions. When Ming licentiates traveled to study and wished to affect cultured refinement, they all brought bookboys rather than maidservants — though of course, bookboys being better suited than maidservants for running errands and doing physical labor was also a factor.

On the whole, the root of this problem lay with the Ming Founding Emperor. He was clearly worried that some corrupt officials would use women to offer bribes or amass wealth. So he issued a decree stipulating that when officials went out to serve in other regions, they were forbidden to bring their wives and forbidden to visit prostitutes. This rule was enforced for several hundred years in the Ming dynasty, and the influence it produced was probably something the Founding Emperor never anticipated.

With the emergence of a Son of Heaven like Tianqi who left his rear palace untouched, the hundred officials above and below were naturally overjoyed and suddenly felt "our path is not a lonely one." "Not approaching female charms" was the main aspect for which the court officials of the Tianqi reign praised the Emperor. Another important consequence was that the grand ministers all refrained from raising the matter of sending Zhu Youjian out of the capital to take up his princely fief. By the fifth year of Tianqi, the hundred officials had basically all come to regard Zhu Youjian as the imperial heir, and some proposed following the precedent of crown princes through the ages by establishing a Household Administration for the Heir Apparent for Zhu Youjian or inviting scholars to give him lectures.

Huang Shi did not particularly wish for Zhu Youjian to ascend the throne. This last emperor did not leave a very good impression on Huang Shi. He felt that in his heart Zhu Youjian hoped to govern the realm like his ancestor Zhu Hongwu, but unfortunately he lacked Zhu Hongwu's ability. He also tended to favor those whose ambitions outstripped their talents — to put it bluntly, he lacked the discernment to judge people. But this was not something Huang Shi could interfere with; Zhu Youjian's succession to the great line was already the hope of all within and beyond the court. And... history had, after all, already changed slightly. Perhaps Tianqi might live a few more years, and once he developed a greater sense of familial duty, he might just be willing to hold his nose and find a woman, producing an heir for the Great Ming dynasty and for himself.

Or Tianqi might hold on until a son was born to Zhu Youjian, in which case perhaps a nephew would inherit the great line. As Huang Shi saw it, if that truly happened, Tianqi would probably choose Sun Chengzong as the guardian minister to entrust with the orphaned heir. And without Emperor Tianqi's backing, Wei Zhongxian would be nothing more than a dog.

But with the cautionary precedent of the Jiajing reign, perhaps the Great Ming's subjects would be scared half to death by the thought of history repeating itself, fearing another "Grand Tribunal case."

In the end Huang Shi realized all this was idle speculation. Such matters were fundamentally problems only Heaven could resolve; his own constant daydreaming was utterly meaningless.

Three days ago, upon learning that Xiong Tingbi had ultimately been marked for execution by the Tianqi Emperor, Huang Shi had been waiting at the post station for a messenger from Wei Zhongxian. Only this afternoon did a eunuch arrive from the palace to guide him to the Imperial Prison. Huang Shi took out a cloth bundle and followed the eunuch. Inside this cloth bundle were some papers. Huang Shi often felt himself clumsy at planning and strategy, so he intended to take this final opportunity to see Xiong Tingbi and consult him on some larger strategic questions.

After entering the Imperial Prison, the eunuch handed the warrant to the jailer, then said to Huang Shi with a grin, "The Depot Director has instructed that the military and state matters General Huang wishes to discuss are not for us lesser folk to hear."

As the eunuch spoke, the Embroidered Uniform Guard soldiers of the Imperial Prison had already examined the warrant. They too stood to the side nodding repeatedly. Once the eunuch finished, one Embroidered Uniform Guard officer picked up the key tray and made a gesture of invitation: "General Huang, please follow this humble one."

Huang Shi nodded, unbuckled his sword and handed it to a nearby guard, then followed the Embroidered Uniform Guard deeper into the corridor.

The long corridor was lined on both sides with cells of the Imperial Prison. For several hundred years, the prisoners and their families held here were all figures of considerable standing; ordinary small fry would absolutely never have the chance to sit in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's great prison. And among these figures, who knew how many had been successfully reinstated — imperial grace restoring them, granting them a second life. Thus the guards of the Imperial Prison absolutely dared not offend their prisoners.

Huang Shi's gaze swept past cell after cell. All the rooms were kept very clean, and outside the cell doors even hung clean curtains. There was no smell of decay here, let alone any stench. On the contrary, Huang Shi caught the scent of fresh hay; clearly the Imperial Prison guards still regularly cleaned the floors for the prisoners inside.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard ahead stopped before a cell door. He gave a light cough and asked, "Is Mr. Xiong within?"

The tone was so courteous it did not sound at all like addressing a condemned prisoner; rather, it resembled paying respects to an elder. Seeing this, Huang Shi thought to himself, "It seems the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Imperial Prison are determined not to offend anyone until they see the head fall."

In truth, Huang Shi had misunderstood these Embroidered Uniform Guards. Their determination was: even after seeing the head fall, they would absolutely not offend anyone. Those who could enter the Imperial Prison and stay for several years were all figures whose mere stamp of a foot outside would make the ground tremble. Although these Embroidered Uniform Guards were the Son of Heaven's personal soldiers, in the end they were still small figures. If they truly offended someone about to die, there was no guarantee that person did not have disciples or former subordinates who could still seek redress and vindication for him. For instance, this Xiong Tingbi had served as Grand Coordinator of Liaodong for several years. Even if he could not overturn his own case, should any of his influential friends wish to deal with a few Embroidered Uniform Guard soldiers on his behalf, these powerless guards would still be unable to bear it.

Hearing no response from within for a long while, the Embroidered Uniform Guard called out politely in a low voice twice more, then gently turned his head and stuck out his tongue at Huang Shi: "Only when officials bearing an imperial mandate come to bring a prisoner to trial, and the prisoner absolutely refuses to come out, may we force our way into the cell. After all, they are my lords who once held official rank."

Huang Shi stepped forward a little and asked in the same low tone, "This brother is too courteous. But may I announce myself and request an audience with Mr. Xiong?"

"Of course." The Embroidered Uniform Guard agreed swiftly. He certainly did not wish to offend Xiong Tingbi, but he wished even less to offend Huang Shi and Wei Zhongxian. Now that Huang Shi was taking the difficulty upon himself, he was naturally quite pleased. As he spoke, the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped back a few paces and said respectfully, "General Huang, please."

Huang Shi adjusted his cloak, took two steps forward, and stood at attention outside Xiong Tingbi's cell door. Through the curtain, he performed a deep and respectful bow. As he cupped his hands in salute, he called out in a clear voice, "This junior, Huang Shi, requests an audience with Mr. Xiong."

After these words were spoken, Huang Shi, bowing with lowered head, heard whispers coming from several nearby cells. Over the years, Huang Shi's name had also become very resounding. The Emperor and the core members of the Grand Secretariat could see Huang Shi's memorials and original records, so they still felt his battle achievements fell within imaginable bounds. But other officials unconnected to military affairs rarely had the chance to understand the Grand Secretariat's confidential documents, so their sources of information were rumors. To date, the stories circulating on the streets were far more miraculous than the eight hundred routing six thousand that Huang Shi had reported.

For instance, the Battle of Nanguan had been wildly exaggerated into one battalion defeating three banners. As for this recent Battle of Fuzhou, Huang Shi in his own memorial had spoken frankly about the matter of falling into a trap, and had mentioned the various Dongjiang and Liaonan units that were with him at the time. But in the street-corner gossip, these allied forces were of course all ignored by Huang Shi's admirers. Since last time at Nanguan it was one battalion defeating three banners, then this time it was naturally two battalions routing six banners.

These exploits of Huang Shi grew ever more fantastical as storytellers passed them from mouth to mouth. In these tales, the one ambushed and outwitted was always revised by the storytellers into Manggūltai. This unlucky fellow, as a participant in both campaigns — the great banner and golden helmet Huang Shi had presented last time were even ordered by Tianqi to be displayed on the Imperial Way — had thus become a laughingstock among the people of Beijing. Now everyone knew Manggūltai was a famous fool. One consequence of this was that the various Dongjiang generals who had once been defeated by Manggūltai also suffered redoubled contempt. Even if they had been defeated under inferior numbers, it did not matter. Among them, only Zhang Pan's heroic death in service spared him from a few sarcastic remarks.

From Xiong Tingbi's cell came a rustling of straw, but after a moment there was still no voice. Huang Shi did not wait further and immediately spoke again in a resonant voice: "This junior — Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Associate Chief of the Chief Military Commission, Hereditary Regional Military Commissioner of Liaodong, Left Assistant Regional Commander of Dongjiangzhen, Huang Shi — has come expressly to humbly entreat a meeting with Mr. Xiong."

From even more surrounding cells came murmurs and low exclamations of surprise. Once these people confirmed Huang Shi's identity, many cloth curtains began to tremble and shake, pried open into slits, from behind which countless gazes shot out, circling tightly over his entire figure.

Huang Shi still maintained his posture, waiting motionlessly, but he could also feel these fervent gazes hovering around him. From the corner of his eye he even noticed some eyes hidden behind the cloth curtains brimming with curiosity and shyness. The owners of those eyes fluttered their long lashes, desperately scrutinizing this legendary general said to be ever-victorious.

At that moment, a long sigh came from Xiong Tingbi's cell: "Come in."

"This junior thanks Mr. Xiong." Huang Shi replied through the cloth curtain, then straightened his back and turned sideways to make way for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to come and open the cell door.

As the Embroidered Uniform Guard came to open the cell door, Huang Shi's gaze swept over the surrounding cells. He found that eyes were everywhere now. Among the women, some of the more timid ones symbolically ducked away, but most did not let slip this chance to observe the "star" up close. They all used cloth to cover their faces, bravely looking over together with the male prisoners, not even flinching from Huang Shi's gaze.

By now the Embroidered Uniform Guard had opened the cell door. He turned to Huang Shi and smiled: "General Huang, please enter."

As Huang Shi walked past the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he whispered in his ear, "This brother, could you bring me a pot of good tea? I will thank you when I come out."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard knew in his heart that Huang Shi was unwilling to take out money in front of so many watching eyes, so he smiled and said, "Very well. General Huang, please sit a while. This humble one will bring tea shortly."

With that, Huang Shi lifted the curtain and entered, shutting countless gazes outside all at once.

It was a reasonably spacious single cell. On the opposite wall was a window letting in light. Beneath the window was a wooden plank bed, set upon the straw spread on the floor to ward off dampness. On the bed was a small table. The former Grand Coordinator of Liaodong, Xiong Tingbi, sat cross-legged on the bed, wearing a worn white cotton robe. After so long in prison, Xiong Tingbi's hair was still combed into a very neat topknot. His arms rested leisurely on the small table on the bed, and he was looking toward Huang Shi with piercing eyes — the very same look as when they had last met.

After stepping into the cell, Huang Shi moved two small steps forward and stopped. As if he did not see Xiong Tingbi's seated posture, he brought his legs together and performed another deep bow: "A junior of later generations, come to pay respects to Mr. Xiong."

Xiong Tingbi burst into loud laughter. He slapped his own thigh twice, producing sharp cracking sounds: "General Huang, you are a grand official of the second rank at court. I am but a prisoner awaiting death, unworthy of your address as 'Mister.'"

Huang Shi, not taking offense, cupped his fists: "Lord Xiong..."

Unexpectedly he was cut off again at once. Xiong Tingbi laughed loudly once more and said, "Nor am I worthy of the word 'Lord.'"

After being choked off, Huang Shi could not think of what else to say for a moment. The room instantly fell into silence. Seeing this, Xiong Tingbi sneered and said, "General Huang, feel free to call me simply 'Xiong Tingbi.' Everyone has addressed me so these past few years. Most of them were of far lower rank than you, General Huang."

Judging solely by Xiong Tingbi's seated posture and his tone, Huang Shi would have thought he was deliberately trying to pick a fight. But fortunately Huang Shi knew Xiong Tingbi was not such a petty man. Since he had allowed him in, he must be willing to say something to him. And Huang Shi was also certain that Xiong Tingbi still had a bellyful of words to speak and even more unfulfilled ambitions he had not had the chance to realize.

As he thought this, Huang Shi straightened his body. Not only was there no anger on his face, but he even wore a faint smile. Yet seeing the smile at the corner of Huang Shi's mouth made Xiong Tingbi even more displeased. After a moment's reflection, he laughed again: "General Huang surely knows I am to depart on my journey tomorrow, so today you have come specially to watch my humiliation."

Xiong Tingbi spread his right hand: "General Huang, please, feel free to come and lecture this old man. I am right here, all ears."

Huang Shi sighed inwardly once more. This Xiong Tingbi was nicknamed "Xiong the Stinking Mouth." Over the years, the people he had offended with this mouth were as countless as the sands of the Ganges. Now, knowing full well there was absolutely no path to survival, amid the bitterness in his heart, this lifelong hobby and habit naturally poured forth in full force. Huang Shi understood that today he had simply come right to his door to be cursed at.

"This junior of the younger generation has some military matters he does not fully understand and has come expressly to consult Venerable Xiong." Huang Shi's face still wore a humble expression. He continued evenly, "If Venerable Xiong has any unfinished business, this junior is also willing to undertake it on your behalf."

"Ha — haha!" Xiong Tingbi burst into another fit of wild laughter, as if he had never heard anything so funny. He rocked back and forth, and it was a long while before he managed to suppress his voice, his face now completely red. Pointing a finger at Huang Shi, coughing as he loudly demanded, "You, a frontier military man, what could you undertake on this old man's behalf? Have you woken from your sleep yet?"

At that moment a call came from outside. It was the guard delivering tea. Huang Shi turned and received the tray, on which sat a large pot of hot tea and two cups.

— Through the ages, the one true hardship is death. Xiong Tingbi, a renowned minister of his generation, in this final moment of his family's ruin and his own death, had finally become slightly uncomposed, to treat a junior of later generations like myself in such a manner.

— In Xiong Tingbi's official career, the one who most valued and trusted him was none other than the Wanli Emperor. While alive, Emperor Wanli did his utmost to shield Xiong Tingbi from wind and rain. Once Wanli died, Xiong Tingbi's path was at its end.

As Huang Shi pondered his own thoughts, he politely carried the tray to Xiong Tingbi's table, then stepped back a large pace: "Venerable Xiong, how did Emperor Xian treat you?"