Chapter 23: Audience with the Emperor

After more than ten days of dusty, weary travel, Sun Chuanting and his party finally arrived at the capital. After entering the city, they found an inn called Yuede in the western part of town and settled in. Several Embroidered Uniform Guard officers who had delivered the imperial edict could not directly return to the palace to report, so they went back to their office to inform the Guard Commander, who would then have Luo Yangxing enter the palace to report.

Before leaving, Wang Dexi instructed Sun Chuanting not to wander far, and if he went to visit relatives or friends, he must leave someone at the inn so that he could be found promptly when His Majesty summoned him. Sun Chuanting agreed, then ordered his attendants to give each of the messengers ten taels of silver. Wang Dexi and the others made a token refusal before accepting, and departed happily back to their office.

It was already the end of the shen hour. An attendant called for the inn's servant to carry the wooden bathing tub into the room and fill it with hot water. Sun Chuanting enjoyed a comfortable bath, changed his clothes, and immediately felt refreshed and clear-minded.

The two attendants, who also served as guards, were both household-born servants of the Sun family — one named Sun Zhian and the other Sun Fugui — both skilled in martial arts both on horseback and on foot. They usually accompanied the Sun family's merchant caravans as escorts to gain experience. This time they had been sent by Sun's mother to protect the young master. The two also washed up briefly and changed clothes, after which the master and his two servants headed to the restaurant.

This inn followed the typical layout of shop in front, courtyard behind. The front two-story building was the restaurant, while the rear occupied a wide area with several separate small courtyards for wealthy guests to reside in privately. There were also several larger courtyards containing a few guest rooms each. The Sun family was quite wealthy, so they rented a charming small courtyard — Sun Chuanting had his own room, the two servants shared one, and one more served as a guest room in case visitors came.

The three went up to the second floor of the restaurant. Since it was not yet mealtime, there were few people there.

They found a nice seat by the street, and an attentive waiter came over to serve them. Sun Chuanting was not fond of much talk, so he simply ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes and a pot of wine. The waiter noted it down and went downstairs to the kitchen. In less than a quarter of an hour, the food and wine were brought up.

Sun Chuanting poured himself a cup of wine and sipped it slowly, thinking about whose home he should visit after the meal. Sun Zhian and Sun Fugui picked up steamed buns and began eating them with the dishes. Sun Chuanting treated the two like nephews, so he took no offense at all — he simply savored his wine and pondered.

Before long, the three finished eating. Sun Chuanting decided to first visit his fellow jinshi and close friend Wu Ganzhong, who currently served as Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. Judging by the hour, Wu Ganzhong should have finished his duties by now.

He instructed the honest and simple Sun Fugui to stay at the inn and await word, then took the shrewd and capable Sun Zhian with him, leaving the inn and heading west.

Sun Chuanting knew his friend loved composing poetry, so he deliberately found a shop and purchased fine writing materials — brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. After they were wrapped up, Sun Zhian carried them as he followed Sun Chuanting.

Wu Ganzhong's home was not too far from the inn where Sun Chuanting was staying, located in a lane called Ganjingzi. About a quarter of an hour later, Sun Chuanting stood before the Wu family's gate.

The front gate was tightly shut. Sun Zhian stepped forward and knocked. Before long, an old servant opened the door and looked at the two with confusion.

Sun Zhian handed over the name card and said, "Uncle, might I trouble you to announce us? A friend of Master Wu — Master Sun of Daizhou — has come to call!"

The old servant took the name card, and upon hearing that this was a friend of his master, quickly invited Sun Chuanting to wait in the side room while he himself hurried off to the inner courtyard.

Before long, from the side room Sun Chuanting heard a voice full of joy loudly calling his name: "Brother Baigu! More than ten years without seeing you — how I've missed you!"

Sun Chuanting had just risen from his stool when the door was suddenly pushed open. A thin, sharp-featured middle-aged man with a long beard appeared before him — it was none other than his old friend Wu Ganzhong, whom he had not seen in years.

Sun Chuanting smiled at his old friend.

Wu Ganzhong had returned home after finishing his duties and had just removed his official robes. When he heard that Sun Chuanting had come to call, he didn't even change into his home attire — he rushed out to greet him wearing only his moon-white underclothes.

Wu Ganzhong hurried forward two steps, reached out with both hands, grasped Sun Chuanting's hand firmly, and shook it vigorously up and down, saying with unrestrained joy: "Brother Baigu, you've decided to take office, haven't you? Wonderful! It's not in vain that we recommended you so strongly before His Majesty and the court ministers — our great talent has finally emerged!"

Sun Chuanting likewise gripped Wu Ganzhong's hand tightly, his heart flooded with mixed emotions.

The two had both earned their jinshi in the forty-seventh year of Wanli. Wu Ganzhong was several years younger than Sun Chuanting. When they had both been observing governance at the Ministry of Personnel, they found they shared similar views, felt they had met too late, and quickly forged a deep friendship.

At that time, Wei Zhongxian held dictatorial power. The two often gathered privately to drink, and when warmed by wine, they would sharply criticize the ills of the times, discuss affairs of state, and harbor ambitions to cleanse the realm.

Wu Ganzhong greatly admired Sun Chuanting's abilities. Later, when Wu himself could no longer stomach Wei Zhongxian and his clique's ways and resigned to return home, the two maintained frequent correspondence. Wu Ganzhong and other fellow jinshi often vigorously recommended him before the court ministers, saying his great talent was rare and that leaving him idle in the countryside was a loss to the court. Over time, Sun Chuanting's reputation became widely known among the court ministers.

Just as Sun Chuanting was about to speak, Wu Ganzhong slapped his forehead and laughed: "How foolish of me — this is no place for conversation! Come, come, let's talk in the inner hall!"

Saying this, he dragged Sun Chuanting hurriedly toward the inner courtyard. Sun Chuanting's gifts were received by the Wu family servants, and Sun Zhian was shown to a guest room to rest and wait.

The Wu residence was not large — a three-courtyard dwelling. The front courtyard housed the servants, while the second courtyard contained the reception hall, study, and guest rooms.

Wu Ganzhong held Sun Chuanting's hand as they walked, chattering all the way about memories of their times together. Sun Chuanting simply smiled and listened to his rambling. He knew this friend was a man of deep feeling and sincerity — exactly the type of person he admired.

Upon reaching the reception hall, they took their seats as host and guest. Wu Ganzhong ordered tea to be served, then asked impatiently: "Brother Baigu, have you come to the capital this time to seek connections and re-enter officialdom? I have a good connection in the Ministry of Personnel — a Bureau Director in the Bureau of Appointments. If you wanted a prefectural magistrate or some such post below the fifth rank, that wouldn't be hard to arrange. Above the fifth rank would be difficult. I know Brother Baigu's great talent, and the fifth rank truly is beneath you, but let's start slowly. With your abilities, you'll achieve results in your post quickly, and once the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers see that, Brother Baigu will naturally be promoted!"

Sun Chuanting knew this was already the most his friend could do. For many officials, the fifth rank was the ceiling — they would never wear the red robe or enter the central government in their entire lives. His worthy younger brother truly spoke his mind bluntly, promising a high fifth-rank position in a single breath.

He smiled slightly and said: "I thank my worthy brother for his great kindness — I am deeply grateful, and I feel fortunate to have found such a kindred spirit as you! This time I have been summoned by special edict of His Majesty, so what post I will hold is not yet known!"

Wu Ganzhong was greatly startled and said: "A special edict from His Majesty? It seems Brother Baigu will see the imperial countenance in person! Your great name has finally come to His Majesty's attention — it seems you are destined for great use! Allow me to offer my congratulations here first!"

Sun Chuanting said sincerely: "All these years, had it not been for you and the others cheering me on and building my reputation in court, my humble name would never have reached His Majesty's ears. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all! I have no way to repay you, but I hope that in the future we can support each other, rise steadily together, and live up to the aspirations we formed when we studied the sages' books — to benefit the rivers and mountains of our realm and the common people of the world!"

Wu Ganzhong laughed heartily: "I am truly happy for Brother Baigu! Your great talent is enough to uphold the state. The Ming is currently in a precarious situation — this is the perfect opportunity for Brother Baigu to display your ambitions!"

After expressing his thanks, Sun Chuanting said: "Worthy brother, based on what you've seen and heard at court, can you guess where His Majesty intends to send me?"

Wu Ganzhong stroked his long beard and thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "Since His Majesty is summoning you, he naturally intends to give you an important post. It can't be in the capital — most likely you'll be sent out to the provinces. But none of the Governors or Governor-Generals in the various regions are old and incompetent, so no positions are vacant. Thus I can't for the moment imagine how His Majesty plans to place you, brother!"

Sun Chuanting smiled and said: "But I have already figured out where His Majesty intends to send me!"

Wu Ganzhong said hurriedly: "Where does Brother Baigu think it is?"

Sun Chuanting said with a smile: "If nothing unexpected happens — Shaanxi!"

Wu Ganzhong was startled and fell into thought.

Sun Chuanting continued: "The former Governor of Shaanxi, Gan Xuekuo, feared the bandits like tigers. He was impeached by the Regional Inspector for being incompetent and ridiculous in his conduct, and was dismissed by His Majesty. Court ministers all fall silent and shy away from serving in Shaanxi, treating it as a road of dread — to the point that the heavy responsibility of Governor-General for that region goes unclaimed. I, Sun, am not talented, but I will never fear the enemy. Though thousands stand against me, I shall go!"

Wu Ganzhong rose and bowed to Sun Chuanting. Standing straight again, he said: "Brother Baigu's judgment is most likely correct! Though the Governor of Shaanxi holds high position and great power, the place is extremely perilous! Since Brother Baigu's heroic spirit is soaring, I won't urge you to think twice — I only hope that your lofty ambitions begin in Shaanxi!"

Sun Chuanting hurriedly returned the bow. Wu Ganzhong naturally ordered a banquet to be laid out, determined to drink with Sun Chuanting until neither could go home sober. The two drank through the night, conversing loftily, until both collapsed in drunkenness.

The next day, Sun Chuanting woke to find it was nearly noon. Looking at the room's furnishings, he realized he was back at the inn. His head ached as if it would split, and his mouth was parched — it had been years since he had drunk so freely.

He called out for someone. Sun Zhian pushed open the door carrying a cup of lukewarm tea. Sun Chuanting sat up, took the tea, and drained it in one gulp. His throat, which had felt like it was about to catch fire, finally cooled. He asked: "How did I get back last night?"

Sun Zhian looked at his young master with a grin and said: "Last night, both you and Master Wu were drunk. Master Wu's family wanted to keep you in their guest room to rest, but you said you couldn't delay His Majesty's summons. I was also afraid of delaying your important business, so I used Master Wu's sedan chair to carry you back to the inn. It was around the zi hour. I've never seen you drunk before, hehe!"

Sun Chuanting laughed and scolded: "Get out of here — go draw a bath for me. I need to sober up."

Before long, two porters carried in the bathwater. Sun Chuanting stripped off his clothes and slipped into the wooden tub. As the hot water hit him, he couldn't help but let out a comfortable groan.

He finished his bath quickly and changed clothes. Just as he was about to go out for a meal, Sun Zhian hurried into the courtyard with a young eunuch in tow. Seeing Sun Chuanting standing in the yard, Sun Zhian said to the eunuch: "Young eunuch, this is my master. Master, this is a eunuch from the palace who has come to deliver an edict."

The young eunuch looked Sun Chuanting over and said: "Are you Sun Chuanting from Daizhou?"

Sun Chuanting replied: "I am indeed Sun!"

"By His Majesty's oral decree — Sun Chuanting of Daizhou is to present himself at court immediately!"

Sun Chuanting was taken aback for a moment. He had expected to wait some time before being admitted to the palace, but here he was being summoned by His Majesty on only his second day in the capital.

He quickly clasped his hands in salute and said: "I thank you for making the trip, eunuch!" Then he shot Sun Zhian a look. Sun Zhian pulled a ten-tael ingot of silver from his bosom and handed it over. The young eunuch hesitated briefly, then accepted it. Beaming, he said: "I am Li Erxi, and I serve by His Majesty's side every day. Yesterday, Guard Commander Luo of the Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the palace to report that you, Master Sun, had arrived in the capital. This morning His Majesty sent me to deliver the decree — you can see how highly His Majesty regards you! Other high officials can't get an audience with His Majesty so easily! Master Sun, let's be on our way — we mustn't keep His Majesty waiting!"

Sun Chuanting felt both moved and awed. He clasped his hands and bowed in the direction of the palace, then said: "I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's regard. Please lead the way, Eunuch Li!" He then instructed Sun Zhian and the others to remain at the inn in case visitors came, and followed Li Erxi toward the palace.

After their waist tokens were verified at the Xihua Gate, Li Erxi led Sun Chuanting straight to Wuying Hall.

Still some distance from the great hall, the two saw in the distance a young man in a bright yellow casual robe standing with his hands clasped behind his back on the steps of the hall, looking in their direction.

Li Erxi was startled and urged in a low voice: "Master Sun, hurry! The one on the steps is His Majesty! I've never seen His Majesty come out of the hall to greet any minister before — quickly, quickly!"

Sun Chuanting felt hot blood surge in his chest and his eyes grow warm, suddenly moist. The Emperor coming out to greet him — this was indeed a most solemn honor!

Unconsciously he broke into a jog. Arriving before the hall, he saw the Emperor looking at him with a smile. He stopped, solemnly straightened his robes and cap, then knelt and performed the full ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations. He tried to call out, but his emotions were so stirred that no sound would come from his throat.

Before the grand ceremony was even finished, Sun Chuanting saw a pair of bright yellow casual boots appear in his line of sight, and then a pair of strong arms supported him, as a gentle voice said: "Minister Sun, I have been waiting for you for a long time! Great Ming has also been waiting for you for a long time! Rise quickly, let us speak in the hall as sovereign and minister!"

Sun Chuanting rose with Chongzhen's hands supporting him, hot tears streaming down, blurring his vision. He said with a sobbing voice: "What virtue or ability does this humble minister possess, to trouble His Majesty to come out to greet me! To be able to serve at Your Majesty's command, this humble minister can only repay Your Majesty's grace with utter devotion even at the cost of his life!"

Chongzhen took his hand and stepped up the stairs, smiling as he walked: "I do not need you to sacrifice yourself utterly. I only wish that you, my minister, will work with true dedication and exert your full strength for the safety of Great Ming's rivers and mountains!"

As they spoke, the two arrived in the hall. Chongzhen returned to sit behind the imperial desk and instructed: "Li Erxi, seat Minister Sun."

Li Erxi hastily brought over a brocade stool. Sun Chuanting repeatedly declined, saying he dared not sit in the presence of his sovereign and father. Chongzhen laughed: "Minister Sun, I intend to speak freely with you. You need not decline—just sit."

Hearing this, Sun Chuanting only then sat down on the brocade stool in trepidation, perching on half his buttocks.

Chongzhen studied this tall, imposing man from Shanxi, and inwardly lamented his fate in history.

Sun Chuanting was resolute, resourceful, and magnanimous in character. In history, he had devoted himself utterly to Great Ming. But because he clashed with Minister of War Yang Sichang and a number of senior eunuchs, these people repeatedly slandered him before Chongzhen. Given Chongzhen's suspicious and volatile temperament, he was once arrested and thrown into the Imperial Prison for as long as three years. In the end, because Xiong Wencan and Yang Sichang suffered repeated defeats in campaigns against Li Zicheng and the roving bandits, he was reluctantly released from the Imperial Prison to command troops. But by then the roving bandits' momentum had already grown great, and Sun Chuanting could not reverse the tide of defeat. Finally, on the road retreating toward Weinan, he was surrounded by Li Zicheng's army of a hundred thousand and died in battle.

"Minister Sun, how do you view the current situation?" Chongzhen said in a warm voice.

Sun Chuanting pondered for a moment, then spoke: "Reporting to His Majesty, what worries me now is not the roving bandits. Though these bandits have grown more numerous the more they are suppressed in recent years, the bulk of them are actually peasants who have lost their land. They are severely lacking in armor and weapons. Based on the intelligence this humble minister has gathered over many years, the most formidable of the bandits is none other than the bandit chief Gao Yingxiang, and the one with the greatest numbers is the bandit leader Tuo Yangkun. But no matter how they ravage various regions, they cannot change the essential nature of roving bandits—that is, they roam everywhere. They have never held even a single prefecture or county. As long as the government troops have sufficient military pay and provisions and strict discipline, given time, wiping out the roving bandits will not be difficult. What worries me now is truly that the government troops lack sufficient military pay and provisions. When soldiers go to war but cannot eat their fill, and have no pay to reassure their hearts, how can their morale be high when fighting? Without morale, victory is hard to achieve—this is what weighs most heavily on this humble minister's mind. Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but I believe suppressing the bandits is not difficult—it simply requires time. I only hope Your Majesty will grant us subordinates enough time and authority, and then we will return to Your Majesty a world of clarity and order!"

Chongzhen nodded and spoke: "What you say, my minister, is indeed reasonable. I am currently seeking ways to alleviate the fiscal problems. Minister Sun may not know this, but the national treasury is now empty, with only five hundred thousand taels of silver remaining. These funds must pay official salaries and maintain the operating expenses of every government office, not to mention the ever-growing military expenditures. To be frank with you, the military pay and provisions allocated to the various armies recently have all come from my own privy purse. But there are also over ten thousand people in the palace who need food and expenses. I am now requiring the rear palace to take the lead in frugality, reducing consumption to save some silver. After all, the privy purse is not inexhaustible. As for the second point you raised, I was indeed too hasty before. I always hoped Ministers Hong and Lu could suppress the bandits by a set deadline, but now it seems suppressing the bandits is truly a protracted war. Some time ago, I already issued decrees to Ministers Hong and Lu, instructing them not to underestimate the enemy or advance rashly—that suppressing the bandits must be pursued gradually. Consider it making amends for my earlier mistakes."

Sun Chuanting rose and knelt down, speaking from the depths of his heart: "That His Majesty can introspect and examine himself is truly the mark of an enlightened sovereign. This minister is deeply moved and full of admiration!"

Chongzhen smiled and bade him rise, then spoke: "With Minister Sun's intellect, you must have already guessed where I intend to send you. That place is so perilous that the court officials in the capital fear it like tigers. Does Minister Sun dare to go?"

Sun Chuanting abruptly rose, made a solemn salute, and declared in a loud voice: "Shaanxi is the birthplace of the roving bandits—it is their very foundation and their most relied-upon source of soldiers. One could say that pacifying Shaanxi severs the bandits' root! Though this humble minister is untalented, I am willing to go on His Majesty's behalf! The place others fear is precisely where merit and fame are won. As long as Your Majesty grants me full authority, I am willing to sign a military pledge!"

Zhu Zhenqing rose to his feet and clapped his hands: "Well said! This is the great talent I see in my heart! If all my ministers possessed the ability and courage of Minister Sun, how could the roving bandits not be destroyed! I hereby guarantee to you that when you go to Shaanxi, you may act freely and boldly—I will bear all consequences for you! Do not worry about clamorous court debate. Some ministers hold their posts without doing anything, caring only for private gain, and cannot bear to see others achieve results. At this time when the rivers and mountains are unstable, I will endure for now, but that does not mean I will yield forever. When the day of your victory memorial arrives, that will be the time for such mediocre ministers to step aside! This time when you go to Shaanxi, I will transfer five hundred elite cavalry from the Yongwei Camp as your personal escort battalion, and from the privy purse I will give you one hundred thousand taels of silver and five thousand dan of new-style military rations. I hope Minister Sun will not disappoint my expectations, will faithfully fulfill your duties—I will be in the capital awaiting your good news!"

Overcome with emotion, Sun Chuanting knelt to the ground and spoke: "Your Majesty treats me as a state scholar, and I shall repay Your Majesty as a state scholar! Please rest assured, Your Majesty—this minister will surely exhaust all his abilities, pacify the roving bandits on Your Majesty's behalf, and settle the hearts of the people of the realm!"

Chongzhen walked around the imperial desk and helped him up, saying with a smile: "Today is the happiest day I have had in recent times. I believe in you! I also know your talents are not limited to suppressing bandits—you have great ideals and great ambitions. When the roving bandits are destroyed in the future, I will create with you ministers a brand new Great Ming—a Great Ming with prosperous people and a strong nation!"

Sun Chuanting's heart surged with emotion, and he wished he could cry out to the heavens. All the negative rumors about His Majesty from before dissipated like smoke at this very moment. His Majesty's words and actions filled him with extraordinary inspiration. Following such an enlightened sovereign to display one's ambitions was the dream of every scholar. At this moment, that dream had already shown the light of dawn, and he eagerly awaited the day it would arrive.