“How could they hold a Meridian Gate Captive Ceremony?! This is way too extravagant! Normally, you’d at least wait until all the wokou invading our celestial dynasty are wiped out, the scourge completely eradicated, before holding such a grand event,” one official exclaimed.
“And rewarding Zhu Ping’an? Temporarily assuming he didn’t falsify his merits by killing innocents? That means annihilating 40,000 wokou, capturing one of their chieftains, sinking, destroying, or seizing over a hundred of their ships, and preserving Suzhou City… How do you even reward that?! He’s already the Deputy Judicial Commissioner of the Provincial Surveillance Commission. If we promote him based on these feats, even jumping two ranks wouldn’t suffice. Wouldn’t that make Zhu Ping’an a Provincial Judicial Commissioner, a Provincial Administrative Commissioner, or some frontier governor, or even elevate him to a high-ranking ministry official?! How old is he?!” another chimed in.
“No choice, it’s His Majesty’s decree. We have to follow through. Quick, notify the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel to start preparations,” a third concluded.
After Huang Jin left, the officials in Wuyi Hall couldn’t help but chatter animatedly for a while longer, though they ultimately resigned themselves to the inevitable.
No way around it—this was Emperor Jiajing’s oral command, the golden words of the Son of Heaven. What could they do but obey?
“Wait, where’s the Grand Secretary? Someone report to him quickly,” one suggested.
“Grand Secretary Yan is concerned about the refugees fleeing to the capital’s outskirts after the snow disaster. He left early to inspect the porridge distribution points set up there and hasn’t returned. Grand Secretary Xu went with him…” another explained.
“What about Grand Secretary Lü?” someone asked.
“Are you confused? It snowed the night before last, and Grand Secretary Lü’s mother, Lady Lü, caught a cold that triggered her asthma. He submitted a leave request that night to care for her at home,” came the reply.
The officials wanted to report to Yan Song, Xu Jie, and Lü Ben, but all three Grand Secretaries were absent from Wuyi Hall due to their respective commitments.
For a moment, the group was leaderless, buzzing around the hall like ants on a hot pan.
“How did it come to a Meridian Gate Captive Ceremony?!” Wang Shilang from the Ministry of Personnel paled, feeling the situation slipping out of control.
A member of the Yan faction, he’d received a secret message from the Yan residence the previous night, learning that Jiaxing had fallen to the defeated wokou from Suzhou.
He’d even drafted an impeachment memorial against Zhu Ping’an.
But today, the emperor’s decree to hold the Meridian Gate Captive Ceremony threw him off balance, sparking panic as events spiraled beyond his expectations.
No, I have to get this news out fast, let the Grand Secretary and Little Grand Secretary prepare, he thought.
With that, Wang Shilang bolted outside, desperate to relay the message.
“Wang Shilang, where are you rushing off to in such a panic?” an official called out, noticing his hasty exit.
“Oh, uh, I think I ate something bad this morning. Stomach’s acting up—I’m going to change,” Wang Shilang replied without turning back.
“There’s a changing room in the hall. Wouldn’t it be more convenient if you’re in a hurry?” the official asked, puzzled.
“I’ll grab some medicine outside too. Old problem. No need to trouble the imperial physicians—my servant keeps a remedy handy,” Wang Shilang tossed back hurriedly, continuing his dash out like his rear was on fire.
Panting heavily, Wang Shilang finally stumbled out of the Western Garden, spotting his waiting servant. Gasping, he ordered, “Quick, urgent matter! To the Yan residence, don’t stop, as fast as you can!”
“Move, move aside…” His servant cracked the whip, urging the horse forward while shoving past obstructing pedestrians.
The carriage tore through the streets, startling countless people. A vendor dodging too late had his carrying pole smashed by the carriage, food spilling everywhere as he fell, clutching his leg in agony.
The carriage sped on, heedless.
After a frantic rush, they reached the Yan residence. Wang Shilang, dizzy from the jolting ride and fighting nausea, flung open the curtain and leapt out. Clumsy, he landed hard on his backside.
But that didn’t dampen his resolve to prove his loyalty. Ignoring help, he scrambled up and staggered toward the gate.
“Quick, I’ve got urgent news for the Little Grand Secretary. Step aside!” he shouted, flashing his calling card.
This card was exclusive to the Yan faction; Yan Shifan had long instructed the gatekeepers to let anyone bearing it pass unimpeded.
Thus, Wang Shilang entered smoothly, guided by a steward to Yan Shifan.
“Little Grand Secretary, it’s bad! His Majesty…” Wang Shilang blurted out, breathless, the moment he saw Yan Shifan.
“His Majesty wants to hold a Meridian Gate Captive Ceremony,” Yan Shifan finished for him before he could continue.
“What?!”
Wang Shilang’s jaw dropped at Yan Shifan’s words, speechless for a long moment.
How did the Little Grand Secretary know about the ceremony? I hadn’t even said it yet!
And after Eunuch Huang delivered the decree in Wuyi Hall, I was the first to rush out to report. To get this news to the Yan residence ASAP, I pushed the coachman to race nonstop, the carriage barreling through recklessly, heedless of anyone in the way. It was as fast as humanly possible!
How could the Little Grand Secretary have gotten word before I arrived?! How did he manage that? It’s beyond comprehension!
“Heh, no need to be shocked. My father’s held the position of Chief Grand Secretary for a reason—staying well-informed is paramount. Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never falter in a hundred battles,” Yan Shifan said with a faint smile, patting the stunned Wang Shilang on the shoulder, his tone calm and breezy.
“This lowly official lost his composure and overstepped,” Wang Shilang said, catching his breath, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
He’d hoped to be the first to report, proving his loyalty, only to find Yan Shifan already knew. His frantic trip felt wasted—how could he not feel let down?
“No, not at all. Your actions today, Wang Shilang, I’ll remember, and so will my father. In the future, should something like this arise again, I hope you’ll keep up the effort. Our network thrives thanks to every loyal soul like you,” Yan Shifan said, patting his shoulder again, offering encouragement and praise.
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Wang Shilang replied, his spirits lifting at Yan Shifan’s words. He bowed eagerly, pledging his commitment.
He stopped just short of saying he’d live and die for the Yan family.
“Little Grand Secretary, with His Majesty set to hold this ceremony, what do we do? If it goes through, won’t Zhu Ping’an soar to the top?!” Wang Shilang asked, worry creasing his brow.
“It’s only planned, not yet held. In my view, as long as it hasn’t happened, there’s still room to maneuver. Don’t lose your footing,” Yan Shifan replied coolly.
