Chapter 169: Tidying Up

Chapter 169: Setting Things in Order

Zheng Shanci looked at Nie Yan, paused for a moment, and asked, "You want to become my disciple because you think I’m virtuous, but I’m far from a saint."

Nie Yan replied, "To me, Lord Zheng is already the best there is. I may not be a disciple like Yan Hui, but I’m willing to serve Lord Zheng and learn from you so I can do my duty for our Great Yan Dynasty."

Zheng Shanci met Nie Yan’s gaze and smiled faintly. "Alright then, I’ll take you on. To join my tutelage, you must be hardworking and honest."

Nie Yan felt a surge of joy and hurriedly went through the formal disciple ceremony, offering tea. "Thank you, Master."

Still feeling the ceremony was too casual, Nie Yan proposed stopping by Lord Zheng’s place after work to perform the rites again. Zheng Shanci agreed. In ancient times, the bond between master and disciple was akin to that of father and son—a big deal. After brief consideration, Zheng Shanci accepted Nie Yan’s request, feeling a sense of compassion for him. Nie Yan had worked under him before and was a capable individual.

Nie Yan’s eyes grew misty upon receiving Zheng Shanci’s approval.

He had feared Lord Zheng might refuse such a formal request, but to his surprise, Zheng Shanci agreed.

Nie Yan felt both grateful and close to him.

Zheng Shanci helped him up and said gently, "You’re a grown man—what’s with the tears?"

Nie Yan lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "Becoming Lord Zheng’s disciple means so much to me. Sorry for getting emotional, Master."

Zheng Shanci also decided to prepare a gift for his new disciple after returning home. The items in his office were personal and unsuitable for gifting.

After bidding farewell, Nie Yan walked off with a spring in his step. Back at the Hanlin Academy, he kept a straight face but felt an unmistakable lightness in his heart.

A fellow Hanlin scholar, noticing his unusually cheerful mood, asked curiously, "Brother Nie, are you truly so eager to go abroad?"

Nie Yan replied earnestly, "As long as I can do my duty for the court, it is enough. Moreover, I have yet to see foreign lands, and while I am still young and energetic, I wish to toughen myself up out there."

The first part sounded like official rhetoric, but his colleague was more inclined to believe Nie Yan simply wanted to travel abroad.

"With your status, there’s no need for such hardships," the colleague remarked, a hint of envy in his voice.

When they first became acquainted, Nie Yan was merely the son of a grocer, while the colleague came from a minor gentry family. He befriended Nie Yan for his intellect and character. Now, this same man had transformed into the only son of a Minister. Such luck was enviable, though recalling Nie Yan’s earlier struggles tempered the envy.

Nie Yan insisted, "I truly wish to go abroad and toughen myself up out there."

Seeing his resolve, the colleague let it go.

After Nie Yan left, Zheng Shanci resumed reviewing documents. Emperor Wuming had appointed a minor censor, originally of the fifth rank, as the head of the Military Armaments Directorate, promoting him to the fourth rank. This censor had never hesitated to call out the emperor, from his private life to his governance, yet Emperor Wuming tolerated him—even rewarded him with a promotion.

The emperor had the Censorate investigate this official and found his family impoverished. His critiques were driven by a desire for reputation, valuing fame over wealth. Such a man, Emperor Wuming believed, could be trusted in this position.

In fact, the emperor generously bestowed gold and silver upon him, praising his fearlessness against authority.

When in a good mood, Emperor Wuming was generous with his officials, rewarding them for their diligence.

After handling these matters, the emperor had some free time. He calculated his private treasury—five million taels of silver. A fifth of the confiscated wealth from recent purges had been deposited there, while the rest went to the Ministry of Revenue.

Summoning Xie Dan, Emperor Wuming asked him to report on border affairs.

Xie Dan, well-versed in military history, rattled off a few famous battles right away. The emperor smiled approvingly. "Come, sit beside me."

Feng De instructed attendants to bring a chair for Xie Dan to sit near the emperor.

"When I was young, I too dreamed of proving myself on the frontier," Emperor Wuming mused. "But it never came to pass. Changxing also wished to go, but Great Yan isn’t in a position to wage war now."

Xie Dan, ever curious, asked, "Father, why can’t we fight?" "War requires funds, manpower, and morale. In your grandfather’s time, treacherous ministers controlled the court, deluding him. The treasury was empty, soldiers weren’t getting paid—war wasn’t an option."

"The current treasury barely covers expenses—we can't afford to wage war yet. Only when the treasury is fuller and the soldiers are well-trained can we consider it. We must prepare thoroughly to strike decisively—otherwise, the cost of failure would be too great for the Great Yan Dynasty to bear." Emperor Wuming rarely opened up like this to Xie Dan.

Xie Dan: "But my tutor says failures are opportunities to accumulate experience."

Emperor Wuming neither agreed nor disagreed: "Not in war. War doesn’t give you room for trial and error. You must follow renowned generals, let them guide you, and never assume command yourself. If you don’t understand, don’t interfere."

Some past emperors sent princes to the frontier for experience, only for them to anger seasoned generals due to their ignorance—a losing trade.

Xie Dan: "Father is right."

Emperor Wuming pinched Xie Dan’s nose: "Don’t you dream of the frontier? Study hard first—then you can make your mark. Do you want to be a reckless brute or a wise scholar-general?"

Xie Dan: "I want to be smart!"

Emperor Wuming gave him a disdainful look.

Xie Dan left Panlong Hall excited and went to Kuning Palace to tell Wang Fengjun what his father had said.

Wang Fengjun flicked his forehead: "Why go to the frontier? Your fiefdom in Qi is far from the border and rich in resources. Wouldn’t it be better to go there once you’re grown?"

Wang Fengjun wished for such a life—as long as Xie Dan behaved, his relationship with Xie Cheng would remain good, and Xie Dan could enjoy wealth and happiness all his life.

Xie Dan huffed: "That’s just lazing around!"

Wang Fengjun: "When you grow up, you can decide for yourself. I won’t interfere."

Xie Dan secretly vowed to 'kidnap' his father once he went to his fiefdom.

...

After his shift, Zheng Shanci returned home and told Yu Lanyi about Nie Yan’s request to become his disciple. Yu Lanyi jumped up: "Then we must prepare properly."

Zheng Shanci taught the crown prince, but Yu Lanyi never felt like a teacher’s husband—until now. He immediately dragged Zheng Shanci to the storeroom to pick a gift.

"A scholar’s set will do," Zheng Shanci said, spotting one at a glance.

Yu Lanyi, a magpie for anything glittery, grabbed a beckoning cat and a famous feng shui painting, holding them out: "Which do you think I should give?"

"The beckoning cat," Zheng Shanci answered without hesitation.

Yu Lanyi preferred it too.

"Alright," Yu Lanyi agreed cheerfully.

Zheng Shanci had a servant bring a basin of water. Soon, Nie Yan and his husband came bearing the ceremonial gifts for the apprenticeship. Nie Yan, in a dark green robe, stood solemnly before Zheng Shanci.

The *Book of Rites* says: "The foundation of propriety lies in proper attire, dignified expression, and measured speech." Before the ceremony, one must first adjust their appearance, then understand the principles.

Nie Yan went through the rites, and Zheng Shanci led him to wash his hands in the basin. Following his teacher’s guidance, Nie Yan washed both sides of his hands, then dried them.

Their home had no shrine to Buddha, so Zheng Shanci had a servant buy a portrait of Confucius to hang on the wall. Together, they bowed before it. Zheng Shanci then took his seat, with Yu Lanyi seated above. Nie Yan bowed deeply and offered the gifts—six symbolic offerings: celery, lotus seeds, red beans, red dates, longan, and dried meat strips.

Nie Yan served tea to Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi.

Zheng Shanci took a sip, while Yu Lanyi, finding the atmosphere solemn yet novel, followed suit.

"From today onward, you are my disciple. Act with discretion and uphold righteousness. Seek honor straight on, not through shortcuts. I gift you these scholar’s treasures—may you strive diligently."

Nie Yan respectfully accepted it and said, "Thank you, teacher."

Madam Yu took out her own lucky cat and said, "Zheng Shanci wants you to work hard and advance, but I just hope you bring in wealth and good fortune, living a happy life."

Listening to Madam Yu's words, Nie Yan replied respectfully, "Thank you, Mrs. Zheng."

With this, the apprenticeship formalities were completed. Zheng Shanci dropped his formal air and said, "Please stay for dinner tonight."

Nie Yan and Chu Geer agreed.

Zheng Shanci wanted to speak with Nie Yan, so Madam Yu took Chu Geer for a stroll in the courtyard, instructing the kitchen to serve pastries and tea in the pavilion.

Chu Geer followed Madam Yu closely, feeling somewhat shy.

Being young, Chu Geer had no objection to Nie Yan becoming Zheng Shanci’s student. However, he felt awkward about interacting with Madam Yu and was somewhat restrained.

"How should I address you?" Madam Yu asked warmly.

Chu Geer nodded, "The elders at home call me Qingyuan."

"Qingyuan, let me know if you have any food restrictions now, so the kitchen can avoid any taboos."

Chu Qingyuan shook his head, "I don’t have any restrictions, but I prefer lighter flavors and can’t eat spicy food."

Madam Yu gave Jin Yun a look, and Jin Yun went to the kitchen.

"I heard from Zheng Shanci that Nie Yan will go to sea in a few days. If you need anything, you can come to the Zheng residence to find us."

Chu Qingyuan replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Zheng."

He still felt troubled by the matter. His father was a great scholar, and his husband’s father was a Minister. Nie Yan insisted on going to sea, taking such a risk. As the only son of the Nie family, the thought deeply troubled Chu Qingyuan.

They had only been married for a few months, and now his husband would be away for a year or more. The pain of this situation was something he had to bear alone.

Madam Yu chatted with Chu Qingyuan for a while. Chu Qingyuan was polite and thoughtful, keeping up with Madam Yu’s shifts in conversation. Madam Yu genuinely began to like him.

Pastries and tea were served.

Chu Qingyuan couldn’t help but ask, "Mrs. Zheng, how did you feel when Lord Zheng went to Xinfeng County back then?"

Madam Yu thought for a moment, slightly embarrassed. "At the time, I didn’t want to suffer with him. I was living well in the capital. On the first day in Xinfeng County, I fell ill from the unfamiliar environment and endured great hardship. I even thought it’d be better if Zheng Shanci just died, so I could be a handsome widower—my father and dad wouldn’t mind anyway."

Chu Qingyuan was surprised. Zheng Shanci and Madam Yu were known as a model couple in the capital. He hadn’t expected such struggles early in their marriage. The way they built their life together was truly admirable.

After the meal, Nie Yan and Chu Qingyuan bid farewell to Zheng Shanci and boarded their carriage. It was a joyous occasion, and both Zheng Shanci and Nie Yan had drunk a pot of wine. The summer heat was oppressive, and Nie Yan bore the heat until they returned home, loosening his collar to reveal his pale chest.

In his early years, working in the fields had tanned his skin, but after becoming a Jinshi, his complexion had gradually restored. Chu Qingyuan had the kitchen prepare hangover remedy and brought it to Nie Yan.

After drinking the tonic, Nie Yan held Chu Qingyuan’s hand and murmured, "This is perfect, just perfect..."

After they washed up, Nie Yan’s face was still flushed. He said, "I must go on this voyage. I hate to leave you."

Chu Qingyuan stayed quiet, pretending not to hear.

After a moment, he couldn’t help but ask, "Do you really have to go?"

Nie Yan replied, "I must go. But I’m careful with my life and will definitely return."

Chu Qingyuan thought about how loving and attentive Nie Yan had been before their marriage, and how he remained kind and thoughtful afterward. It was only this one matter that left Chu Qingyuan deeply upset.

After seeing Nie Yan off, Zheng Shanci felt much better after drinking the hangover remedy. Yu Lanyi lay on the bed reading a novel and said after some thought, "I spoke with Qingyuan, and he’s quite unhappy about Nie Yan going to sea."

Zheng Shanci replied, "Lord Nie isn’t pleased either, but Nie Yan insisted on going himself. I tried to persuade him, but he remained firm."

Yu Lanyi didn’t understand, "Why?"

Zheng Shanci, however, had some insight into Nie Yan’s thinking. He said, "Perhaps he wants to make a name for himself and not rely too much on his parents."

From another perspective, Nie Yan was determined, with his own goals that wouldn’t bend to others’ opinions.

Yu Lanyi thought about Nie Yan’s background and dropped the subject.

"By the way, your hand has healed. I’d like to go on a tour around the capital with Lv Jin and the others. I plan to leave in a few days."

Zheng Shanci was surprised, "So soon?"

"We’ve had this planned for a while, but it was delayed because of your hand injury." Yu Lanyi gently touched Zheng Shanci’s hand.

Zheng Shanci sighed, "Alright, but take more guards with you."

With his work obligations, Zheng Shanci only had one day off in five and couldn’t accompany Yu Lanyi properly.

"Don’t worry," Yu Lanyi said with a smile.

Zheng Shanci grabbed his hand, "Then I should get something sweet too."

Yu Lanyi turned red and shot him a look.

His pale skin turned pink at the slightest provocation.

He hooked his slender leg onto Zheng Shanci’s shoulder.

...

A few days later, Yu Lanyi was getting ready for his trip and planned to pack his own bags.

Zheng Shanci offered, "Let me help you pack."

Yu Lanyi immediately stopped what he was doing. "It’s so hot in summer, I need to bring more clothes."

Zheng Shanci agreed and packed five changes of clothes for him, folding them neatly. He also tucked toiletries from the vanity into the bag and packed three pairs of shoes separately.

He prepared two small packs.

Yu Lanyi eyed his bags skeptically, "Is this all I’m bringing?"

Zheng Shanci chuckled, "Everything was packed according to your requests. I even included the fresh linens you wanted."

"You packed way too efficiently."

Zheng Shanci: "...” That didn’t sound like praise.

Yu Lanyi leaped into his arms.

Zheng Shanci instinctively held him and couldn’t suppress a smile.

The next morning, Yu Lanyi, like Zheng Shanci, got up early for breakfast but was still sleepy. Xiao Pingan eyed him curiously, "You’re up early today, Dad."

"I'm going out to have fun and won't be home for the next few days," said Yu Lanyi.

Xiao Ping'an finished his porridge and asked, "So I won’t see Dad?"

Yu Lanyi: "Yep."

Xiao Ping'an clenched his fists. "When I grow up a bit, I want to go out and play with Dad too."

Yeah, yeah. Then I’ll be the one left watching the house alone.

Yu Lanyi patted Xiao Ping'an, who then carried his book bag and left for school.

After sending Yu Lanyi off in the carriage, Zheng Shanci also headed to his duties. The Armaments Directorate had recovered a million taels of silver, which Zheng Shanci ordered to be deposited. The monthly salary expenditure for capital officials was around 150,000 taels, totaling 1.8 million taels a year—these funds were untouchable. Additionally, several provinces had only paid half their taxes last year. The Emperor had given them six months’ leeway, but this year, the arrears had to be recovered.

Once the Ministry of Personnel finished cutting positions, some savings could be made.

Xiao Gaoyang submitted a memorial to the Emperor, then washed his hands of it, leaving all the problems to the Grand Secretariat and Minister Mei. The issue was transitioning from nominal to substantive positions—those holding nominal posts all had influential family backgrounds, and removing any of them would offend someone.

The Grand Secretariat kicked the problem to Minister Mei, stating that as the Minister of Personnel, he had his own ideas about official transfers and should draw up a list of cuts.

Seeing Minister Mei still troubled, Vice Minister Pei offered advice: "Minister Mei, you could play it straight. For instance, if a family holds multiple nominal posts, you could leave them one or two and dismiss the rest."

Afraid of offending people and being accused of bias, yet needing to fulfill the assigned task—otherwise, Minister Mei would face consequences—he decided it was better to save face while still getting the job done. After all, his own position mattered more than making enemies.

Minister Mei agreed it was a viable approach. In officialdom, one couldn’t be rigid; compromise was usually safest. He picked up his brush and wrote down the names, then had a minor official deliver the list to the Grand Secretariat that afternoon.

Upon receiving Minister Mei’s memorial, Chief Grand Secretary Wei didn’t make the decision alone. He summoned Second Grand Secretary Xiao and Grand Secretary Lei to hash it out together.

Second Grand Secretary Xiao found no fault with the memorial. "No complaints here."

Chief Grand Secretary Wei noticed names of imperial relatives on the list and hesitated.

"I find a few names inappropriate. These posts still need warm bodies," he said.

Second Grand Secretary Xiao saw that the names in question were all from the Xie family. "We could keep one or two more, but the rest must be removed. If the royals won’t toe the line, how can the court be convinced?"

"Grand Secretary Lei, what do you think?"

"You both have a point."

Chief Grand Secretary Wei: "..."

Second Grand Secretary Xiao: "..."

In the end, Wei and Xiao each compromised, reducing the number of imperial relatives by half before submitting the memorial to Emperor Wuming. The Emperor approved it at once, and the document eventually ended up in Zheng Shanci’s hands.

Many officials who lost their nominal posts would no longer receive salaries.

Those notified of their dismissal by the Ministry of Personnel were fuming, blaming Xiao Gaoyang for it. As for the imperial relatives who were removed, they dared not complain to Emperor Wuming. The Emperor had always used them when convenient, discarding them if not. If they appealed to kinship, he would simply have the Censorate dig up their past misdeeds.

In the end, it was always the relatives’ fault, and he would make a show of cutting them off, cementing his legacy as a model wise emperor.

The dismissed relatives kept their heads down, too afraid to protest.

As long as the imperial relatives didn’t stir trouble, the other officials in the capital couldn’t raise a stink. Their grievances had no footing, leaving them to seethe quietly.

When Zheng Shanci left work that day, he saw many officials exiting the imperial city with sullen expressions. Though they faked smiles and nods upon seeing him, their resentment simmered beneath the surface.

Returning home to find Yu Lanyi absent, Zheng Shanci was in low spirits. Xiao Ping'an had finished his homework, so Zheng Shanci took his son out to buy some novelties.

Little Ping'an dashed ahead, poking and prodding at things that caught his interest, only asking his dad to buy his absolute favorites.

"You didn’t used to be this way."

Little Ping'an looked up and said, "I kinda like everything, but if I have to keep it at home for a long time, only one or two things will do. A quick fancy fades once it’s gone. Like the cloth tiger—I used to love it, but now that I’m older, I don’t. But I still can’t toss it out. I don’t know why I can’t."

Unable to figure it out, Little Ping'an set the matter aside and ran off with a wind chime.

Zheng Shanci’s long legs made it easy to keep up with Little Ping'an.

That evening, father and son didn’t return home for dinner. Instead, they ate at a restaurant, wandered the night market after eating their fill, and then Zheng Shanci took Little Ping'an home to put him to bed.

Little Ping'an: "Alright then."

With nothing big going on at court, Zheng Shanci spent his time at the Ministry of Revenue pushing paperwork. Yu Lanyi headed out for some fun with Shi Geer, Mei Geer, and Lv Jin. Cui Xiuzhu’s father was away on official business, and his other father had passed, so he was left alone with his grandparents.

Who brings kids along for fun outings? It was always best to go alone for the most enjoyment.

They went boating, picked lotus roots, took in the sights, climbed mountains, and rented a manor to play in. They splashed around in the clear stream on the estate, and Yu Lanyi sat on a rock, kicking his legs.

Shi Geer, Mei Geer, and Lv Jin also enjoyed such days. With wealth and status, a little getaway did wonders for their moods.

Yu Lanyi’s eyes sparkled. "Wanna check out the Southern Breeze Pavilion?"

Shi Geer blushed but felt a stirring curiosity. "Isn’t that a bit improper?"

Lv Jin, who had known Yu Lanyi since childhood and was equally bold, eagerly agreed. "We’re just looking—no funny business."

Cui Ziqi had been to the Southern Breeze Pavilion before, but being a neat freak, he only went there on official business. When he served as Director of the Ministry of Punishments, he once ordered his subordinates to disguise themselves as boys. The rumor that Cui Ziqi hung around with the boys of the Southern Breeze Pavilion originated from that incident.

Mei Geer was also curious. "If we go, we must bring enough guards."

Safety was a concern.

After some discussion, they decided to visit the Southern Breeze Pavilion that very night. Back in Lan County, Yu Lanyi had been taken by Xu Geer to watch an indecent play, but the daytime performance on stage had been too crude. He hoped this visit to the Southern Breeze Pavilion would be more interesting.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Jiang Lanli hosted, inviting his close friends to his home for drinks. They indulged lightly, shooting the breeze over drinks.

"Tomorrow is a day off. Why don’t you all just stay here?"

Zheng Shanci declined. "I can’t just leave my kid home alone."

Xiao Gaoyang had parents at home, but he too was uneasy about leaving his child unattended and insisted on returning.

Jiang Lanli sighed in resignation. "Fine, let’s all disperse then."

Thus, the pillars of the court boarded their carriages and returned home to tend to their children.

Meanwhile, some of their husbands went off to enjoy themselves at the Southern Breeze Pavilion, not giving a second thought to their families.

Yu Lanyi and his companions dressed in men’s attire, fan in hand, and entered the Southern Breeze Pavilion. Shi Geer hurried after them, anxious not to be recognized as a boy.

The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by sultry tunes. A grand stage stood at the center, where boys and women danced gracefully, their slender figures swaying, revealing glimpses of pale thighs with every turn.

Yu Lanyi lowered his eyes in embarrassment, and Lv Jin and the others felt equally awkward.

A beautiful woman in her thirties noticed their group, accompanied by three sturdy guards, and immediately recognized them as wealthy young masters.

"Gentlemen, we have private rooms upstairs. You may choose whichever attendants you like to accompany you for drinks and songs."

Yu Lanyi raised an eyebrow with a smirk, placing the fan in his hand and putting on the full demeanor of a rake: "Then lead the way already—we're dying to go."

Someone hurriedly stepped forward to guide them to a private room, where the noise outside faded considerably. Tea and pastries were laid out on the table, though they had no intention of eating anything here, merely instructing the attendant to introduce a few talented male courtesans for amusement.

"What kind do you gentlemen prefer?"

"One charming, one refined, and another who can sing—let’s take three to start," Yu Lanyi decided after discussing with the others.

Once the attendant left, Yu Lanyi popped up from his chair, fanning himself. "This place doesn’t seem all that remarkable."

Mei Geer replied, "We’ll know once we meet the performers."

When the three male courtesans from Nanfengguan (Southern Breeze Pavilion) arrived and paid their respects, they indeed proved talented. Within half an hour, Yu Lanyi and the others couldn't take it anymore—they tossed some coins and bolted.

Yu Lanyi got more than he bargained for and resolved never to return.

The three courtesans at Nanfengguan (a male brothel) had long recognized them as fellow courtesans and had merely been teasing them. After strolling through the night market for a while, Yu Lanyi and the others turned in for the night.

Drowsiness overtook Yu Lanyi, and he didn't give Zheng Shanci another thought—yet Zheng Shanci was still thinking of him.

Had he returned home alone, he might have lingered on such thoughts, but with friends around, there was too much fun to be had, leaving no room to dwell on Zheng Shanci.

After seven days of revelry, they happily boarded their carriage back to the capital, already planning their next adventure together.