Chapter 99

Chapter 99

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Chapter 99: A Wicked Servant Breaks the Rules to Guard His Master's Reputation; An Old Uncle Alarms Himself by Reading the Gazette

When Xifeng saw Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue grieving over Daiyu, she said, "Let me tell a joke to Their Ladyships." Before she even began, she started laughing. "What joke do you suppose Their Ladyships have in mind? Why, it's about our two new sons-in-law and daughters-in-law!"

"What about them?" asked Grandmother Jia.

Xifeng gestured with her hands. "One sitting like this, and one standing like that. One turning away like this, and one turning around like that. And then one of them—"

By this point, Grandmother Jia burst out laughing. "Do tell it properly! It's not the two of them I can't stand—it's you, you're enough to drive a person to distraction!"

Aunt Xue also laughed. "Just go on and say it plainly, no more miming."

Xifeng continued, "Just now I went to Brother Bao's room and I saw several people laughing. I wondered who it was, so I pressed my eye to the window lattice and peeked in. There was Sister Bao sitting on the edge of the kang, and Brother Bao standing on the floor. Brother Bao was tugging at Sister Bao's sleeve, saying over and over, 'Sister Bao, why have you stopped speaking? Just say one sentence like that and I promise I'll be completely cured!' But Sister Bao kept turning her head away, trying to hide. Brother Bao made a bow and stepped forward to grab her clothes again. Sister Bao was so flustered she gave a yank, and Brother Bao, being weak on his feet after his illness, simply fell forward—plop—right on top of Sister Bao. Sister Bao turned crimson and said, 'You've become even more disrespectful than before!'"

At this, both Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue laughed.

Xifeng went on, "Brother Bao stood up and said with a smile, 'It's a good thing I fell—after all that trouble, I've finally managed to get a word out of you.'"

Aunt Xue laughed. "That's just Sister Bao being peculiar. What's the harm? Now that they're a married couple, what's wrong with chatting and laughing together? She hasn't seen how your Second Brother Lian and I carry on."

Xifeng said with a smile, "What's this? I told a joke to cheer up Aunt Xue, and instead she throws it right back at me!"

Grandmother Jia also laughed. "That's how it ought to be. Husband and wife should certainly be harmonious, but there must also be propriety. What I love about Sister Bao is precisely this sense of respect. But I'm worried Baoyu is still so foolish and muddle-headed—from the sound of it, he's become much more sensible than before. Tell me, do you have any more jokes?"

Xifeng said, "After Baoyu consummates his marriage tomorrow, and the mother-in-law holds her grandson—won't that be an even better joke?"

Grandmother Jia laughed. "You monkey! Here I am with Lady Xue missing your Sister Lin, and you come along and tease us besides—how dare you be so shameless! If you don't let us miss your Sister Lin, you'd better not be too pleased with yourself. Your Sister Lin resents you—in the future, don't go to the garden alone, or beware of her grabbing you and not letting go."

Xifeng laughed. "She doesn't resent me. On her deathbed, gnashing her teeth, it was Baoyu she resented."

Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue thought she was just joking and paid no attention. They said, "Stop talking nonsense. Go and have the servants pick an auspicious day outside for consummating Brother Bao's marriage."

Xifeng went off, selected an auspicious date, and once again set out wine, invited actors, and summoned the relatives and friends. But no more of this.

Though Baoyu had now recovered from his illness, Baochai sometimes took up a book to read for pleasure, and when they talked about such things, he could still remember the common things he saw every day, but as for his native wit, he was far from being as quick and lively as before. Even he himself could not understand it. Baochai knew well that this was because he had lost his Magic Jade. Xiren often reproached him, "Why have you forgotten all your former cleverness? It would be better if you forgot your old faults too, but why is your temper still the same as ever, and why are you even more muddled about matters of principle?" Baoyu was not angry when he heard this; on the contrary, he just grinned. Sometimes when Baoyu acted on impulse and made trouble, it was thanks to Baochai's persuasion that he somewhat restrained himself in various matters. This saved Xiren a good deal of talking, and she devoted herself entirely to waiting on him. The other maids, who had always admired Baochai's chastity, composure, and gentleness, were all inwardly contented and caused no disturbance. Only Baoyu was by nature fond of activity and averse to stillness, and he often wanted to stroll in the garden. Lady Jia and the others, for one thing, feared he might be affected by cold or heat, and for another, they dreaded that the sight of familiar scenes might stir his feelings. Although Daiyu's coffin had been placed in a temple outside the city, Xiaoxiang Hall still stood, its occupant gone but its rooms remaining, and this could not but bring back his old illness. So they did not let him go. Moreover, among the relatives and cousins, Xue Baoqin had returned to Aunt Xue's side; Shi Xiangyun, because the Marquis of Shi had returned to the capital, had also been fetched home, and as she now had a wedding date, she did not come very often. She had only come twice—on the day of Baoyu's wedding and on the day of the wedding feast—and had stayed only with Lady Jia. Since Baoyu was already a married man, and she herself was about to be married, she no longer indulged in the jesting and laughter of former days. Even when she came, she spoke only with Baochai, and when she saw Baoyu, she merely greeted him. As for Xing Xiuyang, after Yingchun's marriage she had gone with Lady Xing. The Li sisters also lived elsewhere; even when they came with Aunt Li, they merely paid their respects to the ladies and the young ladies, then went back to Li Wan's place to stay for a day or two before leaving. So the only ones left in the garden were Li Wan, Tanchun, and Xichun. Lady Jia still intended to move Li Wan and the others back in, but after Yuanchun's death, one thing after another had happened in the family, and there had been no leisure to attend to it. Now that the weather was growing hotter by the day, the garden was still habitable; they would move them in the autumn. But this is a matter for later, and we shall say no more about it for now.

Now, Jia Zheng had taken with him several secretaries he had engaged in the capital. They travelled by day and rested by night, and in due course arrived in the province. After paying his respects to his superiors, he went to his office and received the seal of authority, and began to examine the granaries of the various prefectures and districts under his jurisdiction.

Hitherto Jia Zheng had been an official in the capital, and was only familiar with the routine of the Department of Works. His only experience as a provincial commissioner had been as an examiner, which had nothing to do with the general administration. Consequently, though he had heard others speak of the evils of the system of grain levies and the extortion practised by local officials on the people, he had never had personal experience of such matters. All he could do was to set his heart on being a good official, and, in consultation with his advisers, issue a strict prohibition against these abuses, warning the local authorities that offenders would be reported and punished. At first the underlings were frightened and tried every means to circumvent him, but they had not reckoned on Jia Zheng's obstinate character. His retainers, who had had no opportunities to make money while he was in the capital, had eagerly anticipated his appointment to a provincial post. In Peking they had borrowed money on the strength of his going out to a lucrative post, bought clothes, and made themselves smart, expecting that once he was in office money would easily come in. But to their dismay this master of theirs had taken it into his head to be scrupulously honest, and refused to accept any presents from the local officials. The doorkeepers and clerks said to ourselves, "If we hang on for another half month, we shall have pawned all our clothes, and the moneylenders will be pressing us for payment. What are we to do? Here are piles of silver within sight, but we cannot get our hands on it!" The personal attendants also grumbled, "You gentlemen haven't laid out any capital, but we are the ones who have been done. We spent a good sum to buy the right to be doorkeepers, and we have been here over a month without seeing a single cash. It's clear that with this master there's no chance of recouping our outlay. Tomorrow we will all hand in our notices together." The next day, sure enough, they came in a body to ask for their dismissal. Not knowing the reason, Jia Zheng said, "It was you who wanted to come, and now you want to go. Since you find this place unsatisfactory, you are free to leave." The personal attendants went off with many a curse. Only the family servants were left, and they discussed the matter among themselves. "The others have been able to leave, but we can't. We must think of some way out." One of the gatekeepers, named Li Shier, said, "You poor creatures, why are you in such a flap? I know how to handle these fellows. Now that they have all starved and run away, you will see what your Tenth Master can do. The master will have to listen to me. All I ask is that you work together with me so that we can make some money to take home. If you won't follow my lead, I won't bother about you either—I can get along without you." They all cried, "Good Tenth Master, you are the one the master trusts. If you don't take charge of things, we are done for." "Mind you," said Li Shier, "don't let me get some money and then grumble that I have taken the lion's share, and start squabbling among yourselves. That would be too bad." "You may rest easy," they replied. "Nothing of the sort will happen. Even a little would be better than having to dip into our own pockets." Just then a clerk from the grain office came looking for Second Master Zhou. Li Shier, sitting in a chair with one leg crossed and his waist thrust forward, said, "What do you want with him?" The clerk stood at attention with a smile on his face. "Our new prefect has been in office over a month now. The local magistrates, seeing how strict his proclamations are, know that he is not an easy man to deal with, and none of them have opened their granaries. If the tribute grain is missed, what will our masters be doing here?" "Don't talk nonsense," said Li Shier. "The master is a man of principle. When he says a thing, he does it. He was about to send out orders to press for payment, but at my suggestion he has held off for a few days. What do you want with Second Master Zhou?" "I only came to ask about the matter of pressing for payment," said the clerk. "Nothing else." "That's even more nonsense," said Li Shier. "I only just mentioned pressing for payment, and you start talking wildly. Don't come sneaking around here talking about accounts. I'll have the master beat you and dismiss you." "My family has been in this yamen for three generations," said the clerk. "We have some standing outside too, and our household is well enough off. If I serve our prefect honestly until he gets a promotion, that will be something. We are not like those who are waiting for their next meal." With that he said, "Second Master, I'll be going." Li Shier stood up and said with a forced smile, "You can't take a joke—you get angry over a few words." "It's not that I'm angry," said the clerk, "but if you say any more, won't it compromise Second Master Zhou's good name?" Li Shier came over and took the clerk's hand. "What is your honourable surname?" "I am not worthy to tell you," said the clerk. "My surname is Zhan, and my given name is Hui. I spent some years in the capital when I was young." "Mr. Zhan, I have long heard of your reputation," said Li Shier. "We are all brothers here. Come and see me this evening, and we will have a chat." "Everyone knows what a capable man Tenth Master Li is," said the clerk. "You frightened the life out of me with a little bluff." They parted with a laugh. That evening Li Shier had a long talk with the clerk, and the next day he tried to sound out Jia Zheng, who gave him a severe scolding.

The next day, when he went to pay calls, orders were given inside, and the servants outside acknowledged them. After a pause, the watch had already been struck three times, but no one came to receive the drum in the main hall. With great difficulty, someone was summoned to beat the drum. Jia Zheng strolled out of the warm chamber; among the guards of honor who lined the way, only one was present. Jia Zheng made no inquiry. He mounted his sedan chair on the terrace below, and then waited a long time for the bearers. When they had all assembled, the chair was carried out of the yamen. The cannon fired only once, and in the drumming and piping pavilion there was but one drummer and one man to blow the horn. Jia Zheng said angrily: "Usually things are passable enough, but why is everyone so uncollected today?" He raised his eyes and looked at the retinue—they were straggling ahead and behind. After paying his calls with difficulty and returning, he ordered the tardy ones to be beaten. Some said they had been delayed because they lacked hats; others said their official uniforms had been pawned; still others said they had had nothing to eat for three days and could not lift their arms. Jia Zheng, angry, had one or two beaten, and then let the matter drop.

The next day, the steward of the kitchen came to ask for money. Jia Zheng paid him from the silver he had brought along.

Afterward, everything went contrary to his wishes, and he found it much more inconvenient than when he had been in the capital. Unable to help himself, he summoned Shi'er and said: "How is it that all the men who came with me have changed? You must keep them in order. The silver I brought has long been exhausted, and the salary from the provincial treasury is not yet due. We must send to the capital for funds." Shi'er replied: "This servant has not failed to speak to them every day, but for some reason all these men are so listless that this servant is at a loss. You speak of fetching silver from home—how much should we request? This servant has heard that the military governor's yamen has a birthday these few days. The other prefects and intendants have sent presents of a thousand or ten thousand taels. How much should we send?" Jia Zheng said: "Why was I not told earlier?" Shi'er said: "You are most sagacious. We are newly arrived and have not had much intercourse with the other gentlemen. Who would be willing to give us the information? They would be only too happy if you did not go, so that they might covet your lucrative post." Jia Zheng said: "Nonsense. This office was given me by the Emperor. If I do not send a birthday present to the military governor, does that mean I cannot hold my post?" Shi'er replied with a smile: "What you say is not wrong either. The capital is very far from here, and all matters are reported to the Emperor through the military governor. If he says it is good, it is good; if he says it is not good, one cannot stand the consequences. By the time the truth is known, it is already too late. Even the Old Lady and the Ladies—who would not wish you to serve abroad with brilliance and distinction?" Hearing these words, Jia Zheng naturally understood in his heart. He said: "I was just about to ask you—why do they all speak this way?" Shi'er replied: "This servant did not dare to speak. But since you have asked, if I do not speak, I am ungrateful; and if I do, you will be angry." Jia Zheng said: "Speak, as long as it is reasonable." Shi'er said: "Those clerks and runners all paid money to buy their appointments in the grain intendant's yamen. Who among them does not wish to grow rich? They all have families to support. Since you arrived at your post, instead of rendering service to the country, you have first gained a reputation for virtue." Jia Zheng said: "What do the people say?" Shi'er said: "The people say that whenever a new official arrives, the more severe his proclamations, the more surely he is scheming to get money. The magistrates and prefects are afraid, and so they send a great deal of silver. When the grain is collected, the yamen people talk of the new intendant's strict orders and make a show of not daring to take money, but they create delays and difficulties. The villagers are willing to spend a few coppers to get the matter over with quickly. So these people do not praise you, but say you do not understand the common people's ways. Even the head of our own family, your closest friend, who in a few years rose to the very top, succeeded only because he understood the times and was able to keep harmony with his superiors and inferiors." Hearing this, Jia Zheng said: "Nonsense. Do I not understand the times? If keeping harmony with superiors and inferiors means sleeping in the same bed with cats and rats, then I refuse." Shi'er replied: "This servant could not conceal this loyal thought, and so I speak thus. If you insist on acting this way, and the time comes when you achieve neither merit nor fame, you will again say this servant is ungrateful for not telling you." Jia Zheng said: "According to you, what should I do?" Shi'er said: "There is nothing else to be done. Taking advantage of your vigor and years, the support within the family, and the Old Lady's robust health, you should look out for yourself. Otherwise, in less than a year, the money from your household will all have been used to make up deficiencies, and you will have earned the complaints of everyone from top to bottom. They will all say that since you are serving abroad, you have naturally made money and are hoarding it for your own use. If you encounter a difficult matter, who will be willing to help you? By then, things will be beyond settlement, and regrets will come too late." Jia Zheng said: "According to you, you want me to be a corrupt official? Losing my life would be a small matter—I would certainly wipe out the meritorious service of my ancestors." Shi'er replied: "You are a most sagacious man. Have you not seen the several officials who were brought to justice last year? These were all close friends of yours, and you often said they were honest officials. Where are their reputations now? As for several relatives whom you always said were no good, some have been promoted and some have transferred to better posts. It is only a matter of doing the right thing. You must understand: the people must be considered, and the officials must also be considered. If you insist that the magistrates and prefects not obtain a single large sum, who will manage the outside business? As long as you maintain your reputation for honesty on the outside, the compromises within can be left to this servant. They will not implicate you. This servant has followed you for some time and must at last show his loyalty." Jia Zheng, having been spoken to in this way by Shi'er, felt his resolve waver. He said: "I wish to preserve your lives. If you create trouble, it has nothing to do with me." With that, he paced inside.

Li Shier then began to throw his weight around, pulling strings both inside and outside the yamen to coax Jia Zheng into conducting affairs, and everything seemed to go smoothly and to his satisfaction. As a result, Jia Zheng not only harbored no suspicions but placed even greater trust in him. Whenever reports were submitted to the higher authorities, Jia Zheng's superiors, seeing that he was simple and loyal, made no investigations. Only the private secretaries had the keenest eyes and ears; when they saw what was happening, they seized every opportunity to offer remonstrances, but to their frustration Jia Zheng would not listen. Some resigned their posts, while others who were on good terms with Jia Zheng remained to support him. And so, when the grain transport business was concluded, no disaster had yet befallen them.

One day, Jia Zheng had nothing to do and was reading in his study. His desk presented him with a letter, the outer official envelope of which bore the inscription: "One document from the Office of the Governor-General of Haimen and other places, forwarded by express to the Office of the Grain Intendant of Jiangxi." Jia Zheng broke the seal and read, which said:

Though our bond is in Jinling, our love for our native place runs deep. When I came to the capital to take up my post last year, I rejoiced to have the privilege of remaining at your side. In your gracious kindness, you allowed us to pledge our children to each other, and to this day I wear your favor with unforgetting gratitude. Only because I was transferred to the coastal frontier did I not dare to press my suit prematurely, and in my heart I lamented that fate had denied us the chance. Now, joyfully, your banner arrives from afar, fulfilling the wish of a lifetime. As I was about to offer my congratulations, your letter came first, shedding light on my frontier tent and making this soldier raise his hands in gratitude. Though separated by vast oceans, I still enjoy your sheltering shade. I trust you will not disdain one so humble, and I hope to attach myself as the ivy to the oak. My son has already received your kind regard, and my daughter has long admired your fragrant virtue. If you will honor your promise, I shall at once send a go-between. Though the road is long, a single stretch of water connects us. I dare not speak of a hundred chariots for the wedding, but I shall prepare a fairy boat to await her. I write this brief note to congratulate you on your promotion and to beg your approval. Upon reading this, I cannot contain my anticipation of your reply. Your younger brother, Zhou Qiong, bows his head.

After reading this, Jia Zheng thought to himself, "So the marriages of children are indeed predestined. Last year, when I saw him appointed to a post in the capital, being a fellow townsman and one with whom I had always been on good terms, and finding that his son was handsome, I had originally raised the matter at the banquet. But as nothing was settled, I did not mention it to anyone. Later he was transferred to the coastal frontier, and everyone let the matter drop. I did not expect that I would be promoted to this post and that he would write to inquire about it. Their family status seems quite suitable, and a match with Tanchun would be appropriate. But I have not brought my family with me, so I can only write to discuss it with him." He was just deliberating when a messenger brought in a document from the provincial office regarding a matter to be discussed at a meeting in the provincial capital. Jia Zheng had no choice but to put his affairs in order and go up to the province to await the military governor's assignment.

One day, sitting idle in his official residence, he saw a pile of papers on his desk. Jia Zheng looked through them one by one and came upon a memorial from the Board of Punishments that began: "A report on a clear matter. We have reviewed the case of Xue Pan, a merchant of Jinling..." Jia Zheng was alarmed. "Good heavens! A memorial has already been submitted!" He read on carefully. It concerned "the case of Xue Pan beating Zhang San to death, and conspiring with the witnesses to falsely testify that it was a killing by mistake." Jia Zheng struck the table. "It's over!" He had no choice but to continue reading. Below it was written:

According to the report from the Metropolitan Garrison Commander: Xue Pan, registered in Jinling, passed through Taiping County and lodged at the Li Family Inn. He had no prior acquaintance with Zhang San, a waiter at the inn. On a certain date, Xue Pan ordered the innkeeper to prepare wine and invited Wu Liang, a commoner of Taiping County, to drink with him, and told the waiter Zhang San to fetch the wine. Finding the wine unsatisfactory, Xue Pan ordered it to be replaced with good wine. Zhang San said that the wine had already been measured out and could not be exchanged. Xue Pan, because of his obstinosity, dashed the wine in his face. The force was unexpectedly great, and it happened that Zhang San had lowered his head to pick up his chopsticks. By a mischance, the wine bowl struck Zhang San on the crown of his head, breaking the skin and drawing blood, and he died shortly thereafter. The innkeeper Li was too late to save him, and went to inform Zhang San's mother. His mother, Widow Zhang, went to see him and, finding him already dead, cried out and reported the matter to the local constable, who took it to the county office. The former acting county magistrate conducted an autopsy. The coroner recorded a bone fracture of one inch and three-tenths and a wound at the lower back, but these were omitted from the report and the forms were filled out for review by the prefecture and forwarded for review. It was found that Xue Pan had indeed dashed the wine by mistake, and the bowl had accidentally struck Zhang San, causing his death. Xue Pan was sentenced according to the law on negligent homicide, with the crime of killing in a fight, and was allowed to pay a ransom, etc. We, your ministers, have carefully reviewed the statements of the accused, witnesses, and the deceased's relatives, which are inconsistent before and after, and we have examined the annotation to the Law on Killing in a Fight, which says: 'Mutual contention is a fight, mutual striking is a beating. Only when there is truly no situation of contention and the death is accidental can it be ruled as negligent homicide.' It is appropriate to order the said military governor to ascertain the true facts and draft a proper memorial. Now, according to the military governor's report: Xue Pan, because Zhang San refused to change the wine, while drunk, grabbed Zhang San's right hand and first punched him in the lower back. Zhang San, having been beaten, cursed back, and Xue Pan threw the bowl, causing a severe wound to the crown of his head, shattering the bone and breaking the brain, and he died instantly. Zhang San's death was in fact caused by Xue Pan's heavy injury from the wine bowl, and Xue Pan should accordingly be held liable. Xue Pan is to be sentenced to strangulation with imprisonment pending execution according to the Law on Killing in a Fight, and Wu Liang is to be sentenced to beating and penal servitude. The prefecture, subprefecture, and county that conducted the trial improperly should be requested...

Below was written: "This draft is incomplete."

Jia Zheng, having once recommended a county magistrate at Aunt Xue's request, was deeply anxious that if the case were brought up for imperial investigation, he himself would be implicated. He immediately opened the next volume to check, but it was not the one he feared. He went through the reports over and over again, yet nowhere could find the case he was looking for. His doubts and suspicions grew stronger, and with them his alarm. Just as he was brooding over this, Li Shier came in. "Please, Master, the yamen is waiting for you at the office hall. The governor's office has already struck the second watch of the night."

Jia Zheng sat in a daze and did not hear him. Li Shier repeated the message.

Jia Zheng said, "What am I to do?"

Li Shier asked, "What is troubling you, Master?"

Jia Zheng told him about reading the reports. Li Shier said, "Set your mind at ease, Master. If the Board has indeed taken this action, that would be letting Master Xue off cheaply. While I was in the capital, I heard that Master Xue, in his shop, had summoned quite a number of women, and when they were all drunk, there was a disturbance—he beat the shop manager to death. I heard that not only did he get the county magistrate to intervene, but he also asked Master Lian the Second to spend a great deal of money greasing the palms of every yamen before the case was brought up. It seems the Board was not fully informed. Even if the whole thing comes to light, officials protect one another. The worst that can happen is that the magistrate in charge will be found to have conducted the case improperly and be dismissed from his post. They would never admit to having taken a bribe and shown favor. Don't trouble yourself, Master—let me make further inquiries. Don't neglect your duties to your superiors."

Jia Zheng said, "You people don't understand. What I regret is that the county magistrate, for the sake of showing favor, has lost his office entirely—and we don't even know whether he will be charged with a crime."

Li Shier said, "There is no use worrying about him now. They have been waiting outside for a long time. Please go, Master."

Jia Zheng did not know what orders the provincial administration had to transmit. Let us see what happens in the next chapter.

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