Chapter Seventy-Six: The Arrival of Yuan Chonghuan

On the nineteenth day of the first month in the second year of the Celestial Enlightenment era, a thin, dark man in his thirties walked unhurriedly into the capital with his hands clasped behind his back. Behind him, a young page carrying a chest stared at the bustling streets and the endless stream of people, then asked in blank astonishment, "Master, why are there so many people in the capital? There are far more than in our county town."

The man smiled and said, "This is the foremost place under heaven. How could it be compared with our Shaowu? Xiaofu, since we have come this time, we shall not leave again."

"But didn't Master come here to pay court respects? Is Master going to be promoted? That would be wonderful. Xiaofu never wants to go back to that wretched place in Shaowu again. If Master is an official in the capital, Xiaofu can stay in the capital too. How wonderful!"

The man only smiled with quiet confidence. After finding an inn and leaving their luggage there, he changed into official robes and went to the Hanlin Secretariat, presenting a visiting card to request an audience with Assistant Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong.

After the porter had taken the card inside, he soon came back out and led him in. The moment Yuan Chonghuan saw Sun Chengzong, he dropped to his knees at once and bowed his head again and again, saying, "Chonghuan pays respects to my revered teacher! Your excellent health is truly a blessing to the nation."

Sun Chengzong stepped forward to help him up, studied him for a moment, and said, "Yuan is still so thin. It seems the waters of Fujian do not nourish a man very well either, heh heh. Come, sit, sit."

After the servant had brought tea, and the two had exchanged courtesies, Sun Chengzong asked, "Yuan has done well these past three years in Shaowu. Now that you have come to the capital, you should be promoted. I wonder which ministry you would like to enter?"

Yuan Chonghuan replied respectfully, "While serving as magistrate in Shaowu, I often studied military books and spoke with many old soldiers. I dare say I have a shallow understanding of military affairs. Now that the Manchu tribes are running rampant, I wish to achieve merit on the frontier and help the court sweep them away."

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "Your teacher also wishes to serve on the frontier. It is excellent that you think this way. Tonight I shall invite a few people, and we can share a meal together."

That evening, at the Spring Breeze Tower, Sun Chengzong invited Censor Hou Xun of the Shanxi circuit, Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief Wang Qia, and Left Commissioner of Communication Liu Zongzhou. After the five exchanged greetings, they sat down. Sun Chengzong said, "This is my student Yuan Chonghuan, courtesy name Yuan Su. His three-year term as magistrate has been completed, and his performance was excellent. This time he has returned to the capital for court attendance, and I have specially asked all of you fellow senior brothers to look after him."

Liu Zongzhou smiled and said, "What has Yuan in mind? The Ministry of Personnel's Civil Appointments Office and Merit Assessment Office each happen to have a vacancy for a section chief."

The Ministry of Personnel was the foremost of the Six Ministries. Yuan Chonghuan had only just finished a term as county magistrate, yet Liu Zongzhou actually wanted to make him section chief in the Civil Appointments Office, the very first bureau of the Ministry of Personnel. And from his tone, it sounded as effortless as reading a pattern on the palm of one's hand, so that even Yuan Chonghuan could not help feeling somewhat tempted. But being a man of firm will, he still suppressed the lure of the Civil Appointments Office and said, "Chonghuan wishes to win merit on the frontier and annihilate the Manchu tribes, restoring peace to Liaodong."

Wang Qia said, "The situation in Liaodong is unclear at present. With Wang Huazhen there, even if Yuan goes, it will not change matters. If anything happens in Liaodong, it would be a waste for all of you to be buried there. Better to remain in the capital."

Seeing that Yuan Chonghuan's expression did not change, Hou Xun knew his resolve was fixed, and so he smiled and said, "Liaodong is in grave danger. But since Yuan is intent on it, why not first enter the Ministry of War and wait until the situation in Liaodong becomes clear? That would not be too late."

Yuan Chonghuan bowed in thanks. "What Lord Hou says is exactly what I desire. I ask only that you, my honored teachers, give me your support."

Liu Zongzhou laughed heartily. "We are all of the Donglin line. Yuan, speaking like that makes you sound an outsider. Since you are fond of military affairs, then enter the Ministry of War."

Sun Chengzong frowned, then soon relaxed again. Together they began to drink and converse. Speaking of recent court affairs, Liu Zongzhou said, "There was already the Precious Source Office and the Precious Spring Office, and now another mint has been established. Is this not simply an attempt to divert the profits from coinage into the inner treasury? To compete with the people for profit in this way is truly to outdo one's father and surpass one's ancestors!"

Sun Chengzong frowned again and said, "The Precious Source Office mints no more than twenty thousand taels a year in profit, and the coins grow smaller and worse with every casting. His Majesty even asked me about it last time, and I had no good answer. Brother Qizhong ought to advise your colleagues at the Precious Source Office to understand the Emperor's intention to close the accounts."

Liu Zongzhou's face changed at once, and he was about to flare up, but after thinking it over he held himself back and said, "What Brother Zhisheng says is quite right. Some of the men below have indeed gone too far. Tomorrow I shall write to warn them to behave more properly."

Wang Qia said, "I will also write to Southern Zhili and instruct my worthless younger brother to have the silver accounts reconciled for inspection."

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "His Majesty is incomparably wise and can discern great things from the smallest signs, unlike the late Emperor. Those who wish to deceive His Majesty had best not end up losing their heads without even knowing why."

Liu Zongzhou said, "His Majesty is naturally sagely and enlightened, though compared with the late Emperor he may still fall short. When the late Emperor ascended the throne, he promoted our Donglin worthies, and for a time all was upright beneath the court. Yet when His Majesty inherited the throne, despite our merit in supporting his accession, even that one from Zhezong could not be driven away. How hateful, how lamentable!" With that he drank a large mouthful of wine, but accidentally choked. Yuan Chonghuan immediately stepped forward and gently rubbed his back with his hand, preventing him from spitting the wine out.

Sun Chengzong shook his head slightly. The others all changed the subject, no longer speaking of state affairs but turning instead to matters of pleasure and romance. Only when the hour of the pig had passed did the gathering break up, each man leaving content.

After Sun Chengzong and Yuan Chonghuan saw the guests downstairs and went to settle the bill, Yuan Chonghuan said, "How could I dare let my teacher spend money? I have already paid."

Sun Chengzong said, "Since I have already said it is my treat, how could I let you pay? You have only just arrived in the capital; you should know that life here is not easy. Tell me how much silver it was, and I shall cover it."

Yuan Chonghuan said somewhat awkwardly, "Teacher invited this meal for my sake, so of course it ought to be my expense." Seeing Sun Chengzong's expression darken, he hurriedly amended himself. "In all, it was seven taels of silver."

Sun Chengzong had his servant take out fourteen silver coins and hand them to Yuan Chonghuan, then ordered the servant to withdraw. In a grave voice he said, "Yuan is talented; your teacher knows this well. But if you enter the Ministry of War, you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to your task, say less grandiose talk, and do more practical things. Keep this firmly in mind, firmly in mind!" With that, he waved a hand and left by himself.

Yuan Chonghuan's face flushed red and then white again. He could only answer with deference, escorting his teacher carefully downstairs. After watching the sedan chair carry him away, he let out a breath and muttered under his breath, "Just wait and see, Teacher."