The Brocade-Clad Guards Search the Ning-guo House; The Piebald-Horse Censor Impeaches Ping’an Prefecture

Jia Zheng was at home giving a banquet for guests when Lai Da suddenly hurried into the Rongxi Hall and reported to Jia Zheng: “Lord Zhao of the Brocade-Clad Guard Office has come with several officials, saying he wishes to pay a visit. Your servant was about to announce him with an official card, but Lord Zhao said we are on good terms and there is no need for such formalities. He got down from his carriage and walked straight in. The master and the young gentlemen had better go out quickly to receive him.”

Jia Zheng was puzzled. “I have ordinarily had no dealings with Lord Zhao. Why has he suddenly come? Now the household is in the middle of a banquet. It is not convenient to keep him, yet not to keep him would be improper.” As he was wondering, Jia Lian urged him: “Uncle, go quickly. If you delay any longer, he will have walked into the house.” Before he had finished speaking, a servant from the second gate came running in and reported, “Lord Zhao has already entered the second gate.”

Jia Zheng and the others hurried forward to receive him. They saw this Lord Zhao with a face full of smiles, saying little, walking straight toward the main hall. Behind him followed five or six officials, some known, some unknown, all silent. Jia Zheng was greatly uneasy and could only accompany him inside and ask him to be seated. Among the relatives and friends present there were some who knew Lord Zhao. They saw him hold his head high and treat people coldly, only taking Jia Zheng’s hand and exchanging a few polite words. The others sensed that something was wrong. Some hid in the inner rooms; others stood with hands at their sides, not daring to make a sound.

Jia Zheng was just about to smile and chat with him when a servant ran in in a panic and reported, “Prince Xiping has arrived!” Jia Zheng hurried out to receive him. The prince had already entered the courtyard. Lord Zhao stepped forward quickly to pay his respects and at once gave orders: “His Highness has arrived. All the officials in attendance, take your runners at once and guard the front and rear gates.” The officials answered and withdrew to carry out the order.

Jia Zheng and the others knew that great disaster had come. They quickly knelt to receive the prince. Prince Xiping raised Jia Zheng up with both hands and said kindly, “I would not have dared come to your door without a great matter. Today I act on the emperor’s decree. I am to receive Jia She’s compliance with the imperial decree. The banquet is not yet over, and it is not convenient for the relatives and friends present to remain. Let all the relatives and friends withdraw first. Only the members of this household are to remain and await instructions.”

Lord Zhao said to one side, “His Highness is generous and gracious, but as for the East Mansion of Ning-guo, this prince has always been strict in handling matters. No doubt he has already sealed the gates there.” The people present understood that both the Rong and Ning houses were implicated. They wished only to escape at once. The prince smiled and said, “Everyone may go. Someone see them out. Tell the officials of the Brocade-Clad Guard that these are all guests and friends. They are not to be searched or questioned. Let them leave quickly.”

When the relatives and friends heard this, they fled like a puff of smoke. Only Jia She, Jia Zheng, and their people remained, frightened out of their wits and trembling all over.

Before long a great crowd of official runners rushed in and guarded every gate. No one in the household, high or low, was allowed to move a step. Lord Zhao at once put on a stern face and said to the prince, “May Your Highness read the imperial decree, and then we may begin the search.” The runners rolled up their sleeves and bared their arms, waiting only for the decree. Prince Xiping spoke slowly: “I, in accordance with the emperor’s decree, bring Zhao Quan of the Brocade-Clad Guard Office to search and confiscate the property of Jia She.” When Jia She and the others heard this, they all fell flat on the ground.

The prince stood in the main hall and read the decree: “By imperial decree: Jia She has colluded with provincial officials, relied on power to oppress the weak, betrayed imperial grace, and disgraced the merit of his ancestors. He is stripped of his hereditary office. Respect this.”

Lord Zhao shouted again and again, “Seize Jia She! Guard all the rest!”

At that time Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, Jia Qiang, Jia Zhi, and Jia Lan were all in the hall. Only Baoyu had pretended illness and remained with Grandmother Jia. Jia Huan seldom came out to meet outsiders, so those present were all taken under guard. Lord Zhao ordered his men, “Call together all officials and runners. Search every room separately and register the property.” At this command, everyone in the Jia household looked at one another in terror. The runners, rubbing their hands, were about to search everywhere.

Prince Xiping said, “I hear that although Jia She and Jia Zheng live in the same compound, they have already divided their households. According to the decree, only Jia She’s property should be searched. The other buildings are first to be sealed. When we return to the palace and report, we will await further imperial instruction.” Lord Zhao rose and objected: “May it please Your Highness, Jia She and Jia Zheng have not formally divided the family. I hear their nephew Jia Lian now manages the household affairs. All should be searched.” Prince Xiping said nothing. Lord Zhao added, “The two places, Jia Lian’s and Jia She’s, should be searched by me with my men.” Prince Xiping said, “There is no hurry. First send word to the women in the inner quarters to withdraw. It will not be too late to search afterward.”

Before he had finished speaking, the servants and runners brought by Lord Zhao had already dragged members of the Jia household along as guides and were searching everywhere. The prince sternly rebuked them: “No shouting or clamor! Wait until I inspect in person.” Then he rose slowly and instructed his own attendants: “None of my people are to move anything. All stand here and wait. Later we will register everything together.”

Just then an official of the Brocade-Clad Guard knelt and reported, “In the inner quarters we have found clothes of imperial pattern and many forbidden articles. We dare not handle them on our own. We await Your Highness’s instruction.” A little later another group stopped the prince and reported, “In the east side courtyard we found two boxes of title deeds for land and houses, and one box of loan contracts—all evidence of illegal usury.” Lord Zhao at once said, “What fine usury! All should be confiscated! Let Your Highness sit here. I will finish searching everything and then await orders.”

At this moment the prince’s chief secretary came to report, “The gate guards send word that the emperor has especially sent Prince Bejing here to read an imperial decree. May Your Highness go to receive it.” Lord Zhao was secretly pleased. “I am unlucky to have met a prince like Xiping, who is all for face. Now that Prince Bejing has come, I can act freely.” Thinking thus, he went out to receive him.

Prince Bejing entered the main hall and stood outside to read the decree: “By imperial decree: Let Zhao Quan of the Brocade-Clad Guard Office take only Jia She away for questioning. All other matters are to be handled by Prince Xiping in accordance with the decree. Respect this.”

Prince Xiping received the decree and was delighted. He sat down together with Prince Bejing and ordered Lord Zhao to take Jia She back to the yamen.

When the runners searching the inner quarters heard that Prince Bejing had come, they all withdrew to the main hall. Hearing that Lord Zhao had gone, they were all dejected and stood to one side awaiting orders. Prince Bejing selected two officials who were honest and experienced, then chose a dozen or so older, steadier runners. All the rest were driven out. Prince Xiping said, “I was just angered to death by Zhao Quan. Fortunately Your Highness came with the decree, or the Jia household would have suffered greatly.”

Prince Bejing said, “At court I heard that Your Highness had been ordered to search the Jia household. I was at ease, thinking the family would not be excessively persecuted. I did not expect Zhao Quan to act so wildly. I do not know where Jia Zheng and Baoyu are now, or how the inner quarters have been thrown into confusion.” A servant reported, “Jia Zheng and the others are under guard in the side rooms. The inner quarters are in complete disorder.” Prince Xiping ordered an official, “Bring Jia Zheng here for questioning.”

Jia Zheng was brought up. He knelt and paid his respects, then could not keep from weeping and begging for grace. Prince Bejing rose and raised him up, comforting him: “Do not worry, Elder Zheng.” He told him the content of the decree. Jia Zheng was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He kowtowed toward the palace to thank the emperor and stood to one side awaiting instructions.

The prince said, “Just now, while Zhao Quan was here, the runners reported finding forbidden articles and contracts of usury. These matters we cannot conceal. Those forbidden garments were originally prepared for the Imperial Concubine’s use. If we explain the truth, there will be no great trouble. Only the loan contracts must be handled carefully. Now, Elder Zheng, you will take officials and hand over truthfully all property under Jia She’s name. Then this matter can be settled. You must not conceal anything and bring further guilt on yourself.”

Jia Zheng quickly agreed. “Your servant would not dare conceal anything. Only, the property left by our grandfather has never been divided. The things in each branch’s living quarters may be considered their own.” The two princes said, “That is no matter. Only Jia She’s share need be handed over.” They also instructed the officials to act accordingly and not to harass people at random. The officials accepted the order and went to do it.

Now to return to Grandmother Jia’s rooms, where the women were still at their family banquet. Lady Wang was still saying, “Baoyu did not go to the front to entertain the guests. I fear the master will be angry.” Wang Xifeng, though ill, said with a groan, “In my view, Baoyu is not timid. There are already many people at the front entertaining guests. It is reasonable for him to stay here and look after the inner quarters. If the master notices someone is missing, you can send Brother Bao over.” Grandmother Jia smiled. “Feng girl, even ill as you are, your tongue is still so clever.”

As they were speaking merrily, a maid from Lady Xing’s side rushed in in a panic and cried, “Old Ancestor, Mistress, this is terrible! A crowd of officials in uniform have broken in. They are turning over boxes, prying open cabinets, and seizing things everywhere!” Grandmother Jia was stunned. Then Ping’er, her hair disheveled, came running in pulling Qiaojie and weeping. “Something terrible has happened! I was eating with Qiaojie when I saw Laiwang tied with ropes. He hurriedly sent word for the women to hide. The prince is about to come in to search and confiscate the property. I tried to go into the room to grab a few important things, but a crowd of people pushed and drove me out. We must quickly gather the essential things on our persons!”

Lady Wang and Lady Xing were frightened out of their wits and did not know what to do. Wang Xifeng had been listening with wide eyes. When she heard, her body fell backward and she fainted dead away. Grandmother Jia had not finished listening before tears streamed down her face and she could not speak. The whole room was in chaos, pulling one and supporting another. It was a terrible uproar. Outside, voices shouted again and again, “Women in the inner quarters, withdraw quickly! The prince is coming in!”

Baochai and Baoyu were frightened and helpless. The maids and old women were in a panic. Then Jia Lian came running in, gasping. “It is all right, it is all right! Fortunately the princes protected us!” Everyone was about to question him when they saw Wang Xifeng lying unconscious on the ground. Jia Lian wept aloud. He also feared Grandmother Jia would be frightened, and was so anxious he nearly fainted. Thanks to Ping’er, who pinched Wang Xifeng awake and had her supported. Grandmother Jia also slowly revived, wept until she could not catch her breath, and lay down on the kang. Li Wan urged and comforted her without stopping.

Jia Lian steadied himself and briefly told how the two princes had shown mercy. Fearing Grandmother Jia and Lady Xing could not bear to hear that Jia She had been taken away, he did not dare tell them the truth for the time being. He turned and went back to his own rooms. As soon as he entered, he saw boxes and cabinets all open and broken, and the valuables almost entirely seized. Jia Lian’s eyes widened in anxiety. He stood there weeping. Hearing a summons outside, he had to go to the main hall.

He saw Jia Zheng accompanying officials as they registered the confiscated property. Someone called out the numbers one by one: gold jewelry of pure gold, one hundred and twenty-three pieces, inlaid with various jewels; thirteen strings of pearls; two pale-gold plates; two pairs of gold bowls; two gold chased bowls; forty gold spoons; eighty large silver bowls; twenty silver plates; two pairs of three-inlaid ivory chopsticks; four gilt wine pots; three pairs of gilt cups and saucers; two tea stands; seventy-six silver dishes; thirty-six silver wine cups.

Eighteen black fox skins; six blue fox skins; thirty-six sable skins; thirty yellow fox skins; twelve lynx skins; three hemp-leaf skins; sixty foreign gray skins; forty gray fox-leg skins; twenty brown sheep skins; two leopard-cat skins; two bundles of yellow fox-leg skins; twenty small white fox skins; thirty bolts of foreign woolen; twenty-three bolts of serge; twelve bolts of gu velvet; ten squirrel-fur jackets; four squares of dormouse skin; one roll of swan velvet; one square of plum-deer skin; two cloud-fox fur jackets; one roll of raccoon-dog skin; seven bundles of duck skin; one hundred and sixty gray squirrel skins; eight badger skins; six tiger skins; three seal skins; sixteen sea-dragon skins; forty bundles of gray sheepskin; sixty-three black sheepskins; ten sets of dark fox fur hat brims; twelve sets of Japanese sword fur hat brims; two sets of sable hat brims; sixteen small fox skins; two river raccoon skins; two otter skins; thirty-five cat skins; twelve bolts of Japanese satin; one hundred and thirty rolls of silk and satin; one hundred and eighty-one rolls of gauze and damask; thirty-two rolls of feather-thread crepe; thirty rolls of pulu; eight rolls of woven python brocade; three bundles of ko-hemp cloth; three bundles of coarse cloth of various colors; one hundred and thirty-two fur garments of various kinds; three hundred and forty garments of cotton, lined, unlined, gauze, and silk.

Thirty-two pieces of jade and curios; nine sets of belts and ornaments; more than five hundred pieces of copper and tin ware; eighteen clocks and watches; nine strings of court beads; thirty-four robes and coats of woven python; three sets of python-brocade cushions and armrests of imperial pattern; eight sets of palace-style skirts and clothes; one white jade belt; twelve rolls of yellow satin. Silver of inferior quality, five thousand two hundred taels; pure gold, fifty taels; copper cash, seven thousand strings.

All furniture and miscellaneous articles were registered one by one. The Rong-guo House mansion bestowed by the court was also registered. Title deeds for land and houses, and deeds for household slaves, were all sealed. Jia Lian stood nearby listening. He had not heard his own private property registered, and was greatly puzzled.

He heard the two princes ask Jia Zheng, “Among the confiscated property there are loan contracts involving usury. Who handled these? Elder Zheng, you must speak the truth.” Jia Zheng knelt and kowtowed. “Your servant has never managed the inner household affairs. I know nothing of these matters. Please ask my nephew Jia Lian.”

Jia Lian quickly came forward and knelt. “Since that box of documents was found in my room, I dare not deny knowledge. I only beg the princes to show mercy. My uncle knew nothing of it at all.” The two princes said, “Your father has already been convicted. This case must be tried together. It is proper for you now to confess the truth. Men, take Jia Lian under guard. The rest of the household will remain in the mansion under guard. Elder Zheng, wait in peace for the imperial decree. Officials will guard this place.” With that, the princes got into their sedans and left. Jia Zheng and the others knelt at the second gate to see them off. Prince Bejing raised his hand and his eyes were full of pity.

Only then did Jia Zheng recover somewhat, though he still stood dazed. Jia Lan said, “Grandfather, go quickly into the inner quarters to see the Old Ancestor, and then think of a way to find out news of the Ning-guo House.” Jia Zheng hurried inside. The women at every door were in a panic and did not know what to do. Jia Zheng paid no attention to them and went straight to Grandmother Jia’s rooms. Everyone there had tear-streaked faces. Lady Wang and Baoyu were around Grandmother Jia, all weeping silently. Only Lady Xing was crying as if her heart would break. Seeing Jia Zheng come in, they all said, “Good, good! The master has returned safely. Old Ancestor, set your mind at ease.”

Grandmother Jia was breathing faintly. She opened her eyes slightly and said, “My son, I never thought I would see you again.” Before she finished, she wept aloud, and everyone in the room wept with her. Jia Zheng feared the old lady would harm herself with crying. He held back his tears and urged her: “Set your mind at ease, Old Ancestor. Although this disaster is not small, thanks to the emperor’s generosity and the two princes’ consideration, the Eldest Master is only temporarily detained for questioning. When the case is clear, the emperor will show grace again. There will be no further great disturbance at home.” Grandmother Jia could not see Jia She, and wept again. Jia Zheng urged and comforted her repeatedly before she calmed a little.

No one dared leave at will. Lady Xing returned to her own quarters, but the gate had already been sealed and the maids and old women were locked in several rooms. Lady Xing had nowhere to stay. She wept aloud and could only go to Wang Xifeng’s rooms. The side rooms by the second gate were also sealed. Only the main room’s door was open, and low weeping came from within. Lady Xing went in and saw Wang Xifeng, her face as pale as paper, lying with her eyes closed. Ping’er was secretly weeping nearby. Lady Xing thought Wang Xifeng was already dead and wept again. Ping’er quickly came forward. “Do not cry, Mistress. The Second Mistress fainted just now. She rested a while and revived. She cried a few times, and now her breathing is a little steadier. Please steady your own heart, Mistress. I do not know how the Old Ancestor is now.” Lady Xing did not answer and went back to Grandmother Jia’s rooms. All around her were people from Jia Zheng’s side. Her husband and son were imprisoned, her daughter-in-law was gravely ill, her daughter had married far away, and she had no home to return to. She could no longer hold back her grief. Li Wan told someone to prepare a room and asked Lady Xing to stay there for the time being. Lady Wang sent people to attend her.

Jia Zheng was in the outer courtyard, his heart pounding. He rubbed his hands and stroked his beard, anxiously waiting for the imperial decree. Suddenly he heard the guards shout sternly, “Whose man are you? Since you have broken in here, register your name and be bound and handed over to the runners of the Brocade-Clad Guard Office!” Jia Zheng went out and saw it was Jiao Da. He asked, “Why have you come here?”

When Jiao Da saw Jia Zheng, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, wailing. “I warned these good-for-nothing masters every day, and they treated me as an enemy! How could you know, master, how much I suffered, following the old master through life and death! Now we have come to this! Master Zhen and Brother Rong have both been taken away by the prince. The women in the inner quarters have been driven out by the runners and crowded into empty rooms. Those worthless men and women are being guarded like pigs and dogs. All the property has been confiscated. Wooden furniture is smashed, porcelain shattered. They even want to tie me up! I am eighty or ninety years old. In those years I was the one who tied others. How have I suffered the shame of being tied up? I said I was from the Rong-guo House and ran out with all my might. The runners outside would not let me go and brought me back here. I never thought this side would be in the same disaster. I do not want this old life anymore. I may as well fight them to the death!” As he spoke, he tried to dash his head against the wall.

The runners saw that he was very old and, because the prince had given orders, did not dare strike him. They urged him, “Old man, be quiet. This is official business by imperial decree. Wait here for news.” When Jia Zheng heard Jiao Da’s weeping complaint, his heart was cut as if by a knife. He sighed deeply. “It is over, it is over. I never thought our Jia family would be ruined to this extent!”

Just as Jia Zheng was anxiously waiting for news from the palace, Xue Ke came running in, gasping. “I had great difficulty getting into the mansion! Where is Uncle?” Jia Zheng said, “You have come at a good time. How did the guards outside let you in?” Xue Ke said, “I begged again and again and gave the guards money before I could come in and out.” Jia Zheng told him about the search and asked him to go out and find news. “Even close relatives and friends cannot easily pass word now that matters are so grave. Only you can run about and inquire.”

Xue Ke said, “I never expected trouble in the Rong House. As for the Ning-guo House, I have already heard. It has completely collapsed.” Jia Zheng pressed him. “What crime exactly were they charged with?” Xue Ke said, “Today I went to the yamen to inquire about my brother Xue Pan’s sentence. I heard people in the yamen say that two censors have memorialized impeaching Jia Zhen. The first charge is luring noble youths into gambling, which is still relatively light. There is another grave charge: seizing the wives and daughters of common people as concubines, and when the women would not submit, forcing them to death. The censor feared the memorial would not be taken seriously, so he had our household’s Bao Er seized as a witness, and also implicated a wronged man surnamed Zhang. I hear that Zhang once went to the Censorate to lodge a complaint, and the Censorate was also implicated and called to account.”

Before Jia Zheng had finished listening, he stamped his feet in anxiety. “This is terrible! It is over, it is over!” He sighed and tears streamed down.

Xue Ke comforted him a few words and went out again to find news. After half a day he returned and reported, “Things are not good. I went to the Ministry of Justice to inquire. There is still no word of the two princes returning to the palace to report. But I heard that Censor Li today memorialized impeaching the officials of Ping’an Prefecture, saying they fawned on high officials in the capital, flattered their superiors, and oppressed the people. He listed several grave charges.” Jia Zheng said in alarm, “The affairs of others do not concern me. Have you found news of our family?”

Xue Ke said, “The memorial impeaching Ping’an Prefecture also implicates our household. The capital official impeached is Master Jia She. He is accused of using local officials to take charge of lawsuits. This is like pouring oil on the fire of our family’s disaster. The court colleagues all avoid us and no one is willing to help send word. Those relatives and friends who left the banquet earlier—some went straight home, some live far away and are watching. Worse still, some of our own noble clansmen are saying on the road, ‘The merit earned by our ancestors has brought great disaster. The titles and property may fall to us. We can swagger and show off.’”

When Jia Zheng heard this, he stamped his feet again and again. “It is all because the Eldest Master was too muddle-headed, and the Ning-guo House is even worse. Now the Old Ancestor and Lian’er’s wife are between life and death. Go out again and find news. I will go see the Old Ancestor. As soon as there is news, come back and tell me.” As he spoke, a panicked cry came from within: “The Old Ancestor is failing!” Jia Zheng hurried toward the inner quarters. Whether Grandmother Jia would live or die will be told in the next chapter.