Upholding the Official Code, Wicked Servants Break the Rules; Reading the Court Gazette, the Old Uncle Takes Fright

Now to return to Wang Xifeng. Seeing that Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue were both grieving over Lin Daiyu, she said, “I will tell a funny story to cheer up the Old Ancestor and Auntie.” Before she began, she was already laughing. Then she said, “Guess, Old Ancestor and Auntie, whom the story is about? It is about our newly married young couple.” Grandmother Jia asked, “What happened?” Wang Xifeng gestured with her hands. “One sits like this, one stands like that. One turns her body away, the other turns his body back. One again—” At this point Grandmother Jia was already laughing so hard she could not stop. She said, “Tell it properly. Do not just gesture. You make our hearts itch with curiosity.” Aunt Xue also smiled. “Go on and tell it. No need to gesture anymore.”

Only then did Wang Xifeng say, “Just now I went to Baoyu’s room and saw several people secretly laughing. I was curious, so I peeped through a crack in the window. It was Baochai sitting by the kang and Baoyu standing on the floor. Baoyu was pulling at Baochai’s sleeve and saying over and over, ‘Sister Bao, why do you not speak? If you would only say one word to me, my illness would be cured at once.’ Baochai turned her head to one side and avoided him, refusing to pay attention. Baoyu made a bow to her and went forward to pull at her clothes. Baochai grew impatient and pulled back sharply. Baoyu, still weak after his grave illness, lost his footing and pitched forward, falling right onto Baochai. Baochai’s face flushed crimson. She said, ‘You are becoming more and more unmannerly and have no respect for anyone.’”

When she had told this much, Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue both burst out laughing. Wang Xifeng went on, “Baoyu scrambled up quickly and said with a smile, ‘Thanks to that fall, I finally knocked a word out of you.’” Aunt Xue said with a smile, “Bao girl is just too prim. Between husband and wife, what harm is there in a little laughing and talking? She should learn from Jia Lian and you.” Wang Xifeng smiled and replied, “How can you make fun of me, Auntie? I kindly told a funny story to cheer you up, and instead you tease me.”

Grandmother Jia also smiled. “Harmony between husband and wife is certainly a good thing, but they must also understand proper measure. I like Baochai precisely for her modesty and self-respect. It is only that I worry Baoyu is still foolish. From what you say, he is somewhat more sensible than before. Tell us, have you any other amusing tales?” Wang Xifeng said, “In a few days, when Baoyu formally completes the consummation rites and Auntie holds a grandchild in her arms, there will be even more amusing things.”

Grandmother Jia laughed. “You monkey girl! Auntie and I were thinking of Daiyu, and you came to tell jokes. That would be one thing, but why joke about having children? Do not be so pleased with yourself. Daiyu bears a grudge against you in her heart. From now on, do not go alone into Prospect Garden, or she may come to settle scores with you.” Wang Xifeng said, “Daiyu would not blame me. When she was dying, the one she hated in her heart was Baoyu.” Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue took this as a joke and did not take it to heart. They instructed, “Do not talk of other things. Go outside and choose a good day for Baoyu’s consummation ceremony.” Wang Xifeng accepted the order and left. She chose an auspicious day and again set out wine and invited a troupe to entertain relatives and friends. We need not speak of this for now.

Now to return to Baoyu. Although his body had recovered, when Baochai had leisure she would read and occasionally chat with Baoyu. He could still remember everyday matters, but his mind was no longer as clever and quick as before. He himself could not understand why. Baochai knew in her heart that this was the consequence of losing the Magic Jade. Xiren often urged Baoyu: “How have you lost all your old cleverness? Forgetting your old bad habits is a good thing, but your temper is the same as before, and your understanding of reason is even more confused.” Baoyu did not take offense at all, but only giggled foolishly.

Sometimes when Baoyu acted willfully and wildly, it was entirely thanks to Baochai’s advice that he restrained himself somewhat, and Xiren also saved much talk, attending them single-mindedly. The other maids had always admired Baochai for her quiet gentleness, and each was sincerely convinced. The household was peaceful. It was only that Baoyu was active by nature and always wanted to stroll in Prospect Garden. Grandmother Jia, on the one hand, feared he would catch cold or heat and fall ill again; on the other, she feared he would be stirred by old scenes and rouse sad memories. Although Daiyu’s coffin had been placed in a nunnery outside the city, Xiaoxiang Lodge was still there. Seeing the place and thinking of the person would easily bring back his old illness, so she would not let him enter.

Now to speak of the young ladies in Prospect Garden. Xue Baoqin had returned to Aunt Xue’s side. Shi Xiangyun, because her father had been transferred back to the capital, had been taken home and was soon to be married. She came rarely. She had come only twice, for Baoyu’s wedding and the wedding feast, staying in Grandmother Jia’s courtyard. Now that Baoyu had taken a wife, and she herself was about to marry, she no longer laughed and talked as freely as before. Even when she came, she spoke only with Baochai and merely greeted Baoyu. Xing Xiuyan, after Yingchun married, had gone with Lady Xing. The Li sisters had moved elsewhere. Even when they came with Aunt Li, they only paid their respects to the elders and sisters, stayed a day or two with Li Wan, and then left. In the garden now only Li Wan, Tanchun, and Xichun remained. Grandmother Jia had originally intended to move them into the inner quarters, but since the Imperial Concubine’s death one disaster after another had struck the household, and she had never had time. Now the weather was growing hotter, and living in the garden was still comfortable. She planned to move them in autumn. That is a later matter and will not be spoken of now.

Now to return to Jia Zheng. With several secretaries invited from the capital, he traveled day and night and at last reached the province of his post. After paying his respects to his superiors, he formally took up office and took over official business. He began to inspect the grain storehouses of the subordinate prefectures and counties. Jia Zheng had formerly been an official in the capital and knew only the procedures of the capital yamen. Even when he had previously served outside as an education official, he had not dealt with local administration. The various corrupt practices of provincial local officials—collecting grain, oppressing the people—he had only heard others mention; he had never experienced them himself. He was determined to be an honest official, so he consulted with his secretaries, posted notices sternly forbidding such abuses, and declared that any case verified would certainly be reported upward and impeached.

When he first took office, the local petty officials were indeed somewhat afraid. Secretly they tried every means to send gifts and win him over. Unfortunately Jia Zheng was stubborn and rigid. The household servants who had followed Jia Zheng to the provinces had gained nothing in the capital. They had long waited for their master to be posted outside. They had borrowed money in the capital on the strength of going out to make a fortune, bought fine clothes to keep up appearances. They calculated that once they reached the post, money would be easy to get. They never expected Jia Zheng to be so rigid and truly determined to reform abuses. He refused all gifts sent by prefectures and counties.

The servants at the gate and in charge of documents calculated privately: “If we wait another half month, our clothes will have to be pawned to pay our debts. The creditors come every day demanding payment. How are we to live? Great piles of silver are right before our eyes, yet we cannot get a single coin.” The other attendants also complained: “At least you did not spend your own money to get your posts. We are the wronged ones. We spent no small amount of silver to obtain this position. We have been here more than a month and have not gained half a coin. With this master, we cannot even recover our capital. Tomorrow let us all ask for leave together and go.” The next day these attendants indeed came together to ask for leave. Jia Zheng did not understand the real reason. He said, “You were the ones who wanted to come. Now you want to go. Since you dislike it here, then as you please.” These attendants, full of resentment, left one after another.

The remaining household servants gathered to discuss: “Those who could leave have left. We cannot leave. We must think of some way.” Among them, the gatekeeper Li Shi’er spoke up. “You useless lot, what are you panicking for? When those attendants were here, it was not convenient for me to step forward. Now that they have been driven away by hunger, you will see what I can do. In the end the master will have to listen to me. But you must all be of one mind and get some silver together to take home and enjoy. Anyone who does not listen to me, I will not care—at worst we all suffer together.” The others all said, “Tenth Master, you are the one the master trusts. If you do not take charge, we truly have no way out.” Li Shi’er said, “Do not wait until I get money and then say behind my back that I took the lion’s share and fight among ourselves. That would be no good for anyone.” The others promised, “Set your mind at ease. That will never happen. Even if we do not make much, it is still better than paying out of our own pockets.”

As they spoke, the clerk in charge of the grain storehouse came looking for Second Master Zhou. Li Shi’er sat with one leg crossed over the other, bold as could be, and asked, “What do you want with him?” The clerk bowed respectfully with a smile. “The master has been in office more than a month. The prefectural and county officials below have seen how strict the notices are and know the master is hard to deal with. To this day they have not opened the granaries to collect grain. If we miss the canal transport deadline, how are we clerks to answer?” Li Shi’er said, “Do not talk nonsense. The master has deep roots. What he says, he can do. I was just about to send out documents urging delivery in the next day or two, but I advised the master to wait a few days, and so it was put aside. What exactly do you want with Second Master Zhou?” The clerk said, “I only came to ask about the document urging delivery. Nothing else.” Li Shi’er scolded him. “Even more nonsense. As soon as I mentioned the urging document, you followed along with your talk. Do not sneak about discussing private deals. If you anger me, I will have the master punish you and dismiss you.”

The clerk said, “My family has served in the yamen for three generations. We have some standing outside, and our household lives comfortably. I can steadily serve the master and wish him promotion. I am not like some who wait to make a living by scooping up money from their posts.” Then he bowed. “Second Master, I will take my leave first.” Li Shi’er quickly rose and put on a face full of smiles. “How can you not take a joke? Two words and you are angry.” The clerk said, “It is not that I am petty. If I go on, it will harm your reputation for integrity.” Li Shi’er went up and took the clerk’s hand and asked, “May I ask your honorable surname?” The clerk answered, “I would not presume. My surname is Zhan, and my given name is Hui. In my early years I also spent many years in the capital.” Li Shi’er said, “Mr. Zhan, I have long heard of you. We are all our own people. If you have anything to say, come to me tonight and we will talk in detail.” The clerk also smiled. “Who does not know that Tenth Master Li is formidable? Just now you nearly frightened me.” The two laughed and parted.

That night Li Shi’er and Zhan Hui whispered and schemed together for most of the night. The next day Li Shi’er probed and tested Jia Zheng indirectly and was severely scolded by him.

A day later Jia Zheng was going out to visit officials. Inside, word was sent for the outside servants to attend him. Outside they verbally agreed. After some time, when the hour for departure had come, no one on the main hall struck the drum. With difficulty one man was called to beat the drum. Jia Zheng came out of the inner office. The runners who should have stood in ranks and shouted to clear the way were only one man. Jia Zheng did not pursue the matter on the spot. He went down the steps and got into his sedan. The bearers again waited a long time before they were assembled. When the sedan was carried out of the yamen, the salute cannon fired only once. In the music pavilion only one man beat the drum and one blew the horn. Jia Zheng was very angry. “Usually things are orderly. Why today are they so lax?” He looked up at the ceremonial procession. It was uneven front and back.

Jia Zheng with difficulty finished his calls and returned. He ordered the delinquent runners punished. The runners made all sorts of excuses: some said their hats had been pawned and they were delayed in their duties; some said their work clothes had been pawned; still others said they had not eaten for three days and could not lift the sedan. Jia Zheng flew into a rage, beat one or two, and the matter passed. A few days later the kitchen steward came to ask for money, and Jia Zheng took out his own silver to pay him.

After this, Jia Zheng felt that everything went against him, and life was more straitened than in the capital. He had no way out. He called Li Shi’er and asked, “Why have all the people who came with me changed? You must keep them in order. The silver I brought with me is already spent. The official salary will not be paid for some time. Send someone back to the capital to fetch silver.”

Li Shi’er reported, “Your servant scolds them every day, but every one of them is listless. There is nothing your servant can do. The master asks about sending back to the capital for silver. How much should be fetched? Also, I hear the military commissioner’s yamen is holding a birthday feast these days. Other grain intendants and prefects send gifts worth thousands or tens of thousands. How much are we to prepare?”

Jia Zheng said, “Why did you not tell me earlier?”
Li Shi’er said, “The master is wise. We have just arrived and have little contact with other officials. No one takes the initiative to send us word. Many would be glad if the master handled things rigidly and made a mistake, so they could seize your lucrative post.”

Jia Zheng scolded him. “Nonsense! My office was appointed by the emperor. If I do not send gifts to the military commissioner, can I not remain in office?”
Li Shi’er said with a smile, “What the master says is reasonable. But the capital is far from here. All local matters, great and small, must be reported to the court by the military commissioner. If he speaks well of you before the emperor, you are safe. If he speaks ill, the master cannot bear it. By the time you realize it, the matter is beyond remedy. Besides, the Old Ancestor and the mistress—who does not hope the master will be a splendid official abroad?”

Jia Zheng heard the implication in his words and said, “I was just going to ask you: what rumors are circulating outside?”
Li Shi’er said, “Your servant did not dare speak. Since the master asks, not to speak would be to betray my conscience, but if I speak, I fear the master will be angry.”
Jia Zheng said, “If what you say is reasonable, then speak.”

Li Shi’er said, “The clerks and runners in the yamen all spent money to get their posts here. Who does not want to earn money to support a family? Since the master took office, you have set your heart on handling matters impartially, but outside there is much idle talk.”
Jia Zheng asked, “What do the common people say?”
Li Shi’er said, “The people whisper that the stricter the notices of a new official, the more they are a disguised means of extracting money. The prefectural and county officials are frightened and send large amounts of silver. When grain is collected, they cite the master’s laws and say on the surface that no money is taken, but when handling matters they make endless difficulties for the people. The people would rather spend money and lose wealth to get their business settled quickly. So the people not only do not praise the master, they say the master does not understand the real situation of the people. Take that kinsman of yours with whom you are friendly. In only a few years he rose to the highest office. It was nothing but knowing how to deal with people and maintaining good relations above and below.”

Jia Zheng retorted, “Nonsense! Am I ignorant of human relations? By keeping peace above and below, do you mean I should join hands with corrupt officials?”
Li Shi’er said, “It is precisely out of loyalty that your servant dares speak frankly. If the master persists in handling matters this way, in the end you will achieve nothing, and then the master will blame your servant for not having told the truth at the time.”
Jia Zheng asked, “According to you, what should I do to be proper?”

Li Shi’er said, “There is no other way. While the master is still in good health, while there is still support in the capital, and while the Old Ancestor is still strong, you should make plans for your own family. Otherwise, in less than a year, all the family savings will be used up, and from top to bottom everyone will complain, saying the master took a provincial post and secretly hoarded wealth. In the future, if you meet one or two difficult cases, no official will be willing to help you. Then you will not be able to finish handling them, and regret will come too late.”

Jia Zheng said angrily, “From your words, you are urging me to become a corrupt official? Losing my life is a small matter. Must I also destroy the merit left by my ancestors?”
Li Shi’er reported, “The master is so intelligent. Have you not seen the officials who fell into trouble in recent years? Those people the master once praised as honest officials. What became of them? On the other hand, some relatives whom the master once did not think much of have now been promoted one after another. An official must know how to be smooth and thorough in handling matters. The common people must be considered, and colleagues and officials must not be offended. If according to the master’s thinking the prefectural and county officials are not allowed to take a single coin of benefit, who in the local service will be willing to work? The master may keep a reputation for integrity on the outside, while your servant handles the troublesome private dealings. It will not implicate the master. Your servant has served the master for a time and is truly thinking of the master.”

Jia Zheng was swayed by Li Shi’er’s words and could not make up his mind. He said, “I only seek to preserve my own life. Whatever you stir up in private, do not count it against me.” Then he turned and went back into the inner room.

From then on Li Shi’er acted tyrannically, colluding inside and out, deceiving Jia Zheng in handling official business. Jia Zheng instead felt that he handled things thoroughly and properly and trusted him even more. Although several letters of accusation were sent up, the superiors saw that Jia Zheng was honest and simple and did not investigate deeply. Only the secretaries were well informed and saw the situation. They found opportunities to advise Jia Zheng, but he would not listen. Some secretaries simply resigned and left. Others who were on good terms with Jia Zheng stayed and barely kept things going. Thus the grain transport task was completed, and for the time being no great disaster broke out.

One day Jia Zheng had no business and was reading in his study. The clerk in charge of documents brought in an official letter. On the envelope was written: Urgent dispatch from the Supreme Commander Guarding Haimen and Other Places to the Jiangxi Grain Intendant’s Yamen. Jia Zheng opened and read:

Our two families have long been friends, and our fellow-townsmanship is deep. Last year when I took office in the capital, I had the good fortune to see you often. You were kind enough to favor me, and we once agreed to join our children in marriage. I have always kept this kindness in mind. It was only because I was later transferred to the coastal frontier that I did not dare come to propose, and I deeply regretted it, lamenting the lack of fate. Now I congratulate you on your promotion to this post. I am very happy. I was about to write to congratulate you when I first received your letter. The frontier officers and men were also delighted. Though we are separated by mountains and seas, we still hope for your care. I hope you will not disdain my ordinary family and will agree to the marriage. My son has long had your appreciation, and he has long admired your daughter Tanchun’s fine character. If you are willing to fulfill the former agreement, I will at once send a matchmaker to propose. Though the road is far, water and land travel is convenient. I do not presume to hope for a grand wedding. I have prepared a boat and await your good news. I write this letter to congratulate you on your smooth career and beg you to agree to the marriage. I await your reply. Your junior, Zhou Qiong, bows.

After reading the letter, Jia Zheng thought to himself: The marriage of children is indeed governed by fate. Last year Zhou Qiong was an official in the capital and was also a fellow townsman. We got along well. His son was outstanding in appearance and manner. At a banquet I did casually mention joining our families. It was only that nothing was formally settled, and I did not speak of it in detail at home. Later he was transferred to the coast, and the matter was put aside. I never expected that when I came here to office, he would specially write to propose. The two families are well matched, and Tanchun is very suitable. It is only that my family did not come with me, so I can only write home to discuss it.

Jia Zheng was still hesitating when another official document arrived from outside, notifying him to go to the provincial capital for a meeting. Jia Zheng could only pack and set out for the provincial capital to await assignment from the military commissioner.

One day Jia Zheng was staying in the provincial official hostel. He saw a pile of official gazettes on the table and casually leafed through them. He came to a document from the Ministry of Justice. The heading read: Memorial on a reported case, investigation of the Jinling merchant Xue Pan… Jia Zheng was greatly shocked. “This is bad. The case has already been sent to the court!” He quickly read on carefully. The content was the case of Xue Pan fighting and beating Zhang San to death, bribing witnesses, and falsely claiming accidental homicide. Jia Zheng struck the table and sighed. “This is the end!”

He read on:

According to a memorial from the military commissioner of the capital region: Xue Pan, a native of Jinling, was passing through Taiping County and lodged at the Li family inn. He and the odd-job man Zhang San did not know each other. One day Xue Pan told the innkeeper to set out wine and invited a local man, Wu Liang, to drink. He ordered Zhang San to fetch wine. Xue Pan disliked the taste of the wine and demanded better. Zhang San said the wine had already been bought and could not be changed. Xue Pan, seeing him talk back, threw the wine in his face. It happened that Zhang San bent down to pick up chopsticks, and the wine bowl struck him on the top of the head with great force. The scalp split and blood flowed. Before long he died. The innkeeper could not save him and quickly notified Zhang San’s mother, Mrs. Zhang Wang. When she came and saw her son dead, she at once found the local constable and reported to the county yamen. The former acting magistrate went to examine the body. The coroner concealed and reported that the skull was split one inch and three tenths and that there was a wound at the waist. The case file was sent up to the prefecture for review. The original judgment was that Xue Pan had accidentally injured and killed a man and could redeem his punishment according to the law on homicide in affray.

We carefully checked all the confessions of the criminals, witnesses, and the family of the deceased, and found many contradictions. According to the legal commentary: When both parties quarrel, it is called affray. When they come to blows, it is called assault. Only when there is no conflict at all and death is caused by accident may it be judged homicide by misadventure. The military commissioner should be ordered to ascertain the true facts and draw up the charge anew and report. Now according to the military commissioner’s memorial: Zhang San refused to change the wine. Xue Pan, drunk, seized Zhang San’s right hand and first struck him a blow in the waist. After being struck, Zhang San cursed him. Xue Pan threw the wine bowl, striking him heavily on the top of the head. The skull was shattered and the brains flowed out. He died on the spot. Zhang San was indeed struck and killed by Xue Pan with the wine bowl. Xue Pan should be sentenced to pay with his life. According to the law on homicide in affray, he is sentenced to strangulation, with execution deferred. Wu Liang is sentenced to beating with the rod and penal servitude. The prefectural and county officials who tried the case improperly should be… The text broke off here, marked as an unfinished manuscript.

Jia Zheng had formerly been entrusted by Aunt Xue to speak to the county magistrate on Xue Pan’s behalf. If the court ordered a reinvestigation, he would be implicated. He was extremely frightened and uneasy. He turned to the next gazette, but it was not about this case. He read through all the gazettes in his hands, but there was no further record of this case. His heart was in turmoil, and he grew more and more worried and afraid.

As he was fretting, Li Shi’er came in and reported, “Master, it is time to go to the main hall and await the superior’s summons. The military commissioner’s yamen has already sounded the second drum.” Jia Zheng sat dazed and did not hear at all. Li Shi’er said it again. Jia Zheng asked in a fluster, “What is to be done?” Li Shi’er asked, “What is troubling the master?” Jia Zheng told him about reading the gazette and learning of Xue Pan’s case.

Li Shi’er advised, “Set your mind at ease, master. Even if the Ministry of Justice sets the charge this way, it is already lenient toward Master Xue. Your servant heard in the capital that Master Xue that day called many women to drink at the inn, got drunk, and caused trouble, beating the odd-job man Zhang San to death. I heard he not only asked the county magistrate but also begged Master Jia Lian to spend large sums to bribe every yamen, and only then changed the case to accidental killing. I do not know why the Ministry of Justice was not squared. Even if the whole matter is exposed, officials protect one another. At most the original officials will be judged to have tried the case improperly and be dismissed from office. They will not admit to taking bribes and bending the law. The master need not worry excessively. Your servant will go and find out more. Do not delay the superior’s summons.”

Jia Zheng said, “You do not know. That county magistrate lost his office because he spoke for someone, and it is still unknown whether he will be punished.” Li Shi’er said, “Thinking of him now is of no use. They have been waiting outside a long time. Please go over quickly, master.” Jia Zheng did not know what the military commissioner had summoned him for. What happened next will be told in the next chapter.