Chapter Six: Scholar Ruan Harbours Resentment and Sows Slander — Yang the County Magistrate Climbs the Tower to Report the Danger

Now, Jingting had taken the letter to Wuchang and, in the presence of Zuo Liangyun, had deployed both distant wit and pointed gibes. His words moved the Marshal to the very depths of his heart, and the plan to march east for grain was for the most part abandoned. Yet the civil and military officials of Nanjing still harboured uneasy fears. They memorialised the throne to bestow honours upon Zuo — elevating his rank and extending privileges to his nephews and sons — and sent word to the provincial governors and military commanders everywhere, as well as to the civil and military officers of the city, to assemble at the Hall of Clear Deliberation for a joint council on sending Zuo additional provisions and funds. This was nothing more than a precaution lest the letter alone prove insufficient to settle Zuo Liangyun's heart.

Summonses were sent to all the assembled officials — whether dismissed from office or holding sinecures. Yang Wencong, Ruan Dacheng, and others likewise received the notice, and all dressed in their ceremonial robes and arrived early at the Hall of Clear Deliberation to await the deliberations.

But Ruan Dacheng harboured a bitter grudge over the rejection of his dowry gift. He had conceived a scheme of secret harm. The moment he saw Longyou, he said: "Does elder brother know that there are people inside our own walls who have been inciting Zuo Liangyun's march eastward? Once Zuo's troops arrive, I fear that some among us may secretly open the city gates and let the soldiers in. We cannot fail to be prepared for this."

Longyou said: "This may not be certain. Besides, you and I are both men without office, men of leisure — let us not speak rashly."

Ruan Dacheng said: "I have genuinely heard these things. How can I keep them hidden?"

While the two men were still speaking, the Transport Commissioner of Huai'an, Shi Kefa, and the Governor of Fengyang, Ma Shiying, both arrived. Longyou, Ruan Dacheng, and all the other officials went to receive them and exchanged courtesies. Once seated, Shi Kefa asked: "Why has the old gentleman Xiong, the Minister of War, not come?"

An attendant reported: "Today an imperial order was sent dispatching him to the river to inspect troops."

Ma Shiying said: "In that case, this council cannot proceed. But if Zuo's troops should arrive, what are we to do?"

Yang Longyou bowed and said: "Elder gentlemen need not worry unduly. Zuo Liangyun was once a soldier under the Counsellor Hou. A letter has already been sent to dissuade him, and it is unlikely he will refuse to comply."

Shi Kefa added: "I have heard the same. Though this undertaking arose from Commissioner Xiong's initiative, the true credit belongs to elder brother here."

Ruan Dacheng then seized the moment to sow his calumny: "I am not so sure of that. What I have heard is that Zuo's march may have been instigated by a secret arrangement with Hou Fang-yu — that is, the son of the former Counsellor Hou — who is on the closest terms with Zuo Liangyun and maintains a private correspondence with him. If we do not remove this man quickly, he will surely serve as an inside agent in the future, and the harm will be considerable."

Ma Shiying said: "He is right. Why spare one man at the cost of putting an entire city at risk?"

Shi Kefa bristled with displeasure: "This is a matter of pure conjecture. Hou Fang-yu is a close associate of mine — he has made a distinguished name for himself in the Restoration Society. He would never stoop to such a thing. Moreover, Master Ruan is a man without office; on affairs of state you ought not to exceed your station, speak rashly, and harm an innocent man by undermining the public good."

He rose and bowed to the assembly: "Today's affair can proceed no further. I take my leave." And with that he withdrew in indignation.

Seeing Shi Kefa depart in this manner, Ruan Dacheng seethed: "How could the Director of the Ministry of War simply walk out like that? What I said is solidly grounded — I have heard that the very letter delivered by Liu the Pockmarked was a private note of collusion!"

Longyou spoke up clearly: "That would be a grave injustice to him. Jingting's journey was my doing. I was present when the letter was written. He wrote it with sincere and earnest care — how can you now turn suspicion upon him?"

Ruan Dacheng laughed: "Elder Yang does not understand. There were hidden words and secret signals in that letter that outsiders could never read."

Ma Shiying heard this and nodded: "Indeed. A man who operates with such devious cunning must not be allowed to live. I will return to my office at once and send men to arrest him." He rose, turned to Yang Longyou, and said: "Brother-in-law, come along."

Longyou said: "Please go on ahead, Uncle. I will follow shortly."

Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng, kindred spirits in their wickedness, rode away together side by side.

How true it is:

The crooked man has no honest argument —

All public words are bent to private ends.

Now Yang Longyou, seeing how the two had spoken with such mutual enthusiasm and were set on secret harm to the young Hou, felt his heart fill with anger and said to himself: "Where does this all come from? I do not know Hou's conduct well, but judging by the letter alone — what admirable spiritedness! Why turn that act into a charge of secret conspiracy? I must go at once and warn him, so he can escape while there is still time."

He went directly to the side courtyard of the Li household.

Arriving at the gate, he heard inside the sounds of instruments, song, and laughter — quite lively. He knocked urgently at the door. Those within, hearing the insistent knocking, opened it and saw it was Yang Longyou. Word was sent to Hou Chaozong. When Chaozong heard it was Longyou, he came downstairs together with Xiangjun, along with Kunsheng and Zhenniang, smiling: "Elder Yang is in fine spirits, come for a midnight visit?"

Longyou gave a long sigh and said: "Do you not know? At this very moment a calamity of the gravest kind is coming for you."

Chaozong was alarmed: "What calamity? Why this panic?"

Longyou said: "At today's session of the Hall of Clear Deliberation, Ruan Yuanhai stood before all those present and said that you were an old acquaintance of Lord Zuo of Ningnan, that you maintained a private correspondence with him, and that you intended to serve as his inside agent. All the presiding officials seemed disposed to have you arrested. I feared you might come to harm, and came specially to warn you. Do you think I would come at this hour merely for a midnight visit?"

Chaozong said: "I have no deep enmity with Ruan Yuanhai — why should he strike me with such malice?"

Longyou said: "It must be because the rejection of his betrothal gift struck too hard — he has turned shame into rage."

Upon hearing this, Zhenniang urged Chaozong: "There is no time to lose. Fly far and fast, and do not implicate others."

Chaozong said: "Things have come to this pass — I have no choice but to flee. But we are newly wedded. How can I bear to part?"

Xiangjun said with a resolute air: "You have always thought of yourself as a man of heroic spirit. Why are you acting like a lovesick child?"

Chaozong said: "You are right, you are right. But where should I go?"

Longyou said: "Do not panic. I have a plan. At the council today, the Transport Commissioner Shi Kefa was present, along with my uncle the Governor Ma Shiying. My uncle's words were quite hostile, but it was the honourable Shi who cleared your name entirely. He also mentioned that your family and his have been old friends across generations. Why not go to him? Make your way to Huaiyangand wait there for word from home — I see no obstacle to this."

Chaozong said: "Which Shi Kefa?"

After a moment's thought he said: "Yes! Shi Daolin was a student of my father's. Splendid, splendid! Thank you for pointing the way. Xiangjun, quickly pack the travelling things. I will go to him at once to find shelter. But where is Shi residing?"

Kunsheng said: "I have heard he came to the capital on official business and usually stays at the Market Hermit Garden. Let me escort the master there."

As they spoke, Xiangjun had already finished packing the travel bundle and had someone carry it out. She and Chaozong clasped hands, reluctant to part even for a moment. They lingered in tender farewell, and then separated.

Chaozong said: "A brief parting — we will meet again before long."

Xiangjun wiped her tears and said: "Dust and smoke fill the land. I fear we shall not meet again easily. I only pray that my lord travels safely. That would be joy enough."

She saw him to the gate. They all wept as they parted.

How poignant:

The warmth of love was at its tenderest height,

When the west wind came sudden and blew them apart.

What became of Chaozong's mission to Shi Kefa, the following chapter will tell.