Pan Rugui walked towards Duancheng Gate. The Imperial Guard Commanders were divided into two rows flanking each side and remained as silent as winter cicadas. After Pan Rugui stopped and announced the verbal decree of Emperor Xiande, the Imperial Guards began their work.
The Imperial Guards gagged Shen Zechuan and quickly wrapped him in thick cotton-padded clothes before they made him lie face down on the ground.
Pan Rugui bent down in the cold wind to observe Shen Zechuan's condition. He raised his fingers to cover his lips weakly and coughed a few times before he said softly, "You are so young, yet you are so bold that you dare to display a hypocritical display before His Majesty. If you had just confessed to the crime of treason against Shen Wei, you might still have a small chance of survival."
Shen Zechuan closed his eyes tightly. Cold sweat had already soaked his clothes.
Pan Rugui stood up and said, "Start the Flogging."[1]
[1]杖 刑 Physical punishment or torture by whipping the back, buttocks, or legs with a long stick or paddle.
The Imperial Guard commanders on both sides immediately shouted in unison, "Let the staff fall!" A thunderous roar followed after. "Hit!"
Before the words had completely left their mouths, a stick wrapped in an iron sheet with barbs came whistling at Shen Zechuan and dealt him a heavy blow.
After three strikes, he heard another voice. "Hit him hard!"
The pain in his flesh was like a burning fire burning his body. They hit Shen Zechuan until he could no longer move. All he could do was clench his teeth tightly against the vomit in his mouth. He couldn't swallow the blood in time, and the coppery and salty taste filled his mouth. Shen Zechuan was still holding on to his last breath as sweat dripped down his wide-open eyes.
The sky was overcast, and thick snow fell like willow leaves.
Whipping was not a job that anyone could do. As the saying "faint at twenty strokes, paralyzed at fifty strokes" suggested, there were many ways to whip a man. It was generally a family craft passed down from generation to generation and was no less easy to train than learning a trade elsewhere. Furthermore, this job required not only good martial arts skills but also a discerning eye. These detractors had been doing this for so long that all they had to do was look at the expressions of these Grand Eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonies[2] to know who should receive the superficial wounds on the surface but the serious deep wounds that were hard to heal, and vice versa.
[2]司礼监 Directorate of Ceremonies, one of the Twelve Directorates staffed by eunuchs during the Ming Dynasty in charge of court entertainment, ceremonies, punishments and the like. The seal-holding director of the Directorate of Ceremonies (司礼监掌印太监) – the most powerful eunuch position among the twelve directorates – and the Commander of the Imperial Guard would usually supervise the floggings.
Emperor Xiande's decree today was death by flogging, and Pan Rugui did not seem to appreciate it either. That meant there was no way of changing course; he was a man who had to die. So these Imperial Guards brought out their special skills; within fifty strokes, Shen Zechuan had to die.
Pan Rugui kept an eye on the time and noticed that Shen Zechuan was already motionless with his head drooping. He raised his hand on the tangpo[3] and was about to give instructions when he saw an umbrella floating towards them on the path. A beauty in royal attire was standing beneath it.
[3]汤婆 (子) tangpo ( zi ), a small portable hand warmer commonly used to keep warm in ancient times. It could also be placed under a blanket, similar to today's hot water bottle.
The dark clouds on Pan Rugui's face dispersed in an instant and turned into a smile. Although he did not personally step forward to greet him, the shrewd eunuch beside him had already gone ahead to offer his arm for support.
"I[4] will pay my sincere respects to Third Miss. It is a cold day. If Your Highness the Empress Dowager[5] has any instructions, you can send someone to convey the message." Pan Rugui spoke as he took two steps closer.
[4]咱家 zajia , in popular literature/drama, eunuchs use this term to refer to themselves. In this novel, I will use 'I', 'me', etc. for easier reading.
[5]太后 Empress Dowager; title for the current Emperor's mother.
Hua Xiangyi raised her hand lightly to motion the Imperial Guards not to move. She was gentle and beautiful. For many years, the Empress Dowager had kept her by her side to take care of her. Her face was similar to the Empress Dowager when the latter was young. Although she went by the title of Third Miss of the Dicheng Hua Clan in Qudu, everyone knew she was a respectable lady in the palace. Even the Emperor doted on her like his own younger sister.
Hua Xiangyi said in a slow and gentle voice. "Gonggong[6], is the one lying on the ground the son of the Zhongbo Shen Clan, Shen Zechuan?"
[6]公公 Term of address for a court eunuch
Pan Rugui moved along with Hua Xiangyi's steps and replied, "That's it. His Majesty has just issued a decree to have him whipped to death."
Hua Xiangyi said, "Your Majesty was angry earlier. If Shen Zechuan were to die, then we would never get to the bottom of Shen Wei's treason. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived at Mingli Hall half a quarter of an hour ago[7]. Your Majesty heeded her advice and has since calmed down some people."
[7]one ke (一刻) is about 15 minutes. So half a ke is about 7-8 minutes.
Pan Rugui let out an "oh, really" and said, "His Majesty has always listened to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's advice. The Emperor was in such a rage earlier that I didn't dare say a word even though I had the mind to."
Hua Xiangyi smiled at Pan Rugui and said, "His Imperial Majesty said to 'flog' him. Isn't that what you did?"
Pan Rugui took a few more steps and smiled as well. "That's right. I was in a hurry earlier when I heard the words 'reply' and gave this kid a good beating. May I know how we should deal with him now?"
Hua Xiangyi glanced at Shen Zechuan and said, "Before His Majesty's trial, drag him back to the Imperial Prison first. This child's life is very important. I rely on Gonggong to tell His Majesty Ji to take good care of him."
"That goes without saying." Pan Rugui said, "How could Ji Lei dare to turn a deaf ear to Third Miss's advice? The weather is cold, and the roads are slippery. Xiaofuzi, hold Third Miss steady."
As soon as Hua Xiangyi left, Pan Rugui turned around and said to the two rows of Imperial Guards, "His Majesty said to whip. We're almost done beating this person. Drag him back. Have you heard Third Miss's words before? It's Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's wish. Go back and tell Ji Lei that everyone involved in this case is an immortal[8]. If anything happens to the child under his watch…"
[8]Immortal. literally immortal from 神仙打架, or eternal battle, that is, when people at the top fight or compete with each other.
Pan Rugui coughed softly.
"Even the Heavenly Emperor[9] himself would not be able to protect his own head."
[9]天王 老子 generally refers to someone who holds the highest status and the most power. That is the Jade Emperor in Heaven and the Emperor on Earth. He also insinuates here that the Empress Dowager's words have more influence on the Emperor.
Xiaofuzi returned to help support Pan Rugui's arm. The long and wide street was empty. He whispered, "Lao Zuzong[10], we just let him go like that. Will His Majesty really not blame us later?"
[10]老祖宗 ancestor or old ancestor is a literal term of address; it is how the highest eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty were sometimes personally addressed.
Pan Rugui stepped on the snow and said, "His Majesty knows deep down that we are not to blame for this."
He walked a few steps. Snowflakes got into his fur collar.
"A promise is worth a thousand ounces of gold. The sovereign's fear is most supportive of his words. His Majesty is suffering from a serious illness due to the invasion of the Twelve Tribes of Biansha. These days, he has been considering conferring the title of princess on Third Miss to please Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. At this point, His Majesty must agree to these things even if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has to make other demands of him, let alone saving a man's life."
As he spoke, Pan Rugui tilted his head to look at Xiaofuzi.
"When have you ever seen Her Majesty the Empress Dowager change her orders?"
Regardless of the case, the true master is the one who stands by his own words.
◈ ◈ ◈
Shen Zechuan was delirious with fever. One moment, he saw Ji Mu dying in front of him. The next moment, he saw himself when he was still living in Duanzhou.
The Duanzhou wind caressed past the banners. Shiniang lifted the curtain to step out with a white porcelain bowl in her hand. It was filled with dumplings that had thin skin and mostly fat filling.
"Tell your eldest brother to come home!" Shiniang called out to him, "Don't stop for a moment. Tell him to hurry back to eat!"
Shen Zechuan climbed over the corridor railing, took a few steps to his shiniang, and picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks before running off with it in his mouth. The dumpling was so hot that he could only keep biting into his mouth. When he went out the door, he saw his shifu, Ji Gang, sitting on the steps. So, he squatted down beside him.
Ji Gang was grinding stones with his hands. He turned to clear his throat at Shen Zechuan and said, "Kid, how much are dumplings? Look at how strange you eat them! Call your big brother back. The three of us father and son will go to Yuanyang Tavern[11] for a big meal."
[11]鸳鸯 Yuanyang, or (a pair of) Mandarin Ducks. Mandarin ducks are considered lifelong partners and are a symbol of mutual love and happiness in Chinese culture.
Shen Zechuan did not continue the conversation, because the shiniang had already pulled Ji Gang's ear. She said, "Looking up, turning your nose up at dumplings, huh? How capable are you, huh. Do you really have the money to get a daughter-in-law? Going out on your own with these two silly young men, huh?!"
Shen Zechuan laughed out loud. He jumped down the stairs and waved to shifu and shiniang before he ran into the alley to look for his brother, Ji Mu.
It was snowing heavily along the way. Shen Zechuan couldn't find it. The further he walked, the further he went, and the colder he felt.
"Older brother."
Shen Zechuan ran all over the place, screaming.
"Ji Mu! Let's go home to eat!"
Gradually, the sound of horse hooves surrounded him. The thick snow blocked his vision. Shen Zechuan had a deep-rooted memory of the sound of horse hooves, but he could not see anyone around him. The sound of battle exploded in his ears, and warm blood splattered across his face. There were several stabs of pain in both of Shen Zechuan's legs as a tremendous force pressed him to the ground.
He saw the dead man in front of him again. The rain of arrows whistled in the wind. The man on his back was heavy, and the sticky, warm liquid flowed down his neck, along his cheeks.
This time, he knew what it was.
Shen Zechuan woke up trembling. He was soaked, and so frozen that he shivered uncontrollably. He lay on the bed board as his eyes adjusted with some difficulty to the darkness.
There are still people in the prison room. The Execution Officer cleans up the dirty things and lights the oil lamp.
Shen Zechuan felt parched with fever and thirst. The messenger seemed to notice his thirst and poured him a bowl of cold water before placing it on the bed board. Waves of heat and cold swept over Shen Zechuan. Very slowly, he tipped the bowl over himself, spilling half of the water inside.
No one spoke in the prison. Shen Zechuan was the only one left after the messengers retreated. He drifted in and out of consciousness. This night seemed to drag on endlessly. No matter how he waited, dawn never came.
The Executing Officer came again to change Shen Zechuan's medicine. He was more conscious. Ji Lei stared at him behind the iron bars and said in a cold voice, "You are a lucky bastard. A scourge truly never dies. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has saved your life. I guess you don't know why."
Shen Zechuan lowered his head and said nothing.
Ji Lei said, "I know your shifu is Ji Gang, the fugitive Ji Gang of the martial fraternity. I was a fellow student with him twenty years ago. Together, we served as Imperial Guards in Qudu. I'm afraid you don't know this, but he was once a third-grade[12] Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard. I was trained in the Ji Clan's Boxing Style set as well."
[12]三品 Officials are classified into nine hierarchical classes, with rank one being the highest rank. Their salaries range according to their rank.
Shen Zechuan raised his head and looked at him.
Ji Lei opened the door and waited for the errand boy to leave. Once there was no one around, he sat beside Shen Zechuan's bed.
"Later, he committed a crime. His offense was one that he should be beheaded to atone for. But the previous Emperor was kind. In the end, he did not kill that person and only exiled him outside the Outerverse." Ji Lei propped up his knees and grinned at Shen Zechuan with his back to the light. "Your shifu—has no abilities to speak of. He is just a lucky loser. Guess how he survived? Through the glory of your shiniang, Just like you today. You probably don't even know who your shiniang is. But, let me tell you right now, your shiniang is Hua Pingting[13]. There are eight Cen'nan cities in Qudu. The Dicheng Hua clan among them is the current Empress Dowager's clan. So, it is all because of your shiniang that the Empress Dowager saved your life today."
[13]娉婷 also means a graceful and beautiful woman.
Ji Lei lowered his head and whispered.
"But who would know that your shiniang died during the military upheaval? Let me tell you. Ji Gang is a good-for-nothing. His father died twenty years ago, and twenty years later, his wife and son also died. Do you know who the culprit was? You know it deep down in your heart. The culprit is Shen Wei!"
Shen Zechuan's breath caught.
"Shen Wei opened the defense line at Chashi River. Biansha cavalry charged and ran rampant across the land. Machetes cut your shiniang's throat. Everything that happened before she took her last breath could make Ji Gang's life a living hell."
"Duanzhou fell into enemy hands. You said it was your brother who saved you." Ji Lei leaned back, measured the back of his hand, and said, "Ji Mu, huh? Ji Gang raised you and watched you grow up, so Ji Mu is your brother. He was Ji Gang's only son—Ji Gang's only descendant, and the only descendant of the Ji Clan. But because of Shen Wei and you, he died as well. Pierced through the heart by ten thousand arrows. His corpse was even left in a sinkhole, subjected to the humiliation of being trampled by the Biansha Cavalry horses. I wonder how Ji Gang would feel if he were still alive and had to collect his son's body right now."
Shen Zechuan suddenly lifted his body. Ji Lei easily pushed him back.
"Shen Wei betrayed his country and colluded with the enemy. This is the debt you must shoulder. You who are struggling to live today, and the countless ghosts of Zhongbo who have died mourn an unjust death. You who are asleep at night, slowly distinguishing who among the others in your dreams is your shiniang, your shifu! You are still alive, but living is already more painful than death. Can you forgive Shen Wei? If you forgive Shen Wei and help free him, then you will let down your shifu and his entire family. No matter what, Ji Gang is the benefactor who has cared for and raised you. How can you do to him such a disloyal and unfilial act?"
"Moreover, even if you pull out your own weak existence, there is no one else in this world who will empathize with you. Once you are in Qudu, you are Shen Wei. The people are very angry now. Those who hate you to the core are more than one can count. You still have to die. Rather than dying a dubious death, why not speak frankly to His Majesty and come clean about Shen Wei's crimes? That will also comfort your shifu's soul in Heaven."
Ji Lei suddenly stopped talking when he saw Shen Zechuan, who was pinned to the bed board, smile. The young man's pale face turned sinister, frozen.
"Shen Wei did not collude with the enemy."
Shen Zechuan said each word through clenched teeth.
"Shen Wei never colludes with the enemy!"
Ji Lei lifted Shen Zechuan and slammed him against the wall. A "BANG" sounded, and pieces of dirt and dust rained down from the friction. The impact caused Shen Zechuan to cough non-stop.
"There are too many ways I can kill you." Ji Lei said, "Little bastard who has no regard for people. You got lucky this time and managed to escape death with skin and teeth. And now you really think you can survive beyond today?"
Turning around, he dragged Shen Zechuan to the cell door and kicked it open before heading out.
"I am impartial in my duties and will obey the Empress Dowager's will. But there are many people in Dazhou who can do as they please without regard for the existing authority. Since you are truly foolish, then I will agree to your wishes. You want someone to kill you—that person is already here!"
The city gates of Qudu suddenly opened wide, and a row of pitch-black armored cavalry quickly galloped in from outside the gate, sounding like thunder.
Shen Zechuan was dragged along the road. The Imperial Guards scattered, and the split crowd was packed in two to clear the way for the armored heavy cavalry.
A Libei beast hovered in the sky as the sounds of armor clanged against its chest. The thunder of hooves grew closer. Shen Zechuan opened his eyes and saw a heavily armored cavalry leader charging straight ahead.
The horse under the heavy armor was like a wild beast, breathing out hot air as it ran a few steps ahead of them. It was reined in just as it was about to hit them. Its hooves soared high in the air. By the time it stopped, the man behind the horse had already turned around and dismounted.
Ji Lei stepped forward and said loudly, "Xiao…"
The man didn't even look at Ji Lei and went straight for Shen Zechuan. Shen Zechuan had just moved the shackles when the man kicked Shen Zechuan right in the chest at lightning speed!
The force of this kick was so strong that Shen Zechuan didn't even get a chance to brace himself to receive it. Blood splattered as he opened his mouth. His entire body fell to the ground. For a moment there, he almost vomited.