by Ng, Wayne;
“Call it a woman’s second sight if you will. Since that hunting accident, a foul mood has enveloped him.”
I was not surprised to hear this, although I had hoped Prince Chao would heal into a different man. We continued walking through the crowded streets. She told me her position in the Palace had allowed her to support her parents, though it was not sufficient for them to stop working the farm. Before the spring floods, they had had some success with a new rotation of different crops and some new tools, for which she thanked me. But if it was not for her, their survival would be in question. She no longer had to resort to stealing kitchen stock and sneaking it back to them. Now she had Royal Blessing to gift them with supplies, seeds and food.
As we approached Wai Chao Square, a column of Royal Guardsmen came charging down the street, knocking over a fruit vendor’s cart and creating a maelstrom of people lunging for the scattering bounty. A Royal Litter and its escort followed. The crowd lowered themselves in supplication. I caught a glimpse of Prince Meng as the carriage passed. He peered out from behind a curtain and saw Mei with me, then gave me an anxious look that suggested that my ear was required.
Mei recognized one of the Guardsmen and asked him why the litter moved with such haste and urgency. Apparently it was because the Royal Tombs in the northern frontier had been plundered. For the King, nothing more sacred could have been violated, no family humiliation greater. The shame would be on him and he would no doubt be furious. Mei bid me farewell, explaining that when the King was in a foul mood, one did not want to be unavailable to either soothe his anger or absorb his blows. Once he left his formal proceedings, it was his concubines he valued above everything but his own position.
Indeed, when I joined Prince Meng at the Palace, the King was in a rage, sending servants scattering to summon his entire court and then the Chu Ambassador. Confucius stood among Prince Chao’s ministers. We had spoken little over the months since our discussion at the inn. He had clearly been busy. But if the truth were to be known, I had been avoiding him, as deep down I knew he had bested me.
The Ambassador of Chu entered the Celestial Hall with all the customary kowtowing and greetings. He appeared oblivious to the tension. There was even a swagger to his gait.
“Son of Heaven,” the Ambassador bowed and prostrated himself. “The Royal Tombs lie only two days ride from the closest reaches of the barbarians. Safeguarding them required battalions of heavily-armed soldiers, most of whom normally sit idle. It is a heavy investment of resources for such a task. Thus the garrison was halved and deployed to a more strategic location where they would be better utilized to guard the trade routes that friends of the Royal Court have imperiled.”
The King began to speak, but a coughing fit overtook him. Finally it subsided and he started again slowly, though he was clearly seething with anger.
“You speak of strategy, but what of duty? What of obligation? It is a task and responsibility which Chu agreed to uphold in return for trading privileges. You have failed.”
“The Son of Heaven is correct, an understanding was in place. Even while the Son of Heaven’s emissaries promoted cultural and scientific exchanges and brokered a common trade strategy for all, the Son of Heaven’s troops, few as they are, have been re-armed and have been on a war footing for some time. Why? When Zhou had secret meetings with Qin, Jin, Zheng, Chen and those barbarian Wu for the purpose of surrounding Chu, it changed the spirit of our understanding. I trust the Son of Heaven would not attempt to deny this. Nor would I imagine that the Son of Heaven would think we were unaware of this. The garrison that was halved was re-deployed to face an incursion of mysterious marauders who destroyed numerous Chu villages and a district capital. We lost lives, the Son of Heaven lost valued treasures. However it is not through Chu’s doing that the tombs were plundered.”
Prince Chao challenged the Ambassador. “We have no quarrel with Chu but not all in this world are pleased with it. You have no proof of any such alliances. Zhou is the rightful throne, the spiritual centre of the world. Why would we endanger this standing by fomenting a war?”
The Ambassador responded immediately. “That is not for me to answer, for there can be no logic to such an undertaking. Such provocation comes at a cost. Chu troops have moved to control the eastern bend of the Yellow River, thus assuring safe passage for the trading of goods. No other kingdom can provide such security. And it appears the marauders who attacked us were not bandits at all. Their weaponry and skill suggest they were well-trained soldiers. They appeared to be from various combined territories. Nevertheless, each and every invader was captured, and each one fouled himself as he was beheaded. This took place deep within Qin territory, which we easily penetrated to ferret out those raiders. The Son of Heaven must know it is a dangerous game that is being played. Shall we continue?”
The Yellow River bend was a mere five days’ ride from Chengzhou and on the door step of Zhou’s allies, the Jin and Qin. It was a bold, audacious move by Chu. The Royal Court was silent until Prince Meng spoke.
“It is most regrettable that our Royal Tombs have become a feasting ground for the most depraved of intentions. Yet Nature says only a few words: high winds do not last long, nor does heavy rain. If Nature’s words do not last, why should those of man? What is important is that trust is not lost. Chu loses lives. Qin suffers. Our Tombs are desecrated. But Zhou will endure. There are no victors in such squabbles. Ambassador, there is little cause for anyone to rejoice at these developments, would you not agree?”
Prince Meng’s remarks reflected an emerging wisdom and tact. I knew he had the ability, and now he was showing the confidence to use it. I could not have been prouder had I been his father.
“The heir speaks with wisdom beyond his years,” the Ambassador said, smiling and nodding, a clear salvo at Prince Chao. Then he continued, “It is refreshing to deal with minds that are not only agreeable, but also able to see beyond their immediate horizon. Perhaps it might be of benefit to all if all future diplomatic maneuvers were framed with such sensibility. And any dalliances with other kingdoms that occur should be far more restrained.”
With little more to say, and with the King at a loss for words, the Ambassador was dismissed.
“The fools!” the King spat out. “They moved too quickly, and now our ancestors are nothing more than overturned rubble.”
Prince Chao nodded. “Our allies were supposed to send a small band of troops posing as bandits to probe Chu’s reactions. Chu’s response suggests one of two things. One, our troops moved too hastily and too deep. Two, Chu’s reaction was swift and calculated because there is a spy amongst us.”
Several ministers seized the opportunity and accused others of running weak and disloyal departments. One general denounced another for failing to train his troops properly. General Wu promised to ferret out anyone disloyal and personally behead them. The Minister of War suggested a doubling of the guards and a strict search of all those entering and leaving Chengzhou. Finally the King raised a hand, silencing the chatter. He was about to speak when Prince Meng interrupted him.
“Heavenly Father, do you mean that this entire incident was a game? Our Tombs were laid to waste in order to test Chu’s reaction? Why was I not made aware of this?”
The elder Prince could barely conceal his anger.
The King snarled back at him. “Prince Meng, you can hardly pretend to be interested in the minutiae of governance. It is not for you to judge our decisions.”
A composed Prince Chao joined in. “Our Heavenly Father speaks from wisdom. It is not your place to pronounce, Prince Meng. The effect of such actions were unanticipated. We must investigate the possibility of there being a spy among us.”
Prince Meng could restrain himself no longer. “We have spoken of forging new and progressive links in all the lands. We are supposed to be modernizing with a view to binding the territories. And now we have lost face. We stand on
a war footing after having been shown to have secret alliances with other territories. Chu flies like a vulture hovering over a wounded rabbit and you call this minutia? Thanks to such foolishness, am I to inherit a throne that is no more than a bedpan to Chu?”
A silence enveloped the hall. Nobody stirred. A moment before, Prince Meng had demonstrated diplomacy and maturity, and now he was showing a biting edge. I had never heard Prince Meng more lacking in composure with the King.
At first the King sat stunned, then he stood and let the full weight of his anger explode.
“If you could extract yourself from your useless books and pitiful little birds for just an instant you would see there is a real world beyond your walls. This world requires a ruler, a ruler with a warrior’s will and a tiger’s cunning, not to mention a realistic view of how the world works. Are your precious little fish teaching you the ways of the sword? Do the branches of your garden instill gallantry in your feeble little heart?”
The King’s icy gaze cut through Prince Meng and the court. He continued.
“I hear little from my precious scholar prince. Yet now you have the temerity to question your Heavenly Father. You forget your place. And perhaps I should forget yours, for your words and actions do not suggest you are now or will ever be ready to inherit this throne. Zhou deserves better, and as Son of Heaven, I can make this so.”
It seemed that the very timbers of the hall shook with the King’s tirade. Ministers, generals, guards… all cowered in fear that the King would target them as well. The King looked to continue his tirade when a violent cough overcame him. He stumbled, then motioned for his attendants. They were too slow for his liking so he slapped them. He called for his sedan, which carried him back to his chambers, followed by his entourage.
The hall remained silent, broken only the Queen’s whining miniature dogs and her child-like giggles. No one dared to move until the rest of the Royal Family exited the hall: first Prince Meng who looked pale, followed by the Queen, her pets and her maidens, then Prince Chao, looking victorious, followed by Confucius and the Prince’s closest ministers, and Major Huang leading the Royal Guardsmen.
******
That evening, the sky resembled the darkest ink blot imaginable, blanketing the stars above. Except for the hour drum, the night remained especially still and quiet. I had stayed late in the Archives, partly because I could not remove the bitter taste of foreboding from my mouth. Prince Meng’s words in court were poorly chosen and ill-timed. For that, his father had humiliated him. I asked myself, how deep were his wounds? I wanted to offer comfort and solace. I walked through the Celestial Hall. Though the entire building glowed with hundreds of lit candles and torches, it too was eerily silent. I walked briskly towards the inner palace and Prince Meng’s quarters, but his attendants said he was not present, nor were his whereabouts known. Having just left the Archives, it occurred to me that the Prince might be in the garden, his one true refuge. But he was not.
Perturbed at not finding him, I intended to leave the Royal residences and the Palace. I doubled back away from the Princes’ chambers, through dimly-lit corridors. I heard voices and movement and looked back and I saw two females scurrying in my direction. A troubled-looking Queen and one of her servants were chasing the two Royal shar peis. They were small beasts, yet one of them looked as vicious and savage as any animal I had ever seen. The other dog was bloodied and terrified. It tried to flee from its fierce sibling. I bowed to her Highness as she passed. At first she appeared highly agitated, then her manner suddenly changed. She stopped and spoke to me as though she were suggesting I was no higher than one of her beloved, squirming dogs. But her typical demeanor could not hide the bewildering scene and I wondered what had happened.
Walking further along, I turned a corner only to hear someone panting. I looked around and saw another female figure also hurrying away from the King’s residence. She weaved as she walked, stumbled onto the ground, picked herself up, but fell again before finally finding her footing. I stopped, allowing her to reach me.
I recognized her and called out, startling her in the process. “Mei?”
She was about to scream, then recognized me. I grabbed her by the arm. She recoiled.
“No, let me go,” she begged me.
“Mei, you must allow me to assist you.” I released my grip on her arm, raised her chin and examined her. Her robe had been torn, her face was bruised, her face paint smeared with tears. Blood dripped down her leg onto the porcelain floor.
“Mei, what has happened? You have been harmed. By whom?”
She looked away. “You must not speak of this encounter, not to anyone, not ever.”
“But Mei…”
“Promise me!” she said almost breathlessly.
“Before I can give you such assurance, I must know what happened. I must know you will not be further harmed.”
She exhaled. “Not here.”
She allowed me to escort her to her chambers, avoiding the guards and any attendants. Once we entered her chambers, she began to quietly sob. She said she had been getting ready to leave the King’s outer chambers. He had exhausted himself after much drinking and ranting and had finally fallen asleep. She’d heard someone’s movements but before she could turn to look, she was knocked down onto her face. A hand muffled her attempt to cry out. With one hand he tore through her robe and under-layers. He forced his member into her from behind as he grunted and cursed her. Those were the only sounds out of his mouth as he pushed himself in and out of her.
When he was done, he collapsed onto her back. Her face never left the floor but she could smell Prince Chao’s distinctive jasmine scent, see the fiery red cuffs of the robes he often wore and pointy red silk shoes with rubies hanging off gold tassels. Between gasps for air, he whispered so softly that she could barely hear him. But his message was clear. If she uttered a word of this, he’d see that she and her family would lose their heads.
I poured her some tea and was about to fill her washbasin when Mei’s slave entered, startled at seeing any man, let alone myself in the chambers of one of the King’s concubines. I implored Mei’s attendant to remain and to attend to her mistress. Mei had by then collapsed on the bed, moaning and covering her womanhood.
Stunned, I retreated from Mei’s chambers. Prince Chao’s reputation for excess was well-known, but to dally with one of the King’s mistresses was extreme and risky, even for him. Why would he show such recklessness? By then, I assumed there were few safe secrets within the Palace, except from the blind such as myself. Eventually the King would learn of this. I picked up my pace and once again came upon the Queen. I found her kneeling over her shar peis, now both lying motionless, their open mouths foaming. The Queen looked up at me and told me to be quiet as her dogs were sleeping. Even I knew that such a sleep would never end. They had been poisoned.
It was a disturbing deed, made even more bewildering on the heels of the attack on Mei. I shivered, though sweat was beading off my forehead. An involuntary impulse led me to turn in every direction and scrutinize for any further offenses. But I could not imagine any connection between the two events. The attack on Mei was a brutal act of violence whereas it was possible the death of the dogs had been accidental. Who would want to harm two of the Queen’s few pleasures? Perhaps the dogs had ventured somewhere and eaten something foul. I studied the Queen, and felt that on this occasion, her madness was a blessing. I offered to carry one of the dogs for her, but she quietly shooed me away.
I walked back to the Archives with no real sense of purpose. The ink-stained clouds had cleared, revealing a dark sky studded with gleaming stars. But this could not mask the vileness of men below. I stared back at the buildings reserved for the Royals, then towards the Archives in front of me. Both appeared different though neither had changed. Perhaps it was that neither seemed to hold a place in my heart anymore. I was weighed down with thoughts of Mei and wor
ries for Prince Meng.
15
Aura of Doubt
Another bitter winter crawled by, temporarily muting some of the tension of the autumn. It was as though an unstated agreement called for the world to suspend its conflicts. I saw Mei on several occasions following that night, but each time attendants were with her or she was in the presence of the Royals. Always her eyes were in their customary downward position. I felt it was too risky to attempt to reach her for a private meeting. We were unable to converse freely. Yet something about her suggested she had not recovered. There was added weight to her appearance and movements and her manner was stilted, contrasting greatly with the ease and grace I had previously associated with her.
As much as I wanted to avoid Prince Chao, he was everywhere and a part of every aspect of governing. The Prince continued his bureaucratic, social and economic reforms with much vigor. Bureaucrats were already up in arms about their ranks soon opening up to outsiders and commoners. Prince Chao had proposed civil service examinations around an official curriculum based on knowledge of Zhou history, aristocratic etiquette and rituals and rites. These undoubtedly had Confucius’ imprints all over them.
I understood the logic behind this, though I found the motivation and practice misguided. The Court wanted scholars and bureaucrats who were objective, competent and who had earned their way into government. Essentially Prince Chao was saying the blood of the aristocracy should not be a guarantor of government positions. As much as I agreed with this, the proposals directed that examinations were open only to those referred by nobles, so the likelihood of a commoner having the knowledge, let alone the connections to such an opportunity, was an illusion.
The King made no apparent attempt to overrule Prince Chao’s direction. In fact the King presided over fewer audiences but made it clear to the Court that Prince Chao had the authority in his absence to manage both the more mundane as well as important state matters. When the King did appear, no amount of face paint could hide his pallor and thinning body. He looked as though he slept little, and even in the cool spring air he perspired profusely. I’d heard speculation that the King’s drinking had escalated. Meanwhile, Prince Meng had retreated into himself. He had been completely out-maneuvered by his brother and humiliated by his father. His official duties were reduced in number, though the Chu ambassador preferred to deal with him over either Prince Chao or the King.