Chapter 96: Auspicious Signs (Part Two)

"Sorry about that, I've just been a bit exhausted lately!" Zhang Qian awkwardly propped himself up with his arm, wiping the drool from his face.

In just twenty-odd minutes of carriage travel, he had managed to fall asleep. Today, he'd truly made a fool of himself. Fortunately, he had no habit of talking in his sleep, otherwise...

"Yongzhao, you seemed to compose a poem in your dream just now!" Zhang Jiuling’s voice sounded again. He casually pushed open the carriage door and leapt out. "It sounded quite evocative. When we await court later, why not write it down, let your elder brother read it closely?"

"There was no poem, absolutely not! Brother Zishou must have misheard, misheard!" In an instant, Zhang Qian was so embarrassed his whole body burned. He scrambled out of the carriage, waving his hands vigorously. "I’m not skilled in such things at all. Even if I did talk in my sleep, the poem certainly wasn’t mine. Please don’t trouble me, brother Zishou!"

"If you didn’t write it, then who did?" Zhang Jiuling, half-believing, frowned and pressed, "I’ve never heard those lines before. ‘In vain send beauty to calm the realm; who knows where a general is needed?’ Excellent, excellent—complementing the brilliant discourse you gave at the banquet. But I wonder..."

"I truly don’t know who wrote it, brother Zishou. Let’s hurry. It’s hot inside the carriage, the autumn wind on the bridge is chilling!" Hearing this, Zhang Qian’s embarrassment grew, and he quickened his pace, almost fleeing, leaving Zhang Jiuling behind.

At last, his composure faltered—he had recited someone else’s poem in his dream. Thankfully, the original poet’s verses were well-known; he wouldn’t be struck from the ranks of Tang poets for pilfering a couple of lines.

"Yongzhao, slow down, slow down. Do you know your way? Running amok in the palace, be careful not to get beaten!" Zhang Jiuling called from behind, with a teasing undertone.

"I—" His guilt quickly gave way to resignation; Zhang Qian stopped and shook his head.

In the twenty-first century, the Daming Palace had long since become a historical site. How could he possibly know his way inside? The rooms were lined up in rows, corridors branching endlessly—if he wandered around like a headless fly, he’d still never find the court hall by nightfall.

"Just follow the path straight ahead; on both sides are the Right and Left Guards’ courtyards. Further on are the East and West Observatories." Zhang Jiuling, delighted to find Zhang Qian’s weakness, caught up gleefully, guiding him. "Past the observatories are the East and West Morning Rooms, where officials of the fourth rank and above wait to attend court in the mornings. Beyond the east and west halls, you mustn’t wander. We’re both civil officials now—we must take the Tongqian Gate by the east side of the Hanyuan Hall, then proceed through the Rihua Gate..."

With this introduction, before he finished, Zhang Qian was already dizzy. He had no choice but to obediently follow at Zhang Jiuling’s side, step by step.

Luckily, Zhang Jiuling was now something of a favorite in the Ministry of Personnel, familiar with the guards along the way. He produced the relevant credentials, explaining he’d been ordered to summon Zhang Qian for court, and the guards let the brothers pass smoothly to the outer hall of the Purple Palace.

Since it wasn’t the day of the new or full moon, today’s court session was held in the front hall of the Purple Palace. This allowed the emperor to retire to the rear hall during breaks and meant the etiquette requirements for officials were relaxed—they need not maintain the grave formality required at the Hanyuan or Xuanzheng Halls.

Zhang Jiuling and Zhang Qian arrived a bit early; the formal deliberations had not yet ended. So, under the guidance of an inner palace steward, they settled in a side chamber on the right of the Purple Palace. Zhang Jiuling, ever the enthusiast, wanted to help Zhang Qian recall if the two poetic lines from his dream had any context. Zhang Qian, however, clutched his head and steadfastly refused to admit he’d dreamt at all. Helpless, Zhang Jiuling had to give up.

Unable to discuss poetry, and forbidden from laughing aloud, the waiting time for "Court After" felt long. Fortunately, other low-ranking officials summoned for "Court After" arrived in succession. Most were unfamiliar with one another; after exchanging a few pleasantries, names, and departments, the boredom was somewhat alleviated.

---

"Brother Zishou, I’ve heard someone presented a rare beast to His Majesty today. It’s over two fathoms tall, with a dragon’s head and a serpent’s neck, dazzling in five colors. I’m ignorant; I’ve searched all my books and never seen such a wondrous creature. Could you describe its appearance for us, so we might broaden our horizons?" Among a cluster of dark and light blue robes, Zhang Jiuling’s sixth-rank officer’s robe stood out, quickly attracting someone eager to ingratiate themselves with the "new star of the Ministry of Personnel" under the guise of asking for instruction.

The others, whether interested in the beast or in Zhang Jiuling himself, also turned their attention to him, chiming in with smiles: "Yes, yes, we know so little—brother Zishou, please describe the rare beast, let us all see!"

"Brother Zishou, since we have time, why not explain it to us?"

"Officer, I’m from Luoyang, never seen such—"

...

But Zhang Jiuling had no desire to attract trouble, and deftly redirected the conversation, "To be honest, I haven’t seen the beast myself. Today isn’t my turn to attend court; I’m only here by temporary arrangement, waiting with you all."

"Oh!" The crowd was both disappointed and envious, their gazes complicated.

For eighth- and ninth-rank officials, the chance to see the emperor was less than twice a year. To be summoned for "Court After" was a stroke of luck. Yet Zhang Jiuling, a sixth-rank Assistant Official, not only attended court once every five cycles, but was so favored by his superiors that he got extra exposure during "Court After."

Don’t underestimate these opportunities for visibility. Perhaps, just by saying something apt, the emperor would remember you. And officials in the Ministry of Personnel were famous for rapid promotion. Next time, when the crowd saw Zhang Jiuling, perhaps his robe would be crimson, with a gold belt at his waist. (Crimson robes denote fourth-rank officials.)

"The matter of auspicious omens is still undecided. If you have time for these rumors, it’s better to reflect on whether there are any oversights in your own duties. Otherwise, if His Majesty asks, you might not answer correctly." Zhang Jiuling, having served as a county constable for years, knew the hardships of junior officials. Seeing their minds wander from important matters, he couldn’t help but quietly remind them.

"Thank you for the reminder, Assistant Official! We were reckless before," the officials hurriedly cupped their hands in gratitude, then quietly resumed their exchanges.

"The Astronomical Bureau noted the Northern Star is dim lately—this winter, I fear there won’t be many clear days," sighed an eighth-rank registrar, shaking his head.

"Do you need the Astronomical Bureau for that? Ever since autumn, the rains haven’t stopped. When winter comes, of course it’ll be wind and snow!" said an assistant supervisor from the Pasture Bureau, picking up the thread with feeling.

Before he finished, the Water Bureau’s manager slapped his thigh: "That’s misery for me—I’m with the Water Bureau. Rain and snow, you all can stay indoors by the fire. I have to throw on a raincoat and patrol, worn out every day!"

"Worn out, but you won’t die. Brother Zhou and his men are stationed in the north—when the rivers freeze, the Turks seize the chance to raid south. If this winter brings wind and snow, it might help block them. Otherwise, each patrol could be the last!" At the door, a burly man in military garb suddenly entered, his voice gruff.

The chatter stopped abruptly; everyone turned to size him up. He was broad-shouldered and burly, but his face was scarred—a jagged mark ran from the corner of his left eye to the right side of his mouth, writhing like a worm as he spoke, making his visage fierce.

---

"The Turks are raiding again?" Zhang Jiuling, unconcerned by appearance, stepped forward and asked quietly, "Wasn’t it said that when General Zhang arrived in the north, the Turks retreated without a fight?"

"That’s the main force, of course, they dare not confront General Zhang. But the Turks live on horseback, coming and going like the wind. The main force leaves, but small bands, like gadflies, seize any chance to bite. This time, General Zhang heard the court developed a new gunpowder that can burn enemy troops and clean wounds. So he sent me back to request a batch from the Ministry of War to trial in the north. My name is Zhou Jianliang, a minor soldier in the northern army. If any of you serve in the Ordnance Bureau, please introduce me—what exactly is this gunpowder?"

"You’ve come to the right man today." Seeing that Zhou wore the seventh-rank Deputy General’s uniform, the officials knew he was a trusted aide of Zhang Renyuan, the northern commander, and turned their eyes to Zhang Qian, smiling as they introduced him. "This is Chief Registrar Zhang from the Ordnance Bureau’s Gunpowder Office—the secret formula and methods are all his."

"Thank you, Chief Registrar Zhang, for enlightening me!" Though a soldier, Zhou Jianliang spoke politely, bowing and cupping his fists to Zhang Qian.

"No need for formality, General Zhou!" Admiring Zhou Jianliang’s sacrifice for the country, Zhang Qian stood and introduced, smiling, "Gunpowder is also called alcohol—literally, the essence distilled from spirits. The Ordnance Bureau makes two kinds: one for setting fires, the other for cleaning wounds. If you want more effective results in battle, you can..."

"Stop it, stop it, the rare beast has escaped!"

"Don’t use weapons—how could a rare beast be slain with arms? Catch it by hand!"

"Oh no—"

"It’s bad, Supervisor Wang is dead, kicked to death by the rare beast."

"Careful, the rare beast is charging this way. Block it, block it..."

Just as Zhang Qian began explaining, exclamations erupted outside. Screams, shouts, and pleas for help sounded in a cacophony.

Everyone turned anxiously to the window, and saw in the sunset, amidst ornate buildings, a beast over two fathoms tall, with a horse’s head and a python’s neck, cowhide with leopard spots, and a pair of short horns, rampaging unimpeded.

Wherever it went, guards and eunuchs unable to dodge were sent flying, kicked over, their cries filling the ground.