Chapter 28: Registration

Jing Zhongkuan’s praise for Mistress Zhu was high, but it was clearly a performance staged for the onlookers.

"Fellow townsfolk and elders, if the people of Anlu could all conduct themselves with the same wifely virtue as the Third Mistress of the Zhu family, why should we worry about a lack of moral instruction in this county? Why should we worry about people not living in peace and working in contentment? And why should we worry about the prosperity of our Great Ming?"

Jing Zhongkuan reeled off a string of platitudes. At first glance, he sounded like a pedantic old scholar who knew nothing but rote learning.

Zhu Hao, however, felt something was off. Would a corrupt Confucian scholar, upon arriving at his new post, immediately rush to the very spot where his predecessor had fallen to deliver such a long-winded speech?

"Bravo!"

But to the common people, such clichés were the most effective way to win hearts. Amidst the applause, Jing Zhongkuan bowed to Mistress Zhu, then turned, head held high, and strode toward the group of county officials who had come to welcome him.

As Jing Zhongkuan departed, the onlookers naturally dispersed, and the rice shop returned to its quiet state.

Auntie Li came to the door, glanced at the money-grubber across the street who was glaring with resentment, and asked curiously, "What is going on?"

Mistress Zhu frowned slightly. "Perhaps it is because your master served the country faithfully and his reputation precedes him."

Zhu Hao ducked through the curtain and trotted to Mistress Zhu’s side. "It has nothing to do with Father’s reputation. I think this new magistrate is quite shrewd. I fear he is a difficult man to deal with; we must be more careful in our business from now on."

Auntie Li was puzzled. "But such an official is excellent—he understands the people's hardships and is easy to approach. Why does Young Master Hao have such a negative opinion of him?"

Zhu Hao replied, "Mother, he is merely a magistrate who rose through the rank of *juren*; his political path is limited. Magistrate Shen was transferred before his term ended, which somehow involves us. For him to come here to sound us out before even reaching the yamen—can you really say a man like that has no ulterior motives?"

Mistress Zhu and Auntie Li exchanged glances, their eyes finally landing on Zhu Hao. Seeing this, Zhu Hao stuck out his tongue and scampered back to the backyard.

***

In the afternoon, shortly after stepping out, Zhu Hao heard that Jing Zhongkuan had gone to the Prince of Xing’s residence to pay a visit, only to be turned away at the door.

Zhu Hao went to the inn to see Mr. Lu, who was about to leave Anlu.

Mr. Lu was quite surprised by Zhu Hao's arrival. "Zhu Hao, you knew I was here?"

Zhu Hao smiled. "I’ve always known... Didn't you discuss your lodgings with that instructor named Sui earlier? I was right there, and I’m not deaf. Are you leaving, sir?"

By now, Mr. Lu had already packed his belongings. Although Zhu Hao hadn't visited in person over the past two days, he had instructed Yu San to keep a constant watch and alert him the moment there were signs of Mr. Lu’s departure.

Mr. Lu sat at the table by the window and nodded slightly. "Although I took you as a student, I regretfully haven't taught you a single thing... I am leaving for Jiangxi tomorrow."

Zhu Hao asked, "So, Mr. Lu, are you planning to join the Prince of Ning?"

"Heh." Mr. Lu did not answer.

Just then, an old servant entered. Seeing a guest in the room, he quickly retreated.

Mr. Lu asked, "Is the carriage ready?"

"Yes, Master. Everything is arranged, and the journey tomorrow will not be delayed," the old servant replied.

Mr. Lu waved his hand. "Go and rest, then. We set off early tomorrow morning."

Dismissing the servant, he turned to Zhu Hao and noticed a strange look on the boy's face. "Zhu Hao, you came to see me—is there something you need?"

"Yes." Zhu Hao nodded. "I want to enter the Prince of Xing’s residence."

Mr. Lu looked slightly perplexed, then seemed to realize something. "I heard the Prince's residence is recruiting companions for the young prince from the families of the local gentry and wealthy merchants. You intend to apply... does this have to do with your family?"

*You truly are a sharp one,* Zhu Hao thought. *In just a few words, you’ve realized I might be a mole sent by my family into the Prince of Xing’s residence.*

"No. I simply want an opportunity to study... Mr. Lu, you should know that my relationship with my family is poor. The elders want to take me back and keep me under guard to coerce my mother into handing over the property left by my late father to the main branch. I am desperate to escape their control."

Zhu Hao spoke very bluntly. Mr. Lu shook his head. "In terms of benevolence and righteousness, this is not appropriate... Don't you have a master teaching you from the shadows? Could it be that the person behind you wants you to infiltrate the Prince of Xing's residence?"

Zhu Hao smiled and shook his head.

"Zhu Hao, do you want me to help you?" Mr. Lu asked.

Zhu Hao said, "Mr. Lu has endured many hardships; surely you have no desire to meddle in worldly affairs at this point? Even if you are acquainted with the instructors at the Prince of Xing’s residence, it is unlikely you could help me."

"I know you are heading to Nanchang, so I have come to see you off. I also offer a word of caution: if you discover that someone in Nanchang intends to lead an insurrection and endanger the court and the state, withdrawing in time might be the wisest course of action."

Mr. Lu’s expression remained calm, and he waved his hand, not taking the warning to heart.

"Very well, Mr. Lu. I won't ask if you are truly the Recluse of the Six Desires. To me, a teacher for a day is a father for life. I hope we have the chance to meet again. Goodbye, sir!"

Zhu Hao left without making a single request of Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu walked Zhu Hao to the door of the inn. After bidding farewell, he watched Zhu Hao’s thin, determined back as he walked away, falling into deep thought.

"Master, who was that?" the old servant asked, appearing silently behind him.

Mr. Lu withdrew his gaze and smiled. "This little friend is no ordinary boy. A descendant of a loyal family, articulate at such a young age, and as mature as an adult—he is truly impressive. Master Su mentioned him in his letter with nothing but praise."

The old servant asked, "Master Su—could that be the salt merchant, Shopkeeper Su?"

"The very same. Two months ago, he bought two of my paintings and sponsored my trip to Huguang... His brother-in-law is the Provincial Administration Commissioner Huang, who was demoted to Huguang half a year ago. He has deep connections... This Master Su has a vast network in Jiangxi; it does no harm to be acquainted with him," Mr. Lu nodded slightly.

The old servant was puzzled. "If you are willing to sell paintings to Master Su, why do you ignore the local gentry when they seek your work?"

Mr. Lu sighed and shook his head. "That is different. Merchants only seek profit; if officials and gentry seek paintings, the nature of the transaction changes... The former magistrate offended the powerful and was transferred within days, his future ruined... It is best to avoid the affairs of officialdom."

***

That day, the Prince of Xing’s residence set up two tables outside the south gate to accept applications for age-appropriate boys in Anlu.

By the afternoon, very few people were coming to register.

At sunset, a man in his thirties, dressed in luxurious clothing, emerged from the gate and asked the clerk at the registration table, "Well, has the number reached one hundred?"

The clerk in charge of registration hurriedly stood up and bowed. "Sir, only about thirty people have signed up."

The middle-aged man looked displeased. "My Prince of Xing’s residence is recruiting boys to study within the walls—what a glorious honor! How is it that after a full day, only thirty-something have applied?"

Just then, a child with a cute, round face, eyes like black gemstones, and a sharp, clever look in his gaze ran over. He asked with a smile, "May I apply?"

The clerk eyed him. "Bring your elders."

"My elders are busy with their livelihood and have no time to spare, so I came to apply myself. My name is Zhu Hao. I can recite the Four Books and Five Classics by heart; that should meet the requirements, right?"

The person was indeed Zhu Hao.

The clerk was about to refuse, but the man beside him pulled his sleeve and asked with a grin, "You are so young, yet you can recite the Four Books and Five Classics by heart?"

Zhu Hao nodded his little head vigorously. "Yes. Would you like to test me?"

The clerk frowned. "Sir, this kid is just being naughty. We should just shoo him away; why waste so much breath on him?"

Zhu Hao acted as if he hadn't heard, looking at the man in his thirties with feigned surprise. "Oh! Is this Mr. Jiang? I have long heard that Mr. Jiang comes from a family of military merit and is a rare talent in both literature and martial arts."

Flattery is never out of style.

Zhu Hao had heard the clerk address the man as "Sir," so he knew this must be Jiang Lun, the brother of the Princess of Xing.

In truth, the Princess of Xing’s father, Jiang Xiao, had no sons. Jiang Xiao had risen to prominence through his daughter; when he passed away in the fourth year of the Zhengde reign, he left no male heir. The Prince of Xing, out of pity, petitioned the court to have the son of Jiang Xiao’s brother—the Commander of the Capital Garrison, Jiang Bin—adopted into Jiang Xiao’s lineage, making him the nominal brother of the Princess.

Jiang Lun held only a seventh-rank honorary post in the Prince’s residence with no real power, a man who could meddle in everything but possessed little authority. After Zhu Houcong ascended the throne, this nominal "Imperial Brother-in-law" would leap to become the Earl of Yutian, a prominent relative of the Jiajing Emperor.

But for now, Jiang Lun’s position was awkward. The Princess felt no sisterly affection for him, and his status in the residence was far below that of officials like Yuan Zonggao, Li Ji, and Zhang Zuo.

Hearing Zhu Hao’s words, Jiang Lun beamed. "Kid, you certainly know how to talk... Here, write his name down. I’ll test him myself later!"

"Sir, this... is that really appropriate?" The clerk’s face fell, feeling that Jiang Lun was breaking the rules.

Jiang Lun’s expression darkened. "Hardly anyone has applied as it is. Now that we finally have a smart-looking one, do you want to drive him away? Whether he passes or not is a different matter—just record his name. Hey, I’m not asking you to make the selection, why are you so nervous?"

Scolded, the clerk could only glare at Zhu Hao before picking up his brush to write.

"Mr. Jiang, when will the selection take place?"

Seeing the clerk register his name, Zhu Hao felt a wave of relief, though his face remained perfectly composed as he looked smilingly at Jiang Lun.

Jiang Lun said, "The residence will post a notice within a day or two. Go home and wait."

The clerk, with a sour face, finished recording Zhu Hao’s name and asked about his background, which Zhu Hao answered one by one.

Jiang Lun watched with a smile. Hearing Zhu Hao mention he came from a military family, he laughed, "No wonder you know who I am, kid. So your father was a commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a fellow military household... It’s truly hard for children of military families to study. Do your best in the selection; don't embarrass us military families!"