Chapter Six: The Family Meeting

The Zhu Residence.

A family council was about to convene.

The matriarch, Madam Zhu, sat in the seat of honor. Beside her sat Jiang Yinghe, wife of the eldest son, Zhu Wanhong. Jiang was the daughter of Jiang Tao, a full chiliarch of the Cangzhou Chiliarchy in Northern Zhili.

With Zhu Wanhong long stranded in the capital, Jiang Yinghe held the title of the eldest daughter-in-law, yet all matters of the Zhu household remained firmly under the control of her mother-in-law. Jiang was habitually low-profile and rarely appeared in public.

Representing the second branch was Zhu Wanjian. The third branch was represented by Lady Zhu. The fourth son, Zhu Wanquan, was also in attendance.

Zhu Wanquan, having just turned twenty and been married for three years, was the only scholar in the family. Having already earned his *xiucai* degree, he was the family’s hope for climbing the bureaucratic ladder through the imperial examinations. He generally neither involved himself in the family’s Embroidered Uniform Guard affairs nor interfered with the family business, focusing solely on preparing for the provincial examinations.

"I have summoned you today to discuss important family matters."

Madam Zhu had Steward Liu guard the door, ensuring that apart from the representatives of the Zhu family branches, no one could approach the inner hall.

Zhu Wanjian glared viciously at Lady Zhu across from him and said, "Mother, speak plainly."

Madam Zhu said, "Our Zhu family has been a family of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital for generations. Our ancestors served the Taizong Emperor of the Great Ming during the Jianwen Rebellion and were granted the imperial surname. Four generations have passed. Early in the Hongzhi era, our family gained the trust of the Xiaozong Emperor and was ordered to relocate to Anlu in Huguang. It has now been over twenty years..."

"You are all descendants of the Zhu family. Do you know why we were ordered to remain in Anlu?"

The question left the entire family stunned. Only Jiang Yinghe remained composed, as if she understood everything, yet she could not speak of it to outsiders.

Madam Zhu continued, "In truth, your grandfather was ordered by the late emperor to come to Huguang to monitor the Prince of Xing’s estate and prevent him from rising in rebellion."

"What?"

This revelation left everyone in the room in utter shock. As descendants, even Zhu Wanjian and Zhu Wanquan had been completely unaware of this.

"Mother, our family moved to Anlu just to spy on the Prince of Xing?" Zhu Wanjian was the first to express his confusion.

Madam Zhu shook her head slightly and sighed, "Times have changed, and I will not burden you with the intricate details. I tell you this now so that you understand our family’s mission. Since your grandfather fell from his horse last year and became bedridden, we do not know how much longer he will last. If he is gone... you younger generations must shoulder this mission!"

"I have four sons. The eldest should have remained in Anlu to serve his parents and eventually inherit your grandfather’s position as a chiliarch in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But you, second son, were disappointing—you brawled with other scholars over a courtesan, were impeached by a censor, and lost the hereditary position. The third son refused to listen to my warnings and insisted on going north to suppress rebellions to earn merit, only to lose his life. The fourth son lacks an official position and cannot serve as a hostage. Thus, your eldest brother had to go to the capital himself..."

"All these years, your eldest brother has been at the foot of the Son of Heaven, nominally serving, but in truth, he is a hostage. Whether guarding the imperial tombs or the imperial prison, his life has been one of extreme misery."

Zhu Wanjian protested angrily, "Mother, what nonsense are you spouting? Big brother is a deputy chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; who would dare make things difficult for him?"

"Silence!" Madam Zhu barked.

Zhu Wanjian felt as if his entire worldview were collapsing. If what Madam Zhu said was true, his eldest brother could have stayed in Anlu to carry out the imperial mission, but his own actions and those of his deceased brother had derailed those plans.

Madam Zhu continued, "With the passing of the late emperor and the ascension of the current one, the matter should have come to an end, and our family should no longer have to bear such a heavy burden. However, the current Emperor has no heirs yet, and with dark undercurrents moving in the court, our family’s situation has once again become precarious."

Zhu Wanjian stared wide-eyed, "Mother, do you know what you are saying? What does the one have to do with the other?"

The fourth son, Zhu Wanquan, deep in thought, took the initiative to explain for Madam Zhu, "According to the Ming tradition of succession from brother to brother, the late emperor left no other heirs besides the current陛下. If the current Emperor... were to suffer any misfortune, the succession would fall to the late emperor’s brother, which is the Prince of Xing."

"Fourth brother, don't pretend you know what you're talking about! The Emperor is young and strong; how could he not have heirs in the future?"

In truth, this was not a matter for the Zhu family to worry about. Whether the Emperor had heirs, or when he might have them, was far beyond the influence of the Zhu family in Huguang.

Madam Zhu said, "Your eldest brother suffers in the capital. For years, the family has had to exert itself to pull strings, spending countless silver, yet it is like trying to put out a cartload of burning firewood with a single cup of water... If the Emperor could have an heir soon, things might turn around. Otherwise, this bottomless pit will continue to require filling."

If Zhu Houzhao had a son, the Zhu family’s mission would become less critical, Zhu Wanhong would have an easier life in the capital, and the family would not need to spend money to grease palms. That was the logic.

The atmosphere was tense. For most in the room, it was the first time they realized the Zhu family’s mission involved the stability of the nation.

Lady Zhu asked, "Mother, why did you summon us here?"

Madam Zhu’s expression was calm, "The Zhu family has been settled in Anlu for many years. Thanks to the grace of the late emperor and the current Empress Dowager, we have a certain foundation. All our businesses should be managed by the one most skilled in trade—that is, you, third daughter-in-law... but unfortunately, you are no longer officially part of the Zhu household..."

"Mother!" Zhu Wanjian was furious. Not only had he been told of a secret family mission he never knew about, but now, during a family council, she was stating that she intended to hand the family business over to the third daughter-in-law to manage. Did she have no regard for him at all?

Lady Zhu rose and bowed, "What talent do I have? I am a daughter of the Zhu family; matters of the family should be decided by you and the uncles."

"Good." Madam Zhu was satisfied with her daughter-in-law’s attitude. "My son passed away early. I could not disregard the dignity of our kin and rashly reclaim the assets granted by the imperial court to you and your orphan... If you face difficulties, the doors of the Zhu family are always open to you."

"I have laid these matters bare today to tell you that until the Emperor has an heir, our family’s expenses will necessarily be high."

"Third daughter-in-law, I heard your shop recently encountered some trouble. Is there a way to resolve it?"

Madam Zhu did not ask about the origin of the snowflake salt directly but inquired with a tone of concern, as if offering help. This was the classic "courtesy before force."

Lady Zhu nodded, "The predicament has already been eased."

"And how was it resolved?" Madam Zhu finally reached the point.

Lady Zhu hesitated. Before coming, Zhu Hao had given her a "lesson," analyzing the twists and turns she would face at the council and discussing how to respond. Everything had been predicted by Zhu Hao.

After a moment of hesitation, Lady Zhu spoke with a firm tone: "I purchased some salt from a private salt smuggler and sold it to inns and eateries in the city to cover our losses, preventing the need to sell off the property left by my late husband."

This was the script Zhu Hao had taught her.

"Private salt?" Madam Zhu was genuinely surprised.

Zhu Wanjian immediately seized the opportunity, "You dare to sell private salt? You truly have a death wish!"

Having spoken, Lady Zhu had no path for retreat. Her tone remained firm: "This was a matter of expediency. If I did not sell the salt, the shop would have been lost to outsiders, and I would have been ashamed to face my late husband in the afterlife. If I can pay off the debts, I will never touch private salt again..."

"Hmph, do you think I won't report this to the authorities today..." Zhu Wanjian felt certain of victory.

The Great Ming laws had clear definitions for the buying and selling of salt. Regardless of whether one was the buyer or the seller, if the boundaries were crossed, the salt was considered "private salt."

The *Great Ming Code* stated: "Anyone who traffics in private salt shall receive one hundred blows with a heavy staff and three years of penal servitude." It also stated: "Those who disrupt the salt laws, both buyer and seller, shall each receive eighty blows; the middleman shall be reduced by one degree, and the salt and its proceeds shall be confiscated by the government."

The punishment was severe!

However, Madam Zhu raised a hand to interrupt her son, "Third son’s wife, you truly have as much resolve as my third son. To protect the family property by taking such measures, it is not entirely unacceptable, provided your heart remains true."

"Mother, you... you can tolerate this?" Zhu Wanjian was stunned, his eyes widening at the fact that his mother had sided with Lady Zhu on such a matter.

Madam Zhu said, "But I have learned that the private salt you brought back is even finer than government salt. Why is that?"

Lady Zhu followed her son’s script: "It was originally high-quality government salt that was transported to Huguang to be sold. Perhaps the salt permit was not for Huguang, or perhaps there was no permit at all, thus it became 'private salt.' The quality of the salt itself is excellent, so it will not harm anyone. Furthermore, there was no need to purchase hundreds of *shi* at once, and I could pay on credit, so I bought some..."

"Are you not afraid of trouble?" Madam Zhu asked.

Lady Zhu replied, "I have already destroyed much of the salt, and the permits for the government salt still exist. Even if the authorities investigate, I can handle it and will not be caught unprepared. Besides, everything I do is to protect my late husband’s property."

"Since that is the case, I will ask no more. You may go." Madam Zhu waved her hand to dismiss Lady Zhu.

Zhu Wanjian wanted to say more, but after a fierce glare from Madam Zhu, he sullenly held his tongue.

...

After Lady Zhu left, the family council concluded.

Zhu Wanjian had been dismissed, but the more he thought, the angrier he grew. Finally, he returned to the hall, only to find Madam Zhu discussing matters with Steward Liu. His rage intensified. His mother was looking down on him!

"What is the meaning of this? The third daughter-in-law sells private salt—what a perfect opportunity! If we take this to the authorities, we could surely reclaim her shop. Or are you truly afraid of damaging the family’s reputation and letting her run wild? If she earns capital from selling private salt, when will we ever get that shop back?" Zhu Wanjian confronted her aggressively.

Madam Zhu gestured to Steward Liu, "Carry out my instructions as I commanded. Do not fail."

"Yes, Matriarch." Steward Liu bowed respectfully to Madam Zhu and left without paying any mind to Zhu Wanjian.

"Mother doesn't even consult me anymore? Are you going to let this Liu fellow run the family?" Zhu Wanjian’s eyes were bloodshot, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Madam Zhu rose from her chair, "Who said I would let the third branch’s wife run wild?"

"You..." Zhu Wanjian was confused again.

The warmth on Madam Zhu’s face vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp expression.

"If I hadn't spoken like that, how could she have let her guard down? If she doesn't continue to bring in private salt, how can we let the authorities catch her in the act?"

"Not only will I make the third branch’s wife hand over my third son’s property on a silver platter, but I will also round up everyone involved in this private salt trade and seize the supply channel for that rare snowflake salt for our own!"