060 You make the list, I'll take care of it.
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Jiang Qingyun, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Board of Punishments, with shoulders five feet wide, strode confidently from the Palace of Heavenly Purity all the way to the East Flowery Gate.
To advise Emperor Shunzhi, the Qing Dynasty must be confident!
That confidence must begin with oneself. Confidence starts with me.
Along the way—
Officials bowed deeply, guards glanced sideways.
The imperial guard Sule Da, shedding his previous air of superiority, attended diligently at Jiang’s side.
Jiang Qingyun accepted this graciously.
Even the highest-ranking officials ignore me; you Manchu guards are nothing but fluff.
...
At the southeast corner of the Forbidden City.
The Wenhua Hall, reduced to ashes, was being rebuilt; the East Flowery Gate, blackened by fire, was being freshly painted.
From the East Flowery Gate to Goldfish Alley to the Prince Jian’s Mansion, signs of fierce battles were everywhere—arrows scattered about, bloodstains dark and thick.
City patrol soldiers knelt on one knee.
“Greetings, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.”
“Lead the way.”
Jiang Qingyun entered the prince’s mansion, witnessing walls collapsed and houses ruined—crumbling ruins that testified to the fierce combat prowess of the Plain Blue Banner.
The heaviest casualties were suffered by the two Yellow Banners guarding the imperial city, who fought to the death.
The least losses were borne by the two Red Banners.
They remained as cautious as ever; no wonder they produced talents like Song Er, logistics officer of the Military Affairs Office.
In real history, the two Red Banners similarly survived from early Qing through to the end, gaining little but losing few lives.
...
“Are there any surviving males in the mansion?”
“None, sir. The bodies of Doni and the two princes have already been examined.”
Prince Xin Doni was the son of Dodo.
Dorbo, also Dodo’s son, was earlier adopted by Dorgon.
But after Dorgon’s death, Dorbo was ordered back to the Prince Xin Mansion, under the care of his brother, Doni.
In this turmoil, the mere seven-year-old Dorbo was mercilessly cut down by the enraged Plain Blue Banner rebels; his small body curled and burned to a blackened lump.
With this, Dodo’s lineage was effectively wiped out.
Nine out of ten perished, and the survivor could not continue the line.
Emerging from the mansion, Jiang Qingyun ascended the gate tower of Chongwen Gate and gazed downward.
The Plain Blue Banner’s defense zone was deathly silent.
The spacious Chongwen Gate main street was deserted; only a few households’ chimneys emitted faint wisps of smoke, indicating it was not entirely abandoned.
...
“Sir, Ambassador Zhou has arrived.”
“Hurry, welcome him—in fact, I shall go greet him myself.”
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Jiang Qingyun hastened forward and found Zhou Shao looking somewhat disheveled. The two clasped hands, speechless and choked with emotion.
The purest friendship in the world is that between men—loyal to the clouds and mountains, promises as precious as gold.
“Big Brother!”
“Third Brother!”
Jiang Qingyun waved away the surrounding guards and whispered inquiringly about recent affairs.
“Big Brother, is your family all right?”
“Since that day returning from the southern city, I evacuated my family outside the city. I sleep in my clothes every night, never daring to rest deeply. When the Plain Blue Banner rebelled, I immediately fled upon hearing the cries of battle. Fortunately, I escaped unharmed.”
“How is the situation at the Western Factory, where you serve as ambassador?”
“Not ideal, but manageable.”
“No matter. As an outsider official, you will surely be marginalized. Here, make me a list of your troublemaking subordinates; I’ll send them all to Ningguta.”
“Agreed.”
Though Zhou Shao had goodwill, he was no fool.
He understood that Third Brother was helping him establish authority.
“Big Brother, besides the list of troublesome subordinates, also prepare a list of troublesome superiors. I’ll deal with them all at once and return you a clean and orderly Western Factory.”
Zhou Shao was stunned into silence for a long while.
He thought silently: after a few days apart, Third Brother’s arrogance has only grown.
“Third Brother, you’re going to make arrests again?”
“Yes.”
...
The next day, at the hour of the Tiger.
Before dawn, Jiang Qingyun heard Lv Zhu knocking at his window.
“Young Master, it’s time to get up.”
“I know.”
Jiang Qingyun reluctantly crawled out from the late spring bedding, sighing deeply.
Court attendance!
Others considered it an honor; Jiang the Censor saw it as a burden.
Up at four, arriving outside the Meridian Gate before five, then stepping into the Hall of Supreme Harmony at six under starlight.
Fourth-rank officials could only stand outside the hall, barred from entry unless summoned by the emperor. In summer, baking under the sun; in winter, shivering in the north wind; in spring, inhaling sandstorms; only autumn was somewhat bearable.
The emperor was weary; so were the ministers.
Yet no one dared to suggest reforming such a self-imposed torment.
Jiang Qingyun understood the reasons well but could not speak of them.
...
Lv Zhu entered to assist.
Mouth rinsing, tea drinking, breakfast, dressing, and managing the entry tokens at the Meridian Gate—various trivial tasks kept them busy in a frenzy.
Jiang Qingyun gently stroked Lv Zhu’s face.
“From tomorrow, assign an old maid to watch the clock and wake me daily. You are pregnant and need not rise early, just like the lady.”
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“Thank you, Young Master.”
Lv Zhu’s hands never paused, her eyes moistening.
In her heart, the Jiang residence was her true home; the Young Master was her only kin.
Jiang Qingyun realized if he died someday, Lv Zhu would be the first to offer herself to accompany him in death.
Late Spring looked on with envy and jealousy.
But now, with both the young mistress and second concubine expecting, the Young Master residing with her was a gain after all.
...
Upon leaving the residence, the mounted guards were already waiting at the gate.
Considering public opinion, Jiang Qingyun dared not be ostentatious, so he arranged only ten loyal guards, all in plain clothes, keeping a low profile.
The guard squad was led alternately by his brother-in-law and Zhou Cang.
Both men’s futures depended on him, so they were dutiful and loyal.
Jiang Qingyun wore a black fox fur cloak and mounted his horse; compared to the previous day, his movements were slightly less fluid.
This reminded him of college days before his transmigration.
A roommate from a martial arts hometown, steady and powerful in stance, whose kicks were like whips, had quickly distinguished himself in many campus competitions.
He was renowned at Wujiaochang.
Later, this roommate met a finance student from a neighboring school at an intercollegiate dance; they fell deeply in love and built a nest outside school.
Three months later—
The roommate was pinned helplessly on the training platform, roaring in frustration, eventually defeated and tearful, his spirit broken.
...
“Sir, we have arrived.”
“You may wait nearby and have tea.”
Jiang Qingyun dismounted, casually tossing a silver ingot to the guards, and strode toward the Meridian Gate.
Along the way, he saw many smiling faces.
“Greetings, Censor Jiang.”
“Greetings, Sir Jiang.”
“Brother, you’re here.”
Officials were generally keenly perceptive. They sensed who was rising, who was falling, and who was allied with whom with uncanny accuracy.
Those lacking such insight had no place here.
Finally—
The Meridian Gate creaked open, guards forming two lines.
“Officials, to court!”
Everyone quickly fell silent, took their positions, and filed into the gate in single file.
Higher ranks led the procession; lower ranks followed behind. Viewed from above, it was a perfect organizational chart.