Banxia’s two apples were lethal weapons of the mortal realm, instantly shattering Wang Daxia’s already rock-bottom defenses. He couldn’t get enough of the sight, and it ignited what little rationality he had left, burning it all away until he surrendered completely.
Banxia pouted and asked him, “Does my rouge look good today?”
Wang Daxia had always had a weakness for red, and he couldn’t resist this temptation. He had no choice but to let her have her way. “It looks good.”
Wei Caiwei asked, “Which gate are we leaving from tomorrow?”
Wang Daxia replied, “Chaoyang Gate.”
“Your lips are a bit dry today. Be careful they don’t chap.” Wei Caiwei applied a layer of lip balm to his lips with her own.
Rewarded, Wang Daxia’s secrecy was as reliable as a basket full of holes—holes so large you could stuff a fully alert Wang Xiaoxia into them. Without even being asked, he volunteered, “We’re setting off at Mao hour. Wake up early so you don’t miss it.”
Wei Caiwei said, “Oh, I’ll remember.”
Wang Daxia stood rooted to the spot, hoping for more rewards.
Wei Caiwei said, “When we reach Linqing, I’ll let you taste another rouge paste.”
Wang Daxia thought: Life is precious, loyalty is priceless, but for Banxia’s sake, I’d throw it all away.
The next day, Lu Ying disguised herself as a merchant selling ginseng and deer antlers, while Wang Daxia and the others posed as escort guards for the goods. They met at Chaoyang Gate at Mao hour and left the capital together. At noon, while resting and eating at a relay station, they heard a jingling sound outside.
It was the sound of an itinerant doctor shaking a Tiger Crutch to attract customers.
The sound stopped as the doctor put away the Tiger Crutch and entered to eat. This person carried a bamboo medicine chest with a flag hanging from the top, inscribed with the words “Miraculous Hands Restoring Spring.”
Lu Ying felt that the phrase “Miraculous Hands Restoring Spring” seemed familiar. It would be even more fitting if another flag reading “Gynecological Master” were hung alongside it.
The itinerant doctor set down the medicine chest, removed his wide-brimmed hat, and called out, “Waiter, a bowl of plain noodles and half a catty of beef.”
It was Wei Caiwei. Though she wore a high-collared robe, her face was smeared with something that gave her a sallow, dark complexion, and she had a black hairnet on, dressed as a man, Lu Ying recognized her at once—they knew each other too well.
Lu Ying immediately turned her gaze to Wang Daxia at the next table: It was you who leaked the purpose of our trip!
Wang Daxia pretended not to feel Lu Ying’s scorching glare. He acted as if he were starving, lowering his head and shoveling rice into his mouth with such vigor that it seemed as though he had just picked up his bowl, giving no indication that this was already his third serving.
Lu Ying wouldn’t let Wang Daxia play dead. She picked up an unused chopstick, put on a haughty demeanor, and poked Wang Daxia in the lower back. “I’m not feeling well. Call that itinerant doctor over to examine me.”
Wang Daxia had no choice but to put down his bowl and shamelessly went to invite Wei Caiwei. “Our employer isn’t feeling well. Please come and take a look.”
Wei Caiwei carried her chest over to Lu Ying’s table. “Where does it hurt, boss?”
Though they appeared to be a patient and a doctor conducting a consultation, that wasn’t the case. Lu Ying advised, “This mission is dangerous. You should go back.”
Wei Caiwei said, “The more dangerous it is, the more I must go to Linqing to see Ding Wu. I miss him dearly. I just want to see him and hear his voice with my own ears. Besides, I’ve participated in several of your Embroidered Uniform Guard operations. When have I ever been a burden? Let me come along. I can be useful to you.”Wei Caiwei further employed reverse psychology, "When you left the capital this time, your family was worried about your safety. While their concern is understandable, one must still carry out necessary duties. Would you abandon your mission just because it's dangerous? Since that's the case, don't try to persuade me to turn back. My mind is made up—even if I don't travel with your group, I'm going to Linqing."
Wang Daxia, playing the peacemaker nearby, chimed in, "Just agree to let Doctor Wei accompany us. It's too dangerous for her to travel alone as an itinerant physician."
Lu Ying had no choice but to consent.
Wei Caiwei went through the motions of checking pulses and diagnosing, gave Lu Ying a few medicinal pills, and collected seventy coins—exactly enough to cover that day's meal expenses.
Meanwhile, as Lu Ying's party hurried toward Linqing County, a minor political storm was brewing at court.
After Lu Bing's death, Wu Peng—the Minister of Personnel who shared family ties with both Lu Bing and Yan Shifan (a Yan family daughter had married one of Wu Peng's sons)—suddenly submitted his resignation, citing old age. The sudden demise of his old friend had stirred thoughts of retirement in Wu Peng, who sensed impending collapse and sought to extricate himself promptly.
Wu Peng was indeed advanced in years. After two rejections, the Jiajing Emperor approved his resignation on the third request. With the Ministry of Personnel position vacant, Grand Secretariat Chief Grand Secretary Yan Song strongly recommended Ouyang Bijin, the Minister of Works, to assume the role.
The Ministry of Personnel, responsible for nationwide official appointments, was often called the "Celestial Office." Though both were ministerial positions, moving from the Ministry of Works to heading the Ministry of Personnel constituted a promotion, with potential future entry into the Grand Secretariat.
Ouyang Bijin was Yan Song's brother-in-law—his own elder sister, Madame Ouyang, had married Yan Song, making Yan Shifan his nephew.
How could Yan Song so blatantly practice nepotism?
Because Ouyang Bijin was a capable official. A legitimate metropolitan graduate, he had previously served as Minister of Justice and Minister of Works. During his tenure in the Ministry of Justice, he rectified wrongful convictions. As Minister of Works, he improved design plans to reduce costs.
While serving as a provincial governor, when a cattle plague devastated plow oxen and threatened agricultural production, Ouyang Bijin extensively studied ancient agricultural texts and invented a human-powered plowing machine using pulley-driven ropes to pull iron plows. This innovation addressed the immediate crisis and prevented famine.
With both official reputation and public acclaim being excellent, even Yan Song's rival Xu Jie could find no fault with the recommendation of his brother-in-law for the personnel minister position.
The Jiajing Emperor approved.
Thus Ouyang Bijin became Minister of Personnel. His nephew Yan Shifan was overjoyed—with his own uncle controlling official appointments, it would become even easier to collect bribes and sell offices.
Officials flocked to Yan Shifan, offering money for promotions and transfers. Being a principled man, Yan Shifan believed in delivering services after accepting payments. Carrying a list and gifts, he visited his uncle Ouyang Bijin.
Ouyang Bijin received his nephew and accepted both the gifts and the list.
But within days, Yan Shifan was stunned to discover that not only had the listed officials failed to receive promotions or desired transfers—they had been stripped of their positions entirely!
What had happened?
Having taken the money, Yan Shifan had failed to deliver for the first time, damaging his reputation for integrity, transparent pricing, and fair dealing. Anxiously, he rushed to Ouyang Bijin, "Uncle, that list wasn't meant for you to remove their official hats—it was for promotions! My dear uncle, you must have misunderstood. We weren't trying to punish them."
Ouyang Bijin shook his head, "I've reviewed their administrative records over the years—none are particularly impressive. They've been occupying positions without fulfilling responsibilities. What use are such officials? They merely waste state resources. As Minister of Personnel responsible for official appointments, I naturally must select suitable people to fill vacancies."Nephews look at money, uncles look at people—clearly they are not the same kind.
Whether Yan Shifan used gentle persuasion or threw a tantrum, his uncle Ouyang Bijin remained as stubborn as a rock, refusing to yield. He even advised his nephew, "Why not just return the money? You have plenty of it anyway."
Yan Shifan: Impossible! I am like a Pixiu, devouring wealth from all directions, swallowing everything without ever letting go. I only take in, never give out. How could I possibly return the money?
Not a single coin will be returned!
Ouyang Bijin even brought out all the gifts his nephew had given him previously. "Take these gifts back. I have no use for them anyway."
How could gifts from a nephew to his uncle be returned so casually? Yan Shifan still had some pride. He took his leave, saying, "Uncle, there’s no need to see me out."
Without a moment’s delay, Yan Shifan went to see his father, Yan Song. Despite the chilly early spring weather, he was drenched in sweat. He recounted how Ouyang Bijin had rejected his request: "...The former Minister of Personnel, Wu Peng, was so obedient. Whatever I said, he did without question—more compliant than a dog. But suddenly, he claimed he was retiring due to the sudden death of the Loyalty Earl, using it as an excuse to resign and live out his old age. When you recommended Uncle for the position, I was thrilled for a few days, thinking the court would remain under our Yan family’s control. But Uncle doesn’t give me any face at all."
During Wu Peng’s tenure, "all appointments and dismissals of officials were dictated by Yan Shifan, with no one daring to act independently. Wu Peng was merely a figurehead, despised by everyone at court and beyond" (Note 1).
Accustomed to Wu Peng’s docility and unwavering compliance, Yan Shifan pleaded with his father for help. "Father, you must quickly replace him with someone more obedient. Remove Uncle from his position—I can’t stand it. If I lose credibility, how can I continue my business? Replace him immediately so I can properly settle those who’ve paid me."
Yan Song was in the midst of copying the Three Thousand Words of the Supreme Dao Lord in gold lacquer onto a black Taoist robe, a gift intended for the Jiajing Emperor. His brush moved like a dragon. "The money you’ve amassed over the years is enough to secure our Yan family’s prosperity for generations. It’s time to stop."
Yan Shifan shook his head repeatedly. "No, there’s never enough silver to be made."
Yan Song set down his golden brush. "Haven’t you noticed how much has changed since the Loyalty Earl passed away? It seems Prince Jing can no longer recover his standing, while Prince Yu is gradually gaining influence. He even broke tradition by spending the New Year in the palace. Memorials urging the Emperor to establish the heir apparent early are submitted daily. 'The duck knows first when the river warms in spring.' Wu Peng, that clever fellow, was the first to slip away, using the pretext of mourning the Loyalty Earl. The Emperor even bestowed gifts upon him as he returned to his hometown."
"You and I have controlled the court for many years, making countless enemies and repeatedly offending Prince Yu—you’ve withheld his stipend several times, haven’t you? After the Loyalty Earl’s death, the Emperor’s hair turned white overnight, and he aged significantly. Future power belongs to the new emperor. Unlike Wu Peng, who could retire at will, we cannot simply step down. If we retreat, we’ll be torn to pieces. So, stop obsessing over money and start thinking of an escape route for the Yan family."
Having served the Emperor for years, Yan Song had a keen sense of crisis. If Prince Yu were to become emperor, the Yan family would undoubtedly face reckoning.
Yan Shifan replied, "There are plenty of ways. I’ll make the arrangements right away."Yan Shifan summoned his trusted advisor Luo Longwen. "You're familiar with overseas regions. Take some gold and jewels south, purchase several large ships, and recruit some Death Warriors forces as reserves. Cross the oceans to find secure locations to hide wealth—buy properties and land in multiple places. A cunning rabbit has three burrows, so we must prepare for contingencies. Establish an escape route from the capital overseas to avoid being caught unprepared. Normally, we can engage in smuggling operations—killing two birds with one stone."
Luo Longwen was originally a master inkstick artisan who later gained fame by assisting the renowned anti-Japanese Pirates general Hu Zongxian in persuading the great pirate Xu Hai to surrender. Having experience negotiating with pirates and Japanese Pirates, Luo Longwen possessed thorough knowledge of the Ming coastal regions and overseas territories, earning Yan Shifan's appreciation and becoming his advisor.
"I shall not fail your mission," Luo Longwen accepted the order and departed. Carrying part of Yan Shifan's wealth southward, he arrived at Linqing Courier Station for lodging.
Lu Ying's group had arrived first and were dining when Luo Longwen entered the station. Wu Xiaoqi recognized him immediately and whispered, "Boss, Luo Longwen is here."
Wu Xiaoqi's father had died at Yan Shifan's hands, and he had sworn revenge. He knew all of Yan Shifan's advisors by sight.
Author's Note: This uncle Ouyang Bijin is quite costly to his nephews.
Note 1: From "A Study of Ming Dynasty Ministers of Personnel"
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