Chapter 011: Secret Pursuit

This clerk’s name was He Kun. Thanks to his efficiency, he had become the trusted aide of Chief Astrologer Peng Deqing, and over the years, he had handled many private matters for him. Upon receiving Peng Ying’s instructions, he sought out two fairly sharp-witted menial workers, briefed them, and the three changed their clothes before hiding in an alley near the Imperial Observatory, waiting for their target to appear.

In ancient times, the workday started early and ended early as well. At the hour of Shen, the staff of the Imperial Observatory were dismissed, and the officials and students left one after another. After waiting for some time, Xue Rui finally appeared. To the astonishment of He Kun and his men, Xue Rui was supporting an elderly white-haired man, and together they boarded a carriage waiting at the gate.

“What do we do? He’s with the Chief Astrologer. It’s probably not a good time to make a move,” muttered the first attendant, looking at He Kun in distress.

He Kun hadn’t expected this either. Seeing the carriage already far down the road, he instructed, “Let’s follow them for now. The Chief Astrologer lives in the Great Shiyong Ward, and that boy lives outside the city. He’ll have to get off eventually. Let’s take a shortcut and wait for him outside the Zhengyang Gate!”

The attendants had no objections and jogged out of the city with He Kun.

Inside the carriage, the two were conversing.

Hu Zhong asked, “How was your first day at the Observatory? No major mishaps, I hope?”

Xue Rui looked a bit embarrassed. “No major ones, Master, but there were some minor troubles.”

“What sort of troubles?” Hu Zhong frowned.

“Peng Ying tried to make things difficult for me. I wouldn’t tolerate it, so I snapped his ruler…”

“That’s all?” Hu Zhong didn’t seem to care.

Xue Rui hurried on, “He also said that when his father returns to the capital, he’ll settle scores with me!”

Hu Zhong smiled faintly. “It sounds like you’ve really offended him, but it’s of no consequence. The Peng family’s methods are always underhanded and petty. When the time comes, I’ll help smooth things over for you.”

Remembering earlier matters, Xue Rui seized the chance to inquire, “Master, what exactly is the conflict between Chief Astronomer Xia and the Chief Astrologer? Why does Liu Jin resent the Peng family so deeply?”

Hu Zhong, well aware of the inside story, gave his explanation.

“After Peng Deqing became Chief Astrologer, power went to his head. To prevent any dilution of his authority, he kept both deputy positions under his control, refusing to let anyone else rise. Over the years, Chief Astronomer Xia, Liu Zhongfu, has not only compiled calendars but was also tasked with translating the Huihui astronomical system. Two years ago, he was given the job of measuring the latitude of the North Pole and solar rising and setting times in the capital to correct the calendar—a laborious and meritorious task. Liu Zhongfu thought that, with these achievements and a bit of lobbying in the Ministry of Rites, his promotion to deputy chief was in the bag. Unexpectedly, Peng Deqing maneuvered behind the scenes, took most of the credit, and suppressed Liu Zhongfu’s promotion. Since then, animosity has grown between them, and Liu Jin naturally sees the Pengs as bitter enemies.”

“So that’s how it is!” Understanding dawned on Xue Rui. To block another’s path to advancement is like killing their parents—no wonder the hatred runs so deep!

Now that he understood the context, Xue Rui asked about the matter of Scholar Liu.

Hu Zhong’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Xue Rui. “Where did you hear about this?”

“The hereditary students at the Observatory were talking about it. It seems there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

“It’s a long story, and there’s no solid evidence. As for the Chief Astrologer’s involvement, it’s mostly hearsay. Liu Qiu, the Hanlin scholar, died unjustly in the imperial prison mainly because he offended Wang Zhen and was thrown in jail. Hu Deqing hardly had the power to order the Embroidered Guard to kill. The talk among those students is mostly rumor and speculation, not to be believed in full,” Hu Zhong said, stroking his beard.

Hearing that even a Hanlin scholar had been destroyed by Wang Zhen, Xue Rui grew anxious. “Master, will my father be in danger? He isn’t higher in rank than a Hanlin scholar. If Wang Zhen wants to have him done away with in prison, wouldn’t it be even easier?”

“There’s no need to worry. Wang Zhen arrested your father mainly as a warning to the other civil officials. Last time, he had Liu the Hanlin scholar killed unjustly and made many enemies; impeachment memorials piled up on the Emperor’s desk and even frightened the Emperor. Since then, Wang Zhen has been more restrained. This time, by pushing the Emperor to personally lead a campaign, he’s offended the entire civil bureaucracy and even angered the Empress Dowager. He’s a shrewd man—he won’t repeat the same mistake just for a minor figure like your father.”

“No wonder you didn’t stop my father from getting involved, Master. You were confident all along,” Xue Rui said, finally relieved by this analysis.

Earlier that morning, Hu Zhong had given a more superficial explanation, perhaps because he thought Xue Rui too inexperienced to understand deeper reasons. Now, seeing his composure, he told him everything and put his mind at ease.

After these two tales of intrigue, Xue Rui felt satisfied and brought up his studies.

Though he possessed a wealth of modern astronomical knowledge, it was clearly useless in this era. To establish himself at the Imperial Observatory, it was precisely this era’s astronomical knowledge that he lacked.

Hu Zhong looked at him helplessly. “It’s always said that you regret not reading enough only when the need arises. Now you realize it. But it’s not too late to mend your ways. Your foundation is too weak, so you’ll have to start from scratch. Here’s what we’ll do: starting tomorrow, after your daily duties, you’ll come home with me to study for half an hour. Be sure to tell your mother tonight so she won’t worry.”

What could Xue Rui say but express his gratitude? “Thank you, Master. I will work hard!”

“Young Master Xue, we’ve arrived at Zhengyang Gate.”

Before they could say much more, the coachman, Hu Gui, called out.

Xue Rui lifted the curtain and jumped from the carriage, bidding farewell to Hu Zhong. “Take care, Master. I’ll head home from here.”

As the carriage started up again, Xue Rui hummed a little tune and walked out the city gate.

…

To reach Stone Lane, one had to pass through an area called “Pig Market Gate.” As the name implied, it was the center of the live pig trade, and many pigpens had sprung up in the surrounding alleys.

The environment here was appalling, with filthy water flowing everywhere. One had to tiptoe to avoid stepping in pig dung.

The alleys around Pig Market Gate formed a labyrinth of shortcuts, allowing one to halve the journey home. Xue Rui had taken this route earlier and was quite familiar with it.

He Kun and his two companions crept after him into the maze of alleys.

Within, the stench was suffocating. The first attendant clamped his nose and grumbled, “This boy must be mad—why pick such a rotten place to walk?”

“Damn it, I stepped in some crap!” The second attendant, careless, trod right into a heap of pig dung and leapt up like a startled cat.

He Kun was exasperated with the pair, and hissed, “Idiots! Can’t you be quiet? If we’re discovered, I’ll have your heads!”

The two dared not make another sound and, neglecting to clean themselves off, stumbled along behind He Kun, tailing Xue Rui deeper into the alleys.

Suddenly, He Kun halted, as if frozen in place.

The first attendant’s heart skipped a beat. “Clerk He, why’ve you stopped? Did he spot us?”

The second attendant, seeing He Kun staring at his feet, followed his gaze downward.

A snort of laughter escaped him.

At the alley’s corner, a pile of pig dung had accumulated. While craning his neck to check on Xue Rui’s whereabouts, He Kun had failed to notice and stepped squarely into the pile, his entire foot sinking in.

“What the hell are you laughing at? Find me something to wipe this off!” He Kun snapped, smacking the second attendant on the back of the head.

The two men stifled their laughter and quickly found something to help clean up.

After the brief delay, He Kun led them through two more alleys, but saw no sign of Xue Rui.

“Damn it, he’s gone!” He Kun panicked, directing the pair to double back and check the other exits.

But after circling around, the three found no trace of their quarry.

Exhausted and gasping for breath, He Kun had no choice but to accept reality. He slammed his fist against the wall and cursed, “Damn it, we lost him after all!”

Just then, a voice rang out behind them: “You haven’t lost him. The person you’re looking for is right here.”