A Crane Cries in Huating

March is nigh, I feel longing and wistfulness.[1]

Prince Qi, Dingtang, returned from the palace and entered the warm pavilion. He took off his outer garments, received the bath beans from a maid, and washed his hands in the golden basin. He smiled and said to Dingkai who had already been flipping through a book in the pavilion, “Did you hear? Third Brother put on a great show at His Majesty’s place yesterday. I heard from the people in Kangning Hall[2] that his crying appearance was like rain hitting pear blossoms and dew drops on crabapples. If he ever gets sick of being the crown prince, he could make a living at a dinner theatre[3].” 

Dingkai imagined the crown prince’s appearance at that time and couldn’t help but chuckle, he then asked, “Who is it from the Kangning Palace that speaks so harshly, I would like to see him — But he’s always been a bit recluse and willful, why did he act so out of character this time?” 

Dingtang glanced at him and said with a sneer: “This is his shrewdness. He had guessed His Majesty’s thoughts. Although Li Baizhou’s affair was led by Du Heng and the Court of Judicial Review, everyone knew that the crown prince and Zhang Luzheng were the ones behind it. Zhang Lu made friends with Du Heng when he was serving as the Left Executive Vice Minister of Justice. Du Heng stood out from the Righteous Officials in the ministry. He was able to move the change and even the legislation, all thanks to Zhang Lu’s great efforts. The winter trial is a small matter, but the crown prince is afraid that it will lead to a major event. By protecting Du Heng, he is actually protecting Zhang Luzheng, but also himself. Both harm Quan, but if it were you, which one of the two would you choose?” 

Dingkai frowned and asked, “Is it not over yet?” 

Ding Tang also said angrily: “Now that Zhang Luzheng is removed from the Household Administration of the Crown Prince, we have alienated them. Now, the new supervisor of the administration is He Daoran, while the deputy supervisor is Fu Guangshi: one is a character who can’t bear the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, and the other is simply a reed on the wall[4]. Just like the flogging Third Brother received, although it did not hurt his muscles and bones, it was still a pain in the skin and flesh. Both His Majesty and he know that now is not the time to move him, so each took a step back.”

He stood up and took two steps to Dingkai. He pressed his shoulders and said, “There is no hurry. The imperial court is still using troops abroad, but it will only be for three or five years. You and I will have to wait patiently until Gu Silin is released from Nanshan, or in other words when his status as the heir apparent comes to an end.” 

Dingkai nodded, “I agree, but since the year before last, the emperor has been feeling unwell. If we keep dragging on like this, and His Majesty accepts him later, what do we do then?” 

Dingtang gritted his teeth and said with a smile: “What you think of, the crown prince has already thought of it, and so has His Majesty. But everyone thinks differently. His Majesty hasn’t been in good health these past few years, his energy is not as strong as before. There are six ministries in and outside the capital, all of which are in the Gu faction. Li Baizhou’s affairs have not been tried for a while, but they are playing him like a fiddle. After the horse bolted from the stable, a few rounds of investigation happened, but not a drop of water leaked, so he was forced to use this kind of move to attack him. The crown prince’s temper has become increasingly disagreeable in recent years, and he has always held grudges against us brothers. Although His Majesty has long disliked him, what really offended him was Li Baizhou’s incident. Looking at the current situation, if one day the crown prince wants to imitate a poplar, I’m afraid His Majesty will believe it.”

Seeing Dingkai frown and looking timid, he reassured him, “I’m just saying the unpleasant things first, so you don’t need to worry too much. There is nothing under the heavens that doesn’t belong to the ruler. No matter what, the crown prince is just a subject of His Majesty. Since His Majesty thinks that as well, are you still afraid that he will overturn the sky? — Less that I am still here?” 

Dingkai was quiet for some time. Then he asked again, “Is there any news from his pavilion?”

Dingtang shook his head, “All trivial. You also know how suspicious that sly fox is. It’s more difficult to make him wholeheartedly trust someone than to reach the sky. Anyway, just wait slowly. We can’t hope big, but we must always be prepared. ” 

Taking two sips out of the tea served by a maid, he added, “He’s just like his mother.”

Dingkai seemed to have some interest, so he asked, “Second Brother, do you mean the Esteemed Empress? I heard that the crown prince looks just like her.” 

Dingtang smiled, “That’s right, which is why His Majesty once told Mother in private that a man born with that appearance could only be a demon. However, the late emperor loved him very much.” 

Dingkai asked again, “I remember that the Esteemed Empress died during the sixth year of Dingxin, right? So the name of the era was changed in the second year of her death. I was very young back then, so I don’t remember clearly.” Then he hesitantly inquired, “Second Brother, why did I hear someone in the palace say that she didn’t die of illness, but Mother—” 

Dingtang’s face darkened immediately, and he scolded him, “Shut up! That’s nothing but malicious gossip, and those who utter such things should be killed on the spot. It’s okay to mistakenly hear it, but instead of keeping it in your heart, you dared to utter such crazy and unfounded ravings, slandering your elder!”

Seeing that Dingkai’s face turned pale, he reassured him with kind words: “You are still young and you still don’t understand some things. The only thing you have to remember is that you and I are real brothers. If we don’t advance together and retreat together, he will really win the world. If he treats even His Majesty and the Empress like this, will he let the two of us off?” 

Dingkai nodded slowly, “Second Brother, I know I was wrong. I understand everything you said, but actually, I only said this because it’s you.” 

Dingtang laughed, “Of course.” Then he asked, “Whose calligraphy are you practising these days? I’ve got some good manuscripts from the previous dynasty, would you like a look?”

TN Notes↲1From (淳化阁帖) 3rd collection, by Eastern Dynasty’s calligrapher, Yu Yi.↲2康 = healthy, peaceful, abundant; 宁 = peaceful, to pacify. Google says 康宁殿 is the Gyeongbok palace in Korea.↲3瓦子 – wǎ zǐ were entertainment and business theatres developed during the Song Dynasty with folk musicals, storytelling, acrobats, and other performances, with some even emerging as brothels.↲4墙头芦苇 – Weak foundation, no skills