Chapter 98: Leisurely Amusement
Han Min, wearing his fluffy rabbit-fur hat, briskly climbed the steps, reaching the Funing Hall ahead of everyone else. He pushed the door open and entered.
He bounced on the spot, shaking off the scattered snow from his clothes, then handed his hat and cloak to the little eunuch standing by the door.
Inside the main hall, Fu Xun was reviewing the second-year development plan for Dingyuan when he heard footsteps and looked up.
Han Min stood at the door, glancing back to see that Chu Yu and the others were still far behind.
He quickly ran forward, and across a desk, he lifted Fu Xun’s chin and pecked him on the lips in a swift, playful gesture.
Fu Xun moved his hand resting on the desk slightly, but before he could do anything else, Han Min had already slipped back to his place.
Do something mischievous, then run.
By then, the rest of the group had entered.
Everyone bowed and then took their seats.
—
The year-end summary meeting lasted all day. The snow fell heavier and heavier, and outside it had already reached past mid-calf.
Snowy nights made travel difficult, and Fu Xun only wanted Han Min to stay. Since the others were present, leaving Han Min alone would embarrass him, so they all stayed.
After dinner, the group rested in a side hall.
The floor dragon (heated bricks) burned brightly, making the hall warm.
When Fu Xun approached, Han Min was leaning lazily against a pillow on the couch, holding it as he “read palms” for Wen Yan and Chu Yu, while the other three observed with hands behind their backs.
In truth, he didn’t know how to read palms; he was just making it up.
He pointed at Wen Yan’s palm: “This line indicates officialdom—excellent, excellent, the future Marquis of Wenyuan.”
He then looked at Chu Yu’s hand: “Well, this one…” He pinched it lightly. “Pinch here—it’ll hurt.”
Everyone laughed. Chu Yu sat up to hit him, but Han Min threw the pillow back at him.
He hadn’t even put on his shoes yet. As he jumped down to run, he barely took a step before seeing Fu Xun standing in front of him.
The others quickly composed themselves and bowed: “Your Majesty.”
Fu Xun said calmly, “No need for formalities.” His eyes fell on Han Min’s feet: “Go put your shoes on.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Han Min returned to the couch and picked up his deerskin boots.
While he was putting them on, a little eunuch said, “Your Majesty, the plum blossoms on the White Jade Terrace have bloomed.”
Fu Xun didn’t respond, but Han Min looked up: “I want to go… I want to see them.”
Fu Xun finally said, “Then go see.”
Since the two of them were going, the others, knowing the etiquette, made excuses about the cold and stayed behind.
Thus, it was only the two of them. At first, following proper protocol, they walked one after the other.
Later, Fu Xun dismissed the attendants, and Han Min carried a lantern.
Then Fu Xun took the lantern from him, and they walked close together, their footprints in the snow soon covered by fresh flakes.
The plum blossoms on the White Jade Terrace were a rare variety with crimson buds, unseen elsewhere.
The branches were sturdy, dotted with scattered red blooms.
Han Min entered the grove, and his rabbit-fur hat brushed the branches, causing petals to fall onto the snow-white fur, across his shoulders, and down to the ground along his cloak.
He leaned closer to inspect the flowers’ stamens.
But it was too dark to see clearly, so he looked toward Fu Xun holding the lantern and smiled twice.
Fu Xun understood, yet pretended not to, standing behind Han Min with the lantern behind him.
Han Min wrapped his arms around Fu Xun’s waist and, while holding him, retrieved the lantern from behind.
He placed it near the branches, and the candlelight illuminated his face, casting shadows of the plum branches.
Seeing the stamens, white like jade, Han Min smiled so broadly that his eyes curved, and the glow of the lantern seemed dimmed by his radiance.
Fu Xun asked, “Can you see clearly now?”
Han Min nodded: “Yes.” He turned to Fu Xun, smiling: “I remember when I first saw the plum blossoms with Your Majesty as a child. I wasn’t tall enough, so I had to stand on your shoulders to see them.”
They had agreed at the time that each would take a turn. When Han Min came down, Fu Xun patted his shoulder, and that was it.
Recalling the later events, Han Min felt a little embarrassed.
He touched his hat: “Can I pick two branches to take back for Bianzhang and the others?”
“Go ahead.”
Han Min ventured deeper into the grove, picking two nearly blooming branches.
Holding the blossoms in his hand, he said, “Let’s go back,” and turned—only to find Fu Xun behind him, startling him.
Han Min stepped back, bumping into a tree trunk.
Fu Xun asked, “Are we leaving already?”
So many people were in the side hall; it wasn’t proper to just let him leave after seeing the plum blossoms.
But Han Min didn’t quite understand: “Does Your Majesty still have business to attend to?”
Fu Xun blew out the lantern and placed one foot between Han Min’s.
The shadows of the blossoms deepened.
—
After the group in the side hall had rested, they got out paints, brushes, and large sheets of paper.
Among them, Liu Ting was skilled at painting; he rolled up his sleeves and took his place at the center of the desk, dotting and shading.
Jiang Huan stood beside him with arms folded: “Xiuzhou, make me look good.”
Then a sound came from the back hall door, and everyone looked up.
Han Min entered holding the plum blossoms in one hand and Fu Xun’s hand in the other, cheeks flushed.
Seeing everyone’s attention, he lowered his head: “I picked some plum blossoms for you too.”
Chu Yu nudged Liu Ting: “Quick, include Han Xici as well.”
Liu Ting used bright red paint, lightly sketching a slender young man on the paper.
Han Min handed the plum blossoms to Fu Xun and looked over: “Senior Brother, what are you painting?”
“A scene of amusement.”
—
After the New Year, the second year of Dingyuan opened with the spring ritual to Heaven.
On the same day, the new laws piloted in the three neighboring Magistrateures expanded to five.
Three years later, the State of Qi began fully implementing the new laws.
By the fifth year of Dingyuan, the fifteen northwestern towns ceded by Song had established dozens of horse ranches, and the cavalry training was effective.
It wasn’t until then that Song, struggling for survival north of the Wei River for three years, realized the urgency.
The Song emperor awoke from his dream again, recalling the elderly Mr. Gongsun Lun who had crossed the Wei River three years prior.
Under the guise of a diplomatic mission, Song invited Qi as the suzerain state. The suzerain would never attack its vassal; that was the Song emperor’s intention.
Although Gongsun Lun was unwilling to bow, he could not resist the Song emperor’s repeated pleas and, despite his frailty, crossed south again.
—
That day, Han Min was in the academy with the little steward overseeing classes when someone from the palace arrived, reporting that Gongsun Lun had entered the palace.
It wasn’t mandatory for Han Min to see him; Fu Xun only knew Han Min cared for his master, so he was informed and asked if he wished to visit.
Han Min was surprised: “So soon? Wasn’t he just at the Wen County inn a few days ago?”
The messenger said: “Perhaps Master Gongsun was anxious and rushed here.”
Understandable—Qi was training troops and could appear at Song’s gates at any moment. Naturally, he could not wait.
Han Min said, “Alright, I’ll change clothes and visit him.”
Today at the academy, students from across the realm gathered. Han Min wore the academy’s blue robe and jade crown for formality, though he would change into a more dignified outfit for meeting the envoy.
In three short years, Han Min’s appearance had not changed much. He had lost some youthful awkwardness, and due to taking care of his health, his complexion was fairer, almond-shaped eyes bright, lips red, and his overall bearing elegant and handsome.
He was still slender, lacking flesh on his face and body.
He changed into official robes and rode to the palace.
Though still the Imperial Record Officer, he now had many additional honorary titles.
Last year, when the Han family was vindicated, Fu Xun intended to ennoble him, but Han Min said he was too young. He wanted to wait until the people of the realm were at peace before accepting titles. Fu Xun could not refuse, though he added a string of impressive honorifics.
Others understood—Han Min was not only an Imperial Record Officer but also a close minister and special commissioner for legal reform.
The carriage quickly reached Zichen Hall. Han Min lifted the curtain and saw Master Gongsun waiting at the steps, assisted by attendants, frail, hunched, and with white hair.
Han Min sighed softly and lowered the curtain.
The carriage stopped at the rear hall. Han Min entered, and Fu Xun was already waiting.
Han Min bowed: “Your Majesty.”
Fu Xun did not say “No need for formalities,” but instead took his hand and led him forward: “Let’s go.”
The eunuchs were unfazed and called: “Bring the Song envoy to the hall.”
Gongsun Lun slowly ascended the steps and bowed deeply.
Han Min sat beside Fu Xun, seeing the old man tirelessly working for the ailing Song state, and felt a pang of regret.
After being given a seat, Gongsun Lun sat at the lower rank.
“This visit aims to establish a century of friendship between our two nations. Qi’s territory is vast and its people at peace. The Emperor of Qi is wise. The small state wishes to recognize Qi as suzerain, and the Qi Emperor as Emperor.”
For such a venerable scholar, these words were difficult to utter.
Han Min glanced at Fu Xun before speaking: “Sir, this is mistaken. Song considers itself the orthodox power of the Central Plains and has long blocked Qi’s culture, prohibiting books and scrolls from entering Qi. Now to claim our Qi as Emperor would terrify Qi, who would not dare accept, and might later fear humiliation from Song, blaming Qi for overreaching.”
Such familiar sharpness—piercing and precise.
Master Gongsun instinctively looked up, then quickly lowered his gaze.
Fu Xun said: “We will discuss this during tomorrow’s court.” Han Min looked at him, and Fu Xun added: “Seeing Master Gongsun looks weak, Minister Han, escort him back to the inn.”
“Yes.”
Han Min bowed and excused himself. Master Gongsun was also assisted up by attendants.
The old and young walked out together.
It was dusk; the sunset cast slanted light on their backs, some straight, some hunched, onto the white jade railings.
Gongsun Lun said: “Minister Han, you are truly young and talented.”
Han Min politely smiled.
“May I ask, who is your teacher?”
“Old Scholar Liu Yingliu is my teacher. I began studying under him at age seven.”
Hearing this, Gongsun Lun paused, then composed himself and pushed the attendants aside: “Bring me a bowl of water.”
He was feeble, sustained by medicines; when he requested water, the attendants knew it was for taking medicine.
Other attendants followed him, but Gongsun Lun held Han Min’s hand instead of being assisted.
“Liu Ying… I know he also studied under me before.”
Thus, Gongsun Lun was Han Min’s ancestor teacher, though they had never met.
With many attendants around, and the two from different nations, Han Min didn’t call him “Teacher.”
Gongsun Lun asked: “Three years ago by the Wei River, were those words your teaching?”
Han Min remained silent, implicitly confirming.
Gongsun Lun tightened his hand and sighed: “Youth is truly admirable.”
Outside the palace, the envoy’s carriage could not wait at the gate, so Han Min helped him walk down Xuanwu Street.
Ahead was some commotion. Gongsun Lun squinted and asked: “Good grand-disciple, what’s happening ahead? Are people causing trouble?”
He spoke vaguely; only Han Min understood.
“It’s an exhibition of new scientific principles, still in its infancy, just some gadgets. You want to see?”
“Don’t you worry that with so many people, they’ll understand it and bring it back to Song?”
Han Min calmly said: “These things require a matching foundation. Song isn’t ready. Even if they took them back, no one could comprehend them.”
Gongsun Lun smiled: “Indeed, you are right.”
The sun set behind the green hills, the evening glow spreading, and Gongsun Lun suddenly felt a flicker before his eyes.
It wasn’t until the Qi army entered Song’s capital years later that he realized what he had seen—a new era never meant for Song.
