Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 124

Chapter 124

As soon as Cui Xie returned from the Imperial College, the household hit him with such a shocking surprise that his face turned pale and he could not find his words for a long while.

Cui Liangdong, trembling, almost knelt before him, lowering his head as he recounted the day’s events, except for the few insults Cui Heng had hurled at him: “This subordinate failed to foresee it. Who knew that ungrateful wretch, Little Haijing, would go to such lengths to ingratiate himself with Second Young Master, causing such a scene outside and even attracting the attention of the constables…”

No matter how much he lamented, he dared not implicate Cui Heng in his words, so he took half of the blame himself.

Cui Xie let out a cold laugh and asked, “Has Heng-ge gone to pay respects to our Grandparents yet?”

Cui Liangdong, wiping the greasy sweat from his face, replied, “Not yet. This subordinate noticed the Second Young Master did not look well and was afraid he was under the influence of some evil southern sorcery. So, as soon as we returned, this subordinate had someone fetch talisman water, incense ash, rooster blood and black dog blood to help calm his soul. He is now resting. The Old furen did express her wishes to see Er–ge, but this subordinate told her Er-ge had just eaten and was exhausted from the journey and went to sleep first.”

It was better not to let Cui Heng meet his grandparents yet. They needed to make sure he was capable of speaking sensibly before he could meet the elderly.

Cui Xie rubbed his temples, pondering how to manage Cui Heng–It would be understandable if he caused trouble shortly after arriving in the capital, which could be blamed on his mother’s exile and bad influence. But once he was home, any further incidents would be Cui Xie’s responsibility. If Heng-ge continued causing problems in public, as the head of the family, Cui Xie would be held accountable.

First, Heng-ge needed to be contained and then the others dealt with.

Cui Xie looked up at Cui Liangdong and asked, “Little Haijing claimed his servant deed is with Er–ge, meaning he is not truly one of our household members? And he wants to go with Er–ge to the Xu family?”

Without waiting for a response, Cui Xie continued, “Since he does not want to be a part of the Cui family, we will not keep him. No need to trouble the Xu family either. Pack his belongings and find a merchant convoy or ship heading to Fujian and send him to serve Xu-shi. You also share the blame for this oversight, so your monthly salary will be docked for three months. Reflect on today’s events, figure out where you went wrong and how you should handle things properly in the future. Submit a written reflection of no less than five thousand characters to me tomorrow.”

Relieved to retain his position, Cui Liangdong sighed and then worried about the logistics: “If we cannot quickly find a ship heading to Fujian, should we send someone specifically for that?”

Cui Xie replied calmly, “Take your time searching. If you cannot find a suitable form of transport soon, wait until next year or the year after. When the Peace of Mind study goes to Masha to buy printing plates, send him along then. For now, send him to work on the farmstead to correct his lazy habits. If he cannot learn to work hard, he will not be of any use to Xu-shi in the borderlands.”

Sending Little Haijing away would solve that problem, but the decisive carriage driver, Sun Yue, was someone worth keeping and potentially promoting.

He instructed Cui Liangdong to promote the carriage driver to a small manager position in Cui Heng’s courtyard and to replace his current servant with a more sensible and stronger one, someone who could control the Second Young Master and prevent any more outbursts like today’s.

After being rejected so bluntly by his maternal family, it  must have felt like being dunked with a basin of cold water. Cui Heng should have realized that he had lost his support and would likely settle down for a while.

During dinner, the Old furen brought up Cui Heng again. Cui Xie reassured the elders, saying, “Er-ge has been spoiled at home since childhood. Although he has not suffered greatly outside, his living conditions certainly were not as good as at home and he is also saddened by being separated from his mother. Seeing you two would undoubtedly make him cry bitterly. Given your health and his current frailness, crying could damage his lungs and leave a lingering illness, right? It is better to first nourish him with medicine and food, build up his strength, and only then let him experience great sorrow and joy.”

Although the Old furen missed this grandson, she saw some reason in Cui Xie’s words. Remembering Heng-ge’s mother, Xu-shi, also filled her with resentment, so she sighed, “Fine, let him rest. He has been through much hardship these past days and will likely be restless upon his return. I cannot handle his antics right now, so I will avoid him for a few days until he calms down.”

Cui Xie smiled and said, “Grandmother, there is no need to worry. Heng-ge and I were about the same age when I returned home, and he has endured hardships. Maybe he will have an epiphany like I did and develop a love for studying from now on?”

The Old furen shook her head with a bitter chuckle, “If he can change his temper and ways, I would truly be grateful to Buddha. But, I am afraid he takes after his mother’s difficult and unpredictable nature and might become a burden to you…”

Cui Xie then comforted the elderly couple a bit more. After dinner, hearing that Cui Heng had awoken, he had a bowl of lukewarm porridge prepared along with some light side dishes like bamboo shoots, preserved melons, vegetarian chicken rolls and pickled vegetables. Cui Xie then personally went to see him.

Cui Heng had already changed into his lounge clothes, which were the same spring attire he had before leaving, still warm and padded, but not too shabby. However, he was evidently dissatisfied. Seeing Cui Xie bring food in, he observed the other’s new padded robe and sneered, “It seems that you have risen in this household, flaunting your new clothes in front of me? A junyu who has never seen the world¹. When my mother was here, did she ever let you lack food or clothing?

The man who had brought the food was the newly promoted driver. He felt that gagging the Second Young Master earlier earned him the Eldest Young Master’s favor, so he was more than ready to do it again. 

But Cui Xie raised his hand to stop him and pointed to the table, “Put the food down and leave us. I have things to discuss with my Er-ge.”

Cui Xie personally poured the porridge into a bowl and pushed it towards Cui Heng, saying: “I thought your experience outside would have made you more sensible, but you still do not understand? You are the son of a fourth-ranked official, a person who had studied the classics. Yet, you speak such foul words to your elder brother. This would be damaging your own reputation and future if others were to catch wind of it.”

Cui Heng stared at him darkly, “What future do I have left? You have entered Imperial College, taken my future, what future prospects do I have!”

Suddenly, he sprang up, attempting to throw the bowl of porridge at Cui Xie. However, Cui Xie, appearing unprepared, reacted even faster, snatching the bowl from the other’s hand and tossed it back onto the table. He then grabbed Cui Heng by the collar, flipped him onto the ground and pressed his foot onto the other’s lower back.

Cui Xie’s strength came from practicing with long spears and swords, a far cry from the muscle mass Cui heng had lost during his exile. Pressed down by Cui Xie, Cui Heng’s limbs were bruised as he flailed helplessly as he was unable to turn over. He could only cry out hoarsely, “You cannot hide your true nature, can you? You are trying to harm me! You junyu scum, you jinx! If it weren’t for you, my parents and I would still be fine…”

Cui Xie let out a cold laugh, yanked off Cui Heng’s silk belt and said slowly, “You can shout all you want, but no one will hear you. Save your strength. After I am done teaching you a lesson, you will be ready to study.”

Cui Heng struggled and shouted desperately, but outside, there was only the newly appointed manager, Steward Sun, who was eager to come in and beat Cui Heng to show his loyalty to Cui Xie. Who else could save him?

After struggling for a while and failing to turn over, Cui Heng could only lie there as Cui Xie pulled down the waistband of his trousers, revealing a dirty, scrawny butt. Disgusted by the filth, Cui Xie twisted the belt into a cord and struck him hard on the buttocks.

Of course, the silk belt wasn’t as painful as a whip and could not cause serious injury if you hit someone too hard, but Cui Heng, who had been pampered for years, had never been beaten like this, even by the Jinyiwei. He immediately started crying bitterly and cursing as if he were dying, hurling insults at Cui Xie and their ancestors.

Cui Xie took a handkerchief from Cui Heng’s waist and stuffed it into his mouth to block him from making noise. While beating him, he said, “I initially planned to reason with you, but you refused to listen. Still, you need to understand why you are being punished, so you do not go out and cause trouble for the family with your reckless behavior:”

“Firstly, whether or not my family is in trouble is not because of me. It is because of your birth mother, Xu-shi, falsely accusing a court official. This was a serious case that reached His Majesty himself and she received what she deserved. Secondly, I study at the Imperial College because of the Emperor’s grace, specifically appointing me there, not taking any family entitlements. Father, being a man of integrity, would never send someone full of vulgarity and ignorance to the law to the Imperial College. Thirdly, as your elder brother, it is my duty to educate you. As a younger brother, insulting your legitimate elder brother justifies my discipline.”

As he continued to beat him, he lectured, noticing that Cui Heng was only sobbing without any intention of retaliating or cursing. He stopped and said, “Did you understand what I said? I’ll repeat it again. Listen carefully, nod if you understand, and I’ll uncover your mouth so you can repeat it back to me. If you don’t remember, I’ll explain it again.”

Before he could speak, Cui Heng started nodding frantically. Cui Xie removed the gag and threw it aside. “Did you understand the three main points I just explained? Repeat them back to me.”

As soon as Cui Heng’s mouth was free, he opened it to curse again.

Without a word, Cui Xie resumed the beating, sneering, “You waste the opportunity to learn. Apparently, you haven’t had enough. I’ll keep repeating until you memorize it. When you can recite it perfectly, I’ll release it and you can write it down. If you make a single mistake, you will not sleep tonight and will copy each word a thousand times!”

Cui Heng wanted to stand firm, but as he laid on the floor, his sore buttocks and the cold floor made him relent. Unable to curse anymore, he sobbed and pleaded for mercy.

Cui Xie grabbed his collar and hoisted him up, pressing him onto a chair. “Do you want to eat first or start writing?”

Cui Heng sat down abruptly, feeling as if buttocks were on fire. He wanted to jump up but could not resist Cui Xie’s strength. He silently shed tears while eating the porridge. The porridge had long gone cold, but after enduring so much hardship outside, the little bit of pretentiousness he had as a Young Master meant nothing in the face of hunger, cold and beatings. He grumbled and gulped it all down.

Seeing that he had finished eating, Cui Xie tossed him a rag and instructed him to clean up the area in front of him. He then pushed over the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone found in Cui Heng’s room. “Write down what I just said. For every mistake, you will copy it a thousand times. If you do not finish tonight, you will not sleep. I will be here watching you.”

Cui Heng, having just eaten cold porridge and pickled vegetables, was feeling the prickling pain in his behind and winced as Cui Xie kicked the chair, jolting him and making his buttocks hurt even more, once again, he was reminded of his predicament.

Having done the beating all night, Cui Xie’s arms were sore, let alone Cui Heng’s backside. The pain, combined with the fear of having no one to rescue him and the helplessness of being pinned down, had completely crushed the defiant spirit Cui Heng had when he returned home.

Unable to fight or cause a scene…

Cui Heng closed his eyes and reluctantly conceded, “I’ll write! I’ll write! It’s just that… I took too long eating and now my memory is a bit fuzzy. I’m afraid I’ll get it wrong.”

Cui Xie smiled slightly, satisfied, and said generously, “Forget it, as your elder brother, I should be lenient with you, no? You don’t have to write it exactly as I said, just recount it in your own words. But the writing must be neat, and there must be no mistakes. If there are any errors, it’s still a thousand copies per mistake.”

He took the pen and paper and, with trembling hands, Cui Heng wasted a few sheets before finally managing to write down those three points. He checked them carefully several times, not daring to make any mistakes. Cui Xie glanced over the paper, reading it upside down and then right side up, imprinting it in his mind like a PDF. He nodded and said, “It’s written more or less correctly. Why did you not write your name? Do you also forget to write your name on assignments for your teacher?”

Reluctantly, Cui Heng picked up the pen to add his name, but the previous paper was already filled with writing, so he had to write it on the back. Cui Xie took the paper, looked it over, then opened a box of red ink and pressed Cui Heng’s private seal, which he had found in a drawer, onto the document.

Cui Heng stood up in shock and anger, “What is the meaning of this! How can you use my seal without my permission…”

Cui Xie said calmly, “How can you sign a document without sealing it? As your older brother, I stamped it for you to ensure it was done properly, given your trembling hand and so that it would be clear.”

“In the past, I did not hold your actions against you because you were young and ignorant. Now that you understand you and your mother’s sins and have written a confession of guilt, if you continue to speak or act recklessly, it is knowingly committing a crime, deliberately violating laws of the Imperial court and an affront to human morality.”

He folded the paper several times and tucked it into his chest, his gaze sweeping over Cui Heng’s face before he let out a cold laugh. “At that time, I will not simply close the door and scold you as your brother. I will open the gates, take out the family law, and publicly strip you down and beat you harshly in front of everyone!”

Cui Heng was shaking with anger and shouted, “You, you are deliberately harming me!”

Cui Xie turned his head and called out the window, “Steward Sun, bring the family law!”

Steward Sun responded, but before he could leave, Cui Heng cowered and cried out hoarsely, “Don’t go! Don’t you dare go!” Remembering that the voice outside was from the person who had dragged him back from the Xu family and that he could have heard how he was abandoned, he felt a mix of fear and shame. Quickly, he relented to Cui Xie, “I admit my mistake, da-ge, please do not call them to bring anyone!”

By this time, Steward Sun had already arrived with Cui Liangdong. Cui Liangdong asked from outside the door, “Young Master, we do not have a family law stick at home. Should we get a bamboo board instead?”

Cui Heng’s legs trembled with fear, terrified that they might actually beat him.

Cui Xie called the two inside. Seeing the bamboo in their hands, he smiled slightly, “There will be no beating today. Clean up the table and chairs here, and prepare a bowl of nourishing, calming medicine for Heng-ge.”

Cui Heng, sitting behind the table, let out a slight breath of relief. But his eyes, as he looked at Cui Xie, were filled with resentment.

Steward Sun, noticing this, immediately wanted to report it. Cui Xie, however, shook his head at him, “Let’s leave it at that for today. Discipline must be administered gradually, just like meals must be eaten one bite at a time. Steward Sun, later bring me my law books. Starting tomorrow, ensure Heng-ge studies them. He is not to leave this room until he has memorized them thoroughly. Also, keep an eye on his words. If he speaks with such rebellious and insane language again, wait for me to return and punish him.”

Cui Xie left, returning to his room to find the 《Great Announcement Compiled by His Majesty》and 《Ming Code》 which he handed to Steward Sun. Then he sat down to write a letter to the distant Official Cui in Yunnan. 

In the letter, he first reported that Cui Heng had returned safely. He also mentioned that the family’s three shops were struggling due to a lack of funds, and were in a state of liquidity and they had been forced to sell the southern goods shop to barely support the other two. Lastly, he asked if Official Cui could send some of his salary back this year to support their grandparents and help raise the younger children.  

After all, the family of elderly, women, and children living in the capital was already having a hard time. They were counting on Advisor Cui’s silver to get through the New Year and certainly had no means to send anything to Yunnan.

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Footnotes:

1. Junyu referred to someone from a military household who had not become a soldier, considered lower than a commoner. In this era that esteemed scholars over warriors, using it to insult a legitimate scholar was particularly malicious.
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