Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 151

Chapter 151

Yao-niang‘s entrance truly dazzled the audience. 

Dressed so beautifully, was she about to seduce the black-clad thief, or would she first pour out her heart and true feelings to Feng Yun?

The Jinyiwei in the audience craned their necks in anticipation. The stage door opened, and indeed, out stepped a young, handsome Jinyiwei…not just one, but a whole line of them. Leading them in the front was the particularly noticeable Colonel Xie with his deliberate steps, followed by a group of six red-clad commandants. Though Feng Yun stood at the forefront, he was no more conspicuous than the others behind him.

The real commandants who had contributed to capturing the black-clad thief, but did not have names like ‘Feng Yun’ felt a surge of pride and raised their eyebrows: “The ones on stage are based on us. Let’s get the performers to remember our names and mention them during their performances later on. I don’t believe there won’t be some young lady who will come to us to ask for help and redress her grievances after hearing our name!”

Even if there was no young lady, there would still be her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles… but, maybe not their in-laws.

Even the other Colonels began to contemplate joining Xie Ying on the others on patrols. If they could gather more officers, they would not have to be on duty every day—just once every month or two, which would not be too tiring.

While everyone looked and admired the beauty on stage, only Xie Ying was fully absorbed in the play–onstage, the actors were singing an aria about Colonel Xie moving an army and sending a general¹, ordering Feng Yun to disguise himself as a pipa-playing musician and stay close to Yao-niang morning and night, while others would blend in with the crowd, dressed as commoners, and follow them secretly.

The Jinyiwei nodded in response to their orders, and as the stage lights dimmed, layers of gauze curtains fell, hiding the room’s vibrant colors and ominous atmosphere. The audience, well-versed in traditional opera, could tell how far the set of songs had been performed just by listening to the tunes. They knew that there was clearly one more closing song still missing from the scene. Why had the curtain fallen already

Just as they were about to protest, the gauze curtain suddenly parted from the middle, revealing the radiant and alluring Wang Yao with her pipa. She lowered her head and plucked the strings, singing, “Not being able to fill this sea of grievances that is so dark and vast, nor dispelling the fog that shrouds the bewildering fortress, hoping all can attain the rank of the Three Dukes, and ascend a thousand steps each day.”

The audience erupted in applause and stood up, no longer throwing money but instead taking off their sachets, jade pendants, belt hooks, and other items—regardless of their value—and tossing them onto the stage.

This song was supposed to be sung by Wang Yao to Colonel Xie and the Jinyiwei before the curtain fell, but since the real Jinyiwei and those who captured the black-clad thief were present in the audience, Manager Xue arranged for the lead actress to sing directly to them.

Shopkeeper Ji had repeatedly emphasized not to change the lyrics, but could they not at least change who they sang to?

The audience fervently threw their belongings onto the stage, making the lead actress, the actors, servants and musicians behind the curtain tremble. Even the pipa’s notes quivered. The final lyrics were spontaneously changed on the spot to: “Bestowing upon us this sustenance, your grace is boundless!”

There were many shouts of praise from the audience, almost wanting to throw their boots onto the stage. Luckily, the set change was not too slow. Before the young officers could strip in front of their superiors, the curtains parted again, revealing two adjacent rooms separated by a door in the middle.

It looked like a cross-section of familiar-looking private dining rooms in a tavern, showing half of each room. In each room sat a person: on the left, a handsome young man in white robes, and on the right, a black-clad antagonist.

The lead actress, carrying her pipa, walked towards the left room and sat down on a chair, strumming her instrument. The young man recited: “I am Feng Yun, a commandant of the Jinyiwei. Following the orders of the Colonel, I have been protecting Lady Wang and secretly investigating the black-clad thief in the alleys of Pingkang for over a month. Recently, I heard that a wealthy guest in this tavern has been lavishly encouraging his invited friends and prostitutes to spend a lot of money here, some of which includes stolen tribute. Our Colonel confirmed this and ordered me to bring Lady Wang here, disguised as a singer, to gather information!”

As he spoke about their plan to capture the thief, the black-clad antagonist on the other side proudly sang with great passion: “Talking of recklessness, I am the most reckless; talking of intelligence and capacity, who can match my wit… Heroes of Han and Tang, where are they now?”

The dialogue and singing alternated between the two sides. The black-clad thief boasted about his crimes and the lack of anyone capturing him, so he enjoyed his stolen things to his heart’s content while Feng Yun and Yao-niang also sang, discussing their plan to lure and trap him.

This scene used a split-screen technique that had been overused in television, but in Ming Dynasty theater, this kind of dual-perspective play on stage was groundbreaking. The authors and writers who had already read the storyboard were not surprised, but for the Jinyiwei in the audience, this dual-perspective narrative on stage was astonishingly novel.

Not just astonished, but thrilled!

Watching the black-clad thief boast so proudly about his unmatched intelligence and strategy, wasn’t he only being played by the Jinyiwei and about to be captured?

It seemed that they were truly so resourceful, clever, so perceptive, swooping in from the sky on these criminals at their most arrogant and bringing them to justice!

The commandants of the Front Guard in the audience could not help but puff out their chests. Zhu Ji, thinking about how this was the work of his subordinates, felt a sense of pride, shaking his head as he watched the play with satisfaction.

The black-clad thief finished his self-praising song and said, “I heard there is a pipa girl named Lady Wang in Pingkang Alley, known for her exceptional beauty and talent. Today, I came here just to see Lady Wang and enjoy her charm.”

After saying this, Wang Yao and Feng Yun pushed open the fake door between the two rooms and stepped forward to perform. The two words and conversation all subtly revealed that the black-clad thief was from the place where Wang Yao’s father had served. After the performance, the thief presented a jade pendant as a reward, which was something Wang Yao’s father often used to wear.

Wang Yao pretended to be shocked, holding the jade pendant as she walked to the front of the stage, singing a sad song. The scene ended without the curtain falling, and the actors did not leave the stage. Feng Yun excused himself to pour wine, moved to the left room, took out a piece of paper, and tied it to the foot of a pigeon that had landed on the window at some point.

The pigeon unfurled its wings and flew away, and a man dressed as a waiter came out from the left room to lower the curtain. Feng Yun returned to the right room to help Wang Yao continue stalling the black-clad thief.

When the curtain rose again in the blink of an eye, the left room had been dismantled to reveal an empty stage. A team of Jinyiwei dressed in red and yellow uniforms, led by a Colonel in a green outfit with a white cape, burst through the fake windows of the room, rolling into the room, engaging in combat with the black-clad thief.

When the Jinyiwei captured criminals, was it not such a thrilling fight?

The Fortune and Longevity Troupe was skilled in martial arts performances, making the fight scenes lively and exciting. The experts in the audience critiqued their movements and poses. As the fight progressed, Feng Yun protected Wang Yao at the back, while the other guards formed impressive stances. Only Colonel Xie, with his flowing cape, fought the black-clad thief on stage, pressing a long sword against the other’s neck.

The black-clad thief was finally captured. Colonel Xie examined his crimes and submitted a memorial to exonerate Wang Yao’s late father. The memorial reached the Imperial Censorate, where the truth was investigated, verified and reported to the Emperor. The wise and mighty Emperor praised Wang Yao, calmly and eloquently, restored her father’s official position, honored her with a title, and decreed her a virtuous woman.

When the decree was granted, Colonel Xie appeared alone on stage, singing a piece of 【A Warning to the World】: “Fortunate to encounter this era of peace, protecting the unified lands, such a rare uprightness and purity in heaven and earth since ancient times…”

Zhu Ji, the Assistant Commissioner, immediately cheered: “What excellent lyrics! Other lines are fine, but who wrote this one? This truly speaks in the voice of the Jinyiwei! Aren’t we, indeed, in a time of peace, protecting the clear skies and stable earth!”

Xie Ying also praised: “These are words to live by, letting the world know the heart of the Jinyiwei!”

On the stage, Colonel Xie announced the imperial decree to Wang Yao and, feeling sorry for her as a wandering orphan, adopted her as his sworn sister. He personally officiated her marriage to Feng Yun.

During the wedding, when Feng Yun lifted the bridal veil in the bridal chamber, he held a brocade handkerchief and gazed at Wang Yao’s beautifully made-up face. He finally got to sing his first line: “I love her virtue, she loves my heroism. Our meeting of golden wind and jade dew is more precious than a thousand dawns. Punishing the wicked, receiving the Emperor’s grace, fulfilling the hearts of youth, together forever until old age.”

The officers who had been imagining themselves as Feng Yun finally heard this song after four full acts. They muttered, “It took four whole acts to get this line. Marrying a beautiful woman is not easy.”

Several Colonels said enviously, “Sharing a room but not singing any love songs, not even loosening a bit of clothing… even at the wedding, they’re still talking about catching thieves. With Colonel Xie at the center of attention, this play seems more about praising Colonel Xie than Wang Yao.”

Xie Ying smiled, glanced at them from the side, and said, “Gentlemen, instead of nitpicking this play, think about when a play will feature Assistant Commissioner Zhu or Colonel Li or Colonel Xu. Do you want to see officers wooing ladies, or would you prefer watching Colonels solve cases?”

True enough… If Colonel Xie could catch the black-clad thief, why couldn’t Colonel Li, Colonel Xu, or Colonel Wang solve other cases? There hadn’t been such plays before, but that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be any in the future. Hadn’t Assistant Commissioner Zhu mentioned submitting a memorial to allow them to join street patrols?

Everyone momentarily forgot the hardships of patrolling, while those with families felt conflicted, as they all imagined themselves in future plays as righteous officials. They figured Xie Ying must have commissioned the play, since it had given him so many flattering lines and had the beautiful Yao-niang praising him instead of her husband.

Unlike Xie Ying, who had the nerve and shamelessness to commission such praises, even if someone wrote a public case or biography for them, they would not  include so much self-praise and eulogies in the play!

When the play ended, everyone was still immersed in the story, eager to watch it again. Some even reserved seats for the next day’s performance in the garden.

Only Commander Gao, who did not identify with the protagonist or Colonel Xie, calmly grabbed Xie Ying’s sleeve after the banquet and said, “No doubt, da-ren, this play has greatly enhanced our Jinyiwei’s reputation. How can we not present it to the palace? While these uncastrated actors cannot enter the inner palace, I must have the backdrops, props, and script…you will help me, right?”

Xie Ying, after being pestered for a while, reluctantly agreed, “I’ll get a copy of the script for you. Anyways, it will take several days for the Bureau to rehearse. Once our five-day run is over, you can take the set pieces and props and have them replicated.”

It was too late for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but a few days’ delay would not matter

Looking at the “actress” playing Wang Yao who was clearly a handsome man, Commander Gao sighed and felt sad for a long time, “Truly the heavens do not have eyes. If he were a real woman, I’d have him join the female palace performers immediately.”

While some things could not be taken away, there was one thing they needed immediately.

Neither Commander Gao nor the other Colonels wanted to appear overly eager after listening to the play praising the Jinyiwei, so they all politely asked Manager Xue for the height-boosting insoles. Manager Xue, familiar with Commander Gao after frequent dealings, saw that the other Jinyiwei were also friendly and generous, becoming bolder, he responded confidently with a smile, “These shoe inserts have been worn by Lu Sheng, and they are not clean. How about I measure the da-ren’s feet and have the measurements recorded down. This lowly one will have new ones made of fine leather in a few days.”

These soles need measurements? Not just ready-made?

They all served in the Jinyiwei and although not high-ranking, they were still commandants who at least had a manservant, but who was to say that they knew their exact shoe size? Manager Xue quickly brought out some hemp string, measuring each man’s foot, jotting down their names on small pieces of paper attached to the strings, and stowing them in a box.

The commandants left their measurements, reminding their Colonels to also get a boost. Several Colonels from the Rear Guard, Central Guard and Elephant-Training Guard also wanted the inserts but were hesitant that saying so would be the same thing as admitting that they were short. They looked to Colonel Xie, hoping he would agree quickly and pave the way.

Feeling the intense gazes, Colonel Xie did not look back at them, smiling faintly and said, “Young men, you handle this. I have tried these inserts before, and they feel like walking on tiptoes, sliding with every step. They’re uncomfortable.”

If he didn’t want them, then do not get it. Why bring up young men ah!

As a young, dashing man in his twenties, if he did not wear them, how could those slightly older dare?

Assistant Commissioner Zhu, secretly tiptoeing, seeing the younger spirited officers brimming with confidence and having grown three inches taller at this moment, coldly said, “I don’t care how stylish you want to be off-duty, but since those insoles are inconvenient to wear, during patrols, training, or palace duty, those shoes are forbidden!”

The radiant faces of the commandants and the hopeful Colonel planning to secretly order inserts from Manager Xue, instantly fell as their lips curved downward.

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This matter might apply to others, but it certainly did not affect Privy Officials like Commander Gao, who mainly operated within the palace. Using the excuse of making props for the Drum and Bell Department to help eunuchs play their tall and majestic Jinyiwei,  he first made various height-boosting insoles for himself and then eagerly started rehearsing with the script Xie Ying provided.

The eunuchs in the Drum and Bell Department had far superior artistic skills compared to outside troupes; they were familiar with every tune. The palace also had trees, rocks, and scenic paintings from other plays, as well as actual ready-made furniture—there were plenty of people in the Palace and could move furniture around, unlike small troupes that had to use fake props.

By simply making the height-boosting insoles and arranging everything else according to the setup, with proper lighting and air blowers to create a floral or snowy atmosphere, how could it not be better than anything outside the Imperial Palace?

Commander Gao spared no effort in organizing the play, aiming to clear the name of the Jinyiwei before the Emperor—after all, Colonel Xie had been doing a lot of real work lately, and it was time for the Emperor to recognize the true nature of the Jinyiwei, instead of just hearing complaints from censors and officials accusing them of oppressing the people!

His subordinates were all righteous officers, and no one should insult them!

Commander Gao almost considered castrating himself to stay in the palace, having worked tirelessly for over ten days to get the play ready by the end of August. The Emperor, having already heard from Gao gonggong about the popular story of the righteous Jinyiwei Colonel Xie and his investigation, as well as news that Commander Gao was rehearsing with the Drum and Bell Department, was eager to see the performance. As soon as Commander Gao requested to stage the play, the Emperor readily agreed, and the performance was set for that evening.

During the scene where the Jinyiwei helped Wang Yao avenge her father, the Emperor, somewhat skeptical and unconvinced, turned and asked the eunuchs, “This, is the work, of the Jinyiwei?”

Even if it wasn’t true, the eunuchs had to say it was; moreover, it actually happened? Qin Chang laughed and said, “How could Your Majesty forget? Early this year, Colonel Xie from the Jinyiwei requested permission to patrol the capital and investigate local cases. Since then, he has been continuously working on it, solving many old cases and resolving injustices. This play was written by outside playwrights; if it were false, who would dare write it like this?”

The Emperor nodded slightly and continued watching.

The exquisite scenery and beautiful actors were nothing new in the palace, and Emperor Chenghua merely smiled as he watched the ones he liked. However, when the play reached the point where Colonel Xie submitted a memorial to the Emperor, and the theatrical emperor praised Wang Yao’s loyalty, filial piety and righteousness, declaring her a virtuous woman, the real Emperor felt a sense of familiarity. He turned to Gao gonggong and asked, “This part seems a bit like… Cui Xie?”

Gao gonggong was momentarily taken aback before realizing the Emperor wasn’t comparing Wang Yao to Cui Xie but recalling how Colonel Xie handled the case where Cui Xie helped capture the thief and was declared a righteous citizen. He quickly stepped forward and replied, “There is some resemblance, but purely coincidental. The Jinyiwei eliminate bandits to protect the people, and naturally, the people are willing to risk their lives to assist them. The Emperor’s boundless grace in recognizing good citizens leads to similar outcomes.”

The emperor shook his head with a smile, “That’s true. What about Wang Yao, Feng Yun, where?”

Gao gonggong quickly answered, “These are fictional characters created for the play. In fact, there is no such person as Wang Yao. However, the Front Guards, it is not this servant exaggerating, are all as brave and kind as Feng Yun.”

Though the play had some embellishments, the Emperor was generally lenient towards theatrical content. When Ah Chou once portrayed Wang Zhi with two mighty axes, overshadowing everyone and said, ‘Don’t know the Emperor, but there is only Wang Zhi’, the Emperor did not punish him for portraying high officials in Imperial court, instead, he favored him even more.

This time, though the play had the Emperor granting a decree to a fictional character, as it was all in praise, he did not take offense. On the contrary, he found the play delightful to the eye and satisfying, every word was worth mulling over. He enjoyed it more than usual plays.

He not only listened to the play but also summoned the Assistant Commissioner Zhu Ji into the Imperial Palace to ask if the play was true and if the Jinyiwei really handled such cases in the capital.

Zhu Ji bowed his head respectfully, lowered his eyes and answered honestly, “This official dares not speak falsely before Your Majesty, but in recent days, the Jinyiwei alone has transferred over ten case files to the Shuntian Prefecture and the Three Judicial Offices, all of which are long-unsolved cases. If Your Majesty doubts this, please ask the officials there to present the records.”

Emperor Chenghua then ordered the judicial officials to bring those records and files. Indeed, among them was the case of the Black-Clad Thief.

Though the real case was not as dramatic as the play depicted, the fact that the Jinyiwei could deduce the thief’s whereabouts through thorough investigation and lay in ambush at his residence to catch him at his most vulnerable moment was itself a thrilling accomplishment.

The Emperor then had Huai En read several case files aloud. From the brief confessions, he imagined the more dangerous and intricate scenarios of their investigations, even more thrilling than what was portrayed on stage. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “He has talent…”

Huai En put down the case files and asked, “Does Your Majesty mean? This person is capable?”

Not only did Xie Ying have talent, but he also had good luck and a good reputation. Otherwise, why would such a talented scholar write a play about him? Ordinary scholars would avoid the Jinyiwei at all costs.

The Emperor did not connect the play with Cui Xie. He remembered Cui Xie for his poem presented at court, which had left a deep impression on him and saw him as a traditional scholar, not a flamboyant playwright.

After some thought, the Emperor beckoned Hua En closer and said, “Go, summon him. Appoint him, as a trial Pacification Commissioner to assist… no, let him handle criminal cases first…”

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Footnotes:

1. moving an army and sending a general: to deploy an army/send a team for a task ↩︎

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TN: Have a good rest of your week everyone and enjoy the chapter! Apologies for not updating last week, I was out of town and was too busy to upload anything~

Update 12/23/24: I just updated it so that all my advance chapters for TMD are up on patreon (and will be continually updated)! Sorry for being so lazy with it and apologies for taking so long to do so. I had to organize a lot of my random documents after a long hiatus last year.

Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a grad student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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