act40side

It's high autumn.

The courtyard is silent. Its long, thick walls prevent outside noise from coming in. It's empty, save for an old persimmon tree leaning against the wall in the shade, with its old crown extending over the top of the wall.

No one knows what this old tree has witnessed over the years. We do know that, since its planting, it has turned red, and green, and red again, as the seasons have flown by.

Each year, bright red, fresh persimmons grow from its branches, and each year, these beautiful fruits wipe away old memories of previous harvests.

The old man sits under the tree, sleeping in the shade.

...Grandfather.

Grandfather?

Huh.... wha?

Ciqiu? You're back?

Yes. I got delayed a bit on the way back, but thankfully, I made it in time for the Mid-Autumn festival.

I've been thinking a lot these past few days. I've been watching the persimmons grow redder and redder. I was afraid that if you didn't come back soon, we wouldn't be able to eat them together this year.

I'm not sure how many more harvests I will live to see. If you had come back any later, you may not have even seen me here...

Grandfather...

Ning Ciqiu decides not to crack any jokes, as she usually would have done. She looks at the old man closely. He seems to have a few new wrinkles on his forehead this time.

The autumn wind blows suddenly, ruffling the old man's hair.

We completed our trial of Dahuang's first mobile plate last month. I've finished up my work at the Ministry of Rites for now, so they allowed me two weeks' vacation.

You've worked really hard.

I heard about the goings-on in Dahuang as soon as they happened. I've detailed all my criticisms in my letters.

I know you were involved in the disaster relief effort as well, but every Yanese mandarin is duty-bound to protect the people. As an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, you must take responsibility for the poor management here.

Deducting half a year's pay is letting you off easy. You have nothing to complain about.

Of course I shall not complain, and I take my errors to heart.

Ciqiu, you must remember: do not focus on what you've already done; focus on what you still haven't done yet.

As a magistrate, you must carry out the orders of your superiors, while winning over and maintaining the trust of those below you, the citizens.

In your position, everything you do is only what was expected of you in the first place. However, should you fail in even the slightest of your responsibilities, it would be an unforgivable transgression.

If you do not understand this, you are not fit to wear your magisterial robes.

'Devote all your energy to the cause, as that is all you have to give.' I still remember the words you taught me so many moons ago.

I shall take this mistake to heart, but I shan't despair. Quitting now would really be shirking my responsibilities.

Yes.

Okay. I've said enough on this for now. I am not in your position, nor do I work in the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, I have no right to interfere.

Now, I am more worried about your injury. Are you well?

Do not worry, Grandfather. I recovered quite some time ago.

Broken bones take at least three months to heal, so please take caution. In a few days, after you get settled, make the time to go see a doctor. An old friend of mine gave me medicine patches. I'll give you some to take back home with you.

Very well, Grandfather.

You kids are always making me worry.

I'm just about to move back to my old hometown. My son and daughter never come to see me, and your sister is never home. Everyone's forgotten me.

What you say about my sister sounds true, but as far as you being forgotten... forgive me, but these past few days you've closed your door to all visitors.

Ugh. This again? Kids these days, you don't have your priorities straight, do you?

I haven't had a single moment of peace in this courtyard since the beginning of last month.

The youth today are clever, dare not knock on my door to offer me wine or tea. Instead, they've started watering my flowers. My poor hydrangeas. I spent so long growing them, and these kids have already drowned three pots this year!

Gah...

You've had so many visitors lately. I'd wager the Minister came and showed you the draft guest list of the Feast, didn't he?

It's rare to see the True Lung even once a year. I'm sure many would treasure the chance to learn the latest court gossip.

I have no reason to meet the young lad. He's the Minister, after all. What does he need my input for?

Come now, Grandfather. You served for decades in the Ministry of Rites. Your achievements were many, and your legacy is secure.

That's all in the past. If we keep focusing on the past, how will we deal with the present?

Mr. Ning, you have a guest.

I told you, no visitors. Who is it, anyways?

He says he is the Advisor of Yumen.

Hmm...?

The Advisor of Yumen? Never heard of him...

I don't care who he is. I said no visitors, and I meant it.

Grandfather, wait a moment. Might the advisor be here to see me?

Good sir, our master is not accepting visitors right now. Please come back another time.

Please tell Ning, err, your master, that an old friend is here.

Sir, no offense... but judging by your age, are you sure you're an 'old friend' of the master's?

It's true. I dare not make up stories.

Sir, please, be on your way. The master is not accepting any guests right now. If you really are an 'old friend', then I'm sure you wouldn't want to cause trouble, would you?

Mr. Liang...?

Do you not recognize me?

Miss Ning! It's been a while...

I heard you just returned to Baizao. I wanted to see you.

Liang Xun's eyes shift from Miss Ning to the figure standing behind her, the kindly old man.

Don't just stand there, Ciqiu. Invite your friend in for a bit.

Well...

What's the matter? Why isn't anyone eating?

Haha. I feel like the third wheel here, and an old one at that. Maybe I'll just step away for a moment, and the two of you can enjoy your meal?

No, no. You've got it all wrong. It's us young kids who are intruding on your magisterial greatness.

Grandfather, don't scare him like that.

Hahaha. I'm only kidding, Liang Xun, I assure you.

When Ciqiu was still in Shangshu, she used to write me letters, talking about a magistrate there who was both supremely talented and dedicated to his people. Today, I finally got to meet him.

When did I—

Hahaha. It's my birthday in three days. I wasn't planning to go through the trouble of organizing a grand party or anything.

So today, eating dinner and chatting with you two youths is how I will celebrate my birthday.

Let us wish many more years of health and life to your greatness.

Hear hear, Grandfather. Many happy returns.

Alright, alright. Enough of that. Let's eat.

Liang Xun, I thought you were a magistrate from Shangshu. Why have I now heard you are the Advisor of Yumen?

And why have you traveled from Yumen all the way to Baizao?

Yumen's journey was a long one, and the people once living in Yumen have been resettled in batches in different nomadic cities along the route as planned. The last group settled down in Baizao a few days ago.

Wasn't Yumen patrolling the northwestern corridor? How did you end up all the way over here in Baizao?

Dear Grandfather, have you forgotten? Yumen changed its route at the beginning of this year. The new route it was traveling on took it right to Baizao.

As for why Yumen traveled to Baizao, surely you remember that?

Ah... yes... because of that same old problem again.

All those years of fighting, and still no resolution. It's been so long since I retired, and sometimes I still hear those voices in my nightmares. It gives me a headache.

It's a problem that's existed for several millennia now.

Sometimes, issues resolve with the passage of time. Other times, they get worse.

Now I think we need to find a way to solve it. Grandfather, do you have any ideas?

Me? Of course not. If I were to try and intervene, people would accuse me of being a dictator.

Not necessarily. The Minister has been coming to see you ever few days or so. He never mentioned this to you?

Miss Ning, there are some things which your grandfather must keep private, you know.

Hahahaha. My granddaughter sure is direct. That's for sure.

No matter. I am an ordinary citizen now. I am free to speak as I please without fear of divulging secrets, because I do not know any secrets. As for this matter, however, I must defer to the advice of the young.

Well, Liang Xun, what's your solution?

I dare not propose any grand solution. However, there is one thing I do know.

The best strategy is to disrupt your enemy's strategy.

From the court's perspective, war has no upsides, only downsides. From the peoples' perspective, war means death and destruction.

'The best strategy is to disrupt your enemy's strategy.' That makes sense.

But if we always followed this reasoning, the True Lung would not have started 'The Great Hunt' one thousand years ago, and Yan would never have experienced a millennium of prosperity.

Times change, and circumstances change. It's hard to compare things across different historical eras.

That war a thousand years ago was called 'The Great Hunt', but it wasn't really a hunt. It was the Yanese people wresting their future from the hands of the 'gods'. Retreating, even just a little bit, would have resulted in their extinction.