On the first day of the fifth month, summer heat spread through the Ministry of Revenue compound.
Someone swept up the bamboo blind of the minister's office in the western Side Courtyard, then let it fall heavily. The bamboo slats struck the doorframe in a clattering burst.
Several department secretaries copying documents in the courtyard stopped their brushes at once. Holding their breath, they exchanged glances, none daring to speak.
Kou Yuan strode across the threshold, his official hat still on, his robes billowing behind him.
He had plainly just come from a Cabinet Council meeting, where the others had rebuffed him and cost him face.
Before long, footsteps sounded outside the minister's office in the Ministry of Revenue's western Side Courtyard. More than one person was approaching.
Qi Zhao arrived first, followed by Xu Bingwen and several rising talents among the Upright Officials whom Kou Yuan had personally promoted, men who ordinarily kept their abilities well hidden.
They filed inside and took their seats without exchanging pleasantries.
Once everyone had arrived, Kou Yuan pushed a shortlist freshly copied from the Grand Secretariat into the center of the desk.
"The Crown Prince is establishing his own household. The Director of Palace Affairs Office has five vacancies.
"The Ministry of Personnel has proposed three men: Wang Kan, Zhang Zai, and Shen Yi."
As he spoke, Kou Yuan tapped Shen Yi's name with his finger.
"Even Shen Duan has slipped his eldest legitimate grandson into the Eastern Palace."
Xu Bingwen spoke first. "Grand Secretary, Shen Duan has laid this move very deep."
"If Shen Yi enters the Director of Palace Affairs Office, the Shen Family will have driven a stake into the ground beside the Heir Apparent.
"Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, that stake will become the pillar supporting