[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [14]

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Chapter Fourteen: A Palace Turns into a Gambling Den; Heartbreaking Return; A Life of Beauty and Wine; Music and song fill the air; Palace maids and eunuchs bustle about, serving food and wine. It turns out that Emperor Jun of Song, dissatisfied with the old palace's cramped and humble state, commissioned the construction of a magnificent palace with vermilion beams and painted rafters, named "Jade Candle." On the day of the Jade Candle Palace's completion, Emperor Jun held a grand banquet that evening, summoning all his officials. No official dared disobey. The banquet began, accompanied by the sounds of reed pipes and flutes. Emperor Jun sat in the center, facing south. To his right sat his favored concubine, Jingyi, daughter of Yixuan, who falsely claimed to be Consort Yin. To his left sat Empress Wang, who was not favored. Several other beloved concubines, along with Jingwan and Jingzhen, sat below, drinking and reveling. They passed cups and clinked glasses, enjoying themselves immensely. After drinking for a while, the officials exchanged knowing glances and began to rise from their seats, intending to thank the emperor and take their leave.
Just then, a eunuch announced the emperor's decree: "His Majesty has decreed that tonight everyone must enjoy themselves to the fullest, until they are completely drunk. No offenses will be punished, and no one should refuse." The officials looked at each other, secretly groaning, but had no choice but to steel themselves and return to their seats. Several sycophantic officials, hearing that offenses would be punished, were delighted and drank to their hearts' content. Only the dignified and composed ministers, generally not fond of drinking, suffered, forced to remain seated, finding it quite awkward. Even the Empress, who had originally refused to attend, left the palace to take her leave. Emperor Jun, who had found her presence an eyesore and was eager for her to leave, allowed her to go.
Emperor Jun, already quite tipsy, wanted to display his lewdness towards his ministers. He pointed at Grand Master Wu Xuanmo, calling him "Old Vulgar," and at Minister Liu Xiu, calling him "Old Stingy." He also called Attendant Yan Shibo, whose teeth were protruding, "Gnaw." The rest, regardless of their height, build, appearance, or gender, were all given nicknames. Most of the ministers dared not object, only accepting the criticism with smiles, much to the annoyance of Consort Yin and the other concubines, who covered their mouths and chuckled secretly. Emperor Jun was extremely pleased, drinking several large cups of wine. Three of his trusted favorites, all Censors of the Southern Terrace and concurrently Attendants of the Secretariat, named Dai Faxing, Dai Mingbao, and Chao Shangzhi, were also present. These three were all obsequious flatterers, accomplices in their wicked schemes. Seeing Emperor Jun's delight, they each offered him a toast. Emperor Jun, pleased with the wine, became even more tipsy. He ordered Faxing to hold the wine pot, Mingbao to carry a large wine cup that could hold a pound of wine, and Shangzhi to be given a gold-lacquered staff by the emperor. He instructed the three of them to go to their respective seats and each drink three cups without delay. He also ordered the palace maids to take turns beating the drum. If there were three drumbeats and three cups of wine had not been finished, Shangzhi would beat the person with the staff until they finished drinking. Once Emperor Jun announced this rule, the ministers who were not good at drinking panicked and all prostrated themselves before the emperor, begging for mercy.
Emperor Jun, however, intended to torment those who couldn't drink and was not about to let them off the hook. These men had no choice but to sit down with bitter faces, hoping to get drunk. As the drumbeats began, Faxing and the other two went to their respective seats. Before long, several people had been flogged, and Consort Yin laughed so hard she collapsed into Emperor Jun's arms. Jingwan, Jingzhen, and the other concubines and palace maids also laughed heartily. By the time everyone had been served, those who had vomited and spewed vomit were scattered about, some so drunk they were unconscious and had fallen asleep on the ground. Seeing
this, Consort Yin gently said, "The officials are of shallow capacity; I beg Your Majesty to forgive them. Your Majesty can then stop drinking and continue your meal." Emperor Jun, having already enjoyed himself, and with Consort Yin's advice, could not refuse. He ordered the banquet to be over and all officials to leave. Apart from Dai Faxing, Dai Mingbao, and Chao Shangzhi, one other person who sought favor and pleasing the emperor was kept behind: the toothy-toothed Attendant-in-Ordinary, Yan Shibo. It turned out that Shibo had once served as the Governor of Qingji, and his accumulated wealth was no less than ten million strings of cash. Emperor Jun knew of his wealth and had transferred him to the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary, so he kept him on that evening. When the banquet ended and the feast was cleared, they began a high-stakes gambling game, drinking and betting. The master's uncle, however, had incredible luck, winning nine out of ten times, leaving the greedy and materialistic Emperor Jun of Song sweating profusely. The master's uncle secretly chuckled, but then a thought struck him: "This is bad! If he wins again, Emperor Jun might get impatient." So he placed a hefty bet of one million strings of cash. Emperor Jun laughed, "This time I'm determined to beat you!" He tossed the dice and landed a pheasant. Emperor Jun was overjoyed, confident of victory. But then, the master's uncle casually tossed another dice and landed a swan! Emperor Jun turned pale with anxiety. "Well done, Master Yan," Yan said calmly, putting away his coin. "You almost won, nearly causing Your Majesty to suffer a loss. Now, I have lost a million strings of cash. Your Majesty's good fortune is beyond my reach." Emperor Jun, who had clearly lost, had thus become the winner. How could the greedy Emperor Jun not be overjoyed? He immediately stopped gambling. Master Yan and the other two also took their leave. Emperor Jun distributed his winnings to Consort Yin, Jingwan, Jingzhen, and others. That night, he stayed overnight in the Jade Candle Palace with Consort Yin.
From then on, Emperor Jun devised a method to amass wealth. Whenever a governor with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain) was dismissed and transferred to an inner court post, he would summon him to the Jade Candle Palace for all-night gambling. He would only release a governor after emptying his pockets of all his wealth, and then squander the winnings.
Such an emperor was practically a rogue from the marketplace; it was truly lamentable. But flowers don't always bloom, and the moon is rarely full; how can one live a life without regrets, indulging in carefree days?
Emperor Jun, though a noble ruler, commanded respect from his subjects, indulging in sensual pleasures and revelry, seemingly immune to any worldly imperfections. Yet, fate intervened, creating a void within him.
It was late spring, March of that year, a bright and sunny day, the scenery delightful. One evening, Emperor Jun and his beloved Consort Yin strolled through the garden before returning to the palace. Passing beneath the peach blossoms, Consort Yin noticed the wind scattering petals across the ground. Consort Yin, moved by the scene, sighed softly, "There's no way to hold back spring; all the flowers have fallen and withered." Seeing Consort Yin's sorrow over the flowers, Emperor Jun said, "I'd like to set up a feast with you beneath the peach blossoms, both to ease your boredom and to pay homage to the Flower Goddess. What do you say?" Consort Yin nodded with a smile. Emperor Jun then ordered the eunuchs to set up a feast before the flowers, and he and Consort Yin drank a little wine. Before long, a bright moon illuminated the garden, and Consort Yin simply ordered the palace maids to extinguish all the lanterns on the mat. Emperor Jun laughed, "It's better that they're out; it's even more tranquil and cool now." Consort Yin was especially happy that night and drank a few more cups of wine. Seeing Consort Yin's joy, Emperor Jun was even more enthusiastic. The two talked about romance and admired the flowers and trees, completely forgetting the late night, the heavy dew, and the chill seeping into their sleeves. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew, and peach blossoms fluttered down, covering the mat. Consort Yin shivered involuntarily, realizing she was cold. A wisp of cloud obscured the moon, making the night seem even more gloomy. Consort Yin then said to Emperor Jun, "It's late." Emperor Jun nodded and said, "Let us go to the Jade Candle Palace to rest, my dear consort." With that, he took Consort Yin's hand and they walked slowly together.
Emperor Jun saw that Consort Yin's cheeks were flushed, like a rosy sunset, and knew she was already drunk. Consort Yin, her eyes still blurry with drunkenness, smiled at Emperor Jun and said, "I don't know where my strength has gone." Emperor Jun then said, "Shall I have the palace maids help you, my dear?" Consort Yin shook her head and said, "I don't need their help, Your Majesty... Your Majesty, you..." Emperor Jun, seeing her charming and innocent appearance, was completely captivated and laughed, "Shall I help you myself?" Consort Yin smiled sweetly, her delicate body already leaning into Emperor Jun's arms, her right hand hooking around his neck, her beautiful eyebrows resting on his shoulder, completely out of control. Emperor Jun then helped her step by step to the bedchamber in the Jade Candle Palace to lie down, also panting slightly from exhaustion. Before long, they both entered the brocade quilt, their passion stronger than wine, and they inevitably indulged in excessive pleasure. The next day, Consort Yin suffered from headache, fever, coughing, and restlessness, and was bedridden, her condition worsening day by day. Emperor Jun of Song was so anxious that he was restless day and night, lost his appetite, and tried every means to find a doctor and administer medicine, but to no avail. Yin Fei's two younger sisters, Jingwan and Jingzhen, privately advised Emperor Jun: "The night before Yin Fei fell ill, she was drinking wine with Your Majesty in the garden under the flowers. Perhaps she offended some flower goddess. Please, Your Majesty, summon a shaman to pray in the garden; perhaps Yin Fei's illness will lessen." At this time, Emperor Jun was willing to grant any suggestion to alleviate Yin Fei's illness. Hearing the sisters' words, he found them reasonable and hurriedly summoned a shaman to pray in the garden. Emperor Jun personally went to the garden to offer incense and prayers, but after three days, Yin Fei's illness not only did not improve but worsened, and she was on the verge of death. Emperor Jun became increasingly restless and dejected.
Yin Ji's sick child lingered until the fourth day of the fourth month. Knowing she was dying, Consort Yin tearfully said to Emperor Jun, "Your Majesty, I am unfortunate and cannot serve you forever. After my death, Your Majesty should prioritize the affairs of state. Please do not grieve, lest you harm your health. I will be even more uneasy in the afterlife. I hope Your Majesty will take good care of my son, Zi Luan." After speaking, Consort Yin soon abandoned Emperor Jun, who doted on her, and passed away.
Emperor Jun wept until he fainted several times, his grief surpassing even that of losing his parents. He posthumously conferred upon her the title of Imperial Consort, bestowed upon her the posthumous name Xuan, and buried her at the foot of Jade Dragon Mountain, with a temple erected in the capital. On the day of the funeral, a special procession was provided to carry the coffin. Officials, ministers, concubines, and palace women lined up to lead the procession, dressed in mourning attire, and the number of mourners exceeded several thousand, almost surpassing the grandeur of an imperial funeral. Emperor Jun himself accompanied the procession to the South Gate before returning to the palace. He then ordered Xie Zhuang, a court official, to compose a eulogy. Xie Zhuang, renowned for his literary talent and skillful writing, readily complied with Emperor Jun's order, producing a lengthy and poignant piece, deeply moving and poignant, truly a masterpiece of sorrow and beauty, worthy of song and tears.
After completing it, Xie Zhuang presented it to the palace. Emperor Jun, deeply grieving for his deceased wife, lay on his bed in sorrow. An attendant presented him with Xie Zhuang's elegy, which he read with tears streaming down his face. Upon finishing, his pillow and mat were stained with tears. He sat up and exclaimed, "I never imagined that such a talent could exist in this world!" He immediately issued the elegy, had it inscribed on a stone tablet at his tomb, and it caused a sensation throughout the capital. People copied and circulated it, and Xie Zhuang's reputation spread far and wide.
Because Consort Yin had entrusted him with the care of their son, Zilan, on her deathbed, Emperor Jun promoted Zilan to the position of Minister of Works, with the additional title of General of the Army. At this time, Zilan was only six years old, a remarkable achievement. Emperor Jun then appointed Xie Zhuang as the Chief Secretary of the General of the Army to assist his beloved son. Emperor Jun's care for Consort Yin was truly meticulous.
Since Consort Yin's death, Emperor Jun had never forgotten her and remained deeply grieving. The imperial harem was filled with many stunning beauties, but Emperor Jun, having "seen the ocean, found other waters insignificant; having beheld the clouds of Wushan, other clouds pale in comparison," ultimately felt that none of his other concubines were to his liking. He especially disliked seeing the sisters Jingwan and Jingzhen, for seeing them only reminded him of Consort Yin, Jingyi, and intensified his grief. Even Jingzhen and Jingwan, after Consort Yin's death, were depressed and plagued by illness, and soon died one after the other. When Emperor Jun learned of this, he was filled with even greater sorrow, becoming like the grief-stricken Guo Fengqian and the mournful Pan Anren, gradually losing his senses and neglecting state affairs. As
I mentioned above, flowers don't bloom forever, the moon is rarely full; how can life be without regrets? Even a powerful ruler like Emperor Jun, who commanded respect among his subjects, suffered a great loss because of the death of his beloved Consort Yin, ultimately leading to his own demise. This shows that Heaven's aversion to excess is indeed true. Now, Emperor Jun of Song, deeply grieving for his deceased wife, succumbed to illness in the summer of the eighth year of the Ming Dynasty. He reigned for eleven years, dying at the young age of thirty-five. His will designated his son, Crown Prince Ziye, as his successor. Ziye, however, was the son of Empress Wang, and was another licentious, tyrannical, and incompetent ruler who surpassed even his ancestors in power. Truly: A licentious ruler with an heir who usurps the throne brings even greater hardship to the nation and its people.
To find out what happens next, please read the next chapter.

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[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [14]

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