White-robed Minister

Chapter 102 0100 [In Charge of Funeral Arrangements]

Yu Jing was perfectly fine when he left Guangzhou; he even stayed at his hometown of Shaozhou for a month when he passed through the city.

He left his wife and daughter behind and headed north with his entourage.

When the boat reached Poyang Lake, it was the season of frequent strong winds, and Yu Jing was forced to stay in Wucheng Town.

He was in good spirits at the time, wrote two poems on Songmenshan Island, and then went to Lushan for sightseeing. Among those who traveled with him were officials such as the Prefect of Nankang and the Magistrate of Nankang.

Yu Jing fell ill after returning from Mount Lu.

He thought it was just a minor ailment, so he consulted a doctor, got some medicine, and continued his journey by boat. However, he fell seriously ill during the trip, and his attendants quickly arranged for him to recuperate in Jiangning.

"Dr. Li, has Lord Yu's condition improved?" asked Wang Zhi, the prefect of Jiangning.

Dr. Li shook his head: "He's exhausted, like a lamp running out of oil; I'm afraid he won't make it."

In the Northern Song Dynasty, the highest-ranking medical officials were called "Daifu" (大夫), while those of slightly lower rank were called "Langzhong" (郎中). These were actually their official ranks.

They can also be collectively referred to as doctors, physicians, doctors, etc.

The Dr. Li in front of us is a medical doctor from Jiangning Prefecture, responsible for local medical education and healthcare affairs.

Dr. Li advised, "Prepare plenty of spices, lime, and charcoal."

"Ugh!"

Wang Zhi sighed.

Spices, lime, and charcoal were used to preserve the body, especially since it was the hottest time of year in Jiangning—Song Dynasty literati funerals were traditional, often keeping the body for several months before burial.

Wang Zhi returned to the room and asked the servant who was fanning him, "Has Lord Yu woken up?"

The servant replied, "I just woke up, said a few words, and then went back to sleep."

After giving some instructions, Wang Zhi returned to the government office to arrange for the purchase of spices and other items. Given the sweltering weather in Jiangning, he feared that if these things weren't prepared in advance, Yu Jing's body would decompose by the time his family arrived.

Yu Jing's second son, Yu Zhongxun, previously served as a sub-prefect in Chongzhou.

He wanted to visit his seriously ill father, but he had only two options: First, he could ask the emperor for leave (only those who had served as officials for more than six years were eligible). Second, he could resign and leave, but this might lead to impeachment for dereliction of duty.

Yu Zhongxun first asked for leave, and after struggling for two days, he resigned and went south.

Instead, Xu Lai, Yu Shuying, and Yu Sigong arrived first.

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"How is my father's condition?" Yu Shuying asked.

The servant replied, "I sleep most of the time, sometimes awake, sometimes asleep."

Yu Shuying asked, "Why did you suddenly become so seriously ill?"

The servant said, "On the night the gentleman returned to Wucheng from Lushan, he began to cough incessantly. The doctor said it was a cold and advised him to take his medicine on time and wait until he recovered before setting off again. The gentleman did not listen to the doctor and left by boat the next day, where he developed a fever and fell into a coma."

"Why bother going to Mount Lu? Who invited him?" Yu Sigong began to vent his anger on others.

The servant said, "At that time, there was a strong wind on Poyang Lake, making it impossible to sail. Hearing that you, sir, were staying in Wucheng Town, the Prefect of Nankang, Lord Lin..."

Judge Yang of Nankang came especially to accompany the Prime Minister on a tour of the scenic spots.

Yu Sigong had nothing to say.

The local officials rushed from the military camp to the town specifically to keep Yu Jing company and help him relax; the blame can't be placed on these people.

Xu Lai touched Yu Jing's forehead, then reached inside his clothes to touch Yu Jing's vest: "It's so hot, how come you're not even sweating?"

The servant replied, "The doctor said it's due to blocked pores and depletion of body fluids."

"How much food can you eat every day?" Xu Lai asked again.

The servant said, "He hasn't eaten for two days. He only wakes up occasionally to drink some water. He can't drink any medicine or thin porridge; he vomits after just a little bit."

The uncle and nephew of the Yu family looked at each other in bewilderment. Even if they didn't understand medical principles, they knew that not eating would lead to death.

Yu Shuying sat blankly by the hospital bed, his eyes glazed over, speechless.

He was actually quite unfamiliar with Yu Jing; he had no memory of his father from his childhood. Because the Qingli Reforms had failed, Yu Jing was constantly being transferred around, and he himself couldn't bear the constant moving around, so how could he possibly take his child with him to his new post?

When he got a little older, he was sent to live with his second brother.

Compared to him, the second brother was more like a father.

If Yu Shuying, the son, was like this, then his grandson, Yu Sigong, was even more so. Over the past ten years, they had spent very little time with Yu Jing; every time they reunited, it was because Yu Jing had returned to Beijing to report on his duties.

Just as the two were in a daze, Wang Zhi, the prefect of Jiangning, arrived.

During their conversation, Wang Zhi noticed that the two men were in a daze, agreeing to everything but unable to understand anything when questioned. In contrast, Xu Lai, their disciple, was able to discuss the funeral arrangements clearly.

Wang Zhi simply spoke to Xu Lai: "It might be in the next day or two. The coffin and embalming supplies are ready. Are you familiar with the funeral rites?"

Xu Lai replied, "I only know the funeral rites in the Book of Rites."

"I'll write you a detailed account," Wang Zhi said, pointing to the Yu family uncle and nephew. "They are both extremely filial, but they are too grief-stricken to manage affairs."

If no other relatives arrive, you, as their disciple, must handle the situation calmly.

"I will keep that in mind," Xu said.

Wang Zhi immediately wrote down the etiquette procedure and explained the precautions to Xu Lai in detail.

For the next half day, Xu Lai spent his time reciting etiquette.

That evening, Lin brought her two unmarried daughters to visit Pianpian's fifth sister, as her fiancé had postponed the wedding due to the death of his father.

Lin appeared quite strong; she had cried halfway there, but remained very calm after arriving in Jiangning.

Pianpian and Fifth Sister cried their eyes out.

Xu Lai said to Madam Lin, "Master is mostly asleep. I heard he woke up once last night, but he wasn't in good spirits. We arrived this morning and haven't encountered him when he was awake yet. This is the rites for the first and last days written by Prefect Wang, which I have memorized."

Lin nodded without saying a word.

Xu Lai continued, "Yu Dalang died young without leaving any children. According to the rites, Erlangjun should preside over the funeral. If Erlangjun cannot come, then Erlangjun's eldest son should preside. I have already discussed with Prefect Wang the candidates for the positions of escort, scribe, and goods handler. The items needed for the funeral have also been prepared, and the money will be temporarily advanced by Prefect Wang."

Lin said, "I brought money with me, and I will return it to Prefect Wang afterwards."

Xu Lai added, "When the master is on his deathbed, the women in the family must stand a few steps away, not too close—otherwise, it will bring bad luck to the descendants."

"I know that. A man cannot be killed by a woman, and a woman cannot be killed by a man," Lin said.

"He's awake! Dad's awake!"

Just then, Yu Shuying shouted.

Yu Jing was sober this time, in excellent spirits, and spoke fluently.

A final burst of energy before death.

Xu Lai quickly stepped forward.

Lin, Pianpian, and Fifth Sister could only stand a few steps away.

Yu Jing had his children and grandchildren help him up and sit up. He smiled and looked at his wife and daughter in the distance, then said to Xu Lai, "You study very hard. Ou Jiu said you came in first place in the Imperial Academy's annual examination."

Xu Lai said, "Rest assured, sir, I will surely pass the imperial examination next year!"

Yu Jing smiled and said to his wife a few steps away, "Last night I dreamed of my eldest son. He was still a young boy and talked to me a lot. In the future, we should adopt a son for either the second or third son, so that the eldest son will not be without a family line."

Lin, who had always appeared strong, burst into tears when her husband mentioned their eldest son who had died young: "I've remembered that. Dalang will definitely not lack descendants."

Yu Jing then said to his two daughters, "Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, my biggest regret in this life is not being able to see you two get married. Fifth Sister's marriage was arranged long ago, and Sixth Sister—we'll make up for it after my mourning period is over. Xu Lai is a good boy."

Pianpian wanted to say something, but before she could finish, she burst into tears.

Yu Jing smiled and told his daughter not to cry. He then spoke to Yu Shuying and Yu Sigong, encouraging them to study hard and be good people.

Then he began to reminisce about the past, talking about what his old house was like, and when a certain tree in front of the house was planted—as he talked, he got a little tired, so he closed his eyes to rest for a while.

There was no movement for a long time.

Xu Lai handed a strand of silk floss to Yu Sigong. Yu Sigong was taken aback for a moment before placing the silk floss in front of his grandfather's mouth and nose.

The silk floss remained unmoved.

"The gentleman has left," Xu Lai said.

Upon hearing this, the room erupted in wailing.

Xu Lai had no time to grieve; he had many things to do.

He immediately ordered the servants to bring new clothes so that Yu Shuying and Yu Sigong could dress the deceased. He also arranged for all the relatives to change their clothes, let their hair down, and go barefoot.

Then, the servants took Yu Jing's old clothes, climbed onto the roof, and called out his name to the north to summon back his departing soul.

Subsequently, Yu Sigong was appointed as the chief mourner and Lin was appointed as the mistress.

Xu Lai served as the funeral attendant and was in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Other funeral staff were also arranged.

I worked for four days straight, dealing with incredibly complicated procedures.

On the third day, Yu Zhongxun arrived with his wife and children, and Xu Lai finally felt much more relaxed.

After the small and large funeral rites were completed, and the mourning period was over, we were busy sending out obituaries, sending out over a hundred copies in one go. Some obituaries even had to be sent to other places.

After finishing all that, Xu Lai was completely numb and fell asleep in the corner of the mourning hall.

Summer in Jiangning is even hotter than in Guangzhou.

When Xu Lai woke up, he was covered in sweat, and Pianpian was sitting next to him fanning him.

"Thanks to you," Pianpian said.

"It's only right," Xu Lai said sincerely, as he owed Yu Jing too much kindness.

Pianpian whispered, "Thank you."

"Did you receive the reply?" Xu Lai asked.

Pianpian nodded: "Received. I really like that poem—you should take a shower first, you've sweated a lot. After your shower, get a good night's sleep. The officials from Jiangdong Road and Jiangning Prefecture probably won't come to offer their condolences until tomorrow."

"I'm going to take a shower now," Xu Lai said, getting up.

Pianpian watched him leave, hesitant to speak. She had many things she wanted to say, but now was not the time to speak.

Yu'er followed Xu to the hot spring room, remaining silent the whole way, busy helping him carry things.

After taking a shower, Xu Lai returned to his guest room, but couldn't fall asleep while lying in bed.

The weather was hot and humid, I was irritable, and my mind was filled with memories of all the experiences I had had since I traveled through time.

He decided not to return to the capital this time. Instead, he would first escort Yu Jing's body back to Shaozhou, and then return to Qingxi Village to study diligently behind closed doors. In any case, he had already been exempted from the provincial examination, so he wouldn't need to take the provincial examination this autumn; he could directly take the imperial examination next spring.

In the mountain village, he was able to escape the glitz and glamour of the capital and completely immerse himself in studying the classics and history.

With his mind racing, Xu Lai drifted off to sleep.

The following day, he stayed at the mourning hall to help, guiding the officials and scholars who came to pay their respects and assisting Yu Zhongxun with some trivial matters.

For several days in a row, people came to pay their respects.

On the fourth day after the mourning hall was opened, Wang Anshi and his brothers, who were in mourning, appeared with their sons and disciples.

Lu Dian, whom I had met in the capital, also came; he is now Wang Anshi's disciple.

After the condolence was finished, Lu Dian whispered to Wang Anshi, "The one who guided the guests was Xu Xingzhi."

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