Chapter 244

The west wind blows sadly upon the high tower, river mist fills the sandbars.

Thinking of broken walls and old ramparts, mud burying the bones of war; desolate shrines and crumbling walls, frost aging the Wu swords.

Still speaking of the service to the King in those years, ten thousand armored soldiers rolled through the cold currents.

Who expected the blood at Nitang?

Staining a thousand autumns.

A youth's eulogy mourns the present and the past,

Making the Vice Inspector stop his cup, the Sima drop his pendant, the whole room of officials silent for a long time.

Just drunkenly hold the golden cup and kowtow!

The great wind rolls the pear blossom snow (wind blows the paper away), like the sword aura of Master Wang that once roared!

Leaning on the railing, clouds hide a lonely shadow, tears hide in clear eyes.

Wang Yi raised his cup to the sky: "The Master said, 'Sacrifice as if they are present.' Although we cannot see Master Wang's tomb today, the mountains and rivers are still the old mountains and rivers. Come, today with Jingkou wine, let us toast Wang Xiaobo."

Everyone was solemn, holding their cups and saying in unison: "Toast to Wang Xiaobo."

Then they poured the wine onto the ground; the wine seeped into the bricks and stones like winding tear stains.

Wang Yi put down his wine cup and sighed:

"The Taiyuan Wang clan has been on the decline since Wang Xiaobo died."

Le Zhan also sighed along:

"Yes, the Taiyuan Wang clan suffered two family disasters. One was the Wang Gong disaster, where the branches of Wang Guobao and Wang Gong were almost completely withered. The other was when Wu Di of Song killed Wang Yu and more than ten of his descendants. Pity the noble clan of a hundred generations, now faded away..."

Yin Tancan interjected:

"The prominent ones in the Taiyuan Wang clan now belong to the branch of Wang Xuanmo. But that branch rose through military merit and belongs to the Qixian lineage, not the direct line."

After Yin Tancan finished speaking, no one spoke for a while, as if no one intended to continue this topic.

Wang Yang stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the sandbar in the distant river, and slowly uttered a sentence:

"As for the direct line... Wang Yan counts."

Wang Yi glanced at Wang Yang.

Yin Tancan nodded and replied:

"Right, Wang Yan is a descendant of Wang Guobao, belonging to the branch of Wang Ze, a genuine Taiyuan Wang. After Wang Guobao was killed, the whole family was exiled to Jiaozhou. Wang Yan returned to the capital a few years ago and made quite a stir. Come to think of it, there aren't many genuine Taiyuan Wangs left. Eh? He seems to live in Wuyi Lane too, right?"

Cultural scholar Paul Fussell once quoted Jonson's poem to illustrate the role of language as a marker of identity: "Language most shows a man: speak that I may see thee."

The so-called "knowing one's status by listening to their words" refers first to the style of language, and second to the topic of conversation.

Different circles have different topics they are accustomed to discussing. The donkey-riding circle often exchanges equipment strategies, military fans like to talk about weapons and battle situations, the pseudo-literary circle keeps Camus and Foucault on their lips, and the academic circle cannot avoid talking about journals and conferences. As for the high-ranking noble clans of this time, there were of course many topics to chat about: romance, official travel, poetry and songs, classics, history, Buddhism, and Daoism... Of course, there was also an unavoidable topic, which was family lineage and status.

And when it came to family lineage and status, one would inevitably talk about anecdotes and gossip. Kong Zhangyu also knew a lot of inside information, but he didn't speak up because he was not a person in the noble circle to begin with. Forcing himself to participate in this topic would only be asking for humiliation. It's like a group of people with yachts chatting about yachts; even if someone nearby knows some interesting information about yachts, it's better not to force a share.

But if a true noble descendant couldn't speak up like Kong Zhangyu, that would be strange. It's like people in the literary circle eating together and talking about so-and-so; if one is completely clueless and can't even join the conversation, it would inevitably seem out of place. This is one of the reasons why Wang Yang pays great attention to "intelligence gathering" in daily chats.

However, he didn't actually hear about this Wang Yan in a chat; rather, Wang Yan wrote a book called *Mingxiang Ji*, which occupies a place in medieval strange literature. Although the full text was lost later, it was collected by Mr. Lu Xun in *Guxiaoshuo Gouchen*. Wang Yang had read it before he transmigrated, which is why he could join the topic so smoothly.

The topic "rescued" by Wang Yang continued here:

"... After all, it is the Taiyuan Wang clan, and the status is there, so he could be a Crown Prince's Attendant. It's just that the family foundation is too thin; I heard he once begged for a small county due to poverty..."

Xi Gongmu suddenly interjected:

"Actually, the direct branch of the Taiyuan Wang clan also has prominent and prosperous ones."

Everyone looked at Xi Gongmu with confusion.

Xi Gongmu smiled mysteriously and pointed to the north.

Everyone had a look of realization.

Yin Tancan sighed with emotion:

"That is the branch of Wang Yu. Back then, Wu Di of Song killed more than ten members of Wang Yu's family, and only Wang Huilong escaped to the north. In order to take revenge, this person surrendered to the northern barbarians and repeatedly led troops to fight against Song. Generals like Tan Daoji, Dao Yanzhi, and Wang Xuanmo could not defeat him. Emperor Wen once used a stratagem of sowing discord, and after it failed, he sent assassins, offering 'two hundred households and one thousand bolts of silk' as a reward to buy Wang Huilong's head, but it also did not succeed. The pseudo-emperor granted him the title of General of the Dragon and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Changshe. This is the true direct lineage of the Taiyuan Wang clan! It's just a pity that he surrendered to the Hu barbarians and could not return to be buried in the south until his death."

Yin Tancan shook his head with regret.

Xi Gongmu smiled disapprovingly:

"The Taiyuan Wang clan's ancestral home is in the north. If they aren't buried in Jinyang after death, they are buried in Henei. Why must they return to the south?"

The noble clans present—Langya Wang, Yuyang Le, Anding Xi, including his Chen Jun Yin—were all high-ranking immigrant families whose ancestors had moved south across the river. In the early years of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, even if they died in the south, many had "temporary burials" (meaning temporary interment), intending to move back to the northern ancestral graves after recovering the Central Plains. But as time passed, the descendants lived in the south for a long time, and several generations of ancestors were buried there. The previous places of temporary interment were instead regarded as "ancestral graves." That is why Yin Tancan had the remark about "returning to be buried in the south." In fact, if one traces the source, the so-called "returning to be buried" theory was fundamentally untenable.

Yin Tancan immediately retorted:

"Not so. Ritual is based on following human feelings, and filial piety is based on serving parents and finding peace. Now the northern lands have sunk, and the ancestral graves have long become places of stench and filth. Now that our generation and five generations since have all been buried in the south, how can there be a reason not to follow one's parents and seek elsewhere?"

The topic gradually became sensitive. Xi Gongmu did not argue with Yin Tancan anymore and kept silent. Yin Tancan also stopped talking. The atmosphere suddenly became a bit cold.

Wang Yang spoke up:

"Wang Huilong kept thinking about learning from Wu Zixu to return and take revenge, releasing words that he would 'whip the corpse in the Wu market and slaughter the graves in Jiangyin.' As for where he is buried, it might not be that important to him. However, I have heard a theory that he is not of the Wang family's bloodline, but a child born of an illicit affair between Seng Bin and a maidservant."

Wang Yi's expression flickered slightly.

Le Zhan echoed:

"I have also heard this rumor, saying that Seng Bin was originally a servant of the Wang family, and his son had a large nose, quite similar to the Wang family's 'drunken nose' (a wide, bulbous nose), so he took his son and fled north, pretending to be the remaining heir..."

Yin Tancan sneered:

"It must be a rumor! A noble family like the Taiyuan Wang clan cannot be impersonated by outsiders at all..."

Wang Yang nodded, looking as if he was deeply convinced.

Wang Yi lowered his head and drank wine in small sips.

Yin Tancan's voice was indignant:

"... This is just the northern barbarians being jealous of our Chinese noble lineage, so they set up slanderous words to smear it! Back then, Cui Hao just praised Wang Huilong as 'truly a noble seed,' and someone slandered him to the pseudo-emperor, saying Cui Hao 'admired the southerners and ridiculed the state's culture.' The pseudo-emperor was angry and summoned Cui Hao to rebuke him. Hao took off his hat and apologized to be released. But in the end, wasn't Cui Hao's clan exterminated? It shows the true nature of the northern barbarians, jealous of our Chinese attire and culture; they use every possible means to destroy it! Wang Huilong married into the Qinghe Cui clan, his son married into the Fanyang Lu clan, and his daughter married into the Longxi Li clan. All those he married into were first-class prominent families in the north. How could it be fake?!"

Wang Yi's gaze was distant, and his voice deepened a bit:

"It is indeed not fake. Wang Huilong was fourteen when he fled north. That year my grandfather was exactly ten years old, and he had seen Wang Huilong and even spoken to him. Later, when Wang Yu's family was exterminated, only this one bloodline remained, and he was hidden by the monk Seng Bin, who often associated with the Wang family. They first ran to Jiangling, then went north to Xiangyang to cross the river, and fled from Hulao to Yao Xing. It was only after Yao Xing was defeated that they turned to the Wei barbarians. At that time, I heard that Wang Huilong had run away, and the whole river was blockaded and under martial law. The imperial court ordered that anyone who met him should be killed without question, just because they were afraid he would run to the north. I didn't expect that he was still escorted away by Seng Bin. If there were no Seng Bin, there would be no orphan of the Wang clan. I think the righteousness of Seng Bin is like Cheng Ying of ancient times..."

While everyone was chatting, a servant suddenly stepped forward and presented a letter to Wang Yi. After reading it, Wang Yi smiled: "So the phoenix chick of the Xie family is also in Jingzhou." Then he looked at Wang Yang: "Nephew, did you once ask Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Si to introduce you to visit Master Hui Xu?"

Wang Yang bowed and replied: "Yes. Nephew has long wanted to pay respects to Master Hui Xu. Firstly, I want to ask her to chant scriptures to offer merit for my late father to fulfill my longing. Secondly, I want to take this opportunity to ask for guidance on Buddhism. But the Master does not see outside guests, so I could only entrust Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Si to plead on my behalf."

Wang Yi sighed: "'A filial son's heart is never exhausted, forever bestowing upon your kind,' it is rare for you to have such filial piety..." At this point, he showed a look of confusion: "Then why don't you go?"

Wang Yang had a solemn face: "Uncle came to Jingzhou from a thousand miles away, and Yang should be by your side. As for Master Hui Xu, I can only ask Xie Xie Niangzi Xie Si to mediate on my behalf, and I will pay my respects when there is an opportunity later."

Hearing this, everyone sighed with emotion.

Wang Yi looked at Wang Yang, his expression also "had to" be moved.

As for what Wang Yi would say?

There was no suspense.

Besides urging Wang Yang to go quickly, was there a second choice?

What does Wang Yang lack the most right now?

It is time.

Time to prepare.

Six days later is the day of the diplomatic mission. If he follows Wang Yi to tour everywhere every day, where would he have time to prepare?

So he must use a "cicada shedding its skin" trick to win time for himself.

As for the following days, Wang Yang would apologize to Wang Yi, saying that Master Hui Xu asked him to copy Buddhist scriptures to sacrifice to his father. Could his uncle still delay him from fulfilling his filial piety?

Although this "cicada shedding its skin" is useful, it can only be used for small things for now, not big ones. The so-called big use is to refuse the diplomatic mission. Whether it's faking illness or finding other excuses, as long as it's designed properly, it might be successful.

But this would easily arouse the suspicion of the Prince of Badong. Once the Prince of Badong suspects that Wang Yang has guessed that he wants to silence him, the subsequent means will only be more ruthless and fierce. And since the Prince of Badong has already developed the intention to kill him, Jingzhou city is a dangerous place. Even if he can avoid the diplomatic mission, what about the next move? And the move after that?

It's too passive, and Wang Yang doesn't like it.

And a prerequisite for him to turn to the active side is that he needs time.

Therefore, when Wang Yang successfully bid farewell to his uncle and others, quickly went down the South Tower, and got into Xie Xinghan's carriage, he finally relaxed, leaned on the brocade soft cushion, and looked at the young Xie Xie Niangzi Xie with a smile:

"Once the Xie Xie Niangzi makes a move, a light wave of the brush dissolves a thousand worries!"

Note: ① Xi Gongmu and Yin Tancan show different emotional tendencies regarding the "Northern Dynasties" topic. Xi Gongmu is more obvious, while Yin Tancan is somewhat subtle, which actually represents the two different mentalities of the southern noble clans at that time. One strictly adheres to the distinction between Chinese and barbarians and has no good feelings for the Northern Dynasties, while the other believes that the Northern Dynasties have been established for a long time and have geographical legitimacy, so they do not disparage them with the distinction between Chinese and barbarians.

A deeper reflection is the concept of loyalty, filial piety, and the state at that time. During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the concept of family was very heavy, and the concept of filial piety was also very heavy. Therefore, there was a popular topic at that time called "The Theory of Monarch and Father's Priority." Between monarch and father, filial piety and loyalty, who comes first? Many people's opinions at that time were that filial piety comes before loyalty, and father comes before monarch. Wang Huilong's family was exterminated, and he was the only one who escaped. Serving Northern Wei for the sake of family revenge is easily criticized from the perspective of the distinction between Chinese and barbarians, but it is understandable from the perspective of filial piety. Therefore, even though Xi Gongmu hated the north, he did not criticize Wang Huilong too harshly when talking about him surrendering to the Northern Dynasties.

② Paul Fussell's citation can be found in the seventh chapter of his monograph *Class: A Guide Through the American Status System*.

③ There is no biography of Wang Yan in history, but there are traces to be found. The *Self-Preface to Mingxiang Ji* says: "Yan was in Jiaozhi in his childhood... until the end of Taishi, Yan moved to Wuyi."

The *Your Majesty Tongtian Tie* in the Liaoning Museum contains Wang Sengqian's *Petition for Wang Yan to Beg for a County*: "Crown Prince's Attendant Wang Yan has been in office for three years, and his family is poor. He looks up to the small county governed by Jiang and Ying. Respectfully submitted on the 24th day of the seventh month, subject Wang Sengqian petitions."

From this, we know that he lived in Wuyi Lane after returning to the capital and was once a Crown Prince's Attendant, begging for a county due to poverty.

④ *Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Huilong*: "When Lu Zongzhi's son Gui fled to Yao Xing, and later returned to the country, it was said that Huilong was a child born of an illicit affair between Seng Bin, a servant of Wang Yu's family, and a maid."

⑤ *Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Huilong*: "After his death, he begged to be buried in the eastern township of Henei County, following the ancient tomb without a mound, just enough to hide his hair and teeth." Wang Hongjun inferred: "The eastern township of Henei County" refers to the ancestral grave of the Taiyuan Wang clan in "northeast of the White Path Road, north of Yewang County, Henei." The word "ancient tomb" is very likely a corruption of "ancestral tomb." See Chapter 5 of *Prominent Families and Medieval Society: Centered on the Taiyuan Wang Clan*.

⑥ A large nose is a hereditary physical feature of the Taiyuan Wang clan, similar to the Habsburg jaw. Therefore, the Taiyuan Wangs had a nickname in the south called "Bulbous-Nose Wang." *Book of Jin, Biography of Wang Zhan* records that Wang Zhan had a "dragon-like forehead and a large nose." After Wang Huilong ran to Northern Wei, Cui Hao was even more convinced of his identity after seeing his nose. (*Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Huilong*: "The Wang family has had bulbous noses for generations, and Jiangdong calls them 'Bulbous-Nose Wang.' Huilong's nose was large, and Hao said: 'Truly a noble seed.'")