Chapter 1032: Passing by the Han Mansion

In the rear garden of the Han estate, between the cool pavilions, several straw mats hung to ward off wind and chill. Melons and fruits were set out on the table, and fine wine was warmed by the brazier. Han Xizai and Xu Xuan met there together, quite at their ease.

No servants attended them—just two old men, pouring their own wine and drinking at their leisure. The atmosphere was tranquil and harmonious. Only, the sky was somewhat dim, gloom spreading all around, with gusts of chill wind—altogether not fine weather. Still, neither of them seemed to mind much.

"Our former colleagues are all busy packing up their belongings, gathering their luggage, disposing of their estates, preparing to move to Kaifeng! Or currying favor, fawning upon the Han army, to seek a future!" His emotions gradually rising, pulling himself away from his writings, Han Xizai raised his cup to Xu Xuan and asked curiously: "Dingchen, how do you have the leisure to come over to my estate and drink freely with me?"

Xu Xuan, by contrast, appeared quite carefree. He waved his hand, a hint of a smile showing on his face flushed red from drink: "I seek nothing, so I need not agonize over fame and fortune, or do those fawning things. In comparison, isn't drinking fine wine with you, Lord Han, and discoursing on poetry and books, a great pleasure?"

"Dingchen, you are indeed carefree!" Han Xizai seemed somewhat moved: "Now that the sovereign has surrendered, we too are surrendered ministers, destined to depend on the court's favor to survive. Dingchen, have you not considered the future?"

"What is there to consider?" Xu Xuan replied calmly, also revealing a bitter smile: "When I traveled north before, in the halls of the Han palace, my words offended the Han emperor greatly. Having offended the Son of Heaven, why should I seek any future? To preserve my life by luck and live out my remaining years is already fortunate!"

The two had discussed Xu Xuan's conduct in Chongzheng Hall before. Hearing him say this now, Han Xizai said: "Judging from past behavior, the Han Son of Heaven is broad-minded and surely would not hold a grudge against you. Moreover, Dingchen is a talent of your generation, your character and reputation widely praised—how could the court fail to value you!"

Hearing Han Xizai's words, Xu Xuan could not help but laugh. Looking at him meaningfully, he asked: "Reading between the lines, Lord Han, it seems your ambitions have not yet died!"

Seen through, Han Xizai straightened himself and sighed softly: "To be honest with you, Dingchen, my life has been wasted, my ambitions unfulfilled, and in my heart I truly cannot let it go! Only, I am already in my sixtieth year—even if I have the will, I do not know whether they would be willing to accept me!"

Seeing this, Xu Xuan also grew more serious. Looking at the aged Han Xizai, he asked: "If that is so, when the Han Crown Prince previously hosted a banquet in your honor, why did you decline politely?"

Han Xizai also avoided that question, saying directly: "If they want me to go to Kaifeng, to the Hanlin Academy or the Three Institutes, to compose lyrics and write essays, to compile and edit books—that is not my ambition. Rather than that, better to return home and retire, to contentedly be a village old man!"

Xu Xuan understood. He pondered for a while before saying: "If what the Han Crown Prince said at the banquet holds true, the court will employ the old ministers of Jiangnan according to their abilities, and the officials who move north will also be properly settled. If they truly do this, with your talents and past achievements, how could they overlook a pearl like you?"

After all these years adrift in officialdom, Han Xizai had long lost the pride of his youth. A thousand-li horse is common enough, but if not appreciated by a Bole, it will only ever be used as a common nag, suffering all manner of hardship. Of course, whether Han Xizai, this thousand-li horse, truly had the mettle remained to be tested.

"An old man like me—how dare I compare myself to a pearl?" He waved his hand, speaking modest words, yet a trace of confidence still showed in his expression. Han Xizai let out a light breath and asked Xu Xuan curiously: "Dingchen, you have seen the Han Crown Prince—what do you think of his bearing?"

At this mention, Xu Xuan perked up somewhat. After thinking for a moment, he nodded: "Though young in years, his words and deeds are quite steady—not arrogant, not impetuous, not proud. He truly bears the appearance of a ruler of men. However, I observed the eldest prince, Liu Xu—modest and courteous, proper in his dealings with others, also a fine figure of a man. It is only a pity that he is born of a concubine..."

Hearing Xu Xuan say this, Han Xizai hurriedly raised his hand to stop him: "Dingchen, be careful in your words!"

Xu Xuan was briefly startled, but seeing Han Xizai's grave expression, he came to his senses through the haze of wine. Indeed, some matters were simply not for ordinary ministers to discuss—let alone surrendered ministers like themselves. Xu Xuan could maintain his literary pride, but if, through a moment of loose talk, his words were to spread and stir up waves, it would only bring disaster upon himself.

Seizing the opportunity to change the subject, Han Xizai turned to discussing Chen Qiao's suicide. At this, Xu Xuan showed great emotion, saying: "Chen Ziqiao was a loyal man—he gave his life for his country. Compared to his martyrdom, we who bow our heads in submission and cling to our miserable lives should all feel ashamed!"

Regarding Chen Qiao's death, Liu Yang and his group had at first felt somewhat indignant. Later, at Li Gu's suggestion, they helped collect his body and granted his family money and grain. Such magnanimous conduct greatly reduced the impact of Chen Qiao's self-slaughter at the surrender ceremony.

Hearing Xu Xuan's words full of praise for Chen Qiao, Han Xizai shook his head instead: "Chen Ziqiao was certainly fierce and unyielding, unable to bear the shame of his nation's fall, preferring death as resistance. However, if you call him loyal and upright, I do not agree!

At the moment of the sovereign's surrender, before the eyes of all, to kill himself in public—was that not precisely reminding the Great Han court of the loyalty and attachment the people of Jiangnan hold for the Lady Li? If the court wishes to govern the two rivers, it must inevitably strive to eliminate the Lady Li's influence. The Lady Li, having submitted to the Han, ought to keep to their place, live quietly, and seek only to preserve themselves.

Was Chen Ziqiao's act not intensifying the court's wariness and suspicion of the Li clan? He died to gain a name for loyalty, yet brought unforeseeable calamity upon his former master...

Hearing Han Xizai's analysis, Xu Xuan seemed to sober up. Looking at him, though he wished to refute, he had to admit that Han Xizai's words did make sense. Finally he said: "But who can say whether Chen Ziqiao's death was worth it or not?"

As the two old friends were discussing, a servant came to report: "Master, a troop of officers and soldiers has arrived outside the estate, saying that Grand Marshal Li, the Duke of Runan, has come to call!"

Hearing this, Han Xizai and Xu Xuan exchanged a glance, then he immediately ordered: "Quick, prepare to receive the guest!"

Perhaps Han Xizai himself did not notice how moved his expression was, how excited his eyes became, upon learning that Li Gu had come to visit. In truth, ever since the Han army entered the city and took control of Jinling, through all these days, had Han Xizai not been longing for such a day?

In the main hall of the Han estate, Li Gu and Han Xizai met once more, and for a moment they looked at each other in silence. Han Xizai had not donned formal attire—only everyday home clothes, arriving in haste, the flush of wine still on his face. Li Gu wore a brocade robe, but his figure was exceptionally gaunt, his frame stooped, a cane in his hand, supported by his son. In terms of age and frailty, Li Gu was far worse off than Han Xizai.

Thinking carefully—more than thirty years without contact or meeting—how much of their early friendship could truly remain? It was merely that the two of them together had written a celebrated passage of history.

"I have been in the city for some time now, burdened by official duties and afflicted by my body, and have been unable to come visit. I hope you will not take offense, Brother Shuyan!" It was Li Gu who spoke first, a warm smile on his deeply wrinkled face.

Han Xizai likewise composed himself and bowed deeply: "Brother Weizhen, you are too kind! Failing to welcome you from afar—the discourtesy is mine!"

"It must be thirty-five years since we parted!" Li Gu said.

Han Xizai nodded, a touch of reminiscence entering his eyes: "A full thirty-five years!"

"After thirty-five years, old friends can still meet again—surely this is one of life's great joys!" Xu Xuan, standing by, sighed with deep emotion at the sight of the two.

Li Gu pointed at Han Xizai's graying beard, then at his own trembling legs, and said with considerable cheer: "Now that we have entered our twilight years, in terms of bearing, this frail, candle-in-the-wind body of mine is far inferior to yours, Brother Shuyan!"

Han Xizai shook his head and said seriously: "Brother Weizhen, you are a chancellor of the Central Plains, and you led a great army to pacify the south—settling Jiangnan in little more than a month, achieving fame and success, not falling short of your bold words of old. How could such bearing possibly be compared to by the likes of me?"

Hearing this, Li Gu looked at Han Xizai with slight surprise. Given his proud nature, to utter such words was already rare. Li Gu smiled lightly: "Compared to you, Brother, my only fortune is having met a worthy master to serve!"

Li Gu said this clearly to comfort Han Xizai, and Han Xizai felt it too. Of course, to the current Lord Han, it did not matter much.

"Please, take a seat!" After a few exchanges of pleasantries, Han Xizai took the initiative to invite him.

Once they were seated, Li Gu took the lead: "This visit, I have three main purposes!"

"Please, speak!" Han Xizai said.

"First, we are old friends who have not seen each other for many years—we should reminisce at length! Second, I have prepared some fine wine and good vintage, which I wish to share with you!" Saying this, Li Gu paused, then continued: "As for the third, I will speak plainly—I wish to invite you to take up office, to serve the Great Han court, and to work for the people of the realm!"

Han Xizai's old brows rose slightly. Stroking his beard, he said with a light laugh: "How could the court possibly take notice of this decrepit old man?"

These words essentially revealed his attitude. Li Gu maintained his amiable demeanor and said: "When I was in the Eastern Capital, the Son of Heaven once said that among the ministers of Jiangnan, there were only two—first Song Qiqiu, then Han Xizai. Had these two held power, the imperial army's southern campaign would not have been easy!"

"I only wonder, Brother Shuyan, how much of the bold ambition you had before Zhengyang Ford remains in you now?"