Chapter 236: 234 Zhao Han Must Not Die (Bonus chapter for Big Boss Penguin)

Apart from a few who knew the truth, the representatives of the other Fei clan branches had no idea what was actually going on.

Fei Yuanzhen was carried back and a physician was urgently summoned to treat him.

The clan council had to continue; after all, no one knew whether the clan head would ever wake, and that rebel Zhao's troops could reach Yanshan at any moment.

Fei Yinghuan said, "The Luling Zhao Yan, original name Zhao Han, was formerly a student of the Hanzhu Academy."

"Boom!"

The whole assembly erupted, then turned to delight, and gaze after gaze fell upon Fei Yuanlu.

Fei Yuanlu did not know whether to laugh or cry. Although he had not been Zhao Han's direct instructor, he had been Zhao Han's academy head; strictly speaking, that still counted as a master–disciple bond. At this moment, he had no idea whether to feel pride or self-reproach — what did it say about a man to have taught a great rebel?

"Xueqing, since this Zhao Han was your student, could you ask him to show some flexibility when it comes to dividing the land?" The speaker was an elder of Fei Yuanlu's generation.

Fei Yuanlu sighed. "To be perfectly frank, this student bears a grudge against our Fei clan."

Someone quick of mind asked, "Could it be that the clan head…"

"A few years ago, Zhao Han was stripped of his child-student status. Immediately after, he was framed, killed the Registrar and the Constable, and then burned down the county yamen." Fei Yuanlu was unclear on the details of the yamen burning and assumed Fei Yuanzhen had been trying to exterminate him completely.

The words were ambiguous, but everyone present guessed that it surely involved the clan head, Fei Yuanzhen.

Since Fei Yuanzhen had such a deep feud with Zhao Han, the clan head would absolutely have to be replaced; otherwise, the man might deliberately target the entire Fei clan.

"In my opinion, Xueqing should be clan head."

"I also think Thirteenth Brother" — his rank within the clan — "should be clan head."

"The position of clan head belongs to the virtuous. Thirteenth Uncle has presided over the Hanzhu Academy for many years — which member of the younger generation would dare object?"

"Not only that, Thirteenth Brother is the eldest son of the main line of Lord Yaonian" — Fei Yaonian. "By the legacy of Lord Yaonian, Thirteenth Brother ought to be clan head as well."

"I support this proposal."

"…"

Fei Yuanlu waved his hand. "Dazhao is the first choice for clan head. That Zhao Han was the foster son Dazhao brought back."

The great bandit of Jiangxi was a foster son of the Fei family?

These Fei clan elders were already dizzy from the barrage of revelations.

Fei Yinghuan waved his hand dismissively. "Not a foster son — he is this junior's son-in-law."

The clan elders nearly coughed up blood. What in the world was all this? Could you people just say everything at once!

"Dazhao is the finest of the Fei clan's Ying generation. In my view, in these turbulent times, an old dotard should not be clan head; we must choose someone in his prime and vigorous to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

"Quite right. Dazhao is the first choice for clan head."

"I see it differently. Ninth Brother" — Fei Yuanyi — "should be clan head. That Luling Mr. Zhao is Ninth Brother's grandson-in-law; he will surely have to show some face."

"Yes, yes, yes, Ninth Uncle is the best choice for clan head!"

"…"

Fei Yuanyi was now profoundly embarrassed. He coughed and said, "Regarding my granddaughter's marriage to Zhao Han, this old man was not entirely in favor at the time. Between this old man and my grandson-in-law, there is a slight discord; I fear I cannot serve as clan head."

Everyone fell silent at once.

What did he mean, "a slight discord"? It was probably a colossal rift!

They all knew Fei Yuanyi very well — a cold-blooded man pathologically obsessed with face. A few years ago, Zhao Han might have been called a foster son, but in truth he was just a household slave; how could Fei Yuanyi possibly have consented to his granddaughter marrying down?

Most likely, when it came to framing Zhao Han and driving him to burn down the county yamen, that old wretch Fei Yuanyi had a hand in it too!

Fei Yinghuan said, "After the New Year, this junior must go to the Ji'an area and will have no energy to manage clan affairs. When Zhao Han was at the Hanzhu Academy, the person he respected most was the academy head; therefore, the position of clan head belongs to none other than Thirteenth Uncle."

Having sorted out the reasoning, everyone now voiced their agreement.

Fei Yuanlu could hardly refuse any longer. He clasped his hands and said, "At this critical juncture, I can only accept this duty as my bounden obligation."

Another old man spoke up. "Dazhao, since Zhao Han is your son-in-law, the Fei family's landholdings should be safe, shouldn't they?"

"No!"

Fei Yinghuan shook his head. "That boy has had a mind of his own since he was small. Once he sets a rule, it cannot be changed. This junior has returned to Yanshan precisely to make things clear. Zhao Han's policy is to divide only the landlords' landholdings; he will not touch the landlords' houses, shops, or workshops, still less plunder the gentry's movable wealth. All you elders are well-read in history; you know that for a rebel rising, such measures are already exceedingly merciful. But mercy aside, anyone who dares obstruct the land division will certainly be executed and his household confiscated! Of course, only that one household will be confiscated, not the entire clan. Whichever grand-uncle's household is confiscated has nothing to do with our Ehu Fei clan."

The room fell silent; everyone was weighing the pros and cons.

Still unwilling to let go, someone asked, "Dazhao, is there truly no way to accommodate us?"

Fei Yinghuan laughed coldly. "Honored grand-uncles, honored uncles, Fei Yuanjian has already become Prefect of Jianchang. I imagine he would be very happy to return to Yanshan and confiscate households."

At these words, several faces in the room changed dramatically.

They had taken part in the events of those years — hounding Fei Yuanjian's birth mother to her death and carving up the properties under Fei Yuanjian's name.

Even if Zhao Han agreed not to divide the Fei clan's land, those lands would not remain with them; Fei Yuanjian was certain to return for revenge and seize the land.

In truth, though, Fei Yuanjian had no mind for such things. The man was utterly swamped with work; how could he spare a thought for a few maggots back in his hometown?

Jianchang Prefecture had been smashed to pieces. Fei Yuanjian had been transferred there as Prefect, and apart from resettling refugees and overseeing land division, he also had to ruthlessly suppress the Nanfeng secret sect followers. It would be at least half a year before he could catch his breath.

Moreover, Fei Yuanjian had just had a son. Having become a father, many past matters had faded for him.

This time, Fei Yuanjian had only three requests: first, that his loving mother, Lady Chen, be brought to Jianchang; second, that the chastity archway honoring his birth mother be dismantled; and third, that all the landholdings under his name be completely distributed. He wanted to settle down and build a career in Jianchang Prefecture; he himself had been allotted land there. He was clearly drawing a line between himself and the Yanshan Fei clan.

It was also possible that Fei Yuanjian had simply matured, that he had thought through many past matters and guessed that his birth mother's death was connected to Zhao Han, Fei Ruhe, Fei Chun, and Pang Chunlai. And so he was severing himself entirely from the Yanshan Fei clan — to the point that, apart from relocating his parents' graves, he would never return to Yanshan again, making it clear he had long since put the past behind him.

Fei Yinghuan continued, "Dividing land and dividing families — these things are bound to happen. I hope all you elders will look after yourselves. I have made the situation clear. Although Zhao Han is this junior's son-in-law, he has a feud with the Fei family. If you do not cooperate, the Fei family is all the more likely to be made an example of — killing the chicken to warn the monkey."

A clan elder suddenly asked, "If younger members of the clan go to offer their services, can they become officials right away?"

Fei Yinghuan explained, "Those wishing to join Zhao Han may register at any prefectural office. There is a Vice Prefect in charge of personnel administration. Once registered, they will be assigned to observe governance at various levels of yamen. During this observation period, it is called an internship; they are only fed, receive no salary, and must also help with tasks. After half a year of internship, they may become probationary clerks — they may continue assisting with work or return home and wait for an assignment. As soon as a vacancy opens, a probationary clerk can become a full clerk."

"It's that much trouble just to become a clerk?" The clan elders exclaimed in shock.

Fei Yinghuan continued to expound the policy. "Under Zhao Han's personnel system, merit is always rewarded and fault always punished. Moreover, this is the founding stage of an enterprise — today we take a county, tomorrow a prefecture; both officials and clerks rise very quickly. Under Zhao Han's rule, clerks can be promoted to officials; do not think of them as the petty scriveners of the Great Ming. You should know that the Fang brothers raised troops, brought two counties with them when they surrendered, and even helped besiege a third county seat. The Fang brothers rendered such great merit, yet they could only start as Assistant Magistrates."

As he spoke, Fei Yinghuan suddenly gave a rueful smile. "Even this junior himself, when I went to my son-in-law's side, though I did not need to observe governance or serve as a clerk, I still had to start as a county Registrar. Starting directly as Registrar was for no other reason than that this junior had previously rendered great merit."

What great merit?

Going to Ganzhou as a spy, of course — thoroughly mapping out the Fujian troops' strengths and weaknesses so that when Fei Ruhe fought, he would know both himself and his enemy.

"Can one become an official by examination?" another clan elder asked.

Fei Yinghuan replied, "In the future, certainly — but not yet. If you wish to take the civil examination path, you can send your sons and younger kinsmen to study at the elementary and middle schools. There are many elementary schools under his rule, but their quality varies greatly; you would do better to buy the books and hire an accomplished tutor to teach at home. As for middle schools, at present there are only a few in Ji'an Prefecture, and their students are certain to be given important posts."

Another clan elder asked, "Can one attend a middle school simply by paying silver?"

Fei Yinghuan nodded. "Yes, you can attend if you pay the silver. But if you skip elementary school and go straight to middle school, I fear you will not pass the graduation examination — it would be a wasted effort. Their elementary and middle schools still teach the Four Books and Five Classics, but they have added Mathematics and Geometry. Without progressing from the simple to the complex, it is very difficult to grasp."

It was remarkable — after rambling chaotically for ages, the conversation had suddenly turned to how to become an official.

It seemed that landed estates had become mere external possessions; they meant to ride this favorable wind and train large numbers of Fei clan sons to serve as officials of the new dynasty.

Fei Yinghuan cautioned, "The scholarly atmosphere of the Fei clan is worrisome. I suggest, honored elders, that you send your sons and grandsons directly to board at schools in Ji'an — and do not give them too much money. Far from home, and with the schools forbidding them to bring page boys, after a few years a crop of fine steeds will surely emerge."

"In that case, I shall send my several grandsons after the New Year," one clan elder decided at once.

"Let us go together, go together — it will be good to have someone to look after one another."

"Does Nanchang Prefecture have elementary or middle schools? Nanchang is closer; it would be easier to come home."

"..."

The Fei clan of Yanshan were not alone in this. As Zhao Han expanded his forces and swept across Jiangxi, the great families of every prefecture and county were doing the same.

Adult sons were sent to observe governance and gain practical experience — working without pay, just to be converted into full officials as soon as possible. Underage sons were sent to study at elementary and middle schools. Next year there would surely be a flood of students enrolling; some great families even donated money to the government to open schools.

Many of these old aristocratic clans traced their lineage back to the Han and Tang dynasties and had lived through the rise and fall of countless dynasties. The moment they realized they could neither hold onto their estates nor oppose Zhao Han, they immediately chose to follow the rules and ride with the tide.

In Jiujiang, an immensely wealthy merchant donated ten thousand taels of silver directly to Zhao Han, with only one request: the next time middle schools were established, Jiujiang's prefectural seat must be given priority.

After returning home, Fei Yuanlu summoned his grandson. "Zhao Han is none other than Zhao Yan of Luling. Go to Ji'an Prefecture at once. Whatever he tells you to do, do it obediently!"

The prefectures of Jiangnan had suffered a great disaster, and Fei Ruyi had come running back the year before.

Although his family forbade outlandish dress, his clothes were still very gaudy. Hearing this, Fei Ruyi was instantly delighted. "Ha! Brother Han has risen in revolt — no wonder he spoke such lofty words even as a youth. Grandfather, set your mind at ease; after the New Year, your grandson will go to Ji'an."

As for that old fossil Fei Yuanyi, he had a sudden wild notion. He called his son aside and whispered, "Tell me — Fei Chun controls the grain and funds, and Ruhan controls the military. Could we do away with this Zhao Han and set ourselves up in his place?"

Fei Yinghuan stared at him in utter disbelief. "Father, do you truly think the Fei family has had it too good? Even if you killed Zhao Han, who among his civil and military subordinates could be controlled? If it were discovered that the Fei clan was behind it, not a single Fei clansman would survive. Even the officers and soldiers under Ruhan would kill Ruhan first, and then come to slaughter the Fei family!"

"That man commands such prestige?" Fei Yuanyi exclaimed in shock.

Fei Yinghuan said, "The moment Zhao Han dies, his soldiers — all of humble origins — will number among them countless men who hate the rich. When that frenzy erupts, no one will be able to restrain it. They will surely drown the entire gentry of Jiangxi in rivers of blood!"

Fei Yuanyi trembled all over with fright and never dared discuss the matter again.

It was exactly as Fei Yinghuan said: although the Jiangxi gentry all detested Zhao Han, the great majority of them wished him a long life of a hundred years.

The power of the peasant associations was too terrifying. Recently, in some newly occupied territories, lawless wretches had raised the banner of the peasant associations and stormed the mansions of the great households in swarming mobs. Those with grievances took their revenge, those with grudges settled their scores, and those with neither grievance nor grudge simply looted, raped, and plundered.

The high command of the Regional Commander's headquarters was furious and issued strict orders to control the situation, insisting that those ringleaders who stirred up trouble be severely punished.

Such things were happening even with Zhao Han alive. If some accident were to befall him one day, who could possibly keep them in check? There would be no need for his own soldiers to run amok — countless common folk would settle all accounts with the landlords on their own.

Zhao Han absolutely must not die — that was the consensus of the Jiangxi gentry.

(End of Chapter)