Chapter 149: Zhang Jian

Lady Gongsun did not come alone, nor did she come only with her daughter-in-law. Following her arrival, Lu Fan and a large number of retainers also hurried over, and then a large group of core personnel from the Anli Company headquarters followed suit.

Obviously, Lady Gongsun intended to take the opportunity to solidify the foundation here in Liaodong. Sometimes, when the person who can make decisions comes in person, no matter what they do, or even if they do nothing at all, the effect is excellent.

As expected, as soon as Lady Gongsun arrived, the newly purchased residence behind the Xiangping County government office quickly became bustling with visitors. Local magnates, merchants—or magnates who were also merchants—various eccentric petty tribal chieftains from the nearby border regions, and even that "old" clan brother Gongsun Yu, who once held a two-thousand-dan post, all came in person to pay their respects... This was only natural; even though Gongsun Yu was older than Lady Gongsun, seniority was clear—no matter what, she was still his aunt, wasn't she?

In short, Lady Gongsun still commanded considerable prestige on the turf she had long cultivated, especially now that she had a son so young yet so successful in his official career. The latter clearly filled the two greatest shortcomings of the former in recent years—one being the deepest connections within officialdom, and the other being a powerful guarantee of military force.

Nowadays, who under heaven does not know, who has not heard, that Gongsun Xun of Liaoxi, abroad, burned Mount Tanhan, making Tanshihuai hate him to the bone; at home, he brutally killed Wang Fu, hung the corpse at the Xia Gate, then walked alone into the Ministerial Office to rebuke Cao Jie to his face, and withdrew unscathed!

Such deeds, as Qiao Xuan's words spread across the realm... at the very least, everyone here in Liaodong knows them... inwardly firm and outwardly sharp, his edge can be crowned the finest under heaven!

Thus, when this mother and son pair worked together, they were essentially unstoppable within this small patch of Liaodong.

For example, Gongsun Xun had originally planned, once the retainers were in place, to take advantage of the autumn collection of the poll tax to thoroughly plow through the local magnate clans. But as soon as the order was issued, his mother sent over a rough asset list of the local magnates, and then held a series of commercial discussions, causing the majority of them to voluntarily hand over the poll tax.

As for the few who were insatiably greedy and unwilling to part with that bit of money, Gongsun Xun did not stand on ceremony. He seized the most egregious and arrogant local bully and directly let these people witness what it meant to be a county magistrate who could destroy a family and exterminate a clan! The heads of all the male members of that family were lined up along the city gate of Xiangping County, making Prefect Gao afraid to leave the city to enjoy the scenery for a long time, let alone those few local bullies who thought they could tough it out with stubbornness.

For another example, in organizing the "community defense and governance" initiative, with the manpower support of the local magnates, the financial backing of the Anli Company, the legitimate orders from the county magistrate, and a broad wave of Prefect Gao's hand—out of sight, out of mind—who even appointed a shopkeeper from the Anli Company as the Deputy Superintendent of the famous Pingguo Iron Office in the commandery... the matter naturally fell into place.

It must be added here that although the salt and iron affairs of the Later Han dynasty were initially tightly controlled, due to the corruption and incompetence of officials, the salt and iron policies were repeatedly reversed, and by now, they had finally gradually loosened.

The consequence of this was that not only were many small salt and iron mines privately occupied by magnates, but even the famous large iron offices across the realm had generally transformed into a model akin to state-owned, privately operated enterprises... Specifically, the court's iron office was responsible for smelting and forging, then dividing the products into two parts: the weapons and armor needed by the court were naturally sent upward, but the remaining goods were generally handed over to the civilian market for trade.

The Anli Company had long been responsible for the civilian operations of the largest iron office beyond the frontier, namely the Pingguo Iron Office... who else would be given this responsibility?... But Gongsun Xun's appointment and Gao Yan's weakness had now turned even the Deputy Superintendent of the Pingguo Iron Office into a shopkeeper of the Anli Company, causing people of insight to sigh at the moral decay of this world!

After all, under such circumstances, not to mention weapons... since weapons were not prohibited from trade... but as for other things, couldn't Lady Gongsun produce whatever she wanted?!

Returning to the present, however, it must also be said that Lady Gongsun's arrival was not entirely beneficial. One obvious drawback was that Gongsun Xun became far too idle, to the point where he almost couldn't find his own value... Sometimes, it seemed he only needed to nod or sign his name, and matters would proceed smoothly!

And the others, from his closest confidant Lu Ziheng to Lou Zibo, who was said to be ready to make a big push, all felt as though they had been reduced to stewards under Lady Gongsun. Only Han Dang, training the local militia all day and working on his community defense and governance, seemed somewhat busier.

"Greetings to Yuanjie Gong." Entering the ninth month, the weather grew cold. With nothing to do, Gongsun Xun, acting as a messenger and relying on his mother's name card, finally met Zhang Jian, Zhang Yuanjie, who had always been sparing with his appearances.

However, this foremost imperial fugitive and renowned scholar of the realm still did not invite the lone Gongsun Xun into his house, instead coming directly to the courtyard gate to meet him.

"So you are Gongsun Wenqi, whom both Liu Wenrao and Lu Zigan hold in high regard?" Zhang Jian was already over sixty this year, five years older than Liu Kuan, but standing before the courtyard gate in a plain cloth robe, his figure appeared exceptionally upright, his hair and beard only slightly streaked with white, mostly still jet black, making him look quite spirited.

"I dare not claim to be held in high regard; I am merely fortunate to have received the favor of my two esteemed teachers." Gongsun Xun quickly bowed his head. "Moreover, all four of us brothers have received our esteemed teacher's favor..."

"Four brothers..." Zhang Jian held the name card and looked up thoughtfully. "Besides you, who are the other three?"

"All are brothers from the Liaoxi main clan." Gongsun Xun hurriedly explained. "Eldest brother Gongsun Zan, courtesy name Bogui, I hear he was just nominated as Filial and Incorrupt by our commandery for his reputation of loyalty and righteousness, and will soon go to Luoyang to serve as a Gentleman; clan brother Gongsun Fan, courtesy name Wendian, who previously escorted my family for me, and now that the matter is settled, seems also preparing to return to Luoyang to attend upon Teacher Liu; and the youngest clan brother, Gongsun Yue, who has not yet received his cap of adulthood and is currently serving as a clerk in Liaoxi Commandery..."

"One family, four brothers." Zhang Jian couldn't help but laugh dryly. "All young talents. And then there's that adopted son Gongsun Du, whom your clan brother Gongsun Yu previously favored, also said to have a smooth official career, thriving in his postings away from home. Counting it all up, your Gongsun clan is likely to flourish greatly in the future."

"Without classical scholarship as a family tradition, we are ultimately a second-rate clan." Gongsun Xun, suddenly hearing the name of another "Three Kingdoms hero," even the Gongsun Du who had occupied Liaodong, did not panic, but instead responded as usual... In truth, having been here for over a month, how could he not know the relationship between that Gongsun Du and his distant clan brother?

Back then, when his clan brother Gongsun Yu was serving in Xuantu, he had a son named Gongsun Bao, who died young and childless. And that Gongsun Du not only had the childhood name Gongsun Bao, but was also the same age as his own deceased eldest nephew... The rest goes without saying; the two were naturally as close as father and son. And Gongsun Yu, as the Grand Administrator of Xuantu, not only found Gongsun Du a wife but also, ten years ago, used his connections to have the latter enter the court as a Gentleman under the name of a special imperial summons, setting him on the proper path of officialdom, where he has been serving in various posts ever since.

It was only then that Gongsun Xun suddenly realized why Gongsun Du could so easily take over Liaodong and establish his career there—it was because he had a political inheritance! And one stolen from his own family at that!

But there was no use dwelling on it, for as Zhang Jian said, Gongsun Du had been specially summoned to court ten years ago and was now said to be serving in various posts around Hebei. Whether to kill him or to recruit him for one's own use, both were mere fantasies for now.

"No matter," Zhang Jian, hearing the other mention classical scholarship, remained composed. "Isn't there you? To have accomplished so many things and made such a name for yourself just at the age of the capping ceremony—becoming a commandery Grand Administrator before thirty would probably be considered late... As for classical scholarship, will classical scholarship necessarily be useful in the future?"

These words sounded like polite deflection, but Gongsun Xun felt a strange sensation in his heart. Then, with a stir in his mind, he was about to ask further.

However, after that single sentence, the other party suddenly stopped this initial pleasantry and instead took the initiative to address the main matter.

"Living in seclusion beyond the frontier these years, I truly do not wish to get involved in any affairs anymore. But having received great kindness from your Gongsun clan, especially from your mother, I have nothing to say." Zhang Jian waved the name card in his hand and said calmly. "Since your mother has specifically made an appointment, let us go promptly..."

So you've already seen through life, Gongsun Xun grumbled inwardly, but quickly led the way outside.

"Do you know what the matter is about?" Zhang Jian asked as he walked unhurriedly.

"I was only told there is a banquet." Gongsun Xun was actually equally clueless and could only answer reluctantly. "It is said that a guest of distinguished status has come from Goguryeo, and a banquet is to be held in their honor. I suppose the idea is to ask Yuanjie Gong to display some of the refined culture of the Central Plains before these foreigners? My clan brother, the former Grand Administrator of Xuantu, Gongsun Yu, is also going. I imagine they intend to use his fearsome reputation among the Goguryeo people to intimidate the other party... One for civil, one for military, something like that?"

"I see." Zhang Jian remained impassive.

"By the way," at that moment, Gongsun Xun recalled another matter. "I seem to have heard someone say that the iron office has forged some special object, and my mother seems to want to take the opportunity to display it..."

Hearing this, the always composed Zhang Jian suddenly paused, then couldn't help but glance warily at the young man before him.

And almost in a flash, Gongsun Xun, meeting Zhang Yuanjie's gaze, also suddenly understood... The reason this renowned scholar of the realm was so cold toward him was probably not just because he had experienced too much and seen through the world, but also because he did not wish to have too many dealings with a "rebel" like himself!

The frontier was remote, far from the central government, and was inherently a land beyond the law. Otherwise, Zhang Jian, who sought refuge wherever he went, would not have been able to live here in peace for so long. Yet, precisely because of this, he could all the more appreciate just how overbearing the Gongsun clan was in this place far from the core of central rule.

The Gongsun clan members were spread all around the Bohai region, with core descendants and direct in-laws holding prominent official posts in various commanderies and states—that was one thing. But what set them apart from the great clans of other regions was that the Gongsun clan's Anli Company could use the profits of trade to unite these people, and even the various local magnates below them... These matters, which the locals took for granted and had long enjoyed, would, if truly understood by someone clear-headed in the central government, appear from their perspective to be nothing short of rebellion, or even worse than rebellion!

Zhang Jian and Gongsun Xun abruptly exchanged a glance, then each sighed. Men of understanding—a single momentary lapse and a single look were enough for mutual comprehension.

"No wonder you are a young talent whom both Liu Wenrao and Lu Zigan hold in high regard." Beneath the wall of the county school, seeing no one around, Zhang Jian tucked his hands into his sleeves, stopped walking, and said, "In truth, I also know that the frontier is remote, and everything here has its own reasons. And as an imperial fugitive, I would not suspect you of anything... It's just that, having lived here for many years and seeing the number of refugees fleeing from the Central Plains to this place increase day by day, how could I not know how chaotic and corrupt the court has become? I hear from newly arrived traveling merchants that now even normal official promotions require paying for office according to the rank's importance and the amount of profit to be squeezed?"

"Yes!" Gongsun Xun was also helpless.

"That settles it." Zhang Jian responded in a low voice. "The state is in chaos, and no one knows where the future lies. Even if your Gongsun clan harbors loyalty and righteousness in your hearts, when the floodwaters surge to the heavens, how could you possibly not go with the flow?"

"The Yuan clan at court also speaks of a 'second-surnamed Son of Heaven,'" Gongsun Xun argued helplessly. "And although Yuan Feng has died and returned to his hometown, arrangements were long made for his three sons, seemingly with considerable order..."

"Yuan Feng is dead?!" Zhang Jian was, uncharacteristically, moved once more.

Indeed, Yuan Feng was dead. The leader of this clan, surnamed second only to the imperial house under heaven, had finally been unable to resist the mandate of heaven. After being paralyzed for several months, he gradually weakened and died at home... According to his last wishes, he was to be buried in his ancestral home in Runan, with his two sons accompanying the coffin and observing mourning. After the funeral, Yuan Shu and Yuan Ji were naturally to build huts and dwell by the grave. Yet Yuan Benchu also conveniently built a hut by the Yuan family ancestral graves in Runan, claiming that after completing the mourning period for his mother, he would continue to observe three years of mourning for his father Yuan Cheng, who had died earlier.

Whether it was for the adoptive father who died early or the biological father who had just passed no longer mattered. But Yuan Benchu's reputation, as he prepared to reside long-term in Runan, soared ever higher. Taking advantage of the funeral, party members from Ru, Ying, Wan, and Luo all went to pay their respects to him, yet few went to visit Yuan Ji and Yuan Shu, who were also there.

For a time, there was considerable friction among the three, yet their uncle Yuan Kui could not discipline any of them!

"So one cannot blame you." Zhang Jian, having recovered his composure, continued. "Even the Yuan clan must stir at the wind's scent and manage their foundation, let alone you? And I do not mean to accuse you. It is truly the court's lack of Dao and misrule that came first... As it is said, when those above lose the Dao, those below will surely lose virtue; and thereafter, those in the middle will surely lose benevolence, and then righteousness..."

Gongsun Xun stood quietly, waiting to hear more, but the other party once again stopped mid-sentence.

"Let us not speak of these things," Zhang Jian suddenly sighed. "You only need to know one thing: that I, Zhang Jian, though an imperial fugitive, have always considered myself a subject of Han and a citizen of Han. Under such circumstances, I simply do not wish to become too deeply entangled with anyone."

Gongsun Xun sighed at these words and couldn't help but bow in salute.

"Let's go!" Zhang Jian waved his hand again. "My mind is also muddled. Your mother is not one to force difficulties on others. Even if some strange and bizarre weapon or armor has been forged, I doubt she would bring it out for display. In my view, it might just be an iron basin or an iron bowl!"

Gongsun Xun couldn't help but laugh. The two then went out, boarded a carriage, and the County Magistrate Gongsun personally drove, delivering this imperial fugitive to the residence where Lady Gongsun was staying.

"Ziheng," after inviting Zhang Jian inside, Gongsun Xun, inevitably bored, took the opportunity to find Lu Fan, who was in charge of the matter, and inquired with him in the courtyard. "What exactly is the background of this Goguryeo noble?"

"He is indeed a rare noble from that place." Lu Fan explained seriously. "Does Wenqi understand the system of Goguryeo?"

"Having long been in Liaoxi, I have heard some things." Gongsun Xun answered frankly. "Speak directly; I can naturally distinguish what is important."

"This person is the chieftain of the Guanna tribe among the Five Tribes of Goguryeo. I hear that much of our Anli Company's business with Goguryeo relies on his care. His name is called Yaya Keli... but the Old Lady calls him the Mushroom King!"

Gongsun Xun was momentarily bewildered... He understood the first half. Goguryeo, after all, was formed when the Fuyu savages migrated south, then came into contact with Central Plains civilization, eventually evolving into what his mother called a semi-tribal, semi-feudal state. Under such a system, the chieftain of one of the Five Tribes was naturally one of the few nobles of that place, and likely one of the powerful figures holding actual control over the court!

But what about the second half of that line — what the hell is some "Mushroom King"?! Has the Son of Heaven bestowed a royal title upon him?! A mere petty state, with a realm of barely two thousand li, its population no greater than a single commandery of the Great Han, one of the five divisions — how dare he call himself king?

——————I am the dividing line in the transition of history——————

"Those who would take the world and act upon it — I see that they will not succeed. The world is a sacred vessel; it cannot be acted upon. He who acts upon it will ruin it; he who clings to it will lose it." — *Dao De Jing*, Laozi

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(End of chapter)