Chapter 185: Dwelling Deep, Overlooking the Walled City

Summer days are gaudy and affairs are many and tangled.

Gongsun Xun was the sort who would act the moment he decided. After the banquet, he first made a point of meeting separately with the Wei, Handan, and Li families, saying he would write letters of introduction for their younger members to seek out renowned teachers in Luoyang... It was a gesture, barely, but in truth, did any of them actually need him to write such letters?

Then, right there in the estate, he summoned once more the heads and leading figures of the local great families. Compared to the day before, this time he spoke in an extremely stern tone, formally demanding that these men bring to bear their strengths as locals and the influence of the realm’s prominent houses — the advantage of the proverbial local serpent, so to speak — using grain to pave the way, to go first into the Taihang Mountains to pacify and recruit, and to scout for information.

Finally, the moment he and Wang Xiu returned within the walls of Handan city, they each went into action. The latter continued to handle the county’s routine affairs, while the former began arranging the critical posts within the principality and the county.

Yet, interestingly enough, once matters were set in motion, the first difficulty Gongsun Xun faced did not come from the mountains... Sending these local serpents with grain to entice the refugees in the hills was indeed the most correct choice; after all, they were natives of the place, and they had grain... The problem came from a man he had for a time entirely overlooked.

To put it plainly, Gongsun Xun had assigned the posts and sorted out the documents, but Xiang Xu refused to affix his seal.

“Why does he refuse to affix the seal?” Inside the county office, Gongsun Xun confronted the Assistant Deputy of the Left Chariot, Li Ming, who had come to report. “These posts have all been vacated, and the candidates submitted are the consensus choices of the entire commandery. On what grounds does he refuse to use his seal? Does he intend to leave them vacant forever?”

The Assistant Deputy who had come with the news wore a face full of helplessness, but could only lower his head and repeat what he had said before: “The Chancellor of the Principality says that you, my lord, are a muddled and unworthy man who does not understand the subtle art of governing by non-action. Therefore, since it is you, my lord, who makes the recommendation, he absolutely cannot agree. To do otherwise would be to aid a tyrant in his oppression, contrary to the virtue of the sage...”

His voice grew softer and softer, until at last he dared not continue.

“Go back for now and look after him carefully on my behalf,” Gongsun Xun said after pondering a long while. Several times he had been on the verge of going straight to Xiang Xu to have it out with him, but in the end he forcibly suppressed his anger and managed to put on an untroubled face. “Once I have finished my work these next few days, I will naturally go seek him out and settle this matter.”

This Li Yizhi immediately bowed and took his leave.

Yet once the man was gone, alone in the empty main hall of the county office, Gongsun Xun could not help but slump in dejection... After all, setting aside his anger, how could he not understand that this matter truly seemed terribly difficult to resolve?

The man Xiang Xu refused to use his seal — could he, Gongsun Xun, resort to force? And without the Chancellor’s seal, who would recognize these clerk posts? Would he not then lose the trust of everyone? Especially at this moment, when those great houses, eager to prove themselves, had already enthusiastically brought out their grain and gone into the folds of the Taihang Mountains to draw people out... To lose their trust at such a time would be utterly fatal, would it not?

Of course, he was not without recourse. He could, for instance, go find that old man Wei Song; the man might just be able to communicate with a classics-obsessed madman like Xiang Xu. But Gongsun Xun was loath to show weakness before anyone, least of all before the people of Zhao... He wished to preserve that image of unfathomable authority.

“My lord!”

Just as Gongsun Xun’s thoughts were running wild, from outside the hall came the heavenly voice of an attendant. “Master Shen has returned, and he has brought a Master Ju with him!”

Gongsun Xun was overjoyed. Xiang Xu, the Zhao Principality — all were cast to the back of his mind.

But this joy vanished without a trace after a quarter of an hour.

“So that is how it is,” in the outer hall, try as he might to conceal it, Gongsun Xun could not hide the disappointment in his eyes. “Brother Gongyu has accepted an imperial appointment, was named a thousand-bushel county magistrate last month, and has already left for Qingzhou to take up his post?”

“Exactly so,” the man who had come with Shen Pei replied frankly. “But before my lord had even arrived at his post, he sent Brother Zhengnan with generous gifts to invite my elder brother. Such courtesy was complete in every respect. Our Ju clan cannot be remiss in propriety, so my father sent me to call upon you and convey our sentiments, to express our gratitude.”

“What gratitude is there to express?” Gongsun Xun smiled bitterly and shook his head. “It is I who was presumptuous. On the journey here, I vaguely heard that Ju Shou of Guangping, styled Gongyu, had great aspirations from youth and was skilled in planning and strategy, and that after being recommended as Abundant Talent last year, he had long delayed entering Luoyang to serve as a Gentleman. I could not help but be moved to act... In truth, although I have, by circumstance, obtained the rank of a marquis, I am still but a county magistrate. And Brother Gongyu, upon his first recommendation as Abundant Talent, was at once appointed magistrate. To invite him while holding the same rank was already exceedingly improper.”

“My lord is overthinking it,” Ju Zong, styled Gongtiao, the younger full brother of Ju Shou, hastened to reassure him upon hearing this. “When my lord entrusted Brother Zhengnan with this, you did not yet know that my elder brother had accepted the appointment. How can it be counted as impropriety?”

Gongsun Xun smiled bitterly again. This was precisely the heart of the problem. What troubled him was not merely that Ju Shou had left home to take office and would be hard to meet again, but that the man had directly been appointed county magistrate.

What did that mean? It meant that Gongsun Xun himself, for all his efforts up to now, even with a title of nobility, was nothing more than a county magistrate... Both being county magistrates, he had no standing to recruit a man of Ju Shou’s caliber.

Moreover, as Gongsun Xun’s horizons gradually broadened, he had come to understand that this situation was no exception.

Were the talents of the Great Han, especially the top-tier men of wisdom and strategy, many or few?

In truth, they were everywhere. Tian Feng and Ju Shou were right on either side of Handan. The Xun uncle and nephew were sitting at ease in Yingchuan. The Kuai brothers were studying in Xiangyang... Each and every one seemed within arm’s reach. But in reality?

In reality, these men all came from great clans. On what grounds would they come to you? Or rather, on what grounds could you make them come to you? This is not a matter of the lord choosing his minister and the minister choosing his lord; rather, in this age, there is no need to choose at all.

The two foremost men of wisdom in Hebei: Tian Feng was an Abundant Talent, and the moment he emerged he was appointed Attending Censor; Ju Shou was also an Abundant Talent, and he directly assumed the post of county magistrate... In facing you, Gongsun Xun, these two men’s attitude was, I fear, one of equality, was it not?

And that uncle and nephew in Yingchuan — the Xun name was known to all under Heaven. And without needing any intelligence from his own mother, Gongsun Xun could see from his political experience alone that the moment the Proscription was lifted, with Chen Shi already old, the Xun clan, as the leading family of the Yingchuan gentry, would inevitably have someone ascend to the Three Excellencies!

Would such a figure choose a lord before Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang?

And the Kuai brothers — their family had been renowned advisors four hundred years ago. Professionals. Their ancestor Kuai Tong was a famous advisor under Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han. The family had endured for four hundred years... Would they be mad enough to follow you?

To take an even more extreme example, there were Chen Yuanlong and Zhou Gongjin, who were at this moment still mere bear cubs. Long ago, Gongsun Xun had matched these two figures to two real-life aristocratic houses... Chen Deng’s own father was, I fear, that nephew of Chen Qiu, Chen Gui; and Chen Qiu was precisely that Excellency Chen under whom Shen Pei had previously served, one of the Three Excellencies. The same was true of Zhou Yu: just as the Chen clan of Xiapi was the foremost aristocratic house of Xuzhou, the Zhou clan of Lujiang was the foremost aristocratic house of Yangzhou in the Great Han. The clan’s leading figure, Zhou Jing, had risen through the ranks to become Court Architect, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Minister of Works, and finally Grand Commandant. He had even, after the late emperor’s death, taken part in the selection of the current Son of Heaven, earning the merit of having supported his enthronement!

Did anyone truly think these great talents had sprung from cracks in the rocks?!

Where did their fine education come from? Where did their broad vision come from? Where did the posts in which they trained and tempered themselves come from?

So long as the realm was not in chaos, they themselves were the leading actors!

Only when the realm fell into chaos, and their status counted for less than the man who held the blade, would they move with the times and reluctantly take supporting roles — and even then, they would be supporting roles that loved to steal scenes from the lead!

But of course, this is digressing somewhat.

Still, looking at the situation before Gongsun Xun’s eyes, in the final analysis, so long as the realm was not in chaos and the order of things had not collapsed, these great talents — whether they held official posts or enjoyed widespread renown — especially the men of wisdom and strategy, had no mental preparation whatsoever to serve as some sort of advisor to any particular person! The Great Han stood majestic and intact. On what grounds should they become the private retainers of anyone outside the Liu clan?!

Did anyone truly think that everyone was like Lou Gui — fatherless, motherless, convinced from childhood that the Han was doomed? And even if the Han were doomed, on what grounds should they work for you?

Having realized this, Gongsun Xun’s expectations for Tian Feng, who was idling at home, had also dimmed considerably. He even felt a touch of regret... Even if Tian Feng had grown weary of court posts, even if you had executed Wang Fu, what reason did he have to come serve you, Gongsun Xun? After all, Tian Feng had previously been an Attending Censor alongside you, Gongsun Xun. On what grounds should he place himself beneath you?

Or perhaps, in Tian Feng’s eyes, Lu Fan’s visit seemed more like mockery coming from you, Gongsun Xun?

To put it bluntly, Gongsun Xun had simply become too carried away after being enfeoffed as a marquis. Gaining Shen Pei was already an exception, yet his heart, insatiable as a snake trying to swallow an elephant, had still reached for men like Ju Shou and Tian Feng. It was simply inviting humiliation.

Just as Gongsun Xun’s thoughts were wandering and his mood was dark, he suddenly heard a dry cough beside his ear. He looked up and caught Shen Pei signaling him with his eyes.

Gongsun Xun started slightly, then suddenly understood. He immediately turned to Ju Zong with a smile: “That Brother Gongyu is not here is, in the end, a sign of my meager affinity. But it is also proof that he is a man of innate great talent, destined for great use. It is only a pity that I, newly arrived in Handan and finding governance difficult, was just at the point of needing to rely on local talents... To think that I have searched everywhere and found nothing — I must be a laughingstock to you, Gongtiao.”

The young Ju Zong quickly lowered his head with a smile, preparing to say a few polite words.

“However,” Gongsun Xun continued, giving the other no room to speak, “the Ju clan has long resided in Guangping, which is near enough to Handan. Might Gongtiao know of any suitable talents you could recommend to me?”

He stressed the word “suitable” heavily, clearly unwilling to invite further humiliation.

“Is my lord not suffering from darkness beneath the lamp?” Before Ju Zong could say much, Shen Pei, who was beside them, suddenly spoke up. “Gongtiao is a young talent of rare ability, born of a renowned clan, and has always been esteemed in his home region. He has now come of age; it is precisely the time for him to come out and gain some experience...”

Gongsun Xun’s heart stirred. This was somewhat unexpected. But on second thought, since things had come to this, keeping a connection would be good too. He no longer hesitated:

“What does Gongtiao think?”

“Hmm...” Ju Zong, caught off guard by the sudden question, was somewhat flustered. But he was, after all, a son of an aristocratic house, and he quickly regained his composure. After a brief moment of weighing the matter, he chose to agree. “Zong’s ability is not a tenth of my elder brother’s; I dare not lightly take office. But relying on my family’s name, I do have a fair number of acquaintances in this region. I am willing to serve my lord as a messenger, to express my regard in some small way.”

Gongsun Xun turned the matter over in his mind and immediately grasped the other’s meaning... It was likely that, conscious of his status, Ju Zong was unwilling to take office as a county clerk. However, perhaps out of consideration for Shen Pei’s face, or perhaps because with Ju Shou absent, a flat refusal would seem to slight Gongsun Xun, Ju Zong had chosen to stay on as a guest-retainer.

Of course, a man like this coming as a guest-retainer would certainly be one of those top-tier honored guests, free to come and go as they pleased, like Liu Deran — not at all like the tenant-farmer-like retainers found in the households of local strongmen and landlords nowadays.

To put it plainly, the logic here was clear: you are the chief official in Handan, and I am in Guangping, only a few dozen li away. You sent men with generous gifts to seek my help, so I will come and help. When the day comes that you leave this place, we will naturally part on good terms... This was a short-term contract, and one with geographical limits at that.

But however that might be, since a single exchange of words had settled the relationship of host and guest, Gongsun Xun rose and calmly accepted the other’s bow. Each having performed half the rites of host and guest, they then sat down again.

After that, Gongsun Xun directly brought up the matter of Xiang Xu. This affair truly gave him a headache, and he was sorely lacking in capable people around him... Of course, this time he was mainly speaking for Shen Pei’s ears.

As for Ju Zong, to be honest, whether accepting him as a guest or treating him with courtesy, it was solely because he was Ju Shou’s own younger brother. Gongsun Xun truly did not have many expectations.

“This man Xiang Xu is a celebrated scholar of Zhaoge in Henei, a descendant of the late Daoist worthy Xiang Zhang,” Shen Pei said, his brow furrowing upon hearing this. “Henei borders Wei Commandery, and I have heard of some of his conduct. It is said that his actions have always been unfathomable...”

“Ha!” At that moment, Ju Zong, who had been listening in, could not help but let out a snort of laughter, directly cutting Shen Pei off. “Brother Zhengnan has been away from home for too long and does not know — those are all old tales of Xiang Fuxing. Since he came to the Zhao Principality, his true nature has long been laid bare. What is there unfathomable or not unfathomable about him?”

At these words, Gongsun Xun and Shen Pei immediately grew curious — especially Gongsun Xun, who had twice witnessed Xiang Xu's bearing firsthand and was all the more astonished… Could it be that this Xiang Xu was actually faking it?

Seeing the two men's reactions, Ju Zong did not keep them in suspense and promptly revealed another matter concerning Xiang Xu: "My lord and Brother Zhengnan may not know this, but after Xiang Fuxing was summoned to court, he continued his feigned madness and foolishness. Yet the moment he was appointed Chancellor of Zhao, a post worth two thousand shi, while crossing the Yellow River en route to assume office, he straightaway purchased a splendid carriage and fine horses, changed into silks and brocades, and then swaggered boldly into Handan! This affair is known to everyone in Henei, Wei Commandery, and the State of Zhao. At the time, people all around remarked that all of Xiang Fuxing's previous antics had in truth been nothing but feigned madness and foolishness — mere ploys to court fame…"

At these words, Shen Pei's face showed sudden comprehension, while Gongsun Xun was utterly dumbfounded.

It must be said, the Han dynasty operated on a recommendation system. For generations, even sons of great clans had to first make a name for themselves before entering office, and so people often performed all manner of outrageous deeds to gain renown. In many cases, these men, in their quest for fame, would go so far as to artificially create difficulties where none existed, then charge headlong against them. But by this present age, most such devices had grown wearisome to the public eye, which naturally meant new and unconventional paths had to be blazed.

And of course, that meant even more bizarre characters would emerge!

For instance, there was a man whose own father died. He dug a dirt hollow before his father's grave, bared his shoulders, and lived inside it — reportedly staying there for years without returning home, the very picture of a peerless filial son. Only later, when the court summoned him to office, was it inadvertently discovered that during those years the wretch had actually fathered a whole brood of sons!

"Recommended as Cultivated Talent — yet cannot read a book;

Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt — yet father lives apart;

The poor and pure of heart are foul as mud,

The high-ranked, fine generals flee like startled fowl."

Did anyone truly think this nursery rhyme was wind without a source?

Small wonder, then, that Shen Pei suddenly understood.

Gongsun Xun, however, remained unconvinced: "In all honesty with you, Gongtiao and Zhengnan, I have twice met Xiang Fuxing face to face, and I truly could not see that this man was deliberately playing the eccentric…"

"It is only natural that my lord would say so," Ju Zong explained with a light laugh. "Back then, Xiang Xu rode his fine horses and scented carriage straight into Handan, but within four or five days he was utterly at a loss. In the end, he simply lay sprawled in the rear courtyard of the official residence and ceased attending to any affairs. When Governor Wang sent someone to inquire, he retorted that he was emulating the way of Huang-Lao, governing by non-action, and in turn cursed Governor Wang for his ignorance… At the time, my elder brother was still at home, and he once remarked to me that this man probably still had some sense in his heart — it was just that he had spent half a lifetime feigning madness and foolishness to attain high office, and when he finally wished to savor life's splendors, he found that apart from feigning madness and foolishness, he no longer knew how to do anything else!"

At this point, Shen Pei beside him was also dumbfounded, while the young Ju Zong had to exert great effort to stifle his laughter before continuing: "In the end, the feigned madness became genuine madness, and the feigned foolishness became genuine foolishness… After all, what can a man who only knows how to feign madness and foolishness do, other than lie sprawled about all day? Of course, over this past year and more, it is said that this Lord Xiang has also learned to curse people — a considerable improvement indeed."

Gongsun Xun's expression shifted again and again, and he too had to strain mightily to hold back his laughter: "Then in Gongtiao's view, how should this matter be handled?"

"This matter is simple," Ju Zong said offhandedly. "My lord must grasp one key point: this man's present obstruction of my lord is obstruction purely for obstruction's sake, not because he truly wishes to oppose my lord, and still less does it have anything to do with the matter itself…"

This tongue-twister of a statement left Gongsun Xun even more speechless.

"Therefore," Ju Zong finally could not help but laugh aloud, "my lord might as well seek out a renowned Daoist scholar and engage him in a written polemic on Huang-Lao doctrine. Once he has diverted all his energies into trading insults with this man, then casually send some commandery clerk inside to request the seal — he will naturally cease to care."

Gongsun Xun slowly nodded, then let out a long breath: "Had it not been for Gongtiao, I would have made a laughingstock of myself this time."

Ju Zong was modest: "I am merely a local who happens to know a few more things, that is all."

Gongsun Xun was left awkwardly speechless.

Just then, the attendants outside suddenly called out again: "My lord, Adjutant Lü, Commander Han, and Master Lou have returned together — and they have brought back a Daoist priest!"

Gongsun Xun was first delighted, but immediately afterward his expression turned solemn.

Shen Pei, by contrast, was the exact opposite — first solemn, but immediately afterward delighted.

—————— I am the dividing line that lies sprawled all day ——————

"(Xiang Xu) was later specially summoned, arrived, and was appointed Chancellor of Zhao. When he went to assume office, people of the time said he would surely cast off finery and adopt frugality, yet Xu instead rode in a gleaming carriage and drove fine horses — the world suspected his earlier conduct was a pretense." — Book of the Later Han, Biographies of the Solitary and Exemplary, by Fan Ye

PS: It pains me to say… I slept a full sixteen hours today… and still felt utterly exhausted upon waking… Am I truly that worn out?

(End of chapter)