Chapter 194: Setting Aside All Affairs (Part 1)

"Gongren, you are actually the same age as me?"

"Fangbo and Gongren have come from Luoyang — do you know how my two esteemed teachers are faring in health?"

"My clansman Gongsun Bogui also presented Filial and Incorrupt last winter; I hear he has now entered the Tiger Guard Army as a Gentleman. I wonder if Gongren has met him?"

"Quite well-known? That makes sense, after all my eldest brother is... all Luoyang knows he is the White Horse Gentleman's clansman? Oh..."

"Cai Bojie has been pardoned? Indeed, with Yang Gong and Wang Fu perishing together, he has turned misfortune into a blessing."

"Fangbo taught at Yangcheng Mountain for eighteen years?! Eighteen years ago..."

"The Huang clan of Jiangxia are indeed Fangbo's in-laws, and the Kuai and Cai clans are family friends of several generations... how very strange. Since Fangbo is so deeply rooted in Jingzhou, why... never mind!"

"Li Jin is no empty name... the Li clan of Jiyin numbers in the tens of thousands?! The strength of a single powerful family rivals the hidden households of half a Zhao state's magnates. With such a man in Chengshi, what official could possibly be of any use?"

At the banquet, Gongsun Xun naturally had Liu Yan sit alone in the host's seat — after all, the man's office, age, and status far exceeded everyone else's. Then he especially deferred to Dong Zhao, seating him on the left-hand side, while he himself took the right-hand side, and had his subordinates sit in the accompanying seats.

However, perhaps because the various things they had seen and heard earlier had "shaken" the two guests, throughout the entire feast Gongsun Xun remained firmly in control, speaking with ease and assurance, while Liu Yan and Dong Zhao could only manage to keep up.

Of course, Gongsun Xun was not deliberately trying to show off, nor attempting to give these two guests any additional show of force... he was genuinely very interested in these two men.

Liu Yan, Liu Junlang — according to his mother, this was the very first man in the Great Han dynasty to establish de facto separatist rule, and he started by seizing an entire province. He was also the one who proposed restoring the provincial governorship system, which led to full-scale regional fragmentation... in other words, the collapse of the glorious Great Han, no matter how you look at it, cannot be separated from this man's share of responsibility.

Yet, ironically, this very man is a genuine scion of the Han imperial house, which makes one sigh with mixed feelings.

As for Dong Zhao, Dong Gongren, although his impression was not very deep, Gongsun Xun was quite certain that the other party was a strategist of some renown, only his fame was not prominent. His mother merely knew of the man vaguely but not his deeds, which was why their earlier exchange had been so muddled.

To be honest, this kind of "muddling" had become more and more frequent as Gongsun Xun's knowledge and experience grew. Many things seemed roughly correct, but the overall picture was never far off... and besides, even setting aside the name, based solely on how he had led Liu Yan and his son around by the nose the entire journey without arousing any ill feeling, Gongsun Xun was inclined to regard this "honest man" with a higher degree of respect.

After all, no matter the time, excellent camouflage is always an admirable skill.

In sum, the banquet was generally lively and relaxed, and also quite novel... things like iron woks and stir-fried dishes had only just begun to spread, and even here in Jizhou they were still novelties, let alone for two men just arrived from Luoyang.

In fact, if things continued in this vein, Gongsun Xun, the de facto controller of Zhao state, ought to establish a rather smooth bureaucratic relationship with the new Inspector of Jizhou and the new county magistrate of the neighboring county.

One could even imagine that the matter Liu Yan had sternly raised at the gate — the investigation into the Handan Magistrate's unauthorized killing of a county magistrate — would, after this banquet, be resolved in a manner both proper and thoroughly muddled.

And yet, Gongsun Xun was still not satisfied with this, and even seemed somewhat ungrateful, as if refusing a face-saving offer.

"Fangbo." After three rounds of wine, once the stage of mutual greetings and inquiries had passed and both sides were slightly tipsy, Gongsun Xun suddenly spoke. "Since your journey here was specifically to investigate my unauthorized killing, and you have shown yourself openly, I imagine you have already reached a decision in your heart. May I ask how you intend to deal with me?"

The banquet was spread across multiple venues. The returning soldiers had gone back to their respective camps and been rewarded with beef and wine. Most of the military officers and commandery and county clerks were in the courtyard of Gongsun Xun's new residence, while a small number of senior officers, clerks, and trusted aides accompanied Gongsun Xun inside the hall to entertain the new Inspector of Jizhou and the new Chief of Xiangguo.

Thus, when these words were spoken, outside the hall remained bustling and lively, but the atmosphere inside the hall could not help but grow solemn. Many people immediately fixed their eyes on Liu Yan, who sat alone at the head seat, and even Dong Zhao and Liu Fan grew momentarily tense.

"And what does the Handan Magistrate himself think?" Liu Yan cursed inwardly, but his face remained impassive; he merely set down his chopsticks for the moment. "When you acted that day, you did not avoid those around you, and even deliberately gathered the notable families of the state to witness it. I imagine that was also meant to show you were willing to take responsibility for your actions?"

"Does Fangbo wish this subordinate official to offer his defense here in court?" Gongsun Xun countered boldly.

"If you wish to defend yourself, then defend yourself!" Liu Yan was growing increasingly exasperated.

"This subordinate official believes," Gongsun Xun, upon hearing this, actually set down his wine cup, rose, and walked to the front of the hall, assuming the posture of one under interrogation, and answered boldly, "that my actions that day contained not the slightest fault..."

Liu Yan's face immediately darkened.

"As for the rumors circulating between the province and commandery about overstepping bounds, they amount to nothing more than the unauthorized arrest and the excessive haste of the execution." Gongsun Xun continued to explain in a raised voice. "However, in truth, the one who seized Zhen Du was the State Merit Evaluator Lu Fan and the Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace Zhao Ping; and on that day, before this subordinate official carried out the execution, he first obtained a document bearing the State Chancellor's seal..."

"Hold." Liu Yan helplessly interrupted him. "Handan Magistrate, I already know the full details of this matter; you need not elaborate further... I only ask you this: in the way of serving as an official and a clerk, does one speak only of law and not of virtue? In this matter, if we speak purely in terms of regulations, I certainly cannot say you are guilty. But since you honor me with the title of Fangbo, then I ask you — can a Provincial Fangbo only use the law to censure the officials of this province's nine commanderies?"

"Can this realm truly be so peaceful that we discuss both law and virtue?" Gongsun Xun retorted, fueled by wine. "To manage even one of them is already good enough! Fangbo spent eighteen years on Yangcheng Mountain, and upon first emerging, served as Prefect of Luoyang, then as Governor of Jizhou. Could it be that you still think this realm is the same realm as eighteen years ago?"

"What do you mean by that?!" Liu Yan, after all, had also drunk quite a bit; half-startled and half-enraged, he abandoned all decorum and actually slammed the table and stood. "The realm is at peace — how can you utter such absurd words?"

"Fangbo." Gongsun Xun faced him with equal solemnity. "I ask you: eighteen years ago, was there a rule requiring payment for promotion? Eighteen years ago, were half the scholars of the realm under proscription? Eighteen years ago, was there a precedent of eunuchs holding power for over a decade? Let me tell you, Fangbo, in this realm today, the proscribed scholars seethe with unresolved resentment, the powerful magnates have no path to advancement, and the common people have no ground to stand on. Popular grievances rise on all sides, bandits and outlaws roam displaced... Looking from the top, it is precisely a rare peace; looking from the middle and below, all hearts are lost, and both high and low are filled with resentment!"

"How has it come to this?!" Liu Yan vehemently protested. "Alarmist nonsense!"

"How has it come to this? As one who shepherds a province for the Son of Heaven," Gongsun Xun, emboldened by wine, said with mocking laughter, "you ought all the more to protect a subordinate official like me, one who truly worries for the state and the people and gets things done. How can you, for the sake of a criminal who deserved to die ten thousand times over, come specifically to find fault with me? Traveling incognito in plain clothes, denouncing me in open court — could it be that you accepted bribes from the powerful at court before coming, and intend to avenge Wang Fu and his ilk?!"

"How dare you insult my father?!" Before Liu Yan could make a sound, Liu Fan beside him stood up in fury, his hand reaching for his waist.

Gongsun Xun was indeed "insulting" Liu Yan!

First, the phrase "How has it come to this" was itself an extremely discourteous play on the other man's name, and on that ground alone Liu Fan had reason to draw his blade. Second, he was questioning the other's political stance... although for an official who had truly reached Liu Yan's level, dealing with eunuchs was unavoidable, there were some things that simply could not be said aloud, especially since Liu Yan, apart from his imperial clan status, also bore the very standard label of a scholar. Finally, when all was said and done, Liu Yan was the Inspector of Jizhou. Although the old man had not yet advised the Son of Heaven to restore the provincial governorship system, and this post was still a "minor office" of the six-hundred-dan rank, in practice he was still the chief official of a province, representing the central authority with power over life and death. Gongsun Xun, a mere Handan Magistrate, was clearly and unmistakably a subordinate, and at this moment the offense of insubordination was unavoidable.

So it was no wonder Liu Fan was enraged to this extent.

However, when this filial son, in his fury, tried to draw his blade, he suddenly recalled upon reaching for it that he and his father had traveled the entire way driving a donkey cart, traveling incognito in plain clothes. While there were indeed two blades hidden in the cart for self-defense, how could there possibly be a blade at his waist now, at this banquet?

And what was more alarming, while Liu Fan had no blade at his waist, quite a few people in and around the hall were wearing swords. Hearing the commotion inside the hall, they all turned their heads, and several military officers at the banquet who looked particularly rough in appearance were now also reaching for their waists.

At the head seat, Liu Yan stroked his beard and looked at his fine son, feeling both heartache and exasperation. The heartache was for his son's filial piety, understanding enough to stand up for him; the exasperation was for his foolishness... he ought to know, this was someone else's territory — was this a place to fall out with anyone?

And almost at the same moment, Lu Fan, Shen Pei, Dong Zhao, Lou Gui, and Wang Xiu — these five men rose simultaneously, clearly intending to salvage the situation. However, seeing everyone else also rising, the five of them instead hesitated together for a moment.

Seeing this, Gongsun Xun could not help but laugh heartily. Under the rather helpless gazes of everyone present, he returned to his seat, filled a cup of wine, then, holding the cup in one hand and carrying his chair in the other, walked over to Liu Yan at the head seat.

"Fangbo has come from afar, and the banquet was hastily arranged, with nothing to offer in the way of entertainment. So I deliberately played the fool to amuse everyone." Gongsun Xun set down his chair and held the cup in both hands, smiling. "If my words gave offense, I beg Fangbo's forgiveness."

Liu Yan glanced at him, then let go of the hand stroking his beard, laughed aloud, and took the cup of apology wine, draining it in one gulp.

For a moment, the hall erupted in laughter. Lu Fan and the others all returned to their seats. Only Liu Fan, like a fool, remained awkward for a long time before sullenly sitting down under Dong Zhao's discreet signal.

"Everything this subordinate official said just now was in jest." After apologizing, Gongsun Xun actually sat down right beside Liu Yan, and his expression became uncharacteristically serious. "Fangbo, bearing the Son of Heaven's mandate, tours and inspects the nine commanderies of Jizhou. If you truly believe my actions that day were out of line, please rest assured and deal with them. This matter was indeed done by me, Gongsun Xun, alone, and I will absolutely not offer the slightest evasion."

Liu Yan stroked his beard and gave a dry laugh.

"However," Gongsun Xun personally held the wine pot and refilled the other's cup, then broke into a smile again, "only one thing I said earlier came from the heart... setting aside whether I overstepped or not, this subordinate official asks himself whether he has failed in his duty. I came to Handan to accomplish things. Yet earlier, after clearing out the mountain bandits, it provoked the envy and imbalance of the Chief of Xiangguo, leading to such despicable acts. And next, before the autumn harvest, this subordinate official still plans to survey the fields and households, settle the finances, and then establish schools to promote culture and education. In all these endeavors, while I will do my utmost, I imagine there will be no shortage of idle gossip. When that time comes, I will precisely need Fangbo above to protect a subordinate official like me, one who rarely gets things done!"

Liu Yan slowly nodded, raised his cup and drank, but made no sound. Gongsun Xun, however, did not seem to mind very much.

They drank for another half a watch or so. Perhaps because perceptive men like Lu Fan and Shen Pei were there to ease the atmosphere during the banquet, there was no visible sign of the earlier unpleasantness.

And when the Silver River hung high in the sky, the banquet finally came to a complete end. However, while those in the courtyard outside the hall departed having fully enjoyed themselves, most of those who had sat in the hall left with their own preoccupations.

"Go and invite Magistrate Dong Gongren over!" As soon as he returned to the small, clean courtyard that had been specially vacated for him, Liu Yan, without waiting for his son to speak, directly issued an order. "Tell him I have something to ask him!"

"Today I was indeed somewhat rash." At the same moment, Gongsun Xun was also at the entrance to the rear courtyard, frankly admitting his fault to his several trusted civil advisors. "However, my behavior today was because I happened to know certain things about this man from my time in Luoyang, and I had a few extra cups of wine, which made me suddenly lose my composure. On a whim, I spoke a few extra words, partly with the intent to probe... You don't know, but when this man first entered office years ago, he saw the situation at court was bad and the Proscription was about to arrive, so he threw away his post and hid away on Yangcheng Mountain for eighteen years. Now, thinking the court situation is stable, he has come running back out. He is, so to speak, the type who, seeing the world's troubles, wants to flee, and once he gains a high position, can hardly conceal his smugness. He is nothing more than a man who harbors wishful thinking, an opportunist who bullies the weak and fears the strong. Frightening him a bit might make things easier for us in the future."

The several trusted aides looked at each other. They had previously only thought Gongsun Xun's mind had momentarily overheated, but since it had been a targeted action, they found it difficult to say much more.

"Alright," Gongsun Xun then urged them, "this journey to Purple Mountain and Black Mountain has been hard on most of you. Ziheng's family, moreover, has only just arrived; you should all go home and reunite with them. I won't keep you."

With that, Gongsun Xun also strolled toward the rear courtyard.

"Dong Gongren, you are an honest man. I will ask you only one thing, and you will answer truthfully." Liu Yan, who had been stroking his beard and sighing in the courtyard, saw Dong Zhao approach and could not wait even a moment, coming straight to the point. "Is the situation in the realm today truly as Gongsun Xun said — seemingly clear and peaceful on the surface, but in reality precarious as a stack of eggs?"

Dong Zhao pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Fangbo, this subordinate official does not wish to lie... I have not seen what the realm was like eighteen years ago, but it is true that this realm has indeed been worsening year by year. The Handan Magistrate's words, though intended to exonerate himself, are not necessarily entirely false."

Liu Yan, upon hearing this, was actually momentarily flustered.

—————I am the dividing line of shame—————

"In former days, Liu Yan observed the hardships of the times and first sought a place of refuge for his later years, hoping to act upon the first sign. For when territory is vast, a heart of arrogance and self-regard arises; when wealth multiplies, the impulse to usurp and indulge takes hold — this is indeed the inevitable course to which ordinary men are bound!" — Book of the Later Han, Fan Ye

PS: Thanks to the new Alliance Master, Light of Annihilation... Is that character pronounced ye? Embarrassing. I took a break and asked for leave, yet ended up with an extra Alliance Master instead. Ashamed beyond measure.

(End of Chapter)