Chapter 278

For a figure of Liu Kuan's stature, by convention, the funeral rites were destined to be solemn to the extreme. Yet, as the saying goes, the myriad changes never depart from their source — no matter what, in terms of procedure, it could not exceed the three matters of the wake, the funeral procession, and the burial.

As for the specific process, it was actually very... casual. At the very least, in this era, it was extremely casual.

This was mainly because in the late Later Han period, the Han people's views on life and death were undergoing violent upheaval. On one side, some served the dead as if they were alive; on the other, some proposed that a person's death was like a lamp going out. On one side, filial piety was extremely emphasized, making it imperative that funerals be lavish and solemn; on the other, personal style was precisely valued — what was called esteeming free-spiritedness.

Therefore, although from the mainstream perspective, the upper limits of scholar-official funerals were generally very high, when it came to specific individuals, the lower limits were actually also very low.

For instance, something like Gongsun Xun inviting people to drink outside the mourning hall was of course not in line with convention, but it very much accorded with the custom of scholars esteeming free-spiritedness in this era, and was regarded as a fine deed. And the scholar-officials who came from Luoyang to pay their condolences also one after another took it as an honor to be able to come here, drink a goblet of wine, perform a single rite, and then leave.

In the final analysis, it still depended on the person.

As for some official final judgments, they were also deliberated and settled during the wake period. And the Son of Heaven, being Liu Kuan's student, naturally would not be stingy at such a time.

Thus very quickly, a series of pronouncements were released, the two most important being — posthumously appointing him General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the posthumous title of 'Zhaolie'.

Posthumously appointing him General of Chariots and Cavalry was to acknowledge the fact and merit of Liu Kuan, as Imperial Tutor and subject, assisting in governance when the Son of Heaven was young. As for the posthumous title, 'gentle virtue possessing brilliance is called Zhao; having merit and pacifying the people is called Lie' — such a posthumous title was naturally not poor.

Of course, Gongsun Xun had never worried about this issue, because he knew that Liu Kuan had entrusted his funeral affairs to him not out of genuine worry that problems would arise with his posthumous matters.

"Father-in-law." Entering through the door, Gongsun Xun, dressed in mourning clothes, performed another salute toward the Grand Minister of Agriculture Zhao Bao, who had come to offer condolences, and only then did he calmly inquire. "Outside, the mourners flow like a stream. I wonder what matter requires private words?"

"I know, so I will speak quickly." Zhao Bao said in a low voice with some difficulty. "Last evening, my clansman Zhao Yan came to see me. His meaning was roughly, if you could..."

"Is it that Zhao Yan who fawns upon the eunuch Zhao Zhong?" Gongsun Xun, not waiting for his father-in-law to finish, sternly interrupted the other.

Zhao Bao pursed his lips for a long while, but could only nod reluctantly.

"Then he is someone who has already divided the household from Father-in-law. How can he still be called a clansman?" Gongsun Xun continued to sternly ask in return. "Besides, the present is not like the past. Zhao Zhong advised the Son of Heaven to increase the land tax, causing great chaos in Hebei and the Central Plains, with the people dead and wounded in heaps — he can be called a traitor to the state. My friend Sima Shuyi committed suicide in remonstrance precisely because of this... Father-in-law cannot be unaware, can he?"

Zhao Bao could not help but sigh, and was left speechless.

"My lord." Gongsun Xun stepped forward and reminded him expressionlessly. "At this juncture, the resentment of all under Heaven is unbearable, and they all wish to kill Zhao Zhong to apologize to the world... How can you still allow Zhao Yan through your door? You should have openly and with clear torches, letting the neighbors on left and right see clearly, personally beaten Zhao Yan, that man who disgraces the clan's pure reputation, out with random staves."

"It was a moment of inconsiderate thought on my part." Being lectured thus by his own son-in-law, Zhao Bao inevitably felt somewhat stifled, but in the end, he was still helpless.

"It is not that I am aggressive, nor that I disregard personal feelings." Seeing this, Gongsun Xun could not help but lower his voice. "It is that the current situation has truly reached the point where on the surface we share golden goblets, but in private, naked blades cross. Even if you, Father-in-law, have accumulated such a pure reputation over many years, when blades are truly drawn, everyone will have killed until their eyes are red. At that time, if someone brings up this matter, it might very well be a path that invites disaster."

"It was indeed inconsiderate of me." Zhao Bao answered in complete helplessness. "He should not have been allowed through the door... Let this matter be dropped!"

"Just be careful." Gongsun Xun frowned further and said. "I will think of a way to help Father-in-law gloss this over. As for Father-in-law, you might as well pay more attention to the Son of Heaven's health, and when the time is roughly right, make plans early and leave the capital in time... Once the Son of Heaven dies, Luoyang will no longer be the foremost place of virtue, but the foremost place of chaos."

"I naturally know this." Zhao Bao also began to frown unceasingly. "I am not one who does not read history. For how many years has our dynasty followed this pattern — the Son of Heaven dying in his prime, then a young Son of Heaven losing power, eunuchs, scholars, and outer relatives meeting blade to blade in Luoyang, round after round of ceaseless slaughter. Naturally, I must have some plans..."

Zhao Bao had originally been dismissive, but speaking to this point, he suddenly froze for a moment: "What do you mean by this? Why remind me at this time? Isn't it too early? Did you not also resign as Administrator of Henei? After Liu Zhaolie is buried this time, will you not return to Luoyang? Or do you already have a place to go?"

"There is no other meaning." Gongsun Xun said frankly. "Before Teacher Liu passed, he left a letter for me, asking me to resign from office and return home, to study books and learn the classics in peace, and to carefully cultivate virtue... For several years, I do not plan to return to Luoyang."

Zhao Bao froze again, then once more stared fixedly at his son-in-law: "You want to resign from office and return home? Not return for several years?!"

"Is it not proper?" Gongsun Xun pointed to his own mourning clothes and said. "This is Teacher Liu's dying wish. As his disciple, I cannot refuse it, can I?"

Zhao Bao was dumbstruck. Several times he opened his mouth to speak, wanting to question why the other had not discussed it with him, but in the end, he was still speechless. After a long while, he could only nod with effort: "Then take good care of yourself!"

With these words, he was about to flick his sleeves and leave directly.

"My lord!" Gongsun Xun suddenly raised his voice and called out from behind. "The day after tomorrow, Teacher Liu's wake period will be complete. I will, early in the morning, carry the coffins of my honored teacher and his wife together, transfer the spirit, and depart for the funeral, traveling by boat to the foot of Mount Wangwu in Hedong for burial. Most of the old friends in Luoyang hold official posts and I fear cannot accompany us the entire way. Therefore, in the evening, we will bid farewell at Mengjin... At that time, I hope Father-in-law will, as today, come and drink some wine."

Zhao Bao flicked his sleeve from afar in acknowledgment, then without stopping his steps, left in indignation.

A day later, Liu Kuan's wake period was complete, and the formal funeral procession began. Gongsun Xun, at the head, bringing Gongsun Fan, Gongsun Yue, and countless disciples and former subordinates of Liu Kuan himself in Luoyang, personally escorted the spirit out of the city. Liu Song had also left the city early, and according to his late father's last words, had his mother's coffin exhumed from Mount Beimang, meeting them by the roadside. The Son of Heaven even issued an edict, not only specially granting the Luoyang officials a day's holiday, but also specially dispatching the Junior Attendant of the Yellow Gates Jian Shuo to lead twenty Tiger Guards to clear the way, escorting the coffins straight toward Hedong.

Because there was a day's holiday, and even more because Gongsun Xun had said beforehand that Teacher Liu was not one to quibble and was fond of drinking, therefore, if on that day at the mourning hall someone found one goblet of wine insufficient to get drunk, then at the Mengjin farewell there would still be wine waiting, only seeking that at that time they not part in sorrow, but take drunkenness as the proof. Thus, the high ministers and important officials, famous scholars, and close friends in Luoyang all, without any burden, accompanied them along the way... And by that afternoon, after Liu Kuan and his wife's coffins were placed within the public rest house on the southern bank of Mengjin north of Luoyang, Gongsun Xun indeed kept his word, brought out all the countless fine wines he had prepared, and called on everyone to see them off in drunkenness.

At Mengjin, the fragrance of wine spread everywhere for a time. At this moment, someone spread word that Gongsun Xun had sold off all his properties in Luoyang this time, keeping only one secondary residence... and had gathered a thousand jin of gold, all exchanged in Luoyang for the finest wines.

Liu Kuan had repeatedly ascended the terraces and pavilions, and for decades before his death had been a heavy minister of the Han house. And Gongsun Xun, who presided over the funeral rites, also held the positions of General of the Guards and Marquis of Ji. Thus, the high officials and prominent nobles who came this time were beyond count.

As for that open ground before the public rest house where the coffins lay, it was entirely filled with the prominent figures of the moment.

Grand General He Jin, Minister of Works Yuan Kui, Minister over the Masses Cui Lie, General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Right Zhu Jun, Colonel Director of Retainers Zhang Wen, General of the Household Rapid as Tigers Yuan Shu, Palace Attendant Yang Biao, Minister of Ceremonies Zhang Yan, Grand Minister of Agriculture Zhao Bao, Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Yan... The Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, except for Yang Ci whose body truly could not manage it, the rest, regardless of the depth of their friendship, all arrived. Even the sons and younger kin of eunuchs mostly came to see them off, only they were not arranged to be in this place.

Not only this, Yuan Shao, the model of all under Heaven who had fame but no post; Dong Zhuo, the Consultant who might soon be reappointed; Lu Zhi, who had lost his additional post and returned to being a Minister; Liu Yu, the Grandee of Glorious Happiness who had just resigned as Prefect of the Masters of Writing and had yet to receive a post; Wang Yun, who had twice been imprisoned and finally released, and was then recruited by He Jin as a subordinate of the Grand General; as well as Liu Biao and Kong Rong, who were likewise merely subordinates of the Grand General but renowned far and wide — all were specially seated in attendance.

There were even those like Colonel of Archers Who Shoot at Sound Lu Bu and Colonel of Garrison Cavalry Xu Rong, who, though they held some official posts, were actually not prominent in reputation, yet because of past connections, were specially seated here.

In short, if one did not consider this a funeral procession ceremony, it could also be considered an alternative gathering of heroes.

Everyone, each leading their confidants and juniors, finished taking their seats. Wine was also sent over one after another, and in the distant surroundings, the fragrance of wine already spread everywhere, and they began drinking directly. But here, no one opened a bottle... because everyone knew in their hearts that General of the Guards Gongsun Xun, as the one presiding, would certainly have words to tell them.

In fact, on the road today, there had already been rumors, both true and false, that Gongsun Xun vaguely wished to observe mourning for his honored teacher, and would return home to study. Toward this, those present were either dismissive, or somewhat displeased, or somewhat secretly pleased — one could only say that opinions varied and were not all the same.

However, at this moment, this General of the Guards seemed to still have to pass another hurdle — everyone could see clearly that without waiting for Gongsun Xun to come out, his other honored teacher, Minister Lu Zhi, had already strode proudly into the public rest house, to bid farewell to his old drinking friend and confidant, Lord Wenrao. Presumably, there would naturally be some words to be said.

Thereupon, everyone thus held their patience and quietly awaited news.

Lu Zhi came alone, and under Lu Fan's guidance entered the hall of the public rest house. He merely gave a slight bow toward the coffins of Liu Kuan and his wife, then stood still and silent.

Gongsun Xun, dressed in mourning clothes and standing in attendance to the side, was expressionless. He simply waved his hand to let Liu Song, Gongsun Yue, Gongsun Fan, and Fu Xie, who were keeping vigil before the coffins, go out. Lu Ziheng also tactfully stood guard at the hall door.

"Do you know why I did not go to specifically pay condolences before, and why today I only perform this single rite?" Once the others were gone, Lu Zhi turned his head and looked at Gongsun Xun.

"This student probably knows some of it." Gongsun Xun said thoughtfully and frankly. "Teacher Lu, you said very early on that the world's affairs are difficult, and that one should prioritize frugal burials. If one day you yourself died, then one should dig three chi into the earth and bury you in your clothes, and must not harm the livelihood of the living... Moreover, Teacher Lu and Teacher Liu were the closest of friends, and I fear you often had words of understanding after drinking, and had long ago made a similar agreement, yes?"

"Correct." Lu Zhi stared at his student and said with proud solemnity. "A person's death is like a lamp going out. The departed have departed, and rest at ease in the heart. The living should attend to the affairs of the living..."

"Teacher's meaning is that because Teacher Liu loved wine in life, I scattered a thousand jin today in exchange for several thousand people getting drunk, and this is actually a luxurious custom?" Gongsun Xun remained expressionless, merely cupping his hands and asking in return.

"There is that meaning." Lu Zhi answered frankly. "But the departed have departed, and the wine has all been bought. With your wholehearted filial piety, I also have nothing to say. Moreover, in this present age, frugal burial is something one can only practice by personal example, and cannot be forced on others. Therefore, regarding today's matter, I do not mean to rebuke you. I only hope that one day after I die, you must remember the words you just recounted."

Gongsun Xun helplessly bowed and cupped his hands in assent.

The atmosphere between the two also eased slightly.

"But setting aside this thousand-jin wine feast." After a pause, Lu Zhi sighed and continued to question him before the coffin of his old friend. "On the road today, there were rumors that after you bury Lord Wenrao, you do not plan to accept a new post, but will directly return home to study. Just now I asked Lu Fan, but he stammered and dared not answer, so I had no choice but to come ask you personally... Wenqi, is there such a thing?"

"There is." Gongsun Xun answered crisply.

"The current situation is not like the past. The court is in a time of employing men..."

"This was my honored teacher's dying wish!" Gongsun Xun suddenly interrupted the other without any regard for etiquette. "Before his death, Teacher Liu had a letter for me, written by his own hand before his son and my younger brother, and I received it publicly in Henei. If Teacher Lu does not believe this, you can go ask those two. And in that letter, there was this explicit dying instruction and exhortation to me, saying that my virtue was shallow and I still needed..."

"I do not believe it!" Before the words were finished, Lu Zhi, his body still ramrod straight, looked down from his height at his student and directly interrupted his words. "The letter certainly exists, but given Lord Wenrao's character, he would certainly not command or interfere with anyone in a letter."

"But this was his meaning!" Gongsun Xun suddenly raised his head to meet his gaze. His face flushed red, his lips trembled slightly, and he no longer had the slightest trace of his previous composure. "If it were not so, why would he die at this time?!"

Lu Zhi fell silent for a moment.

"This winter, Teacher Liu had already endured through this bout. When spring turned warm, he could have lived another year. If it were not that the Son of Heaven was without the Way and there was no longer any hope in his heart, how could he have abandoned this body?" The more Gongsun Xun spoke, the angrier he became, yet he could not help but be overcome with unbearable grief, and for a moment tears fell. "And if it were not to find a juncture for me to calmly extricate myself, why would he have deliberately drowned himself in wine to throw away his life, and had those around him deliberately keep it from me?"

"The former may be true, but the latter... was likely just going with the current," Lu Zhi said helplessly.

"So, you admit it then?" Gongsun Xun reined in his tears and suddenly shot back. "The realm's situation is dire. I hold high office, yet staying in my post is futile, and would only cost me my virtue and credibility. In such circumstances, Liu Shi could give his life to help me break free. But you, Teacher Lu, instead want me to stay and prop up the regime for a man akin to Jie and Zhou? Back when I came of age, I earned countless merits and my prospects were bright — yet you repeatedly suppressed me. Today, with Liu Shi's aid, I could have made a graceful exit that even the Son of Heaven could hardly obstruct, but you want me to waste my time here... You are both my teachers — why does one bring me grace, and the other grievance?!"

"You've finally said it." Hearing this, Lu Zhi showed no anger, but instead a trace of release. "Wenqi, the virtue of the Han house is not as shallow as you think..."

"Nor is it as weighty as you, Teacher, claim!" Gongsun Xun answered sternly, his eyes red. "If I may speak bluntly — in how you have handled my affairs, Teacher, your eyes have been blinded by selfish motives!"

"What selfish motives do I have?" Lu Zhi finally showed anger on his face.

"Teacher envies me!" Gongsun Xun struggled to suppress the last trace of emotion leaking onto his face and stood tall. "This is what Liu Shi told me in his letter, though at the time he was making excuses on your behalf..."

Lu Zhi's hands trembled slightly as he fixed his gaze on his student.

"He said you are accomplished in both civil and martial arts, excelling in virtue and talent," Gongsun Xun answered fearlessly. "Much like myself! Yet you were born at the wrong time! Had you, Teacher Lu, been born twenty years earlier, you could have joined the ranks of Qiao Gong, Liu Shi, and Yang Ci — who did not come today only because he seeks a swift death — as a famed minister of Han with a clear conscience, your name enshrined in history after death! And had you been born twenty years later, you could have, like me, Gongsun Xun, like Cao Mengde, like Sun Wentai, like Liu Xuande, like Yuan Benchu and Yuan Gonglu outside the tent, run rampant through a chaotic age and carved out your own domain! But you are too pitiable... having neither the chance to contend for supremacy, nor the chance to leave your name in the annals of history. Worse still, you have instead encountered our present Son of Heaven, a figure akin to Xia Jie and Shang Zhou, bending yourself daily in the Central Pavilion, devoting yourself to state affairs, yet achieving nothing — even suppressed and immobilized by a worthless eunuch like Zhao Zhong! Teacher Lu, dare you say you do not envy me? Dare you say you do not envy Liu Shi?"

Lu Zhi clenched his fists, but in the end had no words to reply.

"Your student spoke rashly for a moment — I beg my honored teacher's forgiveness... Countless guests still await me outside." After this torrent of impassioned words, Gongsun Xun calmed considerably. Knowing he had spoken out of turn, he bowed deeply and hurried away together with Lu Fan, who had long since been stunned speechless by the doorway.

For a moment, in the Righteous Lodge hall, only Lu Zhi and the coffin of his old friend remained, facing each other in silence.

—————I am the very sorry dividing line—————

"The flourishing of Eastern Han Confucians, guarded against the Three Dynasties, was what the royal house relied upon. From An and Shun downward, Han governance began to fray — then there were Yuan An and Yang Zhen. From Chong and Zhi downward, Han fell into decline — then there were Li Gu and Du Qiao. By the time of Huan and Ling, the royal house hung by a thread — then there were Lu Zhi and Zhao Qi. When these two sons perished, the house of Han collapsed. Zhi bore the spirit of the northern frontier, lofty, robust, and fierce... he possessed true valor. That the Grand Ancestor rose up as his disciple — was it not stirred by such righteous ardor?" — Miscellaneous Records of the Scholarly Grove, recorded by an anonymous Yan.

Apologies, I revised that last passage many times... the character of Lu Zhi...

(End of Chapter)