Chapter 289: Husked Rice at Hand, a Scroll Before

Lady Gongsun had many reasons to come, of course — she missed her son, she missed her grandsons and granddaughters, and the Anli Trading Company’s money and grain had been pouring out like water, which was becoming somewhat hard to sustain. But the main reason was that Gongsun Xun had arbitrarily stopped at Guangyang instead of going to Lingzhi in Liaoxi, the remotest corner of the North China Plain, disrupting the original plan the mother and son had made.

So, once Changping had settled down and begun to show some signs of life, Lady Gongsun set out from Liaodong, crossing the sea with her fat cat, to see her son, see her granddaughters and grandsons, and incidentally offer some guidance on the work.

“What is called ‘name’ means borrowing the name of ancient methods and acting under the authority of the government offices, thereby gaining the support and understanding of the great clans. In this way, the powerful local magnates, who themselves lack political influence, can be further stripped of political voice, further isolating and weakening them.” Holding a sheet of paper, Gongsun Xun was doing a ‘translation’ that only mother and son could understand, while unable to resist glancing at his mother.

“No need to look at me — I’m listening. Go on!” Lady Gongsun, wearing her black-rimmed spectacles and gazing with keen interest at the retreating figures of her two grandsons, said dismissively.

Gongsun Xun shook his head helplessly.

In truth, it was no wonder Lady Gongsun acted this way.

One must understand that compared to the two little girls, Gongsun Li and Gongsun Zhen, who had clung to their grandmother the moment they met and then pushed the fat cat out the door, Gongsun Ding and Gongsun Ping, who had just taken their leave, could not help being somewhat shy around strangers, even nervous… because they were meeting the legendary grandmother for the first time, and their mothers’ extraordinary emphasis on this meeting had inevitably affected them.

Gongsun Xun also took the chance to glance at his two sons, who were about to begin their formal education. Only after the two had walked out the door and scampered off into the courtyard to find the enormous fat cat did he continue explaining to his mother:

“As for the ‘substance’ that Du Bohou spoke of, he was actually urging me to swiftly carry out decisive actions — not to hold back or stay my hand, but under the pretext of civilian agricultural colonies, to directly swallow up the local powerful and great households! From population to land, from able-bodied men to resources, I must, on behalf of the government, seize them and hold them firmly in hand as quickly as possible.”

“Aren’t you afraid they’ll rebel?” Lady Gongsun now turned to look at her son. “Being governed by the government offices is so comfortable — no petty officials dare darken their doors. Being governed by you, on the other hand, would be the death of them, wouldn’t it?!”

“Du Bohou’s point is that if these powerful magnates stir up trouble and rebel now, first, they are bound to fail, and second, they would be rebelling against the House of Han, not the Gongsun clan.” Gongsun Xun could not help putting down the paper in his hand and facing his mother, who was seated in the hall, with a solemn expression. “In fact, from what he implied, for us, it would be far better if these people rebelled now rather than later.”

“This man is rather interesting.” Lady Gongsun could not help laughing. “He has real ability and is pragmatic… The name Du Ji — I seem to have some impression of it, but I truly cannot recall clearly.”

Gongsun Xun was momentarily enlightened.

“As for his remaining two ideas… something about ‘binding’ and ‘killing’ — one can tell at a glance that he means we should divide and treat these powerful magnates differently, both pulling some in and striking at others… correct?”

“Mother is absolutely right.” Gongsun Xun was quite forthright.

“Then what do you think of it?” Lady Gongsun asked in return. “This Du Ji’s proposal? And is there a more concrete plan?”

“I think it’s good.” Gongsun Xun hurriedly responded. “And there is indeed a ready-made plan…”

“Then go do it!” Lady Gongsun adjusted her black-rimmed spectacles. “No need to ask me about every single thing… If you must ask me, I can only say that you’ve spent far too much money and used far too many things over this past half-year and more. The Anli Trading Company is already strained within the passes. It truly cannot go on like this. When it’s time to strike, strike!”

“Has it already reached this point?” Gongsun Xun hesitated for a moment. “I know the expenses here are enormous, but since the Anli Trading Company is one entity, why is there no problem in Liaodong, yet here it’s strained? Is there something I’m doing wrong?”

“No.” Lady Gongsun shook her head. “I told you when you were little — for a merchant, the word ‘wealth’ does not lie in how much gold or silver is stored in the cellar, but in whether you can put your money to use. This principle is just like you serving as an official outside — it’s not about how high your official rank is, but about how many people are willing to obey you. And I remember I also told you, the true strength of the Anli Trading Company lies in its connectivity and unimpeded circulation, in the framework itself. Over in Liaodong, although refugees from Qingzhou also keep coming, because the Anli Trading Company can penetrate deep into the villages and townships and revitalize the entire Liaodong, it can maintain a constant flow of income and expenditure…”

“Your son understands.”

Gongsun Xun was not ignorant of these principles his mother had instilled in him in days past; he had merely grown slack after not hearing or asking about them for so long. Now that she brought it up, he immediately grasped it. “Mother is saying that here in Changping, with only outflow and no inflow, it’s hard to get things moving, and ultimately it’s just draining the family reserves. But if we can collect something, even if expenditures still exceed income, we can find ways to sustain it?”

“Correct.” Lady Gongsun nodded in agreement. “That’s why I say this Du Ji has some promise. You truly must strike quickly. Starting from Guangyang, kill one batch, pull in another. If you don’t seize the economic lifeline of this place, your civilian agricultural colonies will never get off the ground.”

Gongsun Xun nodded solemnly.

“A-Xun… Wenqi.” Lady Gongsun, having reached this point, could not help sighing. “When you changed plans at the last moment and ran off to Changping, I actually had nothing to say, because your reasons were far too solid. I didn’t come this time to hold you accountable; as your mother, I even feel some pride… However, I still have one question: how exactly do you plan to handle Liaodong? And if you cannot secure the Liaoxi corridor, how will Liaodong’s strength be brought in later?”

Gongsun Xun was silent for a moment, but finally lowered his head and said: “Then we must find a way to both handle matters here in Changping well and thoroughly open up Liaoxi…”

“It’s just us, mother and son, right now.” Lady Gongsun said dismissively. “I’ll speak plainly… I’ve calculated the time for you. Four years. You have at most four years! From Changping to Liaodong, along the way there’s Guangyang Commandery, Yuyang Commandery, Youbeiping Commandery, and only then Liaoxi Commandery. And after leaving Lulong Pass, there are the Wuhuan, the Xianbei, dozens or hundreds of mixed Hu tribes, and then the Liaodong Dependent State, before you finally reach the Liao River and connect to Liaodong. In four years, can you hold so many things in your grasp? Haven’t you already been in Changping for over half a year without even moving against the powerful magnates?”

“Mother has misjudged me.” Gongsun Xun sighed. “Actually, there’s a reason I didn’t move before but am now throwing out Du Ji’s strategy… Mother, think about it. Although Changping’s land is barren, it is after all right beside Ji, the capital, and counts as the core territory of You Province. Establishing oneself here means being, to some extent, within the sight of all under Heaven. The Son of Heaven in Luoyang is ultimately a perceptive man, and Yuan Shao has also grown wary of me. How would I have dared before?”

“Then why do you dare now?” Lady Gongsun could not help frowning slightly.

“Isn’t it because the Western Liang rebellion suppression campaign ended in a great defeat?” Gongsun Xun finally spoke the truth. “Only Dong Zhuo returned with his entire army… In truth, only as long as Liang Province, which borders Sili, remains in such chaos will the central authorities and the Son of Heaven turn a blind eye to me and to the people and affairs of other places.”

Lady Gongsun suddenly understood… Just as Gongsun Xun might have some gaps in understanding the Anli Trading Company, she too found such matters somewhat outside her field.

Having said this, Gongsun Xun paused briefly before continuing: “In fact, if I’m not mistaken, had Du Ji not personally heard of this great defeat just as he arrived, he might not have been in such a hurry to throw out this strategy… He truly saw through my forbearance and my current desire to act at a single glance, and so tailored his advice to the circumstances and to my liking.”

Lady Gongsun grew even more enlightened: “In that case, what about your other advisors?”

Gongsun Xun did not mince words: “What about them? Actually, Zibo is alright — he may genuinely not understand these matters. As for Ziheng, he actually privately advised me, meaning that I should try not to make things so exaggerated and thorough… Whether powerful magnates, great clans, or officials, it’s most important that everyone continues to maintain the previous harmony. Even if great undertakings are to be pursued in the future, we can still rely on the old system to mobilize strength.”

“And the others?” Lady Gongsun asked curiously.

“The others — Wang Shuzhi, Chang Bohuai, also Shen Zhengnan and Dong Gongren, and even A-Yue and A-Fan in Luoyang — all kept silent. In truth, they are probably similar to Lu Fan: none can be said to oppose it, but ultimately they do not support it. And because they know my style and my mind, they simply keep their mouths shut on this matter… Only Du Bohou, newly arrived and seeking a path to advancement, and Xi Zhicai, who spends his days drinking and gambling in Changping city, have, in accordance with my wishes, given me corresponding advice.”

“In the end, it’s that their vision is shackled.” Lady Gongsun now understood completely. “First, they cannot imagine just how chaotic things will ultimately become. Second, they still harbor some illusions about the House of Han, hoping that this Emperor Ling will quickly die and be replaced by a divinely martial and brilliant Son of Heaven — never imagining that instead of a Son of Heaven, a freak like Dong Zhuo would come… But I can see now, A-Xun, it’s hard for you too!”

“Those in high positions all have it hard.” Gongsun Xun smiled again. “I’m not the only one. Wasn’t it hard for you, Mother, when you toiled to establish the Anli Trading Company back in the day?”

“All have it hard, so one must still strive to do the work. No matter how hard something is, if you do it step by step, there will always be a way to deal with it…” Lady Gongsun sighed quietly, then could not help laughing. “And now you’ve managed to draw me in.”

“It’s not blind confidence.” Gongsun Xun also smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. “Mother, four years — to say it’s long is not long, to say it’s short is not short. To expect to attend to every aspect perfectly is naturally unlikely. But my actions here are already purely an early head start; how could I hope for too much? As for that five-hundred-li corridor through Liaoxi, if it truly cannot be done, then I’ll simply give more support to people like Mohu Gou and Duan Riyuming… In the end, when matters come to a head, there will always be sudden incidents. The key is still to have a thick foundation oneself! With you, Mother, in Liaodong, and me in Changping, sinking our roots deep is what matters most.”

“Since you’ve thought it through so thoroughly, I have nothing more to say.” Lady Gongsun also smiled faintly. “Only, when I return to Liaodong this time… you must leave one grandson with me.”

Gongsun Xun’s face showed sudden understanding, but he was not overly concerned: “Mother should already know — in the half year at Changping, A-Yu has become pregnant again, and A-Yun also seems to have shown signs recently… Therefore, Mother, why not simply take both these boys back to Liaodong to teach them, and just leave the two daughters with me?”

Lady Gongsun hesitated for a moment, but still shook her head: “Both children are about to begin their formal education. If I take them back now, won’t it delay their studies?”

“Does Liaodong have no good teachers?” Gongsun Xun remained somewhat dismissive. “The key is family education. Here with me, how much attention can I spare for them? As for their two mothers, they are certainly no match for you, Mother.”

“A-Yun should still be fairly good, right?” Lady Gongsun was still somewhat hesitant. “Let the younger one go with me, that will do.”

“That won’t work.” Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly and finally spoke the truth. “Mother, since I have already made up my mind to contend for it, then the older one is my natural heir. If at this time you take only one grandson to Liaodong, no matter which one, it will give people ideas. Far better to take both… And Mother, it’s only four years. In four years, once I raise troops and stabilize You Province, you can come over from Liaodong.”

Lady Gongsun finally nodded slowly.

Mother and son, in the end, once again unified their opinions. However, compared to the past, this time it was clearly the mother who accommodated the son more.

Or rather, as the son grows older, this is how most parents under Heaven will act.

And once the general strategy was decided, Gongsun Xun was not one to be weak or dilatory. He first urged the new Inspector of You Province and the Grand Administrator of Guangyang to jointly memorialize the central authorities, requesting that, due to the large influx of refugees from Jizhou and the presence of scattered uncultivated land, the so-called ‘well-field’ civilian agricultural colony system be implemented in Guangyang.

Although the central authorities knew there were unspoken implications in this, seeing the tax revenue promised by the civilian colonies, and with the situation in Liang Province growing increasingly perilous, they still chose to approve it.

And having obtained the endorsement of the imperial court and central authorities, Gongsun Xun began to implement the so-called well-field system on a large scale in Guangyang, forcibly binding the local powerful magnates together with the civilian agricultural colonies, using this as an opportunity to investigate the magnates’ land and registered households, and compelling them to plow and plant together with the colonies, jointly organized into squads and companies.

In the fourth month, the great Wang household of Guangyang colluded with the great clans and powerful magnates of neighboring commanderies, attempting to attack the Changping private academy and the provincial administration in Ji County. They were instead informed against by the Tian clan of Yuyang, resulting in the extermination of their entire clan. Along with them, a full seven households were wiped out, and nearly a thousand people were beheaded.

For a time, the entire commandery was terrified. And Lady Gongsun, taking her two grandsons with her, returned to Liaodong.

By the autumn harvest of that year, coinciding with the birth of Gongsun Xun’s third son and third daughter, the Anli Trading Company began to openly collect the poll tax for Guangyang on behalf of the government. Guangyang was acclaimed as being greatly well-governed.

That same year, a great drought struck Guanxi. Combined with the previous wars and chaos, the entire region west of Chang’an lacked grain for the autumn harvest, and the common people scattered and fled in droves. Yet, strangely, the war in Liang Province fell silent because of this. The Grand Commandant Zhang Wen, who had been confronting the rebels at Chang’an, also returned to Luoyang.

In the winter of that year, You Province and Bing Province were suddenly raided by the newly rising Xianbei forces of Kebineng. In Bing Province, they were blocked by Cheng Pu. In You Province, Gongsun Xun led his private troops, accompanying the Colonel Protecting the Wuhuan on a campaign. North of Yuyang, they gathered countless Liaoxi Xianbei, Wuhuan, and mixed Hu tribes, and then easily repelled the enemy.

After the battle, Kebineng sent envoys to Guangyang to sue for peace, requesting official recognition and the opening of border markets. And Mohu Gou of the Mohu tribe also established a settlement at the northern passage of the Yanshan mountain range, north of Yuyang Commandery. Lady Gongsun bestowed the name Chengde.

After this event, no one again challenged Gongsun Xun’s authority in You Province, and You Province was increasingly acclaimed as greatly well-governed.

Riding the momentum of this event, during the spring plowing of the following year, Gongsun Xun began to implement his ‘well-field’ system in Yuyang. And this time, in Yuyang, no one dared utter a word of complaint. Even someone like Zhang Ju, the former Grand Administrator of Taishan, was as meek as a dog.

The realm rumbled on, the empire’s great currents churning like the tide, yet Gongsun Xun in Changping remained as tranquil as a place beyond the world. His days were filled with spring planting and autumn harvest, summer hunts and winter chases, along with ceaseless reading and teaching — a life entirely of tilling and study, poetry and wine, wife and daughter, the comforts of home. But sometimes, on certain festival days, when he saw Jing Ze go to mourn and sacrifice at his uncle’s grave in the increasingly bustling Changping private academy, or saw Chang Lin perform distant rites for Sima Zhi, or even when he himself could not resist going to drink, Gongsun Xun could never forget those figures who seemed like mere passersby on the road of his own life.

Not to mention that white-horsed riders constantly brought political affairs from Luoyang up from the south, and refugees from Jizhou constantly came from the south to Changping, drawn by his reputation.

In all honesty, having seen and heard it too many times, Gongsun Xun had long ceased to feel the anger and disappointment of before.

But that did not mean he did not remind himself, time and again in his heart, that in this world, far too many people should not have ended up this way.

The poem says: The court had no plan to quell the border strife, and let sweet springs reflect the evening beacon’s light.

At first I wondered that the capital heard war-horses neigh; how could I know, by distant seas, I’d see a flying dragon stray.

A lonely minister’s frost-white hair stretches three thousand zhang; each year’s fireworks blaze ten thousandfold strong.

Some small comfort: Dong Zhongying west of the pass, with weary troops, dares laugh and fill his belly catching fish at last.

End of this volume.

PS: The old group got nuked, new group 931557287… Those who don’t cause trouble can keep coming.

(End of this chapter)