Chapter 32: World-Famous Double Standards

As they walked out through the city's southernmost gate, the Fugu Gate, the Imperial Academy students from Nanyang stopped at the gate pavilion to rest and drink water. Beside Liu Xiu, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Wenshu, I was right behind you — I heard every single word!"

Liu Xiu turned and saw a boyish figure in a Confucian cap, his face still full of childish mischief, barely reaching Liu Xiu's shoulder in height.

This person was named Deng Yu, courtesy name Zhonghua, only thirteen years old — a full ten years younger than Liu Xiu.

Unlike Liu Xiu, who had waited years for a quota to become an Imperial Academy student, Deng Yu was a renowned prodigy. While other children were still studying the Analects and the Classic of Filial Piety, he could already recite all three hundred poems of the Book of Songs from memory. Moreover, the Deng clan was a great family of Xinye with abundant wealth, so despite his young age, Deng Yu had entered the academy ranked first in the Nanyang official examinations.

Because Liu Xiu's family had marriage ties with the Xinye Deng clan, the two had traveled together and were very close.

Liu Xiu treated him like a younger brother. His wide mouth and thick lips broke into a smile. "What did you hear?"

Deng Yu leaned in close and said in a low voice, "Why, 'For an official post, be the Bearer of the Gilded Mace; for a wife, win Yin Lihua,' of course! So, Wenshu, you've long had your eye on the Yin family's young lady."

The Yin clan was also a great family of Xinye County and had ties with the Deng clan. On the third day of the third month that spring, when scholars and commoners alike went out to the rivers and pools for the winding-stream floating-cup drinking rite, Liu Xiu had gone to Xinye at the Deng clan's invitation. There he had seen the Yin family's young lady from a distance. Observing her graceful bearing and finding her features exceedingly beautiful, his heart was captivated — it was love at first sight.

Deng Yu had been present then too, and with his sensitive nature he had noticed something unusual in Liu Xiu. Now, hearing his ambition, he understood at once why Liu Xiu had repeatedly declined several marriage proposals back in the county.

It was just that the Yin family's young lady, like Deng Yu himself, was a full ten years younger than Liu Xiu — still a child.

Liu Xiu was neither angry nor embarrassed. He simply said, "If you heard, you heard. When one is young, one yearns for one's parents; when one knows the beauty of women, one yearns for a lovely maiden. Every word I spoke came from sincerity, not idle jest — there is nothing shameful in it."

"Though the Yin family's young lady is still young, I shall wait patiently until she turns fifteen and comes of age, then ask my elder brother to propose on my behalf. If the Yin family grants their consent, then I shall 'yearn for my wife once I have a wife.'"

Then his expression grew serious. "Zhonghua, but do not spread these words around, lest they stain the young lady's reputation. That would be Liu Xiu's fault, and my death ten thousand times over could not atone for it."

Deng Yu knew Liu Xiu was a cautious and honest man. Seeing him turn earnest, he hurriedly promised he would never let it slip.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xiu laughed and said, "I meant the second half. The first half — I would be only too glad if you spread it back to Nanyang, so my elder brother Liu Bosheng hears of it."

At the mention of his elder brother Liu Yan, Liu Xiu's eyes shone with longing and admiration. "In this life I am destined never to match Bosheng's grand and noble character. But if he heard that I wish to serve in office and strive for martial renown, he would surely be pleased."

"At the very least, Bosheng would no longer mock me, saying that Liu Xiu has no ambition, caring only for tilling the fields and tending the crops, diligently managing household affairs, and being obedient and amiable to clan and kin — that in this life, at best, I am nothing more than a village rustic!"

……

"What? Yang Xiong lives in Xuanming Ward too?"

Diwu Lun and Jing Dan had arrived at the Gentlemen's Office outside the Northern Palace wall and met up with Wang Long. When the conversation turned to their chance encounter with Yang Xiong the night before, Wang Long grew excited.

"Boyu, Sunqing, to be neighbors with Yang Ziyun — how fortunate you are! If I could, I would trade my residence in the Northern Watchtower's elite quarter for your place!"

Trade, trade, trade… Listen to this — is that even human speech?

Diwu Lun felt like rolling his eyes. The Northern Watchtower's elite quarter was a compound for nobles and imperial in-laws inside the capital's second ring, nestled between Shoucheng Hall, the Cassia Palace, and the Northern Palace. Step out south and you were at the heart of Chang'an: the Northern Watchtower Plaza — the absolute prime downtown location.

Xuanming Ward, on the other hand, lay in a remote corner of the third ring. This meant that he and Jing Dan would have to rise early every morning, fight the morning crowds, and travel several li to get here. Wang Long, meanwhile, could take his time getting up, eat a full breakfast, step outside, cross the road, and be at the Gentlemen's Office!

Different properties — there's a reason the expensive ones cost more.

Wang Long wasn't deliberately showing off. He truly was a devoted fan of Yang Xiong and began listing this great literary master's achievements. "The Cang Jie Primer we used for character study in elementary school was written by Yang Xiong himself. And in the realm of rhapsody poetry, people often rank him alongside Sima Xiangru, calling them 'Yang and Sima' — note, Yang comes first, Sima second, not 'Sima and Yang.'"

Wang Long then lavished praise on Yang Xiong's works, from his early "Refuting the Li Sao" and "Fu on the Shu Capital" to the four great fu he composed after entering court — all with abundant words of adulation.

"Yang Ziyun's fu are not only marvelously archaic and richly ornate in diction, but also profound in conception. I often think that those phrases could never have been devised by a human mind. No, I must move to Xuanming Ward too, so I can seek his guidance at close hand."

As he spoke, Wang Long was ready to skip the Gentlemen's Office entirely and rush off to ask Yang Xiong about the way of fu poetry. Diwu Lun and Jing Dan hurriedly stopped this fu-besotted fool.

At this time, the Filial and Incorrupt appointees and Palace Gentleman candidates from across the realm were also arriving at the Gentlemen's Office in droves — several hundred of them. No helping it; they had expanded recruitment.

Diwu Lun spotted Xiao Yan from the same commandery, but Xiao Yan kept his distance with disdain, associating only with the sons of noble and in-law families from other commanderies.

Jing Dan told Diwu Lun that although they had been selected as Filial and Incorrupt to enter court as Gentlemen, they were only the lowest rank: "Outer Gentlemen."

"Those serving within the ministerial offices are Inner Gentlemen; those serving within the palace are Palace Gentlemen; those serving outside the palace are Outer Gentlemen — the lowest rank, not even permitted to enter Shoucheng Hall."

That was only natural. Without knowing their backgrounds thoroughly, how could they let several hundred people loose inside the state's nerve center? For now, they didn't even qualify to bear halberds and guard the palace chambers. They were still far from being sent out as county officials; first they had to familiarize themselves at the center with the court's systems, documents, laws, and ordinances, and even the adjudication of cases by the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Most important of all, they had to undergo several months of the Xin Dynasty's unique… political education?

The official in charge of them was the General of the Gentlemen of the Left. He made a brief appearance at the start, delivering a few empty platitudes for form's sake.

Then he hurriedly departed, leaving several old Confucian Erudites to indoctrinate the crowd. An essay titled "Denouncing Qin and Praising the Xin" served as the first lesson for these "new bridegrooms."

It was indeed a peculiar piece of writing. It began from the time when dark and light were undivided, heaven and earth intermingled, then spoke of the birth of humankind and the first emergence of sovereigns, and then suddenly jumped to the golden age of the Three Dynasties.

After the zenith of the Three Dynasties, it was impossible to carry on; rites collapsed and music decayed. That was why Confucius composed the Spring and Autumn Annals. The Six Classics depicted the ideal society of the Three Dynasties: the old were cared for, the young were educated, men and women walked on separate sides of the road, no one picked up lost articles on the streets, and everyone's morality, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom reached perfection.

Then, the old Erudite intoned, came the "degenerate age" when the kingly way declined.

The essay held that Qin rose abruptly from the Western Rong and had no understanding whatsoever of ritual and propriety, denouncing Shang Yang's laws as wicked governance. As for crimes like destroying ancient texts, scraping away old records, and burning books — they were too numerous to count! That was why the dynasty fell after only two reigns.

Look, how harsh was the governance of Qin!

Then it was the Han dynasty's turn to be rebuked. This section was not long, mainly accusing the Han of inheriting many of Qin's institutional flaws. Even though Emperor Wu of Han had honored Confucianism exclusively, his love for the way of the sages was still not deep enough! This led to the imperial canons being incomplete and unrepaired, the royal principles slack and unenforced. As for Emperor Xuan of Han's practice of "mixing the way of the hegemon with the way of the king," that was an even graver error.

In summary, in the eyes of pure Confucians, the Han system was still not perfect enough, and therefore the Mandate of Heaven had shifted.

When the essay reached the point of "until the Great Xin received the Mandate," the tone suddenly changed.

It was as if the world had undergone a spiritual revival. Mystic talismans and numinous tokens, yellow auspicious signs gushing forth — within a single year, fully forty-eight auspicious omens appeared, all converging to celebrate Wang Mang's replacement of the Han.

When Qin and Han built palaces and temples, it was wasteful extravagance; when the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices, it was disregard for the people's welfare; when they subdued the Xiongnu in the north, it was meddlesome provocation. Yet the exact same actions — the Xin Dynasty's reorganizing the spirits, reverently performing the hundred sacrifices, building the Bright Hall and Harmonious Terrace, constructing the Nine Temples, and dispatching troops in all directions — were described as "supreme rites all in order, magnificent displays of utmost filial piety, vast enterprises and expansive virtue." The essay even urged Wang Mang to go perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai.

Look, how beautiful is the new governance!

Diwu Lun was dumbfounded. The author of this essay was surely the number one double-standard hypocrite of the ancient world.

On second thought, he couldn't help but laugh wryly. Just replace "virtuous governance and benevolence" with the word "democracy," and it all became much easier to understand. The world-famous double-standard playbook was indeed the same across all times and places.

As for the essay's claim that under Xin rule, outside "all craftsmen were at peace and every endeavor prospered" — Diwu Lun must have been blind, because from Changling to Chang'an, he had seen none of that along the road. Instead, he had seen all the signs of a dynasty's end.

Finally, the two old Erudites summarized the whole essay, explaining that in the past, the Five Emperors had succeeded the Three Sovereigns, and the Three Kings had followed the Five Emperors, all adhering to the ancient way. Qin had violated this ideal, and so it fell after two reigns. The Xin, however, was diligent and tireless, cautious and devoted, striving toward this goal, and therefore deserved praise.

"The Son of Heaven's new governance not only follows the will of Heaven above but also inherits the way of the sages. Though there may be petty clowns obstructing the great trend, in the end the governance of the Three Dynasties shall be realized."

They could never have imagined at this moment that the Xin Dynasty would fall after a single reign — even more harsh than Qin's harshness. Where was the beauty in that?

Diwu Lun was still lost in these reflections when, unexpectedly, the next instruction was for everyone to copy out this essay and take it home to study and recite diligently.

By the time they finished copying, it was already afternoon. Diwu Lun stole a glance at Jing Dan. Jing Sunqing's expression was also somewhat strange; he merely shook his head at Diwu Lun. It seemed his feelings were much the same. These words could only fool those who had studied themselves stupid. To Jing Dan, who had worked his way up from the grassroots, it was a joke.

When this political lesson was finally over, Diwu Lun rubbed his aching wrist and, on the way out, couldn't help asking Wang Long, "This essay's literary flair is soaring. Wenshan, do you know who wrote it?"

In Diwu Lun's view, the writing was indeed gorgeous and elaborate, but the whole piece was a face of sycophantic flattery, utterly disregarding the facts. The author must have been one of Wang Mang's hired literary hacks.

Wang Long, however, saw nothing amiss and said with a natural smile, "Boyu, do you truly not know? The one who wrote this 'Denouncing Qin and Praising the Xin' ten years ago was none other than Yang Xiong!"

……

Today's trip to the Gentlemen's Office was not entirely fruitless — Diwu Lun received his official robe and seal ribbon. The bronze seal and yellow ribbon marking a mid-ranking official hung against the all-black robe, looking quite spirited.

From this day on, he was a three-hundred-dan Palace Gentleman, also called a "Junior Serviceman."

The Xin Dynasty's official ranks were clearly graded, modeled on the Zhou-era system: from the highest five ranks of Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron, plus Attached City for the feudal lords. Full two-thousand-dan was called Minister; two-thousand-dan was Senior Grand Master; equivalent two-thousand-dan was Middle Grand Master; one-thousand-dan was Junior Grand Master; six-hundred-dan was Principal Serviceman; five-hundred-dan was Mandated Serviceman; four-hundred-dan was Middle Serviceman; three-hundred-dan was Junior Serviceman; one-hundred-dan rank was Common Serviceman.

All told, fifteen grades in total, and Diwu Lun was only a grade-two petty official, at the very bottom of this pyramid of official ranks.

Yet Yang Xiong had once climbed as high as equivalent two-thousand-dan, serving as a Palace Attendant Grand Master, and as Wang Mang's court literary retainer, had sung many a paean for his usurpation of the Han.

So what exactly had happened over these past ten years to make this scholar — who should have fared quite well in the Xin Dynasty — lose his livelihood, now utterly alone with nothing but bare walls to his home?

Bearing this question, Diwu Lun could not help but glance toward his main hall. Yang Xiong had come again, and was sponging wine and food while chatting about rhapsodies with Wang Long, who had come out of admiration for his name.

Wang Long had just arrived to pay his respects, presenting his earlier work "Autumn Chrysanthemum Rhapsody" and expressing his wish to study under Yang Xiong, to write some grand, elegant compositions that embody the state and order the realm, righteous and far-reaching in meaning, to be passed down to later ages.

Yang Xiong, however, looked at the young man with a complicated expression, shaking his head in refusal. "Rhapsodies? Mere insect-carving and seal-script trifles for a child — a grown man does not engage in them. I have not written a rhapsody for many years."

Just then, the servant Diwu Xi came bearing food. Disdainful of Yang Xiong for showing up uninvited, he mercilessly exposed him: "Elder Yang, that can't be right. How is it that I often see busybodies carting wine and dishes to consult you on scholarly travels, and you never once refuse them?"

These words made the old man's face flush red. His circumstances these past few years had been hard, and aside from his learning he possessed nothing of value — he could only rely on "selling knowledge" to scrape together a little wine money. One's mouth grows soft when eating another's food, after all.

But those so-called traveling disciples had only come for his literary fame, and once they had used him, they severed all ties. Only Hou Ba, a student from the Imperial Academy who hailed from Julu, was rather sincere, always treating Yang Xiong as his teacher. Every few days he would carry grain on his back and come sweep the courtyard for him.

Wang Long was far too obsessed with rhapsodies — how could he let slip this "greatest man since Sima Xiangru"? His family had money to spare, so he declared he was willing to come again bearing dried-meat tuition and fine wine, hoping Yang Xiong would accept him as a disciple.

At the word "wine," Yang Xiong could not help licking his lips, his expression turning deeply hesitant.

Though he had fallen into poverty in old age, it was not that he had lacked chances to earn money. Back when he was writing "Model Sayings," a wealthy man in Shu had offered a hundred thousand cash just to have his name left in the book. Yang Xiong flatly refused, saying a rich man without righteousness was like a deer in its pen or an ox in its stall — how could he be casually recorded?

But times had changed, and the wine-worm in his belly would not spare him. In the end, Yang Xiong could only heave a long sigh and say, "Since the gentleman's intent is so sincere, I shall offer a pointer or two, then."

"I have no real talent, actually."

Yang Xiong, arguably one of the Han dynasty's top one or two rhapsodists, said with humility, "But I hold fast to one point: the foundation must be laid solid. Remember this well — if you can recite a thousand rhapsodies, then you will be good at writing them!"

Wang Long nodded furiously, listening with utter seriousness.

Yang Xiong laughed. "Over the years I have collected nearly all rhapsodies, ancient and modern, from Master Qu to Wang Bao of Shu in the late Former Han — everything that exists. Wenshan, go and recite every one of them ten times, copy them out three times, and then come see me!"

Wang Long sensed nothing amiss, thinking only that he had grasped a secret manual. Overjoyed, he followed Hou Ba off to Yang Xiong's home.

Diwu Lun and Jing Dan, listening nearby, nearly burst out laughing. Truly casual pointers indeed. It seemed Yang Xiong would have at least five or six days of peace and quiet.

Yang Xiong did not go home either, still lingering here, his eyes glancing from time to time at Diwu Lun, wanting to speak but holding back. Jing Dan understood at once, immediately rose and went back inside. Only then did Yang Xiong hobble over leaning on his staff, cupping his hands toward Diwu Lun.

"Yesterday I was rescued by Boyu, and before Huan Junshan and my disciple Gongfu, you preserved a shred of this old man's dignity. My home is poor — apart from empty wine jars, there is nothing else. Truly I have no way to repay you."

Yang Xiong raised his head, his manner sincere. "This old man is seventy-one. My life has been mediocre, but if there is one thing I may take some pride in, it is the breadth of my learning."

"If Boyu, like Wang Long, wishes to learn one branch of this old man's knowledge, I will certainly teach it with all my heart, and not take a single coin."

Diwu Lun, however, showed little enthusiasm. "This young man comes from a crude backwater, ignorant and ill-informed. Apart from rhapsodies, I truly do not know what else the Grand Master is versed in. Could it be the Five Classics?"

Yang Xiong shook his head. "In my youth I was fond of learning, but I did not pursue chapter-and-verse commentary — just enough exegesis to grasp the meaning. I am not particularly adept at the Five Classics."

Neither he nor Huan Tan were typical Confucian scholars. They despised the vulgar pedants who spent their whole lives mired in the chapters and verses of the Five Classics, believing it sufficient to read the original text and understand the sages' words, and to devote one's time to trying to blaze a new trail.

Yang Xiong was fascinated by Lao-Zhuang metaphysics, while Huan Tan was a firm believer in atheism — only this path was full of brambles and by no means easy.

And Yang Xiong was indeed a prodigiously prolific talent: "I am fond of antiquity and delight in the Dao, seeking to make my writings renowned in later ages."

"Deeming no classic greater than the Changes, I therefore composed the Supreme Mystery."

"No transmitted work greater than the Analects, so I composed Model Sayings."

"No historical lexicon better than the Cangjie, so I composed the Exegetical Compilation."

"No admonition better than the Admonition of Yu, so I composed the Twelve Provinces Admonitions."

"No rhapsody more beautiful than Xiangru's, so I composed four rhapsodies, widely recited and praised."

"As for other writings, there are the Basic Annals of the King of Shu, the Encomium for Zhao Chongguo, and so on."

Having said so much, Yang Xiong made no mention whatsoever of Denouncing Qin and Praising the New — surely that was his most widely circulated work, having become court propaganda material by now.

Mentioning his proudest works, old Yang Xiong recovered a measure of confidence and smiled. "I wonder which one Boyu would like to study?"

But Diwu Lun refused, quite bluntly.

"No. I don't."

……

PS: Begging for recommendation tickets.