Chapter 51: Three Refusals

"Diwu Lun!"

The words had barely settled when Fengxin Duke Wang Xing slammed the table and shot to his feet, glaring down at Diwu Lun and rebuking him from on high.

"Gongchong Duke treated you with utter sincerity — first he gifted you a painting, then with the virtue of one who humbly seeks counsel, he invited you to be his Chancellor of State. How dare a petty whelp like you arrogantly refuse? Do not forget, Gongchong Duke just saved your life. This is ingratitude and betrayal!"

As expected, the moral blackmail had begun. Before Diwu Lun could speak, Diba Jiao hurriedly stepped in to explain: "Gongchong Duke, Fengxin Duke, Boyu has never had much interest in fame or office. Back in Liewei Commandery, he twice resigned from his posts. It was only when he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, and the commandery Grand Governor had already finalized the list — refusing would have meant deceiving the court — that Boyu reluctantly became a Palace Gentleman."

This foolish brother of his had actually taken it at face value.

"So that is how it is."

Wang Zong stopped his brother-in-law, who was hopping mad, and assumed Diwu Lun was simply accustomed to declining — a little more persuasion would do. Wasn't that exactly how his grandfather Wang Mang behaved? No matter what he did, he always had to decline three times and yield three times before accepting.

"I have heard that the men of high antiquity, if they were born at all, then above they brought honor to their sovereign, and below they brought glory to their parents. To hold the jade tablet in hand, to receive a court rank, to carry the tally of office at one's breast, to enjoy an official stipend, to wear the seal and ribbon of eminence, to ride in a vermilion-wheeled carriage — that is what a true man should do! Does Boyu not wish to return home in silken robes? How can you keep refusing outright!"

Diwu Lun, however, sighed and said: "I know my own measure. I am young and of shallow learning, at best a man fit only for a village hamlet. I fear I would fail Gongchong Duke's humble seeking of counsel, and dare not take up so weighty a charge."

At these words, Diba Jiao interjected again: "Boyu truly disparages himself too much. If you are only a village talent, then what are the rest of us — less than peddlers and footmen?"

Wang Zong shifted tactics as well and said with feeling: "Li Si of the Qin dynasty once said: to dwell in a low and mean station, yet still not think to seek office, fame, and wealth — that is to be like a beast or a deer, wearing a human face in vain, barely managing to stand and walk upright."

"It was precisely because Boyu's status was lowly, with no power or influence, that the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties hunted you down and harassed you. Had you been the six-hundred-bushel Chancellor of a ducal state, with me to back you, who would dare to trouble you without cause?"

In a single line: if a man has no dreams, he's worse than a salted fish. Follow me, and I guarantee no one will dare make trouble for you, my dear minister.

Diwu Lun, however, played the salted fish to perfection and said: "A rustic from the wilds cannot enter the heights of the court. Though my body is in the great city of Chang'an, my heart longs to flee back to the mountain forests and fields at once. I have already resolved to resign my post as Outer Gentleman soon and withdraw into the countryside — still less would I dare serve as Chancellor."

This was growing tiresome. Wang Zong gave a cold laugh: "The Diwu Boyu who, just months ago at Changping Lodge, could utter words like 'the rise and fall of all under Heaven is the concern of every common man' — how has he suddenly conceived a desire to flee the world?"

He had indeed done his homework, even digging up Diwu Lun's earlier words. Diwu Lun smiled and said: "I was young and ignorant then, and so I spoke grandly. It was only after entering Chang'an and studying the Supreme Mystery under Yang Ziyun that I gained some understanding."

"The Master told me: to comprehend non-action is the root of guarding the Dao; to be able to dwell in stillness is the hall that delights the spirits; to rest content in solitude is the dwelling that preserves virtue. I take these words deeply to heart."

At his side, Fengxin Duke Wang Xing frowned and sneered: "Of all people to learn from, you pick Yang Xiong? All Chang'an knows he keeps silent and solitary, mired in poverty and destitution, and so is scorned by others. Diwu Lun, do you wish to end up so forlorn in your old age?"

One who insults a teacher is like an enemy. Diwu Lun glanced at Wang Xing — had it not been for Ai Zhang's golden memorial, this man would still be guarding a gate. "Fengxin Duke, every man has his own aspirations. Huizi was infatuated with the power of the Liang chancellor's office; Zhuang Zhou roamed at ease upon the rivers and lakes of untrammeled freedom. Each had his own fulfillment, and in my eyes there is no superiority or inferiority between them. Henceforth, I wish only to bend my back to the plow among the furrows, carry on my Master's learning, and not be burdened by official documents."

If Yang Xiong could hear these words, he would likely be overjoyed. In truth, however, Diwu Lun found both his Supreme Mystery and Model Sayings utterly uninteresting — far too abstruse, a sheer waste of time to read.

Diwu Lun's attitude was resolute; this was truly no feigned yielding. Wang Zong had not anticipated this, and his expression soured with displeasure. The atmosphere grew deeply awkward. Only after a long, silent pause did he force a smile.

"If that is the case, then I shall not press Boyu. A pity — my wholehearted sincerity has, in the end, been misplaced."

With that, Wang Zong walked over to Diba Jiao and extended a wine goblet toward him: "Fortunately, I have also come to know Jizheng through this. The post of Equerry in the Gongchong ducal state is currently vacant — would Jizheng be willing to take it?"

Diba Jiao froze. He glanced toward Diwu Lun, saw him shake his head slightly, and hesitated. But then he thought of the painting Wang Zong had personally brushed, and of how worthily and humbly this prince sought out men of talent. Steeling his heart, he accepted the goblet with both hands.

"It is my dearest wish!"

"Let Diwu Lun go be a hermit, roaming the forests and hills with his master Yang Xiong, living a life of sour hardship. Gongchong Duke needs only a talent of staunch integrity like Jizheng to assist him!"

Wang Zong was indeed far too young. After being refused by Diwu Lun, he tore off his mask of gentle humility and turned sullen with wounded pride. Still, he restrained himself from cursing, letting Fengxin Duke Wang Xing do the mocking and vent his spleen for him.

Diwu Lun, however, was neither angry nor annoyed. He only laughed inwardly that Wang Zong's game was even cruder than his own — and with this he wanted to contend for the succession? Let him study under Wang Mang a few more years.

As they left the Gongchong Duke's residence, climbed into their carriage, and began to drive away, Diba Jiao spoke before Diwu Lun could: "Could it be that Boyu has grown utterly disheartened with court politics and wishes to emulate Xuan Bing of Liewei, steadfastly claiming illness and refusing all summons to office?"

Let him think that for now, Diwu Lun nodded. Then he added: "But what of Jizheng — do you truly intend to become Gongchong Duke's Equerry?"

The Crown Prince had Equerries, and so did dukes and marquises — though the rank was only a hundred bushels, with duties like those of a Receptionist, riding ahead as a herald on outings and counted among the trusted intimates. Having failed to recruit Diwu Lun, Wang Zong had to settle for the next best, drawing Diba Jiao into his fold. It would still shore up his image as a worthy prince and win him praise.

Diba Jiao said: "If Boyu had been willing to serve as Chancellor of the Gongchong state just now, I would certainly not have accepted."

www. ttkan. co

"But since Boyu refused first, if I then refused as well, it would too greatly slight Gongchong Duke's face. I fear we would be cursed and reviled for our family forgetting grace and duty."

"Besides, after studying for a time at the Imperial Academy, I discovered that passing the examination for office is truly too difficult."

He laughed: "This Equerry post, on the other hand — though the rank is not high, only the lowliest common serviceman — can serve as the start of my official career."

Diwu Lun was taken aback: "Didn't Jizheng say before that you were more interested in thoroughly reading the Five Classics, and in no hurry to become an official? Why this sudden infatuation with office and emolument?"

"It is all because of Boyu."

Diba Jiao complained: "Only today did I learn that Boyu's ambition is actually to withdraw into the mountain forests, to bend his back to the plow among the furrows, to refine his learning, and to focus solely on managing the clan's estates. No wonder you have repeatedly resigned from office."

"But the various Diwu branches in Linqu Township must have someone serving as an official outside. Otherwise, how can the clan prosper? How can our enterprises in Chang'an be looked after?"

"Since Boyu is unwilling, then let me do it."

So Diba Jiao had harbored this calculation all along — he had not merely been dazzled by Wang Zong's deliberate courtship. Diwu Lun sighed with emotion. This clan brother of his was indeed upright and steadfast; he just thought too simply.

Well, so be it. With Diba Jiao in the Gongchong Duke's residence, if Wang Zong ever nursed a grudge and sought revenge against him, he would at least get advance warning.

"Though Jizheng serves as Equerry in a ducal state, you must still be cautious."

Diwu Lun cautioned Diba Jiao: "There is a line in Master Ziyun's 'Mockery Refuted': He who stands at the pinnacle of rank endangers his clan; he who guards himself preserves his person. In this age, those who blaze brightest are extinguished; those who thunder loudest are cut off. The political struggles at court are fierce — who knows when the crushing and trampling will begin."

Yang Xiong himself had once suffered calamity out of nowhere. During the Shijianguo era, he was already quietly and dutifully collating texts atop the Tianlu Pavilion, having long abandoned any thought of promotion. Unexpectedly, Zhen Feng and his son — one of the Eleven Upper Dukes at the time — sought to use mandate omens to sideline Wang Mang. Yang Xiong's disciple, Liu Fen — the eldest son of State Preceptor Duke Liu Xiu — was also entangled in the affair. As a result, the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties pursued the case under the law of collective liability, and Yang Xiong was arrested. The old man was so terrified he jumped from the tower.

In the end, Wang Mang heard of it and felt that, given Yang Xiong's love of quiet and stillness, he could not have been involved in plotting treason. He sent men to investigate, and only then did they learn that Liu Fen had often come to him to study the archaic characters of the Spring and Autumn Annals, the better to forge mandate-omen heavenly scripts. Yang Xiong had indeed been a scapegoat, taking the blame while lying flat on his back.

If even someone like Yang Xiong, who kept himself wholly aloof, could be implicated, this was precisely why Diwu Lun resolutely refused. The waters of Chang'an ran far too deep; he absolutely could not rashly pledge himself to any faction's banner. Otherwise, he might be swept into some political struggle erupting at who knows what moment, and die a baffling, wrongful death.

Fortunately, for now, Gongchong Duke and the Crown Prince were still evenly matched; it would not so quickly come to blades drawn and blood spilled in a fight to the death. Diba Jiao ought to be safe.

The reason Diwu Lun had been willing to come serve as a Palace Gentleman in the first place was, first, to enter Chang'an and observe the direction of the current situation — and if he could meet Wang Mang and Liu Xiu face to face, so much the better.

Second, in this office-centered age, once one had official status, many things became far more convenient. For instance, doing business and seeking profit in Chang'an — a commoner or ordinary man had no entry ticket at all. And matters like purchasing iron implements also became much easier than before.

But the benefits that official rank and reputation could bring Diwu Lun stopped there. To keep sharpening his head to climb higher would bring more harm than good.

"I have already made my name known in Chang'an and Maoling. In my home territory of Liewei Commandery, even the passersby on the road know the name of Filial and Righteous Diwu the Fifth. Even without official status, I can follow the example of Yuan She and take the path of a folk gallant to build up my strength — I have one more option now."

The coal-ball business provided his family with a steady, unending stream of funds. The next step was to purchase iron implements under the pretext of making farming tools, and begin preparations for the spring plowing and for drilling troops to "guard against bandits."

Diwu Lun was already far more at ease. Even if he resigned from office at once and returned to Linqu Township to bury his head in farming and train the clan's men and retainers for three or four years, that would be enough to protect himself in the coming chaos. Staying aloof, neither close nor far, in the countryside was far safer than remaining in Chang'an.

With Diwu Lun's current reputation, should the situation ever shift, a single rallying cry from him would draw a response from at least half of Changling County. Changling had a large population; with the clan troops as the backbone, he could muster several thousand soldiers, and then seizing the surrounding counties would not be difficult.

"Mountains you lean on may crumble; in the end, you must rely on yourself."

Diwu Lun glanced at Diba Jiao. Although Jizheng had accepted Gongchong Duke's recruitment out of good intentions, seeing that faint smugness of a man who felt appreciated, who knew how things would turn out later? A man's state of mind changes when he occupies a different position.

"It seems I must accelerate my control over the clan."

Diwu Lun decided that at the La sacrifice next month, he would summon all the families of Linqu Township to the Diwu ward to jointly worship the ancestors, and in passing convene the first great assembly of the various Di clans.

At the assembly he would formally confirm his status as "clan head," and the clan laws must also be set down quickly, committed to writing. He must use both hard and soft measures without fail, to blend the various Di into a single clan, rallying behind one leader whose word is law!

At this thought, Diwu Lun stopped the carriage and told Diba Jiao to leave Shangguan Ward first.

"I still have business."

The wheels rolled on, and what now sat before Diwu Lun was the "State Preceptor's Residence."

In front of the residence gate there was also a thick-bearded, burly man from Guanzhong, who had been waiting for who knows how long, looking at him with a faint, ambiguous smile: "Boyu, out from the Duke of Gongchong's mansion? Has your yellow cord of a Palace Gentleman been swapped for a black cord?"

It was none other than the State Preceptor's Senior Clerk, Wei Ao. It seemed that what Wang Zong had called Diwu Lun and his brother over to do was perfectly clear to all the clever people.

"Master Wei, I accepted no seal or cord." Diwu Lun cupped his hands toward Wei Ao and spoke in a low voice, making his stance clear.

Wei Ao uncrossed his arms from his chest, narrowed his eyes and sized Diwu Lun up. Only after a long moment did he smile and say: "Come with me."

"The State Preceptor wishes to see you."

This day had come after all.

Diwu Lun's grasp of history in his past life was poor; he knew precious little about this era. Since the State Preceptor's current name was "Liu Xiu," it was possible, there was a probability... that he was the very one who would end the Xin Dynasty and found the Eastern Han.

He had once seen some memes online back then — people often said Liu Xiu was a grand magister, born with a mandate, and could even hurl meteorites or something, utterly mystical. And according to Yang Xiong, this old friend of his was steeped in prophecy and the Five Phases, and had indeed been studying immortal arts of late...

A man like this, whether he would be friend or foe in the days to come, whether he was the real one or just shared the name, he had to make contact first, one way or another.

Diwu Lun drew a deep breath and followed Wei Ao into the State Preceptor's Residence. This was far more interesting than going to the Duke of Gongchong's house — in his heart, there was even a tiny flutter of excitement.

"I, a transmigrator, am finally about to meet the Child of the Plane!"

PS: Please vote for recommendation tickets.