Chapter 57: The City's Schemes Run Deep

Though two of his sons had perished in political purges, Liu Xin's eldest son still enjoyed Wang Mang's trust.

Liu Die was enfeoffed as "Marquis of Yixiu" to continue the rites of Emperor Yao, which gave Liu Xin and his son some measure of accountability to their ancestors. Liu Die was also made a "Palace Attendant and General of the Gentlemen of the Household of All Five Offices," frequently entering the forbidden palace to oversee the various gentlemen.

On the fifth day of the twelfth month, Liu Die had just returned home and came to report to his father on the selection and assignment of the newly promoted outer gentlemen. The previous year, the court's anti-corruption drive had brought down many County Magistrates and commandery officials, leaving a large number of posts vacant, so that several hundred Palace Gentlemen could all be given external appointments.

What was surprising was that Liu Xin, who normally never paid attention to such minor matters, took an interest this time and told Liu Die to watch where a certain person was sent: Diwu Lun.

Father has been far too concerned with Yang Xiong's disciple lately, and his words seemed to hint that Liu Die should tamper with Diwu Lun's external posting...

Liu Xin was indeed up to mischief. After baring their hearts to each other that day with Yang Xiong, a wicked notion had taken root in him.

He wanted the unrepentant Yang Xiong to watch helplessly as his beloved disciple Diwu Lun — a young man of humble birth whose boundless ambition Liu Xin could see at a single glance — was forced by reality to gradually abandon Yang Xiong's principle of "purity and self-containment" and begin to climb at any cost.

Liu Xin reflected on his own experience: being driven from the court after his memorial to the Grand Master of Ceremonies was suppressed had affected him deeply. He was shunted from Henei to Wuyuan, Zhuo Commandery, and then to the post of Commandant of the Anding Dependent State — four places in four years, his office growing smaller each time, until he finally resigned in illness. It was precisely that experience that made Liu Xin decide to throw in his lot completely with Wang Mang.

So he hinted to his son to have Diwu Lun assigned as far away as possible — the more remote the commandery or county, the better!

Somewhere like Jiaozhi (Vietnam) or Zangke (Guizhou), for instance — let Diwu Lun suffer the harsh blows of reality, stranded in some desolate backwater with no one to cry to, until he utterly abandoned Yang Xiong's ways.

Liu Die, however, merely handed Liu Xin a written petition — one penned by Diwu Lun himself and delivered to the General of the Gentlemen of the Household of All Five Offices.

"Lun prostrates himself. My elder clansman Diba Jiao served as Equerry to the Miao Count of Gongchong. The county has always praised his filial piety, fraternal duty, and knowledge of ritual. Now he has been sentenced to shaving and penal exile, to be banished far away to the Western Sea. My elder is frail and sickly; I fear he will perish on the road. I now request to pay two thousand shi of grain to redeem my elder's crime, so that he may reform and start anew. Lun is willing to surrender his seal as an Outer Gentleman and retire to commoner status to make up for any shortfall in grain and coin!"

As in the Former Han, crimes in the Xin Dynasty could be redeemed. The price was unchanged from the time of Emperor Wu of Han — a redemption fee of five hundred thousand cash reduced a death sentence by one degree — an amount absolutely beyond ordinary households. Back then, when Li Guang, Zhang Qian, and others returned empty-handed from beyond the frontier and were condemned to death, had it not been for this system, they would likely have died several times over.

Two thousand shi — that was all the grain the Diwu and Diba clans could scrape together. Diwu Lun had truly staked everything, seeking only to spare Diba Jiao from exile. Traveling to the frontier in the bitter cold of the twelfth month, the death rate on the road was very high. But he had also heard that those banished to the Western Sea were rarely permitted to redeem their sentences, so he simply gave up the post of Palace Gentleman as well.

Liu Die was rather moved by this. Liu Xin, however, was not pleased at all.

"This whelp."

Liu Xin kept his composure outwardly, but inwardly he cursed: "Just like Yang Xiong — no ambition!"

In his view, this was Diwu Lun resolutely choosing to walk Yang Xiong's path of "keeping to the proper way," unwilling to rise to the blue clouds.

Liu Xin concealed his feelings and looked at his son. "What do you think?"

Liu Die said, "It reminds me of the time under Emperor Xuan of the Former Han, when Grandfather was also sentenced to death. It was only because our elder uncle was willing to cut five hundred households from his fief to redeem him that the sentence was reduced by one degree. Now Diwu Lun would rather lose his post than fail to save his clansman — it is very similar to our own family's affair. We should grant his wish."

Liu Xin was taken aback. It was true — his father, Liu Xiang, in his youth had delved into the Huainan Secret Arts of the Pillow and believed he could smelt stone into gold, and had boasted of it before Emperor Xuan of Han. In the end, the gold-smelting failed, and he committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, punishable by death. Fortunately, Liu Xiang's elder brother, Liu Anmin, the Marquis of Yangcheng, stepped forward.

Otherwise, Liu Xin would never have existed in this world.

At this thought, Liu Xin's anger subsided considerably. In this world, no one bears ill will toward fraternal duty and filial piety. Very well — losing his post and being driven back to his hometown could still serve as a lesson for Diwu Lun.

"His Majesty has already decreed that for the case of Wang Zong, redemption and commutation are not permitted."

Liu Xin knew that Wang Mang had always placed great importance on the Western Sea Commandery. He had added fifty new laws within the realm, and anyone who violated them was forcibly relocated. Tens of thousands of inland commoners had been forced to travel far, all to populate the Western Sea and hold it against the Qiang rebellions.

"Let us do it this way — no need for the grain. Append a note of concurrence to this petition, and grant his wish: strip Diwu Lun of his post as Palace Gentleman to offset his clansman's punishment of shaving and penal slavery!"

Had he not come to the Commandery Residence Prison, Diwu Lun would never have imagined that so small a place could hold so many people.

The officials, servants, and retainers of the Duke of Gongchong's estate, along with the family members of Wang Xing, the Duke of Fengxin, crammed every tiny cell. When one man fell, even his chickens and dogs suffered. The most pitiful were the tenant retainers — because Wang Zong had feigned frugality, they had never known good days even in ordinary times, and now that their master had killed himself, they were all convicted of failing to remonstrate adequately.

The entire Commandery Residence Prison reeked of excrement and urine. As Diwu Lun entered, he saw someone being carried out horizontally — likely frozen to death here the night before. He glanced over; thankfully, it was not Diba Jiao.

Following the junior jailer Guo Hong had assigned to him, Diwu Lun walked through a corridor so cold and dank it was nearly frozen over. On either side, prisoners wailed and pleaded at the sight of a person, hands thrust far out through the wooden bars, only to be beaten back by the jailer's heavy staff.

At last they reached the cell. The door opened, and Diwu Lun immediately spotted Diba Jiao huddled in a corner, clutching a bundle of wheat stalks — his only protection against the cold at night.

Diwu Lun hurried forward, draped his own fur cloak over Diba Jiao, and had Diwu Fu bring the steaming broth he had begged from the guards. He fed it to Diba Jiao, easing his suffering a little.

Diba Jiao's lips quivered. Seeing Diwu Lun, he burst out crying: "Boyu..."

Diba Jiao's state of mind had swung wildly these past few days. At first, he had been full of righteous indignation on Wang Zong's behalf. When he heard that his lord had killed himself, it struck him like a thunderbolt, and he even thought of dying to repay his lord's kindness, following Wang Zong into death.

But when it came time to actually dash his head against the wall, he could not bear to give up. He wavered back and forth several times, yet still could not make up his mind.

Then the torment began. Though there was no torture, Diba Jiao had suffered bitterly these past days — cold and hunger far worse than what Diwu Lun had endured during those two nights at the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties' office.

Now, seeing Diwu Lun again, Diba Jiao murmured for a long while, repeating only, "I was wrong."

Back then, Boyu had refused the Duke of Gongchong's offer and shaken his head at him, but he had rashly accepted in a moment of heat. Afterwards, he had not taken Boyu's warnings to heart, and in the end, he had been dragged into this.

Diba Jiao suddenly remembered something. "What about Liu Yuanbo? Boyu, Liu Long was arrested too — he..."

"At a time like this, you're still worrying about others." Diwu Lun did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Liu Long may bear the surname Liu, but seven or eight of his uncles and brothers are affiliated marquises among the honored relatives. They should have come to visit him long ago."

Though, come to think of it, it was strange — aside from Liu Long, the other Imperial Academy students had all basically fled. That Wenshu, for instance — they were all clearly clever men. Only Diba Jiao and Liu Long were so honest. Diwu Lun spread a sheepskin blanket over Diba Jiao. "I've made inquiries. You are all to be banished far away to the Western Sea Commandery tomorrow."

The Western Sea was what later ages would call Qinghai Lake. Back then, Wang Mang had felt that the realm already had Donghai, Nanhai, and Beihai commanderies and lacked only a Western Sea Commandery, so he sent men to entice the local Qiang chieftains into offering up their land. But the Qiang soon rebelled, and the war at the Western Sea had now dragged on for over a decade, becoming a bleeding wound the Xin Dynasty could not staunch. Wang Mang's policy was to yield not an inch of territory, and every year he found ways to send inland convicts to fill the breach.

After all, without the Western Sea, his "Four Seas United as One" would be incomplete.

"The journey is thousands of li, and in winter — what you need most are clothes and shoes."

Diwu Lun set down a cloth satchel. Inside were seven or eight pairs of well-fitting winter shoes — though he did not know if they would be enough to carry Diba Jiao all the way there.

"Also, your head-shaving punishment has been waived — you need not travel as a convict. I've also taken care of the escorting guards. If you travel together with Liu Long on the road, stay close to him. Liu Yuanbo is brave and strong, and he rushes to help those in need — he can protect you from abuse. When you reach the Western Sea Commandery, remember to write home and tell the family you are safe."

By "taken care of," he meant promising the guards coal briquettes at an extremely cheap price. The anti-corruption campaign was still ongoing, and during this period, no one dared even accept bribes.

When he had first entered the Academy, Diwu Lun could never have imagined that he and Diba Jiao would become so entangled.

He could not have foreseen that Diba Jiao would raise a banner and plead for his life, nor that, through a series of accidents, this honest man would end up exiled far from his homeland.

The one thing Diwu Lun did not tell Diba Jiao was that, to save him, the Diwu and Diba clans had pooled everything they had. Though in the end no grain was paid, Diwu Lun had lost his post as Palace Gentleman and was now reduced to a commoner with no rank.

He did not want to burden Diba Jiao's heart too heavily. The human heart is made of flesh — Diwu Lun might be false to outsiders, but to his own people, like Yang Xiong, Diba Jiao, Jing Dan, and Wang Long, he was willing to treat them with sincerity.

Diba Jiao was despondent and sighed. "I only fear that even if I go there, I still won't survive. I hear the Qiang rebellions in the Western Sea and Jincheng never stop — many people die every year."

Diwu Lun scolded him: "I've heard it said that Su Wu, in the land of the Xiongnu by the Northern Sea, with little food and clothing, still managed to live for over a decade — let alone you, going to a place that at least has commandery and county walls and towns. As I said before, stick close to Liu Long. One of you is a man of letters, the other of martial strength, and you are not convict laborers. Who knows — on the frontier, you might even accomplish great things!"

He tucked a still-warm flatbread into Diba Jiao's clothes and gave him his final exhortation.

"Jizheng, stay alive. Hold on for at least a few years. I will certainly send someone to bring you back!"

"Yes!"

With hot tears in his eyes, Diba Jiao bowed to Diwu Lun. "I... I will heed the clan head's words!"

By the time Diwu Lun left the Commandery Residence Prison, snow was falling again outside. Beyond the city walls, all was a vast expanse of white.

"Young master, heading back to the city?" Diwu Fu asked, breathing into his cupped hands.

"No. Back to Diwu Village."

Diwu Lun felt a touch of sorrow, saddened that Diba Jiao was about to set out on a road with no clear future.

But as for losing the post of Palace Gentleman, Diwu Lun felt not the slightest regret — on the contrary, he was thoroughly delighted.

Chang'an was far too dangerous; trouble could find you even if you never stirred it up. Better to take a step back for now than live in constant dread of the infighting.

Diwu Lun mounted his horse, cracked the whip, and galloped north.

"The city's schemes run too deep — I'm heading back to the countryside!"

On the seventh day of the twelfth month, just after Diwu Lun crossed the Chengguo Canal and entered the borders of Liewei Commandery, he spotted a large crowd blocking the road at the junction.

He assumed it was his own household coming to welcome him, but as he drew near, he saw that the man at the head was Jing Dan, whom he had not seen for several days. Behind him were many large carts, along with local magnates draped in bear furs, fox furs, and even tiger pelts — a stranger might have taken it for a gathering of wild beasts.

And apart from Wang Yuan, the Marquis of Qiongcheng, whose face he knew, he recognized almost none of those men.

"Brother Sunqing, what is this...?"

Jing Dan spurred his horse over and said with a smile, "Boyu, allow me to make the introductions."

"This is Master Shangfang, the great magnate of the western county."

Like Diwu, Shangfang was a rare two-character surname. Shangfang Jin was draped in black bearskin, quite advanced in years, with a long scar running down his cheek. He nodded toward Diwu Lun.

Diwu Lun had heard of this man. It was said that in his youth, Shangfang Jin had been dashing and debonair... and had once committed adultery with another man's wife.

The wronged husband caught them in the act, drew his sword and slashed, carving open his cheek — that scar became a battle medal he could never erase.

Later, Shangfang Jin thrived on both sides of the law and became a man of immense wealth, second only to the Marquis of Qiongcheng and the Xiao clan in Changling County.

"This is County Knight-errant Yan of Yangling."

The one in the tiger pelt was Yan Ben of Yangling. He chuckled heartily, sizing up Diwu Lun and marveling at how young he was. As a renowned knight-errant of the commandery, Yan Ben might not have been as famous as Yuan She of Maoling, but his influence was hardly small. Yet now, within the commandery, his reputation had been overshadowed by the rising star, Filial and Righteous Diwu the Fifth. He had come today specially to meet him face to face.

"This gentleman is also from Yangling County — a descendant of the Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang: Zhang Yue, styled Zizhong!"

Diwu Lun observed that this Zhang Yue was a fair-faced young man, with a woman's looks on a man's body, draped in a fox-fur cloak. Unlike the swagger of the previous two, he was full of bookish refinement, which actually matched the legendary descriptions of Zhang Liang's appearance quite well.

After Diwu Lun had exchanged courtesies with everyone, Jing Dan explained the purpose of their visit.

"The recent events in Chang'an have spread throughout the commandery. When these gentlemen heard that you, Boyu, were willing to use your post as Palace Gentleman to atone for Diba Jiao's crime, they were all deeply admiring. Thinking that your funds and grain might fall short, they have come specially to deliver grain."

Cart after cart — it was all grain!

For a moment, Diwu Lun felt light-headed, thinking he really must be the protagonist: money and grain delivered right to him — all that was missing was someone kowtowing on the spot.

Those exiled to the Western Sea Commandery were not permitted to redeem their sentence with relocation. Naturally, Diwu Lun could not accept a single grain of this. He would have to thank them profusely later and ask everyone to take it back.

But he had nonetheless gained the goodwill of the landed magnates and power players of Liewei Commandery, and his reputation had now thoroughly spread throughout the commandery. This brought a certain saying to Diwu Lun's mind.

Lose at the eastern corner, gain at the mulberry grove?

"This round — no loss at all!"

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