Chapter 106: Admirer Lu Xun

The news of Cao Cao’s decisive victory at the Battle of Guandu swept across the land like wildfire. No one had expected Yuan Shao, scion of a family that had produced three generations of high ministers, to be defeated by Cao Cao, once a mere eunuch’s protégé.

Cao Cao’s triumph was so complete that even Lü Bu found himself uncertain about deploying his troops, hastening instead his campaign against Liang Province.

Fuchun.

Five months had passed. Guan Guan had sent men to the residence, but for reasons unknown, they all vanished the very next day.

Li Er’s pursuit of Zi Xiao proved futile; the man’s swordsmanship was formidable, and Li Er was wounded in the chase. Meanwhile, the assassin sent by Dong Cheng was slain outright by a bodyguard. Jiang Wen chose not to press for information from the attacker and paid it little mind.

“Master, the letter has arrived!” Diao Chan’s delicate figure bent slightly, her hands slender as young shoots, her skin as smooth as congealed cream.

Jiang Wen gazed out the window; the sky was overcast, yet the air was crisp. “The military dispatch from Guandu?”

“Yes, Master.”

“No need to read it.” Jiang Wen’s eyes fell on a figure beneath the tree—a young vegetable vendor humming softly.

“Yes.” Diao Chan’s eyes, shaped like phoenix feathers, glistened tenderly.

“How fares Yao Yu?” Jiang Wen inquired.

“His health worsens by the day. Madam visits often, but I fear his time grows short.”

“Master! Master! Yao Yu wishes to see you!” The door was suddenly pushed open. Tao’er, looking worried despite her usual docility, hurried to Jiang Wen’s side, tugging him toward the exit. “Quickly, Master! Yao Yu looks very ill!”

In the western annex, Yao Yu lay pale and gaunt, his face waxen and lips pale. At twenty-three, he should have been in the prime of youth, but a family calamity had shattered his spirit. He had developed a melancholia, rarely leaving the Jiang residence, eating little despite daily meals.

Jiang Wen approached. Yao Yu’s eyes were dim, vacant. After a long silence, he spoke the very first words they had exchanged: “Are you a good official?”

Jiang Wen did not answer immediately; he first shook his head, then nodded. A faint smile broke across Yao Yu’s lips before life slipped away.

Later, Yang Wu arranged a burial plot behind the hill, and Yao Yu was laid to rest without tears or overt sorrow. Aside from a brief conversation, Jiang Wen had little interaction with him. Tao’er, however, seemed to see a reflection of herself in Yao Yu and often spoke with him.

Despite the lack of contact, Jiang Wen felt a restless unease, an inexplicable frustration pressing upon him.

In the study, Jiang Wen toyed with his ink brush. “May I come in, Master?”

“Come in.”

Tao’er’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she approached. “Before Yao Yu left, she said you are a kind man, but not a benefactor. You helped her in hardships, gave her shelter and food, for which she was grateful. But what she truly wished was for you to bring the guilty to justice. Yet in all this time, you have done nothing…”

On the desk lay a bamboo slip inscribed with “Nine-Rank System.” Five months had passed since its completion, yet it still rested there untouched.

“Progress in officialdom never comes in great strides,” Jiang Wen remarked calmly. “Those eager to rise know well how to ingratiate themselves, to curry favor with their superiors.”

“But once you provoke their wrath, a mere word can spell your doom,” he said, his expression heavy. “Often it’s not unwillingness but circumstance—one must drift with the tide, follow the crowd.”

“The time has not yet come,” Jiang Wen said quietly. Tao’er, for the first time, showed some temper, retreating to the west room and locking herself inside.

Guan Guan no longer visited the residence. After that day, Jiang Wen had sent the recipe for Dongpo Pork to him. The dish had become all the rage at inns in Fuchun, with credit given to Guan Guan as its inventor.

Only Tao’er knew of this gesture.

Such goodwill impressed Guan Guan. Although Yao Yu was not handed over, as long as it did not involve certain matters, Yao Yu could be wherever she pleased.

They suffered no loss; on the contrary, the dish brought in considerable profit. Pork was inexpensive, and the price was affordable, making it immensely popular among common folk.

At the Fuchun post station, a seventeen-year-old youth stepped down from a carriage. Handsome and spirited, his face brimmed with scholarly promise.

“Sister, how much farther to Fuchun?”

Inside the carriage, a refined, plump woman cradled a crying infant.

“Bo Yan, no need to rush. This is already the Fuchun post station. Just a few more miles and we’ll reach Fuchun.”

“Tell me, Sister, is this letter really from that strategist and tutor?” Lu Xun’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “He’s the target of many scholars. The Imperial Academy of Lujiang all know him. Serving the Son of Heaven, conquering Jingzhou, managing agricultural policies, attacking Jianye, subduing Wu Commandery!”

“That tutor loves composing poetry; we students all try to imitate him!”

“Have your friends implemented this new law?” Lu Min asked with a smile, nursing the baby as servants ate inside the station.

“Of course. If the Emperor enforces reforms, how many talents might enter court?!” Lu Xun eagerly brought over two bowls of porridge. “Come, Sister, I’ll tell you more about this extraordinary man Jiang Wen…”

“I already know all this; you’ve been repeating it the whole journey,” Lu Min rolled her eyes. “He’s your brother-in-law’s close friend and has visited the residence many times.”

“That scoundrel?!”

“Bang!”

Lu Min shot a glare. “Father likes you best, but you can’t speak so recklessly. He’s your brother-in-law!”

Lu Xun rubbed his head. “How can my brother-in-law and Jiang Wen be friends? They’re worlds apart!”

Lu Min bared her teeth. Lu Xun hurriedly smiled. “Brother-in-law has his merits, of course.”

Patting the child’s back, Lu Min said, “You know why we came to Fuchun.”

Lu Xun checked his wildness, smiling. “Reforms are good but difficult to implement. It requires uniting the gentry to oppose the old generals. Such a leader must be head of the gentry, or who else will follow?”

He sipped the porridge. “Father is respected at court. The Lu family is a noble house. Sister came to me for this very reason.”

Lu Min’s eyes flickered. “Did Father say anything?”

“He said a daughter married out is like water spilled—help outsiders, not insiders,” Lu Xun said. “I came to see if Jiang Wen’s nine-rank system is worth the Lu family’s support.”

After breakfast, they continued toward Fuchun by carriage.

“Steamed Dongpo Pork.”

“Grilled Dongpo Pork.”

“Fuchun’s best Dongpo Pork.”

Along the street, many small shops cooked meat; numerous diners waited nearby.

“Have you ever tried Dongpo Pork, Sister?” Lu Xun asked Lu Min.

“No, never heard of it. It must be a Fuchun specialty. Since we’re here, we should try.”

Lu Xun dismounted. “Wait here, Sister.”

“Boss, one order of Dongpo Pork!”

The cook glanced disdainfully. “Want some? Queue up!”

Lu Xun rummaged and produced a pouch of coins. “I just bought this shop.”

“Right away, sir!”

The cooked pork was served, broth fragrant with scallions and ginger. Lu Xun tasted it, then frowned slightly. “Where is the county office?”

“Sir, around the corner, about fifty meters ahead,” the cook chuckled.

Lu Xun nodded and returned to the carriage. “Not eating.”

“Safe travels, sir!”

“How was it, brother?”

“Don’t mention it—what taste? Dongpo Pork ruined my tongue!” Lu Xun grimaced.

“We’ve arrived.”

Straightening his posture, Lu Xun stepped down solemnly, followed by Lu Min. “Sister, do I look handsome?”

“You’re the best-looking in our family.”

Lu Xun nodded, then called out at the closed county office gates, “Student of Lujiang, Lu family scion Lu Xun, pays respects to the county magistrate!”

Lu Min glanced at a nearby residence, fragrant with the scent of lotus leaves—fresh and subtly sweet, invigorating the spirit.

“Student of Lujiang, Lu family scion Lu Xun, pays respects to the magistrate. Is he present?”

“Brother, I think he’s next door.”

Lu Xun stopped calling. The neighboring mansion’s gates swung open, two soldiers standing guard.

Lu Min, holding the child, followed Lu Xun inside Jiang Wen’s residence.

In the courtyard, mounds of earth lay scattered. Soldiers watched a refined-looking man digging through the soil, extracting an irregular clay ball and breaking it apart.

The man bore some beard, lending him a mature air.

“Playing with mud?”

The soldiers’ eyes were fixed on the clay ball, ignoring the arriving guests.

Lu Min’s face brightened—this must be the source of that alluring fragrance! Whatever it was, it was enticing indeed.

“Master is cunning, using delicacies to tempt me…” Inside, a graceful young lady eagerly pulled at a bundle of lotus leaves, eating without concern for manners.

The refined man picked up a bundle of lotus leaves and approached Lu Min. “After long drought, sweet rain; in a foreign land, an old friend. Try my new dish.”

Jiang Wen smiled at Lu Min. She shook her head. “I’m holding the child. Let my brother taste it.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll try first!” Lu Xun eagerly said, his cheeks flushed, thrilled to see Jiang Wen.

A bundle of lotus leaves enclosed a fully cooked chicken, its skin a lustrous, reddish-brown, the aroma rich and infused with the fresh, subtle fragrance of the lotus. Lu Xun tore off a piece of tender meat. The flavor was tender, rich, and uniquely delicious.

“Excellent!” Lu Xun’s eyes gleamed as he tore off the drumstick, eating with greasy fingers.

Lu Min watched, quietly swallowing her saliva. Lu Xun paused, sighing with satisfaction, “Truly a delicacy, superb.”

Wiping his hands with a coarse cloth handed by a servant, Lu Xun bowed. “Student Lu Xun, courtesy name Bo Yan, pays respects to the county magistrate.”

“Jiang Wen, courtesy name Chang Su,” Jiang Wen replied with a smile, looking kindly upon the young man.

Tao’er and Diao Chan stepped forward. “Tao’er greets Sister Lu Min.”

“I, Diao Chan, greet Madam Lu,” she said.

“Long time no see, Sister. Come to my chamber and talk with me,” Tao’er said, glancing at Jiang Wen and pouting.

Jiang Wen shook his head helplessly, while Diao Chan smiled softly behind them. Lu Xun pinched his thigh. “Disaster!”

Remembering Jiang Wen’s presence, Lu Xun quickly apologized, “Pardon my rudeness, Master.”

“No need. Words spoken freely are a relief,” Jiang Wen gestured, “Please, come.”

Lu Xun followed Jiang Wen into the study, surveying the room filled with ancient texts. Finding no writings of Jiang Wen himself, he felt somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Wen produced a mat and knelt. “Please be seated.”

“Did you know we were coming?” Lu Xun asked.

“Zi Ming has already sent a letter,” Jiang Wen got straight to the point. “Since Bo Yan has come, I suppose it concerns the nine-rank system I authored. Has Mr. Lu agreed?”

Lu Xun took a deep breath. “My father has several questions. If you can answer them, he will surely give full support.”

“Please ask.”

“First, the selection of officials prioritizes family and conduct. Though the system appoints ‘correctors’ to select candidates, it seems to neglect sons of humble origins. How do you address this?”

“Indeed, sons of humble families lack noble lineage, but this selection emphasizes conduct. Every region has a corrector. Talented individuals may present their writings for assessment regardless of birth. It’s unrelated to one’s background.”

Lu Xun nodded. “Second, this law overturns the over three-hundred-year-old recommendation system of the Han dynasty. It is difficult to enact over established law.”

“Progress is not about clinging to tradition but innovation,” Jiang Wen said. “If a nation rigidly adheres to ancient methods, it invites destruction. Every dynasty seeking strength must reform. The old recommendation system no longer suits the present. To prevent decline, new laws are necessary.”

Lu Xun continued, “Third, implementing this law would strip generals of their power to appoint officials. If they unite against reform, how can the Lu family be protected?”

Jiang Wen pondered. “Reform touches the nation’s foundation; it is no trivial matter. Those involved cannot expect to avoid consequences.”

“If one wishes to remain unscathed, the best is to stay out from the start.”

Lu Xun stood and bowed to Jiang Wen, who rose and returned the gesture. “My father entrusted me to inquire. I will report honestly. Rest assured, I will advocate strongly for this beneficial policy.”

“In that case, many thanks, Bo Yan.”

“No thanks needed. My sister and I are new to Fuchun and know little of its delicacies. I must trouble you to show us around.”

“A guest from afar deserves hospitality. You must rest well after your journey.”