Chinese New Year

Chapter 1457 Three people
"Whoa—" The carriage stopped in front of Duanmen Gate, and Cui Yu, the Minister of Ceremonies, stepped down.
The cars following behind were accompanied by a group of people from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, all of whom were familiar faces.

After some negotiation, the group entered the palace and began to arrange the funeral.

They were all experienced, and the whole process was carried out in an orderly manner, continuing until early August when it finally came to an end.

On the fifth day of the eighth month, Shao Xun summoned Shao Yu to the Tianyuan Pond.

He was accompanied by his seven-year-old grandson, Jiahe, who was also the heir apparent of the Liaodong Kingdom.

Compared to her father, Hu Tou, Jia He was much closer to her grandfather, Shao Xun, since they met more often.

When she saw her father, Jiahe subconsciously lowered her head and moved a little closer to Shao Xun.

“Jiahe is quite intelligent, and he has started practicing martial arts this year,” Shao Xun said. “The martial arts instructors all say he is a promising talent.”

As she said this, Jiahe secretly glanced at her father.

Shao Yu forced a smile and waved to him.

Jiahe hesitated for a moment, then walked over and was pulled into Shao Yu's arms.

"I heard that Liang Nu went to see you yesterday?" Shao Xun asked.

Shao Yu hummed in agreement.

After asking that question, Shao Xun didn't know what else to ask.

Shao Yu held his son and said softly, "Grandpa, actually, Sixth Brother—"

"Actually what?" Shao Xun asked.

“Actually, it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to be in the position of Crown Prince,” Shao Yu said.

The voice was soft, yet deafening. Shao Xun couldn't quite remember if this was the first time he and his father had openly discussed this matter.

"Even if I were to become the Crown Prince..." Shao Yu held his son, looked up at the western sky, and said, "I would be buried in old documents all day long, having to consult the two tutors of the Eastern Palace on everything, and only able to do odd jobs such as sacrifices and welcoming guests. After so many years, I would probably be driven crazy. At that time, let alone doing anything, it would be good if I could just avoid making a fool of myself, and if I did, I would be doomed. My sixth brother's temperament is actually quite extraordinary, and I am not as good as him."

Shao Xun looked at him without saying a word.

“Grandpa, don’t overthink it.” Shao Yu sighed. “What I really wanted to say was that things have come to this point, and it is most appropriate to hand over the country to my sixth brother. You have already done so much for me. From now on, I will reside in Liaodong and serve as a bulwark for the nation. This country will not fall into chaos.”

There are some things that my father doesn't say, but those who are interested know.

On the surface, everyone seems to have a chance to ascend the throne, but in reality, Liang Nu has priority. As long as he doesn't panic or make any major mistakes, and his abilities aren't too bad, the position of crown prince is his for the taking. This is an advantage unique to the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

He hadn't made any major mistakes; he had been cautious and methodical. His abilities were comparable to his older brothers, and in some aspects, he was even superior. At this point, the outcome was clear.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that the father did not allow personal attacks between everyone and only allowed normal competition.

If mutual attacks were allowed, even the most virtuous Liang slaves would find it hard to sit still now.

Ultimately, the father was a bit too "sentimental." The struggle for the throne shouldn't involve mudslinging; otherwise, the intensity would be much lower.

This principle was told to him by his "enlightened" elder brother, and he deeply agreed with it. At the same time, his feelings were very complicated and difficult to describe simply.

All that is in the past! There's no point in thinking about it anymore.

On the bright side, what Father did also cultivated the abilities of everyone. In this world, the royal family is certainly a threat, but without their help, nothing is possible.

The sixth brother understood this principle: relying on outside officials for everything and not using members of the imperial clan was more dangerous than completely trusting the imperial clan.

In this world, we'll just have to take it one step at a time.

“I’m glad you think that way,” Shao Xun said. “I grew up in a chaotic world and have seen many ugly things, and even committed quite a few myself, so I’m used to thinking of people in the worst possible light. Perhaps I’m overthinking it. It’s good that you can understand. If you can’t understand now, you will in the future. Have things in Liaodong been arranged properly?”

"All arrangements have been made."

"Then let's stay in the capital for a while longer, until after the New Year," Shao Xun said. "Jiahe—you can take her with you too."

"Grandpa!" Upon hearing this, the seven-year-old boy became unhappy and exclaimed, "I want to stay in Luoyang! I want to stay by Grandpa's side!"

"Good boy, listen to your grandpa's instructions." Shao Xun walked over and gently patted his grandson's head.

“Jiahe, Liaodong is your true home,” Shao Yu said softly, looking at his son.

Seeing that neither of them was on his side, the little guy froze, his face contorted with grief, unsure of what to say.

Shao Yu sighed softly.

His father was right; he was starting to understand now.

Liaodong is a region with many powerful clans and complex social customs. If his heir has no brothers to support him, he will be isolated and powerless. However, if his brothers harbor resentment towards each other, they may turn against each other.

It's really hard to strike the right balance.

However, he seemed much more relaxed than his father. After all, Liaodong was just a vassal state, and there was still the imperial court above it. He had designated a heir early on, so even if his other sons had ideas in the future, they would not be able to gain the court's recognition and it would be of no use.

Similarly, if the crown prince wanted to harm his brothers, he would have to report it to the Imperial Clan Court; it wasn't that easy.

Of course, the real situation may be more complicated than this, but he was still much more relaxed than his father and didn't have to rack his brains like that.

"Let's go back to Liaodong..." Shao Xun pinched his grandson's cheek one last time and said, "Remember your grandfather."

"If I go to Liaodong, will I ever be able to come back?" Jiahe asked pitifully.

Shao Xun smiled and said, "Sure. If you miss your grandfather, just come back. I just don't know if you can endure the hardships of the journey."

"Yes." Jiahe nodded vigorously and said. "Great, that's wonderful." Shao Xun couldn't help but pick up his grandson again and said, "Today, shall we watch fishing or deer hunting?"

"I want to watch fishing."

"Alright, as you wish. Let's fish in Tianyuan Pond."

Shao Yu also found a stool and sat down.

The father, son, grandfather, and grandson had a rare opportunity to get together and enjoy some quality time together.

******
August has passed in the blink of an eye, and the Double Ninth Festival is just around the corner.

Zuo Mao and Suo Sui climbed Mangshan Mountain together to experience the festive season.

Of course, their minds weren't on that; they mostly talked about military and political matters unrelated to the Double Ninth Festival.

"Master Suo is in high spirits. Didn't you go to pay your respects to your in-laws?" Zuo Mao asked.

“I’ve been there,” Sosui said, looking at the distant wilderness.

He had a concubine's daughter who married Huang Qian, the son of Huang Biao, the former Right General of the Golden Guard and Attendant Gentleman of the Palace. In August, Huang Biao died of illness, and he went to offer his condolences.

Seeing that Suo Sui seemed uninterested and unwilling to waste words, Zuo Mao asked, "Where is the Prince of Yan?"

"I am in mourning at home," Suo Sui replied, giving him a strange look.

"The Prince of Qi has received an imperial edict to be transferred to the post of Governor of Pingzhou. He will take up his post in February next year, so he will return to the capital in December this year. I wonder..." Zuo Mao asked tentatively.

Suo Sui was silent for a moment, then said, "It depends on His Highness Prince Yan's opinion."

“That’s only natural,” Zuo Mao said with a smile.

Suo Sui hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Has the matter of the Prince of Qi being enfeoffed been decided? There's no word of it outside."

"It's fine if you and I keep this to ourselves. If we spread it around recklessly, we might get thrown into the Yellow Sands Prison," Zuo Mao joked.

Suo Sui nodded, then looked at Zuo Mao curiously and asked, "You're not really going to Pyongyang, are you?"

“Pyongyang is no bad either,” Zuo Mao said. “The Wang family of Lelang has been a prestigious family since the Han Dynasty, with many talented people and a flourishing literary tradition. It’s a good opportunity to make friends with them.”

Suo Sui was speechless, but he couldn't refute it either.

The Wang clan of Lelang claimed that their ancestor was Wang Zhong, who fled there during the Han Dynasty to avoid the chaos of the Lü Clan, and that their ancestral home was Langya. By the early Later Han Dynasty, they had gradually gained power. Wang Hong killed Wang Diao, offered Lelang to them, and offered them the title of Marquis, which they declined. Emperor Guangwu of Han was impressed and summoned them to the capital.

His son, Wang Jing, was a famous river management expert in the early Later Han Dynasty and served as the governor of Xuzhou.

Although no one else served as a high-ranking official like a prefectural governor after Wang Jing, the positions of prefect, county magistrate, and other court posts continued uninterrupted.

In truth, are they much worse off than the Suo family who were exiled to Dunhuang during the Former Han Dynasty?

Others can refute the social standing of the Lelang Wang family, but Suo Sui cannot, because the two families are in very similar circumstances.

“Lelang is ultimately lacking; there are more natives there than in Dunhuang,” Suo Sui sighed.

“Take it slow, there will always be progress,” Zuo Mao said. “Besides, as the saying goes, ‘the sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly.’ If we go to Lelang, who knows if my Zuo family can’t become a prominent family in the region, just like the Wang family of Lelang?”

“Your Zuo family already has a great reputation in literature.” Suo Sui shook his head and said, “Very well, let’s wait until the Prince of Qi returns. But don’t be too ostentatious. If people see it and criticize us, it won’t be good.”

"You are overthinking it. The Emperor is more than happy to see the King of Qi and the King of Yan become close to him," Zuo Mao said.

Suo Sui nodded, not wanting to say anything more, but added, "Just don't regret it in the future."

"I will never regret it," Zuo Mao said confidently.

Of course, I was a little apprehensive when I said that.

While in Youzhou, he was ordered by the King of Qi to send a caravan to the two prefectures of Lelang and Daifang, ostensibly to buy furs and seafood, but in reality, it also had the mission of gathering intelligence on the local area.

When the caravan returned, they boasted to the Wang family of Lelang about the warm reception they had received. This family's mansion was several acres in size, and they had also enclosed a considerable amount of mountain forest, employing local people as servants and retainers to hunt, farm, and fish for them.

The Wang family has a long tradition of scholarship, with a collection of thousands of books, some of which are rare, unique copies from the late Han Dynasty. They run a private school, teaching not only their own children but also local people, and are very famous in the area.

The women of the Wang family are well-educated and reasonable, making them excellent wives, even by Central Plains standards.

That's well said, but Zuo Mao noticed a fatal flaw: Lelang County only had this one respectable aristocratic family.

But what can be done now? He'd rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. Is Lelang County really worse than some places in Jiangnan? Not necessarily.

Many counties in the four prefectures of Yangjiang, Jiaozhou, and Guangzhou did not even have a single prominent gentry family, not even as good as Lelang County.

Furthermore, how many years has the Wang clan of Lelang existed since the Lü Clan Rebellion of the Former Han Dynasty?
The wars in the Central Plains did not affect them; even the Wiman Joseon Dynasty appointed a large number of royal family members to official positions. During the transition between the two Han dynasties, a single order was issued, and commanderies surrendered. Even a powerful emperor like Emperor Guangwu of Han had to win over marquises to win them over.

Even though Goguryeo once captured two counties, it did not lead to the downfall of the Wang clan.

Some of their clansmen retreated to Pingzhou and sought refuge with Murong Hui, while others remained in the area. Goguryeo nobles even sought to form marriage alliances with them.

Compared to the great clans that perished in the Central Plains, they were far superior.

Yes, Zuo Mao's thinking was that "unique"—he believed the safest places were the nooks and crannies. By becoming a local "gang leader," he would win over anyone who came, ensuring his continued wealth and power.

After finishing their business, Zuo and Suo tacitly changed the subject, chatting about romance and nature. They didn't say goodbye until it was getting late.

(End of this chapter)