Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 56: Shao Zong Can
The formation of a person's personality is greatly influenced by their early life experiences. In particular, if a person is exposed to a powerful idol during childhood, they may consciously or unconsciously imitate their behavior throughout their life.

For children from ordinary families, this role is often played by their parents, the so-called influence of their original family. But for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, this role should probably be played by his grandmother, Wu Zetian.

Although Wu Zetian was not consciously teaching her grandson, she was indeed the most powerful figure in Li Longji's life during his childhood. Everything she said and did would bring profound changes to his life, so powerful that he had no way to resist.

Therefore, if we look closely at Li Longji's various actions after he became an adult, we can see that many of them were influenced by his grandmother Wu Zetian, whether it was his way of controlling the political situation, handling family relationships, or even his habit of changing people's names.

Li Longji's father, Li Dan, once used the names Li Xulun, Li Lun, Wu Lun, etc. His brothers and sons were no exception and changed their names several times.

Take the later Emperor Suzong of Tang for example. He used the names Li Sisheng, Li Jun, Li Yu, and Li Shao successively, and finally decided to use the name Li Heng. If the An-Shi Rebellion army had not attacked Chang'an, this name would probably have been changed.

Changing someone's name may seem like a harmless bit of fun, but the reason behind it is that in the ancient imperial society and patriarchal ethical system, those in power demonstrated their power to control people without any scruples and manipulate them at will.

Li Longji's fundamental motivation for naming his sons was the same as that of his grandmother, Wu Zetian, who refused to acknowledge the dignity of his sons as independent individuals. Calling a deer a horse is just like that; it doesn't matter what you're called; it's just a name.

The young Zhang Luonu actually encountered a similar dilemma as Li Longji's sons. Li Longji's sons were too troublesome because their fathers were too indifferent, while Zhang Luonu's father was too indifferent and didn't even think it necessary to give him a formal name!

Zhang Luo did not expect that the emperor would actually give him a name. He was not Li Longji's son, and the emperor did not have any patriarchal ethical oppression or responsibility towards him. There was only a hierarchical social relationship between them. So this given name had a different meaning to him.

As the saying goes, one man's poison may be another's honey. The emperor's sons had their names changed frequently and could not even build a mature self-awareness. However, as a subject, Zhang Luo was given a name by the emperor, which meant a different kind of attention and expectation. It was a very honorable treatment and an extra layer of ethical care beyond his status.

No matter what his views and resentments towards the emperor were, he had to admit that the name given to him by the emperor meant a lot to him.

No matter in prosperous times or troubled times, imperial power is supreme. If you, as an emperor, feel that you cannot display your power, then you are a waste and it cannot deny the lofty nature of imperial power.

As for some marketing accounts saying that the medieval gentry looked down on the emperor and that the five surnames families even disdained to intermarry with the royal family, this is a bit out of context.

Firstly, the Five Surnames families themselves weren't exactly respectable people; they were all reserved for concubines of the Northern Wei and Yuan families, sometimes even both men and women. Secondly, many of the Five Surnames families saw becoming a consort as a fast track to officialdom. These guys were incredibly cunning, and wouldn't they take advantage of any opportunity?

The name the emperor gave Zhang Luo is also very interesting. Dai refers to Mount Tai, and one of the main reasons for his grandfather Zhang Shuo's misfortune was the unfair treatment he received during his Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. Now that the emperor named him Zhang Dai, it was like he was constantly using this name to poke Zhang Shuo in the face.

That's why Zhang said that his expression became a little unnatural after hearing the name, but he didn't dare to refuse, otherwise it would mean that his self-reflection was not deep enough.

"Zong" means "elder". Daizong means the ancestor of all mountains. As a person's name, it has another meaning. In particular, the next generation of the Zhang family were all named with characters containing the "mountain" radical, such as Zhang Chang.

Although Zhang Luo is the eldest grandson of the Zhang family, he was born out of wedlock. Using the name "Dai" makes him look like he is trying to usurp the throne. But this is a name given by the emperor. Do you have any objection?

The emperor himself had no legitimate children, so he appointed the eldest son as his successor. Perhaps he did not care about this, but this was obviously impossible.

While dancing to express his gratitude, Zhang Luo pondered in his heart, and soon he felt that the emperor gave him this name, in addition to continuing to irritate his grandfather, the purpose was to add some ethical turmoil to the Zhang family, so that Zhang Luo's retirement life in his later years would be more fulfilling. At least he would not be busy recruiting younger brothers to establish his own faction like before. It would be even more fun if it could breed some family scandals.

This wasn't just his own idea; his grandfather had already addressed him as "Zongzi" when expressing his gratitude, so he probably understood the meaning. Furthermore, the emperor was always very cautious in his actions, so stirring up unrest in the ministers' families was something he was capable of.

Zhang Luo also vaguely guessed that the emperor might have communicated with his aunt, Concubine Wu Huifei, and learned about his situation in the Zhang family, so he came up with such an idea.

As if to confirm Zhang Luo's suspicions, the emperor then said with a smile, "Last night, when I returned home, I spoke briefly with Concubine Hui about human affairs, and only then did I learn that this child and I were vaguely connected. Lord Yan kept his talent within his household, but did not allow him to become famous. I only discovered this today. Concubine Hui also admires this child's character, so she requested a fish token and a fish bag to facilitate his travels. I am granting them both now." Zhang Luo, still unclear about the details of Zhang Luo's letter and the bronze box, looked a bit surprised and doubtful upon hearing this. Zhang Luo, however, was amused to hear that his aunt was indeed at work.

This is the right way to do things. Don't even think about getting my grandfather on board. First, help your eldest nephew gain a foothold in the Zhang family. Then, we nephews will have more room to seek common ground while reserving differences!
Soon another waiter brought the gift. Zhang Luo took it with both hands and knelt down and danced to express his gratitude.

This fish token was also made of copper, inscribed with the words "德猷门外右交" (Deyou Gate Outer Right Crossing). The fish bag was a purse adorned with silver. This fish token, called the Jiaoyu Token, was only used to enter and exit fixed palace gates. The one Niu Gui'er had given Zhang Shuo was a personal fish token, inscribed with Niu Gui'er's official title.

While the "Yu-Yu-Bao" token was merely a means of entry into the palace, the "Yu-Bao" (fish bag) was an accessory only available to officials of at least the fifth rank. Historical texts often mention "granting a red fish bag," referring to the bestowal of a red robe and silver fish bag, a standard of attire reserved for officials of the fifth rank.

Zhang Luo could only give him a silver fish bag, but no scarlet robe. However, even with only a fish bag, it was enough for him to use his power to intimidate others. When he wants to dress up other people in the future, his deterrent power will be even greater.

At this point, Zhang Luo was already quite satisfied with the reward. After all, he was just a poor man and a teenager, and he didn't expect to rise to high positions and receive high-ranking official titles overnight. What the emperor bestowed upon him was exactly what he desperately needed to establish himself in the Zhang family.

Just when he thought it was about to end, the emperor smiled and announced a reward for his proposal, which was one year's salary of a fifth-rank official as a reward in kind.

In the Tang Dynasty, a fifth-rank official received 200 dan of rice and more than 100 guan of salary per year. Zhang Luo was quite excited when he first heard about the reward, but when he actually saw the amount of the reward, he suddenly felt that it was not very meaningful. It was not even as much as what he earned from writing an epitaph!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly look at his grandfather Zhang Shuo, and felt a little worried.

Before, he had no intention of getting along well with the Zhang family and dared to try all kinds of unconventional ways. But from now on, he has to continue to stay in the Zhang family. What he did before has become a hidden danger. I wonder how his grandfather will react when he finds out.

It has to be said that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's generous and comprehensive rewards were quite attractive. Even though Zhang Luo knew in his heart that this guy was up to no good, he still felt warm in his heart after receiving a series of rewards.

If he himself was a native of this world, he would be filled with gratitude and bow down to the emperor. From then on, he would be like a saint who had planted a spy in the Zhang family, staying up all day to eavesdrop and report everything he heard to the emperor through his aunt.

After a series of rewards, the emperor specifically instructed a team of guards from the Southern Court to escort Zhang Shuo back home. The grandfather and grandson then tactfully bid farewell to the emperor, had an inevitable awkward dance, and then left the hall.

According to the ancient system, when a high-ranking official retired, the court needed to prepare a carriage to take him back home. As a retired prime minister, Zhang Shuo naturally enjoyed this treatment. When they left the palace, the carriage and ceremonial guards outside Guangfan Gate had already been prepared, and a group of court officials were waiting here to see them off.

After Zhang Shuo arrived here and said a brief farewell to his colleagues in the court, he boarded the carriage. Zhang Luo also followed beside the carriage, passing through the imperial city and heading out of the Duanmen Gate.

At this time, outside the Duanmen Gate of the Imperial City, the brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi, who had been awaiting punishment at home, had also arrived to wait. A short while ago, the imperial envoy entered the square to order the withdrawal of the Jinwu Guards surrounding their home, and at the same time informed them that Zhang Shuo had retired and that they were to come in to greet him.

When they saw An's carriage drive out, the two brothers hurried forward to meet it. However, when they saw Zhang Luo following beside the carriage, they were immediately surprised. Zhang Jun, in particular, had been suffering from his wife's nagging about him being cunning for the past two days. When he saw him, he subconsciously frowned and said coldly, "Why are you here?"

"Let's talk about it when we get home!"

Zhang said that he was feeling a little down and unhappy at the moment, and didn't want his family affairs to be revealed in front of others. When he heard Zhang Jun's unfriendly tone, he immediately leaned out of the car and scolded Zhang Jun.

He then gestured for his two sons to follow behind the carriage, then waved to Zhang Luo, signaling him to climb aboard and sit beside the driver. He then said, "It is truly an honor for the sage to bestow a name upon you. Luo Nu, having accomplished such a feat, you are no longer unknown among the people. In the future, you will inevitably need to socialize with the world and broaden your horizons. Since you have been given a name, I would like to propose you the courtesy name Shaozong. What do you think?"

Zhang Luo subconsciously twitched his lips when he heard this, not wanting to respond. "The sage gave me the name Zhang Dai, and you're going to give me the name Shaozong. Do you think I'm a fool?"

(End of this chapter)