White-robed Minister

Chapter 207-0205 [A Cameo as a Frontier Poet]

Qinzhou City.

Pianpian and Yu'er are reading letters from home sent from the front lines.

The letters home were sent much slower than the battle reports; they were written after Xu Lai had stabilized the situation.

It also includes more than ten poems by Xu Lai.

The song Pianpian is currently reading is called "Climbing the Ancient City Wall of the Great Xia Dynasty".

[Preface: In the autumn of the year Ji-You, I defeated the Mu army east of the Tao River. After the victory, I divided my troops and advanced along the Xiyuan River valley. The Qiang people called this river Tahua, which I did not find strange at first. When I reached the ruins, I found a broken stele among the brambles. After brushing away the dust, I could read the inscription and recognized the two characters "Da Xia". I then realized that Tahua was a mispronunciation. This river was anciently called Da Xia, and the city was the old site of a Han Dynasty county.]

I stood on the desolate platform, reflecting on the merits of Yu the Great in dredging and clearing the land, and lamenting the ruins of the Han and Tang dynasties. The efforts of the ancients, spanning centuries, ultimately crumbled into weeds; now I wield my whip and, with a mere glance, will pacify the western frontier. In the blink of an eye, is this not the will of Heaven? Thus, I composed this poem to commemorate it.

【In the desolate Xia River of the Great Xia City, I come to gaze upon the western regions.】

The banners of the Han dynasty have long been buried in the sands, but the winds and clouds over Longshang come into view.

The old ramparts are shrouded in the cold smoke of the northern wind, and the empty platform is bathed in the cold moonlight of late autumn.

Ascending to the summit, I am confident in my vast knowledge and wisdom, encompassing the myriad miles of mountains and rivers.

This poem was not copied from anywhere, but rather was written by Xu Lai based on his own feelings.

At that time, he led his troops westward, personally selecting locations as transit points for supplies, and also planning to build fortified villages in the future. As a result, he discovered the ruins of an ancient city in the valley, and learned from the broken stele that this was the "Ancient City of Daxia".

In a daze, Xu Lai suddenly realized that the "Tahua" spoken by the Qiang people was actually a mispronunciation of "Daxia". He was marching along the "Daxia River" described in ancient books.

This is the legendary birthplace of Yu the Great!

The hometown of the great Yu the Great had been lost for hundreds of years, and it was only today that it was recovered by us.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Xu Lai climbed the ruins of the ancient city, gazed at the mountains and rivers, and wrote down this poem reminiscing about the past.

"Wife, what did he write to you?" Yu'er, who was already showing signs of pregnancy, curiously leaned over to look at Pianpian's letter after reading her own letter home.

Pianpian smiled and said, "I finished reading that letter a long time ago, and I'm currently reading his poems."

"Let me see," Yu'er said.

These poems were copied onto separate sheets of paper and were not included with the contents of the letters.

Yu'er got a piece of paper, but it said—

[From "Qing Ping Yue - Commemorating the Merit of Geshu Han": The Tang Dynasty stele is half destroyed, its characters hidden in moss. I still remember Geshu's imposing stance, spear in hand, his sword gleaming in the water at night. The clouds over Longshan are dark, the wind is high, and the setting sun shines only on his battle robe. Where are the heroes of a thousand years now? Only crows fly over the desolate plains.]

As Pianpian read through the poems one by one, she couldn't help but chuckle and said, "They're all poems about the frontier and reminiscing about the past. I wonder if they've written a single one about missing their families."

Yu'er said, "It's very interesting. It's rare to see someone use this kind of word."

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, it seems that apart from Fan Zhongyan's "Fisherman's Pride", there really haven't been any decent frontier poems.

Although Xu Lai's poem is of average quality, it still has a unique charm compared to the sentimental and trivial poems of today.

Yu'er pulled out another sheet, read it, and laughed, "My lady, look! Sanlang has written this poem with great pride."

Pianpian leaned closer and slowly recited: [From "Leaving the Pavilion - Climbing the Qin Great Wall After a Great Victory"]

The clouds over Longshan Mountain disperse like a painting, stretching across the vast Qin capital. Newly broken through the dust of the barbarian invasion, warhorses return, banners billowing in the west wind. Wild geese skim the cold sands, the setting sun melting gold on the crumbling tiles.

Who remembers the conquests of a hundred generations? Bones lie buried in the autumn fields, barren and overgrown. The whip points to mountains and rivers all familiar, a single tug of the long spear sweeps across the plains. Why boast of my achievements? Let us all laugh at me!

After reading it, Pianpian chuckled, her mind filled with images of her husband reclaiming lost territory and laughing triumphantly with his soldiers.

Don't use timeless masterpieces to measure the quality of poetry. Even someone as brilliant as Su Shi had most of his mediocre works.

Xu Lai's poems are different; they are all frontier works. If they were to be sent back to Kaifeng, they would likely be highly sought after by many scholars. Young scholars, in particular, are eager to make a name for themselves and are fascinated by frontier life.

"Ladies, Madam Ding has come to visit," a maidservant announced as she ran over.

Pianpian frowned deeply: "Why is she here again?"

Yu'er said, "Offering help for no reason."

Ding Xiaomei's rented house was not far away, and she would visit from time to time. Every time she came, she would bring gifts for Pianpian, Yu'er, and Dou Niang.

As the saying goes, one shouldn't hit a smiling face, let alone a person who offers gifts.

Dou Niang has almost been won over by Ding Xiaomei, who keeps showering her with all sorts of delicious treats. However, Dou Niang still doesn't dare to accept gold and silver jewelry; she still has basic manners.

Pianpian said to the maid, "Please let her in."

After crossing the river herself, Yu'er wanted to dismantle the bridge. She was immediately wary of Ding Xiaomei upon first sight, simply because the woman was far too beautiful.

Moreover, they traveled all the way from Guangzhou; everyone knows what their intentions are.

Before long, Ding Xiaomei came into the courtyard with her maid: "Sisters, the weather has turned cold, so I had three fur coats made. One for each of you and Dou Niang."

As she spoke, Ding Xiaomei took a cloak from the maid's hand and unfolded it to show it off.

Yu'er thought to herself: Here comes this trick again. Does he really think I've never seen anything good before?

Although she was thinking this, her eyes were fixed on the cloak.

The three cloaks were all made of fox fur, showing an incredibly extravagant spending spree.

She smiled and said, "This item is too valuable. Please, Madam Ding, take it back."

Ding Xiaomei didn't feel embarrassed at all, and said with a smile, "Then I'll keep it for you, and send it over on your birthday."

Pianpian felt utterly helpless.

She was the type of person who responded better to gentle persuasion than force. Ding Xiaomei showered her with gifts and flattery, and several times Ding Xiaomei made sarcastic remarks, but Ding Xiaomei always responded with a smile and did not argue back.

After a while, Pianpian became too embarrassed to say anything strange.

The damselfly, who had just finished practicing her calligraphy, ran into the yard and, seeing this, stuck out her tongue and quietly retreated. She was old enough to understand that she wouldn't get involved, lest she end up pleasing no one.

Ding Xiaomei said, "A group of officials just arrived in the city, and it seems that the leader is a eunuch. I sent someone to the Imperial Palace to inquire, and according to the clerks there, it seems that they came specifically to reward you, Sister."

"A reward for me?" Pianpian couldn't understand.

Xu Lai was in the prime of his career, and his official position was rising rapidly. Under such circumstances, it was generally not customary to bestow rewards upon his family.

Only after Xu Lai's official position is stable, and he makes further meritorious contributions, will his parents, wife, and children be rewarded.

Just as they were talking, a local official came to the door and told Pianpian to bathe and change her clothes so that the door would be opened the next day to welcome the angel.

Ding Xiaomei laughed and said, "I didn't lie to you, did I, sister?"

Pianpian said, "Your information network is quite impressive."

Ding Xiaomei then pulled out a bag of pistachios: "These are pistachios that I roasted myself. Why don't you two sisters try some?"

Yu'er said irritably, "No need, we'll buy it ourselves."

Ding Xiaomei said, "Then let's leave it for Dou Niang to eat; she always loves snacks."

This is for the dragonfly, and Pianpian couldn't refuse any longer, so she said helplessly, "Put it down for now."

Then, Ding Xiaomei started chatting about old times in Guangzhou. Things like Dizang Temple, Haishan Tower, and the dragon boat races. This stirred up memories for Pianpian and Yu'er, who couldn't help but talk to Ding Xiaomei about it.

They chatted for a full half hour before Ding Xiaomei got up to say goodbye.

Yu'er said regretfully, "I fell for that vixen's trick again without realizing it. I must have lost my mind; how could I have said so much to her?"

Pianpian sighed, "Alas, she is so persistent, which shows how deeply she loves me."

"My lady, don't let her fool you," Yu'er said hurriedly.

Pianpian ultimately softened her heart: "She came all the way from Guangzhou. If she goes back in disgrace, how will she ever get married? Besides, for the past two or three months, she has been trying her best to please us, swallowing all her grievances. She must be feeling very wronged."

Yu'er didn't say anything more.

Compared to literary and film works, the Song Dynasty's etiquette was very strict, yet also very open.

The term "openness" specifically refers to the distinction between "legitimate" and "illegitimate" children. Apart from the eldest legitimate son, there is essentially no difference between the other children. Generally, there is no situation where illegitimate daughters are looked down upon.

And what about strict adherence to etiquette and laws?

Even if the legal wife dies, the concubine can never be promoted to the legal wife position; the wife will definitely be remarried!

If Xu Lai takes Ding Xiaomei as a concubine, Pianpian's status will not be affected in any way. The one who will truly be affected is Yu'er, because Ding Xiaomei will be competing with her for the emperor's favor.

The next day, the eunuch came to the door.

This eunuch was actually Wang Yuanbi; the emperor certainly had some thought in him.

Upon seeing the incense table in the courtyard, Wang Yuanbi quickly said, "No imperial decree has been issued today, so the incense table can be removed. We have been dispatched by the Emperor to deliver congratulatory gifts to the lady and young master."

She bowed gracefully and said, "Thank you for your trouble, angel."

Wang Yuanbi tried to ingratiate himself by saying, "I used to work as a traveling agent in Guangzhou, and I was quite close to your father. You don't need to be so polite, madam."

Pianpian finally realized that the eunuch in front of her used to be an official in Guangzhou.

Wang Yuanbi then took out more than ten precious items: "These are all treasures from the imperial treasury. The Emperor heard that Minister Xu had a son, so he personally selected these gifts to congratulate him."

Pianpian was extremely surprised. Was the emperor really that good to her husband?

At this time, a series of the latest appointments had not yet reached Qin Prefecture, and even Cai Kang was still serving as the Military Commissioner of Qin-Feng Road.

Wang Yuanbi then asked, "Has Minister Xu produced any new works recently? His Majesty wishes to see his poems and essays."

"Please wait a moment, angel, I'll go and copy it right away." Pianpian invited Wang Yuanbi into the reception room and went to the study to copy poems.

Wang Yuanbi put away the poems and bid farewell, declining Pianpian's offer to stay.

Pianpian then took out money to bribe Wang Yuanbi and his entourage as a token of appreciation for their hard work, which they happily accepted.

Two days later, the official document from the imperial court arrived in Qin Prefecture.

The Qin-Feng Road was renamed the Qin-Feng-Xi-He Road, and Xu Lai was appointed as the Western Route Military Commissioner and Chief Administrator of the Qin-Feng-Xi-He Road. Xu Lai's official position and posthumous appointment shocked the Qin-Feng officialdom.

Upon receiving the news, Yang Shu came to offer his congratulations.

Pianpian asked curiously, "Is the position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat a very high rank?"

Yang Shu's explanation was simple and blunt: "He is already qualified to be the vice prime minister and the vice privy councilor."

Upon hearing this, Pianpian was speechless with astonishment.

He could barely speak clearly: "Deputy Deputy Deputy Deputy Prime Minister?"

Yang Shu said, "I am only qualified to be the vice prime minister. There are many ministers with higher official ranks, but it is very difficult to become the vice prime minister."

Xu Lai's current position as Secretary of the Provincial Administration is actually only a fifth-rank official.

But even a fifth-rank official can become a vice prime minister; it's not just about rank.

(During today's research on the Song Dynasty's official system, it was discovered that before the Yuanfeng reforms, the title should have been "本官" (benguan). Only after the Yuanfeng reforms was it called "寄禄官" (jiluguan).)

(In addition, Xu Lai has an official title that is not listed. His current honorary title is "Zhongsan Dafu," which is used to determine what official robes and accessories he wears. When a new emperor ascends the throne, officials are promoted one rank, but it is only this honorary title.)

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