fake gentry

Xie Hong was invited into the main hall of the Dong family's fortified village.

Chen San and his companions were received by servants of the Dong family, but the transaction would have to wait until the head of the Dong family personally intervened.

Since honey is precious, Dong Xuan had to negotiate the price himself.

The Dong family was considered to be from a poor family. Five branches of the clan lived together in a fortified village, along with more than 300 servants and maids.

The main hall of the fortified village was not large, but it was very neatly arranged. In the center was a low black lacquered table with a set of coarse pottery tea set on it. On both sides were several mats with straw mats on them. There were two wooden screens with the Classic of Filial Piety written on them, but the handwriting was flat.

Xie Hong remained outwardly calm, but he had been secretly observing from the moment he entered the gate.

So this is a fortified village?

After the Yongjia migration south, refugees were everywhere, and the imperial court was powerless to protect them. Whether they were gentry or prominent families, they had to live together in clans and build walls to protect themselves. As a result, there were many fortified villages in Jiangzuo.

Unlike the aristocratic families, the fortified villages of lower-ranking aristocratic families and commoners did not have farmland, but they had to have water sources, granaries, various workshops, and even armories for large fortified villages.

The manors of noble families, on the other hand, included a large amount of farmland and were essentially independent small kingdoms, representing a famous manor economy during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties.

Dong Xuan respectfully invited Xie Hong to sit down, and immediately a maid in green brought tea.

The teacup was made of coarse porcelain, and the tea soup was clearly not of good quality.

Dong Xuan held the bowl with both hands and bowed slightly to Xie Hong. Then he took a sip himself. This was the custom of a poor family receiving a scholar. The host had to drink first to show that the tea was not poisoned.

Xie Hong picked up the glass, took a sip, immediately frowned, and put it down. Dong Xuan's expression turned drastically different.

There was nothing he could do; even as the head of the Dong clan, he couldn't afford to serve tea to his distinguished guests.

Xie Hong recalled that the commentary on the Erya said that tea picked early in the morning was called "cha" and tea picked late in the evening was called "ming". Tea made from tender buds picked early in the morning was extremely expensive and only the gentry could afford it, while tea made from older leaves picked late in the evening was called "ming" and it was cheap but bitter.

The gentry drank what was called tea, while the poor drank what was called tea porridge, which was made by boiling old tea leaves in water until they were soft, then adding ginger and dates to make a soup.

It's no wonder it tastes bad.

After exchanging pleasantries, Dong Xuan tentatively asked, "Young master, if I may be so bold as to ask, does the Xie family intend to make any arrangements in Chaisang?"

Xie Hong didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "It's because I'm captivated by the scenery of Mount Lu that I want to stay here for a while. It has nothing to do with my family. I don't like trouble. You can discuss the deal with Dian Ji yourself."

Dong Xuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his head again, his eyes showing a hint of shrewdness:

"Young master, you are a gentleman from a distinguished family, why don't you trade with the local gentry?"

The head of the Xie clan of Chen Commandery was a renowned scholar of the time, and Xie Pou was already serving as an official in the court. However, compared to the Wang clan of Langya, the Zhuge clan, the Yu clan of Yingchuan, the Xun clan, the Ruan clan of Chenliu, and the Yang clan of Taishan, such a family was definitely not considered prestigious.

But for a poor family like the Dong family, that was a high branch they could never reach in several lifetimes.

The fact that Mr. Xie took the initiative to do business with Mr. Dong was like a windfall.

However, after calming down, he began to worry about Xie Hong's motives.

There was nothing he could do; he couldn't afford to offend the powerful and influential families. With just a casual remark from Xie Hong, the Dong family's century-long accumulation could be wiped out.

The Dong family was often visited by gentry from Nanchang and Chaisang. Not to mention the well-known gentry in Jiangzuo, even the lowest-ranking gentry in Chaisang County would never visit the Dong family. If they needed supplies, their servants would come to their door to make the transaction, and the Dong family would consider it an honor.

Ultimately, the aristocratic families had no regard for the common people; associating with them was an extremely shameful thing.

Xie Hong glanced at him and said calmly, "Why does Master Dong ask a question he already knows the answer to?"

Dong Xuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and didn't dare to say anything more.

Chaisang was the seat of Xunyang County. The county magistrate was a corrupt official, and even the third-class gentry disdained to hold the position. It was usually filled by the lowest-ranking gentry in the county. Other positions, such as county assistant, county lieutenant, prison clerk, merit officer, general, various clerks, village clerk, scribe, and registrar, were divided among the poor families in the area.

Dong Xuan was an official within the county government system, so he was well aware of the influence of the Xie family of Chen Commandery.

Before the migration of the Northern gentry to the south, they treated the Southern gentry as second-class citizens. After the migration, their plundering of land, people, and official positions further fueled the resentment of the Southern gentry and exacerbated the antagonism.

The Xie family of Chenjun is no longer considered a high-ranking family. It is impossible for others to steal the honey that Xie Hong has. However, if he really goes to Chaisang County to sell honey, he will definitely run into a lot of trouble.

Therefore, he had to find a local power broker he could control to act as his proxy.

Thinking of the potential profits, Dong Xuan made up his mind and bowed, saying, "If you don't despise me, my lord, I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

Xie Hong didn't mince words: "There's something I need to discuss right now."

Dong Xuan quickly sat up straight and said, "Please speak freely, my lord."

"I have been in the mountains for several days without bathing. Please prepare hot water and clothes for me, Mr. Dong, so that I can bathe and change. Please also arrange for my servants."

"I will make the arrangements immediately."

After Dong Xuan finished speaking, he got up and went out. He called several people in the courtyard and gave them orders. He also brought out some dried fruit, dried meat, and wine, and continued chatting with Xie Hong.

About half an hour later, Dong's clerk came in with two young girls.

"Chief, everything is ready. Please have your honored guest bathe."

Dong Xuan smiled at Xie Hong and said, "Please, young master. I will arrange for a maid from my clan to serve you. Please forgive any rudeness or lack of manners."

Xie Hong glanced at the two girls, who were around fifteen or sixteen years old. They were wearing brand-new plain-colored cloth dresses, their hair was neatly combed, and they stood in a row in front of Xie Hong with their faces flushed and their heads down.

One was A-Ling, the granddaughter of the eldest branch of the Dong family. She was excellent at needlework and had a lovely round face. The other was A-Heng from the third branch of the Dong family. She was skilled in music and had a clever and quick wit.

The two young girls bowed to Xie Hong in unison, their faces flushed, and said in their clear voices, "We greet you, my lord."

When the two women came in, they secretly glanced at Xie Hong, a hint of shyness on their lips.

This young man was so handsome and radiant that he made them feel somewhat ashamed of themselves.

When a member of the aristocratic family enters a humble household, the humble household cannot send servants to serve them, as this is extremely impolite. Instead, the most beautiful woman in the family must be summoned to serve them, which also serves as an opportunity to curry favor with the aristocratic family.

For those from humble backgrounds, the aristocratic class is not limited to the north or south; they must desperately try to climb up to it.

If a family gains the favor of a noble family, its status will naturally rise accordingly.

Xie Hong looked at the two shy girls with their heads down and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had only wanted to take a bath and change his clothes, but he didn't expect Dong Xuan to arrange such a big show for him.

But he also understood that in this era, if he refused, he would not be able to continue doing business with the Dong family.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble A-Ling and A-Heng."

Just a few days ago, he was bragging and scamming donations from a group of middle-aged women in a modern live stream, but now two young girls in ancient times are offering themselves to him, giving him an inexplicable sense of absurdity.

Xie Hong, you son of a bitch! This is still a first-year high school student? Have you no self-awareness?

Before long, he followed the two girls into the bathroom of the Dong family's inner quarters.

Inside the bathroom was a pine bathtub, filled with hot water. A layer of mugwort and lemongrass floated on the surface, and the steam filled the air with the fragrance of herbs.

Next to the bathtub was a bamboo rack with a brand-new linen bath towel draped on it, and a set of brand-new clothes was neatly folded on a small table next to the bamboo rack.

A moon-white linen shirt, a wide-sleeved linen robe, a pair of hemp shoes, and a two-piece overcoat—this fine linen cloth was the most presentable fabric of the Dong family.

There was a jade pendant on the clothes, as white as mutton fat, and next to it were a few dark things, which were soapberries, used for bathing.

Xie Hong couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at the jade pendant.

Chief Dong has an excellent grasp of interpersonal relationships and social dynamics.

The girl named Aheng was very clever. She first tested the water with her hand and said softly, "The water is still hot. Aheng, please help my lord untie his hair first."

As she spoke, she reached out to undo Xie Hong's hair bun. Xie Hong could not refuse and could only lower his head and let Ah Heng do as she pleased. Ah Ling blushed and wanted to reach out as well, but then withdrew her hand.

Aheng untied the turban from Xie Hong's head and then reached out to undress him. Xie Hong couldn't take it anymore and quickly pretended to be calm, saying:

"I'll do it myself."

The two girls blushed, but ultimately did not touch each other again.

Xie Hong took off his long-sleeved shirt and upper garment, and looked at the skirt below with a constipated expression.

"Your name is Aheng, right? You can go out first, and come back in when I call you."

"what?"

Aheng looked at Xie Hong shyly, then quickly lowered her head and said, "Young master, don't you want us to serve you? The clan chief will scold us."

Xie Hong...

Damn it, I've been tied up and hung up since I transmigrated, living in fear and trembling until now. What's wrong with enjoying myself a little?

He made a snap decision and turned around.

"You can take your clothes off."

"no……"

"It's for me to take off!"