fake gentry

"Is Feng Zhi really Xie Youyu's nephew?"

Xie Hong was inwardly panicked, but his face remained calm as he nodded slightly and said, "That's right."

The southward migration of aristocratic families inevitably led to loopholes in genealogies. As long as they did not impersonate direct descendants, they could easily deceive the authorities by fabricating a connection to a collateral branch.

Of course, this is on the premise of not encountering the person in question.

Xi Zhong glanced at the refugees, then his gaze swept over Liu Chong's face. He then pulled Xie Hong behind his troops and chuckled softly, "Feng Zhi, you are dressed so properly, why are you associating with refugees?"

Xie Hong knew he couldn't hide it from the other party. Although the refugees had changed their clothes, they were clearly different from law-abiding citizens.

"I am grateful for your concern, Lord Xi. I am not associating with the displaced people."

"Oh?" Xi Zhong was slightly taken aback. "If that's not the case, where are the servants and guards?"

Xie Hong calmly replied, "I once vowed to read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. Unexpectedly, I encountered people in turmoil here. I could not bear to see them drift through life, so I have taken them all in as my servants."

Xi Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up: "Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles is indeed a wonderful saying, but Feng Zhi is a bit too bold."

His gaze fell on Xie Hong's wide-sleeved robe.

"You..."

Xie Hong felt a slight unease, but he remained outwardly calm.

He knew that this outfit might frighten commoners, but it wouldn't fool the real gentry.

There were only a few types of high-end fabrics in this era, nothing more than silk, satin and brocade.

The materials and textiles of his clothes were far superior to those of this era, and the tailoring and sewing were also far better.

The fabric also features a modern, wrinkle-resistant drape that looks incredibly luxurious.

Xi Zhong then changed the subject, teasingly asking, "How do you subdue them?"

Xie Hong felt a little relieved, as long as he wasn't asked how the clothes were made.

"I am a man of great eloquence."

Xi Zhong chuckled: "What if the other party doesn't listen to reason?"

"I also have some knowledge of martial arts."

Not only Xi Zhong, but even the retainers behind him couldn't help but laugh.

While dealing with Xi Zhong, Xie Hong racked his brains to recall any information about Xi Zhong.

However, there was no such person as Xi Zhong in the history he was familiar with. This person should be a collateral branch of the Xi clan, someone who was virtually unknown.

Within the aristocratic families, there was a strict hierarchy of main lineage, minor lineage, and collateral branches, because the official ranking of the Nine Ranks was based on the head of the family, not on individual ability.

Xi Zhong didn't press the matter further about the refugees. Holding Xie Hong's hand, he smiled even more broadly, then turned and called out:

"My dear daughter, honored guest, come and greet the young master of the Xie family."

Xie Hong initially thought Xi Zhong was calling his children.

But when he heard the word "guest," his pupils dilated in shock.

Xi Jiabin?

Isn't that Huan Wen's top strategist, the unconventional male protagonist in "A New Account of Tales of the World"?

But how old is Huan Wen now?

Ten years old?

hiss!

Xie Hong couldn't help but gasp, his whole body going numb.

Xi Jian was known for doting on his daughter; the phrases "precious jewel" and "ideal son-in-law" both refer to his daughter, Xi Xuan.

He gave his most beloved daughter a nickname that was extremely simple: "My daughter, that is the highest form of cherishing."

Xi Xuan, courtesy name Zifang, nickname Nü.

The guest's name is Xi Yin's nickname. Xi Yin will have a son named Xi Chao in the future, and he used his nickname as his son's courtesy name.

Xie Hong was momentarily at a loss for words.

The Eastern Jin Dynasty was a chaotic and short-lived era, and the network of relationships among the aristocratic families was far smaller and simpler than imagined.

And these figures, who have left countless anecdotes in history, appeared vividly before my eyes.

Before him was Ge Hong, and after him were Xi Xuan and Xi Yin.

No one but Xie Hong could understand that feeling.

Just as Xie Hong was in a daze, the boy who had been spying on him ran over, looked at Xie Hong curiously, and then bowed to him in a proper manner, his voice soft and clear:

"Xi Yin greets Brother Xie."

Xie Hong stared at the young boy in front of him, somewhat lost in thought.

History about Xi Yin came to mind.

Extremely filial, loyal, and wealthy.

Yes, he will be very rich in the future.

Xie Hong returned the greeting: "Greetings, little guest. How old are you this year?"

Xi Yin blinked: "Nine years old, my older sister is sixteen."

Xie Hong...

A noblewoman appeared gracefully, but Xie Hong only glanced at her before quickly looking away.

This is the wife of the Sage of Calligraphy.

No, it shouldn't be yet.

It's over.

I may have to let down the Sage of Calligraphy.

The young woman wore a plain blue silk robe with very pale yellow trim around the collar and cuffs, and a matching brocade belt around her waist.

Her hair was styled in the "Xiezi" bun, a common style for aristocratic women at the time, and adorned with a plain gold hairpin that trembled gently in the wind.

She was quite tall, with delicate features. Her beauty wasn't the kind that was aggressive, but rather a kind of understated elegance that grew more pleasant the more you looked at her. There was a scholarly air about her, and her eyes were slightly lowered, giving her a dignified and composed demeanor.

But Xie Hong noticed that as she lowered her eyes, her eyelashes fluttered.

Was she spying on me?

Cough!

He quickly straightened his sleeves, then bowed respectfully and formally: "Chenjun Xie Hong Xie Fengzhi greets the young lady."

Xi Xuan also curtsied, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "Anu greets Master Xie."

Her bow was extremely light and subtle, her eyelids still lowered, but her ears seemed to turn red after she finished.

Xie Hong returned the greeting again: "It is an honor to meet you, young lady, on the mountain path."

Xi Xuan gave a soft "hmm," took her brother's hand, turned around, and walked back, leaving Xie Hong with an infinitely beautiful back view.

Behind the entourage were dozens of servants, and in the distance were more than a dozen oxcarts, all with double shafts and long axles. The carriages were spacious, covered with blue cloth, and the oxen pulling them were strong and powerful. Each ox was led by a servant wearing a hat and a short jacket. There were also more than twenty tall horses grazing by the roadside.

The middle vehicle was even larger; it was a supply wagon that could accommodate people for sitting or sleeping, clearly prepared specifically for Xi Xuan and her brother.

Xie Hong watched as Xi Xuan led Xi Yin into the car before turning his gaze away. Xi Zhong stroked his beard and smiled to the side.

"Phoenix, please come and stroll with me, arm in arm."

Xie Hong didn't hesitate for even a second: "Your Excellency's kindness is too great; it would be disrespectful for me to refuse."

Inside the car, Xi Yin quietly lifted the curtain and looked back: "Sister, I want to play with Brother Xie."

Xi Xuan hugged her younger brother and gently tapped him on the head: "Before you left, your father told you not to be naughty, otherwise your uncle would spank you, and your older sister wouldn't plead for you."

The little boy snorted, shifted his body, and suddenly whispered to the young woman, "Sister, how about letting Brother Xie be my brother-in-law?"

The girl blushed instantly and slapped the little guy's bottom hard: "Are you itching for a beating?"

A burst of laughter came from inside the carriage.

Xi Zhong clearly had a great liking for Xie Hong, and wouldn't let go of him, asking him many questions, all of which Xie Hong answered fluently.

By this time, Chen San had already dispersed the refugees, and construction had resumed in Taoping. However, the Xi family's troops did not relax their vigilance, clearly indicating their distrust.

Xie Hong didn't bother with them and called Chen San and Liu Chong over.

Liu Chong and Chen San exchanged a glance, unsure of Xie Hong's intentions, but could only lower their heads and obediently approach Xie Hong and Xi Zhong.

Xie Hong pointed at Chen San and said, "Master Xi, this is the clerk I hired. He's very good at managing odd jobs."

Xi Zhong glanced at Chen San, nodded, and said nothing.

Xie Hong then pointed to Liu Chong: "This is my sworn brother, whom I have a blood oath with."

Dianji was a high-ranking servant, but his sworn brother was different; the bond of brotherhood was an extremely solemn relationship at that time.

Xi Zhong seemed to understand something, looked at Liu Chong a few more times, and couldn't help but praise, "If he is raised strong, he will surely become a powerful soldier."

Liu Chong almost drew his sword and killed Xi Zhong.

You're the real scumbag, your whole family are scumbags.

Xie Hong almost couldn't hold it in.

He recalled a joke that hadn't yet happened: Xie Wan, as the commander, would often praise his men as elite soldiers, which made them hate him to death, ultimately leading to a crushing defeat.

The term "strong soldier" is originally used to praise people, but it cannot be used to describe a military general. It would mean that you are very good at fighting, but you are just a soldier.

Dai Yuan was the General Who Conquers the West and the Military Governor of Six Provinces. His son was at least a Colonel. He was praised as a valiant soldier. Xi Zhong and Xie Wan were the same person. Xie Hong felt a strange sense of amusement.

But Xi Zhong spoke sincerely, without a trace of sarcasm.

After praising Liu Chong, Xi Zhong ignored him and had Xie Hong accompany him to enjoy the scenery of Mount Lu.

After all, even the Xie family of Chen Commandery is now weaker than the Xi family of Gaoping, let alone a sworn brother of unknown origin.

Xi Xuan also led Xi Yin out of the carriage. A large group of maids used curtains to separate them from the refugees. They walked around Tao Ping to admire the azaleas, with four guards carrying swords on each side.

Liu Chong and Chen San followed silently behind Xie Hong and Xi Zhong.

As the two talked more and more happily, Liu Chong curled his lip.

Brother Xie, you really know how to talk a lot.