fake gentry

Huangshiyan is in sight.

The entire rock juts out, its top flat like a whetstone, its body tall, majestic, and towering into the clouds.

The surrounding area is also full of strange rocks, and there is a simple thatched hut built on the side of the rock. Several bamboo stalks sway outside the hut, and you can look into the distance from the window or enjoy the scenery by walking around.

Upon arriving at this point, the clerk who had led Xie Hong there excused himself and withdrew.

Huangshi Rock was already packed with people. Young scholars were on the outside, while older people of some status were inside. The rock was covered with straw mats, and people were kneeling and sitting on it. Xie Hong wanted to laugh when he saw this.

Should we sit in a row and share the fruit?

Only the scholars on the distant rock platform had a private spot, furnished with low tables, cushions, wine, and fruit.

By the roadside stood a pair of young men from a noble family. The younger one, seeing that Xie Hong, though poorly dressed, possessed an exceptional demeanor, concluded that he must be a gentleman raised by some impoverished noble family. So he smiled and bowed, saying, "Lu Na of Wu County greets you. May I ask your ancestral home?"

Xie Hong remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was taken aback.

The Lu family of Wu County?

Is this young man Lu Na?

The one next to him who looks somewhat like him is Lu Shi?

These two brothers are no ordinary people.

Their father was Lu Wan, the grand-nephew of Lu Xun, the prime minister of Eastern Wu. He was a prominent official from a noble family during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and was also a calligrapher.

That's right, Lu Xun is the unlucky guy who, despite successfully launching a surprise attack with Lü Meng, has been ridiculed and vilified by modern people.

The core reason why Lu Xun was criticized for crossing the river in white robes is that he was accused of betraying his allies and violating the bottom line of integrity on a political level. But for Lu Xun, it was the most correct thing to do.

Lu Wan was known for his magnanimity and had a good reputation since his youth. He was summoned to serve as an aide when Sima Rui was still the prime minister, and later Wang Dun forced him to serve as the chief secretary of the staff.

Lu Shi was Lu Wan's eldest son and later directly inherited his father's title, making him the legitimate heir of the family.

Lu Na, the second son, also rose through the ranks through his own abilities.

The two men's careers and historical status differed greatly.

Lu Shi's highest official position was Shangshu (Minister), but his historical influence was limited. Lu Na, on the other hand, rose to the position of Shangshu Ling (Minister of the Imperial Secretariat) and Sanqi Changshi (Attendant Gentleman of the Palace). After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi (Grand Master of the Three Departments). He was a top minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty known for his integrity.

In Lu Yu's "The Classic of Tea," there is a story called "Lu Na Beats His Nephew." It tells of how Lu Na served Xie An a simple meal of tea and fruit, but his nephew Lu Chu secretly prepared a lavish feast. As a result, Lu Na beat his nephew with forty strokes of the cane.

Lu Na's historical reputation and status are far greater than Lu Shi's.

Xie Hong was numb.

The politics of the Jin Dynasty were among the worst in Chinese history.

However, the aristocratic families of the Jin Dynasty are undoubtedly the most unique group in Chinese history, leaving behind the most anecdotes and illustrious figures.

Facing Lu Na, Xie Hong was unwilling to easily reveal his identity, so he returned the greeting with a flourish, and then said in a seemingly relaxed manner:

"Why must we have known each other before we meet?"

After saying that, he waved his sleeves and brushed past her.

Lu Na's eyes suddenly narrowed. She stared blankly as Xie Hong walked a few steps before she came to her senses and was about to follow him when her older brother reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Zu Yan, this is a madman, what are you doing?"

Lu Na, with Lu Shi pulling on her sleeve, could only watch Xie Hong walk further and further away, and couldn't help but lightly stamp her foot and mutter:

"Why must we have known each other before? Brother, is there such a person in Jiangzuo? We should befriend him."

Lu Shi snorted dismissively and said arrogantly, "Does a mere poor scholar in coarse clothes deserve to associate with the Lu family of Wu County? What kind of person is he? He is just a low-ranking member of the local aristocracy, and most likely a poor family from the north. Don't tarnish our family's reputation."

The four prominent families of Wu Commandery held a position in Jiangzuo that allowed them to look down on everyone else without having to do so; even Emperor Sima Rui had to acknowledge this.

Don't assume that the prominent families of the North always regarded the four families of Wu County as second-class aristocratic families; in fact, they never regarded the prominent families of the North as first-class either.

We all look down on each other.

Lu Shi was the future patriarch of the Lu clan of Wu County, so he was naturally arrogant and used to looking down on others. How could he possibly respect Xie Hong, who was dressed in a simple robe? He basically inherited this trait from his father, Lu Wan.

Don't mistake Lu Wan's magnanimity for genuine kindness; that only applies to the southern gentry. He shows absolutely no favoritism towards the powerful and influential northern gentry.

Who is Wang Dao? He specifically sought a marriage alliance with Lu Wan to win over the southern gentry. But what did Lu Wan say?

Small hills cannot grow pines and cypresses, and fragrant herbs cannot coexist with foul-smelling weeds.

This left Director Wang in a very awkward and helpless situation, and he even had to beg Lu Wan to come out and become an official.

Lu Na sighed inwardly, but smiled and said, "My brother resembles our father."

The four prominent families of Wu County not only looked down on northerners, but also on the lowest-ranking gentry in Jiangzuo, not to mention those from humble backgrounds.

Lu Shi listened to Lu Na's words with some pride and said arrogantly, "Look how many of these people are Northern barbarians? They were beaten into a stray dog ​​by the Hu people, yet they come to Jiangzuo to show off their power. I despise them."

Lu Na smiled but didn't say anything more, her gaze fixed on Xie Hong as he walked away, thinking that she must find an opportunity to befriend him.

Of course, I have to avoid my brother first.

Liu Chong whispered to Xie Hong, "Brother, those two men were Lu Wan's sons."

Xie Hong couldn't help but chuckle: "You know everything, aren't you going to tell me your real name?"

Liu Chong was taken aback for a moment, and felt that he had been lying about it for a while. But a pang of sadness welled up in his heart, and he said dejectedly, "I'll tell my brother later."

Unbeknownst to him, Xie Hong had already arrived at Huangshi Rock. Several burly officers had set up a cordon, and those who could cross it were either invited or were famous figures.

Xie Hong originally intended to simply take out the invitation, follow Ge Hong and Xi Zhong's instructions, go directly to Zhai Tang, return the invitation, and then turn and leave.

But now he's become interested and is ready to take a good look at what this so-called "elegant gathering" of intellectuals is all about.

No fewer than fifty people, all distinguished scholars, sat on the rock, chatting and laughing among themselves, while the three main seats remained empty.

There were seven or eight other young noblemen at the lower end of the circle. One of them, surrounded in the middle, was a tall, fair-skinned fellow with a spirited air. He should be Tu Xiu, the grandson of Tu Qin, the new Marquis of Wu.

Xie Hong also saw Ge Hong and Xi Zhong, who were standing close together in the front.

Xi Xuan wore her hair in a "fallen horse" style today, and her plain-colored blouse trailed on the ground. Even though she was kneeling behind Xi Zhong, she still looked slender and graceful.

Xiao Xi Yin leaned against her, dozing off out of boredom.

Chen San glanced around, then quietly approached and whispered, "Young Master Xie, perhaps we should greet you and leave. I sense a murderous aura emanating from you."

"Um?"

Xie Hong narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharp glint flashing in them.

murderous look?

Kill whoever is the one who gets killed.

He believed Chen San's words, after all, the other party's identity was not as simple as Liu Chong's servant.

In fact, he had long sensed that someone was secretly watching him.

He had this feeling halfway up the mountain.

"Master Chen, tell me, if I were to overturn this place, wouldn't that make me famous?"

Chen San felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at Xie Hong in terror, his eyes filled with pleading.

He guessed that Xie Hong was an imposter from the Xie family, but he must be from a higher-ranking family than the Xie family, most likely the Sima family.

He can do whatever he wants, but if his lover's identity is exposed...

"Hehe, don't worry, Mr. Chen, I was just joking."

Chen San wiped his forehead.

"My lord, please don't frighten the servant."