fake gentry

Xi Zhong and Ge Hong looked at each other.

They only knew that someone had sent an invitation to Xie Hong in Zhai Tang's name, but they didn't expect it to involve the Prefect of Yuzhang County.

Luo Shao was the head of the four prominent families in Yuzhang, a high-ranking local family with a great influence in the prefecture.

Even though Xie Hong had the Chenjun Xie clan behind him, the Luo clan was not as influential as the Xie clan, but in terms of strength, the Luo clan was still superior to the Xie clan.

When the Xie family moved south, they lost not only their land and wealth, but also most of their family's collection of books. They survived only because of Xie Kun's reputation.

What gives the gentry the right to stand on their own?

First, family background; second, reputation.

Xie Hong stopped Liu Chong, gave the two soldiers a cold look, and stepped forward.

All eyes were on him at that moment. Seeing that the young man was as handsome as Wei Jie and even more elegant than Ji Kang, they couldn't help but cheer in their hearts.

What a handsome and refined young gentleman! Whose son is he?

Ji Kang was a symbolic figure of the Wei-Jin style, and no scholar could surpass him.

Scholars of this era held a special tolerance and appreciation for beautiful things. Zhai Tang, Gu He, and Zhu Faqian found Xie Hong pleasing to the eye, but Luo Shao found Xie Hong extremely repulsive.

Xie Hong stepped forward, bowed to Zhai Tang and the other two, and said loudly, "Xie Hong of Chen Commandery greets Lord Zhai, Lord Gu, and Lord Zhu."

He disdained to go against Luo Shao, as that would only lead him into a trap, where he would always be on the defensive. Only an idiot would do that. Since Luo Shao had already made his move, he only needed to respond accordingly.

Xi Zhong was very anxious. Although he was unknown in his life and relied on Xi Jian's reputation when he went out, he had seen a lot of people and could tell at first glance that Xie Hong was no ordinary person. Otherwise, he would not have written to Xi Jian, asking him to recruit Xie Hong and invest in advance. He even mentioned Xi Xuan's marriage in the letter.

Although Xie Hong came from a minor branch of the Xie clan and his social standing was completely outside the Xi family's selection criteria, he had never mentioned any aristocratic gentlemen in his previous letters to Xi Jian, so Xi Jian would naturally understand upon receiving the letters.

He immediately looked at Ge Hong, hoping Ge Hong would join him in providing assistance. Ge Hong, however, gave him a look that said, "Don't be impatient." He understood Xie Hong better than Xi Zhong did.

But Xi Zhong couldn't help but be anxious.

The Xi clan of Gaoping lacked a strong foundation and urgently needed to win over outstanding members of the aristocratic families to serve them.

While scions of high-ranking families would naturally disdain the Xi family's recruitment, recruiting an outstanding son from a second-class aristocratic family would play a crucial role in enhancing the Xi family's reputation.

So these past few days, Xi Zhong has been trying to curry favor with Xie Hong, even trying to win him over, but he knows how to do things discreetly so that Xie Hong won't notice.

Ge Hong was all alone, and the Ge family of Danyang could only be considered a low-ranking aristocratic clan, so of course he wasn't in a hurry.

Xi Zhong had a plan in mind, and said to Zhai Tang with a smile, "Master Zhai, this boy comes from the Xie family of Chen Commandery. His name is Hong and his courtesy name is Fengzhi. Mr. Zhichuan and I spent several days with him. He is truly a fine steed of the Xie family."

Zhai Tang sized up Xie Hong, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Since you have gained the appreciation of Master Xi and Mr. Zhichuan, I will give you a question. If you can answer it, I will give you a chance to defend yourself in front of Master Luo. How about it?"

Xie Hong's heart pounded.

I'm completely incapable of any kind of intellectual debate or intellectual exchange.

But I'm definitely not afraid of verbal sparring.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xie Hong calmly bowed to Zhai Tang and said, "Please give me the question, Master Zhai."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone sneered, "Does a wicked person like him even deserve to be challenged by Lord Zhai? Gentlemen, don't be fooled by this boy."

Xie Hong thought to himself, "That bastard again?"

The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was kneeling behind Luo Shao. Some people recognized him as Zhang Xun, the patriarch of the Yuzhang Zhang clan.

Zhou Guang, the prefect of Xunyang, was furious and reprimanded Tao Mao beside him in a low voice, "What exactly happened?"

If the gathering goes well, it will be considered a political achievement for him; but if it goes wrong, he will immediately become a laughing stock.

Tao Mao could only smile helplessly.

In terms of status alone, the Tao family with Tao Kan is now undoubtedly the number one in Jiangzhou. However, the Tao family has a fatal weakness: no matter how capable Tao Kan is, he is still from a poor family. Normally, the lower-ranking gentry in Chaisang County are unwilling to associate with Tao Mao. Tao Mao, as the magistrate of the county, does not even dare to offend these gentry.

In many cases, his position as county magistrate was merely a figurehead.

"My lord, please hear me out..."

Tao Mao gave Zhou Guang a brief report on what he had learned from Dong Xuan and what he had investigated himself.

Zhou Guang was also a little confused.

"Are you saying that all those rock honeys were harvested by this Xie Hong? Then why would he impersonate a mere Dong family member...? I know the answer."

Zhou Guang immediately realized what was going on.

The rivalry between the northern and southern aristocratic families has been going on for a long time, and Xie Hong's actions were out of necessity.

It seems that the huge profits from rock honey have attracted the covetousness of the local gentry, and the Luo family is the mastermind behind it.

"Hmph, the Luo family is utterly disgraceful, with nothing more than rock honey."

Tao Mao glanced at Zhou Guang and said softly, "My lord, the Xie family's son has made a million in profit in just ten days."

"Take away the young master?"

For a fleeting moment, Prefect Zhou's eyes widened into bulging bull's eyes.

A profit of millions?

He knew that rock honey was precious and priceless. Zhou Guang came from the Zhou family of Runan, and his father was a famous general who was renowned throughout the land and could even intimidate Wang Dun. However, his branch of the Zhou family had long since declined, and if it weren't for his father's legacy, he would never have been able to become the prefect.

Even at the height of his family's wealth, they couldn't come up with a million dollars.

That was the accumulation of decades.

Xie Hong can make millions in a few days, no wonder he's been targeted. I wouldn't be able to resist if I were in his shoes.

Zhou Guang couldn't help but look at Xie Hong with complicated emotions.

The Xie family of Chenjun was renowned, but the Luo family had clearly allied with the local high-ranking families of Yuzhang.

Ok?

wrong!

Zhou Guang suddenly realized something.

The schemes of several families in Yuzhang are far-reaching. They're not really after the profits from rock honey; they're clearly using Xiang Zhuang's sword dance to target Liu Bang.

They wanted to ruin the Xie family's reputation in order to force Xie Youyu to resign as governor of Yuzhang.

Zhou Guang withdrew his gaze, frowned, and said to Tao Mao, "Be careful. I'm afraid the Luo family isn't just targeting Xie's son. Your position as county magistrate may be in jeopardy, and I won't be able to help you."

Tao Mao was greatly surprised.

Why are they targeting me now?

He immediately searched for County Magistrate Zhang De in the crowd, only to find that he had disappeared.

"My lord, please save me! I will write to my father and repay you."

Tao Mao was not a man of ideals, and Tao Kan was exceptionally prolific. However, he was Tao Kan's tenth son, and for someone from a humble background to obtain the position of magistrate of Chaisang County was already the end of his life.

This is the tragedy of the poor and the powerful.

One man can bring prosperity, and one man can bring ruin.

At this moment, Zhang Xun stood up, pointed at Xie Hong, and shouted, "Gentlemen, this boy controls the flow of people and causes chaos, gathers bandits in the mountains and forests, kills fallen noble families, and seizes their family secret techniques to make millions in profit!"

Xie Hong's eyes widened immediately.

Wow, so the missing refugees can be used like this?

Enraged at being blocked from the crowd, Liu Chong brandished his sword again, but Chen San reacted swiftly, grabbing him tightly and whispering, "Young master, please stop! Don't cause trouble for Young Master Xie!"

"Adding to the chaos? This man is utterly shameless, framing my brother! I will kill this scoundrel!"

Chen San was filled with remorse.

My biggest mistake was not daring to come along.

Zhang Xun's words immediately caused an uproar, and even Zhai Tang and the others looked at Xie Hong with cold eyes.

"The phoenix has arrived...it is in grave danger!"

Xi Zhong almost jumped up to argue with Xie Hong, but Ge Hong remained seated, though his gaze toward Zhang Xun had become incredibly scrutinizing.

Xiao Xi Yin was initially dozing off in a daze, but upon seeing Xie Hong, he was instantly wide awake. Now, seeing someone falsely accusing his brother Xie, he immediately bared his teeth and claws, trying to get up.

Xi Xuan grabbed him and whispered a scolding, "Don't move!"

On Huangshi Rock, scholars from both the north and south all looked at Xie Hong with indifference.

Lu Shi, with an arrogant expression, reprimanded Lu Na, "You almost brought shame upon the family!"

Lu Na remained silent with a dark expression.

As a member of the gentry, to kill another gentry and seize their family's secret techniques is an heinous crime. If this is proven true, the Xie family of Chen Commandery will never recover.

The Yuzhang gentry involved in this matter were secretly sneering.

They believed that Xie Hong would not be able to get past this hurdle at all, and even if he did, there would be more deadly moves to come.

Xie Hong's mind raced, and he instantly came up with a solution.

He bowed to Zhai Tang again: "Lord Zhai, please allow me to clear my name."

Luo Shao gave him no chance, shouting, "This is not a public office; you cannot act so presumptuously here! Guards, quickly bind this scoundrel and put him in the prison cart. I will personally interrogate him afterward!"

Xie Hong roared in fury: "I've given you the hell the time of day! Liu Chong, bring your sword!"

Liu Chong immediately threw the Han sword in his hand at Xie Hong.

Clang!

The Han sword is drawn.

Luo Shao thought Xie Hong was going to kill him, and he fell backward in fright, shouting, "Guards! Seize him! Seize him!!"

Xie Hong suddenly placed the sword against his own neck and roared angrily, "Today I will show you the blood and guts of the Xie family of Chenjun. Anyone who does not allow me to speak out will be executed on the spot. The world will know that you are all accomplices of those who seek fame and fortune and are scheming and despicable."

Everyone was stunned.

Xie Hong chuckled.

Do you know about the unparalleled classics from 1,700 years later?

That is...

An actor's self-cultivation.