fake gentry

June 2nd.

Xie Hong did not see Xie Kun, but instead saw Zhou Guang, the prefect of Xunyang County, and Tao Mao, the magistrate of Chaisang County.

In the past, if members of the gentry wanted to pay a visit, they had to prepare a visiting card and send someone to deliver it to their door. This was a core and rigid etiquette requirement in gentry social interactions.

"Refurbishing a business card" means preparing a business card.

Business cards would include the name, place of origin, and even official rank and other core identity information, serving as a necessary medium for aristocratic families to confirm their social status and complete equal social interactions.

It would be impolite to arrive without a visiting card, and it wouldn't be surprising to be turned away.

This was a means for the aristocratic social circles to maintain their social standing.

Of course, if the two have a particularly good relationship, then that's a completely different story.

Like Wang Huizhi, the son of Wang Xizhi, who, after a night of heavy snowfall, woke up drunk and, in a daze, suddenly remembered his friend Dai Kui. He traveled by boat through the night, arriving at Dai Kui's doorstep, but instead of going in, he turned back. When others asked why, he laughed and said, "I went on a whim, and now that the whim is over, why bother seeing Dai?"

This is the origin of the famous saying, "Coming with high spirits, leaving when the spirits are gone."

However, Zhou Guang was the prefect of Xunyang County, and since he was visiting Xie Hong in an official capacity, he naturally did not need to bring a visiting card.

He took Tao Mao, along with officials and servants from the prefecture and county, totaling nearly a hundred people, and two hundred armored soldiers, and went directly to Dongshi Fortress.

Dong Xuan thought someone was attacking the fortified village and turned pale with fright. When he saw that it was the prefect and the magistrate, he immediately scrambled to open the gate of the fortified village.

Zhou Guang didn't even glance at him, but Tao Mao smiled and ordered him to send someone to settle the soldiers and servants, bring some tea, give the cattle and horses some water, and also prepare some honey water to send up.

The Zhou family of Xunyang is a collateral branch of the Zhou family of Runan, but they fled to Jiangnan as early as the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, so they are not actually related to the Zhou family of Runan. Like the Tao family, they belong to a poor family.

His father, Zhou Fang, the Marquis of Xunyang County, was of humble origin but held a high position, which Wang Dun deeply feared. Unfortunately, he died two years ago, and Zu Ti also died the following year. This was the fundamental reason why Wang Dun dared to rebel.

If Zhou Fang and Zu Ti were alive, Wang Dun would never have dared to rebel.

Zhou Guang showed the demeanor of a great general from a young age. He met Wang Dun when he was ten years old. His father and Wang Dun were at odds all their lives, but now Zhou Guang is highly regarded by Wang Dun.

Normally, given his status, there would be no need for him to visit Xie Hong in person, but having witnessed Xie Hong's charisma at the Huangshiyan gathering yesterday, he certainly wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to make his acquaintance.

He came from a humble background, and his father had become noble through his merits, but he did not inherit the title, which was quite embarrassing. Even the local third-class gentry were unwilling to associate with him.

Now that he can sell a promising young man from the Xie family of Chenjun, as Xie Hong's fame grows, he will naturally be looked up to by the gentry.

Tao Mao, who came with him, shared the same thoughts.

Last night, Tao Mao wrote a letter to his father, detailing everything that had happened at the gathering, and then sent it to Guangzhou by fast horse overnight.

Xie Kun was a renowned scholar, so naturally he wouldn't personally investigate the Zhang family's false accusation case. Since the matter happened in Xunyang County anyway, he simply handed it all over to Zhou Guang to handle.

Yesterday afternoon, Zhou Guang directly imprisoned Zhang Xun, the head of the Zhang clan, and wrote to the imperial court overnight. He was just waiting for the imperial decree to be issued. Once the Zhang clan was removed from the official register, the matter would be settled, and the Xie clan's favor would be confirmed.

Luo Shao, on the other hand, lost face completely. The prefectural magistrate also went too far and was kicked by Xie Kun until he vomited blood. He pretended to be dead and was sent back to Nanchang. He probably won't be able to show his face in public again.

Zhou Guang was a martial man by nature. He only rested briefly at Dong's fortified village before heading directly to visit Xie Hong.

Dong Xuan naturally wouldn't let the opportunity slip by, so he personally led the way, taking him and Tao Mao, along with twenty elite soldiers, more than ten servants and maids, and two carts of goods up the mountain.

Zhou Guang rode a horse, while Tao Mao and Dong Xuan rode in an oxcart. The group traveled slowly and gradually arrived at Taoping.

Upon seeing the thatched cottage built by Xie Hong, Tao Mao asked with some surprise, "Is this Xie Fengzhi's secluded residence?"

Dong Xuan respectfully replied, "Yes, it was in mid-May that Young Master Xie arrived here."

Tao Mao couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "He actually understands construction techniques? Are there really geniuses in the world?"

Dong Xuan didn't dare mention the ice cream he ate last night, but he felt a surge of pride.

He was just a lowly clerk, yet he had tasted delicacies that even county magistrates and prefects had never eaten. He had lived a worthwhile life.

Tao Mao then asked, "The style of this villa seems to give people a different feeling, do you know why?"

Dong Xuan flattered, "Your Excellency has keen insight. This courtyard was personally designed by Young Master Xie, and..."

He went on and on about the heated floor, the fire wall, the bathroom, and the outhouse designed by Xie Hong, making it seem like he had a close relationship with Xie Hong, which would surely make the prefect think highly of him.

As expected, Zhou Guang finally spoke his first words to him: "Are you acquainted with Young Master Xie?"

Dong Xuan said with a hint of pride, "To the Prefect, it was Young Master Xie's first time descending the mountain, and he specifically chose the Dong family's fortified village, which I treated with great hospitality."

Zhou Guang chuckled and said, "Don't talk nonsense. There's only one way for the Xie family to go down the mountain. What's so special about it?"

Dong Xuan blushed instantly and gave an embarrassed smile.

Zhou Guang then turned to Tao Mao and smiled, "The magistrate of Chaisang County can be with this old servant."

Tao Mao immediately agreed, but Dong Xuan stood there stunned, overwhelmed by a huge surprise.

So this is the county magistrate?

In the entire Dong family's century-long history, the highest position they ever attained was that of a village magistrate.

What is a squire? A minor official.

But what is a county magistrate's assistant? An official!

Only sons of lower-ranking aristocratic families were qualified to use county magistrate as their starting position in officialdom.

Unless one is exceptionally outstanding and his reputation spreads to the prefecture or state level, only a poor scholar has a chance to become a county magistrate, but that is the end of his life.

Originally, county magistrates needed to be appointed by the imperial court, but the Jin dynasty was so corrupt that Tao Kan could appoint not only county magistrates but also prefects at will.

Dong Xuan was almost fifty, which was considered incredibly old in an era where the average lifespan was forty. Now that he had become a county magistrate, how could he not be overjoyed?

Tao Mao ignored him and smiled at Zhou Guang, saying, "My lord, this young master Xie has a good eye for choosing places. Look at the scenery here, it is in no way inferior to Huangshiyan, the residence of Lord Zhai."

Zhou Guang nodded repeatedly: "This trip was worthwhile."

The craftsmen and laborers working in Taoping had already avoided the group when they saw them from afar, while the refugees had gone into the mountains to look for honey early in the morning. By the time Chen San noticed that someone had arrived, Zhou Guang and the others had already reached the gate of Xie Honggang's newly repaired villa.

He hurried forward, pretending to only recognize Dong Xuan: "This servant greets Lord Dong, and these two are...."

Dong Xuan immediately said to Chen Dianji, "Chen Dianji, hurry up and report that the Prefect and the County Magistrate have come to visit Young Master Xie."

Chen San quickly bowed deeply to Zhou Guang and Tao Mao, saying, "I'll go right away."

At this moment, Ge Hong heard the commotion and came out of a cave. Zhou Guang was immediately overjoyed and quickly jumped off his horse, then, together with Tao Mao, went to Ge Hong and bowed.

"I've only met Mr. Chikagawa."

"Mao pays his respects to the Immortal Ge."

Yesterday, Zhou Guang stood up for Xie Hong at the gathering. Last night, Ge Hong learned from Xie Hong that Tao Mao had sold information to Dong Xuan. He now regards Xie Hong as a close friend and relative, and is very grateful to both of them.

Seeing that the two were so humble, how could we not warmly welcome them?

"Why have the Lady of the County and the Lady of the Court come here?"

Zhou Guangxia laughed and said, "I originally only came to visit Mr. Xie, but I didn't expect Mr. Zhichuan to be here as well."

Ge Hong also smiled and said, "Feng Zhi only went to sleep at dawn and is currently taking a bath. Please come with me, Lady and Lady. Li, quickly prepare some ice cream."

He had completely regarded himself as the master of this place.

Li immediately took A-Ling to prepare.

At this moment, Aheng was serving Xie Hong a bath.