fake gentry

Starting from the third day of the sixth lunar month, servants from various gentry families began to send visiting cards to Xie Hong.

Among the four families of Yuzhang, the Hu, Deng, and Xiong families were the first to send their regards. The Tao, Zhou, Tao Mao, and Zhou Guang families from Xunyang County had already visited Xie Hong. Needless to say, the Zhai family also had to come.

It is said that Zhai Tang has expelled his second son, Zhai Qiankai, from the Zhai family, refusing to acknowledge that he had such a son, as keeping him would be a disgrace to the family.

The Zhang, Zong, and Zhou families, who were living in exile, were not of high social standing. If they were to visit Xie Hong at this time, it would inevitably be seen as flattery. They also had their pride, so they only sent servants to deliver gifts worth ten thousand coins to Xie Hong, and to introduce themselves and leave an impression.

Zhu Faqian will also pay a visit, Gu He will bring the Lu brothers, Lu Shi and Lu Na, and other young gentry will probably come in groups. Only Xie Kun did not send anyone.

Xie Hong accepted all comers, receiving so many name cards and gifts that his hands were sore.

During this time, Dong Xuan went up the mountain again. He had changed out of the village magistrate's clothes and put on the official robes of the county magistrate.

He wore a ceremonial cap and a black turban, and his official robes were black. The material had also changed from the coarse cloth of a village foreman to ordinary silk. He walked with a breezy air, as if he had become ten years younger.

Dong Xuan brought Xie Hong the message that Zhou Guang had entrusted to him.

The Zhang and Luo families had originally prepared an apology gift of about one million coins, but Xie Kun was very dissatisfied and publicly belittled the Luo family, almost cursing them. It was practically equivalent to a war between the northern and southern gentry families. The Luo family was already in the wrong, so the other three families came to the Luo family to explain the situation and demand that the apology gift be increased. Helpless, Luo Shao increased the apology gift to two million coins, which greatly damaged the Luo family's strength.

As for the Zhang family?

They had no right to bargain and were about to be removed from the register. The local gentry of Yuzhang immediately severed ties with the Zhang family.

Zhou Guang took it upon himself to decide on this fortune. Among the goods, there were items worth one million coins, silk worth five hundred thousand coins, and the remaining two million coins were directly exchanged for gold. At that time, one tael of gold was worth ten thousand coins, so a total of thirteen catties of gold were exchanged.

Xie Hong was naturally delighted. One jin in the Eastern Jin Dynasty was sixteen liang, which is roughly equivalent to one jin in modern times. Thirteen jin of gold was indeed a large sum of money.

Xie Kun took over Yuzhang County and secretly sent people to investigate Luo Shao's corruption and abuse of power during his years as county magistrate. He estimated that he would make Luo's family suffer a great loss.

"My lord, Magistrate Tao also has a message for me to pass on to you. Dong Xuan said, "He sent a letter to Guangzhou on the night of the first day of the month, saying that the General Who Conquers the South will surely send someone to recruit you. He asked you to keep your weapons hidden and wait for the right time to act."

Xie Hong chuckled inwardly.

Does this count as having a pillow when you're sleepy?

His plan was to join Tao Kan, but not now.

Fishing also involves baiting the area, and I can handle that.

Tao Kan is now the General Who Conquers the South, with the title of Grand General of the Three Excellencies. He has his own Grand General's Office and his status is above that of the Four Generals Who Conquer the South. He can recruit all his subordinates except for the Chief Clerk and the Military Advisor.

The major generals of the Eastern Jin Dynasty were the Four Directions, Four Expeditions, Four Garrisons, Four Peace, and Four Pacification.

The four highest-ranking generals, the front, rear, left, and right generals, were in charge of guarding the capital and were the core military officers of the central imperial guards.

The Four Generals are above the Four Garrisons. If they were to increase their titles and become officials of equal rank, they could establish their own headquarters.

Before Wang Dun rebelled, he was the General Who Guards the East.

Tao Kan's strength and status were even higher than Wang Dun's before he was appointed prime minister. It was just a pity that the Tao family was from a poor family. No matter how strong or high his status was, a mere third-class aristocratic family dared to point at him to his face and call him a dog. Tao Kan deeply resented this.

If Xie Hong were to be recruited by Tao Kan, it would be a major event for both the Tao family and Tao Kan himself.

After all, the Xie family of Chenjun was a prestigious family. In just a few days, Xie Hong's reputation had spread far and wide. Some people were saying that the Xie family of Chenjun had Xie Kun before them and Xie Hong after them, and that they would surely become a first-class family within ten years.

"I understand. Take this to Magistrate Tao and ask him to pass it on to Prefect Zhou."

Xie Hong took out a cloth bag sewn by the Li family and handed it to Dong Xuan: "Tell Prefect Zhou that this thing must not get wet."

Dong Xuan took the items with both hands and put them away. He then went to see A Ling and A Heng, giving them many instructions. Finally, he spoke to Li Shi with a gentle tone, saying, "Your family has moved into the fortified village. Your son will be with my youngest son. Dong Qi has also become the steward. You must not be careless while staying by your husband's side. Remember this well."

Li almost burst into tears and bowed to Dong Xuan, saying, "Thank you, clan leader."

Dong Xuan quickly dodged the question, saying, "There's no need for that, no need for that."

He had already learned from the returning artisans that Xie Langjun seemed to value Li Shi highly, even more so than the Dong clan girl.

At least, only Madam Li knew about Xie Langjun's amazing ice-making technique.

Dong Xuan was even a little jealous of Li Shi.

Two days passed after Dong Xuan left, and it was the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

Xi Zhong was about to leave.

"Lord Xi, are you really leaving?"

"The troops and servants have packed everything and are ready to depart today." Xi Zhong stood side by side with Ge Hong and smiled, "Feng Zhi, it's not too late if you change your mind."

Xie Hong couldn't help but give a wry smile: "Master Xi, please don't tempt me."

Xi Xuan lifted the curtain of her carriage, and she seemed to be writing something.

Upon seeing Xie Hong, Xiao Xi Yin immediately jumped out of the car, seemingly having just finished crying: "Brother, brother, are you really not coming with us?"

Xie Hong reached out and hugged the little guy, laughing, "Third brother, you have to be strong. Where's your second brother?"

Liu Chong was also packing his things; he was going to leave with Xi Zhong, but he left Chen San behind because Xie Hong needed a personal steward.

Seeing that he hadn't come out for a long time, Xie Hong led Xi Yin over and found the immature boy wiping away tears.

Xie Hong laughed and said, "If you don't leave now, I'm going to hand you over to collect the reward."

Liu Chong, with his neck sticking out, said stubbornly, "Brother, do I really have to go to Yanzhou? I don't want to leave you."

Xie Hong punched him hard in the chest, and said with some sadness, "Remember what I said. It's only two years. After two years, you and I, brothers, will meet again. At that time, we can go anywhere in the world."

Xi Yin anxiously chimed in from the side, "Me too! Me too!"

There was no son of Dai Yuan in history, so Xie Hong changed history, but he still doesn't know whether Liu Chong will survive.

He naturally couldn't tell Liu Chong these things, so he could only tell him to prioritize his own life at all times and to keep things calm and avoid recklessness.

"Brother, is the traitor Dun really about to die?"

Xie Hongdao said, "They will surely perish within two years."

He immediately turned to Aheng and ordered, "Bring me my sword."

Aheng was taken aback, then pouted and reluctantly went to retrieve the Han sword. She knew how precious her husband's sword was; was he really going to give it away?

Xie Hong drew his Han sword, his gaze sweeping over the sword's surface, which was as clear as autumn water, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart.

But he quickly composed himself and handed the sword to Liu Chong: "You've been eyeing this sword of mine all along, take it, it's yours now."

Liu Chong stared blankly at Xie Hong, hesitating to reach out.

"Brother, this is too precious, I cannot accept it."

Xie Hong threw it directly at him, laughing and scolding, "Don't act like a little girl. Do you think I don't know who you are?"

Liu Chong blushed, immediately clutching his sword tightly, trying to laugh, but tears still fell.

He wiped his eyes hard and knelt down in front of Xie Hong: "Meeting you, elder brother, is the greatest fortune of my life. Once I have avenged my great grudge, I will surely serve you by your side."

In Liu Chong's eyes, Xie Hong had almost taken over the role of his father.

Xie Hong felt a pang of sadness and helped him up, smiling as he comforted him, "Second brother, remember to write to me anytime. Soldiers are the foundation of the nation. You must do as I write and not dream of instant success."

As Chen San listened to Xie Hong's instructions to Liu Chong, tears streamed down his face.

At approximately 1:15 AM, Xi Zhong began his journey.

Xie Hong, Ge Hong, Chen San, and the others escorted her for about three miles. When they reached the fork in the road and met up with Xi's caravan, Xi Zhong, holding Xi Yin's hand, turned around and said, "Fengzhi, let's stop here."

Xie Hong stopped in his tracks: "Even after a thousand miles of seeing you off, we must eventually part ways. Lord Xi, take care on your journey."

Xi Zhong hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "I know Feng Zhi's ambition. You hate idle talk, and Tao Shiheng once said that idle talk ruins the country. Joining his staff is the best choice. But you should become famous as soon as possible. With your talent, you should be able to establish yourself under Lord Tao in less than half a year. But I still have to say, if you are willing to come to Yanzhou, I will definitely welcome you with open arms."

Xie Hong bowed deeply, and Xi Yin grabbed Xie Hong's sleeve, wiping away tears.

He was reluctant to leave, as he hadn't had enough of the roasted rabbit and the crispy pastry, and he was even more reluctant to part with Xie Hong.

Liu Chong stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "I will never forget my elder brother's instructions."

Chen San also knelt down before Liu Chong: "Take care, my lord."

Without waiting for Xie Hong to help him up, Liu Chong stood up and strode forward without looking back, saying loudly, "Uncle Cen, take good care of my elder brother. If anything happens to him, go and find my father yourself."

Chen San knelt on the ground for a long time without getting up.

At this moment, Caiwei and Zhishu stepped out of Xi Xuan's carriage, one carrying a Jiaowei Qin (a type of zither) and the other holding a letter.

"Thank you, my lord. My lady says that this zither should stay with you for now. Please play a song for me as a farewell. This is a letter from my lady. You can read it when you get back."

Xi Zhong and Ge Hong watched from the side, their expressions strange.

Xie Hong reluctantly accepted the letter and took the Jiao Wei Qin (a type of zither), feeling somewhat dazed.

Did this girl give herself the violin?

The beauty's kindness is profound.

He removed his harp bag and sat cross-legged on a protruding rock by the roadside, placing the scorched tail on his lap.

The zither music lingered as Xi Zhong bid farewell to Ge Hong, then led Xi Yin, who kept turning back to look at him, into the carriage, and the convoy slowly departed.

Standing beside Xie Hong, Ge Hong sighed deeply.

Nowadays, scholars part ways frequently, and this happens almost every moment, so there shouldn't be such a sense of melancholy.

But Ge Hong felt sorry for Xie Hong.

Feng Zhi had just met the person she loved, but they had to part ways.

Chen San remained kneeling on the ground until the convoy was no longer in sight.

The melodious sound of the zither carried far and wide, reaching inside the baggage train.

"At the ends of the earth, at the corners of the sea..."

Xi Xuan suddenly peeked out and looked at the figure in the distance, her eyes blurred with tears.

Three years.

Xie Fengzhi, I will wait for you for three years.