fake gentry

Xie Hong got up very early today.

Then she took a bath and changed into the gorgeous clothes she wore when she traveled back in time.

Last night, he received a letter from a servant of the Lu Na faction, saying that many people would be coming to the agreed-upon visit, mostly disciples of high-ranking and prestigious families, and listed the names of several people.

Xie Hong was shocked.

Take a look at these names.

Wang Huzhi was the son of Wang Yi, a cousin of Wang Xizhi, and a future great scholar of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Wang Biao was the son of Wang Bin, a famous minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and also the cousin of Wang Dao. He would join Xie An in resisting Huan Wen in the future.

Yang Ben was the son of Yang Man. Although he died young, his wife was a princess. He also had a very famous sister-in-law named Sima Xingnan, who was granted the title of Princess Nankang. She was the eldest daughter of Sima Shao and Yu Wenjun and later married Huan Wen.

The idiom "I feel pity for her" originated from her.

There was also He Xi, the son of He Xun, a famous minister of the Jin Dynasty. He Xun, along with Gu Rong and others, were known as the Five Worthies, and their fame was so great that they were called the contemporary Confucian masters.

These guys are all arrogant and haughty. They came to my door with the Lu brothers, most likely to make things difficult for me.

Xie Shang had also changed into new clothes today, standing half a step behind Xie Hong with his back ramrod straight.

Around noon, Lu Na and Lu Shi arrived in an oxcart, followed by about twenty well-dressed young men from aristocratic families, each with their own servants and retainers—quite a grand procession.

Lu Na spotted Xie Hong from afar, immediately dismounted from the oxcart, and quickly walked up to Xie Hong, bowing deeply: "Young Master Xie, do you still remember Lu Na from Wu County?"

Xie Hong smiled and returned the greeting: "I was rude that day, please forgive me, Young Master Lu. If you don't mind, I'll call you Brother Zuyan, and you can call me Fengzhi, how about that?"

Lu Na was overjoyed, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Lu Zuyan has become friends with Feng Zhi today. Since we parted at Huangshiyan that day, I have been thinking about visiting Feng Zhi. I am really sorry to have troubled you by bringing so many people with me today."

He straightened up and cupped his hands in greeting to Xie Shang: "This must be Xie Renzu? I, Lu Na of Wu County, have long admired your exceptional talent and wisdom. I am overjoyed to meet you today."

Xie Shangduan returned the greeting formally, his voice clear and bright: "Young Master Lu is too kind. The Lu family has upheld the tradition of propriety for generations, and my father often mentions the Lu family of Wu County."

His response was very appropriate, and Lu Na couldn't help but take another look at him, secretly admiring him.

The Xie family of Chenjun is truly blessed by Heaven. With Xie Kun as their father and Xie Fengzhi and Xie Renzu as their sons, their rise to power is just around the corner.

Lu Shi stood behind Lu Na, looking somewhat embarrassed. When his eyes met Xie Hong's, he slightly turned his head, appearing very uncomfortable.

Xie Hong smiled and walked up to him, cupping his hands in greeting, "Brother Shiyan, did you bring any gifts to see me?"

Lu Shi was taken aback for a moment.

He hadn't expected Xie Hong to not only initiate a conversation with him, but also to be so humorous.

Just now, when he went up the mountain, he was thinking that if Xie Zi was jealous of his arrogance and indifference that day, he would also be cold to him. No one had to give each other a good face. So what if you are talented? I will ignore you. If you want to make me suffer, that is absolutely not allowed.

Xie Hong not only greeted him but also addressed him as "brother," which made the thoughts he had been harboring on the mountain path suddenly seem petty.

He pursed his lips and forced a bow in return, saying, "Thank you... Fengzhi, you..." He paused, then continued, "I misunderstood you. I was rude that day, and I apologize to you today."

Xie Hong quickly waved his hand and laughed, "Brother Shiyan, you flatter me. From now on, we are friends, and we won't talk about such things since we're gathered here today."

As they were talking, Wang Huzhi and the others also came over.

Just as Lu Shi was about to speak, Xie Hong stepped forward and bowed to the crowd, saying, "Xie Hong of Chenjun greets all gentlemen."

His movements were extremely graceful and elegant, and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. His gaze swept across the faces of Wang Huzhi, Yang Ben, He Xi, and others, and then he made a judgment in his mind.

These people were clearly from two camps. The southern gentry were naturally led by the Lu brothers, while the northern gentry were led by Wang Huzhi and Wang Biaozhi, with the rest following behind them.

When Wang Huzhi saw Xie Hong, he was also taken aback.

This man's demeanor was no less than that of Wang Xizhi, and his appearance surpassed that of all the sons of the Wang family. He was simply a man of unparalleled grace and charm; he couldn't think of any other member of the gentry from the north or south who could surpass him.

For a moment, he stood there, stunned.

Lu Shi hurriedly came over and introduced Xie Hong to them one by one with a smile. Apart from his brothers, the twenty-odd young men from aristocratic families all looked at Xie Hong with scrutiny, criticism, or even ill intentions in their eyes.

Wang Huzhi suddenly bowed to Xie Hong, his expression slightly strange, and said, "I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, I can say you are indeed a gentleman. I have a question for you. If you dare to answer, I will befriend you like Lu Zuyan. If you dare not answer, I will turn around and leave."

For a moment, there was no sound from the Taoping intersection except for the snorting of the oxen.

Lu Na was also stunned, but Lu Shi's face turned gloomy as he stared at Wang Huzhi as if he was about to curse him at the slightest provocation.

Do you really consider yourself a human being?

Don't you, the Wang family of Langya, know what kind of state you are in now?

At the beginning of Wang Dun's rebellion, many people suggested that the emperor directly kill Wang Dao and remove the Wang family from Wuyi Lane.

Xie Hongfeng looked at Wang Huzhi calmly and said, "Please ask, I will answer if I can, and if I cannot, you may leave."

The others were shocked once again.

This Xie son is really arrogant; he actually dares to speak to Wang Huzhi like that.

His father was Wang Yi, a renowned calligrapher and painter, who was also the emperor's brother-in-law and a leading figure among the younger generation of the Langya Wang clan.

Wang Huzhi was surprised that Xie Hong would say such a thing, and a cold smile immediately rose in his heart. He wanted to see how Xie Hong would answer his question.

"What do you think of the Prime Minister?"

Lu Na's expression suddenly changed, and Lu Shi was also stunned. He stared intently at Wang Huzhi, wishing he could kick this bastard to death.

The other young noblemen also looked at Wang Huzhi with flickering eyes, then turned to Xie Hong, waiting to see how he would answer this crucial question.

No matter how Xie Hong answered, it was wrong.

Wang Dun raised an army in rebellion and, without even meeting the emperor, took the position of prime minister himself.

From the court's perspective, Wang Dun was a traitor.

From the perspective of the gentry, Wang Dun was someone everyone envied and resented. Although they couldn't say it out loud, everyone knew the weight of the words "Wang and Ma share the world" and who wouldn't want their family to be like that?

If Xie Hongruo praises Wang Dun, then when Wang Dun is purged in the future, Xie Hongruo will inevitably suffer disgrace and ruin.

If he were to criticize Wang Dun, would he really believe that Wang Dun's sword was not sharp?

First, Xie Kun offended Wang Dun and was exiled to be the governor of Yuzhang. Then, Xie's son insulted him. That was truly courting death.

Just as Lu Na was about to step in to stop him, Xie Hong suddenly laughed and said, "You've asked a good question. I dare to answer it, but do you dare to listen?"

Lu Na's heart skipped a beat.

not good.

Although he had only met Xie Hong three times today, he had witnessed Xie Hong's fierce temperament from the very beginning when he committed suicide in public.

Wang Huzhi also looked at Xie Hong with a surprised and uncertain expression.

Xie Hong's voice suddenly turned icy cold: "Dun is not a prime minister, but a rebel!"

Lu Na nearly fainted. He rudely stepped in front of Xie Hong, his face full of anxiety, and said, "Feng Zhi, why did you have to go to this? Be careful what you say!"

The young nobles present all turned to stone, the more timid ones trembling uncontrollably. If what they had said today were to get out, they feared everyone would suffer an undeserved calamity.

Wang Biaozhi stood next to Wang Huzhi, his mouth agape as he looked at Xie Hong.

Wang Huzhi suppressed the turmoil in his heart, gave Xie Hong a complicated look, and then solemnly bowed deeply to Xie Hong: "Wang Xiuling, the second son of Wang Yi, Marquis of Wuling County, pays his respects to Young Master Xie."

Wang Biao swallowed hard, then realized what was happening and quickly bowed to Xie Hong: "I am Wang Biao, courtesy name Shuhu, son of Wang Bin. I greet you, Young Master Xie."

The others were also startled and immediately bowed and introduced themselves.

Lu Shi was a rather simple-minded fellow. He thought Xie Hong had won everyone over with just one sentence, and he happily said, "Xie Fengzhi, we've all brought you gifts. Quickly tell your servants to unload them."

Lu Na glanced at his brother with a hint of helplessness, wanting to say something but really not knowing what to say.