fake gentry

Shen Chong withdrew his gaze and led Xie Hong inside.

After passing through a long palace path, there were rows of armored soldiers standing on both sides, all the way to the foot of the main hall.

These armored soldiers were more robust than those outside, all clad in gleaming helmets and armor, their long spears pointing diagonally, exuding an imposing aura.

Xie Hong walked among them, his sleeves fluttering, his steps unhurried and leisurely.

Upon reaching the steps, the armored soldiers changed again, each one burly and imposing, with only ring-pommel swords at their waists. Their eyes were fixed on Xie Hong, their expressions suggesting a predatory intent.

Xie Hong ignored him and steadily climbed the steps.

Upon arriving at the palace, Shen Chong gestured for him to wait before entering.

Xie Hong was actually very nervous, but he didn't dare to show it.

Wang Dun put on quite a grand show.

He had clearly become a target.

The saying "kill the chicken to scare the monkey" means this.

A moment after Shen Chong entered the hall, a shout came from inside: "Xie's son, enter!"

Xie Hong lifted his leg and walked inside.

Seven or eight people, all trusted confidants of Wang Dun, were sitting on either side of the main hall, all looking at Xie Hong.

On the steps of the palace stood a huge, long, black lacquered table, piled high with documents and command tokens. Behind the table was a large couch. Kneeling to the left of the couch was a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and three wisps of fine beard. This man was Qian Feng, the Left Sima under Wang Dun, and also Wang Dun's most trusted confidant and advisor.

From the moment Xie Hong entered, Qian Feng's gaze remained fixed on him.

Xie Hong finally met the powerful warlord of the early Eastern Jin Dynasty, second only to Huan Wen, who was a force to be reckoned with in Jiangzuo.

In fact, apart from family background, Wang Dun could not compare with Huan Wen on any other level.

Whether in terms of military achievements, governance effectiveness, or even historical contributions, Huan Wen far surpasses Wang Dun.

Wang Dun was fifty-six years old this year. He was tall and robust with broad shoulders and back. He wore a crimson brocade robe and did not wear a crown. He only tied his hair up with a gold hairpin.

His face was long and slender, with slightly protruding cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a profound look in his eyes.

Xie Hong looked up and stared directly at Wang Dun, suddenly realizing something.

No wonder Wang Dun will die next year.

This guy is sick.

Cardiovascular diseases are always caused by excessive heart fire leading to sudden death.

This situation easily leads to anxiety and irritability, with even the smallest things causing emotional fluctuations.

Shen Chong stood below the steps, looking at Xie Hong, repeatedly gesturing for him to kneel. But Xie Hong, as if possessed, stared straight at Wang Dun.

The atmosphere inside the Taiji Hall gradually froze.

Wang Dun sat there without saying a word.

His gaze fell on Xie Hong, as if a cat were catching a mouse, full of mockery and cruelty.

He truly lived up to his reputation as a ruthless and powerful figure; anyone who saw him would feel fear. Xie Hong was no exception, but he managed to maintain his composure.

Wang Dun never expected that Xie Hong would dare to stare at him so brazenly on their first meeting; it was utterly audacious. Let alone a mere child, even renowned scholars of the land would be in awe of his presence upon their first encounter.

Xie Hong withdrew his gaze, then with a flick of his sleeves, calmly bowed and said, "Xie Hong of Chen Commandery pays respects to the Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant."

The air inside the Taiji Hall suddenly turned cold!

Shen Chong stared at Xie Hong in horror, feeling a complete blank before his eyes.

It’s over.

Xie Lang, Xie Lang, how can I save you if you're courting death like this?

Wang Dun was the son-in-law of Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan. He married Princess Xiangcheng, the daughter of Emperor Wu of Jin. Xie Hong's claim that he was a son-in-law commander was entirely accurate.

But the problem is...

What is Wang Dun's current status?

Okay, he won't criticize you if you don't address him as Prime Minister or Duke. But at least you should address him as Grand General, right?

Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was generally powerful ministers who married princesses, and the title of "驸马都尉" (驸马都尉) was perfectly acceptable for other powerful ministers who married princesses.

But Wang Dun was not one of them.

There's a well-known joke about this, which was Wang Dun's lifelong regret.

Wang Dun was handsome and unrestrained in his youth, but he couldn't speak the elegant Luoyang dialect and was ridiculed as a country bumpkin by the famous scholars of the capital, which was completely out of step with the refined image of the gentry.

However, he stood out at a gathering of scholars hosted by Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan, and caught the eye of the emperor. The "A New Account of Tales of the World" records that he disregarded the opinions of others and beat a drum in front of everyone with a vigorous and crisp rhythm, impressing all the guests with his uninhibited and charismatic demeanor.

After marrying the princess, he wanted to experience how she used the toilet. He went inside and found that the princess's toilet room was filled with dried dates. Thinking they were for eating, he ate them while defecating and finished them all.

Actually, this thing is used to plug your nostrils to prevent odor.

After Wang Dun finished relieving himself, the maid brought him a gold bath basin and a glass bowl filled with water and bath beans for him to wash his hands. However, he thought it was for drinking and drank it all.

The idea of ​​using bath beans as food spread.

Wang Dun deeply resented this, and it's very likely that the reason he and the princess had no son was because of this.

Therefore, appointing Wang Dun as his son-in-law and military commander was tantamount to slapping him in the face in public.

Wang Dun stared intently at Xie Hong; the hall was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Wang Dun suddenly burst into laughter: "How audacious! How audacious! The Xie family actually has such a person. Xie Youyu is far inferior. Shiju, may you introduce Xie's son to everyone?"

Shen Chong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and began to introduce Xie Hong to the people present.

First came Qian Feng, the military advisor; Wen Qiao, the left military advisor; Wang Han, the governor of Jingzhou; Lu Wan, the chief secretary; Zhou Fu, the prefect of Wuchang; Guo Pu, the secretary and military advisor; and Wang Ying, the heir and adopted son of Wang Dao.

Xie Hong bowed respectfully to everyone, his expression unchanged, but his heart was churning with emotions.

Listen to these names: Wen Qiao, Lu Wan, Guo Pu.

Xie Hong glanced at Guo Pu several times, especially at him.

The founder of Chinese Feng Shui.

Wang Dun spoke with a hint of mockery to Xie Hong, saying with a smile, "I've heard that you refuted several famous scholars at Huangshiyan, leaving them all convinced. Now that you're here with me, tell me, how does my Wuchang city compare to Jiankang?"

Silence fell over the hall once more, confirming Wang Dun's ambition to usurp the throne.

Xie Hong lowered his eyes slightly and said calmly, "Jiankang is situated by the natural defenses of the Yangtze River, while Wuchang is situated by the strategic location of the Han River. Jiankang has a nine-tiered palace, and Wuchang has the old palace of Sun Wu. The Duke of the Commandery has stationed troops on the Han River. He can conquer the Central Plains to the north and control the Jiangzuo region to the south. He is truly a king and a hegemon. However, the world depends on the people, not the cities. Although a city is strategically important, it is safe if it has the right people, and it is in danger if it loses them."

Qian Feng suddenly let out a soft hum, while Lu Wan, Wen Qiao, and the others in the hall exchanged glances.

Wang Dun suddenly asked again, "I've heard that you've compiled your own calculations and figured out the cost of provisions. My 100,000 soldiers consume tens of thousands of bushels of grain and provisions every month. Do you have any ideas on how to save money and supplies?"

Xie Hongdao said, "I dare not speak rashly about major military and national plans. If we talk about saving money and grain, everything is accomplished if we are prepared, and will fail if we are not prepared."

Wang Dun laughed heartily: "This young man is indeed talented. His explanation of the Four Books and Five Classics is not unfounded. Let me elaborate."

Xie Hong curled his lip: "It's nothing more than registering and recording, checking every quarter, and auditing every year to prevent false reporting and fraudulent claims. But if the Duke can't do it, don't say I didn't warn you."

Wang Dun turned to Qian Feng and laughed, "This boy is too arrogant."

Qian Feng quickly bowed: "Prime Minister, you are very magnanimous."

Wang Dun then asked Xie Hong, "Do you know why I brought you here?"

Xie Hong nodded: "I know. I once said that Dun is not a prime minister, but a rebel."

Shen Chong has completely given up on treatment.

Xie Fengzhi, go ahead and do what you want. The only thing I can do for you is to give you a proper burial.

Wang Dun's tone suddenly turned extremely cold: "After seeing me, will you still speak?"

Xie Hong fell silent.

On his way to Wuchang, he had mentally rehearsed countless times how to confront Wang Dun.

Xie Hong was deeply impressed by the historical records about him, so he was very confident that he could save his life.

But what makes a ruthless and cunning man is that he is capricious and unpredictable; who knows if he might lose his life because of a single word?

He took a deep breath, raised his head, and met Wang Dun's gaze: "Lord, may I ask you a question?"

Wang Dun stared into his eyes, and Xie Hong did not flinch.

After a long while, Wang Dun slowly withdrew his gaze.

"ask."

Are you going to kill me?

"What does that mean?"

"If the Duke does not kill me, I will still say the same thing: Dun is not a prime minister, but a rebel."

"What if I kill you?"

"Then I will say that the Duke is ambitious and domineering, but he has no intention of disloyalty and can be called a hero of our time."

Everyone present was stunned, especially Shen Chong.

What's the logic behind this?

If I don't kill you, you'll start cursing.

You'd praise someone if I killed you?

are you crazy?

Unexpectedly, Wang Dun laughed wildly, his laughter echoing throughout the Taiji Hall.

"Interesting, this child is truly interesting."

"If you can overcome my three trials, I will not only spare your life, but I will also grant you one request."

Wang Dun was naturally arrogant and acted decisively and ruthlessly. In the current climate where personal character was highly valued and moral judgment was downplayed, he was indeed regarded as a hero by the literati.

Huan Wen regarded him as his idol.

Xie Hong's back was soaked with cold sweat.

He can only take risks and gamble.