fake gentry

He promised to play the flute and pipa for him when he saw him off two days later, and Wen Qiao left satisfied.

But then an unexpected visitor knocked on Xie Hongyuan's door.

"Fengzhi, are you sober now?"

The newcomer wore a wide-sleeved robe and a brocade belt, and his gait exuded a calm and authoritative air. He was followed by a servant carrying a bamboo-woven book box.

Upon hearing the voice, Xie Hong hurriedly went out to greet him: "Greetings, Uncle."

It was Wang Bin who arrived.

A faint smile appeared on Wang Bin's lips as he asked, "Can you still drink?"

Xie Hong said with a bitter face, "Uncle, please spare me."

Wang Bin strode into the main hall with a smile, sat down, and instructed a servant to bring him a book box.

"I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gift for you. This book was written when I was bored. It records some court etiquette, anecdotes, and some accumulated experience of being an official in the Wang family. You can take a look."

Xie Hong was shocked, and a word suddenly flashed through his mind.

Wang's Qingxiang School?

The term "Qingxiang Xue" (青箱学) in later generations generally refers to the family learning passed down through generations of aristocratic families, specifically the historical learning inherited by the Langya Wang family. Its content mainly involves court rituals, historical anecdotes, and institutional systems.

The author of this book is Wang Biaozhi, the son of Wang Bin.

It seems that Wang Biao obtained the book written by his father, Wang Bin, and then carried it forward, recording all the old court affairs and ceremonial knowledge that the family was familiar with.

Because it was kept in a blue box, it was called the Wang Family Blue Box School.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, this book was brought directly to the Northern Wei Dynasty by Wang Su, a descendant of the Wang family, and can be said to have laid the foundation for the institutional system of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Xie Hong felt a tingling sensation all over his body.

History is truly an inexhaustible treasure trove; any object you bend down to pick up can inspire awe and awe.

Xie Hong respectfully put down the book and solemnly bowed to Wang Bin, saying, "This junior is unworthy to accept such a gift."

This kind of thing is called family learning because it is absolutely kept secret. It is the experience accumulated by the Langya Wang family generation after generation. It is an absolute treasure. Even within the Langya Wang family, it is not something that ordinary people can learn.

This thing can save a novice in officialdom from countless detours.

Wang Bin has done such a great favor.

Wang Bin waved his hand dismissively, "It's just a pointless piece of work. Get up and tell me how you became friends with Uncle Hu Xiuling?"

Xie Hong then got up and instructed Song Yi to put the books away. Song Yi was very good at reading people and knew that the things Wang Bin had given her were extremely valuable. She carefully put them away and then personally served tea to her.

Xie Hong then recounted how he built a hermitage on Mount Lu and how he met Wang Biao, Wang Hu, Lu Shi, Lu Na, and others.

When Xie Hong was mentioned as having formed associations with the gentry of the North and South, a hint of surprise appeared in Wang Bin's eyes.

It should be noted that the antagonism between the northern and southern gentry is extremely difficult to break down, especially the higher the social status, the deeper this divide becomes.

How did Lu Wan get recruited by Wang Dun?

It all comes down to threats.

Lu Wan doesn't even care about the emperor, so why would he care about Wang Dun?

The biggest weakness of the four families in Wu Commandery was their lack of power. Without powerful ministers, they could only remain aloof and haughty, and when faced with a threat to their lives, they had no choice but to humble themselves.

Upon hearing that the Heaven and Earth Society had opened two branch halls and was also raising funds for disaster relief, Wang Bin couldn't help but nod vigorously in approval.

"The clan is divided into scholars and common people, and the destiny is divided into noble and humble? Scholars are divided into north and south, and the country is divided into north and south?"

Eight thousand miles of rivers and mountains, countless people adrift, the homeland no longer a country, homes without homes.

"Ten thousand years is too long; seize the day!"

"Well said! Fengzhi, do you think I'm fit to join the Heaven and Earth Society?"

Xie Hong almost spat out his drink.

"Uncle, you are the governor of a prefecture, a man of high status. The Heaven and Earth Society is merely a whim of the younger generation. Brother Xiuling and Brother Shuhu have joined. Since ancient times, there has never been a father-son sworn brotherhood. Isn't this disrupting the established order?"

Wang Bin raised an eyebrow slightly, but could only give up and said, "You youngsters are very kind. Since you are providing relief in Jiangzhou, then Jiangzhou will also provide four million coins for you to use as you see fit."

Xie Hong was overjoyed and immediately bowed to Wang Bin again.

With the approval of Governor Wang Bin, the Heaven and Earth Society would have no trouble moving freely in Jiangzhou.

Wang Bin then laughed and said, "Your clan elder asked me to pass on a message, telling you to be careful with your words and actions in the future. It seems that Fengzhi has quite a temper."

Xie Hong replied with surprise, "I will remember your instructions, Uncle, but I feel uneasy about troubling you with all this."

Wang Bin waved his hand. He had known Xie Kun for many years, and now Xie Hong had become friends with Wang Biao. They were all family, so there was no need for formalities.

Then he paused, softening his tone, and said, "I saw the General last night."

Xie Hong smiled wryly and asked, "What did the Duke say?"

"He said..." Wang Bin looked into Xie Hong's eyes: "Xie's son is a great talent. I will not kill him, but I will not let him go either. When he comes to his senses, he will be my honored guest, and I will appoint him as my military advisor."

Wang Bin shook his head: "I know my cousin's temper all too well. Once he says he won't release the person, no one can persuade him otherwise."

Xie Hong remained silent for a moment.

He understood what Wang Bin meant.

This is what the aristocratic class is like.

When Wang Dun raised an army, Wang Bin dared to curse him to his face. But now, Wang Bin actually seems to be speaking on Wang Dun's behalf.

Wang Bin's words contained several layers of meaning, and he understood each one.

First, his life was temporarily saved.

Second, his freedom is a long way off.

Third, although Wang Dun's patience had not yet run out, he would certainly not wait indefinitely.

Fourth, it would be better to temporarily ally with Wang Dun and seek a high starting point for entering officialdom.

Regardless of Wang Dun's fate, Xie Hong will be safe. This is because Wang Bin, Wen Qiao, and Lu Wan will all protect him.

But Xie Hong was labeled with a tag.

Wang was recruited into officialdom.

Therefore, Xie Hong would naturally have to repay the Langya Wang clan in the future.

"Thank you, Uncle," Xie Hong said with a smile. "Since the Duke is determined not to release him, Uncle need not trouble himself any further. However, I have a favor to ask of you. Could you please deliver a letter back to Yuzhang and give it to my clan elder?"

Wang Bin gave Xie Hong a deep look, then nodded and said, "I will leave with Wen Taizhen in two days."

Wen Qiao wanted to get to Jiankang, so taking a boat was the fastest way. The route passed through Xunyang and Yuzhang, and it was convenient for Wang Bin to go back with him.

Two days later, the younger generation personally saw their uncle off on his journey.

Wang Bin seemed to want to say something but hesitated, but in the end he shook his head and said with a hint of regret, "I have lived for more than forty years and have seen countless people, but I have never seen a young man like you. Only Wang Yifu can compare. It is probably the greatest fortune of Shuhu's life that he can befriend you."

Xie Hong waved his hand repeatedly, but inwardly he was cursing.

Older generation, I can be happy if you compare me to Director Wang, but why compare me to Wang Yan?

What can I say about Wang Yan?

He's been awesome for the rest of his life.

People praised him for his exceptional talent, handsome appearance, and intelligence, saying he was like a god.

When he was young, he visited Shan Tao. Shan Tao had nothing to say to him, but only after he left did he tell others that he wondered which old woman had given birth to such a beautiful and intelligent son. However, the one who misled the people of the world might very well be this very person.

In "A New Account of Tales of the World," Yang Hu commented on Wang Yan, saying that this man would surely bring chaos to the world.

When Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan, heard of Wang Yan's reputation, he asked his cousin Wang Rong, "Who in this world can compare with Wang Yan?"

What did Wang Rong say?

No one can compare; we should look to the ancients for inspiration.

This incredibly powerful man, one of the Three Dukes of Jin, was captured alive by Shi Le. In order to survive, he actually advised Shi Le to become emperor, which frightened Shi Le so much that he killed him.

If he hadn't tricked Shi Le into declaring himself emperor, Shi Le might not have dared to kill him.

After seeing Wang Bin to the door, Xie Hong immediately turned around to look at the book he had brought.

It's all knowledge; we have to learn it.

Maybe it will save my life someday.