fake gentry

Tukou Wharf was a prime port in Wuchang, connecting the four prefectures of Henan, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Jiangnan. It was a key transit point for grain transport and an important military berthing wharf.

On June 15th, nearly thirty people from Wang Dun's staff gathered at the dock to see Wen Qiao and Wang Bin off.

A pavilion was specially built at the dock, which was a place for scholars to bid farewell and hold banquets.

The vast majority of people came to see Wen Qiao off; Wen Taizhen was very popular in Wang Dun's shogunate.

Many people came to see him off, but Wang Han, Wang Ying, and Qian Feng did not come, and Wang Dun naturally could not appear either.

Everyone came forward to say goodbye to Wen Qiao, leaving him overwhelmed with greetings. Wang Bin, however, boarded the boat early and stood at the bow to watch the excitement.

Few people genuinely gave him gifts; it was because he pointed his finger at Wang Dun and cursed him.

He couldn't possibly join in Wen Qiao's fun; he just stood there aloof, watching others perform.

Lu Wan, Guo Pu, and Shen Chong were all present, but Xie Hong was nowhere to be seen.

Wen Qiao glanced around while entertaining guests, feeling somewhat disappointed. He naturally didn't think it was Xie Hong who broke his promise and didn't come to see him off; it must be Wang Dun who forbade it.

Suddenly, someone nearby shouted, "Lord Taizhen, the Prime Minister has arrived in person!"

Everyone turned around and saw a luxurious eight-ox mica carriage leading the way, followed by four two-oxen canopy carriages.

The mica carriage was the highest-ranking carriage after the emperor's golden carriage. It was decorated with mica and carried by eight oxen. Subjects were generally not allowed to ride in it without special permission from the emperor. It was the highest-grade ox carriage among the aristocratic families.

The carriage behind was covered by a full curtain, so the inside could not be seen.

Wen Qiao genuinely thought it was Wang Dun who had arrived, and his heart inexplicably began to pound.

He was afraid that Wang Dun would change his mind, and if he was not allowed to leave, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

But he soon discovered that there were no armored soldiers guarding the mica chariot, only two riders leading the way.

Wang Ahei would never travel so discreetly, could it be...?

The curtains of the mica carriage were rolled up, and inside the spacious carriage sat Xie Hong.

"Lord Taizhen, Lord Shiru, I'm late."

Xie Hong waved from afar, then suddenly picked up the pipa from the side and, without any unnecessary words, played a note.

The curtains of the four oxcarts behind were rolled up, revealing more than a dozen songstresses, led by Song Yi, all holding various musical instruments.

Xie Hong raised his hand in greeting, and cheerful music began to play, startling everyone. They then widened their eyes in appreciation.

Generally speaking, only court music played on formal occasions such as important court assemblies and sacrifices, featuring multiple instruments playing together, known as the Eight-Tone Melody and the Composition of Elegant Music.

Although there were performances of zither, se, sheng, and dizi at gatherings and banquets of noble families, each person played their own piece, only the performances were not continuous.

Xie Hong's approach is similar to modern symphonic music. This audiovisual experience is a complete game-changer.

Especially since the piece being played was "Huanqin," its cheerful atmosphere quickly surprised everyone, even causing other scholars who were boarding the ship to say goodbye to stop and turn around.

Having grown accustomed to Qing Shang music, this was the first time everyone had heard a piece of music that blended various sounds, and they couldn't help but feel their mood improve.

Wen Qiao felt extremely proud, knowing that today's events would surely spread and become a celebrated topic among scholars.

"Feng Zhi's music is truly unparalleled in the world."

Standing at the bow of the boat, Wang Bin couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

After the performance ended, Xie Hong jumped out of the car, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Wen Qiao: "Uncle, your journey will surely be one of great success."

Wen Qiao burst into laughter.

At this time, scholars were parting with little sorrow, but rather a sense of magnanimity. Wen Qiao was decisive by nature, and worried that Wang Dun might be swayed by Qian Feng and prevent him from taking office. So he bowed to the crowd and laughed loudly, "I have been waiting for Feng to sing a song, and I am completely satisfied. Wen Taizhen will now bid farewell to you all."

After saying that, he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and gracefully boarded the boat.

Wang Bin nodded to Xie Hong from afar and bowed in farewell.

Xie Hong bowed deeply and then nodded slightly to Song Yi.

Song Yi took out the Ke Ting flute, and the other singers got ready and began to play "Farewell".

Apart from the music, there was no other sound on the dock. Wen Qiao and Wang Bin stood at the stern, listening intently. The shogunate officials who had originally come to join in the fun felt that it was all worth it.

Even though Wang Dun often held various banquets and talks, which included singing and dancing, compared to the music we hear today, I'm afraid that listening to those Qing Shang music again in the future will feel like chewing wax.

Xie Hong only straightened up when the boat carrying Wen Qiao and Wang Bin gradually disappeared into the distance and could no longer be seen.

Shen Chong came to his side and said with a smile, "Fengzhi, I will also be returning to Wu County in a few days. How can you not see me off?"

Xie Hong was taken aback: "What brings Lord Shen to Wu County?"

A complex look appeared in Shen Chong's eyes as he said, "I am the Prefect of Wu, so of course I must return."

Xie Hong lowered his eyelids slightly, nodded, and said nothing more.

I've given you the secret plan; now it's up to you whether you can escape this calamity.

If you insist on prioritizing loyalty and righteousness, then I will keep my promise and help you take care of your son, Shen Jin.

If you suddenly realize the truth, then congratulations, you don't have to die.

"Fengzhi, I'm going back now."

Shen Chong turned and mounted his horse to leave, while the other officials of the shogunate also boarded the oxcart. Guo Pu nodded to Xie Hong: "Young Master Xie, don't forget our appointment tonight."

Xie Hong bowed and said, "I dare not forget."

Lu Wan stayed behind last, glancing at the mica carriage behind him: "Wang Chuzhong treated you with great courtesy, much better than he treated me."

Xie Hong shook his head with a wry smile: "Master Shiyao, let's not compete anymore. I will find some time to visit you in a few days."

Lu Wan sneered and said in a low voice, "You call yourself Wen Taizhen, Uncle Wang Shiru. My two sons have both been bewitched by you, so you can't call me that?"

Xie Hong thought to himself, "You're quite well-informed."

"This junior pays his respects to Uncle Lu."

Lu Wan said gently, "There's no need for that. Self-preservation is the priority. If we get too close, it will inevitably arouse Wang Ahei's suspicion. Be careful of Qian Shiyi, he's cunning. Be even more careful of Wang Ying and Wang Han. You seem to have become a thorn in their side."

Xie Hong nodded and said softly, "Thank you, Uncle."

Lu Wan sighed, "We are both prisoners."

Lu Wan was highly respected among the southern gentry and was the leader of the southern gentry, second only to Gu Rong. Wang Dun wanted to win him over to his staff in order to appease the gentry in Jiangnan and consolidate his rule.

But Lu Wan didn't even serve as a court attendant, so how could he possibly be with Wang Dun?

However, Wang Dun directly issued the appointment in the name of the imperial court, forcibly summoning Lu Wan to serve as the chief secretary of the military government. At the same time, he sent people to Wu County, half-coercing and half-politely inviting Lu Wan to be tied up and taken to Wuchang, leaving Lu Wan no room to refuse.

After Lu Wan arrived in Wuchang, he maintained a distant attitude towards Wang Dun. Wang Dun ignored him but did not allow him to leave.

He needs Lu Wan's reputation, not the person himself.

As Lu Wan boarded the carriage, she suddenly turned around and asked, "Feng Zhi is still unmarried. Does Xie Youyu have any plans to arrange a marriage for you?"

Xie Hong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "My paternal uncle did not discuss this matter with me."

Lu Wan nodded, looked at Xie Hong, and his tone suddenly became very serious: "I have a daughter, whose nickname is Shao Jiang. She is fifteen years old this year. She is gentle and kind, and well-educated. If you are interested, I will go and discuss it with Xie Youyu."

Xie Hong was completely taken aback when Lu Wan suddenly steered the conversation from his prison life to his marriage.

The Lu family of Wu County.

Lu Wan was the patriarch of the Lu clan, the head of the Jiangdong gentry.

In this era when the Nine-Rank System is at its peak, this is a family that truly stands at the very top of the aristocratic pyramid. Even the Langya Wang family, which would not agree to a marriage proposal from such a family, is now taking the initiative to propose marriage to him, a second-class aristocratic family who has not yet entered officialdom.

This is definitely an honor.

But your daughter is gentle, kind, and well-mannered, which means she's not pretty.

Xie Hong was a sucker for good looks, and he bowed deeply to Lu Wan: "Uncle is too kind, but I already have someone I like, so I dare not lie to you."

Lu Wan frowned slightly, then asked, "Which family's lady is it?"

"Xi Shi of Gaoping was the daughter of Dao Hui Gong."

Lu Wan remained silent for a long while, then said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "If we're talking about family background and social standing, in what way can the Xi family compare to the Lu family? I wouldn't even marry my daughter to the Wang family of Langya, and today I took the initiative to ask for her hand in marriage, but you actually refused."

Xie Hong didn't argue, he just listened with his hands down.

Seeing his appearance, Lu Wan couldn't bear to scold him anymore.

"Enough, enough. A beautiful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections; I understand that principle."

He abruptly changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes: "Xi Daohui became a vagrant in his early years, and his only concern was social status; he might not be willing to marry his daughter to you."