Chapter Sixteen: Cui Daolin (Part Two)

Originally, Zhang Zhongjian and Du Ruhui had returned together. However, Du Ruhui’s ancestral home was not in Chang’an, but in Duling outside the city. Thus, the two had already parted ways at Baxia… Few people knew that the young aristocrat from Yanshi was actually the grandson of Du Guo, Minister of Works. Du Ruhui was not one who enjoyed socializing, especially after obtaining rubbings of the Sanlin Biyong Stele and Yan Qing’s calligraphy; upon returning home, he secluded himself to practice copying them, paying little attention to the commotion outside.

In truth, the identity of the “Young Master Goose” had already become a heated topic from the Heluo region to Chang’an. Not only was Yang Su making inquiries—scholars from various regions were also searching eagerly. Unfortunately, in those days, there was not yet the custom of “crowd-sourcing” information; everyone worked alone, without any cooperation, and the sheer abundance of rumors only made things more chaotic.

Some even claimed this “Young Master Goose” was a scion of the powerful, or even of the imperial clan. The result was that ministers from various families began to question their colleagues, and in the end, the confusion reached Emperor Wen of Sui himself.

Since the death of Empress Dugu, Emperor Wen had indulged himself and his health had deteriorated. Yet, after examining the rubbings, he could not help but send people to inquire among the imperial clan, leaving many of them bewildered.

Yang Su also realized that this uproar was not a solution. Although Yang Xuangan had said as much, he vaguely sensed that the “Young Master Goose” was probably not in Chang’an. If he and Zhang Zhongjian had arrived in the capital, could there really have been no trace at all?

Thus it seemed that Young Master Goose was still in Heluo.

“Has Zheng Renji left yet?”

Yang Su’s abrupt question was nothing new to the Yang Xuangan brothers. Yang Xuangan quickly replied, “Zheng Renji has not set out yet, as his wife is about to give birth. But I’ve heard preparations are underway, so he’ll likely depart in the next few days.”

“I suspect Young Master Goose is lingering in the Heluo area. When Zheng Renji reaches Luoyang, have him send people to observe and see if he can find any trace of Young Master Goose. As soon as there’s news, inform me immediately. I must see this Young Master for myself; if I could obtain a few words from him, I would be content.”

“Yes, I’ll send someone to inform Zheng Renji right away.”

Yang Su shook his head. “No, you should go personally. Only then will that boy Zheng Renji treat the matter with the importance it deserves.”

Yang Xuangan was somewhat unconvinced, but agreed respectfully.

Zheng Yanqing was unaware that, because of him, the Heluo and Guanzhong regions, and even Hedong, were in an uproar. To borrow a phrase from later times: what was most lacking in the Sui and Tang eras? Talent! Especially for the gentry of eastern regions, who, after the rise of the Guanlong nobility, had been suppressed and saw their ranks depleted. They desperately needed fresh blood, and the sudden emergence of Young Master Goose brought them an unprecedented sense of vitality. They needed Young Master Goose to bring honor to their name.

Likewise, they believed this Young Master Goose would need their support…

Yanqing had heard some rumors, but being young, even if he asked around, no one would pay him any mind. Moreover, if he told anyone that he was Young Master Goose, who would believe it? People always judge matters with their own preconceptions, rarely noticing what is right before them. Zheng Shian had wanted to speak up a few times, but Yanqing stopped him.

Fame? Who doesn’t long for fame! Especially now that Yanqing was eager to find an opportunity to change his family registration.

But evidence was required. The three people who could best prove his identity—Sun Simiao, Zhang Zhongjian, and Du Ruhui—were not at hand. Zheng Shian, the steward, was in truth no more than a servant of the Zheng family; and Xu Shiji was too young, who would believe him?

If people did not believe him, so be it. Worse, it might bring unnecessary trouble. Such things, he had seen too often.

————————————————————————————————

After the Waking of Insects, the farming season began.

Zheng Shian became busier than ever, leaving Zheng Yanqing more at leisure.

One day, Yanqing was feeding the donkey in the stable when Xu Shiji came running in, breathless and drenched in sweat.

“Yanqing, how can you be feeding the donkey at a time like this? Your grandfather is having an argument with someone!”

Yanqing was startled, putting down the feed in his hands.

“Who is he arguing with?”

“Someone from Chang’an arrived. Grandfather welcomed him in, but they started quarreling. It didn’t look good, so I came to find you.”

After living together for some time, Xu Shiji had gotten used to calling Zheng Shian “grandfather.”

Yanqing’s eyes narrowed. So, they had finally come.

Without another word, he turned and headed toward the main hall.

As they walked, he asked, “Who came from Chang’an?”

“I’m not sure. I only heard the servants say Grandfather called him Chief Steward Cui.”

“Chief Steward Cui?” Yanqing was puzzled.

Judging by the surname, it seemed the visitor was from Madam Cui’s family—Zheng Renji’s wife. When Madam Cui married into the Zheng family, she had brought many attendants. But since Anyuantang was managed by the Zheng patriarch and controlled by Zheng Shian, the Cui family members had not enjoyed much favor. Later, Madam Cui followed Zheng Renji to Chang’an, and her people went with her…

Yanqing didn’t have much impression of the Cui family because they hadn’t stayed long at Anyuantang.

Hearing that Zheng Renji had sent a man surnamed Cui, Yanqing began to understand. It appeared that Madam Cui’s side had now gained control over family affairs in Chang’an. With the birth of a child, her status would naturally rise, and so too would that of her family. This visit, no doubt, had ulterior motives.

“Brother Xu, whatever happens later, don’t say a word, understand?”

Xu Shiji was displeased. “Why not?”

“Brother Xu, listen to me. This is an internal matter of the Zheng family. Though you come from a prominent household, you don’t know of our family’s entanglements. Your father went to great lengths to send you to Luoyang, hoping you would have a bright future. If you get involved, you’ll only waste his efforts. So, silence is best. Whatever happens between me and Grandfather, we’ll handle it. You need not worry.”

In short, keep silent; otherwise, you might get implicated or even make things worse. Take a lesson from the Jin people—keep your lips sealed.

Though Xu Shiji was reluctant, he always did as Yanqing said.

Yanqing was right—coming to Luoyang had cost his father Xu Gai considerable effort. If, as Yanqing said, he made matters worse by meddling, it would be far from ideal. Xu Shiji trusted Yanqing; anyone who could invent the “Ode to the Goose” style and compose such a poem was not someone to be taken lightly. Since Yanqing had spoken, he must have a plan; it was best for Xu Shiji to observe quietly.

“I understand!” Xu Shiji nodded, feeling even more grateful toward Yanqing. Though Yanqing was younger than him, he always thought of his well-being. Even Liu Bei, who swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, was likely no better. Unwittingly, Xu Shiji had already placed Yanqing in the leading role.

In the main hall, Zheng Shian’s face was flushed with anger as he argued with a middle-aged man in white robes and a black beard.

This man was Cui Daolin, a member of the Cui family from Zhengzhou. Like Zheng Shian, his family had served the Cui clan for three generations. But unlike Zheng Shian, Cui Daolin was a true member of the Cui family, though of a distant branch. When Madam Cui married, her family worried she would lack capable attendants and sent Cui Daolin with her.

He had hoped to seize control of Anyuantang, but with Zheng Shian there, all his schemes came to nothing.

Still, Cui Daolin knew how to bide his time, and left Anyuantang with Madam Cui when the time came.

After several years, he had become Zheng Renji’s trusted confidant.

This time, on Zheng Renji’s orders, he came ahead to Luoyang to prepare the way. According to Zheng Renji, all affairs in Luoyang were to be handled by Cui Daolin, and everyone was to obey his arrangements.

So, upon arrival, Cui Daolin dismissed Zheng Shian from his post.

There was nothing to be done—local authority could never outweigh the authority of the current master. This was not Anyuantang; here, Zheng Renji was in charge, and Zheng Shian was helpless.

“Steward Cui, the Tianjin Bridge market has stood for three hundred years—it is the face of Anyuantang in Luoyang. No matter how the times change, the people of Tianjin Bridge have always been loyal to the Zheng family. In the days of Lord Zheng Wei, eight hundred strong men from Tianjin Bridge followed him to battle across the country. How can you, upon your arrival, cut off their livelihood?”

Tianjin Bridge, on the north bank of the Luo River, was a market belonging to the Zheng family, with a history of three centuries. All those on this street depended on the Zheng family, selling iron goods and forging farm tools under the name of Anyuantang.

As soon as Cui Daolin arrived, he ordered the closure of the market and the expulsion of the local people.

How could Zheng Shian agree to this?