Chapter Twenty: Eight Hundred Years of Noble Families (Second Update—Seeking Votes)

At the end of the Kaihuang era, the official schools began to emerge, but their numbers were few and their reach limited. In the aristocratic clans, however, clan schools were already flourishing—especially among the gentry of the eastern provinces, where education within the clan had become widespread. Of course, the true scions of the great families were taught privately by renowned scholars hired by their kin, passing down knowledge in secret. The teachers themselves were often men of high repute, and ordinary students could not hope to study under them. The clan schools, also known as village schools, focused primarily on basic education, rooted in the local community, and were intended to cultivate a few reserve talents.

Village schools were semi-public in nature, and their admissions were not particularly strict. If a child could recognize a few characters and keep basic accounts, that was usually sufficient. Higher education required a stroke of fortune.

The Zheng family had its own village school, well-known in Xingyang. If the goal was simply literacy and accounting, Zheng Shian could easily have sent Yanqing there to study—why bother coming to Luoyang? Zheng Shian understood that Zheng Renji merely wanted to placate him with this suggestion.

He could have refused, but such a rejection would only deepen Zheng Renji’s resentment. So he bowed and expressed his gratitude, then took his leave.

————————————————————

Later, Yanqing heard that Zheng Renji had ordered Dao Lin Cui to be flogged dozens of times, and Cui himself had his mouth slapped a hundred times, losing several teeth. Xu Shiji had indeed delivered the letter to Cui, but when he did, he said, “The old steward said this letter is very important, and asks that Steward Cui read it immediately.”

That word “asks” carried a tone of command, which infuriated Cui. How dare this crippled old man, now exiled to the manor, come and order us around?

So he tossed the letter onto his desk and went off to amuse himself, forgetting all about it. Dao Lin Cui returned in a drunken stupor, and the next day, with no reminder from Cui, the letter was overlooked. Eventually, when Dao Lin Cui had his desk cleaned, the letter was thrown away along with the rubbish.

In short, Dao Lin Cui and his son would not dare to act so arrogantly for some time.

Yanqing felt some regret; he had not managed to rid himself of the Cui father and son while the opportunity was ripe, and knew they would cause trouble in the future. Yet he was aware that removing the Cui duo would not be easy, especially with Madam Cui’s influence—it would not succeed quickly. Patience, then! Life was long, and Yanqing was still young; he had plenty of time to contend with Dao Lin Cui and his son.

Moreover, he didn’t care to bother with them, for Zheng Shian had returned and told him that he would soon begin his studies...

“He Doulian? That sounds like a nomad’s name. Is there such a family in Luoyang?”

Zheng Shian smiled. “Of course there is. He Doulian is indeed a nomad’s surname. During the Northern Wei, when Emperor Xiaowen resettled thirty-eight clans and ninety-eight tribes from beyond the frontier in Luoyang, the He Doulian clan changed their name to Dou. You see?”

Dou?

Yanqing exclaimed, “Is that not the Dou family of the Duke of Anfeng?”

Zheng Shian nodded in affirmation.

The Dou family, then, was truly of Han lineage. In the Han dynasty, the Dou clan split into Qinghe Guanjin Dou and Fufeng Pingling Dou, producing many famous figures.

During the Western Han, Emperor Wen’s wife was from the Qinghe Guanjin Dou clan—she was Empress Dowager Dou, grandmother of Emperor Wu. Her brother Dou Changjun died young, and his son Dou Pengzu became Marquis of Nanpi under Emperor Wu. Her other brother Dou Shaojun was made Marquis of Zhangwu, and his nephew, Dou Ying, was the renowned Marquis of Weiqi.

In the Eastern Han, the Fufeng Pingling Dou clan produced Minister Dou Rong. His great-granddaughter became Empress of Emperor Huan, and her father, Dou Wu, was a grand general. When eunuchs like Cao Jie wreaked havoc, Dou Wu, as an imperial relative, allied with the scholar clans in an attempt to eliminate the eunuchs, but his plot was discovered; Dou Wu was executed, and the Dou clan was exiled beyond the frontier, becoming ancestors of the He Doulian clan. They changed their surname to He Doulian under threat from Tuoba Liwei, adopting a nomadic name out of necessity.

Page 1/3

When Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang and ordered the frontier nomads to settle in the He Luo region, the He Doulian clan reverted to their ancestral Dou surname.

The Duke of Anfeng whom Yanqing mentioned was a prominent figure, Dou Rongding, son of Dou Shan from the third branch of the He Doulian Dou clan. He was close friends with Yang Jian from childhood, served as a bodyguard to Emperor Wen of Western Wei, and was appointed as a general in Northern Zhou for his merits. Dou Rongding’s wife was Yang Jian’s elder sister, so when Yang Jian usurped the throne of Northern Zhou, Dou Rongding supported him.

When the He Doulian clan returned, there were five brothers. The third, Dou Yue; the fourth, Dou Shan; and the fifth, Dou Chi, all achieved great military feats, so later generations referred to the He Doulian clan as the “Dou Three Ancestor Branch.” Dou Yue’s son was Dou Yi, the Duke of Shenwu in the Sui dynasty. Dou Yi’s daughter became even more renowned—she married Li Yuan, founder of the Tang dynasty, later known as Empress Taimu. But at this time, the most famous Dou branch was Dou Rongding’s. Though Dou Rongding had passed away, his son Dou Kang was governor of Youzhou, a powerful figure.

“So then, the Dou family is like our Zheng family, both aristocratic clans?”

Zheng Shian smiled, nodded, then shook his head.

“In a sense, yes... In terms of history, the Dou clan’s lineage is perhaps the oldest. From the Qinghe Guanjin Dou to now, it’s been eight hundred years. However, both Guanjin and Pingling Dou branches have become heavily nomadic, their bloodlines long diluted—how can they compare to our Zheng family?

The Guanjin Dou, after Dou Tai’s death in the third year of Tianping under Northern Qi, faded into obscurity. The Pingling Dou clan became the most nomadic, no longer pure gentry... In truth, the Dou family is in an awkward position: among the Wu Chuan people, they are considered gentry; among the gentry, they are regarded as Wu Chuan outsiders and not recognized.

They have had good fortune; in Northern Zhou, the wife of the Duke of Shenwu was of royal blood, and after the founding of the Sui, Dou Rongding became the emperor’s brother-in-law. Still, the Dou family’s influence is considerable, especially since the granddaughter of Dou Yue married the Duke of Tang, securing their status... Yanqing, if you don’t want to attend the Dou clan’s village school, I can decline.”

Yanqing was surprised by the complexity of the Dou family’s history.

He didn’t mind forging ties with the Dou clan, for behind them stood not only the Sui emperor but, more importantly, Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, who was their son-in-law. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to connect with Li Yuan?

Yes, it was a sound plan!

Yanqing had long hoped to make Li Yuan’s acquaintance. Especially upon learning that Li Yuan’s eldest son, Li Jiancheng, was engaged to someone from the Zheng family, he became even more intrigued. Yet five years had passed, and Li Jiancheng had not appeared, let alone Li Yuan. Now, with this path to the Dou family... it was time to try.

It was only a village school, not the core of the Dou clan, but such a connection would make future dealings easier.

Yanqing understood the importance of preparing for the future.

He wondered how old the illustrious Emperor Taizong of Tang was by now.

“Yanqing, why are you silent?”

“Ah, grandfather, what did you just ask me?”

Yanqing had been lost in thought and hadn’t heard Zheng Shian’s question.

Zheng Shian laughed. “I said, if you don’t want to attend the He Doulian school, I can go speak to the eldest son now.”

“Go, why not?”

Indeed, Yanqing knew much of poetry and literature, but his knowledge of Sui and Tang culture was still shallow. The village school would provide deeper understanding. More importantly, it offered an opportunity to strengthen ties with the Li family—why not take it?

Seeing Yanqing’s resolve, Zheng Shian said no more.

A few days later, Zheng Renji sent word to the manor: Zheng Shian and Yanqing could attend the Dou clan school.

————————————————————————————————

“Brother Shiji, tell me more stories about the Three Kingdoms.”

As Yanqing began his education, Xu Shiji was enjoying a carefree life in the Zheng family’s old residence in Luoyang.

He was older than Zheng Hongyi, so he naturally took on the role of elder brother.

Zheng Hongyi had been pampered since birth—though his mother died young, Zheng Renji had only him as a son.

Even Madam Cui doted on Hongyi.

To make Hongyi submit, Xu Shiji pondered for some time, then decided to use his secret weapon: stories of the Three Kingdoms.

All his stories came from Yanqing. After a few days, Hongyi was completely won over, but Xu Shiji’s store of tales was exhausted... Yan Shigu was a strict teacher; Xu Shiji rarely had the chance to leave, let alone find Yanqing for new stories. In truth, he wanted to hear new stories more than Hongyi.

Hongyi, in his childish voice, tugged at Xu Shiji’s hand and pleaded.

Xu Shiji, looking pained, finally said, “Hongyi, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you more, but... to be honest, all the stories I’ve told you were heard from someone else.”

Hongyi asked curiously, “Brother Shiji, who did you hear the stories from?”

Xu Shiji hesitated, then whispered, “If I tell you, you mustn’t tell anyone... Actually, I heard them from Yanqing.”

“Yanqing? Who is that?”

Hongyi had no idea who Yanqing was, even though years ago he shared a carriage with him.

No wonder, since Zheng Renji disliked Zheng Shian and, by extension, Yanqing as well.

Madam Cui didn’t even know of Yanqing’s existence, so Hongyi could hardly know who he was.

Xu Shiji said, “Yanqing is the grandson of your old steward.”

“Which old steward? Dao Lin Cui... I didn’t know he had a grandson.”

“Not Dao Lin Cui, the old Zheng steward.”

Hongyi suddenly understood, nodding, “I know old Zheng, but father and mother don’t seem to like him. They call him a eunuch dog... Is the old steward’s grandson also surnamed Zheng? How old is he, and why doesn’t he study with us?”

Xu Shiji frowned and whispered, “Hongyi, the old steward is a good man. Don’t speak rudely. Otherwise, Yanqing won’t tell stories anymore, and we’ll have nothing to listen to... Yanqing is about your age, very clever, and a good person. When you meet him, you’ll see—he’s remarkable, truly talented.”

“Zheng Yanqing, Zheng Yanqing?”

Hongyi tilted his head, committing the name to memory.

Just then, a clear chime rang out. This was Yan Shigu’s habit—he always carried a small bell. Whenever class was about to begin, he would ring it, and within a hundred breaths, all students must be seated. Otherwise, he would use a ruler to strike their palms. Both Hongyi and Xu Shiji had suffered Yan Shigu’s ruler, so they hurried to the study.

“Today, we continue with the Cangjie chapter...”

Yan Shigu saw Xu Shiji and Hongyi seated, smiled, and began his lecture.

Truth be told, Yan Shigu was very pleased with these two students, especially Xu Shiji, who was adept at drawing inferences and extremely bright. Teaching capable students was a joy. With a deep scholarly heritage, Yan Shigu valued education highly.

Yet, strangely, perhaps because he hadn’t heard any stories, the usually well-behaved Hongyi suddenly became disruptive in class. “Sir, the Cangjie chapter is so dull—it’s not as interesting as the story of the Oath of the Peach Garden.”

Xu Shiji was startled.

This little rascal dared to speak up in front of the teacher, despite his warning not to tell anyone!

Yan Shigu’s face darkened. “Hongyi, what is the origin of this Peach Garden Oath?”