While Kong Changyu was pressuring Le Zhan, Tao Rui, the provincial deliberations officer (director of the provincial policy research office), was paying Yu Yi a "visit."
"If you insist on refusing, sir, then your second son may well..."
Yu Yi said calmly:
"That's all right. I have another son."
Tao Rui stared in astonishment, then his face darkened. "Then-"
"Here, take this one away too."
Yu Yi called out, "Zizhen! Come in!"
Yu Qianlou entered and bowed. "Father."
"You'll be going with him shortly."
"Yes."
After answering respectfully, Yu Qianlou cupped his hands toward Tao Rui.
"Sorry for the trouble, Officer Tao."
Tao Rui froze.
What was going on??????
"If those two aren't enough, I'll go with you too-"
"No, no, sir, you've misunderstood-"
"Too much trouble? How about this: send soldiers in and kill us, or do it yourself. One stroke of the sword apiece. There aren't many people in my family anyway. Don't worry, I won't let them resist. Someone, fetch a sword-"
"Sir, what on earth are you saying!!!"
Tao Rui was almost in tears!
How could he dare make the decision on something this serious? Never mind starting a slaughter-he wouldn't even dare take Yu Yi away!
Yu Yi was different from those high officials in Jingzhou. He served neither princes nor nobles and held no official post. He clasped his knees and sang beneath the moon, having lived in seclusion for years. After repeatedly refusing summons from the Imperial Court, his unsullied reputation had spread far and wide, and his name carried great weight in his time. Every dynasty treated men like him with exceptional courtesy, honoring their integrity to display its own virtuous governance. Even the Son of Heaven rarely made trouble for recluses. It was not that he couldn't, but that doing so