The ministers of the royal domain found Luo Su's summons rather strange. They had been reasonably familiar with his father.
When the previous Marquis of Luo had assisted the Son of Heaven, some of them had served under him, while others had been his fellow ministers at court.
Just as Luo Su had taken up the reins of government, their families had also begun passing authority to the next generation, one after another. Contact between the two sides had not been nonexistent, merely infrequent.
Night fell, but Luo Su's residence blazed with light. The Dukes and Ministers of the Dynasty who had once assisted the Son of Heaven had all gathered there.
Since Luo Su had yet to arrive, everyone knelt on their mats and whispered among themselves.
"Why has the Duke of Luo suddenly summoned us? He even said we would be discussing a matter of great importance."
"Quite a few people have come, all great clans within the royal domain with hereditary offices and stipends. This must be something substantial."
"I have an ominous feeling. His power now ranks second only to the Sage King's, yet he still summoned us with such solemn ceremony. I fear this banquet will not be easy to swallow."
"Don't worry. There are so many families here. Clansmen who serve under the Duke of Luo have said that although he is forceful, he prizes sound and steady measures and never rushes for results. That is why everything he undertakes succeeds. Even if something comes up tonight, he will not demand our answers on the spot."
"The Duke of Luo summoned us to discuss an important matter. What does that mean? It means he values us—or our clans, at least. Is a summons from the head of the Regency Council not an honor?"
These words immediately won agreement throughout the hall, and the atmosphere brightened. The Zhou Clan patriarch who had spoken exchanged smiles with the Shen Clan and the three clans of the Ying Lineage, then lowered his eyes and settled into quiet composure.
Luo Su finally arrived. Seeing that everyone was already present, he said apologetically, "My lords, I am truly sorry. The Queen Mother summoned the lords of the Regency Council, and I was delayed."
Zhou Yun, patriarch of the Zhou Clan, rose and bowed with a smile. "Duke of Luo, you are foremost among the Three Dukes and head of the Regency Council, while your Heavenly Official Bureau oversees the affairs of the five other offices. What a tremendous responsibility!
"The Mandate of Heaven of the Zhou State depends upon you to sustain it. The fortunes and lives of millions across the myriad states under Heaven rest upon your shoulders alone. We are merely humble vessels living beneath the shelter of your wings. How could we trouble you to set aside the great affairs of the realm merely to see us?"
Luo Su hurriedly gestured for everyone to sit. Rows of maids cleared away the fruit and pastries and replaced them with the tripod-served fare of dukes and marquises. The deep notes of bronze chimes rang out before Luo Su spoke. "What the Duke of Eastern Zhou just said was improper. You are not humble vessels, my lords, but the great worthies of whom my ancestor, the Sage King, spoke.
"Honored with the trust of three successive kings, I now occupy the headship of the Regency Council and govern the states. I summoned you today precisely to bring such great worthies, overlooked in the countryside, to the Son of Heaven's attention and restore you to important service."
This utterly bewildered the patriarchs who knew nothing of the arrangements. They had merely been speaking modestly, not claiming they truly were country folk. Why would nobles with hereditary offices and stipends need Luo Su to recommend them?
As everyone puzzled over this, Luo Su suddenly said, "You must know, my lords, that the Western Rong recently rose in rebellion, and the Marquis of Qi led an army west to suppress them. Reports arrived a few days ago that have left me deeply troubled."
Fei Lai, patriarch of the Fei Clan of the Ying Lineage, asked curiously, "Duke of Luo, you possess the talent to weave Heaven and Earth into order and uphold the Mandate of Heaven of the Zhou State. Even the fierce and unruly Xiong Dun withdrew his army at a single word from you. What else in this world could trouble you?"
Luo Su had not only sent an army retreating with a single word, but had also made Xiong Dun spit out what he had already swallowed. This had profoundly shaken everyone and was one source of the prestige and achievements that sustained his partial regency.
Otherwise, his earlier prestige as a governing minister would not have sufficed to secure such a smooth transfer of power—even for this provisional regency, whose sacred legitimacy fell far short of the Sage King's. Yet even now, the nobles and Dukes and Ministers of the royal domain remained obedient and followed his commands.
"My lords, do not smother me with praise. Xiong Dun is Heaven's Lord of War, an invincible god who strides through the mortal world. I am only a mortal. How could I surpass him?
"Xiong Dun withdrew only because I worshipped my ancestors before coming and borrowed a wisp of the Mandate of Heaven from the Sage King. Having descended as the Lord of War, Xiong Dun naturally revered Heaven and understood its mandate, and so withdrew. It had nothing whatsoever to do with me.
"The Sage King holds the Mandate of Heaven of the Zhou State, a matter of immense consequence. Unless there is absolutely no alternative, he must not be lightly disturbed. Had Xiong Dun not been beyond any mortal's power to resist, I would not have troubled the Sage King."
There were too many legends about the Sage King. Half believing and half doubting, everyone could only bury their awe deep within. A trace of amusement flashed through Luo Su's eyes, though concern remained on his face. "Affairs of the mortal world must ultimately be resolved by mortals. That is what troubles me.
"How vast are the wildernesses of the northwest! Chariots have always determined victory and defeat in war.
"What are chariots, after all, but fine horses and good vehicles? In the past, our Zhou State could cast bronze, and thus we were invincible in battle.
"Now the Dog Rong have chariots too, and they have captured tall, powerful horses from the distant west. The western lords say these horses charge with tremendous force and are stout and strong.
"Our Zhou army's horses fall short of theirs in charging power, endurance, and weight alike. It was precisely the western army's lack of fine horses that brought about its crushing defeat."
This amounted to telling blatant lies with his eyes wide open. Had the horses played any part in the defeat?
Certainly. No one could claim otherwise.
But in an age when cavalry had yet to become the mainstay of warfare, horses were not yet that decisive.
Horse administration had not risen to the level of national policy either, but every political objective required a justification.
Horses were the justification Luo Su had found.
The moment Luo Su said this, every gaze turned toward the three clans of the Ying Lineage.
Fei Lai, who had already coordinated with him in secret, immediately bowed his head. "Duke of Luo, the management of horses within the royal domain has always been the responsibility of the Ying Lineage.
"Our ancestors were merely whip-bearing servants in Western Qi. Whatever standing we possess today came from the Son of Heaven's benevolent rewards. Now that the Zhou State needs fine horses, our three clans naturally cannot shirk that duty.
"The Ying Lineage can supply fine horses to the western lords, but..."
Fei Lai seemed hesitant to continue, so Luo Su quickly asked, "Lord Fei, speak freely. Is there anything I can do?"
Fei Lai answered solemnly, "The royal domain lies between the Yi-Luo rivers. It is indeed a land favored by the Mandate of Heaven, where the King's enterprise flourishes, but for raising horses, it falls far short of Haojing.
"Our clan records state that since we moved to Luoyi, the horses we raise have never again possessed the bearing of heavenly steeds!
"To breed fine horses here in Luoyi that can rival those of the Dog Rong leaves me feeling like a skilled cook asked to make a meal without rice.
"I beseech you, Lord Luo, to permit me to lead my clansmen back to our ancestral homeland. If I may be enfeoffed between Feng and Hao, I will surely strengthen our horse administration, withstand the Western Rong, serve as a bulwark for the state, and bolster our Zhou State."
Luo Su froze where he stood, seemingly stunned by Fei Lai's unexpected request. He murmured, "When Lords of the Royal Domain request an external fief of their own accord, how could I refuse?"
Only after those words did he seem to recover from his shock, declaring joyfully, "To volunteer for an external fief for the sake of the Zhou State's horses-Lord Fei, you are truly a loyal servant of the Zhou State!
"The Sage King once said that loyal elders must have loyal descendants. With Lord Fei setting such an example, surely your clan is filled with men who serve the king with equal devotion."
Pride filled Fei Lai's face as he said clearly, "Duke of Luo, the Sage King spoke of the modest gentleman, but the young men of my clan truly deserve praise. He also said that when recommending worthy men from within one's own circle, one need not shun one's kin. Today, allow me to boast a little."
"Not only the descendants of my Fei Clan, but all three clans of the Ying Lineage are branches nourished by the same breath, and all are loyal and righteous men.
"Every young man of our clans has studied the classics written by the Sage King. They are willing to devote themselves to the great enterprise of The Way of the King: Xia Lords and Yi People, transforming the Yi into Xia. They have long yearned to ride in the king's vanguard."
The patriarchs of the Xu Clan and Jiang Clan both looked as though they shared in that honor.
Everyone else, however, had been dumbfounded by Fei Lai's words. How had a discussion about raising horses suddenly become a proposal for the three clans of the Ying Lineage to establish themselves outside the royal domain?
Did taking up posts beyond the royal domain make one loyal and righteous?
Were Xia Lords and Yi People the Mandate of Heaven and The Way of the King?
Then what about those of us who remain within the royal domain? Have a few words suddenly made us disloyal to the king's service?
"Excellent!"
Luo Su cheered excitedly and raised the wine goblet before him high. "Xia Lords and Yi People, transforming the Yi into Xia—the great enterprise of The Way of the King."
"That was the greatest achievement my ancestor established for All Xia.
"My lords, let us drain a generous cup to the lofty righteousness of these three lords of the Ying Lineage!"
Zhou Yun and Shen You, who had already secretly coordinated with him, laughed inwardly. Others had yet to recover their senses and raised their goblets numbly, half willingly and half under pressure, before draining them.
Still looking thoroughly delighted, Luo Su declared fervently, "In the years since we moved the capital to Luoyi, the work of Xia Lords and Yi People has gone poorly compared with the Sage King's time.
"At its root, we nobles have lain upon the ledger of our ancestors' achievements, clothed in silk and feasting on delicacies, long since forgetting the hardships of riding rough carts in ragged clothes and cutting our way through thorns and brambles.
"This has always pained me. Never did I imagine that today, Lord Fei, Lord Xu, and Lord Jiang would offer to return to their ancestral homeland and undertake the hardships of founding anew. My heart is truly gladdened.
"Tomorrow I will report to the Queen Mother Regent, explain the righteous undertaking of the three lords of the Ying Lineage, and request the exalted rank of marquis for Lord Fei."
"Lords Xu and Jiang may likewise receive the rank of count.
"I will also stand surety for you, securing each of you a hundred li of land as an actual fief in the Qin River Valley, along with wealth, slaves, weapons, and armor beyond counting.
"When you three lords lead your clans westward, do not forget the man in Luoyi who recommended you. I hope you will soon send me tidings of victory. When that day comes, I shall certainly offer you my congratulations!"
By the time the three men of the Ying Lineage had bowed to thank Luo Su, everyone had fully come to their senses. These three had arranged everything with him beforehand.
Horse administration was merely a pretext. Luo Su's true aim was to move the lords of the royal domain outward!
The Ying Lineage had many people but little land within the royal domain. Quite a few believed that remaining there offered no future and wanted external fiefs. They had even discussed it privately.
At the same time, as a descendant of the Sage King, Luo Su truly was dissatisfied with the stagnation in the Xia Lords and Yi People process these past years, which was why he had thought of them.
They had large numbers of clansmen who did no productive labor but had extensive military training, abundant wealth to fund the establishment of states, and ranks as ministers and grand officers within the royal domain that could be transferred into equivalent external ranks of count, viscount, or baron.
What puzzled everyone was that, judging by his decision to summon them all, Luo Su intended to move most of the Dukes and Ministers and nobles of the royal domain beyond its borders.
So many people-the mere thought made their scalps prickle.
One misstep could lead to irreparable failure even with Luo Su's prestige. This was a matter that could affect the entire Zhou State. Given his usual approach, why would he undertake something so radical?
At this point, another previously arranged accomplice stepped forward. Shen You, patriarch of the Shen Clan, posed a question that concerned everyone. "Lord Luo, the Ying Lineage raises horses for the Son of Heaven. If they move west, what will become of the pastures here in Luoyi?"
On the surface, he was asking who would raise horses for the Son of Heaven after the Ying Lineage departed. In truth, he was asking how the power vacuum within the royal domain would be filled.
This was what concerned everyone most. Their attention sharpened instantly, and they pricked up their ears to hear Luo Su's answer.
Our families have served the Son of Heaven for generations. We know every aspect of the royal domain inside out. If we are all transferred away, is the royal domain no longer to be governed?
That was what they were thinking.
But Luo Su's goal was not to strip them of power completely. In an age when hereditary offices and stipends were taken for granted, these structural contradictions could not be resolved.
Each generation had its own work to do.
What he intended was to delay the political disaster that would strike the royal domain within decades by several more decades, perhaps even a century. He wanted to return the strength and size of these clans within the royal domain to what they had been when they first moved to Luoyi.
These measures would address both the royal domain's financial problems and the Dukes and Ministers and nobles' gradual erosion of the Son of Heaven's authority.
Luo Su waved a hand and smiled. "I have just considered the Duke of Shen's concern, and in truth, the problem does not exist.
"After a century of growth, what a colossal body the Ying Lineage has become!
"It has far more than three subsidiary branches. Sending members of these three clans west to the Qin River Valley does not mean that their entire clans must migrate. Indeed, men advanced in years like Lord Fei may remain in Luoyi.
"I am the ruler of the Luo State, yet am I not here feasting with you? Over these past decades, the times I have stayed in the Luo State can be counted on one hand.
How many Lords of the Royal Domain and Lords Outside the Royal Domain of the Zhou State share the same origins?"
"To take someone close at hand, Duke Yun of Eastern Zhou is, in essence, also a descendant of the Sage King and a member of my clan. His line merely established a separate ancestral house during the Sage King's time.
"Think back to the founding of the state. When was there ever so clear a boundary between those within and beyond the royal domain?"
Zhou Yun covered his face. "You flatter me, Duke of Luo. The Luo Clan is the Sage King's senior direct line, and its incense offerings have continued year after year without interruption. I have changed my clan name and established a separate house, never offering him so much as a single stick of incense. How could I dare call myself a descendant of the Sage King's line? I may only call myself one of his later offspring."
Zhou Yun was not wrong. A subsidiary lineage could worship only the ancestors of its own branch.
In Ji Zhao's system, they did not even count as his descendants. Only the Luo Clan, which had not yet divided its household, qualified.
Luo Su's speech dispelled much of everyone's resistance, especially since Lord Fei was actually being made a marquis!
That was equivalent to one of the Son of Heaven's Three Dukes, whereas high ministers like them were equivalent only to counts.
"For these words, Duke of Luo, I can only bow with my forehead to the ground in gratitude."
Shen You's expression was rather solemn as he spoke slowly. "Duke of Luo, our Shen Clan descends from the Jiang Lineage. A century ago, we ran abreast of the Lü Clan, your maternal kin's state, with neither above nor below the other.
"During King Wu's reign, Taigong Wang rendered outstanding service to the Zhou State. During the Sage King's regency, he also accompanied the army on the Eastern Campaign.
"Before such immense achievements for the Zhou State, the Shen Clan could only gaze at the dust left in his wake. From then on, the Lü Clan was enfeoffed in the Qi State, while the Shen Clan remained within the royal domain.
"Today, the Qi State is a great eastern state with thirty thousand armored soldiers, and it has intermarried with the Son of Heaven for generations. How exalted it is!
"Never mind the lords of the Jiang Lineage. Count every lord in the Zhou State, whether of the Ji Lineage or not: apart from Xiong Dun, Heaven's Lord of War, what other state possesses such military might?
"To see our kinsmen, who once struggled to survive in Western Qi, attain such prosperity today-I know in my heart that it is all thanks to the protection of the Zhou State's Mandate of Heaven.
"But the Sage King once said, 'As Heaven moves with vigor, the gentleman must strive ceaselessly to strengthen himself.'
"Sometimes I wonder: if the Shen Clan had not remained within the royal domain, but instead asked the Sage King for an external holding and joined the royal enterprise of placing Xia Lords and Yi People-
"Then surely we would not face today's straits, unable even to provide estates for our young clansmen of age to establish separate households.
"If our ancestors knew of this, I would truly have no face with which to meet them."
Shen You actually choked up, looking deeply grieved. Was it real or feigned? Who could say there was not some sincerity in his words?
Barely had Shen You finished when Zhou Yun's voice came, tinged with tears. "Duke of Luo, what the Duke of Shen just said struck deep into my heart.
"When Xiong Dun came north, we were fortunate that you and the Duke of Qi brought troops from beyond the royal domain to defend the king. Yet as an offspring of the Sage King, I contributed not the slightest merit. My shame is unbearable.
"If I could receive a fief and establish a state, then should the Son of Heaven face danger again, I would no longer stand helpless.
"I beg you, Duke of Luo, to consider our shared kinship and grant my request for enfeoffment."
Luo Su was one of the most outstanding historical figures in Chinese history. He resolved the financial and political crises that gradually emerged in the middle period of the Western Zhou Dynasty, greatly curbed the great nobles' annexation of lesser nobles' lands within the royal domain, and revived the stagnant enfeoffment system. He initiated the Western Zhou Dynasty's second large-scale wave of armed colonization and was one of the founders of China's great unification.
In fact, the Western Zhou Dynasty never again produced such an outstanding statesman before its sudden collapse.-A Global History, Western Zhou, Volume II
I see other authors of new books asking readers to keep following their updates, so I'll ask here too. I don't really understand much about these things and rely entirely on your support. I hope the book's results can improve a little. My heartfelt thanks!
Before you continue