Garrison commander (part two)

Once everything had been cleared away, the two sides finally turned to business.

Seeing the other man's sincerity, Liu Zhi relaxed somewhat and came straight to the point, though he remained uneasy. "Wenzhen-Gao Jian's courtesy name-I truly had nowhere else to turn before coming to you. The Double Ninth Festival is almost here, and afterward the weather will turn cold. My clan is destitute. Never mind houses, clothing, bedding, and firewood to keep out the cold-we don't even have enough food for winter. I truly don't know what to do! I know this is an unreasonable request, but among Jingkou's thirteen garrisons, yours is the only one I know! How will the court settle us? How are we to survive? Please advise us."

"Lord Ren, I too came wandering down from the north. How could I not understand your difficulties?" Gao Jian's expression remained unchanged, as though he had long expected this question. "When you sent your eldest son to my door, I already knew what you wanted. And even in death, I could never forget how you helped the hundreds of people in my clan back in Pengcheng... Before you came to me, I was confined to this Garrison Station and truly had no idea you had reached Southern Langya Commandery. Now that you have found me, naturally I must do everything in my power to help. Otherwise, how could I have the face to stand in this world?"

Everyone grew still more delighted.

"But you must understand one thing, Lord Ren: I arrived only two years before you. Of course I can give you all the help I can, but that may not amount to much." Gao Jian immediately added this warning. "Especially with your standing, surely a thousand households must have followed you south to settle here?"

Liu Zhi had relaxed considerably by now, but could only nod at this. "How could I not understand your difficulties, Wenzhen? There are indeed eight or nine hundred households, several thousand people... Just thinking about it is daunting!"

Whatever the others present thought, Liu Huzi and Liu Acheng, the two youngest, could not help exchanging a glance. Both felt that Liu Huzi's father was far too honest. Had he really reported eight or nine hundred households exactly as they were? They were asking for relief, for heaven's sake. If he said over a thousand, who could count them all?

"If you want to preserve so many of your countrymen, Lord Ren, your only hope is naturally government relief. But to be frank, although I am stationed in Jiangcheng, I have little connection with the authorities in Langya Commandery. I don't know them, and they don't know me. To get them to make arrangements, we can only seek a way through the Grand Commander." Gao Jian's expression remained utterly unruffled, and his words as direct as ever. "In fact, you should know that the officials of Southern Xu Province aren't completely ignoring the refugees. They're simply all crowded into Guangling, at Guazhou Ferry, where the Grand Commander can see them."

"Of course." Liu Zhi nodded repeatedly, only to grow anxious again. "But Wenzhen, what sort of man is the Grand Commander? Is he really in Guangling? Will he be willing to help us?"

"He should be." Gao Jian spoke solemnly. "The Grand Commander actually comes from no particularly exalted lineage. His father and grandfather were merely commandery governors and the like. Only in his generation did his family begin discussing metaphysics and cultivating a reputation, earning him the name of a distinguished scholar... By rights, even their rise should have waited until the next generation. But then the Empress Dowager began ruling from behind the curtain, didn't she? That was how the Grand Commander rose so high. His merit, though, is that he is a first-generation distinguished scholar. He understands things in his heart and has seen the people's suffering. In my humble opinion, whatever the matter, as long as you explain it clearly to his face, he generally won't deliberately make things difficult."

Liu Zhi breathed an easier sigh, and his sons relaxed along with him.

Liu Acheng, however, seemed to hear something more in those words... Explain it clearly to his face, and he wouldn't deliberately make things difficult. But if you couldn't explain it to his face, and his subordinates skinned you and tore out your sinews right there on the Huai River, wasn't that simply that? Besides, if even a Refugee Commander from the Huai River region could explain things to him in person, what about the intimates at his side who spoke to him every day?

"Furthermore, I am responsible for defending this place and cannot easily leave. I can only write a letter of introduction for you." Gao Jian continued laying out the arrangements. "And while the Grand Commander is in Guangling, I cannot properly introduce you either. We must wait until he returns to Jingkou."

Liu Zhi's heart jolted, and he hurriedly asked, "We truly cannot do it now?"

"Naturally not." Gao Jian remained expressionless, but clearly maintained an extraordinary degree of tolerance and patience toward the man before him. "Lord Ren, the Grand Commander is conducting a northern expedition. It is true that Guangling and Beigu Mountain are separated by only a river, but that is precisely the fundamental distinction between whether or not he is on campaign... As a commander defending Jiangcheng, right next to Jiankang, how could I bring up the settlement of refugees in Jingkou's expatriate Langya Commandery while the Grand Commander is on a northern expedition? We must wait until he returns to Beigu Mountain."

Liu Rengong and his sons only half understood, but Liu Acheng was already convinced. Judging solely by the scattered things this man had shown today, his character, ability, and insight were all first-rate. Excluding Xie An, whom he had met on the road, this was the most impressive member of the gentry elite he had encountered since transmigrating.

Of course, he was the most typical sort of lower-ranking gentry elite.

"Then when will the Grand Commander return south of the river?" Whether Liu Zhi had understood or not, he abandoned his earlier question and pressed on.

"Rest assured, Lord Ren. The Grand Commander will return in three to five days at the earliest, or early in the ninth month at the latest." Gao Jian answered calmly. "Wait for word from me."

Now Liu Rengong truly had nothing more to say.

Liu Huzi, however, looked somewhat surprised. "Does that mean the northern expedition has already failed?"

Gao Jian studied Liu Huzi, then slowly shook his head. "Mind your words."

Liu Huzi likewise fell silent, sitting there in bewilderment.

"If you are to see the Grand Commander, I will do my best to arrange everything else for you, Lord Ren. But I cannot speak to him in your place, so there is one crucial point I must tell you." Gao Jian turned again to the man beside him. "Please be sure to keep it firmly in mind."

Liu Zhi quickly gathered himself to listen.

"When you meet him, say only that a thousand refugee households depend on you, that you are destitute and helpless, and that you cannot bear to abandon them. Ask the Grand Commander to assign a place for you to settle and have the local authorities provide shelter and relief for the winter. Say not one unnecessary word." Gao Jian spoke earnestly. "Do not mention being plundered in the Huai River region. Do not mention the Langya Commandery officials abandoning you to go to Guazhou Ferry. Above all, do not take the opportunity to ask for official posts or prospects."

"I understand, I understand. I'm old, and I've never held office in my life. I'm almost in the grave already. To leave my homeland and then start seeking office-wouldn't that be making things difficult for the Grand Commander?" Liu Zhi had always understood his own position. "As for seizing the chance to lodge complaints, have I gone mad?"

"It is good that you understand, Lord Ren, but please be sure to take it to heart." Gao Jian warned him solemnly. "Your sons and nephews must not imagine they have any prospects either."

At this point, Gao Jian swept his gaze over Liu Huzi, his brothers, and Liu Cheng, his tone growing still more solemn. Clearly, these were the people he truly meant to warn:

"You must understand that here in Jiangdong, ever since Emperor Yuan crossed south, far too many people have come. In law, all gentlemen are alike, and court documents distinguish only between second-rank eminent houses and lesser houses. But in reality, the layers upon layers of rank have long since been laid out clearly. Where is there a place for refugees like us? We merely shelter under the White Register, exempt from corvée labor, and retain a little dignity.

"Some words are unpleasant, but they are the truth. For northern émigrés like us, it is already remarkable that we are still recognized as gentlemen and that men of pedigree are willing to lower their heads and speak to us. How could we talk of official posts? Insist on seeking something, and we will only earn humiliation! The Grand Commander himself is particularly kind and forgiving, but not one of the clerks and officers around him is easy to deal with. Among them are arrogant scions of great houses and sharp-edged men of humble birth alike. Offend them, and they can stop us from accomplishing anything on the spot!"

This was what the books meant by no humble gentlemen in the upper ranks, no great houses in the lower ranks... As for refugee gentry like Liu Zhi, already of the lowest standing and now deprived of their roots, they had merely not been struck from the rolls of humanity. In practice, every path to office had already been closed to them.

Understanding dawned on Liu Cheng, and his resolve hardened at the same time. Whether others acknowledged him did not matter. He had to grit his teeth and cling to his claim of belonging to the Liu clan of Pengcheng, pretending that he had a grandfather who had served Great Jin and a father who had served the Shi family's Zhao. They were simply both dead, and his father's service under Shi Zhao made it awkward to mention.

In a sense, it was just as well that lower-ranking gentry could not hold office. Otherwise, if a genuine opportunity arose and he did not seek it, that would only arouse suspicion.

"But... can't we even become a Banner Chief?" Liu Huzi probably had the greatest ambitions of anyone present, as well as the most impulsive temperament. Ignoring his father's glare, he asked directly, "Elder Gao, how did you become a garrison commander?"

For once, Gao Jian smiled bitterly. "My nephew, do you think I earned this little position as Banner Chief through my own efforts? Even if the court wants a northern expedition and needs to expand the Northern Command Army, Jingkou alone has four or five hundred thousand refugees on the White Register. People like us could truly be measured by the cartload and bushel... Besides, others arrived before us and have firmer foundations."

"Then..."

"Lord Ren, do you remember? I told you then that I came south because my elder brother Gao Rou summoned me. He had reached Jingkou over a decade earlier and already had something of a name. Then he began studying pure conversation from scratch, moving from Confucian learning into metaphysics. A few years ago, he finally established himself in Kuaiji and became a neighbor of Xi Linhai, the son of the former Situ Xi... Even so, recommending me for the Northern Command Army and this Garrison Commander post earned him the mockery of Kuaiji's leisurely distinguished scholars. He sacrificed the prestige he had spent over a decade building." Gao Jian turned to Liu Zhi as he explained, but by the end, the words came with difficulty. "Lord Ren, I owe you a tremendous debt. If there were an opportunity, how could I abandon you and your sons? There truly is no way... If Huzi and his brothers are willing to start as leaders of ten or five and wait for a squad commander's vacancy, naturally I will treat them as my own sons and nephews. But are they willing?"

The Liu Clan brothers exchanged looks, their hearts chilled. Liu Zhi hurried to offer reassurance. "With the north in such turmoil, surviving the journey here is already an extraordinary thing. Why speak of prospects? The White Register is fine. We ought to become comfortable householders. With your protection, I needn't fear anyone raiding our home again. I only hope the children can live safely and smoothly."

While Liu Huzi and his brothers grew still more dispirited, Liu Cheng found himself agreeing more than ever. Exactly. First get the resources to survive winter. Once winter is over, head south or build a Fortified Manor here, and wait for the company to go public... no, wait until you've established yourselves... Then I can cling to you and get a little broth from your pot. After a few years, once I've amassed some capital, I can seize the chance to gather refugees and build an even bigger Fortified Manor farther south. Wouldn't that be splendid?

Why insist on becoming an official?

Joining the army wasn't good either!

Especially now-join the army, and chances were you'd have to go on a northern expedition... I might not know the little historical details, but didn't I know the big picture? If the Eastern Jin could successfully conquer the north, where would the Battle of Fei River come from? Besides, even the small successes belonged to Huan Wen, who had just destroyed Cheng Han, didn't they?

Even Huan Wen definitely failed in the end!

With everything laid bare, Liu Zhi could hardly linger much longer. After repeatedly promising not to cause trouble, he stayed a little while more, then took his leave.

Gao Jian did not try to keep them. He simply confirmed once more where they were now staying, then immediately rose to see them out.

Outside the hall, several of the laborers and Slave Retainers who had served and cleared the dishes earlier were already leading the horses over. A few sacks of something—salt or rice—also hung from the mule.

All one could say was that Gao Jian truly had a conscience and remembered kindness.

Yet when they reached the garrison gate, after watching the others mount and just as he was about to turn away, Liu Cheng heard clearly and saw distinctly how Garrison Commander Gao, who could rightly be called the savior of these refugees, suddenly turned and pointed at the youth who had stolen a look at Liu Acheng's ragged clothes in the hall. His tone was mild. "He behaved improperly in the hall just now. Even while collecting bowls and chopsticks, he kept looking about at my guests. Give him ten lashes and throw him out!"

Only then did Liu Cheng understand that the youth was a bonded retainer, not a corvée laborer. Otherwise, how could he be driven out so easily?

In the afternoon, beneath brilliant autumn sunlight, they set off on the return journey. In principle, the most difficult matter of their visit had already begun to take shape, and it seemed they could survive this winter. Everyone ought to have been happy.

In reality, however, apart from Liu Zhi himself, who was visibly heartened, all the others seemed somewhat dazed.

About halfway back, shortly after they left Jingkou Avenue and turned toward Jurong, something apparently occurred to Liu Huzi, and he suddenly spoke up. "Father, if we're going to meet the Grand Commander, what gifts should we prepare?"

"When your eldest brother came last time, he told Elder Gao what happened on the Huai River. Gao knows we have no spare wealth left. He will surely prepare something for us." Liu Zhi was unconcerned.

"Even so, it would be good to prepare some extra gifts ourselves." Liu Huzi frowned. "No one takes offense at too many gifts. He is the Grand Commander, after all."

"Of course it would be good to prepare more gifts." Liu Zhi sighed. "But don't we have nothing?"

"I think we could hunt a tiger and give the Grand Commander its hide and bones." Liu Huzi hastened to put forward his idea, growing more excited as he spoke. "Didn't they say he fell ill in Guangling? The tiger bones could be used as medicine, and a tiger hide would suit any circumstances, especially in winter."

"If you can hunt a tiger, of course that's fine. I know what you're after too. But according to Elder Gao, we might be summoned to see the Grand Commander any day. We're so poor-how are we to get the equipment ready, and how long would that take? Even with the equipment, how could we easily find a tiger? Never mind the difficulty of hunting one." Liu Huzi's eldest brother, Liu Sheng, could not resist cutting in with a mocking remark. "What if you fail to get the tiger and take a swipe from its claws instead?"

Naturally, Liu Huzi looked thoroughly displeased, but merely muttered, "If we have to see the Grand Commander before I can even get the equipment ready, then just treat what I said as a fart... But what if I succeed?"

Neither Liu Rengong nor Liu Huzi's two elder brothers could be bothered with him, and Liu Acheng was even less inclined to speak.

Thus the fellow grew increasingly restless, looking left and right from horseback, plainly impatient.

They continued like this for an unknown length of time. Shortly after passing a fork in the road, Liu Huzi suddenly reined in again. "Father, you all go ahead. I just spotted a nest of bird eggs. I'll go get them and have Acheng carry them back. We can eat them tonight!"

Everyone thought he was making needless trouble, and Liu Cheng thought so too. Fortunately, Liu Rengong was in a good mood today, while the two elder brothers were in bad moods. None felt like lecturing him, and they all simply rode on ahead.

Liu Ahu rode back on his own and indeed returned to a small junction. But he pointed into the distance, toward a place where a stream murmured, and lowered his voice. "Acheng, I'm used to hunting, and my eyes are sharp. Just now, I thought I saw a Hemp Shirt hanging spread out on a tree by the bank over there. Someone must be catching fish or bathing... Go quietly and take it. Then we'll get straight on our horses and leave... Save you from always wearing that coarse short tunic and making our family a laughingstock."

Liu Acheng paused, then silently swung down from his horse and headed over.

--------The scene break that swung down from its horse--------

...Even when reduced to destitution, wearing a Coarse Tunic and Trousers, with no surplus wealth upon his person, he still upheld his principles as before, and high and low alike esteemed him.

-Old Book of Qi, Basic Annals, volume one: Emperor Gao, the Great Ancestor, part one

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