Petty Details

Shen Jin had lain awake all night because Liu Acheng had genuinely displayed the flair and ability of a capable political intermediary, forcing him to set aside questions of age and status and reassess both the young man and Xi Chao behind him.

Yes, Xi Chao was the key.

Before Young Master Xi's lineage and standing, and before the Shens who held half of Wuxing Commandery, Liu Acheng was merely an intermediary-just one who conducted himself with dignity.

Of course, from Shen Jin's perspective, his circumstances really were rather bleak. In terms of strength, the Shen Family had gradually recovered from the Wang Dun Rebellion. Within Wuxing Commandery, they were still the Shens of Half a Commandery. Yet he simply could not take a single step beyond its borders.

Especially since he was already thirty-three this year. In this age, he had to consider what would happen after his death-or, rather, what would happen to the next generation. In fact, he had two sons, and his eldest was already thirteen or fourteen. In a second-rank, first-class great house, invitations to respectable official appointments would already have arrived.

Yet never mind his sons' prospects: his own life was visibly entering its latter half, and despite commanding such considerable power, he could still be obstructed by a petty clerk guarding a checkpoint. What a suffocating existence.

At long, long last, Wang Huzhi, who had belonged to the same camp during the Wang Dun Rebellion, had come to Wuxing as commandery governor. Then he had been promoted to General Who Pacifies the North. Shen Jin had thought he could exploit the Northern Expedition to escape his Punished Family status-only for the fellow to become paralyzed.

And even with him paralyzed, Shen Jin could not switch patrons. He could only continue clinging to the invalid, or commit an even greater taboo.

Now the Xi Family's eldest son had extended a distinctly insincere paw... What was he supposed to do?

Obviously, he still had to stick with the paralyzed Wang Huzhi!

After all, while nobody knew when Wang Huzhi would die, Xi Chao was only in his teens. By the time it was his turn to wield power, Shen Jin would already be in the ground!

I cannot wait that long.

Yet there simply was no other road!

Should he invest something substantial in this seemingly hopeless path for his sons' sake? But after thinking for half the night, Shen Jin sorrowfully realized that beyond lending them a music troupe, he did not even have the opportunity to rush forward and flatter the incomparably virtuous Xi Jiabin!

Surely he could not invest in Liu Acheng, this pretentious Xi Family retainer from the Northern Migrant Shan Family? He had neither daughters nor sisters, but he did have three or five female cousins.

At best, the fellow would become another Gao Rou. It was not worth it, and he could not persuade his uncles and cousins, either.

Really, had the Shen Family fallen so low that they had to marry into a family like that? The very thought was wrong!

During the latter half of the night, Shen Jin really did cry. But just as he had countless times in his youth, when he struggled to remember his father's face and could not, he could only hide beneath his brocade quilt and shed tears in secret.

Why was his fate so bitter?

Why was everything so hard?

Why were these northern migrant clans so wicked?

Two days later, the Spring Plowing in Qianxi Village was largely finished. Shen Jin made the arrangements and, at Liu Acheng's request, chose the eastern route: east into Wu Commandery, then boarding a boat in the waters beyond the Qiantang River's mouth at Yanguan and crossing the sea directly to Qiuting.

This time, feeling the moment was ripe, Liu Acheng spoke frankly. He hoped his Brother Jin would keep this secret from the Way of the Celestial Masters. Naturally, his reason was not any fault of Master Du Ming's, but concern over the boundless greed of Master Du Ming's sons and the jealousy of the other masters of the Precious Register, which might undermine the plan.

Shen Jin gave his promise with remarkable decisiveness and seriousness. He would not say a word. Indeed, he did not even know Liu Acheng had come to hear Cucumber Is a Blade of Grass. Even if people discussed it or asked afterward, one of his younger clansmen, who was particularly close to Liu Acheng, had lent out the Qianxi Music Troupe without his knowledge.

Although Liu Acheng did not know why the other man had suddenly become so scrupulous, there was no reason not to accept this goodwill.

Naturally, before he left, there was another inevitable performance involving fine tall horses, gold, and brocade.

Liu Acheng's attitude remained unchanged: why refuse? Those who amassed wealth through office could become commandery governors, sweep out the treasury, and cart away a whole commandery's annual taxes. They could easily grow rich, then stop and pretend they had been incorruptible all their lives. But Shen Jin's household received half a commandery's income every year. The financial harvesting carried out in his father's generation had even affected Great Jin's economy for decades. Refusing this money really would be pointless.

After accepting it, he did not immediately ask them to deliver it to Jingkou or anywhere else. He could not keep troubling them. Instead, he took it to Qiuting first, intending to send it onward through Gao Rou's connections.

In fact, after Liu Acheng led the group to Qiuting in Shangyu, Kuaiji, in the latter part of the first month, he settled them briefly and immediately began writing letters-many letters. He wrote to Xi Chao, inviting him to hear "Cucumber Is a Blade of Grass"; to Lu Song, who had just gone to the Xi Family Estate in Shan County, telling him that the highly professional Qianxi Music Troupe had arrived and that he should hurry over and teach them the tunes the two had fitted with Daoist scripture, rather than spend all his time beside Shan Creek keeping Xi Linhai company; to Liu Jili, explaining his plan, asking about the situation in Jiankang, whether Cai Mo objected to such activities, and whether he had met anyone seeking a reputation as a celebrated scholar who could come before the Shangsi Festival; to Liu Rengong, asking whether established farmland had been secured for cultivation in spring, sparing them the need for Spring Plowing, and whether land had been allocated, while also sending silk; to Gao Jian, thanking him for his repeated assistance over the winter and sending a fine horse; and to Liu Huzi, sending gold and suggesting he seek help from the Gao Clan or the Way of the Celestial Masters to establish his own route between Kuaiji and Jingkou, controlling communications and the transport of supplies. If he succeeded, the camp would receive substantial assistance in goods and money during the coming third month.

Finally, after some hesitation, he wrote to Shen Jin as well, asking whether he had a reliable transport channel directly to Jingkou.

Once the letters were finished, he waited for his fellow conspirators to come over for another meeting.

Sure enough, this four-man gathering proved very successful, chiefly because the Qianxi Music Troupe's hundred-person ensemble was astonishing.

Lu Song was ecstatic and eager to tackle the Shangsi Festival, while Xi Chao and Gao Rou were completely won over... This was truly a spectacle unique to their age. Anyone who heard it would be stunned.

Liu Acheng promptly and openly demanded funding from Xi Chao. Over a hundred people had to eat, drink, relieve themselves, and sleep; instruments needed repairs; they might even need matching clothes and new instruments. Surely Gao Rou's Household deserved a subsidy?

Xi Chao had nothing to say against that. Supplies and funds on this scale did not even require him to ask his father to open the family treasury. He merely needed to order their Slave Retainers to send goods down the Cao'e River from several estates in southern Kuaiji... And everyone understood that the shipment could hardly be limited to food, clothes, and instruments for those hundred-odd people. There had to be a surplus. Gao Rou's Household was not exactly well-off, after all.

In truth, this was one of Liu Acheng's private motives for placing the troupe in Qiuting. If they were supporting people anyway, was Qiuting not a little more discreet than Shan County? A little closer to their homes? And letting Uncle Gao earn and keep a little on the side to support Jingkou served both public and private interests, did it not?

Besides, this was only one of the initial preparations. If the project really took off, a little of the money embezzled by Xi Linhai's household could trickle out. Merely letting some grease stick to their hands as it passed through would support the great land-clearing undertaking of several thousand Jingkou refugees. Surely that counted as accumulating Daoist merit for Xi Linhai? Surely it helped him become an immortal?

Otherwise, why had Liu Acheng written everywhere seeking transport channels as soon as he returned?

"Next comes the most important part." Back in Gao Rou's relatively plain hall, Liu Acheng continued presiding over the meeting from his folding stool. This time, Wu Fusheng was allowed to attend as well. "By early in the second month, we must ensure that Wang Jiang Province and Xi Linhai officially launch this undertaking. Ideally, by midmonth, twenty or thirty celebrated scholars should have firmly agreed to attend. Finally, we must be prepared to handle any trouble that may arise at any time..."

"Launching it is simple." Xi Chao still occupied one of the two principal couches as a matter of course. His tone remained indifferent, though he gave Lu Song an extra glance. "Father and my uncle have effectively agreed already. All I need to do now is ask Father in person, while Master Lu explains beside him, according to our plan, that he can combine the Public and Private Purification Ceremonies. Everything will follow naturally. Once my uncle gets excited, never mind twenty or thirty people-we can assemble forty or fifty..."

"Kuaiji has that many celebrated scholars?" Liu Acheng was aghast.

"How many did you think there were, Acheng?" Even Gao Rou laughed.

"Only a dozen or so, surely?" Liu Acheng answered seriously. "Mainly because Kuaiji is only so large. I counted them. For instance, Xie Eastern Mountain lives on Eastern Mountain, but I haven't heard of anyone else there..."

"What about Xie Eastern Mountain's younger brother, Xie Wanshi? Is he not a celebrated scholar?" Xi Chao could barely contain himself either and interrupted him. "If we send invitations in early second month and formally invite Xie Eastern Mountain, should we not also think to invite Xie Wanshi? Nominally, he has accepted an appointment from the Prince of Kuaiji, but he spends his days wearing a silk headcloth, carrying a feather fan, and engaging in lofty discourse in wooden clogs. Nobody would stop him from coming straight to Kuaiji."

Liu Acheng understood. He suddenly remembered that just as Xie An had used that crimson Dust-Tail Fan, Xie Wan seemed to have taken the Crimson Crane Cloak.

Recognizing this rare opportunity, Xi Chao continued mocking him. "And my two cousins? At their age, it is true they have shown neither talent nor virtue, but they are old enough to receive official appointments. Since my uncle is convening this gathering as its leader, do those two not count as celebrated scholars of Kuaiji?"

Thoroughly enlightened, Liu Acheng cupped his hands and conceded defeat. "I made assumptions... So there really will be forty or fifty?"

"We'll know once we count." Gao Rou raised a hand, counting on his fingers as he gave a rough list. "Wang Jiang Province (Wang Xizhi) and his two sons make three; Wang Lantian (Wang Shu) and his son make two; Xi Linhai (Xi Yin) and Jiabin make two. I don't know whether General Xi (Xi Tan, Xi Yin's younger brother) will come-probably not. It's hard to say about Xie Eastern Mountain (Xie An); we'll have to see whether they come. At least Eastern Mountain himself, at most four or five people. Xu Ane (Xu Xun) has his whole family here, so at least three. Sun Xinggong (Sun Chuo) definitely cannot come, which is just as well, but his elder brother Sun Chenggong (Sun Tong) and his son Sun Asi certainly will. That's another two. Master Shen (Zhu Faqian) is old and may not come either, but Yu Fakai, who also lives in Shan County, is fiercely competing with Zhi Daolin here in religious debate. Those two will definitely attend..."

Halfway through Gao Rou's account, Liu Acheng, first bewildered and then recovering his wits, silently fetched paper and a brush from beside him and began taking notes. Gao Rou immediately started over, then continued pouring out names as though counting treasures in his own home. "Beyond these people, there are Yuan Yanshu (Yuan Qiaozhi) of Chen Commandery and Yu Dingyan (Yu Yun) of Yingchuan, followed by those who came south like me: Xu Fengzhi of Donghai, Cao Hua and Cao Maozhi of Pengcheng. The latter's son, Cao Li, should come too. I also intend to take Fusheng along..."

Liu Acheng was already numb. From the earlier surnames, he knew most belonged to second-rank, first-class houses. But among the later names, only Yu Dingyan (Yu Yun) left much of an impression on him. The others meant nothing to him.

"But that still only makes twenty or thirty," Liu Acheng said doubtfully after a quick count.

"Brother Acheng has forgotten us Kuaiji natives." Wu Fusheng, who had stood silently behind Gao Rou all this time, finally spoke.

Xi Chao and Gao Rou both nodded.

"Since this is a Spring Purification Ceremony, and we're also holding a Public Purification Ceremony, we must invite Kuaiji's local distinguished clans. Although Kuaiji cannot compare with Wu Commandery or Wuxing, it still has quite a few great clans that rose during Eastern Wu." Gao Rou explained earnestly. "Take Fusheng. His family descends from the clan of General Sun Who Defeats the Caitiffs' wife. Naturally, I'm bringing him to help him advance. But the Runan Lü Clan, Kuaiji Yu Clan, Wei Clan, and Kong Clan are all great local families with traditions of scholarship. How could we not invite them? Even if those four houses send only a few people, I estimate they'll contribute more than ten."

Liu Acheng had nothing to say to that. Indeed, it even felt familiar now-the descendants of Lü Fan, Yu Fan, and people like them.

Living far away in Kuaiji, these people had avoided several previous conflicts between migrant and native clans and carried little political baggage. Although still second-tier, they were better situated than northern migrants like Gao Rou.

"Then we really are looking at more than forty." Liu Acheng nodded, then turned to Lu Song. "Brother Song, I have an idea. Master Du Ming cannot possibly stay away from such a grand gathering. Once he comes, he will certainly try to seize control of your ceremony. Why not invite him early and list him among the celebrated scholars, putting him off his guard?"

Lu Song's face paled, but he could only nod.

Xi Chao and Gao Rou nodded as well. In truth, everyone understood that this was the important agenda item Liu Acheng had emphasized at this meeting: potential trouble.

"Besides that, we should leave some room." After thinking briefly, Xi Chao added, "For instance, as an organizer, my uncle will certainly invite relatives from the Langya Wang Clan in nearby commanderies and counties. That clan has spreading branches and luxuriant leaves. Some of them may well come."

"Not only that," Gao Rou said seriously. "In my experience, some people will come uninvited... Suppose someone receives an invitation at home and happens to have a friend visiting before he leaves. He'll bring that friend along. Never mind colleagues, staff, and relatives."

"Then we should prepare for fifty or sixty people," Liu Acheng concluded.

Lu Song's face grew even paler. Clearly, he was nervous again. "The more people there are, the easier it will be for something to go wrong or for someone to make trouble."

"No matter. When soldiers come, we send generals; when water comes, we bank it with earth." As always, Liu Acheng looked on the bright side. "Let's think positively... The more people there are, the greater the weight of our jointly signed letter, and the greater the accomplishment will seem. The more people there are, Brother Song, the firmer your standing in the South of the Yangtze. Once this succeeds, nobody can shake you-not even Master Du Ming. The more people there are, and the more varied their backgrounds, the easier it will be for people like Fusheng and me to appear among them... Muddy water makes fish easier to catch."

Lu Song's expression eased slightly, and Gao Rou and Wu Fusheng nodded as well.

"Rest assured, Brother Song." Glancing at them, Xi Chao smiled too. "I keep my word. It depends on what you want. If you want an official career, I will certainly recommend you in the future. But you've seen it yourself: here in the South of the Yangtze, if you are a Daoist or Buddhist monk-openly declaring that you won't compete with them for office-you can rise effortlessly, becoming an honored guest and cherished friend of the Wang and Xie families and my Xi Family. Wealth and fame will flow in like water... But once you pursue office, all that disappears. So if you no longer wish to seek office and merely want to settle into this position, I have no objection."

Lu Song hesitated, then could only smile bitterly. "Let's accomplish this first! Otherwise, what future is there to discuss?"

"Then let's analyze them one by one. What is each person's temperament? What taboos does he have? Might he cause trouble? If so, what kind, and how should we respond? How talented are they? When it comes to composing poems, how should we arrange the order so the gathering never falls flat... And who owes whom a favor, who bears whom a grudge..." Halfway through, Liu Acheng looked up and found everyone, Xi Jiabin included, staring openmouthed. He knew he was getting a little ahead of his time, but he could only press on. "Isn't this taking precautions before trouble strikes? If we're doing something, we should be thorough and meticulous. That way, even if something really does go wrong, we can honestly say it was heaven's will, rather than regret not having done our best."

Xi Chao nodded first. Gao Rou and the others had nothing to object to either and joined him in the analysis.

Thus, having heard the Qianxi Music Troupe and made so many preparations, they naturally had no reason to delay. Rather than waiting until the second month, they set things in motion immediately, that same month.

Exactly as Xi Chao had arranged, he waited until his father was discussing the Daoist Canon with Lu Song, then went over with Liu Acheng to ask directly whether they intended to hold a purification ceremony. If so, the Shangsi Festival fell on the third day of the third month, only one full month away. At the very least, they needed to begin inviting participants.

Reminded of the matter, Xi Linhai immediately asked Lu Song again about the northern Public and Private Purification Ceremonies. Would a public ceremony bring blessings? And how should a private ceremony be conducted?

Following their earlier agreement, Lu Song said little. He merely emphasized that the blessings of a Public Purification Ceremony benefited cultivation, while a Private Purification Ceremony strengthened the body and broadened the mind. He did not promise everything under the sun.

Xi Yin had already been tempted. With his son urging him and this distinguished representative of Northern Daoism explaining matters beside him, he immediately wanted to hold a Public Purification Ceremony... But he was currently inseparable from Lu Song, who only visited every few days, and he did not want to leave. As usual, he sent his eldest son to discuss it with his brother-in-law, Wang Xizhi.

Seeing everything proceeding smoothly, Liu Acheng did not accompany him to Shanyin. Instead, he returned to Qiuting to get to work, leaving Xi Jiabin to negotiate with Wang Xizhi alone.

One reason was Xi Chao's temperament: he had to be trusted. The other was that Xi Jiabin intended to use the opportunity to recommend Liu Acheng and Lu Song, and it would be awkward for the men themselves to be present.

When he arrived at the Wang residence beside Mirror Lake in Shanyin, Wang Xizhi was entertaining a guest. Already eager, he was naturally delighted to hear that his elder brother-in-law had decided to hold a purification ceremony. But just as Xi and Liu had anticipated, Wang Jiang Province wanted both a Public and a Private Purification Ceremony. If that proved impossible, he wanted a private one, putting him at odds with Xi Yin's intention to seek blessings through a public ceremony.

Xi Chao therefore took the opportunity to recommend Liu Acheng and Lu Song. He said Lu Song was well versed in northern Daoist ritual and was a Daoist esteemed by Master Du Ming, making him suitable to oversee the ceremony. Liu Acheng was reliable and familiar with Lu Song, making him suitable to handle the practical arrangements... Let those two design a Grand Purification Ceremony that served both public and private purposes: a Public Ceremony in the morning, then Floating Cups Along the Winding Stream and composing poems in the afternoon. Would that not be delightful?

As for his esteemed uncle, he need only draw up a guest list and invite people. On the day, he could simply act as leader, drink wine, listen to music, compose poems, write the letter, and sign his name.

Wang Xizhi was greatly moved!

He was ready to strike the table and settle the matter on the spot.

But just then, the guest who had dropped by to cadge a meal-or rather, the passerby who had just returned from his ancestral home to his usual residence in Kuaiji, namely Xie An-waved his crimson Dust-Tail Fan and spoke from his couch. "This Liu Acheng-is he the Liu Acheng I know?"

"In answer to Master Eastern Mountain." Xi Chao turned slightly and cupped his hands. "He is indeed Liu Cheng of the Liu Clan of Pengcheng, whom you recommended to my father."

Xie An nodded. "I also think your proposal is quite good. People in Jiankang certainly are uneasy. But how old is Liu Acheng? This is a major undertaking involving so much. If you hastily entrust it to him, can he handle it properly? Won't something go wrong?"

Xi Chao paused. "You personally recommended him, Master Eastern Mountain, yet you don't know?"

"Know what?" Xie An was puzzled.

"Since even Xie Eastern Mountain does not understand this man, I will speak plainly." Still turned sideways, Xi Chao looked proudly about Wang Xizhi's main hall. "In literary allusions, calligraphy, and elegant phrasing, he may not amount to much. But when it comes to getting things done, this man will certainly succeed."

Xie An grew still more bewildered. "He..."

"Although he has been at my home only two months and I haven't known him long, I've seen him clearly enough. When this man undertakes something, he makes full use of the talents, strengths, status, money, and silk of everyone available around him-and makes you feel perfectly willing about it. As for the actual arrangements, he can put even the gaps between clogs and sandals to proper use." As he spoke, Xi Chao pointed at the wooden clogs and Grass Sandals scattered in front of Xie An's couch. It was unclear whether he was seizing the opportunity to mock someone. "Never mind entrusting him with the practical arrangements for a ceremony. Even if you entrusted him with the military and state affairs of the Northern Expedition, he would certainly provide capable assistance."

At this point, Xi Chao finally turned fully and fixed his eyes on Xie An. "Master Xie, did you truly fail to recognize his talent? If so, why did you think to send him to my household as a retainer? And if you recognized it, why didn't you take him into your own service and entrust him with the Xie Clan's future?"

Xie An was utterly speechless and cursed inwardly... I sent him to your house precisely because I knew he was the same sort of wretch as you!

As for his abilities, I never spent day and night with him. How would I know?!

And you admire him this much, yet instead of thanking me, you're standing up for him against me?

"You cannot blame me. Jiang Province doesn't know this, but I only met him by chance..." At that thought, although Xie An knew there was no need to quarrel with a child, his rising irritation proved impossible to suppress. He simply turned to the bewildered Wang Xizhi and related how Liu Acheng had happened to help his sons and nephews kill a tiger on Flower Mountain. "I merely wanted to repay that favor. I never spent much time with him. According to my niece Daoyun, he is actually quite a good person, but overly petty and stingy, even to the point of greed. He even wanted to take the opportunity to reclaim dirty cloth."

Wang Xizhi nodded, then shook his head. "A northern migrant whose family has declined-it is perfectly ordinary for him to be petty and stingy. If he can get things done, there is no harm in letting him take some money and silk. Why quibble?"

Although Wang Jiang Province was a generous man, in just a few exchanges Xie An had still persuaded him that Liu Acheng had undertaken this affair to make money.

Naturally, that struck the bull's-eye, uncannily accurate despite the distance.

Had Liu Acheng himself been present, he might well have smiled, just as when he first met Xie Daoyun, and thought he had come out ahead.

But with Xi Chao's temperament, how could he let Xie An press his advantage so easily? Liu Acheng had not even accompanied him on this visit. How could he let the fellow suffer such a loss? How would he explain it afterward? Thus, without changing expression, he said slowly, "Uncle, is this Daoyun the young lady of the Xie Clan betrothed to Shuping?"

Wang Xizhi nodded. "She is."

"What a pity." Xi Chao's expression remained unchanged. "After she marries into this household, I'm afraid she will be unhappy."

"Why?" Wang Xizhi looked at his son sitting below in considerable confusion. Wang Ningzhi, seated there, was even more caught off guard.

"I have seen Liu Acheng for myself. He has indeed handled a great deal of money and silk lately, but whatever he receives with his left hand, he gives to the impoverished people around him with his right. He still wears the clothes and cloth shoes I gave him and travels on the little horse I gave him. Even when he visited family friends over the New Year and I gave him a boatload of gifts, I never saw him keep so much as an extra length of cloth for himself. His room contains nothing but brushes, ink, and books." Xi Chao spoke earnestly. "A man like that asked for some dirty cloth to save lives because the refugees of his own clan who had sought his help received no winter relief-and that young lady calls him stingy and petty... Then may I ask whether, in the future, she will look down upon all the ordinary, worldly people in your household and nearby relatives' households like mine? Will she feel she has married beneath herself into a place far inferior to the pure elegance of her natal home? Will she grow sorrowful in spring, return to the Xie Family in tears of regret, and blame Xie Eastern Mountain for ruining her whole life?"

Wang Xizhi hesitated, then could only wave his hand. "Jiabin, don't talk nonsense. A sheltered young lady is not yours to judge."

Then he instinctively looked at Xie An... Say something!

Unexpectedly, Xie An had gone pale beside him, yet he offered no rebuttal at all. Halfway through, Xie Eastern Mountain had realized that, given his niece's temperament, she really might look down on this collection of useless men in Wang Xizhi's household! Moreover, he himself seemed to look down on Xi Yin and had reinforced that impression in front of his niece.

So this was actually the plain truth?!

At that thought, Xie An found Xi Chao still more detestable. Why couldn't you learn from your father and uncle? Must you be so clever and cutting?

-----A dividing line that tells nothing but the truth-----

When Emperor Gao, the Great Ancestor, first arrived in Kuaiji, he was young and unknown. Only Xi Jiabin was close to him and often praised him before the Wang and Xie families. One day, meeting Xie Eastern Mountain at Right General Wang's house, he spoke of him again. Seeing the footwear strewn before the couch, he said, "Liu Acheng will surely accomplish great things. I have gone about with him and seen that he uses every talent to its fullest. Even between shoes and clogs, everything finds its proper task. From this, I conclude that he will certainly achieve distinction in the future."

Xie Eastern Mountain disliked being lectured and recalled an incident in his household. "When our family encountered a tiger on Flower Mountain, the Liu Clan rescued us. The other young men were lofty and indifferent; only Acheng demanded the curtains. Clearly, he is highly capable, but regrettably petty and stingy-even more so than Tao Shixing."

Chao was greatly angered and replied, "Such pettiness was precisely the strength by which Tao Shixing and my late grandfather pacified Su Jun. I have never heard where the Xie Clan's pure elegance was then."

-New Account of Tales of the World, "Light Censure," twenty-six

P.S. Thanks to A Bei and God's Saint for their alliance-leader-level support. Wishing both of them and all other readers great luck and prosperity on April Fools' Day.