In the baggage carriage, twenty-nine-year-old Xie An reclined with his head in the lap of a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old courtesan of the highest rank, his eyes closed in a light doze. Bracing herself against the carriage wall, she sat perfectly straight, not daring to move. She held a fly whisk resembling a long-handled feather fan slightly aloft beside the forward doorway, keeping dust from rolling through the carriage's raised curtain and soiling her master's clothes.
Now, Xie An was not ordinarily a harsh man. But this meticulous courtesan, bestowed upon him by the palace and recently enjoying his favor, had learned something of her Master of the Household in their month together. She knew that, despite his air of indifference, he was in a poor mood, and dared not neglect him.
Indeed, that was precisely the case. Xie Anshi had been forced to make this journey and could hardly be pleased about it. Still, his many years as a celebrated recluse on Eastern Mountain had honed his composure. Even if the sky fell and frightened him half to death, he could still smile and converse serenely. Mere irritation was nothing.
After an indeterminate time on the road, Xie An's mood began to settle. Just then, they passed a market. Amid the clamor outside, the courtesans' teasing laughter from the other carriages grew louder and woke him completely. He simply sat up and lifted the curtain.
The first thing he saw was a roadside merchant hiding behind a tree, furtively peering at his procession. A down-and-out scholar stood beside the road holding a horse, watching him coldly as though nursing some grudge. Xie An was baffled, yet could hardly take issue with them. His mood, which had just begun to improve, soured again.
But the next moment, as the carriage passed the makeshift market at the crossroads, he looked ahead and saw chrysanthemums blooming in clusters across the mountain. Realization struck him: he had already passed Jiangcheng. That must have been the turnoff for the Jurong road, and ahead lay Flower Mountain, famed for its abundant chrysanthemums and its position beside the Jingkou road-the Baohua Mountain of later ages.
Seeing the mountain, with his mood caught somewhere between good and bad, Xie Anshi succumbed to his celebrated gentleman's temperament. He ordered the procession to stop, abruptly abandoning his itinerary to climb Flower Mountain with his vinewood staff, brew tea, and admire the blossoms.
Upon reaching the heights, he found that mid-autumn was approaching, with a lofty sky and wisps of cloud. Not only were the mountain's trees and chrysanthemums delightful in their mingled greens and yellows, but even the scenery north of the river stood distinctly before his eyes, faintly echoing the trees beneath his feet. More marvelous still, the rolling Yangtze shone beneath the afternoon sun, winding between them like a jade sash laid across the land. It was a truly rare sight.
Xie Anshi felt immensely satisfied. He had climbed for flowers and found a great river like jade; he had sought relief in the heights and indeed found his heart opening wide. He had truly tasted nature's essence.
Yet, splendid though the view was, he had no friends beside him, only a few courtesans. There was no one to appreciate his elegance on this occasion, and he could not help regretting it.
Nor was that all. With the chrysanthemums in bloom, he was not the only sightseer on Flower Mountain. Xie Anshi knew perfectly well that if he lingered until evening, the lesser folk of humble families nearby would learn he was here alone and inevitably come to invite him home. His disposition was gentle and accommodating, unlike the Wang Clan's haughty pride in its pedigree or the fierce temperaments of Yin Hao and his circle. If someone approached him, refusal would be awkward. To eat at some lowly family's table, or even spend the night under their roof, would surely make him a laughingstock.
Thus, after lingering awhile, reluctant but resigned, he descended the mountain and resumed his journey. In his carriage, he wrote on a piece of silk and sent a household retainer back to his home in Black Robe Alley. He described Flower Mountain's splendid scenery and his feelings to the sons and nephews at home, then urged them not to wait for the Double Ninth Festival or heed their elders: with the sky high, clouds thin, and flowers covering the mountain, they should take advantage of the eighth month's weather, venture out together, and find a chance to climb high and gaze far, stirring their spirits.
This leisurely indulgence came at a price, however. Having fallen behind on his journey, and being unwilling to seek lodging among coarse soldiers in the garrison towns, he did not find a local country estate belonging to the Cai Clan of Chenliu until shortly before evening. He hurried there to request shelter.
The Cai Clan of Chenliu had rendered distinguished service during the crossing south of the Yangtze and was a genuine second-rank aristocratic house-the highest rank, since the nine-rank system recognized no first-rank aristocratic houses. Naturally, no lesser folk would trouble him there. What Xie An had not expected was that the clan's leading figure, Cai Mo-former minister of the masses, supervisor of the imperial secretariat, governor of Yang Province, general who subdues the north, and one of the Three Luminaries of the Restoration-was not in Jiankang at all, but staying alone at this country estate.
Having spent these years reclining in seclusion on Eastern Mountain, Xie An was not well acquainted with Cai Mo, who had directed court affairs in previous years. Still, the man was a revered elder of the realm who had reached the highest offices available to a subject. As a guest seeking lodging, Xie An naturally had to pay his respects.
Likewise, the Xie Clan's long accumulation of strength was now bearing fruit, and its rise had begun. As a fellow aristocrat encountering him alone that evening, Cai Mo could hardly refuse to receive him, and ordered his servants to offer every hospitality.
When they met, Xie An carried a Dust-Tail Fan and shuffled in wooden clogs. After exchanging courtesies, he sat down, flicked his fan, and spoke first. "Passing Flower Mountain today, I saw chrysanthemums in full bloom and climbed to admire them. Who would have thought I would find the great river spread across the land like a jade sash? Truly, lesser understanding cannot equal greater understanding, nor a short lifespan a long one. What a profound truth!"
Seventy-year-old Cai Mo stared blankly for some time before finally grasping his meaning. Then he asked gloomily, "Do you wish to engage me in pure discourse on metaphysical principles?"
Xie An was caught off guard. Was... wasn't pure discourse what they were supposed to do?
"The Cai Clan of Chenliu has passed down Confucian learning for generations. Some of our younger members may imitate your pure discourse, but I followed Emperor Yuan south across the river. I have always been slow-witted and plainspoken, knowing only to study the sages' principles and attend to practical matters of people's livelihoods. I understand nothing of these things of yours." Cai Mo frowned slightly at his reaction.
In truth, the old man's tone was fairly mild, and he stopped there rather than launching into a lengthy lecture. He certainly did not behave like Xie An's elder brother Xie Yi, who frequently cursed the sons of other great houses after drinking too much. By those standards, he had shown considerable courtesy.
Yet the barbs in his words still left Xie An squirming.
After a long silence, as the junior party, he could only seek another topic. But his temperament had always hidden a needle in silk. Even before an elder nearly seventy years old who had attained the highest ministerial rank, he could not resist a covert retort. "Lord Cai, why have you come here instead of remaining in Jiankang?"
They might not know each other well, but Xie An had previously observed mourning in Jiankang. Through his elder brother, whose mourning had been interrupted so he could serve as minister of personnel, he had learned the circumstances. Cai Mo was apparently avoiding an imperial summons. The court wanted this founding veteran to resume the office of minister of the masses after leaving the governorship of Yang Province, stabilizing the situation.
After all, the emperor was too young, chaos had erupted in the north, and the northern expedition had begun, while Huan Wen watched covetously from upstream.
For some reason, however, Cai Mo kept refusing. Even during his previous term as minister of the masses, he had not recruited subordinate officials... almost as though proclaiming to the world: I am merely keeping the seat warm for those people. The court takes no account of me, and I take no account of it. They despise me, and I despise them.
"You think I am avoiding this summons to inflate my own reputation, just as you people do on Eastern Mountain?" Cai Mo paused, then actually laughed.
Ultimately, Xie An's temperament would not allow him to state it outright. He could only remain silent.
"When Emperor Yuan crossed the river and established his cause as chancellor, I served as his staff officer. Through forty years of rise and fall, I bent my back in service. When did I ever concern myself with status?" Seeing his reaction, Cai Mo could only sigh. "My reason for refusing this office is simple... the rebel Shi Hu brought ruin upon himself, and Later Zhao collapsed from within. That is the truth. Everyone at court is stirred with enthusiasm, demanding a northern expedition. That is the tide of events. Yet I also know that incompetent men of pure discourse occupy the court, and their northern expedition is certain to fail... any success will be Huan Wen's achievement. But Huan Wen holds the upper reaches. If his expedition gains momentum while the court's gentlemen of pure discourse lead the imperial army to disastrous defeat, will we not see Wang Dun's rebellion rise again? Since I oppose the expedition but cannot prevent it, tell me why I should still become minister of the masses.
"At seventy, must I destroy the integrity of my final years?"
At last Xie An grew solemn. He could only reply cautiously, "As I understand it, Lord Chu did suffer a defeat, but he sent only three thousand men into Qing Province, where Li Nong attacked them with twenty thousand. Surely that victory or defeat means little to the northern expedition as a whole? All the people beneath heaven are looking to this expedition..."
Cai Mo repeatedly scrutinized him, looking him up and down until Xie An felt his skin crawl and fell silent.
"I had not previously heard of the grand commander's defeat with three thousand men," Cai Mo said after studying him awhile, turning his gaze toward empty space beside him. "But in my view, though Chu Pou commands the army as an imperial relative, his conscience and ability far exceed those of you gentlemen of pure discourse. Moreover, he keeps his Spring and Autumn judgments beneath his skin: outwardly composed, inwardly weighed down with thought. After this defeat, he has probably already understood the true situation... in any case, you are going to investigate it, are you not? Go and see for yourself!
"As for me, my mind is made up. After this, if I have any years left, I will return to Jiankang and open a school to teach Confucian learning, lest the state and court remain occupied by celebrated gentlemen of pure discourse like yourselves.
"And you-since we have met, whether you like it or not, I must say a little more. Lord Chu is growing old and has already suffered defeat. Perhaps the empress dowager will entrust your Xie Clan with governing the state in the future. Never let all your mutual reputation-building convince you that you truly are peerless talents of the realm, or that without some particular man's emergence, nothing can be done for the people beneath heaven. Without genuine learning and ability, no one can shoulder those words: 'the people beneath heaven'!"
Young as he was, Xie An still forced himself to rise despite his unease, clasping his hands in defiance. He even overlooked the elder's violation of his family's naming taboo. "Unfortunately, Lord Cai, you think too highly of me as well. I am merely a recluse of Eastern Mountain. What have I to do with the people beneath heaven?"
Cai Mo curled his lip, ignored him, and rose to leave for the rear of the estate.
This was truly a departure with a sweep of the sleeves, displaying all the bearing of a celebrated gentleman of Great Jin... and had a certain transmigrator been present, he would surely have shouted inwardly: If someone writes this down, it absolutely belongs in New Account of Tales of the World!
To return to the story, not long after coming of age, Xie An had begun his leisurely life on Eastern Mountain, associating with sons of the Wang, Xi, Yuan, Sun, Yang, Yin, and Gu families, as well as eminent monks. He had long since established himself as the central figure among a new generation of celebrated gentlemen. Wherever he went, who did not consider it an honor to engage him in pure discourse? Who did not praise his elegant bearing as the celebrated recluse of Eastern Mountain?
Yet tonight, a retired old man had repeatedly denounced men of pure discourse as incompetents who ruined the country. His initial astonishment inevitably gave way to inward panic.
Given the other man's status, age, and resolute manner, he could hardly argue in earnest. He could only watch him leave in silence.
That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Early the next morning, he took to the road almost as though fleeing, heading first for Iron Jar City.
As it happened, Chu Pou was the current empress dowager's father, and his wife was Xie An's older female cousin... in other words, from the perspective of Chu Suanzi, the empress dowager governing behind the curtain as regent, the Chu Clan comprised her paternal relatives, while the Xie Clan comprised her maternal relatives. This was the key to the Xie Clan's rise, and the reason Xie An could live so serenely on Eastern Mountain.
Arriving at Chu Pou's residence there, he learned that the grand commander was still in the north. Untroubled, he went to see his cousin Xie Zhenshi.
The moment Xie Zhenshi saw her younger cousin, she reacted like a drowning person sighting a rescuer. Just inside the doorway, she seized his arm, tears streaming down her face. "Shinu, cross the river and see your brother-in-law for me! Our trusted servants sent word that he encountered ghosts or spirits in Pengcheng. I fear he has only a few years left!"
Xie An was struck dumb with astonishment. What ghosts or spirits? What did she mean, only a few years left?
His brother-in-law was only forty-five. When they had met at home half a year ago, he had been perfectly healthy. He must have been well even a month ago, or how could he have crossed the river to Pengcheng and assumed overall command of the northern expedition as grand commander?
As for the news recently received from north of the river, the defeat at Daibei involved only three thousand vanguard troops. Daibei lay far away in Qing Province, whereas his brother-in-law had gone no farther than Pengcheng in Xuzhou. He had not even visited the battlefield!
Whatever the case, Xie An could not withstand his cousin's distress. Leaving the courtesans behind, he crossed the river at Guazhou, intending to travel light and swiftly to Pengcheng to see his brother-in-law.
In fact, this was precisely why he had set out early. His older cousin Xie Shang, supervising military affairs in Yu Province, had heard disturbing rumors north of the river and hastily sent him an urgent letter, asking him to investigate conditions at the front.
Despite traveling day and night, Xie Anshi never crossed the Huai River. Instead, one evening early in the eighth month, he met his brother-in-law in Huaiyin, on its southern bank. At first sight, his heart sank halfway into despair. The reason was simple: the man truly looked haggard and dispirited, as though he had aged ten years since their meeting six months earlier.
"Anshi has come!" Lying stiffly on his couch, Chu Pou struggled to sit up and greet him with a smile. "Do not listen to your sister's nonsense. I have neither injury nor illness, nor have ghosts or spirits assailed me!"
Xie An was about to speak, but Chu Pou's expression darkened first. "Only human life and death have assailed me."
Startled, Xie An inexplicably recalled Cai Mo's words. He answered with a bitter smile, "Brother-in-law, after just one minor defeat, you believe the northern expedition is doomed?"
"Not that the northern expedition is doomed, but that a northern expedition led by me, Chu Pou, is doomed." Chu Pou spoke earnestly. "Anshi, in my youth I lived with my father in Wuchang, and never saw the blood and barbarian stench of the Central Plains during the flight south. Later, though I lived through the rebellions of Wang Dun and Su Jun, Lord Xi always sheltered me. I served as a staff officer under him and never experienced any great warfare... yet in this single month, after barely tasting wind and frost, I have learned things I never understood before."
Helplessly, Xie An prompted him. "May I ask what things?"
"First, the common people of the Central Plains wander amid war, their sufferings piled one upon another. They truly endure the agony of hanging upside down... therefore, we must launch a northern expedition!" Chu Pou spoke with difficulty. "I used to think the refugees in Jingkou often exaggerated. Only after reaching Pengcheng did I realize that I had looked down from my lofty position and failed to understand them... in fact, throughout the Northern Command Army here in Jingkou, the men are refugees from the Central Plains. They too want a northern expedition."
Xie An sighed and nodded. "Indeed, the northern expedition follows the tide of events. With the Shi family's Zhao collapsing from within, there would be no justification for failing to march north."
"Second, I know nothing of military affairs, possess neither courage nor virtue, and simply lack the ability to direct a northern expedition!" Chu Pou continued, his words growing increasingly sluggish, as though even swallowing were difficult. "People came to me for refuge. Never mind defeating the enemy-I could not even keep them safe! The people of Lu... the people of Lu... how bitter that Wang Chilong-Wang Dao-made it clear long ago: 'I did not kill Boren, yet Boren died because of me'... hateful, hateful! Before this expedition, I had no self-knowledge. My staff all urged me not to advance rashly, saying that as the empress dowager's father, my position was too important. I would not listen. Only after Daibei's defeat, when someone reminded me, did I realize that a real setback at the front might implicate the empress dowager, and think of withdrawing. Yet by withdrawing, have I not truly abandoned the northern scholars and commoners who rose because of me?! Trapped without footing whether advancing or retreating, I fear I will be a laughingstock for a thousand years!"
Hearing this and looking at the man before him, Xie An felt his mouth go dry. He could do nothing.
One had to remember that Huan Wen's father, Huan Yi, had said long ago that Chu Pou kept his Spring and Autumn judgments beneath his skin... this was not merely a character appraisal that praised openly while criticizing covertly. It laid bare his nature: outwardly, this brother-in-law appeared calm and composed; inwardly, he was intensely sensitive, with violent fluctuations of emotion.
That had been his disposition since childhood.
Remembering Cai Mo's words two days earlier made it seem even more absurd. Even Cai Mo, who had long predicted the expedition's failure, probably never imagined that one defeat would reduce his brother-in-law to this state!
And had the defeat of just three thousand men in Qing Province truly frightened him out of staying in Pengcheng?!
How was staying in Pengcheng to organize a defensive line dangerous?!
At least you have finally managed some self-knowledge!
But he could not say any of that. Xie An could only force himself to offer comfort. "In that case, brother-in-law, why not submit a memorial promptly and request leave from your duties to recuperate... Yin Hao has just become governor of Yang Province. His talent and virtue are outstanding. Let him organize the northern expedition."
"That is the third matter." Clutching his silk quilt, Chu Pou wept uncontrollably. "I must certainly ask forgiveness, but the empress dowager is only twenty-four, and the emperor only six! Outside, Huan Wen is steadily gaining power and has already begun encroaching upon your eldest brother's command of the Western Command Army. Friction between Jing Province and Yangzhou is bound to arise again... if I cannot retain command of the Northern Command Army at Jingkou, and Yin Hao loses to Huan Wen, what position will the empress dowager and emperor be left in? Nor is that all. There are things I can tell you: Yin Hao is, after all, the Prince of Kuaiji's man. With Huan Wen outside and the prince assisting the government, naturally they advance and retreat with us, but are they truly one with us? In my view, even your brother's command of the Western Command Army must not be relinquished lightly! So our situation is this: we cannot surrender military command; holding command means we cannot avoid a northern expedition; and that expedition is certain to fail. Tell me, what am I to do?!"
Xie An was utterly speechless. Of course he knew these words were right, but if so... if that was the case, did the northern expedition not lead straight into a dead end?
Besides, with the north in such chaos, could the imperial army really win no victories?
Could Cai Mo have been right that men of pure discourse could not bear the state's burden? But that condemnation had been aimed at me, not my brother-in-law here, surely?
And why had Huan Wen been able to destroy Shu in a single campaign?
Was Huan Wen a talent surpassing his age, or were we simply too incompetent?
For a time, Xie An's own thoughts tangled like hemp.
Only after a long while did he resume offering comfort. "In that case, brother-in-law, withdraw to Guangling and observe the situation. For now, do not rashly cross the river back to Jingkou... north and south of the river are not the same."
"That is precisely my intention." Ignoring the tears covering his face, Chu Pou seized his wife's younger cousin by the wrist.
Thus Xie An remained with the army, accompanying Chu Pou. After seven or eight days, they returned together to Guangling.
In his view, there was no harm in letting matters drag on like this. In three to five days, his cousin would arrive, his brother-in-law would have someone to look after him, and he could leave this troubled place, taking those courtesans back to Eastern Mountain in Kuaiji.
Yet on the very night they reached Guangling, terrible news arrived.
"Where did two hundred thousand people come from?" Xie An, who had thrown on his clothes and hurried to Chu Pou's couch in the middle of the night, was genuinely shocked. "Was it not supposed to be five hundred-odd households from Lu?"
"This is not the matter in Qing Province." Chu Pou lay on the couch, the hand holding the military dispatch trembling uncontrollably. This time he did not even weep; he merely seemed bereft of his soul. "It is my fault, my fault! I have ruined the country and its people!"
Xie An snatched the dispatch from his hand, opened it, and read. He too went pale and blank with horror.
The dispatch stated clearly that during the seventh month, chaos had engulfed the lands north of the Yellow River. Shi Min, Shi Zun, Shi Jian, Shi Kun, Li Nong, and Zhang Chai were fighting one another; the Murong family was preparing to raise troops; and the Di at Fangtou and the Qiang at Shetou were stirring as well. Fearing war and hearing of the imperial army's northern expedition, two hundred thousand people remaining under foreign rule had actually crossed the river to seek refuge in the south! Who could have expected that, after crossing, they would hear of the imperial army's defeat and the grand commander's withdrawal south of the Huai? Reports throughout the north now said that these two hundred thousand had no one to receive them and no provisions. They had scattered in all directions, and most had probably already died along the great river's banks!
"Anshi, Anshi! Shinu, Anu!" At last Chu Pou cried aloud. "What can be done?! Did they die because I left Pengcheng?!"
The question left Xie An speechless, yet, unexpectedly, he grew calm.
This middle-aged man, almost thirty and still without a proper official career, quickly recognized a cruel truth: the lives or deaths of these two hundred thousand people from north of the Yellow River, who had placed their hopes in the imperial army, did not in themselves affect the larger situation. What mattered was that his brother-in-law kept his Spring and Autumn judgments beneath his skin and could not endure this blow. If it caused his health to deteriorate further, that would affect the court and the Xie family.
He would have to remain in Guangling... at least until the grand commander had stabilized somewhat. Only then could he leave for Eastern Mountain in Kuaiji.
There, his friends Sun Chuo, the monk Daolin, Xi Yin, Xu Xun, and Wang Linzhi awaited him. With them, he could enjoy pure discourse and tea, raise cranes, and play the zither.
Yes, Xie An was still determined to leave. His brother-in-law had not yet reached that point, and even if he truly did, Xie An still had an older cousin serving as general of the west and concurrent governor of Yu Province, holding the western command; an elder brother controlling appointments and dismissals as minister of personnel; and even a second elder brother close to his own age, Xie Huzi-Xie Ju-ready to step forward for the family at any time.
The burden of "the people beneath heaven" truly had not yet fallen to him, Xie Anshi.
Besides, born into nobility through the grace of one's father and ancestors, blessed with a celebrated gentleman's elegance, should one not recline on Eastern Mountain and wander playfully through the mortal world?
But if that was how he thought, had his momentary loss of composure just now shown that he had yet to perfect a celebrated gentleman's bearing?
After this jumble of thoughts, Xie An actually smiled as he comforted his brother-in-law. "Brother, you are worrying too much. Where could two hundred thousand people have come from? The officers at Pengcheng must fear fighting and be inventing stories to frighten you."
"Anshi, Anshi, stop trying to comfort me. At this point, what is there left to misunderstand? Incompetent as I am, once I fail the people beneath heaven, I have indeed failed the people beneath heaven." Chu Pou, whose hair had somehow turned grizzled, lifted his head with a sigh, then sank back onto the couch, unwilling to say anything more.
General Who Subdues the North Chu Pou led his army against Shi Zun and halted at Xiapi. Shi Zun appointed Li Nong grand commander of the southern campaign, sending him with twenty thousand cavalry to resist. Unable to advance, Chu Pou withdrew to Guangling. Hearing this, Chen Kui grew afraid, burned the stockpiles at Shouchun, demolished the city, and returned.-Book of Jin, "Annals of Rival Regimes"
Wang and Liu often held Lord Cai in little esteem. Once, they visited him and conversed for a long time before asking, "How would you compare yourself with Yifu?" He replied, "I am inferior to Yifu." Wang and Liu exchanged glances and laughed. "In what way are you inferior?" He answered, "Yifu never had guests like you."
-New Account of Tales of the World, "Raillery and Banter," twenty-five
PS: My heartfelt thanks to the thirtieth patron, His Lordship the Ever-Normal Granaries Commissioner. I am endlessly grateful.