Liang Family Jiajun

Biodata

Background / History

Jiajun is Liang Heng’s third son and Liang Fengyang’s younger brother. His father formerly held an honorary civil rank under the Yuan, and the family retained influence through Liang Heng’s students, some of whom became officials in the Ming capital 18 36.

Despite being nearly forty and having a son aged fifteen or sixteen, Jiajun had never traveled far from home. When he received an appointment at the Imperial Academy through the recommendation system, Liang Heng asked Gu Zhengchen to accompany him. Jiajun left his family behind and brought only Liang Wujin, an experienced servant over fifty 36 38.

Personality

Jiajun initially strikes Gu Zhengchen as overly refined and uncommunicative. Scholarly subjects draw him out: a discussion of The Great Learning prompts an extended explanation, and he continues reading the classics during their journey 36 39 41.

His caution centers on protecting himself and avoiding unnecessary involvement. He initially argues that bandits will not risk attacking appointed officials and regards the safety of other passengers as a matter for the authorities. Gu recognizes that he has underestimated Jiajun’s understanding of political incentives, but rejects his willingness to leave strangers unprotected. The subsequent robbery exposes the limits of Jiajun’s confidence in official status 41 44.

His concern is not exclusively self-interested. He insists that they investigate Zhao Ya’er’s apparent destitution, comforts her after hearing her account, and refuses to leave Gu Zhengchen behind during his supposed illness. Nevertheless, he treats Zhao Ya’er’s death as bad fate when he sees no practical way to influence the court 46 47 48.

Jiajun favors restrained government that spares the people’s labor and allows them to recuperate. In discussing the Grand Canal, he condemns the suffering caused by its construction, while Gu Zhengchen emphasizes its benefits to later generations 50.

Abilities & Skills

Classical Scholarship

Li Yi describes Jiajun as having a solid scholarly foundation, supporting his appointment as an Imperial Academy assistant instructor 36.

• Discusses “investigating things” and “extending knowledge” from The Great Learning 39.
• Quotes the Doctrine of the Mean to advocate emotional equilibrium and moderation 41.
• Recognizes literary references in a residence’s inscription and appreciates the resolve expressed in the poem Gu writes there 49.

Geography and Historical Knowledge

• Explains Suqian’s association with the ancient Zhongwu Kingdom and identifies surrounding mountains, rivers, and Luoma Lake 46.
• Encourages Gu Zhengchen to study local terrain 46.
• Draws on historical examples when discussing government and the Grand Canal 50.

Knowledge of Local Administration

• Explains that Patrol Offices occupy checkpoints and ferry crossings where they can extract money from travelers 43.
• Identifies their bowmen as farmer militia answerable to prefectures and counties rather than the Dadu Commander’s Office 43.
• Recognizes the value of even a modest official connection and welcomes Gu’s introduction to Ling Yan 46.
• Understands that scattered robberies are unlikely to prompt a major military campaign, describing banditry as a deep-rooted problem 48.

Equipment / Items

• Classical texts — Reads The Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean during the journey 39 41.
• Two kitchen cleavers — Accepts them from Gu Zhengchen as emergency defensive weapons, examines them, and sets them aside. No use by Jiajun is shown 41.
• Travel chests and funds — Seized by the Horse Bandits and recovered through Gu Zhengchen’s counterattack 45.

Relationships

• Liang Heng — Father. Arranges for Gu Zhengchen to accompany Jiajun and instructs him to seek Gu’s advice when facing difficult decisions 36 38.
• Liang Fengyang — Elder brother; joins the family in advising him before departure 36 38.
• Unnamed son — Fifteen or sixteen years old; remains behind rather than accompanying Jiajun 38.
• Liang Wujin — Servant and protector. Warns him about suspicious passengers and fights the bandits on his orders; Jiajun specifically tells him not to kill anyone 38 41 44.
• Gu Zhengchen — Traveling companion and frequent partner in scholarly and political debate. Jiajun initially dismisses him as inexperienced and opportunistic, but comes to respect his strategic ability after the bandit encounter 39 41 46.
• Ling Yan — Patrol inspector introduced to him by Gu Zhengchen after the successful counterattack 46.
• Zhao Ya’er — Stranded acquaintance whom he helps investigate and comforts. Her final letter asks him and Gu to notify the Zhang Family where Zhang Shiping’s remains can be found 46 47 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Appointment and Departure

• Receives an appointment as assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy alongside the recommendations of Gu Zhengchen and Zhang Shiping 36.
• Attends Zhang Shiping and Zhao Ya’er’s wedding with Li Yi and Gu Zhengchen 37.
• Shares a carriage with Gu to Xiacun, then favors the eastern waterway to Suqian to avoid changing boats 38 39.

Horse Bandit Encounter

• Already knows of the suspicious passengers through Liang Wujin when Gu brings him defensive cleavers. Their disagreement forces Gu to reconsider his assumption that he can easily outthink people of the era 41.
• Faces Ling Yan’s accusation of carrying weapons when soldiers discover four cleavers in their shared cabin; Gu’s Ministry of Personnel document ends the inspection 42.
• Orders Liang Wujin to intervene when the robbers demand their valuables. Wujin defeats several attackers, but the disguised monk Old Diamond King strikes him down, leaving Jiajun visibly shaken 44 45.
• After Gu’s ambush recovers the luggage, Jiajun acknowledges his companion’s ability to plan and execute a broader strategy. He later questions why Gu allowed the bandits to take the loot before attacking 45 46.

Zhao Ya’er and the Delayed Journey

• Accompanies Gu to find Zhao Ya’er begging in Suqian and hears how Zhang Shiping died and Salt Rebels left her penniless 46 47.
• Gives Gu her final letter after her suicide and doubts that the court will launch a large campaign in response 48.
• Remains with Gu throughout a succession of feigned illnesses, extending the journey from Suqian to Shanyang from two or three days to twelve 48.
• In Shanyang, questions Gu about the mysterious gentleman surnamed Zhou and admires the unfamiliar poem Gu writes. He subsequently arranges their departure, hoping to reach Jinling before the Mid-Autumn Festival 49.

Notable Quotes

“In troubled times, without a few capable men to guard the household, everything would have been looted long ago.” 44

“Better no river at all, and countless common people living in happiness.” 50

Trivia

• Experiences mild seasickness during the river journey 41.
• Enjoys an apple that Gu Zhengchen finds sour and astringent 43.