Xie must have put in a lot of effort to write such a prescient memorial.
Xie Lanzhi brought her Xie family to the capital, and under her governance, initial results have been achieved.
"Wu Qiu, did you really not offer them any guidance?" Xie Lanzhi pondered that in times of chaos, when etiquette and music had already collapsed, and unstable factors had broken many established rules, most scholars would still prioritize stability and try their best to maintain the existing system. Adhering to the old rules meant refusing to innovate, and the hidden dangers would only grow.
However, Xie's memorial was different. Xie was martial and respected strength, which brought temporary glory to the clan. But using martial power as a means of strategy also served as a mirror, reflecting the fact that Empress Wu alone lost stability.
Now that the Xie family has tasted the sweetness of stability and prosperity, and knows there is another path to choose from, they naturally do not want to return to the days when all they did was fight and kill.
Wu Qiu noticed that Xie Zhu's attitude was unclear, yet he kept reading the memorial.
He replied, "Marshal, the Xie family has been following your instructions. Since entering Tianjing, the Xie family has opened schools throughout the city, allowing the children of the clan to study literature for half a year."
"Although the steps taken in half a year are small, they have brought about tremendous changes to your people."
"Is that so?" Xie Lanzhi said, "Whether you gave them advice or not, or whether they learned to seek advice from others, it's all progress for them."
"A change in mindset can lead to new developments in many things. If things were more fair and equitable, the world would be more suitable for people."
She suddenly missed the openness of modern times.
Xie Lanzhi picked up the folded document again and handed it to Wu Qiu: "I understand. But there is something you need to tell them."
"The Xie family doesn't need to rely on the Si family to improve its social standing, nor will it seek to associate with those lazy and good-for-nothing Si family members. As long as it benefits the Xie family, I, the commander, will not object to the two families interacting."
"But I will not consider marriage at this time."
Xie Lanzhi herself married the best woman in the Si family, yet she did not consider the possibility of a marriage alliance between ordinary Xie families and the Si family.
Wu Qiu took the memorial and couldn't help but suggest, "You are so distant from the Si family, yet you don't object to the Xie family's interactions. Is it because you want the Xie family to have private contact with this group of people?"
"How can we avoid contact?" Xie Lanzhi said meaningfully, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."
Wu Qiu immediately understood her intention. He said repeatedly, "Then I will pass on your message. If anything unexpected happens afterward, I will simply contact Lord Sibo."
Si Bogong, who was still on his way from Weidu, suddenly sneezed in the carriage and felt a bit cold.
Once Xie Lanzhi's words were relayed, the Xie family no longer had any scruples. In any case, they despised the Si family's rule that only the eldest male son could inherit the family business.
The Xie family is large, but the number of people is not enough to keep up with the annual wars. So they have a lot of land to conquer. If all of it is given to one son, how can the family continue to expand? Even if the daughters are capable, they can use their martial skills to gain prestige. After all, not every man is a great hero. If they marry into the family and have children who take the surname Xie, it will also bring prosperity to the family.
Not to mention the Xie family, who had been on the battlefield many times, needed more men to build up their army. So, almost everyone who married into the Xie family took the surname Xie. Occasionally, someone would want to have more children with the father's surname so that they could share the spoils.
Most of those who married into the Xie family would then be enshrined in the Xie family ancestral hall.
As a result, there are as many as five million people with the surname Xie in the Southern Region, making it the most common surname in the region. Of the thirty million people in the Southern Region, one-sixth are surnamed Xie.
After learning of Xie Lanzhi's attitude, the Xie family no longer took the Si family of Tianjing seriously. However, as they came into contact with the Si family, they became more and more concerned about them.
The Eight Jin states kept sending incompetent officials.
The Xie family made arrangements and arrangements until even the eldest sons of the Eight Jin families came to the capital. The eldest sons and daughters of the concubines all went to Tianjing (Nanjing). As the Si and Xie families interacted, the Eight Jin families were mentioned to each other. The Xie family gradually became more and more interested in the Eight Jin families.
The more they interacted with the Si family in the capital, the more divided the Xie family became.
Some people even said that Xie was bewitched and started speaking up for Si.
However, winter passed in January, and spring arrived in February.
Led by Xie's civil officials and Xie Guang, who were in the Golden Palace, they all reported: "Please, Marshal, withdraw this decree!?"
Xie Lanzhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Xie Guang: "What order?"
With just a raised eyebrow, Xie, the civil official, cowered and cautiously looked at Xie Guang. Xie Guang had been used as a pawn many times before, and he was used to taking the blame.
Xie Guang gritted his teeth and said, "This humble general hopes that the marshal can retract his decision to refrain from marriage with the Si family!"
"What?" Xie Lanzhi's tone was indifferent, as if she had just heard someone ask her if she had eaten.
Xie Guang forced himself to repeat, "This humble general, on behalf of the Xie family, requests the Marshal to rescind the decision to prevent marriage alliances with the Si family!"
Xie Lanzhi finally had a different reaction: "Why? It's for your own good that you're not allowed to associate with each other. Nowadays, the Si family members all have complicated identities. They're neither kings nor marquises. How can this be proper?"
"The reason I told you to have less contact with the Si family is so that you wouldn't feel embarrassed by their status and situation. When you marry a prince or princess of a certain king or country, how will you distinguish your status? Do you want the Si family to nominally step on the Xie family?"
"I didn't bring you to the capital to be dogs."
Xie Lanzhi casually tossed a memorial at Xie Guang's feet, her refusal firm: "My purpose in restoring the Jin rituals is to change the Xie clan and gain the world's approval, not to fulfill your personal desires."
"But, but you've already married Princess Si, and you don't have this taboo." Xie Guang was indeed straightforward and didn't think before he spoke; in his haste, he blurted out whatever came to mind.
Although the Xie official beside him agreed, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. The general's attitude of practically offering his head for punishment was truly frightening; he could only hope that they wouldn't be implicated.
Xie Lanzhi was indeed displeased. She slammed her hand on the table, which startled Wu Qiu.
Xie Lanzhi stood up and scanned all the Xie clan members and officials in the capital, saying, "You all think so too?!"
"They all have to be from the old Si family?"
"This... Your humble servants." The officials whispered among themselves, unsure of what to say, but the capital officials knew in their hearts that although Commander Xie was decisive and ruthless, she was privately a person who clearly distinguished between rewards and punishments.
Therefore, Li Ling, the Vice Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "I believe that the clansmen of Prince Fengning should be given proper recognition. Prince Fengning is the ruler of Jiujin, and the Si clansmen are his relatives. Moreover, Marshal, you just appointed them as Imperial Envoys a month ago, which is a way of acknowledging them as his collateral relatives."
Lady Xie immediately said, "What Lord Li said is absolutely right. Since we are from a distant relative of the mistress, we should serve the mistress as the head of the household. As a distant relative of the head of the household, we should be even closer to the Xie family. Why can't we form a marriage alliance with the Xie family?"
"The benefits of the marriage outweigh the drawbacks, and it can allow the Xie family to change its appearance sooner."
"If the Xie family is to be associated with them, why set up separate mandarin duck sticks...? That doesn't seem quite reasonable?"
Xie Lanzhi said, "Didn't you all look down on these people who indulge in extravagance and debauchery before?"
Xie Guangdao said, "They look down on them, thinking they love to spend money, eat little, and have things that are more expensive than gold."
The exchange between Xie Lanzhi and her family was extremely harmonious, with the officials observing from the sidelines, occasionally interjecting a few words while remaining standing. Thus, the Golden Palace was very peaceful that day. No officials argued over differing political views.
Xie Lanzhi then asked, "Then why have you changed your mind now?"
Xie Guang took the lead and said, "We didn't understand the Si family before. Now that we do, we realize how noble the real imperial family, the Yu family, truly is. Although they live extravagantly, they are all masters of literature. Marshal, you want the Xie family to transform as soon as possible, and marriage is the first step!"
The implication is that the chicken saw the phoenix and wanted to fly.
Xie and the others all agreed, their attitudes completely different from a month ago.
Xie Lanzhi was actually aware of what was happening between the two families, but she pretended not to know. Now she was witnessing firsthand how eager these people were to arrange a marriage.
She couldn't help but shake her head and comment: "A bunch of perverts who lust after women."
If it weren't for the chaotic times, the Si clan members would have lived a much more luxurious life, being meticulously raised and naturally handsome. Each of them was taught the six rites of a gentleman from a young age, possessing vast knowledge and being able to drink even if they couldn't compose poetry. When they met the Xie clan, a bunch of bumpkins, the Si clan members were like golden boys and jade maidens descending to earth, deeply admired by the Xie "country bumpkins".
After encountering Xie, he witnessed what a rich and colorful spiritual world was like, which naturally opened up a new world for him, and he began to thirst for talent—oh, no, for love.
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 12:00:18 and 19:16:44 on December 9, 2021!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Da Sima Huo Qubing (15 bottles); Danbo (3 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 58 The ministers requested to thank the lord and be proclaimed king.
Xie Lanzhi was willing to discuss things, but she wouldn't back down verbally, leaving Xie Guang and the others frustrated.
They all thought that since the Marshal did not oppose the Xie and Si families' interactions, why did he place such a restriction between the two families? Wouldn't that make them even more lonely and restless?
Xie Guang added, “Marshal, I am not good with words and cannot express any profound truths. Previously, the Xie family thought the Si family was useless because we thought they were incapable of fighting and could not even defend their own home, so what right did they have to put on airs in front of them? But now, after getting to know them, we have found that the Si family is not entirely useless. There are also people among them who are talented and ambitious, no less than the Xie family. They just lack an opportunity.”
"Now that you have agreed to the Xie and Si families' relationship and the two clans have reconciled, this small marriage alliance is not an obstacle. Why do you still want to stop it?"
Xie Lanzhi immediately sneered, "Obstruct? You've only lived in Tianjing for half a year and you've already forgotten that Tianjing is the Si family's century-old capital? They know Tianjing better than you do!"
"You've had a few good days, and you've forgotten your place, forgotten your enemy!"
Her attitude suddenly changed, and the word "enemy" caused an uproar in the imperial palace.
Jing Chen's expression was one of surprise and uncertainty. He assumed that Xie Zhu was angry and said these words because he was provoked by the Xie family. However, the Xie family thought differently. They believed that Xie Zhu was criticizing them because he was afraid that they would forget their ancestors.
Xie Guang and the others knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "We will never forget the virtues of the Xie family!"
"Your humble servants know their mistake! We beg Your Majesty to punish us!!"
"Master Xie" is an honorific title used within the Xie clan.
Xie Lanzhi waved her hand, indicating she wouldn't pursue the matter further: "Because of my wife, I have already been lenient with the Si family. You should not push your luck any further. As for the Xie family, who wanted to form a marriage alliance, you should give up the idea as soon as possible and not mention it again!"
Xie Guang dared not mention it again, let alone the others.
Surprisingly, Wu Qiu stepped forward today, cupping his hands and saying, "The Marshal is now refusing to reconcile the two clans. Is it because the Si family is of noble lineage, and we fear that the Xie family's foundation is unstable and could be influenced by the Si family?"
Xie Lanzhi snorted coldly, but remained silent.
Wu Qiu added, "It's also because of the Eight Jin. If the Xie family and the Si family were to form a marriage alliance now, the Eight Jin would certainly not let it go in name only. They might even want to form a state marriage alliance with the Xie family, so that the Xie family would help them maintain their territory for free. Having the Xie family send troops to maintain those desolate places would only be a burden."
"Moreover, the marriage alliance between the eight Jin states and one region has pushed the Xie family into the limelight at the end of the Jin dynasty. Rumors have been spread that the Xie family is taking advantage of the situation to oppress the old imperial family, intending to usurp the throne and seize power. They are determined to become emperors! At that time, the Xie family will become the target of everyone's criticism, and various warlords will take the opportunity to attack the Xie family."
Upon hearing this, Xie Guang was completely stunned. He only wanted to find a good husband for his daughter, but in Wu Qiu's words, it had become a matter of life and death for the Xie family.
Then why even bother with this marriage? It's such a rip-off!
The Xie family members all looked uneasy, but upon closer inspection, they sensed something was amiss. Could such a simple marriage really lead to such a serious situation?
The officials in the capital then realized that the seemingly friendly reconciliation between the two tribes was actually separated by such a vast generational gap, no wonder the marshal refused. Indeed, he shouldn't have agreed. After all, they were the royal family of the former dynasty, and even in the vast land of the world, the Hu and Xiongnu in the north had not declared themselves emperors, and the Hu and Xiongnu ruler even called himself the supreme king.
It's not unusual for the eight Jin states to outwardly claim the title of ruler and inwardly bestow titles of king. The Xie clan, however, stands out as a unique case. Their ruler is called "Marshal" rather than "King," and they don't even have a single marquis among their ranks.
Yet, he was granted a title of nobility in Tianjing. No one dared to question Xie Lanzhi's title of nobility for being a marquis. To many, Xie Lanzhi was already a queen, and whether or not she officially recognized the title was up to her own discretion.
Furthermore, the Xie family is known for its fierce and unyielding traditions, and they don't care about such details at all. They've only been in Tianjing for six months to receive the investiture ceremony, and even if they are granted the title of king, they will need time to adjust.
In the chaotic world at the end of the Jin Dynasty, while the title of king was important, for the Xie family's military strength, it was merely a matter of choice. Aren't the other eight Jin states that claimed the title of king just empty names?
The Shi Kingdom government and the rebels attacked them without hesitation.
Jingchen keenly noticed a signal: Marshal Xie had been in Tianjing for half a year and had not previously intended to declare himself king. Now that the situation had changed drastically, it would be inappropriate for him to still call himself marshal, and it was time to put it on the agenda.
In just six months, Xie Zhu had gained the approval of the capital officials, and the reconciliation between the Xie family and the capital officials brought great benefits to various regions.
This led Jingchen to influence others to change their opinion of the Xie family.
Xie Lanzhi did not give a clear response. She only said, "Xie Guang, as a general, you did not think twice before rushing to the palace to petition me. As the saying goes, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked too. If you are not punished, the people below will all learn from your lawlessness."
"Guards, drag him out and give him thirty strokes of the cane!"
"You hit me again." Xie Guang's face turned pale. "Marshal, this time it was Xie Changwang who made me say it."