Chapter 488: Lantern

## Beacon Fires and the Feudal Lords

In the inky darkness, two luxurious and spacious carriages drove into an unremarkable, narrow alley, making the passage appear even more cramped. Xiangfan City, the stronghold of the Green Faction, clearly distinguished between wealth and nobility. The immensely rich, like Wang Linquan, lacked prestigious family backgrounds and official merits; even with residences in the city, they rarely stayed there. In contrast, noble families, such as the Lu family, which boasted a Grand Pillar of State as its cornerstone, lived discreetly among other prominent families along this alley. Their residences were almost on par with those of the imperial family and relatives, whereas Wang Linquan's main gate on Mount Lao, no matter how grand, was merely a wealthy household's gate, not a true mansion gate.

This alley, known to the people of Qingzhou as Yangfang Jiadao (Sheepfold Alley), was home to numerous powerful and influential families. Besides the flourishing Lu family, it also housed Wen Taiyi, the eldest Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel among the Six Ministries, and Hong Lingxu, the General of Qingzhou, who commanded the province's military power; they lived side by side. It was these three great Qingzhou clans that banded together to support the Green Faction, which once rivaled the Zhang and Gu Factions in the imperial court. However, their very strength proved to be their undoing. As the disunity and growing estrangement among the three old venerables — Lu, Wen, and Hong — came to light, the Green Faction ceased to exist, its members scattering to other powers. Other prominent families residing here also scattered, with each family seeking new powerful patrons, and unity became impossible to restore.

If one were to observe closely, they would notice that the door thresholds of these mansions corresponded to the rank and status of their owners, significantly higher than those of ordinary homes. These were unwritten rules, giving rise to common sayings like "matching doors and households" and "carp leaping over the dragon gate." Among the residences on Yangfang Jiadao, the Lu family's mansion gate was particularly famous and often discussed by the common people. When the mansion was built, its two large gates were carved directly from giant trees, then transported and installed as doors. Such enormous trees could not be encircled by two people. The Lu family's threshold was reputedly so high that many young children had to climb over it. Ordinary people usually had to bypass Yangfang Jiadao, unable to approach the alley, much less investigate the Lu family's gate.

Standing at the foot of the mansion steps was a kind old man with snow-white eyebrows, holding a bamboo lantern. The flickering candlelight illuminated his benevolent face, making it glow. Turning sixty was considered a long life, but the old man was already eighty years old. Beside him, his eldest grandson was nearing forty. The man had a refined appearance and wore a splendid fourth-rank official's robe of sparrow-patterned brocade. He was known as an upright and capable official, but with the year-end approaching, his duties were numerous. These days, besides presiding over court sessions, he had to visit superior officials, socialize with colleagues in the prefecture, and even host young scholars from his jurisdiction who sought his tutelage. These were all trivial yet unavoidable headaches.

Originally, he had planned to work through the night, burning the midnight oil to deal with a pile of documents and reports. However, a household servant had urgently informed him that the patriarch wanted him to return home. Lu Dongjiang, the Prefect of Taixi County, had rushed back, not even having time to change out of his official attire. The future head of the Lu family looked towards the end of the alley, then turned to quietly ask his grandfather if he could hold the lantern for him. The old man, once the backbone of the Green Faction, shook his head. He had not told his eldest grandson who would be visiting so late at night. Lu Dongjiang, who had feared his grandfather since childhood, dared not speak much. This reverence continued until Lu Dongjiang, also known as Lu Bokui, reached his thirties. It was only in the past two years, after being appointed as a magistrate in Taixi County (a relatively independent posting), that his apprehension had slightly improved, no longer trembling whenever the old man spoke to him, fearing his disdain. No wonder Lu Dongjiang, a renowned scholar of Qingzhou, seemed so lacking in masculinity; it was truly because his grandfather was too accomplished. The mere fact that his grandfather had formed a cabinet with the current Grand Chancellor's mentor in the previous dynasty was enough to command god-like reverence.

The Lu family now had six generations living under one roof, yet all of them, without exception, lived under the protective shade of the old man's achievements and influence. Perhaps only Lu Dongjiang's daughter could speak and laugh freely with the patriarch; no one else possessed such courage. The old man, who still held the title of Grand Pillar of State even after retiring and returning home, glanced at the mansion across the alley. It was the residence of that old fellow, Wen Taiyi. Counting carefully, with one currently in court and the other in retirement, they hadn't met for about four or five years. Not meeting was good; it allowed them to maintain superficial civility. It wasn't like with Hong Lingxu, whom he constantly ran into, leading them to drift further and further apart, causing their once friendly descendants to despise each other. Not long ago, they even had a major brawl, which escalated to the young vassal king. That young man also knew how to conduct himself, even going so far as to humbly apologize in the manner of "bearing thorns and asking for punishment," despite being a vassal king. For him, the ruler of Qingzhou, merely observing from the sidelines, not even to strike fifty blows to each side – what sin could there have been to warrant such an apology? Having been able to remain in the capital even in his seventies, constantly working day and night for the emperor's peace, he hadn't felt tired before. But now, the old man truly felt a sense of weariness. He turned to look at the door knocker on the ceremonial gate. Lu Feichi let out a self-deprecating laugh. A lifetime of diligent work and so many terrifying choices had earned him this tin ring with a green, beast-like face, a symbol of status no less than that of a duke or marquis.

Lu Dongjiang grew increasingly uneasy upon seeing his grandfather's rare melancholic mood. He silently reviewed his years as Prefect of Taixi County, convinced he had been diligent and flawless in his official dealings and personal relationships. The imperial court was currently implementing sweeping reforms, vigorously promoting the imperial examination system, and several scholars from his jurisdiction with whom he shared a teacher-student bond had passed the *Jinshi* examination. As Lu Dongjiang was deep in self-reflection, the old man suddenly raised the lantern in his hand and softly said, "There's a saying about this kind of thing: the more elaborate the craftsmanship, the more vulgar it becomes. It means that once the design becomes too complex, it loses its original charm, and you end up with too much of a good thing."

"Being a person is the same principle. No one dislikes someone who is well-rounded and adept at social graces, but no one will genuinely become a true confidant to such a person, much less share adversity with them. To get along well with others, you always need to know one or two embarrassing stories or weaknesses about them to feel at ease and trust them."

"In Taixi County, it's not that you haven't done well; you've done too well, becoming 'a tall tree in the forest.' Our Lu family's eldest grandson's wife isn't a bad person. Although she comes from a humble background, she's managed the household well since coming here. Her dislike for your philandering is only natural, and your willingness to treat her with mutual respect is even better. But by turning down social engagements at entertainment venues and becoming completely out of step with the officialdom, do you truly believe that superficial reputation, those one or two 'myriad people's umbrellas' when you leave office, will allow you to step over others and gain promotion?"

"You must understand that our Lu family in Qingzhou can no longer dictate terms. From now on, things will only get worse. As long as your grandfather is alive, everything is still manageable. But once I close my eyes, your attitude of being 'the only sober one in a drunken world' will be no different from making enemies on all sides. You might consider yourself a good official and a good person, with no regrets in your conscience, but your father passed away early, and your uncles are not ambitious. I've supported them for most of my life, but they never truly amounted to anything. Forget about them contributing; it's already difficult enough for them not to be a hindrance. Since you will be managing the family from now on, you'll inevitably have to stand alone, like the screen wall just beyond the ceremonial gate, shielding this family from all impurities. You can no longer take things for granted as you do today."

The old man, who rarely delivered such lengthy lectures to his descendants, paused, his expression desolate. Lu Dongjiang's face turned pale, and despite the deep winter, he was drenched in sweat, the back of his official robe soaked.

Before the carriage was seen, the sound of hooves was heard.

Lu Feichi softly sighed, "The phrase 'officials protecting each other' may not sound pleasant, but it reveals the true essence of officialdom. Now, the three clans of the Green Faction are at loggerheads, each pursuing their own path, and worse, they disparage one another. How can such a path be sustainable? For this game in Qingzhou, your grandfather can no longer turn the tide. All the benefits that could be gained have been secured. It's difficult to snatch anything more from Wen Taiyi or Hong Lingxu. If your grandfather cannot do it, you certainly cannot 'take food from a tiger's mouth.' However, your grandfather can still do one thing before he dies: lead you to sit at another chessboard, outside this one. There are fewer pieces on that board, offering much more room for maneuver. Unlike the old board, which is a convoluted mess where every trifle is fiercely contested, even if the Lu family lacks power, its descendants won't starve."

Lu Dongjiang had once secretly met with Chu Lushan of Beiliang (Northern Liang) alongside the old man on Spring God Lake. Although he hadn't participated in the conversation, his worldly wisdom was sufficient to grasp the implications and hints. Moreover, Lu Chengyan had secretly returned to Beiliang once. However, Lu Dongjiang was unwilling to dwell on it, not only because Beiliang was harsh and cold, but crucially, its situation was precarious, like a stack of eggs. Lu Dongjiang had been born into comfort and was accustomed to peaceful days of guaranteed prosperity. Even the possibility of his daughter becoming a concubine of the vassal king brought him no sense of glory. The thought of temporary pleasure leading to the execution of his entire family had startled Lu Dongjiang awake in the middle of the night several times, yet he dared not question his grandfather's proposition.

As the sound of hooves grew clearer, Lu Dongjiang mustered his courage and said through gritted teeth, "Grandfather, on the old chessboard, even if the Lu family declines, we can at least hope for a future master player to regain lost ground. But if we switch to that board, which might overturn any day, then no matter who plays for the Lu family, whether it's your grandson or someone else, the only outcome will be total defeat. Do we truly have to switch?"

Lu Feichi narrowed his eyes. Lu Dongjiang was drenched in sweat, not daring to wipe it off. After speaking his mind in one breath, his resolve immediately faltered, and he lowered his head, saying, "Your grandson was wrong."

Unexpectedly, the old man, who was usually stern with his eldest grandson, laughed heartily for the first time, patting Lu Dongjiang's shoulder. "Dongjiang," he said, "Your grandfather has waited many years for this day."

Lu Dongjiang abruptly looked up, his face filled with disbelief. Lu Feichi gazed at the dim Yangfang Jiadao at the end of the alley and said with satisfaction, "Blindly revering the ancients is unacceptable; it's the same whether composing poetry or conducting oneself. If you never have the courage in your life to say 'no' to your grandfather, I will be very disappointed when I close my eyes. The reason your grandfather favors Yan'er is that she is smarter and more discerning than all of you. She knows when to nod and when to shake her head. In my lifetime, your grandfather has served in three ministries in the capital, and countless people have knelt before me, many of whom are now ministers of the Six Ministries. How many flattering words do you think your grandfather has heard? If I were to go to the capital, even those with 'green eyes' would treat me with courtesy. How can Wen Taiyi and Hong Lingxu compare to your grandfather? Not to mention one of them even has to grovel before Zhang Julu. When a person has eaten too much bird's nest and shark fin, an occasional simple home-cooked dish will only whet their appetite even more. However, at my age, your grandfather's eyesight is bound to be dim. If you ask who is standing fifty paces away, your grandfather certainly couldn't tell you. But when it comes to assessing the situation, I should see further than you. Furthermore, my gambling skills and luck, Lu Feichi's, have always been good. For this last gamble, heaven will surely grant me some favor."

The accumulated melancholy of many years in Lu Dongjiang's heart vanished, and his spirits lifted.

The old man chuckled, "A wise bird chooses its tree, but one fears the tree isn't sturdy. Changing allegiances brings the fear of a collapsing mansion. But how does the atmosphere of Beiliang appear to be decaying? It clearly indicates a growing prosperity for their family. In the past, it was 'strong branches and weak trunk,' truly unsuitable for allegiance. But now, the main trunk is gradually strengthening. Back when your grandfather was returning home in retirement, I discussed the world's situation with a man named Huang. He said that as long as the father and son could endure two consecutive trips to the capital, it would be worth outsiders staking their entire fortunes. Your grandfather strongly agreed with this, which is why we have tonight's meeting and the Lu family's upcoming departure from their homeland. The descendants of the Lu clan are a mixed lot; inevitably, some will become arrogant due to Yan'er's status after settling in Beiliang. As the head of the family, you don't need to restrain them too much. Pick out a few Lu family members who are incapable of important tasks and use them as pawns. Actively help the new King of Liang to 'kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.' Beiliang will most likely remember this old favor. To make a bonsai beautiful, it ultimately needs pruning and trimming. There's no gain without sacrifice. There's no such thing as a good deal in this world where you only gain without having to give something up."

Lu Dongjiang felt both startled and enlightened, saying, "Your grandson will certainly bear that in mind."

The old man, who had been holding the lantern all this time, squinted, straining to see the approaching carriage. His voice, which had been warm and unhurried, subtly became a little more urgent. "Your grandfather deeply hopes that in the next political upheaval, the Lu family will have an old immortal like me to clear away the fog and impart wisdom face-to-face to our descendants. This is your grandfather's greatest wish."

Lu Dongjiang's face suddenly changed dramatically, and he asked sorrowfully, "Grandfather, aren't you coming with us to Beiliang?"

The old man sighed, finally slowly handing the lantern in his hand to his eldest grandson. He smiled faintly, "The Lu family has changed to a new patron, but someone must give an account to the old patron. To have a proper beginning and end—this is also a form of letting go. Besides, it wouldn't be proper for the grave to be empty during the Qingming Festival."

Lu Dongjiang took the lantern, which was actually light, but felt as heavy as ten thousand pounds.

After handing over the lantern, the old man seemed both lost and relieved. Without turning his head, he merely pointed to the eaves of the mansion behind him and said in a deep voice, "Remember one thing: when dependent on others, it is your duty to humble yourself and serve them. But don't forget to act with dignity, for that is a fundamental duty we must never abandon from the moment we are born."

The old man quietly straightened his back, looking towards the King of Beiliang as he alighted from the carriage.

That young general, after losing all his capital, adamantly refused to admit defeat. To make a comeback, he pleaded with a group of powerful grand secretaries for troops and horses, standing in the pouring rain from dawn until dusk.

And Lu Feichi was one of those grand secretaries.

The elderly man, his hands now empty of the lantern, slowly closed his eyes, a smile on his lips.

Lu Dongjiang was greatly alarmed and quickly stepped forward to support the Lu family patriarch, who was falling backward, immediately bursting into tears.

The lantern in his hand fell heavily to the ground.

When the man dies, the lamp goes out.