Chapter 552: Huan Wen and Alcohol, Sun Yin and Wei-Jin, The Relationship Between Scholars and Elegance

Let's talk about Huan Wen.

Huan Wen is a famous historical figure who lived during the Wei and Jin dynasties. Therefore, Fenghuo (the author) transplanted his name to the character Huan Wen in "Sword Snow Stride." Given that his official title is from the Menxia Province, it's evident that the dynastic setting for the "He Xinliang" volume borrows heavily from the Wei and Jin periods.

Some might accuse me of stating the obvious, but when "Sword Snow Stride" first began, Fenghuo merely blended various historical elements. It wasn't until the "He Xinliang" volume that there was a distinct aspiration to capture the elegance and character of the Wei and Jin eras. Allow me to elaborate.

Consider the Menxia Province. What exactly was the Menxia Province? My quick search on Baidu yielded the following: The "Menxia Sheng" was the name of a government agency, one of the central highest government institutions from the Wei and Jin to the Song dynasties. The Menxia Sheng typically included two Imperial Attendants (Shizhong), both holding a Grade 2 ranking. They were responsible for issuing imperial decrees and assisting with rituals. All state affairs were jointly managed with the Zhongshu Ling (Grand Secretary), while they exclusively handled matters within their own province.

Besides the Menxia Province, I'm sure you've also encountered the Zhongshu Ling. Additionally, titles like Huangmen Shilang (Palace Gate Attendant), various Pu She (Directors), and the Shangshu Sheng (Department of State Affairs) in "Sword Snow Stride" are all derived from the Wei and Jin periods.

In the chapter "The Retreat," Huan Wen walked along a palace road, a wine gourd and cloth bag slung over him. I won't discuss other details, but this old man's appearance alone—so slovenly and casual—would, in any dynasty, either infuriate the emperor or draw widespread criticism. Yet, the atmosphere in the court and throughout Liyang allowed for the existence of such a dignified yet unconventional figure. It can be said that the cultural foundation Fenghuo imbued in the Liyang Dynasty is profound and ahead of its time.

This is certainly an era where a hundred boats contend for the lead and a thousand peaks vie for splendor. Moreover, it's an era characterized by great magnanimity. If not for such an era requiring tolerance, how could someone like Huang Sanjia exist? How could Cao Qingyi restore his nation? Beyond the scholars, Longhu Mountain did its own thing, Wudang Mountain did its own thing, never interfering with each other. How particular and accommodating this era was!

Precisely because of this accommodating nature, Chen Xiliang could discuss kingly and hegemonic ways by the winding stream, Lu Xu could play blind chess in the marketplace, and Xu Beizhi could proudly bring courtesans out into public. Even some poor, old scholars like Liu Wenbao, who remained disheartened throughout their lives, could gaze at the moon and lament, "Even a stray dog has nostalgia," and express, "The Crown Prince treats me as a national talent, and I shall repay him as one."

And in the latest chapter, "Donning Armor for Beiliang, Disarming for the Crown Prince," a bombshell suddenly appeared—Sun Yin. He is a stark manifestation, fully embodying the ultimate elegance and unconventionality of this era. That is—unconventional integrity! Sun Yin is Xu Fengnian's Yang Xiu. The act of "disarming" was the perfect touch, marking Xu Fengnian's transition from Crown Prince to King of Beiliang.

Governing a nation begins with governing its officials. Xu Fengnian's decision not to deal with Li Gongde is merely part of a larger plan for now. Before his journey to the border, Xu Fengnian needs to fully consolidate control over his cabinet. Otherwise, if he hastily departs to manage the military and practice martial arts, his efforts in governing officials would be entirely in vain.

With the character Sun Yin, I believe Fenghuo intends to convey not just the depth of this character, but also his sheer audacity. He embodies the clash of Liyang and Beiliang cultures' wisdom, which is precisely this unconventional integrity. Drawing from the archetypal story between Cao Mengde and Yang Xiu, it's not difficult to foresee this character's tragic end, dying of frustration. This is my speculation, based on the premise that the era's "magnanimity" in "Sword Snow Stride" does not extend to individual magnanimity, and certainly not to the magnanimity of a powerful leader or warlord.

Xu Fengnian isn't someone who will simply use you because you're exceptional; his character dictates that there must be a true alignment. Take his relationship with Xu Beizhi, for instance: does Xu Fengnian not know about the infighting among his own subordinates? Furthermore, factional strife has been deeply ingrained in dynasties since ancient times. You might choose not to consider whether Xu Beizhi was jealous of Sun Yin, but you cannot always compare Beiliang's overall situation and Xu Fengnian's grand strategy with the mindset of a single strategist. In Xu Fengnian's heart, Sun Yin's fate is inevitable; and wasn't Xu Beizhi worried about this?

It's precisely because Xu Beizhi is too concerned about Xu Fengnian following the "magnanimity" of the era. One must remember that Xu Fengnian once vowed to build countless mansions to shelter scholars in poverty and bring them joy. This also explains why, in "Disarming," Xu Fengnian does not kill. It's likely not because he harbors a shred of humanitarian consideration for the old soldiers of Beiliang, but rather due to the constraints of the era: if you kill one, another will appear. Therefore, his furious shout of "Stop!" to Chu Baxia was a warning to himself and to Beiliang.

Speaking of this, besides Huang Sanjia, who could, with a sweep of his sleeve, conjure thunder and lightning to serve as a prelude, and by raising his head, capture the sun and moon to compose his writings, treating heaven and earth as pawns and the annals of spring and autumn as his chessboard, there are actually many other unforgettable figures in "Sword Snow Stride," such as the "Human Cat" Han Diaosi and the "Green-Eyed" Zhang Julu. I particularly understand Zhang Julu's phrase, "Get lost." As someone who had reached the pinnacle of official power, it was a rare moment for him to relax his profound, stern, and handsome face—a self-deprecating remark directed at his disciples and the state of the world.

Therefore, some people on Tieba (an online forum) are worried about what will become of Sun Yin, this imperial tutor. I'm completely unafraid of what he might stir up. Beyond Kong Rong's famous act of yielding pears and Yang Xiu's ostentation, what they ultimately left for posterity was a death stemming from their unbridled arrogance and unconventionality. It's not that the era lacked magnanimity; rather, there were simply too many elegant and unconventional figures.

From the reader: "Hui Wan Diao Gong She Tian Lang Z!"

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