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Having interacted with Yi Ji before, Fei Qian knew he was Liu Biao's trusted confidant. It was hard to believe Liu Biao had sent him without any private instructions.
Yet Yi Ji's response was telling—
First, he neither confirmed nor denied receiving additional orders. This likely meant Liu Biao 'had' given him directives, but Yi Ji avoided outright lying to Fei Qian's face to preserve future relations. Second, his phrasing—claiming he would "follow arrangements"—subtly hinted that while he'd obey Fei Qian's authority, his true allegiance lay with Liu Biao. 'Any issues? Take it up with the Governor.'
Understanding this, Fei Qian dropped the subject.
As he lay down, his thoughts turned to tomorrow's destination.
---
Meanwhile, Yuan Shu was suppressing his fury as an elderly man droned on before him.
Nanyang's administrative seat was technically Wan City, but Yuan Shu had stationed himself in Luyang. The commandery was effectively split—northern areas like Luyang fell under Yuan Shu's direct control, while southern regions, including Xinye, remained under Liu Biao's Jingxiang jurisdiction.
The only person who could make Yuan Shu hold his tongue was a senior elder of the Yuan clan.
The old man, Yuan Zeng, belonged to the same generation as Yuan Feng and Yuan Kui. At his advanced age and wielding a 'jiuzhang' (a ceremonial pheasant-headed staff symbolizing imperial-granted authority), even Yuan Shu had to endure his lecturing.
The 'jiuzhang' system originated in the Zhou Dynasty and was formalized during Emperor Wen of Han's reign. Those over seventy were exempt from most legal penalties (except for murder) and granted staffs as badges of honor. Holders enjoyed privileges equivalent to a 600-'shi' official—free access to government offices, immunity from harassment, and the right to execute anyone who assaulted them without trial.
Elderly men tended to ramble. By the time Yuan Zeng finished his tirade and hobbled out with his staff, dusk had fallen.
Yuan Shu sent Yan Xiang to see the elder off while he remained in the hall, seething. His anger wasn't directed at Yuan Zeng but at those who'd manipulated the elder into confronting him.
Nanyang was prosperous—but only relatively. For peasants, harvesting four 'dan' of coarse millet per acre was cause for celebration. Even with lifelong frugality, how much could such families save?
The commandery's wealth stemmed from Emperor Guangwu's rise, heavily supported by Nanyang's landed elites. Later Eastern Han emperors appointed aristocratic governors who favored local gentry policies.
Yet upon arriving, Yuan Shu had allied with Sun Jian to assassinate Governor Zhang Zi without hesitation.
The Nanyang gentry hadn't protested—Zhang Zi was from Yingchuan, and his death meant little against the Yuan clan's prestige. But their tolerance shattered when Yuan Shu not only bankrolled Sun Jian's forces but also began conscripting troops 'indefinitely'.
The Yuan family couldn't fund Yuan Shu's ambitions indefinitely. With public coffers strained, Yuan Shu turned to squeezing local landowners.
Initially, out of respect for the Yuan name, the gentry donated modestly. Yuan Shu raised some troops, and General Ji Ling drilled them. But now, preparing to march against Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu demanded 'more' conscripts and funds—
This time, the gentry revolted. They networked secretly and lodged complaints through Elder Yuan Zeng.
The elder's lecture had covered everything from frugality to emulating Yuan Shu's half-brother Yuan Shao—especially the part about 'not extorting fellow gentry'.
Yuan Shu's restraint finally snapped. Remembering the elder's praise for Yuan Shao, he swept the table clean, sending fruit platters and teacups shattering across the floor.
Yan Xiang returned to this scene but said nothing, waiting respectfully.
After regaining composure, Yuan Shu rose and bowed slightly. "My apologies for the unsightly display, Ziwu."
As Yuan Shu's upright and capable Registrar, Yan Xiang understood his frustration—though not this outburst's intensity. Once the hall was cleaned and reset, Yuan Shu declared:
"This is 'He Jia's' doing!"
The He family's current head, He Qia (styled Yangshi), was a prominent landowner from Xiping. Once nominated as 'Xiaolian', he'd resigned his court position and returned home, gaining minor fame in Runan and Nanyang.
During Yuan Shu's last conscription, rumors pointed to He Qia's criticisms. Now, he'd allegedly goaded Elder Yuan Zeng into opposition.