Chapter 9: Filial piety and brotherly love cannot save the great new order

The meaning of this is that he took on this official position purely to use this identity to mediate disputes. Now that the matter has been settled, I must apologize for my limited abilities, and thus I will no longer serve in this official capacity

At the suggestion of the county magistrate, Xianyu Bao also emulated the story of Han Yanshou from the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Former Han Dynasty and staged a play

Lun was a young man of weak stature, with limited talent and shallow knowledge, unfit for an official position. However, upon witnessing the conflicts among the seventh and sixth clans, Lun, being of the same lineage, felt deeply ashamed and could not turn a blind eye. Thus, he accepted the official seal and wrote a letter to advise them.

The Seventh Leopard took another swig of liquor and gritted his teeth, saying: "I am going to find the great hero Yuan She from Maoling, and ask him to send his light-hearted subordinates to kill Fifth Lun!"

With such thoughts in mind, Fifth Lun once again felt a sense of crisis. As he noticed that the sky was nearly dark, he could not help but spur his horse and quicken his pace

At least in the Zhu Ling region north of the Weishui River, on the edge of the Loess Plateau, after hundreds of years of development during the Qin and Han dynasties, the vegetation coverage is already low. Many hills and ridges have been reduced to nothing but a pile of withered stumps.

Xianyu Bao stared at the half-seal left on the table by Di Wu Lun, unable to react for a long time. He could not understand why this young man would choose to resign. After a while, a thought flashed through his mind.

However, relying solely on filial piety and brotherly love cannot save the world

... ...

Looking at the mountains stripped of trees, the murky water in the channel, and the increasingly expanding farmland and alleys, Fifth Lun understood in his heart

The Seventh Leopard had promised well, but as soon as his elder brother left home, he immediately changed his clothes, donned a ring knife, tied a scarf on his head, and after enduring the pain, rode out on horseback, not heading towards the Fifth Mile, but instead proceeding straight westward

When the Seventh Biao left, he carefully instructed his brother, who was drinking to relieve pain: "You should stay at home and not provoke the Fifth family!"

The seventh hero, who performed a play at the county temple with his upper body bare, did not return home until the early morning of the next day, dragging his weary body back.

The Seventh Biao was considered an acquaintance of the county magistrate, and in the past, he had received numerous favors from him. However, Xianyu Bao completely disregarded his pleading gaze and ordered the county deputy to publicly command the Seventh Biao to remove his upper garment, exposing himself alongside the Sixth Du. In full view of the crowd, they knelt in the courtyard of the county temple.

How amusing it is, in the morning they were engaged in a brutal fight to the death, and by the afternoon, they were displaying such brotherly respect towards each other. It's just that their acting skills are lacking; they merely recite their lines, and their glances are filled with a desire to beat each other up.

Today's events are quite perilous. If the Sixth Clan and the Seventh Clan were to truly cause fatalities and create a disturbance in the county, it would be portrayed by his political adversaries as "the clan brothers are in conflict, which reflects the county magistrate's failure in governance." According to convention, Xianyu, the county magistrate, would then be reprimanded by the district chief, adversely affecting his career prospects

What if litigation cannot be restrained

Fifth Lun found himself an outsider, observing this absurd scene with much reflection

This solidified the resolve of Fifth Lun. When Xian Yu Bao summoned him alone, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and returned half of the seal: "I am grateful for the favor shown by the county lord, sending someone to remove Fifth Lun and appointing me to the position of filial piety in the village."

The surrounding clerks whispered among themselves, pointing fingers at the Seventh Biao, who felt that they were all laughing at him. Although he was very reluctant, in order to protect the pavilion chief and his family, he could only endure humiliation and bear the burden.

Although it is said that where there are people, there are disputes, the frequent conflicts over water actually stem from the increasing population in the Guanzhong Plain and the contradiction with limited resources—after all, at this time, the population of the world has already exceeded 60 million, which is the limit that the productivity of this era can sustain

In accordance with the county magistrate's cues, the two of them followed the agreed script meticulously, loudly declaring that their temporary confusion had led to a dispute. However, under the moral influence of the county magistrate, they deeply reflected on their actions and vowed never to engage in such disputes again in the future

Although the young man appeared ashamed, he still had to leave. He bowed to the Seventh Biao and said: "It is said in the village that during the fifth public event, the fifth elder, despite his seventy years of age, severely beat Zhong Jun. At the command of the fifth elder, the elder brother immediately fell to the ground, bare-chested. The Seventh family is indeed not as far-reaching as the fifth ancestor and grandson."

The Di Yi family is undoubtedly the foremost among the families that migrated westward. With a large estate spanning over 200 acres and more than a hundred servants, they are the only "local gentry" in the area, and their network of connections extends beyond the county to the prefecture. As long as the Di Yi family can be brought down to confront them, the Biao and Bao brothers only need to hide behind them and bark at the Di Wu family.

The Seventh Brigade has already made plans, watching the gradually lightening sky outside: "I will first make a trip to the village and inform the village steward, Liu, about this matter."

Confucius said: In hearing lawsuits, I am still a human being; I must ensure that there are no lawsuits.

Then let's deal with the litigious troublemakers

Although it is said that the lewd see lewdness, Xianyu Bao's characterization of a "corrupt official with a bottom line" is half correct

The fact is that the common people not only lack land, grain, and the daily essential fuel, but also lack work... There is insufficient land for cultivation, businesses are suppressed, and labor... Do you possess that skill? It is no wonder that there are many idle and wayward youths in the villages; unable to survive there, they can only wander around the outskirts of the city begging for food or attach themselves to the wealthy as guests

It was truly sudden; Xianyu Bao was taken aback and immediately spoke up to persuade him to stay. However, Di Wulun was very resolute. After bowing once more, he left the county temple. According to the rules, officials resigning cannot be forcibly retained, and thus, they could only let him go.

Could it be that he finds this position too insignificant

The specific household registration of Changling is a government secret, and Fifth Lun is unaware of it. However, according to my grandfather, this county is a large one, with nearly 200,000 people, comparable to two or three prefectures along the border. With such a large population crammed into such a small area, is it just water that is lacking

County magistrate Xian Yu of Bao was originally quite pleased

In the future, please let the Seventh Clan use water first! Seven is greater than six!

The Seventh Biao felt it as soon as he returned home, where he found everyone with long faces, resembling defeated roosters. The local youths who had originally depended on his family had all scattered in a rush. One of them, who was leaving slowly while carrying a bundle, was stopped by the Seventh Biao for a question.

Fortunately, the Fifth Commissioner reported the matter promptly and took the initiative to volunteer, accompanying the local water officials to resolve the issue. Before long, the Seventh Biao and the Sixth Du obediently arrived at the county temple to apologize to Xianyu Bao

But does no litigation mean that the conflict has been resolved? It merely covers up the problem temporarily

No litigation is the ideal state of governance according to Confucianism, where moral solutions are preferred over legal recourse. This tendency was already present during the Han Dynasty, which prohibited children from suing their parents and slaves from suing their masters. The government was reluctant to intervene in clan disputes, allowing only the three elders to mediate based on filial piety and brotherly respect

No, no, it is still the sixth clan that should go first! Your family migrated here earlier than mine, and you are also older than I am

In the unique national context of the Xin Dynasty, where Confucianism governed the state, the government was reluctant to handle lawsuits, leading to a significant increase in the workload of the Three Elders and filial piety. From the division of property among brothers to neighbors losing chickens, from extramarital affairs to supporting younger brothers, they had to manage everything. The Three Elders were generally older and could rely on their age to remain idle in the community, while the younger individuals embodying filial piety had to take on the responsibilities of running errands, traveling here and there to resolve various trivial matters.

Certainly not! They will not reach the entrance of the county temple, as they will be persuaded to turn back by the local officials who enforce moral teachings, such as the three elders and those advocating filial piety, through both soft and hard measures.

... ...

In fact, it was the county magistrate who insulted them, yet the two brothers did not dare to express any dissatisfaction towards him, instead attributing everything to the seemingly "easier to provoke" Fifth Lun

As contradictions accumulate over time, when the day comes for the river to overflow and burst its banks, the harm inflicted will be considerable

My brother has roamed the countryside for over ten years, when has he ever suffered such a loss

Only

Fifth Lun indeed finds filial piety and brotherly respect to be too trivial

"Is this matter to be left as it is? How can my younger brother show his face in the village in the future? He will surely be ridiculed by the people of the county for a lifetime." The seventh leopard touched his collapsed nose, while the meddlesome fifth Lun has indeed gained full prestige this time. In the future, the object of admiration among the village youth may shift from their brothers to the descendants of the fifth family.

In summary, the bad incident turned into a good one. Xianyu Bao significantly enhanced his political credentials, which further improved his impression of the Fifth Lun. He decided to feature him as a "supporting character" in this story and report it to the county for commendation—by the end of the year, the filial piety reward was increased from two bolts of silk to three.

The disputes over water between the sixth and seventh parties today are by no means isolated or accidental events; there are profound reasons behind them

In order to save face, they are willing to inflate their appearance and purchase fine knives and swords that they cannot afford, flaunting them in public all day long

He has already inquired thoroughly; the position of filial piety and loyalty does not receive a salary from the court, nor does it have the authority to govern the populace. It does not even have any subordinates, essentially being a solitary commander, and must still be dispatched by the three elders of the village to assist in managing education and moral instruction

I promised my elder brother not to provoke the fifth generation of the Lun family... not to go in person!

The situation is somewhat better in the fifth mile, but in some villages nearby, it is impossible to gather firewood even within a distance of over ten miles. The axes and hatchets can only be used to chop down trees in more distant forests. The government, in the "Seasonal Monthly Regulations," prohibits indiscriminate logging, yet this does not deter the people's urgent need to develop new land and gather firewood for cooking and heating.

The Seventh Biao was still somewhat awake: "My family has gone through this calamity, losing all face and becoming a laughingstock in the neighborhood. Aside from merely echoing the sentiments of my clan, dozens of young heroes have scattered in disarray. How can we compete with the illustrious Fifth family? Moreover, he has gained the favor of the county magistrate, making it even more unwise to act rashly"

There is no need to ask; the final outcome will naturally be that the county will flourish, and officials will compete to spread the virtues of the county magistrate. As for the common people, they will also engage in self-reflection upon hearing about this matter. This autumn, certainly not a single person will come to the county to file a lawsuit

In the new dynasty, it became even more absurd; the number of lawsuits within the jurisdiction actually became one of the criteria for officials' promotions—if there were no complainants at all, that would be a remarkable achievement worthy of special mention in the official records

As soon as he finished speaking, the Seventh Leopard rushed out. He had been injured in the lungs by a kick from the Fifth Overlord, and after drinking, he stumbled as he walked, brandishing his sword in an attempt to pursue and kill the youth who had betrayed the Seventh Clan. Fortunately, the Seventh Biao managed to stop him

This is not a lawsuit, absolutely not! Xian Yu Bao repeatedly emphasizes this point, indicating that he is merely advising the two in his capacity as the county magistrate. The characteristic of moral judgment is that, regardless of right or wrong, and without a definite outcome, the ultimate goal is reconciliation between both parties

You killed him, will the reputation of my family be restored?

The sudden realization he had at the county temple vanished in an instant, and in his anger, he smashed all the bottles and jars on the table to the ground, his eyes filled with rage

He looked up; on the way home, he would pass through many neighborhoods. In the imagination of future generations, the environment two thousand years ago must have been excellent, with dense primeval forests and yellow sheep and elk running across the mountains. However, this is not the case

Today, the two families have come to their senses, bowing in reconciliation. The responsibilities of the fifth generation have been fulfilled. Believing oneself to be young and lacking in virtue, unable to guide the community or promote moral development, it is appropriate to resign with deep regret

For the sake of face, they can draw their swords against each other simply because one has glanced at the other on the road, leading to a fight that results in severed necks and pierced hearts, leaving corpses on the ground

The Yellow River need not be mentioned further, as it is a significant concern for the new dynasty. It is said that the breach has remained unsealed for several years, resulting in the emergence of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons in the Central Plains.

His goal is beyond a hundred miles

Then just cover it up, beneath the calm surface of the water, undercurrents are surging, and at an unknown time, a great wave may emerge, giving Xin Mang a big surprise

In the struggle for resources, the conflicts among various counties and villages in Guanzhong have been increasing day by day. Instead of focusing on how to develop productivity to overcome the crisis, the officials of the New Dynasty merely suppress these disputes, pursuing a state of no litigation in order to maintain the superficial appearance of "peaceful governance".

However, the grateful gaze of the sixth calf was mostly directed at the fifth Lun, who would arrive shortly and mingle among the crowd. This young lad, at such a tender age, had already become a model of filial piety in the village and had gained the appreciation of the county magistrate, with a future that held limitless potential

In addition, the fifth Lun resolutely decided to resign, also because he discovered the hidden crisis beneath the calm through the grand performance he observed today beside the county temple

Seventh Leopard howled in great sorrow: "Elder brother, the Fifth Youngster has subjected you to this extraordinary humiliation, and I cannot accept it. Once I have healed from my injuries, I will gather people and march to the Fifth Li, using the blood of the Fifth Ba and the Fifth Lun to avenge this disgrace..."

At this moment, the county magistrate Xianyu Bao made his appearance. With a cough, he timely opened the hall for an audience, arranged a meal for the two to dine together, serving as a witness to their mutual understanding, and also publicized this matter within the county

They are ashamed to be guests under the Seventh Clan's roof again, so they left last night. As for me... I have arranged a marriage at home and can no longer act as a carefree wanderer. I hope you will not take offense, dear sir

The sixth calf is indeed quite content with this matter; with this guarantee in place, at least during the tenure of the county magistrate, the seventh clan should not dare to contest the water rights any longer

If a rare moral exemplar emerges in the village, they may be rewarded with an extra piece or two of cloth for their filial piety and brotherly love. However, if the opposite occurs and there is a failure in education, leading to disputes over land among brothers or violent altercations among neighbors resulting in death, the authorities will then "count it as a crime of disloyalty and hold the three elders accountable for their failure to educate"

The environment in Guanzhong has become significantly more fragile compared to the early Han period, with the Jing River increasingly muddy. Two years ago, there was a diversion due to congestion at Changping Pavilion, located north of Changling, resulting in a large number of disaster victims being displaced from their homes

In summary, there is no real power, a multitude of troubles, and it is also easy to take the blame

Can one not hate? For a chivalrous person, what is the most important thing? It is not life, but face!

Of course, the fifth wheel would not act like such a fool: "Not even paying salaries, yet expecting me to take the blame? Dream on!"

Contemporaries generally believe that the Ming monarch governed the world through filial piety and brotherly love

Face is the foundation upon which the Qingxia family establishes its existence. What would happen if it were lost