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Fei Min stroked his three long wisps of beard, a genial smile on his plump, round face as he spoke gently, "I heard that Ziyuan encountered danger at Hangu Pass. I should have let you rest for a few more days. However, not knowing the specifics made me quite uneasy, hence my presumptuous invitation. I hope Ziyuan will forgive me."
Oh, these words… they should be interpreted in reverse, shouldn't they…
Fei Qian clasped his hands respectfully and said solemnly, "Qian, though unworthy, holds a humble position in the Left Office. It was necessary to report there first. Failing to come promptly to receive Uncle's guidance is truly my fault." He wasn't truly saying he needed to follow Fei Min's teachings; it was merely ceremonial talk, especially mentioning that he now belonged to Imperial Secretary Cai's office. Going there first was naturally justifiable.
The first time he had come to the family head Fei Min's residence, he not only had to stand but could only stare at the floor. When replying, at most, he could only raise his gaze to Fei Min's chest, roughly the level of the lowest strands of his beard…
After all, Fei Qian was merely a commoner then. Looking higher would have been impolite.
But now, things were quite different. Not only did he have a dedicated desk and could sit openly, but he also didn't need to bow his head and stand to reply every time Fei Min spoke. He could even spare a glance or two at Fei Min—
It hasn't been that many days, but this uncle seems to be living quite comfortably… He appears even rounder…
Fei Min's position was that of a Grand Master of Remonstrance, a salary grade of bi liu bai shi– an idle post among idle posts. It was said one could "remonstrate and advise" on anything, but often it was limited to just that – "remonstrance and advice." It seemed somewhat prestigious, but in reality, it was only two grades higher than Fei Qian's position.
Moreover, according to the nature of Han dynasty court officials, grades like bi si bai shi, si bai shi, bi liu bai shi, and liu bai shi were considered mid-level officials. There were no special restrictions, like mandatory years of service required for promotion. Fluctuations up and down were common, and the difference in rank wasn't actually significant.
The truly immense gap was between the bi liang qian shi and liang qian shi grades. Many struggled their entire lives but at most reached bi liang qian shi…
Only officials of liang qian shi and above could truly be called high-ranking and powerful, awe-inspiring figures commanding respect in their regions.
"My worthy nephew must not underestimate himself unduly. I have merely lived a few more years. When I was your age, I was still a commoner without any achievements. Now, worthy nephew, you are merely twenty. If you can refine yourself and advance, becoming a pillar of the state can be expected," Fei Min said with a gentle laugh, stroking his beard.
Fei Qian blinked. What was he hinting at?
First, to soothe his mind, telling him he was still young and shouldn't be too impatient. "Merely twenty" – there was still a long future ahead…
Second, no matter what, Fei Min had still "lived a few more years" and was, after all, a senior. Did that mean control over the Fei family still lay in his hands?
Third, saying "becoming a pillar of the state can be expected" also implied that if Fei Qian truly became a pillar in the future, combined with the previous words, did it mean the position of Fei family head could potentially be passed down to him?
"Thank you for Uncle's encouragement. Qian shall strive to improve and not live up to these high hopes," Fei Qian said flatly. Who could be clear about the future? What use were more grand promises now? Things one couldn't obtain remained illusory. Besides, with Dong Zhuo moving the capital, who knew where the Heluo Fei clan would be in three to five years? What was the point of talking about inheritance?
However, such things couldn't be stated outright. So, Fei Qian used very simple words: one, to show his ritualistic deference, and another, to use brevity to indicate his lack of interest in this topic.
Fei Min nodded, seeming either not to understand Fei Qian's meaning or to understand but not address it directly. He lightly shook his sleeves, revealing two plump, white hands, and clapped twice.
Servants waiting outside the hall entered in pairs, carrying several chests.
The chests were made of old rattan, thickly painted with lacquer, making them appear heavy and sturdy. After placing the rattan chests on the floor, the servants gently opened the lids, revealing the contents inside.
Fei Qian looked – it was actually the family's transmitted texts and bamboo scrolls he had packed and sent to Fei Min before leaving Luoyang…
Fei Min chuckled, walked down from the main hall, approached the chests, and gently stroked them, saying, "Ziyun [presumably Fei Qian's father's style name] and I also studied at the Imperial Academy. Past days are vivid, as if before my eyes. Now, seeing these objects makes me think of him, and I cannot help but feel sorrowful. Now that Ziyuan has returned to Luoyang, these texts are also returned intact, fulfilling a matter that weighed on my mind."
By the end, Fei Min actually shook his head, closed his eyes, and a glimmer of tears appeared at the corners.
Fei Qian was silent. To even bring out my father… This is really…
Fei Min took out a bamboo scroll from a chest, unrolled it, and read: "…Arrogance cannot be indulged; desires cannot be followed; ambitions cannot be fully satisfied; pleasures cannot be extreme. The worthy are familiar yet respected; feared yet loved. Love them yet know their faults; hate them yet know their virtues. Accumulate yet able to disperse; settled yet able to move. Facing wealth, do not seek gain improperly; facing difficulty, do not avoid it improperly…" [A passage from the Book of Rites (Liji), specifically from the Qu Li section.]
Fei Min held the scroll and said, "Ziyun loved this passage most back then, often saying if everyone could respect ritual and guard their heart, the world would be pacified, people would live and work in peace and contentment, and there would be no fear of chaos. But alas, the current situation cannot help but make one sigh in frustration."
Fei Qian frowned. Fei Min kept bringing up his father, which inevitably made him somewhat averse. Even though he had never met this nominal father since transmigrating to the Han Dynasty, filial piety was still highly emphasized in this era. Being constantly burdened with this heavy expectation by Fei Min was indeed uncomfortable. Thus, he said, "When the Great Dao was practiced, the world was shared by all. The worthy and able were selected; faithfulness and harmony were cultivated. This is indeed the ultimate principle, but knowing is easy, acting is difficult." [The first part is from the Liji, Li Yun chapter, describing an ideal ancient society.]
Since Fei Min spoke of the Book of Rites, Fei Qian naturally responded in kind.
The sentences following "The world was shared by all" are "...Thus men did not love only their own parents, did not treat as children only their own sons…" Fei Qian intentionally omitted these, adding "knowing is easy, acting is difficult." The meaning was that this grand principle is understood by all, but in practical action, you, Fei Min, have not achieved it. Therefore, there's no need to use paternal affection and family ties to emotionally blackmail me now.
Furthermore, after the passage about the "Great Dao," the text continues: "...Now the Great Dao is obscured, and the world is under the rule of families. Each loves only his own parents, treats as children only his own sons, goods and labor are for oneself…" [Continuation from the Liji, Li Yun, describing the decline from the ideal state.]
This meaning was very clear. Fei Min was choked up, finally putting down the scroll in his hand. He turned around and looked seriously at Fei Qian for a moment, the expression on his plump, round face stiffening slightly.
Until just now, Fei Min had still been calculating how to regain control over Fei Qian, hence using various methods to probe and pressure him. But Fei Qian's quote from the Rites just now not only demonstrated quick thinking but also conveyed a very clear attitude. It finally made Fei Min understand that he could no longer treat Fei Qian as a junior to be manipulated at will…
Fei Min sighed inwardly. Circumstances force people's hands. The Fei Qian before him was no longer the respectful, compliant member of the Fei family's collateral branch who would accept whatever was given or taken. Now, he had to admit, this person had become an equal opponent…
Fei Min walked back to the central mat and sat down, waving his hand to dismiss all the servants. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Regarding the current situation, might my worthy nephew have any advice to offer?"