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Drizzle.
Fine as silk.
Drifting and falling like a lover's gentle hand, caressing, soaking through, from clothing to skin.
Fine Tea.
Rich and fragrant.
Swirling lightly like a lover's embrace, warming, lingering, from outside the body to within.
The drizzle and the scent of tea divided the world inside the hall from the one outside into two separate realms.
"Elder Brother, please, have some tea." Xun Yu respectfully presented the tea broth he had personally prepared to Xun Chen. Seeing that Xun Chen had taken the bowl and begun drinking, he then picked up his own tea bowl to savor it carefully.
The tea broth contained no added ingredients; it was purely tea leaves boiled in water. This was Xun Chen's habit.
Not speaking while drinking tea, not talking while eating. This was also Xun Chen's habit.
Watching Xun Chen slowly finish the tea broth and set down the bowl, Xun Yu likewise placed his own tea bowl down.
Ji Province had been suffering from a long drought as well. This spring rain, though not heavy, brought great joy, for with this rain, the planted crop seeds could finally sprout and grow, granting hope for the year's harvest.
But for many people in Ji Province now, sprouts of restlessness had also begun to grow quietly in their hearts.
"A letter from the Clan Leader has arrived." Xun Chen took a letter from his robe, placed it on the table, pushed it slightly towards Xun Yu, then turned his head again to look at the misty drizzle outside the hall, his face full of solemnity, as if trying to discern some pattern within the fine rain outside.
Xun Yu took the letter, unfolded it, and read it, his frown deepening the further he read.
After a long time, Xun Yu finally set the letter down. He looked at Xun Chen, his expression complex, then lowered his head to gaze at the wisps of steam rising from the water kettle beside the table, his face revealing a hint of helplessness, as if seeking some startling answer from the vapor.
The two brothers, one watching the rain, the other watching the steam, remained silent.
Xun Chen let out a soft sigh, as faint as the sound of spring rain dripping on roof tiles, and began to recite:
"Heaven made the high hill,
King Tai gave it scope.
He began, King Wen,
Quietly brought it good fortune.
This is that Qi
Whose ways are level and easy,
The sons and grandsons will keep it."
Xun Yu remained silent. He knew the origin of this poem, "Heaven Made," and naturally understood its meaning.
This was a mountain sacrifice ode from the time of King Cheng of Zhou, used by the Duke of Zhou in sacrifices to Mount Qi.
Mount Qi was not the original homeland of the Zhou tribe. However, after the Zhou kings moved eastward and occupied Chaoge, symbolizing their transition from a tribe to a dynasty, all this prosperity and rise had begun from Mount Qi. The Zhou people expanded eastward from here, eventually reaching most of the Central Plains.
Therefore, for the Zhou dynasty, Mount Qi held far greater significance than their original homeland. It represented the flourishing of a tribe, the symbol of a family's journey from the periphery to the center.
The Xun clan's ancestral home was in Yingchuan. But now, the head of the Xun family had followed Emperor Xian of Han to Chang'an, while the brothers Xun Chen and Xun Yu were in Ji Province. In a sense, both had left their homeland, left their "Mount Qi."
The meaning of "homeland" changes with migration, just as the Zhou kings left their homeland, Mount Qi, and made Chaoge their new homeland. The original homeland might fade in significance if it hinders survival and development, while the new place of prosperity might feel closer due to the benefits it brings.
Achieving great deeds and establishing oneself doesn't necessarily have to be in the land where one was born and raised, as the Xun family now faced.
But Xun Yu perceived a deeper meaning behind Xun Chen's recitation. The final line, "The sons and grandsons will keep it," especially revealed Xun Chen's current thoughts...
Xun Chen was now a son of the Xun family. The Xun family's foundation, status, and future naturally required a descendant like Xun Chen to "keep it."
Just as Clan Leader Xun Shuang's letter instructed. While on the surface it seemed filled with earnest, caring words, the meaning was still very clear: it required Xun Chen to give Yuan Shao "the utmost possible" assistance...
Just like when the family had previously urged Xun Chen to give "the utmost possible" assistance to the Governor of Ji Province, Han Fu...
"Elder Brother..."
Xun Yu left his mat, knelt, and bowed deeply, his head resting on his hands. He originally intended to offer some words of comfort to Xun Chen, but the multitude of words crowding his throat simply wouldn't come out.
Xun Chen smiled faintly, helped Xun Yu up, and said, "I am the elder brother; naturally, I should go first. There is no need for this."
Like Xun Yu, after arriving in Ji Province, Xun Chen had found that Governor Han Fu was not an outstanding ruler. As for Yuan Shao (Yuan Benchu), there were still some slight regrets.
Because Yuan Shao already had someone else from Yingchuan by his side: Guo Tu.
Although Guo Tu was originally a subordinate of Governor Han Fu, he had very quickly established ties with Yuan Shao after the latter arrived in Ji Province and had gained Yuan Shao's trust. For the Xun family, also from Yingchuan, this was not a very pleasant situation.
Guo Tu's magnanimity...
Therefore, Xun Chen had not originally wanted to align himself with Yuan Shao, nor did he deign to work alongside someone so narrow-minded. He had hoped for a wise lord who would allow him to fully utilize his talents, not one where he would have to constantly scheme against colleagues.
But the family had given the order; he dared not disobey.
Who made him a son of the Xun family, and the elder brother at that? If he didn't take this first step, this trial, who would? Should he let his younger brother take the role instead?
"Han Wenjie is doomed to fail," Xun Chen said calmly, as though remarking on the weather. "He wins neither the men of Jizhou nor those of Yingchuan. He hesitates, wavers, clutches his governor's staff to no purpose. One who achieves great things must not be bound by petty scruples; one who founds hegemony must press forward boldly. Yet in today's world, no such hero has yet appeared. Wenruo, you may await your time…"
Xun Yu knew that Xun Chen's two statements referred to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu respectively. Yuan Shao was too focused on "minor scruples." At this critical moment of opposing Dong Zhuo, he actually prioritized creating a "Chengzhi" (claiming imperial authority) and bestowing upon himself the title of Chariot and Cavalry General before acting. He failed to realize that opportunities are fleeting. As for official titles, with the nominal authority of the Three Ducal Ministers, once success was achieved, could the reward possibly be small?
The other statement referred to Yuan Shu, who, despite having troops from Runan and commanders like Sun Jian and Ji Ling under him, lingered between Yu and Ying, lacking the courage to "march forward boldly." This allowed Dong Zhuo to seize an opening and counterattack.
Thus, in Xun Chen's eyes, neither Yuan Shao nor Yuan Shu was a "heroic figure" worthy of reliance. Yet, under the family's demands, he had to join Yuan Shao's camp. For Xun Chen, this was itself a form of cruelty.
"I respectfully heed my elder brother's instruction." Xun Yu bowed again.
Xun Chen nodded, turned his head to look outside the hall. Unnoticed, the drizzle had ceased. Xun Chen smiled slightly and said, "The rain has stopped. It is time to go."
Yes, the rain had stopped, and one could set out. But how exactly should one walk, and where would the direction of this path ultimately lead?
Xun Yu bid farewell to Xun Chen, left his residence, and walked slowly through the streets of Ye City. Raising his head to look at the clouds that had not yet dispersed, he couldn't help but recite slowly:
"No grass not yellow,
No day we do not march.
No man not conscripted,
To manage the four quarters.
No grass not dark,
No man not afflicted.
Pity us, the marching men,
Treated as if we were not human.
We are not rhinoceroses, not tigers,
That we should march through the wilds.
Pity us, the marching men,
Morning and evening without rest."