Chapter 175: Deep Schemes And Long-term Plans
“Hehe,” Xiahou Ba smiled faintly and said, “Lu Xin is a talent. Appointing him as Chancellery Vice Minister is not excessive at all.”
“That’s true,” Xiahou Bupo nodded. Thinking of Lu Xin’s destitute appearance when they first met in Yuhang half a year ago, he couldn’t help but sigh emotionally, “In half a year, he rose five levels in rank, transforming from the third-in-command of a prefecture into a Chancellery Vice Minister. It really fits that old saying: trees die when moved, but people thrive when relocated.”
The Six Rank secretary of the Chancellery has always been a pure and desirable position coveted by scions of noble clans in the capital city. It is called the ‘ultimate post for literary scholars and the imperial court’s finest selection,’ an important springboard to soar to success. The Chancellery Vice Minister is above the Chancellery secretary, and once dispatched outward, one will surely become a high provincial or departmental official or frontier official!
“Is Bupo envious of him?” Xiahou Ba smiled and said, “If you are willing to come out and serve as an official, how about your uncle appointing you as Minister of Personnel?”
“With this body of mine, nephew had better recuperate properly and not displace others.” Xiahou Bupo shook his head, his face full of desolation.
“It’s fine not to serve as an official. Our Xiahou Clan has grand ambitions, and you can focus on contributing to the clan.” Xiahou Ba comforted him and said in a deep voice, “Tell me, what are the chances that this Lu Xin can become the Lu Clan Leader?”
“It’s hard to say now, but that possibility does exist.” Xiahou Bupo’s eyes flashed with wise light as he slowly replied, “Lu Shang is at odds with the Elder Council in order to put his own son in position. The damage to their father-son reputation is truly not worth the gain. The other stewards of the Lu Clan are mostly mediocre, and Lu Xin is already stronger than them. As long as we provide more support and let his power in the imperial court grow greater, eventually people will consider him to succeed Lu Shang.”
“Of course,” Xiahou Bupo sighed lightly and said, “Now Lu Xin has been pushed to the front by Lu Shang and become a thorn in the side of the Lu Clan Elder Council. He needs to remain standing strong to have a chance.”
“That’s natural. If he doesn’t have that capability, even if this old man forces him up, it won’t work.” Xiahou Ba nodded and said, “But this old man is still very optimistic about him. If he can become the Lu Clan Leader, it will greatly help our great cause!”
“Yes.” Xiahou Bupo nodded. Now among the seven clans, the Pei Clan, Cui Clan, and Xie Clan have all submitted to the Xiahou Clan. The Wei Clan and Mei Clan have irreconcilable hatred with the Xiahou Clan due to historical reasons. If Xiahou Ba and the Initial Emperor formally fall out, these two clans are very likely to side with the Huangfu Family, and the Huangfu Family also has the advantage of righteousness. Although the Xiahou Clan side can still hold the upper hand, there is no certainty of victory.
If the Lu Clan can be pulled over, the Xiahou Clan’s winning probability will increase greatly. But under Lu Shang’s leadership, the Lu Clan has always upheld neutrality, and even Xiahou Ba does not expect to make him change course.
Fortunately, Lu Shang is elderly and in poor health, with succession near at hand. Xiahou Ba intends to support Lu Xin to rise to power. If successful, Lu Xin will owe this benefactor a debt that he can never repay in his lifetime and can only obediently lead the Lu Clan to join the Xiahou Clan.
“Sigh, Lu Shang was originally full of wisdom and strategy, outstanding among us few. Who knew that in his old age, his selfish intentions grew heavier and heavier, insisting on having his son succeed him.” Xiahou Ba said with much emotion, “The leader of a clan should prioritize the clan. Thinking only of one’s own sons and grandsons, how can one convince the masses?”
“If Lu Xiu had his older brother’s talent and courage, no one could say anything about father and son succeeding each other.” Xiahou Bupo said softly, “But Lu Xiu is ample in kindness but lacking in talent, giving others pretexts to attack him.”
“Hehe…” Xiahou Ba glanced at Xiahou Bupo with a smile and said, “You brat, still playing mind games with your uncle. Rest assured, your uncle has long stated that our clan’s scions, regardless of closeness, are judged only by ability. You brothers are all candidates for succession. If some rising star surpasses you, you may have to step aside for them.”
“If it comes to that, it would truly be our clan’s great prosperity. Nephew would certainly follow as a retainer and exert utmost efforts to assist.” Xiahou Bupo smiled and expressed his stance.
“That’s my Xiahou Clan’s good son!” Xiahou Ba stroked his beard and laughed heartily with pleasure, “This is why our Xiahou Clan will prosper boundlessly!”
Xiahou Bupo said sincerely from the heart, “It is all due to Uncle’s wise leadership.”
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Ningren Quarter south of the Luo River is one of the residences of the Xie Clan’s collateral lineage scions. Most living in the quarter are unsuccessful Xie Clan scions, disciples, and retainers. They have almost no chance of rising to prominence, yet cannot let go of the airs of noble clan members, unwilling to engage in lowly commerce or industry for a living, and even less willing to toil in farming. Many families can only barely get by on the small amount of money and grain issued by the clan each month, living worse than many commoner households.
Xie Bo’s family is in Ningren Quarter. Originally, like other families, they relied on that bit of monthly money and grain to support a large family of over a dozen people, living in extreme hardship. But fortunately, he had excellent aptitude and was extremely hardworking. He was appreciated by the Xie Clan’s Martial Guard Steward Xie Ju, who recommended him to participate in the Ministry of Rites’ Nine Ranks Official Appraisal.
Although the Ministry of Rites’ official appraisal cannot compare to the grand competition held by Ziwei Palace, it is still an important path for scions of noble clans to rise to prominence. Xie Bo did not disappoint, standing out in one go and being rated the highest mid-upper Fourth Rank. He was promptly granted the Eighth Rank Jingzhao Prefecture Assistant Officer of Patrol and Capture by the Ministry of Personnel. Later, he accumulated merits to rise to Six Rank Prefectural Administrator and even made it onto the Investigative Bureau’s Black Rank List, becoming a resounding name even within the clan.
Although in recent years Xie Bo has kept a low profile, with his imperial court salary and the money and grain he receives from the clan each month several times that of others, his whole family’s life has been thriving and prosperous, simply envied by the neighbors.
This time, Xie Bo was entrusted with a heavy responsibility by Madam Xie to challenge that Lu Clan boy and vent anger for Eldest Young Master Xie. Word in the clan is that if he can win the fight, Xie Ju will impart the complete Five Virtues Five Elements Technique to him. One must know that those who can cultivate the complete technique are all direct lineage of the clan. In the eyes of the neighbors, this means the clan intends to promote Xie Bo to direct lineage. Thus, these days, clan members from the five streets and four neighborhoods, even from other quarters, have been coming to his home to congratulate Xie Bo’s parents in advance.
Although Xie Bo did not want to make a fuss, his old father could not resist the crowd’s urging and set up a feast yesterday in advance, to celebrate properly upon his triumphant return.
In the end, the feast was prepared, and the guests had all arrived, but after waiting and waiting, they only saw Xie Bo being carried back with a bruised and swollen face…
The scene at the time was extremely awkward. Xie Bo’s old father could not take the shock and actually fainted on the spot. The guests hurriedly supported the old master, pinching his philtrum and pouring tea, finally reviving him. But the feast could no longer be held, and the guests all left disgruntled. Many even showed schadenfreude, saying things like ‘victory and defeat are common in military strategy’ or ‘failure is the mother of success’ and other such cool words.
From yesterday to today, Xie Bo’s home has been shrouded in dead silence. Xie Bo lay alone in the west room, having eaten no rice or drunk a drop of water, not even moving. When family members spoke to him, he ignored them completely. Even his pair of four- or five-year-old children, wanting to accompany him at the side, were loudly scolded out by him.
Xie Bo lay on the couch like a dead man, and he indeed wanted to end it all. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about how to live the days ahead…
He had thoroughly offended Xie Tian, so not only was it impossible to learn the complete technique, but he probably couldn’t stay in the clan anymore…
The neighbors must all be gloating. After toiling hard for over a dozen years, in the end, he was no different from them…
Father and mother, wife, must be utterly disappointed. They had so looked forward to living north of the Luo River…
Son and daughter will have to follow my old path in the future, struggling desperately yet still unable to break free from the shackles. They will surely resent their parents just like I do, for why couldn’t they be born north of the Luo River…
Just as Xie Bo was about to be drowned by endless negative emotions, at that moment, the half-closed room door creaked open.
