Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 12: High Family
Man lives by his breath, tree lives by its bark.

When the Diao family was at its most prosperous, it was second only to the Wang family of Langya.

His grandfather Diao Xie assisted Emperor Yuan in ascending the throne in Jiankang, served as Zuo Pushe and Shangshu Ling, restored the court's rules and regulations, and later implemented the "harsh policy" with Liu Wei to suppress the powerful families and safeguard the imperial power. He was also considered a good minister for a time.

The absurd thing is that by Diao Kui's generation, the Diao family had become a pest in Jingkou, and had become a powerful tyrant who was suppressed by Diao Xie and was a nuisance to the whole village.

Liu Daogui's words directly touched Diao Kui's heart.

The Sima family's slogan is to govern the country with filial piety. Diao Zhan can abandon his own face, but he cannot abandon the face of his ancestors.

"color!"

The gamblers immediately cheered loudly, and even people in the private rooms on the second floor came out to watch.

Most of Liu Yu's momentum was also lost.

Influenced by the philosophy of metaphysics and idle talk, the idea of ​​convincing people with reason was prevalent in Jiangzuo, and Liu Daogui's words were simply murderous.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Diao Zhan's face flushed red, but he had no way to refute.

It’s not shameful to lose, as there are always winners and losers at the gambling table, but three to one is despicable.

Compared with Liu Yu's calm response, the superiority of the two sides was obvious.

"How dare you! Are you going to make enemies with the Diao family?"

The few servants around Diao Zhan were still making as much noise as before.

Liu Daogui was delighted. He really liked the Diao family's arrogance. "Why, your Diao family won't even let people speak?"

Most of the people in the main hall were powerless and didn't dare to speak, but it was different on the second floor. Someone finally spoke up for justice: "In the past, Lord Diao was a man of high aspirations and broad talent. He revived the system and was famous throughout the Jiangnan region. He was a role model for scholars. I never imagined that his descendants would become so domineering."

"It's not yet the Diao family's turn to dominate Jingkou. That's it for today."

Diao Zhan glanced at the second floor, his face turned pale and blue, but he didn't dare to refute.

But the servant was usually arrogant and pointed at the second floor and barked, "Who is it? Who is it?"

With a "slap", Diao Zhan slapped the servant with his backhand, causing him to stagger, with blood all over his mouth and screaming in pain.

Those who can have fun on the second floor are either rich or noble. In their eyes, the Diao family is nothing special.

The Diao family has fallen from a high-class family to a middle-class one, and there has not yet been a high-ranking official with a salary of two thousand stones in the family.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Diao Zhan was a man who had seen the world and knew the seriousness of the matter. He bowed towards the second floor and gave Liu Yu and Liu Daogui a forced smile. "Let's put today's matter aside for now and deal with it later. Let's go!"

Several servants followed behind, fleeing in a panic.

"Alas, although Ji Nu was defeated, he still achieved honor and did not bring shame to our Jingkou."

"With three against one, the Diao family's victory was unfair."

After Diao Zhan left, everyone started to flatter him again, and it was even more lively than before.

"Haha, thanks to all of you for boosting our morale." Liu Yu was delighted.

Liu Daogui was not so optimistic. He thought that things would not end like this. Diao Zhan had lost face today and would definitely not let it go.

However, when water comes, earth is blocked; when soldiers come, we must fight back. There are many people who dislike the Diao family, and they have many enemies, so they dare not be too unscrupulous.

"Brother, it's getting late today." Liu Daogui reminded him.

If something really happens, none of these people can be relied upon, and the friendship between gamblers is thinner than dew.

This round is won, but there is still the next round.

"That's all for today. Goodbye." Liu Yu bowed and left the gambling house with Liu Daogui...

In a private room on the second floor, three pairs of eyes stared at the brothers' backs as they walked down the long street. "Gambling is also about character. This pair of brothers is quite interesting, but it's a pity they won't be of any use to me." Huan Xuan was extremely skilled in playing the game of Chupu. While in Jiangling, he used Chupu to appreciate calligraphy, paintings, and beautiful gardens and mansions.

All the words and actions just now were tests and attempts to win you over.

Although his attitude was a bit arrogant, his admiration for him was genuine. However, Liu Yu would rather lose everything than bow to him.

For a young man from a wealthy family like him, the more he couldn't get something, the more he wanted it.

Liu Jingxuan said, "If we offend the Diao family, I'm afraid there will be trouble in the future."

"Since he is so stubborn, we might as well teach him a lesson. Then he will wag his tail and beg for mercy." Huan Xuan turned around, picked up a thin arrow, threw it casually, and it hit the pot.

Liu Jingxuan frowned and felt unhappy. Only dogs would wag their tails and beg for mercy. Huan Xuan's attitude towards Liu Yu and his brothers was actually the same as his attitude towards him.

Liu Jingxuan and his son were not from aristocratic families. After their former backer Xie Xuan fell, they needed to find a new backer. Allowing him to participate in such a gathering was already a great honor.

"Haha, the Duke of Nanjun has great tricks." The scholar in the private room clapped his hands in praise.

"It's just a trivial trick. Please forgive me for laughing at you, my brother." Huan Xuan came to Jingkou not only to win over Liu Laozhi and his son, but also other nobles.

At the beginning of the emperor's reign, he was addicted to wine and women, and lived a life of drunkenness and dreams all day long. Sima Daozi, Wang Guobao, and Wang Xu abused their power, officials were promoted by bribery, politics and laws were chaotic, and the government was getting worse and worse. Several of them also worshipped Buddhism and spent hundreds of millions to build Buddhist temples and manors. The people were miserable and complained bitterly.

Even Jue Qianqiu, a disciple of Sima Daozi and a former thief-catching official, was able to sell official positions and titles, amassed billions of wealth, and became a wealthy man in Jiankang.

There is no wall that is impenetrable, and the evil deeds of Sima Daozi and his gang eventually reached the emperor's ears.

He then supported high-ranking nobles such as Wang Gong, Wang Xun, Yin Zhongkan, and Xi Hui to fight against Sima Daozi's party.

The court fell into a new round of internal strife.

Wang Gong was born into the Wang family of Taiyuan. He always looked down on his brothers Wang Guobao and Wang Xu. He disregarded the Wang family's reputation and flattered Sima Daozi.

Wang Xun was born into the Wang family of Langya. He was the grandson of Prime Minister Wang Dao and the son of General Wang Qia. He was also an old friend of Huan Wen. He and Xi Chao were both known as geniuses of the time, and both had assisted Huan Wen.

The scholar in his thirties standing in front of Huan Xuan was none other than Wang Xun's cousin Wang Mi, the son of General Wang Shao.

Huan Xuan's main purpose of this trip was to actively get close to the Wang family of Langya.

For Wang Gong and his party, the Huan family still has great value. They control 30,000 Jingzhou Western Palace troops, who are also elite troops who have fought for many years.

"The Duke of Nanjun has come to Jingkou with good intentions."

The Wang family of Langya and the Huan family have always been close, and Wang Mi and Huan Xuan also have a good relationship.

"The Huan family is loyal and has made great contributions to the country. Xuankong wanted to serve his country, but he was never able to do so. He had great talent but wasted his time. Whenever I think about it, I feel ashamed." Huan Xuan boasted seriously.

Although he inherited Huan Wen's title of Duke of Nanjun, he is already twenty-one years old this year and still holds no official position.

The Huan family and Sima Daozi were at odds. Wang Guobao's brother Wang Chen was the governor of Jingzhou. His biggest goal was to suppress the Huan family. He was determined to make things difficult for the Huan family and almost suffocated them.

Therefore, Huan Xuan naturally wanted to improve his relationship with the faction of Wang Gong, Wang Xun, and Yin Zhongkan.

Wang Mi is the best stepping stone.

Wang Mi and Liu Jingxuan looked at each other strangely.

However, Huan Xuan was not just bragging. He was well-versed in various arts and was also good at writing. He was extremely intelligent since childhood and was very much loved by Huan Wen. Even though his mother was a dancer, he inherited Huan Wen's title as a concubine's son.

"Since I have the heart to serve my country, I will report it to Your Majesty. The Duke of Nanjun does not need to worry too much." Wang Mi was the Secretary and a close minister of the emperor. Behind him was Wang Xun, who served as the Palace Attendant and the General of the Auxiliary State, and he was deeply trusted by the emperor.

"Thank you, Brother Wang!" Huan Xuan was overjoyed. He finally found the right person this time in Jingkou and gained a huge reward.

But Wang Mi was a little absent-minded, often looking out the window, as if thinking about something...

(End of this chapter)