My Sims of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Two days later.

Xiao Heng sent a visiting card to the Xu family's residence in Tan County to pay his respects.

Yesterday, he spent a whole day learning about the Xu family of Donghai.

It was later learned that this clan was not simple; they belonged to the first echelon of families that migrated south, but for some reason, one branch migrated back.

Many people migrated south, but it was rare to see them migrate back.

At the gate of the mansion, County Magistrate Xu Lin, who had already been informed, was waiting outside and personally welcomed Xiao Heng in with utmost courtesy.

"Your Excellency's presence is an honor to my humble abode. Please come in."

Xu Lin smiled warmly and led Xiao Heng through the courtyard.

As Xiao Heng walked, he looked around the mansion.

With its blue brick paving and ancient trees reaching for the sky, it may lack the exquisite beauty of Suzhou gardens, but it possesses a dignified and profound air reminiscent of northern gentry.

The mottled paint on the pillars under the eaves and the wear and tear on the edges of the stone steps are testaments to the long history of the family in this place.

Compared to their own residence in Jiangnan, this place feels more like the ancestral home of a prominent family.

"You're too kind, Mr. Xu. It's I who have troubled you."

Xiao Heng adopted a very humble attitude.

"The Xiao family of Lanling and the Xu family of Donghai are both from the same clan and should be closer. Now that the Jiangbei region is in chaos, it is a blessing to have met a loyal man like Lord Xu who is committed to his homeland."

This was both a polite remark and a test.

We'll be staying here for a while now, and during that time we'll need the Xu family's support for supplies.

He also came here to find Xu Xianzhi, and he had already found out yesterday that the man was in this place.

Xu Lin sighed without hiding his feelings after hearing Xiao Heng's words.

"The young and promising Governor is a prodigy of the Xiao family. He is a legacy of our ancestors. We, the descendants, can only hope to preserve our family's reputation and live up to its honor. In these chaotic times, it is already difficult to protect our clan. How can we talk about loyalty? I am ashamed to accept such a title."

Xiao Heng was also taken aback. The county magistrate's words, filled with the helplessness of being reluctant to leave his homeland, seemed to conceal the hidden reasons for the northward migration.

The two entered the living room, took their seats as host and guest, and were served tea by a waiter.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Heng put down his teacup and got straight to the point.

"Master Xu, to be honest, I have no intention of heading south. I intend to act according to circumstances in the East China Sea. The army needs the strong support of local sages. The Xu family is a leading family in the East China Sea, so I came here specifically to seek your advice. I hope you will not hesitate to give me your guidance."

Xu Lin stroked his beard and pondered, without answering immediately.

He understood what Xiao Heng meant: he wasn't leaving and needed the support of the Xu family.

Xiao Heng leaned forward slightly, sensing that the old man was a bit difficult to deal with. He knew the thoughts of these local powerful families; they wouldn't act without a reason.

The Northern Army had a clear rule that if the army's operations received substantial support from local gentry in terms of provisions, manpower, and intelligence, the commander-in-chief must truthfully report to the imperial court. Depending on the size of the merit, the court would reward the general handsomely, whether it was with official positions, titles, or rewards.

With this in mind, Xiao Heng decided to give it another try, as supplies were still a major problem.

But he wasn't a high-ranking official, and if Xu didn't receive the appropriate reward and the matter escalated to the imperial court, things would get complicated.

At this moment, Xu Lin spoke first.

"Supervisor Cao's ambition is commendable, and I admire it. But does Supervisor Cao know why my Xu family has remained here instead of migrating south as a whole?"

Xiao Heng was somewhat confused after hearing this, and quickly took over the conversation.

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask you."

"The Supervisor may not know, but my cousin (Xu Ning) was appreciated by Huan Maolun (Huan Wen's father) and promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, eventually becoming the Governor of Jiangzhou. Unfortunately, he died before taking office. After Huan Wen's passing, my Xu family lost its support in the court. Later, when Grand Marshal Huan committed acts of disloyalty, it was precisely because of his deep connection with Huan Wen that my Xu family members were no longer favored in the court!"

Xiao Heng suddenly understood. This Xu family had actually produced a prefect, which was far superior to the Xiao family.

However, Xiao Heng was somewhat skeptical because Huan Shi was being ostracized; he felt this was clearly just an excuse.

"I cannot agree with what my uncle has said. Our ancestor was renowned from a young age, possessing both wisdom and extensive knowledge. The incompetence of his descendants is truly our fault, not the fault of the Huan family!"

A clear voice came from the side door.

The curtains fluttered slightly, and a young man in a blue robe entered the hall. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a still somewhat childish face, but his eyes were clear and calm.

Xu Lin frowned, and upon seeing that the person who came was Xu Xianzhi, he hurriedly reprimanded him.

"Xianzhi! You mustn't be rude to the Supervisor! Get out of here!"

He then turned to Xiao Heng, his face quickly adopting a helpless smile.

"Don't be offended, Supervisor. The younger generation in the family has been neglected in their upbringing. This second son is used to being spoiled and has a rather straightforward personality."

Xiao Heng didn't hear a single word Xu Lin said after that.

Looking at the boy in front of him, he was overjoyed.

This guy is Xu Xianzhi!

The cornerstone of the Liu Song dynasty, and the future regent!

No wonder he dared to depose the emperor and even mastermind the murder of the monarch; it's quite remarkable that someone his age dares to talk back to his elders.

Xu Xianzhi ignored Xu Lin's reprimand and instead bowed to Xu Lin and Xiao Heng. Then he raised his head and looked directly at his great-uncle.

"Grand Uncle, staying in our homeland to preserve the family's reputation and honor is not the only option."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Xianzhi gave Xiao Heng a strange look, as if he were blaming him.

"But last night, while organizing the clan's records, I saw the list of collateral branches who died in the bandit turmoil last year. This morning, I saw people outside the city fleeing in panic as the army passed through, abandoning their fields and houses... Suddenly, I understood. In this chaotic world, whether it's bandits or royal troops, wherever their armies advance, homes are destroyed. Human lives are more important than ancestral homes, and survival is more real than the empty title of martyrdom. If the ancestral temples and offerings cease, who in future generations will remember the honor we uphold today?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng was suddenly jolted. Half of what he said was blaming him for bringing the troops to this place, but it didn't seem like that.

Xu Lin was also stunned by these words. He opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment.

He instinctively glanced at Xiao Heng beside him, his face full of fear and apology.

She suddenly stood up and was about to bow deeply to Xiao Heng.

"Please forgive me, Your Excellency! My junior family member spoke recklessly out of ignorance and offended you. I will certainly..."

Before he could finish speaking, a steady hand supported his arm.

"Master Xu, there's no need for that. Your nephew's insight is already far beyond that of his peers."

He slowly stood up, walked over to Xu Xianzhi, his face showing no anger, but rather a condescending seriousness.

"Truly a promising young man. In your opinion, with the Di and Qin armies of a million men pressing in, will our Great Jin perish?"

The question was so direct and so terrifying that Xu Lin was so frightened that he almost collapsed.

Xu Xianzhi was also shocked, and the color drained from his face instantly. This question had never crossed his mind before.

Who has ever dared to so openly ask the question of national subjugation?

After a moment of silence, Xu Xianzhi's lips moved slightly. He wanted to say, "What are these barbarians worth mentioning?" and "The royal army will surely be victorious!"

But looking into Xiao Heng's eyes, he couldn't utter a single word of those impassioned and grandiloquent words.

"If we win, what you say today will be nothing but the anxieties of youth; if we lose..."

Xiao Heng didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was more terrifying than any description.

He shifted his gaze from Xu Xianzhi to the terrified Xu Lin.

"Before even reaching adulthood, he is able to transcend the selfish interests of his own family and clan, considering the very foundation of his family's survival; he is not swayed by empty titles of loyalty and honor, but directly addresses the realities of survival in chaotic times. Such insight, given time, will surely make him a pillar of the nation! Whether the Great Jin Dynasty will perish, Xie Gong of Jiankang will also ponder this, as will the generals of the Northern Army, and now we have added Xu Xianzhi of the East Sea!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lin finally felt relieved.

He could tell that Xiao Heng's words were not just polite formalities, but rather a heartfelt expression of appreciation.

Xu Xianzhi also suddenly raised his head, his gaze towards Xiao Heng becoming even more complicated.

He never expected the person in front of him to speak so highly of him. He had originally intended to use the chaotic troops to persuade the head of the family to move south, but now he had made a fool of himself.

After pondering for a long time without finding a good solution, he could only bow deeply to Xiao Heng.

"Thank you for the reminder, Supervisor. I was the one who was rude!"

After saying that, he turned to leave, but Xu Lin called him back and made him kneel in the ancestral hall.

Xiao Heng picked up his teacup and watched Xu Xianzhi leave. He was quite satisfied with the current situation.

We have to get this kid under our control, but we need to get past Xu Lin first.

"Master Xu, this young man possesses exceptional insight and can be described as precocious. However, a tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. The current predicament of the Xu family lies in its weakness. Such a rough gem needs a sufficiently strong foundation to be carved into a fine piece and prevent it from withering halfway. Do you agree, Master Xu?"

Xu Lin immediately understood the implication in Xiao Heng's words.

"Supervisor Cao's words of wisdom are invaluable; I have learned a great deal!"

"..."