Chapter Five: A Father's Love (Part Two) — Seeking Recommendations

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Dou Fengjie wanted to follow, but Dou Gui stopped him, telling him to stay home and study. Seeing the wronged look on Dou Fengjie’s face, Zheng Yanqing decided he must have a serious talk with Dou Gui. He smiled gently at Dou Fengjie and said softly, “Fengjie, stay home and read today. Tomorrow, come to the hospital to see me. Both Xiaoyi and Siyang have grown quite a bit.”

“Yes, yes!” Dou Fengjie nodded repeatedly.

Yanqing and Dou Gui left the residence and headed toward Dou Wei’s quarters.

“Uncle, don’t you think you’re being too harsh on Fengjie?” Zheng Yanqing suddenly asked, making Dou Gui pause and turn to look at him. “Banyuanjun, what do you mean by that?”

“Do you know that Fengjie misses you greatly and depends on you so much?”

“Of course I know that. A true man shouldn’t be timid all day long; it’s not proper. He relies on me too much, which has shaped his current disposition. But he’s gotten better these past two years—at least he can express himself clearly now.”

Dou Gui’s tone was filled with frustration over his son’s perceived shortcomings, which bothered Yanqing.

“Uncle, Fengjie is still young and has grown up without you by his side. What exactly is he relying on you for? He just wants to be with you and receive some care from you. Forgive my rudeness, but I think you have been too harsh on him. How much time have you truly spent alone with your son as he’s grown? He wishes his father would personally teach him martial arts, guide him step by step in learning to read...

But none of that has ever happened.

I don’t know how you interact with him, but it’s clear to me that he wants you yet fears you. Do you know that back at the academy, he didn’t have a single friend? When bullied, he only thought about not causing trouble for others. Fengjie is a clever boy, but before you, he lives a life full of grievance.”

Dou Gui was stunned, his face twitching violently as he stared at Zheng Yanqing.

Yanqing continued, “Uncle, do you know what Fengjie told me when I arrived just now? He said he wanted to go to Ziyang with you, but you refused. Do you know what expression he wore then? It was disappointment, loss... Uncle, as an official serving the court with utmost dedication, you are right to be loyal to the state, but you shouldn’t treat Fengjie this way.

I’ve heard it said: ‘Those who wish to enlighten the world through their virtue must first govern their own state; those who wish to govern their state must first regulate their family...’ If your own family is not at peace, how can you claim the right to govern the country? If you don’t care for your own son, how can you expect others to believe you care for the people of the realm?”

Each word struck straight to the heart, causing Dou Gui’s face to flush red and pale in turn.

He wanted to rebuke Zheng Yanqing, but seeing Yanqing’s solemn expression, his flowing white robes, and the air of authority he carried, Dou Gui found himself at a loss for words.

“I...”

Just as Dou Gui was about to speak, a figure emerged from behind the rockery. Clapping his hands softly, smiling, his white eyebrows twitching, was Dou Wei.

“Banyuanjun, you have not written a word in three years, yet your words are sharper than ever. This proves you have not neglected your studies all these years!”

“Uncle!”

“Lord Dou...”

Zheng Yanqing and Dou Gui quickly bowed to greet him.

Dou Wei had been reading in his study when his old servant informed him of Zheng Yanqing’s arrival. He was surprised—this boy rarely left the bamboo garden in the past three years, let alone come to the Dou residence. What could bring him here all of a sudden?

If Dou Gui could figure it out, then Dou Wei certainly could...

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Soon, Dou Wei guessed the situation: this boy must have come to see him for a reason.

Having received instructions from Li Ji and secret reminders from Li Yuan, Dou Wei was very attentive to matters involving Zheng Yanqing. Worried that Dou Gui might detain him, he headed toward Dou Gui’s quarters. Halfway there, he saw Yanqing and Dou Gui talking by the roadside. Dou Wei hid behind the rockery, listening for a while, moved by Yanqing’s words.

At the same time, he felt glad that Dou Fengjie had such a friend.

When Yanqing finished speaking, Dou Wei could no longer hold back. On one hand, Yanqing’s words were correct; on the other, he feared Dou Gui might fly into a rage. Thus, he stepped out, showing support for Yanqing’s words.

“Qianyan, do you know why your father named you ‘Thousand Eyes’?”

“Ah, I beg your pardon, I do not know.”

“Indra was born with a thousand eyes, watching over all beings, sensing the joys and sorrows of the world. Your father knew your straightforward nature, so he gave you this name, hoping you would be more perceptive of your surroundings, more attuned to the feelings of the world.

What your friend Yanqing said is right—you don’t even know what’s in your own son’s heart; how can you claim to understand the world’s affairs?

The ancients said: ‘Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.’

This family is not just our clan, but everyone around you. Fengjie’s timid nature is indeed apparent, but have you ever wondered why he is the way he is? Whenever I see you scolding the boy, trying to counsel him but unsure how, I feel for both of you. Since your friend has started this conversation, I shall not hold back either.

Think carefully when you return home. If you cannot grasp what ‘regulating the family’ truly means, I think you should not serve as an official in Ziyang... Reflect well, lest your own ideas wound the feelings your son holds for you.”

Dou Gui hung his head, ashamed.

Dou Wei walked over, patted Dou Gui’s shoulder, then turned to Zheng Yanqing and said, “Young friend, are you here to see me?”

Zheng Yanqing’s expression tightened, somewhat embarrassed, but he nodded.

“Good, let’s discuss this as we walk.”

Dou Wei led Zheng Yanqing away, leaving Dou Gui standing there, stunned for a long while. Returning to his quarters, Dou Gui instinctively went to Fengjie’s room.

By candlelight, Fengjie sat holding a book, dazed and lost in thought.

His youthful face seemed shrouded in a faint sorrow, piercing Dou Gui’s heart.

Could it be that everything I’ve done before was wrong?

Father and son—one lost in thought inside, the other dazed outside—the bright moonlight poured over the deep courtyard...

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Zheng Yanqing explained his purpose; Dou Wei frowned slightly.

“Envoys from the Wa Slave Kingdom?”

Dou Wei murmured to himself. These Wa people had been recorded in Han dynasty texts. Around the beginning of the Common Era, an island nation from the eastern seas, admiring the grandeur of Han civilization, came to pay tribute to the Han court. Emperor Guangwu of Han granted them the title ‘Slave Kingdom,’ thus named Wa Slave Kingdom.

Since then, exchanges between Wa Slave Kingdom and China never ceased.

They continuously absorbed Han culture and gradually grew stronger...

Dou Wei whispered, “I haven’t gone out today, so I’m not clear on the details of this matter. Since the Wa Slave Kingdom wishes to engage through our Great Sui laws, this envoy must have some insight. This involves disputes between two nations; if it bypasses imperial law, your friend’s situation will be quite grim... Yanqing, this is not an easy matter.”

Zheng Yanqing lowered his head and suddenly said, “Is it that ‘benevolent virtue’ again?”

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“What do you mean by that?”

Yanqing suddenly raised his head. “Why is it that our dynasty always shows leniency to outsiders but is harsh at home? In the past, there was a general who roamed the northern borders, driving the Xiongnu into a humiliating retreat. Yet, that damned ‘benevolence’ forced me to hand over the hard-won Shuofang region to the Xiongnu to recuperate. Once rested, they attacked again.

They killed my compatriots, slaughtered my villages, and abducted my people...

We won battles, but still had to preach ‘benevolence.’ The enemy could write a surrender letter and be rewarded handsomely. The defeated received even greater benefits, causing us to suffer repeated oppression from foreign tribes.

Lord Dou, I do not understand—can such ‘benevolence’ really civilize beasts? I’ve heard a story of a farmer who found a frozen snake on the road and took it in out of ‘benevolence.’ When the snake revived, it bit the farmer, causing his death... Is that benevolence, or foolishness?”

Yanqing spoke through gritted teeth.

Logically, his previous life’s official experience should not have made him so extreme in his views. Yet, regarding Wa, he remained unable to let go. Coming to this era, he had read the Han histories and the Three Kingdoms. The most tragic times of the Han were not long past. Without firsthand experience, it was hard to feel such deep hatred.

Zheng Yanqing went all out, glaring at Dou Wei and shouting in a low voice.

No one else would dare speak so boldly, but Dou Wei was different. The blood of the great Han race flowed through his veins for eight hundred years. Hearing Yanqing’s words, Dou Wei’s expression changed; his white eyebrows trembled lightly, his beard bristled.

“Killing on the sea is indeed wrong.

But does that mean an envoy from the distant Wa Slave Kingdom can ride horses freely on our Great Sui soil? If he injures or kills our people, can ‘benevolence’ excuse him? Yet if our people resist slightly, must heads roll?

Lord Dou, I do not understand. Please enlighten me.”

Dou Wei’s eyes gleamed as he stared at Zheng Yanqing.

He remained silent because he did not know how to refute him.

Closing his eyes, Dou Wei stood by the pond for a long time, then softly said, “The past cannot be pursued... Very well, I will help you this once. I can only summon the complaints from the Palace of Appeals, but no more.”

Zheng Yanqing was overjoyed, bowing deeply. “Your insight is brilliant, my lord!”

“Young friend, your words today have entered my ears from your mouth. Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. Don’t speak like this again in the future; you might be torn to pieces... I am old and no longer have your youthful vigor. I hope that when you achieve success in the future, you will keep such spirit. Then my help today will not have been in vain.”

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I recommend a novel for those who enjoy political dramas: *The Dust of Officialdom.*

The tides of officialdom rise and fall; the path of governance is vast and uncertain, each stage a gamble requiring all-out effort.

Are you ready?

Book number: 1511916

[bookid=1511916, bookname=*The Dust of Officialdom*]