Chapter 18: The Veteran of Yesteryears

On the bustling streets of Tianjin Bridge in Luoyang, there existed a unique group known as the military households.

Years ago, Zheng Dash’s father, Zheng Wei, raised an army with a single call, summoning tens of thousands. Among them were not only members of the Zheng clan, but also countless common folk who depended on the Zheng family for their livelihood. At that time, the Zhengs were at the height of their power, owning thousands of acres of fertile land in Luoyang. Tens of thousands survived by the grace of the Zhengs; upon hearing of Zheng Wei’s uprising, the young men of Tianjin Bridge rose almost to a man.

Eight hundred strong youths marched to Xingyang, pledging their allegiance, and became Zheng Wei’s personal guards, known as the Tiger Army, sweeping through the lands of Hebei.

Later, when Zheng Wei achieved fame and glory, the Tiger Army had suffered heavy casualties. Indeed, the saying goes: “A general’s success is built on the bones of thousands.” Upon his triumphant return, Zheng Wei granted Tianjin Bridge to the surviving Tiger Army soldiers, declaring: “As long as Anyuan Hall stands, the people of Tianjin Bridge need never worry about their livelihoods.” It was a gesture of gratitude, but more than that, a measure to win hearts.

A generation passed, and the Zheng family began to decline.

Most of the surviving Tiger Army soldiers had since passed, but a few old veterans still lived on the streets of Tianjin Bridge.

They cared not for wealth or honor, desiring only peace in their twilight years. For them, Tianjin Bridge was home.

This, however, Madam Cui did not understand, nor did Cui Daolin. To them, Tianjin Bridge was merely a gathering of impoverished souls dependent on the Zhengs. Had Cui Daolin been more discreet upon arriving in Luoyang, Zheng Shian might have brought it up. Yet Cui Daolin was too brash, and Zheng Shian, in his anger, overlooked it.

Later, when he remembered and wished to inform Cui Daolin, Zheng Yanqing intervened.

“Grandfather, you mustn’t get involved. Even if you went to explain now, Cui Daolin might not listen. It’s better to do things this way…”

Yanqing whispered in Zheng Shian’s ear, and the elder nodded repeatedly.

He did not return to Luoyang, but wrote a letter to be delivered to Cui Daolin. The message was simple: “Do not tamper with Tianjin Bridge. If you do, disaster will follow.”

Yanqing said, “Cui Daolin is likely feeling triumphant now. The more you warn him, the less he’ll heed your words. He may not even read the letter, perhaps tear it up in frustration. You will have fulfilled your duty… If the eldest son blames you, you can explain yourself. But as for Cui Daolin, he may suffer some hardship.”

Yanqing never expected Zheng Shian could use this matter to return to the old residence in Luoyang, for he had already realized Zheng Renji seldom managed family affairs, leaving most to Madam Cui.

As long as Madam Cui held power, Cui Daolin would not lose his position. To her, the Zheng family were strangers, and after years away, she trusted only the kin she brought with her. Still, this incident could be used to suppress Cui Daolin, at least casting doubt on his abilities in Zheng Renji’s mind. In noble families, the steward’s role was crucial—while the great men held lofty airs or attended to state matters, the daily minutiae fell to the steward. Anyuan Hall could stand tall among the aristocratic clans of Heluo thanks not only to ancestral blessings, but also Zheng Shian’s diligent management.

Thus, as long as Zheng Renji harbored even a shred of dissatisfaction with Cui Daolin, Zheng Shian still had a chance to rise.

Zheng Shian naturally did not object to Yanqing’s plan.

He was a shrewd man, and once he saw the logic, he ceased to care. Yanqing’s creation of the Goose Ode style of poetry had already made Zheng Shian take him seriously.

Zheng Shian knew the clever grandson he had brought home was no ordinary talent. So even if he found it odd, he paid heed to Yanqing’s opinions. It was he who secretly notified when Zheng Renji’s carriage arrived in Luoyang.

To say it, Zheng Renji had fared well these past two years.

From an ordinary official, he had risen to the post of Luozhou’s Assistant Director of Taxation—a leap akin to going from a minor civil servant to a bureau-level leader in modern times, accomplished in just a few years.

Thus, choosing sides was crucial.

When the crown prince’s succession was contested, Anyuan Hall abandoned the hidden prince Yang Yong, supporting Yang Guang instead and reaping rich rewards.

Now, the position of crown prince was unassailable for Yang Guang. Zheng Renji naturally basked in his success. Especially since Yang Guang bore little goodwill toward the aristocrats of Guanlong, being ever wary. This led Yang Guang to favor the eastern gentry, particularly those noble families he recruited in Jiangdu.

For example, the Zhangs of Wu County.

Zheng Renji’s appointment as Assistant Director of Taxation in Luozhou was a result of Yang Su’s recommendation to Yang Guang.

The office of Assistant Director, established since the Eastern Han, was then attached mainly to the Grand Commandant and Chancellor’s household. Since the founding of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Wen suppressed the powers of the Chancellor, and the office was divided among various prefectures.

The Eastern Assistant Director managed warehouse affairs.

Heluo was a hub for grain and finance, and Zheng Renji’s post was akin to the modern director of a finance bureau, overseeing taxation and warehouse management—a position not to be underestimated. As Heluo flourished, the central plains depended ever more upon it. If Zheng Renji performed well in this role, he might one day govern an entire prefecture.

Thus, Zheng Renji valued this post highly.

However, he was displeased that Zheng Dash had sent Zheng Shian.

Zheng Shian was but a household servant, crippled in body—what was he worth?

Zheng Renji was the archetypal scholar, harboring a strong aversion to the disabled. When his rank was low, and since Zheng Dash valued Zheng Shian, he said nothing. Now, as a success, he had his own opinions, which made him all the more resentful of Zheng Dash’s arrangement and of Zheng Shian.

But he could not defy Zheng Dash, so he discussed it with his wife and decided to have Cui Daolin handle matters, sending Zheng Shian to the family estate. Since he could not refuse, he would accept, but only if Zheng Shian obeyed his directive. If he refused to go, he could return, and Zheng Renji would have an explanation.

If Zheng Shian agreed, so much the better.

They would not need to meet, sparing his eyes the annoyance.

With this in mind, Zheng Renji arrived outside Luoyang with his family.

From Chang'an to Luoyang, the journey followed the Gu River. From afar, he saw a dense crowd blocking the road. At the front stood a dozen elderly men with white hair, clad in tattered leather armor, hair loose over their shoulders, arms bared.

Zheng Renji was puzzled.

“I told them—no fanfare, no welcoming party, we’d enter the city quietly… Why has Cui Daolin arranged such a spectacle?”

Beside him was a young scholar.

Dressed in white robes with a cloak, pale-faced and bearded, he carried an innate air of nobility. His every gesture exuded grace.

He frowned, speaking softly, “Brother Zheng, these people do not seem to be here to welcome us.”

Before he finished, the white-haired elders strode forward, exuding a fierce aura. Such presence could only be forged in blood and battle.

Were they robbers?

Zheng Renji furrowed his brow, signaling his guards to step forward.

“May I ask, are you the son of the Grand Commander?” asked one elder before the guard could speak, loudly.

“We are the Tiger Guards who once served under the Grand Commander.”

“Oh!” Zheng Renji was startled.

“Brother Zheng, what are Tiger Guards?”

“They were my grandfather’s trusted guards, known as the Tiger Guards.”

Zheng Renji hurriedly dismissed his guards and stepped forward.

“Honored veterans, what brings you here?”

“Grand Commander,” the elders addressed him, “we heard you would arrive today. We have but one question: Does the Grand Commander’s promise still stand?”

The Grand Commander was their name for Zheng Wei, who was titled Lord of Xiangcheng, with three thousand households under his domain. Yet he preferred to be called Grand Commander, in memory of his early campaigns.

Zheng Renji hesitated. “Honored veterans, my ancestor’s words shall not be broken.”

“Good, then we ask, why do you forcefully shut down Tianjin Bridge’s marketplace and drive us to the estates? We were born and raised here, skilled only in blacksmithing.”

“You wish us to farm? Grand Commander, we do not mean to flaunt our age, but we ask for an explanation. If the Grand Commander’s word no longer holds, we’ll leave Tianjin Bridge without protest. We are not troublemakers—just say the word, and we’ll go.”

Zheng Renji sensed trouble.

He still did not understand what had happened. Tianjin Bridge’s closure was managed by Madam Cui; Zheng Renji knew only that she was reorganizing the family’s holdings but not the details. From what he heard, were they trying to drive out these veterans?

Reputation was everything to noble sons.

If Zheng Renji failed to respond today, he could not hope to establish himself in Luoyang. Likely, the city’s aristocrats were watching and waiting to mock him.

He took a deep breath. “Honored veterans, the wind is harsh here—at your age… Let us talk at the old residence.”

He meant well, but the veterans grew agitated.

“Your kindness is too much for us to accept. When we last visited the residence, the steward sent officials to drive us away. The threshold is too high for us commoners. Grand Commander, we will not go there again. Just give us a straightforward answer—does the Grand Commander’s promise still stand? If so, we return; if not, we disperse.”

Though dependent on the Zheng family, they had rendered great services.

Zheng Renji grew furious. “How has Zheng Shian handled things? Find him at once!”

“Grand Commander, this is not the steward’s fault. He is at the estate, keeping the old staff there. Otherwise, all twenty-eight surviving Tiger Guards would be here to question you.”

“Zheng Shian is not in Luoyang?”

Zheng Renji remembered now—he had ordered Cui Daolin to take over, sending Zheng Shian to the estate.

How could Cui Daolin handle things so poorly?

Zheng Renji composed himself. “Honored veterans, my ancestor’s promise still holds… Please return to Tianjin Bridge and live in peace. Each year, our tokens of gratitude will be sent to you as before. Though I am unworthy, I dare not break my ancestor’s word.”

The veterans exchanged glances.

“Grand Commander, we’ve heard… Luoyang is not like other places. We’re glad you have taken office here. You need not trouble with tokens; you have many expenses ahead. As long as we have a place to live, that is enough.”

“Yes, Grand Commander, a place to live is enough.”

“Grand Commander, though old, we can still wield a hammer and take care of ourselves. We came today for your word. Since you’ve spoken, we’ll disperse… Everyone, disperse.”

With a call, the dense crowd melted away.

Zheng Renji let out a long sigh and turned to the scholar at his side. “Forgive me, Brother Yan.”

“Not at all. The Zhengs have stood for centuries—truly remarkable. With such loyal men, how could Anyuan Hall fall… Brother Zheng, your decisiveness is admirable.”

“Shameful, shameful!” Zheng Renji flushed and laughed awkwardly. Yet inside, he seethed: Cui Daolin really was clueless.

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Well, tomorrow marks the start of a new week. The author is preparing to climb the rankings. After midnight, I hope readers will support with clicks and recommendations… There will be another update after twelve.