A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 184: Life Story Revealed
On the winter solstice, the wind is cold and the world is filled with a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

On this special day, the ceremonies of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors are solemn and dignified.

Noble ministers of the fifth rank and above enjoyed the privilege of establishing their own family temples, also known as private temples. According to regulations, officials of the first rank were allowed to offer sacrifices at four temples, officials of the third rank at three, and officials of the fifth rank at two, while ordinary people could only offer sacrifices in their own bedrooms.

After the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet, Li Yi received a promotion order. He was appointed Director of Fengyi Palace, a rank of fifth rank.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Garden Supervisor Fan Fang was transferred to Wugong, Qizhou, to serve as the Supervisor of Wugong Palace. Meanwhile, Yuwen Ying, the Eighth-rank Agricultural Supervisor reprimanded by Li Yi, was promoted to Supervisor of Tongyi Palace. The new Supervisor of the Imperial Gardens was Yang Gongdao, son of Sui Guanwang Yang Xiong and nephew of Emperor Wen Yang Jian.

Fengyi Palace, the former residence of the Li family, is located in Gaoling County, north of the Wei River in Chang'an. It was originally the residence of Li Hu, and later the birthplace of Li Yuan. After Li Yuan ascended to the throne, he upgraded this old residence, which held memories of three generations of the Li family, to Fengyi Palace.

The house is situated on Fengzheng Plateau in Gaoling County. The plateau is three miles wide from north to south and thirty miles long from east to west. The terrain is high, reaching a height of four or five feet. The Jing and Wei Rivers meander beneath the plateau. Local legend has it that Fengzheng Plateau resembles a giant python, stretching across the north bank of the Jing and Wei Rivers, hence the name White Python Plateau.

Officially promoted to a fifth-rank official, Li Yi's status and position rose dramatically, placing him among the nobility. A fifth-rank nobility, a third-rank relative of nobility, holding a fifth-rank official position was a truly difficult hurdle to overcome. If it weren't for the scarcity of talent at the founding of the nation, the sixteen-year-old Li Yi's leap from commoner to fifth-rank official in just six months would have seemed almost unbelievable.

Being promoted to the fifth rank not only meant a noble status, but also allowed him to wear crimson official uniforms. More importantly, he was eligible to establish a private temple. He could build two temples, one for the Zhao and one for the Mu. If the founding ancestor was included, there would actually be three temples. However, Li Yi was extremely indifferent to this special treatment. He had no relatives and no one to worship. He was even confused about which Li family in Chang'an he came from, only knowing that his surname was Li.

After sending off the messenger, Li Yi fell silent. Seeing him like this, Du Shiniang assumed he was grieving over his past, so she quickly comforted him, "Ah Lang, I've asked my second brother to research your past, and we've gotten some clues. Initially, I've found several families that fit the bill. One is the Li Mu family, whose son married a woman from the Zhang family of Qinghe. Another is the Li Jing family, whose grandson married a woman from the Zhang family of Fanyang. And then there's our next-door neighbor, Li Jing, whose wife also has the surname Zhang."

Li Yi shook his head gently and said calmly, "It's impossible for Li Jing and his wife to abandon their son. They are deeply in love and would never abandon their son." He gently took Shi Niang's hand and continued, "Don't worry about this anymore. To be honest, I don't want to delve into this matter."

He had the right to establish a family temple, but he didn't know who to worship. During the Winter Solstice, a time to visit graves and remember ancestors, he didn't even know where to go. Her husband acted nonchalant, but Du Shiniang felt he was simply burying his sorrow and helplessness deep within.

That day, Du Shiniang hurried to Anminfang to meet her brother Du Ruhui and his wife. As soon as she saw Du Ruhui, she eagerly asked, "Is there any new progress in my A Lang's life story?"

Du Ruhui looked at his anxious cousin, sighed slightly, called her to the study, and said slowly: "I have actually found out something about this matter."

"Ah, which family is it?" Du Shiniang widened her eyes and asked expectantly.

"Remember I told you last time that there are three most likely ones?" Du Ruhui said slowly.

"Li Xiong, the seventh son of Li Mu, Li Zhi, the grandson of Li Yuantong, and Li Jing? Which family are they from?" Du Shiniang couldn't wait to say the three names.

Li Xiong, the seventh son of Li Mu, held the positions of Grand Tutor and Governor of Bingzhou during the Northern Zhou Dynasty. When Yang Jian established the Sui Dynasty, Yuchi Jiong rebelled. Li Mu's son, Li Rong, wanted to join Yuchi Jiong, but Li Mu firmly supported Yang Jian. He dispatched his son, Li Xiong, to meet Yang Jian and present him with a thirteen-ring gold belt symbolizing nobility. He also escorted Yuchi Jiong's son, the Governor of Shuozhou, to Chang'an. Yang Jian was overjoyed and showered Li Mu and his sons with rewards, especially bestowing upon Li Xiong the title of Duke of Mi.

"Could it be Duke Mi?"

Du Ruhui slowly shook his head and said, "It's not Li Xiong. The Li Mu family was still very prominent until the Daye period. Li Xiong and Zhang had a deep relationship. The couple supported each other through thick and thin, so they naturally wouldn't abandon their child."

"Could it be Li Zhi? Alang said it couldn't be Li Jing and his wife." Du Shiniang's eyes revealed a hint of doubt.

"It is indeed Li Zhi. His grandfather is Li Jing, Duke of Hua, Shangzhuguo, and General of the Right Guard in the Sui Dynasty. He is also the grandfather of the current Prince Yi'an, Li Xiaochang. Li Jing's family is the Tianshui Li family, a branch of the Longxi Li family. Li Jing was born into a family of generals. His father, Li Chao, was the governor of Yingzhou in the Northern Zhou Dynasty." Du Ruhui explained patiently.

When Du Shiniang heard that she had finally discovered her husband's background, her face flushed with excitement. She clenched her hands tightly, and her voice trembled slightly: "Really? I finally found it!"

It was also thanks to Du Ruhui's relationship with the King of Qin that he was able to find out Li Yi's background among the many Li families in Chang'an.

Li Jing, a descendant of a military family, served as a junior officer in Yang Zhong's military administration. He had an affair with his maid, Hei Nu, and fathered Li Yuantong, whom he denied acknowledging. However, thanks to his prowess in horseback riding and archery, he participated in the Northern Zhou's conquest of Qi and the suppression of the Yuchi Jiong Rebellion, earning him a title. During the Sui Dynasty, he participated in the conquests of Chen, Gao Zhihui, the Liaodong campaign, the defeat of the Turks, and the pacification of Yang Liang, the Prince of Han. His military exploits were so remarkable that Yang Guang simply addressed him as "General Li," never by name. However, he passed away in Youzhou last year.

When Luo Yi falsely accused Li Jing of treason, Yang Guang sent his son Li Shimo to offer condolences and said, "Even if some say you covet the throne, I have no doubt about it."

"Li Zhi is the son of Li Shimo and currently serves as the Chief Minister of the Left Guard Yifu in Chang'an."

Li Jing and Li Shimo, father and son, died on their way back to Youzhou the previous year. Li Zhi, in Chang'an, surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and was appointed the Chief of the Left Guards' Yifu, equivalent to the Lieutenant General of the Left Guards' Yifu, a military rank of the fourth rank, one level higher than Li Jing's Yitong.

"Why did they abandon Li Lang back then?" Du Shiniang's face was full of confusion, with a hint of anger in her tone.

Sixteen years earlier, during the second year of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty's Renshou reign, the Turkic Silishijin and his troops crossed Huangjiu and attacked the pro-Sui Qimin Khan. Yang Su, led by Li Jing and other troops, pursued and defeated the Turks in succession. After the battle, Yang Su's outstanding military exploits earned him the title of Pillar of the State, and Yang Xuanzong the title of Duke of Huainan. Li Jing's son, Li Shimo, was also honored as a Pillar of the State, and his grandson, Li Zhi, was appointed a Tongshi Sheren. Li Zhi, Li Jing's grandson, bore much of his grandfather's demeanor: tall and handsome, skilled in horsemanship and archery, and a valiant warrior. In the battle against the Turks, Li Zhi displayed exceptional bravery, slaying numerous enemies with remarkable skill, earning him remarkable recognition. Yang Su, deeply impressed by Li Zhi, offered him his daughter in marriage.

By then, Li Zhi was already engaged to a daughter of the prominent Fanyang Zhang family. But Yang Su, at the time, held the title of Shangshu Zuo Pushe (Minister of the Left), a position of immense power and influence. His younger brother Yang Yue, his uncles Yang Wenji and Yang Wensi, and his cousin Yang Yi were all Shangshu, officials of high rank. Yang Su's sons, through their father's influence, rose to the rank of Pillar of the State and Provincial Governor. The Yang family boasted a vast staff of retainers, including thousands of servants, and a throng of concubines and harems, including thousands of lavishly draped musicians and concubines.

Faced with such overwhelming power, Li Zhi simply couldn't refuse Yang Su's advances. In desperation, he approached Lady Zhang of Fanyang and proposed breaking off the engagement. Knowing Yang Su's immense power, Lady Zhang dared not offend him easily, so she swallowed her anger and returned the engagement. Li Zhi then married Yang Su's concubine's daughter.

However, only six months later, Zhang's daughter came to the Li family holding a baby, crying and saying, "This child is Li Zhi's!" It turned out that after the two got engaged, although they had not held a wedding yet, Li Zhi and Zhang had already become husband and wife.

However, when faced with the child brought by Zhang, Li Zhi, like his grandfather Li Jing, was heartless and refused to acknowledge the child as his. Li Zhi's wife, Yang, was even more narrow-minded and could not tolerate the child.

Wuyi was abandoned in front of the Xuandu Temple in Chang'an, and was picked up by Li Laodao, a Taoist priest from Wuji Temple who happened to come to Beijing. After several inquiries, Li Laodao learned that the child belonged to the Li family and took the child back to the Li family, but the Li family insisted that they had nothing to do with him and refused to acknowledge him.

After hearing all this, Du Shiniang was stunned and found it difficult to accept such complicated information. She was stunned for a long time before she stammered, "Are you sure?"

"Sure, and Li Zhi has always known that Li Yi is his son." Du Ruhui said affirmatively.

"Since he knew it, why didn't he admit it?" Du Shiniang's face was full of confusion, with a hint of questioning in her tone.

"In fact, the Li family has always known where this child went. They knew that it was the old Taoist priest from Wuji Temple in Yusuchuan who took him away. Li Zhi even often sent people to visit him secretly and often donated some money and food to Wuji Temple." Du Ruhui explained patiently.

"Until six years ago, the master and disciple left the Taoist temple and disappeared for six years. But as soon as Li Yi returned, the Li family quickly learned of this matter."

The Li family's current situation is quite complicated. The head of the family, Li Jing, passed away in Youzhou last year, along with his eldest son, Li Shimo. Among his descendants, the eldest grandson, Li Zhi, currently heads the family, but Li Zhi's official position is merely that of a fourth-rank General of the Central Army.

However, the Li Yuantong lineage, previously unrecognized by Li Jing, rose to prominence during the late Sui and early Tang dynasties. Li Xiaochang, originally the magistrate of Huayin County, resolutely offered Yongfeng Granary, one of the Sui Dynasty's great granaries, to Li Yuan's rebel army as they advanced southward, facing a severe shortage of food and fodder. This heroic act relieved Li Yuan of his worries and enabled him to capture Chang'an. Consequently, after Li Yuan established the state, he bestowed upon Li Xiaochang the title of Prince of Yi'an.

Li Xiaochang's father, Li Yuantong, though disdained and disowned by Li Jing, spent years as a slave in the household of Yang Zhong and Yang Jian. However, his ability earned Yang Jian's appreciation and promotion. When Yang Jian established the Sui Dynasty and proclaimed himself emperor, Li Yuantong also rose to prominence, serving as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of the Imperial Court, Minister of the Left, and Minister of Justice, earning him the title of Duke of a County.

Li Yuan lost his father at a young age and was taken home by his aunt Dugu and her husband Yang Jian to be raised. It was at that time that Li Yuan met Li Yuantong, a servant of the Yang family who was much older than him. Li Yuantong took good care of Li Yuan, who was living under someone else's roof.
Later, Li Yuan took the initiative to establish a family relationship with him and called him his uncle.

"So, Prince Yi'an is my son Alang's cousin?" Du Shiniang asked in surprise.

"Well, Li Shimo and Li Yuantong are half-brothers, and Li Xiaochang and Li Zhi are cousins with the same grandfather. Li Zhi and Yang's sons Li Song, etc., and Li Xiaochang's sons Li Yizong, Li Yili, Li Yiyu, etc., they and Li Yi, are all cousins with the same great-grandfather." Du Ruhui patiently sorted out the relationship between them.

"By the way, doesn't Li Yi have a concubine named Ji?" Du Ruhui suddenly remembered something and said.

"Yes, she is the granddaughter of Ji Wei, the Duke of Fenyuan of the previous dynasty, and her nickname is Sujun." Shi Niang replied.

"What a coincidence, Li Xiaochang's sixth son, Li Yiyu, was engaged to Ji Wei's granddaughter in his early years." Du Ruhui said with a smile.

"Ji Jianchi? That girl has been to my house. She is Su Jun's sister." Shi Niang said.

"Isn't this a coincidence? Li Yi and Li Yiyu are brothers, but they are sisters from the Ji family. Now the elder sister is Li Yi's concubine, and the younger sister is Li Yiyu's fiancée." Du Ruhui sighed.

Du Shiniang did not expect such a coincidence, but what she was more concerned about now was how her husband would react when he learned the news. He should be very happy, right?

"What do the Li family think? Where is Alang's mother now? Is she okay?" Du Shiniang asked worriedly.

"It is said that Zhang later left Chang'an and returned to her hometown in Fanyang. It seems that she became a nun. I am not sure about her current situation." Du Ruhui looked at his cousin and said seriously, "I think Li Yi should return to his roots. Back then, Li Zhi abandoned his fiancée and broke off the engagement, attached himself to Yang Su, and married his daughter. It was certainly a big mistake. But now that times have changed and he has found his own family, it is natural for him to return to his roots. After all, he is a descendant of the Tianshui branch of the Li family in Longxi, and has the blood of the Duke of Hua flowing in his body. Returning to his roots will be of great benefit to his future development. Although the Tianshui Li family is not as glorious as before, the family's reputation is still there, not to mention that the King of Yi'an is also from their family. As long as Wuyi is willing, I can act as a matchmaker and let him sit down and have a good talk with the Li family."

"I will listen to Alang on this matter. Whether he admits it or not, I will fully support him." Du Shiniang said firmly.

Du Ruhui could only smile helplessly at this. Knowing Li Yi well, he was afraid that if Li Yi knew his true background, especially the reason why he was abandoned, it would be difficult for him to forgive Li Zhi and the Li family easily.

(End of this chapter)