fake gentry

It takes two days to travel from Chaisang to Nanchang by horse along the post road.

But the fastest route is by water.

You can board a boat in Chaisang and sail downstream to Nanchang in less than a day.

This is also the preferred option for travel between the two places at present.

This waterway was a core military and political transportation route within Jiangzhou, and both Wang Dun and Tao Kan frequently used it to mobilize troops.

Holding Xie Shang's letter, Dong Xuan rushed from Xunyang to Nanchang City and went straight to the gate of the prefect's mansion.

"Please announce my arrival. I am the magistrate of Chaisang County, here to deliver a message for Young Master Renzu."

Hearing that Xie Shang had sent someone to deliver a message, the guards didn't dare to make things difficult and immediately informed him. Dong Xuan soon met Xie Kun.

Although Xie Kun was easygoing, he disliked seeing people in a disheveled state. Dong Xuan barging in, covered in sweat, was completely impolite, especially since his robes were stained with mud.

"Go and wash up first, then come see me."

At this moment, Dong Xuan disregarded everything else and immediately recounted the events, then took out Xie Shang's letter.

Xie Kun felt dizzy after hearing this and almost couldn't stand up.

The Xie family of Chenjun was not large, and its current status and reputation were entirely due to his hard work and steady approach.

He sought fame as a scholar and philosopher, while his younger brother, Xie Pou, served as an official to maintain his network of connections.

Among the next generation of the Xie family, only his son Xie Shang is the most outstanding, and he will surely bring the Xie family to even greater heights in the future.

Now that Xie Hong is even above Xie Shang, Xie Kun is even more excited and relieved, feeling that even the heavens are taking pity on the Xie family.

But Wang Dun actually wanted to cut off Xie's arm?

No, this is going to cost the Xie family half their lives.

Wang Ahei, I will not let you get away with this!

After Xie Kun understood the whole story, he was also filled with bitterness, but on the surface he did not panic like Dong Xuan. He sat there quietly, tapping his fingers lightly on the low table. After a while, he raised his head, asked the servant to fetch pen and ink, and said to Dong Xuan, "County Magistrate Dong, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest in the mansion first."

After saying this, he instructed the old servant to take Dong Xuan away.

As soon as Dong Xuan left, he jumped up, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Wang Ahei, if you dare to touch anyone from my Xie family, I will make sure you are utterly disgraced!"

He wrote a few letters and sent them away, then left the prefectural governor's residence and headed straight for the governor's residence.

Nanchang City was not only the seat of Yuzhang Commandery, but also the seat of Jiangzhou, with the governor's office and the prefect's office located there.

Jiangzhou was the second most important town in the Eastern Jin Dynasty after Yangzhou, and even more important than Jingzhou. It was Wang Dun's rear base, so the governor had to be one of his own.

The current governor of Jiangzhou is Wang Bin, the father of Wang Biao.

Wang Bin and Wang Huzhi's father, Wang Yi, were brothers. However, Wang Yi was devoted to Wang Dun, while Wang Bin was known for his upright character, loyalty, and integrity.

When Wang Dun rebelled at the beginning of the year, he directly pointed at Wang Dun's nose and cursed him, which angered Wang Dun so much that he wanted to kill him. He mocked Wang Dun, "You harmed your brother in the past, and now you want to kill your brother?"

This made Wang Dun hesitate to kill him, and he even promoted him from Prefect of Yuzhang to Governor of Jiangzhou.

Wang Bin, such an upright man, still sent ships to help Wang Dun's son escape after Wang Dun's defeat. This proves from another perspective that in the hearts of the gentry at that time, family lineage was far more important than the imperial court. The Sima family was completely finished.

As a result, Wang Dun's adopted son, Wang Ying, fled to Jingzhou because Wang Bin opposed Wang Dun and feared that Wang Bin would arrest him. There, Wang Shu, the governor of Jingzhou, ordered his men to sink the ship containing Wang Ying and his biological father, Wang Han.

Wang Shu and Wang Bin were both cousins ​​of Wang Dun. Wang Shu was ruthless in killing his brothers and nephews, but in history he was also a good official.

When Dong Xuan met Xie Kun, Xie Hong had already arrived in Wuchang.

Although the journey from Chaisang to Wuchang is upstream, it is still faster than the journey to Nanchang.

Wuchang City is located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River, opposite Xiakou, backed by mountains and facing the river, with high and thick city walls.

Wang Dun's general's headquarters was located in the Wu King's Palace in the center of the city.

This is the old palace of Sun Wu, where Sun Quan declared himself king.

Now Wang Dun is stationed here, serving as prime minister and commander-in-chief of all military affairs, both domestic and foreign, wielding immense power.

He was able to set up his shogunate in this old palace, and he openly rode in a golden carriage when he came and went, with bells and chimes hanging in the palace. This was no longer the kind of pomp and circumstance a subject should have.

Xie Hong was not imprisoned. Shen Chong even prepared a trolley for him, but Xie Hong insisted on riding a horse, which surprised Shen Chong.

The gentry of that time disliked riding horses and despised those who rode them.

Because riding in an oxcart makes one appear relaxed and at ease, while riding a horse makes one rush and stumble.

What the gentry wanted was a certain demeanor.

Horse riding isn't particularly difficult; Xie Hong had specifically learned to ride before his transmigration and could even gallop at full speed.

The warhorses under Shen Chong's command were all trained and naturally wouldn't kick up. Xie Hong felt much more comfortable riding on horseback than riding in an oxcart.

Those oxcarts have no shock absorbers; anyone who's ridden one knows.

He rode a tall horse, his sleeves fluttering as he followed Shen Chong into Wuchang City, immediately attracting the attention of countless people, especially many women and young ladies, whose eyes lit up and who lingered there for a long time.

Shen Chong couldn't help but turn around and laugh, "If Wei Shubao were alive, Xie Lang traveling with him would be a perfect match."

Being handsome really does have its advantages. Xie Hong showed no humility whatsoever, saying indifferently, "So what if I'm as handsome as Pan An? I'd much rather you all praise me as being as good as Song Yu."

Shen Chong's expression froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter: "Looks like Pan An? Talented like Song Yu? Brilliant!"

Upon entering the inner city of Wuchang, Xie Hong immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from that of the outer city.

Armored soldiers carrying halberds could be seen everywhere on the road; the Wu King's palace was already in sight.

Xie Hong took a deep breath, lost interest in speaking, and silently walked forward beside Shen Chong.

Shen Chong turned to look at him and said in a low voice, "Brother Xie, please rest assured. This journey has been fraught with danger but we have escaped unscathed. However, I cannot guarantee when the Prime Minister will be able to release you."

Xie Hong nodded: "Shen Gong is very righteous, and I will definitely repay him."

Along the way, Shen Chong and Xie Hong had developed feelings for each other. Even though he was a powerful and ruthless man, he couldn't resist Xie Hong's overwhelming emotional outpouring. He felt a sense of regret that they hadn't met sooner.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, a row of armored soldiers stood on both sides, clad in heavy armor, with ring-pommel swords at their waists and long spears in their hands, the tips of which gleamed coldly.

With such a grand display and imposing presence, anyone who sees it would tremble with fear.

Shen Chong also secretly glanced back at Xie Hong, only to find that Xie Hong not only remained expressionless, but also had a critical look on his face, with even the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

Shen Chong was greatly surprised: "Young Master Xie, are you afraid?"

Xie Hong snorted, "I have seen the mighty army of ten thousand men; this is nothing but a bluff for children."

Shen Chong's eyes nearly popped out: "Where did this army of ten thousand men come from in Jiangzuo? How come I know nothing about it?"

Xie Hong chuckled.

How about checking out the National Day military parade?

"In a dream."

Shen Chong glared at Xie Hong, then turned and continued walking forward.

After entering the palace gates and passing through a long line of armored soldiers, we arrived at a palace.

Shen Chong dismounted first, and Xie Hong also jumped up, threw off the reins, straightened his clothes, and glanced back at the formation behind him.

"Master Shen, please show me the way."

Shen Chong originally thought that the young man would show even the slightest bit of nervousness at this moment, after all, he was going to meet Wang Dun, the great general who held the power of the world's troops.

But Xie Hong's face remained calm and composed, as if going to the palace to meet a powerful minister was nothing more than attending an ordinary gathering for refined conversation.

At that moment, Shen Chong felt nothing but admiration.