County Magistrate of Licheng, the Forty-fifth

Without the burden of goods, their journey along the official route sped up considerably.

On the seventh day, they departed from Hulou Pass, continuing eastward toward Yingchuan Commandery, situated at the northernmost edge of Yuzhou. They galloped day and night, not even pausing at their main base in Wuyang County, and finally managed to return to Yangzhai before the year’s end.

Here, Luan Yi parted ways with Guo Jia, Dan Fu, Xi Zhicai, and Mao Jie, each heading home.

When Luan Yi returned to the Luan residence in the southern part of the city, the steward, Luan Zhong, was overjoyed to see his young master and son return travel-worn, and, as always, dashed into the house to deliver the news.

His grandfather, Luan Tao, father, Luan Miao, and mother, Madam Diao, came out to greet him in turn, and after a round of pleasantries, the family entered the north wing of the house. Once seated, Luan Yi recounted in detail all that had transpired during his travels in Luoyang.

Luan Tao was thrilled beyond measure upon hearing that Luan Yi had received Xu Zijiang’s praise—“In times of peace, he brings order with his pen; in times of war, he brings stability from the saddle.” When he further learned that Luan Yi had, without a word, secured two future daughters-in-law from reputable aristocratic families, his delight was boundless. He exclaimed, “Good lad! Truly the blood of the Luan family flows in your veins!”

Yet his mother, Madam Diao, wore a worried expression. When Luan Yi asked the reason, she replied that since the Luan family were merchants, marrying daughters from noble families might subject them to disdain, making future family life difficult.

Luan Tao conceded the point. Though they possessed wealth enough for several lifetimes, their social standing was indeed lacking. Waving his hand, he declared, “That’s easily solved. In these times, money buys status. Next spring, when I accompany Miao to the capital to arrange the betrothal, we’ll simply spend some money and purchase an official post—then, won’t we too be counted among the gentry? Let’s see who dares look down on us then!”

Upon hearing this, Madam Diao’s worries melted away; she admitted her father-in-law’s plan was indeed thorough.

Luan Yi did not interject much. He knew well that even if his grandfather and father remained commoners, neither Cai Yan nor Diao Chan would look down on them. However, just because his future wives wouldn’t scorn his kin didn’t mean his elders wouldn’t feel inferior in their presence! Thus, securing even a minor official post would be a comfort to them.

As the saying goes, “Gold and silver nests are not as sweet as one’s own humble home.” No matter how splendid the capital Luoyang might be, for Luan Yi, it could not compare to the warmth of his family in Yingchuan.

Days spent with his family passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the new year had come and gone. The weather warmed, and all of nature revived.

Once the spring planting was complete, Luan Tao and Luan Miao set off for Luoyang to arrange the marriage. Luan Yi could not accompany them and so had to wait in Yingchuan for news.

This time, the Luan family’s caravan was even grander than before—with fifteen large wagons laden with gold, silver, and fine gifts; as for live animals that were hard to transport, they would be purchased in the capital. Having learned from the previous journey, Luan Yi made sure Dian Wei went along as protection, and brought many more family retainers—over a hundred altogether, with music and festivities along the way.

Life at home while waiting was rather dull. With nothing much to do, Luan Yi returned to Yingchuan Academy to read, trade banter and jests with Guo Jia and the others, living at ease.

Three months later, Luan Tao and his son returned in high spirits. Luan Yi, eager for news, rushed home from the academy that very night to inquire about their progress.

Luan Tao, brimming with enthusiasm, regaled them with tales of their warm welcome in Luoyang. Everyone in the capital, upon learning they were Luan Yi’s grandfather and father, gave them a thumbs-up and praised their excellent upbringing of such a fine son and grandson. Thanks to Luan Yi’s reputation, the Qifeng Pavilion was also thriving—packed every day, earning them a small fortune. If only they had known, they needn’t have brought so much money to the capital; they could have just drawn from the pavilion’s accounts…

Seeing his grandfather rambling on without getting to the point, Luan Yi grew impatient and interrupted, “How went the marriage negotiations?”

“You impatient little monkey, not even grown all your hair out and already in a hurry to marry?” Luan Tao laughed heartily. “All right, I’ll stop teasing. Your father and I have settled everything with the Cai family and the Marquis Wang—wedding date and all. Let me tell you, I consulted the old immortal himself to pick this date. It matches your birth charts and those of Miss Cai Yan and Miss Diao Chan perfectly—a date like this comes only once a century! It’s sure to bring a long, happy, and fruitful marriage!”

So the old man had been taken in by a fortune-teller again. As if a bit of finger-counting could guarantee good fortune! Luan Yi couldn’t be bothered to argue; after all, with so much wealth, losing a few coffers to charlatans was nothing. “Grandfather, when is the wedding date?”

“The tenth day of the tenth month, year after next.” Luan Tao was radiant, but Luan Yi was dumbfounded. “What? We’re arranging the marriage this year, but the wedding is only year after next?”

“You’re still so young—why so eager to marry? Have you no shame?” For some reason, whenever Luan Tao scowled, Luan Yi felt uneasy.

“Father, don’t be upset. If you explain, Yi’er will understand.” Luan Miao added, “Yi’er, you’re only fourteen. That’s far too young to marry. Wait another two years—sixteen is just right. That’s how old I was when I married your mother.”

Luan Yi suddenly realized he had forgotten the age of his current body in his carefree days. Fourteen was indeed much too young to marry! In later times, the legal marrying age for men was twenty-three; even now, sixteen was early.

As he pondered this, Luan Miao continued, “As for Miss Cai Yan and Miss Diao Chan, they too agreed. They said waiting two more years would do no harm; marrying too young might be bad for your health.”

“Bad for my health?” Luan Yi was taken aback. Well, so be it—not marrying immediately wasn’t the end of the world. However… it was already the sixth year of Guanghe, the year 182 AD. In two years, the Yellow Turban Rebellion would erupt, plunging the land into chaos. Would Cai Yan and Diao Chan be in danger?

Then again, upon reflection, he felt reassured. Though the rebellion spread far and wide, Luoyang itself was not greatly affected. Surely the two would be safe in the capital.

“In that case, let’s do as you and Father have decided—the tenth day of the tenth month, year after next.”

Luan Tao’s mood changed like July weather; upon hearing Luan Yi’s agreement, his face lit up again. “Our trip to the capital was quite fruitful. Besides arranging the marriage, we also purchased an official post. You may not know, but outside the imperial city, the line of those buying posts stretches farther than the eye can see—thousands of steps from the palace gates! Had it not been for Marquis Wang’s help, who knows when we’d have gotten our turn.”

“Oh? What sort of post did Grandfather buy?” Luan Yi asked with a smile.

“All the high posts near the capital were snapped up; the commandery chiefs weren’t available either. In the end, I spent five million to purchase for your father the post of county magistrate. When another position opens up, we’ll pay more to transfer him.”

Luan Yi was overjoyed. “A magistrate? That’s a good chance to benefit the people. Which county?”

“It’s a fine place, with mountains and rivers—Licheng County in Jinan State.” Luan Tao was clearly proud, but Luan Yi was stunned.

He exclaimed, “What? Jinan? Licheng County?”

Seeing Luan Yi’s strong reaction, Luan Miao asked, “Yi’er, is there anything wrong?”

Was there anything wrong? More than just wrong. Shandong’s Jinan was Luan Yi’s homeland in his previous life; he knew the area thoroughly. Among all the familiar details, one part of history was unforgettable—after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Cao Cao would go to Jinan as Chancellor.

When Cao Cao became Chancellor of Jinan, the region was rife with religious superstition and corruption between officials and merchants. Cao Cao dismissed eight magistrates at once, imposed strict laws, and eventually suppressed the chaos.

As Chancellor, Cao Cao struggled greatly to fix these problems. As a mere county magistrate, with far less power, how could one hope to contend with the local evils?

No wonder the post of Licheng County magistrate was left vacant for the Luan family to “snatch up”—everyone saw the difficulties and avoided it!

Worried, Luan Yi, under the guise of having heard rumors elsewhere, explained the chaotic state of Jinan to his elders.

“What shall we do?” Madam Diao was aghast. “Can’t the post be returned? We’d be better off not having it!”

Luan Miao wore a troubled look. “The official seal is already in hand—how could we return it now?” After a moment’s thought, he added, “Perhaps… we could just keep the seal and never take up the post?”

“How can that be?” Luan Tao retorted. “If the county is left without a magistrate, who will govern the people? By Yi’er’s account, if the strong bully the weak unchecked, the common folk will suffer even more. How could we stand by and let that happen?” His words rang with righteousness, and both Luan Miao and Luan Yi agreed.

Luan Tao, regretful, sighed at his own oversight. “Here’s what we’ll do: since things are as they are, Miao’er must assume office. Good or bad, he’ll serve a few years as magistrate. But remember—self-preservation first, and never act rashly. I’ll try to find a way to transfer you elsewhere as soon as possible.”

“It seems there’s no other choice,” Luan Miao sighed.

Luan Yi knew his father’s character inside out. Raised under his grandfather’s strict discipline, he was gentle, not talkative, suitable for managing family business but not for taking risks or confronting local bullies. Governing a stable region was one thing, but clashing with entrenched powers was out of the question.

The more he thought, the more anxious he became for his father’s safety in Jinan. If his father went alone, trouble was sure to follow—losing the post was nothing, but losing his life would be disastrous. After some thought, Luan Yi said, “Grandfather, I’ve done well enough in my studies at Yingchuan that it’s time for me to travel. I’d like to accompany Father to Jinan—so we can look after each other.”

“I should go too. With the two of them busy with official duties, the household will need someone to manage daily affairs. I can take care of that,” said Madam Diao.

Old Luan Tao, knowing full well that Miao was no match for the perils ahead, agreed—having his prodigious grandson and capable daughter-in-law along seemed the best of a bad situation. And so it was decided.