Chapter 71: Seeking a Title at the Frontier (Part 1)

Han Gang did not know that his mere position as a ninth-rank official had already alarmed the emperor and the prime minister. He was now reading books and waiting calmly for the news of his recommendation being approved to come from Kaifeng. When the time came, he would set off for the capital to submit the family status document to the Bureau of Regular Officials. The so-called family status document included the names, ages, and any past criminal records of three generations of ancestors, and it required neighbors to vouch for the authenticity of the information. This way, he could receive an official appointment, which would serve as proof of his status as an official.

In his room, Han Gang leaned over the desk, his brush flying swiftly, and rows of tiny regular script appeared on the white paper, filling a page in no time. He was copying the *Gongyang Commentary* that the previous occupant of his body had once copied. Although he could now afford to buy the books he wanted, Han Gang firmly believed that a good memory was not as reliable as a bad pen. No matter how much he read and recited, nothing could compare to the memory formed by writing it down himself. He planned to copy all the classics and canonical texts on his bookshelf.

The *Gongyang Commentary* is one of the Three Commentaries on the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, along with the *Zuo Commentary* and the *Gongyang Commentary*. The *Spring and Autumn Annals* is a historical record of the State of Lu, revised and edited by Confucius, and later became a Confucian classic. Confucius's work on the *Spring and Autumn Annals* is known as "editing the *Spring and Autumn*." It is said that there were nine commentaries on the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, but only the *Zuo Commentary*, *Gongyang Commentary*, and *Guliang Commentary* have survived.

Whether it is the *Spring and Autumn Annals* or the Three Commentaries, they are all important classics in the Confucian canon. Han Gang's predecessor had already read them thoroughly under the tutelage of Zhang Zai. Comparing them with a modern perspective, he found that the *Zuo Commentary* is more like a history book, using rich historical materials to expand and annotate the brief records in the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. The *Gongyang Commentary* and *Guliang Commentary*, on the other hand, are more like political books, not concerned with the historical events recorded in the text but rather with interpreting the subtle meanings in the *Spring and Autumn Annals* to understand Confucius's intentions and Confucian ideals.

Leaving aside the *Zuo Commentary*, the *Gongyang Commentary* and *Guliang Commentary* often mention the distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians. Han Gang's teacher, Zhang Zai, when explaining the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, often emphasized the hidden distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou dynasty was weak, and the barbarians were rising. The state of Chu, originally a barbarian state, declared itself a kingdom.

Later, Duke Huan of Qi, with the help of Guan Zhong, honored the Zhou dynasty, united the feudal lords nine times, and suppressed the barbarians, known as "honoring the king and expelling the barbarians." This was highly valued by Confucius, who said, "Without Guan Zhong, I would have been forced to wear my hair loose and my clothes with the opening on the left side," meaning that the great Chinese civilization would have been destroyed by the barbarians.

A thousand years after Confucius, the barbarian An Lushan destroyed the prosperity of the Tang dynasty, and during the Five Dynasties period, barbarians took turns ruling. Currently, the two northern enemies are rampant, and the Central Plains are weak. Therefore, when Song scholars discuss the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, they often mention the distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians, "honoring the king and expelling the barbarians," while other aspects are only briefly mentioned.

"Nationalism seems to transcend time," Han Gang thought as he copied. The greater the injury, the greater the backlash, especially for the Han people, who have a strong sense of self-respect and pride. Although there was no clear concept of ethnicity at the time, simply advocating the distinction between the Chinese and the barbarians was enough to create a deep divide between the Han and the barbarians. The Tang dynasty's inclusiveness could never be replicated in the Song dynasty. Han Gang, coming from a time of strong nationalist sentiment, had a deep understanding of the Song scholars' reflection on the Sui and Tang dynasty's policies toward foreign tribes.

Lost in thought, Han Gang accidentally copied a wrong character. On the white paper, the wrong character stood out. Even with a modern eraser, it could not be cleaned up, but orpiment could. Han Gang had a piece of orpiment at hand, and he used it to cover the wrong character. Orpiment was used in ancient times as an eraser and correction fluid. The idiom "to speak with orpiment" comes from the use of orpiment.

Putting down the orpiment and picking up the brush again, the door was gently knocked. Han Gang put down the brush and said, "Come in!"

Han Yunniang responded and pushed the door open. She wore a newly made blouse and skirt, cut to fit her more closely. A yellow silk embroidered belt, known as "yellow waist," was tied around her waist, accentuating her slender figure. A flower-patterned jacket covered the blouse and skirt, hiding the slightly raised curves of her chest. Compared to three months ago, when Han Gang had just recovered from his illness, the young girl had grown a bit taller and added more color to her appearance. She walked into the room with graceful steps and greeted him, "Third Young Master..."

Han Gang found her new title grating on his ears and interrupted, "I've told you, Yunniang, don't call me that. Just because I'm an official now? Call me as you did before."

Han Yunniang lowered her head timidly and said, "If I don't, people will say I... I have no manners."

Han Gang frowned, not knowing which idiot had taught her such nonsense. Han Yunniang was naturally gentle and virtuous, already showing the qualities of a good wife and mother at a young age, though her speech and manners did not match those of girls from wealthy families.

But growing up with Han Aili, she had not learned to speak in a coarse manner, which was already a blessing. Han Gang was not very concerned about this, as he came from a time a thousand years later when the class system was much more relaxed, and he did not care much about minor breaches of etiquette.

"At home, there are no outsiders. Why be so formal? Character is valuable in its natural state. Deliberately imitating others' manners and losing your true self is not beautiful." Han Gang reached out and skillfully pulled her delicate body into his arms. The warm and soft fragrance that made him drunk clung tightly to his body, and her jade-like ears were right by his mouth. Han Gang, feeling a sudden urge, couldn't resist giving them a gentle bite.

The young girl trembled as if electrocuted, her face, as delicate and smooth as sheep fat jade, turned bright red. She turned and glared at Han Gang, her voice soft and reproachful, "Third Brother!"

Her eyes, slightly sunken, were a clear brown, reflecting his image. Her seemingly angry eyes were actually three parts shy and seven parts tender. Han Gang found her reaction endlessly charming. He tightened his arms and whispered in her ear, "I like you best like this."

Snuggling in the familiar embrace, breathing in the familiar scent, the young girl's heart, which had been uneasy, began to beat more gently. Since the news of Han Gang being recommended for an official position reached her ears, she had been both happy and sad. The gap in their status was growing, and she was always worried that one day Third Brother would dislike her. She was an orphan with no parents or siblings to rely on, and the only person she could depend on in life was Han Gang.

Feeling the young girl's mood calm down, Han Gang gently released her, knowing that if he didn't, he might not be able to control himself. He knew that her worries would not be easily resolved. There were better ways to comfort her, but Han Yunniang was too young, at least for another two years. Han Gang sighed inwardly, this was a side effect of being an official.

Although there were side effects, being an official was a good thing. Exemption from corvée labor and tax reduction were benefits that came with the position. The benefits of being an official went beyond these. As written in *The Scholars*, once Fan Jin passed the imperial examination, he became a "star in the sky" in the eyes of his father-in-law, Hu Butcher, and from then on, he had land, wealth, and servants.

In the Northern Song dynasty, it was the same. Whenever the list of new imperial scholars was announced, many wealthy families would wait by the imperial list, ready to find a new imperial scholar as a son-in-law, known as "catching a son-in-law under the list." However, such a son-in-law was not easy to catch. The dowry for a new imperial scholar had already risen to a thousand strings of cash, and the price was still rising. This was something Wang Hou mentioned casually a few days ago.

Although Han Gang was not an imperial scholar, his prospects were just as good. The news of his recommendation for an official position had already spread. At eighteen, a talented disciple from a prestigious family, and with multiple recommendations, his future was limitless. People came to offer money and gifts, and there were many marriage proposals. Wang Hou used the "catching a son-in-law under the list" to tease him.

Han Yunniang, due to her status, could not be Han Gang's official wife. The young girl was well aware of this and had never dared to hope for more. Han Gang did not feel the need to challenge social norms, but he felt a bit guilty and compassionate towards Han Yunniang. However, from another perspective, with himself and his parents supporting her, even if a well-born lady with a bad temper was brought in as a wife, she could not do anything to her.

In fact, not only Han Yunniang but also Han Qianliu was not used to the change in status. He was troubled by the influx of new visitors. On the contrary, Han Aili, who knew the rules of social interaction, could help Han Qianliu handle the situation smoothly, regardless of the visitors' status.

As for Han Gang himself, after becoming a rising star in the official circles of Qinzhou, he appeared even more cautious. He politely declined the gifts sent to him, refusing to accept any valuable items, only accepting some writing materials to maintain social courtesy. As for the marriage proposals, his parents politely declined them.

In his view, with his official position, he could do more, and there was no need to be tempted by money at this critical moment. Many people were watching him, and any mistake could affect his reputation. Moreover, those who were flattering him now were mostly from humble backgrounds, while the powerful families were still observing.

Rumors in the state said that Han Gang was too ruthless, having caused the deaths of hundreds of people in his few operations, and with the recent capture of Chen Ji and the execution of Guo Shanfeng, sending nearly thirty heads to the government, the rumors were further confirmed. Powerful families with deep roots rarely liked to marry such a son-in-law.

Han Gang did not care about this. A man of his caliber would not lack for a wife. Moreover, there were many men who did not marry until they were thirty. His body was only eighteen years old, and although his mental age was older, he did not take marriage too seriously. If he couldn't hold back, there were always places to go. The current priority was to quickly assist Wang Shao in the recovery of the Hehuang region. As a ninth-rank official, Han Gang had no interest in staying in this position for long.