Chapter Six: The Cadet Branch and the Main Household

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Before Fei Qian left Heluo, there was one person he absolutely had to inform first: the head of the Fei family in Heluo. After all, giving a proper notice wouldn’t be seen as clinging for support to prevent departure. Leaving without a word in the highly ritualistic and etiquette-bound aristocratic circles of the Han dynasty was tantamount to branding oneself a reckless fool for life—a loss far outweighing any gain.

The concept of great families had been taking shape since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, only gradually waning by the Tang and Song dynasties, and ultimately extinguished with the full implementation of the imperial examination system in the Ming dynasty.

Before the Ming, every emperor’s foremost task was facing these great clans—unable to do without them, yet compelled to suppress and control them by various means. Historically, only a handful of rulers managed to subdue the aristocracy completely, leaving them gasping for breath.

The endless cycle of power struggles between imperial in-laws and eunuchs during the Han dynasty stemmed fundamentally from these noble families. In that era, these families mostly acted with benevolence, guiding the nation’s course; yet when their clan interests were at stake, they often committed acts detrimental to the country. Consequently, Han emperors initially relied on imperial in-laws to suppress these families; when the in-laws grew too powerful, eunuchs were summoned to check them; and as eunuchs became dominant, the remaining virtuous clans were used to purge the eunuchs.

This vicious cycle explains why the Han dynasty’s imperial in-laws became particularly notorious—figures like the formidable Huo Guang and Wei Qing stand out, alongside the ineffectual Dou Wu and He Jin.

In the Han era, openly opposing the aristocracy under the banner of “smashing the great families” was futile. Even with wisdom spanning millennia, foresight, and the ability to avoid misfortune, such a feat was nearly impossible. After all, these families held the most advanced knowledge and managed the government, while the vast majority of commoners were illiterate, incapable even of basic counting. How could an uneducated populace suddenly grasp governance?

Fei Qian belonged to the Fei family of Heluo, a lineage tracing back to Qin.

The ancestor, Feizi, was granted the land of Qin by King Xiao of Zhou, historically known as Qin Feizi. Among his descendants, some were ennobled as marquises and bestowed the fief of Peixiang, earning the title Marquis Pei. Later descendants adopted Pei as their surname, which further branched into families such as Fei and others.

The Fei branch had been rooted in Luoyang for nearly a century. Although none had attained high offices like the Three Excellencies, many served as court officials, local governors, and commandery administrators. Thus, when Fei Qian was recommended as a filial and incorrupt candidate, some local officials knew the family ties and extended favors accordingly. It was common for large commanderies to fulfill such political tasks annually by flattering these noble families.

Fei Qian felt much like a newcomer paying respects to the local overlord—indeed, aristocratic families were much like local tyrants in nature.

The current family head was Fei Min, styled Zihao, who, by generation, was Fei Qian’s uncle. Fei Min held the post of Censor Official of Remonstrance, responsible for submitting memorials and commentary, an official under the rank of Grand Master of Palace Service with a salary of six hundred bushels. Though not as prestigious as the Three Excellencies, this role carried the right to submit memorials independently, making it an important position.

Fei Min wore a brocade robe, his square face framed by three whiskers, his slightly portly figure exuding solemnity and sternness. Entering the hall, he did not glance at Fei Qian standing respectfully to the side. Only after adjusting his attire and kneeling behind the central seat did he seem to notice Fei Qian, greeting, “Nephew, I hope you have been well.”

Fortunately, he addressed him as “Nephew,” indicating a tone of familial warmth. Had he used the official title “Junior Officer,” it would have been a clear signal that business alone was at hand, and all personal ties were dismissed.

Han dynasty etiquette was truly exhausting, especially when meeting a powerful family head. Fei Qian grumbled inwardly but observed protocol, lowering his gaze and responding with polite words.

In Han times, juniors or subordinates were forbidden to meet elders’ or superiors’ eyes directly unless explicitly permitted. When speaking, one’s gaze could rise only to the other’s chest; afterward, eyes had to lower to the ground. To stare directly into the other’s eyes was either a challenge or a prelude to conflict.

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After the pleasantries came the real business.

Upon hearing Fei Qian’s intention to leave Heluo and travel south to Jing and Xiang for study, Fei Min stroked his whiskers thoughtfully, as if recalling the past. “Your father, Zi Yun, was a man of great learning and extensive knowledge. His journey to study in the state of Qi is still spoken of fondly… Nephew, you inherit your father’s spirit and wish to refine your scholarship. Were Zi Yun still alive, he would surely be comforted. However…”

Fei Min shifted his tone: “If you are to study away, what of the hundred or so scrolls of your father’s collection? The journey is long and treacherous, and these days are unstable. Should any be damaged or lost, would that not be a lifelong regret?”

“Uncle’s words are wise. What do you propose?” Fei Qian asked.

“In my opinion, it would be better for you to entrust these books temporarily to my household. When you return from your studies, I shall return them to you. This way, you are spared the burden of carrying them, and the heirlooms are preserved without worry. What say you?”

Fei Qian remained silent for a long moment.

He understood that “temporary safekeeping” was merely an excuse. Once handed over, he could hardly expect to retrieve them again.

In the Han dynasty, knowledge was priceless. Books, as carriers of knowledge, held the highest status.

These collections represented not just texts but the very legacy of a family—a heritage. One scroll was worth a fortune. Many humble scholars would pay any price for a single volume.

Fei Min, as family head, eyed Fei Qian’s youthful naivety and the fact that the latter had no heirs. As head, he felt responsible to safeguard the family’s scholarship. Most importantly, these books were immensely valuable. The Fei family held fewer than nine hundred volumes, but Fei Qian had over a hundred. Such a treasure was like a hidden gem. If he could seize them, he could claim the title of a “house with a thousand scrolls”—a most coveted honor.

Fei Min’s greed was barely concealed. Now that Fei Qian had delivered such a perfect excuse himself, how could he let it slip?

Fei Qian inwardly sighed—this was the reality of great families. In their eyes, family came before country; clan interests always trumped all else.

Helpless beneath the roof, one must bow. Moreover, as a branch family member, Fei Qian had little voice. That the family head personally received him and sought the books under the pretense of “temporary safekeeping” was already a concession born of some kinship—and, more importantly, respect for the precious collection. Had Fei Qian been a commoner, a mere servant might have been dispatched instead.

“Very well. Your words are wise, Uncle, but…” Fei Qian knew he could not outright refuse but would not give too readily to avoid being underestimated. “My late father loved the Essays of Qi above all and often carried them close. As a son who mourns his father, I cannot bear to part with them. No matter what, I must carry them with me.”

Did they think me so easily bullied? The most precious Essays of Qi will not be handed over!

It was well-known that during Qin’s reign, Emperor Qin Shi Huang burned books and buried scholars alive, decimating Confucianism. In the Han, fortunes reversed. The Han Wudi era saw Confucianism exalted above all, the Hundred Schools abolished, many scholars forced to adopt Confucianism, and dissenters killed, imprisoned, or exiled to the frontiers.

By the late Eastern Han, Confucianism was the sole doctrine recognized at court, and the most important work was the Analects.

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The Analects, compiled during the early Warring States period, had passed through oral transmission and handwritten copies, causing variations in wording. By the late Western Han, Zhang Yu, tutor to Emperor Cheng, compiled a version called the Zhanghou Lun, combining the “Lu Analects” and “Qi Analects,” totaling twenty-one chapters.

The “Qi Analects” was the collection Fei Qian’s father had gathered during his studies in Qi. Though fragmentary, it was priceless to Confucians of the time.

Fei Min’s whiskers trembled in reluctance, but with Fei Qian wielding the banner of filial piety, it was impossible to deny him. To do so would violate one of Confucianism’s fundamental moral tenets.

“Then… perhaps you could keep three to five volumes with you?” Fei Min persisted.

Fei Qian shook his head firmly.

“Alas, as you wish, nephew,” Fei Min sighed. Though disappointed, recovering most of the collection without a rift was satisfactory. After all, Fei Qian was family. Too much strife would bring shame. “When do you plan to depart?”

The unspoken question was: when shall I come to your house to retrieve the books?

“I have some lingering matters at the Cui family’s invitation. Once settled, I shall set out within the month and inform you,” Fei Qian replied. The Cui family might cause trouble, and if unresolved, he could not leave. If Fei Min could handle it, the departure would be within days, and notice would be given.

“The Cui family? The Cui clan north of the city—I know them well. Your journey will be long and arduous. I have little to offer but some travel funds. Please do not decline; consider it my wishes for your safe travels and scholarly success.”

“Agreed. With your support, I shall not falter,” Fei Qian thought.

When Fei Qian left the Heluo Fei residence with five hundred gold coins, it signified the completion of his deal with Fei Min. This was the helpless fate of a branch family. Even had Fei Qian refused, Fei Min would have found other means, likely less amicable.

The branch member Fei Qian had exchanged his precious scrolls for a measure of freedom and protection from the main family head.

If Fei Qian failed to prosper, these books would be lost forever. But should he rise to power, their return might be doubled.

Such are the great families: the head holds great authority and responsibility to lead the clan’s healthy growth, while branch families often bear the cost. Should the head prove incapable, elder clansmen hold meetings to depose him, selecting another branch’s able candidate. The former head’s wealth is then seized by others, leading to decline.

The aristocracy’s polished manners and refined courtesy mask a ruthless law of survival of the fittest, drenched in blood beneath the veneer of civility.