novelSusiti Chapter 39 Taking a Concubine
Chapter 39 Taking a Concubine
The ancient Confucian concept of "internalizing the Chinese and externalizing the barbarians" was deeply ingrained.
As the eldest son of the Yuan family, who came from a family that had held high office for four generations, Yuan Tan's decision to take a Hu woman as a concubine was, by all accounts, a move that defied public opinion.
The scholar-official class generally regarded the Hu people as "beasts who do not know etiquette".
Taking a Hu woman as a concubine is considered "losing one's chastity."
Let alone making her the principal wife.
This was a difficult task not only in the Han Dynasty, but also in the culturally tolerant Tang Dynasty.
Moreover, Wuyu's true identity is the princess of Wuhuan.
Even if the other party did not say it explicitly,
But Yuan Tan was happy to pretend to be deaf and dumb.
Because once Wu Yu's identity is revealed...
This could very well cause some wavering aristocratic families to completely abandon him.
After all, if Yuan Tan and Wu Yu had a son, and it was a boy, the gentry would consider that Yuan Tan's bloodline had become barbarian.
This was simply unacceptable at the time.
Yuan Tan felt that it was still necessary to take Wu Yu as a concubine.
After all, if he wants to build a cavalry force, he can only rely on the strength of Louban at present.
Moreover, Wu Yu is currently the only person he can use to train spies.
However, he still could not ignore the consequences, so he prepared to ask his two advisors for their opinions.
……
Yuan Tan arrived at the governor's mansion.
Exit left and right.
Only Guo Jia and Xin Pi remained.
He frankly told Wu Yu of his decision to take her as a concubine.
In order not to influence their judgment, he also told them that Wuyu was a princess of the Wuhuan tribe in distress.
The moment the words were spoken, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
Xinpi spoke first, his brows furrowed, his tone heavy:
"My lord! Taking a Hu woman as a concubine is a minor matter. However, this woman is a Wuhuan princess, and her identity is sensitive! In these turbulent times, it may give others grounds to say that my lord is 'incestuous with the Hu barbarians, and his ambitions are not small'!"
I urge my lord to postpone this matter, or arrange for her to be placed under the guise of a maidservant, without revealing her official status, to avoid any unforeseen complications.
As expected, what Xinpi thought was also what he was worried about.
The famous general Huangfu Gui of the Eastern Han Dynasty remarried a woman from the Qiang ethnic group after his wife died.
This incident was seized upon by his political enemies and upright scholars as evidence to attack him for "entering their customs and disrupting their morals," becoming a stain on his official career.
Moreover, Yuan Tan's family had held high office for four generations, and his lineage was exceptionally powerful. If it were to become known that Yuan Tan's concubine was a princess of the Wuhuan tribe, he could very well be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
Guo Jia coughed lightly twice:
"What George is worried about is an open scheme, and it is a fact. However, what Jia is worried about is a more insidious one."
He looked at Yuan Tan.
"My lord, Yuan Shang is just looking for a pretext to use against you. If you accept Wu Yu, he will surely spread rumors in Ye City, saying that you rely on the barbarians and that your intentions are not what they seem."
"They intend to emulate the stories of Lu Wan and Wei Man, bringing in the Wuhuan as external allies to plot treason! What would Lord Yuan Shao think of such accusations?"
That is indeed a potential problem!
If Yuan Shang were to discover Wu Yu's true identity, he would surely use this to attack him in front of Yuan Shao.
Compared to training a cavalry unit and establishing an intelligence system,
Yuan Tan felt it was worth taking the gamble.
Of course, the matter of establishing an intelligence system could not be revealed to Guo Jia and Xin Pi.
His brothel not only served to gather intelligence, but also to spy on his subordinates.
Which official would want a bodyguard like the Embroidered Uniform Guard by his side?
Just as he was pondering and undecided.
"Report—!"
The guard's hurried voice rang out from outside the door.
"Reporting to my lord, Zhen Yao, the head of the Zhen family of Zhongshan, has arrived outside the manor and requests an audience on an extremely urgent matter!"
Yuan Tan and Guo and Xin exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Why has Zhen Yao come in person at this time?
"Please come in quickly! No, I'll go greet you myself!"
Yuan Tan immediately stood up.
A moment later, a travel-worn Zhen Yao was led into the secret room.
His face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot, and he had long lost the composure of a wealthy merchant. Upon seeing Yuan Tan, he didn't even bother with pleasantries, but instead cupped his hands and said hastily:
"Young Master Xiansi! The Zhen family... is facing imminent disaster!"
"Why do you say such a thing, Lord Zhen? Please sit down and explain slowly!"
Yuan Tan was startled and personally helped him sit down.
Zhen Yao sat down, took a breath, and spoke with resentment:
"Ever since the news of the young master's investiture came from Ye City, the third young master has been making things difficult for my Zhen family in every way! First, our canal ships were detained without cause, and then our shops in various places were exploited by the government and subjected to heavy taxes!"
Yesterday, I received news that my salt and iron warehouse in Julu had been raided and ransacked on charges of "colluding with bandits"! This is clearly an attempt to wipe out my Zhen family!
Yuan Tan understood upon hearing this.
It must be that the intelligence Wu Yu sent to Yuan Shang worked.
I never expected that Yuan Shang would retaliate so ruthlessly!
And they don't give you any chance to negotiate.
I'll get you no matter what!
This illustrates the low social status of merchants in ancient times.
Guo Jia and Xin Pi's expressions changed again.
Yuan Shang acted faster and more ruthlessly than expected!
This is to completely cut off Yuan Tan's potential economic support!
Zhen Yao looked up at Yuan Tan, his gaze intense:
"Zhen Yao has come only to ask you one question: does the promise you made back then still stand? If you also feel that the Zhen family has become a burden, then Yao... will leave immediately and will not be a hindrance to you!"
Hmph! Now you know fear?
On the day you sought a marriage alliance and to borrow grain, you avoided me like the plague.
Now that you're desperate, you've come to me?
Yuan Tan faced Zhen Yao's almost interrogative gaze.
But he smiled calmly to himself.
Should the Zhen family offer assistance?
Of course we should help.
The Zhen family was so wealthy that they could rival the wealth of a nation; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them the top-tier merchants of the Han Dynasty.
If he gets his help, his previous financial difficulties will be easily resolved.
And if you refuse...
Yuan Tan is likely to be branded as a treacherous traitor.
However, we can't help too readily.
As the saying goes, a small favor is appreciated, but a large favor breeds resentment.
If you are too enthusiastic, the other person may not realize your position.
He took a deep breath, smiled, and said:
"Why do you say such a thing, Lord Zhen! Since Tan made a promise back then, he will keep his word! The Zhen family's troubles are Tan's troubles! Tan will take care of this matter!"
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Zhen Yao's eyes, but he immediately said with some distress:
"Young Master, you are truly righteous! However... the Third Young Master is very powerful, and the Zhen family's trade routes in Hebei are now almost completely cut off. Even with your protection, it's like a skilled cook trying to cook without rice... This, this future..."
His meaning was clear: You make empty promises to protect me, but what use are you if my Zhen family's business collapses?
Yuan Tan had been waiting for these words!
He laughed heartily, confident and assured:
"Lord Zhen, there is no need to worry! The trade routes in Hebei are temporarily blocked, so why not find another way? Tan is willing to share 30% of the profits from Qingzhou sea salt with the Zhen family! With Qingzhou salt, which can be sold in Jiangdong, Liaodong, and even overseas, the profits are far greater than those of land trade."
Furthermore, I will make things very convenient for your Zhen family's other businesses in Qingzhou!