Chapter 30: The So-Called Gentleman

While he was still eating fish, Liao Hua came running with a message, announcing that a renowned scholar had just arrived to offer his service. This man was named Li Yan, courtesy name Zhengfang, a person of great talent. Cao Xin immediately went out to greet him.

“Xiaoxian, where is Master Zhengfang?” Cao Xin entered the main hall of the government office and saw two unfamiliar faces beside Mao Jie.

One was a middle-aged man, around forty, of average stature, with a lean and solemn face, a beard two feet long, and a dignified bearing. The other was a young man in his early twenties, pale and delicate, dressed in a white brocade robe, slender in figure, holding a feather fan, and exuding a strong scent of rosewater, possessing something of a sage’s air.

Cao, the Prefect, was overjoyed—two men of great talent arriving at once! Fortune indeed favored him.

Since the recruitment edict for Nanyang had been issued, more than a dozen local scholars had successively come to the Wancheng government office in response. They were reputed to be men of talent, each excelling in their own right, and all had performed well in their assessments. Yet, Cao Xin had never heard their names before, which he found regrettable.

Today, at last, a familiar name appeared—Li Yan, courtesy name Zhengfang, a native of Nanyang. In the future of Shu Han, he would serve as Prefect of the Secretariat, be one of Liu Bei’s entrusted ministers, help draft the laws of Shu known as the Shu Code, and when Zhuge Liang set out on the northern expeditions, it was he who remained in Hanzhong, overseeing logistics and provisions.

Though his fame did not quite compare with the Four Pillars of Shu, his abilities were formidable. He was a high-level political talent; thus, Cao Xin had left his meal unfinished to meet him.

“Greetings, Prefect!” Mao Jie stepped forward and introduced the middle-aged man, “My lord, this is Li Yan, courtesy name Zhengfang, native of Nanxiang in Nanyang. Master Li has served for years as Assistant Magistrate, County Magistrate, and Judicial Officer in Jingzhou, possessing profound knowledge and mastering both governance and the law—truly a man of exceptional talent.”

“You flatter me, Assistant Mao,” Li Yan responded humbly, cupping his hands and bowing to Cao Xin. “I pay my respects to you, Prefect!”

“Very good! I am overjoyed to see Master Zhengfang answer the summons. I have heard of your excellent record as County Magistrate in Jingzhou, and I would like to appoint you as Personnel Officer of Nanyang, to assist myself and Assistant Mao in managing the affairs of the prefecture. What do you think?” Cao Xin said enthusiastically, taking Li Yan’s arm.

The Personnel Officer oversaw appointments and evaluations of officials, participated in prefectural governance, and was second only to the Prefect, Assistant, Commandant, and Chief Clerk in rank, with a salary of five hundred piculs of grain.

“Thank you for your trust, my lord. I shall not fail your expectations!” Li Yan replied with a deep bow.

“Haha, excellent! Please rise, Master Zhengfang!” Cao Xin gestured for him to stand, then turned to the pale young man and smiled, “Master Zhengfang, this gentleman carries himself with striking elegance. May I ask who this esteemed scholar is?”

“Prefect Cao, could you at least change your shoes before receiving guests?” The pale youth held his feather fan to his nose, displeased by Cao Xin’s large, exposed feet.

Cao Xin was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing. “The weather is hot, and I am used to wearing bamboo sandals. When I heard notable men had arrived, I was so excited I rushed out before changing shoes. I hope you gentlemen won’t mind!”

“Not at all, not at all!” Li Yan and the others waved their hands with a smile.

The pale youth let out a mocking chuckle. “Greeting guests barefoot, is it? Seven years ago, Master Cai Yong greeted Wang Can by wearing his shoes backward—now Prefect Cao welcomes us in slippers. An imitation, but a poor one—truly laughable.”

Cao Xin was speechless.

“Dezu, mind your words,” Mao Jie admonished him before turning to introduce the youth, “My lord, this is Yang Xiu, courtesy name Dezu, son of Grand Commandant Yang Biao. A prodigy, widely learned, and a confidant of men like Kong Rong and Mi Heng.”

“Yang Xiu?” Cao Xin raised his eyebrows—now here was a famous name. The well-known ‘Chicken Rib’ anecdote was attributed to him. It was said he was so clever he was thirty li ahead of Chancellor Cao himself, a master at reading others’ minds. Later, in the struggle for succession, he said what he shouldn’t have, arousing Cao Cao’s suspicion, and met a tragic end.

“That is I!” Yang Xiu replied, chin lifted, a trace of pride on his face.

Cao Xin looked him up and down. “Young Master Yang, you hail from the illustrious Yang clan of Hongnong. Your father is Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and you have many connections at court. If you wished for office, you could have it easily. What brings you to Nanyang?”

“Let me tell you, Prefect Cao,” Yang Xiu replied with a smirk, “I was recently recommended for filial piety and integrity and am awaiting appointment. While in Xuchang, I heard that you were recruiting in Nanyang, not caring for family background or reputation, but only for talent. I found it amusing and decided to visit. But seeing the Prefect in such a state—tsk, tsk—I think perhaps I should not have come after all.”

“Impudence!” Liao Hua shouted angrily. “What sort of young master are you to put on airs before the General? General, this man is exceedingly rude; allow me to throw him out.”

Cao Xin waved his hand and said with a laugh, “Yang Dezu, have you come to mock us, or are you seeking office? If you wish for employment, you are welcome here.”

“Not at all, not at all. I merely came to have a look around.” Yang Xiu fanned himself nonchalantly.

Cao Xin’s expression turned cold. “This is the prefectural council hall of Nanyang. Idlers cannot wander in at their leisure. Yuanjian, remove him.”

“Yes, General!” Liao Hua and his men promptly threw Yang Xiu out.

“Cao Ziyu, your mind is narrow and cannot tolerate others. By rudely expelling a man of talent, you will be shunned by all the scholars under heaven!” Yang Xiu shouted from outside.

“Talent or not, that’s your concern!” someone retorted.

“Wait, don’t hit me—I'm here to see Young Master Cao, sent by the Chancellor himself! You can’t lay a hand on me!” Yang Xiu’s protests echoed from beyond the door.

Cao Xin frowned and ordered the guards to hand him over to Cao Ang.

Turning to the still-stunned Li Yan, Cao Xin smiled. “Master Li, what do you think of my handling of the matter?”

Li Yan cupped his hands. “That Yang Xiu is arrogant and conceited, ignorant of rank and decorum. His rudeness deserved expulsion—my lord acted rightly!”

“Hahaha!” Cao Xin laughed heartily and took Li Yan by the arm. “Nanyang has been ravaged by war, everything is in disarray, people are displaced and starving. What I need are men who can get things done, not smooth-tongued scholars. With your assistance today, I value it above ten Yang Dezus.”

“My lord overpraises me!” Li Yan replied with a respectful bow.

Mao Jie gave him a long, thoughtful look.

“Ha! Today we have found a great talent—cause for celebration! Come, let us drink!” Cao Xin laughed, pulling Li Yan along, and invited Mao Jie and his colleagues to join them.

Among them were Council Officer Zhao Yin, Registrar Lai Min, Chief Clerk Wang Lian, Judicial Officer Dong Jue, and more than twenty other talented young men, most from the lower ranks of Jingzhou and Yuzhou, all practical and capable.

With such people at hand, Cao Xin had no shortage of talent, regardless of whether famed scholars came to join him.

“General, Li Big-Eyes has returned, and he’s brought more than ten thousand mountain bandits with him!” Liao Hua rushed in with the news.

“Oh? Let’s go see!”