Chapter Five: The Pei Clan of Hedong

The Pei family! The Pei clan of Hedong!

In the Tang Dynasty, within a feudal society that highly valued the prestige and honor of noble families, the Pei clan held a pivotal position. It was a great family of enduring fame in the history of feudal society, whose origins could be traced back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. During the reign of King Xi of Zhou, the sixth-generation descendant Ling was granted the fief of Jie, and from then on, the character for "Pei" was adopted as the family name, which became the source of all Pei surnames in the world. All those bearing the Pei name originated from the Pei clan of Wenxi, hence the saying, "There is no second Pei under heaven."

There is a saying that describes the development of the Pei clan: "From Qin and Han onwards, it flourished through six dynasties, and reached its peak in the Sui and Tang." This is no exaggeration. From the Qin and Han to the Sui and Tang, the Pei clan produced countless heroes and outstanding figures, renowned ministers and wise counselors, whose names crowded the annals of history like a forest of greatness, generation upon generation of illustrious individuals. Especially now, the Pei clan’s status is extraordinary.

In earlier times, there was a saying about the "Five Surnames and Seven Eminent Families." These referred to the Li clan of Longxi, the Li clan of Zhao Commandery, the Cui clan of Boling, the Cui clan of Qinghe, the Lu clan of Fanyang, the Zheng clan of Xingyang, and the Wang clan of Taiyuan. These five surnames and seven illustrious families were held in the highest esteem and enjoyed unrivaled status in society, far beyond what the Pei clan of Hedong could match.

The status of the Five Surnames and Seven Eminent Families among the gentry was so lofty that it surpassed even the imperial families of successive dynasties. Because of this, the Five Surnames and Seven Eminent Families faced suppression from the court. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, he ordered his ministers to compile the "Genealogy of Clans," elevating the standing of the imperial house and suppressing the Shandong aristocratic families. In Emperor Gaozong’s era, a law was even enacted forbidding intermarriage among these noble families, although the effect was negligible, until the rare emergence of the female emperor Wu Zetian.

Wu Zetian, though far inferior to Taizong and Gaozong in ability, excelled in ruthlessness. She employed cruel officials such as Zhou Xing, Lai Junchen, and Suo Yuanli to purge the aristocratic families' influence in the court, and through reforms in the imperial examination system, supported the rise of commoners, directly and indirectly weakening the power of the nobility. The Five Surnames and Seven Eminent Families were the first to suffer, their vitality severely damaged. In comparison, the Pei clan of Hedong, which ranked just below them, was affected but not nearly as grievously. Their loss was less severe, and their influence even showed signs of surpassing the old aristocracy.

The key to maintaining the status of noble families lies in talent—the more talented individuals, the greater the family’s prosperity.

Thus, families such as the Five Surnames and Seven Eminent Families, the Pei clan of Hedong, and even the third- and fourth-rank noble families spared no effort in cultivating talent within their clans.

Recently, Sun Quan, the Governor of Youzhou, led a force of one hundred thousand to campaign against the Xianbei chieftain Li Dapu, only to suffer complete annihilation and be captured himself, resulting in the collapse of the Youzhou defense line. The Xianbei invaded, plundering key counties such as Yuyang and Yongnu, causing tremendous casualties. This was a nationwide military disaster, and throughout its course, the only figure from the Li Tang side worthy of mention was a member of the Pei family.

Pei Min, a direct descendant of the main line, whom the clan had nearly expelled in disdain, single-handedly, with a sword in his hand, slew the eldest son of Li Dapu amidst hundreds of enemies, rallied the county’s populace, annihilated a thousand elite Xianbei warriors, and captured over a thousand fine warhorses. This was the most remarkable victory against the Xianbei in recent years. Sun Quan’s incompetence stood in stark contrast to Pei Min’s achievements, and the fame of these deeds spread far and wide, celebrated throughout the Tang empire.

Faced with the sudden emergence of such talent within the clan, the Pei family took it very seriously. The current head of the Pei family personally ordered the Pei clan manager in Youzhou to investigate Pei Min’s circumstances, arrange his studies, and mobilize the full strength of the clan to nurture him. However, Pei Min fell gravely ill, and his training had to be postponed.

The Pei clan is divided into five main branches: the Western Pei, the Horse-washing Pei, the Southern Wu Pei, the Central Pei, and the Eastern Pei. These five branches are further divided into three sub-branches residing in Hedong, Youzhou, and Xiliang, each governed by a venerable clan elder and regional managers. The Pei family’s manager in Youzhou was named Pei Yu, belonging to the Horse-washing Pei branch, and was highly respected in the region.

At this moment, Pei Yu had before him several reports on Pei Min, all the results of thorough investigations conducted in recent days. He could not help but marvel at the documents, holding them in his hands and reading them over and over, smiling as he spoke to his son Pei Yuan, who had compiled the materials for him.

"This young man is remarkable! Truly gifted in both civil and martial arts," Pei Yu said, savoring the reports.

Pei Yuan nodded, "When I was sorting the materials sent up from below the other day, I was startled myself. His literary talent is first-rate, and he has proficiency in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all at impressive levels. The phrase ‘a bright pearl covered in dust’ is entirely apt."

"A bright pearl covered in dust cannot hide its brilliance!" Pei Yu shook the documents in his hand and said, "I am convinced that even without this Xianbei invasion, he would have achieved something, though perhaps less distinguished. This youth, so talented in martial arts at such a young age, and excelling in literature as well, could carve out a remarkable career in both fields. Such talent is wasted at the Jicheng academy. I intend to recommend him to the Jishan Academy in Hedong. What do you think?"

Pei Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of envy. The Jishan Academy was the finest institution within the Pei clan of Hedong, where most students were promising youths being cultivated by the family. The instructors were renowned officials, even retired prime ministers, teaching practical knowledge used in government rather than mere scholarly classics. The most famous Pei clan prime ministers—Pei Ji, Pei Ju, and Pei Xingjian—all served as instructors at Jishan Academy. Graduating from Jishan meant the family would use its influence to recommend the scholar for an official post, paving the way for a career in administration. If successful, one could become a minister of the highest rank, with fame enduring through history; even in less illustrious circumstances, one would be a county or prefectural governor, able to live in comfort and dignity.

Pei Yuan, who had tried his utmost in his youth to enter Jishan Academy but had never qualified, still harbored some regret, wishing he had worked harder. He sighed with emotion, then smiled, "I think it’s a great idea!"

**********

Jicheng in Youzhou, at the post station.

An urgent imperial edict, issued from the distant capital Chang’an, arrived at this place!

The emperor’s decree: Xue Na, Prefectural Secretary of Bingzhou, is to immediately assume the position of Governor of Youzhou, to calm the populace, strengthen the frontier, and defend against foreign invaders. By imperial command! Second day of the eighth month, first year of Yanhe!

Xue Na, newly appointed as Governor of Youzhou, received the decree issued by the new emperor Li Longji with a face beaming with pride, once again assuming command of the troops of Youzhou.

As he received congratulations from his old subordinates and officials, Xue Na, though full of ambition, also felt at a loss. To him, Youzhou was like a second homeland. He had guarded Youzhou’s frontier for many years since the reign of Wu Zetian, but due to discord with Li Jin, the Governor of Yanzhou, the retired emperor Li Dan transferred him to Bingzhou, and Sun Quan took over as Governor of Youzhou. This change led to the near total destruction of the Tang frontier army. The border troops he had trained for more than ten years were utterly defeated by Sun Quan. Now, though he bore the title of Governor of Youzhou, he was left with nothing—no soldiers, no funds, only a thousand or so warhorses, all recently captured by a youth not yet eighteen years old.