Fan Li wasn’t angry at all. The more disunited the five families were, the easier they were to manage.
“Enough with the kowtowing. I summoned you today to help resolve your issues, not to find fault.”
The words “help resolve” moved the five families deeply. They gazed at Fan Li, as if seeing the benevolent spirits of past sage-kings superimposed upon him. His Majesty is so magnanimous! He doesn’t blame us!
Fan Li continued, “Tell me what is the issue with naming the new city?”
The representatives exchanged glances. The excuses they had previously clung to now seemed… embarrassing.
Nothing that transpired within Great Jin escaped Fan Li's notice. He had already heard the rumors: the Zhang, Lu, Dou, Yin, and Kou clans each wished to name the new city after themselves – Zhang City, Lu City, Dou City, Yin City, and Kou City, respectively. The names themselves were of secondary importance. What they truly sought was recognition of their dominance, the position of City Lord.
The Zhang representative seize the initiative. “Of the five families who have pledged allegiance to Great Jin, the Zhang Clan boasts the largest population, which shows our loyalty. Therefore, the new city should rightfully be named Zhang City!”
Fan Li smiled and nodded. “Indeed. I have heard the Zhang Clan contributed two hundred and ten thousand individuals to Great Jin.”
His words sounded like praise, yet they were noncommittal. This was the art of leadership: never make a hasty decision, never speak plainly when ambiguity would suffice.
The Zhang representative, oblivious to the nuance, preened, casting smug glances at the other four families.
“Your Majesty, we object!”
The Lu representative cried. “While the Nanyang Zhang Clan may be numerous, it is only because their deceased patriarch, Zhang Wen, once held the position of Grand Marshal. All those surnamed Zhang in Nanyang flocked to his banner. They are a common clan, their members mostly ordinary citizens. To name the city after them would be… inappropriate.”
He had deftly exposed the Zhang Clan’s weakness: their numbers stemmed not from prestige, but from circumstance. In a society where lineage and social standing were paramount, sheer population size meant little.
The Zhang representative’s face darkened, but he couldn’t refute the claim. They were all remnants of the former Han Dynasty, steeped in the traditions of nobility. The Lu representative’s assertion that the Zhang Clan lacked the prestige to represent the new city was undeniably true.
“Is that so?” Fan Li turned to the Lu representative. “You are Lu Ming, an elder of the Lu Clan, correct? Tell me, what is your proposal?”
Lu Ming, thrilled by the Emperor’s recognition, straightened his back and spoke with renewed confidence.
“The Lu Clan is a distinguished family of the former Han Dynasty. Our patriarch, Lu Zhi, also known as Zigan, served as Minister of Works and held the title of Marquis Liangxiang. He was a man of integrity, skilled in both literary and martial arts, a true Confucian scholar. He enjoyed widespread respect, a role model for scholars, a pillar of the kingdom.”
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When talking about his proud achievements, Lu Ming was in high spirits.
“Now, Lu Zhi, along with our entire clan, has traveled far to pledge our allegiance to Your Majesty. With his wisdom and experience, he can guide Your Majesty in matters of governance, offer sound counsel, and educate the people. Therefore, the new city should be named Lu City.”
Fan Li, waiting for him to finish, clapped his hands gently. “Indeed, Minister Lu’s integrity and accomplishments are well-known.” His praise, though seemingly genuine, was carefully neutral.
Lu Ming, however, was basking in the Emperor’s approval.
The representative of the Fufeng Dou Clan could no longer contain himself. “Surely the accomplishments of a single individual, however distinguished, cannot bestow honor upon an entire clan? Moreover, in terms of prestige, the Lu Clan, though respectable, cannot compare to the Dou Clan.”
“Oh?” Fan Li turned his attention to the Dou representative.
Encouraged, the man continued, “Your Majesty, the Dou Clan traces its lineage back to Emperor Shao Kang of the Xia Dynasty and, more recently, to the renowned statesman Dou Yi of the Warring States period.
When Emperor Gaozu established the Han Dynasty, during Emperor Wen’s reign, a Dou Clan daughter became Empress. During Emperor Wu’s reign, three members of our clan held the title of Marquis.
And when Emperor Guangwu restored the Han Dynasty, the Dou Clan’s loyalty was rewarded with continued favor and prestige. Amongst the truly distinguished families of our time, the Dou Clan stands foremost. How can the Lu or Zhang clans compare?”
He finished, smug and confident. Despite his arrogance, the Lu and Zhang representatives couldn't argue. Common families and noble families paled in comparison to those with imperial connections.
“Indeed, indeed,” Fan Li said. “The Dou Clan’s long and distinguished history is well-documented.” He praised them, yet his words held no weight, no commitment.
The Dou representative, flushed with excitement, was about to declare the new city should be named Dou City when a cold laugh interrupted him.
“Your Majesty, the Nanyang Yin Clan has something to say.”
“Proceed,” Fan Li replied, relieved. He had worried the Dou Clan’s prestige would overshadow the others, but the Yin representative's confidence reassured him.
“Your Majesty, the Nanyang Yin Clan traces its lineage back to the Ji surname, to the legendary Yellow Emperor himself, a royal clan of the Zhou Dynasty.”
Excellent, Fan Li thought. Their claims are becoming increasingly grandiose, invoking even the Yellow Emperor.
The Yin representative launched into a lengthy discourse, tracing his clan’s history back to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Fan Li listened patiently, not because he was interested, but simply to allow the Yin representative to outdo the Dou Clan.
“Excellent!” He suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling the Yin representative, who had just reached the reign of King You of Zhou.
“Your… Your Majesty… I haven’t finished…”
Fan Li, feigning deafness, said, “That’s quite enough. I am well aware of the Nanyang Yin Clan. Indeed, I am well aware of the Ji Clan, one of the eight great surnames of antiquity.” He praised not just the Yin Clan, but the entire Ji lineage.
His words delighted the Yin representative, mollifying his earlier frustration at being interrupted.
“Next! Who else?” Fan Li’s gaze swept across the hall, searching for the most reticent group.
The Shanggu Kou Clan. Why weren’t they speaking?
Observing their dejected expressions, he understood. Of the five families, the Kou Clan was the smallest, numbering only twenty thousand. Their lineage paled in comparison to the others. While there had been no clear criteria for naming the new city initially, allowing them to compete, now, with the other families boasting of their population size and illustrious ancestors, the Kou Clan had been effectively silenced.
We’ve come here only to be humiliated, the Kou representative thought glumly, looking at Fan Li with resentment.
“The Shanggu Kou Clan!” Fan Li called out suddenly.
“Y-yes, Your Majesty?” The Kou representative, startled, responded hesitantly.
“I have heard that the construction of the new city required one hundred thousand laborers. The entire Kou Clan, including your patriarch, participated, even carrying bricks personally.”
“That is true, Your Majesty. The five families agreed to contribute twenty thousand laborers each…” the Kou representative replied, confused.
Fan Li spoke, “The entire Kou Clan, contributing every able-bodied member to the construction of the new city. Such dedication… I shall never forget it.”
The Kou representative fell to his knees. “Your Majesty understands! You truly understand!”
Fan Li’s eyes, too, seemed to glisten with moisture. Ah, he thought, look at you, so easily moved by a little… chicken soup for the soul.