The current issue with King Langya is that his bloodline is too distant from the main branch of the Jin Dynasty, being a collateral branch. Hence, when confronting Zhao Hanzhang, he lacks legitimacy, since Zhao Hanzhang holds the Little Emperor, the legitimate bloodline of the Jin Dynasty;
But this is also a good point. If Zhao Hanzhang truly unified the empire, it could increase his chances of survival, as long as he refrains from excessive actions.
Xie Kun earnestly discussed with Xie Pi throughout the night and finally persuaded him.
Xie Kun sighed and said, "If our Xie Family had the heritage like the Wang Family or Lu Family, naturally, we could follow your heart. Even if the young generation in our family doesn’t return to the Northern Land, in the future, whether they die in battle or submissively comply, they would carve out their own place without our worry."
"But we are not, the Xie Family is just a minor clan. We already suffered huge losses during our escape to the south. Another major war could spell catastrophe and extinction for a small noble family like ours, so we must act with utmost caution."
The offspring of the Xie Family are not numerous, and currently, there are only a few who can be presented. Those cousins and nephews from collateral branches not only fall far short of the Lu and Yang Families in terms of talent but also lack in character.
Thus, sending them, the great noble families of the Yangs and others would definitely not be willing to bring them along, so Xie Pi is the only option.
At this time, Xie Kun was unaware that the Xie Family did indeed experience a dwindling lineage. However, in the future, Xie Pi would manage to produce a series of excellent descendants for the Xie Family, with only Xie Pi’s progeny surviving in this branch. He even had a particularly renowned son named Xie An in the future.
Xie Pi agreed, and the next day, he submitted a resignation.
His position as a military advisor was somewhat frustrating because most of King Langya’s military power was in Wang Dun’s hands, and lately, Wang Dun had been at odds with King Langya.
When deities fight, those who suffer are largely the innocent bystanders, so Xie Pi’s days weren’t easy.
At the time of his resignation, King Langya did not think too much. His mind was preoccupied with the petitions from several great families requesting tax exemptions, so upon hearing the resignation request, he irritably agreed.
Xie Pi was deeply disappointed.
Xie Kun then told him, "You can see that the Great King Langya does not necessarily need you. If you genuinely want to repay him, why not return to the Northern Land to establish yourself? In the future, perhaps you could speak favorably about the Great King in front of Zhao Hanzhang."
Xie Pi agreed, packed his bags, and went to find the descendants of the Lu Family.
They were pleased with Xie Pi’s joining. Though older, he was charming and elegant, adept in both literature and martial arts, offering companionship and assistance along the way.
Thus, the group set off in a grand fashion, amusingly traveling from Jianye to Guangling. One night, while boating on the river, they accidentally reached the opposite shore.
Then they went ashore and leisurely ran to find Liu Kun to have fun.
Liu Kun, upon seeing so many noble descendants coming to find him, was exceedingly delighted, generously entertained them, and after letting them stay in Xuzhou for a few days, wrote them a recommendation letter and issued travel permits, allowing them to take the permits and letter to Luoyang to find Zhao Hanzhang.
Things went exceedingly smoothly.
After all, these kids merely found entertainment across the river, as both Jiangnan and Jiangdong were still territories of the Great Jin. While Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t directly govern these areas, official decrees were still delivered here.
Occasionally they were asked to send tributes, so in many eyes, though they were not a single power, they still belonged to one nation.
The children merely went to another province to play; it wasn’t like they went abroad, so why make a fuss?
Everyone tacitly withheld the news, preventing it from reaching King Langya’s ears.
However, King Langya was neither deaf nor blind. After the summer harvest, he received the news, and by then, Xie Pi and his group had reached Luoyang.
King Langya was infuriated and smashed a set of cups and saucers, ready to send someone to question several great families. However, they came forward themselves.
The eunuch softly reported, "Several Clan Leaders from the Yang Family are kneeling outside, claiming their children were mischievous and poorly raised, and they have come to confess their guilt."
King Langya’s fury deflated like a punctured balloon; confessing their guilt?
Could he punish them?
How could he punish them?
Originally, having fled to Jiangdong meant they needed to integrate with the local noble families and earn their recognition. However, time was still short, and Jiangdong had its own customs, different from the North and Central Plains.
Noble families in Jiangdong couldn’t completely trust King Langya, and King Langya couldn’t heavily rely on them, so he had to depend on the noble families that escaped from the north together with him.
Currently, seven of every ten officials under him were people from the North.
Among them, the children of Luo, Lu, and Yuan families accounted for a considerable number, with the highest number being from the Wang Family. However, this time numerous young nobles followed the three great family descendants on their outing. If truly pursued and punished, it’s uncertain how many would be implicated.
Moreover, noble families were interrelated by marriage, standing united, and punishing one might offend many others.
King Langya tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, "Invite them into the hall and treat them well."
King Langya sat down, his heart heavy, asking, "Where is Mao Hong now?"
The eunuch whispered, "Governor Wang is ill and resting in bed."
King Langya clenched his fists immediately, not believing that Wang Dao knew nothing. And since he hasn’t reported until now, it must be that he’s intentionally aiming for his disgrace.
Sima Shao, slightly over twelve, quietly stepped in, bowed to King Langya, and said, "Father, why be upset? We are people of the Great Jin, and those children merely long for their homeland and return. Their minds haven’t forgotten their ancestors, which should please you."
Upon seeing him, King Langya’s expression eased slightly but also became more dispirited. "What do you know? Now the hearts of the people in Jiangdong are not united, while the Northern Central Plains have already stabilized. Originally, the noble families from the north longed to return, and now that these children have set a precedent, it’s hard to retain talents in the future."
"Since you can’t retain them anyway, getting upset and losing your composure is meaningless. Why not graciously commend them, allowing the noble families with the heart to return north?" Sima Shao continued, "Father, if they aren’t wholeheartedly loyal to you, having them stay might lead to divided intentions and actions. Would you feel secure employing them?"
King Langya was silent.
Sima Shao said, "The greatest taboo in employing people is suspicion. If you want to employ Wang Mao Hong, you should not doubt him. If you want to rely on the northern noble families, you should not guard against them."
"If your heart harbors suspicion, how can they serve you with peace of mind? Suspicions breed distrust, which will eventually lead to significant issues."
King Langya was profoundly shaken, then suspiciously looked at Sima Shao, "Did you think of this yourself, or did someone teach you?"
Sima Shao: "...I thought of it myself."
King Langya was skeptical.
Coincidentally, Zhao Hanzhang had just accepted the visiting cards of several great families and was discussing with Ji Yuan and others how to employ these people.
Although Ming Yu didn’t like the offspring of these families, he also said to Zhao Hanzhang, "If the Great General wishes for national stability, utilizing noble families and scholar families is indispensable. But if you want to use them, you cannot suspect them; otherwise, it’s better not to use them."

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