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Chapter 36: The Clear Voice of the Young Phoenix
Let’s just say Liu Hong never imagined he’d witness such a scene in Luoyang. This piqued his interest. Even Qiao Yan didn’t foresee it; she initially planned to visit the Lingtai to see the Han dynasty’s astronomical authorities. You could even say it was spurred by her previous interest in late Han astronomy. If pressed, she might say it was a pilgrimage to pray for her grandfather.
But she didn’t expect to be stopped by Yang Xiu on the way.
This wasn’t the Yang Xiu who later pondered Cao Cao’s thoughts, the one who left that infamous “chicken rib” explanation. Born in 175 AD, Yang Xiu, if calculated by age, was barely nine.
He was a whole year younger than Qiao Yan!
Not only did he not bear the title of “Dezu” that would come with maturity, but at this tender age, he still sported dual topknots and wore a Guanyin cap, and thanks to being a young scion of the Yang clan, he appeared more like a young lad than a child. As he hastily approached, the extravagant shoes under him definitely flaunted a wealthy demeanor.
That was all.
After he announced himself, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but twitch her lips slightly.
The earlier encounter with Liu Bei, who was barely in his twenties, had already left her with an odd sense of time warp, and seeing a nine-year-old Yang Xiu intensified that feeling.
Considering he later became embroiled in the power struggle between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, ultimately facing execution, one could glimpse how he might be lacking in restraint.
Of course, backed by the Yang clan and the Yuan clan’s influence, even Lady Bian praised him as a “virtuous young man with exceptional talents.” So Yang Xiu’s mild arrogance wasn’t seen as problematic.
Provided one was in an environment that wasn’t chaotic yet.
Even at his age, it was…bearably acceptable.
No, it was still a bit off.
Before, to survive and build her reputation, Qiao Yan interacted with powerful elites, Yellow Turban commanders, and prominent figures like Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Zhu Jun—she had almost forgotten she was still just a child.
Now, here she was, abruptly confronted by a mere nine-year-old, which felt just plain weird.
More amusingly, Yang Xiu had three grandfathers who were all Grand Commandants. Because of such an illustrious background, he was undoubtedly the top among his peers from aristocratic families. When he approached Qiao Yan, he was flanked by a troop of little nobles.
If it were a different era, it would look like elementary school kids fighting!
Except Yang Xiu had contemporaries while Qiao Yan had a gold-standard bodyguard, Dian Wei.
When you added it up, she seemed more street-smart.
Qiao Yan cleared her throat, signaling Dian Wei not to adopt a menacing stance, and then faced Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu’s friends shrank back, startled by the imposing Dian Wei, while the young Grand Commandant stood his ground, not frightened at all.
Qiao Yan asked, “What brings you here, Yang Xiu?”
Yang Xiu replied, “I heard Qiao Hou excels in rhetoric and strategy. Even before your arrival in Luoyang, your reputation preceded you. Although young, I’m knowledgeable in poetry and literature, and I wanted to see your skills firsthand.”
As he spoke, he sized up the young lady before him.
Thanks to his little buddies’ guidance, along with Dian Wei’s distinct look next to Qiao Yan, he clearly recognized her. Yet, he could only discern her composure amidst change; what he couldn’t grasp was how she could curb the Yellow Turbans to earn the title of Marquis of Leping through sheer talent, rather than inheritance.
Having heard about his grandfather facing setbacks for opposing the high county marquis title, Yang Xiu calculated that he could regain some face by challenging a peer.
Yang Xiu might have been young, but thanks to Yang Ci and Yang Biao, he had grown accustomed to the opinions of the big shots. Frequently auditing at the Imperial Academy, he felt that Qiao Yan, who hadn’t been raised in Luoyang, lacked comparable educational resources, leading him to confidently believe he had the upper hand.
For this, he had waited in front of the Academy, but only received news today that Qiao Yan had emerged.
Yang Xiu immediately blocked her path.
Honestly, he didn’t expect his challenge would be rejected.
The academic atmosphere at the end of the Han was relatively open; just look at the battles between the proponents of the new and old Confucian texts. Disagreements could be openly aired—a far cry from rash behavior, indeed a display of noble character.
Yang Xiu, with a mindset like a youthful genius, thought —
Qiao Yan had been conferred a marquis at a young age; she had achieved her ambitions by ten, so surely she had some pride. Being publicly provoked like this, if he were in her shoes, he would have to stand his ground.
However, much to his surprise, Qiao Yan replied, “I’m afraid I cannot comply.”
Seeing her turn to leave, Yang Xiu hastily stopped her, “Why not compare with me? You’re the grandson of a Grand Commandant, and so am I. Even if one of us loses, it won’t significantly tarnish our reputations. I’ve heard Qiao Hou is well-versed in debate; your knowledge is unmatched. Let’s have three types of contests. Why not listen to the details before deciding?”
As if scared Qiao Yan wouldn’t believe him, he pointed off into the distance, adding, “If you doubt my abilities, my friends in the Academy can vouch for me.”
There was no need to seek out those Academy friends; Qiao Yan was already in a location right by the south gate near the Luoshui Floating Bridge, which wasn’t far from the Academy.
A curious crowd had already gathered, and upon hearing Yang Xiu speak, someone chimed in, “Indeed, Yang Xiu displays remarkable talent. If he weren’t so young, he should already be recognized as a scholar in the Academy.”
A “scholar” was generally for those at least twelve in age in the East Han, so Yang Xiu’s nine was indeed pushing it.
This comment sufficiently demonstrated he was no ordinary lad.
The judgment earned universal approval from the onlookers.
Of course, some simply relished in the gossip.
Yet, despite Yang Xiu’s ample reasons to challenge, Qiao Yan had her own solid excuse to refuse. She said, “Thank you, Young Master Yang. However, with my grandfather ill, I’m unable to engage in competition.”
Yang Xiu froze, realizing this truly was her situation.
Even though Qiao Xuan had been unwell for some time, she had only just arrived in the capital. Engaging in street duels while her grandfather’s life hung in the balance would seem rather untimely.
Furthermore, even without invoking her grandfather’s illness, she still ought not to accept Yang Xiu’s challenge.
Should she agree, she’d have to give it her all to win — that was a given.
Her merits came from defeating Zhang Jiao, gaining achievements during favorable conditions against powerful families and political factions, culminating in her rare title. But if she were to lose —
It would be akin to how Zhang Jiao would lose his standing as the leader of the Yellow Turban movement; she too would risk being deemed replaceable!
To win, however, would also mean stepping on the prestige of the esteemed Yang clan.
While on her way to Luoyang, she could afford to let Yuan Shao off lightly, as being sent by Liu Hong to convey an edict, Bi Lan had authority; aligning with the Emperor would make sense.
But striking down a descendant of a Grand Commandant on the streets would spell trouble.
Furthermore, Qiao Yan’s legacy from Qiao Xuan was already dubious—more potential enemies was unwelcome.
“But…” Yang Xiu hesitated, trying to counter Qiao Yan’s refusal, realizing it was indeed a hard case to argue.
He sensed Qiao Yan appeared a bit worn; however, Yang Xiu was too absorbed in her well-being to consider she had been working in the fields for the first time, digging and fertilizing while being slightly out of her depth, making her weary. He took her fatigue as stress from caring for her grandfather.
But his mind was quick, and after a stammer, he proposed, “Then how about we change the method of contest?”
Before Qiao Yan could refuse, he rambled on, “With the end of the month approaching, the Monthly Appraisal is near. Xu Zijiang from Runan is coming to Luoyang to avoid the warfare. The Monthly Appraisal usually held on Qinghe Island will be relocated to Dingzhong Temple in Luoyang. Let’s both go and see who earns Xu Zijiang’s praise!”
He quickly added, “Xu Zijiang is fair in his evaluations and won’t give favoritism to those of noble birth. I, Yang Xiu, can’t dictate his visit; this reveals our true abilities.”
He didn’t say anything wrong there.
Xu Shao, while not particularly lovable, was known for his measured assessment, despite some rumors about personal grievances with his cousin Xu Jing, who hosted the Appraisal. A few of those who gained fame from it were no silver spoons, but Xu Zijiang genuinely cared about the appraisal’s reputation.
Yuan Shao even felt the need to present himself modestly upon his return to avoid a bad name from Xu Zijiang, fearing he’d be labeled as “a descendant of the four generations of public officials, merely eating from the public trough and indulging excessively,” which would destroy his reputation.
If Yuan Shao was this cautious, Yang Xiu wouldn’t be afforded special treatment due to family status either.
“Moreover—” Yang Xiu was determined to compete with Qiao Yan, presenting another point. “If Xu Zijiang praises you, it will bring comfort to Qiao Gong during his illness.”
This effectively cornered Qiao Yan, as refusing the duel would appear unfilial and contradictory.
So, the stakes in this contest of who could unlock the Appraisal’s door made it so she had no choice but to agree.
She decisively replied, “Alright, I’m in.”
This explains why Bi Lan, upon hearing the news during her brief report to Liu Hong, stated —
“Just in time for the Monthly Appraisal on the first of June, Yang Xiu has arranged a match with Qiao Hou to see who can earn Xu Zijiang’s acclaim.”
Truth be told, Qiao Yan was a bit curious about the Monthly Appraisal.
Cao Cao had received Xu Zijiang’s appraisal, which labeled him as “a treacherous hero in peaceful times,” but that appraisal had come only after Qiao Xuan, under duress, previously called him a “gifted talent.”
Reading histories, she found the way he forced Xu Shao was endlessly amusing.
But since she’d just called Cao Cao her “uncle,” she couldn’t exactly ask him how he coerced the guy—whether he pulled a knife or some other trick.
In any case, this Monthly Appraisal, one of the many oddities born of Runan and Yingchuan, had turned out quite interesting under Cao Cao’s circumstances.
As Yang Xiu mentioned, the Appraisal originally took place on Qinghe Island; naturally, Qiao Yan wouldn’t be able to meet Xu Zijiang in Luoyang during normal times.
But thanks to the Yellow Turban Rebellion, what was once impossible had become possible.
Just before the battle of Changsha in Yingchuan, the Yellow Turban forces had already infiltrated the Runan area. Given the Han army’s early defeats, Xu Shao and his cousin were quite concerned about dangers should they remain in Runan.
Considering the defenses of Luoyang’s eight gates were far superior to whatever risk the Yellow Turbans posed, they took the detour to Luoyang.
Yet having arrived, Xu Shao only set up camp in a suburban area southwest of Luoyang, at Dingzhong Temple, which had earned that name due to the ancient altar of the Yellow Emperor.
Don’t misinterpret Dingzhong Temple as merely a Daoist temple; the name “Ding” comes from “King Wu’s siege on the Zhou.” Thus, it can be viewed as a commemorative site.
Xu Shao’s decision raised the respect of Luoyang’s scholars for him.
Being in Luoyang meant rubbing elbows with the influential; Xu Shao, however, clearly managed to remain unaffected by outside distractions.
He had cultivated the Monthly Appraisal for years, clearly earning the kind of merit leading to the saying “When it comes to discerning talent, all praise Xu and Guo,” enjoying recognition from the three dukes. From a lowly clerk, he built himself up to governor, yet he chose not that path.
Instead, he remained in the outskirts of Luoyang, continuing his role as what could be called “the Han dynasty’s literary monthly review.”
Thus, as the approaching June first Appraisal came…
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“The absence of the Runan scholars hasn’t dampened the intellectual buzz; instead, it seems to have attracted more onlookers to the Dingzhong Temple from Luoyang, who are usually nowhere to be seen!”
As June arrived, the outskirts of Luoyang, typically quiet, were now buzzing with activity. People were either standing with books in hand or sitting on the ground. When Qiao Yan and Yang Xiu arrived, the atmosphere felt almost festive, reminiscent of an event where the air was filled with enthusiasm.
“Are there really six or seven children here…”
Qiao Yan glanced at Yang Xiu and his little followers, feeling the scene looked just right for a lively gathering.
But since she said it more to herself than in expectation of a response, Yang Xiu merely shrugged, not catching her musing.
Before he could even ask, Qiao Yan shot a question his way: “I heard that Grand Commandant Yang meant to recommend Xu Zijiang but got turned down. Aren’t you worried he might take it out on you?”
Yang Xiu chuckled, “I’ve heard the evaluations from Master Zijiang are fair and just. Plus, my grandfather valued his keen insight and has no ill intentions. As for me, I am just Yang Xiu today, without any titles or legacies to weigh me down. We’re here now, so let’s not dwell on familial histories.”
Seeing Qiao Yan nodding appreciatively, Yang Xiu couldn’t help but feel a little more confident about this duel.
However, Yang Xiu was unaware that people had already caught wind of his battle with Qiao Yan due to Liu Hong’s interest in her, and now some had come to watch this showdown unfold.
But as they approached the Dingzhong Temple, a wave of awkwardness washed over him.
It wasn’t hard to understand why he felt that way.
Amongst a crowd of grown scholars and up-and-coming officials, the two of them, so young, seemed like two sideshow attractions, standing out far too much.
His little buddies had already retreated to the edge of the crowd since it was too obvious to miss. So, it was just Yang Xiu and Qiao Yan left.
He looked at the best performer among their peers, who was not showing any signs of insecurity despite the odd looks from those surrounding them. She didn’t even try to act cool to cover up her composure.
Yang Xiu clenched his teeth, refusing to embarrass himself and followed her lead.
Since Qiao Yan was walking faster, Yang Xiu noticed a young man standing closest to the Dingzhong Temple eyeing Qiao Yan. He exclaimed, “Is the little one aiming for the moon with the Monthly Appraisal?”
This young man implied that being critiqued by Xu Zijiang often led to a quick rise in the bureaucratic ladder. Using the phrase “rising like a dragon” showed he recognized her ambition.
But both Qiao Yan and Yang Xiu picked up on the underlying message: a child can’t claim to be a dragon, and if not, wouldn’t that mean they could fall into the depths?
Yet, without missing a beat, Qiao Yan retorted, “Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘the fledgling phoenix is clearer than the call of an old phoenix’?”
“…” The young man was at a loss for words.
Truth be told, he hadn’t heard that line before, especially since it was from the later poet Li Shangyin.
Feeling embarrassed under Qiao Yan’s steady gaze, he quickly gathered himself and replied, “I apologize, being young doesn’t mean one can’t be a hero.”
With that, he stepped aside to let Qiao Yan pass.
Yang Xiu, who was previously thrilled by Qiao Yan’s acknowledgement of his thoughtful stance on his grandfather, couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right to consider her a formidable rival.
But at this moment, he didn’t have the luxury of mulling over what to say to prove his worth. Upon squeezing in next to Qiao Yan in the front row, he discovered the door to the Dingzhong Temple was tightly shut.
This was a stark contrast to what he had heard about Xu Shao’s previous Monthly Appraisal gatherings.
“My grandfather said Xu Zijiang welcomed everyone in Runan’s Qinghe Island, where they sat around discussing issues. I thought we could do something similar today since the door is barred, but it looks like…”
Plans foiled due to the locked door.
Qiao Yan pondered for a moment and asked the man who had stepped aside for her earlier, “Excuse me, kind sir, who was allowed inside before us?”
The man, wary of the young one’s concerns, replied briskly, “Han Yuanchang, Chen Yuanfang, the Grand General’s Chief Clerk, Wang Gongjie, Chen Kongzhang, and Xu Ziyuan among others have all gone in.”
These were the big names in present-day Luoyang…
While they might not have the same renown as later arrivals like Xun Shuang and He Yong, they were still the boldest and most eloquent bunch around.
This meant the open forum that used to be held in Runan had been turned into a closed discussion here, skewed by the overwhelming number of Luoyang scholars. Since there wasn’t enough space in Dingzhong Temple, the gathering adapted to this closed format with the outside crowd left to wait for the verdict.
It indeed seemed to make things simpler, but as Yang Xiu had said, that would make it harder for their names to reach those inside.
Clearly, Qiao Yan wasn’t going to use Cao Cao’s method.
Being in Luoyang represented her family’s reputation, especially that of Qiao Xuan, so she couldn’t afford to have Dian Wei break through the door.
If she acted rashly, all the impressive displays afterward would be wasted, and no apologies would rectify that.
So she needed to take the straight route.
She mulled over the names the man had mentioned.
Han Yuanchang was the scholar Han Rong;
Chen Yuanfang, son of the famous Chen Shi, and father of Chen Qun;
He Jin’s Chief Clerk Wang Qian wasn’t the most famous, but he had a son who was one of the Seven Sons of Jian’an named Wang Can;
The Chief Clerk Bian Jiang, who had crossed swords with Cao Cao and ended up meeting a dreadful fate;
Wang Gongjie would ultimately rise to be the Governor of Henei;
Chen Kongzhang—of course, that was the illustrious Chen Lin;
And Xu Ziyuan, who had defected from Yuan Shao to Cao Cao during the Battle of Guandu.
Was there any common ground she could leverage?
It looked like there might just be!
“What are you thinking about?” Yang Xiu’s voice broke into her thoughts.
With a plan forming in her mind, Qiao Yan replied, “Since the door is shut tight and we can’t get in, why don’t we each write an essay and submit it for feedback from those inside?”
As she spoke, several amused glances shot her way, suggesting they weren’t the first to entertain such an idea. But daring to submit ideas for critique to literary masters like Chen Lin and Bian Jiang? Most people wouldn’t dare, fearing scorn more than fame. Getting a poor review would be quite the disaster!
Yet Qiao Yan, having recognized her audience, was bold enough to attempt this.
And so was Yang Xiu!
After all, he figured he had nothing to fear.
At such a young age, there was no way he would be subjected to tough criticisms; if anything, he might receive rare praise from the esteemed scholars.
With that thought in mind, he exclaimed, “Alright, fetch some paper and a pen!”
Of course, he was left contemplating what to write that would outshine Qiao Yan’s work… biting his pen, he pondered.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Qiao Yan writing at lightning speed, as if she had a wealth of ideas waiting to spill out.
Yang Xiu quickly shifted his gaze away, not wanting to be influenced and rush his own thoughts. But the way she was effortlessly crafting her piece piqued his curiosity about what she was writing.
He recalled his grandfather’s analysis of her first debate against Zhang Jiao, where her overwhelming evidence had led to a resounding victory. Would she be pulling a similar stunt now?
Unfortunately, despite his curiosity, he couldn’t glimpse the writing before it was sent inside the Dingzhong Temple.
After all, he was pleased with his own work, not keen on letting Qiao Yan see it before the official reveal.
As he thought this, he found himself glancing nervously at Qiao Yan’s calm expression, which only amplified his unease.
He was counting time with his fingers, feeling like the clock creeped painfully slow. But in reality, after he’d finished his eighth round of counting, the doors finally cracked open, revealing an unpretentious middle-aged scholar stepping out.
This gentleman strolled over, empty-handed and made a slight bow toward Yang Xiu.
He said, “Congratulations, Young Master Yang! Master Zijiang’s review of you is—quick-witted and commendable bravery.”
Yang Xiu’s heart skipped a beat.
While it was just a neutral assessment, for a boy not even ten years old, this was a delightful surprise!
It was quite clear: Yang Xiu was quick on his feet, but there was a subtle hint that, given his age, it was meant to express a commendable spirit rather than impact.
But there was more to it!
This carried an unspoken rule.
If the nine-year-old Yang Xiu received such a review from Xu Shao, once an adult, he could always return for a new evaluation and bypass the long waits others faced.
This had provided him with a stepping stone to converse with Xu Shao!
Compared to his grandfather getting outright rejected, this was definitely a win for him.
A childish grin broke out on his face, but before he could brag to Qiao Yan, he noticed the middle-aged scholar turning to Qiao Yan.
With an even warmer, genuine smile, Yang Xiu felt an unsettling omen creeping up on him.
As expected, the next moment, the middle-aged scholar bowed to Qiao Yan and said, “Congratulations to Lady Qiao! Master Zijiang’s review of you is—‘A bright strategist among the youth, the fledgling phoenix has a clear voice.’”
