Receiving the Xiaolian Recommendation
Three weeks had passed since Seo Jun’s return. Aside from that first day, which had been rather hectic, a long-awaited stretch of lazy, leisurely time flowed by. Seo Jun sat on the wooden platform in his home, savoring the breeze that cooled the midday heat and stealing a brief escape from the lingering summer warmth at the end of August.
“Is anyone home~?”
The humble gate creaked open, and a man who looked like a soldier from the county office stepped into Seo Jun’s courtyard.
“Who are you?”
“Are you, by chance, Young Master Seo?”
“I am.”
The man had clearly come looking for him.
What’s this about?
“Ah, I am a lowly clerk serving at the governor’s office. I’ve come because I have a message to deliver to Young Master Seo.”
“Yes?”
The soldier who had introduced himself as a mere clerk treated Seo Jun with extreme caution. He had heard the rumors circulating in the area and knew the atmosphere inside the governor’s office suggested something significant was happening with Seo Jun.
Why the sudden summons from the governor’s office? He had no special connection with them aside from Danhoe, so the request left him puzzled. If it had been Danhoe, the man would have simply sent a household slave to fetch him rather than dispatching a soldier.
“The governor requests that you come to the office immediately, Young Master Seo.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you happen to know why he’s calling for me?”
“No. I was only ordered to deliver the message, so I don’t know the details.”
“I see. Then let’s go together at once.”
Having nothing urgent to do, Seo Jun rose immediately and accompanied the clerk straight to the governor’s office.
The soldier handed Seo Jun over to the clerk waiting outside the governor’s private chamber and departed. The civil official studied Seo Jun for a moment, then approached the door.
“Governor, the Young Master Seo you summoned has arrived. Shall I send him in?”
“Let him enter.”
“Please go in.”
With the governor’s permission granted from within, the official opened the door for Seo Jun. The room he stepped into had aged furnishings, yet everything felt clean and orderly. Whoever managed the space clearly took great care in dusting and organizing it.
“I greet Governor Zhang Zhong.”
Once inside, Seo Jun bowed deeply at the waist and offered a respectful greeting to Shuofang Governor Zhang Zhong. The man he remembered was similar in character to his father, Seo Jeong. What kind of family head he might be, Seo Jun couldn’t say, but as an administrator, he was an honorable official who constantly worried for the country and its people, always observing and striving to do better.
“It has been a long time. It must be two years since we last saw each other. Come, sit here.”
Zhang Zhong rose from his desk, gestured toward the central table, and guided Seo Jun over.
“Only two years have passed, yet your bearing is truly remarkable. One could call it a transformation worthy of admiration.”
“You praise me too highly.”
“Haha, not at all. I only hope that our own Jin-i will show similar growth alongside your father during this tour of duty at Yishuse.”
“If it is Young Master Yu Sang, I am certain he will.”
After exchanging a few words about daily life, Zhang Zhong’s expression grew solemn and he straightened his posture. It seemed the time for official business had arrived.
At the word Xiaolian, Seo Jun’s eyes widened. The entire reason he had endured such hardship traveling across Jizhou was to gather money to purchase an official post. Yet the work he had done simply to earn money and Karma had unintentionally built his reputation and even delivered this chance at legitimate appointment.
Zhang Zhong suddenly stood, then bowed deeply toward Seo Jun, hands clasped in formal respect.
“Sir, your courtesy is far too much.”
Seo Jun rose quickly and returned an equally deep bow.
I was only trying to farm Karma…
Contrary to his original intentions, people across Jizhou and the capital region now saw Seo Jun as a loyal hero who cared for the country and its people, willingly risking himself. The reputation was spreading in every direction.
“I had been pondering the military commander’s suggestion, but with even the Grand General’s office stepping forward, I no longer have reason to delay. Yesterday I sent the formal Xiaolian recommendation for you to Luoyang. I considered discussing it with you first, but the military commander told me you also wished to go to Luoyang, so I handled it promptly. You must enter the court on the first day of the first lunar month next year to begin your training as a court official. Calculate the travel time carefully and prepare to move to Luoyang.”
“I am deeply grateful for Your Excellency’s immense kindness.”
“It was only what should be done. There is no need for further thanks. Continue to serve the imperial family and the nation as diligently as you have until now.”
“I will engrave your words in my heart.”
Seo Jun already found himself needing to navigate the delicate art of political survival. Whatever his true feelings, the public now viewed him as a righteous scholar who placed country and people above his own safety. He could hardly turn around and say, That’s not who I am.
Is it really all right to let this continue? What if the truth comes out later?
He felt a twinge of worry, but there was no turning back. This was an opportunity he had seized with great effort; he would not throw it away over such concerns.
When he left the governor’s chamber, Danhoe was waiting for him outside.
“When you explained it before, it sounded simple, but it was no small matter at all. I’ve heard the full story of what you did in Jizhou. You truly went through a lot.”
“It was thanks to your concern, Uncle Dan, that such a fine opportunity arose. Thank you.”
“Haha, even without my involvement, your achievements in Jizhou alone would have been enough for a recommendation. I am truly proud of you. Your father and uncle will be overjoyed when they hear the news. Prepare calmly for your journey to Luoyang.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
After leaving the governor’s office, Seo Jun hurried home to share the happy news with his family as quickly as possible.
“Mother!”
He burst through the gate and called out loudly for Seol Ryeon.
Clatter!
“Jun! What is it? Did something happen?”
At his shout, Seol Ryeon rushed out from her room. Ju Wan, Ju Hwi, Achan, and Aon all hurried from their own rooms into the courtyard, staring at him.
“Listen, everyone~ I have finally been recommended as a Xiaolian! I will go to Luoyang for training and receive an official post! Our whole family must move to Luoyang!!”
“Brother, is it true?! Really?!”
“Congratulations!”
“Jun! That’s wonderful!”
The entire family rejoiced as one over Seo Jun’s Xiaolian recommendation.
After sharing the joy for a while, Seo Jun delivered the news to Yi Hyeon, who had been absent, and to Po Han’s family as well.
That evening, Seo Jun, Seol Ryeon, and Yi Hyeon gathered for a serious family discussion. The topic was what to do about the situation with his father and uncle.
“First, I’ll ask their wishes by letter.”
“Shouldn’t we go ask them in person?”
“They’ve only been gone a short while on their assignment. They won’t say they’re coming back anytime soon. It’s better to simply write and ask, Mother.”
Because this concerned a family relocation, it would be difficult to proceed without informing the eldest members of the household, Seo Jeong and Seo Pyeong. Yet they all knew that even if they tried to persuade the two men to come along, they were not the sort who would easily abandon their posts and move to Luoyang with the family. The three people in the room felt little desire to press them too hard.
Beyond that, though no one spoke it aloud, the deeper nature of their relationships made them reluctant to insist.
“All right. Then let’s send letters and ask their intentions.”
“Yes, let’s do that, Mother.”
They reached easy agreement regarding the two men.
Once back in his room, Seo Jun prepared a letter for Wang Yi. Now that he had secured a foundation, he wanted her to come to Luoyang when he moved and proceed with their marriage.
Marriages among the scholar-official class and nobility of this era required following the complete Three Letters and Six Rites. The three letters were the betrothal document, the gift inventory, and the document presented when receiving the bride. The six rites included the initial proposal through a matchmaker, inquiring after the bride’s birth information, divination before the ancestral tablets, the formal engagement, sending the wedding date, and finally the groom personally fetching the bride.
Seo Jun knew he should roughly follow these steps, but the excessive formality left him unwilling to bother. So he ignored every procedure and sent Wang Yi a letter that essentially carried the meaning of the final rite—personally receiving the bride.
My dear Wang Yi,
The foundation I sought is now in place. When I depart for Luoyang, I wish for you to join me there so we may proceed with our wedding. Come to Luoyang around the eleventh month and become my wife. Though I have filled this letter with many elegant phrases, its heart is simple: I want you by my side as we begin our new life together in the capital.
— Seo Jun
He waited for her reply while slowly beginning preparations to leave for Luoyang. Since Po Han’s family had also decided to move with them, they needed to close the smithy, which meant the whole household had to move quickly and busily.