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Fei Qian had not expected to encounter this rather thorny problem so soon.
Although the Wei clan had not been defeated in open battle, they had still submitted after a period of struggle. Of course, behind the act of surrender lay many complicated factors. Nevertheless, the young man standing before him had just presented Fei Qian with a genuine dilemma.
This was the classic problem of how to handle surrendered personnel.
Using surrendered men well is a highly technical skill.
Done correctly, it can win hearts, attract more talent, demonstrate a ruler's willingness to treat worthy men with respect, and display a broad and magnanimous vision.
Surrendered men would not be limited to the Wei clan, nor would they be confined to Hedong alone.
How to arrange and employ them was something every ruler had to master. It was also one of the important qualities of governance.
Done poorly, it could even create hidden dangers—such as false surrender schemes. Imagine an uncle like Huang Gai arriving with a bright red backside and flames; that would be anything but amusing.
Trust them?
Or not trust them?
For a moment, Fei Qian truly found it difficult to decide.
The young man standing in the hall spoke eloquently, with good rhetoric and a handsome appearance that gave him the air of a scholar. From his words, one could tell he had considerable depth in classical learning. Moreover, when he spoke about the supplies the Wei clan had delivered, he recited the figures from memory, suggesting he also had some skill in arithmetic.
His name was Wei Liu, courtesy name Menglian.
He belonged to the Hedong Wei clan, but had no direct blood relation to Wei Ji. He was a descendant of another collateral elder. This time, he had come as the representative fulfilling the Wei clan's treaty obligations, standing before Fei Qian…
If one set aside the matter of surname, Wei Liu was indeed a capable talent.
To put it plainly, the vast majority of gentry sons were more or less talented—though their talent might be broad but shallow. Knowledge at this time was largely monopolized by the gentry families. Ordinary commoners had almost no opportunity to access it, let alone study the classics or arithmetic.
Wei Liu also subtly expressed his willingness to serve under Fei Qian. At the same time, this carried a hint of goodwill from other branches of the Hedong Wei clan, separate from Wei Ji, seeking reconciliation.
When a talented man offers himself at the door, should one accept him or not?
Fei Qian listened to Wei Liu's words, then remained silent for a while before suddenly asking, "What is your view on the matter of Wei Boyu?"
Wei Liu paused for the briefest instant, then replied, "The young lord of Wei is of the same generation as my father. A son does not speak of his father's faults. Please forgive me for not elaborating."
Oh?
Fei Qian chuckled inwardly. The answer was quite skillful—expressing meaning while saying nothing at all…
Fei Qian asked again, "In that case, how should the goods delivered by the Wei clan this time be handled?"
His question carried multiple layers. It referred not only to the physical items the Wei clan had sent.
"Goods" could also mean all things, or specifically point to people, matters, and objects outside oneself—often referring to the broader group. In other words, Fei Qian was asking not only about the concrete supplies, but also about the people of the Wei clan.
This included Wei Liu himself.
Fei Qian wanted to judge Wei Liu's answer to decide what choice to make.
Wei Liu thought for a long moment before saying slowly, "When using white cogongrass as a mat, one can place heavy objects upon it."
White cogongrass was a soft, pure-white, rather valuable grass. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, feudal lords often wrapped their tribute to the Zhou royal house in white cogongrass to show respect.
"Mat" could also imply a cushion or padding.
"Placing heavy objects upon it" came from Confucius's commentary on this hexagram image in the Book of Changes.
By quoting this line, Wei Liu expressed respect, offered an explanation, and even subtly included a small reminder and counterpoint. His choice of words was perfectly balanced.
Fei Qian was currently the administrator of a commandery. In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States era, that would have made him a regional lord. The Wei clan sending goods to Fei Qian was like the feudal lords offering tribute to the royal house—showing deference and seeking to dispel the ruler's anger. It was exactly the same as the Wei clan using these goods to soothe Fei Qian's wrath.
Of course, white cogongrass was not strictly necessary. Confucius also explained why it was used: simply to handle things with caution. With padding, valuable objects were less likely to be damaged. With separation and transition, precious items would not rub against each other and cause mutual harm…
Thus, the importance of the "mat" became clear.
And as the intermediary between the Wei clan and Fei Qian, did Wei Liu's own value not also become rather important?
There was one more subtle layer. The entire image of "using white cogongrass as a mat" came from the Book of Changes hexagram "Xun below, Dui above," whose meaning happened to fit the current situation perfectly…
Fei Qian could not help nodding in approval. "I understand what Menglian means. Menglian is quick-witted and well-versed in the classics. Meeting you today, I regret only that it did not happen sooner. Would you be willing to accept the post of Records Officer in Shangjun?"
The Records Office was neither too high nor too low in rank. With the military colonization program about to begin, Jia Qu was already overwhelmed working alone.
Jia Qu had recently been promoted to the Household Office and was now officially in charge of registering and organizing all the common people under Fei Qian's jurisdiction. Regardless of how sincere Wei Liu truly was, at this stage he could at least be of some use.
Wei Liu did not hesitate. He bowed deeply to Fei Qian, formally entering the ranks of his officials…
Fei Qian watched Wei Liu's retreating figure and felt a slight insight.
Wei Liu…
He had no particular recollection of this name, which suggested the man was not especially famous in the records of the Three Kingdoms period. Combined with the generation and collateral branch he had mentioned, it meant Wei Liu was merely a son of a side branch of the current Wei clan. In other words, his status within the family was not particularly high—roughly comparable to Fei Qian's own position back in Luoyang.
This also meant that the Wei clan had only sent this man as a probe. It did not indicate they placed great importance on Fei Qian.
Of course, doing so still showed a gesture of reconciliation…
Wang Yi's divide-and-conquer scheme had been both ruthless and effective, striking the Wei clan right where it hurt.
Additionally, according to Wang Yi, this year he planned to support one of the Wei clan's branches in the struggle for the position of family head…
This was one of the reasons Fei Qian had considered keeping Wei Liu. Another important factor was that he had only just begun expanding his territory. He needed to show a broad and magnanimous attitude, at least the appearance of being able to embrace all rivers. Otherwise, if word spread, it might cut off many future possibilities.
Therefore, even the classic gesture of "buying the bones of a thousand-gold horse" needed to be performed.
Naturally, some degree of security precautions was still necessary…