Chapter Sixteen: The Legendary Filial Son

  (Thanks to Nanyang Huo and Jianjia's two friends for their rewards)

  Yu Yunwen? Isn't this the famous Southern Song minister who defeated the Jin emperor Wanyan Liang in the Battle of Caishi in 1161, saving the Southern Song from destruction? Yue Yun finally remembered this historical figure.

  According to historical records, Yu Yunwen was intelligent as a child and could write with a brush at the age of seven. However, due to his father's serious illness, he stayed at home to observe filial piety and did not take office until after his father's death. In the 24th year of Shaoxing (1154), he passed the imperial examination as a jinshi at an age beyond worry, marking the beginning of his official career. In the 31st year of Shaoxing (1161), Yu Yunwen served as a consultant for military affairs in the Jianghuai Military Command.

  In that year, the Jin Emperor Wanyan Liang led the main force of the Jin army across the Huai River and pressed on to the Yangtze River. The Song army in the two Huai regions was defeated, and the Jin army entered as if there were no one around. Yu Yunwen was sent to Cao Shi to reward the troops, just when the Jin army planned to cross the river from Cao Shi. Yu Yunwen saw that the situation was critical and resolutely organized the scattered troops along the river into a force, thwarting the Jin army's plan to invade south of the Yangtze River and winning the great victory at Cao Shi. When Wanyan Liang moved his troops to Yangzhou, Yu Yunwen rushed to Zhenjiang Prefecture (now Jiangsu Province) to intercept them, thwarting their plan to cross the river from there and ultimately leading to internal strife within the Jin army, resulting in the death of Emperor Wanyan Liang. He thus gained extremely high prestige among the officials and people of Southern Song Dynasty, deeply trusted by the new emperor Song Xiaozong, who promoted him first as the Pacification Commissioner for Sichuan and Shaanxi, then as the Chief Minister of the Secretariat.

  Unfortunately, this talented and virtuous minister was bound by feudal etiquette and refused to take office in order to fulfill his filial duty to his father. He only participated in the imperial examination after his father's death at the age of 44, when his golden years had already passed. Nevertheless, he still managed to pass the exam with flying colors and began to showcase his talents to the world, shining brightly during the Battle of Caishi. However, his glory came a bit too late, as Emperor Taizong of Song had originally hoped that he would lead a second northern expedition, but before preparations were even complete, he passed away, leaving Emperor Taizong without the enthusiasm to launch another northern campaign.

  Yue Yun couldn't help but think to herself: Hehe, Yu Yunwen, now that I've met you this time, I won't let you hide at home because of 'filial piety' again!

  At this time, he couldn't help but shoot green light from his eyes, and the expression with which he looked at Yu Yunwen seemed to have a greedy intention similar to that of a grey wolf looking at a happy sheep.

  Yu Yunwen felt a chill run down his spine, thinking that this white-robed young general looked quite handsome with his clear eyebrows and bright eyes, but why did he have such an intimidating gaze? Was it because he didn't want to help me ask for assistance from Han Shizhong? That didn't seem right either, looking at his expression, there was a hint of greed in it. Could it be that he wanted to extort money from me? But I'm just a poor scholar, where would I get the extra wealth to give him?

  Yu Yunwen rummaged through his clothes for half a day, only to produce two taels of loose silver, which he tremblingly presented to Yue Yun, saying in a low voice: "General, I only have this little loose silver on me. I hope you can take into account my father's old age and illness, and help me beg for mercy from General Han. If you really can get Dr. Xu to come out, I will be willing to serve as your horse or cow, without any hesitation!"

  "It's going too smoothly! He even came to me himself without me having to invite him. What a filial son indeed!" Yuen Yung thought to herself with delight.

  Yu Yunwen immediately handed over the silver fragments in his hand and patted his chest, saying: "Yu Yunwen, I'll take care of asking for a doctor for your respected father! I will do my best to make it happen!"

  "Ah! Thank you, General!" Yu Yunwen was overjoyed when he heard this and quickly knelt down to thank him.

  Yue Yun hastily helped him up, his face sincere as he said: "Sir is a great talent, to be reduced to such a state at home is truly a waste. When your respected father's illness improves, why not take a position in my Yue Family Army?"

  Yu Yunwen's face turned slightly awkward. "Young Master Yue, I appreciate your kind invitation, but I shouldn't have refused it in the first place. However, I once made a vow in front of my late mother's grave to be filial and take good care of my father until the end. Therefore, although I'm tempted by the prospect of serving as an official, I must prioritize my filial duties... So, please understand my difficult situation."

  Yue Yun was taken aback at this time and asked in surprise: "How did you know I am Young Master Yue?"

  Yu Yunwen's face had calmed down, and he smiled slightly: "The general's entourage is all cavalry, with excellent equipment and high morale, which shows that it is the most elite troops in the Yue family army. The general is still young, but has already become the commander of such an elite troop. In the Yue family army, those who are around twenty years old wear white armor and white robes, and can command such an elite troop, only one person, the eldest son of General Yue, Yue Yun. Although Yunwen is just a scholar, he still has this discerning eye!"

  Yue Yun was even more moved, thinking that Yu Yunwen was indeed a talented person, and he made up his mind to recruit him.

  Then he began to think hard and figure out how to persuade the good minister. Before long, his eyes lit up and he had an idea in mind.

  Yue Yun pondered for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Yu brother, 'filial piety' is something we all must uphold! But Yu brother being inseparable from his father's side isn't the highest realm of 'filial piety'."

  "Oh? Then, according to Master Yue's intention, what should be the highest realm of 'filial piety'? Yu Yunwen felt a slight surge of anger in his heart when he heard Yue Yun's words. He was quite satisfied with his own filial piety. Although he didn't think he was the number one filial son in the world, listening to Yue Yun's tone, it seemed that he looked down on what he was doing now. This made him feel somewhat indignant."

  "Yu brother, as children, our purpose of being filial is to make our parents happy, don't you think?" Yue Yun asked with a smile.

  "That's natural! So I, Yu Yunwen, for the sake of treating my father's illness, didn't hesitate to use a wooden cart from Sichuan to send him thousands of miles away to Jianghuai. Moreover, I also made a vow before my mother passed away that I would be filial and take good care of my father until the end, even giving up participating in the imperial examination for this reason. Isn't this enough to show my filial piety?" Yu Yunwen asked back with an air of discontent.

  Yue Yun smiled slightly and shook his head, saying: "Yu brother, you're wrong! You're just doing what you think is filial piety, but you don't know that this method, although it moves your parents to tears and earns the praise of others, can't actually make them happy. Do you want to know why?"

  Yu Yunwen straightened his body and bowed: "I wish to hear more!"

  He actually wanted to hear what surprising words about filial piety this young master of the Yue family could come up with.

  "Yu brother, what do you think makes a father happy?" Yue Yun asked.

  "Uh..." Yu Yunwen hesitated for a moment.

  Yue Yun didn't wait for him to respond and instead said first, "I think, Yu brother, you must be thinking that being physically healthy, having food and clothing without worries, living a happy life with one's children and grandchildren is happiness, right?"

  "About the same!" Yu Yunwen nodded, and if he had said it himself, his words might have been more elegant, but the meaning would not have been much different from what Yue Yun said.

  "But this is actually one-sided, or rather, you haven't done what your parents most hope you would do!" Yu Yun was indeed a master of words that could shock people.

  "Brother Yu, you regard your father as the most intimate person and hope he can live a good life. As for your respected father, he hopes his son will have a successful career and bring glory to their ancestors. I think your respected father must have advised you many times to participate in the imperial examination and become an official, but you repeatedly disobeyed him. Not listening to one's parents' words, isn't this considered unfilial?" Yu Yun asked in a calm tone.

  Yu Yunwen's father may or may not have said those words, but Yue Yun estimated that in this era, ordinary people considered becoming an official the most honorable thing. Although the status of merchants during the Song Dynasty had improved significantly compared to other dynasties, they were still not as prestigious as government officials in the eyes of the public. Moreover, a former high-ranking official who had stepped down would likely hope that his son would become a high-ranking official too. So, Yue Yun decided to take a gamble and try.

  Yu Yunwen heard this and immediately froze, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

  His father had naturally advised him more than once to take the imperial examination and strive to become a minor official to bring glory to his ancestors. But every time he brought up this matter, he refused on the grounds that his father was still ill and needed care, and twice even quarreled with his father very fiercely. He used to think that what he did was to fulfill his filial duty, and not taking office was because loyalty and filial piety could not be done at the same time, and he chose the "filial piety" that he valued more. But hearing Yue Yun say this, his approach may not necessarily be considered a complete fulfillment of filial piety, at least making his father unhappy.

  "Actually! Mr. Yu, your filial piety and sincerity are truly precious, but the method you used was incorrect, which ironically deprived your father of even more happiness!"

  Yue Yun continued, "Mr. Yu, if you can serve as an official, the decline of your family's fortunes will be reversed in one move. At this time, it would be better to invite a few maids and servants to take care of your parents together, wouldn't it? Your parents can also live in a big house, enjoy a life of luxury, and even if they get sick, it would be easier to find famous doctors to treat them. Your parents will also feel happy and proud in front of relatives and friends, having such a brilliant son... But now, do you think your parents can hold their heads up in front of relatives and friends?"

  Yu Yunwen heard this, and immediately thought of the scene where he met with his relatives at home, who looked down on him and his father with disdain, even ridiculing them. His face turned red and white in an instant.

  At this time, Yu Yunwen's father, who had been lying on the board car and had never spoken before, also said in a weak voice: "Yunwen, what this young general said is right. For your father, you have paid too much already, and your father can't bear to see you stuck like this... If you... if you insist on not serving as an official and advancing yourself, then your father won't need medical treatment anymore, and it's just a matter of going like this!"

  The old man finished speaking and immediately started coughing violently. Yu Yunwen rushed over, helped his father up, and pounded his back with both fists.

  Yue Yun saw the situation and hastily said to Guan Ling: "Guan Ling, do we still have many horses? Quickly go and bring two over, put on the reins, and take Mr. Yu's father to Chu State!"

  At this time, everyone could see that Yue Yun had a good impression of Yu Yunwen. So soon, two soldiers gave up their war horses and rode together on one horse. Then Yue Yun called his subordinates to find the village carpenter to make a simple cart for Yu Yunwen's father. And harnessed the two vacated war horses with reins.

  "Yu brother, saving people is like fighting a fire, let's set out immediately! Regardless of whether you agree with me or not! My wife Yuen doesn't want your skills to be wasted like this!"

  Having said that, Yue Yun also turned over and mounted his horse, smiling at Yu Yunwen: "Let's go! We're going to Chu State!"

  Yu Yunwen was also deeply moved, and after bowing to thank him, he supported his father onto the simple horse-drawn carriage, following Yue Yun's team as they slowly made their way towards Chu State...