Chapter 38 Possession (Part 2)

"Hmm?" On hearing the name, Xie Run sized up the itinerant merchant from head to toe, as if to confirm the other's physical characteristics.

He remained quite calm, but two seconds later, Kong Hengji, who was sat not far away, leaped to his feet.

"How audacious!" The scholar's face was stern as he shouted harshly, "Since the founding of our dynasty, two emperors have already abolished the use of Hu surnames and names, entrusted the Ministry of War to compile and harmonize them, bestowing new names; and now, within the great territory of the Great Ming, where is there any surname Yelv? You scoundrel dare to call yourself by a Hu name, what are your intentions? Could it be that you're a spy sent by the Beiyuan Tartars? Or are you plotting a rebellion?"

Why do they say that scholars are not to be provoked?