The Gu Chang whom Peng Shiyi disdained was currently sitting with Pei Yan in the waterside pavilion of the Pei family garden, drinking pre-Qingming West Lake Longjing tea just delivered from Hangzhou City, admiring koi fish, and discussing last autumn’s Jiangsu provincial examination papers: “…Although the way of being a sovereign lies in preserving governance and following ancestral methods, preserving governance lies in strictly observing established laws, and following ancestors lies in properly embodying parental intentions. That top scholar Wang Chunhe using ‘sitting, one sees Yao on the wall; eating, one glimpses Yao in the soup’ from ‘The Biography of Li Gu in the Book of the Later Han’ was perhaps too superficial. It shows that those admitted in this provincial examination are merely so-so.”
Pei Yan fundamentally didn’t want to talk with Gu Chang, much less discuss matters of state with him. But Shen Shanyan sat beside them, and these past few days had enthusiastically introduced Gu Chang to Lin’an City’s scholars, even uncharacteristically accompanying Gu Chang to visit him several times. He didn’t know what relationship existed between Shen Shanyan and Gu Chang, but out of consideration for the debt Shen Shanyan owed to his senior apprentice brother Yu, he patiently humored Gu Chang.
Seeing him now critiquing Jiangsu’s provincial examination, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat disgusted, and said, “I’ve read Wang Chunhe’s paper. I think it’s quite good. He believes ‘the sovereign’s will focuses on non-idleness,’ ‘non-idleness to uphold the source of governance, then a hundred selfish motives have no place to overflow externally, and the sovereign’s virtue increasingly becomes a model below while the people’s hidden concerns increasingly flow upward—this is the way to ensure the nation’s longevity.’ Never mind other things—that he dared write these sentences makes me feel that Master Yang making Wang Chunhe the top scholar lives up to his upright gentleman’s character.”
Gu Chang raised an eyebrow.
Last year’s Jiangsu provincial examination chief examiner was Hanlin Academy Grand Secretary Yang Shoudao.
And Yang Shoudao was precisely the son-in-law of Pei Yan’s teacher Zhang Ying.
“So Xiaguang agrees with Master Feng’s views!” He smiled at Pei Yan and took a sip of tea.
The current Emperor was advanced in years and fond of drinking. Each time he drank he became drunk, and each time he was drunk he became enraged, killing people at will. The palace eunuchs and palace maids suffered unbearably. Last year during the Lantern Festival, he had even accidentally killed an official from the Ministry of Ceremonial. Although this matter was suppressed at the time, as time passed, it gradually leaked out.
The policy essay that made Wang Chunhe the top scholar was precisely one that used the opportunity of critiquing current politics to advise the Emperor on the proper way of being a sovereign—an article with extremely bold and sharp language. And Yang Shoudao, who made Wang Chunhe the top scholar, showed even more upright character, embodying the gentleman’s demeanor of worrying about the world’s worries.
As for the Master Feng in Gu Chang’s words, that was precisely Gu Chang’s senior apprentice brother, who served as a censor in the Censorate. After the Emperor killed the official, he was the first person to submit a memorial impeaching the Emperor.
He was still imprisoned in the Imperial Prison now.
Yet he had won praise from scholars throughout the realm, especially Jiangnan scholars.
And Gu Chang’s teacher Sun Gao was the Left Chief Censor of the Censorate, jointly managing the Censorate with Seventh Master Peng of the Peng family, Peng Yu.
Hearing Gu Chang’s words, Pei Yan inwardly sneered coldly, but his face remained completely indifferent as he said, “Does Chaoyang wish to rescue Master Feng from peril? Unfortunately, both my elder brother and I are observing mourning at home. Moreover, I’ve inherited the family business and won’t be entering officialdom in the future, so I’m afraid I can’t help Chaoyang with anything.”
Gu Chang indeed had this plan.
Rather, it wasn’t that he had this plan, but that his teacher Sun Gao had this plan, which was why he had this journey to Jiangnan.
Meeting Pei Yan was merely an accident.
He had originally just thought that the Pei family was the local power in Lin’an City, and Pei Yan was the intermediary in the Li family matter. Rather than asking this person and that person about the situation at the time, he might as well ask Pei Yan directly. He never expected that the Pei Yan whom his teacher had evaluated as “aloof and proud, ignorant of worldly affairs” had been misjudged even by his teacher.
He was more than just aloof and proud—he was utterly imperious. Yet this imperiousness was precisely the strength and confidence of someone who saw through worldly affairs, completely opposite to the “ignorant of worldly affairs” his teacher had mentioned. Only then did he use his previous teacher-student relationship with Shen Shanyan, who had taught him qin, to ask Shen Shanyan to be his introducer and visit the Pei residence several times.
And Pei Yan—he had merely started a topic, and Pei Yan immediately guessed his purpose for coming to Jiangnan.
Even Shen Shanyan, who had experienced many ups and downs in official circles, hadn’t noticed, yet Pei Yan had stated it with a fearless and frank attitude.
This showed Pei Yan’s confidence in himself.
Those capable of standing at the peak usually appreciate those who can stand shoulder to shoulder with them or stand even higher.
Gu Chang said implicitly, “Master Feng worries about the country and people. Scholars respect him. We can’t always let petty people run rampant while gentlemen are humiliated!”
The Imperial Prison was now controlled by the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.
Countless people died unjustly there each year.
Pei Yan disagreed. He didn’t even want to bother with the courtesy of refilling Gu Chang’s tea. He lazily leaned against the large cushion, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, “Chaoyang may not know yet—my elder brother’s wife’s brother has served in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for many years.”
The Court of Imperial Sacrifices managed ritual music, ancestral temples, and national sacrifices. But under heaven, all land belongs to the sovereign. The Emperor’s affairs—how could they be so clearly divided into family matters and state matters? When the eunuchs of the Twenty-Four Inner Courts sometimes couldn’t balance their accounts, they pushed them onto the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When the Court of Imperial Sacrifices sometimes couldn’t balance accounts, they also asked the eunuchs of the Twenty-Four Inner Courts to help speak for them. Relations between the two had always been good.
Pei Yan’s implication was that he wouldn’t interfere in the eunuchs’ affairs.
This attitude was completely different from that of many in scholarly circles.
Shen Shanyan feared these two young talents who had both risen smoothly with family resources might be momentarily unyielding to each other, causing the discussion to collapse and creating a rift. In the future, never mind sincere cooperation—they might not even want to eat at the same table upon hearing each other’s names. For Jiangnan scholars, this would be an enormous loss.
He quickly laughed and said, “Today’s weather is beautiful. You’re both scholars—how can you discuss court politics and disappoint such fine weather? Chaoyang, since you started this topic, you must drink three cups of tea as self-punishment to serve as a warning.” After speaking, he poured a cup of tea for Gu Chang and urged with a smile, “Drink quickly.”
Gu Chang had merely been unable to resist testing Pei Yan’s learning and abilities. The two had no deep grudges or great hatred—how would he offend Pei Yan?
Shen Shanyan had given him a way out. He smiled dashingly, picked up the teacup, raised it toward Pei Yan several times, and said sincerely, “Xiaguang, I’ve stayed in the capital too long and have become vulgar, liking to discourse grandly with everyone I meet. Xiaguang has good cultivation and didn’t chase me out. I toast you with this cup.”
Pei Yan was thoroughly sick of his hypocritical act and decided to give him face one last time.
If Gu Chang continued this act, he would drive Gu Chang out.
Fortunately, Gu Chang afterward only discussed with him the provenance of a small bronze ding he had acquired in the capital some time ago. They got along peacefully, even appearing somewhat congenial by the end.
Shen Shanyan felt very gratified.
No one in this world was luckier than Pei Yan.
Old fox Zhang Ying, when about to retire and return home, had taken him as his final disciple, instantly giving him enviable connections and political capital.
Not only had Old Master Pei called Pei Yan back, but he had made him clan leader—Shen Shanyan felt Old Master Pei had simply lost his mind before dying. But by the time he learned of it, it was already too late. Even if he had wanted to advise Old Master Pei, there was no time. He even more hoped Pei Yan could live as a great recluse in the city, being an unofficial elder statesman, and contribute to Jiangnan scholars.
For nearly a decade, they had been subtly suppressed by northern scholars. If they didn’t strive forward, Jiangnan scholars would likely suffer great damage.
This wasn’t a matter of one or two families.
But concerned all the scholarly families of Jiangnan.
That Pei Yan could yield a step and Gu Chang could go with the flow gave him hope for the rise of Jiangnan scholars.
Shen Shanyan and Gu Chang even stayed at the Pei residence for dinner before returning to the county school.
Gu Chang was lodging at Shen Shanyan’s place.
Shen Shanyan’s personal hereditary servant saw his eyes were clear and couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Master, you didn’t drink today?”
“We went to the Pei residence!” Shen Shanyan answered, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Gu Chang, and arranged to find a way tomorrow to bring Pei Yan to visit Zhaoming Temple, before they each dispersed.
Gu Chang’s personal attendant was a man about thirty years old named Gao Sheng. After Gu Chang’s mother died, his maternal grandfather, fearing he and his sister would be bullied, had given Gao Sheng to Gu Chang. Rather than saying Gao Sheng was his attendant, it was more accurate to say he was his guard, loyal servant, and confidant.
Seeing Gu Chang return, he hurried to help Gu Chang change clothes.
Seeing no one else in the room, Gu Chang whispered, “How did the matter I asked you to handle go?”
Gao Sheng was tall and sturdy with ordinary features, yet his every movement gave people a very steady and reliable feeling.
“All done according to your instructions.” As he spoke, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes. After thinking, he continued, “The Li family is like a headless fly. Until now they haven’t discovered who pulled the strings.”
“Useless!” Hearing this, Gu Chang’s face immediately turned iron blue as he said hatefully, “Wasn’t he supposed to be an outstanding young talent? He can’t even handle a merchant family. Has he read all his books into a dog’s belly? Now we’ve left him so many leads, yet he still notices nothing. No wonder my sister looks down on him! I think he’s just a silver spear with a wax tip. You send someone later to deliver a message to Miss, tell her about this matter, and say I agree to her breaking off the engagement.”
Gao Sheng respectfully answered, “Yes.”
Gu Chang spoke of Pei Yan: “No wonder when he was in the capital he never participated in those elegant gatherings or poetry societies, yet his reputation was still so resounding. He truly has some ability. Unfortunately, he’s observing mourning at home, otherwise he would be a good candidate.”
Gao Sheng said nothing.
After Gu Chang changed clothes and washed up, he spoke of Pei Yan again: “I used to think the Pei family staying in Lin’an City must mean their foundation wasn’t strong enough. Now it seems I underestimated the Pei family, underestimated Pei Xiaguang. Do we have any marriage relatives familiar with their family who could speak before Old Madam Pei? If my sister could appear before Old Madam Pei, it might truly work. But first, the engagement must be broken off. It can’t be unclear. Pei Xiaguang also has his dignity—we can’t make him lose face.”
The young master has taken an interest in Pei Yan?
After hesitating a moment, Gao Sheng said, “How about I first investigate the Pei family’s affairs thoroughly? Logically, someone like Third Master Pei should be a golden son-in-law everyone wants, right? What if he’s already betrothed?”
After Miss breaks off the engagement with the Li family, who would she marry? Moreover, Miss wasn’t young anymore. Although Li Duan was incapable of great things, at least when mentioned he was a proper scholar who was also tall and handsome. With Miss and Young Master’s methods, he should be quite manageable—at least there was one advantage.
It would be troublesome if they ended up with neither option.
Gao Sheng’s words reminded Gu Chang.
“You’re right.” He pondered, “As for Miss, she was originally unwilling about this marriage. Especially with Madam Li kneeling before Father in front of so many people—it’s like forcing her to bear an unfilial reputation before she’s even married in. There’s no rush to tell her. First investigate Pei Xiaguang’s situation thoroughly. Anyway, I need to stay here a few more days. I might as well settle Miss’s marriage matter properly before leaving.”