Chapter 274

Gu Kang, Prince Rui's Mansion, West Side Gate, Chongwen Street

Gu Huai

After all, they had been immersed in poetry and song since childhood, while I had wasted my time in the pleasure quarters.

Gu Huai's poetry, which I had seen since childhood, is ornate to the extreme; indeed, his poetic skill is formidable.

But now, if one discusses policy and reform, the focus is not on literary ornamentation but on the acuity to grasp current affairs.

Gu Kang decided to take a chance; from now on he would no longer obsess over poetry and song, but seek out past policy essays to read, especially his elder sister's piece on the Five Vermin, which is truly admirable.

He intended to do some studying here, but as he approached the bookshop, he saw a crowd of scholars gathered around someone in the middle, loudly discussing something.

Wen

Vice Minister of Revenue, Heir Son, Yao Qing, Cheng'an Earl's Mansion, Heir Apparent, Zheng Qi, An'guo Duke's Mansion, Lin Jingyuan, Prime Minister, Gu Family, Third Young Master, Gu Huai

Jiangnan

His elder brother had been a third-place finisher in the imperial exams, and this Third Young Master is even more talented; their father was once the top scholar, so wherever Third Master Gu goes now, he is the center of attention.

This time, Gu Huai and the others happened to meet Mr. Wen passing by the bookshop, and everyone stopped there to pay their respects to Mr. Wen.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Wen thought of a question and decided to test the learning and insight of the several students before him, whereupon all the students became greatly excited.

Being able to discuss a question with Mr. Wen, regardless of how well one answers, is a refined accomplishment.

If this helps increase one's reputation, it will be greatly beneficial for the upcoming spring examinations.

Although Gu Kang looked down on those people, Mr. Wen was giving an impromptu lecture there, so he stopped in his tracks.

Mr. Wen is now someone he greatly admires; he is earnest in his studies, and whenever he encounters a problem on the street he will investigate it thoroughly, so that before long the number of scholars gathered outside the bookshop kept growing.

Mr. Wen exchanged questions and answers with the many students, and fine sayings and golden phrases came forth repeatedly, drawing rounds of applause.

Mr. Wen grew ever more pleased, and without hesitation he threw out another topic: 'To abolish abuses, one must address them at the source.'

Wen

As soon as Mr. Wen put forward this topic, everyone was stunned for a moment.

They had just been chatting about current policies and the Way of Heaven, which amounted to nothing, after all it was mere empty talk.

Southern Qi, Eight Great Clans

Southern Qi

This time, Mr. Wen suddenly raised such a sensitive issue that for a moment no one dared to take it up.

Yet if they did not respond, they would also be looked down upon by Mr. Wen.

Gu Huai and the others hurriedly gave an embarrassed laugh, skirting the main point and speaking emptily about the importance of reform; evidently Mr. Wen was not satisfied with these answers.

The remaining students dared not speak at all; those surrounding Mr. Wen were mostly heirs of great clans, and these ordinary scholars were even less willing to join the conversation.

Eight Great Families

Mr. Wen slowly closed his eyes, hiding the deep disappointment within; as scholars they lacked even a bit of backbone—even if they wrote the most splendid essays, with tongues like lotus blossoms, what good would that do?

With so many students gathered around him, yet not a single one dared to speak—how sad for Southern Qi! How sad for Southern Qi!

'To eradicate corrupt governance, one must dig deep at the roots; without destruction there can be no establishment, only after tearing down can we build, so that the world may flourish and the people may dwell in peace and happiness.'

Suddenly a clear, pure voice came from the crowd; at once everyone turned to look behind, and saw a youth in green robes slowly stepping out from the throng.

Gu Kang, Clan Genealogy

Princess Consort of Rui

Now it was his sister, the Princess Consort of Rui, who had rescued him from the death cell, yet he too was a ruined person.

In everyone's eyes, Gu Kang was a discarded good-for-nothing snack of the family; it is therefore astonishing that this good-for-nothing has now opened his mouth to speak.

Not long ago Gu Kang threw a noble son of Shang Jing into the water, yet now he dares to respond to Mr. Wen's topic in public—what sort of person is he?

Wen

Mr. Wen also blinked slightly, looking toward Gu Kang.

This youth is the brother of the Princess Consort of Rui; he leaves a good impression, being down-to-earth, and though his literary style is not particularly ornate, the substance within is sound.

Especially regarding state affairs, he possesses unique insights.

He is a scholar who does not care for the intrigues and struggles within the great mansions, but values each student's talent and character.

At this moment, while he was filled with disappointment, he did not expect that a young person daring to condemn the eight great clans would finally step forward, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

Gu Kang cared not at all for the onlookers, and step by step approached Mr. Wen.

At this moment Gu Kang was like a green pine, standing tall amid this turbid world.

His spine was straight, his bearing showed not the slightest hesitation, and his eyes were firm and resolute.

Eight Great Clans

He stood there speaking at ease, his gestures composed, neither humble nor arrogant.

The policy he proposed for abolishing corrupt governance contained no empty rhetoric; each sentence struck at the heart of Southern Qi's ills, and between the lines it pointed directly at the eight great clans.

Southern Qi Court

These young scholars would later become riders of the tide of the times.

【58】 Wen, Southern Qi State

After Gu Kang finished speaking, he slowly bowed to Mr. Wen, saying: 'Student's rash words have truly offended your ears and eyes; I beg your forgiveness, sir.'

Mr. Wen stared steadily at the composed youngster before him, never expecting that one so young could possess such courage and breadth of mind.

He bore a spirit of 'though thousands stand against me, I will go forward.'

Mr. Wen, Southern Qi State (Nanqi Guo) — includes Southern Qi and the generic term "state"; we keep Nanqi Guo.

He looked at Gu Kang and smiled softly, saying: 'We scholars cultivate ourselves, regulate our families, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.'

'Having read these books, one must put them to use in governing the world; one cannot simply have spent all those years studying in vain.'

So-called scholars: they secure their livelihood and destiny, serve the nation and the people, set their hearts for heaven and earth, establish destiny for the masses—only then does one not waste coming into this world for a single trip!

Good! Very good! The child is teachable!

Starting tomorrow, you will attend to me at my side; become my disciple!

As soon as Mr. Wen finished speaking, everyone gasped, all somewhat frightened.

This is none other than Wen Yuanzhuo, who once served as Grand Tutor to the reigning Emperor Longqing, and later taught the Crown Prince Xiao Ting.

After that, he never took on any disciples again, instead founding his own academy to lecture.

In Southern Qi, countless nobles and officials wished to send their children to study under Mr. Wen, yet Mr. Wen looked down on all of them.

Even Consort Duan once personally went to see Wen Yuanzhuo, yet he refused to teach her son Xiao Wei.

Who would have thought he would so readily accept a good-for-nothing expelled from the Gu family?

This was like ladling cold water into boiling oil, causing it to explode.

Gu Kang also wore a look of disbelief, then a flash of ecstasy crossed his face as he immediately rushed to Wen Yuanzhuo, knelt down, and kowtowed in salute.

Beside him, Gu Huai's face darkened to the extreme as he stared fixedly at Gu Kang kneeling on the ground.