Chapter 333: Prone to Water Leakage

Gu Kang had people bring out so many boxes, and the onlookers were stunned on the spot, not knowing what Gu Kang was about to do.

Even Gu Cheng, who was leaning by the window sipping tea, had a flicker of doubt in his eyes, and the hand holding his tea cup froze midair.

Gu Kang casually opened a box and picked up a booklet from inside.

Each volume was bound with expensive plain paper, and the booklets contained transcribed poems, songs, and prose; judging by the handwriting, these were all copied by Gu Kang himself.

Another part was copied by the two copyboys Gu Kang had hired nearby, and everyone was stunned, not expecting that Gu Kang had personally copied all the works submitted for this selection in Shang Jing into the booklets.

This hardship was something those officials of the Hanlin Academy previously lacked, and everyone thought it was a stage to display their own talent.

But after all, it wasn't an official act, and there was no need to take it seriously; they could just treat it as a joke.

Yet Gu Kang was doing this earnestly and seriously, copying down everyone's poems and prose.

Gu Kang focused his gaze on the classmates before him whose faces were somewhat pale.

"I have already organized these booklets; each of your works is on them."

"I have also examined them carefully; yes, my reputation may have been poor before, and my literary attainment is indeed inferior to yours, but Mr. Wen has looked over these booklets."

As soon as the three words "Mr. Wen" came out of Gu Kang's mouth, everyone's hearts gave a jolt.

Since this evaluation was pointed out by Mr. Wen, what else could they say?

All the literati of Shang Jing combined cannot compare to Mr. Wen.

Since it was selected by Mr. Wen, what could these people possibly say?

To continue causing trouble would be pointless, and Gu Kang handles affairs with exceptional diligence, far surpassing the previous disorder and chaos.

Moreover, these literati without connections or influence, who were squeezed out by the Eight Great Clans, could actually reach the top floor of Chongwen Pavilion; just based on that, one cannot say Gu Kang is bad.

The leaders of the troublemakers involuntarily flushed slightly, lowered their heads, stepped back a few paces, and turned to flee.

The rest of the people glanced at Gu Cheng somewhat embarrassedly, but at this moment their gazes toward Gu Kang all underwent a slight change.

"Gu Kang has worked hard; thank you, Gu Kang."

"It was just those bad rumors circulating in the streets that affected Gu Kang; Gu Kang handles affairs so conscientiously, what more could we possibly criticize? It's unwarranted."

"Yes, Gu Kang labors so hard; in this world, where could there still be injustice? With Gu Kang here, the literary atmosphere of Shang Jing might also need to change."

"Indeed worthy of Gu Kang...."

The sounds of praise made Gu Cheng, who had been sitting by the window, unable to stay seated; he slowly rose, his brows furrowing.

Gu Cheng never expected Gu Kang to handle things so meticulously, nor did he expect Mr. Wen.

In the past, Mr. Wen often lived in seclusion at Nan Shan Shu Yuan; let alone this boring activity of displaying poems at Chongwen Pavilion, even the imperial court had repeatedly invited Mr. Wen back, only to be refused by him. Unexpectedly, as soon as Gu Kang appeared, Mr. Wen actually helped Gu Kang personally screen these matters.

Gu Cheng always felt something was off, but couldn't put his finger on it; merely, through this matter, Gu Kang seemed to have acquired a hint of leader-like oppression in the eyes of those scholars.

This made Gu Cheng feel an indescribable jealousy and anger.

He could no longer suppress Gu Kang through ordinary law, felt it necessary to kill him, for only when a person is dead will no one dare to contend with him in this world.

Gu Kang then spoke a few more high-sounding words and ordered these people to be sent out of the Hanlin Academy.

Only then did Gu Cheng turn his head and glance over, saying nothing, but instead told the two remaining copyboys: "You two move the booklets together to Chongwen Pavilion; I'll go take a look later."

"These days happen to be spring, when the weather is dry and things are parched; Chongwen Pavilion, long neglected, has some places that can no longer hold anything."

"Please ask a few masons to come and repair it; many works have already been sent into Chongwen Pavilion, and they will be exhibited in a few days."

"It would be best to assign someone to guard Chongwen Pavilion at night; if water leakage or fire occurred, burning the poems would be no great loss, but burning down Chongwen Pavilion would be a tremendous calamity."

Gu Kang, as if he hadn't noticed Gu Cheng standing beside him, gave these instructions in a leisurely manner.

Earlier he had also wanted Gu Cheng to help him with something, but Gu Cheng had long looked upon him unfavorably and was unwilling to help.

Even after coming to the Hanlin Academy, he was just a hands-off manager; by now Gu Kang no longer expected anything from him, delegating all tasks to the nearby copyboys to relay, and even doing things himself.

The copyboys each agreed, but just as they were about to go out to move the books, Gu Kang called out again to stop them: "Forget it, I'll take the night watch myself."

"There are some places I need to personally oversee; tonight I also need to sort out the uncategorized poems, so you don't need to go."

"Remember to bring the masons tomorrow morning; I've emphasized repeatedly that we must guard against water leakage, for Chongwen Pavilion is a wooden structure—once it burns, everything will be gone."

Chongwen Pavilion has long been neglected; everyone knows it, yet no one attends to it.

The Hanlin Academy ignores it; the Ministry of Rites says it's the Ministry of Works' responsibility, and the Ministry of Works says without an imperial order they dare not arbitrarily repair it, leaving it to rot to this day.

This poetry exhibition has again piled up many scrolls; if water leakage truly occurred, that would be a major incident.

If Chongwen Pavilion, which has stood in Southern Qi for nearly a hundred years, were burned down, one would likely lose one's head.

Gu Kang also didn't want the two copyboys to take the night watch; he intended to go himself.

Gu Kang was busy instructing the copyboys, yet failed to notice Gu Cheng standing beside him; the expression on Gu Cheng's face had already changed slightly.

Gu Kang's steps stopped at the doorway; he turned and glanced at Gu Cheng behind him, smiling faintly: "Gu Kang, how about you join me to take a look at Chongwen Pavilion?"

Gu Cheng came to his senses and hurriedly replied: "You can handle this alone; no need for my help."

"Ha! You're underestimating my abilities! I have some things to attend to first."

Gu Kang had grown accustomed to Gu Cheng's sarcastic demeanor, paid it no heed, and with the two copyboys boarded the carriage, heading toward Chongwen Pavilion.

Gu Cheng, however, stopped his steps, turned around, and watched Gu Kang's carriage gradually disappear into the distance; he suddenly curled the corner of his mouth into a malicious smile.

Chongwen Pavilion, long neglected, is prone to water leakage…… prone to water leakage……

Just as Gu Kang's carriage turned the corner, he knocked on the carriage wall; the coachman driving ahead hastily tightened the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt.

Gu Kang calmly said: "Go to the Prince Rui's residence."

The coachman stared for a moment, wondering why, at this late hour, he would think of going to the Prince Rui's residence.

He stopped the carriage at the gate of the Prince Rui's residence; Gu Kang got down, lifted his gaze to the imposing doorway, and walked forward step by step.