Chapter 114: Changing Allegiance

As an official who was heavily ostracized in the capital, Xu Guangqi was a very poor man, and his home was hardly one of great wealth and nobility.

Like his father, Xu Guangqi "at the age of twenty passed the supplementary scholar examinations with high marks, received his stipend from the school, and because his family was poor, taught the young men of his village."

Naturally, it was impossible for his family to buy a house in the capital. Life in the imperial capital was no easy matter—this was a common truth in any dynasty. It was hardly strange for an official to be unable to afford a house in the capital.

But Xu Guangqi had a place to live, for a very simple reason: the Emperor, Zhu Youxiao, had bestowed a house upon him.

Of course, it was not some grand mansion or sprawling estate—just a tasteful little courtyard, with three main rooms and two side rooms on the left and right, a standard siheyuan layout.

For Xu Guangqi, this was already quite good. He rarely had visitors on ordinary days, so he lived in relative comfort.

What he never expected, however, was that today guests would actually come to his home.

One should understand that although he had been promoted, his popularity remained as poor as ever. He himself did not care for currying favor, and he did not get along with many people, so basically no one came to visit—only occasionally a few close friends would come to check on him.

Upon hearing that the visitor was Yu Maoheng, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Xu Guangqi was taken aback.

How did this man find his way to my home?

One should know that this man was now a rising star.

Everyone understood one thing very clearly: to be promoted by His Majesty at this time was naturally a sign of being highly regarded by the Emperor.

Many people were currying favor with this newly prominent official, but he seemed rather aloof and kept a low profile. Why would he suddenly come to my home?

Xu Guangqi was somewhat puzzled, but he could not very well shut his door and refuse to see him.

Soon the two men met in the reception hall.

After an exchange of pleasantries, tea was served, and the two took their seats as host and guest.

Xu Guangqi looked at Yu Maoheng, truly at a loss for where to begin—he had no idea what the other man had come for.

The most critical issue was that he was not familiar with him at all; he could not even find a topic of conversation.

Yu Maoheng, however, did not mind in the least. He had come today precisely to build a connection; as long as he could establish the relationship, nothing else mattered.

Gently setting down his teacup, Yu Maoheng spoke: "Zixian studied under Master Jiao Hong?"

Hearing Yu Maoheng's words, Xu Guangqi was startled.

Why is he asking about my teacher?

Still, he nodded and slowly replied: "Master Jiao Hong was my examiner in the provincial examination. Over the years he has taught me through both word and deed, instructing me a great deal—he is indeed my teacher."

The meaning of his final sentence was clear: I truly regard Jiao Hong as my teacher, so whatever you intend to say, watch your words.

One should understand that regarding someone as a true teacher was different from having an official examination patron.

An examination patron was more of a political alliance in officialdom—mutual faction-building, with much that was governed by rules and protocol.

A true teacher, by contrast, involved matters of greater emotional weight.

Xu Guangqi was emphasizing one point: watch what you say.

Yu Maoheng was unconcerned—he had not come to pick a fight—so he smiled and said: "Master Jiao Hong was the Zhuangyuan of the seventeenth year of Wanli. I once studied calligraphy under Master Dong Qichang. Though I never formally became his disciple, I have always regarded him as my teacher."

Hearing Yu Maoheng mention Dong Qichang, Xu Guangqi was suddenly stunned.

One should know that Xu Guangqi was from Songjiang Prefecture—he and Dong Qichang were fellow townsmen, both men of Huating County.

He never imagined that Yu Maoheng would bring up Dong Qichang, which left Xu Guangqi rather surprised.

Yu Maoheng, feeling nothing of Xu Guangqi's surprise, continued: "Zixian, you are also from Songjiang Prefecture, are you not?"

Xu Guangqi nodded.

He was ostracized, not a fool. Xu Guangqi had more or less figured out what Yu Maoheng had come for—he was here to build a connection with him.

This made him even more confused: what connection was there to build with him?

Yu Maoheng was now a favored figure before His Majesty, having just been promoted to Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. This was entirely different from ordinary times—with the Censorate in such chaos, His Majesty had entrusted it to him. What tremendous trust was that?

No one would believe that Yu Maoheng was not one of His Majesty's confidants.

In comparison, although he too had been promoted by His Majesty and given no small amount of responsibility, the actual situation was far from that—His Majesty did not hold him in such high regard or appreciation. Yu Maoheng had no reason to cozy up to him.

As the saying goes, when one humbles himself before another, he must want something—let alone when the one humbling himself is of higher status than you?

If a superior shows you closeness, you must be careful. He does not think highly of you as a person, nor does he wish to befriend you.

He would not have such thoughts—he simply has some troublesome matter he wants you to handle, so you must learn to be wary of him.

Once he appears especially close to you, you had best keep your distance; if you cannot avoid him, then think of some other way to decline.

When it comes to good things, he will not think of you, nor will he act close to you—rather, he will boast of his merits and tell you: I have given you such a great benefit, you must be grateful to me.

Only when a matter is particularly troublesome, when no one is willing to do it, will he display closeness to you and play on sentiment.

This was exactly how Xu Guangqi felt now. Instinctively he leaned back in his chair and reached for his teacup.

Xu Guangqi took a sip and simply sat back in his chair without speaking.

Yu Maoheng was unbothered and continued with a smile: "By this reckoning, we are also dear brothers of the same generation. In the past we did not serve as officials together, so we drifted somewhat apart. From now on, we should naturally grow closer and more familiar."

These words left Xu Guangqi utterly dumbfounded.

Have we merely drifted somewhat apart?

We have had no contact at all, haven't we?

And what is this about growing closer and more familiar?

Right now I just want to stay as far away from you as possible, alright?

But Xu Guangqi had no way to slight the other man's dignity—after all, he was the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a favored figure before His Majesty. What could he do?

Smiling at Yu Maoheng, Xu Guangqi said: "Naturally, naturally."

Yu Maoheng paid no heed to the perfunctory tone in Xu Guangqi's voice.

So what if it was perfunctory? He would not lose a piece of flesh over it. Relationships were the sort of thing that grew closer with more visits—all one needed was a pretext.

As long as a connection could be established, what kind of relationship it became later depended entirely on how one maintained it day to day.

Yu Maoheng smiled and said: "In truth, I have long admired Master Jiao's scholarship, but I never had the opportunity. I hear that Zixian has received Master Jiao's true transmission—I wonder if we might discuss it together? In my leisure time, I would like to seek Zixian's guidance often."

Seeking my guidance, and mentioning my teacher as well?

Xu Guangqi seemed to know what the other party had come for.

This person wanted to worm their way into his teacher's circle, or perhaps to switch allegiance to a different faction.