Chapter 12: The Capital Is as Deep as the Sea

It was the third quarter of the You hour.

Outside the Yang family residence.

Zhang Yun walked side by side with Yang Hanrou.

On Yang Hanrou's beautiful face, a hint of worry constantly lingered.

"Brother Zhang Yun, do you think Gu Jin Nian has actually recovered his memory?"

Yang Hanrou spoke up, asking Zhang Yun.

"He should have recovered a bit, but not completely; otherwise he would have already revealed the truth."

"However, Hanrou sister, don't worry about anything; even if he truly recovered his memory, it wouldn't mean anything."

"Now the whole capital knows that Gu Jin Nian flirted first; as long as we two insist that Gu Jin Nian was at fault first, the Gu family won't dare act recklessly."

"Furthermore, Hanrou sister, you don't need to worry about the Gu family's power."

"Now in the court, civil officials' power keeps growing, while military generals' status keeps dropping; this is an indisputable fact."

"The Gu family's status will also decline accordingly; as the saying goes, 'one emperor, one set of ministers.' The current crown prince is on very good terms with the civil officials; once the crown prince ascends, what will the Gu family amount to?"

Zhang Yun spoke, his words full of contempt for the Gu family.

Speaking of seeing the big picture from the small, a son of a Great Scholar looking down on military generals like this shows how rigid the court's situation is.

As Zhang Yun said this, Yang Hanrou did not show a relieved expression; instead, she seemed absent-minded, not knowing what she was thinking.

Seeing Yang Hanrou like this, Zhang Yun grew to hate Gu Jin Nian even more.

"Hanrou sister, don't worry about anything anymore."

"As an older brother, I'll go back later to see my father; I believe he can resolve it."

Having said all this, Yang Hanrou nodded and then said nothing more.

Soon, Yang Hanrou returned to the mansion.

Zhang Yun also didn't waste words, heading straight home.

But after returning to the mansion, Yang Hanrou slowly unfolded a slip of paper.

This was something she found in the drawer during the afternoon class.

【Tomorrow at noon, meet at the Three Incense Courtyard】

It was a simple sentence, and Yang Hanrou instantly knew who wrote it.

Gu Jin Nian.

All along the way, her mind was unsettled because of this matter.

Gu Jin Nian had arranged to meet her tomorrow at noon, which made her feel somewhat agitated.

As the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Yang Hanrou is not foolish; on the contrary, she is quite smart, otherwise she wouldn't have immediately blamed Gu Jin Nian.

At this moment, what she worries about most is Gu Jin Nian recovering his memory and making this matter public.

Once the truth comes out, she will be completely doomed.

Zhang Yun looks down on the Gu family because he is oblivious to his own limitations and doesn't realize how terrifying the Gu family is.

She knows.

But what puzzles her is why Gu Jin Nian wants to find her? Why not just go public? Instead, he wants to meet her? She doesn't understand.

Inside the Yang Manor, Yang Hanrou's gaze became extremely complex, her expression somewhat icy, without a trace of softness.

Two quarters later.

Northern Ward of the Capital.

Inside a residence.

Zhang Yun stood before a middle-aged man in blue clothing, clean-shaven and fair-skinned.

An aura of righteous vigor surrounded him.

He was a contemporary Great Scholar, one of the most famous scholars in Da Xia.

Zhang Yunhai.

At only forty-nine years old, he had already established his reputation through his writings; though he held no official post in the court, his influence was immense, serving as the chief instructor at Da Xia Academy.

He was highly likely to become the next Dean of Da Xia Academy.

At this moment.

As Zhang Yun finished recounting everything that had happened today, Zhang Yunhai's expression grew slightly silent.

Father and son remained silent for half a quarter.

Finally, Zhang Yunhai's voice sounded slowly.

"Has he recovered his memory?"

This question seemed like self-doubt.

The Zhang Yun standing before him immediately replied.

"Father, I believe Gu Jin Nian has only recovered part of his memory; the specifics should still be unknown to him."

"Therefore, there is no cause for concern."

"Furthermore, Uncle Yang has already come to apologize; now the whole city regards Gu Jin Nian as morally corrupt. Even if, hypothetically, Gu Jin Nian truly recovered his memory, what would it change?"

"What's done is done; the matter is settled."

Zhang Yun spoke.

He seemed somewhat dismissive.

Without evidence, even if Gu Jin Nian had recovered his memory, what could it prove? Words alone are proof enough—can one mouth outweigh two? Yet upon saying this, Zhang Yunhai shook his head, looking at Zhang Yun with helplessness.

What can it prove? Words alone are no evidence—can a single mouth outtalk two mouths? Yet as soon as those words were spoken, Zhang Yunhai shook his head, looked at Zhang Yun with a hint of helplessness and said.

Yun'er, you're mistaken.

What father worries about has never been Gu Jin Nian, but the Gu Family.

He spoke up, feeling disappointed with Zhang Yun's view.

Whether Gu Jin Nian regains his memory or not, what does it matter? What is feared is the Gu Family.

Rather than Gu Jin Nian.

Father, now that we have a foothold, what is the Gu Family worth?

The Gu Family itself is somewhat too prominent and threatening to the ruler; if there is evidence, it's still discussable, but without evidence, the Gu Family wouldn't dare act recklessly.

If they really continue to be overbearing, all scholars under heaven will curse the Gu Family, and His Majesty will absolutely not allow the Gu Family to act so lawlessly.

Zhang Yun still didn't care.

It's not that he looks down on the Gu Family, but today being variously rebuked by Gu Jin Nian has ignited a nameless fire in his heart, making him appear so radical.

Of course, the main person standing before him is his own father; if it were someone else, Zhang Yun would naturally not dare speak so recklessly.

You still don't understand; do you really think the Minister of Rites is covering this up for fear of offending the Gu Family?

This matter originally had nothing to do with you, but do you know why father got involved?

Is it merely because you like Yang Hanrou?

Zhang Yunhai's eyes showed a hint of coldness, feeling disappointed with his own son.

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Yun instantly felt a bit flustered.

His father is a Great Scholar; growing up under such a halo, he feels both pressure and honor, so he hopes to gain his father's approval.

Upon hearing this, he naturally felt a bit flustered and extremely curious, wondering what exactly lay behind this? 'Please, Father, clarify.'

At that moment, Zhang Yun lowered his head, truly unable to think of anything, so he could only ask.

'Yun'er, father is not unwilling to teach you, but many things require you to understand them yourself.'

'Otherwise, teaching you over and over would be futile.' Zhang Yunhai sighed.

After all, Zhang Yun is young; it's unexpected that this aspect is also reasonable and understandable.

'Yang Hanrou pushed Gu Jin Nian into the water, nearly causing his death; though the incident sounds serious, in the end Gu Jin Nian survived.'

'In your view, do you think the Gu Family would fly into a rage and cause trouble for the Minister of Rites?'

'And Minister Yang worries that the Gu Family will seek trouble, so he fabricated lies, outwardly claiming that Gu Jin Nian teased first?'

Zhang Yunhai asked.

'En.'

Zhang Yun nodded his head; although he knew it definitely wasn't that simple, he couldn't think of any other reason, so he could only nod.

'This is where father's disappointment lies.'

'You think too lightly of the esteemed Minister of Rites, you think too lightly of father, and even you think too lightly of all the scholars of Da Xia.'

'Gu Jin Nian falling into the water is indeed a major matter, but the Minister of Rites is an upright person, moreover one of the contemporary Great Scholars, of high virtue; if his children make a mistake, father believes Minister Yang would certainly not cover it up.'

'But Gu Jin Nian is different; he is a member of the Gu Family, and the Gu Family represents the military officials of the entire court.'

'What does Minister Yang fear? He fears that the Gu Family will use this as a pretext to provoke Da Xia into war.'

'Since His Majesty ascended the throne, for twelve years the entire court has day and night, moment by moment, been debating what?'

'It's not the border war; His Majesty wants to wage war, but the civil officials of the entire court would rather die than agree, forcing a suppression for twelve years.'

'If the Gu Family seizes the opportunity to impeach Minister Yang, Da Xia would also very likely enter a state of war, at which point it would inevitably be rivers of blood and mountains of corpses.'

'For the sake of the greater good of the world, Minister Yang would rather go against his conscience than let the Gu Family succeed.'

'This is also why father got involved, having you provide corroboration.'

'Moreover, amidst this city-wide turmoil, there are not a few people's shadows involved; otherwise, the Duke's grandson would not have nearly drowned—do you really think everyone is a fool?'

Zhang Yunhai's words, once spoken, were resonant and forceful.

It also left Zhang Yun completely dazed in place.

He really thought this was just a trivial matter, but he never expected that behind it lay so many things.

Upon careful thought, that is indeed the case.

【93】 'Since His Majesty ascended the throne, for twelve years the entire court has day and night, moment by moment, been debating what?'

【94】 'It's not the border war; His Majesty wants to wage war, but the civil officials of the entire court would rather die than agree, forcing a suppression for twelve years.'

【95】 'If the Gu Family seizes the opportunity to impeach Minister Yang, Da Xia would also very likely enter a state of war, at which point it would inevitably be rivers of blood and mountains of corpses.'

【96】 'For the sake of the greater good of the world, Minister Yang would rather go against his conscience than let the Gu Family succeed.'

【97】 'This is also why father got involved, having you provide corroboration.'

【98】 'Moreover, amidst this city-wide turmoil, there are not a few people's shadows involved; otherwise, the Duke's grandson would not have nearly drowned—do you really think everyone is a fool?'

【99】 Zhang Yunhai's words, once spoken, were resonant and forceful.

【100】 It also left Zhang Yun completely dazed in place.

【101】 He really thought this was just a trivial matter, but he never expected that behind it lay so many things.

【102】 Upon careful thought, that is indeed the case.

'What is the Minister of Rites? An existence of a scholar who has established himself through writings, with fame several times that of my own father; how could such a person possibly compromise integrity over a trifle?' 'Father, I understand.'

'But what should we do now?'

Zhang Yun bent over, full of curiosity, and asked.

'Wait and see how things develop.'

'You just said something particularly well.'

'Whether Gu Jin Nian has recovered his memory or not, now public opinion is overwhelming, and the matter is settled.'

'But no matter what happens next, you should as much as possible avoid provoking Gu Jin Nian; regardless of whether he is foolish or not, remember that the Gu Family are not fools, and the Chief Duke did not rise to power by brute force.'

'Especially Gu Ningya, who could become Deputy Commander of the Lantern Guard Bureau, is certainly not someone an ordinary person could handle.'

'You only need to study well; when the Da Xia Academy begins, you should early on condense your Qi and truly become a scholar—that is your focus.'

'Remember, the path ahead, father has already paved it for you; do not let a little present controversy ruin your future.'

'Gu Jin Nian and you, in the end, are not on the same path.'

Zhang Yunhai spoke earnestly.

These words gave Zhang Yun great confidence and instantly relieved his worries.

Indeed, what's the point of arguing with Gu Jin Nian over this and that now? The one who laughs last wins.

Just walk your own path well.

However, in the end, Zhang Yunhai's voice continued to sound.

'By the way, the Gu Family has obtained the direct admission quota of the Da Xia Academy.'

'I suppose Gu Jin Nian will also enter the Da Xia Academy together with you.'

Zhang Yunhai said slowly.

But those words made Zhang Yun's complexion change again.

"Direct admission quota?"

"Isn't Gu Jin Nian going to Da Xia Academy harming people?"

Zhang Yun couldn't quite accept it.

In his mind, Da Xia Academy is a sanctuary for scholars; a man like Gu Jin Nian going there would be a menace, a black sheep that defiles the holy place.

"If we don't grant this direct admission quota, the Gu Family won't spare Lord Yang."

"Many matters are involved here, impossible to explain; only when you reach that position can you understand."

"Zhang Yun, remember firmly: the official road is a single line; when the enemy advances we advance, when they retreat we retreat, just like in Go—if you capture a stone, you may be captured in turn."

"Hoping to win the whole board is impossible."

"Moreover, Gu Jin Nian going to Da Xia Academy may not be a good thing."

"These days, the court is embroiled in fierce civil‑military strife; a single misstep and Gu Jin Nian will suffer losses."

For the final sentence, Zhang Yunhai raised his voice slightly.

But he did not make it overly explicit.

Zhang Yun is not stupid, yet he truly does not grasp the meaning.

It's not a matter of complexity; his status hasn't reached the point, so he simply doesn't know the situation.

"Father, then why does the Gu Family want Gu Jin Nian to go to Da Xia Academy?"

"Wouldn't it be fine not to go?"

"Given the Gu Family's capability, actually inviting a retired Great Scholar isn't impossible, right?"

Zhang Yun was still very curious; since the civil‑military conflict is so intense, why send Gu Jin Nian to Da Xia Academy? It seems unreasonable.

Hearing this, Zhang Yunhai fell silent for a moment.

Then, with an extremely solemn expression, he said,

"This Da Xia Academy enrollment holds extraordinary significance, involving the doctrine of Heaven's Mandate."

"The Gu Family cannot help but send Gu Jin Nian, unwilling to miss this opportunity."

Zhang Yunhai spoke aloud.

But Zhang Yun still harbored some doubts.

At that moment, Zhang Yunhai said no more.

Instead, he slowly began,

"The capital is as deep as the sea."

"One misstep leads to a ten‑thousand‑foot abyss."

"Whether Gu Family or we, once entered into the game, none can think of withdrawing cleanly."

"Enough."

"These matters are none of your concern; you have only one task: study diligently."

"All pursuits are inferior; only studying is supreme."

A voice sounded.

Soon, Zhang Yunhai left the main hall.

(End of chapter)