Chapter 5: The Study of the Literary Heart

The twelfth year of Yongsheng.

September 15.

The Yin hour.

The weather is slightly cool; after a while, it will enter the Start of Autumn, and the entire Da Xia Dynasty gradually begins to grow cold.

Inside the Gu Family's library.

Sunlight refracted through the window, scattering throughout the study.

"Huh."

Inside the study.

Gu Jin Nian stretched, moved his muscles and bones, then placed a copy of the East Land Record onto the bookshelf.

From yesterday's You hour to today's Yin hour, he read for a full five hours.

Reading brings joy; Gu Jin Nian feels no fatigue at all.

Having grown up on medicinal cuisine since childhood, his body is exceptionally strong; not to mention reading for five hours, even if he truly focused, ten-odd hours would not be excessive.

In those five hours, Gu Jin Nian roughly finished reading the recent five-thousand-year history of the East Land.

He had some prior understanding, but this time Gu Jin Nian read more carefully, especially the Da Xia Record, which he examined word for word.

The Da Xia Dynasty is located in the central-southern region of the East Land.

It has been seventy-two years since its founding.

The Grand Ancestor founded the state, era name Kaiyuan, governing with diligence, defeating northern barbarians, pacifying the south, then passing the throne to the Heir Grandson, era name Jian'de.

However, a grand scheme to weaken the vassal states was launched.

At first it was fine, given the speed, but as some vassal kings gradually became aware, the problem grew.

Especially the Fourth Prince, who chose to rebel at the critical moment.

Of course, although it was rebellion, outwardly they claimed to uphold the Da Xia orthodoxy, that the emperor was deluded by treacherous ministers, and they raised an army in revolt.

Originally this should have been a contest without suspense.

But with the Gu Family's involvement, the Fourth Prince gained wings like a tiger, and stubbornly persisted for ten years.

At the most crucial moment, this Fourth Prince burned his boats and attacked the capital, seizing the realm and completing an unbelievable counterattack.

At that time, the Yongsheng First Case occurred.

The Jian'de Difficulty.

The Da Xia Record does not contain it, but Gu Jin Nian can imagine it.

The Fourth Prince, seen as a rebellious minister and traitor, seized the capital in the simplest yet most unexpected way, becoming the third emperor of the Da Xia Dynasty—how many people were dissatisfied? And how many harbored ulterior motives?

Over thirty thousand people were involved, not a single survivor, and furthermore hundreds of thousands were exiled to the frontiers, never to return to the court for eternity.

Yet it was also this Jian'de Difficulty that brought the Yongsheng Emperor under heavy criticism.

Especially the scholars of the world, all furious, believing that the current emperor is not the legitimate ruler of Da Xia but a usurper.

No matter how sharp the court's sword, it cannot surpass the historian's pen.

The Yongsheng Emperor knows that relying solely on slaughter cannot silence the masses; thus he also emulates the Grand Ancestor, governing diligently, reviewing memorials day and night, wholeheartedly for the people, reducing taxes, valuing peasant agriculture, hoping the world will accept him.

This is roughly the seventy-two-year history of the Da Xia Dynasty, the story of three generations of monarchs.

However, there are many places Gu Jin Nian does not understand.

This is a world where immortals and martial arts coexist; the Fourth Prince's surprise attack on the capital does not necessarily mean he would be wiped out outright.

But these are not the main points.

Twelve years have passed since the Jian'de Difficulty; now it is the twelfth year of Yongsheng, and many things have settled to dust.

Although there are still many rumors among the populace, such as the Jian'de emperor secretly plotting to regain the throne.

But looking through history, Gu Jin Nian clearly knows in his heart how many of those overthrown emperors could actually regain power.

Besides the Ming War God, Gu Jin Nian really cannot think of a second.

"It's really complicated."

He rubbed his temples, Gu Jin Nian shook his head.

The situation of the Da Xia Dynasty is somewhat complex; given his current circumstances, it's best not to get involved.

When the sky falls, there's a tall person to hold it up.

Neither his grandfather, father, nor all those uncles are stupid, so it's not his turn to worry.

But there is one thing, Gu Jin Nian is clear about.

The Gu Family.

They truly need a civil official now.

Looking through history, the pinnacle of a military commander's moment is nothing more than during wartime, but that pinnacle must have a precondition.

The Martial Emperor is in power.

If the Civil Emperor is in power, the military commander's fate is likely to be overshadowing the ruler with his achievements.

When the Martial Emperor is in power, the military commander can truly rise.

The Yongsheng Emperor is a Martial Emperor, so the Gu Family can indeed act without restraint.

But each generation does its own thing; over these past decades, there have been internal strife and external chaos, countless battles fought.

Even a fool knows to nurture the people's livelihood, let alone the current emperor? Next, the Da Xia Dynasty needs a Civil Emperor to hold power, vigorously developing the nation's economy and agriculture.

As for warfare, let's wait a bit.

Under these circumstances, the status of civil officials will only rise, especially the Confucian-Dao lineage; educating the myriad peoples is no small matter.

In a peaceful prosperous age, what is fought is a cultural war.

If the Gu Family remains entirely martial officers, for those in power this is not good; sooner or later they will be weakened, and heavily so.

But if a civil official were to appear, he could sweep away decadence and overturn the heavens and earth.

However, this civil official must possess extraordinary ability and means; it's not as simple as just being able to read.

Therefore, the road is long and far.

Although the Gu Family appears glorious, it also has its own worries.

A thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant hole; Gu Jin Nian knew this principle long ago.

"Heir Apparent."

Just then.

The servant's voice sounded slowly, pulling Gu Jin Nian out of his reverie.

First floor of the library pavilion.

A servant with a fair complexion spoke timidly.

"Heir Apparent, the Marquis has ordered you to go to the Wenxin Study Hall to study; it's getting late, you still need to bathe and change, please prepare, Heir Apparent."

The voice sounded, somewhat timid.

After all, for the previous owner, studying was not a pleasant thing; hearing about studying often made him irritable, and he would take his anger out on these servants. "Understood."

Inside the building.

Gu Jin Nian replied, then went down the study tower and followed the servant out.

About half an hour.

Inside the spring pool.

Gu Jin Nian walked out of the pool, dried himself, then picked up his clothes from the rack.

Regarding his identity, Gu Jin Nian was satisfied, but he was still unaccustomed to being served, especially when dressing.

He's not a child, yet others help him dress—it feels too awkward.

Especially when a group of male servants help him dress, Gu Jin Nian can't stand it.

Noble households are not fools; they know some maidservants like to meddle, seeing that the young master of the family is young, they start toying around, hoping to rise in status that way.

Such things are not uncommon, so the truly powerful nobles are extremely strict with their descendants; Gu Jin Nian is now sixteen, precisely when a man's vigor is at its peak.

Therefore, they dare not place a maidservant by his side, fearing such incidents.

Precisely for this reason, Gu Jin Nian feels uneasy.

Guarding against ignorant, spoiled young masters is tolerable.

I didn't expect even someone like me, a virtuous gentleman, to be guarded against; it's a bit aggravating.

"'No, I need to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony early; after the ceremony it'll be fine, otherwise I won't even be able to go to the Lotus Building Pleasure Quarter.'"

Thinking this.

Gu Jin Nian immediately put on his clothes, layer upon layer.

Finally, after putting on his clothes, Gu Jin Nian stood before the bronze mirror, examining himself up and down.

Although somewhat blurry, it still couldn't hide the feeling of a noble young man.

This time, besides his identity, Gu Jin Nian is also extremely satisfied with his appearance.

Sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, delicate features, especially a pair of eyes that are lively and spirited, further revealing a handsomeness hard to put into words.

But it's not the feminine, soft beauty of women; it's a handsomeness so great that the word 'handsome' fits.

Putting on the Azure Cloud Ink-Stained Scholar's Robe, a refined scholarly aura immediately emanates.

Just this appearance gives the feeling of a top scholar.

Neatening his attire.

Gu Jin Nian then headed toward the outside of the spring pool.

Heading to the Zhaiyin Academy.

Outside the mansion.

The Jade Carriage is already ready.

On each side, six elite guards stand.

Gu Jin Nian is the Heir Apparent and can ride out in the Jade Carriage; a Duke of the State uses a seven-horse standard, a Marquis a five-horse, but Gu Jin Nian has no title, so he can only reduce to three horses.

The horses pulling the carriage are all Blood Qilin Horses, their bodies covered in black scales like a Qilin beast, but with a faint blood-red hue, hence the name Blood Qilin Horse.

One Blood Qilin Horse can pull the Jade Carriage; three such horses are to display the Heir Apparent's status.

Entering the Jade Carriage.

Gu Jin Nian sat cross-legged, the steward personally driving the carriage, while also not forgetting to nag.

"'Heir Apparent, the Marquis has instructed that after going to the study hall, you must absolutely not quarrel with others; there are rumors in the capital now, and those scholars are also eyeing you.'"

"'Do not let those scholars seize the opportunity again, otherwise there will be trouble.'"

The steward spoke, driving the Jade Carriage to set off, relaying Gu Qianzhou's instructions.

"Understood."

On the Jade Carriage.

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

He knew what the current situation was.

Nowadays, the whole capital is in turmoil, saying that he teased the Minister of Rites' daughter and was consequently pushed into the water.

This is no joking matter.

In a world where Confucianism and Daoism flourish, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness encompass everything; if he truly bore a bad reputation,

Lightly, he would be looked down upon by all factions; heavily, his name would stink for ten thousand years.

Furthermore, coming from a military family, those civil officials originally had no chance to find trouble; to them, he was a delicacy delivered to their doorstep.

It can be said that every move I make from now on will be closely watched by these Confucian officials and scholars; any mistake will be magnified without limit.

Then it will extend to the court, becoming a weapon to attack the Gu Family or the military clique.

If the beam is not straight, the rafters will be crooked; this is no joke.

Inside the jade carriage.

Gu Jin Nian played with a jade pendant; he is not stupid, and since he roughly understands the court situation, he will not act recklessly.

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

Although the Gu Family is at its zenith, there are still many things it cannot attend to.

Especially matters of the younger generation, it is even impossible to get involved.

Unless I really encounter a major problem, otherwise the Gu Family will resolve it in its own way.

What I need to do is to reduce gossip as much as possible, wait for the matter to pass, then slowly take revenge; it's not too late.

This is the Gu Family's idea.

Gu Jin Nian's idea is very simple.

I have recovered my memory and know the full story; if it was indeed the original self who teased someone, frankly speaking, there's no question of revenge—the fault lies first, and Gu Jin Nian admits it.

But the whole matter, from start to finish, was provoked by the other party; moreover, at such a young age they are so vicious—pushing someone into a lake to drown would be bad enough, but to turn the tables on Gu Jin Nian is unacceptable.

The family isn't unwilling to help me; it's just that matters of the younger generation are hard to intervene in.

Once involved, it becomes troublesome.

But matters among peers can be resolved among peers.

This trip is to the Wenxin Study.

Gu Jin Nian is determined to settle these matters.

Bullying me?

Wishful thinking.

(End of chapter)