The news, its origin unknown, spread like wildfire among the scholars of Nanxuan Prefecture. Gu, the esteemed Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, was in Shangsi County, rumored to be taking disciples.
Instantly, scholars from Nanxuan Prefecture flocked to Shangsi County like a surging tide. Not only that, but scholars from neighboring prefectures also hurried towards Shangsi County.
The study's casement window was open, and a cool breeze wafted in from the courtyard. The crisp sound of recitation, like pearls scattering on a jade plate, dispelled the heat of June.
"The Master said: To govern with virtue is like the North Star. It remains in its place, and all the stars turn towards it..." Zhan Feiyu recited the twenty-four chapters of the "Analects: For Political Rule" at lightning speed.
Gu Qingzhou asked, "What is the meaning of governing with virtue?"
"The sage Confucius advocated moral cultivation as the principle of governance. Confucianism governs through virtue, not harsh laws," Zhan Feiyu replied quickly. Honestly, she was more inclined towards rule of law.
"Besides governing through virtue, the chapter on political rule also touches upon serving as an official..." Gu Qingzhou, as a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, also lectured on the "Analects." However, his approach was entirely different from that of Master Lin and Master Dou, focusing more on analysis from the perspective of the imperial court.
This subtly elevated Zhan Feiyu's perspective and vision in judging people and matters.
Half an hour later, after moistening his throat with tea, Gu Qingzhou looked speechlessly at Zhan Feiyu, who was rapidly taking "notes." He didn't stop her. "Do you know why Chen Weibin served as county magistrate in Shangsi County for seven years, and the Ministry of Revenue's annual evaluations for him were only 'average'?"
"I heard my elder brother mention it. Official Chen offended his mentor," Zhan Feiyu replied without looking up, her hand moving even faster. Such hasty notes were only decipherable by herself.
After waiting for a while without a response, Zhan Feiyu put down her brush, rubbed her sore wrist, and looked at Gu Qingzhou, who was sipping tea, with confusion.
After a moment of bewilderment, Zhan Feiyu suddenly realized and, after some thought, said, "The incident began when Magistrate Chen sentenced the nephew of his mentor, Lord Liu, to a heavy penalty. The court favored Confucian governance, but Magistrate Chen advocated for Legalist thought. Lord Liu then used this as an excuse to demote Magistrate Chen to Shangsi County and suppressed his promotion."
"Confucianism inherited and developed the thought of 'illustrious virtue and careful punishment,' advocating for benevolent governance and the implementation of benevolent policies. Benevolence is the primary way to govern a country and win the hearts and minds of the people..." Gu Qingzhou, while a model and example for scholars, harbored rebellious thoughts in his heart.
Putting down his teacup, Gu Qingzhou continued, "Chen Weibin acted according to the law, which was not wrong. Unfortunately, his actions back then were too rigid. Moreover, Liu Jian was his mentor. Chen Weibin's actions thus appeared cold-blooded and heartless. Officials in the court would not offend a second-rank official for a subordinate in the Ministry of Justice."
"It's merely seeking advantage and avoiding harm," Zhan Feiyu pouted, her chubby little face expressing disdain. "Magistrate Chen was in the Ministry of Justice at the time and acted so unfeelingly. There are countless dissolute youths in the capital. They feared that their incompetent younger generations would fall into Magistrate Chen's hands and be severely punished."
Not wanting to offend Liu Jian was one reason, and not wanting upright officials like Chen Weibin in the Ministry of Justice was another.
"Are you speaking up for Chen Weibin?" Gu Qingzhou chuckled. The young girl was truly intelligent, her insights sharp and to the point, yet her puffed-up cheeks made her appear childish.
Zhan Feiyu snorted twice. "Before the year, the top scholar submitted a memorial impeaching the Imperial Guard. Wasn't that also out of fear of falling into the Imperial Guard's hands one day? So, he wanted to test the Emperor's attitude and, ideally, weaken the Imperial Guard's power. Humph, they are all hypocrites and true villains who are not upright themselves!"
Clearing his throat twice, Gu Qingzhou smiled with a dangerous glint. "I had already read this memorial before it was submitted to the Emperor."
Having stepped on a mine, Zhan Feiyu's expression froze. She immediately switched to a diligent student's demeanor. "Teacher, let's continue discussing governing with virtue."
"No, let's continue discussing true gentlemen like Magistrate Chen, and a true villain like myself," Gu Qingzhou said with a meaningful smile. "If you were in the Ministry of Justice, what would you do?"
Chen Weibin's biggest mistake was revealing his preference for Legalist thought to his mentor, Liu Jian.
The Great Qing Laws were laid out, stating that even the Son of Heaven, if he broke the law, would be punished the same as a commoner. According to Zhan Feiyu's thinking, it should be the same as Chen Weibin; since a law was broken, it should be punished accordingly.
Unfortunately, she was also a "hypocrite." "Teacher, if governing with virtue is applied to punishments, it means using punishment to assist virtue, using virtue to eliminate punishment, showing compassion in punishment, and being cautious in executions. His Majesty also implements benevolent policies, but as the saying goes, 'Things do not happen more than three times.'"
The Liu family's descendants had forcibly abducted a woman and even incited local ruffians to cause the death of the woman's elderly parents, ultimately leading to the woman's suicide. They were responsible for three lives.
"Teacher, according to the criminal law, the Liu family's descendants could also be completely absolved by simply producing a servant. The crime of forcibly abducting the woman would be cleared, and the death of the woman's parents was caused by ruffians, while the woman's final suicide was self-inflicted. Therefore, whether the sentence is light or heavy depends on the thoughts of the Ministry of Justice officials."
Chen Weibin had chosen a heavy sentence at the time. Zhan Feiyu continued, "I would only sentence the Liu family to compensate the woman's siblings with silver. After all, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Privately, I would curry favor with the offender, allowing him to continue his misdeeds. If he needs anything, this disciple will serve him. Since they are the mentor's nephews, a disciple must naturally look after them."
"Then send people to monitor him, allowing him to make a second mistake," Gu Qingzhou understood the meaning behind Zhan Feiyu's words.
"Yes, if he repeats it a second and third time and remains unrepentant, he deserves to die!" Zhan Feiyu nodded.
Although innocent people might be implicated in the second and third instances, at least she stood on the moral high ground. Only by ensuring her own safety could she uphold justice. If she couldn't even protect herself, how could she talk about justice?
This topic might be a bit heavy. Zhan Feiyu glanced at the thoughtful Gu Qingzhou and asked weakly, "Teacher, am I a selfish hypocrite for doing this?"
After a long silence, Gu Qingzhou suddenly laughed. "As the saying goes, 'evils live for a thousand years.' I don't have to worry about no one to look after me in my old age."
Among the upright officials, perhaps only those stubborn old men in the Censorate remained. Others were demoted, died, or had gone into seclusion.
"My Lord," Gu Yuan hurried in from outside, bowed to Gu Qingzhou, and reported, "We just received news that scholars from Nanxuan Prefecture have arrived in Shangsi County and are looking for your whereabouts."
Gu Yuan paused, glanced at Zhan Feiyu, and continued, "Rumor has it outside that you have already accepted Miss as your disciple."
Shangsi County was neither very large nor very small. Finding someone was not easy, but the key was that Zhan Feiyu had suspended her studies at the county school. By following her tracks, one could easily find the farm.
"Then won't I become a target?" Zhan Feiyu's eyes widened abruptly. With the scholars of Nanxuan Prefecture mobilized, she could already imagine the situation.
Gu Qingzhou frowned slightly. He had originally planned to announce the acceptance of disciples after Zhan Feiyu passed the courtyard examination and the provincial examination.
After all, Zhan Feiyu was young and had only been studying for a short time. Becoming Gu Qingzhou's disciple, while an immense honor, would also expose her to much harsh criticism and scrutiny.
Since the news had spread, Gu Qingzhou looked at Zhan Feiyu's crestfallen face and scolded with a smile, "What are you afraid of? You are young, thick-skinned, and have me as your teacher. Even if you act outrageously, no one will dare to blame you."
"Teacher, among the Six Arts of a Gentleman, I am only proficient in mathematics. They won't dare to say you are blind, they will only provoke me openly and covertly." Zhan Feiyu, who only wanted to study peacefully, slumped her shoulders. No matter how thick-skinned she was, she didn't want to be verbally attacked every day; it would affect her mood.
"The imperial examinations test essay writing and policy proposals. You can ignore the Six Arts of a Gentleman," Gu Qingzhou consoled her with little sympathy. "Besides, I will stay in Shangsi County for at most half a month. Once I return to the capital, you will have peace."
Zhan Feiyu lifted her eyelids and eyed Gu Qingzhou suspiciously. She felt that her teacher was gloating, although she had no proof.
...
After the news of Grand Scholar Gu spread, for a time, scholars in flowing scholar robes could be seen everywhere in the streets of Shangsi County. Some held fans, walking in twos and threes, forming a picturesque scene.
The restaurants Leshan Ju and Taifu Jiu Lou were the most popular. In the back courtyard, Zhan Feiyu secretly peeked and then retreated. Fortunately, she had asked her mother to stay with her maternal uncle for a few days, saving her from being besieged by these frantic scholars.
"What are you afraid of? With Grand Scholar Gu here, do they dare to lay a hand on you?" Doctor Ji put down his medical book, genuinely amused by Zhan Feiyu's timid demeanor.
"Doctor Ji, you don't understand," Zhan Feiyu said weakly, resting her head on the table. "If they were to resort to violence, it would be better. It's precisely because they are all scholars that it's troublesome."
If a matter could be resolved with a fight, it wouldn't be troublesome. The problem was that scholars were skilled in literature, not martial arts. Zhan Feiyu could imagine that once she, the target, appeared, countless challenges would flood in: debates on poetry, calligraphy, essay writing... waves of challenges would come one after another, endlessly.
"Do you know who leaked your news?" Doctor Ji looked sympathetically at the pitiable Zhan Feiyu. He could understand; the girl was only eight years old, and the scholars outside would probably devour her.
In an instant, as if injected with chicken blood, Zhan Feiyu sat up straight, her round face flushed with anger, and her dark eyes burning with murderous intent. "I don't need to investigate; I know it must be Wan Yunhao!"
The news had spread from Nanxuan Prefecture. Both the Tong mansion and the Qin family had connections in the imperial court. However, compared to the Tong mansion, which was struggling to protect itself, Zhan Feiyu knew with her toes that it was the Qin family, it was Wan Yunhao!
"He is the youngest Juren in Nanxuan Prefecture, famous from a young age, and rumored to have a chance to break into the top three," Doctor Ji said. Although he had retired from the Imperial Guard, Leshan Ju was a liaison point for the Imperial Guard, so it was easy for him to gather information.
"He also wants to become a disciple. Unfortunately, my teacher despises such hypocrites the most!" Zhan Feiyu pouted. She couldn't defeat all the scholars in the world alone, but she could kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. After dealing with Wan Yunhao, the culprit, she believed no one would dare to provoke her in the future.
Doctor Ji had an eccentric personality, and the people of Shangsi County didn't even know that Leshan Ju's owner was him. Seeing Zhan Feiyu with a murderous look, Doctor Ji had an uneasy premonition. "What do you plan to do?"
Waving her chubby paws, Zhan Feiyu smiled. "I'm still considering it, but it will definitely be something big! Doctor Ji, can you do me a favor..."
For three consecutive days, the inns and restaurants in Shangsi County were full. Many people tidied up one or two rooms in their homes, just to earn some rent.
"Village Chief, seven or eight groups of people have come this morning." Zhuzi hadn't done anything else these days except move chairs to sit outside Zhan Feiyu's house.
Later, after hearing Zhan Wencheng's words, Zhuzi set up a small stall to sell tea.
Families in the village who grew fruits and vegetables also displayed their washed produce. It was true that people coming to inquire about information would spend ten or twenty wen to buy something.
"Xiao Yu is staying at her teacher's place, so nothing will happen. If anyone asks, just say so," the Village Chief said with a smile, taking a bowl of cool tea from Zhuzi. "You continue to guard it. If you can refuse the items, do so. If you can't, keep them yourself and give them to Xiao Yu when she returns."
If poor scholars came to Jinlin Village to inquire about Zhan Feiyu, they would only buy some tea.
But some who were particular and not short of money would bring gifts along with their calling cards. Even if Zhan Feiyu was not at home, the gifts would be left behind.
Taifu Jiu Lou, guest room.
"Brother-in-law, Zhan Feiyu must be hiding!" Qin Ye said angrily. Although he hadn't personally gone to find her like those scholars, the servants and guards brought by the Qin family had all gone out.
Unfortunately, they couldn't find Grand Scholar Gu, nor could they find Zhan Feiyu's whereabouts. This person had hidden herself like a turtle in a shell.
Wan Yunhao patted Qin Ye's shoulder to comfort him. "This is Shangsi County, after all. Not to mention Magistrate Chen values Zhan Feiyu, her teachers and classmates at the county school also think highly of her. She can easily avoid seeing anyone by finding a place to hide. A Ye, you can't be impatient."
Those who could study at the county school came from families with some assets. Compared to these scholars, they naturally leaned towards Zhan Feiyu. Moreover, Zhan Feiyu becoming Grand Scholar Gu's disciple was beneficial to her classmates, so they would definitely offer assistance.
"Are we just going to let it go like this? Grand Scholar Gu won't stay here forever. If he leaves, how can I become his disciple?" Qin Ye's voice became sharper with anxiety. Although he was young and impatient, the matter of Grand Scholar Gu accepting disciples was indeed too important, which explained Qin Ye's restlessness.
"You are anxious, and so are the scholars outside. Don't worry, brother-in-law will think of a way to force Zhan Feiyu to appear. When she appears, Grand Scholar Gu will surely appear as well," Wan Yunhao's clear voice was calm and unhurried, gradually calming Qin Ye's agitated emotions.
After Qin Ye returned to his room, the smile on Wan Yunhao's face disappeared, leaving only coldness. The Qin family was doing well, asking him to gain fame for Qin Ye so that Grand Scholar Gu would accept him as a disciple. They didn't consider that compared to Qin Ye, he, the youngest Juren of Nanxuan Prefecture, was more qualified to be Grand Scholar Gu's disciple.
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