Chapter 126: This Is My Uncle

In the days that followed, Xuanyuan Changfeng visited almost daily. Each time, he brought along scholarly texts to discuss with Gou Ye, and every conversation yielded insights from Gou Ye that were far beyond the ordinary. In return, Gou Ye helped Xuanyuan clarify many of the more obscure concepts within the civil service examination curriculum.

As the two sat in the courtyard playing the game of Gomoku that Gou Ye had taught him, Xuanyuan Changfeng asked, "My friend, I know you are currently employed by the Merchant Guild, but I have always struggled to understand why. I do not see you as a man who craves fame or fortune. Why join the Guild and busy yourself with such lowly commercial affairs? Furthermore, our nation strictly forbids officials from engaging in trade. If you were to pass the imperial examinations one day, would everything you have built not be rendered for naught? If I may speak plainly, it would be better to settle your heart and focus entirely on your studies."

"Officials are forbidden from trade, you say? Do you think the families of those in the imperial court are merely for show? Are you unaware of how many within the Merchant Guild have direct ties to court officials? Even the head of our Guild, Master Xiao, is a former imperial scholar. Without the Merchant Guild, what would support the massive expenditures of the court? Without the Guild, how could one balance the influence of the aristocracy and the royal clan? The court simply keeps one eye open and one eye closed."

Gou Ye placed a stone with a sharp *clack*, completing a row of five, and laughed, "Brother Changfeng, it seems you have lost again."

Xuanyuan Changfeng set his stones aside and looked at Gou Ye earnestly. "That may be so, but in my view, as a scholar, one should prioritize the pursuit of a career in service to the state and the people. Agriculture should remain the foundation of our nation. Engaging in trade truly lowers your standing, my friend."

Regarding the doctrine of favoring agriculture and suppressing commerce, most people still viewed merchants as belonging to a base profession. Even Xuanyuan Changfeng, despite his unique perspectives, could not escape this conventional prejudice. They failed to grasp the importance of commerce, regarding it merely as an auxiliary tool for the state and the people. It seemed that the rise of the Chen Kingdom had not yet fully awakened the Ming Kingdom; many still believed the Chen Kingdom’s rapid expansion was due solely to military reform, failing to realize that commercial power was the driving force behind it.

Gou Ye smiled and said, "Brother Changfeng, you are mistaken. I do not consider trade a lowly profession. On the contrary, I believe its significance is immense, and its charm is infinite. I love wealth, but I obtain it through righteous means. Every coin I possess is earned through my own hard work. I do not engage in corruption or illicit activities, so what crime is there in that? Making money is my passion and the foundation of my independence.

"More importantly, you do not know what I am truly setting out to do. Look toward the distant Chen Kingdom. Do you think its rise is entirely due to military reform? I tell you, the primary reason is the strength of its commercial system. Whether it is the common people or the powerful elite, the pursuit of fame and profit is something most cannot avoid. Farmers grow grain to sell to landlords; laborers toil to earn more silver to provide for their families; officials pursue prestige to secure a better life for their descendants.

"Ultimately, it is all for the sake of wealth. With wealth, a nation can expand its armaments; with wealth, a nation prospers and can build more schools, construct more waterworks, and provide disaster relief to impoverished regions. When everyone sees that they can earn more and improve their lives, they work all the harder.

"When grain prices rise, workers need not worry about wages, irrigation projects are well-funded, disaster victims become fewer, and even officials—having gained enough—lose their greed and focus on serving the country. So, is a strong commercial sector useful or not? Of course, if merchants are too revered, it may lead to moral decay where everyone pursues only profit, which is a drawback. This is why the court must intervene to balance things—to prevent moral decline while ensuring the people have a hopeful future.

"As for your talk of 'base merchants' and lowering my status, that is truly a biased view. I have said enough; I will not argue with you further. Go back, study the history of the Chen Kingdom, and ponder it for yourself."

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Changfeng was truly astonished. It was the first time anyone had evaluated commerce in such a way, laying out its advantages so clearly. He had never considered himself a dogmatic man, but could his views of so many years truly be as biased as Gou Ye suggested? Once he returned, he would certainly study the history of the Chen Kingdom to see if it was as Gou Ye described.

That evening, Gou Ye kept Xuanyuan Changfeng for dinner. The family sat in the courtyard, savoring the roasted chicken Gou Ye had prepared. Yun Niang and the Guo brothers, having eaten it many times, remained calm, but for Xuanyuan Changfeng, it was a first, and he was filled with endless praise.

"Brother Gou, this roasted chicken is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I never knew chicken could be prepared this way. I am dying to know how you concocted the seasoning you brushed on it."

Gou Ye smiled and replied, "A trade secret, I cannot say." While roasting chicken wings, he continued, "This is nothing. Next time, I will make you fried chicken." He suddenly stopped, his hands frozen over the grill as if struck by a thought, and he stood there, smiling and lost in contemplation.

Suddenly, Gou Ye looked at Xuanyuan Changfeng and asked, "Brother Changfeng, you are so learned and talented—do you know how to draw?"

Xuanyuan Changfeng, confused by the sudden question, replied, "I do. I studied with a master for a few years in my youth."

Gou Ye laughed heartily, "That is all I need!"

Early the next morning, Gou Ye summoned Xuanyuan Changfeng to his study. He hurriedly prepared the ink and had Xuanyuan sit at the desk, spreading out a sheet of rice paper, and asked him to draw a portrait based on his description.

After several attempts, Gou Ye was still not satisfied. Finally, Xuanyuan Changfeng cast aside his traditional training and, following Gou Ye’s vision, drew a simple sketch. The drawing depicted an old man in ancient attire, his upper body exposed. Curious, Xuanyuan asked, "My friend, you had me come over at this hour just to draw this old man? And so crudely, at that—a child who has studied painting could do this. May I ask who this elder is?"

Gou Ye, holding the paper and grinning widely as he admired it, replied casually, "Oh, him? That’s my grandfather!"