Chapter Seventeen: A New Title

"Young Master Gou, there is one more thing I must inform you of. Our shop intends to experiment by selling your books in neighboring counties. Should the response prove favorable, our profits will be even greater."

More like your profits, Gou Ye thought inwardly. He grinned and said, "With Boss Hu’s help, it would be hard for me not to make a fortune."

Boss Hu cupped his hands and sighed, "Alas, my humble shop’s printing capacity is limited. Otherwise, what difficulty would there be in selling your books to the capital? But the journey is long and arduous; after much consideration, I realized I simply cannot cover the costs."

These words gave Gou Ye pause. The capital—a place where all the world’s fame and fortune converged beneath the Emperor’s feet—surely one could make even more money there. Thinking of the scene at the shop’s entrance, and then imagining counting money until his hands cramped, Gou Ye began to entertain the idea of opening a bookshop in the capital.

At noon, Boss Hu hosted a lavish banquet for Gou Ye and his companion. The meal was filled with polite exchanges and mutual flattery, which made Yun Niang quite uncomfortable. She glanced at the greasy-mouthed Boss Hu and wondered, are all businessmen so insincere? May my future brother Gou Ye never become someone like this.

When Gou Ye and Yun Niang bid farewell to Boss Hu and approached the bookstore’s entrance, they found no thronging crowds. Instead, the readers stood in neat rows. Upon seeing Gou Ye emerge, they all bowed in unison and called out, "Hero Gou!"

In just a short while, Gou Ye had acquired a new title. This time, the crowd was no longer wild or unruly; instead, as if they had agreed beforehand, they greeted Gou Ye with utmost respect, as if he were their leader, and they his loyal disciples.

As Gou Ye walked to the end of the street, he heard behind him a unified chorus, "We respectfully see off Hero Gou!"

Hero Gou—he couldn’t help but laugh. Who would have thought that he, Gou Ye, would one day be called a great hero? Humming softly, he sang,

"Drawing the bow beyond the frontier, galloping with laughter through a tireless life; the sky vast, the plains boundless, through countless tribulations, memories dwell in the heart, ties of loyalty and duty, impossible to sever..."

It had been days since he last saw Young Master Gu, and Gou Ye found himself missing him. So, together with Yun Niang, he set off to find Gu Shen. Before long, they lifted their eyes and saw a grand red gate, on which four large characters were inscribed: Mansion of the Duke of Jing.

Just as in the dramas, the households of the powerful required servants to announce visitors, and entry was only granted with approval. Soon, Gu Shen himself came out, opening the door with a laugh. "Brother Gou Ye, you have kept me waiting these days! If you hadn’t come soon, I would have come to find you myself. Come, come, quickly, enter the manor with me."

The Duke of Jing’s residence was truly extraordinary. The blue brick paving was as neatly laid as a single brick turned over. To the side there was a door, with lamps above and below—likely the offices of the stewards. Most notable was the broad stone screen facing the entrance, upon which two upright characters were carved: Impartial Heart.

The sight of the inner courtyard left Yun Niang dumbfounded; never in her life had she entered such a grand residence. How many people could live here? Gou Ye was likewise filled with wonder. A duke’s mansion was truly in a class of its own—seeing it in person put the dramatizations to shame.

Gu Shen led them into the main hall. It was just past noon and the hall was still empty. If the courtyard had already amazed Yun Niang, the hall was even more astonishing. Upon entering, two rows of fixed benches could be seen, with two more before the main seat. The floor was covered in animal-hide carpets, soft underfoot; the beams were exquisitely carved and painted in vibrant colors, giving the room an air of exceptional refinement. The most striking feature was the jeweled sword hanging on the wall, its scabbard gilded, and even the hilt set with dazzling gems.

Gou Ye began to doubt Gu Shen’s earlier words—how could this resemble the home of a declining noble house? Gu Shen seemed to sense his skepticism. "Brother Gou Ye, don’t think my home is particularly luxurious. Everything here is by the Emperor’s command. The mansion was bestowed by His Majesty—it is his face. Of course it must be grand. Should my father pass away, everything here must be returned to the court."

Gou Ye nodded. Given this, Gu Shen was rather pitiable—once his father was gone, he would be left with nothing. No wonder he sought to partner with Gou Ye; he was preparing a way out for himself. In this, he showed a certain foresight.

The reunion was a cheerful one; Gou Ye, Yun Niang, and Gu Shen chatted happily. When Yun Niang recounted how the readers had called Gou Ye "Hero Gou," Gu Shen laughed so hard he could hardly close his mouth, bowing repeatedly and addressing him as "Hero Gou" with every breath.

The pleasant mood was abruptly interrupted by the entrance of a stern-faced man. Though not angry, his presence was imposing; those deep, black eyes sent a chill down the spine with a single glance, and the aura he carried filled the room with oppressive authority.

Gu Shen quickly rose and saluted with utmost respect. "Your son greets you, Father."

This was Gu Shen’s father, Gu Yuan—the Duke of Jing, a veteran general seasoned by the battlefield. He was indeed an extraordinary figure. Gou Ye and Yun Niang hurriedly stood and saluted as well; it was the first time since arriving in this world that Gou Ye had bowed to someone.

"Father, this is the friend I mentioned to you before, Gou Ye. And this is his close companion, Miss Yun Niang."

Gu Yuan scrutinized Gou Ye from head to toe before speaking in a deep voice, "I have heard from Gu Shen that you are quite talented. Is it true?"

Gou Ye considered that denying it would only make the Duke of Jing think him insincere. Better to be forthright. He answered, "It is so."

Gu Yuan’s severe expression softened slightly as he continued, "At such a young age, you do not seek an official career, but instead linger among the marketplace, chasing after petty profit. What talent is there in that?"

It seemed the Duke of Jing did not think much of merchants. Understandable—in ancient times, merchants held a low status, and a duke who had served in court for years would naturally disdain them. Gou Ye smiled faintly and replied, "Just now, upon entering with Young Master Gu, I saw the words ‘Impartial Heart’ carved on the stone screen. May I be so bold as to ask, Your Grace, what is an impartial heart?"

Always used to being the one who questioned and others who answered, this was perhaps the first time Gu Yuan had been countered with a question. Though a trace of surprise crossed his face, he did not show displeasure. Standing before the main seat, he gazed at the jeweled sword on the wall and said, "To fight and bleed on the battlefield, to defend one’s country and home—this is an impartial heart. To save the world and bring fortune to the people—that too is an impartial heart. To share the Emperor’s burdens and solve the court’s troubles—this as well is an impartial heart."

Gu Shen, at the side, was already sweating with anxiety. He had not expected Gou Ye to converse with his father in such a way, but strangely, his father showed no sign of anger.

Gou Ye was thoroughly at ease, entirely unfazed by the Duke’s commanding presence. He spoke boldly, "Your Grace, your words are perfectly correct. Yet I believe that all the people of the realm possess an impartial heart. As the saying goes: ‘Order the family, govern the state, and pacify the world.’ In this world, how many truly have the ability to govern the state and bring peace to the world, as Your Grace does? How many, striving their whole lives, ever achieve high office? For common folk, to provide for their families and secure a place in the world is already no easy task. Does that mean they have no impartial heart? They do not wish to beg on the streets, nor to become homeless wanderers. Countless ordinary people, for their country and for the Ming dynasty, contribute in their own modest ways—whether as craftsmen, farmers, or merchants, all are subjects of the Ming. The strength gathered from these millions—is that not also an impartial heart?"