Chapter Seventy-Four: Whether in Triumph or Defeat, My Faith in You Remains

Gou Ye’s analysis was not entirely his own; it was actually the reasoning Wanxiang had shared that day at the brothel. Now, Gou Ye was simply repeating what he had learned. Yet as he listened to Gu Shen’s account, and saw how the situation aligned exactly with Wanxiang’s words, he found himself ever more impressed by her. That a woman could see through the political landscape so clearly was truly remarkable.

“Gu Shen, my friend, what this means is that your family’s predicament is not without solution. In truth, your father likely saw it clearly as well. But on the one hand, he didn’t want you all entangled in the court’s factional struggles. On the other, he was unwilling to stoop to currying favor and seeking power. So, to this day, your family has chosen tranquility over involvement in the affairs of the court, living peacefully but keeping entirely out of politics.” Gou Ye took a sip of tea as he spoke.

“You’re absolutely right, Gou Ye. My father told us siblings early on that the court was a dark place, and even if opportunities arose, he didn’t want us to serve as officials and be drawn into that shadowy world. Yes, he feared we might suffer harm, but more than that, he was afraid one of us might be tempted by profit and become just like them. That is what he truly cannot bear to see. Over the years, many factions have tried to win my father over—the imperial clan and the bureaucratic families alike—but he refused them all. They didn’t want him for the power he could wield at court, but for his reputation in the army. You can’t imagine how many of today’s generals were once promoted by my father. If he held power again, those men would surely follow his lead, which would be a tremendous asset to any faction.”

Gu Shen’s words made Gou Ye understand the heart of the matter. It was not that the Duke had no opportunity to return to power, but that he refused to participate in the court’s endless intrigue. Taking sides was a minor concern; such politicking was of no benefit to the nation. What meaning was there in returning to court under such circumstances? The Duke’s decisions centered around his own principles, and there was nothing wrong with that. Yet he neglected the wishes of his descendants and the fate of the entire family, sacrificing the small family for the greater good. Only now did Gou Ye grasp the true significance of the word “public-mindedness” inscribed at the door.

“In fact, the Duke could easily have chosen to join any faction—imperial or bureaucratic. Yet he refused, truly unwilling to deepen the chaos at court or to drag those loyal to him into the vortex of political strife. So he could only forsake his own family’s advancement to protect many more people. Perhaps my reasoning is imperfect, but I do have a method that does not require the Duke to return to court, and that may yet give your family a chance to re-enter officialdom.”

Gou Ye looked at Gu Shen, waiting for his affirmation. Gu Shen grasped his meaning and replied solemnly, “Gou Ye, since you have come this far, please don’t be coy. Whatever your plan, I am willing to do my utmost to see it through—success or failure, you have my trust!”

“My friend, there’s no need to dwell on right and wrong. You know the situation between myself and Magistrate Qin and his wife is now beyond reconciliation. If I want to bring him down, I will need powerful backing. Of course, the Duke cannot act openly. But through him, I hope to contact the merchant clans aligned with the bureaucratic faction. After all, both the imperial and bureaucratic merchant clans rotate their leadership every three years. If the Duke can help me connect with the most influential one, I will help them become the leading merchant clan in the upcoming rotation for the bureaucratic side.”

“You wish to reach the power behind the scenes through the merchant clan, and align yourself with the bureaucratic faction?” Gu Shen asked.

“Whether we take sides or not is immaterial—factions rise and fall by human hands. Today there are imperial and bureaucratic factions; tomorrow, who knows what parties will emerge? We only need to borrow their power to fulfill our ambitions. This path will be perilous, full of deception and betrayal, and a single mistake could spell ruin. Knowing this, do you still trust me?” Gou Ye looked Gu Shen in the eye, speaking with sincerity, hoping for a thoughtful reply.

Gu Shen stood and bowed respectfully. “Gou Ye, I have already said that I trust you, come what may. The road you propose is fraught with danger, but I find it thrilling. A true man should aspire to great deeds, not waste his life in mediocrity. If this is your resolve, I will persuade my father to help you as best I can!”

Gou Ye also rose and returned the bow. “Gu Shen, I never wished to be swept up in this turbulent tide, but in this world, without strength there is no voice, and without a voice, one cannot protect one’s loved ones. I cannot bear to see my family harmed again, so I have no choice but to carry on. Once I’ve made the connection, I will do my utmost to build good relations with the bureaucratic faction through the merchant clan. With their backing, your family’s descendants will have a chance to re-enter officialdom. By then, who knows how far I will have gone or how deep I will be in, but as long as I remain, I will always stand by your side.”

“With your words, Gou Ye, I am content. Once I have discussed this with my family, whatever the outcome, I will persuade my father to lend you his aid. Though others think me a frivolous wastrel, I trust my own judgment—you are destined to succeed. But to enter officialdom, power alone isn’t enough. Since the founding of our dynasty, no merchant has ever entered government directly; you will still need to pass the civil service exams and at least obtain the degree of presented scholar. Do you have the confidence?” Gu Shen trusted Gou Ye’s resolve, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Gou Ye was no longer so young, had neglected his studies for years, and lacked a renowned teacher. Attaining a scholarly title would be extremely difficult—and this was only the first step.

Gou Ye laughed heartily, his confidence contagious. “Gu Shen, the civil service exams consist of nothing more than the eight-legged essay. I studied those from a young age; with some dedicated review, I’ll be ready in no time.” At that, Gou Ye felt a surge of gratitude for his time in the modern world. Back then, he had been an obscure ghostwriter who took on a commission to write classical prose, all centered around the eight-legged essay. He had poured his heart into the task, practicing day and night, even dreaming of the essays, and that period of training eventually made him a well-known writer. Only then did he begin to write his own work.

So, upon learning that entry into officialdom required passing the exams based on the eight-legged essay, he felt an unexpected sense of fortune—as if fate had arranged everything in advance.