Chapter Thirty-Four: Ancient Trees of the Old Family

"Don't trouble yourself with worries, Weizhi. Even without the sovereign's command, the Four Great Families of Wu County would never allow the Shen clan to run amok. When all is said and done, the Xu family, like the Four Families, is native to Jiangdong, rooted here for generations—unlike those migrant clans who crossed the river. This time, the Shen family bewitched the Crown Prince, and for the sake of old grudges, took it upon themselves to kill, thus inciting public outrage. In this world, alliances are forged from profit and dissolved by profit as well. When he finds himself isolated and friendless, his fate may be no better than the Xu family's today."

Gu Yun spoke with careless ease, a calm indifference masking the confidence and assurance born from generations of stewardship by the Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang families.

"Enough of this! Since you’re here, Weizhi, make yourself at home in Qiantang. If you encounter any trouble you cannot resolve, simply come to me!"

Xu You expressed his gratitude, gaining a deeper understanding of Gu Yun. Though amiable and easygoing, Gu Yun was also clear-sighted and thoughtful—not some naïve artist lost to the world. No wonder the sovereign had personally chosen Qiantang as his refuge; it spoke to his trust in Gu Yun’s ability.

“Speaking of which, there is a troublesome matter at hand…”

Xu You spoke of his conflict with Zhan Ting, though he withheld certain details. Matters concerning Du Jingzhi and Zhan Wenjun he did not deem necessary to reveal to Gu Yun at present.

Gu Yun laughed. “That’s easily settled. I’ll have Chief Clerk Bao Xi accompany you to the Bin Guesthouse. If I weren’t worried about causing too much of a stir, I’d go with you myself!”

Such was the wisdom of the discerning. The Magistrate of Qiantang might not be a high official, but within Qiantang his word was law. Were Gu Yun to personally intervene, he might bring Xu You unnecessary trouble.

“You are most considerate, Feiqing, but Chief Clerk Bao’s presence will suffice.”

Xu You glanced at the sky, uneasy about He Ru and Qiu Fen. He took his leave. Gu Yun accompanied him to the wing room by the main hall, summoned Bao Xi, gave him instructions, and then saw Xu You and his companions out of the yamen, arranging to meet again in three days. He stood in the doorway until they disappeared from sight before reluctantly turning back.

Bao Xi, in his forties, was short and bearded. His looks were neither handsome nor ugly—utterly ordinary, the type who would vanish in a crowd. Though he had witnessed Gu Yun’s extraordinary courtesy toward Xu You, as they walked together, he kept a respectful half-step behind—neither servile nor arrogant, nor prone to unnecessary words. He was nothing like the fawning, sycophantic secretaries Xu You had known in county offices.

“Chief Clerk Bao, are you a native of Qiantang?” Xu You asked.

Bao Xi smiled. “You’ve guessed wrong, sir. My family is from Haiyan County. I only came to Qiantang three years ago to serve as chief clerk.”

“Oh? And before that, where were you employed?”

“I hardly dare call it employment. I failed in both the literary and martial arts. If not for Lord Gu of Dongyang showing me favor and allowing me to serve in his household, I’d scarcely have had enough to eat all these years…”

Xu You searched his memory but found nothing. He glanced at Zuo Wen beside him. As expected, Zuo Wen did not disappoint; well-versed in the affairs of the Three Wu regions, he whispered, “The Prefect of Dongyang is Lord Gu’s esteemed father.”

Though “marquis” was originally a title, during the Wei and Jin dynasties it was also a term of respect for someone’s father.

Suddenly Xu You understood: Bao Xi was Gu Yun’s father’s close confidant, sent here to Qiantang to assist his son.

“My apologies, truly!”

Bao Xi showed no pride. “I dare not claim such honor. May I ask, Sir Xu, what caused your conflict with Young Master Zhan?”

Gu Yun had only instructed him to accompany Xu You to the Guesthouse, without mentioning the reason. Hence his question.

“It’s rather odd, actually. Two days ago, we were staying there without issue. Then, this afternoon, Young Master Zhan suddenly claimed he had ‘overcome his doubts’ and wanted to evict us. Had he spoken reasonably, it would have been nothing, but instead he summoned over a dozen bravos to intimidate us, tried to drive us out by force, and so the conflict arose.”

Bao Xi could tell Xu You was not being wholly truthful, but did not press. “Understood. Leave the matter to me.”

When they reached the Guesthouse, the same attendant as the day before greeted them. Clearly instructed by Zhan Ting, the man’s expression changed at the sight of Xu You and he reached out to block his way. “Sir, please wait…”

Xu You smiled. “Do you wish me to pose another riddle?”

The attendant looked awkward. “Well… If you would wait a moment, sir, I’ll go and report…”

“So yesterday’s honored guest is today’s unwelcome one? Am I not even permitted to enter now?”

Bao Xi stepped forward. “Do you know who I am?”

The attendant started in fright, hurriedly bowing. “Chief Clerk, I pay my respects!”

“Step aside. With me here, Young Master Zhan will not blame you.”

The attendant dared not obstruct them further and stepped aside, head down, to open the gate.

Bao Xi gestured. “Please, sir.”

Inside, they passed through several courtyards to the quarters where Xu You and his people were staying. The gate was tightly shut, with eight servants in blue standing guard. They, too, stepped aside at the sight of Bao Xi, letting them in before hurrying off to inform Zhan Ting.

He Ru, hearing the commotion, emerged from within. At the sight of Bao Xi beside Xu You, his expression shifted subtly, but he quickly masked it. He strode forward and called out, “Seventh Young Master, was it difficult to enter Qiantang’s county office?”

Xu You laughed. “Hard to get in, but easier to leave. This is Chief Clerk Bao, sent by Prefect Gu to handle the matter.”

He Ru did not salute, merely inclined his head. Xu You, knowing his temperament, could do nothing but say, “Chief Clerk Bao, this is Lord He, my close friend.”

Bao Xi saluted graciously, taking no offense. “Since we’re at the Guesthouse, Sir Xu, why not rest here a while? I’ll go meet Young Master Zhan. Such a small misunderstanding will be easily smoothed over.”

“Indeed, it’s just a trifle—if it escalates, everyone will lose face. I leave it in your hands, Chief Clerk.”

After Bao Xi left, Xu You spoke to He Ru about Gu Yun. He Ru said, “This Magistrate Gu is no ordinary man. It’s said he read the Five Classics at the age of six and grasped their main ideas; at nine, he could compose essays and wrote an Ode to the Moon, which earned the appreciation of the Gu family’s patriarch, Gu Yuqi, who took him as a disciple. At twelve, he traveled to Jinling and composed the Jinling Topography in two volumes, which is still praised today. Thereafter, he studied the classics and histories, excelling especially at painting. He once built a ten-zhang-high tower as a studio; after ascending, he would have his family remove the ladder, and only when the weather was bright and clear would he paint. If the heavens were gloomy, he would not touch his brush. After a month or more, when a painting was finished, he would descend to receive guests. He is acclaimed as a genius in both scholarship and art—one of the Gu family’s most outstanding sons of this generation!”

Xu You hadn’t expected such high praise. “With such talent, why did he take a mere magistrate’s post in Qiantang? With his background, why not join the military office as an adjutant? From there, he could easily become a chief clerk, a Sima, or enter the prince’s court as Director of Gentlemen, then advance to Cavalier-in-Attendance—an unimpeded road to high office…”

He Ru shook his head. “If the Gu family’s patriarch Gu Yu shared your view, the Gu family would not flourish for the next fifty years.”

Xu You broke into a sweat. He’d only been making idle conversation—was it so serious? Realizing his understanding of history was perhaps flawed, he humbly said, “Please enlighten me.”

“In Chu’s court, it has long been the rule that without serving as a county magistrate, even the most capable cannot become governor or inspector; and without serving as governor or inspector, one cannot become Chamberlain or Minister. Gu Yun is the Gu family’s carefully nurtured pillar. Within thirty years, he must attain the posts of Palace Attendant, Director of the Central Secretariat, or one of the Vice Directors of the Department of State Affairs. Only thus can the family ensure two decades of imperial favor and social standing. If he followed the path you imagine, at best he’d become a favorite, but never a true pillar or prime minister. As Chen Ping of the Han dynasty said: ‘The prime minister assists the Son of Heaven above, harmonizes the forces of nature, governs the seasons, and below brings all things into accord; he pacifies the lords without, and wins the people’s loyalty within, ensuring that ministers and officials fulfill their duties.’ Governors become the Three Excellencies, and palace officials go out to govern a county. The key to good governance is to honor the post of magistrate. Only by rising from county to commandery to province, witnessing the sufferings of the people and the intrigues of the court, can one truly govern the lords and gain the people’s trust.”

Xu You’s mouth fell open. In his mind, he pictured Gu Yun scampering off to fetch his painting scroll. If he became prime minister someday, would he dash off like that to deliver memorials to the emperor?

Of course, that was merely jest. People grow, after all. Though growth often means the blunting of one’s edges and the loss of innocence and kindness, at least it means you have grown up.

“Now that you’ve explained, I recall something he said to me…”

“What was that?”

“He said men from the Secretariat had brought a secret order from the sovereign, ensuring my safety in Qiantang… though he added, so long as I didn’t commit treason or similar capital offenses…”

“That’s a warning, Seventh Young Master—behave yourself in Qiantang!” He Ru sneered. “So don’t think Gu Yun is someone you can confide in without reservation. You’d do well to guard against him.”

While Xu You felt Gu Yun’s words were more a kindly reminder, He Ru had a point. In a place of suspicion, and being only newly acquainted, trust should not be given lightly.

Still, time reveals a person’s heart. Now that he’d settled in Qiantang, he and Gu Yun would have plenty of dealings. In time, he would know whether Gu Yun was truly a gentleman of virtue—or a politician shrouded in calculation.