Chapter Thirty-Three: Scholars, Truly Ruthless to Themselves

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Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao were both filled with anticipation.

Powerful patrons stood behind each of them. If this venture succeeded, their masters would surely reward them handsomely.

Ye Xiu spoke unhurriedly. “At the beginning of last year, my grandfather submitted a memorial to the court, requesting that maritime trade be reopened.”

“We all know about that, but there has been no word from the capital. The Grand Secretariat has yet to reach a final decision. Young Master, why are you so certain?”

As a retainer of the Prince of Yan’s household, Shopkeeper Xiao was remarkably well informed about such matters.

“If my grandfather can walk out of the Censorate alive, then this matter will go through.” Ye Xiu paused. “A shortfall of nearly ten million taels cannot be plugged with silver. It must be filled with material goods. I do not know what other trump cards my grandfather may hold, but after analyzing the situation carefully, I believe there are only two ways he can survive: mines or maritime trade. Our family certainly has no mines, but my grandfather is a man who sees a hundred moves ahead after taking only one. He would never make an empty gesture.”

Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao exchanged a glance.

Your grandfather may not have any, but Madam Wei has both.

The only privately owned mining enterprise officially recognized by the Great Qian Empire belonged to Madam Wei.

The only inland and maritime transport fleets in the entire Great Qian Empire capable of overwhelming the grain-transport system also belonged to Madam Wei.

Handing over either of those assets would be enough to save Ye Tianxiang’s life.

The Great Qian treasury had long been spending more than it took in. Ye Tianxiang was not only the empire’s Saint of Balanced Accounts; he was also the key to filling its deficit.

The fastest way to acquire wealth was neither robbery nor confiscation.

It was to open maritime trade and keep the largest sea merchant fleet firmly under one’s own control.

With the powerful monopoly granted by the imperial court, the great profiteers who had grown rich through smuggling could then be absorbed one by one.

The Southern Seas had an urgent demand for tea, silk, and porcelain. If tea were stockpiled now, then once the maritime ban was lifted, a fortune would certainly be made.

At present, the greatest smugglers in the Great Qian Empire were the three senior grand secretaries of the Grand Secretariat. They could hardly wait for the maritime ban to be abolished.

But all of this required an opportunity—a spark capable of forcing everyone to accept the inevitable.

Now that spark had arrived.

It was Ye Tianxiang, the Saint of Balanced Accounts.

Only after countless rounds of reviewing and reexamining the situation had Ye Xiu finally reached this conclusion.

Who could guarantee that his grandfather’s memorial requesting the lifting of the maritime ban had not been submitted at the urging of the three senior grand secretaries?

“If we are going to do this, we must move quickly.” Shopkeeper Liu rose to his feet. “I will handle the warehouses, storefronts, and recruitment. Old Xiao, you take care of external relations. You have the advantage in that area.”

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“My master said I should throw myself into the work. If I do well, he will secure my son a place at the Imperial College.”

Shopkeeper Xiao gazed at Ye Xiu with profound gratitude. “Young Master Ye, whether this succeeds or not, I, Xiao, will remain grateful for your kindness for the rest of my life.”

A place at the Imperial College?

Ye Xiu regarded Shopkeeper Xiao with a complicated expression. Did that mean his master was also a powerful figure in the capital?

Though curious, Ye Xiu did not ask further. Instead, he took out the illustrated manuscript and handed it to Shopkeeper Xiao.

“It is finished. If anything needs revising, contact me at any time. I am about to become Master Li Hanqing’s disciple, so I may not be able to continue working with you afterward.”

Shopkeeper Xiao accepted the manuscript, feeling somewhat regretful.

Solid fundamentals, a bold imagination, a gift for drawing, and genuine creative talent. What a pity…

After agreeing to collect the payment from the study tomorrow when he delivered the wine, Shopkeeper Xiao and Shopkeeper Liu left the Ye residence.

Early the next morning.

Ye Wuji and his son rose early as well and dressed with great care.

Under ordinary circumstances, a licentiate wore a blue robe.

But today was different. Ye Wuji had changed into a black round-collared robe and black boots.

This was the attire a licentiate wore when paying respects to Confucius.

Ye Xiu did not understand why. Only after asking did he learn that Jinling Academy was holding its monthly examination that day.

Ye Wuji walked in front, while Li Weishan followed behind with the book chest on his back.

They left the house and boarded the sedan, full of confidence, then headed straight for the academy.

Ye Xiu watched them depart and happened to spot Ye Xiren.

The old man stroked his grizzled beard, his gaze circling repeatedly around Li Weishan.

“Master Ye.” Ye Xiu approached him. “My younger brother is the son of a meritorious official.”

“Oh?” Ye Xiren immediately became interested. “Tell me more.”

“His father was Li Erlang, the magistrate of Zhoushan County.” Ye Xiu gave him a detailed account of Li Weishan’s background.

“I have heard of this matter.” Regret appeared on Ye Xiren’s face. “It is a pity that the court did not even grant his father a posthumous title in the end, nor did it make proper arrangements for the child. What do you and your father intend to do?”

“For now, we will have him serve as my father’s study attendant. Once my father becomes the top scholar, we will find a way to arrange a place for him at the Imperial College.”

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“That is indeed one possible path.”

After saying this, Ye Xiren fell into deep thought.

Seeing that the seed of “injustice” had already been planted, Ye Xiu changed the subject.

“Master Ye, I always feel that something is wrong with the arrangement of my father’s study. Could you give us some guidance?”

This was Ye Xiren’s area of expertise, and he was naturally happy to oblige.

The moment he entered the study, Ye Xiren gave an exasperated laugh.

“This is utter nonsense. Who arranges things so carelessly?”

Under Ye Xiren’s instruction, Ye Xiu finally understood that studying really was arduous work.

Unlike the way books were managed in his previous life, scholars in ancient times had to classify their books.

All the scholars in the realm lived on the teachings of the sage Confucius, so books by Confucius were to be placed at the very top, followed by works such as those of Mencius.

Books with a pastoral flavor belonged at the very bottom of the shelves, supposedly to keep one grounded.

Books filled with righteous energy were to be placed near the northern corner, where they could ward off petty villains.

On the walls, landscapes and calligraphy came first, flowers and trees second. Birds, beasts, and human figures were not to be hung, as they might constrain the mind rather than broaden it.

On either side of the windows, several groups of potted plants were to be arranged, chiefly the Four Gentlemen—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. A few fish could be kept in the area just outside the windows as well.

Only when movement and stillness were arranged in proper order could the study environment be filled with vitality.

“Master Ye, my father has already failed the examinations four times, and now he has even made a wager with someone…” Ye Xiu deliberately adopted a sorrowful expression. “A few days ago, I heard that a licentiate outside the city hanged himself after repeatedly failing to pass the provincial examination. I am afraid my father might also… Alas!”

“You sly little rascal. I know exactly what you are plotting.”

Ye Xiren opened a commentary on the Analects and flipped through several pages.

“Ye Wuji’s monthly examination is at hand. I must see his final results before I can teach him according to his abilities. Remedial instruction is different from nurturing a student. With the former, one must reinforce whatever is lacking and adapt to the circumstances.”

“As expected, nothing can escape your notice, Master Ye.” Ye Xiu gave a crafty smile. “You are the most distinguished top scholar of our dynasty. Having you guide my father’s studies is a blessing he must have earned in his previous life.”

“But my standards are extremely strict. Can you endure them?” Ye Xiren set down the book and regarded Ye Xiu meaningfully.

“Master Ye, the stricter, the better.” Ye Xiu began lying through his teeth. “Ever since word started spreading through Jinling that he is the city’s foremost scholar, he has become conceited and lightheaded…”

“His son sells everything he owns to support his studies, yet after writing a single poem, ‘Immortal by the River,’ he becomes restless and swollen with pride. How will he ever pass the provincial examination in the future?”

The moment Ye Xiren heard this, he flew into a rage. He picked up his brush and immediately wrote Ye Wuji a daily schedule.

Ye Xiu glanced at the schedule and stared wide-eyed in shock.

He had never imagined that ancient scholars studied with such merciless intensity.

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