Chapter 749: Reputation and Students

By the end of October, Beijing had already seen several snowfalls, while Guangzhou remained sunny and clear. The trees by the roads were still lush and green, and the flowers along the paths bloomed brightly. Men and women on the streets wore outer robes over their light clothing or added an additional layer of protection. While other places had entered winter, here, the vibrant atmosphere of summer persisted.

Even in Guangdong, where the climate remains summer-like year-round, snow did fall during the winter of the 13th year of the Yongle era—but that was in the twelfth or first lunar months. For locals, the current season could at most be considered a cool period, with only earlier dusk. Yet, though it was still summer outside, people felt as if they were enduring a harsh winter. Since the resolution of the Xu family case, officials from all levels—from the central government to local prefectures and counties—understood how the case was resolved and the power struggles behind it, leaving them feeling uneasy.

Meanwhile, Gu Xingzu, the commander in charge of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Zhang Yue, the left governor of Guangdong, submitted petitions to the imperial court, engaging in a bureaucratic battle. Zhang Yue himself was well-versed in the laws of the Ming Dynasty, and Gu Xingzu had his own skilled advisors. Thus,around just a few hundred words of legal provisions, both of their submissions turned out to be masterfully written and elaborate.

Those who conceal military information from proper reporting shall be punished with 100 blows and dismissed from office without further consideration. Those who cause errors in military affairs shall be executed.

Officials in charge of governing and protecting the people who act illegally, incite the commoners to rebel, and lead to the loss of cities shall also be executed.

Gu Xingzu accused Zhang Yue of hiding information about the rebellion of the Li people in Qiongzhou Prefecture, while Zhang Yue accused Gu Xingzu of inciting the commoners to rebel. Although both petitions were sent directly to Beijing, Gu Xingzu’s journey from Guangxi to Guangdong had already caused panic among local officials. Now that such a case had arisen, news of it quickly spread throughout Guangzhou, and even neighboring counties became aware of it.

Compared to Gu Xingzu, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, who had implemented many good policies since taking office, Zhang Yue was naturally more trustworthy. Just over ten days earlier, farmers in Nanhai and Panyu counties had planted another crop of rice, soybeans, or wheat under the guidance of government officials. Though they were skeptical about whether they could harvest a third crop that year, the government’s efforts to stabilize grain prices, provide work relief, and improve irrigation had given the people confidence. They naturally hoped Zhang Yue would remain in office for several more years.

A alley south of Fanshi Street, adjacent to the Chengxuan Archway, has always seen vendors setting up their stalls to sell breakfast before dawn. The clerks and servants who came to report for duty would buy something here to fill their stomachs before hurrying to the government office. Now that it’s already late in the morning and the morning court sessions are over, most of those who come here for food are ordinary people. A middle-aged man was busy frying crispy snacks in a wok while chatting cheerfully with customers, speaking rapidly without pause.

“As long as the high officials in the court still have sense, they certainly won’t listen to slanderous complaints and replace people. It’s hard to find honest officials these days, but even harder to find truly good ones. Although Lord Zhang is young, he’s done many things since taking office. Just a few days ago, he personally led people to the surrounding fields and even brought together several county officials to urge them to put more effort into agricultural irrigation—many people witnessed this. The climate in Guangdong is indeed suitable for farming, though there are occasional storms. If we could improve irrigation, we could harvest twice or even three times a year, which would improve everyone’s lives, wouldn’t it…?”

As he kept talking nonstop, the other vendors around also started chatting, and the customers naturally discussed it as well. One young man stood there listening for a while until he realized his snacks had cooled down. He then pushed his way through the crowd, rushed to a carriage by the wall, handed over his snacks, got into the carriage, and exaggeratedly recounted what he had heard to the person inside, adding a smiling remark at the end:

“Lord, it seems you truly enjoy a good reputation among the people!”

Zhang Yue glanced at Li Guoxiu and said with a smile, “The common people’s views are always straightforward. If you don’t embezzle or act selfishly, you’re a good official; if you rule cases fairly and without bias, you’re an excellent official; if, in addition to having high moral standards, you can also improve the lives of the people, then you’re a truly outstanding official praised throughout the region. But reputation isn’t something that can spread just within one place. A county magistrate’s reputation is limited to his county, a prefect’s to his prefecture, and a provincial governor’s often to his province. Only those wise officials in high positions can gain fame throughout the land—that’s the difference between benefiting one region and benefiting the whole world.”

Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang nodded repeatedly as they listened. Fang Jing beside them also smiled and said, “I don’t have such great ambitions as my third brother. These past few days, traveling around with Xiao Li and Xiao Rui, I realized that even a simple matter can lead to so much complication, and there are so many underhanded tactics in the yamen. My third brother used to say it’s hard to be an official, and I didn’t believe him, but now I truly do…”
Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly stuck his head out and gave a few instructions to the coachman before pulling it back in. “Ahem, Xiao Li, you’ve delayed us for so long. We need to hurry, otherwise my aunt and third sister-in-law will get worried at Bao’en Guangxiao Temple!”
Remembering that he was there to accompany others in paying respects to the Buddha today, Zhang Yue slapped his own head and then said with a smile, “We agreed to let them go first. We’ll follow after the morning court session ends. I didn’t expect it to take so long. Your sister-in-law is easy to talk to, but your aunt will definitely grumble at us for a while. Speaking of which, Xiao Fang, be prepared. My aunt has mentioned several times that you’re old enough to get married now. If you meet someone suitable, you might as well tell her directly.”
Seeing Fang Jing’s stunned expression, Li Guoxiu nudged Rui Yixiang with his elbow, and the two started whispering to each other. Seeing Zhang Yue lean back and close his eyes to rest, Fang Jing also turned his red-faced gaze outside the window, and the two began to whisper closely together.
Zhang Yue had often accompanied others in paying respects to the Buddha in the capital, but this was his first time in Guangzhou. However, he had visited that famous temple in his past life. Back then, he had been in front of the Three Buddhas of Huayan, feeling miserable without parents and achieving nothing. Now, returning to that place, he not only had a family to support but also enjoyed prosperity and good fortune—his circumstances and mindset were completely different.
With so many things having happened before, and Lingxi Qiuheng becoming pregnant one after another, the toughest times had finally passed. Naturally, Lady Sun insisted on going to the temple to offer thanks. Coincidentally, there was nothing to do at the yamen’s morning court that day, Xiang Shaoyuan’s condition had improved slightly, and Lady Xiang also wanted to pay respects to the gods, so all the women went together. Lady Sun only instructed Zhang Yue to join them after the morning court session ended. Now, when Zhang Yue and the others arrived at Guangxiao Temple in their carriage, the abbot and several elderly monks who had been waiting there came forward. After clasping their hands in greeting, they led the way ahead.

As the saying goes, “Before there was Yangcheng, there was Guangxiao” — referring to the long history of Guangxiao Temple. The temple’s full name today is Baoyen Guangxiao Zen Temple, dating back to the early Southern Song Dynasty. Following Abbot Guangneng inside, Zhang Yue glanced around and saw only monks in robes and young novices responsible for cleaning; aside from them, there were no other pilgrims.

“Master Guangneng, isn’t Guangxiao Temple welcoming outsiders today?”

Abbot Guangneng had been in charge of Guangxiao Temple for fifteen years and had met hundreds of officials, but this was the first time he was receiving a young local official like Zhang Yue, so he naturally observed him closely along the way. Hearing this, he smiled and said, “It’s not that our temple is blocking outsiders for the sake of the local official. It’s simply that it’s neither the first nor the fifteenth day of the month, so there are few pilgrims anyway. Moreover, coincidentally, the wives of the military and judicial officials also came to offer incense at the same time. We just happened to meet the elderly lady and your wife, so for safety reasons, we had to temporarily close the temple. This is standard practice and doesn’t disturb the public.”

Although Buddhism preaches equality among all beings, it often fails to achieve true detachment in the face of government authorities. Thus, imperial temples in the capital can close their doors to other pilgrims due to royal relatives, and local Buddhist and Taoist temples naturally prioritize the powerful. Zhang Yue wasn’t being pretentious; he was just asking casually. What interested him more was what Guangneng had said earlier, so he smiled and said, “So, the wives of the three government departments have all gathered here!”

“Yes. The ladies are praying in the Mahavira Hall. I’ve ordered all the monks to step back, leaving only two novices under ten years old to accompany them, so that the ladies can be at ease.”

Nodding in thanks for Guangneng’s arrangements, Zhang Yue followed him through the temple gate and along the path. The first building they saw was the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. As they approached, Zhang Yue looked up at the gilded plaque and then at the empty pillars on either side. Without turning around, he asked, “Why are the couplets on these pillars empty?”

“To be honest, the couplets for this Hall of the Heavenly Kings have been changed six or seven times. Each time, scholars and literati pointed out flaws — some said the tone was insufficient, some said it was arrogant, some said the literary quality was lacking, and some said it was overly ornate.” At this point, Guangneng glanced at Zhang Yue thoughtfully before saying with a smile, “I’ve long heard that you are a disciple of Scholar Du. Would you be so kind as to write a couplet for us to display for future pilgrims to admire?”

Zhang Yue seemed not to hear Guangneng’s words; he merely stared at the doorpost and suddenly blurted out, “Zen Buddhism spreads throughout the world, and this is its earliest blessed land; Jiyuan opens the way to the mountains—this is the foremost sacred mountain!” Since many scholars and officials did not believe in gods and Buddhas, although Monk Guangneng had always hoped to get the local governor to inscribe a plaque or couplet, no one had agreed. Hearing these two lines spoken by Zhang Yue, his eyes lit up immediately, and he praised, “I’ve long heard that Lord Fangbo is highly talented in literature. What you just recited is flawless—not a single word can be changed! Though our temple is modest, we do have fine writing tools. How about you come and write something for us?” Realizing what he had done, Zhang Yue suddenly remembered that he had momentarily forgotten the hundreds of years that had passed. He then realized the couplet carried a majestic presence and was stunned. With a wry smile, he said, “This wasn’t something I came up with on the spot. It was written by a great master I met once when he spoke of Mingting Guangxiao Temple of Zen Buddhism. I just remembered it. If I were to inscribe it on the couplet of this Hall of Heavenly Kings, wouldn’t that be using someone else’s name?” Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, although many Buddhist temples had been rebuilt in the northern and southern capitals, various schools of Buddhism had declined, including Mingting Guangxiao Temple of Zen Buddhism. Therefore, Guangneng didn’t want to miss this opportunity and urged, “That doesn’t matter. Lord Fangbo just needs to tell us the master’s name, and our temple will surely promote that master’s fame. Wouldn’t it be a shame for such a fine couplet to go untold?” It wouldn’t be a shame to go untold… it would just appear a hundred years later! Still, as Zhang Yue pondered this powerful couplet, he ultimately shook his head and said to the old abbot, “This couplet is too majestic. If I, an ordinary man, were to inscribe it, it wouldn’t bring any benefit to your temple. If you can find a high-ranking monk, he could write it after seeing it. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll ask for a plaque for the temple entrance for you. Let’s not talk about this couplet anymore.” With that, Guangneng had no choice but to agree, though he kept the idea of a temple entrance plaque in mind. When the group reached the Mahavira Hall, the women had already gone to the secluded chambers behind to rest. Zhang Yue sent Fang Jing ahead to inform his mother, Lady Sun, then declined the offer of guidance from monks like Guangneng. He simply walked slowly with Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang, visiting the Hair-Burying Pagoda, Wind Flag Pavilion, Hall of the Sixth Patriarch, and so on, before stopping under a Bodhi tree behind the Mahavira Hall. “Lord!” As Zhang Yue was thinking about Buddhist teachings on reincarnation, he turned around and saw two people kneeling behind him. After being stunned for a moment, he turned back and asked, “What are you two doing?”

Li Guoxiu raised his head and said loudly, “Sir, over these past two years, I have benefited greatly from your teachings. I hope to formally become your disciple.” As soon as he finished speaking, Rui Yixiang added, “We earnestly request that you accept us as your disciples.” “If people find out you are my disciples, few will envy you for having such a great teacher, while many will mock you for clinging to the powerful. Even if you succeed in the exams someday, you will still face criticism. Are you really sure about this?” Rui Yixiang replied without hesitation, “A person of integrity need not fear slander. Didn’t you also face countless criticisms in the past, yet still stand firm today?” “Those who are not envied are mediocre. Although we may not have exceptional natural talent, we will surely emulate your way of handling matters and work hard to achieve something meaningful!” Although Zhang Yue had once joked with Wan Shijie about how glorious it would be to have many students passing the provincial exams, he knew well that it was still too early for him, given his age and experience, to talk about such things. Therefore, bringing up a few capable young people was actually his way of gaining more influence in the changing world. Seeing the two earnest youths, he recalled his own time when he became a disciple of Du Zhen, and gradually a smile appeared on his face. “Very well then. Kneel down now— I accept you as my disciples!” There was no need for a disciple-taking ceremony or many guests as witnesses. The two youths were stunned for a moment, but quickly bowed three times in respect. After that, Zhang Yue glanced at the two students who were only a few years younger than him and said with a smile, “Work hard!” With that, he left the stunned youths behind and headed straight for the study, thinking back to his own apprenticeship days. When he arrived at the study, he encountered his father, Zhang Zhuo, at the door. “Father, why are you here?” “I just arrived too. There are only women inside, so I thought I’d wait for you here.” Zhang Zhuo smiled at Zhang Yue and said casually, “The Duke of Qian sent a letter. Although the Xu family uses the Mu family’s name, they actually have little to do with him. You can investigate as you see fit. Since the Xu family has attacked the Mu family, they’ve already blamed it on Gu Xingzu. When the time is right, the Mu family will strike again, and Gu Xingzu won’t be able to withstand it. The Mu family has already arrived in Guangzhou. With this treasure ship opening new sea routes, they will also send merchant ships. Just be aware of this.”