Even if His Dreams Went Unfulfilled, He Would Be a Hero Who Braved the Sea

A gentleman surnamed Zhou?

Liang Family Jiajun was full of questions. Shanyang, also known as Huai'an, had produced many famous men, such as Han Xin, one of the three great heroes who helped establish the Han, and Zhang Lei, one of the four scholars of Su Shi's circle. Yet he had never heard of a gentleman surnamed Zhou here.

"What was his full name? Were any stories of his deeds, poems, or writings passed down?"

Liang Family Jiajun followed Gu Zhengchen, pressing him for an answer.

Following his memories from later centuries, Gu Zhengchen stopped before a large courtyard residence. He looked at the plaque above its tightly shut gates, which read "Seeking the True Source."

Liang Family Jiajun pointed toward the gates. "'Wait until autumn's winds grow cool, then climb high to seek the White Emperor and ask for the true source.' Could the owner have visited the Western Peak, just as Du Fu did? Is this the home of that gentleman surnamed Zhou?"

"Seeking the True Source?"

Gu Zhengchen smiled.

Hundreds of years earlier, a man lived here, seeking the true source.

Hundreds of years later, a man lived here, and he found the true source.

Gazing at the words on the plaque, Gu Zhengchen said softly, "Brother Liang, didn't you ask whether any of his poems or writings had been passed down? Gu Cheng, bring me brush and ink."

With that, he walked toward the courtyard wall to the left of the gates.

Gu Cheng took out the brush and ink. The moment the ink stick had been ground, Gu Zhengchen dipped the brush and swept it across the wall:

Having sung of the mighty river, I turned eastward,

To plumb the many sciences and save a world in distress.

Facing the wall for ten years, I vowed to break through it,

Even if my dreams went unfulfilled, I would be a hero who braved the sea.

As Liang Family Jiajun read the seven-character verse on the wall, a heroic spirit seemed to surge straight toward him. It carried the unwavering resolve of a man determined to master his learning, serve his country, and face ten thousand deaths without regret!

The man who could write such a poem could not be ordinary!

Liang Family Jiajun considered himself well versed in the classics and knowledgeable about past and present, yet after careful thought, he realized he had never seen this poem before!

Was I so poorly read?

Gu Zhengchen stared at the verse, a thousand emotions stirring in his heart. He truly wanted to cry out:

Zhou Enlai, I miss you dearly.

But in this time and place, he had yet to come.

Still, Gu Zhengchen knew that this was his home-in that future age of storm and upheaval.

Your wish was for a flourishing world. That is my wish as well.

You helped a nation stand proudly among the nations of the world, navigating the currents of diplomacy with unhurried ease. Presumptuous though I may be, I too wish to follow your example, Zhou Enlai, and help this Great Ming achieve an age of prosperity that will endure in this world.

At that moment, Gu Zhengchen set his resolve:

I will become-a minister who supports the Great Ming!

"Who are you?"

A sweet voice drifted over.

Gu Zhengchen turned, his eyes brightening slightly.

A young woman stood a short distance away, holding an old red parasol tilted gently against her shoulder. Its fine, evenly spaced ribs supported the crimson canopy. Her brows and features were delicate, and two strands of hair fluttered against her snow-white cheeks. Her starry eyes flickered, and her refined little face held an ethereal grace.

Gu Zhengchen handed the brush to Gu Cheng, stepped forward, and bowed. "I am Gu Zhengchen. A moment ago, moved by my feelings, I left these words here and sullied your wall..."

"Young mistress! Young mistress!"

A maid was hurrying toward them from the distance with quick, short steps.

The young woman glanced back at the maid, then moved with graceful steps as she told Gu Zhengchen and the others, "Do not linger here. My father loves his white walls spotless. Now that you have written on one, he will certainly be angry when he sees it. Hurry and leave."

With that, she turned and departed.

Seeing Gu Zhengchen staring after her in a daze, Liang Family Jiajun coughed. "She's gone. We should hurry away too. If we're caught red-handed, we might land ourselves in trouble."

Gu Zhengchen gathered his thoughts and steadied himself. "Let's go and look around the prefectural yamen. Gu Cheng, Sun Shiba, you needn't stay so close to us. Go and have a look around."

"Yes, Master."

Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba agreed.

Outside the gates of the Seeking the True Source residence.

A man of about forty stood studying the wall. He had a square face, a broad forehead, and deep-set eyes. "This poem is extraordinary. Brother Zhang, I never imagined that after so many years of searching your heart, you still harbored such lofty ambitions. I ought to report this to the court and recommend you, so you can fulfill them."

Zhang He stared at the writing on the wall in astonishment, his gaunt cheeks twitching slightly.

"What? Did you not write this, Brother Zhang?"

"Prefect Ren, we have known each other far longer than a day. You should know that I lost such mettle long ago. 'Facing the wall for ten years, I vowed to break through it; even if my dreams went unfulfilled, I would be a hero who braved the sea!' These lines carry the spirit of a man who would face ten thousand deaths without regret. It is truly a fine poem!"

Zhang He spoke earnestly as he looked at Ren Guangzu, the prefect of Huai'an Prefecture.

Somewhat amazed, Ren Guangzu pointed at the words on the wall. "If you did not write it, Brother Zhang, who did?"

Zhang He shook his head slightly and extended a hand in invitation. "Prefect Ren, let us speak inside. I'll send someone to inquire."

Ren Guangzu said solemnly, "We must find this man. Someone so gifted ought to serve the court. You may not know, but the court has already issued three directives this year concerning the Recommendation System for recruiting talent. The emperor thirsts for worthy men, and we too are sitting on a bed of needles."

Zhang He readily agreed. "If someone left this writing, someone must have seen him. Prefect Ren, please come inside."

Ren Guangzu nodded and followed Zhang He into the residence.

They drank tea and discussed books.

Ren Guangzu seemed distracted. Knowing how urgently he wished to find this talented man, Zhang He sent people to ask around, but no one had seen the person who left the poem.

In the rear courtyard.

The young mistress, Zhang Xiwan, instructed her maid Xiao He, "You must not tell anyone about the man who left that writing. Father will certainly scold me if he finds out... Oh, Xiao He, go and copy down what that young gentleman wrote. I left so hurriedly that I never looked closely."

Xiao He agreed.

Before long, Xiao He found herself watching her young mistress stare into space, seemingly so absorbed in the seven-character verse that she could not pull herself free...

Gu Zhengchen returned to the inn feeling rather dejected.

Wasn't it said that ancient scholars loved scribbling wherever they pleased? It was supposed to be an elegant pastime, a display of scholarly wit. Li Bai, Du Fu, Lu You, Su Shi-which of them hadn't done such things? Why did it feel so ill-mannered when I did it...?

Their journey had been delayed by his difficulty adjusting to the local climate and water, and it was now nearly the eighth month.

Liang Family Jiajun suggested, "Since you have recovered, we should head south as soon as possible and reach Jinling before the Mid-Autumn Festival. What do you think?"

"An excellent idea."

Gu Zhengchen agreed with a smile.

"Go and hire a boat. We will leave Shanyang first thing tomorrow." After giving Liang Wujin his instructions, Liang Family Jiajun told Gu Zhengchen, "There are plenty of Patrol Offices between Huai'an and Yangzhou, along with soldiers stationed from the various guards. We should have no trouble. We will reach Jinling in fewer than five days."

Gu Zhengchen sighed. "This journey hasn't been easy. I walked a great deal today and feel rather tired. Shall we turn in early?"

Knowing that Gu Zhengchen had only just recovered, Liang Family Jiajun rose. "In that case, rest well, Brother Gu."

After watching Liang Family Jiajun leave, Gu Zhengchen looked at Gu Cheng. Gu Cheng shut the door, and Sun Shiba stepped forward as well.

"Master, half a month ago, the Huai'an prefectural yamen arrested a Salt Rebel named Zhang Sanxiu. Apparently, he is a minor leader among them. The prefect has reported the matter to Jinling, but his execution has not yet been approved."

Gu Cheng relayed the information he had gathered.

Sun Shiba nodded and said quietly, "From what I've seen, there are suitable spots at the County Yamen, the prefectural yamen, and the Grain Transport Office. These places are large, after all. There are always corners they cannot keep watch over."

Gu Zhengchen said gravely, "No one must be hurt in this. Since we're doing it, we must make a bigger stir, lest the whole thing peter out without anyone responding!"

"What do you mean, Master?"

Sun Shiba swallowed.

Gu Zhengchen stood and fixed Sun Shiba with a cold, stern gaze. "Two places: the prefectural yamen and the Grain Transport Office! Go. Be cautious, and follow the method I taught you. If anyone questions you, remember not to panic. Gu Cheng will support you from the shadows."

Sun Shiba took a bundle from the chest and checked the four bamboo tubes inside, each as long and thick as a forearm, along with the timekeeping incense. He bowed to Gu Zhengchen and said solemnly, "Master, I'm going."

Gu Zhengchen nodded.

Gu Cheng opened the door and looked outside. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he left with Sun Shiba.

Standing behind the window, Gu Zhengchen watched Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba head off separately. He lowered his gaze to his hands, which were slightly damp with sweat.

In the room next door.

Liang Family Jiajun looked at Liang Wujin. "Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba have left the inn. It's already dusk. What are they going out to do?"

Liang Wujin chuckled. "Master, they've gone knocking on doors. There are quite a few widows in Shanyang..."

"Those two!"

Liang Family Jiajun shook his head inwardly, then glanced at Liang Wujin. "You are not allowed to go!"

"Master, I'm a respectable man."

"That lecherous grin hardly looks respectable..."

"I've been wronged..."

Sun Shiba placed the bamboo tubes in an inconspicuous hiding place along the eastern wall of the prefectural yamen. He lit the timekeeping incense connected to the fuse, weighed down a note nearby, and walked away casually. Then he went to the western wall of the Grain Transport Office, found a concealed spot, quickly set everything in place, and slipped away.

To make absolutely certain nothing went wrong, Sun Shiba followed Gu Zhengchen's instructions, changing direction several times and making two wide loops before entering a tavern. He ate and drank while carefully watching the activity around him.

Hidden nearby, Gu Cheng watched nervously as well. Only after seeing nothing unusual and no one pursuing Sun Shiba did he relax. He went upstairs in the Teahouse across from the tavern to drink tea, and the two exchanged smiles across the street.

An hour later, they returned to the inn one after the other, making a point of greeting the innkeeper and bringing some food and wine for Liang Wujin.

That night felt rather long.

Gu Zhengchen did not know when he fell asleep. When he woke, Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba were already outside his door, urging him to get up.

The sky had not yet fully brightened.

They hired several porters to carry their luggage to the wharf, and Gu Zhengchen, Liang Family Jiajun, and the others boarded the boat. The boatman called out as he worked, and when daylight came, he poled the boat away from the wharf.

Dark clouds were moving in from the northwest, promising a heavy downpour.

Gu Zhengchen looked at the sky, then back toward Shanyang, his brows drawing together slightly.

Sun Shiba and Gu Cheng were surprised as well. Judging by the burning time of the incense, the fuses should have ignited by now. Could the things their master had made have failed?

Just then, a dull boom sounded in the distance, followed immediately by another tremendous blast.

Two thunderclaps shook Huai'an Prefecture.

Ren Guangzu, the prefect of Huai'an, hurried to the scene with his men. Seeing the section of wall nearly half a zhang wide that had been blasted apart, along with the crater in the ground, he was secretly shocked.

"Prefect, we found something."

Deputy Prefect Zhou Gu picked up a sheet of paper and handed it to him.

Ren Guangzu unfolded it and froze.

What hideous handwriting.

The characters were crooked, with a string of circles, repeated blotting, and even mistakes.

Still, the general meaning was clear:

Release Zhang Sanxiu, leader of the Salt Rebels, or three thousand Salt Rebels will ravage Huai'an Prefecture and plunder every boat on the Grand Canal!

"Salt Rebels! Good, very good! They dare threaten the court!"

His face blazing with anger, Ren Guangzu shouted, "Until I wipe out every Salt Rebel in Huai'an Prefecture, I will not leave! Investigate! I want to know who these Salt Rebels are!"

Zhou Gu sniffed the smell of gunpowder and said worriedly, "This explosion was caused by gunpowder. There is more to this than merely the Salt Rebels. Prefect, we should report it to the court. The sooner it is investigated and dealt with, the safer we will be. Otherwise, there will be no end to the trouble."

"The wall of the Grain Transport Office was also blasted apart. The Salt Rebels left a message there as well, claiming they will cut off northbound grain transport unless Zhang Sanxiu is released."

The assistant prefect arrived with the report.

Ren Guangzu gave a cold laugh. These Salt Rebels certainly had some backbone!

Rumble!

Muffled thunder rolled in, followed by a torrential downpour.

The falling rain turned the scattered remnants of timekeeping incense around the crater into muddy water, which pooled inside before flowing away. The sky darkened, and bolts of lightning began their slashing dance, light and shadow alternating ceaselessly across people's faces...