Chapter 409: Inquiry and Discussion
Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Inquiry and Discussion
Chen Dafu knew this brat had a knack for pissing people off, and he had suffered his fair share of losses because of it. But his status was different now. For this kid to still speak to him like this was simply outrageous...
"You know your father has returned to the capital, so you should also know he’s nothing more than a commoner now."
Gu Kaiyuan nodded. "Of course I know. We are just ordinary commoners now, so we only do what commoners do. We haven’t overstepped any boundaries, have we?"
This was a veiled accusation that Chen Dafu was the one overstepping boundaries. Chen Dafu naturally heard the implication. He knew he shouldn’t have come today, nor should he have cornered Gu Kaiyuan, but his inner voice had ultimately driven him to make the trip.
"Don’t you want to return to the capital?"
"I don’t know why you’re asking this, Mr. Chen. But we’re all smart people here. You should know what my relationship with my family is like. At this point, it’s safe to say we have completely cut ties. I have nothing to do with them anymore."
"Aren’t you afraid people will call you unfilial?"
"So what?" Gu Kaiyuan said indifferently. "I’m not pursuing an official career, so my reputation doesn’t hold much sway over me. Besides, anyone who wants to know the right and wrong of the matter can investigate and find out the absolute truth."
"Aren’t you going to think about your children and grandchildren?" Chen Dafu really couldn’t understand why a father and son needed to take things to this extreme. If word got out, even if Gu Baijiang and the rest were in the wrong, people would only point fingers at Gu Kaiyuan.
"I only have one daughter right now, so I don’t overthink it," Gu Kaiyuan said shamelessly. "Besides, children will have their own fortunes. If I have any more in the future, they’ll take the surname Bai. They won’t have any connection to the Gu Family."
Chen Dafu was rendered speechless. He had almost forgotten that this guy was a ruthless character who had already changed his household registration and married into his wife’s family. In that case, this really wouldn’t have much of an impact on his next generation.
"I’ve also received news from the capital. Your niece has already entered the Three Emperors Mansion. Aren’t you afraid that one day they’ll turn their luck around and come looking to settle scores with you?"
"If you have something to say, Mr. Chen, just say it straight. Don’t beat around the bush with me. We both know we prefer straight talk."
Chen Dafu was truly exasperated by Gu Kaiyuan’s attitude. He was, after all, an imperial envoy personally appointed by His Majesty. Even if they had some prior acquaintance, the man should at least show a modicum of respect. Seeing his casual manner of speaking, anyone who didn’t know better would think the two of them were of equal status.
He decided not to dwell on it for now. Today, he really did have serious business to discuss. He originally thought he could use his current status to gain the upper hand over this kid, but he hadn’t expected him to be so sharp-tongued, quick-witted, and unwilling to be at a disadvantage. "I truly do have something to discuss with you today."
Gu Kaiyuan didn’t take the bait, quietly waiting for the other man to put on his show.
"You also know that those brats in my family are all good-for-nothings," Chen Dafu continued. "If they had even half your cleverness and drive, I wouldn’t have to worry.
"It’s just that I’m bogged down with official duties and have never had the time to teach them, leading them to muddle through life all these years.
"But now I’m getting older, and I gradually feel my energy waning. I wanted my sons to become dragons among men, but they just aren’t cut out for it.
"So, this is what I was thinking. As the saying goes, every profession produces its own master. With your abilities, no matter what trade you enter, you will be outstanding. I want to have my boys follow you and learn. I’m not asking for much; as long as they learn even a little, it will be enough to benefit them for a lifetime."
This was a familiar tune. He had heard Chen Dafu float this idea before but had rejected it. He hadn’t expected him to bring it up again today. Back then, they were all exiled criminals, but now both of their statuses had changed. Gu Kaiyuan truly couldn’t easily turn him down flat. Furthermore, he had completely broken ties with the Gu Family. Most of the news from the court was gathered by his own people or provided by his mother-in-law’s side. If he had Chen Dafu as a connection in the middle, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
"Follow me in business? Or do you want them to be minor landlords?" Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t about to make decisions for others. If they followed him, they could learn a bit about buying and selling. After all, he was very familiar with this line of work. Back when he was a General, he had often led his brothers in such activities to secure military supplies.
As for the properties and land he had recently purchased, as long as he managed them well here, he would undoubtedly become a major landlord.
Although Chen Dafu was a relatively honest official, he definitely had some savings. When the time came for them to buy a small farmstead or two, Gu Kaiyuan could teach them greenhouse farming techniques. After all, that kind of secret wouldn’t stay hidden for long anyway. He might as well let the Chen Family make a profit first and forge a good relationship in the process.
"If they become minor landlords, I’m afraid that after I pass away, they won’t be able to protect their assets." Chen Dafu knew exactly what his sons were capable of. Right now, with him watching over them, no one dared to touch them. But if he were gone, these naive brats would be eaten alive by others.
In his earlier years, he had considered that if all else failed, he would have them return to their ancestral lands. With the protection of their clansmen and a few acres to farm, they could at least live out their lives in peace. Ultimately, however, he couldn’t reconcile himself to that fate. If they took up farming, their annual income would be fixed. It would be incredibly difficult for their future descendants to achieve success or pursue an education.
Compared to becoming merchants, he preferred his sons to be minor landlords. As long as a minor landlord carefully guarded his small patch of land, he could at least hold out for a while longer.
Gu Kaiyuan didn’t know what Chen Dafu was thinking. Otherwise, he would have truly given him a thumbs up. Having so little faith in one’s own children and grandchildren was truly unparalleled.
It wasn’t as if he hadn’t interacted with Chen Dafu’s sons and grandsons before. How should he put it? They were all relatively honest and hardworking people. They didn’t have a scheming bone in their bodies and were quite straightforward. For people like that, as long as they didn’t dream of striking it rich, guarding a family business shouldn’t be much of a problem.
They just weren’t shrewd, not stupid. It was merely Chen Dafu’s method of education and constant belittlement that made them increasingly unconfident. The fact that the Chen Family’s descendants turned out this way was actually entirely Chen Dafu’s fault. Otherwise, with so many sons and grandsons, how could there not be a single outstanding one?
"Actually, your children and grandchildren are quite decent," Gu Kaiyuan felt compelled to say a word on their behalf. "Have you ever discussed with them what they want to do?"
"What they want to do?" Chen Dafu scoffed, as if the idea of discussing it with them was absurd. "As soon as they were born and reached the right age, I gave them their early education and sent them to the academy. At first, their performance was barely passable, but as time went on, their shortcomings were exposed. Not a single one of them was cut out for studying."
Gu Kaiyuan was utterly speechless. "So you expect every single one of them to pass the imperial examinations?"
"Of course. I’m fair to every one of them; I gave them all the exact same opportunities." Chen Dafu was quite smug about this. He wasn’t biased like Gu Baijiang; each of his sons had been given their chance.