Chapter Thirty-Five: Appointed as Magistrate, the Ming Dynasty of My Heart

The evening breeze was still, yet the summer heat lingered. Villagers of Dayan Village sat in small groups along the banks of the Lean Lake, swatting away mosquitoes with palm-leaf fans. Gu Zhengchen lay on a small fishing boat, drifting lazily as he gazed at the starry sky, while Gu Cheng occasionally dipped his twin oars into the water. A breeze brushed across the lake, feeling intoxicatingly refreshing.

"Master, look there..." Gu Cheng stood up, peering toward the distant main road.

Gu Zhengchen sat up and leaned to the side to look. On the main road, two red lanterns led the way, followed by a dozen figures moving with hurried, swift footsteps. They turned off the main road and headed toward Dayan Village.

"Could they be bandits?" Gu Cheng asked nervously, quickly rowing toward the ferry landing.

Gu Zhengchen squinted, observing them. "Don't be nervous. Have you ever seen bandits carry lanterns while traveling at night? Dock the boat; it's time for us to head home." Gu Cheng hurriedly agreed.

Just as Gu Zhengchen stepped onto the landing and Gu Cheng began tying the rope, the piercing sound of a suona horn tore through the tranquility, wailing and echoing across the fields.

"A suona?" Gu Zhengchen’s expression soured. In later generations, it was said that among all instruments, the suona was king—it was used either for funerals or weddings. He hadn't heard of anyone in Dayan Village getting married; could Old Man Yan have kicked the bucket? Yet, listening to the tune, it didn't sound like a final curtain call—it was filled with jubilance.

"Zhengchen! Zhengchen! Why are you still here? Get home quickly! Big news! A joyous occasion!" Wang Huzi came running over.

Gu Zhengchen paused for a moment before realization dawned on him, and he strode toward his house. His mother, Madam Gu, Madam Chen, and Gu Qingqing were already standing in the courtyard. Seeing him return, Madam Gu rushed forward to pull him in and straighten his collar.

Gu Zhengchen looked at the leader of the approaching group—it was Yan Bin, the clerk from the county magistrate's office. Yan Bin nodded slightly at Gu Zhengchen, turned to take a scroll from a bailiff, and presented it to Gu Zhengchen with both hands, saying solemnly, "I ask that Scholar Gu receive the official notice!"

Gu Zhengchen stepped forward, raising his hands to support both ends of the scroll. Yan Bin withdrew his hands and stood to the side.

"Brother, hurry, open it and see!" Gu Qingqing said, unable to contain her excitement. Gu Zhengchen looked toward his mother. Madam Gu nodded.

Gu Zhengchen took a deep breath and released one end. The scroll unrolled as it slid down. Madam Gu and Gu Qingqing stepped forward to catch it, and Gu Zhengchen took a step back, finally seeing the words written clearly: *Official Notice: Scholar Gu Zhengchen of this county is hereby appointed Magistrate of Jurong.*

"Congratulations, Zhengchen!" "Congratulations, Aunt Gu!" "Zhengchen is a county magistrate now!" "Our Dayan Village has an official!" The surrounding villagers grew excited.

Gu Zhengchen stared intently at the notice. Jurong! Wasn't that the ancestral home of the Zhu family? Back in the day, Zhu Chuyi used to roll up his trousers and stand in the waters of Jurong, longing to pan for a bit of gold. Unfortunately, there was no gold in the Jurong River, so as a gold-panning household, Zhu Chuyi had to sell his grain to buy gold for tax payments. Later, driven by poverty, the family had to flee, turning into a "penniless moving company," staying in one place for only a few years before moving on—which led to the later stops in Xuyi, Lingbi, Fengyang...

If he remembered correctly, that place was less than a hundred miles from Nanjing. This location was quite interesting; it was neither inside the capital of Jinling nor out of its sight. Was this intentional, or just a coincidence?

A magistrate? Why only a magistrate? Of the talents recruited in the sixth year of Hongwu, nearly half had gone to Jinling—some as censors, some as vice ministers, and some even became ministers in the Six Ministries. Why, when it came to his turn, was he only given a seventh-rank magistrate position?

*It's a joyous occasion,* he reminded himself. *I should be happy.*

Gu Zhengchen thanked the crowd for their well-wishes. Gu Cheng was busy distributing money to thank those who brought the news—it wasn't much, just twenty coins per person. Gu Qingqing reached out to demand her share, and Gu Cheng glared, "You really don't need to take this..." Gu Qingqing gave him a threatening look and snatched a little extra.

The notice was hung in the main hall. Madam Gu was overjoyed; she ran to her room, took out the wooden memorial tablet of Gu Pei, and poured her heart out to it. Gu Qingqing hid her pocket money, and Gu Cheng watched Madam Chen with a silly grin.

Gu Zhengchen stood in the courtyard, staring at the night sky for a long time. Was there a profound meaning behind his arrival from the future into the Hongwu era?

Zhu Yuanzhang was a difficult master to serve; his methods and temperament were unpredictable. One wrong step, and one’s head would roll. Yet, the Ming Dynasty was at its peak from its inception, as Zhu Yuanzhang had laid the foundation for everything. However, this foundation, much like the palace city in Nanjing, was not solid—it would sink.

If he could make his way to Zhu Yuanzhang’s side, correct the flaws in his systems, and assist him in firming up the foundations of the Ming Empire, would the dynasty not last longer than two hundred and seventy-six years?

It was still the early days of the dynasty. Many systems were not yet perfected, and many things were still being explored. Zhu Yuanzhang was not yet so stubborn and dictatorial; his imperial chess game had just begun, and everything was still possible!

The Ming in my heart is one of upright righteousness, unyielding even in death! The Ming in my heart is one of grandeur, power, and strength! The Ming in my heart is one where, wherever the sun and moon shine, it is all Ming territory!

Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Hongwu! Let me assist you. Let us leave behind for future generations a Ming Dynasty that is more vibrant, more powerful, one that no one dares to bully, one that no one can bully—a majestic, celestial power unmatched in the world!

Gu Zhengchen lowered his head and turned to go back inside. *Thinking too far ahead,* he mused. *Maybe I'll be driven out of Jurong before I've even settled in.* Hu Weiyong was about to become the Left Chancellor—in name and fact, second only to the Emperor, with ten thousand people beneath him. His honeymoon period with Old Zhu was about to begin, and at this moment, he was a man who would kill gods if they stood in his way, and Buddhas if they blocked his path. Yet, he did not know that this was all a trap set by Zhu Yuanzhang—a game that began with sweetness but would end in agony.

The next day at dawn, Madam Gu called Gu Zhengchen to wake up. After tidying up, they went to the grave of his father, Gu Pei, under the mulberry tree.

"When your father was alive, he had two wishes: first, that the world would soon find peace, and second, that you would succeed in your studies and earn a reputation. Although your path has been somewhat rugged, Mother believes you will become a good official." Madam Gu lit incense and placed it before the grave.

Gu Zhengchen knelt and spoke to the tomb: "Father, the Imperial Court has appointed me Magistrate of Jurong. This is only the beginning. I believe that within ten years, I will stand in a much higher position. By then, I will do everything in my power to make the Ming better and stronger, allowing countless people to live and work in peace, free from the exhaustion and suffering of war."

Madam Gu looked at Gu Zhengchen and said seriously, "Promise your father that you will be an honest official, loyal to the Emperor and the country, and never be corrupt or harm the common people!"

Gu Zhengchen gave his solemn word. Madam Gu nodded slightly, helped him up, and said worriedly, "You must remember, corruption is forbidden. You are my only son; I cannot bear for anything to go wrong."

Gu Zhengchen promised firmly, "Mother, a gentleman seeks wealth through proper means. Your son will never take money he shouldn't. Emperor Hongwu hates corruption with a passion; your son isn't foolish enough to run headfirst into that."

Madam Gu looked at him and said slowly, "Zhengchen, before you leave, shouldn't you settle your marriage? I will go to a matchmaker today to see if we can arrange something. Is there any young lady you have your heart set on?"