Chapter 122: The Teacher’s Scheme

“Very good. You have neither become arrogant nor lost yourself.” Xiu Gongshen said with a smile. “Your heart must remain clear and bright, and your vision broad. To understand matters properly, you must stand a little higher so that you can see a little farther. Do you still remember the saying I once taught you?”

Xiu Gongshen treated Cheng Qianfan as though he were his own son and personally instructed him without sparing any effort.

After thinking for a moment, Cheng Qianfan answered, “As a person: do not be greedy, do not be jealous. In dealing with affairs: do not flatter, do not be arrogant.”

“You must remember that.” Xiu Gongshen patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder. “It’s like climbing a ladder. Don’t stare at the very top rung. The rung your foot is about to step onto is the one that deserves your attention.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled bitterly inwardly.

He had not been aiming unrealistically high at all. It was Xiu Gongshen who kept talking about it.

He knew that Xiu Gongshen’s urge to play the teacher had flared up again.

Still, Cheng Qianfan respectfully stated his position.

“This nephew will remember.”

He understood that this was Xiu Gongshen’s care and instruction.

Only someone who truly cared about you would tirelessly remind you again and again.

“Have some fruit.” His Teacher’s Wife, He Xuelin, entered carrying a fruit platter. After taking a glance and seeing that her husband was not scolding Cheng Qianfan, she left reassured.

The fruit platter contained peeled and sliced apples, along with two bananas.

The apples were one thing.

The bananas, however, had most likely been flown into Shanghai by air.

Those two bananas alone cost as much as several days’ living expenses for an ordinary family of five.

“They plan to promote you to take over Jin Kemu’s position as chief inspector of the Third Patrol Division.” Xiu Gongshen looked at Cheng Qianfan and slowly said, “I was the one who had that news spread.”

Holding a toothpick with a slice of apple skewered on it and just about to put it into his mouth, Cheng Qianfan froze in astonishment.

Xiu Gongshen said nothing.

He slowly ate his apple while staring at Cheng Qianfan.

He believed Cheng Qianfan would not disappoint him.

His student would be able to figure it out.

Naturally, Cheng Qianfan did not entertain the childish notion that Xiu Gongshen was trying to harm him.

His first thought was why Xiu Gongshen had operated in this manner and what benefits it could bring.

He pondered what Xiu Gongshen had just said to him.

The ladder before your eyes...

Suddenly, he felt as if the clouds had parted and the truth had become clear.

“Teacher, your goal was never really to secure the chief inspector position for me. You were secretly advancing another objective. Your true target is the vice inspector position.” Cheng Qianfan picked up a banana, peeled it, carefully removed the stringy fibres, then handed it to Xiu Gongshen. His eyes shone as he spoke.

“Not completely foolish after all.” Xiu Gongshen nodded in satisfaction.

Though he said this, inwardly he was extremely pleased.

“I’ve already discussed it with Qin Detai. In two days, Ma Yishou’s promotion to chief inspector will be announced, while you will take over his vice inspector position.” Xiu Gongshen continued. “Under the current circumstances, there will be relatively fewer objections to your becoming vice inspector.”

Strictly speaking, Cheng Qianfan’s promotion to vice inspector would still count as an exceptional promotion.

It would inevitably provoke criticism and dissatisfaction.

However, after rumours had circulated for so long that he would become chief inspector, when it was finally announced that Cheng Qianfan was merely being promoted to vice inspector, many people would instead think:

Well... that’s not entirely unacceptable.

Mr. Zhou Shuren once proposed a theory about opening windows:

Chinese people always seek compromise and moderation.

For example, if you say a room is too dark and needs a window, everyone will certainly oppose you.

But if you advocate tearing off the roof, they will come seeking compromise and agree to open a window instead.

“Tomorrow, take the initiative to speak with Ma Yishou,” Xiu Gongshen said.

“Qianfan understands.”

Cheng Qianfan and Xiu Gongshen exchanged glances.

The old fox and the young fox smiled knowingly at one another.

This was Xiu Gongshen telling Cheng Qianfan to do Ma Yishou a favour by making it clear that he had no designs on the chief inspector position.

A performance needed to be carried through to the end.

He could even publicly express strong support for Ma Yishou becoming chief inspector.

As for how exactly to carry it out, Xiu Gongshen was unconcerned.

As he often said, Cheng Qianfan had been clever since childhood.

The more Cheng Qianfan considered the plan, the more brilliant he found it.

Not only would it minimise objections to his appointment as vice inspector.

It would also earn Ma Yishou’s goodwill.

Furthermore, there was another extremely important point.

Ma Yishou’s abilities were mediocre.

Cheng Qianfan had influential backing and was also Ma Yishou’s “disciple.”

Given Cheng Qianfan’s capabilities, he could quietly transfer control of the Third Patrol Division into his own hands without anyone noticing.

As for Ma Yishou, given his temperament, what he wanted was face and money.

As long as Cheng Qianfan gave him sufficient face and ensured he received every penny of financial benefit due to him, perhaps even providing a little extra compensation, then Cheng Qianfan was highly confident that Ma Yishou would not mind having authority gradually usurped by a disciple with powerful connections.

Seeing the admiration in Cheng Qianfan’s eyes, Xiu Gongshen felt more comfortable than eating chilled watermelon on the hottest day of summer.

“You brat, you’ve still got a lot to learn.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Cheng Qianfan eagerly began massaging Xiu Gongshen’s shoulders. “The black plum tree blooms red in old age, the lotus leaf bears lotus pods in old age. Teacher’s wisdom and strategic foresight are things Qianfan will spend a lifetime learning.”

“Are you saying I’m old?” Xiu Gongshen pretended to be angry.

Cheng Qianfan smiled.

Noticing the silver strands among Xiu Gongshen’s hair, he felt a touch of sadness.

Xiu Gongshen treated him almost like his own son and instructed him tirelessly.

The affection involved was no different from a father’s guidance and love for his child.

Teacher and student, uncle and nephew, both indeed possessed secrets of their own.

Yet, setting aside questions of position and principle:

They were almost like father and son.

“Qianfan.”

“Teacher, please speak.”

“Song of the Gold-Hilted Sabre.”

The strength in Cheng Qianfan’s hands lessened.

Then, in a clear voice, he recited:

“A gold-hilted sabre adorned with white jade,

At night its radiance shines through windows and doors.

A man of fifty who has yet to achieve merit,

Stands alone with drawn blade, surveying the eight horizons.

In the capital I befriended many extraordinary men,

Bound together by spirit, pledged to live and die together.

To leave no name in a thousand years of history is a shame,

With a loyal heart, I repay my sovereign.

Since joining the army beside the Tianhan River,

I have seen dawn snow on the Southern Mountains, white as jade.

Alas! Though Chu had but three households, it could still destroy Qin. Though Chu had but three households, it could still destroy Qin.

How could mighty China truly be devoid of men?”

When his voice fell silent, he looked down.

Xiu Gongshen had already fallen asleep.

His Teacher’s Wife, He Xuelin, quietly approached carrying a blanket.

“Teacher’s Wife,” Cheng Qianfan said softly.

He Xuelin gently draped the blanket over her husband.

Her tender eyes rested on Xiu Gongshen, filled with love.

Coming into the sitting room, Cheng Qianfan bade his Teacher’s Wife farewell and took his leave.

He Xuelin watched the young man disappear into the night beyond the window.

Pressing her palms together, she softly murmured, “Elder Sister Zhifu, if your spirit watches from heaven, please protect this child Qianfan.”

After leaving Avenue Massenet,

Cheng Qianfan did not immediately hire a rickshaw.

Only after walking two streets did he hail one.

Avenue Joffre.

The safe house where Haozai had been settled.

Haozai stood guard outside the guest room while Cheng Qianfan busied himself inside.

Cheng Qianfan emerged after finishing his disguise.

“Haozai.”

Looking at the face before him, both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, Haozai could not help feeling astonished yet again.

Cheng Qianfan had not disguised himself as Cheng Wufang.

After leaving Hangzhou, Cheng Wufang’s appearance should never reappear unless absolutely necessary.

He now wore a pair of small round black-rimmed glasses.

His complexion was somewhat waxy yellow, as though he were in poor health, and his features were exceedingly ordinary.

Wearing the glasses, Cheng Qianfan appeared somewhat stiff.

The expression in his eyes conveyed dullness and awkwardness.

Students like this had always been known by the same term:

Bookworm.

“Bring the equipment.” Cheng Qianfan instructed in a low voice.