Chapter Eighty-Two: Fishing with a Straight Hook

Gu Zhi heard Gou Ye’s reminder and remained unhurried. He slowly drew his fishing rod from the water, revealing at its tip a plump carp. Even after leaving the river’s surface, the fish did not struggle or loosen its bite. When Gu Zhi finally brought it ashore, Gou Ye was astonished to discover that the fishhook was straight.

He had grown up hearing the tale of Jiang Taigong fishing with a straight hook, waiting for the willing to bite, but Gou Ye never believed anyone would actually be so foolish as to use a straight hook for fishing. Yet, gazing at the carp right before him shattered his worldview—the scene was utterly unscientific.

“Master Gou, have you ever fished in this manner?” Gu Zhi suddenly asked, leaving Gou Ye somewhat bewildered. Unsure of the question’s intent, he answered truthfully, “I have never fished like this. This is the first time I’ve seen someone catch a fish with a straight hook. I am impressed.”

“Do you know, though the hook is straight and the bait has already been eaten, why this fish still clings so tightly to the hook? Even when I slowly lifted the rod, it refused to let go.” Gou Ye realized that Gu Zhi’s questions were even trickier than Gu Yuan’s. Truly, like father, like son—they seemed cast from the same mold, even their manner of speaking was identical. Most importantly, their questions were equally sharp.

Gou Ye pondered for a moment before replying, “It’s the willing who are caught, I suppose. By my guess, this fish is so fat because it’s always greedy. Even though there’s no bait left on the hook, perhaps the scent of bait still lingers. It thinks it has caught food, and because it’s greedy, it refuses to let go, thus you reeled it in.”

Gu Zhi let out a cold chuckle and then asked, “Would you be willing to be this fish?”

The ambiguous wording irked Gou Ye. Why not speak plainly? All this mystique and pretense—he was freezing out here! Gou Ye shivered and, disregarding the question’s deeper meaning, answered, “I am willing to be this fish!”

Gu Zhi smiled lightly. “I have always believed that eating enough to sustain oneself is the proper way. Eating more might make one stronger, just like this fish: it grew fat, outcompeting its peers for food, but as you see now, it ultimately lost its life because of its capacity and love for eating. Having enough may not mean being full, but living freely without desires, one would never bite at a baitless hook.”

“How many people in this world are like the fish caught on the straight hook? At first, they only wish to swim freely in the river, to live as they please. But as they eat more and grow bigger, surpassing the other fish, their original intentions are abandoned, and things escalate. In the end, they cannot escape the fate of biting the straight hook.”

With that, Gu Zhi tossed the fish into a bucket and cast a glance at the shivering Gou Ye. “We are all fish in the river. Who can guarantee that once we start competing for food, we can still control our desires and avoid becoming the fish that bites the straight hook?”

Upon hearing this, Gou Ye burst out laughing. He jumped up and down to warm his cold body, speaking as he moved, “That’s right, we’re all fish in the river. But who says there are only carp here? Who says fish won’t swim to other rivers? Perhaps one day, if a fish no longer feels at ease, it will follow the current to the sea, where it discovers so many others just as big. It will thank itself for growing strong—otherwise, even without biting the hook, it would one day be devoured by a bigger fish. I’d rather bite the wrong hook than drift along and be eaten by a bigger fish. Being caught doesn’t necessarily mean greed; who can say it isn’t simply taking every chance to grow?”

“The stronger you grow, the more flesh you have; and there are always bigger fish who want to eat you. In the end, isn’t it all for naught?”

After Gu Zhi’s words, it was Gou Ye’s turn to sneer. “If you lack courage, just admit it. Why dress it up with grand excuses? You can choose not to eat; no one is forcing you. You could even choose not to swim, just stay there quietly. But would you really be at ease then? No! Other fish will come to eat you and share your stored food. They won’t care if you’re hungry or dying—because you’re small, you will be eaten. You can’t expect other fish to pity you or like you. As long as you can fill their bellies, they will mercilessly devour you.”

After jumping about for a while, Gou Ye felt much warmer and sat beside Gu Zhi again. “You may choose not to be the strongest fish, perhaps swim freely, but when you see your friends and family devoured by others, can you really enjoy yourself? If you can't protect those closest to you, what joy is there? That’s not happiness, it’s selfishness—mere survival. My name is Gou Ye, but I refuse to merely survive, even if this torrent is fraught with danger and brambles, I will face it head-on!”

“Your resolve will not change?” Gu Zhi asked.

“Not even mountains of blades and seas of flames will sway me!” Gou Ye answered with conviction.

After hearing this, Gu Zhi gave no reply. He calmly packed everything and loaded it onto the carriage. Gu Shen, awakened by the noise, groggily saw the two return and asked, “Did elder brother agree?”

“It’s late. Let’s return to the manor.” Hearing this, Gou Ye sighed softly. It seemed his elder brother did not share his views, and persuading him today was impossible. He climbed into the carriage as well.

Gu Shen remained bewildered the whole way, unsure of what had transpired or whether their request had been granted. The two sat in silence, their faces grave, making Gu Shen feel uneasy throughout the journey. At last, the carriage arrived at the manor gates.

As the carriage returned, the servants rushed to lay down a step stool. Gu Zhi descended first, followed by Gou Ye and Gu Shen. As Gou Ye was pondering how to persuade the other brothers to approach the Duke tomorrow, Gu Zhi suddenly said, “Tomorrow, there’s no need to bring everyone to see my father.”

At this, both Gou Ye and Gu Shen thought all hope was lost, but then Gu Zhi continued, “Tomorrow at the hour of the dragon, come to the main hall. My father and I will be waiting for you there, Gou Ye. I will listen carefully to your plans.”

With these words, Gu Zhi walked into the manor, paying no heed to the two dumbfounded figures left standing in the cold wind.