Chapter 81 "Knowing I am the Prince Cheng, you are..."

Since the Liao and Song dynasties signed the Treaty of Chanyuan, and the two countries established stable border markets to exchange goods, border trade flourished. Tea, spices, silk, and other commodities became sought-after items. However, several other items were prohibited from trade, with horses being the number one prohibited item.

However, a great Western philosopher in later generations once said: "...with 50% profit, capital will take risks; for 100% profit, capital will dare to trample on all human laws; if there is 300% profit, capital will dare to commit all crimes, even at the risk of being hanged."

In ancient times, horses were an extremely valuable transportation resource and a vital military strategic resource. The profit from smuggling a single northern horse could easily exceed 300%, enough to tempt even the most well-connected and starving individuals to take the risk.

In the novel *Water Margin*, Duan Jingzhu is a horse thief who stole a "Jade Lion Shining at Night" from the north, intending to give it to Song Jiang. However, it was stolen by Zengtou City on the way. This led to a feud between Liangshan and Zengtou City. This incident serves as evidence of the prosperity of this profession.

These are all shady dealings among the common people, something Emperor Renzong might have known, but he never considered pursuing. After all, his status was what it was; for an emperor to engage in smuggling? He couldn't afford the disgrace!

He immediately looked troubled: "This..."

Fusu, however, felt no psychological burden. He had seen similar things many times in his first and second lives.

Seeing Emperor Renzong hesitate, the man's eyes darted around, and he immediately began to persuade him: "In the past, Lord Xinling had countless retainers, including some petty thieves and scoundrels. Yet, these very people saved his life at a crucial moment. Besides, let's not even mention the distant neighbor, Li Yuanhao of Western Xia. Didn't he infiltrate a spy into his peace negotiation delegation? Your Majesty upholds benevolence and righteousness, and governs with virtue, but Liao and Xia are not lands of propriety. You will suffer if you continue like this."

Emperor Renzong loosened his grip on his fingers, and his frozen expression eased slightly: "Indeed, for the sake of the people, what does it matter if I suffer some infamy? However, this matter... cannot be openly discussed with the court officials."

As the saying goes, "things are accomplished in secrecy."

Official horse smuggling, once publicized in the imperial court, would not only leave an absurd mark on history, but more importantly, it could easily lead to leaks. Do you know why, in addition to prohibiting horse trading, border markets also strictly controlled the trade of books? If official gazettes from the Song Dynasty were smuggled to the Liao Dynasty, who knows what secrets the Liao side might uncover?

"What about the inner treasury?"

"The imperial treasury doesn't have enough money." Facing his son, who was more resourceful and capable than him, Emperor Renzong simply stopped pretending and frankly admitted his predicament.

Fusu: "..."

He turned his head away and muttered under his breath, "Why does it bloom so easily?"

Emperor Renzong clearly had a small number of concubines and even fewer children. He also didn't have any vices like indulging in extravagant spending on rare stones or building palaces. The imperial treasury should have had few expenditures, so how could it be out of money?

Emperor Renzong: "My late father was fond of the belief in divine intervention and miraculous responses from immortals and deities."

Fusu: "..."

Okay, the case is solved. The problem wasn't with his father, but with his grandfather, whom he'd never met. Emperor Zhenzong was capable of changing the reign title to the celestial "Dazhong Xiangfu" and personally performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. Spending a little money from the imperial treasury on seeking immortality was nothing to him.

Moreover, judging from the official's tone, he harbors quite a bit of resentment towards his grandfather.

But the dead are gone, and there's no point in dwelling on it. Fusu, chin in hand, fell into deep thought. Without access to the national treasury and the imperial coffers, where would the money come from to support the smuggling of large numbers of northern horses? Suddenly, the name Wang Anshi flashed into Fusu's mind.

But what he thought of wasn't this person's actions of going deep into the front lines to investigate cases in this life, but rather the sweeping reforms of his previous life. One of these reforms was called the "Horse Protection Law," which referred to the policy of distributing horses obtained through trade with Western Xia and other places under the "Market Exchange Law" to households in the north, allowing people to purchase and raise horses, which could offset a portion of their taxes and corvée labor.

This method initially increased the number of warhorses, but it also had far-reaching negative consequences. The government's forced quotas, compensation for dead horses leading to the bankruptcy of small farmers, and the lack of experience in horse breeding among the common people resulted in substandard horse quality. However, it did remind Fusu of one thing: horse breeding could be achieved by leveraging private capital.

As for the pitfalls that are easy to fall into? Thanks to Wang Anshi in his past life, he avoided them all.

Fusu immediately picked up his notebook and charcoal pencil and began to scribble and draw: horses should be bred on a large scale, and experienced people should be found to raise them. Moreover, the private capital involved should have a certain risk resistance capacity so that it will not be crippled by the death of some horses.

After writing those words, the tangled mess in his mind suddenly became clear. A name suddenly appeared in his mind.

"I've got it!" Fusu said.

Immediately, he spread out his small hand to Emperor Renzong.

"What's the latest idea, Su'er...? A great idea?"

"Your Majesty! Were you just about to come up with a 'wicked' idea? Don't rush to deny it, I heard everything!"

After successfully obtaining an apology and pleading for forgiveness from Emperor Renzong, he arrogantly snorted and said, "I want to ask Your Majesty for an imperial edict."

Emperor Renzong: "Oh? Who is it addressed to?"

"The Chai family."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Renzong paused subtly for a moment: "After all, they are the former imperial family... what did they do to offend you?"

The Chai family were the same family that Emperor Taizu (Zhao Kuangyin) ruled before he ascended the throne. After establishing the dynasty, Emperor Taizu did not exterminate them, but instead enfeoffed Emperor Gong of Zhou, Chai Zongxun, as the Prince of Zheng and announced preferential treatment for the descendants of the Chai family.

From a later perspective, this action might seem hypocritical, at least that's what Fusu thought during his second reign. However, he lived in the Song Dynasty and occasionally heard people around him talk about the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period—an era of weak monarchs, military commanders, and uprisings every five or ten days. Only then could he understand that Emperor Taizu of Song treated his former ruler kindly. This already made him a moral paragon.

This reveals his ambition—to end the chaotic and immoral world of moral decay and restore "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness" to the mainstream of society.

Emperor Taizu made this promise and indeed kept it. Even during the reign of Emperor Renzong, his grand-nephew, the Chai family still inherited the title of "Duke of Chongyi." Out of consideration for their reputation and honor, the Song dynasty's imperial family and clan would not easily take action against the Chai family.

Emperor Renzong believed that his exceptionally intelligent youngest son couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Therefore, when he heard the name uttered by Fusu, he could only think of one possibility: "What have they done to offend you? Why didn't you tell me?"

Fusu muttered under his breath, "Aren't they just those who failed the exam..."

The person who's trying to catch a son-in-law is right above me!

He suddenly remembered something halfway through his sentence and quickly covered his mouth in alarm. If he let something slip, not only would his hard-won success in concealing the truth be ruined, but he would also be the subject of ridicule from the officials!

Fortunately, he only noticed the suspicious look in the eyes of the Shangguan family, who probably didn't hear him. Fusu immediately relaxed: "Although they have indeed offended me, I didn't intend to harm them. Your Majesty, please write the imperial edict. Don't you trust me?"

How could I not believe?

With Wang Anshi and Di Qing as shining examples, Emperor Renzong now consults with his son, Fusu, on every important matter. His beloved son is like the tortoise shell used in divination by merchants—very accurate, even more so than the incense at the Great Xiangguo Temple.

"Fine." Emperor Renzong feigned helplessness. "I'll trust you this once. Tell me what you want to write. I'll write it and send it to the Imperial Academy for you tomorrow."

"No," Fusu said, "I want it now!"

The leave granted to him by Mr. Mei was in high demand. After receiving the imperial decree, he had to go to the Chai family immediately to persuade them to stay; there was no time to lose. Otherwise, the interest in his studies would snowball, and he wouldn't be able to finish making up for the missed lessons by the time the imperial examinations were held in the spring.

"You! You!"

Emperor Renzong gently poked Fusu's little nose: "You're really getting more and more demanding."

But he was secretly delighted: even though Su'er lived outside the palace and could not often return to visit, she was not at all estranged from him, but instead became even closer—how could she be so self-righteous if they weren't close?

Fusu, however, saw through the truth in a single sentence: "Isn't it all because Your Majesty spoiled him?"

When Cao Cao "held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords," even Emperor Xian of Han didn't issue an imperial edict as readily as Emperor Renzong.

Emperor Renzong: "..."

Emperor Renzong: "…………"

He carried his son back from the grassland to the Chuigong Hall, spread out the imperial edict, and with a flourish of his pen, wrote it down before shooing Fusu out: "Don't anger them, or I won't be able to explain it to the world."

Fusu: "You can rest assured that I will handle things."

He tucked the imperial edict into his sleeve, carefully pinching the protruding corner closed with his small hands, then turned and walked out of the palace. Once outside the palace, the air seemed a little chilly, and there were still piles of unmelted snow along the roadside.

Fusu pressed his fist to his lips and blew a breath of hot air into them.

"It's so cold."

In the second month of the lunar calendar, which is the third month of the official calendar, spring is in full bloom in Bianjing. Only at this moment does he deeply feel the traces of winter's passing—since the autumn imperial examination, he has been hiding in his room studying all day, or going back and forth between his study and his bedroom, which has made him less sensitive to temperature changes. In the chilly wind of late winter, he suddenly has the illusion that "a thousand years have passed in the world".

Although it wasn't actually a thousand years, this was his fourth winter in the Song Dynasty.

But everything seems quite different. Last year, could he have imagined asking Emperor Renzong for an imperial edict? Even if he had, given his mindset last year, he probably would have wanted to appear power-hungry and covetous of the throne, secretly hoping that Emperor Renzong would lose patience and depose him?

Not to mention, he would even offer advice to the officials.

Fusu fidgeted with the corner of his sleeve. The bright yellow imperial edict lay there quietly. The Emperor seemed more adaptable to change than he was, handing him the edict without asking a single question. He didn't seem at all afraid that Fusu would take advantage of the situation and tarnish the royal family's reputation.

In that case, he naturally had to accept the request and do his job well.

Fusu recalled the scene of catching a son-in-law after the results of the imperial examination, and slowly revealed a smile.

Sima Guang was deceived by him at the time and did not delve into the identities of those people. He was quite shocked when he asked Yan Jidao to find out the truth. A failed attempt by descendants of the previous dynasty to kidnap the current emperor could very well escalate into a political incident if it got out of hand.

At that time, the servants of the Chai family did not know Zhao Zongsu's identity, or even that he was a member of the imperial clan. Why did they slink away after only being scolded by Sima Guang?

Fusu found the gate of the Chai residence. Under the gatekeeper's surprised and amused gaze, he tiptoed and knocked on the bronze lion-shaped door knocker twice.

"Zhao Zongsu, the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, has come to pay his respects."

Fusu successfully turned the gatekeeper's expression from amusement to shock in an instant. Then his figure disappeared. A little while later, a short, fair-skinned, and amiable-looking fat man hurried over, a hint of ingratiation visible on his tense face: "I didn't know that the top scholar was visiting my humble abode. Please come in."

"I do not know your name."

"I, Chai Yong, am unworthy to be the Duke of Chongyi."

Fusu inwardly exclaimed, "Wow!" The Duke of Chongyi—that was the current head of the Chai family. Looking at his current trembling with fear, and recalling the servants' arrogance that day, he felt a touch of amusement. If it weren't for his kind nature, he probably would have followed Su Qin's example and sarcastically asked, "Why are you so deferential before and so obsequious now?"

Chai Yong should indeed have been arrogant at first and then obsequious. Heaven knows how terrified he must have been when he learned that the top scholar Zhao Zongsu was only four years old, a student of Fan Zhongyan, and a descendant of the Song imperial family. Honestly, he had no intention of kidnapping the imperial family! Absolutely not!

Otherwise, why would they slink away at the mere sight of a civil official, even one whose rank seems low? Isn't it because the Chai family has fallen so low that they can no longer afford to offend even a casual official?

The title "Duke of Chongyi" may sound impressive, but anyone with even a slight knowledge of their ancestral lineage wouldn't take it seriously. You, a remnant of the previous dynasty, are lucky to even survive by keeping your tail between your legs. How much real power could you possibly wield? Fortunately, your ancestors had left behind a legacy, and the Chai family is quite wealthy. By flaunting their wealth everywhere, they can barely maintain the prestige of a duke and preserve some semblance of respectability.

That's why Chai Yong came up with a crooked idea and imitated the merchants' practice of "catching a son-in-law after the imperial examination results were announced".

But despite all his calculations, Chai Yong hadn't anticipated that this year's top scholar would have such a powerful background. Especially when he learned that the boy was only four years old, he broke out in a cold sweat—the clever little devil the steward had reported wasn't the son of the top scholar at all; he was clearly the top scholar himself!

This has definitely offended everyone.

Chai Yong lived in constant fear and anxiety, waiting every day for Zhao Zongsu to come looking for trouble. He also spent his days gathering information about Zhao. Finally, when he heard that this child prodigy was a low-key person who rarely appeared in public, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he had temporarily escaped a disaster.

"How come you've come when there's less than a month left before the imperial examination?" Chai Yong wanted to cry but had no choice but to force a smile and coax Fusu into welcoming him into the mansion.

As soon as Fusu stepped across the threshold and into the room, he paused for a moment.

"It's so warm," he said.

The indoor temperature was at least five degrees higher than the outdoor temperature, as warm as a spring day in April. It was almost as comfortable as the palace. Fusu looked closely and realized that the charcoal brazier in the corner was burning brightly.

He glanced at Chai Yong's profile again, gaining a new understanding of the Chai family's wealth.

In the novel *Water Margin*, Chai Jin, nicknamed "Little Whirlwind," is incredibly wealthy and befriends heroes from all walks of life. Fusu initially thought this was artistic embellishment or a product of folk imagination. However, it turns out it wasn't entirely unfounded.

In that case, his plan is even more secure.

Chai Yong knew the principle of "one doesn't hit a smiling face," so he not only personally welcomed Fusu but also treated him with great hospitality, offering him local specialties to taste. Many of these things were commonplace for Fusu in modern times, but were truly rare in the Song Dynasty.

Among them were dried lychees, which Fusu had taken from his sister Miaowu and distributed to everyone as tribute.

Fusu wanted to jokingly say, "Your life is comparable to that of royalty." But he stopped himself from saying it. He was afraid that if he did, Chai Yong wouldn't be able to sleep well for the next few days.

After all, Fusu wasn't really there for revenge. And he was easy to appease. Chai Yong's humble and submissive demeanor had already calmed him down considerably. Besides, no serious consequences had occurred.

Chai Yong originally wanted to call out his daughter—the woman who was originally supposed to marry Fusu—and introduce her to Fusu as a junior. However, Fusu raised his hand and refused: "No, please don't, that would mess up the seniority."

Is the generational order messed up? Or is it the age order that's messed up?

Chai Yong was filled with doubt: Logically speaking, he and the top scholar could not be related.

The next moment, he saw the little boy pull a silk handkerchief from his sleeve. The color of that silk handkerchief… Chai Yong almost choked when he saw it clearly: that color! It was clearly the bright yellow that only the emperor could use!

However, when Fusu took the heavy, bright yellow silk out of his sleeve, it was crumpled into a ball. He seemed completely unaware of its weight, and casually unfolded it: "I have come today on someone's behalf to deliver a letter to you."

On whose behalf?

The thought of that name nearly made Chai Yong faint. His teeth chattered as he stammered, "This humble servant would go through fire and water without hesitation..."

"Huh? You're going to go through fire and water without even asking what it is?"

Fusu was puzzled.

Then all that preparation he did for all that time was for nothing?

Chai Yong: "…………"

For a moment, my mind went blank, and I completely forgot to ask. What if it was an imperial edict stripping me of my title? But the harsh words of "going through fire and water" had already been spoken; it was too late to back out now. Chai Yong stammered, unsure of what to say.

Fusu saw his appearance clearly.

That's more like it! At least let him feel a sense of involvement!

Do you know about horse thieves?

Chai Yong immediately replied, "I don't know! It has absolutely nothing to do with my family! Please, Your Majesty, understand!"

Fusu: "...You don't know, but I do."

"I recently stumbled upon a connection that allows me to smuggle a batch of northern horses for the government to raise within Song territory. However, I'm short on funds. I wonder if you would be interested in offering any assistance?"

"You...you want me to raise him?"

Fusu paused for a moment, then said, "No, there will be people specifically in charge of raising the horses. But it would be better if you knew someone in the field. Once the horses are ready, the court will send someone to purchase them at a price, so you won't be taken advantage of."

This time, it was Chai Yong who was stunned. The conditions offered by the top scholar were even better than he had expected. The imperial court would actually send people to buy them? At first, he thought the officials were sending people to plunder their property.

Immediately, an incredible surge of joy welled up in his heart: Wasn't this equivalent to paying money to buy a job raising horses for the emperor? And there was even a profit to be made! Why did he send people to stake out the place and go through all that trouble (Fusu: ?) to find a son-in-law? Wasn't it to invest in a capable person so that someone could speak up for him in the court in the future?

Who has more influence than the emperor?

From now on, why should he fear even a nameless minor official on the road? (Sima Guang: ?)

Now Chai Yong was no longer afraid, nor did his teeth chatter. He said with utmost sincerity, "What does it matter if I give away all my wealth to share the burden of the country? I am willing!"

"Then you can keep this." Fusu shoved the imperial edict into Chai Yong's arms and instructed, "This matter is of utmost importance, so don't tell anyone else. Even if your family asks you why you spent money, you can't tell anyone. Can you do that?"

"I swear in the name of my ancestors, I will keep my word." Chai Yong wasn't stupid; he knew perfectly well why smuggling horses in the name of the state was a crime. He was even more grateful to Fusu for telling him such momentous news on their very first meeting.

Fusu smiled slightly, concealing his merits and fame.

After all, he hadn't considered the possibility that the Chai family would refuse him in the first place. Investing in someone like Song Jiang, is it really more reliable to invest in the government? Since they agreed, their interests are now tied together.

If there is a leak, the Imperial City Guard will handle it.

Chai Yong was still solemnly assuring everyone: "Please rest assured, sir."

At this point, he belatedly realized that something was amiss.

A top scholar in the provincial examination? A top scholar in Bianjing who hasn't even been granted any official position, how could he swagger around the city with an imperial edict in his sleeve? How could he mention "the Emperor" in such a casual tone? How could he even speak on behalf of the Emperor about military and state secrets?

What gives him the right?

Chai Yong opened the imperial edict and examined it closely, confirming that it was indeed the genuine imperial seal. Suddenly, a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

His surname is Zhao.

He is four years old this year.

He was granted permission to study by imperial decree.

Chai Yong exclaimed, "...Your Highness Prince Cheng?"

"Oh, you guessed it."

Upon hearing this, Chai Yong's knees trembled violently, and he almost knelt down. But Prince Cheng was still counting on his fingers: "One, two, three... never mind, I can't count them all, but you should be among the top ten people in Bianjing who know about this."

"Remember to keep this a secret," Fusu said, blinking.

"Yes...yes." Chai Yong put on his pained mask again: when he thought about how his steward even wanted to marry his daughter to the father of Prince Jie and Prince Cheng, saying that she was "barely good enough", he wanted to travel back in time and beat the version of himself who had impulsively tried to find a husband from the list of successful candidates.

He bit his tongue, a sharp pain shooting through him, unsure whether he should bring up the past again and apologize. Fusu seemed to see through his dilemma: "Although ignorance is no excuse, you, Duke Chongyi, are, after all, a title bestowed upon you by the Emperor Taizu himself, and you have a long-standing reputation in the capital. You must restrain your servants and not let them disregard the law like others."

Chai Yong bowed deeply: "Your subject will certainly carefully discipline your servants and will never repeat the same mistake."

At the same time, he felt a great sense of relief: His Highness Prince Cheng seemed to be reprimanding him, but in reality, this matter was over. From now on, he just needed to serve the Emperor and His Highness Prince Cheng well. Given the benevolence His Highness showed in easily forgiving him today, he would certainly not treat the Chai family unfairly after the matter was settled.

If Fusu could hear his inner thoughts, he would definitely shake his head in opposition: How could I have forgiven so easily? If it weren't for admiring your ability to change your expression, would I have taken on this task willingly?

Chai Yong probably didn't even realize how funny it was that his thoughts were written all over his face, like a spilled sauce jar.

Thinking of this, Fusu added, "By the way, don't tell anyone that I'm the top scholar in the provincial examination. Not even those officials who come to you to discuss matters! Just say that His Highness Prince Cheng came to persuade you, and don't mention anything about being the top scholar or finding a son-in-law after the examination results are announced!"

Chai Yong nodded obediently, a hint of curiosity inevitably appearing on her face, yet she was unsure whether she should ask.

"you……"

"Of course, it's to make a name for myself in the imperial examinations." Fusu clenched his little fist and said, "If you want to thank me, wish me good luck in the imperial examinations and the palace examinations."

"..."

After receiving a basketful of auspicious words from the Chai family, Fusu hurriedly returned to the Imperial Academy. His holiday was over, and he transformed once again from the arrogant Prince Cheng, holding imperial edicts and speaking of the Emperor, into a dreadful student preparing for the imperial examinations at the Academy.

Ah, the imperial examinations!

“Young Master Zhao, when I went out today, I saw many scholars from other places coming to Xiangguo Temple.”

Su Shi leaned against the doorframe of Fusu's dormitory, chatting idly with him. Since Fusu had asked Mei Yaochen for leave to return to the palace, he also seized the opportunity to ask for a day off. Instead of going home to rest, he spent the whole day playing around outside.

The imperial examinations begin in March, but no one is foolish enough to arrive in Bianjing on the very first day. Adding the time needed for rest, acclimatization, finding out who the examiners are, and last-minute cramming, February is precisely the time when candidates from all over the country arrive in droves.

And the places they stayed were all sorts of different.

Those with family members serving as officials in Bianjing (Kaifeng) stayed with relatives. Those with a little more money simply rented an entire courtyard. Those with even less money stayed in inns. The majority of the poor, however, stayed in various temples and Taoist monasteries.

Among them, Xiangguo Temple became the main gathering place for the candidates.

Su Shi gestured and said, "When I saw it today, it was completely full, a sea of ​​people. Zhao Xiaolang, do you want to know what they look like?"

Fusu made a gesture of refusal.

"don't want."

As a visitor from later times, how could he not know the extent to which the Song Dynasty, especially during the reign of Emperor Renzong, produced so many talented individuals? You're already under a lot of pressure; don't add unnecessary stress to yourself.

Su Shi, however, persisted, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow, saying, "You don't want to talk about them, but they are talking about you. Don't you really want to know what they're saying about you?"

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Author's Note: Fusu (covering his ears): I don't want to. [rolls eyes]

Author (forcibly pulling back ears): No, you think so, you think so! [Let me see]

21jjb giveaways, I'm exhausted... I'll write 15 tomorrow!