Chapter 94 Your Majesty: Hei Zi, speak up! ...

If Fusu remembered correctly, the noblewoman Apu, who had escaped from the Liao palace, had said that the Liao crown prince was cruel and tyrannical, and that her nephews had all died at his hands. In Fusu's memory, this crown prince was the future Emperor Tianzuo, and the culprit behind the Liao's dramatic decline in power. But he had not yet ascended the throne. What was the state of Liao, especially the people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, like?

Fusu decided to go and find out.

Besides Apu, another person they were tasked with gathering intelligence was Wang Anshi, who was diligently smuggling horses at the border. Since he was involved in smuggling, he must have been able to contact many people in the "underworld," who all had their own sources of information in the Liao Kingdom.

Fusu then returned to the palace.

On his way back to the palace, he was still thinking, was it a waste of talent for such a renowned prime minister to be living in anonymity and doing business on the frontier? When he asked Emperor Renzong about it after returning to the palace, the latter immediately laughed and said, "You think I didn't think that way? Wang Jiefu was the top scholar I personally selected, only three years before you."

"I also wrote a letter, asking if the Imperial City Guard should send someone to take over, so he could return to the capital to do something else. Guess what Jie Fu said? He said that as long as it benefits the Great Song Dynasty, there is nothing dishonorable. He even said that fighting the Liao people is endlessly enjoyable."

Fusu: "Well, he has a pretty good attitude."

On second thought, it doesn't seem so strange. Isn't this just the stubborn nature of the prime minister who "doesn't care about what others say"? Moreover, being able to come up with such an imaginative reform method as the "Market Exchange Law" means he must have a lot of experience in doing business with the Liao people.

Since the other party was willing, Fusu felt at ease.

"Your Majesty, could you please ask Lord Wang how the people in the Sixteen Prefectures are doing? What are their opinions of the Song Dynasty? Especially regarding winter warmth?"

The next moment, a warm, large hand covered your head: "What kind of crazy idea have you come up with now?"

"It's just an idea... Your Majesty, do you think we could smuggle cotton over there like the Liao Kingdom smuggled horses?"

Fusu counted on his fingers: "If the people of the Sixteen Prefectures buy our cotton, they will pay less tax to the government, and their government offices will become poorer. If we make up a few stories and send people to spread them, the people's hearts will turn to our side."

"What if the Liao people discover the cotton?"

"Smuggling is something the common people tacitly understand. It won't be exposed so quickly. But the truth will eventually come out, and the day will come when the Liao government really finds out..."

Fusu paused for a moment: "Aren't our warhorses almost ready to be raised?"

The large hand immediately covered Fusu's head, ruffling it. The Emperor couldn't help but sigh, "No one can outwit you."

"Hehe. Aren't I also a citizen of the Great Song Dynasty?"

"I will immediately write a letter of divorce and have Minister Wang inquire about this carefully for you." After finishing his business, the Emperor's expression relaxed, but a hint of resentment crept in: "But, Su'er, why do you only care about the people, yet you never see me debating with the scholars in the court on your behalf?"

He was referring to the aftermath of the impeachment. Contrary to expectations, it didn't disappear; instead, it intensified with Fusu's appointment as "Envoy of Agricultural Promotion" and the literary gatherings at the Imperial Academy. On average, every morning at court, an official would step forward to criticize him for his capricious and disrespectful behavior towards officials, even calling it a sign of impending national ruin.

Emperor Renzong couldn't reveal his true identity and say, "I dote on my son, what's it to you?" He could only swallow his anger and feel incredibly frustrated.

Fusu had also heard about this matter.

"Clang, clang!" He pulled a book from his sleeve pocket: "Isn't this helping the emperor relieve his worries and solve his problems?"

"Is this the new book you invited to study together at the literary gathering?"

The news of Fusu's literary gathering had reached everyone in the capital. However, those who were curious inquired thoroughly found neither any reports of Sanyuan displaying great prowess nor any rumors of him making a fool of himself. The only thing everyone knew was that Sanyuan invited the scholars present to write articles for a collection of essays. At the time, many people secretly cursed him for his cunning tactics, saying that he was using his own reputation to win people over.

Sure enough, not a single person in the room was willing to criticize him.

As for the contents of the anthology, even Emperor Renzong was unaware. Curious, he turned to the first page, where the words "Table of Contents" were prominently displayed in woodblock printing. Below the table of contents were the names of "Fan Chunren," "Su Shi," and many other scholars who had contributed to the anthology, along with the titles of their respective articles. Each article ended with a page number.

Emperor Renzong praised, "This is indeed novel."

However, he was already used to his son's sudden whims. The innovation in the table of contents was just one insignificant detail. After randomly flipping through an article and glancing at it, Emperor Renzong broke into a genuine smile: "Not bad. Let's see what those censors have to say after reading this book."

"It's just that you've had to suffer, Su'er." He sighed, "Others only know that cotton was popularized by you. But they don't know that you were the one who discovered it."

Emperor Renzong silently weighed the options in his mind: If he were to be rewarded, the next step up from Prince Cheng would be the Crown Prince, which Su'er would definitely not want. As for the Three Scholars, being appointed as the Agricultural Encouragement Commissioner was already an exceptional appointment; to promote him further would be to stand out from the crowd, which would actually harm him, and was even more undesirable.

Fusu shook his head nonchalantly: "It's alright, what's the big deal?"

He genuinely didn't feel wronged at all. He didn't grow the cotton, nor did he gin or weave it. He just happened to be recognized because of its historical connection.

"I used to find Wang Anshi strange." Emperor Renzong stared at the little boy for a long time, then suddenly smiled with relief: "Don't you share the same thoughts as him?"

Fusu: "Huh?"

He was about to say, "That's different. He's a true scholar, I'm just a history buff," but after thinking it over carefully, he nodded solemnly.

“That’s true.” Fusu said seriously, “Perhaps it’s because people with high ideological awareness tend to have similar ideas.”

-

The next day, at the Zichen Palace.

The court has been peaceful recently, with no sudden disasters within the realm and everything at the borders in good order. In this prosperous and peaceful era, the censors have become the most vocal and vocal critics.

Emperor Renzong, as usual, inquired about state affairs today, and after receiving the reply "no report to submit," a subtle commotion arose among the Censorate and remonstrance officials. They looked at each other, seemingly deciding who should take the stage. Emperor Renzong, however, was too lazy to pay attention to their subtle exchanges: "You ministers have nothing to do, but I have something to do."

"I have come across a collection of writings today, and I am delighted with it. Why don't you all take a look at it together?"

"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask if this gathering was led by Zhao Xiaosanyuan and students from the Imperial Academy and the National University?"

Emperor Renzong nodded: "Indeed."

An uproar erupted within the Zichen Palace. It was that same old story again: what kind of spell had Zhao Xiaosanyuan cast on the Emperor? Special treatment and exceptional appointments were one thing, but even publishing a book required his personal endorsement? And in the solemn setting of the morning court session no less!

Aside from Fu Bi and Ouyang Xiu, who were in the know, even some of the other officials from the New Policies faction showed hesitant expressions. Although they knew that Sanyuan Lang was one of their faction members, wasn't this going too far?

The censors and remonstrators were even more excited, determined to give another impassioned remonstrance.

"Further words are useless. You will understand why I favor this collection of writings once you read it." Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Emperor Renzong ordered the eunuchs to distribute the collection, ensuring that everyone in the hall had a copy: "Please take a look, gentlemen."

"..."

Whether they were simply curious or disliked Zhao Sanyuan, everyone buried their heads in their books and watched. The only sound in the hall for a moment was a rustling noise.

After an unknown amount of time, someone suddenly looked up, their expression one of utter astonishment, almost shock, compared to when they discovered the Emperor's favoritism towards the Three Excellence Awards: "Your Majesty, are the things described in this collection of writings real?"

The emperor feigned ignorance: "Are you sure, my dear minister?"

"It must be this cotton, white as willow catkins, light as duckweed, yet warm as springtime when woven into clothing! Your Majesty, could it truly be that it has been born in our Great Song Dynasty?"

The questioner, oblivious to anything amiss, answered loudly throughout the Zichen Palace, making those who understood the Emperor's thoughts secretly amused. Those who disliked Fusu turned ashen-faced.

The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm, but in reality, his inner joy was almost beyond his control: "Otherwise, why do you think I appointed Zhao Sanyuan as the Commissioner for Encouraging Agriculture?"

“However,” he said with a smile, weighing the collection of essays in his hand, “the newly appointed scholars have not yet returned to the capital to select their officials, but this young man has already begun to assume his duties and share my burdens. Even I did not expect this.”

Silence fell over the main hall.

They stood at the morning court session, only to hear the emperor praising another official for "sharing his burdens." What were we then? Everyone felt a mix of emotions.

But the emperor was oblivious to this. Now that he had the confidence, he wanted to brag to his son and make Su'er and himself proud.

He then called out Fu Bi's name: "Minister Fu, you speak?"

Fu Bi: ...?

Me? What am I supposed to say?

First of all, it certainly wasn't about revealing the true nature of it. He hesitated slightly: "When I was selecting the top scholar, Zhao, the young scholar, mentioned this thing in his essay for the palace examination. However, at that time, I didn't know what 'cotton' was and thought it was just a concept for bringing peace and prosperity to the people."

The emperor nodded again.

The officials were once again in uproar.

What does that mean?

Even the Prime Minister was unaware of cotton's existence, yet Zhao Xiaosan had heard of it before becoming an official and dared to write it on his exam paper? Could it be that the invention of cotton was related to him? Then this title of top scholar... this title...

The opponents cursed inwardly: "Damn it! If Zhao Xiaosanyuan truly possessed such merit, it would benefit the entire nation. A title of Marquis with three generations of descendants guaranteed by the same rank would be enough. A mere title of Top Scholar, along with all those special privileges, is too lenient! Your Majesty, why didn't you say so sooner? If you had, would we have been asked to target him?"

Emperor Renzong looked at his ministers, who were filled with surprise and suspicion and whispering among themselves. He felt as happy as if he were overjoyed: So you said I was too kind to Su'er and implied that I was a foolish ruler? Now that the truth is out, what else can you say? What angle can you use to attack him?

No, you guys seem to have missed the point.

Sima Guang thought to himself.

He was one of the few people in the censorate who did not follow the trend of attacking Fusu. Those who attacked him most fiercely were secretly instigated by someone behind the scenes, each with their own sinister intentions. Otherwise, who would take the initiative to offend a rising star who seemed to have unlimited potential in his official career?

Since that's the case, why add another one? At this moment, amidst the frustration of the censors and the emperor's smugness, he was the calmest.

"What does the cotton look like? Is it as exaggerated as described in the article, or is it just a literary exaggeration? Your Majesty, may we take a look at it?"

"Oh. This?" The Emperor smiled, looking extremely pleased. "Of course. The officials had already prepared a batch of cotton-padded clothes, and since it's a good day, I'll take the liberty of gifting them to you all."

After saying that, he added, "I apologize to my esteemed ministers of the Censorate and the Court of Remonstrance for the shortage of cotton-padded clothing."

They say the number of cotton-padded coats is limited, but who doesn't know the real reason behind it? Isn't it because the Censorate and the censorate were the main forces attacking Zhao Xiaosanyuan before?

The ministers: "..."

No, Your Majesty, you're being too petty.

Censorate & Remonstrance Bureau: "..."

Okay, okay, we were wrong, alright?

Sima Guang: "..."

No, Your Majesty, I wasn't involved! I'm innocent!

On the other side, Fusu was engrossed in writing when he suddenly felt an itch in his nose and sneezed several times. He rubbed his red nose: "What's wrong? Is someone thinking about me?"

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Author's Note: I'm taking a break tomorrow to give my hands a rest [Let me see] Please, my darlings, don't abandon this story! (doing something) (circling)

Oh, and happy Army Day to all the babies! [fireworks]