Chapter 118: Sima Guang loses the debate...
Sima Guang was also an old acquaintance of Fusu.
Acquaintances in the sense of two lifetimes.
This person's greatest strength was his ability to reason. Therefore, he remained clear-headed and stood by when the Censorate and the Remonstrance Bureau collectively impeached Zhao Zongsu. Later, he was valued by Fusu and rose through the ranks.
However, his biggest flaw is that he is too reasonable. Even if the person on the other end is the emperor, if he doesn't like the way the emperor is "mistreating" Prince Cheng, he will dare to submit a memorial to impeach him without giving any face.
The same goes for this time.
Sima Guang later learned from the emperor's hints that his promotion to head of the review agency was orchestrated by Prince Cheng a few years earlier. Logically, he would have given his benefactor some face in return.
But he went straight to his benefactor and questioned him: "Your Highness, why did you write such a treasonous article?"
Fusu tried to argue: "I think sometimes people don't have to be so pedantic."
The officialdom isn't about fighting and killing; it's about interpersonal relationships and social dynamics. Wouldn't it be better to turn a blind eye sometimes?
Sima Guang refused to take the bait: "I am not yet thirty years old, young and strong, far from the age where my eyesight is failing."
He even pointed to a few sentences in the article: "Moreover, these few sentences of yours are really eye-catching. Even if I am old, I cannot ignore them."
Well, trying to persuade them by appealing to their past relationship failed.
Fusu wasn't one to use sentiment to blackmail people, but he disliked arguing even more. Especially since his opponent was the unyielding Sima Guang. But given the current situation, it seemed there was no other way to publish the article except to refute him.
He forced himself to sit up straight, preparing for a tough battle. He glanced sideways at the sentence that had pierced Sima Guang's eyes. Wait, how could it be the sentence about the people having the right to choose their own ruler and officials?
Fusu looked up with a puzzled expression: "...Is there a problem with this? Isn't that how it's written in Mencius?"
He wasn't unaware that the Confucianism he had studied in his first life was vastly different from the Confucianism prevalent in the Song Dynasty. But had even the *Mencius* become politically incorrect? Surely not.
Sima Guang was clearly taken aback: "Mencius only said 'the people are more important than the ruler,' when did he ever say 'rebellion is justified'?"
Fusu: "But isn't that exactly what he meant?"
"Besides, I didn't say anything about our Great Song Dynasty, I was talking about the Liao Emperor and the people of Yunzhou. With an emperor and a crown prince like that, it's normal for the people of the sixteen prefectures to be restless."
In the Liao Dynasty, the reigning emperor was Emperor Xingzong Yelü Zhen. The crown prince was the infamous, incompetent ruler Yelü Hongji. Comparing these two to Emperor Renzong is simply an overstatement.
Fusu felt that although he disliked arguing, he might have decent debating skills. After two rounds, Sima Guang clearly wore an expression that left him speechless.
Sima Guang decided not to gloss over the truth: "Your Majesty is a wise ruler, and you will be one in the future. But who can guarantee what the future holds? If a foolish ruler ascends the throne and the people rebel, aren't you afraid that your writings today will become a sword in the hands of the rebels, used to cut off the life of the Song Dynasty?"
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi were indeed sworn enemies. The former spoke exactly what the latter had been thinking, but had not uttered aloud. Sima Guang had thought that after he finished speaking, His Highness the Crown Prince would realize the seriousness of the matter, and after being frightened, appear thoughtful, but only a subtle expression appeared on Fusu's fair and delicate face.
Well... actually, I'm quite familiar with this. Back then, wasn't I "falsely claiming to be Prince Fusu and Xiang Yan, and singing for the world"?
It's really nothing, isn't it?
That's what he was thinking, but if he said it aloud, Sima Guang would be furious. His words were blunt and harsh, yet they contained a sense of concern. He was reminding Fusu not to let the boomerang backfire and get him nailed to the pillar of shame in history.
but……
"I understand your concern. But I don't intend to revise it. Let it be as it is. Every word in this article reflects my true feelings."
In the brief silence, many images flashed through Fusu's mind: his younger brother Huhai, whom he had only met a few times, had undergone a drastic change in temperament after taking office, slaughtering all his brothers, while Zhao Gao manipulated the court with a deer-shaped lever. Decades later, Emperor Huizong of Song indulged in the "Flower and Stone Tribute," causing widespread suffering in Jiangnan, yet the Northern Song Dynasty perished because he placed his hopes on heavenly soldiers to defeat the Jin Dynasty.
A ridiculous dynasty, its collapse evokes no regret. Instead, it only prompts a gasp amidst a series of endless absurdities: "Why hasn't it fallen yet? Why hasn't it fallen yet?"
He slightly raised his chin, revealing much compassion and a touch of self-satisfaction: "If that day ever comes, I don't mind if wise people among the common people quote what I said today, as long as they can find a more suitable way out and live a better life."
"But I can guarantee that, at least as long as I am alive, I will not give them the chance."
Sima Guang gazed intently at Fusu, his beard trembling slightly. After a long while, he said softly, "Your Highness, I will remember your words today?"
Fusu was utterly astonished: Oh? That's it, admitting defeat already?
Was Sima Guang really that easy to talk to?
“Whenever you become lax in the future, I will use this sentence to urge you on, so that you will not forget your original intention.”
Fu Suping shivered for no reason.
I feel like I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble.
Does Sima Guang mean... he'll keep an eye on him forever? That doesn't make sense, does it? History books only say Sima Guang was a capable, upright, and honest minister; they never say he was a male ghost!
Fusu was filled with regret, but he had already delivered his dashing lines. He could only force himself to maintain his composure and feign calmness: "Then I will strive to learn from you, sir. Now, can this article be published?"
Sima Guang: "Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, do you truly have no regrets?"
I am but a subject, but you are the Crown Prince, and this is the fate of your Great Song Dynasty. Are you sure you want to do this?
Fusu reaffirmed once again: "No regrets."
"Your subject takes his leave."
"...So you must have convinced him, right?" Fusu thought to himself, gazing at Sima Guang's departing figure. No, that's what he thought when Wang Anshi left last time, assuming everything would go smoothly. But he ended up attracting Sima Guang's attention.
Fusu decided to remain vigilant.
But he truly hadn't anticipated that Sima Guang had a backup plan. Relying on his position as the head of the censorship system, he forced Wang Anshi to add an extra page of his own article. The two, one an editor and the other a reviewer, had long been at odds. Wang Anshi was initially very unhappy, but after reading Sima Guang's article, he surprisingly agreed silently.
What article is it?
Fusu nervously obtained the current issue of the newspaper. Upon opening it, he discovered that Sima Guang had actually recorded their private conversation and brazenly published it in the *Seeking Knowledge* newspaper. It even included the part where Fusu pleaded with Sima Guang to let him off the hook, using the favor of his promotion years earlier!
Fusu's face turned bright red: Don't I have any pride?
He immediately put the newspaper on the table and stopped looking at it. It was too late to get Wang Anshi to remove the content and reissue it; he could only pretend it never happened. But if Fusu didn't read it, others would. From noon on the day the newspaper went on sale, he noticed that everyone who looked at him was giving him strange looks.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has such ambitions..."
"His profound insights are truly astonishing."
"Hey, but isn't he the crown prince? How can he disregard the fate of the Song Dynasty and encourage the people to rebel as if it's justified?"
"What do you know? This just shows how enlightened he is! For the happiness of the people, the fate of the nation can only take a back seat. He would be willing to be like Fusu or Xiang Yan himself."
...I am Fusu, thank you.
"And you all," Fusu glared angrily at the person who was openly gossiping in front of him, "Do you really think I'm deaf and can't hear you?"
"You're the best actor, aren't you, Lord Su!"
"And you, Senior Brother!" Fusu turned to accuse Fan Chunren, who was in his late twenties and seemed incredibly reliable: "Why did you join in Zizhan's nonsense too!"
Fan Chunren's eyes darted around: "It was Su Xiaolang who begged me."
"What's wrong?" Su Shi said nonchalantly, "I'm just a parrot at best. Your Highness, you'd better shut up all the gossip before you settle accounts with me."
Ever since Fusu's disguise was exposed in public and the fact that "His Highness the Crown Prince dislikes being praised" unexpectedly became widely known, Su Shi became the only person who would touch his sore spot and disregard Fusu's expression to commit a taboo on the spot.
When Su Shi discovered this, he was not alarmed at all; on the contrary, he became even more enthusiastic about teasing Fusu. For example, if Su Shi hadn't parroted him today, Fusu would probably never have heard how others praised him behind his back.
Fusu: ...Thank you, but I don't want to hear it either.
Su Shi added, "Moreover, Your Highness, it's quite remarkable that you were able to handle Lord Sima, isn't it?"
His first job after entering officialdom was as an editor and writer for the "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper. While working under Wang Anshi, he witnessed his superior's daily battles of wits with the censorship system and knew firsthand how difficult Sima Guang could be.
He patted his chest with lingering fear: "I didn't expect him to be so agreeable in front of Your Highness. He was even worried that you would be criticized by future generations, so he personally wrote an article to defend you."
"That's good now. Even after the Song Dynasty... well... people who come after will have to thank you and speak well of you. They won't dare to settle scores with you casually."
Fusu lowered his eyes: "Yes. I owe him a debt of gratitude."
"What's with all this talk of gratitude?" Su Shi smiled and leaned closer, putting his arm around his shoulder. "Lord Sima didn't write the article just so you would remember his favor. It's because Your Highness deserves it."
"And then there's Lord Fan, Master Fu, General Di, Lord Wang, and the like..." Su Shi spread his hands and found that he couldn't count all the similar people on one hand, and even with another hand outstretched, he still couldn't finish. Of course, he included himself in this category: "Isn't it all because Your Highness is worthy that they're happy to treat you well!"
"Your Highness, if you really want to repay this favor, when will you ever be able to?"
Fusu immediately retorted, "Then I can't just pretend I didn't see it because I can't repay it!"
Su Shi fell silent, a slight smile playing on his lips. Fan Chunren, hands behind his back, smiled at his junior brother. Sigh, wasn't it precisely because of Zhao Xiaolang/Junior Brother's talent and character that they willingly followed him?
Fusu seemed to understand their unfinished words, and awkwardly turned his face away: "Never mind, do as you please..."
"Huh? She seems shy?"
"roll!"
His Highness the Crown Prince's reputation soared once again thanks to his own and Sima Guang's two articles. The sixteen prefectures mentioned in his articles also became the focus of the people's attention.
Due to historical reasons, the people of the Sixteen Prefectures, although Han Chinese, were not considered "one of their own" by the Song Dynasty. However, after this article, many people gradually began to pay attention to this lost land.
Just days after its popularity reached its peak, a military report arrived from the front lines, seemingly to confirm the premonition in Fusu's article—
In Yunzhou, a rebellion has broken out.
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Author's Note: Here's a new story by my friend. Those who like historical romance novels should check it out! My friend's entire author page is filled with historical romance novels!
"My Cousin Ran Away Again and Again" by Gou Zhu
Article ID: 8976059
Soft and sweet with a hidden agenda X Two-faced
My father passed away, and my mother remarried.
Xue Zhiying was sent to the Xiao family mansion and became a cousin of the Xiao family.
Coming to the Xiao family did not make Xue Zhiying's life much easier.
Given her status, she was destined to become someone's concubine, or worse.
So she turned her attention to Xiao Yunqi, the eldest son of the Xiao family.
Xue Zhiying did not fantasize about marrying him; she only hoped to gain his protection and use the opportunity to leave the Xiao family.
However, the process of seducing him was very unsuccessful.
Xiao Yunqi was aloof and abstinent, calm and self-possessed, unmoved by any of her advances.
When she was desperate, she decided to take a gamble and force herself on him.
Unexpectedly, the least likely method to succeed was the one that worked most easily.
*
In Xiao Yunqi's view, Xue Zhiying's tricks were extremely clumsy.
Moreover, she is incredibly audacious, impervious to reason, and prone to pushing her luck.
The only positive thing is probably her deep and unwavering affection for him.
He thought he would be entangled with her to the very end.
Until he returned from a long journey.
Xiao Yunqi waited for several days but she never suddenly appeared from any corner.
He casually grabbed someone and asked them a question.
The servants, who had no idea that the eldest son and his cousin had any relationship, were utterly bewildered.
The only answer was the truth: "Miss Xiao left the Xiao residence a month ago, saying she was going back to her hometown to discuss marriage, and she probably won't be coming back."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yunqi's expression froze, then darkened, and a chilling aura enveloped him.
Is she... going to arrange a marriage with someone else?
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