Chapter 15 You are that shameless Su...
Su Shi's description to his father was not exaggerated at all. Yang Shousu, the Grand Secretary of Western Xia, was indeed extremely angry, so much so that he almost couldn't catch his breath.
The Song Dynasty was, after all, an era that valued elegance and restraint. It hadn't evolved as many offensive insults, so calling someone "shameless" to their face was far more damaging than in later generations.
In particular, Yang Shousu, as a Confucian scholar who had studied the classics, considered himself a disciple of Confucius and Mencius. Such people have no other distinguishing features, except that they place great importance on their reputation.
How could he possibly save face when his own people were publicly humiliated by a seven-year-old child from the Song Dynasty?
In the end, it was the Ministry of Rites officials who rushed over after hearing the news that brought the farce to an end—if they hadn't arrived, the Western Xia envoy would have fainted from anger in public, and it would have escalated into a diplomatic incident between the two countries.
Fusu then suggested that the young novice monk should go and fetch reinforcements.
The official from the Ministry of Rites was quite a clever fellow. Upon seeing that the people who had taken over the scene were from the Song Dynasty, and two of them were children, he chuckled and used the excuses of "children's words are innocent" and "Your country would not stoop to the level of mere children, would it?" to shut up the Western Xia envoys, leaving them to curse and swear but unable to do anything about it.
Fusu and Su Shi took this opportunity to make a clean getaway.
"call--"
As Fusu emerged from the abbot's courtyard, he felt a strange sense of relief, as if he had escaped a calamity. Today's outcome was even better than he had anticipated; not only had he dampened the spirits of the Western Xia delegation, but the people in the courtyard hadn't even noticed his face.
As for Steward Chen and the others, following Fusu's instructions, they didn't follow him into the courtyard. As long as Fusu and Su Shi coordinated their statements, he could completely absolve himself of any responsibility for today's events—"I just watched a show with the newly acquainted child prodigy, didn't I? What does the debate with the Confucian scholars have to do with me?"
Even when the officials and Mr. Song asked him, he would raise his innocent little face and give this flawless explanation.
"You..." Emperor Renzong shook his head and said, "Just by going out of the palace to watch the fun, you run into so much trouble! You really are a worry!"
Even so, a smile was clearly on his lips.
It's good that he's a bit of a worry; that's what children are like. Su'er used to be so easy to take care of, which made his father uneasy.
Fusu stuck out his tongue.
"By the way, what do you think of that seven-year-old prodigy who refuted Yang Shousu? Since you like his calligraphy and painting, how about I bestow an imperial decree to summon him to the palace and have him be your study companion?"
Emperor Renzong's thinking was simple. He figured he was going to herd one sheep or a flock anyway. With Zongshi's precedent, it wouldn't hurt to summon another child prodigy from outside the palace to the Zishan Hall, as long as Su'er was happy.
But to his surprise, Fusu only hesitated for a second before firmly refusing: "No! Absolutely not!"
"oh?"
Fusu's face darkened: "I'm afraid he'll offend everyone in the palace..."
According to Fu Su's incomplete statistics, on the first day of their meeting, Su Shi choked himself three times: once with the young novice monk and once with Yang Shousu. His ability to stir up animosity is evident.
If things continue at this pace, once Su Shi enters the palace, Fusu's prediction will become a reality within a month.
For the sake of the future literary stars' safety, perhaps we should relinquish this role as a reading companion?
Hahahaha!
After hearing the whole story, Emperor Renzong laughed heartily, a rare occurrence for him.
He braced his hands against Fusu's arms, lifted him up and placed him on his lap, stroking his son's soft head: "It seems Su'er really likes him, thinking so far ahead for him."
"Um……"
That cannot be denied; Fusu looked away.
Even in this brief encounter today, the talent displayed by the young Su Shi was enough for him to glimpse the prototype of that famous figure in history.
"Since you, Su'er, are unwilling, then so be it. But I cannot mistreat a meritorious official who has brought glory to my Great Song Dynasty. So, I will grant him special permission to study at the Imperial Academy," the Emperor said.
The Imperial Academy? Fusu was suddenly taken aback.
The Imperial Academy (Guozijian) was the highest educational institution in the Northern Song Dynasty. It governed all educational institutions, including the Imperial Academy, local county schools, and academies.
If Fusu remembered correctly, the Imperial Academy also had another function: to admit those with connections. Only the children of officials of the seventh rank or above could study at the Imperial Academy.
Fusu felt that, given Su Shi's personality, he would definitely prefer to study at the Imperial Academy, which recruited students from commoner backgrounds. However, he couldn't bring himself to refuse on Su Shi's behalf. The Emperor's move was ostensibly a reward, but in reality, it was protection.
The Imperial Academy, after all, gave people the impression of having "no background." With the prestigious titles of "highest educational institution" and "school for the children of officials," the Western Xia envoys could not easily make trouble for the students of the Imperial Academy.
But Su Shi's mouth... what if it ran into the sons of powerful and wealthy families...?
Fusu felt a toothache almost immediately.
No, I need to find an opportunity to visit the Imperial College.
Fusu secretly clenched his little fists, already planning what excuse he would use to leave the palace next time, ignoring the "loving" gaze from his father above him.
"Su'er," Emperor Renzong said softly.
"Um?"
"The apprenticeship ceremony is complete, the Analects has been memorized, and the reading companions have been gathered. It just so happens that you, Mr. Song, still have matters to attend to at the Ministry of Rites. You should also meet with the scribes, lecturers, and storytellers of Zishan Hall, and settle your mind to listen attentively to the lesson."
Fu Su's heart skipped a beat.
Yishan was the highest-ranking person in the entire Zishan Hall, responsible for formulating teaching policies. The readers, lecturers, and storytellers assisted in teaching or answered questions for the princes.
Song Qi was a tolerant man; if someone else had temporarily taken over his position, Fusu's life would probably not have been so easy.
“I admire that Mr. Sima once taught Zongshi, and he is a man of both talent and virtue who is no less than your Mr. Song. When Mr. Song is not around, Su’er, you must learn from him well.”
Mr. Sima... Sima Guang.
I thought you were still at the age of smashing the water jar, how come you've already been promoted to Zandu?
Fusu stiffened his neck and slowly lowered his head. When he raised his head again, his face was full of resignation to his fate.
Emperor Renzong stroked his son's head gently with a smile, "I heard you're going to study under Mr. Sima, why the expression?"
Fusu was unusually on the verge of collapse: Please, that's Sima Guang, the man even the most traditional moral guardians would avoid. No one could withstand his judgment.
A moment later, he suddenly froze, looking at the official's smiling face in disbelief.
Could it be that the Emperor is punishing him for running away from the palace by deliberately diverting Song Qi and having Sima Guang supervise him for a few days?
Wow, Emperor Renzong of Song, he's terrifying!
-
A few days later, Zhao Zongshi returned from visiting his family at the Prince of Pu's residence. All three tutors were in place, and Sima Guang temporarily took over the position of tutor to Song Qi. The time for teaching the Analects officially began.
Upon assuming office, he drastically changed the teaching policy established by Song Qi.
Li Qiu and Yan Jidao were initially unfamiliar with Zhao Zongshi, who was a few years older than them. After a day of classes, they dared to approach him and whisper, "I heard that you used to study under Mr. Sima. Is that true?"
Zhao Zongshi: "That's exactly right."
As soon as he finished speaking, he received three pitying glances at the same time.
Zhao Zongshi was completely bewildered: "What's wrong?"
Fusu shook his head, not wanting to speak at all. He had just finished reading all day, and his little voice was a bit hoarse; he wouldn't speak unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately, Sima Guang noticed that his voice was almost hoarse and stopped reading, letting him rest.
But that's not the point at all!
The key point is that, even though the people present knew the Analects by heart, they still read it aloud over and over again like beginners.
To paraphrase Sima Guang, whether you can memorize it or not is a matter of your ability, but whether you read it or not is a matter of your attitude. These are two completely different things.
Do you dare to have an improper attitude towards Confucianism and Mencius?
Fusu dared not, nor did Li Qiu and Yan Jidao.
In ancient times, the word "teacher" held an extremely high status, representing Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher. Since Sima Guang had spoken, the few young students who dared to protest were ruthlessly suppressed, and after their lesson, they looked as if they had been struck by frost.
After class, Li Qiu slumped listlessly on his desk, looking utterly dejected: "Where did Mr. Song go? I miss him so much."
He no longer complained that Mr. Song wanted to memorize ten pages of the Analects in one go, sob sob sob.
Song Qi and Sima Guang were two completely opposite extremes.
Judging from his previous behavior, Song Qi was very casual with his students, adhering to the principle of "I don't care about anything else, as long as they understand it." He was not stingy in teaching content beyond the textbook, and even helped Fusu complete his first intelligence gathering on Western Xia.
Yan Ji said, "If Mr. Song and Mr. Sima were to meet... alas."
The group of people shuddered at the thought of the scene.
Out of respect for the man, they did not speak of it, but in the minds of all of them, the image of the two fighting fiercely flashed through their minds.
There's probably no possibility of reconciliation between these two.
Only Zhao Zongshi was oblivious: "Huh? What's wrong with Mr. Sima? Wasn't he a good teacher?"
Good heavens, he actually thinks this is normal! Fusu looked at Zhao Zongshi with even more pity.
If I remember correctly, Zhao Zongshi was made crown prince in his thirties in history, and his teacher when he studied at Zishan Hall was Sima Guang. What a coincidence!
But it would be best if I weren't involved.
Fusu copied the homework left by Sima Guang, thinking sullenly. He had also attended a top-tier high school in his previous life, and he had never been subjected to such cramming.
Although Fusu was in Zishan Hall, suffering greatly because of Sima Guang's appointment, his heart had long since wandered to the Imperial Academy outside the Forbidden City.
Several days have passed; Su Shi should have reported to the Imperial Academy by now. I wonder how he's doing. He's only seven years old; will he be able to adapt to life away from his parents and studying alone?
Fusu had no idea that Su Shi's days at the Imperial Academy were far better than he had imagined or experienced.
Along with the imperial decree granting special admission to the Imperial Academy, the story of the "seven-year-old prodigy bravely fighting the envoys of the Western Xia" also spread through the palace. The Song Dynasty's propaganda machine wouldn't miss such a tale that could demoralize the Western Xia and promote the prestige of our dynasty.
The following day, the full text of Su Shi's clever battle with Yang Shousu was published in the official gazette and sent by post to government offices in the capital and even throughout the country.
When Su Shi's story was published, all officials of the Song Dynasty who had read the official gazette knew about it, and the students of the Imperial Academy also learned about it from their parents' repeated admonitions of "Look at others and then look at yourself."
He became famous in a corner unknown to Su Shi.
So, after the initial surprise, Su Shi, with the luggage hastily packed by his father Su Xun, went to the Imperial Academy to report for duty that day with a feeling of trepidation, and was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic onlookers from his classmates.
Several people who looked to be around the same age as Su Shi surrounded him, and one of them asked with great curiosity, "Are you the Su Shi who was never shameless?"
Su Shi: Huh?
"Pah, pah, pah! I got carried away and misspoke! Please forgive me, Su Dalang. What I meant to say was, are you the child prodigy Su Shi who angrily rebuked the Western Xia envoy for being 'shameless'?"
A note from the author:
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