Chapter 99 Fusu was taken aback: "You mean...?"
He was only four years old, so he was specially granted the rank of fourth grade?
What kind of talk is this? Is this even reasonable?
Many fourth-rank officials, all over forty years old, nearly fainted on the spot upon hearing the Emperor's words. They had spent half their lives navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, rising step by step from the corrupt ranks to finally securing a place in this inconspicuous Zichen Palace, an achievement that many envied.
Overnight, their status is even lower than that of a four-year-old toddler?
They cried out in their hearts with grief and indignation: "Your Majesty! When we were in our twenties and thirties, you never once said, 'Our ages are appropriate, so we are specially appointed as officials of the second or third rank'!" Even Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Ouyang Xiu, and other insiders exchanged glances and felt that something was amiss.
I know Your Majesty loves your son dearly and is reluctant to see him suffer humiliation or be treated as inferior, but you must also consider the feelings of the entire court, mustn't you? If you upset them, who will work for the Song Dynasty?
Moreover, Zhao Xiaolang... on the surface, Prince Cheng is still on their side. They need to offer some token advice. Otherwise, the opposing faction will only oppose him more fiercely and say even harsher things.
Well said, but here's the problem.
Who will be the villain to stop the emperor from spoiling his son?
Fan Zhongyan: My newly recognized disciple, you go.
Ouyang Xiu: I am not familiar with His Highness Prince Cheng, so it is inconvenient for me to speak. You should go instead.
Fu Bi: I am still His Highness Prince Cheng's master. You two go!
Three officials destined for historical fame were childishly arguing amongst themselves. Taking advantage of this lull, just as they had predicted, someone couldn't sit still any longer and jumped out: "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
The three of them looked over at the same time: Who is it, so brave?
The three men struggled to decide who should speak first, precisely because offering advice was a difficult task. Considering his triple honors and undeniable achievements as the agricultural commissioner, a two-rank promotion was entirely justified. The only point worth advising was that the excessive favor shown by the emperor could foster arrogance in Zhao Xiao Sanyuan, which would be detrimental to his future career.
But those in the know are acutely aware that he is already a first-rank prince, the future crown prince; a fourth-rank official title would be beneath him. Where is his arrogance? Where is his disadvantage?
But the brave warrior who stepped forward to offer advice gave a different perspective. His face was magnanimous, and his voice resounded: "Your Majesty, please don't rush to bestow titles upon the Duke of Sanyuan. Your only son is only four years old. The Duke of Sanyuan will undoubtedly have a bright future, but he's not familiar with His Highness Prince Cheng. If you elevate him too much, won't that put both of them in a difficult position?"
The words may be crude, but the principle is sound. However, Fan Zhongyan and the others all wore complex expressions. The reason was simple: the speaker had made a mistake.
The speaker who delivered this impassioned speech was Zhang Yaozuo, the uncle of Consort Zhang, a favorite concubine of Emperor Renzong—a powerful and influential relative of the emperor. He was also one of the culprits who, in conjunction with the conservatives, expelled Fan Zhongyan, Teng Zijing, and other officials who had implemented the New Policies from the central government.
Emperor Renzong: "..."
Emperor Renzong: "…………"
"I...I know that Minister Zhang meant well."
The second half of the sentence is left unsaid: But I beg you not to say it, really.
You, a concubine's relative by marriage, advised me to distance myself from trusted ministers and favor the Empress's eldest son—clearly, you were trying to sow discord between them. And to make matters worse, the minister, who is also the eldest son, overheard this! Where am I supposed to put my face?!
"Cough cough cough cough!"
Emperor Renzong coughed strategically, then turned his head away guiltily to one side, avoiding looking at Fusu's eyes.
And what about Fusu, the person in question? He paused for a moment when he first heard "Your Highness Prince Cheng." After listening to the whole story, he seriously pondered: Hmm, if we don't consider that the Three Excellences are Prince Cheng, then this statement makes a lot of sense. But after learning Zhang Yaozuo's identity from the whispers around him, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"puff."
How can that be so funny!
It became several times funnier, especially after the hidden identity was revealed. Am I at odds with myself?
Fusu found a dark humor in the story, his shoulders trembling as he tried to suppress his laughter. But the laughter was like a flood breaking through a dam; once contained, it completely collapsed. The childish laughter echoed in the quiet Zichen Palace, reaching everyone's ears.
Of course, the news also reached Emperor Renzong's ears. He covered his burning ears under his turban, muttering to himself: Son, stop laughing. Your father has his pride too.
Zhang Yaozuo's face darkened. He took Fusu's reaction as a provocation: "Why is Sanyuan Lang laughing? Is he dissatisfied with what I said? Or..."
“No, I think you are absolutely right, sir.” Fusu immediately shook his head in denial: “Thank you, sir, for thinking of my future career.”
He then turned his head and said, "Therefore, Your Majesty, a fourth rank is too much of an exaggeration, and I cannot accept it. A fifth rank is sufficient."
Emperor Renzong was so disheartened by his son's criticism that he said, "Then let him be appointed as the fifth-rank Privy Councilor."
The officials, who had just been on edge, breathed a sigh of relief: "A fifth-rank official, thank goodness."
Wait, what?
The Privy Council is in charge of receiving imperial orders?
Didn't you just say he was a Hanlin Academician?
According to the official system of the Song Dynasty, although the title of Hanlin Academician sounded prestigious and detached from worldly affairs, in reality, they were close advisors to the emperor. They were responsible for drafting imperial edicts and participating in confidential matters. The Chuigong Hall, which was difficult for ordinary people to enter, was easily accessible to the emperor. It was a highly coveted position.
As for the Chief Administrator of the Privy Council, although it sounds like an official under the Privy Council, he was actually responsible for liaising between the Privy Council and the Emperor. He could receive imperial favor and also chat and laugh with the ministers. He was even more coveted than a Hanlin Academician.
The emperor had stripped him of his official rank of First Grade, so he wanted to compensate him with real power. However, since he had already made concessions on the surface, his ministers couldn't press him too hard, lest it create a rift between the emperor and his subjects.
Therefore, no one else dared to voice their dissatisfaction. Emperor Renzong, sitting on his dragon throne, took in the expressions of those below and let out a soft snort of displeasure.
What's there to regret? The Privy Council is instructed that if my own son is not qualified, then are you qualified? Letting him take the position would be beneath him.
But when his gaze met his son's, and he saw the son mouth "Thank you, Father" to him, his eyes darted around, avoiding eye contact. His resentment towards Zhang Yaozuo deepened.
Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're thinking.
They say they're thinking of His Highness Prince Cheng? That's nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing—they have no good intentions!
He rubbed his temples: "Is there anything else, my dear ministers?"
The officials below looked at each other, and no one spoke. It wasn't that they didn't have something to report, but it was all trivial matters. Compared to the grand occasion just now, it seemed too insignificant and not worth mentioning. They could deal with it tomorrow.
Emperor Renzong looked around and asked, "Are all my ministers alright?"
He then specifically asked Fusu, "Sanyuanlang, what about you?"
Fusu shook his head repeatedly, "I have none." His purpose in attending court this time was simply to make a formal appearance. He had achieved his goal, and it had even exceeded his expectations. As for the other bombshells, he would release them later.
His pitying gaze swept over the assembled officials without leaving a trace: We should also give them some time to adjust, shouldn't we?
Emperor Renzong nodded: "Then let's adjourn the court."
Before turning to leave, he nodded to Fusu. Then he left today's farce behind for his ministers to savor.
Fusu stood still, his curious gaze falling on those who were subtly observing him. He returned their gazes with a sweet smile, which made the people staring at him feel embarrassed. Some subconsciously returned the smile, while others quickly looked away and left.
Then... he spotted the only person who wasn't looking at him.
"General Di!"
Fusu stepped forward and grabbed Di Qing's sleeve: "Why didn't you say goodbye before leaving?"
Di Qing's face was full of helplessness as he pointed to the plaque above the palace: "This is the Zichen Palace, Zhao Xiaolang."
The visual impact of you visiting my home alone versus openly conversing with civil and military officials in court is quite different.
Fusu glanced around and, sure enough, their subtle gazes enveloped the two of them like still water. Everyone seemed to recall the cause of this recent court turmoil. Wasn't it because Zhao Xiaosanyuan had openly visited a military general at the height of his power?
He actually dared to do this so openly in the main hall... Oh well, so what if he dared? The Emperor doesn't care at all.
Aside from receiving a few subtle glares, Fusu was unharmed in this round.
"Look." He shrugged. "It's alright. Let them criticize us. Let them impeach us, we'll do our own thing. Besides, General Di, you promised me you'd read the book, where are you now?"
A few strands of genuine distress suddenly appeared between Di Qing's brows.
"Why did you and Master Fan ask the same question?"
Seeing that Fusu was puzzled, he explained, "Before going to court today, Lord Fan also asked me how my studies were progressing."
Fusu chuckled and raised his eyebrows: "Who told us to be master and disciple?"
"So, the answer is that you didn't read it very well, right?"
Di Qing sighed deeply: "Yes."
Whether it was an explanation or a judgment he made of himself, he said, "I am truly not good at this."
Fusu shook his head meaningfully: "What are you saying?"
In his first life, the Confucian scholars he knew were all skilled in martial arts. It wasn't uncommon for them to resort to fists if they couldn't win an argument. The saying "to rise to high office and become a general" wasn't just empty talk; the imperial court was filled with figures like Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi, who were proficient in both civil and military affairs.
He mingled among them and was even described by his father as "benevolent but weak."
It's unclear when exactly, or rather, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, a clear distinction arose between civil and military officials, with strict restrictions placed on their interactions. This led later generations to consider it a tradition inherited from ancient feudal society.
When Fusu was in his second life, he was still not used to it.
So when he heard that Di Qing lacked confidence, he immediately shook his head repeatedly: "Tell me first, what books have you read?"
Di Qing: "..."
Is a public execution really necessary?
A rare look of hesitation appeared on his dark face, and after a long pause, he uttered a few names. Upon hearing this, Fusu immediately covered his eyes with his hands: "Well, isn't this the same as not reading at all?"
"General Di, have you forgotten what you promised me? You are supposed to set an example for the soldiers."
Now we can only serve as a negative example.
Di Qing opened his mouth slightly, swallowed, and seemed bewildered by extreme shock: "Zhao Xiaosanyuan, do you mean they all have to read all of those?"
Have you thoroughly read the Book of Poetry, the Book of Rites, the Book of Documents, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Book of Changes?
"Of course not."
Fusu himself had crammed for the Shangzhai exam and knew all too well how terrifying these books were. But surely the soldiers should at least be literate and have some basic common sense and etiquette?
He gazed at Di Qing's profile, which was slightly contorted by the tattoo, and suddenly an idea popped into his head.
How about compiling a textbook specifically for soldiers?
As for the guinea pigs for the trial, aren't they readily available?
Born into a poor family, he once enjoyed fighting fiercely, and the man whose personality and education best represented that of a soldier was right in front of him.
Fusu clenched his fist, finding his next goal, and said confidently, "General Di, don't worry, I will definitely teach you."
-
"Oh my, who is this? This humble subject greets Your Excellency, the Fifth-Rank Privy Councilor!"
A familiar, childish voice rang out, and Fusu rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He knew who it was without even asking.
He immediately looked at Su Shi and retorted without hesitation.
"What, are you jealous?"
Su Shi visibly stammered and mumbled as he walked over and sat down next to Fusu.
"Yes, we were jealous."
It was Fan Chunren who picked up the conversation. He laughed and said, "You've only been on a three-month leave to visit your family, yet you've already been granted an official position, assumed your duties, reported on your work, and received an award—completing the process that usually takes three years for a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)."
Fusu said helplessly, "Senior brother! You're teasing me too!"
Fan Chunren was also aware of his identity. Any talk of "jealousy" was purely a joke. The only thing that could comfort Fusu was that his senior brother, worthy of being Fan Zhongyan's eldest son, possessed a magnanimity no less than his father's. After quietly recovering, he treated him as usual, neither saying much nor refusing to say anything because of his status.
The sight of them gathered around by familiar faces, discussing their plans, suddenly reminded Fusu of his time at the Imperial Academy.
Of course, Yan Jidao and Zhang Zai were also added to the team. The former was his childhood friend from the Zishan Hall. He ranked twenty-seventh in the spring imperial examination this year, and together with Fusu himself and Su Shi, the imperial examination in the fifth year of the Qingli era was named the "Prodigy List".
The latter was a student from the Imperial Academy whom he had recently met. He was the future founder of the "Four Sentences of Hengqu" and the founder of the Guan School of thought.
Su Shi, Zeng Gong, Yan Jidao, Zhang Zai, Fan Chunren... Looking around, almost half of the "History of Song Dynasty Literature" is here.
"So, Zhao Xiaolang, what is the purpose of your summons today? Is there some difficult issue in the court that you wish to discuss?"
Su Shi, who had initially been uninterested, immediately stepped forward.
"What is it? What is it?"
Access to information from the Privy Council was not something these newly appointed scholars, who had not yet been selected for official positions, could achieve. Most of them were to be assigned to serve as local officials in various parts of the country, while a small number remained in Bianjing and were assigned to sinecure positions.
What confidential information? I can't get in touch with any of it.
Su Shi secretly resolved to cultivate a good relationship with Zhao Xiaolang in the future and try to gather as much information as possible. It wasn't for the sake of promotion, but purely to satisfy his own curiosity.
But Fusu was not like what everyone imagined, dealing with the court's important matters such as agriculture, grain tax, and military affairs every day.
In fact, he is more like a free man now.
No matter what he proposed, the emperor and his ministers all wore expressions that said, "I believe you can do it," asking him what resources he needed and offering to provide more if he didn't have enough. In other words, he was now independent of the Privy Council and could work on projects on his own.
It's like adding a new "Troublemaking Department" to the existing three provinces and six ministries—no, it should be called the "Innovation Department"!
Fusu then proceeded with his plan without hesitation—a textbook he and Di Qing had guaranteed for the soldiers.
Of course, when he told those present, he still used the name of the imperial court: "The imperial court wants to write a military manual for the soldiers so that they can learn to read, know etiquette, and distinguish between good and evil. This task has been assigned to me. So I have come to you all to brainstorm ideas. What do you think should be written?"
"First of all, the Book of Documents and the Spring and Autumn Annals are definitely not acceptable..."
He feared that the soldiers would abandon their posts like Di Qing had.
"If we're going to teach literacy, could we add one or two poems to the Book of Songs? For example, the 'Qin Feng' section."
Fan Chunren began to sing softly: "How can we say we have no clothes? We share the same robes. The king raises an army; let us prepare our spears and shields, and fight together against the common enemy..."
"This is good!"
Fusu's eyes lit up, and he immediately jotted it down in his notebook. This piece was not only simple in language, but it could also be sung, and it happened to be about going to war. It was perfect for inclusion in the book.
Su Shi, however, said: "Literacy? Knowledge of etiquette? Distinguishing between good and evil? Why should these requirements only be written for soldiers? Even ordinary people in the Song Dynasty should know them."
"Zhao Xiaolang, have you ever thought about distributing the compiled book among the people to enlighten them?"
Fusu was taken aback: "You mean... turn it into a newspaper?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
