I studied in modern times

Chapter 1029 The user of the Face Fruit ability: Su Shi!

"The bearded man has returned to the capital..." Zhao Xu chuckled after reading the report from the Investigation Division. "Good!"

The first Hainan Development Ambassador, isn't that it?
Zhao Xu knew a fair bit about the bearded man.
He's proud, and he's also quite loyal and devoted.

If he were like Li Bai, simply a carefree poet, such a personality would naturally be excellent.

Unfortunately, he still had a lot of passion and ideals, and he was in the officialdom!
That's not good.

How can someone involved in politics have passion?

We must be ruthless!

Otherwise, we'll just have to wait to be constantly exploited for this weakness and attacked relentlessly!

"Master Shi, how is Su Shi's student doing at the Imperial Academy?" Zhao Xu asked with a smile.

"Reporting to everyone, Su Chaosan's disciple seems quite frustrated at the Imperial Academy..." Shi Deyi replied.

"Oh...I see..." Zhao Xu nodded: "Have the people from the Imperial Academy keep a close eye on things, make sure nothing goes wrong!"

Zhao Xu vaguely remembered that in his previous life, Li Zhi failed the imperial examination this year and never took it again.

It seems that his mother committed suicide because he failed the exam.

Why did this person fail the exam?
The answer is: He was aloof and, in order to avoid suspicion, deliberately changed his writing style, so his articles leaned towards the ideology of the New Party, which would definitely lead to his dismissal!

In Zhao Xu's previous life, there was even a legend that before the imperial examination, Su Song had sent his son Su Guo to give Li Zhi a model essay.

Li Zhi didn't take it to heart, but unfortunately, the Zhang brothers, who came to visit him, saw it...

This is obviously a rumor.

It belongs to one black and two black.

Who is spreading rumors? It's obvious without even asking.

However, Li Zhi's stubbornness is also evident.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was genuinely worried that this silly boy might do something rash and commit suicide at the Imperial Academy.

That means we've lost one card that can be used to our advantage against the bearded man.

Zhao Xu had a plan regarding the bearded man.

Doesn't he like to take the blame for others and settle scores for them?
Then he'll have an endless stream of debts to settle in his lifetime!

"I am so kind!" Zhao Xu couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up in his heart.

After seeing Shi Deyi off, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion, picked up the report from the Investigation Division again, and began to read it.

He muttered to himself, "This bearded man, could he have been a victim of the 'Face Fruit' (a metaphor for someone who has gained power and influence)?"

Look at them—there were dozens of civil and military officials who personally greeted them at the dock.

There were more than ten officials of the capital or above, including those from remote prefectures.

More than ten high-ranking officials in the court, though concerned about the impact of the event, were unable to personally greet him.

They all sent their sons and nephews to the dock to greet them.

Zhao Xu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the list, his expression shifting uncertainly. After a long while, he sighed, "Only you are Su Dongpo!"

"Change to someone else, and you'll be waiting to be deposed!"

The welcoming party for Su Shi's return to the capital was simply too extravagant.

Dozens of civil and military officials personally came to greet him.

Most of the chief ministers and several ministers/vice ministers from the six ministries sent their sons and nephews to greet them.

This is based on Zhao Xu's persistent efforts over the past year to eliminate key members of the Shu faction.

Apart from Lü Tao and Fan Bailu, Zhao Xu almost completely destroyed the Shu Party, which in his previous life had held immense power and rivaled the Luo and Shuo parties.

The reason these two people escaped was simply because they knelt down in time.

He joined Zhao Xu's faction early on and became part of the emperor's party.

Otherwise, Zhao Xu would probably take action against them as well.

However, Su Shi's return to the capital still caused turmoil in Bianjing, drawing attention from both the court and the public.

This shows just how charismatic Su Shi was!
To be honest, if Zhao Xu hadn't studied abroad in modern times...

Just today, the ripples caused by Su Shi's return to the capital have already made him guilty of the crime of being deposed!
The Emperor Zhao would not allow a minister who had never even served as a prime minister to have such a powerful influence!
Even the chief ministers, unless they are the emperor's trusted confidants.

For example, people like Lü Yijian and Yan Shu, who were "one of our own," were exceptions. Otherwise, such ostentatious behavior would have to be addressed!
You're so awesome, aren't you?

Then let's go to the local areas and benefit the people!
However, after studying abroad in modern times, Zhao Xu already had expectations of Su Shi's brilliance and charm.

Moreover, he also knew that no matter how glorious and prominent Su Shi was now.

But, as soon as he opens his big mouth, everything will go wrong!
Su Shi's mouth, like his face, was a bug in the modern world!

……

The next day.

Su Shi arrived at the Inner East Gate with trepidation, no longer displaying the confidence and boldness he had shown the day before at the dock when he made his promise to Li Zhi's mother.

That's just the kind of person he is.

When the mood strikes, there's no restraint; there's a sense of grandeur, as if the world is in one's grasp.

But after calming down, he would feel fear and apprehension.

This is true even now!

He had already learned about the court's activities before and after this year's imperial examinations from his friends Qian Xie, Fan Bailu, and Lü Tao.

Although he used to be able to learn about the affairs of the court through letters, the Bianjing Xinbao, the Bianjing Yibao, the official gazette, and merchants from Bianjing traveling to Dengzhou while he was in Dengzhou.

But these things are usually just superficial information.

All we can know are things that everyone already knows.

From Qian Xie and others, especially Fan Bailu, the deputy examiner for this year's imperial examination, he learned many secrets unknown to outsiders.

For example, the current government's attitude towards this year's imperial examinations.

And the efforts the government made to reform the system before the imperial examination system was implemented.

After hearing these things, Su Shi was immediately terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.

From that moment on, Su Shi knew that both his old friend Kong Jingfu and his student Li Fangshu had stepped into the same dead end—offending Heaven!
They stood directly in front of the current emperor.

They have become obstacles for the current officials!

It's even quite possible that, like Zhang Zhijian and Li Ding of yesteryear, they have become tools used by the current officials to demonstrate their authority. The chicken used to scare the monkey!
As the saying goes, when the emperor is angry, blood can flow like rivers!

Su Shi was well aware that if he rashly got involved, he might be implicated and become a 'traitor' in the eyes of the officials.

But, despite the anxiety...

But these people absolutely must be saved!

Whether it's Kong Jingfu or Li Fangshu!

He will do everything possible and spare no expense to save them!
Even if it angers the emperor and offends his majesty!

This is his true intention.

Therefore, even though Su Shi was extremely uneasy and nervous at this moment.

However, his determination was unwavering.

As Su Shi was lost in thought, a voice reached his ears.

"You must be Lord Su of Dengzhou?" A young courtier appeared before him.

"Su Shi greets the high official!" Su Shi quickly returned the greeting.

The term "high-ranking official" is a colloquial term for "inner ministers." Originally, it was the title for high-ranking inner ministers in the Tang Dynasty, but now it has gradually become a term used by both civil and military officials to refer to inner ministers.

It's like calling a civil official whose rank you don't know "Master" or a military official whose rank you don't know "Grand Commandant."

If you encounter an official and don't know his rank, it's always right to address him as "High Official".

The newcomer chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "I dare not accept the title of 'high official' bestowed upon Lord Su..."

"Your humble servant, Tong Guan, is currently only granted the position of a Palace Attendant by the grace of Your Excellency!"

Su Shi listened with a solemn and respectful expression: "Since the time of our ancestors, all the officials in the palace and the residences of the emperor have been appointed as chief administrators!"

"He will surely become a high-ranking official in the future!"

This made Tong Guan overjoyed, his eyes crinkling with laughter. Of course, he remained humble, saying, "In this life, I am already content to have been able to serve you all. How dare I hope to gain more recognition?"

As he spoke, his attitude towards Su Shi became much more cordial: "Master Su, please come with me!"

"Everyone is waiting for Master Su in the inner pond of the back garden!"

"Speaking of which, countless officials from prefectures and counties have come to the capital to pay homage to the emperor, but Su Gong is the first among them to receive an imperial decree to accompany him fishing in the inner ponds!"

"This shows how much favor Su Gong enjoyed from the emperor!"

"Jane is on the Emperor's side!"

Although it was Tong Guan's first time meeting Su Shi, he couldn't help but give Su Shi a few key pointers.

But there is no way!

Su Shi, also known as Su Zizhan, was renowned for his talent.

He is destined to become a great literary figure whose name will be remembered throughout history, just like the sages of the past such as Wang Wei, Li Bai, Du Mu, Bai Juyi, Han Yu, and Ouyang Xiu.

A hundred or a thousand years later, everyone will turn to ashes.

But his poems and essays will surely continue to be sung in the world.

Therefore, as long as they are not hostile to Su Shi.

We will do our best to make things convenient for him and be friendly to him.

Even if we can't be friends, we'll try our best to avoid becoming enemies.

That's the magic of Su Shi!

A buff unique to great writers!

Upon hearing Tong Guan's words, Su Shi was moved and quickly thanked him. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what is His Majesty's mood today?"

Tong Guan recalled the expressions of the officials when he was summoned to summon Su Shi, and said, "They have long admired Su Shi's talent and were very happy to learn that he was going to enter the palace!"

"I am deeply grateful for your kind words!" Su Shi said hurriedly after hearing this.

This is very important information.

It can even determine the life, death, honor, and disgrace of many people!

Tong Guan chuckled, thoroughly enjoying Su Shi's flattery.

So, when Su Shi, as was his custom, took out a few hundred-guan coins and tried to stuff them into his hand...

Tong Guan unusually refused—even though he could have accepted it.

As long as you report it honestly afterwards.

Then, half of it was given as tribute and put into the public treasury as official funds for the emperor and his court officials; the rest was all his own.

This is something everyone allows.

Therefore, everyone in the court now knows that those around the emperor will not do their job if they are paid.

But everyone continued to deliver them.

Because if you are not filial, people might ruin your plans at any time!

It might even bite you hard, causing you unbearable pain!

"I would be content if I could help Lord Su!" Tong Guan said righteously.

At this moment, he was as incorruptible as Bao Xiaosu.

After trying twice, Su Shi discovered that Tong Guan indeed did not accept money, and couldn't help but flatter him, saying, "Your Excellency is truly a virtuous minister!"

Tong Guan felt even more comfortable listening to this than if someone had given him a gift of ten thousand strings of cash.

So, unable to resist, he revealed another crucial detail to Su Shi: "When you, Su Shi, meet the Emperor, if you have any requests, you can wait until after the Emperor has served you the fish..."

The current emperor loves fishing, but his fishing skills are notoriously poor, a fact widely acknowledged.

Therefore, he is always very happy whenever he catches a fish.

If a fish weighing more than three pounds is caught, the emperor will shower everyone present with money, including the palace maids who serve tea and water. On the most he ever caught, even the old palace maid who was sweeping received a reward of ten strings of cash!

Naturally, at such times, those who ask for His grace are easily satisfied.

Of course, this is on the premise that the matter is not serious.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi nodded gratefully.

(End of this chapter)