I studied in modern times

Chapter 1030 Making a Nest
Led by Tong Guan, Su Shi passed through layers of palaces without any hindrance and soon passed Yingyang Gate.

After passing Yingyang Gate, security heightened sharply.

It was as if there was a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps.

And they were all burly and tall Imperial Guards, fully armed and on guard.

The closer one gets to the inner pool, the stricter the security becomes. Upon reaching the lakeside dock where the imperial carriage is located, one can see burly imperial guards everywhere.

At the dock, under a golden banner, a young official dressed in a dark yellow robe and wearing a soft turban held a fishing rod, smiling at him with eyes that seemed full of expectation and excitement.

Su Shi immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I, the Grand Master of the Palace, Academician of the Baowen Pavilion, and Prefect of Dengzhou, respectfully inquire after Your Majesty's health and longevity!"

Then the young emperor laughed loudly and said, "May I have ten thousand blessings! Scholar Su, you may rise!"

"Come closer and speak!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Su Shi bowed four times and rose, then, with a bowed body, he slowly and carefully walked to the dock.

Upon arriving before the emperor, Su Shi bowed twice in greeting.

Zhao Xu carefully examined this man who was his teacher in his previous life, the minister he later deeply hated, and one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, a great poet of the bold and unrestrained school.

Su Shi is over fifty years old this year, but he is very well-preserved and looks only in his forties.

He was tall, even taller than many of the Imperial Guards.

He was at least seven feet tall (around 190 cm), with thick sideburns, but his beard was actually not very thick, and even somewhat sparse.

The so-called "big beard" is actually just a stereotype that has been passed down through generations.

In addition, Su Shi's appearance was indeed very charming.

Especially his eyes and brows give people a special sense of closeness, and he has a free and natural temperament.

In his previous life, when Su Shi was in power, Zhao Xu was still young and could not yet feel the power of such a man.

But now, Zhao Xu knows that Su Shi is a born hero!

If he had been born in a chaotic era, he would have been the kind of hero who could raise his arm and command the people of his village to bring him provisions and follow him.

Even now, he can easily gain a large number of supporters and fans.

no way!
Such a person is a born leader!

Fortunately...

He has a big mouth that's sure to offend people!
Therefore, he will have as many enemies as he has friends.

Moreover, wherever he went, he made many friends but also made many enemies.

Sometimes, even friends can turn into enemies.

That's great!
Zhao Xu chuckled and said softly to Su Shi, "Scholar, do you know that I have wanted to see you for a long time?"

Su Shi immediately appeared flattered and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am ashamed that my humble name has been recognized by Your Majesty... I am truly fortunate, and I will do my utmost to repay Your Majesty's grace!"

Zhao Xu listened and simply smiled.

Looking at Su Shi in front of him, Zhao Xu couldn't help but recall the memories he could still remember from his previous life related to Su Shi.

These memories are mostly fragments from after the lectures.

As for the content?

The stories are mostly about how emperors of the Han and Tang dynasties killed their ministers, and what harm and consequences would occur if ministers did not obey imperial edicts.

Zhao Xu remembered all of Su Shi's words.

Moreover, I've always kept it in my heart.

However, he never told anyone else, nor did he ever respond to Su Shi.

Because, at that time, Zhao Xu was already reading the history of the Han Dynasty.

"I am not yet strong; when I am strong, things will change!" Thus, the young emperor who uttered this bold statement vanished in an instant.

"This is an arrogant general!" The young and intelligent Emperor Zhi of Han was poisoned after merely uttering a complaint about the arrogant maternal relatives.

There are countless examples of past mistakes.

Zhao Xu could only lie low and pretend to be deaf and dumb.

As it turned out, his choice was correct.

Because Su Shi simply couldn't keep a secret!

He often told others what he had said to Zhao Xu after the lectures, and he was very proud of it.

As a result, he was seized upon and severely impeached: "Shi is wicked, deceitful, treacherous, and cunning. He has presented heretical ideas to bewitch the emperor and may have secret intentions to sow discord between Your Majesty and your family or between Your Majesty and your ministers!"

Upon learning this, Zhao Xu broke out in a cold sweat and secretly rejoiced that he had kept his mouth shut and rarely spoke to Su Shi.

otherwise……

My life is over!

It was precisely because Zhao Xu ignored or did not respond to Su Shi that Su Shi was ultimately able to escape with his life and eventually become the respected scholar of the Longtu Pavilion and the prefect of Hangzhou.

Through this incident, Zhao Xu gained a profound understanding of the saying, "If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life."

They are becoming increasingly cautious and low-key.

In contrast, what about Su Shi?

After being transferred to Hangzhou, he did not reflect on his actions or conduct any self-examination.

Continue to be high-profile, continue to be bold.

He even longed to return to the capital and take over the reins of government.

But whether it was when the Empress Dowager was alive or after Zhao Xu took power, neither of them wanted to use him, and they even disliked him.

The reason is very simple—I, the old man, have almost been harmed by you!

But that's Su Shi.

A person who is always on the road and never examines or reflects on themselves.

Just like before the Wutai Poetry Case, when he saw the raging flood in Xuzhou, he blurted out: "With your limited talent, you are launching a project that is doomed to fail, driving innocent people into a place where they are sure to die!"

Those who know him might think he's talking about Wang Anshi, while those who don't might think he's talking about Zhao Guanjia!
Coincidentally, that was exactly what Zhao Xu's father thought.

That's why the Wutai Poetry Case occurred.

After the Wutai Poetry Case, Su Shi, who had barely escaped with his life, couldn't control himself again. In a poem of thanks to the emperor, Zhao Xu's father, he wrote: "My writings have been my burden all my life; I will not mind having a low reputation from now on..."

Who's this whole sarcastic, sarcastic stuff for?!

That is to say, he was born in the Song Dynasty!

In any other dynasty, he would have been beheaded for just this one poem!

If it's Da Qing... then just play Nine Clans Elimination Game!

Therefore, Zhao Xu actually knew Su Shi very well.

In fact, he understood Su Shi better than Su Shi himself.

Su Shi was not Su Zhe; he had no concept of ruler or father and no idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor.

Even if there is any, it is probably very superficial!

He is free and bold!
The ambition he held in his heart as a child would forever burn brightly.

Therefore, it is impossible to expect Su Shi to be like others, easily swayed by a few sweet words and readily bow down in worship.

Given Su Shi's personality, Zhao Xu even suspected that the great literary figure might have been secretly pleased with himself after hearing Zhao Xu's words!

But it's okay!

After waking up in Qingning Palace, Zhao Xu no longer cared whether his ministers were truly loyal to him. A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions.

As long as they can be used to my advantage and help me get things done, that's enough.

Su Shi was just average.

Coincidentally, aside from being a big mouth and a boastful person, Su Shi was quite capable.

At least for the past three years, he has done a great job in Terengganu!
Today, Dengzhou has become the undisputed richest state in the Jingdong Road region, and it is also the state with the largest population and the highest tax revenue!

So Zhao Xu smiled and said to Su Shi, "Scholar, please sit down and fish with me for a while..."

"Yes!" Su Shi replied without hesitation, bowing again in thanks.

Zhao Xu chuckled and instructed Tong Guan, "Tong Guan, quickly offer Scholar Su a seat, and then bring over the fishing gear that I prepared for him!"

"promise!"

After bowing and accepting the order, Tong Guan led his men to move a prepared fishing chair to a fishing spot slightly to the left and back of Zhao Xu.

Then, the prepared fishing rod, fishing line, bait, and fish basket were brought to the fishing chair.

After expressing his gratitude, Su Shi carefully sat down on the fishing chair and waited for Zhao Xu to cast the fishing rod into the water before he began to tie the fishing line, hook, and bait.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhao Xu struck up a conversation with him: "Scholar, you have been in Dengzhou for three years now, haven't you?"

"Your Majesty, I was appointed Prefect of Dengzhou in the eighth year of the Yuanfeng era, and it has been almost four years now!"

"Time flies, four years have passed in the blink of an eye!" Zhao Xu sighed, then looked at Su Shi and said sincerely, "In these four years, Scholar Su has been in Dengzhou, promoting industry and commerce, advocating agriculture and sericulture, repairing water conservancy projects, and helping the people. His achievements are truly remarkable!"

"I dare not!" Su Shi cupped his hands with a hint of pride: "This is all due to Your Majesty's virtuous rule; I was merely acting on Your Majesty's orders!"

Zhao Xu chuckled.

He knew perfectly well what Su Shi meant by "acting according to imperial decree"!

Indeed, many policies and measures were written by Zhao Xu.

However, Su Shi also added a lot of his own personal opinions to this.

For example, the Dengzhou Almshouse, which used 3,000 strings of cash from local officials to build fishing boats and merchant ships, rented them to merchants, and then used the profits to cover the almshouse's expenses, was a system based on Su Shi's personal will.

Respect the elderly in your own family, and extend that respect to the elderly in other families.

As a result, the Dengzhou Almshouse took in hundreds of elderly people living alone, providing them with care and burial services.

Of course, the treatment inside the nursing home was definitely not good.

For the elderly living alone, all they have is a place to shelter from the wind and rain, three meals a day, and a thin coffin made from leftover scraps from shipbuilding.

As for other services such as chanting sutras and performing prayers for the deceased by Taoist priests and monks, as well as daily medical care, they all relied on Su Shi's connections to provide free services—many high-ranking monks and Taoist priests had good relationships with Su Shi.

These people only agreed to provide free medical care, medicine, and sutra chanting for the elderly and widowed in the orphanage because of Su Shi's influence.

After Su Shi left office, these services would definitely be charged.

In addition, Dengzhou used its surplus funds to place orders with shipyards, and then leased the fishing boats built to impoverished fishermen at a rate of 30% of the catch from each voyage.

This was also the result of Su Shi's own initiative.

"Scholar, there's no need for such modesty!" Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "To be honest, it is I who have failed you by having you serve as the governor of Dengzhou for so long!"

According to the system of the Song Dynasty, local officials who were close to the people served a term of twenty-four months, with a maximum of thirty-six months.

However, since the Zhenmiao era, due to the increasing number of redundant officials, most prefects have not served a full term.

Generally, if one can serve as an official in a place for twelve months, it is considered qualified, and the Ministry of Personnel will recognize that the term has been completed.

There's no way around it—there are more and more officials, but the available resources are limited.

The Zhao officials could only increase the speed of official rotation by drastically shortening the term of office of officials, so that all officials waiting for vacancies could be assigned a task.

This prevents the tragedy of officials waiting in the Ministry of Personnel until their hair turns white without ever receiving a post.

Therefore, in the last hundred years, it is extremely rare for someone like Su Shi to serve in one place for nearly four years.

In a sense, Zhao Xu really did owe Su Shi a debt.

After all, the title of Prefectural Governor was actually dispensable to Su Shi.

Initially, his appointment as an official in Dengzhou was actually arranged by Zhang Fangping and Sima Guang, and was just a formality.

In fact, in the original plan, Su Shi didn't even need to go to Dengzhou to take up his post; he would have been summoned back by imperial decree while on his way.

Just like when Sima Guang first went to Chenzhou to take up his post.

These are all symbolic appointments, meant to gild the image of the person to be promoted, making them qualified to assume an important official position.

However, Zhao Xu intervened, causing Sima Guang to actually take up his post in Chenzhou, and Su Shi to stay in Dengzhou for nearly four years.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi quickly replied, "It is my honor to serve Your Majesty!"

This is the truth.

If Sima Guang were to take office in Chenzhou, it would expose his personal shortcomings and disappoint the people.

Su Shi's tenure as governor of Dengzhou greatly enhanced his reputation.

Before he took office, in Dengzhou, Wu Juhou's sustainable exploitation of resources along the Jingdong Road resulted in all the money going into the Zhao family's treasury!

The people are so poor that they can't even squeeze any oil out of them.

At that time, Dengzhou was in dire straits, the people were exhausted, and even the government treasury had little savings!
And what about Dengzhou today?
The number of households has at least doubled, and the government treasury is overflowing with gold, silver, paper money, and cloth.

Dozens of shipyards are thriving, thousands of fishing boats fill the docks, and three large salt fields are producing sea salt in a steady stream.

Merchant ships from Goryeo, Liao, and even Kyushu, Japan, came and went in an endless stream.

Especially with the truce between Liao and Goryeo, the entire Goryeo Peninsula, half of Japan, and even most of Liao became the backyard of Dengzhou's goods.

With the help of international friends such as Li Ziyi, Yelü Ju, and Yelü Yongchang, merchant ships from Dengzhou will be able to freely enter and exit ports in Liao, Goryeo, and Kyushu, Japan, to engage in trade starting this year.

Dengzhou Port thus became the largest commercial port and commodity distribution center in the entire East China Sea and Bohai Sea region.

Naturally, Su Shi's reputation in Dengzhou reached an unprecedented peak.

In the future, Su Shi's governance of Dengzhou will likely be recorded in history as a legend, much like Ximen Bao's governance of Ye.

Thus, Su Shi was qualified to become a prime minister!
Yes!

He only needed to go to other routes, serving as either a transport commissioner or a military governor.

Upon returning to the capital, one would inevitably be appointed Minister/Vice Minister of the Six Ministries, and then naturally be appointed to a high-ranking position, or even directly appointed Prime Minister!
Of course, this is a normal development.

The problem is, Zhao Xu knows that Su Shi will not allow the story to develop normally.

Even if Su Shi were willing, Zhao Xu would not!
If Su Shi were to become prime minister, he would surely produce a great achievement.

Given his personality, if things go wrong, it could easily turn into a factional struggle.

Who knows how many people will die in that time!

Therefore, Zhao Xu smiled and said to Su Shi, "I have always rewarded those who have made contributions and punished those who have made mistakes!"

"Scholar, you have rendered meritorious service, and I shall reward you accordingly!"

"Speak! What kind of reward does the scholar desire?"

"As long as it is permitted by national law and stipulated by the imperial court, I will grant it without question!"

As he spoke, Zhao Xu gently weighed the fishing rod in his hand, then grabbed a clump of fermented rice placed next to the bait tray and threw it into the lake to start baiting the area.

A look of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

He knew that Su Shi was definitely the fish that would take the bait!

(End of this chapter)