I studied in modern times

Chapter 860 Temptation
On the third day of the seventh month of the second year of Yuanyou, Lu Gongzhu entered the palace in high spirits.

The day before yesterday, he made a big splash when he bought a bet for the first time at the pawnshop.

And he knew that this would definitely go down in history!

And it’s a virtuous name!
That's really great!
It was better than any panacea. It made him, who was originally overwhelmed by the heavy government work, look many years younger in an instant.

My waist is no longer sore, my legs no longer hurt, and my voice is a few decibels higher than before.

no way!
The Lu family of Shouzhou has a stain!
Back then, when Fan Wencheng passed away, he asked Ouyang Wenzhong to write his epitaph.

In order to ease the conflict, Duke Wen Zhong wrote on the epitaph that Duke Wen Zheng and his father later reconciled, and both were loyal ministers of the Song Dynasty, and both fought for the country and for justice.

then……

Fu Bi and Fan Chunren both quit.

Fan Chunren, in particular, resolutely deleted the text on the epitaph written by Wen Zhonggong that recorded the reconciliation between Wen Zhenggong and Lu Gongzhu's father.

Therefore, Duke Wen Zhong said: This is not my writing!
This matter caused a sensation and attracted worldwide attention because it involved too many people and some of them were too famous.

By the way, he also nailed his father to the pillar of shame of treacherous officials again.

As a son, it is natural that I should be humiliated by my father and be ashamed of myself.

And now, with the purchase of the Song Dynasty Pawnshop presided over by him, Lu Gongzhu, going smoothly.

There was praise from all walks of life.

The key is that the scholars in the states and counties all sang praises!

It is said that he has "the virtue of Guan and Bao, the ability of Song and Yao, and the merits of Du and Fang".

It is a famous contemporary figure!

As a result, his father's reputation began to improve.

Yesterday's Bian Jing Yi Bao specially opened a chapter to introduce to readers and praise the stories about his father when he was prime minister.

At the end of the article, he evaluated his father - he was flexible and adaptable in dealing with the affairs of the world, had the ability to act and not act in a static manner, was loyal and consistent in his duties, and that is why he was called Wenjing!
After reading it, Lu Gongzhu felt relaxed all over. Later, he learned that this article seemed to be written by Han Jiang, Duke of Kangguo, under the order of the emperor.

I was extremely excited.

Today, before the hour of Mao, he arrived at the capital hall, with the help of Xingguang and the lanterns held by Yuansui leading the way.

After a whole morning of official business, I am still energetic and full of fighting spirit.

However, the two middle-aged scholars following behind Lu Gongzhu were not as optimistic as Lu Gongzhu.

They all lowered their heads, looking anxious.

When Lü Gongzhu saw this, he couldn't help but remind him: "Bohe, Shubi..."

"The current emperor doesn't like his subjects to be too reserved in front of him... all of them should be lively and relaxed!"

After hearing what Lu Gongzhu said, the two scholars both bowed and said, "Thank you for your advice, sir!"

But, I still feel uneasy.

The two of them are Ouyang Xiu's eldest son Ouyang Fa and his third son Ouyang Fei.

They are all born to Lady Renshou County.

Ouyang Xiu had three marriages during his lifetime.

His first wife was Xu, the daughter of Xu Yan, who was once a Hanlin scholar and acting prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Unfortunately, Xu was unlucky and suffered a difficult delivery. She died only one month after giving birth.

Then, he married Yang, the beloved daughter of the famous official Yang Daya.

Unfortunately, this lady was unlucky and died of illness only two years after her marriage.

However, this lady is a monument in the poetry world of the Song Dynasty.

Because Ouyang Xiu wrote many poems for her.

The most famous of them is the song "Shengcha Zi. Yuan Xi" which is still sung today.

The line "The moon is above the treetops, and we make an appointment after dusk" is comparable to Su Shi's poem about missing his wife, "Ten years of life and death, we are so confused."

The person he finally married was Lady Xue, the Lady of Renshou County.

Xue gave birth to eight sons and four daughters for Ouyang Xiu. Four sons and three daughters died young, leaving four sons and one daughter alive.

The eldest son is Ouyang Fa who is here now. The second son Ouyang Yi and the youngest son Ouyang Bian are all serving as officials in other places now, but their careers have not been smooth and they have only been selecting people so far.

Originally, Ouyang Fei was the only one who stayed in Xinzheng County to take care of his mother.

But unfortunately, last year, the Wu Anchi case broke out, affecting innocent people. Wang Zishao from the Ministry of Personnel blocked the registration and selection procedures for Ouyang Fa, who had returned to Beijing to wait for the imperial examination.

Because Ouyang Fa is Wu Anzhi's brother-in-law...

This is a natural disaster that is beyond our control.

This is also the reason why the Wu family backed down so quickly and so thoroughly - the emperor was shameless and personally intervened to take sides.

Not only the Wu family's appointment and removal procedures, but all others were stuck.

The same goes for in-laws’ families.

At that time, anyone who had any connection with the Wu family was blocked by the Ministry of Personnel using various reasons and excuses except for the appointment and dismissal procedures.

Wang Zishao, the young master of the yamen, is very capable, so he may not have any other abilities.

However, within reasonable and legal procedural rules, their ability to manipulate processes and laws is enormous.

Once the Ministry of Personnel became serious about it, the Wu family and their relatives were immediately plunged into hell.

Therefore, everyone turned around and advised the Wu family to "consider the overall situation", "be magnanimous", and "be patient and wait for peace".

Sure enough, as soon as the Wu family sent Wang Anshi’s daughter’s dowry and her grandson to Jiangning, the procedures of the Ministry of Personnel returned to normal.

This incident fully demonstrates what the "big picture" means.

This is also the reason why the brothers Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Fei were so nervous, uneasy and uneasy when entering the palace this time - no matter how much public opinion praises the current emperor for his leniency, how can it compare to those of them who have encountered the power of heaven head-on and have been targeted by it?

On that occasion, the might of the emperor entered the scene with an almost unreasonable and brutal force.

Complain?

The referee, the judge, the athletes, are all on the opposite side!
Who is this person in the hall? Why are you suing me?
Not to mention, Wu Anchi had been nailed to the pillar of shame by public opinion at that time.

The Bian Jing Xin Bao and the Bian Jing Yi Bao scolded Wu Anzhi every day for beating a newspaper boy.

Various questions are asked, why is this country so corrupt?

As a result, even the Censorate remained silent.

At that time, anyone who dared to say something good about Wu Anchi would be attacked and scolded by public opinion.

If we scold them, are they still students of the saints? Do they still have benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and forgiveness?
Especially those in the New Party, who seize the opportunity to seize the moral high ground and use Confucian values ​​of benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and forgiveness to criticize others.

Seeing this, Lu Gongzhu also sighed in his heart. Most of the time, the current emperor is a benevolent emperor.

but……

As long as someone dares to step on his sore spot or touch his taboo, he will immediately turn into a tyrant and rush around unreasonably.

Fortunately, this situation rarely occurs.

It may not happen once a year.

Therefore, most of the time, the ministers were faced with a young emperor who knew how to use people, was benevolent and friendly, respectful to the wise and humble, and open-minded and intelligent.

Ouyang Fa was very unfortunate as he encountered that unreasonable official.

It is normal to leave some psychological trauma.

……

Lu Gongzhu led the two brothers Ouyang Fa to the inner east gate, where Guo Zhongxiao was already waiting.

"My husband is here..." Guo Zhongxiao stepped forward to salute, then looked at the uneasy Ouyang Fa brothers, bowed and greeted: "Bohe, Shubi, I haven't seen you for a long time, are you all right?"

"Your humble servant greets Mr. Guo!" Ouyang Fa quickly pulled Ouyang Fei to salute.

After exchanging pleasantries, Guo Zhongxiao said, "Sir, my two brothers, please follow me!"

He led the three people into the inner east gate, along the corridor of the palace, and headed towards the Chongzheng Hall.

……

After Zhao Xu got up this morning, he began his daily practice of copying calligraphy.

As he grew older, his handwriting became more methodical.

Occasionally he would show off his skills and write in the Slender Gold style.

However, he burned all these copies of the Slender Gold style calligraphy after he finished writing them.

First of all, the Slender Gold Style was invented by that bastard Zhao Ji.

Zhao Xu is not that mean.

Second, Zhao Xu knew that his profession was to be an emperor.

But the emperor cannot easily ask people to find their own preferences, interests and specialties.

Once someone finds you, flatterers will flock to you.

Therefore, Zhao Xu always used the official style to comment on memorials and used regular script to write imperial edicts, and never revealed his attainments in running script, cursive script, flying white script and thin gold style.

At the same time, Zhao Xu also took advantage of this incident to practice his magic skills in reverse.

After ascending the throne, he deliberately demonstrated his respect for technology and his interest in mathematics, geometry, geography and even astronomy.

really!

Ministers who wanted to make progress began to learn arithmetic, astronomy, and geography.

Just so that I can have something to talk about with Zhao Xu when I accompany him.

The King of Chu had such a thin waist that many people died of starvation in the palace.

Since the emperor loved mathematics, the ministers would naturally take lessons overnight. As a result, people in the capital who were good at mathematics, astronomy, and geography immediately got job opportunities. Ministers, nobles, relatives, and royal family members all began to hire people who were good at mathematics, astronomy, and geography as their staff and retainers.

Thus, quietly, the science talents in the Song Dynasty got ample employment opportunities.

The children of scholars and nobles who were unable to study began to be specially trained to learn arithmetic, astronomy and geography.

For these people, this investment is nothing.

It's just a drop in the bucket!
As long as one of them succeeds in gaining the emperor's favor and becoming a close minister, he will make a fortune!

These are details.

After finishing copying a piece of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, Zhao Xu let out a breath, then threw the copied calligraphy into the charcoal tray beside him and watched it burn to ashes.

"Your Majesty..." A young female official of about sixteen or seventeen years old came to Zhao Xu with a drink in her hand and said, "This is a new drink made by the imperial chef today. I specially bring it to you for your taste..."

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "Put it on my desk!"

Then he looked at the lady official and asked, "What time is it now?"

"Your Majesty, it is almost the Si hour now!"

As they were talking, the clepsydra had already struck the small drum representing the Si hour.

Boom boom boom!
It’s time to arrive!

Zhao Xu immediately stretched his muscles and shouted to Feng Jing who was waiting outside: "Feng Jing, prepare some clothes for me..."

"Today, the left prime minister will bring two sons of Wen Zhonggong's family to the palace to pay homage..."

"Yes!" Feng Jing immediately took the order and went to prepare.

At this time, the female official bowed and asked, "Does the emperor want to take a bath?"

"Hmm!" Zhao Xu's gaze fell on the graceful body of this female official.

Then he remembered.

This female official seemed to have entered the palace newly this year. Her surname seemed to be Wang, and her father was the magistrate of a certain state in the southeast.

So, Zhao Xu asked with great interest: "Do you want to help me bathe?"

"I dare not..." Wang hurriedly bowed and said, "I just want to prepare some change of clothes for the emperor..."

Your Majesty, please be extra vigilant about what happens when the emperor takes a bath or goes to bed.

The palace ladies beside the empress would squat beside the emperor whenever he was bathing or sleeping, strictly restricting any female officials or palace maids under the age of 30 from approaching the emperor at such times.

The empress dowager, who was educated in a scholar-official family, sat in the Pepper Room during the Xining and Yuanfeng eras, watching the beauties in the previous emperor's harem competing with each other for beauty. She was extremely alert to the thoughts of the women in the palace.

She has issued an order - before the emperor is crowned, anyone who dares to get close to the dragon's penis will be beaten to death!

"Then go!" Zhao Xu waved his hand.

The latter immediately left with many thanks.

Zhao Xu looked at her back and narrowed his eyes.

"evildoer!"

"You want to seduce me?!"

Zhao Xu knew very well in his heart that the female official would not be the last one who dared to test and seduce him.

Because, in this palace, he is Tang Monk.

As he grows up, countless admirers will flock to him!

(End of this chapter)