I studied in modern times

Chapter 869: Wen Yanbo Becomes an Advocate of Industry and Commerce

The eighth day of the seventh month of the second year of Yuanyou.

The weather is nice today, with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.

In the imperial garden, flowers are in full bloom, butterflies are flying, and birds are soaring.

Zhao Xu leaned against the pavilion and watched Meng Qingqing, Di Qiang and Wen Xunniang picking vegetables for today in the vegetable garden.

Recently, the meals for Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Xiang have been taken care of by these three little girls.

The three of them have learned a lot of cooking skills in the imperial kitchen over the past two years.

So, Zhao Xu gradually began to let the three of them be responsible for his and Empress Dowager Xiang's daily diet.

Until now, the three basic meals and daily drinks are taken care of by the three women and their maids.

Get the chef training!

Watching three youthful girls carrying baskets in the vegetable garden, happily picking various fruits and vegetables, and listening to their cheerful laughter.

Zhao Xu suddenly felt that the years were peaceful and quiet, so he leaned back contentedly on a specially made huanghuali beach chair and enjoyed a sunbath.

Now, although it is midsummer, it is not too hot in the imperial city because there are a lot of pavilions and lofts, pine and cypress trees, palaces and halls. In addition, it is morning.

On the contrary, in the summer morning breeze, Zhao Xu felt a slightly warm feeling.

In addition, he was young and sleepy, so he gradually began to squint his eyes and doze off.

Upon seeing this, everyone around him tacitly formed a protective circle around where he was sleeping.

The dragon riders stood up straight and held up their shields to block the sunlight for him, so that the young emperor of the Song Dynasty could have a comfortable nap.

After sleeping for an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xu heard a gentle voice calling out, "Everyone... everyone..."

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Feng Jing who appeared outside the pavilion.

"what's up?"

"I am here in compliance with the imperial order to deliver tomorrow's Bian Jing New News and Bian Jing Righteous News..." Feng Jing replied.

After July, he began to gradually participate in the management of Bianjing Xinbao and Bianjing Yibao.

In August, he will be relieved of his post as the emperor's palace attendant and will officially leave the palace to take up the post of 'supervisor of Bianjing tabloid affairs', a post completely invented by Zhao Xu.

Naturally, he began to be responsible for delivering the Bian Jing Xin Bao and Bian Jing Yi Bao to Zhao Xu every day for review, as they were to be published the next day.

Zhao Xu nodded and took the two newspaper sample copies that Feng Jing brought to him.

First of all, Zhao Xu naturally read the Bian Jing Yi Bao.

This is also the newspaper he holds most tightly.

no way!
The Bian Jing Yi Bao was mainly aimed at literati and scholars, and its main staff were basically hired failed scholars and opposition officials.

This can easily lead to problems.

Men of letters are very noble, but they also like to be sarcastic, clever and have their own agenda.

Therefore, Zhao Xu had to keep an eye on them frequently to prevent the literati of the Bian Jing Yi Bao from going on their own and reporting big news to him.

Recently, because it is a critical period for public opinion, he has to review each publication in advance.

Zhuge Liang was cautious throughout his life!

Be careful, it’s never wrong!
He took the Bian Jing Yi Bao, which would be published tomorrow, in his hand and read it carefully.

The headline on the front page is: Another discussion on "A Cruel Government is Worse than a Tiger".

The signed author is [Guanshui Laosou].

When Zhao Xu saw this signature, he laughed: "Grand Master is really an immortal boy!"

Wen Yanbo has been continuously contributing articles to the Bian Jing Yi Bao since the time of Sima Kang.

At the beginning, his alias was Iso.

But any fool could tell that this was him.

So he quickly changed his alias to [Jiexiu Mountain Man], and his identity was soon exposed - who else in the court was originally from Fenzhou Jiexiu except him?
He had no choice but to create a pseudonym called [Beizhou Jushi], but he was exposed on the first day - the happiest thing in Master Wen's life was to put down the rebellion of Wang Ze in Beizhou.

After all this, I changed my vests more than a dozen times.

Finally, I decided on the alias I’m using now - the old man who fills up the account with water.

It seems that he has been using this vest for two or three months.

Although it was soon discovered.

But he didn't seem to have any intention of changing.

"This old fellow is really interesting!" Zhao Xu narrowed his eyes and laughed: "Even his flattering posture is much better than others!"

When did Wen Yanbo change his username?
Zhao Xu remembered that it was around May of this year.

And something happened at that time - Zhao Xu was in Jiying Hall, chatting with his classmates after class and sharing some common sense.

For example, modern knowledge such as buoyancy and pressure.

In popular science, it is inevitable to give examples.

And in the Song Dynasty, there happened to be a similar story that can serve as proof.

For example, Sima Guang breaking the jar can be used to popularize pressure.

For example, Wen Yanbo's water filling can be used to prove buoyancy.

Well, almost everyone today knows about Sima Guang breaking the jar.

But Wen Yanbo's spam is relatively unpopular.

The so-called "Wen Yanbo flooding the ball" is based on a short story widely circulated among the people - it is said that when Wen Yanbo was a child, he played a ball game with his playmates. During the play, he accidentally hit the ball into a hole and the ball got stuck inside.

The playmates tried their best but failed to get the ball out.

At this moment, Wen Yanbo suddenly came up with an idea. He poured water into the hole, and the ball automatically floated out of the hole. His friends were all stunned. From then on, Wen Yanbo's reputation for intelligence spread throughout the area and became widely known.

In addition to popularizing science, Zhao Xu also did not change his joking nature.

So some elegant nicknames were given to the protagonists of these stories.

For example, Sima Guang was given a honorific title by Zhao Xu - Lord Smacking the Jar.

This is because he has passed away.

Even if you are joking, you still have to show some respect.

He was not so polite to Wen Yanbo, and directly called him "water-filling old man" with a smile.

Although, under normal circumstances, the outside world would not hear even a whisper of what happened in Jiying Palace.

But sometimes, all kinds of stories and jokes will come out.

Especially, these harmless jokes that Zhao Xu played with his study partners in private.

It will always be spread in various ways.

Who leaked the secret? Needless to say.

By using this method, Zhao Xu could, on the one hand, test his study partners to see whether their political stance was solid.
After suffering at the hands of Zeng Bu in his previous life, Zhao Xu attached great importance to the loyalty of the people around him.

Secondly, private jokes like this can subtly create a people-friendly image.

It will make the citizens of Bianliang feel that Emperor Zhao is the same as them.

They all love to joke and gossip about other people's privacy.

In this way, even if Zhao Xu did something bad in the future, they would comfort themselves and numb themselves - it was just a momentary mistake/a small mistake that all officials would make.

This can be considered an ancestral skill of the Zhao officials.

Since Renmiao, every generation of the Zhao emperor has been very good at this.

For example, the "stories of kindness and benevolence" spread from the Ren Temple.

When eating, he found sand in his mouth. He was afraid that others would know and the imperial chef would be guilty, so he swallowed the sand as if nothing had happened.

He was hungry in the middle of the night and wanted to eat roasted lamb, but he was afraid that people would know that he loved roasted lamb, so the palace specially prepared roasted lamb for him as a midnight snack every day, which caused a waste, so he endured the hunger.

At its peak, there were hundreds of short stories like this one circulating among the people.

Even now, there are still more than a dozen people talking about them.

Therefore, even though during the reign of Emperor Ren, the court was extravagant, the palace was extravagant, the relatives of the emperor were arrogant, the Yellow River burst its banks repeatedly, earthquakes continued, locust plagues were everywhere, and thieves were rampant, the officials of the Song Dynasty were defeated again and again.

But many people still think that Ren Miao is a good official!

He tried his best!

The world is like this, don’t blame him!

Since the effect is so good, the Zhao officials naturally followed suit, and each generation shaped their own image through various small stories.

Compared with his father and grandfather, Zhao Xu has an advantage that they cannot have - he is young.

As long as we continue to export similar short stories to the outside world, the common people will develop the feeling that "the officials grew up under our care."

A child who grows up in everyone's care is likely to receive people's love and care.

And when an emperor grows up under everyone's watch, the effect is even better.

It can be said that as long as Zhao Xu does not do evil things and become alienated by his friends and relatives.

So, many of those who watched him grow up will spontaneously defend his policies.

This is human nature.

Finally, by doing this, you can also PUA the relevant people and test their obedience.

What a win!
When Zhao Xu's joke reached Wen Yanbo's ears, the old man had no shame at all and just used it.

I even stopped changing my username from then on. I feel like I am taking this as an honor.

All I can say is that the Grand Tutor is worthy of being the Grand Tutor, an unshakable figure in the political arena of the Song Dynasty.

This political wisdom of being able to bend and stretch is enough for those young and energetic ministers to learn for decades.

After laughing, Zhao Xu began to read Wen Yanbo's article.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu couldn't suppress the smile on his face any more.

"Grandmaster, Grandmaster..."

“I didn’t expect the Grand Master to be like this!”

Throughout this article, Wen Yanbo stands on the side of the general public [good people] and discusses the harm of harsh politics and tyranny to [goodness].

He even secretly borrowed and used the trickle-down theory invented by Pu Zongmeng.

He gave examples one after another to illustrate how someone employed poor people, thereby ensuring that they and their families had enough food and clothing, lived and worked in peace and contentment, and improved social morals.

This made Zhao Xu feel a little dazed.

Is this still Wen Yanbo?
Where is Wen Yanbo, who once said to Zhao Xu's father, "Your Majesty governs the world together with the scholar-officials, not with the common people"?
Oh……

Wen Yanbo was about to buy a pawnshop and let his son Wen Jifu run it.

That's fine.

The butt determines the head!

Wen Yanbo was the representative of the landlord gentry at that time, so he naturally had to speak from the perspective of the landlord gentry.

Now, the Wen family is going to start making profits through pawnshops.

Naturally, he sat on the side of the emerging industrial, commercial and handicraft groups.

It is only natural to speak for the [good people].

Because the Wen family is already one of the [good people].

After reading Wen Yanbo's article, Zhao Xu continued to read other content published in the Bian Jing Yi Bao.

Other pages of the Bian Jing Yi Bao also published many articles by scholars.

They were also discussing and commenting on matters within the government.

Generally speaking, public opinion tends to be on the side of the "good people".

Even the poems that were published were like this.

After reading it, Zhao Xu put down the newspaper in his hand and praised: "Good!"

"The Bian Jing Yi Bao's position is still firm!"

"Tong Guan is politically reliable!"

Feng Jing, who was standing by, listened and quickly lowered his head.

Zhao Xu looked at him and laughed: "Feng Jing, you have to learn from Tong Guan seriously!"

"Don't put on airs in front of others just because your rank is higher than Tong Guan's..."

"Yes!" Feng Jing quickly responded: "I will remember your teachings in my heart!"

"Yeah!" Zhao Xu nodded.

Then he started reading the Bian Jing Xin Bao.

Unlike the Bian Jing Yi Bao, the Bian Jing Xin Bao slowly began to cool down its stance on the case after Zeng Bu began to take over the relevant case.

No longer chasing after reports on related cases, nor jumping up and down to stir up public opinion.

Instead, he followed Zhao Xu's instructions and turned his attention back to the city of Bianjing.

They began to report all kinds of gossip and interesting stories, and even opened a new page similar to "Approaching Science" to report various legends that had happened and appeared in the past in the city of Bianjing.

The new report from Bian Jing sent this time was also average.

After reading it, Zhao Xu became even more satisfied with Tong Guan.

"Let's wait until next year and give Tong Guan a chance!" Zhao Xu thought.

It would be unfair to him to keep him in Bian Jing.

His talents should be given more room to develop.

Just ...

Should he be ordered to go south to join forces with Cai Jing to convey the love from the Song Dynasty to the people of Southeast Asia?
Or should we let him go north to join forces with Lu Huiqing and bring the kindness of our Han uncle to the people of Tubo, Dangxiang and even the countries in the Western Regions?
This requires careful consideration.

Of course, it would be best to ask Tong Guan’s opinion in person.

After reading the two tabloids, Zhao Xu said to Feng Jing, "Go tell Tong Guan and publish them accordingly!"

"No!" Feng Jing took the order and left.

Zhao Xu stood up, walked slowly back to Funing Hall, and was about to copy some calligraphy.

A memorial was sent from the Tongjiansi - the brothers Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Bian submitted a memorial stating that they were ordered to deliver the manuscript of their father Ouyang Wenzhong into the palace.

After hearing this, Zhao Xu laughed immediately.

"It seems that these two young masters are eager to make progress!"

Yesterday, Xue Zhanshe just reported to the Imperial College. Today, the two brothers could not wait to bring Ouyang Xiu's manuscript and petition for an audience with the emperor.

All I can say is that these brothers have a very strong desire for progress!

He almost didn't even bother to act, he almost had "I want to make progress too much" carved on his forehead.

But who doesn’t want to make progress?
Why did Fu Shaoting, the son of Fu Bi, stay in Bianliang after returning to Beijing with Lady Zhou?
Isn't he just trying to make himself familiar to Zhao Xu, and then let Zhao Xu give him a good job because of his father's contributions?

Zhao Xu also wanted to give him an official position!
But, Fu Shaoting is really unlucky!

Not long after returning to Beijing, he became bedridden!
There was no other way, Zhao Xu could only send imperial physicians to take the patient's pulse in turns.

A few days ago, Fu Shaoting's illness finally got better, and he presented a letter of thanks.

But don't even think about getting a good job.

Given his physical condition, Zhao Xu was really worried, and he died on the way to his new post.

Therefore, he was granted an honorable post as a minister in the Taifu Temple, and was allowed to drink tea and recuperate in Beijing.

Even Fu Shaoting, this sickly guy, wants to make progress.

Brother Ouyang Fa, how can you be immune to this?

After thinking for a while, Zhao Xu ordered his attendants, "Go and take the two Ouyangs to Chongzheng Hall! I will be there soon!"

……

Half an hour later, Zhao Xu came to Chongzheng Hall and met the brothers Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Bian whom he had not seen for several days.

They also saw the manuscripts of Ouyang Xiu that the brothers brought into the palace.

Quite a lot.

It filled four large boxes!
It is filled with official documents, unfinished articles and poems written by Ouyang Xiu during his lifetime.

If these things were put in modern times, they would be priceless and each one would be a national treasure.

But nowadays, they are just some documents that no one cares about.

It’s not that Ouyang Xiu’s articles and poems are worthless.

In fact, since Ouyang Xiu's death, the prices of his calligraphy, paintings and calligraphy have been rising year by year in the market.

But these manuscripts are neither copybooks nor calligraphy or paintings.

Rather, they are official documents and unfinished articles/poems by Ouyang Xiu himself.

It’s really sad to talk about it.

Because during his lifetime, Ouyang Xiu did not designate anyone to compile and publish his collection of essays.

Therefore, today, more than ten years after Ouyang Xiu's death, there is no news or movement about his collection of essays.

Because no one dared to volunteer to help Ouyang Xiu organize and publish his collection of works.

The Ouyang Fa brothers did not dare to find someone to do this on their own without their father's will.

If Zhao Xu remembered correctly, in the Southern Song Dynasty, with the help of Ouyang Xiu's fellow villager Zhou Dabi, he was able to complete the compilation and publication of Ouyang Xiu's collected works.

However, there is no need for Zhou Dabi to generate electricity with love now.

Zhao Xu was delighted to see these priceless treasures.

The collected works of Ouyang Xiu, the Emperor Wenzong of the Song Dynasty, are now in your hands!
With them, there should be no one in this world who can understand Ouyang Xiu better than Zhao Xu.

He immediately praised the Ouyang Fa brothers and also highly praised Ouyang Xiu's life.

The brothers Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Bian were so delighted by Zhao Xu's praise that they kowtowed immediately to express their gratitude.

Seeing that the two brothers were so sensible, Zhao Xu was not stingy.

Rewards were given on the spot.

Ouyang Fa was granted the status of a Jinshi, and the Ministry of Personnel was ordered to appoint him to a post according to the years of probation he had spent.

Ouyang Bian was even awarded the title of Doctor of Imperial College on the spot.

It can be said to be soaring into the sky!
The brothers Ouyang Fa and Ouyang Bian were overjoyed to receive such a huge reward. They thanked the master happily and went home to report the good news.

Zhao Xu ordered people to transport all of Ouyang Xiu's manuscripts to Jiying Hall, and specially set up a palace in the east hall of Jiying Hall to store these precious manuscripts.

(End of this chapter)