I studied in modern times

Chapter 990 If you can't cure the dead, can't you cure the living?

After leaving Jia Quan's watermill, Zhao Xu inspected several other workshops.

There were papermakers, dyers, blacksmiths, weavers...

In short, all of these businesses could only exist because they were paid by the government.

We all have to thank Emperor Zhao for his kindness!

This is a fact!

Before Zhao Xu ascended the throne, they were indeed unable to engage in these kinds of businesses.

The Song Dynasty, with its state-run monopoly economic system, monopolized most of the profitable businesses in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

There are official tea monopolies for selling tea, official wine monopolies for selling wine, and official shop and house management for renting houses. Even alum needed for purifying water is subject to official monopolies!
In short, the Zhao family was running a state-run monopoly on everything you could think of.

Those who make a lot of money don't even bother buying tickets from outsiders; they just buy them all themselves.

Therefore, Zhao Xu relaxed regulations and allowed private ownership of these former government-owned properties.

Indeed, it is a great blessing from Heaven.

These workshops did not disappoint Zhao Xu.

Paper that was cheaper and easier to mass-produce; dyeing techniques that were more rational and cheaper; and ironware that was more durable and easier to use were all invented and created.

Naturally, Zhao Xu was generous with his praise and rewards.

These workshop owners were granted official titles and related preferential policies.

Of course, Zhao Xu did not forget to bestow the jade pendant upon him.

So when Zhao Xu returned to the palace, he discovered that he had given away seven jade pendants that day.

At the same time, it also gained seven potential future royal business partners.

"I'm such a genius!" Zhao Xu couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up.

Therefore, he wrote the names of these seven potential imperial merchants on the screen in the inner chamber of the Funing Palace to prevent himself from forgetting them in the future.

As for these people, are they all people with connections?

That's not something Zhao Xu needs to worry about.

After all, capitalists don't need to understand technology.

As long as capitalists know how to manage their businesses and make money, that's enough.

Unfortunately, Zhao Xu's good mood didn't last more than a few days.

Three days later, on the day of Gengzi in February (23).

Huang An, the messenger from Qingzhou, sent back a report: Kong Wenzhong, the former Right Grand Counselor and Prefect of Qingzhou, is critically ill and about to die!

According to Huang An's report, Kong Wenzhong had been depressed ever since he was demoted to Qingzhou.

He contracted the disease less than half a month after taking office.

Now, all medicine is ineffective, and he is nearing the end of his life.

According to Huang An, the doctors in Qingzhou, after examining his pulse, said he had at most a month left to live.

This made Zhao Xu very uncomfortable.

Kong Wenzhong was a descendant of Confucius and also a scholar-official with high attainments in Confucianism.

Among scholars, there is a saying: "Two Sus joined together, three Kongs divided the tripod."

In fact it is.

The two Su brothers, the three Kong brothers, along with Xianyu Shen, Zeng Zhao, and others who had already been demoted by Zhao Xu, were Zhao Xu's Shu faction from his previous life.

Kong Wenzhong was a leading figure in the Shu faction.

Now, just over a month after being demoted, news has spread that Kong Wenzhong is terminally ill and on his deathbed.

If the world knew this, they would probably only think that it was the emperor who had demoted Kong Wenzhong to death.

And indeed, that was the case—the official report clearly stated in black and white that Wen Zhong had been demoted to Qingzhou, became depressed, and subsequently fell ill…

Kong Wenzhong has made it clear that he doesn't want to live; he wants to die!
Zhao Xu had only one thought in his mind—Damn it!

But they're all about to die.

Zhao Xu had no way to deal with him anymore!

Could it be that he could punish a dying man?
Setting aside the report he had received, Zhao Xu's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"I truly cannot punish you!" "But I can punish your brothers and disciples!"

If you can't cure the dead, can't you cure the living?!
Zhao Xu turned to look at Tong Guan, who was serving beside him, and waved to him.

Tong Guan immediately moved closer to him: "Your subject respectfully awaits your esteemed words!"

"Lord Tong, send someone to inform Zuo Zhengyan Jia Yi..."

"Tell him that Kong Wenzhong is going to die, and that he is committing suicide!"

"Yes, sir!" Tong Guan bowed and accepted the order.

Zhao Xu narrowed his eyes.

As the emperor, it was naturally inappropriate for him to directly confront and reprimand his ministers.

The only option is for heroes to investigate heroes, and good men to investigate good men.

Ever since Su Shi and Cheng Yi became enemies at Sima Guang's funeral, Cheng Yi's students and Su Shi's friends have been at odds.

Among Cheng Yi's many students, Jia Yi was the one who was the most ruthless towards Su Shi and his friends.

From Zhang Shunmin's dismissal as censor last year to the conviction of Kong Wenzhong and others this year.

Jia Yi was always at the forefront.

After doing this, Zhao Xu thought about it and still wasn't satisfied.

He then sent someone to summon Shi Deyi.

Half an hour later, Shi Deyi arrived at Zhao Xu's side from the Imperial City Guard.

"What are your orders, everyone?" The man in the sable coat got straight to the point as soon as they met.

"Does the Investigation Bureau have any reports regarding Xianyu Shen, Shangguan Jun, and others who have been demoted?"

Shi De paused for a moment, then replied, "Reporting to everyone, there should be some... Please allow me to go back and investigate, and then report back to everyone!"

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded, his face cold as he said, "Go!"

He already harbored a lot of resentment towards those people from the Shu faction.

Because these guys are politically unreliable and have questionable stances.

In the first year of the Yuan You era, Zhao Xu dealt them a heavy blow—demoting Xianyu Shen and Shangguan Jun to remote military prefectures, and sending Su Zhe and Zeng Zhao to other posts.

It was only because of the fact that the bearded man would be remembered in history that they did not pursue the matter to the end, but instead raised the stick high and then let it fall gently.

But these people do not remember the good things he did as emperor.

In the past year or two, he has continued to stir up trouble in the government.

Now, Kong Wenzhong is even playing the suicide act with Zhao Xu.

He actually thought about committing suicide!

This thoroughly enraged Zhao Xu—

What do you mean?
Was I wrong?

Or do you think there's something wrong with how the imperial court treated you?
Do you feel wronged and aggrieved?
Ha ha……

"Disorganized and undisciplined!" Zhao Xu became increasingly angry after Shi Deyi left and couldn't help but curse.

Zhao Xu knew this, and even the horse-riding officer of Qingzhou knew it.

The entire Qingzhou should know by now.

Kong Wenzhong is a descendant of Confucius and a great Confucian scholar of our time.

His every move has a tremendous influence.

Therefore, this matter is not simply about Kong Wenzhong committing suicide.

That old scoundrel is risking his life to challenge Zhao Xu!
They're also risking his life to attack the current Todoro!
His behavior is similar to that of the former anti-drug hero in the TV series Zhao Xu watched in modern times, who always wanted to defy fate and eventually committed suicide with a gun in the place where he made his name.

Finally, with his own life, he achieved a victory against fate for the first time!

He made those who were messing with him look utterly humiliated.

Therefore, Zhao Xu knew very well that he could not let him off easily!
Must hit hard!

Because once he shows even the slightest weakness or backs down...

That's tantamount to encouraging others to follow suit!
This is tantamount to breaking the rules of the political game.

(End of this chapter)