Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 555: The literary world needs fame

Originally, Shen Lu wanted to be a matchmaker and a political broker, to bring Zhang Luan and the aristocratic families in the capital together, to complete a political marriage and build a network of unprecedented scale.

He never expected to run into a wall right at the start.

Shen Lu thought to himself, Lai Zhan is such an upright and selfless person. Faced with such a good opportunity, he remained calm. It seems that I have wronged him. I thought that he must want to be surrounded by beautiful women after he suddenly became rich.

"Ruxue, I've been recovering from my injuries recently, and I don't know much about the things in the capital... Can you tell me what people in the capital think of me now?"

Zhang Luan asked sincerely.

Shen Lu hesitated for a moment, then tried to force out a smile and said, "The evaluation... is naturally very high."

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Really? But why did I hear that the scholars in Beijing, especially those students of the Imperial Academy, openly and secretly scold me, describing me as if I would bring disaster to the country and the people... After all, I am still a member of the Imperial Academy. I just entered the Imperial Academy last year, and I don’t know if I have dropped out yet... Do they have brains to scold their classmates like this?"

"Ah... do you really think of yourself as their classmate?"

Shen Lu was also very surprised after hearing what Zhang Luan said.

You are now the father-in-law of the emperor, holding the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of the imperial court. Besides that, you are also nominally the President of the Hanlin Academy. How dare you have the nerve to talk about relationships with those worthless scholars in the Imperial College?
Zhang Luan frowned and shook his head, saying, "I never thought that I would be cursed for working diligently for the court... Is it just because I am a relative by marriage?"

Shen Lu thought, you are really right.

You are a relative by marriage, so no matter what you do, it will be ignored. It has been like this since ancient times.

Besides, you, Zhang Laizhan, are too unconventional in your behavior. If people don’t target you, who else can they target?

"Ruxue, I'd like to ask, is there any way that I can slightly improve... my increasingly deteriorating... reputation?" Zhang Luan asked again shamelessly.

"Well..."

Shen Lu thought to himself, you asked a very difficult question, and I actually have no answer for it.

"That's the kind of person who, when others mention me, they always say that I'm an upright and selfless person who never forms a clique for personal gain or interferes in government affairs. Even though my background is a little low, I can still contribute my own strength to the harmony and stability of the Ming Dynasty... Is my request too much?"

Seeing that Shen Lu's face looked a little strange, Zhang Luan asked with a dark face.

Shen Lu asked back: "How come, do you think this is easy to do?"

Zhang Luan said, "Not only have I never been partial to anyone in recommending officials, but I have also vigorously promoted river engineering projects to help Your Majesty complete the diversion of the Yellow River, so that floods in the Central Plains will be completely eliminated and the Central Plains will once again become the granary of the Ming Dynasty... After all, I have done a great thing that benefits the country and the people, and it will be accepted by the people, right?"

"It is true that it benefits the country and the people, but whether the people will accept it depends on the situation."

Shen Lu said with emotion, "There are more than 8,000 students in the capital, and they come from all over the country. Students from the Central Plains only account for a small proportion. The Yellow River flood is a bit far away from them... They only think that the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and there is no disaster at all. But they want to build a large-scale project, which is a waste of money and labor and harms the people."

"You can... still say that?"

Zhang Luan seemed unable to understand and could not help but widen his eyes with a confused expression on his face.

Shen Lu smiled bitterly and said, "Laizhan, it's not just you. In fact, the pressure I face and endure is as great as yours... I am just a scholar, but now I have risen to the position of counselor of the Ministry of Public Administration. Many people are secretly saying that I got the position in an improper way and relied on connections. Sooner or later, I will be retaliated... They are all waiting to see me make a fool of myself!"

Zhang Luan said helplessly: "You are a juren at least. Nowadays, there are many juren who become officials and rise to high positions. It is not surprising.

"Look at me, I'm in such a bad state now. I can't be asked to go back and take the imperial examination again, right? Who dares to review the essays of a father-in-law of the emperor?"

Shen Lu thought of such a scene and couldn't help but laugh. He laughed and teased: "Laizhan, you are the president of the Hanlin Academy. Although the Hanlin Academy has nothing to do with the Imperial College, because of the convention that Hanlin scholars also serve as the chief academic officers of the Imperial College, you are also considered half the leader of the Imperial College. With your identity and status, if you go back to take the imperial examination, it is true that the chief examiners and examiners who are ordinary Hanlin scholars will not dare to review the papers of your superiors.

"But...if you can achieve something in academic research, maybe it can change the world's view..."

"Studying?"

Zhang Luan blinked his eyes and asked expectantly, "You mean to ask me to repair the book?"

"Yes, didn't I tell you that you are the president of the Hanlin Academy? Now that the late emperor has passed away, it's time to compile the "Records of Emperor Xianzong", right? Haven't you made any preparations?"

Shen Lu asked. Zhang Luan was confused, staring with innocent eyes, and asked: "There is such a thing? Why didn't anyone tell me this... Let me tell you, I have never served as the president of the Hanlin Academy, let alone led anyone... Every time I go to the Hanlin Academy, I rush in and out, and no one even greets me. I am treated as if I don't exist... No one told me that I can lead the revision of the book."

Shen Lu couldn't help but feel ashamed when he heard this.

I was thinking to myself that it was not unfair for you to be scolded.

Other officials cannot be said to be conscientious, but at least they do their job well. But you are a complete parasite of the court. It makes no difference whether you are there or not. You may even cause trouble. So tell me, what do you do?

Shen Lu couldn't blame Zhang Luan, so he could only say tactfully: "I'm just providing an idea. If you think it's not feasible, just ignore what I said."

"No, no, no, your reminder is very good and very timely, but I am not very good at editing books and it might delay my work. But fortunately, I have..." Zhang Luan almost blurted out, if I can't do it, my son can take over.

But then he realized that it was too embarrassing to say that.

You said that your son assisted you in making plans, which is understandable. You can use the excuse that your child is smart or has a quick brain.

But if you want to compile a book... or compile the "Records of Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty", you want to use your son, isn't that child's play? Do you still have the dignity to do that?
Shen Lu asked curiously: "What do you have...?"

"I mean, I am at least somewhat well-known in the academic world, and I have a few close friends who may be able to help me." Zhang Luan was overjoyed.

What a blessing!
Today I met Shen Ruxue, and he gave me some advice that suddenly opened my eyes. It turns out that I should pursue the path of studying and writing books in order to restore my reputation which is deteriorating day by day.

As it happens, I have a good son who can help me with anything.

Don't you think it's a coincidence?

Shen Lu said, "Laizhan, I don't know who the friends you are talking about are, but I think that when compiling a history book that is the final word, outsiders can't help. We have to rely on the great scholars in the Hanlin Academy... I have never been qualified to go to the Hanlin Academy, and it is not appropriate for me to make rash comments on the work in the Hanlin Academy."

"Okay, okay, if you haven't seen this before, I'll take you to visit it later." Zhang Luan's mood suddenly brightened up, and he said with a smile, "I'll treat you to a meal while we're at it."

"No need. You see, I came here presumptuously, definitely not for these trivial matters... I work in the Ministry of Public Administration, and I can't be involved with the Hanlin Academy in the short term, so I won't bother myself for the time being!"

Shen Lu said modestly.

"Okay, whatever you want. After all, you are a relative, so we should visit each other more often in the future."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "It just so happens that I have some things to ask for your advice... You said that you have been an official for so many years, so you can be considered to have rich political experience. I have finally found someone I can ask questions to."

"Ah? Shouldn't you ask your son Yanling for advice when you encounter problems?"

"He's just a kid, what does he know about football?"

Zhang Luan cursed, but in his heart he was thinking, how can you know my son's great ability? I must confuse you!
……

……

Zhang Luan was seriously learning from Shen Lu.

After it was over, regardless of the fact that it was about to get dark, he did not choose to stay at home, nor did he go to the outer house in Chongwenmen to enjoy himself, but went straight out of the city to find his son to discuss the matter of revising the book.

By the time he left the city, it was already dark.

While driving the carriage, Chang Shun turned back and asked cautiously, "Master, it's getting dark now. Why don't you take more people with you if you want to leave the city?"

"This isn't the remote place where I came from. The world is clear under the feet of the emperor. How could someone rob me? Over there, over there...if you pay attention, you can actually get there!"

"oh oh."

Chang Shun quickly jumped off the carriage and turned it around.

(End of this chapter)