Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 215: The scholar is indeed an unruly person! He has the spirit of the ancient sages!
The matter of surrendering captives gradually came to an end, but the after-dinner talk in the city of Bianjing continued.

From the Song Dynasty to the present, there are many newspapers. Official bulletins have actually existed since the Western Han Dynasty and in all dynasties.

It is the internal news bulletin of the court, similar to Reference News. The emperor's decrees, court reforms, and so on are mostly in the court bulletins.

There is also the Chao Bao, which is similar to the newspaper used by the court to express its views to the outside world, probably something like the People's Daily. It is a daily reading material that needs to be approved by the court before it can be published.

Tabloids, needless to say, were marketing accounts of the Song Dynasty. This was also because there were quite a lot of literate people in the Song Dynasty, especially in cities. The market for tabloids was quite large, and this was especially true for the tabloids in Bianliang City, which were numerous and chaotic.

It was also during this era that the movable type printing method gradually matured, and the cost of printing reading materials was greatly reduced.

As soon as one day passes, whether it is the official gazette, the morning newspaper, or the tabloids, the matter of surrendering prisoners will be reported in great detail.

Under the Wang family, there are also tabloids, not for the purpose of making money, but because the top families of the Tokyo elite and the scholar-officials have needs...

The issue of surrendering captives was one of them, but there was also a page with the title "The Debate between Yi An and Su Xueshi", which was quite standard. If Su Wu were to run this tabloid, how could it sell with such a title? Where would the traffic come from?
Isn’t there a secret that Yi An Jushi and Su Xueshi have to tell?

Of course, this is a joke. This tabloid also came into the hands of Su Wu, who laughed when he read it. It's true that the arrangement of the article is very realistic, and at least the point of view is very clear.

Li Qingzhao explained the significance of poetry through the inheritance of culture, the expression of scholars, and the enjoyment of music.

Su Wu talked about the decline of poetry from the perspective of decadent music, hedonism, and the changes in poetry style between the Tang and Song dynasties. This is really a serious way of discussing the Tao.

When scholars and officials quarreled, they still had to be decent. There was no need to publish the fact that Su Wu criticized Li Qingzhao's poems as rubbish.

Su Wu had finished his important work, and the next thing he was busy with was arranging the return of the tribes to their hometowns. He also had to arrange the supply of food and fodder along the way, and he also had to ask the Privy Council and the court to issue official documents, and allocating supplies to various places along the way.

Fighting a war is indeed a huge project, and the entire country is affected by it.

As the various tribes were leaving, Su Wu went to see them off. Before they left, a banquet had already been arranged, and he just got drunk again.

There is one more thing. Liang Shicheng really gave Su Wu a house. It was not a small house, even bigger than the one Su Wu bought before. It had several courtyards and even a side courtyard...

Su Wu should also go to Liang Shicheng to thank him, and of course he should bring gifts, such as inkstones from Shezhou, pens from Huzhou, and ink from Huizhou...

The visiting card arrived first, so Liang Shicheng was naturally waiting at home.

Just as the two of them sat down to drink tea and chat, they heard someone from outside reporting that another guest had arrived.

It is said to be Prime Minister Wang Fu.

Liang Shicheng smiled and said, "What a coincidence, come in, come in!"

Su Wu also stood up with a smile, as if to greet him. Coincidentally or not, Su Wu knew very well that Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng's homes were next door to each other, and there was even a door in the yard that allowed them to go in and out directly. This was probably not a coincidence...

As soon as Wang Fu entered the hall, Su Wu bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Wang."

Wang Fu was still surprised: "I came here to ask for a cup of tea, but it turns out that Su Xueshi is here too. Oh, great, great, let's sit together."

After a few polite greetings, Wang Fu also laughed: "This time, you have offended Master Yi An. Master Yi An has a sharp tongue. Even his master, Master Da Su, is not merciful to him. Haha... I advise you to go to his house and apologize as soon as possible..."

It was just a joke.

Liang Shicheng, the "illegitimate son" of the great scholar Su, also laughed and said, "Now, it's all over the news. Even the emperor read the tabloids today and laughed so hard. Scholar Su, you can't escape this time!"

Su Wu also smiled awkwardly: "I was drunk and talking nonsense, I didn't know that I would offend this great Bodhisattva... It's my fault..."

Liang Shicheng said, "We are all from the same family. You can't write two Su characters with one stroke. Yi An Jushi is below Su's disciples. How can Su Xueshi not also be considered below Su's disciples? Just talk to Yi An Jushi and everything will be fine."

The thing that Liang Shicheng valued most in his life was Su Shi, the great scholar. He was a literary giant during the reigns of Shenzong, Zhezong and Huizong. He was an expert in poetry, prose, calligraphy and painting.

Each of the disciples under the great scholar Su is extraordinary.

Su Che, the young scholar, was also a prime minister and died eight years ago. He taught many disciples and even offspring.

Liang Shicheng did not just take advantage of Su Shi's glory. He also did things for Su Shi. For a long time, because of party disputes, the court intentionally or unintentionally banned the circulation of Su Shi's poems and essays. It was Liang Shicheng who argued with the emperor and lifted the ban.

Many of the scholars under Su Shi were grateful to Liang Shicheng.

Everything in this world is complicated, and people are even more complicated...

Liang Shicheng frequently mentioned Su Shi in order to test Su Wu's intentions.

Su Wu just said: "I am a country boy, how dare I go to the Su sect? If I were to do so, I would be laughed at by others..."

Liang Shicheng waved his hands when he heard this: "What are you talking about? I am a bastard who entered the palace as a eunuch since I was young, and I am not afraid of being laughed at. Su Xueshi has great talent, why do you care about these things?"

Wang Fu on the side also nodded: "Yes, I read Su Xueshi's "Pozhenzi" written by him while drunk and reading sword by lamplight, and it really has the style of Su Xueshi's writing in the past!"

Liang Shicheng was even more pleased when he heard this: "Yes, yes, yes, it is still Mr. Wang who understands this. I said that it sounded very familiar at the time, and that's exactly it... That's the reason. Scholar Su's words and deeds really have the style of the great scholar Su in the past."

Inevitably, one is the graceful and elegant school, and the other is the bold and unrestrained school.

Of course, nowadays, the bold and unrestrained school is actually a niche, or even a very niche, while the graceful and elegant school is the majority.

As Wang Fu said: "Does Su Xueshi know how Yi An Jushi would comment on Su Xueshi's poems in the past?"

How could Su Wu know? He just shook his head.

Wang Fu laughed loudly: "Yi An Jushi commented on the great scholar Su Shi, saying that he was a poet whose sentences were not fixed and whose music could not be restrained. Haha... I am afraid that you are no more than that in her heart now!"

Su Wu also laughed when he heard this: "Is there such a thing?"

The so-called "poems without well-written sentences and punctuation" is what Li Qingzhao said about Su Shi's poems, which have no flavor of poems at all, and they are written like poems of varying lengths without any revisions.

The so-called "those who cannot be bound by the song" means that Su Shi's lyrics cannot match the melody of the ci tune and transcend the constraints of the ci tune music. This is not a good thing. To put it bluntly, Su Shi's lyrics are not pleasant to listen to, extremely unpleasant.

It's the same logic. For example, "Holding Huang on the left and Qing on the right, a thousand riders roll over the plain hill...looking northwest to shoot the Sirius", how can it sound good when sung by a woman?

They also talk about Su Wu, the horse Lu is so swift, the bow is like thunder and the string is shocked, how can it sound good when singing this?

Liang Shicheng laughed and said, "It's okay, it's okay. Don't take her seriously, just like a woman like Yi An. You can't take her seriously..."

The old eunuch's words were not of contempt, but rather a kind of inexplicable doting.

Just ask the literary circles of the aristocracy in the world. A figure as outspoken and powerful as Li Qingzhao, if she were a man, he would have been beaten to death as soon as he went out. He would probably not even be able to leave the house as his elders would have beaten him to death in the ancestral hall.

You think that the Great Su and the Little Su have many students, are you kidding? Do you still want to be an official?

Do you want to try going to jail?
Because she is a woman, even in the past, when Su Xueshi was still alive a few years ago, he probably smiled knowingly when he heard Li Qingzhao say that his brother was not good enough, and just let her toss around...

Liang Shicheng told Su Wu not to take Li Qingzhao seriously, but Su Wu just smiled bitterly: "How dare I take Yi An seriously?"

Su Wu said this, but he didn't think so in his heart. He was thinking that he had to increase the intensity of Li Yian!
Li Qingzhao has been so awesome for so long, it’s time for her to suffer some setbacks!
Liang Shicheng was even happier after hearing this, and said, "I know you and Yi An Jushi are old friends in Jingdong, so it's okay... Let's talk about business..."

After Liang Shicheng said this, he glanced at Wang Fu, and the smile on Wang Fu's face faded a lot.

Su Wu's mind was as clear as a mirror, so he said: "I will just follow your orders..."

Wang Fu waved his hand: "Well, I don't have any instructions, but I heard that you will go to Hebei to patrol the border..."

This matter was originally discussed privately only by Tong Guan and Su Wu. Now that Wang Fu brought it out, it must have been that Tong Guan and Wang Fu had communicated it.

Su Wu nodded: "Just waiting for the order from the court and the Privy Council..."

Wang Fu nodded: "Let's talk about this matter... Do you know who the officials in Hebei Province are from?"

Su Wu nodded but said nothing, just waiting for Wang Fu to continue.

“It’s difficult…” Wang Fu said, and then said, “It is difficult, but if things are done well, it is not that difficult… The others are okay, one is Zhao Ye, the prefect of Zhending, and the other is Liang Shijie, the governor of Daming Prefecture… I’m afraid these two people are not easy to deal with…”

Su Wu understood that he had to deal with them. Tong Guan and Wang Fu exchanged interests, and Su Wu had to help Wang Fu do these things, which were nothing more than officialdom infighting.

There is a huge mountain hanging over Wang Fu's head, that is Cai Jing, and even Cai You. If the Cai family is not brought down, Wang Fu's life will be difficult.

But Wang Fu himself could not or dared not to go to war with Cai Jing face to face, so he could not help but think of some tricks, and Su Wu was Wang Fu's trick.

What did Tong Guan want? He wanted someone with whom he could discuss matters, someone who would fully support the campaign against Liao, someone who would provide money and food. Wang Fu was obviously this person.

Now Tong Guan and Wang Fu seemed to have common interests and they united for a short period of time, all for the sake of Yanyun.

Su Wu nodded: "I understand. I will go and pay my respects to the two officials from Zhending Prefecture and Daming Prefecture."

Wang Fu was very pleased when he heard this: "Okay, that's great."

Su Wu also asked, "I don't know about the matter of Li Gang, the governor of Xiuzhou. Does Lord Wang know anything about it?"

Now, Su Wu is slowly getting into the state and the status. In the past, he was just a small military general under Tong Guan, but now, he is the de facto number two figure in the Privy Council and a powerful person in the court.

For many things, it was time for Su Wu to speak and discuss them himself. He no longer had to be as cautious as before. In other words, it was time for Su Wu to have a say in the court.

Wang Fu stroked his beard and smiled: "I'm afraid this man is already on his way to the capital. Scholar Su is really good at selecting people. He used to be an imperial censor and is famous for his integrity. Taking him with us this time may really achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"Thank you, Lord Wang!" said Su Wu.

Wang Fu waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite. This matter of the court is difficult to say, but it is also simple to say. Do you know what Tong Shumi said to me about you?"

Su Wu shook his head.

Wang Fu said, "Tong Shumi said that he might pass away someday. He said that you are the most useful in matters of battle. You know more about military affairs than he does. He also said that I am young but in a high position. In the long run, as long as you, Su Xueshi, are in the court, there will be no worries about military affairs..."

Su Wu was really moved by these words, which were sincere and from the heart. They also seemed to be a trust, as if he was finding and arranging a way out for Su Wu.

After hearing these words, Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng smiled at each other, and it was obvious that they had really taken these words to heart.

Su Wu stood up and bowed: "Thank you, General Liang, and thank you, Mr. Wang!"

Liang Shicheng waved his hands and said, "I told you not to be so polite, but you are still so polite. You have talent and ability, how can you bury it?"

What was implied in these words was that Liang Shicheng and Wang Fu accepted Tong Guan's intention.

Maybe it was because Tan Zhen was really unusable. If Tan Zhen was usable and obedient, Su Wu would not have had to worry about anything.

As a second best option, it would be a good idea to win over Su Wu, and they could be considered to be hitting it off.

Su Wu nodded and said, "Since it is the Prime Minister's wish, I will do my best."

"Good, very good. If you weren't already married, haha..." Wang Fu laughed and said, "Then Cheng Wanli really picked up a treasure and acted quickly!"

Su Wu also forced a smile: "My lord, you are joking..." Wang Fu had already stood up: "I came here to ask for a cup of tea, but I didn't expect to meet Master Su. I have to talk a few more words and I have to go out. I won't stay any longer..."

Su Wu naturally stood up to see him off. Wang Fu was too cunning and cautious. He even made his meeting with Su Wu so secretive. It was Su Wu who came to see Liang Shicheng, and he happened to be there too. I guess he didn't go through the main entrance...

And it’s not a good idea to stay for too long, just come for a while and leave immediately.

It can also be seen that Wang Fu actually did not dare to go to war with Cai Jing head-on.

Cai Jing had been running the business for decades, so how could he have such a solid foundation? Compared to him, Wang Fu was so young, and he was promoted to level eight, which was a step to heaven. How could he have any real foundation?

It is normal that Wang Fu is a cunning person.

After Wang Fu left, Liang Shicheng naturally wanted to invite Su Wu to dinner. All they talked about was the pros and cons of Su Wu's disciples. Liang Shicheng was proud of Su Wu from the bottom of his heart.

Even though he was just a poor man born to a concubine given away by Su Shi's family, and even though many people did not really believe this, he was still proud of it and told everyone he met.

After eating, Su Wu went out and rode home on horseback.

There was another servant waiting at the door, so Su Wu asked, "Has Master Yi'an replied to my letter?"

The servant replied with a smile: "Mr. Su, Mr. Yi An did not reply to my letter this time, so my master sent someone to deliver the letter!"

"Hmm?" Su Wu dismounted and took it. He was a little surprised. He opened the letter and found it was very polite. Wang Zhongshan invited Su Wu to a banquet with several other guests. He said that he wanted to thank Su Wu for taking care of Li Qingzhao and Zhao Mingcheng in Jingdong.

On the guest list, Wang Huan was Wang Hui, but Su Wu didn't know it. But now he knew that he was Wang Zhongshan's son, and Qin Hui's name was on the list.

Seeing this name, Su Wu inexplicably felt a thousand-year-old anger! The anger engraved in his bones made his face dark...

Seeing Su Wu's dark face, the servant felt nervous and asked hurriedly, "I wonder if the scholar has time?"

Su Wu nodded again: "I will go, you can go back..."

The servant was overjoyed and went there at a quick pace, as if he was afraid that Su Wu would regret it.

Sometimes Su Wu also wondered, there were so many spineless people in the Song Dynasty, was it good or bad?

Of course it is bad, but for Su Wu, it doesn't seem to be that bad. Having more soft bones is actually good. When the time comes to overturn the table, these soft bones can be used...

There was a great scholar who explained the classics to Su Wu.

Who will write the abdication edict? Who will preside over the coronation ceremony? Who will explain that he was appointed by heaven? Who will explain that the fate of the Song Dynasty has ended?

Even Qin Hui himself was an interesting person in history. Before Bianliang was captured, he loudly called for fighting.

As soon as Bianjing was captured, he immediately knelt on the ground and never returned from the road of selling out his country.

This kind of person is also useful. Before Su Wu overturned the table, Qin Hui was the backbone of the Song Dynasty. After Su Wu overturned the table completely, Qin Hui became a role model for many people. Just let him take the lead and kneel on the ground.

This meal had to be eaten, so I just prepared gifts and went to the banquet the next day.

The Wang family's mansion is not comparable to the mansions of ordinary people. It covers an area of ​​unknown size...

There were already people waiting at the door to greet them. When Wang Huan, the eldest son of the Wang family, saw Su Wu's horse arrive, he stepped forward and bowed.

Su Wu returned the greeting, dismounted and followed him into the house and went to the hall.

Wang Zhongshan was also sitting in the hall, so he stood up and saluted.

Su Wu just bowed and said, "No, no, please sit down, Lord Wang."

It was everyone’s first meeting, and they exchanged greetings and came to meet each other.

Su Wu just looked at Qin Hui a few more times. Damn, he didn't have a pointed face and monkey cheeks. On the contrary, he had a handsome appearance.

In this era, being an official, or even getting a rank in the imperial examination, all depends on one's "appearance, speech, writing and judgment". This is not a clearly stipulated standard, but it is a rule that has always been in use.

Body refers to appearance and figure, it means outward appearance, it means being beautiful, and even having posture and appearance.

First you need to be beautiful, then you need to be good at speaking, eloquence, communication skills, and emotional intelligence...

Books, needless to say, calligraphy and writing.

Judgment refers to administrative ability and the ability to understand things.

To put it bluntly, in many dynasties, if you are ugly, you cannot become an official. If you are good-looking, you have an advantage in being an official and can get benefits from promotion and appointment. Beauty and graceful figure are extremely important.

Even during the imperial examination period, the so-called Tanhualang originally referred to the most handsome one among the Jinshi candidates.

How could Qin Hui not be a handsome man?
Su Wu was very disappointed. Qin Hui should have a pointed face and monkey cheeks to suit Su Wu's expectations.

Just sit down, the food and wine will come, and you can eat separately, one table per person, one seat per person.

Wang Zhongshan went to the back for a while, and soon after, Li Qingzhao came forward. Li Qingzhao was not a lady in the boudoir, but a person of public appearances. She entered the hall with great confidence.

Li Qingzhao also asked first: "How is Mr. Su these days?"

Su Wu replied: "Everything is fine. How is Yi An doing these days?"

"What's good or bad about me..." Li Qingzhao said.

Su Wu could only smile bitterly, as he knew that the two of them were already familiar with each other. Among acquaintances, someone like Li Qingzhao would not pretend and would only show her true nature.

It was Wang Zhongshan who came to smooth things over: "All is well, all is well, let's drink."

But Li Qingzhao said, "How can I have the nerve to drink with Scholar Su? Scholar Su looks down on me the most. Wouldn't that make things difficult for you?" Li Qingzhao said sarcastically.

Su Wu even smiled bitterly: "What are you talking about, Master Yi An? When did I look down on others?"

"My poems are indeed poor, but they are sung all over the world, and everyone knows them..." Li Qingzhao held the wine glass, took a sip, lowered her head and squinted, looking at Su Wu.

This is a confrontation. Wang called Wang Hui, but he said nothing. Qin Hui was even more interested in gaining experience.

Wang Zhongshan wanted to say something, but suddenly thought of something and didn't say anything.

Only Su Wu was left embarrassed, but could Su Wu be embarrassed? Then give it a taste. Yi An Jushi tasted it, and then Su Wu said: "I am only talking about that song, not saying that all of Yi An Jushi's lyrics are bad."

"Then tell me more about it. What's wrong with this song "Ru Meng Ling"? " Li Qingzhao looked unhappy, but she looked up.

Even today, if Su Wu cannot explain the reason, he will not give up.

Su Wu really said: "Master Yi An, please ask the person who rolled up the curtain, who is this person who rolled up the curtain?"

Li Qingzhao simply replied: "Of course, it is the person who serves me."

Su Wu nodded, "Maidens, slaves, poor people. They serve their masters during the day, washing clothes, cooking, knitting, sweeping and wiping. They are busy all the time. They also have to listen to their masters' calls at any time when they go to sleep at night, for fear of neglecting them. They have to get up earlier than their masters in the morning, for fear of getting up late. They are such people. You got up early in the morning and asked her if the wind and rain last night had knocked down the crabapple flowers. She only thought that it was difficult to dry clothes in the rain, so how could she have the leisure to pay attention to those crabapple flowers? Do you know, do you know, you are speaking in a hurry, blaming the poor people for not pitying flowers and plants. How harsh is Yi An? How can this be a good word?"

Just by hearing these words, the whole room fell silent and one could hear a pin drop.

Wang Zhongshan looked surprised. He looked at Su Wu on the left and Li Qingzhao on the right.

The three younger generations were even more dumbfounded. They had never thought that their eldest cousin, such a great figure, would be treated like this?
"You...you..." Li Qingzhao was speechless for a moment. What Su Wu said was also right.

Su Wu also said: "Since you are the daughter of a noble family, the apple of the eye of Yi An, you drink and have fun every day, love flowers and plants, and worry about crabapples. How can you not tolerate that poor man who has no interest in flowers and plants, but only cares about serving his master, fearing that he will be punished for neglecting him?"

"I didn't have such a thought, I was just anxious for the crabapple tree for a moment!" Li Qingzhao said.

Su Wu even came to say: "I have a new poem, would you like to listen to it, Master Yi An?"

"You say!" Mr. Yi An had already turned his head to one side.

Su Wu said: "The literary young woman is groaning without any reason!"

"What?" Li Qingzhao turned back. She might not understand "literary young woman" for a moment, but she understood "hypochondriasis". Wasn't it saying that she, Li Qingzhao, was harsh to others and hypocritical...

"What kind of good words are these? They are really disgusting and not worth a sneer. They are not even worthy of being described as love between young men and women. If everyone in the world is like this, if all the scholars and writers are like this, the country will no longer be a country! If all the scholars in the world are so self-pitying and hypocritical, the day of the country's demise is not far away!"

Su Wu swung his iron fist and beat Li Qingzhao up!
"You you..." Li Qingzhao was such an eloquent person, but for a moment, she was speechless.

"I'm sorry!" Su Wu bowed and tried to hold back his laughter in his heart, but he almost couldn't help showing it on his face.

"I..." Li Qingzhao stood up and left without saying a word.

Su Wu finally managed to smile a little, and bowed his hands to both sides: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"Haha... No one has ever said this about her. In my life, I have never seen her so helpless. Usually, she only talks about others, but no one else ever talks about her. Haha..."

Wang Zhongshan waved his hands and laughed, but he stopped laughing suddenly in the middle of his laugh and looked back, fearing that Li Qingzhao might have heard his laughter again.

Su Wu also laughed: "I'm afraid that in the future, Yi An Jushi will hate me to the core..."

Wang Zhongshan waved his hands: "What are you talking about? How can she be convinced? She is so angry right now, so she will leave. After a while, she will definitely find ways to argue with you... If we don't argue about who is better or who is worse, she will not let you go."

"It's bitter!" Su Wu said with a wry smile.

"Let's drink!" Wang Zhongshan said, raising his glass.

Wang Huan even came down from the table, approached Su Wu, and said with a smile: "Master, I admire you so much! I admire you so much! Even when Master Su was in front of me, he never took advantage of me. Your eloquence is unparalleled!"

Then, Wang Hui also came down from the table and said with a smile: "That's right, in the past, who didn't bow to her? I don't know how many times we have been bullied since we were young..."

Su Wu nodded. For a moment, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He just said, "It's all just a joke..."

Qin Hui also came down from the table and raised his cup: "Mr. Su, if you have time, come to the Imperial College and have a seat."

Su Wu left with a frown on his face, saying coldly: "Imperial College? I won't go to Imperial College!"

"Ah?" Qin Hui was stunned. What was the origin of this? Was there a story behind this? He didn't want to ask too much, so he offered the wine: "Scholar, please drink this cup."

But he didn't want to, Su Wu said: "I won't drink the wine from the Imperial College either!"

Qin Hui was stunned on the spot. How could the Imperial Academy have offended this scholar Su so much?
Wang Zhongshan laughed and said, "Mr. Su is a wild man, he was just joking... You don't have to take it seriously..."

Su Wu also smiled and said: "I was just joking with you, don't take it seriously."

Qin Hui smiled and said, "The scholar is indeed an unruly person! He has the spirit of the ancient sages!"

(Brothers, today's early update was written in advance because I have something to do in the evening. The plots of these chapters are actually profound. What kind of Song Dynasty is it at this time? It is a glimpse of the leopard, and Su Wu will face these people and these things in the future. If the Song Dynasty is to be overthrown, these people must be portrayed. They are not black and white characters, but complex people and things. Even how to make a reasonable transition in the future can be seen in this paragraph. The next plot will go north.)
(End of this chapter)