No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 13: Worrying about the world first (Please read and vote)
The significance of Su Ze's words lies in explaining the nature of the demon book case.

"The throne was inherited from the previous emperor, and the status of the two palaces was determined long ago. The evil book cannot shake the foundation of the country."

The emperor's righteousness comes from the previous emperor. No matter what the story of the cat-substitute prince is, it is beyond doubt that the current emperor is the son of the previous emperor Zhenzong.

After Empress Dowager Liu's death, the emperor himself also gave her the highest honors, and later posthumously conferred the title of empress dowager on his biological mother, Consort Li Chenfei, which means "the two palaces have been decided."

The so-called evil book did not affect the legitimacy of the throne.

In this way, the evil book was just a topic of conversation among the people after dinner, and did not have much impact on the court.

At this time, pursuing the case in a high-profile manner would only create internal strife.

It can be said that Su Ze's petition cleared him of responsibility from the perspectives of fairness, emotion, and etiquette. Moreover, Su Ze also used the petition to advise the government not to continue pursuing the case of the evil book, and let the rumors die out in the hands of wise people.

If this is the case, this petition can be regarded as an excellent political commentary that has insight into the turbulent political situation.

But Su Ze did not stop there.

He continued:
"The wise old man said, 'This is a matter of national importance. You are just an old man from Kaifeng. Why should you worry about it?'"

"The foolish old man said, 'Officials, high up in the imperial court, worry about their people; common people, far away from home, worry about their rulers! Common people, in their humble position, dare not forget to worry about their country. Whether advancing or retreating, they worry.'"

"The wise old man said: 'If you worry day and night, when will you find joy?'"

"The foolish old man said: 'I worry about the world before I worry about myself, and I enjoy myself after the world enjoys itself!'"

After writing these lines, Zeng Gong threw down his pen, bowed to Su Ze, and exclaimed in admiration:
"Su Lang is so talented!"

Wang Anshi also bowed to Su Ze and said:

"No wonder Su Lang is so calm, this petition can be ranked among the best in national policy and political commentary! The government has always valued talents, so Su Lang should be fine!"

Zeng Gong also said:
"To worry about the world before you worry about yourself, and to be happy after the world is happy—this should be the aspiration of scholars like us!"

Su Ze felt a little ashamed. Little Fan had just made a performance in Tianzhang Pavilion, and he plagiarized his famous saying.

However, when Fan Zhongyan wrote this sentence, it was already the fourth year of the Qingli period, so in this time and space, this famous saying was attributed to Su.

If it were any other emperor, Su Ze's approach would probably be useless.

But Song Renzong was different.

This emperor always loved talents. Ministers such as Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu and Han Qi were all selected by him to serve in the court.

The pursuit of official talent during the Renzong Dynasty almost reached a distorted state.

For example, the wealthy and powerful prime minister of the time, Yan Shu, had only average political talent, but because of his outstanding talent and learning, he was deeply respected by court officials.

Another example is Xia Song, the co-prime minister, who was a typical example of a man of talent but no moral integrity. However, the court ministers also recognized that he was capable of being the prime minister.

Another example is Ouyang Xiu. He was a typical talented but incompetent man and was very immature in politics. However, he was still valued by Renzong because of his talent.

In this atmosphere, Su Ze decided to survive and use a petition to persuade the emperor not to investigate the evil book anymore, so that the people who framed him would naturally have no chance to use any tricks.

Otherwise, if the enemy is in the dark, powerful, and determined to frame me, then there will be no way to survive. I can't just run away with Peach Blossom Spring, right?

Zeng Gong proofread it, and after the ink dried, he handed the petition to Su Ze.

[Discover the spirit of literary context and absorb it?] Can your own articles also have the spirit of literary context?

Or is it because of Zeng Gong’s calligraphy?
In any case, of course it was absorbed.

Su Ze decisively chose to absorb, and only heard the voice of the guiding boy:

[Absorb 100 points of cultural energy!] (Values ​​will be explained later)
One hundred points?

Su Ze was surprised. He didn't expect that such a petition would get a hundred points?

With these cultural contexts, Su Ze felt more confident. He walked out of Wang Anshi's house and handed the petition to Li Yonghe outside the door.

Although Li Yonghe was a military general, military generals in those days also had to study, otherwise they would be despised by civil officials and would not be able to do their normal work well.

When Li Yonghe saw Zeng Gong's calligraphy, he praised it, but then felt it was a pity.

But after reading this petition, Li Yonghe's expression changed completely!
As the emperor's uncle and the governor of the palace who was in charge of guarding the emperor's imperial guards, Li Yonghe knew the emperor very well.

Once this petition is submitted, given the current emperor's love for talent, even if the evil book was really written by Su Ze, the emperor will probably pardon Su Ze!

Moreover, the current dynasty attaches so much importance to literary talent, a literary talent like Su Ze will definitely be rescued by the ministers.

At least Ouyang Xiu, who loves talents as much as his life, will take action!
This person is polite and resourceful, and he remains calm in the face of adversity. He has such a magnanimous demeanor at such a young age, and there is a good chance that he will become a prime minister in the future.

Thinking of this, Li Yonghe thought for a moment and said to Su Ze:

"You can have your feast first. Wait until this Jiedushi comes to the palace to ask to see the emperor, and then we can make a decision!"

After saying this, Li Yonghe called two of the Imperial City Division's men and said:
"Encircle the yard, but no disrespect! If anyone in the surrounding houses loses anything, you will be held responsible! Do you understand?"

The two Imperial City Division envoys did not understand why Li Jiedushi suddenly changed his attitude, but they were originally Imperial City Division envoys and were best at adapting to circumstances. They immediately swore that they would restrain their subordinates and only surround Wang Anshi's mansion and would never disturb them and their neighbors.

Li Yonghe looked at Su Ze again before mounting his horse and heading towards the imperial city.

Su Ze's tense heart finally relaxed. As long as Li Yonghe was willing to deliver the petition to the emperor, the matter would be mostly settled.

And it is obvious that the emperor's uncle is unwilling to get involved in the case of the evil book, so the possibility that the Li family is the mastermind behind the case of the evil book can be ruled out.

But now Empress Dowager Liu E has been dead for many years, and the emperor has been in power for many years. What is the point of spreading the story of the cat-substitute prince and alienating the relationship between the emperor and the dead empress dowager?
Su Ze couldn't understand the motives of the mastermind behind this, but he had already remembered this grudge.

I encountered such a vicious attack right after traveling through time. If I don’t take revenge, I will be unworthy of my identity as a time traveler!
Seeing that the soldiers of the Imperial City Administration just surrounded him and did not dare to disturb him, Wang Anshi knew that Su Ze was probably fine.

He pulled Su Ze and said:

"Su Lang, you are here for a banquet today, so enjoy!"

Zeng Gong also said:
"Today, a wise man is at our table; we should celebrate with him!"

Su Ze was dragged into the house by the two men for the feast, leaving only the fat and thin Imperial City envoys looking at each other in bewilderment. What was wrong with this arrest?
"Father, if you refuse to enter the palace, I will die in front of you!"

Faced with his daughter threatening to commit suicide, the newly appointed imperial merchant Zhang Daocheng, the head shopkeeper, was helpless.

Although Zhang Daocheng had two sons, Zhang Chulan was his only daughter, and he loved her very much since she was a child.

He naturally knew that the demon book was a big deal, but seeing his daughter like this, Zhang Daocheng could only stamp his feet and say:
"Unfilial daughter! Daddy will go to the palace right now to see Zhang Xiuyuan!"

(End of this chapter)