No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 49: Pardon (Happy New Year! More updates!)

Zhang Yaozuo looked at Su Ze and said, "The government gave you a chance so that you can beg for mercy if you fail. How can you use it before you even take up your post?"

Zhang Yaozuo said earnestly:

"Su Lang, with this official's order, it won't be too late to use it when you really get into trouble."

Su Ze said:

"Uncle, there is something I must ask the government for, so that the affairs of this store and house can be properly handled."

Seeing Su Ze's stubbornness, Zhang Yaozuo could only wave his sleeves and say:
"Write down what you are going to do in a memorial, and I will bring it to the emperor in the palace!"

Su Ze thanked Zhang Yaozuo and continued:

"Uncle, the emperor has already given Su Ze an official position. It's no longer appropriate for him to live in your house. A few days ago, Su went to Kaifeng Prefecture to return the money from selling the house. The courtyard has been returned to me, and I'm ready to move back in."

When Zhang Yaozuo heard that Su Ze was moving away, he felt reluctant to let him go.

This month Su Ze lived in Zhang Yaozuo's house, which made the home a lot more lively.

Moreover, Su Ze's ability in administration was terrifying. He could quickly find solutions to the problems Zhang Yaozuo encountered in Dengwen Drum Court.

To the extent that Zhang Yaozuo would bring some official business home and ask Su Ze to help him solve it.

After Su Ze sorted out the undercurrents of personnel in Dengwen Drum Court, Zhang Yaozuo also figured out the little tricks of his subordinates. By using both kindness and force, he completely took control of Dengwen Drum Court.

This was the most comfortable life Zhang Yaozuo had ever lived since he became an official.

Zhang Yaozuo said awkwardly:

"What's so good about your little courtyard? There's no shortage of vacant rooms in the mansion, so just stay there for the time being."

Su Ze said:

"After Su Ze takes up his post, it will be inappropriate for him to live in his uncle's house. If he is impeached by the censors, it will affect his uncle's future."

"Ze is reluctant to leave his uncle's collection of books, and will visit him often in the future."

Zhang Yaozuo stroked his beard and was very satisfied with Su Ze's attitude. At worst, he could just leave the difficult matter aside and ask Su Ze when he came to visit him.

Zhang Yaozuo said:
"Your yard is dilapidated and there's no one to take care of it. I'll discuss with your future father-in-law and have it decorated for you. You won't be taking office for another month, so you don't need that much time."

Since Zhang Yaozuo said so, if Su Ze didn't agree, it would be ungrateful. He expressed his gratitude to Zhang Yaozuo again.

After returning to the mansion, Zhang Yaozuo hurried to the palace to meet the emperor. Su Ze returned to the house and entered the Peach Blossom Spring again.
-
In the Dali Temple prison, a middle-aged man with disheveled hair sat in the straw.

The middle-aged man was covered in scars, staring blankly at the prison cell not far away. He was Feng Shiyuan, the owner of the shop and real estate business who bought Su Ze's house.

After the incident, the Imperial City Division immediately arrested Feng Shiyuan, but after being imprisoned, Feng Shiyuan refused to confess and instead took all the responsibility on himself.

It’s a pity that he is stubborn, but there are too many relevant witnesses and evidence.

After Lu Gongbi and several other yamen officials were arrested and imprisoned in the Dali Temple, they all confessed in less than an hour.

But the most ironic thing is that each of these yamen officials held an official position, and their sentences were handed down very quickly. In the end, Lu Gongbi destroyed all the writings since their birth, and the remaining few were stripped of their official positions and sent back to their hometowns to live.

All these officials were released from prison, except Feng Shiyuan who was kept in the imperial prison.

What is waiting for you?
Execution after the autumn? Exile to Yazhou? Or exile to the northwest?

Feng Shiyuan even thought pessimistically that even if he saved his life, he would not be able to reach the place of exile alive because he was carrying too many secrets.

The only consolation was that Feng Shiyuan had anticipated this day after his last exile, and had his family members changed their names and sent out of Bianjing City, so that they wouldn't be implicated. Or perhaps he would just end his life on his own?

But Feng Shiyuan was still somewhat unwilling to accept this. He remembered the scolding that Lu Gongbi had inflicted on him after he was imprisoned. These yamen officials all believed that Feng Shiyuan had betrayed them.

He also remembered the resentful look in Lu Gongbi's eyes when he was released from prison.

At this moment, the door of the imperial prison suddenly opened, followed by the sound of people moving around.

Feng Shiyuan raised his head and saw the face of the person who came. The middle-aged official in the blue official robe was none other than Bao Zheng, the Censor-in-Chief, the person in charge of this case.

It was this Censor Bao who stopped the Imperial City Administration from torturing him and sent people to treat his injuries.

Unlike those scholars and officials who treated ordinary people as grass, Bao Zheng was clear-headed and impartial in his trials. He was a good official that Feng Shiyuan had not seen in many years.

"Imperial Censor Bao."

Feng Shiyuan stood up and saluted Bao Zheng.

Bao Zheng said with a cold face:
"The Emperor has pardoned Feng Shiyuan and appointed you as the Supervisor of Store and House Affairs. You will take up your post in one month."

Feng Shiyuan was stunned. The prison door opened and several jailers came forward to uncuff him.

Bao Zheng said to him:
"It was Su Ze, the newly appointed official in charge of the Left and Right Wings and Stores, who asked His Majesty for a grace and pardon for your sins."

"Su Ze is now living in the home of Mr. Zhang, the judge of the Dengwengu case. You can go visit him after you are released from prison."

"The emperor wants to use Su Ze to rectify the affairs of the store and the house. You must assist him well. If he commits any more crimes, I will be watching him from the Censorate. Please be careful!"

After saying this, Bao Zheng turned around and left.

Feng Shiyuan felt as if he were dreaming as he was urged to leave the imperial prison by the jailer.

Su Ze?

He thought of the young scholar in the shabby courtyard. Was it he who asked the government to pardon him and appointed him as the store and house affairs officer?
As a former clerk in Kaifeng Prefecture and the head of a shop and house guild, Feng Shiyuan certainly knew what the position of shop and house affairs officer was. This was an official who was specifically in charge of shop and house affairs in the capital. Although his rank was not high, he held considerable power.

After all, in the entire huge store and house management system, this is the top clerk, second only to the three officials.

Feng Shiyuan was full of questions and wanted to ask Su Ze why he asked the government to pardon him.

He smelled the stench on his body and decided to find a place to wash himself first before visiting Su Ze.

It was not until the evening that Feng Shiyuan arrived at Zhang Yaozuo's residence.

He covered the tattoo on his face with his headband, handed his visiting card to the doorman, and then waited anxiously for the message.

After a while, Su Ze came out of Zhang Yaozuo's house and said to Feng Shiyuan enthusiastically:

"With Mr. Feng's help, the store and house affairs can be done!"

Feng Shiyuan was now extremely terrified. He said to Su Ze:

"Mr. Su has sought the emperor's pardon for the criminals, and I should repay him with my life. But Mr. Feng is just a criminal. How can I help Mr. Su to rectify the affairs of the store and the house?"

Su Ze pulled Feng Shiyuan's arm and said:

"If we talk about the person in Bianjing who has the deepest understanding of all matters concerning the store and house affairs, it must be Mr. Feng. With your help, we will definitely be able to fulfill the expectations of the government and reverse the losses of the store and house affairs."

"Hurry into the house! Today, Mr. Feng needs to explain to me the problems with this store and its affairs!"

(End of this chapter)