The prince is more stable

Chapter 298 Su Shi’s Crime
Su Shi is a literary giant and a poet. He is one of the few people in the thousands of years of Chinese history who can be admired and worshipped by future generations.

He just doesn't know how to be an official.

He opposed the new party and denounced the old party. He could not stand chaos or suffering. Although he was sixty years old, his mind was as clean and pure as a child.

Such people will never be tolerated by the world.

In a turbid world, clarity itself is a sin.

If he had a little understanding of the ways of officialdom, he would not have offended the old party while opposing the new party.

Only people with pure hearts can do such things, and do it without any regrets.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat by the Bian River, quietly watching Su Shi drink heavily, then burst into laughter. After laughing, his body gradually hunched over, and then he covered his face and cried bitterly. His crying became louder and louder, attracting the attention of passers-by around him, who pointed at Su Shi, who looked like a madman, and talked about him in whispers.

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and waved to Chen Shou, who was guarding him not far behind him.

Chen Shou understood and led the guards to drive away the crowd of onlookers.

Su Shi cried and laughed, and after a long time, his emotions were finally released. He sat by the Bian River and stared at the shimmering river surface in a daze.

Su Shi was looking at the scenery, and Zhao Xiaoqian was looking at him.

Yesterday, Wei Jie reported that some people in the court had conspired to impeach Su Shi. If the charges were proven, Su Shi's fate would not be as simple as being demoted. He might be dismissed from office, imprisoned, or exiled.

Zhao Xiaoqian had originally had an agreement with Zhang Dun to keep out of each other's way, and he had been hesitating whether he should rescue Su Shi.

After all, Zhang Dun was the prime minister, and Zhao Xiaoqian had to admit that this old man was indeed not easy to mess with.

At this moment, looking at Su Shi who was crying, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed secretly and finally made up his mind.

In my previous life, I must have been slacking off while reciting the entire text, and now I’m suffering the consequences and have to save the author of the entire text…

Out to mix, sooner or later have to repay.

Across time and space, you can't hide even if you are separated by two lifetimes.

Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry, I'm doing this to save the intangible cultural heritage of mankind.

If such a great literary master and poet died too early, how could children in later generations happily read and recite the entire text?

"Mr. Zizhan just said that we should not waste this beautiful night. But now you are crying to the moon and forgetting to drink to express your feelings. Isn't that breaking your promise?" Zhao Xiaoqian gestured to Su Shi while holding the wine jar.

Su Shi was stunned for a moment, then finally smiled carefreely: "That's right, how can I waste this beautiful night and act like a child? The older I get, the more I'm going backwards. Zi'an, come drink with me!"

The two of them each took a big gulp of wine, looked at the bright moon in the night sky, and laughed heartily at the same time.

"Where will I go when I wake up from my drunken stupor tonight? The willow bank, the morning breeze and the waning moon..." Zhao Xiaoqian squinted his eyes and muttered.

"Zi'an likes Liu Sanbian's lyrics?"

"I wouldn't say I like it. I prefer boldness to elegance. I really like Mr. Zizhan's poems. The open-mindedness, the unrestrainedness, and the concern for the country and the people in them have benefited me a lot."

Su Shi said sadly, "It's nothing but the whims of a scholar, naive ramblings. All his life's talent is left on paper, but he has never done anything practical for the country and the people. Even if he is the most talented person in the world, what's the point?"

"A young hero like Zi'an, like the reincarnation of the Champion Marquis, leading a light cavalry charge straight into the enemy's capital at the age of nineteen, spreading his power beyond the borders, forcing the enemy nation to submit, signing an alliance to acquire six cities, and enhancing the prestige of China—this is the achievement I have always dreamed of!"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "If there is another official position that can allow Mr. Zizhan to display his talents without getting involved in the struggle between the new and old parties, would you be willing to take it?"

Su Shi was stunned: "What official position?"

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head, but avoided answering. He simply looked into his eyes and said slowly, "Mr. Zizhan, your talent is more important than you imagine. It is not only important in the history of the Song Dynasty, but also in the entire history of China for thousands of years. You are the most brilliant one."

"So, please lift your spirits, rekindle your resolve, and do not give up on yourself, leaving Chinese history with regrets and future generations lamenting."

…………

The memorial impeaching Su Shi arrived late but still arrived.

At the court meeting the next day, the ministers finally took action.

Huang Lu, the Chief Censor, appeared at the imperial court meeting to impeach Su Shi, the deputy governor of Ningyuan Army, for forming a clique and gathering to slander the emperor.

Not only did Huang Lu impeach Su Shi, he even compiled a long list of names, all of whom were guests who had recently dined with Su Shi. This numbered no less than a hundred people, the vast majority of whom were officials from the old party, but also included some unofficial scholars and celebrities. The memorial was signed not only by Huang Lu, but also by Imperial Censor Lai Zhishao, Secretary of the Central Secretariat Lin Xi, and Assistant Minister of Justice Xing Shu.

This was not Huang Lu's individual impeachment, but a joint memorial from all the ministers.

The court was shocked by this memorial, and even Zhao Xu was so shocked that he didn't recover for a long time.

As an official, Zhao Xu had naturally known about Su Shi's reputation for a long time. The emperor was also a scholar who was well-versed in poetry and books. It was impossible for a scholar not to have read Su Shi's poems and essays.

Regardless of his status as a member of the New Party or the Old Party, Zhao Xu was very fond of Su Shi's talent. When he was relaxing and drinking in the palace, he often asked the palace ladies to recite Su's poems and entertain him with singing and dancing.

Today, Huang Lu and others suddenly submitted a memorial to impeach Su Shi, which really surprised Zhao Xu.

They formed cliques and gathered together to slander the king.

This crime is not a big one, but it is not a small one either. If it creates public opinion, Su Shi's end will be bad.

In the Wudai Poetry Case, Su Shi was impeached for slandering the emperor and discussing politics, and he almost lost his head. If it were not for the fact that Emperor Shenzong valued talents and was wary of Su Shi's status in the literary world, Su Shi would probably have been reincarnated long ago. Judging from his age, he would have been preparing to take part in the provincial examination this year.

At the court meeting today, all the ministers attacked Su Shi, obviously wanting to put him to death. In the Wudai Poetry Case, Su Shi slandered the emperor, but Emperor Shenzong let him off. With this previous record, it would be unjustifiable to let Su Shi off again today if he slandered the emperor again.

Therefore, if the charges were proven, Su Shi would be dismissed from office and imprisoned at the very least, and exiled or even beheaded at the worst.

Looking at the impeachment memorial in his hand, Zhao Xu said nothing, feeling quite heavy in his heart.

Zhao Xu really couldn't bear to punish such a talented literary giant.

Even though Su Shi belonged to the old party camp, his articles and poems were truly unique in the world. If such a person was executed for this crime, Zhao Xu would not be able to get over it.

Sometimes talent can really serve as a talisman.

Faced with the impeachment of many New Party officials, Zhao Xu wanted to tell everyone that Su Shi's slander of the emperor was not a big deal, and I could forgive him... The parties involved didn't care, so you guys should stop making a fuss.

However, it was useless. The charges they impeached had nothing to do with Zhao Xu's attitude. "Slandering the emperor" was a crime, a violation of the king's law. Breaking the law must be punished. This is the rule.

The rhythm of the court meeting was disrupted, and the sudden launch of the New Party stunned many officials who were unaware of the situation.

How dare the New Party impeach Su Shi, the leader of the literary world, the spiritual pillar and idol totem of countless literati in the Song Dynasty?

So the old party officials stood up one after another and angrily denounced the new party for framing loyal officials.

New Party officials naturally refused to be outdone and also stood up to refute and criticize.

The new and old parties started to curse each other at the court meeting because of Su Shi.

Zhao Xu sat on the dragon throne without saying a word. His eyes quickly swept over Zhang Dun's face. Seeing that Zhang Dun had a blank expression and was completely unaware of the mutual insults at the court meeting, Zhao Xu frowned.

The two parties argued fiercely, and the impeachment of Su Shi naturally became more and more confusing.

Finally, Zhao Xu spoke up and put the matter on hold for the time being. The ministers then stopped talking, stared at each other, and returned to the court.

But everyone knew that this matter could not be put on hold.

Now that we have jointly submitted the petition, the matter is not over.

…………

At the same time, in the Imperial City Office.

Zhao Xiaoqian, dressed in official uniform, sat quietly in the main hall of the office, with Wei Jie, Zhao Xin and other subordinates standing in front of him.

Zhao Xiaoqian, who had been resting with his eyes closed, was silent for a long time and finally opened his eyes.

"Wei Jie, Zhao Xin." Zhao Xiaoqian said.

"I'm here." The two men bowed.

"The Imperial City Administration has dispatched personnel to investigate the Chief Censor Huang Lu, Assistant Censor Lai Zhishao, and the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Lin Xi. They are to investigate any illegal activities by these three individuals and report back as soon as possible after verification."

(End of this chapter)