Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Brother, be careful what you say!"

Su Zhe's expression changed slightly, and he quickly interrupted Su Shi.

The atmosphere in the Great Zhou Dynasty was very open. Scholars were not only free to criticize the government, but it was also acceptable for them to talk about the mistakes of the emperor and scold the ministers in the court.

The matter of choosing an heir is extremely sensitive. Even the usually benevolent emperor could not heed the advice of his officials, which shows how serious this matter was.

If it were just some acquaintances gossiping about it privately, that would be one thing. But you've only just met Qi Heng and the others. Even if they don't complain, how are they supposed to respond when you're discussing such sensitive topics with them?

"There are countless people in Bianjing talking about this matter now, what's there to worry about!" Su Shi waved his hand dismissively.

"Brother Zizhan."

Qi Heng smiled and said, "Those in positions of power should govern accordingly. Since we haven't entered officialdom yet, discussing politics can serve as a test of our knowledge and provide valuable experience for our future careers. The issue of choosing an heir is too far removed from our lives; discussing it would be of no benefit to us. What do you think?"

"Yuanruo is absolutely right!"

Su Shi pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I have learned a great deal!"

If there are still disputes regarding the succession after he enters officialdom, he can submit a memorial to the emperor to offer his advice.

If it's already confirmed, there's no need to say more. Discussing it now is completely pointless.

Su Zhe glanced at Qi Heng gratefully. He knew his elder brother's personality; although he seemed carefree and unrestrained, he had some hidden stubbornness.

Once he's made up his mind, even his younger brother finds it hard to dissuade him.

Qi Heng smiled; he knew Su Shi's temperament very well.

Some say that Su Shi didn't understand politics or how to adapt, and that his fame only came from his excellent essays and poems.

In terms of officialdom, he only had the ability to govern a region. He was not only inferior to those famous civil officials, but even his younger brother Su Zhe could not compare with him.

Qi Heng disagreed, arguing that although Su Shi's official career was fraught with difficulties, there were actually only two key moments.

Firstly, during Wang Anshi's reforms, he submitted a memorial criticizing the new laws, which nearly cost him his life.

The reformers didn't want to break the precedent of not killing civil officials, which is why they spared his life.

The second incident occurred after Wang Anshi's reforms failed, when the conservatives suppressed and purged the reformers. He wrote a letter criticizing the conservatives.

At first glance, Su Shi seems to be two-faced, sometimes opposing the new laws and sometimes speaking up for the reformers.

Moreover, they always chose to do so when their opponents were in a strong position.

However, these are just appearances; Wang Anshi's reforms were too idealistic.

Most of the new laws he formulated were the kind that looked good on the surface, but were very difficult to implement perfectly.

However, the reform itself was highly dependent on local implementation.

In fact, in the early stages of the reform, a large number of officials submitted memorials describing the impact of the reform on the local areas.

Before the reform even began, there was a lot of obstruction from the conservatives. In Wang Anshi's view, this was just another tactic used by the conservatives to prevent the reform.

Secondly, the reforms were just beginning, and they were bound to have some impact on the local people; this was an inevitable growing pain.

Once we get through this, things will be fine once the new law stabilizes.

At that time, Wang Anshi had the emperor's strong support, and those who questioned him all met with bad ends, so naturally no one dared to question him afterward.

When Su Shi served in local government, he was well aware of the true situation of the reforms in those areas.

His criticism of the new law was not out of opposition to the law itself, but rather an attack on those who used the guise of reform to exploit the people.

In fact, most of the officials who supported Wang Anshi's reforms did not genuinely want reforms; rather, they were simply taking advantage of the emperor's support for Wang Anshi to fish in troubled waters.

Su Shi's criticisms threatened their interests, so he naturally faced their suppression and retaliation.

After the failure of the reform movement, the conservatives came to power. They considered Su Shi one of their own, so Su Shi was not only reinstated but also promoted all the way up to the position of Minister of Rites.

However, when he saw the conservatives suppressing the reformers and completely rejecting the new law, he felt that the so-called conservatives and the previous reformers were completely the same kind of people.

Their original intentions were not for the country, but for the struggle for power and profit.

While the new law has many problems, it also has some good aspects.

But after the conservatives came to power, they applied a blanket ban on everything, regardless of whether it was good or bad.

He could not tolerate these things and once again wrote a letter criticizing the various chaotic and corrupt practices that had occurred after the conservatives came to power.

Then he faced suppression from the conservatives and eventually left the capital in disgrace.

Su Shi must have known the consequences of his actions, but he had his own ideals and principles.

When the trend is irreversible and an individual cannot change it, all he can do is stick to his ideals.

This is no longer about politics, but about personal character and integrity.

Qi Heng knew he couldn't do it, but that didn't stop him from liking and admiring such people.

The discussion of politics stalled because of this incident, and everyone's topic returned to literature.

The Su brothers were exceptionally talented, and after a casual chat, even Sheng Changbai expressed great admiration for them.

"The talents and learning of Brother Suzhan and Brother Suyou are truly admirable. I have benefited greatly from chatting with the two of you."

Qi Heng glanced at the sky outside and said, "It should be noon now. The vegetarian food at Daxiangguo Temple is very good. You two brothers have only been in the capital for a short time, so I suppose you haven't tried it yet."

Today, I'm hosting a dinner for you two gentlemen; please come and enjoy a meal.

Su Shi was somewhat tempted by this suggestion. Besides reading, his favorite thing to do was eat.

Daxiangguo Temple also provides vegetarian meals to the public whenever it opens for business.

Although it's not cheap, it's very famous.

"Yuanruo, I'm so sorry."

Su Zhe said, "If my brother and I do not return soon, Father will be worried."

"That's right, I'll treat Yuan Ruo and Ze Cheng to a meal next time. It's really time to go back today," Su Shi said.

He remembered that his father had told them to be back by noon, and that he would take them to visit old friends in the afternoon.

Although visiting in the afternoon is somewhat inappropriate, the other party has other commitments to attend to, and the afternoon is the only convenient time.

"It's alright, we can get together again sometime."

Qi Heng smiled and said, "If Brother Zizhan has prepared the money, you can come to the Duke of Qi's mansion to find me. I will instruct the servants."

"It's actually the young master in person! My apologies for my disrespect!"

Su Shi and Su Zhe quickly stood up and bowed.

As a nobleman, Qi Heng certainly held a nominal position. Although the Great Zhou Dynasty valued civil officials more than military ones, they were still commoners and should still be treated with due respect.

"Brother Zizhan, what are you doing?"

Qi Heng feigned displeasure and said, "Friendship depends on mutual understanding. We had a pleasant conversation before, but now that you know my identity, you're being so distant. Is it because I'm the son of a nobleman that you're unwilling to associate with me?"

"Please don't be offended, Yuan Ruo!"

Su Shi smiled and said, "This is just etiquette. I never care about the background of my friends. If we can get along, even drug dealers and laborers can be friends."

If people don't see eye to eye, even royalty and nobility won't bother saying more.

"If Yuanruo comes from a noble family, then Cheng's identity must also be quite extraordinary, right?" Su Zhe asked.

In fact, based on their previous conversations, he had already guessed that Qi Heng was not simple.

Clothing is secondary; wealthy families can afford to buy it.

However, a person's words and actions cannot be cultivated by ordinary families.

However, Sheng Changbai and the others dispelled his suspicion.

Sheng Changbai is quite talented and his behavior is also fine, but Sheng Changfeng is a bit crude.

He Hongwen was a medical student; if Qi Heng were of noble status, why would he travel with He Hongwen?

Upon learning that Qi Heng was the son of the Duke of Qi, he guessed that Sheng Changbai and the others were probably not simple people either.