Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 509 Duke Wenzheng

Murong Fu glanced at Zhang Dun with a questioning look. A cold expression flashed across Zhang Dun's face, which he quickly concealed. Zhang Dun returned the greeting and said, "Secretary Fan, it's been many years since we last met. I hope you have been well."

The visitor addressed Zhang Dun by his courtesy name to show familiarity, but Zhang Dun coldly addressed him by his official title. The underlying sense of distance was immediately apparent to anyone with discerning eyes.

The newcomer gave a wry smile: "Brother Zihou, we served in the same court many years ago. We haven't seen each other for many years. Our reunion today is fate. Why do you have to act so distant?"

Zhang Dun said, "Zhang Dun is merely a minor official in charge of temples and monasteries; how dare I discuss personal relationships with the Prime Minister?"

Murong Fu coughed, breaking the awkward silence: "To be honest, Zhang Dun is really petty. What grudge did he hold against us back then?"

Murong Fu clasped his hands in a respectful greeting and said, "I am Murong Fu. This gentleman looks unfamiliar. May I ask your name?"

The newcomer was about sixty years old, older than Zhang Dun. He wasn't surprised by Zhang Dun's attitude, but gave a slight wry smile. Upon hearing Murong Fu's greeting, he quickly composed himself: "My surname is Fan, and my given name is Chunren. I am currently serving as the Deputy Privy Councilor. Young Master Murong's reputation is well-known, and I have long heard of your illustrious name."

Upon hearing this, Murong Fu's eyes lit up: "Is your father Fan Zhongyan?"

Fan Chunren was slightly moved: "Young Master has also heard of my father's deeds?"

Murong Fu was slightly excited, but he remained calm on the surface: "Who doesn't know and admire Fan Zhongyan's heart of being the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures? I can't be there in person, but I yearn for it. I regret that I couldn't be born in the same era as Fan Zhongyan and have the opportunity to meet your esteemed face."

The visitor was none other than Fan Chunren, the fourth son of Fan Zhongyan, the foremost prime minister of the Song Dynasty. Whether in terms of character, integrity, or genuine service to the people, Fan Zhongyan was, in Murong Fu's eyes, the undisputed foremost wise and virtuous prime minister of the Song Dynasty, ranking among the top ten in the two-thousand-year history of China. It can be said that if a nouveau riche like Zhang Juzheng had possessed even half the integrity and consistency between words and deeds of Fan Wenzheng, the young Wanli Emperor wouldn't have had his idealized image shattered, his moral compass broken, and Zhang the Prodigy wouldn't have ended up with his property confiscated, his coffin opened, and his political influence extinguished after his death.

What is even more commendable is that Fan Zhongyan not only established merit, virtue, and words during his lifetime, but also educated his sons very well. Through his words and deeds, his sons who entered officialdom all inherited their father's legacy.

When Fan Zhongyan held a high-ranking position, an official once exclaimed in feigned mystery, "Have you heard? Fan Zhongyan's family traditions have changed!"

His colleagues asked in surprise where he got this idea. The man replied mysteriously, "Back when Fan was not yet prime minister, his family's daily meals consisted of nothing more than a plate of pickled green beans. Now that he's prime minister, there are even two pinches of minced meat on top of the green beans! Isn't that a sign that his family's values ​​have changed?" Those who heard this were both amused and saddened.

Fan Chunren inherited his father's incorruptible character. Despite being the son of a vice prime minister, he walked every day while studying at the Imperial Academy, never even owning a carriage. He truly embodied the spirit of "eating only meat at night and walking as if riding in a carriage," finding joy in poverty and maintaining his integrity. Later, Fan Chunren also rose to a high-ranking position. During the Yuan You era, a time of fierce factional strife—an era where opposition was for the sake of opposition, and support was for the sake of support, regardless of right or wrong, only based on political stance—Fan Chunren was a rare figure among the old party who could see the merits of the new laws and advocate for them amidst widespread criticism. He was also one of the few who, after Emperor Zhezong assumed personal rule, spoke out on matters of principle and with righteous indignation.

It can be said that the character and political reputation of this father and son completely shattered the reputation of Zhang Shentong, who rose to power through manipulation.

Murong Fu was thrilled, and his praise was genuine; he respected this kind of person from the bottom of his heart.

Fan Chunren was surprised that simply mentioning his father, who had passed away many years ago, would excite this popular and influential official so much. Deeply moved, he couldn't help but chat enthusiastically with Murong Fu.

The two chatted more and more congenially, as if they had known each other for a long time and even seemed to be forming a close friendship despite their age difference. Then, a voice announced, "The Emperor has arrived!" The scene immediately fell silent. All the civil and military officials, led by the head of the procession, stood in order of rank. The scene became solemn, as if the previous hustle and bustle had never happened.

Led by the Emperor, another cry rang out, "The Empress Dowager has arrived!" All the civil and military officials respectfully welcomed her. In an instant, bells and drums resounded, and elegant music filled the air. Empress Dowager Gao, dressed in a phoenix robe, arrived in a palanquin, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, and ascended the throne. A court official stepped forward and loudly recited a birthday eulogy, its ornate language praising Empress Dowager Gao's regency and her contributions to stabilizing the nation.

The crowd listened to the eulogy, their expressions varied, and their thoughts were hard to fathom.

Murong Fu sneered inwardly: It seems that today's banquet is destined to be more than just a birthday celebration for the old man.

Emperor Zhezong, as the emperor, stood to one side, but his position was slightly behind, so those below the stage could not see his expression.

Next, members of the imperial family and noblewomen presented gifts in turn to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday.

Empress Dowager Gao had just recovered from a serious illness and was in high spirits, having survived a calamity.

The Imperial Music Bureau presented meticulously choreographed music and dance performances, starting with solemn pieces such as "Da Ding Yue" and "Shang Yuan Yue," symbolizing peace and prosperity throughout the land.

However, the dance that followed caused some people to change their expressions.

The dance was exquisite and magnificent. Apart from a few uneducated military officers who were unaware of its meaning, most people present had different reactions to the content of the dance.

The dance tells the story of the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng.

In the early Western Zhou Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, died young. Before his death, he appointed his younger brother, Duke Dan of Zhou, to assist the young King Cheng and act as regent. This is the story of Duke Dan of Zhou assisting King Cheng. On the surface, it is a praise of Empress Dowager Gao, who ruled as regent as the grandmother after the death of Emperor Shenzong of Song and assisted the young emperor. However, upon closer examination, one can appreciate the profound meaning behind it.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat strange.

Empress Dowager Gao frowned slightly, somewhat annoyed, but considering it was an inappropriate day to lash out, she waved her hand and ordered the dance to be stopped: "Alright, alright, all of you ministers have been standing for a long time. Let's not stand on ceremony. Please, ministers and relatives, take your seats."

The eunuch drew out the Empress Dowager's order, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, following the attendants' directions to find their seats.

At the announcement of "Let the banquet begin," all sorts of delicacies from land and sea were laid out. Although Empress Dowager Gao valued frugality, the dishes for such a grand occasion could not be made meager in order to save money.

Next came the presentation of birthday gifts. Officials and relatives had racked their brains, presenting Empress Dowager Gao with a dazzling array of exquisite presents. Empress Dowager Gao's brow furrowed and relaxed intermittently, affecting the nerves of countless people.

The Prefect of Kaifeng presented a huge Shoushan stone, which amazed everyone who saw it, and many even began to talk about how auspicious it was.

The Empress Dowager frowned upon seeing it, and said with a hint of displeasure, "Finding such a stone and transporting it to Bianjing must have taken a lot of effort, right? As a high-ranking official and the local governor, shouldn't the Prefect be focusing on serving the country and the people? Instead, he's preoccupied with these strange and ingenious tricks, falsely claiming them as auspicious omens?"