A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 268 Trying to Force a Child

Not only was Zhao Zhen anxious, but the eunuchs and palace maids serving the emperor were also very anxious.

Among the nine empress dowagers who ruled from behind the curtain during the Song Dynasty, the most powerful was undoubtedly Empress Liu, who ruled during the Tiansheng and Mingdao reigns of Emperor Zhenzong.

Tian Sheng: There are two sages in the world.

Mingdao: The sun and moon follow the same path.

Both of these reign titles were chosen in accordance with Empress Liu's wishes.

Don't make your political intentions too obvious.

Especially after Liu E eliminated some of her political enemies in the early stages, even if Empress Liu had the ambition of Wu Zetian, or even if she had the actions of Wu Zetian, she would still have gained a lot of support.

Anyway, none of Liu E's family members were there.

The idea of ​​threatening the Song Dynasty's succession by having a nephew as an heir is simply not true.

In the end, the throne will still pass to Zhao Zhen.

Therefore, Liu E had to dance on the line from time to time.

When Lü Yijian became a councilor and was promoted to vice prime minister, some people advised him not to accept the position, but to retire and avoid trouble, so as not to implicate the Lü family.

However, Lü Yijian firmly refuted this:
"Ping and Bo did not leave, so the Han dynasty was at peace; Renjie did not leave, so the Tang dynasty was at peace."

Old Lü compared himself to Chen Ping and Zhou Bo during the reign of Empress Lü of Emperor Gaozu of Han, and Di Renjie during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, which means he regarded Liu E as a reincarnation of Empress Lü who attempted to change the dynasty, and a second Wu Zetian.

Moreover, Lü Yijian believed that his political acumen was no less than that of Liu E, a woman, so how could he be manipulated by her?

Since ancient times, it has been said that a ruler governs his ministers.

However, in many cases, officials manage those above them, especially in the Song Dynasty:
"Even a subject can govern a ruler!"

Wang Zeng, who recommended Lü Yijian, had already sent Liu E's relative by marriage, Qian Weiyan, to hint to Liu E while Emperor Zhenzong was still alive that she should learn from the lessons of Empress Lü and Empress Wu Zetian and stop thinking about things that weren't hers.

Many people suspected that Empress Liu had ambitions similar to those of Empress Wu Zetian, and there was some reason for this.

When Emperor Zhenzong of Song was alive, he told his ministers that he suspected Empress Liu of having disloyal intentions.

Especially regarding the transfer of power, Emperor Zhenzong of Song was deeply worried and indecisive. He even told his ministers that everyone in the palace listened to Empress Liu.

Prime Minister Li Di immediately said: Let's bring Empress Liu to justice.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song said it was unnecessary.

In addition, Empress Liu's overstepping of her authority was too numerous.

Her birthday was designated as Changning Festival, which, like Zhao Zhen's birthday, Qianyuan Festival, was to be celebrated by all under heaven.

Her father, Liu Tong, was a name that the entire country was required to avoid using, which is why Shi Yuansun changed his name.

For example, Tongzhou was changed to Chongzhou, and Tongpan was changed to Tongpan.

The court officials bestowed upon her a title as long as that of the emperor, but Liu E was not satisfied with this and recently changed it again.

"Empress Dowager Yingtian Qisheng Xiangong Chongde Ciren Baoshou".

It's even longer than the emperor's title. I wonder if she read Journey to the West, or if she was inspired by the Monkey King.

Empress Liu's etiquette and carriages were no different from the emperor's, and were even more luxurious. She would also send envoys to the Liao Dynasty in her own name.

Not to mention that she sat on equal footing with Emperor Renzong of Song, sharing the Chengming Hall and listening to the reports of officials.

In fact, although Tian Sheng said there were two people, Liu E was actually the one in charge.

Everyone in the palace knew that they must not offend the Empress Dowager.

After all, the emperor might be soft-hearted and make an exception for you.

But things might not be so clear-cut when it comes to Empress Dowager Liu.

So, with everyone's help, Zhao Zhen dressed himself properly and then rode in a palanquin to the Empress Dowager's palace.

Zhao Zhen sat on the palanquin, deep in thought.

What exactly did the Empress Dowager want to see me about?

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhen quickly bowed.

Empress Liu was handling state affairs when she saw the emperor arrive, and she went straight to the point:
"Sixth Brother is here. Your second sister is sick. Find some time to go and see her."

Zhao Zhen was startled.

His father had many children, but they all died young.

Only the brother and sister remain alive.

Zhao Zhen is seventeen years old now, and his younger sister is only seven.

However, he was in poor health and became a Taoist priest at the age of three. He is now being cared for at the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace.

"I see."

Zhao Zhen nodded repeatedly, thinking he would speak with his mother for a while before taking his leave.

Empress Liu had no children in her entire life, and she had long been accustomed to the successive deaths of Emperor Zhao Heng's offspring.

Otherwise, Zhao Shouyi wouldn't have become the crown prince.

Heaven knows that of Zhao Kuangyi's nine sons, a great many of their children died young, and several of them were adopted by other men as heirs.

Rumor has it that Zhao Kuangyi was a master of poisons, a veritable master of deadly poisons in the Song Dynasty. Perhaps he was influenced by poisons during his research.

Without even looking up, Liu E casually asked:

Have you heard the interesting stories that happened outside the Ministry of Rites' examination hall today?

"what?"

Zhao Zhen was still pondering his second sister's health condition when Liu E asked him a question that left him somewhat bewildered.

In a family, daughters are usually referred to by their parents as the eldest sister.

Emperor Renzong of Song called his birth mother "elder sister", his younger sister "second elder sister", his eldest daughter "elder sister", and his tenth daughter "tenth elder sister".

"It seems that Sixth Brother is not very clear about this matter."

Liu E didn't think much of it; she had heard that the area outside the examination hall was bustling with activity today.

Apart from Wang Zeng, who had no children, all the other prime ministers were just there to join in the fun.

"You should really go and see for yourself. After Song Xuan passed the imperial examination with top honors, he was fought over by those powerful and wealthy people to become their son-in-law."

"He was snatched away by Cao Shizhong's sons first, and this foolish boy agreed, even refusing Lu Xianggong's marriage proposal. Don't you think he's foolish?"

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Zhao Zhen was taken aback for a moment.

He sent someone to inquire, and according to the discussion among the three Shi brothers, it was said that Cao Shizhong had brought out his daughter, and before they had even discussed the dowry, the twelfth brother had already agreed.

They wouldn't believe such a hasty and perfunctory statement.

But Zhao Zhen believed it.

According to Twelfth Brother's habits, he doesn't care about your family background. If the girl is good-looking, he will marry her.

After all, she was his wife, with whom he had shared a bed for a lifetime.

But if he doesn't think highly of you, even if you are the daughter of a prime minister, he won't want you.

Zhao Zhen recalled the frustrating incident when the Empress Dowager asked him to choose an empress, but after he made his choice, he was rejected and the woman was given directly to her nephew.

In Liu E's view, even Song Xiang, whom she herself had promoted, was actively trying to curry favor with the officials in the court. If Song Xuan could really pass the imperial examinations in all three categories, marrying the daughter of a prime minister would be the right thing to do.

He readily agreed to marry into a family of "warriors".

Everyone knows that the Song Dynasty now has a national policy of emphasizing civil administration and suppressing military power.

Is Song Xuan stupid?
Liu E had seen Cao Liyong's only daughter; she was not a pretty girl from a modest family, nor did she fit the aesthetic standards of that group of scholars.

I really don't know if Song Xuan has never seen a woman before or what?
But then Liu E remembered Emperor Zhenzong, who had shown her the same affection for her for decades.

Others may disagree; who can really say for sure what this feeling is?

Although Liu E said that Song Xuan's behavior was foolish, in reality, she still missed the fact that she had always been favored by the ruler of the world.

Hearing Song Xuan's choice now, she is even more convinced that this is what women are like in this world.

There are clever and quick-witted people, lively and agile people, well-read people, and people who are brave and resourceful. In any case, there will always be someone who likes the unique one.

Empress Liu put down the memorial in her hand, raised her eyes, and glanced at Emperor Zhao Zhen:
"Otherwise, if the emperor knows nothing, wouldn't he be easily deceived by his subordinates?"

"Your Majesty is right. I will definitely go out and observe more in the future."

Zhao Zhen didn't want to talk about this topic, so he could only console himself.

She is my mother, so she must be thinking of my own good to comfort myself.

Deep down, he envied Song Xuan.

If you can't even pick a wife you like, how can you possibly have a calm and composed mindset in the future?
Does that mean that every time Wan encounters difficulties in the court, he returns to the harem and has no one to confide in, but instead has to face that arrogant and domineering face?
Zhao Zhen felt a headache just thinking about it!
Therefore, he never spent the night at Empress Guo's place, and he was even too lazy to see her.

However, Empress Guo was jealous and had Empress Dowager Liu's support. She closely monitored Zhao Zhen's whereabouts and even forbade him from getting close to other palace maids and concubines.

Even if Zhao Zhen wanted to be intimate with the other ladies in the palace, Empress Guo wouldn't leave, she just kept disgusting him.

This caused Zhao Zhen to be extremely angry, but he dared not express it.

Although he has been married for several years and has other concubines, he still has no children.

As for Liu E, she completely ignored such matters.

"Yes, it is the emperor's proper duty to know more about the affairs of the common people," Liu E replied.
"Have you decided on the questions for the palace examination?"

"Not yet, I will discuss it with Scholar Sun later."

"it is good."

Liu E nodded slightly.

Because of the continuous dominance of students from Yingtian, rumors of cheating in the imperial examinations have spread among those who failed.

However, over the years, Liu E has gotten used to it.

After each exam, those who failed always felt that everyone else who passed had cheated.

And I was admitted because of my outstanding abilities.

This was true not only for the provincial examinations, but also for the palace examinations, where the students who failed were even more distraught.

Empress Liu even encountered a scholar who, after failing the imperial examination, became so disheartened that he jumped into the Bian River and drowned himself.

In her view, many intellectuals have become foolish from reading too much.

Anyway, if you fail the exam, it's either because someone cheated, or the examiners are blind and don't know how good your poetry is. There are also those who beat the drum to appeal for justice.

Even if such a person becomes an official, he will still cause great trouble.

"This is your first time presiding over and participating in the palace examination, so you should pay more attention and accumulate experience. Listen to what outsiders say, but don't listen to everything they say."

Empress Liu was power-hungry, but she was also willing to teach Emperor Renzong how to handle various political affairs.

In any case, Emperor Zhao Heng was obsessed with engaging in feudal superstitious activities to increase his authority and consolidate his regime, and he did not provide much education for Emperor Zhao Zhen.

However, as Zhao Heng's "assistant," Liu E did learn some things from him over the years.

"I will remember what Your Majesty said and will prepare well."

Zhao Zhen responded, his heart filled with even greater excitement.

Last time, when I was still young, Song Xiang, who had achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations, was snatched away by the Empress Dowager.

If my twelfth brother can also pass all three imperial examinations this time, I will definitely not let my mother take him away again!

He should be the emperor's disciple.

What do you want to do by becoming the Empress Dowager's protégé?
"Hmm." Liu E nodded gently.
"Go."

Zhao Zhen then withdrew from Liu E's palace and boarded a palanquin to head towards Yuqing Palace.

Then Chen Yaozuo walked in, missing the emperor.

He had just tried to persuade Han Qi to become his son-in-law at home, but Han Qi said he was already engaged, which really annoyed Chen Yaozuo.

So what if we're engaged?
Many people call off their engagements.

Your father, Han Guohua, was only a fifth-rank Right Censor until his death (renamed a fourth-rank official during the Yuanfeng reforms). Your two elder brothers also died young, and your third brother, who has passed the imperial examination, is still climbing the ranks and is a minor seventh-rank official.

If you were to become my son-in-law, your future would be incredibly bright, Han Qi.

But even when Han Qi was tied up, he did not agree.

Chen Yaozuo was transferred back to take over the position of Assistant Prefect of Kaifeng from his younger brother Chen Yaozi, and was also tasked with writing the national histories of the three emperors Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong.

Not to mention that Chen Yaozuo had already established connections with Lü Yijian, and it was Lü Yijian who helped him return to the capital to take over his brother's position.

He was trying to persuade Han Qi to accept his request when he unexpectedly received an audience with Empress Dowager Liu.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Ah."

Liu E responded, then pointed to the exam papers on the table beside her and said:

"This is the method for managing the Yellow River written by Song Xuan, the top scholar of this conference. You have experience with it, so take a good look."

Chen Yaozuo's eyes lit up. He knew that Lü Yijian wanted to take Song Xuan as his son-in-law. They had discussed it beforehand to avoid repeating themselves.

As for the offspring that Cao used to snatch away at the scene, Chen Yaozuo felt that Song Xuan was a smart man, and with Lü Yijian also being a smart man, the two would surely create a beautiful story of father-in-law and son-in-law.

Cao used him to his advantage at all!
When the Yellow River breached its banks, Chen Yaozuo made wooden cages to reduce the flood, and also organized the people to build a long dike, which was praised by the people.

At this moment, Chen Yaozuo was so shocked by Song Xuan's methods for managing the Yellow River that he was speechless.

If Song Xuan's method can truly be used, then the city of Tokyo will surely never again be troubled by the Yellow River floods.

"Your Majesty," Chen Yaozuo said after considering his words several times.

"Although this method is unheard of, I think it is better than Li Chui's idea. If the court were to try this method on a small scale first, it might solve the problem of the city of Tokyo being flooded every summer."

"Do you think it's feasible?"

"Your Majesty, this young man's writing style is logical and clear. I've heard that he also helped local officials manage rivers in his hometown, so perhaps he already has some experience."

"Oh?"

Liu E had not expected that Song Xuan would have experienced something similar in his hometown.

She once again realized that these courtiers wielded considerable power.

Upon hearing yesterday that Song Xuan was a top scholar in the imperial examination, I immediately sent someone to his hometown to inquire about him.

From this perspective, Lü Yijian's motivation was not simply to achieve the goal of winning the top three honors in the imperial examinations.

Unlike Song Xiang, he is a "good at doing his job" and will be very likely to achieve political success in the future.

He might rise to power even faster than Wang Zeng, and don the purple robe even earlier.

However, in Liu E's view, it was fortunate that Lü Yijian was one of her own, but his plan had failed.

The girl from the Lü family was not as pretty as the girl from the Cao family in Song Twelve's eyes.

These young people always like young and beautiful girls!
At this moment, Chen Yaozuo still felt that he would definitely be able to drink at Lü Yijian's wedding banquet, and since his son-in-law would also be Han Qi, he spared no effort in praising Song Xuan.

In particular, the things Song Xuan did in his hometown are truly praiseworthy.

Whether it's supporting the operation of Yingtian Academy with large sums of money, or taking care of the elderly and lonely neighbors.

The fact that students from Yingtian Prefecture are able to top the list today, and that many of them are even on the list, is also due to Song Xuan's favor.

Otherwise, without resolving their worries, they would still have to work hard to feed themselves and pay for the expenses of writing materials.

Liu E listened to Chen Yaozuo's news in silence.

It turns out that Song Xuan was actually a reformed prodigal son like Zhou Chu.

That is even more rare and precious!
Now Liu E understood everything about Song Xuan's motives for daring to publicly rebuke the imperial clansman.

He was known as the "number one of the three evils in his hometown" since childhood, so how could he be afraid of the pressure from others?

He's someone who's fearless and daring.

Moreover, Song Xuan was still a young man in his early twenties.

Looking at Chen Yaozuo, who was speaking very cautiously, Liu E couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Young people are indeed the bravest group.

Because courage is a quality that gradually disappears with age.

……

Yuqing Palace is located outside Tianbo Gate in the northwest of the Imperial City.

Originally planned to take fifteen years to complete, the officials rushed the project to please the emperor, causing hardship for tens of thousands of construction workers, and it was completed in eight years.

Yuqing Palace was even more luxurious than Epang Palace.

It has a total of 2,610 rooms, making it larger than the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Not to mention in Tokyo, where land is extremely valuable.

Such a large-scale building complex is a money-losing proposition, generating absolutely no profit.

If this money could be allocated to the rental market, it might bring down rental prices in the eastern suburbs, allowing the national treasury to continue collecting money.

However, it might take a thousand years to recoup the costs from this small amount of rent.

What's so special about a jade throne and golden Buddha statue that's only a foot tall?

During the construction of Yuqing Zhaoying Palace, the carving of just three statues cost 10,000 taels of gold and 5,000 taels of silver.

Zhao Heng's extravagant construction projects emptied the national treasury.

When Zhao Zhen took out 50,000 strings of cash from the imperial treasury to bet on Song Xuan's chances of winning the imperial examination, he took away most of the working capital.

Not only are there such grand palaces and temples in Tokyo, but a large number of them have also been built in other parts of the country.

To this end, Zhao Heng also established an honorary title, which was to give people an extra salary so that they would not have to work in local temples or monasteries.

Upon hearing that the emperor had arrived, many of the Taoist priests who were being cared for hurriedly came out to greet him.

Zhao Zhen asked them to lead the way. After entering the room, he saw his little second sister lying asleep on the bed.

He stopped, stepped back, and only spoke after he had walked out:
How is my second sister's condition?

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have already consulted the imperial physicians." Zhang Huaide's face was filled with sorrow. "But they don't have any good solutions; they can only let him rest and recover."

Zhao Zhen frowned; he was not very satisfied with the imperial physician.

Many diseases are incurable, especially those affecting children.

Otherwise, how could so many infants in the palace have died?
These are his only siblings.

There was a rumor that there was an illegitimate son in the folk, named Zhang Maoshi, whose father was the eunuch Zhang Jingzong.

After Zhao Zhen ascended the throne, he promoted him. He is now the Commissioner of the Supply Depot, the Military Commissioner of Enzhou, and the Military Commander of Zhengding Road (the military commander is called the Chief Military Commander if he is less senior).

Zhao Zhen's face showed displeasure. Zhang Huaide rarely saw the emperor with anger, and he broke out in a cold sweat. After thinking for a while, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration:
"Your Majesty, why not go to Nanjing and invite the descendants of the legendary physician Wang Huaiyin?"

"Wang Huaiyin?"

Zhang Huaide told Zhao Zhen again that he was originally a Taoist priest who lived in Jinlong Temple in the capital and was famous for his medical skills.

He returned home on Emperor Taizong's orders and took up a position at the Hanlin Medical Academy. He cured the illness of the son of the King of Wuyue, which earned him Emperor Taizong's deep appreciation. Emperor Taizong even donated his treasured collection of over a thousand houses.

"I remember now, the Taiping Shenghui Fang (Prescription for Peace and Benevolence)."

Zhao Zhen knew about this book; Emperor Taizong even wrote a preface for it himself.

"Aren't his descendants in the Imperial Medical Academy?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, but the youngest son of Physician Wang has returned to his hometown of Nanjing to benefit the local people. When I went to inspect the local Taoist temples, I heard that he had inherited his father's reputation as a divine physician and was highly praised." Zhang Huaide's implication was that the descendants of Wang Huaiyin of the Imperial Medical Bureau were not very skilled.

In particular, treating patients requires constant practice and is a skill that needs to be mastered.

The Imperial Medical Bureau only served the royal family. If they received an official title, they would be sent to examine members of the imperial family and ministers.

They rarely make house calls.

The number of patients that Doctor Wang encountered in Songcheng was far greater than the total number of patients in the Imperial Medical Bureau combined.

Naturally, they are experienced.

Although the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Song Dynasty recruited excellent doctors, most of the imperial physicians were from families where the emperor's ancestors were imperial physicians.

A position can be passed down through blood ties, but skills inevitably decline over time, eventually leading to a physician who can kill the emperor.

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly: "In that case, please come over and let Doctor Wang take a look at my second sister."

"Yes."

"I will personally question him later."

Zhao Zhen responded and then fell silent, waiting for his second sister to wake up so he could talk to her.

When Song Xuan got home, he found that everyone had gone home except for Han Qi.

"what happened?"

"He got snatched away to be someone's son-in-law." Lü Lejian clicked her tongue twice, looking at Song Xuan's incredulous expression:
"Twelfth Brother, you actually rejected the marriage proposal from my Lü family, and you almost called me uncle. What were you thinking?"

"That's why I refused, because I didn't want to call you uncle."

Hearing Song Xuan's retort, Lü Lejian was immediately speechless.

"Hahaha."

Wang Tai and the others burst into laughter, then asked Song Xuan what he thought.

You should know that you have a chance to win all three prizes in a row.

Even the prime minister's family background is not considered good enough?

Although Cao, the Privy Councilor, was a high-ranking official, he was a military general.

Their children and grandchildren are also highly likely to be appointed as military officers in the future.

Since his father-in-law was not a civil official, he would not be able to provide much assistance to Song Xuan in his future career advancement.

Wang Zeng is now a prime minister, and both of his wives were daughters of the famous prime minister Li Hang.

Who is Li Hang?
He was a civil official who, like his father Wang Dan, was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple of Emperor Zhenzong.

Therefore, in Wang Tai's view, if they are lucky and there is no war with foreign countries, the only military general to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple is most likely Cao Liyong.

However, the emperor is currently very young, and the Western Xia in the northwest is not behaving properly, so war is very likely to break out.

Wang Tai felt that it was not impossible for the Song Dynasty to destroy the Xia Dynasty.

After all, Twelfth Brother has always been saying he wants to go to the Northwest to make a name for himself!

Suddenly realizing this, Wang Tai understood why Song Xuan had so readily agreed to the marriage proposal from Cao Shizhong's family.

He really wanted to fight in the Northwest!

Wang Tai immediately fell silent; he had figured it out:

How could such a clever man as Twelfth Brother be so easily blinded by a woman?

So that's the deeper meaning behind it.

"By the way, Brother Wang, I'd like to ask, do any of the high-ranking officials and powerful figures in Dongjing City force these Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to agree to marriage, or do they force them to drink alcohol and make it a fait accompli?"

Upon hearing Song Xuan's sudden call to roll, Wang Tai immediately looked up:

“There are such examples. During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, a newly appointed scholar was subjected to this, and then he asked the emperor to annul the engagement, thus escaping the clutches of the evil man.”

Song Xuan immediately stood up: "Han Qi said earlier that he had already arranged a marriage. I even finished lunch at the Cao family's house and came back. How could Han Qi not have returned yet?"

Wang Tai also stood up, his face serious, and said:

"Does Twelfth Brother mean that Han Qi is being held captive, and they're planning to force him into a fait accompli by nightfall?"

"If we give Han Qi some aphrodisiacs, I'm afraid he won't be able to control himself."

Lü Lejian wasn't bothered by Song Xuan's rejection of the Lü family's marriage proposal; after all, it wasn't her cousin marrying off his daughter.

If Song Xuan were truly capable of achieving the highest honors in all three categories, then the line of men eager to become his father-in-law would stretch all the way to Nanjing.

Hearing Lü Yijian's words, Song Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly:
"This is how to do ah?"

"If Han Qi is subjected to such harsh criticism, what if he is unable to perform to his full potential in the palace examination? Wouldn't his life be ruined?"

Zhang Fangping wanted to laugh at the time, but after Han Qi was carried away, he remembered that Han Qi was engaged and would definitely be released like his twelfth brother.

I never expected that the people who took Han Qi away would be so unscrupulous.

"Do you know who kidnapped him?"

Hearing Song Xuan's question, Zhu Yu replied:

"It should be Prefect Chen, that's what I heard from someone."

Song Xuan immediately summoned the old servant and asked who the current Prefect of Kaifeng was.
"Chen Yaozi has been promoted, and now his second brother, Chen Yaozuo, has taken over."

"Alright, then let's go to Chen Yaozuo's house to find him."

"Twelfth Brother, should we inform your father-in-law about this?"

"It's a trivial matter, no need for him to get involved."

Song Xuan pointed to this group of people:

“We are all candidates who passed the provincial examinations and have one foot in the officialdom. At worst, we can push our good brothers Wang Tai and Lü Lejian out. One of them has a father who is honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the other has a father and cousin who are both prime ministers. That’s impressive enough, and it’s not a big deal.”

After hearing this, the old servant didn't say anything more.

Bao Zheng agreed, completely unaware that his son would also be related to the Lü family by marriage.

Wang Tai didn't care, since his father had been dead for so many years, but the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple was not something every prime minister could have.

If Song Xuan were to use it, it wouldn't be a big deal.

In particular, he felt that Chen Yaozuo was not an unreasonable person. The old man was already in his sixties, so it was perfectly normal for him to want a son-in-law who had passed the imperial examination.

The group left the house and headed towards Chen Yaozuo's home.

Wang Tai introduced Chen Yaozuo to everyone, saying that although he was old, he was in good health and had ten sons and many daughters.

Several of his grandsons are older than his son.

Wang Tai estimates that Chen Yaozuo already has more than twenty grandchildren. At this rate, more grandchildren will likely be born in the next few years, since his sons are still unmarried.

All three brothers in the family were top scholars in the imperial examinations.

The eldest and third sons had very few children, only two or three in total.

Wang Tai also recalled that although Chen Yaozi was not only a top scholar but also an excellent archer, there were also interesting stories about him being an oil seller.

However, he felt that practicing martial arts was not as good as Chen Yaozuo's physical condition.

……

“Young Master Han, you heard the conditions my father offered, and they are truly sincere.”

As the youngest son, Chen Xianggu took his father's place and continued to offer advice.

After all, his father was suddenly summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager, and no one knew why.

Han Qi disdained associating with them, and simply said:

“My father arranged a marriage for me before he died, and I must fulfill his last wish.”

Chen Yaozuo and his son took turns trying to persuade Han Qi for three hours, but they still couldn't convince him.

To be honest, Chen Xianggu was forcibly suppressing his anger at this moment!
If it weren't for his father's instructions before he left, he would have shown Han Qi what the pampered sons of the capital city were like.

"Young Master Han, please reconsider. From now on, you and I are one, how can I treat you unfairly?"

"I've said it countless times," Han Qi said, emphasizing each word.
"It's impossible to break off the engagement. Even if you force me to drink and force me into marriage, I will still go and beat the drum to appeal to the officials."

Chen Xianggu glanced at the aphrodisiac on the table, but said firmly:
"You're new to Tokyo, and your elder brothers are both serving as officials in other places. If you were to defile my sister, do you think the authorities would listen to your side of the story?"

Han Qi's expression changed slightly. After all, the power of a family that produced three top scholars was quite intimidating.

Moreover, he also has many old acquaintances in the court.

"Don't expect anyone to come looking for you. Everyone's being robbed today; they don't have time to care about you."

Chen Xianggu walked out rather dejectedly, closed the door, and told the servants to keep a close watch, waiting for his father to return.

Han Qi sat in the chair, pondering carefully how to escape.

He believed that Song Xuan would come to save him, but Chen Xianggu was also right.

These days, all the powerful sons-in-law in Tokyo are scrambling to get their hands on him, so my twelfth brother is too busy to notice immediately that he's missing.

If things really escalate to the point of no return, it will be a stain on Han Qi's life.

……

After hearing Wang Tai's information, the group went to Chen Yaozuo's house.

It must be said that the entrance to the Chen residence is quite old.

It's certainly a strain to support such a large family on his salary alone.

There were many young children playing at the entrance.

Song Xuan stopped and immediately asked:

"May I ask if this is the residence of Prefect Chen?"

“That’s right,” said a child who looked to be about ten years old.

"What, are you here to marry my aunt too?"

"He is quite handsome."

The grandson, watching the commotion from the sidelines, said:

"It's even prettier than the one we just snatched back. I'm sure Auntie will be delighted."

Song Xuan ignored him and said with a smile:
"We are the classmates of the uncle you kidnapped. Take us to see him immediately."

"it is good."

The children then led Song Xuan and the others inside.

Bao Zheng was still thinking about how to phrase his words to communicate with the young child.

Who would have thought that Song Xuan would just let them lead the way so easily?

Was what he just said meant to fool children?
Wang Tai chuckled twice, then followed along with a rather helpless expression.

A group of chattering children were shouting there.

Only after they entered the door did a servant come to inquire.

After all, all three Chen brothers were top scholars in the imperial examinations. Chen Yaozuo had many children, but he still had to support the servants he needed to support.

"We've come to find Han Qi."

"There is no such person. Get out."

"Get out of here, or you'll regret it."

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan twisted his arm with one hand, causing him to kneel on the ground in pain.

"How dare you! Do you know who my master is?"

"He is the newly appointed Prefect of Kaifeng."

"Help! Help!"

"What a wicked servant! How dare he do such a bullying thing."

Song Xuan was waiting for Chen Yaozuo to come out, but instead, it was the tenth brother, Chen Xianggu, who came out. All of his older brothers were on duty.

Lower-level officials can't skip work whenever they want like higher-ups; they just have to endure the misery.

"Who are you?" Chen Xianggu asked, pointing at Song Xuan.
“You dare to trespass on my property with the intent to commit violence. If I tie you up and send you to Kaifeng Prefecture, you won’t be able to say a word.”

"Han Qi was openly kidnapped by you. Now you say he didn't do it, which means you disagreed with your marriage and killed him. I'm going to beat the petition drum and accuse your father, Prefect Chen, of abusing his power."

Song Xuan chuckled: "He hasn't even warmed his position as prefect yet, has he?"

"you dare!"

Chen Xianggu immediately felt a little guilty.

After all, his father had finally been transferred back this time. If he performed well in the position of prefect, he could naturally be promoted to prime minister.

Especially since his father was over sixty years old, this was a hard-won opportunity.

He felt guilty if this kid ruined his life.

"Who the hell are you?"

"As for me, I will not change my name or surname. I am Song Xuan, the top scholar in the provincial examination in the fifth year of Tiansheng."

Song Xuan looked at the person in charge and said, "You're not qualified. Call your father out."

Chen Xianggu was immediately bewildered when Song Xuan revealed his family background.

He never expected Song Xuan to come knocking on his door. Who in the entire city of Tokyo doesn't know his name these days?
After Chen Xianggu's attempts to persuade Han Qi failed, his servants, trying to amuse him, continued to eat the melons and even hired a layabout to inquire about them.

Song Xuan's melon.

He was utterly shocked by what he ate.

I never imagined that my own family would become the new gossip in such a short time!
You know, Song Xuan is currently very famous, and countless people are watching him closely.

If this matter gets out, it will have a significant impact on the Chen family.

Especially his father's career!
Chen Xianggu knew the matter was quite troublesome.

It's all because of that scholar named Han Qi; he's too stubborn and won't listen to reason!

My Chen family has produced three top scholars in the imperial examinations, and I value you so highly, yet you still disagree.

Just now, his father even made a promise that if you agree, he will find a way to make Han Qi the top scholar.

But Han Qi refused!

In any case, one must rely on one's own abilities to pass the imperial examination, rather than on the favoritism and corruption of others.

Moreover, he was already engaged.

"Hey, do you think I wouldn't dare to beat the petition drum?"

Chen Xianggu knew, of course, that Song Xuan dared to knock on the door; he even dared to say in public that a member of the imperial clan was not worthy of the surname Zhao.

They're lawless, what wouldn't they dare to do?

Song Xuan released his grip and stepped on the servant beneath him:

"I think he's the murderer!"

"Injustice! Han Juzi is not dead; he was just locked in a room."

Hearing the servant's self-disclosure, Song Xuan chuckled: "Everyone heard it."

Wang Tai stepped forward at this moment:
“My father is honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and my Wang family has some influence in the capital city of Dongjing. I suppose the Censor-in-Chief is lacking information on those to be impeached.”

"Good good."

Chen Xianggu said "good" several times, initially at a loss for words due to being startled by Song Xuan's name.

After all, this person has the potential to achieve the highest honors in all three categories, and then become a favorite of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

During the Qionglin Banquet, certain words spoken would be extremely inappropriate for his father.

Furthermore, the moment Wang Tai spoke, it was clear that he was the son of Prime Minister Wang Dan, making it even more difficult to offend him.

"Go and invite Young Master Han over."

Chen Xianggu originally thought that the people who came to snatch Han Qi would be other powerful and wealthy families in the capital, but none of them came. Instead, it was Song Xuan, the top scholar, who came.

The key point is that this young man is no less powerful than the powerful figures in the capital.

He even dared to refuse the marriage proposal from the then-Prime Minister Lü Yijian!
Especially since Lü Yijian was their benefactor, they really couldn't afford to offend him.

Han Qi struggled greatly when he was taken away, thinking he was being taken to a girl's room.

"What are you doing? Let me go."

"Han Liulang, why are you being carried away like a pig waiting to be slaughtered?"

Han Qi, who was struggling, stopped struggling when she heard the familiar teasing words and looked around.

Han Qi saw Song Xuan standing on a servant, grinning at him.

Behind him were Bao Zheng and his men, and all around him were expressions of fear from the Chen family.

Chen Xianggu glared at him, equally annoyed.

What was supposed to be a joyous and auspicious collaboration turned out to be an unfortunate event.

These candidates are all stubborn!

"Twelfth Brother, you've finally arrived."

Han Qi suddenly felt a lump in her throat:

"Otherwise, I'll be forced into marriage, and they'll accuse me of forcing that young woman."

Song Xuan glanced at Chen Xianggu: "So this is what the Chen family's family values ​​are like. I'm really worried about the people of Kaifeng!"

"Nonsense!" Chen Xianggu quickly rebuked.
"Han Liulang, this is not true! Don't frame my Chen family! According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, false accusations are punishable by death!"

"Humph."

Han Qi shook off the servants' hands and walked to Chen Xianggu's side:
"You'd better not become an official; I, Han Qi, am ashamed to be associated with you!"

Chen Xianggu's chest heaved with anger.

Song Xuan then released his foot from hers: "No need to see us off, we'll walk by ourselves, so as not to pick up any bad family traditions."

"you!"

Chen Xianggu wanted to reprimand him, but Song Xuan glared at him, and he immediately stopped.

After all, Cao Li's current official position is not something his father can afford to offend.

Moreover, Cao Li already had a reputation for arrogance, so it was only natural that he would bully his father in official circles to avenge his son-in-law.

Chen Xianggu thought that having the ability to pass the imperial examination was something extraordinary.
I'll take the exam too!
Those who entered officialdom through their fathers' influence could also take the imperial examinations, but they could not be selected as the top scorers.

Lü Yijian abused his power and engaged in cheating in the imperial examinations in his later years, all to give Chen Yaozuo's son and other members of his family a green light so that they could pass the imperial examinations.

"and many more."

Chen Yaozuo stood at the gate, looking at the group of scholars: "I am the Prefect of Kaifeng. What are you doing barging into my house?"

Chen Yaozuo was extremely unhappy that his chosen son-in-law, Han Qi, was being taken away by these young people.

"Father, you're finally back."

Chen Xianggu immediately ran to his side and pointed at Song Xuan, saying:
"Song Xuan has insulted our family's reputation; we must not let him off easily!"

(End of this chapter)