Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 253 An Ordinary Dusk in Early Winter

November 25th, the first year of the Jiayou era.

After the battle between the Imperial Academy and the National University at the end of October, Lu Beigu's life returned to normal.

As agreed, Yang Anguo provided the three Guangwenguan students with the same treatment as Guozijian lecturers, exceeding the usual standards. After bidding a reluctant farewell to Cui Wenjing, Lu Beigu moved into the Guozijian.

The Imperial College, a desolate place, was even quieter than Tianqing Temple.

Because in terms of staffing, the Imperial Academy only had about thirty academic officials and more than fifty students, totaling less than a hundred people. In reality, there were only about ten teachers living in the Imperial Academy, and the number of students who came to class was even smaller.

Therefore, Lu Beigu found an exceptionally quiet place to rest and study in the bustling and noisy city of Kaifeng.

He lived a very comfortable life at the Imperial College.

The accommodation was a private courtyard. Every morning, I would wash up, read aloud, have a free breakfast at the dining hall, then go to Song Tang for class or listen to lectures by doctors from the Imperial Academy who had been pre-booked. I would have lunch there, and in the afternoon, I would take a mule cart, almost like a private vehicle, to Song Xiang's residence for further study. In the evening, I would go to Zhao Bian's house to study poetry or read in the library, or arrange my own time as I pleased.

As winter approached, Lu Beigu even received a finely crafted silk robe to keep warm.

These days, cotton has been planted and is called "kapok," but it is still more common in the south. If you don't count the kapok quilts that high-ranking officials and nobles buy from the south at high prices to get through the winter, you can rarely see cotton in Kaifeng.

In this era without central heating and with high-quality fuel being expensive, it is truly possible to freeze to death in the north without warm clothing during winter.

After all, not many people could afford fur coats. Most ordinary people stuffed reeds into the hemp clothes they wore in the autumn, while poor families made makeshift clothes out of hemp paper or bark paper, which were very inadequate for keeping warm.

Having a silk robe with a silk outer fabric and silk floss filling is something that most people would envy—it's both elegant and warm.

In short, for a prestigious academy like the Imperial Academy, which has so much funding it can't be spent and has very few students, once you get in, you don't have to worry about food, clothing, or accommodation at all.

"Young Master Lu, we've arrived at Little Sweet Water Alley. The carriage can't go any further in."

The driver's voice interrupted Lu Beigu's thoughts.

"Thank you, please have a cup of hot tea while I wait."

Lu Beigu took out a dozen copper coins from the inner pocket of his robe and handed them to the coachman, who was a staff member of the Imperial Academy.

Only academic officials of the Imperial Academy with the rank of Doctor or above were allowed to use horse-drawn carriages. Even though Lu Beigu enjoyed the privilege of being a lecturer, he could only use a mule cart.

However, carriages and mule carts were rarely used in the Imperial Academy, so only Lu Beigu knew how to use this mule cart when he went out. Over time, the two became familiar with each other.

"to make."

The coachman came from humble origins, and his family had to pull many strings to get him a job as a coachman at the Imperial College.

This man was in his thirties, not very talkative, and not exactly honest; in fact, he was rather idle. However, he never interfered with Lu Beigu's affairs.

Seeing that the driver had tied up the mule, Lu Beigu walked into Xiaotianshui Alley.

Normally, he would stay at Zhao Bian's house for about an hour.

As for whether the coachman wanted to go to the nearby beverage shops or teahouses for a drink or find a secluded spot to relax during this time, that was none of Lu Beigu's business.

Following the deep bluestone path of Little Sweetwater Alley, Lu Beigu stepped into the courtyard.

The gnarled branches of the old plum tree in the corner of the courtyard trembled slightly in the chilly wind, adding a touch of desolation.

Pushing open the door to the study, a wave of warmth rushed out, and a brazier was burning inside.

Zhao Bian was sitting behind his desk, not writing furiously as usual, but leaning back slightly in his chair, his gaze fixed on the window frame, looking tired.

"The student pays respects to his esteemed teacher."

Lu Beigu bowed respectfully, keenly sensing that the atmosphere today was different from usual.

The documents piled on the desk seemed more numerous than usual, and even appeared somewhat messy.

"Sit down," Zhao Bian said, turning his gaze away and gesturing to the chair beside him.

"It's getting cold, have a cup of hot tea to warm up."

Lu Beigu sat down as instructed, took the hot tea handed to him by the old servant, held it carefully, and looked at Zhao Bian's slightly haggard face.

"My esteemed teacher seems to be unwell? Is it because the Censorate is overwhelmed with affairs?"

Zhao Bian picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke, his voice carrying a calmness that came after the dust had settled.

"There has been another major reshuffle in the court."

Lu Beigu's heart tightened slightly. He put down his teacup and listened attentively.

"Liu Hang, the Vice Minister of War and concurrently the Chancellor, has been dismissed from his post." Zhao Bian said calmly, "He will be reassigned with the title of Minister of Works, Grand Academician of the Hall of Literary Brilliance, and Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture."

The term "shixiang" refers to the practice, from the mid-Tang Dynasty onwards, where all prime ministers were called "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (同中书门下平章事). Therefore, the military governors who held the title of "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" were called "shixiang".

During the Song Dynasty, princes, governors, and military governors were often given titles such as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Chancellor, or Chancellor, which were called "Emperor-Chancellor." These were honorary titles with the title of prime minister, but they did not have the power of a prime minister.

Lu Beigu remained silent.

This prime minister, who stirred up a bloody storm when the emperor was seriously ill, fought to the death with Wen Yanbo, and regarded the Censorate as a thorn in his side, eventually fell from power.

The emperor not only granted Liu Hang the title of Grand Chancellor, but also promoted him from Vice Minister of War to Minister of Works, and appointed him as the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture with the title of Grand Academician of the Guanwen Hall. This was almost the most dignified arrangement for a top civil official to be dismissed from his post and leave the center of power.

The eye of the storm seems to have calmed down for now?
However, Zhao Bian's next words made Lu Beigu's heart sink.

"When Liu Hang was dismissed from his post as prime minister, his final 'retaliation' before leaving also arrived."

Zhao Bian's tone carried a hint of self-deprecation: "Because of the Censorate's impeachment of Liu Hang, Fan Shidao was the first to be implicated. He was demoted from his position as Attendant Censor in charge of miscellaneous affairs and transferred to Changzhou."

"And I will be demoted and transferred to another post as the prefect of Muzhou."

Clearly, this is the Emperor's punishment for the Censorate's concerted efforts this year to impeach Di Qing, Wang Deyong, and Liu Hang.

In less than a year, two Privy Councilors and a Prime Minister were removed from office.

The power of the censors and remonstrators seems to be a bit too great.

"Mentor."

Lu Beigu's throat tightened, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Reluctance, surprise, and the chill of infighting in the imperial court intertwined.

He knew all too well how upright and selfless Fan Shidao and Zhao Bian were in impeaching Liu Hang.

Although Liu Hang has fallen, Zhao Bian and other censors who were at the forefront have paid the price of being demoted and sent to remote posts.

Zhao Bian seemed to see through his disciple's thoughts and waved his hand: "It's alright. Being sent to a prefecture or county is also a way of serving the court. Besides, in the imperial court, advancement and retreat are commonplace. Oh, by the way, Fan Shidao went to Changzhou to take over Wang Anshi's vacancy."

"It is said that Wang Anshi was very successful in governing Changzhou, and the court repeatedly offered him official positions, but he always declined. It is rumored that he was a noble man who had no interest in fame or official career."

Upon hearing this name, Lu Beigu perked up and asked with concern, "So, what position is Wang Anshi being promoted to in the capital?"

"Wang Anshi was appointed as the judge of the imperial animal husbandry and the doctor of the Imperial Academy. His post was to oversee the affairs of the counties and towns within the Kaifeng Prefecture and to assist the newly appointed prefect of Kaifeng in governing Kaifeng."

Zhao Bian continued, "Bao Zheng, the Academician of the Longtu Pavilion, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Prefect of Jiangning, has just been transferred by the Emperor to serve as the Vice Minister of the Right and the Acting Prefect of Kaifeng. The former Prefect of Kaifeng, Zeng Gongliang, has been promoted to the position of Attendant Censor and Vice Minister of State Affairs. Liu Hang's position has been filled by him in the Council of State Affairs. After so many years of hard work, he has finally risen to the rank of a high-ranking official."

A series of personnel changes were like a greedy snake that had bitten its own tail.

Fan Shidao of the Censorate led the impeachment of Liu Hang. After Liu Hang was transferred to a post outside the capital, a new prime minister was needed. Therefore, Zeng Gongliang was promoted to prime minister. Bao Zheng took over Zeng Gongliang's position as prefect of Kaifeng. Bao Zheng specifically asked Wang Anshi for help, so Wang Anshi left Changzhou. The position of prefect of Changzhou was then taken over by Fan Shidao, who had been demoted and transferred to a post outside the capital.

—It is a closed loop.

These names, which shine brightly in history textbooks, are no longer cold symbols, but vividly appear in the central government of the Song Dynasty.

A strong sense of destiny and the impact of the historical tide instantly gripped Lu Beigu.

He was no longer the detached observer of the time traveler; he had been swept up in the surging tide and become a part of this great era.

Thinking of this, and looking at Zhao Bian, Lu Beigu's voice was filled with undisguised reluctance: "When I arrived in Tokyo, I was fortunate to be taken care of by you, teacher. I had just found a place where I could devote myself to my studies, but now you are being transferred to a distant place."

Looking at the sincere expression in his disciple's eyes, Zhao Bian felt a warmth rise in his heart.

He walked over to Lu Beigu and gently patted his shoulder: "All good things must come to an end. You are in the prime of your youth with a bright future ahead of you. You should focus on your studies and concentrate on preparing for the exams."

Then, Zhao Bian paused, his tone becoming serious: "The previous conflict between the Imperial Academy and the National University benefited you, so it's not a big deal. However, Kaifeng is a melting pot of people, and the political landscape is constantly shifting. After I leave, you must be even more cautious in your words and actions, and maintain upright conduct. You can pay your respects to Ouyang Yongshu and Song Gongxu, and humbly seek their guidance. But remember, do not easily get involved in any disputes. Your battlefield will be the Ministry of Rites' examination hall next year!"

Lu Beigu stood up, bowed deeply to Zhao Bian, and said solemnly, "This student will follow your teachings! I will study diligently and live up to your kindness!"

Outside the window, the hawking sounds from Sweetwater Lane seemed to have thinned out considerably.

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered, casting long shadows of the master and his disciple on the wall.

One is an elderly man about to leave the center of the power vortex, and the other is a young man eagerly awaiting success in the imperial examination.

And on this ordinary evening in the early winter of the first year of the Jiayou era.

The resounding names and dramatic personnel changes mentioned by Zhao Bian were actually a reminder to Lu Beigu that he was standing at a pivotal moment in history.

(End of this chapter)