Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 280 is just a large Kongming lantern.
When they arrived at the Kaifeng government office, Lu Beigu peered through the gaps in the carriage. Even though he was somewhat prepared, he couldn't help but be captivated by the sight before him.

The two vermilion gates of the Kaifeng Prefectural Government Office, which symbolized authority, were wide open at this moment!

This was an unprecedented and extraordinary sight in a government office that emphasized strict hierarchy and ironclad access control.

The interior was no longer a mysterious and secluded place blocked by the screen wall; the screen wall had been completely removed, and the imposing outline of the main hall at the end of the passageway could be seen at a glance.

Unfortunately, there was no legendary guillotine.

What is most eye-catching is actually the scene on both sides of the entrance to the government office.

On the left, a long table stood alone, with an old official in his official robes sitting behind it. In front of him was nothing but a few withered leaves swirling in the wind.

The old clerk shrank his hands, a hint of embarrassment on his face. According to the old rules, it was he, the "Pai Si" (a type of official in charge of collecting petitions), who was responsible for receiving petitions. Ordinary people were not allowed to enter the Kaifeng government office to file a complaint; the "Pai Si" had to collect the petitions and then forward them to the government office.

The power and profits involved are limitless.

However, at this moment, no one handed him a petition anymore; only those who arrived late came to him to register their names.

The right side is where the real crowds gather.

A dozen or so yamen runners in black robes stood on both sides with sticks to maintain order, while the queue stretched out from inside the open gate and formed a long line in the open space outside the gate under the guidance of these yamen runners.

There was an elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane; a ragged man with a sorrowful face; and a haggard woman carrying a young child.
In the cold wind, they either hunched their shoulders or anxiously peered out, but their faces all carried an expectation they had never dared to have before.

"Look over there."

After getting out of the car, Zeng Gong gestured in a low voice, his tone filled with sincere admiration: "The first order issued by Prefect Bao after taking office was to abolish this corrupt practice of 'lawsuit offices.' Previously, 'all litigants were not allowed to go directly to the court,' but Prefect Bao insisted on opening the main gate wide, allowing the common people to enter the main hall directly and tell him their case in person!"

Lu Beigu observed for a moment. Although the line of people complaining was long, it was unusually quiet, with only the howling of the cold wind and suppressed coughs.

Occasionally, a yamen runner would whisper orders such as "Silence" and "Proceed in order," and everyone would immediately fall silent and maintain perfect order.

"His uprightness in court instilled fear in all who heard of him."

Lu Beigu silently recited the comments about Bao Zheng in his heart. Only now, seeing it with his own eyes, did he truly understand where that "majesty" and "respect" came from.

"Lord Bao's actions were indeed as swift as thunder."

Lu Beigu sighed, “The old system was deeply entrenched, and the ‘Pai Si’ (牌司) was the key to the corruption of officials at all levels. It takes great courage and a strong sense of responsibility to cut it off so decisively.”

“Exactly!” Zeng Gong agreed wholeheartedly. “Brother Jiefu often says that to reform corrupt practices, one must first break down their barriers and open their doors! Prefect Bao’s actions have opened the first door to reforming the administration of Kaifeng. Let’s go, Prefect Bao and Brother Jiefu are waiting in the hall, let’s not keep them waiting.”

Zeng Gong was clearly familiar with the place. He showed the gatekeeper the two official documents written for him by Wang Anshi, and then led Lu Beigu straight through the ceremonial gate and around the admonition stone pavilion.

The warning stone at the Kaifeng Prefectural Government Office is exactly the same as that at the Chengdu Prefectural Government Office, from its shape to the characters, as if they were carved from the same mold.

"Your salary and emoluments are the blood and sweat of the people; the common people are easily oppressed, but Heaven is hard to deceive."

A minor official in a blue robe was already waiting there. Upon seeing Zeng Gong and his companion arrive, he quickly bowed and said, "Mr. Zeng, Mr. Lu, Inspector Wang is waiting in the second hall. Please follow me."

After glancing at it, Lu Beigu followed the junior official around the main hall and into the second hall.

The second hall was where the prefect handled official business and received his subordinates. Compared to the main hall, it had less of the solemn atmosphere of a court hearing and more of an atmosphere of office work.

Stepping into the second hall, a wave of heat hits you.

The interior was simply and solemnly furnished. Behind the desk on the left, Wang Anshi sat upright, looking at the documents in his hand.

Upon seeing Lu Beigu and Zeng Gong enter, Wang Anshi put down the documents and gestured to them, "Please wait a moment, Prefect Bao is currently judging a case."

The two sat and waited for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn before Bao Zheng finally returned. He certainly hadn't finished solving all the cases; he was just taking a break for now.

The last time Lu Beigu saw Bao Zheng, it was across the river, and the distance was too far, so he couldn't see him clearly.

Upon closer inspection, Bao Zheng's complexion was not dark, nor was there a crescent moon between his eyebrows; he was simply a tall, thin old man nearing sixty.

Wang Anshi introduced, "Your Excellency, this is Lu Beigu, a scholar from Luzhou."

Lu Beigu quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply in accordance with etiquette: "Student Lu Beigu greets Your Excellency."

"No gift."

Bao Zheng's expression was very serious. His gaze swept over Lu Beigu, and he said, "Wang, the supervisor, has given me your article, 'On the Gains and Losses of Officialdom Since the Han and Tang Dynasties.' This article is well written, insightful, and thought-provoking. The phrase 'lacking the means to support themselves, yet capable of ruining their families' perfectly encapsulates the root cause of the entrenched power of clerks and points out the key to our efforts to clean up officialdom."

Contrary to his serious attitude, Bao Zheng's tone actually carried a sincere sense of approval.

Lu Beigu's article, drawing lessons from history, directly addresses the systemic root causes of the "malpractices of petty officials," perfectly aligning with Bao Zheng's current determination to implement reforms and rectify official corruption within Kaifeng Prefecture. In particular, the article's analysis of the "vast gap between officials and bureaucrats" leading to ineffective performance evaluations, and its assertion that this was "not a problem that arose overnight," resonated deeply with Bao Zheng, as if he had encountered a kindred spirit who understood his inner turmoil.

"Your Excellency flatters me, I am humbled." Lu Beigu quickly bowed and declined, "I was merely expressing my feelings after seeing the malpractices in the prefectures and counties, and I am just repeating what my predecessors have said."

"It is rare to express one's feelings so clearly and thoroughly."

Wang Anshi replied.

Bao Zheng nodded and said in a hoarse voice, "The administration is the foundation of the country, and its accumulated problems are like a mountain that cannot be eliminated in a day. However, the forced demolition in Caihe has already shown the public our determination; the trial at Hongqiao should establish new rules from the beginning."

"However, the problems of official corruption are deeply rooted and not just a matter of Kaifeng Prefecture. This document will be kept by the prefect, or presented to the officials of both prefectures at an opportune time, so as to serve as a mirror for your reflection. Although you are young, it is good that you have such insight. You should continue to strive for it."

Lu Beigu was shocked. Bao Zheng's words were undoubtedly a very high evaluation of his article, and he even intended to extend its influence to the central government level.

He bowed deeply once again.

Bao Zheng summoned him today, seemingly just to meet him, without delving deeper into the conversation, or perhaps the occasion was inconvenient?
In short, after the brief conversation, the hall fell silent for a while, with only the soft crackling of the charcoal fire in the copper basin.

At this moment, Lu Beigu suddenly remembered his agreement with Zhang Zai and Shen Kuo, so he cupped his hands again and said respectfully, "Your Excellency, Your Highness, I have another request."

"Oh? What is it?" Bao Zheng picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

Seeing that Lu Beigu didn't seem like an unreasonable person, he decided to listen to what the other party wanted.

Of course, if it was for personal gain, Bao Zheng would not be so polite, and Wang Anshi's face would not be of any use; he would simply kick the person out.

"The students, along with Zhang Zai from Guanzhong and Shen Kuo from Qiantang, planned to release a specially made large Kongming lantern in the city during the Lantern Festival to celebrate the occasion and add to the festivities."

Lu Beigu carefully considered his words, deliberately referring to the difficult-to-understand "hot air balloon" as the easier-to-understand "large Kongming lantern".

"This object is secured by a rope, ensuring its stability and eliminating any risk of it flying away and igniting other objects. Could you please request the Kaifeng Prefectural Government to approve a suitable location for its ignition?"

"A large Kongming lantern?"

Bao Zheng raised an eyebrow, seemingly finding it somewhat intriguing, but did not delve into it further.

It's just a large Kongming lantern.

The Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is a time for both officials and the people to enjoy themselves, and setting off lanterns and fireworks is a common practice.

At this moment, his mind was mostly on the reform of the bureaucracy. In addition, he had a good impression of Lu Beigu and thought that this young man was steady and knowledgeable. All he asked for was for the children's toys to be enlarged. Moreover, he said that the rope was secure, so he did not think much of it.

"It's both a festive occasion and a rope for traction, so it's fine."

Bao Zheng put down his teacup and instructed the clerk standing beside him: "Remember, on the fifteenth of the first month, allocate a location for them on the banks of the Jinshui River near the Xuande Tower Aoshan Lantern Festival. Have the Kaifeng County Magistrate send his yamen runners to keep watch and ensure safety."

The clerk quickly replied, "Yes, Your Excellency."

Then, the clerk took a piece of paper from the desk and wrote a note, which Bao Zheng then signed.

Wang Anshi listened from the side, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He naturally knew about the recent heated debate between Zhang Zai and the Ming Cult master that had caused such a stir among scholars, and he had also heard about Lu Beigu's "contradiction" theory raised at the Qingfeng Tower gathering, so he had some guesses in his mind.

However, seeing that Bao Zheng had readily agreed, he suppressed his doubts and said nothing more.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency!"

Lu Beigu felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly thanked him again.

He didn't expect things to go so smoothly. Bao Zheng not only approved the location, but it was also on the banks of the Jinshui River, close to the core area of ​​the Aoshan Lantern Festival. This was an unexpected delight!

On the night of the Lantern Festival, under the spotlight of the world, it will be the most awe-inspiring stage to prove the "realness of Qi"!
Bao Zheng waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing to worry about: "It's a small matter. If there's nothing else, you can go now and focus on your studies."

"I will remember Your Excellency's teachings!" Lu Beigu respectfully took his leave.

After Zeng Gong bowed to Bao Zheng and Wang Anshi, he and Lu Beigu left the second hall together.

Stepping out of the heavy vermilion gates of the Kaifeng government office, a biting cold wind swept over him once again, but Lu Beigu's heart was burning with passion.

The seeds of reforming officialdom had already been sown in the heart of Wang Anshi, the reformer.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the hot air balloon, symbolizing the spirit of investigation and empirical evidence, will attempt for the first time to break free from the earth's constraints amidst the dazzling lights of Kaifeng, demonstrating the power of "matter" to the world!

(End of this chapter)