White-robed Minister

Chapter 113 0111 [The Emperor Who Wants to Reclaim Power]

What is Zhao Shu's personality like?

Being sentimental and nostalgic, yet acting impulsively!

He remembered everyone who was good to him. Even Empress Dowager Cao, Zhao Shu still remembered the good things she had done for him, but things only got worse over time.

If anyone can move Zhao Shu emotionally, Zhao Shu will think that they must be a good person.

He will definitely take care of the good people he recognizes.

Zhao Shu put down the memorial and asked, "Is the operation of the government's housing department truly so unprofitable that there is no money to repair public housing, and many public housing units in the capital are collapsing and abandoned?"

"The actual number of collapsed and abandoned public housing units is even greater than the statistics from the Housing and Real Estate Bureau," Ouyang Xiu said. "There are also those who occupy public housing land and build their own houses. The late emperor was benevolent and did not order their demolition or confiscation, but only raised the rent for those who occupy public housing land."

This is tantamount to acknowledging the illegal occupation. The relevant property is still nominally under the management of the shop and residence department, but the rent must be collected at a high price (below the market price).

Upon hearing the term "situational households," Zhao Shu roughly understood who was encroaching on the land.

He felt a vague unease, and also thought the matter was too troublesome to handle, so he stopped discussing it: "How much material is left over from the construction of the late emperor's mausoleum?"

Ouyang Xiu said, "The remaining materials from the imperial mausoleum were used to repair the Xiaoyan Hall (the Divine Palace of Emperor Renzong of Song). There are definitely still some left, but to find out exactly how much is left, we need to ask Zhang Tao, the person in charge of the construction of the Three Departments."

There were leftover materials from the imperial mausoleum, enough to repair the Xiaoyan Hall.

Zhao Shu, already extremely dissatisfied with Cai Xiang, flew into a rage, shouting, "How did Cai Xiang do his job? How many people did he conscript to build the imperial mausoleum? Public opinion is rife with criticism; where does that leave the late emperor? Where does that leave me?!"

This person is genuinely angry.

Zhao Shu usually refers to himself as "I" or "an," but now he is so angry that he calls himself "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor").

No one dared to answer.

Zhao Shu said, "Summon Zhang Tao!"

Before Zhang Tao even arrived at the East Hall, Xu Lai's examination paper for the top scholar was delivered first.

Zhao Shu said to Ouyang Xiu and Cai Kang, "Gentlemen, please go and attend to your work."

Ouyang Xiu and Cai Kang bowed and took their leave.

Zhao Shu carefully read through the top scholar's exam paper, especially liking the essay, and didn't feel at all that Xu Lai was subtly referring to him in the essay.

After a while, Zhang Tao arrived.

Ren Shouzhong, a eunuch, was initially in charge of the construction of the Three Departments, and Zhang Tao held the exact same official position. Ren Shouzhong was the nominal leader, while Zhang Tao was in actual charge of the agency.

This man is undoubtedly a capable minister.

"How much material is left for the imperial tomb?" Zhao Shu asked.

Zhang Tao rattled off the total number of materials, including timber, stone, and lime, as if reciting a familiar list, and then went on to break down the specific quantities of each type of timber.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Shu interrupted, "You did an excellent job."

Zhang Tao seized the opportunity to advise: "Your Majesty's harmony with the imperial clan is a blessing for the nation. However, please do not demolish the residences of the people! There is still room in Fanglin Garden, which is sufficient for the imperial clan to live in."

Fanglin Garden was the former residence of Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi before he became emperor. It later became a royal garden and then a clan community.

After Zhao Shu assumed power, his first reform was aimed at the imperial clan.

He felt guilty afterwards, so he ordered the construction of additional Muqin Residences—which can be understood as a royal family community.

This move served two purposes: first, it demonstrated Zhao Shu's ability to maintain harmony among relatives; and second, it brought the scattered members of the imperial clan together for easier management.

Zhao Shu's original plan was to demolish the houses, but Zhang Tao, who was in charge of the matter, hesitated to act and even took the opportunity of meeting the emperor today to offer his advice.

Zhao Shu knew very well how much vacant land Fanglin Garden had left, because he had lived there before. It definitely wasn't enough!

Zhao Shu looked at Zhang Tao in silence.

Zhang Tao maintained the bowing posture, always standing there with his head bowed.

After a long silence, Zhao Shu sighed, "Ah, fine. We'll do it your way. We'll repair as much as we can."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhang Tao also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Shu picked up Xu Lai's memorial and handed it to a close eunuch: "Here's another job for you."

The attendant immediately took the memorial and hurried over to hand it to Zhang Tao.

After carefully reviewing the document, Zhang Tao couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Majesty, the strategy for selecting the top scholar is excellent!"

Zhao Shu said, "You handle it."

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhang Tao bowed respectfully again.

Last year, Zhao Shu summoned officials from the three mints to inquire about matters related to coin minting, deliberately omitting Cai Kang in order to examine other officials.

Everyone, including Cai Xiang, the Commissioner of the Three Departments, gave very vague answers. When Zhao Shu pressed for details, they all hesitated and stammered.

At that time, only Zhang Tao could answer clearly and thoroughly, and he could explain in detail whatever the emperor asked.

Zhao Shu immediately remembered Zhang Tao.

At the same time, Zhao Shu was completely disappointed with Cai Xiang and from that moment on, he planned to get rid of him.

At this moment, Zhao Shu couldn't help but make a promise: "Get these two things done quickly, and I'll give you another important task!"

"Your subject takes his leave." Zhang Tao remained composed and bowed as he withdrew.

What does Zhao Shu want Zhang Tao to do?

Wasn't the Western Xia invading our borders? The Song Dynasty was bound to go to war.

Even if a war doesn't break out this time, we must make all kinds of preparations.

Zhao Shu planned to appoint Zhang Tao as the Shaanxi Provincial Transport Commissioner, in charge of all financial and supervisory affairs in Shaanxi Province.

Note that this is the chief transport commissioner, not just a transport commissioner.

Adding the word "都" (du, meaning "all") greatly increases its power. During preparations for war or actual combat, it has the authority to coordinate all sources of funds and supplies.

This position is far too important; given Zhang Tao's current qualifications and reputation, he is simply not qualified to hold it directly. Therefore, Zhao Shu wants Zhang Tao to first earn merit, one of which is overseeing the construction of the Muqin Residence, and now he is also tasked with building public housing for the selected scholars.

Is Zhao Shu really mentally ill?

Absolutely not!

After he took power, he acted with great method and discipline.

If Heaven had allowed Zhao Shu to live another ten years, outliving the famous ministers of the Qingli era, he would probably have accomplished far more.

Now everything is hampered, and if you want to promote a capable official, you have to make him achieve merit first.

The following day, Zhao Shu summoned Han Qi again.

Zhao Shu said, "I've heard that a man named Su Shi recently returned to the capital to report on his duties. I've read his writings, and they are excellent. He has also achieved considerable success in his years as a judge in Fengxiang. I plan to recruit Su Shi into the Hanlin Academy and appoint him as a drafter of imperial edicts. What does Minister Han think?"

Han Qi, however, said, "I am very clear about Su Shi's talent and learning; he will surely achieve great things in the future. But he is not yet qualified enough. If Your Majesty rashly appoints him to an important position, the scholars and officials may doubt his abilities. This would be detrimental to Su Shi."

"How about having Su Shi revise the daily records?" Zhao Shu asked again.

Han Qi said, "Compiling the daily records of the emperor's activities is similar to being a drafter of imperial edicts, which is probably not suitable either."

Zhao Shu then offered a compromise: "Then let him work in the history museum."

This time, Han Qi could no longer object.

After Han Qi left, Zhao Shu clenched his fists in anger.

The emperor had already taken the prime minister's thoughts into consideration as much as possible, which was why he planned to promote Su Shi, since Su Shi was a student of Ouyang Xiu.

Zhao Shu wanted to use this move to cultivate his own faction and infiltrate the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy with his own people.

To everyone's surprise, Han Qi disagreed and refused to promote Su Shi, a disciple of Ouyang Xiu, excessively.

Zhao Shu took out Xu Lai's essay on the topic of the top scholar again, reading it over and over, but what he was thinking about was how to consolidate power.

He must find an opportunity to reclaim imperial power and thoroughly establish his authority.

How can one consolidate power and establish authority?

Zhao Shu thought and thought, but for a while he had no clue what to do.

After reading Xu Lai's essay and memorial, he was extremely impressed by Xu Lai's knowledge and abilities.

In particular, the use of gratitude money, leftover materials from the imperial tombs, abandoned foundations for low-rent housing, and employing disaster victims through work-for-relief programs to build low-rent housing for future selected scholars was a truly ingenious scheme that left Zhao Shu in awe!

Unfortunately, Xu Lai is too young and cannot play a role for the time being.

This young top scholar needs to be sent to a local area to gain experience. He absolutely cannot stay in the central government, otherwise he will be restricted in everything he does.

Zhao Shu had already figured out how to train Xu Lai.

First, he was sent to local areas to gain experience and qualifications in governing the people. Then he was transferred back to the central government, summoned for examination, and appointed to the Imperial Academy. After that, he was sent to local areas again as a prefect, and then transferred back to the central government for further training.

Each transfer represents a promotion beyond one's rank to the maximum extent possible, an opportunity that ordinary officials can only obtain after more than a decade of hard work.

Zhao Shu's idea was that if he lived long enough, he would personally give Xu Lai an important position. However, his health was poor, so he could groom Xu Lai for his son to use.

Su Shi was unaware that the emperor wanted to promote him, but Han Qi had forcefully blocked it.

With Ouyang Xiu's help, he was appointed as the judge of the Dengwen Drum Court within a few days of returning to the capital to report on his duties.

Equivalent to the director of the State Bureau for Letters and Visits.

Moreover, he was under the jurisdiction of the Censorate, a very prestigious position, and his promotion would be very rapid in the future.

"Now that my brother has stayed in the capital, I can rest assured about being sent to a post outside the capital," Su Zhe said.

-

Their biological father, Su Xun, was originally appointed as the registrar of Wen'an County. However, due to poor health, Su Xun was kept in the capital and transferred to the Academy of Rites to compile books on rites, with the help of Ouyang Xiu.

Su Zhe was originally supposed to be sent to a post outside the capital, but his father needed someone to take care of him, so he volunteered to stay in the capital.

Now that Su Shi has returned to the capital, Su Zhe should also leave.

Su Shi said, "Today I went to pay my respects to Minister Ouyang and heard several young men talking about the new top scholar, Xu Lai. Are you familiar with this person?"

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"I've heard so much about you," Su Zhe said with a smile. "Last year, he built a hot air balloon that attracted tens of thousands of people in Tokyo. It's been the talk of the town, and people still burn incense and pray at the spot where the balloon took off."

"A hot air balloon?" Su Shi was taken aback; this was completely unexpected.

Su Zhe nodded and said, "It's a hot air balloon. I had to ask many colleagues to find out the details. They make the sky lantern very big, big enough to carry people up in it."

It can carry people up into the sky?

Su Shi could hardly imagine what that scene was like.

Su Shi said, "I heard from the young master of the Ouyang family that he did not pay the thank-you money, but instead wrote a memorial. His plan to cancel the thank-you money is simply ingenious."

"What plan?" Su Zhe asked.

Su Shi gave a general account of it.

Su Zhe exclaimed, "That's truly impressive. I never imagined it could be done this way."

"I've heard from several gentlemen of the Ouyang clan that his writing is also excellent," Su Shi said. "We were just about to discuss it when Lord Ouyang arrived. Have you ever seen any of his works?"

Su Zhe laughed heartily, "I remember two poems, one is 'New Thunder,' and the other is 'On Poetry.' Especially 'On Poetry,' which has already spread throughout the capital. The poems of Li Bai and Du Fu are recited by everyone, and now they feel somewhat stale. Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years!"

Su Shi clapped his hands in praise: "He is indeed a man of great talent and elegance. I must seek him out for a meeting."

Xu Lai is currently too busy to meet with Su Shi, as he is working with the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to form a "Fundraising Committee."

Including the celebration banquet, all the subsequent banquets and excursions for the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) had to be coordinated and arranged by Xu Lai, the top scholar.

I'm incredibly busy.

(Thanks to the Alliance Leader who helped you achieve Mahayana and transcend tribulation for the generous donation.)