White-robed Minister

Chapter 158, Section 0156: [The Emperor is Critically Ill]

Xu Lai and Li Shanfu handed over the work quickly, completing it in less than five days.

On the day he left, officials from both the prefectural and county levels came to see him off, and many officials from the Transport Commissioner's Office and the Judicial Commissioner's Office also came. Although this kind of situation often occurred, it was generally a privilege reserved for famous officials.

Xu Laiyuan could not be considered a famous minister, but he already had the potential to become one.

The large number of people seeing him off quickly attracted the attention of nearby residents, who curiously gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Most of them were residents of the prefectural city, and Xu Lai's various policies had little impact on them. They weren't particularly grateful, nor did they dislike Xu Lai; they simply thought Judge Xu was exceptionally capable.

Xu Lai raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp: "Gentlemen, please return now. Farewell!"

After saying that, Xu Lai climbed into a carriage.

At this time, the Biankou sluice gate had been closed, making the entire Bian River navigable. The water level became extremely shallow, and the prefectures and counties along the river took the opportunity to organize laborers to dredge the silt accumulated on the riverbed.

This is how the Bian River is in winter: in some years, it is navigable by forcefully breaking through the ice, and in other years, it is closed off by voluntarily closing the locks.

It wasn't until the Yuanfeng era that the Luo River was diverted into the Bian River, enabling year-round navigation during the winter. The Yellow River was no longer suitable due to excessive siltation, requiring the Bian River to be dredged frequently.

Xu Lai's carriage slowly traveled along the official road by the river.

The laborers dredging the river watched silently. Some even climbed onto the bank, knelt and kowtowed before the carriage, and only stood up after the carriage had driven away.

The officials in charge of supervising the dredging let the laborers "slack off" and did not urge them to get to work quickly.

The carriage traveled further and further away, the laborers ahead completely unaware. But shouts echoed from upstream, like a relay race: "Judge Xu is gone! Judge Xu is gone!"

Upon hearing the shout, Yu'er quickly lifted the carriage curtain, covered her mouth, and exclaimed in surprise, "My lord, look!"

Xu Lai curiously peeked out and saw that all the laborers along the way had stopped clearing the silt. Scattered along the road in front of and behind the carriage, many people were kneeling.

Unlike the city residents, these laborers all came from the countryside.

What did Xu Lai do for them?

Last year's autumn tax, and this year's summer and autumn taxes, were not altered or used to exploit them. In particular, after the land survey, their regular and miscellaneous taxes were all reduced.

Even the dredging of the Bian River this winter was entirely Xu Lai's responsibility: the government provided meals, and the soldiers were rotated in shifts, with each person's work period not exceeding 15 days.

In the hearts of these farmers at the bottom of society, Xu Qianpan was a true living bodhisattva!

Yu'er said, "I think I heard someone crying."

Xu Lai sighed, "Sigh, they hope I can stay a few more years. They're afraid that after I leave, things will turn back into the same awful state next year. Let's go, let's speed things up."

The carriage sped up and drove further and further away, and the crying seemed to grow louder.

The laborers were crying for themselves, and for the uncertain future they faced.

The officials who came to see Xu off were stunned by the sight of countless laborers kneeling and weeping.

The newly arrived prefect and judge, in particular, looked at each other in astonishment. They knew Xu Lai was prestigious in Yingtian Prefecture, but they never expected him to be so popular with the people.

Prefect Zhang Gui asked his son, "What are your thoughts?"

Zhang Xuanmin was thrilled: "To achieve this level of officialdom, even sacrificing twenty years of life would be worthwhile!"

Having just finished compiling the "Taichang Yin Ge Li" with Su Xun, Yao Pi, who was then transferred to Nanjing Guozijian as its principal, said to his students, "This should be your example."

The students lowered their heads in shame.

Most of these students came from prominent families in Yingtian Prefecture, and Xu Lai's land survey was specifically targeting them. In their minds, Xu Lai was definitely a cruel official.

They're not here to see him off; they want to witness Xu Lai leave with their own eyes!

But they were, after all, young people, their passion still burning and their consciences still intact. Seeing countless laborers kneeling and weeping as they saw Xu Lai off, these students experienced a powerful emotional impact.

Some students even began to reflect on whether their elders had really done something wrong.

The carriage that Xu Lai was riding in was requisitioned from the post station.

They were all inferior horses, usually responsible for delivering supplies, and were only capable of traveling two hundred miles a day.

"Stop at the next post station," Xu Lai instructed.

The soldier in charge of driving said, "There's no need to stop. Changing trains along the way would take too much time. I'll take the judge directly to Gushu County."

O

"This is troublesome," Xu said.

The soldier laughed and said, "It's no trouble at all. It's my honor to be able to drive for you, sir. Others wouldn't even get a chance. But you don't know, sir, that we soldiers almost got into a fight over who would drive for you."

"How did you manage to snatch it?" Xu Lai asked with amusement.

Pu Bing said smugly, "It was a lottery. I was lucky and drew the winning lot right away."

There were two carriages in total.

Xu Lai and Yu'er rode in one car, and also brought some luggage.

Bu Chao, Chen Xiaoyi, Chen Dequan, and Li Guiniang squeezed into one car, filling the entire carriage with their luggage.

The soldier driving the car behind shouted, "I won the lottery too!"

The soldier in front laughed, "Hehe, I was chosen to drive for Judge Xu. Giddy up!"

Around noon, the carriage arrived in Gushu County.

Xu treated the two soldiers to a meal, and after everyone had filled their stomachs, they changed carriages at the post station.

After resting for a while, we continued our journey by car.

As dusk fell, the carriage arrived at Huiting Town, which is located at the border of Yingtian Prefecture and Haozhou.

They traveled along the Bian River, stopping and starting, and arrived in Gaoyou seven days later.

Suddenly, light snow began to fall from the sky.

Ancient carriages had very poor shock absorption; Xu Lai was shaken so badly he felt like he was about to fall apart, and Yu'er also looked exhausted.

Fearing the snow would fall even heavier, the group didn't have time to rest and quickly got into their car to continue heading south.

Only after arriving at Guazhou Ferry did we finally breathe a sigh of relief and settle into an inn to wait for the boat.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Xu, the town supervisor of Guazhou, rushed over: "It really is Brother Xingzhi! I thought I had mistaken him for someone else."

"You are—" Xu Lai had no recollection of you.

Chen Xu seemed a little embarrassed and introduced himself: "I was last place last year, Chen Xu, courtesy name Zifu."

Xu Lai quickly bowed in return, saying, "So it's Brother Zifu. Please forgive me."

"Brother Xingzhi is busy with official duties, it's normal that he forgot for a moment," Chen Xu offered to help make up for it.

The two began to reminisce, talking about their past in the capital, and both sighed with emotion.

Chen Xu, in particular, was filled with endless emotions.

He and Xu Lai were both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the same year. Xu Lai became a judge in the capital and was already famous throughout the country. He, on the other hand, could only serve as a town supervisor in Guazhou Town. The difference in their official positions and status was somewhat absurd.

In modern terms, Xu Lai is the third-highest-ranking official in a municipality, and he's about to be promoted. Chen Xu, on the other hand, is just a township party secretary.

However, since it is Guazhou Town, the profits are quite substantial.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Chen Xu pulled Xu Lai outside, saying, "Now that we're in my territory, why stay at an inn? I'll arrange the post station and official boat!"

Xu Lai was both amused and exasperated. He called Yu'er, Bu Chao, and the others to take their luggage and move to another place.

As Chen Xu walked, he said, "When you came this afternoon, ask the post station to help arrange a boat. Even the post station soldiers know the name of Scholar Xu, and the post station manager quickly reported the news to me. I searched every inn one by one, and it took me four inns to find Xingzhi."

"Haha, thank you for your hard work," Xu Lai said with a smile.

The post station at Guazhou Ferry was very large and even had luxurious rooms.

Even Bu Chao, Chen Xiaoyi, and others were provided with superior rooms by Chen Xu.

That night, the two men, who were the same age, drank and chatted happily.

Chen Xu recalled, "The events in the capital seem like they happened just yesterday; who would have thought it would be almost two years already? Which of us Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) didn't admire Xingzhi back then? Although it was a list of candidates selected through the imperial examinations, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, only we had offered sacrifices to our late teacher with the ritual of offering vegetables. The silver we paid in gratitude was also used to build public housing for the selected Jinshi. These things will be unforgettable!"

"Yes, it's unforgettable." Xu Lai also recalled the time when he had just passed the imperial examination.

Chen Xu said, "I've been stuck in Guazhou Town, welcoming and seeing off many famous officials. Especially in the last few months, whenever I mention Xingzhi to them, they all praise him highly."

"It's good that you don't scold me," Xu Lai said with a smile.

The two continued reminiscing about the past, drinking one cup after another, until they were both quite drunk.

Chen Xu pulled Xu Lai up to the tower to look out over the river, and asked the innkeeper to bring him pen, ink, paper and inkstone. He then wrote a poem as a gift, fueled by wine.

Meeting Xu Xingzhi, the Top Scholar of the Year, in Guazhou

[An old friend suddenly appears at the ferry crossing, we grasp hands and gaze at each other with a myriad of emotions. I am stranded at the river pass as a minor official, while you have rushed to the capital to see my new face. The cold tide falls on the Guazhou River at night, the remaining snow shines on Beigu Peak at dawn. Do not laugh at me for still wearing my blue robe, for I am destined to be in the Jade Hall.]

Xu Lai gazed at the river and the bright moon, and drunkenly replied with a poem.

Reply to Chen Zifu, fellow student and magistrate of Guazhou Town

Two autumns have passed since we parted in the capital, and now we meet again in the cold currents of the Jiangnan region. Your talent is not suited for a life of leisure, and my ambition is not hindered by the vicissitudes of officialdom. The plum blossoms herald the coming of spring, and tonight, under the bright moon, we ascend the tower together. Fame and fortune are but fleeting pursuits; let not the winds and waves question our future.

Xu Lai turned his head and looked towards the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Was Wang Anshi about to emerge from seclusion?

"The spring breeze has turned the south bank of the Yangtze River green, but the bright moon has never shone on my return." This is the original line by Wang Anshi in ancient books, and it was written not during his second term as prime minister, but before his first term as prime minister.

The words "self-green" and "never" perfectly express Wang Anshi's determination to prepare for reform.

According to news brought by Li Shanfu from the capital, Emperor Zhao Shu suddenly fell seriously ill this winter.

Some ministers urged Zhao Shu to adopt an imperial title, saying that this would help to cure his illness and protect his health.

Zhao Shu was tempted.

Sima Guang immediately wrote a memorial, criticizing the emperor and his ministers. Not only that, he also made the emperor issue a genuine edict of self-reproach, saying that the previous edict showed a poor attitude in admitting his mistakes.

Just then, the Western Xia invaded the border, and Zhao Shu was greatly angered by Sima Guang.

Censor Liu Xiang directly requested the establishment of a crown prince, which infuriated Zhao Shu, who then withheld Liu Xiang's memorial.

Han Qi was even more interesting. He inquired about the emperor's condition every day and even told Prince Zhao Xu in private, "Your Majesty should never leave the emperor's side."

Zhao Xu replied, "This is the duty of a son."

Han Qi replied, "That's not it."

Zhao Xu finally understood.

Xu Lai boarded a ship at Guazhou Ferry and changed ships along the way to reach Jiangxi.

When he reached Guangdong, the emperor's condition worsened. Han Qi finally couldn't bear it any longer and urged the emperor to establish a crown prince as soon as possible.

Helpless, Zhao Shu picked up his pen and wrote: "Establish the King as the Crown Prince."

Han Qi felt the writing was too vague and made it unclear which prince it referred to, so he said, "The Prince of Ying should be chosen. Please have Your Majesty rewrite it."

Zhao Shu did not rewrite it, but only added the three characters "Ying Wang Xu" at the end.

Upon receiving the emperor's edict, Han Qi immediately asked a eunuch to take it to a Hanlin scholar to draft the edict.

Zhang Fangping, who was in charge of drafting the edict, did not listen to Han Qi and the eunuchs, but went to the emperor himself to confirm it.

Zhao Shu was so ill that he could no longer speak. He picked up his pen and wrote it once, then wrote it twice more, finally clarifying who should be the crown prince.

The emperor was perfectly fine a month ago, but he probably caught a cold in the winter and fell ill, eventually becoming so ill that he was on the verge of death.

If Xu Lai doesn't hurry up with the marriage, he'll have to wait several more months until the emperor dies.