White-robed Minister

Chapter 264, page 0262: [A Twenty-Five-Year-Old in Power]

"Welcome home, my lord!"

The wives, concubines, and servants shouted in unison, making it quite a ritualistic affair.

"Father!"

The eldest son, Xu Wei, was three years and two months old, or four years old according to the traditional Chinese age reckoning. He toddled over and hugged Xu Lai's knees.

"Good boy, Ah Mang."

Xu Lai picked up his son and went to Pianpian, saying, "Thank you for taking care of the household."

Pianpian smiled and said, "It must have been hard for you, my lord, to be an envoy to the Liao Kingdom."

Xu Lai spoke a few words to Pianpian, then talked to Yu'er, teased his second son Xu Tao, and then inquired about Dingxiang, who was already showing signs of pregnancy.

"Father, this horse is so tall!" Xu Wei said, pointing to the BMW.

Xu Lai smiled and said, "It was a gift from someone."

On his way back to China, Chen Xiaoyi had already learned how to feed horses, a skill he acquired from the professionals in the diplomatic corps. He could then teach this skill to the servants at home who raised donkeys.

Xu Lai placed his son on the horse's back, carefully supporting him with his own hands, and stepped through the gate together with the horse.

The servants dispersed to do their own things.

Wang Hou, Chang Anmin, and Xie Liangzuo reported on the situation and then bid farewell to Xu Lai.

When he arrived at the inner courtyard, only his wives, concubines, children, and nieces remained.

When his family members talked about the interesting things that had happened in the past three months, Xu Lai also selectively recounted his experiences in the Liao Kingdom.

Pianpian said, "Wang Zichun (Wang Shao) sent someone to propose marriage, but I sent him to Guangdong. My parents will make the decision themselves."

"Madam's consideration is thorough, and it is exactly as proper," Xu Lai praised.

Dou Niang's father is dead and her mother has remarried. Xu Lai, as her uncle, can arrange the marriage, but it would be best to leave it to her grandparents to decide.

When the damsel heard them talking about her marriage, she was so embarrassed that she ran back to her room with her maid.

That evening, the Xu residence was bustling with activity as Xu Lai returned home.

Even the servants' meals were improved, and each servant was given extra money.

After nightfall, Xu Lai accompanied his family to visit the Tokyo night market, and even Ding Xiang, who was pregnant, strolled around for a while.

The next day, Xu went to the academy to clock in for work.

Since the promotion documents are still in process, his office will remain unchanged for the time being, and he has not moved directly to the East Pavilion.

Han Wei was no longer in the Academy of Sciences; he had been promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Its duties included overseeing all affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, nominally governing the six ministries and twenty-four departments, and being responsible for convening important meetings of officials. Although the Ministry of Personnel seemed to have great power, many of its powers were usurped by other institutions.

Immediately afterwards, Xu Lai went to Banjingguan and personally led people to send the unearthed bronzes and oracle bones to the Taichang Temple for temporary storage.

The Song Dynasty already had laws regarding the burial of antiquities, but these only applied to "ancient artifacts such as bells and tripods whose shapes differed from the norm." These artifacts had to be handed over to the government, which would then provide appropriate compensation.

The official in charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was an old acquaintance of Xu Lai, namely Song Minqiu, whom he often encountered at the History Museum.

When Xu Lai first consulted relevant documents from the Liao Dynasty, Song Minqiu even sent people to help collect and organize them.

"These artifacts are covered in mud, and most of them haven't been thoroughly cleaned yet," Xu Lai told Song Minqiu. "It would be best to wash them with distilled water."

Song Minqiu asked curiously, "Why use distilled water?"

Xu Lai explained, "Ancient artifacts have been buried underground for thousands of years and are now like candles in the wind. If you wash them with ordinary well water, the salty water (minerals and impurities) will seep into their crevices, and after the moisture dries, it will form a white frost. At best, it will obscure the inscriptions; at worst, it will crack the bone fragments."

"I see, there's a reason behind the research." Song Minqiu thought to himself with deep emotion, believing that Xu Lai had learned it from Ouyang Xiu.

learned.

Xu Lai then taught him the method of distillation.

Not all unearthed cultural relics from the Song Dynasty were kept in the Taichang Temple.

A few extremely rare artifacts were presented directly to the emperor. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices mainly housed ancient ritual objects. Other artifacts were stored in palaces and warehouses within the imperial city.

Xu Lai stayed at the Taichang Temple for half a day, personally teaching Song Minqiu how to clean cultural relics.

Because of his opposition to Wang Anshi's reforms, Song Minqiu's official position changed repeatedly. Now he's bored out of his mind all day and just wants to kill some time with this.

After settling the unearthed artifacts, Xu Lai went to the editorial department of "Duosheng" the next day. He held a meeting to discuss the issue of manuscripts for the fifth issue of "Duosheng," and praised Wang Hou and the other two for their overall excellent work. He also presented them with gifts he had brought back from the Liao Dynasty.

The remaining time was used to answer the three people's academic questions.

Several days later, the two-party court meeting was finally scheduled to be held to announce the latest appointment of Xu Lai.

Xu Lai no longer rode a donkey, but instead rode a fine horse. As soon as he entered Donghua Gate, many officials came to congratulate him, having already received news of Xu Lai's promotion.

Xu Lai handed his horse to a servant in the imperial city, dismounted, and continued walking in. Several more people approached him and struck up a conversation.

"I am Xu Jiang, greetings to Xu Tianzhang." Xu Jiang smiled and bowed.

Xu Lai returned the greeting, saying, "I have long admired your name, and today I am finally honored to be dignified to witness your brilliance."

Having been back in Beijing for almost ten days, Xu Lai has naturally not been idle, and has inquired about a lot of relevant information.

In the past month or two, besides Wang Anshi, the person most favored by the emperor was General Xu. This man had been serving as a local official, and upon his first meeting with the emperor this year, he completely impressed Zhao Xu. Within three days, he had been granted three official positions, news of which had already spread throughout the capital.

Xu Lai chatted with Xu Jiang, mainly about the interesting things that happened at Ouyang Xiu's house in the past, since Xu Jiang was Ouyang Xiu's former student and official.

As they talked, Xu Lai remembered something else: "I had a classmate from the Imperial Academy named Xu Anshi, who also passed the imperial examination with top honors. He said he was from the same clan as you."

"We are indeed of the same clan, but we have been separated for more than a hundred years," Xu Jiang said. "His family has always stayed in their ancestral home, while my family moved to Fujian during the late Tang and Five Dynasties period."

Xu Lai laughed and said, "Next time he returns to Beijing, the three of us must get together."

"That's how it should be," Xu said.

They chatted until the emperor ascended the throne, and then they lined up to enter the main hall and stand in their places.

During the court assembly, after handling a few routine matters, Zhao Xu instructed the officials to announce the appointment edicts.

The first thing is the appointment of Cai Ting.

Wen Yanbo quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I dare not object to Cai Ting's appointment as Privy Councilor. But what crime has Lü Gongbi committed? Why has he been demoted to a local post?"

Zhao Suo said, "Lu Gongbi criticized the new laws and his words were disrespectful to me."

Wen Yanbo questioned, "If there are any flaws in the new laws, shouldn't the ministers discuss them? Moreover, Lü Gongbi's disrespectful words to His Majesty only occurred in the draft of his memorial. It was only leaked because a traitor stole it. Shouldn't that traitor and the person who instigated him be punished?"

Zhao Xu did not mention the matter of the traitor within his own family, but only said, "Ministers are indeed allowed to discuss the new laws, but Lü Gongbi's memorial portrays the new laws as utterly worthless. Is this discussion? This is slander!"

Wen Yanbo angrily said, "Your Majesty's demotion of the Grand Chancellor in this way will likely fail to win over the people."

Zhao Xu said, "My mind is made up!"

Since Lü Gongbi was not in a position to speak, he could only stand silently in place.

In the imperial court, not a single official could be found to speak on their behalf. This was because Wang Anshi had completely controlled the Censorate and the Imperial Censorate!

Before Xu Lai was sent as an envoy to the Liao Dynasty, there was also Yang Hui, the Imperial Censor, who opposed Wang Anshi.

Yang Hui has now been demoted and exiled from the capital.

The emperor intended to appoint Han Wei as his successor, but Wang Anshi firmly disagreed, preferring that Han Wei be appointed to the Ministry of Personnel rather than take charge of the Censorate.

Among the reformists, no one capable of winning popular support could be chosen to succeed them.

Then leave it empty.

The important position of Vice Censor-in-Chief has been vacant for more than two months!

Immediately afterwards, the appointment of Xu Lai was announced.

Without the assistance of censors, Wen Yanbo had to take matters into his own hands once again: "Your Majesty, Hanlin Academician Xu Lai has indeed made many merits. However, he has just been promoted to Hanlin Academician and should, in principle, concurrently serve as Imperial Edict Drafter, rather than being promoted to Deputy Privy Councilor at the same time. Even if he does not concurrently serve as Imperial Edict Drafter, he could temporarily serve as Prefect of Kaifeng, or concurrently serve as Vice Censor-in-Chief."

Wen Yanbo, holding his imperial tablet, declared loudly, "The position of Censor-in-Chief, the head of the censorate, has remained vacant until now, which is not a blessing for the country and hinders His Majesty's free flow of information. Hanlin Academician Xu Lai is virtuous and talented, incorruptible and selfless; I recommend Xu Lai for the position of Censor-in-Chief!"

If Xu Lai were to become the Censor-in-Chief, he would have to fight with Wang Anshi every day.

But Wen Yanbo's words made a lot of sense. Xu Lai had just been promoted to Hanlin Academician, and with the position of Censor-in-Chief vacant, the most suitable official position was indeed Censor-in-Chief.

"Your Majesty, I also believe that Scholar Xu should be appointed as the Vice Censor-in-Chief." Censor Liu Zhi suddenly stepped forward.

Wang Anshi's face immediately turned extremely ugly.

Because yet another reformist has publicly turned against us!

Liu Zhi was recommended for promotion by Han Qi last year, and this year he took the initiative to support Wang Anshi's reforms. Wang Anshi was very pleased at the time and promoted him several times within two months. In April of this year, he was promoted to Acting Censor.

Wang Anshi found it hard to understand why Liu Zhi would suddenly rebel without any warning.

No sooner had Liu Zhi finished speaking than Vice Chancellor Feng Jing stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the position of Imperial Censor should not remain vacant for long."

o

"Court adjourned!"

Zhao Xu didn't want to listen anymore, because this kind of thing could never be resolved no matter how long it was argued.

After the reformists took control of the Censorate, the Imperial Censorate, the Academy of Scholars, the Academy of Attendants, and the Office of Rejection and Appeal, Emperor Zhao Xu became more arbitrary in appointing and dismissing officials. He clearly felt that imperial power was rapidly growing, and there was almost no longer any resistance to promoting or demoting officials.

The resistance has been eliminated by Wang Anshi!

However, Emperor Zhao Xu also kept a safeguard in place for Wang Anshi, forbidding him from having any influence over the Privy Council. Even when Wang Anshi was reforming the military system and wanted to know troop strength data for a certain area, the Privy Council had to report to the emperor before contacting the prime minister.

Military power was firmly in Zhao Suo's hands.

Therefore, Wen Yanbo spoke with great conviction; he was someone the emperor had left behind to check and balance Wang Anshi.

If Lü Gongbi's memorial had not been so excessively worded, he certainly would not have been demoted, because he was also a pawn left by the emperor in the Privy Council.

Vice Chancellor Feng Jing, who was also a check on Wang Anshi, opposed the reforms every day but got away with nothing.

Cai Ting and Xu Lai are now in the same position—checking and balancing the prime minister!

"Congratulations, Deputy Director Xu."

After the court session ended, many officials came to offer their congratulations.

Those who call him "Deputy Privy Councilor Xu" are still somewhat respectable; some have already started referring to Xu Lai as "Prefect Xu of the West." Although the Deputy Privy Councilor can also be politely addressed as "Prefect of the West," saying it in formal settings would be laughable.

The atmosphere in the Song Dynasty court had clearly changed.

Someone had barely left the main hall of court when they began to fawn over the Deputy Privy Councilor, calling him "the Western Chief."

Xu Lai returned the greetings with clasped hands all the way, and when he encountered people who addressed him as "Xifu" or "Prime Minister," he quickly emphasized that it was inappropriate to address them in such a way.

"The Vice Privy Councilor is also considered a regent. A regent at the age of twenty-five will surely be remembered in history," Xu Jiang remarked with emotion.

Chang Zhi said, "The court shouldn't be like this. I'm not criticizing Vice Minister Xu, but in recent years, many people have been promoted too much."

Quickly. Including myself. This is not a blessing for the nation.

Chang Zhi's resignation has been approved. He will resign from his position at the Imperial Academy and transfer to the position of Judge of the Imperial Academy, focusing on his educational career.

Zhang Zao, who was originally appointed as the Director of the Imperial Academy, was reassigned as a Hanlin Academician and concurrently served as a Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

This is equivalent to two reformists swapping positions.

Xu Lai's promotion caused a sensation throughout Kaifeng.

That evening, as he rode home from get off work, someone on the upper floor of Fanlou waved to him: "Deputy Director Xu! Deputy Director Xu!"

Soon, many diners heard the shouts and ran over, leaning on the railings of Fanlou Restaurant to ask, "Where is Deputy Director Xu?"

So much so that the courtesans and singers of Fanlou flocked to the balcony to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the 25-year-old ruler.

Various anecdotes about Xu Lai were embellished and spread, even including stories about the Liao Dynasty. It was said that the Liao emperor admired his talent and wanted to marry his daughter to Xu Lai, but Xu Lai threatened suicide to force him to give up.

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