Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

The Imperial Palace, Chongzheng Hall.

Emperor Huizong quickly finished reviewing the memorial in his hand, put down his pen, and beckoned to the eunuchs waiting below, saying with a smile, "What brings you here today, Shoudao? Come closer and speak!"

The eunuch stepped forward and kowtowed deeply, saying, "This servant, Liang Shicheng, greets Your Majesty!"

"Get up, get up!" Zhao Ji scolded with displeasure, "I bestowed upon you the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and now you are the Inspector of Jinzhou, a high-ranking official of the court. How can you kneel before people and call yourself a slave!"

Liang Shicheng rose and said with a forced smile, "This servant is of dull mind. Everything I have today is given to me by Your Majesty. I am Your Majesty's servant and dare not forget my roots!"

"You! That's all the loyalty you have left! You have absolutely no integrity!" Zhao Ji pointed at him with a finger, laughing and scolding, then asked, "What brings you here today?"

Liang Shicheng hurriedly took out a scroll from his bosom, presented it with both hands, and said, "This servant has revised the blueprints for Wansui Mountain again. Please take a look, Your Majesty. If there are any problems, this servant will revise them again!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji perked up and quickly asked him to present it. He unfolded it and examined it closely, nodding repeatedly and praising, "Putting everything else aside, your painting skills have improved again!"

Liang Shicheng bowed and smiled, "This servant has been studying Your Majesty's skills day and night, and has recently made some progress!"

"Haha... Let's get down to business! Don't flatter me; I'm not some foolish ruler who enjoys sycophancy!" Zhao Ji waved his hand, pointing to the blueprints, and said, "I find your modifications quite ingenious, but they must have cost a lot more money!"

Liang Shicheng secretly glanced at Zhao Ji, and seeing that his expression did not seem dissatisfied, he immediately bowed and said, "Under Your Majesty's rule, the Great Song Dynasty enjoys peace and prosperity throughout the land, and the country is rich and the people are strong. This is a magnificent sight. Your Majesty's construction of Wansui Mountain is to compensate for the deficiencies in feng shui and to demonstrate the grandeur of this prosperous age. It should be done to the best of your ability!"

Zhao Ji glanced at the drawing again, nodded, and said, "Very well, let's use this drawing as the standard. All expenses shall be drawn from the Imperial Treasury. Do not disturb the Ministry of Revenue, lest it delay state affairs!"

"Your Majesty is wise and compassionate towards your officials!" Liang Shicheng praised again, then bowed and withdrew.

Watching his most trusted eunuch leave, Zhao Ji looked at the blueprints again, shook his head, and said, "It really costs money everywhere! Everyone says being an emperor is good, but who knows my suffering! Being an emperor is difficult, being a good emperor is even more difficult, and being a good emperor with taste is the most difficult of all!"

After a moment of reflection, he suddenly remembered that Gao Qiu had given him 20,000 strings of cash last time. This was money given to him out of nowhere, which could have gone directly into his private treasury.

It's nothing like the money those officials earn; the lion's share goes into the Ministry of Revenue's Left Treasury!

Gao Qiu was a good and loyal man! And he didn't form factions!

Suddenly, he remembered that he had also sent his son to the Imperial Academy. He wondered how his studies were going.

On a whim, just as he was about to ask someone, Yang Jian entered and announced, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Cai requests an audience!"

"Please let him in!"

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up. Cai Jing was a capable minister, especially good at making money, and also considerate.

Originally, Cai Jing had been impeached by his ministers in the third year of the Daguan era and was dismissed from his post as prime minister for the second time. He had already retired and was enjoying a life of leisure.

However, He Zhizhong, the Left Chancellor, was too mediocre and could not suppress the Right Chancellor Zhang Shangying at all. The old party of the Yuanyou era resurfaced, causing chaos in the court. As a last resort, Cai Jing was asked to return to the position of Chancellor.

This old minister is wonderful! His words about abundance and prosperity resonated deeply with him, and the series of reforms greatly pleased him.

Let's just say that this old minister, who experienced the Xining Reform, the Yuanfeng Reform, the Yuanyou Reform, and the Shaosheng Reform, is incredibly capable!

No wonder Wang Anshi praised him personally back then!

This is Cai Jing, who has been reinstated as prime minister and is in charge of the affairs of the three provinces. He meets with the emperor every three days. His sudden request for an audience today must mean that he has important matters to discuss, and Zhao Ji naturally cannot be negligent!

A short while later, Cai Jing entered slowly. Though he appeared old, his steps were still steady. Upon approaching, he bowed and greeted His Majesty. "Your subject Cai Jing greets Your Majesty and inquires about your well-being!"

"I am well! Please take a seat!" Zhao Ji smiled slightly, and a palace attendant brought over an embroidered stool.

Cai Jing thanked the emperor again for his grace and then took his seat.

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) sat on his throne and asked, "Grand Tutor, what important matter brings you to the palace today?"

Cai Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have come today to offer my congratulations."

"Oh?" Zhao Ji was slightly taken aback, then became interested and smiled, "What joy is there for me to celebrate? How come I know nothing about it?"

Cai Jing raised his head, subtly observing Zhao Ji's expression, and said slowly, "This old minister has heard that a spirit of debate is flourishing in the Imperial Academy, with students discussing the distinction between righteousness and profit day and night. This is a sign of a flourishing literary tradition, truly a testament to Your Majesty's excellent governance!"

"Is that so?" Zhao Ji was somewhat surprised and turned to look at Yang Jian.

Yang Jian hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. The scholars expressed their opinions on the issue of righteousness and profit, and criticized the current malpractices!"

Emperor Huizong's eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile appeared on his lips. Yang Jian's incisive criticism of current affairs made him guess Cai Jing's purpose.

It seems that this debate at the Imperial Academy has made this veteran of the New Party restless.

Someone is using this as a pretext to attack him!

However, this is the right way. It would be dangerous if he were to become too powerful. The court can fully implement the new laws, but it also needs to have opposing voices. Only in this way can the throne be secure!

During the Xining Reforms, Emperor Shenzong fully supported Wang Anshi, but also showed leniency towards Sima Guang, who was in Luoyang!

Even during the Yuanfeng era, when he personally presided over the reform, he still appointed members of the old party!

Dissenting opinions are the key to consolidating imperial power!

After Zheng Juzhong brought down Zhang Shangying, he did his best to support Cai Jing's reinstatement as prime minister. Why have the two become enemies now?

That's the reason!

And now, Liu Siming, the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy, is one of Zheng Juzhong's men!

With this understanding, the overall picture becomes clear!

"This constant discussion is not good!" Zhao Ji frowned slightly and asked, "Grand Tutor, what do you think should be done?"

Cai Jing had been observing Zhao Ji's expression. When the emperor's face showed surprise, Cai Jing knew that this matter had nothing to do with him, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a good thing that it wasn't Zhao Ji who attacked him; as for the others, they were simply relying on their own abilities!

Why was Gao Qiu involved? Did he side with Zheng Juzhong?

Judging solely by official rank, he wouldn't even consider a mere commander of the Palace Guard. But Gao Qiu was different; he was first a close advisor to the emperor during his youth, and only then did he become an official of the Song Dynasty.

As he pondered, upon hearing Zhao Ji's question, Cai Jing smiled gently and said, "It is a fortunate event for us scholars to debate the classics. In my opinion, we should not suppress it! However, Your Majesty's concerns are quite valid. Scholars are passionate and easily manipulated by those with ulterior motives. Therefore, I believe we should guide them. Perhaps Your Majesty could personally allow them to express their opinions and debate the classics before the Emperor!"

"Excellent!" Zhao Ji, who loved lively gatherings, was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, "Then let them each nominate a representative to debate the classics at the Imperial Academy. I will personally attend and observe!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Cai Jing rose to praise, then added, "This old minister would like to recommend someone to participate directly, without going through the students' selection process!"

Zhao Ji asked in surprise, "Oh, which talented person is so highly regarded by the Grand Tutor?"

Cai Jing chuckled and said, "Gao Zhao, son of Gao Qiu, the Commander of the Palace Guard!"