The prince is more stable

Chapter 158 Gong Jing crosses the river
Zhao Xiaoqian and Jiang Miaoxian got to know each other, and Su Che was the matchmaker.

It was also here in the shade of the flowers that Su Che invited Zhao Xiaoqian to come over for a chat, and thus they met Su Che and Jiang Miaoxian.

Su Che never imagined that Zhao Xiaoqian and Jiang Miaoxian would become a couple later, and no one would care about the feelings of an old man like him.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian really didn't care about his feelings. An old man in his sixties was disrespectful and had feelings for an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl. It was just in line with his brother Su Shi's poem, "A tree of pear blossoms overshadows the crabapple tree." How shameless was he?

An eighteen-year-old girl should be paired with an eighteen-year-old boy.

Of course, the sorrows and joys of the world cannot be shared.

If Zhao Xiaoqian lived to be sixty, he would probably still like an eighteen-year-old girl like Su Zhe. He was so devoted.

Su Zhe was quite open-minded. Since Jiang Miaoxian had been taken in by Zhao Xiaoqian, he no longer cared about her. The girl Nian Nian in front of him was also very nice.

So after Su Che drank a few glasses of wine, he didn't know if it was because of the wine or the lust, but he started to stare at Niao Niao with lustful eyes, a perverted smile, and greasy eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian had nothing serious to talk to him about, so he let him continue talking so greasy.

In any case, Zhao Xiaoqian was not interested in topics like new laws and old laws. He even carefully avoided these topics, fearing that Su Che would talk about it endlessly and make people want to overturn the table.

After a long time, Su Che finally felt a little drunk, his face flushed and he burped long and hard at Zhao Xiaoqian.

"I've had enough food and drink, no regrets, haha!" Su Che laughed.

Glancing sideways at Zhao Xiaoqian, Su Zhe said drunkenly, "Brother Zi'an took quite a risk today. He brought me here before the Ministry of Justice arrested me. I am grateful for your kindness."

Zhao Xiaoqian was surprised: "Mr. Ziyou knows all this?"

Su Zhe sneered: "I am not a fool, of course I know."

"It's been two days now. Yesterday at the court, I could already see Zhang Dun was getting impatient and about to attack me. And today, you had the Imperial City Bureau invite me to a banquet for no apparent reason. Even if I'm a bit clueless, I should have known something was wrong."

After a pause, Su Zhe sighed, "I should say thank you very much. Regardless of whether Zi'an is good or evil, whether he supports the new law or the old law, you have saved me at least once."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "The affairs of the court are over. Today's banquet is only for personal communication, not for state affairs."

Su Che also nodded. "That's right. My brother Zizhan and Wang Anshi were like that too. They were like water and fire in the court, but in private they admired and respected each other. This is the friendship of gentlemen. Today, Zi'an and I will follow their example. I am honored."

Putting down his wine glass, Su Zhe stared at Zhao Xiaoqian and said slowly, "However, Zi'an's actions today were indeed reckless. You intercepted me before the Ministry of Justice, which has offended Zhang Dun. The Prime Minister has become estranged from you, which is not good for your future."

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, "I follow my heart. I judge people by their character, not by their actions. I don't like to talk about big principles. I don't care if they are from the new or old party. I must protect the people I want to protect."

After a pause, Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "Mr. Ziyou, you should know that the current political situation is very unfavorable to you. Given the general trend, you might as well take the initiative to submit a petition, requesting to be exiled to a remote place as a temporary escape from disaster. Staying away from the central government can protect yourself. Please consider this."

Su Che was silent for a while, then smiled and said, "I have an idea. After this banquet today, I will go to the Ministry of Justice and appease Zhang Dun's anger towards you. Today's banquet was just a coincidence, and Zhang Dun will probably not take it seriously. Zi'an, please do not take any action from now on."

"You saved me once, and I'll repay you once. We're even now. I even got a free meal from you, so I'm the winner."

As he spoke, Su Che picked up the cup again, drank the last glass of wine, and then stood up.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes dimmed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Mr. Ziyou, why do you have to do this..."

Su Che smiled carefreely: "In this life, I have only believed in the truth. The new law has many errors. Wrong is wrong. I would rather die than change my mind. Even if I am cut into pieces, I will die for the truth with dignity!"

"The people are suffering under the new laws, and the people of the world are suffering. I have been appointed to the imperial court and enjoy the emperor's salary. How can I sit back and watch the suffering of the people? Otherwise, wouldn't all the sage books I've read over the years be wasted?"

"A scholar must be broad-minded and resolute!"

Zhao Xiaoqian stared deeply at Su Che's back, his heart in turmoil.

This was indeed a terrible era. It was weak and full of problems, and was criticized by later generations.

But it is undeniable that in this era there are still people who are not motivated by personal gain, live up to the sages, and are determined to sacrifice themselves for justice, striving to burn themselves and light up the dark road ahead.

The ideals of scholars always seem like Jing Ke's assassination of Qin Shi Huang, both foolish and tragic.

Inwardly, she cursed him for being so inappropriate, but she couldn't help but stand in awe. Inside the elegant pavilion, the lingering sound of the zither suddenly changed, becoming passionate and tragic. It was the song "No One Crosses the River."

Su Zhe was slightly moved. He turned around and nodded to Niao Niao with a smile: "Young lady, you are very thoughtful and considerate."

After saying this, Su Che flicked his sleeves and strode out of the elegant pavilion.

In the elegant pavilion, Zhao Xiaoqian poured wine alone and drank a glass silently.

Accompanied by the lingering sound of the piano, Zhao Xiaoqian had a sad expression on his face, tapping the rhythm with his fingers on his knees, as if he was humming a low song.

"You should not have crossed the river, but you did. If you died after crossing the river, what can I do to you?"

…………

Su Che was arrested and imprisoned by the Ministry of Justice.

The incident happened suddenly, but it seemed to be expected by many people.

The New Party was in power and the Old Party was doomed. As a leader of the Old Party, Su Che debated with the Prime Minister face to face in the court, so it was natural that he was arrested and imprisoned.

It is said that Su Che walked into the lobby of the Ministry of Justice by himself, scolded the officers who came forward to arrest him, and then walked into the prison of the Ministry of Justice by himself. He even closed the prison door himself. This action confused the officials of the Ministry of Justice.

Upright, open and decent.

After the incident, court officials were shocked and public opinion was in an uproar.

Su Che was the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, which theoretically meant he was the deputy prime minister of the dynasty. However, such a prominent figure was imprisoned by a single word from Zhang Dun, and the direction of the Song court completely shifted towards the New Party.

Not only the court was shocked, but also the Imperial College and the people.

Su Zhe was not only a minister of the imperial court, but like his brother Su Shi, he was also a leader in the literary world of the Song Dynasty.

He was imprisoned because of the debate between the new and the old. Disputes arose among the scholars of the Imperial College and the literati in the folk about the court and Zhang Dun, causing turmoil in Bianliang.

Strangely, neither Zhao Xu nor the other officials in the Council of State made any comment on Su Che's imprisonment.

It's as if the person going to jail is just an ordinary passerby.

Just a passerby.

Zhang Dun still led the court officials every day and vigorously implemented the new laws in the Council of State. The Qingmiao Law, which Su Che strongly advised against, was also among the new laws being implemented.

Su Che was like a moth flying into a flame. Apart from the brief moment of light, he did not change anything.

After the uproar in the court, it fell silent again.

Zhang Dun had achieved his goal of establishing his authority by interrogating Su Che. Now all the court officials were in danger and dared not point out the prime minister's mistakes. At the same time, many old party officials finally despaired of the court and submitted petitions requesting to retire or be exiled to serve as officials in remote places.

The situation changed several times. After Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent in the palace for a few days, he finally gritted his teeth and walked out of the yard.

It's such a great person, acting so tragically and with a determined look as if he's gone forever. Who do you want to move?
Want to die heroically?
I have to rescue you. As one of the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties, how could you die so easily without leaving me a few calligraphy and paintings to pass down to my family?

What new party or old party? I am not from any party. I just want to save someone. Is that not okay?
"Someone come, prepare the car!" Zhao Xiaoqian shouted as he walked out of the yard.

Zhao Hao was taking a walk outside the yard, his fat body rolling on the ground like a ball. Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian hurried out, Zhao Hao immediately called him.

"Where is my son going?"

"Tread on the South Sky and shatter the Sky!"

"…Speak human language!"

"Save a fool. This fool fell into the river while crossing it. I fished him out."

(End of this chapter)