My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 12 Second Memorial

Shen Yikuan came to the history museum with a tired face.

He saw that Su Ze, who lived in the duty room, had finished washing up early and was sitting at his seat practicing calligraphy.

This is also Su Ze’s recent discovery.

My blue prop [Model Brush] can write standard fonts. In addition, if you copy different calligraphy works with this brush, you can write different fonts.

This function is very practical. You know, being able to write distinctive and beautiful characters in the Ming Dynasty is still a great advantage.

Didn’t the then Prime Minister Xu Jie rise to prominence by relying on his good calligraphy and writing poems for Emperor Jiajing?
There are a large number of books in the History Museum, and Su Ze can copy and transcribe them at will to find a font that suits him.

Shen Yi Guan saw the words written by Su Ze and sighed:

"There really is a calligraphy genius like Brother Su in this world!"

Shen Yi had seen Su Ze's handwriting before, and it was probably not as good as those of the historians and copyists.

However, Su Ze's calligraphy skills have improved so much these days that if Shen Yikuan had not seen it with his own eyes, he probably would not have believed that a person could make such great progress in such a short time.

What’s even more amazing is that no matter whose handwriting Su Ze is copying, he can copy it vividly.

According to Su Ze's explanation, he was poor when he was young and had no chance to learn calligraphy properly. Now he finally has the opportunity to calm down and hone his calligraphy skills.

Although Shen Yikuan also felt that some of it didn't make sense, since Su Ze said so, Shen Yikuan had no choice but to believe it.

Seeing Su Ze so calm, even Shen Yikuan had to admire his ability to cultivate his energy.

"Brother Zilin, are you aware that the outer court has been arguing over the issue of compiling history? Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Science have submitted petitions, arguing that a Veritable Record should not be compiled for Emperor Ruizong. Yesterday, my house was even blocked. A group of scholars from the Imperial College surrounded my house and cursed until dusk."

Shen Yiquan felt tremendous psychological pressure, and he suddenly understood why Su Ze had to live in the duty room.

These days he was harassed by young scholars every day, and had to go out early and come back late every day.

The situation of several other colleagues in the History Museum was similar. It was obvious that it was Chen Yiqin, the Minister Chen, who first proposed compiling history. However, this group of scholars did not dare to act rashly in the Minister Chen's residence, and they yelled and cursed at the ordinary officials in charge of the history every day.

While the two were talking, Shen Shixing walked into the History Museum with a tired look on his face.

"Brother Rumo."

Shen Yikuan also became familiar with Shen Shixing and came forward to greet him warmly.

Shen Shixing also looked aggrieved. He returned the gift to Shen Yiguan and said to Su Ze:

"Brother Zilin, it's no wonder you don't want to move in with me. I've been scolded so much these days."

When Su Ze just moved to the duty room of the History Museum, Shen Shixing wanted to take Su Ze to live in his house, but Su Ze politely declined.

In recent days, the situation of compiling a Veritable Record for Emperor Jiajing has intensified. The young scholars of the Imperial College have also been instigated. They protest at the Ministry of Rites during the day and block and curse at the homes of officials such as Shen Shixing who are compiling history in the morning and evening.

It was probably to criticize them for being treacherous and flattering people who fawned on the emperor as Hanlin and Rites officials and failed to write letters to advise the emperor, but instead followed the emperor's lead in compiling the Veritable Records for "Rui Zong", who had never been an emperor.

Shen Da, the top scholar who had a smooth life, had never been scolded like this. He was very nervous these days and even wanted to follow Su Ze's example and hide in the Ministry of Rites.

After a while, other colleagues also came to the History Museum. They were in a similar state to Shen Shixing and Shen Yiquan, looking listless and dispirited.

Su Ze was still sitting at the table copying. When it was time to go to the government office, Su Ze put away the copybook. At this moment, the doorman suddenly announced:

"Mr. Chen is here!"

Shen Shixing hurriedly led a group of editors to stand in front of the door to greet them. Chen Yiqin, who had not been to the History Museum for a while, walked into the History Museum.

Chen Yiqin first inspected the progress of the history compilation in the History Museum, and then led everyone to sit down in the Mingtang.

He cleared his throat and said:

"These days, there's been a lot of discussion outside. I came to the History Museum today to discuss the matter of Ruizong's Veritable Records."

Chen Yiqin looked around and continued:

"I have already reported to Your Majesty that there is a sequence in compiling history. The Veritable Records of Ruizong should be compiled first, and then the Veritable Records of Shizong." As soon as these words were spoken, everyone disregarded etiquette and exclaimed in public.

Chen Yiqin glanced at Su Ze in the crowd again and continued:

"Of course, the contents of the Annals of King Yejong are relatively few, and the Annals of King Sejong contain a lot of historical materials, so most people prefer to sort out the historical materials of King Sejong's reign first."

"Hanlin Academy editor Su Ze, the compilation of Ruizong's Veritable Records is now handed over to you. This is a matter of great concern to His Majesty, and you must ensure it is done properly."

At this time, everyone's eyes turned to Su Ze.

Among them were Shen Shixing's concerned look, Shen Yiquan's worried look, and more importantly, the gloating looks of other Shujishi.

At this moment, Luo Wanhua suddenly stood up and said:

"Lord, although the Veritable Records of Emperor Ruizong are short, there are some parts that need to be corrected and verified. I would like to work with Editor Su to compile the history."

Su Ze looked at the top scholar with some surprise. He really didn't expect that under such circumstances, it was Luo Wanhua who stood up and wanted to help him fix the mess.

Hearing Luo Wanhua say this, Shen Shixing also stood up and said:

"Your Excellency, Editor Su has just entered the Imperial Academy. I should lead him in compiling history."

What a kind-hearted man! Su Ze looked at Shen Shixing with some emotion. No wonder Shen Shixing was able to reconcile the conflicts between the court and the public after Zhang Juzheng's sudden death in history. He had been rolling in the cesspool of the Wanli Dynasty for so many years and finally lived to the age of 80.

Shen Yiguan also gritted his teeth and stood up and said:
"I am also willing to help Editor Su compile history."

This time Su Ze was a little surprised. Although he didn't know Shen Yiquan's motive, he also remembered Shen Yiquan's help.

Chen Yiqin coughed and said:
"As I just said, the Veritable Records of Emperor Ruizong doesn't require so many people. So, Luo Wanhua, you and Su Bianxiu will work together. Shen Shixing and Shen Yiguan, you two will continue to organize the historical materials for the Veritable Records of Emperor Sejong."

After Chen Yiqin said this, the matter was settled. Chen Yiqin then ordered people to clean out a separate room and let the two move in to specialize in compiling the Veritable Records of Ruizong.

Of course Su Ze knew that Chen Yiqin was targeting him.

Su Ze guessed from the attacks of these censors that he must have accidentally gotten involved in the political struggle between Xu Jie and Gao Gong.

Although Chen Yiqin did not side with Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng, he was even more incompatible with Gao Gong.

But Chen Yiqin was the chief editor of the History Museum, so Su Ze naturally could not resist.

Everyone in the officialdom wants to be promoted because a higher-ranking official can dominate others, and a word from a superior can determine the future of his subordinates.

Even if you study hard for decades, if you meet a superior who suppresses you, you will end up achieving nothing in your life.

Before traveling through time, Su Ze had no background, no money, no power, and he couldn't flatter others. He did a lot of hard work, but in the end he had to lie down.

But after traveling through time, Su Ze got the system and was unwilling to endure this humiliation anymore.

People in official circles are good at guessing what their superiors are thinking. The news that Su Ze was disliked by Lord Xu quickly spread among the elite.

This small disturbance in the History Museum also allowed the Qingliu people to see Chen Yiqin's attitude clearly, and the disturbance in the outer court expanded again.

Led by Lu Shude, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, thirteen censors jointly wrote a letter to impeach Su Ze.

The momentum this time was so huge that voices were heard throughout the court calling for Su Ze to be dismissed from his post.

Su Ze, who was at the center of the storm, remained unmoved.

Finally, the time came to May.

Watching the [Number of Simulations] of the [Portable Ming Dynasty Court] refresh, Su Ze finally put down the pen he was copying and picked up the blank question book on the desk.

Su Ze finished writing the memorial in one go, and then stuffed it into the portable imperial court.

——[Simulation Start]——

(End of this chapter)