Chapter 50: Imperial Song Unsolved Cases

This matter is somewhat complicated: back then, Emperor Renzong, after being slapped by Empress Guo, deposed her on the grounds of "childlessness," and the current Empress Cao, chosen for her noble lineage and virtuous conduct, succeeded her.

Yes, a genuine noble family—she is the granddaughter of Cao Bin, a famed general of the founding Song dynasty.

Initially, the emperor and empress got along well, but Empress Cao's standing in Renzong's heart was quickly supplanted by Zhang Shi, whose beauty and dancing rivaled Zhao Feiyan of the Han era; Zhang Shi enjoyed unparalleled favor, rising from cairen to xiuyuan to guifei within just a few years.

Then, in the first month of Qingli Eighth Year, a palace rebellion broke out.

Four armed palace guards—Yan Xiu, Guo Kui, Sun Li, and Wang Sheng—suddenly set fire and raised a commotion inside the palace, then stormed straight toward Kunning Palace.

Empress Cao, a daughter of a military family, remained calm under pressure, ordered palace maids and eunuchs to lock the hall doors and set up barriers, dispatched men to gather the palace's stored water to extinguish the flames, and held out until Wang Zhongzheng arrived with troops, killing three of the rebels on the spot, though one escaped.

Afterwards, Emperor Renzong ordered the Imperial City Office to conduct a full-city manhunt, and after three days, they finally found the last fugitive.

Yet strangely, this man was killed on the spot by the Imperial City Office, leaving no survivors.

Officials such as Yu Zhouxun, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, believed a hidden hand was behind it, but Emperor Renzong strangely chose not to pursue further, merely dismissing the head of the Imperial City Office.

This case thus became another unsolved mystery of Emperor Renzong's reign.

In this palace revolt, Empress Cao played the most crucial role, yet received neither gratitude nor reward from Renzong; instead, Renzong intended to credit Zhang Shi, who arrived last, calling her "meritorious in escorting the emperor."

At the time, ministers such as Xia Song seized the opportunity to propose a special honor for her; Emperor Renzong was delighted and prepared to follow their advice, but Zhang Fangping, then Minister of the Three Departments, argued this violated ritual propriety, citing the Han dynasty example of Feng Jieyu shielding the emperor from a bear, and strongly urged against it.

In the end, Consort Zhang failed to be elevated; Empress Cao, however, remembered Zhang Fangping's kindness, yet could not prevent him from being demoted over minor matters and appointed Department Magistrate of Chuzhou.

Consort Zhang died last year, and despite Empress Cao still being alive, Emperor Renzong insisted on burying Zhang with full imperial funeral rites, sparking widespread debate in court and among the people.

"All these years, the emperor's lingering resentment has long faded; moreover, Consort Zhang is now dead, and the state's finances are on the brink of collapse—inside and outside the palace, whether Empress Cao or Prime Ministers Han and Fu, who doesn't wish for you to return?"

"I've already told the chancellors plainly: I'll return, but only if Fan Jin Gong comes with me."

Zhang Fangping stood up and said bluntly: "Otherwise, I won't take the post—let someone else handle it."

Zhang Fangping and Fan Xiang both belong to the Song Chaoting's specialized economic technocrats; their position can be summarized as "conservative fiscal policy," emphasizing the preservation of people's strength, prioritizing expenditure cuts, while acknowledging the necessity of rectifying the three excesses and developing the economy, yet opposing radical measures and rejecting short-term gains.

Precisely because of this, during the Qingli Reforms, Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Han Qi, and Fu Bi made such a loud stir, yet Zhang Fangping and his group stayed out of it; after the reforms failed, Lü Yijian's purge did not touch them.

But to say Zhang Fangping was closely aligned with Lü Yijian and other conservatives is untrue; Zhang himself clearly wrote in his letter to Chancellor Lü Xugong: "Though I heard of your reputation, I never managed to join your circle"—they merely coincided in opposing radical revenue expansion.

In short, they were a neutral, moderate faction.

Zhao Bian thought for a moment and asked: "What are Liu Hang and Fan Zhen's positions?"

The Political Affairs Council currently has two Tong Pingzhangshi and two Canzhi Zhengshi, totaling four chancellors.

Although Han and Fu temporarily hold power, Liu Hang and Fan Zhen, as vice-chancellors, still wield considerable influence.

These two vice-chancellors, like Zhang Fangping, are part of the Song court's current neutral, moderate faction, advocating policy adjustments within the existing system rather than radical overhaul; though they do not actively form factions, they share basic mutual understanding.

"It was they who suggested Han and Fu recall me to head the Three Departments," Zhang Fangping said without hesitation.

Hearing this, Zhao Bian said plainly: "But Han and Fu won't hand the entire Three Departments over to you—they fear an imbalance of power. Without some checks, the Three Departments Minister plus two Canzhi Zhengshi could rival them, especially now in this turbulent time, when the emperor's stance is uncertain."

"If they do that, let whoever wants to clean up this mess take it—I'll stay in Chengdu."

Zhang Fangping chuckled and said only:

At that moment, Zhao Bian suddenly looked at the lake and asked: "Do you think the emperor might be fishing?"

"You mean?"

Zhang Fangping frowned, then shook his head firmly: "Unlikely—after years of hard-won stability, the state can't withstand major upheaval."

Zhao Bian said nothing.

Zhang Fangping turned to him: "What about you? The Censorate isn't easy to endure—it's even more rife with factions."

Zhao Bian smiled: "The Censorate's duty is to advise and admonish; for major court errors, we argue in court; for minor ones, we submit memorials—just act according to conscience. What's hard about it?"

"You can still laugh?"

Zhang Fangping curled his lip: "Fan Zhen also serves as Director of the Censorate's Miscellaneous Affairs—he oversees all Censorate operations. I'm afraid the two of you will clash."

"Enough of this," Zhao Bian suddenly said. "If you truly resume the post of Three Departments Minister, will you reform the salt certificate system?"

"Of course."

Zhang Fangping said matter-of-factly: "I sent Lu Beigu's memorial via Hanzhong to Huazhou for Fan Jin Gong's review; if the salt law truly requires surgery, only he can wield the blade—this matter can only be handled by him."

"Lu Beigu's plan is ultimately sound."

Zhao Bian said: "Every step rests on practical foundations, each linked tightly; it offers innovation to solve problems without being radical, far superior to reckless, abrupt reform."

"Indeed, I greatly admire it."

Zhang Fangping said: "How can state affairs be decided by guesswork? Even if we don't follow Xiao's rules and Cao's precedents, we must still build on existing foundations, changing gradually. Sudden changes leave everyone confused and inevitably cause chaos. I knew this during the Qingli Reforms—affairs of the realm cannot be rushed."

"You talk well, but I see you're quite impatient," Zhao Bian teased.

"The state is in such a state—I can only watch and fret."

Zhang Fangping looked at Zhao Bian and asked: "What do you think of Lu Beigu?"

Song dynasty scholar-officials were keen to mentor and cultivate talented youths whose potential was immediately apparent.

The reason: after Huang Chao destroyed the centuries-old aristocratic clans by "breaking into Chang'an if you can't pass the exams," no new aristocracy could form under the Song examination system; social mobility among Song scholar-officials was extremely high.

The descendants of common laborers could rise to chancellor through study; the descendants of chancellors wouldn't sink to common laborers, but if they lacked talent for exams, their status would quickly decline.

This situation was common, since no one could predict their descendants' talents.

What to do?

Two methods: the famous "snatch a son-in-law from the imperial examination list," where high officials directly chose daughters' husbands from the list of successful candidates; and mentoring juniors, taking on disciples.

Thus, it was entirely natural for Zhang Fangping and Zhao Bian to pay attention to Lu Beigu, a youth whose talent was visibly extraordinary.

"Which aspect? Governance or scholarship?"

"Governance."

"He's a promising talent—he always has original insights, acts without recklessness, prefers orderly, step-by-step progress; after some experience in officialdom, he will surely become a pillar of the state."

"What about scholarship?"

Zhao Bian smiled: "He studies diligently with the spirit of Fan Xiweng—he'll surely pass the provincial exam; whether he passes the metropolitan exam depends on fate."

Zhang Fangping nodded in deep agreement; Zhao Bian's words were not a lack of faith in Lu Beigu—quite the opposite, they showed great confidence.

Because under such a cruel examination acceptance rate in Great Song, no one could guarantee they would reach the end, especially since Lu Beigu's current learning was still far, far from the level of a Jinshi.

But "it depends on fate" itself showed that Zhao Bian held great hope for him.

"Speaking solely of the art of governing the state and saving the people, Lu Beigu is truly a rare talent in the world!"

Zhang Fangping laughed and said, "If he can pass as a Jinshi, it would be better to transfer him to the Three Departments. Do not let him become an Imperial Censor; he is not the type for that post."

Zhao Bian also smiled faintly.

However, just then, he seemed to think of something and spoke.

"By the way, there is one matter regarding Lu Beigu I wish to tell you. It is merely my speculation; no one has mentioned it."

"What is it?"

"Do you still remember the unsolved case that occurred near the Rainbow Bridge when Chen Xiliang built it during the Qingli era?"

"The unsolved case..."

Zhang Fangping's words stuck in his throat: "Could it be such a coincidence?"

"One can only say it is possible."

"Let such matters pass as they are," Zhang Fangping said, frowning. "The current dynasty has countless unsolved cases. Even if he truly is that person's descendant, what then? After all, few knew the truth back then; haven't we all only heard rumors?"

"I fear that if it is true, he will certainly find out once he returns to Kaifeng."

"A great man living in this world must always make choices," Zhang Fangping said, unfurrowing his brows.

Zhao Bian looked thoughtfully at the water surface. Suddenly, the float sank. With quick eyes and fast hands, he immediately flicked the fishing rod upward.

Sure enough, a large fish was hooked.

(End of this chapter)