Chapter 1663: The Zhao Family, Father and Son

"Chancellor Zhao!" A respectful greeting pulled Zhao Pu back from his daze.

Looking up, he saw it was Vice Minister of Justice Lü Mengzheng, who was maintaining a bow with a low-key, humble posture. Seeing this rising star of the central court, Zhao Pu collected himself and revealed a slight smile: "So it's Shenggong! No need for formalities!"

Thanks to his conduct and performance during the Lu affair, this young Vice Minister of Justice had gained considerable recognition, steadily consolidating his position in the Ministry of Justice and gaining a foothold in the central court, becoming a political rising star that drew attention.

Zhao Pu did have a fairly positive assessment of his abilities. However, he had not had much contact with him, nor had he tried to bring him into his own fold—after all, this was someone personally promoted by Emperor Liu, so it was not convenient for him to interfere.

Looking at the impressive Lü Mengzheng, Zhao Pu casually asked: "Are you heading to see His Majesty?"

Noticing that Zhao Pu was staring at the memorial in his hands, Lü Mengzheng did not try to hide it, and nodded: "A new batch of convicted officials has arrived in the capital. After verification, their crimes are confirmed without error—I must submit a memorial requesting execution!"

Hearing this, Zhao Pu could not help but furrow his brows: "This is the third batch, isn't it! Has the Court of Judicial Review finished its examination?"

"Yes!" Lü Mengzheng nodded.

Zhao Pu immediately said: "Why is it not Murong Chengde reporting this? Instead, you, a Vice Minister of Justice, are handling it—does this conform to court regulations?"

Hearing this, Lü Mengzheng's heart tightened, and a trace of unease flickered across his face as he said in a low voice with a strained excuse: "Court Director Murong is ill!"

At this, Zhao Pu opened his mouth, but did not press further on the matter, and instead asked: "How many people are in this batch?"

"118 in total!"

"Go on, then!" Zhao Pu said expressionlessly, stepping aside to make way.

Seeing this, Lü Mengzheng bowed once more: "Your subordinate takes his leave!"

With that, he walked with small steps toward Chongzheng Hall. Watching Lü Mengzheng's retreating figure, Zhao Pu let out a long sigh—another hundred or so people, another hundred or so officials, another hundred or so lives.

Zhao Pu could not help but ponder—could it be that His Majesty had been withholding his decision on the central court's personnel adjustments precisely because he was waiting for the Lu affair to be completely concluded? If that were the case, then it seemed understandable after all.

However, watching Lü Mengzheng gradually recede into the distance, Zhao Pu's aged brows unconsciously furrowed again. This man was indeed capable of getting things done, and His Majesty thought highly of him—could it be that he was destined for greater use?

But this thought was quickly dismissed. After all, it was no longer twenty years ago; His Majesty now favored veteran ministers. Even if he thought highly of Lü Mengzheng, this man still had a long road ahead—his seniority was shallow, his foundation unstable, he lacked sufficient local administrative experience, and he had not even been tested in a regional circuit office. How could he possibly enter the Hall of State Affairs...

What about Xin Zhongfu, then? This man had shouldered great responsibility in the Lu affair, and entering the chancellorship as Minister of Justice seemed quite defensible...

As for Wang Qiwu, he had been ill recently, so there should be some changes there—the Hall of State Affairs would still need additional personnel.

Zhao Kuangyi—that man had been growing increasingly silent lately. Something was off.

Zhao Pu spent the entire day lost in thought, and even when he returned to his residence in the evening, he remained anxious and unsettled. Perhaps it was because he was getting older and his energy was gradually failing him—Zhao Pu no longer worked late into the night without realizing it as he once had.

In winter, Kaifeng grew increasingly cold, and even the air seemed heavier. The cold moon gave no light, and bitter winds blew in gusts. Yet the chancellor's residence remained as steady as Mount Tai, its lamps blazing brightly.

As he descended from his carriage, the gatekeeper steward immediately bustled forward to greet him with a smile on his face: "Welcome home, Chancellor!"

"Mm!" Zhao Pu responded indifferently. Seeing the man's cheerful expression, he asked: "What has made you so delighted?"

The steward led the way, smiling: "The young lord has returned!"

The young lord the steward referred to was naturally his eldest son, Zhao Chengzong. As Zhao Pu's son, his official career naturally had tremendous security, and he had previously been serving as an official in the provinces.

Zhao Pu was already aware of his eldest son's return—after all, it had been his own arrangement. Therefore, he simply nodded and instructed: "Have him come see me in the study!"

Zhao Pu's study was quite elegantly arranged, though of course, the most abundant items were all manner of books. Zhao Pu's scholarly achievements had long been criticized by others, and he had never taken such criticism to heart. But in truth, privately, he was extremely studious, reading year-round. If it came to writing poetry or composing prose, he might not be particularly impressive, but his understanding of the classics, histories, philosophers, and collected works was second to none. What he excelled at most, however, was applying classical learning to practical governance.

Before Zhao Chengzong arrived, maintaining his old habit, he took out a volume of the *Kaibao General Compendium* to read. This comprehensive classic of the Great Han, which encompassed everything under heaven, was frequently read even by Emperor Liu himself, let alone him—and to this day, he had only read through some five hundred-odd volumes.

Soon, Zhao Chengzong entered and paid his respects. Zhao Pu did not speak, but silently sized him up. Under such scrutiny, Zhao Chengzong unconsciously withdrew his originally relaxed smile and slowly lowered his head.

After a long while, Zhao Pu finally asked: "When did you arrive in the capital?"

Zhao Chengzong hurriedly replied: "After the hour of Wei."

"Have you reported to the Ministry of Personnel yet?" Zhao Pu asked again.

At this, Zhao Chengzong's expression shifted slightly, and his voice lowered: "Not yet!"

Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately scolded him sternly: "You are a provincial official! Returning to the capital without first going to the Ministry of Personnel, but instead coming straight to the chancellor's residence—are you not handing others a handle to use against you?"

Zhao Chengzong opened his mouth, but truly did not dare to provoke his old father's authority, so he could only bow his head and admit fault: "It was your son's oversight. I will go to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow!"

Seeing his attitude, Zhao Pu's nameless anger subsided somewhat, and he let out a light sigh: "Your official rank may not be high, but surely you have heard something of the turmoil in the court these past six months. Did you not take seriously the letters I sent you? Though this is a small matter, hardly even a mistake, at this critical juncture, it becomes a handle—a weakness for others to attack!

You wouldn't be foolish enough, like those mediocrities, to think that with Lu Duoxun fallen, this court is now dominated by our Zhao family alone, would you! Do you not know how taboo such a rumor is!"

Hearing Zhao Pu say this, Zhao Chengzong's expression changed drastically, and he immediately said: "Your son has been remiss in vigilance!"

Zhao Pu then said gravely: "Others are one thing—they are outsiders after all. But you are my eldest son! Those who wish to see me make a fool of myself are likely watching you brothers closely. How can you afford to be careless!"

"Your son will keep your teachings firmly in mind and dare not repeat this mistake!" Zhao Chengzong said solemnly.

The conversation between father and son thus unfolded in this tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Only after Zhao Pu relaxed his tone did Zhao Chengzong dare to take his seat and respond. Observing his old father's gloomy and stern countenance, he also grew more worried: "Your son heard in Huazhou that the situation in the capital was tense, but I never imagined it had already become so severe!"

Clearly, Zhao Chengzong was no fool—from Zhao Pu's words, he could sense the unusualness. Hearing this, Zhao Pu stared at him for a moment, then said: "Do not involve yourself in the affairs of the capital. Do your own job well and handle your own matters properly!"

Easier said than done—how could he not show concern? After all, father and son share a bond, connected by the same bloodline. After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Chengzong still obediently acknowledged the instruction.

Zhao Chengzong was already past thirty, yet to this day, he was only a County Magistrate of Baima. Though it was a prestigious county and the prefecture and county were integrated, as the son of the current Chief Chancellor, it still seemed somewhat low. Even in the present era of increasingly rigid bureaucratic hierarchy, there were many younger county-level chief officials. Therefore, among the sons of the powerful and noble, Zhao Chengzong's position was quite "mediocre."

Seeing his eldest son so obedient, Zhao Pu's mood improved somewhat, and he then said: "I won't hide it from you—summoning you back to the capital this time was my decision. I have a different appointment in store for you!"

"I will naturally follow my father's instructions!" Zhao Chengzong said.

"Among the sons of the court's powerful and noble families, by your age, many have already taken on major posts at the prefectural level, or even higher positions. Having made you serve as a county magistrate for so many years—you must feel quite aggrieved inside, mustn't you?" Zhao Pu said calmly.

Faced with such a question, even if he had thoughts on the matter, Zhao Chengzong dared not voice them, and could only humbly say: "Your son is shallow in talent and meager in virtue. Governing even one county is more than I can handle, let alone a prefecture!"

"Those words of yours are insincere!" Zhao Pu immediately pointed out: "I have reviewed your governance of the people in Baima. Your official reputation and public praise are both good. I won't say you've made great achievements, but at the very least, you've been competent and steady!"

"Father flatters me!" Zhao Chengzong relaxed somewhat.

Another sigh, and Zhao Pu said directly: "Prepare yourself. After you report to the Ministry of Personnel, you will go to Chuzhou to take up your post. Your new appointment is Prefect of Chuzhou!"

Zhao Chengzong was delighted at the news, but seeing Zhao Pu's perpetually stern expression, he forcibly suppressed his joy and said with a cupped-fist salute: "I will naturally follow the court's arrangements. However, I still need my father's guidance!"

"I hope you can maintain this humility genuinely, rather than merely putting on a show for me!" Zhao Pu paused for a moment before speaking.

Without explaining further, Zhao Pu instructed: "Chuzhou sits at the critical juncture of the canal's grain transport—a vital hub for waterborne tribute. The bulk of the southeast's tax revenue is transshipped through it, and merchants and travelers from north and south also pass through it in great numbers. Therefore, transportation and transshipment are the top priority in Chuzhou. You must coordinate closely with the Southeast Transport Commission and cannot afford any mistakes.

Additionally, Chuzhou is where the Huai River and the canal converge. The river network brings both benefits and harm—these years, the Huai River has never truly been calm. Although Duke Wang of Yan repaired Hongze Lake and excavated the Guishan Canal back then, many years have passed, and you must not relax your efforts in water conservancy, irrigation, flood prevention, and flood discharge!

Do these two things well, maintain the same governing style you had in Baima County, and Chuzhou should be free of trouble!"

"Yes!" Zhao Chengzong listened very attentively to Zhao Pu's instructions, memorized them carefully, then gave a respectful bow and answered solemnly: "Your son understands. Thank you for your guidance, Father!"

Although Zhao Pu told him not to worry, Zhao Chengzong still couldn't help but ask with concern: "Father, you look so troubled—is the situation at court truly as dire as all that?"