[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-204":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558370,2024,"Chapter 204: Bridging the Gap (Part 1)","shao-song-chapter-204",204,"\u003Cp>Zhang Rong had clearly misunderstood what \"snatching a son-in-law from the list\" meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This \"snatching a son-in-law from the list\" actually came in two types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One type was the origin of the term itself: servants from wealthy families in the capital would wait beforehand outside the Donghua and Xihua Gates. Once the list was posted, as soon as they spotted a successful candidate, they would swarm him. If the man was unmarried, they would directly promise a large sum of money and a dowry, and many candidates from humble backgrounds, dazed and half-willing, would be dragged off to get married.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this process was generally quite intense and always done in a great rush, calling it \"snatching\" was absolutely no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this situation where money and a beautiful woman were delivered to your door upon passing the exams was extremely dramatic, truly validating the saying that \"in books there are houses of gold, in books there are faces like jade,\" so it was also widely spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it must be emphasized that this situation generally occurred between wealthy capital merchants with no political standing and candidates from humble backgrounds who ranked in the middle or lower. The two sides had a fundamental need for mutual complement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, this practice wouldn't have continued year after year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for those who actually achieved the rank of Presented Scholar, especially those brilliant figures with great political prospects, the so-called \"snatching a son-in-law from the list\" became the privilege of Grand Councilors, high ministers, and truly prestigious families. And at this level, those truly promising and capable Presented Scholars who had firm principles often had their own opinions. They would frequently decline, or even seriously refuse, based on the other party's political stance or personal moral choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And constrained by official traditions and rules, it was the Grand Councilors who were in the weaker position at this point, at least on the surface... Scenes of a newly minted Presented Scholar declining a Grand Councilor father-in-law were not uncommon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were \"snatching sons-in-law,\" but below it was real snatching, while above it was fake snatching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, when this matter was moved to Zhang Rong, it clearly became a joke. Coming from a fishing family on the marshes, he only knew that you could snatch a Presented Scholar as a son-in-law, but he didn't realize it was an internal game among high-ranking civil officials and their prospective replacements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a joke was a joke; if this matter wasn't handled properly, it could have very bad consequences... Whether it was Zhang Rong forcibly tying up the youngest and most promising Presented Scholar and forcing him to marry, or a newly minted Presented Scholar openly expressing a clear attitude of looking down on a Military Governor during the resistance, neither was acceptable... The former might cause civil officials to feel sympathy for their own kind, triggering a stress reaction as if the late Tang's era of decline was returning. The latter might cause a regional commander with the most sensitive current identity to feel frustration and centrifugal force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And either possibility had a chance of worsening, ultimately leading to renewed civil-military conflict while a great enemy was at the gate, needlessly sabotaging the overall situation of resisting the Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Yang Yizhong had specifically reported this matter seriously, and Zhao Jiu, almost disregarding everything, had taken a lantern and headed straight for the Daxiangguo Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when the anxious Emperor arrived at the Daxiangguo Temple and went straight into the courtyard where Zhang Rong was staying, he was startled to find that there was no top-ranked Tanhua Lang of this session, only the newly minted Presented Scholar Yue Fei coming out to greet him along with Zhang Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, when the two saw the Emperor arriving in person at this time, they both looked embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhao Jiu sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not know that Yue Pengju must have heard the news and, due to several years of friendship and several battles fought alongside Zhang Rong, had come specifically to warn him, disregarding suspicion. But unexpectedly, just as the matter was being settled, he, the Emperor, had come to catch them red-handed... Civil-military division was a great taboo, but was there no issue with regional commanders whose defense zones were adjacent being so close?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course there was no issue!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, the Emperor relaxed. Entering the courtyard, he sat down casually and got straight to the point: \"I summoned Grand Defender Zhang to the capital this time intending for you to come and see the sights, but I never expected this kind of thing to happen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong grew even more embarrassed. He didn't even sit down but stood there awkwardly and said, \"I'm just a country bumpkin who doesn't know the ropes. I didn't know that the ones snatching sons-in-law were all civil officials. I've caused this trouble for nothing, making things difficult for Your Majesty and Grand Defender Yue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his words, it was clear he understood what had happened, had taken the advice, and even felt a bit apologetic, but he was also obviously somewhat dejected... This was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhao Jiu felt helpless and continued to press: \"Did Yu Yunwen do anything discourteous?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong's expression finally softened slightly: \"That young Presented Scholar was perfectly proper. He just said his parents were both in Shu, so it wasn't convenient for him to enter into a marriage without their consent. He didn't say anything else. After Grand Defender Yue came in and explained things to me, I let him go, and he didn't forget to bow politely... Comparatively, I was the one who was rude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded slowly. It was good that no incident had occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, the Emperor was still somewhat helpless, and then he suddenly snorted with laughter: \"Maybe this is my fault. Perhaps Yu Yunwen saw that Grand Defender Zhang doesn't even have a residence in Dongjing and is still lodging at the Daxiangguo Temple, so he wasn't willing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his head had been hot these past few days, after a bucket of cold water tonight, Zhang Rong, who had been a chieftain for so many years, had regained his calm, even his clarity. He naturally knew the Emperor was joking, so he tried to force a smile but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen to me,\" Zhao Jiu said, waving his hand and sighing, showing a rare trace of fatigue. \"Actually, given how I look after all my regional commanders, how could I possibly forget to grant you a mansion? Especially since Dongjing is still quite empty, and the other regional commanders all have designated official residences here... To be honest with you, Grand Defender Zhang, I had some plans for you. I heard that you liked wearing flowers in your hair, and that day here I heard you say with your own mouth that passing the imperial exams made a man a true hero. So I planned to give you a grand commendation tomorrow after the Qionglin Banquet... At that time, I wasn't just going to grant you a mansion. I was also going to have the new Presented Scholars ride horses with flowers in their hair through Donghua Gate in a parade, and you, Grand Defender Zhang, Grand Defender Yue, and Yang Yizhong, who distinguished himself at Dongping, would ride horses with flowers in your hair through Xihua Gate in a parade... It might have become a beautiful story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Fei and Zhang Rong were both stunned. Yang Yizhong, who had followed, was also momentarily taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Zhang Rong grew even more ashamed: \"Your Majesty's intentions were truly heartfelt and loyal. I never imagined that my momentary foolishness would not only bring shame upon myself but also ruin Your Majesty's arrangements... I should have known. How could a fisherman, a water bandit, ever form a marriage alliance with such a brilliant figure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu shook his head and continued: \"Today's matter is not because you, Grand Defender Zhang, come from a fishing family. As ridiculous as this dynasty can be, we no longer have the old aristocratic clans of the Tang. The Hundred Family Surnames are written on one piece of paper; there may be an order, but they are all just characters on a page. So, since you have become a Military Governor, a Grand Defender, your family background is truly not the problem... The crux of today's matter lies in the distinction between civil and military.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the Song dynasty, civil officials were esteemed and military men were despised. Yue Fei and Yang Yizhong, having long mixed in the military, knew this well in their hearts. Even Zhang Rong, upon hearing this, roughly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The separation of civil and military,\" Zhao Jiu deliberately avoided the words \"esteemed\" and \"despised,\" but everyone understood. \"This is a tradition created by this dynasty's deliberate suppression and overcorrection over a hundred years after the military strongmen of the late Tang and Five Dynasties ran rampant and killed at will. Although we are now in a time of war, and although the increasing importance of military generals is unstoppable, it is still difficult to change a hundred years of public sentiment... As for tomorrow's matter, since it's awkward, let's just forget it. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. But since I came to see you today, Grand Defender Zhang, I must tell you my true intentions, so you don't misunderstand... A hundred years of tradition is hard to change, but in my heart, there is absolutely no distinction between esteemed and despised!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he still used the words \"esteemed\" and \"despised,\" because that was the core of the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Yue Fei led the way, and together with Zhang Rong, they cupped their hands in salute. Yang Yizhong, standing at the door, was momentarily stunned, then suddenly left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, things had come to this point, words had been spoken to this extent, and there seemed nothing more to say. An inevitable silence fell over the courtyard... Because, in the end, it came back to that phrase: mutual forbearance for the sake of the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But forbearing again and again was always very frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in this matter, where no one had actually done anything wrong; it was at most a misunderstanding. Yet, because it touched upon the civil-military system, it ended up making some people suffer grievances for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, to prevent these useful people from developing resentment, he, the Emperor, had to rush to be the one to take on the role of the punching bag along with everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as the courtyard fell into a momentary silence, Yang Yizhong hurried back and reported on the spot—the newly minted Presented Scholar and Jinshi, Yu Yunwen, had actually come back after leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call him in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was full of frustration and resentment, but he couldn't vent it on Zhang Rong. Hearing that the other party involved had returned, he instead felt annoyed... As he saw it, if this man had agreed, wouldn't everything have been perfect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea why the man should become this son-in-law for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scion of a famous family, a twenty-year-old Presented Scholar, kidnapped and tied up by a Military Governor of bandit origin and told to marry his daughter... Not knowing if she was dark or fair, pretty or ugly... Anyone with a shred of self-respect would refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, who was he, Yu Yunwen, but a twenty-year-old scholar with no real power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he be compared to Chief Zhang, who commanded tens of thousands of troops and guarded a region for the state?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reason was reason, but the present situation was about utility—utility to the state, not personal utility to the Emperor! Since you were useless, it was only natural for you to swallow your pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did the newly minted Presented Scholar come back?\" the Emperor, seated in the courtyard and enjoying the breeze, said with a smile to the tall young scholar. \"It was just a misunderstanding. First Grand Defender Yue, and then I, both came in person to explain it to Grand Defender Zhang... You should go back to the Imperial Academy and rest. After the Qionglin Banquet tomorrow, you'll probably be parading through the streets with flowers in your hair!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yunwen bowed his head in a daze, his mind already in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To tell the truth, he had just been rescued by Yue Fei and had fled in panic. But halfway down the road, he felt he had overreacted, making things awkward for Grand Defender Zhang... After all, with the other party being the Emperor's favored general and himself a newly minted Presented Scholar, if he went back in such a sorry state and the story got out, it would likely cause gossip. Either he would be called a pedantic scholar who looked down on the court's regional commanders, or these military men would be said to have no regard for the state's pillars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought the Emperor was here? This confirmed his earlier thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter was not so simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant... if Your servant returns now, I fear gossip will arise,\" Yu Yunwen, meeting the Emperor for what was technically the second time but felt like the first, thought for a long time before speaking his true feelings. \"So I came back, to spare Grand Defender Zhang any embarrassment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It won't come to that,\" Zhao Jiu said kindly. \"This was just a misunderstanding. Even if there was some impropriety, how could it be blamed on you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong also quickly spoke up to persuade him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Yu Yunwen was almost moved to tears. He felt that the Emperor was a good Emperor, and the Grand Defender was a good Grand Defender. They were all reasonable and amiable. How could they be as improper as Brother Hu Quan had said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything was improper, it was that essay of his being ranked fifth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, the newly minted Presented Scholar bowed repeatedly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Caught up... Promise I won't make any more mistakes... Thank you all for your tolerance...\u003C\u002Fp>",2368,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","d923f2c98e0a54d48f592da5b65ed7b53b6433e98608a4966952a5f5a3595181","shao-song-chapter-205","shao-song-chapter-203",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]