Chapter 10: The Imperial City Bureau

A shadowy figure behind asked, “Commander, should we apprehend the suspect now?”

Another shadow replied, “Wait a moment. He’s carrying something—probably going to meet an acquaintance. Let’s observe his associates first.”

The two figures trailed Su Ze with evident professionalism. Su Ze was entirely unaware of being followed, and so he made his way all the way to Wang Anshi’s residence.

Meanwhile, another group of figures, less skilled, kept a closer watch on Su Ze and soon caught up at Wang Anshi’s doorstep.

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Wang Anshi was already waiting at the door.

The moment he saw Su Ze, he immediately stepped forward to greet him.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Su Ze began to take in Wang Anshi’s home.

Compared to the noisy neighborhoods in the southern city, Wang Anshi’s district was near the Imperial Street, closer to the royal city, a much more prestigious location than Su Ze’s.

Su Ze knew Wang Anshi’s background: his father had once served as the Vice Magistrate of Jiangling Prefecture. When Wang Anshi lived in Jinling as a child, it was for a much longer period than Su Ze’s own hometown of Linchuan in Jiangxi. Su Ze could detect a faint Jianghuai official dialect accent in Wang Anshi’s speech.

However, this did not necessarily imply noble lineage. Wang Anshi’s father had died when he was young, and because of his father’s integrity as an official, the family soon fell into hardship.

In fact, during Wang Anshi’s youth, his family had once foraged for wild vegetables on Zhongshan Mountain in Jiangling to survive.

Wang Anshi’s grandmother and mother were still alive, along with four younger brothers and three younger sisters. Although there were two older half-brothers, they had little connection with the family, leaving the burden squarely on Wang Anshi’s shoulders.

Notably, Wang Anshi’s biological mother was his father’s second wife, and divorce was quite common in the Northern Song dynasty, carrying no stigma.

Later, to pursue the imperial examinations, Wang Anshi’s family moved to Bianjing. Over the years, as Wang Anshi’s reputation grew, their fortunes improved somewhat.

“Mr. Wang, is the head of the household at home?”

When visiting, it was customary to first pay respects to the family elders. In the Song dynasty, parents were respectfully addressed as “Da Ren.” Wang Anshi, a man who valued propriety, was all the more pleased and said to Su Ze:

“My mother is in the backyard. Mr. Su, please come with me.”

Su Ze respectfully bowed to Mrs. Wu, Wang Anshi’s mother. Indeed, Mrs. Wu possessed an extraordinary bearing, though the hardships of life showed in her somewhat aged appearance; her hands were covered with peeling skin and blisters. Su Ze had seen similar hands among many neighbors who worked as launderers for wealthy families, indicating that the Wang family was still quite strained financially in Bianjing, with even Mrs. Wang having to work to help make ends meet.

Wang Anshi then introduced his siblings to Su Ze: his four younger brothers—An Guo, An Shi, An Li, and An Shang—and three younger sisters, who bore some of Mrs. Wu’s grace but were still young and somewhat unformed.

Sure enough, the historical accounts were accurate—Wang Anshi was a man of stubborn character.

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This stubbornness was evident not only in his later reforms but also in his friendships.

Those whom Wang Anshi favored were friends he trusted wholeheartedly. Conversely, if he looked down on someone, he would openly show it; no matter how hard they tried to ingratiate themselves, Wang Anshi would not acknowledge them.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Wang Anshi led Su Ze to greet the visitor.

Su Ze soon saw a young man with a serious expression.

This young man was about the same age as Su Ze, but his solemn demeanor made him seem like a middle-aged official in his forties or fifties.

As the host, Wang Anshi immediately began introductions:

“Zeng Gong, courtesy name Zeng Zigu, is also a close friend of mine. Zeng Zigu’s strategic essays are renowned throughout the capital.”

“This is Su Ze. Mr. Su has deep insights into current affairs and exceptional learning.”

Well, Su Ze had only recently transmigrated, yet he had already encountered two of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties mentioned in his textbooks.

There were still four more he might meet: Ouyang Xiu, a current minister, and the three Su family members, who at this time should still be students.

Su Ze bowed formally to Zeng Gong, who returned the bow with equal solemnity.

Zeng Gong was austere and serious, not given to frivolity, and was known for his filial piety.

At this time, Zeng Gong’s father was serving as an official in a distant province. Zeng Gong was preparing for the imperial examinations in Bianjing while supporting a large family.

Unlike Wang Anshi’s family, Zeng Gong’s mother was his father’s second wife, making her his stepmother. Yet Zeng Gong treated her as a biological mother and cared for his half-siblings equally. This virtue earned him great respect among the scholars of Bianjing.

With these two distinguished gentlemen present, the mission to gather literary and cultural energy should proceed smoothly.

As the three prepared to enter the house, Su Ze heard a familiar voice.

“Su Ze! Didn’t you say you were going to stay home and study? Why are you out drinking again?”

A girl wearing a traditional skirt dashed out from the street—none other than Zhang Chulan, Su Ze’s childhood friend.

It turned out that after visiting the day before, Zhang Chulan remained worried about Su Ze. Early this morning, she had brought a servant to stake out near Su Ze’s home, following him all the way to Wang Anshi’s residence.

Seeing preparations for a banquet at Wang Anshi’s house, Zhang Chulan naturally assumed Su Ze was cavorting with his old crowd of dubious friends and couldn’t help but rush out in protest.

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Both Wang Anshi and Zeng Gong were sharp individuals and quickly guessed the situation.

Wang Anshi wisely stepped aside to observe with interest, while Zeng Gong frowned deeply; his upright character found such matters distasteful.

Su Ze was troubled as well. He was clearly engaged in serious matters, yet inexplicably felt as if caught in a compromising position.

As more neighbors gathered at the door, Wang Anshi was about to step out to smooth things over when a group surrounded the entrance.

Leading them were two military officers—one stout, one lean—with a dozen armored imperial guards behind them. They swiftly dispersed the crowd and encircled Wang Anshi’s home.

“By order of the Imperial City Office! All unauthorized persons disperse!”

Upon hearing “Imperial City Office,” the official citizens nearby immediately retreated, though they closed their doors and peered out cautiously.

Wang Anshi and Zeng Gong both knit their brows at the mention of the Imperial City Office.

A stout officer stepped forward and addressed Su Ze:

“The Imperial City Office is investigating the heretical book case. The suspect, Su Ze, has been reported for authoring heretical texts. You are to come with us to the office for interrogation immediately!”

Hearing this, the usually composed Zeng Gong’s expression darkened.

Zhang Chulan turned pale and stood before Su Ze, declaring:

“Surely you’ve got the wrong person! With Su Ze’s scholarship, could he possibly write heretical books?”

Su Ze himself was baffled; he searched his memories and found no connection between his former self and any heretical texts.

At this moment, Wang Anshi stepped forward and asked, “Imperial City Office, do you have an imperial edict or a golden warrant?”

Unfortunately, unlike the last time, the stout captain quickly produced a yellow waist token.

The lean officer immediately added:

“Suspected accomplices among you will also be taken in for investigation!”