Chapter 13: Worry Before All Under Heaven (Seeking Continued Reading, Seeking Votes)

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Su Ze’s statement was profound because it clarified the nature of the demon book case.

“The imperial mandate is inherited from the late emperor; the two consorts’ statuses have long been established—such a demon book cannot shake the foundation of the realm.”

The emperor’s righteous cause originates from the late sovereign. Regardless of the rumors about the switched prince, the current emperor is undeniably the true son of Emperor Zhenzong. After Empress Dowager Liu passed away, the emperor honored her with the highest mourning rites and later posthumously elevated his birth mother, Consort Li Chen, to empress dowager—the “two consorts established” being an unchangeable fact.

Therefore, the so-called demon book did not affect the legitimacy of the throne.

In this light, the demon book was merely idle gossip among the common folk and had little impact on court affairs.

To pursue the matter with great fanfare at this time would only sow internal discord.

Su Ze’s memorial cleared him of responsibility from public, emotional, and ceremonial perspectives. Moreover, through this memorial, he advised the sovereign not to pursue the demon book case further, letting rumors fade among the wise.

If so, this memorial could be regarded as an insightful and outstanding political essay discerning the turbulent machinations of the court.

But Su Ze did not stop there.

He continued:

“The wise old man said, ‘This is a matter of state; you are but a humble old man from Kaifeng—why worry?’”

“The humble old man replied, ‘The sovereign, seated high in the imperial court, worries for his people; the commoner, dwelling far by the rivers and lakes, worries for his sovereign! Though lowly, I dare not forget my concern for the nation; whether advancing or retreating, my worries persist.’”

“The wise old man asked, ‘Worrying day and night, when shall you find joy?’”

“The humble old man answered, ‘To worry before the world’s worries, and to enjoy only after the world’s joy!’”

After writing these lines, Zeng Gong set down his brush, bowed to Su Ze, and sincerely praised:

“Master Su, your talent is extraordinary!”

Wang Anshi also bowed to Su Ze, saying:

“No wonder Master Su is as calm as Mount Tai. This memorial stands among the finest national policy essays! His Majesty has always cherished talent; Master Su shall surely weather this storm!”

Zeng Gong added:

“To worry before the world’s worries and to enjoy after the world’s joy—this should be the aspiration of us scholars!”

Su Ze felt somewhat embarrassed; just moments ago, Master Fan had spoken this timeless phrase in the Tianzhang Pavilion, and now he had appropriated it.

However, Fan Zhongyan wrote this during the fourth year of Qingli, so in this timeline, the famous saying bore Su’s name.

If it were any other emperor, Su Ze’s approach might have been futile.

But Emperor Renzong of Song was different.

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This emperor had always loved talent. Ministers like Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, and Han Qi were all selected for their abilities by his discerning eye.

During Renzong’s reign, the pursuit of official talent reached almost a pathological fervor.

Take the current high-ranking chancellor Yan Shu, whose political talent was merely average, yet he was deeply respected at court for his outstanding scholarship.

Or consider Xia Sung, a co-prime minister, who was a classic case of talent without virtue, but even so, the court recognized his capability as chancellor.

Then there was Ouyang Xiu, a typical talent without practical political skill, immature in governance, yet still highly valued by Renzong for his talents.

In this atmosphere, Su Ze decided to fight for survival by submitting a memorial to dissuade the emperor from continuing to investigate the demon book case, thereby preventing his enemies from further retaliation.

Otherwise, if the enemy remained hidden, powerful and determined to ruin him, survival would be impossible. He could not simply flee to a utopia.

After Zeng Gong reviewed and corrected the document, once the ink dried, he handed the memorial back to Su Ze.

[Detected literary aura—absorb?]

Could his own writing truly emit such an aura?

Or was it due to Zeng Gong’s calligraphy?

Regardless, Su Ze chose to absorb it decisively.

The guiding voice of the attendant boy rang out:

[Absorbed 100 points of literary aura!] (The value will be explained later.)

One hundred points?

Su Ze was startled; he had not expected such a memorial to yield a hundred points.

With this literary aura empowering him, Su Ze felt more confident. He left Wang Anshi’s residence and handed the memorial to Li Yonghe waiting outside.

Although Li Yonghe was a military general, even generals in these times had to be literate—otherwise, they would be scorned by civil officials and unable to perform their duties properly.

Seeing Zeng Gong’s calligraphy, Li Yonghe praised it but also felt regretful.

However, after reading the memorial, his expression changed completely!

As the emperor’s maternal uncle and commander of the palace guards, Li Yonghe knew the sovereign intimately.

Given the emperor’s love of talent, even if the demon book was truly authored by Su Ze, the emperor would likely pardon him!

Moreover, with the court’s emphasis on literary talent, someone of Su Ze’s caliber would surely be defended by ministers.

At least Ouyang Xiu, who cherished talent like his life, would intervene!

This man was courteous and cunning, calm under pressure, and despite his youth, possessed remarkable poise—he might one day become chancellor.

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Thinking this through, Li Yonghe said to Su Ze:

“You rest for now. When I have entered the palace to petition His Majesty, we will decide the next course of action.”

After speaking, Li Yonghe summoned two agents of the Imperial City Guard:

“Surround the courtyard, but show no disrespect! If any household in the vicinity loses a single item, you will answer for it! Understand?”

The two agents, though puzzled by Li Yonghe’s sudden change of heart, were seasoned guards adept at handling unexpected situations. They swore to restrain their men, only guarding Wang Anshi’s residence and ensuring no disturbance to neighbors.

Li Yonghe glanced at Su Ze once more, then mounted his horse and rode toward the palace.

Su Ze’s tense heart finally relaxed. As long as Li Yonghe was willing to present the memorial to the emperor, the matter was mostly settled.

Clearly, the emperor’s uncle did not wish to be entangled in the demon book case, ruling out the Li family as the culprits behind it.

But now, with Empress Dowager Liu having passed years ago and the emperor reigning personally for many years, what meaning was there in spreading tales of the switched prince to drive a wedge between the emperor and his deceased mother?

Su Ze could not fathom the motives of the shadowy mastermind, but he had noted this grudge.

Having just crossed time and space only to face such a foe, he could not afford to let this go unavenged.

Seeing the City Guard only enclosing the area without disturbance, Wang Anshi knew Su Ze was likely safe.

He grabbed Su Ze and said:

“Master Su, you are here to feast today, so feast!”

Zeng Gong also said:

“With such a worthy guest present, we shall celebrate!”

Su Ze was pulled inside to join the banquet, leaving the two City Guard agents exchanging bewildered glances—something was amiss with this arrest.

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“Father, if you refuse to enter the palace, I will die before your eyes!”

Faced with his daughter’s desperate ultimatum, the newly appointed imperial merchant Zhang Daocheng, the great shopkeeper, was helpless.

Though he had two sons, Zhang Chulan was his only daughter, deeply cherished since childhood.

He understood the gravity of the demon book case, but seeing his daughter’s resolve, he stamped his foot and said:

“Unfilial daughter! I will enter the palace at once to seek an audience with Zhang Xiuyuan!”

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