Water Margin: From a White-Robed Scholar to Donning the Yellow Robe

Chapter 103 Two Copies of the "Jianghu Daily"

Two copies of the "Jianghu Daily" were distributed across the country like snowflakes.

This was Wang Lun's purpose in setting up the printing bureau. In fact, Liangshan didn't need to print too much. As long as the news from above could attract everyone's attention, someone would naturally take it and reprint it.

The first document contained evidence of corruption and bribery by the prefect of Yunzhou, which quickly caused a nationwide uproar. It was unexpected that the dignified prefect of Yunzhou would condone the existence of thousands of servants in the Zhu Family Village under his jurisdiction and accept "tribute" from the Zhu Family Village every year.

The people all hate corrupt officials.

For a time, hatred for this prefect blinded the eyes of the people. They could not see that Liangshan had more than 10,000 soldiers, but only that Liangshan had wiped out the Zhu Family Village and found evidence of the prefect's corruption.

Therefore, Liangshan's army of over ten thousand was nothing in the eyes of the common people, while the corrupt prefect became a heinous criminal.

The imperial court naturally took this seriously, and even though the prefect of Yunzhou was Cai Jing's man, Cai Jing couldn't help but repeatedly scold him for being "muddle-headed."

With Prime Minister Cai having spoken, the court began to denounce the prefect.

Emperor Daojun was furious and ordered Gao Qiu to send men to behead this corrupt official and display his head to the world.

At the same time, Zhao Ji also keenly realized that Liangshan's strength had grown once again. His two attempts to send troops to suppress the bandits had failed, but instead helped them grow stronger.

The previously agreed-upon plan of accepting amnesty came to an end due to Guan Sheng's defection to Liangshan and Zhang Shuye's punishment and demotion.

It seems that the matter of offering amnesty should be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise Wang Lun will become even more powerful, and if amnesty is offered later, he will make exorbitant demands. However, Zhao Ji is also reluctant to actually send a large army to annihilate Wang Lun.

On one hand, Princess Jiade was in love with Wang Lun, and on the other hand, this princess was also Zhao Ji's favorite.

On the other hand, there was Wang Lun's great talent in poetry. In his mind, Wang Lun's poems were amazing and far surpassed those of Zhou Bangyan.

The thought of his rival Zhou Bangyan made Zhao Ji somewhat angry. However, as the emperor, he couldn't afford to hold a grudge against Zhou Bangyan because of Li Shishi, and he couldn't even out-poem against him.

While the imperial court was in the middle of a meeting, the second copy of the "Jianghu Daily" was delivered to Zhao Ji.

The court officials all frowned at Liangshan, while Wang Lun was preparing to hold a wedding for Wu Song and Hu Sanniang.

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) had a headache and asked, "Who is this Wu Song? Why does he have to make the whole world know about his marriage?"

Gao Qiu stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, this Wu Song was originally from Qinghe County. He was recommended by Yanggu County to be a constable after he punched a tiger on Jingyang Ridge. Later, because his sister-in-law Pan Jinlian had an affair with Ximen Qing, Wu Song angrily beat Ximen Qing, resigned as constable, and went to Liangshan with Wang Lun."

Upon hearing this story, Zhao Ji became interested: "Oh? Wu Song killed a tiger with his bare hands?"

Gao Qiu then recounted in detail the story between Wu Song and Ximen Qing.

The court fell silent as everyone listened attentively to Gao Qiu's story.

When it comes to Wu Song killing the tiger, everyone, including Emperor Huizong of Tang, praises him.

When it comes to the affair between Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian, everyone curses Ximen Qing.

The story goes that Wang Lun and Yang Zhi caused a ruckus in Yanggu County, saved Wu Da's life, and became acquainted with Wu Song. After the group beat up Ximen Qing, they left triumphantly.

The ministers dared not speak. They also felt that Wang Lun had done the right thing, but since Wang Lun was a bandit from Liangshan, they dared not praise him.

Emperor Huizong praised him, saying, "Wu Song is a hero. Wang Lun has the ability to recognize talent and has managed to find such a hero to keep by his side. No wonder Liangshan has grown so strong."

Yang Jian, standing to the side, kept giving Gao Qiu meaningful glances, his eyes almost brimming with tears.

Ximen Qing had committed a capital crime, but he had someone take his place and was now by his side. If Zhao Ji continued to question him, Ximen Qing would surely die, and Yang Jian would also be doomed.

He knew that Gao Qiu was deliberately using Ximen Qing's affair to suppress him, but he had no choice but to submit.

Gao Qiu saw Yang Jian's wink, smiled smugly, and said, "Your Majesty, now that Wu Song is getting married, everyone on Liangshan will surely be less vigilant. Why not send troops to attack them again?"

Emperor Huizong was still immersed in the story he had just heard. Upon hearing Gao Qiu's words, he was truly unwilling to attack Wang Lun again. If he sent troops again, his beloved princess Zhao Yupan would not speak to him for a month.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Ji said, "Wang Lun is a man of great talent. The court is in need of capable people right now. Why must we arrest him? It would be better to offer him amnesty and let him serve the court. As for Wu Song, I would also like to see his demeanor."

Since the Emperor of the Song Dynasty has said so, what can the people below say?

Yang Jian quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise. Now that Wu Song is getting married, why not immediately send a capable minister to offer amnesty and congratulate Wu Song, thus showing the court's sincerity? This might make the amnesty process go more smoothly."

Emperor Huizong was overjoyed and said, "What you say is very true, my thoughts are the same."

He glanced around and said, "I wonder which of my beloved ministers has taken a long trip."

Everyone remained silent, their eyes fixed on their noses, noses on their mouths, and mouths on their hearts, as if in deep meditation.

Zhao Ji's expression darkened slightly, and Cai Jing immediately stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it would be better to send Zhang Shuye instead."

"Zhang Shuye?" Zhao Ji remembered that this Zhang Shuye never refused to do anything.

Apart from attacking Liangshan, everything else seems to be going well.

Because of the failed attack on Liangshan and the fact that he allowed Guan Sheng to surrender to Liangshan, after returning to the capital, Emperor Huizong followed Gao Qiu's advice and demoted him from Vice Minister of Rites to Prefect of Haizhou.

Thinking of Zhang Shuye, Zhao Ji nodded and said, "Zhang Shuye is also a capable minister. It would be a real shame to send him to Haizhou. Now that there is a vacancy in Yunzhou, let Zhang Shuye take up his post in Yunzhou and concurrently serve as the prefect of Jizhou."

Yunzhou and Haizhou were of equal status, only Haizhou was farther away than Yunzhou, and Gao Qiu and the others had no objections.

Although Jizhou had already been occupied by Liangshan, it was somewhat different to appoint Zhang Shuye as the prefect of Jizhou. It seemed like a lateral transfer, but in reality, it was a sign of his important role.

Gao Qiu was immediately displeased and wanted to speak, but then he suddenly remembered that it was his idea to send Zhang Shuye to Haizhou, and he couldn't speak casually now.

Cai Jing led the way, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

After the court session ended, Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) indeed saw his eldest daughter, Princess Jiade (Zhao Yupan), again.

Zhao Yupan excitedly took Zhao Ji's hand and asked, "Father, do you know about Wang Lun?"

Zhao Ji snorted, "You still have the nerve to say that he did something good, such as occupying the entire territory of Jizhou and destroying the three villages of Zhu, Hu, and Li."

"It's a good thing that the Zhu, Hu, and Li clans were wiped out; they've cleaned up a scourge for the court. So what if we occupied the entire Jizhou region? We'll have to return it to Father Emperor sooner or later anyway."

"What if he doesn't pay it back?"

"He dares! If he doesn't return it, I, the Princess, will personally lead troops to punish the traitor."

Zhao Ji laughed heartily and said, "Speak, what do you want to see me about?"

Zhao Yupan cleared his throat, stood a few steps away, and, feigning profundity, recited:

"Rain beats against the pear blossoms, the door is tightly shut, youth is wasted, youth is squandered."

"With whom can I share these delightful pleasures? Enchanting beneath the flowers, enchanting beneath the moon."

"Sorrow gathers on her brows, she frowns all day long, a thousand tear stains, ten thousand tear stains."

"I think of you whether I'm walking or sitting, I gaze at the sky at dawn and the clouds at dusk."

After reciting the poem, Zhao Yupan was captivated, and Zhao Ji was stunned. They murmured, "I gaze at the sky at dawn and the clouds at dusk, I think of you whether I am walking or sitting. How could there be such a poem in the world?"