Chapter 343: Grandiose Welcome

It was just past curfew.

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo leisurely exited the imperial city. As they reached the side of the road, a carriage stopped in front of them.

The two “paupers” exchanged a glance.

Whose carriage was this?

Just then, the driver in the carriage called out, “Gentlemen, would you like a ride?”

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo both smiled.

Since when had the carriage rental business expanded right up to the gates of the imperial city?

Wen Yanbo glanced at the carriage plate again and saw the character for “rental” on it. He turned to the driver and asked, “Are you from that…?”

The driver hurriedly replied, “I belong to the Bianjing Carriage Rental Workshop.”

Wen Yanbo asked further, “Is it the one run by the Great Song Charity Foundation?”

“Yes,” the driver said, nodding his head.

Wen Yanbo asked, “How much would it cost to go to Pan Street?”

The driver answered, “Twenty coins in total.”

“It’s not exactly expensive,” Wen Yanbo said to Sima Guang. “Sima Guang, walking the streets with you lately can be dangerous and is full of trouble. Perhaps we should ride home.”

Sima Guang gave a wry smile and nodded. “I have put you to trouble, Lord Wen. I sincerely apologize.”

The two men laughed and climbed into the carriage.

“Oh my, this carriage is quite spacious.”

Sitting inside, Wen Yanbo couldn’t help but look around.

“Yes, it’s also quite clean. It’s much better than the rental carriages we’ve used before!” Sima Guang asked the driver, “Driver, how much do you earn in a month?”

The driver replied, “My lord, this trade is unpredictable. If one works diligently, one might earn two or three hundred coins a day, and even more on rainy days.”

“That much?”

Sima Guang was surprised.

The driver continued, “But we have to pay the workshop two strings of coins every month, so the amount we actually keep is not that high.”

Wen Yanbo frowned and said, “That’s too much to pay.”

The driver explained, “It’s not much. Since we use our own horses, we only pay two strings. If we used the workshop’s carriage, we would have to pay four strings.”

Wen Yanbo frowned again and asked, “Then why did you join this rental workshop?”

The driver immediately replied, “There are benefits, of course. For instance, the feed we buy from the workshop is more than half as cheap as what is sold in the markets. We also save a lot on carriage repairs and license fees.

Besides, if something goes wrong and we get into legal trouble, the workshop will help us with the lawsuit for free. To put it simply, the fee we pay is not small, but it saves us from a great deal of hassle. Also, each of us is responsible for specific streets, so no one competes with anyone else. This business is much better than before.

For example, the carriages that operate near the Imperial City or near the White Crystal Inn are all the best ones from our workshop.”

Sima Guang listened and understood the situation. In short, it was a monopoly. This ensured profits from leasing, making commission calculations much more precise. He laughed and said, “Zhang San is quite capable at business, too; he is no less skilled than he is at handling lawsuits.”

Wen Yanbo, however, said, “But is it not a bit too hasty to support him so openly? I have heard that the students at the College of National Scions are very unhappy about this, believing that you are using them to win over Zhang San.”

Speaking of this, he paused briefly. “This does not seem like your usual way of doing things!”

Sima Guang smiled. “To tell you the truth, I did it on purpose.”

Wen Yanbo asked with curiosity, “Why?”

Sima Guang replied, “Because many officials in the court remain skeptical about Zhang San’s learning. In their eyes, the fact that he has won lawsuits simply means he is better than other pen-in-caps. They believe he relies solely on his silver tongue, and many are unconvinced of his true scholarly merit, especially those who have read his writings.

If Zhang San can establish himself at the College of National Scions, that will be sufficient proof that his learning is impressive enough to win respect. This would be an enormous help for his future career.”

In ancient times, especially during the Northern Song dynasty, scholarly learning was highly valued. Even if one intended to become a corrupt minister, one’s learning had to pass the standard. Whether it was Qin Hui or Cai Jing, both were extremely talented, with excellent calligraphy and well-written essays.

Everyone knew that Zhang Fei was capable, but his abilities were still seen as limited to the skills of the “lower professions.” Pen-in-caps were considered a “lower profession”, a profession that was not respectable in the eyes of most people. In their hearts, most still looked down on Zhang San. Sima Guang had thought this through carefully, believing that the College of National Scions was the best place for Zhang Fei to enhance his prestige.

“I see,” Wen Yanbo nodded slightly, then asked, “But if he messes things up, would it not be a greater loss than gain? Isn’t this too risky?”

Sima Guang replied, “The graduation certification system was actually Zhang San’s idea.”

“Is that so?”

Wen Yanbo exclaimed in surprise.

He had been quite supportive of that graduation certification system, considering it far superior in scope to Wang Anshi’s Three-Hall System.

Sima Guang nodded and said, “This shows he has quite good insight into education. Moreover, in those few court cases recently, some of the points Zhang San made in court contained profound principles. In particular, his interpretations of the laws were things none of us had ever considered. I believe he will not disappoint me.”

Wen Yanbo chuckled, “Hearing that, I shall go see for myself when the time comes.”

……

The matter of Zhang Fei teaching at the College of National Scions was still fermenting.

More and more people were paying attention to it, and nine out of ten were criticizing. However, they were not criticizing Zhang Fei this time, but rather Sima Guang.

After all, it was Sima Guang who had recommended him, rather than Zhang Fei forcibly insisting on going to teach at the College of National Scions.

In these past few days, whenever Sima Guang ran into an acquaintance, they would ask him a few questions.

Are you crazy?

Sending Zhang Fei to teach at the College of National Scions.

More than that, some were criticizing Sima Guang for ruining a thousand years of education in China.

As a result, many people have recently been keeping their distance from him. Even a meal could be interrupted a dozen times or more; how was one supposed to eat under such conditions!

In addition, a number of teaching instructors and Lecturers at the College of National Scions had submitted requests for transfer.

If Zhang Fei comes, we leave.

What good could come of working with Zhang Fei, other than humiliation?

Nevertheless, Sima Guang steadfastly supported him, suggesting that Zhang Fei be given a chance to try, and if it did not work out, they could discuss it then.

This showed how much Sima Guang trusted Zhang Fei, for it was also a kind of political gamble. If it failed, it would at least damage Sima Guang’s reputation to some degree.

But if it succeeded, Zhang Fei would later be able to take up an official post in the provinces without question.

Yet over these past few days, Zhang Fei had been helping his arch-rival Wang Anshi with the matter of establishing a newspaper.

If the conservatives were to launch a publication, the reformists naturally had to follow suit.

Otherwise, they would be crushed in public opinion.

Wang Anshi had already demonstrated this point with his own articles.

However, no one on Wang Anshi’s side had experience in publishing a newspaper either. Fortunately, they had already engaged the Bianjing Law Firm to handle their public relations.

Zhang Fei’s advice was not to start one themselves. Selling oneself was like a saleswoman praising her own melons; it lacked credibility. Instead, they should quietly acquire an existing paper and publish articles supporting the new policies under the guise of a private publication.

Wang Anshi had no objection to this.

In matters of public relations, he was thoroughly convinced by Zhang Fei’s abilities.

If Zhang San said a thing was good, Wang Anshi would believe it.

The truth spoke louder than words.

One should not forget the lessons of the past.

Bianjing Law Firm.

“Drafter Lu, it is all settled.”

Zhang Fei handed a contract to Lu Huiqing.

Lu Huiqing took it and said, “Thank you for your efforts.”

“No need for thanks! This is what I ought to do.”

“Unfortunately, you have other duties ahead of you. Otherwise, you would have been the perfect person for this task,” Lu Huiqing said with a hint of regret.

He knew that Zhang Fei would sooner or later go to the local provinces to contend with the conservative faction and could not keep helping them with publicity indefinitely.

Zhang Fei smiled. “Drafter Lu, the trick to printing newspapers is actually quite simple. The Analects have already told us.”

Lu Huiqing cupped his hands. “Do share your wisdom.”

“I would never presume!”

Zhang Fei returned the gesture and added, “Many of the principles Confucius spoke of in the Analects come from specific stories. The key to newspaper printing is not to preach principles, but to tell stories. You use the interest of the story to engage the reader, and then use the lesson within the story to guide them toward supporting the New Policies.

If you only argue dry logic, everyone knows you are trying to promote the New Policies. Once that prejudice is formed, even if your arguments are sound, people will believe you are motivated by self-interest.”

Lu Huiqing was a sharp man. Hearing this, he suddenly felt a light dawn within. He cupped his hands again. “Truly, one conversation with you is worth ten years of reading books!”

“Nonsense! Please, do not flatter me!”

Zhang Fei humbly cupped his hands in return.

Lu Huiqing suddenly remembered something. “By the way, you are going to the College of National Scions to lecture tomorrow.”

Zhang Fei paused. “Is it the first of the month tomorrow?”

Lu Huiqing nodded.

Zhang Fei gave an “oh.” “Then it is indeed tomorrow.”

Lu Huiqing said with a touch of guilt, “In truth, this matter of mine is not urgent. Please, do not let it delay your teaching post at the College of National Scions.”

Zhang Fei laughed. “Those students – not a single one is easy to deal with. A few extra days will not solve the problem.”

Seeing this, Lu Huiqing hastily added, “It seems you are quite confident about this.”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “Confident or not, I have to go!”

Lu Huiqing frowned. “For you, tomorrow is critically important. This may well affect your future career. Although Academician Sima’s arrangement took me by surprise, I can understand his intent. He likely hopes you will use this opportunity to display your learning. After all, since you have never sat the imperial examinations, your scholarship has not yet convinced everyone.

But in matters of scholarship, no one is let off easily. Those students will certainly not let you pass easily. They will try every means to make things difficult for you, to prove that your learning is simply not suitable for the position of teaching instructor. This is a tiger’s den you are entering.”

Zhang Fei smiled. “If they come with such a mindset, my chances of winning increase greatly. After all, debate is my greatest strength.”

Lu Huiqing said, “But a debate of scholarship is vastly different from a courtroom dispute.”

“But I set the question, and there are no rules on how I should teach.”

Zhang Fei chuckled. “With my unorthodox methods, they may not be able to handle them.”

……

The next morning!

Bang!

The door was shoved violently open from the outside.

The man and woman inside the room were in the process of dressing.

“Oh my… Zhiqian, what are you doing? Have you come to catch me in the act?”

Startled, Zhang Fei turned around and looked at the frantic Xu Zhiqian, his face full of confusion.

“Catch… what are you talking about? Don’t be ridiculous?”

Gao Wenying, who was helping him fix his clothes, blushed deeply and gently tapped his shoulder. “I’m done.”

Then she stepped aside with a look of hurt.

Zhang Fei turned to the bronze mirror and started striking a pose.

Xu Zhiqian watched him prancing around and wanted to kick him over the head. Anxiously, she said, “Zhang San, what time is it? If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

Zhang Fei replied calmly, “Didn’t we agree to meet at half past seven? It’s still very early. We’ll definitely arrive in time.”

Xu Zhiqian said urgently, “But today is your first day of classes. Once you get there, don’t you still need to prepare? And you’ll need to get acquainted with the officials and teachers there.”

“I have no such intention.”

Zhang Fei said, “I’ll go, give the lesson, and then leave immediately.”

Finishing this, he turned around. “Zhiqian, how do I look today?”

Xu Zhiqian saw that he was wearing a white robe, which indeed looked very handsome, but… She took a deep breath. “If you cared about appearances when you were a pen-in-cap, that would be one thing. But as a teacher, dressing so flamboyantly would only make you look out of place.”

Zhang Fei huffed. “What do you know? On my first day as a pen-in-cap, I told myself that losing a case wasn’t a big deal, but I must be the most handsome pen-in-cap. After all, being handsome is a lifelong matter.

It’s the same as being a teacher today. How well I teach is for later, but I am set on being the most handsome teacher in history. Once we enter the classroom, I’ll first crush them with my looks… Hey, hey, hey, Zhiqian, what are you doing? Stop pulling! The Lady just finished fixing my clothes…..”

Xu Zhiqian, who had little patience, simply couldn’t bear it anymore. She grabbed him and hurried him outside.

One could hardly blame Xu Zhiqian for her urgency. Her father had already rushed off to secure a seat. You could imagine how many ministers would be showing up today; being late would have been utterly awkward.

Besides, the College of National Scions was not a private academy but a state institution. There was no reason at all for a new teacher not to pay a visit to the chief official on the first day of classes.

That was not merely a lack of tact; it was a complete absence of social awareness!

The situation was indeed as she had feared. By now, the College was packed to the rafters.

Nearly every State Councilor, scholar-official, and national celebrity in the capital had arrived. The young fanboys among them were murmuring in unbroken excitement, their voices ringing with awe.

“Look! Is that person in the grey robe… Chancellor Wang?”

“It must be. They say Chancellor Wang has never cared for his appearance. Look, among all these people, he is the only one who fits that description.”

“Who is sitting in that chair?”

“Chancellor Fu.”

“Goodness! Chancellor Fu is the person I admire most.”

“The one standing beside Chancellor Fu looks like Chancellor Sima.”

“Hmph. He is the one who recommended a mere pen-in-cap to come teach here at the College.”

“What a hypocrite, trying to buy himself a reputation.”

……

While the students in the corridor chattered excitedly, a loud voice suddenly rang out from the outer gate: “The Emperor has arrived!”

The students were completely stunned.

What on earth was going on?