Chapter 35: Drawn Into the Vortex

Su Ze, having just returned home from Zhang Daocheng’s residence, encountered Wang Anshi, who had hurried over from the Dengke Pavilion. After Wang Anshi recounted his conversation with Yang Zhi at the pavilion, he said with deep concern, "If the Censorate is truly involved, Master Su, you must be careful."

Although Su Ze already understood the origins and consequences of the matter from Zhang Daocheng, he still thanked Wang Anshi. Knowing that his adversaries might include the Empress and the high-ranking ministers of the court, he did not want to drag Wang Anshi into the fray.

"Brother Jiepu," Su Ze said to him, "I already understand the stakes involved. During these days, you should return and focus on your studies; do not let this hinder your future."

Su Ze remembered that it was in this very imperial examination that Wang Anshi would place fourth and embark on his official career; he did not want to see a man like Wang Anshi ruin his prospects because of him. Though Su Ze spoke with genuine sincerity, Wang Anshi only grew more anxious.

Su Ze could only say helplessly, "Brother Jiepu, my conscience is clear. Even if I am implicated for a time, at worst, I shall try again later. Even if you do not consider your own future, you must think of your mother, your younger brothers, and your sisters."

Mentioning his family struck a chord with Wang Anshi. The burden of the household rested entirely on his shoulders; he had to support his mother above and care for his younger siblings below. On the historical timeline prior to Su Ze’s arrival, because the Song Dynasty provided salary subsidies to local officials, Wang Anshi had spent his career drifting through various provinces, even refusing court appointments in Bianjing.

Wang Anshi fell silent after hearing this. Su Ze continued, "The more corrupt the imperial court becomes, the more men like you, Brother Jiepu, should enter officialdom to cleanse the world."

Wang Anshi bowed his head and saluted Su Ze, saying, "Brother Su, Jiepu understands."

No sooner had Su Ze seen Wang Anshi off than Captain Li of the Imperial City Guard arrived with his two scouts, the "Thin Ones," and approached Su Ze. Once they were inside the small courtyard, the thinner scout immediately clamored, "Master Su, you have brought us such terrible misfortune!"

Captain Li glared at his subordinate before saying to Su Ze, "Master Su, this case can no longer be investigated."

Su Ze had already deduced that the person behind the "Demon Book" case was the Emperor’s most favored consort, Noble Lady Zhang.

The two men were agents of the Imperial City Guard and well-versed in court politics; they naturally knew this case was a hot potato. Captain Li said, "Following your method, we tracked the illicit printing of the Court Gazette’s supplementary reports and eventually traced it back to Zhang Dengwen."

Zhang Dengwen—Su Ze realized immediately who that was. This Zhang Dengwen was the distant relative Zhang Daocheng had mentioned, the biological uncle of Noble Lady Zhang, and the current judge of the Court of Reporting: Zhang Yaozuo!

So that was it! It made sense. Only a high-ranking official like Zhang Yaozuo would have the resources and capacity to obtain the gazette from the Transmission Office so quickly. As the only official in Noble Lady Zhang’s maternal family, he was treated with great indulgence by the Emperor, so it was no surprise he would commit such an act.

In truth, Zhang Yaozuo and Noble Lady Zhang had not always been close. Noble Lady Zhang’s origins were humble, though her father had been a scholar, like her uncle Zhang Yaozuo. However, her father died early, and her mother had once sought help from Zhang Yaozuo after he passed the imperial examinations, only to be turned away. Noble Lady Zhang’s mother had been forced to work as a singer and dancer in the household of the Grand Princess of Qi and eventually married a servant there, sending her young daughter into the palace’s music and dance troupe.

Later, after Emperor Renzong ascended the throne and found himself dissatisfied with several empresses, he noticed Noble Lady Zhang during a court banquet and learned she was from a respectable family. Her outstanding beauty and graceful dancing deeply captivated him. Compared to Empress Cao, who always demanded the conduct of an Empress and treated the Emperor with cold detachment, Noble Lady Zhang was clever and charming, quickly becoming the favorite of the inner palace.

Zhang Yaozuo had then re-established ties with this relative. Noble Lady Zhang showed great political acumen, putting aside past grudges and frequently helping her uncle climb the ranks, using him as her base of support in the outer court.

With Noble Lady Zhang involved, Captain Li dared not report the findings and had sought out Su Ze once more. Empresses, consorts, prime ministers, and censors—these towering figures were pulling him into their web.

Su Ze felt a surge of anger. Had the original owner of this body been targeted by such people, he would likely have been trembling in fear, waiting for death. But as a transmigrator, Su Ze lacked reverence for these high-and-mighty names. Regarding their schemes against him, he only wanted to strike back.

Just then, a knocking sounded at the door. Su Ze stood up and opened the gate to find a black carriage parked at the mouth of the alley, while two ruffians with crooked hats stood at his doorstep, squinting at him.

"Are you Master Su Ze?"

The ruffian’s tone was hostile. Su Ze, prepared, replied calmly, "I am Su Ze. What is your business?"

One of the ruffians immediately said, "My Master Feng wants to buy your house. Come with us to the Kaifeng Prefecture office to sign the papers at once!"

"Master Feng?"

The ruffian boasted, "Who in all of Bianjing doesn't know Master Feng? Master Feng, the head of the Real Estate Guild—half the houses in the city belong to him!"

Su Ze knew they were bragging. Bianjing was full of powerful elites, and no matter how high the status of merchants grew in the Song Dynasty, it was impossible for one to own half the city. But the fact that someone had come to seize his house the moment he returned suggested that someone else was targeting him.

As the two ruffians prepared to use force, a voice came from the carriage: "Please, ask Master Su to step inside."

The two ruffians exchanged a look. The two scouts from the Imperial City Guard inside the courtyard were ready to act, but Su Ze gestured for them to stand down. He stepped past the ruffians and boarded the black carriage.

The interior was quite spacious, though the decor was far from opulent. Despite it being broad daylight, the curtains were drawn tight, and a lamp was lit inside. Piles of account books were stacked everywhere, and a man with a gloomy expression sat amidst them.

The middle-aged man spoke: "The recent transaction price for houses on this street is eight hundred strings of cash. I will give you one thousand. Leave Bianjing now."

The man looked exhausted; even inside the carriage, he kept his formal cap on, flipping through ledgers as he spoke to Su Ze. Su Ze knew the Real Estate Guild was the merchant association for buying and leasing property in Bianjing. Connecting this to the Prime Minister’s attempt to deal with him, Su Ze suddenly asked, "Has Guild Head Feng ever served in the Kaifeng Prefecture office?"

Feng Shiyuan looked up abruptly, his vulture-like eyes fixed on Su Ze. Su Ze knew he had guessed correctly.