Chapter 36: Beyond Control

Feng Shiyuan narrowed his eyes, surveying Su Ze from head to toe. Seeing the coarse, scholar’s robes, yet noting the upright aura of a learned man and his handsome features, Feng gradually set aside his initial condescension.

Before coming, Feng Shiyuan had naturally sent men to probe Su Ze’s background. After all, if someone deemed important enough for the "Second Young Master" to personally order a strike against them turned out to be a tough nut to crack, it could prove troublesome. As a former official of the Kaifeng Prefecture, Feng had quickly uncovered Su Ze’s involvement in the "Demonic Book Case" and his petition to the Emperor. Although the contents of that petition remained unknown, the fact that Su Ze had managed to extricate himself from such a high-stakes scandal suggested he was a man of some capability.

Now, seeing Su Ze recognize his identity the moment they met, Feng Shiyuan felt a growing sense of unease.

Su Ze continued, "It seems I guessed correctly. Did Guild Master Feng come here under the orders of Prime Minister Lü’s household?"

Feng Shiyuan’s eyebrow twitched violently, but he quickly steadied his emotions and said dismissively, "Prime Minister Lü? Who is that? I simply took a fancy to your house, Mr. Su."

Su Ze was now absolutely certain that it was the faction of Lü Yijian trying to target him. Whether it was Lü Yijian himself or someone close to him, the result was the same. A sitting Prime Minister need only signal his intent for countless lackeys to charge forward on his behalf.

The names of Lü Yijian, Feng Shiyuan, and Wang Gongchen flashed through Su Ze’s mind. As the pieces clicked into place, a flash of inspiration hit him, and he suddenly conceived a way to break the deadlock.

He took a deep breath. Since transmigrating and inheriting the Peach Blossom Spring System, Su Ze had only wanted to live a quiet, comfortable life in Bianjing. He had never expected that disaster would come knocking while he sat peacefully at home. One trouble after another piled up, and these emperors and ministers—who regarded human lives as mere blades of grass—were determined to use him as a weapon for their own schemes.

Su Ze sneered inwardly. *Let’s see if you don’t end up cut by this blade yourselves.*

Su Ze spoke to Feng Shiyuan, "Very well. One thousand strings of cash, and it’s a deal."

This reaction caught Feng Shiyuan off guard. He had expected Su Ze to be a stubborn opponent, either haggling for a higher price or forcing him to resort to harsher measures. He had not expected Su Ze to be so sensible.

Su Ze added, "However, I need to clear out the house. We shall sign the papers at the Kaifeng Prefecture in three days."

As previously noted, the administrative capacity of the Song government had improved significantly, to the point where they had established specialized agencies to manage public housing. Major transactions like real estate deals required official intervention. Any property sold within Bianjing had to be registered and signed by both parties at the Kaifeng Prefecture.

The contract would be drawn up in triplicate: one copy for the buyer, one for the seller, and one stored in the government archives. Naturally, the government charged for this service, and the standardized "legal forms"—similar to modern contracts—cost one string of cash for a thin set. Of course, one could choose not to go to the Kaifeng Prefecture, but should a property dispute arise later, one would have to settle it in court on their own.

As the guild leader of the Bianjing Housing Association, Feng Shiyuan was intimately familiar with this process and readily agreed.

After finishing, Su Ze bowed and prepared to step down from Feng Shiyuan’s carriage.

Suddenly, Feng Shiyuan spoke up: "Wait."

"Does Guild Master Feng have some advice?"

Feng Shiyuan’s expression softened, revealing a flash of sincerity. "Mr. Su, in this world, there are many things one cannot control. Don't look at me like this; I have even more things I am forced to do against my will than you do."

Looking at Su Ze, he saw a fellow small fry caught in the gears of high-level political struggle, and he was reminded of his own time as a branded convict sent into military service. Feng Shiyuan was no saint, but even a villain could feel sympathy for those in a similar plight.

He continued, "Leave Bianjing now and return when the time is right. I will keep this house for you and sell it back at the original price when you return."

Su Ze looked at Feng Shiyuan with surprise. Such a minor figure would never have his name recorded in the history books written by the scholar-officials. The only reason Feng Shiyuan’s name appeared in the records at all was as a footnote—a villainous foil to the glorious achievements of Zheng Jian, the former administrator of Kaifeng.

Human nature was indeed complex. These names were not just words; they were living, breathing people with their own histories. At that moment, the sense of detachment he had felt since transmigrating finally faded. Su Ze truly realized that he was deep within the torrent of this great era.

Since he was in the torrent, he could only push forward with all his might!

Su Ze straightened his back and said to Feng Shiyuan, "My thanks, Guild Master Feng."

Once Feng Shiyuan’s carriage departed, Su Ze returned to his small courtyard. Constable Li and the lean soldier surrounded him, having already come to view Su Ze as their only lifeline.

Su Ze glanced at them both and said, "I have a way to break this situation."

Constable Li’s spirits lifted, but Su Ze’s next words made him feel as though he were falling from the clouds.

"Take me to see Zhang Dengwen."

Constable Li and his subordinate exchanged looks, wondering if Su Ze had lost his mind.

But Su Ze said, with ironclad resolve, "We go now."

Constable Li, who at least held the rank of constable in the Imperial City Guard, was overwhelmed by Su Ze’s sheer presence. Since they were at a dead end anyway, they might as well go mad with Su Ze.

Constable Li gritted his teeth and told the lean soldier, "What are you standing there for? Prepare a horse for Master Su!"

Zhang Yaozu’s house was located in front of the Right Weiye Gate of the Imperial City. This location alone demonstrated the degree of favor he enjoyed. Because housing in Bianjing was scarce, many high-ranking officials had to rent homes. Since these officials had to work in government offices—and high-ranking ministers were frequently summoned to the palace for consultation—the Emperor Renzong had ordered the Ministry of Palace Works to build a series of houses specifically for high-ranking ministers, nobles, and imperial in-laws.

Given Zhang Yaozu’s rank and status (a "Xiuyuan" was merely a concubine, and her family did not technically count as imperial in-laws), he was not eligible to rent such housing. However, the Emperor had issued a special decree to allocate one of these houses for Zhang Yaozu to live in.

The Right Weiye Gate was a vital thoroughfare for officials entering and leaving the palace; from there, one could walk directly into the Inner Palace, a significant advantage on days when court was held. Other officials who had to attend court from far away had to leave home in the middle of the night, enduring the abysmal traffic of Bianjing. But those living here could leave just half an hour before the session, sparing themselves the exhaustion of a long commute.

As Constable Li and the lean soldier arrived at the Right Weiye Gate, they began to bow and scrape. Not all of Bianjing’s powerful resided here, but everyone who lived here was certainly powerful.

Su Ze arrived at Zhang Yaozu’s residence. He knocked, presented his calling card, and said to the gatekeeper, "Su Ze, a scholar from Kaifeng Prefecture, requests an audience with Lord Zhang."

The gatekeeper took the card casually, intending to shoo him away.

But Su Ze dropped a bombshell: "I am here at the invitation of the Imperial City Guard to discuss the Demonic Book Case with Lord Zhang."