Before the New Year, the Honglu Temple (Court of State Ceremonial) published the latest official *Dibao* (Imperial Gazette), which listed all the "patriotic and loyal subjects" who had purchased the so-called national bonds.

It turned out that Wan Qixie had overestimated Zhao Guan's family. Zhao Jiu didn't speak directly in the palace hall because he lacked confidence in the matter, not out of any concerns. Later, when he found it was selling well, he completely disregarded his dignity and revealed it.

Undoubtedly, as the *Dibao* was copied and taken away by civil and military officials and envoys everywhere, this matter would undoubtedly become known to the world.

However, there was no need for the whole world to know, because before the *Dibao* was even sent out, the news had already caused an uproar in Tokyo.

Several censors and many other officials in the capital believed that the Emperor's actions were beneath the dignity of the court and the Emperor. Even if there was an urgent need, even considering the principle of Zigong redeeming people (a reference to Confucius' disciple who refused a reward for ransoming people from slavery), these people should have contributed voluntarily, and the Emperor should have given them considerable rewards now and in the future, rather than drawing up IOUs like in a folk loan.

Represented by Hu Quan, a newly appointed *Jinshi* (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the Privy Council, another group held a different view, also expressed vehemently. They believed that the Emperor's actions were tantamount to actively informing the outside world of the court's financial situation, which might allow evildoers inside and outside the court to see an opportunity.

However, before the various memorials could be forwarded to the Emperor from the Chongwen Institute, Zhao Guan's family issued a clear decree—stating that the country was still at war, and everything should be simplified. Therefore, there would be no grand court ceremonies at the end of the year or on New Year's Day this year. Moreover, from that day on, except for necessary military officers and those on duty, all government offices inside and outside Tokyo would be officially closed for the holidays until after the New Year.

This rendered all those memorials futile.

After all, everyone knew what kind of figures the current Emperor and Prime Minister were. If there were no court sessions for six or seven days, the matter would probably be glossed over, as there were plenty of important military and state affairs to deal with.

However, at this moment, imperial decrees continued to be issued from the palace, one of which openly stated that the next day, the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor would take the initiative to leave the palace and inspect the Imperial Academy (Taixue), saying that he wanted to comfort the Taixue students staying in the capital for the New Year.

When the news spread, some people naturally paid attention to etiquette and didn't think too much about it, but others felt it was a rare opportunity and prepared to use the opportunity in the Taixue to offer their advice.

"So, the *Dibao* is still difficult to print?"

That morning, upon entering the Taixue, the courtyard in front of the hall where Confucius was worshipped was already filled with hundreds of Taixue students and young officials, and soldiers were also lined up properly. However, Zhao Guan's family was still discussing other matters with the ministers accompanying him behind the courtyard gate.

"To inform Your Majesty, it's not impossible, but there is no need at present, and the court shouldn't spend its finances on this."

Among the accompanying ministers, the most qualified to answer this question was naturally Zhai Ruwen, the Minister of the Honglu Temple in charge of this matter. However, Chen Gui, the Privy Councilor who accompanied the Emperor in his capacity as the Prefect of Kaifeng, interjected because Chen Gui liked to answer technical questions. "Your Majesty, I still remember when I was in Nanyang, Your Majesty asked about movable-type printing and about Shen Kuo and Bi Sheng. Now I have investigated and found that movable type does indeed exist. Shen Mengxi recorded it clearly, and I also think it is feasible... But feasible is feasible, but it may not be appropriate, because I have carefully inquired with merchants, and they all say that movable type is still prone to errors and the printing quality is poor. Both the private sector and the government still use woodblock printing mostly. And the *Dibao*, according to Your Majesty's previous instructions, is published every six days, corresponding to the three-day Wen De Hall (Hall of Literary Virtue) deliberations. The time is tight, where can we find time for woodblock printing?"

"Prime Minister Chen is right." Zhai Ruwen, the Minister of the Honglu Temple following behind, also took the opportunity to chime in. "Moreover, Your Majesty has assigned the *Dibao* matter exclusively to the Honglu Temple and has set many rules and regulations. How dare we not do our best? Fortunately, only key government offices in Tokyo and envoys and commanders in various circuits need to be officially transcribed in person. The Honglu Temple has enough manpower to handle it properly, so there is no need to look for printing methods."

Zhao Jiu shook his head slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but seeing that the Taixue courtyard was already in front of him, he put aside these thoughts and stepped inside. The many important ministers who followed also silenced themselves, raised their heads and chests, and followed the Emperor into the courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, seeing the Emperor in the lead, wearing a scarlet robe, hard-winged hat, and golden belt, followed by more than a dozen high-ranking officials in purple robes, and many additional armored warriors pouring in, the colors of purple and metal shone in the sunlight. The courtyard was first filled with a booming sound, then became completely silent.

After the Emperor and the important ministers stood on the steps in front of the main hall, hundreds of people, led by Chen Gongfu, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, cupped their hands and bowed, and then everyone sat down in the courtyard according to the requirements previously put forward by the palace, in the seats that had been arranged in advance... Under the system of the Three Dormitories Law, the Taixue students were reserve officials, so there was the etiquette of Emperor and subjects, and the two sides sat facing each other, like Emperor and subjects.

As for the steps where Zhao Guan's family's seat was located, behind which was the main hall with a wooden sculpture of Confucius, Zhao Jiu certainly didn't care too much. Anyway, he had held court in Taoist temples and Buddhist temples, and he had opened court sessions in front of Taoist ancestors and Buddhas. It was just right to have a Taixue hall and a wooden sculpture of Confucius, which might even be considered an achievement.

"Gentlemen, you are all pillars of the court."

Without looking at the wooden sculpture behind him, Zhao Jiu sat down and spoke directly in the sunlight, raising his voice and speaking slowly. "Today I come here for two reasons: first, as the end of the year approaches, many of you are far from home, so I have come to comfort you; second, the Taixue is the place where the court stores talent, but because of the system, you must be assessed before you can become officials. And I also have military and state affairs to deal with, and it is usually very difficult to meet and even more difficult to discuss and communicate... Therefore, today we meet, let us Emperor and subjects speak our minds freely. If you have any discussions or doubts, please raise your hands to indicate. I will randomly select some of you, unless your words are rebellious or involve military and state secrets, otherwise I will try my best to listen and respond in person... until sunset."

There was a commotion both on and off the stage, and the dozen or so accompanying important ministers were also stunned, while below, after the commotion, everyone was completely excited.

"Let's begin!" As the voices gradually died down, Zhao Jiu forcibly put away his habitual wooden expression when attending court and showed a slight smile.

However, under the excitement, many Taixue students were somewhat flustered instead, wanting to raise their hands, but afraid, and not knowing what to ask.

However, at this moment, among the people sitting below, one person in the lead didn't care at all and raised his hand on the spot.

Zhao Jiu, upon seeing this person, actually laughed genuinely, which was a rare occurrance.

It turned out that this person was Chen Gongfu, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

Speaking of which, since climbing out of the well, Zhao Jiu had been the Emperor for more than two years. However, although his authority had grown and his involvement in military and political affairs had increased, at the beginning, he was a pure blind man, deaf man, and idiot. He neither knew the Song Dynasty system nor how to appoint people and assign tasks. He simply tried to grab hold of so-called historical famous generals such as Han Shizhong and Zhang Jun, and tried his best to promote some trusted aides such as Zhang Jun, Zhao Ding, Lin Jingmo, and Hu Yin, and then tried his best to coordinate the selection of Prime Ministers.

Therefore, for a considerable period of time, even up to now, most of the court's general affairs were still handled by the Prime Ministers. This Emperor neither had the ability nor the desire to personally intervene.

This led to the fact that, apart from a few trusted aides and people he frequently contacted in person, he simply knew the names of many ministers, and even had to do homework on the names temporarily.

But he really couldn't be blamed... For example, this Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Chen Gongfu. Logically speaking, this position in charge of national education was extremely important, and in the absence of the explicit abolition of the Three Dormitories Law, this was even a key position directly involved in the court's selection of talent.

However, don't forget that before Emperor Zhao and Prime Minister Lu had that conversation this summer and decided to hold a special *Keju* (Imperial Examination), the Taixue was basically abandoned. How free would Zhao Jiu have to be to care about what the person in this position was called, and what his resume and background were?

In fact, this Chen Gongfu was indeed appointed to this idle official position during the Huai River period. Zhao Jiu met him a few times in Nanyang, but only treated him as a passerby.

It was only yesterday that he learned this person's name and a little bit of background information from the know-it-all, Commander Yang.

However, this Chen Gongfu left a good impression on Zhao Jiu... At a time when the Taixue students were temporarily flustered, he took the initiative to raise his hand, which was somewhat like the demeanor of a teacher.

In fact, if he didn't know better, Zhao Guan's family would almost have thought this person was a plant.

"Minister Chen, please speak."

Zhao Jiu would of course give Chancellor Chen face.

"Your Majesty." Chen Gongfu stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed. "I take the liberty to say that Your Majesty's actions today are modeled after the ancient spring and autumn times when commoners and villagers discussed government in their schools. This is the act of a sage and seems more in line with the sage's meaning than giving lectures in the palace... Although I am a court official, I also want to participate in a little bit. I only hope that Your Majesty will allow me not to be treated as if I am giving a memorial to the Emperor but only as if we are discussing in school."

Zhao Jiu certainly didn't know what was meant by discussing politics in schools during the Spring and Autumn Period, but that didn't prevent him from understanding that the other party had found a high-sounding Confucian allusion, so he appreciated the other party even more and immediately said:

"That is natural. Minister Chen should speak frankly and not be mindful of your official position."

"Your Majesty." Upon hearing these words, Chen Gongfu suddenly looked solemn. "I dare to ask, why does the Taixue still focus on Wang Shuwang's New Learning? The New Learning only discusses utility, and Wang Shuwang openly called Feng Dao, who served 'four surnames and eight rulers' during the Five Dynasties period, as 'the best at avoiding difficulties to survive.' This kind of statement makes the officials of the court not encourage each other with integrity and loyalty and makes the high officials lose the way of being loyal subjects to the country. Is this in line with the great cause of resisting the Jin?"

Zhao Guan's family's expression did not change, and he nodded slightly... However, honestly, he was stunned by the question... This guy was so tactless.

ps: Thanks to the seventy-fifth cute, classmate Wei Mang 0930! My first reaction to this name was that it was an old reader of Korean entertainment novels...

Then came the beloved sacrifice session. Today's main dish for the sacrifice is Wuhui Di Xiaolong's *Mo Lin* (The Devil's Descent), a historical hegemony novel, two million words, which is gradually entering its prime. It's time to harvest a wave. And it is conceivable that as a historical newcomer to achieve this result, uh...

Then there is Qiyue Xiao Fan's *Han Que* (The Han Palace)... I cautiously suspect that his next book on the Eastern Han Dynasty should be the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms... I am inexplicably looking forward to it, and then I will go to his book to spray every day.