Chapter 22: The Return of Master Su

"Little Monkey?"

Li Chang'an ran outside, bumping directly into Su Mai, who was tearing across the courtyard. Three years had passed, and the little sprout had grown into a sturdy sapling. He was well over four feet tall now, a proper big kid.

He was just as wild as ever; he started sprinting from a distance and then launched himself onto Li Chang'an.

"Ouch! Did you steal and eat a panda, kid? How have you gotten so heavy?"

Behind them, Su Shi arrived hand-in-hand with his wife, Wang Fu. Looking at their empty-handed appearance, it seemed his nagging had been in vain; the "God of Su" had not accelerated his progress in producing little geniuses.

Li Chang'an set Su Mai down and stepped forward to embrace Su Shi. After three years of separation, the "Twin Heroes of Bianjing" were reunited.

"Haha, your face has grown even longer!"

This was a joke he would use for a lifetime—a specialty of Su Xiaomei: ignore the talent and attack the person.

Su Shi brushed his beard with disdain, feigning the air of an elegant gentleman, though his beard was as sparse as unkempt rice seedlings.

"Single dog!" Su Shi retorted.

Wang Fu quickly intervened to keep the two from bickering. It was no way for best friends to act upon meeting. She retrieved a bag of candied fruit from behind her, a treat she had brought all the way from Shu.

"It’s all your fault for talking about 'iron-eating beasts' and pandas every day. The child has been pestering me about them for three years. Quickly, use these sweets to shut your mouth."

Li Chang'an told his students to study on their own and led the family to his room.

"When did you arrive? You should have sent word so I could meet you. At the very least, I could have arranged a welcome banquet at the Golden Pavilion."

Li Chang'an coaxed Su Mai over to his desk, where his illustrated manuscript, *The Great Sage’s Journey to the West*, lay waiting.

"No need for a reception. We took the water route this time, arriving in Xiangfan first, then taking the canal. It was smooth sailing all the way, incredibly comfortable."

Su Shi had put on a little weight during his three-year mourning period—the "happiness fat" of a man past thirty. He was starting to look more and more like Lu Yi, right down to the long face.

"I went ashore yesterday afternoon. I had to report to the Ministry of Personnel and pay my respects to our teacher. Today, having some free time, you were the first person I came to see."

"Why have I heard that you’ve been quiet for three years, only to start stirring up trouble on your own?"

Li Chang'an held his head high with pride. "Quiet? Let me tell you, these past three years I’ve been more diligent than you! From the Great Sea in the east to the Hetao region in the west, and north to Youzhou, I’ve traveled everywhere. Leading that kid Cao Rixiu, I’ve mapped out the entire Northern Defense Line."

"Cao Rixiu?" Su Shi frowned, having no impression of the name. Whose child was that?

"Cao Rui from the Palace Guard... damn it, no wonder that old man was sabotaging me. Cao Rixiu is Cao Min, the third generation of the Duke's household, Cao Rui's stepson."

With that explanation, Su Shi finally had an inkling. He was just a hot-headed youth, protected by his status as a royal relative, fearing neither heaven nor earth. Li Chang'an was the only one in all of Bianjing who could keep him in check. They had fought several times, and each time the Kaifeng Prefect had ruled in Li Chang'an's favor. How had they ended up working together?

The two chatted for a long time, until even Wang Fu grew sleepy.

"Are you staying in government housing now? Move in with me. The Duke’s estate has plenty of space; you can pick any room you like."

He called for a maid to take Wang Fu and Su Mai to rest, then the two brothers brewed tea and continued their conversation.

Su Shi suddenly turned serious. "How did you manage to offend Lü Huiqing?"

Li Chang'an scratched his head, thinking for a long while. "I didn't! I've never even had any dealings with him. Since returning from Jinyang, I’ve been focusing on building my reputation, preparing to be a sage. I don't have the time to bother with them."

He truly had no idea how he had crossed paths with Lü Huiqing. Aside from Wang Pang, who had sought him out personally, he hadn't touched anyone from the Reformist faction. Getting entangled with them was more trouble than it was worth.

Su Shi pondered for a moment and said earnestly, "The teacher told me that your stirring up of trouble has disrupted the implementation of the New Laws, and you have become a thorn in Lü Huiqing's side. Hearing that I was coming to see you, he specifically warned me to tell you to be careful."

"Also, I’ve heard rumors—are you planning to hold a lecture tomorrow?"

As luck would have it, Li Chang'an pulled out his lecture draft to show Su Shi. Su Shi had already grown accustomed to this left-to-right writing style; his little brother was an eccentric who loved doing things his own way. As he read, the "God of Su" felt a chill run down his spine, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"Well, if your calculations are correct, wouldn't our dynasty be facing constant warfare and chaos? You're going to lecture on this? Aren't you afraid of the imperial executioners?"

Su Shi brought out his own lecture plan, which featured a long list of book titles.

"I’m back now to spend three years at the Imperial Academy, planning to spread my knowledge. Then, I’ll join the Ministry of Rites to reform the imperial examinations, so that the whole world can learn logic and philosophy."

"The two of us, this time, are really going to turn the Great Song upside down!"

Hearing Su Shi’s career plan, the promise Sima Guang had made flashed through his mind.

"I have some inside information: the court might appoint you to a position in the Kaifeng Prefect's office. Have you considered it?"

After Li Chang'an finished, Su Shi waved his hand dismissively. "Seeking titles is not my intent; I only wish for philosophy to flourish! Do you think an official post is more important to me than that?"

Li Chang'an quickly shook his head. You could insult anyone else, but if you insulted the "God of Su" and it was remembered, you would be immortalized in poetry for all the wrong reasons.

"Fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow. Let's see if your knowledge sells!"

...

In the end, Su Shi did not stay there. He had ten or so disciples from Shu with him, all taken on during his three-year mourning period, whom he planned to eventually send to the Imperial Academy. Li Chang'an realized he was truly looking at the future leader of the Shu Faction; at just over thirty, he was already cultivating his inner circle with such long-term foresight.

After catching up in the afternoon and holding two more meetings, the day ended in the humid heat.

The next day was partly cloudy, the sun a pale, sickly white behind the clouds. The lecture was set for nine in the morning. From daybreak, there were still four hours to go.

Qian Weiming woke up very early, reciting his draft over and over until his brothers grew nervous as well. Just past seven, he couldn't sit still anymore and urged everyone to leave to get a feel for the venue at the Chunhua Tower.

As they traveled in the carriage, the atmosphere was oppressive, as if they were heading to an execution.

"Weiming, is it really necessary? Set your mind at ease. This is a one-of-a-kind research project; no one would dare challenge you on it!"

His words provided no comfort, as rumors had already reached Qian Weiming that Minister Wang and Minister Sima would both be attending. Being the first to do something was fine, but under the gaze of two titans, it wasn't comfortable. Furthermore, as a descendant of royalty, he understood the "art of dragon-slaying" far better than Li Chang'an. If things went wrong, his status might not even be enough to protect him.

He was now trapped on the back of a tiger. If he let Li Chang'an take over, he might be off the hook, but all his prior preparations would become a joke. He could kiss his chances of becoming a Great Song official goodbye!

But what did that matter? Trading a civil service career for the legacy of a great scholar—it was worth it!

A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, turning the world deathly pale for an instant. Then, rolling thunder followed, startling the horses into prancing nervously.

"Wu and Yue are in the south; the nation's destiny is tied to water. Look, even the heavens are here to cheer you on!" As the carriage entered the city and neared their destination, Li Chang'an offered one final word of comfort.

"Fine, I trust you. But you’d better keep Su Zizhan away from my *Great Song Financial Weekly*!"

As he stepped out of the carriage, Qian Weiming caught sight of Su Shi, who had arrived at the same time, and turned to glare fiercely at Li Chang'an.