In this world, everyone wants to have both.

But it is not so easy to achieve both ways.

It is impossible to not only reform the eight-legged essays, but also make the Confucian scholars in the past feel the pain.

However, since Wang Shouren wants to give it a try, let him try it.

Emperor Hongzhi left the old woman's home and soon informed her. Immediately afterwards, the local magistrate Zeng Jianwen immediately brought someone to welcome the emperor.

Zeng Jianwen was Ouyang Zhi's former official. When he met Fang Jifan, he was extremely attentive.

Such people from official backgrounds are the most sleek, know how to adapt, and arrange Emperor Hongzhi and his group properly.

Emperor Hongzhi summoned him to ask about Nantongzhou. Zeng Jianwen answered it smoothly. Emperor Hongzhi seemed satisfied and said, "Zeng Qing was just a civil servant before, but he didn't expect that he could stand alone. It really made people look at him with admiration."

Zeng Jianwen kept saying ashamed.

When he learned that Your Majesty was in Nantong Prefecture, his mighty ministers rushed over.

Emperor Hongzhi knew that he could no longer continue to visit privately, but the answer he wanted to pursue was already obtained, so... he was at the mercy of the ministers who followed him and prepared to set off for a trip back to Beijing.

However... the news from the capital moved Emperor Hongzhi.

The scholars in the capital... are in trouble.

The news of the abolition of the eight-legged essay has long been spreading, and it has caused a lot of controversy. No one knows whether it is true or false, but judging from His Majesty's various behaviors, this matter is probably not groundless.

As a result, after the rumors spread for a few days, scholars finally began to make angry remarks against the Duke of Qi.

They regarded Fang Jifan as a traitor and said that they would kill Fang Jifan so that the world could be peaceful.

After that...there were criticized by Xishan Academy.

It would be fine if it was just a group of scholars who had made a fuss, but many school officials were also very frightened.

Those ministers in the temple, who did not rely on eight-legged essays to achieve their current situation, are now going to abolish eight-legged essays, and even those ministers who have a good impression of the new policy think this move is too fierce.

Just three days ago, scholars started to cause trouble in the Imperial College, and the situation has expanded since then. Even the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate, and a large number of officials have condoned this.

Obviously... there are many people involved this time, and their purpose is more to shock the emperor, or... Fang Jifan.

Some people have begun to threaten to destroy the eight-legged essay, unless... walk over their bodies.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn't help frowning when he saw the report.

It was a foregone conclusion that it was a waste of eight-legged essays. He knew at the beginning that there would be difficulties in accomplishing it, but he never expected that the resistance would be so great.

Not only that, some sporadic reports from various prefectures also showed that local gentry began to complain, and some local parents and officials seemed to be starting to move.

This abolished the eight-legged essay and had not yet begun to issue an order, and the whole world seemed to be beginning to rush.

A little fear flashed through Emperor Hongzhi's eyes.

He knew very well that the 150-year food and profit system has now become an advancement for countless people. Once it is abolished, what serious consequences will be caused.

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath, but was silent for a long time.

Then he looked at Xiao Jing on the side: "Beijing camp and factory guards, be extra careful to prevent changes."

"I obey the order." Xiao Jing nodded.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "I should set off and return to the palace immediately."

He glanced at Wang Shouren: "Wang Qing's family, the eight-legged essay reform, is of great importance. Since you said you want to draft a charter that has the best of both worlds, it is better to stay here in Nantongzhou and take a look more. Perhaps this will be helpful to you."

Wang Shouren nodded: "I obey the order."

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Wang Guang again: "I have seen the affairs of Wang Qing's family with my own eyes. I am indeed a capable person. You can stay here to assist Wang Qing's family and work with Wang Qing's family to formulate a new constitution."

Wang Guang was about to spurt out his old blood. Damn, is there any misunderstanding here... When did he become the vanguard of the abolition of the eight-legged essay reform?

Isn't this equivalent to killing one's own life?

I don’t even see how much noise there was in the capital.

What's more... I'm the best at eight-legged essays, but now I have to follow Wang Shouren to abolish it. This...

He had tears in his eyes and was about to refuse.

Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand, but Emperor Hongzhi saw Wang Guang's talent with his own eyes.

The eight-legged essay was formulated by Emperor Taizu Gao. This guy can perfectly play the eight-legged essay in Luzhou Prefecture within the rules of the eight-legged essay. What does this mean? It means that this person is well versed in the rules. Within the rules, this person must be a capable minister.

If such a talent is ignored, he may eventually become a backbone who opposes the new system. Instead of doing this, it is better to find something for him. Even if he still opposes it, it will be within the controllable range. In the future... If this person can change his thinking, he will be a capable official.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and looked at Fang Jifan: "I am going to return to Beijing. Jifan, you can also visit more here and take a look. You should not go back to this capital for the time being, there is already a mess. If you go back, you will inevitably add fuel to the fire."

Fang Jifan felt aggrieved and said resentfully: "Your Majesty... I didn't expect that my ministers were so fond of the country and the people, but were so hated by others. How come our Ming ministers and scholars all wanted to eat my ministers' flesh, my husband's skin, my ministers..."

Emperor Hongzhi sighed and patted Fang Jifan on the shoulder: "Shang Yang, Wang Anshi and others are all like this."

…………

Emperor Hongzhi is gone.

The vast crowd immediately set off from Nantongzhou and walked north along the waterway.

Fang Jifan, Wang Shouren, and Wang Guang stayed.

Zeng Jianwen naturally wanted to do so. He wanted to show off his good deeds in front of Duke Qi, and insisted on letting Fang Jifan live in the garrison of the prefectural yamen.

Fang Jifan refused, and this yamen was not a place for people to live in.

So Zeng Jianwen had to find a wealthy businessman in Nantongzhou. The man named Zhao Duoqian. There was a large mansion with carved beams and painted buildings in Nantongzhou. Zhao Duoqian was so excited that he heard that the Duke of Qi wanted to live in. He felt that the blue smoke was coming from his ancestral grave. He hurriedly asked someone to decorate the backyard and asked Fang Jifan and others to move in.

Zhao Duoqian stayed by Fang Jifan every day and worshipped him carefully, just as he became Fang Jifan as his ancestor.

Fang Jifan didn't seem surprised by this, and said he was polite, polite, why am I so embarrassed... but my body is very honest and I stayed in peace.

The Beijing is making such a big fuss, and Your Majesty refuses to let him return to Beijing for the time being, of course he is afraid that the fire will add fuel to the fire. Another meaning is probably to let him inquire about the truth about Jiangnan.

Fang Jifan just lived idle every day and was no longer concerned about the abolition of the eight-legged essay. Even if Wang Shouren drafted a new charter, he would not ask about it.

In the evening, Fang Jifan had to go out for a walk and go around the canal.

This is a rare time when Zhao Duoqian is standing by his side, so he has to follow him every time. When talking about his house, he is furious. The house was purchased and it cost him a lot of money, and he plans to pass it on to his descendants.

Fang Jifan was too lazy to listen to him about the benefits of his precious house.

Wang Shouren obediently followed Fang Jifan, but still said nothing.

Wang Guang was very confused. He was reluctant to abolish the eight-legged essay, but he had no choice but to fall into Fang Jifan's hands now. What's even more terrifying is that no matter how he looked at Fang Jifan, he felt that this guy was a big traitor and had not run away. He had been wise for a lifetime, would he be lost in his hands?

He was unwilling to give up, and after thinking for a few days, he finally finished his draft.

Taking advantage of today's soft night and walking along the river bank, Wang Guang finally made up his mind and said, "Duke of Qi, have you ever thought that once the eight-legged essays are abolished, the Duke of Qi will become the target of public criticism?"

"Get out." Fang Jifan still didn't intend to be polite to him, and cursed directly: "What do you have to do with you?"

Wang Guang: “…”

To be honest... If this weren't a traitor and evil person, Wang Guang would dare to take off his head and kick it as a ball.

Fortunately, he was used to Fang Jifan's scolding. Wang Guang took a deep breath and decided to calm down: "Duke Qi, this is for your consideration. The so-called "No one is good for thousands of days, and no flowers are red for a hundred days. Why does the Duke Qi have to make trouble for himself? The Confucian scholars in the world and the Dukes in the court will allow Duke Qi to do this? This matter is too important. It affects the whole body. If you are not careful, it will be doomed. Duke Qi..."

Well, it's very bitter.

Fang Jifan held his hands behind his back, but looked at Zhao Duoqian: "Old Zhao, continue talking about your house, don't worry, let's talk while walking back."

Well, it's very direct indifference.

Wang Guang: “…”

Zhao Duoqian cheered up: "The villain is not the place to occupy the land. If you say this, the prince is afraid he will get tired of it. Just talking about it is a villain, he is also an elegant person..."

As he said that, Zhao Duoqian subconsciously touched the big gold chain on his neck and said seriously: "The villain loves to hide antiques. The antiques he has collected over the past few years cannot be installed in more than a dozen ancient shelves. The villain does not love vulgar things, but only likes those..."

He said this.

Everyone had slowly walked to the house not far.

But I suddenly realized that half of the dark sky was red.

Wang Shouren looked up in surprise.

But in the distance, a raging fire ignited.

The fire...with the wind, the blazing burning seemed unstoppable.

"Ah, it's a fire."

"It seems that the fire broke out in the courtyard where we live!" Wang Guang looked at the direction of the fire in surprise and shivered.

Fang Jifan was immediately heartbroken: "My house, who burned my house... I spent so much money... it's not right..." Fang Jifan was stunned, and his emotions slowly calmed down: "This seems not my house."

Behind...

Zhao Duoqian suddenly collapsed to the ground, howled, beat his chest desperately, and roared: "My house, my house!"

Wang Shouren frowned...

The fire suddenly became so big... Is this... someone... trying to assassinate?
Chapter completed!