Chapter 0069: Sacrifice All Scholars Under Heaven to Achieve My Xie Chengze Alone!

Although Xie Chengze’s earlier remark about finding a man to settle down with was purely nonsense—just meant to scare Emperor Jian and alleviate some of his wariness toward him…

He was still quite curious about which respectable and handsome men existed in Jingcheng.

Since staying in the palace was boring anyway, why not make some friends for conversation~

Xie Chengze’s gaze swept across these portraits one by one when suddenly, his peripheral vision caught a familiar name.

Su Qinghe.

Huh? Wasn’t that the second young master of the Su Family—Su Qinghe, who grew up with Shen Yuan and, like Sheng Yiren, was one of Shen Yuan’s childhood companions?

The Su Family were prestigious aristocrats in Jingcheng, with most members being exceptionally talented in literature. They held positions in various departments of the Hanlin Academy, responsible for compiling books, writing histories, serving as study companions for imperial family members, acting as imperial examination examiners, and more—all promising careers with high status and benefits. Consequently, countless scholars devoted themselves to the imperial examinations, viewing entry into the Hanlin Academy as a great honor.

However…

This also led to a waste of talent. The Jian’an Dynasty prioritized literary scholars over technicians, showing neglect in the sciences. This resulted in everyone pursuing literature, severely hindering the development of science and technology in the Jian’an Dynasty. The quality of life for the common people stagnated, and their ability to withstand risks was extremely poor. Once natural disasters struck, the land would be littered with starved corpses, and the court would fall into turmoil.

This was fundamentally detrimental to societal progress.

It would also severely diminish Xie Chengze’s quality of life.

What was his goal when he first transmigrated here?

To be a happy and wealthy imperial second generation.

Yet, the Jian’an Dynasty—with its empty treasury and suffering populace—could not provide him with a luxurious life as an imperial second generation. That was why Xie Chengze painstakingly created the Tianfu Plan, turning Yi Province into a land of abundant grain production, reducing death risks and rebellious intentions across regions, continuously supplying wealth to the court, and stabilizing the court’s unrest.

Now, whenever Xie Chengze thought about traveling on bumpy dirt roads, sitting on wooden chairs that defied ergonomics, eating fruits that were often sour due to primitive genetics, having to squat over a chamber pot to relieve himself in the middle of the night, and even reading storybooks filled with nothing but cliché romantic plots…

He felt utterly! despairing! about life!

No!!!

In his previous life, he suffered mostly from familial hardships but never endured economic or living hardships!

How could his quality of life decline after becoming such an impressive imperial second generation? If he ever transmigrated back and told his friends about this, he would be laughed to death!

No! Reform! Must reform!

Must add mathematics and science knowledge to the imperial examination papers!

Sacrifice all scholars under heaven to achieve my Xie Chengze alone!

Xie Chengze pointed fiercely at Su Qinghe in the portrait, as if he had found his destined person, his eyes blazing with intensity, “Eunuch Zhao! I want him!”

Infiltrate the Su Family, shift the Hanlin Academy’s direction, implement a liberal arts and sciences division, and promote an epoch-making leap forward!

From now on, he, Xie Chengze, would be the big villain cursed by millions of scholars!

Hahahahaha—

——

Upon receiving the decree from the Second Prince summoning him to the palace, Su Qinghe was slightly taken aback, a furrow of worry lingering between his brows.

He truly couldn’t understand why the Second Prince, with whom he had no prior connection, would suddenly summon him to the palace so urgently.

“Eunuch Zhao, please wait a moment.”

Seeing Eunuch Zhao about to leave after delivering the message, Su Qinghe quickly retrieved a silver ingot from his sleeve and pressed it into the other’s hand, discreetly inquiring, “Your Excellency, do you know why the Second Prince has suddenly summoned me to the palace?”

The Second Prince was widely known for his unpredictable temper and arrogant, domineering nature. Su Qinghe was deeply worried about whether he would emerge from the palace alive.

Eunuch Zhao gave a light cough, pocketed the silver, and reassured him, “Young Master Su, rest assured. Our Second Prince merely…” He paused, his gaze ambiguous, “merely admires you and wishes to befriend you.”

Befriend… him?

Su Qinghe’s mind was in turmoil. He failed to catch the subtle hint in Eunuch Zhao’s expression but felt somewhat relieved upon hearing the reassurance. Nodding, he said, “In that case, may I ask Your Excellency to wait a moment? I shall change into fresh attire and join you shortly.”

Entering the palace was no trivial matter. With his modest reputation, he needed to dress appropriately and dignifiedly to avoid bringing shame to the Su Family.

Eunuch Zhao narrowed his eyes into a smile. “Excellent, excellent. Wear something handsome and refined—white robes would be best.”

After all, Lord Shen often wore white robes, and since this young master Su was close to Shen Yuan, he likely shared some similarities, which might be why the Second Prince had taken a liking to him at first glance.

However…

Although this Su Qinghe was dearly loved by the Su Family head and possessed a gentle, distinguished appearance, he was, after all, a son of a concubine. His talents were unremarkable, he held no official position in the capital, and compared to other gifted scholars in the portraits, he was indeed somewhat inferior.

Even granting him the title of a secondary consort would be overly generous. As for the position of the prince’s consort, the Second Prince ought to reconsider carefully.

So thought Eunuch Zhao.

Understanding the implicit advice, Su Qinghe obediently changed into white robes. Still anxious about whether he would leave the palace unscathed, he ordered a servant to rush a message to Shen Yuan in the palace.

At this moment, the only person he could trust to rescue him was Shen Yuan.

On his way to the palace, Su Qinghe grew increasingly uneasy for reasons he couldn’t explain.

He had heard that the Second Prince was assassinated on his return to the capital and had only recently regained consciousness. Could his summons be related to the assassination attempt?

No, that couldn’t be. Brother Shen was investigating the case, and he was a man of clear principles who would never bend the rules for personal gain. Moreover, the Su Family would never be involved in such a matter.

Then what else could it be?

Pondering Eunuch Zhao’s mention of friendship, Su Qinghe mulled over the deeper implications. It was said that the Second Prince had never had a study companion in his youth and was now past the age for academic tutelage, so it couldn’t be about finding a companion. As for friendship…

With the Second Prince’s exalted status, he could easily befriend sons of dukes and princes. Why would he suddenly seek friendship with an ordinary commoner like him, who possessed mediocre talent?

Yet, there were no rumors of the Second Prince being close to any noble sons, nor did he associate much with the sons of officials his age—except recently, with Brother Shen…

Su Qinghe paused abruptly, his heart sinking.

Could the Second Prince’s sudden summons be related to Brother Shen?

His fingers dug slightly into his palms as his thoughts churned. By the time he regained his composure, he realized he had already stepped into Cheng Huan Palace.

Zhu Xiaobiao was standing at the entrance of the bedchamber waiting. Upon seeing Su Qinghe approach, he immediately recognized him as the person from the portrait and stepped aside to clear the path. “Second Young Master Su, please come in. His Highness has been waiting for some time.”

Su Qinghe stiffly lifted his foot and entered.

Could this truly be Cheng Huan Palace? As rumored among the common folk, it was indeed magnificently opulent. Every object was a rare treasure. Even though Su Qinghe had received considerable favor from his father at home, he could still see that Emperor Jian’s indulgence toward the Second Prince was exceedingly excessive.

Yet, how much financial and material resources had been expended to transport these items into the palace, all to bring a smile to the Second Prince’s face?

And if these costly possessions were to be sold, how many suffering people trapped in famine could be saved?

With a soft sigh in his heart, he quietly walked deeper into the bedchamber. Catching a glimpse of the Second Prince reclining behind the sheer, translucent bed curtains, Su Qinghe lifted his robe and knelt. His voice was gentle and unhurried, like flowing water. “This commoner, Su Qinghe, pays respects to the Second Prince. May Your Highness live a thousand, thousand years.”

“Rise~”

From behind the curtains came the Second Prince’s soft, delicate voice. Su Qinghe clearly sensed a faint, almost imperceptible gaze resting upon him. Then, the owner of that gaze spoke, “Are you Shen Yuan’s childhood friend?”

Su Qinghe’s heart sank.

Indeed, it was because of Brother Shen.