PART 1 Core questions 

What was the cause of the arrest and trial of Su Tungpo?

The Emperor, having read the letters from Su Tungpo, expressed his admiration towards Su to his courtiers, which rattled the petty politicians at court, especially Wang Anshih's protégés who had then risen to power. Dreading that Su would be recalled to power, they took action beforehand. A censor took up four sentences in Su's letter and impeached him for casting a slur on the government. His impeachment was followed by three other pleadings made by Wang's proteges, in which Su was accused of impertinence and disloyalty to the Emperor. Consequently, Su was relieved of his office and brought to the capital for trial.

How did Su Tungpo  get extricated from the predicament? 

There were several reasons why Su was let off with a comparatively easy sentence. First off, Su wrote two farewell letters to his brother Tseyu when he mistook the fish in his food as a ominous sign. The poems reached the Emperor and greatly moved him. Secondly, Empress Dowager, who always stood up for Tungpo asked the Emperor to release him. She fell ill at that time and her request amounted to her dying wish. Thirdly, the Emperor had never intended to kill Su and he was convinced of Su's loyalty after sending a palace servant to watch him in prison. Fourthly, Chang Chun, a friend of Su, defended him in the presence of the Emperor. Furthermore, Tseyu wrote to the Empeor begging for his brother's pardon and offering to surrender all his own official ranks and office to redeem him. 

PART 2 Expressions

1. The officials were all scared out of their wits and in hiding, but the common people went out to see the departure of the magistrate, and according to the official history of the district they "shed tears like rain."

frighten/ scare/ terrify sb out of their wits: informal, to frighten sb very much

I was terrified out of my wits at the very idea.

2. While in the prison he had a very kind warden who evidently knew who he was.

evidently: apparently; clearly

He was evidently a rude, unpleasant child.

He was evidently in pain.

Evidently, the builders had finished and gone home earlier.

3. I do not understand how Su Shih could have conducted himself with such ungrateful insolence.

insolence:['ɪnsələns] (n.) 傲慢无礼

I've had enough of your insolence, and I'm having no more.

insolent: (a.) rude and not sowing any respect

an insolent tone of voice

You insolent child!

4. Some of the accusations were far-fetched.

far-fetched: extremely unlikely to be true or to happen

All this may sound a it far-fetched, but companies are already developing 'intelligent' homes.

5. To the censors, who had hoped to involve the whole opposition by this case, this would have meant that all the trouble they had taken had come to naught.

naught: nothing

We can do naught but wait and watch.

come to naught: fail

Our scheme of operation came to naught. The plan failed by reason of bad organization.

6. On completing the poem, Su threw down his pen and said, "I am really incorrigible."

incorrigible:[ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbl] sb who is incorrigible is bad in a way that cannot be changed or improved, often used humorously 无可救药的；屡教不改的

an incorrigible liar/ rogue(流氓，无赖)

He is an incorrigible thief and has been to the jails many times.

I found myself incorrigible with respect to order.

Su Tungpo