Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 71 Let’s Find Five Hundred Soldiers

the next day.

In the morning, after the morning court session.

Zhao Zhen summoned Lu Yijian and Yan Shu to a meeting.

Because Lu Yijian was responsible for writing, and Yan Shu was responsible for providing soldiers.

Zhao Zhen said to them:

"Yesterday, the most excited person came to tell me that Confucius said in the Analects that one should learn and practice it from time to time."

"What you have learned should be put into practice frequently."

"Zui Xinglai has been studying military tactics for some time. Therefore... I intend to let Zui Xinglai take charge of a certain number of soldiers. What do you two think?"

Lu Yijian, a semi-retired man who would not have been employed again if the Western Xia war had not suddenly broken out, would of course choose to turn a blind eye to such things.

As for Yan Shu...

Yan Shu has always been a rich and idle man, and he has a lot of children at home who are crying for food. It is unnecessary for him to go against the government.

of course!

Out of his duty as a subject, Yan Shu still had to say, "Sir, this... is not a good idea, is it?"

Zhao Zhen then asked, "Why, Yan Shu, do you have any objections?"

Yan Shu said, "I don't have any opinions, but...if we do nothing, then we are not afraid of civil unrest."

Zhao Zhen said: "You mean, Zui Xinglai will rebel!"

Yan Shu looked terrified, "I didn't mean that."

Zhao Zhen: "What do you mean by that?"

Yan Shu said, "Back then, your father, Zhenzong, was made the crown prince. On his way back from paying homage to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the people seemed to have learned who the new crown prince was, and they lined the streets on their own initiative to cheer, saying, 'This is our young emperor!' This made Taizong unhappy, and he said, 'People's hearts turned to the crown prince so quickly, where do they want me to be?'"

"Since ancient times, there have been many conflicts between the emperor and the crown prince. Although the Duke of Shou is not the crown prince, Your Majesty dotes on him so much and gives him so much power. If I were to sow discord between them, what if..."

Zhao Zhen then asked, "You mean to say that I am a tyrant? Will I be jealous of Zui Xinglai then?"

Yan Shu said, "I didn't say that, but... I still say that if you do nothing, nothing will happen."

Zhao Zhen replied: "You also know that Zui Xinglai is very smart."

Yan Shu nodded and said, "That's true! The first time I taught Duke Shou, I found that ordinary children could not compare with Duke Shou."

Zhao Zhen said, "I just don't want to waste Zui Xinglai's talent. Besides, our country is weak now. Even a small country like Xixia dares to bully us. I let Zui Xinglai learn the art of war to prevent the possible wars in the future. Things like impulsively ordering Han Qi to send troops must not happen again!"

"And if we want to prevent such things from happening again in the future, we need to be very familiar with the art of war!"

This sentence seems to imply that what will happen most in the future will be the intention of the officials of the Song Dynasty.

Both Lu Yijian and Yan Shu were shocked, but it was understandable.

Just because...

The emperor has only one or two sons. If the queen had not had no children, their Song Dynasty would at least have a nominal crown prince now.

Unfortunately, Empress Guo had no children, and the next Empress Cao...

can only say……

His family background is indeed impeccable.

It's just this appearance, it's indeed a bit lacking.

Another political marriage.

It is normal that the government doesn't like them.

I can only say that by that time, it will probably be a troublesome thing.

What do you think should be done with Empress Cao if Duke Shou succeeds to the throne?

If I could die in front of the government, there wouldn't be any problem.

But what if he died behind the officials?

Will she become another Liu E?
Yan Shu knew about the emperor's biological mother. Liu E had no son, and the emperor was just adopted by her. Don't let Fan Zhongyan go to Empress Cao and ask her to abdicate and return power.

of course!

This mainly depends on when the emperor will pass away.

If he had passed away later, when Duke Shouguo had grown up...

But it doesn't seem to be of any use.

If the Queen has any opinions, as your elder, can you not listen to her?
The second Liu E might not.

But it cannot be said that Empress Cao had no influence at all.

By the time……

It’s Empress Cao again, and Madam Miao controls the imperial family.

If we think from this perspective, then letting Duke Shouguo have some military power does not seem to be a completely bad thing.

only……

In this way, will the father be kind and the son be filial?

Yan Shu could only say that he had tried his best to persuade her.

Zhao Zhen continued, "Go back, draft a document, and prepare 500 men for Duke Shou. If anyone objects, explain to them."

When Lu Yijian heard that they were asked to explain to the ministers, he couldn't help but think back to the time when he wanted to depose Queen Guo and Fan Zhongyan blocked the door. The emperor also asked him to go out and explain. When he thought of this, Lu Yijian started to have a headache again.

He said quickly: "Sir, I want to retire and return home."

Zhao Zhen said, "Prince Lu, please hold on a little longer. The court cannot survive without you at this moment!"

Lu Yijian: “…”

Throw all the troubles on me!

but……

Lu Yijian is indeed a very good candidate.

Lu Yijian has been an official for so many years and has countless students and old friends. As long as Lu Yijian can persuade these people not to oppose, at least one-third of the people in the court will be less opposed.

As for Yan Shu...

Yan Shu is a good guy. If you insist on letting him do it and allocate some soldiers to Zui Xinglai, he will definitely not refuse. At worst, if he is impeached by the censors and the matter becomes too serious, he will be demoted to be an official outside and enjoy the scenery.

Anyway...

With the tacit approval of the two highest officials of the two governments, this matter is still possible to accomplish.

As for people like Zhang Fangping, Zhao Zhen will naturally go to talk to them again when the time comes.

and……

There are only five hundred soldiers, not even enough to pick your teeth.

There are as many as 800,000 imperial guards scattered around the Tokyo city, large and small. Even if some of them are stationed outside, the actual number is less than 800,000, but they are still not something you 500 people can defeat.

Then...

Yan Shu then asked Zhao Zhen: "Sir, do these five hundred people have any requests?"

These tall, short, thin, fat ones, elite imperial guards, or garrison soldiers, we have to make it clear.

The elite imperial guards are the kind that can fight right away.

And from time to time they would be transferred out to guard the border.

As for the soldiers in the wings, they were responsible for laboring, and they could be found in places like the Cattle and Sheep Department, the Imperial Chariot Department, the Armory, the Back Garden Workshop, the Back Garden Craftsmen, the North and South Workshops, the Brocade Department, the Bow and Crossbow Department, etc.

But when it comes to fighting, that's definitely not possible.

Moreover, they generally do not participate in combat training, but just help build cities and handle logistics.

Zhao Zhen also replied: "Let's find 500 soldiers."

(End of this chapter)