Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 86: The End of the Second Qingli Year

Since their farewell at Jinmingchi, naturally, the legend of Zhao Xin began to spread gradually in the officialdom of Dongjing City.

"It is said that on that day, the Duke of Shouguo confronted the Imperial Censor Wang Gongchen head-on, and neither of them was at a disadvantage."

"But isn't Duke Shou only four years old?"

"You don't know this. The emperor gave birth to a unicorn child!"

"What's going on? What Qilin?"

"I finished reading the History of Tang, History of Sui, and History of Han at the age of four. Can you do it?"

The other person shook his head and said, "When I was four years old, I should still be able to learn to read."

"So, Lord Shou has already finished learning. Not only has he finished learning, he has also finished reading these history books."

"Is it that powerful?"

"But none of this matters!"

"Then what's important?"

"The important thing is that the emperor probably really intends to let the Duke of Shou participate in the political affairs. Think about it, participating in the political affairs, plus the military power, isn't that what Emperor Taizong of our dynasty did before?"

"Then Emperor Taizong of our dynasty obtained the world from his brother."

"It's a different time now. Nowadays, there is no such thing as an elder brother or a younger brother."

"That's true."

"But that also looks a lot like Emperor Taizong Wen of the Tang Dynasty!"

"You don't think that the Duke of Shouguo can rebel at the age of four, do you?"

The person on the other side said, "Four years old is definitely not okay! But what about twenty years later? In the future, the court may become more and more complicated. I'm afraid we will return to the Han and Tang dynasties. You said, originally the prince did not participate in government affairs, but only served meals and greeted the emperor, which was pretty good. How come he suddenly changed back?"

"You ask me, who should I ask?"

"Once the prince has military power, he will easily rebel. The emperor should understand this principle. Now he is allowed to participate in politics, then..."

……

Many people began to talk about Zhao Xin.

even……

Many people began to think that Zhao Xin was bound to be the next emperor.

As Yan Shu was Zhao Xin's teacher, naturally, he was the one who had the most people coming to him to inquire about news.

This also gave Yan Shu a headache.

Because to be honest, he had only taught Duke Shou, and he actually didn't know very well what the emperor and Duke Shou were thinking.

Anyway...

It’s all because of the ministers’ incompetence, otherwise, there wouldn’t be a need for Duke Shou to take action personally.

in fact……

Yan Shu didn't think this was wrong.

After all, it was because the emperor knew nothing that he urged Han Qi to go to war, and Han Qi, who was young and energetic, really went to war, which led to the defeat of their Song Dynasty at Haoshuichuan.

If it was Duke Shou at the beginning, the situation might have been different.

Wang Gongchen also went to visit Lu Yijian secretly.

Ask Lu Yijian what he thinks about this matter.

Lu Yijian could only reply: "I am old and recently, I have been ill. I don't want to care about so many things anymore."

Wang Gongchen did not give up, "Mr. Lu, please show me a clear way."

Lu Yijian asked, "Did he really say that he was demoted to Lingnan?"

Wang Gongchen looked at me with a look of disbelief. How could this be fake?

Lu Yijian said: "Then I advise you not to speak anymore, because you might really be demoted to Lingnan."

Wang Gongchen thought to himself, is the Duke of Shou so important in the emperor's heart?
even……

Things like this gradually began to reach Madam Zhang's ears.

Then Jia began to instigate Madam Zhang, saying that if she could not give birth to another son, the position of the emperor might go to Madam Miao in the future.

So much so that Zhao Zhen realized that something was wrong that night.

Why is he suddenly so proactive! ?

For some reason I felt that I couldn't stand this kind of enthusiasm.

……

Time flies by.

Zhao Zhen did not issue a special decree to appoint Zhao Xin as Prime Minister.

As for the ministers, there didn't seem to be much reaction.

of course……

It is impossible to say that there is no discussion.

only……

Before this, Zhao Zhen had dealt with all those who could speak.

Then there was no need to worry about the rest of the minions' comments. When they were returning from Jinming Lake that day, Zui Xinglai said to him, "Dad, from now on, when I go out, I will probably bring someone in full armor with me."

Zhao Zhen also asked: "What do you mean?"

Zhao Xin said, "I am so smart. After this day, everyone will know me. What if I am assassinated by someone in the future?"

Zhao Zhen replied: "Then you are still so arrogant!"

Zhao Xin replied: "I can't wait for ten years. It would be so boring to do nothing in ten years! But it's not necessarily the case!"

Zhao Zhen: "What do you mean?"

Zhao Xin replied: "Whether it is Liao or Xixia who assassinated me, it would inevitably lead to the anger of the Song Dynasty. If the Song Dynasty is really angry, they may not be able to handle it. It's just... Indeed, they should slowly start to know me. Then start to be wary of me. Unless I have already affected their survival, otherwise, they should not kill me."

Zhao Zhen replied: "You know everything, yet you still do this!"

Zhao Xin held his father's hand and said, "There is no other way. If I hide and give advice, the ministers will make all kinds of guesses and objections, which will be detrimental to the implementation of my policy of governing the country. So, I might as well say it directly. I want to participate in politics! Dad, do you know what Zhenguan means?"

Zhao Zhen: "What do you mean?"

Zhao Xin: "Zhen means righteousness, and Guan means to show. Zhenguan means to show righteousness to others. I also want to show righteousness to others! It's meaningless to hide in the back."

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly as he walked, "Is that what you mean?"

Zhao Xin: "Isn't it? Then what do you mean?"

Zhao Zhen could only say that he didn't know either.

Regarding this part of Tang history, Sun Fu, the editor of the Secret Pavilion and the Doctor of Taichang, was more proficient.

He'll go ask another day.

……

Ten days passed.

Half a month passed.

A month passed.

very good!

There wasn't much opposition.

There is basically no objection to this matter.

By October, some time had passed due to negotiations with the Liao Kingdom.

at this time……

The Liao Kingdom also sent envoys to exchange letters and report to the Song Dynasty that they had withdrawn their troops.

The threat from the north was finally resolved.

The Liao Kingdom can only be said to be trustworthy.

then……

Zhao Xin also suddenly discovered that there seemed to be a lot more outsiders in the palace.

Upon asking, I found out that they were the wives and daughters of the officers who had died in battle.

I will take care of your wife and children, so don't worry. It turns out they really exist!

This was mainly because Zhao Xin had to pass through the back garden and go to the Lecture Hall frequently, so he noticed these extra unfamiliar faces at once.

November.

Champa presented three trained elephants.

His father was so childish that he even took him to see elephants, as if he had never seen an elephant before.

Do you think I am Cao Chong?

but……

Zhao Xin was indeed very interested in Champa.

He insisted on keeping the other party's envoy and asked him to talk about the customs and culture of Champa, the various products produced there, and also asked him how he got here.

I just learned that the current situation of Champa is not optimistic and the country is almost on the verge of destruction.

and so……

This also explains why they came to pay tribute.

This is definitely a case of them coming to seek reinforcements from the Song Dynasty.

to be frank!
Zhao Xin also wanted to help him, but the problem was that the journey was long and the Song Dynasty couldn't even take care of itself, so how could it reach Champa?

It seems that the Song Dynasty's imperial guards in Guangdong area numbered no more than 10,000 people.

Moreover, we haven’t fought a war for so many years, and we don’t know if we can fight anymore.

There must be only a few of these warships.

We will have to send someone to build it when the time comes.

Another big expense.

I really can't help you with this.

Zhao Xin had no choice but to say, "The Song Dynasty is in a difficult situation right now. We have to face the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia at the same time. The pressure is very great. Don't be pessimistic. Hold on as long as you can. Wait for me for ten years. Maybe you will have a chance then."

The other envoys were in tears. After waiting for you, Duke Shouguo, for ten years, Champa would probably have been destroyed.

(End of this chapter)