Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"My nephew heard that your majesty was told in Zhongshu that Wang Ji'en was to be promoted to Xuanhui envoy. My nephew really felt that it was inappropriate. Please give your majesty more consideration."

"Who told you that?"

"My nephew just heard about it, no one... no one told me."

"Defang, lying in front of the emperor's uncle is a crime of deceiving the emperor."

"Please forgive my uncle, the minister who told my nephew about this matter is also a loyal person, besides, the eunuch's participation in politics is a disaster for the family and the country. The blood and tears of the kings of all dynasties have been clearly recorded in the history books. I also ask the emperor to learn from it."

"Defang, I know you are dedicated to the country, but don't listen to rumors."

"Uncle Emperor, my nephew and nephew have been to the Ministry of War and the Privy Council before entering the palace, and have verified the battle reports of the past few months. Wang Jien holds the military power in his hands, is domineering in Sichuan and Shu, and indulges the soldiers and generals in plunder. The army even took the opportunity to capture several cities. More and more people participated in the chaos, and the battle became more urgent. If we don’t go all out to fight back against the rebellious army and let them grow stronger, I fear that our Great Song Dynasty will fall into a situation of internal and external troubles again, which will be more serious than the Ten Kingdoms Rebellion.”

Taizong looked at Defang, but did not answer, because he knew very well what Wang Jien had done, but after all, Wang Jien was his main contributor to ascending to the throne, and at this time he had a large army in his hands, if he ordered to punish him, he might cause even more trouble. great calamity.

Defang also knew Taizong's worry at this time, so he continued to say, "Uncle, my nephew saw that you sent special envoys to Sichuan and Shu several times to urge the thieves. I know that your majesty has a plan to calm the chaos, but because most of the courtiers prefer to recruit peace, Your Majesty has already made a difficult decision, and my nephew asks for orders to go to Sichuan and Shu to urge Wang Jien to lead the army to quell the chaos."

Taizong heard that Defang had given him a big step down, so he said, "What the emperor's nephew said is exactly what I worry about. It is difficult for me to make a judgment since all the ministers of the court and the central government have come up to summon peace."

"It's not because the courtiers are afraid of the chaos, but because our Song Dynasty is currently facing three powerful enemies. If we are not careful, we will fall into the ancestral temple and society, but the chaos is like a wild beast. If we don't give it a heavy blow, we are afraid of Sichuan. Shu will be separated from our Great Song territory."

"The nephew's words are reasonable, but I can't let you go to Sichuan and Sichuan again."

Defang thought for a while and said, "Uncle Emperor, if I want to recommend someone to serve in Yizhou, it will certainly benefit the chaos."

"Oh? Who is the emperor's nephew recommending?"

"Zhang Yong, a direct scholar of the Privy Council and a doctor of Yubu (word Fuzhi, self-named Guaiya), has been appointed as the magistrate of Yizhou. Please agree with your Majesty."

Taizong stood up, "Zhang Yong...Su Shenzhi also recommended him, let me think about it, but there are other people in the court who are also leading the battle, and I just want to hear what he has to say."

"Uncle, who else will lead the battle?"

"Zhao Changyan, the political adviser, I will summon him later."

"Uncle Shengming, my nephew also wants to share your majesty's worries again."

"You have just returned to Beijing, and I still have a lot of things for you to do." Taizong patted Defang. "Let the civil servants and generals handle the chaos. What you have to do is to help me stabilize the society."

"Yes, my nephew respectfully obeys the imperial uncle's will." Defang looked up at Taizong and said, "The imperial uncle...the matter of Wang Jien..."

"I will not appoint him as Xuanhui envoy, let alone let eunuchs participate in politics. As for the absurd actions he has done, I will have to make a decision at my discretion."