Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Just now when the government was being discussed in the court, the prime minister said that since the Five Dynasties, there have been incidents of repaying debts with other people's children in the Jiangnan area. After the founding of the Song Dynasty, this kind of incident has decreased. The children were lost, and the common people sued the government. After investigation, some unscrupulous people tricked the children into repaying their debts. I have issued an edict. Anyone who uses other people's children as repayment debts will be released, and those who dare to hide will be severely punished. .I have also ordered the crown prince and the prime minister to send censors to inspect various places."

"Your Majesty, are you going to send your ministers to Jiangnan for inspection?"

"It's about the same, but I won't give you the emperor's order. You and my nephew go to Jiangnan to have fun. If you really see lawless officials disobeying the imperial order, the emperor will send a message back to Beijing, and I will send someone to come To deal with it. I will issue a notice to all the roads tomorrow, and the imperial court will send the eight sage kings to patrol the roads. In this way, officials from all walks of life will definitely not do deceitful things, and the edict will be implemented faster. The people Then you can find your child earlier." Taizong looked at Defang, "Nephew, the scenery in the south of the Yangtze River is very beautiful, and the water and land routes are very smooth. You and your concubine can not only enjoy the trip, but also help me patrol the two roads. , wouldn’t it kill two birds with one stone? What does the imperial nephew think?”

"I will listen to His Majesty's arrangement, and will definitely inspect the implementation of the imperial order by the two officials."

"Hey, I told you, I don't give you the emperor's order, I just want you to take a look around. You and your nephew are here to play, not to carry out the emperor's order."

Defang thought to herself, that's not the same, otherwise why do I have to go to the south, so she replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

"Well," Taizong took a small token, "This is the emperor's imperial order token. Seeing this, I am here in person. If necessary, the emperor's nephew will take this to various government offices and military stations, and send officials to transfer troops. This power I will give you all."

"I am frightened!"

"Take it." Taizong put the token in Defang's hands, "I have already handed over half of the imperial guards in the imperial city to you, so what's the point, nephew, I only believe in your loyalty. Nothing to be afraid of."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am loyal to Your Majesty. If you speak against your will, you will be punished by God."

"Nephew, don't say that. What is the punishment of God? The nephew is my descendant of the Zhao family and my close relative. My trust in you is born in this blood. Remember, other people's words, my words I don't believe a word, I only believe in your heart."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Well, imperial nephew, go back and get ready, take your nephew and concubine out to enjoy the scenery, have a good time, don't rush back to Beijing."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take my leave." Defang exited the Chongzheng Hall and walked out of the palace gate, Hu Yanzan stepped forward and said, "Your Highness! Why did you come out?"

"Your Majesty has something to say, so I said a few more words, General Huyan, let's go, go back to the mansion and talk slowly."

"Okay! But my lord, you have to take care of the meal! It's almost noon!"

"Okay, okay, let General Huyan have enough wine and food, hehehe."

Defang returned to Nanqing Palace with Huyanzan, and after lunch Huyanzan returned to the mansion with twenty altars of wine. Defang and Concubine Di were drinking tea in the main hall. Defang asked, "Ma'am, why don't you take a nap today?"

"The concubine seems to be a little unhappy after seeing the prince's return to the mansion. I wonder if there is something wrong with the court?"

"There is nothing wrong with the court, it's just... I told His Majesty today that I want to take my wife to Wu'an and Huashan, but..."