I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 338 The Crown Prince's Expedition
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With the truth already revealed, how could Zhao Yu not see that Empress Dowager Xiang was not making arrangements for her own affairs this time, but rather plotting against him?

Then Zhao Yu no longer needed to pretend to be a filial son to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Zhao Yu sat back down at the table of dishes they hadn't actually touched, picked up his chopsticks, and asked the Empress Dowager, "Is there any medicine in the food?"

Empress Dowager Xiang knew that Zhao Yu was angry.

This is normal.

If an emperor were to be plotted against and not show any anger, he would be far too cowardly, even if the person who framed him was his benefactor.

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled and said, "It's only in the wine."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, ignoring Empress Dowager Xiang.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Xiang sat down opposite Zhao Yu and said frankly, "My health is really failing me, and I'm afraid that you are young and impulsive, and that people like Cai Jing are clamoring that all the Yuanyou Party members are traitors and asking you to eliminate them for the sake of the Song Dynasty. I'm worried about you, so I wanted to find someone to keep an eye on you and remind you at crucial moments. The Empress follows your lead and certainly can't control you, so I can only ask your sister-in-law to do it."

Empress Dowager Xiang was practically stating the obvious: although Chancellor Meng was the former empress, neither Zhao Xu nor Chancellor Meng had shown any kindness to Zhao Yu, and therefore had no influence over him. If she didn't use such methods, Zhao Yu wouldn't listen to Chancellor Meng at all.

Empress Dowager Xiang also made it clear that she did this entirely for the sake of the Song Dynasty, without any selfish motives.

At the same time, Empress Dowager Xiang was also making this matter clear, hoping that Zhao Yu would listen to Prime Minister Meng's opinion when there are important matters in the Song Dynasty in the future. After all, Prime Minister Meng is no longer just the former empress, but also Zhao Yu's woman, and she would not harm Zhao Yu.

Furthermore, Empress Dowager Xiang was not only explaining to Zhao Yu, but also to Prime Minister Meng, explaining to them the reasons for her actions.

A dying woman, and more importantly, she was his greatest benefactor in becoming emperor. Moreover, he hadn't actually suffered any losses. Besides, he had never considered listening to Cai Jing and his ilk's proposal to abolish the old party and fully align with the new party. So, although Zhao Yu was a little angry, how could he really lash out at his benefactor, the Empress Dowager, who was nearing the end of her life?

After eating a few bites of food, Zhao Yu said, "I have other matters to attend to. If the Empress Dowager has any instructions, please tell my sister-in-law."

Empress Dowager Xiang was a woman of great wisdom and understanding; how could she not understand that Zhao Yu had approved of her arrangement?

Empress Dowager Xiang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please go ahead with your business. I will take care of everything here."

Zhao Yu glanced at Chancellor Meng, who still dared not look up at him, and then left.

Zhao Yu didn't know how Empress Dowager Xiang persuaded Chancellor Meng, but after Empress Dowager Xiang died, Chancellor Meng became Zhao Yu's secret lover.

Incidentally, the last thing Empress Dowager Xiang did before she passed away was to send someone to bring Meng Xiuyi, the niece of Prime Minister Meng, into the palace, making her one of Zhao Yu's concubines.

In the years that followed, Zhao Yu continued to have an affair with Meng Xiang, and over the course of more than ten years, Meng Xiang bore Zhao Yu two sons and a daughter.

Following Liu Qingjing's method, Zhao Yu also gave his two sons to Meng Xiang for him to raise, while his daughter grew up with Zheng Xiansu.

Because of this daughter as a bridge, and because they were both brought up by Empress Dowager Xiang, Prime Minister Meng and Zheng Xiansu had always had a good relationship. The two joined forces and successfully "disabled" Liu Qingjing, completely extinguishing the originally troublesome Liu Qingjing.

Now that Meng Xiuyi and Meng Shunrong have come to see Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu knows perfectly well that it must be because Liu Qingjing came to see him.

—It's been like this all these years. Liu Qingjing doesn't come to see Zhao Yu. Even if Prime Minister Meng misses Zhao Yu, he won't come to see Zhao Yu. Of course, it doesn't count if Zhao Yu takes the initiative to see her. But as long as Liu Qingjing comes to see Zhao Yu, she will definitely ask Zhao Yu to come to her place, as if Liu Qingjing has given her a reason to commit immorality.

Although Zhao Yu felt that Meng Xiang's actions were like "wanting to be a prostitute while also wanting to maintain a virtuous image," she insisted on doing so, and Zhao Yu couldn't do anything about it, since she was his sister-in-law.

Just like yesterday, Zhao Yu went to the residence of Consort Meng and Consort Meng.

The difference is that it wasn't Meng Xiang who crawled through the secret passage to find Zhao Yu, but rather Zhao Yu who went down the secret passage to meet Meng Xiang after sleeping with the sisters and releasing half of his physical strength and energy.

Meng Xiang was shy and self-respecting, and was unwilling to serve Zhao Yu with others, even if that person was her niece.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yu said that he would go to Qingshou Palace through the secret passage to find Chancellor Meng.

Chancellor Meng also disagreed, saying it was too dangerous and refusing to let Zhao Yu leave the protection of his personal guards. She had also solemnly instructed Zhao Yu never to leave their protection, saying that his safety was related to the stability of the Song Dynasty, and so on…

Left with no other option, Zhao Yu had a secret room built beneath the residences of Consort Meng and Consort Meng for Zhao Yu and Consort Meng to meet in secret.

Entering the secret chamber through the entrance under Meng Xiuyi and Meng Shunrong's bed, Zhao Yu saw Meng Xiang dressed in a Taoist robe.

Although Meng Xiang is now thirty-nine years old, thanks to Zhao Yu's care over the years and her diligent practice of Taoist health cultivation, she still looks like she is in her twenties.

In the secret room, only a single glass lamp was lit, its dim yellow light spreading through the carved lampshade and falling precisely on Meng Xiang, who was sitting on a canopy bed. She wore a moon-white plain gauze Taoist robe, with dark silver cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, which rose and fell gently with her breath, like a thin mist from the mountains clinging to her clothes.

Her hair was meticulously styled and held in place by a white jade hairpin, with a few stray strands falling at her temples, making her face appear even more radiant and fair. She was naturally extremely dignified, and when her eyebrows were slightly raised, she gained a touch of aloofness. Her eyes were slightly long at the corners, and her pupils were an extremely deep black. Even when she looked at me without smiling, she possessed a detached and alluring charm, like a snow lotus in full bloom on a snowy mountaintop, inspiring both respect and an irresistible urge to approach.

Her skin was the kind of delicate skin that never saw strong light, and under the lamplight it shone with a warm glow, showing no signs of age. She sat quietly on a cushioned futon, the wide sleeves of her Taoist robe hanging down, revealing a small section of her fair wrist, holding a scripture in her hand, which she was reading.

Anyone unaware of Meng Xiang's background would think she was an ethereal being untouched by worldly affairs upon seeing this scene. Only Zhao Yu knew just how seductive she could be in bed.

To add a point, Zhao Yu liked the way Meng Xiang wore Taoist robes the most, just as Li Zhi liked Wu Zetian wearing monk robes. Therefore, Meng Xiang often wore Taoist robes to see Zhao Yu, and Zhao Yu would personally help her take them off...

Zhao Yu walked over, sat down next to Meng Xiang, and then, without any hesitation, picked her up and put her on his lap, asking with a smile, "Did you miss me?"

Meng Xiang vehemently denied it, saying, "Empress Liu is a wicked woman. I promised the Empress Dowager that I would keep an eye on her for the Emperor and not let her cause any more trouble and harm our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Yu thought to himself, 'You've already planted spies around her; her every move is under your surveillance. How can she possibly cause any trouble or create any problems?'

Zhao Yu replied perfunctorily to Prime Minister Meng, "Alright, I understand..."

His hands, however, had already started to get restless.

Before long, Meng Xiang, who had been dignified, aloof and seemingly untouchable, began to breathe heavily.

Zhao Yu put Meng Xiang down, letting her slide down his legs to the ground and kneel down...

Half an hour later, Zhao Yu embraced Meng Xiang, whose face was still flushed, and asked her, "Do you want to keep Ji'er by your side, or send him out to try?"

Zhao Ji was the first son of Meng Xiang and Zhao Yu. He had already married and was studying at the Imperial Academy, where he was doing very well. It was estimated that he would become a student of the Upper Academy next year. Meng Xiang was much more enlightened than Liu Qingjing. She readily said, "Ji'er is also the son of the Emperor. The Emperor can arrange things as he sees fit."

Zhao Yu nodded upon hearing this and said, "Ji'er is more skilled in literature and strategy. I will choose a county for him and teach him to start from the bottom. I hope he can become a prime minister in the future..."

Since Zhao Yu adopted Zhao Ji to Meng Xiang to continue Zhao Xu's lineage, Zhao Ji lost his eligibility to compete for the throne.

This is not to say that Zhao Ji was completely unqualified, but from the perspective of etiquette, Zhao Yu's throne should first be chosen from his own legitimate sons. Zhao Yu had several hundred sons, and even if something unexpected happened, it was impossible for them all to die or for not a single suitable successor to be found. Therefore, it was impossible for "Zhao Xu's son" to inherit Zhao Yu's throne, even if Zhao Yu inherited the throne from Zhao Xu.

……

A few days later, an official suggested honoring Chancellor Meng and Liu Qingjing as Empress Dowagers.

Meng Xiang and Liu Qingjing were both Zhao Xu's principal wives. After Zhao Xu's death, Zhao Yu succeeded to the throne as the emperor's younger brother and honored the former empress as the empress dowager. This practice was in accordance with the "hierarchical system of legitimate and illegitimate wives" and could demonstrate Zhao Yu's respect for the late emperor's principal wife, thereby strengthening the legitimacy of his succession.

This conferment of titles not only upheld the court's ritual system but also stabilized the order of the court and the inner palace by acknowledging the status of Chancellor Meng and Liu Qingqing.

Emperor Zhao Yu readily issued an edict, bestowing the title of Empress Dowager Yuanyou upon Chancellor Meng and Empress Dowager Yuanfu upon Liu Qingjing.

Zhao Yu's actions were highly praised by the court officials.

It was widely believed that Zhao Xu and Zhao Yu were very close brothers. It was said that Zhao Xu passed the throne to Zhao Yu, and Zhao Yu adopted four sons to continue Zhao Xu's lineage, setting an example of brotherly love and respect.

As for the actual situation, only the parties involved probably know.

……

Whether it was Meng Xiang or Liu Qingjing, they were actually just minor episodes and embellishments in Zhao Yu's life, serving to relieve the pressure of governing the country.

They could never be the main theme of Zhao Yu's life.

The main theme of Zhao Yu's life was always governing the country.

When Zhao Yu returned triumphantly from Beijing after his personal military campaign, it wasn't for a woman, but for a troublesome matter.

The troublesome matter is that the ethnic minorities in the southern part of Luzhou have long suffered from the brutal oppression of the state official Jia Zongliang, and their resentment has run deep. Not long ago, Jia Zongliang even unjustly killed the chief of the Yi people, Dou Gepang, which aroused the anger of the Yi people.

A few days ago, Bu Lou, the chieftain of the Duogang tribe in Yanzhou, took advantage of the discontent among the tribesmen and gathered more than 100,000 people from over a hundred villages under the jurisdiction of Changning Army in Luzhou and Si'e to launch a rebellion.

Taking advantage of the Lantern Festival, Bu Lou divided his troops and launched attacks on the fortified villages of Legongcheng, Changning, and Wuning, but failed to capture them. He then gathered his troops and captured Meiling Fort.

Upon hearing the news while on an inspection tour of Changzhou, Zhao Yu, the transport commissioner of Zizhou Road, rushed to Luzhou and ordered Jia Zongliang to lead troops to Jiang'an to block Bulou from crossing the river and heading north.

Bu Lou attacked Wuning and Legong again, and Jia Zongliang sent troops to meet him, but suffered a defeat.

Upon receiving this news, Zhao Yu dismissed Jia Zongliang from his post on the spot, confiscated his property and investigated his clan, and appointed Zhao Yu as the Commander-in-Chief of Lunan, giving him full authority to suppress the rebellion.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu dispatched the Western Army to Zizhou to quell the rebellion under the command of Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu gathered the remaining forces of Jia Zongliang and occupied Legong City. He openly offered amnesty and divided the various tribes; secretly, he built fortified cities and waited for reinforcements sent by the court to prepare for an attack.

Tribal leaders such as Dougang and Bulou were appeased one after another, but the conflict continued.

Not long after, Zhao Yu sent two groups of troops to Zhao Yu, one from Jingyuan and the other from Huanqing, led by Wang Yu and Ma Jue, to Lunan.

Zhao Yu personally led over 30,000 troops from Jiang'an, launching a multi-pronged attack. Wang Yu led the army from Legongcheng, Ma Jue from Changningjun, and Zhang Sizheng from the central route from Meilingbao Shuiluzhan, with the aim of meeting at Lunbu Datun in Yanzhou.

After conquering the villages and strongholds surrounding Yanzhou, the various forces arrived at Lunfu Stronghold in early November.

The Song army used powerful crossbows to shoot upwards, but the arrows never reached halfway. The troops surrounded the area and attacked for several days without success.

Zhao Yu discovered that the steepest section was undefended, so he ordered his men to capture dozens of monkeys, tie them to their bodies with hemp ropes soaked in wax, and select more than 2,000 skilled climbers to carry the monkeys up the ladder under cover of darkness, sneak up to the top of the mountain, light the wax ropes, and release the monkeys into the village.

The bamboo, wood, and thatched huts in the village were immediately engulfed in flames. The defending soldiers were thrown into chaos, and the Song army took advantage of the situation to break into the village and kill more than 3,000 people.

Bu Lou broke through the encirclement and fled to Lunduotun behind the mountain, but was soon captured by the Song army. Lunan was pacified, and all the Yi tribes surrendered. The Song Dynasty expanded its territory by another two thousand li.

Zhao Yu built fortified cities, divided up fields, recruited people to cultivate them, and trained them in combat and defense, calling these people "victorious soldiers".

After receiving the news of the victory, Zhao Yu issued an edict to establish the Border Pacification Commission and appointed Sun Xisou, the Deputy Transport Commissioner, as the Pacification Commissioner.

Zhao Yu was rewarded for his meritorious service in expanding the borders. Zhao Yu promoted Zhao Yu to Academician of Yankang Hall and granted his son Zhao Yongyi the title of Senior Scholar and Proofreader of the Secretariat.

Not long after Zhao Yu had finished dealing with the affairs of Lunan, Zhao Yu transferred Zhao Yu to the Liaodong Peninsula as the military commissioner, in charge of the construction of the Liaodong Peninsula and the war against the Jin Dynasty.

Zhao Shou, who went to Liaodong with Zhao Yu, was using the alias Zheng Dalang.

Zhao Yu had too many sons, and they were too ambitious. Some of them are now beginning to show their talents and are becoming increasingly outstanding.

In this situation, if Zhao Shou wanted to inherit Zhao Yu's throne, he could not be mediocre. In fact, he had to be no less capable than any of his brothers. Otherwise, even though he was Zhao Yu's eldest son, he was destined to miss out on the throne that seemed to be just one step away from him.

This is a test that Zhao Shou must undergo. Zhao Yu knows it, Zheng Xiansu knows it, and Zhao Shou knows it too.

Therefore, when Zhao Shou proposed that he wanted to go to the front line, Zhao Yu did not stop him, nor did Zheng Xiansu.

Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu granted Zhao Shou's request without much hesitation.

After all, the battlefield is the best crucible for forging one's will and abilities. Only by undergoing the test of life and death can Zhao Shou have enough confidence and strength in the future struggle for the throne...

……

(End of this chapter)