I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 43 Zhao Ya: I will provide for your retirement

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Historically, Zhao Mao was not named the crown prince when he was alive. Instead, after his death, or even after Zhao Xu's death, he was bestowed the title of crown prince by Zhao Ji, who inherited Zhao Xu's throne, and his posthumous title was changed to Xianmin.

In this life, it was because Zhao Ya blocked Liu Qingjing's way that made Liu Qingjing feel a strong sense of crisis, so she kept lobbying Zhao Xu to make Zhao Mao the crown prince.

on the other hand.

Zhao Xu knew that his health was very poor. The key point was that his grandfather Song Yingzong and his father Song Shenzong were in better health than him, but they died in their thirties. He was really afraid that he would not live to see Zhao Mao grow up.

At the critical moment, in order to protect the Zhao family's country and people, Zhao Ya was able to stand up and wanted to turn the tide and save the collapsing building. Although he had no political power behind him, he dared to offend half of the people in the court just because of his passion. The other half was just neutral. He was very straightforward and was a prince of high status. He was very suitable to be entrusted with the care of the orphan and serve as the head of the clan.

This was also one of the reasons why Zhao Xu easily let Zhao Ya off when he fiercely confronted Liu Qingjing and slapped him in the face in public.

But after in-depth contact with Zhao Ya, Zhao Xu found that Zhao Ya was too powerful. In terms of civil and military skills, insight and wisdom, he was the best in the royal family, and even the best in the world. He was far from being Zhao Ya's opponent, let alone his young son?
Zhao Xu was really afraid that if something happened to him, Zhao Ya would follow the example of Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi and seize the throne from his nephew.

Therefore, Zhao Xu accepted Liu Qingjing's lobbying and made Zhao Mao the crown prince. Feeling that this was not safe enough, Zhao Xu simply made Liu Qingjing, who was at odds with Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Ya, the queen to counter Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Ya.

At the same time, Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Ya were able to restrain the restless Liu Qingjing.

Zhao Xu felt that the balance he had created would ensure that his throne would be passed safely to his beloved son.

This is the art of emperorship.

It is worth mentioning that because Zhao Xu did not want Empress Dowager Xiang and Zhao Ya to ruin this matter again, he did not inform Empress Dowager Xiang this time, nor did he let Zhao Ya be present. He issued an edict to appoint Zhao Mao as the crown prince and Concubine Liu as the queen, thus making the matter a fait accompli.

After knowing this, Zhao Ya did not choose to keep quiet, but submitted a memorial to Zhao Xu without hesitation. First, he expressed his support for Zhao Mao to be the crown prince, and then he righteously stated his opposition to Liu Qingjing being the queen. His words were even more intense than the last time.

Doesn't Zhao Ya know that now that the matter is done, his opposition to Liu Qingjing becoming the queen will not only be ineffective, but may also make Zhao Xu unhappy?
I definitely know.

But Zhao Ya must have this firm attitude.

You must know that when it comes to political alignment, duplicity is the most taboo. In politics, those who are eliminated first are those who sit on the fence. Anything less than absolute loyalty is the equivalent of absolute disloyalty.

At this critical moment, when Empress Dowager Xiang is at her weakest, Zhao Ya must be further bound to Empress Dowager Xiang.

Let me put it this way, from the beginning to the end, Zhao Ya always sided with the royal family and Empress Dowager Xiang, who was the one who had the most power to decide the emperor's ownership after Zhao Xu's death.

Let me ask, after Zhao Xu died, who would Empress Dowager Xiang and the royal family appoint as the new emperor?

As soon as the memorial was delivered to Zhao Xu, Zhao Ya called Ma Xiaojiao, Liang Shicheng and Tong Guan to load a large cart of glass products that had just been developed and not yet put on the market, and brought the most skilled craftsmen to go to Cide Palace to pay a visit to Empress Dowager Xiang.

At this time, Empress Dowager Xiang had already received the news and knew that Zhao Ya had submitted a righteous memorial to Zhao Xu, asking Zhao Xu to revoke the order to make Liu Qingjing the queen. Zhao Xu was so angry that he threw Zhao Ya's memorial more than three meters away.

At the same time, Empress Dowager Xiang also learned that Zhao Ji had submitted a congratulatory message to Zhao Xu, praising Zhao Mao and Liu Qingjing.

I won’t go into details about how to praise Zhao Mao.

Zhao Ji praised Liu Qingjing, saying, "She possesses a kind heart and appearance, harmonious speech and virtue, and is skillful in offering sacrifices. She possesses a gentle and bright demeanor and a virtuous character. She will raise a long line of descendants and bring prosperity to the nation for eternity." The ornateness of his words is breathtaking. Empress Dowager Xiang said leisurely, "Prince Duan's literary talent is truly improving. Prince Shen should learn from his eleventh brother in this regard. If he had even a fraction of Prince Duan's tact and dexterity, His Majesty wouldn't have to discard his memorial."

After saying this, Empress Dowager Xiang gently rubbed her temples, a trace of fatigue and helplessness revealed between her brows.

Empress Dowager Xiang was well aware that Zhao Ji neither offended Zhao Xu nor showed goodwill to her and the entire royal family. This tact and sophistication was actually a kind of survival wisdom.

But, can such a person be capable of shouldering such a great responsibility?

Just as the Queen Mother was lost in thought, Yang Jian came to report: "Queen Mother, Prince Shen is here."

Empress Dowager Xiang scolded her with a smile, "Prince Shen is here, and do you still need to inform me? Every time this bastard comes, he always comes in openly. My Cide Palace is almost becoming his Prince Shen's palace."

Yang Jian smiled and said, "If it was just Prince Shen who came alone, he would have come to see the Queen Mother himself. However, Prince Shen has brought many gifts for the Queen Mother, and he has also brought many craftsmen. He must receive the Queen Mother's imperial decree before he and his entourage can enter the palace."

Empress Dowager Xiang did not ask what Zhao Ya wanted to give her, but said, "Bring it in. I want to see what this brat is up to."

Soon, Zhao Ya and his party entered Cide Palace.

Zhao Ya was just like returning home. He ordered solemnly: "Replace all the windows here for me. They must be meticulous. If you do a good job, I will reward you generously."

After giving the instructions, Zhao Ya left Ma Xiaojiao and Tong Guan to supervise the work, while he took Liang Shicheng and several eunuchs with glass mirrors, telescopes, glasses and other glass products to find Empress Dowager Xiang.

When Zhao Ya met Empress Dowager Xiang, she asked, "What's going on in the courtyard? Why is it so noisy?"

Zhao Ya walked over to Empress Dowager Xiang, picked up a pear, and said as he ate it, "Don't ask me. I will definitely give you a big surprise later."

Empress Dowager Xiang became even more curious, but she patiently refrained from asking further questions. Instead, she continued, "Since you knew you couldn't stop Liu Qingjing from becoming queen, why bother?"

"If I don't have a clear attitude on this matter, given Empress Liu's aggressive temper, who knows what she might do. In that case, my mother and I would be in danger. So even if I can't stop her from becoming the empress, I must let her know that my mother and I are not to be trifled with." Zhao Ya said.

In fact, Empress Dowager Xiang had already guessed Zhao Ya's intention. She was silent for a while and said, "If I really lose my position as Empress Dowager, what will you do?"

Zhao Ya said without hesitation: "Then I will take my mother to my Prince Shen's mansion to spend her remaining years in peace."

Then, Zhao Ya took the initiative to say: "Not to mention that my mother has lost her position as the Queen Mother, even if I lose my position as the Prince, it doesn't matter. With my ability, it is easy for me to support my old mother."

The Queen Mother believed this.

Empress Dowager Xiang had long seen that if Zhao Ya was not a prince and was confined to the city of Bianliang, with his abilities, he would definitely have a broader world.

Empress Dowager Xiang was very pleased with Zhao Ya's statement. She said with a smile, "Okay, if that day ever comes, I will go to my son's home to live out my old age..."

……

(End of this chapter)