The prince is more stable

Chapter 10 The First Meeting between the Emperor and His Ministers
After submitting the memorial, Zhao Xiaoqian still stood outside the palace gate.

He was waiting for news from the palace. If nothing unexpected happened, Zhao Hao should have been taken to the Dali Temple, and perhaps several officials were surrounding him at this time.

As for the officials who were summoned to the palace, no matter if they confessed voluntarily or under torture, Zhao Hao was definitely charged with many crimes.

So Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't leave now, he had to wait for the result from the palace as soon as possible.

He didn't want to become a commoner and beg on the streets.

After waiting for about half an hour, a eunuch hurried out of the palace gate. When he saw Zhao Xiaoqian, he immediately saluted with a smile on his face.

"Sir, the emperor has summoned you. Please follow me into the palace."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. As expected, the weight of this memorial was heavier than he had imagined.

Walking into the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian looked around. The palace walls were deep, and the imperial guards stood in rows with guns in hand. One palace gate after another was locked, locking the spring scenery. The palace servants walked as if on thin ice, taking small steps under the corridors with red walls and green tiles.

The imperial palace was really not that big. Firstly, the city of Kaifeng was not big to begin with, and the Song government was benevolent, so they could not occupy people's homes to expand the imperial palace.

The second is that in the eighth year of Emperor Zhenzong's Xiangfu reign, a fire broke out in the imperial palace, which almost burned down half of the palace. Although it was later rebuilt and repaired, many places were still in ruins and dilapidated.

It took only a short time to walk from Youye Gate to Funing Hall.

After the eunuch entered the palace to report, he invited Zhao Xiaoqian in for an audience.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood outside the hall, adjusted his ceremonial attire, and cautiously stepped into the hall.

After entering the room, Zhao Xiaoqian kept half-bowed until he saw a young man in a bright yellow robe sitting behind the desk. He knew that this was the legendary official.

Zhao Xiaoqian then bowed deeply and said, "Zhao Xiaoqian, son of the King of Chu, pays homage to the emperor."

The etiquette of the Song Dynasty was not that complicated. The ministers of this period stood with their backs straight, unlike those in movies and TV dramas where they would kneel down and worship.

Unless it is a major formal occasion, usually a minister does not need to kneel when meeting the king; a long bow will suffice.

As soon as he saluted, Zhao Xiaoqian heard a gentle voice.

"Xiaoqian? I remember your courtesy name is... 'Zi'an', right? We're family, so there's no need to be so formal. Come and sit down."

Zhao Xiaoqian straightened up, walked to the carpet cushion beside the table, and then knelt down.

Zhao Xu was a little surprised by his performance. He was used to seeing trembling ministers, and the so-called etiquette of meeting the emperor was very complicated.

As for Zhao Xiaoqian, when he was asked to sit down, he actually sat down without saying a single unnecessary word.

Zhao Xu also stood up, walked to Zhao Xiaoqian, knelt down and looked at him with a smile.

No one taught Zhao Xiaoqian the etiquette of meeting the emperor. He didn't care about the saying that a minister should not look directly at the emperor. Modern etiquette is to look people in the eye when speaking. This is called politeness.

Zhao Xu was about the same age as Zhao Xiaoqian. He had a pretty face and bright eyes, but his skin was a bit unhealthy pale. He was also quite thin and looked a bit malnourished.

Zhao Xu didn't expect that his cousin didn't seem to understand etiquette and just stared at him straight, which made Zhao Xu quite uncomfortable.

The two just stared at each other, neither of them speaking.

Zhao Xiaoqian also felt a little uncomfortable. He didn't know whether it was because of his own personality or the influence of his original owner, but Zhao Xiaoqian was somewhat passive in interpersonal communication.

He could remain calm in front of acquaintances, such as his father Zhao Hao, some servants in the palace, etc.

But he really couldn't find a topic to talk about in front of strangers, so he didn't like dealing with strangers in both of his lives. It was too tiring.

The atmosphere in Funing Palace was a bit dry. Zhao Xu observed him carefully, and the smile on his lips grew deeper and deeper.

After a long pause, Zhao Xu smiled and said, "You and I are brothers from the same clan. Your father is my uncle. Zi'an, we used to play together when we were little. Remember?"

Zhao Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, someone took the initiative to find a topic to talk about.

"I remember, I remember." Zhao Xiaoqian laughed dryly. "I still remember when you were six years old, I spanked you because you insisted on snatching an ancient book from me. When you couldn't get it, you tore it up. I was so angry that I beat you up."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed again: "I was young then, ignorant, and caused many troubles."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Things from my childhood seem so far away now. Thinking about it now, it's like a past I can never go back to..."

"As I grow older, I become more cunning. I'm always calculating others, but I'm also afraid of being calculated. I can't even remember the last time I truly laughed."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up at him with a sad face. "If Your Majesty wants to feel happy, I can share your worries. The prosperity of Bianjing and the beauty of the world are things that those locked up in the Forbidden Palace cannot see."

"If there is any flaw in your majesty, I can take you out of the palace incognito for a stroll."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, and he looked quite interested, but the light in his eyes quickly dimmed.

"Forget it. If you take me out of the palace, do you really think those imperial censors in the court are just sitting there doing nothing? Not only will I be scolded to death, but everyone in your Chu Palace will be in trouble."

Zhao Xu patted the memorial on the low table and stared into Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes. "I have read your father's memorial and there are many things I don't understand."

"My father has asked me to deliver this memorial to the Dali Temple. If the emperor has any questions, I will answer them with all my knowledge."

Zhao Xu nodded, but never mentioned why the King of Chu was in the Dali Temple. Everyone knew it.

"This memorial suggests that I abolish the old laws and reinstate the new ones. Is this really what your father meant?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded without hesitation: "Yes."

Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly became fierce: "The evils of the new law are known to the world. The people of the court and the country fear it like a tiger and hate it to the core."

"Not to mention that your father is a member of the royal family and is not allowed to discuss state affairs. Even if he could, how dare he risk the wrath of the world and propose such a new law that would bring disaster to the country and the people!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled, but quickly calmed down.

If I hadn't been cheating and knew the course of history, I would have been really fooled by you right now.

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "I think the emperor has it exactly the opposite way. Of all the evils in the world, the old laws are the worst. The new laws are the best way to save the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xu was startled and asked, "Why do you say that, Zi'an?"

"The Song Dynasty may seem prosperous, but in reality it is already on the brink of collapse. A large amount of land among the people has been seized by powerful landlords."

"They occupied land while evading taxes and levying grain taxes, oppressing and plundering the common people and farmers. The people have long suffered terribly. Only when the court enacts new laws to curb the powerful landlords can the people survive and the treasury be filled with money and grain."

"Although the new law has many shortcomings, it ultimately benefits the court more than it harms. I believe that your father's opinion is not wrong, it is simply inappropriate for the time being."

Zhao Xu fell silent, staring at the memorial in front of him with a frown.

After a long moment, Zhao Xu slowly said, "Zi'an, do you know what the consequences of this memorial will be to the court?"

Zhao Xiaoqian straightened his back and said righteously, "Even if there are tens of thousands of people, I will go! My father is dedicated to the country and is not afraid of the storm. The Chu family is willing to bear any consequences!"

"What if I don't want to restore the new law and abolish the old law?" Zhao Xu suddenly asked.

"If the emperor is unwilling, father will still make a petition, explaining the benefits of the new law and the harms of the old one, until the emperor agrees."

Zhao Xu stared at his face and suddenly asked, "Was it your idea to restore the law, or your father's?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled harmlessly, "Of course it was my father's wish. I am a humble and inexperienced person, how dare I discuss state affairs?"

　There is one more update. As I said, the speed increase will make everyone shudder... Please collect it and give me votes and recommendations. Thank you very much.

(End of this chapter)