The prince is more stable

Chapter 1027 A Blessing of Rain
It wasn't that Zhao Xiaoqian was being impolite, but he genuinely found it hard to believe that two fathers with such unattractive appearances could have such a beautiful daughter.

The appearances and features of the two fathers-in-law... are hard to describe.

It can only be said that facial features are all on the face, but if their positions are not right, or if they are awkward in certain places, then the facial organs will grow in those places and blend together, making the whole thing look very abrupt and giving people an unexpected surprise.

That's why Zhao Xiaoqian kept asking whether they were his biological children.

From a genetic perspective, the fact that these two fathers could produce such a beautiful daughter suggests either a mutation or a problem at the source of their creation.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but wonder to himself, "Could these two be my fathers-in-law?"

The two fathers-in-law clearly had no idea what His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty was thinking at that moment, and even if they did... they wouldn't dare to react.

He was merely one of the emperor's generals, yet he wreaked havoc in Japan, wiping out most of the feudal lords and leaving the land desolate and littered with corpses.

If the generals under his command are so ruthless and powerful, the emperor must be no pushover either. Looking across the whole of Japan, including that emperor who has no real power, no one dares to provoke the Song Dynasty.

"The Taira clan and the Minamoto clan, by order of the Emperor of Japan, traveled west to the Great Song Dynasty to pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty and requested investiture from His Majesty. The Emperor granted their request, and they pledged to be vassals of the Great Song Empire forever, never to rebel, and to serve as his servants."

The two men dared not put on any airs of fathers-in-law and knelt before Zhao Xiaoqian again to respectfully report their findings.

Zhao Xiaoqian's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "Japan... Emperor? Tsk, 'Emperor,' what an intimidating title. Judging from the title, shouldn't I be the one paying my respects to him?"

The two fathers-in-law were taken aback upon hearing this. Although their Central Plains Mandarin was quite broken, they were seasoned veterans who could still discern the emotions in Zhao Xiaoqian's words.

Clearly, His Majesty the Emperor was somewhat dissatisfied with the title "Emperor" in Japan.

Yes, all the major and minor feudal lords in Japan have been almost wiped out by Zhang Rong. Now, 10,000 Song troops are stationed on the Japanese mainland, eyeing the Emperor with hostility.

With just one order from Zhang Rong, the Song army could easily break into the palace. In theory, even an ordinary Song soldier could order the emperor to dance for them.

With the situation so dire, what right do they have to call themselves "Emperor" before His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty? Aren't they just inviting disaster upon themselves?

The father-in-law of the Taira clan was named "Taiya Ken" and the father-in-law of the Minamoto clan was named "Minamoto Takehiro". Their names were not particularly special, but they were definitely shrewd people.

Sensing Zhao Xiaoqian's displeased tone, Ping Yejian immediately said, "Please forgive my slip of the tongue, Your Majesty. Japan has no Emperor. When I return, I will ask the Emperor to remove the title and from now on be called 'King of Japan,' and from now on be a vassal state of the Great Song Empire forever."

The man standing next to him, Minamoto no Hiroo, immediately added, “Our family has been monitoring the Japanese king for generations, and we will never allow him to harbor any disloyalty towards the Great Song Dynasty.”

Taira no Ken added: "From now on, the two great families of Japan, the Taira and the Minamoto, will forever be the most loyal servants of the Song Dynasty, serving only the Song emperor as their master for generations, remaining loyal forever."

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't speak, but only glanced at the two sisters indifferently.

The two sisters nervously held each other's hands, looking at him expectantly.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and glanced at Zhang Rong, who remained silent.

Zhang Rong received his look and immediately stepped forward, saying in a deep voice, "Japan does not need an emperor, nor does it need any 'King of Japan.' The best solution is to directly incorporate it into the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, making it an administrative prefecture of the Great Song Dynasty, with the central court of the Great Song Dynasty sending officials to govern Japan."

"Whether the Taira and Minamoto clans can continue to enjoy their wealth and status depends on whether His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty is willing to bestow blessings upon them."

The two men froze, remained silent for a moment, and then lowered their heads with bitter smiles.

In fact, before the two went to the Song Dynasty, their families had already guessed the Emperor's intentions.

The emperor dispatched Zhang Rong to lead an army eastward, expending so much manpower to achieve the current situation. Of course, His Majesty the Song emperor did not arrange this casually. He must have had a long-term and meticulous plan for dealing with Japan.

Most of the Japanese lords had been wiped out, and the Song soldiers under Zhang Rong treated the Japanese extremely brutally, often slaughtering entire villages and towns without leaving a trace.

This inhuman brutality is utterly appalling. Zhang Rong himself wouldn't have dared to make the decision; it must have been ordered by the Song Emperor. This action doesn't seem like an attempt to establish authority over the Japanese lords and commoners; rather, it resembles a complete ethnic cleansing.

Why would the Song army want to wipe out the Japanese for no reason?

Of course, they coveted the land, but looked down on the people on it.

Zhang Rong's words now further confirm their suspicions.

Japan was incorporated into the Song Dynasty's territory, becoming an overseas administrative region of the Song Dynasty. The land was retained but the people were not, and there was no need for a so-called "King of Japan." Instead, Song Dynasty officials were directly appointed to govern the country.

The Song emperor's intentions were now clear.

Don't want to accept it? Sorry, it's not up to you.

If they accept, their families might continue to enjoy wealth and prosperity; if they don't, the Song Dynasty wouldn't hesitate to take action against the two families.

Although two sisters from the two families became imperial concubines of the Song Dynasty, the two fathers-in-law were not naive; they did not expect to change the Song emperor's decision by relying on two women.

The two exchanged a quick glance and whispered, "After I return, I will discuss this with His Majesty the Emperor and the King of Japan."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at them calmly, still remaining silent. Zhang Rong became his mouthpiece, immediately speaking firmly: "No need for discussion. Your Emperor and his family will be sent to Bianjing by our soldiers to settle down, and the Emperor will bestow wealth and honor upon them."

"The Taira and Minamoto clans must immediately relinquish their political and military power; in this way, their houses, land, and wealth can be preserved..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian finally couldn't hold back any longer and kicked Zhang Rong hard again, saying with dissatisfaction, "These two are my fathers-in-law. Can't you speak properly? Can't you be a little more polite?"

Zhang Rong smiled awkwardly and quickly apologized.

Zhao Xiaoqian then looked at his two fathers-in-law and said with a smile, "This fellow is a brute. He is not only uncultured but also lacks manners. He speaks very crudely. Please don't take offense."

What can the two fathers-in-law do?

Of course, I'd choose to forgive.

Zhao Xiaoqian paused for a moment, then said, "Zhang Rong's words may be crude, but they are not without reason. This is basically what I mean to your royal family and the two great families."

"Political and military power, as well as local governance, must be handed over to the central government of the Song Dynasty for unified management. There is no room for negotiation on this point."

"However, considering that your two families are related to me by marriage and were the first to show loyalty to the Song Dynasty, I can grant your families some special privileges."

"The major ports on the west coast of Japan have been trading with our Great Song Dynasty for many years. These ports handle a significant amount of goods and are the most important economic lifeline for Japan. I hereby grant your two families a small share in these major ports and entrust the operation of these ports to your two families."

The two men, who had initially looked dejected and gloomy, believing that their family was about to decline, were surprised when Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly granted them the port's operating rights. They looked up in astonishment and were overjoyed.

Port operations are not as simple as just scheduling ships and cargo on the surface; there are many intricacies involved.

Controlling the ports meant controlling the livelihoods of the Japanese people.

Japan is an island nation, and its only resources are primitive resources, such as silver and copper mines. All the necessities of life, and even food other than seafood, need to be imported from the Song Dynasty.

If the two families were to control the operation of major ports on Japan's west coast, then all consumer goods, as well as various luxury goods and consumables, would be under their control.

Who gets it, who doesn't, how high or low the price, how big or small the quota—all of Japan is at the mercy of these two families.

The poor Japanese people, who had just been ravaged by the Song army and barely caught their breath, were now being strangled by two powerful families.

It can be said that, apart from lacking formal official positions and titles, the two families actually still wield considerable power in Japan.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the fact that both families must also be subservient to the Song Dynasty.

A single word from the Song Dynasty emperor could still determine the rise and fall of two major families.

Both of them were cunning old foxes, and they were overjoyed. At the same time, they knelt down facing Zhao Xiaoqian and respectfully thanked the heavens for their grace.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the two sisters with a smile, and seeing that they were also looking at him with gratitude, the three of them exchanged silent glances and smiled knowingly at each other.

Although the two sisters were young, they were not stupid. The fact that the official was able to make this promise to the two families was entirely out of respect for the sisters and an exception to reward them.

Otherwise, why would you give the operating rights of the major ports, which are like a big piece of fat meat, to the two powerful families instead of the Song Dynasty officials?
The two sisters were very content. They received clear affection and preserved their family's wealth and honor. They had lived up to their husbands' and their families' expectations, and their lives were fulfilling.

Zhao Xiaoqian personally helped his two fathers-in-law up and said with a smile, "You have traveled thousands of miles to be reunited with your daughter today, which is a joyous occasion in your lives."

"You should spend these next few days reuniting with your daughters and let them show you around Bianjing so you can experience the local customs and culture of the Central Plains."

The two fathers-in-law were moved to tears, and then the four of them tactfully took their leave.

After watching them leave, only Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Rong remained in the Wende Hall.

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile gradually faded, and he slowly said, "Zhang Rong, tell me, what is Japan like now?"

Zhang Rong solemnly reported: "Your Majesty, Japan is now basically under the control of our Great Song army. Except for a few vassal states in the north, all other vassal states have been wiped out. Some vassal states have also surrendered voluntarily, begging for wealth and peace."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head: "Regardless of their size, all the feudal lords will become commoners after surrendering. At most, they will be allowed to retain a little more land than commoners. Those who are unwilling or do not comply will be killed."

Zhang Rong bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

"Have the silver and copper mines in Japan been mined yet?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked again.

"Following Your Majesty's decree, I have discovered two copper mines and one silver mine in Japan. During my campaigns against the various lords, I captured a large number of able-bodied Japanese laborers and assigned them to mining. By next month at the latest, we can supply the Central Plains with 100,000 catties of refined copper and 10,000 catties of silver ingots each month."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head: "It's not enough. In such a vast country as the Song Dynasty, how can this little bit of silver and copper be enough? It takes hundreds of catties of copper to make just one cannon."

"Increase mining output, recruit more local laborers, don't be afraid of laborers dying from exhaustion, if they die from exhaustion, we'll just go find fresh ones..."

(End of this chapter)