The prince is more stable

Chapter 116 Military Honors
Having known Zhao Xu for such a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian has come to understand him a little bit.

It is undeniable that Zhao Xu is indeed ambitious, but at the same time he is also somewhat indecisive.

For about ten years since he ascended the throne, he has been living under the shadow of the Empress Dowager. Even though he is now in power, he is still somewhat unconfident in doing things.

Sometimes Zhao Xiaoqian even maliciously wondered if this official, when he wanted to change positions in bed with the empress or concubines, should also use a negotiating tone...

Don't worry, there is still enough time.

The historical Jingkang Shame occurred thirty years later. During these thirty years, Zhao Xiaoqian always found a way to make history go off track like Jinlian'er, changing the way of life and the direction.

"I heard that when the Liao envoy came to the court, Zi'an taught him a lesson outside the city gate?" Zhao Xu asked, changing the subject.

Zhao Xiaoqian said in a deep voice, "If a tree is not pruned, it will not grow straight; if a person is not disciplined, he will become stubborn. The Liao envoy is uncouth and does not know Chinese etiquette. I will teach him a lesson so that he can understand a little bit."

Zhao Xu laughed heartily. "He actually thought of using historians to record history and force the Liao envoy to behave himself. Zi'an has lived up to my expectations and won honor for the Song Dynasty. Very kind."

Then he paused, his expression darkening again as he continued, "The Liao envoys are reportedly coming to the court this time to increase their annual allowance by 100,000, and to open the border to trade goods between the north and the south."

"Trade is fine, but if the annual bonus is increased by 100,000... I'll leave it to you to negotiate. 100,000 strings of cash isn't important, but if the Song Dynasty agrees, it will damage the imperial prestige and dignity. Zi'an, think of a way to dissuade the Liao envoy."

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "I will do my best."

Zhao Xu nodded, glanced at the newly made flintlock rifle, and suddenly stretched out his hand and said, "Let me try it."

Zhao Xiaoqian loaded the gun and loaded the bullet for him. Zhao Xu was no longer afraid at this time. His eyes showed a fierce look. He imitated Zhao Xiaoqian, raised his gun and aimed horizontally, as if the straw target in front of him was the king of Liao, and he pulled the trigger hard at it.

After the loud noise, Zhao Xu calmly tossed the flintlock rifle to Zheng Chunhe and said, "Give it to the Firearms Supervisor and have them immediately recruit craftsmen to forge it exactly as it was."

"By this time next year, it won't be so easy to get the annual gift from the Great Song Dynasty!"

…………

In the next few days, Zhao Xiaoqian was very busy, busy enjoying life.

It is impossible to get anything done. The Prince of Chu cannot endure any hardship.

The Firearms Inspectorate obtained an upgraded version of the flintlock rifle. After carefully observing the rifling on the inner wall of the barrel, the officials felt bitter and had to go to Zhao Xiaoqian for help.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian was not a patient person. He immediately threw Liu Ada and Sun Museng to the Firearms Bureau and asked them to train apprentices.

At the same time, news came from the court.

The three courts' anti-corruption campaign had already questioned more than ten officials, both large and small. When the Dali Temple wanted to continue the investigation, it received an order from Zhao Xu, and the anti-corruption campaign ended there.

The property and land of more than ten officials were considerable, enough to accommodate the remaining 20,000 refugees outside the city.

In addition, the national treasury unexpectedly gained more than 4 million strings of cash, all of which were the hard-earned money of corrupt officials.

Later historians often said that the Song Dynasty was rich but not strong, which is indeed true.

The wealth of the Song Dynasty can be fully seen from the assets of corrupt officials.

As for the annual revenue of the Song Dynasty, historians have also made clear records. Before Renzong, the annual revenue of the Song Dynasty amounted to more than 60 million strings of cash, grain, silk and cloth.

After Wang Anshi's reforms, the national treasury's income did increase. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, it reached over 100 million strings of cash. This is real data, and it is worthy of what later generations said, "rich but not strong."

However, the anti-corruption campaign should end here. If the investigation continues, who knows how many officials will be implicated, which will undoubtedly bring turmoil to the court and the world.

What the emperor wants is political stability. If he causes unrest in the world and alienates his subjects for the sake of making money, the loss will outweigh the gain.

Although the anti-corruption campaign was over, Zhao Xu did something that shocked the entire court.

He issued an edict to the four commanders of the four battalions of the Bian Jing Imperial Guard, namely the Bongri, Tianwu, Longwei and Shenwei camps, and bestowed the title of "Shangqi Duwei" on each of them, and gave them ten thousand strings of gold. Each battalion was given two strings of gold, and he encouraged them to work hard and hoped that the soldiers of the four armies would be loyal to their country.

This decree shocked all the civil and military officials in the court.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, it has never shown such favor to military officers and soldiers. Starting from Zhao Kuangyin, the attitude of both using and guarding against military officers and soldiers has always been adopted. It can be said that this is an inherent ancestral method.

Zhao Xu unexpectedly granted special favors to the soldiers of the Upper Four Armies, which was simply incredible. Why did the emperor grant special favors to the Imperial Guards for no apparent reason? Had the Upper Four Armies done anything to impress them recently?

No one knew the reason, but many clever court officials sensed something unusual in this decree.

After more than a hundred years in the Ming Dynasty, there seems to be a new atmosphere.

Everyone in the court was surprised, except Zhao Xiaoqian who smiled.

He knew that Zhao Xu had accepted his advice and put it into action.

Giving additional favors to the four upper armies of Bian Jing is a good start. The treatment and status of the warriors and soldiers of the Song Dynasty will gradually improve in the near future.

The seeds Zhao Xiaoqian had planted in Zhao Xu's heart had gradually taken root and sprouted. Under the calm, the Song Dynasty would quietly enter a phase of preparing for war.

For some reason, Zhao Xiaoqian had an inexplicable sense of accomplishment. He was hiding behind the scenes and silently changing the world, changing not only his own destiny but also the destiny of an entire dynasty.

It seems a bit refreshing.

…………

Qian Zhongshen, the Minister of Rites, was very unhappy because Zhao Xiaoqian, the hands-off boss, was too extreme.

After welcoming the Liao envoy into the city and treating him to a grand banquet, Zhao Xiaoqian disappeared from the scene and left the task of entertaining the Liao envoy entirely to the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple.

The Liao envoy named Xiao Guangjing was also a troublemaker. He had been wandering around Bianliang these days. Without Zhao Xiaoqian's face-to-face intimidation, Xiao Guangjing's temper came out again.

In the past few days, Xiao Guangjing has caused a lot of trouble in Bianjing City. He smashed shops, bullied passers-by and vendors, made things difficult for officials from the Ministry of Rites, overturned tables and cursed people in brothels, and even molested singing girls from the Taichang Temple.

The kabuki of the Taichang Temple were known to be serious women who performed court songs and dances, performing elegant music and dance at important court ceremonies and rituals. Performing songs and dances for the Liao envoys was a diplomatic etiquette, but Xiao Guangjing actually touched them...

During these days of receiving the Liao envoys, Qian Zhongshen almost went crazy.

So Qian Zhongshen had no choice but to visit the Prince of Chu's mansion and ask to see the prince.

When the Minister of Rites came to visit, the reception standards had to be raised, and Zhao Xiaoqian received him in Yin'an Hall.

Qian Zhongshen entered the hall with an angry look on his face, and began to question with an unhappy look on his face as soon as he entered the door.

"Is the Crown Prince very busy lately? You are the official envoy to the Liao Dynasty, so why haven't you come out to receive the Liao envoy in so many days?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him in surprise. Did the old man take a bullet today?
"What did Xiao Guangjing do?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously.

Finally getting to the point, Qian Zhongshen stamped his foot in anger and said, "It's too much to describe in words!"

Then Qian Zhongshen told Zhao Xiaoqian about Xiao Guangjing's recent actions, and Zhao Xiaoqian listened calmly.

After a while, Zhao Xiaoqian scratched his head and said, "I understand. In a word, Xiao Guangjing is not a good person, right?"

Qian Zhongshen nodded: "Yes!"

"So, what does Minister Qian mean by telling me all this? Do you expect me to come out and beat him up, or just kill him with a knife and solve this problem once and for all?"

Qian Zhongshen was stunned. He was at a loss again.

Yes, the Liao envoy is so domineering, what can the prince do? He can't beat him or kill him, so what's the point of me coming to him to complain?
"The Emperor holds the Crown Prince in high esteem. It would be most helpful if you could come out and give him a beating and teach him a lesson." Qian Zhongshen cautiously observed his expression and said, "...Is that possible?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed. This old guy is not a good person either.

"Yes! I agree." Zhao Xiaoqian patted his chest without hesitation: "Minister Qian, go and arrange for someone to beat him up. It doesn't matter how badly he's beaten. If the emperor blames me later, I will bear all the blame."

Qian Zhongshen twitched the corners of his mouth with a forced smile.

If Qian Zhongshen had been in the court for sixty years and had fallen for such a trick, he would not have lived to this day.

This little fox is not a good person either. You can't believe a single word he says.

(End of this chapter)