The prince is more stable

Chapter 160 High-End Hunter
Designing Xiao Guangjing to serve the Song Dynasty was a very correct move.

Today, Zhao Xu finally realized how important an important chess piece is to a country.

The spies of the Imperial City Bureau lurking in the Liao Kingdom could not find out the defense maps, the commander's personality, background, qualifications, and the degree of respect he holds in the court.

Xiao Guangjing is just the first line in this secret web. In the future there will be a second, a third, and countless lines crisscrossing each other to form an impenetrable network of internal support. Will the Liao Kingdom still have any secrets at that time?
The upper level uses spies, and one person can defeat thousands of soldiers.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but secretly thank Zhao Xiaoqian for the suggestion he made at the time, and Zhao Xiaoqian was also very hardworking and really got the job done.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Imperial City Division's spies in the Liao Kingdom should continue to expand and develop towards higher levels, such as infiltrating the palaces of the Liao kings and nobles, the imperial concubines, eunuchs, and maids, and bribing low- and mid-level military officers, etc."

"This is a long-term and costly undertaking, but if it succeeds, the Song Dynasty will have the upper hand in every aspect of its struggle with the Liao Kingdom. We can dismantle this behemoth step by step, nibbling away at it bite by bite, and finally devour it."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up when he heard this. At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian once again aroused his ambition. Thinking of the unpleasant quarrel with Zhang Dun just now, Zhao Xu couldn't help but compare himself secretly.

As a minister of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian was selfless and devoted to the country. Every suggestion he made was for the purpose of making the Song Dynasty stronger and helping the emperor to unify China.

In contrast, Zhang Dun, although he was already the prime minister, his temperament and vision were still so narrow. He only focused on the interests of the literati. His vision seemed to be only within the borders of the Song Dynasty, and he turned a blind eye to what was happening outside.

Comparing people with others is worthy of comparison, but comparing goods with others should be discarded.

Zhao Xiaoqian is obviously much stronger than Zhang Dun.

Zhao Xu was in a good mood. He pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and laughed out loud, "Zi'an, you are a bad guy."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned and said cautiously, "So, the emperor likes it very much?"

"Haha, that's right! Perhaps I've been infected by you. I also think your sneaky approach is quite to my liking. If we can truly use this method to dismantle the Liao Kingdom from the root, Zi'an's achievements will be comparable to those of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing."

"I still say the same thing. I leave the Imperial City Administration to you. I am at ease. How to establish spies in Liao Kingdom and bribe powerful military officers, etc., all matters can be decided by Zi'an. I have no worries from now on."

The two were chatting animatedly when Zheng Chunhe hurried into the hall, looking a little flustered.

"Your Majesty, hundreds of students from the Imperial College have gathered outside the palace gates to petition. They have also jointly submitted a petition, asking you to show some leniency."

Zhao Xu was stunned and asked in confusion, "Why are students from the Imperial College petitioning?"

Zheng Chunhe whispered, "Yesterday, Prime Minister Zhang instructed the Ministry of Justice to arrest and question the Minister of Internal Affairs, Su Zhe. The students from the Imperial College came precisely because of Su Zhe."

Zhao Xu's face, which was happily chatting, suddenly turned gloomy.

"Zhang Dun was responsible for this? Why didn't anyone tell me? Zhang Dun is simply ridiculous! Who can he question Su Zhe? Isn't he afraid of the scholars causing an uproar? Even I dare not deal with the descendants of Su Zhe casually, how dare Zhang Dun be so arrogant!"

Zheng Chunhe said carefully, "Su Che was questioned yesterday afternoon. The emperor was reviewing memorials too late yesterday, so no one dared to disturb his rest..."

Zhao Xu's face turned red, and at this moment he suddenly doubted whether his decision to choose Zhang Dun as prime minister was wrong.

Since Zhang Dun became prime minister, he has become increasingly domineering and arbitrary.

Zhao Xu's original intention was to appoint Zhang Dun to suppress the old party. He meant "suppression", but Zhang Dun's attitude now showed that he wanted to wipe out the old party.

With so much hatred and resentment, he dealt with the old party so harshly. In the end, wouldn't the account be attributed to him as the emperor?

By the time Zhang Dun had killed all of his old party members, the history books described Zhao Xu as "brutal and inhumane". The emperor let the prime minister take the blame. Who could he complain to?
Who is Su Che?

He was a famous leader in the literary world. The three of Su Men, father and son, were the soul figures of the literary world of the Song Dynasty.

The Wudai Poetry Case was so serious that it had affected the dignity and reputation of the imperial family. However, the person involved, Su Shi, was only demoted to a local militia commander, and Emperor Shenzong did not kill him after all.

Do you think Emperor Shenzong didn't want to kill him?
I dare not kill.

If Su Shi was killed, the emperor's reputation would be ruined, and scholars would criticize the court. The consequences would be even more serious than the Wudai Poetry Case.

Today Zhang Dun was so bold that he even dared to question Su Che. He was really too arrogant.

"Send an order to the Ministry of Justice to release Su immediately..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Xu suddenly stopped.

It is true that he has some opinions about Zhang Dun, but he was the prime minister himself, so he had to let him continue to serve even if he had to cry.

Not only did he have to continue to be the emperor, but he also had to help maintain the dignity of the prime minister. The court's implementation of new laws depended on Zhang Dun and a group of new parties.

Yesterday, Zhang Dun arrested Su Zhe, and today, the emperor released him. If word got out, what would the court officials think? With the emperor and his ministers at odds, suspicions and speculations abounded between the old and new factions. Who knew how much more chaos would ensue? Zhao Xu was perplexed, looking around aimlessly when he suddenly spotted Zhao Xiaoqian, standing quietly to the side.

Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly lit up.

There are some things that the emperor cannot do, but others can do them. Wouldn't it be just as satisfying to use someone else to slap Zhang Dun in the face?

As for Zhang Dun, he has been acting too arrogantly recently and it's time to teach him a lesson. Zhao Xu appointed Zhang Dun to help him, not to cause trouble for him.

When he glanced at him, Zhao Xu suddenly smiled.

"Zi'an, Su Zhe was arrested and questioned. What do you think?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said honestly: "I saw it with my own eyes."

Zhao Xu was so stunned that he couldn't help but praise: "You are really good at chatting."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and said, "As a descendant of the royal family, I am not in a position to comment on, let alone participate in, the affairs of the emperor and the ministers."

Zhao Xu whispered, "What if I want you to participate?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked puzzled: "What the emperor means is..."

"Through your hands, Su Che will be released from the Ministry of Justice prison."

Zhao Xiaoqian was horrified. "Your Majesty, I am only a seventh-rank official. How dare I go against Lord Zhang? Your Majesty, are you trying to kill me?"

Zhao Xu said angrily, "With me backing you up, what are you afraid of?"

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, no, Minister Zhang is extremely powerful. He can crush me to death with just a little finger. Wouldn't I be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot? Even with the emperor's support, I'm afraid I can hardly stroke Minister Zhang's tiger whiskers."

Zhao Xu's face darkened as he said, "Just do it. If Zhang Dun accuses you of something, I will definitely support you. No one will dare to touch you, including Zhang Dun!"

"Rescuing Su Zhe is one of them. I also want to teach Zhang Dun a lesson, otherwise he will become even more lawless. Zi'an, do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was still hesitating, and Zhao Xu threw out another chip.

"After this incident, Zhang Dun might be able to restrain himself a little. The military service law you proposed has the potential to break through the legislative deadlock. Zi'an, are you willing to contribute?"

Mentioning the military service law, Zhao Xiaoqian finally perked up and said nervously, "Since the emperor has said so, then... shall I give it a try?"

"I must keep Su Zhe safe, otherwise I will be cursed by scholars all over the world. I don't want to be given a bad posthumous title by future generations after my death. I will be disgusted in my grave."

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a while, but finally obeyed reluctantly.

Seeing that Zhao Xiaoqian agreed, Zhao Xu also breathed a sigh of relief. After throwing this troublesome matter away, he was free from worries again.

After saying goodbye and leaving the hall and walking around the corner of Funing Hall, Zhao Xiaoqian's reluctant expression gradually changed, and he actually revealed a strange smile.

High-end hunters will appear in the form of prey.

He took the initiative to ask Zhao Xu to save Su Zhe, but ended up being defeated.

But letting Zhao Xu take the initiative to give him the task of rescuing Su Che was of a different nature. This was called sharing the worries of the emperor, and at the same time achieving his own goal.

The petition by the students of the Imperial College was secretly arranged by Cai You at the instruction of Zhao Xiaoqian. It was the most important link. Without this opportunity, Zhao Xu would not have taken the initiative to give him the task of saving Su Che.

Now with Zhao Xu's support, Zhao Xiaoqian finally has the confidence to confront Zhang Dun.

As he walked out of the palace gate, Wei Jie and Chen Shou, who were waiting outside, came to greet him.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood outside the palace gate, looking at the two men and said in a deep voice, "Wei Jie, gather the officials from the Imperial City Administration. Follow me to the Ministry of Justice in half an hour to pick up Su Zhe from prison."

Wei Jie was stunned and looked at him hesitantly.

Zhao Xiaoqian curled his lips and said, "I am following orders. No one is allowed to stop me. Anyone who violates the order will be thrown into the ice well and punished!"

Wei Jie was stunned again, and then gradually showed a look of awe.

Just by entering the palace, he can get the support of the emperor. No one else can be so favored by the emperor. He is worthy of being the emperor's brother and has great status!

(End of this chapter)