The prince is more stable

Chapter 167: Heavy Drum and Light Beat
When he entered the Funing Palace, Zhang Dun felt for the first time as if he was walking on thin ice. He dragged his numb legs, trying hard to maintain his posture, and his body unconsciously hunched over.

Zhao Xu was sitting in the hall reading a book. He glanced at Zhang Dun as he walked in. At this time, Zhang Dun looked a bit like a subject. Compared with his high-spirited and even slightly arrogant appearance in the past few days, Zhang Dun looked more pleasing to the eye at this moment.

After Zhang Dun entered the hall, he bowed politely to Zhao Xu and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Zhao Xu put down the book in his hand and smiled warmly. "Mr. Zhang, why bother being so polite? Please take a seat."

Zhang Dun bowed in thanks and carefully sat sideways on the chair next to the desk.

"Mr. Zhang, you've arrived just in time. I was just about to discuss the repair of the Yellow River dike in Kaifeng. Last month, a group of officials were investigated and punished, and the Ministry of Personnel has filled the vacancies. However, the Ministry of Revenue needs to allocate funds and grain as soon as possible. Otherwise, tens of thousands of laborers will have no means of survival, and how can we start the work?"

Zhang Dun said cautiously, "I sent a letter to the Ministry of Revenue yesterday. They replied that the national treasury has no surplus this year, and the sudden increase in expenses for river management is a bit embarrassing..."

Zhao Xu frowned and said, "I remember that at the end of last autumn, the annual tax was close to 100 million strings of cash. It's not even a year old yet, and the treasury is out of money again?"

Zhang Dun smiled bitterly and said, "Almost 100 million strings of cash in annual tax is indeed a lot, but in our vast Song Dynasty, local governments have to withhold funds, the court and local officials have to pay salaries, the border troops and the imperial guards have to pay wages, and all kinds of people's livelihood and civilian expenses also have to be paid. Nearly 100 million strings of cash in annual tax is actually not enough."

Zhao Xu was silent for a moment, then said, "Then I'll ask Mr. Zhang to think of a way to get some money and grain from somewhere else. The river embankment must be repaired. We have to hold on until the end of autumn this year, when the annual taxes from all over the country can be escorted to the capital..."

"Yes, I will think of a way to have the Ministry of Revenue delay the payment of salaries to officials in Bianjing for two months this year. This way, we can barely hold on until the autumn tax arrives in the capital."

Zhao Xu smiled broadly, "Mr. Zhang is truly capable. He can think of a solution for any problem and can help me relieve my worries."

Zhang Dun hurriedly stood up humbly and said he dared not.

Today, Zhang Dun is much more low-key than before, both in attitude and etiquette.

Zhao Xu's strike from a distance had obviously worked.

In fact, at this moment, the emperor and his ministers are not paying attention to state affairs. The current main contradiction is the contradiction between the emperor of the Song Dynasty and the prime minister of the Song Dynasty.

The conflict had not yet become acute, but Zhao Xu had noticed some signs and wanted to nip them in the bud.

In the history of the Song Dynasty, whether it was the Northern Song Dynasty or the Southern Song Dynasty, no matter how weak the successive officials were in external relations, they always held the imperial power firmly in their hands.

Throughout the Song Dynasty, there was no prime minister who undermined the emperor's power, no eunuchs who interfered in politics, and no military generals who led troops to usurp power. There was only a group of literati standing in the court and engaging in verbal battles.

In short, their words are clear, but their actions are muddled. It's just infighting, and all the wisdom of our ancestors for thousands of years has been used up in internal friction.

Of course, Zhao Xu also cared about the imperial power. This was the opportunity he had to endure for eight years before he could take power.

Therefore, when the prime minister abused his power too much, it aroused Zhao Xu's vigilance. He would never allow the prime minister's power to override the power of the emperor.

After the discussion on river management, the hall fell into silence again.

The king and his minister each had their own thoughts, but on the surface they remained harmonious, both of them smiling and showing goodwill.

Some things cannot be brought to the table and said openly.

They are already people of this level. It is impossible for them to be like kindergarten kids, who apologize in person after a disagreement, hold hands, and remain good friends in the future.

Adults have adult solutions.

Zhao Xu could not reprimand Zhang Dun in person because it would damage the emperor's image. The emperor should have the composure to remain calm in the face of thunder.

Zhang Dun could not apologize in person because he was the prime minister.

There are still countless old party officials in the court who are staring at him. Once he apologizes today, the prime minister's authority will be lost, and the old party officials will no longer buy his account and will report trivial matters directly to Zhao Xu.

They both knew their respective positions and understood each other's difficulties, so there was really no need to apologize.

After a long pause, Zhao Xu smiled and said, "That's it, Mr. Zhang. I'll leave the Political Affairs Hall to you. I'm very confident that the new law will continue to be implemented. This is the national policy of the Song Dynasty and cannot be changed."

Zhang Dun's heart suddenly relaxed, and for some reason his eyes became red. He knew that Zhao Xu had forgiven him, and the storm was finally over.

"I, your servant, shall serve the emperor till my death for the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Don't be so serious. Mr. Zhang, you should take care of yourself. I've been very idle recently and haven't left the palace for a long time. If there's anything interesting happening in the court, Mr. Zhang, please come and chat with me."

Zhang Dun was suddenly shocked again.

There is something else behind this.

The emperor finally took note of the fact that Su Che was questioned without authorization. This was the emperor's implicit expression of dissatisfaction and a warning to him that in the future, whether big or small, it would be better to let me know before doing anything, and not to act without my knowledge anymore.

"Yes, I understand. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I will come to see you often in the future and chat with you about interesting stories in the court and the country." Zhang Dun said very obediently.

Zhao Xu nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, I won't delay Mr. Zhang from handling state affairs. Go ahead."

Zhang Dun stood up, bowed, took his leave, and slowly left the hall.

A cold autumn wind blew, and Zhang Dun suddenly felt a chill on his back. He then discovered that his official uniform on his back was wet, but it dried up again when the wind blew.

…………

They handled the matter gently and never said a harsh word from beginning to end, but this conversation between Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun was of great significance.

After Zhao Xu took power, his edge rose again, and the new prime minister finally paid attention to the four words "ruler-ruler, minister-minister".

Panlou Street, first floor.

It was a rare opportunity to get up early in the morning, and Zhao Xiaoqian was in a good mood, so he invited Cai You to have breakfast on the first floor.

It is difficult to describe the wealth of the Song Dynasty in historical records, but historical records do record that middle-class families living in Bianliang spent about half of their time cooking at home and eating out.

When I feel a little lazy, the whole family goes out to eat out for a good meal.

Even if you are too lazy to go out, you can order takeout to be delivered to your door.

Yes, the takeout industry already existed in the Song Dynasty, and the errand runners were either waiters in restaurants or idle people gathered on the streets.

The painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" depicts a delivery boy holding an oil-paper bag in one hand, looking very anxious to get on the road.

Being so rich, there are countless foreign enemies eyeing the country, but the emperor and his ministers still stick to the national policy of emphasizing culture and suppressing military power, and do not care about the development of the army at all. If this deformed and unbalanced national situation is not changed, the country will be doomed sooner or later.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Cai You were standing in front of the door of the first floor at this moment, staring at the closed door in a daze.

I looked up at the sky. It was already early morning and the area was bustling with traffic.

And the first floor was still closed.

Zhao Xiaoqian's favorite soup dumplings were ultimately wasted.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared blankly at the closed door, his expression extremely conflicted.

Do you know how far it is to get here by carriage from the Prince of Chu's Palace? Do you know how hard I worked to get this bite?
Why the hell didn't you open the door?
Cai You, who was standing nearby, noticed Zhao Xiaoqian's displeasure and suppressed a smile as he said, "Marquis, how about we go somewhere else? I know a place that makes delicious pastry, and it's nearby."

Zhao Xiaoqian said nothing for a long time, then turned his head and said quietly, "What's wrong with people these days? Money is right in front of them, but they're just too lazy to earn it."

"If you don't need money, don't open a shop. If you need money, work harder. You want to lie down and get rich at the same time? Do you think you are the prince of Chu?"

(End of this chapter)