The prince is more stable

Chapter 249 Many Advisers
Zhao Xiaoqian feels very sorry for having lived two lives.

I have lived like a beast of burden for two lifetimes.

Well, in this life, I am a bit higher-class, with an official position, a title, and money, but I am a cow or a horse that eats fine bran.

Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to comfort himself in this way, otherwise his mentality would collapse.

"Father, do you think the emperor will allow me to serve as an official in Zhending Prefecture soon?"

Zhao Hao shook his head. "It depends on the public opinion in the court. The emperor has rewarded you very generously this time, but the court officials may not agree. There will definitely be people in the court who will oppose it in the next few days. After all, the emperor has made too many exceptions for relatives of the royal family. Now he has even paved the way for you to sit in the Privy Council. How can those pedantic civil servants be happy?"

"You, please behave yourself these few days and don't go out, lest your spine be pricked..."

Zhao Xiaoqian twitched his lips and said, "Father is so funny..."

"In life, fame and official positions aren't achieved simply by ability; your background also counts. You're from the royal family, and while you're extremely wealthy, others won't allow you to wield too much power. The court officials will be furious when they learn of this decree of reward, so don't go out and risk bad luck."

Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his face and said with a wry smile, "I didn't do anything, so why do I feel like a rat crossing the street?"

"How about I come to the palace and ask the emperor to revoke my order? I'm still young and my body is still developing. Let me live a life of idleness and waiting for death in Bianjing for a few years before we talk..."

Zhao Hao glanced at him and said, "Our Chu Palace can't tolerate two bastards. You can do whatever you want."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned: "What are these two bastards..."

Zhao Hao pointed at his nose and said frankly, "I am the one who takes on the responsibility. I am a well-known scoundrel in Bianjing City. Apart from me, there cannot be another scoundrel in our palace."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes lit up. This honorary title was actually a limited edition. He really wanted it...

I feel it is more valuable than "Bachelor" or "Pillar of the State".

Zhao Hao looked him up and down, frowned, and asked, "What do you mean by that longing expression on your face?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression quickly returned to normal: "I'm always eager to serve my country and make new contributions."

Zhao Hao's face froze, and he muttered in a low voice, "This old playboy who indulged in drinking, whoring, and gambling actually raised a son who is loyal to the emperor and patriotic... I have to find time to visit the late emperor's mausoleum. Could it be that he is really going to smoke?"

Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian's clear eyes, Zhao Hao said slowly: "The positions of Scholar and Pillar of State in the Duanming Palace were also paved by the emperor. For you, the emperor has gone to great lengths."

"Fortunately, you have written some stunning and timeless poems, so the title of Bachelor of Arts is well deserved. Furthermore, you have contributed greatly to the stabilization of the northwest, so the title of 'Pillar of the State' is well-deserved. I believe there will be little controversy between the court and the public."

"My son's abilities are obvious to all, but regarding the two assignments to the Privy Council and Zhending Prefecture... the imperial decree has already been issued, and the emperor cannot revoke it. It's best to wait and see how things develop. If the court becomes too chaotic, you might as well submit a polite resignation as a formality."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded.

My originally confused mind suddenly became clear after Zhao Hao's interpretation.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhao Hao curiously.

"Father is so perceptive about the affairs of the court, and what he hears and sees is so profound. How did you know what the emperor meant?"

Zhao Hao stroked his beard and smiled, but his face was too thick, and the beard under his chin only protruded an inch, which inevitably reduced the graceful stroking movement.

"Although I am an idle prince, I have not lived in vain for so many years. The people and affairs of the court have risen and fallen. I have seen a lot over the years, so I naturally understand."

Zhao Xiaoqian helpfully summarized it: "It means 'old age makes people wise'?"

Zhao Hao's smile froze. After thinking about it, he realized that it was indeed appropriate, but not very pleasant. So he said with a sullen face, "If you don't know how to chat, just shut up. Watch more, listen more, and talk less!"

"Yes, I understand, kid."

After the father and son had a thorough discussion, Zhao Xiaoqian said goodbye and left the study.

Zhao Hao sat alone in the study, his body motionless, but his expression gradually became strange and incomprehensible.

He took out a jade box from his arms, took out a red pill, stared at the pill for a while, then put it into his mouth and swallowed it with his head tilted back.

After a moment, Zhao Hao's face turned red, his fists were clenched tightly, his eyes were red and his teeth were gritted. It took a long time for him to calm down.

Zhao Hao let out a long sigh, his expression extremely relaxed at this moment.

Then Zhao Hao's eyes unconsciously swept across the furnishings in the study, and his expression suddenly tightened.

"Hey? Where's my golden unicorn?"

On the day Zhao Xiaoqian was rewarded, the news spread throughout Bianliang.

Public opinion in the government and the opposition was in an uproar.

This time, the attitudes of the court and the common people were different.

The court officials all opposed it, and some were even furious. They submitted a memorial to the emperor that day to advise against it, saying that the government's rewards were too excessive, which encouraged the arrogance of meritorious officials and that the rewards would harm Zhao Xiaoqian.

However, several prime ministers, including Zhang Dun, remained calm and did not comment on the matter, which seemed to imply that they were very secretive.

In contrast, the common people were happy to see the news and appreciated the government's move to reward meritorious officials.

The people and the officials have different standpoints, so naturally their attitudes towards the same thing are also different.

The official position awarded to Zhao Xiaoqian was too high and he occupied too many positions, which affected the interests of the court officials. Moreover, Zhao Xiaoqian was rewarded for his military merits, which made the court officials who still adhered to the idea that civil officials were noble and military officials were inferior even more disdainful and jealous.

As for the people, the common people have no overlapping interests with Zhao Xiaoqian. Their values ​​are very simple. They have won honor for the Song Dynasty. They are the heroes of our Song Dynasty. Isn't it natural for heroes to become high-ranking officials?

It would be abnormal if the government did not reward you.

As Zhao Hao had expected, public opinion was aroused in the court and among the people, and people from all walks of life were discussing this matter.

After being reminded by his father, Zhao Xiaoqian simply closed the door and refused to see anyone.

Even when his aide Cai You came to ask for a meeting, Zhao Xiaoqian turned him away.

Public opinions came in waves, and court officials were frantically submitting memorials to advise the government to stop its irrational behavior, while the people were very interested in talking about how the Song Dynasty had conquered the northwest, how generous the rewards were for the Prince of Chu, and so on.

For several days in a row, Zhao Xiaoqian stayed at home, fooling around with his three wives and researching new dishes on his own.

The carpet cleaning activity was a bit boring, so he called the palace's groom, led the horse to stand in the yard, and ordered the groom to trim the horse's hooves.

When the days became so boring, Zhao Xiaoqian knew that his patience had reached its limit.

Humans are not only social animals, but also gregarious animals.

Being rewarded by the emperor is an extremely glorious thing. How can you lock yourself up at home and not go out? You have clearly made contributions to the country, but you make it seem like you have done something wrong.

Why?

"Damn it! Is it my decision whether to be an official or not? Everyone is against it, so I won't do it?" Zhao Xiaoqian cursed bitterly, then shouted loudly: "Ask Chen Shoubei to drive the car, I want to go out!"

Half an hour later, at Panlou Street, the soup dumpling shop on the first floor.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up at the closed shop door and fell into deep thought.

Chen Shou stood behind him and quietly took two steps back.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian didn't say a word, Chen Shou knew very well that the prince was in a very angry mood at the moment.

After a long pause, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "A shopkeeper who opens a shop and works for three days and rests for two days, seems to have a grudge against money. Doesn't he feel like a disgrace to the business community?"

Chen Shou: “…………”

"After a thousand-mile raid, slaying bandits, I've been back in Bianjing for two days, and now I just want to eat some soup dumplings, but he actually closed the shop? Is this how you treat a national hero?"

Chen Shou hesitated and said, "We didn't know the prince was coming today. Did the prince... wrongly accuse him?"

"It's not unfair, even if I have to be stabbed a thousand times!" Zhao Xiaoqian lifted the hem of his robe and sat down on the steps in front of the store. "I don't care, I want to eat soup dumplings today!"

Chen Shou immediately understood and bowed, saying, "I guarantee that the prince will be able to eat in half an hour."

Then Chen Shouyi waved his hand and said viciously: "Drag that damn shop owner out of his house and make him make buns for the prince!"

The imperial guards responded with a roar, then turned and left with murderous intent.

(End of this chapter)