The prince is more stable

Chapter 271: The hatred is forgotten
The source of hatred in the world is nothing but profit, power, and sex.

What is the hatred between Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian?
Profit and sex do not exist, the only word is "power". Zhao Xiaoqian's signing of the Privy Council was conferred by Zhao Xu, which indeed disrupted Zhang Dun's plan. He had been thinking about this position for a long time and had always wanted to place someone from the New Party in it.

But Zhang Dun knew very well that Zhao Xiaoqian could not be blamed for this matter. It was Zhao Xu who insisted on conferring the title. Moreover, it was not difficult to guess what Zhao Xu was thinking. The New Party was now suppressing the Old Party, and Zhao Xu acquiesced to it. However, he would not allow the New Party to expand wildly and disorderly.

It was for this reason that Zhao Xu gave the position of Privy Council to Zhao Xiaoqian.

So, strictly speaking, Zhang Dun actually had no reason to be enemies with Zhao Xiaoqian.

As for Zhou Zhi's little conspiracy against Zhao Xiaoqian, to be honest, Zhang Dun was completely unaware of it beforehand. If he had known about it in advance, he would never have allowed Zhou Zhi to do so.

The reward for Zhao Xiaoqian was a complicated matter. How could a mere censor get involved?
After the incident with Zhou Zhi, the relationship between Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian became increasingly strained. Originally, there were only some minor frictions between the two sides, but now it seemed that they were really going to become enemies, so Zhang Dun had to visit today.

After all the twists and turns, Zhang Dun's original intention was actually to surrender, in a tactful way.

After all, he was the prime minister of the dynasty, and it would be embarrassing for him to surrender to a 19-year-old boy. So Zhang Dun talked about the court situation and the balance, meaning to tell him that everything he did was beyond his control.

Zhao Xiaoqian has already secured a seat in the Privy Council. What is inevitable is that in the future, there may be an additional force in the court, headed by Zhao Xiaoqian, a third force standing outside the two major camps of the New Party and the Old Party.

Why the third force?
Because Zhang Dun saw that Zhao Xiaoqian and his son had no interest in either the old or new policies, and they were neutral people who were outside the court camp.

This is also why Zhang Dun suddenly asked Zhao Xiaoqian what he thought of the new policy when they were chatting today.

If another third force were to emerge, it would inevitably be ruthlessly strangled by both the old and new parties. The court is already in chaos, how could it allow the existence of a third force?
But Zhang Dun did not dare to do so towards Zhao Xiaoqian.

Because his favor was a bit outrageous, Zhang Dun was even more unsure whether it was the emperor's own intention to let Zhao Xiaoqian sit in the Privy Council and form a third force.

If the court is to be balanced, it is not necessary for there to be only the new and old parties. If there is one more force, it will definitely not be a bad thing for the emperor.

As the prime minister, Zhang Dun thought deeply about everything. He would even think that a dog on the street was plotting against him.

Therefore, this is the reason why Zhang Dun was willing to put aside his arrogance as prime minister today and submit to Zhao Xiaoqian in a tactful way.

No matter what the future holds, Zhang Dun currently feels that it is not appropriate to make an enemy of this young man.

If he offended Zhang Dun too much, Zhao Xiaoqian would join forces with the old party when he became more powerful. Zhang Dun would be restricted in every way, and his vigorous implementation of the new law might be abolished again.

Don't doubt it, the Song Dynasty did this often, sometimes new laws, sometimes old laws. Wang Anshi once said that the Song Dynasty's reforms were like a joke, first adding a handful of firewood, then pouring a basin of water.

Zhang Dun really didn't want to offend Zhao Xiaoqian, the young and powerful official whose wings were growing stronger and stronger.

"I am old and frail, the prince is young and has a bright future, and the emperor is also in his prime. The future rise and fall of the Song Dynasty depends on you..." Zhang Dun looked up at the sky with a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

"Minister Zhang wants to retire?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously.

Zhang Dun was stunned. "I was appointed Prime Minister only last year. Why are you talking about retirement?"

"If I don't retire, you're already very old, and I'm relying on you guys, making it seem like I'm leaving my last will... well, like a memorial to the emperor."

Zhang Dun: “…………”

I’m so angry, but he is not my biological son.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhang Dun and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhang, you've said so much, I understand your meaning."

"I'm a lazy guy. I don't like to get involved in things, whether it's business or personal. I don't like to get involved in things that have nothing to do with me. Just don't provoke me. I'm a very easy person to talk to."

"As for the new party or the old party in the court, I don't like to take sides. A minister is a minister. I have something to say in the court. I don't have to stand in a certain camp in order to serve the emperor and the country."

"Mr. Zhang, please consider me a bystander. I will do my best to complete the tasks assigned to me by the government. I will not participate in other matters. You can fight as much as you want, as long as the blood does not splash on me."

"Of course, when I'm doing my job, I also hope that others won't secretly hinder me or stab me in the back."

Zhao Xiaoqian's joking tone suddenly turned sharp. "Yesterday I questioned Zhou Zhi. First, he wanted to deal with me. Second, he had impeached me when I was away on the expedition, stabbing me in the back. To such a person, I will naturally not be polite. I will kill him first."

"Mr. Zhang, I think I've made myself clear, haven't I?" Zhao Xiaoqian flashed him that brilliant smile that only a sunny young man could muster. Zhang Dun's expression was solemn; Zhao Xiaoqian's words had been a showdown.

He was carefully savoring the meaning of every word Zhao Xiaoqian said.

The words were very straightforward, without the roundabout and implicit language used in official circles, so Zhang Dun understood them easily.

Simply put, Zhao Xiaoqian was a pure minister who earned his salary and worked for the emperor.

This minister did not want to take sides or form cliques. He would just do the job assigned by the emperor, and then go home to live his own life. He did not want to get involved in the messy fights in the court.

At the same time, he also hopes that others will not drag him into the water or mess with him behind his back, otherwise he will definitely fight back, and his methods will be ruthless. Just look at Zhou Zhi's end and you will know that this guy probably won't live for many days.

After understanding what Zhao Xiaoqian meant, Zhang Dun smiled with relief.

No one can predict what the future will be like. At least for now, Zhao Xiaoqian should not be a threat, but a neutral person.

A purely neutral person who doesn't get involved in anything, but this neutral person happens to have ability, royal favor, background, and even a vague reputation, so his future is limitless.

Who would be stupid enough to offend such a neutral person?
If you can't kill him with one blow, then it's best to make friends with him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Dun felt much more relaxed.

He gained a lot today. At least he had one less enemy, a very powerful enemy.

"I understand what the prince means." Zhang Dun said with a smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "Do you really understand?"

"I really understand."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled particularly brightly: "Let me be frank. From now on, no matter if they are from the New Party or the Old Party, if anyone provokes me or stabs me in the back, Lord Zhang, please don't blame me for being too ruthless."

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "I will tell the New Party to try not to provoke you."

"'As far as possible'?"

"Yes, I will try my best. After all, I am only the Prime Minister. It is impossible for everyone to obey my orders. Can you understand, my lord?"

"Yes, now that we've gotten this out of the way, let's forget about the little misunderstandings we had in the past. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. If you don't mind, I'd also like to be friends with the prince, regardless of age difference."

Zhao Xiaoqian very sensibly stepped forward, took his hand in both and shook it up and down: "Good comrade!"

Zhang Dun was a little confused by this strange etiquette and immediately struggled to break free.

He didn't want to embarrass this new friend of his, so Zhang Dun pointed to the flowers in the garden.

"The Chu Palace is a noble family, but the flowers they grow there are drooping and lifeless. My prince, in my opinion, it is better to pull them all out." Zhang Dun tried to find a topic to talk about with friends regardless of age, without any generation gap.

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile froze. I'm trying to build a friendship with you, but you want to pluck the flowers in my house?

Did my flowers drink your manure?
"Mr. Zhang, since we are already close friends regardless of age, I have something that's stuck in my throat that I can't get out of my mouth until I say it..."

"You said."

"My father, impulsively, urinated in front of your house..."

Zhang Dun waved his hand generously and smiled heartily: "It was just a slight misunderstanding. I have already forgiven your father."

"No, I mean...it was a very good pee."

(End of this chapter)