The prince is more stable

Chapter 296 Zian is not sleeping yet
Zhao Xiaoqian never thought that he was stubborn enough to provoke Zhang Dun for no reason.

In fact, the real conflicts with Zhang Dun were only when he was forced to do so.

The first time was to rescue Su Che, and the second time was to arrest Zhou Zhi.

Zhang Dun felt that he could not afford to offend Zhao Xiaoqian, and how could Zhao Xiaoqian afford to offend Zhang Dun? Zhang Dun was the prime minister of the time, the most powerful person under the emperor, truly second only to the emperor.

So when Zhang Dun took the initiative to visit Zhao Xiaoqian, he implicitly surrendered and also implicitly reached an agreement with Zhao Xiaoqian to keep out of each other's way. Zhao Xiaoqian gladly accepted it at that time.

Since we can't defeat each other's moves, it's better for us to forget each other.

But this time, Zhang Dun wanted to take action against Su Shi, and Zhao Xiaoqian was finally in a dilemma.

Not to mention the positions of the new party and the old party, Zhao Xiaoqian's position is already very vague.

However, that person was Su Shi.

In my previous life, I read and memorized so many of his poems. At gatherings with classmates and colleagues, I used his poems to show off. Now that we have become friends in this life, am I really going to watch this great writer and poet get beaten with his hands on his head?

In Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, Su Shi still has the aura of an idol. Moreover, Su Shi is a person with an open-minded and free-spirited personality, and he is not particular about trivial matters. It is difficult for people to dislike him when getting along with him.

So, should we save Su Shi?
Zhao Xiaoqian was indeed a little hesitant. After all, if he rescued him, it would mean becoming an enemy of Zhang Dun again, or even of all the New Party officials.

Zhao Xiaoqian also listened to Wei Jie's words.

The subordinate's meaning was very clear. He hoped that Zhao Xiaoqian would stand idly by and say that there was no need to make enemies with the whole world just for Su Shi. That was too childish.

"You go back, I'll think about it again..." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed.

Wei Jie hesitated for a moment and said, "My Lord. I have something to say, and after thinking it over, I decided to say it."

"Anyone who achieves great things must first cherish their own lives and avoid standing under a dangerous wall. I know that the county lord and Su Shi have a close personal relationship, but personal relationships are personal relationships. In life, one must at least consider the pros and cons. I sincerely do not want the county lord to be caught in the storm and be criticized by thousands of people."

Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "I'll remember what you said. Old Wei, putting aside our superior-subordinate relationship, at least you and I treat each other as friends. I know what you said just now wasn't meant for your superior, but for a friend."

Wei Jie smiled: "Your Excellency understands me, and I have no regrets even in death. My advice is just my humble opinion. If you still choose to save Su Shi, I am still willing to be your vanguard, without hesitation."

The two smiled at each other. There was no need for any cheesy words between true friends; a glance was enough to show their loyalty to each other.

…………

The conspiracy of Huang Lu and three others is still in the making.

The three of them were also very clear that if they jointly submitted a petition, the weight it would carry would be very significant.

Therefore, the person they wanted to bring down was not only Su Shi, but also a large number of old party officials.

The implementation of the court's new policies was not smooth. Over the past few decades, the laws had been changed several times, from new laws to old laws, and then back to new laws. The disastrous consequences of changing laws every day had already become apparent.

That is, the prestige of the imperial court gradually declined. Zhang Dun inherited Wang Anshi's will and implemented new laws. However, some of the new laws were not implemented at the local level. Local gentry, clans and even officials pretended to obey them but secretly disobeyed them. The effect of the new policies was not ideal.

Under such circumstances, Zhang Dun became increasingly anxious and urgently needed to speed up the process of removing old party officials from the court so that his government policies could be implemented smoothly.

Impeaching Su Shi was a good opportunity to bring down a large number of old party officials by expanding from one point to the whole.

While resolving his personal grudge with Su Shi, Zhang Dun also planned to rise to the level of power in the court, using Su Shi as a fuse to eliminate a group of old party members.

At night, Zhao Xiaoqian had already gone to bed. He was really tired because he had been dragged around the streets by Su Shi recently. The three women in the house had no energy to feed him these days, so they went to bed as soon as it got dark.

In the middle of the night, a cautious but rapid knock on the door woke Zhao Xiaoqian up.

When he opened his sleepy eyes, Di Ying beside him also woke up. Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and was about to get angry, but the maid outside the door reported in a trembling voice that Su Shi, the scholar, came to visit late at night and insisted on waking Zhao Xiaoqian up.

The couple was woken up and were both angry. After Zhao Xiaoqian reacted, his heart suddenly sank.

Su Shi suddenly came to visit in the middle of the night. There must be something important. Could it be that Huang Lu and others have already started the attack?

Zhao Xiaoqian quickly put on his clothes and hurried out of the yard.

In the front courtyard of the palace, Su Shi stood in the yard, looking up at the moon, his body staggering a little.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian walking towards him quickly with a serious expression, Su Shi turned around and laughed.

"I knew it, Zi'an hasn't slept yet..."

Zhao Xiaoqian and the palace's housekeepers and servants nearby gasped. "Mr. Zizhan, what are you doing...?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked tentatively.

Su Shi grabbed Zhao Xiaoqian's arm and walked out, saying, "There's a place at Zhouqiao Night Market that serves delicious venison. Zi'an, come with me!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was surprised and asked, "Mr. Zizhan came here late at night just for this?"

Su Shi said innocently, "I can't let go of all the delicious food in the world. Zi'an and I are close friends regardless of age, so of course I have to share it with you."

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

The bullet that hit Zhang Huaimin back then now hit Zhao Xiaoqian right in the middle of his eyebrows again.

You came to wake him up in the middle of the night just to go out for a midnight snack. How come you didn’t get food poisoning?

The palace steward and servants nearby were also stunned.

They were all well-known for Su Shi's fame, but they had never imagined that this literary leader was actually a lunatic. He came to wake the prince in the middle of the night, and also alarmed the servants in the palace. Everyone thought something big had happened, but...

How presumptuous you are!
The housekeeper and the servants all looked at Zhao Xiaoqian with warm and expectant eyes.

The prince's temper has never been good. Under normal circumstances, at this moment, the prince should have picked up the nearest cold weapon and ruthlessly broken Su Shi's legs...

No matter what kind of writer or leader you are, waking up the prince is a heinous crime.

So, in the front courtyard of the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi looked at each other in silence, and the servants beside them looked at each other with encouragement.

Beat him to death, beat him to death quickly!

After a long moment, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly sighed and said helplessly, "Yes, Zi'an hasn't slept yet either. I was just waiting for you to call me out to eat... well, what was it?"

Su Shi suddenly became excited: "A family in Zhouqiao sells venison."

"Yes, let's eat the damn venison from that shop in Zhouqiao!" Zhao Xiaoqian said gritting his teeth.

Su Shi laughed heartily and unceremoniously hooked his arm around Zhao Xiaoqian's shoulder: "I was not mistaken in your opinion. Zi'an is indeed my bosom friend, regardless of age difference!"

Zhao Xiaoqian followed Su Shi out like a zombie, his eyes numb like a dead fish.

I was not wrong about you, you are indeed a lunatic.

After leaving the palace gate, Zhao Xiaoqian sniffed and saw a strong smell of alcohol on Su Shi, obviously he had just drunk some alcohol.

This is even more presumptuous. If Su Shi loses his memory after waking up from his drunken stupor tomorrow, he probably won't even remember waking him up in the middle of the night. Zhao Xiaoqian would have wasted both his sleep and his favor.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xiaoqian asked cautiously, "Mr. Zizhan, do you still know who I am?"

Su Shi glanced at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about, Zi'an? Are you drunk?"

Zhao Xiaoqian felt a little more at ease and asked, "Where is the venison restaurant in Zhouqiao? I'll have my servants prepare a carriage..."

Su Shi's body swayed, and he burped, and said in surprise: "What... what venison? Where did the venison come from? I'm a little sleepy and want to sleep..."

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

Damn it!
What idol, what great writer, you are spoiled for bad habits!

Zhao Xiaoqian was furious. He immediately squatted down and kicked Su Shi hard. Su Shi screamed and fell to the ground with his face on the ground, groaning.

Feeling relieved, Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and walked forward with a concerned look on his face to help Su Shi up.

"What's wrong with Mr. Zizhan? Why are you so careless..."

Su Shi was knocked unconscious by the fall. He staggered to his feet, trying to open his dizzy eyes. He pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "Wasn't it you who just...?"

"What do you mean by me? I didn't do anything. I just saw Mr. Zizhan accidentally trip and fall."

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's serious expression and his unquestionable attitude, Su Shi was also confused: "Is... is that so?"

"Of course, Mr. Zizhan, look me in the eyes... I swear on my father's twenty years of bachelorhood that you just fell down by accident."

(End of this chapter)