The prince is more stable

Chapter 312 It’s better to go back
The mastermind behind the ambush in the canyon has not taken any further action so far. Zhao Xiaoqian gradually believes that the person behind the trap set outside Xiangzhou Prefecture has indeed suffered heavy losses and been seriously injured.

The man acted cautiously and left no trace, so Zhao Xiaoqian could not take the initiative to attack. The last tactic of injecting himself into the game was the same as the empty city tactic, which could only be used once, and the other party would not be fooled next time.

But apart from this, there are still some hidden dangers in Bianjing City that have not been eliminated.

Now that the border between Song and Liao is unstable, Zhao Xiaoqian may be transferred to Zhending Prefecture at any time. Before leaving Bianliang, he cannot leave the hidden danger to his family.

So, Zhao Hao celebrated his birthday very cooperatively.

It was said to be a birthday banquet, but in fact it was another trap set up by Zhao Xiaoqian.

While the servants in the palace were busy preparing for the birthday banquet, Zhao Xiaoqian also summoned Wei Jie, Zhao Xin, Zhang Xiaoyi and other subordinates from the Imperial City Bureau. They conspired for a long time and then dispersed.

The next day, an unexpected guest came to visit.

Zhao Xiaoqian was still asleep when the maid carefully woke him up.

When Su Shi, a scholar, came to visit, people were waiting for him in Yin'an Hall, serving him tea.

For some reason, Zhao Xiaoqian was suddenly moved to tears.

Mr. Zizhan...you still have a conscience!

I actually chose to visit him at a normal time, in a normal place, and in a normal way.

It was not the middle of the night and "Zi'an had not slept yet". Based on this point, Zhao Xiaoqian decisively decided to forgive this heretic who ate salty tofu pudding.

After putting on his proper clothes, Zhao Xiaoqian hurried to Yin'an Palace.

"Mr. Zizhan, long time no see!" Zhao Xiaoqian greeted him warmly.

Su Shi sat in the Yin'an Hall, looking at him with a complicated expression, as if he was feeling both grateful and angry. The two emotions intertwined, making his face look a little distorted.

"What's wrong with you?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously.

Su Shi snorted and said, "Let's not talk about anything else for now. What did Zi'an paint on my face that day?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked bewildered: "What?"

"Still pretending to be stupid! When I woke up from my dream in the pavilion that day, I saw a turtle on my left cheek, a pig's head on my right cheek, and a big "king" character on my forehead. Isn't that your masterpiece?" Su Shi said angrily.

"I was completely unaware of what was happening when I woke up that day, and I went out with that face on. Passersby pointed at me and talked about me. I only realized something was wrong after walking two miles. I was so embarrassed!" Su Shi said gritting his teeth.

Zhao Xiaoqian decisively raised three fingers and said calmly, "I swear on my father's twenty years of silence that I didn't do this!"

Su Shi was stunned.

Swearing by one's own father seems very serious, and the oath is so cruel.

The moral integrity of the ancients in this era was still relatively noble. Su Shi did not doubt him and could not help but begin to wonder if he had really blamed the wrong person.

Could it really not be him?

Therefore, there is still a lack of understanding between people. If Su Shi knew that Zhao Xiaoqian's integrity and chastity had long disappeared like smoke, he probably would not be so naive to question and reflect on himself.

Since the other person had sworn on his own father's incorruptibility, Su Shi could no longer doubt it. He had to list the matter as an unsolved case in his life and there was no way to pursue it.

The angry expression gradually disappeared, and a look of gratitude appeared on Su Shi's face.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Xiaoqian, and did not get up for a long time.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly helped him up with both hands: "Mr. Zizhan, why are you like this? It's really embarrassing for me."

Su Shi sighed, "I have never owed you any favor in my life, but I never expected that at the age of sixty I would owe you such a great favor. I don't know how to repay you in this lifetime."

"It's just a small matter, Mr. Zizhan, don't worry about it. I only act according to my heart, and it can't be considered as a favor to you."

Su Shi shook his head. "I already know what happened. Zi'an, for my sake, did not hesitate to mobilize the Imperial City Office, did not hesitate to go to the palace and argue with the ministers, and did not hesitate to offend Prime Minister Zhang Dun. I am on the verge of death, and I have received such great kindness from you. I cannot sleep or eat."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "If Mr. Zizhan really feels bad, please copy all your articles and poems from the past for me. Use neat and elegant handwriting, and especially make sure your signature and seal are straight and legible..."

Su Shi was puzzled and asked, "What does Zi'an need these for?" "Don't worry about it. I have great uses for them. Oh, and there are also the six contemporary scholars of Su Shi's school: Huang Tingjian, Qin Guan, Chen Shidao, and others. Please, Mr. Zizhan, get their calligraphy works for me. The more the better."

Su Shi became increasingly confused. After a long time of thinking, he still couldn't figure out Zhao Xiaoqian's purpose. He could only smile bitterly and said, "Zi'an is really a weirdo..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled mysteriously.

A weirdo?
Just based on the calligraphy and paintings of these great figures, a thousand years from now, his tablet will definitely be placed in the center of the ancestral hall, with incense burning and offerings every day of the year.

Don’t underestimate these calligraphy and paintings; they are worth at least hundreds of millions. He left such a precious legacy to future generations, and he deserves to sit in the center of the ancestral hall.

"I need no thanks for your kindness. If Zi'an ever asks for anything in the future, I will repay him with my life, regardless of right or wrong, good or evil." Su Shi said solemnly.

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head. The job was done, but he didn't like to talk about repayment. After all, Su Shi was his idol, and helping his idol was just a matter of convenience.

If these things are mixed in between friends, the friendship will inevitably deteriorate.

"Let's not talk about that. Mr. Zizhan's crisis is over, but your official position is probably at a standstill. After all, the incident was a bit serious. No one dares to arrange your next official position at this time. What are your thoughts, Mr. Zizhan?"

Su Shi sighed and said dejectedly, "I have seen through the hearts of the people in the government. This life...will be like this."

"Next, I will resign from the court and retire. My personality is not suited to the court officialdom. If I still cling to it, I am afraid that there will be more disasters in the future. Haha, it is better for me to go home."

Seeing the forced smile on Su Shi's face, Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a while, then said, "Mr. Zizhan was born at the wrong time, in this period of fierce factional strife in the court. Given Mr. Zizhan's personality, he cannot tolerate either the old or the new faction."

"But I still want to ask Mr. Zizhan not to resign for now. I have a lot of things to do and need people around me who can help me. If you don't mind, Mr. Zizhan, why not work with me, stay away from the court factions, and do something practical for the Song Dynasty? What do you think?"

Su Shi was slightly moved: "If you can stay away from party disputes and do practical things for the Song Dynasty, that is my greatest wish. Even if I have no official position, I am willing to do it."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Then, Mr. Zizhan, please sit back and wait for good news."

Su Shi's mood suddenly brightened, sweeping away the decadent haze of the past few days. He stroked his beard and laughed heartily, saying, "Very good. I will be idle at home for the next few days, waiting for Zi'an to call me."

Seeing him start to show off again, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but remind him, "You may be unemployed, but don't do that 'Zi'an hasn't slept yet' thing again. I get grumpy when I wake up and I'm really going to hit you."

"Try your best. Try your best. Haha!"

…………

The invitations to the King of Chu's birthday banquet were sent out as promised, including to Zhang Dun's residence.

The person who sent the invitation was not Zhao Hao and his son, but Li Yizhong, the chief secretary of the royal palace.

After the last court dispute, Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Dun became enemies again, so it was not convenient to deliver the invitation in person.

Li Yizhong delivered the invitation to Zhang's house, and Zhang Dun accepted it with a smile.

Just as Zhao Xiaoqian expected, this invitation and this birthday banquet were an implicit way for him and Zhang Dun to give each other an excuse.

As expected, Zhang Dun did not want to make a mortal enemy with Zhao Xiaoqian. Although he still had some grudges in his heart, he smiled and told Li Yizhong that he would definitely be there to celebrate the birthday of His Royal Highness the King of Chu.

The torn face was finally sewn back together, which is probably how real adults do things.

Unlike those hot-blooded young people who would kill an entire family at the slightest grudge, this hatred is not based on principle, and it should be resolved if possible. You don't have to kill the entire family of your enemy to appear powerful.

The truly powerful people are those who can jump, move and dance within the scope of the rules.

On the third day after the invitations were sent out, King Zhao Hao of Chu held a birthday banquet.

Early in the morning, bands of musicians, kabuki actors, and brothel performers entered the palace and began to set up a venue on the open space of the palace. The servants of the palace also got busy, and nearly a hundred tables were set up in the side rooms and open-air areas of the palace.

Zhao Hao wore a festive purple robe with the word "longevity" on it early in the morning and sat in the Yin'an Hall like Maitreya Buddha, watching the busy people in the palace with a smile.

At the same time, inside the Imperial City Division, Zhao Xiaoqian was wearing an official uniform, and standing in front of him were hundreds of subordinates from the Imperial City Division.

Different from the joyous atmosphere in the Prince of Chu's Mansion, the Imperial City Office was now filled with a depressing and murderous atmosphere.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat in the main hall, looked around at his subordinates, and said slowly: "Today's mission is to cast a net and pull out nails!"

(End of this chapter)