The prince is more stable

Chapter 323 Imperial Ambition
Emperor Zhao Xu was generally wise.

But a wise ruler does not mean he has no flaws. No one can be perfect, and the emperor is no exception.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhao Xu had been in contact for a long time, and they had some understanding of each other.

In Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, Zhao Xu was a young man in his early twenties.

He has all the faults that a young man should have.

He is passionate, impulsive, frivolous, and confident that he can conquer the whole world. Don't ask him what his strength is. Putting his strength aside, he can conquer the whole world anyway.

"Your Majesty, we must not rush to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. We must do it slowly..." Zhao Xiaoqian advised helplessly.

Zhao Xu nodded. "I know, so I'm not in a hurry. I'm sending you to Zhending to take up your post not to immediately recapture Yanyun, but to seek opportunities, gather intelligence, and plot against the Liao Kingdom. I can afford to wait two, three, or even five or ten years."

"As long as I can reclaim Yanyun during my lifetime, I will be the most worthy emperor of the Song Dynasty. Not only will I be honored by the court, I will also be qualified to be enthroned on Mount Tai..."

Zhao Xu's voice suddenly paused, and awkward expressions appeared on his and Zhao Xiaoqian's faces at the same time.

The Song Dynasty was a bizarre dynasty. During the more than 100 years since its founding, it did many shameless things.

After the founding of the country, Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi forced Consort Xiao Zhou to sleep with him, and even cuckolded Emperor Li Houzhu. Not to mention that he was defeated badly in several battles with the Liao Kingdom, signed the Treaty of Chanyuan, and was forced to pay money to buy peace.

The emperor of the Song Dynasty also did something extremely shameful, that is, Emperor Zhenzong performed the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, and the time was chosen after the Song Dynasty was forced to sign the Treaty of Chanyuan.

Isn't it amazing? After signing the humiliating treaty, the emperor not only didn't commit suicide out of shame and anger, but instead proudly performed Fengshan on Mount Tai to honor his achievements and offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth.

Even the gods were amused by his shamelessness. Even from the top of Mount Tai, which was so high, no nine-day divine thunderbolt was sent down to kill him.

Zhenzong himself knew that he was not qualified to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai, but he was just vain. What could he do?
The then Vice-Chancellor Wang Qinruo and the Imperial Censor Zhao Xiang saw through Zhenzong's thoughts, so they decisively submitted a remonstration, requesting Zhenzong to perform the Fengshan ceremony.

Zhenzong was like a woman who had fallen into trouble with the door half-closed, standing still and shyly refusing, "Isn't this bad?"

Wang Qinruo said sternly, "Give me some face!"

Zhenzong decisively agreed: "Okay, I'll give you a favor and offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai!"

After making the decision, Prime Minister Wang Dan disagreed, feeling that the emperor had lost all sense of shame. He had just kneeled before the Liao Kingdom, so how could he have the nerve to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai? Logically, he should have been hanged at the gate of the Imperial Ancestral Temple...

Seeing the prime minister's opposition, Zhenzong became anxious.

Fengshan at Mount Tai, what a great opportunity to show off, it can’t be ruined by this old bastard.

So Zhenzong did something very strange. After a palace banquet one day, Zhenzong gave Wang Dan a pot of wine. Wang Dan was already a little drunk after drinking in the palace. After returning home, he planned to open the wine given by the emperor and drink a second cup.

However, when the wine jug was opened, it was found that there was no wine inside, but thumb-sized pearls, filling the entire jug.

Wang Dan was stunned and secretly sighed that his country was about to perish. Finally, he happily accepted the pot of pearls and agreed to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai with Emperor Zhenzong.

Zhenzong was the first emperor in history to give bribes to his subjects.

Finally, Zhenzong successfully completed the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai. It was a celebration shared by heaven and earth, and the whole country. Even the coffins of the previous emperors of the Song Dynasty could not help but vibrate and jump with joy in the mausoleum, and the Maoshan Taoist priests could hardly contain them.

In Chinese history, there were a total of six emperors who performed Fengshan rituals on Mount Tai.

Song Zhenzong was the last one.

After Emperor Zhenzong, Fengshan at Mount Tai suddenly became worthless, and even had a strong sense of irony.

Later, the great Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had great achievements, right? He started with a bowl and ended up ruling the country. Even such an amazing figure didn't even bother to perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, as it would be too cheap.

It's like someone suddenly takes a shit on the million-dollar bed in a fragrant presidential suite, and no one wants to enter the room anymore.

That’s right, it was all the fault of Emperor Zhenzong of Song.

At this moment, Zhao Xu blurted out that he wanted to offer sacrifices to the gods on Mount Tai. As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian and he were both stunned, with embarrassed expressions.

Not to mention the judgment of future generations, even the successive emperors of the Song Dynasty after Zhenzong felt that what Zhenzong had done was too shameful, and it was a taboo topic within the imperial family. Inside the Funing Hall, the emperor and his ministers were silent for a long time. Zhao Xiaoqian said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the topic of Fengshan... let's not talk about it anymore."

Zhao Xu also nodded awkwardly: "Fortunately, we are brothers from the same clan, with the same ancestors, and we are family, so it's not shameful..."

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched slightly. Okay, everyone is right. I can't choose my ancestors. What can I do?
Zhao Xu added, "Let's wait and see how the Liao react. I suspect the Liao cavalry will attack the border again soon. They won't stop until they achieve their goal. By then, you'll have to take up your post in Zhending Prefecture."

"With your abilities, Zi'an, it shouldn't be difficult to resist the Liao cavalry attacking the border..."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned: "Your Majesty, in addition to being the prefect of Zhending..."

Zhao Xu smiled and continued, "The border city is dangerous. I can't just give you the civil service. I'd like to give you the military power of Zhending Prefecture as well. Without any troops, how can you resist foreign aggression?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him in surprise. From what Zhao Xu said, he knew that he was not only the prefect, but also the border commander. As a relative of the clan, he held both civil and military positions. This was a great trust.

Feeling somewhat touched, Zhao Xiaoqian bowed and said, "I thank the emperor for his trust."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "We're brothers, there's no need to be so formal. Zi'an, after you take up your post in Zhending, do more things that will bring honor to me. Looking around the court, the only one who has a chance of recovering Yanyun is Zi'an. Don't let me down."

…………

As he walked out of the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian felt complicated.

From ancient times to the present, being sent to serve as an official in a remote area has either brought great joy or great sorrow.

Zhao Xiaoqian's demotion was undoubtedly a great joy. He was not demoted because of his failure in the struggle, nor did he offend the powerful people in the court. In fact, Zhao Xiaoqian's current position in the court was low-key but prominent, and even the prime minister had to show him some courtesy.

Zhao Xiaoqian's demotion was actually Zhao Xu's trust in him. He was the only one in the court who could be the prefect of Zhending. In the future strategic layout of the entire Song Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian was a very important part. He could determine whether the Song Dynasty could successfully recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

But as he was about to leave Bian Jing, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help feeling a little reluctant.

Who would be willing to leave such a prosperous capital to serve as an official in a remote border town? Moreover, this border town is not only poor, but also has the risk of war breaking out at any time?

Of course, the good news is that after Zhao Xiaoqian took office, he became the undisputed boss of the entire Zhending Prefecture, with the final say and the power of life and death over his officials and soldiers.

Theoretically, he could walk sideways like a crab on the streets of Zhending Prefecture, and if he felt like it, he could even dance a piece of "Pure Land of Bliss", and no one would dare to laugh at him.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that going to Zhending to be the prefect is not a bad thing, especially since being this official is also a way to accumulate political capital. If he is transferred back to Bianliang in the future, Zhao Xiaoqian will be qualified enough to become a real big shot in the court.

Of course, what Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to do most was to face the Liao Kingdom in the north.

If possible, he would like to change history and change the fate of himself and his family.

After walking out of the palace for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian was in a state of confusion, so he did not get on the carriage and walked along the Imperial Street. Chen Shou and other imperial guards did not dare to disturb him, so they could only follow him silently, observing their surroundings vigilantly as they walked.

When Zhao Xiaoqian came to his senses, he was shocked to find that he had walked to the gate of the Imperial City Office.

At this time, Wei Jie, who was wearing official uniform, just walked out of the government office. Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian standing at the door, Wei Jie was startled and quickly saluted and said, "Are you here on business, Lord?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. "What kind of errand? Do I need to do it myself with my status? What do you, like cattle and horses, do?"

Wei Jie: “…………”

The Duke is really... so frank!
Zhao Xiaoqian ignored his feelings, brushed off the hem of his robe, and said, "You guys go do what you need to do. I'm just passing by. I'm leaving now!"

After saying that, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around and walked away.

After walking two steps, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly stopped, as if he remembered something.

"Is that Miss Nian Nian still in the Imperial City Division?"

Wei Jie nodded. "She's still here. After Miss Niaoniao gave instructions, I placed her in a wing room in the backyard of the government office. There are guards outside the room. Without the order from the county lord, I don't know what to do with her."

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment and sighed, "I'd better go see her."

(End of this chapter)