The prince is more stable

Chapter 326 Ambition to Serve the Country
When Zhao Xiaoqian first met Su Shi, he felt like he was meeting his idol. He was so excited and moved that he even wanted to hold up a cheering sign in front of him.

However, after getting to know each other, who would have thought that this great writer who will be remembered for all eternity could be so foul-mouthed? After his idol halo was shattered, in Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, Su Shi was just a naughty and greedy old man.

In history, Su Shi liked to bicker with a monk named Foyin. The bickering between the two was interesting and vicious. Now it seems that Su Shi's bad mouth was innate, but it was overshadowed by the brilliance of the literary giant.

"Mr. Zizhan, do you have something to talk to me about today? If not, I won't keep you company. You can see that I'm very busy." Zhao Xiaoqian rudely drove the guest away.

Su Shi laughed heartily and said, "Zi'an's temperament is still not stable enough. If you didn't catch anything, then you didn't catch anything. Why take it out on me..."

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little angry again. Am I angry because I didn’t catch any fish?
I'm doing this because you're such a bad mouth, okay!

"Haha, you want to chase me away, but I won't leave!" Su Shi turned around and pointed at Chen Shou and said, "Hey, someone, bring a chair over. I'll sit here and fish with Zi'an."

Su Shi smiled maliciously at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "I will just watch you fishing. If you don't catch anything today, I will laugh at you for the rest of my life."

Zhao Xiaoqian was so angry that he stuck his fishing rod into the mud on the shore and said, "I'm not fishing anymore!"

A dignified duke of the county took some time off to go fishing, but his mood was completely ruined by this old man.

"Let's get down to business. What did Mr. Zizhan want to see me about today?"

Su Shi stopped laughing at this point. He lowered his head and remained silent for a while before saying, "I heard that Liao cavalry recently attacked the border, and the court intends to send an envoy to question the Liao emperor. Is this true?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "Yes, that's true."

Su Shi asked again, "Have the envoys been chosen?"

"I don't know. That's the business of the Political Affairs Hall. I never ask."

As Zhao Xiaoqian was speaking, he suddenly felt something was wrong and turned to look at him: "Mr. Zizhan, could it be that..."

Su Shi nodded, stood up and bowed deeply. "I have always cherished the ambition to serve my country, but I have never been able to do so. Today, as an envoy of the Great Song Dynasty, I am going to the Liao Kingdom to question the Liao Emperor. I will definitely live up to the country's kindness and fulfill my mission."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a long moment, then shook his head repeatedly. "Mr. Zizhan, don't joke. Being an envoy to the Liao Kingdom is not just about exchanging words with the Liao monarch and his ministers. The journey is long and dangerous. You can't do it at your age. To be frank, I'm worried you'll die on the way..."

Su Shi said unhappily, "Although I am sixty years old, I am still in my prime. Why can't I do that? My brother Su Zhe was also sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom in the fourth year of Yuanyou. What he can do, I can't do."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. This was a bit unreasonable.

The monk can touch it, but Ah Q can’t?
Su Che did go on a diplomatic mission to the Liao Kingdom. At that time, the Empress Dowager gave him a temporary official position called "Messenger to Celebrate the Birthday of the Liao Kingdom." From this official title, it can be seen that the purpose of Su Che's mission was to congratulate the Liao Emperor on his birthday on behalf of the Song Dynasty.

Last time your brother went to celebrate a birthday, this time he sent an envoy to raise an army and demand an explanation. Can the nature be the same?

"Zi'an, please don't try to persuade me. I've made up my mind. However, the selection of the envoy will be decided by the Council of State, and my relationship with Zhang Dun... Anyway, today I'm asking Zi'an to help me this time."

"I have wasted half my life, unacceptable to the officials in the court. I have a strong desire to serve my country, but I have never had the opportunity. Now I am old and my days are numbered. This is probably my only chance to serve my country. If I can fulfill my wish, I will die without regrets."

Su Shi spoke very sincerely, with tears glistening in his eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and shook his head. He was not surprised by Su Shi's request.

In my previous life, I read many of Su Shi's poems. At that time, teachers often required us to do reading comprehension. What I heard most was that they represented the poet's patriotism and concern for the emperor.

Su Shi's desire to serve his country was not just some random words put together by a writer, but something he truly wanted to put into action. However, Su Shi had a bumpy official career and was unsuccessful in his life, so he never had the chance to serve his country.

Perhaps it was after getting to know Zhao Xiaoqian, a powerful figure, that Su Shi gradually became interested, so today he took the initiative to look for opportunities to serve his country.

He could understand Su Shi's feelings, but Zhao Xiaoqian did not think Su Shi was capable of doing the job.

Although an envoy of a country is a civil servant, he should have the fearless courage and wisdom to fight against ten thousand people. Zhao Xiaoqian admitted that he had a stereotype about Su Shi. He admired Su Shi's talent, but had never seen Su Shi's ability.

Talent and ability are two different things. If the diplomatic mission goes wrong, the emperor and his ministers in the Liao court will be so scared that they will wet their pants, and the entire Song Dynasty will become a laughing stock.

"Mr. Zizhan should know that my official position is in the Privy Council, and I have no say in the Council of State. Moreover, my relationship with Zhang Dun... well, you should know even more clearly that I am afraid I can't do anything about this matter." Zhao Xiaoqian tried to refuse politely.

Su Shi glared at him in dissatisfaction. "With Zi'an's ability, is it that difficult for him to recommend an envoy to the emperor? Zi'an doesn't want to help, so why bother to use this nonsense to perfunctorily deal with me?" Zhao Xiaoqian sighed heavily. "...I owed you in my previous life, and now I have to let you collect the debt again and again!"

Su Shi's face lit up immediately, and he stood up and bowed to him: "Thank you very much, my dear brother Zi'an. If this is successful, I would like to drink with you in the brothel and talk about our romantic moments."

The words are very elegant, but translated into plain language, it means, if this thing works out, brother, I will treat you to a full-service one-stop health care.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't bother to be polite with him. He calmly stretched out two fingers and made a "yeah" gesture.

"What do you mean?" Su Shi asked in confusion.

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly: "I'm young and strong, I want two!"

"Okay! I'll have fun with you, my dear brother!" Su Shi agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Xiaoqian quickly refused: "That's not necessary!"

I am not used to sharing such lewd scenes with other men... By the way, this old man Su Shi used to be quite good at having fun.

As soon as the two finished their conversation, ripples suddenly appeared on the surface of the river.

Su Shi jumped up and exclaimed in surprise: "A fish has taken the bait!"

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly picked up the fishing rod, let out the line while pulling in the force, and first made the fish that had taken the hook circle in the water.

After a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian felt that the force from the fishing rod was gradually weakening and the fish had exhausted all its strength, so he suddenly reeled in the line and lifted the rod.

A big carp weighing about five or six pounds was thrown onto the shore by a fishing rod, and it was still struggling hard on the grass on the shore, unwilling to give in.

Zhao Xiaoqian was overjoyed, finally he was not in the Air Force anymore!
Who among the family members understands this sense of honor? It makes people want to offer sacrifices to the Taimiao and show off their achievements in front of the tablets of their ancestors.

"Ancestors, our descendants have made great achievements!" Zhao Xiaoqian was filled with passion and roared to the sky.

Su Shi, who was standing by, was shocked and confused by Zhao Xiaoqian's excitement.

"It's just one fish. Is that necessary?" Su Shi said with a disdainful smile, "I caught countless fish when I was in Lingnan. Am I too proud?"

Zhao Xiaoqian rolled his eyes at him and said, "For such a revealing thing, didn't your Su family place your tablet in the center of the ancestral hall and burn incense and offer sacrifices every day?"

Su Shi's old face turned pale and he glared at him fiercely: "Have you eaten arsenic? Your mouth is so poisonous."

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him and turned around to tell Chen Shou: "Let's go back to the palace. We'll stew fish today."

Chen Shou agreed with a smile and went forward to help pick up the big carp weighing five or six kilograms. Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Zhao Xiaoqian.

"Stop it! Who asked you to help? I caught the fish, so I can carry it myself."

Zhao Xiaoqian was beaming with joy as he took the heavy fish.

"Let's not take the carriage. Let's walk back to the palace. We'll take a few detours along the way and try to let everyone in Bianjing know that I caught a big fish today!"

"Zi'an, please go ahead. I'll take my leave first. I can't afford to lose face." Su Shi turned around and left with a look of disgust on his face.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared at his back and sneered, "If you're jealous, just say you're jealous. But have you ever caught a five or six jin fish?"

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian called on Chen Shou and the imperial guards to clear the way, while he, holding the big carp in his hand, walked in the middle of the team, attracting the attention of countless passers-by.

Today, at this moment, is probably the most glorious moment in his life, no doubt about it.

What's the big deal about conquering cities and seizing territories? What's the big deal about destroying the enemy's capital is catching a big carp weighing five or six kilograms.

He should use his connections to call out the historian of Bianjing City and have him record this incident in the history books so that future generations will admire and envy him for thousands of years.

(End of this chapter)