The prince is more stable

Chapter 327 The warehouse is sold out again
Ordinary people cannot guess the thinking of fishermen.

Especially the thinking of a fisherman who has caught a big fish.

They really can do anything and don't care about the eyes of passers-by. When people look at them strangely, they will only think that it is the crazy jealousy of all mankind towards them, and they will gradually lose themselves in all kinds of jealous eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian really paraded through the city carrying the big carp, walking all the way from the Bian River to the palace. In order to let everyone in Bianjing know that he had caught a big fish, he even made a long detour past the Daxiangguo Temple.

It goes around Daxiangguo Temple to East Street, and then covers most of the circle.

It felt really good, especially when passersby came up to him on the way and asked him with envy and jealousy how much the fish weighed, where he caught it, what kind of nest he used, what kind of bait he used, and asked every detail in great detail.

These questions hit Zhao Xiaoqian hard in the heart. He suppressed his smugness and told him calmly that today's catch was too small, mainly because he was not in good shape. In the past, he would catch at least ten kilograms of fish every day...

After boasting with great joy, facing the jealous gazes of passers-by, Zhao Xiaoqian was finally satisfied. His vanity was completely released, so he ordered to take a carriage back home.

I really can't walk anymore. Showing off requires energy.

After getting on the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian still ordered the big carp to be hung outside the carriage so that passers-by could see it clearly. If envious passers-by asked Chen Shou and other imperial guards about the fish, they must answer in detail that it was caught by Zhao Xiaoqian, the prince of Chu.

Chen Shoudu was speechless because of him. This prince did not compete with others in terms of food, clothing, official titles, or family background. He could not get along with those vain playboys in Bian Jing at all.

Why are you so crazy about fishing? Your vanity has reached a crazy level. What is you thinking?

After returning to the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian showed off again. Moreover, the palace was his home ground, so he received even more praise.

As soon as he entered the house carrying the big fish, the attentive servants surrounded him and asked who had caught it. Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, and then a series of bragging sessions began...

After receiving a flood of flattery from everyone in the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian lost himself again.

He is now considering publishing a book called "Essentials of Fishing", which will tell people how to catch big fish in the most authoritative tone.

He personally brought the carp to the palace's kitchen. He didn't rush to eat it, but used traditional methods to make it into cured fish and hung it under the eaves. Whenever guests came to the palace, the owner and servants would tell them the story of this fish...

"I have to go fishing tomorrow. I've been in good shape lately. I have a feeling I can catch at least 20 kilograms of fish tomorrow." Zhao Xiaoqian muttered to himself.

Zhao Hao, who was standing next to him, said with a bitter face, "Son, please put away your magical powers. Today, the entire city of Bianjing knows that you have caught a big fish. That's enough."

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him and thought of another thing.

By the way, what did Su Shi ask him to do today?

I was so engrossed in fishing and so excited about catching a fish that I forgot about it for a moment.

After reminiscing for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian finally remembered that Su Shi was going to be an envoy to the Liao Kingdom!
Old Su is really a tough guy. He took the initiative to take on a task that others tried to avoid. Could it be that he thought that this trip to Liao was to celebrate the birthday of the Liao emperor?

They wanted to raise an army to punish the culprits. The Liao people were all barbarians, whose ancestors were from the Mohe tribe in the Greater Khingan Range in the north. They all had bad tempers. If Su Shi's words were a little harsh, he would probably be severely punished by the Liao people.

But since Zhao Xiaoqian promised him today, he would help after all.

There is no need to ask Zhao Xu for such a small matter, Zhang Dun can make the final decision.

So I'm afraid I won't be able to fish tomorrow because I have some important things to do.

Also, I am about to take up my post in Zhending Prefecture, so it is time to prepare in advance. The border town is too dangerous and there may be danger at any time. There is no need to bring the three women to Zhending. Let them move to my mother's Fanglin Garden.

The most important thing is that before taking office as the prefect of Zhending, Zhao Xiaoqian had to prepare a large amount of money.

He didn't know the situation in Zhending Prefecture, and he didn't know any of the officials above or below him. The border soldiers were also completely in the dark. Officialdom was a very realistic place. As a newcomer, he wanted to quickly establish his prestige in Zhending Prefecture, so he had to use money to pave the way in the early stages.

"Father, the emperor summoned me yesterday. I may have to take up the post of prefect of Zhending..." Zhao Xiaoqian whispered.

Zhao Hao was startled, pursing his lips, his expression slightly displeased. "Zhending Prefecture is a border town. I heard the Liao cavalry recently launched an attack. If you were to take up your post in Zhending, you might be in danger. How about I go to the palace and talk to the emperor..."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head: "It's already decided."

Zhao Hao was silent for a long moment, then sighed and said, "Well, I will transfer the elite imperial guards from the palace to you, and recruit a group of martial arts masters from the people to be your personal guards and always be by your side."

"Son, achievements and accomplishments are not important. Even if you desert in times of crisis, your father will only feel relieved. In life, safety is the most important thing. Merit does not need to be risked at the cost of one's life. Our family is extremely wealthy and does not lack such things."

Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Father, have you ever thought about what the Song Dynasty will be like in twenty or thirty years?"

Zhao Hao was startled, thought for a moment, and said, "It's probably about the same as now. In twenty or thirty years, with my son around, perhaps the Song Dynasty will be able to gain a little more prestige in front of the Liao Kingdom..."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "I've been having a dream lately. I dreamed that the Song Dynasty was conquered by the north in twenty or thirty years."

"They destroyed Bianjing, burning, killing, and looting. Thousands of the Song Dynasty's relatives were taken captive and taken to the north. The women in the palace were raped, and the men suffered humiliation, leading a life worse than that of pigs and dogs..."

Zhao Hao looked at him in surprise: "Your dream... is a bit outrageous? No matter how bad the Song Dynasty is, it is impossible for it to be destroyed."

"It was a half-destroyed nation. Half of the country fell, and the imperial court was forced to move south, relying on the remaining land south of the Yangtze River to survive. The emperor and his ministers were terrified and kept negotiating peace with the north, just to seek temporary peace."

"What's amazing is that despite this complacent mentality, the Song Dynasty actually managed to hold out in the south for over a hundred years before ultimately falling."

Zhao Hao shook his head in disbelief: "You..."

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly laughed: "It was just a dream of mine, my father, don't think too much about it. But this dream has become a knot in my heart. If I do nothing and just hope for a peaceful life, then our Chu lineage might suddenly end in wealth and glory one day."

"My father, like me, was captured and taken to the north, insulted and tortured by the enemy. I never want to see that happen again. So, I must do something. Call it fantasy or obsession, only by doing it can I feel at ease."

Zhao Hao gazed at him deeply and said, "Whether it's a dream or a warning from God, since you have this knot in your heart, then go for it. Perhaps you can change this world and change the outcome of humiliation. As your father, I support you."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "I've been waiting for your words, father. Since you support me, I won't be polite..."

"I am about to take up my post, and I am short of money to pave the way. Please prepare all the money in the treasury of our palace, and I will take it all with me."

Zhao Hao took a deep breath and his face suddenly turned ugly.

"This... isn't verbal support enough? Why bother talking about money?"

"Father, money is very important." Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Zhao Hao felt a little toothache: "Money is important, but having no money is more important."

"I know that the 300,000 taels in the treasury were spent. Later, didn't father hold a birthday banquet and bring in another 200,000 taels? Give it all to me. I can use it."

Zhao Hao opened his mouth, but no words came out, so he had to lower his head and remain silent.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart sank: "You...are you kidding?"

Staring at Zhao Hao's pale face with burning eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian's tone was a bit pleading: "Tell me, this is not true, my father can't be such a spendthrift..."

Zhao Hao sighed sadly: "I didn't expect that talking about money between father and son would hurt the relationship after all..."

Zhao Xiaoqian was anxious: "Is this a matter of hurting feelings? It's only been a few days since the birthday banquet, and how did you spend two hundred thousand taels? It would be enough to seduce a hundred widows!"

Zhao Hao turned his head away and said, "Don't ask. If you ask, I spent it all. Don't ask how. I don't know the whole story either."

(End of this chapter)