The prince is more stable

Chapter 333 The beauty of adulthood
Zhao Xiaoqian was so busy making money these days, making up lies to sell tea, that he really forgot about what he had promised Su Shi.

Fortunately, it was not too late. I acted decisively to remedy the situation before Su Shi blocked the door and started cursing in the street, thus avoiding a lot of trouble.

It was not difficult to persuade Zhang Dun. Deciding on the envoy was not a big deal, and it was not a lucrative job. The journey was dangerous, and no one was willing to take the lead. Only Su Shi, a comrade full of revolutionary romanticism, was willing to do it.

Zhang Dun was very unhappy, and the closer Zhao Xiaoqian's relationship with Su Shi became, the more unhappy he became.

"Duke Zhao, Su Shi is a member of the old party, and the court originally wanted to continue to exile him." Zhang Dun said lightly.

"Whether they're old or not is a matter for the bosses. I don't care whether they're from the new or old party when I make friends. The old-new struggle has reached this point, with everyone busy fighting among themselves and forgetting about their country and the people. They're not even doing their jobs anymore."

Zhao Xiaoqian's words were somewhat sharp. He stared at Zhang Dun and said, "Mr. Zhang is the Prime Minister. You should stand higher and see farther than others, right? Could it be that as a prime minister, you only care about the struggle between the new and old parties and don't care about the government and national affairs of the Song Dynasty?"

Zhang Dun was stunned for a moment, then looked ashamed. Since he took office as prime minister, what he thought about the most and spent the most energy on was how to suppress the old party, replace the old party, and eliminate the old party.

It seems... he really put state affairs in a secondary position, as if his only mission was to overthrow the old party.

It is indeed inappropriate for a prime minister of a country to have such a narrow mind and vision.

After calming himself down, Zhang Dun said in a deep voice, "As Prime Minister, I can be fair in judging the situation. Su Shi is not qualified to be an envoy. Since he passed the imperial examination in the second year of Jiayou, he has not been involved in diplomatic affairs. Going to Liao to question the Liao Emperor is a matter of diplomatic relations and military conflict between the two countries. Su Shi is not qualified."

Zhao Xiaoqian clicked his tongue. This was not his first day in the court, and he could immediately detect the official tone in Zhang Dun's words.

What diplomatic qualifications, what a serious matter, in short, anyone can do it, except Su Shi.

"Mr. Zhang, we're old acquaintances. Why are you trying to fool me with such lies? Let me tell you the truth. Su Shi took the initiative to ask me to send him to the Liao Kingdom. He wanted to contribute to the Song Dynasty..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, staring at Zhang Dun's complex expression. He said, "I won't comment on the dispute between the new and old factions, or who's right or wrong. But Su Shi, a demoted official who's been oppressed and exiled for years, still worries about his country in his current situation. Even at the age of sixty, he's still willing to go through fire and water for the Song Dynasty."

"Although Prime Minister Zhang and Su Shi disagreed politically, that was a matter within the court. Now that the nation is facing a crisis, and Su Shi has stepped forward, wouldn't it be unreasonable for Prime Minister Zhang to continue to obstruct him? If word gets out, I'm afraid the world will laugh at him."

These words made Zhang Dun's old face blush. He had known that this boy was a little fox that had become a spirit. He had never gotten any good results from fighting with him. He didn't expect that this boy could speak so sharply.

When he spoke freely in front of the prime minister, once the topic rose to the level of family, country and society, it was equivalent to occupying the moral high ground, which put Zhang Dun on a pedestal and unable to get down.

Seeing that Zhang Dun's attitude began to waver, Zhao Xiaoqian added another sentence at the right time.

"To put it another way, since Prime Minister Zhang and Su Shi don't get along, this trip to the Liao Kingdom is a dangerous one. Su Shi might not return alive. The Liao people are known for their domineering ways, and they don't follow the rule of not killing envoys. With Su Shi's fiery temper, it's hard to say whether he will anger the Liao monarch and his ministers."

"If Su Shi was really killed by the Liao people, then Lord Zhang would have killed an enemy through the Liao people's hands, and he would have no worries at all... If I were you, I would definitely agree to let Su Shi serve as the envoy without hesitation."

Zhang Dun's eyes lit up. Huh? This idea is quite interesting...

If you look at it from another angle, it becomes clear immediately.

"Okay, I agree. The Council of State will issue an order today, ordering Su Shi to be the envoy and send him to the Liao Kingdom today. Let him go quickly, and it's best not to delay for a moment!" Zhang Dun said in a firm tone.

Now it was Zhao Xiaoqian's turn to be stunned.

"This...are you so anxious? Mr. Zhang, can't you even try to hide your feelings?"

Zhang Dun said sternly, "I am a man of integrity, with my country and my people at heart. What do I need to hide? Su Shi is the most suitable person to be sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom. Besides, this was his own initiative, not forced by me."

"Prince Zhang has a patriotic heart, and is fair and impartial. I admire him!"

…………

I had thought it would take a lot of effort to convince Zhang Dun, but I didn't expect that the matter would be resolved so miraculously. After leaving the government hall, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed all the way, saying that one should not underestimate the power of hatred. Even the rationality of a prime minister could not withstand the blow of hatred.

But what Zhao Xiaoqian said today was not alarmist.

Su Shi's trip to the Liao Kingdom was indeed very dangerous. After all, he was representing the Emperor of the Song Dynasty to raise an army and demand punishment. With Su Shi's temper, he would probably get angry if he didn't agree with a few words. It is hard to say whether the Liao Kingdom's monarch and ministers would kill him in anger.

After returning to the palace from the Council of State, Zhao Xiaoqian got off the carriage and was surprised to find that Su Shi was still standing outside the palace waiting.

This time Zhao Xiaoqian didn't hide, but walked forward with a smile.

When Su Shi saw Zhao Xiaoqian get off the carriage, he ignored him and stared at the carriage.

After a long pause, Su Shi nodded. "Yes, it was this carriage just now. Your guards said the carriage contained the royal family's women. Humph! Zhao Zian, is this how you fooled me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "I have good news, do you want to hear it? If not, forget it. I'm going home to sleep."

Su Shi's eyes lit up: "Could it be... that it's done?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled but didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Let me ask you again, do you prefer sweet or salty tofu pudding?"

Su Shi was stunned and said subconsciously: "I don't care how others eat, but I must eat salty food."

"I'll give you a chance to reframe your words." Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow. "If you're not satisfied with your answer, you'd better stay in the Song Dynasty and continue to be exiled. Forget about the chance to serve as an envoy."

Su Shi's breathing suddenly became rapid. From what Zhao Xiaoqian said, it seemed that it had really been done.

After hesitating and struggling for a long time, Su Shi gritted his teeth and finally gave an answer that went against his ancestors.

"I... like to eat sweet things!" Su Shi closed his eyes in pain. He felt unfamiliar with himself and he felt that he was not clean.

Then Su Shi glared at Zhao Xiaoqian angrily.

This guy takes advantage of others' misfortune, he is even dirtier.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily: "Okay, as Mr. Zizhan wishes..."

Winking at him, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "If you have time now, go to the Ministry of Personnel. The court should have received a transfer document. I, your humble brother, would like to wish Mr. Zizhan a safe and smooth journey, and a triumphant return to fulfill his mission."

Su Shi was overjoyed. Regardless of age, he bowed to him and said, "Thank you, my dear brother Zi'an. I will remember this favor."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "This isn't a lucrative position. This journey is quite dangerous. Mr. Zizhan, take care of yourself. If nothing unexpected happens, I will soon be appointed as the prefect of Zhending. If you encounter any danger in Liao, Mr. Zizhan, please send someone to Zhending Prefecture to let us know. Please take care of yourself."

Su Shi was startled, thought for a moment and said, "Since my dear brother Zi'an will also be taking up his post in Zhending, why don't you and I go together..."

"No!" Zhao Xiaoqian flatly refused.

"Why?" Su Shi asked in surprise.

"We are traveling the same way. If we decide whether to eat salty or sweet food, or whether to eat meaty or not, I'm afraid we will fight each other as soon as we set out. That's why I don't want to travel the same way with you." Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with disgust.

Su Shi was extremely angry: "You..."

Zhao Xiaoqian added with a smile, "Also, your former enemy, Lord Zhang, also said that since you want to go to Liao to die, not only will he not stop you, but he is willing to help you and ask you to leave as soon as possible without delay."

(End of this chapter)