The prince is more stable

Chapter 41 Intolerable
The low-key and unmotivated Prince of Chu just wants to go to a brothel and sleep with a girl.

Why are there always people who are unwilling to support such a simple and harmless consumption behavior that even contributes to the GDP of the Song Dynasty?

Zhao Xiaoqian was very annoyed. He didn't like dealing with people in the court, especially the top figures. The two carriages in front of him were either carrying this prime minister or that prime minister, and he didn't want to pay any attention to them.

They are all old men in their sixties and seventies. Why are they blocking the Imperial Street to argue about this? How childish!

"Turn the carriage around and take another route." Zhao Xiaoqian ordered immediately.

Can't afford to offend, can afford to hide.

Chen Shou looked embarrassed. "Sir, I'm afraid we can't turn around. These two carriages have completely blocked the entire intersection, making it impossible to move forward."

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment, then sighed and said, "Let's give up the carriage and ask the driver to go back. We'll walk to Panlou."

Zhao Xiaoqian got off the carriage and glanced at the two carriages not far away.

Just as he was about to leave on foot, he suddenly saw the curtain of a carriage opposite him being lifted, and an old man with white hair and beard appeared in his sight.

The old man had a serious face and was stern, with a calm temperament, but Zhao Xiaoqian saw a hint of sinisterness in his eyes. Being stared at by such a pair of eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

Before Zhao Xiaoqian left, the old man suddenly asked, "But is the Prince of Chu in person?"

Zhao Xiaoqian paused, sighed secretly, turned around and put on a sunny smile.

"Exactly. I wonder if this old man..."

The old man stroked his beard and pulled the corner of his mouth: "I am Zhang Dun."

Zhao Xiaoqian showed a look of surprise, hurried two steps to the front of the carriage, and bowed deeply: "My son Zhao Xiaoqian, I pay my respects to Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Dun said nothing, stroked his beard and looked at him. His seemingly cloudy eyes seemed to be able to pierce Zhao Xiaoqian's soul.

After a long pause, Zhang Dun sneered, "Heroes have always emerged from youth. I've heard of the Crown Prince's name for a long time. Seeing him in person today, I can see that he is truly imposing and distinguished."

"Mr. Zhang is a pillar of the government, diligent and hardworking, and has saved the country from collapse. Your Majesty has Mr. Zhang's assistance, which is a blessing for you and the Song Dynasty. I admire you deeply."

There are too many nice words to praise each other in business. It is one thing to be unimpressed by both the old and new parties, but one still needs to grasp the aspects of human relations and social etiquette.

Zhao Xiaoqian's flattery really made Zhang Dun happy. His serious old face showed a bit of joy, and his eyes looked at Zhao Xiaoqian more and more amiable.

"Prince, please don't flatter me. I have to thank you very much. If it weren't for the memorial from your father, His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu, the emperor would not have transferred me back to Beijing from Ruzhou. The King of Chu and his son have done a great job in abolishing the old and restoring the new for the benefit of the people." Zhang Dun said with a smile on his face.

"The emperor and Minister Zhang had already made plans. My father and I just stumbled upon this by accident. How dare we take credit for it?" Zhao Xiaoqian said modestly.

"Very good, very good. This young man is truly extraordinary..." Zhang Dun pulled his cheeks, pretending to smile, then stroked his beard and said, "I just saw the prince's carriage coming. I wonder where he is going?"

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately revealed a face full of concern for the country and its people: "I am worried about the country. Today I plan to go to Daxiangguo Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, praying to the Buddha to bless the emperor of the Song Dynasty to live a hundred years and the country to last forever."

After saying that, he randomly found a direction, clasped his hands together and bowed, his expression pious and holy.

Zhang Dun was stunned. Is this such positive energy?
Compared to this moment, he and another old man's carriage were blocked at the intersection and refused to give way. The people around them complained. Zhang Dun suddenly felt that he was the left prime minister, but his actions were so insignificant.

Just as he was about to feel ashamed, Zhang Dun suddenly came to his senses and realized that something was wrong!

"Daxiangguo Temple is right on East Street, just a stone's throw away. The direction the prince's carriage is going seems to be... Panlou Street?" Zhang Dun stroked his beard and smiled.

Panlou Street is very famous in the city of Bianjing. Not only are there many delicious foods, but there are also many brothels and prostitutes. It is a place of entertainment and debauchery that the playboys in Bianjing flock to.

Zhao Xiaoqian was slightly startled, but remained calm and said, "The driver is new and doesn't know the way. Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for reminding me. I'll fine him a month's salary later."

Zhang Dun breathed a sigh of relief. Damn, he thought this guy had such great sentiments, but it turns out he was just a playboy.

You're such a good pretender. The little shame I felt just now was totally not worth it. It was all in vain.

"Your Highness is too polite. It is I who am in the way. It is really inappropriate for the carriage to be blocked at the intersection, but..." Zhang Dun pointed at the carriage opposite that refused to give way and sneered.

"That old dog Liu Zhi and I have been at odds for years. He was the one who provoked me by stopping my carriage today. If I bow my head and yield, it will inevitably dampen the spirit of my Yuanfeng New Party. For the welfare of the people of the world, I cannot yield today!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned.

Is it necessary to escalate the dispute between two old men and the matter of blocking a carriage to such a high level?
"That's right. Our New Party cannot lose its momentum in front of the Old Party. Mr. Zhang, please continue. I won't bother you with your work for the country. Goodbye." Zhao Xiaoqian just wanted to leave quickly and had no interest in talking nonsense with this old man who was just seeking fame. Zhang Dun nodded amiably.

Others did not know Zhao Xiaoqian's true thoughts on the New and Old Parties. In everyone's eyes, with the submission of that memorial by King Zhao Hao of Chu, the emperor and his ministers in the court had already classified the King of Chu and his son into the New Party camp.

To Zhang Dun, Zhao Xiaoqian was definitely one of his own and the leader of the movement to abolish the old and restore the new.

After a pleasant conversation, Zhao Xiaoqian was about to say goodbye when he saw the curtain of the carriage opposite was also lifted.

An old and very rude voice came.

"Is the boy opposite me the Prince of Chu?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned and sighed irritably.

I just want to sleep with a girl! Why is everything going wrong today? After chatting with the new party and the old party, I am looking for someone to chat with, but I am not a chat companion!
Turning around, Zhao Xiaoqian forced out a polite smile: "My boy Zhao Xiaoqian, I pay my respects to Mr. Liu."

The person in the carriage opposite was called "Liu Zhi". Before Emperor Zhao Xu took power, he was Shangshu You Pushe, and naturally the right prime minister.

Now Liu Zhi has been demoted and is no longer the right prime minister, but it is not excessive to call him "Prime Minister" out of courtesy.

Liu Zhi is about sixty years old, and his face looks like an octogenarian. It must not have been easy for the old party to be in power over the years.

Liu Zhi, however, refused to appreciate Zhao Xiaoqian's gesture and snorted coldly, "I heard that you were the one who instigated the King of Chu to submit the memorial to abolish the old and restore the new?"

"You little brat, what right do you have to discuss state affairs? This new law is a disaster for the country and the people, how can it be good? The court is being filled with chaos and foul smells because of you treacherous ministers!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face froze and he suddenly looked unhappy.

I treat you politely because I have good upbringing, but you start cursing as soon as you open your mouth. Do you really take politeness as a blessing?
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xiaoqian decided to endure it a little longer.

He was unwilling to pay attention to either the new or old party, and even more unwilling to get involved in the struggle between the new and old dynasties.

If we confront Liu Zhi today, we will inevitably be harassed by the old party forces in the future. That is no different from wearing new shoes and stepping on smelly dog ​​shit.

Ignoring Liu Zhi's insults, Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head and looked at Zhang Dun.

Zhang Dun had a calm expression and a scrutinizing look in his eyes, as if he was intently observing how Zhao Xiaoqian would handle the situation next.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled at Zhang Dun and bowed deeply, saying, "Goodbye, young man."

After saying this, he turned around and left with Chen Shou and other imperial guards.

Just after taking two steps, Liu Zhi's angry and resentful voice came from behind him.

"The father is as stupid as a pig, knowing only to curry favor with his superiors. The son is reckless, calling himself a young hero and sacrificing the country's prosperity for his own future. Both father and son are of the same kind. It is a disgrace to the Song Dynasty and a disaster to the world that the court is occupied by people like you!"

"The government is so incompetent!"

Zhao Xiaoqian stopped, took a deep breath, and his face gradually turned pale.

Can you continue to endure?
Of course I can tolerate it. An old man who has been demoted is full of complaints and there is no need to care about any unpleasant words.

But, should I continue to endure it?

The Prince of Chu, born into a noble family, is he worthy of his status if he only knows how to endure everything? How is he different from the cowardly Prince of Chu before?
Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly sneered, I can’t bear it today!

"Chen Shou." Zhao Xiaoqian spoke slowly with his back to the carriage.

"The end will be here."

As if he had a premonition of something, Chen Shou's voice was filled with a hint of murderous intent.

Zhao Xiaoqian was silent for a moment, his tone was very light, but extremely firm.

"Kill the horses and smash the carriages."

(End of this chapter)