The prince is more stable

Chapter 486: Resurveying the National Boundary
One night fish and dragon dance.

Zhao Xiaoqian got what he wanted and spent an extremely debauched night.

After venting his emotions, his thoughts became clear. He leaned against the headboard and was about to ponder the mysteries of the universe and philosophy when the two Japanese sisters came over unwilling to be outdone, and another bloody battle began.

They tossed and turned until almost dawn, and then the four of them fell asleep exhausted.

Just before falling asleep, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized that monogamy does protect men.

It's true, having too many wives is not necessarily a good thing. If each person contributes three times the effort, and everyone shares the responsibility equally, no one can bear it in the long run.

Think about the fate of Ximen Daguanren. He was also a victim of the poison of decadent feudalism...

Zhao Xiaoqian slept until the afternoon, washed up and went to the front hall.

Su Shi was sitting under the apricot tree in the front yard, leisurely sipping tea. When he saw Zhao Xiaoqian coming over, he glanced at him unhappily.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled innocently, "Excuse me, excuse me, I neglected Mr. Zizhan. Have you eaten?"

Su Shi said quietly, "Fortunately, I know your virtue and have asked your servants to prepare lunch for me a long time ago..."

"I took a stroll around Zhending City this morning. It's even more bustling during the day. My dear brother, your non-interventionist approach to governance is truly brilliant. They say the common people are like grass, but grass has the strongest vitality. If you give them a chance to breathe, they will surely grow tenaciously and flourish."

"I really want to see how Zhending City will develop after three years of tax exemption. The officials in the court should also come and see. Those who keep saying that they live for the people, I have never seen them do anything practical for the people..."

"On the contrary, my dear brother, you have remained silent, yet have allowed the people under your rule to enjoy peace and prosperity. Zi'an is truly a great talent for the country. There is a reason why the government values ​​you so highly."

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled. Su Shi was a man of extraordinary talent in poetry, but in fact he still had a cynical character in his bones. He was dissatisfied with the country and the court in many ways. This was probably a common problem among all literati.

Every scholar is a nitpicking censor at heart.

Therefore, men not only have a dream of being a martial arts hero, but also a desire to become a censor.

"Brother Zizhan, after you return to Bianjing, the emperor will definitely look upon you with new eyes. If nothing unexpected happens, you will definitely be appointed to a new official position upon your return to the capital..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly, "A few days ago, I wrote a memorial about the recent situation in Song and Liao and sent it to Bianjing. It included the details of Brother Zizhan's mission to Liao. He was fearless in the face of danger and was ready to die. Even when faced with the murderous intent of the Liao Emperor, he remained unwavering and his integrity remained unchanged."

Seeing Su Shi's astonished look, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "It's just what they call 'a few nice words'. You don't have to thank me for doing anything."

Su Shi was silent for a long time, then sighed, "I still have to thank you, my dear brother Zi'an, but I am already sixty years old. Even if I want to serve my country, I am afraid that my days are numbered."

As scholars grow old, opportunities come.

In Su Shi's bumpy life, perhaps it can be considered a blessing in disguise.

"Although Mr. Zizhan is in his sixties, he can still behead two enemies in battle. With this energy, it will be no problem for you to live another twenty or thirty years." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

When talking about beheading the enemy leader in battle, Su Shi's originally dull state suddenly perked up and his eyes lit up.

"Have you heard my story?" Su Shi asked, suppressing his excitement.

"Since we met again, you have told your story eight hundred times. It's hard to forget." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed.

Beheading the enemy in battle was probably the most awesome thing Su Shi had ever done in his life. When it was mentioned, Su Shi transformed like Ultraman.

Lao Tzu not only believes in light, but he himself is the light.

"In that case, it seems that I can still serve the Song Dynasty for a few more years, haha!"

Zhao Xiaoqian also nodded with a smile.

In fact, in real history, Su Shi was nearing the end of his life and would die of illness in a few years.

However, history has changed now, and Su Shi is in his prime. Perhaps his lifespan has also changed.

If Su Shi had written a few more poems during his extra life, future elementary and middle school students would have been blessed...

At this time, hurried footsteps were heard outside the yard, and a servant reported that Li Qingchen, the judge of Zhending Prefecture, wanted to see him.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little confused. He returned to the city last night when it was almost dark, and today Li Qingchen came to his house. Could this guy smell his scent?

They had to consider changing Li Qingchen's position and making him a police dog in Zhending Prefecture, while still keeping his position.

Li Qingchen entered the yard and saluted Zhao Xiaoqian first. He was particularly surprised to see Su Shi and instantly turned into a little fan. His servile and fawning appearance made Zhao Xiaoqian feel chilled.

Even I, your immediate superior, have never seen you so attentive.

Really, I'll give the order tomorrow to make this guy a police dog.

Li Qingchen and Su Shi had a very pleasant chat, and the topic was getting deeper and deeper. When they were about to talk about how to write a wonderful article, Zhao Xiaoqian had to interrupt them.

"Let's get down to business first, otherwise you won't have enough trouble for the whole day. Besides coming to my house for free food and drinks, do you have anything else to do?"

Li Qingchen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, and said: "Besides eating and drinking for free, of course I have something important to do."

"Your Highness, the envoy sent by Liao Emperor Yelü Hongji has arrived in Zhending City this morning."

Zhao Xiaoqian said, "It's simple. First, detain the man and lock him up in the inn in the city. Then, burn the inn after dark. In short, let the Liao envoy experience exactly what Su Xueshi went through in Shangjing."

Li Qingchen was stunned. Su Shi smiled bitterly and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but you can't do this. It will cause trouble. The Liao Emperor must have important business to send an envoy. You should focus on state affairs." Zhao Xiaoqian turned to look at Li Qingchen and asked, "Did the Liao envoy say what he was here for?"

Li Qingchen said, "It should be the re-survey of the Song-Liao border."

Li Qingchen smiled as he spoke, his smile full of pride: "Your Highness has defeated the Liao army twice, and a few days ago, the Liao army approached Xijin Prefecture. The Liao monarch and his ministers are very uneasy and plan to re-determine the border between the two countries. The two countries will use the new border as the basis and will not invade each other."

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, "You only learn to reason now that you can't win? How can we account for the losses our Great Song suffered when they were unreasonable before?"

Li Qingchen looked at him and said cautiously, "Your Highness means... that without seeing the Liao envoy, our Song army will continue to harass Liao territory?"

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and remained silent.

The current situation is that the Song army holds the strategic initiative, and the Liao Kingdom is well aware of this, so it sent envoys to negotiate peace and survey the border.

The intention of sending envoys was very clear. After re-surveying the border, the two countries would inevitably reach a peace agreement and refrain from fighting again. This would eliminate the strategic initiative of the Song army and buy time for the Liao army to breathe and counterattack.

Yelu Hongji's abacus beads were about to hit Zhao Xiaoqian's face.

Therefore, redefining the national border with the Liao envoys was actually disadvantageous to the Song Dynasty.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent for a long time, Su Shi, who was standing by, could not help but remind him, "Zi'an, you cannot make the decision on this matter. This is beyond the authority of the Governor of Hebei West Route. This matter must be reported to the emperor. Zi'an must not abuse your power, otherwise there will be great disaster."

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled, then smiled bitterly.

Well, things have been going smoothly for him lately, and he almost thinks of himself as a local emperor.

If Su Shi had not reminded him, Zhao Xiaoqian would have really planned to meet the Liao envoy.

It is obviously not appropriate now. This is not something he should decide. If he makes a decision on such an important state affair and Zhao Xu in Bian Jing becomes suspicious, Zhao Xiaoqian will be in trouble.

"Mr. Zizhan is right. Old Li, you should go and settle the Liao envoys and talk about the border survey. I will submit a report to Bian Jing and we can discuss it after the emperor responds."

…………

Bianjing of the Song Dynasty.

Bianjing was as prosperous as ever. Now it was early summer and the weather was a little hot, but generally it was still suitable. Many wealthy and idle families went out of the city, holding oil-paper umbrellas to enjoy the flowers and compose poems.

The Prince of Chu's Palace was no exception.

The servants of the palace were preparing early in the morning. Several carriages were parked outside the door. Zhao Hao's concubines were dressed beautifully and gracefully got on the carriages to accompany His Royal Highness the King of Chu out of the city for an outing.

When the prince traveled, the entire ceremonial procession was very solemn, with flags fluttering in front and the imperial guards leading the way, while behind him were eunuchs and palace maids holding ceremonial items such as golden melons, ruyi, axe-axes, and winged screens.

There were actually over a thousand people in the group, who marched out of Shuntian Gate and headed straight for Qionglin Garden in the west city.

Qionglin Garden is also a royal garden and is not open to the public. Various rare trees are planted in it and various small animals are raised.

Others cannot enter the Qionglin Garden, but Zhao Hao, as the current emperor's uncle, naturally has no problem entering.

Aren’t the royal gardens meant for the emperor’s uncle to enter?

After entering the Qionglin Garden, they found an open grassland. The ceremonial carriage stopped and Zhao Hao was helped out. The concubines in the other carriages also got out.

Looking at the pleasant scenery around them, the concubines cheered and started playing on the grass, with laughter echoing all around.

Zhao Hao was so fat that he had difficulty walking, so he naturally would not join in the fights among his concubines. Now, even playing the game of "King, come and catch me" with his concubines seemed a little overwhelmed.

Looking at the concubines having fun on the grass, Zhao Hao subconsciously counted them and found that he had taken in more than a dozen concubines into the palace in the past few years. Zhao Hao's face turned pale.

How much of my energy and blood has been wasted by these coquettish and slutty bitches!
It's all just a waste, but more than a dozen people haven't even laid an egg for me. I'm like a cat that's been neutered. I'm a little insecure...

I can't count on anyone else, but fortunately I still have my only son, and he is very capable.

...It's really impressive.

Thinking of Zhao Xiaoqian who was far away in Zhending Prefecture, Zhao Hao's mood suddenly relaxed, and a smile appeared on his fat face.

In recent months of the Song-Liao War, military reports have been continuously sent to Bianliang. The Bianliang court has been keeping abreast of the situation between the Song and Liao dynasties, and Zhao Hao naturally heard about it.

After defeating the Liao army twice, Zhao Xiaoqian, in order to rescue the Song envoy Su Shi, crossed the Juma River to the north and mobilized troops to put pressure on the Liao army. Eventually, the Liao emperor was forced to surrender and allowed Su Shi to return safely...

Bian Jing also received the news of this grand and refreshing event.

Two years ago, if someone said that the Song Dynasty was capable of doing such a thing, who would believe it?
At that time, no one in the court dared to talk about military action against the Liao Kingdom. They were thankful to pay less annual tribute. Who would have thought that the Song Dynasty would actually put military pressure on the Liao Kingdom one day, and the Liao Emperor actually gave in.

Thinking of this, a look of glory suddenly appeared on Zhao Hao's face.

It would be great if I could have more sons like this...

Looking at the dozen or so young concubines playing on the grass, Zhao Hao's face darkened again.

"You haven't even laid an egg, yet you have the nerve to play and laugh..." Zhao Hao gritted his teeth.

Then he raised his finger and pointed at one of the young concubines on the grass. Zhao Hao said angrily, "You, that's right, you! Come here, get on the carriage and work!"

(End of this chapter)