The prince is more stable

Chapter 488: Giving Thanks
It has nothing to do with family ties or trust.

Trust is built on the equal strength of both parties.

Only when both sides have the strength to check and balance each other can basic trust be established.

Just like China and the United States in later generations, after the Korean War, both sides were aware of each other's strength. The two sides argued back and forth for decades without really fighting each other. At most, they dared to make some small conspiracies to disgust each other, but there had never been a large-scale hot war.

why?
Because they are very clear about each other's strength, they know that they cannot defeat the other even if they start a war. Instead, it will waste people's money and resources, shake the foundation of the country, and be taken advantage of by a third party.

Since it can't be done, who would do such a stupid thing?
Zhao Xu's trust in Zhao Xiaoqian, regardless of family ties and feelings, is based solely on strength.

What Zhao Xiaoqian had, Zhao Xu also had, and he had more.

The Firearms Bureau of Bian Jing has now produced more than 30,000 flintlock rifles, and the gunpowder used to equip them is worth millions of pounds. If Zhao Xiaoqian is disloyal and intends to usurp the throne by force, Zhao Xu can also equip the upper four armies of Bian Jing within a day to compete with Zhao Xiaoqian's Dragon Guard Camp.

This is the basis of trust, which comes from Zhao Xu's own strength.

Later, Zhao Xiaoqian upgraded firearms and invented paper shell bullets, which he sent to Bian Jing at the time, along with detailed drawings, process flow, and samples of paper shell bullets.

Zhao Xu asked an official from the Firearms Administration to secretly manufacture it, and it was exactly the same as the sample, and was confirmed to be able to penetrate heavy armor from four hundred steps away.

In other words, Zhao Xu now has the same strength as Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian's initiative to submit the drawings and craftsmanship was also one of the reasons why Zhao Xu trusted Zhao Xiaoqian. He believed that Zhao Xiaoqian had no ambitions.

A truly ambitious person would not be so open and honest to the emperor.

Especially for this kind of top-secret weapon that can decide the outcome of a war, people will always try every possible means to keep it secret as their trump card. Who would be like Zhao Xiaoqian and voluntarily hand over everything?

Zhao Xu was not a foolish ruler. He knew very well what he wanted and how the Song Dynasty should reverse its destiny. He even wanted to destroy Liao and pacify Xia in his lifetime, unify China, and become the true ruler of the world.

A lifelong ideal requires the assistance of loyal and capable ministers. Zhao Xiaoqian is undoubtedly the most capable minister, and Zhao Xu's ideals mostly depend on Zhao Xiaoqian to be realized.

Moreover, the current situation is bright. In such a situation, how can Zhao Xu be suspicious of his meritorious officials? Wouldn't that be self-destructive?

Sitting alone in the imperial carriage, Zhao Xu made a secret decision.

The criticism in the court is getting more and more serious. We must find a few people who have emerged and punish them to calm down public opinion.

This is not only to guide the public opinion in the court, but also to show favor to the King of Chu and his son, so that the father and son can see clearly that I have no suspicion towards you. Zhao Zian, you can do things with confidence.

…………

Zhending City.

There was no fighting on the front line, and Zhao Xiaoqian returned to his previous lazy life.

He was not a hardworking person, not in either life.

In my previous life, I worked to survive. In that fast-paced world of capital exploitation, the so-called ideals of ordinary people were a joke. I worked only for the monthly salary. What else could I work for? Would I ring the bell on the Nasdaq for my boss?

This life is even more outrageous. He was born into a prominent family, the only son of the King of Chu. He had no worries about food and clothing since he was born, and he spent money without restraint.

Although he has money, free time and status, he has lost his worries.

If it wasn't for the purpose of changing the fate of his country which was about to be destroyed in thirty years, how could he give up his extravagant and dissolute life and come to this barren place to lead troops to fight against the Liao Kingdom?

The noble prince could not endure any hardship, but since he took office in Zhending Prefecture, he had marched in the wild, slept in the open air, traveled a lot, and had experienced all kinds of hardships. He had devoted all his efforts to the Song Dynasty, so Zhao Xiaoqian felt that no matter how high the official title Zhao Xi bestowed on him, it was reasonable.

In early summer, the weather becomes hotter.

In the Prince's Mansion in Zhending City, Zhao Xiaoqian simply took off his clothes and sat in the backyard with his bare chest to enjoy the cool air. A pot of iced sour plum soup was placed on the low table beside him.

The ice cubes in summer were also made by Zhao Xiaoqian, it just requires a little trick.

To make ice with saltpeter, add four parts saltpeter to one part of room temperature water. Stir it and it will quickly freeze into ice cubes. It is simple and convenient, and much faster than storing ice in winter for wealthy families.

The Imperial City Administration had a dreaded department called the Ice Well Office. It was originally established to store ice for the officials and concubines in the imperial palace. If the function of the Ice Well Office had not changed, Zhao Xiaoqian's move would have led to the collective disbanding of the Ice Well Office.

Fortunately, he no longer stores ice, but has switched to studying the neurology of human pain sensitivity and human anatomy and engineering.

In the summer, taking a sip of iced sour plum soup is extremely refreshing. Not only does it cool down your internal organs, but it also makes your head and mind clearer.

Yelu Hongji sent an envoy to Zhending City to discuss the demarcation of the border between the two countries.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not meet the Liao envoy and sent Li Qingchen to deal with it.

He could not make a decision on this matter. The Liao Kingdom took the initiative to propose to survey the border, which was actually a disguised request for peace. However, the Liao Kingdom was probably still sitting in the position of the boss it once gloriously enjoyed, and was a little embarrassed. So, it used the reason of surveying the border to indirectly ask for peace from Zhao Xiaoqian.

The general meaning is, please stop it, let's be reasonable and not resort to war. Our two countries are brotherly countries and we agreed to be each other's angels. Now you have removed the wings of my angel and added a pair of steel wings to yourself. Is this right?
Zhao Xiaoqian certainly did not want to make peace with the Liao Kingdom. Once the two countries reached a peace agreement, if he wanted to go to war against the Liao Kingdom again in the future, he would have to consider the public opinion of the people.

The Song Dynasty had always prided itself on the virtues of sages and sages, governing the country with honesty and filial piety. The sudden abrogation of the agreed peace agreement was detrimental to the Song Dynasty's image. Zhao Xiaoqian immediately sent a memorial to Bianjing, detailing the incident.

Whether to fight or make peace, the decision should be left to the bigwigs in Bian Jing.

Others dared not say it, but Zhao Xu was not a fool. He knew very well that once the Song and Liao dynasties reached a peace agreement, it would tie the hands of Zhao Xiaoqian and the Longwei Camp, and they would most likely choose to delay and haggle endlessly.

Even if Bian Jing reached a peace agreement with the Liao Kingdom, Zhao Xiaoqian was not required to abide by it.

When the time comes, he will find a reason to resort to war again, and the Song court can explain to the outside world that it is Zhao Xiaoqian's personal behavior and that he will be severely punished. Of course, the so-called punishment will only be a formality for Zhao Xu, and Zhao Xiaoqian knows best what he is going to do.

It was cool under the tree, with a breeze blowing on my face, but it was a little hot and not too comfortable.

Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes, picked up the sour plum soup beside him, took a big gulp, and felt relieved!

Continue to close your eyes and take a nap.

Niao Niao approached quietly and saw Zhao Xiaoqian's wild image with his bare chest. She couldn't help but smile with her hands covering her mouth, and a soft light flashed in her eyes.

This is probably what it means to be fearless when being favored.

If another man was so rude in front of Niao Niao, without even wearing clothes, Niao Niao would have turned against him and walked away long ago. But when Zhao Xiaoqian was shirtless, she felt that he looked particularly manly.

Although his chest was not very strong, his muscles were not well-formed, and were as white and clean as a peeled egg, Niao Niao just thought it looked good. It looked good no matter how she looked at it, and from any angle.

She walked forward lightly, picked up the pot of iced sour plum soup, and took a sip from the pot. The cool feeling made her so comfortable that she squinted her eyes, like a lazy cat basking in the sun.

"Sir, you are so amazing. We just moved into the new house this year, and I haven't even had time to ask the servants to dig an ice cellar, but you actually made ice cubes. What a magical skill! How did you do it?" Niao Niao leaned against him and smiled.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't even raise his eyelids as he said calmly, "Of course, I did it with my ingenuity. There's no need to dig an ice cellar. From now on, our Prince's Mansion will have an endless supply of ice every summer, and there's no need to store it in advance during the winter."

She leaned on his chest, feeling his steady and strong heartbeat, with a sweet smile on her face.

"Following my master is such a blessing. I don't care about anything else. As long as I'm determined to be with you, I'll rely on you for food, clothing, and entertainment. I hope you won't despise me, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian opened his eyes, pinched her soft and bouncy cheeks, and said with a smile, "We've slept together so many times, why are you still talking in such a teasing tone? Are you sure I like this?"

Niao Niao giggled and said, "Whatever appearance your Excellency likes, I will look like that."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and silently hugged her tightly.

It is said that men cannot resist white moonlight, but in fact, men can't resist green tea even more.

The white moonlight only occupies the word "pure", and at most adds a little value to the feelings of youthful ignorance.

But Green Tea, her emotional intelligence, IQ, and the emotional value she provides can drive men crazy.

No wonder so many men in previous lives were willing to be bootlickers and backups.

Sometimes, a green tea girl's light but sore-spot words of concern, a look of deep affection that makes her want to say more, or even an unintentional move of raising her hand to lift her hair, revealing her perfect profile, can instantly make men fall in love with her and be willing to betray the whole world for her.

Even though the whole world doesn't care whether he betrays me or not. Who the hell are you? What can you do if you betray me? What can you do to me?

The two of them leaned against each other in the yard, hugged each other for a long time, quietly enjoying this warm, sweet and quiet time, and wished they could stay like this until they grew old.

After a long time, Niao Niao suddenly straightened up and said, "By the way, sir, there is a guest coming this afternoon. Could you accompany me to meet him?"

"What guest?"

Niao Niao smiled and said, "Sir, do you still remember the poor village outside Zhending where I once lived? When I first arrived, the farmers were quite friendly to me, especially Mr. Ge. He felt sorry for me living alone in the dangerous border town, so he often sent me mountain products."

"Mr. Ge?" Zhao Xiaoqian scratched his head. He had no impression. He had been to that village before in order to understand the people's sentiments. He gained a lot at that time. Because of that visit, Zhao Xiaoqian was more determined to clean up the officialdom of Zhending Prefecture.

Niao Niao rolled her eyes at him and said, "Sir, you are a noble man who forgets things easily. Mr. Ge said that you talked to him for a long time and later placed two silver ingots at the foot of the table. Thanks to those two ingots, Mr. Ge's life is much better off now."

"Today he sent a message through someone, saying he wanted to come and see you, to thank you in person for your kindness, and to ask you to see him."

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized that he had an impression of that old man.

Seeing that he was so poor, but the corrupt officials had not been removed, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't know what he could do for him, so before leaving, he quietly threw two ingots of silver, about twenty taels, at the foot of the table.

I didn't expect that someone would remember my casual act of kindness and walk all the way from the village to the city just to express my gratitude in person.

The people are indeed so simple and honest, so touching that I always want to do something for them.

"Let him come into the mansion in the afternoon. Any time is fine. I won't go out today and will wait for him in the mansion." Zhao Xiaoqian said.

(End of this chapter)