The prince is more stable

Chapter 491: Close Relatives Can Be Killed
The Crown Prince had calmly accepted the reality of being captured. He certainly felt a sense of shame, but he was helpless in the face of the Song army and Zhao Xiaoqian. Being captured was just being captured, and he was just angry for a while.

The person who was most heartbroken about this incident was naturally Yelu Hongji.

He really wanted to die.

A wealthy family has accumulated wealth for generations, but suddenly a prodigal son appears. What can they do? This prodigal son is the only child in the family.
Yelu Hongji had the same feeling when looking at Yelu Yanxi.

"Are all the people who should die dead?" asked Yelu Hongji.

He was asking this question to Yelu Chun.

After the truth was uncovered, Yelu Hongji already knew that Yelu Chun had tried to silence him.

After the initial defeat, Yelu Chun fled back to Feihu Bingmasi with dozens of cavalrymen, and later two or three thousand Liao troops escaped from the battlefield one after another.

Yelu Chun insisted to the officials of Feihu Bingmasi that the two to three thousand Liao soldiers were Song people in disguise, so he mobilized the Bingmasi army to encircle and suppress these two to three thousand people. Not a single one escaped, and they were all killed.

The killing was cruel and brutal.

But from the perspective of powerful people like Yelu Hongji, he actually thought that Yelu Chun was right.

The capture of the Crown Prince must remain a permanent secret in the Liao Kingdom. No one must be allowed to know about it. Even if someone might know about it, they must be killed.

Yelu Chun's cheeks were swollen. He struggled to his knees after hearing this and said, "They were all killed. Even the dozens of guards around me were dealt with afterwards. No one else knew about this except me."

Yelu Hongji stared at Yelu Chun with the same sinister look in his eyes, and said slowly, "We must pay attention to the rumors in the Liao court and the country in the future. Any rumors that the crown prince was captured must be investigated thoroughly and the entire clan must be exterminated."

"Yes!" Yelu Chun was also very happy.

He knew that since Yelu Hongji said this, his life was saved.

Yelu Hongji's bottom line is that he cannot depose Yelu Yanxi. This is a helpless choice.

Others with the surname Yelu are all relatives, only Yelu Yanxi is his grandson.

If the news of his capture were to get out, even if Yelu Hongji was unwilling to depose the Crown Prince, the other clan members would unite to force him to abdicate and force him to choose another crown prince from among the clan members. This was something Yelu Hongji absolutely could not accept.

Slapping people wildly is also a physical job. Yelu Hongji was a little tired, and waved his hand tiredly at Yelu Chun, asking him to leave.

Yelu Yanxi was left behind and knelt in front of Yelu Hongji with a nervous mood.

Yelu Hongji had a cold face and closed his eyes in deep thought.

After a long pause, Yelu Hongji slowly said, "This matter has been covered up for now. As long as the Liao Kingdom doesn't discuss it, it will be fine. As for if someone in the Song Kingdom who knows about this spreads it in the future, we don't have to pay any attention to it. We will just explain it as a rumor to sow discord."

"Grandson knows." Yelu Yanxi said honestly.

Yelu Hongji added, "Yelu Chun is useful, but not for long. Before you ascend the throne, you'll need his assistance to check and balance the clan members. But after you ascend the throne, find a reason to kill him immediately!"

Yelu Yanxi was startled and his face turned pale again.

Yelu Hongji's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he slowly said, "You were captured and rescued thanks to him, but he also knew about it. Keeping him here will only bring disaster. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yelu Yanxi nodded: "Grandson understands, I will keep it in mind."

Looking at Yelu Yanxi's disappointing look, Yelu Hongji remembered the scandal of his capture, and his mood, which had just calmed down, suddenly became furious again.

After a slap, Yelu Hongji said coldly: "Get lost!"

…………

Zhending City.

Su Shi was finally about to say goodbye and return to Beijing.

Su Shi had been eating and drinking for free at Zhao Xiaoqian's house these past few days, and it felt like he was living in heaven, mainly because of the food.

Zhao Xiaoqian's cooking skills opened Su Shi's eyes. He had eaten a lot of new and novel things in the past few days, including fried, stir-fried, and stewed dishes of various flavors. Su Shi gained three pounds.

Outside the gate of Zhending City, Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi bid farewell to each other reluctantly, with reluctance showing on their faces.

"My dear brother, you have been guarding the border for our country and have worked hard. After we part today, I don't know when we will meet again..." Su Shi said sadly.

Zhao Xiaoqian likes meeting people and dislikes parting. This kind of scene always makes people feel upset.

"Mr. Zizhan, my parents and my wives are all in Bianjing. I will be back soon. There is always a limit to serving my country. You can't expect me to abandon my parents for the sake of my country. Don't worry, we will see each other again soon."

Su Shi still said sadly: "If you return to Bianjing, I don't know where to be an official..."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you should stay in Bianjing. I have sent a memorial to the emperor, and it speaks only good things about you. After returning to Bianjing, as long as you don't seek trouble and don't get involved in the dispute between the old and new parties, no one should target you."

Looking up at the sky, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "It's getting late. If Mr. Zizhan doesn't set off, he'll have to stay another night..."

Su Shi nodded and walked towards the city gate. "I'll stay one more night, reluctantly. What are you having for dinner tonight?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyelids jumped, and he grabbed Su Shi and said, "You...you'd better leave. I can't afford to support you anymore."

Sometimes Zhao Xiaoqian felt powerless against this kind of foodie Lao Deng.

Su Shi's taste was even more picky than his. Not only was he picky about food, but he also only chose expensive ingredients. He would not even look down on anything that was slightly cheaper.

During the few days he stayed in Zhending City, Su Shi was reluctant to return to Beijing. The reason was that he was waiting for the soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp to hunt bear paws.

As expected, the Dragon Guards didn't disappoint him. They didn't catch any prey. Su Shi had no choice but to set off.

Look, this is what great writers do.

After some persuasion and some urging, Su Shi was finally escorted to the carriage. Undeterred, Su Shi lifted the curtain. Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to know what he was about to say and said hurriedly, "When my soldiers hunt bear paws, I will definitely keep two for Mr. Zizhan."

Su Shi smiled with satisfaction and stretched out two fingers to emphasize: "...front palm!"

"Okay, front paw." Zhao Xiaoqian smiled.

He didn't agree with it in his heart, but he left his two hind paws for him to test his eating ability.

The two men said goodbye, and the carriage set off, followed by a team of about a hundred imperial guardsmen.

This team of one hundred people was under the command of Chen Shou. Zhao Xiaoqian had to ensure Su Shi's safety when returning to Beijing. Although they were already in the territory of the Song Dynasty, it was hard to say whether the Liao people would set an ambush on the road. After all, Su Shi's survival was a heavy slap in the face of Yelu Hongji.

After seeing Su Shi off, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the Prince's Mansion in the city.

Li Qingchen was already waiting outside the door. When he saw Zhao Xiaoqian returning on horseback, Li Qingchen hurried forward.

"Master Su has left, you won't come here to eat for free, right?" Zhao Xiaoqian said in a bad tone.

These past few days, Li Qingchen had been frequenting the Prince's Mansion under the pretext of discussing literature with Su Shi, but he hadn't discussed literature at all. Instead, whenever it was dinnertime, he would stare longingly towards the kitchen, blissfully wondering what the Prince's Mansion would be having that day...

Perhaps the food in the Prince's Mansion was so delicious that Li Qingchen became addicted to it and couldn't be driven away.

Sometimes Zhao Xiaoqian really wants to call the police...

"Why doesn't Mr. Su stay a few more days? I have quite a good relationship with him in discussing poetry and prose, and have benefited a lot. I would like to talk with him for a few more days..." Li Qingchen smacked his lips regretfully.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him coldly. "Do you look like you're talking about poetry or prose?" His mouth was watering.

Li Qingchen then chuckled and said, "That's all right. Your Highness is also known as 'Zhao Banque'. I will definitely benefit from discussing poetry and prose with Your Highness frequently in the future..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly: "No food."

Li Qingchen immediately said, "Forget it, I'm busy with official duties..."

"Come here, see the guests off!"

"Wait! Wait!" Li Qingchen said hurriedly, "I have important matters to attend to today."

"explain."

"Han Wei, the Transport Commissioner of the Western Hebei Route, and Wang Yuan, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Bianjing, have been waiting at the Zhending City Posthouse for several days, hoping to see His Royal Highness the Prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned. "Transportation Envoy Han Wei, and Ministry of Revenue Assistant Minister Wang Yuan? I don't know them well and don't want to see them. Just help me receive them."

Li Qingchen smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness must see them. These two were sent from Bian Jing with the Emperor's orders."

"What are they doing in Zhending Prefecture?"

"Your Highness and your men have conquered over 400 li of territory. After consultation, the court officials have decided to establish a new county on this 400-li stretch of land north of Zhending Prefecture and south of the Juma River. At the same time, they have also surveyed and measured the cultivated land, and relocated farmers and refugees."

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little impatient: "They should just do their job, why do they want to see me?"

Li Qingchen smiled wryly and said, "Officials greet and see off guests, all of which are based on social etiquette. As the Governor-General and Pacification Commissioner of the Western Hebei Route, it's only natural for Your Highness to meet with them, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. Even in this remote border town, people had to consider the ways of the world. There was no way out.

"Just tell them that this prince is not good at socializing, is introverted by nature, and is very shameless. He jumps out of the window when he goes out and is too embarrassed to walk in through the door..." Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Li Qingchen opened his eyes wide in astonishment: "Your Highness, do you want to listen to what you are saying?"

Unsociable, introverted by nature, and incredibly thin-skinned...

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and waved his hand irritably: "Go ahead, go ahead! There's a banquet at my house tonight. If they have any conscience, they can't come empty-handed."

Li Qingchen was overjoyed. Apart from anything else, he could have another delicious meal tonight.

At dusk, a guest came to the door.

Han Wei, the transport commissioner of the western route of Hebei, and Wang Yuan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came together and arrived outside the Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not go out to greet them in person. Their identities and official ranks did not qualify them to have His Royal Highness the Prince personally go out to greet them.

Li Qingchen considered himself half-master and led the two into the main hall of the Prince's Mansion.

After the three of them entered the hall, servants served them tea and snacks. They chatted for a while before Zhao Xiaoqian, as the protagonist and host, finally came in.

After entering the hall, the three of them hurriedly stood up to greet each other, and Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and nodded in greeting.

Han Wei, the Transport Envoy, was about forty years old. During the Song Dynasty, the Transport Envoy was a powerful official position with considerable power. The position of Transport Envoy was first established in the late Tang Dynasty by the imperial court in order to divide and check the power of the military governors in various regions.

Judging from the official title, it seems that the Transfer Envoy is only in charge of matters such as canal and land transportation, but in fact the Transfer Envoy is a local administrative official who can be involved in all matters including military, political, and people's livelihood.

If you really don't understand how much power the Transport Envoy had, you might as well think about the original intention of establishing this official position in the late Tang Dynasty. It was intended to compete with the military governors who held heavy troops. Just ask yourself, is that awesome?

(End of this chapter)