The prince is more stable

Chapter 494: The King and His Ministers at odds
Bian Jing, Yanfu Palace.

Zhao Hao came out of the Qingshou Hall wearing the yellow robe of a prince. He looked dusty and a little embarrassed.

That’s right, Zhao Hao went into the Qingshou Hall again to give gifts to Empress Dowager Xiang.

As expected, he was refused an audience by Empress Dowager Xiang. Zhao Hao had no choice but to hand the gift to the palace maid and said goodbye with an embarrassed look on his face.

Since Zhao Xiaoqian took office in Zhending Prefecture, Zhao Hao went to the palace to see Empress Dowager Xiang every now and then, and shamelessly gave her gifts in various ways.

During the first few visits, Empress Dowager Xiang received them very politely. The uncle and sister-in-law exchanged greetings and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Empress Dowager Xiang had been a widow in the deep palace for many years, and she unknowingly found the long-lost family affection of the royal family.

But later, something was wrong with Zhao Hao.

Giving gifts is okay occasionally. Outsiders will only praise Zhao Hao for being a good person and valuing friendship. Who says that there is no family affection in the royal family? Doesn't His Royal Highness the King of Chu maintain the family affection of the royal family very well?

However, if a brother-in-law runs to his widowed sister-in-law's house with gifts every now and then, this behavior is very wrong.

The palace has always been a hotbed of rumors. Those lowly eunuchs and palace maids in the palace, each of whom seems gentle and respectful, are actually the spreaders of rumors.

As time went by, word spread that Zhao Hao frequently requested to see Empress Dowager Xiang, and the gossip grew increasingly unpleasant.

Zhao Hao was thick-skinned and never cared about rumors, but it was different for Empress Dowager Xiang. His sister-in-law, who had been widowed for many years, had to respect herself. This was related to the reputation of the royal family, and the Empress Dowager attached great importance to her reputation. She had lived alone in the harem for many years, but when she was old, she had an unclear relationship with her brother-in-law and gossip spread about her. Naturally, Empress Dowager Xiang was not happy about it.

Later, Zhao Hao went to the palace several times to ask for an audience with Empress Dowager Xiang, but was always refused by Empress Dowager Xiang on the grounds of poor health. Except for festivals and family reunions in the palace, Empress Dowager Xiang basically stopped summoning Zhao Hao alone.

This made Zhao Hao very disappointed.

I wanted to be a noble royal bootlicker, but it turned out that people wouldn't let me lick them.

Walking out of the Qingshou Hall, Zhao Hao faced the strange looks of the palace servants and walked towards the palace gate in a daze.

My sister-in-law has been a widow for many years. Will she die if I lick her?

Of course, ancient people still had certain limitations. They didn’t know that in the famous works written by later generations, uncles and sisters-in-law could easily get into trouble.

For example, Wu Song and Jin Lian, Princess Iron Fan and Monkey...

To be honest, Zhao Hao had been licking Zhao Ji for so long, and his original intention was to compete for favor with Zhao Ji. No matter what Zhao Ji wanted to do, he would just go against him.

However, after licking for a while, Zhao Hao couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

He met Empress Dowager Xiang several times. Although the Empress Dowager summoned him behind the curtain every time, the sharp-eyed Zhao Hao also looked at Empress Dowager Xiang directly through the pearl curtain.

Empress Dowager Xiang is only about forty this year, and I think she still has her charm...

It was no surprise that Zhao Hao was sent away today. After being discouraged, he secretly made up his mind.

I will continue to lick him and give him gifts in the future. I cannot fall under Zhao Ji anyway. I will do whatever he does.

Zhao Hao's character has a good advantage, that is, he never admits defeat and never wastes time on internal conflicts. He is optimistic and mean by nature, and he is also very thick-skinned.

Such people can easily succeed no matter what environment they are in.

After leaving the palace, Zhao Hao was about to get on the carriage to return to the palace when he suddenly saw a figure walking towards him from a distance. Upon closer inspection, he found that it was Prime Minister Zhang Dun.

Zhang Dun also saw Zhao Hao at this time. He hesitated for a moment, then immediately smiled and walked forward to greet Zhao Hao.

There is no way, Zhao Hao has recently become a high-ranking official, even higher than the prime minister.

"Pingzhang on important military and national affairs" does not hold real power, but his rank is one level higher than that of the prime minister, and the prime minister has to take the initiative to salute him when he sees him.

Well, that’s the bad stuff done by young officials.

After the ceremony, Zhang Dun glanced towards the palace gate with a smile and said, "Has His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu just come out of the palace?"

Zhao Hao grinned: "Yes."

"An official summons?"

Zhao Hao suddenly felt a little embarrassed: "Uh, no, I was just bored after dinner, so I took a walk to help digest the food..."

Zhang Dun looked at him strangely, what the hell, taking a walk to help digestion?

Are you taking a stroll into the palace to digest your food?

Thinking of some recent rumors, Zhang Dun said calmly, "Your Highness is plump, and walking around more would be very good for your health."

Then Zhang Dun said, "It just so happens that the emperor has summoned me. If Your Highness has time, why don't we go to Funing Palace together?"

Zhao Hao was stunned: "This, isn't it appropriate?"

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "That's fine. The Emperor holds Your Highness in high esteem. Today's summons was originally for matters concerning the frontier, which is somewhat related to Your Highness. The Emperor will not be offended."

"Border affairs?" Zhao Hao blinked.

Since it has some connection with him, it is most likely related to his son Zhao Xiaoqian. Could it be that Song and Liao are at war again?

Zhao Hao was going to refuse, but then he thought, he was already in charge of important military and national affairs, the government did not give him the title for show, it had a purpose, when it was time to take the initiative in military and national affairs, he might as well take the initiative and not let the government down.

Zhao Hao then said happily, "Since Lord Zhang has invited me, I respectfully obey your order. Lord Zhang, please go first."

Zhang Dun hurriedly said, "There is an order of seniority. Your Highness, please go first." The two of them pushed and shoved for a while, and finally entered the palace side by side.

In Funing Palace, Zhao Xu was feeling both angry and happy today.

What made her angry was that Concubine Liu, who was pregnant in the harem, was making trouble again. Yesterday, Empress Dowager Xiang gave Empress Meng an exquisitely crafted golden hairpin. When Concubine Liu heard about it, she was very angry, but she didn't dare to make a scene with Empress Dowager Xiang, so she vented her anger on Zhao Xu.

Just now, Zhao Xu comforted her for a long time and gave her a bunch of jewelry, which finally calmed Concubine Liu down.

Another piece of blood feud has been added, and thousands of words can be summed up in one sentence, "I'm waiting for you to unload the goods."

It is said that Concubine Liu is already seven months pregnant and will give birth in two months. Not only Zhao Xu, but all the civil and military officials in the court are looking forward to the baby in her belly.

If it is a boy, then with the blessing of the ancestors, the Song Dynasty will have a successor and he will be the undisputed crown prince of the Song Dynasty.

If it was a girl, Concubine Liu would probably be hung up and beaten by Zhao Xu to avenge the mischief she had done during the ten months of pregnancy.

This royal couple is gambling their future.

As for the happy event, there was indeed one, and Zhao Xu was overjoyed just thinking about it.

Zhao Xiaoqian traveled thousands of miles to deliver a letter, and the Liao Kingdom sent an envoy to Zhending Prefecture, requesting that the Song and Liao countries re-survey the border between the two countries.

On the surface, it seemed like a trivial matter of border demarcation between the two countries, but in fact, any discerning person could see that this was the Liao Emperor's euphemistic way of asking for peace from the Song Dynasty.

The Liao Kingdom, which had been powerful for a hundred years, had been invincible in the eyes of the Song people since the Battle of Chanyuan. Unexpectedly, the situation had changed, and today it was the Liao Kingdom's turn to take the initiative to seek peace with the Song Dynasty.

For the emperor and his ministers of the Song Dynasty, this was definitely good news that was exciting and inspiring.

Regardless of whether it was a festival or not, Zhao Xu was eager to organize all the civil and military officials to go to the Taimiao to offer sacrifices to heaven. For no other reason, he just wanted to show off to his ancestors and tell them to open their eyes and see how awesome I am. What you can't do, I can easily do at the age of twenty-something.

A hundred years later, my tablet will be placed in the center of the Taimiao. Among my ancestors, who will agree and who will oppose?
Today, Zhao Xu summoned Zhang Dun to an audience, and the topic of discussion was also the Liao Kingdom's request to survey the national border.

Not long after, Zhang Dun and Zhao Hao entered the Funing Palace.

Zhao Xu was taken aback when he saw Zhao Hao coming as well, then he smiled and said, "Uncle Chu's arrival is just in time. I should discuss this matter with him."

Zhao Hao said with a panicked expression, "I have not received the imperial edict and have not appeared before the emperor. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Zhao Xu waved his hand nonchalantly and said with a smile, "That's all right. Speaking of which, today's discussion is all thanks to Zi'an. Haha, Zi'an is doing so well in Zhending Prefecture, so why wouldn't it be a shame for Uncle Chu to take advantage of his son's fame?"

After ordering the palace maid to give him a seat, Zhao Xu recounted the story of the Liao Kingdom's border survey.

After saying this, Zhang Dun stroked his beard and pondered in silence. Zhao Hao blinked his small green eyes, looking like he didn't want to participate in the topic.

After a long pause, Zhang Dun slowly said, "What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Zhao Xu hummed and said, "I believe that we should reject the Liao Kingdom's request. After all, this is the Liao Emperor's disguised request for peace. If the Great Song agrees, the two countries will have no choice but to cease hostilities."

"But if the two countries reach a truce, it will tie the hands and feet of Zi'an on the front lines. The soldiers of the Dragon Guard Battalion are in high spirits and seem invincible. A truce at this time will undoubtedly dampen the morale of our soldiers and waste a great military opportunity..."

Zhang Dun's expression remained unchanged, and he remained silent.

Seeing that he had not expressed his opinion for a long time, Zhao Xu quickly glanced at his cheek, as if trying to see what Zhang Dun was thinking from his expression.

After a long while, Zhao Xu couldn't help but ask, "I wonder if Mr. Zihou has any advice?"

Zhang Dun sighed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. My thoughts differ from yours."

A gleam flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes, but he smiled broadly and said, "I'd like to hear Mr. Zihou's profound opinions."

Zhang Dun said slowly, "The Prince of Hejian has led his Dragon Guard Battalion soldiers in repeated victories against the Liao. This is naturally a good thing. Thanks to the merits of these soldiers, our Song Dynasty has gained over 400 miles of territory for nothing. This is also a cause for celebration, and the people of the country should celebrate..."

Zhao Xu smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Zihou, just say 'but' directly."

"However, the Prince of Hejian only has over 30,000 soldiers under his command. Even with powerful firearms, they are not necessarily invincible. If the Liao Emperor is truly enraged, and Yelu Hongji mobilizes the entire nation's troops to attack without regard for the consequences, I believe that the Prince of Hejian's 30,000 soldiers may not be able to resist."

"If they can't stop it, then after the Liao army defeats the Dragon Guard Camp, they will definitely not withdraw their troops, but will seize the opportunity to march south in large numbers and occupy both the east and west routes of Hebei."

"The Liao rulers and their ministers are deeply wary of the Song Dynasty's firearms. If they achieve victory, they will not retreat and will choose to launch an all-out war against the Song Dynasty. Besides the Dragon Guard Battalion, the Song Dynasty, to be honest, has no army of equal strength. The consequences are truly unpredictable..."

Zhao Xu's face froze when he heard this.

What Zhang Dun said was actually not without reason, but Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun had different positions and different ideas.

Zhao Xu's position was to seize the initiative on the battlefield and aim to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

As prime minister, Zhang Dun's position was to stabilize the domestic situation. He did not seek to expand territory, but only to stabilize the country.

One is an offensive idea, and the other is a defensive idea. In fact, there is nothing wrong with both ideas. It just depends on which idea suits the current situation of the Song Dynasty.

After the emperor and his ministers each made their own presentations, the hall fell into silence.

Only Zhao Hao looked around and then smacked his lips.

Military affairs are too boring, how about... taking a break now and thinking about how to continue licking the empress dowager?
Zhao Hao's fat body shook slightly, and then his eyes became dull, as if a monkey whose spirit had left its body, and his soul had drifted to an unknown place.

(End of this chapter)