The prince is more stable

Chapter 52 The Beauty of a Gentleman
There was a sudden thunderclap, stunning the four people in the palace courtyard.

Clan members, grant real power...

In the more than 100 years since the founding of the Song Dynasty, who else has held real power except Taizu's brother Zhao Tingmei?

Think again about the official position Zhao Xiaoqian was given, which was in charge of official affairs of the Imperial City Administration.

Everyone present knew very well what kind of institution the Imperial City Administration was. This institution was secretive and mysterious, with only a few officials, but it was the confidant of successive officials.

For more than a hundred years, the promotion and demotion of many officials in the Song Dynasty court, the balance of power in the court, the advance and retreat of foreign enemy troops, etc., were all closely related to the Imperial City Administration.

It can be said that the information provided by the Imperial City Bureau to the emperor can influence the emperor's decisions and the situation in the court.

The emperor actually gave such an important official position to Zhao Xiaoqian, and even Zhao Xiaoqian himself was a little surprised by the importance he attached to him.

Reflecting on my recent words and deeds, apart from instigating my father to submit a memorial, getting snow salt, and beating up the former prime minister... I haven't done anything particularly proud.

Compared to Zhao Hao and Zhao Shuangzheng's shock, Cai You was even more shocked.

Cai You knew best what it meant for clan members to hold real positions.

After the ambush at the horse farm, Cai You decisively chose to cling to Zhao Xiaoqian. Even when Zhao Xiaoqian later beat Liu Zhi and the entire court of civil and military officials criticized Zhao Xiaoqian, and even his father Cai Jing sternly asked him to keep his distance from Zhao Xiaoqian, Cai You never wavered.

As it turned out, Cai You made the right bet.

For Cai You, who was a commoner, although he had not yet entered the court, a smart person knew how to plan for his future early, find the right person, and then invest all his efforts in him politically. Once the investment was right, he would be able to reap unimaginable fruitful results.

When the imperial decree arrived, Cai You immediately bowed and congratulated him, then found an excuse to leave.

After leaving the gate of the Prince of Chu's Palace, Cai You ran and headed home.

Zhao Xiaoqian is destined to soar to great heights. While he is still in obscurity, not only Cai You, but the entire Cai family must cling tightly to the Chu Palace.

This matter is urgent, it is better to act early than late, otherwise it will be too late.

In the central courtyard of the palace, Zhao Hao's face was filled with joy. Zhao Shuangzheng obviously did not have the same sensitive political sense as Cai You, and he still stood there stupidly and said congratulations.

Unlike Cai You's utilitarianism, Zhao Shuangzheng's eyes were very clear. When Zhao Xiaoqian was given a real position, he would only be happy for Zhao Xiaoqian. He never thought about the issues of interests beyond friendship.

Of course, it does have something to do with ambition.

The future of the Song Dynasty clan can be seen at a glance from the day they are born.

"Let's have a feast! Let's have a feast!" Zhao Hao shouted happily.

Zhao Shuangzheng rubbed his hands excitedly. "I didn't expect to encounter such a happy event today. Last time, Brother Zi'an told me that your family has a new thing called 'stir-frying'. I wonder if I can enjoy it today?"

Zhao Hao nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! It's still early, go home quickly and bring the generous gifts. I will wait for you to arrive and then start the feast."

Zhao Shuangzheng's smile froze: "Go home... and bring a generous gift?"

Zhao Hao was also stunned for a moment: "My family has a happy event, and you come to the banquet without bringing a generous gift?"

Zhao Shuangzheng stared blankly at Zhao Xiaoqian, his eyes full of astonishment, a look that urgently needed to be rebuilt after the collapse of values.

Zhao Xiaoqian's face flushed. This living father is really...

The family was indeed not well off, but the way he ate was too ugly. Zhao Xiaoqian was different. He wanted money while also wanting to save face.

"My dear brother, don't listen to my father's nonsense... There is no rush to give you such a generous gift. You can give it to him after you finish the banquet." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a casual and generous smile.

Zhao Shuangzheng's look of astonishment had not yet dissipated.

In other words, I will definitely give you this generous gift no matter what.

As expected of father and son, the family tradition is inherited perfectly.

"I... I'd better go home first and bring some generous gifts before coming back for the feast. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't enjoy the feast." Zhao Shuangzheng turned around and left.

Zhao Hao raised his hand high at his back and said, "My dear nephew, please come back soon. We will wait for you to start the meal." After Zhao Shuangzheng's figure disappeared, Zhao Hao was still looking at the door with a happy face.

"This child is really sincere!" Zhao Hao praised him highly.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed: "Father, can you be a little more tactful when asking for money next time?"

Zhao Hao said with a chuckle, "How can you be tactful? Setting up a stall in a teahouse and having the dandies of Bianjing City line up to give you money, is that tactful?"

Zhao Xiaoqian paused, then filled with despair.

A word of advice awakened me from my dream. It turns out that my father and I are of the same kind...

So, I have become the person I once hated the most?
No, I think I was like this in my previous life.

More desperate...

The father and son walked into the Yin'an Palace. Zhao Hao was chattering as he walked, ordering the palace to be cleaned and the chef to prepare sumptuous food and wine.

After entering the Yin'an Hall, the father and son sat down, and Zhao Hao's expression finally became serious.

"My son is very talented. Our Chu Palace has finally made a name for itself." Zhao Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Father, what you said is true. A prince is already the pinnacle of a minister. There is no need for him to stand out."

Zhao Hao shook his head. "You're wrong. I'm the only one at the top of the official hierarchy. When I'm gone, do you think you can inherit the throne of King Chu? If you maintain a distant relationship with the government, the most you can be granted is a Duke or a County Duke. Your sons and grandsons will probably be Marquises or Viscounts."

"The grace of a gentleman is cut off after five generations, that's what it means. Therefore, my son, you must interact more with the emperor and, ideally, get an important position from him, so that our lineage of the King of Chu won't be wiped out in the world after five generations."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded, he understood.

Zhao Hao stroked his short beard and suddenly laughed again: "Your Majesty is only twenty years old, but you have the talent to plan for the country. This is beyond my expectation."

"Oh? What do you say?"

"The emperor has ignored all the powerful officials in the court, big and small, and yet he has stuffed you into the Imperial City Department. This has a deep meaning."

"The Imperial City Bureau is directly under the Emperor's command and only obeys the Emperor's orders. The Prime Minister, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Censorate have no power to control the Imperial City Bureau. They dare not even question the Imperial City Bureau when it comes to its work. However, if they commit a crime, the Imperial City Bureau has the right to question them."

"A relative of the clan cannot hold real power. If the emperor is determined to break the ancestral law, the position of the Imperial City Commissioner is the most suitable. This appointment by the emperor is also a test for the entire court, both civil and military officials."

"If any court official accuses the emperor of violating the ancestral laws, the emperor can at least justify it. After all, the Imperial City Bureau is not under the jurisdiction of the imperial court and is basically an internal official of the imperial court. External officials have no right to interfere with the appointment and dismissal of the Imperial City Bureau."

Zhao Hao looked at the silent Zhao Xiaoqian and said seriously, "Qian'er, you must do your best. The emperor has put a lot of effort into appointing you."

Zhao Xiaoqian was not thinking about anything else at the moment, but his mind was on Zhao Hao.

He suddenly realized that this living father did not seem to be as cynical as he seemed. What he said just now was simply that of an old fox who had been in the court for many years and had extremely rich experience.

"Qian'er, the imperial decree has been sent to the palace. Tomorrow you must wear your official uniform and go to the palace to express your gratitude. The emperor has appointed you to handle official business for the Imperial City Department. You should inquire clearly about what the emperor wants you to do."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded in agreement.

Zhao Hao stared at his son's face with eyes full of love.

Ever since he was knocked unconscious by Cuju last time and nearly died, he was a completely different person after waking up.

In less than a month, not only was his character no longer cowardly and withdrawn, but he was also able to save the palace from crisis and increase its income. Now even the emperor began to use him.

Just thinking about it was like a dream, and Zhao Hao couldn't help but wonder if his son had been swapped.

"Son, your future is bright. You should tread carefully and be cautious with your words and actions. When you become successful, there's not much your father can do to help you..."

"But no matter what storms you encounter in the future, the Prince of Chu's Mansion will still be your place of refuge. As long as I am not old and can still move, you can always hide behind me."

"As long as I am alive, I will protect you."

(End of this chapter)