The prince is more stable

Chapter 526 All parties are surging
Prince Chu's Mansion.

The news of the prince's imprisonment reached Zhao Hao's ears immediately.

When Chen Shou reported with a furious look on his face, Zhao Hao had a calm expression. He sat motionless in the Yin'an Hall with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

The only child in the Prince of Chu's mansion had such a big thing happen to him, but his biological father was so calm. Chen Shou couldn't help but get anxious.

"Your Highness! The Crown Prince is a delicate and fragile person, how can he endure the torture of imprisonment? The Dali Temple prison is damp and smelly. The Crown Prince is used to luxury and will get sick in prison! Please rescue him as soon as possible. If Your Highness commands, I am willing to die for you and the Crown Prince!"

Zhao Hao finally opened his eyes, looked at Chen Shou, and suddenly smiled: "My son is lucky to have loyal men like you around him. Chen Shou, you originally belonged to the Bian Jing Palace Infantry Division. How could you be so devoted to my son?"

Chen Shou immediately lowered his eyelids and said, "I don't understand any profound principles. I only know that the Crown Prince is very important to the Song Dynasty. Nothing can happen to him. Besides, the Crown Prince treats me like a brother. Just for this kindness, I am willing to die for him."

Zhao Hao smiled with relief and said, "Remember your words. Protect him well from now on and don't let him get hurt. Xiao Qian is imprisoned today. You don't have to be anxious. I know my limits. Stay calm and steady. This has just begun."

What Zhao Hao said was so vague that Chen Shou didn't understand at all. But seeing that Zhao Hao was indeed not in a hurry, probably because he knew that the prince's safety might be fine, Chen Shou felt relieved.

A servant from the palace hurried over and reported, "Your Highness, hundreds, even thousands, of people have gathered outside the palace. The news of the Crown Prince's imprisonment is known throughout the city. The people are all outside the palace petitioning for the Crown Prince and expressing their support. Among them are many students from the Imperial Academy..."

Zhao Hao was stunned, sighed, and muttered, "Why are these people causing so much trouble? Don't you think this is enough of a headache for me?"

Zhao Hao then ordered, "The gates of the palace must be tightly closed. No one is allowed to enter or leave. All daily purchases must be made through the back door. Also, send some food, clothes, and new bedding to the Dali Temple prison. Don't let my son suffer any injustice..."

The servant hurriedly took the order and left.

Zhao Hao then said to Chen Shou, "Tell Li Yizhong to withdraw some silver from the accounting office and have him bribe the officials and jailers at the Dali Temple. Tell them to be sensible. My son will be freed soon. These people had better treat my son well in prison and not let him get himself killed."

Chen Shou hurriedly clasped his fists and accepted the order.

Just as the Yin'an Palace returned to calm, Zhao Hao had no time to catch his breath when another servant came running in panic.

"Your Highness, something bad has happened! The Crown Prince's mother... has come to our door! And she's accompanied by the Princess of the County."

Zhao Hao was startled, and then his face showed anger: "What is this evil woman doing here? No, no, no! Don't let her in!"

"But the Princess and the others..."

Zhao Hao scratched his head in frustration and said angrily, "Not a single one of this family gives me peace of mind! Tell them that Qian'er is fine and that I will rescue him. Tell them to stop causing trouble and send them back immediately!"

Before he could finish his words, a burst of scolding came from the direction of the backyard of the palace. It was a sharp female voice.

"Get out of here! I'm Qian'er's biological mother, who dares to stop me? Zhao Hao, come out! How did you take care of my good son when he was handed over to you? You actually put my son in the Dali Temple prison. You are not only unworthy of being a husband, but even less worthy of being a father. We mother and son are blind to have such a useless thing like you!"

Zhao Hao was furious. A servant beside him said with a mournful face, "Your Highness, I'm afraid the palace can't stop her. No one dares to use violence against the Crown Prince's mother..."

Zhao Hao stamped his feet in anger: "Poisonous woman! Evil woman! Shrewd woman! This king simply..."

Zhao Hao paused, and his momentum suddenly dropped. He stood up and ran to the side hall in the west courtyard of the palace's front yard. His round body bounced away like a bouncing ball, throwing down a sentence as he ran.

"I will step aside and not bother with women!"

…………

The news of Zhao Xiaoqian's sudden imprisonment has aroused the concerns of all parties.

Today is different from the past. Zhao Xiaoqian's status is different now. His unparalleled contribution to reversing the situation between Song and Liao has made his reputation soar in the Song Dynasty. He is no longer the prince of Chu, but has gradually become a totem-like representative figure.

He not only changed the national strength and military power of the Song Dynasty, but also quietly changed the hearts of the people of the Song Dynasty.

When people's minds were at peace, the imprisonment of meritorious officials triggered a strong backlash among people both in the court and among the people. This backlash spread throughout the city at the speed of a plague.

After the court meeting ended today, there was an overwhelming wave of curses from the people.

Nowadays, the political environment in the Song Dynasty is relaxed, and there is no so-called punishment for speech. People in the streets discuss government affairs and criticize current ills, and very few are punished. Therefore, after Zhao Xiaoqian was imprisoned, many people in the streets and towns cursed the court.

The most frequently used insulting word is "self-destruction of the Great Wall."

Four words reveal the truth.

The Song Dynasty finally reversed the national situation, but you arrested the most meritorious official. The entire court, including the emperor, ministers, civil and military officials, forgot that the Liao Dynasty had not yet been destroyed and was still eyeing the Song Dynasty from the border. You did something that would bring pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies. The Song Dynasty is doomed!
Public sentiment was boiling, and the court was also in turmoil.

After the court was dismissed today, many officials left the palace and spontaneously found a secluded place to gather and discuss matters. Miraculously, there were so many officials gathered this time, and among them were both members of the New Party and those of the Old Party.

Since the Yuanfeng Reform, the old and new parties of the Song Dynasty, which had been incompatible with each other, gathered together in peace this time. There was no more party political dispute today. Everyone gathered for only one purpose, which was to jointly submit a petition to plead for mercy and redress for Zhao Xiaoqian.

The court officials of the Song Dynasty may have fought each other for political views, party factions, and interests, but there were still some righteous people in the court. They really wanted to do good for the country and were willing to do something for the country.

There has never been a shortage of such selfless and pure people in every dynasty.

When all the ministers gathered, the two brothers Su Zhe and Su Shi stepped forward and made impassioned speeches.

The country cannot abuse its people until the foreign enemies are eliminated, especially when the one being abused is such a great contributor to the Song Dynasty. The heroic feat of pacifying the north is not far away, but today he is suddenly imprisoned unjustly. Doesn't this chill the hearts of people all over the world?

If the meritorious officials are treated so cruelly, who among the soldiers of the Song Dynasty will dare to risk their lives and fight against foreign aggression in the future? Who will be willing to fight the enemy with blood?
How can we accept this once-in-a-lifetime turnaround in national fortunes, a single imprisonment of Zhao Xiaoqian, that threatens to return us to our original humiliating state? Anyone here with a patriotic heart and a lingering conscience should speak out for the Prince of Hejian and campaign for his rescue, rather than shedding the blood and tears of a hero.

The Su brothers were indeed great writers whose names were recorded in history. Their speeches were quite inflammatory and the gathered ministers were immediately ignited, and they all raised their arms and fists in agreement.

After everyone discussed it, Su Shi wrote a joint memorial in his own handwriting. The wording of the memorial was harsh, directly criticizing the emperor Zhao Xu for being suspicious of his meritorious officials and destroying his own strength, which made his relatives sad and his enemies happy. This was not the way of a benevolent monarch. He asked the emperor to accept good advice, correct his mistakes, correct himself, and reflect on his merits and faults.

More than thirty court officials finally signed their names on the memorial to express their grievances for Zhao Xiaoqian.

Officials from both the old and new parties put aside their past grudges for the sake of the same person and maintained a rare consistent stance. This was probably a miracle that only happened once in a hundred years in the history of the Song Dynasty.

…………

The city of Bianjing was in an uproar, and the curses from the court and the public resounded through the sky and could be heard in the streets and alleys.

In the Funing Hall of Yanfu Palace, Zhao Xu sat on a chair with a gloomy look on his face, his eyes filled with deep annoyance.

Zhao Xu glanced at Zhang Dun beside him and snorted coldly.

This old man is so useless, but he is very steady in his life and as an official, and he never offends anyone.

If Zhang Dun had used his authority as prime minister to suppress the rebellion today, it would be unknown what would have happened to Liu Xianzhen and the others, but Zhao Xiaoqian might have been spared from imprisonment, and the emperor Zhao Xu would have received less scolding.

Just before Zhang Dun was summoned, Wei Jie from the Imperial City Office had already come to the palace to make a secret report. The entire city of Bianjing was in an uproar at this time. Everyone in the court and the country was cursing the emperor and his ministers, especially him, the emperor, who was being scolded even more miserably.

Before the foreign enemies are eliminated, he becomes suspicious of his meritorious officials and abandons his own military power. Isn't this a tyrant?
God knows how much pressure Zhao Xu was under, and God knows that Zhao Xu had no suspicion at all. It just happened that when Liu Xianzhen and others were about to be captured, the news of Zhao Xiaoqian killing the criminal official happened to reach Bian Jing.

Zhao Xu was caught off guard by this sudden change and had no time to react. Things had developed to this point. Apart from arresting Zhao Xiaoqian and putting him in jail, what else could Zhao Xu do?
Forty-two officials were beheaded without trial by the three judicial departments of Bian Jing. This was a fatal disaster. As an official, Zhao Xu couldn't just turn a blind eye and do nothing, right?

Zhao Xu had no choice but to dismiss Zhao Xiaoqian and put him in jail in front of all the civil and military officials in the court. Otherwise, how could the court officials let him go?
In the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun sat opposite each other, staring at each other in silence.

After a long pause, Zhao Xu sighed, "Mr. Zihou, you'd better think of a solution quickly. I heard that the common people in Bianjing have been cursing me to death, saying that I am a tyrant..."

Zhao Xu looked aggrieved. "Am I really a tyrant? I have no choice but to do this. Now that things have come to this, what else can I do?"

"Mr. Zihou, think of a way. Find a pretext to release Zhao Zi'an first. If he's kept in the Dali Temple for a few more days, my reputation in history books will be tarnished."

Zhang Dun sighed, "Your Majesty, this happened too suddenly. I'm trying to figure out a solution. Ultimately, it was His Royal Highness who was too impulsive. If he hadn't killed those officials then, he wouldn't be in such a passive position now."

Zhao Xu snorted coldly, "If he hadn't killed them, wouldn't the forty-two officials have escaped unharmed upon returning to Bianjing? Mr. Zihou must know better than I do that with the protection of people like Liu Xianzhen, Han Wei and the others would be safe. Zhao Zi'an killed them precisely to prevent any further trouble."

"The legal basis may be wrong, but morally speaking, Zhao Zian is not wrong."

As Zhao Xu spoke, he looked at Zhang Dun, emitting an invisible sense of oppressive pressure.

"You are the Prime Minister. Please resolve this matter quickly. I do not want to be scolded anymore. I cannot bear the infamy of torturing a meritorious official. Within three days, find a reason to release Zhao Xiaoqian from prison."

Zhang Dun stroked his beard, frowned, and pondered for a long time before he slowly said, "For now, the emperor and I should not act rashly. If we don't act, others will."

"Public opinion is surging, and soon, officials from all walks of life will jointly submit a petition to plead for Zhao Xiaoqian. Your Majesty, please remain calm. I believe that things will soon turn around."

After a pause, Zhang Dun continued, "Also, I will personally try Liu Xianzhen and the others and try to find a way out of their crimes. If we can prove their guilt, then there will be room for reversal in the case of Zhao Xiaoqian murdering an official."

"The characterization of Zhao Xiaoqian at that time was simply a procedural error. He didn't kill the wrong person, and he had an explanation to the court and the people of the world."

(End of this chapter)