The prince is more stable

Chapter 535: Enemies Outside the Enemy
It is true that the father and son of the Xiao family were loyal to the Song Dynasty, but it is hard to say how much value the word "loyalty" has.

Zhao Xiaoqian had only used benefits to win them over at the beginning. Apart from benefits, he really had nothing else to give them.

Giving affection is also a way, but affection requires long-term investment. If you are not together day and night, the emotional investment will hardly be effective.

So although the Xiao family father and son are chess pieces, these chess pieces are not necessarily loyal. Chess pieces also have thoughts and desires. If the person holding the chess pieces cannot satisfy the desires of the chess pieces, then I'm sorry, this chess piece may immediately become a disaster.

Zhao Xiaoqian's dismissal from office not only caused turmoil in the Song Dynasty court, but also deeply affected the Liao Dynasty court, triggering a series of chain reactions.

This was probably something even Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun had not expected.

Because of the dismissal of an official, the situation between Song and Liao became turbulent again, with war clouds gathering on the border and 100,000 troops mobilized.

Zhao Xiaoqian never expected that he would become the god of war in his previous life.

The God of War has just returned to the city, and the border has been thrown into turmoil because of him.

All I can say is, fortunately, before the God of War returned to the city, his father wasn't sold into a brothel to entertain clients...

Otherwise, his father would have been very happy.

Compared with Xiao Wuna's calmness and realism, Xiao Guangjing's expression was much more complicated.

He and Zhao Xiaoqian had some dealings with each other. They could be called friends, which seemed a bit off, but they did have some kind of friendship. In particular, the two of them had teamed up to kill the Western Xia Empress Dowager Xiao Liang, with Xiao Guangjing temporarily playing the role of Jinlian and giving the Empress Dowager Xiao Liang drugs...

The relationship between people who have done bad things together is always better than that of ordinary friends.

So when he heard that Zhao Xiaoqian was dismissed from office, Xiao Guangjing did not gloat over his misfortune, but was a little worried about him.

"I will set off for Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, tomorrow to meet Zhao Xiaoqian," Xiao Guangjing said.

Xiao Wuna shook his head and said seriously, "This is urgent. You must leave this afternoon, disguised as a Western Region merchant. I will send you a caravan with some Western Region goods. Be careful not to let the Song people discover your identity. Once you enter Song territory, if you are questioned in any city you pass through, just use money to bribe them and do not argue with them."

"Yes, kid, remember that."

Xiao Guangjing paused and couldn't help asking, "If Zhao Xiaoqian really can't be reinstated, will we no longer be loyal to the Song Dynasty?"

Xiao Wuna glanced at him and said calmly, "Have you become addicted to being a spy? If Zhao Xiaoqian is gone, why should we continue to be loyal to the Song Dynasty?"

Xiao Wuna sneered as he spoke, "Your Majesty is right. The Emperor of Song made a foolish move. The Song Dynasty's ability to reverse the current situation depends entirely on the efforts of Zhao Xiaoqian alone."

"If Zhao Xiaoqian is dismissed, the situation that Song has reversed will soon regress to the past. Liao is not afraid of Song, but only of Zhao Xiaoqian. The move by Song today is tantamount to clipping its own wings. It is foolish and ridiculous!"

"If that's the case, why should you and I continue to be loyal to the Song State? What future does the Song State have?"

After Xiao Wuna's advice, Xiao Guangjing suddenly realized. Putting aside his emotions, he calmly analyzed the situation and found that it was indeed as Xiao Wuna said. Once Zhao Xiaoqian was dismissed, the Song Dynasty would have no hope, and there would be no need for the father and son to be loyal to the Song Dynasty.

"My child understands."

…………

Bianjing of the Song Dynasty.

After Zhao Xiaoqian was released from the Dali Temple prison, he returned to the Prince of Chu's Palace, honestly and dutifully closed the door to visitors, and stayed in the palace quietly with Zhao Hao and his wives and concubines.

After causing such a big disaster, Zhao Xiaoqian finally got through it safely. While thanking nature for the gift, he also understood that he had to keep a low profile, at least for the time being.

Zhao Xiaoqian was released, but the court was not calm. Instead, it was in turmoil because of the case of Liu Xianzhen and others.

Zhao Xu issued an edict and the Council of State issued a document, making the confessions and evidence of Liu Xianzhen and others public in the court. A total of more than 30 powerful officials were involved in the case. All the political situations were laid out on the table and openly disclosed to all officials in the court.

This action silenced many people.

The confessions and evidence are all there, the case is a done deal and there is no way it can be reversed. Those argumentative people in the court are also rational, they know very well what they can argue about and what they are best to keep quiet about.

For example, the case of Liu Xianzhen is one that requires one to keep silent.

It's a settled case, why are you still fussing about it? What are you thinking by daring to speak up for Liu Xianzhen and the others? Are you an accomplice to them?
No one wanted to get into trouble for no reason, so Zhao Xu issued an order to execute Liu Xianzhen and more than 30 other officials three days later. Even though the court was shocked, no one dared to stand up and question or oppose it.

No one dared to say anything about what Liu Xianzhen and his group of officials did, but many people spoke out about what Zhao Xiaoqian did.

Strictly speaking, the cases involving Liu Xianzhen and Zhao Xiaoqian seem to be the same case, but their natures are different.

Liu Xianzhen's crime has been confirmed, but Zhao Xiaoqian's arbitrary killing of officials is still controversial.

Neither Zhao Xu nor the Council of State explained Zhao Xiaoqian's actions, simply dismissing him with a simple "dismissal from office." This lighthearted handling of the situation sparked discontent among many court officials.

It is undeniable that Zhao Xiaoqian was indeed a meritorious official of the Song Dynasty, but merits and faults are two different things, and there is no rule in this world that can offset merits and faults.

Zhao Xiaoqian had made great contributions and was rewarded by the government. So would he not be punished for the things he did?

What kind of punishment is dismissal from office? You might as well drink three cups as punishment for tickling yourself.

So after Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the Chu Palace, in the next two days, many court officials submitted memorials demanding that Zhao Xiaoqian be punished.

Killing more than 40 officials without authorization is no small matter. If Zhao Xiaoqian is allowed to escape punishment like this, wouldn't the laws of the Song Dynasty become a mere decoration?

What's more, Zhao Xu only dismissed Zhao Xiaoqian from his official position, but did not mention a word about his title of Prince of Hejian. Even a blind person can see the deep meaning in this. The emperor is laying the groundwork and will wait for a suitable opportunity to re-employ Zhao Xiaoqian, who will most likely be reinstated to his original position.

The ministers know that the emperor particularly values ​​Zhao Xiaoqian, but you can't be so blatantly partial to him, right?
Countless memorials demanding severe punishment for Zhao Xiaoqian flew into Yanfu Palace.

Zhao Xu's desk was soon overwhelmed with memorials. He only casually glanced at a few of them and then ordered them all to be sent to the Council of State for Zhang Dun to resolve.

Now it was Zhang Dun's turn to be in trouble. He was not only the prime minister, but also the leader of the new party in the court.

There were so many memorials of advice, most of which were written by officials of the New Party. Zhang Dun couldn't possibly offend his own party members for the sake of Zhao Xiaoqian, right?
But Zhang Dun was well aware of the emperor's attitude. He clearly wanted to protect Zhao Xiaoqian. What could the prime minister do about the emperor's decision? How could he dare to go against the emperor?

Besides, Zhang Dun played a significant role in Zhao Xiaoqian's acquittal. Because of this incident, the relationship between Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian was greatly eased. It can be said that this is the honeymoon period for Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhang Dun did not want to destroy the relationship that had been eased with great difficulty. With Zhao Xiaoqian's ability, his power would only grow in the future. What was even more terrible was that Zhao Xiaoqian was still very young. If nothing unexpected happened, when Zhang Dun retired, Zhao Xiaoqian would be at the peak of his career.

If Zhang Dun still wants to have a good ending and doesn't want to die inexplicably from an assassin's arrow on his way back home after retirement, then it is best not to offend him now.

So Zhang Dun thought for a long time and simply put all the memorials aside and ignored them.

The main theme is cold violence.

Public opinion will eventually calm down. When the number of memorials impeaching Zhao Xiaoqian in the court becomes fewer and fewer, and finally disappears, the matter will be almost over.

Now the ministers are extremely passionate. The best approach is to ignore them and let them calm down slowly.

…………

Inside the Funing Palace.

Zhao Xu and Zhao Xiaoqian sat opposite each other and drank together.

Outside, the wind was strong and the waves were high, and public opinion was everywhere. Strangely, the king and his minister seemed not to be affected at all. They were very happy drinking and chatting.

"Zi'an has been guarding the border for more than half a year. Thanks to you, the border is peaceful. Now the Liao Kingdom dares not to act rashly. Zi'an can take this opportunity to have a good rest in Bian Jing for a while. When the storm in the court dies down, I will reinstate you to your original post. You still have to go back to Zhending Prefecture." Zhao Xu raised his glass and said with a smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly raised his cup with both hands, drank it first as a gesture of respect, and then said with a smile: "Your Majesty's arrangements are very good. I have actually wanted to rest for a long time, but never had the chance. This incident has given me a reason to rest."

Zhao Xu shook his head and said, "I know you're tired, but you won't be able to rest for long. Don't forget, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are still in the hands of the Liao people. If Yanyun is not recovered, I will be unable to sleep or eat. When you return to Zhending Prefecture, Zi'an, you must take charge of this matter."

Speaking of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, Zhao Xu couldn't help but get excited. He rubbed his hands and said, "If we can recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun within a year or two, I feel that the Liao Kingdom will be on the verge of extinction..."

"If the Liao Dynasty falls, the only remaining power will be the Western Xia. The Western Xia has already pledged allegiance to the Song Dynasty, and incorporating the Western Xia into the Song Dynasty's territory will be a piece of cake. In this way, the world can be unified in my hands."

"Haha! Haven't I become the ruler of the Song Dynasty's revival? Every year when I offer sacrifices to the previous emperors, I can hold my head high and show a little bit of pride in front of the ancestral tablets. I don't think it's too much, right?"

The more Zhao Xu thought about it, the happier he became. For the emperor, money and power were no longer very tempting to him. What he wanted was face, achievements, and a name to be recorded in history.

Now that he thinks carefully, he has a high probability of achieving what he wants in his lifetime, and he will have no regrets in life.

Seeing Zhao Xu so excited, even though he hadn't accomplished anything yet, the smug look on his face could no longer be concealed. Zhao Xiaoqian sighed secretly and had to pour a basin of cold water on him.

"Your Majesty, even if the Liao Dynasty is destroyed, the Song Dynasty will still have more difficult enemies." Zhao Xiaoqian reminded.

Zhao Xu was stunned. "Besides Liao and Xixia, are there other enemies? Who else is worthy of being the enemy of the Song Dynasty?"

Zhao Xiaoqian spoke slowly, pausing over each word. "Yes, it's the Jurchen tribe northeast of the Liao Kingdom. They're currently accumulating strength. If a remarkable leader emerges, their rise will be unstoppable, and they'll surely become a formidable rival to the Song Dynasty."

"To be precise, the Jurchen tribe had actually risen, but it was hidden so well that the Liao people didn't notice it."

(End of this chapter)