The prince is more stable

Chapter 551: The Heir of a Famous General
"It's all over."

It was easy for Zhao Xiaoqian to say this, but the Di family had been worried about this for many years.

Born in this era of supreme imperial power, it is not easy for a minister to get over the emperor's suspicion.

And it's not just one or two generations. Many wise ministers and famous generals in history, once suspected by the emperor, not only did they themselves have difficulty in having a good end, but the fate of their descendants was also lost in the torrent of history and disappeared without a trace.

The Di family was originally going to go down this path, until yesterday, when the son-in-law Zhao Xiaoqian submitted a memorial to Zhao Xu.

This memorial may seem ordinary, but it invisibly changed the fate of the Di family's descendants.

It has to be said that the Di family is lucky. From now on, it has a chance to turn things around.

The famous general Di Qing's achievements surpassed his master's, which aroused the emperor's suspicion. However, Di Qing did not do anything to offend the Zhao family. Later, when Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, he rehabilitated Di Qing and even granted him a posthumous title. This is enough to show that the Di family's affairs had actually passed as early as the reign of Emperor Shenzong.

Although the past is in the past, it is not convenient for the emperor to make a public statement on such a sensitive matter.

Since the emperor did not express his opinion, his ministers were not aware of it and naturally continued to consider the matter as if nothing had happened. Therefore, even though Emperor Shenzong posthumously honored Di Qing, the Di family still walked on thin ice and kept a low profile over the years.

The court officials in Bian Jing did not dare to have close contact with the Di family, for fear of bringing disaster upon themselves.

It was not until yesterday that the word Zhao Xu approved was finally considered the official tone announced to the outside world.

The sensitive matters of the Di family were completely forgotten. From then on, in the eyes of the Song emperor, the children of the Di family were no different from other court officials. They would be rewarded for their merits and punished for their mistakes.

After Di Zi knelt down facing Yanfu Palace, he sat back in his seat and drank three cups in a row.

After three cups of wine, Di Zi, who seemed to be emotionally stable, suddenly put down his wine glass heavily, leaned over the table and burst into tears.

Di Ying also burst into tears immediately. She stood up and was about to comfort her father, but was held down by Zhao Xiaoqian, who shook his head slightly at her.

As a man, Zhao Xiaoqian knew that Di Zi needed to vent at this moment.

Di Qing had six sons. The eldest son, Di Liang, died early. Di Zi was the second son and is now the head of the Di family.

Over the years, Di Zi has been carrying the entire family's burden, carefully dealing with the human relationships, being careful in his work, and being careful in his life. He dared not make friends with anyone for fear of causing disaster and trouble.

Di Zi knew that the Di family was very fragile now. They had no backing and no connections. The government might still have suspicions in their hearts. The Di family could not withstand even the slightest disturbance. If they were not careful, the whole family would be destroyed.

Until this moment, Di Zi heard the government's instructions on the Di family. The heart that had been hanging for decades was finally put to rest, and the Di family turned around overnight.

Thinking about the heavy pressure he had been carrying over the years, Di Zi couldn't help but feel sad and burst into tears.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat quietly in the hall, sipping his wine slowly, letting Di Zi cry uncontrollably.

Many relatives and servants outside the hall heard the noise and didn't know what was going on, so they cautiously stuck their heads out to look inside.

Zhao Xiaoqian picked up the wine jar, and the servants outside the court grinned: "The wine is good, get me a few jars later, and I will take them home to drink."

The servant was startled, bowed politely, and hurried to the backyard to get some wine.

The father-in-law in the hall was still crying loudly, and Di Ying, as his daughter, was also accompanying him and wiping his tears silently. Only the son-in-law was so heartless that he asked for the wine to be packed up. The scene was quite weird.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not intend to take advantage of this small advantage. His main purpose was to uphold the traditional etiquette of China.

According to traditional Chinese etiquette, a son-in-law cannot visit his father-in-law's house empty-handed, and similarly, he cannot leave his father-in-law's house empty-handed.

A qualified married daughter will be ruthless when she returns to her parents' home. She may sweep away anything in her parents' home and give it to her beloved husband when she returns home.

Now Di Ying probably didn't know much about these traditional etiquettes. After all, she wasn't thick-skinned enough, so Zhao Xiaoqian had to speak for her himself.

After a long while, Di Zi, having probably vented all his emotions, finally raised his sleeve to wipe away his tears and choked out, "I lost my composure for a moment. Please forgive me, dear son-in-law."

Zhao Xiaoqian said rudely, "My father-in-law is wrong. I am not laughing at you, I am crying..."

Before he could finish his words, Di Ying pinched his waist hard again.

Di Zi raised his cup and looked towards Zhao Xiaoqian, saying solemnly, "The Di family is blessed with the emperor's grace today, all thanks to your worthy son-in-law. The descendants of the Di family will remember your kindness for generations. Thank you very much, worthy son-in-law. This old man toasts you."

Zhao Xiaoqian said he didn't dare and quickly picked up the cup and drank it all.

After the father-in-law and son-in-law toasted each other, Zhao Xiaoqian saw that Di Zi was still drinking cup after cup, as if he wanted to get himself drunk today. He hurriedly took advantage of Di Zi's sobriety to talk about business.

"Are you sure you want to go north with me, my son-in-law?"

Di Zi nodded affirmatively. "Yes, I heard that my dear son-in-law will be leaving for the battle tomorrow. I have already prepared my weapons, armor, and horses. I will go to the palace today to hand over my duties and report to my dear son-in-law's tent tomorrow to receive his orders. I will be at your service without hesitation."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and said, "You are the elder, but your son-in-law is giving you orders. This is really a bit..."

Di Zi's expression grew increasingly serious, and he added emphatically, "I've been in the military my entire life, and I know its rules well. Once you enter the main camp, there's no such thing as father-in-law, son-in-law, or father-in-law. The army only recognizes the commander-in-chief, and I'm just a pawn under your command. If you need anything, just ask." Zhao Xiaoqian still looked embarrassed. "It's reasonable to handle official business impartially, but if your father-in-law has violated military law, I'll have to spank you. That... is so presumptuous."

Di Zi was at a loss for words. He glared at him and said, "I will not violate military law!"

Zhao Xiaoqian pretended not to hear anything. He turned to look at Di Ying and said, "Madam, you heard it. If I spank my father-in-law in the future, you must not get angry. After all, military law is as strong as a mountain."

Di Ying rolled her eyes at him and said, "Father said that once we enter the camp, we are under your command. If you attack your own soldiers, what does it have to do with me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but give her a thumbs up: "You're sensible!"

As expected of a descendant of a famous general, she is very familiar with the military rules as a girl and will never interfere.

"Father-in-law, it's settled then. With your official rank, you can be promoted one level after being transferred to the front line. You will serve as the commander-in-law under my command, and you will be promoted based on your military achievements in the future."

Di Zi excitedly stood up, clasped his fists, and shouted, "As ordered!"

Although it was a happy event for the Di family, Di Zi still did not dare to get drunk. After the family banquet, Zhao Xiaoqian took Di Ying to say goodbye, and Di Zi followed them out and went straight to the palace.

He had to hand over his post today and report to the camp outside the city. Zhao Xiaoqian said that they would go to the camp tomorrow, but as a general under his command, it was impossible for him to leave home and join the camp tomorrow. He couldn't let the commander-in-chief of the army wait for him in the camp.

On the way back to the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying sat in a shaking carriage.

Zhao Xiaoqian yawned and said, "In my opinion, now that the Di family incident is over, there's really no need for my father-in-law to go with us on the expedition. He's said to be in his prime, but he's still not young anymore. This journey is full of dangers and the journey is arduous. Why should he go through all this trouble?"

Di Ying sighed and said quietly, "Sir, you were born into a clan, so you were born with an official position and title waiting for you. But it's different for us, a family of ministers. You have to fight for everything on your own. Fame and fortune all depend on your own bloody path."

"To the common people, we civil and military officials enjoy wealth and glory, but honestly, did we get this wealth and glory for nothing? It was earned by our ancestors and fathers fighting bandits on the battlefield, sword by sword. We enjoy this wealth and glory with a clear conscience and without any guilt."

Di Ying sighed again, "The Di family will be like this in the future. Thanks to your Excellency for intervening for the Di family, they have finally been able to turn things around."

"From now on, the children of the Di family will fight for their family on the battlefield, shed blood, and perhaps even die. Risking their lives for the future of their family, no matter what the outcome, it is their due. They cannot blame others or their fate."

Di Ying smiled calmly, "Even my father, following you to the battlefield, might have had unexpected consequences. I don't blame anyone. We risked our lives for our futures, just like a gamble. Since it's a gamble, there's no such thing as only winning."

Quietly holding Zhao Xiaoqian's hand, Di Ying whispered, "So, after father joins the camp, you don't have to be cautious or show any favoritism. Just treat him fairly. He will earn his fame and fortune on his own."

"Sir, you have freed the Di family from their shackles. This is a great favor. Everyone in the Di family will remember your kindness. Sir, please do not interfere in other matters, lest you become embarrassed in the army. If you favor my father and cause dissatisfaction among the officers and comrades, you will find it difficult to convince them, and my father will have no face to stay in the army."

Zhao Xiaoqian was deeply shocked.

We have been married for more than two years, and only today did I realize the charm of the daughter of a famous general.

An ordinary woman of this era would not be able to say what Di Ying said. Even women a thousand years later would not have such fair and selfless insights and vision as hers.

A normal woman will only ask her husband how to support her family, how to gain benefits for her family, and how to let her family climb up greedily with the resources and energy of her husband's family.

Di Ying, on the other hand, specifically asked Zhao Xiaoqian to be fair and impartial, and to let her father earn everything on his own.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized that he seemed to have married an extraordinary woman.

His heart was filled with tenderness, and Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but hug her tightly, smelling the faint floral fragrance emanating from her hair.

"Madam, I don't know why, but I suddenly want you to ride on me tonight and move by yourself..." Zhao Xiaoqian said the most obscene words in a tender and affectionate tone.

The carriage was driving on a wide and flat road, but for some reason it suddenly shook violently, followed by Zhao Xiaoqian's cry of pain.

…………

The next morning, Zhao Xiaoqian put on his armor, said goodbye to Zhao Hao and his wives and concubines, and walked out of the Chu Palace proudly.

First, he entered the palace, consulted Zhao Xu on the matter, and received the tiger talisman and the imperial edict of appointment.

Zhao Xu looked reluctant to leave and personally escorted them out of the palace gate, and the emperor and his ministers said goodbye.

Then Zhao Xiaoqian led Chen Shou, Jia Shi and hundreds of other imperial guards out of the city on horseback and arrived at the assembly point of the Bongri Camp outside the city.

On the training ground of the camp, 30,000 carefully selected soldiers stood in the ranks majestically. Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian who was standing on the podium with his armor on, the soldiers were excited.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood on the stage and looked around. Among the row of generals, he also saw his father-in-law Di Zi, who was also wearing armor and looking at Zhao Xiaoqian with a firm gaze.

War drums rumbled and flags fluttered all around the parade ground. On a huge flag behind him, a big black character "Zhao" fluttered in the wind.

Standing under the general's flag, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly felt a sense of heroism in his heart.

Establish a mission for the people, achieve achievements for yourself, and seek peace for generations to come.

This is what a man should do!
(End of this chapter)