The prince is more stable

Chapter 598 The Feast at Hongmen
To be fair, the Chai family did have reason to be arrogant.

The significance of "abdication" is unimaginable to most people, especially since Zhao Kuangyin seized the throne from an orphan and a widow, and was a subject usurping the throne. Legally speaking, he was an absolute traitor.

The Song Dynasty emperors were too uneasy about the succession, so they had to treat the Chai family with kindness and respect. Otherwise, they would feel even more guilty. Not to mention the so-called divine retribution that caused the Song emperors to have few descendants, the emperors could not bear the criticism from scholars all over the country.

The Chai family probably understood the thoughts of the emperors of previous dynasties. In the early years of the Song Dynasty, the Chai family was still law-abiding out of fear, for fear of being wiped out by the new emperor Zhao.

Later, as the Chai family gradually figured out the official's intentions, they began to indulge themselves.

The country originally belonged to the Chai family. It was the Chai family's noble character that led them to give it to the Zhao family. The entire country was given to you. Is it wrong for me to do some illegal or criminal things in your country?

They made absolutely no mistakes. In fact, over the past century, the Chai family had been constantly testing the tolerance of the imperial court and officials, and now they had basically figured out the court's bottom line.

The bottom line is too low. As long as you don't rebel, everything is negotiable and everything can be forgiven.

Today, the Chai family branches in Fangzhou and Damingfu are the wealthiest in their respective areas. No one knows how much of their wealth is legitimate and how much is illegally obtained, and no one dares to investigate.

Yes, although it's hard to believe, the Chai family really does have criminal immunity.

This is clearly recorded in historical books and the laws of the Song Dynasty, so Zhao Xiaoqian could not touch the Chai family and had to choose to forgive them.

The current head of the Chai family, the contemporary Duke of Chongyi, Chai Ruona, personally went to Zhengding Prefecture to apologize to Zhao Xiaoqian.

For Zhao Xiaoqian, it might have been just an ordinary matter, but for the arrogant Chai family, it was a huge favor to Zhao Xiaoqian.

As for the more than twenty Taoist temples built by the Chai family in Hebei Province, which were used to defraud the villagers and amass wealth, Chai Ruona did not want to mention this matter at all, and it was not part of his apology.

Chai Ruona knows better than anyone the value of "criminal immunity".

Even if I bring it up, what can you do to me? If you're so capable, bring out the laws of the Song Dynasty to arrest me.

Is it because you can't catch me? If you can't catch me, that's good. Whether I bring this up or not, you can't do anything to me, so why should I bring it up?
Even though it was Chai Ruona who was apologizing in a humble tone, Zhao Xiaoqian felt a tightness in his chest for some reason.

It was as if he was the one in the wrong, while the other party, despite apologizing, seemed to be flaunting his criminal immunity, repeatedly flirting with the edge of the law right in front of him, just like Fang Tangjing.

I came in, oh dear, I went out again, oh dear, I came in again, hit me, you idiot...

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile grew increasingly stiff.

Inside the Prince's mansion, the banquet was in full swing, with guests and hosts chatting and laughing, but the atmosphere inside was strangely cold and tense.

Zhao Xiaoqian was trying hard to endure, and the Chai family was trying hard to bow their heads.

Everyone went against their nature and played their respective roles.

"Your Highness has swept across the northern frontier, repeatedly defeating the Liao army and annihilating over 100,000 enemies. Your Highness's fame is known throughout the land. It is my great honor to meet Your Highness today. I wish to express my respect for Your Highness with this cup of wine." Chai Ruona stood up and offered a toast.

I don't remember how many times Chai Ruona has offered a toast, but she always keeps a humble attitude and speaks very eloquently.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and drank it all, then showed him the bottom of his cup. Suddenly, he asked, "Lord Chongyi has settled in Daming Prefecture. I wonder what the area under Daming Prefecture is like?"

Chai Ruona smiled and glanced at Lü Huiqing, saying, "Daming Prefecture has long enjoyed peace and stability, with no one picking up lost items on the road and the people being honest and simple. This is all thanks to the good governance of the previous prefects. My Chai family enjoys the benefits, and the entire clan is grateful to the court and the officials."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and sighed, "The Chai family is truly fortunate. If they were under the jurisdiction of my Zhen Ding Prefecture, they probably wouldn't be so fortunate."

"Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

“The area under the jurisdiction of Zhen Ding Prefecture is not so stable. Because it is located on the border between Song and Liao, there are many bandits running rampant, and the people are fierce and warlike. There are many murder cases caused by disputes, which is simply too troublesome.”

Chai Ruona smiled and said, "Your Highness has only been the prefect of Zhending for a short time. I have always believed that Your Highness has extraordinary talent. If Your Highness is given a few more years, I am sure that you will be able to bring a bright future to Zhending Prefecture and make it no less than Daming Prefecture."

Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "Therefore, during my tenure, for the long-term stability of Zhen Ding Prefecture, governance must be carried out with swift and decisive measures. Those illegal activities, fraud, theft, and other illegal acts must be forcefully suppressed and eradicated..."

Chai Ruona's expression changed slightly; he seemed to sense the sharpness in Zhao Xiaoqian's words.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with a bright and warm smile, his tone as if he were chatting casually, without any ulterior motive.

"Lord Chongyi may not know my temperament. I can't tolerate any injustice. Anyone who dares to do illegal things on my territory is a slap in the face. I absolutely cannot tolerate being slapped in the face. I must exterminate their entire clan before I can be at peace."

"Back then, the Liao Kingdom frequently invaded our border villages and inhabitants. I sent troops several times and fought several major battles with the Liao Kingdom, killing 150,000 of their soldiers. Now look at the Liao Kingdom now. Even if I were to cordially invite them to invade our border, let's see if they dare to come."

The atmosphere at the banquet instantly froze, as if the air itself had solidified.

Li Qingchen and Lü Huiqing stared in astonishment at Zhao Xiaoqian's smiling face, unable to believe that Zhao Xiaoqian would dare to utter such threatening words in front of Chai Ruona.

Chai Ruona's face was ashen, her body trembling slightly with anger, and her hand holding the wine glass shook, spilling a lot of the wine.

“Your Highness, your words… If I have been impolite and have displeased Your Highness, I am willing to apologize.” Chai Ruona gritted her teeth, trying her best to maintain a calm demeanor. Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with surprise: “Why do you say that, Lord Chongyi? I simply find you agreeable and wish to be your friend. True friendship lies in mutual understanding. Wasn’t I just warmly introducing my character to you? What do you think I was saying, Lord Chongyi?”

Chai Ruona forced a smile: "It is my misunderstanding. Your Highness is a young hero. You have already made great achievements in your early twenties. We are far inferior to you. Your Highness's character is also unyielding and hates evil. I admire you very much. If Your Highness does not mind, I would certainly like to become your friend."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and raised his glass: "Haha, good! My friend, come, let's drink together!"

The two men drank their cups in one gulp, then looked at each other and smiled.

Zhao Xiaoqian put down his wine glass and said leisurely, "Since we are now friends, we should help each other and give each other face in the future. Friends should not undermine each other. I hate it when friends stab each other in the back. It's even more hateful than an enemy."

Chai Ruona smiled and agreed, patting her chest to promise that from now on they would be a loving family and she would never do anything to undermine them.

The two continued chatting and laughing, catching up on everyday matters.

Li Qingchen and Lü Huiqing, who were present, still wore expressions of shock.

To be honest, this banquet was almost like a trap; it seemed harmonious and friendly, but in reality, it concealed deadly intentions.

His Highness the Prince repeatedly and sternly warned Chai Ruona, the murderous intent in his words clear even to a deaf person.

What is the warning?
This is an implication to the Chai family to quickly end all illegal activities under the jurisdiction of Zhen Ding Prefecture that are related to them.

Whether it's those Taoist temples that amass wealth, swindlers who cheat villagers out of their money, or even bandits instigated by the Chai family, they all better shut up and get out of here, or don't blame me for showing no mercy.

Your family's imperial edict is not valid in Zhen Ding Prefecture, it's that simple.

Did Chai Ruona understand Zhao Xiaoqian's warning?

Judging from his trembling body and ashen face, he must have understood, and he was very angry, but he still didn't dare to overturn the table.

This is the might of His Highness the Prince of Hejian! I'm practically ready to curse you to your face. What can you do about it? Dare to flip the table and see what happens.

Li Qingchen and Lü Huiqing's admiration for Zhao Xiaoqian was beyond measure at this moment.

Looking across the entire Song Dynasty court and local areas, there were practically no officials who dared to treat the Chai family in such a way. Zhao Xiaoqian was the only official who gave the Chai family a stern warning to their face.

So handsome!
Especially for Lü Huiqing, her breasts were instantly cleared and blood flow to her prostate increased.

It's so refreshing.

Lu Huiqing was the prefect of Daming. No one knew the hardships he endured as prefect. The illegal activities that the Chai family had committed under the jurisdiction of Daming Prefecture were too numerous to count. However, the Chai family had an unfair advantage, and even though Lu Huiqing had the evidence, he was helpless against them.

Moreover, the Chai family was arrogant and domineering in the local area, and even the prefect Lü Huiqing suffered a lot from their mistreatment.

Today, Zhao Xiaoqian's stern warning pleased Lü Huiqing even more than Zhao Xiaoqian himself.

"Your Highness, I would like to offer you a toast." Lü Huiqing said, rising from his seat with his cup in hand.

"Let me take a break and have some food..." Zhao Xiaoqian said.

"Your Highness need not drink. I will drink it myself. I have nothing more to say; it's all in the wine." With tears in his eyes, Lü Huiqing drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with a puzzled expression, then exchanged a silent glance with Li Qingchen.

Has this guy taken the wrong medicine? Today is my and Chai Ruona's day, why is this guy jumping out to try and get attention?

Li Qingchen lowered his eyelids. As a grassroots official, he probably understood Lü Huiqing's feelings at that moment.

Seeing Lü Huiqing's enthusiastic toast, Zhao Xiaoqian felt he should give her face, so he finally raised his cup to toast her and drank a cup.

After being warned, Chai Ruona remained silent with her head down, presumably trying to calm her anger.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored his emotions. "You bastard, you amassed wealth and murdered people under my rule, and I didn't punish your whole family. You should be grateful to God for giving you such a lucky birth date."

If it weren't for that imperial edict, you'd be queuing up at the Bridge of Helplessness right now to drink Meng Po's soup.

After drinking a few cups with Lü Huiqing and Li Qingchen, Zhao Xiaoqian put down his wine cup and glanced at the silent Chai Ruona. Seeing that he was still calming down, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but smile.

You're an adult, and you can't even handle this little bit of anger? It seems the Song Dynasty has spoiled you a bit too much over the past hundred years.

They still haven't been toughened up by society.

(End of this chapter)