The prince is more stable

Chapter 602 Secret Order to Eliminate
Zhao Xu was not a flawless emperor. Historical records give him a high evaluation, but not an excessively high one.

After Zhao Xu's death, the court officials discussed and decided to bestow upon him the temple name "Zhezong". This temple name was undoubtedly a compliment, but it also included the meanings of "dialectics" and "balance".

This refers to his efforts during his reign to achieve a balance of power in the court while also actively promoting reforms, which led to significant progress in the national strength of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, he was given the temple name "Zhe".

However, whether they are foolish or wise rulers, they all have one thing in common: the supremacy of imperial power and the absolute authority of the emperor.

This is absolutely the bottom line for all emperors throughout history.

Apart from the emperor himself, no one can be above imperial power. Anyone who dares to cross the line will either die or be destroyed.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the Chai family has always enjoyed the privileges bestowed by the Zhao emperors. Zhao Xu knew this rule, as did all the emperors of the Song Dynasty. After all, Zhao Kuangyin's last words are still engraved on the stone tablet outside Yanfu Palace, and the officials would take a second look at it every time they held court.

The Chai family cannot be touched; to do so would be an act of filial impiety by the emperor towards his great-grandfather.

Zhao Xu had heard of the Chai family's misdeeds over the years, but he always turned a blind eye and let it pass with a laugh, since even the emperor couldn't do anything about the Chai family.

But this time, the memorials and evidence of guilt sent by Zhao Xiaoqian were too numerous and excessive.

Individually, Zhao Xu wouldn't have paid much attention to a single case, but when numerous crimes were piled up together, the image of the Chai family disregarding the law and overriding imperial power suddenly came to life in Zhao Xu's mind.

This finally touched Zhao Xu's sore spot.

The Chai family doesn't treat the emperor like an official!

In the land of the Great Song Dynasty, even I, the emperor, dare not violate the laws of the country in my words and deeds. How can you, a descendant of a deposed emperor of the previous dynasty, be above the laws of the country?

To put it mildly, this is abusing one's privileges and knowingly breaking the law.

To put it bluntly, this is like a dragon charging right at my face, unleashing its full power right up to me.

There are no trivial matters in the imperial court. Once a matter reaches the emperor's ears, the emperor will think about it deeply. What is originally a very simple matter will be considered very complicated. This is why so many shocking cases with far-reaching implications throughout history often started from a trivial matter.

Now, Zhao Xu couldn't help but think about the Chai family in a complicated way.

Relying on a special imperial edict, the Chai family acted so lawlessly. Was it because they were dissatisfied with the current dynasty and deliberately provoked it, or did the Chai family still harbor ambitions of restoration and therefore resort to any means to develop such a vast business empire in order to amass wealth for the purpose of plotting rebellion?
A knot gradually formed in Zhao Xu's heart, and a gloomy expression gathered on his young face, lingering for a long time.

When Zhao Xu lowered his head and looked at Zhao Xiaoqian's memorial again, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Zheng Chunhe, summon Zhang Shangying, the Imperial Secretary, to an audience," Zhao Xu ordered calmly.

…………

Zhending City.

After sweeping away the Taoist temples, monasteries, and bandits associated with the Chai family in the nine counties under his jurisdiction, Zhao Xiaoqian ordered Zhe Keshi's 10,000 troops to set up camp outside the city and suspend operations.

Zhao Xiaoqian is waiting.

We await the Chai family's reaction and news from Bianjing.

The memorial was submitted, and Zhao Xiaoqian was certain that Zhao Xu would not tolerate it. No emperor could tolerate such a provocative act against imperial authority.

He also wanted to see the Chai family's reaction. After the power that Zhen Ding Prefecture had developed over many years was almost wiped out overnight by Zhao Xiaoqian, how would Chai Ruona respond?

Should she weep and plead her case to impeach him, or should she play the role of an honest and obedient person, and lie low from then on, no longer making any rash moves?

Regardless of Chai Ruona's reaction, his fate was sealed the moment Zhao Xiaoqian fixed his gaze on him.

What Zhao Xiaoqian lacks now is an imperial edict.

Zhao Xu remained silent. Zhao Xiaoqian still had many concerns about dealing with the Chai family. It was best to leave himself an escape route before doing anything and ensure his own safety.

Finally, two days later, instead of receiving a response from the Chai family, Zhao Xiaoqian received a call from people in Bianjing.

Zhang Shangying arrived in Zhen Ding City, travel-worn and exhausted. After entering the Prince's Mansion, Zhang Shangying was still in a daze, looking worried and walking with his toes pointed outwards, as if he had been unexpectedly struck by a thousand-year-old killing blow as soon as he entered the door.

Zhang Shangying was an old acquaintance; Zhao Xiaoqian had met him several times, and each time he was the one who delivered the imperial edict. Of course, each time he was a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat.

Zhao Xiaoqian sized up Zhang Shangying, clicking his tongue and saying, "Old Zhang, how have you been doing all these years? You've been stuck as a mere drafter in the Imperial Secretariat for several years, without a single promotion. Is it because you're not ambitious enough, or because you haven't spent your money on the right people? You need to reflect on yourself."

Zhang Shangying sighed and said with a wry smile, "I only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side. I do not seek fame or fortune as an official, but only peace of mind."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded in sudden realization: "I understand. To put it simply, it means a lack of ambition."

Zhang Shangying: “…………”

It seems like we can't communicate.

Fortunately, Zhang Shangying's trip did not require communication; he was merely a messenger.

Too lazy to pay attention to Zhao Xiaoqian's words, Zhang Shangying took out the imperial edict, unfolded it, and read it aloud with intonation.

Zhao Xiaoqian had received imperial edicts many times before, and he understood their general meaning.

Imperial edicts are official documents and were certainly not written by Zhao Xu himself. They were usually conceived and written by his personal attendants, such as the Imperial Secretary or the Imperial Diarist. The parallel prose within them was both profound and difficult to read, and no normal person could write it.

Although it was written by a courtier, Zhao Xu's meaning was clearly expressed.

The imperial edict sternly reprimanded Zhao Xiaoqian for stirring up trouble, then emphasized that the Chai family was a family that the Song Dynasty officials had always treated with kindness and care, and that Zhao Xu dared not disobey the late Emperor Taizu's instructions. In short, the matter was dropped and not to be mentioned again, and the Chai family's actions were, of course, forgiven.

After the imperial edict was read, Zhao Xiaoqian respectfully accepted it with both hands and bowed facing south.

Then Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and looked at Zhang Shangying with a smile. Zhang Shangying felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and couldn't help but take a step back.

"Zhang Sheren, His Majesty must have something else for you to convey, right?" Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Zhang Shangying was taken aback: "How did you know there was something else going on?"

“If you’ve come all this way just to read the words on the imperial edict, even the most lowly beasts wouldn’t be worth using to the point of death. So the Emperor must have some other secret decree.”

Zhang Shangying: “…………”

So, is this guy praising himself or criticizing himself?
After coughing twice, Zhang Shangying slowly said, "Your Highness is indeed wise. The Emperor did indeed issue a secret decree. The decree was an oral instruction. The Emperor said that these words should not be written down, lest they be criticized by future generations."

"I'm all ears," Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Zhang Shangying straightened his clothes and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty's secret decree states that the Chai family is becoming increasingly arrogant and lawless, which is extremely hateful. It would be best to order Zhao Zian to seize the opportunity to eliminate them, but he should also act cautiously. I do not want to give people any reason to criticize me, nor do I want to be criticized by the people of the world."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression remained unchanged, still smiling.

Zhao Xu's secret decree was not unexpected to him; he knew Zhao Xu would definitely not be able to tolerate it.

"Please ask Zhang Sheren to return to the capital and tell His Majesty that I will act with caution and eliminate the Chai family as soon as possible."

The secret decree has arrived; we can finally take action against the Chai family.

After seeing Zhang Shangying off, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately summoned Zhao Xin and gave him some instructions in a low voice.

An hour later, Zhao Xin returned to report that everything was arranged.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Xiaoqian summoned Zhe Keshi and issued a secret order.

After making the arrangements, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around with a smile, looked up at the increasingly cold sky, and sighed softly.

Tomorrow is an auspicious day.

It is appropriate to kill.

…………

Daming Prefecture, the Chai family residence.

The Chai family was originally a large family, but the branch that moved to Daming Prefecture had fewer members. However, this branch was the most prestigious, as the title of "Duke of Chongyi" bestowed by the imperial court was given to Chai Ruona of this branch.

At this moment, Chai Ruona sat in the hall, where a charcoal fire burned brightly in the middle of the room, just like Chai Ruona's mood at that moment.

Chai Ruona's expression was somewhat ferocious; he had heard some very bad news.

Prince Zhao Xiaoqian of Hejian mobilized 10,000 troops to wipe out all of the Chai family's influence in Zhengding Prefecture, including Taoist temples, Buddhist temples, bandits, and so on. Anyone associated with the Chai family was completely wiped out.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't take drastic measures against Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, only ordering their arrest. However, he showed no mercy to the bandits in Zhen Ding Prefecture, killing them all.

Overnight, the Chai family's influence in Zhengding Prefecture vanished, how could he not be angry?

At this moment, he finally understood that Zhao Xiaoqian was serious. The words Zhao Xiaoqian had said to him in person at the Prince's Mansion last time were not a joke.

After the warning that day, Chai Ruona rushed back to Daming Prefecture, but did not take any action.

Zhao Xiaoqian was waiting for Chai Ruona's reaction, but Chai Ruona was still unwilling to give up and was also waiting for Zhao Xiaoqian's reaction.

Before this, Chai Ruona had been hoping for the best, thinking that Zhao Xiaoqian's warning was just a way to embarrass him and establish his authority in front of Li Qingchen and Lü Huiqing.

After establishing his authority, he might not make things difficult for the Chai family. After all, it is well known that the Chai family is not to be trifled with, and even the Emperor of the Song Dynasty has to give them a wide berth.

Now Chai Ruona finally realized that Zhao Xiaoqian wasn't just bluffing; he really was going to take action against him.

Now the Chai family's influence in Zhengding Prefecture has been completely eradicated, and Zhao Xiaoqian didn't even give them a heads-up before or after the incident, clearly indicating that he harbors deep hostility towards the Chai family.

Unfortunately, Chai Ruona couldn't appeal the case because he was in the wrong.

If the matter were to escalate to the imperial court, and Zhao Xiaoqian were to present various pieces of evidence, Chai Ruona would have no way to refute it. Not only would she be unable to impeach Zhao Xiaoqian, but she would also ruin the Chai family's century-old reputation and even incur the displeasure and fear of the officials.

It took Chai Ruona a long time to calm down, and she finally decided not to submit a memorial. She would just pretend that the matter had never happened. At worst, the Chai family would avoid Zhen Ding Prefecture and develop elsewhere.

After the decision was made, a servant rushed over and whispered, "Master, someone has come seeking refuge and has already entered the estate."

Chai Ruona frowned: "Who is it?"

“A江湖人 (jianghu person), named He Xiong…” The servant paused, then lowered his voice and said, “It is said that he and his brothers bribed the clerks to escape from the Zhen Ding Prefecture prison. He has a reputation in Hebei Province, and his skills are quite good; he is considered a master.”

"This man has just entered the manor and begs for your shelter, sir. He is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

Chai Ruona's expression shifted slightly, and she said calmly, "I will not see him. Take him to a farmhouse outside the manor for temporary accommodation, and treat him to good food and drink."

(End of this chapter)