The prince is more stable

Chapter 633 Patrol and Apology
Before leaving Zhen Ding Prefecture to return to Bianjing, Zhao Xiaoqian issued a military order, instructing Zhe Keshi to lead 5,000 soldiers of the Dragon Guard Battalion, with sufficient ammunition, to the northwest to harass the Western Xia.

The purpose of harassing Western Xia was to warn Li Qianshun. Through the Liao-Xia marriage alliance, Zhao Xiaoqian discovered that Western Xia was starting to stir again. It seemed that the old wounds had healed and the Western Xia people thought they were powerful again.

The Song Dynasty is about to launch an attack on Yanyun. At this critical juncture, it is necessary to nip all potential threats in the bud. Western Xia is one of those that should be nipped in the bud.

The raids on the border were meant to tell Li Qianshun that the Great Song Dynasty was watching him closely, so he should behave himself and not push his luck.

As for Li Qianshun sending envoys to question Zhang Jie, that's irrelevant. So-called oaths and agreements between countries are unreliable.

The only reliable thing is a country's strength. As long as a country has the strength, it can break agreements at will and start a war without saying a word.

Although the Western Xia had officially submitted to the Song Dynasty, it did not prevent the Song Dynasty from teaching it a lesson.

Is it wrong for a suzerain state to teach a vassal state a lesson without any reason?
Guo Cheng looked rugged, a typical Northwestern man. Zhao Xiaoqian looked him over and became more and more satisfied, and then the thought of abducting him involuntarily popped into his head.

Since fate has allowed him to encounter a renowned general, how could he not take him into his fold? To refuse such an opportunity would only bring him trouble.

Stepping forward and hooking his arm around Guo Cheng's neck, Zhao Xiaoqian said very affectionately, "Guo Cheng, right? How about you work for me from now on?"

Guo Cheng was taken aback: "...Wasn't that a bit presumptuous?"

"What are you saying! This isn't presumptuous at all, it's clearly giving you face," Zhao Xiaoqian said unhappily.

Seeing that Guo Cheng couldn't answer for a moment, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't urge him. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Come on, come with me to the camp. You're hiding so far away, peeping furtively. Aren't you ashamed? If you want to see, just look openly. Our Song Dynasty's equipment is vastly different from what it used to be."

Guo Cheng excitedly clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Highness, for allowing this humble general to feast his eyes on this sight."

…………

From a mile or two away from the main camp, Zhao Xiaoqian could clearly see the camp gate open, and a group of armored generals strode out and lined up outside the gate.

After Zhao Xiaoqian dismounted, a military officer stepped forward, bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Welcome Your Highness, the Prince, on your inspection of the camp. This humble general, Wang Congzhi, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, pays his respects to Your Highness."

Behind Wang Congzhi, a group of military officers bowed in greeting.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded expressionlessly and said, "From now on, we should stop opening the gates to welcome people. This is the army, not a government office for welcoming and sending off officials. Such superficial ceremonies are unnecessary."

Wang Congzhi looked somewhat frightened and hurriedly bowed to apologize.

Zhao Xiaoqian strode into the gate, and as soon as he stepped inside, he heard a burst of intense and chaotic gunfire from the training ground in the distance.

Guo Cheng, standing behind him, couldn't help but get excited, his eyes shining with longing.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also curious about the quality of the 50,000 soldiers selected by the court, so he led the generals toward the training ground.

On the drill ground, soldiers were training, numbering around ten thousand. Each soldier held a flintlock musket and was methodically loading ammunition and practicing firing in front of the enemy, following the general's instructions.

Zhao Xiaoqian silently observed the soldiers, especially their physique, their spirit during training, and whether they strictly followed orders.

Wang Congzhi and his generals behind him were uneasy. Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's expressionless face, they didn't know whether he was satisfied with the 50,000 troops.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood by the training ground for a long time, watching. A soldier passed by, and Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly called out to him, taking the flintlock pistol from his hand.

The black, shiny barrel felt cold in his hand. Zhao Xiaoqian carefully inspected the various parts of the flintlock musket, and then checked the soldiers' paper cartridges.

Everything met the standards, so Zhao Xiaoqian didn't say much. He returned the gun to the soldier and waved him away.

Through observation and drills, Zhao Xiaoqian discovered that the soldiers were of good quality, and the 50,000 troops selected by the court were indeed not a joke.

After all, it was something Zhao Xu personally oversaw and supervised; the officials below shouldn't have dared to shirk their responsibilities.

"Wang Congzhi, these 50,000 troops are quite good. Now you must train every day. The tactics for firearms are different from those for swords and spears. When training, strictly follow the training manual."

"Spring is not far away. After spring arrives, the imperial court will order 50,000 troops to go to the Juma River. During this period, the most important thing is training. I need an elite force that can be deployed to fight immediately."

Wang Congzhi solemnly replied, "I will certainly live up to Your Highness's trust. This humble general will personally supervise and command, and the 50,000 soldiers will not dare to slack off, otherwise military law will be merciless."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded, then looked at Guo Cheng beside him, who was staring at the flintlock pistols in the soldiers' hands with a dazed look, as if he had encountered an old lover with whom he had been having an affair. His eyes were practically overflowing with sweetness.

Zhao Xiaoqian patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Have you thought it through? If you follow me from now on, all the troops under my command will be equipped with firearms, making them invincible on the battlefield. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make meritorious contributions."

Guo Cheng was taken aback, a conflicted expression appearing on his face; these words had indeed tempted him.

Once a man joins the army, who wouldn't want to make a name for himself on the battlefield and achieve a class leap for himself and his descendants through military merit?
Guo Cheng had naturally heard of the Dragon Guard Battalion under Zhao Xiaoqian's command. Back then, Zhao Xiaoqian led 5,000 Dragon Guard Battalion soldiers into Western Xia territory, burning, killing, looting and breaking into the capital. They were incredibly arrogant.

Hearing that he could join this arrogant army, Guo Cheng found it difficult to refuse. After a long silence, Guo Cheng smiled wryly and said, "I thank Your Highness for your kindness, but I come from a poor family and only joined the army for food and shelter..."

"Later, thanks to the appreciation of Commander Zhang, I was promoted to a military officer. I was just about to repay Commander Zhang's kindness in the Northwest. If I were to leave with Your Highness, it would surely upset Commander Zhang and make him think I was an ungrateful wretch. I cannot accept that."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and praised, "That's right, you're a good man, loyal and righteous. Now that you say that, I'm even more determined to win you over. Tomorrow I'll send a letter to Zhang Jie and ask him to come over. He can name his terms."

Guo Cheng asked in bewilderment, "This humble general is no famous figure, and is virtually unknown in the Northwest Army. Why does Your Highness show such favor to this humble general?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "I think you have potential. Believe me, I'm very good at judging people. I can tell from your face that you will grow a tortoise shell in the future, and your enemies will be unable to bite you."

Guo Cheng was shocked: "I... I'm growing a tortoise shell? Shouldn't I see a doctor?"

"What I mean by praising you is that you are good at defense. My men are all eager to fight and kill, and I have basically no usable talents in defense. Fortunately, I discovered you today."

Guo Cheng was increasingly confused: "How did Your Highness see that I am good at defense? Why didn't even I know that?"

“Because you’re not at your peak yet,” Zhao Xiaoqian said impatiently. “I’m giving you face, but you don’t appreciate it. I’m too lazy to talk to you anymore. I’ll ask Zhang Jie for the man later. He’ll give him to you whether he wants to or not. You’d better just obey military orders.”

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian abandoned Guo Cheng and turned to leave.

…………

Yanfu Palace, Funing Hall.

Zheng Chunhe stood outside the hall, smiling as he gestured for Zhao Xiaoqian to enter.

After a few days apart, Zhao Xu looked much more dejected. The recent events had been quite dramatic. He was still grieving the loss of his son when he decisively deposed the Empress.

Saying "family destroyed" or "wife and children separated" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but that's roughly the idea.

A man in his twenties, and the emperor who ruled the world, had experienced so many things in just a few days. It was as if Zhao Xu had lost all his energy overnight, and he looked quite dejected.

Zhao Xiaoqian entered the hall and bowed. When he looked up, he saw Zhao Xu staring at him blankly. Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Your Majesty is responsible for the fate of the nation. I hope you will take care of yourself."

Zhao Xu put down the memorial in his hand, stood up, and gave a forced smile: "Zi'an is here, please sit down."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and said, "I dare not sit today."

"Why?"

"Your Majesty, I have come to apologize."

"What crime are you asking for?"

"Your Majesty and the Imperial City Guard under your command have discovered the murderer who plotted against the young prince. However, just as I was about to uncover the murderer, the murderer sensed something was wrong and fled in advance. Now, his whereabouts are unknown."

"I have failed Your Majesty in this case, and I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."

Zhao Xu frowned: "Who is the murderer?"

"Huang Chenxiang, the Junior Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, Gong Jing, the Chief Attendant of Consort Liu's Palace, and the wet nurse of the young prince—these three are the murderers."

Zhao Xu's face darkened: "Is it confirmed that my son was killed by them?"

"Yes, the Imperial City Guard found evidence at the Imperial Pharmacy. A small amount of lead oxide powder was found in the medicine used by the young prince. This substance is a slow-acting poison, and long-term ingestion will inevitably lead to death."

Zhao Xu's face gradually turned ashen: "Who did this?"

"The one who poisoned the prince was Huang Chenxiang, the Junior Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat; the one who brewed and delivered the medicine was Gong Jing; and the one who fed the prince the medicine was the wet nurse. The three of them were accomplices and must have been instructed by someone else. However, before I could investigate, the three of them had already fled. This is my fault."

Zhao Xu slammed his fist on the table and gritted his teeth, saying, "Even the wet nurse by my son's side... These three are guilty of heinous crimes. If I do not execute them, how can my poor son rest in peace!"

"Zian, issue arrest warrants for these three men to all prefectures and counties of the Song Dynasty. Local governments should issue strict arrest warrants. I want them executed by slow slicing!"

"Yes." Zhao Xiaoqian lowered his head and sighed silently.

Then Zhao Xiaoqian recounted the entire investigation process in great detail. However, Zhao Xiaoqian ultimately did not mention the capture of Huang Chenxiang alive, only saying that Huang Chenxiang had fled in panic and disappeared without a trace.

Zhao Xu listened attentively, and after listening, he remained silent for a long time, his expression desolate and painful. After a long while, Zhao Xu sighed: "This matter is not Zi'an's fault. You and the Imperial City Guard did your best. They sensed something was wrong and fled. No one could have predicted it."

"Fortunately, we already know who the murderer is, and with a nationwide manhunt, I believe they will eventually be caught."

(End of this chapter)