The prince is more stable

Chapter 658 Windfall from Heaven
Ever since Sima Yi of the Three Kingdoms period swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River, the concept of "promise" has lost its credibility.

Even what's written in black and white isn't reliable. Rather than saying it's like a scumbag making a vow after pulling up his pants, it's more like later scumbags imitating Sima Yi.

There is no such thing as a contract between countries; anything that can be established can also be abolished.

Xu Jiang wasn't that naive, of course; he was just a little embarrassed to break his promise. That's ridiculous. It's not like he was the only one who broke his promise. The whole Song Dynasty broke its promises, okay? With all the villains around, what's there to be embarrassed about?

"Let's talk to the Liao Kingdom first. As long as they are willing to give up Yan and Yun, our Great Song will sign a peace treaty with them. In the future, once we have established a foothold in Yan and Yun, we can tear up the peace treaty and continue to send troops," Zhao Xiaoqian said indifferently.

Zhong Jianzhong chuckled. The Prince's dishonest behavior suited his taste perfectly.

Military generals are straightforward; they just want to achieve military merit and advance their careers. But what will happen to these generals if the world truly becomes peaceful? Their careers will be ruined.

Therefore, a ceasefire is impossible.

In the afternoon, a torrential downpour began.

The rain was heavy, even heavier than the day Shen Jiayi called Ke Jingteng a big idiot.

The Song army camp outside the city suffered a disaster. Because the camp was hastily built, the drainage system was not well done. The torrential rain caused the water level to rise, and the camp was flooded up to the calves.

Upon hearing the report, Zhao Xiaoqian dared not delay and hurriedly left the city to rush to the main camp. Together with Xu Jiangzhong Jianzhong, he directed the soldiers to dig drainage ditches to divert rainwater into the moat. He also instructed the soldiers maintaining order in the city to keep a close eye on the water level of Hejian Prefecture and to report and investigate any abnormalities immediately.

They worked until midnight, and the camp was finally cleaned up. The exhausted soldiers returned to their tents and fell asleep immediately. Zhao Xiaoqian didn't plan to return to the city either, and decided to spend the night in the commander's tent.

Unexpectedly, Zhong Jianzhong insisted on inviting Zhao Xiaoqian into the city.

Zhao Xiaoqian resolutely refused. It didn't matter where he slept, it was almost midnight anyway, why go into the city?

Zhong Jianzhong, who is usually very obedient, was disobedient this time and insisted that His Highness the Prince come to the city to discuss important matters.

As he spoke, Zhong Jianzhong winked mysteriously at Zhao Xiaoqian; it was utterly disgusting for an old man to throw a flirtatious glance at someone.

Zhao Xiaoqian was getting impatient and wanted to lose his temper, but Zhong Jianzhong stopped him.

"Your Highness, please enter the city first. If I disappoint you after entering the city, I am willing to accept twenty strokes of the military rod." Zhong Jianzhong said confidently.

Zhao Xiaoqian suppressed his anger and pointed at him: "Fine, let's see what you're up to. If it's some trivial matter, hehe, Zhong Jianzhong, you'd better wait to die. Twenty lashes won't be enough to explain it away."

Zhong Jianzhong thumped his chest loudly: "Killing this humble general is also acceptable."

"Chen Shou, let's go into the city!" Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and then said, "Let's also call Mr. Chongyuan. He's been working hard all day and is probably too old to handle it. Let's go into the city and find a doctor to prescribe a remedy to dispel the cold for him."

Zhong Jianzhong was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to keep quiet.

The camp is only five li away from Hejian Prefecture, and we will arrive soon.

After the city gates were opened, Zhong Jianzhong led Zhao Xiaoqian straight to the government office.

The group went straight into the storeroom in the backyard of the government office. Hundreds of Song soldiers with guns patrolled outside the storeroom. The surrounding environment was elegant, but the security was tight. As Zhao Xiaoqian walked along, he even discovered many hidden sentries in various places.

Zhong Jianzhong smiled mysteriously and ordered the warehouse to be opened.

As soon as the warehouse door opened, Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes.

Such powerful golden and silver light, so dazzling it was blinding.

The shelves in the warehouse were filled with all kinds of gold bricks, gold bars, and gold leaves, as well as boxes of all sizes, which were full of jewelry and silver.

Zhao Xiaoqian gasped: "This..."

Xu Jiang behind him was also stunned. His stroking motion froze completely as he stared in shock at the valuable treasures in the storeroom.

Seeing their reactions, Zhong Jianzhong smiled.

"Your Highness, Mr. Chongyuan, after I led my troops to conquer Hejian Prefecture, I immediately sealed the treasury. Everything inside is here, not a single penny is missing."

Zhong Jianzhong lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, the amount of the treasury's reserves that should be reported to the court is entirely up to Your Highness to decide."

Zhao Xiaoqian withdrew his shocked gaze and glanced at him.

He understood what Zhong Jianzhong meant.

Zhao Xiaoqian coughed awkwardly, then quickly glanced at Xu Jiang behind him, who was staring blankly, and said righteously, "What are you saying! What are you saying! Of course, we should report as much as we can. Do I look like a petty person who embezzles from the treasury? You are insulting me!"

Zhong Jianzhong was taken aback, then quickly glanced at Xu Jiang, chuckled dryly, and remained silent.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed almost imperceptibly.

Old Zhong handled this matter rather carelessly, acting all mysterious and half-heartedly soliciting customers. If he had just said it was this person earlier, why would he have bothered bringing Xu Jiang along? Wouldn't it have been better to keep quiet and make our own money behind closed doors?
Now that Xu Jiang is also present, things are getting complicated. Zhong Jianzhong looked completely innocent. "Xu Jiang, you're the one who called me that. Is it my fault?"
Rubbing his face vigorously, Zhao Xiaoqian continued with his righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor: "We have received the Emperor's grace, and we only wish to repay the Emperor and our country. How could we possibly have any ulterior motives towards such filthy things? This is all the hard-earned money that the Liao Kingdom has been plundering from the people of Hejian Prefecture!"

As he spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Xu Jiang, who was in a daze, and said, "Mr. Chongyuan, don't you agree?"

Xu was brought back to his senses and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "Indeed, what Zi'an said is quite sanctimonious."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback. Was the phrase "hypocritical and sanctimonious" appropriate to use here?

Never mind, getting the money is the most important thing.

Zhao Xiaoqian changed the subject: "But then again..."

Zhong Jianzhong's eyes lit up. Here it comes, a surprising twist!

"Now that we talk about it, although this is all the hard-earned money of the people, we officials are essentially 'people' ourselves. We must prioritize the people over officials. So, theoretically, we should also have a share of this wealth. Old Zhong, am I right to say that?"

Zhong Jianzhong very sensibly said, "That's absolutely right!"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed with satisfaction: "Taking from the people and using it for the people, that's probably what it means, right? The Liao Kingdom takes from the people, and we help the people avenge themselves and spend that money lavishly... Mr. Chongyuan is the top scholar in the imperial examination, so his literary talent is unparalleled. Is my explanation correct?"

Xu Jiang stared at him with wide eyes, looking on in astonishment.

What "the people's hard-earned money" and "taken from the people and used for the people" can actually be interpreted like this? I'm truly learning something new every day.

Before Xu Jiang could speak, Zhao Xiaoqian said again, "Old Zhong, you go out first and close the door. I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Chongyuan."

Zhong Jianzhong wisely withdrew from the treasury.

Zhao Xiaoqian leaned closer to General Xu and whispered, "Mr. Chongyuan, our royal army has captured Hejian Prefecture. The money in the prefecture's treasury is actually ownerless. As the saying goes, ownerless things belong to the virtuous..."

Xu Jiang seemed to understand something at that moment, glanced at him indifferently, and said, "You mean, you are the 'virtuous one'?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled shyly, then said with a mysterious confidence, "Mr. Chongyuan has known me for so long, he must know me well. As for 'virtue,' I have never lacked it..."

Xu Jiang sighed and said, "Just based on your shameless words, I know that all this time we've known each other has been for nothing. The only thing I don't know is just how thick-skinned you really are."

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment, realizing that the approach of "reasoning with them" didn't seem to be working.

Okay, let's try a different approach. In short, he has to get his hands on this windfall in the treasury tonight, or he'll be punished by heaven.

While others reap huge profits from the sound of cannons, he, the commander-in-chief, hasn't made a fortune in ages!
“Mr. Chongyuan, I cannot keep this money for myself. Of course, the court will pay a portion, but more of it will be used to bribe the prime ministers and envoys in Bianjing. The war against Liao is long and protracted, and we need the support of the court in Bianjing. In the end, we will have to give them some benefits. I believe Mr. Chongyuan understands this kind of social etiquette.”

Xu Jiang's expression was somewhat complicated; he stroked his beard and remained silent.

"Of course, I'm not entirely innocent myself. I know Mr. Chongyuan is the deputy envoy sent by the government, but I didn't do anything out of line. I just wanted to make some money to reward myself..."

"Like a lonely, cold, and homeless child, huddled in a corner, imagining that this cold and ruthless money is the hands of a loved one. All I want is for my loved ones to hold me in their hands. What did I do wrong?"

Xu Jiang took a deep breath and said, "Zhao Zian, get straight to the point. Don't provoke me with such disgusting arguments."

"Alright, the key point is that the bigwigs in the Bianjing court will each send a portion, Mr. Chongyuan and I will take a portion, we will keep a portion to buy some pork and mutton to reward the soldiers, and the rest will be handed over to the court. What do you think, Mr. Chongyuan?"

Xu Jiang snorted coldly: "I don't want to."

Zhao Xiaoqian curled his lip. Tsk! A scholar…

“Mr. Chongyuan, you should think this through. Now is not the time to talk about face or morality. This concerns the interests of many bigwigs in Bianjing. You alone cannot stop it. If you do not take it, it will only benefit others. Your share will also fall into someone else's pocket, and the court will still not get it.”

Xu Jiang angrily said, "I have long enjoyed the Emperor's favor and have served as an official with an honest and upright life. How could I possibly do such a corrupt and lawless thing... Hey? Hey! Zhao Zian, what are you doing?"

Without saying a word, Zhao Xiaoqian grabbed a handful of pearls that looked particularly valuable from the treasury, along with several gold bricks, and stuffed them into Xu Jiang's arms.

Xu struggled fiercely, but Zhao Xiaoqian was too strong. He only stopped when he had stuffed Xu's arms full and Xu's belly was swollen like that of an eight-month pregnant woman.

Then Zhao Xiaoqian opened the door to the treasury and pushed Xu Jiang out the door.

Xu staggered out the door, and the hundreds of soldiers patrolling outside immediately saw him, as well as... his bulging, protruding belly.

The soldiers were very sensible; they quickly turned their heads away and pretended not to see.

However, Xu Jiang's face had turned a deep liver color.

He knew he was in deep trouble, and there was no way he could clear his name.

Xu stomped his foot angrily and cursed, "Zhao Zian! That brat has ruined me!"

(End of this chapter)