The prince is more stable

Chapter 667 Good news arrives in Beijing
Two days later, a thousand Song soldiers escorted a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse back to Hejian Prefecture.

In the stables in the backyard of the government office, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the Akhal-Teke horse leisurely eating bean feed with curiosity, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Is this the legendary Akhal-Teke horse?" Zhao Xiaoqian circled around it, praising, "It does look tall and magnificent, quite interesting."

Zhao Xiaoqian was surrounded by people, including his brothers Wang Chong.

Wang Chong was clearly very proud of this fine horse, and said with a boastful look, "Your Highness, this horse comes from Dayuan. I heard it is a thoroughbred. Even in Dayuan, which is famous for its Akhal-Teke horses, this horse is highly sought after by many princes and nobles who wanted to buy it for a fortune but could not. Later, it was acquired by that Arab merchant."

Zhao Xiaoqian reached out and touched its neck, then looked at his palm.

Wang Chong understood his meaning and laughed, "The horse needs to run and sweat to be seen to produce blood. Since it's not sweating now, Your Highness can't feel anything."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded in satisfaction: "That's right, this horse will belong to me from now on. Brother Wang doesn't object, does he?"

Wang Chong bowed and said, "I sincerely present this horse to Your Highness. It is an honor for us brothers that Your Highness can use it as a mount. In the future, when Your Highness rides it to establish your rule over the world, expand the territory of the Song Dynasty, defend the borders, and fight in the south and north, we brothers will also be honored."

"From now on, I can boast to everyone that the famous Prince's prized horse was presented by my brothers and I. I wonder how many people will be envious and jealous of it, haha!"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "There's no need to be so imposing. But I'm sure it'll make you look good and get more attention."

Indeed, the value of this BMW is no different from driving a Bugatti on a crowded street in later generations—it's incredibly impressive.

"Brother Wang Chong, as I said before, I'll take this horse, but I can't accept something for nothing. My promise to you still stands. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to me and I'll take care of it for you."

Wang Chong chuckled and said, “Your Highness handles matters of great importance to the nation and the people, which are related to the fate of the Song Dynasty and the well-being of millions of people. Only those matters are worthy of Your Highness’s consideration and action. The things we commoners encounter are at most minor frictions and disputes. We dare not distract Your Highness and cause you to neglect the affairs of the state and the government.”

As he spoke, Wang Chong turned to his brothers and smiled, saying with delight, "Although we encountered some setbacks, the Akhal-Teke horse we presented to His Highness has finally arrived safely."

The brothers also showed genuine smiles, showing that they truly wanted to give the fine horse to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian patted Wang Chong on the shoulder and said deeply, "I appreciate your kindness. I know that you gave me the horse not for my personal sake, but because I have done something for the Song Dynasty and its people. I will continue to do so in the future, living up to the expectations of the world and its people."

"If I ever rise to a high position but forget my original intentions and do evil things that betray the common people, I will discipline this horse to lead me to a dead end and then abandon me."

Wang Chong and the others were deeply moved and respectfully knelt down on one knee before him: "Your Highness's words are a blessing to the people of the world and to the nation of Song. We wish Your Highness to bring peace to the world and allow the people a hundred years to breathe."

Having completed their mission of presenting the horses, Wang Chong and the others bid farewell to Zhao Xiaoqian, as they were about to leave Hejian Prefecture to continue their struggles for a living.

Zhao Xiaoqian personally escorted the group out of the city, bidding them a reluctant farewell.

Before leaving, Wang Chong mounted his horse, suddenly turned around and smiled at Zhao Xiaoqian: "See you in the martial world, Qianqian doesn't eat cilantro, haha!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "The world is a battlefield, and we brothers will meet again someday. Take care!"

Wang Chong and his men rode away, while Zhao Xiaoqian remained standing, watching them go.

Guo Cheng, the garrison commander of Hejian Prefecture, walked over and asked with a puzzled look, "What's with 'Qianqian doesn't eat cilantro'?"

Zhao Xiaoqian explained earnestly, "It's not a ghost, it's a person, to be precise, it's me."

Guo Cheng was shocked: "How could Your Highness have such a name? Is it a nickname?"

Zhao Xiaoqian proudly raised his head: "Back when I was traveling the martial arts world, the nicknames my friends gave me sounded particularly impressive, didn't they?"

Guo Cheng: "???"

Where was it loud? It wasn't loud at all! On the contrary, it was extremely embarrassing! How could His Highness say that without batting an eye!

Zhao Xiaoqian was completely unaware of Guo Cheng's inner grumbling and turned around calmly. Just as he was about to return to the city, he saw an imperial guard riding up on horseback.

"Your Highness, the Liao envoy has arrived outside the north city of Hejian Prefecture, intending to negotiate peace with you."

Zhao Xiaoqian stopped, but his expression showed no surprise. He simply smiled faintly and said, "Judging by the days, they should be here soon. Who will the Liao Kingdom send as an envoy?"

The imperial guards reported: "The Liao delegation consists of more than forty people, and the leader is named Xiao Fengxian, who is officially appointed as the Chief Privy Councilor of the Southern Court of Liao."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"I like this envoy!"

"Guo Cheng, it would be too much of a favor for me to personally greet them. You go out of the north city to welcome the Liao delegation and settle them in the inn in the city. Let them wait for a few days before we talk about it."

"Order Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze's troops to immediately break camp and advance twenty li northward. After that, advance ten li each day, advancing slowly, until they reach Nanjing of the Liao Kingdom."

Guo Cheng immediately accepted the order with a look of excitement on his face.

Every day, they broke camp and advanced ten miles towards Nanjing Xijin Prefecture of the Liao Kingdom. This invisible and silent sense of oppression was like a sharp sword hanging over their heads, getting closer and closer. It would be strange if the Liao delegation did not panic.

Before the Song and Liao dynasties even began peace talks, the Song dynasty had already gained overwhelming momentum over the Liao dynasty. The Liao dynasty had to offer more bargaining chips as soon as possible in order to reach an agreement with the Song dynasty.

"Guo Cheng, you're in charge of hosting the Liao delegation. Just keep it simple and don't overdo it. I'm going back to play with my Akhal-Teke horse and tame it as soon as possible."

After saying that, Zhao Xiaoqian turned and left, as if he had made up his mind.

...The Great Song Dynasty, Bianjing (Kaifeng).

Good news finally reached the capital.

A rider galloped into the city gate, holding an official document high in his hand, shouting as he urged his horse on.

"Great victory at Yanyun! Great victory at Yanyun! His Highness the Prince of Hejian led the royal army to recapture Hejian Prefecture, beheading 20,000 enemy soldiers. Great victory at Yanyun!"

After entering the city, the knights galloped all the way to Yanfu Palace.

Officials, commoners, and merchants along the streets of the city were stunned upon hearing this. It was as if the street had been paused. Only after the knight galloped past did the pause button come off, followed by a deafening cheer from the streets and alleys.

"How valiant is Your Highness the Prince of Hejian! How valiant are the soldiers of the royal army!"

"Your Highness, you have conquered Hejian Prefecture and will soon recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun! You are truly capable!"

"Haha, our Great Song Dynasty is becoming more and more promising. In a few years, the world will probably be unified. We can enjoy peace in our lifetime. What more could we ask for?"

"Shopkeeper, quickly bring me two jiao of wine! The expensive kind, the best kind! Today is a joyous occasion, I'm going all out! Haha!"

A piece of good news from Yanyun instantly caused a stir in the capital of the Song Dynasty.

No one knows who started it, but every household began to decorate with lanterns and colorful decorations. Restaurants, taverns, and brothels throughout the city were packed with people, and the sounds of gongs and drums could be heard everywhere in the streets and alleys.

This lively and festive atmosphere surpasses even that of New Year's Eve.

Inside the Fu Ning Hall of Yanfu Palace, Zhao Xu was reviewing memorials as usual.

Several months had passed, but Zhao Xu seemed to have aged considerably, his face pale and unhealthy. As he reviewed the memorials, he coughed lightly, covering his mouth.

After the young prince's death, Zhao Xu also fell ill, which worsened his already sickly health. Since Zhao Xiaoqian led the army on a campaign, Zhao Xu has been unable to do without medicine every day.

Zhao Xu hasn't been idle these days either. He continues to work diligently with the concubines in the harem. For Zhao Xu, this is no longer just a man's pleasure, but a sacred cause of procreation.

However, as the imperial physician had said, given Zhao Xu's already weakened health, it would be very difficult for his concubines to conceive.

Day and night, Zhao Xu grew increasingly desperate.

The throne inevitably fell into the hands of his brothers, and his lineage was effectively cut off.

Zhao Xu has not given up hope; his efforts to have offspring have almost driven him to madness.

Just last month, Emperor Zhao Xu issued an imperial edict to select one hundred beautiful and virtuous young women from among the common people to enter the palace.

The selection process was sudden and rushed. Almost without warning, a hundred young women were sent to Yanfu Palace in a daze.

Then came Zhao Xu's endless favor, making him a groom every night, with mothers-in-law everywhere, and hundreds of beautiful women taking turns to receive his divine grace.

However, in the end, nothing came of it; neither the new nor the old concubines in the harem laid a single egg.

Those who haven't sat in this position cannot understand how anxious and desperate Zhao Xu felt.

Later generations would satirize families that favored sons over daughters by saying, "What, do you have a throne to inherit?"

In the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xu also favored sons over daughters; he only wanted one son.

However, his family does indeed have a throne to inherit.

The genuine, authentic throne.

His already weak and sickly body was further weakened by his obsessive and frenzied indulgence in the concubines and young ladies every night. This created a vicious cycle, and after only a month, Zhao Xu's health deteriorated even more.

Outside the Fu Ning Palace, Zheng Chunhe stood under a pillar in the outer corridor, peeking out to secretly watch Zhao Xu coughing as he hunched over his desk. He couldn't help but sigh sadly.

The court officials had advised Zhao Xu against his recent abnormal behavior, and many censors had even submitted memorials criticizing the emperor's mistakes. The emperor's indulgence in debauchery and loss of health were also worthy of condemnation.

However, Zhao Xu was like a madman, not taking it to heart at all. Instead, he became even more aggressive, having sex more frequently every night. He also demanded that the imperial physicians bring him secret bedroom medicines to enhance his pleasure. Furthermore, some palace servants discovered that alchemists could occasionally be seen sneaking in and out of the Funing Palace.

While Zhao Xiaoqian led the royal army on campaigns abroad, achieving great success and enhancing the nation's prestige, the atmosphere within the Bianjing palace was entirely different—depressed, gloomy, and bordering on madness.

As Zhao Xu's personal attendant, Zheng Chunhe witnessed firsthand how much Zhao Xu suffered during this period, and how he went mad and suffered afterward.

He knew. This young emperor of the Song Dynasty had changed.

Since the death of the young prince, the emperor's temperament has become strange, suspicious, and violent.

The blow of having no heir is something no emperor can accept.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was in a state of pointless, frantic effort, trying to defy fate.

(End of this chapter)