The prince is more stable

Chapter 669 Nursery Rhymes Pierce the Heart
Zheng Chunhe's simple sentence revealed a great deal of information.

Zhao Hao was stunned upon hearing this, and it took him a long time to process what he had heard. His heart sank.

Yes, holding military power is a crime, as is possessing a treasure.

Back then, Zhao Xiaoqian commanded 30,000 Dragon Guard troops, yet Zhao Xu trusted him as before. This was because Zhao Xiaoqian only had 30,000 troops and couldn't cause any trouble.

Now, Zhao Xiaoqian commands 100,000 troops, the most elite 100,000 imperial guards of the Song Dynasty, equipped with the best firearms, and possessing brand-new military equipment, armor, and warhorses. This is a completely different situation.

Zhao Hao had long anticipated that Zhao Xu would become suspicious of him, but in his estimation, Zhao Xu's suspicion of Zhao Xiaoqian would only begin after the royal army had fully recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xu's suspicions came sooner than he anticipated.

In that brief moment, Zhao Hao thought of many things, yet his face still wore a warm and honest smile, like a naive and simple-minded fat man.

“Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. My son is quite capable now, and he may not listen to what I say…” Zhao Hao sighed.

Zheng Chunhe also sighed: "Your Highness should try to persuade the Prince. Too much merit is not necessarily a good thing. Your in-laws, the Di family, are an example. Your Highness should take this as a warning."

Zhao Hao's eyes flashed, and he suddenly pulled out a thin property deed from his pocket and shoved it into Zheng Chunhe's arms with lightning speed.

“My son Xiaoqian often tells me that he has a very close relationship with Eunuch Zheng and considers him a confidant. Now that my son is away fighting and has no time to return to the capital, I also greatly admire Eunuch Zheng…”

"This is a four-courtyard mansion in Yichun Garden outside Bianjing East City. I have left it unused for a long time. Today, I have the good fortune to meet Eunuch Zheng. I will give it to you. Eunuch Zheng, please accept it with pleasure."

Zheng Chunhe was startled and hurriedly declined, saying, "Absolutely not! This servant has already received so much kindness from His Highness the Prince, how can I accept any more gifts from him?"

Zhao Hao said in an unquestionable tone, "Accept it! Do you not value what I have given you?"

After much hesitation, Zheng Chunhe finally accepted the house deed with reluctance.

There were some palace secrets that Zheng Chunhe did not intend to reveal. However, he hesitated for a long time before whispering, "Your Highness, the Emperor is probably already suspicious of His Highness the Prince. Today, he was rather indifferent to the great victory in Hejian Prefecture, but he was very dissatisfied with the Deputy Envoy Xu."

"His Majesty says that General Xu only knows how to praise the royal army and has not fulfilled his duties as deputy envoy. Today, he has issued a secret edict to severely reprimand him. From this, it seems that His Majesty has become suspicious of His Highness the Prince. Moreover, His Majesty is more concerned about the loyalty of the 100,000 soldiers under His Highness's command. This situation is not good..."

Zhao Hao felt increasingly heavy-hearted upon hearing this, but still smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Zheng. I understand now. My son is too young and has become accustomed to the limelight. It's time for him to rein himself in. My lineage of the King of Chu has always been leisurely and carefree, with no ambition for power. Your Majesty must have misunderstood something."

Zheng Chunhe smiled slightly: "After the recapture of Yanyun, if His Highness the Prince can relinquish his military power, His Majesty's favor towards the Chu Prince's lineage will certainly remain unchanged."

Zhao Hao nodded solemnly: "I must relinquish my military power. This thing may seem impressive, but it is not something to be trifled with easily. Throughout history, great power has often brought great disaster. I will write to my son to remind him."

Zheng Chunhe sighed with a worried expression, and the two then bid each other farewell and left.

Zhao Hao turned onto the Imperial Street with a smile. A carriage was parked in a narrow alley. With the help of his guards, Zhao Hao struggled to get into the carriage, sat cross-legged inside, and closed his eyes in deep thought. At this moment, there was no trace of a smile on Zhao Hao's face; instead, there was a sinister look on his face.

After a long while, Zhao Hao suddenly tapped the side of the carriage with his finger.

A hoarse voice came from outside the carriage: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Zhao Hao spoke in a low, slow voice, "Where is Jia Wu now?"

"Jia Wu is training assassins for His Highness in the mountains outside Luoyang."

Zhao Hao said, "Tell Jia Wu to hurry to Suining City in Shu and spread a few nursery rhymes in the city. The rhymes are: 'When the dragon son dies, the python robe will succeed him; when the heavenly wolf awakens, the vermilion bird will rise.'"

After a pause, Zhao Hao's tone grew increasingly cold: "The nursery rhyme must be sung throughout the streets and alleys of Suining City. Once the nursery rhyme becomes popular, have Jia Wu withdraw immediately, leaving no trace."

"Yes!"

After giving his instructions, Zhao Hao closed his eyes again inside the carriage.

Since the Emperor has already become suspicious of my son, let's shift the conflict between the Emperor and his ministers elsewhere.

For emperors, nursery rhymes were more powerful than an army of 100,000.

If it is confirmed that the Emperor has no heir, then we should reveal the truth in advance and let the first in line of succession appear before the Emperor. Then we can see how Zhao Xu will react to Prince Zhao Ji of Suining.

…………

Hejian Mansion.

General Guo Cheng entertained the Liao delegation for several days, but he was never able to meet Zhao Xiaoqian in person.

Things are different now. The Liao delegation no longer dared to be arrogant and domineering in front of the Song Dynasty. Even if they were impatient, they could only be careful in front of Guo Cheng and ask when His Highness the Prince of Hejian would have time to meet with the Liao envoy.

Guo Cheng's answer was both bland and indifferent.

His Highness is very busy. If you ask him when he will have time, you must ask him personally. His Highness is of noble status and no one else has the right to urge him.

The Liao delegation was met with a firm and unyielding reply, and dared not show any anger. They could only swallow their pride and continue to wait at the inn in Hejian Prefecture.

Just as the Liao delegation was anxiously waiting, news kept coming from Liao.

The Song army of 100,000 troops was divided into two routes, with Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze each leading one route. Every day, they broke camp and advanced ten miles northward, with their target being Nanjing Xijin Prefecture of the Liao Kingdom.

One step, two steps, one step, two steps, friction, friction... Every step the Song army took was like a needle pricking the heart of the Liao delegation.

Advancing ten miles each day doesn't cause much damage, but it's extremely psychologically damaging.

Zhao Xiaoqian's motives were actually quite obvious; any normal person could see that the Song army was using its military might to put pressure on the Liao delegation and increase its own bargaining power.

The Liao delegation knew about this simple trick, but the pressure they felt only increased day by day, and with each passing day, their anxiety grew.

Among the dozens of members of the Liao delegation, only Xiao Fengxian, who was in charge, was the most leisurely. He didn't seem to be in a hurry at all, and instead spent his days strolling around Hejian Prefecture.

Xiao Fengxian was interested in all the shops, big and small, in the city. He had also purchased quite a few things in the past few days. It seemed that he was not here to negotiate at all, but to buy goods from the Song Kingdom.

The Liao Dynasty officials had somewhat polarized opinions about Xiao Fengxian.

Some believe he has the demeanor of a great general, remaining calm in the face of important matters. Although young, he is steady enough to shoulder heavy responsibilities.

Some also believe that Xiao Fengxian was a dissolute and unambitious young man, and that he was simply unfit for the task at such a crucial juncture, having the mind to wander around. They argue that the Crown Prince had entrusted the task to the wrong person, and that the fate of the Liao Dynasty was sealed.

Three days later, just as the Liao delegation's anxiety was reaching its peak, a member of the Imperial Guard finally arrived at the guesthouse and informed the Liao officials that His Highness the Prince of Hejian would be available to see the Liao envoy that afternoon.

After a long wait, the clouds finally parted and the moon shone through; the Liao officials were so excited they almost cried.

Despite being treated so poorly by the Song people, they inexplicably felt a sense of gratitude at this moment.

That afternoon, the Liao officials, led by Xiao Fengxian, dressed in their official robes and followed the proper etiquette as they arrived at the Hejian government office.

Inside the back hall of the government office, Zhao Xiaoqian, dressed in brocade robes, waited with a smile for the officials.

As the group entered the back hall, they were all taken aback to see Zhao Xiaoqian sitting there, and they looked at him with complicated expressions.

This is the legendary Prince of Hejian of the Song Dynasty. He looks so young!
Who would believe that such a young man could single-handedly give the Liao Kingdom, which was going downhill, a significant boost?

It can be said that the decline of the Liao Dynasty, its military defeats, the incompetence of the court officials, and the increasingly difficult situation in the country were all inextricably linked to this prince of the Song Dynasty.

The Liao officials had mixed feelings; most of them harbored hatred and anger towards Zhao Xiaoqian, but none of them dared to show it on their faces.

When facing Zhao Xiaoqian, they had no choice but to force a polite smile, without intending to offend him in the slightest.

The situation has changed. The Liao Kingdom is no longer qualified to be arrogant and domineering in front of the Song people. Moreover, the person in front of them is not to be trifled with, otherwise it may lead to the destruction of the country.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian smiling broadly, the envoy Xiao Fengxian stepped forward and bowed deeply to him.

"Xiao Fengxian, envoy of the Liao Kingdom, pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Hejian of the Song Kingdom."

Zhao Xiaoqian also stood up and said with a smile, "I have long admired the Liao envoy. There is no need for such formalities. Please be seated."

Xiao Fengxian straightened up and met Zhao Xiaoqian's gaze. The two blinked at each other, exchanged glances, and then acted as if they were meeting for the first time, polite but distant.

After they were both seated, Zhao Xiaoqian sat with his legs crossed, completely disregarding his image in the eyes of the Liao officials.

In the face of absolute power, even the most rude behavior is seen as a display of magnanimity and is worthy of admiration.

There was no small talk or pleasantries; they went straight to the point.

Zhao Xiaoqian lowered his eyelids and said slowly, "I heard from the officials of the government office that your esteemed envoy has asked to see me several times. In fact... there is nothing to see. My Great Song has officially declared war on the Liao Kingdom. From now on, offense and defense will depend on each other's abilities. The fate of the nation is up to destiny. What else can our two countries talk about in private?"

As he spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled at Xiao Fengxian and said, "Therefore, why don't you return the way you came and tell the Liao Emperor that we should meet on the battlefield? In the current situation, it is not appropriate for us to talk about anything. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

The Liao officials were greatly alarmed and began to whisper among themselves.

Xiao Fengxian also showed a look of panic, while his face also carried a hint of suppressed anger, making him appear both aggrieved and very courageous.

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled to himself. This guy's acting was pretty good. His expressions were very nuanced. He recognized the expression; he had seen it often in movies he had watched in his past life, especially in films where the husband was slumped helplessly by the bedside.

His thoughts drifted away, and Zhao Xiaoqian felt that this scenario could be reenacted in the Song Dynasty.

Of course, if he's not interested in other people's wives, it could be changed to "the wife is the villain," where Di Ying is slumped on the edge of the bed, while he, powerless to struggle or resist, is on the bed, surrounded by various alluring and beautiful villains like Niao Niao, Jiang Miaoxian, and Yuan'er...

To make the plot more complete and realistic, he could even take a moment to look at Di Ying by the bedside with teary eyes and say, "Wife, I'm sorry, please forgive me..."

The more Zhao Xiaoqian thought about it, the more exciting it seemed, and he immediately became eager to try it.

Every man should have sex at least once in his life where he can just take his pants off without hesitation!

Zhao Xiaoqian stood up abruptly and said suddenly, "You guys stay in the city for a few more days. I have something to do and will be back in a few days!"

Xiao Fengxian became anxious, and at this point he could no longer tell whether he was acting or expressing his true feelings.

As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian stood up, Xiao Fengxian stepped forward and blocked his way, pressing his shoulders firmly with both hands, his eyes conveying the message, "Are you crazy?"

"Your Highness, ... please stop arguing!" Xiao Fengxian said, emphasizing his words.

(End of this chapter)