The prince is more stable

Chapter 673 The Power of Nursery Rhymes
Naming is a subjective matter and depends on personal preference.

Having watched so many movies and TV dramas in my past life, I knew that the main character needed a good horse, and it always had to be given a cool name, like "Wind Chaser" or "Thunder Rider"...

lame.

"Gou Sheng" sounds nice, is easy to understand, and is easy to raise, embodying the ancient working class's wish for a long and healthy life.

Chen Shouhe and his group of imperial guards stood around the Ferghana horse, dumbfounded as Zhao Xiaoqian called it "Gousheng" repeatedly, in a friendly and gentle tone.

"It, its name is... Gousheng?" Chen Shou asked with difficulty.

Zhao Xiaoqian grinned and asked, "Does it sound good?"

Chen Shou hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "But Your Highness, it...it's a horse!"

"If a person can be called Gousheng (meaning 'dog's leftovers'), why can't a horse? It's such a nice name; anyone who hears it once will remember it."

Ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, Zhao Xiaoqian continued to gently stroke the horse's head.

The horse swayed reluctantly and turned its head to look at Chen Shou with pleading eyes.

Chen Shou was a righteous man, and finally hesitantly said, "But it doesn't seem to like the name very much; it's been having shivering..."

Zhao Xiaoqian retorted, "Nonsense! It was clearly very happy, trembling with excitement. Wasn't that right, Gousheng?"

The horse snorted helplessly, lowered its head, and silently processed this nightmarish name.

Chen Shou looked at the precious horse with admiration.

A fine horse truly possesses a spirit; who could believe that such a long horse face could express such a rich array of expressions and emotions?

This thing is practically ready to speak.

Of course, it's best not to speak. It's not that I'm afraid of being shocking, but if this thing opens its mouth and starts swearing, it will definitely curse everyone in the Chu King's lineage for eighteen generations.

Once back on horseback, Zhao Xiaoqian specifically tested the speed of the Akhal-Teke horse.

Its speed was indeed extraordinary; the horses ridden by Chen Shou and the Imperial Guards were left far behind as soon as they began to exert themselves.

However, this horse does have a drawback: it lacks stamina. For example, in track and field events, it is suitable for the 100-meter sprint, running it silently, but if it were a marathon, it would definitely run out of steam.

The test lasted from afternoon until dusk. Zhao Xiaoqian had a general idea of ​​the speed and endurance of the Akhal-Teke horses before ordering them to return to the city.

Back at the stables in the backyard of the government office, Zhao Xiaoqian personally brought over hay and soybeans to feed the horses.

This is also a way for riders and horses to develop a bond. Animals don't recognize power or money; their feelings for their owners are very pure. Once the bond is deep, even in dire straits or when they are pierced by a thousand arrows, they will still stay by their owners' side.

After feeding the horse, Zhao Xiaoqian fetched water to wipe its body. Only then did Gousheng gradually show some affection for him, licking his palm and lowering its head to let him stroke and caress it like a dog.

The man and the horse lingered in the stable for a long time, until it got dark before Zhao Xiaoqian left.

Back in the backyard of the government office, Zhao Xiaoqian was surprised to find Xu sitting alone in the courtyard, holding a piece of paper covered with writing in his hand. The paper was crumpled by his fingers, showing that he was not calm at the moment.

Zhao Xiaoqian walked up behind him and patted his shoulder hard.

Xu was instantly terrified, screamed in fright, and turned around to look, his face pale.

"Mr. Chongyuan, what are you looking at so suspiciously?" Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled mischievously.

Xu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, pointed at him tremblingly, and said angrily, "You, you, you brat! What good will it do you to scare me to death?"

As he spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian keenly noticed that Xu Jiang quietly and quickly stuffed the paper into his pocket.

"A love letter your old flame wrote for you?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously. "What's there to be shy about? Show me this amazing piece of writing and let's appreciate it together. I am, after all, the famous 'Zhao Banque,' let's take a look together. I can even help your old flame correct the typos."

Xu Jiang looked somewhat flustered and shook his head repeatedly, saying, "It's not a love letter, Zi'an, don't make wild guesses and tarnish my reputation."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, suddenly realizing that teasing old men was more interesting than teasing women.

Especially old men who have established a morally upright image, once they get involved in a scandal, their furious and exasperated appearance is as delicate as a cool breeze.

Xu Jiang seemed unwilling to continue this risqué topic and suddenly asked, "Zi'an, when we searched the Hejian treasury last time, you left behind so much money. Did you really keep some of it to send to the prime ministers and envoys in Bianjing?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded blankly: "We already sent someone to deliver it. It's been several days. I estimate it's already reached the capital region and not far from Bianjing."

Xu was silent for a moment, then said, "Just send it over, I hope..."

Seeing Xu Jiang's preoccupied expression, Zhao Xiaoqian finally became serious and then keenly realized that Bianjing must have reacted.

Immediately, Zhao Xiaoqian recalled the piece of paper covered in writing that Xu had just been holding, and with his clever mind, he roughly understood what was going on.

Since Xu was appointed as the Deputy Military Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit, Zhao Xiaoqian had enjoyed a pleasant relationship with him. They gradually became familiar with each other, and eventually their relationship became quite informal, even showing signs of a friendship that transcended age.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian also realized what was going on.

Xu Jiang was ultimately a deputy envoy, an informant planted by the emperor and the court.

This is his true identity.

"Mr. Chongyuan, has the Bianjing authorities held you accountable?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked in a low voice. Xu Jiang was taken aback, gave him a deep look, and sighed bitterly without speaking.

Zhao Xiaoqian understood this tacit attitude.

"I may not be suitable to be this deputy envoy. I intend to ask His Majesty to select a more capable successor. I would rather return to Bianjing to serve as an official."

Xu Jiang paused, then sighed, "I suppose it's because I'm getting old and can't bear the hardships of the frontier. Lately, I've often felt unwell, weak and listless. Zi'an, I'm afraid I won't be able to witness you recover Yanyun and wipe away the century-old humiliation of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xiaoqian grasped his hand and gazed intently at him.

"Mr. Chongyuan, why make excuses? We are friends despite our age difference. I can't put you in a difficult position. Just do whatever the Emperor asks you to do. I have a clear conscience and no ulterior motives. Please record my words and actions in peacetime and my troop deployments in wartime, and report them to Bianjing accordingly."

Xu Jiang showed a moved expression, and after a long while, he sighed and said, "Zi'an, after you recover Yanyun, I advise you to relinquish your military power as soon as possible and return to Bianjing to live a carefree life as a prince. Since ancient times, ministers who hold too much military power have never had a good ending."

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent for a long time before saying, "I understand. How could I not know that military power is such a hot potato? I was just acting according to my conscience. My original intention was simply to change the fate of myself and my family."

"Now that the Song Dynasty has clearly turned the tide, after recovering Yan and Yun, I will naturally lay down my arms and return to the capital, and from then on I will not concern myself with court affairs and military matters."

Xu Jiang showed a look of relief: "It is rare that Zian has 100,000 troops, yet he is so clear-headed. I will accompany you for a while longer. Otherwise, if I am gone, the court will send someone else to succeed me, and we can't be sure what kind of person he will be."

"Zi'an, in my eyes and in the eyes of the people of the Song Dynasty, you are a great hero. If it weren't for you, the Song Dynasty would probably still be swallowing its pride and paying tribute to the Liao Dynasty every year."

"Who could have imagined that in just a few short years, our Great Song Dynasty would have achieved such a magnificent state under your leadership? I have spent day and night with Zi'an and know that you are not a wolf in sheep's clothing. Your Majesty... if only you could have a little more trust in me."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled wryly and said, "The Emperor has already trusted me enough. It's just that I now command an army of 100,000. Any emperor would be nervous and suspicious. It's the nature of an emperor, and I can understand that."

The topic was too sensitive, so Xu couldn't continue. He simply patted him on the shoulder, got up, and left dejectedly.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat alone in the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky, his eyes flashing with unfathomable light.

I understand, but... he's not a blindly loyal person who'll be slaughtered at will.

If one day the knife is already at his neck, would he really offer his neck to be killed, just to leave behind a reputation in history as a "loyal minister who was wronged"?

Heh, dreaming!

His elderly parents, wives, concubines, and children all lost their heads along with him.
Is this a loyal subject? This is clearly a lamb to the slaughter.

If a time traveler were to live to this extent, they should probably just find a rope and hang themselves.

After sitting alone in the courtyard for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly called out, "Chen Shou!"

Chen Shou appeared in a flash, bowed, and clasped his hands in greeting.

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "Send a trustworthy person to ride back to Bianjing to meet my father and ask him what the situation is like in Bianjing."

"Also, tell my father that his own father is just someone to be used. The troubles in Bianjing are affecting my war efforts, so tell him to find a solution as soon as possible."

…………

What's the situation in Bianjing?
Bianjing has been very lively lately.

In Suining City of Shu, an urgent report, covering eight hundred li, was carried on the back of a secret agent from the Imperial City Guard, who then rode swiftly towards Bianjing.

Several days later, the messenger arrived in the capital and the report appeared on Emperor Zhao Xu's desk that same day.

This report was extremely malicious and frightening.

Zhao Xu glanced at it only once, his expression changed immediately, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger.

The report contained only a few words, yet every word was piercing to the heart.

A nursery rhyme has recently been circulating in Suining City. The rhyme has only four lines and a dozen or so words.

"When the dragon prince dies, the python robe is passed on. When the heavenly wolf awakens, the vermilion bird rises."

Throughout history, nursery rhymes have been incredibly powerful. They are not simply popular songs; rulers have regarded them as mysterious prophecies and omens of the empire's demise.

When Qin Er Shi ascended the throne, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang launched the Dazexiang Uprising. At that time, there were stories of books hidden in fish bellies, fox cries spreading throughout the fields, and the children's rhyme "The Great Chu will rise, Chen Sheng will be king".

Its emergence directly overthrew the entire Qin Dynasty.

Is it powerful?
From then on, emperors of all dynasties were extremely sensitive to nursery rhymes, and were terrified of them, even more so than if they had directly launched a rebellion.

Today, in this land of Shu during the Song Dynasty, nursery rhymes have also appeared.

Moreover, its predictive and directional nature is very clear.

Zhao Xu was genuinely angry, his anger mixed with a hint of fear.

With his hands on the table, Zhao Xu clenched his fists tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.

Zhao Xu's face was ashen as he looked out of the hall, gritting his teeth as he said, "Summon... the Director of the Astronomical Bureau to come before me immediately and interpret the prophecy for me!"

(End of this chapter)