The prince is more stable

Chapter 675 The Alliance of Hejian
When a nursery rhyme is sung throughout the streets and alleys of a city, it means that the matter can no longer be kept secret from the world.

Zhao Xu knew about it earlier than others because of an urgent report from the Imperial City Guard.

However, the time when court officials and ordinary people learned about this was not much later than Zhao Xu's. The same popular song was being sung in the streets and alleys. Not to mention the spread of the news by travelers and merchants from the north and south, the government of Suining City must have been terrified.

Such a heinous act cannot be ignored by the government; otherwise, it would be a capital offense.

So, just as the Imperial City Guard's report arrived in the capital, the Suining Prefect's urgent report followed.

Reports from local officials were first sent directly to the Bianjing (Kaifeng) government office.

So, almost at the same time that Zhao Xu learned the news, the bigwigs of the Political Affairs Hall also heard about this nursery rhyme.

Suddenly, the Politics Hall erupted in chaos, with the bigwigs looking shocked and exchanging bewildered glances.

The same question echoed in the minds of the bigwigs.

What kind of monster is so bold as to openly sing such a rebellious nursery rhyme?

Do you want to test the sharpness of my sword?

The bigwigs of the Council of State gathered together, their expressions more solemn than ever before.

These bigwigs are all from literary backgrounds, and are among the top literary figures of their time, so their understanding of literature is naturally top-notch.

This nursery rhyme, with its dozen or so words, was easily understood by the experts.

Therefore, all eyes of the emperor and his ministers were turned to Suining City in Shu, thousands of miles away, and to Zhao Ji, the emperor's younger brother, whom they associated with the name "Suining".

Suining City is too far from Bianjing to be seen, but Zhao Ji is in Bianjing.

Whether this nursery rhyme is related to Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) or whether someone is secretly creating public opinion to put him in a difficult position remains unknown.

However, it is undeniable that regardless of whether Zhao Ji was innocent or not, he had inexplicably fallen into a storm of public opinion.

Even more seriously, after some quiet deduction, the experts discovered that this nursery rhyme actually made sense.

If Zhao Xu could predict which younger brother would inherit the throne of the Song Dynasty, then the prime ministers and other officials in the Council of State Affairs could naturally do the same.

After a silent calculation, everyone was shocked. It was actually possible that the throne could actually fall to Zhao Ji. According to the royal family's rule of succession by younger brother and seniority, Zhao Ji's chances of ascending the throne were very high.

Therefore, this nursery rhyme is not entirely unfounded.

Now, the connection between Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) and this nursery rhyme is becoming increasingly difficult to clear.

The Hall of State Affairs was silent. Many high-ranking officials stroked their beards in silence. Even though they held high positions and wielded great power, they dared not discuss such a sensitive and taboo topic, not even the prime minister or the chief minister of the court.

Zhang Dun sat in the head seat, stroking his beard and closing his eyes in deep thought for a long time, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

After a long silence, Zhang Dun, the prime minister of the court, finally spoke.

“This matter cannot be ignored. First of all, the prefect of Suining should be ordered to investigate it immediately and prohibit the singing of the nursery rhyme. Otherwise, if it spreads throughout the world, it will surely damage the prestige of the Great Song Dynasty.”

The assembled ministers all nodded in agreement.

"Secondly, we should immediately report to the Emperor and request that he summon the Prince of Suining to the palace for an audience to prove his innocence."

Zhang Dun continued, "Thirdly, among the Emperor's many brothers, the Ninth Prince has already been enfeoffed as the Prince of Shen, and the Prince of Suining, Zhao Ji, has now come of age. The Emperor should also bestow upon him the title of Prince of the First Rank. We must petition the Emperor to change the title of Prince of Suining to that of Prince of the First Rank."

Zhang Dun's three proposed solutions were reasonable and justifiable, and all the officials nodded in agreement.

The third point, in particular, essentially nipped the nursery rhyme in the bud, rendering it baseless.

Of course, the fact that Tong Yao was killed was just a facade. In reality, by changing the title of the Prince of Suining, the emperor could pretend that the incident never happened.
But with Zhang Dun's abilities, this was all he could do. As for what the Emperor would think next, and who would inherit the throne, Zhang Dun could not and dared not participate.

The officials in the hall looked at each other, but had no objection to Zhang Dun's actions.

However, from Zhang Dun's indifferent expression and tone at this moment, everyone gradually began to have some vague ideas.

It seems that this current prime minister... is not satisfied with the Prince of Suining?
Everyone had a vague feeling about this, but it was inconvenient to ask such a question. After all, Zhang Dun was usually stern and had a cold-faced demeanor, so it was hard to say what his opinion of Zhao Ji was.

In the ensuing eerie silence, Zhang Dun quickly wrote a few words on the memorial and then ordered the palace servants to send it to the palace immediately.

…………

Yanyun, Hejian Prefecture.

Tonight, Prince Zhao cares not for humans, but only for beasts.

For several days in a row, Zhao Xiaoqian focused his energy on Gou Sheng, well, that Akhal-Teke horse that was named after a dog.

A bond needs to be cultivated between master and mount. When it comes to a life-or-death situation, the mount becomes the master's most trustworthy comrade-in-arms. In the past few days, Zhao Xiaoqian personally fed Gousheng hay, washed him, and took him out of the city for a ride. He stayed by the stable almost day and night, spending every moment with Gousheng.

The cultivation of their relationship gradually took effect. Over the course of a few days, Gousheng and Zhao Xiaoqian got along better and better. Gousheng finally began to accept his new owner and would occasionally show affection in front of him.

Zhao Xiaoqian was very satisfied with this fine horse. After all, it was the legendary Akhal-Teke horse, and its reputation alone was remarkable. Moreover, the horse was indeed very fast when it galloped at full speed.

On the battlefield, Zhao Xiaoqian could easily let the enemy run thirty-nine meters ahead, and then pull out his forty-meter-long broadsword at the end...

That day, Zhao Xiaoqian stayed outside the stable, stroking Gousheng's big head through the fence and whispering to him to continue their bond.

"Gousheng, you should accept me as your master now, right? Lately, I can see from your eyes that you like me more and more..."

Gou Sheng shook his big head violently and snorted loudly.

Although it has gradually come to accept its owner, it still has an allergic reaction to its own name and feels uncomfortable whenever it hears it.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't care. It didn't matter. Whether it was a Chinese person or a Chinese horse, no matter what they were allergic to, as long as Kuku showed them off a lot, they would gradually get used to it and eventually become less allergic.

"Dog's Leftovers, without being immodest, I'm quite a commendable owner. Everyone I've ridden praises me, and even my six wives praise me..."

Gou Sheng looked completely bewildered, not understanding a word this guy was saying.

"Alright, this is an adult topic. It's normal that you don't understand. In a few years, I'll find you a few mares that are exceptionally beautiful, virtuous, and suitable for marriage. You just need to work hard to breed a few Akhal-Teke foals with them..."

As Zhao Xiaoqian spoke, he suddenly revealed an evil smile, bent down, and said, "Come on, let me see if your assets are impressive..."

Gou Sheng began to violently shake and wobble in the stable.

Is this owner so shameless? He doesn't even spare animals...

A moment later, Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "Great quality! Perfect for making medicinal liquor!"

Gou Sheng shook himself more and more violently, almost turning into a mad horse.

A series of hurried footsteps approached. Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head and saw Xu Jiang running around in a hurry with a happy expression, completely disregarding the demeanor of a top scholar.

"Zian, good news!" Xu Jiang exclaimed with joy, "I have reached an agreement with the Liao delegation. The Liao delegation is acting on the orders of the Regent Crown Prince..."

"All Liao troops within the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, as well as the Khitan, Bohai, Xi and other ethnic groups, are willing to withdraw from Yanyun. The border between the Song and Liao states will be redrawn with the northern part of Xijin Prefecture in Yanyun as the new border."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "Speak like a human being... Uh, sorry, Mr. Chongyuan, I've been in the army for a long time and I've gotten used to being rude. Could you please repeat what you just said in plain language?"

Xu gave him a disapproving look, then continued excitedly, "To put it simply, the Liao Kingdom is willing to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to our Great Song Dynasty. The Liao army and the population of various ethnic groups such as the Khitan will gradually move out of Yan and Yun. The cities and lands of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun will all be transferred to the jurisdiction of our Great Song government..."

"In other words, our Great Song Dynasty has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

Xu Jiang, carried away by his emotions, grabbed his shoulders with both hands and laughed loudly, "We've recovered Yan and Yun! Zi'an, our Great Song Dynasty has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

As she laughed, Xu's eyes gradually welled up with tears, and she suddenly burst into sobs.

"In my lifetime, I have actually witnessed the return of Yan and Yun to my Great Song! I still feel as if I am dreaming..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, but the smile was faint.

The return of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was exactly what he expected; it would have been strange if they hadn't reached an agreement, as this was a condition that the Liao state had long ago agreed upon.

Yelü Yanxi and the Liao officials were well aware that with the Liao army's strength gradually waning, it was simply not capable of defending Yanyun. Rather than paying unnecessary casualties and fighting to the death to defend Yanyun, it would be better to simply hand it over to the Song Dynasty in exchange for decades of peace, giving the Liao state ample time to revive.

The terms had already been predetermined, so Zhao Xiaoqian naturally didn't feel much surprise.

"Mr. Chongyuan, what did Xiao Fengxian say about the three cities I requested: Laizhou, Chenzhou, and Suzhou?" Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked.

Xu stopped crying and choked out, "They all agreed. Xiao Fengxian sent a fast rider to Shangjing to consult Yelü Yanxi. This morning, Yelü Yanxi's reply arrived in Hejian Prefecture. He agreed to send these three cities."

"So this morning, I reached a peace agreement with the Liao delegation. Since the meeting was held in Hejian Prefecture, the Song and Liao dynasties have referred to this agreement as the 'Hejian Alliance.' The two countries have agreed to cease hostilities, maintain friendly relations, and never fight again."

"Within two months, the Liao army and civilians gradually withdrew from Yanyun. The Han people who remained in Yanyun were not allowed to relocate, while the rest went. Of course, all the official granaries and provisions, the money, weapons, horses, and other items in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were taken away by the Liao people, and the Song Dynasty did not pursue the matter."

Zhao Xiaoqian's previously calm expression suddenly froze. After a long pause, he roared, "Take the money too?"

"Damn it, that bastard Xiao Fengxian, who gave him the right to take my money!"

"Since Yanyun has been handed over, its wealth naturally belongs to me... well, to our Great Song Dynasty! Why should the Liao people take it away?"

Zhao Xiaoqian cursed and swore, rolled up his sleeves, and turned to walk towards the main hall of the government office, looking menacing.

"Chen Shou, send someone to bring the Liao delegation back. I want to talk to them again!"

(End of this chapter)