The prince is more stable

Chapter 679 Offering Sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple
The people of Bianjing were in an uproar, celebrating the imperial court's recapture of Yan and Yun.

At this moment, countless court officials gathered outside the gates of Yanfu Palace. Their faces were beaming with smiles. Even political enemies who were usually at odds with each other greeted each other warmly today, as if they had completely put aside their past grievances.

The news of the Prince of Hejian's recapture of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun naturally reached the court officials.

This is an extraordinary and joyous occasion. At this moment, regardless of whether it is a new or old party, any political views, or any deep-seated grudges, everything seems to have become insignificant in the face of this momentous news.

A century of humiliation, a century of resentment, a century of obsession—with the news of the recapture of Yan and Yun arriving in the capital, joy has already overshadowed all the inappropriate struggles, suspicions, and grudges.

It's at least temporarily covered.

Today, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty will offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple of the Song Dynasty was not actually located in Bianjing (Kaifeng), but in Yingtianfu (present-day Shangqiu, Henan).

However, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was also located in Yanfu Palace in Bianjing.

Although today is a day of great joy for the nation, the emperor is not free to leave Bianjing for a spontaneous sacrificial ceremony. Therefore, this ceremony can only be held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Yanfu Palace.

The court officials gathered outside the palace gates, greeting each other with joyful expressions, and then loudly discussed the war between the Song and Liao dynasties, as well as the various complicated matters after the recovery of Yan and Yun.

Just then, a carriage arrived and stopped a few hundred paces from the palace gate. The driver helped the person in the carriage down, and to everyone's surprise, it was a very fat man.

The fat man struggled to get off the carriage, panting heavily. When the officials outside the palace gates saw him, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Immediately, the courtiers, like mosquitoes seeing blood, rushed over enthusiastically, bowing and greeting him, addressing him as "Your Highness, the King of Chu."

The fat man was none other than King Zhao Hao of Chu. He was summoned to Yanfu Palace by a sudden imperial edict. Zhao Hao had already heard the news of the court's recapture of Yan and Yun in his palace. He was overjoyed, but when he heard that the emperor had bestowed an extra favor upon him today, ordering him to recite the sacrificial text in front of the ancestral temple, Zhao Hao was still greatly surprised.

This was no ordinary task; the person who read the sacrificial text often represented his importance in the court.

In the past, the court officials who read the sacrificial texts were either the prime minister or the minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. Sometimes the emperor would read them himself. In short, those who read the sacrificial texts in front of the emperor and his ministers were definitely important figures in the court.

Unexpectedly, it was Zhao Hao's turn to read the eulogy today.

Of course, Zhao Hao knew very well why the Emperor had given him this job.

It's just a case of a father gaining status through his son.

This extraordinary achievement was made by his son, Zhao Xiaoqian. Isn't it appropriate for his father to read the eulogy?

Furthermore, Zhao Hao was also a member of the Zhao imperial family of the Song Dynasty. His personal offering of sacrifices to the ancestors was a way of showing filial piety to the Zhao ancestors.

Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin's acquisition of the country was illegitimate; he bullied an orphan and a widow to obtain the empire. The Zhao family probably knew this was dishonorable, so they stopped mentioning the slogan of "loyalty to the emperor." After all, even the Zhao family members couldn't uphold it, so they didn't expect the rest of the world to.

Therefore, starting from the Song Dynasty, Confucianism and the imperial court began to advocate "governing the world with filial piety," and the word "loyalty" was never mentioned.

Do you think it's because the imperial court doesn't want to mention it?

I'm too ashamed to mention it.

Today, Zhao Xu offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and King Zhao Hao of Chu read the sacrificial text, sharing the glory of recovering Yan and Yun with the ancestors of the Zhao family. This perfectly embodies the concept of "filial piety."

The palace gates opened, and all the civil and military officials straightened their clothes, lined up, and filed into the palace gates, heading straight for the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple in Yanfu Palace is located inside Chongxiao Gate on the west side. When the civil and military officials arrived, they saw Zhao Xu waiting for them, dressed in a yellow robe.

Today, the Imperial Ancestral Temple is surrounded by fluttering banners and imposing imperial guards. Taoist monks and nuns kneel on both sides of the temple, chanting scriptures. Inside the large cauldron of the God of Soil and Grain in the center of the square outside the temple, incense sticks are burning, creating a solemn and awe-inspiring scene.

The officials stood before the Imperial Ancestral Temple, their expressions unconsciously becoming solemn, each with their hands at their sides, their expressions devout.

The ceremony of offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple began.

The Ministry of Rites officials were preparing for the ceremony, and a talented compiler from the Hanlin Academy hastily composed a beautifully written eulogy for the ancestors. King Zhao Hao of Chu, dressed in his royal court robes, stood before the ancestral temple with his obese body, holding the eulogy in his hand, still looking completely bewildered.

While in the Prince's Palace, enjoying hot pot and singing songs, I was suddenly dragged to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to read a sacrificial text.

Family members, does anyone understand? This is so sudden, the map changed so fast.

Facing the gazes of Zhao Xu and the officials, Zhao Hao braced himself and loudly recited the sacrificial text word by word. He stumbled over his words, his intonation was clearly off, and he even mispronounced some words.

The officials stared at Zhao Hao with strange looks. The crowd was silent, but many of them had a mocking smile in their eyes.

I've heard that this Prince of Chu is an unlearned and incompetent man, yet he often pretends to be cultured. He indulges in eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring, but he insists on calling himself a romantic scholar and likes to associate with literary figures.

It seems the rumors about Bianjing were true; this Prince Chu's character is probably just like that.

Despite the mocking looks from many people, Zhao Hao remained oblivious. His recitation of the eulogy improved with each passing moment, and he remained unfazed even when he mispronounced a word. As long as he himself did not admit to mispronouncing a word, then that word was not wrong.

It is a phonetic loan character.

After the eulogy was read, Zhao Hao let out a long sigh of relief and looked at Zhao Xu with a look of relief.

"Your Majesty, I have finished reading the eulogy," Zhao Hao said with a smile. Zhao Xu smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "Uncle Chu, Zi'an is very promising. I am very happy. Uncle, you have such a son. Your life is full of comfort."

Zhao Hao chuckled憨厚ly: "My son only got this little merit because of the Emperor's good fortune. If it weren't for the Emperor's favor, he would just be a spoiled brat in Bianjing. The Emperor is not worthy of praise."

This was a very appropriate remark; at least Zhao Xu found it pleasant to hear.

"In any case, Zian's contribution is unparalleled. I don't know how to reward him. After taking over the Yan and Yun prefectures, Zian should return to the capital. He has suffered too much in the harsh and cold land beyond the Great Wall. I really can't bear to see him continue to suffer."

Zhao Hao's eyes flickered upon hearing this, but his expression remained as honest and simple as ever.

"Your Majesty's grace moves me to tears. In recent years, my health has been poor, and my only son is unable to serve me. Your Majesty has taken pity on my loneliness and allowed Qian'er to return to the capital to take care of me. On behalf of Qian'er, I kowtow to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your divine grace."

As he spoke, Zhao Hao was so moved that tears streamed down his face.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes. At this moment, the King of Chu's expression of gratitude was sincere, and he still looked as innocent as ever. As the saying goes, "No one knows a son better than his father." Judging from Zhao Hao's expression and tone, Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to have no ulterior motives whatsoever.

However, regardless of whether Zhao Xiaoqian harbored any ambitions, after the court took over the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun and the war against the Liao Kingdom was temporarily suspended, Zhao Xiaoqian should indeed return to Bianjing.

The important thing is that once he returns to Bianjing, he should relinquish his military power.

Even if they were as close as brothers, the emperor would never allow his subjects to hold such terrifying military power.

With 100,000 royal soldiers, all equipped with firearms, even the mighty Liao Kingdom had to bow down and surrender the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. In particular, the commander-in-chief's prestige in the army was at its zenith, so how could Zhao Xu not be restless and unable to eat or sleep?

"For the past two years, Zian has worked tirelessly day and night for the sake of the Song Dynasty, enduring wind and rain. Now that Yan and Yun have been returned to Song and Liao has submitted, the world is at peace. It is time for Zian to return to the capital and enjoy a few good days."

Zhao Xu chuckled and sighed, "I fondly remember the days when Zi'an and I would sneak out of the palace incognito, eat soup dumplings in Bianjing, and listen to music and storytelling in brothels. I loved watching Zi'an strut around Bianjing with an air of nonchalance, haha, to be honest, sometimes I envied Zi'an..."

Zhao Hao said with emotion, "Your Majesty's high regard for Qian'er makes me happy. After Qian'er returns to the capital, he can travel to Bianjing with Your Majesty again. I am very pleased to see that Your Majesty and Qian'er are very close and that the relatives and brothers are very intimate."

Zhao Xu nodded and sighed, "Yes, Zi'an and I are brothers, and I sincerely hope to remain close to Zi'an for the rest of my life..."

After exchanging a few words with Zhao Hao, the Taoist monks had finished reciting the scriptures.

Zhao Xu turned and knelt down facing the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After performing the three kowtows and nine prostrations according to court etiquette, Zhao Xu raised his head and, for the first time, looked with righteous indignation at the portraits of the previous emperors of the Song Dynasty enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

"Your subject Zhao Xu, in accordance with the will of Heaven and after years of planning and drawing upon the legacy of our ancestors, has today received the joyous news of victory. Since the traitor Shi Jingtang surrendered Yan and Yun to the Khitan, the Central Plains have been shrouded in turmoil and the nation has been in decline for a century. Now, your subject can reassure our ancestors and emperors that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are now under your rule and have returned to you!"

"Your subject bears the mandate of heaven and the nation bestowed upon us by our ancestors, and dares not belittle it. Today, with the merit of bringing Yan and Yun back to Song, I shine upon the ancestral temple and altar. May our ancestors bless our great Song Dynasty, that its reign may be long and prosperous, and that its golden age may be as splendid as ever!"

After speaking, Zhao Xu faced the portrait of his ancestor and kowtowed heavily. When he straightened up, Zhao Xu was already in tears.

The courtiers behind him also faced the Imperial Ancestral Temple and kowtowed, and the sound of wailing and weeping rose and fell in the crowd.

…………

After the ceremony of offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple concluded, the court officials left the palace and returned to their respective offices.

Zhao Xu returned to Funing Palace, his turbulent emotions still not calmed down.

Even now, Zhao Xu's mind was still buzzing. From seeing the report of victory to the ceremony of offering sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and now back in his palace, Zhao Xu had pinched his thigh in secret more than once.

He still couldn't believe it was real, and for a moment he thought he was dreaming.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were acquired just like that?

How amazing!

What immense pressure did Zhao Xiaoqian exert on the Liao people to make them so obediently hand over the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun? It's important to understand that the geographical location of Yan and Yun, and the significance it represents, was not only a source of obsession for the Song Dynasty, but also for the Liao people.

Zhao Xu had never witnessed the battle between the Song and Liao armies. He was unaware of the terrifying psychological impact that the Song's firearms had on the Liao army, and even less aware that after the once-powerful Liao army lost more than 100,000 men, the Liao army, from top to bottom, had developed a sense of despair and extreme fear towards the Song army.

The so-called morale of an army is utterly useless in the face of an unshakeable mountain.

Back in the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu took out Zhao Xiaoqian's memorial and the terms of the Hejian Treaty again, and carefully read them several times before finally leaning back in his chair and letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Tonight, I intend to get drunk, and no one is allowed to stop me..." Zhao Xu murmured with a smile.

Zhao Xu's health is currently worrying, and the imperial physician has repeatedly advised him not to drink alcohol.

But today's significance is different; Zhao Xu really wants to drink to his heart's content.

What the previous emperors of the Song Dynasty could not do, I have done. Isn't that worth getting drunk on?

I'm willing to pay the price to my health; tonight I must get drunk.

Just as he was pondering, Zheng Chunhe walked into the hall with small steps and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Prince Zhao Ji of Suining requests an audience outside the hall."

A glint flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Let him in."

(End of this chapter)