The prince is more stable

Chapter 68 Imperial City Affairs
Cai You was a commoner, but he was a student of the Imperial College. He would take the imperial examinations in the future, and his chances of passing the examination were very high, which was equivalent to a reserve cadre of the Song Dynasty.

Cai Jing had high expectations for this son because Cai You was very ambitious and perfectly inherited many of Cai Jing's personality traits, including diligence and utilitarianism.

Every time Cai Jing saw Cai You, it was as if he was looking into a mirror that traveled through time and space, and he saw his younger self.

What made Cai Jing even more gratified recently was that Cai You had actually established a friendship with the Prince of Chu.

This friendship is truly wonderful.

Zhao Xiaoqian has been a prominent figure in Bianliang City recently. Whether the government is abolishing the old and restoring the new, or Cai Jing himself is transferred back to Beijing, it is all related to Zhao Xiaoqian.

The government broke the ancestral law and appointed Zhao Xiaoqian as an official. Cai Jing was shocked, but he felt that Zhao Xiaoqian's future was limitless and that he would be entrusted with important tasks by the government.

As a political speculator, and with the friendship between his son and Zhao Xiaoqian, the King of Chu and his son must make good friends with him.

Cai Jing invited the King of Chu and his son to banquets several times, but unfortunately they always refused.

The reason for the refusal was very reasonable. The clan members had to avoid suspicion and not make friends with outsiders.

Of course, the Chu Palace accepted all the valuable gifts Cai Jing sent them several times without saying a word, but the people did not return the gifts, and they were still familiar strangers.

Although it was not very polite, Cai Jing always felt like he was being wronged. Giving gifts to the Prince of Chu's Mansion gave him a sense of loss, like throwing meat buns at a dog.

Cai Jing couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with the character of this father and son?
Cai Jing did not have an answer, but his son Cai You already had the answer.

At that time, they were ambushed at the horse farm outside Beijing, and their money was robbed by Zhao Xiaoqian. In the end, half of the playboys in the city were blackmailed by Zhao Xiaoqian. Is there any need to doubt whether Zhao Xiaoqian has any problems with his character?

"Father, I heard that the students of the Imperial College are planning to gather and cause trouble," Cai You said.

Cai Jing frowned: "Why?"

"The Prince of Chu was assassinated, and the Imperial Court Assistant Minister Su Che was suspected. The Imperial City Administration arrested him for questioning. The students were outraged and wanted to gather at the palace gates to protest."

Cai Jing snorted coldly, "What a bunch of ignorant bastards! They have no achievements, yet they presume to govern the country. The Imperial City Administration should arrest them all!"

Cai Jing pondered for a moment, then looked at Cai You and said, "You should help the Crown Prince of Chu in this matter. Report this to the Imperial College and the Dali Temple, and have those students who led the charge arrested."

"Do your work openly and behave yourself discreetly. Don't say a word after the matter is done. The Prince of Chu will see it and remember your kindness."

Cai You bowed and said, "I understand, my son."

…………

After the gunpowder formula was handed over, the Military Arsenal of the Song Dynasty became busy.

Two days later, the emperor issued an order that the Military Equipment Bureau set up another gunpowder workshop. A piece of land was requisitioned outside the city of Bianjing, and craftsmen built a wall. Two thousand imperial guards moved in and surrounded the gunpowder workshop tightly, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

There were about 500 craftsmen inside, and a special firearms inspector was appointed. After strict selection from top to bottom, these 500 people were locked up from then on, and it was almost certain that they would work for the court for the rest of their lives.

After handing the gunpowder formula to Zhao Xu, Zhao Xiaoqian no longer cared about it.

When it comes to such national military secrets, Zhao Xiaoqian had better not be too concerned, even if he is the inventor. A person should be sensible and not force Zhao Xu to help him be sensible.

Although the gunpowder formula was given to him, Zhao Xu even confiscated the world's only flintlock rifle.

He handed over the formula without any hesitation, but the confiscation of the flintlock rifle really made Zhao Xiaoqian feel sad for a long time.

Do you know how difficult it is to make a flintlock rifle?

Fortunately, Zhao Hao was wise and kept the two blacksmiths, so Zhao Xiaoqian had to let them build a new one.

Zhao Xiaoqian got up very early today as he planned to go to the Imperial City Office.

As the head of the Imperial City Bureau, it seems a bit unreasonable that he doesn't even know where his office is. If the leader wants to visit one day, Zhao Xiaoqian may lead him into trouble.

The Imperial City Administration is located on the Imperial Street near the Imperial Palace, inside the Xihua Gate of the palace city.

What surprised Zhao Xiaoqian was that although the Imperial City Administration sounded very prestigious, the government office was very dilapidated and extremely low-key. There was only a plaque at the door and not even a stone lion guarding the gate.

But for some reason, when Zhao Xiaoqian approached the gate of the Imperial City, he felt an inexplicable chill on his back.

Who knows how many innocent souls there are who died with their eyes open. For a moment, Zhao Xiaoqian even wanted to turn around and leave.

I will have to give Taoist Qingyang a business deal later and ask him to bring his food to the Imperial City to perform a ritual to help the souls of the dead to be reincarnated.

Wei Jie led a few people who looked like officials and stood respectfully outside the gate of the Imperial City waiting. As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian's carriage stopped, Wei Jie and others came forward to greet him.

"Your subordinate greets the prince." Everyone bowed and said in unison.

Zhao Xiaoqian greeted him with a smile, and Wei Jie introduced him to several subordinate officials of the Imperial City Administration.

These people were all under the Imperial City Division. Among them was a procurator and a bailiff. There were also two others. One was the personal officer of the Investigation Division under his command, and the other was an eunuch and the supervisor of the Ice Well Division.

The Imperial City Administration does not have many officials under its command, and the few people present are basically considered the main officials.

After getting to know his officials, Zhao Xiaoqian walked towards the Imperial City Official Office, with everyone following closely behind him.

After taking two steps, Zhao Xiaoqian stopped again and waved Wei Jie to come over.

"Brother Li Yan, I have something to ask you."

"Please speak of the prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him speechlessly.

Wei Jie had no choice but to change his words: "Prince, please speak."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "I heard that the Imperial City Administration has arrested Su Zhe for questioning?"

"Yes, the Crown Prince was drinking with Su Zhe at a brothel the night he was assassinated. The Imperial City Bureau found out that Su Zhe and the Crown Prince seemed to have had an argument, so they suspect Su Zhe of instigating the assassination."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "You guys are so fucking... The Imperial City Division is busy all day long, can they ever get anything done?"

"Su Che, the literary giant, my brother is a respected literary leader. Now he's in jail. Are you trying to draw hatred towards me?"

Wei Jie was stunned. "Your Highness is so wise. The Investigation Department has found out that more than a dozen students from the Imperial College are planning to gather and cause trouble. They are planning to kneel down and petition at the palace gates."

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

Sighing helplessly, Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand and said, "Send someone to get Su Che out of prison. He has absolutely nothing to do with the assassination."

Wei Jie asked unwillingly, "Why?"

Zhao Xiaoqian pointed to his nose and said, "Because I am the victim, and because he is Su Zhe, he would not do such a thing."

If the Imperial City Division was not under his command, Zhao Xiaoqian would have wanted to sit at the gate of the government office and help Su Che curse in the streets.

Isn't this bringing bad luck to myself? My idol has just returned from vacation in Hainan. How can I, a small fan, explain this to him?

When Su Che was imprisoned in the Bingjingwu prison and was brought to the front hall of the Imperial City by his officials, Zhao Xiaoqian touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly.

Fortunately, Su Che was not tortured in prison, but he looked a little embarrassed. He stood in the hall, scratching left and right restlessly, with a look of satisfaction and anger on his face, which was very contradictory.

Friends who have often been to jail must know that Su Che had lice on his body. In the prison environment, lice and rats are more arrogant than prisoners.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt even more embarrassed. He felt so sorry for his idol, Mr. Su. Look at what a disaster your brother has caused...

Su Che stood in the hall, scratching and clawing, and finally stopped for a long while, with a look of fatigue after the relief.

Then he looked up and saw Zhao Xiaoqian. Su Zhe was stunned for a moment, then became furious and pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and started to scold him.

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately responded: "It's all a misunderstanding. It was done by the people below. I had no knowledge of it!"

"Bullshit! How dare you bully me!"

Zhao Xiaoqian slowly scratched his arm. Su Zhe's eyes widened, and he suddenly felt itchy all over his body...

"Minister Su, would you like to take a bath and clean yourself up? After that, I'll let you beat and scold me as you please, how about that?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Su Zhe gritted his teeth and tried to act more courageous, but... taking a bath was too tempting.

Which man can resist a refreshing bath?

Su Che had a cold face and said nothing, but his attitude had softened a lot.

Zhao Xiaoqian was overjoyed and quickly ordered, "Come here, throw Minister Su into the water!"

(End of this chapter)