The prince is more stable

Chapter 697 Going south is really determined
Zhao Xiaoqian needed to return to Zhen Ding City; he couldn't wait a moment longer!

The reason was bizarre and completely untenable, but he didn't care, since he was going to leave Xijin Prefecture anyway.

The original purpose of coming to Xijin Prefecture was to take command of the former Liao Dynasty's Nanjing, so as to facilitate the deployment of troops, cooperate with officials to take over cities in various places, and deter the clan landlords in various places.

Now, the armed forces on the ground in Yanyun have been basically wiped out by the Song army, and those clan landlords who outwardly obeyed but inwardly defied the Song army have also been uprooted by the Song army under the banner of justice. The officials have taken over the cities and the progress of governing the local area is extremely smooth.

In other words, Zhao Xiaoqian's purpose in coming to Xijin Prefecture has been basically achieved.

As for the Liao Kingdom in the north, Zhao Xiaoqian was not worried for the time being.

After losing the Yan and Yun regions, the Liao Dynasty has further retreated strategically and is now completely on the defensive.

The Liao emperor and his ministers had no intention of fighting the Song army. They placed all their hopes on emulating the reforms of the Song Dynasty, striving to revitalize the country and restore its former glory through these reforms.

All I can say is... best wishes for your success.

Once he had thoughts of missing his wives and concubines, he couldn't wait a moment longer.

He was seriously injured a few days ago, and the news reached Zhen Ding City immediately. Di Ying and the others were shocked and immediately sent someone to deliver a message, saying that they had packed their bags and were preparing to come to Xijin Prefecture to take care of him and help him recover from his injuries. However, Zhao Xiaoqian decisively sent someone to stop them.

Zhen Ding is hundreds of miles away from Xi Jin Prefecture, and the journey takes you straight through Yan Yun. The road is not safe, and if anything happens to the women on the way, Zhao Xiaoqian will never be able to forgive himself.

Fortunately, his injuries are healing these days, and Zhao Xiaoqian is already able to walk with difficulty. If he wants to recover in a good mood, of course he should go to a place with lots of women.

There was some scientific data in my past life that supposedly, every time a man looks at a beautiful woman, his lifespan can be extended by five minutes. This data... well, it's absolutely true.

For the sake of his health and longevity, Zhao Xiaoqian had to return to Zhen Ding City.

Without further ado, Chen Shou and the Imperial Guards quickly packed their luggage and helped Zhao Xiaoqian slowly walk out of the courtyard.

As Zhao Xiaoqian walked, he explained the matter of recovering Yanyun to Zong Ze.

With things having developed to this point, it's basically no longer difficult for the imperial court to reclaim Yan and Yun; they just need to accept it without having to outwit or outmaneuver anyone.

Just as they were about to reach the main hall of the government office, they heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

Looking up, I saw Di Zi and Zhang Rong fully armed, with Di Zi carrying a human head in his hand, swaggering through the city before reining in their horses at the gate of the government office.

Dismounting, Di Zi excitedly reported, "Your Highness, the enemy traitor Xiao Chouwo has been beheaded, and his remaining thousand men have been completely annihilated. Your Highness's revenge has been achieved!"

As he spoke, Di Zi handed the large head in his hand to Zhao Xiaoqian, and Xiao Chouwo's ​​unseeing eyes met Zhao Xiaoqian's gaze directly.

I knew it in her eyes, I'd met the right person...

Yes, that's the head.

Zhao Xiaoqian's face turned ashen. He stumbled back a few steps, glaring at Di Zi with an ugly expression.

“You…” Zhao Xiaoqian was furious. He pointed at Di Zi with trembling hands, and after a long time, he managed to suppress the profanity that was about to spill out.

My own father-in-law, my own father-in-law, my own flesh and blood, I won't hold it against him...

Zhao Xiaoqian silently recited a calming mantra in his heart.

Forcing a smile, Zhao Xiaoqian said in a friendly tone, "Wow, father-in-law, you're amazing! You're really incredible! ...Come on, father-in-law, listen to me, hand this dead man's head over to Zhang Rong."

Di Zi looked completely bewildered, but still obediently handed Xiao Chouwo's ​​head to Zhang Rong beside him.

Just as Zhang Rong held the severed head in his hand, Zhao Xiaoqian erupted, delivering a powerful blow that slapped Zhang Rong's black iron helmet so hard it thudded.

"Are you fucking sick? You're holding your head so close, you almost kissed me, you know that?" Zhao Xiaoqian roared angrily, spittle flying everywhere.

Zhang Rong looked completely innocent: "Your Highness, General Di clearly delivered the head..."

"Dinima! It's you! What's the meaning of bringing a dead man's head? You came all this way and happily brought me this head, are you planning to make me into a braised human head and pour the sap of his soul on it?"

"Your Highness, this humble general is merely asking you to confirm..."

"Confirmed, damn it! @#￥%……&"

After a barrage of messages containing a lot of "mother" elements, Zhao Xiaoqian finally calmed down a bit.

Anyone who almost had to kiss a human head would be furious.

Di Zi, standing nearby, turned green with embarrassment. He realized that his actions were inappropriate. Fortunately, Zhao Xiaoqian, being a dutiful son-in-law, did not curse him to his face.

After all, Zhao Xiaoqian used very foul language and made various strong demands to have a relationship beyond friendship with the other party's female ancestors, making it difficult to discuss the future relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law...

What a good son-in-law!

Only the innocent Zhang Rong ultimately bore the brunt of it all alone.

Looking at Zong Ze, who dared not utter a word, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Old Zong, Di Zi and Zhang Rong pursued Xiao Chouwo's ​​troops, annihilated the remaining troops, and beheaded Xiao Chouwo. Remember this military achievement, and we will reward them later."

Di Zi and Zhang Rong, who had been scolded and looked humiliated, immediately broke into smiles.

His Highness may scold, but he is still very serious about important matters, which is one of the reasons why his generals are so devoted to him.

Seeing Di Zi and Zhang Rong standing in front of him with their heads still held up, Zhao Xiaoqian was filled with rage.

"Hurry up and dispose of this dead man's head! What are you still holding onto? Are you really waiting for me to turn it into a dish?"

The two turned and ran in a hurry. Watching their panicked retreating figures, Zhao Xiaoqian clutched his heart and sighed with a grim expression.

Why are my subordinates becoming more and more like idiots, increasingly abstract?

After turning to say goodbye to Zong Ze, Zhao Xiaoqian was helped into the carriage by Chen Shou, followed by hundreds of imperial guards. Zong Ze also dispatched a thousand-strong imperial guard to escort him. The carriage swayed and lurched out of the city, heading straight for Zhengding City.

…………

Bian Jing, Yanfu Palace.

Zhao Xu sat expressionlessly behind his desk, looking at Zhao Xiaoqian's memorial.

A few days ago, news of Zhao Xiaoqian's serious injury reached Bianjing, shocking the capital and causing an uproar. Even Zhao Xu was terrified and couldn't help but worry about Zhao Xiaoqian.

Although he had become suspicious of Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhao Xu was also able to distinguish between what was important and what was not. He knew very well that the Song Dynasty could not do without Zhao Xiaoqian at least for now. He still needed Zhao Xiaoqian to expand his territory and even destroy the Liao Dynasty to realize his ideal of unifying China.

A mature emperor cannot see people and things as absolutely black and white.

When dealing with the vast majority of officials, one must both guard against and check them, and make the best use of their talents.

If you become suspicious of someone, that's just suspicion. You can use other means to restrain or divide their power. Do you really think you can kill them because of this suspicion? That would be naive.

Zhao Xu is the same now.

His personality has changed drastically; one could say that he has become cold-hearted and suspicious, but he hasn't turned into an unreasonable murderous monster. He needs to both guard against and utilize Zhao Xiaoqian.

Regardless of the circumstances, Zhao Xiaoqian's serious injuries caused Zhao Xu great worry and anxiety.

At this moment, Zhao Xu held in his hand the memorial sent by Zhao Xiaoqian, who was seriously injured.

In his memorial, Zhao Xiaoqian only briefly mentioned his injury, but he gave a detailed account of the court's recapture of Yanyun.

It details how, under the pretext of being seriously injured, he ordered the Song army to conduct a sweeping search and capture operation in the Yan-Yun region.

Under the guise of revenge, the Song army purged hostile clan landlord forces in Yanyun and dismantled the remaining local militias. While recovering cities and lands, the Song army also tried to win over the hearts and minds of the people in Yanyun.

After reading the memorial, Zhao Xu closed his eyes and sighed inwardly.

It must be said that Zhao Xiaoqian's serious injury was actually a blessing in disguise for the court. What was clearly a disaster was turned into a brilliant move by him.

The task of winning people's hearts, which would normally take a long time to complete, has now been accomplished by Zhao Xiaoqian, who, under the pretext of his injury, has already arranged everything clearly in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Zhao Xiaoqian presented a list of those who should be killed, those who should be expelled, and those who should be appeased.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian also reported in his memorial that there had been a lot of killings in the Yanyun area recently, and some innocent people from other ethnic groups had also been implicated.

Zhao Xu could only remain silent. He knew very well that some situations were unavoidable. With such a large territory undergoing a transition between the old and the new, could he really expect it to be handed over peacefully and smoothly?

The killing and chaos cannot be eliminated by a mere formality of an agreement between the two countries.

Because what lies hidden beneath the official facade is actually more intense, as it directly touches upon the interests of all parties, and the court can only turn a blind eye to some of the shady and gray-area methods used.

"I must admit that Zian is truly a genius. He has never disappointed me in handling such a complex and thorny matter."

After a long silence, Zhao Xu closed the memorial and sighed, his expression somewhat complicated.

Zheng Chunhe, who had been standing quietly behind him, hurriedly smiled and flattered, "That is also because His Majesty has a discerning eye and values ​​His Highness the Prince, which gives His Highness a chance to show his skills."

Zhao Xu's lips twitched slightly as he asked, "Does Uncle Chu know that Zian is seriously injured?"

Zheng Chunhe smiled wryly and said, "The news has already spread far and wide, and His Highness the Prince of Chu must know about it."

Zhao Xu remained silent for a long time before saying calmly, "Personally send five hundred taels of gold and a thousand bolts of silk to the Chu Prince's residence as a gesture of comfort. Tell Uncle Chu that there is no need to worry; Zi'an is a lucky man and has recovered. I will instruct Zi'an to take good care of his injuries..."

After a pause, Zhao Xu thought that he had originally planned to recall Zhao Xiaoqian to Bianjing and strip him of his military power after recovering Yanyun. Now, given the current situation, he was afraid that he could not recall him for the time being. He could not let him drag his seriously injured body back to the capital in a long and arduous journey, otherwise the court and the public would inevitably criticize him for being mean and ungrateful.

According to reports from Zhao Xu's spies, Zhao Xiaoqian holds significant military power in Yanyun and has not shown any signs of abnormality. Therefore, there is no rush to relinquish his military power.

Seeing Zhao Xu remain silent, Zheng Chunhe cautiously said, "Your Majesty, there is something I must report..."

"What's the matter?"

"A few days ago, news of His Highness the Prince's serious injury reached Bianjing. His Highness the Prince of Chu was both anxious and furious. It is said that he was so anxious in his palace that he jumped up and down, wailing and crying, and then left the palace without saying a word..."

Zhao Xu asked with great interest, "And then?"

Zheng Chunhe said with a wry smile, "Then, His Highness the Prince of Chu found the guesthouse of the Liao Kingdom's permanent envoy and ordered the royal guards to beat the Liao envoy half to death..."

"Your Majesty, I have heard that His Highness the Prince of Chu's actions have been recorded by the Censorate, and a memorial impeaching him has been submitted to the Council of State Affairs, which has put those ministers in a difficult position..."

Zhao Xu was stunned for a long time, his cheeks twitching slightly. After a long while, he rubbed his face and sighed, "Not to mention the ministers of the Council of State are in a difficult position, even I am in a difficult position..."

After a long silence, Zhao Xu slowly said, "Zheng Chunhe, please visit the Liao envoy on my behalf and send him some precious medicinal herbs and gold and silver to appease him."

As he spoke, Zhao Xu looked up and glanced at Zheng Chunhe.

Zheng Chunhe immediately understood his meaning and hurriedly smiled and said, "Yes, this servant guarantees that the Liao envoy will not pursue the matter. After all, father and son are of one heart, and the Liao envoy should understand His Highness Chu's inappropriate impulsive behavior."

(End of this chapter)