The prince is more stable

Chapter 718 Conflict between Uncle and Nephew
Throughout history, the most sensitive and dangerous moment in the imperial palace has always been when the emperor is seriously ill and unable to manage the situation.

At that time, the throne was like a lost deer, attracting many powerful figures to vie for it.

Zhao Hao entered the palace today to remind Empress Dowager Xiang that the hidden dangers must be eliminated and all princes and members of the Zhao clan should be expelled from the palace.

Empress Dowager Xiang was a clever woman who could draw inferences from one instance to another. Having also experienced the cruel infighting in the palace, she naturally understood Zhao Hao's meaning.

Therefore, she not only issued an imperial edict to expel all members of the Zhao clan and strictly forbade them from entering the palace without obeying the edict, but also sent palace servants to order Zeng Bu, the Privy Councilor, to request, in the name of the Empress Dowager, to mobilize 10,000 imperial guards from Bianjing to enter the palace in armor and armed.

After Zhao Xu fell into a coma, the Empress Dowager became the head of Yanfu Palace. Although the Empress Dowager did not have the authority to mobilize troops, she and her ministers could temporarily mobilize troops after consulting with the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council.

An hour later, 10,000 imperial guards from the three armies of Bianjing hurriedly entered the city and surrounded Yanfu Palace from the inside out.

Several high-ranking officials of the Privy Council held an emergency meeting and reached a consensus: before the Emperor wakes up, the Privy Council must strictly adhere to the rules and not allow anyone to move a single soldier. Any official or military officer who moves troops without authorization, whether inside or outside the capital, must be thoroughly investigated.

In an instant, the sky above Bianjing changed color, and an inexplicable and eerie atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

As Zhao Hao walked out of Yanfu Palace, his face was gloomy and his brows were furrowed. After leaving the palace, Zhao Hao's pace slowed down, as if he was thinking about something.

I'm going to the palace today for no other reason than to cut off the career paths of all the princes and members of the imperial family.

Zhao Hao wanted to let the princes know that some games were too advanced for them to even get in, simply because of their status.

The only person Zhao Hao feared was Prince Duan, Zhao Ji.

There was nothing they could do; he was the first in line to the throne, and the succession was a matter of brother succeeding brother. If Zhao Xu did something unspeakable, the Empress Dowager and the court officials would inevitably decide that Zhao Ji would ascend the throne.

However, Zhao Hao did not agree with this outcome. Before Zhao Xu passed away, he wanted to defy fate and change his destiny.

All those shady things they did over the years were just so that they would have enough leverage to make a final, all-out effort today.

As Zhao Hao slowly walked to the carriage in front of the Chu Prince's residence, he stopped and turned to call over a trusted confidant.

"Hurry to Zhen Ding City and tell the Crown Prince that His Majesty vomited blood and fell into a coma today. His condition is critical and he may not have much time left. The Crown Prince must firmly hold onto the military power of Yan Yun and not let go of it. He should not wait for any orders from the court. This is a matter of life and death for the Chu King's lineage. You must not have any mercy in your heart."

Zhao Hao's face was clearly somewhat ferocious, and his eyes no longer concealed a strong sense of ambition.

The trusted confidant clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and departed.

Zhao Hao's expression gradually returned to normal, and he let out a long sigh.

He knew his own son well; he was a very opinionated person. He had sent the message, but Zhao Xiaoqian might not listen. Ever since he had shown his talent, he had always had his own way of doing things, and Zhao Hao was not confident that he could impose his will on him.

"He's still too sentimental..." Zhao Hao shook his head and sighed.

Zhao Xu is seriously ill. Zhao Hao doesn't know whether his son Zhao Xiaoqian will defy public opinion and seize military power in Yanyun, or rush back to Bianjing regardless of the consequences to uphold the relationship between ruler and subject.

The son's abilities are beyond doubt; the Song Dynasty owes its current glory entirely to him. Unfortunately, he was ultimately not ruthless enough.

If he had been even slightly cold-hearted, with his son's abilities and his father's secret support, the court would already be dominated by the King of Chu and his son.

Throughout history, capable ministers who are too sentimental have often met tragic ends.

Fortunately, he was a much more ruthless father than his son.

With such a capable son, why can't he fight for the throne? So what if he's a member of the imperial family? So what if he's not in line to the throne?

Emperor Taizong was not the first in line to the throne, but after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, with swords and arrows entering the palace and swords and shoes being brought into the hall, who dared to say that the Mandate of Heaven was not on his side? What Li Shimin could do, why couldn't the Prince of Chu and his son?
Zhao Xiaoqian's greatest advantage was that, like Li Shimin, he enjoyed extremely high prestige in the military and among the people, which was his capital in the struggle for the throne.

With Zhao Xu falling ill, the King of Chu and his son have reached a critical juncture of life and death. It's like rowing against the current; not only is it a matter of retreating if they don't advance, but it's a matter of dying if they don't advance.

If Zhao Ji had actually ascended the throne, guess who would be the first person to be executed after his coronation?

After thinking it over, Zhao Hao was about to board the carriage when he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Zhao Hao turned around and was shocked to find Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, glaring at him with a ferocious expression.

Zhao Hao was taken aback, then burst out laughing: "Prince Duan? Haha, what a coincidence to run into you here today, outside the palace gates."

The two sides had already broken off all pretense, and Zhao Ji no longer wanted to pretend. He glared at Zhao Hao and said, "I heard that the Prince of Chu just entered the palace and spoke to the Empress Dowager, requesting that the princes be expelled from the palace and that they be forbidden from entering the palace to see His Majesty without an imperial edict?"

Zhao Hao laughed and said, "That's right, it was I who suggested it. What do you think?"

After a pause, Zhao Hao glanced at Zhao Ji and said, "Judging from Prince Duan's expression, it seems he was turned away? Tsk tsk!"

Zhao Ji was furious and gritted his teeth, saying, "My brother is ill, what's wrong with me going to the palace to visit him? The Prince of Chu has spread such slander, disregarding the proper order and kinship of the imperial family. How will His Majesty forgive you when he wakes up?"

Zhao Hao sneered: "When the Emperor wakes up, he will only praise me for handling things effectively. At this time of year, Prince Duan has entered the palace without reason, under the guise of visiting. What are your true intentions? Don't you know in your heart?"

Emperor Huizong was speechless and didn't know how to defend himself for a moment.

After a long silence, Zhao Ji suddenly sneered: "King of Chu, don't be too smug. If something unspeakable happens to His Majesty, the throne of the Great Song will still be mine. Succession from brother to brother is rightful and legitimate. I advise King of Chu to know when to advance and retreat, and not to lead himself to a dead end."

Zhao Hao sneered, "That's not necessarily true. Besides, the Emperor is only unconscious today, yet you're already eyeing the throne. That's utterly rebellious."

Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow: "Who heard it? Who can testify?" Zhao Hao still had a simple and honest smile on his face, but suddenly struck out and slapped Zhao Ji hard across the face.

With a sharp crack, Zhao Ji was stunned by the slap, pointing at him in disbelief: "You, you, you..."

Zhao Hao withdrew his hand, wiped it on his clothes several times with disgust, and said coldly, "You ignorant thing, I've tolerated you for a long time."

"You didn't even call me 'Uncle Wang' when we met. If you dare to be so disrespectful again, I'll drag you to the Imperial Clan Court and we'll settle this matter in front of the old master!"

Seeing Zhao Ji covering his face and staring at him in shock and anger, Zhao Hao raised an eyebrow: "Not convinced? Let's go somewhere else to reason with him?"

Zhao Ji trembled with rage: "Fine, fine! I will remember your kindness today, Uncle King of Chu, and I will repay you in the future."

Zhao Hao said lazily, "Have you finished with the pleasantries? If you have, then get lost."

"By the way, when His Majesty is seriously ill, you'd better behave yourself, because I'm keeping a close eye on you."

Zhao Ji remained silent, gave Zhao Hao a venomous look, and then turned and left.

Zhao Hao still had a simple, honest smile on his face, but his eyes turned sinister and menacing as he looked at Zhao Ji's back.

At this moment, a servant quietly approached Zhao Hao and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhao Hao's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Cannons? The range can reach two miles away? The impact point is several feet deep, and the surrounding area is silent for about ten feet?"

The servant nodded affirmatively.

Zhao Hao slapped his thigh suddenly: "My son is a genius! Haha!"

"Quickly! Back to the Prince's Palace!"

…………

Zhending City.

Zhao Xiaoqian has been obsessed these past few days, holding her son tightly every day. Except when she's breastfeeding, she's always holding him.

The son seemed to take a liking to his father as well. He was held in Zhao Xiaoqian's arms, and the child's bright, clear eyes stared straight at him, as if trying to memorize his father's features.

However, taking care of a baby is also tiring. They cry and poop at any time. Sometimes, while you are feeding them and they are eating happily, they suddenly spit up milk, and then there is a lot of scrambling to clean up.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't need to do many things himself. The mansion had hired a wet nurse and many maids, so he left the troublesome matters to them. Zhao Xiaoqian just needed to hold his quiet and well-behaved son.

Zhao Xiaoqian finally understood the meaning of the saying "having a son makes everything worthwhile." The ancients' summary was indeed insightful, and this was exactly the mindset he was in now.

In the backyard of the Prince's Mansion, scenes of fatherly love and filial piety unfold every day, a particularly heartwarming and touching sight, except for the moment when the child defecates.

Watching Zhao Xiaoqian stroll around the courtyard with the child in his arms, Di Zi stood under the pillar, his face filled with mixed emotions.

If this child were born to Di Ying, how wonderful that would be! He would be the legitimate eldest son of the Prince's mansion, an unshakeable position that no one could take away.

Stepping forward slowly, Di Zi stared at Zhao Xiaoqian, whose face was full of affection, and said, "My dear son-in-law, are you really not going to pay any attention to the dozens of generals sent by the imperial court?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback and said, "Oh right, I think I'm also the commander-in-chief of an army. I almost forgot..."

Di Zi: “…………”

You really have a big heart!

"The Emperor is clearly no longer at ease with his son-in-law. There will likely be impeachments against him in the court. The Emperor may recall him to Bianjing to serve as a high-ranking official, or he may take the opportunity to strip you of your military power. Either way, it will be bad for you."

Di Zi sighed and said, "My father was like that back then. The emperor stripped him of his military power and summoned him back to Bianjing to serve as the Privy Councilor. Less than two years later, he was implicated in an investigation and demoted to a local post. My father died in depression, and the Di family never recovered for many years."

“My dear son-in-law, with such a cautionary tale before us, you should think twice before you act.”

Zhao Xiaoqian teased the child in his arms and said calmly, "Father-in-law, please don't worry. Things are different now. I am not someone to be slaughtered. Some things are just not ready yet, and the time is not right. I am just lying low for now."

Di Zi frowned and said, "What do you mean by 'timing'...?"

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent for a moment, but instead of answering, he asked, "If something happens in Bianjing, do you think I should stay in the northern frontier or return to Bianjing?"

Di Zi was startled. Given Zhao Xiaoqian's status, he would never speak carelessly; his words would always be purposeful.

"What changes will occur in Bianjing?" Di Zi pressed.

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head. The information he knew was too taboo, and he couldn't tell anyone about it now.

Zhao Xiaoqian then continued, "If I remain in the northern frontier and cling tightly to military power, I will be seen as a treacherous minister with rebellious intentions, inevitably leading to a direct confrontation with the Emperor and the court..."

"If they obediently accept the summons back to Bianjing, they will lose all their military power and become nothing more than fish on a chopping block. No matter how high an official position they are given, their life and death will still be in the hands of the emperor..."

With a sigh, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Di Zi with a half-smile and said, "If I were your father-in-law, what would you choose?"

(End of this chapter)