The prince is more stable

Chapter 720 Hidden Dangers Emerge
Zhong Cheng and his men made a mistake as soon as they joined the army.

A general who is parachuted in has no popular support.

The soldiers are living, breathing human beings, not emotionless machines. You can't just brainwash them for a few days and expect them to believe you.

What is meant by "foundation"?
Regardless of their rank, military officers lived and worked alongside ordinary soldiers, sharing meals from the same pot and sleeping on the same large communal bed.

On the battlefield, orders were given without question; they shared life and death with their comrades; military merits and benefits were shared among everyone; even if they captured Liao women, everyone would take turns.

With this foundation, ordinary soldiers will respect you, and everyone will be willing to listen to what you say.

A group of generals who suddenly arrived parachuted in and started brainwashing everyone as soon as they entered the camp, saying things like they were loyal to the emperor and the court... What the hell is your surname?
Those who utter empty words of loyalty are uncultured illiterates; who can understand them?
What are the benefits? What are the advantages? I can't be loyal for nothing.

Our Prince never talks about loyalty or empty words; he always speaks the truth.

Enter enemy territory, loot without surrender, kill without counting, do not covet military merits. Finally, go ahead and do your best.

Listen to this, this is what you call honest words, and it's language that even ordinary soldiers can understand.

More importantly, His Highness the Prince was generous with his rewards, providing ample benefits to everyone. The soldiers of the Dragon Guard who followed His Highness the Prince in his early years had all become wealthy. They used the savings they accumulated in those two years to build new houses, acquire new land, and buy oxen for plowing in their hometowns.

Now that Yanyun has been recovered, military discipline has become slightly stricter. However, apart from Han Chinese who are not allowed to plunder, other ethnic groups within Yanyun are still being quietly slaughtered and plundered by the Song army, and the soldiers can make a little money.

For ordinary soldiers, this is what truly matters.

In the eyes of the imperial court, Zhao Xiaoqian's actions were "allowing his troops to plunder and pillage," but in the eyes of ordinary soldiers, His Highness the Prince was a beloved and respected figure.

Now that His Highness the Prince has left the capital to recover from his injuries, the soldiers are eagerly awaiting his return to regain command of the army, to lead them across the Song-Liao border at Xijin Prefecture, to launch a northern expedition against the Liao Kingdom, and to achieve new merits.

To everyone's surprise, instead of His Highness the Prince, a group of inexplicable fellows arrived.

These guys were brainwashed as soon as they entered the camp. They not only emphasized loyalty to the emperor and the court, but also stressed strict military discipline and forbade slaughter and looting.

These words particularly offended the soldiers. Who do you think you are to deny His Highness the Prince's permission? If we're not allowed to plunder, how are we supposed to make a fortune?

To block someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents, especially when those blocking your path to wealth are these ruthless, cunning soldiers. How could they possibly tolerate you?
The Song army had a strict hierarchy, and ordinary soldiers naturally dared not openly confront Zhong Cheng and his ilk, but seasoned soldiers had their own methods.

So the seasoned soldier truly became a "slicker".

Whether it's drills or lectures, it all unfolds with a lazy, indifferent attitude, emphasizing that while my body is physically present, my soul has already soared free...

During training, they were listless and weak. They could run ten miles, but after five miles they were almost out of breath. No matter how much they were beaten or scolded, they just wouldn't get up.

It's the same with shooting practice. I could clearly hit the grass target, but I just can't. I'm just not born with the ability to shoot a gun. What's wrong with that?

Generals like Zhong Cheng gradually saw through the scheme and were furious. They intensified their beatings and corporal punishments of the soldiers, determined to correct the bad habits of these unruly soldiers and transform them into the true army of the Great Song Dynasty.

The more they were beaten and physically punished, the more resistant the soldiers became. A non-violent non-cooperation movement began between the generals and the soldiers, and signs of instability gradually appeared within the Song army.

The main camp outside Xijin Prefecture.

The commander's tent was originally set up for Zhao Xiaoqian. Now that Zhao Xiaoqian is recuperating from his injuries, General Xu has moved into the commander's tent to work. However, he is very particular and has never sat in the main seat that belongs to Zhao Xiaoqian in the commander's tent. Instead, he has a small table set up next to the main seat, and General Xu works at the small table.

Footsteps came from outside the tent, followed by the voices of Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze, requesting an audience with General Xu.

Xu picked up his brush and wrote, then ordered the two generals into the tent without even looking up.

Upon entering the command tent, Zhong Jianzhong strode up to General Xu and said, "Vice Envoy Xu, there are some signs of unrest among the soldiers below."

Xu put down his pen, his expression grave, and asked, "What happened?"

Zhong Jianzhong hesitated for a moment and said, "Zhong Cheng and more than 30 other generals have a rather poor relationship with their soldiers. In the past few days, I have received many complaints from the soldiers, requesting that I petition the court to transfer Zhong Cheng and the others away from the camp."

Xu frowned: "This is a decision made by the Emperor and the Privy Council; it's impossible for him to be transferred."

Zhong Jianzhong sighed and said, "I don't know what Zhong Cheng and his men are trying to do. They just entered the camp and started talking about loyalty and such, and they don't allow the soldiers to loot. Who wants to listen to them?"

Zong Ze, who was standing next to him, added: "The looting was a rule that His Highness the Prince tacitly approved. Otherwise, the soldiers would not have the motivation to kill the enemy. Now that military discipline has been suddenly enforced, the soldiers below are naturally dissatisfied."

Zhong Jianzhong said, "The conflict between Zhong Cheng and the soldiers is becoming increasingly acute, and they have clashed directly on many occasions. If this continues, I'm afraid a major incident will happen sooner or later..."

Xu's eyelids twitched, and his face grew increasingly gloomy.

An incident in the military is a serious matter. If a mutiny or riot occurs, everyone will be held responsible.

Throughout history, the imperial court has been particularly harsh on the army, especially on mutinies and rebellions. In such cases, the court would kill them all, regardless of right or wrong, with no other option.

Zhong Cheng and his men are now clearly forcing the soldiers down this path.

Even though Xu Jiang knew that Zhong Cheng and his group were doing something wrong, he was unable to stop them.

The purpose of the Emperor and the Privy Council in sending these people is self-evident. Although they are just minor commanders, they represent the Emperor's will.

Their presence was almost equivalent to that of imperial envoys. Although Xu Jiang's official rank was more than one level higher than theirs, he was unable to intervene.

“Generals, you should know something about where Zhong Cheng and his men came from. Some things are too taboo for me to interfere with.” General Xu said with a bitter expression, “Therefore, I ask you two generals to appease the soldiers below and make sure nothing goes wrong. Also, send someone to Zhen Ding City to inform His Highness the Prince about the recent events in the army.”

"Since the Emperor and the Privy Council have not issued any explicit orders, His Highness the Prince remains the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit. He is still the commander-in-chief of the army, and military power is in his hands. It is time to invite him to take charge of the overall situation."

Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in agreement.

After the two left the command tent, General Xu could no longer calm his emotions and sighed heavily.

The emperor dispatched more than thirty generals to divide this army, which, from another perspective, was actually a sign of his dissatisfaction with Xu Jiang.

They believed that Xu Jiang had failed to fulfill his supervisory role and was therefore unreliable. That's why they sent these generals to exercise supervisory and decentralization powers on his behalf, so as to prevent this army from truly becoming Zhao Xiaoqian's private army.

Perhaps soon, Xu will be transferred back to Bianjing, and the Emperor will select someone else to serve as the deputy envoy.

Xu Jiang was certain that the deputy envoy who succeeded him was no pushover. What the Emperor needed to do was to gradually reshuffle the army from top to bottom, ensuring its loyalty, and slowly regain control of the military from the grassroots to the top.

This invincible army, which made great contributions to the Song Dynasty in resisting the Liao army and recovering Yan and Yun, ultimately met its end by being discarded after its usefulness was over. General Xu's mood was particularly heavy at this moment.

The deep-seated problems of the Song Dynasty could not be changed by a few victories.

The deep-seated problems lie with the emperor and the court; who can change them?

Xu Jiang looked out of the command tent, towards the direction of Zhen Ding City. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression was complicated.

Zhao Xiaoqian, the knife is almost at your neck, are you really going to stay calm?
…………

Zhen Ding City, Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Xiaoqian is truly calm and collected.

Xu Jiang was unaware of his trump cards; these cards were too taboo, and apart from Zhao Hao, no one knew Zhao Xiaoqian's thoughts.

Even his bedmates, Di Ying and Jiang Miaoxian, were unaware of it.

The women living their daily lives in the secluded mansions of the princes were carefree and unaware of the urgent and perilous situation outside.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't intend to let them know too much. Since he couldn't help, why should he tell them and make them worry, thus ruining their peaceful life?
It's good to live carefree like this, with him holding an umbrella for us through the storms outside.

Holding his infant son in his arms every day, Zhao Xiaoqian lived a leisurely life, still waiting for news from Bianjing.

The more urgent and critical the situation, the more we must remain calm.

People who panic and make chaotic decisions when faced with a major crisis are destined to fail, without exception.

Niaoniao is still in her postpartum period, with several experienced old women taking care of her. Apart from breastfeeding, she doesn't have to worry about the baby much and can just focus on eating, drinking, and relieving herself.

Zhao Xiaoqian entered the smoky room. The doors and windows were tightly closed, making it stuffy. Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and was about to open the window to let in some fresh air when he was stopped by an old woman.

"Your Highness, you must not open the window. The lady cannot tolerate the wind; it will harm her health."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at her: "The air in the room is so stuffy, you'll get sick sooner or later. Can't you even open a window?"

The old woman said with a forced smile, "It really won't work. There are rules for postpartum care, and it's been done this way for many years."

"If I insist on opening the window, will you kill me?" Zhao Xiaoqian retorted unhappily.

The old woman was startled and looked at Niao Niao, who was half-lying on the bed, with a troubled expression.

Niao Niao chuckled and said reproachfully, "Alright, my lord, why are you taking your anger out on the servant? Just listen to her. This has been the rule since ancient times, and I don't feel uncomfortable at all."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. Fine, I'll respect tradition...

As they approached Niao Niao, the old woman and maidservant in the house tactfully withdrew, and the couple, as usual, spent a while cuddling together.

Then Zhao Xiaoqian looked at his son by the bedside, who had just finished eating and drinking and had a satisfied look on his face.

Even before giving birth, Di Ying had already hired two wet nurses. However, her son was quite picky and only wanted to drink his own mother's milk. He couldn't stand drinking other people's milk and would cough.

So he had no choice but to let Niao Niao feed him herself, several times a day. Once he was full, Zhao Xiaoqian would come over and carry him around the Prince's mansion to play, so as not to cause Niao Niao any trouble.

At this time today, Zhao Xiaoqian arrived just after his son had finished his meal and was preparing to carry him out of the house.

However, today, Niao Niao stopped him, glaring at him with displeasure, and wouldn't let him hold his son.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked, puzzled.

"My lord, the child has been born for several days now, but we still haven't named him. How long do you plan to keep putting it off?"

Zhao Xiaoqian opened his mouth to speak, but Niao Niao interrupted him, her face full of rage: "If you dare to say anything more about 'Sang Biao,' I'll kill myself right now!"

(End of this chapter)