The prince is more stable

Chapter 721 Two Pieces of News
The woman has no taste; no matter how impressive the name is, she doesn't seem to agree with it at all.

If it weren't for the name "Gousheng" (meaning "dog's leftovers") being given to the Akhal-Teke horse, and "not eating cilantro" being given to myself...

Choosing a name is too much of a headache, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but scratch his head. This area is not his forte, and the names he comes up with are a bit shabby, but as a father, it is his right to name his son, and he can't refuse.

Pacing back and forth in the room, Niao Niao stared straight at him, listening to Zhao Xiaoqian mutter something like "pork broth, pheasant, banana peel"...

Niao Niao's face gradually turned ashen, and she gripped the bedding tightly with her fists.

That scoundrel! Every name he utters is awful, each one more offensive than the last. How will his own son ever face anyone when he grows up? People will introduce him as, "This is the eldest son of the Prince, Pork Rong..."

I don't know how my son feels, but right now, I feel like dying.

She scooped up her son, who was still kicking and thrashing about after eating and drinking his fill, and glared at Zhao Xiaoqian, saying sternly, "If you don't behave yourself, my lord, I'll make you taste what it's like to lose a loved one!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and quickly raised his hand: "Busy! Let's talk this out, put the hostage down first."

Niao Niao said angrily, "Quickly pick a name, and pick a nice one."

Zhao Xiaoqian walked to the table, hesitated for a moment, and then began to write.

The writing was finished quickly, and Zhao Xiaoqian handed it to Niaoniao, looking at her carefully: "Is Madam satisfied?"

Niao Niao took the paper, her angry expression softening instantly. She glared at him and said, "My lord, you could have come up with a proper name, but you had to do something strange."

"This name is quite good. It implies vastness and boundlessness, and its imposing presence is unparalleled. It's excellent. From now on, he will be called 'Zhao Hao.' After his coming-of-age ceremony, you can give him a courtesy name, sir."

As she spoke, Niao Niao gently teased the child in her arms, repeatedly calling him "Zhao Hao".

Zhao Xiaoqian stared in disbelief, picked up the words he had just written, and couldn't help but say, "I clearly chose 'Ritian'... Oh well, Zhao Hao it is, this name seems a little better than Ritian."

Picking up his son, Zhao Xiaoqian said with a doting expression, "Sang Biao, from now on your name will be 'Zhao Hao'. Do you like it?"

The son grinned silently, seemingly unconcerned.

The Zhao imperial family and relatives have all used single-character names for several generations, such as Zhao Xu, Zhao Ji, the young prince Zhao Mao, and Zhao Xiaoqian's father Zhao Hao, etc.

So Zhao Hao isn't a bad name either; at least it doesn't have many strokes. When his son is punished by his teacher to copy his name a hundred times after he starts school, he will definitely thank his teacher silently.

The formal name was chosen, and thank goodness it was a proper name. Niao Niao was in a great mood. Seeing the scene of fatherly love and filial piety before her, especially the little boy's urine that fell on Zhao Xiaoqian, Niao Niao was even happier.

"My lord, take Hao'er out for a walk. Let him see more of the scenery. He's too young and curious about everything. Please be patient, my lord," Niao Niao said softly.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, gently pinched his son's little nose, and said, "You've peed all over your dad again. If you have a problem with your dad, just say so. It's so rude of you to pee all over him..."

While muttering to herself, she carried her son out of the room and loudly called for the maid to come and change his diaper.

After strolling around with her son for half an hour, Zhao Xiaoqian got a little tired and sat down on a stone bench in the front courtyard, leaving her son in the care of her mother-in-law.

My body is still recovering from the injury, and I'm in much worse shape than before I was injured. Judging by the time it takes, it will probably take another three or four months to get better.

Three or four months later, I wonder what the situation is like for the troops stationed in Bianjing and Xijin Prefecture.

Just as he was pondering this, Chen Shou hurried over and said, "Your Highness, two messengers from the Prince's residence have come to request an audience."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback: "Two messengers? What's so important that you need to deliver it twice?"

Chen Shou shook his head: "One came from Bianjing and is a person close to the prince. The other came from Xijin Prefecture and was sent by Vice Envoy Xu. The two arrived at the Prince's Mansion almost at the same time."

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned slightly, then said, "Please invite the people sent by General Xu to the side hall, and summon the people sent by my father here."

A moment later, a man dressed in ordinary clothes walked in and bowed down without saying a word.

Zhao Xiaoqian knew at a glance that this was another assassin under Huo Die's command; his deadly behavior was all too familiar.

"Speak, what message does my father want you to deliver?" Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly.

The man lowered his head and said succinctly, "Something has happened in Bianjing. The Emperor trusted a sorcerer and took a pill, then vomited blood and fell into a coma. Chaos has broken out in the court. Zhang Dun of the Council of State Affairs is now in charge of the overall situation, while the Empress Dowager is in charge of palace affairs."

"Your Highness begs the Crown Prince not to relinquish his military power and return to the capital, even if it means defying the imperial decree. Military power must be firmly held in the Crown Prince's hands."

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately stood up, shocked, and asked, "His Majesty vomited blood and fainted? Is the situation serious?"

"It is said that this time it is very serious. When I left Bianjing, the Emperor was still unconscious, and the imperial physicians were helpless."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes darkened, his feelings were complicated.

He was a time traveler and knew Zhao Xu's fate very well. Zhao Xu died young, his lifespan was short, and he passed away suddenly in his twenties.

Historical records mostly express regret about him, considering him one of the few wise rulers among the emperors of the Song Dynasty. They believe that if he had lived a few decades longer, the Song Dynasty might have had a chance to revive.

Zhao Xiaoqian's appearance has changed many historical trajectories, leading them in a completely different direction. However, the fates of some people seem to be predetermined, still meticulously heading towards their final end, without any change whatsoever.

After calming himself down, Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "What else did my father say?" "His Highness said that he will make proper arrangements in Bianjing. He asked the Crown Prince to rest assured that as long as the Crown Prince holds tight to military power, Zhao Ji will not be able to become emperor. His Highness will plan for the next emperor of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyelids twitched: "He, he actually intends to..."

The man looked up, staring directly into Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, and said, "Yes, His Highness said he wants to support the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. Since the throne is passed down from brother to brother, why can't it be passed to a member of the imperial family? His Highness wants to give it a try."

"Over the years, the Crown Prince has fought in the south and the north, commanding an elite army. The current situation of the Song Dynasty is all thanks to the Crown Prince's own efforts. With the Crown Prince's status, achievements, and great prestige in the court and among the people, why can't the Emperor be the Crown Prince?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was filled with shock and gritted his teeth, saying, "This... this wicked and rebellious father!"

He couldn't quite describe his feelings, but Zhao Xiaoqian felt a slight tremor in his body.

Zhao Hao said something he had never even considered so openly.

Zhao Xu remained unconscious, and Zhao Hao's ambition was finally no longer concealed. It turned out that his goal was not to become emperor himself, but to fight for his son's throne.

Unaware of Zhao Hao's inner thoughts over the years, Zhao Xiaoqian guessed that Zhao Hao had ambitions to seize the throne and become emperor in the past. As for his son Zhao Xiaoqian, before this, he was just a muddle-headed and ignorant playboy, and Zhao Hao never placed any hope in him.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly seemed to have become a different person. He not only showed his sharpness and ability everywhere, but also unknowingly changed the status quo of the Song Dynasty.

From any perspective, Zhao Xiaoqian was more qualified to lead the Song Dynasty to power, so Zhao Hao decisively changed his mind and vowed to put his son on the throne.

Anyway, the meat is still in the pot, so why bother about who becomes emperor between the father and son? It's not so bad for Zhao Hao to be the retired emperor.

After some guessing, Zhao Xiaoqian roughly understood Zhao Hao's meaning.

His ambition has never changed, and he has taken every step steadily over the years. However, his goal has changed now. The greatest love a father can give his child is to give him the best things in the world.

In Zhao Hao's mind, the throne was undoubtedly the most wonderful thing.

Zhao Xiaoqian's mind was a bit numb at the moment. He sat on the stone bench, rubbed his forehead, and sighed.

"That wicked father, he's simply... damn it, I don't even know how to describe him," Zhao Xiaoqian said through gritted teeth.

Looking down at the man, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Go back and tell my father that the Emperor is still alive and well. I will not rebel. This is my bottom line."

"Your Highness, the Prince is referring to what happened after the Emperor's passing..."

"Then let's wait until that day comes," Zhao Xiaoqian said, feeling agitated.

"Yes, His Highness has repeatedly instructed that the young master must not return to Bianjing."

"Understood. You may leave."

Sitting on the stone bench, Zhao Xiaoqian pondered for a long time, his expression growing increasingly somber.

If nothing unexpected happens, Zhao Xu's days are numbered.

If Zhao Xu fails to wake up this time, the Bianjing court will be thrown into chaos, and various factions will fight each other for their preferred heir to the throne.

Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Zhao Zongsheng...

Zhao Xu's brothers each had their own supporters.

If Zhao Xu manages to wake up this time, his body won't be able to hold on for long. Then Zhao Xiaoqian will have to face Zhao Xu's dying restraints, and the restraints will become stronger and stronger, even to the point of resorting to violence.

This is the emperor's instinct, which Zhao Xiaoqian understands and respects, but he does not accept his fate.

Let's wait for news from Bianjing. Whether it's good or bad, Zhao Xiaoqian is fully prepared.

For the sake of his family, wives, concubines, and sons, Zhao Xiaoqian would not allow the knife held to his neck to be cut down. The worst outcome would be nothing more than following Li Shimin's example and staging a Song Dynasty version of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

After calming himself down, Zhao Xiaoqian remembered that there was a messenger in the side hall, so he ordered Chen Shou to invite him over.

The messenger was a member of the Imperial Guards who served General Xu, and he brought bad news once again.

After Zhong Cheng and more than 30 other generals were sent down to the army, they preached loyalty and enforced strict military discipline. They often beat and punished soldiers who disobeyed, which aroused widespread dissatisfaction among the soldiers. The soldiers dared not speak out.

Xu was very worried that something might go wrong, so he sent a letter to Zhao Xiaoqian, inviting him to Xijin Prefecture to take charge of the overall situation in the army.

After hearing the messenger's words, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but sneer.

At first, he was a little worried about Zhong Cheng and his men, fearing that they would divide the army and incite infighting among the soldiers.

But now, hearing about their bizarre actions, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly stopped worrying.

These people are not worthy to be his opponents.

(End of this chapter)