The prince is more stable

Chapter 725 Returning to Camp to Support
The atmosphere inside the Funing Hall was somewhat subtle.

There was an inexplicable and eerie atmosphere between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and between the Emperor and his court officials.

In the short span of three days from when Zhao Xu fell into a coma to when he woke up, many people's feelings changed.

This state of mind is hard to explain. It's like you're a corporate slave who is always respectful to your boss. But one day you find out in advance that your boss might be transferred. You might still be respectful to your boss as always, but can you guarantee that you don't have any strange thoughts in your heart?
At this moment, the Funing Hall was filled with this kind of subtle atmosphere.

From the few words revealed by the imperial physician, Empress Dowager Zhang Dun and other powerful figures knew that Zhao Xu was nearing the end of his life, which meant that this leader might be transferred.

Respect remained, and everyone's attitude towards Zhao Xu remained unchanged. It was impossible for someone to gloat and point at Zhao Xu's nose, saying, "You think you're so great? Why don't you keep being so great?"

At this moment, not everyone in the hall may have felt this strange atmosphere, but Zhao Xu felt it most clearly. His mood worsened, which is why he insisted on having Zhang Dun present his report, despite the Empress Dowager's advice.

With this rare show of strength, Zhao Xu wanted to tell them that as long as he lived, they would forever be kneeling before him.

Zhang Dun noticed the tense atmosphere and, not daring to disobey Zhao Xu, immediately began to report on the state affairs of the past few days.

Empress Dowager Xiang sat awkwardly on the edge of the bed, her lips tightly pressed together, her eyes flickering, lost in thought.

Zhang Dun kept his eyes down, seemingly oblivious to the strange atmosphere in the hall, and dutifully reported the affairs of state to Zhao Xu one by one.

After being unconscious for three days, there were many things to report. Zhang Dun spoke until his throat was dry, but Zhao Xu kept his eyes closed, as if he were asleep. It was unclear whether he had listened or not.

The other courtiers dared not even breathe loudly, for they could clearly sense a suffocating pressure emanating from the frail emperor on his bed.

What terrified Zhang Dun and the others even more was that Zhao Xu was particularly difficult to talk to today.

Several of the government affairs that Zhang Dun reported on were mostly about local relief efforts, dike repairs, and agriculture. In the past, Zhao Xu had not paid much attention to these minor matters and usually left them to Zhang Dun to handle. However, when Zhang Dun proposed his solutions today, Zhao Xu rejected them all.

Not only did he reject it, but Zhao Xu's expression towards Zhang Dun was also different from before, as if he was quite disappointed in Zhang Dun, the prime minister.

At his age, Zhang Dun should have long since developed a calm and composed demeanor, but at this moment he still couldn't help but feel apprehensive from the bottom of his heart, and his expression became increasingly insecure. The dignified prime minister actually showed a rare look of walking on thin ice in front of the emperor.

After several reports on state affairs, Zhao Xu fell silent, and Zhang Dun breathed a sigh of relief. A bead of cold sweat quietly slid down his cheek. Only then did Zhang Dun realize that his face and back were already covered in cold sweat.

For the first time in his life, Zhang Dun felt what it meant to "serve a ruler as if serving a tiger" from this emperor. In the past, Zhao Xu had been very polite to him, treating Zhang Dun as an elder in his words and manner. But today, he felt the merciless pressure of the true emperor on a mere mortal.

After Zhang Dun finished his report, Empress Dowager Xiang sensed that something was amiss and immediately got up to take her leave.

Zhao Xu bid farewell to Empress Dowager Xiang in a lukewarm manner, then looked at the assembled officials in the hall.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xu suddenly ordered Zhang Dun and the others to leave, leaving only the Privy Councilor Zeng Bu behind.

Upon hearing Zhao Xu call out his name, Zeng Bu was terrified, feeling as if he had been placed on the King of Hell's Book of Life and Death.

Everyone silently withdrew from the hall, and Zeng Bu sat down in front of Zhao Xu's bed.

Zhao Xu pondered for a while, then slowly said, "Mr. Zixuan, the matter of the garrison in Yanyun should be resolved as soon as possible. Do you have any solutions?"

Zeng Bu thought for a moment and said, "I believe that the garrison in Yanyun can be divided into several branches, with the 100,000 troops being transferred to Hedong, the Northwest, and Jiangnan respectively, and each branch should be commanded by a separate commander..."

Zhao Xu thought for a while and shook his head, saying, "It is not advisable. The Yan Yun garrison should not be divided at present. The Liao Kingdom in the north has not been destroyed. If our army's strength is dispersed, it will not only give the Liao Kingdom a chance to counterattack, but also wear down the morale of the army. When our Great Song officially launches the Northern Expedition in the future, I am afraid that the royal army's fighting strength will be weakened."

Zeng Bu sighed, “If we cannot divide the troops, then we can only change the commander. It is not appropriate for His Highness the Prince of Hejian to continue as the commander-in-chief. After all, His Highness was injured for the country and should recuperate. Military affairs are heavy. If we still entrust him with the task, there will inevitably be criticism from the court and the public that we do not care about meritorious officials.”

Zhao Xu sighed, “The trouble is precisely here. If I suddenly change commanders, there will inevitably be criticism from the people, who will say that I am like a hunter who discards his birds after they are all gone, or a hunter who cooks his dogs after they are all dead. Zhao Zi’an has led the army to victory after victory over the years and has a very high reputation in the court and among the people. I really cannot bear this infamy.”

Zeng Bu looked at him with a worried expression.

What to do? If you want it all, and try to have it both ways, how can you possibly get all the benefits in the world?

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Xu suddenly propped himself up and called out, "Chunhe, help me up."

Zheng Chunhe and Zeng Bu hurriedly stepped forward, one on each side, to help Zhao Xu to his feet, and escorted him to the desk.

After walking just a few steps, Zhao Xu was already panting heavily, and his face grew increasingly pale.

After resting at his desk for a while, Zhao Xu picked up his pen and began to write furiously.

After a while, the letter was finished. Zhao Xu read it carefully before finally signing it and affixing his personal seal.

Zeng Bu, who was standing next to him, read the letter word for word and hesitated before asking, "This letter from His Majesty is not an official order from the court. Will His Highness the Prince really return to the capital?"

Zhao Xu remained expressionless, instructing Zheng Chunhe to seal the letter and apply sealing wax. He then slowly said, "I don't know if he will return to the capital, but compared to the court's official transfer order, this private letter of mine may be more likely. Zhao Zian... values ​​loyalty and righteousness highly; this is both his strength and his weakness."

After closing his eyes and remaining silent for a moment, Zhao Xu sighed, "If he is truly willing to return to the capital and relinquish his military power, I will surely grant him wealth and honor for generations to come. I only hope that Zi'an will not betray me."

Zeng Bu was speechless for a moment. The emperor's imposing presence in the palace was too overwhelming, and Zeng Bu dared not refute him.

Zheng Chunhe sealed the letter, applied sealing wax, and personally instructed the officers to deliver it to the Prince's residence in Zhen Ding City with utmost urgency. At this moment, Zhao Xu looked at Zeng Bu and suddenly said, "During these past few days of my coma, have you and the Empress Dowager reached a conclusion? After my passing, who can replace me?"

Zeng Bu was taken aback, then his expression changed drastically, and he knelt down in front of Zhao Xu with a thud.

…………

For three days and three nights, the horses galloped swiftly.

Zhao Xiaoqian, Chen Shou, and others finally arrived at Xijin Prefecture.

This time, his arrival was very sudden. He had just dismissed Di Zi and the messenger who delivered the message, and repeatedly said that he would no longer interfere in the military affairs of Yanyun, but then he suddenly set off, dragging his seriously injured body, and traveled day and night to Xijin Prefecture.

This behavior is somewhat divisive.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian himself knew that he was not split-minded, but rather had suddenly come to a realization.

Even if the King of Heaven himself held a knife to his and his family's necks, he would still fight back, risking his life.

Led by Chen Shou and several hundred imperial guards, the group arrived at the city wall of Xijin Prefecture.

Zhao Xiaoqian reined in his horse first, squinting at the towering city walls. This city, once known as Youzhou, had not experienced much warfare during the hundred-year history of the Song and Liao dynasties.

Emperor Taizong had twice waged war to seize this city, both times with the primary strategic objective of capturing it, but unfortunately, both campaigns ended in failure.

Now, this city stands quietly before Zhao Xiaoqian. He has accomplished what no emperor of the Song Dynasty had ever been able to do, yet his heart remains undisturbed.

"Young Master, shall we go to the main camp outside the city first, or enter Xijin Prefecture City first?" Chen Shou asked from behind.

Zhao Xiaoqian took a deep look at the city, then turned his head and said, "Let's go to the main camp first. I want to see the soldiers."

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian turned his horse around and galloped straight towards the garrison camp on the north side of the city.

After traveling more than twenty miles, the group finally arrived outside the camp.

Zhao Xiaoqian's first glance was directed at the Imperial Guards standing guard outside the camp gate. The gate was a mirror, and the appearance of the Imperial Guards on duty often reflected the condition of the entire army.

Seeing the Imperial Guards standing tall and straight like javelins outside the gate, Zhao Xiaoqian nodded secretly.

Fortunately, Zhong Cheng and his group had only been in the camp for a short time, so they hadn't caused too much damage to the army.

He rode forward, and when he was a hundred paces from the gate, Zhao Xiaoqian dismounted and walked to the gate.

The imperial guards on duty outside the gate showed signs of vigilance, and it wasn't until Zhao Xiaoqian and his entourage approached that the soldiers could clearly see what Zhao Xiaoqian looked like.

Upon recognizing the newcomers, the Imperial Guards immediately showed expressions of delight and couldn't help but cheer, "His Highness has returned to camp!"

A loud cheer seemed to awaken the entire sleeping camp.

A moment later, the entire camp erupted in cheers. Countless soldiers poured out of their tents and ran to the gate, watching Zhao Xiaoqian with delight and joy. Their heartfelt admiration and support deeply moved Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian walked into the gate with a smile, nodding and greeting the soldiers as he went. When he encountered a familiar face, he would pat him on the shoulder.

More and more soldiers rushed to the scene, forming layers upon layers around Zhao Xiaoqian, and the cheers gradually grew louder and higher.

The phrase "ten thousand people lined the road" became a tangible reality at this moment.

Chen Shou and the Imperial Guards followed behind Zhao Xiaoqian. He was so excited that his body trembled. In all these years of following the Crown Prince, if there was anything the Crown Prince had gained besides power and benefits, then this scene before him was what the Crown Prince had gained, something more important than power and benefits.

Morale in the army, morale in the hearts of the people.

Apart from the crown prince, no one could be so adored by 100,000 soldiers; to put it bluntly, even the emperor couldn't.

Chen Shou couldn't help but have a wicked thought: at this moment, he wondered if Zhong Cheng and the others were in the crowd, and if they felt like clowns.
A clanging sound of armor plates striking each other rang out, and the crowd was forcefully parted. A group of armored generals walked up to Zhao Xiaoqian, led by General Xu, Zhong Jianzhong, and Zong Ze.

Generals such as Zhe Keshi, Zhang Rong, and Di Zi followed closely behind.

Upon seeing Zhao Xiaoqian, Xu Jiang blinked hard, seemingly in disbelief. Then, Xu Jiang suddenly laughed and said, "Good lad, you've finally decided to come back!"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Military affairs are very busy. I was afraid that Mr. Chongyuan, at his age, might get sick from being so busy, so I came here to help you share the burden."

"Ha! That sounds nice, what sharing of burdens? I'm just the deputy envoy, you're the commander-in-chief. Now you're washing your hands of it all." Xu said unhappily.

Zhong Jianzhong, Zong Ze, Zhe Keshi, Zhang Rong and others behind him stepped forward and bowed to Zhao Xiaoqian with clasped hands in greeting.

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness the Prince."

(End of this chapter)