The prince is more stable

Chapter 728 Heart-to-Heart Talk Between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
Dealing with Zhong Cheng and his ilk didn't require much effort; Zhao Xiaoqian made it impossible for them to move an inch in the army on his very first day back at the camp.

This is the prestige of Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian has built up a solid foundation over many years, and he calls the shots in this territory. Outsiders who do not gain Zhao Xiaoqian's approval will never be able to gain a foothold.

Without any shouts of violence or harsh words, Zhong Cheng and his companions became the target of public criticism and condemnation with just a few simple words.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian said the matter was over, Zhong Cheng and the others knew very well from the looks in the eyes of so many generals around them that the matter was not over.

In the future, let alone dividing and controlling this army, even they themselves will probably find it difficult to survive.

The military has always been direct and concise in its approach to things. If they don't like you, they don't need a reason; they'll just punch you, or even shoot you in the back.

The bonfire party continued, with everyone still laughing and chatting, eating meat heartily and drinking wine from large bowls.

But Zhong Cheng and the others felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, their hands and feet turning ice cold.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't even glance at them, and walked towards the next general with his wine bowl in hand.

Zhe Keshi obediently followed behind Zhao Xiaoqian. Taking advantage of Zhao Xiaoqian's inattention, Zhe Keshi grinned maliciously at Zhong Cheng.

"You scoundrel, very well... Just you wait, you'll have your day."

Just after making his threatening remarks, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around unintentionally, and Zhe Keshi's ferocious expression instantly transformed into an obedient one, like a 300-month-old innocent baby.

Zhe Keshi walked forward, followed by Zhang Rong, Di Zi, and others who passed in front of Zhong Cheng. Each of them glanced at them with murderous eyes, saying nothing, but Zhong Cheng could clearly feel the deep hatred of each general towards them.

For a fleeting moment, Zhong Cheng even had the urge to run away. He wanted to leave the camp and return to Bianjing.

He almost already knew the answer to what would happen to him and the thirty-odd generals if they stayed in the camp.

Looking back now, my initial arrogance and lofty ambition to weaken Zhao Xiaoqian's military power seem utterly laughable.

Now he realized that he and Zhao Xiaoqian were not even on the same level. No, they weren't even opponents. In Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, they were nothing but ants that he could crush with a single step.

Meanwhile, Zhong Cheng discovered something even more horrifying.

This army now only recognizes Zhao Xiaoqian, and no longer recognizes the emperor or the imperial court.

The Emperor's initial concerns were not unfounded; it had indeed become Zhao Xiaoqian's private army.

Zhong Cheng was absolutely certain that as long as Zhao Xiaoqian raised his voice at this moment, 100,000 soldiers would not hesitate to follow him back to Bianjing.

Compared to his own future situation, Zhong Cheng cared more about the army's loyalty to the emperor and the court. Now he knew the answer, the worst possible answer.

…………

The bonfire party was a great success; it was a party of unity, a party of victory, and a party of inspiration.
……

The joyful atmosphere lasted until late at night, and the soldiers, having eaten and drunk their fill, gradually returned to their tents.

Outside the command tent, the generals also took their leave and dispersed. It was a long way to travel from the command tent to their own camps.

After all, it was a 100,000-strong army stationed there, with camps stretching for miles, so far apart that they couldn't see each other. Even though they were in the same camp, it was still a long-distance relationship for two gay men to fall in love, the kind of relationship that could end at any moment.

In the stillness of the night, the soldiers slept soundly.

Outside the command tent, Zhao Xiaoqian and his father-in-law Di Zi were strolling.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't feel guilty at all about taking his father-in-law for a walk late at night. He felt that his father-in-law needed some of the passion of a young person, so he should learn to stay up late first.

"Why did you suddenly decide to return to the main camp, my dear son-in-law? Vice Envoy Xu asked you, but you didn't say anything. Has something unexpected happened?" Di Zi asked.

Zhao Xiaoqian grunted and said in a deep voice, "News has come from Bianjing: His Majesty has vomited blood several times, and even fell into a coma a few days ago. My father learned from the imperial physician that His Majesty's days are probably numbered..."

Di Zi paused, his expression one of shock: "His Majesty..."

“It’s true,” Zhao Xiaoqian said with certainty.

Di Zi's expression was complicated. After a long silence, he sighed and said, "His Majesty is only in his twenties. What's more troublesome is that he has no heir. If he passes away in the future, who will succeed him?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "It's simply a matter of succession from brother to brother."

Di Zi pondered silently for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Prince Duan, Zhao Ji?"

“Theoretically, it should be him, but it may not be. At least I will not allow him to ascend the throne,” Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly.

Di Zi was not surprised at all: "I've heard some of your grudges with Zhao Ji from Ying'er. Indeed, if Zhao Ji ascends the throne, it will not be good for your Chu King lineage or for my Di family. He will surely put us to death." Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly: "So, Father-in-law, you know what situation I'm facing now, don't you?"

Di Zi said with a worried expression, "I understand. The best outcome is that the Emperor is alive and well, and the ministers do not doubt each other. The second best outcome is that the Emperor can leave behind a bloodline to ascend the throne, and my son-in-law and I can continue to expand the territory for the new emperor. The worst outcome is that the throne will be passed down from brother to brother, and the throne will be passed to Zhao Ji..."

"Yes, what we are facing now is the worst possible outcome. If nothing unexpected happens, the Chu King's lineage and your Di family are both on the verge of extinction. They will either flee far away or be executed."

Di Zi's face gradually turned ashen, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, and he whispered, "Is there no third outcome?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him and smiled slightly: "Yes, we have military power. We can directly declare Zhao Ji a usurper, and then raise an army to march south to support the emperor. What do you think, Father-in-law?"

Di Zi shuddered. In the pitch-black night, his eyes flickered, revealing a deep shock and fear.

"You, you intend to..." Di Zi couldn't finish his sentence; he didn't even have the courage to utter that word.

Zhao Xiaoqian, however, remained calm and said indifferently, "I don't like having a knife to my throat, and I have no habit of letting others slaughter me. If anyone tries to prevent me and my family from living, I will risk my life to bite off a piece of their flesh."

"While the Emperor is alive, he will still remember our past relationship and will not kill me. At worst, he will strip me of my military power and imprison me for life. But if Zhao Ji ascends the throne, he will definitely not let me go. The first thing he will do after ascending the throne is to cut off my head and my father's head, and the whole family will follow him to the afterlife."

Zhao Xiaoqian closed his eyes and sighed softly: "My son is not even a month old yet. Can you imagine him being tied up and taken to the execution ground, looking completely bewildered as the executioner cuts off his head?"

"The horrific scene breaks my heart just thinking about it. I will never allow such a thing to happen in my life. Even if it means doing anything drastic for my son who is not even a month old!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's tone was low and calm, but Di Zi could really hear the deep heartache in his calm words.

“I’m telling you all this, Father-in-law, just to let you know that I, Zhao Xiaoqian, am not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If I could, after destroying the Liao Kingdom in this life, I would like to live out my days in Bianjing and watch my children and grandchildren playing happily in my lap. I have already made my name in the history books. Unless I am forced to, who would want to bear the eternal infamy of a traitor?”

"Unfortunately, the east wind is fierce and the world is cold. Some people will never let me and my family go. I am just a pitiful person struggling to survive for myself and my family. Does my father-in-law understand me?"

Di Zi slowly said, "Are you testing my intentions by speaking these things to me alone tonight?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "My father-in-law is a smart man."

Di Zi also laughed: "My Di family has long been deeply intertwined with your lineage of the King of Chu. If your end is tragic, the Di family will also perish and be wiped out."

After a long silence, Di Zi suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "Whatever my son-in-law wants to do, I will do it with you without hesitation!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was not surprised by Di Zi's answer, and simply said quietly, "The Di family is the descendant of famous generals and loyal ministers. Aren't you afraid of being condemned for eternity for doing such a treasonous thing with me?"

Di Zi smiled bitterly: "Loyal minister? What is the fate of a loyal minister? Do you not know, my son-in-law? I saw my father's end clearly back then. That's exactly what happened to him. I have lost all faith in so-called loyalty."

"Now, all I care about is my family of dozens of people. I just want them to be safe and sound and not suffer any undeserved disasters. Just like you, as long as my family can live in peace, I'll do anything, even the most outrageous things!"

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly, "Then let's give it a try. Only those who refuse to accept their fate have the right to live, and deserve to live better than others!"

Di Zi nodded vigorously. The father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged a glance, both of them knowing that from this moment on, the fates of the two families were deeply intertwined, and no one could remain uninvolved.

"What does my son-in-law plan to do?"

“I want to firmly grasp the military power of the Yan Yun garrison,” Zhao Xiaoqian emphasized, “but I need to know the attitudes of the generals in the army, including Zhong Jianzhong, Zong Ze, Zhe Keshi and others.”

Di Zi nodded and said, "I will try to find out their intentions, but Vice Envoy Xu's attitude seems to be..."

"There's no need to test Vice Envoy Xu's attitude. He is loyal to the Emperor and is only acting out of sympathy and pity for us. He would rather die than join us in a rebellion."

Di Zi lowered his voice and said, "Zhong Cheng and his people..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly, "The moment the true colors are revealed, it will naturally be time to send them on their way."

"There are hundreds of generals and officers of the rank of commander-in-chief in the army. I believe that the vast majority of them are truly convinced of your authority. However, this matter is of great importance, and it is difficult to say what they will choose when the time comes..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "Appeal to their emotions, reason with them, tempt them with benefits, and coerce them with power. Different people require different approaches. There is still time; we can proceed slowly and steadily. We must not be impatient for quick results."

Di Zi nodded, then hesitated before asking, "Does my son-in-law want to become emperor himself?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled wryly. To be honest, he was still confused about this matter.

For others, the position of emperor is of course a great temptation. Throughout history, countless kings, nobles, and generals have gone mad for it and risked their lives for it.

But Zhao Xiaoqian wasn't very interested. He was actually a person without ambition by nature. If he and his family could live a peaceful life, things wouldn't have come to this.

With a long sigh, Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly, "Let's focus on surviving first. Only after we're alive can we think about other things."

(End of this chapter)