The prince is more stable

Chapter 732 Alone
It must be said that Zhao Xu's move of bestowing the imperial edict with a certificate of merit was brilliant.

This is the second iron certificate of merit since the founding of the Song Dynasty; the first one was given to the Chai family.

Its function was based on law; unless it was a serious crime like treason, the emperors of the Song Dynasty could not touch it.

Simply put, as long as it has nothing to do with treason, even if you kill someone on the street, abduct a respectable woman, steal something, or even smash up a government building out of a fit of pique, nothing will happen and no one will dare to investigate.

After you've finished all that, you can just pack up and leave, but then the government officials will come knocking on your door, all smiles, asking what's wrong and if you need their help...

When the report was submitted to the imperial court in Bianjing, the emperor could only toss it aside and pretend he hadn't seen it.

This is the true value of the imperial edict.

Those who possess the imperial edict of merit are truly difficult to bring down. Last time, Zhao Xiaoqian brought down the Chai family by devising one scheme after another, forcibly framing them with the crime of "treason," which finally brought them down, and the imperial edict of merit was also taken back by the court.

So what now?
Now Zhao Xu has bestowed upon Zhao Xiaoqian a new imperial edict.

On the surface, Zhao Xiaoqian certainly deserved this imperial edict. The current excellent situation of the Song Dynasty, the complete reversal of the country's fate, the invincible royal army, and the Liao Kingdom, which was defeated and humiliated, are all achievements made by Zhao Xiaoqian.

The Song Dynasty would not have been able to fall apart without Zhao Xiaoqian.

With such great merit, is it wrong to receive a certificate of merit?
Absolutely no problem. Ask any ordinary person on the street, and they would never lie and say that it shouldn't have been granted.

Therefore, this iron certificate was actually a natural outcome.

However, these are all things that are obvious to everyone, and everyone can see and agree on them.

But what is the deeper meaning hidden behind it?
Zhao Xiaoqian now commands a large army of 100,000 elite soldiers. He is a powerful and influential figure in the Yan-Yun region, and it is no exaggeration to call him a regional warlord.

Are the emperor and his officials in Bianjing worried?
How could someone sitting in that position not be worried?
If a powerful minister with a large army is summoned back to the capital by the court, do you think he will return?
Anyone with a modicum of common sense would never go back; there would be no good outcome if they did.

Bearing the stigma of being a "traitor" at least ensures a peaceful and comfortable life, leaving the court helpless and even wary.

Not only did they not fare well upon returning, but their reputation was also not necessarily clean. After all, history is written by the victors, and whatever the emperor says you are, that is what you are.

What Zhao Xiaoqian could think of, Zhao Xu could naturally think of as well.

Therefore, Zhao Xu was the first to put his chips on the table.

He bestowed upon him a certificate of merit and made him swear an oath before the generals of the Yan-Yun garrison that all emperors of the Song Dynasty would never punish the lineage of the Prince of Chu, and that anyone who violated this oath would be deemed to have illegitimately ascended the throne.

For emperors, these words carried even greater weight than a written edict or iron certificate.

Zhao Xu was essentially telling Zhao Xiaoqian in broad daylight, "If you return to the capital, I will absolutely not touch a single hair on your head or your family's head."

With so many people listening, if I go back on my word, your soldiers may rebel against me without my saying a word.

Whether it's a written pledge or a public oath, both are substantial reassurances, designed to ensure Zhao Xiaoqian's safety and allow him to return to the capital without any worries.

Zhao Xu's goal was simply to have Zhao Xiaoqian relinquish his military power and return to the capital; he had no intention of killing him.

Even disregarding the feelings between relatives and brothers, and only considering the pros and cons, Zhao Xu would not kill Zhao Xiaoqian.

After all, given Zhao Xiaoqian's current prestige in the court and among the people, the loyal soldiers under his command, and the Liao Kingdom in the north that is eyeing him covetously, the Song Dynasty would be in great trouble if Zhao Xiaoqian were to die.

Zhao Xu was accused of killing meritorious officials, destroying his own foundation, and ruining a promising situation. History books not only gave him bad reviews, but they were practically cursing him.

Now that Zhao Xu has laid out his bargaining chips and objectives, he has left the problems and troubles to Zhao Xiaoqian.

If the emperor has gone to such lengths, and you, Zhao Xiaoqian, still hold onto military power and refuse to return to the capital, then that's your problem.

Look up, the emperor is standing on the moral high ground.

I swore I wouldn't kill you, and summoning you back to the capital was just to let you continue to enjoy wealth and luxury. If you still don't go back, what kind of shady thoughts are you hiding?
If someone with ulterior motives had stirred up public opinion at that time, Zhao Xiaoqian's reputation would have been ruined overnight.

So, the question is, are you going to reply or not?

It has to be said that Zhao Xu's move was very clever, so clever that Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but want to kowtow to him.

The little emperor has finally grown up, matured, and become cunning.

No, to be precise, this is not a sneaky scheme, but a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard plan.

After relaying Zhao Xu's words, Zhang Shangying smiled slightly upon seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's stunned expression.

The surrounding generals all stared at Zhao Xiaoqian, hesitating to speak several times.

Zhang Shangying tactfully cupped his hands in greeting: "What I should give, what I should say, I have completed my mission..."

"His Majesty said he would give His Highness time to consider and would not rush you, so I will take my leave and return to the capital without waiting for His Highness. Is there anything His Highness would like me to convey to His Majesty?"

Zhao Xiaoqian snapped out of his daze and smiled gently at Zhang Shangying: "Zhang Sheren, you must be tired from your journey. Take care."

Zhang Shangying gave him a deep look, then smiled and took her leave.

As soon as Zhang Shangying left, the generals behind him immediately surrounded him, looking anxious but hesitant to speak. Zhong Jianzhong suddenly shouted, "Shut up! Is this the place to talk? Let's go into the command tent and talk."

The generals immediately came to their senses, and Zhao Xiaoqian led them into the commander's tent, where Chen Shou and the other imperial guards immediately surrounded it.

Inside the command tent, Zhao Xiaoqian remained seated, his expression relaxed, showing no emotional fluctuations.

Xu Jiang, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Zi'an, what are you thinking? Are you going back to Bianjing?"

Before Zhao Xiaoqian could speak, Zhong Jianzhong immediately said, "Your Highness, please reconsider. If you return to Bianjing, the court will definitely appoint another commander-in-chief, and military power will truly change hands."

Xu Jiang was immediately displeased. He tapped the armrest of the chair lightly and said unhappily, "What do you mean by easy or difficult to hand over? Military power belongs to the court, not to individuals. Is it a good thing to hold onto military power so tightly? It's a disaster!"

Zhong Jianzhong smiled obsequiously and said, "Yes, yes, I misspoke. What I meant was that the Liao Kingdom has not been destroyed and is still eyeing our Great Song with hostility. At this time, it is not appropriate to change the commander-in-chief of our Great Song army. Only His Highness the Prince is the most suitable candidate for commander-in-chief. Otherwise, looking at the Great Song court, who is more suitable than His Highness?"

Xu stroked his beard and snorted, saying, "I don't mean anything by it, I'm just reminding you that you'd better watch your mouth. If what you just said gets out, every word will be used against you as grounds for accusation."

As he spoke, Xu looked at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "His Majesty has already bestowed upon you a certificate of merit. If Zian still does not return to the capital, he may incur criticism from the people. Once public opinion is established, the people will regard Zian as a traitor, and you will find it difficult to move an inch. The court will also have a reason to send troops to punish Zian."

"Zi'an, don't forget that the Song Dynasty's royal army is now equipped with firearms not only in the Yan Yun garrison, but also in the more than 100,000 imperial guards in Bianjing."

The expressions of the assembled generals immediately changed.

Xu Jiang said frankly, "My words may be harsh, but they are all sincere. If you disagree, you are welcome to refute me."

Zhao Xiaoqian remained silent, but examined the iron certificate in his hand with great interest, occasionally flicking it with his fingers as if measuring its value.

His name, official rank, achievements, and the imperial edict to all emperors of the Song Dynasty, which stated that he would not be punished and that he could be pardoned within the bounds of the law, were all clearly engraved on the iron certificate.

"You guys, do you think this thing... is it real?" Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked.

The generals inside the tent were all stunned.

We're worried about your future and your life, and you actually have the nerve to care whether it's true or not?

You've got a really big heart!
However, Xu Jiang understood his words and slowly said, "It is true. The words spoken in front of the generals of Yanyun are also true. If Zian returns to Bianjing, I dare not say anything else, but no one will dare to harm you, and no one will be able to impeach you. Even the Emperor would not dare."

Only then did the generals understand Zhao Xiaoqian's meaning.

Zong Ze said in a deep voice, "This humble general agrees with Vice Envoy Xu's words. This iron certificate must be real. I dare not say about the future, but at least in Your Highness's generation, no matter who is the emperor, no one will dare to disregard it."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded.

In fact, he agreed with what Xu Jiang said.

Even if you break your promise after sending something away, you should at least wait many years before going back on your word. There's no reason to go back on your word right after sending something away; would the emperor have no shame?

Therefore, if Zhao Xiaoqian returns to Bianjing now, his personal safety can definitely be guaranteed.

The problem now is that once he returns to Bianjing, his military power will definitely change hands. If he doesn't return to Bianjing, he will be seen as a traitor and fall into a very passive position.

Moreover, the imperial court is very likely to launch a military campaign against the rebels. The enemy he will face is the elite imperial guards of Bianjing, who are also equipped with firearms. It is really hard to say who will win on the battlefield.

To go back or not to go back?

Zhao Xiaoqian was caught in a struggle.

He was just an ordinary mortal, not so wise and powerful, and certainly not someone who could be so confident in everything. He had a disgustingly cunning and calculating demeanor.

Zhao Xiaoqian was just an ordinary person; he also had the troubles, hesitations, and contradictions of good and evil that intertwined with ordinary people.

He pulled out the letter from his pocket; it was written by Zhao Xu himself.

The handwriting was somewhat messy and different from Zhao Xu's usual handwriting, which clearly indicated that Zhao Xu was in an abnormal mental and physical state when he wrote this letter.

Zhao Xiaoqian had memorized the contents of the letter perfectly.

What the generals in the tent didn't know was that this was actually a letter of casual conversation, without discussing any serious matters at all.

The government, military affairs, strategy, domestic affairs, palace intrigue, and so on—whether sensitive or not—were all left out.

In his letter, Zhao Xu only said that the apricot blossoms in the palace garden had bloomed and were very fragrant. There were exactly 122 peonies, 36 of which were too flamboyant and disliked by Zhao Xu. However, he could not bear to waste the blooming season, so he left them for the time being so that those who appreciated them could admire them.

Each and every single number seemed to tell Zhao Xiaoqian just how lonely a truly solitary person could be.

So lonely was she that she counted every single flower that bloomed in the harem and memorized the appearance of each one.

At the same time, Zhao Xu seemed to be subtly inviting Zhao Xiaoqian with flowers.

The flowers on the Moshang bloom, and can return slowly.

(End of this chapter)