The prince is more stable

Chapter 760 Perilous Match
Strictly speaking, Zhang Dun was not a good person. Throughout history, good people have never become prime ministers.

After Zhang Dun became prime minister, he was extremely ruthless in suppressing the old party officials. In just a few years, the court changed from the old party being in power during the Yuan You era to the new party being in power during the Shao Sheng era. This shows how many old party officials Zhang Dun purged.

Such efficiency and such methods are beyond the capabilities of those who are soft-hearted.

Zhang Dun, however, did it without any pressure. He seemed to have an irreconcilable hatred for the old party and wished he could exterminate all the old party officials.

Everything has its cause and effect, and so do matters of the imperial court.

Those old faction members who suppressed, ostracized, and demoted Zhang Dun during the Yuan You era ultimately sowed the seeds of their own downfall.

The revenge Zhang Dun took after becoming prime minister was unprecedentedly strong. He even proposed digging up the grave of the deceased leader of the old party, Sima Guang, and dragging his corpse out to expose it to the sun and whip it.

Fortunately, Zhao Xu was not a foolish ruler. He felt that Zhang Dun's actions were too outrageous and rejected them.

Although the plan to exhume and whip the corpse was not carried out, the court officials all heard about it. The old party officials were filled with righteous indignation and wailed in grief. However, with the new party in power, the old party members were all in danger and ultimately could not do anything to Zhang Dun.

It is evident that after Zhang Dun became prime minister, the number of people he offended was countless, like the sands of the Ganges.

The rumors circulating in Bianjing in recent days have left Zhang Dun with no suspects, because he has too many enemies, and any former party official could use this matter to frame him and bring him down.

Feeling somewhat aggrieved by this loss, Zhang Dun sat in the Hall of State Affairs, surrounded by a mountain of memorials. However, his mind was no longer on the memorials, but rather on pondering who had wronged him in this way.

For the prime minister to inexplicably interfere in matters of succession to the throne, especially while the current emperor is still alive, is tantamount to courting death and having a death wish.

Zhang Dun grew increasingly uneasy. When rumors were flying high among the common people of Bianjing, it wasn't long before the news reached the palace.

The officials must already know the contents of the rumors. If they still maintain the so-called "the innocent will clear themselves" attitude, thinking that rumors will stop with the wise and that they don't need to do anything, they are being too naive.

Zhang Dun felt he had to save himself, otherwise he might die before the emperor.

Having long lost interest in handling state affairs, Zhang Dun immediately stood up, put down his memorials and pen, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the Funing Palace.

Inside the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu remained calm as he looked at Zhang Dun, who was kneeling before him, defending himself with grief and indignation. Zhao Xu's expression revealed no emotion, but his eyes kept scanning Zhang Dun.

Zhao Xu was well aware of his physical condition and knew that his days were numbered. People outside were discussing who would inherit the throne, but he already knew this, and he knew far more than Zhang Dun.

At this point, Zhao Xu had already accepted the matter with equanimity. As long as you keep your voices down when you discuss it, I will pretend I didn't hear it.

This must be a major matter. It is unrealistic to force court officials to avoid discussing it simply because the topic is taboo.

However, Zhang Dun and the Empress Dowager had a conflict over the succession to the throne. Rumors even circulated that Zhang Dun overturned the table in front of the Empress Dowager, causing a great uproar in the city, which Zhao Xu found unacceptable.

You're treating a critically ill emperor like a government official.

Now Zhang Dun knelt before him, indignantly defending himself that he had never done it, but Zhao Xu's attitude remained noncommittal.

He was a mature emperor, capable of making his own judgments on any matter, and not easily swayed by the words of others.

Whether Zhang Dungan did it or not, the Imperial City Guard can find out with a simple investigation, so Zhao Xu will not take any action against him now.

Half-reclining on the bed, Zhao Xu smiled and instructed Zheng Chunhe to help Zhang Dun up and offer him a seat.

Zhang Dun unusually showed a look of fear in front of Zhao Xu. Seeing that Zhao Xu's attitude remained gentle and that he did not seem to blame him, Zhang Dun was slightly relieved.

Zhao Xu lay on the bed, staring blankly at the gilded beams of the Funing Palace. After a long while, Zhao Xu said slowly, "My days are numbered. It is only natural that you are discussing the successor to the throne."

"The Song Dynasty cannot stop functioning just because of my passing, right?"

Zhang Dun shuddered, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. He said in a panic, "Your Majesty, please do not utter such ominous words. Your Majesty is blessed by Heaven and will surely live to be a hundred years old."

"At a time like this, it's too hypocritical for Mr. Zihou to say such things. Why should we deceive ourselves? Do you think that saying a few auspicious words will cure my illness and grant me longevity? Ha!" Zhao Xu laughed self-deprecatingly.

Zhang Dun lowered his head and remained silent.

After a long silence, Zhao Xu suddenly asked, "Is it true that Mr. Zihou is firmly opposed to Prince Duan succeeding me?"

Zhang Dun's face turned pale instantly. He was increasingly realizing that this young emperor had become adept at managing his ministers and had become a deep and unpredictable man.

So Zhang Dun mustered all his strength and, after a long pause, slowly said, "The rumors are false. I have never publicly opposed Prince Duan's ascension to the throne. At my age, I am well aware of the saying that trouble comes from the mouth. How could I be so reckless as to discuss the choice of the crown prince in public?"

Zhao Xu chuckled and said, "So, Mr. Zihou doesn't actually oppose Prince Duan's ascension to the throne?"

Zhang Dun was speechless again.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Dun decided to tell the truth.

"I have never publicly expressed my opposition to Prince Duan, but in my heart, I do not agree with Prince Duan's ascension to the throne."

Zhao Xu gave an "oh" and said calmly, "So, the rumors circulating in the streets may not be entirely unfounded..."

Zhang Dun was shocked and quickly got up and knelt down in front of Zhao Xu, saying urgently, "Your Majesty, I have never spoken ill of the Crown Prince in public. Please see this clearly!" Zhao Xu smiled noncommittally.

He wore a smile, but to Zhang Dun, it was an incredibly terrifying and dangerous sight. In the vast Funing Palace, Zhang Dun felt a cold wind brush past his face and pierce into his very bones.

When did this young emperor become so deep, sinister, and awe-inspiring?

It must be said that this kind of emperor is a qualified emperor of the Song Dynasty, and only he has the ability to govern all officials and people.

Unfortunately, his days were numbered.

The oppressive atmosphere inside the hall was indescribable, making it hard to breathe.

After a long silence, Zhao Xu smiled again and suddenly asked, "Why does Master Zihou oppose Prince Duan's ascension to the throne? Did you have a grudge against Prince Duan?"

Zhang Dun hurriedly shook his head: "I have very little contact with Prince Duan, and it has always been just superficial social interaction. However, I have heard some rumors about Prince Duan. I believe that the heir apparent should be chosen based on merit, not seniority. The Song Dynasty has not achieved its current situation easily, and I am only worried that the Song Dynasty will regress to what it was in the past..."

Zhao Xu hummed in agreement and said, "So, Mr. Zihou believes that Prince Duan is not outstanding enough, or rather, that he is inherently muddle-headed and mediocre, and therefore unfit to be a ruler?"

Zhang Dun felt a chill run down his spine; every question Zhao Xu asked today was a potential death trap.

Since becoming prime minister, Zhang Dun has enjoyed immense prestige. Only now does he feel the perilous danger of serving a ruler, as if a single wrong word could lead to his utter ruin.

Zhang Dun spoke more cautiously, and after thinking for a long time, he said prudently, "I have no intention of participating in the discussion of the crown prince. All I think about is for the public good of the Song Dynasty, without any selfish thoughts."

"I cannot comment on Prince Duan's character, but I dare to speak frankly before Your Majesty: Prince Duan is still young, and compared to Your Majesty's wisdom and magnanimity, he is far inferior..."

"The Great Song Dynasty will soon launch a northern expedition against the Liao Dynasty. If the new emperor of the Great Song Dynasty is far inferior to the current emperor and makes wrong decisions and appointments, I fear that the northern expedition will fail and the country will be tarnished again, returning to the humiliating period of the past."

His words both flattered Zhao Xu and subtly reminded him that Prince Duan was indeed unqualified.

Zhao Xu smiled again. After Zhang Dun's flattery, Zhao Xu's face remained expressionless. Zhang Dun was secretly wondering if he had flattered the right person.

After a long pause, Zhao Xu asked again, "Then, Mr. Zihou, which of my brothers do you think is suitable to succeed me?"

Zhang Dun's expression suddenly tightened; this was another deadly question.

In a flash, Zhang Dun arrived at the correct answer.

He could oppose Prince Duan's ascension to the throne because he genuinely felt that Prince Duan was unqualified, but he absolutely could not give a clear answer to this question, otherwise he would be in grave danger.

While you oppose Prince Duan, you nominate other candidates. The facts are right in front of you. Haven't you already sided with the other side?

Other court officials taking sides is forgivable, but you are the current prime minister, the most powerful person second only to the emperor, wielding immense power. If someone like you dares to easily take sides, you must be killed today.

Having grasped the perilous situation, Zhang Dun broke out in a cold sweat, his face growing even paler.

Today, he is practically teetering on the brink of death; one wrong step and he would perish.

So Zhang Dun said firmly, "I only feel that Prince Duan is not suitable. As for the other princes, I have never carefully observed and considered them. After all, this is an internal matter of the imperial family. I am an outsider and would not dare to interfere even if I had the greatest courage. I beg Your Majesty to make a wise decision."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu revealed a smile that was hard to tell whether it was mockery or relief. His eyelids drooped, as if he was already exhausted.

"I am aware of this matter. Mr. Zihou, please return to the Council of State Affairs. I am unwell, so I will trouble you to continue your work on state affairs."

Zhang Dun dared not say more, and after bowing, he slowly withdrew from the Funing Hall.

Stepping outside the hall, a gust of cold wind blew, and Zhang Dun couldn't help but shiver. He then realized that his back was ice-cold; he had broken out in a cold sweat inside the hall, but the wind had dried it all.

Zhao Xu's attitude was ambiguous, neither saying whether he would pursue the matter or let him go, which made Zhang Dun even more conflicted. Even after returning to the Hall of State Affairs, Zhang Dun's mood was still uneasy and hesitant.

Inside the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu had been resting with his eyes closed for a long time when he suddenly opened them and said, "Zheng Chunhe."

Zheng Chunhe hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

Zhao Xu said calmly, "Go tell Zi'an to investigate Zhang Dun's discussion about the crown prince candidate, whether the rumors circulating in the streets are true or false. Have Zi'an take the Imperial City Guard to find out. Also, find out who else in the court is involved, who is discussing it, and who is on which brother's side."

Zhao Xu paused, a complicated expression on his face, and continued, "Also, find out the Empress Dowager's attitude toward the choice of the Crown Prince."

Zheng Chunhe respectfully accepted the order and withdrew.

Zhao Xu lay on the bed and sighed deeply.

Whenever a major event occurs, the first person he thinks of is still Zhao Xiaoqian.

This reflects his trust in Zhao Xiaoqian over the years; he believes that Zhao can handle any task properly.

Of course, there was another reason: Zhao Xiaoqian no longer had military power and was not qualified to participate in the struggle for the crown prince position. He was also a member of the imperial clan and had extremely strong abilities. All of these factors combined were the reasons why Zhao Xu decided to trust Zhao Xiaoqian.

(End of this chapter)