The prince is more stable

Chapter 771 Visiting Prime Minister Zhang
To be honest, the Song Dynasty had a relatively good relationship with Japan for a hundred years.

During this period, no war broke out between the two countries. On the contrary, commercial exchanges became more and more frequent. From an economic and trade perspective, Japan, an island nation, needed to import all its goods, from luxury items needed by the elite to food and cloth needed by ordinary people, from the Song Dynasty.

As an island nation, Japan was resource-poor, and its small territory was divided among hundreds of warlords. The constant warfare between these warlords affected the development of agriculture and handicrafts. Therefore, Japan had to rely on importing grain and luxury goods from the Song Dynasty to maintain stability across all social classes.

Good relationships are only temporary; at least in Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes, there are no such things as good relationships.

This was an era of warring states and regional warlords in Japan, so they had no choice but to befriend the Song Dynasty.

But once the four islands of Japan are unified and the domestic wars cease, their violent ambitions will gradually rise after they recover, and the first thing they will target will be the land and wealth of China.

This is an iron law of historical development, a truth that has been repeatedly verified by our predecessors over thousands of years.

This tiny island nation cannot achieve internal peace; if it were to unify, its external neighbors would be doomed.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't care about the current so-called good relations between the two countries at all; it's as fake as a scumbag's vow after he's done with his pants.

Why not take the initiative to start a war now and seize a territory that belongs to Zhao Xiaoqian? This territory and power will become a troublemaker for the other three islands of Japan for thousands of years to come.

Once the three islands show signs of unification, this troublemaker will immediately stir things up again, muddying up the cesspool and making it stink, causing everyone to fight in the cesspool once more.

Of course, the main purpose was that Zhao Xiaoqian intended to leave his descendants a private enclave overseas. Regardless of whether Zhao Xiaoqian succeeded or failed in Bianjing, his descendants would at least be local lords overseas, with soldiers, guns, and provisions under their command. Why would they worry about their descendants not prospering?

Following Zhang Rong's command, five thousand soldiers fired volleys in succession, clearing the port completely. All the Japanese samurai and civilians, as well as the merchants and laborers on the docks, were terrified and fled in all directions.

Seven large ships slowly approached the shore, and five thousand soldiers quickly disembarked and formed ranks on the open ground along the shore to stand guard.

In the distance beyond the port, some unconvinced Japanese samurai were still watching, stubbornly confronting the Song army. Occasionally, they could be seen shooting arrows at the Song soldiers, but the two sides were several miles apart, and this behavior of shooting arrows far beyond their range really puzzled the Song soldiers.

Don’t understand, but respect.

After the five thousand soldiers disembarked and formed a unified formation, Zhang Rong gave another order: the entire army, organized into battalions, would launch attacks in all directions under the command of their respective generals and officers, to wipe out any remaining enemy forces within a ten-mile radius of the port.

Zhang Rong, the commander-in-chief, was not idle either. He ordered the clerks accompanying the army to draft a proclamation, which severely condemned Japan's rude and provocative behavior. The proclamation stated that the Great Song Dynasty's royal army originally came with the purpose of peace and friendship to land and visit Japan.

Unexpectedly, Japan has brazenly declared war on our imperial army, greatly damaging the dignity of the Celestial Empire. The various lords of Kyushu Island and the Fujiwara clan, the main lords of the Song Dynasty, must give the Song Dynasty a perfect explanation. Otherwise, the Song army reserves the right to use force and continue its conquest of Kyushu Island.

In relations between two countries, might makes right—this has been an ironclad law of history for thousands of years.

Regardless of whether you're right or wrong, I'm going to beat you up and take over your territory. If you're not happy, send your troops to fight me.

…………

Following Zhao Xiaoqian's instructions, Zhang Rong led his troops to expand Japan's territory.

Meanwhile, in Bianjing, things appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath.

After the two princes were interrogated, they were quickly released. The Imperial City Guard had no intention of doing anything to them; they were merely following Zhao Xu's orders to give them a good talking-to.

The Imperial City Guard may have spared the two kings, but that doesn't mean they've spared the others.

The day after the two princes were released, the Imperial City Guard arrested five court officials on charges of "making irresponsible remarks about the establishment of an heir apparent."

The highest-ranking official among these five court officials was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a third-rank official, while the lowest-ranking official was the Grand Master of the Fifth Rank.

Their crimes were undeniable. The Imperial City Guard was no pushover; they found secret letters between the Prince of Duan and the Prince of Jian in their residences. The Prince of Duan had switched sides, essentially betting against everyone else before anyone else.

Unfortunately, before the outcome of the bet was revealed, the Imperial City Guard raided their home.

As a result, the five people were put into the ice well and were handed over to Liu Dan to be entertained personally.

When the news spread, the imperial court in Bianjing fell silent, everyone feeling insecure.

The court officials then realized with alarm that even though the Emperor was critically ill, he was still a ferocious tiger that devoured people.

The Emperor is no longer willing to tolerate the underhanded actions of his court officials, such as placing bets and switching sides in advance. He must issue a stern warning to everyone: be on the right side and remember that the Emperor is not dead yet.

The five court officials were just the first batch, serving as a warning to others. If the court officials still did not restrain themselves, there would be a second and a third batch.

Those who managed to become officials in the capital were naturally the best of the best, each one more cunning than a monkey.

After the Imperial City Guard interrogated five court officials, the eyes of all the court officials in Bianjing immediately became clear and bright.

As for the five unfortunate court officials, they didn't even have a single colleague or friend to plead for them or speak out in their defense.

Everyone knew how dangerous it was to get involved in the matter of the imperial succession; there was no fortune but only misfortune. So even the most disliked censors and officials dared not speak out for justice this time, turning a blind eye and not mentioning the case of the five officials at all. Naturally, the five officials did not fare well, and their punishment was particularly severe.

Three days after the incident, an imperial edict was issued from Yanfu Palace, ordering the five court officials to be executed immediately without waiting until the following autumn, their families to be sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), and their property to be confiscated.

Strangely, the Imperial City Guard claimed to be investigating the assassination of Prime Minister Zhang Dun, but after a long investigation, they ended up bringing the two princes into the Imperial City Guard for interrogation, and then arrested and killed five court officials who had absolutely no connection to the case.

But what about the murderer in Zhang Dun's assassination case?
Nobody mentioned it, not even Zhang Dun himself. Things have developed to this point, and it has to be said that the situation is rather complicated.

The court officials remained silent, as if the Imperial City Guard's off-topic actions were perfectly justified, and the identity of the murderer was irrelevant; everyone knew what had happened.

The most likely culprits are none other than Prince Duan and Prince Jian. And then what? What can you do about these two?

After the trial, the Imperial City Guard casually let the two princes go. Could the Imperial City Guard have done this without the Emperor's authorization and tacit approval?

The series of actions by the Emperor and the Imperial City Guard finally shocked the court. Once the seemingly sickly imperial power shed its disguise and revealed its fangs, it could still tear apart any enemy who dared to provoke it.

After a few days, the authority of the emperor was firmly established in the hearts of the court officials. No one dared to play any tricks anymore, and no one dared to associate with those princes.

On a chilly winter afternoon, Zhao Xiaoqian carried several boxes of pastries and personally visited Zhang Dun's residence.

Before they knew it, it was almost New Year's Eve again. The servants of the Zhang family were busy cleaning the courtyard. They didn't dare hang red lanterns on the lintel or in the front and back yards, but kept the mansion clean and tidy.

After all, it is common knowledge that with the emperor's death approaching, which official's family would dare to decorate with lanterns and decorations? Not even during the New Year.

Moreover, many powerful and wealthy families, and even ordinary people in Bianjing, have been busy arranging their children's weddings these days, hastily bringing forward the wedding dates and getting the weddings done as soon as possible.

If an official dies, the country observes a three-year period of mourning. During this time, drinking, entertainment, and weddings are prohibited. Any activity related to celebration or festivity is forbidden, or the government will investigate and punish such behavior.

Therefore, people all over the world are celebrating weddings nowadays, all in order to get things done before the emperor passes away, so as not to delay their children's lives.

Zhang Dun's residence was rather simple and shabby. It was unclear whether Zhang Dun was deliberately trying to appear poor and honest, or whether he was genuinely a poor man.

Carrying a gift box of pastries, Zhao Xiaoqian was politely and respectfully welcomed into the Zhang family mansion by the old steward. Looking at the servants busy cleaning inside and outside the front courtyard, and the few scattered trees in the courtyard, Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and continued walking towards the front hall.

Invited by the steward to sit in the front hall, Zhao Xiaoqian was served tea and snacks by a maid. After sitting for a while, Zhang Dun, dressed in casual clothes, appeared.

Zhao Xiaoqian was immediately taken aback and stood up, exclaiming, "Minister Zhang can actually walk?"

Zhang Dun was taken aback upon hearing this, then rolled his eyes in annoyance and said, "Not only can I walk, but I can also breathe. Isn't that amazing?"

Zhao Xiaoqian realized his mistake and said embarrassedly, "I thought that after being frightened by the assassination, Minister Zhang should be lying in bed now, muttering incoherently, 'I'm so scared, I'm so scared,' and so on."

Zhang Dun took a deep breath and said, "In your eyes, am I really that useless?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "After all, Prime Minister Zhang is a scholar, and scholars have courage... Well, I misspoke. Please forgive me, Prime Minister Zhang. You truly deserve to be the Prime Minister of this court; you have the courage of a tiger, and evil spirits cannot approach you..."

Zhang Dun laughed in anger, waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, go use that to fool others. There's no need for me to flatter you. Anyway, I know you never tell the truth."

Sitting in the main seat, Zhang Dun immediately noticed the pastry gift box on the small table next to Zhao Xiaoqian.

"Zi'an has come to visit this old man? This gift..."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly presented it with both hands: "A rare and precious pastry from Bianjing, a national intangible cultural heritage, made by the hand of a master pastry chef from a great nation... Ah, it's hazelnut cake."

Zhang Dun laughed in exasperation: "You almost got my blood pumping with excitement, and all you got was a hazelnut cake? Zi'an, you're so careless with your gifts. I seriously doubt your sincerity in coming to visit."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "Hasn't Minister Zhang received your true sincerity?"

Zhang Dun was taken aback, then a look of understanding appeared on his face. He smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and remained silent.

Sincerity, of course, cannot be shown openly.

Zhao Xiaoqian had already expressed his sincerity half a year ago. At that time, the royal army captured Yanyun Hejian Prefecture, and Zhong Jianzhong opened the treasury of Hejian Prefecture. The mountain of money inside was divided up by Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhong Jianzhong, Xu Jiang and others.

Very little was actually handed over to the imperial court; in any case, there was no way to verify it since the dead are dead.

Zhao Xiaoqian and others kept a small portion of the money for themselves, while sending the majority of it to Bianjing. The bigwigs of the Privy Council and the State Council were not left out; each of them received a considerable amount of ill-gotten gains.

Zhao Xiaoqian led troops in the field and held military power, gradually gaining influence. During this period, although some court officials submitted memorials to impeach him and expressed their concerns, it did not generate much momentum.

There are many reasons for this, and they may be subtle, but the windfall that Zhao Xiaoqian gave to the bigwigs is undoubtedly one of the reasons that silenced most people.

(End of this chapter)