The prince is more stable

Chapter 784 Stealing the Seal and Mobilizing Troops
Even today, Zhao Xiaoqian can confidently say that he deserves great credit for the current state of the Song Dynasty.

This empire bears the marks of his blood and sweat. He accomplished what no emperor of the Song Dynasty had ever done, and did it very well.

This favorable situation has not come easily, and Zhao Xiaoqian will only continue to fulfill his mission with utmost caution.

But he would never allow Zhao Ji and Zhao Si to reap the benefits without sowing.

I led my soldiers and comrades to conquer this land with great effort, and you two, by what right, did you get it? Just because you were born into a good family?

Even if you're born with the best reincarnation skills, how many bullets can they withstand from me?
After giving instructions to Chen Shou, Zhao Xiaoqian left the Yin'an Hall and went to the backyard, where he called Zhao Hao out.

Zhao Hao had also stayed up all night and was catching up on sleep, yawning sleepily.

"Father, it's time to make plans," Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly.

Zhao Hao was taken aback, abruptly stopping his yawn halfway through: "It's starting already?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded calmly: "Yes, let's begin."

"Qian'er, you've always been decisive. What's your first step?"

“I think we should first create momentum. Your men should first make a name for ourselves, and spread the word in the streets and alleys: ‘The virtuous should be chosen, not the eldest.’”

Zhao Hao nodded: "This isn't difficult. So what?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered: "Then, we will respectfully invite Prince Duan to ascend the throne. When he ascends the throne, we will deliver a fatal blow, forcing the Empress Dowager to depose Zhao Ji on the spot and install a new emperor."

Zhao Hao seemed to have realized: "The calls for 'appointing the virtuous over the eldest' are growing louder in the court and among the people. At the same time, the people have witnessed firsthand that the so-called 'elders' are completely unreliable. Appointing the virtuous has become the only option for the people. At this time, someone should mention your name."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "That's roughly how it is, but we still need to discuss it with the Empress Dowager, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu and others. We can exchange benefits. Zhang Dun wants the new policies to continue to be implemented, and Zeng Bu wants to be in charge of the government affairs hall and to be granted titles and privileges to his descendants. We can satisfy what they want."

"The only problem is the Empress Dowager. I really don't know what she needs. In her position, she has no shortage of power or money, and she has no interest in beautiful women..."

Zhao Hao suddenly smiled mysteriously: "I'll take care of things with the Empress Dowager for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked in surprise, "Does Father know what the Empress Dowager wants?"

“She wants a strong, healthy man… I may not be considered strong, but at least I am a man.”

Zhao Xiaoqian asked in shock, "What... what do you want to do?"

Zhao Hao said unhappily, "Don't worry about it. I can handle things with the Empress Dowager."

"Alright, next, Father, try to make contact with the commanders of the three military commands: the Palace Guard, the Infantry Command, and the Cavalry Command. At this time of year, don't be stingy with money; empty the entire treasury of the Prince's Palace."

Zhao Hao felt a pang of pain in his heart, and the fat on his face trembled slightly: "You plan to bribe the Commander of the Three Military Commands and take control of the palace?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "I have already prepared to send the Yan-Yun army south. His Majesty said before his death that chaos can occur in the palace, but not in the world. Bribing the commander of the Imperial Guards in Bianjing is the least costly and most peaceful method. I also do not want to see infighting among the soldiers of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Hao was stunned, and said blankly, "His Majesty..."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed sadly and said, "He knew everything, yet he remained conflicted until his death, unsure whether to stop me or support me."

Zhao Hao was stunned for a long time, and then sighed: "This emperor... is a wise ruler. If I were the emperor, I'm afraid I wouldn't be as good as him."

"He was simply trying to preserve the fruits of his labor and the legacy of his ancestors, and he didn't want to see a foolish ruler ruin the country. He looked down on both Prince Duan and Prince Jian, so he didn't leave any edict about a new ruler until his death."

Zhao Hao nodded: "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "I still need an official document from the Ministry of War. As for the Privy Council, I am the Vice Privy Councilor and can handle it myself."

The Song Dynasty was extremely strict in its control over military power. Any mobilization of troops required official documents from the Emperor, the Privy Council, and the Ministry of War. Now that the Emperor had passed away, official documents from the Privy Council and the Ministry of War were still indispensable. Otherwise, Zhong Jianzhong would have encountered obstruction from local governments when he led his army south.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao replied without hesitation, "I will handle the Ministry of War's official document. It can be completed within two days."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked in surprise, "Does Father have acquaintances in the Ministry of War?"

Zhao Hao smiled mysteriously: "He's not exactly an acquaintance, just a vice minister. He was a dog I raised many years ago. He's been dishonest, so I have a hold over him and he doesn't dare disobey me."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked curiously, "How many people in the court obey Father?"

Zhao Hao chuckled and said, "Not much, but I'll give you a surprise later."

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but give him a thumbs up and blurted out, "A cunning old fox!"

Zhao Hao narrowed his eyes: "Likewise."

Father and son stared at each other, their faces revealing their utter smugness and collusion.

…………

To minimize risk, one must be thorough and comprehensive in all aspects of a task.

Before taking action, it was essential to secure the support of certain important figures. At this time, Zhao Xiaoqian was most grateful to one person: Huang Chao of the late Tang Dynasty.

Mr. Huang was a man of great righteousness. His uprising wiped out all the powerful clans and aristocratic families in the land. From then on, the Central Plains dynasty was completely freed from the control of these powerful families and aristocratic families. The imperial examination system flourished, and people from humble backgrounds rose to prominence.

Because of this, Zhao Xiaoqian's path to the throne was much less troublesome.

If the powerful clans were still around, he probably wouldn't even have considered it; it's too difficult, harder than climbing to heaven.

The matter is relatively simple now. As long as we get the support of important figures in the court and the merchant class, most of the problem will be solved.

There are still a few problems that he can't solve, but the army behind him will help him solve them.

After catching up on sleep at the Prince's residence, Zhao Xiaoqian woke up after only two or three hours.

After donning his official robes, Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly left the house and headed straight for the Privy Council.

Since being appointed as the Deputy Privy Councilor by Zhao Xu, Zhao Xiaoqian had not yet come to the Privy Council to perform his duties. After all, he did not take this official position seriously at the time. Before Zhao Xu passed away, Zhao Xiaoqian had made up his mind to be a leisurely prince in Bianjing. Otherwise, if he were too proactive and ambitious, he might arouse suspicion.

Upon arriving at the Privy Council, there were few officials inside, only some chief clerks and administrative staff were busy.

Most of the other officials, including Zeng Bu, went to the palace to keep vigil and mourn for Zhao Xu.

When Zhao Xiaoqian entered the Privy Council, the officials inside were all surprised to see him. They never expected that this prince, who had never come to perform his duties since being appointed as the deputy envoy, would suddenly appear today.

So the officials stepped forward to greet him, and Zhao Xiaoqian greeted them with a smile.

Upon entering the main hall of the Privy Council, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately noticed the mountain of documents, writing brushes, inkstones, and other writing implements piled on the tables. The guards were stationed inside.

Zhao Xiaoqian walked to the desk and glanced at it, looking slightly disappointed. He did not see the seal of the Privy Council.

That makes sense, since no one would just casually leave something so important on the table and ignore it.

Zhao Xiaoqian summoned a guard from the Imperial Guard and casually asked a question. The guard pointed to a side room on the east side of the back hall and told him that it was the room where the former envoy had handled official business.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and thanked him, then stood up and strolled leisurely toward the back hall with his hands behind his back. He would walk a while, then stop and look around, pretending to admire the scenery. He seemed to be taking a leisurely stroll, his expression relaxed and lazy, like a playboy who had no interest in his career.

The rear hall of the Privy Council was quieter and less crowded than the front courtyard.

During this extraordinary period, most officials went to the palace, and Zhao Xiaoqian also seized this opportunity to come.

Pretending to admire the scenery along the way, Zhao Xiaoqian inadvertently arrived outside Zeng Bu's office. He pushed open the door, quickly looked around, and finding no one nearby, he swiftly slipped inside and quietly closed the door.

Upon entering the room, Zhao Xiaoqian searched everywhere, and after a long time, he finally found the seal of the Privy Council in a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf.

This is a very important item. As the Privy Councilor, Zeng Bu would naturally not carry it with him at all times, otherwise, if he lost it, it would be a big problem.

Locking it at home isn't suitable either, since it's used frequently.

After a quick guess, Zhao Xiaoqian knew that it was most likely in Zeng Bu's office, and he actually found it.

Zhao Xiaoqian quickly sat down and hastily wrote a troop mobilization document in the name of the Privy Council, and finally solemnly affixed the seal of the Privy Council.

Carefully putting away the official documents, Zhao Xiaoqian put the seal back in its original place, cleaned up the desk and wiped away any traces, and finally quietly left the room.

Fortunately, the Song Dynasty had basically abolished the Tiger Tally troop deployment system, because the loopholes in the Tiger Tally troop deployment system were too great and could easily be exploited by ambitious people, causing serious consequences.

Therefore, after Emperor Taizu established the country, the Song Dynasty's troop deployment was mainly based on official documents from the emperor, the Privy Council, and the Ministry of War. Even the generals in charge of the two departments and three military offices in Bianjing only had the power to command troops, not the power to deploy them.

Simply put, a general can train troops, but if he wants to send troops out of the camp to do something, sorry, without a troop mobilization order, you can't even send a single soldier out of the camp, it's a capital offense.

After letting out a long sigh, Zhao Xiaoqian continued walking with his hands behind his back, looking relaxed and enjoying the scenery. With his strong mental state, he even had the leisure to stop and chat with the officials he encountered, asking them about their daily lives and official business.

An hour later, Zhao Xiaoqian left the Privy Council with a waning interest.

No one knows what Zhao Xiaoqian did in the Privy Council during that hour.

Only Zhao Xiaoqian himself knew that he had achieved his goal.

After leaving the Privy Council, Zhao Xiaoqian entered Yanfu Palace.

The funeral procession was still ongoing in the palace. Zhao Xu's coffin remained in the Funing Hall, and Zhang Yi, the Minister of Rites, was presiding over the ceremony.

Everywhere one looked, there was a blanket of white mourning clothes. Zhao Xiaoqian, also wearing a mourning sash, entered the Funing Palace.

The Funing Hall was filled with kneeling court officials, and heart-wrenching wails could be heard from within. Empress Dowager Xiang, looking haggard and sorrowful, sat beside the coffin, occasionally raising her hand to wipe away her tears.

Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu knelt in front of the coffin, staring silently at Zhao Xu's memorial tablet.

As Zhao Xiaoqian entered the hall, he immediately attracted the attention of many people. Watching Zhao Xiaoqian walk forward step by step until he reached the coffin and knelt down next to Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu, the court officials had different expressions. After looking deeply at Zhao Xiaoqian's back, they lowered their heads and continued to weep.

(End of this chapter)