The prince is more stable

Chapter 796 Transfer Back to Beijing
Returning to Bianjing, which he had left many years ago, Zhen Qing was very excited.

As a spy for the Song Dynasty, Zhen Qing had left Bianjing (Kaifeng) and his wife and children ten years ago.

For ten years, Zhen Qing has longed for his homeland of the Song Dynasty and his family, but he cannot go back because of his duties.

People in the world are often driven by petty ambitions and greed for fame and fortune, but it cannot be denied that some people do live very pure lives.

Take Zhen Qing for example. It's unrealistic to say that he's been lurking in the capital for years to get promoted and make money. As one of the three major officials in the Imperial City Guard of the Song Dynasty, Zhen Qing originally had better and more comfortable options.

However, Zhen Qing still decided to stay in Shangjing for the sake of the Song Dynasty.

That year, the Song Dynasty was still weak and militarily unable to withstand the Liao army's attacks and raids. The prosperous Central Plains was like a castle in the air, precarious and vulnerable.

Ten years later, Zhen Qing returned to Bianjing, weary from his journey. He had finally come back.

Upon arriving at the Imperial City Guard Office, Zhen Qing felt as if he had been transported to another world. Staring at the solemn plaque above the entrance, he remained silent for a long time.

Not long after, Zhao Xiaoqian arrived on horseback; he had just returned to Bianjing from Yongtai Mausoleum.

Zhen Qing stepped forward and bowed, and Zhao Xiaoqian dismounted and helped him up.

"Old Zhen, we haven't seen each other for only a few months, why are you so much darker? If you don't have a proper identification pass when you come back, the slave traders in Bianjing will sell you as a slave from Kunlun." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

The Song Dynasty also had Kunlun slaves, but they weren't as popular as in the Tang Dynasty. This was mainly because the court didn't encourage the buying and selling of Kunlun slaves, and the Song people's aesthetic sense and pragmatism were much stronger than those of the Tang Dynasty.

The general preference of the Song people was for "simplicity and elegance." Keeping a few dark-colored creatures at home was not necessarily a glorious thing.

Zhen Qing smiled, revealing a set of white teeth that stood out starkly against his dark skin. One shouldn't smile when going out at night, otherwise people would only see two rows of white teeth floating in the air, which would scare them to death.

"I was ordered by Your Highness to go to the Jurchen tribe last month to provide them with another batch of grain and military equipment on behalf of our Great Song Dynasty. Traveling through the black mountains and white waters, I inevitably got a tan."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "How is the Jurchen tribe developing these days?"

"After the Jurchen tribe rebelled against the Liao, it grew quite powerful. The various ethnic groups in the northeast had long suffered under the Liao, and they all rose up in response to the Jurchen tribe. Now the Jurchen tribe occupies the area east of Huanglong Prefecture. The Liao army has been besieging and suppressing them several times, but they have all been defeated by the Jurchen tribe."

"Later, the Liao Dynasty had no choice but to tacitly accept the existence of the Jurchen tribe. Yelü Yanxi even granted Wanyan Polashu an official position as a gesture of appeasement."

Zhen Qing paused for a moment, then said, "However, a major event occurred in the Jurchen tribe last month. The leader, Wanyan Polashu, suddenly passed away. On the night of his death, his nephew, Wanyan Aguda, succeeded him as leader. Now, Wanyan Aguda is in charge of the Jurchen tribe."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood there stunned for a long while, then murmured, "Indeed, the wheels of history keep turning forward. This man has finally made it..."

Zhen Qing asked curiously, "Your Highness, is there something wrong?"

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and said in a deep voice, "From today onwards, we will stop providing food and military supplies to the Jurchen tribe, but we will still maintain our alliance. You explain to Wanyan Aguda that the Emperor of our Great Song Dynasty has passed away and there have been changes in the court. We are unable to take care of the Jurchen tribe for the time being. We will talk about it after our Great Song Dynasty has dealt with its internal affairs."

Zhen Qing nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xiaoqian, however, still frowned.

The speed at which the Jurchen tribe grew was somewhat beyond his expectations. Perhaps his appearance had changed history. In the past few years, under his command, the Song army had killed many elite Liao soldiers, so much so that the Liao army could not suppress the Jurchen tribe after its rebellion. That is why the Jurchen tribe developed so quickly.

We still need to resolve the situation in Bianjing as soon as possible and end the internal strife sooner.

Becoming emperor was never Zhao Xiaoqian's ideal; he simply did not want to be hampered or constrained by the court during his northern and western expeditions.

After resolving the situation in Bianjing, Zhao Xiaoqian still personally led an expedition against the Liao Dynasty. In just a few years, he pacified the Liao, Western Xia, and Jurchen states.

With four or five governments in one country, isn't that a betrayal of Qin Shi Huang?

Let's all agree on this!
Patting Zhen Qing on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile, "Come on, let's go inside and talk. You are one of the three major officials of the Imperial City Guard. Today you are coming home to your family."

The two entered the government office. Many of the subordinates in the Imperial City Guard were unfamiliar with Zhen Qing. Zhao Xiaoqian patiently introduced Zhen Qing's official position to each of them.

Upon hearing that this man was Zhen Qing, who had been secretly infiltrating the Liao Kingdom for many years and whose name was known but whose face was never seen, the officials and their subordinates immediately became respectful and bowed to him.

After walking around, the people in the Imperial City Guard basically knew Zhen Qing, and Zhen Qing also became familiar with the officials and subordinates of the government office.

He led Zhen Qing to the main hall and sat him down. Zhen Qing looked around curiously and asked, "Your Highness, why is Wei Jie not here?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "Wei Jie's duties have been switched with yours. He has now been sent to Shangjing in Liao Kingdom to take over your position. After you return to Bianjing, you will take over Wei Jie's position and assist me wholeheartedly."

Zhen Qing said gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will do anything for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Aren't you curious why you and Wei Jie were switched?"

Zhen Qing said, "Your Highness has his reasons. In short, I will obey Your Highness's orders as long as they are made. As for the reasons, I will know when Your Highness wishes me to know."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "Old Zhen, you're a talent, better than Wei Jie."

Zhen Qing smiled ingratiatingly, but his heart was not as calm as it appeared.

His sudden transfer to Wei Jie clearly indicated that something had happened in Bianjing, or more precisely, something had happened within the Imperial City Guard. Most likely, it was a disagreement between His Highness and Wei Jie, which led His Highness to exile him to the distant capital of Liao. Zhen Qing dared not ask for details, but he had some vague guesses in his mind.

When Your Highness employs people, ability is secondary; loyalty is the most important factor. It seems that Wei Jie may have a problem with "loyalty."

It must be said that Zhen Qing is indeed very clever.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't explain a word, but he guessed the truth of the matter with great accuracy.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian did not want to explain. The affairs within the Imperial City Guard could not be kept from those within. He did not need to say anything more. Within three days, Zhen Qing would know clearly about his affair with Wei Jie.

"Zhen Qing, I've summoned you back to the capital because I have something to tell you to do," Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly.

"Your Highness, just ask."

"You will immediately take over the affairs left behind by Wei Jie, including his former informants, spies, intelligence network, connections, and so on. The most important thing is to immediately take over the informants placed in the residences of court officials in Bianjing and around them."

"From this day forward, the Imperial City Guard will closely monitor the officials of Bianjing. I will know their every move every day, who they associate with, who they collude with, who they pledge allegiance to which side, and whether they have any secret plots, etc."

"can you do it?"

Zhen Qing bowed respectfully: "Within three days, I will be able to take over all affairs of the Imperial City Guard."

After speaking, Zhen Qing paused, then cautiously probed, "Your Highness's arrangement, could it be that you already have... the intention to vie for the throne?"

"Ask less of what you shouldn't ask!" Zhao Xiaoqian scolded, then smiled: "...But you can do things in this direction. If it succeeds, the entire Imperial City Guard may be handed over to you."

Zhen Qing was overjoyed.

Unexpectedly, after talking with Zhao Xiaoqian in Zhen Ding City, there is now a real hope of success.

Since His Highness has revealed his intentions to his face, it means that he is becoming increasingly confident in his bid for the throne. In other words, His Highness is very likely to be the future "Emperor".

As for Zhen Qing, he could be considered to have contributed to the emperor's rise to power, and his future was bright.

"Your Majesty, I... no, I'm willing to die for you!" Zhen Qing was so overjoyed that he almost let slip the secret.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him and said, "There's no need for this formality. I like pragmatic people. Getting things done is more important than anything else."

"You've just returned to Bianjing today. Hurry back and see your wife, children, and elderly parents. After so many years apart, your little tadpole must have grown into a frog by now. You've really suffered these past years..."

Zhen Qing was taken aback: "Uh, if Your Highness is referring to matters between men and women, this humble official dares not conceal it... I have truly never suffered."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

He himself has seven or eight women, and the main beam of the tree is crooked beyond recognition. How can he expect his subordinates to remain chaste?
How naive!

"It seems you've learned to treat yourself well these past few years. I thought you hadn't tasted meat in ten years, but it turns out you've become quite bloated..." Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, glancing sideways.

Zhen Qing said sadly, "I've done more than just taste meat. I've bought a house in the capital, taken four concubines, and have three children. Yet, my four wives are still not satisfied. They take turns tormenting me, saying they're bearing children for the Zhen family, but I always feel like they're treating me like livestock for breeding..."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with sympathy, then was suddenly startled.

What right do I have to sympathize with him?

When Niao Niao became pregnant, the women of Bianjing panicked and all rushed to Zhen Ding City. During those dark days, he was treated like an animal, no, worse than an animal. He was like a prostitute with her door half-closed, taking one patron after another.

Not only were they physically exhausted, but their personalities were also relentlessly insulted every day...

Patting Zhen Qing on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "Have you settled your four concubines in the capital? I've sent all my wives to Japan; would you like to take a look?"

…………

With Zhen Qing back in the capital, Zhao Xiaoqian was spared a lot of trouble. Everything in the Imperial City Guard could be entrusted to him with peace of mind, while Zhao Xiaoqian remained in the position of giving orders. He only needed to open his mouth, and his subordinates would run themselves ragged – a very ideal situation.

That night, at the back gate of the Chu Prince's mansion, Zhang Dun, dressed in a very low-key black casual outfit and wearing a bamboo hat, slipped into the mansion discreetly.

Zhao Xiaoqian arranged to meet him for a small gathering tonight. Knowing that the matter was of great importance, Zhang Dun came alone, dressed in an extremely low-key manner.

Inside the back gate of the Chu King's mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian was waiting for Zhang Dun. The moment he saw Zhang Dun, Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, Zhao Xiaoqian let out a sigh of relief and said, "Master Zhang, your attire is simply..."

Zhang Dun stroked his beard with a smug smile and said, "A matter is accomplished by secrecy, and ruined by leaks. In this attire, even if I walked down the streets of Bianjing, no one would recognize me."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and sincerely praised, "I really didn't recognize you. When I saw you just now, I thought you were someone who came to steal manure from my house..."

(End of this chapter)