The prince is more stable

Chapter 803 New Party Boss
The rumors in Bianjing once again stirred up trouble in the court and among the people.

Emperor Huizong was thrown into chaos and, in a fit of rage, began to investigate the mastermind behind the scenes.

Of course, the moment the rumors started, several suspects immediately came to mind for Zhao Ji.

This included Zhang Dun, Zhao Xiaoqian, and even two other princes, including the overthrown Prince Jian, Zhao Si, who was also under his suspicion.

So what if we're in dire straits? What if King Jian is still unwilling to give up and plans to turn the tables?

At this time, Emperor Huizong trusted no one, and could list a long string of suspects.

However, because there were too many suspects, it was impossible to pinpoint a single person.

As for Zhao Xiaoqian, one of the suspects, Zhao Ji naturally had his suspicions as well. However, Zhao Xiaoqian had been behaving normally and keeping a low profile recently, basically staying at home and refusing visitors. Zhao Ji couldn't say for sure whether the rumors were related to this guy.

Just as Zhao Ji was frantically searching for the mastermind behind the scenes, risking criticism and overstepping his bounds to call upon the Imperial City Guard to help him investigate, Zhao Hao and his son Zhao Xiaoqian of the Chu Prince's Mansion were also busy.

Inside the Yin'an Hall, Zhao Xiaoqian summoned Chen Shou, and the two discussed matters privately.

"Send a reliable confidant to the Youzhou camp early tomorrow morning to tell Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze that once the army receives the news, it will immediately head south and head straight for Bianjing."

Chen Shou was startled, then overjoyed: "Is the Crown Prince finally going to make his move?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed in agreement and said, "Judging by the days, it would take about three days for a fast horse to travel from Bianjing to Youzhou without stopping. After three days, the main army will march south, with the vanguard of the Yan-Yun army clearing the way. That will take another four or five days. When the army arrives at the gates of Bianjing, it will be just the day Zhao Ji ascends the throne..."

Chen Shou nodded: "Let's seize the moment when Zhao Ji is about to sit on the throne and forcefully overthrow him, so that his imperial dream will be shattered by a bucket of cold water just before it comes true. Haha, wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression was neither sad nor happy. He said calmly, "The matter is not yet settled. Don't laugh too soon. Save your ugly and filthy smile for the moment of victory."

The Yan-Yun army is Zhao Xiaoqian's last trump card and his greatest asset in his quest for the throne. Today, he will finally use this trump card.

Seeing Chen Shou's even more excited expression than his own, Zhao Xiaoqian's heart stirred, and he suddenly asked, "Chen Shou, if things succeed and I take that position, how should I arrange things for you? What do you want?"

Chen Shou was taken aback, scratched his head, and smiled shyly, "This humble general really hadn't thought about these things. These days I've been both excited and apprehensive. I only intend to follow the young master to the death and get this done first. As for what to do after it's done, that's entirely up to the young master..."

"Even if the prince were to order me to retire from the army and become a farmer, I would have no complaints."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "I wouldn't be so ungrateful. You are the person I trust most, and I will rely on you for many things in the future. I have gotten used to having you by my side over the years, and now you have made even greater contributions to my cause. How could I let you retire from the military? Is that something a human being would do?"

Chen Shou smiled sheepishly: "Then it's up to you, Your Highness. I'm fine wherever you are."

"I'll give you two choices. If you want to join the Yan Yun border defense army, I can give you a position as a commander-in-chief, allowing you to lead at least several thousand troops. In the future, when you launch a northern expedition against the Liao Kingdom, you'll have plenty of military achievements to earn yourself."

"The second option is that, after the matter is accomplished, the Commander of the Palace Guard will require me to appoint someone I absolutely trust. You can do that, but this position offers virtually no merit; you'll just enjoy wealth and comfort for the rest of your life. Commander Chen, which one do you choose?"

Chen Shou frowned and pondered for a long time before saying in a low voice, "Your Highness, I would rather continue to guard you day and night as before. Being a commander of the personal guards is enough. If Your Highness does not mind, I am willing to serve as a member of the Imperial Guard and protect the peace of the palace for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "You don't want fame and fortune, but you insist on staying by my side. Are you stupid?"

Chen Shou also laughed: "This humble general is not stupid, but I have no ambition left in this life. Besides, if I were to go to the border to guard and lead troops, I would not have much experience in battle. If I make a slight mistake in the decision-making during the battle, the thousands of my comrades who followed me would be as good as going to the gates of hell. This humble general cannot commit such a sin."

"It would be better to stay by the Crown Prince's side in this life, to be a simple-minded guard who only knows how to draw his sword to protect the prince and kill people. That would be just as good. When I get old and can no longer draw my sword, I will know when to retire, receive the pension from the court, and go back to my hometown to enjoy my grandchildren."

Zhao Xiaoqian felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Actually, the people around me are all nice. They may not be kind, but they are very honest and simple-minded towards me.

Such a loyal and devoted general deserves to be trusted and sacrificed for us all.

Patting Chen Shou on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly. There are still many things I need your help with in the future. Don't even think about retiring and returning to your hometown in this lifetime. I'll pay for your whole family to move to Bianjing, and we'll see each other for the rest of our lives, until the day we both breathe our last. Okay?"

Chen Shou's eyes immediately reddened, and he nodded, choking back tears: "Good, good! This humble general is willing to protect the young master for the rest of his life, even if it means death."

…………

In the dead of night, the faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking could be heard in the streets and alleys of Bianjing. In the quiet night, only the sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard, striking people's dreams.

The back door of the Chu King's mansion opened silently, and it was already midnight. However, more than a dozen people were standing outside the back door.

They were all dressed in black, wearing bamboo hats, looking mysterious and furtive, with all sorts of shady dealings. The leader was none other than Prime Minister Zhang Dun.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also familiar with the dozen or so people behind Zhang Dun, as they met frequently and were mostly colleagues from the Political Affairs Hall or the Privy Council, each of whom carried considerable weight.

The officials who could enter the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council were not of low rank. They were either vice prime ministers or ministers, and each of them held power and was very influential in the court.

The back door of the Chu Prince's mansion opened, and Zhang Dun, who was standing outside, darted in quickly, followed by a dozen or so others who also entered the mansion in a swift motion.

Then, the back door of the Chu King's mansion was immediately and tightly closed.

The courtyard was very dark, and Zhao Xiaoqian didn't dare to light a lantern. At this moment, a dozen people were gathered in this pitch-black environment, which was very much in line with the atmosphere of villainous evil forces discussing a conspiracy.

Striving to lower his voice, Zhao Xiaoqian looked around and whispered, "Lord Zhang, is everyone here?"

Zhang Dun nodded: "Those who came are all important people. As for those who are not so important, there is no need to invite them. It would be suspicious if they paraded around like this."

Zhao Xiaoqian greeted the dozen or so people with a smile: "Greetings to all my colleagues and seniors, Zhao Zian is here to express his respects."

The person behind Zhang Dun, whose appearance was obscured by a black robe, said somewhat nervously, "Your Highness, this is not the place to observe proper etiquette. How about we find a quieter place instead?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Please follow me. Don't worry, I have ordered the Imperial Guards to seal off the area around the Prince's residence. No one in the residence is allowed to approach. No one will know you have come in."

Everyone was relieved and followed Zhao Xiaoqian through the backyard of the Prince's Mansion, winding their way to an abandoned side room.

Many imperial guards stood in formation outside the side room. Chen Shou, clad in armor and helmet, with one hand on his sword, was patrolling around the side room. There were even a few people standing on the roof. Just as Zhao Xiaoqian had said, the side room was completely surrounded by the imperial guards, and it was impossible for anyone to overhear what everyone was talking about.

Once inside the house, Zhang Dun took the lead in removing his outer black robe, and the others followed suit.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around, his smile growing wider.

Yes, they are all acquaintances, and all important figures.

If any one of them were taken out of the house and sent to a local area, they would terrify a group of local officials. In the imperial court, they also carried considerable weight, and no one dared to disobey them.

The room was a bit cramped, but no one minded. After all, they were doing something shady, and nobody cared about the simple environment.

Zhang Dun stroked his beard and smiled. Although they were all acquaintances, he still introduced them to Zhao Xiaoqian.

"This is Liu Shengqian, the Vice Chancellor; this is Zheng Ruchao, the Imperial Censor; and this is Wang Jinnan, the Commissioner of the Imperial Secretariat..."

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile remained unchanged, and he humbly bowed to everyone as Zhang Dun introduced them.

They are all formidable figures, powerful figures in the imperial court. Just by looking at their official titles, you can tell that these people are not to be trifled with. If they were to unite and work together, they would be even more untouchable.

After Zhang Dun introduced them, he said with a smile, "These people were all promoted after I became prime minister. They are all staunch supporters of my new policies. We have all sworn to carry on Mr. Jie Fu's legacy and promote the new policies throughout the country to benefit all the people."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded. So, all these people are members of the New Party, and die-hard members at that.

With Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, about to ascend the throne, the New Party, led by Zhang Dun, also sensed the crisis.

Zhang Dun and the New Party judged that after Zhao Ji ascended the throne, he would likely abolish the new policies, suppress the New Party, and support the Old Party, and the court would regress to the old ways, with the new and old laws being repeatedly changed.

This is something the New Party officials absolutely cannot tolerate, and now, Zhao Xiaoqian is their only hope.

So that's why they secretly met with Zhao Xiaoqian tonight.

They wanted to save themselves, not only their personal wealth and status, but also their lifelong political ideals.

After Zhang Dun finished his introduction, he saw Zhao Xiaoqian's expression of sudden realization, which made him understand that Zhao Xiaoqian already knew the weight of the people in the room in the court.

This is absolutely a terrifying force. Saying it can destroy the world might be an exaggeration, but if everyone were to launch an attack at the same time, it would certainly cause a huge upheaval in the imperial court.

“Zi’an, most of the influential figures in the New Party are here. I have told my colleagues that I am willing to serve you, on the condition that… the New Policies must not be abolished, and they must be forcefully implemented throughout the country. Can you do that, Zi’an?” Zhang Dun asked, staring into Zhao Xiaoqian’s eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, "If I agree too readily, you might not believe me, but to be fair, implementing the new policies is the general principle, and that will not change. However, we can discuss the details of the new policies later, how about that?"

(End of this chapter)