The prince is more stable

Chapter 805 King Qin goes south
The Buddhist and Taoist rituals in the palace continued, with the monks and Taoists chanting scriptures absentmindedly.

The Song Dynasty had strict national mourning rites, which included a nationwide ban on music, drinking, and marriage.

Court officials still wore mourning clothes every day, going back and forth between government offices and residences. Large and small households throughout the country hung white banners and mourning belts.

Everything in sight seemed to be a tribute to the deceased emperor, Zhao Xu.

But how many people truly remember Zhao Xu?

The white banners fluttering across the country are merely a result of being forced by etiquette and law; how many of those who wail and weep are truly sincere?
The Funing Palace, once the power center of the Song Dynasty and the emperor's bedroom, is now desolate and deserted, which tells the world the answer.

True disappearance is not death, but being gradually forgotten.

From then on, Zhao Xu was nothing more than a cold name in the history books.

Those who remember him and cherish his memory stand alone in the hall.

As he gently touched the slightly worn armrest of the chair, feeling its former warmth, Zhao Xiaoqian's mood grew increasingly somber.

Zheng Chunhe stood before him with her head down, silently shedding tears.

"After the funeral, the Emperor was buried in Yongtai Mausoleum, and no one has ever come to this Funing Hall since. Your Highness is the first one to come here," Zheng Chunhe said, choking back tears.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly: "I may come less often in the future, because I also need to look forward. The voices and appearances of the old friends may fade more and more in my memory until they disappear. Eunuch Zheng, this is only natural. There is no need to resent the coldness of human relationships. It will be the same after you and I pass away."

Zheng Chunhe nodded: "Having lived to this age and experienced the power struggles in the palace for so many years, I have long since seen through the fickle nature of human relationships. I have absolutely no resentment."

"If His Majesty were alive and knew that His Highness had such intentions and took the time to come to this Funing Palace to remember him, he would surely be very happy."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "He's gone now, forever separated from us..."

Turning to Zheng Chunhe, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Eunuch Zheng, you can't always live in the past. You should move on. What are your plans for the future?"

Zheng Chunhe lowered her head and said, "This servant hasn't thought about future plans these days. I heard that Prince Duan is about to ascend the throne, and I suppose he won't use the old people who were around the late emperor."

"The Buddhist and Taoist ceremonies in the palace will last for forty-nine days. After forty-nine days, I will submit a memorial to resign and leave Yanfu Palace. I would also like to thank Your Highness for the Bianjing mansion that you once gave me, which has given me a place to live in my old age."

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart stirred. If he succeeded, he could keep Zheng Chunhe by his side as his personal attendant.

Zheng Chunhe may seem a bit greedy and gossipy, but based on Zhao Xiaoqian's observation over the years, he is quite reliable. He knows how to conduct himself appropriately, understands human relationships, is kind and friendly, and is quite dependable in his work.

It would be a pity if such a talented person retired and left.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't very well ask him to stay. He couldn't very well tell him directly, "Stay for now. I'll be the emperor soon, and you can continue to serve me after that."

Such foolish words should naturally not be spoken. Before anything has even been done, to spread rumors and gossip about it is something that will never amount to anything.

So Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "If Eunuch Zheng misses His Majesty, then stay in the palace for a while longer, at least until Prince Duan ascends the throne. I will make arrangements for you then, and I will make sure that your old age is not lonely and desolate. What do you say?"

Zheng Chunhe burst into tears again: "Looking around the world, who would remember a lowly and pitiful person like me? Only Your Highness does not despise my broken body and humbles himself to befriend me. Even though I am no longer of any use to you, Your Highness is still willing to treat me as before. I can never repay Your Highness's great kindness in this lifetime."

Zhao Xiaoqian patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "We are friends, so let's not talk about gratitude or anything like that. Eunuch Zheng, I'll say it again: His Majesty has passed away, and you should move on as soon as possible."

"In this life, you have to live for yourself at least once."

Zheng Chunhe was startled and looked up at him. After a long while, he nodded heavily with tears in his eyes.

"Your Highness's wise words have been carefully remembered by this servant."

…………

The swift horse galloped away, leaving only billowing dust in its wake as it sped towards Youzhou.

The men and horses traveled day and night without rest, and two days later, the fast horses finally arrived at the camp outside Youzhou City.

Outside the camp gate, the rider on horseback tumbled off his horse. The horse let out a mournful neigh and began foaming at the mouth. The rider also collapsed in the dust. The soldiers on duty outside the gate saw this and rushed forward to help him up and feed him water.

The exhausted knight struggled to open his eyes and said haltingly, "Quickly... report to General Zhong, the Crown Prince's secret order has arrived!"

The soldiers on duty were taken aback.

They all knew who the "Prince" the knights were talking about was. Recently, the Youzhou camp seemed to be calm, but the commander-in-chief Chen Songling and the deputy envoy Xu Jiang had not shown up for a long time.

Although most of the soldiers were not clear about the details of the mutiny that night, they all knew that something big must have happened in the camp.

The soldiers of Youzhou camp were naturally familiar with the "Prince" the knight was referring to; they knew very well who they were loyal to.

The person who holds the highest prestige in the hearts of the soldiers who have been commanded for many years has never changed.

"Quickly, go to the commander's tent and inform General Zhong!" the guard shouted. "Help this hero back to the camp and provide him with good food and drink."

An hour after an incense stick had burned, a series of neat clanging sounds of armor plates came from outside the tent. Zhong Jianzhong led his generals into the tent.

The knight, having caught his breath, staggered to his feet, bowed, and then pulled a secret order from his robes. The order was sealed with bright red sealing wax, as red as the blood that had just gushed from his body.

Zhong Jianzhong's eyelids twitched, and he opened the secret order in front of all the generals.

After a quick glance, Zhong Jianzhong's face lit up with excitement, and he relayed the secret order to the generals.

"The Privy Council has issued a dispatch, and His Highness Prince Cheng has given a secret order. Effective immediately, I will lead 80,000 troops from Yan and Yun south to the capital to attend to royal duties!"

"The entire army, immediately prepare provisions, ammunition, warhorses, and weapons. We will set off in two hours!"

Inside the low-ceilinged tents, the generals responded with excited roars.

Zhe Keshi was so excited that he trembled all over: "Your Highness has finally decided to launch this? Haha, good! Good! Another great opportunity to make a name for myself and achieve great things. Let's see how I can secure a bright future for my descendants this time!"

After his initial excitement subsided, Zong Ze quickly calmed down and said, "General Zhong, before the army sets off, do not forget the more than thirty commanders, including Zhong Cheng, who were demoted by His Highness Prince Cheng to defend Youzhou."

Zhong Jianzhong nodded and said, "After we set off, we will only leave 20,000 troops in Youzhou. These people will only cause trouble if we leave them behind..."

Di Zi, who had been silent at the back, suddenly said, "General Zhong, I will handle this matter and guarantee that it will be done cleanly and efficiently."

Zhong Jianzhong nodded. Di Zi was Prince Cheng's father-in-law, so he was naturally at ease entrusting the matter to him.

"We'll just say to the outside world that Zhong Cheng and others fought against a small group of Liao troops that were harassing the border, and they all died on the battlefield. That's how we can give their families a respectable explanation."

Those present were all seasoned generals, their minds hardened to the point of being as firm as iron. Some people could not be spared, so they were all spared. Pointless mercy would only lead to a steel knife falling on their own necks in the future.

Di Zi clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, strode out of the tent, and shouted, "Where are my guards? I am now mobilizing a thousand cavalrymen from the Yongzi Battalion to accompany me into Youzhou City on business!"

He hurried away, leaving the generals in the tent expressionless and unmoved.

Food, weapons, warhorses, ammunition... Zhong Jianzhong had already prepared these things after the mutiny imprisoned Chen Songling and Xu Jiang, and now they were packed full in the rear army's supplies.

They had been waiting for Zhao Xiaoqian's secret order to mobilize troops in Bianjing. Today the order has arrived, and the army can leave at any time.

"Order Zhe Keshi to be the vanguard officer, leading 20,000 cavalry. The soldiers shall carry their own rations and ammunition. The vanguard shall march day and night, and must reach the walls of Bianjing within four days. If they encounter any local officials or garrison troops along the way who stop or question them, they may present the Privy Council's troop deployment document," Zhong Jianzhong said in a deep voice.

Zhe Keshi excitedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This subordinate obeys!"

"Order that Zong Ze be appointed as the commander of the central army, leading 50,000 troops to closely follow the vanguard of Zhe Keshi's forces. He may also use the official documents from the Privy Council and the Ministry of War to mobilize troops, and recruit local militia and garrison troops along the way to join the army and march to Bianjing to defend the emperor!"

Zong Ze clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "This subordinate obeys the order."

Where is Guo Cheng, the military commander of Hejian Prefecture?

A figure emerged from the group of military officers; it was none other than Guo Cheng, clad in armor. He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Your subordinate is here!"

Zhong Jianzhong said in a deep voice: "I order you to lead 20,000 soldiers to guard Youzhou City, patrol the border, and closely monitor the movements of the Liao Kingdom in the north. If the Liao army harasses or provokes any trouble, do not hesitate to send troops to fight back immediately, and safeguard the northern gateway for the Song Dynasty and His Highness Prince Cheng!"

Guo Cheng raised his head and shouted, "This subordinate obeys!"

Zhong Jianzhong slowly said, "I will personally lead 10,000 soldiers as the rear guard, responsible for commanding from the rear, providing supplies and provisions, and bringing up the rear."

"All generals, act according to orders. Success or failure depends on today's actions. If the Song Dynasty is to be passed down, we only recognize His Highness Prince Cheng as emperor. Others are nothing but usurpers and traitors, and we do not recognize them! Today, our army marches south to the capital to defend the emperor, and this is our purpose!"

The generals excitedly raised their arms and shouted, "Long live King Cheng! Long live King Cheng!"

The sound reached outside the tent. The soldiers outside did not understand its meaning, but they could still understand the meaning of "King Cheng". So the ordinary soldiers outside the tent also shouted out, and the shouts of "Long live the King" instantly became like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami rushing like thunder.

For the first time in their lives, the 100,000 soldiers of Yanyun shouted "Long live the Emperor!" without any restraint. Their voices shook the surrounding fields and the heavens and earth changed color.

This also means that the 100,000-strong army has embarked on this path without fear or regret, and there is no turning back.

The victors are the kings and the losers are the bandits. This has been the case since ancient times.

The military order has been given and cannot be changed.

Two hours later, smoke and dust billowed from the Youzhou camp, and troops were frequently being moved around. Cavalry units marched out in formation and sped down southward.

The army's banners blotted out the sun and fluttered in the wind. The 80,000 soldiers, like 80,000 tigers released from their cages, charged straight towards Bianjing with murderous intent.

Inside Youzhou City, in the backyard of the prefectural government office.

The mobilization of the army could not be kept secret from Chen Songling and General Xu, who were imprisoned.

The two sat in the courtyard. Chen Songling wept with grief and indignation, but there was nothing he could do. He could only helplessly pound the table and stomp his feet.

"The Song Dynasty is doomed! I never imagined that Zhao Xiaoqian, beneath his loyal and respectful facade, would harbor such a wolfish ambition. I am a sinner against the Song Dynasty for all time. How can I face the late Emperor?"

(End of this chapter)