The prince is more stable

Chapter 827 Enemies Meet
Zheng Chunhe is only in his fifties, but he is considered an old man in this era.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at his hunched figure, his expression shifting slightly.

Zhao Xiaoqian was truly surprised to find that it was him who opened the palace gates.

In Zhao Xiaoqian's memory, Zheng Chunhe had always been a very cautious person. Of course, he might be a little greedy, but his loyalty to Zhao Xu was probably unmatched in the world.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Chunhe was able to participate in this battle for control of the gate, allowing Zhao Xiaoqian to capture Xuande Gate at minimal cost.

“Eunuch Zheng, you…” Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated before speaking.

Zheng Chunhe smiled and said, "When Your Majesty was alive, I knew that Your Majesty was in conflict, especially in the days before your death, when you were tormented day and night."

"In His Majesty's eyes, His Highness is the most suitable successor to the throne, in every respect. It's a pity that His Highness's status as a member of the imperial family is ultimately a step short..."

"The Emperor was actually regretting before his death that if the situation he and His Highness had built up over the years had fallen into the hands of others, who knows what the situation would have been like."

"The Great Song Dynasty was on the verge of destroying the Liao and Xia dynasties, but a foolish emperor came to power. Everything that our predecessors had achieved will be lost. The Emperor is very worried that he will have no face to meet his ancestors after his death..."

Mentioning Zhao Xu, Zheng Chunhe couldn't hold back her tears again, and said with her head down, "Fortunately, His Highness is not a stubborn and blindly loyal person. His Majesty had many things he couldn't say before his death, but His Highness did them. His Majesty must be very gratified in the afterlife."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "My thoughts are the same as the Emperor's, only I am a bit more assertive. I will not allow outsiders to reap the rewards of the situation I have personally built."

“Look at the official’s brothers, it’s no exaggeration to say that none of them are better than me, so I have no choice but to take the lead.”

Zheng Chunhe nodded: "Your Highness's actions are for the sake of the Song Dynasty for generations to come, and our ancestors will not blame you."

The two were chatting in front of the palace gate when tens of thousands of Yan-Yun border troops rushed into the palace.

The eunuchs and palace maids in Yanfu Palace have been on tenterhooks for the past two days. Zhao Ji had just led his army into the palace not long ago, and only half a day later, the palace gates were breached again. This time, it was the Yan-Yun border army that entered.

It seemed as if at this very moment, all the capable people in the world had their eyes on this palace, and only by occupying it could victory be achieved.

When the Yan-Yun border troops stormed into the palace, the palace servants were terrified, thinking that it would be like the troops under Zhao Ji's command, who would kill the palace servants at will.

However, after the Yan-Yun border troops entered the palace, they behaved quite civilly. They did not kill or loot; instead, they gathered all the palace staff together, placed them under centralized guard, and did not allow them to move around.

Apart from that, there was no other disrespectful behavior. In comparison, these seemingly brave and irritable border troops were far superior to the soldiers of the Palace Guard.

Just by looking at the performance of the two armies, people can roughly tell in their minds who is the royal army and who is the rebel army; the difference is too obvious.

Outside the palace gates, Zhao Xiaoqian patted Zheng Chunhe on the shoulder and said, "Eunuch Zheng, take a few days to rest. I will need someone by my side in the future. Think it over."

A light shone in Zheng Chunhe's eyes, and she bowed and said, "If Your Highness does not abandon me after you ascend the throne, I am willing to serve you until I am too old to be of any use."

Zhao Xiaoqian said deeply, “Your loyalty is what I value most. If you treat your former master this way, I, your new master, will treat you well, and I believe you will treat me the same way you treat the emperor.”

"This servant is unworthy of Your Highness's praise."

A soldier rushed over and reported, "Your Highness, the army has completely taken control of Yanfu Palace. From Xuande Gate to Gongchen Gate, as well as the palaces on the left and right sides, all are under our control."

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed in agreement and asked, "Where is Zhao Ji?"

"Zhao Ji was in the Daqing Hall. All the palace guards around him had surrendered or been captured, but he alone was still stubbornly resisting and refused to surrender. The soldiers were preparing to rush in and capture him."

Zhao Xiaoqian said, "There's no need to rush in. I want to see him."

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian nodded to Zheng Chunhe and then walked towards the palace gate.

As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian stepped into Yanfu Palace, he paused.

In the past, he entered the palace as a subject, but today, with this step, he is now the master of Yanfu Palace.

After a brief pause, Zhao Xiaoqian continued forward.

Surrounded by the Yan-Yun border troops, Zhao Xiaoqian walked step by step to the front of the Daqing Hall.

The main hall was surrounded by soldiers, all standing outside, their flintlock muskets level and pointed at the tightly closed doors.

Upon seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's arrival, the soldiers lowered their weapons and saluted. Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand and asked, "Is Zhao Ji the only one in the hall?"

"Yes, the situation is hopeless. His people either fled or surrendered, leaving only him in the palace."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised his chin and said, "Open the door, I want to talk to him alone."

Chen Shou, who was behind him, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please think it over. A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. If you are worried that Zhao Ji might risk his life in desperation, it would be better for me to drag him out and tie him up tightly. This way, Your Highness can still chat with him."

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, kicked him in the butt, and said, "What the hell are you pretending to be, trying to be a cultured person? You've even learned to use fancy words now. Do you even know who said 'A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall' and where it comes from?"

This stumped Chen Shou, who stammered, "When I was drinking with Chief Secretary Li of the Prince's mansion, he said it, and I secretly wrote it down, intending to show it off to Your Highness later. But who said it, and where it came from... Chief Secretary Li didn't say." Zhao Xiaoqian laughed, "You're just not cut out for studying. You should go back to practicing your martial arts."

Then Zhao Xiaoqian gestured towards the tightly closed palace door and said, "Break down the door, I want to go in."

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's insistence, Chen Shou had no choice but to wave his hand, and his imperial guards worked together to break open the flimsy palace door.

Zhao Xiaoqian entered with his head held high, and Chen Shou followed closely behind him, refusing to let Zhao Xiaoqian enter the hall alone.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't chase him away. He was a man who valued his life very much and never pretended to be a hero who went to a meeting alone. Especially in the current situation, he could say that he was already the victor. If he were to be killed by someone who was desperate and reckless at the last moment, it would be too unjust.

Upon entering the hall, Zhao Xiaoqian frowned.

The Daqing Hall, where officials used to hold court, is the main hall of the Yanfu Palace. The once solemn and dignified hall is now in a mess.

The ground was littered with shards of porcelain, overturned and smashed decorations, and even the dragon throne had fallen over, making it look as if it had been looted by a large army.

Zhao Xiaoqian merely frowned, but Chen Shou beside him was already furious. In his eyes, the dragon throne, the main hall, and even the entire palace now belonged to the Crown Prince. Zhao Ji dared to destroy it like this, which was simply intolerable.

"You bastard, how dare you destroy my young master's possessions! You're asking for death!" Chen Shou cursed angrily.

Sitting on the imperial steps, Zhao Ji did not react. Zhao Xiaoqian carefully examined him and saw that Zhao Ji looked ashen-faced, with disheveled hair. His imperial robes were torn to shreds for some reason, and his body and face were dirty. However, he looked up and revealed a strange smile.

In an instant, the image of a person flashed into Zhao Xiaoqian's mind.

In Jin Yong's novel, Murong Fu, who was single-mindedly devoted to restoring his kingdom but ultimately went mad, bears a striking resemblance to Emperor Huizong of Tang (Zhao Ji) in this situation.

Life is like a play, and also like a dream.

With a deep sigh, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "Zhao Ji, you have lost, you have lost completely."

Emperor Huizong suddenly looked up, squinted and scrutinized Zhao Xiaoqian for a long time before finally recognizing him. He then went berserk, pointing at Zhao Xiaoqian and shouting, "It's you! Zhao Xiaoqian! It's all your fault!"

"Give me back my throne! Give me back my supreme status! I am the rightful emperor of the Song Dynasty, if it weren't for you..."

As he spoke, Zhao Ji jumped up and charged at Zhao Xiaoqian like a mad bull that had seen a red cloth.

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and silently took a step back.

Chen Shouli, who was standing next to Zhao Ji, immediately stepped forward and delivered a flying kick, which struck Zhao Ji squarely in the chest.

Zhao Ji was sent flying backwards like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the ground and remaining motionless for a long time.

Chen Shou dared not be careless and went forward to search Zhao Ji's body. After finding no hidden weapons, he nodded to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian stepped forward and said coldly, "Zhao Ji, it's all about timing and fate. You're not cut out to be an emperor. Just accept your fate, and I'll respect you as a man."

Zhao Ji was panting heavily, but his eyes were filled with undisguised resentment: "I was the rightful emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. If it weren't for your interference, I wouldn't be in this situation today! Zhao Xiaoqian, I am in this predicament because of you."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood before him, looking at him with pity, as if a god were looking down upon all living beings.

"You were the one who started the ambush in the canyon outside Hezhong Prefecture back then, have you forgotten?"

"Zhao Ji, how can you be an emperor with such a mindset and magnanimity? You kill people for the slightest dissatisfaction. If the Song Dynasty were to fall into your hands, that would be a real tragedy. Fortunately, it wasn't you."

Zhao Ji gritted his teeth and said, "Zhao Xiaoqian, do you think you'll be any better as emperor?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "I can't be emperor? Zhao Ji, my abilities are known throughout the world. I personally built the current state of the Song Dynasty. You think I can't be emperor? Haha!"

Emperor Huizong was speechless. He knew that Zhao Xiaoqian was telling the truth and could not refute him for a moment.

After a long silence, Zhao Ji suddenly said, "When you taste the pinnacle of power, your temperament will naturally be different from now. Zhao Xiaoqian, back then you might have been a foolish and tyrannical ruler, and you would have harmed the Song Dynasty just the same."

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "The taste of being at the pinnacle of power is indeed wonderful, but I am confident that I can maintain my clarity of mind and will not be misled by power."

"If one day I find that I have made a series of mistakes, I will know that I am old and senile and can no longer sit in this position."

"I originally only planned to be a salted fish in my life. As long as my original intention remains unchanged, I will not regret giving up anything I gain in the future. Because... being a salted fish is my true dream."

"Zhao Ji, you could never achieve this state of mind, not even in death."

Looking at Zhao Ji's tattered imperial robes, Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes were filled with pity. He shook his head and said, "Things that are too desirable are bound to become obsessive. Obsession that runs too deep can lead to madness and makes it easier to lose them."

Looking up at the emperor's dragon throne not far in front of him, Zhao Xiaoqian said leisurely, "If you are not too attached, it may be easier to get it, and even harder to lose it."

"Zhao Ji, you will never understand this philosophy of life, even in your death."

(End of this chapter)