The prince is more stable

Chapter 836 Joy of the Enthronement
The throne was finally established and fell to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Faced with such a huge surprise, Chen Shouyi subconsciously referred to himself as "your subject" and addressed Zhao Xiaoqian as "Your Majesty".

According to the rules, Chen Shou's title is naturally inappropriate; it is called "usurpation," a serious crime.

However, since this title is about to become a reality, it will not be investigated.

After Chen Shou finished speaking, the father and son in the Yin'an Hall exchanged a glance, and neither of them spoke.

The supreme ruler of the world, the undisputed master of the land, has finally arrived.

Zhao Hao lowered his head and silently shed tears.

Years of scheming and planning, years of bearing the reputation of an unruly playboy, all to dispel the emperor's suspicions, he became a laughingstock among the powerful and common people of Bianjing.

All the forbearance and grievances endured over the years have finally paid off handsomely today.

But in the end, I couldn't help but shed tears.

Zhao Hao was neither stupid nor foolish. In reality, he was intelligent, eloquent, worldly-wise, and far-sighted. If one were to categorize the elite in Bianjing, he would undoubtedly belong to the top tier.

How could someone like that be a dissolute playboy? How could he become a laughingstock? How could he create such an ugly and ridiculous persona for himself?
Today, at this moment, the ridiculous role he played in his life can finally come to a perfect end.

From now on, he will live authentically, without worrying about the emperor's suspicions or fearing the impeachments of court officials.

Because his son had become the emperor of the Song Dynasty.

"Waaah..." Zhao Hao finally couldn't hold back his tears and burst into sobs.

"Tears of joy" probably describes this perfectly.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed silently and patted Zhao Hao on the shoulder.

Only his son knew what Zhao Hao had endured over the years, which was why he could understand his feelings at this moment.

"Father, please accept my condolences..." Zhao Xiaoqian blurted out to comfort him.

Zhao Hao's obese body jerked violently, his pent-up grievances and sorrow instantly turning into rage: "Go away! What kind of joyous occasion is this? Why should I be grieving? Are you seriously ill?!"

Chen Shou, still kneeling outside the hall, twitched the corner of his mouth.

The Crown Prince knows how to comfort people.

This must be the most distinguished father and son in the world. Who could believe that their relationship is like this? If word got out, the authorities would throw him in jail for spreading rumors.

What puzzled Chen Shou was that Zhao Xiaoqian, the person involved, showed no joy after hearing that he was about to ascend the throne. His expression was calm, as if he had heard about some trivial matter in someone else's home, and his face did not show the slightest ripple.

Such a joyous occasion! Could it be that my voice wasn't loud enough when I announced the good news, and the young master didn't hear me clearly?
Undeterred, Chen Shou shouted again, "Your Highness, you are about to ascend the throne and become the emperor!"

This time the sound was very loud, and the echo reverberated throughout the vast Yin'an Hall.

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned, picked his ear with his little finger, and said, "I know, I know. Do you want to take a gong and go out into the street to bang it and shout? Do you think I'm deaf?"

Chen Shou smiled wryly and said, "This humble general thought the young master didn't hear it. You don't seem... very happy?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "This was the result we expected. What's there to be happy about? Things are just developing in the direction we anticipated. Like flowers blooming and falling, or water flowing into a channel, it's normal to get this result."

He spoke calmly, but should he have shown any joy?
In fact, Zhao Xiaoqian was naturally delighted.

What normal man wouldn't be overjoyed to learn that he's about to become emperor?

At this point, to still talk about "detachment" would be nothing short of pretentious.

There is joy, of course, but it won't be too exaggerated.

Zhao Xiaoqian's original intention was not to become emperor. He was forced by reality to do so because if he did not fight for the throne, his whole family would die.

Now that he has won, his whole family will not only survive, but will live very well.

And for him, the things he wanted to do in this life have become much less troublesome and hindranced, which is certainly a happy thing.

Finally, there is the joy of gaining power.

The emperor's power.

Having lived two lifetimes, one is ultimately different from people of this era; one has become indifferent to many people and things, including power.

For Zhao Xiaoqian, if he only became king in this life, he would still live a life of luxury and wealth, and could get anything he wanted.

Where is the emperor?
It's pretty much the same, maybe the things you get are more exquisite, or you have more power, that's all.

So, it's natural to be happy, but I won't overreact.

In Zhao Xiaoqian's view, the position that everyone has coveted throughout history is just a "job".

Yes, being "King Cheng" is a job, being "Commander-in-Chief of Yanyun" is a job, and being "Emperor" is also a job.

The difference is that this job may be harder and more tiring than the previous one. It requires more effort to think about and navigate the people and situations, and the responsibilities and obligations are heavier.

Zhao Xiaoqian hoped to maintain this mindset throughout his life, so that he would not lose himself in the pursuit of power.

After all, the emperor's loss of judgment is an extremely serious disaster for the entire country.

"After working hard for over ten years and doing everything I was supposed to do, the Song Dynasty has gradually become a golden age, but I still want to be a lazy bum..." Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

Unwavering in one's original aspirations—what a precious quality! Or perhaps, like the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, one should refrain from holding court for forty years?

Let's also adopt a "laissez-faire" approach.

"Ten years from now, I'll be in my thirties, the perfect age to relax and take it easy..." Zhao Xiaoqian solemnly set a goal.

Just thinking about it makes me happy; theoretically, he could still be lying around for another half a century after he turns thirty…

If one pays attention to health preservation in daily life, one might live to become a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and would never leave the cave unless an external enemy came to smash the mountain gate.

Oh right, now that I'm the emperor, why not try getting a few cultivation manuals? Maybe I'll ascend to immortality...

Having secured his position, Zhao Xiaoqian finally understood why emperors throughout history had been so eager to seek immortality.

I have no more worldly pursuits. If not immortality, what else can I ask for? Should I pray to the God of Wealth for protection, or to Guanyin for a child?
Zhao Hao sat to the side, listening to his unfilial son's wild and unrestrained mutterings, his fat cheeks twitching uncontrollably.

Is this guy a complete tyrant? Did I bet on the wrong horse?

Chen Shou, who was kneeling outside the hall, also lost his composure from time to time.

Your Highness, please be more composed...

You are the wise ruler I will follow throughout my life!
After a long while, Zhao Xiaoqian finally came to his senses. Seeing his father's face twitching uncontrollably, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled apologetically.

"Father, please calm down. Your son is perfectly normal."

Zhao Hao's lips twitched: "Let's hope so..."

"Young people inevitably have wild thoughts. My child is only in his early twenties, which is a good age for such thoughts..."

“You’re about to become emperor, you’d better be serious… no, normal,” Zhao Hao earnestly advised.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed inwardly. They no longer expect me to be serious; they just want me to be normal. Fatherly love is truly as solid as a mountain…

"Chen Shou, send someone to tell Zhong Jianzhong to transfer two thousand Yan Yun border troops out of the capital and head east to Japan. Tell my mother and wives that the matter in Bianjing has been settled and they can return. Have two thousand border troops escort them back to the capital."

Chen Shou clasped his hands in agreement, then turned and left.

When Zhao Hao's expression turned somewhat unnatural upon hearing the mention of Zhao Xiaoqian's mother, Lady Feng, he turned his head away as if he hadn't heard.

Zhao Xiaoqian, however, did not let him off the hook, and said seriously, "Father, about your affair with the Empress Dowager... fine, I can pretend I don't know, you can do whatever you want, but don't even think about marrying the Empress Dowager properly. This is too big a deal, I can't bear it, and I don't want to find myself a stepmother."

“If this gets out, you’ll be drowned in a pig cage, so… be careful.”

Zhao Hao angrily retorted, "You unfilial son, get out! Do I need your education?"

…………

In the afternoon, Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of the Chu King's Mansion, wearing a straw hat in a low-key manner, and strolled along the Imperial Street.

The new emperor has decided that Zhao Xiaoqian will soon ascend the throne, and all that remains is for the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious day.

But Zhao Xiaoqian was still very curious about the reactions of ordinary people in the city.

If the people curse him bitterly upon hearing the news of his ascension to the throne, and even throw rotten eggs and cabbages at him, then this emperor... will still remain emperor.

If someone throws mud at me, I'll use that mud to grow lotus flowers. That's the kind of shamelessness I'm after, the kind of attitude that lets others scorn me.

Is it foolish to give up such great power just because of a few curses from the public?
Fortunately, there was no outcry from the common people; instead, they were filled with anticipation for Zhao Xiaoqian's ascension to the throne.

They hoped for a new atmosphere and new policies in the Song Dynasty.

Most ordinary people are illiterate and naturally don't understand many profound principles, but their wishes are very simple.

I only hope that the emperors of the Song Dynasty will be stronger and stronger with each generation, bringing more and more blessings to the people, and that their lives will be more promising with each generation.

Zhao Xiaoqian's achievements over the years have earned him a deep reputation among the people, so naturally, the people have no objection to such a person becoming emperor.

Walking along the Imperial Street from north to south, Zhao Xiaoqian, wearing a bamboo hat, deliberately paused in the crowd to listen to the people's discussions.

After a long while, Zhao Xiaoqian nodded in satisfaction.

Today, Bianjing City is actually in a joyful atmosphere. However, since the Song Dynasty is in a period of national mourning, the people's joy cannot be expressed. But Zhao Xiaoqian can clearly feel the festive atmosphere in the air.

So, does that mean I am "the one everyone wants"?
Walking down the street, Zhao Xiaoqian's thoughts were a bit chaotic. How to govern this country in the future was a completely new, unfamiliar, and extremely difficult challenge for him.

If he made even the slightest wrong decision, history books would condemn him as a foolish ruler, and his officials and the people would be disappointed in him.

Upon learning that he had been established as the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian felt an inexplicable and extremely heavy pressure on his shoulders.

Chen Shou followed closely behind him, constantly and carefully surveying his surroundings, his face revealing undisguised worry and anxiety.

With Zhao Xiaoqian about to ascend the throne as the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Chen Shou was under great pressure and immediately upgraded the security around Zhao Xiaoqian.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian appears to be walking alone in the crowd, but in reality, he is surrounded by disguised Imperial Guards, making it impossible for any suspicious person to approach him.

“Your Highness…Your Majesty, shouldn’t we return to the Prince’s residence?” Chen Shou couldn’t help but urge him.

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback. He looked up at the sky and realized it was indeed lunchtime.

"Let's not go back to the Prince's Mansion, let's go to Zhouqiao. I've been craving Zhang Xiaoyi's wife's steamed fish for ages, let's go!"

(End of this chapter)