The prince is more stable

Chapter 839 Probing Confrontation
Factionalism is a national scourge.

The most important reason for the Song Dynasty's weakness over the past few decades was the incessant factional strife within the imperial court.

Factional strife is the path to national ruin.

Therefore, historically, after Zhao Ji ascended the throne, the Northern Song Dynasty indeed perished.

The list that Zhang Dun presented consisted entirely of officials from the New Party, which meant that under the new regime, Zhang Dun would be even more ruthless in suppressing and ostracizing the Old Party.

If all the old factions in the court disappeared, then there would be no so-called "factional strife".

This is probably Zhang Dun's logic; presenting this list was somewhat of a test of Zhao Xiaoqian's intentions.

Now, Zhao Xiaoqian, standing in the emperor's shoes, roughly understands why Zhao Xu, despite implementing new policies, deliberately retained a portion of the old faction officials in the court.

The emperor would not allow any one faction to dominate the court. There must be checks and balances among the factions in the court, and there must be opposing forces so that the emperor can maintain balance and secure his position.

Today, this force has grown powerful and its people have become arrogant. So let's give them a proper warning and try to win over and promote another opposing force.

This is the art of rulership; no one taught Zhao Xiaoqian, but he understood it.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian frowning as he stared at the list, Zhang Dun, observing his expression, also felt somewhat uneasy.

Indeed, he was testing the waters. With a new emperor ascending the throne, as the current prime minister, his first task was to figure out where the new emperor's bottom line lay.

Presenting this list would be a good reason to test the waters. If Zhao Xiaoqian objected, Zhang Dun would immediately apologize, admitting that he had not thought things through and would go back to consider it again.

If Zhao Xiaoqian approves the list of conferments without hesitation, it means that in the future court, Zhang Dun can unleash his full power to suppress the old party until all of them are squeezed out of the court.

In a fleeting moment, the emperor and his ministers engaged in a psychological battle, playing mind games with each other.

Zhao Xiaoqian put the list away and tucked it into his pocket, smiling as he said, "Thank you for your trouble, Master Zhang. I will take this list back and study it carefully to see if it needs any revisions or annotations. Please allow me a day or two to give you an answer, okay?"

Zhang Dun smiled, but his heart was suddenly startled.

Zhao Xiaoqian's words were correct; he spoke very politely, giving the prime minister ample face.

However, Zhang Dun noticed Zhao Xiaoqian's form of address just now.

He referred to himself as "Prime Minister Zhang," a more official and formal title, as a prime minister would naturally be addressed as "Prime Minister." Since Zhao Xiaoqian had not yet ascended the throne, he would naturally address him as Prime Minister Zhang.

But just before he produced this list, Zhao Xiaoqian had clearly changed his address to "Mr. Zihou," a warm and affectionate title that carried a personal touch.

In less than half an hour, Zhao Xiaoqian changed his way of addressing Zhang Dun several times, which contained a lot of information.

The Empress Dowager and the courtiers beside them seemed to sense that something was amiss, and immediately stared at the expressions of the two, trying to discern the truth from them.

Soon, Zhang Dun's back was covered in cold sweat, and his face became increasingly unnatural.

Just now, Zhao Xiaoqian had already given him a warning; others might not have noticed, but he understood perfectly.

Zhao Xiaoqian was definitely dissatisfied with this list of conferments.

In front of the emperor, you are promoting and installing your cronies and confidants on a large scale. What exactly are you trying to do?

At this moment, Zhang Dun couldn't help but feel a little regretful, regretting that he shouldn't have harbored any probing thoughts today.

Zhao Xiaoqian may seem gentle, but he is actually a very assertive person at heart.

Imagine if he were a cowardly and weakling, could he have such high prestige among 100,000 elite border troops? Could he have completely reversed the offensive and defensive situation between the Song and Liao dynasties in just a few years? Could he have consolidated and distributed all the connections and interests in Bianjing and ultimately succeeded in seizing the throne?

This was a monarch of great talent and vision; he would never allow the power of his ministers and factions to supersede the imperial authority.

Now Zhang Dun finally realized that he had been playing with fire.

The fact that Zhao Xiaoqian could still speak to him with a smile at this moment shows that he was giving him face and maintaining his dignity as prime minister. Otherwise, it wouldn't be too much for him to tear up the list and throw it in his face.

Thinking of this, Zhang Dun's face turned slightly pale, and he hurriedly tried to make amends: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was negligent. The list just now was not carefully considered. I did not review it carefully. I will draft a new list of conferments today, and strive to ensure that the emperor's grace is bestowed upon all the officials."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled even more broadly, took out the list from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Dun, saying, "Mr. Zihou is a conscientious and responsible person who can serve as a model for all civil and military officials. Since you insist on rewriting the list, I feel embarrassed to refuse. I will leave everything to you."

Zhang Dun gratefully accepted the list and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now, Zhao Xiaoqian changed his address again and started calling him "Mr. Zihou" again.

Whether the matter was over or not, or whether Zhao Xiaoqian secretly kept a record of it, Zhang Dun had no idea.

All he knew was that he should stop trying to test Zhao Xiaoqian in the future, or the consequences might be dire.

Emperor Zhao Xiaoqian was a unique emperor who held imperial power.

There can only be one emperor, but the prime minister doesn't necessarily have to be Zhang Dun. Seeing Zhang Dun's complex expression, Zhao Xiaoqian still smiled and said, "How about I offer my opinion, providing a little bit of my immature viewpoint for Mr. Zihou's reference?"

Zhang Dun hurriedly and respectfully said, "Your Highness, please speak."

"The first priority in bestowing titles upon meritorious officials is those who have served the emperor, especially the generals of the Yan-Yun border army, such as Zhong Jianzhong, Zong Ze, Zhe Keshi, Di Zi, Zhang Rong, and so on. These people can be granted the title of viscount."

“Zhong Jianzhong was appointed as the Commander of the Palace Guard in Bianjing, and was responsible for guarding the imperial city. Di Zi commanded the various guards in the Forbidden City, while the other generals continued to guard the border in Yanyun. Zong Ze was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei West Road, commanding 100,000 border troops in Yanyun.”

“The former Privy Councilor Zeng Bu has been dismissed and imprisoned for treason, leaving the position of Privy Councilor vacant. My idea is to recall Xu Jiang, the Deputy Military Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit in Youzhou, and appoint him as Privy Councilor, with An Tao as his deputy.”

As Zhao Xiaoqian spoke, he smiled and said, "Of course, there are also many meritorious officials among the New Party officials who have worked hard to help me ascend the throne and have been running around everywhere. These people should naturally be rewarded as well."

"Let's set the number at ten. If the New Party appoints too many people, it might draw criticism from the court officials. I've only just ascended the throne and I'm already being infamous for no reason. Surely Mr. Zihou wouldn't bear that?"

Zhao Xiaoqian spoke at length, all about the appointment and removal of personnel in the imperial court.

They spoke politely, offering Zhang Dun only their "personal opinion," but Zhang Dun and the assembled officials knew very well that this was no "personal opinion" at all; it was clearly an imperial edict of appointment and dismissal that was already set in stone!

He has finished speaking. Who agrees and who disagrees?

After Zhao Xiaoqian finished expressing his "some immature personal opinion," he smiled and looked around at the assembled officials.

After waiting for a long time and seeing that no one spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian winked at Zhang Dun and said, "I am still young, and my actions and thoughts are inevitably not thorough enough. Mr. Zihou, why don't you help me consider whether my arrangements just now were appropriate?"

Zhang Dun immediately said, "I believe Your Highness's words are quite appropriate. The Council of State Affairs should proceed accordingly. I will go back and revise the list of conferments and then present it to Your Highness for review."

“Oh, Mr. Zihou, you’re using ‘Your Highness’ and ‘Imperial Reading’ all incoherently. I haven’t ascended the throne yet, so let’s stick to the old way of addressing each other. We can change our address after the coronation ceremony.”

Zhang Dun sincerely praised, "Your Highness is humble and modest, and strictly adheres to etiquette. He is truly a model for emperors throughout history. The Great Song Dynasty is fortunate to have such a wise ruler who can govern the country with ease. The people are very fortunate, and the court officials are very fortunate."

Zhao Xiaoqian's lips twitched. This old bastard's flattery was incredibly fierce.

It seems I really need to give him a nudge from time to time, otherwise this old rascal will get cocky. After I just gave him a nudge, he's become much more obedient and speaks much more politely.

The two exchanged words, leaving the Empress Dowager and the court officials in the Hall of State Affairs listening in astonishment.

Those who could sit here were all old foxes who had been around for a thousand years. From the moment Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Dun began their secret confrontation, everyone sensed something was wrong and gradually began to understand what was going on.

Then Zhang Dun decisively backed down, followed by Zhao Xiaoqian's long list of personnel appointments and dismissals, and finally Zhang Dun eagerly offered flattery...

What a spectacular show!

It all started when Zhang Dun presented the list of conferments. Although no one knew whose names were on the list, it was certain that Zhao Xiaoqian strongly disagreed with it and almost completely rejected it.

So Zhang Dun was slapped in the face, and after being slapped in the face, he had no choice but to shamelessly flatter him.

The gazes of everyone looking at Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly held a hint of awe.

This young man should not be underestimated because of his age; Zhang Dun is a clear example of what not to do.

The Empress Dowager's gaze towards Zhao Xiaoqian held a greater sense of satisfaction and contentment.

As expected of that fat man's son, he's quite capable. Even before ascending the throne, he already possesses the majesty and shrewdness of an emperor.

Given time, he would surely be an excellent emperor. Under his rule, the Song Dynasty might very well have achieved a century of prosperity.

The investiture had been agreed upon, but as for a general amnesty, there was little discussion about it.

There was no need for discussion; it was merely a formality. Local governments would submit their lists, and officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate would review them. Those who deserved to be released would be released, unless it was a serious crime like treason, which was not eligible for a pardon.

The small court assembly thus came to an end. Everyone respectfully escorted the Empress Dowager back to the palace, and then the court officials in the Hall of State Affairs lined up on both sides, all their eyes on Zhao Xiaoqian.

After a moment of surprise, Zhao Xiaoqian quickly understood what everyone meant.

This is an invitation for him to go first. Although he has not yet ascended the throne, there is already a distinction between the noble and the lowly. The future Emperor of the Song Dynasty has not yet made a move. Who among you dares to go first?

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, no longer showing any modesty, and took the lead in walking out of the Hall of State Affairs.

According to the order of seniority, Zhang Dun walked closely behind him, slightly behind by a shoulder's width.

The courtiers behind him bid farewell, but Zhang Dun remained behind Zhao Xiaoqian.

After everyone else had left, Zhang Dun stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I was rash just now. I acted without due consideration. Please do not blame me."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked, bewildered, "What recklessness? What oversight? What exactly is Mr. Zihou talking about?"

Zhang Dun felt relieved, knowing that he had barely passed this hurdle.

(End of this chapter)