The prince is more stable

Chapter 909 Advancement and Rise
Factional struggles were unavoidable in every dynasty. In fact, the courts of many dynasties had more and more complex factions and camps than the Song Dynasty today.

The entanglements of interests and disagreements between factions and camps are an inextricable mess. If you were to list the relationships and factions of the characters, your brain would be turned into a pig's brain and crash.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not have any political fastidiousness; he believed that the world would become a better place if the factional cliques in the court were eliminated.

Any adult knows that factional strife is unavoidable in any group, and the world would only become worse if factions were eliminated.

Only with factions and factional struggles can there be means and power to check and balance the power of officials, and only then can the beast of "power" be restrained from wreaking havoc on the world and be confined to a small area.

In fact, the emperor needs factions and camps within the court. If all the court officials are of one mind, the imperial power will be in danger.

The most classic example is the civil service group in the Ming Dynasty.

When civil officials, the cabinet, and morality are united, they are invincible.

Look at the emperors of the Zhu family, they were all driven to such extremes.

From the emperor's perspective, Zhao Xiaoqian certainly agreed that factional strife must exist in the court, and that it was absolutely necessary.

However, factional strife must be conducted in moderation and with restraint; it should not go too far.

It's outrageous that matters of national importance and people's livelihood are being used as weapons in partisan struggles.

The emperor was responsible for adjusting the degree of control over the situation.

Today, taking advantage of Zheng Chaozong's memorial, Zhao Xiaoqian subtly named Zhang Dun and Su Zhe, and that was his intention.

A loud drum doesn't need a heavy pounding; the two who managed to rise to the positions of prime minister and vice prime minister must be able to understand human language.

Seeing that Zhang Dun and Su Zhe looked grim, Zhao Xiaoqian stopped calling on them.

Once the new policies are revised, the old and new parties in the government will eventually disappear.

But the factional strife will not end; other factions will emerge in the court, fighting for their own interests.

They might be factions from the North and South, factions opposed to each other between civil and military officials, or factions supporting a particular prince's bid for the throne.

Factional strife will never disappear, but a competent emperor will know how to control it.

After taking Zheng Chaozong's memorial, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly said, "This Fengyilang is quite capable."

Regarding the new policies, he commented that while they increased national treasury revenue, they "deprived the poor of even a penny of their livelihood." Regarding the conscription law of the new policies, he commented that while it promoted military progress, it still "suppressed the brave soldiers"...

"Regarding the implementation and execution of the new policies, due to the court's improper appointment of officials and its deception of superiors and subordinates, it has resulted in 'the people suffering from corvée labor,' 'farmers losing their land,' and 'the country being rich while the people are poor'..."

Zhao Xiaoqian closed the memorial and smiled, "This man's insights are indeed extraordinary. He pointed out the many drawbacks of the new policies in one sentence. Putting aside everything else, just based on his attitude of daring to speak the truth, the court should give him an important position."

Turning to Zhang Dun, Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "Does Mr. Zihou know this Fengyilang named Zheng Chaozong?"

Zhang Dun looked embarrassed and lowered his head, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I do not know this person."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "The court is indeed full of hidden talents. This Zheng Chaozong is wasting his talents by being a nominal official. He can join the 'New Policies Department' and participate in the revision of new policies in the Council of State Affairs."

“Mr. Zihou, transfer him to Bianjing. He can be promoted to ‘Academician of the Zizheng Hall’ and ‘Acting Governor of the Capital Region’.”

"The minister obeys the order."

Zhao Xiaoqian paused for a moment, then said, "This appointment can be announced to the public, especially to the hundred officials who have been demoted. Let them know what kind of attitude Zheng Chaozong, who was demoted in the same way as them, has, and let them reflect on their actions."

"Yes."

Looking at the mountain of memorials still piled up on the table in front of him, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed with a headache.

"There are still so many memorials I haven't read, and I don't know how many oddballs are in them. My head is throbbing..."

Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and said, "Move all the ones you haven't finished reading to the Funing Hall. I will read them slowly. I will review every single memorial."

…………

It was late at night in the Funing Palace.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Di Ying fell asleep in each other's arms, both of them a little tired.

"My lord, I didn't expect you to summon me to your bedchamber tonight. I thought..."

"Why?"

Di Ying smiled and said, "I thought you were so infatuated with Nanxian's gentle charms that you almost forgot about your old flame."

Di Ying rolled her eyes at him, then sighed, "Sister Nanxian has waited so long, and her wish has finally come true."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure she 'waited that long'?"

"Nonsense! I went to Japan with her to escape trouble, and we spent every day together. Do you think I don't know what this girl is thinking? As for her, hmph! She's just stubborn!"

Di Ying suddenly sat up and said, "Since you have favored her, my lord, you should give her a title. What kind of imperial concubine title would be appropriate?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback: "Do I have to worry about such things? You are the Empress, of course you should handle it." Di Ying nodded and said: "My sisters have all been conferred the titles of Consort, Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort, and Wise Consort. There is only one title left in the palace, 'Chen Consort,' which was added by our late Emperor Renzong. Why don't we confer the title of 'Chen Consort' on my sister Nanxian? There is no other choice."

In ancient times, the titles of concubines in the imperial harem were based on a hierarchical system. The emperor could not simply appoint any concubine he wanted, and life in the emperor's harem was not as enjoyable as one might imagine.

Below the Empress, the four imperial concubines in the harem were Imperial Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort, Gentle Consort, and Wise Consort.

The Song Dynasty was slightly different. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, an additional title was added for imperial concubines: Consort Chen.

Apart from these four imperial consorts, the rest belong to the category of "concubines," such as "noble consort," "virtuous consort," and "bright consort," all of which are titles of concubines.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "I have no objection. Issue the decree tomorrow."

Di Ying continued, "Nanxian is, after all, Princess Cheng'an of Liao. If you take her as your concubine, shouldn't you inform the Liao emperor about this? Otherwise, it would seem impolite of our Great Song."

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately replied, "No need. Although Emperor Yelü Yanxi of Liao shares the same surname 'Yelü' as Nanxian, their kinship is not close. What does my taking a concubine have to do with him?"

After a pause, Zhao Xiaoqian said with a look of resentment, "Besides, Yelü Yanxi still owes me money. It's already a great honor of our country, a land of etiquette, that I didn't have anyone splash red paint on his palace. Sending me a Liao princess is like paying interest."

Di Ying rolled her eyes at him and said, "I don't understand state affairs and politics, and I dare not interfere. If you say there is no need to inform the Liao Emperor, then so be it. I will tell Sister Nanxian later so that she won't feel bad."

“Nanxian isn’t that fragile. She has no attachment to anything about the Liao Kingdom. On the contrary, she’s quite satisfied with her current life…”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Di Ying suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, looking at him tenderly.

"Alright, let's not talk about such things anymore... My lord, I wish to conceive your child, so you must try your best."

That vixen who sucks your marrow dry!

"Demon! This humble monk will subdue you today, with the Great Luo Mantra!"

…………

When Xiao Fengxian returned to Shangjing, the capital of Liao, it was already after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

It took a full month to travel from Bianjing back to Shangjing.

Transportation in ancient times was so backward that even high-ranking officials and nobles did not necessarily have an easy time traveling. If a muddy and rotten road lay in front of them, even the most distinguished person would have to wade through the mud with both feet.

Riding on horseback, gazing at the distant city walls of Shangjing, Xiao Fengxian couldn't help but silently compare them to the walls of Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty, and then...

The Liaodong traitors' resolve hardened.

Nothing compares to Bianjing; even the moon over Shangjing at night isn't as round as it is in Bianjing.

There's no future in this!
The first thing the envoy did upon returning to the capital was to meet with the Liao emperor and report back.

However, after entering the city, Xiao Fengxian did not go to the palace immediately. Instead, he dismounted outside the city gate, quickly disguised himself as an ordinary merchant, and walked into the city with his horse.

After entering the city, Xiao Fengxian found an inn and checked in. He then ordered his trusted confidants to secretly invite Xiao Wuna to come and meet him.

An hour later, Xiao Wuna, dressed in casual clothes, quietly entered the inn and met with Xiao Fengxian.

The two were both traitors to Liaodong, so their meeting was naturally...very awkward.

Indeed, strictly speaking, Xiao Fengxian and Xiao Wuna were both traitors to the Liao Dynasty, but their personalities and temperaments clashed, and they couldn't get along in private.

The two usually went about their own business, unless there were secret orders from Bianjing (Kaifeng) of the Song Dynasty, in which case they would meet to discuss and agree to cooperate.

At other times and on other occasions, the two usually don't have much interaction.

The two acted coldly, partly to avoid arousing suspicion from the Liao emperor, and partly because they genuinely didn't get along and couldn't play together.

Xiao Fengxian had just returned to the capital today and hadn't even seen the Liao emperor yet, but he immediately summoned Xiao Wuna. It wasn't because he missed his old friend, but because the Song emperor had given instructions that Xiao Fengxian needed Xiao Wuna's cooperation.

After exchanging greetings, the two exchanged few pleasantries. Xiao Wuna didn't even bother to say "Minister Xiao, you must have had a long journey" and went straight to the point.

“Meeting in the bustling city of Shangjing was rather presumptuous of you, Minister Xiao. Let this not be a repeat of the past,” Xiao Wuna said in a deep voice.

Xiao Fengxian chuckled and said lazily, "The Liao Kingdom is already in decline. The emperor and his ministers each have their own plans and ulterior motives. It's beyond saving. What are you worried about, Prime Minister Xiao?"

"I believe that the Liao Kingdom may perish within two years. We are fortunate that we abandoned ship early, otherwise our future and the fate of our families would be uncertain."

Xiao Wuna frowned. This guy seems to have become a bit arrogant since he returned from the Song Dynasty?

What kind of confidence did the Song Dynasty emperor give him?
"How did Minister Xiao fare on this trip?" Xiao Wuna asked.

Xiao Fengxian sat up abruptly, facing south and bowing respectfully: "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's boundless grace on this journey. I can only repay Your Majesty's kindness with my life!"

Xiao Wuna was stunned.

I'm asking you if you've completed your mission to the Song Dynasty, what the hell are you doing, trying to prove your loyalty to me? Is that right?
Staring dumbfounded at Xiao Fengxian's gratitude towards the southern air, Xiao Wuna let out a long sigh, his expression filled with helplessness.

“Minister Xiao, ... be normal.”

(End of this chapter)