The prince is more stable

Chapter 936 The plain banquet in the royal palace
As people gain more experience or reach a certain age, they inevitably become nostalgic.

Zhao Xiaoqian had a special affection for the royal guards, after all, it was thanks to their protection that he was able to command thousands of troops on the front lines and fight against the Liao Kingdom without any problems.

After Zhao Xiaoqian ascended the throne, he originally planned to transfer these old brothers to the palace to continue to protect him closely, but later he decided against it.

Firstly, the palace has strict rules and regulations, and the requirements for military discipline are much stricter than those for the prince's residence. Day and night, the routes and time intervals of the guards patrolling the palace must be very precise. The prince's guards are not bad, but they may not be able to withstand such strict rules.

Secondly, Zhao Xiaoqian's father did indeed need a group of loyal imperial guards to protect him. Since Zhao Xiaoqian ascended the throne, his family, wives, concubines, and children had become his weaknesses, and Zhao Xiaoqian could not ignore their safety.

Especially the living father, who has seduced so many widows and married women in Bianjing. If he happens to encounter a husband who is not thinking straight and decides to die with his lover, the consequences could be dire.

This "Living Father" has probably cuckolded so many men that even he himself can't remember. So, theoretically, he has countless enemies in Bianjing City.

Without a group of loyal Imperial Guard brothers protecting him, it's hard to say whether one day someone will discover that there's a pig cage in the moat of Bianjing...

In terms of personal lifestyle, neither father nor son can be said to be better than the previous generation.

The father's lifestyle was far more dissolute than his son's. Although Zhao Xiaoqian also had many wives, they were all virgins before they entered the family, unlike Zhao Hao, who only liked driving used cars. He must have been very successful in the two major companies, Guazi and Zhuanzhuan, in his previous life.

Standing at the entrance of the Chu King's mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian was in no hurry to enter, chatting endlessly with the guards of the mansion who were on duty outside.

They chatted about everyday things, reminisced about the past, and covered a wide range of topics, but everyone had a great time.

Having shared memories and being able to open up is a very pleasant thing in itself, and everyone is immersed in this atmosphere of emotional resonance.

A young imperial guard cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, when will we launch our northern expedition?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled at him and said, "Want to make a name for yourself?"

The Imperial Guard smiled shyly and said, "The war of unification is the perfect time to make military achievements. While you're young, save some money for your descendants. In the future, when the Song Dynasty is unified and there is peace and prosperity, there may be no more opportunities to make military achievements."

The imperial guards around them nodded in agreement, all sharing the same thought and their desire for battle growing ever stronger.

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile widened even more.

Unbeknownst to many, over the past few years, the morale and spirit of the Song Dynasty's army have changed dramatically.

In the century since its founding, the Song army had never had such high morale, nor had it ever been so proactive in seeking battle and victory.

The Khitan Liao Dynasty, which was once feared by the Song army, is now disregarded and even regarded as a military achievement that can be easily obtained.

This change has only taken a few years.

With morale high, the only remaining issue is building up national strength.

Zhao Xiaoqian then smiled and said, "No rush, you will wait until the day of the Northern Expedition. The court is currently stockpiling grain, weapons and warhorses. Only when these things are fully prepared can I order the Northern Expedition."

"You are fighting for your country on the front lines, I can't let you go hungry, right? What you need to do now is to strengthen your bodies, hone your skills in killing the enemy, and, more importantly, cultivate your courage..."

"Otherwise, even if opportunities to make merit are presented to you in the future, if you turn around and run away in fear when the battle begins, you will not only lose military merit, but you will also be punished for desertion in the face of the enemy."

The guards of the Prince's Palace seemed to have been greatly insulted, and their faces turned red.

"The emperor looks down on people too much!"

"We will fight to the death and never retreat!"

"Brothers, if any of you dare to retreat, I will kill him first to quell the army's morale!"

"We're waiting to behead the Khitans and earn merit for promotions, how could we possibly back down!"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "Alright, I misspoke. You are all heroes, not a single coward among you. But I still maintain that you should wait patiently. Once I have sorted out the internal affairs of the Song Dynasty, it will be time for the Northern Expedition. You are all young, and you will definitely be able to participate in this battle."

The imperial guards clenched their fists excitedly, vowing to be the first to charge into battle and capture enemy flags in the Northern Expedition.

After chatting with his old comrades in the Imperial Guard, Zhao Xiaoqian was in a very good mood. He even felt that the pressure and fatigue he had felt since becoming emperor had dissipated.

So many people are watching him; they're all waiting for him, the emperor, to do something, to change something.

This kind of pressure can also be a driving force.

What's there to be tired about? Even oxen and horses won't die from exhaustion, and neither will I!

Want to be a lazy bum? Wait until China is unified, then you'll have half your life to lie low.

Now, I will blindfold myself and travel around the world in circles.

After finishing his conversation, Zhao Xiaoqian was full of pride. He patted his behind and turned to walk towards the carriage, feeling that he was successful again.

He had just taken a step when Chen Shou, who was behind him, swiftly grabbed him.

Chen Shou sighed helplessly, "Your Majesty, you must have important business at the Prince's residence, right? Why are you returning to the palace without even entering the main gate?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback: "Right, what was I doing back at the Prince's Mansion?"

He slapped his thigh suddenly: "That's right! Where is my living father? Hmm... Where is my father?" The gates of the Chu Prince's mansion opened, and Zhao Xiaoqian strode in.

He knew this Prince's mansion inside and out; no one understood it better than him.

The Crown Prince of Chu emerged from this very palace, eventually ascending the throne and becoming the ruler of the land.

Zhao Xiaoqian strode around the screen wall, passed through the Yin'an Hall, and went directly to the backyard of the Prince's Mansion.

Outside the north wing of the backyard, Zhao Xiaoqian stopped in his tracks. He heard his father's familiar voice.

The voice was sighing and groaning. Zhao Xiaoqian tiptoed up to the door frame and saw Zhao Hao sitting at the table in the side room, with food laid out in front of him.

A maid from the Prince's mansion was carefully reciting the names of the dishes.

"Your Highness, this dish is called... 'Vegetarian Braised Pork Belly,' this dish is called 'Vegetarian Chicken Leg,' and this one is even more vegetarian, called 'Vegetarian Stewed Pork Knuckle'..."

Zhao Hao sat calmly at the table, his eyebrows and eyes unblinking, his voice authoritative yet indifferent: "Are you sure all of these are vegetarian dishes?"

The maidservant hurriedly replied, "I'm sure it's all vegetarian dishes; there's not a single meat dish."

Zhao Hao hummed in agreement, then sighed deeply: "My life has been full of misfortunes and bad luck. I have a rebellious son who doesn't even let his father eat meat, while he lives a life of luxury in the palace. Alas! ... Give me one of those 'vegetarian chicken legs'."

The maidservant picked up a vegetarian chicken leg and carefully brought it to Zhao Hao's mouth. Zhao Hao took a big bite and his mouth was immediately full of oil.

Zhao Hao was still not satisfied, complaining as he ate, "Vegetarian! Too vegetarian! I'm not a monk, why should I eat vegetarian food every day?"

The maids serving him meals in the side room dared not answer, because the prince had been suffering from this symptom for a long time, and he ate all kinds of "vegetarian" food while cursing every day.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood quietly outside the side room, observing for a long time.

The several brightly colored so-called vegetarian dishes on the table were not the vegetarian dishes made to look like meat dishes in temples, but were actually made entirely of vegetarian ingredients. Zhao Xiaoqian could see it clearly at a glance; they were meat, real meat.

However, when the maid announced the names of the dishes, she clearly added the word "vegetarian" before them.

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression showed a hint of disbelief.

Has the living father really gone to such lengths to deceive himself just to get a bite of meat?
Zhao Xiaoqian finally couldn't hold back any longer. He was no longer worried about his father's physical health, but rather his mental state.

Standing outside the side room, Zhao Xiaoqian coughed twice.

Zhao Hao, who was inside the room, was startled and instinctively wanted to tell the maid to put away all the dishes. However, he thought for a moment and realized that this was going against the natural order. A father being afraid of his son? There was no such logic in the world!

So Zhao Hao didn't move, but slowly turned around and glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian.

"You're back?" Zhao Hao said calmly.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, walked into the room and sat opposite Zhao Hao. He instructed the maid to bring bowls and chopsticks, and then started eating the dishes on the table.

Take a bite of the vegetarian chicken leg first. Mmm, it's authentic and delicious. The chef at the Prince's Palace has really improved his skills lately.

Then came vegetarian braised pork belly, vegetarian pork hock...

After taking a few bites of each dish, Zhao Xiaoqian put down his chopsticks and sighed, "Father, putting everything else aside, the whole table is clearly full of meat dishes, so why did you insist on adding the word 'vegetarian' before it?"

Zhao Hao said matter-of-factly, "Because our chef's name contains the character 'vegetarian,' all the dishes he makes are vegetarian, is that not allowed?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a long time. He never expected that his father could come up with such a fresh and unconventional reason.

For a moment, Zhao Xiaoqian was unable to refute.

After looking Zhao Hao up and down, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed again, "Father, it seems you haven't lost any weight at all. If this continues..."

Zhao Hao's chubby cheeks twitched, and he hurriedly said, "Shut up, don't say anymore! I'll eat whatever I want. If I can't even satisfy my appetite, there's no point in living."

After saying that, Zhao Hao glared at him, then, as if in a huff, picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it fiercely.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared coldly at him, muttering like a mantra, "Lifespan -1, Lifespan -1, Lifespan -1... *beep*! Your lifespan is running low. Please prepare for your funeral..."

"Pfft—" Zhao Hao spat out a mouthful of meat, pointing at him angrily: "You, you, you, even as emperor you're still a rebellious son! Are you trying to anger me to death?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and beckoned to his maid to instruct the cook to prepare a vegetable salad that his father knew and loved most, an authentic, original vegetarian dish.

Zhao Hao sighed with a worried look on his face, and even his round belly seemed to deflate, like a Michelin tire that had gone flat.

"Speak! Why aren't you in the palace handling state affairs? Why have you inexplicably come home? What's the matter? Now get out of here! I'm so annoyed by the sight of you!"

Zhao Xiaoqian adjusted his expression, then suddenly said with a face full of sorrow, "Father, your most beloved son, the only heir of our Chu Prince's Mansion, has been bullied. Please, Father, do justice for me."

Zhao Hao was dumbfounded; the impact of those words was even more shocking than forcing him to become a vegetarian.

The sky is falling?
(End of this chapter)