The prince is more stable

Chapter 956 The Song-Liao Alliance is Established
A storm was brewing in Yingtian Prefecture of the Great Song Dynasty. With the arrival of Liu Zening, the Inspector of the Eastern Circuit of the Capital Region, officials in Yingtian Prefecture and its subordinate counties all sprang into action.

This is a test that will determine one's career prospects and even one's life. No matter how much officials despised or disregarded the Censorate at the time, it is undeniable that the Censorate has now exerted a great deterrent effect on officials throughout the Song Dynasty.

No one dares to ignore the existence of the Inspection Office now, because everyone knows that once the inspection officials uncover illegal activities, they will really be punished.

Moreover, the Censorate is almost entirely detached from the imperial court. They never concern themselves with the interpersonal relationships of officialdom, but rather observe the officials with indifferent and scrutinizing eyes as bystanders, punishing evil and promoting good.

Zhao Xiaoqian's goal of reforming the administration was subtly and quietly seeping into the local people and taking root in the hearts of every official.

Bian Jing, Yanfu Palace.

There is a pond in the palace's rear garden. The pond covers a large area and is almost a small lake.

This pond existed when Yanfu Palace was first built. Throughout the Song Dynasty, emperors valued literature and suppressed military power. They themselves also emulated scholars, not only reading extensively and studying the classics, but also adopting the lifestyle habits of literati. In short, they were refined in every way.

This pond in the imperial palace's rear garden is a product of refined taste.

Lotus flowers and lotus roots have always been planted in the pond. Every summer, the emperors would take a small boat on the pond, put wine and water on the boat, and then begin to compose poems and lyrics.

The emperors of past dynasties were quite cultured and would not have written such vulgar verses as "a poke and a jump".

Of course, it is also quite elegant. It is impossible to know how much inspiration this pond provided for emperors' poetry, but in terms of pretentious elegance, the pond has made a great contribution.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also by the pond at that moment. He wasn't composing poetry; he was just studying the pond.

Due to years of lotus and lotus root cultivation, the pond has a thick layer of silt. In summer, it smells of muddy stench. In winter, the pond freezes over, and the ice is thick enough for an adult man to walk on.

Interestingly, the water and silt beneath the ice may have a warming effect, as you can actually see fish swimming around inside through the ice.

Seeing these fish, Zhao Xiaoqian was no longer sleepy.

Walking on the ice, which was strong enough to support the weight of an adult man, Zhao Xiaoqian held a small chisel in his hand and lay face down on the ice, chiseling away at it.

By the pond, Zheng Chunhe paced back and forth anxiously, stamping his feet incessantly. Di Ying, Niaoniao, and the other women also looked on in fear, covering their mouths as they watched Zhao Xiaoqian with alarm. They wanted to shout but were afraid of startling him and breaking the ice.

Only Zhao Hao looked excited, jumping around by the pond. After a few tentative attempts, he suddenly darted onto the ice when no one was looking, trying to experience the joy of ice skating with his father.

As soon as the little boy darted out, he was caught by the quick-witted Niao Niao and was lifted into the air, his little legs kicking wildly. Without saying a word, Niao Niao slapped his little bottom hard. Zhao Hao pouted and burst into tears.

Niaoniao ignored his crying, glared at him fiercely, and turned to throw him to the trembling palace maid behind her.

"Keep an eye on him and don't let him jump onto the ice," Niao Niao calmly instructed.

Di Ying also turned her head and glanced at Zhao Hao, a smirk on her lips: "Serves him right! It's bad enough that one big one is causing trouble, but now a little one is adding to the chaos. He deserves to be beaten."

As she spoke, Di Ying took two steps toward the pond, being careful not to startle Zhao Xiaoqian's tone.

"My lord, my lord... it's quite cold on the ice. Would you like to come back and warm up? If you wish to do anything, just tell the palace servants."

Zheng Chunhe, standing nearby, was also sweating profusely and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Empress is absolutely right. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, the sovereign of the world. How can you risk your life so lightly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand without turning around, his eyes fixed intently on the bowl-sized hole he had carved into the ice, and said, "Shut up, all of you, or you'll scare away my fish!"

The people by the pond fell silent, watching him with worry.

The ice was broken open, and Zhao Xiaoqian took the small fishing rod, which was less than two feet long and had been prepared beforehand. He baited the hook and put it into the water.

The fish in winter are probably extremely hungry, and they are surprisingly easy to catch. As soon as the hook enters the water, the fishing rod suddenly sinks down in just a few breaths.

With lightning speed, Zhao Xiaoqian lifted the fishing rod and caught a carp weighing about two pounds. The carp struggled and thrashed on the ice, its eyes wide open in despair.

Zhao Xiaoqian was overjoyed. As he removed the fishhook from the fish's mouth, he laughed loudly at the crowd by the pond: "See? I told you long ago that my fishing skills are not a problem. The reason I couldn't catch any fish by the Bian River back then was because... they didn't give me face."

"The palace is my territory. It's clear they're giving me a lot of face."

Di Ying and the others by the pond forced a smile, trying their best to be a wife who wouldn't spoil the mood.

"My lord, the fish has been caught. Please come back, my lord. Be gentle, be slow, come to me..." Di Ying called softly and carefully.

Zhao Xiaoqian scoffed, "This is nothing. Once I catch a few more, we'll have a whole fish feast tonight, steamed, boiled, fried, we'll do it all... Oh, and send a few to Xiao Yi's family too."

Zhao Hao, who had just been beaten on the shore, let out a few loud howls, but he immediately forgot about it. Seeing the fish his father had caught, Zhao Hao's clear eyes suddenly became excited again. Even when held in the arms of the palace maid, he was restless, excitedly waving his hands and kicking his feet, eager to go forward and interact with his father.

Zhao Xiaoqian also noticed his excited son on the shore. Of all the onlookers, only his son was the most accommodating and provided the most emotional support. Zhao Xiaoqian was also pleased and couldn't help but wave to his son in return.

"Sang Biao, come fishing with your father!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Di Ying and Niao Niao shouted in unison, "You're not allowed to go!" At this moment, Di Ying could no longer hold back. Pointing at Zhao Xiaoqian on the ice in the middle of the pond, her eyebrows furrowed, she roared, "My lord, you! You come back too, right now!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, his eyes narrowed, and his voice became hoarse: "Woman, you're playing with fire..."

"My lord, you're playing with ice... come back quickly! I'm carrying your child in my belly. Do you want him to be born without ever seeing his father?" Di Ying said angrily.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Di Ying's protruding belly, then at the fish swimming in the ice hole that haunted his dreams. After a long while, he finally gritted his teeth.

"Actually, the water in the pond is only half a person deep. Even if I fell in, I wouldn't drown... Fine, I'll give you face today."

Zhao Xiaoqian walked back to the pond bank with a sullen look on his face, still feeling unsatisfied.

As soon as his feet touched the shore, Di Ying rushed over and punched him hard.

"I've never seen an emperor so unreliable, actually risking his life like this! The pond water won't drown you, but if you fall into it in the dead of winter and catch a cold, you'll die! Your Excellency is simply being ridiculous."

Zhao Xiaoqian felt a pain in his chest from being punched and instinctively wanted to fight back, but when he saw Di Ying's protruding belly, he immediately gave up the idea.

"I won't argue with a pregnant woman!"

Zheng Chunhe pleaded earnestly from the side, "Your Majesty, you mustn't take any more risks. You are the most honored ruler of the land, and the most wise and sage emperor in the history of the Song Dynasty. Your fate is intertwined with the well-being of all people. How can you stand under a crumbling wall..."

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, pointed at Zheng Chunhe, and smiled at Di Ying, "They're both trying to persuade someone, but look how tactful and pleasant Old Zheng's words are. It's so easy to listen to."

Di Ying rolled her eyes at him: "I just can't learn to be tactful, all I know how to do is hit you."

Zhao Xiaoqian grinned: "Fine, you're using your big belly to command the emperor, what can I do?"

Niao Niao came closer and saw that Zhao Xiaoqian's hands were red from the cold after lying on the ice. She felt sorry for him and took his hands, saying, "My lord, you should go back to Funing Palace to warm up."

As they were talking, a palace servant rushed over and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the envoy Su Zhe has sent a messenger from eight hundred li away to report that Su Zhe has persuaded the Liao emperor Yelü Yanxi in the Liao capital to agree to a joint military expedition by the two countries to the west to destroy the Western Xia. After the destruction of the Western Xia, its territory, population, and property will be divided between the Song and Liao dynasties."

Zhao Xiaoqian's nonchalant expression immediately turned serious, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"Mr. Ziyou has indeed lived up to my expectations, well done!"

"Issue an imperial decree to the Privy Council to summon General An Tao, Zhang Dun, Cai Jing, and Zhong Jianzhong to the Funing Hall for a meeting."

Seeing that Zhao Xiaoqian had important state affairs to attend to, Di Ying dared not continue and immediately took her leave, leading Niao Niao and Zhao Hao away.

Seeing Zhao Hao struggling unwillingly in Niao Niao's arms, Zhao Xiaoqian waved to him.

"Dad will take you fishing next time!"

Zhao Hao's anger turned to joy: "Alright, let's fish!"

Di Ying and Niaoniao turned around at the same time, glared at him fiercely, and then shouted in unison, "Don't go near the water!"

…………

Inside the Funing Palace.

Xu Jiang'an, Zhang Dun, Cai Jing, and Zhong Jianzhong stood quietly inside the hall, paying their respects to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian, dressed in yellow casual clothes, waved to everyone casually and said, "No need for formalities, sit down and let's get straight to business."

After everyone was seated, Zhao Xiaoqian took out the memorial sent by Su Zhe and showed it to everyone.

After reading the document, everyone showed expressions of delight.

"Mr. Ziyou, your mission is accomplished!" Xu Jiang said happily.

Zhong Jianzhong stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice, "Since the Song and Liao have decided to form an alliance, I request permission to immediately muster troops and prepare for the western expedition."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "No rush. The army must move first, then the supplies must be ready. If we don't get these things sorted out, will our soldiers be eating grass all the way to the Northwest?"

As he spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhang Dun and asked, "Mr. Zihou, how are the preparations for provisions, weapons, and other supplies progressing?"

Zhang Dun said in a deep voice: "The grain tax for this autumn has been transported to Bianjing by land and canal, and a small portion has been directly transported to Taiyuan and Yan'an to store grain for the army. The total amount is 200,000 shi, which can support the early stage of the war to destroy Xia."

Cai Jing also said, "The Ministry of War, the Firearms Bureau, and the Ordnance Bureau have also prepared flintlock muskets, swords, spears, armor, warhorses, etc., enough for the use of 60,000 soldiers."

(End of this chapter)