You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 31 Bathing
Zhao Ji was overjoyed. He was a born political animal and had an innate understanding of centralized power and checks and balances.

However, he has no brains when it comes to governing a country.

This requires real thought and study, but Zhao Ji lacked the patience and energy.

He spent the vast majority of his time having fun.

To support his point of view, Li Liangsi suggested that Chen Shao say a few words.

Because he didn't know many of the things Chen Shao mentioned.

Chen Shao immediately recounted what he knew about the Jurchens, mainly about the Wanyan tribe, their fierce generals, and their deep-seated hatred towards the Khitans.

Zhao Ji and Li Liangsi found themselves getting along better and better.

Finally, he was granted the surname Zhao, promoted to the position of Director of the Longtu Pavilion, Supervisor of the Wanshou Temple, and added the title of Right Compiler of the Wendian Hall.

Chen Shao was promoted to the rank of Wude Dafu.

This was a nominal position, and after Chen Shao expressed his gratitude, he knew the specific job details would have to wait for Tong Guan to arrange them.

But he couldn't hide his excitement; he had finally succeeded.

Once you have a rank, your specific position in the military will be quite high.

Moreover, Tong Guan will definitely give him a big role, so he'll have to rely on himself from now on.

Emperor Huizong was overjoyed and immediately beckoned Wang Fu to come closer.

"Jin Jing'er, today is your housewarming celebration. How are you planning to entertain your guests?"

Only then did Chen Shao have the opportunity to look at Wang Fu and discover that he did indeed have a rather unique appearance.

Although it wasn't a full head of blond hair as rumored, it was indeed somewhat yellowish.

The same goes for his eyes; I suspect there's something wrong with them.

Moreover, his mouth was unusually large, and his eyes were bright, making him look very energetic.

He said smugly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, if you don't enjoy this meal, I'll cut off my head and serve it to you as a snack!"

"What's so great about your head that it's fit to be served as a snack with the Emperor?" Cai You sneered from the side. "It's more like it's being kicked around like a ball."

Upon hearing this, Wang Fu immediately rolled up his sleeves and started fighting with Cai You in front of the emperor.

Cai You was physically weaker than him, so he dodged around the pillar, and the two chased each other while shouting and cursing.

The people around them laughed and cheered.

Emperor Huizong watched with a smile.

Among the crowd, only Zhao Liangsi, who had already been granted the surname Zhao, looked completely bewildered.

The scene before him suddenly reminded him of the emperor and his ministers of the Liao Dynasty.

Just now, he was in awe of Zhao Ji. The emperor of the Song Dynasty was indeed different. He was outstanding in appearance, handsome and extraordinary, and spoke very kindly. Moreover, he treated him very well.

It made him feel that he had done the right thing. Serving such a king, accomplishing something great, and leaving his name in history, how fortunate he was!
In the blink of an eye, the emperor, who had just exuded the aura of a true dragon, became like this.

Cai You and Wang Fu reminded him of the treacherous officials in the Liao Dynasty court.

Bad memories are attacking him relentlessly.

The image of the wise and enlightened Emperor Zhao Ji seems to overlap with that of Emperor Tianzuo, Yelü Yanxi.

Zhao Liangsi quickly shook his head, telling himself that this was all just his imagination, and that His Majesty was simply approachable and unpretentious with those around him.

After comforting himself, Zhao Liangsi finally looked up, only to find that Wang Fu had already pinned Cai You down and started hitting him.

Emperor Huizong of Tang finally couldn't stand it anymore and scolded him with a smile.

The two then got up and started cursing at each other.

In fact, Wang Fu and Cai You had a very good relationship.

Although Wang Fu and Cai Jing had fallen out, Cai You and his father Cai Jing had never been on good terms, at least not openly.

Moreover, both of them were Zhao Ji's most trusted ministers, spending every night with him indulging in a life of debauchery.

Wang Fu somehow recruited some cooks, and the dishes they made were indeed delicious.

After leaving Zhaodefang, Chen Shao and Zhao Liangsi waved goodbye and then went with Yang Keshi to Tong Guan's residence.

Upon returning to his residence, Tong Guan abandoned his obsequious demeanor and appeared quite heroic.

"Shaoge'er, as you've seen, His Majesty is very keen on the campaign against Liao. Once we return to the Northwest and resolve the threat from Western Xia, you and Guzhi can go to the Jurchens."

Chen Shao clasped his hands and said, "Rest assured, Commander, Chen Shao will certainly not fail in his mission."

"Commander En, how much longer are we going to stay in Bianliang?"

Tong Guan chuckled, "It won't be long."

He'd seen plenty of young people eager to make a name for themselves, and he was happy to see it.

Only ambitious people can be used by him. With the Western Xia dynasty on the verge of collapse, how could Tong Guan leave such a great achievement to someone else?

He glanced at the people in the inner hall, and without hiding anything, said directly, "Tomorrow, Grand Tutor Cai will submit a memorial to resign his post, and Wang Fu will take over as prime minister."

This is absolutely earth-shattering news; it seems their internal power struggle is over.

Chen Shao was not capable of participating in a struggle of this level, nor did he even have the opportunity to observe it.

He could only deduce the situation from subtle changes.

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) had concentrated the imperial power of the Song Dynasty to a certain extent; he was probably the most powerful person in the entire Song Dynasty.

He was older than both Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi.

He could even choose a prime minister based on his own likes and dislikes and his immediate interests.

The rules that had been in place in the Song Dynasty's officialdom for a century had been completely abandoned by him.

Wang Fu rose from a minor official to a junior official and then to a senior official, a promotion of eight ranks in just nine years.

They returned to the house together with Dong Dahu.

Zhao He stepped forward and said, "Master, the government has sent someone to deliver a robe, a waist token, and a scroll of official documents."

Chen Shao nodded and said, "Keep them safe."

He then asked Cui Lin to take out some money to buy some wine and meat to celebrate.

Just as I was about to enter my room, the door to the room next to me suddenly opened a crack.

Chuntao stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes.

"what's up?"

The little girl beckoned with her finger, "Brother Chen, come in."

Chen Shao was a little confused, but he still went inside.

Chun Tao, her face flushed, clutched the hem of her skirt and said, "Brother Chen, I want to take a bath."

"what?"

"I can't carry the hot water, and there's no bathtub here." The little girl's cheeks were burning red, and she was almost crying.

Chen Shao then realized that although Chun Tao was still dressed plainly, upon closer reflection, he hadn't really taken care of her since she arrived.

Like Li Shishi, she took a bath every day when she was at home.

I can tolerate other things, but I really can't stand not washing for several days in a row.

She had been feeling unwell all over for the past few days and couldn't sleep at night, so she had no choice but to ask Chen Shao for help.

"Okay, you wait here, I'll go buy you some clothes to change into."

Chen Shao arranged for Zhao He to boil water, and then rode his horse to the city to buy some clothes.

Looking at her little house after Chen Shao's renovation, Chun Tao felt both excited and a little shy.

She was still an innocent little girl, raised in wealth and privilege, unlike her sister, whose mind was much simpler.

The room was divided in the middle by two curtains: a semi-transparent silk curtain and a thick blackout curtain.

He even brought over a footstool with two pairs of cloth shoes on it. In the corner by the bed, there was a bathtub, still covered with a silk curtain; next to the tub was a round stool with white towels and several glass bottles folded on it.

After Chen Shao poured in the hot water, he reached out to test the temperature, a gesture that made Chun Tao's face turn even redder.

"Alright, go wash up."

Chen Shao clapped his hands and was about to leave.

"Brother Chen!"

Chen Shao turned around in confusion.

"Don't go too far, I'm a little scared."

Chen Shao glanced at her and knew that this girl had no intention of seducing him at all; she was simply insecure.

Moreover, she trusts herself a lot.

Chen Shao laughed and said, "Alright then, since there's a curtain, I'll keep watch for you here."

Chun Tao was stunned. She had only wanted Chen Shao to keep an eye on things outside.

But now she was too embarrassed to ask Brother Chen to leave, worried that he might think she suspected him.

While Chun Tao was struggling with her decision, Chen Shao had already taken the initiative to draw the curtains for her.

"Young lady, hurry up and wash, the water will get cold again soon."

(End of this chapter)