Song Xiu

Chapter 15 uses Wei Renpu, the Pope's eldest son.

Zhao Pu's tone was one of surprise.

Zhao Pu followed Zhao Kuangyin's gaze and realized that Zhao Kuangyin was likely looking at Yande Palace—the palace that Zhao Kuangyin had chosen for Zhao Dexiu.

As Zhao Kuangyin's eldest son, and with Zhao Dexiu approaching adulthood in a few years, it was only natural for Zhao Kuangyin to make him his heir.

However, Zhao Pu, a confidant of Zhao Kuangyin, knew very well that, at least for the time being, Zhao Kuangyin had no intention of establishing an heir.

Otherwise, if Zhao Kuangyin had already decided to make Zhao Dexiu his heir, why would he repeatedly stand by and watch Zhao Guangyi's overstepping his bounds?

It should be understood that once the boundaries between ruler and subject are broken, the person who breaks those boundaries will only become bolder and bolder, not to mention that that person is also the emperor's younger brother.

Is it merely because of brotherly affection?
For the first time, Zhao Pu felt that he could no longer understand Zhao Kuangyin.

When Zhao Kuangyin heard Zhao Pu's tentative guess, he remembered Zhao Dexiu's actions the day before and a smile appeared on his face.

Zhao Dexiu's performance yesterday had many commendable aspects.

But Zhao Kuangyin knew very well that one day's performance could not prove anything, especially since Zhao Dexiu knew about the Chenqiao Mutiny in advance.

Of course, Zhao Dexiu's performance yesterday also proves one thing:

“Brother Liu does resemble me somewhat.”

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin raised his head slightly with a hint of pride, and subconsciously reached out to touch the jade belt at his waist.

Since Zhao Dexiu handed him the jade belt yesterday, he had no intention of returning it to Zhao Dexiu.

"With the new dynasty newly established and everything in need of rebuilding, it is too early to discuss the succession at this time."

It's one thing to not rush to determine the heir apparent, but since Prince Liu is a promising talent, I must properly polish this rough gem.

Wei Renpu is a man of both virtue and talent, and he has twice helped to establish wise rulers. It would be the best thing for him to be Liu Ge'er's mentor.

If Liu Ge'er truly possesses the bearing and talent of a ruler, under Wei Renpu's tutelage, this unpolished gem will eventually shine with its due brilliance.

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin's tone was filled with anticipation.

How can we prevent the Song Dynasty from becoming a short-lived dynasty and ensure that the Zhao family will not face annihilation in the future?
The only solution is to select a sufficiently outstanding successor for the Song Dynasty.

The first-generation founders of the previous five dynasties in the Central Plains were mostly outstanding figures of their time, but unfortunately, their successors were either mediocre and incompetent or licentious and tyrannical, leading to the collapse of the dynasty.

From the founding of the Liang Dynasty to the present day, a mere fifty-odd years have passed, yet five dynasties have risen and fallen on the Central Plains!

With such a shocking precedent, how could Zhao Kuangyin possibly repeat the same mistake?

From a father's perspective, Zhao Kuangyin naturally wanted his descendants to inherit everything after his death.

But Zhao Kuangyin is currently the emperor of a country and the patriarch of the Zhao clan.

To prevent the worst-case scenario from occurring, the successor of the Song Dynasty cannot be chosen solely based on personal feelings.

Did he really think he didn't know that Zhao Guangyi had been deliberately getting close to Chu Zhaofu, Shen Yilun, and others?
He understood even more clearly the meaning behind his mother's words "give him more important responsibilities" today.

For the sake of the Zhao family and the nation, he was willing to give Zhao Guangyi, who was already an adult and had a reputation for virtue, a chance.

As a father, he was willing to give Zhao Dexiu the same opportunity.

Whether it will work out or not depends on which side is better.

Just like how Emperor Taizu of Zhou treated Chai Rong and Li Chongjin back then—in chaotic times, one should choose the virtuous and capable, not one's relatives!
The mind of an emperor is as deep as the sea.

While Zhao Pu was still pondering Zhao Kuangyin's words, he heard Zhao Kuangyin's last words to him that night:

"I know Wei Renpu well. He appears magnanimous, but he is quite arrogant at heart."

If Dexiu hadn't personally devised a plan to capture him that day, given Wei Renpu's arrogance, he wouldn't have cared about Dexiu at all.

Therefore, it was a difficult task to appoint Wei Renpu as Dexiu's mentor. Fortunately, Dexiu did not disappoint me.

Tomorrow morning, you will personally take Dexiu to visit Wei Renpu and invite him to tutor Dexiu.

After hearing these words, Zhao Pu still had one question in his mind.

If this puzzling point is not resolved, it will be almost impossible for Wei Renpu to teach Zhao Dexiu.

"Today, Wei Renpu intends to raise an army to rebel against our dynasty, which shows that Wei Renpu has always remembered the kindness and favor shown to him by Emperor Taizu of Zhou."

I fear that Wei Renpu will refuse to serve the Song Dynasty.

Upon hearing Zhao Pu's concerns, the confident Zhao Kuangyin burst into laughter:
"Zeping, I am no match for you in terms of strategies for governing the country."

When it comes to recognizing talent, I am slightly better than you.

Wei Renpu was grateful for kindness, but he was by no means an inflexible and pedantic scholar.

Like Wei Zheng, a famous minister of the previous dynasty, he loved the world!
Go then, do not worry, do not worry.

Zhao Kuangyin was able to draw this conclusion because he had evidence.

In terms of kinship, Li Chongjin was related to Emperor Taizu of Zhou by blood. If he only cared about Emperor Taizu of Zhou, why did Wei Renpu ultimately choose to support Emperor Shizong of Zhou?
The reason is simple: Emperor Shizong of Zhou had the talent to pacify the world, compared to Li Chongjin!

After receiving Zhao Kuangyin's assurance, Zhao Pu solemnly accepted the order and slowly withdrew.

After Zhao Pu left, leaving only Zhao Kuangyin on the high platform, Zhao Kuangyin stared blankly in the direction of Yande Palace for a moment.

What others don't know is that a crucial reason why Zhao Kuangyin was able to successfully stage a coup yesterday was that his father, Zhao Hongyin, had left him with extensive connections within the Imperial Guard.

A gust of cold wind blew by, bringing Zhao Kuangyin back to his senses.

Standing on a high, lonely balcony, Zhao Kuangyin murmured to himself, "Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them."

"You planned for your son back then, now your son will plan for Liu Ge'er!"

Another gust of cold wind blew by, lifting Zhao Kuangyin's wide dragon robe.

As the dragon robe fluttered in the wind, Zhao Kuangyin's armor, gleaming coldly, was faintly revealed beneath.

In times of chaos, every step an emperor takes is like walking on thin ice.

The next morning, Zhao Dexiu woke Zhao Dezhao up early from his bed.

It was the dead of winter, and Zhao Dezhao, who had been suddenly woken up from his warm bed by his elder brother, had a face full of bitterness and resentment.

Fortunately, Zhao Dexiu, as the elder brother, had a bloodline advantage over Zhao Dezhao.

When Zhao Dezhao picked up the rattan cane that He Shi used to discipline him, the dissatisfaction on Zhao Dezhao's face immediately disappeared.

"Brother, it's not good to catch birds when it's cold!"

Zhao Dezhao's usual words made Zhao Dexiu both ashamed and angry.

As the second legitimate son of the Song Dynasty royal family, the first thing he thought about when he woke up in the morning was to raid bird nests?
Enraged, Zhao Dexiu brandished the rattan cane in his hand, ready to strike.

This frightened Zhao Dezhao so much that he ran around the palace frantically, trying his best to avoid being caught by Zhao Dexiu.

Fortunately, Zhao Dexiu's purpose was to help Zhao Dezhao exercise, so he slowly followed behind Zhao Dezhao.

After Zhao Dexiu chased Zhao Dezhao around several times, an eunuch outside the palace announced that Zhao Pu, the Grand Counselor and Academician of the Privy Council, was requesting an audience.

The eunuch's report made Zhao Dexiu temporarily stop his pursuit.

Why would Zhao Pu suddenly need to see him?
Almost instantly, Zhao Dexiu made a judgment in his mind:
It must have been his father, the emperor, who sent Zhao Pu.

(End of this chapter)