Song Xiu

Chapter 19 Zhao Dexiu's Sense of Crisis (Please read on!)

Zhao Pu's concerns were not unfounded.

Although Zhao Pu had kept all other people out of the room during his meeting with Wei Renpu, the fact that Wei Renpu later moved into Yande Palace at Zhao Dexiu's request could not be kept secret.

The very next day, after the court assembly, Zhao Guangyi, who had just returned to his residence, received a message from the palace.

Looking at the familiar handwriting in the letter, Zhao Guangyi calmly tossed the letter into the brazier in front of him.

For the time being, Zhao Guangyi did not want others to know about his relationship with that person.

Although the letter was destroyed, Zhao Guangyi still briefly recounted its contents to some of his advisors present.

Although Zhao Guangyi was young, he already knew how to win people's hearts in the beginning.

If one does not maintain a superficial level of trust in the advisors around him, how can these advisors be expected to be loyal to him and devise plans for him wholeheartedly?

Upon hearing the news that Zhao Kuangyin had actually allowed Wei Renpu to reside in Yande Palace to tutor Zhao Dexiu, one of the older civil officials among his trusted confidants couldn't help but say:
"His Majesty truly dotes on his eldest son. Instead of utilizing Duke Wei's governing abilities, he chose to dismiss Duke Wei from all his official positions, just so that Duke Wei could serve as the tutor of the princes."

His Majesty has treated Duke Wei somewhat poorly.

Those advisors present, who could freely enter and leave Zhao Guangyi's residence, could all be considered Zhao Guangyi's staunch confidants.

With this relationship in place, the civil official named Shi Xizai spoke without so much restraint.

Shi Xizai was well-known in Kaifeng for his refined manners and adherence to etiquette.

Zhao Guangyi, who relied on Zhao Kuangyin's power, saw that Shi Xizai was a promising talent, so he used his connections to help Shi Xizai pass the imperial examination during the Xiande era.

Shi Xizai was grateful for Zhao Guangyi's help and expressed his willingness to serve Zhao Guangyi after entering officialdom.

After several years of getting along, Zhao Guangyi and Shi Xizai became increasingly close. Just the day before yesterday, Zhao Guangyi was appointed as the Commander of the Palace Guards, and he appointed Shi Xizai as his chief secretary.

Seeing that it was Shi Xizai who spoke, Zhao Guangyi did not reprimand him for the slight disrespect in his words.

What Shi Xizai said was exactly what Zhao Guangyi was thinking.

Zhao Guangyi, who always liked to recruit talented people, held Wei Renpu in high esteem.

It should be noted that after the establishment of the Song Dynasty, most of the central officials of the former Zhou Dynasty retained their original positions, except for Wei Renpu, who was dismissed.

While feeling sorry for Wei Renpu, Zhao Guangyi had an idea.

Zhao Guangyi looked at Shi Xizai and said, "Ningji, have you found the list of palace eunuchs that I asked you to find out before?"

Upon hearing Zhao Guangyi's inquiry, Shi Xizai quickly took out a list from his robes and handed it to Zhao Guangyi.

After receiving the list, Zhao Guangyi carefully examined it.

"Han Tuili, Tong Gu, Yang Zi, Zhang Dejun"

While Zhao Guangyi was examining the names on the list, Shi Xizai explained from the side: "Not long ago, the purge in the palace almost wiped out all the high-ranking eunuchs from the previous dynasty."

These names are all recently selected and promoted by Grand Councilor Zhao, and it will likely be within a few days that they will be serving His Majesty in Yanfu Palace.

The fact that Zhao Guangyi trusted Shi Xizai so much proves that he must have been quite capable.

After hearing Shi Xizai's explanation, Zhao Guangyi nodded in satisfaction.

"The Empress Dowager recently bestowed many valuables upon me. Please take stock of those valuables and give them to those eunuchs when the time is right."

Since ancient times, eunuchs have always loved money.

Zhao Guangyi's words revealed his disgust for eunuchs without any attempt to conceal it.

You may hate someone, but you have to please them when the time comes.

Zhao Guangyi was thinking of befriending the eunuchs around Zhao Kuangyin, at least for now, he just wanted to figure out as much of Zhao Kuangyin's daily life as possible.

Knowing this, Zhao Guangyi was able to act with purpose and continue to receive Zhao Kuangyin's favor.

After giving the instructions, Zhao Guangyi said to Shi Xizai, "Once a palace eunuch is willing to do something for us, have him try to contact Wei Renpu."

"Wei Gong wishes to be reinstated to his original position, and I wish to petition Your Majesty on his behalf."

Shi Xizai kept Zhao Guangyi's instructions in mind and vowed not to disappoint him. After arranging these two matters, Zhao Guangyi discussed with his advisors the two people he cared about most at the moment—Li Jun and Li Chongjin.

"As two generals who commanded troops in the north and south respectively in the previous dynasty, it was inevitable that Li Jun and Li Chongjin would harbor rebellious intentions after receiving the news that His Majesty had ascended the throne."

The senior officials in the Council of State are arguing endlessly about this matter. Let us discuss today what methods we can use to probe the true intentions of these two men.

As Zhao Guangyi delivered his opening remarks, the hall instantly erupted into a chorus of discussion.
After a long while, the hall, where a result had been reached, fell silent once again.

Many of the advisors had already left, leaving only Shi Xizai and Zhao Guangyi in the hall.

Seeing that there was no one else around, Shi Xizai whispered his advice: "His Majesty's intention to cultivate the eldest son is obvious, and Wei Renpu is also good at strategy. General, you should pay attention to him."

As one of Zhao Guangyi's most trusted confidants, Shi Xizai was aware of Zhao Guangyi's ambitions.

Zhao Guangyi disregarded Shi Xizai's advice.

"I have watched the eldest prince grow up since he was a child. As his father, Your Majesty may be blinded by paternal love, but I will not."

I know his character and abilities very well.

Although his performance on the night of the uprising was commendable, a closer look reveals that His Majesty must have been behind it all.

In chaotic times, ability is of paramount importance, and Your Majesty will understand this in the future.

As for Wei Renpu?
Even if he were Zhuge Liang resurrected, so what? Did Zhuge Liang teach Liu Shan to be virtuous and talented?
There's no need to worry about Ningji.

Seeing that Shi Xizai wanted to persuade him again, Zhao Guangyi waved his hand to interrupt him.

Do you know why His Majesty has always shown me such great favor?

It's not just because I'm His Majesty's younger brother.

Also, because Your Majesty knows that I share his ambition to conquer the world.

Your Majesty knows that I have the ability to prevent the Zhao family's great cause from collapsing prematurely.

Soon the news of His Majesty's ascension to the throne will spread throughout the land, and many undercurrents will emerge from the abyss, impacting the newly established dynasty of the Song Dynasty.

The most important thing right now is to help the Song Dynasty overcome this crisis. I want His Majesty to see my abilities repeatedly.

Let's deal with other things after this crisis is over; otherwise, when the nest is destroyed, everything else is just empty talk!

As he spoke, Zhao Guangyi raised the memorial in his hand.

Since Zhao Guangyi had said so, Shi Xizai could only temporarily dispel his concerns.

Because of the three agreements between Wei Renpu and Zhao Pu, Zhao Dexiu, who was living in the inner palace, also received a few days later a discussion in the Political Affairs Hall about some local military governors.

Of course, state affairs cannot be easily leaked, and the information obtained by Wei Renpu and Zhao Dexiu was edited.

Wei Renpu had read the contents before Zhao Dexiu, and at this moment he was leisurely watching Zhao Dexiu read some other transcribed memorials.

Wei Renpu, who had been observing Zhao Dexiu, noticed that Zhao Dexiu's gaze lingered on a memorial for quite some time after seeing it.

This piqued Wei Renpu's interest.

Wei Renpu stared intently at the signature on the cover of the memorial and discovered that it was presented by Zhao Guangyi, the Commander of the Palace Guard.

"Do you think the method he described in his memorial is bad?"

Upon hearing Wei Renpu's question, Zhao Dexiu slowly closed the memorial.

not good?

Quite the opposite.

Zhao Dexiu felt that Zhao Guangyi's strategy was truly an excellent one.

This is why Zhao Dexiu's sense of crisis is growing stronger.

Uncle, with your abilities, I feel a lot of pressure!

(End of this chapter)