Song Xiu

Chapter 27 The World Shouldn't Be Like This (Please Read On!)
When Empress Wang saw that the situation on the chessboard was indeed as described, she put down her chess piece.

"Liu Ge'er's chess skills have improved so quickly."

Despite losing the game today, Empress Wang, who treats Zhao Dexiu like a son, is genuinely happy for Zhao Dexiu's growth.

"Now that the outcome of the game is decided, and it's getting late, let's hurry back to the palace, young master."

Studies should be prioritized.

Neither Zhao Dexiu nor Zhao Dezhao were in Yande Palace, yet the palace eunuch dared to leave the palace without permission. Empress Wang immediately realized that the eunuch was sent by Wei Renpu.

Today, Zhao Dexiu stayed in Yanqing Palace longer than usual.

Upon hearing Empress Wang's words, Zhao Dexiu stood up, bowed to Empress Wang, and then led Zhao Dezhao out of the palace.

Upon arriving outside the palace, Zhao Dexiu saw a eunuch anxiously waiting for him at the door.

Upon seeing Zhao Dexiu emerge, the eunuch hurriedly approached him: "Your Highness, Duke Wei says he has important matters to discuss with you."

After listening to the eunuch's report, Zhao Dexiu nodded and led Zhao Dezhao on the road back to the palace.

The imperial city is majestic and imposing, with its palaces and gardens standing in abundance.

Living in such a magnificent environment can easily cause one's lust for power to grow uncontrollably.

How many people in the world dream of entering the palace and getting closer to the pinnacle of human existence?
As Zhao Dexiu walked along the wide palace road, he glanced at the eaves of the palaces and pavilions around him, which were lowered by dark clouds. He saw the vermilion pillars under the eaves reflecting a chilling light.

In Zhao Dexiu's view, this imperial city, which everyone dreams of getting close to, has now become a shackle binding him.

He had no way to cultivate his own power within the confines of the palace!
Upon returning to Yande Palace, Zhao Dexiu, as was customary, first received Zhao Kuangyin's reward from Zhang Dejun, who had been waiting in the side hall.

Today, Zhao Kuangyin's reward is a weapon.

This weapon is shaped like a nunchaku from later generations. Zhao Dexiu knew that in this era, it had a famous name—the Panlong Staff.

Zhao Dexiu also knew that this dragon staff had once been Zhao Kuangyin's personal weapon.

Just a few days ago, Zhao Kuangyin bestowed upon him the Changquan (Long Fist) manual, and today he also bestowed upon him the Panlong Staff. Zhao Kuangyin was admonishing him that while he was diligent in his studies, he should not neglect his martial arts.

Zhao Dexiu respectfully accepted the Panlong Staff. In the meantime, Zhang Dejun whispered to Zhao Dexiu about the scolding he had just heard from Wei Renpu's room.

After memorizing Zhang Dejun's report, Zhao Dexiu calmly and personally escorted Zhang Dejun out of the palace gate.

Although Zhao Dexiu desperately wanted to see Wei Renpu, he knew he couldn't afford to lose his composure at this crucial moment.

Only after seeing Zhang Dejun off did Zhao Dexiu go to Wei Renpu's room.

As soon as he entered the room, Zhao Dexiu apologized to Wei Renpu, saying, "Lord Wei, you should have come quickly when summoned, but the Emperor sent a reward, which delayed you. I have kept you waiting."

Zhao Dexiu's words made Wei Renpu nod, and then Wei Renpu gestured for Zhao Dexiu to close the door.

After Zhao Dexiu closed the door and sat down in front of him, Wei Renpu kept staring at him.

Wei Renpu really wanted to tell Zhao Dexiu what had happened that day.

However, with the wise saying that one should not alienate relatives, Wei Renpu gave up the idea.

After thinking for a while, Wei Renpu still didn't know how to start the conversation.

Fortunately, Zhao Dexiu noticed that the atmosphere was a bit dull, so he took the initiative to speak, saying, "Today I played chess with the Empress Dowager at Yanqing Palace."

The Empress Dowager made a careless move and was narrowly defeated by her disciple.

The Empress Dowager praised Uncle Guangyi for his excellent guidance in teaching his disciple chess.

As their relationship grew closer, Zhao Dexiu would sometimes share with Wei Renpu some of the things that happened during his visits to the Second Palace.

In the past, if Zhao Dexiu had said this, Wei Renpu would have mostly responded with a smile to his sharing, but not today.

"Uncle Guangyi?"

"It seems you have a good relationship with General Zhao."

Wei Renpu asked tentatively.

Seeing Wei Renpu ask this question, Zhao Dexiu was a little puzzled, but replied matter-of-factly, "This disciple is only a few years older than Uncle Guangyi."

When my mother entered the family, my uncle Guangyi was younger than Dezhao is now. He often played in the courtyard where my mother lived, and my mother loved him dearly, just like her own son.

Not to mention, he's my blood-related uncle, how could my relationship with him be bad?

Zhao Dexiu was telling the truth. A decade or so before the Zhao family was part of the imperial family, Zhao Dexiu's relationship with Zhao Guangyi was no different from that of an ordinary uncle and nephew.

But so what?
Empress He doted on Zhao Guangyi. How did he treat Zhao Dezhao after he became emperor?

Past family ties can be cherished in memory, but they will never affect what Zhao Dexiu does now or in the future.

Wei Renpu was unaware of Zhao Dexiu's thoughts.

However, when Wei Renpu learned how much He Shi had cared for Zhao Guangyi, and when Zhao Dexiu revealed his closeness to Zhao Guangyi in his words, Wei Renpu's disdain for Zhao Guangyi and sense of crisis reached a new peak.

He values ​​Zhao Dexiu most for her kindness, filial piety, and intelligence.

However, the benevolent and filial Zhao Dexiu was completely unprepared for his uncle's ambition, and would easily fall victim to Zhao Guangyi's schemes in the future.

Having already sided entirely with Zhao Dexiu, how could Wei Renpu possibly sit idly by and watch this situation unfold?
Zhao Dexiu will not be the second Gao Yin, and he will certainly not be the second Yang Yin.

Wei Renpu adopted an unprecedentedly serious attitude and looked at Zhao Dexiu, asking:

"Today I would like to ask Your Highness, what are your aspirations?"

Sensing Wei Renpu's seriousness, Zhao Dexiu knew that the most important step had arrived.

At this moment, he no longer intended to hide anything.

"I am His Majesty's eldest son. Ever since I was old enough to understand, His Majesty has taken me with him on every military campaign. The first year of Xiande was the first time I accompanied my father on a military campaign."

That year, the Northern Han and Khitan allied forces invaded, with tens of thousands of troops advancing towards Zezhou. I, along with Shi Zhen (Shi Shouxin's eldest son), Zhang Hao (Zhang Yongde's eldest son), and others, watched the battlefield situation from a mountain outside the battlefield.

Tens of thousands of Northern Han infantrymen led the way, while over ten thousand Khitan horses roared to the left and right, displaying unparalleled arrogance.

In the Khitan army, I saw many old people, women and children. At that time, I didn't understand why the Khitan army would bring these old, weak and women who had no fighting ability when they didn't carry military rations on their expedition.
It was only after Zhang Hao's explanation that I learned that the elderly, women, and children were called "two-legged sheep" by the Khitans, and they were the food rations for the Khitan army!

That was the first time I realized that people could eat each other.

Then, upon closer inspection, I witnessed a scene I will never forget in this lifetime.

Numerous Khitan cavalrymen used their weapons to lift up Chinese infants, who then danced, roared, and played around with them!

When did our great nation of China fall so low, subjected to such oppression by the Tatar barbarians?

At this point, Zhao Dexiu's face had become filled with resentment.

Zhao Dexiu's storytelling was not yet over.

"In that great battle, our army won a great victory and then marched north to recover lost territory."

I followed the army, passing through many dilapidated villages along the way. I walked with the army for a very long time, but no matter how long I walked, I never saw a wisp of smoke rise from the chimneys.

On a cold night in the Central Plains, white bones covered the fields like frost, and cries from desolate villages and broken walls were like ghostly apparitions.

As dawn broke and I approached the vicinity of Taiyuan City, I occasionally spotted a few emaciated people.

Lord Wei, do you know what they were doing when I met them?

They eat bones and cook by breaking up bones!

Since ancient times, the Central Plains has been known as a land of abundant resources and fertile soil, but what difference is there between the Central Plains today and hell?

As Zhao Dexiu spoke, his expression became excited, and his shoulders trembled.

Zhao Dexiu's words prompted Wei Renpu to let out a long sigh; he was also in the army at that time.

Just as Wei Renpu was immersed in his grief and indignation, Zhao Dexiu's eyes revealed a light of unwavering resolve, even at the risk of death.

"That winter was very cold. I know that all the people under heaven are constantly in that soul-crushing cold."

This world shouldn't be like this. The great land of China shouldn't be like this.

Lord Wei asked me what my ambition was, so I will tell you today.

I, Zhao Dexiu, wish to draw upon the light of the crape myrtle to illuminate the cold land!

As is widely known, the Ziwei star is the imperial star.

　Please read on, we'll be having a recommendation showdown tonight!

(End of this chapter)