Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 68 Magnificent

After the court assembly in Chongyuan Hall ended, Zhang Dejun, who had witnessed everything, could no longer contain his joy. As soon as he had a moment to spare, he hurriedly went to Zhao Dezhao's side hall.

"Your Highness, what a joyous occasion!"

"Great news?" Zhao Dezhao was taken aback upon hearing the good news, then quickly grabbed Zhang Dejun's hands: "Could it be that you've found Wang Ji'en?"

"Uh..." Zhang Dejun paused, then stammered, "Your Majesty... I still haven't found this person."

Speaking of this matter, Zhang Dejun looked quite aggrieved. Ever since Zhao Dezhao left the capital, he had been thinking about this matter. He even pulled up the rosters of all the eunuchs and palace maids, but still couldn't find such a person.

He even wondered if Zhao Dezhao had misremembered the person's name.

But as a servant, he was too embarrassed to point out his master's faults.

"So what is this great joy you're referring to?"

Upon hearing that Wang Ji'en's whereabouts were still unknown, Zhao Dezhao sighed and asked with little interest.

"Your Highness, today in the court..." Zhang Dejun vividly recounted everything that happened in the court.

Zhao Dezhao was taken aback at first, then sat up straight and listened carefully, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

He wasn't surprised that the matter of getting married was put on the agenda.

After all, this matter was secretly orchestrated by the Emperor. Li Chuyun was merely using the Emperor's words to speak about it. Even if Zhao Pu hadn't stepped forward later, the Emperor would have certainly had a backup plan.

What truly alarmed him was that he and his father had only been on campaign for two months, yet Zhao Guangyi had already won over so many court officials, including Shen Yilun.

This was even after he had staged a scene where he was "donned the crown prince's robe"!

"We still can't underestimate my good uncle. Zhao Pu pressured him so much, yet he managed to endure it!"

"Given his personality, once he suffers this loss, he'll definitely find a way to get back at him..."

Zhao Dezhao pondered carefully. Most of Zhao Guangyi's power was now hidden in the shadows, and given his reputation as the Deadly Poison Master, he couldn't afford to be careless.

A sense of unease rose in Zhao Dezhao's heart, but he showed no sign of it on his face. He gently patted Zhang Dejun's shoulder and said:

Even after I get married, I will never forget the bond between us. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact me anytime.

"Your Highness, I, your humble servant, thank you!"

Seeing that Zhao Dezhao still treated him the same as before, Zhang Dejun breathed a sigh of relief and quickly kowtowed.

"You'll need to put in more effort to help with Wang Ji'en's affairs."

"I will do my utmost," Zhang Dejun said with a wry smile.

Zhao Dezhao shook his head, and just as he was about to say a few more words, a palace attendant's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard: "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to the Chuigong Hall."

"I'm coming!"

Zhao Dezhao shouted, hesitated for a moment, turned around and took out a brocade box. When he opened it, he found a luminous pearl the size of an egg inside!

This was one of the gifts presented by a group of officials under Li Shoujie after the pacification of Shangdang. This luminous pearl alone was worth ten thousand taels of silver!

Zhao Dezhao dared not touch the treasury, but he naturally accepted all the gifts.

"This is yours." Zhao Dezhao took out the luminous pearl and handed it to Zhang Dejun. Seeing Zhang Dejun wave his hand to refuse, Zhao Dezhao deliberately frowned and said:

"I borrowed several thousand strings of cash from you before, promising to repay it, but I've been putting it off until today. I've always remembered your kindness. How can a mere luminous pearl compare to the help you gave me in my time of need?"

If you refuse, you will be betraying my feelings!

After saying this, without waiting for Zhang Dejun's reaction, he forced the luminous pearl into Zhang Dejun's hand, turned around and left his side hall, following the eunuch waiting outside the courtyard directly to the Chuigong Hall.

Behind him, Zhang Dejun held the luminous pearl, staring blankly at his departing figure, his eyes instantly reddening.

……

Inside the Chuigong Hall, Zhao Kuangyin sat on a gilded throne, with Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi serving on either side.

After Zhao Dezhao entered, Zhao Kuangyin gestured for him to sit down, then looked at Zhao Pu and spoke first: "What is the situation in Yangzhou?"

Before setting off on the expedition, he ordered Lu Duoxun to take a beautiful woman with him as an envoy to Yangzhou, partly to appease Li Chongjin and partly to sow discord between Li Chongjin and his adopted son An Yougui.

To ensure things went smoothly, he even appointed the beauty as a nominal royal princess.

Now that Li Jun's rebellion has been quelled, he can finally focus on the situation in Yangzhou.

"Your Majesty, this is a secret report that Ludoson sent some time ago."

Zhao Pu took out a secret letter from his sleeve and presented it to Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin read it carefully, then ordered someone to pass it on to Zhao Guangyi. After reading it, Zhao Guangyi passed it on to Zhao Dezhao.

Zhao Dezhao unfolded the secret letter, a smile immediately appearing on his face: "Your subject congratulates Your Majesty!"

The secret letter stated that An Yougui had already developed hatred for Li Chongjin, and Li Chongjin, through Lu Duoxun's deliberate arrangement, happened to witness the beauty and An Yougui having an affair!

It must be said that the intricate schemes of the Three Kingdoms period were very suitable for Li Chongjin and his son An Yougui.

Li Chongjin was inherently suspicious and cruel. Although he was not as lecherous as Dong Zhuo, he would not tolerate his wife having affairs with others.

Although An Yougui was a brave warrior, he was also very fond of beautiful women. Every time he conquered the Southern Tang, he would abduct many women from Jiangnan for his own amusement.

Given their personalities, it wouldn't be difficult for Lu Duoxun to sow discord between them with a little trickery, such as using his beauty to his advantage.

If the two sides develop a rift, Yangzhou would be essentially cutting off its own arm, which would certainly be a good thing for the Song Dynasty!

"It's a pity that despite my best efforts to find the author of the Three Kingdoms, I have been unable to locate him or even meet him. It's truly a shame."

Zhao Kuangyin first shook his head and sighed, then said seriously, "The secret letter states that Li Chongjin is building high walls, his intentions are obvious. In your opinion, what should be done in this battle?"

"Your Majesty, although Huainan is currently disaffected by internal discord and lacks resources, it is close to the pseudo-Tang. If Jiangnan also intervenes, I fear things may change."

As Zhao Kuangyin's chief strategist, Zhao Pu stepped forward without hesitation and analyzed the situation in detail:

"Huainan is not far from Wu and Yue. In my opinion, it would be better to send an envoy to Wu and order them to send troops to help. Firstly, this would test the intentions of Wu and Yue, and secondly, with Wu and Yue in the east to keep them in check, we can also cut off the support from Jiangnan."

"Indeed, Ze Ping's words make sense." Zhao Kuangyin nodded in deep agreement, then asked, "So, who should be the general for this battle?"

Zhao Pu hesitated for a moment, about to speak, but Zhao Guangyi interrupted him first:

"Your Majesty, this battle should be resolved swiftly. In my humble opinion, it would be better for Your Majesty to personally lead the expedition!"

Zhao Pu paused slightly, then glanced at Zhao Guangyi expressionlessly.

Zhao Guangyi's eyes were open and honest, as if he had no selfish motives whatsoever.

Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The last time Zhao Kuangyin wanted to personally lead an expedition, Zhao Guangyi tried his best to stop him, saying that if the emperor left the capital, the people's hearts would not be at peace. This time, however, he was eager to make Zhao Kuangyin personally lead the expedition.

But you shouldn't have, absolutely shouldn't have, suggested that the emperor personally lead the expedition.

As expected, Zhao Kuangyin's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, but he gave Zhao Guangyi a deep look and said meaningfully:

"Does my Great Song Dynasty have no other valiant generals besides myself?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangyi's face stiffened abruptly, and he instantly realized that he had made a very basic mistake.

Normally, he would not have been so impatient, but he had already tasted the benefits of being in charge of the capital, and coupled with his defeat in today's court struggle, he subconsciously uttered such foolish advice.

"Your Majesty, I am your younger brother..." Zhao Guangyi immediately kowtowed, wanting to explain a few words.

"Father, my uncle was only concerned about the Zhao family's empire and misspoke. I hope you will forgive him."

Before Zhao Guangyi could speak, Zhao Dezhao stood up and began to plead for him.

Zhao Pu's expressionless face remained blank, and Zhao Guangyi, with his head bowed, also showed no emotion. Only Zhao Kuangyin glanced at his son with surprise.

"Then tell me, who should lead this battle?" Zhao Kuangyin asked with great interest.

Zhao Dezhao straightened up and met his gaze calmly:

"Father, what do you think of your son?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent, except for Zhao Dezhao, whose expression remained unchanged.

Now that his weapons are out in the open, he can no longer hide them. Since that's the case, he might as well take this opportunity to make it public to the world!

The eldest son of the Song Dynasty emperor is truly magnificent!