Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 44 Paving the Way

"My father intends to send an envoy to Yangzhou to appease Li Chongjin."

Zhao Dezhao immediately told Lu Duoxun what Zhang Dejun had told him the day before: "Just yesterday, the Emperor ordered Uncle Zeping to find a stunningly beautiful woman to be adopted as a princess and accompany the envoy to Yangzhou..."

He was only halfway through his sentence when Lu Duoxun's eyes lit up, and he blurted out instinctively, "The chain stratagem from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'?"

"Exactly."

Zhao Dezhao smiled and narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling quite satisfied with Lu Duoxun's quick reaction.

To be able to quickly connect a series of schemes from such a short sentence is a skill that is not something an ordinary person can do.

"If you are interested, I can have Uncle Zeping recommend you to His Majesty."

"Your Highness, I thank you for your guidance!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Dezhao.

He knew that this was a sweet treat from Zhao Dezhao after the last slap.

But what he wanted to say was...

He really wanted to eat those dates!

Given the personalities of Li Chongjin and his son An Yougui, they would have a great chance of replicating the chain stratagem from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" if the timing was right.

And I have that ability!

If we could turn father and son against each other, thereby preventing Li Chongjin from forming an alliance with Li Jun, or even further, if we could take this opportunity to completely split Huainan, that would certainly be a great achievement!

Ludoson, of course, would not let this opportunity slip by.

"Alright, I'll tell Uncle Zeping about this when he comes to teach me tomorrow." Zhao Dezhao agreed, then after a moment's thought, he added:

"Li Jun has rebelled, and Father has already dispatched Shi Shouxin and other vanguard troops to Zezhou. He will personally lead the expedition soon, and I will accompany him. I am not in Kaifeng, but there is something I need you to do."

"Your Highness has given the order, and I will not refuse!" Ludoson replied decisively.

The two were in the same boat, and he had been following Zhao Dezhao for many days, so he already knew Zhao Dezhao's character well.

He won't suffer if he follows His Highness!

"Are all books printed nowadays printed using woodblock printing?" Zhao Dezhao suddenly asked.

Lu Duoxun thought for a moment and said, "It has always been like this. If the engraving is made from the handwriting of a famous calligrapher, it will be preserved and be worth a fortune."

"This thing could perhaps be improved, for example, by making it a living thing..."

Zhao Dezhao then explained some of the key points of movable type printing to Lu Duoxun.

In fact, movable type printing is not difficult. It was invented in the early Northern Song Dynasty. It simply involves cutting a whole block of woodblock into small movable characters. Whenever a character is needed, it is placed into a mold and coated with gel.

When the type is no longer needed, it is softened with fire to remove it.

In this way, the waste and cost of woodblock printing will be greatly reduced.

As a scholar, Lu Duoxun was well aware of the power of this technique, and his eyes gleamed with astonishment as he repeatedly exclaimed in amazement:

"Your Highness's wisdom is truly admirable..."

"This is someone else's wisdom, and has nothing to do with me." Zhao Dezhao waved his hand, and then said his idea: "You can sell this method to a few large bookstores in the city."

Lu Duoxun, however, offered a different idea: "I think it might be possible to combine it with the original text."

"Heben" means to invest in shares.

"That's fine too, you can decide for yourself." Zhao Dezhao waved his hand, indicating that Lu Duoxun could make the decision himself.

This was just a way to accumulate gold and silver, and he didn't care that much about it. The most important thing right now was to learn military strategy from his cheap old man.

……

April 19th, the first year of the Jianlong era of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Kuangyin officially appointed Shi Shouxin, deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, and Gao Huaide, deputy commander of the Palace Guards, as the vanguard, leading the elite Imperial Guards ahead of the enemy and heading straight from Mengzhou to Tianjing Pass.

Thirty thousand elite Imperial Guards stood arrayed on the training ground, their formation as solid as a mountain, their killing intent palpable.

This invincible army during the Five Dynasties period will once again show the world their terrifying fangs. Such a fierce and ruthless army carries a chilling killing intent, and even an ordinary emperor would feel a little fear.

However, Zhao Kuangyin was not included in this list.

Although he hadn't donned armor and gone into battle for more than half a year, he walked into the ranks of tens of thousands of imperial guards with a relaxed expression, as if he were a tiger returning to the mountains.

Zhao Dezhao followed behind him, carrying a tray, looking around curiously.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Upon seeing Zhao Kuangyin approach, Shi Shouxin and the other generals all stepped forward to pay their respects.

"You must ensure that Li Jun is stopped outside the Taihang Mountains. Quickly lead troops to block the pass and under no circumstances allow Li Jun to advance south to Luoyang!"

Zhao Kuangyin had a habit of personally summoning his generals before each campaign to give them a detailed strategy.

However, what he taught was the overall strategy; as for the specific tactics, that was entirely up to the commander-in-chief's pre-battle command, and he would not arbitrarily give instructions.

After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's instructions, Shi Shouxin nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not allow the rebel army to cross Tianjing Pass!"

Zhao Kuangyin had considerable trust in Shi Shouxin's abilities.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, and then gestured for Zhao Dezhao to step forward.

After understanding Zhao Kuangyin's meaning, Zhao Dezhao quickly stepped forward and held out the tray to Shi Shouxin: "Nephew wishes to offer wine and water to Uncle Shi to wish him a successful start!"

Seeing Zhao Dezhao respectfully offer him a toast, Shi Shouxin felt a pang of fear, and his expression changed slightly.

"Your Highness is of such high status, how could I allow you to offer me a toast?"

Those present were all generals of the Imperial Guards, and all were Zhao Kuangyin's men. Naturally, they knew about the incident on the day of the coup when Crown Prince Zhao Dezhao was forced to wear the robes.

In other words, in the hearts of these imperial guards generals, Zhao Dezhao was already Zhao Kuangyin's tacitly approved heir apparent.

"It's alright. We are sworn brothers, so it's only natural for Dezhao to call you uncle. How can an uncle refuse a toast from his nephew?"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled slightly, and seeing this, Shi Shouxin did not refuse. With a somewhat moved expression, he drank the wine offered by Zhao Dezhao in one gulp, then laughed heartily and said:

"Your Highness, I thank you for your kind words!"

"Uncle Shi, you're too kind. You've fought alongside my father for many years. In the future, I might have to ask you for advice on military strategy," Zhao Dezhao said at the opportune moment.

Zhao Kuangyin, standing to the side, chimed in, looking at the tens of thousands of elite troops on the training ground with a nostalgic expression:

"Back then, we, the brothers of the Righteous Society, had a very close relationship. We roamed the world together, supporting each other through life and death, and fighting side by side. These were the happiest days of my life."

"Unfortunately, I am currently preoccupied with the affairs of the state, and I fear it will be difficult for me to fight alongside my brothers on the battlefield again in the future. Whenever I think of this, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of regret and helplessness..."

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, his expression showing considerable regret.

Zhao Dezhao glanced at his father in surprise, but for a moment he couldn't understand what his father meant.

But Shi Shouxin had been brothers with Zhao Kuangyin for many years, so how could he not understand the deeper meaning in Zhao Kuangyin's words?

He first showed a regretful expression and sighed:

"Your Majesty is now the Son of Heaven, and is busy with state affairs, so it is naturally impossible for you to personally lead troops into battle."

At this time, Zhao Kuangyin had not yet released the news that he was going to personally lead the expedition.

Then, Shi Shouxin looked at Zhao Dezhao behind Zhao Kuangyin, his gaze kind and encouraging:

"However, since ancient times, there has been the fundamental human principle of sons inheriting their fathers' will!"

"Although Prince Dezhao is still young, he has already shown great intelligence. If he grows up a few more years, he may very well be able to conquer the world for His Majesty in the future."

"With the assistance of experienced ministers and others, Your Majesty's former glory will surely be revived!"

After hearing Shi Shouxin's words, Zhao Dezhao finally understood his father's deeper meaning. He glanced at his father discreetly and saw that Zhao Kuangyin's smile had widened. He gently patted Shi Shouxin's shoulder and said with a smile:

"With your trustworthy words, I can finally rest assured..."

As he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the other generals in the army.

Every officer and general, regardless of their true thoughts, spoke in agreement, their words filled with expectation and recognition for Zhao Dezhao's future.

A few words and a glass of wine.

Zhao Kuangyin had already quietly paved a path for his son.

……