Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 535 The Crown Prince is Cowardly and Difficult to Advocate

"Your Highness, there are so many people here that I cannot perform the full ceremony. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Liu Huai looked Zhao Shen up and down very rudely before speaking sincerely.

Zhao Shen, however, didn't seem to care much and simply said sincerely, "General Liu, I've long heard of your great name. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is truly well-deserved. This time, General Liu has made great contributions to the country and saved the world from disaster. I will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine."

After the two of them exchanged greetings, Liu Huai finally got a thorough look at Zhao Shen.

It should be said that Zhao Shen had a very extraordinary appearance. By this generation, the Zhao family had moved away from the dark and fat warrior status of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi, and had become a weak scholar.

In addition to being a weak scholar, Zhao Shen actually has some heroic spirit. The most rare thing is that although Zhao Shen is already 35 years old and has been tormented by Zhao Gou and Qin Hui for many years, there is still a trace of childish innocence between his eyebrows, which is truly rare.

Of course, this kind of naive romanticism also has a derogatory meaning.

That's childish.

Liu Huai knew this opportunity was rare and short-lived, so he immediately got to the point: "Your Highness, this is Xin Qiji of Jinan Prefecture, and this is Lu You, the newly appointed governor of Mizhou. The three of us are all returning to Shandong. I hope Your Highness can make us a promise that after you inherit the throne, you will lead an expedition north to reclaim our homeland!"

Zhao Shen seemed to be very uncomfortable with this direct way of talking. He couldn't help but twist his butt on the bench and was speechless for a while.

Shi Hao took over the conversation directly: "With the Lianghuai region devastated to this extent, even if Your Highness ascended the throne, without two or three years of preparation, success would be impossible. A hasty Northern Expedition would be a dead end."

Liu Huai nodded to Shi Hao as a sign of respect, but did not respond to his words. He continued to speak to Zhao Shen, "Your Highness, I understand this principle. A hasty Northern Expedition would be dangerous for Your Highness, but if we abandon the Northern Expedition, our Shandong Volunteer Army would be in great difficulty, but Your Highness would be in even greater danger."

Just as Zhao Shen was about to say something, Shi Hao had already shouted in a low voice, "How dare you, Liu Dalang, threaten the Crown Prince?"

Liu Huai still ignored Shi Hao, and this time he didn't even nod to indicate. He just said to Zhao Shen, "If Your Highness becomes an official, he will need to take power. However, Tang Shitui's gang leader and faction are all members of the current official family. How can Your Highness win them over?

On the contrary, those of us who advocate war have all been abandoned by the government. If Your Highness can gather us and accomplish something great, then your throne will be secure!"

Shi Hao stood up with a bang, but quickly realized that he should not attract attention, so he sat back down.

He deeply regretted arranging the meeting between Liu Huai and Zhao Shen. Based on these few vicious words, it was not unfair to say that Liu Huai had a rebellious heart.

"You are trying to alienate the royal family." Shi Hao gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words.

Seeing Zhao Shen's bewildered expression, Liu Huai immediately turned to look at Shi Hao: "Mr. Shi, as the Crown Prince's professor, you should be frank. If you can't explain this clearly to His Highness, what use are you?"

Shi Hao was so angry that he almost ascended to heaven and two other Buddhas were born.

I'm not tired of living, so how dare I, as a minister, teach you the art of being an emperor?
Zhao Shen hesitated for a moment, drank a cup of tea, and then asked, "As Liu Qing said, if I cannot promote the Northern Expedition, will Liu Qing not be loyal to me and the Song Dynasty?"

Liu Huai glared at Shi Hao again, then said to Zhao Shen, "Did Mr. Shi not teach these principles to Your Highness? Then Mr. Shi really deserves to be beheaded. It's said that if the ruler treats his subjects as his own hands and feet, then the subjects will treat him as their own heart and soul; if the ruler treats his subjects as dogs and horses, then the subjects will treat him as their fellow countrymen; if the ruler treats his subjects as dirt, then the subjects will treat him as their enemy. When Mr. Shi was teaching, didn't he even teach Mencius?"

Shi Hao didn't want to bother with Liu Huai anymore, so he just said to Zhao Shen, "Your Highness, don't listen to this guy's one-sided words. That was during the Spring and Autumn Period, when the world was in turmoil, with various countries maneuvering and competing for hegemony. That's why Mencius said that a good bird chooses the right tree to roost in.

Now, the Song Dynasty is the only country in the world that is of Han descent. When Your Majesty ascends the throne, you will be the ruler of the world, and your subjects will have no choice but to be loyal to you."

Liu Huai folded his arms and said, "Oh? Then why didn't the Jin Kingdom redeem Wanyan Liang, but instead appointed a new ruler?"

"You are a barbarian villain who doesn't know etiquette. It's not surprising that you did this." As soon as Shi Hao finished speaking, his face changed immediately, knowing that he had fallen into Liu Huai's language trap.

As expected, Liu Huai directly said the taboo words in the next sentence: "Oh? Then where are the two saints?"

This time, not only Shi Hao, but even Lu You's expression changed.

Isn't this clearly saying that the current officials are disloyal and unfilial?
Liu Huai silenced Shi Hao with a single word, and continued while Zhao Shen was stunned, "After Your Highness ascends the throne, the current emperor will be the retired emperor, and the struggle between the pro-war and the non-pro-war ministers will continue. There will also be a struggle between Your Highness and the retired emperor. If Your Highness is unable to consolidate power after ascending the throne, it will not be a blessing for the country."

Shi Hao had just calmed down when he heard Liu Huai's words of disrespect for his father and his king. He became furious again and scolded in a low voice: "Liu Dalang, how dare you sow discord between the royal family?"

Liu Huai simply looked Zhao Shen in the eyes. "It's not that I'm trying to alienate the royal family, but I'm not interfering in matters outside my position. Since the emperor wants to abdicate the throne to Your Highness, then he should hand over all power. Only then can there be harmony between father and son. Emperor Gaozu of Han, in his filial piety, only moved the elders of Fengyi to Xinfeng. I've never heard of the emperor making the final decision on state affairs." Zhao Shen seemed to be shocked by Liu Huai's blunt words today. He was stunned for a moment before saying, "General Liu, aren't you afraid that the emperor and the officials will hear you say this?"

Liu Huai shook his head. "Of course I'm not afraid. Right now, there are only the Shandong rebels, Your Highness, and Mr. Shi. Needless to say, we are committed to recovering our homeland. While my words are certainly taboo, the Crown Prince meeting with foreign generals is even more taboo. With Your Highness's intelligence, you will definitely not commit suicide."

As he said that, Liu Huai looked at Shi Hao with a provocative look, as if to say, "Go ahead and tell on me if you have the guts. I want to see how you get yourself out of this."

Shi Hao was even more furious, but there was nothing he could do.

At this time, his honor and disgrace all depended on Zhao Shen. If he went to inform on Zhao Gou, he might gain Zhao Gou's favor, and Zhao Shen and Liu Huai would not have a good ending. But Zhao Gou was already at this age, how many more years could he enjoy the glory?

Are you still going to lick the new prince? Don't be ridiculous.

Zhao Shen was a rather gentle person, so he could only smile bitterly at this moment: "General Liu is extremely bold and fearless, but I can't compare to him."

Liu Huai shook his head again. "Your Highness thought I was using my achievements to intimidate you, but you're wrong. What I meant was that as long as Your Highness can guarantee the Northern Expedition, your position will be as solid as a rock, and the Shandong rebels will follow Your Highness's lead. But if Your Highness abandons the Northern Expedition, the Shandong rebels will never abandon Shandong and return south. Shandong will likely fall apart, and foreign generals like me who support Your Highness will die without a burial place. How can Your Highness accomplish anything great if you're left alone?"

"Your Highness, no matter how difficult it is, you must march north. Shandong can wait, but Your Highness must not negotiate peace with the Jin thieves. Otherwise, even if Your Highness becomes an official, you will never be able to control the government."

Seeing that Liu Huai had made his words so clear, Zhao Shen could only nod and express his opinion: "Of course. The only ones I can rely on are the Master and Minister Yu. Among the external generals, the only one who is loyal to me right now is you, Liu Dalang. If I can inherit the throne, I will not treat you unfairly in the slightest."

This was said firmly, but Liu Huai did not believe it and just nodded randomly.

He did not come this time to let Zhao Shen set the military and political line, but mainly to declare his own political bottom line. This kind of thing does not need much explanation in front of a powerful ruler like Li Shimin, or even in front of an intelligent person like Zhao Gou, they will understand it.

But Zhao Shen was politically naive after all, so Liu Huai had to make his point clear at this time, even if it would arouse Zhao Shen's suspicion and anger.

Given Zhao Shen's soft-heartedness, today's promise doesn't count at all. Who knows, if Shi Hao persuades him a few more times tomorrow, he might change his mind and switch from advocating war to advocating peace.

But after this meeting, even if Zhao Shen wanted to change the national policy, he had to weigh the pros and cons first. Is it worth losing the support of the Shandong rebels for the sake of peace?

"Your Highness, I will be returning to Shandong soon and may not be able to attend the abdication ceremony. In this case, I will offer tea instead of wine to congratulate Your Highness in advance." Liu Huai saw that some of the guards of the Eastern Palace looked anxious, and knew that time might not be enough, so he raised his teacup and bowed to Zhao Shen.

Zhao Shen also raised his teacup and drank it all in one gulp, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Liu Dalang is really straightforward and has the temperament of a warrior. I will be accompanying the emperor back to the capital in the next two days, and Liu Dalang should be able to make the trip as well. If we have the chance then, we can meet again."

Shi Hao rolled his eyes.

If I could let you two meet again in private, I would write the word "history" backwards!
Zhao Shen stood up, bowed to Liu Huai, and then left with his guards.

Liu Huai stood up and walked him a few steps, then returned to his seat again, turning his head to look at Zhao Shen's back, as if thinking about something.

Lu You shook his head and said, "Da Lang, you shouldn't say this to the prince."

Xin Qiji retorted, "If we don't make things clear now, if the Song Dynasty abandons the Northern Expedition someday, these people might think that the Shandong generals will lead their troops to return to the Song Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Huai could only shake his head and smile.

The same smile appeared on Zhao Mi's face as he watched this scene from afar on the street corner.

Tian Zhuo stepped forward upon seeing this and asked in a low voice, "General, do you want to report this to the emperor?"

Zhao Mi hesitated for a moment before saying, "We also need to see the overall situation. If the emperor and his son are harmonious, then there is no need for us to waste time. But if the emperor has a grudge against the prince, then it will be our chance to make a contribution."

As he spoke, Zhao Mi laughed again.

Tian Zhuo said, "If the prince really secures his position, we can still sell him a good deal."

Zhao Mi's eyes lit up, and he patted Tian Zhuo on the shoulder: "Boy, why didn't I know you were so smart before?"

(End of this chapter)