The prince is more stable

Chapter 1024 The Determination to Resign as Prime Minister
Zhang Dun once again found himself on the opposite side from Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't look at him, but addressed the assembled officials. The favor that Zhang Dun had shown Zhao Xiaoqian in seizing the throne had finally been exhausted as their political differences intensified.

Everyone has their own reasons for right and wrong, and Zhang Dun's explanation cannot be said to be useless.

Cultivating military generals who wield excessive power in the future might lead to a repeat of the Tang Dynasty's fragmented regional warlordism, which could not necessarily be a good thing for the Song Dynasty.

But the root of all right and wrong lies in the system; a perfect system can avoid many hidden dangers.

The current system of military power in the Song Dynasty is actually very strict and even harsh.

Ordinary military officers simply cannot mobilize troops; the emperor has absolute power to mobilize and command all troops in the empire.

In this respect, the Song Dynasty did better than the Tang Dynasty. Perhaps it was because Zhao Kuangyin's rise to power was illegitimate and he usurped the throne through the machinations of military generals, so he naturally had an extraordinary sense of vigilance towards military generals. Therefore, the military power of the Song Dynasty was firmly in the hands of the emperor throughout history.

Zhang Dun's choice was to nip the problem in the bud; as long as he didn't establish any military academy, none of this would have happened.

Of course, deep down he still looked down on military generals. From the perspective of the civil official group, he would not allow military generals to enter the halls of power and touch the interests of the civil officials.

The disagreement between the emperor and the prime minister arose once again.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Zhang Dun indifferently, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

The call to dismiss the prime minister was at an all-time high.

Even if this prime minister has many merits, he cannot maintain the same stance as the emperor. Such a prime minister, Zhao Xiaoqian, is unusable and should not be employed.

There are still many things that need to be changed in the Song Dynasty, and many rules need to be redefined. Zhao Xiaoqian does not want his greatest assistant to become his greatest obstacle.

Looking at the reactions of the officials in the hall, they all clearly agreed with Zhang Dun's words and disagreed with the establishment of the military academy. However, they did not dare to openly disobey the emperor's wishes, and only Zhang Dun spoke out.

Indeed, Zhang Dun became the biggest obstacle.

Zhao Xiaoqian anticipated that the court officials would not agree, since the vast majority of those in the palace were civil officials. No civil official was willing to elevate the status of military generals. Whether it was due to outdated ideas or fear that military generals would infringe on the interests of civil officials, in short, it was not so easy for military generals to enter the court.

Fortunately, when Zhao Xiaoqian first conceived of this idea, he had already anticipated the reactions of his ministers, so he had kept quiet all this time, waiting for the right opportunity.

Today is the perfect time. With a great victory in the Northwest, the Western Xia dynasty has been destroyed, and the emperor's prestige has reached its peak.

This matter can be forcefully implemented without regard to the reactions of the court officials, relying solely on the emperor's prestige.

"I have made my decision. A military academy must be established, and it must be done immediately." Zhao Xiaoqian stood up, his gaze sweeping across the hall, deliberately lingering on Zhang Dun for a moment.

A murmur rippled through the courtiers, and judging from their expressions, they were clearly opposed.

However, just as Zhao Xiaoqian had predicted, when the emperor's prestige soared, the words "imperial power" shone brightly in the palace, and no one dared to look directly at this light, not even Zhang Dun.

"Since Mr. Zihou objects, we need not trouble him to oversee this matter. We should hand it over to Vice Minister Cai Jing."

Cai Jing walked out excitedly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will handle this properly and live up to your trust."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "The Military Academy can be located outside Kaifeng City. The imperial court will allocate funds. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue must cooperate with Cai Jing to provide all necessary funds, materials, and craftsmen. If needed, they must be supplied."

"With Xu Jianghe and An Tao assisting Cai Jing in the Privy Council, I hope to see a brand-new military academy rise from the ground within three months, to begin training various generals and talents for our Great Song Dynasty, to serve the country and for my own use."

As soon as Zhao Xiaoqian finished speaking, Zhang Dun hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion..."

However, this time Zhao Xiaoqian did not adopt the attitude of a wise ruler who accepts advice. He said in a cold tone, "If you disagree, you can reserve your opinion. I have already made a decision on this matter, and there is no need to persuade me to stop."

With that, Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand: "Let the court adjourn. Cai Jing, General Xu, An Tao, and others, come to the Wende Hall this afternoon to discuss matters."

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian turned and left, retreating into the inner hall amidst the shouts and cheers of the Hundred Officials Mountain.

Inside the Daqing Hall, everyone was looking at Zhang Dun with complex and varied expressions, but no one moved.

According to the rules of etiquette, after the court session, all officials must make way for the prime minister to pass first.

The officials waited for Zhang Dun to move, but Zhang Dun stood motionless, his face ashen, gritting his teeth.

After a long while, Cai Jing quietly took a few steps closer and stood in front of him, intending to remind Zhang Dun. However, when he got closer, he noticed that Zhang Dun's body was trembling slightly and his face was terribly pale.

A mocking smile flashed in Cai Jing's eyes.

That old fool really doesn't know his own limitations, repeatedly going against the government.

He now roughly understands that the Emperor has probably decided to dismiss him as Prime Minister, and this is the consequence of going against the Emperor.

Logically, the emperor should have dismissed the prime minister long ago; he had already harbored this intention when he promoted Cai Jing to the Council of State Affairs.

Cai Jing privately speculated on the Emperor's intentions: the Emperor probably felt that Cai Jing's sudden entry into the Council of State was not a good time to immediately promote him to the position of Prime Minister, as this would not be convincing and would provoke public criticism. Secondly, the Emperor might still value loyalty and intend to give Zhang Dun another chance. Now, Zhang Dun had completely missed this opportunity, and his dismissal as Prime Minister was a foregone conclusion.

Cai Jing, on the other hand, had been cautious in his words and actions since joining the Council of State Affairs. He always followed the emperor's pace and never opposed the emperor's decisions. Instead, he thought about how to implement the emperor's decisions and how to do them well.

The difference in their abilities is obvious, and replacing Zhang Dun is just around the corner.

Unlike Zhang Dun, who turned himself into an obstacle to the emperor, Cai Jing was a true asset to the emperor, an indispensable and trustworthy assistant.

This is the principle and attitude that a subject should have.

Approaching Zhang Dun, and seeing him still in a daze, Cai Jing couldn't help but say, "Prime Minister Zhang, the court session has already ended, as you see..."

Cai Jing reminded him to leave first, otherwise none of the officials would dare to be the first to leave.

Zhang Dun snapped out of his daze, his eyes finally focusing, and he saw Cai Jing clearly in front of him.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Dun suddenly said, "Yuan Chang, I am not wrong."

Cai Jing was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhang Dun to suddenly say that. In fact, ever since he entered the Council of State Affairs, Zhang Dun had always harbored a strange hostility towards Cai Jing, perhaps guessing the Emperor's intentions.

Aside from official business, the two had virtually no personal relationship, so it was highly unlikely that Zhang Dun would suddenly say such a thing.

Cai Jing was unsure of Zhang Dun's intention in saying this—whether he was explaining or defending himself, or emphasizing the need to solidify his own principles.

Cai Jing and Zhang Dun were completely different people; their thoughts and ideas were not on the same wavelength at all. Their principles and bottom lines for being a person and an official were also completely different, to say the least.

Seeing Zhang Dun's distraught appearance, Cai Jing, who had initially been gloating, finally couldn't help but say, "Mr. Zihou, in matters of state and politics, there is no absolute right or wrong. You really don't need to always go against the Emperor's decisions."

"His Majesty is undoubtedly a sage ruler for all time. Having been on the throne for so long, I believe you can clearly see the changes he has made to the Song Dynasty. His Majesty's decisions are never wrong. Sometimes what seems wrong at first glance will eventually be seen to be right in the future."

"At all times, we must remember that we are the subjects and the Emperor is the ruler. You understand the principle of the relationship between ruler and subject better than I do."

As he spoke, Cai Jing cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to him, then smiled kindly, turned around, and left.

Zhang Dun remained standing there, his gaze once again lost in a daze.

Yes, he was once a meritorious official who supported the emperor's ascension to the throne, and the emperor once trusted him a lot. Why did the relationship between the emperor and his minister turn out like this?
Did I really do something wrong?

…………

Zhao Xiaoqian changed into a yellow robe in the back hall of Daqing Hall, then wore ordinary spring clothes and walked back to Funing Hall.

Just as I stepped out of the Daqing Hall, I heard a burst of firecrackers exploding outside the palace, and I could faintly hear the cheers and excited shouts of the people outside.

Zhao Xiaoqian paused, and Zheng Chunhe behind him hurriedly said with a smile, "The news of the fall of Western Xia has probably already spread, and the people of Bianjing are celebrating right now."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "That's great. The firecrackers are especially loud. I'll have the palace prepare some too, and I'll set them off with Hao'er."

Zheng Chunhe hurriedly agreed.

Inside the Funing Palace, as soon as Zhao Xiaoqian stepped into the hall, Di Ying and the other women came to greet him.

Zhao Xiaoqian was surprised to find Xue Meiyun among them, but in front of the women, she lowered her head somewhat awkwardly, appearing a little shy and reserved.

It seems that Di Ying and the other women have already accepted her, otherwise she wouldn't be here now.

"My sisters and I congratulate you, my lord! The great victory in the Northwest, the fall of the Western Xia, and the triumph of the Song people! You are truly amazing!" Di Ying smiled and took his arm.

Zhao Xiaoqian instinctively touched her high, protruding belly and, as usual, shouted, "My dear father!"

Then he put his arm around Di Ying's shoulder and said with a smile, "I'm in a good mood after hearing the good news today, so I've decided... to have a feast!"

"Old Zheng, tell the imperial chef to prepare a few more hearty dishes and a pot of wine."

Di Ying and the other women were overjoyed, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Zhao Xiaoqian.

The achievement of conquering a country not only enhanced the emperor's prestige but also elevated his status in the hearts of his wives and concubines.

What man has the ability to so easily destroy a country? There aren't many emperors throughout history who could do that.

To be able to marry such a peerless hero and bear his children, wouldn't that be the greatest blessing in life?
Zhao Xiaoqian was indeed in a good mood. Although there had been some unpleasantness with Zhang Dun and the court officials during the court meeting about the establishment of the Military Academy, it didn't matter. The emperor's prestige had suppressed all dissenting voices, and his decision had to be carried out.

The destruction of the Western Xia dynasty marked a significant step forward in unifying the world, ushering in a new era, from the Three Kingdoms period to the Chu-Han Contention.

Without a doubt, in the end, the Song Dynasty will be the father, and a father that the Khitans will never be able to have.

(End of this chapter)