The prince is more stable

Chapter 1034 Su Shi is recalled
Xue Meiyun can be described as "exquisite" in her dealings with people.

This woman knew when to advance and retreat, and was tactful. Perhaps because she was in the inner palace and had no power base, she was always careful in her words and actions. She was even kind and gentle to the eunuchs and palace maids around her and never offended anyone easily.

Zhao Xiaoqian was able to favor her probably because of her cautiousness.

The imperial harem was too large, with thousands of eunuchs and palace maids, plus the empress and concubines, all confined within this palace. It had formed a fixed society, and was even more cruel and cold-blooded than the outside world.

As emperor, Zhao Xiaoqian did not want to waste too much energy on the harem, so he had to be even more careful in choosing women.

Those women who seem docile but are actually scheming and manipulative, who like to sow discord and have no bottom line in their pursuit of advancement, are absolutely not to be touched. Otherwise, their backyard will be on fire, and Zhao Xiaoqian will be burned to the ground, leaving him with nothing but his underwear.

Xue Meiyun is different. This woman has some green tea tactics, but not many. She probably learned them at the last minute before entering the palace.

After spending these days together, Zhao Xiaoqian had gained a general understanding of her.

This woman isn't bad; even her manipulative tactics are rather naive.

Seeing her reminded Zhao Xiaoqian of the scene when he first met Niao Niao. Back then, Niao Niao, like Xue Meiyun, deliberately used manipulative tactics to seduce him, but the seduction was like an awkward conversation between a man and a woman on a blind date, extremely clumsy.

Now that Zhao Xiaoqian has favored Xue Meiyun multiple times, she probably feels she has the upper hand and has finally stopped using any manipulative tactics, revealing her true nature in front of him.

It can only be said that Xue Meiyun, being a lady from an official family, was even more particular about her daily food and clothing than the emperor himself.

The snacks and pastries in her bedchamber were all delivered by fast horse from Hangzhou, because she said she couldn't get used to the taste of the Central Plains. The clothes she wore were also made of Suzhou and Hangzhou silk and embroidery. Most of the food and other items in her bedchamber came from the Jiangnan region.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian felt like a country bumpkin in front of her.

Compared to her, Emperor Zhao Xiaoqian was not just frugal, he was practically penniless.

In his past life, he was a refined poor man. In this life, he hasn't changed his bad habits of suffering and poverty. He can't learn to be extravagant and decadent. Adding a few more fancy dishes to the table is considered a celebration.

Of course, it was not a bad thing for the country that the emperor was willing to live such a simple life, and it could also play a positive role in the education of his children. Zhao Xiaoqian had no intention of changing it.

"Missing your parents?" Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Xue Meiyun in his arms and understood somewhat.

Ultimately, she is still just a girl under twenty years old. She has been pampered by her parents since childhood and comes from a good family background.

Later, when the imperial court held a selection of candidates, she met all the requirements. A girl who was not yet twenty years old set off alone, leaving Jiangnan and traveling thousands of miles to Bianjing in the Central Plains, where she had no relatives or friends. She spent her days and nights trying to survive in the dangerous and treacherous imperial palace.

To be honest, it wasn't easy.

Xue Meiyun was very nervous when she made this request. She was afraid that the emperor would have a bad impression of her and that she would become arrogant and presumptuous after gaining favor.

But when she was favored by the emperor and her position in the palace was secured, her long-strained nerves suddenly relaxed. At this moment, she suddenly missed her parents very much and wanted to throw herself into her mother's arms and tell her about the hardships of living alone in the palace for the past two years.

Zhao Xiaoqian understood her feelings, and didn't think it was anything excessive.

After pondering for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "I remember, your father was the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was a Jinshi in the sixth year of the Yuanfeng era. He served as the principal of the Ministry of Revenue in Bianjing for several years before being transferred to Hangzhou."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked.

This father-in-law is clearly no ordinary person.

He had only been a minor official for a few years when he was transferred to a local post, and even became the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou.

Don't assume that all Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the Song Dynasty were so lucky. Most of them had to endure more than ten years before they could be assigned to a county government office in a certain place, serving as a minor county magistrate or registrar.

Xue Meiyun's father must have spent a lot of money, or he must have had very strong connections.

Even before meeting his father-in-law, Zhao Xiaoqian already had a vague impression of him.

This old guy is probably not an honest official.

Judging from Xue Meiyun's daily food, clothing, and daily necessities, as well as the jade carving of the God of Longevity that she gave herself on her birthday, it is clear that this is not something that an honest official or a middle-class family could afford.

Well, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. The emperor should also learn to play dumb. Zhao Xiaoqian is not some anti-corruption vanguard. As long as he doesn't cross the red line or get too greedy, sometimes we can turn a blind eye and pretend we don't know.

"Your father is the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, and it's not appropriate for him to leave his post without permission. However, I remember that Su Shi is currently the Acting Governor of Jiangnan Circuit. He's been in this position for a year, and I heard that he's having a very difficult time in Hangzhou, and he's lost about ten pounds from hunger..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "This man is a treasure of our Great Song Dynasty. He shouldn't be treated too unfairly. Let's just transfer him back to Bianjing. I also need a dining companion."

Xue Meiyun stared blankly at him with her innocent almond-shaped eyes, wondering why the Emperor had suddenly brought up Su Shi.

"I will issue an edict immediately to transfer Su Shi back to Bianjing, and by the way... have your father escort Su Shi back to the capital." Zhao Xiaoqian winked at her.

Xue Meiyun finally realized, her eyes immediately reddened, she tightly hugged his arm, and choked out, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. I will repay you with my life, no matter what."

Zhao Xiaoqian held her tighter and said in a deep voice, "Constantly unlocking new positions, constantly learning new techniques, and constantly showing me your charm and tea ceremony skills is the best way to repay me." Xue Meiyun blushed and, suppressing her shyness, whispered, "Your Majesty... I will try my best to learn."

Pinching her cheek, Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, "I still prefer your haughty, aloof, and disdainful demeanor as a noble lady. A woman's contrasting qualities are a deadly poison for men..."

…………

Xue Meiyun personally served Zhao Xiaoqian as he got up and dressed, and even his washing and grooming were done by her own hands, without relying on any palace maids.

Judging from her clumsy attempts to dress herself, she was probably always being served at home and had never served a man before.

Xue Meiyun indeed took his words to heart. From dressing to washing up, she kept a straight face and tried her best to show a disdainful and arrogant look. The feeling of being high and mighty and wanting to trample people underfoot made Zhao Xiaoqian want to punish her severely on the spot.

As he was leaving, Zhao Xiaoqian gave her a hard slap on the bottom, and amidst her gasps and coquettish complaints, he laughed and walked towards the Funing Palace.

Today's court affairs are as usual, with nothing major happening, and even the military reports from the Northwest are unremarkable.

After Zhong Jianzhong led his troops to capture Xingqing Prefecture, he sent an urgent memorial the next day, saying that the Liao army commander Yelü Chun was leading 100,000 Liao troops to approach Xingqing Prefecture, which was obviously not a friendly move.

The next military report might still be on its way, but Zhao Xiaoqian kept sneering.

Xingqing Prefecture was the wealthiest city in Western Xia and a strategically vital location.

As a strategically vital location, it was naturally a powder keg during wartime, ready to explode at the slightest spark.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaoqian decisively wrote an imperial edict, ordering Zhong Jianzhong not to make any compromises, and to immediately launch a strong counterattack if the Liao army dared to advance, and ordered Zhang Jie, the commander of the northwest border, to cooperate.

If the Liao army dares to make the first move, the alliance between the two countries will cease to exist. Zhong Jianzhong and Zhang Jie can join forces to try to bury these 100,000 Liao soldiers forever on the land of Western Xia, thus reducing some of the obstacles for the Song Dynasty's future northern expedition against Liao.

In terms of government affairs, since Zhang Dun took sick leave, Cai Jing has taken his place and temporarily taken over the government affairs hall.

This personnel transfer order surprised the Council of State and all the civil and military officials, but upon closer examination, it was also expected.

The Emperor's decision to transfer Cai Jing to the Council of State Affairs and promote him to Vice Minister of the Chancellery was not without reason; it was likely paving the way for his current position.

Clearly, the conflict between the emperor and Chancellor Zhang Dun had existed for a long time, and the emperor had long harbored the idea of ​​dismissing Zhang Dun. Cai Jing had laid the groundwork long ago, so it is not surprising that Cai Jing replaced Zhang Dun today.

While the court officials were all discussing the matter, the vice prime ministers of the Council of State Affairs were not happy.

Even if the emperor were to dismiss the prime minister, the position should be filled by selecting a new prime minister from among the vice prime ministers based on seniority. Cai Jing has only been in the Council of State for a few months. What qualifications does he have?
Cai Jing replaced Zhang Dun as prime minister. Other court officials didn't say anything, after all, they didn't dare to get involved in such a high-level matter. However, in the past two days, the vice prime ministers of the Council of State Affairs have been submitting memorials one after another.

Cultured people are very tactful, speaking in roundabout ways. They openly criticize the emperor for so easily granting Zhang Dun leave, and righteously declare that even if Prime Minister Zhang were to take leave, the emperor should not so quickly have someone else fill the position. This action would inevitably chill the hearts of veteran officials and show how cold the emperor's grace is.

He didn't mention his own rise to power at all, but every word he said was aimed at ousting Cai Jing, who had taken the position, and telling him to get out of there and let him take over.

This is the art of language.

Zhao Xiaoqian merely smiled at the memorials submitted by these vice prime ministers and then tossed them aside.

It can only be said that they are still too young; they cannot imagine the joy of making good use of treacherous officials and opportunists.

Putting aside everything else, since Cai Jing took over the post, Zhao Xiaoqian has received far fewer memorials these past few days. Cai Jing has quietly handled and approved all the less important state affairs, so Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't need to worry about them at all.

He may be a bad person, but he's not stupid or lazy. Now Zhao Xiaoqian is finally starting to feel like he's getting a taste of being an emperor.

From the moment I got up in the morning and sat down at my desk until I finished reviewing all the memorials, only a little over an hour had passed before my day's work was over.

I wonder if such an emperor is enjoyable.

Zhao Xiaoqian was certain that he might die in countless ways in the future—perhaps from pleasure, perhaps from a stroke, perhaps from taking an elixir of immortality—but he would never die from exhaustion.

I am just that kind of lazy man.

Sitting behind his desk, Zhao Xiaoqian stretched comfortably. He was about to return to the Chu Prince's residence to see what scandalous things his father had done recently when he saw Zheng Chunhe hurriedly enter the hall.

"Your Majesty, the Kaifeng Prefecture reports that the Taira and Minamoto clans, who have traveled from Japan, were just beaten up outside the Daxiangguo Temple on the Imperial Street."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then blurted out, "Fighting the Japanese? Well done! Who did it? They were damn good..."

Zheng Chunhe was also taken aback, bewildered by the emperor's reaction. After a long while, he cautiously reminded him, "Your Majesty, those two... are nominally your fathers-in-law."

Zhao Xiaoqian was finally stunned, but then he quickly realized what was happening and slapped his thigh: "That's right, they are my fathers-in-law!"

"Who did this? Damn it... Hmm, have you asked the Kaifeng Prefecture? What exactly happened?"

Zheng Chunhe's expression was somewhat complicated, and he hesitated before saying, "The Kaifeng Prefecture said that it was done by the sons of several high-ranking officials and nobles in Bianjing, including two members of the imperial family."

(End of this chapter)