The prince is more stable

Chapter 124: Hunting
Visiting a brothel turned out to be a thrilling experience.

It was late at night when Zhao Hao returned to the palace. After getting off the carriage, Zhao Hao wiped the sweat off his face.

Zhao Xiaoqian came back early and went back to his room to sleep.

The person guarding the door happened to be Chen Shou. When Zhao Hao got off the carriage, he saw him saluting him.

Zhao Hao stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Chen Shou, you've done a great job! You saved a marriage at the Prince of Chu's palace. Tomorrow, withdraw one hundred strings of cash from the bank account. This is your reward from the king."

Chen Shou was actually quite frightened as well. After seeing Zhao Hao's eyes outside the brothel just now, he finally understood what had happened. He quickly threw Zhao Xiaoqian into the carriage and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generous gift. I'd like to offer a suggestion. If Your Highness and the Crown Prince visit a brothel in the future, could you please inform each other? Tonight was truly... too dangerous!"

Zhao Hao broke out in a cold sweat and gritted his teeth, "This rebellious son... I almost lost my head!"

It is not an exaggeration to say this. He really guaranteed Zhao Xiaoqian's character with his own life.

Fortunately, Di Zi didn’t find out, otherwise I don’t know how this night would end.

"Has the rebellious son slept?" Zhao Hao asked with a grim face.

Chen Shou wanted to protect his master, so he said tactfully, "The prince is a little drunk tonight. He's been busy welcoming the Liao envoys recently, so he might be physically and mentally exhausted, so he drank to relax..."

Zhao Hao was stunned, hesitated for a while, and snorted coldly: "Forget it, let's spare him tonight. It's too outrageous. The woman he had almost got flew away!"

After saying this, Zhao Hao flicked his sleeves and walked into the palace.

Zhao Xiaoqian slept until morning and walked out of the house feeling refreshed.

Chen Shou, who had been waiting for a long time, came over and told him about the thrilling scene last night.

Zhao Xiaoqian broke out in a cold sweat and looked at Chen Shou with gratitude.

"You can treat me as a magic lamp. Just wipe my butt a few times and I will grant any wish you make." Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Chen Shou smiled and said, "No need, His Highness has already given you the reward last night."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and thanked him again with gratitude.

Fortunately, Chen Shou was there last night, otherwise the scene would have been more than just a Shura field, it would have been a place of execution.

Huodie had just finalized the marriage with his future father-in-law, when he saw his son-in-law coming out with the girl in his arms. Di Zi was a military general, so it was hard to say whether he would draw his sword and kill his own son on the spot.

Chen Shou looked at Zhao Xiaoqian, hesitating several times, and finally couldn't help but said: "The marriage between the prince and Miss Di has just been decided, and Zui Huayin..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a worried look on his face, "Don't say anything. I understand the truth, but I am addicted to beauty and cannot help myself. I can't give up at all."

Chen Shou: “…………”

An upright man, a real man!

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up at the sky, then counted silently on his fingers for a while.

Soon, the profits of Snow Salt for this quarter would be distributed. By then, his wallet would be full and he would be filled with mysterious confidence. He could redeem Jiang Miaoxian and bring her back to the palace to be raised.

…………

A few days later, Cai You visited the Prince of Chu's mansion again and told Zhao Xiaoqian a piece of news.

The Liao envoy Xiao Guangjing was indeed led astray by his bad friends.

The playboys took turns to arrange banquets every day, during which there was singing and dancing, fine wine and beautiful women, and finally a beautiful woman would serve them in bed, where they made love.

During the day, he was taken out by the playboys to enjoy the scenery of Bianjing, from the Zhouqiao delicacies to the Panlou brothels, where he ate, drank and had fun.

Although the Liao Kingdom was militarily powerful, to be honest, its capital Shangjing was not as prosperous as Bianjing. Xiao Guangjing was just a country bumpkin who had just arrived in Bianjing. Under the leadership of those playboys, he was simply dazzled by the flowers.

Seeing that the time was right, the playboys took Xiao Guangjing to an underground gambling house. In front of Xiao Guangjing, the playboys placed bets and gambled, with some winning and some losing.

Xiao Guangjing was immediately tempted. Gambling was very popular in the Liao Dynasty, and Xiao Guangjing was particularly fond of it. So Xiao Guangjing also wanted to place a bet, but was hurriedly stopped by the playboys, who said that they could not lead the Liao envoy astray and that gambling and drugs were sworn enemies.

Xiao Guangjing was just getting into the craving and refused to listen to any advice, insisting on placing the bet.

Fortunately, Xiao Guangjing not only won the bet, but also won a lot.

When luck comes, even city walls cannot stop it. For the whole afternoon, Xiao Guangjing won eight out of ten times on every bet he placed. His miraculous good luck made other gamblers envious, and the gambling house had to pay Xiao Guangjing a lot of money.

After this experience, Xiao Guangjing seemed to have no interest in anything else for the next two days. He went to the gambling house every day, and he won big every time, returning home with a lot of money.

Xiao Guangjing's gambling addiction became more and more serious. Even the officials of the Liao Dynasty delegation at the post station noticed that something was wrong. The officials all persuaded Xiao Guangjing to stop.

Xiao Guangjing did not explain, but just piled the money he had won these days on the table, and then sneered complacently.

The Liao officials were speechless. After gambling for these days, Xiao Guangjing not only did not lose any money, but made a lot of money. Who would be so tactless as to advise him?
However, it has been half a month since the Liao delegation entered Bianliang. Now, Zhao Xiaoqian, the chief envoy of the Song Dynasty, has not expressed his opinion or shown up, and the Liao envoy Xiao Guangjing is also indulged in entertainment.

The two protagonists seemed to have forgotten about the negotiation, and the officials of the Liao delegation gradually began to get anxious.

You two are keeping each other in suspense. Have you ever thought about how we, the officials and their entourage, feel? You are just making things difficult for the old man.

After listening to Cai You's report, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled happily.

"It's almost there. Let's keep this Liao envoy happy for a few days and let him win more. Then he'll have a surprise gift waiting for him."

Cai You knew Zhao Xiaoqian's overall plan and nodded with a smile.

It was from Zhao Xiaoqian that Cai You learned that there was a scam in the world called "pig killing".

As for Xiao Guangjing, his size and length were exactly the same as that pig.

In terms of military strength, the Song Dynasty was indeed inferior to the Liao Dynasty.

But when it comes to the wisdom of deceiving others, the barbarians in the north can’t catch up even if they try their best.

After a long moment of contemplation, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "However, the Liao envoy cannot indulge in gambling completely. Brother Cai, please send him a letter for me tomorrow. Tell him that the autumn weather is bright and refreshing, and all things are dormant. I will personally invite the Liao envoy to go hunting outside Bianjing in two days to promote the friendship between our two countries for the centennial alliance."

Cai You was surprised and said, "The prince is planning to..."

"We must have both civil and military skills. Regardless of whether the Liao envoy is picky about food, we must prepare all the dishes that the Song Dynasty should have. Let him see if the Liao Kingdom still has the confidence to start a war with the Song Dynasty. Is it okay to increase the annual gift by 100,000 strings of cash this year?"

"By the way, call all the officials and attendants of the Liao delegation. There are some things that the Liao envoys can't convince with just one word. Only a unified voice can impress the Liao emperor."

…………

Autumn hunting was a traditional activity for ancient emperors and dignitaries, just like celebrating a festival.

The only difference is the name. The autumn hunting in which the emperor personally participates is called "hunting", and this word is used exclusively by the emperor.

Later it evolved into the emperor's leaving the capital for inspection, sightseeing, escape, etc., all of which were called "Xunshu".

Hunting activities organized by powerful and influential court officials can be called "autumn hunting" or "hunting meeting".

With Zhao Xiaoqian's background and the reputation of the Chu Palace, he was naturally qualified to organize the autumn hunt.

On the third day, before dawn, the maids in the yard were busy dressing Zhao Xiaoqian in hunting clothes.

The hunting suit is a simple leather armor that protects the chest, back and shoulders. The lower body is also covered with leather armor. Inside the leather armor is a short shirt and a quiver is carried on the back.

This outfit is the standard for the children of the powerful and wealthy when they go hunting in autumn. They wear clothes according to the occasion. They can't go out hunting wearing a long gown and a hat, looking like a weak scholar.

Now wearing this hunting suit, Zhao Xiaoqian looked really heroic and handsome. The maid who helped him dress had stars in her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and she looked shy.

The maidservant is plain-looking and unworthy of having a name.

Zhao Xiaoqian touched the maid's head and sighed, "Be realistic. Find an honest man to marry in the future. I am the man you will never get."

(End of this chapter)