The prince is more stable

Chapter 125 Little Husband
Inviting the Liao envoys to go on an autumn hunt was something Zhao Xiaoqian had planned for a long time.

From the moment the Liao envoys set foot in the city of Bianjing, many plans were carried out unknowingly, and the mastermind behind all the plans was Zhao Xiaoqian.

What was the purpose of doing this? Was it to cancel the Liao Dynasty's annual tribute increase of 100,000 strings of cash?
of course not.

The fundamental purpose of Zhao Xu and Zhao Xiaoqian was to show the fist of the Song Dynasty and let the Liao Kingdom see clearly that the Song Dynasty was no longer the weak opponent that could be manipulated and slaughtered at will.

On an autumn hunting trip, with flags waving and the Chu Palace's imperial guards in formation, Zhao Xiaoqian rode on his horse, facing the admiring and reverent gazes of the common people in Bianjing, and looked at the city gate in front of him with a calm expression.

The autumn hunt organized by Zhao Xiaoqian today was of a large scale and involved a large number of people.

Almost all the sons of powerful and wealthy people in Bianjing City came. Even the ladies from the court officials' families were not to be outdone. They put on hunting clothes, rode on their horses in a heroic manner, and looked around with a slightly feminine attitude.

Not only that, several officials from the Ministry of Rites also came, including the sixty-year-old Minister of Rites Qian Zhongshen. In addition, there were also several military generals of the imperial guards.

Zhao Xiaoqian observed carefully and found that he had met these imperial guards generals before. The last time he tested guns in the Dragon Guard Camp, these generals were standing on the stage giving orders.

Behind the generals, more than a thousand soldiers from the Dragon Guard Camp stood in an orderly manner. These soldiers did not carry swords or spears, but all carried newly made long-barreled flintlock rifles on their backs, looking a bit strange.

Zhao Xiaoqian narrowed his eyes. It seemed that Zhao Xu was also very concerned about today's autumn hunt. Zhao Xu was more eager than him to show the Song Dynasty's strength in front of the Liao Kingdom.

The soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp stood quietly at the city gate. After Zhao Xiaoqian and the royal guards arrived, the soldiers took the initiative to separate the ranks and make way.

A general from the Dragon Guard Battalion stepped forward, stood before Zhao Xiaoqian, and bowed, clasping his fists. "I, Zhong Jianzhong, the commander of the right wing of the Dragon Guard Battalion, pay my respects to the Crown Prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with some surprise: "What's your surname, Chong?"

This surname was not common. In his previous life, Zhao Xiaoqian had heard a little about the history of the Song Dynasty, and the people with this surname who left their names in Song history...

"Zhong Jianzhong? Zhong Shidao? Oh, little Mr. Zhong!" Zhao Xiaoqian was inexplicably surprised.

Zhong Jianzhong looked up in confusion: "Who is Zhong Shidao? My name is Zhong Jianzhong."

Zhao Xiaoqian quickly dismounted and held up Zhong Jianzhong's arm with both hands: "Little Master Zhong...ah no, General Zhong, you're too polite. I've heard a lot about you, really, I never tell lies."

Zhong Jianzhong was stunned by Zhao Xiaoqian's sudden enthusiasm. After looking at him carefully, he determined that this was his second meeting with Zhao Xiaoqian.

The last time they met was at the Dragon Guard Camp. The emperor was present at the time, and the two had never had any contact.

What's wrong with this prince? Why is he so enthusiastic towards me when they meet this time?
Zhao Xiaoqian was indeed full of enthusiasm from the bottom of his heart.

This Zhong Jianzhong was actually the later Zhong Shidao, a hero who fought against the Jin Dynasty and was respected by people all over the world. He was the famous "Little Zhong Jinglüe Xianggong". His father Zhong Yan died early, so he was respectfully called "Old Zhong Jinglüe Xianggong".

But now his name is "Jianzhong". Later, the reign title after Huizong ascended the throne was "Jianzhong Jingguo". In order to avoid taboo, Zhong Jianzhong changed his name to "Zhong Shiji".

Later, Huizong personally gave him a name and changed it to "Zhong Shidao".

It's not surprising that Emperor Daojun bestowed names on people in a subtle way to give them value.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian never expected that the famous Zhong Shidao was now commanding troops in the Longwei Camp in Bian Jing, and was also the commander of the wing.

"Xiangdu Commander" was a military officer of the Song Dynasty. This position only existed in the four armies of Bianliang. One xiang commanded three armies, and each xiang had about four thousand soldiers under its command.

In other words, Zhong Jianzhong, the commander of the Xiangdu, was equivalent to the brigade commander in later generations.

Of course, the Upper Four Armies were extremely strict in selecting soldiers, and there was always a shortage of troops. The actual number of soldiers under Zhong Jianzhong's command might be only two or three thousand.

No matter what, the person in front of him is a very powerful person. If Zhao Xiaoqian had known that he was in the Dragon Guard Camp, he would have taken the initiative to make friends with him no matter what.

Zhong Jianzhong is no stranger to fame. His ancestral home is Luoyang, and the renowned "Zhong Family Army" in history originated from his family, a reputation built by three generations of his family.

However, when people in later generations talked about the Song Army, most of them only knew the "Yang Family Army" and the "Yue Family Army", but they did not know that the reputation and combat effectiveness of the Zhong Family Army in the Song Dynasty were actually at the ceiling level during that period.

"Your Highness is too polite. I really don't deserve it..." Zhong Jianzhong was very humble. The status of military generals in the Song Dynasty was indeed too low. Zhong Jianzhong was not too famous nowadays and was used to bowing his head in front of the powerful.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile: "General Zhong, please be polite. If you don't mind, we can become friends regardless of age difference. We can get along more often. I am actually quite profound sometimes."

Zhong Jianzhong forced a smile but didn't dare to respond.

One is a relative of the royal family, and the other is a military commander. It is really taboo for the two of them to have a relationship. Zhong Jianzhong dare not show too closeness to Zhao Xiaoqian.

But Zhong Jianzhong still bowed to him and said, "I, the general, on behalf of the Dragon Guard Battalion and the officers and soldiers of the Upper Four Armies of Bianjing, would like to thank you, Your Highness, for speaking well of us in front of the emperor. The officers of the Upper Four Armies have all received the emperor's grace, and the brothers below have also received rewards. This is all thanks to Your Highness."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

Last time, I said in front of Zhao Xu that if we want to improve the treatment of military generals and soldiers, we should put aside the values ​​of serving the country and family. We should be practical and give benefits to others so that they will be willing to work hard for you.

Zhao Xu listened to him and conferred many honors on the commanders of the four armies in Bian Jing, and also gave rewards to ordinary soldiers.

This was what Zhong Jianzhong was thanking for.

"General Zhong, please be polite. After the emperor takes power, the atmosphere of the Song Dynasty will be very different. In time, General Zhong will be able to see the changes. Promoting the status of military generals and soldiers will also be one of the changes in the future."

Zhong Jianzhong was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement as he bowed deeply once more: "Thank you, Your Highness! If we, the soldiers, can be promoted even a little, we will fight for you and the Song Dynasty, even at the cost of our lives!"

Zhao Xiaoqian lifted his arm and said with a smile, "It will get better and better. Let's be patient and wait."

Zhong Jianzhong nodded, and his smile finally became somewhat sincere.

A thought suddenly popped up in my mind: this prince is indeed someone worth making friends with.

It's just that the way the prince looked at him was very creepy, just like... seeing a peerless beauty taking off her pants. It was chilling and also puzzled Zhong Jianzhong.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes were indeed a little creepy, but he himself didn't even realize it.

But the person in front of him was a famous general of the Song Dynasty, alive!

If the Song Dynasty wants to stand up in the future and fight against the Liao, Xia, and Jin, it will rely on these famous generals.

From the perspective of family and country, Zhong Jianzhong in front of him is indeed more charming than a peerless beauty.

A chaotic crowd of footsteps came over. The Liao envoy Xiao Guangjing led a group of Liao officials and glared at him with dissatisfaction.

"Zhao Xiaoqian, you asked me to come to the hunting party, but you dawdled at the city gate, treating our Liao delegation so poorly. What are your intentions?"

Zhao Xiaoqian came to his senses and looked Xiao Guangjing up and down.

Then he turned to look at Zhong Jianzhong and invited him warmly, "General Zhong, would you like to give this guy a beating? If he gets hurt, it's my responsibility."

Zhong Jianzhong was stunned, but Xiao Guangjing was furious: "Zhao Xiaoqian, how dare you insult the Liao envoy..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly leaned over to remind him, "...you've been in a cesspool."

Xiao Guangjing's face turned pale, but his anger disappeared in an instant.

(End of this chapter)