The prince is more stable

Chapter 147 One goes down and the other goes up
Zhao Ji is one of the few undisputed incompetent emperors in history.

It can be said that he is not fit to be an emperor at all. If he were to do any other job, he would do a better job than being an emperor.

This guy was born with a legendary color. Who can he talk to?

Legend has it that before Zhao Ji was born, his father, Emperor Shenzong, "dreamed of Lord Li coming to visit him, so his literary talent and elegance surpassed Lord Li by a hundred times."

That is to say, before Zhao Ji was born, Emperor Shenzong dreamed of Li Yu, the last ruler of Southern Tang. As a result, after Zhao Ji was born, he was a man of literary talent and elegance, a hundred times better than Li Yu.

Based on this legend, I can't even dream of anything good. Was Li Yu, the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty, a good emperor? Did you know that his wife, Concubine Xiao Zhou, was slept with by Emperor Taizong? A living example of the Song Dynasty's "Cheating in front of the husband."

After the future Huizong Zhao Ji was abducted by the Jin people, all the women in the palace and clan of the Song Dynasty were toyed with and tortured by the Jin people, which really proved the saying, "He is a hundred times worse than Lord Li."

It is undeniable that Zhao Ji did have achievements in art. His works on fine arts painting, his own Slender Gold style of calligraphy, etc., are still used as textbooks in colleges and universities for people to study thousands of years later.

However, art students should just focus on painting and not do cross-professional work.

At least the art students in Europe took the world by storm and enjoyed a period of glory. You, as an art student, are far behind.

When he met Zhao Ji for the first time, Zhao Xiaoqian was a little confused. Then, for some reason, he felt a surge of anger in his heart, and he immediately looked at Zhao Ji sharply.

If the historical trajectory remains unchanged in the future, Zhao Xiaoqian himself would have been among the Song Dynasty relatives who were abducted during the Jingkang Incident. How could he not be furious when he saw the culprit today?
After paying his respects, Zhao Ji stood up and happened to meet Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes. Zhao Ji couldn't help but shudder all over, feeling his hands and feet cold, and his rosy face turned pale.

Fortunately, Zhao Xiaoqian quickly came to his senses and immediately forced a friendly smile.

"It turns out to be His Royal Highness the Prince of Suining. I am honored to meet you." Zhao Xiaoqian bowed.

He had to perform the duties of a subject. There was no other way. Zhao Ji was Zhao Xu's younger brother, while Zhao Xiaoqian was only Zhao Xu's cousin, so there was a difference in their closeness.

Zhao Ji was still in a daze. Zhao Xiaoqian's brief look just now really scared him.

Zhao Xu waved his hand and smiled, "We are all brothers. Don't call us princes or marquises. Just treat us as brothers."

Pointing at Zhao Ji, Zhao Xu said, "Yesterday, I appointed Cai Bian as the Imperial Secretary, and he is now the Vice Minister of State. Cai Bian was previously the Secretary of the Central Secretariat and the Imperial Tutor, and was also Zhao Ji's teacher. Cai Bian's sudden transfer made him unhappy, and he came to me today to plead for mercy."

Zhao Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty's court is full of talented people, and we don't lack Master Cai. He is a good teacher for me. Now that Master Cai is gone, I am afraid that my studies will be delayed."

Zhao Xu laughed and scolded, "Nonsense! Cai Bian has the talent to govern the country and should be used by me. Do you think I should let him teach for the rest of his life? There are many people who can teach you academically. Cai Bian is not the only one who is needed."

Suddenly remembering something, Zhao Xu pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "This man before us is the world-renowned 'Zhao Banque', a man of great talent and poetic genius. I know you have always been interested in poetry and prose. If you have time, why not ask Zi'an for advice on poetry and prose? You will surely benefit from it."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly said, "I can't do that. I've only earned this reputation in vain and I dare not mislead the young people."

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up, and he smiled innocently, "Brother Zi'an, why are you so modest? I've heard of your name 'Banque' for a long time. If you don't mind, I'd like to be your teacher."

Zhao Xiaoqian firmly refused.

What a joke! I can’t even beat you up yet, and I still want to accept you as my disciple?

We are all close friends now, how can I have the nerve to take action in the future?
It’s better to keep your distance and maintain a relationship where physical violence is acceptable.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian's firm attitude of refusal, Zhao Xu and Zhao Ji felt a little strange. Zhao Xiaoqian was usually an easy-going person, but they didn't know why he was so firm today.

The light in Zhao Ji's eyes dimmed and he looked at Zhao Xu for help.

Zhao Xu smiled slightly and said, "Zi'an is also of great use to me. I'm afraid I don't have the time to teach you. It's better to let this matter go. I will find a good teacher for you." "Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Ji saluted.

Zhao Ji was only thirteen or fourteen years old at the time. On the surface, he was just a sunny and cheerful boy. He also seemed very clear-headed and innocent.

Perhaps only after one sits in that position can one show his or her true character.

Zhao Xu asked Zhao Xiaoqian to come to him, picked up a letter and said with a smile, "Zi'an, you are very capable. Guess who wrote this letter to me?"

"I guess it might be a love letter written by a woman who likes the official? How happy!" Zhao Xiaoqian showed an innocent, clear and love-minded look on his face.

Zhao Xu was disgusted by his expression and frowned, "Zi'an, please speak properly!"

"I can't guess."

Zhao Xu snapped his fingers and said with a smile, "Wrong, it was a letter written to me by Yelu Hongji, the Liao Lord."

Zhao Xiaoqian finally became curious: "What did Yelu Hongji say?"

Zhao Xu laughed and said, "It's nothing more than a rehash of the same old tune, about the brotherhood of Song and Liao, good neighborliness and friendship, nothing new."

"However, the tone and wording in this letter are much softer than in previous years. Zi'an may not know that in previous years, the letters and correspondence between Yelu Hongji and me were always condescending and disgusting to read. But this year... Haha!"

"It's clear that the Liao Kingdom is very wary of our Great Song's flintlock rifles. Otherwise, Yelu Hongji wouldn't have been so gentle in his tone. He even took the initiative to mention the Treaty of Chanyuan in his letter, reiterating the oath that the two countries pledged, stating that brotherly nations would never harm each other or start a war."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Now it is the Liao Kingdom's turn to worry that the Song Dynasty will take the initiative to provoke a war."

"Indeed, Zi'an's invitation to the Liao envoys for the autumn hunt in the western suburbs was a brilliant move. It didn't register at the time, but it didn't take long for the effect to show."

"Have the Liao envoy return and describe in detail the power of the flintlock rifle. It's a hundred times more powerful than we boast. The Liao ruler has now determined that if the two countries go to war again, they will no longer be able to gain an advantage on the battlefield. This is why this letter was sent with such a gentle tone."

Zhao Xu looked at Zhao Xiaoqian with unconcealable admiration in his eyes.

This was a talented person who changed the destiny of the country silently, and he was also his own cousin. Just this letter made Zhao Xu proud.

"Zi'an, will the Song and Liao countries continue to maintain the status quo, or... start a war?" Zhao Xu suddenly asked.

Before Zhao Xiaoqian could say anything, Zhao Ji on the side looked at the two of them in shock.

Clan members are not allowed to interfere in government affairs, this is the rule passed down from our ancestors, but the government still consulted them about state affairs, and such important state affairs.

Shouldn't these matters be discussed with the ministers in the government hall? Why did the emperor ask Zhao Xiaoqian alone?

Zhao Ji was in a complicated mood at the moment. He stood aside with his lips pursed and dared not say a word.

Zhao Xiaoqian pondered for a moment and said, "The Song Dynasty needs a victory to enhance its national prestige. Therefore, I believe that there will be a war between Song and Liao. However, this war will not happen soon, but in one or two years."

"Although our Great Song has new firearms, they only influence the outcome, not the final outcome. What truly determines victory or defeat is the people, the soldiers of our Great Song Imperial Guards."

"I think that since the government is about to implement the new law, it would be better to add a 'military service law' to the new law to improve the status and treatment of soldiers."

"With their status and treatment improved, one or two years of training will be ample time. The Song Dynasty will then declare war on the Liao Kingdom and use its military might to first seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and then move on to the cities in the north."

(End of this chapter)