Song Xiu

Chapter 20: Let's see who subdues whom.

In order not to let Wei Renpu see the fear in his heart, Zhao Dexiu calmly replied to Wei Renpu:
"I believe that Uncle's strategy is excellent."

However, this disciple is still young and may have overlooked some things; I hope Lord Wei will point them out.

Zhao Dexiu's answer made Wei Renpu chuckle.

Zhao Dexiu's answer expressed his own views while maintaining sufficient humility.

To an outsider, Zhao Dexiu's answer was quite appropriate.

But Wei Renpu had met so many outstanding people in his life that he could not hide Zhao Dexiu's subtle abnormalities from him.

Over the past few days, Wei Renpu sensed that Zhao Dexiu's attitude towards him was ambiguous.

Since he moved into Yeondeok Palace, although the two have not yet had a formal apprenticeship ceremony, Zhao Dexiu has shown him sufficient respect.

Every morning after getting up, Zhao Dexiu would come to greet him.

During his daytime lectures, Zhao Dexiu maintained a very proper attitude and never slacked off in the slightest when it came to the knowledge he taught.

Even before going to bed, Zhao Dexiu would often personally add charcoal to the fire to prevent him from feeling cold while sleeping at night.

Wei Renpu saw all of this. Although he never praised Zhao Dexiu's filial piety, his approval of Zhao Dexiu grew stronger in his heart.

Unfortunately, Wei Renpu felt that Zhao Dexiu respected him more than he was close to him.

The boy in front of me was young, but he seemed to have something very important on his mind, and he never took the initiative to get close to me.

Was he guarding against himself?

Having realized this, Wei Renpu became even more curious about Zhao Dexiu.

Wei Renpu did not rush to find out the truth. After temporarily setting aside his doubts, Wei Renpu nodded in agreement with Zhao Dexiu's judgment:
"General Zhao's strategy of 'changing garrisons between the north and south to test their intentions' was indeed the most effective way to find out the true intentions of the two Lis."

During the reign of Emperor Shizong of Zhou, in order to ensure the stability of the Zhou borders, he ordered Li Jun to lead troops to guard the northern frontier against the Khitan, and ordered Li Chongjin to command troops to garrison Huainan to deter the southern states.

Zhao Guangyi's strategy was to suggest that Li Jun and Li Chongjin exchange their garrisons.

Li Jun and Li Chongjin have been stationed in the north and south respectively for many years. In their respective defense zones, their power is deeply rooted and they can command almost anyone's support.

If Li Jun and Li Chongjin harbored rebellious intentions, they would certainly not accept the arrangement of replacing their garrisons, which would sever their own foundation.

If Li Jun and Li Chongjin had chosen to submit to Zhao Kuangyin and accepted the rotation of troops, their power would have been severely damaged, and they would have been unable to pose any threat to the central court.

Zhao Guangyi's strategy was simply a brilliant plan that killed two birds with one stone.

"Unfortunately, no matter how good General Zhao's strategy is, His Majesty will not adopt it."

Do you know why?

Just as Zhao Dexiu's fear of Zhao Guangyi deepened due to Wei Renpu's affirmation, Wei Renpu's decisive and forceful reversal left Zhao Dexiu momentarily speechless.

He could see that Zhao Guangyi's strategy was excellent, and his father must have seen it too.

If this is so clear, why is Wei Renpu so certain that his father wouldn't accept it?

Through these few days of teaching, Zhao Dexiu has come to realize that Wei Renpu's strategies are unparalleled in the world.

Therefore, when Zhao Dexiu heard Wei Renpu's judgment, his first reaction was surprise, and his second reaction was deep thought.

Is there some issue he hasn't considered yet?

Wei Renpu looked at Zhao Dexiu, who was deep in thought, and felt a sense of pride.

Don't want to be close to yourself?

Watch how I, this old man, will use my strategies to subdue you.

As dusk approached, Wei Renpu feigned exhaustion and said to Zhao Dexiu:
"I'm a bit tired, it seems you won't be able to come up with anything today."

As an emperor, one must have a long-term perspective when it comes to people and things.

Go back and carefully consider what I've taught you these past few days.

If you can fully understand what I've been teaching you these past few days, you'll be able to figure it out.

I will give you one day. If you can figure out His Majesty's true thoughts within that day, then you will barely pass this test.

Remember, it's only for one day.

Finally, Wei Renpu specifically reiterated the time limit.

After hearing Wei Renpu's words, Zhao Dexiu stood up and took his leave while thinking about it.

Wei Renpu, who was increasingly impressed with Zhao Dexiu, couldn't help but ask with concern when he saw Zhao Dexiu's brows furrowed in worry:
"If you really can't figure it out, then forget it. I'll tell you later." Wei Renpu knew that the test he had set up would stump many people in the court, including Zhao Guangyi, who was known for his wisdom.

Otherwise, Zhao Guangyi would not have submitted this memorial.

Wei Renpu was worried that Zhao Dexiu would overthink things, but these words took on a different meaning in the ears of the young Zhao Dexiu.

Who are you looking down on?
"Rest assured, Lord Wei, I will figure it out myself within a day."

As if in a fit of pique, or perhaps to encourage himself, Zhao Dexiu solemnly left these words behind before departing.

Wei Renpu naturally understood the complex meaning in Zhao Dexiu's words.

Seeing that even in this state, Zhao Dexiu remembered to bow respectfully to him before leaving, Wei Renpu smiled.

This kid!
Wei Renpu was not surprised by Zhao Dexiu's stubbornness; young people should be ambitious and competitive.

Even though he was increasingly satisfied with Zhao Dexiu, Wei Renpu still did not believe that Zhao Dexiu could understand the test he had set up in a single day.

A day is too short.

As dusk settled in, Zhao Dexiu hurried toward his room.

He was so preoccupied with something that he didn't even want to eat dinner.

Zhao Dezhao, who had been waiting in the hall for Zhao Dexiu to come home from school so he could take him to raid bird nests, saw Zhao Dexiu's somber expression and quickly abandoned his plan to appear before him.

Before fleeing, Zhao Dezhao had the foresight to secretly hide the ancestral vine.

After returning to her room, Zhao Dexiu locked the door to prevent anyone from disturbing her.

After isolating himself from all possible external disturbances, Zhao Dexiu took out a notebook from under his pillow containing notes he had kept over the past few days.

In her previous life, Zhao Dexiu had developed the habit of recording important knowledge she learned.

After taking out the notebook, Zhao Dexiu carefully read the contents recorded on it.

The Tao Te Ching states: "If you wish to remove something, you must first promote it; if you wish to take something away, you must first give it; if you wish to destroy something, you must first learn it."

The Book of Changes says: "If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life; if important matters are not kept secret, they will lead to disaster. Therefore, a wise man is cautious and discreet and does not speak out."

"During the Qin and Han dynasties, there were famous generals like Bai Qi and Han Xin who were demoted or killed by their lords despite being innocent, because..."

Wei Renpu was indeed a knowledgeable and excellent teacher.

Wei Renpu's teaching was not a dry, rote learning style; he was good at using history as a mirror to teach Zhao Dexiu many lessons.

Zhao Dexiu was also a good student. He recorded all of Professor Wei Renpu's knowledge as if it were a precious treasure.

When Zhao Dexiu revisited these treasures in a quiet environment, he gained some inspiration while pondering the questions in his mind.

A vague line of thought flickered in Zhao Dexiu's mind, but he could not make it out clearly, which made him increasingly anxious.

If one cannot even pass a test "arbitrarily" set by Wei Renpu, how will one achieve one's aspirations in the future?
However, with only this knowledge, it would be difficult for Zhao Dexiu to completely answer Wei Renpu's test.

Fortunately, Zhao Dexiu is a time traveler!
Zhao Dexiu was unfamiliar with many things about the early Song Dynasty, but he had a general idea of ​​the timing of the rebellions of Li Jun and Li Chongjin.

Historically, Li Jun rebelled around April of this year, and Li Chongjin rebelled around September of this year.

At present, many ministers in the court and the public have great suspicions about Li Yun and Li Chongjin. Li Yun and Li Chongjin are not fools. The news of the court's suspicions about them will reach their ears in no more than ten days.

If the court did not suspect them, it would be normal for them to spend months slowly planning the rebellion. But given the current situation, where do they get the confidence to make such a calm and organized plan?
There is only one possibility that they could endure for months without rebelling, given the suspicions of their court officials.

Emperor Zhao Kuangyin stepped in to appease them, and he did so with great sincerity!
After finding the answer to this matter, and thinking back on the cause and effect, many confusing points gradually became clear in Zhao Dexiu's mind.

He finally figured it out!

Overjoyed, Zhao Dexiu immediately stepped out of her room and rushed towards Wei Renpu's room next door.

Upon arriving at Wei Renpu's door, Zhao Dexiu couldn't help but knock on it.

The knocking on the door displeased Wei Renpu, who was about to go to sleep fully clothed. He was about to angrily rebuke the person outside.

Before he could speak, Wei Renpu heard these words: "Lord Wei, I have figured it out!"

Zhao Dexiu's words startled Wei Renpu so much that he jumped up from the bed.

How could it be so fast?!

　Thank you so much to all the readers who have been following along. I will continue to work hard to develop the plot and live up to your support.

　　A new book is hard to come by, I'm really grateful.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)