Song Xiu

Chapter 21 You Should Be the Crown Prince

Wei Renpu opened the door with a complicated expression.

Looking at the pitch-black night outside the door, Wei Renpu couldn't help but say, "I'm about to go to sleep."

Wei Renpu's words snapped Zhao Dexiu out of her reverie.

He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had momentarily forgotten the passage of time.

Realizing that he might have disturbed Wei Renpu's sweet dream, Zhao Dexiu was about to bow and apologize to Wei Renpu.

Fortunately, Wei Renpu cared more about Zhao Dexiu's answer than about his dream being disturbed. After stopping Zhao Dexiu from apologizing, he gestured for Zhao Dexiu to go into the room.

After leading Zhao Dexiu to sit down opposite him, Wei Renpu said in an annoyed tone:

"I hope your next words will not disappoint me."

Although Wei Renpu didn't believe Zhao Dexiu could pass his test so quickly, he was still willing to give Zhao Dexiu a chance.

Meeting Wei Renpu's scrutinizing and suspicious gaze, Zhao Dexiu confidently spoke:

"When Emperor Shizong of Zhou was alive, he brought most of the elite troops of the regional military governors to Kaifeng. Only Li Jun and Li Chongjin, who were stationed in important towns, still had some elite troops under their command."

In addition, since their defense zones are adjacent to enemy states, they can draw enemy aid, and there are no other loyal vassal states around to restrain them, Li Jun and Li Chongjin can rebel at any time.

"These two could rebel at any moment, just like Bai Qi and Han Xin back then. Your Majesty will never let them go."

At that time, almost all the ministers were concerned about whether the two Lis would be loyal, but Zhao Dexiu broke free from this constraint and declared at the beginning that Zhao Kuangyin was determined to eliminate Li Jun and Li Chongjin.

Unconsciously, Zhao Dexiu had placed himself in the perspective of an emperor.

Zhao Dexiu's first words impressed Wei Renpu, but it wasn't enough.

"Since His Majesty is determined to eliminate Li Jun and Li Chongjin, why has there been no imperial edict to mobilize troops yet?"

Wei Renpu stared at Zhao Dexiu and asked quickly.

Wei Renpu thought this question would stump Zhao Dexiu, but Zhao Dexiu already had the answer in mind.

"Because the regional military governors were not limited to Li Jun and Li Chongjin."

At the beginning of His Majesty's reign, he issued an edict that he would not arbitrarily change the official positions of any minister from the previous dynasty.

Because of this edict, His Majesty was able to quickly stabilize the central government.

Li Jun and Li Chongjin have not yet shown any signs of rebellion. How can Your Majesty break your promise in front of the people?

If this were done, the regional military governors and the entire court would be filled with fear, causing unrest in the Song Dynasty.

Upon hearing that Zhao Dexiu had come up with this idea, Wei Renpu's suspicion and scrutiny vanished instantly.

At this moment, Wei Renpu's eyes were uncontrollably gleaming with surprise.

The surprise in his heart made Wei Renpu have higher expectations for Zhao Dexiu.

"The fact that you can consider the human heart shows that you have thought things through carefully."

However, you should know that many people can think of this, such as General Zhao.

However, in order to avoid raising a tiger that will become a threat, some things cannot be done in a two-way street.

Your Majesty, with the assistance of many capable ministers, must also know this.

To conclude that His Majesty will not adopt General Zhao's suggestion based solely on the phrase "to appease the people" seems somewhat arbitrary.

Wei Renpu immediately pointed out the biggest oversight in Zhao Dexiu's analysis.

This oversight is the biggest problem that has been troubling Zhao Dexiu.

Even if sending troops would affect the morale of the people, one must act expediently in times of crisis, and there are often two difficult choices in everything.

Wei Renpu originally thought that the oversight he pointed out was something that Zhao Dexiu had overlooked.

But is that really the case?

Seeing Wei Renpu mention Zhao Guangyi again, Zhao Dexiu couldn't help but chuckle and say:

"My uncle's inability to have both options doesn't mean my father couldn't think of it, much less that I couldn't think of it!"
If I'm not mistaken, His Majesty will next publicly refute the ministers' suspicions about Li Yun and Li Chongjin.

His Majesty will send envoys to appease Li Yun and Li Chongjin, grant them official titles and ranks, and demonstrate his favor to the people.

Of course, His Majesty might send an envoy to take the opportunity to further test Li Yun and Li Chongjin on the matter of exchanging towns.

But His Majesty would never do as my uncle suggested in his memorial: "If the two generals insist on defying the imperial decree, then send troops to attack them!"

Zhao Dexiu stated his judgment word by word.

Upon hearing this, Wei Renpu almost burst out laughing.

He truly hadn't expected that Zhao Dexiu would think the same way he did.

The better Zhao Dexiu performed, the more Wei Renpu wanted to test Zhao Dexiu's limits. Wei Renpu outwardly frowned deeply and asked with apparent suspicion:

"If Your Majesty shows too much favor to Li Jun and Li Chongjin, and they are truly grateful for Your Majesty's virtue and no longer have any thoughts of rebellion in the short term, then these two hidden dangers of the Great Song will always exist."

The threat to our very core is threatening to erupt, yet we cannot proactively eliminate it. How can the Song Dynasty focus on foreign affairs in the future?

By this time, Wei Renpu's questions to Zhao Dexiu had far exceeded the scope of the test he had originally set out.

However, since Zhao Dexiu dared to say that he had figured everything out, why should he be afraid of Wei Renpu's most difficult third question?
As the saying goes, "If you want to take something, you must first give something."

His Majesty bestowed great honors upon Li Yun and Li Chongjin, leaving them with only two choices in the face of such rewards.

The first scenario is that the two refuse to accept the offer and immediately launch a rebellion. Since Your Majesty has shown them kindness first, then if Your Majesty sends troops to suppress them, no one in the world will object.

The second possibility is that the two accepted the emperor's rewards but secretly plotted a rebellion.

The second option seems safe, but in reality, it will lead them both to their doom.

Although Li Yun and Li Chongjin had some elite troops, they were absolutely no match for the Imperial Guards of our dynasty.

Furthermore, the two are located in the south and the north respectively, making it difficult for them to connect. What His Majesty fears is that their rebellion will incite the people and attract followers from all over the country.

Accepting rewards first and then betraying them will only make Li Yun and Li Chongjin unpopular. Which warlord in the Central Plains will follow them?

As for what Duke Wei said about the imminent but not yet launched event, there is no need to worry about it further.

As the ancients said, "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."

Your Majesty has recently been deliberately allowing court officials to discuss the loyalty of Li Yun and Li Chongjin, not because he doesn't understand this principle.

Rather, he wanted to plant a seed of doubt in the hearts of Li Jun and Li Chongjin.

Even if Li Yun and Li Chongjin intend to accept the Emperor's rewards first, as time goes by, their unease will only deepen.

"It will take at least a few months, and no longer than a year, for Li Jun and Li Chongjin to rebel!"

When Zhao Dexiu spoke his last words, his tone was exceptionally firm.

He was able to make this judgment not only because he had memories of his past life, but also because he was referring to the unchanging tradition of the regional military governors since the An Lushan Rebellion—if you dare to doubt, then rebel!
After Zhao Dexiu finished explaining all his analysis, Wei Renpu was stunned for a moment.

To arrive at the above analysis, in addition to fully understanding everything he had taught, one must also possess a keen political judgment.

Just like how to accurately predict Zhao Kuangyin's true thoughts based on existing intelligence, this is very important.

Compared to the former, the latter is the most precious.

A keen political judgment, aside from requiring decades of political experience, can only be acquired by divine intervention.

It is obvious that Zhao Dexiu is the one who is favored by God.

People with exceptional political talent are not uncommon in history.

When Wei Renpu's exceptional political talent overlapped with his status as the eldest son of the emperor, the shock he received was immense.

If the founding emperors of the Five Dynasties had such sons, how could the chaotic Five Dynasties period have lasted so long?
The candlelight flickered in the room, dancing on Zhao Dexiu's body.

This scene caused Wei Renpu, who was still shocked, to have a momentary illusion:
Zhao Dexiu was like a fledgling dragon just beginning to show its potential, lying in wait for the nourishment and sustenance of power.

When he has fully grown up, he will be able to soar through the heavens!
"You shall be the crown prince!"

Wei Renpu, both surprised and delighted, uttered this excited remark after a long while.

Zhao Dexiu knew from Wei Renpu's remarks that Wei Renpu was quite satisfied with his performance that day.

Wei Renpu might attribute his performance today to his talent, but Zhao Dexiu knew that he had to secretly thank someone for passing the test today.

Not much is known about Zhao Dexiu, a famous figure from the early Song Dynasty, but Zhao Guangyi is one of them.

Zhao Guangyi, as the number one meme king of the Five Dynasties, has an inherently attractive charm.

It was during the process of learning about Zhao Guangyi that Zhao Dexiu roughly remembered the specific timeline of Li Jun and Li Chongjin's rebellion.

Life is sometimes so strange.

Although Zhao Dexiu was pleased with Wei Renpu's recognition of him, he would not become complacent because of Wei Renpu's words of approval.

The struggle for the throne is extremely dangerous, and he doesn't yet fully understand Wei Renpu.

Zhao Dexiu left his seat as if to make way, saying:
"Lord Wei, please be cautious in your words; I dare not accept such praise."

Zhao Dexiu's avoidance pulled Wei Renpu out of his reverie.

Zhao Dexiu's caution gradually gave rise to an idea in Wei Renpu's mind: In chaotic times, it is not only the ministers who choose their rulers, but also the rulers who choose their ministers!

Zhao Kuangyin was truly blessed to have such a son.

(End of this chapter)