Song Xiu

Chapter 47 Three Edicts in Ten Days
Inside the room where the meeting had just taken place, Wei Renpu closed his eyes to rest, while Lu Duoxun paced anxiously.

Lu Duoxun wanted to ask Wei Renpu several times—where is his prince?
But when he saw that Wei Renpu seemed to be taking a nap, he dared not disturb this highly respected old man.

Fortunately, the anxious time did not last forever. After Lu Duoxun looked out the door several times, he finally saw Zhao Dexiu return.

Compared to her previous frown, Zhao Dexiu returned with a relieved expression on her face.

Lu Duoxun noticed Zhao Dexiu's expression, and then he noticed something different.

As Zhao Dexiu strode into the room, a young man followed closely behind him.

This young man is the one who was standing outside the door just now.

When Lu Duan first met him, he didn't pay much attention to him because Lu Duan had an ordinary appearance and was quite arrogant. But now Lu Duan had to pay more attention to him.

The fact that Zhao Dexiu allowed Lü Duan to enter the room shows that in his heart, Lü Duan was already another confidant.

As Lu Duoxun became curious about Lü Duan's identity, Zhao Dexiu, who had returned to the main seat, introduced him:

"This is Lü Duan."

Without much introduction, after briefly stating Lü Duan's name, Zhao Dexiu gestured for Lü Duan to sit down.

Zhao Dexiu's introduction made Wei Renpu open his eyes.

Because he did not go out with them, Wei Renpu was unaware of what had happened between Zhao Dexiu and Lü Duan.

Wei Renpu knew Zhao Dexiu's character; if Lü Duan were not talented, Zhao Dexiu would not have considered him a confidant.

Could it be that he misread it before?
While Wei Renpu and Lu Duoxun were puzzled, Zhao Dexiu said again:

"Lu Qing's general strategy for 'defending the country' is indeed a brilliant plan."

However, I believe we should emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang, first establishing hegemony and then becoming a king.

Zhao Dexiu's words caused a great uproar in the hearts of Wei Renpu and Lu Duoxun.

Having observed the rise and fall of the Five Dynasties, both men felt that following the path of "princes and prefects of the capital" was the only foolproof way to ensure success.

The two were puzzled as to why Zhao Dexiu had come up with a completely different development strategy after his trip.

Realizing the hardship and danger inherent in the phrase "emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang," Lu Duoxun rose to offer his advice.

"Your Highness."

Lu Duoxun had barely uttered two words when Zhao Dexiu's cold gaze fell upon him.

Without saying a word, Zhao Dexiu just stared at Lu Duoxun, leaving Lu Duoxun speechless.

The entire room fell into silence.

Astute individuals as they were in the room, they could all discern Zhao Dexiu's dissatisfaction from the tranquil atmosphere.

As the ruler, Zhao Dexiu's dissatisfaction was enough to become a real threat.

In an instant, Ludoson realized that although his prince was young, he was by no means weak.

Before the general outline is determined, he can speak freely; once the general outline is determined, all he can do is follow it.

"Your Highness is decisive and resolute, much like Emperor Taizong!"

Lu Duoxun quickly replaced his initial opposition with a double entendre of praise.

After acknowledging Zhao Dexiu's general strategy, Lu Duoxun quickly began to advise himself: "Learning from Emperor Taizong of Tang is good. Emperor Taizong was famous for treating meritorious officials well."

After Lu Duoxun expressed his approval, Zhao Dexiu turned his gaze to Wei Renpu.

Of course, Zhao Dexiu's eyes were full of anticipation at this moment.

The disciple wants to take a gamble; will the teacher follow suit?
Having understood Zhao Dexiu's gaze, Wei Renpu did not hesitate for a moment:

"If Your Majesty is like Ziwei, then I am like Zuoyuan. Your Highness, please feel free to roam freely."

"it is good!"

Having reached a consensus within his team, Zhao Dexiu couldn't help but stand up. "With your help, my great undertaking will surely succeed!"

While Zhao Dexiu was plotting in Wei's residence, Zhao Kuangyin was not idle either.

Sitting in the Hall of Ten Thousand Years, Zhao Kuangyin listened attentively to Zhang Qiong's report.

Upon hearing the words "the true Crown Princess," Zhao Kuangyin remained noncommittal, leaving his true thoughts unclear.

After Zhang Qiong withdrew, Zhao Pu, who was also in the hall, stood up and spoke:
"Li Jun could rebel at any time; some things can't wait any longer."

Zhao Pu's suggestion made Zhao Kuangyin nod in agreement.

"Go and make arrangements."

After receiving Zhao Kuangyin's permission, Zhao Pu accepted the order and withdrew.

After Zhao Pu left, Zhao Kuangyin resumed reviewing the memorials.

As he continued to critique the documents, Zhao Kuangyin felt a dull ache in his chest.

This was a chronic ailment that Zhao Kuangyin had kept for many years, and he thought it was a hidden injury left over from past battles, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

Just days after the engagement of the eldest prince, political turmoil erupted again in Kaifeng.

Zhao Pu, the Vice Privy Councilor, submitted a memorial offering advice:

"Now that the eldest son of the emperor, Zhao Dexiu, is engaged, he should undergo the coming-of-age ceremony."

The emperor accepted the advice of Zhao Pu, the deputy chief of the Privy Council, and issued an edict to personally bestow the courtesy name "Yuanying" upon his eldest son.

An imperial edict was issued ordering Empress Wang to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for the eldest son of the emperor within the palace.

In the fourth month of the first year of the Jianlong reign of the Song Dynasty, Lü Yuqing, the prefect of Kaifeng, submitted a memorial:

According to the rites and systems of the Han and Tang dynasties, when a prince came of age, he should leave the palace to establish his own residence.

The emperor accepted Lü Yuqing's suggestion again, but fearing that building a new residence for the prince would be a waste of resources and manpower, he issued an edict to the Ministry of Works ordering them to renovate the prince's former residence.

This decree drew attention from both the court and the public. How could a prince, still in his hidden palace, be granted such a privilege?

Several ministers submitted memorials to the emperor to dissuade him, but the emperor resolutely refused, citing his concern for the people's well-being.

A few days later, the Prince's residence was renovated and the eldest prince, Zhao Dexiu, moved in by imperial decree.

On the day the eldest son of the emperor left the palace to establish his own residence, the emperor issued another edict:
"It is said that when the imperial family produces outstanding descendants, the country is secure; when the princes are exceptional, the nation is at peace. I have received the mandate of Heaven and govern all nations. I am diligent and conscientious day and night, always mindful of the importance of kinship and rewarding the virtuous and capable, so as to establish the court's rules and set an example for future generations."

Prince Zhao Dexiu is my eldest son. He is gentle and kind by nature, and naturally intelligent. From a young age, he studied under famous teachers and devoted himself to the classics. Whenever he was taught, he would show his quick wit and intelligence.
As he grew older, he diligently observed filial piety, was respectful and upright. On the day of Chenqiao, he protected me in the command tent and made meritorious contributions on the battlefield. His meritorious service was outstanding, truly living up to the expectations of the imperial family and meeting the needs of the country.

Now, following ancestral precedent and to recognize his virtue and ability, the Crown Prince Zhao Dexiu is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Taiyuan, bestowed with a golden book and golden seal, a fief of one thousand households, and granted the authority to establish his own government in Chanzhou, and appointed as the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou.

He was permitted to participate in court affairs and advise on important matters, so as to demonstrate his abilities.

The moment this edict was issued, it drew attention from both the court and the public once again.

First came the coming-of-age ceremony, then the establishment of a government office outside the palace, and finally the issuance of an edict to bestow official titles—three edicts in quick succession within ten days.

The emperor's intention to groom his eldest son was already quite obvious.

Just as Zhao Kuangyin's three edicts in ten days were causing a great deal of discussion in the court and among the people, an expected bombshell message reached Kaifeng.

In mid-April of the first year of the Jianlong era, Li Jun, the military governor of Zhaoyi Army of the Song Dynasty, sent troops to arrest the supervising officer Zhou Guangxun. He then bound Zhou Guangxun and sent him to the Northern Han, hoping to request the Northern Han army to come to his aid.

Later, Li Jun led his army to attack Zezhou, killed the governor Zhang Fu, and occupied Zezhou, thus completely igniting the rebellion.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin, feeling that his sincere feelings had been misplaced, was furious. He issued an edict summoning all officials to court to discuss the matter.

Zhao Dexiu, who had just gained the right to participate in politics, was naturally among those summoned.

After putting on his official robes, Zhao Dexiu boarded a carriage and headed towards Chongyuan Hall.

(End of this chapter)