Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The Song Kingdom, Bianzhou Prefecture, the rear courtyard of Bianliang Palace.

"No, Your Majesty, I will not become emperor. Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. How could I possibly covet the imperial regalia? I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

Fifteen-year-old Zhao Huan knelt before Zhao Ji, weeping bitterly.

"Father, I truly do not wish to sit on this throne, nor do I wish to be the Crown Prince!"

He pleaded with Zhao Ji to change his mind, then grabbed his feet and burst into tears.

It's clear that Zhao Huan truly didn't want to be emperor, and that his feelings were absolutely genuine.

"Get up!"

Zhao Ji gave a stern shout and forced the eunuchs to help Zhao Huan up from the ground.

"Look at yourself now, do you have even a trace of what I, the Crown Prince, should look like? Quickly wipe away your tears and prepare to receive the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan shook his head vigorously, his face contorted in a constipated expression.

"Father, I am truly not mentally prepared. I beg you to continue ruling the Song Dynasty. The Song Dynasty cannot be without you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji stood up and walked to Zhao Huan, carefully tidying up his somewhat messy hair, and said earnestly.

"My son, I know that at this critical moment, I am entrusted with the responsibility of supporting the crumbling Song Dynasty."

It's tough on you, but you are a descendant of the Zhao family, and the crown prince of the Song Dynasty. You absolutely cannot back down now.

Besides, this empire would have been handed over to you sooner or later; it's just that day came sooner. Your father is useless.

"I failed to leave you with a intact empire, and instead entrusted you with such a heavy responsibility in this time of crisis. To be honest, I feel terrible about it."

As he spoke, two lines of tears rolled down Zhao Ji's cheeks.

"Father!"

When he started crying, Zhao Huan also started crying.

Watched from the backyard, the father and son put on a heartwarming family drama that truly moved all the audience members present.

Zhao Huan truly did not want to ascend the throne at this time.

The Song Dynasty is currently in a precarious situation, with 150,000 Jin troops on the north bank of the Bian River eyeing the city with predatory intent, ready to breach its walls at any moment.

Meanwhile, the soldiers and civilians in Bianzhou were filled with fear and dread at the arrival of the Jin army.

The imperial court was a scene of utter desolation, with people practically wearing the words "fear the enemy like a tiger" on their faces.

By choosing this moment to ascend the throne and turn the tide, Zhao Huan had a clear understanding of his own abilities.

That's impossible, absolutely impossible.

Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) abdicated with almost the same idea in mind.

With the Jin army being powerful and Song unable to change its weak state, remaining on the throne meant nothing more than living in constant fear.

At this point, it would be better to quickly abdicate in favor of Crown Prince Zhao Huan, cast aside all burdens, and, before the Jin army crosses the river, leave Bianzhou Prefecture and head to Jingyang City for refuge as the retired emperor.

The father and son had different ideas; one resolutely refused to accept the throne, while the other insisted on abdicating.

After several stalemates, seeing that Zhao Huan was reluctant to accept the imperial decree, the eunuchs simply forced him to read the abdication edict, thus forcibly placing Zhao Huan on the throne.

Zhao Huan sat down on the dragon throne, a throne that countless people dreamed of but which he now avoided at all costs, while weeping.

It wasn't until he received the imperial seal in a daze that he realized he was now the new monarch of the Song Dynasty.

However, the monarch's current situation is far from optimistic.

"Father, please teach me what I should do in this situation?"

Zhao Ji earnestly instructed, "My son, from now on you must refer to yourself as '朕' (Zhen, the imperial 'I'). Your father has nothing more to teach you."

Everything concerning the Great Song Dynasty is up to you. I hope my son will consider the well-being of the people of the Great Song, and not be negligent in his duties, but strive to be a better emperor than his father.

After speaking, Zhao Ji nodded vigorously to Zhao Huan, giving him a sense of firm conviction.

Then, without looking back, he gracefully left the backyard.

"Father, Father, don't go, Father—"

During the first cup of tea of ​​his reign, Zhao Huan spent his time in a state of extreme fear.

Now that things have come to this, he knows there's no turning back and he has no choice but to bite the bullet and clean up this mess.

At exactly 7:00 AM on the 26th day of the 9th month of the 421st year of the Song Dynasty calendar, Zhao Huan received the worship of all the officials in the main hall of Bianliang Palace and officially became the new emperor of the Song Dynasty.

On the second day after Zhao Huan ascended the throne, Shen Lang's Chu delegation arrived in Bianzhou City.

Zhao Huan had heard of Shen Lang's name and, upon learning of his arrival, immediately invited him to the palace for an audience.

He urgently needs to find a solution to his current predicament, but he can't rely on any of the Song court officials, so he can only ask Shen Lang for his opinion.

Upon entering the Bianliang Palace, Zhao Huan personally came to greet him.

"It is the Duke of Zhenguo. I have long admired the Duke of Zhenguo, and seeing him today is a wish fulfilled. Please, Duke of Zhenguo, ride in my carriage."

Shen Lang politely declined Zhao Huan's enthusiasm, saying, "Your Majesty, I am merely an envoy from the State of Chu."

How could His Majesty personally greet me? I dare not ride in the imperial carriage; I beg your understanding.

But Zhao Huan insisted that Shen Lang ride with him, and his face showed a troubled expression: "Duke Zhenguo, my mind is in turmoil right now."

Only with the Duke of Zhenguo by my side can my heart find peace. Please, Duke of Zhenguo, do not refuse; please get in the carriage.

Zhao Huan looked pitiful with a worried expression, and his attitude was sincere and not pretentious, so Shen Lang could not refuse any longer.

"Since Your Majesty has extended this invitation, then I shall gladly accept."

Upon seeing Shen Lang agree, Zhao Huan was overjoyed and quickly gestured for him to enter: "Duke Zhenguo, please."

"Your Majesty, please."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two boarded the carriage one after the other.

Seeing Shen Lang being treated with such courtesy by the king of a country, a strong sense of jealousy welled up in his heart, but he could only follow the emperor and walk under the imperial carriage.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Huan took the initiative to cup his hands to Shen Lang and said, "Duke Zhenguo, I beg you to save me. I don't know what to do now."

As he spoke, he actually wanted to kneel down in front of Shen Lang.

Shen Lang quickly stopped him: "Your Majesty, you must not do this. You are of noble birth and should be mindful of your demeanor. If you have any difficulties, please tell me."

Zhao Huan said, "Duke Zhenguo, you must be aware of the current situation of our Great Song Dynasty. The Jin army is stationed on the north bank of the Bian River, eyeing us covetously. The people in Bianzhou Prefecture are filled with anxiety."

I inherited a empire that was already in turmoil from my father. To tell you the truth, I really didn't want to be emperor, I really didn't..."

Shen Lang: "Your Majesty, why bother? Since the Emperor Emeritus has entrusted the throne to you, it must be because he believes that Your Majesty can handle things well."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan's face showed resentment: "Father knew the situation was precarious and didn't want to bear the infamy, so he passed the throne to me."

"To be frank, Father Emperor is trying to shirk responsibility and make me bear the blame."

Shen Lang's eyes widened: "Your Majesty, please don't think like that. The Emperor Emeritus is definitely not what you think."

"As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father, and a son also understands his father's heart." Zhao Huan wiped away his tears. "My father is obsessed with poetry and songs, loves collecting antiques and paintings, and often indulges in romantic pursuits with beautiful women outside the palace."

In recent years, the national treasury has been nearly emptied of silver in the purchase of rare flowers and stones to decorate the imperial garden. Now, with foreign enemies invading, our Great Song Dynasty cannot provide sufficient military pay to incentivize the soldiers and civilians defending the city.

Halfway through his sentence, he bowed to Shen Lang and pleaded, "Duke Zhenguo, I'm begging you, could you please give me a suggestion to get out of this predicament?"

"Since you were able to assist Her Majesty the Empress in bringing about the revival of the Great Chu, you can certainly help the Great Song overcome its current difficulties as well."