Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 35 Request

"Well said!"

"This battle should be led by my own body! This is a battle to establish the foundation of the Song Dynasty; who else but me should lead it!"

When he said this, Zhao Kuangyin's eyebrows were raised, and his words were full of confidence that looked down on the world and domineering that left no room for argument.

Looking at the world today, he is confident that he is among the best in terms of martial arts and strategy!

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although this move might seem like flattery, as long as it wins over this cheap father, it's fine. Besides, it also allows him to hide his shortcomings in front of Zhao Guangyi and continue to play the role of an "incompetent and harmless" prince.

After all, he was a Breaking Bad master, and before he had fully developed his skills, he was still a little afraid.

"This matter is settled; there's no need for further discussion!"

Seeing that Zhao Guangyi was about to speak again to persuade him, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand to interrupt him and said to Zhao Pu:

"Zeping, you should immediately inform Shi Shouxin and the other generals to undergo rigorous training in the coming days to prepare for any eventuality and be ready to be dispatched at any time!"

Then, he looked at Zhao Guangyi and softened his tone: "Tingyi, I know that your advice to personally lead the expedition was for the sake of the stability of the Song Dynasty."

"But in this newly established dynasty, I am not at ease sending anyone other than myself to fight this battle."

Zhao Kuangyin's words clearly conveyed a sense of appeasement.

He even stood up, went to Zhao Guangyi's side, gently patted Zhao Guangyi's shoulder, and said earnestly:

"Zhao'er is still young. The only people I can rely on right now are you and Zeping."

"After Li Jun rebels, I will personally lead the expedition. At that time, you and Zeping will need to stay in Kaifeng to manage the grain and supplies and stabilize the rear."

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin paused slightly, shifting his gaze to Zhao Pu, his tone becoming somewhat heavy: "No one can be certain of what will happen on the battlefield. If we win this battle, that goes without saying. But if something unexpected happens..."

"At that time, the fate of my Zhao family's empire and clan will be entrusted to you..."

To prevent the early demise of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin had already made this decision in his heart before deciding to personally lead the expedition!

If something were to happen to him, Zhao Guangyi would ascend the throne, with Zhao Pu as his regent!

His son, Dezhao, was only ten years old, and Defang couldn't even speak yet. His fourth brother, Guangmei, was rather dull. Among the clansmen, he could only rely on Zhao Guangyi; there was no other choice.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangyi's heart trembled, and he and Zhao Pu clasped their fists in unison, saying:

"Your subject (brother) obeys!"

Regardless of their true thoughts, both of them understood the principle of prioritizing national affairs.

"Alright, all of you, step back..."

Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, sat back down on his throne, and as he watched Zhao Dezhao silently rise to leave, he suddenly spoke:

"Zhao'er, stay here and talk with your father."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao was slightly taken aback, but still sat back down as instructed.

Zhao Guangyi, however, remained calm and composed as he left. But as he passed the entrance to the main hall, he glanced almost imperceptibly at Zhang Dejun, the eunuch guarding the entrance.

Zhang Dejun understood immediately, nodded slightly, and gave him a look that said, "Don't worry about me handling things."

Only then did Zhao Guangyi feel relieved and leave.

……

Inside the main hall, only Zhao Kuangyin and his son remained. The candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows, and for a moment, no one spoke.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, gesturing for Zhao Dezhao to sit down. He sighed softly, and his gaze towards his son softened slightly.

"Unbeknownst to us, Zhao'er is already ten years old. These days, Father has been busy with official duties and has been unable to find the time to talk properly. It has been a long time since we had a proper chat. It is Father's fault for neglecting us."

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's slightly apologetic words, Zhao Dezhao felt a little uncomfortable and slowly shook his head:

"With the new dynasty newly established, Father Emperor's heart is with the world, and Zhao'er understands."

He felt that he and Zhao Kuangyin were the typical Chinese father and son.

They remained silent to each other, sometimes going ten days or even months without exchanging a single word. Whenever they met, Zhao Kuangyin always maintained a stern and authoritative demeanor.

It was rare to see Zhao Kuangyin speak in a gentle tone.

"Zhao'er, do you still remember what your father said to you on the day of the coup?" Suddenly, Zhao Kuangyin changed the subject and brought up the past.

"Your subject naturally remembers," Zhao Dezhao said after a moment's thought.

"My father said that day that from this day forward, my Zhao clan will have no way out. We will either bring peace to the world and establish a peaceful imperial family, or we will die like duckweed in the chaos of the world and be exterminated."

Seeing that his son had truly taken these words to heart, Zhao Kuangyin nodded with satisfaction and said earnestly:

"Imperial families in chaotic times are never always glorious. You are still young. If one day something happens to your father, this vast empire and my entire Zhao clan will have to be entrusted to your uncle, Zhao'er..."

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin glanced at his son with a complex expression: "Do you have any complaints?"

He certainly wanted his son to take on some of the responsibilities, but in these chaotic times, he couldn't guarantee that he would live to see his son grow up.

With Li Jun's rebellion imminent, he didn't say it aloud, but he was actually under considerable pressure, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was a do-or-die situation.

Li Jun alone is not a threat, but if the pseudo-Han in Taiyuan and Li Chongjin in Yangzhou are added, and the three parties form an alliance to attack, the safety of the Song Dynasty will be in imminent danger.

He needs to make some plans in advance.

"Your Majesty's good intentions are clear to me, and I will naturally have no complaints."

Zhao Dezhao remained calm, showing no resentment, and his words truly came from the bottom of his heart.

He knew that because he was young, Zhao Guangyi had indeed been groomed by Zhao Kuangyin as the crown prince at the beginning.

Therefore, before each imperial expedition, Zhao Kuangyin would, according to the system of "Prince and Prefect of the Capital", leave Zhao Guangyi to guard Kaifeng in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Given Zhao Guangyi's governing abilities, this arrangement was naturally without issue.

"Although Zhao'er is young, she has a broad mind."

Seeing that his son's expression did not seem fake, Zhao Kuangyin breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was ten years old and not yet an adult, his mind was already open, and he was afraid that his son would develop some kind of estrangement from him because of this.

"Father, I have a request."

Since they had already talked this far, and his ruthless uncle was not around, Zhao Dezhao decided to take advantage of his father's guilty conscience to make a small request.

"Oh? Tell me, Zhao'er." Zhao Kuangyin raised an eyebrow and looked at his son with surprise.

"Your Majesty, I wish to accompany you on your campaign!"

Zhao Dezhao expressed his inner thoughts without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin frowned instantly and, almost without thinking, refused, "No!"

"On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; you have no power to protect yourself. If anything unexpected happens, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Father!" Zhao Dezhao rarely contradicted his father. He emphasized his words and became more determined, saying, "That day in the army, I heard a sentence that I have never forgotten."

"In times of chaos, the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses should become emperor!"

"Just as my father said, there is no turning back for the Zhao family from now on. If we wish to establish a peaceful imperial dynasty in the future, the only way is to pacify the world!"

"Uncle Zeping once said to me, 'Great deeds that one generation cannot accomplish must be carried on by the next!'"

"Father has paved the way through countless obstacles; how can I, as his son, sit idly in the rear, doing nothing?!"

Finally, Zhao Dezhao suddenly stood up, knelt down before Zhao Kuangyin with a thud, his expression resolute, and kowtowed deeply, saying:

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to accompany the army on this expedition to study military strategy!"