Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 69, 8 is 8!

Zhao Dezhao's self-recommendation was not impulsive or driven by greed, but rather a decision made after careful consideration.

In the original history, Zhao Kuangyin personally led the expedition, while Zhao Guangyi stayed behind to oversee the rear.

Every time Zhao Kuangyin personally led an expedition, it was also the time when Zhao Guangyi's power grew the most rapidly.

After all, at the beginning, Zhao Guangyi did not dare to be too presumptuous under his brother's watchful eye, and could only take advantage of the gaps in his personal campaigns to secretly develop his power.

If he could go to war in place of his father, it would be a significant blow to Zhao Guangyi!

Moreover, it can also be used to gain merit, which is a win-win situation.

So when Zhao Dezhao finished speaking, Zhao Guangyi's face suddenly turned a little ugly, but then he remembered the person who was on his way to the capital, and his expression relaxed again, a smile appearing on his lips.

Good nephew, since you are so eager to make a name for yourself, then your uncle will give you a big gift!

Thinking of this, Zhao Guangyi smiled gently and praised, "Zhao'er has made great contributions before, which shows that she has the demeanor of her elder brother back then. If she can go to war in place of her father, it would be a wonderful story."

Zhao Pu's eyes flickered a few times, but he remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said to his son, "I naturally understand your intentions, but the situation in Huainan is complicated. Although Li Chongjin is suspicious and irritable, he should not be underestimated."

He paused, then said firmly, "You are still young and have just married. Let's discuss the matter of going to war later."

Having said that, he waved his hand, signaling Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi to leave. Looking at Zhao Dezhao, whose expression was still somewhat gloomy, he smiled and said:

"What? I forbade you to go to war, and now you're angry with me?"

"Your subject wouldn't dare," Zhao Dezhao said, pursing his lips.

"It's getting late. Let's go to your mother's place."

Seeing Zhao Dezhao's unwilling look, Zhao Kuangyin was not angry. Instead, he took Zhao Dezhao to Kunning Palace to prepare to have lunch with Empress Wang.

Inside Kunning Palace, dozens of exquisite dishes were carried in by maids in single file.

"My son has grown up; he can now keep me company for a few drinks."

Zhao Kuangyin gestured to Empress Wang to pour Zhao Dezhao a full cup of wine, then picked up the cup himself, took a small sip, and suddenly asked, "It seems you already know about what happened in court today?"

Zhao Kuangyin's tone sounded somewhat casual, but it made Zhao Dezhao pause slightly in his wine cup, not daring to let his guard down in the slightest.

When he was summoned, Zhao Kuangyin had just finished court. Logically, given that he resided deep within the palace, it would have been impossible for him to receive news from the court immediately, unless…

They had private contact with foreign officials, or they had planted their own spies within the palace.

Any one of these points, if applied to princes throughout history, would be something that could easily cause estrangement between father and son.

Therefore, for a moment, Zhao Dezhao was unsure what his father meant by asking such a question.

The mind and strategies of emperors are shrouded in mystery.

Zhao Dezhao didn't keep Zhao Kuangyin waiting long. After a moment's thought, he put down his wine cup, cupped his hands, and replied:

"Yes."

He never intended to deceive his father.

When later generations mentioned the famous saying "Tang Taizong and Song Taizu", many people thought that the latter was not worthy of being listed alongside the former, and that it was just a great man trying to make it rhyme.

However, after actually getting to know Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Dezhao realized...

My father's political talent has been greatly underestimated throughout history.

During the more than fifty years of the Five Dynasties period, emperors were like clowns on a stage, and dynasties were like candles flickering in the wind.

Smoke of war filled the countryside, bones lay exposed in ruins, refugees moved like tumbleweeds, and urban and rural dwellings resembled ghost towns.

In the imperial court, powerful ministers wielded clubs to coerce the monarch; beyond the borders, foreign tribes held bows and arrows, looking down on China.

When Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song Dynasty, he faced a chaotic era. However, when Zhao Guangyi succeeded him, he was given a peaceful and prosperous dynasty with abundant grain and a strong army.

This world-shaking difference was largely due to the great achievements made during Zhao Kuangyin's reign.

Zhao Kuangyin deserves the praise of being a man of great talent and ambition.

Given Zhao Kuangyin's political acumen, he knew he couldn't hide this from him. Furthermore, he wasn't too worried that Zhao Kuangyin would blame him after he confessed.

Zhao Kuangyin valued family ties very much.

As expected, Zhao Kuangyin was not angry when Zhao Dezhao spoke the truth. Instead, he happily drank the wine in his cup.

"Your marriage was indeed part of my plan."

When his son showed sincerity, Zhao Kuangyin did not hide anything. Instead, he said earnestly, "Now that the prince is getting married, you want to use Li Chongjin to establish your authority. I understand your intentions."

"But you are still young. In my opinion, I would like you to gain some experience in the court first before we talk about making meritorious contributions."

Seeing that Zhao Dezhao seemed about to interrupt him, Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand, shook his head, and continued:

"I approve of your eagerness to make meritorious contributions, but after you leave the palace, you will have to live outside the palace and eventually enter the court to serve as an official."

"There are many corrupt people in the imperial court. As a prince, you are involved in the succession to the throne and are at the very center of this treacherous situation."

"But I am the emperor, and I must put the country first in everything. I can no longer wholeheartedly protect you."

Have you carefully considered the risks involved?

Feeling the concern in his father's words, Zhao Dezhao's heart warmed, and his previous dissatisfaction vanished instantly.

He knew that his father's words were not an exaggeration.

This was a chaotic era during the Five Dynasties period, and he was the heir apparent, already on the edge of a precipice, where an accident could happen at any moment.

For example, the sudden death of Liu Chengxun, the eldest son of Liu Zhiyuan, the founding emperor of the Later Han Dynasty.

Back then, Liu Chengxun was both talented and virtuous, and was also the eldest son of Liu Zhiyuan. Liu Zhiyuan devoted himself to cultivating him and almost established him as the crown prince.

As a result, just one step away from ascending to the throne, Liu Chengxun suddenly died in his residence, which directly caused Liu Zhiyuan's mental state to collapse.

Everyone knew that Liu Chengxun's death was full of suspicious circumstances, but even if Liu Zhiyuan was "crying bitterly," he dared not investigate the matter in depth for the sake of national stability.

What if they actually find something out?

Besides Liu Chengxun, there is also the example of Li Congrong, the future crown prince, being framed.

After Li Congrong, whom he had been cultivating, was framed, Emperor Mingzong of Tang, Li Siyuan, "sobbed so bitterly that he almost fell off his bed, and died of shock a few days later."

Human nature is unpredictable, and when it comes to matters of national importance, which official in the court doesn't have their own ulterior motives?

Learning from past mistakes is crucial for future ones. It was precisely because of these bloody examples that Zhao Kuangyin decided to give Zhao Guangyi an important position.

To avoid repeating the mistakes of the Five Dynasties period, the power of the Song Dynasty's imperial family must be strengthened.

That's why, after discovering Zhao Dezhao's talent, he arranged for Zhao Dezhao to leave the palace as soon as possible, and that's why he was worried about his son leading the army on a personal expedition.

Liu Chengxun died suddenly right under Liu Zhiyuan's nose, let alone Zhao Dezhao, who planned to leave the capital to personally lead the expedition. On the battlefield, no one knows where a cold arrow might be shot from.

Therefore, in his opinion, Zhao Dezhao should first gain experience under his watchful eye for a few years after leaving the palace, and only after he has become familiar with the politics and people's hearts should he consider other matters.

After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's earnest instructions, Zhao Dezhao's face turned serious, and he raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Your Majesty's consideration for my long-term future is deeply appreciated!"

Then, seeing the look of satisfaction on Zhao Kuangyin's face, he seized the moment when Zhao Kuangyin was filled with paternal affection and said:

"Your subject has a request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

"Tell me about it?" Zhao Kuangyin asked with interest.

"Your Majesty, I am about to be married and would like to request permission to recruit some soldiers."

Given Zhao Kuangyin's previous warning, Zhao Dezhao's request to recruit soldiers was not unexpected.

After hearing Zhao Dexiu's request, Zhao Kuangyin was visibly taken aback.

According to the old system of the Five Dynasties, only princes and even military governors could recruit soldiers.

Moreover, he had always regarded the private soldiers under the command of those military governors as a thorn in his side.

So Zhao Kuangyin instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he thought, this is his own son!

Why be so guarded around your son when he's not an outsider?

Having thought this through, Zhao Kuangyin immediately felt relieved. He glanced at Zhao Dezhao and said:

"I grant your permission, but you cannot recruit too many."

According to Tang Dynasty standards, the number of soldiers recruited by a prince before he took up his fiefdom was usually around several hundred. Thinking of this, Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment and said:

"Let's go with eight hundred!"