A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 439 I think of happy things

After all, there were so many young women in Tokyo who longed to throw themselves into his arms.

No matter how many choices he has, he shouldn't have chosen a woman with a child.

Therefore, Li couldn't understand it.

Then she unconsciously followed, wanting to see who this young lady was that could attract her good son-in-law to not mind that she had a child.

Although nowadays there is not so much discrimination against women with children, on the contrary, they are considered to be fertile.

After all, the infant mortality rate is very high.

Under Song Xuan's tutelage, Song Sisi was not shy at all and had a sweet tongue, which naturally pleased Cao Qingyao, and even made Li Shi smile from ear to ear.

She had raised daughters before, but her own daughter was definitely not as clever as this one.

Li now suspects that the little girl in front of her is Song Xuan's illegitimate daughter.

Otherwise, how could it possess such spiritual energy?
In the Song Dynasty, illegitimate children still had some inheritance rights than in the past, as long as their biological father was willing to acknowledge them.

Moreover, many noble families would let their children experience such matters between men and women in advance, to prevent them from being seduced by any vixen on the street in the future.

It wasn't just Jia Baoyu who had maids for this purpose; other wealthy families would also prepare them in advance.

If they have a child together, it might actually prove that their own child has no problems in that area.

However, he will not be chosen as the heir, unless the heir does not live to adulthood, which would be considered a stroke of good luck.

It's much better than adopting a member of the clan.

"Let's have a family dinner together when we're resting."

When Song Xuan said this, it seemed like he was discussing it, but there was an undeniable meaning in his tone.

Cao Qingyao and Madam Gu had no objections and understood Song Xuan's decision.

Mrs. Gu was even somewhat moved.

This was a formal introduction of the daughter to Cao Shizhong's family; the mother and daughter were also part of this family.

Li readily agreed.

She would go back and ask her husband, since this matter had truly caught her off guard.

Before she could even call out, her son-in-law brought the people over himself.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the meat didn't rot in the Cao family's pot.

After Cao Li finished his shift, he was slightly surprised upon hearing what his wife, Madam Li, had said:
"Are you kidding?"

"How could I possibly lie to you about something like this?"

Li said rather anxiously:
“They’ve brought him home openly and honestly, and they’ve even slept in the same bed together. Now they want to include him in the Song family’s genealogy. How can this be a small matter?”

"Indeed." Cao Liyong knew that his son-in-law always had his own ideas.

"Could it be that an old friend passed away, and seeing that the son-in-law is a trustworthy person, he entrusted his wife and daughter to his care?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case." Mrs. Li nodded repeatedly:
"After all, our son-in-law is always impulsive and acts on impulse, but you, my husband, are quick-witted."

"Not bad." Cao Liyong was quite pleased, stroking his beard as he said:
"Have you found out what her previous husband's name was?"

"It's Gu, the former Tongpan of Yingtian Prefecture, whose name was Gu Zimo."

"Who?"

Cao Yongli sat up abruptly from his chair, his eyes widening in surprise, as if he had misheard.

"Gu Ziming, the prefectural magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, must have a life-or-death friendship with our good son-in-law, otherwise he wouldn't be taking such good care of them, mother and daughter."

Li was still muttering to herself.

But Cao Liyong had handled the case of Dou Chou.

Of course he knew that Song Xuan and Gu Ziming had a true "life-or-death friendship"!
One party caused the other party's death.

He hadn't thought to investigate further before, but the longer he spent with Song Xuan, the more he understood that his son-in-law was not one to sit idly by and wait for his doom.

He might be capable of using someone else to do his dirty work.

But so much time has passed since the case, and Song Xuan has become his son-in-law, so he doesn't care at all how Gu Ziming died.

However, upon hearing that his concubine's husband was Gu Ziming, Cao Liyong was unable to calm down for a long time.

How could one's own son-in-law bring his enemy's woman into his own bed?

This is too dangerous!

And he's even raising his enemy's daughter. Isn't he afraid of being bitten back in the future?

Cao Liyong, though a military general, had heard the story of Mr. Dongguo and the wolf in the entertainment district.

However, Cao Yong did not believe that Song Xuan was the kind of person who would be blinded by lust, so this move must have a deeper meaning.

He couldn't figure it out for a moment.

Could it be that before Gu Ziming, my son-in-law had already started an affair with Madam Gu?
Thinking of this, Cao Yongli couldn't help but frown. Could it be?

After all, her son-in-law was very restrained in matters of the heart.

"Husband, husband?"

Li quickly called to Cao Liyong and pulled him to sit down:
"What are you so excited about?"

"Even though our daughter is pregnant, it doesn't stop our son-in-law from taking a concubine."

"Most importantly, I didn't stop you. I don't want our daughter to be known as a jealous woman and become a laughingstock!"

"In addition, our son-in-law is also very virtuous and has never been to a brothel. Among his peers, how many of the wealthy ones wouldn't go to broaden their horizons?"

"Hey, yes."

Cao Yong nodded repeatedly. He didn't know how to explain, but he would find an opportunity to talk to his son-in-law first.

"I just heard this news; it was quite sudden."

What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

Li grabbed Cao Liyong's sleeve:

"Back then, you entered the Liao camp alone and remained calm in the face of hundreds of thousands of troops. Why can't you sit still when your son-in-law finds another woman?"

"I have to say a few words to you, no matter how high or low you are."

"Yes, it was I who was presumptuous."

Cao Yongli quickly sat down, his mood somewhat complicated as he couldn't quite grasp his son-in-law's line of thinking.

That's why it's so surprising to think that someone would take their enemy's wife and daughters as their own.

"There are some things that it's not appropriate for a mother-in-law to ask."

Li lowered her voice and said:
“I always felt that Sisi’s features were very much like our son-in-law’s, and she was quite clever. Why don’t you ask our son-in-law if she is his biological daughter?”

"My biological daughter!"

Cao uttered these four words.

His wife slapped him again, telling him to speak softly.

"What are you so excited about?"

"I am a little excited."

Cao had just thought about this, but he didn't dare to think about it any further.

"Don't put on such airs as a father-in-law. If Song Twelve hadn't chosen our family, but someone else, you'd have nowhere to cry."

"How could I be putting on airs?"

Cao Yong felt that he used to be a bit arrogant and domineering, but as a good father-in-law who listened to his son-in-law, he had transformed into a "good guy" in the court.

Now he doesn't make enemies with anyone!

They're all very friendly now, and they don't hit people anymore, or even curse at them as much.

He no longer cared about even the prime minister Wang Zeng, whom he disliked.

Can you, an old hand who has passed the imperial examinations three times in a row, outdo my good son-in-law, the new champion who has passed the imperial examinations three times in a row?
Moreover, Wang Zeng is already so old and has had three spouses. The two daughters of the famous prime minister Li Hang married him one after another, but neither of them had a son.

There is a man who adopted his younger brother's son and is now a minor official in the imperial court.

It can be said that Cao Liyong's qualities have improved dramatically because of his son-in-law!
Cao Liyong was so eager to compete with Wang Zeng that, in his opinion, Wang Zeng had already lost.

"Then why were you so agitated just now, looking like you were about to argue?"

"I didn't." Cao felt he had been wronged.

"I just find it a little unbelievable."

“If she really is our son-in-law’s biological daughter, then it doesn’t count as raising someone else’s child.”

Li had a smile on her face:
"As long as it's not my son, that's fine."

"You should inquire about it carefully."

"I know, I know."

Cao Liyong, however, didn't seem to care: "What do you think of the woman's appearance?"

"She's quite the beauty, but unfortunately she's much older than her son-in-law."

Li gestured somewhat embarrassedly and said, "It's a little bigger than the average person's."

Cao Liyong frowned again, momentarily puzzled.

In the Song Dynasty, petite women were considered beautiful.

"Husband, do you think it's because our son-in-law didn't have a mother's care when he was young, so he's more attracted to older women?"

Suddenly, Li had a flash of inspiration and remembered Song Xuan's background.

"Well, you have a point."

Cao Liyong nodded.

Otherwise, how could a woman who is almost thirty years old possibly catch the eye of her son-in-law?

Song Xuan had already given instructions that evening: have Madam Gu keep Cao Qingyao company while she talks, and just listen to her when she calls you "sister," there aren't that many rules.

This morning, Song Xuan had to go out to work, but Song Sisi said she wanted to stay with her father.

Song Xuan didn't refuse, otherwise his mission to the Khitan would take quite a long time, and it wouldn't be a problem to bring her along during that time.

Madam Gu wanted to offer some advice, but Song Xuan simply carried her away.

Song Sisi gave her mother a smug hum and then chuckled.

Today, on duty, County Lieutenant Ban Feng, as usual, had the yamen runners waiting outside the gate early in the morning.

They were greatly puzzled when Song Xuan took the child out.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

"Yes." Song Xuan responded, "This is my own daughter, you can all recognize her face."

Ban Feng and the others were all shocked. How could Master Song have suddenly appeared with a biological daughter after pretending to be sick for a while?

Zhong Wuliu quickly said, "Greetings, Miss Song Yi."

People around quickly followed up to greet him.

Encouraged, Song Sisi reciprocated with a gift:
"Sisi has met Uncle One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelfth Uncle."

Everyone hurriedly took turns claiming the size of the child.

No one expected that Master Song's daughter could already count to twelve!

"okay."

Song Xuan carried his daughter directly onto the horse and headed towards the county government office.

It was no surprise that the ordinary officials of Song were on duty, as there were many of them.

But today there's an extra little girl. I wonder what that means?
It was Song Sisi's first time riding a horse, and she sat on it, giggling.

"Father, there are so many people in Tokyo!"

"There are so many people, you'll bump into someone every few steps."

"I feel that Daddy is so powerful, even more powerful than back home!"

Song Xuan held the reins in one hand and hugged her with the other:
"I was worried that the horses might get startled and hurt people if there were too many people, so I made a show of it to get people to make way for me."

"So that's it."

Song Sisi was indeed dazzled.

There were so many peddlers on the street early in the morning, and they had a wide variety of goods.

She was sensible and didn't say she wanted this or that.

Upon arriving at the county government office, Qi Lecheng hurriedly came over to lead the horse.

Song Xuan dismounted and introduced, "This is my daughter."

Qi Lecheng was taken aback at first, then bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Miss Song Yi."

"Sisi greets Uncle."

Qi Lecheng was naturally delighted and readily agreed.

He didn't care how Master Song's daughter came to be; he took the initiative to introduce her, which showed that he regarded him as a confidant.

When Song Xuan entered the county government office, the people around him still bowed repeatedly. After all, it was no exaggeration to welcome the great official Song back after recovering from his illness.

Song Xuan simply nodded in agreement and carried his daughter into the office.

Everyone was completely bewildered and didn't understand what was going on.

Qi Lecheng held his head even higher, as the official hadn't even introduced his daughter's identity to them.

Such a sudden event could not be concealed by the county government.

Moreover, Song Xuan had no intention of hiding it, so almost everyone knew that Master Song had a biological daughter and that he kept her by his side.

Even Mao Lang, the prison warden, came out to watch the spectacle, quite dumbfounded.

None of them could believe that Master Song had married before marrying the daughter of Attendant Cao.

No one dared to question this suddenly appearing biological daughter; they could only gossip about it in private and dared not speak out loud.

Zhao Zhen, who was working inside early in the morning, was not surprised to see Song Xuan carrying the child in; he already knew about it.

However, I was a little apprehensive about why my twelfth brother would bring him back in such a grand manner.

"Twelfth Brother, what is this?" Zhao Zhen stood up, pretending not to know.

"My daughter, Song Sisi."

After Song Xuan finished speaking, he looked at his daughter and said, "Sisi greets her uncle."

"Hey, hey."

Zhao Zhen looked at the sweet-talking young girl in front of him with great pleasure.

He also wanted to have his own offspring, so he quickly touched his waist.

"It was a bit sudden; my uncle didn't bring out any decent gifts."

Zhao Zhen took off the jade pendant from his waist, stepped forward, and handed it to Song Sisi:
"Sisi, your uncle will give you this jade crane first."

Song Sisi looked at Song Xuan, and seeing him nod, she smiled and said:
"Thank you, uncle."

Emperor Zhao Zhen himself was not the type to like wearing dragon-shaped jade pendants, and the crane also symbolizes the blessing of children.

"Good good."

Zhao Zhen smiled and asked, "Twelfth Brother, how does it feel to be a father?"

"nice."

Song Xuan put his daughter on the ground.

Wang Bao placed the toys from the package aside, then laid out a blanket before putting the toys on it.

Then Song Xuan played with his daughter on the blanket.

Zhao Zhen squatted to the side, watching the interaction between the father and daughter with great satisfaction, feeling very happy.

Kids are so adorable!

Wang Bao stood to the side, also smiling broadly.

With Song Xuan's help, he got married this year. His wife is not pregnant yet, and he hopes to have children soon.

After all, someone like him is considered to be getting married late.

In the past, I couldn't even feed myself, let alone get married.

Song Sisi even arranged for Zhao Zhen to play house, which made Zhao Zhen laugh heartily and cooperate fully.

His eyes were filled with longing. He wished he could have a child of his own, so that he could become in-laws with his twelfth brother.

"Twelfth Brother, you and your daughter are so alike."

Zhao Zhen, holding the rattle drum in his hand, said with a smile, "Just as clever as you."

"That's for sure."

Song Xuan pounded his chest:

"But I slept when I was in my prime, how could I not be strong?"

"Oh?" Zhao Zhen's eyes showed a lot of inquiry.

After all, he moved out of the palace and into Yuqing Palace, partly to take care of his younger sister.

On the other hand, it was also in accordance with the wishes of the twelfth brother to cultivate a pure and frugal mind and exercise to prepare for the birth of offspring.

Now, his sister is out of danger thanks to Dr. Wang's meticulous treatment, but he himself has indeed missed out on having children.

"Twelfth Brother, could you take my pulse again?"

Song Xuan glanced at his daughter, signaled him to reach out his hand, and paused for a moment:
"You're much better than before, but you still need to continue taking care of your health and not think about unnecessary things."

"understood."

Zhao Zhen responded, and then he heard his twelfth brother's daughter calling out:

"Father, are you playing the role of a miracle doctor?"

Upon receiving Song Xuan's affirmative answer, Song Sisi quickly said:

"Okay, okay, Father, I want to learn this. I want to become a miracle doctor too."

So Song Xuan cooperated and lay down as a patient, and the little miracle doctor examined him in a very professional manner.

Zhao Zhen laughed heartily at this.

He hadn't laughed so happily in a long time.

Especially now that he has to act out a "filial piety between mother and son" drama in the palace, he is still not valued by the Empress Dowager, who instead becomes increasingly wary of him.

Emperor Zhao Zhen was extremely distressed.

But at this moment, when he thought of his usually imposing twelfth brother, or the stomp of Song Taisui, he could make many ruffians in Tokyo tremble with fear.

Now, being ordered around by his daughter to act as a patient, and accepting being tapped on the stomach and having his heart checked without any resistance, Zhao Zhen found it quite amusing.

"Hahaha."

"Even Twelfth Brother has met his end."

"How delightful!"

Then Zhao Zhen, who was laughing so hard he almost choked, was also asked to lie down as a patient and have Song Sisi tap his stomach to examine him.

"Kukuku."

Song Xuan tried hard to suppress his laughter, but couldn't help laughing out loud.

Even if you're the emperor, you still have to behave like a patient in front of my daughter.

"Twelfth brother, what are you laughing at?"

"Hey, I was just thinking about something happy."

Song Xuan pursed his lips, but couldn't help laughing.

Zhao Zhen feigned a sigh, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Sixth Brother, what are you laughing at?"

"I was just thinking about happy things too."

Thanks to the little miracle doctor's intervention, the two patients finally recovered.

Song Xuan then found the cup he used specifically for his daughter to drink water, poured in some hot water, and let her rest for a while because she was tired.

After playing around like that for a while, Song Sisi was indeed a little tired.

Song Xuan then placed her on the bed so she could rest for a while. Zhao Zhen, witnessing this tender scene, sighed inwardly again, wondering when he too could enjoy such a life.

Anyway, with Empress Guo, that's absolutely impossible!
Zhao Zhen felt a tightness in his chest whenever he thought of Empress Guo. If it weren't for the arrival of his twelfth brother, he didn't know how he would have gotten rid of her or even intimidated her.

After his daughter was put to sleep, Song Xuan went outside the screen to have tea with Zhao Zhen.

How have things been lately?

"Everything remains the same." Zhao Zhen said after taking a sip of tea.

"I intend to lead all civil and military officials, along with the Khitan envoys, to celebrate the Empress's birthday."

"Ah."

Song Xuan nodded: "I don't have much to tell you. You'd better be humble, so you can see who's against it and who's in favor."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

He understood his twelfth brother's actions and was further testing whether the First Lady would change her mind and allow Zhao Zhen to participate in politics.

Furthermore, if we cut off the idea of ​​bringing Zhao Yunrang into the palace, or if the situation is beyond repair, then bringing Zhao Yunrang directly would be even less of a problem.

"Twelfth Brother, why are you being so high-profile?"

“Now that my children are grown up and I have established myself in Tokyo, it’s only natural that I want to bring my family here to reunite.”

Song Xuan's face showed a hint of regret:

"I don't want to follow in my parents' footsteps."

"understood."

Zhao Zhen felt that Song Xuan's intentions were a way of salvaging his own childhood, and he did not want the old stories to repeat themselves because of his daughter's identity.

Moreover, there's nothing wrong with Twelfth Brother promoting it so publicly.

Anyway, it's all a mix of truth and falsehood, who knows what's real?

Zhao Zhen also sighed, wondering when he would be able to truly salvage his childhood.

While Song Xuan was strolling in the backyard with his daughter, Guo En and others came over to greet them.

He had heard about some of these things that morning.

It was just a bit surprising that Master Song was so unconcerned about people, after all, this was a so-called illegitimate child.

However, Song Sisi was so cute and sweet-talking that Guo En decided to accept her as his younger sister.

Anyway, everyone claims to be the adopted son of Master Song.

Song Sisi was very curious when she saw that there were many children in the classroom, and there were quite a few playmates who were older than her.

But in my hometown, there are really not many.

"Father, do I have to be like them?"

"You're still young, there's no rush to study."

Song Xuan shook his head slightly:

“They are all several years older than you. You can ask them to be your friends after class.”

"it is good."

Song Sisi responded crisply.

Anyway, there are just too many people in Tokyo; everywhere you go, there are crowds.

Zhao Zhen found it strange; he had thought his twelfth brother would be strict with his daughter.

After all, how could a top scholar like himself tolerate his children being dull-witted?
"Twelfth Brother, your daughter is so clever and bright, why don't you start her education earlier?"

Is enlightenment important?

Song Xuan's question made Zhao Zhen somewhat insecure.

“It’s important, isn’t it? The noble ladies of Tokyo all start reading and writing, and practicing needlework and embroidery at a very young age.”

"I do not want."

Song Xuan stood with his hands behind his back and shook his head slightly:

“They are too young. They can learn when they are seven or eight years old, or they can not learn when they don’t want to. Anyway, I’m already up, which is enough to guarantee their privileged life.”

"This?" Zhao Zhen was greatly puzzled:
"Everyone hopes their children will be as smart as Twelfth Brother. Why does Twelfth Brother?"

"Smart people have more troubles, Sixth Brother. You don't understand until you reach my position."

Zhao Zhen's eyes widened. For the first time, he felt humiliated. What should he do?
"As for me, I don't have any particularly big wishes."

Song Xuan chuckled: "I only wish my child were foolish and dull, so that he might rise to high office without any trouble!"

Zhao Zhen was even more puzzled upon hearing this.

He felt that his twelfth brother had become famous at a young age, was exceptionally talented, and had smoothly entered officialdom by passing the imperial examination with top honors.

Even the wife he chose was so perfect for him, and most importantly, he also had such a clever eldest daughter.

Moreover, in his official career, although he was repeatedly framed or attacked, he always responded forcefully.

Nowadays, there are hardly any officials in the censorate who dare to offend him anymore.

How could Twelfth Brother have such thoughts?

"Don't be surprised."

Song Xuan pointed to himself and said, "A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. Will the smooth path you have now always be smooth in the future?"

Zhao Zhen really wanted to say yes.

But reality has also made him grow a lot. Even though he doesn't have power now, and even if he did have power to govern personally, it wouldn't guarantee that a person could remain in power forever.

"Hey."

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but sigh:
"Twelfth Brother is too clever for his own good, always thinking ten steps ahead for every one step he takes. Why be so pessimistic?"

"Me?" Song Xuan snorted, putting his hands behind his back.

"Don't flatter me."

"If I could outmaneuver those old foxes in the court, I would have become prime minister long ago, instead of being a county magistrate here."

"But Twelfth Brother also mentioned the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

"Sixth Brother, I have to criticize you for this. Don't just focus on the thief eating meat."

"I hope my twelfth brother can enlighten me."

Song Xuan stretched out his finger and said:
"Although Emperor Taizong of Tang had no brothers and succeeded to the throne, you can see from his actions that it wasn't just about controlling the key palace gates."

"He also held the emperor hostage, controlled the officials, and commanded the imperial guards. He had a group of civil and military officials at his beck and call, which prevented large-scale unrest in the central and local governments."

"Just replicating these few points is enough to keep us busy."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen also sighed.

He simply lacked the domineering presence and decisiveness of Emperor Taizong.

Controlling the palace gates alone was enough to stump him, not to mention all the other intricate procedures involved.

The Empress Dowager forbids him from contacting ministers, so no one can obtain the "Imperial Edict in the Belt"!
Even if they did have one, without a trusted military commander, it would be difficult to accomplish anything.

Song Xuan snapped his fingers:
"Therefore, I prefer to use my fists to settle things rather than try to maintain balance and stabilize the court. So, it's inevitable that we'll end up arguing and even fighting in the court in the future."

Zhao Zhen recalled how he had secretly cheered when his twelfth brother took action in court.

Thinking about it carefully now, it is indeed against etiquette.

However, the civil service group naturally considered Song Xuan to be part of their group, and therefore did not impeach him, as they were targeting the emperor's relatives and some censors who could impeach the prime minister.

In the future, if any radical reforms were to emerge, Song Xuan was not sure if Yan Shu would stand by his side.

He was very good at protecting himself, and he also warned Song Xuan that he must understand this kind of thing.

Even if you manage to appease the court, the policies still need to be implemented at the local level.

Do the officials below really follow your policies?

Don't even think about it.

Those people are either unwilling or may even over-implement policies, causing you more difficulties.

Song Xuan wanted to have more students at Yingtian Academy, or more colleagues, so that he wouldn't be unable to manage the local affairs while managing the court.

This is especially important at the local level, where they serve as the final stage of policy implementation.

"Twelfth Brother, in the future, try not to resort to violence if you can avoid it."

Zhao Zhen coughed and said, "Those newly arrived censors are very upright. Even your teacher, Fan Zhongyan, was selected to serve as a clerk."

During the Song Dynasty, there was a system of official appointments, and officials in the Censorate could be concurrently appointed by officials of other ranks, so they did not have to be full-time.

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan raised an eyebrow:
"Could we first dismiss him and prevent him from serving as a censor?"

"Why?"

Zhao Zhen did not understand why he had to suppress Master Fan, as he felt that many of Master Fan's opinions were correct.

"Of course, it's to protect him."

"Protect him?"

Song Xuan pursed his lips:

"I suggest that you, Sixth Brother, be more humble and show your filial piety to the public. Not only will many people agree with you, but many will also disagree. They will all have a strong desire for you to take charge of the government."

“If Master Fan were to become a censor, he would inevitably clash with the Empress Dowager beforehand, which would be inappropriate.”

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly; he was actually happy to see how many court officials would support him.

Because he was certain that he would one day assume power, and at that time he would use this performance of filial piety as a way to choose who supported him and who supported the Empress Dowager.

This was also the idea that Song Xuan came up with for Zhao Zhen, who had always been unable to contact the other ministers.

"Twelfth Brother, this matter is probably over."

Zhao Zhen said with a hint of helplessness:

"Anyway, I don't have the ability to erase his name, and the prime minister certainly won't listen to me."

Song Xuan nodded; he also felt that Master Fan could be a bit stubborn at times.

These are all personal characteristics.

If he weren't stubborn, he wouldn't be Fan Zhongyan.

"Forget it, we'll just have to take it one step at a time."

Song Xuan knew that Liu E was a vengeful person, and that if there were many people opposing her, it would be impossible to punish too many people at once, according to "public opinion".

If Master Fan were to serve as an official in a local area, he might be able to demonstrate even greater value.

It's much better than angrily submitting impeachments in the capital, only to have them disappear without a trace.

After they finished talking, the two had a meal at the county government office.

He didn't mention anything about official business within the county government, and Song Xuan didn't want to find out right away.

Instead, he took his daughter and returned home, leaving Zhao Zhen to look after her at the county government office.

The news that Xiao Song Tai Sui brought his daughter to and from work today has caused quite a stir.

How did Little Song Tai Sui suddenly end up with a daughter?

Whether this is true or false, many people are willing to spread gossip, but no one is sure about the news.

All sorts of news are flying around.

Cao deliberately left work early to go to the county government office to inquire about something, but he didn't expect to hear other people talking about it on the way.

He listened at the tea stall for a while before heading straight to Song Xuan's house.

"father in law."

Song Xuan sat on a recliner in his study, basking in the sun in his loungewear.

"Sit, sit, sit."

Cao Li closed the door, sat down to the side, and looked at his lazy son-in-law: "What exactly are you thinking?"

"Of course, we should give them, mother and daughter, a warm home."

Song Xuan did not hide anything:
“After all, I’m going to Khitan. It’s a long and arduous journey, and it will take quite a while. I still need to be on guard. If someone tries to cause trouble while I’m away, I’ll feel more at ease leaving them at home.”

"Go to the Khitan."

Cao Liyong was also hearing this news for the first time: "You're not kidding?"

"What are you joking about?" Song Xuan leaned back in his recliner.

“Father-in-law, I am so young, I naturally want to travel around. Now that I have the opportunity to go to the Khitans to observe and carefully observe their military capabilities, it will also be beneficial to our Great Song.”

"And we also informed the Empress Dowager in advance."

"There's no need for you to go." Cao Li shook his head slightly.

"The Empress Dowager is prone to being capricious and fickle; she might just arrange for someone else to go!"

"I'll just be the chief envoy, or the deputy envoy, and wander around Liao territory to investigate their actual situation."

"Do you really intend to attack the Liao Kingdom and break the alliance?"

"I've had that thought, but not now."

Song Xuan enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the paper window onto his face: "I just want to take a trip to the North."

"There's nothing dangerous about being sent as an envoy to the Khitan."

Cao lowered his voice and asked, "Are you sure it's your child?"

“I never intended to raise someone else’s child.”

Song Xuan replied, "Father-in-law, don't forget, my medical skills are also quite remarkable."

"That's it."

Cao Liyong was relieved. He was afraid that Song Xuan would raise the child of his enemy, and that the child would end up like Zhao Wuxu.

As for how many women Song Xuan had, Cao Yong didn't care at all.

Anyway, his legal wife is his daughter, and no one can change that.

Cao Liyong's biggest fear was that the daughter wasn't Song Xuan's biological daughter.

As for the fact that he has other women, including a busty young woman, Cao Yongli doesn't care at all.

What man doesn't have his own little quirks and hobbies?

This is completely understandable.

However, matters concerning the inclusion of descendants in the family genealogy are of great importance!
Cao needed to confirm this repeatedly before he could feel at ease.

"Father-in-law, please rest assured, I'm not that blinded by lust."

"Hahaha."

Cao Liyong stroked his beard and said:
"Even a real man will inevitably stumble over a woman; it's unavoidable."

"Everyone has moments when they are captivated by beauty."

"It's like the most popular courtesan in Fanlou. Many people like her, but some people don't. It's not that she's not pretty, but that she's not the kind of woman you like."

"Father-in-law's opinion is excellent."

Song Xuan then gave him another compliment.

Anyway, as people gain more experience, their thoughts change significantly.

Previously, Song Xuan thought that at worst they could really fight the Khitans, but now, given the actual situation of the Song Dynasty, it would be even more inappropriate to actually fight them.

However, the actual situation is better to first find an opportunity to contain the Tanguts who are developing in the Northwest.

They were supported by the Khitans.

The Tangut people now openly submit to both the Song and Liao dynasties.

But in reality, they weren't so obedient to their biggest benefactor, the Khitans.

In an attempt to control the dogs raised by the Song Dynasty, the Khitans finally grew into wolves that posed a significant threat to them.

"What's so great about this?"

Cao Liyong stroked his beard and said with a sigh:
"It's just a lesson I learned from my own experience, but unfortunately, not many people can understand it."

"Even if I tell my lads to learn from this, who would listen?"

"They say they understand, but they don't really take it seriously."

"Tell me, what can I do?"

"I don't know either." Song Xuan chuckled softly.
"Everyone knows that the lessons of history are right there, but it seems that even if we know the lessons, we don't learn from them."

"You understand me so well, you know how to describe me."

Cao Liyong nodded: "I can't explain it to them either."

"By the way, father-in-law, there's something else I need to tell you beforehand, so please keep it in mind."

"You said."

"I feel that the atmosphere in the court has been extremely bad lately."

Song Xuan coughed and said, "Someone wants to incite the Empress to repeat the deeds of the Wu Zhou dynasty."

"Who?"

Cao Liyong frowned: "I am deeply trusted by Emperor Zhenzong, and I will absolutely not allow this to happen!"

“Father-in-law, if someone really steps forward to test you, don’t make any promises lightly, lest you be caught in a trap and schemed against.”

Song Xuan sat up as well: "Otherwise, you'll easily attract attention and be expelled from the court. If I'm not around, you'll suffer the consequences."

How can I stand idly by and watch this happen?

When Cao Liyong thought about this situation, he wished he could get rid of the court of corrupt officials.

"Just observe how Grand Councilor Zhang reacts, and you should react the same way."

Song Xuan patted Cao Liyong's chair:
"Sometimes when you're sitting in this chair, you have to play dumb when necessary."

"The Empress Dowager was able to fight Kou Zhun for so many years without exonerating him, expel Ding Wei to Danzhou, and suppress Wang Qinruo until his death. She was very resourceful."

How do your political skills compare to the three of them?

"Of course it's not as good."

Cao Liyong felt that with Kou Zhun around, he really had to admit defeat.

"As long as you understand."

Song Xuan nodded: "If you keep yourself alive, you can serve His Majesty in the future. Father-in-law should learn from Cao Wei's approach."

Cao Wei was framed by Ding Wei back then, so he specially sent Han Yi, who was not loyal to him, to handle the matter, hoping to make the two of them fight like dogs.

Ideally, Cao Wei would kill Han Yi in a fit of rage, thus solidifying his reputation as a traitor.

As a result, Han Yi handled the matter impartially, and Cao Wei, upon receiving the imperial edict, immediately set off with more than ten old and weak soldiers, carrying no weapons but several cartloads of books.

This prevented Ding Wei from having the opportunity to frame him.

Cao Li nodded, indicating that he was very familiar with Cao Wei's experience.

Fortunately, the following year, the Empress Dowager defeated Ding Wei and was dismissed from his post. Cao Wei was then reinstated and is now serving in Zhengding Road.

"You've concluded that someone's trying to get me?"

"Not bad." Song Xuan nodded slightly.
"At that time, all sorts of shady characters will come out. I don't know who is who, but I've offended quite a few people."

"Since I am not in court at this time, they can only target you, father-in-law. How can we not take precautions?"

"Not bad." Cao Liyong nodded.
"Even though I've listened to your advice and my attitude towards others has changed a lot over the years, I still offended quite a few people, but I don't care."

“But things are different now. My son-in-law has a bright future, and as his father-in-law, I certainly can’t hold him back.”

"What do you mean by holding us back? We're all one family, we'll stand together through thick and thin."

Cao was very satisfied with the idea of ​​the family sharing weal and woe.

Song Xuan leaned back in his chair again:

"By the way, Father-in-law, you should write to your younger brother and nephew who are far away and give them some more instructions."

"Make them abide by the laws of the Song Dynasty and not use Cao Shizhong's name to do bad things in the local area."

"No, that won't do." Cao Yong waved his hand confidently in refusal: "They still know their limits."

"Father-in-law, please don't be so confident." Song Xuan's face showed absolute certainty.
"Even the Empress Dowager's in-laws cannot be prevented from causing trouble in the local area."

"Are my father-in-law's relatives in the local area all pure white lotuses that remain untainted by the mud?"

(End of this chapter)