The prince is more stable

Chapter 5 The So-called Crime

The fact that the current emperor's uncle was suddenly detained by the Zongzheng Temple is undoubtedly a very serious matter.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not sure how serious the situation was. He secretly observed the expression of Prince Pu Zhao Zongsheng, but saw that his face was as gloomy as a lake and there was no clue.

If I live to this age and only a grandchild can see the clues, then I have lived in vain.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little anxious. The relationship between father and son was a little fragile at the moment, but... you deducted my long-term meal ticket, who will I eat in the future?

"Grandpa Prince Pu, could you please tell me what my father is involved in?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked cautiously.

Zhao Zongsheng stroked his beard and smiled, "Don't worry. The Zongzheng Temple was originally going to release your father today. Now that you're here, Zi'an, it's a good opportunity to take your father back."

"As for the matter involving your father, you can ask him later. I won't say any more."

Zhao Xiaoqian continued to put on a fake smile. The old man was very steady and didn't leak a single word.

Zhao Hao was indeed released.

Outside the gate of Zongzheng Temple, Zhao Xiaoqian waited for a while, and then he saw a round ball of flesh rolling out lively.

After being detained by the Zongzheng Temple for a night, Zhao Hao now looked greasy, like a greasy nouveau riche who drove a luxury car and hooked up with campus beauties outside the university.

Zhao Zongsheng accompanied Zhao Hao out. Zhao Hao nodded and bowed in front of Zhao Zongsheng, with a look of respect and flattery on his face, but Zhao Zongsheng's expression was indifferent. He stroked his beard and hummed from time to time as a response.

Zhao Xiaoqian stepped forward, but before he could say anything, he saw Zhao Hao stunned for a moment. Then an expression of great emotion came over his greasy face, and his pair of small green eyes were instantly filled with tears.

"Qian'er, you... are worthy of being your father's good eldest son. You bravely went to Zongzheng Temple alone to save your father. This will be a story that will be passed down through the ages!" Zhao Hao held Zhao Xiaoqian's shoulders and cried loudly to the sky.

From Zhao Hao's powerful cry, Zhao Xiaoqian was certain that the Zongzheng Temple had not abused him last night, and perhaps the food in the temple was quite good.

Zhao Zongsheng's old face turned green instantly, and the hand that was stroking his beard trembled slightly with anger.

"Going in alone and bravely" and so on, what do you think of my Zongzheng Temple?

Zhao Xiaoqian was also caught off guard by Zhao Hao's wailing.

This comrade dad’s emotions are really... so full!

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I just came to the Zongzheng Temple to inquire about the news, chatted with Grandpa Pu Wang for a few words, and brought you back to the palace. It's not that thrilling." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a curl of his lips.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Zhao Zongsheng sheepishly and said, "Grandpa Prince Pu, please don't misunderstand me. Father has no other intentions."

Zhao Hao also suppressed his surging emotions and stood in front of Zhao Zongsheng with an awkward smile.

Glancing at Zhao Hao with some disdain, Zhao Zongsheng slowly said, "The person has been released. How to resolve the matter is up to you, King Chu. The Zongzheng Temple can no longer handle this matter."

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart sank.

Only then did he understand that the reason why the Zongzheng Temple released the person so readily was not because the problem was solved, but because the situation had become more serious, so serious that the Zongzheng Temple could not intervene.

Turning his head and taking a quick look at Zhao Hao, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed secretly, wondering what kind of trouble this troublesome father had gotten himself into.

The father and son were about to say goodbye to Zhao Zongsheng, but just as Zhao Xiaoqian turned around, they suddenly heard a muffled "bang".

Zhao Zongsheng and Zhao Hao looked at the ground at the same time, and saw an iron hammer used for forging lying steadily on the ground.

The two of them immediately looked up and stared at Zhao Xiaoqian with strange eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian calmly bent down to pick up the hammer, put it back on his waist, and explained calmly: "The axle of the carriage we were riding in just now was broken, and I used it to repair the axle. After that, I took it with me. This explanation must be reasonable, right?"

Zhao Hao was deeply moved and whispered, "You said you didn't bravely enter the Zongzheng Temple alone..."

"Father, it's really not true..." Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and gritted his teeth, feeling powerless like a widow who was slandered for her obscene conduct.

Zhao Zongsheng looked at the inappropriate father and son in front of him, his expression vicissitudes of life, and sighed to the sky: "This is the fate of my royal family of the Great Song Dynasty... Never mind, go back and get out of here!"

…………

With Zhao Hao on board the carriage heading back to the palace, the speed seemed to have slowed down a lot, and the horses pulling the carriage seemed to be struggling.

Sitting in the swaying carriage, Zhao Hao stared at Zhao Xiaoqian with a look of satisfaction, looking him up and down for a long time. The look in his eyes made Zhao Xiaoqian feel creepy all over.

Zhao Xiaoqian's visit to the Zongzheng Temple today clearly surprised Zhao Hao. He had always remembered his son as someone who stayed at home and was quite introverted and withdrawn. To save his father, he not only visited the Zongzheng Temple today but also brought a hammer with him...

Although the idea was very dangerous and the success rate was basically zero, Zhao Hao was so moved by his son's filial piety that he wanted to cry.

"Son, don't take risks again. A hammer can't save your father..." Zhao Hao warned earnestly.

"I know, I had no intention of saving you." Zhao Xiaoqian said lightly.

The misunderstanding was too much to explain, and Zhao Xiaoqian lost interest in even talking. A fat slap landed on his shoulder.

"You look cold on the outside but you speak harshly but your heart is warm. You are my son, don't I understand you? Haha!" Zhao Hao laughed happily.

Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian again, Zhao Hao's fat face was full of relief and surprise.

Yes, Zhao Xiaoqian's performance today really surprised him. His personality had changed so much that he was still digesting his son's filial piety until now.

Zhao Xiaoqian twitched the corners of his mouth.

No explanation, just destroy it.

In fact, it was the first time that the father and son had a serious communication. Although it was thought to be a warm scene, Zhao Xiaoqian felt uncomfortable all over.

This father, who is in his forties, seems to be out of tune in everything he says and does, like an immature child.

"Father, can you tell me what you have done wrong?" Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Hao's expression collapsed in an instant like a landslide.

"It's a big trouble. I'm afraid we can't protect the Prince of Chu's Palace." Zhao Hao said with a pale face.

"Explain it?"

Zhao Hao explained it in great detail, and he held nothing back in front of his son.

The cause of the incident was that two days ago, Zhao Hao was impeached by the imperial censor.

The censors of the Song Dynasty were in charge of everything, and they were involved in trivial matters, so it was not a big deal.

But this time the censor's accusations against Zhao Hao were a bit serious, with two crimes.

One is to make friends with foreign officials, and the other is to make irresponsible comments on state affairs.

That's right, the princes and royal family members of the Song Dynasty were not allowed to make friends with court officials. Throughout the Song Dynasty, most of the princes and royal family members were dutiful. It is rare to see in history books that princes and royal family members participated in major events in the history of the Song Dynasty. Only a group of literati jumped around.

Because the Song Dynasty had very strict restrictions on clan members, making friends with foreign officials was taboo.

If relatives with the same surname are allowed to form cliques in the court, would the emperor still be able to rule?
The reason why Zhao Hao was accused of this crime is somewhat absurd.

Last year, on the 65th birthday of Fan Chunren, the Right Prime Minister of the Ministry of Shangshu and the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Zhao Hao brought gifts to his house to pay his respects and also wrote a poem "Xijiang Yue" as a congratulatory message. Later, Fan Chunren wrote another poem "Xijiang Yue" in response as a return gift, which became a good story at the time.

In the eyes of normal people, this is just an ordinary interpersonal interaction.

However, the perspective of the imperial censors in the court was very strange. They used this as a handle to accuse King Zhao Hao of Chu of making friends with foreign officials.

And Zhao Hao's second crime, the so-called "making irresponsible remarks on state affairs"...

This was because the Empress Dowager passed away in September last year, and Emperor Zhao Xu, who had been on the throne for ten years, finally took over the government.

As the emperor's uncle, Zhao Hao submitted a memorial, which congratulated Zhao Xu on his personal rule and expressed his unwavering support for Zhao Xu's rule. He also pledged his loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism, and requested the emperor to give his uncle a chance to lick his groin...

To put it bluntly, Zhao Hao's memorial was nothing but meaningless flattery, and the flattery was actually used as a topic of discussion by the censor, who accused him of "making irresponsible remarks on state affairs."

The impeachment memorial was submitted to the Censorate yesterday at noon, and Zhao Hao was detained in the Zongzheng Temple yesterday afternoon.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not very familiar with the rules and laws of the Song Dynasty, but as a normal person, he racked his brains but could not figure out what was wrong with Zhao Hao's flattering memorial.

Even if the flattery was a little corny, at most the government would tear it into pieces and throw it back, with a few mild reprimands. How could he be charged with the crime of "making irresponsible remarks on state affairs"?
The so-called "making friends with foreign officials" and "making irresponsible comments on state affairs" have no factual basis to support their claims.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a long time and then came to a conclusion.

"Father, someone is trying to get you." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed.

Although Zhao Hao was a fat man, he was not mentally retarded. Upon hearing this, he sighed helplessly, "I know this too. I must have offended someone, but... who exactly did I offend?"

Inside the carriage, the father and son sat in silence for a long time.

Finally, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but ask, "Father, tell me the truth, have you...harmed the wife or concubine of any court official?"

It's not that Zhao Xiaoqian is out of tune. From his observation, his biological father is basically a human Teddy Bear. It's hard to say that he would not do ridiculous things like "I committed a crime in front of my husband" and "Husband, forgive me".

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(End of this chapter)