The prince is more stable

Chapter 539: The State's Heir
After the incident with Liu Xianzhen, the relationship between Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Dun has eased a lot.

Of course, the main reason was that the fight between the two did not actually involve interests. The two fights between Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhang Dun that almost led to a breakup were both for the Su brothers.

Zhang Dun wanted to get rid of the old party, while Zhao Xiaoqian did it for personal reasons. The starting point of their fight had nothing to do with money or power, so they stopped at the right time and both sides were very restrained.

This also laid the groundwork for the easing of relations in the future. Since it was not a direct dispute over interests, it was just a matter of laughing it off. If Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to compete with Zhang Dun for power, or directly stand in the old party camp, the two would never be able to ease the relationship and would only fight to the death.

Our ancestors often said, "Leave a way out for yourself when you are a good person." This is probably a piece of golden advice that our ancestors have distilled from thousands of years of experience.

Zhang Dun always had a good impression of Zhao Xiaoqian, which was one of the reasons why he did not act too harshly during the fight. With Zhang Dun's position as prime minister and the influence of the New Party in the court, if he really wanted to fight Zhao Xiaoqian to the death, Zhao Xiaoqian would be badly injured even if he did not die.

However, Zhang Dun had known Zhao Xiaoqian for a long time and had a general understanding of Zhao Xiaoqian's character. What reassured him most was that Zhao Xiaoqian had no interest in government affairs and had no ambition for power at all.

He had no involvement in the new or old parties, or in the struggle for power. No matter what official position or title he was given, he still looked like a playboy.

But this man was extremely capable, and it was no exaggeration to say that he was the pillar of the dynasty. Because of him, the Song Dynasty reversed a century of humiliation and forced the Liao Kingdom to never dare to move south again. Military victory often extends to politics, and Zhang Dun was the most direct beneficiary.

If such a person is a friend, it will be beneficial to work together; if he is an enemy, both sides will suffer.

Zhang Dun was a smart man and he knew how to choose.

In the case of Liu Xianzhen, Zhang Dun stepped forward and personally participated in the interrogation as the prime minister. This was actually his way of sending a friendly signal to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also a smart man. He had received Zhang Dun's signal, which was why he joked with him so casually today.

The two of them never said anything childish like "Then let's start this relationship right away". They just exchanged a few words, made a few jokes, looked at each other, and understood each other tacitly.

Giving birth is a long process. People who have never been parents may not know that it does not mean that the baby will be born immediately once the pregnant woman has a stomachache. Pooping is not that fast, and giving birth is not that easy.

From abdominal pain to intensified uterine contractions, followed by amniotic fluid rupture and dilation of more than five fingers, the baby will be born with difficulty. During this process, the pregnant woman is like walking through the gates of hell. If she fails to pass any level, the result will be two lives, one corpse.

This process may take three or four hours at the fastest, or as long as a day and a night.

At this time, outside the palace gate, more and more courtiers had rushed in after hearing the news. They gathered in groups, whispering to each other. Everyone had anticipation on their faces, and from time to time they stood on tiptoe to look at the closed palace gate.

Zhang Dun paced back and forth, stroking his beard nervously, his brows tightly furrowed.

Zhao Xiaoqian was very calm. Chen Shou brought him a small stool and asked him to sit on the open space outside the palace gate. Then he brought a set of tea sets. Zhao Xiaoqian sat slowly on the small stool and sipped the tea.

Zhang Dun glanced sideways and couldn't help laughing.

He is really a playboy, he will never compromise himself no matter where he goes. Look at his pomp and show, he enjoys much more than him as the prime minister.

Zhao Xiaoqian took a sip of tea and raised an eyebrow at Zhang Dun. "This is new tea picked from Jiangnan before Qingming Festival this year. Would you like to try it, Mr. Zhang?"

Chen Shou had good eyesight and immediately brought over a small stool. Zhang Dun hesitated for a moment, then sat down opposite Zhao Xiaoqian, picked up the teacup and began to sip the tea.

With his fingers raised like an orchid, Zhang Dun took a sip slowly, holding the tea in his mouth, repeatedly experiencing the changes in the taste from bitter to sweet. Zhang Dun nodded, and his soul seemed to be sublimated.

He opened his eyes and was about to praise the tea, but he saw Zhao Xiaoqian drinking the tea in one gulp as if he were drinking wine. He smacked his lips and signaled Chen Shou to have another cup, which he continued to drink in one gulp.

Zhang Dun was stunned, his face filled with anger at the lack of competition: "This... elegant thing, how can you just drink it like a cow? It's like burning the piano and cooking the crane!"

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him and said, "The essence of tea is to quench thirst. It's you intellectuals who insist on giving it all kinds of elegant and profound reputations and gimmicks. That's why it has become so pretentious. You even try to give it some profound truths and all kinds of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist meanings. Tsk!"

With a sarcastic smile, Zhao Xiaoqian picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhang Dun frowned and said, "Things that are the essence of heaven and earth are naturally intelligent and spiritual. Their great principles are discovered, not forced upon them."

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, "Mr. Zhang, I invented the art of tea frying and making tea. Don't I, the creator of this art, know whether it has any profound principles or not?"

Zhang Dun paused. Oh, oh, I seem to have forgotten. The tea that was now so popular in Bianjing and even throughout the Song Dynasty was indeed invented by him. The Chu Palace made a fortune every year from this business, and even he, the Prime Minister, was a little jealous. It was said that there were also government officials involved...

After thinking about it, Zhang Dun suddenly felt something was wrong.

"Your family owns a Mingyu Teahouse in Bianjing. The so-called great principles, the meaning of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, all spread from your teahouse..."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked innocently. "This is all for marketing, to increase tea sales. Simply put, it's a trick to fool fools. Mr. Zhang...you don't believe it, do you?"

Zhang Dun was stunned, and a deep sense of shame surged in his heart. His old face suddenly turned red. Fortunately, it was dim at night and no one noticed.

"I... of course I don't believe it!" Zhang Dun stroked his beard and said calmly, "Tea is just a thirst-quencher. It's ridiculous that people spread rumors about it." Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, "That's right. It's better to be down-to-earth in life and work. Don't force something to be elevated to an inappropriate level. It will only ruin it..."

"The same is true of the imperial court's decrees. Before they are issued, there is no sufficient research, no real feedback from the people, and no concrete data to support them. The powerful officials in the court make decisions on the spur of the moment, without any regard for whether the people accept them or whether they bring disaster to the people."

"It's easy for the bigwigs to make decisions on the spur of the moment, but they've caused countless people to lose their homes and their lives. Yet, they still think their decrees are flawless, boasting that they're the best policies that have ever benefited the court and the people. The people can't accept this, but they're being ungrateful..."

"Mr. Zhang, do you think the person who issued this decree is a capable official or a treacherous one?"

Zhang Dun was shocked. The direction of these words was too clear. Zhao Xiaoqian was clearly referring to him.

"Zi'an thinks the new policy is inappropriate?" Zhang Dun frowned.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly shook his head: "I am just an idle relative, I dare not discuss state affairs. If Lord Zhang gets upset and thinks I am a Yuanyou Party member...Aren't we just talking about tea?"

Zhang Dun's face darkened. "What you just said was clearly a criticism of the new policy. Did you think I couldn't hear it?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was astonished: "You can even hear that? Mr. Zhang is simply a god."

Zhang Dun: “…………”

It seemed like she was praising him, but more like she was scolding him...

"Zi'an, you might as well tell me calmly what's wrong with the new policy. I don't bear grudges..." Zhang Dun persuaded.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him and said, "It would be strange if you didn't hold a grudge. How did so many members of the Yuanyou Party fall? Doesn't Lord Zhang know? I'm just an idle relative. Lord Zhang, just ignore me. Whether it's the new policy or the old one, you guys can do your thing. Don't drag me into it."

Zhang Dun felt very upset.

It is true that I have turned from an enemy to a friend with Zhao Xiaoqian, but this friend is really hard to make friends with. Chatting with him will make me angry to death.

Does a person with arsenic on his lips deserve to have friends?

It was already late at night, and the ministers had been waiting outside the palace gate for two or three hours without realizing it.

It is very lively outside the palace gate tonight. Almost all the officials above the third rank in Bianjing City are present, waiting to witness the historic moment. If Concubine Liu gives birth to a prince, he will be the future crown prince of the Song Dynasty.

Many years later, when I reminisced about those years, I thought, “Back then, on the night His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was born, I was waiting outside the palace gates, waiting for the news right away…”

These words were full of pretense, infinitely elevating his own status, and at the same time forcing a connection with the royal family. In order to be able to brag about this many years later, the ministers were reluctant to leave even though they were extremely tired.

Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian sat on small stools, drinking tea and chatting, while Zhao Hao on the other side was like a butterfly flying among flowers, flying around and socializing among the ministers.

Zhao Hao had many flaws, but he had one undeniable advantage, which was his strong social skills. He could speak differently to different people and could chat with anyone for a long time. After just a few words, they could get along like brothers, at least on the surface.

Zhao Xiaoqian held the teacup and looked at Zhao Hao from afar.

As a biological son, Zhao Hao socialized with court officials like a socialite. Although he seemed cheerful and cheerful on the outside, Zhao Xiaoqian keenly noticed that there was a hint of anxiety and uneasiness in Zhao Hao's eyes from time to time.

Why was Zhao Hao so anxious when the emperor gave birth to a son?
It was almost midnight and the ministers were still gathered outside the palace gate when they suddenly heard the bells and drums on the palace tower striking again and again. The sound echoed melodiously over the sky of Bianjing City in the middle of the night.

The noisy ministers were startled for a moment, and they all looked in the direction where the bell sound came from. Then the palace gate was slowly opened a little, and Zheng Chunhe walked out smiling in a crimson official robe.

"The emperor has issued an edict to inform you all that on July 24, the second year of Shaosheng, Consort Liu Xian gave birth to a prince. The mother is safe and the prince is healthy."

After saying this, Zheng Chunhe smiled and bowed to the ministers, then turned and entered the palace.

The heavy and thick palace door slowly closed again.

The ministers were silent for a long time, and suddenly cheers broke out in the crowd.

"A legitimate heir to a country will ensure its eternal prosperity!"

Everyone cheered and Zhang Dun was also very excited. He stood up, faced the palace gate, and slowly knelt down on his knees.

The prime minister took the lead, and the ministers behind him, including Zhao Xiaoqian, knelt down towards the palace gate.

(End of this chapter)