Song Xiu

Chapter 11 The Beginning of the Struggle
Zhao Dexiu's words successfully angered Fan Zhi, one of the two chief ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Having already realized what had happened, Fan Zhi pointed at Zhao Dexiu and angrily rebuked him: "The late emperor raised the Grand Commandant like a son, and now that he is not yet cold, how can you do this?"

Zhao Dexiu was Zhao Kuangyin's son. Now that Zhao Kuangyin is gone, it's normal for Zhao Dexiu to take the blame.

Faced with Fan Zhi's scolding, Zhao Dexiu turned around and looked at him.

It should be noted that, aside from the fact that the hundreds of armored soldiers in the hall were all loyal to Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Dexiu himself also brought a sword into the hall this time.

In addition, Zhao Dexiu inherited Zhao Kuangyin's heroic features, so when Zhao Dexiu held a long sword and looked at Fan Zhi, his slightly cold expression had a bit of Zhao Kuangyin's former stern demeanor.

If Zhao Kuangyin is likened to a fierce general capable of devouring enemy generals, then Zhao Dexiu is currently a fledgling tiger just beginning to show its prowess.

Zhao Kuangyin had previously instructed that people should try not to kill anyone in the city, but this order had an unspoken premise—you have to respect others' feelings.

How did Han Tong die?

If someone doesn't want to maintain appearances, the tens of thousands of imperial guards in the city will help them.

Seeing the dangerous looks that Zhao Dexiu, Shi Shouxin, and Wang Shenqi were giving him, Fan Zhi was so frightened that he couldn't utter another word.

Fan Zhi's scolding also made Pan Mei very unhappy, but he had to deliver Zhao Kuangyin's imperial edict.

Soon, Pan Mei addressed the assembled officials and nobles in the hall, recounting the events of the Chenqiao Mutiny.

In addition, Pan Mei loudly recited Zhao Kuangyin's Three Laws.

Zhao Kuangyin's three-point agreement had only one main point: as long as there was no resistance, he would not only refrain from killing, but would also try his best to protect the original interests of the nobles in the city.

Upon learning the contents of Zhao Kuangyin's three-point agreement, Fan Zhi's expression immediately changed.

With a sorrowful expression, Fan Zhi tightly grasped Wang Pu's hand and said, "Our hasty dispatch of generals is our fault."

Wang Pu's hand was scratched until it bled from Fan Zhi's fingers because he used too much force.

Even now, Fan Zhi's performance is worthy of being called a loyal minister of the Great Zhou.

However, Fan Zhi's subsequent actions surprised everyone:

"Now that things have come to this, in order to protect the people in the city, I have no choice but to endure the condemnation of thousands."

After saying these words, Fan Zhi seemed to have unloaded his burden. He turned and bowed to Zhao Dexiu, saying:

"The matter is settled, there is no need for haste. Since ancient times, emperors have had the ritual of abdication, and it can be carried out now."

"Since the Grand Commandant has received the abdication with proper ceremony, he should serve the Empress Dowager as if she were his mother and raise the young emperor as if he were his son. He must not fail the old favors of the late emperor."

When these two sentences were uttered, Empress Dowager Zhou, who was sitting next to the dragon throne, was completely stunned.

Fan Zhi looked like a loyal minister, and she was still moved, but then Fan Zhi handed over the entire Zhou dynasty to Zhao Kuangyin.

Regarding the matter of abdication, Fan Zhi hadn't yet asked her whether she agreed.

Zhao Dexiu was equally taken aback, and he gave Fan Zhi an approving look.

Fan Zhi was a good comrade who wanted to maintain a respectable image.

"Fan Xiang's loyalty is worthy of being recorded in history."

"I will certainly report what Prime Minister Fan said to my father, so please rest assured, Prime Minister Fan."

Fan Zhi's suggestion was entirely in Zhao Kuangyin's favor, and Zhao Dexiu had no reason to refuse it.

Fan Zhi's words implied that he had accepted the legitimacy of the Chenqiao Mutiny.

Seeing that Fan Zhi had already supported Zhao Kuangyin, Wang Pu, unable to stand alone, could only acquiesce.

With neither of the two chief ministers speaking out to support the Great Zhou, which of the officials in the palace would still care whether the young emperor on the throne was willing under the threat of a coup?
Soon, all the officials in the hall spoke one after another, expressing their willingness to support the new dynasty.

Seeing that all the officials had submitted, Zhao Dexiu no longer hesitated.

Under the watchful eyes of the officials in the hall, Zhao Dexiu stepped onto the imperial steps that no subject could previously tread. After quickly traversing the nine steps, Zhao Dexiu arrived before the imperial desk.

Behind the imperial desk, on the dragon throne, sat the terrified Emperor Zhou and the tearful Empress Dowager Zhou.

To be honest, Empress Dowager Zhou was quite beautiful, and her current pitiful appearance only heightened men's desire to cherish her. But even if Diao Chan were resurrected or Xi Shi were alive, Zhao Dexiu currently showed absolutely no interest in either of them.

Zhao Dexiu's eyes were fixed on a brocade box on the imperial desk.

Inside the brocade box was the Imperial Seal of the State, which every emperor desired!

The Imperial Seal, which was passed down from the pre-Qin period, disappeared after Li Congke set himself on fire in Xuanwu Tower.

The jade seal currently inside the brocade box is a new jade seal that Emperor Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty recarved from treasures collected from all over the world.

Since the Later Jin Dynasty was one of the Five Dynasties, it was generally acknowledged that the Later Jin Dynasty was a legitimate successor to the Tang Dynasty, and the new jade seal carved by Shi Jingtang had orthodox significance.

Looking at the symbol of legitimacy so close at hand, Zhao Dexiu could no longer resist the temptation. He reached out and picked up the brocade box with both hands:
"If you receive orders from Heaven, you will live forever!"

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu murmur and repeat those words, Empress Dowager Zhou, who was standing in front of Zhao Dexiu, stopped crying.

Looking at the somewhat dazed-looking boy in front of her, the image of Emperor Zhou Shizong appeared in her mind.

When Emperor Shizong of Zhou was alive, he often looked at the brocade box containing the Imperial Seal of the State with this kind of gaze.

Will he be the second Emperor Shizong of Zhou?

At noon on the fourth day of the first month of the seventh year of Xiande, Zhao Kuangyin, who had just proclaimed himself emperor, led his army back to Kaifeng.

Upon returning to Kaifeng, Zhao Kuangyin did not immediately enter the palace, but instead went back to his original official residence.

Later, Fan Zhi and Wang Pu led the officials to ask Zhao Kuangyin to obey the will of Heaven. Only then did Zhao Kuangyin enter the Chongyuan Hall in the palace with "remorse and tears in his eyes".

During the time Zhao Kuangyin stayed in the government office, Pan Mei had already reported to him everything that had happened.

After entering the Chongyuan Hall, Zhao Dexiu presented the Imperial Seal of the State to Zhao Kuangyin.

After receiving the Imperial Seal, Zhao Kuangyin, under the supervision of Fan Zhi and Wang Pu, held a ceremony to receive the abdication.

After the abdication ceremony concluded, it officially marked the end of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and its legitimacy was transferred to the new dynasty.

Zhao Kuangyin may have appeared hesitant and indecisive in some aspects, but he was remarkably decisive when it came to truly important matters.

After sitting on the throne, Zhao Kuangyin issued an edict in the name of the new emperor, naming the new dynasty "Song" and changing the era name to "Jianlong" that same year.

And Zhao Kuangyin did not break his promise.

Zhao Kuangyin issued an edict that all officials of the former Great Zhou who were willing to pledge allegiance to the Great Song would retain their official positions and would even receive corresponding rewards based on their rank.

As for Empress Dowager Zhou and the young emperor, Zhao Kuangyin had no intention of harming them.

Zhao Kuangyin changed the title of the young Zhou emperor to Prince of Zheng, while the title of Empress Dowager Zhou remained unchanged. He then moved the young Prince of Zheng to the West Palace.

Zhao Kuangyin's series of swift and decisive measures to bestow favors successfully stabilized the hearts of the court officials and the people in Kaifeng.

Since the fall of the Tang Dynasty, every dynastic change has been accompanied by a massacre, except for this one.

Zhao Kuangyin's bloodless military campaigns ensured a smooth transition of power and allowed the Song Dynasty to inherit the national strength of the Zhou Dynasty to the greatest extent possible.

Looking at his father, who was full of vigor on the throne, Zhao Dexiu knew that from this day forward, a new era had begun.

This era belongs to Zhao Kuangyin, but who will the next era belong to?

"Zhao Guangyi (who has changed his name) is hereby appointed as the Commander of the Palace Guards!"

Upon hearing this decree of bestowal, Zhao Dexiu, hidden among the officials, looked at the figure who had offered his thanks.

One was Zhao Dexiu, who had a reputation for virtue and was both the eldest son and the legitimate heir.

One was Zhao Guangyi, an ambitious man who assisted in establishing the dynasty.

There can only be one crown prince in the Song Dynasty.

Perhaps from this moment on, the struggle between him and himself became unavoidable.

Since it can't be avoided, let's begin!

(End of this chapter)