Song Xiu

In Chapter 36, a valiant young man arrived at the Imperial Guard camp.

Due to his busy schedule with government affairs, Zhao Kuangyin could not stay in Yande Palace for too long.

Before leaving, Zhao Kuangyin gave Zhao Dexiu some final instructions:
"With the world in turmoil and those two Lis stirring up trouble, you can't just focus on literary matters. Wei Renpu is good at military strategy, and you should learn a lot from him."

"Furthermore, you need to practice my fist and staff techniques more thoroughly!"

In the past, Zhao Kuangyin, who was known for his bravery in the army, was said to have three unique skills.

These three unique skills are: Long Fist, Coiled Dragon Staff, and Mounted Archery.

Since it was his own unique skill, Zhao Dexiu, as Zhao Kuangyin's eldest son, was naturally taught by Zhao Kuangyin from a young age.

As he taught, Zhao Kuangyin's blood pressure tended to rise.

Despite years of instruction, Zhao Dexiu's boxing and staff skills remained utterly unacceptable in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes.

Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin's instructions, Zhao Dexiu felt deeply wronged.

To be fair, it was unfair for Zhao Kuangyin to hold him to his own standards.

Zhao Kuangyin was one of the most powerful generals in the Five Dynasties period. How could his talent and physical qualities be compared with Zhao Kuangyin's?

In addition, Zhao Dexiu really didn't want to learn boxing or staff fighting.

Fearing that Zhao Kuangyin's blood pressure would rise again, Zhao Dexiu offered a reason to comfort himself:

"Father's physique is like that of a dragon and a tiger; how can your son compare to him?"

Although I am foolish, I have never slacked off in the art of horsemanship and archery.

"When Dezhao and Defang grow up, I will certainly urge them to practice their father's fist and staff techniques respectively."

When Zhao Dexiu brought up the matter of horseback riding and archery, Zhao Kuangyin's expression improved considerably.

To be fair, this kid did indeed inherit some of his skills in archery and horsemanship.

Zhao Kuangyin had high expectations for Zhao Dexiu's martial arts skills, not because he hoped Zhao Dexiu would become a soldier like him.

On the one hand, he did not want his unique skills to be lost, and on the other hand, he hoped that Zhao Dexiu would practice martial arts more to strengthen his physique.

Now that Zhao Dexiu has put his two younger brothers forward, and given that Zhao Dexiu promises to continue his research in horsemanship and archery, Zhao Kuangyin can barely accept it.

After giving his instructions, Zhao Kuangyin set off and left Yande Palace.

After Zhao Kuangyin left, Zhao Dezhao was able to return to Zhao Dexiu's side.

"Brother, what did Father say to you just now?"

Looking at Zhao Dezhao's curious face, Zhao Dexiu felt a sense of responsibility as an elder brother, like a father.

"My father instructed me to oversee your practice of staff fighting or boxing."

"You're older, which is an advantage. Tell me, which will you choose: staff fighting or fist fighting?"

As soon as Zhao Dexiu finished speaking, Zhao Dezhao was so frightened that he retreated repeatedly.

In Zhao Dezhao's memory, practicing Zhao Kuangyin's staff and fist techniques was a very arduous task.

Zhao Dezhao's innocent face quickly fell, and he said with a hint of tears in his voice, "Brother, are you forging an imperial edict!"

Hmm? This child is quite clever!

Early the next morning, Lü Yuqing arrived outside Yande Palace with documents from the Privy Council and an imperial edict from Zhao Kuangyin.

Knowing that Zhao Kuangyin would send someone today, Zhao Dexiu waited outside the palace early in the morning.

When Lü Yuqing saw Zhao Dexiu, he couldn't help but be surprised by Zhao Dexiu's attire that day.

Zhao Dexiu wore a purple gauze turban, a fitted brocade robe underneath, and a majestic bright armor on top.

The armor plates of the Mingguang Armor gleamed with a cold silver luster under the early sun, reflecting off Zhao Dexiu's tall and straight figure, making him appear heroic and spirited.

The eldest prince is indeed quite similar to His Majesty in terms of martial prowess.

After a brief moment of surprise, admiration appeared in Lü Yuqing's eyes.

Noticing Lü Yuqing's gaze, Zhao Dexiu smiled and explained:
"Today, it is not I who choose the Imperial Guards, but the Imperial Guards who choose me. If I were to wear scholar's attire, it would be difficult to express my martial spirit."

Zhao Dexiu's concerns were justified. There was a saying at the time: "The elite troops of the Great Liang have been the imperial guards for generations."

This means that the elite troops of the Later Liang Dynasty were the predecessors of the Imperial Guards of the Five Dynasties.

With this factor in mind, the Imperial Guards of the Song Dynasty have witnessed the downfall of many emperors.

Furthermore, influenced by the style of Weibo, Zhao Dexiu did not believe that he could gain the natural favor of the Imperial Guards simply because he was the eldest son of the emperor.

To win over the arrogant Imperial Guards, one must cater to their preferences.

Zhao Dexiu's explanation made Lü Yuqing admire him even more. In the chaotic Five Dynasties period, it was truly rare to find a prince with a clear mind.

Despite his admiration, Lü Yuqing, utterly loyal to Zhao Kuangyin, replied indifferently:
"Your Highness's considerations are correct."

After saying this, Lü Yuqing led Zhao Dexiu into the carriage.

After entering the carriage with Zhao Dexiu, Lü Yuqing closed his eyes and pretended to doze off, seemingly lost in thought.

Taking this opportunity, Zhao Dexiu secretly sized up Lü Yuqing.

As we can see from Lü Yuqing's self-introduction, he is currently a judge in Kaifeng Prefecture.

The judge was an important subordinate official of the Prefect of Kaifeng. At present, the position of Prefect of Kaifeng was nominal, and Lü Yuqing actually assumed the duties of the Prefect of Kaifeng.

If I had the chance, I would like to place some people in the office of the Prefect of Kaifeng.

Time flies when you're thinking.

Soon after, the carriage carrying Zhao Dexiu came to a stop.

After Zhao Dexiu stepped down from the carriage, he found that he had arrived at the Palace Guard Office next to the Imperial City.

Despite being a prince, Zhao Dexiu was still unable to enter the Palace Guard Office without an imperial edict.

Lu Yuqing asked Zhao Dexiu to wait outside while he entered the Palace Guard Office with the Privy Council documents and the imperial edict in his hand.

Not long after, Lü Yuqing came out with Murong Yanzhao, the Commander of the Palace Guards.

Before Murong Yanzhao could even reach him, Zhao Dexiu stepped forward and bowed to him.
"Lord Murong."

Zhao Dexiu's gesture of bowing further increased Murong Yanzhao's positive feelings towards him.

"Your Highness!"

After returning the greeting to Zhao Dexiu, Murong Yanzhao, having learned the contents of the imperial edict, invited Zhao Dexiu to get back into the carriage, intending to take him to the Imperial Guard camp.

Normally, only the emperor's carriage could enter the military camp.

Murong Yanzhao felt that Zhao Dexiu was of noble status and had an imperial decree, so he could be regarded as an envoy of the emperor and did not care about this.

Whether he gets in or not is entirely up to him.

But Zhao Dexiu politely declined:

“It is considered an overstepping of the bounds for vehicles to enter military camps, which are considered important military areas.”

"We might as well ride into the camp on horseback. What do you think?"

Lü Yuqing agreed with Zhao Dexiu's caution and nodded.

After a moment's thought, Murong Yanzhao also agreed to Zhao Dexiu's proposal.

After Murong Yanzhao gave instructions to his men, several fine horses were soon brought in.

Seeing the horse beside him, Zhao Dexiu skillfully mounted it, followed by Lü Yuqing and Murong Yanzhao.

After everyone was seated, Murong Yanzhao spurred his horse to lead the way.

The main camp of the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guards was not far from the government offices.

After riding forward for a short while, the camp of the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guards came into view.

Sixteen-year-old Zhao Dexiu reined in his horse in time. He looked up and saw the military camp flag, several meters high, fluttering in the cold wind. The huge gilded "Song" character on the flag danced in the wind, making bursts of noise, like a ferocious beast ready to pounce.

Even before entering the military camp, Zhao Dexiu sensed a somber and heavy atmosphere.

With Murong Yanzhao's command, the dark red camp gate in front of him slowly opened, just like a bloodthirsty beast slowly opening its huge mouth.

The loud noise of the camp gate opening attracted the attention of the patrolling soldiers inside the camp.

The moment the camp gates were fully opened, hundreds of burly patrolling soldiers inside the camp, each holding a sharp blade, looked toward the gates.

The eyes of a seasoned warrior gleam with a menacing light.

In an instant, hundreds of dangerous gazes were fixed on Zhao Dexiu.

If it were an ordinary young man, being stared at by hundreds of such gazes would inevitably fill him with fear.

This was an era where people could eat each other.

And what about Zhao Dexiu?
A soft neighing of a horse rang out, and a heroic figure leaped into the murderous camp with an upright and fearless posture.

Now that we're here, there's no reason to back down!

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)