Song Xiu

Chapter 52 Two hundred people, that's all.

After leaving Chongyuan Hall, Zhao Dexiu returned to his residence as a marquis.

This mansion, once bestowed upon Zhao Kuangyin by Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, was where the Zhao family spent several years together.

In this mansion, Zhao Dexiu bid farewell to his grandfather Zhao Hongyin and his birth mother He Shi. Having experienced this, Zhao Dexiu had a special affection for this mansion.

As soon as Zhao Dexiu entered the mansion, he heard several soft shouts.

Following the sound through the many corridors, Zhao Dexiu saw Zhao Dezhao awkwardly practicing staff techniques under Huyan Zan's guidance.

This kid's stick fighting skills are a mess, but he shouts pretty loudly.

On the day he left the palace, Zhao Dexiu asked Zhao Kuangyin if he could continue to personally educate Zhao Dezhao.

Zhao Kuangyin, who felt he often neglected Zhao Dezhao, readily agreed to the request.

When Zhao Dezhao saw him sweating profusely, a smile appeared on Zhao Dexiu's face.

Zhao Dezhao, whose mind had long since stopped practicing martial arts, noticed Zhao Dexiu's return with his sharp eyes.

A pair of pitiful eyes habitually turned towards Zhao Dexiu.

Zhao Dexiu did not soften in the face of Zhao Dezhao's pleas for help.

"Keep practicing."

From both a personal and national perspective, Zhao Dexiu hoped that Zhao Dezhao could grow up quickly.

The world is vast, and there are some places that cannot be controlled without the authority of a prince.

After leaving those words, Zhao Dexiu summoned Huyan Zan and headed towards the council hall in the mansion.

When Zhao Dexiu arrived at the council hall, he saw that Wei Renpu and the others were already waiting.

The greatest advantage of having a mansion was that Zhao Dexiu now had his own "Chongyuan Hall".

Zhao Dexiu first waved to stop the others from bowing, then walked directly to the seat of honor and sat down.

"I have already written a memorial to the Council of State Affairs, and I expect your official positions will be restored in a few days at most."

The Defense Commissioner was the predecessor of the Military Governor.

Although the power and status of a defense commissioner were not as high as that of a military governor, Zhao Dexiu was qualified to have subordinate officials after becoming the defense commissioner of Chanzhou.

Officials under each shogunate were directly subordinate to the generals and commanders of their respective shogunates, and the central government generally could not directly mobilize them.

More importantly, a person could sometimes hold both a position as an official in the shogunate and an official in the imperial court, which made many shogunate officials quite familiar with the affairs of the imperial court.

After Zhao Kuangyin became emperor, he directly integrated his entire staff into the central government, and quickly seized control of the government.

Zhao Dexiu was a kind and filial man, and he dared not neglect the fine tradition of "sons inheriting their fathers' business".

"Lu Qing, appointed as chief secretary."

Lü Qing was appointed as a judge.

Brother Huyan, appointed as the coach.

Zhao Dexiu announced the appointments for each person one by one.

The position of Chief Secretary was responsible for document organization and drafting, and was equivalent to the personal secretary of the Defense Commissioner.

This position could only be held by a shrewd and confidant, and Lu Duoxun was quite satisfied to be Zhao Dexiu's chief secretary.

The position of the judge was slightly lower than that of the chief secretary. His main responsibility was judicial supervision, and he could also offer advice and suggestions. This position was just right for Lü Duan.

As for the instructors, as the name suggests, they were responsible for training the two hundred soldiers of Chanzhou.

Currently, Zhao Dexiu only has Huyan Zan as a capable general under his command, so he can only serve as the instructor.

After the arrangements for each person were explained, a question gradually arose in everyone's minds.

Shouldn't the position of judge belong to Duke Wei?

The judge was the highest-ranking official among the defense commissioner's subordinates, overseeing all military and political affairs, and was essentially the defense commissioner's prime minister.

Previously, Lu Duoxun and others believed that Wei Renpu was the most suitable person to serve as judge.

While the others were puzzled, Zhao Dexiu explained:

“I will accompany Your Majesty on this personal campaign. After Your Majesty leaves the capital, you will temporarily appoint Duke Wei as the Vice Chancellor.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun and the others gradually understood—His Majesty still cared for the Marquis.

Only Wei Renpu frowned, realizing the deeper meaning behind Zhao Kuangyin's arrangement.

"His Majesty knows that I am skilled in military strategy. This personal expedition is a test for the Marquis. He does not want me to advise the Marquis."

Wei Renpu's words revealed the emperor's true intentions, causing Lu Duoxun and others to show concern. The battlefield was treacherous, and Zhao Dexiu had no prior military achievements. Without Wei Renpu's assistance, Zhao Dexiu's performance on the battlefield was truly an unknown quantity.

Seeing the worried expressions on the faces of his subordinates, Zhao Dexiu smiled and said to Wei Renpu:

"Lord Wei, do not worry. When you return to the capital in triumph, you can go up to the city tower and see for yourself."

If I have truly performed poorly, I will ride back in a donkey cart to apologize to you.

Zhao Dexiu's words made Wei Renpu and the others burst into laughter.

Donkeys are known for their endurance, and donkey carts were commonly used as supply wagons in the military at that time. However, a donkey's endurance does not mean it is fast. If it really came down to escaping for its life, how could a donkey outrun a horse?

Moreover, as a prince, what royal family member would dare to return by donkey cart?
Wei Renpu and the others realized that Zhao Dexiu, with his easygoing personality, was joking on purpose.

Zhao Dexiu did this to lighten the mood and dispel their worries.

Seeing that the others were no longer so worried, Zhao Dexiu said firmly:

It's normal for you to have concerns.

But have you ever considered that you all subconsciously worry, if I don't achieve military merit, how will the generals respect me in the future?

Zhao Dexiu's words prompted the people sitting below to think.

First, it was Huyan Zan, who was always straightforward, who spoke up:
"Two hundred men it is. I'll fight alongside Your Highness in this battle!"

Huyan Zan thought that Wei Renpu and the others were worried that the number of troops in Chanzhou was too small.

Huyan Zan's words stirred up a hornet's nest.

As strategists, why is it that their thoughtfulness is interpreted as a lack of willingness to follow?

That dark-faced man, his heart is truly despicable.

Feeling slandered, Lu Duoxun was about to get up when a figure moved faster than him. That person was none other than Lü Duan, who had been silent all along.

Lü Duan, who was never ambiguous about important matters, slammed the book in his hand to the ground and exclaimed:

"Twenty years of study are now the time to repay a wise ruler!"

After Lü Duan, who had submitted his letter to the emperor to join the army, finished speaking, Lu Duoxun followed closely behind:
"I am willing to lead Your Highness's horse and hold its stirrups, helping Your Highness to water your horse in the Yellow River!"

Finally, Wei Renpu delivered the final blow:
"Your Highness, please go. I am in the capital, so do not worry about the future."

Hearing his subordinates' boastful words, Zhao Dexiu clapped his hands and laughed loudly—now that's more like the "Tian Ce Mansion"!

It's a bit of a pity that his "Tian Ce Mansion" is currently experiencing a decline in both literary and military strength.

Inside the Wansui Hall, Zhao Kuangyin told Zhao Pu, somewhat helplessly, what had just happened.

"This kid doesn't know his own limitations. This time, he needs to be sent to the battlefield to learn some hardship."

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin still did not have high expectations for Zhao Dexiu's future performance on the battlefield.

Although Zhao Pu and Zhao Kuangyin were nominally ruler and subject, they also had a brotherly relationship. After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Pu expressed some different opinions.

"The Marquis of Taiyuan is still young. Is it a bit too hasty for His Majesty to transfer Wei Renpu away from him as a test?"

Zhao Pu's reminder caused Zhao Kuangyin to sigh deeply.

"It is not that I am too strict, but military affairs cannot be taken lightly."

If his talent in military strategy cannot be truly tested and he is given military power lightly, the royal family and the country will be in danger.

Incompetence in the military is the greatest mistake.

Zhao Kuangyin realized something from Zhao Guangyi—if you don't have a talent for military affairs, no amount of teaching will help.

Zhao Pu knew Zhao Kuangyin all too well.

Zhao Pu knew that although Zhao Kuangyin said this, deep down he really hoped that Zhao Dexiu could pass this test.

Having a member of the royal family with outstanding military achievements in the present era is extremely important for the stability of the country.

Knowing Zhao Kuangyin's intentions, Zhao Pu asked:
"What if the Marquis of Taiyuan passes the test set by His Majesty this time?"

After hearing Zhao Pu's words, Zhao Kuangyin fell into deep thought.

Do you remember a general named Cao Bin?

Seeing that Zhao Pu seemed to remember him, Zhao Kuangyin immediately gave the order:
“Send someone to summon him back to the capital.”

If you fail, you will be punished; if you pass, you will be rewarded.

(End of this chapter)