Giant Ship Across the Song Dynasty: My Supplies Come from My Motherland

Chapter 130

When Zhao Shen returned to the palace, he told his "father" Zhao Gou everything he had seen and heard that day. After all, he addressed Zhao Gou as "Your Majesty," but he had been by Zhao Gou's side since he was five years old. Although they were not father and son in name, they had long been father and son in reality.

Zhao Gou held the two pills in his hand, his gaze deep and unreadable.

"So it's not a rumor spread by someone with ulterior motives?" Zhao Gou handed the pills to Zhao Ji: "Take them to the Imperial Hospital and ask them to see if they can prepare the medicine."

"Your Majesty, I believe that although this person behaves strangely, he also has the heart of a child."

Zhao Ji was speaking well of Lin Zhou, but Zhao Gou clearly didn't want to hear what he had to say. He simply raised his hand slightly and said, "I'm tired. You should go back now."

"yes----"

He walked out of Zhao Gou's study and glanced back. He originally wanted to say a few more words to Zhao Gou, simply to ask Zhao Gou to change his policy towards Jin and take advantage of the fact that Jin was currently fighting against the Mongols to actively prepare for war. However, Zhao Gou obviously had no such intention. Instead, he seemed to have seen through his intention and hurriedly called him out.

A palace attendant beside Zhao Gou hurried forward: "Your Highness, it's getting dark; it's time to return to your residence."

"How has Father Emperor's health been these days?"

"Very well, all is well. Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Unable to find any breakthrough, Zhao Ji could only let out a sigh, gently fasten the clasp on his coat, and follow the eunuch out of the palace to his residence.

He leaned back in his chair in the study, looking up at the bare beams. The light in the room couldn't penetrate the deep darkness, and he felt only endless turmoil.

Zhao Gou refused to launch a northern expedition no matter what, and he naturally understood the reason, because there was still an emperor there. But Zhao Ji knew very well that although Yue Fei was no longer there, the Song Dynasty still had the strength to launch a northern expedition. If they could unite and do their best, there was still a chance to recover lost territory and unify the country.

This matter cannot be delayed. Every year it is delayed, the strength of the Song Dynasty will weaken, and the people's hearts will be scattered. The longer it is delayed, the more hopeless it will become.

Yesterday, Qin Hui proposed a joint effort with the Jin Dynasty to wipe out the Mongols in one fell swoop. This was something he absolutely could not agree to. The lesson of the previous alliance with the Jin to destroy the Liao Dynasty was still fresh in his mind. The Jin Dynasty was not a benevolent force. Although the Jin Dynasty appeared to be friendly and harmonious with the Song Dynasty, it was nothing more than a delaying tactic.

Once they finish fighting the Mongols, whether they succeed or fail, whether Wanyan Zongbi or Wanyan Liang is in power, they will inevitably turn against the south.

He was worried—he was worried—

The best opportunity is right in front of us, but the Song Dynasty is still preoccupied with Yue Fei's faction. Whether Yue Fei was a bad person or not, who in the world doesn't know? Zhao Gou knew, Qin Hui knew, and the common people knew too.

Thinking this, Zhao Ji threw the writing brush in his hand to the ground. This inexplicable anxiety and restlessness angered him, but not at others; he was angry at his own incompetence. Aside from holding the title of a prince, he was utterly worthless, unable to mobilize a single soldier. A northern expedition couldn't be accomplished with mere words—

Just then, Princess Furi arrived, carrying a basket, looking like a bear picking mushrooms with a basket in her arms.

"Brother, I'm back."

She seemed to be in a good mood. After coming to Zhao Ji, she took out a can of Coke from the basket, along with some fried chicken legs, fried mushrooms, and other fried snacks, all brushed with salt and pepper powder. She looked quite attractive.

"That young man from the Lin family asked me to bring you something to eat, and he also asked what good food you could get in the palace."

Soon, several side dishes were placed on the table, but Zhao Fen didn't have much of an appetite at the moment. He just glanced down at the dishes on the table, picked up the bottle of cola and examined it, then looked up and smiled, "It seems you get along quite well with them."

"It's alright. Although the people there are somewhat rude, they are interesting people. It's just that the young man from the Lin family speaks vulgarly and always says dirty things."

Zhao Ji threw his head back and laughed heartily: "People in the marketplace are all like this. If you like them, you'll spend more time with them; if you don't, you'll keep your distance."

"I quite like them, actually—" Princess Furui sighed as she sat down beside her. "Aside from being a bit vulgar, they're alright. Nobody complains about my plumpness, unlike those young masters in Lin'an, who all look at me with a hint of disgust."

Young girls are very sensitive. She didn't understand many of the jokes Lin Zhou made, but she couldn't hide her dislike and disgust through her actions. Even though she didn't like Lin Zhou's vulgar way of speaking, it didn't stop her from enjoying that peaceful environment.

Perhaps because she was overweight and not considered beautiful, she had a somewhat people-pleasing personality. She often saved money to hold poetry gatherings and outings, but even so, she was mostly met with teasing and ridicule. However, in that small shop, no matter if you were a royal noblewoman or a descendant of a hero, you couldn't escape the equal barrage of insults.

This actually made her feel more at ease.

"By the way, brother. There's a guy named Lu You who wants to invite you to some kind of spring outing and barbecue tomorrow. Are you going?"

'

"Lu You—" Zhao Fen's eyes darted around twice: "Lu Wuguan, I've heard of him. He's a great talent from Yuezhou. You go ahead, I'm not going. I have something on my mind, and nothing seems interesting."

"Brother, go! Just consider it as you coming with me—"

Zhao looked at his chubby little sister and smiled with a hint of doting affection: "Alright, alright, I'll go with you."

Meanwhile, inside the small shop, Lu You was stirring chicken legs and meat with his sleeves rolled up. The strong aroma of the spices forced him to stuff his nose with paper.

Lin Zhou was cutting meat, throwing a bunch of pieces into a basin. He made decorative cuts on the chicken wings and drumsticks, sliced ​​the pork belly, and cut the lamb into small pieces. He just kept cutting and chopping.

Xiao'e and Brother Ying were sitting there skewering meat, while Tang Wan's hands, capable of writing delicate handwriting, were peeling garlic cloves one by one.

"Xiao'e, Hongliu and Yangti might be coming tomorrow too, are you sure you'll be okay with that?"

"I—I'm actually not so bad to them, I just don't really want to see—" Xiao'e pursed her lips, then looked up and said, "I don't want to see that guy surnamed Zhao."

"I understand." Lin Zhou shook his head helplessly and said, "But whether or not you can overturn your father's case and clear his name really depends on him."

Lin Zhou never spoke of any conspiracy here. He was truly a fearless and ruthless man. If others were to listen to him, they would probably break out in a cold sweat. But he spoke these words, which were treasonous, as if cutting melons and vegetables.

"Hmm—I understand." Xiao'e pouted somewhat unhappily, "So annoying."

Seeing her posture, Tang Wan chuckled: "I don't think you're looking down on people with the surname Zhao, it's just that you feel guilty seeing Brother Zhao and Brother Lin together."

"What guilt could I possibly have!"

Lin Zhou turned his head and glanced at Tang Wan: "If you keep babbling on like this, I might have to support the old lady of the Lu family. I think Youzi deserves better."

"Hehe, Brother Lin is shy." Tang Wan said, shaking her head. "It's nothing more than old love and new love, it's perfectly normal. But to be honest, my feelings for Brother Lin aren't romantic love, it's more like brotherly and sisterly affection."

""

"Yes, yes, yes." Lin Zhou nodded hurriedly, "That's how it is."

"She's avoiding Young Master Zhao simply because she still has feelings for him and is worried about being found out. She also feels she's letting Brother Lin down, so it's nothing more than an act of escapism."

Xiao'e didn't say anything, but Lin Zhou chimed in frantically, "I told her that a long time ago, and she beat me up as soon as I said it."

.

"Stop talking!" Xiao'e shook her head frantically. "I don't want to see him anyway."

Tang Wan was clearly not a good person either; she was the type who wouldn't let it go: "Besides, Brother Lin obviously treats you like his own sister. Look at how he never acts intimately with you, but look at how he holds hands, hugs your waist, and touches your legs when he's with Miss Hongliu. That's what you call romantic feelings between a man and a woman."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Lin Zhou nodded again like a chick pecking at rice: "They even kissed on the lips."

"Hey!" Lu You, who was mixing the ingredients, looked up and called out, "There are still children here."

After saying that, he gestured with his mouth towards Eagle, whose eyes were shining with excitement. Lin Zhou scoffed, "The noise you two made last night was like slaughtering a pig for the New Year. Why don't you consider that Eagle might live next door to you?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Eagle nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Lin Zhou's.

"Ouch!" Tang Wan stamped her foot, her cheeks flushed. "We were just talking about you, why are you causing trouble!"

"You guys think, if my sister became empress, would I be considered a relative of the empress?" Lin Zhou suddenly started letting his imagination run wild. "Hey! That's pretty exciting!"

"Brother, have you ever heard of Mawei Slope?" Lu You said with a smile, "Yang Yuhuan wasn't the only one who died at Mawei Slope."

Hearing them still letting loose, Xiao'e stomped her foot and shouted, "You guys are so annoying!"

"Look, this is what my sister looks like when she throws a tantrum," Tang Wan said with a smile, raising her chin. "Not at all like a married couple."

Lin Zhou became curious at this point: "What about married couples?"

Tang Wan immediately switched to a fighting stance, her face darkening and her pride crumbling as she glanced sideways at Lu You: "If we can make it work, then let's stay; if not, then let's leave."

Lu You's legs went weak when he heard this. Although he knew it was a war simulation, the impact of these words was as sharp as if he were being attacked with swords and axes.

Fortunately, Tang Wan turned around and smiled, "Brother Lin, look, this is what husband and wife are like. There are no people in the world who are loving forever; they just get by."

"You're talking nonsense! Aren't you two considered a couple?" Lin Zhou, of course, didn't mince words: "It's not that I'm stopping you two from growing together."

"That's because he's clinging to me," Tang Wan chuckled. "I don't care."

"Sister Tang is talking nonsense." Eagle turned to Lin Zhou and said, "Every morning when Brother Lu comes downstairs, Sister Tang hugs his neck and shouts, 'Husband—hug me—'"

""

"Oh dear—" Lu You turned his face away: "Alright, get back to work—stop talking—"

77