My father Zhao Kuangyin

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to impeach you!"

Seeing that the meeting was about to end, Shen Yilun couldn't hold back and blurted out.

"Good instructor, you know! I'm not speaking on behalf of Prefect Zhao, but Zhao Pu has been wielding absolute power in the Secretariat for quite some time now. Take, for example, the third year of the Kaibao era, the year of the embezzlement by the Supply Depot Commissioner. At that time, Zhao Pu sent a trusted official to Shaanxi to purchase timber. The official then used the massive logs to build rafts, disguised them, and smuggled them to Kaifeng. That official, wanting to embezzle the timber, sold it in the capital under the Prime Minister's name. Zhao Pu knew this but did nothing to stop him! His intentions are obvious!"

This matter caused quite a stir in the capital at the time, and it wasn't exactly a secret; Zhao Dezhao was aware of it as well.

He vaguely remembered that it was his future father-in-law, Wang Pu, who pleaded for him repeatedly, which allowed Zhao Pu to retain his position as prime minister.

Upon realizing this, Zhao Dezhao was immediately taken aback.

He immediately understood, tilted his head slightly to look at his third uncle, glanced at him for a few moments, and then turned his head back to face him.

On the other hand, Zhao Guangyi, seeing Shen Yilun attacking him on his behalf, remained calm and composed, always appearing as a righteous and incorruptible official determined to investigate the truth.

Shen Yilun, in cahoots with Zhao Pu, continued before Zhao Pu could even defend himself, "That's one reason. When Emperor Xuanzu was alive, he treated Zhao Pu as a member of the imperial family and treated him with great favor. Remembering Emperor Xuanzu's kindness and his service in assisting the founding of the dynasty, he didn't know how to restrain himself. He used his own private land to exchange for the imperial garden, claiming it was for growing delicious vegetables! In reality, it was simply because his residence was next to the imperial garden, making it inconvenient for him to expand!"

"Furthermore, it is said that the Grand Secretary, the sole prime minister of the central government, is opening up mansions and shops for personal gain. I truly cannot stand by and watch!"

It should be noted that this Minister Shen was the most honest and upright official in his life. He refused bribes on several occasions and reported corruption. Although he had no wrongdoing against Zhao Pu, he could not tolerate any wrongdoing in the many acts mentioned earlier and had to speak out.

Having vented all his grievances, he felt at peace and content, regardless of how the authorities handled things.

In contrast, Zhao Pu's face turned bright red. He tried to explain several times, but was forced to swallow his words because they were the truth.

"Your Majesty, let bygones be bygones. I will not concern myself with the past, but only with the present," Zhao Guangyi said solemnly. "Corruption has always been punished severely. If Your Majesty does not punish it strictly, it will not serve as a deterrent."

At this moment, it was Zhao Guangyi who spoke up to defend Zhao Pu, which was truly selfless.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu chuckled and remained silent, offering no explanation.

Seeing the situation escalating in the court, Liu Xigu subtly bowed and offered his advice.

"Your Majesty, I agree with what the envoy said. The matter has already been settled. Now we should thoroughly investigate the case of Li Shouxin to set an example for the people."

Zhao Kuangyin seemed to be more exhausted than physically, and he both loved and hated Zhao Pu, unable to make a decision for the time being.

"I understand. Let's conclude our discussion here today. You may all leave."

"Here you are."

Before long, the gentlemen went out one after another, while Liu Xigu and Zhao Dezhao remained motionless, still standing in the two rows.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Guangyi couldn't help but glance inside. In the sweltering summer heat, he couldn't help but feel somewhat irritable.

The eldest nephew had remained silent the whole time, waiting for him to leave.

I wonder what they'll be playing privately this time...

As Zhao Guangyi had predicted, Zhao Dezhao, knowing his incompetence, confronted the officials in court. Only after the other officials had left did he finally speak up.

"Grandpa..."

"Your Majesty, I beg to retire."

Zhao Dezhao had barely finished speaking when Liu Xigu interrupted him.

In an instant, Zhao Kuangyin was taken aback and looked over in surprise.

"So, you've embezzled quite a bit too?"

Liu Xigu gave a wry smile: "If Your Majesty says so, then I can be one too."

Zhao Kuangyin hesitated for a moment, then walked from behind his desk into the hall, stopping in front of Liu Xigu and sizing up this trusted old minister.

"Are you really getting old?"

"I originally did not want to come with Ziping (Xue). I am already seventy years old, and now I can hardly make decisions, let alone read documents clearly, and I often make mistakes."

Zhao Dezhao hadn't paid much attention before, but when he heard the voice and looked over, he saw the graying beard and realized that Liu Xigu's words were simply for the sake of fairness, not to speak for his third uncle.

As for Shen Yilun, he had probably been displeased with Zhao Pu for too long. Even if it was a misunderstanding before, he had been holding back his anger and was bound to vent it.

"Lian Po is old, can he still eat? But look at Lord Liu's spirit, he's still in his prime."

At this moment of lamenting the passing of time, Zhao Dezhao chuckled and abruptly interrupted the sentimental exchange between the emperor and his minister.

After a long pause, Zhao Kuangyin sighed softly and said, "This brat has been spouting nonsense lately. Don't believe him. If you should retreat, then retreat. I will never make things difficult for you."

Liu Xigu didn't care. He turned his head and smiled at Zhao Dezhao before turning back to him.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"You are my deputy prime minister, what is there that you cannot speak?"

Liu Xigu straightened his posture and asked, word by word, "Does His Majesty intend to establish an Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing this, both father and son paused slightly.

"Why do you say that, Yichun?"

"Your Majesty is concerned about the Third Prince (Guangyi)... What I want to say is that Your Majesty should make a decisive decision. If you want to establish a Crown Prince or a younger brother, you should make plans as soon as possible and should not postpone it any longer."

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Kuangyin was displeased upon hearing this and said irritably.

"You've grown old, but I'm not."

"Your Majesty is getting old," Liu Xigu said earnestly. "I recall Your Majesty hitting seven arrows in a row, and the Marquis of Guan (Fu Yanqing's courtesy name) congratulated you with a fine horse. At that time, the whole world was in awe of Your Majesty's prowess. But just at the last archery banquet, Your Majesty missed two arrows, and you often drink excessively... I am truly worried now and cannot sleep at night."

Zhao Kuangyin had nothing to say.

If Zhao Kuangyin had clearly stated his intention to make Zhao Guangyi his heir before he changed his mind, Liu Xigu would have had nothing to say.

But at this point, things are stuck in a limbo, tilting to both sides, constantly wavering, which will inevitably lead to disaster in the future.

Let alone chaotic times, even during the unified Jin Dynasty, the Five Barbarian Tribes took advantage of the situation, leading to the southward migration of the elite and the change of rulers in the Central Plains.

The Northern Han is nothing compared to the Liao Kingdom, which is far more powerful than the one ruled by that sleeping king.

"Rixin, you speak to him on my behalf."

Zhao Kuangyin simply ignored him, waved his sleeves, and angrily sat back down behind his desk.

"Second Prince," Liu Xigu called out calmly, "Zeping spoke on your behalf not for the sake of peace and stability, but for his own power. However, no one is perfect. He has held the position of prime minister for ten years. It is true that he has some moral failings, but his merits far outweigh his faults. I hope you can see this clearly."

These words are somewhat ambiguous.

They seem to be neutral.

"As a historian, Liu Gong is naturally familiar with the principle of succession between fathers and sons since ancient times. I dare to be disrespectful and talk about Emperor Hui of Jin, who uttered the famous line, 'Why don't they eat meat porridge?'"

As soon as Zhao Dezhao began to speak, Liu Xigu immediately understood what he meant.

"Your analogy is inappropriate. How can Prefect Zhao be compared to Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai?"

It is widely known that Emperor Hui of Jin died from poisoning, though the court did not dare to say it openly, it was common knowledge.

Zhao Dezhao died by suicide, while the deaths of his fourth brother and fourth uncle are shrouded in mystery, but most likely they were also poisoned.

Adding the Battle of Gaoliang to the mix, what's wrong with that?

Of course, Liu Xigu was not a god and could not predict the future. In his eyes, and even in his father's, Zhao Guangyi was studious from a young age, knew how to advance and retreat, understood righteousness, and was of excellent character and talent...

As Liu Xigu said regarding merits and demerits, Zhao Guangyi did contribute to the world, but this did not include him.

People speak according to their own circumstances. In the eyes of those aloof scholars at the end of the Jin Dynasty, Sima Yue still had the appearance of a ruler!

To put it another way, Zhao Dezhao really had no choice. If that day really came, at worst, the story of the Tang Dynasty would be repeated, and they would meet again at Chenqiao Gate, the place where our Zhao family rose to power.

"Let me teach you, Lord Liu, that nothing is accomplished overnight. Although I am already twenty, I have never been able to participate in politics. Before Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu of Han succeeded, they were just poor commoners. And Emperor Zhaolie also made straw sandals to make a living, wandering for half his life like a homeless dog, yet he still managed to conquer a part of the world. And Emperor Gaozu of Liu Song only started his rebellion in middle age, and he was over fifty when he achieved his hegemony. And Emperor Shizong of Zhou, before Guo Rong succeeded him, wasn't he also unknown and had mediocre achievements? So how should we talk about this now?"

Zhao Dezhao, driven by his temper, couldn't stop talking once he started.

"How can Lord Liu know that his uncle, when he inherits the throne, will be superior to me?"

Liu Xigu remained silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"So, who does Ah Lang intend to serve? King Zhuang of Chu? Or King Taijia of Tang?"

The former is a person who has achieved instant fame, while the latter is the "emperor" who was tutored by Yi Yin, the imperial tutor of all time.

If things are to be done according to the times, Zhao Dezhao will most likely have to rely on Zhao Pu now.

If he ascends the throne in the future, his power will be deeply entrenched and he will be unable to break free; most people will have to regard him as their imperial tutor.

Considering the Li Shouxin case... Liu Xigu really didn't think it would go well.

What's real now is real, what's future is unreal. It's like Erlang drawing a pie in the sky; the officials can eat it, but he can't.

Of course, the main reason is that I'm getting old and really don't have much time left.

From a selfish perspective, the emperor and his ministers share both glory and ruin. If the Song Dynasty is destroyed, how can his descendants enjoy the family fortune?

Yes, it is true that few civil and military officials are granted titles these days, so their political legacy is no longer a legacy.

If the Song Dynasty were to truly capsize, what benefit would it bring to the people of the world?

Thinking of this, Liu Xigu couldn't help but feel a little sad. Then, seeing that the emperor was not making a decision, he sighed deeply again.

"Enough. I am old and my old illness has recently flared up again. My legs are weak and I can no longer walk. Such a useless person should not interfere in the important matter of establishing an heir. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to retire and enjoy my old age."

"I grant your permission."

Zhao Kuangyin had been using Liu Xigu's words to pressure his eldest son, but he didn't force him at this moment. He personally went up to help him until they reached the palace gate, and watched Liu Xigu get into the carriage and gradually drive away.

Zhao Dezhao had been following along, and now he felt a kind of inexplicable frustration, and even a strong urge to prove himself.

"Father, I wish to investigate this case together with Envoy Chu."

Zhao Kuangyin gave him a deep look, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"If this case involves Ping's wrongdoing, could you truthfully report it?"

Upon closer listening, this statement is not an inquiry, but rather a statement of opinion.

If Zhao Dezhao really wanted to hide it, could he stop Su Xiao, the upright official?

With the prime minister and envoy all present, the truth will eventually come out. The matter has been laid bare, and there is no reason to let it go lightly.

"Where in the world is there a lack of good ministers? It's just that officials don't recognize or employ them." Zhao Dezhao, however, spoke arrogantly and retorted, "If it weren't for Prime Minister Zhao, would the Song Dynasty have changed hands?"

These rebellious words left Zhao Kuangyin with mixed feelings.

"Official" can refer to him, the imperial court, or a position.

Nowadays, even Zhao Kuangyin himself is somewhat overly dependent on Zhao Pu, making it extremely difficult for him to set a good example as a ruler and father.

Liu Xigu's previous words were clearly also implying something.

"I grant your permission."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao breathed a slight sigh of relief and obediently bowed.

"Your subject obeys."