My father Zhao Kuangyin

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Fortunately, it was only early summer, and after Zhao Dezhao got up at dawn, a gentle breeze made him feel very comfortable.

As expected, there was still no news about finding a wife, but his father, to commend him for practicing martial arts, personally assigned him an instructor.

This instructor was no outsider; he was the husband of his elder sister, Princess Zhaoqing, Wang Chengyan.

His father, Wang Shenqi, was one of the ten brothers of the Righteous Society and a meritorious official of both the Zhou and Song dynasties.

When Guo Rong was alive, Wang Shenqi first participated in the campaign against the Northern Han, and later, during a banquet archery competition, he was hit by two arrows and received a reward from Guo Rong, which marked his complete rise to prominence.

The father and son were both skilled in archery and horsemanship. The former had been retired for many years, while the latter had married into the family three years ago and was still young, only four years older than him.

After having breakfast, Zhao Dezhao set off, passing through the Imperial Street and eventually exiting through the Jinglong Gate.

Outside Jinglong Gate was his elder sister's mansion.

As the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife and the eldest princess, she lives in the innermost part of Tokyo, where land is incredibly valuable, right next to the palace gate.

It should be noted that Kaifeng was a three-city system consisting of an inner city, an outer city, and a palace city, meaning that the larger city encompassed the smaller city.

This is very similar to Jiankang in Nanjing, which is divided into three parts, inside and out.

Jinglong Gate is next to the Imperial Palace. From the Princess's Residence to the Gongchen Gate, the north gate of the Imperial Palace, the journey takes less than 15 minutes by car.

Zhao Dezhao's residence, however, was much more remote, located at the southeast end of the Imperial Street, next to the Examination Hall. During peak hours, traffic heading north would be congested...

Of course, this also reflects the prosperity of the market economy.

The servants at the princess's residence noticed that the carriage hadn't moved, so they approached and took a few glances. When they recognized the "rare guest," they looked at him with surprise, but dared not be negligent and immediately bowed in greeting.

"Jiro."

"Is my elder sister at home?"

"The princess is in the courtyard. I will lead the way for you, my lord."

The servant said little, leading the way while Zhao Dezhao followed slowly behind. As they looked around at the scenery and even the gardens, he made a brief comparison with his own "Defense Commissioner's Residence" and couldn't help but feel envious.

Father, my dear father, even if you don't grant me the title of Prince of the First Rank and the establishment of my own government, you should at least grant me the title of Prince of the Second Rank, shouldn't you?

Arriving at the courtyard at a leisurely pace, Zhao Dezhao happened to see the Imperial Son-in-Law, Wang Chengyan, and his joy was even greater.

At that moment, Lady Zhao was pruning withered leaves with shears, while Prince Consort Wang Chengyan was watering the flowerbed beside her, creating a harmonious and tranquil scene.

"Sister!" Zhao Dezhao called out, beckoning.

The shout was so frivolous that Zhao almost didn't recognize him when she glanced at him.

"She really has a sex change."

Wang Chengyan smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"That's precisely why the Emperor is pleased with her."

"What are you saying?" Madam Zhao frowned in displeasure and said, "If he wants to improve himself, my third uncle... never mind, let's not talk about it. You should teach him well and make him give up when faced with difficulties."

"Here you are."

Wang Chengyan responded respectfully, then pretended not to know anything and began tending to the flowers and plants in front of him.

"Rixin has arrived. Have you had breakfast yet?"

I ate it before leaving home.

Zhao Dezhao was quite at ease. Seeing the couple enjoying themselves in the garden, he simply sat down on a low table to the side and waited.

"Yesterday when you entered Yingchun Garden, did you accompany the Empress Dowager to persuade the Master to give up drinking?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao was not surprised.

The saying goes that officials have no private affairs; even a simple walk between father and son is enough to spark gossip and speculation, not to mention Zhao Kuangyin's well-known fondness for alcohol.

His own brother-in-law was one of the victims of the drinking culture.

Those generals who were relieved of their military command were frequent guests at banquets and archery contests, especially Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi.

The latter was not a good drinker, but his elderly father kept urging him to drink more...

Honestly, it's not an exaggeration to say that the root cause of the deaths of these elderly people, including Zhao Kuangyin himself, lies in alcohol.

"I remember that my uncle-in-law didn't drink much at home. He was often urged to drink by my father-in-law, and sometimes he even caught a minor illness because of it, making it difficult for him to move around."

Upon hearing this, both husband and wife were astonished.

Zhao was surprised by his understanding nature, while Wang Chengyan was somewhat flattered by Zhao Dezhao's keen interest in his father's activities.

So, it turns out that he quit drinking because Wang Shenqi persuaded him to?

In this way, we'll end up owing them a favor, won't we?

Madam Zhao did not say anything more. She understood Wang Chengyan's meaning and politely invited the two of them to leave the mansion.

As soon as he left the mansion, Wang Chengyan smiled wryly.

"It's kind of Erlang to remember this, but my father can't drink. Every time he returns home after a banquet, he often complains to me about it..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao cautiously replied, "It wasn't Father's intention to do it."

"I know that the imperial family has been fond of fine wine for twenty or thirty years. My father was honored to receive the imperial wine, though he was filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow."

There were some things the two couldn't say aloud, so they could only offer this kind of flattery, tacitly understanding each other.

Now, let's talk about Liu Chang, the last emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty, who was ruled by a court full of eunuchs.

Liu Chang often poisoned his ministers. After surrendering to the Song Dynasty and the country fell, he was invited to Kaifeng. When Zhao Kuangyin offered him wine, he thought it was meant to poison him and cried, refusing to drink it.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin immediately took it back, drank it all in one gulp, and made Liu Chang feel extremely ashamed.

This story may seem to portray Emperor Taizu as magnanimous and generous, but in essence, it is still the same.

Poisoning is potent and causes immediate effects upon ingestion, while alcoholism is a chronic poison that causes symptoms over time.

In the eyes of the Wang father and son, this was certainly a kind of "favor" from the government.

So-called thunder and rain are all imperial favors, which one cannot refuse.

"Will Erlang go to Chun Yuan on horseback or by carriage?"

"Let's ride horses. My brother-in-law can teach me horseback riding."

"it is good."

Wang Chengyan remained reserved and did not delve into the details. Instead, he ordered his attendants to bring two large gray-maned horses, saddled them, and began to teach Wang Chengyan by example, starting with the act of mounting the horses.

Anyone can ride a horse, but wielding a spear or lance while the horse is galloping at high speed, or even shooting and maneuvering, becomes much more difficult.

Therefore, the most standard skill for measuring a general's bravery was archery, which can be considered the pinnacle of skill.

Of course, they are rarely needed, especially for the second generation who have few close relatives.

This was comparable to the skills of entertainers, and the emperor on horseback loved this kind of thing.

Zhao Dezhao's actions can be seen as pandering to the emperor and his father.

"With waist and stance in perfect harmony, Ah Lang need not hunch his back."

Perhaps because he had been a beast of burden in his previous life, Zhao Dezhao could not help but bend over due to inertia even after standing up.

Wang Chengyan saw this and, without even needing to hold the reins, leaned to the side and lifted him up into a riding position.

"Thank you, brother-in-law."

Wang Chengyan smiled calmly and said, "Thank you very much. Once we enter the garden, please don't blame me for the hardship."

"There's no hardship at all; I'm actually enjoying it."

"That's good."

Zhao Dezhao's words came from the bottom of his heart. Without the protection of his father and grandfather, even if he were to actually reach that so-called shore, he would only be a minor official, which is very different from being a politician.

Not to mention that officials in remote areas are often in arrears with their salaries, but now they have turned the tables and become their own masters, and are even provided with one-on-one coaching from national-level equestrian instructors. What is there to suffer?

Officials were even divided into different ranks. First, there were the official clerks, and then there were the subordinate clerks, who should be considered outsourced personnel.

Moreover, most of the officials were fathers and sons, with their positions passed down through families, making them local officials.

In contrast, the official's faults become even more obvious.

Conversely, human desires are not something that can be satisfied overnight.

Although Zhao Guizhou is a bit petty, he was all alone and had only been in the imperial family for less than a month, so he couldn't help but "scheme" in every way.

………………

That night, the cicadas sang sweetly, and the palace was brightly lit.

The carriage slowly entered through the East Gate and only came to a stop when it reached the Chuigong Hall.

The first-rank duke, with his graying beard and temples, got out of the carriage with the help of palace servants.

"Is His Majesty still in the palace?"

"Your Excellency, His Majesty has been waiting for a long time."

The person who received them was still the chief secretary, Li Shenyou. Hearing the sound of the wheels, he went down the steps early and waited respectfully to the side.

As for the visitor, he was Wang Pu, a veteran official who had served two dynasties and was already semi-retired, and the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

Wang Zi of Taiyuan passed the imperial examination with top honors during the Qianyou era of the Later Han Dynasty and initially served under Guo Wei, the founding emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

When Guo Rong passed away, Wang Pu was appointed as a trusted minister to assist the young emperor.

In the early Song Dynasty, he was promoted to Minister of Works, ranking among the Three Dukes, and was dismissed from his position as Vice Minister of the Privy Council.

He was later appointed as Grand Tutor, and then as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, a prestigious position but without real power.

Take the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, for example. There isn't even a Crown Prince yet, so what is the political significance of this position?

It was nothing more than official rank and generous salary, allowing them to live in luxury together with their fellow members of the Tongyi Society.

Of course, Wang Pu was also self-aware and clear about his own position, hence his confusion.

It would be acceptable to summon powerful officials such as Shen Lun, the Vice Privy Councilor, or Xue Juzheng, the Vice Chancellor, late at night, but summoning him would be excessive.

"Tell me, what important matter is it that the Emperor summoned you in the middle of the night?"

"It's nothing important," Li Shenyou replied with a smile. "It's just that I don't see the sun very often."

Can't bear to see the sun shine?

What is the metaphor here?

Wang Pu stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and then strode up the steps.

Stepping into the hall, a gentle sniff reveals the familiar, rich aroma of Five Clouds Noodles.

The emperor was drinking heavily again while handling state affairs.

However, when he arrived at the imperial desk, the fragrance was still there, but the cups and saucers were nowhere to be seen.

"His Majesty."

Wang Pu bowed in greeting.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled gently and said, "Please sit down."

Wang Pu straightened his long-unworn turban, unaware that the turban's legs were tilting even more.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin slowly rose and stepped forward to help him straighten up.

"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable..."

"I have no concerns, so why should you?" Zhao Kuangyin said calmly. "Since it is just the two of us, ruler and subject, and Ping (Zhao Pu's courtesy name) is not here, let's treat this as a private banquet."

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."

"I know you are old and frail, so I will not go through with any more trouble." Zhao Kuangyin sat back down on the couch and asked, "How old is your daughter?"

At first glance, Wang Pu felt relieved, but a moment later, he felt depressed again.

The emperor has only two sons. His fourth son, Defang, is only of marriageable age. So, when he asks this question, isn't it obvious that he wants to take his daughter and his second son as concubines?

Wang Pu said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, my daughter is only seventeen years old."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin chuckled softly.

"Five years is nothing! The Empress is twenty-six years older than me, and we're still loving and harmonious."

Hearing these crude words that suddenly burst forth, Wang Pu would have inevitably grumbled inwardly if it were in the previous dynasty, but at this moment he was already at peace with them.

"Your Majesty, it's not that I can't bear to part with my daughter, but... Erlang has been married for seven years and has yet to be granted a title. This matter..."

After careful consideration, Wang Pu still declined with a troubled expression.

Furthermore, the wives of meritorious high-ranking officials were often granted imperial titles, such as Lady, Lady of the State, etc., a practice that had been popular since the pre-Tang period.

As for Zhao Dezhao, the eldest son of the emperor, he has not even been granted the title of Prince. If the Wang family allows him to go there, where will he live?

The residence of the Guizhou Defense Commissioner?

Although Wang Pu thought the phrase "unequal social standing and mismatched marriage" was offensive, it was the truth.

However, these are just his personal prejudices, and they don't really matter.

However, from the perspective of the imperial court, the emperor had no intention of passing the throne to his son; this was an unspoken rule established in the early Song Dynasty.

Why?

When Zhao Dezhao had just left the palace, Zhao Pu and other high-ranking officials advised the emperor to grant him the title of king, but Zhao Kuangyin brushed it off with the excuse of "taking it step by step".

Today, how many people would value the unassuming Zhao Erlang?

Not to mention actively seeking marriage and binding one's own life to that of another.

That's a bit of an exaggeration, but given Prefect Zhao's temperament, Zhao Dezhao is a man of high status but little influence, and he doesn't seem to know how to strive for advancement, so it's really hard to say.

"Then tell me, what title should I bestow upon him?"

"His Majesty……"

When the ball was suddenly kicked back, Wang Pu was stunned.

What does this mean?

Has the emperor changed his mind?!

Thinking of this, Wang Pu changed the subject and said.

"If His Majesty wishes to bestow a title upon the Second Prince, he shall naturally be a king."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin took a cup filled with wine from somewhere and began to drink it.

"Would you like some wine?"

"I am not good at drinking."

"I'll have a drink."

Seeing the Emperor approach in person, even if Wang Pu was unwilling, the wine cup was already offered to him. As a subject, how could he refuse?

"Now that Rixin has been granted the title of king, what will become of my younger brother?"

"Adi" refers to his two younger brothers: Zhao Guangyi, the current Prefect of Kaifeng, and Zhao Tingmei, the Prefect of Jingzhao.

"Naturally, he will be granted the title of king along with his concubine," Wang Pu said solemnly.

"Does that mean the Song Dynasty will have four more kings?"

After bestowing titles upon the eldest son and the third brother, it was likely that the fourth son and the fourth brother would also be enfeoffed, so as not to cause resentment among the people. Therefore, it was said that there were four kings.

"Does Your Majesty care about the fiefdom?"

"If I cared about these worldly things, would I have allowed you to be promoted three times and receive such a generous salary to support you?"

Wang Pu gave a bitter smile.

After saying this, Zhao Kuangyin stood next to Wang Pu and looked directly at the old man.

How could Wang Pu not know what the emperor was implying? But he was old and had no interest in worldly affairs, so he could only put on a wrinkled face and pretend not to know.

"The other day, Rixin told me my name." Zhao Kuangyin took another big gulp and slowly said, "Kuang means to rectify the chaos of the world, and Yin means to succeed one's descendants."