My father Zhao Kuangyin

The four of them, the emperor and his ministers, strolled across the meadow, enjoying the summer breeze and the afterglow of the setting sun.

Every now and then, Zhao Kuangyin would stop with his hands behind his back and turn to Wang Pu to joke.

"Now that you have met your son-in-law, you should tell me the truth about whether this marriage will succeed or not."

Wang Pu gave a wry smile and said, "How can I disobey the Emperor's command?"

Upon hearing this, and seeing his prospective father-in-law looking at him with a harmonious expression, Zhao Dezhao was taken aback.

When he turned his head to look at Minister Zhao, he had a slight smile on his face, but he was even more puzzled.

Zhao Dezhao was unaware that his father had summoned Wang Pu that night, but Zhao Pu clearly did not know that the emperor had changed his mind that very night.

However, while Zhao Kuangyin could keep the matter of his secret meeting with Wang Pu a secret from Zhao Dezhao, he could not keep it from Zhao Pu, or rather, he could not stop the latter from questioning him.

Today, the favor shown to Zhao Dezhao, even to the point of personally showing his bias, is quite obvious.

The reason is quite simple: his feud with Zhao Guangyi didn't start overnight, and the emperor was aware of their factional strife.

The reason for tolerating factional strife is that the government still has some concerns.

The emperor is first and foremost a human being, and as a human being, he cannot suppress his human nature and desires.

No one is perfect; everyone has selfish desires.

Zhao Kuangyin originally intended to pass the throne to Zhao Guangyi, but while he could give it to him, the latter could not openly ask for it, much less snatch it. This was a matter of principle and a bottom line.

Emperor Taizu of Song became the true Son of Heaven during the Five Dynasties period, secured his throne, and ended the chaotic era. Could he really have been a great benefactor or an honest man?

Zhao Dezhao suddenly understood the meaning behind his conversation with his father that day, when he was urging his father to drink, and even the latter's intention in asking him to reveal his archery skills today.

At that moment, a bold idea popped into his mind.

Two arrows missed, could it all be an act?

Thinking back to the time when he was adorned with the yellow robe that had "caused me great suffering," Zhao Dezhao felt relieved about everything.

This is what a veteran actor is like.

Of course, whether it was a play or not was not the main point. The main point was that the old father pulled his father-in-law and the prime minister aside for a private talk. This was not just a small step, but a giant leap. It was almost as if the emperor had directly issued an edict to confer the title of king.

In reality, Zhao Kuangyin did think so, but as the emperor, he needed at least one of the three arrows to hit the target to save face. So he took the first arrow seriously, but was more casual about the second. Unexpectedly, things didn't go as planned, so he simply didn't shoot the third arrow.

"In this chaotic world, only heroes can lead the way. Liu Zhiyuan was one, Guo Wei was another, and Guo Rong was yet another. They are all great rulers of their time."

Zhao Kuangyin's casual remark sounded to Zhao Dezhao and the other two not as self-praise, but as a clear hint of guidance.

In other words, if a son is good for nothing, there's nothing a father can do.

The situation is quite different now. Even if they don't achieve great feats, they at least have backbone and the shrewdness of a ruthless and ambitious leader.

As for why he doesn't have the air of a hero, Zhao Dezhao hasn't yet taken power and has no opportunity to manage his subordinates, so naturally he still carries a bit of a "petty" air.

But honestly, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and having some shrewdness, is enough.

The saying goes, "The lower the expectations, the greater the satisfaction," which is probably a true reflection of the current mindset of the father and son, as well as a group of veteran officials.

I never really expected you to step up and inherit the great cause, but now that you've shown your talent, it's a pleasant surprise.

"Your Majesty, Erlang is getting older, it's time to bestow a title upon him," Zhao Pu advised at the opportune moment.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin turned his head and glanced at Zhao Dezhao again.

"His title of King is not a concern. Guangyi and Wenhua (Tingmei) need to discuss this. In a few days, let's summon Ziping (Xue Juzheng) and Shunyi (Shen Yilun) to discuss it."

Zhao Dezhao was overjoyed upon hearing this, but Zhao Pu and Wang Pu immediately realized that the Emperor had not yet made a complete decision and needed to wait a while and consider it carefully.

Wang Pu was certainly more anxious than Zhao Pu, and hurriedly advised, "The conferment of a title is a major event. Your Majesty should summon all officials to the Daqing Hall for a court session and make a decision as soon as possible."

"It's not that I need to slow down, it's that my younger brother needs to slow down. Don't pressure him too much."

After saying this, Zhao Kuangyin said sternly, "Being granted the title of king is not the same as being granted the title of crown prince. Whether he is promoted or demoted after being granted the title of king will depend on his own abilities. I have long said that I will treat everyone equally."

In other words, only four people heard these words. If they were made public, they would probably be considered no less significant than some fabricated "Golden Chest Alliance".

"Furthermore, when Guangyi was helping me conquer the world, Rixin was still nursing in his mother's arms. In terms of merit and hardship, I have already shown favoritism."

Zhao Pu and Wang Pu looked at each other for a moment, seemingly oblivious to each other's thoughts, and then offered no reasonable rebuttal.

There were many officials, both inside and outside the court, who had achieved more merit than Zhao Guangyi. However, a subject is a subject, and a ruler is a ruler; they are fundamentally incomparable.

Furthermore, regarding the merit of joining the Chenqiao Mutiny, Zhao Dezhao was just a young man at the time. How could he have earned merit?

"The tradition of fathers succeeding sons has existed since the Shang and Zhou dynasties for over a thousand years," Zhao Pu said, still unwilling to accept it. "Prefect Zhao has certainly made contributions, but what about His Majesty's contributions? Where are His Majesty's contributions? How many should they be counted?"

This statement clearly carries personal grudges and resentments, but it is indeed from the bottom of my heart.

"Your Majesty has fought countless battles over the years, suffering numerous wounds and sweeping across the land. You even killed Huangfu Hui amidst a vast army, a feat no less impressive than Emperor Gaozu of Song defeating thousands single-handedly. With such prowess and such great achievements, why did Your Majesty pass the throne to your brother instead of your son?" Zhao Pu persisted.

"Sons succeed their fathers, and this has been the case generation after generation. Your Majesty and I have devoted ourselves to rectifying the chaos of the Five Dynasties and eliminating the accumulated abuses of the regional military governors. How can we make such a grave mistake on this matter of paramount importance for the future?"

Zhao Kuangyin couldn't bear it any longer and waved his hands repeatedly.

"That's enough, Zeping. Don't try to persuade me anymore. The time is right, and I will make a decision."

Leaving aside the confrontation between the emperor and his ministers, Wang Pu and Zhao Dezhao, one old and one young, were also staring at each other.

The latter, in particular, was deeply engulfed by a storm of emotions, unable to extricate himself from it.

Zhao Pu argued forcefully, which Zhao Kuangyin saw as a sign that he was reluctant to relinquish power. He believed that if Zhao Dezhao were to succeed to the throne, he would solidify Zhuge Liang's title of "Prime Minister" and wield immense power, unchallenged by anyone.

Zhao Pu may have the surname Zhao, but he is not a member of the Zhao family. People's hearts can change. There was Sima Yi in ancient times, and the Xu family of Southern Tang in modern times. Even... Zhao Kuangyin himself could be considered one.

Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin sought a balance, much like how Cao Pi and Cao Rui succeeded to the throne and were able to keep the old scoundrel Sima Yi in check.

The current Zhao Dezhao is far from that level.

"The marriage has been arranged. The matter of bestowing a title of king will be discussed later. The three of you may leave now, so that I may have some peace and quiet."

Unable to bear seeing things unfold naturally, Zhao Pu sighed, glanced at Erlang, and then bowed to Wang Pu before leaving.

"Why aren't you going yet?"

"Son……"

In the short time it took to walk with his father, Zhao Dezhao had absorbed so much information that he still felt like he was in a dream.

"Son...Son should follow Father's teachings and strive to do so."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced over, and questioned him.

How to encourage them?

Zhao Dezhao pursed his lips, momentarily speechless.

"Tell me, if you were to become emperor one day, would you treat your uncle and brother well?"

"Why didn't you answer? Are you afraid to answer? Or are you determined to emulate the second son of the Li family?"

At this point, Zhao Dezhao simply stopped answering and instead asked a question with piercing eyes.

"How does Grandfather know that if Third Uncle becomes Emperor, he will treat me well, and treat Fourth Brother and Fourth Uncle well?"

Hearing his eldest son's righteous response, Zhao Kuangyin paused, then fell into deep thought.

At this moment, Zhao Dezhao, in cahoots with him, stared straight ahead with an open and honest expression.

"People's hearts can change. If Father hadn't been valued by Guo Rong and promoted to the rank of Palace Guard General, how could we have the glorious Song Dynasty we have today?" Seeing his father's expression change, Zhao Dezhao said, taking the opportunity. "I want Father to know that although I was given the name Youde, I am not a saint. I cannot do the cowardly thing of repaying evil with kindness."

"Under the clear light of heaven and earth, I swear before my grandfather that I will repay kindness with kindness and avenge wrongs with wrongs. I will treat my uncle and brother the same way they have treated me!"

"good!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand and, before Zhao Dezhao could react, put his arm around his left shoulder and looked up at the sky with a smile.

A moment later, he raised his right hand and pointed to the crimson clouds.

"Remember what you say today. A hundred years from now, your father will be watching from heaven. Do not break your promise."