Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 74 Civil and Military Affairs

Moreover, the eldest prince is surrounded by military officers, and under such influence, it is hard to guarantee that he will not develop a habit of looking down on civil officials.

It seems... there are some things that I still need to think about carefully!

In an instant, the civil officials looked at Zhao Dezhao with a different kind of respect, and some even showed signs of hostility.

Shi Shouxin and the others curled their lips, looking unconvinced.

"I was only thinking of His Highness's best interests and had no intention of disparaging my colleagues. Prefect Zhao is overthinking it."

Wang Shenqi snorted coldly and replied indifferently. He then turned to Zhao Dezhao and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, what I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. If I have offended you in any way, I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Looking at Wang Shenqi bowing his head and begging for forgiveness before him, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but sneer.

If he still can't see anything at this point, then he might as well quit the government.

It must be said that Zhao Er is indeed a master of scheming!

With just a few words, he effortlessly drew a bottomless chasm between him and the other civil officials!

In the future, Zhao Dezhao could almost foresee that any civil official who wanted to side with him would think twice before doing so, lest they be wasted their talents.

But unfortunately, he had no room to refute it at that moment.

Even if he publicly reprimanded Wang Shenqi, the civil officials would not appreciate his kindness; they would only attribute the favor of rescuing them today to Zhao Guangyi.

Moreover, he would also incur the dissatisfaction of Shi Shouxin and others.

After all, in the eyes of military generals like Shi Shouxin, there was nothing wrong with what Wang Shenqi said.

But if he remains silent, the gap between him and the many civil officials will only widen.

For a moment, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but sigh, when his "good uncle" got serious about targeting him, he really had a hard time dealing with it.

but……

There is nothing in this world that a knife cannot solve.

If so,

Then let's go for eight hundred!

If eight hundred swords are not enough, then control all the armies in the land!

In a flash, Zhao Dezhao's face softened into a gentle smile. He reached out and gently took Wang Shenqi's outstretched hand, his tone sincere:

"Although Uncle Wang's words were somewhat biased, they came from good intentions and he was thinking of me. How could I blame you?"

This scene, witnessed by the civil officials, left them with complex expressions, and they all sighed inwardly.

It seems that once His Highness ascends the throne, it will be very difficult for scholars to rise to prominence...

Once the thought arose, it quickly spread through the minds of the civil officials, and they then subconsciously glanced at Zhao Guangyi.

Zhao Guangyi was also a member of the imperial clan!

Succession from brother to brother was not uncommon in the five dynasties!

So he really has absolutely no interest in that position?

Realizing their treasonous thoughts, the many civil officials quickly looked away, but some things, once planted in their hearts, are difficult to eradicate completely.

Zhao Dezhao, who witnessed all of this, remained indifferent.

Perhaps because he had read too many history books, he didn't really have a good impression of most scholar-officials.

Take, for example, the descendants of Confucius. They spout benevolence and morality, yet their families have numerous tenant farmers and have seized tens of thousands of acres of fertile land!

In addition, there is the glorious story of Seshu's surrender.

Let's talk about the Gentlemen's Party during the reign of Emperor Renzong.

They all talk about being gentlemen and morality, but apart from a very few, most of them are people who prey on the common people and form cliques to suppress dissent!

Therefore, the current attitudes of these civil officials are completely irrelevant to him.

When I ascend the throne, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me!

Why worry about not having anyone to use?

Since Zhao Guangyi wants to completely push him to the side of a military general, then so be it. He wants to see what kind of face Zhao Guangyi will have when he controls all the troops in the world!

"His Majesty has decreed that all officials be summoned to court!"

Everyone quickly composed themselves, straightened their clothes, and filed into the Chuigong Hall in single file.

When all the officials arrived, the official in charge of rites was in a dilemma.

Because in the imperial court, the order of officials is based on their rank. Initially, there was no problem, but now that Zhao Dezhao has joined the ranks, the officials in charge of rites are at a loss.

Because Zhao Dezhao was the first marquis since the founding of the Song Dynasty, and also the eldest son of the emperor, he was deeply favored by the emperor.

Logically, Zhao Dezhao should be at the head of all the officials.

However, in terms of actual official rank, the Marquis of Wugong County was not as high-ranking as the prime minister and the privy councilor, who were all second-rank officials.

After careful consideration, the official in charge of ceremonies decided to place Zhao Dezhao after Zhao Pu.

Zhao Pu was the Deputy Privy Councilor, a third-rank military officer in the court, and the only candidate to be at the top of the military ranks.

Given the rank of a marquis, it is reasonable for him to be ranked after him.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Pu politely declined this arrangement.

"Your Highness should be the head of the military officers." Zhao Pu said only this one sentence, then took half a step back, giving up the position of the head of the military officers.

Several generals behind him, including Shi Shouxin and Li Chuyun, also smiled and said:

"Your Highness should be the foremost among military generals."

Seeing that these people had all said so, the official in charge of ceremonies had no objections. Zhao Dezhao, however, felt a little embarrassed, but after considering it carefully, he still did not decline.

A warrior doesn't like so many complicated things.

Since we have chosen to place him at the head of the military ranks, it is a form of recognition for him. If he were to be overly modest, it would not be appropriate.

Zhao Dezhao turned his head and glanced at the head of the civil officials.

Whether by coincidence or design, the head of the civil service was Zhao Guangyi.

"A contest between civil and military officials? Interesting..."

Zhao Dezhao smiled, looked up at the throne, and soon after, Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in a dragon robe, strode into the hall and sat steadily on the dragon throne.

As soon as he sat down, Zhao Kuangyin's gaze swept around the hall, as if searching for something.

When he saw Zhao Dezhao standing at the head of the military officers, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly withdrew his gaze without making a sound.

"Bang--!"

Without any warning, Zhao Kuangyin slammed his fist on the imperial desk in anger, startling all the officials in the court.

"I have always treated Li Chongjin well, so why would he join forces with the false Tang dynasty to rebel against me!"

"If he truly rebelled out of gratitude to the founding emperor, then I would respect him as a true man!"

"Yet he accepted my rewards and is now a subject of the Song Dynasty. To betray the Song Dynasty while serving as a subject is truly a villainous traitor!"

There is a need for a just cause to send troops into battle.

As early as the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, in order to stabilize the people's hearts, Zhao Kuangyin had issued an order that no former officials of the Zhou dynasty would be removed.

Now that Li Chongjin is to be eliminated, a suitable reason must be found.

After Zhao Kuangyin characterized Li Jun's behavior, Murong Yanzhao, who was standing behind Zhao Pu, immediately stepped forward and bowed:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to raise an army to quell the rebellion!"

As soon as Murong Yanzhao stepped forward, Shi Shouxin, Li Chuyun, and others behind him also stood up indignantly and volunteered to fight.

Deeply gratified, Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand to comfort his generals, and after a moment of contemplation, slowly said:

"Li Chongjin intends to ally with the puppet Tang dynasty. If he succeeds, he will be a force to be reckoned with. After careful consideration, I intend to personally lead the expedition!"

Zhao Kuangyin's words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

The officials never expected that His Majesty would personally lead the troops into battle again to quell the rebellion.

Only Zhao Guangyi's eyes flashed with intense joy.

"Father, I think this is unacceptable!"

At that moment, Zhao Dezhao suddenly stepped forward, holding his court tablet, and bowed to offer his advice:

"The emperor's dignity is like the sun and moon in the sky; he should not leave the capital lightly."

"As a prince and a court official, I am even more unwilling to see my father repeatedly risk his life against arrows."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply in reverence:

"Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to lead troops to patrol the borders on behalf of Heaven, quell the rebellion, and cleanse the frontier. I humbly beseech Your Majesty's permission!"

……