Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 15 The Conflict Begins

After leaving Tianqing Temple, Zhao Dezhao's youthful face was full of solemnity, and his still-developing eyebrows were furrowed together.

The words that Empress Dowager Xiao Fu had said earlier weighed on his heart like a mountain.

Fu Yanqing, also known as Fu Weiwang.

This person was not famous in the early Song Dynasty, but thanks to his previous life's experience of writing historical web novels, Zhao Dezhao still knew a little about him.

Fu Yanqing, also known as Fu Weiwang, once defeated the Khitan in the Battle of Yangcheng, forcing the Khitan emperor Yelü Deguang to flee alone. He served in the Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou dynasties, assisting a total of eleven emperors. He held various positions, including Commander of the Imperial Guard, Prefect of Jizhou, Military Governor of Zhongwu, Military Governor of Tianxiong, and Grand Tutor.

After Chai Rong ascended the throne, he personally bestowed upon him silk ribbons, saddles, and horses, and changed his title to King of Wei!

This was a king of a different surname during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period! That's incredibly prestigious!

Of his three daughters, two became empresses of Chai Rong, and the youngest was Fu, the aunt of Zhao Dezhao and wife of Zhao Guangyi.

It can be said that during the entire Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Fu family was "unparalleled in its prosperity and prestige in recent times"!

Empress Dowager Fu's words undoubtedly told Zhao Dezhao that Fu Yanqing was one of Zhao Guangyi's biggest backers!

Looking back now, it's possible that Zhao Guangyi's ability to quickly build his network of connections in the early stages of his life was not unrelated to the covert support of Prince Fu Wei.

For example, Wang Shenqi, as mentioned by Empress Dowager Xiao Fu.

After the establishment of the new dynasty, Wang Shenqi was appointed as the Commander of the Palace Guards, the highest commander in charge of the palace guards. With the connection of Fu Yanqing, and Zhao Guangyi as the Commander of the Palace Guards, it would be easy for him to send some people to the Palace Guards.

The Palace Guard is in charge of the Imperial City's elite troops!

"Uncle, you're putting so much pressure on me..."

Faced with such an enemy, even Zhao Dezhao, who was well-versed in history, couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

I'm still young and not old enough to get married, so even if I wanted to get involved in some things, I might not have the chance.

"Nephew, why are you sighing all of a sudden?"

Seeing the worried, mature look on Zhao Dezhao's small face, Li Chuyun couldn't help but grin.

"You're only nine years old, yet you act like a little old man all day long, without any of the vigor of a young person."

"You're the old man, your whole family are old men!"

Zhao Dezhao gave him a disapproving look, his dark eyes darting around before he suddenly asked, "Uncle Li, what should I do if someone bullies my nephew?"

"Bully you? Who dares to bully you?" Li Chuyun was taken aback at first, then glared angrily and said, "Tell your uncle, and your uncle will eat him alive!"

"Uh..." Zhao Dezhao rubbed his forehead, feeling rather speechless, and said again, "You are no match for this person."

"If I'm no match for him, then there's still His Majesty, isn't there?"

Li Chuyun spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world: "Why don't you just tell His Majesty? You are His Majesty's son, the future Crown Prince. In this world, you are the one who bullies others, not the other way around!"

"Zhao'er, don't underestimate your father. Let me put it this way: in the entire world today, no one can surpass His Majesty's influence!"

After speaking, a strong sense of pride and arrogance appeared on Li Chuyun's face.

How could someone who could make Li Chuyun willingly submit be someone easily dealt with?

Looking at all the heroes in the world, only Zhao Kuangyin stands out!

"I didn't realize he was such a die-hard fan of his dad..."

Zhao Dezhao muttered a complaint under his breath, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter. Li Chuyun's words cleared the fog for him, and he instantly understood something!

The undisputed protagonist of this era was his father, Zhao Kuangyin!

All he needs to do is cling to his cheap old man's coattails!

They're just using someone else's name to intimidate others and waving a big flag!

……

When the sun was high in the sky and the journey reached noon, Zhao Kuangyin led his army back to Kaifeng.

Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in a yellow robe, rode on his horse with a majestic demeanor. The army following behind him was disciplined and did not disturb the people in the slightest. Seeing this, the people on both sides of the street gradually calmed down and even had the leisure to discuss it.

"See? I told you, the Emperor's claim about this matter wasn't just hearsay."

"Sigh, I can't believe Kaifeng has changed hands again. How many times has this happened now..."

"Be content. Compared to the previous dynastic changes, at least this time we are all doing well, and Kaifeng is also doing well."

"That's true..."

Hearing these discussions around him, Zhao Kuangyin didn't know what to think. Then, surrounded by his generals, he slowly ascended the Mingde Gate.

Looking out from a high vantage point, one can see bustling streets and rows of buildings.

This is where he grew up.

"Does all of this... truly belong to me now?"

In that instant, the thirty-four-year-old Zhao Kuangyin felt as if everything was a dream, unreal.

Fourteen years ago, he personally witnessed a man climb the city wall of Kaifeng, smiling as he addressed the panicked and fleeing citizens of Kaifeng:

"I am also a human being, so do not be afraid. I will become your emperor and let you recuperate."

That man was Emperor Taizong of Liao, Yelü Deguang.

Whether Han or non-Han, Zhao Kuangyin and Yelü Deguang were of one mind at this moment.

The landscape is so beautiful, how can it not be captivating! How can we allow it to fall into ruin and decay!

Zhao Kuangyin's gaze gradually hardened and deepened as he looked at the prosperous and magnificent city of Kaifeng, murmuring to himself:

"Throughout my life..."

"This land will surely become even more prosperous!"

……

After his reflections, Zhao Kuangyin began to work. He first returned to the Palace Guard Office and publicly removed the yellow robe he had been wearing when he entered the city.

There was still time, so he sat down to rest. He needed physical strength, but even more so, he needed emotional support.

Then, the three prime ministers, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu, along with some important officials, rushed over and asked Zhao Kuangyin to obey the will of Heaven. After Zhao Kuangyin declined three times, he finally entered the palace with "remorse and tears in his eyes".

Upon entering the Chongyuan Hall, Zhao Guangyi presented the Imperial Seal and the Edict of Abdication.

With everything in place and the east wind rising, Zhao Kuangyin seized the opportunity to initiate the process of legitimizing his new emperor status.

"The Xuanhui Envoy, Zan Jurun of Gaotang, led Kuangyin to the north side of the dragon steps to receive the imperial edict."

The prime minister ascended the Chongyuan Hall, donned the imperial crown, and ascended the throne. All the officials paid their respects and offered their congratulations.

The imperial edict decreed that the name of the empire be "Song".

With the historians' pens flying across the page, the Song Dynasty was officially established!

And Zhao Kuangyin did not break his promise.

Officials of the former Great Zhou who were willing to pledge allegiance to the Great Song Dynasty retained their official positions and were even rewarded according to their rank.

They honored Emperor Zhou as King of Zheng and Empress Dowager Fu as Empress Dowager of Zhou, and moved to the West Palace.

This series of swift and decisive measures to show favor successfully stabilized the hearts of the court officials and the people in Kaifeng.

Since the fall of the Tang Dynasty, every dynastic change has been accompanied by a massacre, except for this one.

This time, because Han Tong was captured alive by Zhao Dezhao, the transfer of power was truly bloodless, which allowed Zhao Kuangyin to inherit the national strength of the Great Zhou to the greatest extent.

Looking at his father, who was full of vigor on the throne, Zhao Dezhao knew that from this day forward, a true legend would begin!

This man will single-handedly end the darkest period of chaos in history, the Five Dynasties!

no doubt.

The most dazzling person of this era was his father—Zhao Kuangyin!

So who will belong to the next era?

"By order, Zhao Guangyi will assume the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guards!"

Upon hearing this decree of bestowal, Zhao Dezhao, hiding in the side hall, looked at the refined figure who had offered his thanks, and once again recalled the cold words in the history books.

"The Golden Chest Alliance, the Shadow of Candles and the Sound of Axes, the defeat at Gaoliang River, and the Prince of Wugong, Zhao Dezhao, committing suicide in fear..."

Zhao Dezhao knew that from this moment on, the struggle between him and Zhao Guangyi was no longer possible!

There can only be one crown prince in the Song Dynasty!

"My dear uncle..."

"My nephew's life is destined to be like walking on thin ice. Do you think he'll ever make it to the other side?"