Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 100 Zhao 2 also wants to be crowned king

Chapter 100 Zhao Er Also Wants to Become a King

Du Shenzhao was the younger brother of Empress Dowager Du and held the prestigious position of the emperor's brother-in-law.

However, although this person was a member of the Du family, he was illiterate, vulgar, arrogant, and lacked any cunning. Moreover, he was extremely greedy and lustful.

Zhao Kuangyin was well aware of this man's character, so after ascending the throne, he did not grant this brother-in-law any official position.

Du Shenzhao had long been dissatisfied with this, and even when he met Zhao Kuangyin in private, he refused to kneel or bow.

However, Empress Dowager Du only had this one brother left, as her elder brother had already passed away. Therefore, Empress Dowager Du doted on this only younger brother, which is why Zhao Kuangyin did not punish him.

Thinking of this, Zhao Guangyi couldn't help but immediately give Fu a kiss on the cheek, and said with a joyful expression, "With my wife's help, what great things can't I accomplish?"

He strode out of the study and sent someone to summon Shi Zaixi. After a moment's thought, he instructed Shi Zaixi: "Prepare a large amount of jewels and jade, and find a few beauties from Jiangnan to secretly send to the Imperial Brother-in-law's residence."

"Remember, you must act in secrecy and not let a word of it slip by."

After saying this, Zhao Guangyi whispered a few important instructions to Shi Zaixi, who nodded repeatedly, understanding perfectly.

Then he left in a hurry.

The next morning, Du Shenzhao entered the palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Du under the pretext of visiting relatives.

Inside Qingshou Palace, Empress Dowager Du was reclining on a warm couch, embroidering a brocade handkerchief with needle and thread. Seeing her younger brother enter, though a hint of joy appeared in her eyes, she feigned displeasure and set the embroidery aside, scolding, "You've come at just the right time! I just heard a few days ago that you were complaining outside the palace that Xiang Hai'er wouldn't give you an official position, and even that you wouldn't kneel or bow when you met Xiang Hai'er in private. Du Shenzhao, do you think that because I'm protecting you, you can act with impunity?"

"I'm innocent, old lady—"

Du Shenzhao stepped forward with a beaming smile: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, that's why I've come to apologize to you, my elder sister."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du's expression softened, and she gestured for Du Shenzhao to sit down and speak.

Seeing that his sister had calmed down, Du Shenzhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had barely sat down when his eyes darted around, and he said again, "Older sister, you don't know, I wasn't complaining, I was just anxious!"

Seeing Empress Dowager Du's brows furrow again, as if she were displeased, Du Shenzhao hurriedly followed Shi Zaixi's instructions from the previous day and said, "Elder sister, think about it. His Majesty has only been in power for a year, and the country is already in turmoil. First, Li Jun rebelled, and then Li Chongjin betrayed him. This is enough to show that outsiders cannot be trusted at all!"

"I'm thinking of asking for an official position so that I can serve the Song Dynasty and share His Majesty's burdens. It's better than letting those foreign officials occupy those positions!"

""

"Do you think I don't know your own worth?" Empress Dowager Du slammed her hand on the edge of the bed in anger. As soon as she finished speaking, she coughed violently, her chest heaving. A palace maid quickly brought her warm water and gently patted her back.

Seeing this, Du Shenzhao panicked and quickly stepped forward to help him catch his breath, saying urgently, "Sister, please stop talking, please stop talking about seeking an official position, okay?"

After saying that, he paused, then deliberately put on a look of disappointment and sighed heavily: "In fact, I also understand that I don't have any great abilities, and it's just wishful thinking for me to seek an official position."

"But I truly cannot understand His Majesty's thoughts now. Sister, do you know? Yesterday in court, His Majesty bestowed the title of King upon that child, Dezhao!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du abruptly raised her eyes, exclaiming in surprise, "What did you say? Zhao'er has been made a prince? He's only ten years old, just married, and he's already been made a prince?"

"Absolutely true!" Du Shenzhao nodded repeatedly. "I heard that in order for him to be enfeoffed as a king smoothly, His Majesty specially ordered him to accompany the army to quell the rebellion in Yangzhou. And with the help of generals like Shi Shouxin, he was lucky enough to take Yangzhou."

"His Majesty then used this as a pretext to immediately bestow upon him the title of Prince of Wugong, and even publicly addressed him as Crown Prince!"

"Is that so? How come I didn't know?" Empress Dowager Du said in disbelief.

She did not doubt Du Shenzhao's statement. In her impression, Zhao Dezhao was still an immature child. What great achievements could he have made?

We should be grateful if we don't cause trouble.

"Let me ask you, has Xiang Hai'er already named Zhao'er as the crown prince?" Empress Dowager Du hurriedly pressed.

"No, not at all." Du Shenzhao shook his head. "It's just that after the news of the fall of Yangzhou came, His Majesty couldn't help but express his joy by referring to the Crown Prince."

"A ruler's word is law. Since Xiang'er has said this in public, he intends to make Zhao'er the heir apparent—" Empress Dowager Du couldn't help but shake her head and sigh, her eyes filled with worry.

Zhao Dezhao is only ten years old. How can he be expected to shoulder the important affairs of the country if he is forced to grow up so quickly?

"Elder sister, let me speak the truth—" Du Shenqing looked around and lowered his voice, "Your Majesty, regarding this matter—"

This was handled somewhat unfairly.

"That Zhao family's third son is talented in both literature and martial arts, and has worked diligently to assist His Majesty in stabilizing the country and benefiting the people of Kaifeng, yet he has not even become a marquis."

"In contrast, Dezhao only rose to the position of king by virtue of the veteran generals. What will the court and the public think of this? What will the imperial clan think of this?"

"Outrageous!" Empress Dowager Du's face flushed with anger as she slammed her hand on the edge of the bed. "A ten-year-old child, without having accomplished anything, was granted a princeship the moment he left his family, while Sanlang, who has worked so diligently, doesn't even have a title!"

"Does Xiang Hai'er not even understand the principle of reinforcing the family line by promoting relatives?"

She was already biased towards Zhao Guangyi, and now seeing Zhao Kuangyin treating his relatives differently, she was even more displeased.

Seeing that the time was right, Du Shenzhao quickly followed up, saying, "That's right! Yesterday, I overheard people talking outside the palace, saying that His Majesty is determined to make Dezhao the Crown Prince, which is why he is deliberately neglecting his relatives and not daring to give them important positions."

"Sister, think about it. We live in a chaotic world, with arrogant and fierce generals emerging everywhere. Even if a ten-year-old child is made a king and crown prince, who can he control? How can he protect our Great Song Dynasty?"

After these words were spoken, Empress Dowager Du's expression became even more worried.

Having lived through the chaotic Five Dynasties period, she knew all too well that dynasties rose and fell like flowing water, and that a single misstep could lead to the extermination of one's entire family.

Zhao Kuangyin's eagerness to establish Zhao Dezhao as his heir was undoubtedly a risky move in her eyes.

Empress Dowager Du frowned deeply, her tone grave: "Xiang Hai'er is too impatient. Even if she intends to make Zhao'er the heir apparent, she should wait until he comes of age and has developed his true abilities before making any decisions."

"Right now, the ones who can assist the nation and stabilize the situation are still our own people, like Sanlang and Shiro!"

After a moment's thought, Empress Dowager Du looked at the eunuch beside her and nodded, saying, "Go, summon Zhao Pu to the palace. I have something to ask him."

The eunuch obeyed the order and soon invited Zhao Pu into the Qingshou Palace.

"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager!" Zhao Pu performed the grand salute meticulously, his expression calm, his expressionless face revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"Zeping," Empress Dowager Du waved her hand, her gaze towards Zhao Pu also very kind: "You and Xianghaier have long been sworn brothers, so you are family members of the Zhao family, there's no need for formalities."

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