Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 10 My Son Suffers

"Waaah... I miss my mother... Waaah, I want to go back too, Father, please let me go back... Waaah..."

Seeing his son, who had just been smiling, suddenly burst into tears, Zhao Kuangyin's expression darkened slightly.

"Your Majesty, Zhao'er is still young, and this is her first time leaving home for war. It's inevitable that she will feel some fear and longing for her family."

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's stern face, Zhao Pu quickly tried to smooth things over.

After saying that, he comforted Zhao Dezhao: "Your Highness, don't be afraid. You will be able to see your mother in less than half a day."

Zhao Pu genuinely loved Zhao Dezhao, whom he had watched grow up. Otherwise, the historical Zhao Pu would not have completely broken ties with Zhao Guangyi in order to make Zhao Kuangyin's son the heir apparent.

"No! Waaah... I want to see my mother right now, I want to go back! Waaah..."

"What kind of behavior is this, in front of so many people!"

Zhao Kuangyin could no longer bear it and roared angrily, his eyes filled with deep disappointment.

How can someone so cowardly shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the crown prince!

The thought had just crossed Zhao Kuangyin's mind when his son's words filled him with guilt and pity.

"Father, do you still remember what day it is today?"

Zhao Dezhao rubbed his red, tear-filled eyes and sobbed, "Today... is the anniversary of my mother's death!"

"I was only seven years old when my mother passed away. I will never forget that scene, not even in my dying breath..."

"I've already lost my mother once, and I don't want to go through it again... Please, Father... let me go back..."

By the end, Zhao Dezhao was trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face, his expression one of utter grievance.

If the son is like this, the father is no better off; Zhao Kuangyin also had a sorrowful and pitying expression on his face at this moment.

How could Zhao Kuangyin, with his character, forget his wife of more than ten years?

Recalling the tender moments he shared with his deceased wife, he couldn't help but pull Zhao Dezhao into his arms, patting his son's back and repeatedly saying:

"My poor son..."

At that moment, he suddenly realized that his son was a pitiful person who had lost his mother at a young age.

With himself often away from home, and given his mother's strict nature, how could her son not become timid?

Now, in his fear, it is only natural that he misses his stepmother who has always loved him. How can you blame your son?

If a child is not taught properly, it is the father's fault. If anyone is to blame, it is himself for neglecting to love and guide the child.

Thinking of this, Zhao Kuangyin felt even more guilty.

"Your Majesty, why don't I take His Highness back to the capital first? I guarantee with my life that His Highness will not suffer any mishap."

Seeing Zhao Dezhao blink twice at him, Li Chuyun realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward, clasping his hands in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin looked at his son, who was trembling and sobbing slightly in his arms, and then, recalling the various arrangements made in Kaifeng, pondered for a moment before finally relenting:

"I can only trouble Zhengyuan."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Li Chuyun replied respectfully, then looked at Zhao Dezhao, who had stopped crying, and extended his hands with a smile, saying, "Your Highness, please dismount."

"Thank you, Uncle Li."

Zhao Dezhao immediately beamed with joy.

The Imperial Seal of the State, here I come!

……

"Your Highness, why are you in front of His Majesty...?"

On the way to Kaifeng, Li Chuyun, who had been holding back for a long time, finally found an opportunity. He deliberately lagged behind Pan Mei by a distance to make sure she couldn't hear their conversation, and then voiced his doubts.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao, who was in Li Chuyun's arms, interrupted in a childish voice, "Uncle Li, do you want to ask why I hid my talents from Father?"

"Exactly."

"Sigh... Uncle Li, I didn't want this either, I'm so heartbroken."

Zhao Dezhao shook his head and sighed.

Little did Li Chuyun know what kind of opponent he was facing.

In his previous life, netizens gave his uncle many humorous nicknames.

The God of the Gaoliang River, the leader of the Axe Gang, the Breaking Bad master, the master of array micro-management, the God of the Donkey Cart, the originator of the sex scandal...

He truly deserves to be called the top star of the Song Dynasty!

But jokes aside, only those who have actually faced Zhao Guangyi can truly understand how terrifying he is!

To reiterate, setting aside martial prowess, Zhao Guangyi was the most outstanding emperor in history when it came to civil administration and strategy alone!

Without anyone noticing, right under the nose of the powerful ruler Zhao Da, the thirty-year-old Zhao Guangyi was able to take control of the entire city of Kaifeng.

Even though Zhao Da later tried every means to weaken his brother's power in order to pave the way for his son, it was all in vain.

A casual remark, "Virtue, not strategic location, is what matters," directly caused Zhao Da's plan to relocate the capital to fail in its infancy.

Even after the "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound" incident, he ascended to that position almost without any ripples, and no one dared to question him.

Even with the disastrous defeat of the donkey cart drifting incident, the fact that the throne could still be secured must have been incredibly difficult, especially since the influence of the Five Dynasties had not yet been eradicated!

You could even say that.

Zhao Da conquered the Song Dynasty, while Zhao Er established it!

Admittedly, the Song Dynasty experienced many humiliating periods, but it is undeniable that it was still the most economically prosperous and culturally vibrant dynasty in history!

All of this stems from the numerous policies left behind by Zhao Guangyi.

Therefore, Zhao Dezhao could not be too careful when facing such an opponent.

Exposing ourselves too early will only alert Zhao Guangyi; it's better to remain hidden in the shadows...

Stealing someone's job!

For example, this time, he secretly and subtly attributed the credit that originally belonged to Chu Zhaofu to Li Chuyun.

In the original history, it was Chu Zhaofu and Pan Mei who entered the capital first, and Chu Zhaofu was Zhao Guangyi's man!

For example, there was that imperial aunt who was still in her swaddling clothes... cough cough.

However, this explanation could not be told to Li Chuyun. Zhao Dezhao thought for a moment, then tilted his head and said:

"Uncle Li, have you heard the story of 'making a name for oneself overnight'?"

Li Chuyun was slightly taken aback: "Of course I've heard of it."

"So my nephew is also waiting for the right opportunity to make a name for himself!"

Zhao Dezhao said in a serious tone, "Uncle, don't forget to marry Zhaoning to your nephew when the time comes."

"Bah! You little rascal! Don't even think about making a move on my daughter!"

Li Chuyun, who was deep in thought, broke through the defenses in an instant and transformed into a fierce protector of his daughter.

……

As the two chatted and laughed, dawn broke, and the majestic outline of Kaifeng City became faintly visible.

Chenqiao Post Station was only a few dozen miles away from Fengcheng.

Along the way, Zhao Dezhao did not have much conversation with Pan Mei. Firstly, it was inconvenient for them to march quickly, and secondly, he did not think he had anything about him that could attract Pan Mei.

Some things can only be left to nature; it's easier to take action when the time is right.

As Zhao Dezhao and his entourage led three thousand elite cavalrymen rapidly toward Kaifeng, two generals were patrolling the vast eastern city wall of Kaifeng throughout the night.

These two generals were Shi Shouxin, the Commander of the Palace Guard, and Wang Shenqi, the Commander of the Palace Guard.

Both of them were Zhao Kuangyin's confidants and were among the ten brothers in the Righteous Society established by Zhao Kuangyin.

"Why hasn't the Grand Commandant's vanguard returned yet?"

As dawn broke, Shi Shouxin's brows furrowed.

"Second brother, don't be anxious."

Compared to Shi Shouxin's impatience, Wang Shenqi appeared quite calm.

Although there are still some soldiers from various ranks within the imperial city who are not under their control, apart from that, almost everyone in Kaifeng is one of their own.

How could they possibly lose?

Even if we launch a direct assault, we can easily capture the imperial city.

Thinking of this, Wang Shenqi's lips curled up slightly, and he teased his second brother, Shi Shouxin, "When you see the Grand Commandant again later, you should start calling him Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but grin, but then a hint of worry crept into his eyes:

"Fourth brother, you must not let your guard down."

"Let me tell you, on the first day of the month, Han Tong specially invited the Grand Commandant to his residence. I heard from his spies that Han Tong's son, Tuo Tuo, seemed to be telling his father to kill the Grand Commandant on the spot. It was only thanks to the Grand Commandant's quick thinking and divine intervention that he escaped this calamity."

"Right now, Han Tong still commands several hundred imperial guards in the capital. Although they can't cause any major trouble, if they're cornered, we still have to be on guard."

"Second Brother is absolutely right!"

Mentioning Han Tong's name caused even the usually composed Wang Shenqi's expression to turn serious.

Han Tong, serving as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, wielded great power over the Imperial Guards and was nicknamed "Han the Stare-Out." He was reckless and irritable, but a skilled warrior and utterly loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If there is only one person in the city who might raise an army in rebellion, it is Han Tong!

Just as he was hesitating about whether to send troops to capture Han Tong first, Shi Shouxin suddenly exclaimed in alarm:

"The Grand Commandant's vanguard is back!"

As fellow confidants of Zhao Kuangyin, he immediately recognized his two comrades, Pan Mei and Li Chuyun.

The return of these two meant that the plan was going smoothly, and Shi Shouxin breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to order the city gates to be opened, Wang Shenqi, standing to the side, let out a soft exclamation:

"Huh? Isn't that Zhao'er?"

"How did he end up here?"

Wang Shenqi's words made Shi Shouxin's gaze unconsciously turn, and he then saw the thin and frail boy in Li Chuyun's arms below the city.

"It really is my nephew!"

"Hey, why is my eldest nephew wearing a prince's robe?"

The young man seemed to notice that Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi were watching him. With Li Chuyun's support, he stood on the horse's back, his crimson robe fluttering in the wind. The five symbols embroidered on it—mountain dragon, pheasant, fire, and ancestral vessel—shone brightly in the sunlight, lifelike.

He waved familiarly to the two people on the city wall:

"My two good uncles, open the door quickly! Your eldest nephew, the Crown Prince, is back!"