Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 20 His Highness Says I'm Invincible

An hour later, Zhao Dezhao walked out of the Imperial Library with a full harvest.

As someone from later generations, he can talk a lot, but when it comes to actually doing something, it's not as simple as just talking.

The art of ruling is an extremely complex subject.

What Zhao Pu taught him was exactly what he lacked most, so how could he not be delighted!

……

The Imperial City of Kaifeng, the Martial Arts Hall Square.

"Tyranny, you are invincible!"

"what?"

Ten-year-old Li Jilong looked at the eldest prince Zhao Dezhao before him, then looked down at his own still-growing, thin body, his small eyes filled with great confusion:

"Your Highness, but I am Li Jilong..."

"Yes! I'm talking about you, Li Batu!"

Zhao Dezhao, who had just arrived at the Martial Arts Hall from the Imperial Library, stood with his hands on his hips, looking serious and dignified, as if to say, "I'm not kidding you."

"When you turn twenty and come of age, you must choose 'Ba Tu' as your courtesy name, remember that!"

"I...I've got it."

Li Jilong cautiously looked at his childhood friend, who seemed like a completely different person, and thought to himself that he must tell his father about this when he got there.

His Highness said I am invincible!

They even bestowed upon me a courtesy name!

Tyranny, how mighty and powerful! Dad will be very happy!

Zhao Dezhao was secretly pleased at this moment.

He never expected his cheapskate father to be so helpful. He had only asked his tutor to help him with martial arts training, and he actually found such a great master for him!

This is Li Jilong!

That's why he went to Li Chuyun in the first place. He didn't really want to steal his uncle's girlfriend. He was always after Li Jilong!

He was undoubtedly the greatest general of the early Song Dynasty!

He was nicknamed "Wei Qing of the Song Dynasty"!

Cao Bin and Pan Mei, they all have to step aside!

With such a formidable figure in charge, how could he possibly fail to achieve his great ambitions!

"Your Highness, what's wrong? Are you ill...?"

Han Chongxun, the seven-year-old son of Han Chongyun, stared wide-eyed at Zhao Dezhao, who was grinning slurredly, and said something incoherently.

"Sick? I'm not sick!" Zhao Dezhao glanced at Han Chongxun, whose teeth were missing, and thought to himself that a son of a military family is indeed a son of a military family; he's practicing martial arts before his teeth have even fully grown in.

He then looked at Li Jilong, gently patted Li Jilong's shoulder, and said earnestly, like a little adult:

"Batu, you must study military strategy diligently; you must not slack off under any circumstances!"

"Huh?" Li Jilong blinked, a little stunned.

"Believe me! You will become an unparalleled general for our Great Song Dynasty in its battles against the Liao Kingdom!"

Zhao Dezhao patted Li Jilong's shoulder heavily again: "When you grow up, you'll be a fierce warrior who can go toe-to-toe with the Liao's war god. You know Wei Qing, right? That fierce general who routed the Xiongnu. You'll be the next him!"

"Your Highness... are you talking about me?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jilong was completely stunned. He pointed his little finger at his nose, looking utterly incredulous.

Even without Your Highness saying so, we definitely need to learn military strategy, but who the hell is the next Wei Qing?

Am I comparable to Wei Qing?

Zhao Dezhao was taken aback: "You don't believe me?"

"Of course I believe Your Highness... but..."

"Ji Long, we've been childhood friends since we were little, wearing the same pair of shorts. Have I ever lied to you?"

"No, not at all..."

"Then trust me!"

Zhao Dezhao took Li Jilong's hand and said very earnestly, "Jilong, Your Highness, whether I can recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and whether I can recover Hexi, all depends on you!"

"From now on, you'll have to protect me. I need your help to achieve my great goals!"

Li Jilong suddenly raised his head, his face flushed, his eyes burning with fervor: "Your Highness! I will definitely protect you and help you!"

"Hahaha! That's good! Remember what you said today!"

Zhao Dezhao put his hands on his hips again and laughed incessantly.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he rummaged in his pocket for a while, pulled out a jade pendant, and stuffed it into Li Jilong's hand without saying a word:

"This was a gift from my father yesterday; it's yours now!"

"When my father teaches me the Taizu Long Fist and the Panlong Staff Technique later, I'll secretly teach you... oh wait, it won't be called Taizu Long Fist yet..."

Upon seeing this, the attendant beside Zhao Dezhao widened his eyes: "Your Highness, this...this is inappropriate, isn't it?"

It was one thing for the children to play around and joke, but the Zhao Family Long Fist and the Panlong Staff Technique are His Majesty's closely guarded skills...

"It's alright, I'll ask my father for permission later." Zhao Dezhao waved his hand.

Upon hearing this, the attendant could no longer persuade him, but he thought that if His Highness really spoke up, he would probably suffer a beating.

Li Jilong looked down at the jade pendant in his hand, then looked up at Zhao Dezhao, who was grinning with his hands on his hips. Suddenly, he burst into tears.

Now it was Zhao Dezhao's turn to be bewildered: "Why are you crying?"

He hurriedly and clumsily wiped away the tears on Li Jilong's face.

"Your Highness... I hope what Your Highness said is true..."

Zhao Dezhao was slightly taken aback.

He then remembered that Li Jilong's grandfather had died at the hands of the Khitans, and that he had heard his death was quite gruesome because of food shortages at the time...

"Believe me!"

Zhao Dezhao cupped Li Jilong's face in his hands, his expression solemn, and said, word by word, "From now on, you will be the greatest general of our Great Song Dynasty!"

Li Jilong blinked, as if sensing Zhao Dezhao's seriousness. A strange feeling welled up inside him, and his emotions gradually calmed down. His gaze became firm, and he said in his childish voice:

"I believe in Your Highness! I will definitely become an invincible general and slaughter all those Liao people!"

"Wrapped!"

"Him? A crybaby, and an invincible warrior?"

Just then, a boy of about thirteen years old, whose build was much stronger than Zhao Dezhao, Li Jilong and the others, snorted disdainfully at the gate of the Martial Arts Hall Square and walked towards Zhao Dezhao and the others.

The eunuch who had led Zhao Dezhao to kneel earlier followed him with quick steps, his right cheek slightly swollen and the handprint still clearly visible.

The man walked up to Li Jilong, snorted, and then bowed to Zhao Dezhao: "Wang Chengyan greets Your Highness."

Although he bowed, there was no trace of reverence for Zhao Dezhao in his eyes.

After all, he was the son of Wang Shenqi, a powerful general who held great power during the Later Zhou Dynasty. Although he and Zhao Kuangyin were sworn brothers, this was the Five Dynasties period, and the Zhao family had only just established their dynasty. Therefore, it was not surprising that Wang Chengyan had such an attitude.

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, most generals who held military power had little respect for the imperial authority, and their descendants, growing up in this environment, naturally followed suit.

"You're talking nonsense! I'm not a crybaby! His Highness said I can help him achieve great things in the future!"

Before Zhao Dezhao could speak, Li Jilong became displeased and glared angrily at Wang Chengyan.

"His Highness was just bluffing you, why did you take it seriously?"

"His Highness has already bestowed the jade pendant upon me! He even gave me a calligraphy piece!"

"That's just your imagination. His Highness gave you the jade pendant to give you confidence. This kind of trick can only fool little kids like you who are not even ten years old..."

Wang Chengyan grew increasingly disdainful, shaking his head and saying, "Besides, helping His Highness achieve great things? Is that something for little kids like you who cry at the drop of a hat to do?"

"I am the only one who can help Your Highness achieve your great ambitions!"

Having said that, he raised his head arrogantly and looked at Zhao Dezhao: "Isn't that right, Your Highness?"

Zhao Dezhao ignored his words, first glancing at the swollen right cheek of the leading eunuch, before turning his head expressionlessly, narrowing his eyes at Wang Chengyan, and saying:

"Who gave you permission to hit a palace eunuch?"