Song Emperor Jiangshan

Zhao Gou sighed: "I just think of a little poem I wrote in my early years, 'I would rather be a fisherman on the river, and win the eternal fame in idleness.'"

This poem was improvised by Zhao Gou after he imitated Zhang Zhihe's "The Fisherman's Song" when he was traveling in Taihu Lake. Now that he said it suddenly, it has a different meaning.

Empress Wu was taken aback, and persuaded: "The official family is now in its prime, how can you think so? As the emperor, how can you be carefree?"

Zhao Gou sighed lowly and kept silent. He felt exhausted and ashamed. After pondering for a while, he ordered someone to call Zhao Yuan who was watching the fireworks.

Zhao Yuan entered the palace as usual today, he remembered that last year it was Xiao Shan who came to congratulate him, but this year he didn't see Xiao Shan at all, he couldn't help feeling a sense of loss that he didn't understand.

The fireworks in the night sky spread out one after another. At this time last year, that person stood on the corner of the street, smiling at himself, expressing his love to himself.Although it was only a short moment, the feeling of heartbeat not only did not gradually become blurred with the passage of time, but became more and more clear.

On such a night of family reunion, where would that person be?Zhao Yuan usually never felt noisy with people around him, but now, he desperately wanted to find a quiet place to watch the fireworks by himself.

In the past year, especially since Zhao Gou escaped, he has read almost all the memorials. When troops were dispatched in Xiaoshan to attack Jin Guowei and Wei to rescue Zhao, the correspondence between the two was very close, and there were even two or three letters a day. look.But among those letters, there is not a single sentence about personal matters, all of which are about military affairs and enemy affairs.

Zhao Gou could still keep his original promise. Xiao Shan was ordered to attack the Central Plains, forcing Wan Yanliang to retreat temporarily, and Xiao Shan's official rank was also promoted from a sixth-rank school lieutenant to a fifth-rank general Dingyuan. He has become a veritable general and has the qualifications to join the court.

Zhao Yuan originally thought that Xiao Shan would come this year, but after making him wait for many days, Xiao Shan did not come to report on his duties.

What is he doing?Will you also watch the fireworks in the sky quietly like yourself at this moment?Zhao Yuan sat alone in the gazebo by the rockery in the palace, but his thoughts flew far, far away.

He wasn't awakened until a eunuch came to him.

"His Royal Highness, the officials have called you over."

Zhao Yuan turned his head and saw Zhao Gou standing under a tree not far away, and the eunuchs and maids around him all retreated aside, seemingly respectful, but it seemed that Zhao Gou was also a little lonely.

Zhao Yuan walked over slowly, stood in front of Zhao Gou, bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty."

Zhao Gou looked at the grown-up son for a while, and said, "It's still the same as when I was a child, call me Dad."

Zhao Gou didn't use "Zhen", but "I". This request made by Zhao Yuan slightly touched Zhao Yuan's heart.

Zhao Yuan answered yes, and said, "Father, what are you calling the baby?"

Zhao Gou walked with his hands behind his back and bowed his head silently. Zhao Yuan stayed by his side and asked: "Today is Zhengdan, why does Dad look so dull? Is it because of the words of the gold thief? Barbaric and rude, Dad doesn't need to Get acquainted with them."

Zhao Gou shook his head, and said after a while: "I saw you sitting there alone for a long time, and you seemed to be depressed, why?"

Zhao Yuan was taken aback when he heard Zhao Gou's question. He thought that no one saw him, but he didn't expect Zhao Gou to observe him for a long time.

Zhao Yuan didn't hide anything, and said: "Some people want to be alone, and every time I don't see him during the holidays, I feel that there is something missing in my heart."

Zhao Gou said: "Is it your princess?"

Zhao Yuan never expected that Zhao Gou would ask such a question suddenly, he shook his head hurriedly, after a while, nodded his head lightly, and smiled with some concealment: "Son is still too useless, too affectionate, he It’s been so long, but I don’t know why, instead of forgetting, I miss him more and more.”

Zhao Gou didn't know what to say. He originally wanted Zhao Yuan to comfort him. Seeing his son's depression at this time, he comforted him and said, "It will be all right after a while. When I first ascended the throne, the Queen Being kidnapped by the golden man is also a sleepless night. After more than ten years, I gradually forget it. There is only one woman in your palace, but you have no children for many years. It is always the reason why you don’t want to touch her too much. I will pick a good one for you, and you won't be like this."

Zhao Yuan said: "My son has no intention of marrying a wife for now, let's talk about this matter later."

Zhao Gou shook his head and said: "It's not good to wait any longer. It's always good to have more sons. I have no children in my life. I don't want to see you like this. In case the golden soldiers come, you only have one son. Don't worry about it." Just like me."

Zhao Yuan was taken aback for a moment, and asked, "Father, what did you just say?"

Zhao Gou sighed, and said: "I feel very tired, and my health is not very good recently, I want to live a few days of freedom."

Zhao Yuan was a little unbelievable, staring at Zhao Gou, Zhao Gou said: "It's just what you think, I want to pass the throne to you."

Zhao Yuan didn't even think about it, he knelt on the ground with a puff, and said: "I implore Your Majesty, don't think about it again. Your Majesty is only 46 years old this year, and he is in the prime of his life. How can you be discouraged by a small setback?" Cold? My son would never dare to respond!"

Zhao Yuan said decisively, this attitude made Zhao Gou feel relieved, depressed, and secretly proud.Many feelings were mixed together, which made Zhao Gou sighed in a low voice, and said: "It's just a talk, why are you so nervous? Get up, today is Zhengdan, we two are just talking about homely things. You don't know, Ever since I came back, the Queen Mother and Empress have ignored me..."

Zhao Yuan was also not good at talking, so he could only keep silent, and walked slowly with Zhao Gou, just chatting some gossip, and then related to Qinzong Zhao Huan, who was still a prisoner in the Kingdom of Jin, Zhao Gou said : "That day when the Jin soldiers besieged the city, you were not born yet, and you have never seen such a scene. At that time, Emperor Jingkang sent 20 troops to garrison the Yellow River, but only 20 Jin soldiers defeated the [-] troops. At that time, I I once persuaded him to let him run, but he refused to run for the sake of fame and other external things, and the trouble is so miserable now..."

When Zhao Yuan heard Zhao Gou bring up this matter again, he felt angry. He stopped and said to Zhao Gou, "Father, the Kingdom of Jin is no longer what it used to be. Once the enemy attacked the city, my father was sick in bed, if this happens again, I am afraid it will be difficult to explain to the world."

Zhao Gou also had nothing to say for a while, it was too outrageous for him to abandon the city and flee because he was frightened by the Qiantang River tide.But he didn't want to talk about this matter anymore, so he changed the subject and said: "The Queen Mother has changed a lot towards you these days, you have more time to go and see her."

Zhao Yuan bowed and answered yes, the two walked silently, each thinking about their own concerns, and said nothing more.

On the second day, Zhao Gou kept Chen Junqing, who had been promoted to prime minister after his outstanding performance in the last riot, and asked, "Chen Qing's family, I have the intention of inner Zen, what do you think?"

Chen Junqing had been dissatisfied with Zhao Gou for a long time. Hearing Zhao Gou's words now, he refused to persuade him, and immediately said: "I'm afraid it's not appropriate. If you suddenly abdicate, there may be doubts at home and abroad, thinking that Your Majesty is being forced to abdicate. If Your Majesty really intends, It is better to establish His Royal Highness Jian Wang as the crown prince first, so as to inform the Chinese and foreign countries, this is His Majesty's intention."

Zhao Gou saw that Chen Junqing didn't try to persuade him, so he started to think about Zhao Yuan. He felt a little unhappy. He pondered for a while, and it seemed that Wanyan Liang didn't give up. If he really found an excuse to send millions of troops to invade the south, Song Jun must be unstoppable, and he must run too.

It's just that this run can't be as hasty and unprepared as last time, and everyone must have nothing to say.

It is a good idea to make Zhao Yuan the crown prince first, if Wan Yanliang breaks through the defense line of the Yangtze River, he will abdicate immediately and leave the mess to Zhao Yuan.In this way, he is no longer the emperor, and it is justifiable that he can run even if he runs.

If Zhao Yuan can resist, it won't be too late for him to come back and enjoy the victory.If you can't resist it, the emperor is still his own.

Besides, Zhao Yuan has been very filial, obedient, and talented all these years. It is definitely a good choice for him to endure hardships and enjoy himself.

And if Wan Yanliang remained motionless, the crown prince would not be able to threaten his own position.

After Zhao Gou made up his mind, he deeply felt that his idea was the best way to achieve the best of both worlds, so as to save himself from being panicked every day by Wan Yanliang pointing his nose and scolding him.

In order to save his face of fleeing in a hurry, after Zhao Gou announced that Zhao Yuan was the crown prince, he also declared that he wanted to conquer in person.

This matter can be said to kill multiple birds with one stone. Now that the golden soldiers have retreated, there will be no danger in going to patrol the border by themselves.Moreover, bringing Zhao Yuan along would also allow him to get to know the generals in the army, so that he could take care of him a little more if something happened.And the four words "Yujia's personal conquest" are nice to say.

Zhao Gou had made up his mind, and in the spring of March, he took Zhao Yuan, who had already been established as the prince, and started patrolling the border.Officials from all over the place had to pick him up, and it cost a lot of money. He first went to Huaidong and Huaixi, and met a general named Li Huchen who performed outstandingly in the battle against the Jin soldiers. When he learned that Li Huchen used to work under Xiao Shan and led the soldiers left behind by Xiao Shan, Zhao Gou couldn't help becoming interested, and wanted to go and see this man whom he hadn't seen in years, so as to make himself uncomfortable. Happy old friend for a long time.

After Zhao Gou stayed in the Lianghuai area for about half a month, the imperial boat got up again and went up the river in a mighty way, seeing the scenery on both sides of the river along the way. Fishing in the river on the boat made the "royal driver's personal expedition" very leisurely.

In contrast, Zhao Yuan has to be much busy. He not only has to take care of Zhao Gou’s food and daily life, but also meets with local officials. He also has to write down Zhao Gou’s schedule, life, and even what he ate every day. Send the letter back to Lin'an to Queen Mother Wei, so as not to worry the old man.

Zhao Gou turned around and looked at the scenery. His depressed mood improved a lot and he gained weight, while Zhao Yuan became thinner.

When Zhao Gou's royal driver arrived in Ezhou, it was already mid-April. Li Dao, the guard of Ezhou, came to pick him up with his daughter Li Fengniang in person. Zhao Yuan had always heard about Li Fengniang's name, and it was only at this time that he saw the real person.

Li Fengniang is already eight years old this year, and she looks like a beauty, but after she saw Zhao Gou, she said something that made Zhao Gou feel bad: "If Grandpa Yue didn't die back then, how dare Wanyan Liang go south?"

Li Dao was taken aback. He never expected that his precious daughter would lose the chain at this time. Zhao Gou suddenly changed color, and he couldn't get angry on the spot. Xinyang, so he went straight north to Xiangyang to visit his beloved general Liu Kai who hadn't seen him for many years.

Zhao Yuan persuaded: "Your Majesty has already come here, everyone has already seen it, but it's not right to see General Dingyuan Xiao Shan, who made great contributions in besieging Wei and saving Zhao this time, I'm afraid it's not right."

Zhao Gou said: "I'm not feeling well. I've already been promoted to his official rank. What's wrong? Do you think anyone can be promoted from the sixth rank to the fifth rank?"

Sixth rank to fifth rank is a hurdle for officials. Below the fifth rank, there is no qualification to join the court, and low-level officials.Those above the fifth rank have the qualifications to meet the emperor and can continue to rise.There are many people who are stuck in the hurdle of sixth-rank to fifth-rank all their lives.What's more, Xiao Shan was from the sixth rank before, and after the sixth rank, there was a fifth rank general, and after that, he was a fifth rank general.This is considered to be jumping two levels in a row, and Zhao Gou's doing so can be regarded as a great affirmation of Xiao Shan's military exploits.

Zhao Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something else, Zhao Gou said impatiently: "You are also the prince now, you should share my worries, Xinyang is a small place, so you can go to comfort me on my behalf."

Zhao Yuan felt something was wrong in his heart, Zhao Gou was too deliberate, but when he wanted to dissuade him, he said something else out of nowhere: "Your minister should share the worries of the officials, and also It doesn’t take too many people to go, just bring a few personal soldiers.”

Zhao Gou nodded, and set off for Xiangyang that night.

Li Dao pulled Zhao Yuan with some trepidation: "His Royal Highness, the little girl is ignorant, I have already taught you a lesson, please Your Highness speak well in front of the officials... Sigh, there is no way to teach."

Zhao Yuan smiled slightly, and said: "The child's family speaks freely, so Li Tongzhi doesn't have to worry too much."

Zhao Yuan rested overnight in Ezhou that night, and the next morning, he took his people and set off in the direction of Xinyang.

He was not as ostentatious as Zhao Gou along the way, and he did not notify the passing prefectures and county governments, and only lived in the local inn. The closer he got to Xinyang, the more excited he was.

A year ago, he was accepted as the prince, but Xiao Shan was not there; a few days ago, he was made the prince, but Xiao Shan was still not there.Zhao Yuan was faintly excited but no one could tell, and he had to show respect.

But this kind of disguise doesn't need to be done in front of Xiao Shan.Thinking that someone will soon be able to share happiness and victory with him, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but smile, and even the eunuch Gan Min who came out with him said: "Your Highness has been in a good mood these two days!"

Zhao Yuan was taken aback for a moment, and immediately showed a serious look, but when no one was there, he still couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips.

I haven't seen that person for more than a year. What does he look like now?If he knew, would he be very happy to go to see him?

It was noon that day when Zhao Yuan arrived at the border of the Xinyang Army.He originally wanted to go quietly to surprise Xiao Shan, but deliberately concealed his whereabouts along the way, but unexpectedly he had just arrived at the border of Xinyang, before he entered the city, he was caught by the secret sentry.

Zhao Yuan was a little displeased that Anshao treated himself as a spy, and said: "I am a friend of your General Xiao, you take me to see him, he will know."

Unexpectedly, the soldier who acted as a secret sentry was unequivocal: "General Xiao said that anyone who is suspicious, no matter who it is, must not be let go! If you are really a friend of the general, after seeing the general, the villain will apologize to you But now you have to follow the rules, come here, tie me up!"

Before Zhao Yuan opened his mouth to refute, several soldiers rushed forward. If he made a move, of course he would win, but Zhao Yuan did not want to have any conflicts with Xiao Shan's subordinates, and he also stopped the resistance of several guards accompanying him. He was arrested without a fight, like a prisoner, being pushed into Xiaoshan's camp.

When he walked to Xinyang City, he already felt that this place was different from the places he had seen elsewhere. The troops patrolling the street walked neatly and vigorously, and they all had a heroic spirit on their bodies. Even the palace of Lin'an City The former secretary's personal guards can't compare.

When he still wanted to take a second look, he was immediately scolded by the escorting soldiers: "Don't look around, come here, and cover his eyes!"

Xiao Shan was sorting out the battle reports in the camp, but the spies he sent to Jiangbei said that Wan Yanliang was hoarding food and grass, cutting trees wantonly, and arresting strong men everywhere, there must be some changes.When he was thinking about how to write an excerpt, he suddenly heard a report from the soldiers outside the door: "General Qi, some suspicious spies have been caught!"

Xiao Shan's voice was impatient: "Didn't I say, don't grab him casually, did you see someone staring at him suspiciously?"

The voice of the soldier outside the door was a little hesitant: "It doesn't look like an ordinary spy, and the general needs to see it himself."

Xiao Shan put away his half-written notebook, sat upright, and said, "Bring it in!"

The guards opened the curtain outside the tent, and two guards escorted three or four people in.

The servants next to him were all tied up, but the leader had his hands tied and his eyes were covered with black cloth strips.

As soon as Xiao Shan saw this scene, his heart beat violently.The soldier who escorted Zhao Yuan said: "General, this person claims to be the general's friend. When he came to our Xinyang, he was sneaky. After entering the city, he looked around to inquire about the military situation. The villain tied him and sent him here."

Xiao Shan was angry and funny at the same time, he already knew the news, Zhao Gou went directly to Xiangyang instead of coming here, but he never expected that Zhao Yuan would come to find him alone.

Zhao Yuan himself didn't reveal his identity, and Xiao Shan didn't want to expose it in public, so he said: "Stay the others here and treat them well."

The soldier in the tent yelled: "Yes!" There was a ferocious look on his face, obviously he was preparing a torture confession with a whip and a stick.

When Xiao Shan saw the expressions of his subordinates, he understood that they had misunderstood him, and hurriedly explained, "It's a delicious treat."

The soldiers escorting Zhao Yuan were stunned for a moment, then they realized that they might have done something wrong, they didn't dare to say more, and left with the rest of them, only Xiao Shan and Zhao Yuan were left in the tent.

Xiao Shan stepped forward, he couldn't hold back just now, when there was no one around, he really wanted to take advantage of Zhao Yuan being tied up and couldn't resist, and go to kiss him, but the corner of Zhao Yuan's mouth changed with time. The passage of time became more and more ruthless, and finally asked coldly: "Xiao Shan, how long are you going to tie me up?"