Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 561: Concerted Persuasion
Therefore, Zhao Mu was not surprised to see Huyan Rui holding the "Letter of Persuasion".

Zhao Mu asked, "Is that the petition written by the civil officials that Hu Yan held in his hand?"

Hu Yanrui was not surprised to hear Zhao Mu guessed it. After all, the military commanders had been giving Zhao Mu advice indirectly during this period, praising Zhao Mu's civil and military achievements as comparable to those of Emperor Taizong of Tang. The civil officials were still playing the game of heaven and man, saying that the weather was good, the country was peaceful, and the people were safe, and that auspicious signs were coming from heaven.

This was already a clear indication, and everyone almost put the yellow robe on Zhao Mu. Although Zhao Mu pretended to be confused and said nothing, he must have understood.

Hu Yanrui replied, "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, what I have in my hand is a joint letter of persuasion from the ministers of the three provinces and six ministries. They all urge Your Majesty to take another step forward."

Zhao Mu did not let the female official take over. Zhao Mu looked at Hu Yanrui and asked, "I don't want to hear other people's opinions. I only want to hear your opinion, Prime Minister."

Hu Yanrui replied: "If Your Majesty is willing to listen to my advice, then just wait."

When Zhao Mu heard Hu Yanrui's answer, he immediately praised, "What a good word 'wait'. It's no wonder that I chose you, dear Hu Yanrui, as the top scholar in the palace examination. Now, tell me what you think."

Hu Yanrui said: "At present, all the officials are trying to persuade the king to ascend the throne. They just want to follow the example of Shi Shouxin and others who supported Taizu and become a founding hero and a meritorious official. But even if the king wants to go further now, he should not rush."

"First of all, the current situation is not clear. We don't know whether His Majesty in Bianjing has passed away. If His Majesty is simply seriously ill and has not passed away, if we declare ourselves the emperor at this time, it will undoubtedly be a rebellion and will lose the support of the people of the Song Dynasty. It would be fine if we can stay in a corner, but if we go east to challenge the world, our words will not flow if our name is not right. If our words are not flowing, the people will not accept and support us."

"Secondly, our army has just conquered the Western Region Uighurs, and is now exhausted. Qi is the throat of the Hexi Corridor and a place of war. Our top priority right now should be to protect ourselves and wait for the right time. Instead of rushing to 'proclaim the emperor'. After all, there is also the Khitan Liao Kingdom with the title of emperor. If there are three emperors in the world, we are likely to repeat the mistakes of Li Yuanhao."

"Third, Your Majesty is a skilled general of the Song Dynasty, and his might is comparable to that of the former King of Chu, Xiang Yu. But this has also become a calamity. That is, the surrounding countries admire and fear Your Majesty's strength. We are related by marriage to Dali and Xixia, and they may stand with us. But the Liao Kingdom in the north has always regarded us as a thorn in their side. If we make any move, Song and Liao may unite to eliminate us."

Finally, Hu Yanrui concluded: "Given these three points, I think now is not a good time to go further."

Zhao Mu was a little disappointed when he heard Hu Yanrui's words.

To his disappointment, Hu Yanrui just told him to wait a little longer and not rush to become emperor, instead of advising him to be a loyal minister. Although this was not the answer Zhao Mu wanted, it was also the reality that Zhao Mu had to face now.

The situation in the capital was not clear at the moment, and the Song Dynasty suddenly sent more troops to the surrounding areas, which caused unrest in the entire Central Plains.

Zhao Mu should now make a worst-case plan, that is, if Zhezong really died, the martial law in the capital would be kept secret, and then the new emperor would be supported to ascend the throne.

Now Zhao Mu was very concerned about the identity of the new emperor. After all, Zhezong had no children. If he died, the only choice for a new emperor would be from among Zhezong's brothers. Zhao Mu was very concerned about who the new emperor would be.

If Huizong succeeded to the throne as history had shown, then Zhao Mu would have no other choice. That was one word: "rebellion"!
The throne was held by all the princes and grandsons of the emperor, but not by the frivolous Emperor Huizong of Song. It was a lesson from history that a frivolous Prince Duan could not rule the world. If Prince Duan really succeeded to the throne, then Zhao Mu would have to use force to take the throne back.

This result was not the worst in Zhao Mu's mind. Although there was only one way to go, at least he could go on this road.

Zhao Mu is now very afraid that other princes and grandchildren will ascend the throne. In this case, he will no longer be omniscient in history. He doesn't know how to deal with this unknown Majesty. Should he support or oppose? This is a very difficult question to consider.

The future direction of the Song Dynasty would be completely out of his control, and the final result would be the same: rebellion.

Fighting within the same family is the result that Zhao Mu least wants to see.

But now Zhao Mu thought of a possibility, a possibility that made him feel a little disheartened.

That is, His Majesty, whom he trusted the most, deliberately drove him out. And he was given power second only to the emperor in order to appease him. It was to prevent him from having any evil thoughts. However, Zhao Mu did not dare to think about this possibility. After all, it was too hard for him to accept.

Zhao Mu thought for a moment and said, "What the Prime Minister said is very right. Now is not a good time to make further progress. But now all the officials are trying to persuade me to take the throne. How can I appease them?"

Hu Yanrui said, "This is simple. The capital has been under martial law for a long time. I believe that in one or two months, there will be a result. As long as the king postpones it on the grounds that the army will not have long to return and needs to rest, I believe no one will say anything. Wait until the situation becomes clear in one or two months before making any other plans."

Zhao Mu didn't want to talk to Hu Yanrui anymore. He said, "Very good, let the Prime Minister handle this matter. I won't read the 'persuasion letter', you go and appease everyone."

"Yes!" After saying this, Hu Yanrui put the petition back into his sleeve, then turned and left.

After Hu Yanrui left, Zhao Mu sighed and prayed silently for Emperor Zhezong's great fortune, and also hoped that Long Xuan could bring him some good news.

That night, Zhao Mu was admiring the moon in the Imperial Garden. But he did not ask anyone to accompany him. Now that thousands of state affairs were weighing on his mind, even with his beautiful wife and concubines accompanying him, he could not muster up any interest at the moment.

Zhao Mu looked at the seven-treasure ring on his finger in the moonlight. The seven-treasure ring sparkled in the moonlight.

Now Zhao Mu was filled with emotion. Why couldn't the people of Xiaoyao Sect obtain "Xiaoyao"? Was it possible that even he himself couldn't figure out the mystery of Tianlong Babu?

At this time, Huyan Jin came slowly towards them holding the child.

Zhao Mu heard footsteps and looked back.

When Zhao Mu saw that it was Hu Yanjin who came, he asked, "Jin'er, why are you here? And you brought the child with you. Where is the wet nurse?"

Hu Yanjin sat opposite Zhao Mu holding the child. She coaxed the child with one hand and said to Zhao Mu, "If I hadn't brought the child with me, I believe the king would have driven me away."

Zhao Mu laughed and said, "Haha, what's the matter? Wenxiu and Yuhuan complained to you? I just asked them to go back and rest first, and I was alone to be quiet. Did I make them angry?"

(End of this chapter)