King of Song

Chapter 70
Early the next morning, Lin Zhao arrived at the Xuande Gate of the imperial palace on time.

It is a great honor for him, the little master of the eighth rank, to be summoned by the emperor after returning from a mission.Lin Zhao was a little excited, but more than that, there were important things to report to the emperor today.This matter is related to his own future, and if it is serious, it is vaguely related to the national destiny of the Song Dynasty.

Lin Zhao followed Zaifu and the ministers into the Zichen Hall, where the court meeting was held.The official position of the head of the Honglu Temple is low, and it is not bad to be lucky enough to enter the palace. He can only stand at the back and wait for the emperor to summon him.

Not long afterward, the emperor Zhao Xu came at the pace of dragons and tigers. Although he was a young emperor, he also had an unusual majesty.Since he took the throne for more than a year, he has been quite diligent.

After the court meeting began, the first topic of discussion was the disaster relief in Heshuo. The disasters caused by earthquakes and floods are still continuing.Zhao Xu asked: "Are the disaster-stricken people on all roads in Hebei properly resettled?"

At that time, the censor Zhongcheng Tengfu and Zhizhigao Wu Chong were in charge of the disaster relief in the north. They went out and said: "Your Majesty, all the money and food for the disaster relief have been distributed, and the people of Heshuo have benefited and can spend the winter safely!"

Is it true?The money and food may have been distributed in full, but it is not known whether it has really been distributed to the people.Just what he saw and heard during the trip back to the south, Lin Zhao didn't take it seriously.It's just that the matter has nothing to do with me, and people are soft-spoken, so it's inconvenient to say more about some things.

It can be seen that there is a problem of effective implementation and implementation of policies.I vaguely remember that Wang Anshi's reform failed, and a big reason was that there were problems with local implementation.It seems that if there is an opportunity, you must remind Xueshi Wang and pay more attention.

"Where are Zhang Zongyi, Zeng Gong, and Lin Zhao?" Lin Zhao was just wandering away when he suddenly heard the emperor calling.

Emperor Zhao Xu had long been annoyed by scholar-bureaucrats arguing about the Ayun case, and he finally encountered something new today, so he was rarely in high spirits.

"The minister is here!" The three envoys came out together, almost speaking in unison!
Zeng Gong and Lin Zhao were fine, Zhang Zongyi seemed humble and calm, but a smile on the corner of his mouth couldn't hide his satisfaction.If he hadn't been sent as an envoy, how could he, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, have been able to enter the official family's eyes, and Zichen Palace specially summoned him?Such an honor made him feel complacent and satisfied.

Emperor Zhao Xu looked at the three of His Royal Highnesses, nodded and said: "The three of you have gone through dangers in the Liao Kingdom this time, and you have worked hard!"

"This is the duty of the ministers!" In front of the emperor and the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, the three envoys were quite humble.

Zhao Xu asked with great interest: "The Lord of Liao sent someone to send me a letter of credence, mentioning the rebellion of the Liao Kingdom. What is going on?"

Zhang Zongyi said: "Your Majesty, this matter is a continuation of the rebellion of Yelu Chongyuan, the emperor's uncle of the Liao Kingdom. Xiao Hu, one of the rebels, was lucky enough to survive and colluded with some clans and generals of the Liao Kingdom to assassinate the Liao Dynasty in Nabo. Lord, start a rebellion."

"The last time the Liao envoy committed suicide in Bianjing is also related to this?"

Zeng Gong replied: "Yes, this is the conspiracy of the rebels of the Liao Kingdom, intending to provoke Song and Liao to go to war, and fish in troubled waters to profit from it. It is precisely because of this that the mission was successfully completed and the misunderstanding was cleared up."

"In any case, thanks to Lin Zhao, he has made contributions to both Song and Liao!" It was definitely a great honor for Zhao Xu to be nominated and commended at the court meeting. After all, Lin Zhao was not yet 20 years old, so he was somewhat flattered.

Lin Zhao hurriedly said humbly: "Your Majesty is absurd. God blesses my Great Song Dynasty. As for the Liao Kingdom... because of the chaos that hinders divination, I can't go south at all. I'm just a blind cat who ran into a dead mouse..."

Zhang Zongyi couldn't help muttering, how could the court use words so casually?Young people are ignorant!

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xu liked it very much. He faced a group of staid veterans all day long, but today there was a rare lively one. I keep praising you! Tell everyone, what happened at that time?" After all, the emperor was young, and he was still quite curious about new things.

Lin Zhaodao: "It was just a coincidence. I was racing horses with the crown prince of the Liao Kingdom. I accidentally discovered that the traitors of the Liao Kingdom were plotting and was hunted down instead. On the way, I accidentally rescued Empress Xiao and the princess of the Liao Kingdom..."

"Well, very good!" Zhao Xu laughed again: "I have already read the "Quotations" of the envoy. On the birthday of the Lord of Liao, you were clever and eloquent. Not bad!"

The several ministers in the palace couldn't help sighing in their ears. Many people thought it was a joke for Lin Zhao to be awarded Jinshi's background and go to Liao as an envoy.I didn't expect this kid to perform so well. The officials have praised him many times today. Wang Anshi is really lucky to meet such a talent.At the same time, I lamented the vision of Wen Xianggong, who knows talents with insight!

Zhao Xu, the emperor of that chamber, said: "After the imperial court is over, I will meet you in the palace of Chuigong, and tell me the details!"

Everyone couldn't help sighing that although Lin Zhao didn't come from a serious imperial examination background, he did have some skills.It is rare that the officials appreciate it so much, it seems that the future is promising!

Zhang Zongyi couldn't help but feel sad, the Chui Gong Hall is the place where officials usually handle government affairs and summon all ministers.Different from the court meeting in Zichen Palace, it is more intimate and important. Except for the ministers and Hanlin scholars, there are not many courtiers who come and go in and out on weekdays.Lin Zhaocai is a little master, this is the rhythm of becoming the emperor's confidant!

How did he know that the emperor wanted to hear more about Lin Zhao's experience in Liao Kingdom out of curiosity and other purposes.Although Zhao Xu is young, he has great ambitions. It is within his plan to defeat the Liao Kingdom and regain the Sixteen Youyun Prefectures.The so-called knowing yourself and the enemy will never end in a hundred battles, so you need to know as much as possible about your opponent Liao.It's a pity that as the emperor, it is difficult for him to leave the palace, so he can only learn more through the mouth of the envoys, especially the civil strife in the Liao Kingdom this time, which is even more unusual.

Emperor Zhao Xu immediately said: "This time, all of you have made great contributions to the country, and you are all talents of the country. You should be rewarded and will be announced after the Ministry of Officials discusses it!"

Zhang Zongyi was suddenly excited. Thinking about it carefully, Lin Zhao's contribution to this mission was almost entirely due to him, so he followed suit!I have to thank Lin Zhao. This son is young and promising, and is appreciated by officials and relatives. His future is boundless, and it will be very beneficial to get acquainted.Zhang Langzhong completely forgot the contempt at the beginning, but he knew how to repay Lin Zhao's kindness, and he will repay Lin Zhao in the days to come.

The reward made people excited, but what made Lin Zhao even more excited was that the emperor summoned him alone.He was still struggling with how to report Ayun to the emperor.Openly mentioning it in Zichen Palace, I am afraid that there will be unnecessary troubles, and even trap myself and report to the emperor alone, which is naturally the best.

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Today the emperor was not interested in talking about other things, and there were not many people in the Chui Gong Hall, so Lin Zhao almost summoned him alone.It can be said to be such a rare honor that even the servants who served him were amazed. What is so magical about this Master Lin?To let the officials treat him so kindly!

Lin Zhao was a little nervous at the beginning, but as the conversation deepened, he realized that behind the majesty of the emperor, there was a lot of easy-going.Zhao Xu is the emperor, but he is only a 20-year-old young man after all. He has no choice but to maintain the majesty of the emperor in front of the ministers.

But at this moment, he was only facing a young man of the same age, so his mood was completely different, and his behavior was quite easy-going.Lin Zhao also gained an advantage invisibly, the emperor's natural closeness will be of great benefit to him in many things in the future.

Lin Zhao couldn't help sighing, the emperor's curiosity is very strong!Zhao Xu has a lot of problems, from the customs of the Liao Kingdom to the character of the Liao Kingdom's monarchs and ministers.

Especially with regard to the civil strife in Liao and the known factions in Liao, he even asked about the details of saving the empress Xiao Guanyin.But Lin Zhao was in a dilemma and had to be cautious. If he accidentally leaked his words and let people know that he had an affair with the empress of Liao Kingdom, it would be a sin that cannot be redeemed by death!

Seeing that the emperor finally had no problem, Lin Zhaocai said cautiously when he was still thinking about it, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report!"

"Let's talk!" Zhao Xu was quite accommodating to Lin Zhao, with a kind attitude!

Lin Zhao said softly, "It's about the case of the Dengzhou woman Ayun..."

Um?Emperor Zhao Xu's smile froze for a moment!This was the last topic he wanted to hear at the moment, and the ministers of the court were arguing about it, so they managed to avoid it for a while and find some interesting topics.This Lin Zhao, who just returned to Bianjing yesterday, how could he also participate in this matter?It's really a pot that can't be opened!
Lin Zhao obviously sensed the emperor's boredom, and hurriedly said: "On the way to the envoy, I met Ayun in Dengzhou by chance. There may be something hidden in this case. When I returned to Beijing yesterday, I happened to meet Ayun's friend who is also a witness in this case. Please help me... I heard that this case is very important, so I have the liberty to report it to Your Majesty..." After telling the story of the chance meeting with Yu Xuan, the emperor gradually felt relieved.

"Is there another secret?" Zhao Xu asked, "What's the secret?"

"According to the witness, Ayun's motives are complicated. Wei Ada and Ayun's cousin are not good people. Ayun may have been bewitched, coerced and wronged..."

"Sure?"

"It's just that person's one-sided words. I can't be sure, but it seems to be a little credible when it is confirmed by what I saw that day. It's just that the matter is important, and it needs to be carefully verified and implemented." Lin Zhao was very cautious and answered without any doubts. Dare to be careless.

Zhao Xu's anger dissipated immediately, on the contrary, he was a little surprised!The news brought by Lin Zhao made his eyes suddenly bright!
Right now, the debate between Wang Anshi and Sima Guang and others has reached a stalemate. Although he intends to favor Wang Anshi, it is ultimately unfair and hard to convince!
But if, as Lin Zhao said, there is something else hidden in this case, then it's a completely different situation!It is possible to speak with facts and resolve certain resistances... The great ambition of the reform to enrich the country and strengthen the army can also be implemented as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, this Lin Zhao is really a lucky general. Whenever he encounters a problem, he can always bring good news in time!
Zhao Xu looked at Lin Zhao with more admiration, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.He was thinking about how to deal with this matter in order to achieve the necessary effect.This young emperor may seem immature, but he is not green at all in terms of imperial power!
(End of this chapter)