Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 66 The Dispute Over Marriage

A month later.

Outside Kaifeng, at Shili Jieting, Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Pu, and a group of important court officials were already waiting there, watching the Song Dynasty banner gradually rise on the distant horizon.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome your triumphant return!"

When Zhao Kuangyin's army arrived, all the officials paid their respects, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

In this turbulent era, even the most powerful and influential officials would fear the potential change of imperial power.

No need for formalities.

Zhao Kuangyin gently patted Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu on the shoulders, his face showing relief: "Thanks to the two of you for maintaining stability in the rear during this expedition, I was able to rest assured."

"This is my duty," Zhao Guangyi and the other man bowed again.

"Come, follow me back to the capital!"

After a great battle, regardless of victory or defeat, the most important thing is to reward those who have made contributions.

Zhao Kuangyin naturally understood this principle, so he immediately pulled Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu to the front and led a group of court officials back to the palace.

Inside the Chongyuan Hall of the Imperial Palace, all the civil and military officials had gathered. Zhao Dezhao, who was not yet married and therefore not allowed to participate in politics, could only go to the Kunning Palace first to pay his respects to his mother.

"The suppression of Li Jun's rebellion this time was made possible by the merits of the generals and ministers, and I should reward them accordingly."

"Li Chuyun is appointed as the Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Xuanhui Academy; Zhao Pu is appointed as the Vice Minister of War and concurrently as the Deputy Privy Councilor; Shi Shouxin is appointed as..."

Inside the Chongyuan Hall, the atmosphere was particularly lively, with Zhao Kuangyin issuing one decree after another, the most significant of which was naturally for Zhao Pu.

For a moment, the ministers looked at Zhao Pu with a hint of admiration.

Before this, Zhao Pu was nominally only a Right Grand Counselor, but after this, Zhao Pu's status was completely different from before.

The positions of Vice Minister of War and Deputy Chief of the Privy Council sound like the second-in-command of the Ministry of War and the Privy Council, but in reality, the Minister of War and the Chief of the Privy Council at this time were still former officials of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

For example, Wei Renpu.

Even with his magnanimity, Zhao Kuangyin could not fully trust these former officials of the Later Zhou dynasty; in other words…

From this moment on, Zhao Pu took over the nation's military affairs!

The Privy Council first appeared during the reign of Emperor Daizong of Tang Dynasty. Its standard name was the "Inner" Privy Council, which was responsible for the confidential documents of the court. Its highest official was... a eunuch!

Later, Zhu Wen had almost wiped out all the eunuchs in the country, so he used scholars and strategists to replace them.

During the Five Dynasties and the early Northern Song Dynasty, the center of power in the country was neither the Secretariat-Chancellery nor the Prime Minister.

At this time, the prime minister was merely a figurehead.

The center of power in the world is in the Privy Council!

When Zhao Kuangyin announced this appointment, the court officials were not too surprised. After all, Zhao Pu's abilities and his relationship with Zhao Kuangyin were evident, so it was only natural that Zhao Kuangyin would give him an important position.

Zhao Guangyi alone was filled with resentment.

After all, he and Zhao Pu had never gotten along well.

However, the next moment, the gloom in his heart dissipated instantly.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly said, "Zhao Du Yuhou also made a great contribution to stabilizing the rear this time, so I hereby appoint Zhao Guangyi to lead..."

"The position of Prefect of Kaifeng!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the previously somewhat noisy hall fell silent. All the civil and military officials turned to look at the emperor, their faces filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Everyone knows the significance of the position of Prefect of Kaifeng!

If someone else had taken this position, it wouldn't have been anything special, but Zhao Guangyi was a member of the imperial clan!

Doesn't His Majesty prefer to make the eldest son the heir apparent?

Could it be that something unexpected happened during this expedition, causing His Majesty to change his mind?

For a moment, all the civil officials in the court were speculating, and even the military generals like Li Chuyun were stunned and puzzled.

The system of Prince Yin Jing was already deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

Therefore, for a time, many court officials who remained in the capital were secretly complaining. If they had known this would happen, why would they have rejected Zhao Guangyi's overtures?

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

Zhao Guangyi suppressed his inner elation and prostrated himself on the ground.

He never expected that his mother's letter would bring him such great benefits!

"Do not disappoint my expectations." Zhao Kuangyin's expression was solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "The position of Commander of the Palace Guards will be temporarily held by Zhang Qiong."

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Zhang Qiong stepped out from the ranks of military officers and bowed deeply.

The Palace Guard Commander, though seemingly a fifth-rank official, was actually equivalent to a third-rank official. He commanded the Imperial Guards and was in charge of the palace's security, holding a low rank but wielding great power.

If he hadn't once shielded Zhao Kuangyin from a sword wound, thus incurring a life-or-death debt, Zhao Kuangyin wouldn't have felt comfortable entrusting this position to him.

After bestowing the titles and rewards, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, signaling the court to adjourn.

However, at this moment, Li Chuyun stepped out of the ranks, raised his tablet, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

As soon as Li Chuyun said this, many scrutinizing gazes in the hall immediately focused on him.

Zhao Kuangyin seemed to have anticipated his appearance, showing no surprise on his face, and calmly said, "What do you have to say? Speak freely."

After completing the presentation process, Li Chuyun no longer hesitated and immediately spoke in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, the eldest prince's expedition this time was a great achievement, as he single-handedly defeated the false Han reinforcements and recovered Shangdang. He deserves to be rewarded!"

His words were so clear that all the court officials present could hear them perfectly.

"The eldest son of the emperor single-handedly defeated the puppet Han reinforcements and recaptured Shangdang? Must I have misheard?"

"If I remember correctly, the eldest prince is only ten years old this year, isn't he?"

"If this is true, then the eldest prince truly possesses extraordinary talent!"

Upon receiving the news, the ministers were all shocked, unable to believe it was true.

They originally thought that the emperor's return to court and the appointment of Zhao Guangyi as the prefect of Kaifeng was due to the poor performance of the eldest son of the emperor while accompanying the army.

But unexpectedly, it turned out to be this "bad"?

If what Li Chuyun said is true, then looking at the princes of all dynasties, even those few emperors who were great throughout history, none of them had ever shown such behavior when they were young, right?

But why did His Majesty bestow such honors upon Zhao Guangyi?

The courtiers, unable to understand this question, all looked at the emperor with astonishment and uncertainty.

But Zhao Kuangyin smiled and asked, "Then, in Zheng Yuan's opinion, how should I reward him?"

"Your Majesty, the eldest prince's meritorious service demonstrates his extraordinary talent. With such valor, why not allow him to leave the palace soon and share Your Majesty's burdens!"

Li Chuyun's words are sure to shock even the most shrewd.

As soon as he finished speaking, all the officials in the hall were stunned.

Combined with Zhao Kuangyin's recent bestowal of honors upon Zhao Guangyi, many veteran officials who had served under Emperor Taizu of Zhou felt a chill run down their spines as they recalled past events.

Two dragons vying for the throne!

When Emperor Taizu was in power, he had no heir, so the position of crown prince remained undecided. Both Guo Rong and Li Chongjin were qualified to inherit the throne.

Therefore, ever since Emperor Taizu of Zhou ascended the throne, the court has never been truly stable, with all the ministers fighting endlessly over the issue of choosing an heir.

Today's events are just like those of the past.

Li Chuyun was clearly a member of the Crown Prince's faction. Seeing that Zhao Guangyi had become the Prefect of Kaifeng, he couldn't sit still and immediately wanted to speak out for the Crown Prince.

Could it be that the Song Dynasty is about to witness a power struggle between two princes?

In an instant, all the ministers felt a chill. The tense Fan Zhi once again grabbed Wang Pu's arm with his fingers. The intense pain made Wang Pu both surprised and angry.

The ministers in the court who quickly recovered from their astonishment were not just the old ministers.

Zhao Guangyi immediately discerned Li Chuyun's intentions and turned his gaze to several of his trusted confidants in the court.

"Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate."

The first to step forward was Chu Zhaofu.

He was also a former official of Zhao Kuangyin when he was still a prince!