Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 22 Searching for Wang Ji'en

Zhang Dejun?

I don't remember much.

Zhao Dezhao searched his mind for the name, then shook his head and said gently:

"I need you to do something for me."

As he spoke, he rummaged through his clothes for a while, but found that he had nothing left to give as a reward. He could only smile awkwardly and say, "Well... I'll give you something when we go to practice this afternoon."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch Zhang Dejun immediately kowtowed to the ground: "This humble servant is terrified! Your Highness, please give me any orders, and I will gladly die for you!"

"Your Highness has already helped me today, and I am deeply grateful. I have long wanted to repay Your Highness..."

As he spoke, Zhang Dejun's eyes filled with tears.

Having been in the palace for many years, he had suffered far too much humiliation and torment that ordinary people could not comprehend, and he had also witnessed far too much of the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

Because he had always kept his head down, he believed that he was just like the people in the palace said, that he was a dog, a lowly and humble dog.

Only today did he rediscover a long-lost feeling... of being human!

To seek justice for him, His Highness even risked offending the son of the Commander of the Palace Guards. What an immense favor this is!

How could I not report it? How could I not report it!

Moreover, he is the eldest son of the emperor and is very likely to be a future sage!

Even considering this alone, Zhao Dezhao is enough reason for him to go to great lengths to please and flatter him...

"Ahem, please stand up first."

Seeing the eunuch kneeling at the drop of a hat, Zhao Dezhao, a modern man, was not used to it for a while and felt really embarrassed. After Zhang Dejun stood up, he shook his head and said, "These are two different things."

"You just need to do good deeds for me, and I will give you everything you are entitled to."

He knew that emotions were the most fragile bond; without mutual benefit, these eunuchs might act impulsively out of momentary gratitude, but they would never remain loyal for long.

"Your Highness, please speak freely!" Zhang Dejun felt a warmth in his heart and said firmly.

"Find someone for me in the palace. This person is also a eunuch, but his specific duties are unclear. I only know that his name is... Wang Ji'en!"

"Wang Ji'en? I'll remember that."

"Yes, once you find this person, do not act rashly. You must tell me immediately."

Zhao Dezhao's expression was unusually solemn and serious.

As one of the three great mysteries of the early Song Dynasty, Zhao Dezhao had naturally heard of the Candle Shadow and Axe Sound.

He remembered a eunuch named Wang Ji'en who played a crucial role in it!

Finding this person in advance would be of great use to Zhao Dezhao.

"Yes, I understand."

Seeing Zhao Dezhao's solemn expression, Zhang Dejun secretly vowed to find this eunuch named "Wang Ji'en" to repay His Highness's kindness today and to demonstrate his own value and ability!

"Alright, you may leave."

Zhao Dezhao smiled with satisfaction.

The reason he picked a fight with Wang Chengyan was not purely to stand up for this eunuch, but because of the information he obtained from Empress Dowager Xiao Fu in exchange for a promise.

Wang Shenqi had once received a favor from the Prince of Fuwei.

Zhao Guangyi's wife was the daughter of the Prince of Fuwei.

Given this relationship, he didn't believe that Wang Shenqi and Zhao Guangyi didn't have some kind of private connection.

No wonder, even though Wang Chengyan was Zhao Dezhao's brother-in-law in history, he was different from other imperial sons-in-law. During the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong, he became even more prominent, to the point that the History of Song Dynasty specifically wrote a biography for "Wang of the Ninth Courtyard".

That's why he made such a big fuss today, all to hand his father a knife!

However, unexpectedly, this matter also allowed him to bribe a palace eunuch.

What a fruitful day it was!

……

After finishing his morning lessons, Li Jilong slipped out of the palace and planned to go find his childhood friend Murong Defeng to play. But before he could take a step, he suddenly remembered what His Highness had said that morning.

"Tyranny, you are invincible!"

Recalling those words and Wang Chengyan's mocking and disdainful gaze, Li Jilong instantly lost his playful mood and immediately said to the servant driving the carriage:

"Let's go back home!"

"Yes..." The servant was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly replied.

Upon returning to the Dao residence, Li Jilong was as energetic as if he had been injected with chicken blood, and went straight to his father:

"Father, teach me military strategy! Teach me martial arts!"

Li Chuyun, who had risen to the position of Commissioner of the Northern Court of the Imperial Guard and General of the Imperial Guard thanks to his contributions in the founding of the dynasty and his capture of Han Tong, was leisurely sipping his tea when he heard his son's words. He stared in astonishment, nearly choking on his tea.

Did you take the wrong medicine today?

You know, at this time of day in the past, this kid would have been running around somewhere, practicing martial arts and military strategy.

"Stop talking nonsense! Just tell me if you're going to teach me or not!" Li Jilong said impatiently.

"You're not even going to eat?"

"I'm not eating anymore!"

"If that brat Murong Defeng comes looking for you..."

"not see!"

"That little girl, Yang Ruoyu..."

"I'm not going!"

"Hiss—!" Li Chuyun gasped, looking at his son in disbelief.

What's wrong with my son? He's even giving up women to practice martial arts?

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He reached out and ruffled his son's hair, but Li Jilong dodged away with a look of disgust. He wasn't angry; he just chuckled and tentatively asked:

"Did you experience anything traumatic in the palace today? Tell me about it."

Li Jilong proudly raised his head, his childish voice strong and clear:

"Today in the palace, His Highness declared me invincible! He even bestowed upon me the title—'Overlord'!"

"His Highness also said I am the Wei Qing of the Song Dynasty! He said I can help him recover Hexi and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

"They say I am the unparalleled valiant general who fought against the Liao Kingdom for the Great Song Dynasty!"

"Hiss—!" Upon hearing this series of words, Li Chuyun gasped again.

"Father doesn't believe me?"

Li Jilong glanced at his father, then before his father could speak, he suddenly lowered his head, his voice tinged with sadness: "Actually, I don't..."

"I believe you!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jilong suddenly raised his head and looked at his father in disbelief.

What happened to Dad...?

You see, my dad has always looked down on me, repeatedly saying I'm hopeless and a hopeless case, like rotten wood that can't be carved. How come today...

"I believe what Your Highness says!"

Seeing that his son seemed somewhat disbelieving, Li Chuyun squatted down, held his son's shoulders, looked directly at him, and repeated himself word by word:

"My son will surely become an invincible general in the future!"

If others heard this, they would just laugh it off as child's play, but Li Chuyun would not.

Because he knew that Zhao Dezhao was no ordinary person!

Although Zhao Dezhao was only ten years old, after spending those few days together, Li Chuyun considered Zhao Dezhao to be nothing less than a genius prodigy. If such a person thought so highly of his son, then his son must have extraordinary abilities!

Although he himself did not realize it, he would never undermine his son's confidence!

The son finally made up his mind to learn martial arts and train for soldiers, so how could a father not support him?

Li Jilong was stunned for a moment when he saw the encouragement and relief that he had never seen in his father's eyes before.

The spirit that had been dampened seemed to be gradually returning.

"However, to become an invincible general, one must inevitably endure hardship and toil. Can you persevere?"

"You can do it!"

"Very good! This is my son, Li Chuyun's son!" Li Chuyun laughed heartily, feeling even more gratitude towards Zhao Dezhao. Then he paused, as if he was struggling with something.

After a long silence, he finally made up his mind and slowly said:

"I can teach you martial arts, but while I am also skilled in military strategy, I cannot be considered a great talent. Since my son aspires to become the greatest general in the world, I will go all out and take you to see someone to ask him to teach you!"

"Only he could train the greatest warrior in the world!"

After saying that, Li Chuyun took his son's hand and walked out of the mansion.

"Huh?" Li Jilong was a little confused.

His own father was already one of the most formidable generals of his time, yet he still had someone else teach him military strategy?

He couldn't help but become curious about this person: "Father, who will teach me?"

"The current emperor!"

"..."

Li Jilong was completely dumbfounded.

……