Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 49 Guangyi's Grievance

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Palace, specifically the Qingshou Palace.

Zhao Guangyi, dressed in casual clothes, was talking with Empress Dowager Du.

The hall was filled with the finest ambergris incense, and the palace maids quietly added tea, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

"How is Mother feeling today?"

With a gentle smile on his face, Zhao Guangyi gently massaged Empress Dowager Du's shoulders, the pressure just right, clearly something he was used to doing.

Upon hearing the word "Mother," Empress Dowager Du's slightly weary face instantly relaxed, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. She no longer had the dignified and solemn demeanor she usually displayed in front of Zhao Dezhao; instead, she was filled with tenderness and love.

She gently patted Zhao Guangyi's hand on her shoulder:

"With you by my side, I am naturally comfortable. But you, now that Yuanlang is personally leading the expedition, all the affairs of the capital are on your shoulders. Don't overwork yourself and ruin your health."

"To share the burdens of my imperial brother and to serve the Song Dynasty is my duty. A little hardship is nothing to mention."

Halfway through his sentence, Zhao Guangyi sighed, his tone tinged with a hint of untimely grievance, "However... I have indeed encountered some thorny difficulties today, and I am quite troubled."

"Oh? Tell me about it?"

Empress Dowager Du frowned slightly. She believed she knew her son well. Guangyi was an open and honest man, kind and extremely filial. He would never hesitate like this unless he really encountered a problem.

A glint flashed in Zhao Guangyi's eyes, which he quickly concealed, then sighed again, his tone heavy:

"My elder brother has personally led the expedition, entrusting the affairs of the capital to his son. I am well aware of the weight of this responsibility."

"However, in recent times, when implementing government orders, we have encountered repeated obstacles and have found it difficult to proceed smoothly. After careful observation, I have discovered that many ministers regard Dezhao as the crown prince..."

"Wait! Dezhao? The Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing those two words, Empress Dowager Du sat bolt upright, her face instantly darkening: "Who said Dezhao is the crown prince? I'm the first to disagree!"

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes: "De Zhao is nothing but a callow youth, what virtue or ability does he possess to be the crown prince! Don't those mediocre officials in the court know that making a child the crown prince is a disastrous move for the country!"

She already felt sorry for her third son, Zhao Guangyi. Although Zhao Kuangyin was the eldest son, he was away on campaigns for many years. Her fourth son, Zhao Guangmei, was dull and unresponsive. Only Guangyi was thoughtful, filial, and always by her side, making him the most considerate.

Now that she has heard that her beloved son is in trouble, and it happens to be related to Zhao Dezhao's choice of heir, she is naturally even more unhappy.

Seeing his mother's anger, Zhao Guangyi was secretly pleased, but his face became even more aggrieved, and his voice lowered:

"Mother, have you forgotten that crown prince's robe?"

"With the Crown Prince in his imperial robes as an example, and with nephew Dezhao accompanying the army on this expedition, it is understandable that many court officials would have such thoughts."

When he spoke of this, a flash of annoyance crossed his eyes.

The reason he suddenly approached Empress Dowager Du to discuss this matter was certainly not, as he claimed, "the government's orders were not being carried out."

Instead, ever since his brother left the capital to go on a military campaign, he had thought that he could use his status as the emperor's brother to secretly win over a group of court officials and accumulate power for himself.

As a result, most of the gifts that were given out were returned without anyone noticing.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Guangyi understood the key point.

With the Crown Prince donning the imperial robes on that day as a precedent, even if Zhao Kuangyin did not officially appoint the heir apparent on the spot, Zhao Dezhao was already the emperor's tacit choice for heir apparent in the hearts of the court officials.

Under these circumstances, those shrewd and calculating senior officials naturally knew what to choose.

The one who tied the knot must untie it; when it came to how to break this deadlock, Zhao Guangyi immediately thought of his brother.

But he knew that since his elder brother had dared to bestow the crown prince's robes upon Zhao Dezhao, he would never take them back easily.

After much deliberation, he could only take a roundabout approach, focusing on Empress Dowager Du, who doted on him. His elder brother was always filial, and he believed that if their mother spoke up, she would be more receptive.

"I will certainly not forget the matter of the Crown Prince wearing imperial robes."

Empress Dowager Du also sighed deeply, her tone tinged with helplessness:

"I mentioned it to Yuanlang last time, asking him to take back the Crown Prince's robe, but Yuanlang is stubborn and refused. I can't bring it up again."

"I understand what Mother means," Zhao Guangyi replied at the opportune moment, his tone filled with deep concern.

"But now that Your Majesty has taken your nephew Dezhao on a campaign, the situation at the front is uncertain, and the court is already in turmoil. I am truly worried that if things become unstable at home, it will affect the war effort at the front and drag Your Majesty down!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du's expression immediately became more serious.

Zhao Guangyi revealed what she was most worried about.

On the battlefield, swords clash and the situation changes in an instant. No one can guarantee victory. If something changes at the front and there is turmoil in the rear, the entire Song Dynasty may collapse in an instant!

At times like these, there must be someone who can stabilize the situation and hold the fort from the rear.

Who else besides her third son, Zhao Guangyi, could shoulder this heavy responsibility?

However, before Zhao Kuangyin set off on his expedition, he only appointed Zhao Guangyi as "Grand Inspector of the Imperial Palace." Although this position was high-ranking and powerful, and he was in charge of the palace guards, it was far less important to the court officials than the crown prince's robes.

"Actually... there's no need for Your Majesty to take back the Crown Prince's robes." Seeing Empress Dowager Du's solemn expression, Zhao Guangyi knew the time was ripe and spoke sincerely:

"Your Majesty favors your nephew Dezhao as the heir apparent, and I am well aware of this and support him from the bottom of my heart. All I ask for is to safeguard the rear for Your Majesty, so that he can fight on the front lines with peace of mind and without any worries."

Zhao Guangyi expressed his thoughts tactfully.

The crown prince's robes may not be taken back, but he needs a more prestigious official position and greater power to increase his standing among the officials and truly stabilize the rear.

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Du looked at Zhao Guangyi's aggrieved yet sensible appearance, her eyes filled with tenderness.

She gently patted her son's hand on her shoulder and said softly:

"It's a pity for my son. Well then, I'll write a letter to Xiang Hai'er to inform him of the situation in the capital and let him know the advantages and disadvantages involved."

She turned to look at Zhao Guangyi, her tone softening slightly: "Don't worry, your elder brother is not a fool; he naturally understands the importance of the rear."

Become!

Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed, but his face remained respectful: "Thank you for your consideration, Mother, but... will this displease my nephew Dezhao?"

"Unhappy? What right does he have to be unhappy?"

Empress Dowager Du frowned, her tone tinged with displeasure: "He's just a child; he's utterly unfit to be the foundation of the nation!"

After speaking, she looked at Zhao Guangyi, her eyes filled with doting affection, yet tinged with a helpless sigh:

"My son is always like this, always thinking of those around him, but sacrificing his own well-being. Don't worry, with your mother here, I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance."

"Go and get your mother a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. She will write a letter to your elder brother right away."

"this……"

Zhao Guangyi feigned hesitation, sighed softly, and said reluctantly, "Very well, since Mother has said so, I will obey."

As he spoke, he turned around, and the corners of his mouth finally couldn't help but turn up slightly.

He knew his elder brother too well. With their mother's letter, even if his filial brother truly had the idea of ​​making Dezhao the crown prince, he would definitely weigh the pros and cons, follow their mother's wishes, and grant him more power.

On the same day, Dapeng rose from the wind and lifted up to 90,000 miles.

Now, Zhao Guangyi's time to rise is finally here!