Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 9 Offering Thanks to Li

Regardless of Zhao Dezhao's complaints, the most urgent task was indeed to return to Kaifeng.

As soon as Zhao Kuangyi finished speaking, several generals stepped forward and helped Zhao Kuangyin to the horse that had been prepared.

After Zhao Kuangyin mounted his horse, many generals surrounded him, and the tens of thousands of imperial guards who had been restless all fell silent.

Countless eager eyes were fixed on Zhao Kuangyin, awaiting his first imperial edict after he ascended the throne.

Facing tens of thousands of fierce enemies, Zhao Kuangyin remained calm and composed on his dark red face, and said in a majestic tone:

"You are all greedy for wealth and power, and you have made me emperor. I have orders; can you obey them?"

Zhao Kuangyin's voice boomed like a bell. As soon as he finished speaking, tens of thousands of soldiers dismounted if they had horses, and knelt if they didn't, responding readily.

"By His Majesty's order, we swear to obey even unto death!"

After receiving a positive response from his generals, Zhao Kuangyin, following the example of Liu Bang's three-point law, issued his first imperial edict after becoming emperor to tens of thousands of imperial guards:

"I serve the Empress Dowager and the Emperor with utmost respect, and the court officials are all my equals."

You must not disturb the palace, intrude upon the court officials, or damage the treasury.

Those who risk their lives will be richly rewarded; those who disobey will have their families executed!

Zhao Kuangyin concluded his three-point agreement with a profound admonition.

This time, the soldiers' reply was even simpler: "Yes, sir!"

The army began its return journey, heading straight for Kaifeng.

Zhao Dezhao naturally rode the same horse as his father, nestled obediently in Zhao Kuangyin's arms, but felt extremely uncomfortable.

For the first time in so many years, he had nestled in the arms of a grown man like this.

He didn't want to do it this way, but he had no choice. Zhao Kuangyin was also worried about letting him ride a horse alone. As for the carriage, it was full of supplies and provisions, so it wasn't convenient to ride in.

Therefore, it can only be ridden by two people.

Looking at his father, who had remained silent the whole way, Zhao Dezhao's eyes darted around, and he said in a childish voice, "Father... oh no, Father Emperor, Grandmother, Mother, and my younger brother are still in the city. I... I miss them."

"I hope they'll be alright..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of relief flashed in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes. Although his son had not inherited his resolute character, at least in this aspect, his son was very much like him.

They all value their family very much.

He gently patted his son's head and said softly, "Your mother will be alright. I'll send someone back to meet them right away."

After he finished speaking, he fell silent, struggling with the matter of choosing a candidate.

As his son said, his family members are still in Kaifeng, their lives hanging by a thread.

The example of Emperor Taizu of Zhou, Guo Wei, was still fresh in his mind, and he did not want to follow in his footsteps.

Although he had made some arrangements beforehand, he was still somewhat uneasy.

Therefore, it is necessary to send a trustworthy person into the city first to assure his family, as well as Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi, so that he can be prepared.

Aside from this private matter, there is an even more important official matter.

Someone had to go directly to the three prime ministers and Grand Commandant Han Tong, and then reveal the truth to the Empress Dowager and the young emperor, informing them of the birth of the new emperor.

To put it bluntly, it's telling these people that they need to be pragmatic!

This has been done before, for example, during Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident, he killed his eldest brother and third brother, but he was too embarrassed to face his father, so he sent Yuchi Gong to the palace first to report.

But ultimately, that was still Li's own internal family matter, and it was different from Zhao Kuangyin's current situation.

He's rebelling now!

No matter how well they disguised it, in the eyes of the people in Chongyuan Hall, it was still a rebellion!

Even if the entire court couldn't kill Zhao Kuangyin, surely they could kill the messenger?

If the messenger speaks too harshly, it may backfire and incite indignation among the court officials; if he speaks too lightly, it will not have a deterrent effect.

Therefore, this person's selection is of paramount importance.

"Your Majesty, you may send Pan Mei into the city first to inform the court. He is a man of great courage and resourcefulness, and is the best choice for this task!"

As Zhao Kuangyin's most trusted strategist, Zhao Pu naturally saw Zhao Kuangyin's dilemma and immediately rode forward to offer his suggestions:

"As for the other person..."

"Father, I want to go back with Uncle Li Chuyun first..."

He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by a childish voice.

Zhao Pu glanced at Zhao Dezhao in Zhao Kuangyin's arms, his eyes flickered a few times, and he swallowed back the words "Chu Zhaofu" that he was about to say, and fell silent.

"Oh? Why is that?"

Zhao Kuangyin looked down at his son in his arms.

"Because I miss my mother and brother..."

Zhao Dezhao's tone was somewhat downcast, and he looked at his father with a pitiful expression: "Besides, it's good that Uncle Li is going back so he can protect Jilong and my fiancée."

Ah? A bride-to-be?

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Dezhao in utter astonishment. Zhao Kuangyin was even more dumbfounded, saying, "What do you mean, a bride-to-be? How come I didn't know?"

"Huh? Father doesn't know? It was when I went to play with Jilong on the first day of the Lunar New Year..."

Zhao Dezhao blinked shyly and said, "Uncle Li said he would marry his one-month-old daughter to me, and I agreed!"

"You, Li Chuyun!" Zhao Kuangyin laughed and scolded, "His daughter has only just turned one month old, how could he be so heartless!"

He could understand Li Chuyun's investment behavior, and he was not angry about it, but he felt that the matter was too absurd and hasty.

Zhao'er is at least nine years old, while your daughter is only a month old. Are you so eager to marry into my Zhao family?

Zhao Pu, who was standing to the side, also chuckled and teased, "Your Highness, marriage is a major event and must be decided by your parents. A private engagement is not acceptable."

He paused, then looked at Zhao Kuangyin and cupped his hands, saying, "However, Your Majesty, I also feel that the responsibility of managing the defense of the capital can indeed be entrusted to Li Chuyun."

This matter was not difficult to begin with, and Li Chuyun was more than capable of handling it. In addition, since it was Zhao Dezhao who proposed it, he didn't mind going along with it and doing a favor.

Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment, then shouted loudly, "Where are Li Chuyun and Pan Mei?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Chuyun and the handsome Pan Mei stepped forward and bowed in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, we are here!"

Looking at his two beloved generals before him, Zhao Kuangyin said in a deep voice:

"I hereby order you two to lead three thousand elite cavalry back to the capital at full speed!"

Li Chuyun, you must inform Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi to take control of the city's defenses before the news reaches the capital!

Pan Mei, on my behalf, announced my ascension to the throne to the Empress Dowager and the court officials.

Upon hearing this, Li Chuyun looked up and glanced at Zhao Dezhao unintentionally, only to see the latter wink at him playfully.

He immediately understood.

This is how one repays kindness, after all, this matter is quite a merit, and it came without any effort.

Because at this time, the capital city was already prepared to welcome their new king!

Thinking of this, Li Chuyun quickly lowered his head, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Pan Mei, and said, "Yes!"

After saying that, the two turned to leave, but Zhao Dezhao was not happy about it.

He also wants to go back to Beijing.

How can he obtain the Imperial Seal of the State if he doesn't return to the capital?!

Thinking of this, he burst into tears.