If someone came up with the idea behind it, that's a different story.
For Zhao Huan, saying one thing on the surface and doing another in reality are two completely different things.
The fact that someone was giving advice behind the scenes shows that Zhao Chen has not changed.
If no one offers any suggestions, it means that Zhao Chen has changed a lot.
Without any changes, he is absolutely unfit to be the heir apparent.
Therefore, it wasn't a single word or action that could change Zhao Huan's mind.
"I am very pleased that Brother Chen thinks this way." Zhao Huan gestured to Shao Chengzhang to bring over a chair for Zhao Chen to sit on.
He brewed more tea and said, "But the Southwest has just returned to the Song Dynasty. The people are fierce and dangerous. I am worried that something might happen to you. How can I explain it to your mother?"
"Father, I have already persuaded Mother."
"She agreed?"
“Mother said that as the eldest prince, I should be the first to lead the nation. Father, as the emperor, can personally lead expeditions against barbarians, so why can’t I!”
"Well, since you have this intention, I will grant your request."
"Thank you, Father."
"I will write a letter to Minister Zhang, asking him to take good care of you."
After Zhao Chen left, Zhao Huan fell into deep thought.
He had mixed feelings about the future crown prince.
Although he was dissatisfied with Zhao Chen, among his grown sons, Zhao Chen was already the most outstanding one.
He intended to establish Consort Han's son, Zhao Chun, as the heir, but Zhao Chun was still young and it was too early to see anything.
However, as long as the crown prince is not chosen, these ministers in the court like to stir up trouble over this matter.
"Go and summon Shi Xun to me."
Not long after, Shi Xun struck.
Shi Xun knew very well why the emperor had summoned him, and he was already prepared.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Minister Shi, you may rise." Zhao Huan looked at Shi Xun and said, "I appointed you to be Chen'er's tutor. How have you been feeling these past few days?"
Shi Xun said, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Chong is a kind and honest man, which is a blessing to Your Majesty."
Shi Xun's words were quite cryptic: the Duke of Chong was too honest by nature and was definitely not cut out to be an emperor. An honest man would never be able to control the ministers in the court.
"And what is your intention, my dear minister?"
“Your Majesty, I can only teach the Duke of Chong what he has learned from books and what he has seen around him, but this is limited to the palace and at most the capital. I think it would be better to let the Duke of Chong go to the local areas to broaden his horizons. The Great Song has just recovered the Northwest, which is a vital trade route and of great importance to our Great Song. I think it would be better to let the Duke of Chong go there to see and learn.”
"How about going to the southwest?"
"The southwest is nothing to worry about; the future of the Song Dynasty lies in moving westward."
Just now, when Zhao Huan heard Shi Xun say that Zhao Chen should go out and broaden his horizons, he thought that Shi Xun had instructed Zhao Chen to tell him that he should go out and gain experience.
But upon hearing the address, it doesn't seem to match.
Shi Xun sent Zhao Chen to the Northwest, most likely to have him learn about the war situation and trade conditions there.
Zhao Chen was heading to the southwest.
Therefore, it wasn't Shi Xun who taught them later.
“Chen Ge’er proposed to me that he wanted to go to the southwest for training.”
Shi Xun was slightly taken aback, and said, "Since the Duke of Chongguo intends to go to the southwest, he must have his own plans. Everything is up to His Majesty to decide."
Zhao Huan said nothing more.
"Your subject shall take his leave now."
After Shi Xun took his leave, Zhao Huan had already made up his mind.
Let Zhao Chen go out and gain experience for two years, then observe him again upon his return.
Mature people know that people change.
Only young people think that a person's life is just one lifetime, and they label a person based on their first impression.
Zhao Huan wanted to wait for Zhao Chen to return after two years of training to see what he was like.
He did not intend to appoint a crown prince who was too weak-willed, otherwise he would die if he became the Jianwen Emperor.
The future Song Dynasty will conquer the four seas, and all lands illuminated by the sun and moon will be Song territory, respected by all ethnic groups.
An emperor must be well-versed in the art of imperial power, able to sit down and boast with soldiers on the front lines, chat with farmers in the fields, contemplate grand imperial strategies on his own, and manage all the civil and military officials in the court.
Those who deserve to be killed must be killed; there must be no leniency.
Kindness is a virtue for ordinary people, but it is poison for an emperor.
Since Zhao Chen wants to go to the southwest, let him go.
If he has to be wary of even this little thing, then this emperor is being far too petty.
The Zhao Huan of today is a different person from the Zhao Huan of eight years ago.
Now all the court officials are partisans of the emperor, and all the soldiers on all sides are willing to be crushed to pieces for His Majesty the Emperor.
What does he have to be afraid of?
Under his leadership, the entire Song Dynasty was like the rising sun in the east.
The entire empire was under his control.
All those who stood in his way were exterminated.
The heads of those who were killed are still buried in the ground, and their bones are still shiny!
His gaze turned to the South China Sea. The situation in the Jin Dynasty in the north had stabilized. As long as the Jin Dynasty played by the rules of the Song Dynasty, its national strength would inevitably decline within a few years.
Wanyan Zongpan and Zhao Er were similar in their ways; both were incompetent and deceitful rulers.
Zhao Huan's attention has now turned to the South China Sea, which is the new battlefield for the Song Dynasty.
Now, those big merchants, without being forced by the emperor, have taken the initiative to step forward and demand to launch a larger-scale war.
Some people even came up with the idea that the imperial court should allow privately-run teams to expand the country's territory overseas, with all military expenses paid by the private sector.
If this were during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Tang (Zhao Ji), the court officials would naturally be overjoyed, and the emperor would be ecstatic.
But for Zhao Huan, this was just a case of some people in the common people getting rich in recent years and starting to get arrogant!
The power of capitalism has always been savage and greedy; once it takes shape, it will seek opportunities to grow.
Once they grow up, they will show their fangs.
They began to interfere in state power, began to control the national economy, and made everything develop in a way that was most beneficial to them.
In that case, ordinary civilians will be the biggest victims.
Isn't the economic model of Hong Kong Island in the 21st century a typical example?
Therefore, the imperial court issued a public notice strictly prohibiting all privately-run armies, and anyone found doing so would be executed immediately!
The Song Dynasty had a professional army. Defending the country and expanding its territory were the sacred and inviolable duties of soldiers.
Anything else that involves overstepping one's bounds is an attempt to seek personal gain.
What nonsense about overseas trading companies? None of them will work for Zhao Huan. These are vital national assets, and they must not be allowed to be dominated by private individuals.
Unlike England at that time, Zhao Huan's attitude towards capital was to use it to develop the economy, drive economic growth, and create a better society.
However, at the same time, strict checks and balances must be placed on capital.
Zhao Huan then took out another list of royal family members and began to ponder which one to place.
When did Cambodia and Siam fall?
After that, it will be time to deal with India and Choryan.
Zhao Huan's attitude was also very clear: whoever prevents the people of the Song Dynasty from getting rich should die as soon as possible.
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