Do you really expect him to step forward at this time?
When Zhao Huan entered, Zhao Ji saw his son arrive but did not bow. He simply became engrossed in painting, while the other palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Huan understood completely and was finally at ease.
Zhao Huan deliberately asked, "What is the Emperor Emeritus trying to do?"
"Bianjing is bitterly cold. I am getting old and need to go south to escape the cold."
"The palace has excellent heating systems, so why would it be cold?" Zhao Huan sneered. Zhao Ji was only forty-four years old this year, in his prime, and the heating system in the palace was very good, so why would it be cold at all?
"Your Majesty, you are in the prime of your life and naturally do not know my pain." Zhao Ji put down his imperial pen, appearing nonchalant. "The affairs of state are all entrusted to you. How you handle them is up to you. However, I must give you a word of advice: you can demote ministers you dislike at will, like Su Dongpo, even exiling him to Hainan Island would be fine. But you have openly killed ministers in court, which has angered those scholar-officials. I'm afraid even Li Gang and others have reservations about your handling of matters. With internal and external troubles, how will you face this?"
Zhao Huan ignored him. He knew that when Zhao Ji was in power, besides art, he was also very adept at the art of ruling.
Although Cai Jing held the prestigious position of Grand Tutor, he was nothing more than a dog in front of Emperor Huizong. Cai Jing was demoted four times, each time by Emperor Huizong as a warning to him to behave like a dog, or else he could be exiled at any time.
Imperial power tactics are certainly necessary, but if the purpose of these tactics is wrong, they can bring terrible disasters.
"There's no need for the Emperor Emeritus to worry about that. I've come here to tell the Emperor Emeritus to stay in the palace with peace of mind. It's cold outside, and I'm worried that you might fall ill if you go out!"
Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow and immediately understood the implication in his son's words. Clearly, this was to prevent him from leaving the palace. He never expected that his once gentle son would dare to imprison him right in front of him!
Killing Cai Jing and his cronies was one thing, after all, there were plenty of other officials, and many were waiting in line to take the throne. But to be so eager to give his father a hard time after only one day on the throne was unprecedented in history.
Since the Han Dynasty, emperors have advocated governing the country with filial piety, which is the way of the sages. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, this way has also been adhered to.
It means that you can do whatever outrageous things you want, but you must be filial. If you are not filial, you will violate the sacred way and be despised by the world.
Zhao Ji looked at his son and suddenly felt that he was a complete stranger to him.
Zhao Ji's face immediately fell; nothing could stop his desire to escape: "Emperor, are you going to place your father under house arrest?!"
Xie Dahai and Wang Kuian behind them were also covered in cold sweat. This was extremely treasonous. Even the emperor could not do such a thing, or he would be condemned by the whole world.
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am worried about Your Majesty's health!"
Having said that, he didn't give Zhao Ji a chance to refute, and continued, "Wang Kui'an! From this day forward, protect the Emperor Emeritus well. If anything happens to the Emperor Emeritus, watch your head!"
"I obey the decree!"
Ignoring Zhao Ji's ashen face, Zhao Huan turned and walked out, with Xie Dahai following closely behind. As they passed outside, Zhao Huan kicked Liang Shicheng hard, then left everyone with a majestic back view before striding away.
Emperor Huizong could no longer remain calm. He didn't care what Zhao Huan did, since the Jin army was coming anyway. He didn't want to deal with this mess. But Zhao Huan's current ban on him leaving the palace was, in his view, like putting him on a hot plate.
As he watched his son's retreating figure, a murderous glint flashed in Zhao Ji's eyes.
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