Zhao Huan asked, "What have you gained in Liaodong over the past year?"
"Your Majesty, I believe the new policies have a very serious drawback."
"What are the drawbacks?"
"Businessmen colluded with officials, and officials used their power to amass enormous wealth, forming a monopoly of power and money."
"So what's your solution?"
"Not yet. I am only worried that if this continues, the officialdom of the Song Dynasty will become corrupt and infiltrated by merchants, which would be detrimental to the country."
Zhao Huan smiled. He hadn't expected Zhao Shen to say such things at such a young age; he was truly remarkable.
Zhao Shen looked at Zhao Huan with admiration, as if trying to see confidence and complete control in the emperor's eyes.
In his mind, the emperor must have a way to solve these problems.
But Zhao Huan did not continue the conversation, and instead changed the subject: "How is the King of Liao doing in Liaodong?"
"In the past six months, the King of Liao has been dedicated to building schools and reclaiming wasteland in Liaodong. I believe that in less than two years, Xianzhou will become another Xianzhou."
"Well, the King of Liao does have some talent in governing officials." Zhao Huan smiled, but he knew in his heart that Zhao Shen had helped Zhao Chen a lot.
"Your Majesty, minister..."
"What do you have to say? Why are you hesitating?"
"I believe that the Prince of Liao... is indeed a man of great talent for governing the world."
"Alright, let's talk about something else."
Seeing that the emperor was unwilling to continue the conversation, Zhao Shen wisely refrained from saying anything more.
Zhao Shen felt conflicted. His wholehearted support for Zhao Chen was actually driven by ulterior motives.
The lineage of Emperor Taizu was led to the South China Sea and enfeoffed as the Yue Kingdom, but in reality, everyone wanted to return to the Central Plains.
But as long as the current emperor is still alive, they certainly won't be able to come back.
For the sake of his family's future development, Zhao Shen latched onto Zhao Chen, hoping that he would rise to power and one day become emperor, so that perhaps their lineage could return to the Central Plains.
Previously, Zhao Shen harbored considerable hatred towards Zhao Huan.
He felt that the emperor was cold-blooded, ruthless, and bloodthirsty, a complete tyrant.
But people grow up gradually, and as they grow up and experience more, their thoughts change.
Moreover, after meeting the emperor, he felt even more that the emperor was different from others.
From hatred to worship, this was Zhao Shen's psychological transformation.
To be honest, his feelings towards Zhao Chen have also changed.
He previously wanted to use Zhao Chen to help him ascend to the throne.
Now, he has begun to waver in his belief in Zhao Chen, feeling that Zhao Chen is unworthy of the Song Dynasty.
Such a prosperous and glorious empire should not have been inherited by Zhao Chen.
This is a very contradictory feeling.
After dinner, the setting sun cast its rays upon Yanfu Palace, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Zhao Huan suddenly said, "Zhao Shen, I have high expectations for you. I hope that one day you can enter the Council of State Affairs and help me govern this great Song Dynasty."
Fourteen-year-old Zhao Shen's eyes suddenly reddened, and he didn't know what to say. He quickly bowed and said, "What virtue or ability do I possess?"
"If I say you can, then you can."
Zhao Huan turned to Zhao Chun, who was standing to the side, and asked, "Chun'er, what do you think?"
Zhao Chun said in a childish voice, "Chun'er thinks that Brother Zhao Shen has an extraordinary temperament and will definitely be a pillar of our Great Song Dynasty in the future."
Zhao Shen looked at Zhao Chun, who hadn't said a word, with some surprise.
In terms of blood relations, Zhao Chun is indeed my cousin.
The little boy ate quietly on the side while he was talking to the emperor.
The moment he opened his mouth, Zhao Shen felt a strong sense of kinship with him.
Logically speaking, Zhao Chun was Zhao Chen's biggest rival, and Zhao Shen should have been extremely wary of him.
But now, looking at Zhao Chun's youthful and heroic spirit, Zhao Shen felt that he was completely unable to guard against him.
Zhao Huan joked, "Zhao Shen, look, Chun-ge'er really likes you."
"The Duke of Qin is too kind."
Zhao Shen felt even more conflicted.
He had actually wanted to tell the emperor that Zhao Chen had been acting strangely lately, that he was completely infatuated with a woman named Lu Wanqing.
This Lu Wanqing has a very mysterious background and is definitely not an ordinary person.
But he swallowed those words back.
Because he knew that these words would be a fatal blow to Zhao Chen.
He had been assisting Zhao Chen for several years and did not want things to turn out this way; he did not want his efforts to be in vain.
So he chose to remain silent.
After leaving the palace, Zhao Shen returned to his residence, a mansion bestowed upon him by the emperor.
With servants and guards, they lived a leisurely life.
In the evening, a carriage arrived at Zhao Shen's residence.
The man who stepped down from the carriage was none other than Zhu Qing, a famous wealthy man in Tokyo.
"What does Mr. Zhu want with me?"
"I heard that you, Mr. Zhao, have returned to the capital from Xianzhou and entered Tokyo University. I have come to congratulate you and have prepared a small gift. I hope you will accept it if you do not mind."
Zhu Qing knew very well that Zhao Shen was a favorite of Zhao Chen, and since he had placed his bets on Zhao Chen, he naturally had to serve this young master Zhao Shen well as well.
Zhao Shen was fully aware of his thoughts and intentions.
Zhao Shen smiled politely and said, "Mr. Zhu, you flatter me. I cannot accept such a reward without having done anything in return."
"Sir Zhao, you are unaware of the following."
"oh?"
“In this capital city of Tokyo, money can buy anything. You’ve just arrived and need money, so it will be easier to get things done in the future.”
"I'm still in school and don't have many expenses."
"Sir Zhao, you are a young talent. Do you know the imperial court's policies this year? It is opening up the market to private businesses, and there are opportunities everywhere in the capital. Someone as talented as you, although you are studying at university, can easily do business and make a lot of money while studying."
"Hehe, Mr. Zhu is joking. I didn't mean that. Please leave."
“Lord Zhao, I am now the father-in-law of the King of Liao, we are family.”
"see a visitor out!"
Seeing that Zhao Shen had given him the order to leave, Zhu Qing put away the money and left looking dejected.
Watching Zhu Qing's departing figure, Zhao Shen felt a vague heaviness in his heart.
These businessmen have become far too arrogant.
They even dared to bribe me!
They bribed officials everywhere and cultivated relationships with powerful figures, making them even more dangerous than the landlords who annexed land in the past.
Thinking of this, Zhao Shen hurriedly went back to his room, picked up his pen, and wrote a letter to Zhao Chen.
In his letter, he advised Zhao Chen to keep his distance from the merchants and not to get involved with them.
He had a premonition that the emperor's compromise was only temporary and that great changes were to come.
Zhao Chen currently has entangled interests with many wealthy people in the Song Dynasty, which he sees as a potential threat in the future.
Zhao Shen's letter had just arrived at the Liao Prince's residence when it was intercepted by Lu Wanqing's men.
After reading Zhao Shen's letter, Lu Wanqing said, "Fortunately, Zhao Shen returned to Tokyo, otherwise it would have been a big problem."
A few days later, Zhao Huan finished reading a secret report.
He shook his head and muttered to himself: "Brother Chen, you have disappointed me greatly. Zhu Yuying is such a virtuous girl, yet you not only neglect her but also get involved with a woman of unknown origin. This is a major taboo in the imperial family!"
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