Zuixinglou.
Zhao Ye, the governor of the Northern Road, Zuo Heng, the Minister of Rites, and Lu Pingzhi, the member of the Privy Council, were drinking wine here.
Three brothel girls were accompanying each of them, and a heavily made-up woman sat on Zhao Ye's lap and fed him wine.
"Master Zhao, I'd like to offer you a drink." The tone was vulgar, but Zhao Ye enjoyed it very much.
Zhao Ye opened his mouth and drank a glass with a lustful look, while his hands wandered dishonestly on the woman's body.
Zuo Heng sighed, "The Emperor is going to cut off our source of income by doing this."
Lu Pingzhi took a sip of wine and said, "Our land and property have all been confiscated, and they're still claiming to be giving us compensation. But the compensation gap is so huge, tens of millions of strings of cash. How can the court possibly have that much money?"
Zhao Ye pushed the woman beside him away and said, "You really think the emperor will compensate us, naive! Our good days are over."
Zuo Heng suddenly whispered, "Hey, have you heard about this assassination attempt on His Majesty's royal hunting grounds? Who was so bold?"
Lu Pingzhi's face changed: "Shh, you are asking for death, how dare you talk about such a thing."
Zhao Ye slammed the table and said, "Humph, what are you afraid of? If the emperor doesn't let us have an easy life, someone will naturally take care of him."
Zuo Heng panicked: "Does Lord Zhao know who it is?"
Zhao Ye immediately deflated like a balloon: "I don't know about this, but he must be a royal relative."
Zuo Heng touched the brothel girl next to him while holding the wine glass: "Why do you say that, Lord Zhao?"
"Is there even any need to think about this? Anyone who dares to assassinate the Emperor must have his own motives. Who do you think would benefit most if His Majesty passed away?"
Zuo Heng and Lu Pingzhi exchanged a glance, and Lu Pingzhi lowered his voice: "Master Zhao, do you mean it's related to the Emperor?"
Zhao Ye was already a bit drunk: "Of course. If His Majesty passes away, the Emperor will naturally ascend the throne again. Alas, what a pity."
Zuo Heng held up his wine glass: "What a pity?"
Zhao Ye sighed, "If the Emperor ascends the throne again, will you and I still have to endure such humiliation?"
Lu Pingzhi remained silent, obviously moved by Zhao Ye's words.
Zuo Heng smiled faintly: "If the sky really changes, what should we do?"
Lu Pingzhi looked at him suspiciously: "What do you mean, Master Zuo?"
Zuo Heng drank the wine in one gulp and said, "You guys, get out first."
The three women walked out reluctantly.
Zuo Heng whispered, "If the current emperor were to pass away, who do you think would rule the world?"
Zhao Ye and Lu Pingzhi looked at each other, as if they expected something big to happen.
Zhao Ye asked quietly, "Are you saying that His Majesty will die?"
Zuo Hengji was clever: "I didn't say that. The three of us are close friends. I won't hide it from you. The Crown Prince is young and can't handle such a big responsibility. If there really were a day when someone could mobilize everyone to assist the Crown Prince as regent, what would you all do?"
Lu Pingzhi remained silent. Zhao Ye smiled and bowed, saying, "Of course, I will follow Lord Zuo's lead."
…
Zhao Huan imprisoned the retired emperor, which silenced the public opinion, but he was also afraid that people would say he was heartless. To show his generosity and benevolence, Zhao Huan specially hosted a banquet for King Kang Zhao Gou.
A banquet was held in Funing Palace, and Zhao Huan entertained him alone, with Zhao Gou accompanying him.
At this time, Zhao Gou was like a wife with bound feet, staying in his own house all day long. He did not associate with officials, nor did he like to show up in public. His house was deserted.
This act of turning a deaf ear to what was happening outside satisfied Zhao Huan greatly. As the prince remained out of politics, the imperial power was not threatened, so Zhao Huan had no reservations about him.
"Brother Kang, I heard you've been sitting at home all day, doing nothing. You don't even go out for a walk. Isn't that boring?"
Zhao Gou stood up and bowed politely, saying, "Brother Your Majesty, I have never been fond of crowds. I usually just recite poems and write couplets at home, which is quite leisurely and comfortable."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "You are right. I envy you. But I can't do that. The state affairs are in chaos and I am overwhelmed."
Zhao Gou stood up and saluted again: "My royal brother, please take care of your health. The burden of the Song Dynasty rests entirely on Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Brother Kang, sit down. There are no outsiders here. You and I are brothers in arms. Today, there is no ruler and subject, only elder brothers."
Zhao Gou did not dare to violate the rules: "Your Highness obeys my command."
Zhao Huan had originally wanted to talk to him about their brotherly love and their childhood memories, but Zhao Gou was so respectful to him that he immediately lost interest.
After three rounds of drinks, the banquet was about to end when the eunuch Ma Jin came in with a man whom Zhao Huan recognized as Li Chen, the commander of the imperial guards.
"Your Majesty, great joy, Your Majesty." Ma Jin smiled happily.
Zhao Huan was also infected by his smile: "Where does your joy come from?"
Ma Jin pointed at Li Chen and said, "A few days ago, General Li Chen, the commander of the infantry, discovered a strange beast in the southern suburbs."
Zhao Huan frowned: "Strange beast, what strange beast?"
Li Chen clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago I stumbled upon a unicorn hiding on this Cat Ear Mountain in the southern suburbs. Its body is as smooth as silk, and it has a single horn on its forehead. It is truly beautiful."
"Then why don't you catch him for me?"
"Well," Li Chen was a little embarrassed.
Ma Jin, standing beside him, quickly chimed in, "Your Majesty, the appearance of this creature on Maoer Mountain in the southern suburbs is a sign of good fortune. Your Majesty is the true dragon emperor, far beyond the reach of mortals like us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Your Majesty personally visited the southern suburbs, captured this exotic beast, and brought it back to the capital?"
Ma Jin's flattery was so good that Zhao Huan couldn't help but feel a little moved. However, he had suffered the loss of an assassination attempt last time, and as the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one is afraid of the rope for ten years. He was currently hesitant.
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