Frankly speaking, Zhao Ji was living a comfortable life. The vast Yanfu Palace allowed him to enjoy himself, and his son, who was a successful man, managed the country in an orderly manner. He also destroyed the Jin Dynasty, a feat unmatched since the founding of the Song Dynasty.
Although he was imprisoned, his food, clothing and other necessities were better than before. Zhao Ji was an artistic person at heart, and he was free to write poems and paint, which made him feel very free and easy.
Accustomed to this kind of free and easy life, coupled with the shock he suffered last time, Zhao Ji's desire was not as strong as before if he were to return to the life of intrigue and power.
"Bangchang, since Huan'er has appointed you four regents, you should assist Xin'er well. I trust Huan'er's vision, and I trust you, too."
Zhang Bangchang hadn't expected Zhao Ji to say such words. He beat his chest and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. The prince is young and his mother is strong. If the Empress rules the country, it will be too late for you to turn the tide. Furthermore, Li Gang is overbearing. If he were to control the government in the future, I'm afraid that when the prince grows up, he will still be calling the shots. Don't forget the examples of Zhao Gao and Zhu Wen."
He was talking about the events of Zhao Gao in the pre-Qin period forcing Hu Hai and Zhu Wen in the Tang Dynasty killing Emperor Zhaozong and Emperor Ai.
Zhao Ji was so frightened by his words that he shuddered and said, "Let me think about this matter first. You can go back first."
Zhang Bangchang tried to persuade him again, but Zhao Ji just ignored him and finally had no choice but to retreat.
On the second day, at the morning court meeting, all the court officials gathered in the Council of State, and Li Gang and others looked heavy-hearted.
Zhang Bangchang said, "Sir Li, the young master is still young. Should we ask the retired emperor to come out and preside over the government?"
The ministers were in an uproar, some supported and some opposed.
Li Gang looked at He Li and asked, "What do you think, Lord He?"
He Li shook his head: "I don't know either. If the retired emperor returns to power, it's fine. Firstly, the retired emperor can calm down the royal teachers in various places, and secondly, the Song Dynasty can give the prince time to grow. However, if the prince grows up..."
He Li was worried that when Zhao Xin grew up and was able to rule the country, Zhao Ji would be unwilling to give up power.
He Li was probably right. Zhao Ji was the emperor of the Song Dynasty after all. His return to power was much better than using Li Gang and his men as assistants. At least the local armies with heavy troops in various places would not dare to have any dissent.
"I disagree!" It was Meng Gu Rao who had said this: "Your Majesty has ordered the four of us to assist the state. We must do our utmost to support the Crown Prince. The Emperor has been confined by Your Majesty's decree. How can he sit on the throne in this palace again?"
Zhang Bangchang angrily shouted, "Meng Gurao! You have ulterior motives!"
Meng Gu Rao, the prefect of Kaifeng, handled more cases and his mind became much clearer. He pointed at Zhang Bangchang and said, "Zhang Bangchang, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You're afraid that the four of us will help you govern, and the three of us will form cliques and isolate you. Let me tell you, I won't help anyone, I only care about the country!"
Zhang Bangchang blushed as he understood what he was thinking.
Some of the other ministers advocated welcoming the retired emperor, while others advocated Meng Gurao's approach, which was to let the regent take charge of the government first. For a while, the quarrel continued.
"Stop arguing!" Li Gang said, and everyone quieted down.
Li Gang continued, "It's fine to let the retired emperor rule the country, but he must agree to hand over the reins of government to the young prince once he turns sixteen."
He Li was delighted: "This is a brilliant plan."
After everyone finished their discussion, they went to Yanfu Palace to welcome Zhao Ji.
Unexpectedly, when Zhao Ji saw his ministers coming to greet him, he actually refused.
Zhao Kuo was the thirteenth emperor of the Song Dynasty and the second son of Emperor Guangzong. When his father died, Emperor Guangzong refused to preside over the funeral in person, leading his ministers to condemn him as a sign of unfilial behavior. The court decided to enthronize Zhao Kuo. However, fearing he would follow in his father's footsteps and be condemned by the world, Zhao Kuo vehemently declined. Ultimately, the Empress Dowager forced him to ascend the throne, where he wept bitterly.
After what happened last time, Zhao Ji had long since grown tired of power. He wasn't a fool; he immediately refused after Li Gang and the others explained their intentions. "Now I'm supposed to take the throne and take the blame, and then when the prince grows up, I'll be deposed and allowed to retire. What a beautiful plan!"
Li Gang and others looked at each other in surprise. They didn't expect Zhao Ji to refuse.
Zhang Bangchang tried to persuade him a few more times, but Zhao Ji waved his sleeves and said, "Huan'er has already appointed the four of you as regents. You should assist Xin'er well. How can you place this heavy responsibility on me? I am already old and would like to spend my leisure time enjoying the mountains and rivers, raising flowers and raising birds. There is no need to discuss this matter any further!"
Everyone had no choice but to give up.
Zhang Bangchang returned home feeling vexed. Zhao Huan was leading the army in person, while he was acting as a regent. Damn, Li Gang and his ilk were constantly sidelining him. Whenever dealing with matters at court, Li Gang and He Li would make decisions on their own without even informing him.
Meng Gu Rao looked up at the sky when he saw him. He was a prime minister after all. These three people usually didn't take him seriously. It was more accurate to say that there were four people assisting in the administration, but in reality, it was three people who were in control.
Zhang Bangchang was furious at the thought. Bai Shizhong had been demoted in the same way when he was acting as regent for the crown prince. He had to find a way to avoid following in his footsteps.
Zhang Bangchang was awake all night at home, thinking about how Taizu ascended the throne and founded the Song Dynasty. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind and he had an idea in mind.
It was highly likely that Zhao Huan had died in the northern city of Jeju, and the news spread throughout the capital immediately.
Kang Huojian, Wang Zongchu, Wu Ge, and other leaders of the Imperial Guards had all accompanied the emperor on the expedition. Yesterday, the courtiers met with the emperor at Yeonfu Palace, and the guards guarding the palace had been withdrawn at the ministers' suggestion. In reality, Zhao Ji had been freed and no longer needed to be imprisoned.
On this day, Zhang Bangchang colluded with several eunuchs and came to Yanfu Palace to meet the emperor again. Zhao Ji was writing in Chengping Hall when suddenly a eunuch came to report that Zhang Bangchang and several other eunuchs wanted to see him.
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