Eight-year-old Zhao Changqing had no idea what was going to happen when he heard those words.
He thought his father was sending him to Jizhou for a few days of sightseeing.
I'll be back after a few days of fun.
Little did they expect that this departure would last for more than a decade.
The Emperor had long planned to send his own son to the Han family; the so-called crime of beating the drum was just an excuse.
Old Qian was dismissed from his post as a clerk and went to Jizhou with him.
The Emperor said, “Qian Wensheng is a man of great integrity, though he is guilty. With him by your side, I can rest assured.”
They had lived in Jizhou for more than a decade, and Lao Qian was like a teacher and a father to them.
He taught me to read.
If he couldn't understand the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, then I taught him military strategy.
When he came of age, the name "Hanzhang" was given to him by him.
卿, 章也.
Chapter, good at understanding reason.
Those who named him and gave him courtesy names all hoped that he would be sensible and reasonable.
At the noodle stall, Old Qian watched him finish the last wonton.
Before leaving, he said, "Your Highness, in this world, how many people are truly determined? Most people do things according to their own hearts. Where your heart is, there your actions will follow."
Zhao Changqing listened silently.
"For example, when I am a clerk, my heart is set on loving the people. For example, the mistress of the house is only focused on making money; she is busy with business all the time. Your Highness, what about you?"
"..."
The next day, the civil and military officials in the court discovered something extraordinary.
King Zhao Changqing of Yue attended the morning court session today.
Princes are not required to attend court.
Although Zhao Changqing still held the position of Grand Commander of the Youzhou Army, the emperor was protective of his own and did not insist that he come.
Having to get up very early in the morning is tiring for anyone.
But of all times, he came today.
They arrived quite early.
The officials stood outside the palace gate, waiting for it to open.
When Zhao Changqing appeared, he caused a stir among the crowd.
But he looked perfectly normal and was not affected in any way.
He looked around and found his target in a corner.
"Ah Li".
Hearing his voice, Ahri in the corner suddenly raised her head, her mouth bulging as if she had something stuffed inside.
Seeing him like this, Zhao Changqing couldn't help but ask, "Ali, what are you eating?"
Ah Li swallowed the food in her mouth with difficulty, then raised her hand shyly and held out her palm in front of Zhao Changqing: "Your Highness, this is from my mother. She was worried that I would be hungry if I came out too early, so she told me to have something to eat before going to court. Would Your Highness like some?"
Zhao Changqing's gaze fell on his hand, where there were several round biscuits.
He picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, and tasted the fragrant grain flavor.
"Your mother is very good to you."
Ah Li suddenly realized that the person in front of her had once been her nominal father, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Yes, my mother has always been very good to me."
There was no requirement for officials of the sixth rank to attend court.
According to the regulations of this dynasty, only officials of the fourth rank or above were required to attend the morning court session.
However, Ah Li is now a compiler in the Hanlin Academy and, moreover, a secretary recently appointed by the emperor.
Therefore, he had to come to the morning court every day to help the emperor record some of the matters discussed in court.
"What brings you here today, Your Highness?"
Zhao Changqing's gaze remained calm: "Recently, there have been some changes in the political situation in the Wuhuan Kingdom, and I'm afraid the border is unstable. The Ministry of War needs to report this matter to the Emperor, and as the Military Governor of Youzhou, I should naturally attend."
Ahri nodded.
He had also heard about the affairs of the Wuhuan Kingdom.
As the morning court session began, officials entered the court gate one after another.
Zhao Changqing, with Ah Li in tow, strode ahead.
The emperor, standing on the steps of the palace, saw his younger brother standing below and was overjoyed.
After the morning court session, the emperor kept Zhao Changqing, the Minister of War, and the two vice ministers of the Ministry of War behind and asked them to go to the imperial study together.
As a temporary secretary, Ahri also had to go along.
Upon entering the imperial study, Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi was already waiting there.
Emperor Zhao Changheng was very pleased.
The Crown Prince is diligent and cautious, much like Emperor Taizu.
Zhao Changheng addressed the crowd, saying, "My dear ministers, you should be able to guess why I have kept you here, right?"
The presence of three Ministry of War officials and one military commander is not hard to guess.
Zhao Changqing asked, "Is it because of the Wuhuan Rebellion, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor nodded and said, "That's right, that's exactly it. Just now at the morning court, the Ministry of War only mentioned that there had been changes in the political situation in the Wuhuan Kingdom, but I'd like to know more about how our Great Gan should respond."
The Minister of War reported, "Your Majesty, the Wuhuan Kingdom is currently embroiled in internal strife, and the outcome is still uncertain. For now, we can only sit back and watch the fight unfold, and send envoys to reconcile with them once everything has settled down."
"My dear minister, which prince of the Wuhuan Kingdom do you think is the best candidate?"
"Your Majesty, it seems that the eldest prince has the greatest power and has already occupied the capital city. It is expected that he will ascend the throne soon."
Zhao Changqing frowned slightly upon hearing this.
“Brother, if the eldest prince of the Wuhuan Kingdom ascends the throne, it will be detrimental to us. The eldest prince of the Wuhuan Kingdom, Chakhan, is tyrannical and has always been extremely hostile to our Daqian. He has led his troops to harass our borders many times. If he ascends the throne, our northern border will certainly not be peaceful.”
"What my brother means is..."
“The Second Prince is better,” Zhao Changqing said. “If the Second Prince ascends the throne, the two countries should be able to avoid war in the short term.”
The crown prince, who was standing nearby, suddenly had an inspiration.
The situation in the Wuhuan Kingdom reminded him of the issue he had discussed with He Youyou that day.
The Crown Prince had something to say: "Father."
Zhao Changheng always welcomed the Crown Prince's involvement in politics and frequently encouraged him to express his opinions.
What are your thoughts, Your Highness?
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