"How old is your Royal Highness?"

"fourteen."

"How are you doing?" Wang Shoude asked deliberately.

Why do you say he asked on purpose?

Prince Zhao Chen is a man with a gentle personality, but as a prince, he is the foundation of countless people, especially countless political opportunists.

The characteristics of establishing a prince in the Song Dynasty are also very obvious. The prince does not control the army, but pays great attention to the cultivation of the prince's cultural quality.

The so-called cultivation of cultural literacy refers to the thorough reading of sages’ books such as Confucian classics and meanings.

Only in this way can we get close to the scholars who govern the country.

Therefore, in history, there were actually very few princes competing for the throne in the Song Dynasty. Basically, the princes of the Zhao family can be described as gentle and elegant.

Including the prince.

The deep-seated reason behind this phenomenon is the result of the mutual game between the imperial power and the bureaucratic system in the Song Dynasty.

From an institutional level, the Song Dynasty's system was so sophisticated that it was unprecedented in the imperial era.

The division of labor and checks and balances among bureaucracies are unparalleled.

Since the Song Dynasty relied on literati to govern the country, it naturally did not need an emperor like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Otherwise, the entire balance of power would be disrupted and many uncertain factors would be brought about.

Just like the time traveler Zhao Ning.

Even he, a time-traveler, only dared to do this when his country was in ruins. In peace and prosperity, he might not be able to move so quickly.

Since the power structure of the Song Dynasty was so strict and complicated, the requirements for the crown prince naturally followed this complete power deployment.

After the prince ascends the throne, many specific matters of the country will be handled by civilian officials. It does not require the outstanding personal talents and courage of the Zhao family in previous generations.

In this way, the prince's character is naturally gentle.

If we must dig deeper into the current situation, Prince Zhao Chen was trained as a moderate in accordance with the traditional model of the Song Dynasty princes.

Due to the extremely special national conditions of the Song Dynasty in recent years, Zhao Ning's violent and bloody restructuring was unexpected by no one. The old school was caught off guard. At this time, it was normal for them to think of this prince under the traditional model.

one thing.

And from the perspective of the struggle for power, the move of playing the crown prince is indeed a very clever move.

Zhao Ning has the power to depose the crown prince, but Zhao Ning cannot depose the prince at will.

He is a tyrant, but not a coward.

"The prince is humble, filial, and well-read poetry. He is a wise man."

"Who is the prince's teacher?"

"He is the leader in today's official scholarship."

"Luo Congyan?"

"Yes."

"It seems that His Majesty still has high hopes for the Crown Prince." Wang Shoude said thoughtfully, "But Luo Congyan is a New Dealer, and His Majesty wants to train the Crown Prince to become a supporter of the New Deal."

"Indeed."

"Then the prince has expressed his attitude toward the New Deal?"

Li Bingchen said: "I heard that when the prince was studying a few days ago, he also commented on the Gyeonggi Road New Deal the year before."

"How to say?"

"The prince is in favor of equalizing land and benefiting the people, but he opposes indiscriminate killing in governance."

Wang Shoude thought for a moment and said, "Are you serious about what you said?"

"It's absolutely true, we bribed the prince's escort, there is absolutely no mistake."

"So, the prince disapproves of your majesty's methods?"

"The prince did not express his intention clearly."

"So this year's Shaanxi pension case involves so many officials. What does the prince think about this?"

"The prince didn't express his intention clearly."

"Why is this?" Wang Shoude was a little confused, "Since the prince has different ideas, why doesn't he express his opinion clearly?"

Could it be that the prince knows how to be patient?

A fourteen-year-old boy knows how to be patient?

Li Bingchen said: "We speculate that the prince's behavior is related to one person."

"who?"

"Qin Hui."

Wang Shoude was startled and said, "Qin Hui, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment?"

"That's right."

"How come Qin Hui and the prince are together?"

"Qin Hui has a very close relationship with Luo Congyan in private, so it is not surprising that he has contact with the prince."

"This man is the main force of the New Deal faction. He kills without batting an eye. He has slaughtered many loyal ministers!" Wang Shoude suddenly became angry.

In the past few years, most of the conservatives who have been liquidated were Qin Hui.

This resulted in many people not even being able to hate the leader of the New Deal faction, Zhao Ding, and directed most of their hatred towards Qin Hui.

Wang Shoude said: "No wonder the prince knows how to be patient. Qin Hui probably taught him these things. In this way, Qin Hui also wants to get on the prince's boat."

"He not only wants to take the prince's boat, he has a close relationship with King Kang, and is a confidant of Zhao Ding. He has contacts with people like Luo Congyan, and even Chen Min and Chen Gui are willing to make friends with him."

As soon as he stopped like this, Wang Shoude suddenly broke out in a cold sweat: "How dare you tolerate Qin Hui like this! Xu Han is about to retire. According to the current situation, it is probably Qin Hui who can enter the East Mansion!"

"Impossible, Qin Hui is only forty years old, how could he enter the Zhongtang at such a young age."

"Zhang Jun was appointed Privy Councilor at the age of thirty. Yue Fei is twenty-seven this year and is already a general in charge of the country!" Wang Shoude said solemnly.

"My father said that Wang Zongli may be the one who can enter the political hall. Handing over the banknotes is of great importance. Now that Wang Zongli has full power to implement it, Wang Zongliu has the greatest possibility of entering the central hall."

"Don't be too entangled in this matter. Although Zhao Ding is a New Dealer and our enemy, he is an upright man and has his own principles. Our talents have not been purged. However, Qin Hui is ruthless. If he gains power, we will

All must die!"

"Now what?"

"Win the crown prince from Qin Hui."

"How to fight for it?"

"Didn't your father already write clearly?"

Li Bingchen was stunned for a moment, and then he realized what he was doing, and asked quickly: "Father said that this matter involves the Tian family, and asked the younger generation to tell it on his behalf. Uncle must be careful."

"I know that many people in Luoyang are gnashing their teeth with hatred for Qin Hui. Now I am not the only one who wants to touch him. Moreover, I have a plan that could become a big deal. I need you to tell your father and make arrangements."

"This junior is stupid, please ask your uncle for advice."

"In the past, Emperor Renzong granted Duke Yansheng of Qufu, a member of the orthodox lineage of the Holy Spirit. Although his position is not high, he is extremely glorious. If he can bring Duke Yansheng to Beijing and be used by us, the prince will definitely be interested in us."

Wang Shoude stroked his beard and said with a proud look on his face: "When the time comes, we have the righteousness of the world in hand, and we will respond to our call. Not to mention Qin Hui, what can the entire New Deal faction do?"

When Li Bingchen heard this, he suddenly became enlightened and immediately said, "Uncle, I'm a great talent. I'll go back to Beijing and tell my father."

"You go quickly. This matter is confidential and cannot be spread outside. I will contact knowledgeable people in Luoyang."

"Junior, take your leave."

On July 22, Qin Hui submitted the first batch of names of persons to be dealt with in the pension case.

One hundred and eight people in total.

Zhao Guan's family approved it.

That afternoon, the execution ground outside the city was filled with people, and the crime report was immediately sent from the capital to the 24th Road of the Song Dynasty.

For a time, the government and the public were shocked.

The newly appointed officials were all frightened.

My waist no longer hurts, my legs no longer feel sore, and my heart almost stops beating!

The efficiency of doing things suddenly became higher.
Chapter completed!