Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 28 Nine Clans

For several days in a row, Zhao Dezhao was frowning and looking anxious.

To this day, Zhang Dejun's search for Wang Ji'en remains fruitless, and there is absolutely no progress on the matter of her marriage.

The Song dynasty inherited the system from the Zhou dynasty.

For a prince to marry, he must meet the age requirement and pass the emperor's assessment in all aspects.

However, this means that Zhao Dezhao will no longer be able to hide his talents and will be brought into the open.

This would undoubtedly arouse Zhao Guangyi's vigilance.

Given Zhao Guangyi's intelligence and cunning, Zhao Dezhao didn't think he could be a match for his good uncle.

His greatest advantage was that the enemy was in the open while he was in the dark.

However, if he continues to hide his talents, the day he is to leave the palace will be far off, and he will be unable to intervene in state affairs, let alone build his own staff.

"We're truly in a deadlock..."

Zhao Dezhao sighed softly and followed the eunuch leading the way through several palaces, finally stopping in front of an elegant courtyard.

The courtyard gate was half-closed, and a plaque hung above the gate with the words "Minxue" (meaning "Diligent Learning").

This is where Zhao Dezhao studies classics and history every day.

Zhao Dezhao composed himself and quietly stepped into the courtyard.

In the corner of the courtyard, sparse green bamboos and a blue stone path covered with a thin layer of moss meander to a spacious study.

Pushing open the door, Zhao Dezhao saw a middle-aged man dressed in the official robes of the Hanlin Academy turn around, looking intently at him, and bowing respectfully.

"Your subject Lu Duoxun greets Your Highness the Prince."

Are you Ludoson?

Zhao Dezhao blinked, a hint of surprise flashing across his eyes as he looked at this famous "political gambler" from the early Song Dynasty with a mixture of astonishment and delight.

The reason why Ludlow is called a political gambler is simply because he is most adept at political speculation.

In order to win Zhao Kuangyin's favor, Lu Duoxun went to great lengths to secure a job guarding the Imperial Library. He also stayed up all night to study many classics and histories in advance, so that he could answer fluently when Zhao Kuangyin asked about the books and leave a good impression.

Later, seeing that Zhao Guangyi was powerful and had the potential to become the crown prince, he did not hesitate to help Zhao Guangyi overthrow Zhao Pu, thus gaining merit for supporting the emperor and rising to the rank of prime minister.

The incident of Zhao Pu creating a reign title was reported to Zhao Kuangyin by Lu Duoxun, and Zhao Pu was thus smugly labeled with the four characters "Prime Minister ruins the country".

Later, after learning about the Golden Chest Alliance, Lu Duoxun joined Zhao Guangmei's faction, attempting to gain another merit in supporting the emperor. However, this time he lost everything and ended up being exiled to Yazhou.

However, this person... is quite resourceful and can be considered a man of great talent.

The History of Song also records it:

"He is well-versed in classics and history, intelligent and has a strong memory, quick wit and eloquence, and is resourceful and decisive."

Moreover, at this point in time, Zhao Guangyi should not have even come into contact with him yet!

Zhao Dezhao's eyes lit up slightly. His father was really helpful, giving him another chance to poach someone else's employees!

"De Zhao greets you, sir." Zhao De Zhao returned the greeting obediently, his dark, grape-like eyes filled with the innocence of a child.

"Your subject is unworthy of the title 'Master,' I am merely here by imperial decree to lecture Your Highness on the classics and history."

Ludoson said it modestly, but he was very pleased in his heart, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Although both tutors and teachers instruct princes, they are two different things.

The tutor was merely a companion to the student, while the teacher was the tutor of the prince, a position that only highly respected Confucian scholars could hold!

"I have been ordered to lecture Your Highness on the classics and history. I wonder which dynasty's history Your Highness is interested in?"

The two sat facing each other at the table, and Lu Duoxun spoke first.

Zhao Dezhao blinked and innocently asked, "Which dynasty's history are you most knowledgeable about, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun instinctively straightened his back, raised his neck slightly, and looked arrogant:

"To be honest, Your Highness, I am well-versed in a wide range of books, including classics, history, philosophy, and literature, and I have a thorough understanding of the events of all dynasties!"

Hey!

So arrogant?

This Lu Duoxun was indeed as history says: exceptionally talented, extremely arrogant, and considered himself unmatched by any scholar in the world.

Zhao Dezhao chuckled inwardly, but his face remained defiant as he asked crisply:

"Sir, aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself by saying such things?"

"Every word I have said is true." Seeing Zhao Dezhao questioning him, Lu Duoxun couldn't help but frown slightly, showing a hint of displeasure.

"Then you can tell me about any dynasty?" Zhao Dezhao still didn't believe it.

"Of course!" Ludoson snorted, his arrogance growing even stronger.

"Then I would like to trouble you to tell me about Emperor Taizong of Tang. I have long heard of his wisdom and admiration."

Zhao Dezhao sat up straight, placed his hands on the table, and pretended to be listening attentively, staring intently at Lu Duoxun.

Seeing this, Lu Duoxun's pride was fully ignited. Without even turning the pages of his book, he began to speak eloquently and vividly, clapping his hands as he went:

"To talk about Emperor Taizong of Tang, we must start from the end of the Sui Dynasty. At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was incompetent and tyrannical, and the world was in chaos..."

It has to be said that Ludosen really has some skills.

What was originally an extremely dry history book was transformed into one captivating story after another when told by him, drawing people in and making them feel as if they were witnessing the rise of a great emperor.

Throughout this process, Lu Duoxun never once consulted any historical texts; he simply relied on his memory to recount all of Emperor Taizong's life events in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no detail overlooked.

Even the eunuch in charge of supervising the reading couldn't help but be captivated by the story told by Ludoson.

Zhao Dezhao nodded repeatedly, resting his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful.

It would be such a shame to waste such eloquence...

Seeing this, Lu Duoxun thought that his behavior of talking without books had won over Zhao Dezhao, and he couldn't help but feel a little smug and proud.

So what if he's a prince? He's still easy to control.

"Which dynasty would Your Highness like to hear about?"

After recounting the life of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Lu Duoxun picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, stroked his short beard, and looked quite pleased with himself.

"Sir, you are indeed very knowledgeable and erudite. I have underestimated you. I apologize to you here."

Zhao Dezhao quickly offered a compliment, his large, dark eyes sparkling as he looked at Lu Duoxun with admiration.

"Sir, could you tell me about the history of the Northern Qi Dynasty?"

"There is nothing wrong with that."

Seeing the adoring look in Zhao Dezhao's eyes, Lu Duoxun stroked his beard with obvious pleasure, pondered for a moment, and then began to speak:

"I have always despised the Northern Qi dynasty, simply because it was a land teeming with beasts..."

"Most of its emperors throughout history were wicked and incompetent. For example, Gao Zhan murdered his nephew to seize the throne and forced himself on his sister-in-law, committing utterly immoral acts. Gao Wei favored Consort Feng and was still enjoying himself at the hunting grounds when the country fell..."

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, frequently pounding the table, and then couldn't help but offer earnest advice:

"Your Highness, as a member of the royal family, you should learn from history, abide by the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, and uphold the Four Cardinal Principles and Eight Virtues. You must never imitate such beastly behavior..."

Ludoson can be called a good teacher, who not only taught but also guided moral character.

Zhao Dezhao's face was also full of seriousness as he nodded earnestly in agreement, "The teacher's teachings are correct!"

Time slipped away quietly as Ludosen narrated, the sun gradually setting in the west, casting long shadows in the study.

After recounting the events of Northern Qi, Lu Duoxun glanced at the sky outside the window, picked up the teacup on the table, and, disregarding decorum, drank it all in one gulp. Only then did he recover and slowly say:

"Your Highness, it's getting late. Let's end the lesson here for today."

"Today, after listening to your words, Master, I feel that ten years of study have been more worthwhile than this."

Zhao Dezhao stood up, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said with obvious delight, "Dezhao has finally figured some things out."

"Oh? What insights does Your Highness have?" Lu Duoxun's face lit up with joy.

Teaching princes is indeed a desirable job. If a prince makes progress in his studies, His Majesty will naturally reward him handsomely, and he will surely have a successful career in the future!

Thinking of this, Lu Duoxun vaguely saw a broad road stretching out before him!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao did not reply immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and gave Lu Duoxun a half-smile.

Upon seeing this, Lu Duoxun was slightly taken aback, vaguely sensing that something seemed amiss.

The next moment, his ominous premonition was confirmed!

Zhao Dezhao's words completely terrified him!

"Thank you for your help today, sir. It was you who made Dezhao understand that if he wanted to ascend the throne, he either had to emulate the Xuanwu Gate Incident by killing his brother and imprisoning his father, or he had to be ruthless like the Gao family of Northern Qi by killing his nephew and slaughtering his brother. Only by being ruthless could he succeed."

Zhao Dezhao's young face was full of solemnity as he said earnestly, "I will certainly remember your teachings, sir! When I return, I will definitely ask my father for a reward for you!"

Boom—!

Ludoson's smug smile suddenly froze, as if a bolt of lightning had struck him from the sky!

He was stunned into place by the lightning, his teacup crashing to the ground with a clatter, the shattered porcelain splashing water, but he was completely unaware.

Then his lips trembled, his face turned deathly pale, his beard shook uncontrollably, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly, his eyes filled with terror, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Only one thought remained in my mind:

Your Highness...

Are you asking for a reward?

What you've done is endanger the lives of my entire family!

My entire clan... is in grave danger!