The court meeting ended in an awkward atmosphere. The matters discussed had no actual results. However, Fang Zian could see that the entire court was now full of eager expectations for the army's Northern Expedition, and the attitude of everyone in the court was basically unstoppable. Zhao Shen actually agreed. At this time, it was really inappropriate to stand up and stop him.

In fact, Fang Zian was not opposed to the Northern Expedition. He was just worried that he would rush the Northern Expedition without preparation. If it failed, the consequences would be even worse. This would not only dampen the morale and enthusiasm of the people in the new court, but also have a negative impact on the future policies of the court. A certain influence. People like Zhao Shen cannot actually withstand failure. If the Northern Expedition fails, it is likely that he will quickly change his mind and degenerate from the idea of ​​doing something big with passion to being timid and unwilling to take risks. By then, not to mention the Northern Expedition, perhaps even more humiliating peace conditions may be made. This is definitely not what Fang Zian wants to see.

Fang Zian regretted his wise act of protecting himself. Perhaps he should not have given up the opportunity to hold power in order to avoid suspicion. In Fang Zian's view, the current military and political officials in the imperial court are all unqualified. No matter how famous they are or how senior they are, The handling of specific affairs and the lack of grasp of the overall situation are not enough to make up for its shortcomings. The benefits brought by Zhang Jun's presiding over military affairs are indeed obvious. The morale of the soldiers and civilians is indeed high, and they have unified the idea of ​​​​the Northern Expedition, which has a great impact on the soldiers. Their morale is also boosted by encouragement. However, their shortcomings of being impatient and aggressive and having a relatively small layout may be fatal.

After the morning court, Zhao Shen ordered people to invite Fang Zian and Shi Hao to the East Palace and met them on the waterside pavilion with blooming lotus flowers.

"You two, sit down, don't be restrained. Why are you still keeping a straight face, sir? Are you still angry about what happened in court? Have some tea to calm down." Zhao Shen greeted warmly.

Shi Hao and Fang Zian thanked each other and sat down. Shi Hao said: "Prince, I am angry because some people go too far. They often criticize others without any bottom line. How is this different from the Qin Party in the past? As a veteran minister in the court, he now has heavy responsibilities. I should be mature and prudent, be cautious in my words and deeds. How could he be so irritable and incompetent? I respect his seniority, but I will not accept anyone who ruins my reputation and willfully slanders and attacks me."

Zhao Shen smiled and said: "Sir, don't be angry. Zhang Jun has always been like this. He has a strong temper and everyone in the court knows what kind of person he is. Back then, he even spat on Qin Hui, and everyone in the world knows about it. After all, You are all thinking about the court. If you quarrel, this prince will be very embarrassed."

Shi Hao nodded and said, "Indeed, I was a bit rude just now, and I shouldn't have started a quarrel in class. I just can't accept his slander that we are Jin Guoxin. This is a huge insult to me and Zian."

Zhao Shen nodded and said: "I understand sir's mood. I can't accept someone slandering you two. Didn't I express my attitude just now? I will have a good talk with Zhang Jun later and tell him what you did in the Kingdom of Jin. Everything. I think he still understands the truth, and he will not say such ridiculous things to you in the future."

Shi Haodao: "I don't care what he thinks of us, as long as he can fulfill his responsibilities well and do his own thing well. I don't need him to have a good impression of me and Zian."

Zhao Shen smiled and said: "That's it. I know that sir still understands justice."

Zhao Shen turned to look at Fang Zian sitting beside him and said with a smile: "Why don't Zian speak? Don't you have anything to say?"

Fang Zian smiled and said: "I have nothing to say. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked me to say a few words. No, I just expressed my opinions and will be classified as a spy of the Qin Party and the Jin people. From now on, I sincerely Be careful with your words and actions, and don’t say anything.”

Zhao Shen laughed and said: "This is not playing tricks on children.

Do you have a bad temper? What do these things mean to you? You are not that kind of person. Zi'an, I know that you are worried about the country and the people, and are worried that the Northern Expedition is too radical, so you should act cautiously. But... let me make my words clearer. The Northern Expedition is imperative and this is very important to me. I don’t want to live in the shadow of my father. I must do something to make the world recognize me. My father has made outstanding achievements in preserving the country. If I don't make a difference, wouldn't I be reduced to mediocrity? The Northern Expedition to regain my hometown is my mission, and it is also the capital that will enable the people of the world to surrender and trust me as the emperor after I ascend the throne in the future. I don’t want to be a mediocre leader, and I don’t want to be said to be a mediocre person. Therefore, this time I agree with Zhang Jun’s idea of ​​stepping up military preparations for war. This does not mean that your suggestion is wrong, but I can’t wait any longer. "

Fang Zian nodded and said: "Since His Highness the Crown Prince said so, Wei Chen has nothing else to say. Wei Chen naturally obeyed. However, I reserve my opinion and hope to be fully prepared. In fact, I originally wanted to go to court this morning. I just made some suggestions for army reorganization, that's all. I'm just worrying about it. I wasn't even born when Zhang Jun led the army, so why bother? From now on, I will never participate in any discussion of the Northern Expedition in the court. .”

Zhao Shen smiled bitterly and said, "Don't you still have a knot in your heart?"

Fang Zian said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince demands too much from his ministers. I have stopped speaking. I have already convinced you with my mouth. Do I still need to be convinced with my heart?"

Zhao Shen sighed and said: "Well, maybe I really want too much. Hey, during this period of time, I have finally understood that some things cannot be done by force. I have been very tired recently. After becoming the prince, supervising the country Later, I realized that it was so difficult to govern the country. I actually sympathized with my father. Over the years, he must have put in a lot of effort to make the Song Dynasty what it is today. It has only been a few days, but I already feel mentally and physically exhausted. .National affairs are just a matter of course, the most unpredictable thing is the people's hearts. In the civil and military dynasties, you don't know who is really thinking about the country and the country and who is for themselves. The reason why I want to do something is in view of this. I am with them In my eyes, it’s just a choice with no choice. To make them truly loyal to me, I must have the capital to convince and respect them. I really miss the past days now, Zian, do you still remember our first time? The time we met, when we went boating and drinking on the West Lake? How unrestrained. But now, even I feel that there is a gap between us. This makes me feel very uncomfortable."

Fang Zian said solemnly: "Your Highness, all kings are lonely. You are the future emperor, so you must get used to loneliness. The emperor has no friends. It is pleasant to go boating and drinking in the West Lake, but has your Highness forgotten that that day? You listened to the news after drinking, filled with righteous indignation and ambition, and determined to do something great. As for the estrangement, it is not caused by us, but due to status and status. You are the future emperor, and we are ministers, so we cannot be the same as before."

Zhao Shen nodded lightly and said, "Although it's good, I still hope that you can be honest with me and treat each other candidly."

Fang Zian smiled and said: "Honestness is mutual. His Highness wants us to be honest. Can His Highness himself be honest with us? I'm afraid he can't."

Zhao Shen was stunned, laughed, and waved his hand: "Let's not talk about these things. In short, you two have always supported me. I hope you can still support me and understand me. I don't want to see the court. There are divisions and criticisms above. You two are people close to me, and I have spoken out from my heart. I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts."

Shi Hao stood up and bowed and said: "I understand what the prince said. Don't worry, prince. I won't be upset about this matter."

Zhao Shen nodded

Said: "That's good, you go ahead, I'll think of something."

Shi Hao and Fang Zian bowed and went out. When they passed the end of the corridor, Fang Zian looked back and saw Zhao Shen sitting in the waterside pavilion meditating, with a rather lonely figure behind him.

Weng and son-in-law left the palace gate, and outside Donghua Gate, Shi Hao got on the carriage, and Fang Zian bowed to see them off.

"Is Ningyue okay? You didn't bully her, right?" Shi Hao asked through the car window.

Fang Zian smiled and said: "How dare my son-in-law? Don't worry, my father-in-law."

Shi Hao nodded and said thoughtfully: "Take her back to her parents' home to see her mother when you have time."

"Okay, I'll be busy with the yamen affairs in a few days, so my son-in-law will take her back." Fang Zian nodded.

Shi Haodao: "What's going on in your yamen? Are you still getting used to it?"

Fang Zian said: "There are a lot of things. My son-in-law has found out some things and is thinking of reporting it to his father-in-law. It's about someone embezzling the imperial tax money, and the amount is not small."

Shi Hao said in surprise: "Oh? Is there such a thing?"

Fang Zian said: "My son-in-law is investigating. If the evidence is found, I will report it to the meeting."

Shi Hao nodded and said: "Okay. You can check carefully and come to me if you need my help. But with your ability, I don't have to worry about it. Zian, things in the court have been chaotic recently, and the atmosphere is a bit wrong. Let me remind you, no Don’t get involved in things that should be done, and don’t say things that shouldn’t be said. Many things...are no longer what they used to be."

Fang Zian smiled and said, "Father-in-law, did you hear or see something?"

Shi Hao sighed and said, "Didn't you see it too? The entire court is caught in a strange atmosphere. The Northern Expedition has become a topic that cannot be touched and opposed. His Highness the Crown Prince...is no longer the prince he used to be. .You heard what he said just now. When he came to us, that was not to get close to us. He was warning us not to oppose him just because we had helped him. He wanted to do big things and didn't want us to talk too much. He is now What we need is people like Zhang Jun. Zian, before I thought you were worrying too much and that he didn’t trust you, but now I understand. Your choice is right, you should take a step back, otherwise you will be in trouble It will be even bigger. Zhang Jun dared to speak like that, not because he knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was now relying on him. Or maybe His Highness the Crown Prince had said something to him in private and made some guarantees. In short... you should leave the court alone in the future. It’s a major event. Your official position is not high, so you shouldn’t express your opinions.”

Fang Zian nodded and said: "I understand, but what about my father-in-law? You are the censor Zhongcheng, do you plan to remain silent?"

Shi Hao smiled and said, "I'm different. My job is to say unpleasant things. But I don't want you to be criticized. You should do your job well and let Ningyue and the others live a peaceful life."

Fang Zian smiled and said: "After all, my father-in-law is afraid that Ningyue will follow me and be frightened."

Shi Hao smiled and said: "Not entirely. In short, you have felt it yourself. The Northern Expedition is inevitable, why bother to say harsh words at this time? It is not easy for His Highness the Crown Prince. His reputation is indeed weak, and he is afraid that he will not be able to suppress it.

The subjects also have reasonable thoughts. Besides, the Northern Expedition is the common wish of everyone in the world, including you and me, so this is not a bad thing. If Zhang Jun can lead the army to regain the lost territory, I don’t care what he says."

Fang Zian smiled and said: "I understand, my son-in-law will not cause trouble. Don't worry, I don't plan to go to court in the near future. My father-in-law will give me and the prince a long vacation."

Shi Hao smiled and said: "That's fine. Just take care of yourself. I'm leaving."
Chapter completed!