Chapter 1779: Dongping Wang's Final Bow

Slowly setting down the memorial in his hands, Song Qi raised his eyes to look at Zhao Kuangzan and asked, "Has the Prince's resolve been set?"

Zhao Kuangzan picked up the milk tea offered by the maidservant, took a sip, and replied, "Had I not made up my mind, I would not have shown you this memorial!"

Hearing this, Song Qi smiled and said in a self-deprecating tone, "Well said. His Majesty is right—I truly have grown muddled in my old age!"

In the edict dismissing Song Qi, Emperor Liu had used two phrases to describe him: one, muddled in old age; two, dim-sighted in affairs. There was not a trace of courtesy.

In the past, whenever the Great Han's chancellors were reassigned—whether dismissed or demoted—Emperor Liu had always shown sufficient respect and maintained a basic measure of dignity. With Song Qi, it was clearly different. No face was spared, and the reasons given were rather flimsy, carrying a hint of punishing the innocent. It was almost an open declaration to the realm that Emperor Liu was dissatisfied with Song Qi, and so he had been removed.

Of course, Yang Bin and Su Fengji, those two founding chancellors, did not count—those two had been sacrifices in Emperor Liu's campaign to rectify the court and strengthen imperial power. Heavy crimes were needed to intimidate, and besides, they were easier to bully.

For Song Qi, the turn of events during this period was truly lamentable. At least in the eyes of most people, he had been treated unjustly. And for Song Qi himself, even though he had already anticipated it in his heart, when it actually came to pass, he could not help but feel some grievance and melancholy.

"We have known each other for many years. Before me, there is no need for such false modesty! Since things have come to this, if you can enjoy your remaining years in peace, there is no need to dwell on it too much!" Seeing Song Qi's reaction, Zhao Kuangzan felt a pang of sympathy. While offering words of comfort, he changed the subject: "As for my letter of resignation, what do you think of it?"

"Can the Prince bear to part with it?" Hearing this, Song Qi answered with a question instead.

Zhao Kuangzan was silent for a moment, then sighed, "I must bear it, whether I want to or not!"

Saying this, Zhao Kuangzan laid out his considerations frankly: "To be fair, His Majesty has already shown my Zhao family extraordinary leniency. Both my father and I once served the Khitan, acting as their claws and teeth, invading the Central Plains. When the Great Han was first established, we also opposed the court.

As for later, when my father and I garrisoned Youzhou and submitted to the court, that was merely the force of circumstance—we had no choice. Unlike those loyal ministers who followed Gaozu and His Majesty out of Hedong, my father and I are truly twice-serving ministers. Even compared to those capable officials who submitted later or were promoted by the court, we stand more distant.

His Majesty does not hold past faults against us, treats us with tolerance, and showers us with favor. I am deeply grateful. However, if my family were to take this for granted, not knowing to cherish our blessings and restrain ourselves, then disaster would not be far off.

As Chubao said, His Majesty is old—worthy of respect, yet equally fearsome. Even a worthy minister like you must resort to such risky measures to protect yourself, so how much more so my Zhao family?"

Pausing for a moment, Zhao Kuangzan continued, "Back then, to pacify Youzhou, His Majesty promised that my Zhao family would guard Youzhou forever. Now that I think of it, such a promise is truly terrifying—the hidden dangers are too great.

After the first northern expedition, Youyan was fully returned to the court. The civil and military forces under my command were completely dismantled, and I returned to court with His Majesty. To be honest with you, although His Majesty treated me with great courtesy at the time, I was prepared to be imprisoned.

Fortunately, His Majesty was magnanimous and did not abandon his promise. He even entrusted me with considerable weight in court affairs and dared to give me real power. Because of this, I let my guard down somewhat."

At this point, Zhao Kuangzan glanced sideways at Song Qi, took another sip of hot milk, and continued, "A princely title, illustrious in this age, envied by all—I often took pride in it myself. After all, in the entire Great Han, how many princes of different surnames are there?

Yet in recent years, I have increasingly felt the weight of this crown to be more than I can bear! Think on it—His Majesty is even extremely cautious when granting titles to the imperial princes, never rashly creating new princes. How much more so for us?

In the past, he lavishly rewarded to win over meritorious officials. Who knows what His Majesty truly thinks of us now?"

"Back then, the Prince of Xiangyang voluntarily submitted a memorial requesting to resign his princely title. I imagine his feelings and considerations, even if not identical to mine, cannot be too different!" Zhao Kuangzan sighed. "Compared to An Shouzhong, my reaction has already been slow. After much deliberation, rather than being crushed breathless by this princely title, it is better to abandon it and return it to His Majesty, to seek long-term peace. Your current situation has only strengthened my resolve!"

After hearing Zhao Kuangzan's heartfelt words, Song Qi clasped his hands and said, "The Prince sees this matter with complete clarity. Such breadth of mind is truly admirable!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan immediately smiled and waved his hand, saying, "What breadth of mind? I am merely overthinking in my old age, and my courage has shrunk!"

As he said this, Zhao Kuangzan's eyes were clear and his face looked relaxed. Today's conversation seemed to have stirred memories of the past. Zhao Kuangzan remarked with emotion, "I, Zhao Kuangzan, have lived a remarkable life. In my early twenties, I was already a military governor of a region, roaming the realm with my old father, galloping across the Central Plains!

Before I was thirty, I was leading a region, stationed at Youyan. Though I brought no grace to the people under my rule, I did my utmost to repel the northern invaders and earned modest merit. Power, status, fame, and fortune—I have enjoyed them all to my heart's content. I have no regrets in this life!

Now, my body is failing day by day. Though I have enjoyed enough, I must also make more considerations for my descendants. There is not much I can do—I have already left them a great fortune and estate, enough for them to enjoy for generations. Before I die, I take this final step, as a thought for their safety."

Seeing Zhao Kuangzan's deeply moved expression and sensing the sorrow in his words, Song Qi sighed, "The Prince has truly put great thought into this!"

And Zhao Kuangzan actually raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye—his words had moved himself to tears. He said apologetically to Song Qi, "An old man grows sentimental. Chubao must be amused!"

"The Prince speaks too gravely!" Song Qi said.

After a moment of deliberation, Zhao Kuangzan asked, "Do you think His Majesty will approve this memorial?"

Song Qi shook his head and said, "I do not know! The majesty of Heaven is hard to fathom!"

"Then should I submit it to the palace?" Zhao Kuangzan asked again, adding, "I have also communicated with the Prince of Xiangyang. He has prepared another draft for resigning his title!"

Hearing this, Song Qi's expression changed slightly, and he immediately said solemnly, "On this one matter, the Prince must remember: do not submit your memorial together with the Prince of Xiangyang!"

Zhao Kuangzan was briefly stunned, then quickly caught on. Furrowing his brow, he said, "Well said! I failed to think it through. Otherwise, I fear I would have aroused His Majesty's suspicion again!"

Having said this, Zhao Kuangzan let out a few hearty laughs and said to Song Qi, "With this matter settled, a great weight has been lifted from my chest. It has been a long time since I last drank. Today, with Chubao visiting, I am most delighted. Let me break my usual rule and drink freely with you."

As he spoke, Zhao Kuangzan coughed heavily several times, his old face turning red. Seeing this, Song Qi's eyes showed concern as he advised, "The Prince's hospitality moves me deeply, but please, follow the physician's orders."

Zhao Kuangzan waved his hand: "Physician's orders—whether to heed them or not depends entirely on my mood. Since you, Song Qi, have come, I can cast them to the wind! Come, let us go to the hall. I have already ordered food and wine to be prepared!"

The two walked together, Zhao Kuangzan still leaning on that cane of his, radiating the air of declining years, though his tone remained light: "By the way, Chubao, after so many years as an official, busy with government affairs, I imagine you have not accumulated much family property. That residence of yours is cramped and shabby, truly unfit for living. It is time to change it!

In the past you managed officialdom; now that you have retired to leisure, you should enjoy yourself! These days, all the nobles and meritorious officials are investing in overseas trade. The profits there, I imagine you know well.

In the past, to avoid causing you trouble, I did not fully express my intentions. Now, let me transfer a few ships to you. Do not refuse—consider it a token of thanks. My years are numbered. From now on, where my Zhao family needs assistance, I ask that you give it your attention."