Chapter 380: The Emperor's Pride

"Achoo!"

In the study of the Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xu rubbed his nose.

The lines of the War Chariot he was drawing became distorted due to the tremor.

Subconsciously looking toward the North Territory, Zhao Xu mocked himself, "It seems someone is thinking of this Prince."

Shaking his head, he continued to finish the design in his hands.

Ever since returning from the North Camp, he had set to work on this matter.

Although Zhao Heng had temporarily adopted a defensive posture amidst the chaotic situation in the Northwest.

He knew clearly that this cheap father of his would not have placed such a large military supply order just to buy Artillery and Matchlocks back to use as ceremonial equipment.

He would inevitably attempt to reclaim Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

His vanity and desire for achievement would absolutely not allow him to tolerate the fact that Qinzhou and Yongzhou, two traditional territories belonging to the Great Song, were under the control of Xiliang during his reign.

Moreover, due to the rebellion of Ma Jin, Zhao Heng certainly could not trust the Dou Family and the Xiao Family.

Therefore, it was even more necessary to retake Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

Furthermore, the Ma Family was extremely weakened because of this upheaval.

If the Imperial Court could take back Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

These two pieces of land would undoubtedly become regions controlled by the Imperial Clan.

"If Zhao Heng can think of this, the Northern Di can naturally think of it too," Zhao Xu muttered to himself.

Neither Xiliang nor the Northern Di would sit by and watch the Great Song reclaim these two prefectures.

After all, Qinzhou and Yongzhou were the springboard for invading the Great Song, and the easiest springboard to break through at that.

If it were not for the hot weather being unfavorable for the marching of Warhorses and the fact that they seemed to be waiting for the casting of Artillery, the Northern Di would likely have been unable to restrain themselves long ago.

However, the current rapid deterioration of relations between the Northern Di and the Great Song clearly showed they had torn off their hypocritical masks and would ignite a war at any moment.

And from now on, he had to prepare for this war.

Of course, what he looked forward to most was the Imperial Court resolving this matter itself, without needing him to step in.

The next day.

He handed the drawn blueprints to Wang Ying, ordering him to supervise the construction of two thousand of them.

This meant every soldier in the Chariot Battalion would be responsible for one War Chariot.

As for how to build them, he left it entirely to Wang Ying.

There was no need for him to participate in something that lacked technical difficulty.

The following days seemed to suddenly become leisurely.

The commoners promised by Ma Han crossed from Sizhou through Jinzhou, then arrived at Feihu Pass to reach Yan Commandery.

After verifying Liu Fu's infrastructure plan, he approved it.

He immediately ordered Liu Fu to distribute work to these commoners through the method of "relief through work."

Whether it was paving roads, digging irrigation ditches, or building bridges, and so on.

Jinling.

After Zhao Xu's Memorial arrived, it was sent to the Bishu Villa on Jin Mountain outside the city.

At this moment, in a clear mountain pool, Zhao Heng was frolicking in the water with Xiao Shishi.

The clear pool was surrounded by brocade curtains, and the young eunuchs stood outside the curtains, with their backs to the pool.

"Your Majesty, when will this servant be able to go into the palace for a stroll and relax?" Xiao Shishi lay on Zhao Heng's chest, acting like a delicate bird.

The expression on Zhao Heng's face became suddenly awkward.

The common folk say that a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret lover.

Accustomed to romantic affairs, he was naturally an old hand at this.

Although he doted on Xiao Shishi, this top courtesan of Jingshi, he had never intended to let her enter the palace.

For one, the ministers would object, saying it would disgrace the dignity of the Imperial Clan.

For another, the Empress and the other Imperial Concubines would make a scene with him.

Of course, most importantly, it would undoubtedly take away the pleasure of the "secret."

"Do not be anxious; wait a while, and I will speak with the Empress," Zhao Heng once again brushed it off.

Xiao Shishi pouted; she was merely acting coquettishly and naturally knew she had no fate with the palace.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Yan Wang has submitted a Memorial," at this time, the voice of Liang Cheng sounded from behind the one-man-high brocade curtains.

"Read it."

If it were anyone else's Memorial, he would be too lazy to pay attention.

But he had to listen to the Yan Wang's Memorial.

After all, every time the Yan Wang submitted a Memorial, something significant must have happened.

"Your subject, Yan Wang Zhao Xu, submits this: The Northern Di has recently suddenly withdrawn from the Border Market, and their troops have again crossed Yanshan to raid Yan Commandery; their wolfish ambitions are fully revealed..." Liang Cheng unfolded the Memorial and read it out one by one.

The complexion of Zhao Heng in the pool gradually became unsightly, and when Liang Cheng finished reading, he slapped the surface of the water fiercely.

"The Northern Di are truly beasts; not only do they eat the people of my Great Song, but they also have no integrity. Their alliance with Xiliang is likely for the purpose of attacking my Great Song again by heading south," Zhao Heng said angrily.

Xiao Shishi's face turned slightly pale, "Your Majesty, are the Northern Di people going to attack us again? I heard that during the Ningjindusizhizhan back then, the Northern Di did not have enough provisions, so they killed the people of the Great Song to cook and eat, and they especially loved to eat beautiful women. If they come to Jinling, this servant..."

This news made Zhao Heng feel a bit uneasy, but seeing Xiao Shishi's face pale with fright, he immediately patted the Beauty's back gently to comfort her: "The Yan Wang is skilled in battle and will certainly be able to stop the Northern Di from heading south. The Beauty only needs to serve me with peace of mind."

Hearing this, Xiao Shishi breathed a sigh of relief and lay back on Zhao Heng's chest.

"Your Majesty, His Highness also sent some gifts, saying they are newly produced commercial goods," Liang Cheng said again at this time.

Zhao Heng immediately put aside the annoying matters of the Northern Di, his eyes filled with anticipation, "What are they?"

"It is said to be for bathing, called Soap."

Xiao Shishi's face showed joy; the goods of Yan Wang were famous throughout Jingshi, and everyone from the imperial nobility down to the common people flocked to them.

If she could get the new goods first-hand, there would undoubtedly be much more to talk about over tea and meals.

Moreover, she originally came from the pleasure quarters and loved to compare such luxury items most of all.

Thus, she hugged Zhao Heng's arm and began to shake it, "Your Majesty, this servant wishes to see it."

Hearing that this item was for bathing, Zhao Heng also became interested.

He was bathing right now, so he could just try it out.

He ordered Liang Cheng to hand it over, and after listening to the usage instructions that came with the Soap, he continued to frolic with Xiao Shishi for a while.

Finally, he covered his body with Soap and washed clean before coming out of the water.

"Your Majesty, using this Soap is truly refreshing." Xiao Shishi toyed with the slippery Soap in her hand, "It seems that from now on, there will be no more need for that black pig-pancreas soap."

"This Yan Wang has so many clever ideas." Zhao Heng nodded; this was one of the reasons he appreciated Yan Wang more and more.

Every few days he would provide a surprise, making the tedious days a bit more interesting.

As they spoke, the two arrived at a pavilion in the mountains and sat at a stone table to drink together.

After drinking a cup of Wine, Zhao Heng remembered the matter of the Northern Di and became somewhat unhappy.

The trees want to be still, but the wind will not cease; Xiliang and the Northern Di are now colluding with each other.

The situation facing the borders of Great Song is worse than ever before.

This is also the reason why he wants to purchase firearms from Yan Wang.

He wants to revitalize the Forbidden Army and personally take back Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

Although he relies heavily on Yan Wang now, in his heart, he does not want to give Yan Wang any more opportunities to perform meritorious service.

This is not out of balancing Yan Wang and the powerful clans, but rather out of the self-esteem of an emperor.

Of course, there is another reason: he wants to give the Crown Prince a chance to earn military merit.

The Third Prince requested to go to Wuguan some days ago.

He naturally understands what Dou Wei is planning.

Once the Third Prince has military merit, they will have more reason to make him appoint the Third Prince as the heir apparent.

Among the various Imperial Princes, his intention regarding who to appoint as heir apparent has never changed, so he naturally will not give Zhao Mu this opportunity.

It is not that he dislikes Zhao Mu, but rather that he is somewhat wary of Dou Wei's ambition in his heart.

While he was deep in thought, Xiao Shishi took his wine cup and poured him a cup of Wine.

Seeing Zhao Heng's gaze drifting, the tip of her right index finger seemingly inadvertently touched the wine.

Then, smiling like a flower, she pushed the wine cup toward Zhao Heng.