Son of Song Dynasty

Chapter 3 Miserable Younger Brother Zhao Defang
Historically, after Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, Zhao Kuangyin's descendants were all subject to suspicion, not just Zhao Dezhao, the eldest son.

For example, Zhao Kuangyin's youngest son and Zhao Dezhao's younger brother Zhao Defang.

This Zhao Defang is actually the prototype of the "Eight Wise Kings" in the popular storytelling opera "The Generals of the Yang Family" that has been circulated for hundreds of years. It is said that he has a golden mace given by the emperor, which can "beat down the emperor and treacherous ministers." , extremely majestic.

It's a pity that history is not a story, let alone an opera storytelling. The real Zhao Defang was not only not so majestic, but also did not end well.

He died at the age of 22, and his second brother Zhao Dezhao, who was forced to commit suicide at the age of 28, is the front and rear feet.

Zhao Dezhao was talking about his younger brother, Zhao Defang, when he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the gate of the palace, it was Zhao Defang who had come.

"Second brother!"

A handsome boy of fifteen or sixteen came in, first called Zhao Dezhao, and then caught a glimpse of Zhao Guangyi, so he hurriedly bowed down to salute.

"Sanlang has met his uncle."

"Both brothers are here, okay, okay, so I don't need to send someone to call one by one..." Zhao Guangyi smiled all over his face, and stretched out his hand to gently stroke the top of Zhao Defang's head, looking very loving like an elder.

"Sanlang, come here and let the second brother see if you have grown taller."

Zhao Dezhao beckoned Zhao Defang to him, stood up and compared his height with him, and found that the top of Zhao Defang's head was exactly at the same level as his chin, and said with a smile: "Oh, Sanlang, you really grew taller, in a few years , I’m afraid he’s taller than your second brother and me!”

While speaking, Zhao Dezhao glanced and found that Zhao Guangyi was looking at this side, with a hint of ridicule and contempt in the corner of his mouth.

Zhao Dezhao understood the meaning of this expression, Zhao Guangyi treated me and Zhao Defang as children who hadn't grown up, okay, so cruel!

If you treat us brothers as ignorant children, then you won't be too defensive against us!
At this time, Zhao Dezhao heard footsteps outside the hall and voices were noisy, obviously people kept coming, and of course these people were also seeking to see the Holy Majesty.

Zhao Kuangyin has been out of court for three days because of physical discomfort.

The holy dragon is not in good health, how can a courtier not come to visit him to show his loyalty?

The Holy Majesty is already over 50. In this era, at such an age, he is half a soldier. Who knows if he will not be able to get sick, and if the court situation will change?During the sensitive period of the Holy Majesty's illness, once he made a mistake, it might be a disaster!
Therefore, no matter what is going on, it is good to enter the palace to find out what is going on.

Those ministers thought so, and Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Dezhao, and Zhao Defang naturally thought the same way.

Among the purple-robed ministers who came in, Zhao Dezhao saw two faces that made him feel kind.

One of them is his father-in-law, the prime minister of the two dynasties, and the Duke of Qi, Wang Pu.

Standing on the right side of Wang Pu, the other person who was talking to him in a low voice was General Shi Shouxin.

Wang Pu was the father-in-law, so he was naturally bound to Zhao Dezhao, the son-in-law. Of course, he would only stand on his side. Needless to say, the weight of the prime minister of the two dynasties was not mentioned.

But Shi Shouxin and Wang Pu had always been friendly, and Zhao Dezhao felt that this person should also be inclined to his side.

Although Shi Shouxin was not the prime minister of the two dynasties, he was one of the "Ten Brothers of Yishe" who started Zhao Kuangyin's fortune, and was the head of the six founding generals.

After Zhao Kuangyin founded the country and ascended the throne, although he played a trick of "giving up military power with a glass of wine", he released Shi Shouxin and other Yishe brothers from the military power.

However, his friendship with Zhao Kuangyin is still there, and his prestige in the Song Army is still there.

However, in history, Shi Shouxin's fate was not good. It can be said that he was tricked by Zhao Guangyi.

After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he commanded the army to crusade against Khitan, and was defeated in the Gaoliang River. The entire army was wiped out. Only 20 of the [-] soldiers survived. It can be said to be a disastrous defeat.

Zhao Guangyi refused to take responsibility for his wrong decision-making, and dumped the blame on Shi Shouxin and Liu Yu. Shi Shouxin became the biggest blame man and was demoted. cut.

The most serious consequence of the Gaolianghe fiasco was that Song Dynasty was never able to regain Yanyun from Khitan, and even lost the courage to try.

Without Yanyun's recovery, the national defense situation is incomplete.

Without the obstruction of Yanshan Mountain, the cavalry from the northern grasslands could drive south through the Yanshan Pass, and there was no danger to defend north of the Yellow River.

The iron hoof of the barbarians marching south has since become a nightmare for the Song Dynasty.

In the Jingkang period, this nightmare finally turned into reality.

It can be said that the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, the shame of Jingkang, and the incompetence of Zhao Guangyi were the beginning of the disaster!

"But now that I am here, I will never let this happen!"

"After I take over, I will definitely be able to regain Yanyun!"

"Not only that, but I also want to bring a hundred thousand armored troops to run amok in Mobei, sweep up the Western Regions, and restore the old frontiers of the Han and Tang Dynasties!"

"I want to turn the 'Frustrated Song', who is despised and jokingly called by the posterity, into a real iron-blooded Song!"

Zhao Dezhao shouted secretly in his heart, but his expression became solemn and respectful, and he greeted Wang Pu and Shi Shouxin first.

"Yue Zhang, General Shi."

(End of this chapter)