Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 29 Rare Goods

"Your Highness! Your Highness!! I never taught you to do that!!"

Lu Duoxun scrambled onto the table, trying to stand up, but he couldn't muster any strength. He could only prop himself up on the table with his arms, his pupils trembling as he looked at Zhao Dezhao.

Instigating a prince is a capital offense in any dynasty!

It concerns oneself... no, it concerns the lives of one's entire family; who wouldn't panic if they encountered this?

Let alone a "political gambler" like Ludovin?

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao quickly pretended to help Lu Duoxun up, and while helping him up, he asked with feigned surprise:

"Isn't it what you said, sir, to learn from history? Li Shimin became the greatest emperor of all time by imprisoning his father and killing his brother. And what about the Gao family of Northern Qi? If they hadn't killed their nephew to seize the throne, how could Gao Zhan have ascended to the throne?"

"To achieve great things, one must be ruthless!"

"Don't worry, sir, Dezhao understands, he understands..."

Zhao Dezhao winked mischievously at Lu Duoxun.

This was bad enough, but it scared Lu Duoxun so much that he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

"Your Highness...Your Highness! I didn't mean that at all!! I was telling Your Highness to be a person of both virtue and talent, I never said anything like that!!"

Ludoson's lips trembled. Suddenly remembering the eunuch supervising the teaching, he looked at him frantically, as if a dying man had found a lifeline, and said urgently:

"Your Excellency! You know what happened before! You must testify for me, I had no intention of instigating the prince! It was...it was His Highness himself..."

Before he could finish speaking, the eunuch nodded solemnly and said in a serious tone:

"Rest assured, Mr. Lu, I can testify for you..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the eunuch in charge of reading testified for him, that would be enough to prove his innocence.

However, before he could even catch his breath, the eunuch's next words made him instantly feel dizzy.

"I will certainly report the situation to His Majesty in detail. After all, my lord has gone to great lengths to ensure Your Highness's smooth ascension to the throne, even killing his brother and imprisoning his father... I wonder what His Majesty will think upon hearing this..."

"puff--!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun coughed up a mouthful of blood, swayed unsteadily, closed his eyes, and collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Now that we have witnesses, I'm truly in a situation where I can't clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River!

"Sir! Sir!"

Zhao Dezhao was immediately alarmed and quickly went up to pinch Lu Duoxun's philtrum.

If they ruin him, where will they find a suitable spokesperson?

A moment later, Lu Duoxun slowly woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Zhao Dezhao's chubby little face staring at him with his innocent and pure eyes. His vision went black and he almost fainted again.

"Your Highness... I really can't understand where I have offended you."

Ludoson closed his eyes, lay on the ground and simply refused to get up, saying weakly.

If Zhao Dezhao still can't see anything fishy at this point, then he should seriously consider whether Lu Duoxun is somewhat overrated.

But in fact, Ludoson was quite shrewd.

If it weren't for her age misleading him, he probably wouldn't have taken the bait so easily.

"Come here and speak."

Zhao Dezhao nodded in satisfaction, sat back down at the table, and gestured for Lu Duoxun to sit down opposite him.

Lu Duoxun sighed, filled with resentment and confusion, and sat down opposite Zhao Dezhao.

He really couldn't understand why Zhao Dezhao was targeting him like this, pushing him to the brink of death.

"Sir, you are a man of great learning and knowledge; you must have heard the story of 'a rare commodity is worth hoarding'," Zhao Dezhao said with a slight smile, pouring Lu Duoxun a cup of tea.

"I have heard of it; it was during the Warring States period, by Lü Buwei..."

Lu Duoxun was just about to show off his knowledge when he suddenly remembered something and quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.

Once bitten by a snake, twice shy of a well rope!

Zhao Dezhao didn't mind, but stared intently at Lu Duoxun, and suddenly asked out of the blue:

"Sir, do you think I could be called a 'rare commodity'?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Duoxun was stunned. He looked up at Zhao Dezhao with surprise in his eyes:

"Does Your Highness mean... that you wish for me to assist you?"

Zhao Dezhao nodded without hesitation and said frankly, "I do indeed lack a capable advisor by my side."

The moment Zhao Dezhao saw Lu Duoxun, he had an idea.

He really can't leave the government immediately.

But that doesn't mean he can't find a spokesperson to do something for him!

And Ludosen's abilities make him the most suitable candidate!

That's why he came up with this idea.

Upon hearing this, Lu Duoxun grew even more indignant. Unable to contain his bewilderment, he retorted angrily, "Since Your Highness intends to employ me, please speak frankly. Why torment me like this?"

This feeling of being treated like a monkey is really unpleasant, and he wouldn't be satisfied until he figured it out.

"You are good at opportunism. I wouldn't feel at ease using you if I didn't have any leverage over you," Zhao Dezhao said without any concealment.

That was indeed his honest opinion. Given Ludoson's opportunistic nature, he wouldn't dare use him unless he had something to hold onto.

But this made Ludoson pause in surprise again.

Am I good at taking shortcuts?

Well, that's true, but the key question is, how did Your Highness know that?

Then, a thought flashed through his mind, causing him to freeze instantly.

He suddenly realized.

Today, he felt like prey, and Zhao Dezhao was the hunter with cold eyes, secretly watching him closely!

From the moment the two entered the study and began their conversation, a meticulously crafted net, tailor-made for them, had already been set in motion and aimed at them!

It's even possible that this net had already begun to be woven before he even stepped into the study, otherwise... why would this eunuch be so accommodating to His Highness?

How could Your Highness know his character so well?

And yet, completely unaware and ignorant, he stepped into this meticulously laid trap step by step!

There was no turning back!

What chilled him to the bone even more was that the hunter who had captured him was actually a child who was only ten years old!

"Even the three prodigies—Gan Luo of Qin, Xiang Tuo of the Spring and Autumn Period, and the child prodigy Cao Chong—are far inferior to Your Highness..."

This statement was truly a heartfelt exclamation from Ludosen.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I was being presumptuous today. Please forgive me."

Zhao Dezhao stood up, bowed respectfully to Lu Shiyi, and said apologetically, "I will make up for today's matter tenfold in the future."

"De Zhao may promise here that if he succeeds to the throne in the future, Lu Shiyi will be able to hold the highest position among the ministers."

As soon as he finished speaking, the study fell into a deathly silence.

The eunuch Zhang Dejun looked at Lu Duoxun with a mixture of surprise and envy.

Lu Duoxun stood there stunned, the slight resentment he had felt earlier completely gone, leaving only four words echoing in his mind.

He reached the pinnacle of his official career!

Although foreign officials are not allowed to have private dealings with the crown prince who has not yet married, if this matter were to reach His Majesty's ears, it is hard to guarantee that it would not be interpreted as "manipulating the young emperor," which is a crime comparable to treason!

but……

That was a very high-ranking official!

Political gambler Ludoson had to admit that his gambling addiction had kicked in!

Moreover, Zhao Dezhao had completely blocked his escape route, so he hesitated for less than a moment before making his decision!

He also stood up, held his tablet in his hands, bowed, and stepped forward to perform a standard courtier's salute to Zhao Dezhao:

"To have gained Your Highness's favor is my greatest honor!"

……