In the past, Xiaozhao's so-called drunkenness and drunken antics were largely deliberate acts for self-preservation.

The negative emotions buried deep within Xiaozhao were far more than Xu Yun had anticipated.

Such a person, once intoxicated, was more prone to certain responses than the average drunkard.

Thus, with a hint from Xu Yun.

Suddenly, in Xiaozhao's mind, which had lost basic judgment, a scene emerged from the day a little eunuch delivered an imperial decree...

Clatter—

With a sweep of his sleeve, Xiaozhao knocked several plates to the ground.

At the same time, he continued to utter hoarse, incoherent sounds, murmuring like a wounded beast:

"Zhao Ji, Zhao Ji... we are of the same flesh and blood, why have you brought me to this state? When our brother was in power, did he ever treat you cruelly?!!"

As he spoke, Xiaozhao's eyes suddenly welled with tears:

"You ascended to the throne as Emperor, honored by thousands.

I had no intention to compete for the throne with you, yet you wouldn't even allow me to leave the Capital City, always guarded against me.

Today you cut my allowances, tomorrow you plant spies.

Last month, I sensed something amiss and stuffed a strand of hair into the undergarments I changed out of, instructing servants not to enter the room, but when I returned to the mansion after half a day, the strand of hair was already gone!"

As Xiaozhao spoke, he suddenly looked at Xu Yun with a mix of tears and laughter, as if mistaking him for Zhao Ji:

"Even the smallest intimate items, you don't leave untouched, Zhao Ji, what are you truly planning? Do you wish to claim my life before you rest?"

Seeing Xiaozhao in such a discomposed state, Xu Yun suddenly felt a wave of sympathy.

From Xiaozhao's final words and previous poems, it isn't hard to discern.

He didn't truly believe Zhao Ji would harm him, it was more from a place of tormented emotions.

After all, incidents of fratricide in the Northern Song were not many, tales of shadows and hatchets were ultimately rumors, without solid evidence.

Secondly, Zhao Ji's temperament, as mentioned before.

He was foolish, indeed, but could not be deemed violent.

Thus, in Xiaozhao's view.

The worst Zhao Ji might do was confine him within the palace, perhaps release him after several or even a dozen years.

But the problem is...

Historically, Zhao Ji did indeed cause harm to Xiaozhao.

Once was during the Prince Cai's Mansion prison case, where almost all capable aides of Xiaozhao were killed.

Another was Xiaozhao's later sudden death, which even historical records dare only obscurely cover up with the word 'demise'.

Since ancient times, the imperial family has been unfeeling...

Xiaozhao, in the courtyard, laughed and cried, venting his emotions.

Fortunately, the courtyard Xu Yun chose was quite secluded, and he instructed the servants not to approach.

In this era, without listening devices, even if there were spies watching, it simply appeared a little wanton.

After a while.

Xiaozhao was entirely spent, appearing somewhat sober.

Seeing this, Xu Yun quickly poured him another cup of wine.

Then he paused for a moment and posed a long-held curious question:

"Prince Jian, may I ask your thoughts on the current state of the nation?"

After asking this question.

Xu Yun closely observed Xiaozhao, his expression somewhat grave, uncertain if Xiaozhao would follow up.

"The state of the nation?"

Xiaozhao repeated this phrase, struck a funny pose tilting his head, then slowly uttered one word:

"Perilous!"

"Perilous?"

Upon hearing this response, Xu Yun was instantly intrigued, pressing for more:

"Why do you say perilous?"

Gulping down.

Xiaozhao picked up the jug, poured another cup of wine, drank deeply, then wiped the corner of his mouth.

What Xu Yun didn't know was.

The topic he brought up was precisely what Xiaozhao had pondered for a long time.

Thus naturally, Xiaozhao felt compelled to speak:

"In the current court, there are four Ministers, I wish to dismiss three of them, Three Masters and Three Dukes, I wish to dismiss four of them."

"Look at those seven individuals, which of them isn't gray at the temples, which isn't a pillar of the court, which isn't a family relative through marriage to my brother's daughter, they have rotted, and my heart is breaking."

"My brother entrusted the nation to Zhao Ji, yet it turned out like this, how can Zhao Ji face my brother?"

"When my brother first ascended, I was young, thought the greatest enemy of the court was Qiangwu; once Qiangwu was subdued, I thought it was Western Xia; General Wang Hou recovered Qingtang, then the Liao people became Great Song's worry."

As he spoke, Xiaozhao suddenly grew agitated, pointing with his index finger in a certain direction:

"I am increasingly clear now, Great Song's problems lie not outside, but within the court, right there in Chuigong Hall! Within my own flesh-and-blood brothers and Ministers!"

"Once a rot begins in Chuigong Hall, Great Song will rot as a whole!"

"If they all rot…."

Xiaozhao couldn't help but take a deep breath, shaking his head:

"The regions of Great Song will rise in revolt, leaving us with no place to die peacefully!"

Xu Yun, seeing Xiaozhao's reaction, glanced at him and proposed a new question:

"So, Your Highness, if you were in power, where would you start?"

It was evident Xiaozhao had pondered this question more than once, and even in his current muddled state, he resolutely answered:

"Curb factional disputes internally, eliminate false payrolls in Xiping!"

After saying this, he hiccupped before hazily continuing:

"The chaos of factional disputes has persisted... for too long, from Emperor Shen Zong's reign on, the rise of factional struggles over reform has engulfed the court, long… long before it eroded the structure of the court.

Look, apart from Duke Zhao wholeheartedly... wholeheartedly pursuing scholarly ranks, who in recent years can maintain neutrality?..."

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