A few months ago.

After Xiaozhao's successful coup.

He transferred power to Old Su and Old Zhong, allowing them to placate the civil servants and military generals, stabilizing the situation in the capital city.

Meanwhile, he took Old Su's advice and went to the ancestral temple of the Great Song, crying and lamenting Zhao Ji's incompetence and misguided ways.

Initially,

some ancestral elders of the Zongzheng Temple, holding onto their principles, had quite a few grievances against Xiaozhao's actions.

Although they dared not criticize him openly, they privately expressed sarcastic and sneering comments nonstop.

However, once Xiaozhao presented the evidence and testimonies of Zhao Ji's intent to harm him, the overt criticisms diminished significantly.

Because the evidence Xiaozhao provided was not fabricated but authentic, straight from Zhao Ji's hand, raw and shocking.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning.

There was indeed no influence from the notable young man surnamed Wang, who used to write 30,000 words daily.

Following the normal trajectory, the prison case at Prince Cai's Mansion would break out in a year's time.

By then, Deng Duo and many of Xiaozhao's aides would be killed, and Xiaozhao would be confined, leading to the complete collapse of Xiaozhao's interest group.

Presently, Empress Dowager Xiang's passing had occurred four months earlier than expected, and Zhao Ji preemptively targeted Xiaozhao; this was indeed a reasonable occurrence.

After all, this seeding machine was never known for his patience.

Thus, under the charge of harming his siblings,

Xiaozhao immediately gained a relative moral high ground, receiving considerable understanding from many:

Zhao Ji's knife was clearly raised, how could Xiaozhao not resist?

Moreover, Xiaozhao was already the candidate with the most support for the imperial throne.

Then, he first rejected the request from Zongzheng to ascend to the throne.

Declaring explicitly he had no interest in money... cough, cough, in the imperial throne.

His happiest days were the ones spent drinking and carousing a few months ago, he had no desire for the throne.

However, on the other hand.

Considering the stability of the nation, Xiaozhao was still 'forced' to assume the role of regent as a prince, but it's only temporary.

About a month later.

Xiaozhao took the initiative to propose a suggestion:

Let his other brother, Prince Shen Zhao Bi, who is the eldest surviving prince, succeed to the throne, prioritizing the elder.

Though Zhao Bi had eye problems, his mind was still sound.

So, upon hearing the proposal the next day, someone went to the Prefect of Kaifeng to file a complaint.

The person claimed to be Liu the Fourth, lamenting that Zhao Bi had seized his family's land and something inappropriate happened with his daughter, pleading the prefect to uphold justice for the people.

And, surprisingly.

The Prefect of Kaifeng, who usually avoided getting involved in imperial family matters, suddenly seemed as though he had just attended a concert by Liang Jingru.

In broad daylight, the spirit of Bao Qingtian possessed him, summoning Zhao Bi to court.

Looking at the girl who was 150 cm tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had measurements of eighty each, Zhao Bi shed a tear of heartache from his blind eye, admitting his beastly conduct.

Thus.

Xiaozhao's first attempt to abdicate ended in failure.

And in the following days.

Several ancestral elders stood forth, one after another, praising and exaggerating Xiaozhao's unusual birth in grandiose terms.

By the time various rumors reached Xu Yun's ears, the scene was already somewhat akin to the finale of Ultraman Tiga:

Demons, aware of an extraordinary emperor's birth, flocking from all corners intending to extinguish Xiaozhao, with the imperial family barely holding on, Xiaozhao was finally born, and the people of the Great Song became light.....

In such a manner.

Xiaozhao rejected the request to ascend the throne three times.

His tone and demeanor were much like Van Persie's back when he declared, "If anyone is loyal to Arsenal, it's me," filled with firmness and sincerity.

Another month passed.

By the end of May 1101 AD.

Xiaozhao waveringly agreed to the ministers' fourth request, after contemplating silently for a full hour, "reluctantly" consenting to the suggestion to ascend the throne.

Then, after repeated studies by the Astronomical Bureau and Ministry of Rites, the timing for Xiaozhao's coronation ceremony was set.....

The third day of the seventh month in the fourth year of Yuanfu, the Hour of Mao for ascension.

Of course.

According to this native historical timeline.

The Song Dynasty actually does not have any reference to a fourth year of Yuanfu.

Because the era name in 1101, with Empress Dowager Xiang's passing in the second month, was changed by Zhao Ji to the first year of Jianzhongjingguo, renewing many from the Yuanfeng Faction.

But in this timeline.

Zhao Ji was pulled down by Xiaozhao at the end of last year, so the first year of Jianzhongjingguo naturally ceased to exist.

......

After deciding on the coronation ceremony, on a day.

In a manor on the outskirts of Bianjing City.

This manor located over ten miles west of Bianjing City occupies a vast area, estimated to be over 100 acres.

The buildings within are luxurious and exquisite, with pavilions, towers, water pavilions, and viewing platforms all present, even several squads of guards rotating for duty.

At this moment.

Xu Yun was following alongside Xiaozhao and Old Su, heading in a certain direction.

Uncertain if it was just an illusion.

Xu Yun sensed that after not seeing him for a period, Xiaozhao's expression had less frivolity and more authority.

"Mr. Wang."

After walking a while, Xiaozhao pointed at the manor buildings and said to Xu Yun:

"You've been here for more than ten days, how do you find it?"

Xu Yun stopped walking, nodded approvingly:

"The manor is comfortable and serene, the orientation is ideal, truly a great place for retirement. Your Highness repays malice with kindness, the humble one is full of admiration."

Upon hearing this, Xiaozhao laughed heartily.

Xu Yun's words were not entirely flattering, as they genuinely reflected admiration as suggested by his expression.

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