At the same time, the First Prince had displayed exceptional political wisdom from a young age.
While the current King was in good health,
Zhao Kuangying had always kept a low profile and rarely associated with ministers.
In his daily life, he was humble, respectful, filial, and eager to learn.
It was only a few years ago, when the current King was nearing the end of his natural life and his health was rapidly deteriorating,
that Zhao Kuangying's presence gradually began to stand out.
And this process had unfolded naturally, without any deliberate maneuvering.
"I didn't expect the First Prince to lean toward the hardliners, too."
Wang Dong suddenly smiled.
Zhao Wan smiled faintly. She understood why Wang Dong had said that.
If Zhao Kuangying favored relatively conservative commercialism and pacifism, then he should have had no interest in the so-called advanced shield technology.
Given the distance between them and other river systems, as well as New Song Kingdom's overwhelming advantage over the other nations in the Changpan River System,
New Song Kingdom's standing would not be affected much whether or not it possessed this technology.
On the contrary, only the more ambitious hardliners would want to acquire the technology and use it to strengthen New Song Kingdom's military.
Or rather, only hardliners would be so wary of other nations in the Changpan River System possessing technology that they themselves did not have!
"Commercial pacifism has many supporters in New Song Kingdom.
Surely Zhao Kuangying's position on this matter hasn't met with no resistance?"
Wang Dong asked again.
"Exactly.
Not everyone agrees with the First Prince's stance.
At present, the conservatives still have a slight edge at court in New Song Kingdom.
Several of my elders happen to belong to the relatively conservative mercantile faction.
That's why delaying things has