Chapter 121

…

"Rise and be seated."

Zhao Yu's voice was flat, showing no surprise, not even a hint of astonishment—as if he had long foreseen that Li Qingzhao would return, slinking back in shame.

Zhao Yu's attitude made Li Qingzhao wonder if Li Kefei and the others had misjudged him—perhaps he had never cared for her at all?

Having heard it said so often by those around her, Li Qingzhao had even come to believe she was Zhao Yu's white moonlight, just like many noble sons who admired her poetry.

Before arriving, she had even prepared herself for the possibility that Zhao Yu would be so stunned by her presence he couldn't move—or be utterly bewitched.

But ideals are full, reality is thin.

"Sit."

After saying this, Zhao Yu resumed feeding Ma Xiao Jiao dried lychees, not glancing at Li Qingzhao again.

Zhao Yu's actions in feeding Ma Xiao Jiao were tender and considerate; he even pressed his ear to her belly to listen, gleefully sharing with the surrounding women how the child inside kicked him.

Even if Li Qingzhao knew nothing of romantic feelings, she could plainly see: Zhao Yu truly loved Ma Xiao Jiao. As for her? She was just someone who had come knocking on his door… Looking around at the women—each more beautiful than the last, some plump, some slender—she silently thought, 'A man of Yelang?'

Everyone waited until nightfall, but Ma Xiao Jiao showed no signs of labor.

Zhao Yu had a habit of rising early and sleeping early; as soon as the hour of You arrived, he chose Li Lin to accompany him to bed, then took her to her palace to rest.

When selecting who to spend the night with, Zhao Yu never considered Li Qingzhao—he had clearly forgotten she sat in the corner.

From childhood to now, in every place she had ever been, Li Qingzhao had never been ignored—no, in every place, she had always been the brightest star in the night sky.

'If you feel nothing, why toy with me?'

A wave of indescribable shame and fury surged in her chest; her face flushed red and pale in turns.

When Zhao Yu and Li Lin's figures vanished from view, Zhao Yu's concubines, ladies-in-waiting, and maids began to drift away in small groups; some whispered among themselves, occasionally punctuated by low giggles.

Li Qingzhao felt these women were laughing at her—mocking her, the presumptuous outsider.

She bit her lower lip until it bled, her fingernails nearly digging into her palms; she silently swore she would not let herself be looked down upon like this.

At that moment, Zhang Chun walked over and said, "You have no lodging yet—come stay with me, shall you?"

With things as they were, what choice did Li Qingzhao have but to follow her good friend Zhang Chun? Could she wander back home in the dark?

As she walked with Zhang Chun, Li Qingzhao remained puzzled, wondering what game Zhao Yu was truly playing.

Zhang Chun saw through her thoughts and smiled: "The Emperor is occupied with myriad state affairs—how could he possibly toy with you?"

Hearing this, Li Qingzhao finally realized: Zhao Yu had countless women and was constantly busy—if he had no interest in her, why would he waste time on her? And why would he have granted her the golden tablet?

Now that she understood Zhao Yu likely did care for her, she was even more confused: if he cared, why was he ignoring her so thoroughly?

Zhang Chun explained: "The Emperor does indeed have affection for you—but you are merely one among many. In the imperial harem, three thousand beauties vie for favor; to be the sole recipient of all that affection is a dream none of us can attain—how could it fall so easily to you? A sovereign's emotions are far more complex than an ordinary man's; every action requires weighing gains and losses, considering countless concerns—he cannot act as a commoner does, freely and impulsively expressing his heart."

Li Qingzhao understood: before arriving, she had overestimated herself. Zhao Yu could not possibly ignore his many women to favor only her. But things were not as bad as she had feared—she still had a chance to win his affection.

Zhang Chun said: "You are both beautiful and talented, and the Emperor is drawn to you—securing your place in the palace will not be difficult. But you must cultivate magnanimity, avoid arrogance and impatience, learn to read expressions and moods, and above all, discover how to stand out among the concubines so the Emperor remembers you. Otherwise, over time, you will vanish into the crowd."

Here, Zhang Chun silently added: 'If you wish to be constantly on Zhao Yu's mind, there is only one way: be useful to him. Xiao Jiao is the perfect example.'

Thanks to Zhang Chun's insight, Li Qingzhao began to understand—but at the same time, she felt conflicted, wondering why she should even do such a thing.

Seeing Li Qingzhao's unyielding naivety, Zhang Chun shook her head and spoke bluntly: "Before sending you here, Su Zhe never explained to you how dire your Yuanyou faction's situation has become? One misstep, and you face utter ruin—your families too will be swept away?"

Li Qingzhao was stunned! She had never imagined Zhang Chun understood the Yuanyou faction's plight so well.

Zhang Chun smiled: "Do you think I only know how to please the Emperor with my beauty, and understand nothing of state affairs?"

Li Qingzhao had no reply. In truth, she had thought exactly that—believing Zhang Chun was merely one of Zhao Yu's many playthings, perhaps slightly more literary than herself, useful only for teaching her how to flatter Zhao Yu. As for state affairs? Even she, who often dealt with politicians, barely understood them—how could Zhang Chun possibly know?

Li Qingzhao was innocent and straightforward—she could not hide her thoughts for a moment. To Zhang Chun, her inner thoughts were written plainly on her face.

Zhang Chun shook her head, then spoke slowly: "Su Zhe has decent political sensitivity and acted promptly—if not, your Yuanyou faction would have been destroyed already…"

Zhang Chun told Li Qingzhao that Cai Jing had already proposed to Zhao Yu the establishment of the "Jiangyi Office."

As an elder of the New Party who had actively followed Wang Anshi's reforms during Emperor Shenzong's reign, Cai Jing knew well that Wang Anshi had briefly unified the court and implemented his reforms by relying on a department called the "Commission for the Regulation of the Three Financial Departments."

That department bypassed the traditional leadership of the Chancellery and the Vice-Chancellors, placing all reform officials directly under one man's command, enabling the swift execution of the reformer's will with maximum efficiency.

Cai Jing proposed to Zhao Yu that, to better implement reform, a similar department be established to exclusively oversee reform initiatives.

This department was the Jiangyi Office.

The Zhao Song dynasty Zhao Yu inherited was financially strained; moreover, the Qingtang region, reclaimed during Emperor Zhezong's reign, was now showing signs of instability.

At precisely this moment, the Old Party ministers advised Zhao Yu to abandon Qingtang and revise the New Policies—walking straight into a fatal misstep.

No wonder Zhao Yu has recently been furious with the Old Party.

Through Zhang Chun's explanation, Li Qingzhao finally understood why the Old Party's situation had become so dire.

Now, Cai Jing's proposal of the "Jiangyi Office" was meant to solve these problems for the Zhao Song dynasty—to help Zhao Yu clean up this mess.

Therefore, Zhao Yu would surely accept Cai Jing's proposal.

The list of forty-seven names proposed by Cai Jing for the Jiangyi Office included fourteen core senior officials.

Leading them were Jian Xuchen and Wu Juhou.

These two were the Old Party's lifelong enemies.

The former, after Zhao Xu's personal rule, actively participated in suppressing the Yuanyou faction, frequently submitting memorials urging the compilation of the "crimes" of Sima Guang and other "traitorous ministers"; many Old Party members were demoted repeatedly, their fates penned by his hand. Yet, on the other hand, his legal methods were severe, ruthless, and swift, enabling the rapid implementation of all New Policy reforms. Under his rule, the populace—primarily the scholar-gentry, but also commoners—were brutally exploited.

The latter possessed exceptional financial acumen: he meticulously planned salt and iron trade, greatly increasing court revenues, and encouraged local minting to boost fiscal income. As Transport Commissioner of Jingdong Road and other posts, he used salt and iron tax revenues to fund horse purchases for Hedong, support Shaanxi's military pay, promote regional economic development, strengthen the court's military power, and dredge canals to aid grain transport and irrigation. But his flaw was the same: his methods were ruthless, heedless of the people's suffering.

These two were classic tyrannical officials—capable, effective, but their governance brought suffering to the people.

This time, Cai Jing recommended many such tyrants to Zhao Yu, including An Dun, a particularly skilled practitioner of factional purges.

Beyond these tyrants, those admitted to the Jiangyi Office were either Cai Jing's loyalists like Zhang Kangguo and Qiang Junming, or capable New Party members like Zhang Shangying and Zheng Jing. In other words, the Jiangyi Office Cai Jing created was tightly knit, immensely powerful, ruthlessly efficient, and utterly combative.

If Cai Jing used the Jiangyi Office to retaliate against his political enemies, they would wish for death over life.

As for whether Cai Jing would show mercy to his enemies, Zhang Chun told Li Qingzhao to ask Han Zhongyan, Su Zhe, and others how they retaliated against Cai Jing and the New Party when the New Party was in decline—then she would know.

Li Qingzhao understood: Zhang Chun was warning her—no, warning the Old Party behind her—that Cai Jing and Cai Bian's counterattack was imminent.

Li Qingzhao asked Zhang Chun: "Why are you telling me this?"

Zhang Chun smiled and said, "Su Zhe and Han Zhongyan will tell you the answer."

Li Qingzhao asked uncertainly, "Are you asking me to tell them about this?"

Zhang Chun did not answer, but asked instead, "Then why would I tell you about this?"

Li Qingzhao asked, "Go now?"

Zhang Chun said, "You could wait a few days—he may already know about this and have a solution ready; I'd be doing something unnecessary."

Li Qingzhao realized Zhang Chun was speaking ironically.

Li Qingzhao asked Zhang Chun how she could leave the palace, then hurried home to deliver the news.

After Li Qingzhao left, Zhang Chun watched her back, a faint smile curling at her lips.

The Old Party's current situation is precarious; having lost Empress Dowager Xiang as their greatest protector, they now desperately need a new patron.

Yet the few women the Old Party placed in Zhao Yu's harem—including Li Qingzhao, whom they placed great hope in—could not influence Zhao Yu at all.

But Zhang Chun was different: her words, though not fully obeyed, were at least heard by Zhao Yu; and beside her stood Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng—every one of them, except Yuan Qing Cheng, a favored imperial consort whom Zhao Yu trusted deeply; if they united, they could replace Empress Dowager Xiang and become the Old Party's new protector.

And if she could unify Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng, plus Li Qingzhao, Chao Min, Han Yu, Li Chun, Zhao Mai, and other women, they would form a powerful political force within the harem—potentially strong enough to rival Zheng Xiansu.

If only there were a powerful political force outside the palace supporting her.

Then she might become the second Liu Qingjing.

Yet to become the second Liu Qingjing, she still lacked one crucial piece—the favor of Zhao Yu.

Having lived with Zhao Yu for so long, Zhang Chun had come to understand: Zhao Yu could favor her, but would never favor her alone.

Not just her—Zheng Xiansu was the same.

If either of them threatened Zhao Yu's interests, he would discard them without hesitation.

Thus, her former unrealistic dreams—of becoming Empress Dowager, Empress, Wu Zetian, Cixi—must be set aside for now.

Now, she should be pragmatic: step back, aim lower, persuade Zhao Yu to tacitly accept her as the Old Party's new protector, and bind herself politically to them.

This would not be easy.

Because Zhao Yu disliked palace interference in politics.

Fortunately, she knew Zhao Yu had no intention of fully siding with the New Party, nor had he loosened the leash tied around Cai Jing's neck.

That was also her intention: only then would the Zhao Song dynasty avoid repeating history's mistakes and prevent the Jingkang Humiliation.

Thus, the current situation was clear: Zhao Yu needed to control Cai Jing's power, and also balance the New Party's strength.

Therefore, Zhao Yu would surely preserve the Old Party.

But at the same time, Zhao Yu must also control these troublesome, barking Old Party members.

"If I can help Zhao Yu control these Old Party members, remain entirely under his control, and continually give him small favors, perhaps I can persuade him to relent—after all, politics has always been, since ancient times, the art of compromise…"

…

Li Qingzhao, following Zhang Chun's instructions, found Accompanying Tong Guan, showed him the golden tablet, and asked him to arrange escorts to take her home, adding that she would return tomorrow.

Accompanying Tong Guan knew Li Qingzhao currently had free access to the palace.

Since this privilege was granted by Zhao Yu, Accompanying Tong Guan had no objection; without hesitation, she arranged for Li Qingzhao's departure according to the standard protocol for imperial consorts leaving the palace.

Seeing Li Qingzhao return, Li Kefei nearly exploded on the spot.

Li Qingzhao saw her father did not welcome her back; she quickly told him about Cai Jing's request to Zhao Yu to establish the "Jiangyi Si."

Li Kefei knew how terrifying the predecessor of the "Jiangyi Si"—the "Three Financial Offices Regulation Bureau"—had been; he went straight to see Su Shi and Su Zhe that night to report the matter.

After hearing it, Su Shi and Su Zhe sent for Han Zhongyan and told him about Cai Jing's plan to establish the "Jiangyi Si" and that Zhao Yu would surely approve it.

Han Zhongyan listened and judged the "Jiangyi Si" itself not terrifying—the key was Zhao Yu's attitude; if Zhao Yu had no intention of crushing the Old Party, the "Jiangyi Si" would merely be an executive body for reform, nothing more.

But if Zhao Yu intended to crush the Old Party, the "Jiangyi Si," gathering cruel officials like Jian Xuchen, Wu Juhou, and An Dun, could certainly torture them to death.

Su Shi and Su Zhe agreed.

After reaching consensus, they began studying Zhang Chun.

Zhang Chun knew about Cai Jing's plan to establish the "Jiangyi Si," understood its details so thoroughly, and was certain Zhao Yu would support Cai Jing—her influence was no ordinary matter.

Moreover, Zhang Chun understood their plight so well, and still dared to warn them—this meant she was confident they could survive this crisis, or that she could help them survive it.

That made her even more formidable.

Han Zhongyan, Su Shi, and Su Zhe all wondered: "Who exactly is this Consort Zhang? And why is she helping us Yuanyou faction members?"

…

(End of Chapter)