Chapter 27: The Servant Gao Qiu

…

“The servant Gao Qiu?”

After a moment’s reflection, Zhao Yu realized that Zhao Ji was still merely the Prince of Duan; at this time, Gao Qiu was not the Grand Marshal who had driven countless heroes to Mount Liang in the Water Margin, but merely a dissolute, down-on-his-luck youth.

“He likely gained entry to Prince Wang Shen’s household, where he accidentally displayed exceptional cuju skills—just as Zhao Ji happened to be present—and impressed Zhao Ji so greatly that he was taken into the Prince of Duan’s household as a servant.”

“By now, given his eloquence and mastery of amusement, he should have become Zhao Ji’s favorite.”

Zhao Yu’s mind stirred: “Perhaps I can make use of Gao Qiu?”

With this thought, Zhao Yu ordered Liang Shicheng to bring Gao Qiu in.

To Zhao Yu’s surprise, Gao Qiu bore no resemblance to Wei Zongwan—he was strikingly handsome.

Then again, it made sense.

Zhao Ji was an artist; when selecting men, he first judged their appearance—indeed, he valued looks above all else. Had Gao Qiu truly looked like Wei Zongwan, he would never have been favored by Zhao Ji, let alone risen to become Minister of National Defense of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Yet no matter how handsome Gao Qiu was, it did nothing to lessen Zhao Yu’s contempt for him.

This was not merely due to the influence of the Water Margin.

More importantly, though Gao Qiu was not among the Six Evils, his treachery surpassed theirs.

Most crucially, among the Six Evils, all except Zhu Mian had contributed something to the Zhao Song dynasty; Gao Qiu was a pure parasite. Moreover, beyond his skill at cuju, Gao Qiu possessed almost no ability—even less than Zhu Mian, who had plunged the southeast into chaos.

Historically, after Zhao Ji ascended the throne, Gao Qiu rose rapidly. Though he had no talent for governing or securing the realm, he excelled at forming cliques and colluding with corrupt ministers, turning the Northern Song bureaucracy into a cesspool. In military affairs, to please Zhao Ji and enrich himself, he turned hundreds of thousands of imperial guards into artisans, forcing them to build grand projects—rendering the army powerless and directly leading to the Jingkang Humiliation.

For such a talentless, treacherous wretch, even if he looked like Wu Yanzu, Zhao Yu felt not the slightest fondness for him.

Then again, if Zhao Yu wished to overthrow Zhao Ji and take his place, Gao Qiu might prove a useful opening.

With this in mind, Zhao Yu smiled at Gao Qiu: “I’ve heard you’re skilled at cuju. Perhaps you might instruct me sometime?”

Gao Qiu had not expected Zhao Yu to know his name.

Gao Qiu hurriedly replied: “I never imagined my humble name could reach Your Highness’s noble ears—I am blessed beyond measure. If Your Highness has such refined interest, I shall be at your beck and call, giving my all to please you.”

Gao Qiu’s face was awash with humility and flattery, while his mind raced: “If I can win the favor of Prince Shen, I shall gain another powerful ally in this treacherous court—and perhaps rise swiftly to greater power and wealth.”

Gao Qiu also felt a heady sense of pride: “Who could have imagined that such a simple game of cuju could carry me among the powerful, earning me political capital? The officials of Great Song truly have it easy! Perhaps, with this skill of mine, I shall one day sit in high office, ride fine steeds, achieve success, and enjoy boundless fortune…”

Watching Gao Qiu’s beaming smile, Zhao Yu silently shook his head: “A mere sycophant, yet he thrives under Zhao Ji—proof of how deeply corrupt the Northern Song bureaucracy had become under Zhao Ji’s rule.”

Zhao Yu feigned polite small talk with Gao Qiu, until Gao Qiu said: “My lord has arranged a cuju match with Your Highness and sent me to invite you to his residence tomorrow at the hour of Si.”

So be it—could Zhao Yu possibly fear Zhao Ji?

More importantly, Zhao Yu wished to lull Zhao Ji into complacency and buy himself more time to grow stronger.

So Zhao Yu accepted the invitation.

Then Zhao Yu glanced at Liang Shicheng and said calmly: “Arrange a meal for Senior Gao, then send him back to report.”

Liang Shicheng immediately understood, escorting Gao Qiu to the gatehouse, chatting warmly with him all the way…

…

During this time, Zhao Ji had repeatedly visited Cide Palace to seek an audience with Empress Dowager Xiang.

But Empress Dowager Xiang had truly lost faith in Zhao Ji.

Crucially, Zhao Yu now stood as a contrast: filial, politically astute, and obedient.

This made Empress Dowager Xiang even less willing to forgive Zhao Ji.

Not only Empress Dowager Xiang—even Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, whom she had nearly bestowed upon Zhao Ji, were now inaccessible to him.

This stirred deep suspicion in Zhao Ji.

After several repeated rejections, Zhao Ji decided to send someone to inquire why Empress Dowager Xiang, Zheng Xiansu, and Wang Yisu had taken such a firm stance.

But before he could send anyone, word spread that Zhao Yu intended to marry Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu as his princesses.

The news stirred considerable unrest among the imperial clan.

Primarily, most of the clan believed Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu’s birth was too lowly to suit Zhao Yu.

Many could not fathom why Zhao Yu would marry two of Empress Dowager Xiang’s maidservants—was he not lowering his own status?

Fortunately, Zhao Yu had also married Guo Ting, whose lineage was decent enough, preventing outright disgrace.

Yet even so, everyone now saw clearly: Zhao Yu and Empress Dowager Xiang were now inextricably bound together.

But no one could understand why—now that Zhao Xu had a son, and Liu Qingjing was clearly poised to surpass Empress Dowager Xiang as the most powerful woman in the Zhao Song dynasty, and Empress Dowager Xiang was certain to lose power—why would Zhao Yu choose to cling to her cold ashes?

Compared to Zhao Yu, Zhao Ji was far wiser.

Before Zhao Xu had a son, Zhao Ji had been very close to Empress Dowager Xiang.

But once Zhao Xu had a son, Zhao Ji began frequently visiting Zhao Xu and Liu Qingjing.

Notably, Empress Dowager Xiang refused to see Zhao Ji precisely because he was two-faced, unlike Zhao Yu, whose political stance was unwavering.

In truth, Zhao Ji was suffering too.

He did not lack the desire to visit Empress Dowager Xiang—he simply could not gain access. What could he do?

In fact, Zhao Ji’s plan was to cultivate ties with both Empress Dowager Xiang and Liu Qingjing, avoiding offense to either.

But Empress Dowager Xiang had acted too harshly: because he chose self-preservation in Funing Palace, she had given Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to Zhao Yu instead.

Though she had never explicitly promised Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu to Zhao Ji, everyone could see she intended to.

Zhao Ji had eagerly anticipated acquiring the beautiful and intelligent Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu.

Yet in the end, the duck had flown from the pot.

Worse still, Zhao Yu intended to marry Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu as princesses, while Zhao Ji only wished to take them as concubines—he could not even compete with Zhao Yu, let alone win.

More crucially, Zhao Ji had no betrothal or even promise with Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu, whereas Zhao Yu had already secured a clear marriage contract with them. If Zhao Ji now challenged Zhao Yu, the world would laugh at him for stealing his brother’s bride and blocking Zheng Xiansu and Wang Yisu from rising to nobility—unworthy of a gentleman.

Zhao Ji had been thoroughly and silently humiliated.

Even a clay figure has three parts of earth’s stubbornness.

And Zhao Ji was a noble prince.

Moreover, Zhao Mao’s birth had dulled Zhao Ji’s ambition for the throne.

This was not to say Zhao Ji no longer desired the imperial throne—only that with Zhao Mao in the picture, he had no chance.

Zhao Ji had even heard from Zhao Xu’s confidants that Liu Qingjing was persuading Zhao Xu to name Zhao Mao crown prince, permanently settling the succession and extinguishing all other clan members’ ambitions. Zhao Xu was inclined to agree.

So Zhao Ji decided to suppress his own ambition, seeking only self-preservation.

Yet for some reason, Zhao Ji felt Zhao Yu’s recent odd behavior was not so simple.

That was why Zhao Ji had organized this cuju match—to see what Zhao Yu was truly up to…

…

(End of Chapter)