Chapter 53: The Crown Prince Is Ill

…

People never move unless there’s profit to be had.

Zhao Yu offered to give Cai Jing a ten percent commission on every piece of glassware he sold.

Cai Jing was short on cash to bribe officials and maintain his lifestyle—how could he refuse such an easy way to make a fortune?

Besides, Zhao Yu acted with restraint: he didn’t sell telescopes or any military equipment; he sold only glass windows, glass mirrors, glass crafts, and eyeglasses—a black technology born a century ahead of its time.

As for the high prices?

Though Ma Xiao Jiao’s methods were already scientific and the artisans recruited by Huang Jingchen were highly skilled, glass production—especially colorless glass—remained low; without raising prices, they couldn’t guarantee supply.

Crucially, these glass goods were never meant for the poor—they were luxury items designed exclusively for the wealthy.

Zhao Yu had issued explicit orders: the foremost priority for these glass goods was exquisite craftsmanship.

For instance, glass crafts and vessels were fired by artisans who had once produced imperial porcelain, retrained under Ma Xiao Jiao’s guidance.

Zhao Yu believed that some of this era’s decadent elites—like Zhao Ji—would gladly pay for these glass items.

In short, Zhao Yu and Cai Jing reached an instant agreement; Zhao Yu’s glassware would soon enter the Song Dynasty’s most comprehensive and vast sales network.

As Zhao Yu saw Cai Jing off, Cai Jing hesitated for a long while before cautiously asking: “If our Great Song wishes to eradicate poverty and grow rich and strong, we must resolutely reform—otherwise, it’s impossible. What does Your Highness think?”

Zhao Yu replied without expression: “I know only reform can revive us. But I am a prince—though I wish to help, I lack the power to do so.”

Cai Jing sighed, then took his leave…

…

During this period, Zhao Xu was riding high!

First, Imperial Consort Liu gave birth to a son, resolving the Song Dynasty’s succession crisis.

Meanwhile, the Song Army first crushed the Xia Army, securing strategic advantage; then captured Qingtangcheng, established Shanzhou and Huangzhou, and appointed a Military Governor of Longyou, further consolidating Song control over the Hehuang region.

After consecutive defeats, Xia was forced to seek peace with the Song Dynasty.

In this process, Xia appealed to Liao for aid; Emperor Daozong of Liao, Yelu Hongji, seeking to preserve the balance among Song, Liao, and Xia, dispatched emissary Xiao Dechong to Bianliang with a jade belt, demanding Song halt its campaign against Xia.

Zhao Xu sent Cai Jing as envoy to firmly reject Liao’s interference in domestic affairs, insisting Xia was a vassal of Song—the Liao emissary returned empty-handed.

In short, during this period, the Song Dynasty, through military victories and diplomatic maneuvering, temporarily suppressed Xia and intimidated Liao, achieving a rare moment of glory since its founding.

Added to this, Cai Jing had merely conducted a preliminary inventory of the imperial palace’s treasuries, appraised the accumulated obsolete goods, and found these “rubbish” could fetch at least ten million guan.

Crucially, this money was not counted as state revenue—it was under Zhao Xu’s personal discretion; he could use it for war or any other purpose without restriction.

These many good tidings left Zhao Xu in a constant state of euphoria; the unhealthy flush on his face grew ever more pronounced.

Yet Zhao Xu felt no unease—he worked even harder at court affairs.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingjing was no passive woman; as soon as she finished her postpartum period, she relentlessly pursued Zhao Xu, seeking to bear another son as insurance.

Zhao Xu also felt that having only Zhao Mao as his son was too risky; despite his declining health, he pushed himself relentlessly, hoping Liu Qingjing—who had already delivered one son—could deliver another.

On the Jiazi day of the ninth lunar month.

Zhao Xu panted heavily as he rose from Liu Qingjing’s side.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Liu Qingjing’s eyes.

Though dissatisfied with Zhao Xu’s performance, she still falsely praised his vigor, urging him to rest briefly before trying again.

At that moment, the palace maid attending Zhao Mao rushed in: “Your Majesty, Your Ladyship—the Crown Prince is ill!!”

Zhao Xu, who doted on Zhao Mao, broke into a cold sweat on the spot!

But how could Zhao Xu afford to dwell on such a trivial matter?

He leapt from bed, snatched his nightgown from the maid’s hands, and hurried toward Zhao Mao’s side chamber, shouting: “Summon the imperial physicians at once!!”

Liu Qingjing did the same—disheveled and half-dressed—racing toward Zhao Mao’s side chamber.

Soon, the on-duty imperial physicians arrived en masse to treat Zhao Mao.

Before long, even those who had gone home were recalled to the palace for a joint consultation on Zhao Mao.

Not long after, news of Zhao Mao’s illness reached Cide Palace.

Empress Dowager’s heart tightened!

From her experience, infants under six months rarely fell ill.

And if they did fall ill during this period, it could be fatal.

At that moment, Zhang Chun stepped beside Empress Dowager and whispered: “Your Majesty… prepare yourself.”

The moment Zhang Chun spoke, Empress Dowager recalled Zhao Yu’s earlier warning—that Zhang Chun had foreseen a matter of life-or-death consequence for the Song Dynasty within ten days.

What matter could so profoundly affect the Song Dynasty’s fate?

The Crown Prince?!!!

Empress Dowager’s pupils contracted sharply; she turned to Zhang Chun with grave intensity and asked: “The Crown Prince…”

Zhang Chun nodded firmly.

Empress Dowager’s heart lurched: “The Crown Prince will die?!!!”

If true, this would be enormous.

It meant the Song Dynasty would once again lack a legitimate heir.

If so, who was fit to become the new heir?

The first person to flash through Empress Dowager’s mind was Zhao Yu.

Yet, according to precedent, if an emperor had no sons, he would adopt a son to inherit the throne.

For example, the fourth Song emperor, Song Renzong Zhao Zhen, had three sons—all died young; he eventually adopted Zhao Zongshi, the thirteenth son of Prince of Pu Zhao Yunrang, who became the later Song Yingzong.

“If the Crown Prince truly dies, and His Majesty is still young and has just gained a son, he will not immediately adopt an heir—he will continue trying to sire another prince until all hope is lost, then consider adoption.”

“At that point, I must observe quietly and not act rashly—otherwise, I may burn myself.”

With this thought, Empress Dowager ignored Zhang Chun’s advice and acted as if she knew nothing of Zhao Mao’s impending death—even her expression remained unchanged.

—“Though Mount Tai collapses before him, his countenance does not change; though deer appear at his left, his eyes do not blink”—this described Empress Dowager at this moment.

Seeing her reaction was useless, Zhang Chun was frustrated: “Come on, such a huge matter, and this is your response? Don’t you want to do something—or even consult me? At least act shocked!”

But Empress Dowager not only showed no intention to consult Zhang Chun—she waved her hand, signaling him to leave.

As Zhang Chun walked out, he muttered inwardly:

“This old witch is so annoying—she gives me no room to act. I spent days preparing!”

“Good thing I held back—I only told her Zhao Mao would die, not that Zhao Xu would too, hm!”

“Hmm… though this old witch might hold power for a few days, she’s stubborn, refuses my counsel, and won’t live much longer anyway—she’s a fleeting bloom, not worth my time.”

“Zhao Yu is far better—gentle, considerate, magnanimous, open to advice—he’s ten thousand times superior to this old witch. I’ll wait until Zhao Yu ascends the throne, then return to his side.”

Meanwhile, Li Yan, who had eyes and ears spread throughout the palace, also received word of Zhao Mao’s illness.

To be honest, Li Yan didn’t take the news seriously—but he still followed Zhao Yu’s orders and reported it to Zhao Yu immediately.

Zhao Yu listened, then thought: “Time to ban Zhao Ji…”

…

(End of Chapter)