Chapter 69: Zhao Xu Dies

…

Continuous setbacks, combined with exhaustion and cold from the suburban rites, perhaps compounded by the imperial family's urging Zhao Xu to appoint Zhao Yu as Prefect of Kaifeng, worsened Zhao Xu's condition.

On the very day he returned to Dongjing Bianliang from outside the city, Zhao Xu fell critically ill and could no longer attend court.

What troubled Zhao Yu, even infuriated him, was that despite Zhao Xu's dire state, he still refused to appoint him Prefect of Kaifeng, let alone name him Crown Prince—no matter who pleaded, it was useless, as if he believed he could recover if he just held on a few more days.

Moreover, whenever anyone tried to persuade Zhao Xu, he would watch them leave with a venomous gaze.

According to those monitoring Zhao Xu, his gaze resembled "When I'm well again, see how I'll make you suffer."

Of course, this might merely be the speculation of those monitoring Zhao Xu.

After all, by this point, everyone sought to earn merit from supporting the new emperor, hoping for promotion once the new sovereign ascended.

But Empress Dowager had already gambled everything and dared not risk it—was Zhao Xu delirious from illness and revealed his true intentions, or had his monitors misread him, or worse, were they acting with ulterior motives?

After repeated pleas failed, Empress Dowager revealed her shrewdness: she decisively replaced all attendants serving Zhao Xu with her own trusted men, under the pretense of providing better care.

Additionally, Liu Qingjing and Zhao Xu's loyalists were all placed under house arrest by Empress Dowager's orders.

When Liu Qingjing was placed under house arrest, she relied on her status as Empress and attempted to resist, even trying to wield her imperial authority.

But Zheng Xiansu, sent by Empress Dowager to confine Liu Qingjing, stepped alone to her side and whispered low: "The Empress Dowager has not yet condemned Your Highness; I beg Your Highness to consider carefully before acting."

At first, Liu Qingjing did not grasp what Zheng Xiansu meant.

But soon, her face turned ashen—she understood: Zheng Xiansu meant the Empress Dowager would overlook past matters, but if she proved foolish, the Empress Dowager would settle all accounts with her.

How?

Liu Qingjing recalled the fate of Meng Xiang she had destroyed, and thought of the thirty-odd eunuchs and palace maids in Meng Xiang's household, detained by her men, tortured with brutal interrogations, many beaten until their bodies were unrecognizable, tongues cut, limbs severed.

Liu Qingjing was terrified.

Thus, Liu Qingjing remained obediently in her quarters, never again visiting Zhao Xu.

Two days later, at night, Yang Jian, personally monitoring Zhao Xu, galloped back to Cide Palace and reported: "His Majesty shows clear signs of imminent demise; please, Empress Dowager, decide!"

Empress Dowager, who had slept in full attire for two days, rose immediately and, as she walked out, issued decisive orders: "Summon Prince Shen to the palace; order Accompanying Tong Guan and Wang Bing to lead the palace guards and accompany me to protect His Majesty."

Accompanying Tong Guan and Wang Bing had already been recommended to Empress Dowager by Zhao Yu; she had assigned them temporary command over all palace guards, and for days they had been on twenty-four-hour standby.

Upon receiving Empress Dowager's command, Accompanying Tong Guan and Wang Bing immediately led three hundred fully armed personal guards to escort Empress Dowager into the palace.

Soon, Empress Dowager arrived at Zhao Xu's bedchamber.

At that moment, a group of imperial physicians were desperately trying to save Zhao Xu.

Seeing Empress Dowager arrive, the lead physician Mou Jie hurried forward and said: "If there is a matter of great importance, time is critical."

Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling all physicians to withdraw.

Without being instructed, Accompanying Tong Guan told the physicians: "You've all worked hard; please rest in the side hall for a few days; rewards will follow."

Seeing Zhao Yu's men act with such precision, Empress Dowager nodded inwardly.

Soon, everyone exiting Zhao Xu's bedchamber—physicians or Empress Dowager's men alike—were all "invited" by Accompanying Tong Guan and Wang Bing to the side hall and placed under house arrest.

These people understood: Zhao Yu and Empress Dowager feared they might smuggle out Zhao Xu's edict and cause complications; once Zhao Yu ascended the throne, they would be safe—and might even be promoted.

After clearing everyone out, Empress Dowager entered Zhao Xu's bedchamber alone with Zheng Xiansu, who then closed the door from within.

Then Accompanying Tong Guan and Wang Bing led their three hundred guards to surround the chamber in three concentric layers, leaving no fly to escape.

Not long after, Zhu Taifei, somehow hearing the news of Zhao Xu's critical condition, arrived at the bedchamber's entrance, shouting to see Zhao Xu one last time.

Wang Bing walked over, drew his sword, and glared: "No one may approach this place without the command of His Royal Highness or the Empress Dowager; violation means execution!"

Zhu Taifei turned pale and retreated hastily, no longer daring to shout for a final meeting with Zhao Xu.

Meanwhile, the chancellors and ministers received word of Zhao Xu's critical condition; under the leadership of Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, Ceng Bu, Cai Bian, Xu Jiang, they gathered in the Chuigong Hall, awaiting the transition of imperial power in the Zhao Song dynasty.

Zhao Yu and the imperial clan gathered outside Funing Palace, waiting for word from Empress Dowager regarding Zhao Xu.

Near midnight, Empress Dowager sent word: The Emperor has passed; let the chancellors and virtuous and respected members of the imperial clan come to discuss the succession.

The imperial clan and civil-military officials without eligibility to participate in the succession burst into loud wailing.

Zhao Yu wept the most bitterly, as if mourning his own parents.

Soon, the chancellors Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, Ceng Bu, Cai Bian, Xu Jiang, Princess Qingshou, Prince Pu, and other imperial members entered the eastern pavilion of Xuanhe Hall and met Empress Dowager.

After offering condolences, Zhang Dun spoke for all: "Did His Majesty leave a last edict?"

Empress Dowager shook her head: "His Majesty departed in haste, leaving no edict."

All understood: even at death, Empress Dowager and Zhao Xu had never reached agreement; in truth, Zhao Xu had never consented to pass the throne to Zhao Yu.

Others did not know that, when Zhao Xu was still capable of handling affairs, Zhang Dun had probed him: if Zhao Xu met with misfortune, whom should he support as the new sovereign?

Zhao Xu gave no direct answer, but Zhang Dun, sharp-eyed, saw him tremulously write a single character—"Jian"—on the scrap paper before him.

According to Zhao Xu's wishes, Zhang Dun should have proposed Zhao Si as the new emperor.

But Zhang Dun thought of Zhao Si's utter ignorance, then of Zhao Yu's proven administrative brilliance, then of the Zhao Song dynasty's current internal and external crises—he swallowed the words "install the blood relative" and instead asked: "May I ask, Your Majesty, who is fit to be the new sovereign?"

Empress Dowager regarded Zhang Dun deeply and said: "I have no son; all princes are illegitimate; none differ. By seniority, Prince Shen is eldest and could be sovereign, but Prince Shen suffers from eye disease. Next is Prince Duan…"

Zhang Dun interrupted: "Prince Duan is frivolous; unfit to rule the realm."

Empress Dowager smoothly bypassed Zhao Ji and said: "Next is Prince Shen…"

…

(End of Chapter)