Chapter 81: The Maid Li Shishi

…

Hearing Zhao Yu mention money, Zhang Dun fell silent.

This was an unavoidable practical problem.

Moreover, as Chancellor of the Zhao Song dynasty, Zhang Dun had to confront this problem directly.

Undoubtedly, memorials demanding military funds had nearly buried Zhang Dun; his clan elder Zhang Jie had written him letter after letter, pressing for military funds and rewards for the Pingxiacheng campaign.

Now, as Zhao Yu said, an emperor does not send hungry soldiers into battle—before the army departs, the back pay and rewards must be settled, or how can frontline troops serve the Zhao Song dynasty?

But the question is, where does this money come from?

This year’s fiscal revenue had already been spent, with significant external debts outstanding, and next year’s revenue had not yet been collected.

Moreover, since most of the Zhao Song dynasty’s land was held by high-ranking officials, noble families, and wealthy landlords who paid no taxes, even if the two taxes were collected, the amount would be minimal.

The only hope now was commercial tax, but that wouldn’t begin until next year.

Besides, next year’s budget was already earmarked for next year’s needs—this year’s funds had all been advanced; how would they survive next year?

At present, the Zhao Song dynasty was sustaining itself solely on the money Cai Jing had earned by selling off discarded assets.

To be fair, it was thanks to Zhao Yu’s clever idea during his time as Prince that the court had this solution; otherwise, Zhang Dun didn’t know how he would have gotten through this period.

Notably, precisely because he had personally experienced the benefits Zhao Yu brought to the Zhao Song dynasty, Zhang Dun had at the last moment “betrayed” Zhao Xu, who had shown him great favor, and chosen Zhao Yu as the new emperor—because Zhao Yu offered the best chance to save the Zhao Song dynasty.

To be honest, Zhao Yu’s conduct since ascending the throne had disappointed Zhang Dun: not only had Zhao Yu failed to crush the Old Party and free him to pursue reforms wholeheartedly, he had also recalled all the Old Party members Zhang Dun had barely expelled, giving them signs of revival.

Zhang Dun knew this was not Zhao Yu’s intention, but the Empress Dowager Xiang’s.

Still, Zhang Dun trusted his judgment: Zhao Yu’s vision could not fail to see that the Zhao Song dynasty would collapse unless it resolutely pursued reform, and that only the New Party could drive such reform—while the hypocritical Old Party was the greatest obstacle to change.

Moreover, though bound by the Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhao Yu was still striving to plan for the Zhao Song dynasty; his Three Strategies were clear proof.

In fact, Zhang Dun had just praised the Three Strategies not only to stabilize Zhao Yu and prevent him from leaning toward the Old Party, but because he genuinely believed they were brilliantly conceived and could relieve considerable pressure.

Yet while the Three Strategies were brilliant, none could produce money immediately.

Even Zhao Yu, the most adept at securing funds, had done his best—but military expenses still had no source. What should be done?

Seeing Zhang Dun still failed to grasp it, Zhao Yu offered a further hint: “The other day, Sima Guang and his ilk surrendered the territories won by our late emperor and his ministers to the Xia, disregarding the sacrifices made by our late emperor’s court and squandering the blood of frontline soldiers. Every time I recall their treasonous acts, I long to confiscate their property and exterminate their clans—but back then, I was merely a child, utterly powerless. What can I do…?”

…

Soon after, Zhang Dun emerged from the Chuigong Hall.

Zeng Bu, Cai Bian, Cai Jing, and other New Party ministers approached him: “What did His Majesty say?”

“His Majesty supports showing military strength,” Zhang Dun said.

Cai Bian was delighted; Zeng Bu frowned slightly; Cai Jing remained impassive.

“But His Majesty is anxious about military funds and has ordered us to find a solution—otherwise, even his support is useless,” Zhang Dun added.

This time, Zeng Bu’s frown eased; Cai Bian’s tightened; Cai Jing remained impassive.

“Are you certain His Majesty supports showing military strength?” Zeng Bu confirmed.

Zeng Bu, a traitor, was someone Zhang Dun had no desire to acknowledge—but now that the Old Party had returned and Zhao Yu had promoted Su Zhe and Su Shi to ministerial posts, and had the elderly Su Song and Fan Chunren declined his “reappointment,” the court would have been even more chaotic.

Under this political climate, Zhang Dun was forced to unite the conservative faction within the New Party—Zeng Bu, An Tao, Li Qingchen, and others—otherwise he could not suppress the Old Party.

But once he brought Zeng Bu and the others on board, a problem arose: these conservative New Party members were politically unstable and constantly questioned him.

Suppressing his distaste for Zeng Bu, Zhang Dun said: “His Majesty brought up Sima Guang’s surrender of territory, filled with righteous fury, longing to confiscate their property and exterminate their clans—but at the time, he was merely a child, powerless.”

Upon hearing this, Zeng Bu, Cai Bian, and Cai Jing all stiffened.

Zhang Dun immediately realized: Zhao Yu had been a child back then, but he wasn't one now—so Zhao Yu’s intention was… to settle accounts with these men?

“Your Excellency, this is a heavenly opportunity,” Cai Jing reminded Zhang Dun.

All of them had weathered decades of court politics—how could they not understand what Cai Jing meant?

Clearly, Zhao Yu, this ambitious emperor, was trapped by money and was “desperately grasping at straws.”

For ministers, Zhao Yu’s thoughts were extremely dangerous.

For who could guarantee they would not one day fall from power?

Remember when Sima Guang held power—he was glorious, targeting New Party generals and regional governors at will; now he might face confiscation and extermination.

And if everyone upheld the principle that scholars-officials must not be punished, and constantly indoctrinated the emperor to uphold it, then even if they fell from power, they would at least avoid a horrific fate.

Take Sima Guang: though Zhao Xu despised him, he still granted him dignity—now, wasn’t Sima Guang still officially honored? Even his adopted son Sima Kang and his grandson Sima Ji still held office?

But once the struggle escalated to confiscation and extermination, should one lose, one would face an equal fate.

Yet even without confiscation and extermination, during the Old Party’s ascendancy, Sima Guang and others had done much: they exiled New Party members endlessly—from east to west, west to north, north to south, driving them to death or torment.

Moreover, once you fell from power, your descendants could never rise again—your enemies would suppress them, ensuring they had no future, lest they nurture tigers to later avenge themselves or their descendants?

Thus, the consequence of political defeat had always been brutal—even with the principle that scholars-officials must not be punished.

Cai Jing saw this clearly, which was why he urged Zhang Dun to seize Zhao Yu’s moment of desperation to crush the Old Party and realize their political ambitions.

Zhang Dun, already a hardliner, was swayed.

Zhao Yu intended to target the ministers who had advocated abandoning territory, branding them traitors.

When Sima Guang took power, New Party leaders like Cai Que, Zhang Dun, and Han Zhen were successively exiled; the court’s debate shifted from whether to abandon territory to which territories to surrender.

Fan Chunren and Fan Chuncui advocated abandoning Jialu, Mizhi, Futi, and Anjiang fortresses.

Su Zhe, Liu Zhi, and others advocated abandoning Lanzhou as well.

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo believed the entire Xihé Road could be abandoned.

Later, An Tao and Lü Princess opposed this; Lü Princess pointed out that Lanzhou was Xifan territory, never previously under Xia control, and that the Xia were insatiable—giving land would only embolden their aggression. Sun Lu, who had served in Shaanxi, presented maps showing the dangers of surrendering Lanzhou, and Sima Guang abandoned his demand to cede the entire Xihé Road.

Ultimately: Sima Guang and the Old Party surrendered Jialu, Mizhi, Futi, and Anjiang fortresses to the Xia.

Thus, it was entirely possible to expel Su Zhe again, who had just been recalled by Zhao Yu.

More so, most Old Party officials then in power had supported abandoning territory—if this opportunity were seized relentlessly, even if they could not expel the entire Old Party, they could inflict heavy damage.

Seeing Zhang Dun’s gaze grow firmer, even brimming with murderous intent, Zeng Bu warned: “This requires careful thought, for…”

Before Zeng Bu finished, Cai Bian strongly supported: “Opportunity knocks but once—if we let them prevail, we will suffer. Moreover, have you considered that if His Majesty harbors such thoughts, the Old Party might exploit them to turn the fire onto us?”

Cai Bian’s warning tightened Zeng Bu’s heart.

Yes!

If the New Party showed weakness, the ruthless Old Party might strike first, offering Zhao Yu a batch of New Party “piggy banks” to plunder.

After all, many in the New Party had long abused their positions, colluding top to bottom in massive corruption.

Zhao Yu only wanted military funds—whose money was it to take?

Moreover, the Old Party still had the Empress Dowager Xiang’s protection—they might use this chance to cripple the New Party.

If so, this was no longer a question of whether the New Party would punish the Old Party—but whether the New Party failed to act, the Old Party would punish them.

What then should be done?

Only: let the other guy die, not me.

Zhang Dun made his decision: “Quickly draft the list.”

…

In the inner palace.

After teasing Zhang Chun, the five women went together to Pei Sui to request maidservants.

Pei Sui knew Zhao Yu doted on the five women; often, when Zhao Yu met them, he forbade anyone to accompany him.

Moreover, while serving Zhao Yu, Pei Sui had subtly inquired about his attitude toward Ma Xiao Jiao. Zhao Yu’s response was: treat Ma Xiao Jiao and her four fellow disciples with courtesy, avoid provoking them, and if they did not overstep, leave them alone.

Later, Pei Sui asked Zheng Xiansu how to treat the five women, and relayed Zhao Yu’s attitude to Zheng Xiansu. Zheng Xiansu told Pei Sui: first obey Zhao Yu; when she married him, she would personally handle matters concerning the five women.

With Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu’s instructions, how could Pei Sui make things difficult for the five women?

Thus, upon learning the five women had Zhao Yu’s approval to request maidservants, Pei Sui skillfully summoned all the candidate maidservants and let the five women choose for themselves.

After the mishap last night, Zhang Chun reflected deeply and concluded: her failure to prevent the two bath attendants from taking advantage of her stemmed primarily from having no maidservant.

Had she possessed even one sharp-witted maidservant, how could Zhao Yu have slipped away? How could he have been seduced by two lowly palace maids?

Thus, before coming, Zhang Chun had already decided: today, she must select two maidservants who could truly assist her.

Moreover, Zhang Chun understood that maidservants played a crucial role in palace rivalry.

Put simply: if she had a seductive maidservant, Zhao Yu would visit her more often. Even if one day Zhao Yu took that maidservant as a concubine, she would become Zhang Chun’s natural ally and political asset in palace struggles—indeed, the more successful the maidservant, the greater Zhang Chun’s power.

Based on this understanding, Zhang Chun’s standard for selecting maidservants was not only intelligence but also beauty—someone worth cultivating, destined to become her capable subordinate.

“Raise your heads, so the ladies may choose.”

At the eunuch’s command, hundreds of palace maids raised their heads at once.

Instantly, Zhang Chun’s gaze locked onto a young palace maid of about ten.

Though dressed identically to the others, with the same hairstyle, she stood out—her grace and elegance transcended mere appearance.

‘It’s you!’

Zhang Chun instantly chose the girl.

But before Zhang Chun could speak, Ye Shi Yun pointed at her first: “I want her—yes, you, come to sister.”

The girl obediently stepped forward, gliding toward Ye Shi Yun.

Watching her two steps, Zhang Chun was stunned: each step struck straight into a man’s heart, precisely targeted; her slender waist, barely a handful, twisted not like a waist—but like a blade of death.

‘Heavens, this is a girl of ten?!’

‘Compared to her, Ye Shi Yun is nothing but a cheap seductress!’

Soon, the girl reached Ye Shi Yun’s side.

Ye Shi Yun pinched the girl’s flawless cheek and said: “You’re so beautiful—I want you.”

Zhang Chun quickly interjected: “I also want her—let me have her.”

Ye Shi Yun rolled her eyes: “Why should I?”

Zhang Chun’s eyes rolled thoughtfully as she said, “If you give her to me, I’ll erase the fact that you ever served me as a maid—I’ll never mention it again. How about it?”

Ye Shi Yun was somewhat tempted.

Though Ye Shi Yun refused to admit she had once served Zhang Chun as a maid, she was genuinely grateful to her.

During that time, Zhang Chun never made her do any maid’s chores; whenever she got something delicious, she brought a portion for her, and if there wasn’t enough, Zhang Chun would rather go hungry herself than let her go without.

Moreover, Zhang Chun had always protected and cared for her.

In that regard, she truly owed Zhang Chun.

So when Zhang Chun offered to erase that past in exchange for nothing more than a maid, Ye Shi Yun said, “Fine, it’s a deal—don’t you dare go back on your word.”

Zhang Chun didn’t bother replying to Ye Shi Yun; she waved to the young palace maid. “Come here to me.”

The young maid, well-versed in etiquette, glanced at Ye Shi Yun.

Ye Shi Yun patted the maid’s head with a touch of regret. “I’m sorry.”

Only then did the young maid approach Zhang Chun.

Zhang Chun smiled warmly at her. “From now on, I am your mistress—we shall share honor and disgrace, advance and retreat together.”

The young maid bowed gracefully. “Your servant is of the Li family; henceforth, I shall obey every word of my lady.”

Zhang Chun beamed. “Rise.” Then she asked casually, “What is your name?”

The young maid replied, “My childhood name is Shishi...”

……

(End of Chapter)