Chapter 81

…

Hearing Zhao Yu mention the matter of money, Zhang Dun fell silent.

This was an unavoidable practical dilemma.

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

Without exaggeration, 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—how can frontline troops serve the Zhao Song dynasty if prior back pay and rewards remain unpaid before deployment?

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

This year's fiscal revenue has already been spent, and the state owes substantial external debts; next year's revenue has not yet been collected.

Moreover, since most of the Zhao Song dynasty's land is held by tax-exempt high officials, noble clans, and wealthy landlords, even if the two taxes were collected, the amount would be negligible.

The only hope now is commercial tax, but that cannot begin until next year.

Besides, next year's fiscal budget has already been fully pre-allocated—how will we survive next year if we spend everything this year?

At present, the Zhao Song dynasty survives solely on the money Cai Jing has earned by selling off discarded assets.

To be fair, it was thanks to Zhao Yu's clever idea when he was a prince that the court had this solution; otherwise, Zhang Dun did not 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 ultimately "betrayed" Zhao Xu, who had shown him great favor, and chose Zhao Yu as the new emperor—someone more likely to save the Zhao Song dynasty—for the dynasty's future.

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

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

Still, Zhang Dun trusted his judgment of men: with Zhao Yu's insight, he could not possibly fail to see that the Zhao Song dynasty would collapse unless it resolutely pursued reform, and that resolute reform could only rely on their New Party, while those hypocritical Old Party members were the greatest obstacle to reform.

Moreover, although Zhao Yu was currently restrained by the Empress Dowager's influence, he was still striving to plan for the Zhao Song dynasty—his Three Strategies were clear proof.

To be frank, Zhang Dun had just praised the Three Strategies not only to stabilize Zhao Yu and prevent him from aligning with the Old Party, but because he genuinely believed they were brilliantly conceived and could alleviate considerable pressure.

Yet, though brilliant, none of the Three Strategies could generate money immediately.

Even Zhao Yu, the most adept at securing funds, had done his utmost, yet military expenses still had no source—what should be done?

Seeing Zhang Dun still failed to grasp it, Zhao Yu offered further hint: "The other day, Sima Guang and others surrendered the territories won by our late emperor and his ministers to the Western Xia, disregarding the sacrifices of our late emperor and his ministers, squandering the blood of frontline soldiers. Whenever I recall their treasonous acts, I long to confiscate their estates and exterminate their clans—but at that time, I was merely a child, utterly powerless. What can I do…?"

…

Not long after, Zhang Dun emerged from the Chuigong Hall.

Zeng Bu, Cai Bian, Cai Jing, and other New Party chancellors approached him: "What did His Majesty intend?"

"His Majesty supports showing military might," Zhang Dun said.

Cai Bian's face brightened; Zeng Bu frowned slightly; Cai Jing remained impassive.

"Yet His Majesty is anxious about military funds and has ordered us to find solutions—otherwise, even his support is useless," Zhang Dun added.

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

"Are you certain His Majesty supports showing military might?" Zeng Bu confirmed.

Zeng Bu, a traitor, was someone Zhang Dun had no wish to address—but now that the Old Party had returned and Zhao Yu had promoted Su Zhe and Su Shi to chancellor positions, and had Su Song and Fan Chunren declined his "reappointment" due to advanced age, the court would have been even more chaotic.

Under this political backdrop, 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.

Yet after drawing them in, a problem arose: these conservative New Party members held unstable political positions and constantly questioned him.

Suppressing his distaste for Zeng Bu, Zhang Dun said: "His Majesty brought up the matter of Sima Guang and others returning territory, filled with righteous fury, longing to confiscate their estates and exterminate their clans—but at that time, he was merely a child, powerless."

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

Zhang Dun realized at once: Zhao Yu had been a child then, but he is not now—so Zhao Yu's meaning was… to settle accounts with these men?

"Chancellor, this is a heavenly-given 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 thus "desperate and grasping at straws."

For ministers, Zhao Yu's such thoughts were extremely dangerous.

For who could guarantee they would never fall from power?

Recall how glorious Sima Guang was when he held power—he could target any New Party general or regional governor at will; now he might face confiscation and extermination.

If all of us uphold the principle that scholars-officials are not subject to corporal punishment, and constantly indoctrinate the emperor to uphold it, then even if we fall from power, we will at least avoid a horrific end.

Take Sima Guang: though Zhao Xu detested him, he still granted him dignity in death. Now, isn't Sima Guang still officially honored? Even his descendants—his adopted son Sima Kang and grandson Sima Ji—are still serving in office?

But once the struggle escalates to confiscation and extermination, should we lose, we will face an equivalent fate.

Yet even without confiscation and extermination, when the Old Party held dominance, Sima Guang and others had done plenty: they exiled New Party members relentlessly—from east to west, west to north, north to south, driving men to death or torment.

Moreover, once you fall from power, your descendants will never rise again—your political enemies will suppress them, ensuring they never have a chance to succeed. After all, they cannot afford to raise tigers who will one day avenge themselves or their descendants.

Thus, the consequence of political defeat has always been brutal—even with the baseline of "no corporal punishment for scholars-officials."

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 wished to settle accounts with those ministers who had advocated abandoning territory, branding them traitors.

At that time, as Sima Guang assumed power, New Party leaders such as Cai Que, Zhang Dun, and Han Zhen were successively demoted from court; the debate shifted from whether to abandon territory to which territories to surrender.

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

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

Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo argued 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 originally under Xia control, and that the Xia were insatiable—giving land would incite further aggression. Sun Lu, who had served in Shaanxi, also presented maps showing the dangers of abandoning Lanzhou, causing Sima Guang to abandon his demand to cede the entire Xihé Road.

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

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

Not to mention that most Old Party officials then in power had supported abandoning territory—if this opportunity were seized and pursued relentlessly, even if the Old Party could not be entirely expelled, they could be severely crippled.

Seeing Zhang Dun's gaze grow firmer, even brimming with murderous intent, Zeng Bu cautioned: "This matter requires careful deliberation, for…"

Before Ceng Bu finished speaking, Cai Bian strongly supported him: "Opportunity lost is never regained. If the Ruozhen Sect prevails, we will be the ones to suffer. Moreover, have you considered that if His Majesty harbors such intentions, he might be manipulated by them into turning this fire upon us?"

At Cai Bian's reminder, Ceng Bu's heart tightened!

That's right!

If the New Party shows weakness, the Old Party—without any moral boundaries—might strike first and hand over a stash of New Party members' savings to Zhao Yu.

After all, many within the New Party have abused public office for private gain, colluding from top to bottom to embezzle wildly.

Zhao Yu wants military funds. Who he takes them from doesn't matter.

Moreover, the Old Party still has Empress Dowager Xiang protecting them—they may well use this chance to deliver a crushing blow to the New Party.

If that's the case, it's no longer a question of whether the New Party will punish the Old Party—it's whether the Old Party will punish the New Party if the New Party fails to act first.

Then what should we do?

Only one option: let the other sect die, not me.

Zhang Dun made up his mind: "Quickly draft the list."

……

In the inner palace.

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

Pei Sui knew Zhao Yu doted on the five girls. Often, when Zhao Yu met with them, he forbade anyone from accompanying him.

Moreover, while serving Zhao Yu, Pei Sui had subtly probed 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 don't overstep, leave them alone.

Later, Pei Sui asked Zheng Xiansu how to treat the five girls, and told him Zhao Yu's attitude toward them. Zheng Xiansu told Pei Sui: first follow Zhao Yu's lead; once she marries in, he will personally handle matters concerning the five girls.

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

So when she learned the five girls had come with Zhao Yu's approval to request maidservants, Pei Sui skillfully summoned all the candidate maidservants and let the five girls choose for themselves.

After the mishap last night, Zhang Chun reflected deeply and concluded: she had been exploited by the two palace maids who bathed Zhao Yu precisely because she had no maidservant of her own.

If she had had even one sharp-witted maidservant, how could Zhao Yu have slipped away? How could he possibly have been stolen by two lowly palace maids?

So before coming, Zhang Chun had already decided: today, she would pick two maidservants who could truly help her.

Moreover, Zhang Chun knew well that maidservants played a crucial role in palace rivalries.

Put simply: if she had one alluring maidservant, Zhao Yu would surely visit her more often. Even if one day that maidservant became Zhao Yu's concubine, she would become Zhang Chun's natural ally, a natural asset in palace political struggles. One could even say: the more successful her maidservant became, the greater Zhang Chun's own power would grow.

Based on this understanding, Zhang Chun's standard for selecting maidservants was not only sharp-wittedness, but also beauty—someone worth cultivating, who could one day become her trusted lieutenant.

"Raise your heads, so the young mistresses may choose."

At the female official'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 years old.

Though dressed identically to the others in the same maid's attire and same hairstyle, she stood out utterly—her grace and elegance were something entirely beyond mere appearance.

'It's you!'

Zhang Chun instantly chose the young maid.

But before Zhang Chun could speak, Ye Shi Yun preempted her, pointing at the young maid: "I want her. Yes, you—come to sister."

The young maid, hearing this, stepped forward gracefully, moving toward Ye Shi Yun.

Watching those two steps, Zhang Chun was stunned: each step the young maid took struck straight into a man's heart, precisely targeted. Her slender waist, barely a handful, swayed—not a waist at all, but 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 young maid reached Ye Shi Yun's side.

Ye Shi Yun pinched the girl's flawless little face and said: "You're so beautiful—I'll take you."

Zhang Chun quickly interrupted: "I also want her. Give her to me."

Ye Shi Yun rolled her eyes: "Why?"

Zhang Chun's eyes darted. "If you give her to me, I'll erase the whole incident of you serving me as a maid. I'll never mention it again. Deal?"

Ye Shi Yun was tempted.

Though she denied ever having served Zhang Chun, she truly felt grateful to her.

During that time, Zhang Chun never made her do any maid's work. Whatever delicacies Zhang Chun received, she always brought a portion for her. If there wasn't enough, Zhang Chun would rather go hungry herself than let her miss out.

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

From that experience, she truly owed Zhang Chun.

So when Zhang Chun offered to erase that past in exchange for just one maidservant, Ye Shi Yun said: "Fine. Agreed. Don't go back on your word."

Zhang Chun ignored Ye Shi Yun and waved to the young maid: "Come to me."

The young maid, understanding protocol, glanced at Ye Shi Yun.

Ye Shi Yun, apologetic, stroked the girl's head: "I'm sorry."

Only then did the young maid approach Zhang Chun.

Zhang Chun smiled warmly at the girl: "From now on, I am your mistress. We share glory and shame, advance and retreat together."

The young maid bowed gracefully: "Your humble servant is Li Shi. I shall obey you henceforth."

Zhang Chun beamed: "Rise." Then she asked casually: "What is your name?"

The young maid replied: "My childhood name is Shishi…"

……

(End of Chapter)