Chapter 91

…

After Zhang Chun and Yuan Qingcheng reminded her, Li Lin finally understood: Zhao Yu had not tricked her or stood her up—he had already given her an opportunity, and she had failed to seize it.

Moreover, Accompanying Tong Guan must have guessed too: Zhao Yu wanted him to learn the tactics of the tiger squat cannon and thunder bomb, but after waiting eagerly for a long time without learning them, he sighed deeply and left in disappointment.

Only she had never understood Zhao Yu's intent, fretting uselessly and blaming him for not giving her a chance—only to misjudge a good man and miss a golden opportunity.

Li Lin said with regret: "Why did Zhao Yu go through all this trouble?"

Yuan Qingcheng speculated: "Most likely because you're too young and a woman—no one would take you seriously—so Zhao Yu wanted Accompanying Tong Guan to be your mouthpiece, channeling your military ideas to the two new armies through him."

"But he didn't need to play riddles and make me guess," Li Lin said. She understood what Yuan Qingcheng said, but she couldn't fathom why Zhao Yu wouldn't just speak plainly instead of being so roundabout.

Yuan Qingcheng spread her hands, indicating she had no answer.

Seeing this, Zhang Chun explained to Li Lin: "Have you ever considered Accompanying Tong Guan's feelings?"

"Accompanying Tong Guan's feelings?" Li Lin paused, asking: "What feelings?"

Zhang Chun said calmly: "Forget that Accompanying Tong Guan once commanded over half of the Song dynasty's troops in history, earned his title as a prince through merit, and reached the pinnacle of a military general. Even now, he is a bloodied veteran forged in the deserts of the northwest, and he is also one of Zhao Yu's chief eunuchs. If Zhao Yu ordered such a man to listen to a little girl explain military tactics, what would Accompanying Tong Guan think—and what would he think of Zhao Yu?"

Ye Shi Yun chimed in: "Accompanying Tong Guan would think Zhao Yu looks down on him, believes his military skills are worse than a girl with no body hair, and might even suspect Zhao Yu will never promote him again. Accompanying Tong Guan might even believe Zhao Yu, by allowing his concubines to humiliate him, is a complete fool—and grow deeply disillusioned, possibly manipulated by schemers into betraying Zhao Yu."

This time, Li Lin understood fully.

Zhao Yu actually wanted her to casually pass on the tactics of the tiger squat cannon and thunder bomb to Accompanying Tong Guan; having witnessed their power, Accompanying Tong Guan would surely want to learn them.

In the process, she would subtly implant in him her ideas for building the Divine Mechanism Left Army and Divine Mechanism Right Army.

Later, Zhao Yu would send Accompanying Tong Guan to establish those two armies.

Accompanying Tong Guan, who was already skilled at maneuvering, would surely grasp what kind of Divine Mechanism Left and Right Armies Zhao Yu wanted him to build.

To earn Zhao Yu's promotion and favor, Accompanying Tong Guan would carry out this task flawlessly.

In this way, everyone would silently accomplish what would otherwise have been difficult to achieve.

As for why Accompanying Tong Guan didn't approach her directly?

Most likely because she was Zhao Yu's concubine and he was a eunuch—they had to avoid suspicion.

After all, the Zhao Song dynasty had clear laws: no official or eunuch was permitted to associate with palace concubines.

Once she understood all this, Li Lin realized she hadn't just missed Zhao Yu's opportunity—she had also betrayed his thoughtful intentions.

After leaving Zhang Chun's home, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, and Yuan Qingcheng first took the pregnant Ma Xiao Jiao home, then Li Lin and Yuan Qingcheng escorted Ye Shi Yun back to the palace.

Now that only the two of them remained, Yuan Qingcheng said to Li Lin: "In this era, it's incredibly hard for a woman to even touch military affairs, let alone command troops."

Li Lin sighed: "I know."

Then, Li Lin opened up to her friend: "I no longer seek to command troops myself—but at least I must pass on the military skills I know, so Zhao Yu can build several elite armies that come when called and fight when they arrive. Without such strong armies, our Great Song loses its solid shield; the people will lose stable lives, war's shadow will loom constantly, displacement and insecurity will become normal, their safety and dignity unguaranteed—and the Jingkang Humiliation may still happen. What's the point of our time-traveling here then?"

Yuan Qingcheng felt Li Lin's concern was valid: without a powerful army to protect them, anything she and Ma Xiao Jiao created would only serve the enemy.

After thinking, Yuan Qingcheng said: "I have an idea—don't get angry when I say it."

"Who are we to each other? Say whatever you want," Li Lin said.

"I think it's unrealistic for a woman to command troops. You should change your approach," Yuan Qingcheng said.

"How?" Li Lin asked.

"Have you considered giving Zhao Yu several sons, and passing your military skills to them?" Yuan Qingcheng proposed.

Li Lin stopped walking and looked at Yuan Qingcheng: "Are you serious?"

Yuan Qingcheng nodded, then analyzed: "Look, let's assume the worst: no matter how hard the five of us try, we still can't prevent the Jingkang Humiliation—but that's still twenty-seven or twenty-eight years away. Suppose you give Zhao Yu sons in the next few years; by the time the Jingkang Humiliation happens, your sons will be in their prime, armed with the most advanced weapons and military knowledge. Can those backward, barbaric Jurchens really defeat your sons?"

"You're not trying yourself—you're putting hope in the next generation?" Li Lin frowned.

"It's not that we won't try—we'll give one hundred and twenty percent to change this era. But we don't know what our efforts will achieve."

"If in our generation we can make the Song rich and strong, prosperous and invincible, wiping out all surrounding enemies—that's ideal."

"But what if, because you're a woman, you can never command troops or pass on your advanced military knowledge, and the Song remains prosperous but militarily weak, only to be overrun by the Jin anyway?"

"So I think you should have several sons as insurance—if your skills can't be passed on directly, pass them down. After all, your own sons won't refuse to learn from you, right?"

"And if you choose this path, there are many advantages."

"Think: if Zhang Chun is right and all Northern Song emperors are short-lived, and Zhao Yu can't escape this curse—if one of your sons happens to inherit Zhao Yu's throne, you could become Regent Empress Dowager—and then you could lead troops in person."

"Even if you never touch military power in your lifetime, if you raise several battle-hardened sons, could the Jingkang Humiliation still happen?"

"And even if the Jingkang Humiliation occurs, if we manage to send out a few of your sons early, under your careful teaching, they won't be as cowardly as Zhao Gou—afraid to fight the Jin, only running away. They'll lead loyal Song generals like Yue Fei and Han Shizhong to defeat the Jin and avenge us."

Li Lin's eyes grew brighter with every word. She felt Yuan Qingcheng's idea might truly be a viable path.

Yuan Qingcheng continued: "Of course, there are many problems. For example: your son must compete with the son of Empress Xiansu to become Crown Prince—possibly even with Zhang Chun's son too; princes aren't allowed to serve in the military; and so on…"

Li Lin interrupted: "You don't need to say more—I've decided. Tomorrow, I'll go to Zhao Yu's chambers and conceive a son as soon as possible."

"Uh, so soon? Maybe think again—I was just talking nonsense. Why not consult Zhang Chun?" Before Li Lin could speak, Yuan Qingcheng retracted her own suggestion: "No, Zhang Chun has too many hidden motives—if you consult her, you might fall into her trap."

Just moments ago urging Li Lin to bear Zhao Yu's children, Yuan Qingcheng now feared she'd led Li Lin astray and added: "Lín-jie, I was only speaking offhand—think carefully. This isn't trivial—it's a lifelong decision. Besides, all I said are just hypotheticals; whether things unfold as I described isn't certain, since history has already changed. Please think it through thoroughly—don't act on impulse and regret it later."

But Li Lin had already made up her mind: "Don't try to persuade me anymore. I'm an adult—I'll take responsibility for my choice. Besides, I haven't told you this, but I actually have a good impression of Zhao Yu. He's a bit lecherous, but not vulgar; he's intelligent, determined, keeps his word, and he's the Emperor. If I bear his son, even the worst outcome is he becomes a prince—born with a golden spoon in his mouth."

Li Lin stretched her arms comfortably, then said with a wry smile: "Besides, I've been a woman two lifetimes—I need to know what it feels like to be penetrated by a man. Otherwise, what's the point of living two lives?"

Lowering her arms, she added self-deprecatingly: "You know me—I'm a strong-woman type. Ordinary men wouldn't dare touch me, and I despise cowards. Only an Emperor could subdue me—make me willingly admit I'm just a little woman."

Here, Li Lin's tone shifted: "Qingcheng, do you think heaven sent me here just to solve my personal problems?"

Yuan Qingcheng didn't answer. Li Lin didn't need her to.

After dropping Yuan Qingcheng off at her door, Li Lin said: "Go home." Then turned and left.

Watching Li Lin's resolute back, Yuan Qingcheng felt uneasy. Her impulsive suggestion had somehow pushed Li Lin to firmly resolve to offer herself to Zhao Yu.

Back home, Yuan Qingcheng tossed and turned in bed, worried about Li Lin's future, and wondering—if Li Lin took this path too, how long could she, now standing alone, keep fighting?

…

Although there was no morning court the next day, Han Zhongyan and Ceng Bu, who had already communicated with the Liao and Xia envoys, arrived early to seek an audience with Zhao Yu.

After meeting, Han Zhongyan's expression turned solemn as he advised: "Your Majesty, the Liao are arrogant, insisting we return Hengshan to the Xia—or they will redraw our borders. Their threat is fierce and cannot be ignored."

Ceng Bu replied, "Your Majesty, the Western Xia's stance this time is also firm; not only do they demand the territories our dynasty has reclaimed, but they even dare to demand war reparations from us."

Zhao Yu burst out laughing: "The victor pays the defeated in gold and silk? Such a bizarre thing—I have never heard of it! If the Liao and Xia stubbornly insist on these unreasonable demands, there is no need for further discussion—let us simply raise our armies and go to war!"

Seeing Zhao Yu's imperial fury, Han Zhongyan urged, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Little patience disrupts great plans. I suggest we increase the annual tribute slightly to the Western Xia, using it to purchase the Hengshan region—this will surely quell the matter."

Ceng Bu agreed: "The Western Xia is the aggrieved party here. If they cease their demands, the Liao will have no just cause to act. Moreover, if the Western Xia does not ally with the Liao against our Great Song, why should we fear the Liao?"

Zhao Yu outright rejected it: "Our Great Song soldiers have risked their lives, fought bloody battles on the frontlines, and reclaimed our lost lands. Now you ask me to buy them back with wealth? How could this be right?! If that is the case, I would rather give all the annual tribute to our soldiers, so they may wholeheartedly defend our homeland, expand our borders, and uphold our nation's prestige—never shall I commit such a disgrace!"

Seeing Zhao Yu refused to pay the Western Xia tribute to settle the matter, Han Zhongyan added, "The Liao are powerful. If we can prevent them from aiding the Western Xia, the crisis may still be resolved. I suggest we increase the tribute to the Liao, as a payment for peace."

Ceng Bu added, "The Liao value wealth; a generous tribute will please them. If the Liao do not aid the Xia, and the Xia came seeking peace, they will dare not attack our Great Song without support. Thus, our borders may be pacified, and our dynasty may rest and recover."

Han Zhongyan continued, "Increasing the tribute may shame our state's dignity, but if we go to war, the people will suffer the horrors of conflict. This is merely a temporary measure—I humbly beg Your Majesty to consider it carefully."

Zhao Yu listened, displeased: "You two, as chancellors, are entrusted by me to stabilize the realm—I have always placed great hope in you. Yet now, faced with the Liao and Xia crisis, every strategy you propose is to buy peace with gold and silk. I truly cannot understand. As the pillars of court, you must plan for the long-term prosperity of the state, pursue grand strategies to repel foreign enemies and protect the people. How can you think only of bribes at the first sign of trouble? How can you constantly fill their greed with coin? If this continues, where is our national prestige? When will our border troubles ever end? I seek to strengthen our nation, solidify our foundations, and project our might abroad—not to send tribute year after year, only emboldening our enemies. Think deeply, and bring me better strategies—do not betray my trust."

Hearing Zhao Yu speak thus, Han Zhongyan and Ceng Bu could only bow and withdraw silently.

Soon after, Cai Jing came to report to Zhao Yu on the implementation of Ye Shi Yun's three strategies.

Then, Cai Bian reported progress on the Sima Guang case and the anti-corruption campaign.

Afterwards, Zhang Shangying, recommended by Zhang Dun, arrived with Li Qingchen and Su Shi to report on the evaluation of yesterday's list of officials without actual posts, submitting the names of the qualified candidates to Zhao Yu and explaining one by one why each dismissed official had been rejected.

Finally, Zhang Dun came to deliver good news: the salt certificate bonds had been sold, yielding two million eight hundred thousand guan.

With this sum, plus the money Zhao Yu had earned from selling soap and glassware, he now had sufficient funds to cover the initial military expenditures should war break out with the Liao and Xia.

This allowed Zhao Yu to exhale deeply.

By the time all these matters were settled, it was already evening.

Remembering he had not trained his body today, Zhao Yu went to the training ground and sent a messenger to summon Li Lin, hoping she would guide him through a session of "Prisoner Fitness" and "Yoga."

Not long after, Li Lin arrived.

Zhao Yu, who had been warming up with the stretches taught by Li Lin, looked up and froze when he saw her!

Today, Li Lin was not wearing her usual loose combat attire, but a crimson silk qipao, stepping forward like a red plum blooming defiantly through snow.

The qipao she wore was a brilliant, pure red, the silk shimmering with fine luster, cut perfectly to outline her graceful yet powerful figure.

Her shoulder lines flowed smoothly, her muscles taut, rising and falling slightly with each step, not an ounce of excess fat. Her arms, though slender, concealed supple strength; as they moved gently, one could see the defined biceps and long, toned forearms—every motion radiated efficiency.

Her waist was slender enough to encircle with one hand, yet within its softness lay resilience, like a nimble serpent—elegant yet bursting with power. The high slit of the qipao revealed straight, muscular thighs, her calves sculpted with smooth, powerful lines, her ankles slender yet firmly supporting her tall frame.

Her beauty was the perfect fusion of strength and grace, the collision of tradition and modernity.

This extraordinary Li Lin left Zhao Yu momentarily stunned.

Li Lin said nothing, but as usual, efficiently assisted the distracted Zhao Yu with his stretches.

Soon, Li Lin pressed Zhao Yu's body into perfect parallel with the ground, then flipped over, lying face-down on his back, using her own body to hold him in the pose.

At that moment, Li Lin asked bluntly: "Your Majesty, may I serve you tonight?"

…

(End of Chapter)