Chapter 357: Zhang Zhang Jie, Burdened by Guilt

It is said that when Goujian was defeated by King Fuchai of Wu, his state fell and his family perished,

his wife was taken into Fuchai's palace, and he himself became Fuchai's servant,

he slept on firewood and tasted gall, seeking revenge, and whenever he felt he could no longer endure,

he would recall Liang Ge's story, which gave him the strength to persevere, until he finally fulfilled his ambition: "A man who endures hardship will not be forsaken by heaven; sleeping on firewood and tasting gall, three thousand Yue soldiers can swallow Wu."

The ambition of "Heaven does not forsake those who sleep on brushwood and taste gall; three thousand Yue soldiers can swallow Wu."

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"

Seeing Zhang Zhang Jie lost in thought and not responding, the young eunuch summoned courage to ask.

"Oh, I was just thinking of something pleasant. You may go."

Zhang Zhang Jie, returning to himself, waved his hand and ordered.

"Yes, your servant takes leave."

The young eunuch bowed his head in assent, this time bending low and retreating carefully from the imperial study.

He dared not and could not ask—though it is said the Son of Heaven has no private matters, only state affairs,

yet aside from a few foolish youths, who would dare inquire into the Emperor's private matters?

Do they truly believe the Emperor's kindness means he has no wrath?

When the Son of Heaven is angry, a hundred thousand corpses lie fallen, blood floats the oars!

The Liao Dynasty dug river embankments along the Yellow River; daily, hundreds of thousands of captives and the former Great Emperor of Liao, Yelu Yelu Yanxi, now a prisoner, proved this truth through their suffering.

After dismissing the young eunuch, Zhang Zhang Jie returned specifically to his quarters, where Pan Jinlian helped him remove his casual attire and don a more solemn everyday robe.

Unlike emperors in 21st-century films and TV dramas who wear dragon robes all day, as if eager to carve "I am the Emperor" on their faces,

garments such as the dragon robe and the Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority are worn only on important occasions like sacrifices to heaven or the annual grand court assembly.

On ordinary days, the Emperor wears more convenient and comfortable casual and everyday robes.

As the founding emperor of the Great Gan, Zhang Zhang Jie's civil achievements were still too recent to speak of,

but his martial accomplishments reached the pinnacle; with his prestige,

he had no need to follow the rigid distinctions of dress and travel like those emperors who relied solely on bloodline and elaborate rituals to maintain power.

He dressed and traveled however he found comfortable, without the slightest constraint.

Zhang Zhang Jie: Before I rebelled, I had to dress strictly according to ritual and regulations; after rebelling and becoming Emperor, I still had to dress strictly according to ritual and regulations—then what was the point of rebelling?

The Song Dynasty imposed extremely strict regulations on clothing for scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Take the belt, one of the most important ornaments, as an example.

Just as the Qing Dynasty used caps and peacock feathers to distinguish social ranks,

the Song Dynasty had detailed classifications for belts and their ornaments.

Officials of third rank and above wore jade; fourth rank wore gold; fifth and sixth rank wore silver-gilt;

seventh rank and internal military officers wore silver; eighth and ninth rank wore black silver;

lower-ranking officials, merchants, artisans, scholars, and commoners wore iron or horn.

Before, even after passing the provincial and prefectural exams, Zhang Zhang Jie remained an ordinary man and could only wear horn and iron.

Only after being demoted by Zhao Ji to deputy commander of the Qingzhou militia—with no money, no authority, and no future—did he gain the right to wear black silver.

After he abandoned his post and took refuge on Mount Mount Shuipoliang as an outlaw, he became a wanted criminal of the Song Dynasty,

no longer even entitled to wear horn or iron.

"Jinlian, what do you think of this outfit?"

Because he was going to meet someone he greatly admired, Zhang Zhang Jie sought to dress appropriately and solemnly.

Hearing Zhang Zhang Jie refer to himself as "I" rather than "I, the Emperor," Pan Jinlian felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

Even though he ruled the four seas and held all under heaven, becoming the most honored person in the world,

her Young Master remained the same Young Master before her, unchanged.

As for Zhang Zhang Jie's lecherous nature—last night he had brought her another sister—she did not mind.

In this era, wealthy landowners and powerful officials commonly had three wives and four concubines; how much more so for her Young Master, the Emperor?

The Emperor, with his three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two consorts, must ensure the continuation of his lineage and the orderly succession of the dynasty—that is the proper way.

Her Young Master had defied all opposition to elevate her, a maid by birth, to the position of Empress of the Great Gan; she was already utterly content.

"My Young Master is mighty and heroic; no matter what he wears, he radiates solemn dignity."

Pan Jinlian replied softly, gazing adoringly at Zhang Zhang Jie, her eyes filled with happiness and devotion.

Because he was going to meet someone he greatly admired, Zhang Zhang Jie strove for proper and solemn attire.

Feeling Pan Jinlian's affectionate gaze, Zhang Zhang Jie, aware he was a scoundrel, sighed deeply,

a pang of guilt rising within him—he had such a wonderful woman by his side, yet he constantly chased after other women.

But now, words were too late;

he could only silently resolve in his heart to make up for her in other ways.

Such an understanding and thoughtful woman—if he betrayed her, he would surely be struck by thunder and lightning.

Having three wives and four concubines is normal, especially for a son of heaven like him.

The Son of Heaven has three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two imperial consorts, ensuring the continuation of his lineage,

so that the dynasty may have heirs and succession remain orderly—that is the true way.

The young master, defying all opposition, elevated her, a maid by birth, to the position of Empress of Daqian; she is already content.

"My young master is extraordinary in valor; no matter what he wears, he radiates solemn authority."

Pan Jinlian replied softly, gazing adoringly at Zhang Zhang Jie, her eyes filled with happiness and devotion.

"Sigh…"

Feeling Pan Jinlian's affectionate gaze, Zhang Zhang Jie, aware he was a scoundrel, let out a weary sigh,

guilt rising in his heart—he had such a wonderful woman always by his side, yet he had persistently chased after other women at home.

But now, no matter what he said, it was too late,

he could only silently resolve within himself to make up for her in other ways going forward.

Such an understanding and considerate woman—if he betrayed her, he would surely be struck down by thunder and lightning.