[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn":3,"chapter-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-1":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Thirteen Years as King of the Great Song, I Learned I Was the Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":18,"prevChapterSlug":19,"totalChapters":20,"novelImage":21},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":12,"translator":16,"content_hash":17},2271696,4437,"Chapter 1: Imperial Bloodline","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-1",1,"\u003Cp>The sun blazed overhead, on the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp clang rang out—the wild goose feather knife was knocked flying by the red-tasselled long spear, landing in the green grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared—a green steel sword, icy and sharp, sliced diagonally toward the burly man gripping the spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man’s long spear moved like a hidden snake, the red tassels bursting open, and in an instant three flower-like shadows danced forth; before the technique could be fully executed, the green steel sword trailed a faint glow and fled helplessly into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your courtesy!” The burly man clasped his spear to his chest, calm and composed, and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men facing him stared at their empty hands, their faces twisted into smiles uglier than tears: “Master Zhou, your skill is extraordinary—we deeply admire you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Merely trivial arts—you flatter me too much,” said the burly man, though dressed in coarse cloth and straw sandals, his spirit brimming, his qi rich and full, his presence imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!” A youth rose from a folding chair beneath a nearby tree, his voice clear and resonant: “Master Zhou, your spear technique is peerless, mysterious as gods and ghosts—truly rare in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man spun around swiftly, clasping his hands in salute: “Your Highness the Prince of Yan flatters me—I dare not accept such praise. I’ve merely learned a few crude martial forms; how could they merit such lofty words from Your Highness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth wore a white jade crown studded with gems, golden silk ribbons fluttering, a silver cloak, and a dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist; his lips were red, his teeth white, his beauty striking. A faint smile curled his lips: “Master Zhou, why be so modest? The name ‘Iron Arm’ of Shaanxi is known throughout the land—how could your skills be mere crudities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man was Zhou Dong, styled Guangzu; ‘Iron Arm’ was his nickname. Hearing this, his face flushed slightly, and he bowed again: “Your Highness, though I have a modest reputation, when it comes to martial skill… in the imperial palace and court of Dongjing, there are surely countless who surpass me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth lowered his gaze, his expression thoughtful, his sleeves behind him as he fell into quiet contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, yes—the imperial palace and court,” Zhou Dong replied cautiously. This Prince of Yan was the eighth son of Emperor Shenzong, the current emperor’s younger brother, named Zhao Ti.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, he had sent men specifically to Huashan to seek him out, treating him with utmost courtesy and bringing him to Dongjing. Yet since entering the mansion, no other matters had been raised—only daily martial sparring, leaving him deeply puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, the capital region teems with hidden tigers and dragons; within the palace walls, extraordinary talents emerge. Though I am somewhat skilled with spear and staff, compared to them, I am utterly humbled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the palace harbors masters?” Zhao Ti’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. “How is it I’ve never heard of this? Tell me more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Dong said: “Your Highness, the eunuch Li Xian who reclaimed the Hehuang region alongside the late Grand Coordinator Wang, and later Wang Zhongzheng who commanded armies—both were renowned martial experts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Xian… the adoptive father of Tong Guan? The commander who led the five-pronged campaign against the Xia during the reign of the former emperor?” Zhao Ti’s expression grew thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, I do not know Tong Guan, but I know Li Xian—he was the eunuch minister who commanded the five armies against the Xia rebels during the reign of the former emperor, Shenzong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti nodded. The eunuch Li Xian, due to his exceptional talent, had been heavily favored by Emperor Shenzong. Since the time of Emperor Taizong, the court had maintained the custom of assigning eunuchs to military posts; under Shenzong, the most trusted was Li Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five-pronged campaign against the Xia was the largest military operation since Emperor Taizong’s Yongxi northern expedition. Li Xian not only participated but was appointed supreme commander, vested with authority to control all five armies—clear evidence of his extraordinary favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Xian left the palace early—I know nothing of his abilities. Do you, Master Zhou?” Zhao Ti looked upward, where a bird glided across the sky, wings brushing the wind like woven clouds, landing lightly atop a green tree branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eunuch Li’s martial skill is unfathomable. In his prime, he not only terrified the northern lands of He Suo, but never suffered a single defeat in the western provinces. Though he dwelled in court and merely passed through the martial world, his fleeting presence left an indelible, glorious reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Zhao Ti raised his eyebrows. “Li Xian was truly that formidable? I know nothing of his private arts—where did he learn such skill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, wasn’t it learned within the palace?” Zhou Dong blinked in surprise, his gaze puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The palace?” Zhao Ti slowly shook his head. “The palace holds only ordinary external martial arts—spear, staff, fist, foot. No internal arts at all. Some guards brought their own skills into the palace; they were not taught by the palace itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, this…” Zhou Dong frowned, hesitating, words unspoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I love martial arts. That’s why I invited you—to have you stay in my mansion daily, to spar and exchange skills. Speak freely!” A breeze stirred, lifting Zhao Ti’s robe like piled snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Dong spoke cautiously: “In martial circles, it is said that during Emperor Taizong’s days as a prince, he was ordered south on campaign and encountered martial sects and forest clans, which he effortlessly crushed, seizing countless martial manuals. He first stored them in the Jin Mansion, and after ascending the throne, brought them all into the inner palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? Truly?” Zhao Ti froze. He had grown up in the palace for over a decade and had never heard this. Though he had spent his childhood seeking out martial arts and studying every technique he could find, he had never encountered this rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… have indeed heard it… I would never fabricate such a tale,” Zhou Dong said carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti fell silent for several breaths, expressionless, then turned and walked slowly toward the edge of the training ground. Only after walking more than ten paces did he say: “Master Zhou, rest for now. Join me this afternoon for tea at the Daxiangguo Temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Highness.” Zhou Dong watched the boy’s back. For some reason, though he was merely a youth of fifteen or sixteen, his white robes like clouds, his sleeves like snow in flight, he radiated an inexplicable sense of loneliness and sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti walked slowly, his mind turning over Zhou Dong’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was sixteen now. Last April, he left the palace to establish his own mansion, his title upgraded from Prince of Dongping to Prince of Yan, and since then lived alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his previous decade in the palace, he had combed through nearly every book repository within the inner palace. Sword and fist manuals existed—but none were particularly powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because of this, he had sent for Zhou Dong. In his memory, this Shaanxi hero, ‘Iron Arm,’ was among the greatest martial artists of this era—eventually destined to be the pinnacle of martial skill. He needed such a man at his side, for his future plans were vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had not expected Zhou Dong to be so modest, claiming that the palace harbored masters—that Emperor Taizong, during his southern campaign, had swept through the martial world and stored countless manuals within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was information he had never anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Dong had no reason to lie. The rumor must exist in the martial world—and rumors never arise from nothing. Since his arrival in this era, he had felt in control of everything. For the first time, this news stirred within him a strange, unsettling sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a transmigrator. Originally, the eighth son of Emperor Shenzong had died young from illness—but he had arrived precisely at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the original body’s interests, he was deeply familiar with Song Dynasty history—and yet, this knowledge troubled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Song, the present was far from favorable; the future looked grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than a year, Empress Dowager Gao Taotao would die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In seven years, Emperor Zhezong Zhao Xu would pass away; Empress Xiang would insist on installing Prince Zhao Ji—the future Daojun Emperor, Emperor Huizong—as successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During Huizong’s reign, unrest would flare across the land, with dozens of rebellions erupting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In twenty-seven years, the Liangshan bandits would rise in revolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In twenty-eight years, Fang La’s Ming Jiao would launch rebellion in the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In thirty-three years, the Jurchen Jin forces would invade from the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In thirty-four years, Dongjing would fall; the two emperors would be taken captive to the north, never to return. The imperial clan—from princes down to young relatives—would all be dragged along; countless would perish on the journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future was riddled with peril, never-ending. The Song dynasty teetered on collapse. Even a carefree prince’s life was unattainable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would have to scheme. He would have to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Zhezong had no heir; succession would pass to a younger brother. But he knew history: Empress Xiang had overruled all opposition, championed Chancellor Zhang Dun’s nominees, and even declared Zhao Ji frivolous and unfit to rule—yet none of it changed Zhao Ji’s eventual ascension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ji’s mother, Lady Chen, had been a palace attendant elevated by Empress Xiang, treated as a trusted confidante. After Empress Xiang’s own children died young and she bore no more, she had regarded Zhao Ji as her own after Lady Chen’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even though Zhao Ti was older, the path of “no legitimate heir, then eldest” was not viable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legitimate heir was clear—no dispute. But the eldest? History had proven countless times: it was unreliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So should he prepare for a coup at Chenqiao? Or plot the “Candle Shadow and Axe Sound”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he fabricate a Golden Cabinet Pact in advance? Or if he truly had no claim, wait for the Jurchen invasion, flee Dongjing early, kill Zhao Jiu, and rally troops under the name of a close imperial kinsman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti found none of these easy. All required immense power—but imperial titles were distant appointments, restricted by ancestral rites, making entry into court office nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial clansmen could not take the imperial examinations, could not join the army, could not be appointed to court office—unless the emperor personally ordered it. But which emperor would do such a thing? At the founding of the Song, even the post of Director of the Imperial Clan Office, the very position managing the imperial family, had been held by Zhao Pu and his brother Zhao Anyi—not by any member of the imperial clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching Empress Xiang was useless. After consideration, he turned toward Empress Dowager Gao Taotao. Though his title was distant, he must rise in rank, elevate his status, so he could act more effectively in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not every prince would be granted the title of Prince of the Blood. Emperor Shenzong was gone; his sons were merely close relatives, not direct descendants of the current emperor. Many were granted titles of marquis, duke, or commandery prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince of Yan was a great princedom title, originally meant for Prince Shen, the twelfth son of Emperor Shenzong, to inherit later—but Zhao Ti had moved first. He was now the only close imperial prince holding a great princedom title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti knew that aligning with Gao Taotao would anger Zhao Xu. Though the young emperor showed no sign yet, after Gao Taotao’s death, Zhao Xu would inevitably launch a reckoning—not only against the old party officials now in power, but even nearly stripping Gao Taotao of her Empress Dowager title and demoting her to commoner status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had already prepared his response, so he was not overly concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had transmigrated at age three. Thirteen years had passed since then; during that time, he studied martial arts for self-defense, strength, and adaptability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He schemed and plotted—for one day, to claim the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the palace, he secretly allied with underworld gangs, aiming to purge the streets of Dongjing and seize control of the entire capital’s underground. If future plans failed, he might resort to desperate, dangerous moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had believed he controlled everything—until today, when Zhou Dong spoke these words. Such a thing was unrecorded in later history, and seemed absurd: Emperor Taizong gathering martial manuals from the martial world and storing them in the palace? It defied reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti returned to his study, sat in his chair, and pondered for over an hour. When the sun passed noon, he rose, changed into simpler attire, and stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a habit of drinking tea at the Daxiangguo Temple—not inside the temple, but at Ding’s Ancient Tea House, directly opposite its main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called out. From the shadowed corner of the corridor emerged a young man with copper-toned skin and sharply defined features: “Your Highness, shall we depart now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti nodded: “Summon Master Zhou, Su Da, and Yu Er to join us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth was Bai Zhan. He, Su Da, and Yu Er were Zhao Ti’s personal attendants. He bowed and hurried off to deliver the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the group left the mansion, walking through streets and alleys toward Dongmen Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached the intersection of Dongmen Street and caught sight of the Daxiangguo Temple’s silhouette, the road ahead suddenly grew congested; faint shouts and curses drifted through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, what’s this…?” Bai Zhan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go see what’s happening,” Zhao Ti said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group pushed forward, parting the crowd, and saw an open space: five or six ruffians were kicking and beating an old man and a boy. A bamboo basket lay shattered, fruit scattered everywhere; the old man and boy were desperately shielding themselves with their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several other ruffians stood behind, wielding slingshots, blowpipes, and sticky poles, cheering loudly. The leader had a knife-like face, triangular eyes, a sly expression, and held a perfectly round ball, shouting the loudest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his excitement, he hurled the ball with all his strength toward the old man and boy—but he threw it too high; it flew straight toward Zhao Ti and his party!\u003C\u002Fp>",2391,"2026-06-19T22:30:31.989Z","Qwen3-Next 80B","383bfa330711b221deff46b50681a10ffe0b45c00eb7773e4bb9a34530200a98","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-2",null,270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-cover.jpg"]