Chapter 136 The Golden Chest Alliance I will continue to monitor the situation in Xijing. ...
His words were spoken with great confidence and conviction.
But only Zhao Kuangyin knew the unease in his heart. Beneath his feigned composure lay a heart torn apart. Betrayed by his closest relatives, with his wife and children suffering such a fate, how could he truly face it with equanimity?
He was just putting on a brave face; the dignity of an emperor wouldn't allow him to lose his composure in front of everyone.
Judging from the reactions of others, Zhuge Liang, Huo Qubing, and others must have also learned of their fates. They could all face it calmly, so why should he show weakness and lose face? This stubbornness supported him to stand tall, but it could not hide the turmoil deep in his eyes.
Zhao Kuangyin was restless all afternoon. When it was time for his shift to end, Jiang Ge called him aside. Looking at the clearly distracted new yamen runner, Jiang Ge sighed and entrusted him with a task he had already planned:
"Brother Zhao,"
Jiang Ge carefully chose his address, speaking in a gentle tone, “Winter is approaching, and in previous years, winters have always been very difficult for the people. Deaths from freezing and starvation are common, and I feel uneasy whenever I think of it. I have a method that might make this winter a little easier for the people.”
Zhao Kuangyin's eyes were unfocused, and he subconsciously hummed in response, clearly not having heard a word.
At this moment, his heart was only concerned about the Song Dynasty.
Jiang Ge continued patiently, "This thing is called honeycomb briquettes. Paired with a special stove, it burns longer and is cheaper than firewood or charcoal. It can bring more warmth to poor families' homes and prevent people from freezing to death. I'm thinking of entrusting this matter to you, what do you think..."
She described in detail the general appearance and production method of honeycomb briquettes, emphasizing how they save fuel and improve thermal efficiency, hoping to divert Zhao Kuangyin's attention and help him escape from his extreme depression and anger.
However, Zhao Kuangyin remained standing there, his gaze unfocused as he stared out the window at the setting sun. The afterglow fell on his pale face, making him appear particularly desolate.
He didn't hear a word of what Jiang Ge said afterward about honeycomb briquettes. His mind had already drifted back to the Song Dynasty, back to that dynasty he both loved and suffered from.
Jiang Ge helplessly raised his hand and waved it in front of his eyes, raising his voice: "Brother Zhao? About the honeycomb briquettes..."
Zhao Kuangyin suddenly came to his senses, a hint of confusion and undisguised exhaustion flashing in his eyes. He subconsciously cupped his hands and said in a hoarse voice, "Alright."
He didn't even fully understand what he had accepted; he simply maintained his politeness instinctively.
Somehow, Zhao Kuangyin managed to get through the workday and returned to the Song Dynasty ahead of everyone else. A flash of white light, and he found himself standing in a familiar palace, surrounded by flickering candlelight, as if from another world. Zhuge Liang sighed in the county office, knowing full well that Zhao Guangyi was in trouble. "Magistrate Jiang, perhaps I should take charge of this honeycomb briquette project?" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's expression, the Prime Minister expressed his deep concern about the implementation of the honeycomb briquette project.
Jiang Ge understood Zhuge Liang's meaning, but the Prime Minister's burden was too heavy; he was already responsible for too many affairs. "Prime Minister, rest assured, Brother Zhao is just temporarily distracted, but he is, after all, a figure who will create a prosperous era. I believe he can adjust himself. Besides, this matter is not urgent. Letting him have some practical matters to distract him might actually be a good thing."
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, his eyes filled with deep thought: "That's fine then. However, we still need to keep an eye on things secretly, and if needed, I will certainly lend a hand."
—Great Song Dynasty
Inside the main hall, the candlelight flickered, illuminating Zhao Kuangyin's resolute face. At this moment, he sat alone on the dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests, his mind replaying the words Wei Zhongxian had spoken.
"The Jin army marched south... the humiliation of Jingkang... the fall of Bianjing..." Zhao Kuangyin murmured to himself, each word like a sharp blade piercing his heart. He heard his descendants being captured and taken north, heard half of the country falling into the hands of foreign tribes, heard the fate of the Song Dynasty's three hundred years of weakness and decline.
What pained him most was that name he could never get rid of—Zhao Guangyi.
"Prince Jin, oh Prince Jin..." Zhao Kuangyin sighed deeply, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He had heard the suspicious circumstances surrounding the "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound," learned the truth about the succession of brothers, and heard about the unusual events that followed Prince Jin's ascension to the throne: the death of Tingmei, the suicide of Dezhao...
Footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a palace attendant whispered, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Jin requests an audience."
Zhao Kuangyin's eyes sharpened, but he quickly regained his composure: "Summon them."
Zhao Guangyi entered the hall and, as always, bowed respectfully. As the Prefect of Kaifeng and the Prince of Jin, he was the Emperor's most trusted younger brother, wielding immense power and holding a prominent position.
"Your Majesty summoned me late at night, what important matter could it be?" Zhao Guangyi looked up, only to be surprised to find that his brother's eyes were different from usual—his gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could pierce through his heart.
Zhao Kuangyin did not answer immediately, but slowly got up, walked down the jade steps, and paced around Zhao Guangyi.
The shadows of the two brothers were reflected on the ground, just like their complex and unspoken relationship.
Brothers and sisters, rulers and subjects.
Zhao Kuangyin's hand trembled slightly inside his sleeve. He gazed at his closest younger brother, but images of Dezhao's suicide and Tingmei's sudden death flashed through his mind.
A surge of anger welled up inside him, and he almost drew his sword to rid his descendants of this scourge.
But at that very moment, a flood of images about the future of the Song Dynasty came to mind. He heard not only the tragedy of fratricide, but also the root causes of the dynasty's weakness and decline. He heard about the policy of strengthening the central government and weakening local administration leading to border defenses, the military decline caused by emphasizing civil affairs over military matters, and the problem of excessive bureaucracy dragging down the national treasury. He knew that even without Zhao Guangyi, these problems would still erode the foundation of the Song Dynasty like a malignant tumor.
"If I kill Guangyi, will these problems be solved?" Zhao Kuangyin asked himself. The answer was no. The decline of the dynasty was not the fault of one person, but rather a result of flaws in its system and strategy. Even if a different emperor were appointed, the outcome would likely be the same if the fundamental problems were not addressed.
More importantly, Zhao Kuangyin had to admit that although his younger brother was ambitious, he was indeed exceptionally talented and capable.
Faced with the grand question of "how to avoid future misfortune," a capable and ambitious younger brother, if used correctly, will be a great help to reform, rather than an enemy that must be eliminated.
Eliminating him directly would be a waste of resources and would also create new instability.
"Guangyi, you and I, brothers, have jointly established the foundation of the Song Dynasty since the Chenqiao Mutiny. Over the years, have I ever mistreated you?" Zhao Kuangyin's voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a hint of unfathomable meaning.
Zhao Guangyi's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and I will always remember it in my heart. If it weren't for Your Majesty's support, how could I have achieved my current position?"
"Then let me ask you," Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned around, his gaze piercing, "if one day I am no longer here, how will you treat my descendants?"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Zhao Guangyi's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Why do you say such things, Your Majesty? His Majesty's long life will surely ensure the stability of the empire. Even if something were to happen... I, your humble servant, would do my utmost to assist the Prince and safeguard the Song Dynasty. If I harbor any disloyalty, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"
Zhao Kuangyin stared at his younger brother for a long time, his gaze seemingly piercing through the depths of his soul. After a long while, he suddenly sighed and said, "You may leave."
Zhao Guangyi bowed and withdrew, his back already drenched in cold sweat. He keenly sensed that his emperor brother was quite different tonight. The scrutiny and contemplation in his eyes made him uneasy.
The following morning at court, Zhao Kuangyin announced a series of shocking decrees.
First, Prince Zhao Dezhao was established as the Crown Prince, thus clarifying his status as the heir apparent.
Keep in mind that Zhao Dezhao is only nine years old.
The court officials exchanged bewildered glances, then looked towards Prince Zhao Guangyi of Jin, who stood at the front. His expression remained unchanged, but his clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil.
Secondly, Zhao Guangyi was transferred to the post of Prefect of Xijing (modern-day Luoyang) and ordered to go to Luoyang immediately to assume his post, thus relinquishing his important position as Prefect of Kaifeng. This effectively stripped Zhao Guangyi of his crucial power base in the capital.
Third, he appointed Chancellor Zhao Pu as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, assisting Crown Prince Dezhao; at the same time, he recalled Lu Duoxun, who had close ties with Zhao Guangyi, and reassigned him as a local official.
A hush fell over the imperial court. These sudden and significant personnel changes had caught the officials off guard. Zhao Guangyi knelt to receive the imperial decree, his voice calm and composed: "Your Majesty is wise and has established an heir to secure the foundation of the nation, a blessing for the country. I will certainly fulfill my duties and govern the Western Capital to repay Your Majesty's grace."
After the court session, Zhao Kuangyin summoned Zhao Pu for a private audience. Inside the imperial study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, but it could not conceal the tense atmosphere.
"Zhao Pu, I had a strange dream last night, in which I saw that the fate of the Song Dynasty for the next three hundred years would be fraught with misfortune, with constant external threats and endless internal strife," Zhao Kuangyin said, half-jokingly. "After much deliberation, I have decided that we must secure the position of the crown prince to avoid the calamity of brothers fighting each other in the future."
Zhao Pu, being exceptionally astute, immediately understood that the emperor intended to weaken the Prince of Jin's power and consolidate the Crown Prince's position. Zhao Guangyi, serving as the Prefect of Kaifeng, recruited talented individuals from across the land, and his power and prestige grew daily, seriously threatening the position of Prince Zhao Dezhao.
He was a traditional scholar-official, deeply influenced by the Confucian patriarchal system. He firmly supported the primogeniture system of succession, where the eldest son succeeds the father.
"Your Majesty is wise. The Crown Prince is benevolent and filial, and his title has been established early, which is truly a blessing for the country." Zhao Pu bowed and said, "However, the Prince of Jin has been cultivating his influence in the court for many years and has many followers, which may lead to unforeseen changes. In particular, there are many former subordinates of the Prince of Jin in the Imperial Guard."
Zhao Kuangyin's gaze was deep: "Therefore, I need you to secretly make arrangements to gradually replace officials in key positions, especially the commanders of the Imperial Guards. Remember, proceed step by step and do not alert them. I want to give Guangyi a chance, and I also hope that he will act accordingly."
Inside Zhao Guangyi's residence, his advisors gathered in a somber atmosphere. The flickering candlelight illuminated their worried faces.
"Gentlemen," Zhao Kuangyin began slowly, toying with a jade cup in his hand, "I have summoned you all here today to discuss... the agreement that the Empress Dowager made before her death."
Cheng Dexuan and Jia Yan exchanged a glance, both feeling a chill run down their spines. They knew what the prince was referring to—a legend that lingered in the court and among the people, but had never been publicly acknowledged.
Jia Yan cautiously spoke first: "Is Your Highness referring to the Golden Box Alliance that Empress Dowager Du summoned Your Majesty and Prime Minister Zhao to make before her death?"
“Indeed.” Zhao Guangyi’s gaze deepened. “That day, the Empress Dowager was seriously ill and summoned my elder brother and Zhao Pu to the palace. I was also present, but was forced to stand guard outside the hall. I could only vaguely hear the Empress Dowager’s intermittent words… ‘The Zhou dynasty is isolated and weak… leading to the downfall of the state… You should abdicate…’”
Cheng Dexuan leaned forward and lowered his voice: "I have also heard this rumor. It is said that Empress Dowager Du, taking into account the lesson of the young emperor losing the country after the death of Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, ordered that the throne be passed to the prince after the Emperor's death, so as to avoid the situation of a young emperor causing doubt in the country and repeating the same mistake."
“Indeed.” Zhao Guangyi’s eyes became complicated. “The Empress Dowager does have this concern. Since the Five Dynasties period, there have been too many examples of a young ruler ascending the throne and causing turmoil in the country. The Empress Dowager once said that a country with a mature ruler is a blessing for the nation.”
Jia Yan pondered for a moment and said, "If there really is such an alliance, there should be written evidence to prove it."
"It is said that there is indeed a written oath, hidden in a golden cabinet and kept by Zhao Pu," Zhao Guangyi said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "But over the years, my brother has never mentioned it publicly, and Zhao Pu has kept his mouth shut. Now, my brother has suddenly appointed Dezhao as crown prince and summoned me out of the capital... this..."
Cheng Dexuan said excitedly, "If the Golden Box Covenant is true, wouldn't His Majesty's actions be going against the Empress Dowager's dying wish? Your Highness, this is a matter of great importance concerning the fate of the nation!"
"Be careful what you say!" Zhao Guangyi shouted, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. "Your Majesty is the ruler of the country. Regardless of whether there is a Golden Box Alliance or not, his decision is an imperial edict!"
Jia Yan remained calm, stroking his beard as he analyzed, "Your Highness, this matter is strange. If there truly is a Golden Chest Covenant, why has the Emperor delayed making it public? If there is no such covenant, where did this rumor come from, and why has it spread throughout the court and the public?"
He paused, then continued, "In my opinion, there are only three possibilities: First, there is indeed a Golden Chest Covenant, but Your Majesty intends to break it now; second, there is no such covenant at all, and it was all fabricated by busybodies; third, perhaps the Empress Dowager does have this intention, but has not formally established a covenant."
Zhao Guangyi sighed deeply: "What I least want to see is that this matter will cause a rift between me and my brother. If the Empress Dowager is watching from heaven, how heartbroken she would be to see that my brother and I have developed doubts about the throne."
Cheng Dexuan said urgently, "But Your Highness, this is not only a family matter, but also a matter of state! If the Golden Box Covenant is indeed the Empress Dowager's dying wish, yet the Emperor wants to pass it on to his son instead of his brother, wouldn't that put the country and the nation in danger? Dezhao is young; if he ascends the throne, there's no guarantee he won't become a second Emperor Gong of Zhou!"
"De Xuan!" Zhao Guangyi slammed his hand on the table. "Stop speaking ill of the prince!"
The room fell silent, with only the crackling of the candlelight breaking the silence.
After a long silence, Zhao Guangyi slowly said, "The Empress Dowager did say before her death that it is a blessing for the country to have a long-lasting ruler. But she also said that the final decision should be made by my brother based on the circumstances. My brother is now in his prime, and Dezhao is growing up day by day. Perhaps in his opinion, this agreement is no longer necessary."
Jia Yan nodded: "Your Highness is wise. In truth, regardless of the existence of the Golden Chest Alliance, Your Highness's best choice now is to remain loyal to your duty as a subject and observe the situation. If the Emperor intends to fulfill the alliance, he will make arrangements accordingly; if not, forcibly pursuing it will only give others grounds for criticism."
Zhao Guangyi walked to the window, gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, and murmured to himself, "Empress Dowager, if you are watching over me from heaven, please guide me on my path..."
He turned to face his advisors, his expression now calm: "Today's discussion ends here. The matter of the Golden Chest Alliance should not be mentioned again outside. I will depart for Xijing immediately to assume my post and faithfully perform my duties to repay the Emperor's grace. As for the future... we'll leave it to fate."
The staff members exchanged glances, then finally replied in unison, "Yes, sir."
On the day Zhao Guangyi left the capital, Zhao Kuangyin personally saw him off at the city gate. The two brothers rode side by side, with guards following at a distance. The rising sun gilded the walls of Bianjing with a golden edge, but it could not illuminate the shadows in the hearts of the two brothers.
"Guangyi, do you still remember when we followed Emperor Shizong of Zhou to conquer Huainan?" Zhao Kuangyin suddenly asked, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if he had traveled through time.
Zhao Guangyi nodded: "Your Majesty, I remember. At that time, Your Majesty led the army to defeat the enemy, and your bravery surpassed that of the entire army. I could only follow you. Whenever I think of it, I still feel my blood boiling."
Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said, "Although you were young at that time, you had already shown extraordinary talent and wisdom. I remember once you devised a plan to launch a night raid on the enemy camp, which resulted in a great victory. Emperor Shizong praised you on the spot, saying that the Zhao family has two dragons."
He paused for a moment, then his tone turned serious: "Guangyi, you and I are both outstanding men, but there can only be one sun in the sky, and one ruler among the people. You should understand this principle."
Zhao Guangyi's heart trembled, and he quickly dismounted and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have never dared to have any improper thoughts! Your Majesty, you are wise! Heaven and earth can bear witness to my heart!"
Zhao Kuangyin dismounted and helped his younger brother up, holding his hand and saying, "Go to Luoyang and govern well, showcasing your talent for governing the country. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will need your assistance, his imperial uncle."
As the sun rose fully, it cast long shadows of the two men. Zhao Kuangyin patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said, "Remember to submit your reports on the affairs of Xijing on the first and fifteenth of each month. If there are any important matters, you may submit them at any time. I will... always keep a close eye on what is happening in Xijing."
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Author's Note: Zhao Kuangyin: I will always, always be watching over you [dove]
On the second day after Zhao Guangyi went to Luoyang to take up his post, he was hacked to pieces for mounting his horse with his left foot.
I wrote several versions of how Zhao Da dealt with Zhao Er, but I finally chose this version. Zhao Da's goal was to consolidate the Song Dynasty and avoid repeating the mistakes of the short-lived Five Dynasties.
Furthermore, the Chenqiao Mutiny and the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" demonstrate his preference for achieving his goals at the lowest possible cost. Using his dream of Zhao Guangyi's future actions as a pretext to kill Zhao Er would have caused a huge upheaval in the court and among the people, creating widespread panic.
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