Shu Ke puede recuperar una fortuna perdida

Capítulo 13

He cherished his wife with all his heart and soul, sparing no effort or thought, lest she feel even the slightest dissatisfaction or unhappiness.

However, his beauty possessed a very clever and perceptive mind.

She married him, and she said she loved him. But she would lament the passing of spring when she looked at flowers, and grieve for autumn when she looked at the bright moon. Sometimes, she would let out a soft sigh in his warm embrace. When she saw him return from outside, she would greet him with a smile, but he would often be surprised to find that there were still tears in the corners of her eyes.

Hao said, "I don't understand. Pang, is it only a man like you who can live up to the spring flowers and autumn moon in her heart?"

So, Pang taught him how to prepare unique little gifts for his wife, how to try making her her own rouge instead of always buying the finest brands, how to play the flute with her beloved zither on a clear moonlit night, and how to capture his wife's most beautiful moments and paint them for her to admire. More importantly, she taught him how to write moving love poems for his beloved wife. Often, Pang would even personally pick up a pen and revise Hao's overly bold poems word by word, making them more delicate, so that he could rewrite them and present them to his beloved.

These efforts seemed to be very effective. One day, Hao ran excitedly to Pang and said, "She told me she's pregnant with my child! And she's so happy!"

Pang was also happy for him.

However, just one day later, news came from the palace: Princess Qi had drowned.

To this day, Pang finds it strange that fate would play such a cruel trick on Hao, taking away everything he had just gained when he thought happiness was within reach.

Hao never remarried.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Empress Cao

Late that night, the Emperor's bedroom, the Funing Palace, was brightly lit. The fragrance of sandalwood emanating from the incense burner trembled cautiously in the warm but cold hall. Two rows of palace maids stood with their heads bowed, motionless, even controlling their breathing with extreme subtlety, for fear of disturbing the hairpins and earrings on their heads or the hem of their clothes, causing the slightest sound and igniting the imminent anger of their two masters.

Emperor Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Cao sat facing each other in silence, locked in a cold standoff.

Zhao Xu was no stranger to the Empress Dowager's stern and authoritative gaze. From the time he could remember, he had experienced this look from his grandmother countless times. Whenever he did something wrong… no, Zhao Xu thought, it wasn't that he did anything wrong, but rather that she thought he did something wrong. He wasn't as gentle and meek as Hao; he was rebellious by nature and didn't know how to hide his sharp edges. Perhaps in the Empress Dowager's eyes, he was simply a little hedgehog covered in thorns, capable of hurting her dignity and nerves at any moment. Few of his actions earned her praise. Eventually, he almost developed a habit of making every important decision while simultaneously preparing himself mentally for her reprimand.

However, Zhao Xu did not act with the intention of deliberately going against her wishes. He desired his grandmother's praise and commendation more strongly than Hao, Yun, or any other member of the imperial clan. Yet, for some reason, his actions were always wrong, wrong, wrong in her eyes! Whenever she was dissatisfied with him, gave him a cold look, or rebuked him with harsh words, he rarely spoke in rebuttal, adhering to the politeness and filial piety of a grandson. But he was always extremely sad in his heart.

No one understood how much he truly respected and loved his grandmother. He held a certain contempt for the weak policies of his grandfather, Emperor Renzong, his predecessor, Emperor Zhenzong, and his father, Emperor Yingzong. Early in his reign, he even publicly told his ministers at court that the policies of Zhenzong and Renzong were disastrous, omitting Yingzong because he had only reigned for three years. His words left the court officials speechless and pale; veteran officials like Han Qi and Wen Yanbo nearly fainted. However, he would never utter a word of disrespect to the Empress Dowager. In his youth, Zhao Xu had always regarded her as an idol worthy of his utmost respect. She possessed a courage, spirit, and strength rarely seen in Song Dynasty empresses, qualities that were crucial to her securing her position. If she had been like the typical weak women in the palace, only knowing how to submit and not how to resist, she could not have achieved her current status and paved the way for the two emperors after Renzong.

The Empress Dowager was the granddaughter of Cao Bin, the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong (Zhao Heng). Her selection as empress by Emperor Renzong had a somewhat ironic twist, like two rivals fighting for power while a third party benefited. The previous empress, Empress Guo, was gentle and virtuous, but Emperor Renzong favored the alluring Consorts Yang and Shang. These two women, relying on the emperor's favor, constantly challenged and quarreled with the empress, eventually conspiring with the prime minister Lü Yijian to slander Empress Guo, leading to Renzong's deposition. After the deposition, the two women used every trick in the book to vie for the empress's position, inadvertently angering the emperor's adoptive mother, Empress Dowager Yang.

Empress Dowager Yang banished the two women from the palace on the grounds that they were seductive and could harm the emperor's health. She then ordered the selection of a daughter from a prestigious family to enter the palace as a candidate for the imperial concubine. This selection resulted in the choosing of Cao Bin's granddaughter, who was then in her prime.

She was not only beautiful but also exceptionally intelligent. She treated the other concubines with courtesy and propriety, winning Emperor Renzong's favor. Not long after entering the palace, in September of the first year of Emperor Renzong's Jingyou reign, she was made Empress. She was kind and magnanimous, yet also adept at managing the inner palace, employing both kindness and strictness, which immediately restored order to the inner court. She also frequently advised Emperor Renzong to be frugal and value agriculture and the nation, setting an example by planting grain and raising silkworms herself within the imperial garden.

However, what best demonstrates her courage and boldness is her response to the rebellion of the Imperial Guards on the third day of the intercalary first month of the eighth year of Emperor Renzong's reign.

Late that night, Empress Cao and Emperor Renzong (Zhao Zhen) had just retired to their bedchamber when they heard a commotion erupting within the palace. Empress Cao discerned sounds of breaking down doors, smashing things, tearing curtains, and shouting and running about. Immediately realizing something was wrong, she woke Renzong, saying, "Insulters must have broken into the palace!" Upon hearing this, Renzong panicked, running around the bedchamber frantically, like an ant on a hot plate. Empress Cao pulled him back, saying, "With such a disturbance outside, Your Majesty cannot go out lightly!" Renzong asked what to do, but Empress Cao calmly requested that he issue an edict summoning the Chief of the Imperial Guards, Wang Shouzhong, to lead troops into the palace to protect the emperor and quell the unrest. She then ordered all the palace eunuchs and servants to be gathered, forming two teams. Empress Cao personally cut their hair as a mark, instructing them to bravely protect the emperor, promising them a great reward for their sacrifices. She then gave orders, instructing some to guard the palace gates while others fetched water. Moments later, the thieves indeed set fire, and the palace servants immediately used the water they had prepared to extinguish it. During this process, Emperor Renzong trembled with fear, while Empress Cao, protecting him, remained calm and composed, directing the operation. After the rebellion was quelled, Empress Cao richly rewarded those who had cut their hair and thoroughly investigated those within the palace who had secretly supported the rebellion, ordering them to be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and beheaded. Among them were several palace maids whom Emperor Renzong had favored. Seeing their pitiful expressions and cries of sorrow, Emperor Renzong felt pity and wanted to spare them, but Empress Cao firmly refused, donning her empress's court robes and stating, "Without doing this, there is no way to purify the inner palace." Emperor Renzong smiled and said, "Please sit, Empress, let's discuss this further." Empress Cao refused, insisting on her own opinion. Finally, Emperor Renzong had no choice but to harden his heart and execute all the rebels as she wished. From then on, such incidents never occurred again in the palace. Later, Emperor Renzong repeatedly exclaimed, "The Empress remained calm in the face of change, handled situations skillfully, made clear decisions, and acted swiftly. Her ability to make decisions and respond to situations far surpasses my own. If the Empress had been born a man, she would have possessed the talents of a general and a minister!"

The different attitudes shown by Emperor Renzong and Empress Cao in this matter determined their different positions in Zhao Xu's heart. He sincerely admired Empress Cao's wisdom and courage, just as he sincerely despised Emperor Renzong's weakness and cowardice. This matter also represented Emperor Renzong's consistent style of handling affairs. Even the slightest disturbance from the Western Xia and Liao kingdoms would make him uneasy, and he would hastily order an increase in annual tribute and gifts to the two countries in exchange for peace. Although later generations often said that Emperor Renzong's frugality, kindness, and forgiveness were innate, his governance was lenient, and his punishments were simple. Although the ministers he employed, whether virtuous or wicked, upright or crooked, rose and fell, ultimately there were more gentlemen than villains, thus maintaining the overall situation and preventing major upheavals, Zhao Xu disagreed. From a young age, he had resolved that if he were to ascend the throne, he would strive to strengthen the country and resist foreign aggression, and would never be an emperor like Emperor Renzong who needed his wife to protect him in times of crisis.

Empress Cao's methods of managing the inner palace were also highly admired by Emperor Renzong. Although she was favored by Emperor Renzong after entering the palace, Consort Zhang was even more arrogant at that time, and she simply didn't respect Empress Cao. Consort Zhang, like Consort Yang and Consort Shang before her, was a seductive and alluring womanizer, and the lustful Emperor Renzong was willingly bewitched by her, almost always obeying her every whim. Once, Consort Zhang asked Emperor Renzong to borrow the Empress's phoenix carriage for her travels, and Emperor Renzong ordered her to go and borrow it from the Empress herself. If the former Empress Guo had encountered this situation, she would have argued vehemently and refused, but Empress Cao readily agreed without any displeasure. Consort Zhang returned happily with the carriage and told Emperor Renzong the news. However, after careful consideration, Emperor Renzong felt that this was inappropriate and said to Consort Zhang, "The state's cultural relics and rituals have a strict order. What you did in front of everyone is unbecoming." Consort Zhang had no choice but to give up. Later, Consort Zhang colluded with Xia Song, a high-ranking official and the Privy Councilor, to spread many rumors, claiming that the Empress had instigated the rebellion of the Imperial Guards. Emperor Renzong, in a fit of rage, acted without thinking and wanted to depose the Empress. Fortunately, several wise ministers pointed out the Empress's virtuous character and persuaded him, and Renzong gradually saw through the flaws in the rumors, regaining his trust in her. Meanwhile, Empress Cao, hearing of the Emperor's suspicions, did not argue much, only sighing and weeping in secret, as if she truly accepted Consort Zhang's machinations without any desire to resist. Consort Zhang enjoyed Renzong's favor for several more years until the Lantern Festival of the first year of the Zhihe era after Renzong changed the era name. While drinking and watching lanterns with the Emperor, she suddenly turned black, foamed at the mouth, and collapsed, dying instantly. Empress Cao rushed to the scene and wept uncontrollably with the Emperor, urging him to posthumously honor Consort Zhang as Empress. The imperial physician only said the cause of death was a sudden illness affecting the heart, which Renzong believed, and at the Empress's request, posthumously honored Consort Zhang as Empress Wencheng. The other palace servants also quietly prepared for Consort Zhang's funeral, and never discussed the cause of her death.

Of course, they might have had other thoughts in their hearts. Zhao Xu hadn't witnessed the events firsthand, but hearing so much, he vaguely connected Empress Cao's being schemed against by Consort Zhang with the Consort's death, thus drawing a conclusion—let alone the palace servants who had witnessed their situation for years. However, they never spoke of it; whether out of fear or unwillingness, it represented Empress Cao's absolute victory. A truly brilliant and beautiful victory. Zhao Xu felt that if he were Empress Cao, he would have done the same. Or perhaps, he could have applied this method to politics, utterly defeating his enemies and achieving his own absolute victory.

In fact, Emperor Yingzong Zhao Shu was not the biological son of Empress Cao and Emperor Renzong. Emperor Renzong had slept with over a hundred concubines, but only three bore him princes, all of whom unfortunately died young. Emperor Renzong was naturally lustful, and in his later years, his desire for a son intensified, leading to a proliferation of concubines. As a result, his health deteriorated, and in over a decade, only one concubine became pregnant, giving birth to a princess. Empress Cao, having no children of her own, adopted Zhao Zongshi, the son of Prince Runan Zhao Yunrang, as her godson. She also adopted the great-granddaughter of the Chamberlain Gao Qiong, the daughter of Empress Cao's elder sister. This girl was born in the same year as Zhao Zongshi, and they grew up together in Empress Cao's palace as childhood sweethearts. The Censor-in-Chief Bao Zheng, seeing that Emperor Renzong, in his later years, still refused to establish an heir, repeatedly petitioned the emperor, arguing that a crown prince was the foundation of the state, and without one, the state would be crippled, inevitably leading to future troubles. In August of the seventh year of the Jiayou reign, Emperor Renzong finally agreed to establish an heir apparent, ordering Hanlin Academician Wang Gui to draft an edict establishing Zhao Zongshi, the adopted son of Empress Cao, as Crown Prince, and renaming him Zhao Shu. In March of the eighth year of the Jiayou reign, Emperor Renzong passed away in the West Pavilion of the Funing Palace, leaving a will that Prince Shu would ascend the throne, and Empress Cao would become Empress Dowager. The newly enthroned emperor was Emperor Yingzong, the father of Zhao Xu, and the empress Yingzong subsequently appointed was Lady Gao, who had been raised by Empress Dowager Cao with him since childhood.

Therefore, without Empress Cao, there would be no Emperor Yingzong of the past and no Emperor Zhao Xu of the present.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu sighed deeply. He both respected and feared Empress Dowager Cao, and although he felt close to her, he often did things against her. Perhaps it was because they were both too strong-willed to be compatible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

white chrysanthemum

"Does Your Majesty know that your mother is ill?" Empress Dowager Cao finally asked, emphasizing the word "Your Majesty." Like Empress Dowager Gao, she addressed Zhao Xu as "Xu'er" only in front of outsiders, and even after Zhao Xu ascended the throne, she did not change her address. However, if Zhao Xu's actions angered her, she would deliberately address him as "Your Majesty," "Emperor," or "Your Majesty." The same address sounded gentle, pleasant, and affectionate when used by Zhao Xu's concubines, but it immediately became cold and sarcastic when it came from the Empress Dowager's mouth.

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "I know. I just went to visit the Empress Dowager in her palace."

"Does Your Majesty know what illness she suffers from?"

"It seems to be a recurrence of an old ailment. The imperial physician said it's nothing serious and that two doses of medicine will cure it."

"Indeed, this is a relapse of an old ailment, but it can't be cured with just a dose or two of medicine." The Empress Dowager sneered, "It flared up again two or three years ago. At that time, Zhang Piguang, the Assistant Compiler, petitioned the Emperor to order Prince Qi, Hao, to reside outside the palace. The Empress Dowager was so angry that she fell seriously ill, and no medicine seemed to work. In the end, it was only after the Emperor punished Zhang Piguang for sowing discord between the mother and son that she recovered. This is called a mental illness."

As expected, they were there because of Hao's matter. Every time he made even the slightest change to Hao's life, they would think Hao had suffered a great injustice and run to him crying and making a scene. Zhao Xu was already used to it and had long been prepared. He lowered his eyes and answered, seemingly respectful, but in reality, indifferent and cold: "Actually, I deliberately wronged Zhang Piguang. It was Hao himself who repeatedly petitioned me to allow him to leave the palace to live, but was refused each time. Only then did he secretly ask Zhang Piguang to write a letter to him to request it again. The Empress Dowager is always very discerning, and she surely knows this."

The Empress Dowager straightened up slightly and glanced at him sideways: "So, who made him feel that he could no longer live in the palace?"

"

"I believe this is none of anyone else's business. Hao is now an adult, and he feels it is inconvenient for him to continue living in the palace. He yearns for a free life outside the palace, which is why he wishes to live outside. I understand the Empress Dowager's love for her son, and therefore I have not granted his request."

"Ha, so the emperor has finally come to his senses. He thinks there's no need for leniency anymore. He doesn't know where to place your brother in this vast city of Bianjing, so he's simply exiled him to the frontier to herd horses and fight!"

"The Empress Dowager has misunderstood. I ordered my younger brother Hao to go and recover the Hehuang region in order to give him an opportunity to make meritorious contributions, so as to prevent the ministers from attacking the imperial family..."

"Let me speak on behalf of His Majesty," the Empress Dowager interrupted Zhao Xu, continuing, "The officials criticize the imperial family for enjoying imperial favor without striving for advancement, squandering the wealth and official titles bestowed by the emperor in extravagant and wasteful ways, while contributing nothing to their families or the country, likened to giant rats and vermin. Is this true?"

Zhao Xu remained silent, only nodding quietly.

"You yourself said, isn't your brother Hao one of those纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) and 謂謂謂謂 (corrupt officials) they're attacking? He's exceptionally intelligent, and even at a young age, he has a heart full of concern for the country and its people. He's wise and capable in handling state affairs. Whenever the Emperor encounters difficulties, he actively submits memorials offering opinions and suggestions to share the Emperor's burdens. Unfortunately, you never accept his suggestions and never give him any important positions."

"It's not that I don't want to give Hao a more important position, but I feel that his martial arts skills surpass his literary talents, making him more suitable as a military general."

"If that's the case, why not assign him a military command in the capital or a wealthy and easily governed region, instead of sending him to the remote and dangerous Hehuang region where war could threaten his life at any moment?"

"I do this so that he may have a chance to display his talents, achieve legendary military exploits, and enhance the prestige of our imperial clan. Please, Empress Dowager, listen carefully to my explanation: Emperor Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty..."

"Hmph, do you think you can shut me up with the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun?" The Empress Dowager interrupted her grandson, the Emperor, again: "Let me speak for Your Majesty: Back then, Shi Jingtang, in order to seize the throne of the Later Tang Dynasty, requested aid from the Khitan, ceding the land and people of the sixteen prefectures of Yan and Yun to the Khitan. Later, Emperor Shizong of Zhou personally led troops north, but only managed to recover Ying and Mo prefectures. A year later, our Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, and every emperor after him regarded the recovery of all sixteen prefectures as his lifelong ambition, and of course, there were even more ambitious..." "Bo, you now believe Wang Shao's 'Three Strategies for Pacifying the Barbarians' are feasible. Following this plan, first seize the Hehuang region to sever the right arm of Western Xia, then seize Lingwu, the Western Xia capital, to sever the right arm of the Khitan. After severing Western Xia's right arm, you can advance on Western Xia; after severing the Khitan's right arm, you can naturally advance on the Khitan, forcing them to return the remaining fourteen prefectures of Yan and Yun, and taking the opportunity to relieve the heavy burden of tribute and rid yourself of Khitan harassment. Are you suggesting that Hao carry out your perfect plan, enabling him to achieve eternal glory and greatly enhance the prestige of our nation?"