Chapter 001: Full River Red
In the Imperial Garden, Zhao Chen lounged in a small pavilion, his back resting against a pillar, allowing the sunlight to bathe him. Beside him stood several eunuchs and palace maids; some held clear water, others carried snacks, while some simply stood solemnly. All of them served him respectfully.
"Your Highness, where are you going?" Seeing Zhao Chen striding forward, the eunuchs and palace maids behind him could not help but exclaim.
Your Highness, it is now April!" a young eunuch in his twenties replied, his voice unusually sharp. Fortunately, Zhao Chen had been here for several days and had already grown accustomed to this sound
What place is this ... ... ? The voice of the middle-aged man continued to flow in, but Zhao Chen was completely uninterested in listening. He couldn't help but interrupt the middle-aged man's words and asked.
It is a small beam road.
It is precisely the season when spring is in full bloom, with bright sunshine casting its rays upon Zhao Chen, who feels a drowsy sensation. He raises his head to glance at the podium, only to see the teacher bent over writing. Consequently, he cannot help but lay down, preparing to take a brief nap
What exactly is this place? What has happened? Who am I?
***
He clearly remembers this segment of history; it was in the autumn of that year when the Jurchen troops advanced southward in two columns, besieging Kaifeng City, leading to the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. His "father emperor" Song Qinzong and grandfather Song Huizong were captured by the Jurchen, and the two emperors were imprisoned in the northern city of Wuguo for several decades. Song Qinzong ultimately met his demise under the trampling of chaotic horses, while Song Huizong was burned for oil after his death, leaving no complete remains. Countless concubines and princesses in the Northern Song palace became military prostitutes for the Jurchen, subjected to their wanton humiliation. His "mother empress" Zhu, unable to endure the disgrace, committed suicide by drowning. In Kaifeng City, countless civilians were slaughtered by the Jurchen, and numerous women were violated by them
The sun is so warm today
A few days later, Zhao Chen finally accepted his new identity as the Crown Prince Zhao Chen of the late Northern Song Dynasty during the Jingkang period. The entire imperial palace of the Song Dynasty was also aware of the Crown Prince's amnesia
Your Majesty, it is entirely due to my improper handling of affairs that the Crown Prince was frightened! I deserve to die a thousand deaths! This morning, the voice of the upright middle-aged man rang out, filled with deep regret.
... ...
His eyes gazed forward, and in just a moment, all drowsiness vanished, replaced by a look of astonishment.
I want to meet Father Emperor!" Zhao Chen exclaimed
What exactly happened? Why have I become the crown prince? This does not seem like a prank; a prank could not possibly turn me from a seventeen-year-old youth into a ten-year-old child... Zhao Chen was drenched in sweat
This is a child's hand, undoubtedly, an incredibly delicate child's hand
Your Highness!" As Zhao Chen collapsed there, the middle-aged man shouted in panic.
At that moment, the door was pushed open, and a group of people entered the room
Someone approached Zhao Chen's bedside, lifted his arm, and placed two fingers on his wrist, seemingly checking his pulse. After a moment, this person stepped back, and others came forward to check Zhao Chen's pulse.
"Chen Er, are you awake?" A middle-aged woman was awakened by Zhao Chen and exclaimed with joy
After a while, another person entered the room. A middle-aged man came to Zhao Chen's bedside and sat down. This middle-aged man began to speak, seemingly inquiring about Zhao Chen's "condition." It was not until many days later that Zhao Chen realized the identity of the middle-aged man; he was actually Zhao Chen's "father," the Emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Qinzong Zhao Huan!
"Li Aiqing, there is no need for you to feel guilty. You are the Crown Prince's teacher, responsible for imparting knowledge to him! If the Crown Prince falls asleep in class, it is only right for you to wake him; what fault is there in that? Since all the imperial physicians have stated that the Crown Prince is not seriously ill, we need not worry excessively! Now, let us leave this place for the time being, allowing the Crown Prince to rest properly" Zhao Huan said.
He was unaware that Zhao Chen was even more astonished at this moment. As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhao Chen realized that his tone of speech was vastly different from before! He had originally spoken in standard Mandarin, but now it seemed to carry the accent of the Henan region! That was not all; he was already a seventeen-year-old youth, yet his voice at this moment sounded like that of a ten-year-old child, exceptionally youthful!
The river is filled with red... the shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged, the resentment of the ministers, when will it be extinguished... The weather is warm, yet Zhao Chen feels a chill throughout his body
No! Absolutely not! Such a thing must not happen! Regardless of the reason, I have come to this era and become the Crown Prince of Jingkang; I cannot easily die... Perhaps my previous life was a dream, and this life is the true reality. I cannot die; I must not die in such a humiliating manner... Zhao Chen trembled all over and suddenly stood up abruptly
April? In other words, it is now April of the first year of Jingkang?" Zhao Chen said
Your Highness, you are the heir to the throne of our great Song dynasty, destined to inherit the vast lands and govern the people of the world! Although you are still young, you should cultivate your mind and character, and be strict with yourself. How can you possibly doze off in class? If I do not teach you properly today, will you not become a mediocre ruler, a foolish monarch, or even a king who leads the nation to ruin in the future?" A middle-aged man stood before Zhao Chen, speaking sternly. "If I do not teach you properly today, will you not become a mediocre ruler, a foolish monarch, or even a king who leads the nation to ruin in the future?" A middle-aged man stood before Zhao Chen, speaking sternly.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince was suddenly awakened from his slumber by Lord Li, which startled him and led to his fainting. He only needs to rest for a few days, and he will surely recover," an elderly voice spoke, seemingly the doctor reporting on Zhao Chen's condition
Zhao Chen lowered his head to examine his clothing, only to find himself dressed in a bright yellow outfit, seemingly embroidered with a golden dragon! Gradually, his gaze shifted to his hands, and after a moment, Zhao Chen let out a startled cry!
"Who are you?" Zhao Chen hesitated and asked, opening his mouth.
Upon hearing Zhao Chen speak, the middle-aged man was momentarily taken aback. He turned to look at Zhao Chen, only to find him wearing a bewildered expression, with confusion evident even in his eyes, which did not appear to be feigned at all. The middle-aged man felt a sudden shock in his heart
The shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged. When will the resentment of the ministers be extinguished? Drive the long chariot and trample the gaps of Helan Mountain! With lofty ambitions, I hunger for the flesh of the Hu invaders, and in jest, I thirst for the blood of the Xiongnu. Awaiting the moment to reclaim the old mountains and rivers, I will face the heavenly gate!
For a long time, Zhao Chen forced himself to calm down and struggled to think through everything before him. He was dressed in bright yellow attire, and his room was decorated in an exceptionally luxurious manner, clearly indicating that this was a household of great wealth and nobility. In ancient times, yellow was a color reserved for the royal family, and bright yellow was a color that only the emperor and the crown prince could wear. He vaguely remembered someone referring to him as "Crown Prince," and the middle-aged man who had previously taught him to read also addressed him as "Your Highness." In ancient times, yellow was a color reserved for the royal family, and bright yellow was a color that only the emperor and the crown prince could wear. He vaguely remembered someone referring to him as "Crown Prince," and the middle-aged man who had previously taught him to read also addressed him as "Your Highness."
Li Ruoshui, the Prince's tutor and Deputy Minister of Personnel, was demoted to the position of Prefect of Luoyang due to frightening the Prince to the extent that he lost his composure and memory.
A sharp sound echoed, startling Zhao Chen from his slumber, and he felt a sudden, intense pain in the palm of his hand
Bang
Furious and indignant, I stand by the railing as the rain lightly ceases. I raise my gaze and let out a long howl towards the sky, filled with intense passion! Thirty years of achievements are but dust and dirt, while the journey of eight thousand miles is marked by clouds and the moon. Do not let time slip away, turning your youthful hair white, leaving only empty sorrow.
The matter of the Crown Prince's amnesia has already spread throughout the palace, so Xiao Liangzi and the others are not at all surprised by Zhao Chen's question. Naturally, His Highness the Crown Prince does not remember many things due to his amnesia
... ...
The weather remained as warm as ever, and the sunlight continued to shine upon him. Zhao Chen hurriedly sat up straight, yet the drowsiness in his heart was hard to dispel, and he could not help but yawn.
He is a senior high school student, and there are less than three months left until the college entrance examination. He is very familiar with the poem "Man Jiang Hong." Moreover, he is also well-versed in that historical period.
This can be regarded as one of the most humiliating periods in ancient Chinese history. The two emperors of the Central Plains were captured by foreign tribes, and the two emperors suffered humiliation and died in the icy wilderness. From then on, the Han people north of the Yellow River lived under the brutal rule of foreign tribes. A century later, the Mongols rose to power, and the entire Central Plains fell into complete decline. From the Jurchens to the Mongols, from the Jin to the Yuan, more than 50 million Han people were killed, and the Han population was reduced by more than half. The Han people, who once created a brilliant civilization, became slaves to foreign tribes during those hundreds of years, suffering humiliation and torment, and Han civilization also faced devastating blows. From the Jurchens to the Mongols, from the Jin to the Yuan, more than 50 million Han people were killed, and the Han population was reduced by more than half. The Han people, who once created a brilliant civilization, became slaves to foreign tribes during those hundreds of years, suffering humiliation and torment, and Han civilization also faced devastating blows
As for the "Crown Prince Jingkang," he was also captured by the Jurchens. Subsequently, historical records are unclear; the Crown Prince Jingkang may have been killed or perhaps was subjected to lifelong imprisonment. In any case, he did not meet a favorable end. Throughout the city of Kaifeng, all the emperors and the disciples of the *Tu* *Shu* were either killed or imprisoned, with the only one to escape being King Kang Zhao Gou. Zhao Gou was not in the city of Kaifeng at the time, which allowed him to survive.
The middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance, but what left a deep impression on Zhao Chen was his face full of righteousness. However, none of this mattered much; at this moment, Zhao Chen was simply staring blankly at the middle-aged man's attire
Lying in bed, Zhao Chen felt a turmoil in his heart. He could hardly believe that after merely taking a nap at his desk, he had transformed from a seventeen-year-old youth into a ten-year-old child. Everything around him had changed; he was no longer in a classroom, but in ancient times
Zhao Chen knew that it was certainly the teacher who had discovered him sleeping in class, and thus he gave his hand a slap. However, today it was particularly painful, as if someone were fiercely striking the palm of his hand with a wooden stick.
Zhao Chen did not understand the situation before him, so he hurriedly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep
In the classroom, the teacher is explaining Yue Fei's "Man Jiang Hong," while Zhao Chen is attentively listening below
The attire of the middle-aged man is exceedingly peculiar; he is dressed in a long robe reminiscent of ancient scholars, with a jade belt cinched around his waist. On his head, he appears to be wearing a hat typical of ancient officials. The hat features long wings extending on either side, measuring over one foot in length, creating an extraordinarily bizarre appearance
Little Liangzi, what month is it now
At that moment, these individuals left Zhao Chen's room, and throughout the night, Zhao Chen tossed and turned, finding it difficult to fall asleep. It was not until midnight that he finally drifted into a hazy slumber. Upon waking the next morning, Zhao Chen discovered a middle-aged woman leaning over his bedside; this woman was elegantly dressed, and it was unclear which noble lady from the palace she was.
"Chen Er... what is wrong with you? I am your mother! How could you not recognize me?" exclaimed the middle-aged woman in shock