Chapter 2: Suspected and Perished, Reborn
Indeed, as Zhao Dezhiao had heard, Shi Shouxin directly stated the matter, "I, Shi, am not concerned about my own future, but rather for the other soldiers in the army. Currently, the official does not reward the merits of extinguishing the Han, yet is fixated solely on the defeat at Gaolianghe. Your Highness, as a relative of the official, could you possibly intercede on behalf of the soldiers and request a reward for them? As for punishment, that is entirely at the discretion of the official. I do not wish to keep this head of mine."
Zhao Dezhiao entered the main hall and saw Emperor Song. At that moment, Emperor Song said, "How is your wind-cold?" Although he wore a smile on his face, it was merely a superficial one.
"What is the matter? Could it be related to that incident?" Zhao Dezhiao suddenly recalled the events from a few days ago in the court. Ever since the Song army's defeat at the Gaoliang River, there had been discussions among the military officers about supporting him as emperor. After returning to the court, Prince Zhao Dezhiao of Wugong submitted a memorial claiming to have caught a cold and requested to return to his residence for recuperation. After receiving the emperor's approval, he remained at home and did not step outside, only hearing the idle gossip of those who visited the residence, thus learning of this matter.
Seeing Zhao Dezhiao's dejected demeanor, Zhao Wangshi said, "My lord, what is the matter with you?"
Zhao Dezhiao saw the Song Emperor holding his own corpse and thought, "I am dead; this is as you wished. I hope you will treat my descendants well." Subsequently, his soul floated out of the lifeless body and slowly drifted away in all directions
The Song Emperor wished to continue listening to Zhao Dezhiao's words
Suddenly, the sky outside turned dark; it turned out that a solar eclipse had occurred, lasting approximately 6 minutes and 53 seconds. When the sky brightened again, the sound of a baby's cry emerged from the operating room
After the Yuan Dynasty, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun finally returned to the embrace of the Han people. Zhao Dezhiao perished in the battle against Liao, but many years later, upon witnessing the return of his homeland, he felt quite pleased.
Thank you, Prince! Then I will trouble Zhao'er with this matter. Shi Shouxin said while bowing.
... ...
Everything is well, Your Highness! The Zhao Wang family has no idea why Zhao Dezhiao is asking in such a manner
At this moment, in front of the Women's Health Hospital
On the 2nd day of the 8th month, Zhao Guangyi was penalized for failing to adhere to military regulations during his campaign, demoting the Western Capital's garrison commander, Shi Shouxin, to the position of Jiedushi of Chongxin Army, and Liu Yu, Jiedushi of Zhangxin Army, to the position of Inspector of Suzhou. At the same time, due to the unfavorable northern campaign, the Song Emperor also revoked the rewards for the pacification of Taiyuan. However, the soldiers in the army were indignant upon hearing that the Emperor was unwilling to grant rewards.
General Shi, please do not act foolishly. I have already heard about this matter in the court, but many ministers have submitted reports to the emperor, yet he remains indifferent, suppressing all requests for merit on high platforms. Alas... Zhao Dezhiao is resting at home, but he is of little influence, and this uncle emperor is highly wary of both his nephew and brother, leaving court affairs beyond his reach.
At this time, the morning court had long since dispersed, and it was nearing noon. The emperor had returned to the palace to rest
Zhao Dezhai, filled with trepidation, said: "Your Majesty, my nephew and I are guilty, it is just that ... ... "
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is the Prince of Wugong."
Shi Shouxin requested, "I, a mere exiled official from a certain district, previously submitted a memorial that was not approved by the court. I have come today specifically for this matter, and I kindly ask for the prince to intervene."
Zhao Dezhiao's soul witnessed firsthand the fall of the Northern Song's capital, Dongjing, during the Jingkang period, the demise of the Northern Song, and the return of the two emperors to the north. Half of the Great Song's territory was occupied by the Jurchen invaders, and the humiliation of Jingkang replayed the chaos of the Five Barbarians disrupting the Han.
"We have waited for so long, yet the child has not been born." The child's grandfather anxiously awaited, recalling that his own son had not taken this long to arrive and read books.
"The foundation of our Song Dynasty, built over more than three hundred years, has been destroyed just like that." Unfortunately, the prolonged period of backward governance has obliterated many of the excellent cultural achievements accumulated over the years. Zhao Dezhiao lamented, "After Yashan, there is no more China."
"It is strange, it has been four hours and the baby still hasn't been born," the father said, filled with confusion.
One day, a general hurried to the residence of Zhao Dezhai in the capital city
Who is making noise outside the door? It has disturbed my peaceful dreams
Subsequently, as in the course of history, Zhao Dezhiao's soul finally found peace
"Are you implying that I govern the country ineffectively?" The Song Emperor was very angry after listening to Zhao Dezhao's remarks
Subsequently, the Ming Dynasty was established, the power of the nobility was abolished, imperial authority was unified, and the nation achieved a high degree of unity. The Ming Dynasty was a state that did not cede territory, did not pay reparations, did not engage in marriage alliances, where the emperor defended the nation's borders, and where the monarch died for the state. It is truly worthy of the descendants of Huaxia, possessing courage and determination, far stronger than the weak Song Dynasty.
The stone inkstone fell to the ground and shattered, causing Zhao Dezhiao to feel a surge of panic. He quickly knelt on the ground and said: "Your Majesty, that day’s incident was entirely Dezhiao’s fault, but..."
His soul continued to drift in the sky, witnessing the descendants of Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Gou, killing General Yue Fei and other leaders of the revival, while also reinstating the traitor Qin Hui. He himself had no offspring, which seemed to foreshadow the scheming and absolute wrongdoing of the Taizong lineage. Zhao Gou returned the throne to the lineage of Emperor Taizu. Centuries later, in the year 1279, during the Battle of Yashan, the Song army was completely annihilated, their ships sunk, and 100,000 soldiers and civilians drowned in the sea, with 100,000 corpses floating on the water. The Prime Minister of the Southern Song, Lu Xiufu, held the emperor and jumped into the sea to commit suicide, preferring death to surrender, how magnificent! This seemed to foreshadow the scheming and absolute wrongdoing of the Taizong lineage. Zhao Gou returned the throne to the lineage of Emperor Taizu. Centuries later, in the year 1279, during the Battle of Yashan, the Song army was completely annihilated, their ships sunk, and 100,000 soldiers and civilians drowned in the sea, with 100,000 corpses floating on the water. The Prime Minister of the Southern Song, Lu Xiufu, held the emperor and jumped into the sea to commit suicide, preferring death to surrender, how magnificent! The Song dynasty fell, and the Southern Song perished. After this battle, China was completely conquered by foreign tribes for the first time in history.
The imperial court may blame me, but the soldiers in the army and the officials are blameless; they are all serving the imperial court. I, as a loyal subject of the Song Dynasty, have risked my life for it. I respectfully request that the court administer rewards and punishments fairly, first rewarding the meritorious officials who have extinguished the Han, and then punishing those who have failed in the campaign against Liao.
The Song Emperor was greatly enraged and recalled how the generals had intended to establish him as emperor when they could not find him. He casually smashed a stone inkstone on the table and said: "Are you teaching me how to act? This palace is no longer your Zhao Dezhai's palace. If you wish to be the Son of Heaven, the reward is not too late!"
"Well, that's good. Let us convene in three days. You may leave now." The Song Emperor waved his hand, already feeling impatient.
After Shi Shouxin finished speaking, he left the Wangfu of Wugong Jun. Shortly after Shi Shouxin departed, Zhao Dezhao donned his court attire, adjusted his clothing, and took a donkey cart to head towards the imperial city.
After several days and nights of breaking camp, on July 28, the army finally returned to Tokyo
The tone of Emperor Song was filled with anger as he said sternly: "What do you mean, afraid? Are you unaware of the incident at Gaoliang River? That night, could your tent, Zhao Dezhiao, even accommodate everyone?"
Zhao Dezhiao, feeling grateful for the kinship between Shi Shouxin and his family, did not wish to offend the elder's feelings. He found himself in a difficult position. However, after pondering for a while, he could only agree, saying: "This... I will try my best, and whether it succeeds or not, I hope General Shi will be understanding!"
"Yes, I take my leave, and I hope Your Majesty will give it careful consideration, so as not to let the Zhao family's kingdom... The guilty minister takes his leave." Zhao Dezhiao exited the grand hall and returned alone to the estate.
Subsequently, the Manchu Qing dynasty took control of the Central Plains, beginning a process similar to that of previous dynasties, transitioning from prosperity to corruption and ultimately to decline... Then the Western powers arrived, and the entire Chinese nation trembled under the guns of foreign invaders. The late Qing government collapsed overnight, marking the end of yet another cycle of dynastic change...
"I am a defeated general, a person who has been demoted and is here today to pay a visit regarding some matters. I hope the Duke will not take offense," said Shi Shouxin, who was over sixty years old at the time.
Emperor Song, upon hearing of this matter, was filled with great regret. He rushed to embrace the corpse of Zhao Dezhiao, weeping and saying, "Why must you be so foolish?" He posthumously conferred upon Zhao Dezhiao the title of Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, granted him the title of King of Wei, bestowed upon him a posthumous name, and later changed his title to King of Wu, and then again to King of Yue.
Unfortunately, "After the fall of the Ming, there is no more Huaxia"
"My dear, there is no need to worry, I have troubled you." Zhao Dezhiao spoke to comfort her, "How are the children doing?"
Zhao Dezhiao's soul has been adrift for many years, and upon seeing that his brother has died and his uncle has also passed away, he realizes that all of this is the result of Zhao Guangyi's misdeeds. The descendants of Zhao Guangyi have always been wary of the lineage of Emperor Taizu. The "Annals of Taizong" states: "The Emperor's merits and virtues shine brightly in historical records, earning him the title of a wise ruler. However, after the death of Taizu, within a year the era was changed, the Duke of Fuling was demoted and died, the King of Wugong committed suicide, and the failures of the Song dynasty cannot be overlooked by future generations."
Upon hearing that the official had demoted Shí Shǒuxìn, the garrison commander of Xijing, to the position of military governor of Chóngxìn, Zhào Dézhāo quickly said: "General Shí, what brings you here? You were not only demoted to the military governor of Chóngxìn, but I wonder why... you have come to my residence."
Zhao Dezhiao said: "Your Majesty, my nephew and I do not dare to speak, but the soldiers in the army are filled with grievances regarding their contributions. If this continues, I fear that..."
De Zhao requests an audience and hopes that Lord Huang will go in to report.
Emperor Song, in order to guard against the Liao Dynasty's potential southward invasion, ordered the Chief of the Imperial Guards, Cui Han, and the Governor of Dingwu, Meng Xuanzhe, to station troops in Dingzhou. The Governor of Heyang, Cui Yanjin, was to encamp south of the pass, while Liu Tinghan, the Inspector of Yunzhou, was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Guards and was to station troops in Zhenzhou alongside Li Hanqiong, the Governor of Zhangde. All military operations were to be directed by Liu Tinghan, who was also authorized to take necessary actions.
Your Highness the Prince, I, Shi, have come to pay a visit. Shi Baoji, the second son of Shi Shouxin, married Princess Yanqing, the second daughter of Emperor Taizu of Song. Therefore, he is related by marriage to Zhao Dezhiao, and as a result, their interactions are quite frequent
Oh, it is De Zhao! Come in
Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. De Zhao is feeling much better now Zhao De Zhao replied with utmost respect
Later, the servants discovered that Zhao Dezhao had died within the residence
Zhao Dezhiao heard that Emperor Song intended to dismiss him, so he spoke up: "Your Majesty, Dezhiao has matters to discuss today."
In the winter of the sixth year of the Taiping Xingguo era (AD 981), Zhao Defang, the military governor of the Western Road of Shannan and concurrently a deputy prime minister, passed away due to illness (some accounts state he "died"). He was twenty-three years old. Posthumously, he was granted the title of Zhongshu Ling, conferred the title of Prince of Qi, and given the posthumous name of Kanghui
Do not say anything like 'but' or 'cannot', I have just stated, 'When you become the Son of Heaven, it is not too late for rewards.' 'You' may leave! I am very tired today and do not wish to 'see' you anymore, you... good... self... for... it... of...' The Song Emperor replied at the end, word by word.
In the first year of the Yongxi era (AD 984), Prince Wei Zhao Tingmei moved his entire family to Fangzhou. Shortly after relocating to Fangling, Zhao Tingmei fell ill due to worry and anger, ultimately passing away from coughing up blood at the age of only 38
At this moment, the official is resting in the palace. "Eunuch Huang at the entrance said.
The descendants of Zhao Guangyi are truly pathetic. Back in the day, they seized the throne from my great ancestor's lineage, and now it is indeed a case of retribution. The descendants of Zhao Guangyi have all been captured by the Jurchens. What a pity for our Great Song dynasty, and how lamentable for us Han people. Alas...
Prince Zhao Dezhiao of Wugong County spoke up loudly in admonition: "The Emperor should first bestow rewards for the achievements in Taiyuan, and then impose penalties for the misconduct in Youzhou. Rewards and punishments should be clearly defined, so that the soldiers in the army can fight for the Song Dynasty with their lives."
"What is it?" the Song Emperor asked casually
What is happening? Why do I feel as if my soul is no longer under my control, and why is everything in front of me so dark? Zhao Dezhao wondered to himself