Chapter 3: The Strange Dream of Endless Twists and Turns

Oh, why does this jade pendant look exactly like the one in my dream?! Suddenly, Zhao Dezhiao felt a jolt in his heart.

Since Zhao Dezhiao opened his eyes for the first time, he felt a sense of strangeness towards this world. Everything here is different from the original Song Dynasty; the buildings are particularly tall, and the clothing, food, housing, and daily behaviors of the people are also different. In short, it is not the original world. At first, Zhao Dezhiao could not explain this at all, but as he grew older and started school, he gradually became familiar with and even understood this world.

What are you all doing? Do you intend to rebel? This prince has stated that His Majesty is protected by divine powers, and everything is safe. You are putting me in an unjust position!" That prince pointed at the general in front of him and then said, "If anyone dares to speak like this again, they will be dealt with according to military law!

A country cannot be without a ruler for even a day! Your Highness, please ascend the throne immediately! In the military camp, a group of soldiers urged.

"Son, when will you come home? How is your head?" Zhao Dezhiao's mother asked anxiously on the other end of the phone.

What are you saying? His Majesty is missing; why not send some soldiers to quickly find His Majesty

Oh my, my jade pendant! Zhao Dezhiao quickly reached down to pick up the jade pendant from the ground. Fortunately, the pendant was still intact, with neither of its corners damaged.

... ...

Father, what is the child's name? the child's father asked

The child has been safely delivered, and both mother and child are well! Family members may now enter.

Thank you, Mom! Zhao Dezhao caressed the warm jade pendant, feeling a sense of warmth. Then Zhao Dezhao's mother placed it around his neck.

Lying in bed, the child's mother was also very excited about the books. When Zhao Dezhao heard this name, he burst into laughter, noting that his own name had not changed; he was still Zhao Dezhao

I was born in a small county town in Zhejiang Province, specifically in Fuyang District. Fuyang is renowned for the Fuchun River, the picturesque Fuchun landscape, and the hundred-mile gallery, which have captivated countless poets and literati throughout the ages. It has also provided a peaceful haven for the Zhao clan, who relocated here to escape the turmoil of war. Zhao Dezhao, for instance, hails from the area near Yushan in Fuyang.

"It's strange, why have I been having this nightmare so often recently?" Zhao Dezhao was startled awake from his dream, touching his forehead, relieved that it was all just a dream. As he attempted to get out of bed to put on his slippers, he accidentally stumbled, causing the jade pendant around his neck to fall out.

After enduring the hardships and frustrations of his previous life, Zhao Dezhao now lives a joyful and harmonious life in this one

This is one's own home! At the moment when one's parents see their child, the old father trembles as he mows the grass, while the mother keeps wiping her clothes.

Zhao'er, you have returned

Then the three of them wept inconsolably, their tears flowing all over the ground

The prince was greatly shocked upon hearing this, never expecting that the matter of establishing an emperor would weigh so heavily on his mind. He fell silent, tears streaming down his face as he left the palace, feeling deeply wronged. He donned his robe and paced by the door, gazing at the night sky, filled with profound sorrow that he could not express. The more he thought about it, the more troubled he became, leading him to contemplate thoughts of ending his life. He strode back into the room and asked the guards around him, "Who among you carries a knife?" The guards hurriedly replied that they did not dare to carry knives within the residence. The more he thought about it, the more troubled he became, leading him to contemplate thoughts of ending his life. He strode back into the room and asked the guards around him, "Who among you carries a knife?" The guards hurriedly replied that they did not dare to carry knives within the residence.

Then the dream began to manifest again, everything seemed to return to that dream...

Then, inside the hospital, the family members gathered around the bedside

The prince was quite concerned about the generals and requested the emperor to confer merits and rewards upon the soldiers to soothe their morale. He was straightforward and feared that mishandling the matter might cause unrest among the troops. Therefore, he entered the emperor's presence to discuss this issue. The emperor, already harboring lingering anger, interrupted the prince before he could finish speaking and said in a tone of humiliation and resentment: "You shall handle it yourself; it is not too late for rewards!"

"Zhao, the sun shines brightly, just now when you saw the child being born, the sky seemed to lose its color. Zhao Dezhao, what do you think?" The child's grandfather suddenly thought of a name and exclaimed.

A person walks along the stone-paved mountain path in Tian Shang Men Village. As far as the eye can see, the hills are covered with bamboo, creating a vast sea of bamboo, while the clouds drift softly above. Parting the thin mist reveals a tranquil and simple landscape of a Jiangnan mountain village not far away. Following that rural road, one can see the village with its clusters of small buildings, arranged in an orderly manner. There are quite a few modern buildings, but one-third of the houses appear somewhat old, shimmering with brilliant colors in the setting sun. This is the hometown of Zhao Dezhiao! Since Zhao Dezhiao left his hometown, the environment here has changed significantly; the poverty and backwardness of the past are no longer present.

When Zhao Dezhao saw that his home still resembled the scene from which he had departed, his eyes became blurred, and tears streamed down his face.

Thus, he was posthumously appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, posthumously granted the title of King of Wei, conferred with a posthumous name, and later regranted the title of King of Wu, and then further regranted the title of King of Yue

September 30, 2014

... ...

Those fragments seem as if they have been edited, replaying scene after scene in a dream. Unfortunately, upon waking, they are merely regarded as a dream by the dreamer

"You think I am being ostentatious, exaggerating only because I am very afraid..." Suddenly, the sound of a mobile phone rang at the bedside. Zhao Dezhiao picked it up and saw that it was a call from home.

After countless dreams, upon waking, I still feel that these shadows linger deep within my memory

After a night, those vague shadows began to appear again in my dreams

The prince did not respond. After the guards withdrew, he hurriedly searched around and found a knife used for cutting fruit on the tea and wine table, which he quickly concealed in his bosom. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was watching, he closed the door and stabbed the knife into his own neck. Before dying, he left the jade pendant on his body to his child. Upon hearing of this, the emperor was filled with deep regret, rushing to embrace Zhao Dezhai's corpse, weeping and saying, "Why must you be so foolish?"

A few days later, someone found the emperor by the banks of the Sorghum River.

The National Day holiday is approaching, and parents are urging their children to return home. Thus, Zhao Dezhiao purchased a train ticket and hurried back home from the distant Kaifeng. On the train, he anxiously murmured to himself: "I have been staying in Kaifeng since graduation, yet I do not know why I have come to like this city. Sigh... It has been a long time since I last returned home; I wonder how things are at home. Are my parents doing well?"

Dusk has fallen, and the meal is ready at home. A sense of unfamiliarity and joy is felt as the family happily chats around the dining table

Zhao Dezhao is 24 years old this year and has not returned to his hometown for a long time. Speaking of Zhao Dezhao's origins, he is actually from Fuyang, Zhejiang, just like Haoyue.

It's nothing, I'm doing well, Mom. I will return to Fuyang the day after tomorrow, so you stay at home and wait for me! See you then! Before my mom could finish her nagging, Zhao Dezhiao quickly hung up the phone

Son, this jade pendant has been passed down through generations in the old Zhao family. Your grandfather said it is very effective! I hope it can protect you! Do not part with it even when you take a bath! Wherever you go in the future, never forget that you are rooted in the old Zhao family!" Then he handed it to his son.

"I have lost enough weight, I am strong now!" said the son, feeling the dialect of his parents.

Departing from Hangzhou East Railway Station, I boarded the train from Hangzhou to Fuyang New Station, and then took the bus from Fuyang back to Yushan. After approximately 2 hours, I finally arrived at my long-awaited hometown

Ah, the child has finally grown up, and the mother is extremely delighted! I can only see that her eyes are moist.

In the Battle of Taiyuan, the Song army captured Northern Han, which can be considered a partial achievement of their objectives. Although the Song army suffered defeats against Liao, their main forces remained intact and were not significantly weakened. The generals in the army still hoped for rewards from the emperor. Upon returning to the capital, the emperor learned that there were proposals to establish the prince as emperor, which displeased him greatly. Additionally, due to the unfavorable northern expedition, he delayed rewarding the meritorious figures of the Battle of Taiyuan for a long time, harboring resentment towards the prince's growing reputation and the lack of commendations. This led to widespread discussions within the army, and the generals inevitably began to feel resentment.

"Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor is missing" said the soldier, kneeling on the ground, his head bowed low, not daring to look up.

Just after getting off the train, Zhao Dezhao dragged his luggage alone, not daring to inform his parents that he was returning home. This was fine; it would give his parents a big surprise!

It seemed in the dream that I was in a military camp, where everything was in great disarray, and I could not discern what had transpired.

After the soldier walked away, the armored figure sighed and said, "Alas... where are you, Emperor? The northern expedition must not end in failure!"

Come, son, cut some pieces of meat to eat, it will nourish your body well. Each piece is what your mother bought early this morning from the market, so enjoy it. The father gave the best braised pork in the bowl to his son

After dinner, Mother took her son to chat about daily matters, repeatedly discussing various issues over and over again. As she turned to leave, Zhao Dezhiao's mother took out an ancient-style box from the bottom of the trunk. Upon opening the box, a piece of crystal-clear beautiful jade was revealed, sparkling brilliantly under the light.

At the age of 15, Zhao Dezhao was admitted to the nationally renowned Tsinghua University with outstanding grades. Four years later, he graduated with excellence. After graduation, he went on to take the entrance exam for a military academy. During his training at the military academy, he injured his head while saving a comrade. However, he lost all memories and experiences from his previous life, retaining only the memories of this era.

Aunt, where did you get this beautiful piece of jade from?

Zhao Dezhiao was intelligent and eager to learn from a young age, consistently earning the title of "Outstanding Student" every year. He studied various modern scientific and cultural knowledge, particularly excelling in history

Son, you have become so thin!" The parents exclaimed upon seeing the person before them

The soldiers in the barracks, upon hearing these words, stood there in a daze, each lost in their own thoughts.

... ...

The closer one is to home, the more timid one feels

Zhao Dezhiao later learned that in this life he was a descendant of the Zhao Defang lineage.

This dream is too ominous; could it be that the terrifying dream I had last night is all related to this jade pendant

"What a good name! The child's grandfather truly lives up to the old culture and has great insight," praised the child's grandmother from the side

Daylight broke, and Zhao Dezhao woke up from his bed. He shook his head and sighed, "Alas, why have I been having such strange dreams lately? Is it possible that I am possessed by a ghost?" He then got up to wash his face and brush his teeth

However, the Northern Expedition ultimately ended in a dismal manner

Occasionally, I will take the meat to my mother after saying so

Mom and Dad, your son is back

... ...