Chapter Seven: Mastery with Ease

Having engaged in a long-standing struggle for power within the imperial court, Zhao Guangyi, a master of palace intrigue, was well-acquainted with his rival, Zhao Pu. Thus, the moment Zhao Pu proposed that Zhao Dezhao be sent to the Palace Command to gain experience and prestige, Zhao Guangyi immediately sensed his old adversary’s malicious intent—a move aimed directly at his own Achilles' heel.

The reason was clear: the Palace Command was a vital organ of the state. It held direct control over the elite imperial guards of Bianliang, which, by extension, meant indirect control over the life and death of every official in the Song Dynasty. If someone were to fully seize control of this institution, a repeat of Zhao Kuangyin’s own rise to power via the "Yellow Robe" incident was not entirely impossible.

This was an office Zhao Guangyi had dreamed of controlling. When Zhao Kuangyin first ascended the throne, he had allowed Zhao Guangyi to concurrently serve as the Chief of the Palace Command for two years. Zhao Guangyi had seized the opportunity to infiltrate the imperial guards, winning over many commanders and gaining a temporary foothold in military power.

Unfortunately, Zhao Kuangyin had built his own power base through these guards and naturally guarded their command closely. Once the situation stabilized, he decisively stripped Zhao Guangyi of the concurrent post and appointed his life-saver, Zhang Qiong, to the position, effectively severing Zhao Guangyi’s connection to the military.

Even then, Zhao Guangyi did not give up. After the "release of military power over a cup of wine," when the great generals like Shi Shouxin retired, Zhao Kuangyin promoted Zhang Qiong, who lacked the seniority to command true respect. Zhao Guangyi then recommended his own father-in-law, Fu Yanqing, to take over. He successfully manipulated Zhao Kuangyin into signing a decree appointing Fu Yanqing as the Commander of the Palace, placing him above Zhang Qiong.

However, once the decree reached the Secretariat, Zhao Pu exercised his supreme authority as Chancellor to reject it outright. He stated firmly to Zhao Kuangyin, "Your Majesty, please do not forget the events at Chenqiao!"

Stung by this warning and remembering that Fu Yanqing was not only his brother’s father-in-law but also the father-in-law of the previous emperor, Chai Rong, Zhao Kuangyin was jolted into reality. He rescinded the decree and never again gave Zhao Guangyi a chance to touch the imperial guards. Consequently, despite Zhao Guangyi’s immense influence in Kaifeng, he could never plant his own partisans within the Palace Command.

Given this background, Zhao Pu’s motive in recommending Zhao Dezhao was transparent. With Zhao Guangyi unable to interfere, Zhao Dezhao would have free rein. Should he consolidate power within the Palace Command, he could check Zhao Guangyi’s influence and emerge as a viable rival for the throne. In the ensuing struggle between the two, Zhao Pu—the fisherman watching from the shore—would surely reap the rewards.

Aware of this, Zhao Guangyi laughed and retorted, "Chancellor Zhao, you must be joking. My nephew Dezhao knows nothing of military affairs; how could he possibly serve in the Imperial Guard?"

"Military affairs can be learned," Zhao Pu countered with a smile. "Huo Qubing, the Champion Marquis who conquered the Xiongnu, joined the army at eighteen with no experience, yet he led eight hundred cavalry to a crushing victory and established unparalleled merit."

Determined not to allow a strong rival for the throne to control the military, Zhao Guangyi shook his head dismissively. "That is different. The Champion Marquis was skilled in archery and riding from childhood. His Highness, however, is not, so how can he compare?"

"Your Highness, you are mistaken. His Majesty comes from a military family; it is his heritage. His Highness has been taught personally by the Emperor since childhood..."

As Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi traded barbs, Zhao Dezhao suddenly interrupted, speaking loudly to Zhao Kuangyin: "Father, I pray you listen. I have little interest in military affairs and do not wish to serve in the Palace Command!"

The argument ground to a halt. Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi were both stunned, looking at Zhao Dezhao in astonishment. Zhao Guangyi felt a surge of joy, thinking, *Truly, he is like mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall. Zhao Pu picked the wrong person to challenge me with this wet-behind-the-ears boy!*

Conversely, Zhao Pu felt a wave of disappointment, muttering to himself, *Could I have misjudged him? Is he truly useless? Why can he not see why I recommended him for this position?*

It was only then that Zhao Kuangyin, who had been brooding over the chessboard, finally spoke, asking impassively, "Why do you not wish to serve in the Palace Command?"

*Because I don't want to get myself killed! Throughout history, what prince who held military power had a good ending, unless they were like Li Shimin, forced into a desperate corner to launch the Xuanwu Gate Incident?!* Zhao Dezhao thought, but he replied respectfully, "To answer you, Father, I have two reasons. First, I have little interest in military affairs and would rather learn the art of governance and protecting the people from my uncle and Chancellor Zhao, so that I may better serve you in the future."

Zhao Kuangyin placed a chess piece and asked, "And the second?"

"The second is that the Palace Command is simply too idle," Zhao Dezhao said with a pained expression. "It guards the Imperial City, but under your wise rule, the people are prosperous and the army is a million strong, striking fear into all directions. Who could possibly threaten the city? If I were to join, I would simply be wasting my time waiting to die. I have no desire for such an empty post."

Zhao Pu had underestimated Zhao Kuangyin’s paranoia. While the Emperor initially thought the recommendation a good idea, he had immediately been reminded of the tragic ends of predecessors like An Lushan, Shi Siming, and Zhu Wen. He had been calculating the danger of his son holding military power. Now that Zhao Dezhao had so cleverly and voluntarily rejected the post, Zhao Kuangyin was secretly delighted and satisfied with his son’s tact.

Zhao Kuangyin immediately stepped down from the issue, huffing, "If you lack ambition, then you tell me—which office would you prefer to gain experience in?"

The atmosphere in the Wende Hall grew tense. Both Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi watched Zhao Dezhao closely. Zhao Pu thought, *Join the Three Departments! The Bureau of Military Affairs! Somewhere near the military—that gives you room to grow and makes it harder for your treacherous uncle to touch you!*

*Good nephew, be greedy,* thought Zhao Guangyi. *Go manage the money and grain. That is where I can easily find a pretext to ruin you.*

To their surprise, Zhao Dezhao did not hesitate. "Father, if I may, I would like to serve as a Censor in the Censorate. May I have your permission?"

"A Censor?" Zhao Kuangyin was taken aback. "Why would you want to be a Censor?"

*Because this position allows one to advance or retreat, with plenty of room to maneuver, while avoiding suspicion and being hard to pin down!* Zhao Dezhao thought, but he said aloud, "Father, I have moved out of the palace and often travel among the people. While they are prosperous, I have seen that even in this golden age, there are dark undercurrents. Corrupt officials and petty clerks prey upon the people. I hope to gain the power to oversee officials, assist you in rooting out corruption, and uphold the laws of the Song!"

Surprised that his son was thinking of him in everything, Zhao Kuangyin was deeply gratified. "Very well. It is rare to see such determination to punish evil and promote good. I grant your request. From today, you shall hold the post of Censor and take up your seal tomorrow."

"Thank you, Father," Zhao Dezhao replied. Not giving Zhao Pu or Zhao Guangyi a moment to reconsider, he added, "Father, I have one more favor to ask."

"Speak," the Emperor commanded.

"Father, I know that when a Censor wishes to impeach an official, the memorial must pass through the Censorate for the Chief Censor's approval before reaching you. I am bold enough to ask for your permission to bypass the Censorate and submit my memorials directly to you!"

"Why? Do you not trust the men in the Censorate?" Zhao Kuangyin asked with a smile.

"It is not a matter of trust, but of propriety," Zhao Dezhao explained. "You and I are father and son. Besides overseeing officials, I wish to assist you in supervising the imperial clan. When it involves the royal bloodline, it is not always appropriate for others to know. That is why I ask for this privilege."

Finding the logic sound and being exceptionally pleased with his son’s performance, Zhao Kuangyin nodded. "Very well. I grant you this privilege. You may bypass the Censorate and submit memorials directly to me."

Zhao Dezhao was overjoyed and thanked him profusely. Zhao Guangyi, however, was struck by a sudden, chilling realization: *Wait! If he can bypass the Censorate, that means if this nephew of mine wants to cause trouble, he can file secret reports behind my back! If he gets dirt on me or my people, I’ll be a fish on his chopping block!*

*Why didn't I think of recommending him to the Censorate?* Zhao Pu also realized his mistake. *Sure, the Censorate is full of the Second Prince’s cronies, but if they dared to attack the Prince, he could fight back! And with the power to impeach, he would have the initiative far more than he ever would in the Palace Command!*

Before they could react, a eunuch returned with the *Analects* annotated by the Emperor himself. Zhao Kuangyin handed the book to Zhao Dezhao, saying, "Work hard and strive for even greater heights. You may withdraw."

"Thank you, Father," Zhao Dezhao said, taking the book. "I have not been in the palace for a long time, so I would like to pay my respects to the Empress and visit my younger brother."

A satisfied smile remained on Zhao Kuangyin’s face. Watching his eldest son’s graceful exit, he gave his consent. Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu stared at one another, both thinking, *How did the Prince become so articulate and socially adept? Who among the court officials could match his performance today?*

As they pondered, both men watched Zhao Dezhao’s departing figure—Zhao Guangyi’s gaze was cold and murderous, while Zhao Pu’s was lost in deep, shifting thought.

Meanwhile, having left the hall, Zhao Dezhao was already planning: *How do I flatter my cheap stepmother? A missed opportunity—I should have brought some street snacks to win over a woman only a year older than me. A whisper from her in Zhao Kuangyin’s ear is worth ten times what anyone else can say for me!*