I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

After returning from the Empress Dowager's place, Zhao Xu felt inexplicably uneasy.

He recently met with the Empress Dowager twice, and both times the Empress Dowager mentioned Zhao Mingcheng and spoke well of him.

The Empress Dowager certainly wouldn't say this for no reason. As a child who grew up in the palace, who wouldn't understand the hidden meaning in her words?

These kind words must have been spoken by Zhao Mingcheng to his eleventh brother first, then by his eleventh brother to the Empress Dowager, and finally by the Empress Dowager to deliver the message to the emperor.

Zhao Xu easily saw through Zhao Mingcheng's scheme, but he still felt uneasy.

He greatly admired Zhao Mingcheng's talent. During the last dialogue at the Chuigong Hall, the young man was calm, pragmatic, and sharp, a promising talent, and left a good impression on him.

However, promising talents cannot be too cunning; they cannot rely on their cleverness to learn the scheming tricks of court officials.

Zhao Xu decided to give the child a talking-to.

He also wanted to see if Zhao Mingcheng was just a little clever or if he truly had the ability to handle big storms.

The case of Zhao Tingzhi is a litmus test.

"Summon Zhao Mingcheng," Zhao Xu said calmly. "Right now, have him come to the Chuigong Hall."

……

The Imperial Academy was not far from the Chuigong Hall. When Zhao Mingcheng entered, the emperor was looking at commemorative documents and did not look up.

"Student Zhao Mingcheng pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise." Zhao Xu put down the folding book and glanced over, his gaze devoid of warmth.

"The last time I saw you was to discuss policy; this time I called you to discuss family matters."

Zhao Mingcheng's heart tightened, but his face remained respectful.

"The students are terrified."

"What are you so afraid of?" Zhao Xu picked up several memorials impeaching Zhao Tingzhi from the table and gestured for the eunuch to hand them over.

"Look, these memorials are all impeaching your father. Some say he colluded with Zeng Bu, some say he was two-faced, and others say he failed to raise his son properly, allowing him to curry favor with the prince, which may be a sign of spying."

The words were blunt and harsh, especially the last sentence, "To curry favor with a prince might be seen as spying," which was like a knife pointed directly at him.

Zhao Mingcheng took the folded book with both hands and quickly read it.

The folded document was full of venomous words, yet contained no concrete evidence. Zhao Mingcheng closed the copy, took a deep breath, and suddenly knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground.

"Your Majesty, this is a calamity for the students, but it is also a mirror bestowed upon them by His Majesty."

Zhao Xu raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What do you mean?"

"I have caused my father to be suspicious of me, and I have even troubled the officials to personally intervene. This is due to my incompetence, and therefore this is a calamity."

Zhao Mingcheng looked up and continued speaking, his gaze clear and unwavering.

"However, the Emperor did not consider my youth and low status, but showed me the impeachment document, allowing me to witness firsthand the dangers of court intrigue and the difficulties of maintaining one's position. This served as a mirror for me, and I am deeply grateful."

This statement puts the speaker in an extremely humble position and portrays the emperor's questioning as a favor, thus preventing any subsequent reprimand.

Zhao Xu stared at him and then asked.

Now that you've seen it, what do you have to say?

Zhao Mingcheng straightened up and began to recount his story.

"The memorial states that my father's relationship with Privy Councilor Zeng was excessive. Privy Councilor Zeng was in charge of the Privy Council, while my father was mainly responsible for the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. All matters concerning military honors, rewards for merit, and pensions required official correspondence with the Privy Council. This was stipulated by the court's regulations and was within his duties."

"If this is defined as forming a faction, then wouldn't the Six Ministries, the Three Departments, and the Privy Council all be part of the same party? Therefore, in my opinion, this memorial is not impeaching a person, but rather the rules governing the court's operations."

Zhao Xu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thinking that Zhao Mingcheng's rebuttal was quite brilliant.

"The folded paper also says that my father is two-faced, and I would like to defend him on this point as well," Zhao Mingcheng continued.

"During the Yuan You era, the old faction was very powerful. If my father really wanted to curry favor with them, why didn't he try to curry favor with Liu Zhi or Liang Tao? During the Xining and Shaosheng eras, my father was in court. If he was truly adept at opportunism, why is he still only a drafter in the Secretariat?"

"My father is suspected this time probably because he didn't completely align himself with either side."

That puts it more bluntly.

Because his father didn't get close to him, anyone can step on him.

"The last one in the folded book," Zhao Mingcheng paused, his voice becoming even more steady.

"To say that I am trying to curry favor with Prince Duan would be an omission of spying. I am fortunate to have been allowed to enter and leave the Prince's residence by His Highness Prince Duan, with the Empress Dowager's gracious permission, the Emperor's tacit approval, and the Imperial Academy's permission each time."

"What I've done is nothing more than organizing classic texts and exchanging ideas on ancient arts; these are all perfectly legitimate. If these things can be considered crimes, then what about the Emperor's inquiry to me, the Empress Dowager's gracious approval, and Prince Duan's friendly treatment of scholars?"

After saying that, Zhao Mingcheng knelt down again.

"If my father and I are guilty, we are willing to accept the law. However, such empty rumors not only hurt the sincerity of my father and I, but also damage the official's ability to judge people, the prince's ability to make friends, and chill the hearts of scholars throughout the land."

The hall fell silent, save for the ticking of the water clock.

Zhao Xu stared at Zhao Mingcheng for a long time before suddenly asking a question.

"Since you knew it was all just hearsay, why didn't you come directly to me to clarify things, instead of telling Prince Duan these things?"

Zhao Mingcheng straightened up and answered, his face showing no panic, only sincerity.

"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I did indeed confide my worries to His Highness Prince Duan, and I also guessed that His Highness might inform the Empress Dowager of all this..."

Zhao Mingcheng looked into Zhao Xu's eyes,

"It's all because the students are afraid."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of the Emperor," Zhao Mingcheng answered readily.

"Your Majesty is the sovereign, the Son of Heaven, and has absolute power. What Your Majesty considers a trivial matter is a matter of life and death for my entire family."

"Students are young, and when a sudden change occurs in their family, they are panicked and confused. Their first reaction is to find someone to talk to and to find a way to survive."

"His Highness Prince Duan treats me as a friend, and the Empress Dowager is kind, so I... feel like a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood. This is my selfishness, and also my shortsightedness."

Zhao Mingcheng slowed his speech and spoke more sincerely.

"But it is precisely because I have met Your Majesty before and spoken with you that I know Your Majesty is wise and insightful, and understands everything."

"Therefore, today, I dare to kneel here and lay all these selfish desires, shortsightedness, and fears, along with the swords on those memorials, before Your Majesty."

"Because the students believe that what the officials want to hear is not embellished words, but the truth. Every word the students say today is true."

Zhao Mingcheng was completely honest because he understood Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu was a good emperor, a benevolent ruler, and the kind of emperor who listens to the truth.

Zhao Xu's eyes flickered.

This young man is quite interesting. He didn't try to shirk responsibility or make excuses. He not only admitted it, but he admitted it very well. Listening to what he just said, I felt a little guilty.

"You dare to say that," Zhao Xu said, his tone softening.

"Then, in your opinion, why are there so many impeachments targeting your father?"

Zhao Mingcheng was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Your Majesty, I may not be well-educated, but I remember that whenever a major case arises, there are always three types of people: those who are truly guilty, those who are implicated, and... those who take the opportunity to eliminate their opponents."

Zhao Xu's pupils contracted slightly.

"This case involving the Tongwen Guan (School of Combined Learning) has resulted in the purging of traitors. This is a wise decision by the Emperor and a fortunate event for our Great Song Dynasty."

Then, Zhao Mingcheng changed the subject.

"But recently, rumors have been circulating that the impeachment is no longer limited to those from the Yuan You era. Anyone with a past relationship with those involved in the case, or anyone whose political views differ slightly from those of the senior officials in charge of the investigation, may also be implicated. If this continues, I fear it will not be a blessing for the country."

"You're saying someone is using this opportunity to eliminate dissidents?" Zhao Xu pressed. "Who?"

"The students dared not point!"

Zhao Mingcheng immediately said,

"The student is only worried that if this trend spreads, all the civil and military officials will be in danger, seeking only to avoid mistakes rather than to achieve merit."

"Ultimately, it is not any particular party or faction that suffers, but rather that His Majesty has no capable ministers, and the administration of the court is in disarray. Expansion of borders, financial management, reforms—which of these doesn't require ministers who are courageous and willing to take responsibility?"

"If everyone is afraid of being implicated or harmed and dares not speak or act, then the government's painstaking efforts for the country and the people will be in vain."

Zhao Mingcheng's last sentence was almost uttered from his chest.

Zhao Xu fell silent.

He stared at Zhao Mingcheng, who was lying below, for a long time.

This young man not only dissected his father's troubles clearly, but also kicked the ball back to him, to a height he could not avoid.

Although Zhao Mingcheng didn't say who that person was, Zhao Xu knew that Zhao Mingcheng was referring to Cai Jing.

In this case, only Cai Jing had the power to eliminate dissidents.

Using cases to expand power, eliminate dissidents, chill the hearts of the people, and ruin government affairs...

These words were like nails, hammering into Zhao Xu's ears one by one.

"Zhao Mingcheng," Zhao Xu finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.

"What you said today has impressed me even more than your policy essay on 'balancing leniency and severity'."

"I am dull-witted, but I do not wish to see the wise and benevolent government corrupted by petty people, which chills the hearts of loyal and virtuous officials."

"Your Majesty will make a clear decision regarding my father's matter, and I have no complaints. Both the thunder and the rain are acts of imperial grace. I only wish that Your Majesty takes good care of your health and that the integrity of our Great Song Dynasty will endure forever."

Zhao Xu closed his eyes, paused for a moment, and then waved his hand.

"I understand. You may leave now. Focus on your studies. Continue to go to the Prince Duan's residence as usual. As for your father... I will keep an eye on him."

"The student kowtows to express gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace."

Zhao Mingcheng bowed respectfully and backed out of the main hall.

Stepping out of Chongzheng Hall, the afternoon sun was blinding.

Zhao Mingcheng narrowed his eyes and slowly walked out along the palace path, his back straight and his steps steady, just as when he came.

But only he knew that his undershirt was soaked with cold sweat.

Only after leaving the palace gates and embarking on the road back to the Imperial Academy did Zhao Mingcheng slowly exhale, finally having time to think.

The scenes that had just unfolded in the hall flashed through my mind.

The emperor's eyes, every word, every subtle change in expression—he was weighing, probing, and deliberating.

He was right; every word he said hit the nail on the head.

Especially the last few sentences—about "taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents" and "Your Majesty has no one to use."

Zhao Mingcheng saw the sharp glint in the emperor's eyes and knew that his words had hit the nail on the head.

The emperor wasn't stupid.

The Tongwenguan case escalated and involved a wider range of people. Under the guise of purging the old party, Cai Jing extended his reach into the new party and even to important officials like Zeng Bu.

How could Zhao Xu be completely unaware?

However, Zhao Xu needed this knife, and he needed Cai Jing to cut down those who were in his way.

But if the knife is used too recklessly, even cutting one's own people, or even injuring the hand holding the knife, then it won't work.

Zhao Mingcheng's purpose today is to remind the emperor:

It's time to put the knife away.

Judging from Zhao Xu's final words, "I will pay attention," the reminder was effective.

Dad should be safe now, at least he won't be investigated any further.

The crisis is temporarily over.

But Zhao Mingcheng felt no relief whatsoever.

He recalled the words on those impeachment memorials, the humiliation of his father being suspended from his post and investigated, the sympathetic or mocking glances from the Imperial Academy, and the gloating faces of Wang Yuan and his gang.

He knew perfectly well who was behind all of this.

Cai Jing.

The future leader of the "Six Thieves" has already shown his fangs.

To seize power and eliminate dissidents, they will use any means necessary.

Zhao Tingzhi was just a marginal figure. He was used as a scapegoat simply because he was close to Zeng Bu.

That's a brilliant tactic, a truly brilliant tactic.

Zhao Mingcheng opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and cold.

He is far from being able to touch Cai Jing now.

The emperor still needs Cai Jing, and Zhang Dun might be happy to see him fight with Zeng Bu.

I am still young and insecure, how can I possibly fight him?

But it's okay, there's plenty of time.

Zhao Mingcheng recalled Zhao Ji's smiling face and the pure excitement he felt when talking about football and metalwork.

As long as the future Emperor Huizong maintains a favorable impression of him, that's enough.

Maintaining this connection, securing a place in Zhao Ji's heart, and becoming an absolutely indispensable favorite minister by Zhao Ji's side—this is what Zhao Mingcheng is currently striving to do.

Once Zhao Ji ascends the throne next year, Zhao Mingcheng will have enough power to do more things.

"Cai Jing".

Zhao Mingcheng silently repeated the name, his voice filled with murderous intent.

"For the sake of the world, and for the sake of my family, I will definitely make you pay."