Chapter 12: Confrontation Head-On

Li Cheng’s words left Zhao Kuangyin and his son, Zhao Dezhao, momentarily stunned. Clearly, neither had expected him to make such a statement at this moment. Without any preamble, he had jumped from the question of whether the Great Song dynasty truly lasted three hundred and nineteen years directly to the eunuch Qian—and he was demanding the man’s life.

"What has Eunuch Qian done to make you want him dead? I see that this room is well-supplied; food, clothing, and bedding are all here, provided by Eunuch Qian. Given your previous circumstances, he was acting under my father’s orders to watch over you, and he has done his job quite well. He has not mistreated you, so why do you call for his death?"

It was Zhao Dezhao who spoke, not Zhao Kuangyin. He felt it better to be the one to ask. He believed Li Cheng could understand him, so he spoke plainly. He was all but telling Li Cheng that Qian Cheng was a trusted eunuch of the Emperor and had performed his duties well. If anyone else had been sent, Li Cheng’s treatment would have been far worse. He was warning him not to be petty, lest he incur the Emperor’s displeasure and lose his favor—a result that would outweigh any gain.

With Zhao Dezhao having spoken, Zhao Kuangyin remained silent, watching Li Cheng and waiting for his response. It was evident that Zhao Kuangyin was displeased with Li Cheng’s behavior, viewing him as ungrateful and overstepping his bounds. Truth be told, as his son had just said, given Li Cheng's situation, Qian Cheng had followed orders and provided these supplies; he had not treated him poorly. For Li Cheng to turn around and demand the eunuch’s death was an act of base ingratitude.

"Your Highness, if this eunuch were truly as good as you say, I would be nothing but grateful. Why would I want his life? I am not an ungrateful man. The Emperor ordered him to watch over me and specifically instructed that I should not be deprived of necessities. Yet, after bringing me here, he gave me only a small bundle of damp straw to sleep on and a thin, filthy, blackened quilt to cover myself. I wasn't even given a cup of hot water, nor lunch or dinner. I spent the first day thirsty, hungry, and shivering."

Li Cheng would not indulge the eunuch. Since he had promised himself that if he escaped, he would repay the man, there was no better time than now. How could he forgive the humiliation he had endured?

Zhao Kuangyin remained unmoved. Zhao Dezhao countered, "I see plenty of supplies here. Your bedding looks fine; where is this 'filthy' quilt you speak of? My father only assigned him to guard you—could anyone else have brought these to you? Li, are you lying to our faces? Words can deceive, but these physical items do not."

"These were indeed provided by Eunuch Qian, but not voluntarily. It was only because I was so cold, hungry, and thirsty that I didn't want to die, so I told him about perfume. I explained what it was, its uses, and the great benefits and profits it could generate. I explicitly told him I could manufacture it and used it to bribe him; only then did he provide these things. Even so, in the days since, he has humiliated me repeatedly. I kept a guard up, slowly crafting the perfume until today. Had I not been cautious and produced it early, given this eunuch’s greed and malice, I fear he would have discarded me as soon as he learned the method. I doubt I would have lasted until the Emperor and Your Highness arrived."

***

Could there really be such hidden depths to this? After hearing Li Cheng’s account, Zhao Dezhao’s expression shifted, and his opinion of both men changed rapidly. If things were as Li Cheng claimed, then Eunuch Qian had truly overstepped! Especially since, only a short while ago, the eunuch had told the Emperor that Li Cheng harbored deep resentment. To put it mildly, this was sowing discord; to put it harshly, it was deceiving the sovereign. Did the eunuch dare to act with such audacity?

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, look—these are the raw materials and tools required to make the perfume. Smell the air; the scent still lingers. Words can lie, but these things do not. If not for this, why would I be bored enough to waste my time making perfume here? I am not a fool; I would not risk the Emperor’s anger just to take a eunuch’s life."

Li Cheng pointed to the equipment and materials. Zhao Dezhao took a deep breath. He had noticed a pleasant fragrance upon entering the cottage; it was indeed the perfume Li Cheng had crafted. Li Cheng’s words rang true. If the eunuch hadn’t pushed him to the brink, why would he take such a massive risk?

"Father," Zhao Dezhao called out, his meaning clear.

Zhao Kuangyin did not look at his son. He stared at Li Cheng and said slowly, "And what if I refuse to kill Qian Cheng?"

Zhao Dezhao’s heart skipped a beat. He frantically signaled to Li Cheng not to be a fool or say anything inappropriate. Based on his knowledge of his father, the fact that the conversation had reached this point meant the eunuch was already in deep trouble. Now was not the time to defy the Emperor!

"This palace, and indeed the entire Great Song, belongs to Your Majesty. Whether Eunuch Qian lives or dies is, naturally, your decision."

Zhao Dezhao breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, Li Cheng hadn't lost his wits!

"As for the history of the Song dynasty and the various advanced technologies I know of, I also have the right to remain silent. That is my prerogative. History serves as a mirror for success and failure; knowing the future can help avoid even greater pitfalls."

Zhao Dezhao felt a roaring in his head, a wave of dizziness. Had Li Cheng gone mad? What was he saying? How dared he speak to his father like this? He had seemed so terrified of death when the Emperor was angry before—why was he acting like this now?

"Silence! You..." Zhao Dezhao tried to intervene and smooth things over.

***

Zhao Kuangyin’s voice cut through: "Are you threatening me?"

The voice was quiet, but coming from an emperor—a founding emperor at that—the implication needed no explanation. Zhao Dezhao was on the verge of tears. Li Cheng was truly a disaster! He had been overjoyed that the prophecies regarding the Southern Tang had come true, believing he could finally stand tall, all thanks to Li Cheng. But he never expected this! Could he stop courting death?

Li Cheng shook his head. "How would I dare threaten Your Majesty? I have simply suffered great grievances these past few days, disgusted by this eunuch, and I wish to exact my revenge. That is all."

Zhao Kuangyin’s dark face grew even darker, like the bottom of a cooking pot. This man claimed he wasn't threatening him, yet every word was a threat!

"Silence! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Zhao Dezhao was both angry and anxious.

Li Cheng gave him an apologetic look. "Your Highness, when I first sought you out and revealed my identity as a traveler, I had already prepared myself for death. I acted as I did because I could not endure such humiliation. Now, to be insulted by a eunuch—if I cannot even take my revenge, if I cannot vent this spite, then let death come."

Zhao Dezhao was stunned, clearly shocked by Li Cheng’s words. They far exceeded his expectations.

"Father, Li is not a bad man. It is truly that Qian Cheng went too far—not only did he disobey orders, but he twisted the truth and made false accusations..."

Before Zhao Dezhao could finish, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, his face still dark. Zhao Dezhao sighed inwardly. It was over. Completely over. Nobody could save Li Cheng now. The chance he had finally found to potentially surpass his third uncle was gone. Life was truly unpredictable.

"Hah! A man of passion, a spirited youth—why should it be otherwise! If there is a grievance, it must be avenged; if there is an injustice, it must be redressed. If one dares not do this, one is unworthy of being a youth! Go! Pass my order: beat that Qian Cheng to death with clubs!"

Zhao Kuangyin turned to give the order to the bewildered Zhao Dezhao...

...

The snow continued to fall, showing no signs of letting up. It drifted down from the sky, like petals of jade scattered by the wind. Eunuch Qian, his hair and shoulders covered in white, did not feel the cold. His mood was exceptionally wonderful, for the maggot-like thief was about to meet his end!