Chapter 15: And Then?

“Where is Qian Chu of Wuyue? How has he conducted himself?” Zhao Kuangyin looked at Li Cheng and spoke again.

At these words, Zhao Dezhao was slightly taken aback.

Originally, after the emperor glanced at him, he expected the emperor to inquire about himself from Li Xiaolang. But to his surprise, the question was about Qian Chu.

“Qian Chu is very respectful and understands the bigger picture. This time, he heeded the official command and dispatched troops to assist in the campaign against Southern Tang. He contributed to the downfall of Southern Tang and occupied Changzhou and Runzhou. After Southern Tang was destroyed and Li Yu surrendered, he promptly withdrew his forces and handed over the occupied territories of Changzhou and Runzhou entirely to the Song Dynasty.

In the ninth year of the Kaibao era, which is next year, he was summoned with his consort Lady Sun and heir Qian Weijun to the court, bearing grand gifts. He received your favor and was granted a mansion in the capital Bianliang. During his stay in the capital, Qian Chu enjoyed the highest honors as a subject—not only was he granted entrance to the court in sword and boots without official titles, but even his consort Lady Sun was exceptionally bestowed the title of Queen of Wuyue.

The emperor held numerous banquets in his honor and even allowed him to partake in fraternal ceremonies with Prince Jin and the emperor’s younger brother. Upon his departure, the emperor bestowed generous gifts and handed over memorials from court officials urging that Qian Chu be detained and forced to cede land. The emperor instructed him to observe closely during his journey to demonstrate the court’s sincerity.

Subsequently, Qian Chu’s fief was expanded multiple times…”

Compared to the brutal and bloodthirsty figures of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Zhao Kuangyin, who emerged from that chaotic era, truly deserved the reputation of benevolence. Even compared to his younger brother, the “Donkey Cart War God” Zhao Guangyi, he was equally kind-hearted.

This was evident in how he treated defeated and surrendered rulers like Meng Chang, Li Yu, and Qian Chu of Wuyue.

Yet, his magnanimity did not lack shrewdness.

For instance, when bidding farewell to Qian Chu, he handed over the memorials composed by court ministers, allowing Qian Chu to read them carefully. This was a masterstroke—showing kindness and esteem while subtly indicating the proper course of action for Qian Chu.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly. “And then?”

“Qian Chu then voluntarily requested to cede his territory and submit completely. The Song court granted him the title of King of Huaihai. Of course, although the edict called him King of Huaihai, it was only a nominal title without actual lands, and he remained in the capital. The Qian family subsequently relocated to Bianliang.”

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was even more pleased.

To have secured Qian Chu’s surrender without bloodshed and to transform the lands of Wuyue into Song territory was a remarkable achievement.

It seemed the strategy he had always followed—to use benevolence when possible and force when necessary, blending kindness with power—was highly effective.

Li Cheng observed Zhao Kuangyin’s reaction, feeling a stir within but refrained from revealing that the incorporation of Wuyue was the work of Zhao Guangyi after he became emperor.

Zhao Kuangyin, having survived the treacheries of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, was not someone to easily trust anyone, especially given the implausible tale of Li Cheng’s time-travel from a millennium later.

Why, then, did Zhao Kuangyin ask about Qian Chu at this moment?

Besides wanting to know Wuyue’s future, he likely sought to use Qian Chu’s story to verify the truth of Li Cheng’s claims and confirm whether he was truly a time traveler.

After all, Qian Chu’s involvement in the conquest of Southern Tang was a recent event, and some details could be quickly verified.

Few who ascend to the throne, especially founding emperors, are simple men.

Li Cheng was indeed eager to inform Zhao Kuangyin about the series of misdeeds committed by Zhao Guangyi, the Donkey Cart War God, to witness the fraternal respect between brothers, vent his indignation, and perhaps alter Song history at its root, steering it toward a less humiliating path.

But as the saying goes, familiarity breeds caution.

With Zhao Kuangyin still probing and not fully trusting him, it would be rash to disclose the tragic fate of the Torchlight Axe Shadow, Zhao Dezhao, Zhao Defang, Zhao Tingmei, and others, as well as the glorious battles at the Gaoliang River.

Based on historical records and his observations, Zhao Kuangyin valued emotions deeply, especially familial bonds.

He held a profound affection and great trust for Zhao Guangyi, who was much younger and could be deemed both brother and, to some extent, a son.

In this context, revealing such explosive information prematurely risked Zhao Guangyi’s safety while putting Li Cheng himself in grave danger, potentially costing him his life.

At this point, Li Cheng could sense Zhao Kuangyin’s wavering belief regarding his identity as a time traveler.

He had survived the most perilous moment; gaining the emperor’s full trust would only require time.

It was better to proceed cautiously.

Time and initiative were on his side.

Good things are worth waiting for, and dealing with Zhao the Second was only a matter of time.

Waiting a little longer to act against Zhao the Second would ensure greater certainty.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The land of Wuyue is now part of our great Song!” Zhao Dezhao exclaimed joyfully.

Though he had already deduced from Li Xiaolang’s previous words that Wuyue would inevitably cease to exist and be absorbed by Song within three hundred and nineteen years, hearing it confirmed firsthand still filled him with delight.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in acknowledgment and accepted his congratulations.

He then said, “It’s still too early to celebrate. We can offer our congratulations once Qian Chu formally cedes his land and submits. Only what is in your mouth is truly meat.”

Zhao Dezhao accepted the admonition.

“And what of Northern Han?” Zhao Kuangyin asked again.

Li Cheng replied, “It too was destroyed. About five years later, our Song forces first routed the Liao troops who came to aid them. In despair, Liu Jiyuan of Northern Han surrendered by opening the city gates. From then on, all their territories belonged to the Song.”

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was somewhat surprised.

Not because the Song had conquered Northern Han, but because it took five years to do so.

Southern Tang was already defeated, and Wuyue posed no threat; why would it take so long to capture Northern Han?

He wanted to ask Li Cheng but reconsidered after glancing subtly at his son, who dissuaded him. It seemed inappropriate to ask now—better to save the question for another time.

After pondering, he looked at Li Cheng and asked, “What of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun? Has our Song reclaimed them?”