Chapter 4: If Only This Were Real
“Keep him under strict watch; no one is to learn of his whereabouts, and his food and drink must not be withheld.”
Zhao Kuangyin hung the jade axe back at his waist, picked up the sling once more, and spoke to a eunuch who had approached at his call, issuing instructions.
The eunuch responded with a bow, lowered his head, and led Li Cheng toward a secluded corner of the imperial garden.
There stood a house, usually left unused; it was a suitable place to detain someone quietly.
This was the spot Zhao Kuangyin had chosen.
Li Cheng said no more, only bowed respectfully to Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Dezhao, then followed the eunuch without complaint.
At this stage, there was no point in further words.
Until the news he had brought—that the Southern Tang ruler Li Yu would surrender on November 27—was verified, anything he said was useless.
Yet, for now, his situation was not entirely bleak.
Since Zhao Kuangyin had not executed him immediately, he had the chance to convince the emperor that he was a time traveler.
Of course, this depended on the historians writing the chronicles having some professional integrity.
They must not fabricate or err in the timeline.
Otherwise, he would be in deep trouble.
Not only would Zhao Kuangyin disbelieve the story of the flickering axe shadows, but he would also lose his life without even taking down the donkey cart war god—a truly frustrating fate.
Watching Li Cheng walk calmly alongside the eunuch, Zhao Dezhao’s emotions were a tangled mess.
“Father, your son takes his leave.”
After lingering a moment longer, Zhao Dezhao also announced his departure.
Seeing his son’s somewhat disheartened retreating figure, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head inwardly.
This time, Rizxin’s performance was deeply disappointing.
Regardless of who had set the trap, facing such a simple snare, Rizxin had stepped right into it without the slightest caution.
He understood his son’s urgency to earn his favor and secure the crown prince title, especially with his third brother, the Prince of Jin, still in the picture.
His impatience was understandable.
Yet understanding did not mean agreement.
When great matters arise, one must remain composed.
The more Rizxin desired the throne, the more he should have maintained calm and not lost his composure to make such mistakes.
As for that madman named Li Cheng, Zhao Kuangyin thought it best to eliminate him outright.
Even if he himself would not kill him, he should have ordered someone to do so.
Whoever dared meddle in such affairs and mislead his son was on a path to death, an unforgivable crime.
But since this man was brought by Rizxin, killing him outright might cause a rift between father and son, which would be regrettable.
It was better to detain him for a few days and wait for the frontline report on the twenty-seventh; then he could execute the liar.
By then, even Rizxin would have no grounds to fault his father.
As for why Li Cheng was confined within the imperial garden rather than the prison, Zhao Kuangyin did not want to make the affair public knowledge.
This matter was disgraceful for Rizxin.
If it spread, Rizxin’s reputation would suffer.
In many respects, Rizxin was already inferior to the Prince of Jin.
If such gossip circulated, Rizxin’s days would grow even harder.
The contest for crown prince was not something Zhao Kuangyin wished to broadcast widely or involve too many people.
There was also another motive: to see if any news would leak that Rizxin had been duped by a charlatan.
If such rumors spread, Zhao Kuangyin could trace the source and take action.
The emperor was himself; the crown prince was his decision.
Competition between Rizxin and his third brother was acceptable, but things could not be allowed to spiral out of control.
With these thoughts, an idea suddenly formed in Zhao Kuangyin’s mind.
If this lying youth truly was a traveler from a thousand years in the future, and the Song dynasty he would found lasted three hundred and nineteen years, how wonderful would that be?
As the youth claimed, even the glorious Tang dynasty lasted only two hundred eighty-nine years.
During the Five Dynasties’ turmoil, emperors changed as casually as eating or drinking.
Having lived through such chaos, Zhao Kuangyin knew well how short-lived dynasties could be.
That was why, once emperor, he had always been haunted by a strong sense of crisis and urgency.
He feared that his newly founded Song dynasty would vanish after just a decade or a few years, just like those before it.
When dynasties fell, entire families met grim fates.
If his great Song endured three hundred and nineteen years, it would mean none of those fears came to pass.
Not only that, it would surpass even the Tang dynasty—the era of the flourishing Tang!
Lost in such thoughts, the sound of a bird’s wings stirred his attention, instantly dispelling the far-fetched notion.
Such wild claims were absurd; he was not Rizxin to be swayed by this liar.
He focused on the bird perched among the leaves.
Zhao Kuangyin’s eyes stayed fixed as his hand swiftly drew a pellet, expertly loaded it into the sling pouch.
With a quick aim, a sharp “pop” echoed as the pellet shot forth.
The sparrow managed only half a chirp before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Having spent some time in the imperial garden, Zhao Kuangyin felt a surge of relief.
He tucked the sling back at his waist and had someone collect the dead bird to feed to the hunting dogs.
Caressing his jade axe, he left the garden to attend to state affairs...
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Sensing the faint scent of stale urine emanating from the eunuch leading him, Li Cheng frowned slightly.
It was not disdain for the eunuch, but a reminder of his own perfume.
If not for the interference of the donkey cart war god’s men, ruining his plans so disgracefully,
he could have relied on his perfume and other small inventions to live comfortably.
The perfume market was sizable.
For example, eunuchs like this one formed a key clientele, making his products very welcome.
Alas, the plan had been completely disrupted...
Perhaps after observing the brotherly camaraderie between Zhao Kuangyin and his second son,
he might resume his old trade and continue selling perfume...
Following the eunuch, who soon straightened his posture after Zhao Kuangyin’s departure, Li Cheng wound through the imperial garden to a secluded corner.
There stood three houses, surrounded by a fence of woven branches...
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“Please have the eunuch bring some boiled water—yes, boiled water,” Li Cheng said hurriedly upon arrival, noticing the eunuch about to lock the door from outside and seeing no pots, bowls, or utensils inside.
“Boiled water? What nonsense! Such fuss!” the eunuch grumbled impatiently, locking the door and departing immediately.
After a while, there was movement; the door opened.
The eunuch appeared, tossing in a tattered quilt and a small bundle of straw, then slammed the door shut again...
A day later, Li Cheng finally had hot water to drink.
The eunuch had brought pots, bowls, a fire starter, and some daily necessities.
Of course, the eunuch had not suddenly grown a conscience.
Li Cheng had spoken of his ability to make perfume and explained what perfume was and its uses, only to be extorted for ninety-five percent of the profits by the greedy eunuch to obtain these supplies.
Truly a greedy wretch!
As a man from the future, Li Cheng felt no contempt for someone physically impaired like this eunuch.
But this eunuch named Qian was utterly despicable.
Li Cheng drank a cup of lukewarm boiled water and began painstakingly removing small stones, rice husks, and dried mouse droppings from the rice the eunuch had brought, washing it repeatedly.
He resolved that if he survived this ordeal, he would reward the eunuch handsomely!
---
Eunuch Qian lounged lazily against the wall, basking in the sun with an exceptionally good mood.
Thinking of the youth’s praise for perfume, his heart stirred with excitement.
He had expected to watch over a man who had clearly provoked the emperor’s wrath—a miserable task.
But to his surprise, there was such a great reward!
From now on, he was bound to have great fortune!
With perfume in hand, not only would money flow endlessly, but he could also curry favor with his superiors, climbing the ranks more easily!