Chapter 17: He’ll Surely Be Able to Withstand It…Won’t He?

Hearing Zhao Dezhao’s words and seeing the expression on his face, Li Cheng’s mood was beyond description. His entire heart involuntarily twitched. This was downright harmful! How could he not know what Zhao Dezhao wanted to ask? It was nothing more than whether he had become emperor and, if so, how he had fared afterward. Such a topic was absolutely forbidden at this time!

Li Cheng felt helpless. He had barely managed to brush off the eldest Zhao, thinking he was safe for the moment. Yet, unexpectedly, young Zhao dealt him such a blow. His answers about the Northern Han and the Sixteen Prefectures had evidently caused some misunderstanding in young Zhao’s mind, giving him a surge of confidence and making it impossible for him to hold back.

If Zhao Dezhao’s fate had turned out well, Li Cheng would naturally have no objection to his inquiries at this moment. But the problem was, Zhao Dezhao had never become emperor. His throne had been seized by his shameless uncle. Moreover, after the battle of Gaoliang River, Zhao Guangyi earned the title “War God of the Donkey Cart,” and with no outlet for his anger, Zhao Dezhao had been driven to despair and ultimately committed suicide.

This was no time to discuss such matters. Still, Zhao Dezhao was clearly impatient about his future. Li Cheng could only hope that the eldest Zhao would intervene and stop him from asking further questions. Otherwise, what came next would be far too shocking. Revealing such truths before fully earning Zhao Kuangyin’s trust was a risk with unpredictable consequences.

In silent prayer and anticipation, Li Cheng watched as Zhao Kuangyin remained silent for two breaths, then nodded at Zhao Dezhao. “Then ask.”

Zhao Dezhao was delighted, while Li Cheng’s heart sank to the depths of despair. It truly was a case of fearing something and then having it happen. His plans were largely being disrupted by Zhao Dezhao! Yet he had no other choice. Since Zhao Dezhao had opened his mouth, Li Cheng had to tell the truth on some matters. If he lied, it would be impossible to correct it later. Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Dezhao’s trust in him would be completely shattered. Even if he told the truth afterward, they would believe he was lying. Once trust collapsed, there would be no recovery.

That was why, despite his reluctance to mention the “War God of the Donkey Cart” and Zhao Dezhao’s fate at this moment, he had to answer honestly since Zhao Dezhao had asked.

“Young Lord Li, I wonder, has the Khitan been destroyed? Did our Great Song perish first, or the Khitan?”

Zhao Dezhao’s eyes burned with intensity as he addressed Li Cheng.

Li Cheng was momentarily stunned. He had just run through in his mind everything he knew—the flickering shadows of the candle, the battle of Gaoliang River, the Yongxi northern expeditions, and Zhao Dezhao’s death. Zhao Dezhao was actually asking this? Even Zhao Kuangyin looked at his son with surprise, a faint smile flashing across his stern face.

“The Khitan was naturally destroyed, and it happened long ago—over a hundred years before the Great Song!” Li Cheng answered with firm certainty.

This was wonderful! Zhao Dezhao’s face lit up with joy, nearly bursting into cheers.

Since the Tang dynasty plunged into chaos, with warlords vying for power in the Central Plains and Yelü Abaoji uniting the tribes to establish the Khitan, this vast empire had become a nightmare for many Central Plains regimes—their most formidable enemy. Many felt an intense, prickling threat.

Did Shi Jingtang really want to become a puppet emperor? Did Liu Jiyuan of Northern Han truly aspire to be a vassal of the Liao? Of course not. The Liao were simply too powerful, and these rulers lacked the backbone, so they knelt before the Khitan.

Zhao Dezhao pondered the Khitan’s might and their achievements over the years, his heart heavy with concern. He feared that one day the Great Song might split into Southern and Northern Song and be destroyed by the Khitan’s strength.

Now, hearing from Li Cheng that the Khitan were far inferior to the Great Song and had long since perished, how could he not be elated? Yet upon reflection, it seemed only natural. The Great Song had lasted three hundred and nineteen years and even reclaimed the Sixteen Prefectures. Without some real skill, how could it surpass the Tang dynasty and, like the mighty Han, revive after being destroyed to continue the Song legacy? The Khitan seemed strong now, but in the future, they could never match the Great Song. The Great Song destroying the Khitan was only to be expected!

Not only Zhao Dezhao, but Zhao Kuangyin’s eyes also gleamed with joy at Li Cheng’s resolute answer. Were it not for the gravity of the matter demanding caution and the inability to yet fully confirm that young Li was a time traveler, he would have eagerly asked more about the Great Song’s affairs. Such knowledge would surely bring immense pleasure, like drinking the finest nectar.

With this invigorating answer from Li Cheng, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Dezhao left the small garden pavilion. No further surprises occurred this time.

Before departing, Zhao Kuangyin summoned four imperial guards and, in Li Cheng’s presence, instructed them to stay by his side and protect him at all costs. Even if their lives were lost, Li Cheng must remain unharmed.

Watching the father and son leave like they were fired up on adrenaline, Li Cheng sniffled quietly. He had not intended to mislead; at this moment, he could only answer as he did. He hoped that once the eldest Zhao fully trusted him and learned the truth, he would be able to endure it with good spirits. He must be able to endure... after all, this was the Founding Emperor of the Song, among the likes of Qin Shi Huang, Han Wu Emperor, Tang Taizong, and Song Taizu.

...

“Outside the Imperial Garden, impose martial law. No unauthorized persons may enter for the time being,” Zhao Kuangyin ordered upon returning to the Everlasting Prosperity Hall. He called a trusted officer from the imperial guards and gave strict instructions.

Li Cheng’s importance had skyrocketed in his mind. If everything Li Cheng said was true, the Great Song had indeed stumbled upon an incredible opportunity this time. The boy Ri Xin had also made a great contribution.

“Closely monitor Qian Shu’s movements. See how he handles matters in Changzhou and Runzhou,” Zhao Kuangyin quickly issued a second order.

This was another way for him to verify the truthfulness of Li Cheng’s claims in a short time. If Qian Shu’s actions in Changzhou and Runzhou matched Li Cheng’s predictions, he could be almost certain that Li Cheng was truly a remarkable person from a thousand years in the future.

At that point, he would ask about more critical matters—when he himself would die, how Ri Xin would fare as emperor, and what great achievements would be made.

With such thoughts, Zhao Kuangyin was filled with eager anticipation, hoping the news from Qian Shu would arrive swiftly and prove Li Cheng right.

Snow began to fall gently as dusk approached. In the growing darkness, a pair of eyes stared intently at the Imperial Garden...