Chapter 21: Treasure of the Heart

“This matter requires no further discussion. My decision is final: Changzhou and Runzhou cannot be retained; they must be handed over. If anyone dares to obstruct this, they shall have no one to blame but themselves!”

Usually mild-tempered Qian Shu now wore a stern expression, his demeanor unusually resolute and commanding.

The man who had advised Qian Shu clearly wanted to speak further.

Changzhou and Runzhou were exceedingly prosperous, contiguous to their Wu-Yue territory, and moreover, these two prefectures had been conquered by their own strength. To yield them unconditionally to the Song Dynasty was a bitter pill to swallow.

Yet, faced with Qian Shu’s grave countenance, the man ultimately dared not voice his further objections. He merely sighed deeply, bowed respectfully to Qian Shu, and turned away, his disappointment barely concealed.

...

“Zhuzi, do you think my decision is right? Do you also feel this choice is frustrating and helpless?”

Once everyone else had left the room, leaving only his eldest son behind, Qian Shu, nicknamed Huzi, exhaled a long breath.

With that breath, it seemed as if his very spirit had been expelled. He appeared exhausted, devoid of the commanding presence he had shown before.

“To say it’s frustrating—indeed it is. The lands we seized by our own merit, we handed over without a word from the other side. How could it not be frustrating?”

Qian Weijun nodded, then sighed as well. “Frustrating as it is, this is the wisest course. Our Qian family has held this prosperity for so many years, not only due to our capabilities but because the realm was in chaos, with many warlords rising—this was our opportunity. We have always shown submission to the Central Plains dynasty, which is why we have survived to this day.

“But now, as the realm trends toward unification and even Southern Tang has fallen, how can we contend with the Zhao Song Dynasty alone? If we hadn’t foreseen Southern Tang’s impending collapse, we might have allied with them. But even united, we wouldn’t stand against Song.

“That is why we obeyed Song’s orders and joined the campaign against Southern Tang. We earned great merit in that war. Though Changzhou and Runzhou are indeed ours by conquest, we positioned ourselves as vassals from the start. Therefore, the lands taken from Southern Tang must be handed over to Song for management—we cannot appropriate them ourselves.

“Moreover, Song has just defeated Southern Tang; their army’s morale is high. With such a mighty force nearby, we must tread carefully, wary of Song turning against us. Should the Song court redirect their victorious army toward us, it would be disastrous. To prevent this, we must avoid provoking Song and let them withdraw first.

“Changzhou and Runzhou are fertile lands, yes, but also potential sources of calamity. If we insist on keeping them, we might play into the hands of those arrogant Song generals. If we lose those lands, what was once ours will be lost forever.

“If we wanted to resist Song, we should have allied with Southern Tang’s Li Yu early on. But now, with Li Yu gone and Song forces at our doorstep, stirring conflict would be courting death.

“Sun Xing’s views are those of a narrow-minded scholar; you need not heed them, Father.”

Hearing his son’s words, Qian Shu, weary-faced, finally smiled—a rare expression of satisfaction.

“Well said. This is the way of the world.

“Man must know himself and be able to humble himself. One must carefully consider the role one plays and the actions one takes. Are your teeth strong? Is your tongue soft?

“But in the end, teeth fall out one by one; only the seemingly weak tongue root remains intact.

“With your words, I am at ease. If I am gone in the future, with you here, the Qian family will not decline.”

He sighed again. “That Sun Xing truly is a scholar’s foolhardy view, shortsighted. The current Song emperor is a just and decent man. By voluntarily returning Changzhou and Runzhou, the state of Wu-Yue may persist a while longer. If we were blinded by greed for these two prefectures, it would be national ruin within two months.

“Tomorrow, contact Cao Bin and inform him of our troop withdrawal and the handover of Changzhou and Runzhou. These two hot potatoes must be passed on quickly, not kept in our hands.

“We must watch this matter closely—no one is to cause trouble over this!”

...

At the Wan Sui Hall, Wang Ji’en entered and whispered something into Zhao Kuangyin’s ear. Immediately, the emperor’s expression darkened.

He abandoned his current affairs, rose at once, and hurried outside the hall. He was so rushed that the jade axe, usually kept close at hand, was left abandoned on the table—an unmistakable sign of the gravity of the matter disturbing his mind.

“Where is Runniang? Where is Runniang?!” Zhao Kuangyin called out urgently as he hurried outside the Qinghui Pavilion.

There was no trace of imperial dignity now. Ignoring the kowtowing eunuchs and palace maids, he headed straight to his daughter’s chambers.

Though convention dictated that a grown daughter avoid her father, the current emergency left no room for such proprieties.

“Father, I’m alright now. Please don’t worry,” the young woman on the bed forced a smile and sat up with effort, trying to reassure him lightly.

“Lie down and rest more,” Zhao Kuangyin said, watching his daughter, weakened and suffering yet still considerate, and his heart ached painfully; his nose tingled with emotion.

His daughter had just fainted...

“Father, the imperial physician Chen just administered a shot; I feel much better,” she explained.

Zhao Kuangyin sat on the bed’s edge and took her hand. It was thin and cold, so he cupped it warmly in his palms.

“Why did your condition suddenly worsen? Wasn’t it improving before?”

“Father, it was... a few days ago when it snowed heavily. I wanted to see the scenery, so I went for a walk in the imperial gardens. Afterward, I felt unwell.”

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin turned to glare at the maids and nurses, his brows furrowed deeply.

“Father, it was my insistence to go; the nurses could not dissuade me. Please do not blame them; they meant well.”

Hearing his daughter’s words, Zhao Kuangyin forced back his anger, leaving only worry and sorrow.

“Runniang, your body is weak and sensitive to cold. From now on, you must never do such things again.”

Zhao Kuangyin’s voice was full of reproach yet care.

“Father, I will remember. I won’t do it again,” the girl nodded obediently.

Looking at his daughter’s gentle demeanor, Zhao Kuangyin found himself unable to utter any rebuke. His heart only ached.

Life was unfair. At such a young age, Runniang had this illness and had suffered so much...

Zhao Kuangyin remained by her side for some time before she left. Before departing, he summoned all attendants of the Qinghui Pavilion and personally instructed them to care well for Runniang. There must be no repeat of the recent incident!

...

“This illness... is truly incurable?”

Zhao Kuangyin asked the imperial physician before him, his voice trembling slightly.

“Your Majesty, I... lack medical skill. Based on previous conditions, we could at best guarantee two more years. But this recent cold worsened the illness, consuming the little remaining vitality. Now, I can only promise a year and a half at most...”

Zhao Kuangyin instinctively reached for the jade axe but found it missing. He gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, veins bulging visibly.

“Do everything you can to save her! Cure her, and I will grant you a noble title—your family shall share the nation’s glory!”

His voice was hoarse, tinged with hysteria.

With a thud, the physician knelt before him.

“Your Majesty, treating the princess is my greatest honor; how dare I ask for more? The princess’s illness is exceedingly rare, and my skills are insufficient...”

Zhao Kuangyin stared intently at him. After a moment, his eyes reddened. Whatever he endured within, he rose and personally helped the physician up.

“My outburst was unseemly. Mr. Chen, please do your utmost. I entrust the princess’s care entirely to you...”

After the physician left, Zhao Kuangyin was alone. Suddenly, he slammed his fist hard onto the table, tears welling in his tiger-like eyes.

Since falling ill five years ago, Runniang’s condition had steadily declined. She had nearly died three times but somehow pulled through.

He had racked his brains for a cure, summoning the realm’s finest doctors with generous rewards. Yet nothing worked.

Only Chen, previously a doctor and now an imperial physician, had some methods to stabilize her condition, but no cure.

Chen Zhaoyu had explicitly said he could not cure the disease, only ease the symptoms and prolong her life...

Runniang’s life was already short, and now this latest blow had drastically reduced it further.

As a father, how could Zhao Kuangyin bear this? Was he really to watch helplessly as the illness claimed his daughter?

Lost in painful thought, suddenly a bright idea flashed through his mind—a vivid figure appeared in his imagination!