Chapter 31: Less Than a Year Left to Live?!

October 20th, the ninth year of Kaibao?!

Even though Zhao Kuangyin had mentally prepared himself to some extent, hearing these words from Li Cheng still caused a momentary wave of dizziness to wash over his mind.

It was actually October 20th, the ninth year of Kaibao!

Since it was currently the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month of the eighth year of Kaibao, this meant he had less than a year left to live!

He was forty-nine this year, and next year he would barely reach fifty!

He was only to live to fifty?

How could this be possible?!

For Zhao Kuangyin, this was a result he could not accept. He had always been confident in his longevity because he was in excellent physical health and rarely fell ill.

Although he was a military man by origin, he was unlike Emperor Taizong of Tang. When Taizong of Tang fought, he liked to be at the forefront, charging into enemy lines. Although historical records did not detail his injuries, so many of the warhorses that accompanied the Emperor had died; how could the man riding them have remained unscathed? Thus, it was understandable that the Emperor of Tang suffered from hidden ailments and passed away early.

As for himself, while he had led from the front in his early years in the military, he did not do so often. The Battle of Gaoping, which decided his fate, was a fight where he had staked his life, but after that, he rarely risked his life in person during subsequent campaigns. Later, when he became Emperor and Li Yun and Li Zhongjin rebelled, he led the troops himself to stabilize the situation, but he merely directed from the center; he did not truly charge into battle.

Having come from the ranks, he had never suffered any fatal wounds. This was why Zhao Kuangyin was so confident in his lifespan. Yet, suddenly hearing such news from Li Cheng, the impact was immeasurable.

"I am healthy and free of illness, how could I have such a short life? What nonsense are you spouting?"

Zhao Kuangyin’s face darkened, his voice deepening involuntarily. He refused to accept the reality that he had less than a year to live.

"Your Majesty is indeed in good health, but the world is impermanent, and people face unforeseen disasters."

"Are you trying to say that my third brother harmed me, and that is why my life is cut short?"

Having become an emperor and single-handedly ended the chaos of the Five Dynasties, Zhao Kuangyin’s intelligence was beyond doubt. Even though his mind was deeply shaken, a brief association with Li Cheng’s claim about his third brother usurping the throne made the implication clear.

Facing Zhao Kuangyin’s gaze, which was clearly skeptical and laced with a hint of murderous intent, Li Cheng did not flinch. He gave a thumbs up to Zhao Kuangyin, offering him high affirmation.

"Your Majesty is perceptive; that is exactly it."

"Heh, I knew you had ill intentions. You are here to sow discord between my brother and me, hoping to use my hand to eliminate the Prince of Jin! Your sinister motives are clear at a glance. You truly have nerve, trying to use me as a tool to kill!"

"Your Majesty, I know you value sentimentality and have treated the Prince of Jin, your brother, with nothing but kindness, never once doubting him. You are unwilling to accept this situation, but facts are facts: the Prince of Jin did indeed succeed you as emperor."

Li Cheng remained calm and composed. Zhao Kuangyin, having finally suppressed his emotions, clearly wanted to lash out, his hand rubbing back and forth over the jade axe at his waist.

"Then tell me, how did my third brother steal my throne?"

In the quiet flower pavilion, Zhao Kuangyin’s voice rang out. In his calm tone, one could feel a deep-seated distrust. Emotionally, he did not want to believe that his third brother possessed the heart to harm him. In terms of strength, he likewise did not believe his third brother had the capacity to harm him.

Li Cheng paused to organize his thoughts: "Your Majesty, there is a saying: one can guard against external threats, but it is hard to guard against a thief within one’s own house. One can see from your attitude toward the Prince of Jin that you are completely defenseless against him. If he were to harbor malicious intentions against you, you would be unable to escape."

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin’s expression turn dangerous, Li Cheng stopped in time.

"Your Majesty, what I am about to say will be absolutely difficult for you to accept. Please prepare yourself mentally."

"Enough noise, just speak!"

Zhao Kuangyin’s voice was devoid of emotion. He wanted to see exactly how this fellow would fabricate his story.

"Regarding your passing, a historical allusion was left behind—a specific term used to summarize the event. It is called 'Shadows of Candles and Sounds of an Axe'."

Zhao Kuangyin’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was already calculating the meaning of the phrase. On the surface, it was easy to understand: the shadows cast by candle flames and the sound made by an axe. He involuntarily glanced at the jade axe by his side.

Could it be... that this axe was the jade axe he often toyed with? Were the "sounds of an axe" the noise made when his third brother used an axe to strike him?

"I can be clear: you did indeed pass away on October 20th of the ninth year of Kaibao. Regarding your death, the *History of Song: Annals of Emperor Taizu* only contains a brief record: 'On the evening of the guichou day, the Emperor passed away in the Wansui Hall, at the age of fifty, and was laid to rest in the west hall steps.'"

"That does not say how I died, nor does it mention the Prince of Jin. Why, in your version, does it become me being harmed by my third brother?" Zhao Kuangyin’s voice sounded cold.

"History is written by the victors; it is a young girl who can be dressed up as one pleases. Your Majesty should know this very well. If I may be so bold, in the records I have seen regarding your mutiny at Chenqiao Post, you were completely unaware of the coup beforehand. When you were pulled out by Zhao Pu, the Prince of Jin, and others, you were still in a deep sleep. In your muddled state, you were forced into the yellow robe. Was Your Majesty truly unaware beforehand? Were you really sleeping as soundly as thunder that night?"

Hearing Li Cheng’s words, Zhao Kuangyin instinctively gripped his jade axe. This Li Cheng, his mouth was becoming increasingly unpleasant! Was this something that could be asked?

Li Cheng noticed Zhao Kuangyin’s small movement and immediately understood. The mutiny at Chenqiao Post, the act of donning the yellow robe—a classic example of a coup where a regime change was achieved without drawing blood—everything was so smooth. How could "Old Zhao," the man who had the garment added to him, be completely unaware and as pure as a little white lotus? It was nothing more than the customary use of 'Spring and Autumn' brushwork to show respect for the honored.

Ignoring Zhao Kuangyin’s gesture with the axe, Li Cheng continued:

"By the same token, when a founding emperor like yourself passes away, the *Annals of Emperor Taizu* only records the time and place so briefly, without mentioning the cause or many other details. Is this not an intentional evasion of something? Does it not make the whole thing suspicious?"