Chapter 5: Misunderstanding the Joy of the World

  At the time when two noblewomen in Zhao's mansion were grinding their teeth with hatred, Zhao Xingde was sighing together with his future brother-in-law. In the study of Li's mansion, except for one side facing south where the door, windows, desk and chairs were arranged, three sides of bookshelves were filled with all kinds of books, emitting a faint scent of agarwood. Two books were spread open on the wide desk, Zhao Xingde stood with his hands behind him, back to the door, window and desk, while warm sunlight shone into the study from behind him. Li Ruoxu, however, looked worried and troubled, repeatedly sighing. He was handsome, but due to being only sixteen years old, he was still slender, with only a faint mustache on his lips, yet looking like someone who was deeply troubled by love and weighed down by worries.

  "It was just a fleeting encounter, how could he be so infatuated? Had he been bewitched?" Zhao Xingde chuckled. After the outing on Qingming Festival, Li Ruoxu had inquired about the woman in the light yellow shirt and green silk skirt, but unexpectedly found out that she was Princess Zhao Huan, the daughter of Empress Zhang, who was highly favored by the current emperor. Although the Li family was a renowned literary clan for generations, it would be as difficult to marry into the imperial family as climbing to the sky.

  "Alas, the path is long and winding, with many twists and turns...” Li Ruoxu let out another sigh, his voice barely above a whisper. Zhao Xingde looked at him, noticing the pale complexion caused by lack of sleep, and thought to himself: "Are all the people from the Li family so prone to melancholy?" He patted Li Ruoxu's shoulder reassuringly and said: "Why must you torture yourself so over just one woman? You've only met her once and yet you're already infatuated, thinking she's a goddess. Who knows, maybe without all that fancy clothing and makeup, she wouldn't even be considered average-looking."

  Li Ruoxu closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then shook his head seriously: "From afar, she shines like the morning dew, but up close, she's as elegant as a lotus flower emerging from clear water. She definitely doesn't have an ordinary appearance." Zhao Xingde shook his head and said: "Since Princess Zhao is the emperor's beloved daughter, she must be spoiled and arrogant all the time. You haven't been with her for long, but if you stay together for ten or fifteen days, you'll definitely find her temper unbearable."

  Li Ruoxu said, "Appearance is the manifestation of one's personality. Although I only exchanged a sentence with her, it would never be as you described." His words carried a hint of anger. Zhao Xingde secretly thought to himself, "I'm trying to enlighten you, and yet..." He smiled and said, "Ruoxu, you're still inexperienced in the ways of the world. How can you claim to see through people's hearts at a glance? The emotions that govern human relationships are complex and multifaceted, often leading people to sacrifice their lives for one another. Such feelings cannot be determined by just meeting someone once or twice, exchanging a few words. It requires searching for each other in the crowd, turning back suddenly, and finding that person in the midst of bustling streets."

  Li Ruoxu's face was flushed red, and he was about to retort, but Zhao Xingde stopped him and continued on his own: "In my opinion, you were raised too strictly at home and had too few opportunities to interact with women. So when you saw a young girl, you became infatuated. It's like someone who hasn't tasted all kinds of delicious food, and when they occasionally taste something good, they want to eat it every day. Moreover, this dish you haven't even tasted yet, you've only taken a look at it. Alas, how can you give up the forest for a small tree? And that tree is still ten million eight thousand miles away from you."

  Li Ruoxu raised his head, about to speak, but his expression was stunned, and his face showed embarrassment. He stopped talking. Seeing that he didn't respond, Zhao Xingde said with a big smile: "So, I have some connection with the Shigu's sister in the Gonglou, let me take you there to experience the romance of the place, and then think about whether my words make sense or not." Li Ruoxu showed an embarrassed expression on his face, stuttering: "I will never go, this is not possible." Zhao Xingde laughed: "You are also sixteen years old this year, it's time for you to..." He noticed that Li Ruoxu was staring at something behind him, so he stopped talking and turned around. Suddenly, he was speechless. Li Yuxue stood outside the study door, her face slightly red, seeing Zhao Xingde turn around, she moved her gaze elsewhere, her mouth slightly open, her chest rising and falling constantly, looking like she was angry.

  "Alas, the year is not auspicious, the year is not auspicious." Li Ruoxue can come and go freely in the study, but Zhao Xingde cannot find Li Ruoxue in the inner courtyard to explain. Under the gloomy mood, he remembered his appointment with Kang Deyi and asked Li Ruoxu to explain to his sister on his behalf. He also promised his younger brother-in-law that next time he would take him along when posting notices. Only then did he sigh and walk out of the Li mansion.

  At first, Li Ruoxu found out that Zhao Xingde was writing posters, and those few posters happened to be attacking the current dynasty's powerful eunuchs. He admired Zhao Xingde's style and thought this was what a true gentleman should do, so he firmly requested to participate. Zhao Xingde secretly thought to himself, "Today I attack the powerful eunuchs for the sake of the gentlemen, but tomorrow I might have to attack the gentlemen for the sake of the powerful eunuchs - it's all just to make a living." He didn't want Li Ruoxu to get involved in this kind of thing, so he never agreed. But after today's misunderstanding, Zhao Xingde had to ask Li Ruoxu to put in a good word with his sister, and he finally agreed.

  The residence of the Kandarian was behind the branch office of Fuhaihang in Bianliang. "It seems that this person is a big rich merchant." Zhao Xingde handed over the nameplate to the doorman and measured the high and large gate, which exceeded the regulations. Fuhaihang was a century-old shop jointly established by merchants from Jiangnan, also one of the largest commercial firms in the Central Plains, with its headquarters located in Jinling. It was originally called Fuhaihang, doing business buying ships and going out to sea. Later, people in the firm thought that the two characters "Fuhai" were too rough, so they took the auspicious name "Furong Donghai" and changed the name of the firm to "Fuhai". The branch offices and businesses of Fuhaihang spread across various countries, east to Japan and Korea, west to Dashi, Zhongdong, south to Annan, Tianzhu, and Sanfoqi, and even had dealings with the country that produced Kunlun slaves. From Bianliang to Jinling, it was unknown how many officials and nobles invested in Fuhaihang to gain benefits. If Kandarian had a certain status in Fuhaihang, building an oversized gate in Bianliang would be nothing, maybe even the governor of Kaifeng Prefecture took dividends from Fuhaihang every year. Zhao Xingde smiled and shook his head.

  Contrary to Zhao Xingde's expectations, Kang Dechuan, wearing a loose white robe and wooden clogs, personally came to the door to welcome him into the study. After the servant had arranged the tea set, he retreated, and Zhao Xingde looked around, finding that this was not at all like a merchant's study, feeling very strange.

  The study of a merchant, the books are always very elegant, and because the servants often sweep, they are usually spotless. However, for those who frequently come into contact with books, it is natural to feel that these books lack human touch. Various books are neatly arranged on the bookshelves, as if they had never been flipped through before. On the other hand, the account books and contract notebooks placed on the desk often have their hard and thick covers worn out by the owner's frequent examination.

  Kang De's study was not like that, with all sorts of books old and new, from the exposed cover titles, there were poetry, military strategy, history, astronomy, medicine, divination, and even agricultural books. There were beautifully bound ones, as well as very simple and disorderly ones inserted on the bookshelf. The closer to the desk, the more chaotic it was. Where the account books should be placed, a bundle of letters was neatly stacked, with a silver paper knife casually placed beside them. On the wall hung a quiver and arrow holder, and there was also a sword. Zhao Xingde had also carefully studied the swords of this era, and at a glance, he knew that this sword was not a ceremonial one, but a sharp blade capable of close combat and killing.

  Kang De personally poured the tea, smiling: "People from all over the world who are eager to learn and make progress, love reading books. Day by day, month by month, they accumulate more and more, and I often move house, but these burdens can't be discarded, and must be carried with me." His eyes were bright and spirited as he spoke, but didn't make people feel uncomfortable, leaning on the bamboo chair, as if he was an old friend of Zhao Xingde's, very casual and relaxed, exuding confidence in every gesture.

  Zhao Xingde picked up his teacup and smiled, "It's a pity that one can only appreciate the value of a book when it's needed. Kang Gongzi's archery skills are astonishing, but it seems he is also well-versed in literature." Kang Deyi waved his hand and smiled, "Brother Zhao is not to be outdone either."

  After the most polite and courteous exchange, Kang De said with a sigh: "With Brother Zhao's talent, it is only a matter of time before he takes office. However, now that the ruler of the Great Song Dynasty is muddle-headed and incompetent, treacherous officials like Cai Jing and Li Bangyan are in power. I think Brother Zhao's character would be like a bright pearl thrown into a muddy ditch if he were to enter officialdom."

  Zhao Xingde didn't think that someone he had just met would dare to say such slanderous words about the imperial court, and smiled: "Where in the world is not a mixture of good and evil, where is not a place for hiding dirt? If a gentleman only takes care of himself, isn't it handing over the world to treacherous people?" Kang Deyi was slightly stunned, turned his teacup around, and pondered: "I didn't expect Brother Zhao to have a heart that wants to clean up the world, actually having a broad mind like Chen Zhongju."

  Zhao Xingde smiled and said, "How dare I? It's just that the rise and fall of the world is a responsibility for every individual." The two men burst out laughing. Kang Deyi no longer tried to persuade Zhao Xingde, but instead told him about his experiences in Xia Guo, Liao Guo, as well as more distant lands like Russia and Turkey. His vast experience and deep insight made his words engaging and captivating, leaving Zhao Xingde sighing in admiration: "If Brother Kang were to take office, it would be a blessing for the country." Kang Deyi just smiled and dismissed the comment.

  At this time, a servant with a serious face came in from outside and handed a note to Kang De, who opened it hastily in front of Zhao Xingde, looked at it briefly, rolled up the note expressionlessly and put it into his pocket, still chatting and laughing as usual. However, Zhao Xingde felt that he was slightly distracted, so he bid farewell.

  Kang De sent Zhao Xingde out of the door and did not return to the mansion, but hurriedly went to Xi Chun Lou, without passing through Tong Bing, and came directly to the embroidery house where the song girl who had been bought by Luo Rujin lived. He took a deep breath, coughed, stretched out his hand and knocked gently on the door twice.

  "What are you doing here?" She was bare-faced and had casually tied her hair into a low bun, wearing a half-old pale green robe. Gone was the stunning beauty that had captivated the prince when she danced for him; now she just looked comfortable.

  "I'm here to stop you." Kand said with a calm face.

  "It's none of your business." Her words carried a hint of chill.

  "What's yours is mine," Kandor said firmly, reaching out to grab her arm. She took a step back and his hand grasped at air, letting out a sigh as he withdrew it.

  Han Ningfeng's face was cold as she looked at Kang De's disappointed and disheartened expression, her starry eyes dimming slightly before shifting her gaze to the side, saying in a low voice: "Your Highness has a noble status, it's best not to be mentioned together with me, a wretched and weak woman from a ruined country."

  "Mother has already agreed, come back to Dunhuang with me." Kang De's gaze was fixed on Han Ningxue's profile, at this moment although it was noon, but looking at her expression, it seemed like a ghost in the moonlight of a night, pale enough to make Kang De feel an inexplicable pang of heartache.

  "Is that so?" Han Ningfeng said coldly, "Your Majesty the Empress is no longer worried that I am a femme fatale?" She reached out to adjust her hairpin and smiled faintly, this smile which contained a thousand kinds of charm and allure, but in Kang De's eyes was as cold as ice that had been frozen for ten thousand years. "Kang De, you should return to Dunhuang yourself," she gazed at the midday sunlight outside the window, seemingly speaking to Kang De, yet also seeming to be talking to herself, "You have your responsibilities, I have mine. Our paths are two different directions."

  "Frost, Kang De's clan said slowly,"You have been planning to enter the Eastern Palace of the Song Dynasty, with your talent and cleverness, and with the help of the Han family's old friends and subordinates, it is not difficult to become a legitimate concubine. Later, when you ascend to the throne as Empress, after Zhao Ke's death, you will follow the example of the three empress dowagers Liu, Gao, and Cao, and listen to politics on behalf of the emperor. At that time, you will promote the Great Song Dynasty's northern expedition against Liao State, to avenge the Han family's massacre by Liao State." He paused for a moment, his tone filled with determination, "But I absolutely do not allow you to do so."

  When Kang De spoke, Han Ning's face turned paler and paler. At this point, she could no longer hold back, and suddenly raised her head to look at him, her eyes wide open, her fists clenched, and shouted: "Chen Kang, what makes you not allow it?" She gasped for breath, using her hand to stroke the violently rising and falling heart, "The national policy of Xia Guo is to defend the fundamental land, wait for the opportunity to observe the world, and strike twice to get two tigers. I promoted the Great Song to destroy the Khitan, but the Song country was also severely damaged." She smiled miserably: "This matter will take twenty or thirty years to accomplish, by that time, Xia Guo will be unified under the sky."

  "Hmph," Kang De's face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice: "My Great Xia has not yet sunk to the point of using women as trade." His tone slightly softened, "Since our ancestors built the foundation, Great Xia has been united, prosperous, and powerful. In contrast, Liao Song is plagued by constant turmoil, with corrupt rulers and suffering people. To me, they are nothing but dried-up bones in a tomb. You don't need to make unnecessary sacrifices or be buried with them."

  "Is it a meaningless sacrifice?" Han Ningfeng seemed to be stabbed, she looked at Kang De and said in a low voice, "With the strength of Xia Guo, I would rather wait another 50 years, or even 100 years, than make such sacrifices." Her emotions were stirred up, and her voice rose slightly. "You can wait, but I cannot wait, not even for one day. Have you seen the tragic scene when the Goryeo king handed over the Han family to the Khitan, killing all the men and ravaging the women? After the Khitan destroyed my Han family, the Hans became lowly people like pigs and dogs. Have you had days when you couldn't even eat enough moldy coarse grains? Have you seen slaves in Liaodong workshops who didn't live past 40 years old? Have you seen five female slaves being exchanged for a horse?" She clenched her fists, with fine sweat already appearing on her forehead, and smiled miserably. "Do you know?"

  She sighed and said, "What's the point of telling you these useless things? I forgot that even if it were the Emperor himself, he couldn't arbitrarily recruit soldiers or declare war without the consent of both the Xia and Summer Palaces. The two palaces would never agree to make such 'useless sacrifices', right?"

  Kang De was left speechless by her question. According to the system of Xia Guo, if a war with an enemy country is to be launched, it must be approved by both the Hu Guo and Zhu Guo governments. The territory of Xia Guo is vast, with its eastern border marked by the Hangu Pass, the Yellow River, and the Song-Liao border, while its western border has extended beyond the Congling Mountains, reaching the Hezhong region, where it borders the fanatically religious Tuyuhun people and the ambitious Ruo Suo country. When Xia Guo was first established, there were almost no Han people in Hezhong, so to consolidate Hezhong, Xia Guo mobilized its entire national strength to suppress several heretical religions that had been inciting chaos and meddling in politics, using military force to quell them, and then relocated immigrants from the Guanzhong, Bashu, and other regions to cultivate and settle in Hezhong. After a hundred years of accumulation, the number of people who had settled and cultivated in the region west of the Congling Mountains reached five or six million, finally allowing the power of the Chinese people to take root in the region west of the Congling Mountains.

  As the population west of Congling grew and prospered, both governments placed greater emphasis on maintaining Xia's interests in its western territories. Both governments tended to maintain a stable and delicate balance between Liao and Song, preventing either country from becoming too powerful, allowing Xia to maintain security along its eastern borders at minimal cost.

  "If we talk about the size of the threat, the Western Rong, Tujue and other Hu countries are our country's old enemies. The four battles in the river are the place where they will take advantage of the situation and enter if there is no support from behind. If we want to open up territory and expand our borders, both sides of the Stone Mountain, north of the Altai Mountains, are mostly unowned land, and the southern Tianzhu vassals are also extremely weak, just need to slowly cultivate and swallow them up. The eastern border was originally peaceful, why must we pay out the precious blood and lives of our soldiers to fight with Liao and Song countries?" This is the established policy of the two departments, even if it were the Chen imperial family, they would not dare to unilaterally initiate war in the east.

  Kang De's descendant fell silent for a moment, then resolutely said: "Although it is currently impossible to persuade the two governments to attack Liao State, I also absolutely will not permit you to marry Zhao Ke. Firstly, the dispute over the imperial throne between Zhao Ke and Zhao Qi has yet to be decided; secondly, the Song Dynasty's court and people are all weary of war, even if you really take control of the government and recklessly start a border conflict, it will definitely end in infamy and be scorned by everyone; thirdly," he paused for a moment, his face revealing a look of disgust, "just because Zhao Ke is such a useless person, he is fundamentally not worthy of you."

  "Since it's something Your Highness must stop, there's naturally no hope of success." Han Ningfeng said coldly. She turned her body around, and her eyes were subtly filled with tears. With a thin back facing Chen Kang, she said in a low voice, "You can leave, I don't want to see you again."