Chapter Twenty-Five: Haggard

  The crying sound was very familiar, it was Xiaohuan's voice. Gao Qiang stopped in his tracks and subconsciously leaned against the window to listen, feeling puzzled: "Why is Xiaohuan crying?"

  Xiao Huan sobbed and asked, "Master, what should I do? The official is about to marry Miss Cai, how can I spend the rest of my days?"

  Gao Jiang finally understood, it turned out that this little ring was worried about its own days being difficult after the big woman entered the door, and came to tell Master Shi about its grievances. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, thinking that he himself couldn't play a big role in this matter, if Cai Dajie was indeed a jealous wife, then the concubines and maidservants in the inner courtyard would have to suffer, after all, she was the legitimate wife, the mistress of the inner courtyard.

  It's indeed a bit of a headache, coming from a monogamous modern society, I have no idea how to deal with having multiple spouses in the household. Xiaohuan is a lonely and pitiful person, apart from me, this mysterious and inexplicable official who appeared out of nowhere, she has no other relatives in this world. No wonder she was so shocked and flustered when she heard that I was going to take a main wife.

  But he couldn't just watch her cry like this, could he? Although Gao Qiang didn't have any deep affection for Xiao Huan, they had been together day and night for so many days that feelings naturally developed. Moreover, Xiao Huan was the first person Gao Qiang met after arriving in this era, and she was also the closest person to him so far. Hearing her cry really made his heart ache.

  As he thought of this, Gao was just about to go forward and knock on the door to comfort her a few words, when suddenly Xiao Shifu also sighed and said: "Huan sister, you are after all someone who is well-versed in household matters and has been taken into the house before the new mistress arrived. Miss Cai is from a high-ranking family background, so she naturally understands the distinction between intimacy and distance. No matter what, she won't make things too difficult for you. Why must you be so worried? As for the future days, it's actually I who should be worried!"

  As soon as these words were spoken, Xiaohuan's crying suddenly stopped, and she sniffled: "Shifu, what's wrong with you again?"

  "Ring sister, I was bought from the brothel and brought back to this mansion. In reality, my status here is not much different from that of a servant girl. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, many of these servants are actually from good families, and some are even better than me. Every day, I practice playing the zither and flute, putting in so much effort, all under your watchful eyes. But the master has many important things to attend to, and it's rare for him to have time to see anyone personally. Several times, I've tried to find opportunities to sing for him, but I always get interrupted. Alas, I fear that even if he were to close his eyes now, he might not be able to recall what I look like. How can I expect him to protect me in the future?"

  Xiao Huan was stunned and couldn't help but worry about her, hastily asking: "Shifu, I think the official really likes you. Every time he sees you, he praises your song as good, or says that your qin xiao has improved. How can he not have you in his heart? It's impossible."

  Gao Liang couldn't help but laugh at the scene unfolding before him. Although Shi Shi was young, she had a sharp wit and was more clever than Xiao Huan. It was no wonder that she had grown up in the pleasure quarters. With just a few words, she managed to divert Xiao Huan's attention away from her worries about her uncertain future. Just moments ago, Xiao Huan had been crying tears of despair, but now she was pouring all her energy into comforting Shi Shi. It was truly laughable - who were those tears for, anyway?

  In the blink of an eye, the two young women in the house had already changed the subject and were chatting and laughing softly, but their conversation was indistinguishable. Gao Jian shook his head, thinking that he didn't need to go in now, and showing up at this moment might even be awkward. He quietly retreated more than ten steps before turning around and leaving.

  Back in the house, he habitually picked up the teapot and took a sip, only to find that the tea was still cold. He lazily smacked his lips, too lazy to call for a servant girl to pour out the tea and re-brew it. Instead, he simply swung his sleeves and went out for a stroll, walking leisurely along the streets of Bianliang while pondering over his recent actions.

  After turning things upside down for some time, Cai Jing's reappointment has finally taken shape. Since Liu Kui lost his position in politics, Zhao Tingzhi, who was closely related to him, must have been frightened and would probably resign soon, even if the emperor did not issue an edict. "Retire as the University Scholar of the Observatory of Literary Writings and the Envoy of the Temple for the Protection of the Spirits", if I'm not mistaken, this is where Zhao will end up next, and in a few more months, he will fall ill and pass away, alas!

  Cai Jing has resumed his position, and it's inevitable that he'll be rewarded for his efforts. His father and son have made great contributions to him, so the gains will naturally not be small. However, his old dad Gao is already close to the pinnacle of a military officer, and further promotion would only add the title of Taifu, truly becoming the "Gao Taifu" he once knew. Only he himself is no longer the original "Gao Yanei". This coming and going, if it happened to someone else, would be amusing, but when it happens to oneself, it's somewhat laughable and pitiful.

  But, if I were still the original High Commissioner, it would be nice to take advantage of the cool shade under the big tree. After clinging to him for over a decade, calling the wind and rain, Cai Lao Xiang Gong should have been enjoying wealth and honor, wearing brocade and eating delicacies, and would soon welcome his beautiful wife - no, it's better not to use that adjective - and live a life of unparalleled joy.

  It's not just me, the entire Song Dynasty was no exception. The several months of life in Bianjing City allowed people to fully experience the charm of the most comfortable and leisurely life in the world at that time. Looking around the vast city of Bianliang, everywhere are towering buildings, embroidered houses, and beaded curtains. Ornate carriages rush along Tian Street, precious horses gallop on Imperial Road. Night after night, the sound of music and singing fills the air, which is not exclusive to certain high-ranking officials. The several major night markets in Bianjing City streets last until dawn every day, with over a million citizens reveling till dawn, new voices and laughter echoing through willow alleys and flower streets, pipes and strings playing in tea houses and wine shops. There's no greater joy than this.

  Merchants from all over also brought various fresh goods for the citizens to enjoy, making it a gathering place for people from all corners of the world. The essence of the four seas was gathered in this one place, to the point where even the clothes worn by a doorman were beyond the reach of small European nobles at that time. What a prosperous and flourishing era! Looking back on China's history of several thousand years, which dynasty allowed ordinary people to live such a happy life?

  However, under such a peaceful situation for too long, the children with braided hair only learned to sing and dance, and the old men with white hair did not recognize the sound of weapons. Who could have realized that disaster was just around the corner? After twenty years of prosperity, it would be blown away by the wind and snow from the north like a fleeting dream. The Jurchen iron cavalry came galloping down from between the White Mountains and Black Waters, and the mighty empire that had reached its peak succumbed to the swords and guns of 100,000 barbarians. Tens of millions of people became slaves, and the achievements of several hundred years were destroyed in an instant. This was indeed what Li Houzhu of Southern Tang had said: "The phoenix pavilion and dragon tower are connected to the Milky Way, the jade trees and crystal branches are like smoke and fog, who has ever recognized the sound of weapons?" The outcome was that they "shed tears facing the palace maidens".

  Gao's thoughts became increasingly disordered and he couldn't help but think maliciously: "Could it be that this is the retribution for Zhao Song ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and Li Houzhu turning into a demon sorceress in the instant she drank the poisonous wine to kill herself? Are these beautiful yet mournful lyrics actually the most vicious curses?"

  This thought only flashed through my mind, as a descendant of the Chinese people 900 years later, how could I just stand by and watch this most prosperous era in Chinese history come to an end before my eyes? Moreover, twenty years later, when I'm not even forty yet, will I be fleeing south to hide, the farther the better, or will I be unlucky enough to follow two emperors to Heilongjiang to open up the northern wilderness?

  He shook his head and smiled wryly, still thinking about his own actions. According to his understanding of history, the fall of the Song Dynasty was not due to a problem with its culture and system as a whole. Due to the broad-mindedness and great wisdom of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, he ordered that an iron oath be inscribed in the Temple of Heaven: "Do not kill scholars and officials who speak out on state affairs; if their descendants violate this oath, heaven will surely destroy them." Every time a new emperor ascended to the throne, they would have a eunuch who could not read lead them to recite the oath in front of the stele, so that no one else would know about it. Under such circumstances, the Song Dynasty's system of civil official politics was perhaps the closest to modernization among all dynasties. Even the military commander separation system, which was criticized by later generations, where civilians controlled the highest military decision-making institution, the Bureau of Military Affairs, resulting in "generals not knowing soldiers and soldiers not knowing generals", actually also had the characteristics of modern military management and command systems being separate. From the emperor to the lowest soldier, none were skilled in battle, and the most fatal flaw was the lack of cavalry; perhaps these were the most important reasons for the military failures.

  Now that I have embarked on the path to power, I must find a way to eliminate all the factors that will ultimately lead to the downfall of this prosperous era. If I can prolong the life of the Song Dynasty for hundreds of years and prevent it from being defeated by the Liao, Jin, and Mongol empires, then my existence in this era would not be in vain.

  It's just a grand occasion, and few people will listen to the ominous words. If you want to spread the "prophecy" of the great Song Dynasty's doom everywhere, the consequences are likely to be so severe that even Old Man Gao might not be able to cover it up. However, when everyone is drunk and I'm the only one awake, this feeling is unbearable. Not to mention having to hold up the sky alone and turning back the tide that has already collapsed - this isn't some fantasy or sci-fi story, there's no limit to how absurd things can get. If things go wrong, not only will your own life be in danger, but the lives of tens of millions of people will also disappear into thin air.

  "Caps and hats fill the capital, but this person is alone in sorrow!" Gazing out at the bustling streets, a phrase suddenly appeared in Gao Qiang's mind, perfectly capturing his current mood.

  "What a great poem, it's no wonder that the literary name of High Commissioner has been spreading recently!" The poem recited casually received immediate praise, and Gao Qiang was also shocked. He looked up to see a heavily made-up woman smiling at him flirtatiously, looking somewhat familiar.

  "Hey, Master, you're a nobleman who forgets things easily. I'm the one who brought White Ears out with my own hands, and later when you invited White Ears to Fengle Tower to hang up his plaque, I followed along to serve him. How could you not recognize me?"

  It was the old procuress, Gao Qiang suddenly remembered and casually greeted her. He raised his head to find himself walking past the entrance of Rong Le Fang, where Bai Chenxiang used to sing, and asked: "Auntie, why are you here today?"