Chapter 1

PS: Due to the nature of the novel, there are significant discrepancies from real history, and historical figures will be mixed up. Dear readers, please do not take it too seriously. Additionally, there is a new book titled "The Green-Hat King of the Tang Dynasty" with 4.1 million words, which you can read with peace of mind, guaranteed by the author's integrity.

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In the eighth year of the Zhenghe era of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was the most prosperous time for Bianliang City. Under the night sky, the banks of the Bian River were filled with the cries of vendors.

The grass was lush, sprouting new buds, and the pavilions and terraces by the riverbank resembled a fairyland in the water. A wide bridge spanned the Bian River, and boats drifted leisurely, with pleasant songs drifting over. The night scene of the river, with its clear water and vast sky, unfolded like a true version of the "Qingming Scroll."

The misty rain lingered, and the cherry blossoms swayed, the gentle breeze of the Bian River was intoxicating.

- Red lanterns illuminated the doorways, the embroidered curtains fluttered, and the beauty awaited her lover.

- With vermilion ink and a fragrant brush, a thread of fragrance and a tearful melody, - her fair wrist and focused gaze, how could one capture her beauty?

In the culturally prosperous Northern Song Dynasty, there were fewer scenes of war and more of feminine tenderness. The bustling banks of the Bian River could be compared to the Qinhuai River of later generations, with brothels and beautiful women. Under the bright moon, a few sips of wine, and one would be drunk not by the wine but by the atmosphere. Looking at those red lips, one would wish to be drunk in the gentle embrace of the moonlit night.

The De Yue Lou, situated in the most prosperous area by the Bian River, became a paradise for the men of the capital at night. Anyone with status and position would be fond of the De Yue Lou. The late Northern Song Dynasty was a special era; not only did merchants like to pretend to be refined, but even the nobles would linger in the arms of beautiful women. Elegant affairs, talented scholars, and beautiful women, which man would not want such a life?

Tonight, the De Yue Lou was particularly lively. A stage of about ten square meters was surrounded by translucent pink curtains. Sometimes, the more vague the scene, the more it attracted people. Unable to see the inside clearly, the men's curiosity only grew.

"General Fei, come and sing a song, and this young master will reward you..."

The speaker was a handsome young man in a blue brocade robe, wearing a jade crown and holding a brown folding fan. He looked exceptionally handsome. This young man had a good appearance, but his words were crude. He stood on a chair, scratching his back with his left hand. If not for his brocade robe, one might mistake him for a returning farmer. What made the scene even worse was his loud voice.

The young man in the blue robe spoke rudely, but no one in the building dared to mock him. This blue-robed young man was not an ordinary person. His name was Zhao Yougong, with the courtesy name Ling, the only son of Prince Chu Zhao Si, and the nephew of the current Emperor Huizong. With such a high status, who would dare to criticize him?

Zhao Yougong could be considered a genius in the pleasure quarters. He started visiting brothels at the age of seven, had visited all the brothels in the capital by the age of twelve, and earned the nickname "Little General of the Pleasure Quarters" at the age of fourteen!

In the capital, if Zhao Xiaojun (Little Lord Zhao) said he was the second most dissolute, no one would dare to claim the first. Even the arrogant Gao Yannai and Wang Yannai could not compare.

As for why Zhao Xiaojun was so impatient tonight, it was because he could not bear the wait. Although the performer was Li Shishi, she should not keep the audience waiting. No matter how famous a courtesan was, she was still a courtesan. Zhao Xiaojun, who had little education, knew one thing: money bought freedom. Waiting so long was not worth it; he might as well enjoy himself with other girls.

"Madam Li, Madam Li, please go and tell her to come down quickly. Otherwise, this young master will set fire to your building..." Zhao Yougong waved his fan menacingly, and Madam Li, the madam, turned green with fear. This young lord was skilled in drinking, gambling, and fighting; if he said he would destroy the De Yue Lou, he would do it.

Madam Li, holding a handkerchief, swaying her ample hips and opening her red lips, ran down. "Oh, Young Master Zhao, please don't be impatient. Li Shishi is getting ready. I'll go and urge her!"

Madam Li's words were interesting. If there was a Young Master Zhao, there must be an Elder Master Zhao, who was none other than the current emperor, Zhao Ji.

In the elegant boudoir, Li Shishi was looking at her eyebrows in a large bronze mirror. Looking at the beauty in the mirror, Shishi gently frowned. Her expression was faint, neither happy nor angry. Wearing a white robe, she exuded a cold and distant charm. Her willow-like eyebrows, jade-like face, and clear eyes, combined with her milky white robe and snow-like skin, made her beautiful face carry a hint of sorrow. Her simple hairstyle surpassed countless other beauties.

This cold and beautiful woman could be described as a national beauty. Everyone adored her, and even the emperor regarded her as a pearl in the sea. However, Shishi was not happy, for no matter how beautiful she was, it was only a decade or so of her prime.

Reaching out her fair wrist, she took a wooden comb and gently stroked her hair, her movements gentle and graceful. She was calm and unhurried, but others were not.

Madam Li knocked on the door and pushed it open without waiting for Shishi to speak. "Dear daughter, please have mercy and help me, will you?"

Seeing Madam Li's worried face, Shishi smiled lightly. "Madam, has someone caused trouble?"

"Indeed, it's that Young Master Zhao. He's demanding that you come down. If you don't, he'll start smashing things!"

Shishi sighed and shook her head. It was indeed that Young Master Zhao. Since the emperor often visited the De Yue Lou, few dared to show her any disrespect, except for this Young Master Zhao.

Young Master Zhao seemed to fear no one, acting like a mindless person, doing whatever he wanted. At sixteen, he could not recite five poems. Was he really the son of Prince Chu Zhao Si?

"Madam, please wait a moment. Shishi will come down soon!" Shishi did not want Young Master Zhao to do anything outrageous. She knew the emperor was always watching his nephew.

Madam Li had no other choice and went out to attend to the situation. Zhao Yougong, with his legs crossed, puffed out his cheeks. He did not look like a prince but more like a street thug. No one knew what he was thinking, perhaps fantasizing about being with Shishi.

However, Zhao Yougong's thoughts were filled with sorrow. Having traveled through time, he thought he would have a life of luxury with a prince as his father. But at the age of four, Zhao Si died from a cup of poisoned wine. Zhao Yougong never told anyone about this, keeping it as his deepest secret. He remembered that Zhao Si's last words were, "Find a way to survive and leave the capital."

Zhao Yougong knew how Zhao Si died, but Emperor Zhao Ji ignored the four-year-old Zhao Yougong, allowing him to live until now. Zhao Si's death was related to Emperor Zhezong Zhao Xu. Before his death, Zhao Xu intended for Zhao Si to succeed him, as they were brothers from the same mother. Zhao Xu gave Zhao Si the position of Dingguo Military Governor but wrote in the edict that Prince Duan Zhao Ji should succeed him.

How Zhao Ji ascended the throne, Zhao Si knew very well. Otherwise, Zhao Ji would not have killed Zhao Si two years after ascending the throne. No matter how loyal Zhao Si was, he could not escape the fate of being killed, and Zhao Ji would not let him live in peace.

Zhao Yougong knew his life was saved by his father Zhao Si's sacrifice, so he cherished it even more. As a穿越者 (time traveler), he understood the dangers he faced. To survive, he had to prove his incompetence. Only when Zhao Ji saw him as a joke would he have a chance to leave the capital.

Eating, drinking, gambling, fighting, and acting crazy, over twelve years, he earned the titles "Little General of the Pleasure Quarters" and "First Young Master of the Capital," but it was not enough. His reputation was not bad enough.

Madam Li, swaying her ample hips and shaking her fat face, spouted a bunch of meaningless words. Zhao Yougong's handsome face gradually turned cold. "Madam Li, is my word not effective? Boys, smash it..."

The word "smash" made Madam Li almost fall to the ground. Oh, how could this young master be so impatient? The lackeys, wielding sticks, looked menacing. Madam Li quickly ran over, rubbing his shoulders and blowing on his face. "Oh, Young Master Zhao, my little prince, I'm not lying. Shishi will be here soon, very soon..."

Zhao Yougong glared, wanting to slap Madam Li. Her bright red lips made him feel nauseous. Pushing her shoulder, he sneered, "Go, stand aside. I have no interest in you!"

Madam Li, with a thick skin like a city wall, laughed in a high-pitched, coquettish voice. "Oh, Young Master, your words really hurt me..."

"..." Zhao Yougong thought he was shameless, but compared to Madam Li, he was a small fry. Should he learn from her?

As the night deepened, the spring breeze blew over the Bian River. After much anticipation, a graceful figure descended from upstairs. Shishi did not need to smile or deliberately please; a simple, ordinary gesture was enough to captivate men's hearts.

Wearing a milky white silk dress, her delicate and graceful figure was truly beautiful. Despite the passage of a thousand years, Zhao Yougong's heart still raced. He admired Shishi, but his face wore a lecherous smile.

"General Fei... General Fei..."

The men howled, "The jade dew of the ninth heaven is not granted to the forbidden garden, but to the pleasure quarters. Fortunately, there is a hero in the capital, and the wine of the Ganzhuan Palace flows into the Jiuquan."

"Shishi... Shishi... kiss me..."

Again, the crude voice. This time, not only the refined men but even Shishi frowned in disgust. Looking up, she saw the notorious Young Master Zhao.

Shishi was about to retort when a heavy, shuffling sound came from the door, followed by a chilling laugh. "Ha ha ha, who could it be? It's you, Zhao the Rascal!"

A fat man waddled in, and the lackeys quickly brought him a chair. The De Yue Lou fell silent, and many wondered who this fat man was.