Chapter 7

"Then what did she say?"

Wu Haogu asked, taking a deep breath and trying to suppress his admiration for Pan Qiaoyun. This deep affection belonged to the original Wu Haogu. Although the Wu and Pan families had some differences in social status, they were very close due to their ancestors' friendship. Wu Haogu and Pan Qiaoyun had known each other since childhood, and it was not an exaggeration to say they grew up together like childhood sweethearts.

However, as they grew older, this affection could only be buried deep in their hearts...

The current Wu Haogu, though his soul had changed, still harbored the same deep feelings.

"Sister Eighteen said she would ensure your family's safety. Our family has been able to survive these years thanks to the Pan family. But this time..."

Feng Erniu sighed and continued, "She also said that once Mr. Pan returns from the military camp, she will arrange for us to meet again. By then, we will surely find a way."

"Mr. Pan went to the military camp?" Wu Haogu asked, "I haven't heard of any grand ceremonies being planned."

"Banker" was not Mr. Pan's primary occupation. His main role was a professional military officer, responsible for defending the feudal autocracy of the Song Dynasty. He currently served as the commander of the tenth battalion of the Pongjun, one of the four elite armies of the imperial guards.

However, he rarely commanded his over two hundred "Song Iron Cavalry" (the battalion was supposed to have five hundred according to the roster). Most of his energy was devoted to the financial and cultural arts industries of the Song Dynasty. He would only join his subordinates in the imperial guards to wear specially made armor (both thin and beautiful) and ride gentle, small warhorses for show during grand ceremonies when the "Iron Cavalry" of the Pongjun needed to make an appearance.

This was actually the norm for most of the elite imperial guards. Not only were the imperial guards in Kaifeng mostly like this, but even the imperial guards defending against the Khitan cavalry in Hebei were just going through the motions. After all, the peace between the Song and Liao dynasties had been maintained for over ninety years and seemed likely to continue.

"It's a major event in the northwest," Feng Erniu frowned even more, shaking her head. "Sister Eighteen said that Chancellor Zhang has been building cities and fortifications in the Hengshan region for years, forcing the Western bandits into a corner. They are about to act out of desperation, so the Military Council has ordered the four elite armies to be on alert."

The Western bandits referred to the Western Xia. There were two Chancellors Zhang: one was Chancellor Zhang Dun, and the other was his cousin, the Governor of Jingyuan Road, Zhang Jie. The major event in the northwest was the sustained offensive by the Song army in the Hengshan region under the leadership of the two Zhangs.

Hengshan, located in the northern part of present-day Shaanxi Province, stretches over a thousand miles and is strategically important, serving as the frontline base for the Western Xia's attacks on the Song Dynasty. If Hengshan were to fall to the Western Xia, the six routes of Shaanxi and the northwest of Hedong would be constantly threatened by the Western Xia army.

If the Song Dynasty were to take Hengshan, the Western Xia would not only lose a major base for eastward and southward invasions but also expose their capital, Xingqing, to the Song army's attacks.

Although there were over four hundred miles of desert and wasteland between Hengshan and Xingqing, making it difficult to advance, and Xingqing had the natural barrier of the Yellow River and strong city defenses, it was unlikely to be quickly captured by the Northern Song.

However, the loss of Hengshan would put the Western Xia in a strategically passive position, unable to plunder the Song territory for wealth and resources, and would have to invest heavily in the defense of Xingqing, making life even harder for them.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager Xiao Liang (there were two Empress Dowagers Liang in Western Xia history, and the current one was the second) would not sit idly by and watch Hengshan fall. She would surely mobilize the entire nation's forces to counterattack and might even seek help from the Liao army. Chancellor Zhang Dun had already anticipated this and ordered the armies to prepare for battle a few days ago.

"I'm afraid the Pongjun will really be sent to the battlefield..." Feng Erniu said, looking worried.

The Pongjun was known as an elite of the imperial guards, but how could someone like Feng Erniu, an "old Kaifeng," not know their true nature? On the battlefield, how could they possibly match the ferocious Western bandits? If Mr. Pan were to die for his country, the Wu family would lose their only support.

"This time, they probably won't send Mr. Pan and his men to the battlefield," Wu Haogu shook his head. "Chancellor Zhang just wants the Pongjun to put on a show. The real fighting will be done by the elite Western army. Besides, the Western bandits have declined significantly in recent years; they are bound to lose the Hengshan campaign."

Wu Haogu had studied Chinese history during the reign of Emperor Huizong in his previous life and knew some major events during the reign of Emperor Zhezong. He knew that the upcoming battle would be the second Pingxia City campaign, where the Empress Dowager Xiao Liang of Western Xia would soon lead a force of 400,000 to invade, but she would suffer a devastating defeat.

Feng Erniu nodded lightly, "As long as Mr. Pan is safe."

...

Outside Kaifeng, on the Bian River, the water shimmered.

A painted pleasure boat slowly glided along the river, and faint sounds of music could be heard from within. After the bustling day, the Bian River became particularly elegant at night. The gentle evening breeze and the sounds of music and dance made people feel especially relaxed.

A tall, robust man with fair skin and a beard sat inside the boat. His face was pale, without a hint of color, and he had no interest in the beautiful scenery of the Bian River or the performances of his household musicians.

"Everyone, you may leave." A pleasant, bell-like voice rang out, and a young woman in white entered, waving her hand to dismiss the female musicians. She then sat down opposite the tall man with a smile. This young woman had a delicate oval face and a small beauty mark on her chin, none other than Pan Qiaoyun, Sister Eighteen, in Wu Dalang's mind.

"Eighteen Sister... I, your Eleventh Brother, suffered a great deal today." The man spoke, gently rubbing his lower back, as if he had been injured.

Pan Qiaoyun laughed, "You, a commander of the Pongjun with hundreds of elite cavalry, fell off a horse and hurt your back. What would happen if you really had to fight the Western bandits?"

This tall man was Mr. Pan, the commander of the tenth battalion of the Pongjun, one of the four elite armies of the imperial guards, Pan Xia'an.

"The Pongjun fighting the Western bandits?" Mr. Pan rolled his eyes. "The Western bandits would be overjoyed... But Chancellor Zhang isn't that foolish."

Mr. Pan picked up his wine cup and drank it in one gulp.

"Are you going to the military camp tomorrow?"

"No, I've taken leave and can rest for a few days."

Pan Qiaoyun nodded, "Eleventh Brother, Feng Erniu came to the shop today."

"Hmm." Mr. Pan gently turned the glass in his hand, not committing to a response.

"Eleventh Brother, this evening, a clerk from Prince Wang's mansion, Gao Qiu, helped Wu Dalang. Could it be that Prince Wang Jinqing is also getting involved?"

Mr. Pan looked at his sister, pondered for a moment, and then nodded, "Of course. If Prince Wang Jinqing wasn't interested in the Wu family's treasure, why would Gao Qiu step in?"

"Treasure?"

"At least something from the Sui or Tang dynasties," Mr. Pan said, "Treasures from the Five Dynasties or our dynasty wouldn't make Prince Wang Jinqing so eager."

"Sui or Tang dynasties? Could it be a genuine work by Wu Daozi?"

Mr. Pan raised an eyebrow, "Eighteen, do you know something?"

Pan Qiaoyun glanced at her brother, "I'm just guessing. Wu Zongyuan is known for his love of Wu Daozi's paintings. If the Wu family has a treasure, it's likely to be a genuine work by Wu Daozi."

"Hmm." Mr. Pan smiled, "If it's real, it's best to offer it. If Prince Wang Jinqing wants it, give it to him... He is close to Prince Duan, and there might be a turn of fortune in the future. Then, he can get Wu Dalang a position in the Imperial Painting Academy, and perhaps even a chance to become an official."

Prince Duan was Zhao Ji, the eleventh son of Emperor Shenzong, who would later become Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. In the noble circles of Kaifeng, most people knew of his close relationship with Prince Wang Shen.

"A turn of fortune?" Pan Qiaoyun seemed to sense something from her brother's words, "Does it mean that His Majesty..."

Mr. Pan shook his head and sighed lightly.

Emperor Zhezong, Zhao Xu, was only in his twenties, but his health was very weak, and he was also promiscuous. He was not expected to live long. However, the emperor, who loved women, had difficulty producing heirs. His harem had given him only five children, one of whom was a son who died at three months. Of the four daughters, one had also died young, leaving only three princesses.

Moreover, since Empress Liu conceived Princess Yining in the third year of Shaosheng (1096), there had been no news of any other concubines or beauties being pregnant, which was not a good sign. Therefore, the nobles in Kaifeng were paying attention to the emperor's younger brothers.

Emperor Zhezong was the sixth son of Emperor Shenzong. The seventh, eighth, and thirteenth princes had died young, and the ninth prince, Prince Shen, Zhao Bi, was blind. Thus, the eleventh son of Emperor Shenzong, Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, was the most qualified to inherit the throne.

"If that's the case, we should offer the painting to Prince Wang." Pan Qiaoyun frowned, "But if the Wu family doesn't have such a treasure, what will happen?"

Mr. Pan smiled, "Then the Wu family will not be safe." He looked at his sister, "Such things have happened on Panlou Street before."