Chapter Twenty-Six: Taking the Initiative

As the saying goes, “Man acts, Heaven observes.” No matter how secretly one conducts their affairs, it is impossible to hide from everyone. In truth, with Gao Qiu’s status, even if someone knew about his corruption and abuse of power, what could they do? To say that anyone who accused him would die might be an exaggeration, but given Emperor Huizong’s favor, Gao Qiu was untouchable—these were not matters the emperor would concern himself with.

Yet, there is always the possibility of the unexpected. What ordinary people cannot achieve does not mean others cannot, such as Cai Jing and his associates. Gao Qiu and Wu Zidao understood well that the emergence of this evidence was more of a warning and a compromise. If Gao Qiu continued to cling to Zhao Yu’s faults, it could lead to a situation where both sides would be ruined.

But what troubled Gao Qiu most was not even this. Ever since the kidnapping incident, the security at Gao Qiu’s residence had been tightened, but the fact that someone could still infiltrate unnoticed was an even more severe warning.

Avenging his son was important, but his own life took precedence.

The two men closed the door and discussed the matter for a long time. At last, Wu Zidao, following Gao Qiu’s instructions, prepared a generous gift and personally delivered it to Zhao Yu’s residence.

Zhao Yu was magnanimous, warmly welcoming Wu Zidao and even inviting him to stay for drinks.

On the surface, it seemed as though the dark clouds had dispersed with Wu Zidao’s visit, but who could say what lay ahead?

While Zhao Yu entertained Wu Zidao, Yang Xu made his way alone to Cai Jing’s residence.

Yang Xu, formerly steward of the Crown Prince’s palace, was not an unknown figure—especially when it was heard that he came on behalf of Prince Yi. Cai Jing immediately ordered that he be brought in.

For some time, everyone had tacitly played their roles, but certain words still needed to be spoken.

Invited into Cai Jing’s study, Yang Xu could not help but chuckle to himself; the Grand Tutor’s intentions were all too obvious.

Because of Yang Xu’s arrival, the windows and doors were opened wide—though the air circulated, it could not quite dispel the pungent scent of herbs.

“Greetings, Grand Tutor!”

“I heard you once served in the Crown Prince’s palace, so why are you now working for Prince Yi?”

Cai Jing’s tone was hardly cordial, despite inviting Yang Xu into the study—there was not even tea, much less a seat offered.

Yang Xu understood well that their positions were worlds apart; Cai Jing’s personal reception was only for the sake of the prince. The brusque tone was a reminder that no matter how close he was to the prince, he must behave properly in Cai Jing’s presence.

“A wise bird chooses the right tree to nest in. Though young, Prince Yi is broad-minded and ambitious, the finest among His Majesty’s sons. Does the Grand Tutor agree with my assessment?”

“This time, my lord Prince Yi sent me to visit the Grand Tutor, first to express admiration, and second to deliver something.”

Both were seasoned schemers; there was no need to speak outright of allegiance or recruitment, lest the conversation stall.

As he spoke, Yang Xu drew a contract from his breast and handed it to Cai Tao, who stood behind Cai Jing.

It was a share certificate for the Universal Football Society—a gift of equity to Cai Jing.

Zhao Yu firmly believed that wealth was not for one man alone; only by sharing profits could he avoid interference in his pursuit of fortune.

In the late Northern Song, few officials could match Cai Jing’s greed. Every government position had its price, and he would not spare even a few hundred strings of cash, utterly shameless and without scruples.

Though the Universal Football Society had yet to turn a profit, the craze for cuju sweeping the capital promised immense returns.

Cai Jing’s eyesight was poor; after Cai Tao whispered the details of the contract in his ear, his expression softened considerably. He thought to himself, “This young man knows how to conduct himself…”

Nodding, he said, “Prince Yi is considerate. The saying about wise birds choosing trees was well put. I trust your judgment will not fail. Resigning from the Crown Prince’s service is no great matter—with your talent, you may yet become a marquis or a minister. If you need anything, you may seek out Cai Tao.”

With his influence, Cai Jing could easily arrange a post for Yang Xu at court; his words were both conciliatory and an attempt to win him over.

Unfortunately, Cai Jing’s efforts were wasted, for he was unaware that his own reputation outside was worse than mud…

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

Emperor Huizong, Zhao Ji, sat with his eyes half-closed in his chair while Liang Shicheng held a memorial and read its contents in a low voice.

Li Yan’s concerns were not without reason. Many of the emperor’s memorials were drafted by Liang Shicheng—a privilege Li Yan did not share.

The memorials chosen for the emperor to hear were always glossy praise and flattery; anything unsavory would never be presented.

Zhao Ji was literate, but too indolent to read. After listening to two, he grew impatient.

He waved his hand, “You old fool, reading these tedious memorials to me. Enough, enough—tell me, what’s new in the capital lately?”

Understanding the emperor’s true intent was a required skill for any power broker. Hearing Zhao Ji’s words, Liang Shicheng immediately grasped the subtext: what interested the emperor was not news, but new people.

In a capital so vast, new faces appeared every day, but today Liang Shicheng had something else in mind.

“Your Majesty, regarding new developments, I have indeed heard some—but, but…”

Liang Shicheng deliberately left his words unfinished, as if burdened by some unspeakable concern.

“Hm! What’s wrong with you today, mumbling like that?”

“Has Your Majesty heard of the Universal Football Society?”

It seemed Liang Shicheng had mustered great resolve to utter those words.

This matter had already taken the capital by storm, spreading far beyond. Zhao Ji could hardly not know. Hearing it mentioned, he grew interested, stood up and said, “If you hadn’t brought it up, I might have forgotten—come, let’s go take a look.”

Liang Shicheng was startled; he had intended to expose Zhao Yu’s misdeeds, hoping the emperor would hear him out first. Then, on second thought, perhaps seeing it firsthand would be better—let the emperor witness his son’s activities, and then add some embellishments. Even if he couldn’t destroy Zhao Yu, he could make him suffer.

Zhao Ji often slipped out of the palace incognito for amusement; once he decided to go, he seldom needed any preparation.

But before Zhao Ji and Liang Shicheng could depart, a young eunuch entered, bowing his head.

“Your Majesty, Prince Yi requests an audience!”

A son seeking his father’s audience was no great matter, but Liang Shicheng was surprised; he had just planned to seize upon Zhao Yu’s faults, and now the target was coming to him.

He shot a glance at the eager emperor and said coldly, “Go tell Prince Yi that His Majesty is busy with state affairs and cannot see him now. Let him return another day.”

“As you command. By the way, Prince Yi said he comes regarding the Universal Football Society.”

Were it another eunuch, Liang Shicheng’s authority would have kept him silent, but this one happened to be one of Li Yan’s men…