Zhao Kuangyi breathed a sigh of relief. Although he knew what that boy had said was somewhat absurd, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat worried in his heart, fearing there might be some accident. But he had clearly watched his elder brother playing with that Heavenly Yue Axe for quite a while without putting it down, which could only mean that the boy had probably wanted to find an excuse from the beginning to give him this Heavenly Yue Axe.

His elder brother said this jade axe had lustrous jade quality and was obviously no ordinary item. After thinking it over, Zhao Kuangyi decided to ask mother for an advance on his allowance tomorrow – the pocket money he had brought today was clearly insufficient for the value of this Heavenly Yue Axe.

Casually putting away the brocade box that was still sitting on the table, Zhao Kuangyi’s peripheral vision caught sight of one corner of the brocade cloth lining the bottom of the box curling up, with what appeared to be ink marks faintly visible on the other side. He reached out and took the brocade cloth, shaking it open. After seeing clearly the writing on it, he couldn’t help but freeze.

“The Heavenly Yue Axe, axe of King Wu of Zhou, crafted by Grand Master Jiang Ziya, it is said that none but those with the Mandate of Heaven can wield it. King Wu once angrily slew a close friend with this axe, later greatly regretting it, saying that those who wield this axe become greatly suspicious, bringing disaster to those around them. It was sealed away in the twelfth year of King Wu’s reign.”

Zhao Kuangyi read through it several times, then chuckled softly, paying it no mind. Since he had already determined that what the boy said was fabricated, this piece of brocade cloth only deepened his judgment.

In any case, creating such an elaborate fake deserved his admiration for the owner behind that boy. He must remember to go meet that person tomorrow. Well, he should ask mother for a bit more silver…

Zhao Kuangyi’s plan was good, but when he went to that small alley the next day with the brocade cloth and a heavy pouch of silver, the shop called Ya She was no longer there. The empty shop front had nothing left except dust marks and wooden box imprints still visible on the ground.

So many wooden boxes moved away in just one night?

Though Zhao Kuangyi was puzzled, he knew that owner was taking the seriously ill boy on a trip, and even if he wanted to find them, he couldn’t. So he stopped thinking about it, casually placed the brocade cloth in the miscellaneous box in his study, and forgot about it within a few days. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to find opportunities to have others try lifting his elder brother’s Heavenly Yue Axe, but that axe almost never left his brother’s side, leaving no chance for experimentation. Gradually, Zhao Kuangyi lost interest in the idea.

However, as time passed, this matter that should have been forgotten became increasingly vivid.

His elder brother subsequently went to Huazhou as deputy commander, displaying valor and skill in battle. In Zhao Kuangyin’s later letters home, he specifically mentioned that the Heavenly Yue Axe Zhao Kuangyi had given him had saved his life at a critical moment. Zhao Kuangyi didn’t think much of it, instead feeling that if he had given a sharp blade, it might have been even more useful on the battlefield.

The newly enthroned Emperor Guo Wei of the Great Zhou dynasty had no sons, so his nephew Chai Rong became his adopted son and heir to the throne. Crown Prince Chai Rong took notice of Zhao Kuangyin because of this battle and transferred him to his side, promoting him to Cavalry Commander of Kaifeng Prefecture. From a local deputy to a key minister in the capital – Zhao Kuangyi knew his elder brother could truly be said to have risen meteorically, and this year his brother was only twenty-seven.

At fifteen, he stood at the city gate watching his elder brother return to the capital on a white horse with light cavalry, feeling he seemed completely unfamiliar. The killing aura and domineering presence forged in battle hit him like a wave, inspiring awe.

“Second brother, ever since I got the Heavenly Yue Axe you gave me, your elder brother has been blessed with great fortune!” Zhao Kuangyin dismounted and said to Zhao Kuangyi with high spirits. When he had wandered outside, he couldn’t even get enough to eat and nearly starved to death in the streets. Now in just three short years, he had reached the pinnacle of ministerial rank – this couldn’t help but make him sigh at life’s unpredictability.

This was the second time Zhao Kuangyi heard his elder brother specifically mention the Heavenly Yue Axe. His heart skipped slightly, then he showed a genuine smile. People are like this – they always find something to pin their hopes on. Zhao Kuangyi didn’t think much of it, instead enviously stroking Zhao Kuangyin’s white horse.

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin pondered briefly then said: “Second brother, you’re not young anymore. Before, I was afraid I couldn’t protect you properly on the battlefield, so I didn’t bring you along. Now that your elder brother has returned to the capital, you should follow me first! Are you willing?”

Zhao Kuangyi nodded repeatedly in delight.

But neither of the Zhao brothers expected that Zhao Kuangyin wouldn’t serve as Cavalry Commander of Kaifeng for long. Emperor Guo Wei fell seriously ill at the end of that year. Though he barely survived the New Year, he didn’t recover, passing away in the third year of his reign. His adopted son Chai Rong succeeded to the throne before his coffin.

Then, when the right army was routed and several generals began fleeing, his elder brother Zhao Kuangyin turned the tide at the critical moment of the Battle of Gaoping, changing what seemed like certain defeat.

Zhao Kuangyi felt both admiration and pride. On that blood-soaked battlefield, his elder brother was like a towering mountain peak, making one feel utterly reliable – even more inspiring than the emperor in his yellow robes.

In that moment, Zhao Kuangyi was mysteriously reminded of the words on that brocade cloth.

“The Heavenly Yue Axe, axe of King Wu of Zhou, crafted by Grand Master Jiang Ziya, it is said that none but those with the Mandate of Heaven can wield it…”

Year 960 CE, Chenqiao Post Station

Zhao Kuangyi rode through heavy snow toward the post station. Not yet twenty years old, he had already galloped across battlefields with his elder brother for three or four years. The baptism of war had stripped away the childishness from his features, and trials between life and death had taught him to remain calm in danger, cultivating a steady and composed temperament. But now he was somewhat nervous, his hands holding the reins trembling almost imperceptibly. He reined in his horse before a building with a resting eave-style roof, dismounted swiftly, handed the reins to a subordinate, took a deep breath of the icy air, then climbed the snowy steps.

This was a not-very-large courtyard with an ancient pagoda tree planted in it. The dark brown branches curved downward, already covered with a thick layer of snow, starkly black and white. His elder brother stood under the pagoda tree wearing a fox fur cloak, his back turned, gazing up at the void, habitually fingering the Heavenly Yue Axe that never left his side. Zhao Kuangyi wanted to approach and greet him, but noticed his brother’s cloak was already covered with a layer of snowflakes – he had apparently been standing here for quite some time. Well, the matter they faced was difficult to decide, and should indeed be carefully considered by his elder brother. Thinking this, Zhao Kuangyi simply stood there, watching his elder brother’s silhouette, unable to come to his senses for a long while.

In just a few years, his elder brother had become the Palace Command, controlling and commanding the imperial guards – truly one person below the emperor and above ten thousand others. At this time, Chai Rong had died of illness, and the one who ascended the throne was his seven-year-old young son. Weak ruler, strong minister – in this chaotic era of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, whenever such situations arose, without exception the strong would take their place.

Zhao Kuangyi looked with complex emotions at the Heavenly Yue Axe in his elder brother’s hand. Nine years ago, how could he have imagined that this jest would one day come true?

“The pagoda tree means ‘to embrace.’ Embracing distant people at this station, wishing to plan with them.” Accompanied by the creaking sound of footsteps in snow, an elegant voice drifted over. Zhao Kuangyi looked toward the sound and saw the approaching figure was Zhao Pu, his elder brother’s secretary. This Zhao Pu was his elder brother’s most trusted advisor, but hadn’t read many books, claiming he could govern the realm with half the Analects. Zhao Kuangyi was quite surprised – with his learning, he could actually quote Zheng Xuan’s commentary from “Rites of Zhou, Autumn Officials, Court Officers.” It seemed this person wasn’t as composed as he appeared.

“Standing under the tree, hoping to plan with visitors – this place is indeed fitting.” Zhao Kuangyin hung the Heavenly Yue Axe back at his waist, turned to look at his civil and military right-hand men, and said with a smile: “Is everything prepared?”

Zhao Kuangyi and Zhao Pu both responded in unison, their young faces unable to hide their extreme excitement. After all, if this succeeded, their lives would be turned upside down. Of course, if they failed, they would face eternal damnation.

Zhao Kuangyin didn’t share their anxiety about gains and losses. He smiled slightly and said: “When Emperor Shizong campaigned north, he obtained a wooden tablet inscribed with ‘The Palace Commander becomes Son of Heaven.’ This seems to be Heaven’s will.”

Zhao Pu tactfully added a few words, but Zhao Kuangyi secretly laughed to himself. The Emperor Shizong his elder brother mentioned was the recently deceased Zhou Shizong Chai Rong. Back then, the Palace Commander had been Zhang Yongde, who never got along with his elder brother. They had merely used a small scheme, creating a nonexistent wooden tablet that made Zhang Yongde fall under Shizong’s suspicion and be dismissed from his position, allowing Zhao Kuangyin to rise. But looking at it now, the strategy they had devised back then was indeed quite prescient.

Zhao Kuangyi grasped Zhao Kuangyin’s thoughts, knowing he wanted to use this scheme again to follow Heaven’s will. He quickly bowed and said: “On the day of military departure, we’ll prophecy that the Palace Commander will become Son of Heaven. I’ll arrange for people to spread this in the army.”

Though Zhao Pu was resourceful, he still didn’t understand his elder brother deeply enough. His elder brother cared extremely about his reputation and would absolutely never actively usurp the throne – there had to be an appropriate opportunity. Zhao Kuangyi quickly positioned this matter.

Zhao Kuangyin fingered the Heavenly Yue Axe at his waist and nodded with satisfaction at his second brother.

Zhao Kuangyi was no longer called Zhao Kuangyi now. His elder brother had successfully donned the yellow robe and ascended the throne in the Chenqiao Mutiny a few months earlier. To avoid taboo, he changed his name to Zhao Guangyi, and their younger brother Zhao Kuangmei changed his name to Zhao Guangmei. However, their younger brother was only twelve this year and wasn’t needed, still staying in Kaifeng. Zhao Guangyi continued following Zhao Kuangyin in campaigns.

Due to the hasty enthronement, the imperial robes representing the emperor’s nobility hadn’t been sewn in time. Though his elder brother still wore a general’s armor as before, his bearing made people involuntarily bow in submission.

Zhao Guangyi felt his elder brother had changed, which was normal. When one’s status changes, naturally one’s character and temperament change accordingly. And it wasn’t just his elder brother who had changed – Zhao Guangyi also controlled his attitude when facing Zhao Kuangyin. Though they were still brothers, they were now also ruler and subject. But occasionally, Zhao Guangyi couldn’t help missing the past – those times when he could laugh freely with his elder brother.

“Second brother, what are you thinking about?” After Zhao Kuangyin finished discussing state affairs and dismissed the others, he noticed his second brother had a completely absent-minded expression. He picked up the Heavenly Yue Axe beside him and reached over to pat his shoulder.

“Nothing, I didn’t sleep well last night.” Zhao Guangyi was both amused and exasperated. He knew his elder brother was very fond of this Heavenly Yue Axe, but that didn’t mean others would like it. He heard that a few days ago, his elder brother had flown into a rage over some matter and casually grabbed the Heavenly Yue Axe to throw it, knocking out even the front teeth of the offending minister. Now those ministers all maintained a safe distance when making reports, fearing they’d suffer unwarranted disaster.

Seeing his second brother’s gaze fall on the Heavenly Yue Axe in his hand, Zhao Kuangyin asked seemingly casually: “Second brother, I’ve never asked you – which shop did you buy this jade axe from?”

Zhao Guangyi was startled. Nine years had passed in a flash – why was his elder brother suddenly thinking to ask about this? Zhao Kuangyin coughed lightly and said: “If you don’t remember, forget it. I was just asking casually.”

“No, I actually remember which shop I bought it from.” Zhao Guangyi shook his head. “Because that shop’s name was quite distinctive, so I’ve never forgotten it.”

“Oh? Tell me.” Zhao Kuangyin’s curiosity was piqued.

“That shop was called Ya She – meaning ancient objects are silent and cannot speak.” Zhao Guangyi said while carefully observing his elder brother’s expression.

Zhao Kuangyin silently repeated the name Ya She several times, nodding in admiration: “That owner must be a cultured gentleman. When we have time, second brother must accompany me to pay a visit.”

Zhao Guangyi was startled – his elder brother was now an emperor after all, yet he would use the word “visit”? But before he could think further, he quickly said: “Imperial brother, that shop moved away the very next day. I never saw the shop’s owner either – this jade axe was because the shop was in a hurry to move, so I bought it cheaply from a shop assistant.”

He didn’t elaborate on explaining the bet with that boy from years ago. He instinctively felt this matter couldn’t be told to his elder brother, nor could he mention the brocade cloth from the box.

Zhao Kuangyin sighed with considerable regret, but then thought that if that shop hadn’t been in a hurry to relocate, how could his second brother have acquired such a fine item with the little money he had brought that year? Thinking this way, Zhao Kuangyin felt relieved. He fingered the Heavenly Yue Axe in his hand and suddenly said: “Second brother, how do you think we should deal with the Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society?”

Zhao Guangyi’s expression became stern. The Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society was an organization his elder brother had created within the Palace Command system, modeled after Zhou Taizu Guo Wei’s military brotherhood. Its purpose was naturally to win over and befriend high-ranking military officers, developing his own faction. These Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society had naturally played an important role in the previous yellow robe incident, shouting the slogan “The Palace Commander becomes Son of Heaven” and supporting Zhao Kuangyin in becoming the Great Song Son of Heaven.

Now these people had instead become Zhao Kuangyin’s heart disease. These people could now support others, even themselves. Even if they didn’t have such thoughts, their subordinates would. Zhao Guangyi carefully chose his words: “Imperial brother, you’ve just ascended the throne. If you hide the bow and cook the hounds, it will chill everyone’s hearts.”

Zhao Guangyi naturally felt this matter shouldn’t be handled so early. His elder brother had only been on the throne for a few months, his foundation wasn’t yet stable. If he moved against these trusted associates, what would others think? Even Liu Bang’s great purge of meritorious officials happened several years after his enthronement.