I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Cai Jing has been in a very bad mood lately.

The Tongwenguan case has been closed for some time now. Liu Zhi, Liang Tao, and their old adversaries have been dealt a severe blow, with no chance of ever recovering.

Zeng Bu, that old bastard, also got a beating, and his influence has diminished considerably.

On the surface, it appears that Cai Jing's group has won a great victory, and he is the most prominent figure in the New Party besides Zhang Dun, enjoying immense favor.

But Cai Jing still felt like there was a thorn stuck in his throat.

This thorn is Zhao Tingzhi.

No, to be more precise, it was Zhao Tingzhi's son, Zhao Mingcheng.

In the study, the candlelight burned quietly, its light steady, yet it could not illuminate the melancholy between Cai Jing's brows.

He sat in a rosewood armchair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the smooth armrests, producing a dull "tap, tap" sound that was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Cai Bian sat opposite him, holding a cup of tea but not drinking it. He looked at his brother's gloomy face and understood perfectly well what was going on.

"Is my brother still upset about the Zhao family's affairs?"

Cai Bian put down his teacup and spoke softly.

"It's not the Zhao family," Cai Jing finally stopped knocking, his voice carrying a chilling coldness.

"It's that Zhao Mingcheng."

Cai Bian nodded. No one knows an elder brother better than his younger brother; he knew what his elder brother was worried about.

The Tongwenguan case was originally a clever scheme devised by the two brothers to kill several birds with one stone.

The old party's foundation was greatly weakened, and Zeng Bu's edge was also diminished. More importantly, it was an opportunity to purge and intimidate those marginal figures within the new party who were not obedient enough or whose stances were wavering.

Zhao Tingzhi was already on that list of "marginal figures," and because of his ambiguous relationship with Zeng Bu, he was an even better target to be targeted.

But what was the result? The official punishment for Zhao Tingzhi was merely a six-month salary deduction, with him remaining in his original position—a light and insignificant punishment.

This wasn't even the most infuriating thing for Cai Jing.

What bothered him most was Zhao Mingcheng's behavior in this matter.

This young man met with the emperor twice, remaining calm and composed. Not only was he not dragged down by his father's affair, but he also subtly gained the emperor's favor by answering his questions in front of him.

I heard that he also wrote a policy essay on "balancing leniency and severity," which even the old fox Zhang Dun praised.

A student of the Imperial Academy, in a storm that could have crushed many officials, not only emerged unscathed but seemed to have even made further progress.

This goes beyond the realm of "good luck".

"Zhao Mingcheng is no ordinary man," Cai Bian slowly uttered his elder brother's unfinished assessment.

"He met with the emperor twice, and was able to remain composed and answer the questions to the point. His argument of 'combining leniency with severity' not only aligned with the emperor's current mindset but also subtly reflected Prime Minister Zhang's pragmatic approach."

"What's even more remarkable is his composure. An ordinary young man, faced with a sudden family tragedy, would have panicked long ago. But he remained calm, continuing to study as usual and going to the Prince Duan's residence as if nothing had happened."

"Composed?" Cai Jing sneered, a cold glint in his eyes.

"I'm afraid it's not composure, but rather deep scheming. He already knew how to deal with it, whose connections to use, and what to say."

Cai Jing paused, leaning forward slightly, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his fair face.

"What's more troublesome isn't his behavior in front of the Emperor. It's the information our people gathered from Prince Duan's residence."

Cai Bian's expression hardened: "Brother, please explain in detail."

Cai Jing's displeasure became even more apparent.

"Zhao Mingcheng goes to the Prince Duan's residence every ten days without fail. He always goes in before noon and doesn't come out until almost Shenshi (3-5 PM). Do you think they just look at paintings and calligraphy in Chengyanzhai?"

"Is there something else?"

"It's not just other things," Cai Jing sneered. "According to our informants, they set up a large field in the backyard of the Prince Duan's mansion. More than twenty people were divided into two groups, fighting over a ball and kicking it into the goal on the ground. What's it called... football."

"Prince Duan is very obsessed with it. Every time Zhao Mingcheng goes there, he spends most of his time playing this game. It is said that Zhao Mingcheng has set many rules, such as formations and teamwork, and he explains them in great detail. Prince Duan listens with great interest and even joins in himself, enjoying it immensely."

Cai Bian frowned more and more as he listened.

Cuju (ancient Chinese football) was a common pastime, and many members of the imperial family enjoyed it.

Judging from his brother's description, this "football" seems to be on a larger scale and more systematic, and... it has obviously become a unique and close link between Zhao Mingcheng and Prince Duan.

"Is my brother worried that…?" Cai Bian probed, "that Zhao Mingcheng is using this method to gain a special place in Prince Duan's heart?"

"It's not that I'm worried, it's that it's already like this." Cai Jing interrupted him, his voice lower but sharper.

"What kind of personality does Prince Duan have? He is intelligent and outwardly clever, fond of ingenious things, loves to play and enjoy music, and has a quick mind. However, he is most intolerant of tedious political affairs. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have always doted on him and have indulged his personality to some extent."

"And look at Zhao Mingcheng. This young man can discuss calligraphy, painting, and seal carving with Prince Duan, and he can create new ways to play football to keep Prince Duan entertained. What's even more remarkable is that he can also glean some seemingly plausible principles of 'formations' and 'strategies' while playing, catering to Prince Duan's interests. Such a playmate is simply tailor-made for Prince Duan!"

Cai Jing's tone grew colder as he spoke.

"Right now, we both know the Emperor's health condition. Consort Liu is about to give birth, and it's still unknown whether it will be a boy or a girl. Even if she gives birth to a prince, what are the variables when a young emperor ascends the throne?"

"Even if the Emperor's son were to succeed to the throne, Prince Duan would still be the Emperor's younger brother and the Empress Dowager's most favored son. Regardless of whether he is in or out of power, his influence cannot be underestimated."

Cai Bian finally understood that his elder brother's gaze had already moved beyond the current political situation and was now fixed on an even more uncertain future.

Cai Jing is laying the groundwork for a possible shift in the situation, and Prince Duan is undoubtedly a crucial piece on the future chessboard.

Anyone who can influence this piece at close range must be controllable, or in other words, "one of their own".

Zhao Mingcheng is clearly not within the scope of Cai Jing's definition of "one of his own." Not only is he not included, but after this incident, he probably harbors even greater hostility towards Cai Jing.

"Therefore, Zhao Mingcheng has now quietly secured a crucial position by virtue of his status as a 'playmate'," Cai Bian said slowly.

"In the future, if my brother or anyone else wants to communicate with or influence Prince Duan, they will probably have to go through him. He might even use this position to seek benefits for himself and his father that we do not want to see."

Given time, if Zhao Mingcheng grows older and if he has some opportunities, and with the help of Prince Duan, then…”

"By then... I'm afraid there will be a second Zeng Bu." Cai Jing replied coldly, then changed the subject.

"No, he might be more troublesome than Zeng Bu. Zeng Bu is old, he has factional ties, and his actions are predictable. Zhao Mingcheng is young and has potential. His relationship with the prince is purely based on personal friendship and fun. He is more unpredictable and more secretive than Zeng Bu."

Most importantly, Zhao Mingcheng is not on our side.

This is the core issue.

Cai Jing could not tolerate an uncontrolled, even potentially threatening, "close advisor" growing in power beside an important prince.

His philosophy of power politics does not allow for such loopholes.

"But right now..." Cai Bian pondered a solution, "It's not easy to deal with Zhao Mingcheng. The Emperor just protected Zhao Tingzhi, so he obviously doesn't have any ill feelings towards this boy yet, and may even be observing him."

"Moreover, Zhang Dun seems to be staying on the sidelines for the time being. And Prince Duan... is currently doting on Zhao Mingcheng. If we act rashly, it might backfire and displease Prince Duan, or even make the Emperor and Empress Dowager think that my brother... is overstepping his bounds."

"So you want to wait?" Cai Jing glanced at his younger brother, his eyes sharp as knives.

"Wait until Zhao Mingcheng's power grows stronger, his entanglement with Prince Duan deepens, and he even uses Prince Duan's name to gain a good reputation among scholars and plant his own people in the court before we make our move? If that happens, we'll be hesitant to act rashly!"

"This child must not be allowed to grow too powerful by Prince Duan's side. In the future game, we cannot allow this uncontrolled piece to get close to the vital points."

Cai Jing's tone was sinister, and his face looked somewhat frightening in the candlelight.

"To deal with someone who relies on favor, a direct confrontation is the worst approach. Isn't Zhao Mingcheng skilled at Cuju (ancient Chinese football), knows how to have fun, and is favored by the prince? Let's make him stumble on this 'fun' thing."

"Isn't he very close to Prince Duan, and even got involved in this ridiculous football thing? Let this close relationship become a target for others to attack, and the reason he brings trouble upon himself."

Cai Bian's eyes brightened slightly.

"Brother, do you mean... to start with public opinion? To draw the attention of the officials to the fact that the foreign ministers and the prince are 'too close to each other,' or that there is any suspicion of 'leading the prince into frivolity,' or using strange and frivolous skills to confuse the prince? Especially that football, it's a huge undertaking, it's improper, if you exaggerate it..."

"That's one point," Cai Jing nodded slightly, but added.

"In addition, it can create a stir, damage his reputation, sow doubts in the minds of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and drive a wedge between him and Prince Duan, who seem to be just playmates."

"But that's not enough. Zhao Mingcheng is a meticulous man, and it's hard to find fault with him. However, his father, Zhao Tingzhi, seems calm after this fright, but he is actually a frightened bird, which is when he has the most weaknesses."

"Can he really be completely inscrutable, both at the Imperial Academy and in the Prince Duan's residence? His classmates and the servants in the Prince's residence all have different personalities and can all be used by me."

Cai Jing's mind worked incredibly fast, and he quickly came up with a whole set of underhanded tricks.

Cai Bian fully understood and nodded slowly.

"I understand. We should proceed gradually and apply pressure from all sides. We must both damage his reputation and find weaknesses in him. First, we should spread public opinion to keep him busy; then we should secretly investigate and find incriminating evidence against him; if necessary, we can sow discord between him and Prince Duan, or even cause his associates to turn against him."

"Once Zhao Mingcheng's favor with the emperor has waned and Prince Duan has become suspicious of him, we will seize the opportunity to strike. At that time, we will either demote or banish him, making sure he stays far away from Prince Duan and can no longer pose a threat."

Cai Jing did not respond immediately. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and seemed to be weighing the options and making calculations.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, which were now filled with a cold calm.

"This matter is neither urgent nor can it be rushed," he said slowly, each word carrying immense weight.

"Let's make the arrangements first. Have our acquaintances in the Censorate keep an eye out for rumors of 'external officials having overly close relationships with princes.' Remember, either do nothing, or if you do, make it difficult for them to recover. Zhao Mingcheng... I want him to understand that some positions are not for him to hold onto; some paths are not for him to monopolize."

After Cai Jing finished speaking, he picked up the tea that had long since gone cold, took a sip, and then put it down with a look of disgust.

"As for Prince Duan..." He looked out the window at the deep night, his tone inscrutable.

"In the long run, we can't completely ignore it. But right now, Zhao Mingcheng is standing in our way. Approaching too quickly would only reveal our intentions. Let's deal with this obstacle first, clear our way, and then... we'll find a way to deal with it later."

The two brothers fell silent, and the study returned to quiet, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the candle wick.

But a chilling aura directed at Zhao Mingcheng had already quietly spread from this secret room. A meticulously woven net, though not yet fully unfurled, had already begun to be laid out silently.

Cai Jing picked up another official document, his gaze falling on it, but it seemed to penetrate the pages and see into a much farther place.

Zhao Mingcheng...

Cai Jing silently repeated the name in his heart once again.

This time it was no longer contempt, but a resolute determination to finally confront it and erase it.