(Transmigration + raising children + protecting the Song Dynasty + a pocket dimension + summoning historical figures + a little palace intrigue)
Tuo Tuo, chancellor of the Yuan Dynasty, once said of Emperor Huizong of Song: “He could do anything, except rule as an emperor!”
Lin Yan couldn’t agree more.
On her first day after transmigrating into the emperor’s empress, she saw the truth clearly: His Majesty was a novice at ruling, but a master of the arts.
So why bother advising him? Why bother trying to reform him?
“Your Majesty’s Slender Gold script is the best under heaven, and your paintings are priceless. Just focus on your art. I’ll take care of the little matter of governing the country.”
She promptly set about accomplishing several great things:
· Improved gunpowder so the Jin army could experience what it meant to be “outclassed by an entire era”
· Promoted inoculation and wiped smallpox from the Song Dynasty
· Summoned the heroic spirits of history: Zhang Zhongjing to treat the sick, Qi Jiguang to train the troops, and Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to train the cavalry
· And, along the way, raised her son Zhao Huan to become the next wise ruler, accomplished in both letters and arms
Court officials impeached her: “The empress is meddling in government!”
Without even looking up, Huizong replied, “Let her. I’m painting.”
When the Jin army marched south, the entire court wanted to flee.
She donned her armor and climbed the city wall. “I will not retreat.”
Twenty-seven years passed, and the Humiliation of Jingkang became a tale from another timeline.
Huizong spent his life painting in Jiangnan and became the greatest artist of all time.
She spent her life governing in Bianliang and became the Song Dynasty’s first female regent.
Later generations summed up this period of history:
“An artistic genius whose throne got in the way, and a woman chosen by history. One was responsible for beauty, the other for strength.”
