The Fragrance of Bygone Days [Zhao Defang/Pang Ba]

I don't wish to be remembered through the ages as the virtuous prince. Then what do you want? I'll get it for you. I only wish for peace on the borders, for the people to live and work in peace, and for the Song dynasty to endure for thousands upon thousands of years. So you want the empire. What's so hard about that? I'll seize the throne and give it to you. Foolish boy! How can the empire be so easily changed? How many traitors have met a good end? Leave that to me. I stake my word on it today. When my wings are fully grown, Pang Tong will offer you the empire with both hands and win your favor. Zhao Defang, son of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin. Having served through several reigns, he understood the ways of officialdom deeply, yet never lost his sincere love for the people. Emperor Taizong granted him a golden mace, with which he could strike corrupt ministers below and foolish rulers above. He was a peerless figure through the ages, known to history as the Eighth Virtuous Prince. Pang Tong, son of Chancellor Pang Ji, was an outstanding general during Emperor Renzong's reign. He never lost a battle, and had already earned renown as a youth, known as the Flying Star General. Proud and unruly by nature, he once plotted to seize the throne, dealing a heavy blow to the storm-tossed Northern Song dynasty, then threatened by the Khitan and Western Xia. Fortunately, he came to his senses in time and withdrew to a life of seclusion. Search through the history books, and his name is nowhere to be found.