Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 853: Chapter 677: City Gate Standoff

The words spoken by these two members of the Golden Branches and Jade Leaves were neither heavy nor light, yet they were akin to a thunderstrike!

In an instant, it made the people of Capital City feel burnt on the outside and tender inside.

Not knowing what’s good for them?

Unimaginably foolish?

They must be talking about them, right?

In the past, the Four Kingdoms of the Central Plains were evenly matched in power, but now, they have blatantly rejected a nation that came to surrender at their doorstep?

This…

“Hey, hey, hey! Empress Dowager Xiao, please wait!” Prince Liang was the first one who couldn’t sit still and leaned half of his body out of the city wall tower, calling out anxiously.

Godfather, how can he just watch a nation slipping away right in front of him? That’s immense power, countless gold, silver, and jewels!

“Empress Dowager Xiao, Capital City is the crucial area of the Capital Region, the army entering the city goes against the law, but if Empress Dowager Xiao and the Liaodong Royal Family’s members enter the city, naturally there’s no problem.” It must be said, Prince Liang is not a complete fool; the implication of his words is clear.

Empress Dowager Xiao, you and your family can enter the city, but leave aside the numerous troops accompanying you!

As soon as Prince Liang’s voice fell, the eyes of the other few Vassal Kings behind him lit up immediately, there’s no need to ask—they share the same thought!

At this moment, bringing Imperial Grandson Zhou Mu’s army into the city is undoubtedly inviting wolves into the house, it’s not something they can afford to play with!

However, asking them to reject a nation that came to surrender causes them physical pain, they just can’t do it!

“Heh!” From inside the carriage came Empress Dowager Xiao’s cold laugh, faintly carrying endless disdain, “Although I have come to surrender with the entire nation, frankly speaking, the surrender is only to the Southern Country’s Immortal Emperor Changsheng. The Zhou Dynasty is merely a nation that barely stands equal to my Liaodong among the Four Kingdoms, who is superior or inferior?”

Empress Dowager Xiao’s words left everyone stunned again.

“I am nobly the reigning Empress Dowager of Liaodong, holding the power of Liaodong for decades. Compared to your mere Imperial Kin, my position is much more distinguished, asking me to lead the Liaodong Royal Family’s members into the city? That’s like throwing meat buns to a dog, you truly think I’ve occupied this high position for decades for nothing?” Empress Dowager Xiao’s words, not cold and not hot, sounded once more.

At this point, the expressions of the multitude of Princes on the city tower suddenly became colorful.

Indeed, as Empress Dowager Xiao said, as the authority holder of Liaodong, even though she is a woman, she can’t be underestimated—even if Emperor Zhoulin personally came, he would merely be an equal peer to her, these Princes can’t really measure up!

Prince Liang’s expression suddenly became very colorful indeed, for he was the one who spoke, and Empress Dowager Xiao’s words directed at him sounded in the ears of outsiders as if targeting him!

“Empress Dowager Xiao, don’t be arrogant, you’ve fallen to the point of surrendering your nation, how much of a storm can you raise? This is Great Zhou, not your Northern Country Liaodong!” Prince Liang gritted his teeth as he spoke, looking at the countless onlooking citizens.

Because of his words, the atmosphere in front of the city gate became tense and triggered the drawing of swords and bows.

Behind the city gate, within the Great Zhou Imperial Palace in the center of Capital City, Emperor Zhoulin, even though being eclipsed, still has some connections and naturally learned of Imperial Grandson Zhou Mu’s troops’ return, currently worrying about it.

“Mr., Imperial Grandson’s troops have returned, but the situation in Capital City is chaotic right now, aren’t you worried, Mr.?” Emperor Zhoulin admired the composure of Mr. Ban Shan, sitting beside him calmly reading a book, and deeply respected his demeanor. No wonder he is an elder of the literary world, even when trapped, he maintains such calmness.

“Emperor Zhoulin, by this time, the accumulated flaws of the Zhou Dynasty are obvious, now if it gets chaotic, it may not necessarily be a bad thing. If it drags on continuously like this, even without external enemies, Great Zhou will no longer be a nation.” Mr. Ban Shan’s gaze remained on the scroll in his hands as he spoke lightly, seemingly detached from the matter.

Yet the words he uttered were related to the destiny of the country, extremely irreverent, putting such remarks forth in usual times would certainly bring disaster.

Upon hearing, Emperor Zhoulin’s face turned white at first, then became gray with a long sigh. The Zhou Dynasty has been established for over a thousand years, the Imperial Family and the Imperial Court’s accumulated flaws have penetrated deep over generations, making it difficult even for an emperor like him, aspirational and strategic, to bring change.

Therefore, he placed his hope on his Imperial Grandson Zhou Mu, hoping he could alter this situation…

“The Zhou Dynasty was founded by military might, achieved great prosperity, yet all prosperity eventually declines, dynasty transition follows a cyclic path. Emperor Zhoulin, you should be thankful you have a good Imperial Grandson. That boy Zhou Mu, resolute and bold, has the valor of his ancestors; the accumulated flaws of the Zhou Dynasty require breaking to build anew, only then lies a slim chance of survival.” As an elder of the literary world, Mr. Ban Shan’s reputation is not undeserved; his remarks are gems, yet they also strike at the heart.

“But now, amidst such chaos, how can I pass the burden onto him?” He, calculating all his life, deeply understands the way of emperors, yet he cannot lead the Zhou Dynasty out of the accumulated flaws; now, handing this chaotic situation to his carefully cultivated Imperial Grandson makes him reluctant and guilty.

“Emperor Zhoulin, nowadays heroes emerge from among the young, no longer can us old folk have any sway.” Mr. Ban Shan sighed, finally lifting his eyes to look at Emperor Zhoulin, “My foster daughter Changsheng, your Imperial Grandson Zhou Mu, are the future rulers of this boundless realm. If there’s one more name to add, it would be Northern Mongolian Princess Borjigin Nian, that young lady…”

Mr. Ban Shan mentioned this and lowered his head with a smile, “Shang Xie, a successor of the Secret Sect Shang Clan, possesses the power of heaven and earth. He once calculated a divination for that little daughter of the Borjigin Family. This girl is naturally grand, her destiny is noble to the extreme, indeed a prominent figure.”

“Ah…” Emperor Zhoulin was taken aback upon hearing this, speaking with uncertainty, “She is a princess of the Northern Mongolian, yet I heard she has a connection with the Immortal Emperor Changsheng…”

“She shares a true friendship with my son; it is genuine.” Mr. Ban Shan chuckled, displaying his full scholarly demeanor, “Perhaps this is the opportunity destined for her, content without contention, blessings and fortune naturally come…”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhoulin remained silent but was still deeply concerned about the situation outside the city gate, sending people repeatedly to investigate.

Mr. Ban Shan observed this and made no comment.

At this moment, the atmosphere at the Capital City Gate had already become quite tense!

In the carriage, Dowager Empress Xiao heard Prince Liang’s words and coldly spoke, “Ha! A mere prince of the Zhou Dynasty, just a prince who has plotted for some power. How dare he speak to me like this? I’ve come with the whole nation. What of it? Liaodong is still here, the Liaodong Royal Family still exists, listen clearly! I choose to align with the Southern Country Queen Changsheng, willing to marry the entire nation, rather than the Zhou Dynasty, which can only stand on par with Liaodong in the Northern Country!”

These words were full of gunpowder and disdain; Dowager Empress Xiao dismisses the Great Zhou.

“Ha, Dowager Empress Xiao, no matter how esteemed Gu Changsheng becomes, even if she is exalted as the Southern Emperor, ultimately she’ll marry into the Great Zhou, merely becoming one of our clan ladies. By then, the Southern Country would be under the control of the Great Zhou, let alone your mere Liaodong?” Prince Liang was so enraged he was at a loss for what he was saying.

Once he finished speaking, not only the countless onlookers but even the few princes behind him turned pale.

Discontent with Dowager Empress Xiao was one thing, but daring to plot against the Southern Country was a significant matter, especially since the Southern Emperor’s entourage had already entered the Great Zhou Territory!

“Ha ha! Boastful little prince, I see you are blinded by power, heading for a dead end!” Dowager Empress Xiao immediately lifted the curtain with her cane, stepping out; her old face was full of cold solemnity.

Jiang One and the others’ expressions were also unfavorable at this time, as they were following Lady Changsheng’s instructions to return to court, now unsure how to conclude.

Dowager Empress Xiao raised her head, her gaze piercing as she confronted the few princes at the city gate, her eyes gloomy and unpredictable. After a while, she continued, “The Four Kingdoms of the Central Plains have stood for millennia, I always thought it was only my Liaodong that was plagued with issues that gave me, a woman of the harem, a chance to take power. Never did I expect that the Great Zhou’s time has also come to an end!”

Dowager Empress Xiao’s words made everyone’s face pale.

She bluntly admits herself holding power as a harem woman is irregular; this…

And says the Great Zhou’s fate is also ending… Is this a provocation? Or self-deprecation?

“I personally went to Vast Mountain and sought a proverb from Mr. Di, one of the three great masters of literature, Zhou Mu’s teacher: ‘No destruction, no establishment; break and then establish.’ Only then can the Jin Family endure eternally. My authority in the Northern Country has lasted fifty-eight years, daring to place such a bold bet amidst chaos. But you Zhou Dynasty, haha… may lack such overwhelming courage as mine!” Her yellow sleeve fluttered, the dragon head cane struck the ground, Dowager Empress Xiao spoke decisively, the aura of a ruler fully showcased.

It must be said, for a woman from the harem to govern Liaodong for a decade, Dowager Empress Xiao could be considered an extraordinary woman in the world, decisive in slaughter, her strategic prowess astounding!

Her words instantly stirred a wave of chaos.

“Vast Mountain, Mr. Di? Is it that Mr. Di?”

“Godfather, Dowager Empress Xiao truly is an exceptional woman, her spirit indeed soaring!”

“She managed to invite Mr. Di to come out, received a proverb, and dared to wager a nation; what a broad spirit Dowager Empress Xiao possesses…”

“A true dragon and phoenix among people!”

“…”

The Capital Region of the Zhou Dynasty, which lacked no literati, exploded at this moment, deeply admiring Dowager Empress Xiao’s grandeur.

Listening to the endless chaotic and agitated sounds around, the princes at the city gate were no longer calm.

“Old woman, stop trying to scare people here! It’s just Mr. Di, Mr. Ban Shan is currently in the Capital City, how could this prince fear you!” Prince Liang roared furiously, slapping the city wall.

Upon hearing this, Dowager Empress Xiao immediately raised her head.

The literati among the onlookers’ eyes burnt, staring at Prince Liang.

Under the gaze of all, being looked at so fervently as if surrounded by stars, Prince Liang’s face improved a bit. He was a prince with power in the court and ought to be treated this way; hence, he felt somewhat elated, thinking he regained some ground, he tilted his neck and continued recklessly, “Mr. Ban Shan is the foster father of Gu Changsheng, he is in the city now, even Gu Changsheng herself wouldn’t dare be arrogant, let alone you old woman!”