Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 945: Chapter 751: Treat Others with a Yard When They Give an Inch

”In that case, I will go meet with the Left Prime Minister and others to discuss the frameworks of the two-nation alliance and arranged marriage!” Hongfu Su was delighted upon hearing this; she was a competent subject with a long-term vision. Her decisive loyalty upon first encountering Gu Changsheng at a tavern was proof of her deep foresight, surpassing many. This was also the reason why Gu Changsheng kept her by his side, elevating her to a high-ranking minister in the Southern Country.

Gu Changsheng, upon hearing this, slightly curved his lips, ”You need not be too hasty. After the recent banquet incident, Sang Jie should be aware of my manner of doing things. I gave them an opportunity, and they must seize it to make a comeback. Diplomatic relations between two countries, with marriage as one aspect, ultimately hinge on mutual benefits. I am not greedy for the Great Zhou’s advantages. They probably wouldn’t dare take excessive advantage of my Southern Country. You just go; if the terms they set overnight are unfavorable to our Southern Country, just lower your head and stay silent, and they will inevitably find a way to resolve it themselves. If my face can’t dissuade them from scheming, then they are simply courting disgrace. I believe Sang Jie wouldn’t think so shortsightedly!”

The key to treating others is sincerity. Her reason for agreeing to the two-nation arranged marriage and economic exchange at a family banquet was to avoid allowing her marriage to become a bargaining chip among ministers from both countries. Thus, with the opening discussions at the family banquet, and Sang Jie and others contemplating overnight upon returning, they must have already devised a response, likely mentioned it at the Imperial Court. In this situation, a marriage alliance with a noble family from her Southern Country would naturally not focus on her; seeking out Hongfu Su is certainly the most appropriate.

Hongfu Su, listening to Gu Changsheng, smiled even more brightly and nodded in response, ”Then, I will leave now. As a fellow subject, it would be discourteous to keep the Left Prime Minister and others waiting too long after dining together!”

”Go ahead!” Gu Changsheng waved his hand.

Hongfu Su bowed and retreated.

”Sovereign, are you so sure that the Left Prime Minister and others will devise mutually beneficial strategies for the two countries instead of engaging in a heated debate?” Hongyan Jiaojiao watched her in-law depart, speaking with some concern.

”In the arena of the grain in the bowl and the wine in the cup, among people lies the essence, as among ministers lies the essence of the court — don’t underestimate their keen observation and wisdom! If they don’t haggle over short-term gains and losses, I won’t quibble over every bit either; they respect me an inch, and I grant them a yard! Hongyan, how about a bet with me?” Gu Changsheng said with a smile, looking at the array of brocade fabrics before him.

”A bet on what?” Hongyan Jiaojiao asked, puzzled.

”I’ll bet that once the Left Prime Minister departs, Hongfu Su will surely return to pour out her complaints in front of me!”

”Why? Could it be that Sang Jie would dare let Hongfu Su feel aggrieved?” Hongyan Jiaojiao glared.

”Not aggrieved, but rather flattered! The clauses settled by Sang Jie and others will undoubtedly favor our Southern Country greatly, even at the expense of the Zhou Dynasty’s interests!” Gu Changsheng said lazily.

”How could that be possible? Diplomatic relations between two countries, even if not openly discussed at the Imperial Court, are significant; how could they possibly do such a thing?” Hongyan Jiaojiao stared in disbelief.

”Then it’s a bet! I’ve heard that among your Hongyan’s old faction, there is a Beauty-preserving Pearl. If you lose, present that pearl to me, and I’ll grind it into fine pearl powder to apply on my face!” Gu Changsheng chuckled, turning to continue selecting brocade fabrics and jewelry.

”Your Majesty, how could you? How could you shamelessly covet the treasured collection from a minister’s old cohort?” Hongyan Jiaojiao exclaimed, her heart aching as she followed closely, ”That is a Beauty-preserving Pearl, a rarity seen once in a hundred years; how can it be ground into powder for a facial treatment? Your Majesty, don’t waste such a treasure!”

The undertone suggested a sense of inevitable loss.

Today was a fine day with clear weather, and the Left Prime Minister came to the Heavenly Palace for discussions. Meanwhile, Gu Taitian and Mr. Ban Shan were invited by Emperor Zhoulin, bringing along Little Monk Bu Jie to the Imperial Observatory. Gu Changsheng didn’t need to think much to know that once these two groups gathered, they were certainly negotiating the marriage date.

The Left Prime Minister and others conversed with Hongfu Su for a long time, remaining even until lunchtime. Hongfu Su hosted them for a meal in the Heavenly Palace, during which they discussed major issues between the two countries. It was not until dusk that Hongfu Su, drenched in cold sweat, escorted the Left Prime Minister and others out of the Heavenly Palace, and then couldn’t wait to head to the harem to find her sovereign!

From a distance, she saw her sovereign in the rear garden, drinking tea and teaching the Young Prince to read, and Hongfu Su immediately lifted her skirt and knelt down.

”Your Majesty, I am inadequate. During this negotiation, many matters were not settled!” Hongfu Su broke into a cold sweat and spoke in a deep voice.

”Oh?” Gu Changsheng put away the scroll, causing Wuchang Yue, who was stammering through his memorization, to stop and turn leisurely towards Hongfu Su. He then raised an eyebrow at Hongyan Jiaojiao waiting by his side, ”How so? Speak and let me hear it!”

”Your Majesty, the Left Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue have sent a list of sons proposed for marriage with our Southern Country’s daughters, including the legitimate sons of the Left Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue, and other prominent officials, all without exception are legitimate!” At the thought of the list she had seen, Hongfu Su’s temples throbbed. Though she hadn’t been in the Zhou Dynasty for long, she was familiar with the affairs of its civil and military officials’ families, having inquired about them.

The Zhou Dynasty was known for its strict emphasis on legitimacy and rank. Though suggesting marriage at the banquet and including clan branches was a good start, they unexpectedly listed their direct sons, all unmarried and legitimate. How could she not be shocked?

”Oh? In that case, it does not disgrace my ceremonial personal guards. Continue!” Gu Changsheng looked down, smiling as he spoke, while examining the scroll in his hand.

”This first list not only includes the legitimate sons of prominent families but also, the Left Prime Minister and others state that to ensure our Southern Country’s daughters do not suffer grievance, they allow them to choose their husbands freely. Moreover, they promise that even if our Southern Country’s daughters marry their sons, they will not be bound by the restrictions placed on Great Zhou women. They can travel with their husbands for trade, and if they have the ability, they can also seek official positions within the Zhou Dynasty court, swearing not to disgrace our daughters!” As Hongyan Jiaojiao continued, sweat increasingly covered her forehead, ”Your Majesty, if they had merely set forth legitimate sons, that would been sufficient. But to offer official roles in the Zhou Dynasty court, clearly decided in today’s court discussions by the Great Zhou Dynasty, how can I respond with any equivalence?”

”Our Witch and Gu Tribes’ daughters can indeed ascend the court, so why should you be so alarmed? Continue!” Gu Changsheng’s lips curled upward.

”Not only do court officials not shy away from letting our daughters participate in governance, but the first batch of women they proposed to marry into our Southern Country are also of noble birth. More strikingly, among them is the legitimate daughter of the Zhou Dynasty Imperial Family’s Prince Rong, a little Commandery Princess, just four years old, among those arranged for child engagements. How should I respond to this?” Hongfu Su, on the brink of tears, spoke. The Southern Country’s royal family was sparse, yet Prince Rong often brought his family to the Heavenly Palace for meals recently, clearly favored by the sovereign and the son-in-law, and she really couldn’t make this decision!

”Wuchang Yue has a younger cousin, now five years old, who, if you calculate carefully, is also my cousin. Hence, setting this child’s engagement wouldn’t be impossible, yet add one condition: if they find someone else they favor when they grow up, the engagement shouldn’t be forced.” Gu Changsheng pointed to Wuchang Yue, who was struggling with the scroll, speaking hesitantly.

The Wuchang Lineage is indeed a royal family in Bashu, so in this way, it’s an equal match.

”But Your Majesty, the Left Prime Minister stated that to commence trade, routes need to be opened, and a trade city should be established. They willingly cede parts of the Zhou Dynasty’s Southwest Land, bordering the Thirteen Cities of the Southwest with Bashu and Southern Chen County, spanning six hundred miles in radius, designated as trade cities, where people from the Southern Country can enter without inspection or taxation and won’t be subjected to the Zhou Dynasty’s corvée or draft. They also listed several dozen regulations facilitating our people’s entry into the Zhou territory, leaving me utterly speechless!” Hongfu Su said at this point, knocking her head to the ground, ”Your Majesty, I am inadequate and dared not make decisions on my own!”

”Moreover, they also wish to hire Mr. Ban Shan, originally from Great Zhou, to accompany Your Majesty under the name of a national scholar, and have listed proposals encouraging the people of Zhou to learn our Bashu and Southern Border scripts, compiled into books for trade communication. Furthermore, the Southwest Thirteen Cities and our Southern Country will unify measures and weights, establishing a precedent of fair trade... Thus, every line, every item, is made for our Southern Country’s benefit, rendering me utterly speechless, and my heart, even now, remains apprehensive!” Hongfu Su said, then lay silently on the ground, filled with bitterness, unexpectedly at how one-sided these negotiations had been this time, embarrassed by her own loss of composure whenever the Left Prime Minister proposed another item.

”Haha...” Gu Changsheng laughed while looking at Hongyan Jiaojiao standing beside him, ”Hongyan, you lost! Remember to grind that Beauty-preserving Pearl into fine powder for me later!”

”Yes!” Hongyan Jiaojiao replied, although the expression on her face seemed like she was losing flesh, her smile couldn’t be hidden.

This Great Zhou truly knows when to act wisely!

”Your Majesty, with Zhou Dynasty treating this matter so earnestly, naturally, our Southern Country, favored by the gods, cannot lose face. In this matter, please allow us to deliberate carefully to respond accordingly!” Hongyan Jiaojiao bowed and addressed solemnly with a smile, ”As a nation of alliance by marriage, how can we let Zhou Dynasty suffer a loss? Our Southern Country is not a stingy nation; when others respect us a foot, we pay them back tenfold, ensuring a proper response so that both sides benefit!”

”Indeed! I said all along that the Left Prime Minister and others are astute people, yet you wouldn’t believe me!” Gu Changsheng laughed, stood up, ”If they can turn the Thirteen Cities in the Southwest into trade centers, then I can make Southern Chen County a trade country. The roads between Bashu and Southern Border hills are arduous, but the connection between Southern Chen County and Bashu is extensive, facilitating travel. What you don’t wish upon yourself, don’t impose on others. Since they made such concessions, if our Southern Country doesn’t reciprocate, it would seem miserly, making it appear as if our female-led nation is overly feminine!”