Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 946: Chapter 752: Succession Strife Breaks Out in Northern Mongolian

Hongfu Su and Hongyan Jiaojiao nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

Gu Changsheng paced a couple of steps, then spoke again, ”Hongfu, Hongyan, I entrust these trivial matters to you veteran ministers. How to ensure the dignity of our Southern Country while safeguarding our interests, surely you have a measure in your hearts. But only one thing is certain: under no circumstances should we allow the Zhou Dynasty to underestimate our Southern Country!”

”Rest assured, Your Majesty, with your imminent marriage to the son-in-law, they have given our Southern Country enough respect at this time, we will surely not lose the bearing of our Southern Country!” Hongfu Su responded immediately.

”Indeed, our Southern Country is the largest nation under heaven, encompassing more than half the world’s territories, how can we lose face! According to Your Majesty’s advice, they have thirteen cities as trade markets, so we will open up the entire Southern Chen County, and set up official institutions in Bashu. Any trade convoy, as long as they pass through these institutions and obtain the official plaque, can engage in trade activities in our Bashu and Southern Borderlands!” said another veteran minister.

”Yes! They exempt taxes on trade in the thirteen cities, so we will exempt taxes on all their trade merchants nationwide! Fair trade, and no other levies!”

”They allow the bride from our Southern Country to pay official visits to their court, and I have heard much of the Central Plains scholars’ profound knowledge, bridging ancient and modern. Thus, there is no harm in them entering our Southern Country’s court! Although we are women, we have the capacity to embrace diversity. As long as it benefits our Southern Country, we will never underestimate the men of the Central Plains!”

”...”

”...”

The female officials from the witch and gu tribes who walked out of the desolate lands of the Bashu Southern Borderlands may not have the scholarly knowledge of the Central Plains literati, but they repay kindness twofold. This is the pride of the Clan of God Favor and the generosity of the women from the witch and gu tribes!

Gu Changsheng listened as the veteran ministers around him engaged in discussions, and couldn’t help but curse Sang Jie and others in his heart.

They indeed know how to read the room, what sly old foxes!

Indeed, they took a step back, only to gain a hundred steps of acceptance from our ministers.

In this transaction, both parties benefited. Although the Zhou Dynasty got the better deal, fortunately, her own ministers, who were taken advantage of, each had a face full of smiles, not caring at all about this minor gain and loss!

”It’s true! They’re all old foxes!” Gu Changsheng couldn’t hold back a laugh when he heard one minister say that, although the tax revenue from Southern Chen County hadn’t increased, the wealth hidden among the people wasn’t a bad thing.

Indeed, none of them are fools, all are working for the national interest!

It’s just a difference between short-term interests and long-term considerations!

”Alright, you three Little Adous, don’t skive off here. They’re discussing state matters, let’s move away and review our lessons!” Gu Changsheng called out to the three little kids beside him and led them to a quiet place to continue their studies.

When it was nearly time for dinner, Borjigin Nian found Gu Changsheng and immediately asked, ”Gu Changsheng, have the master and teacher not returned yet?”

”No!” Gu Changsheng turned back, looking at Borjigin Nian in confusion, ”The female officials conveyed a message that the old rogue, Emperor Zhoulin, invited my old man and foster father to the Imperial Palace for drinks, and as you can see, they still haven’t returned.”

”Then has the date for the wedding been set?” Borjigin Nian furrowed his brow and asked again.

”Don’t know yet, only that they attach great importance to this matter. Even Little Monk Bu Jie has been left at the Imperial Observatory, calculating auspicious dates together with those star-gazing folks. Knowing Dad’s impatience and that old Emperor’s eagerness, I suppose the date will be set soon.” Gu Changsheng felt quite helpless about this. Clearly, she was the one getting married, but she seemed like the least concerned person, left in the Heavenly Palace to teach, mildly wistful, oh so idle! Idle to the point of boredom!

”Why is it taking so long? All the necessary items for the wedding have been prepared, and your dowry has been clearly listed. They’re just setting a date, why so slow, how long are they planning to drag this out!” Borjigin Nian stomped her foot, speaking anxiously.

”Oh, Nian, why do I feel like you’re more anxious than I am?” Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng instantly got interested, raised his hand to pat her shoulder, and spoke gleefully, ”Relax, the Flower Peacock is bent on opposing the evildoer regarding me, doesn’t harbor much of that kind of affection, so you needn’t see me as a rival in love, so anxious to marry me off to put your beauty at ease.”

”Who’s worried about that!” Borjigin Nian stomped her foot immediately upon hearing this, turned around, and left in a huff.

Gu Changsheng watched Borjigin Nian’s retreating figure, frowning slightly, ”I’ve never seen her so impatient normally, has something happened?”

”Indeed, something has happened!”

Just as Gu Changsheng estimated lowly, a deep voice echoed from behind.

Upon hearing, Gu Changsheng turned around, and her shoulder was suddenly embraced by a slender and strong hand. Zhou Mu, who appeared there at some unknown time, stood behind Gu Changsheng, holding her with one hand, watching Borjigin Nian’s disappearing figure around the corner, his face, bathed in the evening’s glow, was worryingly beautiful like an exiled immortal.

”What happened? Could it be Northern Mongolia...” Gu Changsheng asked after just a glance at Zhou Mu, immediately withdrawing her gaze, not looking at him again.

This evildoer is too tempting to behold, better to watch less lest she forgets important matters.

”Is Northern Mongolia taking advantage of the situation to start a war with your Great Zhou?” Gu Changsheng asked again when Zhou Mu didn’t reply.

”No.” Zhou Mu shook his head and spoke in a deep voice, ”It’s just internal conflict in Northern Mongolia!”

”Internal conflict? What about Nian’s Father King?” Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng grew anxious. She had a life-and-death friendship with Borjigin Nian, and naturally wouldn’t stand by as she faced trouble!

”There hasn’t been any news from the North Mongolia Royal City yet. According to the urgent reports I’ve gathered from the Northern border, it seems the majority of Qiyan Tribe’s troops have been relocated around the Royal City. It looks like they’re planning to pressure the palaces, forcing the Northern Mongolian King with only one daughter and no heir to appoint a successor to the Northern Mongolian throne!” Zhou Mu spoke solemnly.

This shocked Gu Changsheng to the core.

Succession struggle!

The succession battle, it’s a battlefield without gunpowder smoke, but it’s also filled with treachery and life-or-death situations!

”Then, doesn’t this mean Nian’s Father King is in great danger?” Gu Changsheng spoke worriedly, finally understanding why Borjigin Nian seemed off yesterday and urged her about the wedding date today.

With Northern Mongolia in turmoil and the Northern Mongolian King in peril, as the only legitimate princess of Northern Mongolia, Borjigin Nian has no choice but to return to Northern Mongolia!

If the situation is urgent, her close friend is bound to miss her wedding!

”Things may not be as dire as we think; after all, he is the Northern Mongolian King. Anyone wanting to legitimately inherit the position of the head of the Qiyan Tribe would need his approval, so he probably has no worries about losing his identity at the moment,” Zhou Mu continued with a tight-lipped expression. ”On the contrary, if Junior Sister returns to Northern Mongolia, she becomes a weakness for the Northern Mongolian King. Moreover, she once helped you conquer the Southern Borders and became famous through that battle, which is bound to make her the target of many!”

”What can we do? We can’t leave now!” Gu Changsheng grew even more anxious upon hearing Zhou Mu’s words, seeing Borjigin Nian’s determination to return to Northern Mongolia.

”I don’t know. News from the Royal City in Northern Mongolia is difficult to obtain. My guesses are based on the troop movements at the border,” Zhou Mu shook his head. ”Perhaps the situation is not as bad as I speculated.”

Gu Changsheng sighed and shook her head, ”People who don’t have long-term concerns will have short-term worries. Since you can speculate about this scenario, there must be grounds for it...”

”Master! Master! How did you disappear again in the blink of an eye?”

As the two stood under the corridor whispering, a loud shout came from afar, followed by the plump figure of Yuan Bao.

”In such a solemn place as the Heavenly Palace, Yuan Bao, you act so rashly just because you’re big and my female officials can’t move you, right?” Gu Changsheng rolled her eyes as Yuan Bao approached hurriedly.

This Yuan Bao, he’s the one who always ruins any atmosphere; as heavy as the atmosphere may be, his appearance always changes the mood!

”Lady Changsheng, don’t blame Yuan Bao!” Yuan Bao patted his chest, caught his breath, and spoke earnestly, ”Lady Changsheng, Master, urgent news from the North has arrived, delivering a letter explicitly addressed for you to peruse.”

Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu were momentarily stunned, then without a word, both reached out to take the letter from Yuan Bao’s hand!

The two only needed a glance at the letter for their expressions to darken immediately. This letter had been sent out from Northern Mongolia with great difficulty by the Northern Mongolian King!

The letter bore one message: as Borjigin Nian’s father, he entrusted Borjigin Nian to her senior brother and close friend, Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu, imploring them to prevent Borjigin Nian from returning to Northern Mongolia at this critical time no matter what!

”If it weren’t a matter of life and death, the Northern Mongolian King would never make such a heartfelt request of you and me!” Gu Changsheng said with a serious expression, holding the letter, as she looked at Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu nodded; if it had only been his speculation earlier, then this letter undoubtedly confirmed his suspicions.

Northern Mongolia indeed has internal conflict due to the succession struggle!

And before this letter, Borjigin Nian had already met with the envoy from Northern Mongolia. Clearly, the envoy’s message differed from the letter!

”The envoy’s message yesterday likely urged Nian to return to Northern Mongolia soon as she is the Northern Mongolian King’s beloved child, his utmost concern and weakness. Calling her back to threaten the Northern Mongolian King is indeed a cunning scheme!” Gu Changsheng said coldly, angrily crumpling the letter in her hand into a ball!

”What do you intend to do?” Zhou Mu asked solemnly. ”Will you comply or not comply with the Northern Mongolian King’s plea?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng turned back immediately, ”Filial piety is the greatest virtue of mankind, and family bonds cannot be crossed. If I comply with the Northern Mongolian King’s request, after the internal conflict in Northern Mongolia, the Northern Mongolian King would cease to exist; thus, the bond between you, me, and Borjigin Nian would also reach its end! Evildoer, the Northern Mongolian King’s love for his daughter is moving, but I cannot help him!”