Chapter 78 Not Enough Chips? Be Careful You Thank Me Too Soon, There Will Be More to Come...
He was a disciple personally taught by Dugu Loujun, while she was Loujun's adopted daughter.
This relationship was something Huan Xun specifically instructed her to remember on her way to the post station.
In addition, Huan Xun specifically instructed that their proposal to "cancel the marriage alliance" was not for any other reason than that Princess Shunhe's mother was a close friend of Dugu Loujun.
Back then, Dugu Loujun made a promise to his old friend that he would take care of her daughter and help her marry the man she loved.
In recent years, Dugu Loujun has been someone who doesn't concern herself with worldly affairs, but now that her old friend's daughter has made a request, she has no reason to stand idly by.
That's why they specifically sent the two of them to ensure this deal is finalized.
After Dulong explained his purpose, there was no sound from inside for a long time.
He guessed that the music was too loud, so he turned around and asked the two of them to wait a moment before turning around and pushing the door open to go inside.
Yu Nie and Huan Xun exchanged a glance, clenched their fists, and found their palms damp.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before Dulong came out of the house and invited them inside.
As soon as Yu Nie stepped across the threshold, she was nearly suffocated by a strong, almost pungent aroma.
Four ice chests were placed side by side in the center of the room, presumably because these people who lived in the cold northern frontier year-round could not bear the summer heat.
Instead, there are four ice chests, which is also quite particular.
The Jie people worship gods and value auspiciousness in everything they do. They even prefer even numbers and dislike odd numbers.
In this respect, it is quite similar to the traditional values of the people of the Central Plains.
The room's furnishings clearly show that it has been well-maintained, a style quite different from that of the residences of nobles in the Central Plains.
The screens, vases, and display shelves that are commonly seen are nowhere to be found here.
Instead, there are ornaments such as deer antlers and wolf heads hanging from the four corners, exuding a rugged and wild feel.
The ground was covered with snow leopard skin felt, the most beloved by the Jie people. The fluffy texture seemed strangely heavy in the current summer heat.
The dancers and musicians fell silent and retreated to the sides. The noisy music that had filled the room a moment ago suddenly ceased the moment they stepped in, leaving only a quiet room.
Dulong led them to the center of the room, first performing a standard Jie etiquette, and then announced loudly: "Teqin, these two are Dugu Loujun's disciple and adopted daughter."
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie quickly followed Huan Xun's example and performed a salute using the Jie ethnic customs to express his respect.
After performing the ceremony, she used the mask to her advantage and looked up at the people on the steps.
The special agent sat behind a long table, on which sat a vajra, a common talisman used in the Jie shamanism for warding off evil. The man behind the table had high eyebrows and deep-set eyes, a very imposing face, and his clothing and hairstyle had a strong exotic flair. A dancer leaned against him.
When he looked them up, his gaze was anything but warm; instead, it was sharp and scrutinizing.
After scrutinizing them for a while, he touched the dancer's hair and gestured for her to step back.
Dulong was also very perceptive and waved everyone away.
After everyone had left, the room door was closed again.
The man then spoke up: "The medicine you offered to Dulong is indeed remarkably effective."
Two days ago, after she ordered Cuiwei to send prickly pear juice to Huan Xun, he hardly wasted any time. Taking advantage of all the information she revealed, he impersonated a disciple of Dugu Loujun and came to the post station. After stating his identity and purpose, he presented prickly pear juice to Du Long, claiming that it was a new medicine for treating scurvy that his master, Dugu Loujun, had concocted.
The Jie people didn't believe him easily after he simply explained his identity. It wasn't until he mentioned "vitamin C" and "fruit extract" and talked about the medical book that Dulong believed him.
After all, ordinary people wouldn't know these things. Besides, he never mentioned Dugu Loujun's name in front of outsiders, always referring to her as "the female itinerant doctor."
Even though he was a disciple of Dugu Loujun, Dulong would never dare to give this medicine directly to their special agents.
To ensure safety, Dulong first ordered a low-ranking guard who was also ill to test the drug, and sent people to keep a close eye on his reaction.
After the guard drank the medicine, the swelling and pain in his knees lessened in less than an hour. By the end of the night, the pain was almost completely gone, and his gums stopped bleeding.
Even so, Dulong was still not at ease, so he ordered another trusted guard to test the medicine and secretly observed him all night to confirm that there were no signs of poisoning. It wasn't until the next morning that he personally tasted a small half cup, and by noon, he indeed felt that his long-standing joint pain had eased up a bit, and the swelling in his hands had subsided considerably.
Only then did he secretly report the matter to their special operations team.
Upon hearing this, their agents, out of doubt, refused to believe it. They summoned their personal physician to test the medicine and then ordered a servant to taste it. By the evening of the following day, the servant not only felt better but also experienced a significant relief from his pain. Only then did the agents dare to take it.
Once the medication took effect, the excruciating pain that had tormented him for days finally subsided. The special agent was overjoyed and finally agreed to see Yu Nie.
As soon as he finished speaking, the man said slowly, "I forgot to mention that I am the second son of the Great Khan, Helian Hu Mengxun, a special officer of the royal tent. You can call me 'Special Officer Mengxun'."
Before they could speak, Mengxun continued, "Dulong said that you want to use this pear syrup to exchange for my tribe canceling the marriage alliance with the emperor..."
Calling the prickly pear juice "Danli Juice" was Huan Xun's idea. He gave it this weighty name simply to convince people that this medicine was not something that could be made casually; there were certain intricacies and methods involved.
Having said that, Meng Xun gripped the wine glass on the table, leaned forward, and looked at them with an overwhelming sense of pressure: "You two... do you know what you're saying?"
Having come this far, Yu Nie steeled his heart, stepped forward, and replied, "Of course I know that this matter is not child's play. It would be reckless for your country to ask the Emperor to cancel the marriage alliance."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Back then, my mother treated your Khan's scurvy without taking a single penny, relying entirely on 'righteousness'; now, to fulfill the last wish of our old friend, my mother sent the two of us here to discuss this matter, also for the sake of this 'righteousness'."
She had inquired about Dugu Loujun's rescue of the Jie people yesterday before coming here.
Fortunately, she had done her homework, otherwise she really wouldn't know how to defend herself.
"I think the Secret Service, with its capabilities, can certainly understand why my mother did what she did."
Mengxun scrutinized her for a long time, but instead of responding to her question, he asked, "Are you the one who can make pear syrup?"
Huan Xun described her as the only person besides Dugu Loujun who knew how to make pear syrup, otherwise the Jie people would not have received her.
He had already told her this information on the way here, so Yu Nie was not surprised by it.
Yu Nie replied, "It is indeed I."
Mengxun suddenly grinned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. With just a glance, the guards surrounded the two like an iron barrel, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
“In that case, it saves me some trouble.” He twirled the wine cup in his hand: “If I capture you and bring you back to Da Que, I won’t have to worry about not being able to make this Danli Juice, and it will save me from having to fall out with the Emperor of Bei Ye.”
Yu Nie and Huan Xun glanced at the Jie guards around them, who had drawn their scimitars.
Her heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged. Huan Xun gazed at Meng Xun on the steps, uttering not a single unnecessary word.
The next instant, he moved swiftly, and muffled thuds of bones snapping rang out one after another. In the blink of an eye, the guards who had surrounded him were clutching their abdomens or throats, collapsing to the ground one after another, their groans of pain mingling with the clanging of sword hilts hitting the ground.
Seeing this, Yu Nie used his thumb to open the stopper of the water bottle at his waist, poured the water inside onto the felt, and then sprinkled some water to ignite it. Suddenly, blue and red flames shot up.
Amidst the crackling of the flames, the two stood side by side beside the firelight, their movements perfectly synchronized and without any disturbance.
Dulong quickly directed the people to put out the fire.
After the flames were extinguished, a plume of smoke rose from the room. Dulong directed the guards to open the door, and the patrolling guards outside surrounded them.
They didn't utter a single word throughout the entire process, but their actions said it all.
They made it clear to Mengxun that they could not take her away by force.
Monson witnessed all of this and naturally received the message they wanted to convey; he was not stupid.
After the smoke cleared, he waved away the men who surrounded him and then ordered Dulong to close the door again.
Meng Xun smiled meaningfully and said, "This Lord Dugu Lou is indeed extraordinary. Not only is he skilled himself, but he is also surrounded by hidden talents. Even the people who follow him have some real skills."
His tone turned slightly somber, and he changed the subject: "But you want to exchange a few bottles of pear syrup for the annulment of the marriage agreement and even ask us to pass through Beiye. This is not an equal exchange. If you want us to take the initiative to break off the engagement and at the same time fulfill our promise to the emperor, you must offer something more substantial than a marriage alliance."
A few bottles of pear juice were no match for the huge risk of canceling the marriage alliance; Yu Nie and Huan Xun understood this unspoken difference.
Knowing that he didn't have enough leverage, Yu Nie composed himself and began to explain the better terms that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.
She deliberately lowered her voice, pretending to be calm and composed: "The special agent is right. My mother instructed that as long as you agree to our request, we are willing to send all the improved prickly pear seeds, which are the main raw material for prickly pear juice, to your esteemed residence."
"Improved prickly pear seeds?" Meng Xunmei asked, his tone filled with confusion, as if he were hearing about such a thing for the first time.
"good."
She explained, "Da Que is located in the frigid northern Xinjiang region, while the prickly pear tree originally grew in the humid and hot Lingnan region. The native seeds are difficult to survive in the soil of northern Xinjiang, but the ones my mother improved can."
After saying that, she took out a bulging purse from her sleeve and handed it to Dulong: "These are the 'deposit'. I'll give you three big bags after the deal is done."
She strolled with her hands behind her back, seemingly relaxed: "The special agents have already seen our medicine. Your country is suffering from scurvy. With these seeds, you can plant them yourself and, combined with my prescription, you can completely get rid of this stubborn disease."
She paused, turned her gaze, and looked directly at him: "Marrying a princess may elevate one's status, but compared to completely solving the problem of survival, which is more worthwhile? I'm sure you know the answer."
As soon as she finished speaking, Monson stopped swirling his wine glass.
While marriage alliances may bring glory to the Great Kingdom, scurvy, a dreaded disease, can cripple many of its subjects each year, and even members of the royal family often die suddenly from it.
Honor is illusory, but the seeds of the prickly pear represent real vitality.
He glanced at the purse in Dulong's hand. The prickly pear of Lingnan can bear fruit in cold regions... If it really comes true, the people on this frozen land may no longer have to watch their loved ones cough up blood and die from scurvy.
Compared to a meaningless identity, the foundation for survival is the true essence of a nation.
Moreover... Moreover, this disease has long been a source of worry for his father, the Great Khan. If this matter succeeds, and the prickly pear seeds take root and bear fruit in Da Que, completely eradicating scurvy, whose good will the people remember? Whose side will the court officials take?
The answer is self-evident.
His influence within the royal family will only increase.
The marriage alliance only brings temporary political prestige, but the seeds will allow him to grasp real popular support and power.
He took the seeds from Dulong and weighed them in his hand. These might not only be a cure, but also a bargaining chip that would allow him to surpass his brothers and gain a foothold in the royal family.
Seeing that he didn't give an answer for a long time.
Yu Nie and Huan Xun looked at each other for a moment, then turned their attention back to the person above them.
After an unknown amount of time, they finally heard a voice: "I have accepted the seeds. As for what you asked, you will receive the answer you seek in three days."
After saying this, he turned to Du Long and said, "See the guest out."
Upon hearing that the deal was done, Yu Nie froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Seeing her standing there in a daze, Huan Xun quietly nudged her with his elbow. She then snapped out of her reverie and quickly bowed to thank him.
She walked out of the post station in a daze, her heart filled with a mixture of surprise and joy, a complete mess. Even after she was put into the carriage, she remained in a daze, forgetting to even remove the mask from her face.
As the carriage drove away from the post station, Huan Xun raised his hand and plucked off the fake mustache stuck to his lips.
Seeing that she still hadn't taken off her mask, he said, "Are you still too shocked to react, or too overjoyed to even take off your mask?"
His voice pierced her ears, and Yu Nie snapped back to reality, raising her hand to lift her mask up.
Her face flushed with excitement, her eyes shone like starlight, and tiny sparkles danced in them as she looked at him with joyful eyes, her brows twitching with delight.
As he gazed at her vibrant and lively face, an indescribable and strange feeling quietly spread through his heart.
He looked away, as if trying to avoid something.
The next second, without warning, her hand clenched around his, her palm trembling with joy, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "We succeeded, Huan Xun."
Her voice still carried a hint of relief mixed with lingering fear: "I didn't expect him to agree to our conditions so easily; I thought it would take a long time to negotiate."
His gaze fell on their clasped hands, then swept over her slender, fair wrist. He remained silent for a moment, then withdrew his hand without making a sound.
Yu Nie then realized that she had lost her composure; her excitement had made her forget the boundaries between the two of them.
She recoiled as if burned, retreating to her original position with a sullen expression. She even subconsciously shrank back, as if afraid that he might have the idea of cutting her because of this slight transgression.
He had no intention of settling scores with her: "The Jie people have suffered from this terrible disease for many years. Their Khan has sought out many famous doctors to solve the problem of the Great Que, but in the end, he has not been able to achieve his wish."
He said, "There is no deal that cannot be made in this world; it only depends on whether it aligns with the other party's interests. If an agreement cannot be reached, it simply means that the bargaining chips are not heavy enough and the benefits are not tempting enough."
She asked curiously, "How do you know that the Khan is secretly seeking out renowned doctors?"
She came to the conclusion that the Jie people were suffering from scurvy from the joint protruding from Dulong's neck at Yongxing Temple that day, and from hearing that many members of the visiting delegation had the disease.
Even their special agents have this disease, so you can imagine that ordinary Jie people must not be having an easy time.
Huan Xun seemed to remember something and said, "I followed my adoptive father when I was eight years old, and I was in the northern frontier until I was thirteen. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' I have been to many tribal khanates by myself under a false identity. Their Khan's search for a famous doctor is not a secret in Da Que."
Before the age of thirteen... he was clearly just a half-grown child.
Looking at his calm profile, Yu Nie suddenly remembered that when she was in Huaiyuan, her uncle Cui Miaochang had said that the further north she went, the more difficult the road became, and there were many wild animals roaming around.
A teenager venturing so far alone? She couldn't suppress her surprise and asked, "Aren't you scared?"
“I’m not afraid.” His voice trailed off with a hint of nonchalance. “If I were afraid, I wouldn’t be alive today.”
Yu Nie remained silent. Only she could guess how much unspoken danger was hidden in that seemingly casual remark.
She never expected him to do so much in order to fight the war.
However, she still had a question: "You went to live with your godfather after you turned eight. Before you turned eight, were you in... Jian'an?"
Upon hearing this, he turned his head to look at her, his eyes deep and dark, as if countless fragments of images were churning within them, and too many scenes flashed through his mind.
He didn't answer immediately. He raised his hand and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, his gaze falling on the cold moon hanging outside the window. The moonlight fell into his eyes, but there was no warmth in it.
"Would you believe me if I said I was running for my life back then?"
Without a second thought, Yu Nie shook his head: "You're just a kid, who would want to hunt you down? Don't lie to me."
She remembered that he came from a military family, whose social status was even lower than that of ordinary people. They lived a very frugal life, and it was already difficult for them to survive peacefully.
Who would want to mess with a child like that?
Yu Nie pursed his lips, assuming that he was just making excuses and not telling the truth.
However, she didn't mind. After all, she had resolved a major concern, and she was happier than anyone else at that moment.
She held the half-mask in her hand, smiling as she looked at him: "To be honest, I have to thank you for making today's success possible."
"What are you thanking me for?" It seems he asked her the same question when they were in Huaiyuan.
Yu Nie said, "Thank you so much. You saved me a lot of trouble and did a great job. You even gave me some water-based medicine on the way here today to save my life."
She never expected it would come in handy while she was at the post station.
After she finished speaking, he lowered the curtain, turned back to look at her, and said with a slight smirk, "Be careful not to thank me too soon, or you'll regret it later."
Yu Nie shook her head dismissively, looking directly into his eyes with crystal clarity: "No matter what happens in the future, I am sincere right now. At least for now, you have indeed done a good deed."
The person before me had a sincere gaze, without a trace of pretense.
He didn't say anything more, stared into her eyes for a moment, and then looked away.
*
Post station.
After Yu Nie and the others left, Du Long stepped forward, his face full of worry, and bowed, saying, "Special Agent, you canceled the marriage alliance without authorization. Aren't you afraid that the Great Khan will blame you?"
Mengxun tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. He seemed to be deep in thought: "You know how long scurvy has plagued Father. Father is devoted to the country. If he knew that this incurable disease could be cured, he would definitely make the same choice as me."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Even if there is to be punishment when we get back, it will be me. The envoy need not worry."
But Dulong remained deeply worried: "Being punished is secondary; even if the Great Khan were to punish me, it wouldn't matter."
“But…” Dulong then raised the most troublesome issue: “How will you inform the Emperor of Beiye about canceling the marriage alliance? This is no small matter; a single misstep could lead to a major mistake.”
Mengxun, however, seemed unconcerned: "Within Beiye, powerful figures are vying for power, and outside, Nanyin is eyeing us covetously, while the Xiutu Khanate is restraining us. As long as we don't damage his reputation, this matter may not be unsolvable."
"You have a solution?" Dulong guessed upon hearing his words.
"Go to the Imperial Medical Bureau tonight to have my pulse checked, and tell them that I am in unbearable pain in my chest."
"Tomorrow I will ask the high priest to set up an altar for divination. After the will of Heaven is revealed, I will personally bring my father's 'letter' to the palace for an audience."
Dulong seemed still puzzled as to why he did this.
Mengxun got up and walked out from behind the desk: "My health has been basically not good since I entered the capital. If we add tonight's illness, a bad divination, and the letter written by my father, which mentions that Da Que was suddenly struck by lightning."
His tone grew somber: "Three unusual phenomena—who can say they weren't caused by the marriage alliance angering the gods, thus incurring divine punishment?"
"I will explain that a marriage alliance is an honor, but I fear the gods will not approve and it may bring disaster. It would be better to postpone the marriage indefinitely. The Jie people are still willing to risk their lives to grant him passage. As for the matter of the two countries forming a new alliance, we will discuss it again after the gods grant their approval, and then choose a suitable candidate."
It is well known that the Jie people have always valued oracles, and this is a fact that is easy to believe.
Dulong hesitated for a moment, then added, "If the emperor inquires further..."
Mengxun replied, "Then say that the Jie tribe is willing to offer two hundred warhorses and fifty cartloads of animal hides as a 'gift to ward off evil,' and then ask the high priest to pray for His Majesty's well-being for ten days. He has gained both practical benefits and prestige, so why insist on a marriage with an ominous sign?"
Dulong nodded, but his brows remained furrowed.
Monson had already made his decision and, without waiting for him to speak, dismissed him, saying, "Go and carry out the order."
Knowing that he would not change his mind, Dulong could only bow and say, "Your humble servant obeys."
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Author's Note: The previous chapter has been revised, postponing Huan Xun's visit to Yu Nie by two days.
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