Chapter 243 Toughness (Second Update)
When the news reached the palace, the emperor was in his study discussing peace talks between the two countries with several ministers.
The State of Zhao had fought many battles with the State of Chen, which severely damaged its strength. Several years later, its treasury was still in a state of partial deficit. The State of Liang was so powerful that it did not take the State of Zhao seriously at all.
During these peace talks, the Liang Kingdom adopted an extremely firm stance, leaving no room for compromise.
The emperor and the elder statesmen were so worried that their hair turned white.
Suddenly, Prince Yu sent someone to deliver a message—Liang Kingdom could make concessions, on the condition that it only involved a child?
"What child?" the emperor asked.
The Liang envoy said, "He is an orphan. My lord and empress have taken a liking to the child and wish to adopt him. In return, my lord will try his best to make concessions in the peace talks."
"How much?" Grand Tutor Zhuang asked.
The minister of Liang smiled and took out a list from his wide sleeve.
Eunuch Wei stepped forward, took the list, and confirmed that it contained no poison or hidden weapons before presenting it to the emperor.
After the emperor reviewed it, he gave it to Grand Tutor Zhuang and others.
Grand Tutor Zhuang, Chief Minister Yuan, and other senior officials stared wide-eyed after reading it.
They couldn't believe it!
The original terms of the negotiations were that Liang would exchange its lime mortar technology for Zhao's bellows technology and glutinous rice mortar technology, and that a trade market would be opened between the two countries, with Liang's cheap handicrafts being exchanged for Zhao's high-quality silk and tea.
Now, a new art of glassmaking has been added. Glass is a unique craft of Liang Kingdom, exquisite and hard to come by. Among the six kingdoms, only the royal family is qualified to use glass. As for poor countries like Zhao Kingdom, they simply cannot afford it.
The allure of this technology is immense.
This at least shows the sincerity of the Liang Kingdom.
Legend has it that the State of Yan once coveted the glassmaking techniques of the State of Liang, but was rejected by the State of Liang.
The State of Yan is a superior state, and its status is no less than that of the State of Liang. The State of Liang did not pass on its technology to them, but instead passed it on to the State of Zhao. If word gets out, it may offend the State of Yan.
Does Prince Yu know what he is doing?
Is he acting so recklessly just because he is the son of the King of Liang?
"Could it be a trap?" an old minister asked.
The Liang envoy laughed sarcastically: "My lord's word is law; why would he need to play tricks on you?"
You dare to challenge me?!
It's like an elephant wanting to crush an insect; it can just step on it. Why bother jumping around to confuse it, dazzle it, and lower its guard?
Everyone thought that this made sense.
But... just for a child?
Everyone was truly baffled by Prince Yu's perplexing behavior.
The emperor was also puzzled. He did not rush to agree. He had a feeling that things were not simple. He told his ministers to go back first and left the Liang envoy behind for questioning.
"How could Prince Yu possibly take a fancy to an orphan from Zhao?" the emperor asked frankly.
The Liang envoy wasn't worried that the emperor would make exorbitant demands after learning the truth, since this Zhao emperor wasn't easily fooled. He relayed the words that Prince Yu had instructed him to say: "Does Your Majesty still remember the visit by Prince Yu and his consort five years ago?"
The emperor nodded: "Of course I remember."
The two countries said, "At that time, Princess Yu was pregnant and stayed in Zhao for several months until she gave birth before leaving."
"It is said that the child died young, and I was deeply saddened when I heard the news." The emperor said, his brow furrowing. "Could this matter be related to that child?"
The Liang envoy smiled and said, “My lord discovered by chance that the child was not dead and may have been rescued from the coffin years ago. Considering that your Zhao Kingdom has raised your lord’s son for many years, my lord made concessions in the peace talks as a form of repayment.”
If that's the case, then everything makes perfect sense.
The emperor nodded, but soon asked with some doubt, "Is he really Prince Yu's son?"
The Liang envoy said, "Could it be that my lord would pay such a high price for a fake son?"
The emperor also found it unlikely, and he asked again, "Where is that child now?"
The Liang envoy laughed and said, "She was adopted by a young female doctor at a clinic."
Upon hearing the word "medical clinic," a faint sense of unease crept into the emperor's heart: "Which medical clinic? Huichuntang?"
The Liang envoy smiled and said, "Ah, no, it's Miaoshoutang."
The emperor's expression changed.
After two afternoon classes, Xiao Jingkong was dismissed from school, and Gu Jiao went to the Imperial College to pick him up.
Xiao Jingkong thought it was Uncle Liu coming to pick him up, so he sighed and walked slowly. When he got to the door, he realized it was Gu Jiao and instantly felt like he had missed out on a million dollars!
I should have run faster! We didn't get to spend nearly as much time with Jiao Jiao!
"My darling, my darling!"
He trotted towards Gu Jiao with his short legs.
Gu Jiao bent down slightly and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Xiao Jingkong's forehead.
The temperature difference has been large lately, and it's quite cool in the mornings and evenings, so I had to wear a lot of clothes when I went out. But in the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and the little one was sweating profusely.
Gu Jiao touched his back; oh dear, his undershirt was completely soaked.
"Did you have another race this afternoon?" Gu Jiao asked.
"No, there was no race." Xiao Jingkong shook his head. "The Master taught us to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football)."
"Is it fun?" Gu Jiao asked.
"It's so much fun!" Xiao Jingkong was playing for the first time and found it very novel. "Some people play better than me; they've played it before."
Xiao Jingkong isn't a particularly competitive kid. Getting first place is the norm for him, and if he doesn't, he won't be discouraged for long. Especially when it comes to areas he's not familiar with, he usually learns humbly.
This is why, even though he and Xiao Liulang were constantly at odds, he still absorbed all the knowledge Xiao Liulang taught him like a sponge.
Gu Jiao took Xiao Jingkong directly to the clinic.
"Miss Gu, the patient is here." Xiao Sanzi came to the courtyard to urge Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao had just found Xiao Jingkong's clothes.
Xiao Jingkong obediently said, "Jiaojiao, you go ahead and do your work. I can change my clothes myself."
Gu Jiao said, "It might take a while."
Little Jingkong patted his chest: "It's okay, I can take care of myself! I'll do my homework after I change my clothes!"
How can there be such an obedient child?
Gu Jiao smiled knowingly and patted his little head: "Okay, there are some snacks on the table. Eat first if you're hungry."
Little Jingkong said cutely, "I'll wait for Jiaojiao to eat together!"
This child.
Gu Jiao's heart was completely melted by his cuteness.
Gu Jiao went to the consultation room.
She genuinely thought it was a sick person who had come, but unexpectedly it was Eunuch Wei, who served the emperor.
Eunuch Wei already knew about the emperor's exposure, but he didn't know that Gu Jiao had also guessed that the emperor was a syphilis patient in the county.
Of course, Gu Jiao herself wouldn't tell anyone.
Eunuch Wei chuckled awkwardly, "Miss Gu, this old servant has come here today to confirm something with you."
Gu Jiao looked at him: "What is it?"
Eunuch Wei chuckled dryly: "Is your clinic... the only female doctor?"
"Mm." Gu Jiao nodded.
Eunuch Wei thought to himself, "This is bad. It's over. His Majesty's guess has come true. What I feared most has come to pass. Why did Prince Yu have to choose the little miracle doctor of all people?"
"Why are you asking this?" Gu Jiao noticed that Eunuch Wei's expression was not quite right.
With a helpless sigh, Eunuch Wei said, "Miss Gu, you... you're in trouble!"
Eunuch Wei told Gu Jiao the whole story of how Prince Yu asked the Emperor for his son. There was nothing to embellish; the matter was too big to be discussed further.
Gu Jiao suddenly realized: "Hmm." No wonder he was so arrogant, saying that the whole capital couldn't protect her. So he's a prince of Liang Kingdom.
Eunuch Wei said earnestly, "His Majesty is actually in a difficult position. It's not that he's tempted by the conditions he offered, but rather that it's only natural for father and son to recognize each other. He can't stop him from taking his own son back. Miss Gu, don't you think that makes sense?"
Gu Jiao's gaze turned cold: "Just because he says he's his son doesn't mean he's his son."
Eunuch Wei said, "Isn't it obvious?"
Given Prince Yu's status and position, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for him to call a deer a horse, let alone acknowledge a son.
There's absolutely no need to talk about evidence in this kind of thing.
The peace terms he proposed are the most compelling evidence. From the highest officials to the common people of Zhao, I doubt anyone would disbelieve or disagree with them.
This is the benefit of absolute power.
No matter how capable an individual is, they are still just an individual; Prince Yu, however, represents an entire powerful nation.
Eunuch Wei sighed, "Miss Gu, don't blame His Majesty. He had no choice in the matter; he couldn't stop the father from taking his son back."
"I understand." Gu Jiao nodded lightly, stood up, and without saying anything more, opened the door of the consultation room and walked out.
Xiao Jingkong has changed into a dry set of casual clothes and is sitting at the small wooden table in the yard doing his homework.
The little boy sat up straight, looking extremely serious.
On the table sat a box of freshly baked pastries, their aroma filling the entire courtyard—his favorite jujube and osmanthus cake.
But he didn't eat a single bite; he wanted to wait for Jiaojiao to eat together.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
