Chapter 125 Mission to Nanzhao
On this day, the princess of Nanzhao requested a private audience with the emperor.
Inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Lou Qingtian gazed intently at Arno, who was bowing respectfully below.
"What brings the princess to see me?" The emperor's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
Arno raised his head, his expression calm, but his eyes revealed a resolute determination: "Your Majesty, Arno has come today to clarify the previous matter of the marriage alliance and, on behalf of Nanzhao, to earnestly request Your Majesty on one matter."
"Oh?" The emperor raised an eyebrow slightly. "Please speak, Princess."
"The previous proposal to marry His Highness Prince Yan was neither Arno's intention nor that of my brother."
Arno's voice was clear, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness, "This is a scheme devised by my uncle Wumeng, also known as the Shadow Serpent leader Zhulong, to disrupt the Dasheng court and facilitate his actions in Nanzhao."
"He intended to use the pretext of a marriage alliance to trap me in the Dasheng Kingdom, leaving me unable to escape, so that he could seize the opportunity to annex Nanzhao."
A knowing glint flashed in the emperor's eyes. He had suspected this all along, and now that Arno had confirmed it himself, the last bit of doubt in his heart dissipated.
"Now that Wumeng has been executed, what is the Princess's intention in bringing this up?"
"Although Wumeng is dead, he has been operating in Nanzhao for many years, and his remnants have not been eliminated. His followers are still around, and the domestic situation is turbulent."
Arno's tone turned firm, "Arno humbly requests Your Majesty to dispatch Prince Yan and Physician Yu to Nanzhao to help Arno stabilize the situation and eliminate the remaining rebels!"
This request greatly surprised the emperor.
He originally thought Arno would ask Lou Jin for help again, after all, Lou Jin had just made great contributions in the southwest and knew the Shadow Serpent best.
"King Jin knows the Shadow Serpent very well, why not invite him to go?" The emperor asked directly, voicing his doubts.
“Although King Yan is capable, he is probably not as thorough as King Jin in planning political affairs.”
Arno seemed to have been prepared, and calmly replied, "Your Majesty is wise. There are three reasons for requesting His Highness Prince Yan and Physician Yu."
"Firstly, when Physician Yu traveled to Nanzhao many years ago, he once saved the life of my late king by chance. He has been kind to the Nanzhao royal family and is deeply respected by some of the old ministers. Having him come forward will better appease people's hearts and reduce resistance."
“Secondly,” Arno’s expression turned serious.
"According to a secret report we received a few days ago, there is a suspected outbreak of plague in the capital of Nanzhao and surrounding towns. The situation is unclear and the people are terrified. The divine physician Yu is a master of medicine. If he were to go and take charge, investigate the epidemic, and control the situation, we could stabilize the people's hearts and prevent the situation from deteriorating further."
"Thirdly," she paused, looking at the emperor.
"His Highness Prince Yan has commanded troops for many years and his prestige has shaken the Northwest. His reputation for being resolute, decisive, and strict in military discipline has also been heard in Nanzhao."
"Having him lead the elite troops will not only deter the villains and help wipe out the remnants of the Shadow Serpents, but also help maintain order and deal with possible unrest. Moreover, it is safer for Your Highness to travel with Physician Yu, so that they can look after each other."
After listening to Arno's clear and logical explanation, the emperor felt enlightened and was also secretly amazed by the woman's meticulous thinking and judgment of the situation.
Sending Lou Yan and Yu Beichen together would allow them to utilize Yu Beichen's medical skills and reputation to solve the immediate crisis, while also leveraging Lou Yan's military might to stabilize the situation. It was indeed a wise move.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the dragon throne.
He was weighing the options and making a judgment.
Seeing that the emperor was interested, Arno pressed his advantage: "Your Majesty, if you agree, help Arno quell the internal strife and stabilize Nanzhao. Arno hereby swears that after the matter is accomplished, Nanzhao will submit to Dasheng and become a vassal state forever, paying tribute every year and coming to court every year, with absolutely no disloyalty!"
Silence fell once again in the Imperial Study.
The emperor's gaze was fixed on Arno, as if scrutinizing the truthfulness of her vow.
Arno faced the situation calmly, took out a seal inlaid with a peacock blue gemstone from his pocket, and presented it with both hands: "This is the seal of the eldest princess of my Nanzhao dynasty. It can mobilize some of the royal guards and can also prove my identity and determination at critical moments."
"Arno is willing to sign this in blood! Once the country is pacified, if Arno is able to inherit the throne, he will immediately submit a letter of submission!"
Looking at the seal and listening to Arno's promise as the future queen, the emperor knew that this was also a condition he could not refuse.
Without bloodshed, Nanzhao was brought into the tributary system, and it was at their own request.
"Please rise, Princess." The Emperor's voice softened considerably.
"This matter is of great importance, and I need to discuss it with Prince Yan, Mr. Yu, and all the ministers. However... the princess cares deeply for the people of Nanzhao and understands the greater good, which greatly comforts me."
Arno knew that the matter was mostly settled, and felt somewhat relieved. He kowtowed again and said, "On behalf of the people of Nanzhao, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
When Lou Yan and Yu Beichen learned of this request from the emperor, they were both quite surprised.
Lou Yan, in particular, never expected to be chosen to go to Nanzhao.
After the emperor explained Arno's reasons, he looked at Lou Yan and Yu Beichen: "Yan'er, Beichen, what do you think?"
Away from the troubles of the capital, heading side by side to a place where they are needed, perhaps... is exactly what they need right now.
Lou Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice steady and powerful: "Your subject is willing to go! I will do my utmost to help Princess Anning stabilize Nanzhao, eliminate the remaining rebels, and uphold the prestige of our Great Sheng Kingdom!"
Yu Beichen also bowed and said, "This humble subject has an inescapable duty to go to Nanzhao and do my best to control the epidemic and save the people."
Looking at the two men standing side by side, the emperor's last lingering concerns vanished.
Letting them go out and gain experience, and achieve success together, would actually be a better choice.
"Very well! In that case, I grant the princess's request! I appoint Prince Louyan as the chief envoy and Yu Beichen as the deputy envoy. They shall make preparations immediately and depart for Nanzhao at a later date to assist the princess of Nanzhao in quelling the internal strife."
When Lou Jin learned that the emperor had finally decided to send Lou Yan and Yu Beichen as envoys to Nanzhao, a hint of doubt arose in his heart.
He immediately went to the Prince Yan's residence.
Inside the Prince's study, Lou Yan and Yu Beichen were examining maps and intelligence about Nanzhao, clearly preparing for their trip.
"Brother," Lou Jin said bluntly, "has Father decided to send you and Mr. Yu to Nanzhao?"
He wasn't questioning his elder brother's abilities, but he felt there was something strange about the matter.
Lou Yan put down the map in his hand, looked at Lou Jin, and said calmly, "It's true. The imperial decree has been issued, and we will set off soon."
"Why you, Your Majesty?" Lou Jin asked, voicing his doubts. "In terms of understanding the Shadow Serpent and familiarity with the affairs of the Southwest, I should be more suitable. Why did Princess Arno specifically request Your Majesty to go? Moreover, the situation in Nanzhao is unclear, and there is a plague raging. This trip may be risky."
Before Lou Yan could answer, Yu Beichen's cold voice rang out: "Is His Highness Prince Jin worried about our safety?"
Lou Jin looked at Yu Beichen and said sincerely, "Mr. Yu's medical skills are superb, and Your Majesty's martial arts and strategies are also extraordinary. I naturally trust you. However, I feel that this matter is somewhat sudden, and I would like to ask Your Majesty for an explanation."
Lou Yan gestured for Lou Jin to sit down before slowly saying, "I had the same doubts as you at first. After receiving the Emperor's summons, I privately asked Princess Arno about it."
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