latelenovela Chapter 962 Gu Liang is the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination! The imperial envoy is
Chapter 962 Gu Liang is the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination! The imperial envoy is
"..."
Wanyan Zonghan stood on a hill, his gaze fixed on the south.
That was Pingzhou in the Great Wu Dynasty, in the direction of that vast trading place called the Anguohou Trading Company.
Behind him were his clansmen, who were busy at work.
The men drove the plump cattle and sheep into the pen, while the women dried the last of the meat outside the yurt.
The children were all dressed in thick cotton clothes, and their faces were radiant with health.
The tribe's warehouse was piled high with snow-white salt and enough grain.
All this peace and prosperity was something he couldn't have imagined at this time last year.
All these changes stemmed from trade with Marquis Bailu of Anguo.
For the first time, Wanyan Zonghan felt a complex mix of emotions towards that powerful southern nation, beyond mere hostility.
He no longer saw it merely as an adversary to be plundered, but rather saw another possibility.
He turned and strode toward the largest tent in the center of the tribe.
That was Wanyan Xiyin's residence.
The heavy felt curtain was lifted, and a waft of air mixed with the scent of ink and warmth rushed out.
Wanyan Xiyin was sitting behind a low table, intently looking at an old bamboo scroll by the light of a candle.
Hearing the noise, Wanyan Xiyin raised her head.
Wanyan Zonghan did not speak, but sat down directly opposite Wanyan Xiyin.
He grabbed the teapot on the table with his thick fingers, poured himself a bowl of warm milk tea, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Xi Yin, I've thought about it for a long time."
Wanyan Zonghan spoke, his voice low and deep...
He rarely spoke in such a serious tone, except when it concerned the life and death of the entire tribe.
Wanyan Xiyin put down the bamboo slip in his hand, leaned forward slightly, and looked at him intently.
He knew that what Wanyan Zonghan was about to say would be very important.
“Look at our tribe, what does it look like now?” Wanyan Zonghan asked.
Wanyan Xiyin peered out through the gaps in the tent.
He could hear children laughing and women talking.
"Our people have enough to eat and warm clothes. This winter, no more elderly people or children will freeze to death."
"Yes."
Wanyan Zonghan nodded heavily.
"All of this was given to us by Marquis Anguo. It was given to us by the Marquis Anguo Trading Company. We traded horses and furs for a life we never dared to dream of before."
"But have you ever considered what would happen if one day she stopped trading with us?"
This problem caused the air inside the tent to freeze instantly.
Wanyan Xiyin's expression turned serious.
He had certainly thought about this issue; it was precisely what had been troubling him these past few days.
Their tribe had become accustomed to this new way of life and could never go back.
The tribe's dependence on the Anguohou Trading Company had become its lifeline.
"You go on."
Wanyan Xiyin's voice was somewhat hoarse.
“We Jurchens have been fighting on the grasslands for over a hundred years. Today I annex you, tomorrow he annexes me.”
"why?"
"For the grasslands, for the cattle and sheep, for survival."
"Now, we have a better way of living."
"Look at those small tribes, the way they look at us is full of longing..."
"They crave our salt, our cloth, everything we have."
Wanyan Zonghan paused here, as if organizing his thoughts.
“We cannot rely on the goodwill of Marquis Anguo alone forever. She is a marquis, but the emperor is above her.”
"If the emperor of Dawu issues an order to close the border, what should we do? Go back to living a primitive life? Our people will not agree to that."
Wanyan Xiyin listened in silence.
He knew that although Wanyan Zonghan acted roughly, he had a keen eye for the core of the problem.
"So, I've come up with a solution. A solution that will allow us to live in peace and stability for a long time."
Wanyan Zonghan looked at Wanyan Xiyin and said, word by word.
"We submit to the Great Wu and become their vassal state."
Upon uttering these words, Wanyan Zonghan himself felt a pang of fear.
For a tribal leader who reveres strength and is inherently proud, it takes immense courage to utter the words "submission."
Wanyan Xiyin's body jolted violently. He raised his head, his eyes filled with shock.
He never expected that this idea would come from Wanyan Zonghan's mouth.
In fact, this thought had also crossed his mind before.
He had this idea when he was reading those history books of the Great Wu, and when he saw how those vassal states thrived under the protection of the Great Wu.
But he dared not say it, because it would violate the traditions and pride of the Jurchen people.
"You... really think so?"
Wanyan Xiyin's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"I really think so."
Wanyan Zonghan's answer was resolute.
"To submit sounds like bowing down. But what do we gain? We gain the formal recognition of the Great Wu Emperor. Our trade will no longer be a private transaction, but an exchange between nations that no one can easily sever."
“We can secure a stable border, allowing us to develop our ranches and population with peace of mind. We can even send our children to schools in the south to learn their language and technology.”
Wanyan Zonghan stood up and paced back and forth inside the tent.
He was a little emotional.
"Xi Yin, face is not important. What's most important is that the people of your tribe live well."
"Instead of letting our descendants continue to fight for a few bones on the grassland, it is better for our generation to bow our heads and exchange a century of peace for them."
Wanyan Xiyin closed his eyes.
Every word Wanyan Zonghan said struck a chord in his heart.
Deep within him, the rationality of a wise man told him that Wanyan Zonghan was right.
He thought of Marquis Anguo, Bailu.
That woman, using salt, sugar, cloth, and quilts, accomplished without bloodshed what no general in the history of the Great Wu had ever failed to do.
She showed them another civilization... and in the face of this civilization, simply resisting it will only lead to being crushed in the end.
Integration is the only way out.
After a long while, Wanyan Xiyin opened her eyes. The last trace of confusion in her eyes had dissipated, replaced by clarity and determination.
"it is good."
He said only one word.
But this one word determined the future direction of the entire Jurchen tribe.
“I agree. We must discuss this with Marquis Anguo. She is the only one who can help us in this matter.”
Three days later, in the backyard of the Anguo Marquis's Trading Company in Yong'an City, Pingzhou.
Bai Lu is reviewing the accounts from various regions that Shangguan Fusheng has sent over.
The business was now fully on track, and profits were snowballing.
A guard came in to announce that Wanyan Xiyin of the Jurchens was requesting an audience.
Bai Lu put down the ledger, a knowing glint in her eyes.
She knew that the time she had been waiting for had finally arrived.
In the reception room, Bai Lu met Wanyan Xiyin.
He looked somewhat travel-worn and had a serious expression.
"Mr. Wanyan, please have a seat."
Bai Lu smiled and gestured, then personally poured him a cup of hot tea.
Wanyan Xiyin didn't stand on ceremony. He held the teacup, feeling the warmth in his palm, as if giving himself some courage.
"Lord Anguo, I have come here today to discuss a major matter concerning the future of my Jurchen tribe with you."
Bai Lu nodded and listened quietly without interrupting.
Her calm demeanor eased Wanyan Xiyin's tension somewhat.
“I have discussed this with our leader, Wanyan Zonghan. We... we, the Wanyan tribe, are willing to lead all the Jurchen tribes to submit to Da Wu and become a vassal state of Da Wu.”
After saying this, Wanyan Xiyin stared intently at Bailu's face, trying to discern something from her expression.
A genuine joy appeared on Bai Lu's face.
She showed no surprise whatsoever, as if everything was within her expectations.
“This is a great thing.”
She said happily.
"Da Wu is a friendly country, and we welcome any neighboring country that is willing to coexist peacefully. It is a blessing for the Jurchen tribes and for Da Wu that Mr. Wanyan and Chief Zonghan have made this decision."
Bai Lu's sincere attitude completely put Wanyan Xiyin at ease.
He had prepared many arguments and various bargaining options, but now it seems that none of them are needed.
"So... what are the conditions from the Great Wu side?"
Wanyan Xiyin asked tentatively.
There are no conditions.
Bai Lu shook her head, her tone relaxed.
"We only need one promise. We hope that after the Jurchen tribes become a vassal state of our dynasty, they will restrain their people and stop harassing the people on the border of Pingzhou, so that the people of both places can live and work in peace and exchange goods."
This condition was not a condition at all for Wanyan Xiyin.
Since they began trading with the Marquis of Anguo, they have proactively taken on the responsibility of maintaining border order.
“Of course! My Wanyan tribe can guarantee that no one will ever set foot on the border of Pingzhou. We are willing to form an alliance with Dawu Yong.”
Wanyan Xiyin immediately made the promise.
"it is good."
Bai Lu stood up.
"In that case, I will immediately write a letter and send it to the capital by express courier to report this matter to the Emperor. The Emperor will be very happy to hear this news."
"As is customary, the imperial court will send an envoy as an imperial commissioner to discuss the specific matters of investiture with you. You can go back and prepare now."
After receiving a definite answer, Wanyan Xiyin left satisfied.
Bai Lu watched his departing figure, her smile deepening.
From delivering goods to changing lifestyles, and now to her voluntary submission, everything is part of her plan.
This trade route in the north finally brought her her first and most important political reward!
The report on Bailu arrived in the capital half a month later, delivered by fast horse.
When the emperor saw this report from Pingzhou in his study, he was overjoyed.
He looked at it several times and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Excellent! Well done, Marquis Anguo!"
"Without shedding blood, my Great Wu subdued the long-standing thorn in the side of the Northern Territory."
"This is an unparalleled achievement!"
The emperor repeatedly praised the chief eunuch beside him.
"Immediately draft an imperial edict to richly reward Marquis Anguo. Furthermore, this matter is of great importance, and a capable envoy must be dispatched to bestow the title."
"Who do you think would be suitable to send?"
The cabinet secretaries present looked at each other.
This is a tremendous achievement; whoever goes there will get a share of the credit.
Ultimately, the emperor made the decision himself.
"Let's send Gu Liang, the third-ranked scholar of this year's imperial examination."
“He is young and promising, and as the heir of the Duke of Anguo, his status is high enough. Let him serve as the chief imperial envoy for this investiture, and go to Pingzhou to handle this matter with the Marquis of Anguo.”
The imperial edict caused a stir throughout the court.
No one expected that this tremendous achievement would fall on the head of a young man who had just entered officialdom.
As a result, the Duke of Anguo's mansion once again became the focus of attention in the capital...
When Bailu received the news from Kyoto, it was already early winter.
In the letter, the emperor praised her highly and bestowed upon her countless gold and silver treasures.
But Bailu didn't care about any of these things.
Her gaze was drawn to the name at the end of the letter.
The Imperial Envoy, the Third-Rank Scholar, Gu Liang.
Bai Lu held the letter, remaining silent for a long time.
Only then did she realize that he had already become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination.
Gu Liang...
Is he doing well now?
He was recognized as a relative of Duke Anguo, became the heir apparent, and was also a newly appointed third-ranked scholar, with a promising future ahead of him.
He must be a thousand times better than that poor young student who couldn't even afford to eat back then.
Half a month later, the imperial envoy's entourage slowly arrived in Pingzhou.
Bai Lu stood at the city gate to greet them.
She saw at the very front of the procession, a lone rider slowly approaching.
The person was still dressed in white, appearing particularly aloof in the winter sunlight.
His face looked more mature than before, the immaturity of his youth gone, replaced by a more composed demeanor.
But those eyes remained clear and bright, just like they were back then...
I don't know why, but seeing old friends again during the White Dew season always brings a bittersweet feeling to my heart.
Gu Liang stopped a few steps away from Bai Lu and dismounted.
He looked at the woman in front of him.
She was dressed in the official robes of a marquis, her posture upright, her brows exuding an air of authority and composure born of long-standing power.
"Your humble servant Gu Liang pays his respects to Marquis Anguo."
He bowed respectfully to her, as if he were a subordinate.
Bai Lu looked at him, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Lord Gu, there's no need for such formalities."
Her voice was calm.
"You must be tired from your journey. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your travels."
That evening, in the back garden of the Marquis of Anguo's residence, Bai Lu and Gu Liang sat facing each other.
They dismissed all the servants, leaving only the two of them.
The warmed wine, steaming gently, sits on a small red clay stove.
"How about that? Surprised? Excited?"
Gu Liang spoke first, picking up his wine glass but not drinking.
Bai Lu looked at the clear wine in her glass and smiled.
The atmosphere between the two of them was very good and relaxed.
"I never expected you to be the imperial envoy this time. Congratulations, third-ranked scholar."
Upon hearing this, Gu Liang gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"The title of 'Third-Rank Scholar' and the heir of the Duke of Anguo sounds incredibly prestigious. To outsiders, everything I have now is no less than what Pei Huizhou had back then, and perhaps even better."
He put down his wine glass and looked up at Bai Lu.
"But you know what? None of this is what I wanted."
Bai Lu's heart trembled slightly.
She didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.
“I returned to the Duke of Anguo’s mansion and reunited with my family. I studied, I took the imperial examinations, and I did it all for everyone to see. I just wanted to prove that I, Gu Liang, am no less capable than anyone else.”
"I just want to be able to stand in front of you someday."