Chapter 9 (1/2)
CHAPTER NINE
The Beauty In The Painting
“Prime Minister Lou…Prime Minister Lou…” Sounds of callings reaches his ears, Lou Che halts his steps, turning his head towards the cries. An elderly man dressed in a blue robe hurriedly runs towards him. He seems to be the old minister of three generations (served three Emperors), the late Emperor’s extremely trusted Minister of Personnel, Yan Gang. Carrying a gentle smile, unmoving like a mountain, Lou Che waits for him to close in.
Once he reaches him, out of breath, Yan Gang’s face appears red due to the sprinting, yet he still speaks ever so cheerfully: “Prime Minister Lou, I heard that the new First Ranked Scholar is your star pupil?”
Lou Che nods with a smile, seeing his breathing settle down, he walks towards the imperial court with prideful strides, behind him, Yan Gang hastily follows after him, continuing to exaggeratedly praise: “A man endowed with such extraordinary talents, it’s quite like the you from back then, truly a hero amongst the youth.” Thinking of the appearance of this new First Ranked Scholar, typically comparable to none, Yan Gang was filled with emotions, this is the age of young and talented……
Hearing him sound a sigh, Lou Che understands his thoughts, saying: “Yan is still ever so capable[1], why the sigh?”
Hearing the words “still ever so capable”, Yan Gang could not help but to cheer up, “How so ……this is the new generation’s world now……” invariably sighing, he suddenly remembers a matter of crucial importance and hastily speaks up, “Prime Minister Lou, do you by chance, know the Nu’s emissary has already arrived at the Capital yesterday? He shall be entering the palace to meet his majesty today.”
Lou Che lightly raises his brows, letting out one simple sound: “Oh?”
Seeing that he seems to be unaware of this matter, Yan Gang hurriedly explains: “The Nu and our country has fought for many years, and the war has never really stopped, but this time, it sure is strange, the Nu has actually sent an emissary here with good intentions, is there some sort of hidden meaning in this?” He has not slept all night, all due to his concerns towards this matter, today, he hurried over to the imperial court, desperately looking for Lou Che to discuss this.
Lou Che was also somewhat surprised upon hearing this, the Nu requesting a peace treaty, has not necessarily never happened before, but having just captured the Nu’s Prince as hostage half a year ago, they had originally thought that, the Nu who are most faithfully committed towards grace and revenge, would exact their revenge without any restraint, who would have known that after such a long silence, they would actually come and request peace? Vaguely feeling that something is not right, but in this moment, unable to pick out the hidden meaning, Lou Che continues to faintly smile as he says: “This matter shall come to a clear understanding when we see his majesty in court.”
Yan Gang nods his head, and both people enters the main hall at the same time.
Practically all the civil and military officials have already gathered here, the court buzzing with discussions. Before the Emperor arrives, everyone freely speaks their minds whilst discussing. Seeing Lou Che arrive, the discussions quietens down a lot, one after another, nodding their heads in greeting, if not, they will be deeply bowing towards him. Lou Che heads towards the area closest to the dragon throne.[2] Suddenly catching glimpse of a figure in crimson red, standing right at the most northern side of the large hall. It is the new First Ranked Scholar, Guan Xiu Wen. Guan Xiu Wen seems to have also sensed Lou Che’s gaze and turns to see him, he respectfully lowers his head, greeting “Teacher”, his voice neither loud nor quiet, just about good enough to be heard by Lou Che.
Lou Che vaguely sounds an “en”, not saying a single word, his steps does not falter as he walks towards the centre of the hall, standing below the dragon throne, on the left side, standing side by side with Prince Duan.
Upon seeing Lou Che, Prince Duan loudly sounds a laugh, and speaks up: “I heard the Prime Minister’s Estate has recently recruited several contemporary people of great capability and talents, Prime Minister Lou is so eager to learn, really makes me admire you.”
“How so, Prince Duan is highly erudite, how could Lou Che dare to compare?” Lou Che answers back sarcastically, didn’t think that Prince Duan is so clearly aware of matters within his estate, hearing Prince Duan bring up this matter, Lou Che also felt troubled.
The inviting of teachers within the estate, is actually all of Gui Wan’s doing. Ever since the “Hu Guo Temple” case, the Empress may have saved her position, but within the palace, she is basically being held under house arrest. Over the past month, Gui Wan has never mentioned what happened inside the tent again, her behaviour is exactly the same as before, but he still feels something has changed, this time, she has suddenly invited several teachers from all parts of the land, all whom are famous contemporary educationists, schemers, tacticians, Lou Che felt rather restless deep down.
Regarding all matters, he has mostly been going along with Gui Wan, upon thinking that she has been recuperating her body for over half a month, he would get concerned, he does not wish to drag Gui Wan into this power vortex, and would rather protect her for a lifetime, if not for the Empress……bitterly smiling, Lou Che could feel a sense of helplessness, nothing remains the same in this world, this sentence is truly correct, didn’t think that in between all this, he could actually pick out so many complex relations.h.i.+ps. What exactly is it Gui Wan wants to do?
Seeing Lou Che plaster on a gentle smile, his face looking no different, but is actually looking a little distracted, Prince Duan coldly laughs, and was just about to speak again, when a voice from outside echoes “His majesty the Emperor has arrived––“
Everyone in the hall immediately goes silent, all officials bowing to the ground, listening to the sound of footsteps, a warm voice sounds: “All ministers may rise.” Everyone in the great hall immediately stands up, neatly aligned in two rows.
Lou Che stands at first spot on the left, indifferently watching the officials report court matters, his elegantly handsome face carrying an unmoving smile like that of the spring breeze, after a while, the reporting of court matters have almost come to an end, with no major happenings. The imperial court falls into silence, at this moment, a minister steps out from the right, reporting: “The Nu’s emissary requests for your majesty’s audience, it seems to be in request of a peace treaty.”
The imperial court was instantly in an uproar, the Nu is originally a militant ethnic, for them to initiate a peace treaty, it is indeed strange.
The Emperor also felt rather surprised, rather hesitant, he habitually turns to the left, asking the first in line: “What does Minister Lou think?”
Taking on a respectful att.i.tude, Lou Che says: “First allow the emissary to clearly state his purpose, it would not be too late to make a decision after.” A spring breeze blew by, naturally bringing along a warmth that calms the people’s hearts.
The Emperor nods his head, agreeing to the approach, he waves his hand, giving the Nu emissary, who has been waiting outside for a long time already, permission to enter.
From outside the hall, a Nu man slowly walks in, a well-built body, a resolute face, one look can tell he is considered a heroic figure. His att.i.tude neither obnoxious nor humble, with vigorous steps, he walks to the centre of the hall, bowing a little bow towards the Emperor.
By the side, Yan Gang could no longer watch on, rebuking: “Seeing his majesty, why are you not kneeling down?”
The emissary’s face remains stoic, his imposingly deep voice, powerfully resonates: “He is not my majesty, why should I kneel down?” Between his show of att.i.tude, there was a strong force, making people dare not to belittle him.
Yan Gang was just about to say something again, when he was cut off by a wave of the Emperor’s hand, the Emperor looks at the emissary, asking: “For what reason, have you come here from afar?”
“I am here under the Prince’s orders, specifically to request a settlement.”
The guessing from before was but one matter, but to personally hear it now, is yet another matter, an uproar immediately rises again within this imperial court, voices of opinions sounding from everywhere.
The emissary sees the officials quietly whisper amongst themselves, sees the stunned look on the Emperor’s face, and follows on, saying: “The Prince has prepared three gifts for the Emperor of the Celestial Empire, in a show of sincerity towards a settlement.”
His voice echoes throughout the hall, everyone turns their attention to him, looking at the emissary, the Emperor was also somewhat puzzled and doubtful. The Nu are militant, barbaric by nature, and has always been great trouble and suffering to the Celestial Empire, just like a malignant tumour that cannot be cut out, it has always been the Nu looting the border areas, the Celestial Empire has never taken anything from the Nu before.
Indecisively looking towards Lou Che again, he sees Lou Che steadily nods his head, all the other officials did not object either, and so he speaks up: “Serve up the gifts then.”
Hearing this sentence, the emissary stands to the side, loudly calling out to the outside of the hall in the Nu’s language, under the surprised eyes of the officials, four boxes were carried in.
The strange thing is, the first box was exceptionally large, requiring eight people on each side to carry it into the hall, as opposed to the second box, which was only as big as the palm of one’s hand, the sharp contrast made everyone feel curious. And the third one was a square shaped object covered in a thick cloth, the fourth one was a foot long, six inch wide box.
Was it not three gifts? Why are there four boxes? Everyone’s minds were wondering this.
Not waiting for everyone’s speculations, the emissary orders someone to open the first large box. As soon as it was opened, a faintly fresh aroma wafts out, everyone present looks towards the box, inside the box was actually the stump of a tree. People within the hall lets out a disappointed hiss, followed by another round of silence.
The emissary’s expression remains unchanged, proudly stating: “This is the thousand year Tong Xian wood.” Once spoken, a collected gasp sounds throughout the large hall.
This Tong Xian Wood is one of the world’s rarest finds, it is also a rare piece in the lives of the Nu. This type of tree can help blood circulation, treats blood stasis, has the magic to delay aging, and is also said to detoxify the body, use this wood to create chairs, tables, wooden bowls, and all will be worldly treasures hard to come by, not to mention this is the thousand year Tong Xian wood. The first gift is indeed valuable.
No one speaks, seeing such a valuable treasure, they too believed the Nu’s request for settlement is sincere. But there are still some lack of understanding, the Celestial Empire to the Nu does not hold military superiority, so the Nu’s request for settlement is indeed really unconceivable.
Without waiting for the officials’ reactions to subside, the second box that’s only as big as one’s palm was already opened, inside was a red coloured small flute. Seeing this, everyone was once again puzzled, but no one made strange noises this time, vaguely guessing that this object appears ordinary, but should also have a remarkable background.
The first one to react was General Lin Rui En, the moment the box was opened, he was immediately struck with shock, showing an expression of disbelief. This short flute is called Wan Xiao Flute (Absolute Elimination Flute), it is a flute that controls insects, to the Celestial Empire, in addition to having a well-built body and greater st.u.r.diness, the Nu’s most formidable factor, is their knowledge in venomous insects. When battling the Nu, they would often encounter highly skilled individuals that are capable of controlling venomous insects, it truly is impossible to guard against, and it is only the Wan Xiao Flute’s effect that can prevent this, just as long as it sounds, the insects will all retreat. It is indeed a treasure.
Hearing the emissary’s explanation of the Wan Xiao Flute, everyone was overjoyed, never would have thought that such little flute, is actually able to solve such a migraine-inducing problem.
Amidst the noisiness, the third box has been opened, first lifting the cloth that covered the box, the box turned out to be full of holes, and then opening it. Within the large hall, the few ministers that were stood close to the box, clearly sees what is inside, and all of them steps back in fear, there was even one minister who screamed out loud. Turns out that inside the box, there lies a scorpion, an entire body glowing green, looking bizarrely horrific.
Amongst the gathering of people, no one was unafraid, only Lou Che, Prince Duan, Lin Rui En and a few others military commanders, also Guan Xiu Wen stood motionless, as stable as Mount Tai. The emissary lets out a contemptuous laugh, brightly saying: “This is our Nu’s poison king of last year, called ‘Bi Xue Xie’ (Jade Snow Scorpion), as long as you eat this, no poison can affect you.” Having said that, he casually closes the box.
Everyone felt a release of heavy burden, raising their heads towards the Emperor, the Emperor’s expression appeared level-headed, his lips curving into a smile as he gently speaks: “I thank your Prince for his kindness, I shall accept it in appreciation.” Saying that, he allows people to accept the boxes. The poor eunuch who took the poison scorpion box, even his legs were shaking.
Once all the boxes were taken away, the hall suddenly became more open and bright again, the officials have also all relaxed, with smiles hanging on their faces, whilst looking a little puzzled towards the fourth box.
Seeing everyone a.s.sessing the fourth box, the emissary says: “Emperor of the Celestial Empire, in order to express his sincerity, our Prince has gifted three treasures of the Nu, would Emperor be able to give the Nu a gift, in expression of your sincerity?”
The Emperor nods his head, saying: “That is but of course……” Seeing the emissary still have words to say, he stops speaking, waiting for the emissary’s words.
The emissary raises his fist, formally bowing as he slowly says: “Our Nu Prince would like to request for someone from the Celestial Empire.”
The Emperor freezes, the officials also freezes, secretly thinking: if the one he wants is Lin Rui En, their biggest enemy, do we still have to give him to them?
Whilst everyone were restlessly speculating, the emissary explains: “It is a woman.” Upon hearing these words, everyone’s face brightens up, so it is just a woman.
From the right side, a military commander laughs, loudly saying: “Nevermind one woman, even if it’s one hundred women, there would be no problem.” Hearing these words of his, the great hall bursts in hearty laughter.
Since the ancient times, reaching a settlement is not a strange matter, using women to exchange for peace also cannot be considered a big problem, thinking that it is just one woman, in exchange for peace, everyone in the great hall sighs in relief, they were originally thinking what kind of demanding condition the Nu would put forward.