zChapter 1085 - Growing Old Together, Is The Most Difficult Thing (1/2)
Finally, the Gu Shu ruler’s entourage reached the capital. Fan Tianli left the city one day earlier and entered the capital together with the entourage the next day, heading to the rest inn immediately.
Even though him coming to the capital in advance was not a secret anymore and he did show himself in front of others in the imperial palace, that was under his personal capacity and was not considered an official national visit. In addition, the Emperor was inflicted with Gu that time and was unable to receive and host them.
And this time, Da Shun had a regent prince. When Xuan Tianfeng received the news that Fan Tianli’s entourage had checked into the rest inn, he immediately sent out an invite. During morning court the next day, Fan Tianli entered the imperial palace as Gu Shu’s ruler, and in front of all the ministers, with his position as Gu Shu’s current ruler, he paid his respects to the regent prince, declaring once again that Gu Shu was Da Shun’s subordinate nation and also expressing his stance. During the period when he was ruler, Gu Shu would always be loyal to Da Shun.
There were people who whispered amongst themselves, saying that the Gu Shu ruler was only acting this humble because he wanted to marry Princess Wuyang. After all, the two were frequently seen together these days and everyone who made an effort to get information on the movements in the court and capital would know about this. With the existence of such a thought, the actions of the Gu Shu ruler lowering himself made others feel that it was not that sincere. No one could guarantee that once he married Princess Wuyang, he would not go back on his word.
Therefore, someone raised this doubt, Fan Tianli did not get angry, he only said with a troubled smile: “Gu Shu has witnessed the might of Da Shun’s army before, has witnessed the heavenly thunder set up by Prince Yu, and have also lost many oases under the bombing of that heavenly thunder. Gu Shu is a small nation, but also has its own small paradise, we do not wish to lose this small paradise, so we surrendered to Da Shun. The previous Monarch had said this when he was still ruling, listening and believing the slanderous words of the ex-General Bi Xiu and opposing Da Shun was the biggest mistake he had made in his many years of ruling. This Monarch does not believe that we will be able to resist Da Shun’s heavenly thunder after ascending the throne, therefore, Gu Shu submitting to Da Shun is the best choice.”
His words were reasonable and was considered a very logical analysis, but in the court, there were still people who felt it was worded in a twisted way, so they spoke in a sarcastic tone: “What you mean is, if Da Shun did not have heavenly thunder, Gu Shu will not surrender?”
Fan Tianli asked in return: “If Da Shun was not this strong, then on what basis will they recover the four foreign nations?”
“You……”
“This Monarch is only explaining a fact, any strong nation will have other subordinate foreign countries, and those foreign nations chose to depend on that nation because their own power is weaker than the other party and need to depend on the protection of the other nation to maintain their own country’s fortune to survive better in the future. Gu Shu was clearly frightened by Da Shun’s attack and the damage sustained cannot be recovered within the next one hundred years. This Monarch is representing Gu Shu in showing a humble attitude towards Da Shun, this is an attitude which should be held by the ruler of a foreign nation and is also an educated move.” He spoke very calmly, “Of course, if one day, Da Shun falls to the point that it is even weaker than Gu Shu, then Gu Shu will naturally not submit anymore. At that point, not just Gu Shu, other small nations will also choose to do this. Therefore, gentlemen, for the effort used to suspect if This Monarch is sincere, would it not be better to think properly about how to maintain and continue the development of Da Shun’s fortune and might? Whether the small nations will rebel or not, it completely depends on whether Da Shun continues to grow stronger or not.”
The individual ministers did not want to acknowledge his words, but the Left and Right Prime Minister led the way and applauded, the Right Prime Minister also said: “Gu Shu Monarach is correct, wanting others to submit to us forever, then we need to make sure that we are always walking in front of others. What Monarch said, Da Shun has been enlightened.”
Fan Tianli bowed quickly, “Lord, that is too much praise.”
The formal meeting with the Gu Shu ruler was not considered happy, but it was the most basic method used for the communication between two countries. After that, at night, the Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng set up a banquet in the Jade Hall’s side hall, inviting the Emperor, Empress, all the princes and their princesses, King Wenxuan, his wife and Princess Wuyang Xuan Tiange to attend. This banquet was considered a family banquet and was different from a country visit. This was held to thank Fan Tianli for rendering his assistance to save the Emperor.
With this as the purpose, the Emperor had to attend. In addition, he had heard that Fan Tianli wanted to marry Xuan Tiange and harboured some anger, planning to wreck this marriage. Therefore, he attended this family banquet with a mission, to the point that no matter how the Empress tried to advise him before, that anger still showed on his face and it did not look good.
Currently, the Emperor can basically move around freely now, it was just that he could not walk too fast, he had no problem walking slowly.
Since it was a family banquet, there was not many procedures to follow. At a very large table, everyone sat around it, Fan Tianli sat next to Xuan Tianfeng, and King Wenxuan’s family separated him and the Emperor, Xuan Tiange sat next to the Emperor, and the two occasionally exchanged glances, with a shy expression appearing on Xuan Tiange’s face many times. Watching this, King Wenxuan could only think emotionally in his heart: A grown up daughter truly could not be kept!
With regards to Fan Tianli taking action to save him, the Emperor truly felt grateful. In the end, putting aside that matter with Xuan Tiange, Fan Tianli did save his life. And he did not just save him, he saved Da Shun. If not, he would have muddle-headedly passed on the throne to Old Eighth, muddle-headedly allowed Liu Shi to become Empress Dowager, then Da Shun in the future would be under that mother and son pair, it was a chilling thought.
Using tea to replace wine, he held up his teacup and told Fan Tianli: “We heard that it was Gu Shu’s ruler who personally removed the Gu poison in Us, We are very grateful for this. At first, Gu Shu is Da Shun’s subordinate foreign nation, then became an enemy country, but unexpectedly, when We are in danger, it was Gu Shu’s ruler who came forward to help. With this kindness, We have taken it to heart and are unable to compensate it fully. Today, We will make a decision, from now onwards, within the next fifty years, Gu Shu does not need to pay yearly tributes to Da Shun, and every year, Gu Shu’s citizens will receive support from Da Shun, this is considered Our gratitude to you.”