819 Rivalry (2/2)

Zhe Su burst into laughter as he said, ”Good. I'm done nagging, and you two have taken your oaths, so now let's get to the main business. The Naihang Tribe will place our personal interest below that of the collective, but we won't forgoe our personal interests entirely, and neither will we support the new Khan for nothing. We want something back — and yes, I'm saying this in public. Not like those guys who always try to hide their true intentions.”

Zhe Su's eyes swept through the crowds as if he was about to enter a battlefield. But he didn't find any opponents, since nobody opposed his speech.

”First, the title King Rizhu will be owned by the Naihang Tribe for all generations to come irrespective of the Khan's conferral. Are you willing to make such a commitment?”

”I am,” Duodun replied immediately. ”But the new King Rizhu must pledge allegiance to Khan.”

”Of course.”

”As am I,” Shulitu said. This was Naihang Tribe's bottom line, and he had to agree in any case.

With a good start, Zhe Su already felt more confident. ”Second, after pacifying the grasslands, the Naihang Tribe will seek revenge. No matter where their enemies hide, even if they're in the Western Regions or the Central Plains, we'll lead the army there and kill them. If that really is the case, we might need the new Khan to send his army to support us.”

This meant that the new Khan would have to declare war against the Central Plains as soon as he ascended the throne, so both candidates had to be prudent. Shulitu gave his response first, saying, ”In that case, no matter how many troops the Naihang Tribe dispatches, I'll send support them with the same number of cavalrymen.”

Duodun followed up with, ”The best cavalrymen of Norland will be at your disposal, General Zhe Su.”

Zhe Su continued to state his conditions, some of which were very petty, such as what kind of protocol would be followed when the new King Rizhu met the new Khan. The responses of Shulitu and Duodun became simpler and simpler, and most of the time they just answered. ”Agreed,” or, ”I do.”

Although it seemed that neither of the two candidates had gained any advantages over the other, Fang Wenshi was still worried. Shulitu might lose the contest to Duodun if they didn't make an extremely tempting offer to the Naihang Tribe. So, Fang Wenshi winked at the Dragon King.

Gu Shenwei knew what the counselor was signaling, and he nodded back.

Zhe Su's last condition was about territory. He wanted to designate a grazing area that would belong exclusively to the Naihang Tribe; no other tribes would be allowed to enter it unless explicitly invited.

This was an unusual request. The new Khan's consent to this would be synonymous to a concession to King Rizhu's independence. Although both Shulitu and Duodun were in desperate need of the Naihang Tribe's support, a lot of the other tribes would immediately follow suit with a similar request if this one was agreed to in public. Essentially, this request would deprive the new Khan of his power before he even succeeded to the throne.

The two candidates, who had been racing each other to be the first to answer, suddenly became polite and modest.

Gu Shenwei thought that it was time for Shulitu to propose. Once Duodun was disgraced, this rivalry would be over. At this time, Long Fanyun stealthily handed over a scrap of paper to the Dragon King.

Gu Shenwei unfolded it and glanced at it.

She lied. She won't accept.

There were no other words on it. Gu Shenwei signaled Long Fanyun to leave. He didn't need anybody to tell him that this was Shangguan Ru's handwriting.

Naturally, ”she” referred to the Second Consort, and ”won't accept” referred to the proposal. Shangguan Ru seemed to have discovered something and this was why she had sent this message so hurriedly.

Gu Shenwei held the paper in his hand and shook his head at Fang Wenshi, before turning to stare at the Second Consort.

Fang Wenshi was a little anxious. Duodun seemed more like a Khan than Shulitu did, and he could also see this from their respective advocates. Duodun's companions firmly believed that Duodun would become the Khan, while Shulitu's followers only hoped that Shulitu would live a good life. At this rate, the young king would surely lose without a ”surprise” move.

Duodun, who was on the opposite side, took a step forward. ”I'm not giving Naihang Tribe a pointless promise just so that I can become the Khan. Ever since the ancient times, Norlanders have always migrated freely on the grasslands, and there have never been any established boundaries. It's okay if an old general wants to set a precedent, but I'll have to become the Khan first and then consult with all the other tribes before I can consent to your request. Before that, any so-called consent would be no different from deceit.”

”I share the same sentiments as Prince Duodun.” Shulitu couldn't think of a better reply.

”That's a temporary disapproval then.” Zhe Su was in no rush, but he had to start pressuring the two of them. ”How about we take a break and have a drink? Then maybe we can talk about what other perks you can offer to the Naihang Tribe?”

The servants outside the door immediately entered and served wine, making sure that everybody had a full bowl.

There were barely any people who actually drank. Everybody was whispering and sharing their own opinions. Zhe Su believed that the two competitors would reconsider his condition.

Gu Shenwei nodded at the counselor. Though Shangguan Ru had reminded him, he still had to risk it. If things continued on like this, Shulitu would either suffer a miserable defeat or become a puppet controlled by the Naihang Tribe.

Fang Wenshi whispered something in Shulitu's ears.

Shulitu couldn't help but glance at the Second Consort, thinking that what he was about to do was a bit too awkward.

Right at this moment, Duo Ercha unexpectedly stood up and attracted all the ”awkwardness” in the room to himself.