20demayo Chapter 431 Finale (1)
Chapter 431 Finale (1)
In the blink of an eye, Zhao Xuan, Gu Zhanghua, and Guan Liushui had been in the Song Kingdom for three months.
They ultimately chose to stay in the military camp and learn from General Gao, so that they could ask him questions whenever they encountered something they didn't understand.
When he was not busy, he often corresponded with his family and friends in Xia.
After learning of her brother's death from illness, Consort Shu fell ill for several days due to excessive grief. However, the newly established girls' school could not function without her presence, so she quickly rallied her spirits and devoted all her energy to teaching.
Ma Zhenzhen became Consort Shu's best helper.
This woman, once the most talented woman in the Xia Kingdom, finally found a place to use her talents.
Hao Xiong was fully capable of managing the workshop, and Qin Tietie had no worries. With her superb blacksmithing skills, she supported half of the workshop.
The best news came from Jiaoyangyu.
Under the leadership of Shishu, also known as Gouwa, everyone built a stone staircase to facilitate going up and down the mountain.
From then on, crops grown on the mountain, wild game hunted, fresh mushrooms picked, medicinal herbs dug up, and so on could be delivered to the county town in the shortest possible time to exchange for essential daily necessities on the mountain, or sold to shops in the county town for money to build more brick and tile houses on the mountain.
Many wealthy city dwellers seeking novelty will follow the easy-to-walk stone steps to Jiaoyangyu, this secluded paradise, to play, enjoy a wild game meal, stay overnight in a mountain guesthouse, and gaze at the long-lost starry sky, combining relaxation with a vacation.
Before long, some city dwellers who were drawn to the charm of the mountains and countryside started to build new farms in the valleys near Jiaoyangyu. Gradually, the original inhabitants of Jiaoyangyu became richer and richer, and many new residents moved in, making the valley more and more lively.
Gouwa and Chunlan became the new head and wife of Jiaoyangyu.
News arrived from Qin Chuyun: the Rongdi tribes had held a grand wedding for their king and queen.
Xue Lianxin got her wish and became Qin Chuyun's personal bodyguard.
Qin Chuyun adapted very well. She didn't act like a queen and often took Xue Lianxin to visit the herdsmen of the Rongdi tribe. With Xue Lianxin's help, she treated the herdsmen's illnesses.
With Yingyang's full support, Qin Chuyun taught the Rongdi tribe's skilled people the farming and metallurgical techniques he had brought from the Xia Kingdom.
It is said that Ying Yang promised Qin Chuyun that in another year or two, he would take Qin Chuyun on a belated honeymoon trip, first back to Xia Kingdom, and then to Song Kingdom.
If Zhao Xuan and the others haven't returned to Xia by then, they will eventually be able to reunite in Song.
The true king, Gu Jingfeng, was particularly adept at business, frequently leading his caravans between the Xia Kingdom and the Rongdi tribes. He could often be seen bargaining with the herdsmen at the border markets.
The State of Song is still the same State of Song.
It's like nothing has changed.
Few people mention the late emperor anymore.
Since the current Song emperor ascended the throne, he has neither implemented any sweeping reforms, nor even promulgated a single new policy, nor has he produced any fresh gossip to talk about during leisure time.
He seems to have replicated his father, still loving poetry and songs, and enjoying watching song and dance performances. It is said that the next song and dance competition will be hosted by the State of Song.
The Song people were all sharpening their knives, eager to win the championship.
That day, Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua were discussing their return date in their room.
They originally planned to return to Xia Kingdom soon and first use their current knowledge to build a small navy to test what they had learned in practice.
But they were also worried about missing out on meeting Qin Chuyun and his wife, who were coming to the State of Song.
While I was hesitating, I suddenly saw Guan Liushui rush in with a very strange expression.
He first poured himself a cup of tea and gulped it down in one go, then stared intently at the two of them, seemingly both confused and delighted.
"Guess what I just saw?"
"If you don't give us any clues, how are we supposed to guess?"
Zhao Xuan spread her hands, indicating her helplessness.
Guan Liushui slowly sat down in the chair, hesitated several times before finally leaning closer to Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua and muttering something in a cryptic tone.
"I just saw the Song Emperor on the deck of a ship about to set sail at the dock!"
Gu Zhanghua understood Guan Liushui's unwavering persistence very well, and followed up with a question:
"You mean Emperor Xiao Zhensheng of the late Song Dynasty, my uncle? You saw him?"
Zhao Xuan was completely speechless and didn't want to say a word. She lazily crossed her arms and waited for Guan Liushui's reply.
"Yes! That's him! He looks like a wealthy businessman, dressed in gold and silver, looking very extravagant! He was on deck instructing his crew to load cargo onto the ship!"
That sounds incredible!
Gu Zhanghua asked Guan Liushui curiously.
"And then? You didn't go up and say hello to him?"
"I wish I could!" Guan Liushui said with a frustrated look, slapping his thigh hard. "But he disappeared in the blink of an eye. Later I found out that the ship was sailing out to sea specifically to do business with the Kingdom of Lazhou on the other side of the sea!"
After a pause, Guan Liushui's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Do you think he didn't die at all, but instead changed his identity, became a maritime merchant, and started a new chapter in his life?"
Gu Zhanghua remained silent.
Who doesn't want a free and unrestrained life?
But only emperors in high positions are not free to control their own destiny.
They had too many responsibilities: to pay attention to people's livelihood, to attend the morning court sessions, to review stacks of memorials, and to discuss every emergency with their ministers...
They were confined to the palace year-round. They possessed supreme power, but they had no freedom to do as they pleased or go wherever they wanted.
Was Song Zhensheng a qualified emperor?
Sort of.
But compared to his father, the emperor, Song Zhensheng seemed to yearn for life outside the palace. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been the first to look towards the distant sea, sending fleets out to sea multiple times, eventually learning shipbuilding technology from the Kingdom of Lazhou and forming the first navy on the Qiankun Continent.
If this is the case, it wouldn't be surprising if Song Zhensheng used his death as an excuse to pass the throne to the crown prince, while he himself transformed into a new persona to do what he had always wanted to do.
"You two, say something. Am I right?"
What does it matter whether it's right or wrong?
Zhao Xuan yawned listlessly.
"If he doesn't become emperor, the Song Dynasty will remain the same. It's better for him to become a maritime merchant and do what he wants."
I'll take that as you agreeing with me!
Guan Liushui stood up, went to the window, and looked longingly at the endless coastline outside.
"I'm thinking of mentioning to General Gao that we should go to Lazhou Kingdom on a merchant ship. Maybe we can even have a chance encounter with that old fox!"
"Who will I bump into by chance?"
A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang in the ears of the three, and they abruptly turned to look at the door.
Little Fairy Doctor, carrying her medicine chest and still dressed in a white dress, stood gracefully at the door, smiling faintly at the three of them.
Zhao Xuan stood up, took a quick step to Little Fairy Doctor, stretched out her arms and hugged Little Fairy Doctor tightly, overjoyed.
"You disappeared as soon as you arrived in Daxin, sister, you're finally back!"
Little Fairy Doctor patted Zhao Xuan on the back and nodded to Gu Zhanghua and Guan Liushui.
Gu Zhanghua and Guan Liushui also walked quickly to Little Fairy Doctor.
"Little Fairy Doctor, how was your trip to the Song Kingdom? You've completed more than half of your Hundred Herbs Painting, haven't you?"
Gu Zhanghua asked with a smile.
"Yes, come tell us where you've been these past few days? What fun things have happened to you?"
Guan Liushui hurriedly helped Little Fairy Doctor take down her medicine box and asked.
Little Fairy Doctor looked at the three of them with some suspicion.
"Have the three of you stayed in the military camp the whole time without knowing anything?"
What should we know?
Zhao Xuan quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to Little Fairy Doctor.
Little Fairy Doctor took the drink but didn't drink it. She blinked her big eyes and then said, word by word:
"The Yue Emperor is dead."
Watching the flowing water leap three feet high, the sound even split into two.
"What?! Really?"
Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua were the ones who remained the most composed at this moment.
Little Fairy Doctor is always composed; she wouldn't make things up out of thin air. Even if this matter isn't entirely true, there must be some clues to it.
Zhao Xuan frowned and asked Little Fairy Doctor.
"How did he die?"
Little Fairy Doctor remained calm and composed, but what she said was utterly baffling.
She said, "He choked to death on a peanut."