Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

Aren't you worried that she might turn around and devour you?

Bai Su smiled mysteriously: "How vast is the world in the eyes of the Chanyu?"

Maodun said, "There are four kingdoms in the world, and your Great Xia occupies two of them. No... now you should occupy all four."

Bai Su shook his head slightly: "The world is vast, and it is not limited to these four places. Beyond the Western Regions, there is a vast and boundless land with countless kingdoms along the way. Just one place called the Peacock Dynasty has a territory that is not much inferior to that of the Central Plains."

After saying that, he took out a map from his pocket and spread it out on the table.

When Maodun looked at the various kingdoms of the Western Regions and the hundreds of city-states of the Mauryan Dynasty, his lips couldn't help but agape.

She never imagined that beyond the small Western Regions, there existed such a vast land. So, the precious spices and countless amounts of gold all originated from this place?

It took her a long time to slowly come to her senses, her emerald eyes looking at Bai Su: "Why are you telling me all this? I'm nothing more than a prisoner now..."

Bai Su said with a smile, "Our Great Xia has always valued talent above all else, regardless of background. Li Bing from the State of Han can come to Great Xia to serve as an official and build the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Talented people from the State of Wei can become prime ministers in Great Xia, and Wei Ran from the State of Chu can become marquises."

"If someone as talented as the Chanyu were confined to a small courtyard for the rest of his life, wouldn't that be a waste of his talent?"

"So I gave the Chanyu some information: the Protectorate General of the Western Regions is preparing a large cavalry army to maintain stability throughout the Western Regions. When the time is right, they will launch a westward expedition..."

"This vast army is marching westward, and we need a general who is extremely skilled in cavalry to serve as the general of the western expedition. I wonder if the Chanyu is interested?"

Maodun was completely stunned. She never expected that this first emperor of the Southern Kingdom would have such great ambition, appointing people based solely on their talents, regardless of their background.

In other words, as long as talented people come to her, no matter how sharp the sword is, is she confident that she can grasp it and make it work for her?

What a magnanimous heart and what a spirit!

Bai Su slowly put away the map and said with a smile, "Chanyu, there's no need to rush to answer. You can take your time to think about it. We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future."

Maodun was taken aback: "Are you perhaps going to take me back to the Central Plains?"

Bai Su nodded and said matter-of-factly, "Of course. If the Chanyu agrees, I will definitely recommend you for an opportunity when the time is right. If you do not agree, then I will have no choice but to take you back to the Central Plains."

"Let the Chanyu wear a Hu skirt, and every time the various states come to Xianyang to pay homage, let the Chanyu come out and dance the Hu skirt dance for Your Majesty."

"Since the Chanyu doesn't want to go for the power-based approach, we can only go for the idol approach. After all, our Great Xia doesn't have enough food to support people who just want to eat for free."

Maodun couldn't help but twitch his eyelids.

Although she didn't know what "talented" and "idol" meant, she roughly understood Bai Su's thoughts.

If they are willing to cooperate, they might even become generals in the western expedition, and if they manage to conquer this so-called Mauryan dynasty in the future.

She also had the opportunity to wield military power and become one of the Protector-Generals of the Great Xia Dynasty.

If she is unwilling to cooperate, then her future life will most likely be that of a dancer performing for the First Emperor.

The thought of having to fawn over and dance before her former defeated adversaries, such as the Yuezhi Queen and the Left Wise King, made her wish she were dead.

There are no choices at all; there's only one path laid out before us.

So here's the problem: the Central Plains are currently preoccupied with internal strife and simply don't have the energy for a westward expedition in the short term; it will have to wait at least three to five years.

Who can guarantee that today's agreement will still be valid three to five years from now?

After all, the reason they've brought her in for negotiations is because she's the Xiongnu Chanyu.

She wields immense influence in the northern deserts and Liaodong region. Once she helps the Great Xia establish stable control in the area, she will have little value to them.

Whether we live or die will be decided by a single word from Xianyang.

Without military power, she had absolutely no power to resist.

Should we rely on Meng Tian?

Maodun raised his head and glanced at Meng Tian, ​​who was dressed in a black skirt and armor, next to him.

No, she's just a Protector-General of Beiting. She's been away from Xianyang, the center of power, for a long time. Once the new emperor ascends the throne, Meng Tian's influence in the court will definitely decrease significantly.

At that point, Meng Tian himself might not even be able to hold onto his position in the Protectorate for long, let alone speak up for an outsider like her.

Unless one can find someone in Xianyang who holds a high position of power and can wield authority for more than a decade, and ideally establish a close and stable relationship with that person to ensure that someone will still speak on their behalf after losing military power.

The best way to build a close relationship is through marriage.

Ideally, this person should always keep their heart with you, so they won't easily forget you.

But where can we find this person?

As Modu was deep in thought, Meng Tian suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, you are now the Grand Chancellor and have the heavy responsibility of pacifying the northern deserts and the six-nation coalition. When you return in triumph, it will surely be just around the corner for you to be appointed Prime Minister."

Bai Su took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "What's so great about being a prime minister? It looks glamorous, but there are a bunch of eyes watching you from behind. I'd rather just be a Grand Master of Ceremonies. I have real power, I don't offend anyone, and I don't have to do any work. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Hey, Chanyu, why are you looking at me like that?"

As soon as he turned around, he was startled to see Maodun's beautiful eyes staring intently at him.

Maodun ignored Bai Su's strange look. Her hands were bound by iron chains. She bowed down and asked seriously, "You...you have been appointed Grand Chancellor and are about to become Prime Minister. Is that true? You look like you are only a young man in your early twenties."

Meng Tian, ​​who was standing to the side, couldn't help but say, "You have been staying on the grasslands all this time and are unaware of the news from the Central Plains. With your achievements over the years, you should have been able to become the prime minister long ago. However, you have never been interested in officialdom and are unwilling to compete with others. You also often leave court early."

"That's why His Majesty hasn't promoted you yet. In terms of your standing in His Majesty's heart, although you're not the prime minister, you've long surpassed him by a great margin. The people of the world revere you as a sage, and countless private school students regard you as their teacher. His Majesty regards you as his right-hand man."

"Even His Majesty's beloved daughter, one of the strong contenders for the future new emperor, is the prince's wife."

Although he was talking about Bai Su's deeds, Meng Tian seemed to be praising himself. Looking at Maodun's naive and unsophisticated expression, he unconsciously puffed out his chest a little.

Despite Meng Tian's disdainful gaze, Maodun showed no anger. On his exotic and beautiful face, the smile grew wider and wider. The candidate had been found.

She subconsciously pursed her lips slightly, her sexy red lips licking her dry corners of her mouth with the tip of her tongue.

Bai Su's eyelids twitched involuntarily. Was it just her imagination? She felt that Maodun's gaze was strange, like that of a hungry wolf eyeing a piece of fresh meat.

Chapter 333 Fu Su's Worries

Inside Xianyang Palace.

Hu Yi was dressed in a magnificent black palace dress, sitting upright on the dragon throne. Looking at the arguing ministers below, her delicate eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, and her fair hands unconsciously tightened their cuffs slightly.

So many things happened during her first time in power.

The six-nation coalition launched a series of attacks and captured cities, but their occupation of the northern desert was not going smoothly. The main force of the army was affected by a sudden strange disease, and morale was low.

Every piece of news she received made her heart skip a beat.

If it weren't for her husband personally stepping in to stabilize the situation, she might have long lost confidence in controlling the court.

However, since Bai Su went north, there has been no news for more than half a month, which made her feel uncertain and she hadn't slept well for a long time.

As expected, the position of crown prince is not so easy to hold.

Fu Su, dressed in a white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), stood quietly in the group.

She glanced at Hu Yi, who looked nervous on the dragon throne, and her delicate eyebrows twitched slightly. Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the direction of the deep palace.

"What is Mother thinking?"

In a peaceful and prosperous era, it would be fine to let Hu Yi temporarily oversee the government. However, with such a drastic change in the current situation, if not handled properly, it could lead to chaos throughout the country.

Why hasn't Mother shown up yet in this situation?

After all, it's impossible to keep something this big from Mother's ears.

Does she really trust Hu Yu that much, or...?

My mother has been having an affair with that scoundrel in private, which has caused some problems, making it impossible for her to appear before the court officials.

Just as she was deep in thought, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.

A messenger strode in and said urgently, "Your Highness, an urgent dispatch from the northern desert."

The noisy hall suddenly fell silent.

A hint of joy flashed in Hu Yi's heterochromatic eyes, and he hurriedly said, "Quickly... quickly bring it up."

The courtiers in the hall looked at each other, holding their breath in tension.

The last news from the northern desert was due to a plague outbreak, which caused gruesome deaths among the infected, threw the army into chaos, and created a crisis.

I don't know what the situation is now, and I don't know if Bai Su has any way to deal with the plague since he went north.

After reading the contents of the document, Hu Yi's eyes widened suddenly, and he could hardly believe it.

Her expression naturally did not escape the notice of the ministers present.

Their hearts skipped a beat. Could it be that even Bai Su was helpless, and the Northern Expeditionary Army dispatched by the Great Xia suffered heavy losses?

Fu Su and Li Si exchanged a glance, their expressions also becoming serious.

Although they usually hoped that Bai Su could suffer some setbacks and preferably not hold power.

However, when it comes to such a major event as this, they still don't want anything to happen to Bai Su.

After all, the current situation is extremely critical. If something happens to the main force of the Northern Expedition led by Meng Tian, ​​the situation in the entire Central Plains will be out of control.

Therefore, in matters of life and death, they naturally put aside their usual conflicts and united against the common enemy, providing stable logistical support for Bai Su from the rear.

While the crowd below was buzzing with discussion, Hu Ji finally put down the document in his hand.

She unconsciously straightened her chest and said with a smile, "Bai Su has cured the plague and led the army all the way north, defeating the combined forces of the Xiongnu and Donghu in the northern desert and capturing the Xiongnu royal court."

“Even on Langju Mountain, where the Xiongnu made their pilgrimage, we planted the black bird banner of our Great Xia and inscribed a stele at that time.”

"The mighty royal army conquers all directions; it quells the wicked and unifies the overseas; it travels thousands of miles to the ends of the earth; it performs sacrifices at sacred mountains and erects monuments; it widely proclaims the imperial deeds and inspires future generations..."

"The northern threat that had plagued the Central Plains for hundreds and thousands of years and caused countless emperors headaches was completely eliminated. There was no longer any distinction between the Xiongnu and the Donghu. All that remained was the Northern Court and the Andong Protectorate of the Central Plains."

"My esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts on this?"

Quiet.

Deathly silence!

Fu Su and Li Si were dumbfounded.

The other officials were in no better shape. Even those who were on good terms with Bai Su and trusted him completely were utterly bewildered.

They never expected that Bai Su would be so fierce, crossing the Great Wall and personally going to the front line to solve the plague disaster. He actually solved the northern scourge that had plagued emperors, ministers, and generals throughout history in one battle.

This is terrifying!

Looking at the bewildered expressions on the faces of his ministers, Hu Yi felt a surge of bittersweet satisfaction.

See? This is the power of her man. If she could, she would love to jump off the dragon throne and stomp on the desk. It would be so prestigious.