Chapter 219: Determination

Inside the splendid Pharaoh's Palace, Ptolemy IX frowned, pacing back and forth.

Court intrigue had entered a white-hot phase, with the faction led by Grand Minister of Agriculture Holunxibu growing increasingly rampant, often opposing the Pharaoh's decrees and seriously threatening his rule.

Dong Zhongshu, wearing a new linen robe, walked steadily into the hall and bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan to break the deadlock. Holunxibu's forces are huge and deeply entrenched; a frontal clash would be hard to win. Better to undermine them from within."

Ptolemy IX's eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked, "Mr. Dong, what is your good plan?"

Dong Zhongshu rose calmly and spoke in order: "According to my observation, Holunxibu's capable aide and financial officer Nahete has recently grown resentful due to uneven distribution of spoils. Your Majesty may secretly contact Nahete, offering him high office and generous pay to serve you. With Nahete's cooperation, we can grasp Holunxibu's every move and expose his plot at the right time."

Ptolemy IX, upon hearing this, immediately declared: "Just as you say, beloved minister! I entrust this entirely to you."

After receiving the order, Dong Zhongshu immediately took action.

He personally sought out Nahete, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, successfully persuading Nahete to defect.

Thereafter, Dong Zhongshu repeatedly thwarted Holunxibu's plots using the intelligence provided by Nahete.

As court intrigue deepened, Dong Zhongshu again proposed to Ptolemy IX the holding of a grand sacrificial ceremony to rally popular sentiment and display the Pharaoh's authority.

On the day of the sacrifice, Dong Zhongshu, wearing splendid priestly robes, presided over the ritual on the altar.

His bearing was solemn, his words earnest, conveying the Pharaoh's grace to the people.

The people fell to their knees in kowtow, shouting "Long live the Pharaoh!" Their support for Ptolemy IX reached its peak.

Seeing the people's hearts slipping away, Holunxibu decided to stake everything and launched a coup.

However, Dong Zhongshu had already laid a net in advance.

When Holunxibu's rebel forces stormed the palace, the Pharaoh's guards, under Dong Zhongshu's command, swiftly surrounded the rebels.

After a fierce battle, the rebels were completely annihilated, and Holunxibu was captured alive.

Ptolemy IX successfully eliminated Holunxibu's faction, consolidating his rule.

To honor Dong Zhongshu's achievements, Ptolemy IX formally appointed him as the Pharaoh's Grand Priest, bestowing upon him supreme glory.

Henceforth, Dong Zhongshu moved in and out of the court, held in high esteem, and the Egyptian people held him in great reverence.

But Dong Zhongshu always kept his mission in mind, closely watching the conflicts between Han, Rome, and Parthia, awaiting the chance to return to Han and continue serving the state.

Sunlight streamed through the painted glass windows, falling into the Pharaoh's palace audience hall and casting the floor in brilliant colors.

Ptolemy IX leaned lazily on his golden throne, his gaze turning to Dong Zhongshu standing below, and asked: "Grand Priest, now that you are the Grand Priest, what are your views on the territory we currently govern?"

Dong Zhongshu took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and said: "Your Majesty, the Ptolemaic Dynasty now faces internal troubles and external threats; the situation is far from optimistic. Looking inward, the phenomenon of land concentration is severe, with many peasants losing their land and becoming vassals of the nobility. This not only destroys agricultural production and sharply reduces state revenue, but also arouses popular discontent, which may at any moment erupt into large-scale rebellion."

He paused briefly, then continued: "Noble factions are growing ever stronger, vying for power and wealth, undermining each other and severely weakening central authority. Officials at all levels are corrupt to the core, administrative efficiency is low, and state orders are hard to enforce effectively. Within the army, too, there are manifold problems: low pay, low morale, and greatly diminished combat effectiveness."

Ptolemy IX listened, his face growing grave.

Dong Zhongshu, likewise solemn, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, looking at the external environment, the two great empires of Rome and Parthia are like fierce beasts eyeing Egypt hungrily; the situation is extremely perilous. The Roman Empire, relying on its powerful legions, continually expands outward, having already incorporated many Mediterranean coastal nations into its territory. Its march of expansion never ceases, and the next target is very likely Egypt. Should Rome invade, with its advanced military technology and formidable combat strength, Egypt's cities will suffer the baptism of war, and its people will plunge into dire straits."

Ptolemy IX frowned slightly, a hint of worry on his face, and said: "Rome is indeed not to be underestimated; what about Parthia?"

Dong Zhongshu continued: "The Parthian Empire is equally ambitious. It occupies a crucial segment of the Silk Road, controlling the lifeline of East‑West trade. In recent years, Parthia has steadily built up its forces, growing stronger. Should it set its sights on Egypt, it would not only cut off Egypt's trade with the East but could also incite domestic rebellion, undermining the foundation of Your Majesty's rule."

To let Ptolemy IX grasp the danger more intuitively, Dong Zhongshu pointed to the parchment map on the wall and said: "Your Majesty, please look—Rome approaches from the west, Parthia threatens from the east, Egypt lies caught in between, exposed on both fronts. Should the two empires join forces, Egypt would fall into utter desperation. Moreover, as Rome and Parthia contend for land and resources, their conflict grows ever sharper; if war erupts on Egypt's borders, Egypt will inevitably become the main battlefield and suffer collateral damage."

Ptolemy IX listened, his face darkening; he rose from his golden throne and paced back and forth in the hall, asking: "According to the priest's view, how should we respond?"

Dong Zhongshu pondered a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, the urgent priorities are: first, strengthen Egypt's military defenses by building fortifications on the borders and training elite troops; second, forge diplomatic alliances with neighboring countries to jointly resist the threats of Rome and Parthia. Only thus can Egypt be preserved in this chaotic age."

After hearing Dong Zhongshu's analysis, Ptolemy IX's formerly languid expression vanished instantly, his face becoming unusually grave, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He slowly rose, hands clasped behind his back, and paced back and forth in the audience hall; his footsteps echoed in the vast chamber, sounding especially heavy.

Ptolemy IX slowly lifted his head, a flash of resolve crossing his eyes.

He suddenly sprang to his feet, slammed both hands heavily on the throne's armrests, and roared: "We cannot go on like this! The Ptolemaic Dynasty must not perish in my hands!"

He strode up to Dong Zhongshu, firmly grasped his hands, and declared with steady gaze: "Grand Priest, I have decided to appoint you as Chief Reform Minister, to purge the factional forces at court and carry out sweeping reforms! No matter the obstacles, you must implement them resolutely, showing no mercy."

Dong Zhongshu felt a surge of joy, knowing that his chance to return to Han had drawn nearer.

He knelt on one knee and spoke solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not fail your trust! I will devise a detailed reform plan, addressing politics, economy, military and more, to restore the glory of the Ptolemaic Dynasty."

Ptolemy IX nodded firmly, then turned to face the doors of the audience hall and proclaimed loudly: "Pass on my order—tomorrow at court, let all ministers come to deliberate! I want them to know that the Ptolemaic Dynasty is about to undergo a earth‑shaking transformation!"

Dong Zhongshu accepted the order, secretly pondering that perhaps this opportunity could create the conditions for his return to Han.