Chapter 69

Holy Monk 35 (Together filial to snake father)

Because of the meddling of the Second Prince and Third Prince, the grasslands are about to go to war.

They are the ones who started the war, they are the ones who are conscripting troops, causing the Hu people of the Iron Full tribe to complain bitterly; at this moment, the innocent and peace-loving Crown Prince appears—who will the herdsmen favor more?

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"The Second and Third Princes' reputations aren't so good now." The strategist picked up a piece of cumin-seasoned roasted meat, raised his cup to congratulate the Crown Prince, "It's time to step out and win over people's hearts."

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, placed a piece of roasted meat sprinkled with cumin—especially delicious—into his mouth.

Besides dealing with the Daping people, the Hu also like to trade with the Dashi and Anxi peoples who pass through Hu lands; their spices are good stuff, used to make jerky—not only tasty but also long‑storable.

The Daping people especially like the jerky produced on the grasslands, particularly beef jerky.

It is said that Daping's cattle may not be slaughtered at will; many merchants have set their sights on their beef jerky—the more taboo, the more they want to eat, and business is booming.

Unlike the Second and Third Princes, who wholeheartedly flaunt military might, the Crown Prince desires wealth, wanting more financial resources to back him.

If the Black Bear tribe's cattle were all slaughtered, the beef jerky alone could recoup the costs consumed by this war.

"My two brothers are idiots, actually equating a prosperous life with weak military strength!" the Crown Prince scoffed, "Who says being rich means you can't be strong? The Central Plains people are rich and thus strong; the grasslands can be too."

In the future, he will create a wealthy and strong unified grassland nation!

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Before the conscription order was issued, most Hu people were thinking, should we continue reducing the number of horses we raise this year?

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On the contrary, horses don't make money! The Hu also know that compared to Daping, their greatest advantage lies in horses, so whether on the grasslands or in Daping, horse trading is prohibited.

But this doesn't mean they can't reduce the number of warhorses; anyway, I'm not trading, just raising a few less.

The old Chanyu's conscription order stirred up the grasslands into a frenzy.

The herders frantically bought warhorses, fed them, and broke them in to build affection, inevitably muttering to themselves.

"Before, only those who had nothing to eat or drink went to war; now our family lacks neither food nor drink, and our life is more prosperous than many Central Plains people." The Hu who raised more cattle and sheep this year muttered, "Master Xuanji also taught us to grow sugar beets; from now on we won't need to buy sugar from merchants—what a great thing to farm, no wonder the Daping people love farming."

"That's right! We used to migrate constantly; my fifty‑year‑old grandfather couldn't endure it and nearly died on the way. This year we built a brick‑tile house, and the earthen bed isn't wasted. Winter has fodder, and the cattle and sheep aren't thin—I think migration isn't good at all."

Another Hu person drank, his face flushed as he shouted.

This liquor is brewed from the oat they themselves grow; previously they had to buy it from Daping merchants, and it was so expensive it hurt people's hearts.

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They also have husbands, sons, and parents; although the grasslands carve the law of the weak being meat for the strong into bone and blood, women's hearts are softer—they cannot bear to see elders voluntarily venture deep into the grasslands to leave survival resources to the younger generation, growing old and frail, becoming food for wolves.

Now that food is abundant, the Hu don't mind supporting the elderly.

They weren't born to be beasts; besides, the elderly are useful now—tasks like combing wool, cutting black feather grass, and farming, they can all do.

War will take the lives of their brothers, husbands, and sons.

They don't understand why, now that they have food and drink and life is good, they still have to go to war.

However, the Chanyu's command is not something anyone dares to defy; each tribe selects warriors and sends them to the royal tent.

Seeing this group of sluggish, unwilling soldiers, the Second and Third Princes' expressions were not good.

How long has it been? The children of the Eternal Heaven have already been corrupted by a comfortable life!

What makes them even angrier is that the old Chanyu actually allowed the Crown Prince to command troops.

The herders bribed by the Crown Prince with small favors rushed to join him, none willing to follow the Second and Third Princes.

The Crown Prince's temperament is gentle, much better than the blood‑loving Second and Third Princes.

Most importantly, the Crown Prince has lots of money—he buys better weapons and finer warhorses, and if he unfortunately dies on the battlefield, the condolence payment will surely be higher!

Better warhorses and weapons mean a higher survival rate—this simple calculation anyone can do.

Moreover, the disciples personally taught by Master Xuanji—several children from small tribes received from him an excellent formula for wound‑healing medicine, said to stop bleeding especially quickly.

These little shamans also came under the Crown Prince's command to serve him, further raising the survival rate.

When these pieces of news spread one after another, the soldiers under the Second and Third Princes began to feel restless, all wanting to defect to the Crown Prince.

The two princes stared with eyes about to burst, their hatred so intense it felt like gouging out their hearts and scratching their insides raw.

They toiled hard, only to end up making a wedding dress for the Crown Prince!?

"It's all that bald donkey's fault!" the Third Prince snarled; after that bald donkey arrived on the grasslands, his days with his second brother became unpleasant.

If it weren't for that bald donkey, the Crown Prince wouldn't have thought of doing business and earning so much money.

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He needs to come up with a plan; Master Xuanji's reputation on the grasslands is truly enormous, even reaching parity with the old Chanyu, so they cannot kill him openly—only assassinate.

When the time comes, once Master Xuanji dies, there will be no witnesses; no one will know it was them who killed him.

The Second Prince smiled at the corner of his mouth, "War really is great! Killing one or two celebrities is actually not strange at all! You agree, right, Third Brother?"

The Third Prince clenched his great knife, gave a ferocious grin, "Second Brother is right! The Black Bear tribe's people are cruel and vicious; they actually killed the master—truly a cause for joint human and divine outrage, the herders will surely fight desperately against the Black Bear!"

Outside the tent, a parrot flapped its wings in the night, almost silently cutting through the air.

Tsk tsk! It says the dog host isn't nearly as popular as he imagined! Look, they not only want to kill him, but also want to use his corpse until nothing remains!

Truly worthy of an eco‑friendly grassland—even corpses aren't spared!

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"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please go slow, watch your step!"

Several palace maids nervously chased after a little dumpling; the dumpling wore bright yellow clothes, had a chubby little face, red lips and white teeth, and eyes like black grapes, glossy and watery—just looking at it made one's heart melt.

At that moment, a huge white snake swam over swiftly.

The little dumpling instinctively stopped his steps and happily waved, "Snake snake!"

The palace attendants who had chased after him couldn't help but stop in their tracks, their faces showing the relief of a burden lifted.

The little prince, having just learned to crawl, wanted to walk; as soon as he could walk, he wanted to run, so he fell every day. He also disliked having a crowd follow him, constantly playing hide‑and‑seek with the palace staff. Fearing he would get hurt and that the emperor and empress would blame them, they wished they could hold him constantly and not let him walk at all, so he wouldn't fall and get injured.

The little prince disliked being restrained and hated the palace staff depriving him of the freedom to walk and run; fortunately, the Snake Immortal was watching over him.

The Snake Immortal always stayed by the little prince's side; whenever the prince fell, the Immortal's long tail would sweep in with perfect precision, flinging the prince onto itself without even a scratch.

Over time, the palace attendants' fear of the Snake Immortal turned into gratitude.

Raising a royal child is difficult; they must not fall or be hurt, and the prince is especially delicate—if anything happened to him, their entire extended clan would be put to death.

The great white snake slithered over, hooked the lunging little prince with its tail in one swift motion, and carried him back to the empress's palace.

The little dumpling clung to the white snake's back, arms wrapped around it, his chubby cheek pressed against the snake as they walked through the palace, giggling.

"Father, Mother..."

The emperor and empress heard the child's voice and walked out of the hall hand in hand.

Seeing the little prince brought back by the white snake, the empress's face softened into a gentle smile: "Qi'er is back."

The emperor strode over, scooped up his plump son in one arm, and rubbed his beard against the boy's face, provoking a series of frantic "no, no, nos" from the prince, who wildly pushed away his father's prickly visage.

In the end, the empress couldn't bear to watch and rescued the child.

The little prince nestled in the empress's embrace, turned his back on the emperor, and puffed out his lips in a pout.

"Qi'er, why do you favor the snake over me so much?" the emperor said, looking aggrieved; the son would rather hug the great snake than be held by his own father.

The little dumpling declared bluntly: "The snake is cool, Father is hot! Plus, Father's beard prickles and hurts!" After thinking, he added, using his little uncle as an example: "My little uncle also likes to sleep hugging the snake."

What can the white snake, which understands human speech, do?

It's only to blame that it's so popular—its adopted son wants to sleep with it, the little prince also likes to find it for sleep, and as a single snake it must try to please both sides.

Anyway, its body is long and sturdy, enough for two people to snuggle up!

The empress let out a long sigh and couldn't help complaining to the emperor: "Nowadays no young lady in the capital will marry Ah Ming; he's almost twenty, yet he still acts like a child, saying women are troublesome and love to cry, just looking at them annoys him!"

The more the empress spoke, the angrier she became; if her brother were here, she'd really want to give him a beating.

The emperor also wore a headache, unable to stop recalling recent events.

Feng Ming is the imperial uncle, talented in his own right; although he hasn't completely severed ties with the Pingyuan Bo family, everyone can see they are now estranged to the point of never interacting again.

Consequently, the empress's natal family holds little influence, so the emperor need not guard against insignificant in‑laws and feels comfortable employing Feng Ming as his imperial uncle.

Most of the concubines in the harem lack neither food nor wealth; their work isn't for those things, but rather they are motivated by the grand vision the empress has painted for them.

To prevent women everywhere from suffering in silence, they need employment.

Both mother and daughter know that Sang Ya's father's leg has fully healed; he is one of the bravest warriors on the steppe, and when the Chanyu's conscription reaches him, he cannot refuse to go.

The Second Prince himself is not indulgent like the Chanyu of Shuwu; he is crafty and sinister like a venomous snake. Were it not for Master Xuanji's soft‑blade tactics that weaken the Hu's fighting strength, once the Second Prince ascends he would surely become a great menace to the Central Plains.

The prices of steppe milk powder and wool rise year after year; even wealthy Hu people find it too bothersome to raid Daqing for autumn spoils, since the little they gain isn't worth raising commodity prices.

"As for the eldest prince…" the emperor said, his tone tinged with admiration, "He is benevolent and wise, possesses outstanding leadership talent, excels at winning people's hearts and employing them well; if he were to become Chanyu, the steppe would surely grow richer and stronger, which in the long run would be disadvantageous for the Central Plains."

She needs a stable and tranquil harem to give the little prince time to grow.

Although the noble ladies have heard that General Feng Ming of the North considers the snake his father, they have never seen the great white snake in person, so they are not that terrified, let alone willing to share meals and lodging with it.

The Second and Third Princes are the sons of the current Consort Ali, whose natal family wields great power, making the Second Prince highly competitive.

Looking at it this way, General Feng Ming of the North is nothing short of a glittering golden turtle‑son‑in‑law!

Feng Ming leapt up and down; the little lion and the little prince clapped their hands to cheer the empress, though they had originally intended to cheer Feng Ming, but since his strength is overwhelming, they decided to cheer the weaker side instead.

Isn't it said that the Chanyu of Shuwu most favors his eldest son, the firstborn?

The emperor first shook his head, then said, "Actually, I would prefer the Second or Third Prince to take the throne! If either of them ascended, the step would surely become a militaristic, war‑loving state; Daqing would at most face a temporary hardship, and once we recover we could drive the Hu back."

Therefore, when the empress decided to hold a matchmaking banquet for her brother Feng Ming, nearly half of the capital's noble ladies attended.

The noble ladies: "……"

This money is their courage; these young ladies now hold their heads high and no longer need to endure being bullied by their natal or marital families.

Which noble lady would dare to associate with a giant snake? She on the spot grabbed a feather duster and chased her brother throughout the palace, striking him.

Make sure in the end it isn't going to eat them?

The Northern General is not only young but also high‑ranking and powerful, and he's even good‑looking!

The noble ladies declared this a hell‑level marriage prospect; they simply cannot imagine living under the same roof as a snake, let alone sharing a meal with it.

When Feng Ming appeared, each noble lady's face flushed with shyness, and upon seeing him they felt even more delighted.

Although the twins' story can't fool those ministers, it seems they have all come to accept it.

Hmm, should we next openly take a concubine?

There's no such justification!

The wool from the steppe brings too many benefits to Daqing; the empress is reluctant to give up this trade.

That is why the great white snake's appearance here is so simple.

The empress came to her senses and said, "The master has already spent three years in Hu lands; it's indeed time for him to return."

But she has never been on a battlefield, has no father, and only she can protect her frail mother and two young brothers; can she really do it?

After all, the steppe is Hu territory, and the master is still there.

The empress, lost in thought, hesitated and said, "But if the Second or Third Prince were to ascend… perhaps the promising situation might change?"

The empress nodded and reminded, "In that case, we must not let the Hu people kill the master."

She feels grateful to Master Xuanji, for thanks to him she was able to bear the crown prince, and the experience of raising a child together with the emperor has deepened the couple's intimacy. Over these years, living in this vast palace, they have lived like ordinary folk couples—consulting each other, sharing responsibilities, and relying only on one another.

Since the son needs a match, as the snake's father he ought to come over to help assess the prospect.

The empress, already securely seated on the Fishing Terrace, now fears nothing; even the emperor tacitly accepts fewer people in the harem, which makes the prince safer, and she is certainly not a jealous wife.

"Sister Sang Ya, don't be afraid!" Jiang Yin reassured her, "My father has a way."

From the backyard's perspective, the noble ladies see that General Zhenbei Fengming lives alone in the General's Manor; his stepmother cannot control him, and as soon as one enters the gate one can seize control of the manor's backyard, with no wicked mother-in-law overseeing from above, and his older sister is the Empress, and moreover the son born to the Empress is not only the emperor's only son but was made crown prince right after birth…

The wool clothing business—though it may not fill the emperor's privy purse—has seen most of the Place: Inner Palace concubines dispatched by her to handle it. The concubines are now full of career drive, unwilling to return to the palace to squabble over trifles, and the empress is immensely pleased.

Since the little crown prince arrived, the emperor's interest in women has waned; he devotes all his thoughts to state affairs, and whatever time remains he gives to the crown prince.

'This is my snake father; in the Great Qing, governance is based on filial piety, and as my wife you will one day have to honor it together with me.' Feng Ming smiled adorably at the noble ladies present, saying, 'If anyone is interested, you may live with the snake father for a day; if the snake father has no objection, we will marry.'

She decided to find a time to summon those girls into the palace, creating an opportunity for her brother to meet them; as time went on, once they got to know each other fairly well, she would not believe she could not find a sister-in-law for him!

From then on, no one inquired anymore—it was practically the rhythm of a doomed singleton!

Hearing this, the empress felt her vision darken involuntarily.

'You needn't worry about this.' The emperor narrowed his eyes, saying, 'I have not excessively lowered the price of wool; the barbarians reap great benefits from the trade…… These second princes cannot resist it—if he dares to block the barbarians' source of wealth, the barbarians will not let him become supreme ruler.'

Sang Ya's father looked over with weary eyes; lately he has been drilling formations every day with the other barbarians, and when he returns home at night he still has to worry about the safety of his wife and daughters—no matter how good the food, he is visibly worn out.

Or rather, the emperor, as an observer, quietly reminded the empress, 'Ah Zhi, not all girls are afraid of snakes—those who were previously abducted……'

The empress was so angry she nearly wanted to force the emperor to buy and sell by force; anyway, once an imperial edict comes down, you must marry even if you don't want to, unless you intend to defy the edict!

He had great confidence in the military strength of the Great Qing.

Even if it was a stratagem, the Grand Master had indeed let the barbarians live a carefree life of plenty, enough to repay their kindness in raising his son.

The barbarians have no desire to go to war with the Great Qing; the flourishing border market is the best proof of that.

As expected, Feng Ming's words eventually got out.

The emperor held a cup of clear tea and told the empress about the Grand Master Xuanji's affairs on the steppe.

The empress soon became happy.

And then—there was no afterwards.

'Besides, it just so happens that Jiang Qiming is now yelling that he wants to divorce the Wan clan and doesn't want to give the title to Jiang Xiao; as long as the Grand Master's son returns, he can inherit the title.'

Ah, how could she have forgotten that the girls rescued by the great white snake are very fond of it—she has summoned them several times, and the first thing they do upon entering the palace is to seek out the great white snake, prepare delicacies for it, bathe it, and give it a massage.

Whether they are ladies from noble families or beauties from humble homes, he can take his pick!

Finally, Feng Ming leapt onto the roof, squatted there, and spoke with conviction: 'Elder sister, I haven't yet told those women that I want to sleep with the snake father! My snake father is so cool in summer, curling up with him to sleep is wonderful—what woman could compare to my snake father?'

He sighed, 'No wonder he's a holy monk—this is certainly a stratagem!'

Who made the Jiang family so selfish and self-interested that a little stirring up causes chaos, with chickens flying and dogs jumping.

They need disposable wealth, not to gamble on luck in hopes of marrying a good man.

When Feng Ming cried out 'Father!' in a clear voice to the appearing great white snake, and the snake raised its ferocious head, all the noble ladies' dreams were shattered.

At night, Jiang Siyin quietly came to Sang Ya's home.

Lady Ru's remarriage came from seeing no hope. After Lady Ru remarried like that, the women in the emperor's Place: Inner Palace who are out there building careers also began to stir, and the empress felt that the time until the next concubine 'dies' would soon arrive.

Since the supreme ruler's conscription order was issued, Sang Ya has fallen into a state of fear.

Sang Ya handles her whip very well; her martial prowess even exceeds that of most steppe warriors.

Sang Ya trusted Grand Master Xuanji greatly, and immediately asked, 'Does the Grand Master have a solution? What does he have?'

Moreover, wool factories have been opening one after another in the Great Qing, employing many women.

The empress instantly realized.

Speaking of this, he smiled faintly, 'If the steppe were to descend into civil war, it wouldn't be strange at all for one or two celebrities to die.'

Some savvy barbarians have already taken the captured Qing slaves out, picked those who can read and write, given them status and money, and had them teach themselves or their children the Qing language and script.

The emperor walked around the hall with his hands behind his back, saying, 'The Grand Master is right—this is a cultural struggle…… Now the barbarians are all speaking Han Chinese and learning Han script; in a hundred years, what distinction will there still be between barbarian and Han?'

Feng Ming loves to laugh; when she laughs she is bright and adorable, all the more charming, and the noble ladies see her as approachable, not a reckless warrior.

The great white snake lowered its head, its pair of icy cold snake eyes fixed on them.

What's the point of a woman who doesn't like the snake father? Would she not only marry him but also have to drive the snake father away?

Feng Ming quickly said, 'Elder sister, better not create karma! I'm not saying I won't marry; I just want to find a woman who likes the snake father to live with me.'

Not only is she afraid, Sang Ya's mother is even more afraid.

'Your Majesty, does the great crown prince have no chance of ascending?' the empress asked oddly.

After lunch, the plump crown prince quickly snuggled up with the great white snake and fell into a loud sleep.

The empress's anger!

The empress swore she had sent someone skilled in palace intrigue to the Jiang household, but if the Jiang family themselves do not engage in internal strife, with elders kind and younger ones filial, no matter how capable her agent is, it will be useless.

The emperor did not know his wife's thoughts had flown to his own Place: Inner Palace, and he comforted her, saying, 'I have already sent people to protect the Grand Master; I fear not ten thousand, but the one in ten thousand.'

People coming and going in this palace—even sealing mouths would be too late.

'The steppe scouts say that the second and third princes of the Tieman tribe have murderous intent toward Grand Master Xuanji.' As he said this, the emperor's face showed apprehension, 'The great crown prince has been bewitched by the benefits brought by Grand Master Xuanji, but the second and third princes have not. The second prince is clever; although Grand Master Xuanji has brought many changes to the steppe, he has already sensed something amiss.'

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