Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times-Chapter 166 - 94: Good News Reaches Liuzhou
Chapter 166 -94: Good News Reaches Liuzhou
“Good grief! On days when heaven isn’t dozing, that’s what I call bliss!” Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Goodness, a surefire answer to prayers, isn’t it? A certainty with every request, isn’t it? Saving folks from fire and water, isn’t it?
An excited Gu Changsheng got up from the rocking chair, steadying himself, “Xiao Cui, hurry and see what’s happened, the whole village is stirred up.”
“Yes.” Xiao Cui’s distant response came as she was about to head out the door, but before she could reach it, a figure rushed in.
“Changsheng big sister, Changsheng big sister, great news, such great news!” Lan Zhi entered, arms flailing and teeth flashing, utterly shedding her initial shyness.
Gu Changsheng hurriedly got off the rocking chair to greet her.
What the heck is this? Like a clown show! Grabbing Lan Zhi by the arm and steadying her, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but scold, “What’s going on? What kind of joyous news makes you forget even the baby in your belly, barging in here like this? What on earth happened?”
Gently brushing Lan Zhi’s wrist to ensure her pulse was fine, Gu Changsheng finally calmed down.
Only then did a shyly smiling Lan Zhi, now aware, cradle her belly before looking up at Gu Changsheng’s face and recoiling in fright, tremblingly pointing, “Changsheng big sister, your… your face…”
Gu Changsheng then realized she was still wearing a facemask and quickly scooped water from a basin nearby to wash it off before returning to Lan Zhi’s side, “It’s nothing, Lan Zhi sister-in-law, I was just idly doing a facemask. You still haven’t said what the joyous news is that’s caused such a commotion?”
The whole village was abuzz, the sounds of drums and gongs never-ending; surely they must have used every pot and pan available to create such a racket?
Could it be that the Emperor had declared a general amnesty? But that didn’t seem right…
Ordinary peasant families, they didn’t have any criminals in custody…
Gu Changsheng hadn’t meant to ask, but as soon as she did, Lan Zhi was excited again, completely forgetting her pregnant state, grabbing Gu Changsheng’s hands and hopping up and down, “Of course it’s great joy, our Prince Mu won a great victory three days ago!”
“Eh…” Gu Changsheng was reluctantly spun around by Lan Zhi, silently forgiving herself for not being able to join in Lan Zhi’s frenzy due to her injuries.
In truth, she really didn’t think there was much to celebrate…
It was expected that news of victory would reach the Capital City within ten days, but in just six days, the news had already arrived in Liuzhou…
Catching a glance at the man lying leisurely in the corridor, Gu Changsheng inwardly scoffed, Prince Mu winning battles? As if! He’s been on his way back to Liuzhou for the past three days, hasn’t he?
Being a general must be damn good, the soldiers below work themselves to death winning a battle, and all the glory goes to one man.
Tsk tsk… Where there’s strife, there’s bound to be inexplicable phenomena, huh…
After shooting Zhou Mu a disdainful look, Gu Changsheng turned to an overly excited Lan Zhi and couldn’t help but wipe the sweat from her brow, “Look here, sister-in-law Lan Zhi, Prince Mu wins battles, but what does that have to do with us common folks?”
Not even caring for the child in your stomach and getting needlessly agitated, what for?
Can’t even be at peace when carrying a ball, it’s really worrying!
With Gu Changsheng’s words, Lan Zhi finally realized and started to explain why, holding her hand, “Big sister Changsheng, your family might not miss that little bit of money and grain, but it’s different for us ordinary folks.”
Gu Changsheng looked up puzzledly at Lan Zhi, what’s this about? She’s pretty down-to-earth, isn’t she? Why’s she suddenly lumped into the rich folks category?
No way, absolutely not! Any human cut off from the working masses is bound to be isolated!
She did not want to be isolated!
“Look at you, sister-in-law Lan Zhi, I’ve only just moved back from the Capital City not long ago, and even though I married into Xiao Cui’s family, we’re just ordinary people. Come on, tell me, what’s so jubilant about Prince Mu’s victory?” Gu Changsheng’s interest was piqued, and she eagerly sought an explanation.
Lan Zhi glanced at the guard outside and decided not to argue about hiding wealth with her, instead explaining in a rambling manner, “You don’t understand, other places wish for peace and national prosperity.”
Gu Changsheng nodded, indeed, that’s exactly right.
“But Liuzhou Region, ever since Prince Mu came along, it’s been different from other places.”
“Different? What, are they actually hoping for war?” Gu Changsheng looked sharply at Lan Zhi; the thing’s way too hyped, has her brain flooded?
Slapping Gu Changsheng’s hand, Lan Zhi’s answer was forthright, “That’s exactly it, the people of Liuzhou Region are hoping for war!”
Such a slap in the face! Gu Changsheng was inwardly hurt. Right, she might as well keep quiet and let sister-in-law Lan Zhi ramble…
“Our Prince Mu is such a powerhouse, he’s like the reincarnation of Second Master Guan, the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals reborn. He’s never lost a battle!”
“It’s said that his military achievements are so high that our Imperial Grandfather, the Emperor, has exhausted all the rewards he could bestow. Gold, Silver and Jewels, bevies of beautiful maidens and servant women, nothing’s out of reach…”
Gu Changsheng looked at Lan Zhi, who had started to chatter away like a mother hen, with an expression of utter speechlessness…
Dammit, even the “Imperial Grandfather,” she must’ve watched too many dramas, right?
It couldn’t be helped, Gu Changsheng had guessed right; that was indeed where Lan Zhi got her stories – off the opera stage at the local fair.
“The rewards that could be given were given, titles that could be conferred were conferred. Our Prince Mu has earned them all. The problem now is that after another military triumph, His Majesty has run out of titles to bestow. Therefore, being of such a young age, our Prince Mu was granted governance over the bounteous lands of Liuzhou, with more than ten thousand households in his fief, a feat unrivalled…”
Gu Changsheng broke out in a sweat. Life was truly difficult without explaining the facts, my friend! The truth was clearly not like that…
The truth was that your dear Imperial Grandfather’s Crown Prince son harbored intentions of killing his son as a precaution against future troubles. Unfortunately, he played the wrong chess move and ended up having his own son die in a fire. How pitiable, oh dear Emperor, losing a son and then forced to pin hopes on a grandson, isn’t it? So he was expelled from the Capital City, demoted to this Liuzhou.
He even declared: forever and ever, not to see each other again. Absolutely brimming with domineering air, it stirs one’s thoughts…
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As for why he was granted the rich lands of Liuzhou, the best explanation would be to silence the gossiping mouth of the masses…
The truth was that skeletal, and the imagination of the people was invariably richer.
As someone who knew the truth, Gu Changsheng really wished to be part of the ignorant crowd, to excitedly celebrate with such blissful ignorance…
“Therefore, with Prince Mu having governed Liuzhou for a decade, whenever there are military engagements, Prince Mu’s victorious return is sure to be met with a royal pardon, exempting us from tribute grain taxes. You have no idea, how in these years, every household’s granary is full. Even if we’re not wealthy, we can be considered content with our modest fortune – all thanks to Prince Mu’s blessings…”
Gu Changsheng came back to her senses amidst Lan Zhi’s devoted adoration for Zhou Mu and suddenly realized – she was right, upon entering Liuzhou, one could clearly see that the streets and houses were better by quite a bit compared to The North, not to mention the high prices of Liuzhou rice. Even hunter families like Lan Zhi’s, though they verbally complained about the expensive grain, weren’t really at the point where they had no rice to cook and faced starvation.
Accumulation of poverty and wealth, hiding wealth among the people, Liuzhou as a whole regards him as though he were the Divine Residence…
Zhou Mu, this evildoer, is truly a cunning devil!
Indeed, it was her meddling in the grain matter that stirred Xiao Chengwen into a cornered dog’s leap, nearly costing her life!
“Serves you right! Meddle in things that aren’t your business!” Gu Changsheng couldn’t help muttering a curse under her breath, inwardly berating herself. Just damn, she should have let Xiao Chengwen make even more of a mess. Why did she have to interfere? Wasn’t it just asking for trouble?
The people of Liuzhou are rich, almost damn dripping with wealth!
And just as someone tried to start a little commotion, to cause a bit of a stir, before a big wave could even rise, she damn came and squashed it flat on the beach!
How damn frustrating must that be!
Gu Changsheng was even more frustrated…
“Changsheng, are you alright, big sister? This is cause for celebration, why do you look as if you’re bearing a vendetta?”
If she didn’t look like she was bearing a vendetta, she would’ve failed the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart she was born with!
Unable to resist replying in her mind, Gu Changsheng then grabbed Lan Zhi and headed for the door, “Is there anybody else you haven’t notified? Let’s go celebrate with them. Xiao Cui, Xiao Leizi, why aren’t you grabbing the pots and pans yet? Celebrate Prince Mu’s triumphant victory, will you?”
Xiao Cui and Dong Lei obediently brought out their utensils and followed Lan Zhi out the door, pushed by Gu Changsheng. Before leaving, Gu Changsheng also made sure to sternly remind them, “Make sure to shout loudly. On such a universally joyous occasion, we can’t be left out!”
Xiao Cui and Dong Lei glanced at each other, perplexed as they were left outside the door.
No choice but to join the villagers in their celebration. From praying to the tree spirit in the east of the village to the gods in the west, the atmosphere was more lively than the New Year’s, having prayed to every possible deity for Prince Mu to pull off another amazing feat so that they too could enjoy another year of peace and prosperity…
Returning to her own courtyard, Gu Changsheng’s mood was clearly not as bright. Her eyes fixated on the two figures on the rocking chairs in the corridor before she dashed towards one of them.
Zhou Mu, unconcerned about the hands closing in on his neck, managed to steady Gu Changsheng as she charged at him. His face masked, his expression unreadable.
Off to the side, Yue Xilou leisurely turned over, positioning herself to get a good view of the imminent drama.
“Evildoer, don’t you have anything to say to your mother?”
Zhou Mu frowned, puzzled. What did she expect him to say?
“From weakness to strength, from poverty to wealth, Liuzhou has likely become an impregnable fortress under your decade-plus stewardship, hasn’t it?”
Zhou Mu glanced at the hand around his neck and responded, “Yes.”
Liuzhou was his domain, his last resort, and he naturally managed it with care.
“So you left a bunch of numbskulls like Yuan Bao here, letting me clean up this mess for you, a task that’s nothing major for you. You must be feeling pretty smug, huh?” Gu Changsheng, recalling the harrowing experience of that night, tightened her grip involuntarily, a sharp glint passing through her eyes.
