Chapter 72 The fight of the strongest (2)
More than half a month later, the spies of the Prefecture of Arrest used the identities of coachmen and merchants to penetrate deeply in the grassland and pry information related to the ruler of the grassland. Not long after they sent the information they had gathered through birds.
The report from the grassland by the spies of the Prefecture of Arrest was placed on Lin Qing’s desk. After Lin Qing had read it, he immediately presented it to emperor Jinghui.
All the people gathered at the desk of emperor Jinghui again. Everyone was silent this time, especially some of the officials who had strongly advocated to cultivate a good relationship with the Xiongnu. At this time, their head almost lowered to their knees.
What cultivating a good relationship? It was truly the biggest joke.
Emperor Jinghui’s expression had long been very stiff. This time, the Xiongnu had played with everyone of Great Liang.
Because of the lag in news, many information of the grassland couldn’t be transmitted to Great Liang. Therefore, no one understood the importance of the situation over there. To make the matters worse, the frontier army’s intelligence was too backwards. They couldn’t even get the basic news about the grasslands.
According to the report submitted by the Prefecture of Arrest, the grassland had suddenly experienced an internal turbulence three months ago. The reason being that the ruler of the Xiongnu, Tuwu Gu, was old and seriously ill. The Xiongnu had to choose a new ruler.
Tuwu Gu’s two sons Muke and Tata had the most right to inherit the throne. The sudden illness of Tuwu Gu let everyone’s eyes focus on these two princes who had the qualifications to be the successor.
Tuwu Gu had three sons. The eldest son died young. Hence, only second prince Muke and third prince Tata were left.
Originally, Muke surpassed Tata in terms of power and talent. Whether it was leading a battle or the relationships with the leaders of the various tribes, Tata wasn’t comparable to Muke. In any case, the most capable person to inherit the throne was Muke.
However, the real situation at the Xiongnu court was that even if Muke was very capable and had more prestige, the person Tuwu Gu loved the most was his youngest son Tata.
Tata was the son of Tuwu Gu and his beloved concubine. His concubine was young and beautiful, so, she was very favored. Naturally, Tata was also loved due to his mother being loved.
Tuwu Gu regarded Tata as the treasure of his palm. No matter what Tata wanted Tuwu Gu would get for him. Even if Tata made a mistake, Tuwu Gu would be biased towards him only because Tata was his youngest son. Tata is his heart and the gift from the eternal god.
Because of Tuwu Gu’s indulgence, Tata would get anything he wanted in the grassland. Naturally, he got haughty. The throne of his father was naturally included in the possessions he wanted. Even if Tata didn’t have that intention, how could Tuwu Gu not leave his most precious thing to his youngest son?
Therefore, no matter how big or small the matter was, Tuwu Gu wanted his youngest son to get involved. It was also good to establish prestige, so, Tata could inherit his (TG) throne after his soul had returned to the eternal life.
However, could Muke agree to that? He wouldn’t agree no matter what.
In terms of power, he had once led the warriors of the grassland to break through a city of Great Liang and let their people plunder Great Liang’s population and property and return with a full load. Everyone was convinced of him. He also has the qualifications and right to inherit the throne. The throne should’ve been originally his.
However, because of Tuwu Gu’s favoritism, he had to bent himself to Tata. Now, Tuwu Gu even wanted to left Tata the throne.
How could Muke be willing? Willing to succumb to others and work for a person who is lesser than him; willing to put away his eagle wings and become the hound of another. His life and death would also be in control of others.
Therefore, the bloody battle for the throne was officially launched on the grassland. The winner would be the khan and the loser would endure humiliation for life and surrender to be under the victor and lick the toes of the person he hated the most to express his surrender.
The other leaders of the various tribes on the grassland were also not easy to get along. They were like wolves; fierce and treacherous. When the two princes fought, they were not such a fool to get involved. Slogans could be shouted and they could stand on a camp, but they would not devote the power of their tribe for a prince. They would watch theses two princes fight to death and then welcome the strongest khan who won the bloody battle because they would only surrender to the strongest. So, all of this happened under their silent agreement.
Because of the favoritism of Tuwu Gu, the battle for the throne had been at a stalemate. Muke didn’t grow up with the pampering like his younger brother and wait for other to deliver to him what he wanted. Everything he owned was won by his own strength bit by bit. Muke who had always acted with scheming and intelligence, didn’t plan to drag on like this because if it continues to drag on like this, even if he won the throne, he would have to pay a not small price.
Hence, he casted his sights on their enemy Great Liang of a thousand li away. At this time, his father planned to ask marriage from Great Liang for his younger brother to boost Tata’s support for him to ascend the throne and erect Tata’s popularity. It was also to consolidate Tata’s power and increase Tata’s chance to inherit the throne.
- Li:500m
Tuwu Gu’s favoritism was to this point. How could Muke accept this with his power and scheming? Hence, he secretly sent people to mix in with the envoy that Tuwu Gu had sent to Great Liang and bribed Chachar. Afterwards, he secretly exchanged the letter that Tuwu Gu used to ask for marriage from Great Liang and replaced the prince with himself.
Everything went smoothly according to his plan. Muke succeeded in marrying Situ Ningan in the shock and anger of his father and Tata.
This is the princess of Great Liang and represented strength, power and dignity. It also proved that he, Muke, was capable of becoming the khan of the new generation!
Tuwu Gu was powerless to reverse the situation because even if he wanted to help his youngest son in ascending the throne, the other leaders of the tribes on the grassland wouldn’t agree. Because Muke had proved that he is the strongest!
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This Xiongnu emperor is a not a great leader nor a good father.