novelSusiti Chapter 36 Political Marriage, Each with Their Own Plans
Chapter 36 Political Marriage, Each with Their Own Plans
"Ling Yuan needs the Khan's official edict and the pass to ensure a smooth return journey."
I need three thousand truly skilled and battle-hardened Hu cavalry for a period of one year to help me deter the weak and consolidate my power in the early stages of my return to the tribe.
Furthermore, the Khan must use the prestige of the nomadic tribes to demonstrate to the various tribes of the grasslands his support for the legitimate succession of the Muyun Lingyuan lineage.
I promise that during the Khan's reign, nomadic caravans will enjoy the most favorable treatment within Xiongnu territory, five fixed border markets will be established, and nomadic peoples will be given priority in salt and iron trade. This is a win-win situation.
Guli Khan leaned slightly forward, his eyes like hooks:
"A win-win situation? How can I be sure you can succeed? Your father is still alive, your brother is powerful, and you go back alone with a few thousand barbarian cavalry. Can you really turn the world upside down?"
"If you lose, my investment will be completely lost, and I will not only needlessly offend your father and brother, but also give the Xiongnu even more ammunition to criticize me."
Mu Yunling knew that the most crucial moment had arrived. He took a deep breath and laid out his prepared speech, his tone filled with the confidence and determination forged through twelve years of forbearance:
"Khan, I, Muyun Lingyuan, have spent twelve years in the land of the barbarians. What I have learned and observed is not limited to riding and archery."
I know my father is suspicious by nature and has become increasingly reliant on the power of the Xiutu tribe in recent years, while distancing himself from his old followers.
The second brother, Mu Yunzhao, is brave but lacks wisdom, and his actions are ruthless, causing many in his tribe to harbor resentment. This is one reason.
"Secondly, although my mother, Princess Changning, has passed away, the Taichu tribe is my mother's clan, and my uncle, Taichu Jing, still has influence in the tribe."
I am not without foundation. My return is legitimate, as the eldest son returning to the family line. The greater good rests with me.
"Thirdly," he said, his gaze intense.
"Khan, do you know that I have secretly contacted some of the former Muyun followers and small Xiongnu tribes who are dissatisfied with the status quo? They have suffered under Muyun Zhao for a long time, and all they need is an opportunity, a banner, and I am that banner. Your support, Khan, is the spark that ignites that opportunity."
"Fourth," Mu Yunlingyuan's voice softened, yet it became even more powerful.
"Even if I fail to gain full power in the short term, as long as I can establish myself and form a significant, friendly force among the nomadic tribes within the Muyun tribe and even within the Xiongnu, it will already be a successful investment for the Khan."
This force is enough to restrain my father and second brother, preventing them from fully targeting the Hu tribes. The Khan can then remain firmly in the royal court and remotely control the affairs of the grasslands. Why not?
This statement combines situational analysis, a demonstration of its own advantages, and a clear indication of the strategic benefits that even partial success could bring to the Hu people, progressing step by step with rigorous logic.
Guli Khan fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the wolf-head gold ornament.
The only sound inside the tent was the crackling of the lamplight; he was indeed tempted.
Mu Yunlingyuan's analysis largely matched the secret reports he had gathered. This young man's insight, courage, and forbearance far exceeded his expectations.
Supporting him certainly carries risks, but the potential benefits are enormous. A Muyun tribe successor who is pro-Hu and capable of balancing the internal affairs of the Xiongnu would undoubtedly be the best solution to the hidden worries on the eastern border of the Hu people.
After a long pause, Guli Khan suddenly laughed, a laugh that carried the unique boldness and deep calculation of a grassland overlord:
"Good! Muyun Lingyuan, you have shown me your value! The imperial edict, the golden decree, and the three thousand iron cavalry are yours! As for the promises of trade and commerce, I also want you to write them down in black and white, swearing an oath in the name of the ancestors of the Muyun tribe!"
Mu Yunlingyuan made up his mind and was about to agree when he heard Guli Khan's tone suddenly change, becoming unquestionable:
"However, empty promises are ultimately shallow. On the grasslands, the strongest bond is none other than the connection of blood. I have a daughter, fifteen years old, intelligent and brave, the jewel of my Hu people."
This Khan wishes to betroth her to you, and after you have settled down in your tribe, the wedding ceremony will take place.
From that moment on, the Hu people and the Muyun tribe became as close as father-in-law and son-in-law, bound by an unbreakable bond, sharing both fortune and misfortune!
A marriage alliance! It's finally happening! Mu Yunlingyuan's pupils contracted slightly, and countless thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.
This is the oldest and most effective form of political coercion.
Guli Khan's move was not only to add an extra layer of insurance to the alliance, but also to deeply bind the interests of the Hu tribe with his own destiny, and even to influence the internal affairs of the Muyun tribe through the princess in the future.
Accepting this means bearing the stigma of rising to power through the status of a Hu tribe son-in-law, which may draw criticism within the tribe and potentially lead to future dependence on the Hu tribe.
Don't accept? All your previous efforts will be in vain.
Without the full support of Guli Khan, the journey home was fraught with danger, and once back in his tribe, progress became extremely difficult.
In a flash, Mu Yunling weighed the pros and cons. A small act of impatience could ruin a great plan.
Today's humiliation is tomorrow's gain. First, take advantage of the situation to gain a firm foothold and accumulate strength. When your wings are truly full, today's shackles may turn into assistance or be easily resolved.
His face displayed just the right amount of surprise and hesitation, which eventually turned into solemnity and gratitude.
He took a half step back, straightened his robes, and performed a solemn steppe oath ceremony towards Guli Khan, his voice steady and powerful:
"The Khan's kindness is beyond words, Ling Yuan is deeply grateful! The princess is of noble birth, how could Ling Yuan refuse? This is a great fortune for the Hu people and the Muyun tribe! Ling Yuan hereby swears, with the Eternal Heaven as witness, and with the spirits of the ancestors of the Muyun tribe and the Xiongnu:"
If he ever gains power, he will treat the Hu people as relatives by marriage, faithfully uphold the covenant, and never betray them! If he breaks this oath, may he be forsaken by gods and men, and condemned by heaven and earth!
The vows, resounding and echoing, reverberated within the golden tent.
Guli Khan looked at the respectful yet upright young man before him, his eyes filled with even greater satisfaction.
He burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the tent: "Good! Good son-in-law! Brilliant! Men! Bring the Khan's golden seal, issue a decree, and order Balaba to lead three thousand 'Azure Wolf Cavalry' to your command! Also, prepare generous gifts to send off my future husband, the pearl of the Hu tribe!"
"Thank you, Father-in-law!" Mu Yun Lingyuan bowed again, the gratitude in his lowered eyes quickly subsiding into a deep, calm, and sharp gaze.
Inside the golden tent, candlelight blazed brightly as the alliance was first established. Outside, the north wind continued to howl, swirling up thousands of piles of snow.
This alliance and marriage, each with its own hidden agenda, is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake. It will surely stir up ripples in the vast northern frontier of the Xuanxu Continent, eventually evolving into a raging torrent.
Mu Yun Lingyuan held the golden seal edict he had just received, which was still warm, and tightened his grip slightly with his fingertips.
He knew that the real journey was only just beginning.
With the identity of a Hu tribe's son-in-law and three thousand foreign cavalry, he will return to that land that is both familiar and unfamiliar, to face his father's suspicion, his brother's hostility, the tribe's observation, and the various dangers that the mysterious system's host may have set up.
The road ahead is fraught with peril, but the sword has been drawn; there is no choice but to move forward.
Mu Yunlingyuan's heart stirred slightly. Wang Jinglue, did you see that?
I've already made my first move in this game. Now it's your turn to help me carve a bloody path through this intricate chessboard.