Chapter 543: Mighty and Domineering Supreme Commander
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However, someone inquired loudly, "How did she protect the country exactly?"
The moment a soldier shared the news he had heard, Tang Yueshan's archers became agitated.
One archer said in response, "When did she work with Second Young Master Gu to rescue the Old Marquis? Clearly, it was Physician Gu and Second Young Master Gu who saved the Old Marquis! Along the way, they encountered the Supreme Commander and they teamed up to deal with the Imperial Son-in-law. Later, Physician Gu and Second Young Master Gu took the severely injured Old Marquis to Yuegu City, while the Supreme Commander went to Ye City to save us!"
The soldier then analyzed, "The Old Marquis was initially held at the Prefect's Mansion, heavily guarded with skilled soldiers. Without Princess Ning'an distracting the Imperial Son-in-law and diverting their attention, do you think that physician and that second young master could have succeeded?"
The archer retorted angrily, "Of course, they could! You have no idea how formidable Physician Gu is! She single-handedly... frightened away five thousand State of Chen cavalry!"
The soldier waved his hand dismissively, "You're just bragging! Do you think the State of Chen cavalry is made of paper?"
The archer exploded, "You haven't been there. How do you know I'm bragging!"
The soldier chuckled, "Is it necessary to be there? Just thinking about it and I know it's impossible. Even if Physician Gu has extraordinary abilities, it can't be as exaggerated as you say."
In fact, the group had some doubts about whether Princess Ning'an deserved to be appointed as Grand Princess Protector, but they had no right to intervene. This one contradiction, however, suddenly ignited their competitive spirits.
The two sides began arguing and eventually fighting.
Initially, it was just between two individuals, but it escalated into two lines of people fighting.
One line comprised the archers who had been to the borderlands, and the other line consisted of soldiers who had just arrived from the Langshan Camp.
The commotion was so big that it alarmed Tang Yueshan, and as a result, he learned about Princess Ning'an's appointment.
Tang Yueshan was the Supreme Commander, and standing at his current height, his perspective on issues naturally differed from that of the soldiers below.
He understood why things in the capital had deviated from their original state, as this was the nature of officialdom.
Whether Princess Ning'an had truly accomplished those feats or not wasn’t crucial. Being the favored one of the Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhuang, people would rush to flatter her.
Wasn't this what civil officials excel at? Merely using their tongues, as if they understood all the battles better than the soldiers on the battlefield.
Compared to a minor female physician, the sacrificial spirit and national integrity of an imperial princess were more convincing.
But then again, speaking of it, Gu Jiao's fearless determination was something Tang Yueshan wouldn't have believed if he hadn't experienced it firsthand.
How could someone push themselves to that extent?
Single-handedly bathing in blood on the city tower throughout the night, just to keep the flag of the State of Zhao from falling, merely to protect the border city from destruction!
Just recalling this one incident made Tang Yueshan's entire chest surge with emotions.
This wasn’t to say that the other soldiers had no merits, or that one's contribution was greater or smaller than another's. Every soldier had done well.
However, the claims about Princess Ning'an's achievements were indeed somewhat exaggerated.
If we talk about who eliminated the remnants of the previous dynasty's stronghold, Tang Yueshan wouldn't be surprised if it was Gu Changqing who did it.
Forget it, he was a veteran military official, and such things were commonplace.
The merits of the subordinates were there to be claimed by those above.
Moreover, Gu Jiao wasn’t someone he cared about, and he refused to acknowledge his identity as her lil’ bro.
He wasn't angry.
He didn't care.
And he certainly wouldn't speak up for her.
In the afternoon, Tang Yueshan received a summons from the Emperor, commanding him to enter the imperial palace immediately.
Tang Yueshan speculated that the Emperor was summoning him regarding the appointment of Princess Ning'an. As the army's Supreme Commander and a key figure in the recent border campaign, he believed that if he stepped forward to support Princess Ning'an, it would make the title of Grand Princess Protector more legitimate.
However, the Emperor also instructed him to bring his Tang Family bow. This made him quite unable to fathom what the Emperor intended to do.
Following the eunuch, he went to the palace and discovered that the Emperor did not summon him to the imperial study but to a field near the imperial garden.
Princess Ning'an was also present.
"Your Majesty, Princess Ning'an." Carrying his Tang Family bow on his back, Tang Yueshan saluted respectfully.
Tables and chairs were set up in the field, and the Emperor and Princess Ning'an were already seated. The Emperor pointed to a chair nearby and said to Tang Yueshan, "Beloved Official Tang, please have a seat."
Tang Yueshan sat down in confusion.
About five feet away, Eunuch Wei, with several guards, arranged ten targets.
Could it be that the Emperor wanted to see him shoot arrows?
"How is beloved Official Tang's injury?" The Emperor asked with a friendly tone.
Tang Yueshan belatedly realized that today the Emperor had changed his address to "beloved Official Tang."
This was truly surprising and flattering.
A few months ago, he was still the Emperor's thorn in the eye.
He respectfully replied, "This official is fine now, many thanks to Your Majesty's concern."
So, what exactly did the Emperor want from him?
At this moment, Eunuch Wei approached with quick steps. He greeted Tang Yueshan with a smile, "Lord Tang has arrived."
"Eunuch Wei." Tang Yueshan returned the greeting with cupped hands.
Eunuch Wei smiled and turned to the Emperor and Princess Ning'an, saying, "Your Majesty, Princess, the targets are ready."
"Bring the bow and arrows." said the Emperor.
"Yes." Eunuch Wei went to the side, took a heavy bow from the guards, and personally handed it to Princess Ning'an.
Tang Yueshan raised an eyebrow.
Princess Ning'an, without saying a word, grabbed the large bow. A guard immediately handed over the quiver. She drew an arrow, placed it on the bow, aimed, and with a swish, she shot it!
It hit the target!
Tang Yueshan was astonished.
"Princess has excellent archery!" Eunuch Wei praised with a smile.
The Emperor looked at Princess Ning'an indulgently, "Your archery hasn't deteriorated and has even made some progress."
Tang Yueshan remembered. Princess Ning'an had learned archery several years ago, even alongside him. Otherwise, why did Empress Dowager Zhuang consider marrying Princess Ning'an to him back then?
It was because his old man couldn't keep his mouth shut.
He went to Empress Dowager Zhuang and said that he and Princess Ning'an seemed to be a match made in heaven.
Honestly, he didn't have that kind of interest in Princess Ning'an.
He preferred mature and gentle women, not immature little girls like Ning'an.
Wait a minute, the Emperor suddenly called him here, and all of a sudden he was watching Princess Ning'an shoot arrows. Could it be... His Majesty wanted to marry Princess Ning'an to him again?
He wasn’t someone who wanted just any married woman!
The Emperor smiled and asked, "Beloved Official Tang, what do you think of Ning'an's archery?"
For an ordinary person, being able to shoot like this would be considered good.
That was what Tang Yueshan intended to say, but unexpectedly, it came out as, "Terrible!"
The Emperor was momentarily stunned.
Princess Ning'an was also slightly taken aback.
Obviously, neither expected Tang Yueshan to suddenly be so harsh.
Tang Yueshan himself also broke into a cold sweat. What did he just say? Had he been arguing with Gu Chengfeng in the ward for too long, making his mouth reckless?
"Is it... very terrible?" Princess Ning'an asked awkwardly.
From a woman's perspective, hitting the edge of the bullseye at this distance was actually quite good.
Who would’ve thought Tang Yueshan's head would get heated up, and he let out the anger he had been suppressing all the way, "Whether it’s terrible or not, don't you have any self-awareness? Even a blind person can shoot better than you! Fortunately, you don't have to go to war. Otherwise, before the enemy dies, you'll shoot your own people to death! Still calling yourself the Grand Princess Protector! With your skills! Are you worthy? Have you killed enemies or shed blood? Have you saved people or treated plagues? Just because you carry the title of an imperial princess, do you really think all the merits belong to you?!"
Bah!
You're nothing!
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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