Chapter 668 - Chapter 668: Satisfaction
Chapter 668: Satisfaction
Editor: Atlas Studios
Sanglin’s two sons had died in a confrontation with the Imperial Court. Although that was back in the Great Zhou dynasty and not Great Qi, in his opinion, they were both Han Chinese.
Especially since his favorite eldest son had died in the confrontation with the Imperial Court, it was impossible for him not to hate the Han Chinese. However, when the West Xia soldiers wreaked havoc previously and more than half of his people were killed or injured, it was Qi Haoran who led his troops to chase the West Xia soldiers out and gave them a way out. Knowing that he did not have the ability to resist the Qi brothers, when Great Qi asked them to surrender, he surrendered right after Ji’an did.
His rationality had prevailed over his sentiments.
Now, he still didn’t like Qi Haoran, who was a Han Chinese, but he would be very polite to him and even flatter him. He only hoped that he wouldn’t vent his anger on the entire Miao stockade because of his second son.
Seeing the sorrow in Sanglin’s eyes, Qi Haoran was satisfied. Although it was painful, he still took the big picture into consideration. In that case, Qi Haoran did not mind selling him a favor.
Qi Haoran knocked on the table and asked, “I wonder what kind of dealings Young Master Zhong has with Dali?”
Sanglin’s expression darkened. After a long time, he said, “The Miao people are having a hard time. Since the Han people often suppress our prices when doing business with us, we have no choice but to barter with Dali. It’s purely business. As for my second son, I don’t know what he does with Dali in private. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, I can call him over and you can interrogate him.”
“Chief Sanglin, you’re too kind. I only brought 20 personal guards this time because I didn’t want to make things too ugly.”
Sanglin’s expression softened slightly.
Qi Haoran continued, “However, I have to be wary of Dali’s wild ambitions. Back then, when the Great Zhou Dynasty was in trouble, Dali could take the opportunity to leave the country. Now, they can take advantage of the new establishment of the Great Qi Dynasty to divide our territory.”
Sanglin’s heart skipped a beat. He sat up straight and asked, “So what does Your Highness mean?”
Qi Haoran said with a smile, “Chief Sanglin, actually, I have a request for you this time.” Qi Haoran straightened his expression and said, “I have a son who is already two years old, but he doesn’t yet know how to speak. I heard that Miao doctors are very capable, so I hope that you can find me a brilliant Miao doctor.”
Confusion flashed across Sanglin’s eyes. He could not figure out what Qi Haoran meant.
Qi Haoran continued, “Every time I see him being mischievous, I’m angry and happy at the same time. I believe all fathers feel the same way. Although we get mad when our child makes a mistake, we can’t help but feel sorry for him and wish to clean up his mess for him. Young Master Zhong is in the wrong, but as long as he hasn’t really taken that step, it’s not too late to pull back from the precipice. Putting myself in your shoes, I don’t hope to see you lose a son at your age.”
Tears streamed down Sanglin’s face as he held Qi Haoran’s hand and cried like a child. “Your Highness, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I had 11 sons, and now, there are only four left. If another one dies, my heart will ache…”
Qi Haoran’s eyes burned slightly. He thought of Little Bear, who was still working hard to learn how to speak. It was originally just an act, but now, 70% of it was genuine. Truly empathizing with the chief, he patted Sanglin’s shoulder and said, “I’ll report this matter to His Majesty. Should His Majesty pardons him, as long as Young Master Zhong doesn’t do anything wrong again, this matter will be over.”
Sanglin’s body stiffened. He raised his tear-filled face and asked, “His Majesty…”
“His Majesty will pardon him.” Qi Haoran said with a straight face, “On top of also being a father, His Majesty has a benevolent heart.”
Sanglin did not believe in the benevolence of an Emperor, but he was willing to believe that Qi Haoran understood his older brother. Seeing that Qi Haoran’s expression did not seem to be fake and that he really had the heart of a loving father, hope rose in his heart.
If this matter really went through the Emperor, there would only be two outcomes. If the Emperor did not agree to forgive his second son, he would order him beheaded.
Should the Emperor be willing to let his son off lightly because of Qi Haoran, even if this matter was exposed in the future, his second son could be spared from death.
After all, Qi Haoran was willing to let him off. However, their private discussion was different from an Emperor being willing to let him off openly.
Sanglin immediately knelt down and held Qi Haoran’s hand tightly. “Thank you, Your Highness. Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ll definitely keep an eye on my unfilial son and not let him do anything wrong again. I’ll also do my best to find you a good Miao doctor. I won’t let you down.”
Outside the door, Sanglin’s remaining seven sons were staring at the door. They were a little surprised to see Qi Haoran and Sanglin appear together.
The two younger ones were only slightly surprised before they became happy, thinking that their father had befriended the Prince just like Chief Ji’an did. Meanwhile, the other five who knew the inside story looked at each other with uncertainty.
Sanglin Zhong’s face darkened as he looked at his father uneasily.
Qi Haoran stood on the steps and nodded slightly at Sanglin’s seven sons. Once again, he sighed in his heart that Sanglin and his wife were so fertile. His gaze swept across his three crippled sons before focusing on Sanglin Zhong and Sanglin Ji. With a smile, he cupped his hands at Sanglin before bidding farewell.
Chief Sanglin respectfully sent him to the entrance of the stockade and promised, “Your Highness, don’t be anxious. I’ll definitely try my best to find you the person.”
Qi Haoran said gratefully, “Thank you, Chieftain.”
Qi Haoran was very satisfied with this trip. Not only did he officially subdue Bisha Miao stockade, but his relationship with Chief Sanglin had also improved. He had also found out the exact process of their transactions with Dali and even obtained Sanglin’s guarantee that he would think of a way to let him make a trip to Dali through their trade caravan.
Chief Sanglin was also very satisfied. Although he sighed in his heart, he had to admit that he was somewhat grateful to Qi Haoran. After all, because of him, he might be able to keep his second son alive.
Although his second son was atrocious, he had raised him for more than 30 years. After his eldest son died, he had always been the one helping to deal with the matters in the stockade. How could he bear to abandon him just like that?
Chief Sanglin waved goodbye to Qi Haoran. When he turned around though, the smile vanished from his face. He looked at his second son sinisterly and said in a low voice, “Follow me.”
The seven sons went to the central room and stood up. The fifth son had to walk with a walking stick thus was two steps behind his brothers.
Sanglin’s gaze swept across his sons’ faces before falling upon the two confused sons who were not even eight years old. He said, “Stand aside.”
The two little ones looked at each other and stood aside hand in hand.
Sanglin looked at his fourth son who had lost his arm, and his seventh and fifth sons who had lost their legs. Feeling sorry for them, he said, “You three sit down.”
The three brothers looked at each other before supporting each other to sit on a chair at the side.
With bloodshot eyes, Sanglin looked at his second and third sons, who were standing in the middle. He asked in a hoarse voice, “Do you know why I left behind the two of you?”
Trembling, Sanglin Zhong did not speak. Sanglin Ji gritted his teeth and finally knelt on the ground. “Father, I’m sorry.”
Sanglin was so angry that he kicked him in the chest and sent him flying. “Why didn’t you say sorry when you stood by and watched? He’s your brother. Are you just going to watch him make a mistake?”