A Groom? - I
The many conversations in the throne room was unbearable to the young princess's ears. She was not used to so many people talking at the same time, especially about such a boring subject as politics and war. However, looking ahead and seeing General Qiang Mao so focused arguing with the minister of treasure, Mifu, it made him want to know more about such serious matters for his hollow head. Her father, King Kong Naran II, seemed tired, afflicted and above all, prepared to listen to each person present there.
As much as Mei Yang did not like to think that in the future, she would have to sit on the throne and discuss wars with evil men who thought they owned the truth. When she saw her father sitting on his throne of solid gold. Shining like the sun with three great colored stones, each representing a state and its power and alliance with everyone, she thought she wanted to be like him, she wanted to be firm seated on her throne holding a crown and being fair and faithful to the people of Naran. However, her father was her father, she was of him, and this gave her great fears of what was to come.
Mei Yang left her inert state, sitting on a low chair resting on a small table in the corner of the golden door, and went on alert when Qiang Mao, wearing the majestic robes of a general just arrived from a war, stood up from his seat and addressed the king in an extremely courteous manner by bowing three times.
- Your Majesty - Qiang Mao continued with his head down while he was addressing for the king, and everyone stopped the chatter to listen to him - Our state is strong, it has great riches and everyone fears us by military force. However, we cannot underestimate other states, our allies are weak, Naki is totally dependent on us and lives in constant war with Kase for land. The state is still standing because we keep it standing. Honga has riches but no military power. Therefore, it all falls on Naran. Our army is forced to protect the neighboring states against the great kingdoms that hate us. Kase and Yate have united against us, they are both great independent states, they are strong and they stand together because they have the same strength. What we must think about now is Sunri and his military and economic strength, he is a fertile land, he possesses great wisdom, and if we do not bring King Tao Jun to our side I fear that we may lose much power.
- Naran is unbeatable! Do you really think Kase and Yate have power against us? - This time it was the minister of national treasures, Mifu, who spoke openly against the general. - Kase is totally weakened by the popular uprising, the king has raised taxes causing uproar, there is an internal war inside those broken walls. Yate will only go to war if Kase enters, then we are free to reinforce our army. We do not need to make unnecessary agreements with Sunri, a state that betrayed us twenty years ago. Don't you remember that your father, the great and majestic General Arin, died in battle because of the intrigues between Sunri and Kase?
- I will never forget, Minister, but this war happened twenty years ago, both states were fighting for power, just as Naran betrayed Kase generating this malaise among nations, Sunri betrayed us out of fear. It was a scenario of war, and in a war, the best wins. - Qiang Mao faced the figure of the king wearing his red robes with the embroidery of the golden dragon, symbol of the king's supreme and unmatched power, and limited himself to doing another reverence. - Majesty, I ask you to think calmly, Kase is restructuring himself, they are rebuilding the walls and soon they will be strong enough to attack us. The more allies we have, the better!
- How can we trust Sunri, General Qiang Mao? - Amon, who was sitting next to the king with his usual supreme air and with that perverse look, asked with disdain. It was obvious to him that Sunri would betray Naran at the first opportunity.
- I was in battle during those three years, I kept not only the borders of Naran, but also of Naki and Honga, I lived with several people, and had the opportunity to meet the noble king of Sunri during the confrontation against the rebels, on the border between Kase and Naki. King Tao Jun is a just, honorable man, very different from his father who took Sunri to a disgrace twenty years ago. I believe we will make a good alliance. Besides being a formidable fighter, he is a great strategist. Naran needs strong allies to fight against Kase and Yate, and at this moment, I risk only Sunri.
- This is an outrage, how can we trust a king who has just taken a throne? - Mifu seemed totally opposed.
- The same way they believed in King Kong Naran II when he took power. We are not dealing with personal matters, minister; we are dealing with a state, a people.
- Everybody be quiet! - The king shook his hands in the air and closed his countenance as if in an internal battle. Everyone there faced the king's expression with fear. Then, when he lifted his index finger and pointed at the princess who was in the corner of the hall moving her long black hair, lost in her thoughts, it seemed that an answer would finally come out - Princess, you are the future ruler of all Naran, what do you think of all this?
- Me? - Mei Yang felt her whole body tremble and sweat drops sprouting on her face when she saw that everyone stopped focusing on her father figure, to face her waiting for an answer. However, what about would she talk? She knew nothing of war, neither of alliances. In fact, she didn't even pay attention to what was being discussed, because the stunning image of Qiang Mao was shining in her eyes. However, at that moment, she felt like the worst person in the world. She should have paid more attention to Mi Gu's classes on the economics of states, maybe she wouldn't be like that now, lost and not knowing what to do, so she forced her mind into what was being discussed and remembered the words of General Qiang Mao about an alliance with a strong state like Naran. There was something that Mei Yang was good at, speaking poems, after all, she spent hours decorating and reciting to the walls so that maybe one day she would have the chance to speak them all to her beloved Qiang Mao. Mei Yang vaguely remembered the green hills of Tang and smiled at the ministers who faced her waiting for an answer. She cleared her throat and spoke calmly every word. - Why stay in the mountain? Serene peach tree flowing, there is a space outside.
- What do you mean, princess? Recite a poem from the mountain during the council meeting. - The king seemed confused.
- This poem reminds us that there is always a way out. Why limit ourselves to the mountain if we have land outside of here? We will forever be a peach tree that flows according to the wind. We cannot flow with the wind during a possible war; we have to establish a bond on earth so that we can bear fruit. Therefore, I believe that General Qiang Mao's plan is the best option. An alliance with Sunri, as risky as it may be, may be the best option than waiting for a surprise attack from a kingdom that, as everyone said, is growing.
The king faced his youngest daughter and smiled. He seemed proud to see, finally, her follow what he always dreamed for her, a wise ruler.
The ministers remained silent waiting for the king to give his answer, then Kong Naran rose from his throne and went down the five steps that gave access to his place and walked through the middle of the corridors where were four perfect rows of five men each wearing red with the golden belt where they held the seal. Each minister had a seal according to his functions, and wherever they went, they were recognized as members of Naran's council.
Kong Naran stopped facing the princess and smiled at his daughter.
- Mifu, send a letter to the king of Sunri inviting him to a celebration. In one month, it will be the princess's birthday, we will have a big party, it's the perfect moment to tighten the bonds. I heard that the two princes of Sunri are married and the state has no practices of keeping harems, which is a pity, because it would be perfect for us to make an advantageous alliance with no return.
- What do you mean, Your Majesty? - Mifu asked worried.
- The princess is already in time to get married, and I thought of giving her to one of Sunri's princes, but now it is too late!