Chapter 23: Chapter 23. News from Han State.
Pragya's POV
When I was speechless, he hugged me and calmed me down. "Shhh. Take it easy," he comforted me.
"Zheng, I know you did it for me. But everyone discriminated against me because of Yan Dan's death sentence. I'm afraid for my life. This palace is too dangerous for me. I'm afraid," I said. I was really afraid of them. Especially the Grand Empress, I don't think she will be silent after losing her grandson and the only heir to the throne. I'm sure she'll kill me.
"Don't worry, Pragya. As long as I am with you, no one will touch you. They need to know I'm aggressive towards you," he kissed my forehead.
"Don't forget the promise I made to protect you. I am always there for you. Don't worry my dear," he said, his sweet words reassuring me.
I hugged him tightly and said: "Zheng, I am the happiest in this world to have you. I promised that I will be by your side the other day. But today, let me swear with my life that I will love you always and forever. Even in our next life, I want to be yours and yours alone," I said. I was serious. It came from the bottom of my heart.
Samrat and I will never be together. It won't happen. The Almighty gave me this life with Jing Zheng in this world. And I will not let this opportunity pass me by.
He kissed me. Wet and long kiss. All worries and anxiety are gone now. But Cheng Gu came and disturbed our private time. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, there is news from Han State," he said.
"What is it?" Zheng asked the soldier.
"Our spy didn't find them in Luoyang, but on his way back to Qin State, he saw Jing Ke and two other men and a woman in Yangzhai, Han State," he reported.
"Our assumption was correct. They wanted us to be misinformed. They are smart though." I said. I was amazed at their intelligence, I must say.
"Hum," The king nodded. "What should we do now?" asked the king.
This time, Cheng Gu: "I think it's time for your majesty to act," the three of us agreed to attack and surrender to the king's forces.
"Since we agreed to attack them, we must have the best strategy. No one should die or be injured because of this war. And the girl with them must not get hurt. If you listen to me, I have a plan," I said, thinking about my father's encounter with military equipment.
When I was living in the 21st century, my father once told me how to make an enemy surrender without firing a single bullet.
"What's your plan?" Zheng's voice brought me out of deep thought about his father.
"Psycho warfare," I said.
"What is it?" ––Cheng Gu.
"First, we tell them we are going on an expedition to another state. Then, we make them relax. We go to Han state and tell them we are getting closer. This time they panic and gather their forces and prepare for war. But we don't go," the king cut me off.
"Why? What are you thinking?"
"Because we will not agree with their wishes. Let's go with our plan. Staying out of the war, they think they are wronged and fight internally with the information carrier if they fail to integrate internally when we appear on the battlefield and defeat them in no time. Because they are internally disturbed, they cannot make war with us. They will be defeated. Even if they fight, they don't win us. We play with their psychology and win the battle so easily. What do you think?" I explained the details of my plan.
"My Lady, your plan seems new and effective. I think there is no problem if we follow My Lady's plan." Cheng Gu said.
The king asked me, "Lady Pragya, what do you think about accompanying us on this expedition," I was amazed. I know nothing about war and the military. But he asks me to go with them.
"But your majesty, I am not a soldier and never have been. I do not know about fighting with soldiers. Please don't make me come with you," I politely declined. But the king did not seem convinced.
"Your father taught you very well. Other than that, I trust you completely. Whatever you come up with, commanding the army like an army general is," he said.
"What? An army general? Are you serious?" I was shocked.
"Don't I look serious? Of course, I'm serious. I know you can do it. And if someone objects to my decision, he will get an explanation from me. Cheng Gu, start preparing now, tomorrow we will go to Han State. And inform all the soldiers and prepare for the expedition to the state of Zhao," he ordered Cheng Gu.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he saluted and left. I remembered my bad days with Cheng Gu. He was the first to attack me when I first arrived at this palace ten months ago. His sharp long sword is still in my sight. Then I used self-defense techniques and threw him down. But as time goes by, I know that he is not such a bad person. He is good and loyal to the king and positive for me. When he taught me to be a swordswoman, I learned that he is a good person. He is not married yet. He has no plans for that either. But I hope he finds his soulmate and lives happily ever after.
"What are you thinking?" I have heard the voice of kings.
"Nothing. Random things," I rested my head on his chest. He hugged me. "What is it? Are you tired?" he asked.
"There is so much going on in this palace. I have never seen any conspiracy anywhere in this palace." I said.
"Pragya, if you had not come here, they would have killed me long ago. I live for you my dear," he said. I remember what Sonakshi told me then. She was the only Christian friend I had at that time. She told me about King David. I was amazed every time she told me about the kings of the Bible. "I always see King David in you," I said suddenly. I didn't even know how I said it.
"Who is King David?" he asked.
"I don't know him either?" I said. I saw the confusion on his face and smiled. "Sona told me about him," I said. I told him many times about my friendship with Sona.
"Then who is he?"
"He was the king of Israel. When he was a little boy, he looked after the lambs of his father. But one day he got a chance to fight against a huge creature and he managed to defeat the enemy. After that, the king married him with his daughter," I said of King David.
"What makes us the same?" he asked.
"What makes you similar is that you both forced a girl to marry," I said; laughing.
"Really? Okay, more similarities please?" he asked playfully.
"The other? He was a brave and compassionate king, unlike you. The trials he faced since childhood make me think he is just like you. His son even drove him out of his kingdom. But one thing that amazed me about this king is that he always trusted his God and his God never failed him."
"You seem to be fascinated by these kings of Israel." said the king.
"Yes. Very much!" I replied.
***
At night the great empress invited us to dinner. There the king told her that I would come with them. As I expected, she resisted the idea. "It's a shame that we have a female military general in our state," she said.
"Then why?" asked the king.
"She is a woman, Your Majesty. Don't forget that. You cannot take him with you on your quests. Other countries think that our country is weak. So you'd better stop." she said firmly.
But the king smiled and said: "Why do you think so, grandmother? Instead, I believe that the military general in my way will explain to our friends and enemies that not only our men but also our women are fighters.
"Grandmother, you asked me once when I was going to appoint my queen, didn't you?"
"Yes, you told me you wouldn't appoint until you find someone like your mother." She answered. I couldn't understand why they started it now.
"I have decided to appoint Lady Pragya as my queen." I was surprised to death. I had just seen him when his words left me speechless.
"You can't do that. We don't even know her parentage or family. Besides, you must be fair to all your concubines." she said. This time she is right. He just can't turn me into a queen out of thin air.
"She has proven her reliability since she came. But if you want more proof, let me bring you one. She leads the forces as a military general, replacing General Jing Ke. If she succeeds in the war, no one will stop me from appointing her as a Queen of Qin.
I saw Mrs. Lan blushing with anger. "My king, I want to go with you too," she said. I wanted to laugh.
The king smiled and said, "You can, Lady Lan. You can come with me. I will tell Cheng Gu to bring you armor and a sword. Do you want to come, don't you?" he said.
She was silent. Everyone ate their dinner in silence. But I could not stop the screams in my mind. I didn't even buy the queen idea. I don't know why, but I'm afraid of this position. All eyes are on me. I am under everyone's attention. Why does the king want me in this dangerous position? After dinner, we both greeted everyone and went to my palace in silence. We didn't exchange a word until we got to my room.
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