Hu Xiaotian was taken aback. In his impression, Yang Longjing, King of the Fragrant Kingdom, was a little literary youth who cared only for romantic diversions and dabbling in poetry and prose. He never paid attention to affairs of state; the Empress Dowager, Long Xuanjiao, had always handled them behind the scenes on his behalf. Hu Xiaotian had never expected him to propose an alliance. So he did possess a measure of political insight and skill! It seemed outside rumors could not be trusted. Little did Hu Xiaotian know that this brush with death had fundamentally changed Yang Longjing's outlook on life. He had begun to face life actively and take an interest in his country and its governance.
Yang Longjing's proposal was, of course, more than Hu Xiaotian could have hoped for. One more ally was always better than one more enemy. Besides, the vast territory of Great Kang lay between him and the Fragrant Kingdom; their borders were so far apart that even eight bamboo poles could not reach between them. Naturally, everything would change once Redwood River was handed over to him. An alliance of mutual nonaggression and support could only benefit him. At least Redwood River would have reinforcements to fall back on, and at least on the surface, the Fragrant Kingdom would still stand behind it.
After Hu Xiaotian and Long Xiyue left hand in hand, Yang Longjing had someone wheel him into his mother's room next door to visit her. Having survived the calamity together, mother and son clasped each other's hands, each feeling that the other was the closest person in the world and the support they trusted most. Long Xuanjiao had also heard about Yang Longjing's alliance with Hu Xiaotian, and her heart filled with emotion. To think her son had finally