Pharaoh’s Concubine - Chapter 12

Editor: Anonymous Stickman

Ivy often wondered what kind of monarch Bifitu would’ve been when he’d finally become a pharaoh. Perhaps he was domineering, arrogant, calm and collected, skillful in fighting, and known far and wide for his military prowess. His dynasty would’ve definitely been prosperous, and his reign would’ve lasted for a long time.

But she couldn’t find his name in the history books.

It was just like crystal clear, beautiful water droplets. Although they’re quite outstanding, once they silently dispersed into the ocean of history, no matter how much you searched for them, no traces would be found. Had Bifitu succeeded the throne and become a great pharaoh? Or had he merely been a mediocre pharaoh instead, so everything had therefore not been recorded?

Although she was caught within endless speculation, she didn’t have the courage to seriously pursue those unforgettable memories. And it was because of the fear that the answer she’d get in the end would put her into a more painful dilemma.

. . .

Winter of 2006. Cambridge, England.

“The economic system of Ancient Egypt was based on their absolute worship of their king. It made use of the religious saying that the Pharaoh is the ‘mediator’ between men and their gods. The monarch has supreme power, mobilization and control over a large number of slaves and civilians who build fortifications.” Ivy spoke in the early admittance interview hall of Cambridge University. Her clear voice echoed in the large space as she stated her point of view both well and concise.

“But in this era of goods trading, merchants traveling between various countries brought about a non-negligible impact on economic prosperity and national development. The Asians then discovered the iron smelting method and created a multitude of iron tools. Both prisoners of war and distinguished merchants therefore began travelling to various countries, and used the tools in wars and production activities.”

“The famous monarch of the 19th dynasty of Egypt, Ramses II, not only made good use of kingship, but he also built a great cultural heritage that dazzles modern people today. He successfully handled relations with businessmen from various countries, obtained information and acquired technology, all so Egypt could triumph every war. The most dazzling era of the nineteenth dynasty was when he reigned over Egypt and carried forward their prosperity. “

“So what’s the difference between the ancient Egyptian economic system and the traditional feudal societies?” Asked an old professor.

“Three thousand years ago, slavery was still, of course, the main labor force in Egypt. Their kind of forced labor, devoid of so-called human rights, still applies today. Egypt’s system back in that era should therefore be a typical slave social economic system.”

“But you also mention that an economic individual is like a traveling businessman?” Another professor asked.

“Small-scale economic individuals can’t have a fatal impact on the overall economic model of a society.”

“Your age?”

“Seventeen.” Ivy raised her head slightly.

The undergraduates were caught in a heated discussion. Ivy stood on the podium and took a sip of water. If she passed today’s interview, she would become a special admission student at Cambridge University. She was particularly excited about being able to study the economic history in such an ancient institution.

She could finally put aside the internal struggle within her family! Being away from her oppressive family atmosphere in London and being able to take a break in such a simple campus, Ivy couldn’t help but feel relieved. Ever since her last “missing incident”, the entire Modiet family had been restless and panicked. Everybody was worried that the anger of the Marquis would be directed towards them. After several months of being unable to find the culprit behind her “kidnapping”, the Marquis had almost fallen into a state of which he “killed people on sight.”

Although Ivy’s relatives hated her, they dared not to touch her during this time. In the meanwhile, Ivy also moved quietly. She devoted herself to applying for early admission to Cambridge University, and successfully obtained an interview opportunity. It seemed as though the paper she’d published the day before was very helpful during the interview. The old professors all asked her questions about the economic issues of ancient Egypt. “The more remote the topic, the easier it is to arouse their interest,” Ivy murmured to herself.

“Ivy Modiet . . .” An old professor stood up tremblingly and used his feeble fingers to support his heavy glasses. “There’s still one problem.”

Ivy looked at him worriedly, for fear that he wouldn’t be able to stand up and get stuck there. “Yes? What is it?”

“What do you think about Ramses II’s glory as a pharaoh?”

Why would he ask such an irrelevant question? Ivy froze for a moment.

“Don’t worry, it’s merely a miscellaneous question. Just say whatever’s on your mind.”

She was scared to death due to her lack of knowledge regarding the topic. He wanted to know about Ramses II? And specifically, what type of pharaoh he was? If she’d known, she would’ve delved more into his history. But because he was mentioned in the paper, she could only brace herself for it. What was he like? Was he similar to Seti I?

A brutal and authoritarian appearance came to Ivy’s mind. A vivid scene, as though it’d only occurred yesterday, jumped right into her vision “First of all, he has impeccable military strength and relies on his powerful forces to conquer surrounding countries like Syria, Libya, and Hittite so that they wouldn’t easily dare to commit crimes against Egypt.”

“Then what? “

“Then there was a liberal flow of material, jewellery and supplies from the contributions of emissaries from various countries, advanced technologies from the prisoners of war, and respect along with recognition of the existence of traveling merchants . . . “

“What else?”

“He went for large-scale constructions, established an unshakable position out of kingship, and made good use of religion to better control his people and slaves. He also brought upon incentive measures to encourage the unslaved free men, craftsmen, etc. “

A beautiful, exotic princess suddenly popped inside Ivy’s mind, and she recalled the domineering words of Bifitu: “Maathorneferure, the seventeenth princess of Hittite, from now on, you will be my concubine. If your actions are deemed disrespectful to either Egypt or I, you will be sentenced to death.”

“And . . .” She suddenly found it difficult to open her mouth, and an awkwardness filled inside her heart. “Now, we’ll move on to his political marriages. In the life of Ramses II, which lasted for more than ninety years, he married more than two hundred women. Concubines, including princesses of several powerful countries, and daughters of Egyptian ministers . . . His marriages further consolidated the monarch’s regime.”

At this point, the students in the audience suddenly stopped listening silently and began to talk amongst themselves. The old professor who asked the question replied in full spirit: “You answered well before, but did you recall the wrong history this time?”

Ah? How could this be? Ivy glanced at the old professor. Even if she didn’t know much about Egypt’s history, she wasn’t ignorant about its most famous monarch, Rameses II. His basic common sense and strategic policies could be applied by all pharaohs with merits. Please, could the old professor just do his job well and not rely on old age to talk nonsense? What if she couldn’t pass the interview?

However, the old professor didn’t notice the rambling inside Ivy’s mind. He continued to speak slowly, with a British accent unique to the academic school. “Ramses II died less than two years after taking his position from Seti I. In addition, he only accepted three wives and concubines, including Maathorneferure the princess of Hittite and his sister. There was also a foreign princess named Nefertari, but she died early. Besides them, there was nobody else. “

What?!

Looking at the old professor’s stern and serious expression, Ivy felt as though she was being fooled by the world . . .