NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1052: Reliance
The envoys from Tianfeng Kingdom, accustomed to being flattered in Xiliang, observed with irritation as the ministers of Zhou glared at them fiercely. Especially the eyes of the generals, which were as round as bells, seemingly ready to devour him at any moment. They repeatedly referred to their Tianfeng Kingdom as a small nation, fueling his anger. With a taut expression, he said, "The arrogance of Tianfeng Kingdom... naturally relies on strength; we speak with power, and our Tianfeng Kingdom has an invincible Elephant Army."
Bai Qingyan, with a smile in her eyes, lowered her gaze to the bamboo slip spread open before her. She casually laid it heavily on the table, her speech measured: "Your country relies on the Elephant Army, while Zhou relies on the brave elite soldiers who have repeatedly fought bloody battles. If the Tianfeng Kingdom envoy wishes for a contest, Zhou will not disappoint."
The envoy of Tianfeng Kingdom, realizing his words had been too arrogant, leading to Bai Qingyan's displeasure, bowed deeply and said, "Though the Elephant Army is the reliance of our Tianfeng Kingdom, we have no intention of waging war with Zhou. We seek peace and ask the Zhou ministers to be mindful of their words. Our Tianfeng Kingdom merely hopes for harmony between Xiliang, Zhou, and Yan, fulfilling Xiliang's earnest trust."
The Xiliang envoy, sweating profusely, stood in silence, bowing his head.
"The Elephant Army of Tianfeng Kingdom is stationed at the borders of Zhou, and now they send an envoy with such an overbearing demeanor. Is this a threat to our Zhou?" Dong Qingping glanced at the envoy from Tianfeng Kingdom and began slowly, "Coordinating a coalition has always been the role of a strong nation mediating between weaker ones. The envoy from Tianfeng claims reliance on the Elephant Army, displaying arrogance towards our Empress of Zhou and daring to demand our participation. Do you think our Zhou fears your Tianfeng Kingdom's Elephant Army?"
Listening to the tone of the Tianfeng envoy while addressing Bai Qingyan roused Dong Qingping's dissatisfaction. Once the Minister of Honglu Temple, he had dealt with envoys from various nations, but now, as Minister, he could not easily speak. However, now he could not contain himself; he was furious at the rudeness shown to their Empress of Zhou. "How dare such audacity challenge us on our territory and speak of necessity... Pei!"
The Minister Shen Jingzhong of Zhou smiled as he glanced at Dong Qingping beside him, "Lord Dong may not have understood fully, but the meaning of the Tianfeng envoy is clear to me. It merely means they have the Elephant Army and wish to lead all nations, expecting us to obey. By bringing up the Elephant Army, the envoy aims to intimidate Zhou. If Zhou and Yan attend, it would be an acknowledgment of Tianfeng's leadership."
"Minister Shen and Minister Dong, calm yourselves." The Tianfeng envoy still smiled, but before he could finish speaking, a heavily aroused general from Zhou approached him, startling him.
Faced with the robust and towering Zhou general, he was forced to step back.
The general's eyes bulged like bells: "Minister Shen and Minister Dong are too courteous. To someone so shameless and ignorant... simply throw them out."
"Exactly! What's the point of talking to someone like that! Who knows where this small nation came from, daring to be arrogant in our Zhou! Just throw them out, and the matter is settled!"
Sitting on the throne with a serene and smiling demeanor, Bai Qingyan observed the increasingly intense confrontation involving the envoys from Tianfeng Kingdom, and adjusted to a more comfortable posture, gently stroking her abdomen, intrigued by the spectacle involving even Minister Shen and her uncle.
The Tianfeng envoy, in a plea, looked towards Bai Qingyan on the throne, smiling and quickly said, "Your Majesty, is this how Zhou treats their guests?"
Bai Qingyan replied with a smile, "When visiting someone else's home, one must be aware of being a guest. If a guest is unaware of their place and presumptuous, my Zhou ministers have been quite lenient. They haven't laid hands on you... it's because my ministers are too cultured and kind-hearted."
The Tianfeng envoy recalled General Aksai's instructions to him and another envoy heading to Yan: no matter what means necessary, they must get the Empress of Zhou and the Young Emperor of Yan to attend this coalition.
"Your Majesty, Tianfeng Kingdom does not presume to be arrogant, nor does the external minister intend any disrespect to Zhou. Tianfeng wishes for nothing more than friendly relations between itself, Zhou, Yan, and Xiliang, being separated by the towering Baishan Snow Mountains. Furthermore, our monarch's personal visit is merely to meet with the Empress of Zhou and the Young Emperor of Yan, viewing this as a splendid opportunity!"
The envoy of Tianfeng Kingdom finally lowered his demeanor, striving to maintain a respectful yet dignified appearance: "This is my first time in Dadu City; I have not learned the refined language properly, and if there have been any offenses in my words, please forgive me! Besides, Tianfeng Kingdom is interested in trade and commerce with Zhou, something my king wishes to discuss in detail after meeting with you and the Emperor of Yan."
"Had the envoy spoken like this earlier, that previous incident would not have occurred." Bai Qingyan adjusted her sleeve, still with a smile in her eyes as she looked at the envoy from Tianfeng Kingdom, purposefully probing, "The envoy's refined language is excellent..."
Hearing this, the envoy replied with a smile, "Before going to Xiliang, upon learning about Zhou, Yan, and Xiliang, my king had already sent for Xiliang people to teach us ministers refined language, to avoid communication issues when dispatched abroad, showing my king's sincerity!"
Bai Qingyan's palm subtly tightened; they had indeed prepared in advance...
"Tianfeng Kingdom hasn't been studying the refined language for long, perhaps... a few months? Yet the envoy speaks so well; it must be a gift," Bai Qingyan continued with a smile, gesturing for the ministers preparing to throw out the Tianfeng envoy to step back.
"It has not been, as Your Majesty stated, only a few months of learning. The external minister is not impressive; our majesty truly is impressive... now not only speaking refined language but also understanding texts, even delving into ancient writings from various royal families." The Tianfeng envoy's face overflowed with reverence, "My king was astute from a young age, both scholarly and martial, truly a heroic figure of his generation..."
Seeing Bai Qingyan only smile silently, the Tianfeng envoy cleared his throat, ceased praising his majesty, and once again bowed towards Bai Qingyan, "This time, we inconvenience the Empress of Zhou with the strain of travel; my king feels indebted and thus will also offer tribute, which we ask the Empress to inspect!"
Wei Zhong, seeing Bai Qingyan nod, descended from the high platform to receive the tribute list handed over by the Tianfeng envoy.
The envoy had hidden two sets of tribute lists in his sleeve: if the Empress of Zhou was amenable, they would offer a light tribute; if not, a heavy tribute would be presented.
After Bai Qingyan glanced over the tribute list, she placed it on the table with a smile. So this tribute list was the reliance of the Tianfeng envoy, though having offended Zhou, to salvage the situation.