After setting down his wine cup, Yu Xiaoshuang, the Crown Prince of Wei, scanned the other princes present, his mind racing. He glanced at Fan Zehao, who sat at the head of the table. This time, he had come with a mission, and the first task assigned by his father was to be resolved.
He chuckled and spoke first, "Your Majesty Yun, Xiaoshuang's visit this time, to be frank, has two main purposes. My father, the elder, greatly respects Your Majesty Yun and knows that Your Majesty Yun is not a person who seeks war and causes widespread suffering. Therefore, regarding whether Wei and Yun can sign a hundred-year friendship treaty? A pact of mutual non-aggression!"
Fan Zehao's reputation had already spread throughout other countries as someone who would not fight unless necessary, and who always won when he did.
Furthermore, he loved his people as if they were his own children. He did not provoke conflicts between nations, nor did he intend to annex any of them. The discipline of the border guards alone was evidence of this.
As for the matter of the Jin state, they had all witnessed it!
He did not stir up trouble, nor did he provoke it, but he was not afraid of it either!
Thus, the Emperor of Wei did not wish to follow the old path of the Jin state, which had been annihilated. He therefore sent his son to negotiate. If they could secure a hundred years of peace, who could know what the situation would be after a hundred years!
Fan Zehao laughed heartily and said, "If this were to happen, it would be most excellent. May Yun and Wei's friendship last forever, this is also my heartfelt wish!"
With these words, Yu Xiaoshuang's face broke into a sincere smile. Seizing the opportunity, he continued with the next issue, "Then, I wonder if trade between the two countries can be opened? Mutual market access would play a significant role in the economies of both our nations!"
He had learned the word "economy" from a merchant in the inner city.
Speaking of which, the trade city was controlled by the royal family. Its daily profits could surpass the annual tax revenue of a prefecture. With mutual market access, the national treasury would be considerably enriched. This was a truly lucrative prospect.
No emperor would wish to give this up, so this was Yu Xiaoshuang's second objective.
As he finished speaking, the eyes of the princes from various countries present swiveled towards Fan Zehao at the head of the table. Everyone was waiting for a decision.
It wasn't just Wei who came with these two objectives; the other princes had come with similar, and even more, objectives!
"As long as the two countries are mutually friendly, and the soldiers on both sides do not engage in friction at the border and behave themselves, opening up markets is not a problem!"
Fan Zehao's words landed with resounding impact. At that moment, the people from Yun who had come were filled with immense joy.
A great weight had been lifted from their hearts!
Immediately, someone proposed, "Your Majesty Yun, my Liang state is willing to be the first to become a vassal state of Yun, solely seeking Yun's protection for our Liang state's peace!"
Vassal state?
This was a serious commitment. Once a vassal state, tribute had to be paid annually.
The princes of Wei and Tianhan looked at each other and remained silent. In contrast, Xue and the Axi people were willing to follow Yun. They all understood that aligning with Yun meant they would certainly not be wiped out by other countries.
Between annihilation and paying tribute, they would rather spend a little more money to preserve their nation.
Fan Zehao had not considered the issue of vassal states. A slight turn of his mind, and he understood the intentions of these smaller nations.
He looked at his wife beside him and murmured softly, "What do you think!"
"It's a good thing, agree to them!"
Fan Zehao was a little confused by his wife. Usually, she advocated for 'the less trouble, the better,' so why today...?
Since his wife said it was a good thing, he believed she had her reasons.
After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded and replied to them sternly, "It can be done. The amount of tribute to be paid annually still needs to be negotiated!"
The arrival was too sudden, so Fan Zehao could only defer this matter.
Liang Long, the Crown Prince of Liang, readily agreed and nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty Yun decides!"
Yu Xiaoshuang glanced at Liang Long and let out a cold哼. He considered the young man clever for finding a powerful nation to rely on. Otherwise...
There would be no "otherwise." Now that they had become a vassal state of Yun and received Yun's protection, they dared not provoke the Yun Emperor. After all, this upstart emperor's battle record was not to be underestimated.
Especially now that he was the father-in-law of the monstrous Zong Han, they dared not even offend Yun. Coupled with the Zongsheng state, renowned for its elite cavalry, it was entirely possible for them to be wiped out.
The Jin state had been annihilated by the two of them in just one month. It was estimated that in their eyes, Wei was merely a plump chicken, with only slightly more meat than the Jin state's chicken carcass.
It would likely take them two months to destroy Wei. Yu Xiaoshuang was self-aware and thus abandoned any thoughts of devouring the smaller nations!
The major matters had been discussed. The remaining task was to formally sign the contract tomorrow, the hundred-year friendship treaty, which was the main purpose of their mission to Yun.
After the important matters were concluded, the rest was a song and dance performance. Simultaneously, various countries had brought their dancers to showcase their talents.
Countless beautiful women from each country, with melodious voices, swayed gracefully on the grand hall, occasionally casting seductive glances at the person at the head of the table. They bit their lips, exuding a charming allure, their bodies as soft as boneless.
Not only did the men watching feel their souls captivated, but even the women couldn't help but steal a few glances. At the very least, Zhao Jiaqi's gaze was drawn.
Such exquisite beings!
Fan Zehao's face darkened as he surveyed his wife's infatuated gaze. His mouth twitched violently. With a sweep of his arm, he declared, "Indecent and corrupting dances, a blight to the eyes. Disappear!"
All eyes in the great hall snapped towards Fan Zehao, their shock palpable!
How beautiful these dances were, how lovely the performers, and how pleasant their singing. They weren't even revealing much, so why were they considered corrupting?
Where did the term "indecent" even come from?
The ministers' minds were filled with question marks as they wondered why the Emperor was suddenly so angry.
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at the sulking man beside her and was also perplexed. Why was he acting so strangely?
As the daughters of the ministers below began to perform the guzheng, she asked Fan Zehao, "Husband, could it be that those dancers were too beautiful and captivated your soul?"
And since he couldn't take concubines, that's why he was angry and sent them away!
Zhao Jiaqi speculated. After all, a thirty-year-old man, full of vigor, who wouldn't appreciate budding flowers and tender grass? She, an old cabbage about to wither, might not be appealing to him.
Her words only increased Fan Zehao's displeasure. He glared at her fiercely, gritting his teeth, "Beautiful my foot! I think they've captured your soul, if anything. A bunch of vixen spirits, what's so good about them!"
A single seductive glance from his wife could outshine these women by miles!
After all the fuss, her husband was actually jealous, and jealous of women. This was a bit...
Alright, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially for lovers.
Guān Jū Palace, the sleeping quarters.
The curtains of the four-poster bed swayed gently. Shy sounds could faintly be heard outside the hall. The night guards were enduring torture.
The Emperor had already asked for water twice, and it seemed he was about to ask for it a third time. At his age, his body was still so robust, which was truly admirable for the Empress.
Shi He thought this, while on the other side, looking at the equally blushing Chun Fen, he felt that the girl had a truly difficult time.
They, as guards, only had to stand watch once every ten days. But the Empress had only a few close maids. Every few days, they could hear these melodious sounds. They were truly pitiful, and a sense of pity arose naturally.