Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 777 Chapter 317: Tu An Offers a Princess! Another Holy Decree Issued! The World Will Be Astonished!
Previously on Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield...
The following day!
Morning Discussion Hall.
"Your ministers pay respects to Your Majesty."
"Your ministers pay respects to the Crown Prince."
Court ceremonies unfolded as usual, with ministers completing their salutes before resuming their positions.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."
"Tu'an State, Goguryeo."
"The envoys from these two nations await an audience in the side chamber."
"Shall we grant them entry?"
Han Fei advanced, offered a bow, and delivered his report.
"Summon them," Ying Zheng gestured with his hand.
"His Majesty decrees."
"Summon the envoys from Tu'an and Goguryeo to audience."
A resounding voice proclaimed the order.
From the side hall, envoys of both nations, gripped by unease, were escorted into Qin's Morning Discussion Hall.
Concerning mighty Qin.
Right now, these neighbors of Qin couldn't suppress their dread.
Indeed.
Tu'an harbored even greater terror, in particular.
Goguryeo doesn't border Qin directly but lies beyond Tu'an.
Still, Qin and Goguryeo confront each other over the ocean.
"Jin Zhu, emissary of Tu'an."
"Li Shang, emissary of Goguryeo."
"We pay respects to the Emperor of Great Qin."
"We pay respects to the Crown Prince of Great Qin."
Entering the hall, both nations' envoys dropped to their knees, prostrating in deepest deference.
Against the invincible Qin that had conquered all of Shenzhou, they could only display utter submission without any pride left.
In this era.
No treaties bound the nations, no pacts of peace existed.
The law of the jungle ruled, where the strong devoured the weak in brutal combat.
"What brings the envoys of your two countries here today?"
Ying Zheng inquired with composure.
"Reporting to the First Emperor."
"Tu'an comes bearing tribute and pledging submission."
"We present tribute offerings."
"Five thousand gold, ten thousand stones of copper and iron, five thousand slaves, a thousand pearls of snow ginseng, jade artifacts..."
Tu'an's envoy Jin Zhu swiftly offered the state document, speaking with profound humility.
"Goguryeo also arrives to offer tribute."
"By order of our king, we present four thousand gold, a thousand beauties, five hundred snow ginseng plants..."
Goguryeo's envoy Li Shang quickly followed suit.
Though these tribute items might seem trivial to vast Qin, they embodied genuine devotion from these minor realms.
"Given your two countries' sincerity."
"I accept the tribute gifts."
Ying Zheng declared deliberately.
Hearing those words!
Joy and elation lit up the faces of both nations' envoys.
To them.
This outcome was ideal; vassalage to Qin meant no invasion from the empire, plus protection against Donghu threats.
"The First Emperor's wisdom knows no bounds."
"Tu'an vows eternal tribute to Qin."
"To prove Tu'an's loyalty to Qin, our king offers the princess in marriage to the Crown Prince."
"Princess Yushu of Tu'an is a matchless beauty, utterly captivating, just sixteen years old. Surely the Crown Prince of Qin will find her pleasing."
"Will the First Emperor consent?"
Jin Zhu pressed forward at the opportune moment.
At these words.
Goguryeo's envoy's expression shifted, yet he lacked a similar offer.
"Feng'er."
"Do you consent to wedding this Tu'an Princess as your consort?" Ying Zheng smiled at Zhao Feng.
"I obey Father Emperor's command." Zhao Feng responded indifferently.
A mere foreign girl, nothing but a toy, failed to stir Zhao Feng's emotions.
"Very well then."
"I approve for the Crown Prince."
"Return home, choose a lucky day, and deliver the princess to our Qin." Ying Zheng stated without delay.
"Gratitude to the First Emperor for this benevolence!" Jin Zhu prostrated in thrilled obeisance.
From his perspective.
Or likely King Tu'an's too, forging this marital tie with Qin provided an unbreakable shield, guaranteeing no assault on Tu'an ever.
Yet in reality.
They delude themselves.
History proves weak states lack true diplomacy.
Qin spares them now only to consolidate Shenzhou, pursuing unity of Qin and Huaxia legacy.
Zhao Feng also readies for Qi Fortune accumulation and forging the Yun Dynasty.
After Shenzhou unites.
That instant.
The forces of Qin shall press forward into the adjacent realms, be it Tu'an, Goguryeo, or the Donghu and Xiongnu across the Northern Frontier.
All shall fall under Qin's control.
"If there's no further matter."
"You two can retire for the moment."
Ying Zheng made a gesture.
"First Emperor."
"Will you not sign the national book?"
Jin Zhu asked in panic and haste.
He had come precisely for that national book.
Turning into a mere nominal vassal of Qin would provide them security.
"What kind of national book are you seeking?"
"A tribute-bearing one?"
Ying Zheng's brow furrowed.
"Tu'an is ready to submit as a vassal to Qin and offer yearly tributes." Jin Zhu declared without delay.
"To serve as a vassal of Qin."
"Mere tributes won't suffice on their own." Ying Zheng cast a glance at Jin Zhu, his intent profound.
At these words!
Jin Zhu's expression shifted dramatically; clenching his teeth at once, he declared, "How much tribute does the First Emperor demand? Tu'an will do its utmost to fulfill it."
"On this issue."
"Once court adjourns, the Prime Minister of Qin shall negotiate directly with you."
"Your eligibility as Qin's vassal hinges on your true sincerity."
Ying Zheng declared.
He flicked his hand dismissively.
Ren Xiao strode in swiftly, accompanied by a few Imperial Guard Army soldiers.
"This way, please."
Ren Xiao indicated the doorway.
"We foreign envoys now depart."
Jin Zhu and Li Shang had no choice but to leave grudgingly.
Evidently.
They hadn't anticipated Ying Zheng's voracious demands; the tributes they'd offered had already drained their treasury heavily, and further exactions would cripple their kingdom's power irreparably.
Ultimately.
To Ying Zheng and Zhao Feng alike.
Those tribute goods held no real appeal; their aim was total conquest of everything the envoys possessed.
Thus, all their holdings would rightfully become Qin's.
"These two petty nations harbor schemes most cunning."