Thanks for Southern Xia's Gift

"Southern Xia has gone too far!"

"Southern Xia has insulted Great Qi!"

The officials of Great Qi began waving their banners and shouting in support of Emperor Hongyao. The more they shouted, the more excited they became, until the Southern Xia delegation was sweating buckets.

All the restraint they had shown toward Southern Xia before vanished, replaced by a touch of schadenfreude.

It was a rare chance to make those arrogant Southern Xia people lose face, and naturally they couldn't let it slip. Some even hid among the others and secretly hurled insults.

"Your Majesty, Emperor of Great Qi, please calm your anger. This... this is a misunderstanding. Southern Xia sincerely offered the phoenix bird, and we even took care to check its health before setting out. Our country would never trifle with such a matter. Please see the truth, Your Majesty!"

Southern Xia's minister of rites explained in a panic, his head bowed low. None of his earlier arrogance remained.

Shen Anxin was delighted by the sight.

I liked him better when he was all wild and defiant just now.

When everyone heard her voice, they nearly joined in mocking him. After all, everyone had seen the face this Southern Xia minister had shown them just moments ago.

"As for why it became... a rooster, someone must have deliberately switched it, intending to sabotage the establishment of relations between our two countries."

At this, the censor kneeling beside Southern Xia's minister of rites spoke up. "Come to think of it, our delegation did encounter some barbarians on the journey. We thought they were an ordinary merchant caravan. Perhaps..."

Shen Anxin: Wow, they really are officials. Their minds work so fast! They've already pinned the blame on a third party. If Chacha hadn't spilled the melon, I might even have suspected some conspiracy. Western Rong and Northern Di were sitting at home when a pot fell from the sky onto their heads.

The people of Great Qi couldn't help acknowledging the Southern Xia ministers' abilities. Arrogant as they were, their minds were sharp.

This was a little troublesome. Now that the other side had said this, they couldn't very well argue that it wasn't barbarians trying to sabotage the talks, but a problem within their own ranks: the minister's brother-in-law had stolen the bird.

Even if they said it, they couldn't prove it.

The ministers were trying to think of a solution when Emperor Hongyao rested a hand on his dragon-shaped armrest and leaned forward slightly, radiating an oppressive presence.

"You think you can brush this offense aside with such a vague and baseless claim? Are you making sport of me?!

"You are the delegation, and you were responsible for presenting the gift. Whatever the reason, something went wrong with the gift you presented.

"You insulted me and insulted Great Qi, and now you expect me to show consideration and understanding for you!

"It seems Southern Xia has no sincerity at all. You might as well return home, and we shall act as though this visit to establish relations never happened!"

The Southern Xia delegation was stunned. They all drew sharp breaths.

Even the ministers on Great Qi's side were somewhat shocked. Wasn't this going a little too far? Was he sending them away and abandoning the establishment of relations?

Everyone knew Emperor Hongyao had a rather unyielding temper, so they couldn't help stealing glances at the crown prince.

Xiao Yanchen, however, watched everything calmly, seemingly with no intention of easing the situation.

At last, the people from Jixia Academy reacted.

Several of their leaders lowered their heads and conferred among themselves.

Then a man with a goatee stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, Emperor of Great Qi, Southern Xia sincerely wishes to establish relations, and we have traveled a thousand miles to exchange ideas with Great Qi's scholars. Must Great Qi ruin everything over a single minor mistake? Your Majesty's anger is rather excessive."

Shen Anxin: Who is this man? He dares talk like that at a time like this?

Chacha: The deputy head of Jixia Academy, surnamed Xun. He holds an extraordinary position in the hearts of scholars throughout the land. In Southern Xia, he can even point at the emperor and lecture him.

Shen Anxin: So he brought that rotten temper all the way to Great Qi?

Chacha: It can't be helped. Back in the days of Great Xia, the head of Jixia Academy already held an exalted position beyond reach. Most of the books used today also came from Jixia Academy's great scholars. They can't afford to offend them.

The people of Great Qi felt aggrieved hearing this, but Chacha was right. Here, Jixia Academy's standing actually carried more weight than that of the Southern Xia delegation.

Emperor Hongyao narrowed his eyes slightly. Xiao Yanchen rose and first greeted the speaker with the customary salute between scholars.

Only then did he speak. "Mr. Xun, do you mean that even though Southern Xia made a mistake, we cannot be angry or hold them accountable, but must instead choose to turn a blind eye? Yet I recall the words of the sages: if one repays resentment with virtue, with what does one repay virtue?"

Mr. Xun's expression stiffened. "Your Highness is right. We merely feel this matter can still be discussed."

With that, he gave Southern Xia's minister of rites, who was stealing a glance their way, a displeased look.

The minister of rites immediately spoke up. "This entire mishap is our fault. Southern Xia is willing to offer compensation and an apology. Please give it consideration, Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongyao remained silent, looking as though he were pondering the matter.

The Southern Xia delegation waited anxiously, afraid Emperor Hongyao would open a lion's jaws and make an exorbitant demand.

"Whether this was an accident depends on Southern Xia's sincerity." Emperor Hongyao spoke slowly. "How about this? Fill the three granaries in Southern Xia's Guanshan Circuit closest to Great Qi's border with new grain, and give it all to Great Qi. Then Great Qi can let this matter rest."

The Southern Xia delegation immediately drew sharp breaths.

Anger rose in their hearts again, and they cursed Great Qi's greed. This was nothing but robbery by bandits.

If those three granaries were filled, they could support 150,000 of Great Qi's people for a year.

Shen Anxin was startled. Huh? Oh! That's good! Granaries are just what we need. Then, when the great disaster strikes a year from now, won't we have no need to worry about relief grain?

Thanks, nature... oh, no, thanks for Southern Xia's gift.

Everyone suddenly understood: no wonder His Majesty had suddenly made trouble. He had seized the chance to set his sights on Southern Xia's granaries, so he could deal with the crisis a year from now.

His Majesty is wise! Long live His Majesty!

"This... I'm afraid..." Southern Xia's minister of rites looked unable to agree.

He had thought some gold, silver, and treasures would be enough as compensation. The granaries were far beyond what he had expected.

Emperor Hongyao's expression instantly turned cold. "What do you mean? Southern Xia has always had abundant grain. It is not as though I am asking Southern Xia to cede territory and pay reparations. If you refuse even this, then it seems you truly have no sincerity whatsoever."

He then looked at Mr. Xun. "Sir, you cannot say I am being petty over this."

Scholars like Mr. Xun generally lacked for nothing in the way of wealth, so naturally he didn't care about a few mere granaries, nor did he understand the court's calculations.

He had stepped in to help, and the emperor of Great Qi had offered them a way out. Clearly, he wasn't making things difficult, yet the Southern Xia delegation was still being so stingy. Mr. Xun felt they were bringing some disgrace upon Southern Xia.

He immediately showed his displeasure. "This is a matter for the two countries to negotiate. We scholars will not meddle."

With that, he stepped straight back, making it clear he was washing his hands of the matter.

Southern Xia's minister of rites had no choice but to exchange looks with the censor, the general, and the imperial preceptor.

They had also considered that Great Qi had asked for the resource they had in greatest abundance. Presumably, Great Qi was unwilling to truly offend Southern Xia and was offering them a way out, so they really could not refuse.

But neither did they want to hand Great Qi such a windfall for nothing.

"On this matter, we must report back to the Southern Xia court before a decision can be made..."

Emperor Hongyao: "You cannot even agree to such a small demand? Hmph..."

Emperor Hongyao would not give them a chance to go back and discuss it. To prevent further complications, he had to settle it swiftly. The Southern Xia court might well have people prone to suspicion and overthinking.

Xiao Yanchen: "They are merely three granaries. Even if the members of the Southern Xia delegation simply pooled some resources from your families, surely you could fill them. Could Southern Xia's finances be so strained now?"

They absolutely could not allow their country's strength to be questioned.

Besides, Xiao Yanchen was right. Which of them could serve as an official in Southern Xia without coming from a great family? Such losses were no great problem for them. At worst, they could pay out of their own pockets to make up the loss.

If they truly angered the emperor of Great Qi and lost the initiative in the negotiations to establish relations, that would be real trouble.

After another round of exchanged looks, Southern Xia's minister of rites finally agreed, his face stiff.

Once the agreement was signed, everything was settled. The people of Great Qi gained a little more confidence in their ability to withstand the coming natural disaster.

Shen Anxin: Hahaha, in the original history, Southern Xia took advantage of the great disaster to profit from Great Qi's calamity. This time, we're using Southern Xia's grain to relieve Great Qi's disaster. I almost want to send them a commendation banner.

Everyone: What's a commendation banner? Still... we really do want to thank them. We're just afraid they won't like hearing it.

The Southern Xia delegation rose, disheveled and dejected, and prepared to return to their seats.

Emperor Hongyao even kindly reminded them to take back the fake phoenix that was actually a rooster.

Southern Xia's minister of rites went forward and collected the chicken cage, seething with frustration.

Shen Anxin: Poor stand-in. I'm afraid they'll torment its body and soul when it gets back.

The rooster seemed to be struggling in its cage, as though shouting: Speak up for me!

Everyone wanted to laugh, but held it in.

Xiao Yanchen: "After you return to Southern Xia, you had best investigate who was bold enough to switch the phoenix bird and nearly sabotage the establishment of relations between our countries."

The people of Southern Xia were aggrieved and furious. Who on earth was it?!

Once they returned and found out, they would make that person bear the loss of the three granaries and answer for the grave crime of bringing disgrace upon Southern Xia!!!!!!

After sitting down, they couldn't help discussing it. Southern Xia's minister of rites had been chiefly responsible for guarding the bird, so naturally his colleagues questioned him.

The minister could guarantee that, at least before they left Southern Xia's capital, it had definitely been the real phoenix bird. After that...

Southern Xia's minister of rites suddenly thought of someone.

His unreliable brother-in-law seemed to have made indirect inquiries about where the phoenix bird had come from, saying he wanted to buy one too.

After learning he couldn't buy one, he had lingered around the place where the bird was kept, saying he loved it and wanted to paint a few pictures as mementos.

His wife had pleaded on her younger brother's behalf, so the minister had made an exception.

Now, thinking back on the things his brother-in-law had done in the past while relying on his backers, the more he thought about it, the more wrong it seemed. The man was the prime suspect!

Southern Xia's minister of rites: Surely it wasn't really him? If it was... how is he my brother-in-law? He's more like my ancestor!

He was aggrieved, utterly aggrieved. If it really was his brother-in-law, he could only help cover it up as soon as he returned. If the truth came out, his brother-in-law certainly wouldn't die, but he himself would certainly be severely blamed.

Shen Anxin had been secretly watching the other side all along.

Oh, my, look at the way that minister's face keeps changing. I bet he's already suspicious. That little expression, like he has something to say but can't say it-sure enough, being a royal live-in son-in-law isn't easy.

Everyone nearly burst out laughing. What the hell do you mean, royal live-in son-in-law?!

But... his brother-in-law was a member of the imperial clan, so Southern Xia's minister of rites had married a woman of the clan. Indeed... he could just barely be considered a royal live-in son-in-law.

Looking at the expression on Southern Xia's royal live-in son-in-law again, they saw he clearly intended to swallow all his suffering himself.

They wanted to laugh.

Damn mouth, hold it in! Even though the other side has apologized and compensated us, we still can't laugh. We have to keep acting dissatisfied if we want to stay in the superior position.

After that, the people of Great Qi continued to act rather displeased. Even Emperor Hongyao maintained a stern expression.

This left Southern Xia feeling thoroughly aggrieved.

After all, their original plan had been to see Great Qi carefully curry favor with them, perhaps even fawn over them.

Now, instead, they had been reduced to an inferior position.

Cups passed back and forth, and the drinking was in full swing. Meanwhile, the imperial preceptor and the grand general who guarded the nation had been muttering together for quite some time. Then the grand general stepped directly forward.

He was a man in his early forties. It was rare to see such a burly man among Southern Xia's frail civil ministers.

One look at his build was enough to tell he practiced martial arts.

Shen Anxin had been happily enjoying the banquet when she heard him saying something in a voice like a great bell.

In short, he wanted to have an exchange with Great Qi's military officers.

Shen Anxin: A martial contest? Did I hear that right? He wants a martial contest with Great Qi, which has military might to spare? Could it be... he thinks his skin has too many layers and wants to lose one or two? Don't they know even Great Qi's civil ministers are violent?

Great Qi's civil ministers: How are we violent?! We just want to reason with those martial brutes!

This time, however, when everyone heard her thoughts, they didn't join in the joke. Instead, their expressions turned serious.

Shen Anxin also sensed something was wrong. "What's the matter? Shouldn't you be pleased that they've kicked an iron plate?"

Xiao Yanchen explained quietly, "Great Qi's capable military officers are all stationed at the borders. The court has only young officers who have just finished training, and officers like General Wu, whose old ailments make them unfit for the battlefield. I'm afraid none of them would gain an advantage against him."

Shen Anxin suddenly realized that the forces bordering Southern Xia were all weak, so its military officers had almost no opportunity to use their skills.

Thus, Southern Xia could send its strongest grand general who guarded the nation without worrying about instability at the border.

Great Qi, however, had to be ready at all times to face barbarian enemies from outside. Its officers couldn't stay in the capital all the time.

No one had expected them to choose this moment for a martial contest. The other side had taken full advantage of the opening.

Shen Anxin: Chacha, did this happen in the original history?

Chacha: No.

Shen Anxin: Then they thought of it on the spot, trying to win back their pride!

Everyone: Just as we thought!

They had thought the first challenge would come from Jixia Academy. They hadn't expected it to be a martial contest. If they lost this, they would truly lose face.

The second and third princes stood up together and cupped their hands, asking to experience their opponent's skills.

Southern Xia's minister of rites perked up again. "We said an exchange between military officers, not princes. Great Qi's princes are precious and noble; our Grand General Xiong wouldn't dare truly exchange blows with them. Military officer against military officer—that is the most basic requirement. Surely Great Qi, famous for its abundant military might, cannot fail to produce a single officer for this exchange?"

If it had been a simple martial contest, Great Qi still had many experts. But the other side had specified military officers, leaving them no choice.

General Wu, his chest full of rage, sprang to his feet.

Minister Zheng, beside him, had wanted to stop him but had no chance. He cursed the brute inwardly.

The man was not fit to compete at all. If even the strongest person present lost, there would be no room left to argue. Wouldn't that make things even more troublesome?

But General Wu knew that, apart from him, everyone else would only lose more miserably.

The young military officers General Wu had trained stepped forward one after another, wanting to take his place. Even if they had to fight to the death, they would never disgrace Great Qi.

Shen Anxin: This doesn't look good. Why does everyone look like they're about to heroically lay down their lives? I'm afraid this Grand General Xiong really isn't easy to deal with. Chacha...

She had been wondering whether to exchange for a pill or make flexible use of a misfortune talisman. But on second thought, it would be hard to do anything in broad daylight.

Instead, Chacha enthusiastically recommended, Host, want to eat Grand General Xiong's melon? It's extraordinarily juicy!

Shen Anxin: Huh????