Imperial Capital of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty, Ministry of Rites offices.
Zheng Shiqing, the Minister of Rites, held the gold-embossed diplomatic letter, his fingers trembling slightly.
The scarlet wax seal on the letter gleamed harshly in the sunlight. It was the exclusive insignia of the Eternal Day Empire's Imperial House.
He carefully broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. The words written in gold powder danced across it like dragons in flight and phoenixes soaring:
"To His Majesty Li Chen, wise and illustrious sovereign of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty:
I, Emperor Charles, blessed by the Holy Light, wield the authority of the Eternal Day Empire. I hereby dispatch an envoy with this letter, in the hope that our two nations may forge an everlasting alliance. The Holy Light Church is our empire's state religion. Its bishops are benevolent and its teachings extensive. It wishes to send missionaries north to your country to spread the gospel of the Holy Light."
By the time Zheng Shiqing reached this point, fine beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
As Minister of Rites, he had spent all these years following the affairs of other nations. He knew all too well what lay behind this "spreading the gospel."
Thirty years ago, seven of the Southern Kingdoms had gradually become vassals of the Eternal Day Empire under precisely the same pretext.
Missionary work was not as simple as taking in disciples. It meant changing the people's faith.
If this thing found its way in, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Seeing his troubled expression, the vice minister of rites beside him quietly prompted, "Minister, has the Eternal Day Empire made another unreasonable demand?"
Zheng Shiqing slammed the diplomatic letter onto the desk, making the teacups rattle. "That bastard Charles actually wants to establish a Holy See