"Your Majesty, I brought quite a few officials with me on this journey. How could I trouble an Imperial Envoy? I can simply have the officials accompanying me take the seals back."
Fan De spoke.
Faced with the emperor's challenge, he chose the simplest approach: playing dumb.
But Cao Mao said sternly, "The officials who accompanied you are lowly. How could they be qualified to escort the Royal Seal and Ceremonial Staff? I will send someone myself. Just have your people serve as guides."
Fan De hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it is only that Funan's climate, water, and soil are all different from those of the Central Plains. I fear the envoys you send might find the local conditions unbearable."
"Funan is remote, with miasma everywhere and many fierce beasts."
"The Imperial Court has many distinguished men. I also know that those accompanying me are lowly. I only worry that an Imperial Envoy might not endure it... I fear he might come to harm!"
Cao Mao swept his sleeve and declared loudly, "The territory of our Great Wei is unprecedented in extent. Among my domains are Guang, Jiaozhou, Nanzhong, and other places with conditions like Funan's. These places have many talented worthies and brave warriors. I could assemble over a hundred thousand men who could adapt to your lands. You need not worry!"
"Once you submit to me, I will no longer allow the local beasts to roam about and slaughter the people. Jiaozhou has fierce generals such as Tao and Zhongli, who can rid you of these beasts."
Fan De trembled all over.
He said helplessly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The two then began another series of discussions, and Fan De no longer dared say much.
He had also realized that this emperor would not be swayed by others.