Besides, the original manifest was already worth a considerable sum. With another thirty percent added, the Loulan Royal Court might not be able to afford it.
Qing Chen saw his confusion and smiled faintly. "The Persian Kingdom is on our side. Loulan will soon be joining the Great Jin Imperial House through marriage, so naturally, we cannot favor one over the other."
"Tell the Loulan Kingdom's envoy that whatever they lack, I can likewise find a way to sell it to them at a low price."
"The Seven Kingdoms of the Western Regions are all friendly nations under my jurisdiction."
"Not one of them can be allowed to lose out."
Xu Jiuling instantly understood what his Governor-General meant.
Not one of them could be allowed to lose out.
In other words, not one of them should dream of leaving Yanmen Pass empty-handed.
He lowered his head in acknowledgment, then turned and walked out.
Barely half an incense stick later, the clear notes of a jade chime rang out beyond the hall, carrying a hint of the killing austerity of metal striking stone.
Immediately afterward, the Governor-General's Office guards stationed outside the doors parted to either side in unison. Xu Jiuling entered the hall and cupped his hands in a report. "Yuchi Mingzhao, Regent Princess of the Loulan Kingdom, has come at the command of Loulan's sovereign to pay her respects to the Governor-General."
Qing Chen nodded.
According to the Loulan Kingdom's ceremonial protocol.
Among the Loulan sovereign's children, sons were called princes and daughters princesses, while the eldest bore the additional title of "regent."
This Yuchi Mingzhao was not only the current queen's eldest daughter, but also held the Regent's Golden Seal. For years, she had inspected the cities in the queen's stead and participated in military and civil decisions.