Treasures everywhere

This emperor doesn't seem very easy to talk to.

The envoys below exchanged glances, both sensing that something was amiss.

During the previous probing, it seemed that the other party was not very clear about the unspoken rules between the various dynasties.

But when they tried to set traps to gain some advantage, things didn't go as planned.

Isn't this emperor a little too shrewd?

The officials felt that the emperor seemed a bit difficult to fool, so they dared not express their opinions too obviously.

After thinking about it, if the other party wasn't very clear about the rules between different countries, even if they went back and discussed it properly, they still wouldn't be able to see through their methods.

Upon realizing this, the foreign minister immediately stopped being anxious.

"Does anyone else have anything else to say?"

Fang Weiyan temporarily suppressed both matters, intending to discuss them with his ministers later.

When discussing such important matters, one must never rush things; if you hastily agree, you are likely to suffer losses.

Although Fang Weiyan hadn't dealt with many such matters before, he knew he couldn't rush things.

The officials exchanged glances upon hearing this; their next matters could only be discussed after the Emperor's approval.

If the other party hasn't agreed to either of these things, then there's no point in continuing the negotiations.

Thinking of this, the envoys shook their heads, indicating that everything was alright for the time being.

Upon seeing this, Fang Weiyan glanced at the other ministers, and seeing that no one stepped forward, he immediately announced the adjournment of the court.

After the court session, Fang Weiyan went directly back to the imperial study.

Several ministers then followed him into the imperial study to discuss with the emperor the matter that the foreign minister had just requested.

"Gentlemen, what is your opinion on the demands of these foreign ministers?"

The ministers who were able to come here to discuss matters with him were all high-ranking and powerful figures.

Having served as a high-ranking official for a long time, he must have a keen sense for such matters.

"Your Majesty, these foreign officials have traveled a great distance to the Jiang Kingdom, and yet they appear so submissive. They must have ulterior motives. I believe we must be on guard."

Upon hearing this, the Ministry of Revenue, who was standing nearby, immediately spoke up.

He had learned a little about it before; there was still quite a distance between the other party's dynasty and the Jiang Kingdom.

Given the distance between them, the fact that they brought so many tributes and acted as if they were still submissive after arriving in the Jiang Kingdom, all seemed rather odd.

The other party was a dynasty itself; why would it willingly submit to another country, let alone so readily?

Something doesn't seem right.

Fang Weiyan nodded in agreement, though he felt the other person's behavior was a bit too enthusiastic.

They rushed over to deliver it.

As for the trade they mentioned later, that makes sense.

If the other party has traded with other countries and has some special products, then it is perfectly reasonable for them to want to boost their own economy.

"Your Majesty, our dynasty is currently isolated from the outside world and unaware of its situation. Perhaps I should send some skilled individuals to see if we can extract any information from them."

The Minister of Ministry of Rites, who was standing nearby, also spoke up.

The method he mentioned, of course, was to force-feed alcohol.

Send a capable minister over there, and make sure the other side is happy with the food, drinks, and entertainment.

They might be able to get some information out of us; this was a tactic they used frequently in the past, and it might be somewhat effective.

Upon hearing this, Fang Weiyan considered it for a moment and then nodded.

Their information network was indeed somewhat limited; otherwise, Fang Weiyan would probably have been able to guess the other party's intentions.

"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you."

Fang Weiyan nodded, then turned to the other ministers, "What do you all think?"

"These foreign officials are all wolves in sheep's clothing; they cannot be trusted."

"I second that opinion."

The words of the other ministers made Fang Weiyan roll his eyes.

They really know how to talk nonsense.

He wouldn't have discussed this matter if he hadn't felt these guys were untrustworthy and harbored malicious intentions.

"Alright, you may all leave now."

Seeing that the ministers had no other suggestions, Fang Weiyan waved his hand.

After the ministers left, Yunxi immediately led several palace maids in gracefully.

"Your Majesty, someone just sent a lot of women into the palace, saying they were tributes from those foreign officials."

Yunxi had just stepped in when she said something softly.

Fang Weiyan hummed in agreement. "Didn't we discuss this matter yesterday? You can handle it as you see fit."

Fang Weiyan wasn't particularly concerned about this matter; he was still pondering why those guys were rushing over, acting like a vassal state.

According to the other party, the amount of money to be offered from now on will not be less.

The condition is that I would like to help the other party expand their territory.

Given Fang Weiyan's current strength, expanding his territory shouldn't be a problem.

Fang Weiyan just felt something was strange, and he was currently frowning and pondering why the other party would do this.

Why do you look so worried, my lord?

Seeing that Fang Weiyan had no interest in what she had brought up and instead looked worried, Yunxi was puzzled.

It's rare to see Fang Weiyan looking so worried. What's wrong with him now?

Upon hearing this, Fang Weiyan immediately recounted to Yunxi what had happened in the court that day.

After listening, Yunxi paused for a moment, then her face showed a strange expression. "Is that all?"

"Is that all? Why do you say that?"

Fang Weiyan knew Yunxi's personality; after all, she was a princess who had been raised from childhood, so there must be a reason why she said that.

"My lord, could it be that you're just overthinking things?"

Seeing Fang Weiyan's somewhat confused expression, Yunxi immediately said, "Does my lord know that you are not the same person you used to be?"

"You are now the Human Sovereign, and as my lord said before, there were at least three or five hundred, if not a thousand, who went to Mount Kunxu, but in the end, only two or three people seized the Human Sovereign."

"Therefore, it is clear that you, my lord, are a chosen one of heaven, a noble Human Sovereign, and it is not surprising that other dynasties bow down to you."

Yunxi spoke her mind directly.

It's true that each dynasty has its own pride, but if another dynasty becomes too powerful, then naturally some weaker dynasties will choose to submit.

Yunxi's words immediately enlightened Fang Weiyan.

That seems to be true.

Since the Jiang Kingdom produced Human Sovereign, it should logically be considered extremely powerful.

Other dynasties must have felt the same way.

A powerful dynasty is right beside you; if you don't submit, you could easily be invaded and your country destroyed.

In that case, it would be better to submit in advance and become a vassal state of the other side.

In this way, at least you can ensure your safety for the time being.

The other side is worried that Jiang Kingdom will invade them.

That makes sense.

Putting aside other factors, just the fact that all those who came this time were from dynasties neighboring Jiang Kingdom is enough to tell us something.

None of the dynasties that did not border the Jiang Kingdom came.

Fang Weiyan raised an eyebrow upon thinking this, "Yunxi's words make perfect sense; it all makes sense."

After figuring out these key points, Fang Weiyan's face lit up with joy. "So, the other side is only willing to submit in exchange for my help in expanding their territory. Isn't this just trying to extract benefits from me?"

Upon realizing this, Fang Weiyan narrowed his eyes slightly, immediately guessing the other party's intentions.

The other party originally intended to submit.

But they probably figured out that the Jiang Kingdom wasn't entirely clear on the ins and outs, so they decided to pull this stunt.

Who would refuse such a good thing as having others help them expand their territory?

Furthermore, when they fight against the demons, they can also weaken the Jiang Kingdom's strength.

That would be even better for them.

Upon thinking this, Fang Weiyan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. These guys were all hatching some clever schemes.

These dynasties all hoped that the Jiang Kingdom could provide assistance.

We don't usually have much grudge against these demons, so it would be extremely unwise to rashly take action for the sake of other countries.

After realizing these points, Fang Weiyan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

What does my lord intend to do?

Seeing Fang Weiyan's appearance, Yunxi couldn't help but ask him a question.

Fang Weiyan thought for a moment, then said, "There's no need to agree to the idea of a vassal state."

He never intended to have any vassal states.

After taking over these vassal states, these guys will probably face a lot of trouble later.

He should focus on developing the Jiang Kingdom first. The strength of other dynasties outside is currently unclear, so he should play it safe and develop slowly for now.

Upon hearing this, Yunxi nodded. Given her husband's abilities, it seemed that he indeed did not need these vassal states.

"The other side even said they wanted to open trade, and you still won't agree to that?"

"Of course we should agree to that. As for why they want to open trade, I reckon they just want to make money. But who will actually profit is hard to say."

Upon hearing this, Yunxi's lips pursed slightly.

When it comes to making money, she has complete faith in her husband, and besides...

With so many surprise attack tools at their side, how could these people possibly make money from trade?

In the end, I'm afraid my own husband will have earned it all.

However, these guys can also resell these things to make money.

After chatting with Yunxi about matters of the court, Fang Weiyan then began to eat.

Meanwhile, the foreign officials also returned to their residences one by one.

When they returned, all the gifts Fang Weiyan had bestowed upon them were moved into their residence.

What is this?

Upon receiving the gifts bestowed by the Jiang Kingdom, the foreign officials opened them and examined them carefully.

They were immediately stunned as soon as the item was opened.

I don't know what these things are for yet, but just looking at the packaging, I can already tell that they're something special.

Its exquisite appearance is incredibly smooth to the touch, and it is engraved with intricate patterns that even the most skilled craftsman could not replicate.

Even the royal artisans of their dynasty couldn't have accomplished this.

"What is this 'zhu'?"

"Why is this object so exquisitely carved, yet it's just a box?"

"This thing has an incredibly strong fragrance."

The envoys began to get excited at this point.

They were completely mesmerized by the exquisite objects before them.

Such exquisite objects were something they had never seen in their lives.

Thinking of the treasures they had previously offered as tribute, and then looking at the treasures the other party was bestowing upon them at this moment, the expressions of the foreign officials suddenly changed.

This Jiang Kingdom seems to be even more complex than they thought.

The things they received as a gift were truly treasures! They opened their eyes to a whole new world.

Even now, we still don't know what these things are used for.

But what about the gifts they gave each other?

These things had long been commonplace gifts among the nobles of each dynasty.

In the immediate comparison, they were put at a disadvantage.

"Look at this treasure! This must be the Crystal Pearl, right? Wow, it truly lives up to its name!"

A courtier took out a box, and when it was opened, a crystal pearl was immediately revealed inside.

The pearl was no bigger than a thumb, and it was completely translucent with a variety of colors. Inside the pearl, there was even a rainbow.

Such a precious pearl! I've never seen anything like it before!

Moreover, these jewels are all different; some even have completely different colors.

Upon seeing this, the ministers around him all held their breath slightly.

I've never seen such a treasure before!

How much would I sell this one for?

Hasn't this trip been incredibly profitable for me?

They could secretly keep some for themselves and take them back; they figured they wouldn't be discovered.

Upon thinking of this, the ministers' breathing became rapid.

Furthermore, the other party possessed so many treasures, yet they so easily used them as rewards.

If trade can be established in the future, they will likely be able to acquire even more treasures.

At that moment, the ministers' hearts began to pound.

At that moment, they felt as if they had entered a treasure trove.

This Jiang Kingdom is absolutely a treasure trove, overflowing with gold!

The foreign officials were extremely excited, and then began to ponder the other items.

They couldn't understand these things, nor did they know what they were used for.

Their discussions were rather comical.

Fortunately, the minister from the Ministry of Ministry of Rites came to us to try and get some information.

When he saw these foreign officials fiddling with the objects in a daze, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

These guys looked exactly like they did months ago when the Emperor bestowed gifts upon them, and they were completely bewildered.

Now that this person has become someone else, a strange sense of superiority welled up in his heart.

"A bunch of country bumpkin officials, they've never seen anything like it!"

The Minister of Ministry of Rites muttered something to himself, but walked up with a smile on his face.