Chapter 64 064 I suffered a loss.

Although he was "dissatisfied" with the achievement of putting on a brave face, the reward was still something to be happy about. After court, Zhao Jialing comforted himself with the thought that "suffering a loss is a blessing," and then asked the system to retrieve the thousand-gold prescription for treating heart disease. It sounded like a "medical prescription," but how was it different from the previous rewards? Could it be overlapping? If so, all the suffering would have been for nothing.

"The advanced version of the formula mainly targets external injuries. Things like promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and relieving frostbite and chapped skin are minor issues," the system said.

Zhao Jialing frowned: [Could it be that we can actually make the paralyzed Prince Zhong stand up?]

The Wise Ruler System speaks frankly: [It depends on the Loyal King's condition.]

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jialing felt distressed and even considered tearing out the relevant content. However, she knew that the Prince Zhong was the one suffering most. With that thought, she suppressed her restless heart, sighed, and sent it to the Imperial Medical Bureau. The Bureau had assigned scribes to copy it, and the original copy would be sent for printing.

His thoughts returned to the matter of the "tribute envoys." Perhaps influenced by the Minister of Revenue, Zhao Jialing's mind was filled with all sorts of money-related matters. These tribute envoys were coming to Chang'an, and the prefectures and counties along the way were responsible for receiving them. If their accommodations, supplies, and treatment were poor, the tribute envoys would cause trouble, making the Great Yong Dynasty lose face.

Besides money, Zhao Jialing also recalled some events from the late emperor's time. The Tibetan envoys were extremely arrogant and rude, barging into the market with impunity. Most border officials turned a blind eye, daring not to suppress them. When this reached the capital, the late emperor was furious and eventually replaced them, finally curbing the unrestrained and oppressive atmosphere. It was always like this; if you couldn't suppress them, they would become arrogant. The court officials mostly valued harmony, fearing that losing peace would ultimately lead to war. Although the other side also came to pay tribute and submit memorials of submission, frankly speaking, once relations broke down, they were simply "enemy states."

A few days later, in the Linde Hall.

Some of the tribute envoys and translators took their seats together.

Turks, Tibetans, Gaochang, Kangguo, Xi people, Dongying… Zhao Jialing glanced around, finding them from all directions. She calmly surveyed the tribute envoys at their seats, mentioning neither their return home nor the return of gifts.

The Turks and Tibetans harbor wolfish ambitions; Gaochang is fickle and occasionally obstructs nearby smaller states from paying tribute. The Eastern Kingdom acts politely, but harbors rebellious intentions; as for Silla and Baekje, they are no better. None of the larger states have any intention of currying favor with Dayong. Host, you are surrounded by wolves!

Zhao Jialing was not surprised; this was to be expected, as evidenced by the wording of the official letter. As for the Turks and the Tibetans, those were real conflicts. During Emperor Renzong's reign, the Tibetans' request for a marriage alliance was refused, which even sparked a war.

Although they didn't want to be vassals of Dayong, receiving their investiture still brought many benefits. First, there was the "border market." Then there were the Dayong's gifts; sending them animals that were worthless there would yield gold, silver, silk, and porcelain in return—real profits. And then there were the tribute envoys; although it was explicitly forbidden for them to do business, many still managed to smuggle themselves across the border, something the Silla and Baekje envoys were very experienced at. As for those who were permitted, they took the opportunity to reap huge profits in the market.

In the end, they always make a fortune. If they were willing to kneel, that would be fine, but they're stubborn and unruly, ultimately aiding the enemy! The Wise Ruler System, brimming with吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical comments), uttered a final sentence tinged with a sense of disappointment and frustration. "If the vassal states are loyal, then it's a beautiful union. But their treacherous hearts remain undiminished; all that's left is a vain hope."

Besides the vassal envoys, the prime ministers and officials from the Court of State Ceremonial were also present in the hall. Among them were naturally some who felt that the vassal envoys could be left to their own devices, allowing them to "secretly collect" the money, believing it wouldn't harm the Central Plains. However, once their thoughts reached the ears of the vassal envoys and they understood the meaning of "aiding the enemy," their initial skepticism vanished instantly. In such a situation, saying anything more would be tantamount to "colluding with the enemy."

The banquet was filled with singing and dancing, and Zhao Jialing didn't mention any political affairs, as if it were just a simple banquet. The tribute envoys, on the other hand, had some thoughts on their own, but most of them didn't understand the official language of Dayong, and the Dayong emperor and his officials also didn't understand the foreign language. They needed interpreters, and with frequent interruptions, the tribute envoys didn't get to say anything.

After the banquet, Zhao Jialing rubbed his tired brows and eyes. Instead of slacking off, he kept Xie Lanzao behind and said, "Most of the vassal statesmen are ambitious and treacherous; they are all bad." He paused, then added, "Since I hosted a banquet for them today, they will think my attitude is more lenient. Before, when I was cold, they were more reserved. Now, they might try to find someone to do them a favor. Keep an eye on them; I need to know who has accepted bribes."

Only a portion of the officials attended the regular court session; there were many more. This opportunity also provided a chance to weed out some of the "lazybones." These "lazybones" shouldn't even think about retiring; they should be stripped of their official positions and sent back to their hometowns to farm.

Xie Lanzhao knew perfectly well what kind of people these foreign lands were. Bribery was indeed commonplace. With the Turks and Tibetans, it was mostly for the trade of horses and silk at border markets, while with Silla and Baekje, these two countries were frequently at war and needed the help of Dayong. If you wanted someone to speak favorably of you, you could only offer money.

Xie Lanzhao agreed and continued, "During the reign of Emperor Renzong, the Tubo annexed Tuyuhun, which became a major threat to us. Although we made some progress, the defeats in Dafeichuan and Qinghai caused us to lose our ambition. Although the Tubo have rarely invaded Liangzhou, their power has been expanding westward over the past three reigns. During the reign of the late emperor, there was even a proposal to abandon the Four Garrisons of Anxi in the Western Regions."

Zhao Jialing's expression darkened slightly: "My preparations were not made in vain, and the money was not spent for nothing."

"The Tibetan king has only recently ascended the throne and will not launch a large-scale invasion of the borders." After a moment of contemplation, Xie Lanzhao added, "This year, Tibet has sent more tribute than in previous years. Some envoys from other vassal states have left Chang'an, but Tibet has gathered them all together. I'm afraid they have other plans."

Zhao Jialing's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Hmm?" A certain guess suddenly surfaced in her mind. Before Xie Lanzhao could speak, she said coldly, "They want to ask for a marriage proposal!" During Emperor Renzong's reign, the Tibetans' marriage proposal was initially refused. However, after a battle, the two sides shook hands and made peace. It was just a pity that the princess, who was sent far away to marry, died in a foreign land. In the eyes of many, sending a princess to quell the war was a profitable deal. They put on a righteous and awe-inspiring face, but they didn't give anything, yet they could leave behind a magnificent and inspiring record in history. How absurd!

"What does Your Majesty think?" Xie Lanzhao asked.

"No." Zhao Jialing refused without hesitation. The Great Yong and Tibet... while not exactly close, were practically mortal enemies. Was the temporary peace on the border truly achieved through a marriage alliance? All that talk of "if distant peoples do not submit, then cultivate virtue to win them over" was empty rhetoric. The harsh truth was, "backwardness invites aggression." Didn't the previous dynasty also make a marriage alliance with the Turks? When the world descended into chaos, the Turkic cavalry marched south, ostensibly to aid the dynasty, but in reality, they plundered and pillaged wherever they went, leaving nine out of ten houses empty, the people devastated, and the disaster even worse than that of the rebel armies.

The two simple words conveyed a firm attitude, and Xie Lanzhao smiled. She continued, "The tribute envoys will be in the capital for some time. Your Majesty might as well have the Duke of Qin's mansion receive them."

While it's called the Duke of Qin's mansion, it actually refers to Li Zhaoci and gunpowder. War inevitably brings casualties and can lead to countless tragedies. It would be best to eliminate everything through "deterrence." Regardless of whether they truly have ulterior motives, let's first appreciate the martial virtue of the Great Yong Dynasty.

The ceremonies held by the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial to receive foreign vassals all involved song and dance. The "Banquet of Imperial Grace" and similar events were extremely extravagant, with money flowing like water. But to be honest, these things were hardly effective in showcasing national power or demonstrating the grandeur of the Yongzheng Emperor. Who could be intimidated by opera? At most, they only used "luxury" to arouse the other party's greed.

Zhao Jialing nodded solemnly: "Give me the stick first, then the dates. I understand."

Xie Lanzhao's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Jujubes?"

"They must have made quite a bit of money through private transactions, right?" Zhao Jialing thought to himself. "Could glass and white sugar leave them with all their wealth?" The "glass" from the west wasn't as good as that produced in Dayong, so the goods they transported would have to change drastically. They could be classified as precious items like silk, and the tribute envoys could still make a profit transporting them back. As for whether they could compete with the shrewd Sogdian merchants, that was none of the court's business.

Honglu Temple.

Officials found tribute envoys the most troublesome; they were picky about food and lodging, making them extremely difficult to manage. These envoys would behave somewhat more restrained in the palace, but in the Court of State Ceremonial, they were completely unrestrained, resulting in a cacophony of accents, while the interpreters were pale and swaying precariously. On one side, the Tibetan envoys demanded better accommodations, while on the other, the Turks questioned them—they had brought a large herd of horses and ten thousand sheep, which had been refused long ago. The Turks abandoned the sheep but still hoped to exchange for forty bolts of silk for each horse; however, those horses were all weak and unusable!

At this moment, Li Zhaoci, who had been selected as the "Pacification Envoy," appeared, which made the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial breathe a sigh of relief.

The terrifying explosion at the manor was still fresh in the minds of the court officials. When the Duke of Qin's mansion was mentioned, the first person they thought of wasn't Li Qia, but rather the Li family's daughter who had caused the cataclysmic events with a mere laugh. Truly a divine being!

The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were naturally delighted, and even the clerks were overjoyed, allowing Li Zhaoci and his men to take over everything—leaving only the interpreters of the Court of State Ceremonial. If this had happened at the end of last year, the clerks probably wouldn't have agreed. But now it's different. Receiving the envoys from the vassal states certainly offers opportunities for personal gain, but what remains are the vassal states whose "farewell banquets" have already been held but who has yet to depart? Who has the iron fist to stir things up in a boiling pot of oil? To gain a foothold in the Chang'an government, one cannot rely on the support of local powerful families like those in the prefectures and counties; one needs keen intuition.

Li Zhaoci had never done such a thing before, but it didn't matter. His Majesty and the Prime Minister said she was an expert in receiving tribute envoys, so she was. No one knew more about foreign affairs than her. Thus, the self-satisfied Li Zhaoci began to repeat her old trick, preparing to host a banquet for the tribute envoys at her estate in a few days.

The tribute envoys were initially surprised, then overjoyed. The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were adept at stalling and maneuvering; now that a young woman had been brought in, could it be that the Emperor of Dayong was deliberately sending them a bribe? Wouldn't their demands for tribute and reciprocal gifts be easily met?

The expressions of the officials from the Court of State Ceremonial who overheard the tribute envoys' discussion were truly fascinating. These unruly tribute envoys would be reduced to docile quails the moment Li Zhaoci calmly fired a musket.

It was at this time that news from Liangzhou reached Chang'an, reporting that Tibet had sent another 300 envoys with 5,000 taels of gold and precious jewels to offer as a marriage proposal.

Zhao Jialing's face darkened upon seeing the report. The previous group of envoys hadn't even returned yet, and another three hundred had been sent. Previously, Tibet had dispatched nearly a thousand envoys, with the remaining eight hundred stationed in Ganzhou and Liangzhou, and only two hundred allowed to enter Chang'an. With another three hundred new envoys entering the region, the Tibetan forces in Ganzhou and Liangzhou would exceed a thousand. Were they here to pay tribute, or to seize an opportunity to invade?!

Zhao Jialing thought with dissatisfaction: "These people are beasts in human form, only interested in profit."

The Imperial Secretary said, “It is acceptable to prohibit tribute envoys from entering the country, but only to request a marriage alliance. As for the matter of Emperor Xuanzong, Tibet has become too powerful. After two consecutive defeats, our country’s military strength is insufficient to attack it. If we can suppress it, our national strength will be more than enough. We should take the marriage alliance as a plan and focus on border defense without launching a deep attack.”

The Vice Minister of War said nonchalantly, "The Tibetan clowns have repeatedly violated our borders. If peace treaties were effective, why were there so many border troubles during Emperor Renzong's reign? With firearms at our disposal, our army will surely be invincible."

Minister of Revenue Xiang Yanyi glanced at him and said, "The conflict between the Tibetan kings has just ended, and there is also a falling out between the king and his ministers. I believe that they have no time to raid the border. We should raise soldiers, appoint good generals, and collect grain. When we have enough soldiers and food, and with good weapons in hand, we can take them in one fell swoop!"

"The matter of a marriage alliance should not be mentioned again." Zhao Jialing looked at the Imperial Secretary, his brows furrowing slightly. He had expected this, so he wasn't particularly disappointed. These court officials were all classified as top-tier or second-tier by the system, genuinely concerned for the country. This sincere shortsightedness and narrow-mindedness was truly irritating. Fortunately, the people who would grow up in the future wouldn't be like this. The Imperial Secretary, for example, was beyond saving, possessing only the talent to draft edicts and write fluently.

Upon hearing the news, Li Zhaoci was eager to share the emperor's burdens and immediately went to the palace to pay her respects. She smiled gently and said, "I have recently captured some treacherous individuals. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to borrow their heads."

Zhao Jialing remained silent.

Xie Lanzhao, who had stayed in the hall to attend to the meeting, also felt her eyelids twitch.

These understated words are like a glimpse into a poem.

Speaking of "spies," Zhao Jialing and her companions knew what that meant. Most of those who could act as "spies" in Chang'an were from vassal states. Some things couldn't be discovered openly, so they were done covertly. Similarly, there were spies scattered throughout the Great Yong Dynasty.

Speaking of which, the factory really came through; Zhao Jialing equipped the firearms battalion with the telescopes they developed. In Chang'an, the Imperial Guards openly patrolled, but now they also had eyes in the shadows. The firearms battalion wasn't originally supposed to do these things, but everyone was extremely interested in the telescopes. Their efforts paid off; after capturing a few and subjecting them to severe torture, they spilled their beans about their origins and purposes.

However, there would be no obvious evidence on the spies, and it wasn't necessary to break ties with the vassal state based solely on forged testimonies. They simply kept a secret record and dealt with those traitors connected to the spies. The remaining spies, however, hadn't been killed yet.

"If the banquet etiquette changes, let them know so they won't make a fuss," Xie Lanzhao said calmly. She restrained herself from thinking about the bloody scene and focused her gaze on Li Zhaoci's humble smiling face. In the end, only the phrase "you can't judge a book by its cover" remained in her mind.

After Li Zhaoci left, Zhao Jialing said to Xie Lanzao with admiration, "Ciniang is so vigorous and should be a role model for women." Glancing at the silent Xie Lanzao, Zhao Jialing quickly added, "Of course, in my heart, only you are the first-rate person."

Xie Lanzhao wouldn't hold such a grudge against Zhao Jialing, but since His Majesty had expressed his deep feelings, she didn't need to dampen his enthusiasm. Gazing intently at Zhao Jialing and noticing his obvious fatigue, she asked, "Are you tired?"

Without a second thought, Zhao Jialing replied, "I'm tired." A smile lit up her eyes as she asked, "Would you like to lend me your shoulder to lean on?"

Xie Lanzhao smiled and said, "I'm afraid my humble body is too weak to bear the weight of Your Majesty's body."

Zhao Jialing ignored the excuses: "If you fall, I'll catch you." As he spoke, he consciously took Xie Lanzao's hand. "I used to just feel extremely bored and occasionally a little annoyed, but I never felt tired." "Governing by doing nothing" also has its advantages; at least she can still be a carefree emperor.

"Your Majesty has it easy," Xie Lanzhao chuckled. "Your Majesty has been working like an ox or a horse."

Zhao Jialing stopped leaning towards Xie Lanzao at these words, a rare hint of guilt and embarrassment appearing on her face. She made a momentous decision, pulling Xie Lanzao into her arms and saying warmly, "Then let me be your pillow."