A month later, the Japanese envoy was dragged back to the capital.

This Japanese man named Kimimaro prostrated himself before the emperor of the Song Dynasty, every hair on his body radiating fear.

"Tell me, am I the Son of Heaven of China?"

Kimimaro said in fluent Song Dynasty Mandarin: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, and all the lands and wilderness belong to Your Majesty."

"Then why did you dare to leave without saying goodbye!"

Zhao Huan practically roared it out.

If it weren't for the sea separating us from Japan, we would have sent a large army to wipe them out long ago.

This country only worships the strong and does not accept kindness or gratitude.

This nation, having studied the orthodox Chinese ideology for so many years, still retains its beastly national inferiority complex, like a beast in disguise, honestly and docilely crawling on the other side of the sea.

Once given the chance, they revealed their animalistic nature.

Therefore, they shouldn't be given a chance.

Kimimaro said in a trembling voice, "Our country is in turmoil. Please, Your Majesty, send troops to quell the unrest."

Kimimaro deliberately changed the subject.

Zhao Huan asked, "I am asking you, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

Kimimaro was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on his forehead: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was sent back to the country on the orders of Your Majesty."

The "Lord" that Kimimaro referred to was the Japanese Emperor.

When he was in Japan, Kimimaro was addressed as Emperor.

But now, in front of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, he would never dare to utter the words "Emperor".

According to the orthodox Chinese system of knowledge, there is only one emperor who rules the land on behalf of Heaven, and all other countries can only be kings.

Even a king might need to be officially recognized by the emperor.

If you dare to address your master as the Emperor in front of the Emperor, you're probably asking for trouble.

The emperor's icy voice rang in her ears: "You just said it yourself, this whole world belongs to me. I did not allow you to return, but you went back without permission, which is to disrespect me, a crime punishable by death!"

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! I was forced into this situation!"

Kimimaro kept banging his forehead against the ground, making loud thuds.

"Then tell me, why did you go back?"

"I truly do not know, but I received a letter from His Majesty instructing me to return home immediately."

"No follow-up?"

"No."

Zhao Huan pondered, "It seems Japan is going to sever diplomatic relations with the Song Dynasty."

No, no, the reason why Japan later developed world-class craftsmanship was because it learned it from the Song Dynasty.

Their adoration for the Tang and Song dynasties reached an almost unbelievable level.

Moreover, during the Tang Dynasty, Japan had just launched the Taika Reform.

In this era, the Heian period was established, and everything was learned from China.

In Japan, calligraphy and paintings by Su Shi and others have fetched astronomical prices.

The worship of Chinese characters has reached an astonishing level.

Take Chinese characters, for example; only nobles could use them.

They take pride in everything made in China, and are completely conquered by Chinese civilization.

Countless Japanese women also wanted to come to the Song Dynasty to "borrow" sperm, hoping to find ways to sleep with the men of the Song Dynasty.

How could we possibly break off diplomatic relations with the Song Dynasty for no reason?

"Is there anything else to say?"

Kimimaro lay flat on the ground: "He didn't say anything else."

Zhao Huan nodded: "I need your help with something."

When Kimimaro heard that the emperor needed his help, he was overjoyed, thinking that he could finally live.

But outwardly he was extremely respectful and said, "This humble servant is willing to serve Your Majesty with his life."

"You said it!"

Kimimaro was slightly taken aback, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

Do we really have to sacrifice everything?

The emperor laughed and said, "It's not really about making you give your life."

Kimimaro, however, braced himself and said, "This humble servant is willing to do anything for Your Majesty. Do you expect me to take your head?"

Kimimaro said with utmost loyalty.

Zhao Huan said, "You're right about that. I really do need your head!"

Kimimaro paused slightly, then felt his mouth go dry: "Your Majesty..."

Zhao Huan said, "Your sovereign has deceived me. Let's show your head to the envoys of other countries and see what the consequences of deceiving me are. I'm sorry to have wronged you, but I will have the executioner sharpen the blade so it won't hurt. Go in peace."

"His Majesty……"

Kimimaro slammed his head against the ground and cried out loudly.

Immediately, Imperial Guards entered and, without saying a word, pressed Kimimaro's head to the ground, as if they were holding a chicken or duck.

On the other side, someone pulled out a sharp pen knife and plunged it into Kimimaro's neck.

The knife pierced through Kimimaro's neck.

His eyes were wide open, and he struggled with all his might, but the Imperial Guards were very strong and held him firmly to the ground.

The pen knife began to cut his neck, just like cutting a chicken's neck when it's being slaughtered.

At first, he let out a painful scream, but then his vocal cords were severed, and he could no longer scream; all he could make were muffled sounds...

Large amounts of blood flowed from his neck and onto the ground.

After an unknown amount of time, his body suddenly stopped moving and he collapsed to the ground.

The Goryeo envoy on the side was terrified.

The envoys from Dali, Zhenla, and Champa on the other side also turned pale and dared not utter a sound.

They watched helplessly as Kimimaro's head was severed, too afraid to utter a sound.

The emperor actually killed the envoy of the country right in the palace?

And the killings were very swift and decisive; they were killed without warning.

They were all extremely shocked.

That's because they didn't see how Zhao Huan had Cai Jing killed by smashing his head against the wall in the imperial court. If they had seen it, they wouldn't have been so shocked.

Everyone else trembled with fear, but the emperor laughed and said, "Everyone, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Other ambassadors immediately condemned Japan's despicable actions, declaring that they would immediately sever ties with Japan, resolutely stand on the same front as the Song Dynasty, uphold the emperor's authority, and do their utmost for peace and prosperity.

Killing Kimimaro was merely a warning to others, and it only intimidated the envoys.

What Zhao Huan truly wanted to intimidate was one country, no, all the surrounding countries.

If we want our neighboring countries to behave themselves, we must destroy Japan; that's how we make an example of them!

The only way to destroy Japan right now is through economic warfare.

But he needs to develop the navy more quickly.

Upon thinking of the navy, Zhao Huan, after meeting with the envoys from various states, immediately ordered Li Bao to be brought to the palace.

He personally bestowed upon Li Bao a long, slender crescent-shaped dagger, hoping that Li Bao could train a powerful naval force for the Song Dynasty.

This was essential for Zhao Huan's later conquest of the sea.

From now on, the flag of the Great Song Dynasty will fly over the ocean.

Wherever the sun rises, there are the banners of the Great Song Dynasty.

Two months later, the envoy Zhao Huan sent to Japan returned.

Meanwhile, the people Xie Dahai sent also returned.

The Qilin Guards, who had infiltrated secretly, also brought back news that surprised Zhao Huan.