Immediately, Mu Lang hurriedly bowed to Liu Hong on the throne, following the etiquette taught by the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial.

"Your humble servant, Mu Lang of Shanshan, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, and may the Great Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

"No need for formalities, rise!"

A slightly immature yet authoritative voice reached Mu Lang's ears.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han!"

Mulang bowed again before straightening his back, but still kept his head down, looking at the smooth ground beneath his feet.

Liu Hong looked at Mu Lang expressionlessly and asked in a deep voice, "Why did the King of Shanshan send you here?"

"Your Majesty, my king, by Your Majesty's decree, has selected twenty daughters of royal nobles to present to the Great Han. He also hopes that the Great Han will bestow upon my king a title, recognize my kingship in Shanshan, and establish trade relations with our country..."

As he spoke, Mu Lang took out the letter of state and gift list from the King of Shanshan from his bosom and respectfully handed them to Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side.

Zhang Rang accepted the letter of credence and the list of gifts, then quickly returned to Liu Hong's side.

Liu Hong took the letter of credence and the list of gifts and began to examine them carefully. After reading them, he nodded in satisfaction and then handed them to Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side.

"Let me read this to you all!"

"promise!"

Zhang Rang accepted the letter of state and the list of gifts, and then loudly proclaimed: "Your subject, Mu Xing of Shanshan, respectfully pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty."

Since the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty, Shanshan has been a vassal state of the Han Dynasty for more than 300 years. We, the subjects and people of Shanshan, have long admired the Han Dynasty for its court attendance.

Unfortunately, bandits from all sides constantly invade, and I have been unable to communicate with the Han Dynasty.

"The entire populace of Shanshan now wishes to submit to the Great Han. We humbly request Your Majesty's permission. If the Great Han were to accept us, we would be immensely honored..."

The letter from King Mu Xing of Shanshan not only displayed an extremely humble attitude but also expressed his willingness to submit to the Han Dynasty, which greatly pleased the officials in the court.