Ying Zheng took the silk cloth, then patted the little one, "Well done, Yu'er, you've worked hard. Why don't you go and rest with your mother first?"
Knowing the atmosphere was a bit tense, the little guy nodded slightly, "Okay!"
Consort Shu was perceptive enough to curtsy and say, "This concubine takes her leave!"
After saying this, he took Ying Ziyu and called Consort Liang to leave together.
Ying Zheng looked at the three men with a cold gaze, "You want to cancel the tribute?"
He realized that the three of them were there today to cancel the tribute payment.
The fact that envoys from three small countries, which are far apart, arrived at the same time clearly indicates that they had communicated beforehand and came together to make demands, giving them more leverage.
The Loulan envoy cupped his hands and said, "The Qin Dynasty requires too much tribute, which Loulan simply cannot afford. This is the only solution."
The Dongyue envoy bowed and said, “If the Great Qin had done something in return, Dongyue would have no complaints about paying the corresponding price. But this year, the Great Qin has done nothing and yet has been able to reap the benefits without lifting a finger. Now it is unwilling to reduce its tribute, which is unacceptable to Dongyue.”
The envoy from Gumo also bowed, saying, "What the two envoys say is quite right."
Ying Zheng stared intently at the group, his gaze sharp. "Do you really think you can contend with the Qin Dynasty?"
The three quickly lowered their heads, "Loulan wouldn't dare!"
"Dongyue wouldn't dare!"
"Gu Mo wouldn't dare!"
The Loulan envoy then added, "Although we have stopped paying tribute and are no longer in a relationship of ruler and subject with Qin, we were still allies. Moreover, if Qin were to easily attack Loulan, as its former protector, wouldn't it be ridiculed by the world?"
The envoy from Dongyue echoed, "Indeed, Qin is such a behemoth, while Dongyue is so weak. Moreover, it is a neighboring country. If Qin really makes a move, I'm afraid there will be no shortage of opposition. Reputation is nothing to a small country like Dongyue, but it is very important to Qin, isn't it?"
The Gu Mo envoy also said, "Furthermore, it would be dishonorable for the Qin state to have such a conflict with a small country if word got out. Moreover, many forces are eyeing the Qin state covetously. Starting a war at this critical juncture is clearly not a wise choice, is it?"
Ying Zheng looked at the group with calm eyes and said, "I can grant your request."
Upon hearing this, the group was taken aback, never expecting Ying Zheng to agree so readily and so easily.
The Loulan envoy looked at Ying Zheng in astonishment, "Your Majesty, are you going to agree?"
Ying Zheng then said, "But you must pay three times the tribute, and in that case you can sever ties with the Qin Dynasty and have no further connection with them."
Since their goal was to sever ties with the Qin Dynasty, Ying Zheng naturally wouldn't object.
After all, it was they who were previously protected, not the Qin Dynasty.
The Loulan envoy's expression changed. "If Loulan hasn't even paid tribute this year, how can they possibly offer three times the usual amount?"
The Dongyue envoy frowned. "Isn't Your Majesty making things difficult for us?"
The envoy from Gumo also looked very solemn, as this request was extremely difficult to fulfill.
Ying Zheng looked at the group with a slightly cold gaze, "If Qin agrees, then we will negotiate a withdrawal and the two countries will live in peace from now on. If Qin does not agree, then you, as subjects, will be considered to have betrayed Qin!"
"Even if the Qin Dynasty sends troops to exterminate traitors, public opinion will still be on the side of the Qin Dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group changed, their gazes becoming quite complex.
They were all well aware of their country's strength, which was utterly insignificant in the face of a powerful nation like Qin; otherwise, they wouldn't have sought Qin's protection in the first place.
If the Qin Dynasty were to truly take action, those three small states would undoubtedly be destroyed.
After a long silence, the Loulan envoy finally said, "I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me seven days. Once I return to Loulan and discuss this with the King, I will certainly give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer!"
She dared not easily offend a power like the Great Qin, and naturally had to think things through carefully.
The envoy from Dongyue also said, "I also need to return and discuss this with my chieftain. I will give His Majesty a reply later!"
The envoy from Gumo also said, "I am too!"
Ying Zheng looked at the group and said, "Discuss this carefully and make my words clear. Don't let a small matter ruin the country!"
"After all, if tributes run out, we can find another way, but if the country is gone, then it's truly gone!"
A few words from him left the envoys with uncertain expressions, and a strange unease settling in their hearts.
As expected, when facing a behemoth like the Qin Dynasty, they could never hide the fact that they were not strong enough.
After the group left, Zhao Gao spoke up, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to investigate the situation?"
Ying Zheng looked at him, "You also think it's wrong?"
Zhao Gao lowered his head and said, "These few small countries have always been meek and submissive, but now they are openly challenging the Great Qin. There is clearly something wrong with them."
Ying Zheng's eyes were indifferent. "If there really is a problem, then it will be revealed this time."
After all, the conditions proposed by Ying Zheng were not simple for several small countries.
Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a few small countries.
Zhao Gao looked quite worried. "I have a feeling that these tributes might not be so difficult to obtain."
Ying Zheng's gaze narrowed slightly. "A little tribute is nothing to Great Qin, but Great Qin's dignity must not be violated!"
More important than the tribute was their attitude.
If even a few small countries dare to disrespect the Great Qin, then what prestige does the Great Qin have in other countries?
When a few small countries can provoke others and all be left unscathed, other powers will surely become restless and slowly test the waters.
In the end, countless unrest will occur, and the Qin Dynasty will inevitably be thrown into turmoil.
Just then, a eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, the young master requests an audience."
Ying Zheng was taken aback. "Yu'er hasn't left yet?"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
