Seeing Ying Zheng's appearance, Consort Shu's eyes flickered slightly, and her gaze fell on the little guy.
So that's why His Majesty suddenly wanted to celebrate his birthday?
At the same time, the little one turned his head and cast a pleading look at Consort Shu, "Mother!"
"Help me, Mom! Dad's trying to steal the kids' gold!"
Ying Zheng was speechless.
I have no interest in your gold.
Consort Shu suppressed a laugh and said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty is right. After all, we are here to celebrate your birthday, so it is only right to give you a gift."
"Besides, Yu'er, didn't you ask His Majesty for quite a few gifts before? It's only right that you return them once. After all, what kind of logic is there in the world to keep something for nothing?"
She knows what the little one likes, but this habit of wanting things isn't good and she should teach her a lesson.
Consort Shu went along with it, thinking that the little guy was so capable that he should be properly educated to prevent him from going astray in the future.
Seeing that there was no way to retreat, the little boy looked at Ying Zheng and asked, "What does Father want?"
Ying Zheng looked at him and said, "Do you remember the blueprint for that plow from last time? Just give me one of those types."
The little guy breathed a sigh of relief, "This one."
It's fine as long as it's not gold.
But what should we give them?
[I've got it! Something that can improve education, but I don't know if Dad will like it.]
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng was secretly delighted.
Can it promote education?
This is priceless!
I like it, of course I like it!
Education and national strength are directly linked. If education can be improved, more talents will emerge in the Qin Dynasty, and the national strength will surely be greatly enhanced.
It is extremely difficult to do.
Seeing the little guy's hesitant look, Ying Zheng said again, "Yu'er, I like everything you give me. Tell me."
The little guy broke free from his arms. "In that case, Father, give me a pen and some silk cloth, and I'll give them to you later."
Ying Zheng ordered someone to give him silk cloth, and the little guy went off to do something else.
He never expected that he would get to work before even having a meal today.
Just then, Zhao Gao suddenly walked in, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, envoys from Loulan, Gumo, and Dongyue request an audience."
Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly, "All three together?"
Zhao Gao frowned. "Your Majesty, I also find this somewhat strange."
In the past, these small countries mostly came to pay tribute, as they were located on the border and some were harassed by the Xiongnu, while others were plundered by the Baiyue, making their lives uneasy.
If they wanted to live a better life, they had no choice but to seek the protection of the Qin Dynasty, but they also paid a corresponding price.
In addition to paying tribute every year, they also had to submit to the Qin Dynasty in order to obtain relative protection.
Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Isn't it time to pay tribute yet?"
Even when tribute was offered, it was done separately before, since the three kingdoms were located in different places.
It's quite strange that they suddenly appeared at the same time.
Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "Never mind, let them in first!"
"Yes, sir!" As Zhao Gao withdrew, the three of them quickly entered the hall.
On the far left is a short, stout middle-aged man who cups his hands and says, "This humble one is the envoy from Dongyue, paying respects to Your Majesty!"
In the center stood a woman with a captivating figure, dressed in a red dress and wearing a white veil, revealing a pair of alluring eyes. "This humble envoy from Loulan greets Your Majesty!"
On the far right is a middle-aged man dressed in black, with a tall and straight figure. He cups his hands and says, "This humble one is the Envoy of Gu Mo, paying respects to Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng's gaze fell indifferently downwards. "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The three of them replied in unison, and then stood up straight.
Ying Zheng looked at the three men and asked, "What brings you here today?"
The Loulan envoy cupped his hands, his alluring eyes fixed on Ying Zheng. "Your Majesty, the King of Loulan, having heard of Your Majesty's birthday, specially sent me to offer my congratulations. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal prosperity and be as enduring as the heavens!"
Upon hearing this, the envoys from Gumo and Dongyue exchanged a glance, and both bowed in unison, saying, "We are also humble ones!"
"And I am one of them!"
Ying Zheng's gaze was indifferent. "You all do have a kind heart."
The Loulan envoy added, "We have prepared some congratulatory gifts for Your Majesty, and we hope you will like them!"
Ying Zheng said calmly, "There's no need to introduce the gifts one by one. Let's talk about your main reasons for coming here."
The Loulan envoy's expression shifted slightly, and he glanced at Ying Zheng with a rather complicated look in his eyes.
This emperor's insight was truly terrifying, and no one dared to underestimate him.
The envoys from Gumo and Dongyue kept their heads down and did not reply.
Ying Zheng looked at the three of them and said, "The three of you came together. You're not trying to tell me it's a coincidence, are you?"
The Loulan envoy's eyes flickered slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I have come here to implore Your Majesty to reduce the tribute Loulan must pay."
Ying Zheng's gaze darkened slightly. "Reduce or exempt tribute?"
The Loulan envoy bowed and said, "Loulan's harvest this year has been very poor due to the weather, and we really cannot provide that much grain. We hope Your Majesty will show some compassion."
Upon seeing this, the Dongyue envoy also cupped his hands and said, "Dongyue is in the same situation. Due to the severe drought this year, many places in Dongyue have failed to harvest any grain and cannot provide that much. We hope Your Majesty can reduce or exempt Dongyue from paying tribute."
The Gu Mo envoy also bowed, saying, "Gu Mo has suffered from internal strife, resulting in the loss of a lot of grain this year. We really cannot produce that much grain. We hope Your Majesty can reduce or waive the tribute."
Ying Zheng looked at the three of them calmly, "This seems to be something you should be considering, doesn't it?"
"The original agreement was very clear: Great Qin would protect you from foreign invasion, and in return, you would pay tribute on time and submit to Great Qin. Now that Great Qin has fulfilled its obligations as agreed, you want to reduce your tribute?"
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