Inside the Kameyama Valley mansion.
Yuan Shao knelt upright in the guest seat, and Guishan Valley and the Japanese nobles followed suit and sat opposite him.
After some pleasantries, Yuan Shao looked at Guishan Valley and said directly, "I have only two purposes for coming to your esteemed territory."
First, we demand that your department bear the losses previously incurred by our army, in exchange for five million taels of silver, one thousand pearls, and the cession of land within two hundred li northeast of Hanxiang City.
Secondly, your tribe must submit to the Han Dynasty and pay an annual tribute of three million taels of silver and fifty thousand slaves.
"this......"
Upon hearing Yuan Shao's request, Guishan Valley frowned, then hesitated before saying:
"Envoy Yuan, we can satisfy the Han's demands for silver ingots and pearls, but can we discuss the land and slaves again?"
"Of course, I wonder what Commander Guishan Valley plans to do?"
Yuan Shao smiled slightly, looking at Guishan Valley with a warm expression, but deep down he had already sentenced the other party to death.
Seeing that Yuan Shao always had a warm and friendly demeanor, Guishan Valley felt a little more at ease.
Guishan Valley pondered for a moment, then said, "Envoy Yuan, my territory and population are not large to begin with. Do you think we could replace it with an additional two million taels of silver per year?"
In his view, the silver ingots that the Han Dynasty needed were readily available here, and it was worth it no matter how you looked at it, as they could use these things to preserve their land and population.
Yuan Shao smiled and said, "I am well aware of your difficulties, but those conditions were the result of discussions among many of my generals, and I have no authority to change them."
Therefore, regarding the suggestion from the leader of Turtle Valley, I can only send someone back to discuss it first, and then inform you of the result.
Guishan Valley nodded: "In that case, I'll trouble Envoy Yuan to stay here for a few more days!"
"Very well, then I shall take my leave!"
With that, Yuan Shao nodded slightly to the crowd, then got up and walked out.
Those Japanese nobles who had been taught by Yuan Shao also rose and bowed to Yuan Shao's retreating figure.
Upon returning to his residence, Yuan Shao, as usual, sat upright in his room, reading and writing.
Several beautiful Japanese maids, their faces flushed with desire, stared intently at Yuan Shao, wishing they could rush over and lie in his arms.
Truly, a dashing young man, with a beautiful woman by his side, is the envy of all.
That night, after dinner, seeing that it was getting late, Yuan Shao calmly looked at the Japanese maids and then waved to them.
The Japanese maids glanced at Yuan Shao with resentment before reluctantly leaving.
After the maids had left, Yuan Shao sat down at the table, closed his eyes, and waited quietly...
"Knock knock knock~!"
Before long, a knock on the door reached Yuan Shao's ears.
Yuan Shao opened his eyes and looked at the door: "Come in!"
The door opened, and a guard led Guishanquan inside.
As soon as he approached, Guishan Quan bowed obsequiously to Yuan Shao, saying, "This humble one greets the Imperial Envoy!"
Yuan Shao gave a soft "hmm," then pointed to a seat opposite him: "Sit!"
"Thank you, Envoy!"
Guishanquan bowed again before kneeling properly opposite Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao looked at Guishan Spring and asked in a deep voice, "How is the matter progressing?"
"In reply to Your Excellency, I have already contacted several noble officials, and they are all willing to join me in starting an uprising."
With that, Guishanquan took out a list and respectfully handed it to Yuan Shao: "This is the list of those people, please take a look!"
After looking at the names on the list, Yuan Shao couldn't help but chuckle: "It seems that this Guishan Valley isn't all that great usually, that so many people oppose him?"
Guishanquan: "In reply to the Imperial Envoy, Guishan Valley disregards propriety and righteousness, insists on honoring a woman as queen and making enemies of the Han Dynasty. Many people have long harbored resentment towards him, but there has just been no suitable opportunity!"
Yuan Shao smiled and said, "In that case, you should go back and make the arrangements first. Tomorrow, I will certainly lend you a hand!"
"This humble servant takes his leave!!"
Guishan Quan bowed respectfully, then quickly withdrew.
Nothing more was said that night...
The next morning, Yuan Shao ordered his men to invite Guishan Valley and the Japanese nobles to the guesthouse for a banquet and to learn the new etiquette.
Guishan Valley and the Japanese nobles had no suspicions. They washed their hands and faces, put on custom-made Hanfu, wrote their replies meticulously, and then headed towards the guesthouse where Yuan Shao was.
Before long, these people gathered at the inn, and then knelt down on both sides of the hall, looking respectfully at Yuan Shao, who was sitting at the head of the table.
Looking at the group of Japanese people dressed in Hanfu, looking so out of place, Yuan Shao felt extremely contemptuous, but on the surface he wore a smile of appreciation.
Looking around at everyone, Yuan Shao smiled and nodded: "You have all studied very well these days. Today, I will teach you a set of Zhou etiquette. You must remember it well!"
At the outset, Yuan Shao also began by referring to himself as "the teacher," directly establishing his position.
When the translator relayed Yuan Shao's words to the Japanese nobles in Guishan Valley, they all nodded in agreement, finding nothing amiss.
Yuan Shao then began to explain to these people, especially emphasizing things like "etiquette should not be extended to commoners," "high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Justice should not be allowed to make the people wise," and so on.
The Japanese nobles listened intently and were completely absorbed in these rituals for maintaining the aristocracy. To them, what Yuan Shao was explaining was extremely important; it was clearly a system tailor-made for them.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
