Chapter 32: The Treasure of Strife (Part 2)

  "A vassal state's envoy has a matter to report!" A messenger stepped forward from the crowd and loudly proclaimed.

  "Agreed!" The emperor was in high spirits, holding the purple sandalwood scepter in his hand, playing with it for a long time. The envoy spoke up, without any consideration, and directly agreed.

  "Your Majesty, we have searched far and wide for these treasures, only to bring a smile to your face." The envoy's words were elegant, yet persuasive: "The humble messenger observes that Your Majesty and the ministers are all delighted in their hearts, but there may be some who remain unmoved. Does the heavenly court possess even more precious items than these that we have brought? May I request permission for us to behold them for a moment, and broaden our horizons?"

  When giving gifts, people tend to be humble and say they can't bring it out. However, when facing the Emperor and the gifts given to the Emperor, saying that you can't bring it out is somewhat impolite. Does this mean that everything presented to the Emperor is something that can't be brought out from their place and isn't presentable? Where would the Emperor's face be put in such a situation?

  The emperor's face changed instantly. These few barbarian envoys were indeed somewhat arrogant, having long heard that these people had lost battles and were not reconciled in their hearts, wanting to regain some dignity during this audience. It seems that it has already begun from this gathering.

  No matter whether the emperor agrees to the envoy's request or not, his face is already lost. The heavenly court is vast and rich, even if some things are taken out that are better than what these barbarian envoys have presented, it is still very normal. But if they can't be taken out, it will definitely be a loss of face. Even if they are taken out, the monarch of a country and several barbarian envoys competing with each other in temper, it's probably not going to sound good when spoken of.

  All the officials and envoys understood this principle, and the emperor also understood it. However, if this tone was swallowed like this, it would be somewhat unbearable. So, everyone immediately vented their inexpressible anger on those who had lent excuses to these barbarian envoys, completely forgetting their own loss of composure when they saw those treasures.

  Qin Yifan and several others instantly became the focus of attention in the entire hall. Those who had just caught sight of them knew that there were actually a few commoners dressed in coarse linen clothes, sitting here, which seemed to be extremely unrefined and lost face for the imperial court.

  At that moment, some people felt a little surprised. Country folks had seen something, and the things in front of them were probably unheard of, not to mention appreciation, which was quite normal. This was just an excuse for this guy. The only thing is that it's unclear what identities these few people have, yet they actually let Long Tongling accompany them on the side, and even appear at such a gathering.

  Knowing that these people were deliberately causing trouble, everyone was also furious in their hearts. Before the emperor had a chance to speak, someone immediately jumped out and scolded: "Humph! My imperial majesty is rich with all four seas, why would I look at you insignificant things? Quickly retreat!"

  The eunuch below, however, had a flattering smile on his face: "Yes, yes, yes, the heavenly court is vast and rich, and the emperor must be wealthy in all directions. Even a humble commoner can face heavy treasures without being moved, it's likely that these things are also ordinary. The little eunuch just admires in his heart, wants to take a look at the richness of our heavenly court, please fulfill the emperor!" He quietly pushed Qin Yifan forward once again.

  The person who had been scolded with a stern face was furious, but the smiling man still didn't know to restrain himself and made such an excessive request, which really made people feel embarrassed. However, since he asked again in a humble tone, there was no reason to refuse for the time being. If the envoy couldn't bring out something that could calm down the situation, the dignity of the Heavenly Kingdom would be completely lost.

  "A humble subject greets Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!" A clear and crisp voice broke the awkwardness, ringing clearly in everyone's ears. The emperor above saw the person who came forward, a faint smile appearing on his face: "At ease!"

  The person who came forward was Qin Yifan. Originally, he didn't want to come forward either, but Long Tongling had been in the imperial court for many years and was very clear about the key points. These barbarian envoys themselves lost the war and were unwilling to surrender and pay tribute, so they joined forces to save face for Tianchao. Anyway, when two countries clash, they don't kill each other's envoys, and a powerful country like Tianchao wouldn't do anything to them. But if they could really save face for Tianchao, it would be a small consolation for them.

  Since these messengers were able to stir up trouble because Qin Yifan was unmoved, it's only normal that Qin Yifan would take the lead in resolving the issue. Long Tongling merely nodded at Qin Yifan, and Qin Yifan immediately grasped the key point, which is why he spoke up on his own initiative.

  The emperor and his ministers were at a loss, but Qin Yifan took the initiative to step forward, which was exactly what everyone wanted. Everyone let out a long sigh of relief, as long as Qin Yifan gave some excuse, they could get over this awkward situation, and these envoys from vassal states wouldn't dare to be excessive. After all, losing face would only lose the face of a commoner, and it would still sound good when spread out.

  "The humble subject has come to the capital only to repay the emperor's kindness, and also to present some local specialties that I discovered while working in the fields to the emperor." Qin Yifan stood up smoothly, facing the emperor and speaking fluently, without any of the fear and unease that a commoner would normally feel when meeting the emperor. His calm demeanor also made many officials nod in approval, guessing his identity even more.

  "Ah!" The emperor was both surprised and delighted. What Qin Yifan said seemed even more unbearable, were the things found in the fields and countryside worth presenting to the emperor? As long as what Qin Yifan took out wasn't too ugly, the emperor could take one bite and declare it a treasure, and the surrounding officials would chime in. At that time, even the most ordinary things from our dynasty's fields and countryside would be more precious than those carefully searched for by the vassal states, wouldn't that be a great way to save face?

  "Bring it up!" The emperor was overjoyed and directly ordered the eunuch to bring it up.

  At this moment, Qin Yifan seemed like a real rural farmer, took out two things from his pocket in front of several foreign envoys, first put them in his mouth and blew on them, then rubbed them hard on his collar, as if there was a lot of dust on them, before placing them on the tray held by the inner attendant and presenting them.

  Several servants also looked unclear, one was round and round, the other was square and flat, and there was no brilliance. They all stood aside, coldly watching to see what good things this rustic rural villager could bring out.

  His Majesty was very interested, and Qin Yifan really brought something for him. He was delighted in his heart and stood up. The tray held by the eunuch was placed in front of him, with two things on it: a huge pearl that caught his eye, and a seemingly ordinary seal that made him pause, unsure what Qin Yifan meant.

  He reached out and took the seal, just as he was about to examine it closely, he felt a surge of warmth in his hand. Before he could take a closer look, the seal seemed to be driven by some force, bursting into a brilliant light that shot straight up into the sky, illuminating the emperor who held the seal, making him appear like an immortal descending from heaven.

  I was busy this afternoon and updated a bit late, hope you all understand