Chapter 338: with translation of chapter title

Real Khitan Court

Fan Zhi

Han Wei

Southern Court Prince

Yelü Talie

Yue Yelü Wuzhi

Yelü Wuzhi

What Fan Gong said is extremely correct. However, if we can assist Yelü Taliè in suppressing Yelü Wuzhi, so that he gains the upper hand in the Khitan court, it would bring only benefits and no harm to our Great Chen.

General Shi

I believe that when we formally meet the Khitan ruler Yelü Jing tomorrow, besides reiterating the benefits of trade, we also need to subtly display our dynasty's military might, so that he knows our Great Chen is not only prosperous but also a fierce tiger; cooperation brings mutual benefit, opposition brings mutual harm.

Chen State

Great Chen attire

Khitan ritual official

Among the envoy's escort, there are twenty elite warriors handpicked by General Shi, all veterans of a hundred battles, skilled in archery and horsemanship; they can, when the opportunity arises, perform a small-scale martial demonstration, allowing the Khitan nobles to 'happen to see' it.

Great Chen dynasty

False Song envoy leader

Privy Council military official

False Song envoy

Iron Crow Army

The leader of the False Song envoy, that military official of the Secretariat who is disguised as the head of a caravan, is currently sitting somewhat uncomfortably in the great tent of Yu Yue Yelü Wuzhi (mirror image).

Real court

Bei Jing

Zhongyuan

False Song

Great Chen

Khitan

Lord Yu Yue, Your Majesty's sincerity is absolute; the number permitted is already the utmost we can do. Moreover, our False Song is the legitimate orthodoxy of Zhongyuan, bearing the Mandate of Heaven...

The Mandate of Heaven?

Yelü Wuzhi snorted, cutting him off.

I only trust strength; I only trust the rules handed down by our ancestors.

According to precedent, this number needs at least an additional thirty percent.

He extended a finger, lightly wagging it, his tone firm and unyielding, as if stating an unalterable fact.

The False Song envoy's face turned pale.

Add another thirty percent?

That would be a burden the False Song's finances could scarcely bear!

Before departure, the bottom line repeatedly calculated by Your Majesty and Minister Lu was far lower than this!

Lord Yu Yue, this… this really is…

What? You can't do it?

Yelü Wuzhi's eyelids twitched slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

If you lack even this sincerity, then please leave. I'm sure the Chen State to the east would be delighted to talk with me.

He tossed the pressure back lightly, precisely striking the False Song envoy's weak point.

Cold sweat beaded on the envoy's forehead; he knew the other side was not making empty threats.

From the moment he entered the court, he felt an intangible pressure, as if a pair of cold eyes in the darkness were watching everything.

Driving events toward a fixed, undeviating direction.

That feeling was similar to the oppression brought by the master of the Iron Crow Army.

He suppressed his inner unease, attempting to maneuver:

Lord Yu Yue, this matter is of great importance; might I be allowed to deliberate a little, or seek instructions from Your Majesty?

Yelü Wuzhi gave no clear answer, waving his hand with an arrogant posture:

Go on. However, my patience is limited. The steppe's eagle will not wait forever for a hesitant rabbit.

…

The next day, the genuine Khitan court.

Fan Zhi and Han Wei, dressed in Great Chen ceremonial attire, composed and dignified, were led by Khitan ritual officials to formally meet the Khitan Emperor Yelü Jing.

Yelü Jing sat high upon a throne covered with tiger pelts, his stature imposing.

His eyes held the depth and dignity of a steppe sovereign, seeming indifferent to everything yet appearing to perceive all.

Fan Zhi held the insignia aloft, and, following diplomatic protocol, read the state letter in a clear voice, neither humble nor arrogant.

This expressed respect for the Khitan emperor while showcasing the confidence and bearing of the Great Chen dynasty.

He did not hastily propose concrete terms, but instead emphasized the benefits of friendly relations and mutual exchange with Great Chen for the Khitan's long-term development.

He painted a picture of peaceful coexistence and commercial prosperity.

Yelü Jing listened quietly, occasionally glancing at Fan Zhi.

He also looked at Yelü Taliè and Yelü Wuzhi standing to the side, their expressions varied, yet he did not immediately declare his position.

After the audience ceremony ended, came the banquet to entertain the envoys.

During the banquet, the atmosphere seemed lively, but in reality undercurrents surged.

Yelü Wuzhi several times tried to steer the topic toward "old precedents" and "the Mandate of Heaven".

He implied that dealing with the False Song to the west was more in line with "tradition", but each time Yelü Tali either skillfully defused it or directly cut him off.

Han Wei spotted an opportunity when a Khitan noble's son showed off his archery, and smoothly suggested that the Great Chen guards also give a demonstration, to liven the drinks.

With Yelü Tali's tacit approval, several Great Chen warriors stepped forward and, from a hundred paces away, loosed five arrows in succession, each striking the square hole of a hanging copper coin.

Their precision and steadiness drew astonishment from the Khitan nobles present, and their gaze toward the Great Chen delegation grew more solemn.

The batch of fine iron ingots and powerful bows and crossbows prepared as gifts were also displayed at the appropriate moment.

Their excellent quality and craftsmanship made many Khitan nobles who valued military equipment covet them greatly.

Fan Zhi responded steadfastly to the various probes, while Han Wei deftly interjected in between.

He chatted with the lower- and middle-ranking Khitan nobles, spreading the benefits of trade with Great Chen, subtly downplaying the existence of the False Song.

The eastern and western diplomatic fronts, in different courts, with different rhythms and methods, were advancing in parallel.

On Fan Zhi's side, he proceeded steadily, exploiting contradictions, showing strength, and step by step expanding Great Chen's influence.

Meanwhile, the False Song envoys found themselves mired in the harsh terms proposed by Yelü Wuzhi (mirror image) based on "old precedents", unable to advance or retreat, extremely anxious.

This diplomatic contest spanning the light curtain has only just entered its middle stage.