Chapter 1084

It's not scarcity they fear, but inequality. Everyone is equal, so why should the Ministry of Works be the one to break the deadlock and pull so far ahead of them?

As they whispered among themselves, the Korean envoy entered, and coincidentally, the Japanese envoy had just finished a private audience with the Great Ming Emperor—perhaps the talks had gone poorly, for his face was grim; they met at the doorway, the Korean envoy lowered his gaze, cast a disdainful sidelong glance at the Japanese, snorted, then quickened his pace to enter first.

The Japanese envoy, long simmering with rage, also hastened forward, and the two collided with a loud thud at the doorway.

Both envoys slightly bent their knees, planted their stances firmly, and pushed their arms hard against each other.

Those inside the hall silently turned to look at them, offering no intervention, no counsel, no encouragement.

They too wanted to know who would win.

Yet from the official Great Ming standpoint, all naturally hoped the Korean would prevail.

After all, their ties with Korea were stronger, and during this anti-Japanese war, Great Ming had even sent reinforcements.

Unlike Great Ming's officials, the various steppe tribes gathered on the other side flickered their gazes, all eyes fixed intently on the Japanese and Korean envoys.

They hoped the Japanese envoy would win.

The Korean envoy's feet shuffled slightly under pressure, yet his face flushed crimson—he refused to yield an inch…

The Japanese envoy gritted his teeth, raised his elbow, and struck the Korean envoy's face, slamming him hard against the doorframe; he sneered, lifted his foot to step past first—when suddenly, his foot, barely raised an inch, refused to rise further; his body froze, his face turned ashen.

The Korean envoy clutched his left cheek, his right half pressed against the doorframe; he was about to roar in fury when he noticed the Japanese envoy motionless, face ashen—he realized at once, straightened up, and shoved the Japanese envoy hard—there was no resistance at all.

He swiftly crossed the threshold, and his retinue immediately followed in a steady stream.

Pan Yu, who had already taken two steps forward, halted, watching them all pass unimpeded through the Japanese delegation into the hall.

The Japanese delegation glared furiously at the Korean envoy, faces ashen, yet held immobile by invisible force.

This was Great Ming's divine art—certainly!

Great Ming still favored Korea.

The Japanese envoy seethed with resentment—both were Great Ming's tributary states; why did Great Ming favor Korea so blatantly?

The Japanese envoy was deeply resentful, but temporarily powerless to act.

They glared hatefully at the Koreans, yet when meeting the gaze of Great Ming officials, they instantly softened, becoming mild and harmless.

Pan Yun stood at the rear of the hall, watching it all, and withdrew her Yuan power.

Only then did the Japanese envoy feel his body's control return; he lowered his eyes, feigning nothing had happened, and walked into the hall.

"They fear power, not virtue," Pan Yun turned to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, how should this be resolved?"

Zhu Qiyu pondered a moment, then said: "Only by making Great Ming perpetually strong—far stronger—can we prevent rebellion."

Pan Yun smiled and nodded: "Precisely!"

Yu Qian, standing on the other side, took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, if we can subdue the Sakhalin tribes, intimidating Japan will become far easier."

The Emperor gave a slight nod.

Yu Qian continued: "Pan Yu alone is insufficient. I humbly request that Prince Consort Commandant Jing Yuan accompany him to the Nuerkan Regional Military Commissioner."

The Emperor swiftly glanced at Pan Yun; seeing her smiling face, with no sign of opposition, he exhaled in relief and carefully nodded in agreement.

Pan Yun remained silent, neither opposing nor supporting.

Yu Qian also glanced at her quickly, quietly exhaling in relief.

Since learning Pan Yun intended to ascend and depart, the Emperor had treated the Pan family with exceptional favor, bestowing repeated honors, until Pan Yun began openly meddling in state affairs.

Fortunately, no major conflict has yet arisen—but if this continues, it will not be good.

Yu Qian was concerned, fearing that one day, with absolute power, Pan Yun's heart might change—and she already held the Emperor's favor, the people's trust, and the army's loyalty…

The thought was terrifying.

The three stood apart, each lost in thought, when Cheng Jing cautiously reminded: "Your Majesty, the auspicious hour has arrived."

The Emperor immediately rose to exit with the State Preceptor.

Empress Wang, already arrayed in full regalia, awaited; the Emperor and Empress stepped out together, Pan Yun and Yu Qian following on either side.

All officials and envoys stood beside their tables, hands clasped; Yu Qian took his place at the head of the line, while Pan Yun stood one step below the Emperor's left.

If the Emperor were young, this position belonged to the Regent; if the Emperor were grown, it was customarily left vacant.

Yet now Pan Yun stood there—its meaning was unmistakable.

The Korean envoy was delighted; the Japanese envoy's face turned ashen.