Chapter 39: Envoys from All Nations, Audience with the First Emperor

Chapter 39: Envoys from Various Nations, Audience with the First Emperor

"Halt!" the sentries at the South Gate shouted. The soldiers beside them quickly formed a defensive formation, while the archers atop the city walls drew their bows, aiming directly at the delegation of envoys preparing to enter the city.

"You!" The group of envoys, feeling insulted by being held at sword and arrow-point, raised their own weapons in unison.

"Is this how the Great Qin treats the envoys of other nations?" asked the deputy envoy of the Parthian Empire, who had accompanied the group, his face filled with irritation.

To the Parthian head envoy, the Great Qin was merely a nation slightly stronger than its neighbors. In their view, the capture of the Parthian princess was simply a result of the Great Qin’s ignorance of Parthia’s true might. Sending a deputy envoy was already a sign of great condescension; they believed that once the Great Qin realized the strength of Parthia, they would obediently return the princess.

Seeing someone take the lead, the other envoys, who had been ready to voice their complaints, fell silent.

"This is the Imperial Capital. All outsiders must undergo inspection. You do not look like people of the Central Plains, your numbers are great, and you dare to brandish weapons. I will count to three. If you do not drop your weapons, you will be executed without mercy!" The gate officer issued an immediate warning, his hand reaching for the whistle hanging around his neck, ready to sound the alarm.

"Wait, wait!" The Wusun envoy hurried forward to mediate. Unlike the Parthians, the Wusun were familiar with the Great Qin, as their tribes often traded with the empire.

"Drop your weapons!" the gate officer repeated.

"Fine, fine! We will drop them; please, do not be rash." The Wusun envoy quickly urged the other delegates. Looking at the patrolling guards who were gathering in increasing numbers at the sound, the delegation reluctantly stowed their weapons.

"General, we are envoys from various nations, here to pay respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Qin. Your empire should have already received word," the Wusun envoy said with a fawning smile. The Parthian deputy looked at him with disdain, and even the envoys from the Donghu and Yuezhi tribes felt the Wusun envoy lacked backbone.

Only the Wusun envoy knew that Xianyang was the heart of the Great Qin, the most heavily fortified place in the entire empire, especially regarding the scrutiny of foreigners. Once, merchants from other tribes had refused to heed the guards and brandished their weapons; within three breaths, everyone in that caravan carrying a weapon had been turned into a pincushion. Since then, no one dared to wander through Xianyang while armed.

Seeing the group lower their weapons, the gate officer put away his whistle and said, "This is the Imperial Capital. Everyone must be inspected, and no weapons—controlled items—are permitted inside. All must be left at the gate and may be reclaimed upon departure."

"Impossible! These weapons are our prized possessions! How can we leave them in your care? Furthermore, we rely on these arms to protect our safety!" The crowd grew rowdy again. Without their weapons, they were like tigers without teeth. To hand them over was to place their lives in the hands of the Great Qin.

"Surrender your weapons to enter! Those who force their way in without doing so will be killed!" the officer said flatly.

"Then we shall not enter the city at all, that should suffice!" someone shouted.

"As you wish. Anyone who remains within ten paces of the gate while carrying weapons without cause will be killed," the officer replied, his expression unchanging.

***

Before long, the delegation submitted their weapons, had their identities verified, and were led by a squad of soldiers toward the embassy.

"State Preceptor, that is the full account of what transpired," the soldier reported respectfully to Yang Zimo.

"Marquis, these foreigners truly are bullies who fear the strong!" Yao Jia said with a chuckle, sitting in his chair.

"If we don't teach them a lesson this time, they will only become more arrogant and domineering in the future!"

"The Marquis is absolutely right! Can we go over there now?"

"It is time."

Everything that had happened at the gate was under Yang Zimo’s observation. In truth, the empire's inspection of travelers was quite lenient, aside from the prohibition on unregistered weapons. Many itinerant martial artists entered the city, but their weapons were all registered. This incident was merely a deliberate display of power to intimidate the tribes of the grasslands.

"Why are they allowed to carry weapons?" one envoy asked while walking down the main street. Amidst the prosperous bustle and the calls of vendors, he noticed people wearing swords at their waists and complained indignantly.

The leading soldier glanced at the man and said, "Because they are Qin people!"

"Greetings to the State Preceptor! And to you, Excellency!" The leading soldier arrived at the embassy and addressed the two men waiting there.

"Are these them?"

"Yes, State Preceptor!"

"Very well."

Looking at the various expressions on the faces of the group, Yang Zimo spoke, "Distinguished envoys, you have had a long journey. I welcome you."

"Hmph!"

"This is the State Preceptor of our Great Qin, the Marquis of Zhenguo. The kind of life your tribes or nations will lead depends on how the State Preceptor speaks to His Majesty. After all, His Majesty carefully considers the words of the State Preceptor," Yao Jia added with a smile.

"Greetings to the State Preceptor!" The group bowed immediately. The man who had spoken earlier turned deathly pale.

***

"Has the State Preceptor returned?" After finishing his morning breathing exercises in the back garden, Ying Zheng casually asked about Yang Zimo. Yang Zimo’s name had become a catchphrase for Ying Zheng, who frequently asked, "Where is the State Preceptor?" "Where has the State Preceptor gone?" "What is the State Preceptor doing?" "Has the State Preceptor entered the palace?" It had left Yang Zimo speechless—he felt like he was being treated as a nanny.

"Replying to Your Majesty, the State Preceptor and Master Yao are at the embassy, speaking with the envoys of the various tribes," Shang Ying replied.

"Oh! The State Preceptor is up to his tricks again! Ha!" Ying Zheng laughed, then hummed a little tune as he headed toward the inner palace.

The court session of the Great Qin had been pushed back to the hour of the Rabbit (5:00–7:00 AM), but after the rest day, the ministers were reluctant to wake up—Yang Zimo being a prime example.

*It seems the rest days are too short; I must create a few holidays with longer breaks,* Yang Zimo thought to himself. Driven by the noise of his two children getting ready for school, he finally rose to attend court.

"State your business if you have any; if not, the court is adjourned!" the shrill voice of the eunuch echoed through the Qilin Hall.

"I have a matter to report!" Yao Jia said, holding his court tablet.

"Your Majesty, the envoys from the various nations have been properly settled. Today is the day for Your Majesty to grant them an audience," Yao Jia stepped forward to say.

"Proclaim them!" Ying Zheng waved his hand, his expression solemn.

"Summon the envoys of the various nations to an audience!"

"The envoys of the Donghu, Yuezhi, and Parthian Empires pay respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Qin!" The envoys stepped forward, performing the rituals of their respective nations.

"Rise! Grant them seats!" As soon as Ying Zheng finished speaking, eunuchs immediately brought in the pre-prepared tables and stools.