Chapter 184 – Urgent Response

With the eloquent interpretation of Miss Zao Lan, Captain Wilt and the head of the Rosal envoy fell into an unbearable awkwardness. No matter what country it was, parading warships near another nation’s maritime borders always carried the suspicion of war. At such a time, if they didn’t answer properly, they might immediately find themselves in a situation where they had no choice but to fight.

However, their original intention today was just to get their people back. They thought that since the other side lacked evidence, they held the upper hand. But they never expected that their warship lurking outside the territorial waters had already been discovered, and that their monitoring of water levels over there for days had also been uncovered. With the accusations of intent to wage war and espionage, even if they weren’t afraid of fighting, they certainly didn’t plan on being detained here today.

Didn’t they see how the seemingly gentle and smiling “Marquis Linhai,” who was weak in appearance, had his towering guards gripping their long swords at their waists? They had been required to disarm upon entry!

Rosal, in his anxiety, stammered slightly, “Marquis Xu, there’s a misunderstanding. We failed to report promptly, but we were indeed fishing at dawn. There was a float on the fishing rod; it was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding… The warship was merely passing through on our way to conduct business elsewhere, while performing official duties en route.”

Captain Wilt maintained his arrogant demeanor, but he knew that they were on someone else’s turf. If they wanted their people back, they couldn’t afford to clash head-on at this moment. He could only hold back his breath and remain silent.

Xu Chun observed their expressions and suddenly smiled softly. “Our two countries have engaged in trade for a long time, and Mr. Rosal has always provided us with much assistance. We also have many friends in the Kingdom of Qin Shi. Since it’s a misunderstanding, it seems it was indeed one. Wait a moment, I’ll have someone release them and let you take them back.”

Only then did Rosal’s heart settle. He bowed and said, “Thank you, Marquis.”

But Xu Chun laughed and said, “I wonder what regulations Captain Wilt has for discussing the trading port. Since we’ve met coincidentally today, why not discuss it now?”

Rosal hurriedly replied, “We’re still in the process of translation. Once it’s done, we’ll send it over to the Marquis.”

Xu Chun said, “No problem. As you can see, we also have translators here. Later, our Emperor will come to inspect the naval defense. This Marquis needs to host the imperial reception, so I might not have time to meet with you. Why don’t you submit it now? If there’s interest, I can present it to the Emperor when I report.”

Rosal was surprised. “The Emperor will grace Jinhaiwei with his presence?”

Xu Chun inadvertently revealed a smile. “Indeed.”

Rosal and Wilt conferred quietly for a moment. After Captain Wilt nodded, Rosal said, “The Marquis makes a valid point. We will have someone deliver it immediately upon our return.”

Meanwhile, several guards escorted out the three foreigners who had been tied up earlier that morning. They appeared to have no external injuries, but their faces were dispirited.

Captain Wilt originally intended to gain the upper hand by accusing them of mistreatment, but seeing the three men who looked dejected yet unharmed, he was momentarily frustrated and could only temporarily endure the humiliation, and decided to retreat for now.

Rosal then bid Xu Chun farewell with a smile. However, Xu Chun said, “Since Captain Wilt brought a warship, when our Emperor comes to inspect the naval defense, he will also receive foreign envoys. Why don’t we invite Mr. Rosal and Captain Wilt to join the grand inspection ceremony then? At that time, we will also conduct a naval fleet drill on the sea surface, and Captain Wilt may bring a warship to watch from the side.”

Zao Lan translated it accurately and eloquently. Captain Wilt’s expression changed slightly as he said, “It would be an honor.”

For a moment, both sides bowed to each other in farewell.

Once the guests left, Xu Chun’s face turned solemn. Turning around, he instructed Chun Xi, “Immediately inform Brother Changtian and have him arrange small teams to scout the outer seas to see exactly how many warships have arrived!”

Huo Shiduo was taken aback. “Wasn’t the Marquis aware of this all along?”

Xu Chun’s face was as calm as water. “I was bluffing them. I was just wondering why they sent a captain to negotiate about a trading port? And why were they sending people to monitor the sea surface terrain? Could they be harboring military intentions? Indeed, my bluff worked. The vastness of the outer seas makes it difficult to detect them if they hide intentionally, but now that we know about the warships, it should be easier to find them.”

Huo Shiduo was alarmed. “Could they harbor ulterior motives? Why let them leave instead of detaining and interrogating them?”

Xu Chun said, “We don’t know the size of their forces. Since they were scouting first and claim to be here for trade, they probably wouldn’t dare to start a fight. We just fought a war and can’t afford another one. Without evidence, detaining them would only give them an excuse to declare war.”

“Let’s continue to monitor them and see what trade conditions they propose for the trading port before making a decision. If we can avoid a fight, it would be better to maintain peaceful trade.”

Huo Shiduo asked, “What does the Marquis intend by inviting them to watch the grand inspection?”

Xu Chun replied, “To scare them. If we can scare them into not daring to invade for a year or more, we’ll buy some more time. We haven’t even built a proper number of cannons, and we’ve been focusing on civilian affairs the past few years. We can’t withstand any turmoil.”

He turned to Pei Dongyan, who had escorted the captives out, and asked, “Did you learn anything from the interrogation?”

Pei Dongyan said, “At first, they claimed they were fishing, but after separate interrogations, we hung them upside down in snake caves and told them that whoever confessed first would be released first, while the other two would be thrown into the snake caves. Immediately, they cried and confessed everything. They were indeed ordered to measure the sea surface and observe the terrain.”

Huo Shiduo’s expression changed. “Where are there snakes?”

Pei Dongyan glanced at him. “Does Lord Huo fear snakes?”

Huo Shiduo said, “I just wondered how there could be snakes in this cold weather.”

Pei Dongyan said, “The Medical Pavilion keeps some Chinese water dragons. They say that they have miraculous effects in treating stroke and the like. A few days ago, Lord Donghai ordered someone to bring some over to extract some venom, and we happened to make good use of them.”

Huo Shiduo sighed with relief. “Make sure they’re all securely kept.”

Pei Dongyan showed a hint of mockery, but Huo Shiduo ignored him. Looking at Xu Chun, who had already turned and walked inside, Huo Shiduo hurriedly followed closely behind and asked him, “Do you have any arrangements for me? Should I send people to monitor the area around the Qin Shi embassy building?”

Xu Chun said, “Your consideration is very thorough. Go ahead.

Regarding the inspection, you are in charge of the Army Camp, City Defense Camp, and the Logistics Camp. Make sure everything is prepared well, don’t let this Marquis lose face.”

Seeing that Xu Chun no longer wore his previous relaxed expression, Huo Shiduo knew in his heart that this matter was likely serious. He quickly went down to make arrangements without further ado.

Xu Chun, however, was weighed down by heavy thoughts. Now that things had just gotten back on track, if foreigners coveted their territory and initiated a war again, it would truly drain the national treasury. Moreover, the Tartars in the north weren’t peaceful either. Judging from Brother He’s intentions, the opposing side had produced a powerful chieftain king who had unified various tribes and was ambitious, repeatedly causing trouble and invading the border, but they had been repelled each time. If the East Sea became restless again, the north would surely take advantage of the opportunity.

Brother Nine… Brother Nine’s era of peace is truly difficult.

He was just a tiny Jinhaiwei, yet these past few years, his lofty ambitions had been worn down, leaving him without any temper. It was all small matters here and there. Even though his original intentions remained unchanged and his aspirations unwavering, he finally understood why Fang Zijing and Mr. Shen had said that he was too hasty at the beginning. It turned out that doing things was so difficult. Even if he didn’t crave wealth and status and wasn’t shortsighted, there were still so many obstacles to overcome and so many different hearts and minds to coordinate and reconcile.

In the afternoon, the embassy indeed delivered the proposal for the trading port: to sign a trade agreement, increase the number of trading ports between the Mu Dynasty and the Kingdom of Qin Shi, establish a concession, lower tariffs, and allow permanent residence of a consul. The details included free navigation for Qin Shi merchant ships in inland rivers, permission for Qin Shi merchants to travel and trade inland, and exemption from inland taxes.

Xu Chun slowly read through those clauses, knowing that what the other party proposed would definitely be more advantageous to them, but he still felt a sense of resentment.

That evening, Sheng Changtian sent Xia Chao back to report. Indeed, there were four battleships and over ten other vessels in the outer seas. Among them, the main ship had sixty-four large cannons, while the other escort ships had thirty each, and the remaining two had eight each.

Xu Chun sighed in relief. “A fleet like this should still be just the vanguard, but I’m afraid they have a larger force. It takes the Kingdom of Qin Shi ten months to a year to reach our country…”

His heart was slightly calmer. He ordered Jiang Mei to carefully copy several copies with Zao Lan and reliable students from the School of Translation. He personally wrote a memorial, attaching the reconnaissance information and the confession from the interrogation, and had someone send it to the capital for Fang Zixing.

Fang Zixing indeed received the letter and personally delivered it into the palace. Xie Yi opened the box and carefully examined the contents. He then ordered the Chief Grand Secretary, Ouyang Shen, Duke Wuying, Fang Zijing, Minister of War, Lei Ming, Minister of Revenue, Luo Hengrui, Minister of Rites, Shen Mengzhen, and Vice President of the Ministry of Justice, He Zhiqiu, to enter the palace to deliberate on state affairs.

The memorial was passed around among the ministers. Sitting on the dragon throne, Xie Yi asked, “Do any of you have opinions?”

Ouyang Shen said, “Marquis Linhai handled the situation appropriately. Our dynasty has just been restored, and we cannot lightly provoke a war. Inviting them to participate in the grand inspection and intimidating them with military might is the right way to eliminate the possibility of war without a trace. This is precisely what is meant by the saying, ‘a wise warrior does not seek glorious achievements.'”

Shen Mengzhen said, “The conditions for the trading port are too favorable for them and need to be negotiated. Their arrival under the protection of warships suggests that they may have other intentions.”

Luo Hengrui said, “We definitely don’t have enough military funds for a war. The last campaign against the Japanese pirates left us in debt, which we still haven’t paid off. Moreover, so many factories and shipyards have been built in Jinhaiwei. Now that we can barely assemble new-style ships and cannons, if a war breaks out, wouldn’t all the groundwork of these past few years be wasted?”

Lei Ming said, “There aren’t many warships, and their troops seem average. If a fight breaks out, we won’t be afraid, but we’re afraid that if we defeat the small ones, the big ones will come. If their true intention is to find an excuse, it’s hard to say.” Seeing that Duke Wuying and Fang Zijing remained silent, he asked, “What does Duke Wuying think?”

Fang Zijing had just been relieved of his position as governor and had been recalled to the capital only a few days ago. He had listened to the other ministers speak until this moment. He then said, “Xu Chun handled the situation too naively. Since they didn’t submit a formal letter or raise a flag, they should have been dealt with swiftly and secretly, detaining the ships and people at night and then expelling them. If questioned, they could have claimed ignorance of their nationality, thinking they were pirates invading the borders.”

The ministers were speechless.

Xie Yi slowly spoke up from above. “Marquis Linhai must have had the intention to engage in trade with the Kingdom of Qin Shi. He has devoted several years to maritime trade, and it’s rare to have such an opportunity, so naturally, he paid attention. The conditions for the trading port can be negotiated.”

He Zhiqiu also smiled and said, “I believe Marquis Xu handled the situation well. First, he apprehended their spies and obtained confessions. Now that the other side is feeling guilty, they certainly won’t dare to make the first move. Then, inviting them to watch the grand inspection will make them realize that we have a strong military, and they won’t dare to act rashly. This time, Your Majesty’s inspection tour should include a few experienced negotiation officials. Draft a preliminary proposal and go to negotiate, which can be considered a preemptive strike.”

Xie Yi said, “Agreed. Ministers Shen and He, take this memorial and study each clause carefully. Redraft the agreement for the trading port and select a few experienced officials and clerks. The Ministry of Revenue should send a few officials to assist.”

Shen Mengzhen, He Zhiqiu, and Minister Luo hurriedly stood up to accept the order.

Xie Yi instructed, “Duke Wuying and Lei Ming, discuss the grand naval inspection. Since we want to display our national might, come up with a plan to see how the grand inspection should proceed.”

Fang Zijing and Lei Ming could only stand up to accept the order. Lei Ming smiled and said, “I believe Marquis Linhai must have made detailed arrangements. Why don’t Duke Wuying and I go ahead tomorrow to discuss with Marquis Linhai?”

Xie Yi said, “Approved.”

Fang Zijing thought to himself: Indeed, every single one of these people is biased towards Xu Chun. Regardless of whether they know the details or not, they definitely know that the Emperor favors him.

Poor me, suffering in silence.

He glanced at his brother standing beside the Emperor. Fang Zixing felt a chill run down his spine for some reason. Turning his head, he saw his older brother staring at him with a glare, leaving him bewildered. Had he worn his clothes wrong? Or did he forget something important that he was supposed to do today? Or was there something going on with his sister-in-law and nephew?