PFC Chapter 741 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (27)
Chapter 741 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (27)
Nanxing had only noticed the man's muscles. Although he looked thinner than the fat woman, he was lean and muscular, and his physique was stronger than that of the people of Nanliang.
He was now starting to suspect that the man and the fat woman who rushed out were spies, but their concealment was so rudimentary that they had exposed their physiques, making them blatantly suspicious.
Li Luyuan, the envoy from Beixing Kingdom, was also on the street, so it was not difficult for the two to meet.
The two countries were competitors before, but now they are in the same boat. If they work hard, they can form a short-term alliance.
Li Luyuan: "Nanjing University students are also making purchases, what a coincidence."
"What a coincidence indeed."
After the two countries came together, envoys from other smaller countries followed. "What a coincidence, what a coincidence!"
The Northern Xing Kingdom and the Southern Liang Kingdom were the trendsetters among the smaller kingdoms, and at this moment they wanted to see how much money and grain they had given.
Although there weren't many regulations before, Feng Shu'an of the Feng Dynasty lacked manners and raised prices for various reasons. Now, what he wants is almost enough to expose the country's entire resources.
Zhang Xi hid in the back. Her country was not even as big as a town in the Feng Dynasty, and she didn't contribute much. She was just there to keep up the good work and wanted to befriend the Feng Dynasty.
However, she didn't expect Chong Fengchao to ask her for anything.
Several envoys huddled together, chattering away.
Zhang Xi felt he couldn't answer, so he could only bite the bullet and ask, "Gentlemen, how much grain and money were demanded from you?"
The delegation fell silent instantly; this person really had no idea how to talk.
Zhang Xi touched his head guiltily, silently backed away, and left the delegation.
That stubborn mouth of hers always manages to blurt things out uncontrollably.
After Zhang Xi disappeared, Nanxing remarked, "The people of the Phoenix Dynasty are really healthy, regardless of gender."
Li Luyuan: "Yes, we must ask the Phoenix King how he trained the people later."
In their country, people have always lived on food, drink, and taxes, so their bodies are only considered healthy, not physically strong.
Nanxing didn't want to hear that answer. He had actually been indirectly asking if they were spies monitoring them, but the envoy next to him hadn't understood at all. He was really stupid.
After leaving the group of envoys, Zhang Xi began to travel elsewhere with her maids. In her country, women were superior to men, so the environment of the Phoenix Dynasty had no impact on her.
However, the people of the Phoenix Dynasty are indeed very strong. Both men and women are physically strong, and it seems that the whole nation is a soldier.
……
In the palace, Xiong Bufan listened to Shangguan Yi read the contents recorded in his notebook. He knew he couldn't possibly remember all the dozen or so small countries around him, so he simply wrote down how much they owed him and how many waves of assassins they had sent, so as not to forget.
Xiong Bufan's mind only works at high speed when he's making money or robbing.
Shangguan Yi increasingly admired Xiong Bufan and his wife. Their emperor was incredibly talented, and the surrounding small countries deserved it.
Zhou Ying and Wu Xinran went to arrange other things; they were already adults and needed to gain experience.
After Shangguan Yi finished reading the entire book, he took a sip of tea. "Your Majesty, that's all."
Xiong Bufan: "Hmm, make a few copies of the vouchers and send them to the Ministry of Rites. Let them check for themselves. If anyone hasn't received enough, they can tell me."
By the way, did Seibu Kingdom make any offerings this year?
That year, the Western Wu Kingdom sent out some spies to try to rescue Zhao Xianzhi, but they were imprisoned and given nothing else.
Shangguan Yi: "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Well, if there are enough things, let's send Zhao Xianzhi back to Xiwu Kingdom as well. I'm a man of my word."
That way, we won't waste that useless person's food.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The internal turmoil in Xiwu Kingdom has just ended, and Zhao Xianzhi's cousin, Zhao Xiande, has been chosen to succeed him with great difficulty. Sending Zhao Xianzhi back now would only cause more trouble, and Xiwu Kingdom would once again be embroiled in a power struggle for the throne.
After all, the relationships within the royal family of Xiwu Kingdom were generally not good, and each succession was a life-or-death struggle.
With Xiong Bufan's move, the Xiwu Kingdom would not have been able to develop for ten years due to the heavy tribute outside.
Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."
"it is good."
Xiong Bufan changed his meal frequency to four times a day. He was eating too much, and Shangguan Yi had to remind him to realize it.
It's unexpected that Xiong Bufan would forget to eat.
An hour before the banquet began, Xiong Bufan ordered someone to place Wang Shijun's seat next to his own, and publicly declared her to be the Empress.
Wang Shijun was flattered by this, knowing that His Majesty still loved him and had promised him the position of Empress on matters of great importance.
Zhao Yuanxin always felt that things weren't so easy, but because he helped organize the banquet, Lord Shangguan gave him a lot of money, which was good for him to find more flowers and plants.
Shangguan Yi simply assumed that Xiong Bufan still cared about Wang Shijun and gave him the highest position.
Kongkong thought so too, but when Xiong Bufan actually had the idea of falling in love, Kongkong was unhappy and worried that Xiong Bufan would give up his path to immortality, his eternal life, his family and friends, and his cultivation for a man.
This was the first time such a grand banquet with all nations paying tribute had been held, and Wang Shijun was somewhat excited, while Xiong Bufan was prepared for others to find fault with him.
In the past, whenever Xiong Bufan attended a banquet hosted by a small country, they would always find fault with him.
The envoys entered one after another and took their seats in the designated areas. Then, Xiong Bufan led Wang Shijun into the venue.
To intimidate smaller nations, Xiong Bufan's court robes had been made long ago. Every thread on the robes was embroidered with gold, giving them a luxurious appearance and making them impervious to swords and spears.
From a distance, Xiong Bufan's body was covered in gold, shimmering and sparkling.
Wang Shijun's court robes were originally Zhao Yuanxin's, passed down from generation to generation, and they looked ancient, dignified, and imposing.
The two weren't dressed like a couple; they seemed to be vying for attention.
The ministers shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
Xiong Bufan: "My beloved subjects, rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiong Bufan's biggest concern at this banquet was whether the envoys had provided enough supplies and whether the benefits he received could cover the entire cost of the banquet.
Zhao Yi, the envoy from the Western Wu Kingdom, stepped forward first. "Your Majesty, our country has brought 100,000 catties of grain, 5,000 taels of gold, and 5,000 bolts of silk to present to Your Majesty."
"Given so many things right after arriving, Xiong Bufan's eyes crinkled into crescents with a smile. 'Good, good, good. Are you here to take Zhao Xianzhe back to China?'"
Zhao Yi: "Prince Feng, our Emperor said that the Prince will stay with you, as a marriage alliance between our two countries."
Some of the things we brought today included our prince's dowry.
Zhao Xianzhi was given a seat today and was also at the banquet.
Hearing Zhao Yi's words, they were utterly dumbfounded. How dare they?!