Munitions Empire-Chapter 1034 - : Speaker of Shu Country in 956
Chapter 1034: Speaker of Shu Country in 956
The capital city of Shu Country, Kangrao, is a prosperous city, where wars have been rare for thousands of years, always enjoying an uncommon peace.
With the advancement of technology in this world, the city has also begun a new phase of development. As the national power of Shu Country increased, it has become a more modernized city.
Firstly, railways have been built here, with roads connecting with other cities, and a number of tall buildings have gradually emerged in the city center, while the suburbs have seen the birth of some factory facilities.
In the past two years, the majority of the city has been equipped with running water, and almost one hundred percent of the areas now have electricity.
People’s lives are becoming more comfortable, and many have started to sing praises of their leaders, which is to say, the Speaker of Shu Country’s parliament, Liu Jing.
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Speaking of Liu Jing, the man was previously a wealthy businessman of Shu Country whose business spanned across the land, later chosen to become the city manager of Kangrao.
Because of his excellent work in the city, he was elected as a national representative, eventually rising to the position of Speaker.
In terms of personal capability, he is quite remarkable. Approaching 70 years old this year, he is still spirited and walks with steady and distinguished steps.
After washing his face and flicking the water from his hands, the elder Liu Jing looked at himself in the mirror and then said to the secretary standing beside him, “Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ready?”
“Reporting to the Speaker, they are ready,” the secretary answered cautiously. “I advise the Speaker to think thrice, as no such thing has happened in a hundred years…”
“That’s precisely why I must make this journey,” Liu Jing sighed, returned to his desk, glanced at the stack of documents on it, and his heart filled with anxiety.
How could Shu Country stand so long encircled by the powerful nations of Qin Country, Chu Country, and the Dahua Empire if it didn’t have a few tricks up its sleeve?
To say that Qin Country is preparing to attack Shu Country and that Shu Country is clueless, would be greatly underestimating Shu Country, the only nation in the world without a monarch.
“Qin Country is eying us hungrily, and Dahua no longer has the capability to watch the south… Now that the balance has been broken, if we don’t seek an alternative path, Shu Country will be doomed,” Liu Jing said after a few seconds of silence.
His desk was covered with messages and reports from the border generals and the intelligence department, all emphasizing Qin Country’s wolf-like ambitions.
Among these were secret reports of Qin Country amassing troops at the border, transporting provisions, stockpiling ammunition, and reminders of the Qin Country’s envoys frequent activities in the Great Tang Empire.
Considering the current situation, how could Liu Jing not understand Qin Country’s intentions? He had previously warned those representatives who supported the monopoly of border trade and the forces behind them that if Qin Country’s interests were harmed, the situation could turn dangerous.
But for those who have obtained benefits, how could they give them up easily? Although they showed some respect to him as the Speaker, they only restrained themselves slightly.
On a national level, the exploitation of Qin Country through taxes is intensifying, hence the risk of Qin Country attacking Shu Country is also increasing exponentially.
The die has been cast, and now it’s too late to say anything. Moreover, the livelihood of a million workers is at stake, and now considering the reduction of trade taxes, the many people in Shu Territory profiting from it are unwilling to relinquish their interests.
That’s why Liu Jing ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit an application to the Great Tang Empire, requesting a visit to Tang Country in his capacity as the Speaker of Shu Country.
This could be the first time in a century that a leader of one country visits another. In the long stretch of the past, there have been no examples of any country’s monarchs leaving their own land.
If it weren’t for the civil war in the Dahua Empire, this news might have been the biggest of the year. Moreover, the content of Speaker Liu Jing’s negotiation in his visit to Tang Country is not simple.
In fact, Liu Jing is prepared to change the allegiance of Shu Country — previously, following the war between the Dahua Empire and the Great Tang Empire, Chu Country broke away from being a vassal of Dahua Empire and became a vassal of the Great Tang Empire.
Shu Country and Qin Country are nominally still vassal states of the Dahua Empire, and this has not changed at all. However, as time has passed, everyone has witnessed the progress of Chu Country — to say that some officials and merchants of Shu Country are not tempted would be deceiving themselves.
In truth, the desire of Shu Country to break away from the control of Dahua Empire and become a vassal of Great Tang Empire has been growing for a while. This topic has been discussed by many, all thinking about when they could embrace the powerful leg of the Great Tang Empire.
Now, with both the will and the pressure present, and with Dahua Empire in decline, no longer able to attend to its southern affairs, a strong Qin harbors thoughts of subjugating Shu, making Shu Country’s situation extremely precarious.
Under such circumstances, wouldn’t it be the perfect time to embrace the leg of the Great Tang Empire? As long as it becomes a vassal of the Great Tang Empire, surely Great Tang wouldn’t just watch Shu Country be beaten?
Internally, everything has been discussed, and with the support of many representatives, the idea of Shu Country changing its allegiance to become a vassal of the Great Tang Empire has faced little opposition within Shu Country.
The reason for this diplomatic visit by Liu Jing to the Great Tang Empire was eagerly anticipated throughout Shu Country, with the hope that it would bring the Qin Country in the Northwest in line.
Who dares to mess with the Great Tang Empire’s little brother? Huh?
To prepare for this visit, Shu Country had gone to great lengths. Not only did they form a huge delegation, but they also carefully selected many gifts and tributes.
Even Shu Country was ready with 20 beautiful women, prepared to accompany the Speaker to the Great Tang Empire. What if the Emperor of the Great Tang Empire, who already had three Imperial Concubines… took an interest in the frail and charming maidens from Shu Territory?
“Besides being ready on Great Tang’s side, we also need to prepare on our own! The border defenses can’t slack off for a moment! Does Qin Country really think Shu Country is soft fruit to be pinched at will?” Liu Jing’s tone suddenly intensified as he spoke, displaying a measure of authority from his many years in a high position.
To counter Qin Country, Shu Country had also made corresponding moves at the border. One hundred thousand troops were reinforced to the border defenses, trenches were constructed, and even the Armored Corps was spread out across the second line.
This was practically a clear message to Qin Country: I know exactly what you’re thinking, you better not make any reckless moves.
But who would have expected that Qin Country would use this as an excuse to propagate that Shu Country harbored ill intentions, aiming to provoke border disputes, hence reinforcing their own border with another 100,000 troops.
The situation became extremely tense for a time, with both sides on the brink of an accidental outbreak of hostilities. Under these circumstances, Shu Country was forced to again reinforce the border with an additional 50,000 troops.
Not to be outdone, Qin Country immediately announced an additional reinforcement of 100,000 troops to the border, completely disregarding the Dahua Empire’s attempts at mediation.
In fact, the Dahua Empire would rather see a conflict break out between Qin and Shu Countries. The Dahua Empire had always been worried about being caught between Qin Country and the Great Tang Empire, but now with Qin Country’s attention firmly on Shu Country, the pressure on the Dahua Empire had significantly eased.
Under these circumstances, one should not expect the Dahua Empire to earnestly mediate; everything still depended on the Great Tang Empire’s stance.
It was precisely because of Dahua Empire’s inaction on this matter that both Qin Country and Shu Country ceased to take the Dahua Empire’s attitude seriously.
Similarly, it was because the situation had progressed to this point that Liu Jing, the Speaker of Shu Country, insisted on visiting the Great Tang Empire, hoping to intimidate through association and spare Shu Country from war this time.
…
Nangong Hong had been busily preoccupied these past few days, as Qin Country was extremely anxious, urgently hoping for the support of the Great Tang Empire. For this support, Qin Country even stated it was willing to pay any price.
Ying Duo not only promised that Qin Country would offer up a huge fortune after the war, but was also willing to include clauses in the peace treaty to force Shu Country to become a vassal state of the Great Tang Empire.
Furthermore, if the Great Tang Empire was willing, Qin Country could even mortgage two years’ worth of customs duties and additionally ensure that the slave trade needed by the Great Tang Empire would not be affected.
While he was finding a way to stall the Qin Country envoys, he received a request from Shu Country’s foreign affairs department.
He was somewhat shocked when he read the contents of the request, and in that instant, he had to admire the decisiveness and courage of Shu Country’s Speaker Liu Jing.
Requesting a visit to the Great Tang Empire at this time? Moreover, Shu Country had privately expressed the desire to break away from the Dahua Empire and hoped to become a vassal state of the Great Tang Empire.
This was interesting: it seemed Shu Country had sensed the imminent danger of a Qin Country attack and placed most of its hopes on siding with the Great Tang Empire.
Shu Country’s decision undoubtedly added uncertainty to the situation, as Tang Mo himself was in indecision and unprepared to support Qin Country’s campaign against Shu.
Now, if Shu Country made more concessions, then the Great Tang Empire seemed to have even more reason to ensure Shu Country’s safety.
After all, whether it’s Shu Country or Qin Country, they were both just trade partners of the Great Tang Empire; who lives and who dies, the Great Tang Empire did not care so much.
“We are sincerely here, Minister. Shu Country is weak and cannot stand against powerful Qin on its own. We hope the Great Tang Empire can preside over justice for the world,” said the Ambassador of Shu Country, displaying a very humble attitude. He knew he did not have much leverage.
To put it nicely, even if the situation developed according to what Shu Country hoped for, Shu Country would still be under the Great Tang Empire; how high could the status of this Ambassador to Tang be?
Those in diplomacy understood, if your nation is strong, even if you feign ignorance, people will give you some face. But if your country is poor and weak, who are you trying to fool?
“I am already aware of your country’s intentions. This matter is of great importance, and I must meet with His Majesty and discuss it clearly before I can reply to your country. Please, Mr. Ambassador, stay calm and be patient for a few more days,” said Nangong Hong in his official capacity, with a face full of bureaucratic formality.
