She looked at the envoy with a half-smile: “Tianfeng presents such generous gifts, truly heart-stirring indeed!”

The Tianfeng envoy, hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, thought the wealth had moved her heart. After all, the list contained many treasures that Great Zhou and Yan had only heard of in rumors… but neither Great Zhou, Yan, nor Western Liang had ever seen them. More importantly, it included the formula for ink powder that could make forged weapons invincible.

“Please, envoy, go rest at the guesthouse first. After our Zhou court officials deliberate, we will reply to you as soon as possible,” Bai Qingyan said.

“This foreign minister takes his leave!” the Tianfeng envoy said with a smile.

“This foreign minister also takes his leave!” The Western Liang envoy also bid farewell and departed.

Once the two envoys left, the court officials couldn’t help but grumble and curse.

Bai Qingyan handed the Tianfeng gift list to Wei Zhong: “Take this for everyone to see.”

Minister Lu was quite surprised upon seeing the gift list, not expecting Tianfeng to be so generous. Regarding the ink powder matter… Bai Qingyan had already told Minister Lu and the others about it. He hadn’t expected Tianfeng to share the ink powder manufacturing method with them. Not only that, but they also wanted to give the Great Zhou twenty war elephants, not to mention countless treasures.

The court officials who hadn’t seen the gift list were still chattering noisily when they heard Bai Qingyan say with a smile: “You don’t think this Tianfeng envoy is a brainless person who came to show off his might, do you?”

Once Bai Qingyan spoke, the military officers all quieted down and looked toward her. They saw Bai Qingyan leaning against her cushion as she spoke: “This Tianfeng envoy is quite clever. His earlier words… seemed to deliberately place himself above the Great Zhou, yet not go too far. He grasped the measure very well!”

“Whether a nation has sufficient confidence depends on that nation’s strength! If today in this court, our officials lacked confidence…” Bai Qingyan looked toward Dong Qingping, who was reading the gift list. “The gift list in Uncle’s hands should be the other copy. In the future… Tianfeng would surely look down upon our Great Zhou.”

Dong Qingping smiled and passed the gift list to the official beside him, saying: “Your Majesty means that our officials cursed well today!”

As soon as Dong Qingping finished speaking, laughter erupted in the court hall. Bai Qingyan also laughed aloud and nodded: “Right, uncle spoke correctly – we cursed well!”

Because of Bai Qingyan’s words, the atmosphere in the court became even more lively. A military officer even rolled up his sleeves and asked Bai Qingyan, “Your Majesty, if this general goes out now to beat up that Tianfeng envoy, would it be too late?”

Looking at such a court, Minister Lu felt moisture in his eyes for some reason. He had never seen an emperor like Bai Qingyan, who was so unlike an emperor, nor had he ever seen such an improper court hall. But… this kind of court was exactly what he wanted to see – civil and military officials in harmony, court officials close as family, united in purpose. What worry could there be that such a nation wouldn’t prosper?

An emperor didn’t necessarily have to maintain a lofty posture on high, and a court that inspired awe in officials wasn’t necessarily the best!

This kind of court was what every person entering government service most wanted.

An emperor like Bai Qingyan was rare, and only an emperor like Bai Qingyan could unite court officials in such a manner.

“Ahem!” Minister Lu deliberately put on a stern face and cleared his throat. “If we charge out now and beat up their envoy, where would our great nation’s dignity be! We must have bearing and cultivation!”

Hearing Minister Lu’s words, the military officer smiled and scratched his head, cupping his hands toward Minister Lu: “If Minister Lu says not to beat him, then this general won’t beat him!”

“Let’s first look at this gift list, then discuss… whether our Great Zhou should go or not!” Bai Qingyan said.

After everyone had read through Tianfeng’s gift list, Shen Tianzhi spoke first: “Such generous gifts – besides showing sincerity, Tianfeng probably also wants to display their strength!”

Shen Tianzhi bowed toward Bai Qingyan and said, “This minister believes Your Majesty might as well make the trip. Your Majesty has been looking for elephants’ weaknesses, and working on Tianfeng’s war elephants should be more targeted! Moreover… we can also see what tricks this Tianfeng ruler is playing.”

Shen Jingzhong also nodded: “This location is just outside Pingyang City, also near Yan’s border. Tianfeng probably wouldn’t dare act rashly.”

“Yes, if we don’t go to this location, Tianfeng might think we’re afraid!” Lu Jinxian cupped his hands toward Bai Qingyan. “But Your Majesty is currently with child. This minister believes… just sending an envoy would suffice. Your Majesty need not go personally.”

“This old minister thinks this trip shouldn’t be dangerous. Your Majesty could make the trip to meet this Tianfeng ruler!” The usually conservative and cautious Minister Lu said such words, which were quite surprising.

Many court officials looked toward Minister Lu, expressing disagreement with his words. After all, Her Majesty was currently pregnant, and not even the slightest error could occur.

Minister Lu spoke unhurriedly: “Your Majesty’s ability to judge people… even this old minister cannot match. Only if Your Majesty meets this Tianfeng ruler and understands his true intentions can we prepare in advance.”

Minister Lu spoke from the heart, regarding the ability to judge people, he admitted he couldn’t match Bai Qingyan.

Since they dared invite both the Great Zhou Empress and Great Yan’s ruler to come together, even with their elephant army, Tianfeng absolutely wouldn’t dare act rashly. This was an excellent opportunity for Bai Qingyan to meet the Tianfeng ruler.

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes thoughtfully. She also wanted to use this opportunity to meet with Murong Li again and discuss in detail the matter of the two nations determining victory through national policy.

“Indeed, going would also let Tianfeng know who the truly strong nation is!” Liu Rushi still hadn’t vented his anger.

Bai Qingyan rubbed her fingers together, contemplating for a moment with lowered eyes, then said: “Then I shall go meet this Tianfeng ruler! Minister Lu, in a moment send someone to notify Great Yan’s envoy stationed in Zhou, have him send word back to Yan, telling the Yan Emperor and Ninth Prince… If Yan goes, take this opportunity to sign the alliance treaty between our two nations in front of Tianfeng and Western Liang, which would also serve as a warning to Tianfeng.”

“Your Majesty’s idea is excellent!” Liu Rushi expressed his agreement.

After the morning court session, Bai Qingyan invited Minister Lu, Minister Shen, and her uncle Minister Dong to the study to discuss the matter of going to Pingyang City.

With Tianfeng’s appearance, another new obstacle had been erected on the path to unifying the realm, disrupting Bai Qingyan’s originally methodical plans. But this wasn’t enough to shake her determination to unify the world – instead, it ignited new fighting spirit in Bai Qingyan.

She had a scale in her heart. Those she could make peace with, like Great Yan… she was unwilling to let soldiers shed blood needlessly.

But those she couldn’t make peace with, like Tianfeng… this nation filled with brutality and slaughter in its very bones, she would never allow such a Kingdom to touch even an inch of Great Zhou’s territory, never let them treat Great Zhou’s people as slaves to be abused at will, never let Great Zhou’s people suffer the same fate as the people of Mengshe and Hanying.