Chapter 148: The Ultimate Diplomatic Trick!
Outside Luoyang City, a column of Turks on horseback approached in a cloud of dust. The sight of their bold arrival caused Xu Jingzong and the officials waiting outside the city gates to squint into the distance.
“Minister Xu, that must be Jie Li Khan and his entourage,” a subordinate remarked.
Xu Jingzong nodded slightly. As the Khan of the Turkic Khanate was coming to congratulate the Great Zhou, it was only proper for high-ranking officials to welcome him. Propriety was one of the hallmarks of the Great Zhou’s reputation.
Xu Jingzong glanced at the other officials.
“When Jie Li Khan arrives, remember to uphold the dignity of our Great Zhou. Mind your manners, and do not let our nation appear lacking.”
The gathered officials nodded in unison. “Yes, Minister Xu.”
Just as Xu Jingzong finished speaking, Jie Li Khan and his mounted retinue charged forward, showing no intention of stopping. The officials watched in disbelief.
“Why aren’t they stopping?” one official exclaimed.
“This could be trouble, Minister Xu! We must move out of the way!”
“Hurry, everyone—step aside!”
Xu Jingzong’s sharp eyes narrowed, but his composure remained intact. A seasoned veteran, he stood firm even as the Turks continued to approach.
Finally, the Khan’s group slowed, halting abruptly about ten paces from the delegation. Dust billowed into the air, covering the Great Zhou officials in a fine layer of grime.
The disrespect was blatant. Furious whispers broke out among the officials.
“Do they think they’re still in the Turkic steppe?”
Xu Jingzong maintained his calm but wore a stony expression as he fixed his gaze on the man at the head of the group. Jie Li Khan, broad-shouldered and clad in fur-lined armor, held his reins loosely as he scrutinized the welcoming party. His sharp, hawk-like eyes settled on Xu Jingzong, and with an almost dismissive flick of his whip, he pointed.
“A Great Zhou official?” he asked in a tone more fitting for addressing subordinates.
The Great Zhou officials bristled with anger, but Xu Jingzong’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. He stepped forward and gave a measured bow.
“I am Xu Jingzong, Chancellor of the Secretariat. On behalf of Her Majesty, I welcome Jie Li Khan to the Great Zhou.”
Jie Li Khan let out a hearty laugh and scanned the group disdainfully before replying,
“I’ve come to congratulate the Empress of the Great Zhou. Lead the way.”
Despite his mocking tone, Xu Jingzong didn’t falter. With a curt nod, he gestured for the Khan to follow.
The officials were seething.
“Minister Yang, this Jie Li Khan is insufferable. Such insolence!”
“Indeed! Does he think we’ll tolerate this kind of disrespect in our own nation?”
Yang Yi leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Xu Jingzong. “Minister Xu, what is your assessment?”
Stroking his beard, Xu Jingzong replied, “Jie Li Khan’s behavior is deliberate. He likely seeks to gauge the strength of the Great Zhou, as our nation has been engaged in constant warfare over the past two years, while the Turks have been recovering.”
Yang Yi nodded approvingly. Xu Jingzong’s analysis mirrored his own.
The older man continued, “Khan Jie Li comes with ulterior motives. Minister Yang, do you already have a strategy in mind?”
All eyes turned to Yang Yi, eager for his response.
Yang Yi allowed a faint smile.
“Jie Li Khan is a ruler. Naturally, the Great Zhou will treat him with courtesy.”
The officials deflated at the seemingly bland answer, though Xu Jingzong’s astute gaze lingered on Yang Yi. He suspected there was more to the minister’s words than met the ear.
The grand hall was resplendent with lacquered jade pillars and the rich scent of incense wafting from the beast-shaped furnaces in the corners. Rows of desks were neatly arranged, and civil and military officials sat in orderly lines.
As time dragged on, the officials began to exchange displeased glances. Jie Li Khan’s seat remained conspicuously empty.
Zhang Jianzhi scoffed. “Jie Li Khan must think highly of himself to keep us waiting .”
The others murmured in agreement, their irritation palpable.
Yang Yi, however, sat silently, his calm gaze fixed on the empty seat.
At last, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hall. Jie Li Khan swaggered in with his entourage, arriving conspicuously late. His loud voice carried across the room.
“Apologies, apologies! Luoyang is such a magnificent city—I became distracted while sightseeing.”
The thinly veiled mockery in his tone made the officials bristle. Though he had offered an apology, his lack of sincerity was obvious. Jie Li Khan’s haughty demeanor only added fuel to the fire.
He strolled to his seat as if he owned the hall, ignoring the smoldering glares directed his way. His sharp eyes landed on Yang Yi, and his lips curled into a smirk.
“So, this is Minister Yang, the famed ‘First Poison Strategist’ of the Great Zhou,” he said mockingly. “I’ve heard much about you. Clever, ruthless, and utterly inhumane—an admirable combination.”
The insult, though cloaked in feigned admiration, made the officials seethe. Yet Yang Yi’s expression remained placid, his smile faint.
“You flatter me, Khan,” he replied evenly.