readytorunbook Chapter 556 Setting a Trap for the Japanese Envoy
Chapter 556 Setting a Trap for the Japanese Envoy
Since Liu Bei had decided to have the Japanese envoys add luster to his ascension to the throne, he naturally couldn't let these three dwarfs wander around like country bumpkins in the city. He was bound to teach them basic common sense and etiquette.
The important task of instruction fell on the shoulders of Wang Fu, the governor of Yangzhou. At this moment, Wang Fu stood two miles away from the altar, looking at the three envoys who had changed into new clothes but were still not as tall as his shoulders. He asked them with the nervousness of a teacher facing students who were about to perform on stage for the first time: "Have you remembered the proper etiquette and words to say when you meet His Majesty?"
The leader of the three, Dog Furutakawa, nodded hurriedly and said, "I dare not forget your teachings, my lord, for even a moment. I have been reciting them on the way here. I guarantee there will be no problem."
They know how to refer to themselves as foreign subjects now; it seems the instruction was effective.
Wang Fu, however, was still unconvinced and said, "Recite it again so I can hear it."
The matter of the audience must not go wrong, because if it does, it will not only embarrass Wang Fu, but also Liu Bei. Therefore, Wang Fu was very careful and worried.
Dog Furutakawa recited in a low voice, and after finishing, he walked around and bowed, perfectly demonstrating the proper etiquette. It was clear that he was learning very seriously.
He dared not be careless, for he had come seeking aid. If he didn't please the emperor and his ministers, would they send him troops?
Moreover, on his way from Jianye, he witnessed the prosperity of the Han Dynasty. The city was filled with towering buildings, and the surrounding area was covered with fertile fields. These scenes were things he never dared to imagine in Japan, and they gave him an unprecedented sense of awe.
The shock reached the vicinity of the altar, becoming even more pronounced after seeing the armored soldiers standing around it.
To Dog Furutakawa, the armored soldiers near the altar were like giants. It was understandable if one or two people were that tall, but it was terrifying that they were all several heads taller than him.
And their armor, which even the three of them together might not be able to lift, yet the Han soldiers could wear it and move freely. How strong would they be on the battlefield?
We don't need many of these armored soldiers; three to five hundred would probably be enough to easily wipe out the Yamatai Kingdom.
Faced with such a powerful nation and monarch that filled him with despair, how could Dog Furutaka dare not show the utmost humility and respect?
After watching his demonstration, Wang Fu nodded in satisfaction and was about to give a few more instructions when he suddenly heard a shout from the front: "His Majesty has ordered that the Japanese envoy be presented to the emperor."
Wang Fu dared not delay and strode toward the altar. Gou Futianchuan and his two companions hurriedly followed, but their legs were too short, and they had to jog to keep up with Wang Fu's pace.
Wang Fu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject, Wang Fu, the Prefect of Yangzhou, pays his respects to Your Majesty. I have brought the envoy from Japan to pay my respects on Your Majesty's behalf."
After speaking, he stepped aside and gave his place to the three of them, Gougu Tianchuan. The three knelt down with a thud, and Gougu Tianchuan shouted in broken Liaodong dialect, "Gougu Tianchuan, the envoy of Japan, pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han. I, a foreign subject, have come on the orders of my king to congratulate His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han on his ascension to the throne. On behalf of my king, I present Your Majesty with a thousand catties of silver and a hundred catties of gold as a congratulatory gift, wishing Your Majesty a long life and the Great Han Dynasty to prosper for ten thousand years."
These silver and gold were naturally prepared by Wang Fu. When Gou Gutianchuan and his two companions arrived, they were so poor that they didn't even have pants. Where would they get so much silver and gold?
Liu Bei stepped down from the high platform and came to the three of them, but instead of offering his hand to help them up, he looked down at them and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is very kind. Besides paying homage, does Your Majesty have any other business in sending you here?"
Dog Kou Tagawa hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, a rebellion has broken out in Japan. The rebel Himiko has disregarded the orders of the Han Dynasty and openly declared herself queen, establishing the Yamatai Kingdom. Our country is powerless to suppress it and hopes that Your Majesty will send troops to help us."
Currently in Japan, Queen Himiko of Yamatai is the legitimate ruler, while their Dog Slave Kingdom is the rebel. However, under Wang Fu's tutelage, this position has been reversed.
Liu Bei sneered, "Does a mere rebel from a small country deserve the troops of my great Han? Here's a batch of weapons for you to take back and fight your own battle. Bring them back here."
Several soldiers carried over several large boxes and opened the lids in front of the dog, Furuta River.
The moment the box lid was opened, a burst of light blinded the dog, Furutakawa, causing him to instinctively turn his head and close his eyes. After adjusting, he looked again and saw that the box was filled with brand-new ring-pommel swords, their blades so sharp they looked like mirrors.
Dog Furutakawa was initially disappointed that Liu Bei only bestowed weapons without sending troops, but his disappointment turned into surprise the moment he saw the ring-pommel sword.
They still use stone and wooden weapons in the Kingdom of Dog Slave and the Kingdom of Yamatai. If they were to switch to these kinds of weapons, wouldn't they beat the Yamatai Kingdom to a pulp?
The Han emperor was so easily fooled; he only said a few flattering words and got so many high-quality weapons in return. It was such a good deal.
It seems this Han emperor is a face-obsessed idiot; that makes things easier.
Seeing the high-quality weapons given away for free, Dog Gutianchuan concluded that Liu Bei was a spendthrift who cared too much about his reputation. He couldn't help but feel a little contempt for Liu Bei, but he didn't dare to show it. Instead, following Wang Fu's instructions, he prostrated himself and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Liu Bei nodded and said, "I will not get involved in what happens next. If the Japanese envoy has any other needs, he can discuss them with General Guan Xing. Let's return to the city."
After speaking, he walked past the three men and returned to the city. The civil and military officials hurriedly followed. Finally, Wang Fu stepped forward and said with a smile, "Get up, let's go back together."
Dog Gutianchuan quickly stood up and respectfully asked, "Lord Wang, His Majesty just said he had something to discuss with General Guan Xing. What kind of person is General Guan Xing?"
Wang Fu said with a strange expression, "He is His Majesty the Emperor's own nephew. His status in the Han Dynasty is much higher than mine. You must be careful what you say in front of him."
Dog Gutianchuan's expression changed slightly. The emperor's own nephew—that's an absurdly noble status. He had to find a way to appease this little darling, but how? He hoped this little darling was as concerned about his reputation as the emperor.
Dog-Furugawa continued to inquire, "May I ask, my lord, what does General Guan like?"
Wang Fu laughed and said, "General Guan is a good man who loves to help the weak. But I can't say whether he will support you or Yamatai. However, General Guan likes gold and silver. If you give him enough gold and silver, he would dare to sell you the heavy armor that the soldiers were wearing earlier. You know what I mean?"
"Hiss..." Dog Furuta River started baring his teeth. Where was he going to get so much gold and silver?
Wang Fu stopped arguing and said with a flick of his sleeve, "Let's go, don't keep His Majesty waiting too long."
Liu Bei led his civil and military officials into the city to offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Imperial Ancestral Temple was a large hall that Guan Xing and his men had worked overtime to build overnight. After offering sacrifices to their ancestors, they held a banquet to celebrate.
Dog, Furuta, and the other two were not qualified to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so they patiently waited at the entrance for the ceremony to end.
However, the three of them were invited to the banquet later as envoys of Japan, where they devoured the delicious food of the Han Dynasty.
Over the next two days, Wang Fu led the three to the military camp to experience the might of the Han army up close. They were fine when they entered the camp, but when they came out, they all wet their pants, terrified.
The murderous aura emanating from the Han soldiers was so intense that the three of them felt as if they were facing ancient behemoths ready to devour their prey, causing their legs to tremble instinctively.
On the third day, Wang Fu finally led them to find Guan Xing.
At that moment, Guan Xing was eating hotpot at the construction site. When he saw them coming over and inviting Wang Fu to sit down, he glanced at the three men, including Gougu Tianchuan, and asked, "You must be Gougu Tianchuan, the Japanese envoy. You've finished your audience with the emperor and aren't going back to report. What do you want with me?"