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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[J Jean] [K.Rom] [Lily J.] [Mel Melz] [Tori D.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
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G O L D S T A R
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R A I N B O W S T A R
[Amanda] [Book W.] [Britnae M] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [DetectiveGeek421] [Haruka N.]
[Hlau V.] [Ine O.] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Oushna]
[Quae] [Ray] [Scorpion Princess] [Victoria]
When the news reached the palace, the Emperor was in the midst of discussion with several officials in the imperial study about the peace talks between the two states.
The State of Zhao had fought countless battles, both small and large-scale, with the State of Chen and its vitality was greatly wounded. After several years, the state treasury was still in a state of semi-deficit.
On the other hand, the State of Liang was so powerful that it did not put the State of Zhao in its eyes.
This time, the State of Liang's attitude was unbearably tough, leaving no room for concessions.
The hair of the Emperor and everyone else was turning white with worry.
But all of a sudden, Yu Qinwang delivered a message—— the State of Liang was willing to make concessions on the condition of a single child?
"Which child is it?" The Emperor asked.
The State of Liang’s envoy replied, "It is an orphan. My Wangye and Wangfei get along with the child and want to adopt the child back. In return, my Wangye will try to make concessions in the peace talks."
"That... How much?" Grand Preceptor Zhuang asked.
The State of Liang’s envoy smiled and took out a slip from his wide sleeve.
Eunuch Wei stepped forward and took the slip, making sure it was free of poison and concealed weapons before presenting it to the Emperor.
The Emperor read it before passing it to Grand Preceptor Zhuang and others.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang, Grand Secretary Yuan and all the old officials widened their eyes upon reading it.
They couldn't believe it!
The terms of the original negotiation were—— the State of Liang would exchange their lime mortar technology for the State of Zhao's piston bellows technology and glutinous rice mortar technology, and opened a border trade district between the two countries, exchanging the State of Liang's cheap handicrafts for the State of Zhao's fine silk and tea.
Now, they had added another colored glass technology. Colored glass was a unique handicraft of the State of Liang. It was so exquisite and rare that a piece of gold couldn't afford it. Among the six states, only the imperial families were entitled to use this colored glass. But the State of Zhao, a poor country, couldn’t even afford to purchase it.
The lure of this technology was enormous.
And it was at least able to show the sincerity of the State of Liang.
Rumor had it that the State of Yan also coveted the State of Liang's colored glass technology, but was rejected by the State of Liang.
The State of Yan was a superior state and its status wasn’t below the State of Liang, but the State of Liang refused to pass on the technology to them, and instead passed it on to the State of Zhao. If the word spread, it could potentially offend the State of Yan.
Did Yu Qinwang know what he was doing?
Was it because he was the son of the State of Liang’s monarch that he did whatever he pleased?
"Could there be a trick?" An old official asked.
The State of Liang’s envoy laughed with a trace of scorn, "My Wangye’s words are worth nine sacred tripods, is there a need to trick you?"
Were you even worthy?
It was like when an elephant wanted to crush a worm, it would just step on it directly. Did it still need to jump about to confuse the worm, make it dizzy, and make it relax its guard?
The crowd thought so.
But... just for a child?
Everyone really couldn’t fathom Yu Qinwang's confusing behavior.
Even the Emperor couldn’t understand, so he did not rush to agree. He vaguely felt that this matter wasn’t simple. He told the officials to go back first, leaving only the State of Liang's envoy for him to ask questions.
"How did Yu Qinwang suddenly take a fancy to a State of Zhao's orphan?" The Emperor did not beat about the bush.
The State of Liang's envoy wasn’t afraid that the Emperor would ask more if he knew the truth. Anyway, the State of Zhao's Emperor was not easy to fool. He said exactly what Yu Qinwang had told him, "Does Your Majesty still remember the visit of Yu Qinwang and Qinwangfei five years ago?"
The Emperor nodded, "Naturally, I remember."
The State of Liang’s envoy continued, "At that time Yu Qinwangfei was pregnant. She stayed in the State of Zhao for several months and didn't leave until after she gave birth."
"The child has reportedly died in infancy. Zhen was also very distressed when he heard about it at the time." said the Emperor with his brows knitted, "Is this matter related to that child?"
The State of Liang’s envoy smiled, "My Wangye accidentally found that the child did not die, and may have been rescued from the coffin that year. Considering that your State of Zhao has nurtured Wangye's son for many years, in return, my Wangye decided to offer to make concessions in the peace talks."
If that was the case, everything made sense.
The Emperor nodded his head and then asked suspiciously again, , "Is it really Yu Qinwang's son?"
The State of Liang’s envoy answered, "Is it possible that my Wangye would pay such a high price for a false son?"
The Emperor also found it unlikely. He questioned again, "Where is the child now?"
The State of Liang’s envoy smilingly said, "He was adopted by a female physician at a medical hall."
When he heard about a medical hall, the Emperor's heart surged with a faint trace of foreboding, "Which medical hall? Rejuvenation Hall?"
The State of Liang envoy smiled, "Ah, no, it's Miraculous Hands Hall."
The Emperor's expression changed.
……
After two classes in the afternoon, Little Jing Kong was released from school and Gu Jiao went to the Imperial Academy to pick him up.
Thinking that it was Uncle Liu who would pick him up today, Little Jing Kong walked slowly with a sigh until he found Gu Jiao at the gate. In an instant, he felt he had made a million mistakes.
If he had known, he would have run faster! Now he had less time to spend with JiaoJiao!
"JiaoJiao, JiaoJiao!"
With his short legs, he ran the remaining distance towards Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao slightly bent down and took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Little Jing Kong's forehead.
Recently, there was a drastic shift in temperature within the day. It was very cold during early morning and night, so when one went out, they had to wear more layers of clothes, but in the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, so the little guy was sweating profusely.
Gu Jiao touched his back and found his undergarment drenched.
"Did you have a race again this afternoon?" Gu Jiao asked.
"No, we didn't run." Little Jing Kong shook his head, "The teacher taught us how to play cuju." [T/N: Ancient Chinese football]
"Was it fun?" Gu Jiao asked.
"Yep!" Little Jing Kong played it for the first time and found it very novel, "Some people are better than me, those who have played it before."
Little Jing Kong wasn’t an overly competitive child. It was normal for him to get first place, and he also didn’t get frustrated for long even if he didn’t win. He was generally open to learning, especially in areas he had never dabbled in.
That was why even though he was so different from Xiao Liulang, he could easily absorb all the knowledge Xiao Liulang taught him just like a sponge.
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