owlsbooks Chapter 2584 An Unexpected Turn of Events, The Puppet Emperor
Chapter 2584 An Unexpected Turn of Events, The Puppet Emperor
Chapter 2584 An Unexpected Turn of Events, The Puppet Emperor
Although Daikin faces a certain shortage of salt each year, it's unlikely they can effectively use this to control the other party's supply.
Therefore, Wang Yu was very generous in this regard.
In recent years, Wang Yu has taken back all the salt and iron from several imperial merchants, not because he could use salt to control anyone, but because of the interests involved.
The salt tax, which is the root cause of salt consumption, represents a huge source of revenue for the national treasury.
Furthermore, this trade is still profitable for the Han Dynasty, just a little less than before. It is still trade, not a gift.
"Your Majesty's grace extends to all living beings. Nurhaci has something to say, but I don't know if I should." Just after Wang Yu granted Helian Wucai's request, Nurhaci suddenly spoke up at this moment.
"Please speak frankly, Your Majesty." Wang Yu, seeing the other party's solemn appearance, calmly gestured with his hand.
Upon hearing this, Nurhaci's expression became even more solemn, and he immediately left his seat and knelt down on the ground.
His demeanor greatly surprised the Han emperor and his ministers, as well as the Jin envoy present.
Although the Qing Dynasty was much weaker than the Han and Jin Dynasties in terms of national strength, the other party was still the emperor. Even when facing Wang Yu, there was no need to perform such a grand ceremony.
In any case, the three of them are now in a state of mutual alliance, rather than being a defeated country that has been captured and brought back.
Not to mention, under normal circumstances, even if the other party is the emperor of a defeated country, the victorious country might humiliate the other party, but most of the time they would not humiliate him without any bottom line, and would still give him some face.
To put it bluntly, when emperors uphold the dignity of another emperor, they are also upholding their own dignity. They don't care about the other person's personal dignity; what they are protecting is the title of "emperor" and the authority that the title itself represents.
"Your Majesty, Envoy Helian, I have something to say from the bottom of my heart: The Great Qing has been fortunate to be protected and allied with the Great Han and Great Jin, which is a great blessing."
"Nurhaci is of meager virtue and limited talent, and wishes to serve the two supreme rulers with the respect due to a son or nephew to his father or uncle. From this day forward, Nurhaci wishes to change his title to Son Emperor and to jointly honor His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han and His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin as Father Emperors!"
"The Great Qing will forever remain a vassal state of both dynasties, paying tribute annually and never betraying its sovereignty!"
The moment the words "son emperor" were uttered, it was like a thunderclap falling on a calm lake.
Inside the Linde Hall, there was an instant deathly silence. The music had stopped at some point, and even the servants' movements to pour wine froze in mid-air. All the eyes of the Han civil and military officials were fixed on Nurhaci, who was prostrate on the ground.
It should be noted that both Wang Yu and He Lianxuan of the Jin Dynasty were younger than Nurhaci.
Wang Yu, seated on his throne, remained calm, but a sharp glint flashed in his deep eyes, and his fingers, which were holding the Nine Dragon Jade Cup, paused slightly at that moment.
Helian Wucai had long since suppressed his relaxed smile and was staring intently at Nurhaci, who was kneeling on the ground, seemingly lost in thought.
Time seemed to pass in the frozen silence for a few breaths, yet it felt as if a long time had passed without our noticing.
Wang Yu finally spoke slowly, "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"
"I have entered into an alliance with the Emperor of Jin and the Emperor of Qing, agreeing to be friendly nations and jointly safeguard the peace of the northern border. This is an agreement of equality and a mutually beneficial alliance."
“The Qing emperor is the supreme ruler of the country, the one to whom all people depend. To call him a ‘son emperor’ is too self-deprecating.” Helian Wucai immediately chimed in, “What His Majesty the Han Emperor said is absolutely right. Since our Great Jin, Great Han, and Great Qing are allies, we should treat each other with sincerity and keep our promises.”
"The use of the term 'father and son' is not the usual practice in diplomatic relations, and it also violates the principle of equality among allies. Your Majesty... please be careful with your words."
Wang Yu was well aware of Nurhaci's current situation on the grasslands.
Nurhaci's power was under the watchful eye of Da Shuo from both the west and the north.
After the Luan Di family's power was destroyed, Da Shuo did not launch any further major attacks.
However, Tuoba Changping appointed Tuoba Tao as the King of Pingdong and Tuoba Hong as the King of Zhenbei, and the two led large armies to garrison the former territories of Luandijia and Subonian respectively.
Once Da Shuo has absorbed the power of the Luan Di family, the next step will inevitably be Nurhaci's power.
Nurhaci's situation will undoubtedly be extremely difficult from now on, but the fact that he could go this far, disregarding all dignity as an emperor, is still beyond Wang Yu's expectations.
At this moment, Nurhaci remained prostrate on the ground, and the voice came from below.
"Your Majesty, Envoy Helian, I know this request is presumptuous, but it is not a spur-of-the-moment impulse. It is the heartfelt reverence and submission of our Great Qing Dynasty to the Celestial Empire and the mighty and prosperous nation, after experiencing calamities and learning from painful lessons!"
"Your Majesty's divine might is boundless, and the Great Jin Emperor is a man of great talent and strategy, shining like the sun and moon in the sky, illuminating my bitter and cold land beyond the Great Wall. Nurhaci dares not presume to be on par with the two dynasties, but only wishes to follow in their footsteps and serve them with the respect due to a son or nephew, seeking their protection and guidance so that the people of my Great Qing may enjoy the Chinese culture and peace."
"Even if it is not feasible in name only, in the hearts of the Great Qing, His Majesty and the Great Khan are like our second parents. This will remain steadfast forever, and Heaven and Earth bear witness!"
Wang Yu's gaze deepened. He looked at Nurhaci's seemingly humble posture and sneered inwardly, yet he also admired his ability to endure what ordinary people could not.
No wonder he was able to achieve great things, whether in the history of Earth or in the alternate world of Apocalypse. Just his ability to endure what others cannot is something that more than 99% of people in this world cannot do.
To go to such lengths in order to gain more protection from the Jin and Han dynasties in the coming period is something few in the world could do.
"The Emperor's intentions are clear to both me and Envoy Helian," Wang Yu said slowly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Today is a banquet to celebrate the alliance. Such matters concern the national dignity and cannot be decided lightly at a banquet. Your Majesty, please rise first, drink this cup to the full, and celebrate the friendship of the three families."
Wang Yu neither agreed nor completely refused, leaving the matter temporarily on hold. This maintained the outward appearance of decorum for the banquet, but also left behind endless troubles and speculations.
The attendant, quick-witted, announced loudly, "Play the music!"
The stagnant music resumed, but it seemed to have lost its previous smoothness and cheerfulness, carrying a hint of imperceptible hesitation and probing. The waiters began to move around and pour drinks again, but their movements were more cautious.
Nurhaci then bowed deeply again, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Envoy Helian!"
Then, he slowly got up and returned to his seat.
Nurhaci's face still wore a respectful expression. He even raised his wine cup to toast Wang Yu and Helian Wucai from afar, as if the shocking scene from just now had never happened.