Chapter 127
The Khan of Wu Yun Country was determined to depart for the capital of Jing Country, and no one could dissuade him.
He had to leave immediately.
"If I delay by even a day, the money in Jing Country's banks would earn less interest," he said. "The loss would be tremendous."
The Khan of Wu Yun Country was adamant about visiting the Emperor of Jing Country.
It wasn't due to brotherly affection, but rather his craving for the interest offered by Jing Country's banks!
"Now that trade has opened between our realms, most of Jing Country's citizens have deposited their silver in Jing Country's banks, while my Wu Yun people can only watch," the Khan of Wu Yun Country frowned.
"I have heard many complaints recently."
Before the New Year, during the period when trade was open between the two countries, most Jing Country citizens had collected two months' worth of interest and used it to buy New Year's goods, candies, and seeds... cheerfully celebrating the New Year.
The interest wasn't much - most citizens were just testing the waters and deposited only a few taels of silver scraps at most.
The interest amounted to no more than a few dozen wen, but it was seen as money falling from the heavens, cause for great delight.
At the trade borders, any Jing Country citizen who had collected interest was joyful, from the day before the New Year until the seventh or eighth day, greeting everyone by bragging about the interest they had received.
The customary greeting changed from "Have you eaten?" to "Hey, did you get your interest?"...
Jing Country's citizens boasted to their own, which quickly became nauseating, and they gradually turned their boasting towards the people of Wu Yun Country who came to trade.
The greatest joy in this world is - you have none, I have some. And I got it without any effort!
The people of Wu Yun Country suddenly became the prime target for Jing Country's citizens to flaunt their interest!
They boasted every day, during trades, upon meeting others, and even as they departed...
In short, any Wu Yun 'ant' passing by could not escape the boasting about the interest from Jing Country's banks!
After some time, the Khan of Wu Yun Country began to develop a headache.
The citizens of Wu Yun Country started to make a fuss!
They too wanted to deposit money in the banks! They too wanted this free interest!
The two realms were right next to each other, separated by just a few steps, so why should Jing Country's people have it while they didn't?
"Khan, why don't we write to Jing Country and ask if we can emulate them by establishing a Wu Yun Country bank..."
The ministers below made the suggestion, but the Khan just shook his head upon hearing it.
They were a nomadic people with far fewer fixed trading stalls than Jing Country.
Not to mention banks? To gather so much silver, return it in full when due, plus interest...
The Khan pondered and grew even more troubled.
There was frequent conflict between their tribes.
If one tribe raided another tribe's bank and stole the deposited silver, it would be a complete disaster.
The Khan took a deep breath, "No need to persuade me further. This time, I intend to go to Jing Country and discuss with them the possibility of my Wu Yun people depositing money in their banks."
"If they refuse to return our money and keep it..."
The Khan shook his head. "We don't have much silver. I'm considering negotiating with the Emperor of Jing Country to use war horses, sheep, and other goods in place of silver to deposit."
The Wu Yun Country ministers' eyes lit up.
It was a good idea - they had surplus livestock on the grasslands. If Jing Country withheld the deposits, they could use trade to pressure them into returning grain.
"So I must go this time. None of you need to persuade me further." For such an important matter, the Khan of Wu Yun Country did not trust sending an envoy.
More importantly, he wanted to meet the Emperor of Jing Country in person to judge whether he was trustworthy enough for Wu Yun people to earn interest in Jing Country's banks.
If the Emperor of Jing Country was unreliable, he would not even bring up the topic of banks.
"I will also bring some grassland warriors to show Jing Country the spirit of Wu Yun Country."
The Wu Yun Country ministers all agreed upon hearing this.
But just as they had finished discussing, an envoy from Jing Country arrived.
He entered the imperial tent and paid his respects.
"Esteemed Khan of Wu Yun Country, my Emperor of Jing Country suggests that you travel at a leisurely pace, for Jing Country is about to undertake a nationwide endeavor, to be implemented first in the capital."
"Hmm?" The Khan was puzzled.
Another big affair?
Was Jing Country stirring up trouble again?
It hadn't been long since they opened trade and banks with Wu Yun Country - those were already major undertakings. What else could Jing Country have in store?
"Yes, His Majesty intends to eradicate the scourge of the world - smallpox - within Jing Country."
"!"
Not only the Khan of Wu Yun Country, but even his ministers were stunned into silence.
Had they heard correctly?
Especially the Khan - three years ago, his youngest and most beloved son had died from smallpox.
Even the Khan's child could not be saved by any medicine or treatment.
The Emperor of Jing Country said what? That he would eliminate smallpox in Jing Country?
"This... how is that possible?"
The Wu Yun Country ministers did not believe it. They glared at the envoy with hostile looks, their tempers flaring. "If you don't want our Khan to go to your capital, just say so directly!"
"Don't spout such nonsense? Eradicate smallpox? Is this just an excuse to prevent our Khan from visiting Jing Country for the next ten or hundred years?"
The Khan of Wu Yun Country also looked extremely displeased.
Indeed, this seemed like nothing but a delaying tactic!
Jing Country could have used any excuse, but they chose smallpox instead.
Smallpox, which had taken his beloved son's life, was his eternal pain!
In their grassland, there was an ancient saying: a child who had not contracted smallpox was considered as good as unborn.
Only children who survived smallpox were considered truly alive!
Because so many children - nearly a quarter - died from smallpox each year.
The Khan of Wu Yun Country was furious. "Very well, very well. Since Jing Country makes such a bold claim, then I shall wait!"
"I hope the Emperor of Jing Country keeps his word. If smallpox is not eradicated, then in this lifetime, do not expect me to set foot in Jing Country! The same applies to my envoys!"
Wu Yun Country valued force above all, and their tempers were explosive.
"Khan, has Jing Country become arrogant after tasting the benefits of trade, no longer regarding us highly?"
"Perhaps we should seek trade with Chu State instead!"
"Yes! I cannot stand this insult!"
The Jing Country envoy broke out in a cold sweat.
That very night, the envoy rushed back to Jing Country from the Wu Yun Imperial Tent, changing horses six times and not daring to rest. Seven days later, he burst into the Ministry of Rites covered in dust.
"Your Excellency, it's not good! The Khan of Wu Yun Country is enraged after learning the news and wants to cancel trade!"
But before he could explain the situation, he saw His Excellency hastily mustering troops.
His Excellency was delighted to see him.
"Ah? You've returned from Wu Yun Country so quickly? I was just about to send a new envoy with a letter!"
The envoy was overjoyed. "Does this mean His Majesty will retract the statement about smallpox?"
That would be excellent news.
"The Khan and people of Wu Yun Country believe our country is deliberately delaying and does not wish to receive their Khan. They are extremely enraged!"
"If His Majesty could retract the claim about smallpox and send someone to apologize, there is still time to make amends—"
But before he could finish, Shang Feng stopped him.
"What do you mean by withdrawing and apologizing? Don't say such nonsense."
The Ministry of Rites official was nearly frightened to death.
He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing proudly towards the distant grasslands.
"Although the eradication of smallpox has not been fully achieved during your thirteen-day mission, some progress has been made."
The Envoy: "?"
The Ministry of Rites official smiled, "That's why the Emperor, fearing the Khan of Wu Yun Country might become anxious, instructed me to immediately dispatch a new envoy to deliver the news of our progress."
The Envoy: "!"
What? His thirteen-day mission had already yielded progress?
[Oh my, father Emperor, there's a new mission for me!]
Xiao Yunzhou was listening to the Imperial Physicians discuss new research on smallpox inoculation, occasionally teasing his young daughter.
But suddenly, his daughter let out a startled cry, and he immediately stood up with a solemn air.
The Celestial Realm had bestowed a new mission upon him, the mortal Emperor?
Even with the Imperial Physician present, Xiao Yunzhou straightened up.
For a Celestial Realm mission, he, the mortal Emperor, could not remain seated!
He must observe the proper hierarchy!
Xiao Yunzhou instantly looked humbly towards his beloved little Princess.
Then he heard Chu Chu's voice echo in his mind.
[New Mission: Reverse the smallpox death of the Crown Prince of Wu Yun Country.]
[Mission Deadline: Within 30 days, if no action is taken, the other party will contract smallpox and die.]
[Punishment: Diplomatic relations between Wu Yun Country and Jing Country will be irreversibly severed.]
"!"
Xiao Yunzhou's breathing suddenly caught in his throat.