EMHTC -Chapter 54 Trying to Scam Money from Me Again?!

The old emperor was preparing to leave Shanhai Pass the next day.

At that moment, a document was sent over from the Prime Minister’s office for his instructions.

“Wokou Country requests to return home this time via the Shandong Dengzhou tribute route instead of Ningbo, and to travel alongside the Goryeo envoys.”

This didn’t seem to be a problem.

After some thought, the old emperor waved his brush— Approved!

Further down, there was a handwritten letter from Wokou Country’s envoy, written in Chinese characters.

The old emperor lazily raised his eyebrows and read it slowly.

The letter contained around 3,000 characters, praising China’s vast and abundant land and resources, the exceptional governance of the Da Xia dynasty, and how the people lived in peace and prosperity. It also expressed great respect for the emperor.

Then, in another 3,000 characters, it detailed Wokou Country’s dire poverty and harsh conditions. They couldn’t even afford meat. Even their shogun only ate one bowl of rice, a miso soup, and a piece of pickled radish per meal.

Finally, with a heartfelt plea spanning 500 characters, they requested permission from Da Xia to allow them to offer tribute more frequently.

The old emperor’s expression turned peculiar.

Currently, most countries offered tribute once a year.

However, some countries, like Goryeo, came three to four times a year, sometimes even five to six times. They would come for the emperor’s birthday, the crown prince’s birthday, New Year, and any significant event in Xia. Occasionally, they’d even visit without any particular reason.

Was Wokou Country trying to imitate Goryeo?

“Summon the Minister of Rites.”

When the Minister of Rites arrived, the old emperor asked for the records of Wokou Country’s past tributes.

“Your Majesty, their tributes usually include some swords, armor, agate, crystal, as well as gold and gilded furniture. Hmm… also cowhide and a few horses.”

The Minister of Rites, well attuned to the emperor’s thoughts, added after a moment, “Typically, they offer 100 swords, one set of armor, 20 regular-sized agates, a few crystal beads, one or two pieces of furniture at most, and about three or four horses.”

It wasn’t just little—it could be called downright meager.

But this was also due to Xia’s deliberate policy. As the Heavenly Dynasty, they didn’t covet the petty offerings of the four barbarians, and a token amount of local specialties sufficed each year.

The old emperor tapped his fingers on his knee several times, murmuring to himself, “It seems they truly are poor.”

The Minister of Rites continued his report: “In return, the court usually bestows them with 10 to 20 bolts of silk and satin. For the king and the envoy, we grant a full set of robes, boots, and socks each. Additionally, the king receives 100 to 200 taels of silver, and the envoy collectively receives 10,000 copper coins.”

The old emperor nodded slightly. “That’s not much. Allowing one or two additional trips shouldn’t strain the treasury.”

He then wrote on the document: Approved. The emperor’s and crown prince’s birthday banquets, along with New Year’s Day—three times a year will suffice.

The Minister of Rites was curious. “Why has Your Majesty suddenly…”

Having just finished reviewing a stack of documents, with the Prime Minister’s petition as the last one, the old emperor beckoned. A young eunuch quickly brought over a folded hot towel, which the emperor placed over his eyes.

“Wokou Country requests to visit for tribute more frequently.”

—In other words, they were looking to take advantage.

The emperor leaned back against his chair, closing his eyes and speaking leisurely, “Da Xia and Wokou Country are separated by a mere stretch of water. As the sovereign of all nations, how can I not assist? I neither need to govern their internal affairs nor make them wealthy—just a little more silver and gold in rewards.”

There was another layer to this reasoning that the emperor didn’t voice but which the Minister of Rites understood.

Small countries relied on tribute not just for wealth but also for the backing of a great nation. If an enemy dared to invade, they would have to think twice about who the small country’s patron was.

Thus, if any small country dared to show disrespect one day, simply refusing their tribute would suffice as a punishment.

—At times, the tribute system was also a way to control neighboring states.

The old emperor sighed again. “Moreover, those Wa people are truly destitute. I’ve heard they can’t even afford meat.”

The Minister of Rites was somewhat surprised. “Are they that poor? No wonder they’re so short.”

“Indeed,” the old emperor said, “I’ve heard that their king forbids fishing, so they mostly eat soy-based foods. Even their generals only have meals consisting of rice, miso soup, and pickled radish.”

Hearing this, the Minister of Rites was overwhelmed with sympathy. “If that’s the case, I’ll instruct the Ministry of Rites to give Wokou Country Envoys more care in the future.”

For the Wokou Country Envoys, visiting Da Xia might be the only time in the entire year when they could eat meat.

How pitiful.

The old emperor nodded slightly in agreement.

—Since Da Xia was the suzerain state, it made sense to support its vassals when possible.

The old emperor decided to inspect Liaodong Commandery. Thus, his entourage passed through Shanhai Pass, heading northeast while conducting inspections along the way.

About a month and a half later, as they approached Fuzhou Garrison, they happened to encounter the returning Wokou Country Envoy.

Recalling their earlier claims of hardship, the old emperor summoned the envoys to inquire about their circumstances.

Both the chief and deputy envoys were Zen monks, not ordinary ones but those involved in secular governance as advisors to the shogunate.

As such, when they saw the emperor, they performed not Buddhist rituals but secular ones, addressing him as: “We pay respects to the Son of Heaven of Da Xia.”

The old emperor kindly asked, “How has your stay in the Central Plains been?”

The chief envoy replied, “Very well. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

The emperor then inquired about their food and accommodations. Both envoys affirmed that everything was excellent, and other members of the delegation excitedly added that the abundance of meat here was astonishing. Pork and chicken were particularly delicious, and they had never tasted horse meat before.

One after another, they expressed, “We thank the generous Son of Heaven of Da Xia!”

This made the old emperor quite proud.

“What? The emperor was so generous that he used the imperial treasury to reward the Wokou Country Envoy?”

Xu Yanmiao was stunned. “A delegation of 200 people, each receiving two geese, eight fish, one red silk mattress, eight bolts of silk, and 100 copper coins?”

The Ministry of War official added, “Also, 60 catties of calamine and 300 catties of brass. The Wa said they lacked brass and the materials to refine it, so His Majesty gifted them some.”

Xu Yanmiao was even more shocked. “Isn’t His Majesty… uh, isn’t he usually very frugal? Why…”

Not only did he say it aloud, but he also repeated it in his mind.

The old emperor promptly summoned him. Ensuring the Wokou Country Envoys couldn’t hear, he spoke earnestly: “Xu Yanmiao, there are times to save money and times when you cannot. As the suzerain state, we must act with dignity. When our neighbors are so poor they can’t afford meat, it’s only right to help them a little. You don’t understand—those slices of pork and chicken you ate during your recent hot pot meal? They only get to eat such things during their tribute visits. Otherwise, it’s tofu soup and pickled radish for them all year round. It’s not just them being frugal; the entire Wokou Country is impoverished, even their shogun struggles to eat meat.”

Xu Yanmiao hesitated. “…Is that so?”

The old emperor patted his shoulder. “Of course.”

The emperor then called over the Wokou Country Envoys. “I heard there’s something like a ‘meat prohibition order’ in your country?”

One envoy grimaced and explained, “Indeed. The Emperor of Heaven believes in Buddhism, so he forbids us from eating meat…”

The nearby, soft-hearted Minister of Rites discreetly dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief and murmured a poetic line: “Lying in the government dormitory, hearing the rustling bamboo—could it be the cries of the people’s suffering…”【Oh!】 Xu Yanmiao suddenly understood. 【The old emperor has been conned out of money!】

The emperor’s somber expression froze on his face.

The Minister of Rites, trying to stifle his emotions, accidentally jabbed his finger into his eye and let out a painful “hiss.”

The other officials were dumbfounded.

Were the envoys from this small country deceiving them?!

【Ah-ha! I knew it! I’ve seen this decree before. It clearly states that from early April to late September, people are forbidden from eating beef, horse, dog, monkey, or chicken. As for wild boar, deer, or bear? If you can hunt it, you can eat it.】

The Wokou Country Envoys, oblivious to these thoughts, didn’t realize they were nearly stripped bare.

One envoy, tearfully recounting their so-called “meat prohibition order,” said: “Even without this decree, Wokou Country is so poor that meat is rare. Even the shogun can only eat tofu, polished rice, and pickled radish.”

【Yes, yes, they just didn’t mention that this shogun is particularly frugal. As for other daimyo and generals, they feast on salted swan, wild goose stews, and more lavish dishes.】

The Wokou Country Envoy wiped away tears and looked gratefully at the old emperor. “Son of Heaven of Da Xia! We are deeply grateful for your generosity! We Wokou People have never tasted goose before, and thanks to Your Majesty’s immense blessings…”

The emperor: 🙂

Heh.

His gaze toward the Wokou Country Envoy turned icy.

How dare you scam me out of money…

The old emperor asked again, “Are your samurai, generals, and daimyo truly unable to eat meat?”

The Wokou Country Envoy replied, “Respected Son of Heaven of Da Xia, you may not know this, but before the meat prohibition order, most of us ate cherry-blossom stew, cherry-blossom hotpot, or dishes flavored with maple leaves, peonies, and cypress. Meat was truly rare.”

A minister who had visited Wokou Country leaned in and quietly confirmed to the emperor: “Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. When we were there, we rarely saw any butcher shops.”

The emperor’s expression softened slightly.

If that’s the case, then saying they are impoverished isn’t entirely wrong.

【Pfft—】

【The old emperor isn’t seriously believing this, is he? Hahahaha!】

The old emperor: “…”

The minister who had visited Wokou Country broke into a cold sweat.

Xu Yanmiao, don’t say nonsense!

I’ve never deceived His Majesty!

【The cherry blossoms and sakura hotpot? That’s right. To circumvent the meat ban, the Wokou Country called horse meat “sakura.” “Sakura sashimi” and “sakura hotpot” are just horse meat dishes!】

The minister who had been to Wokou Country breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, the one deceiving His Majesty is the Wokou Country, not me.

【Oh, oh, and then there’s “red leaves,” which is venison! Haha! And “peony” is wild boar meat! “Cypress” is chicken meat!】

The emperor’s gaze toward the Wokou Country envoy grew colder and colder.

So, that’s why there are so few butcher shops.

—They just renamed them. Of course, they wouldn’t call them “meat” shops anymore.

The emperor’s icy glare landed on his envoy, who almost wanted to kneel immediately and explain—if not for Xu Yanmiao being there.

The envoy had indeed been to Wokou Country, but he was led straight to the emperor by the Wokou Country reception team. Along the way, there was little room for deviation. Just like how Wokou Country envoys were escorted by the Ministry of Rites officials in Da Xia, confined to the official residence with limited freedom of movement, and only allowed out every five days.

In such circumstances, and without prior arrangements, it was genuinely hard to uncover the inner workings of Wokou Country, let alone ascertain whether they could eat meat.

The emperor let out a cold chuckle.

“As for this matter of tributes…”

【Ah! That’s right! And the tributes!】

The emperor’s face momentarily went blank.

For a fleeting moment, he really wanted to knock Xu Yanmiao unconscious.

He absolutely, truly, didn’t want to know every little detail about how he had been deceived!

Xu Yanmiao, don’t you know the saying, “It’s best not to see or hear too much if you want to live in peace”?

【Whew! The Goryeos offered gold and silver as tribute, but the emperor refused. He said Goryeo was too remote and must have spent excessively to acquire those treasures from elsewhere, so it wasn’t necessary.】

【He held the same attitude toward other vassal states. Honestly, the emperor’s intentions were quite kind.】

The emperor paused.

…Was that a compliment?

Rare!

For a moment, the emperor’s mood improved, and he even found the deceitful Wokou Country less irritating.

【Too bad the Wokou Country overstepped their bounds.】

“…”

And just like that, his mood took another nosedive.

【Tsk, tsk, the Wokou Country have discovered the Iwami Silver Mine in recent years, yet not a trace of silver appears in their tributes to Da Xia.】

【Instead, they tell the emperor their silver for trade is purchased from elsewhere and use it to exchange for Da Xia’s copper coins…】

Xu Yanmiao faltered for a moment before launching into a string of somewhat chaotic mental calculations. Before the Da Xia officials could react, Xu Yanmiao had already reached a conclusion—

【Holy smokes! If the Iwami Silver Mine produces over 5 million taels a year…】

H-how much?!

The Da Xia officials’ eyes were already bloodshot.

Five million taels of silver a year?!

“I’ll curse your ancestors!” Yongchang Marquis couldn’t hold back and swore aloud.

Such a massive silver mine, practically within their grasp, and they knew nothing about it!

【In less than 30 years, Da Xia will face a copper shortage and might even have to start importing Wokou Country copper.】

【Talk about local specialties~】

【Better a humble gift with heartfelt sentiment than a lavish one devoid of sincerity, eh~】

Da Xia officials: “…”

Stop it. Just stop it already.