Chapter 367: What Qualifies as the Heavenly Empire?
The Empress finally spoke up: “Both of our nations are among the strongest empires in the world. If we were to engage in a conflict, it would have far-reaching consequences and be detrimental to both sides. Indeed, it’s not advisable to resort to warfare and disrupt the peace. A marriage alliance is a good solution!”
The court officials unanimously exclaimed, “Your Majesty is wise!” The Third Prince of Great Yan Empire secretly let out a sigh of relief, finally having his point understood.
I fear that if the fighting continues, it might not end well.
“However, how should we arrange this marriage alliance? Third Prince of Great Yan, since you proposed this idea, please share your thoughts!” the Empress continued.
The Third Prince bowed and said, “For the marriage alliance, the main goal is to resolve the conflicts between our nations and ease the tensions. Therefore, the candidates must be chosen carefully. First, they must hold noble titles, at least the rank of prince or princess. Second, whether prince or princess, they must be unmarried to ensure compatibility. Third, they must have the favor of the current Emperor. Only when these three conditions are met, will the marriage alliance be meaningful and effective!” The Empress nodded slightly, finding this request reasonable.
However, she soon furrowed her brows, realizing that the Great Wu Empire didn’t seem to have suitable candidates.
First, the issue of candidate identity couldn’t be resolved satisfactorily. She herself had no heirs, so there were no princes or princesses available. The bloodline of the Three Great Princes had been wiped out, leaving only some less-threatening dukes.
Among them, some were unmarried and could be considered as marriage candidates.
But then, the third condition posed a challenge. The Third Prince of Great Yan required the candidate to have the favor of the current Emperor, yet after searching among all the royal bloodlines, there was no one in the younger generation who met that criteria.
Finding someone to fulfill this requirement would be difficult, and the astute Third Prince wouldn’t be easily fooled.
Therefore, finding a suitable person was virtually impossible.
The Empress shook her head and said, “This condition is too strict! Let me be clear, we in the Great Wu Empire can’t find a suitable candidate for the marriage alliance, so we must relax the conditions!”
“No, there is a suitable candidate in the Great Wu Empire!” the Third Prince exclaimed.
The Empress asked, “Who?”
“Princess Wu Yunying!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent. The civil and military officials looked odd, bowing their heads, hesitant to speak.
Even the Empress on the dragon throne narrowed her eyes, creating a sense of danger.
The Third Prince continued, “In your Great Wu Empire, Princess Wu Yunying is the most suitable candidate! Although she doesn’t hold the title of a princess, she’s greatly favored and cherished by you, Your Majesty. Hence, her status is equivalent to that of a princess. Additionally, Wu Yunying County Princess is only twenty-eight years old, unmarried, and without any engagement. She is highly suitable. Only by marrying her to Great Yan can the tensions between our nations be alleviated!” The Empress glanced at the court filled with civil and military officials, then looked at Lin Beifan. She realized everyone was silent and spoke again, “If she is to marry, who shall she be wed to?”
“It must be someone of equal status!” At this moment, the Third Prince of Great Yan Empire exhibited an unusual awkwardness, with a slight blush on his face. “Your Majesty of Great Wu, what do you think of me?”
The Empress widened her eyes in shock, “You?”
Thinking that the Empress disagreed, the Third Prince hastily continued, “Ever since I first met Princess Wu Yunying, I’ve found her intelligent, charming, and romantic. She’s a perfect match for me! I am still unmarried, and so is Wu Yunying County Princess. Both unattached, the match is ideal!”
“Furthermore, as the Third Prince of Great Yan, I excel in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and my poems and songs are unmatched. I am highly favored by my father, the Emperor. Wu Yunying County Princess wouldn’t suffer any injustice by marrying into Great Yan. Please, Great Wu Majesty, grant your consent!” He looked at the Empress nervously.
Because, he did indeed have some feelings for the young princess, but he was afraid of the Empress’ refusal.
The Empress waved her hand, “Wu Yunying is a little county princess whom I greatly cherish. I’m reluctant to let her go, but I’m also afraid of hindering her good fortunes in marriage. Third Prince of Great Yan, you may leave for now! After I’ve considered it, I’ll give you an answer.”
“Your Majesty of Great Wu, I shall take my leave,” the Third Prince said unwillingly. The Empress looked at her court of civil and military officials and said expressionlessly, “Esteemed ministers, regarding this marriage proposal, what are your thoughts?”
The officials exchanged glances and remained silent. Everyone knew of the close relationship between Princess Wu Yunying and the Empress—they had grown up together. Though not biological sisters, their bond was like that of siblings. Thus, concerning matters related to Wu Yunying’s marriage, everyone refrained from speaking too much, fearing to inadvertently offend the Empress.
The Empress had no choice but to single out Lin Beifan and said, “Sir Lin, you are the current Prime Minister and Supreme Commander, and you share a close connection with Wu Yunying. Please share your thoughts!”
Lin Beifan spoke loudly, “Your Majesty, I disagree with this marriage proposal! Not only do I disagree with this marriage, but I also will never agree to any future marriage alliance!”
The Empress was taken aback, and so were the civil and military officials! While they expected Lin Beifan to decline the marriage proposal, why would he refuse all future marriage alliances as well?
The Empress asked in astonishment, “Sir Lin, can you explain your reasons?”
“Your Majesty, may I ask if you wish to be the Emperor of a Heavenly Empire or just a regular empire?”
The Empress opened her arms and proclaimed, “Of course, I want to be the Emperor of a Heavenly Empire!”
“Do you know how to build a Heavenly Empire?” the Empress asked anxiously. “Sir Lin, do you know? Please tell us!”
Lin Beifan shook his head slightly and said, “I don’t know! But I do know of a country that might be the closest to the image of a Heavenly Empire!”
The Empress urgently inquired, “Which country is that?”
“This country is called Daming. Your Majesty need not delve too deeply, for it has disappeared into the annals of time. However, this country is undoubtedly the greatest nation I’ve ever known, and it’s the closest to the concept of a Heavenly Empire in history! Because…” Lin Beifan raised his head high and declared, “Since its foundation, for three hundred years, this nation hasn’t engaged in marriage alliances, tribute, submission, land concessions, or reparations. It stands strong and unyielding, its spirit unbreakable!”
“The rulers have the integrity of life and death, and an unyielding spirit. The Emperor guards the country’s gates, and kings defend their ancestral lands!”
“If someone were to ask, ‘What is a Heavenly Empire?’”
“This is my answer!”
“Only a nation as steadfast as this one can be called a Heavenly Empire!”
“Other nations simply don’t measure up!”
The Empress listened with fervor!
The officials listened with fiery enthusiasm! For three hundred years, the nation refused marriage alliances, tribute, submission, land concessions, and reparations. Its spirit was unwavering, its backbone unyielding! The rulers held the integrity of life and death, an unyielding spirit, and the Emperor guarded the country’s gates, while kings defended their ancestral lands.
A powerful force seemed to rush forth, leaving people breathless yet exhilarated. The Empress took in a sharp breath, “Such a strong nation! Sir Lin, is there truly such a nation?”
“Your Majesty, indeed there is. Would I deceive you?” Lin Beifan smiled and said, “A true Heavenly Empire doesn’t need marriage alliances, tribute, submission, land concessions, or reparations. Because, for them, these actions are signs of weakness!”
“As long as you are strong and resolute enough, you can make the world submit and unite the myriad of clans! As long as you fear nothing, nations will naturally gather, protecting the country and chanting praises for Your Majesty!”
The more the Empress listened, the more her emotions stirred. She spoke incoherently, “Sir Lin, you’ve explained it so well! A Heavenly Empire should be like this! It can only be like this! I have decided that our Great Wu will become such a nation! Although our strength may not measure up, our integrity must stand tall!”
“From now on, Great Wu will not engage in marriage alliances, tribute, submission, land concessions, or reparations! The rulers must hold the integrity of life and death, and the Emperor must guard the country’s gates, while kings protect the ancestral lands!”
“This should become our ancestral teaching, passed down from me!”
The officials exclaimed together, “Your Majesty is wise!”
Then they looked at Prime Minister Lin Beifan with admiration, in awe of his extraordinary reasoning.
He had managed to decline a marriage proposal with such a grandiose and irresistible reason!
We truly admire him!
“Indeed, Sir Lin, you mentioned that this country existed for 300 years. Does that mean this nation only existed for 300 years? Why did such a powerful nation fall?” The Empress asked in confusion. The officials were also curious and leaned in to listen.
“Your Majesty, the fall of Daming was caused by multiple factors, but the main reason was the dominance of corrupt officials in the court, widespread corruption, and intense class struggles. The problems had become too deeply entrenched to be resolved. The rulers at the time lacked the power to turn things around and could only resort to suicide, preserving the last vestiges of their dignity and integrity.” Lin Beifan reported.
The Empress couldn’t help but recall her own experiences.
The Great Wu Dynasty had also reached the .-year mark!
Corrupt officials were rampant in the court, and corruption was widespread!
Class struggles were also severe, causing the people to suffer!
There were regional warlords, military conflicts, powerful neighbors surrounding them, and the risk of invasion at any time!
If not for Lin Beifan’s arrival, she too might not have been able to turn things around and might have had to find a place to commit suicide!
“Alas!” The Empress sighed deeply.
Where was there any Daming Dynasty?
Lin Beifan probably intentionally fabricated a history similar to Great Wu’s, using it as an opportunity to remind her to be a good Emperor and avoid becoming a ruler of a fallen nation!
He had such a thoughtful and loyal heart! With him, I am fortunate, and the nation is fortunate!
The Empress glared fiercely at the civil and military officials, then smiled at Lin Beifan and said, “Sir Lin, I understand your meaning, and I know what to do!”
Lin Beifan blinked his eyes. Your Majesty, what do you mean by that? Why am I having trouble understanding?
Could you be reading too much into something?
At this point, the Empress waved her hand, “I want to become the Emperor of a Heavenly Empire. The topic of a marriage alliance shall not be brought up again! Tell the Third Prince of Great Yan that the marriage alliance is off! If they want to fight, we’re ready to face them!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the officials responded.
The Third Prince of Great Yan, Yan Xinghe, unable to obtain the answer he desired, returned dejectedly and began packing his belongings to return to Great Yan.
When Lin Beifan returned that night, he was approached by the Little Princess.
