novelSusiti Chapter 18: The Great Qin Breaks the Formation with Music, the Qin Emperor Displays His Power in the
Chapter 18: The Great Qin Breaks the Formation with Music, the Qin Emperor Displays His Power in the
"His Majesty is holding court!"
The eunuch's shrill voice broke the noisy atmosphere of the main hall of Weiyang Palace.
In an instant, the entire main hall fell silent.
Whether it was the envoys from the arguing Great Xia, the Greek Federation of India, Parthia, Kangju, and other countries, or anyone else, they all looked towards the inner palace.
"Tap tap..."
The heavy footsteps struck everyone's hearts like thunder.
A tall and imposing figure came into their view, with a jade crown binding his hair, wearing a black imperial robe with gold trim, and a sword at his waist.
Emperor Ying Xuan of Qin exerted unspoken pressure on everyone, especially the envoys from other states.
No one will forget that this twenty-year-old monarch successively destroyed the Antigonid, Seleucid, and Ptolemaic dynasties.
They conquered no fewer than a hundred small states and tribes.
His iron-fisted style surpasses even that of Alexander the Great.
Such a terrifying existence has never appeared in Europe, West Asia, or North Africa.
As everyone's thoughts raced, Ying Xuan walked step by step up the high platform and sat imposingly on the imperial throne.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The civil and military officials of the Qin Dynasty stood on both sides, bowing in respect.
"Greetings to the Qin Emperor!"
Envoys from various countries and tribal leaders followed suit, bowing their heads.
To refuse to bow before the emperor is a desecration of the Qin Empire, and they, and the country behind them, cannot afford the consequences.
No need for formalities.
Looking down, Ying Xuan's eyelids twitched slightly, and he said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The civil and military officials returned to their positions in turn.
The backs of the envoys from various countries and tribal leaders were already soaked with cold sweat, and their whole bodies were trembling.
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Qin."
Suddenly, the Kangju envoy stepped forward with a fawning smile and said, "On behalf of His Highness the King of Kangju, I extend my sincerest greetings to you and present tribute: five thousand warhorses and one hundred chests of gold, silver and jewels."
"Holy crap!"
The envoys from Daxia and Anxi glared angrily at the Kangju envoy, who had actually betrayed them.
"hehe!"
Ying Xuan chuckled coldly, his voice as harsh as the dead of winter: "I have a question."
"I wonder if the envoy from Kangju can answer this?"
"Your Majesty, please ask."
The Kangju envoy straightened his expression and said respectfully.
"Dayuan was destroyed by our Qin army."
"The former territory of Dayuan was also under the jurisdiction of the Western Regions Protectorate of our Great Qin."
"How did it fall into the hands of Kangju?"
With a narrowed eye, Ying Xuan said expressionlessly.
"this...."
The Kangju envoy's expression changed drastically; he had no idea how to answer.
The Qin officials and generals present looked at this black-haired, blue-eyed barbarian with murderous intent in their eyes.
Kangju was not among the city-states of the Western Regions, but rather a branch of the Xiongnu, nomadic in the northern part of the middle reaches of the Syr Darya River in Central Asia.
When the Qin army marched west, they did not deal with Kangju, so Kangju remained unharmed.
Who could have imagined that Kangju would become increasingly audacious in the past five years, encroaching on areas south of the Kazakh Hills and Outer Ili, and even annexing the former territory of Dayuan (now the Fergana Basin).
It’s tolerable, it’s unbearable!
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Qin."
The Indian envoy from the Greek Federation suddenly spoke up: "We, the people of our city-states, look up to the magnificence of the Great Qin."
"We hereby present a letter of surrender."
"I am willing to die for His Majesty the Emperor of Qin!"
What?
The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall was astonished.
The envoys of the Mauryan dynasty could no longer enjoy watching the play in peace.
The envoys from Bactria and Parthia showed expressions of resentment, feeling betrayed by the Greek-Indian federation.
"sensible!"
The Qin officials looked at the black-haired, brown-eyed envoy from the Greek Federation of India and Greece and all showed friendly expressions.
The Hellenic-Indian Commonwealth is located on the upper reaches of the Indus River.
The area is surrounded by mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
It borders the Xia Dynasty to the north and the Mauryan Empire to the south.
This is a great location.
If the Qin Dynasty had the support of the Indian and Greek federations, how could it not open a passage to South Asia?
"I understand your meaning, Your Excellency."
"Our great Qin Dynasty is as vast as the ocean, embracing all rivers; it is naturally generous in accepting all nations."
"Guards, draft an imperial edict."
Ying Xuan beckoned and called out.
"His Majesty."
The attendant took out a silk scroll, ready to copy the imperial edict at any time.
"Kings and tribal leaders of North Africa, the Caucasus, Europe, and the Mediterranean coast."
"He was granted the position of Commandant and allowed to lead his own troops."
"The lords of the cities of the Indian-Greek Federation were granted the position of Colonel."
"The Ministry of Rites dispatched officials to bestow seals and tallies in accordance with regulations."
"only!"
The attendants copied the contents of the imperial edict onto a silk scroll.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The tribal leaders and envoys from the Indian-Greek Federation were overjoyed.
Over the past few days, they have gained some understanding of the Qin Dynasty's system; both the Commandant and the Colonel are high-ranking official positions.
With this title, they wouldn't need to worry about the Qin Dynasty attacking them, and they could even trade with the Qin Dynasty. Why wouldn't they want to?
The wealth of the Qin Dynasty made many countries envious.
Sharp weapons, sturdy armor, exquisite ceramics, and silk fabrics.
Immediately, one tribal leader after another followed Kangju's example and offered the gifts they had brought.
The envoys from Kangju, Daxia, Parthia, and the Mauryan Dynasty watched the endless stream of gift-givers, their expressions growing increasingly uncertain.
Especially the envoy from Kangju.
They were the first nation to voluntarily pay tribute, a gesture of submission.
Who could have imagined that Qin Emperor Ying Xuan's seemingly casual remark would eliminate all possibilities?
At least for now, no country dares to face the threat of Qin alone.
"The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war."
"Today, all of you are here."
"I invite you to witness a dance that is unique throughout the ages."
"Come on, play the music!"
Ying Xuan clapped his hands in acknowledgment.
What?
The envoys and tribal leaders from various countries were taken aback, somewhat bewildered.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Then the sounds of bells and drums rang out.
An atmosphere of impending doom permeated the hall.
"Tap tap!"
A series of figures in black armor appeared in an orderly fashion in the center of the main hall, holding shields in their left hands and swords in their right.
"How can you say we have no clothes? We share the same robes. The king is raising an army; let us prepare our spears and shields. We will fight alongside you against this enemy!"
"How can you say we have no clothes? We will share our garments with you. The king is raising an army; let us prepare our spears and halberds. We will fight together!"
"How can you say we have no clothes? We will share our garments with you. The king is raising an army; let us prepare our armor and weapons. We will march together..."
Eight hundred elite Qin soldiers chanted "Qin Feng" as they moved about.
Every move they made showcased their brave and valiant spirit.
Swift and agile, like a wolf or a tiger.
"A battle-hardened elite!"
The pupils of the envoys from Bactria, Parthia, and other countries dilated instantly.
Each of these eight hundred men was an elite soldier who had crawled out of piles of corpses.
The murderous aura emanating from them alone was enough to make their hair stand on end.
"Clang!"
Suddenly, all eight hundred men simultaneously slammed their right-hand longswords heavily onto the iron-clad round shields.
The sound of metal clashing suddenly resounded throughout the hall.
Swords flashed, and killing intent lurked everywhere.
"Waaah! Waaah!"
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
The melodious, deep sound of horns intertwined with the deafening sound of drums.
Furthermore, the sounds of bells and tripods were interspersed among them.
It resembles galloping warhorses, or a massive army charging into battle.
How magnificent and grand!
The eight hundred elite soldiers became increasingly ferocious in their actions.
Their perfectly synchronized postures were breathtaking.
"My God!"
All the envoys present felt a chill run down their spines.
The envoys from Kangju, Daxia, Parthia, and the Mauryan Dynasty stared intently at the scene before them.
"May the Qin Dynasty last ten thousand years!"
The Indian envoy from the Greek Federation unconsciously glanced at Ying Xuan at the head of the table and muttered to himself.
In an instant, hundreds of tribal leaders felt awe and dared not oppose the Qin Dynasty.