“Rest assured, Priest, we know what to do!”
Both of them nodded immediately.
But what the group didn’t know was that Mu Yunge had already made up her mind to make them leave disappointed!
…
Meanwhile, in the inner palace, the concubines had all received tributes from the barbarian tribes.
Of course, none of the concubines were interested in the coarse food eaten by these barbarians, but Mu Yunge seemed quite interested and ate some mutton.
Shortly after finishing the mutton, Mu Yunge said to the Emperor at the table, “Father, their mutton is very plump and delicious. Is the border region really that poor?”
Hearing this, the Emperor immediately replied happily, “That’s because they offered their best cattle and sheep, which is why Xiao Jiu’er was able to eat such delicious mutton.”
Mu Yunge nodded innocently and then asked, “Then, Father, you must reward them handsomely.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately smiled and said, “Of course! Every year, I bestow many treasures upon the barbarians, totaling more than ten times the amount of their tribute.”
“Ah!? So much!? That won’t do, Father!” Mu Yunge said unhappily upon hearing this.
The Emperor, surprised by her words, smiled and asked, “Why does Xiao Jiu’er think it’s not right?”
“Father, you’re so foolish! A cartload of cattle and sheep in exchange for ten times your reward is clearly a huge loss for us! Besides, the barbarians are our vassals. It’s only right that they pay tribute every year. You just need to reciprocate and give them some gifts when they go back to fulfill your obligations. How can you bestow so much at once!”
“Although I don’t know the price of cattle and sheep, Chun Xiao and the others have told me roughly. Take this porcelain, for example. A set of this porcelain you bestowed upon them is worth more than a cartload of cattle and sheep, isn’t it? Given your generosity, the gifts you give must be even more valuable than this porcelain, right? They only offered a few cartloads of cattle, sheep, and horses, yet they received ten or even a hundred times our value in return. No, we’re getting the short end of the stick!”
Mu Yunge shook her head repeatedly, her eyes wide.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor paused for a moment and then burst into laughter, “Hahaha, Xiao Jiu’er, you’re too young to understand. This is to demonstrate the might of my Great Zhou, to let them know that even if I just casually pull out some things, they’ll have enough to eat and drink!”
At this, Mu Yunge innocently asked, “But just a few days ago, I heard the palace maids say that the borderlands are nice. Are they really that poor?”
Mu Yunge’s expression was full of doubt.
Hearing this, the Emperor chuckled repeatedly and then said, “How could that be false? Even the clothes worn by that barbarian prince are not as good as those worn by the wealthy families of my Great Zhou.”
Mu Yunge, while eating the food Yan Fei had placed on her plate, said, “Every time I ask Father for something, I make myself look very pitiful!”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s smile vanished instantly.
Seeing this, the Empress was immediately startled and then quickly said to Mu Yunge, “Alright, Xiao Jiu’er, hurry up and eat. These things are not your concern.”
Mu Yunge pouted and said, “I know, Mother. I was just saying. Someone in the palace said the borderlands are very nice.”
At this moment, the Emperor said to the Empress, “Xiao Jiu’er is right. Trading a cartload of cattle and sheep for a cartload of my rewards is really a loss.”
After a while, the Emperor said, “I need to attend to some state affairs. You and your daughter should rest early.”
Hearing this, the Empress immediately nodded, then took Mu Yunge’s hand and escorted the Emperor out of Weiyang Palace.
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Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1