The playboy county magistrate

The Khan of the Northern Desert was pale and ashen-faced, his expression grim. Yet he still maintained his arrogance and offered a rebuttal in a deep voice.

"Lord Li, your words are too harsh! We are all here with sincere intentions, seeking peace and stability for the people. How could we harbor any selfish motives? You are merely misinterpreting the loyalty of our vassal state!"

Whether it's a misinterpretation or not, you all know perfectly well.

Li Xuanzhi replied calmly, his tone even yet exuding confidence. He didn't engage in arguments, but his self-assurance was undeniable.

"The Great Yong embraced the four seas, but benevolent governance does not mean excess, and inclusiveness does not mean lack of rules. Trade can be relaxed with consideration, but it is absolutely impossible to delegate power without limits or allow things to proceed without rules or systems."

Seeing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, Li Xuanzhi calmly offered a compromise solution.

"The imperial court may, according to the actual situation, optimize the trade process and simplify customs clearance. It may also reduce or exempt some of the transit taxes for weaker vassal states, showing compassion for the difficult livelihoods of people in distant lands."

"But border defense, checkpoint control, coastal defense regulations, and trade rights are the foundation of the nation and the line of defense for the country. We cannot back down an inch or relax our efforts in the slightest."

"All countries engaging in trade must still register their names, verify their goods, and keep track of their movements. Trade must proceed in accordance with these regulations and proceed in an orderly manner. Those who abide by the rules of our Great Yong will be guaranteed smooth trade and will receive abundant blessings year after year."

"But let me make this clear: anyone who dares to use the guise of trade for spying, infiltration, or personal profit will be banned from the market and permanently closed to business, without any leniency."

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court secretly admired him.

Li Xuanzhi's move was absolutely brilliant.

It not only complied with the demands of various countries for trade, but also demonstrated the inclusiveness and benevolence of the Great Yong as a superior nation, thus preserving the dignity of a great power.

They also firmly upheld the bottom line of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, completely eliminating the potential for infiltration and spying by foreign forces.

At the same time, his words broke the deadlock, shattering the tacit understanding among the seven nations to exert pressure together. This forced them back into a state of mutual distrust and individualism, allowing him to completely seize the initiative.

The envoys from various countries had mixed expressions, and none of them dared to strongly refute them anymore.

They knew that if they continued to cause trouble today, they would be ungrateful and would be branded as defying the emperor's authority and harboring treacherous intentions, which would be a greater loss than gain.

To back down now would mean the failure of all their plans. This gamble in the capital has already put them at a complete disadvantage.

During the stalemate, the Crown Prince slowly stepped forward.

Having followed the emperor to observe court affairs and gained practical experience under Li Xuanzhi, the crown prince had already developed a broad perspective, a calm demeanor, and exceptional vision.

"Your vassal lords have come from afar to petition for the people's livelihood and to seek benefits for trade. Your intentions are pure, and the court is fully aware of and compassionate towards you. Minister Li's words are not intended to treat our vassal states harshly, but rather to consider the long-term stability of trade among all nations and the perpetual peace of our vassal states."

When others say these words, they simply let them go in one ear and out the other, as if a gust of wind has blown them away.

But who said this? It was His Highness the Crown Prince of Dayong, the next emperor of Dayong.

Is there any doubt about the prestige of the Crown Prince?

Having overseen the state, being the legitimate son of the Empress, and personally instructed by the Emperor, Li Xuanzhi, a figure whose reputation resounded throughout their country, was his teacher.

The implications of the promise made by the next Emperor of Dayong are self-evident.

"But without rules there is no longevity, and without checks and balances there is no lasting peace. If we loosen regulations and abandon defenses, it may seem that trade is convenient and other countries benefit. In reality, order will collapse and chaos will ensue."

"You wouldn't want frequent border conflicts, wars, and chaotic trade, which would ultimately harm the livelihoods of your vassal states and sever the path of coexistence, would you?"

"Our Great Yong is the legitimate successor of the Central Plains and the sovereign of all nations. Upholding the rules of our Great Yong is to safeguard the stability of the world, and strict control is to protect the peace of all nations."

"Today's concessions and optimization of regulations are a gesture of appeasement from our Great Yong, a powerful nation. You should all be grateful, know your limits, and know when to advance and retreat."

If the emperor were to say such things, it would inevitably give the impression of being petty and narrow-minded.

But it was just right for the young crown prince to say these things.

All the officials and civil and military officials were immediately impressed.

The once naive and ignorant crown prince has, under Li Xuanzhi's careful guidance and experience in the court, grown into a calm, insightful, and capable heir apparent who can keep the nation in check.

He speaks with composure, possesses a broad perspective, and combines kindness with authority, subtly displaying the demeanor of an emperor.

Such a prince of the Yong Dynasty became a problem in the eyes of envoys from various countries.

After all, if the Crown Prince of Dayong is too powerful, the opportunities for other countries to seek their own interests will decrease.

Only if the Crown Prince of Dayong is sufficiently ordinary will they have more opportunities to gain benefits.

But if you think about it carefully, Li Xuanzhi, the cabinet minister of Dayong, is still very young, and the crown prince is also very young.

Even under the new policies of the Dayong Dynasty, most of the officials selected to actually get things done were quite young.

With such a profound cultural heritage and such a group of young, promising, and capable ministers, what will the future hold for this country? Just thinking about it sends chills down their spines.

The Southern Frontier envoy, adept at playing both sides, was as perceptive as ever, being the first to step forward, composed himself, and responded with a smile, bowing respectfully.

"Your Highness is absolutely right. We were shallow-minded and narrow-minded. We failed to see the way to long-term stability. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness and Lord Li, and thank you for the understanding and tolerance of His Majesty and the Great Yong Dynasty."

The envoys from the three kingdoms of the Western Regions weren't fools; they were just a little stunned for a while. Seeing the envoy from the Southern Frontier express his opinion, they immediately followed suit and bowed their heads.

"We will strictly abide by the regulations of the Great Yong Dynasty, strictly adhere to the tributary system, conduct trade in an orderly manner, and never dare to harbor any further delusions."

The Japanese envoy hesitated for a moment, his calculating glint vanishing from his narrow eyes. In the end, he suppressed his ambition and bowed in submission.

"We are willing to trade in accordance with the new system and regulations."

Finally, even the notoriously arrogant and self-important Khan of the Northern Desert had to suppress his resentment and covetousness, bowing slowly before all the representatives of the envoy delegation, and said in a deep voice:

"We will strictly follow the regulations of the Great Yong Dynasty."

The once tense and turbulent court instantly returned to a state of solemnity and peace.

The emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, watching the entire process in silence, a deep sense of approval and satisfaction flashing across his eyes.

He saw clearly that Li Xuanzhi remained the same pillar of the court, with his sharp insight, meticulous mind, and superb methods. His composure in the face of adversity was unmatched by anyone in the court or among the people.

The crown prince's growth far exceeded his expectations.

There are capable ministers who purify the court and stabilize the nation. There is a crown prince who is steady, ambitious, and capable of shouldering great responsibilities.

When the ruler and his ministers are of one mind, and there are successors to carry on the legacy, then the empire can endure forever, and this is the foundation for a prosperous and lasting dynasty.

With the situation settled, the subsequent tributary ceremony procedures continued to proceed.

The envoys from various countries presented their gifts in turn, speaking respectfully and observing all proper etiquette. They no longer dared to harbor any thoughts of forming a united front to exert pressure or secretly spying on the other side.

The court officials all knew that when foreign countries came to the court, they mostly presented treasures and beautiful women as gifts.

The first to step forward was, as always, the representative of the Southern Frontier delegation, known for their shrewdness, worldliness, and ability to adapt to circumstances.

The envoy from the southern border wore a smile, walked with composure, and gently clapped his hands.